Masao was pacing back and forth, having found a relatively remote side street in Tokyo where she could calm herself down and think about what to do. First up she needed to resist the urge to panic and just run in without a plan. Whoever had Enma were also strong or capable enough to capture him. That meant going about this alone was most likely impossible, but she couldn't call the whole Heroes Association either and risk any harm being done to him. The dead drops did nothing to calm her down and only wore at her mind. Was he safe? What harm were they doing to him? Who were they even in the first place?

...


Why couldn't they have taken her and left Enma out of it?

If she had been kidnapped, Enma would have known what to do. He would probably have handled all this by now. Taking out her phone she pulled up her list of contacts. Misaki and Ylva were both out of town or busy, so she couldn't reasonably ask them to do something so dangerous with her. Scrolling down a little further she got to Jun, her finger hovering over the call button as she began to sweat. Jun and her were both sticklers for the rules, and Masao shouldn't be thinking about rescuing Enma all on her own, she still didn't have a license and she knew it. However, the part of her that was prideful about being seen as a good and righteous hero was being drowned out by the part that was screaming to hell with the rules, I need to save Enma.

Before she knew it she had pressed call.

''Kanjo-san?...'' She paused immediately, unsure of what to even say in the event that she picked up. ''I know this sounds insane, but... Could I ask a favor of you?'' She did her best to sound composed and act like nothing was wrong, but she couldn't hide her emotions in the tone of her voice. She often bore a stoic facade, but Masao had always been bad at hiding her true feelings. ''I need you to come meet me in Tokyo. I will send you the coordinates, it's not too far away. However, it is imperative that you come alone. And... Come equipped.'' Before Jun could really question her about what was going on she hung up, letting out a nervous sigh as she kept pacing and looking around her to make sure no one snuck up on her.

She rested her hand on Raiju's hilt, holding onto it firmly as she waited. It was the one part of Enma they hadn't taken from her yet, and she was going to return it to him once he was safe from whatever this hell was.

enma, junsuina

She breathed a sigh of relief as she came to a stop. Hopefully he didn't notice how much she had embarrassed herself. Not that it really mattered since he accepted her for who she was. Still, she had taken off running anyway. She felt like she was acting out of character lately, but in a good way. Her stoic facade had melted away around him, she could be herself, and free to figure out who the real Masao Ando even was in his company. Free of the fear of judgement she was intoxicated on his love and acceptance. Doing silly things like running off, smiling and laughing more often. Where had these little joys been all her life?

She smiled to herself as she walked up to the workshop. She should get him a gift while she was out, sneak into Tokyo and buy something for him as thanks for yesterday. Pushing the door open to her workshop she didn't pay the fact that it was unlocked any mind. However, she froze in the doorframe when she noticed her father Akari Ando standing inside, inspecting the equipment she had been working on and the condition of her workspace. ''You still keep your workspace tidy, Masao. Good, I would expect as much from my son.'' While his hair was blond it was long like hers, cold, green eyes staring back at her. ''Come in.'' He indicated for her to walk inside.

''Father... Your message did not indicate what time you would be here.''

''You know me, I'm a busy person. Besides, I needed to make sure you didn't have time to prepare in case you were turning into a slob.'' He picked up one of her training swords and inspected it closely as he continued talking. ''Masao, what is the purpose of my visit?'' She hesitated, slowly but surely putting herself back together and putting on the stoic facade she had worn her entire life. ''Because of the attempt on my life?''

Rather than answer her directly he continued. ''If you are going to drag the Ando name through the mud with your own incompetence, I suggest you do it in a way that garners sympathy from the public.'' She took a step forward. She wasn't just some puppet to be ordered around. ''I couldn't possibly have known that someone would try to kill me-''

''I heard that someone saved your life. A boy from this school?''

