Masao could only watch in horror as Jingjing was hit by the flames too. It was over, it was all over now. In her last moments she found herself thinking of the people in her life. Misaki, Nat, Michael, Jun, her teachers, even that obnoxious brute Ylva. The worst part however, was when she thought of Enma, none of the love that she felt for him was there anymore. That strong emotion that had made her happier than she had ever been. The feeling of loving and being loved, he had brought the color into her world and just like that they had been taken away again. She was left to slowly wither and fade away in suffocating monochromes, dead by the hands of a villain, hopefully Enma could forgive her...

''So this is what you cherish most, must be my lucky day!'' The villain cackled as he turned his attention away from Masao and over to Jingjing. Wasn't he going to kill her? She didn't understand, if he already had both of their powers what use were they to him alive? Unless... Looking at the other henchmen around them, they were real people just like her and Jingjing. They were still alive, maybe his quirk couldn't keep stealing if he killed his targets. Seeing Jingjing grow afraid of the bastard tore at her heart. Even if he didn't kill her he could still mangle her. Her sword wasn't strong enough to pierce her own armor, so that only left her with one choice. Having been given precious few seconds to rest, she sprung into action and grabbed her sword again. ''Hey, scoundrel!'' She called out to the villain, who finally turned around to see her having pointed the blade of her weapon at her own throat. ''Let go of us, and all these people, or I'll take my own life.''

''And why would that-''

''You're asking 'why would that matter?' You're so predictable.'' This was all about buying time. She just needed to buy time for now and keep talking. ''Simply put, you picked the wrong victims. I am Masao Ando, the sole inheritor of the Ando family business and the next Paragon. If I disappear people won't just come looking for me, the Ando family will spend their entire fortune turning this city upside down and hound you for the rest of your days. That girl over there? She owns a franchise of stores, if she goes missing people are bound to notice within a matter of hours.'' She was embellishing Jingjing's achievements as a store owner a little bit, but her point was valid nonetheless, besides the villain didn't know that. ''When I die, you lose my armor, don't you? That's why you haven't killed us, because you wanted to keep all that power for yourself.''

''You bitch.. I will-''

''You'll what?''

''I... Um...'' The quirk that he had taken from Jingjing suddenly faded and all the tension was sucked out of their stand-off. He looked over at Masao, then Jingjing, then around at all the other firehead henchmen. ''Um, where am I? What am I doing?''

Jingjing

''Indeed, there are multiple types of battles you will need to prepare yourself for on the field. It is not just fights for power, or will. You understand the battle of aesthetics. That makes you better than simple brutes who simply swing a weapon around with no regard for who they are or where they came from.'' It was meant only as a compliment, but with how serious she was while talking about it, it might not come across easily.

''Is that so?'' She smirked at their nervousness. ''Please, I do not have a patent on the flower-based aesthetic. Besides, I only focus on roses because that same pattern adorns my armor.'' And the much deeper secret, the fact that she just really liked flowers even if she rarely had the time to go into nature and admire them. She looked on in wonder and amazement as they demonstrated their power. A vibrant cherry blossom, undeniably striking and unique. Momoiro would have a hell of an easy time advertising and distinguishing themself as a hero later on. ''Magnificent, your power upon first inspection appears so delicate, and yet you wield a sword and take to the frontlines.'' Her head was already getting filled with all sorts of ideas for how it could look, what colors to mix and match with their approval. She turned to look at the ceiling as the petals scattered, taking in the shifting lights for a moment. ''That can certainly be arranged.'' She realized she was kind of dozing off in the moment and turned to face Momoiro again, clearing her throat. ''I can have it finished in a couple of days, would that suffice?''

Momoiro Sakurai

The blissful warmth of the love that was blossoming between them was fleeting, replaced with a cold harsh reality as a mysterious assailant descended on them. Someone who wanted to kill them? But why? Who had they made enemies of? They weren't exactly pro heroes yet, and as far as she knew Enma wasn't all too active in the field either despite possibly having a quirk license. Still, that didn't stop her from what she needed to do as she blocked the blade hits with her armor. ''Of.. Of course not, but that doesn't matter!'' It very well might, but her emotions had gotten her swept up in the moment. Enma could have died if she didn't act, and she would rather get scolded, or even kicked out of hero school if it meant the difference between life and death for the one she loved.

She did notice the snake tongue and considered whether he might be some kind of mutation, maybe hiding a secret weapon? ''Lay down your swords and surrender now.'' She ordered the presumed villain, but she probably came across as a whole lot less threatening without a weapon and just her fists. Besides, she was a support student. Most of her classmates were never going to be out in the field fighting criminals up close like this. When Enma suddenly stepped in front of her she looked doubtful, scared. ''But, Enma, you don't...'' She wanted to mention how he didn't have a weapon, but cut herself off since their opponent might not know that Enma was a swordsman. ''I cannot let you fight alone, you'll get hurt!'' She protested, knowing full well that her blocking the blades earlier had been a fluke. She wasn't fast enough to keep up with this assassin's attacks and any attack too complicated or too quick could easily break through her guard.