''Enma Arashi, he's my-''

''Yes that would be the one. I want to meet him.'' Akari put the training sword down and reached into his inner pocket to take out a sealed envelope. ''You are both invited to the Ando Estate for a formal dinner.'' He handed her the letter as he walked past her, giving her one more stare down. ''Masao, if you are going to waste your time on fooling around with a boy, then you must convince me you are skilled enough in your studies to do so. That means no more public tantrums, like letting that ice girl get on your nerves.'' Leaving the workshop he took one last look at her. ''Your mother and I will be expecting you and Arashi-san soon.''

She watched as he left and kept looking for a little while before she looked down at the envelope in her hand. A formal invitation to the estate, this was worse, this was so much worse than just having Enma meet her dad at school first. Taking a moment to get her bearings she continued about her day, stashing the envelope away as she did what she needed to. Her and Enma were going to open it and read it later and... He was going to put her mind at ease. He always did.

Just as planned she dipped into Tokyo for a quick shopping trip, keeping her sword Rosaria on her person just in case things went awry. Thankfully since the blade was concealed it was hard to tell that she was actually armed and so avoided being stopped by any officers. Heading into a local bakery she bought some pastries for her and Enma, something to enjoy after dinner.

She shivered as she returned back to the dorms, realizing she might need to start wearing her warmer jacket for the changing season. She smiled as she walked down the hallway to her dorm, ready to throw herself into Enma's embrace and see the surprise on his face when she brought home snacks. That was when she noticed the note. Odd, Misaki and Ylva were still out and... That wasn't Enma's handwriting. As she approached her door she was finally able to make out what the note said. She felt her blood run cold and her head spin, fear pumping through her body.

Someone had taken Enma.

Dropping the bag of pastries, Masao collapsed and sat on the floor for what felt like days. At some point she managed to pick herself up and walk outside, determined to follow the instructions of whoever had taken away Enma to minimize all harm done to him.

enma

''A world of war and fighting, it is no wonder the franchise is named the way that it is.'' She supposed there was merit to that. Rather than go out and fight real fights, in this game you could fight fictional ones and not have to risk your own life in the process. She listened to Jun explain her reasoning on pay because of her part time job, but before she could finish her point she seemed shocked about the fact that her and Enma was dating.

''Yeah.'' She was a bit surprised herself at Jun's reaction. ''Th-That's a lot of questions, I will try to answer all of them. Um...'' She started getting a bit embarrassed thinking and talking about it. ''We met by chance here at campus, then we started training together and he asked me out on a date.'' She smiled apologetically. ''I realized I have feelings for him, so... It honestly does not take up as much time in my day and week as I thought it would, I still have time for my duties as a student and a hero-to-be. I suppose it feels different when it is someone you really like.'' Realizing that there would be no end to the questions she quickly tried to pivot the conversation back to what Jun was talking about. ''Um, Kanjo-san, you were mentioning something about your job at Rising Phoenix? I believe you were making a point related to the weapons you wanted me to craft for your army.''

junsuina

Just as naturally as he put his hands on her hips, she wrapped her arms around him. Something about being held like this, standing so close, it just felt like it was meant to be. Like they were always supposed to find each other and now they had finally completed their fated journey. The end of a journey in solitude and the beginning of a life together. ''Come now, I hardly work more than you do.'' She ran her hand gently through his hair, feeling a bit embarrassed at being compared to royalty. She wasn't, she was just a regular woman, but most importantly, she was his. ''If you insist, it just slipped my mind, you should only see me at my best... But I suppose I can comb my hair after breakfast.'' She found reassurance in his eyes.

''Is that so? You are full of surprises, Enma-kun.'' It felt so stereotypically rich of her, but she wasn't a very good cook. The reason being that for most of her life she had grown up in a house with a personal chef. She only really started cooking for herself in her first year at UA, and even then she stuck to the same 10 or so healthy meals that best complemented her training regiment. It wasn't until she sat down for breakfast that she noticed the writing in ketchup on the omurice. ''Did you write this too?'' She smiled, leaning into him a little bit. ''It's cute. Since you made it I will savor every bite.'' Even if it was kind of a shame she couldn't take this omurice and frame it on her wall alongside his other breathtaking artworks.

And the moment she got her first mouthful she could feel an orchestra of flavors dance across her tongue. It wasn't just good, it wasn't just great, it was divine. Enma was an amazing cook, but that wasn't just it, it was the fact that he had made it too. Not just some ready meal she had gotten at the convenience store, or food prepared by a person you hardly know. This was omurice served up by the man she loved and it tasted all the better because he had made it. ''This is...'' She waited to speak until her mouth wasn't full. ''This is fantastic! You've outdone yourself, Enma.'' She smiled over at him, her hand reaching out to squeeze his. ''How long have you been cooking? If you joined the culinary club then I somehow didn't hear about it.'' She wanted to kiss him, but she resisted the urge since they were eating right now. After breakfast, though? He wouldn't be so safe.

She continued to enjoy her breakfast and Enma's company as they chatted away. ''Do you have any plans for today? I need to stop by the workshop for something but it will only take an hour at most.''

enma

She knew she could trust him wholeheartedly, her arms wrapping around him as he whispered words of comfort. Love was a such wonderful thing. How could she have gone this long without it? Maybe it was for the best. After all, she was glad that she got to experience so many of these new experiences with him and no one else. Just like that day she had first seen his quirk, it lit up again, shining with all the colors of the rainbow as kaleidoscope of light surrounded them, the spell that solidified their bond and undying love for each other.

She woke up to her hand reaching out for him, only to find that there was empty space in her bed. ''Enma?'' She mumbled, turning to look around before closing her again and dosing off for another few minutes. Then she finally caught a whiff of the breakfast he was cooking in the kitchen. It took her a moment to sit up and swing her feet over the side of the bed, checking her phone for any texts she might have received during the night before standing up and slipping into a morning gown.

As she got into the kitchen she let out a yawn, covering her mouth with her hand. ''Enma-kun? Did you wait for me to wake up? My apologies.'' She looked at the omurice he was cooking and then it really dawned on her. He was cooking breakfast in her house. ''You cooked breakfast? You didn't have to do that, you're my guest, that should be my responsibility.'' She smiled apologetically. Although she had to admit had she been the one cooking the food wouldn't have looked or smelled nearly as good. She walked over to embrace him and give him a kiss on the forehead. ''Did you sleep okay?'' She brushed a hand through his hair as she looked down into his eyes. Then her eyes traveled a little further down as she took in his whole morning fit and she couldn't help but crack a smile. ''You look great in my apron.'' Suddenly, fear ran through her veins.

Oh no.

She covered her face with one hand, keeping the other wrapped around him. ''Wait! My hair... Don't look at me, I haven't brushed my hair yet.'' Her face was beet red realizing she probably had crazy bedhead and he was seeing that for the first time.

enma

He was right, in this moment, nothing else mattered. Trauma from the past, worries about the future, tonight she was just going to exist in the present with Enma. Exist with him in a passionate dance, not as warriors the way they had faced each other so many times, but as people, as partners. Enma the warrior was so different from Enma the person and yet, they were also alike. Feeling his hand down her shoulder she felt nervous, not because these were hands that could tear apart the very world around them, or wield a blade with a fierce tenacity. His touch brought her comfort, but she had never been this vulnerable with anyone before. She wanted to, but what if she wasn't good enough for him? What if he didn't feel the same way she did?

She let out a small sigh to steel her nerves, her lips curling into a relieved smile when he reassured her that his scars weren't as painful as they seemed. When he took her head into his hands and kissed her forehead she closed her eyes, lingering in his presence and longing for him in turn as she caressed his arms gently with her hands. ''When that day comes,'' her voice was a lot softer and quieter than she had expected, but it felt right with how relaxed he had made her. ''please, come to me.'' She didn't want either of them to suffer in solitude anymore. She was going to help carry his burden and his pain, even if he might be apprehensive to let her.

She could feel her heart beat faster as they grew closer, her hands exploring the length of his in intimidate detail, memorizing every little bump and shape that made them his. She wanted to know them so well that if she ever lost her vision, she would still be able to recognize him from touch alone. She found solace in his crimson eyes, never daring to imagine that someone would look at her the way he did. The lights were dim, but he was positively glowing, Enma Arashi had never looked better in her eyes. How did she look to him?

...

Was he thinking the same thing that she was thinking?

She relaxed into the soft bed, returning his kiss in kind, looking up at him, impatiently awaiting his answer. Hopefully he couldn't see how nervous she felt. ''Hm?'' She blinked her eyes and looked down at his thumb as she felt it brush across her lower lip and down her neck. She let go of a breath she didn't know she was holding, her hands reaching out to embrace him. She blushed when he gave his answer, her eyes averting his for a moment as she grew embarrassed. ''How are you asking me so directly?'' That was the thing about Enma, despite any doubts or worries he might have, he always appeared so composed and capable to her. After a moment of gathering up the courage to, she moved a little closer to kiss him on the lips. When her eyes met his she could no longer keep her nerves under lock and key. ''I'm nervous.'' She blurted out, breaking into an apologetic smile for ruining the mood. ''Let's start slow. The night is young.'' She took his hand in hers, intertwining their fingers.

---

She awoke the next morning when one of the Sun's rays somehow found a way to sneak past her curtain and right onto her face. Mumbling something under her breath she got out of bed to adjust her curtain. With a small sigh she got back into bed, and didn't realize Enma was there until the moment she laid back down again. Memories of last night flooded her brain as it all came back to her. Every morning since the day she had fought the villain in Tokyo Bay she had woken up feeling terrible, but that tense pain she had felt in her chest for not telling him about the villain attack, for being nervous about her family, it was all gone. Settling back into bed she turned on her side so she could look at him. He looked so peaceful sleeping soundly next to her. While she may not have been aware in the moment, this morning was going to be another core memory for her, the first time she saw her cute boyfriend's sleeping face.

She smiled to herself as if she had gotten away with the perfect crime. There were so many subtle beauties to be found in sharing moments with the one you loved, and she couldn't wait to discover all of them one at a time with Enma. She was tempted to lean over and kiss him, but part of her didn't want to disturb him either. Looking at the clock on her wall she realized how early it was and grimaced a bit. She was not getting up early on the weekend, not when he was right there. Turning back to Enma she looked at him for a few more seconds before closing her eyes. Maybe she could catch a little nap too, until he woke up.

enma

''Yes, I am finished.'' She punctuated, sending a judgmental glare Ylva's way as she passed her and walked into her room. ''I appreciate the sentiment, however, I am not looking to accept advice from anyone at this moment.'' She was relieved to hear that Ylva wasn't going to snoop around in her room, not because she had anything to hide, unless Ylva was a massive history buff and enjoyed reading about obscure history topics, or looking at unfinished weapon schematics. Still, she was usually tired after a long day of work or school and the last thing she needed was to come home to a messy room because of a messy roommate.

And just like that, Ylva was already gone. Ylva Riis was many things but a social butterfly she was not. Well, whatever. Her job was to help Ylva not fail school academically, socially she could do whatever she wanted for all Masao cared. Didn't make a difference to her one way or the other. So long as she could stay in the school's good graces, make something of herself and get noticed by the pros within the next year and not disappoint her family through that entire process... She let out a sigh as she walked into her own room too and closed the door.

She had so many responsibilities to juggle now, what a pain... And Ylva wasn't even going to be her only roommate. UAU was a cruel world for introverts like her, and presumably, Ylva. One thing was for sure though. It was going to be a nightmare living with Ylva Riis.

Ylva Riis