She almost couldn't look when he started attacking Enma, fearful that every strike swung at him might be the one that takes his life. She wanted, needed to intervene, and yet she was frozen in place, watching from the sideline like she was nothing more than a helpless civilian. Somehow, through some miracle or no, Enma's training was paying off. Somehow he was managing to avoid getting hit and then he delivered a resounding blow to the assailant, only for the shocking reveal that he had punched metal. ''E-Enma!'' She had never felt so scared before, never heard her voice shake with that kind of terror. When the blade tore into him, she felt equal parts fear, sadness and anger.

Even now, suffering in her stead, he was still thinking about winning the fight. Bat. Right, a weapon, she needed to get him a weapon. She didn't say anything, she just nodded her head and dropped her armor to conserve her power as she rushed to the store in question. If they weren't going to give her weapons to use, she was ready to commit more crimes and just bust the windows, but thankfully that looked like it wouldn't be the case. The authorities were being called to their position now too, but the seconds felt like hours with a killer like this on the loose. ''Was that kick earlier a fluke or what? Feels like you're slowing down already, boy. Don't tell me you're a support student like your princess.''

Adrenaline was pumping through her body as she turned back to the fight. ''Enma!'' She called out, more determined this time, taking a page out of his book. She couldn't stand around and get emotional, there would be time for feelings once all this was said and done. She wasn't just carrying one, but two bats. At this point there was already eyewitnesses that had seen her use her quirk to defend herself so there was no point even hiding the rule breaking anymore. ''Eyes!'' She called out, hoping Enma would catch onto what she was trying to do and cover his eyes.

Her quirk was not meant to hurt people, it was made to protect, to nurture. Even when exploring the possibilities for her super moves it was clear that her quirk wasn't one that brought destruction. When figuring out how to use her ultimate move she had discovered something special. The light that normally manifested for a short time when she summoned her armor endured for a little longer, just long enough that it could potentially blind someone if she caught them off-guard. Was it a fully-fledged ultimate move? Nowhere near it, but in this moment, it might be able to help them get some breathing room.

It was almost poetic that her growing emotions for Enma was what had awakened this new facet of her quirk, and now she was using it to try and save him. She wished he could see it, how the blinding light not only engulfed her body, but how it centered on her chest and beat to the rhythm of her heart, lighting up in a way that paid homage to the first time Enma's quirk showed her all the colors of the world. If they lived through this, she would have to show him.

''Divine Aegis!'' She called out the ultimate move anyway, despite not managing to manifest any armor moments after using it. It also made her a little more tired than using her quirk normally, but it was worth the risk. ''Here, I got you a weapon.'' Worry was plastered all over her face as she handed Enma one of the bats, but she couldn't allow herself to hold him back now.

''Now isn't this touching, are you dying together?'' The assailant cocked his head to one side as he grinned, his snake-like tongue licking his lips.

enma

She settled in his embrace as they kissed, that familiar feeling of intoxicating happiness and adrenaline she had been craving ever since their first date washing over her. Whether she was studying, training, hanging out with friends or by herself at the forge she never stopped thinking about Enma. She feared she might even be texting him too much, or sending too many photos, but he hadn't complained about it yet so she figured she was in the clear. She had even thought about experimenting with something she never thought she would take an interest in. Selfies. He had complimented her looks many times, so he would probably enjoy her sending selfies of herself? But how does one even take a good selfie? It was something to think about as she explored her newfound love for Enma Arashi.

''My family?'' A heart wrenching anxiety took ahold of her for a moment, but she didn't show it. While she was here with Enma nothing could harm them or get between them. ''Pay their opinions no mind. All they care about is duty, anything that does not pertain to it just gets in the way.'' She let out a small sigh. She usually didn't show her dislike for her family, but she felt so safe here with him, in their own cozy little bubble, a warm moment in time where it was just the two of them and no one else. ''My father is a fool. I hope that you don't have the displeasure of meeting him, at least for a long time.'' She caressed his cheek softly with her hand while she smiled and looked into his eyes.

She was unaware of the kind of memories she had stirred in Enma and just replied with a tiny smirk. ''That's understandable, Tokyo is plenty spacious as it is. My family does business here too, although my parents said they could never settle in this city. They are active people and require a lot of space to roam around on.'' She wasn't just from a wealthy family, but a family that lived in a mansion in the countryside. ''I have relatives here in Tokyo, but they're usually busy.''

The body was a curious thing. The kind of rapid heartbeat she had once correlated with being in the middle of a fight, or intense training session, suddenly set in when she looked at Enma and awaited his response. ''We would be.'' She smiled, blinking her eyes as tears snuck up on her when she saw him tearing up. She hugged him back as he wrapped his arms around her, squeezing him in a embrace tighter, closer, than she had ever hugged anyone before. ''It would appear so. I'll take good care of you, Enma-kun.'' Her tone was a lot softer than usual, her stoic facade melting away only when she was alone with him. As they stood there, she got a bit self-conscious about how loudly her heart was beating, and the fact that his head was right by her chest. Could he hear it? Could he hear how much she liked him? Leaning in a little closer she used her height to her advantage and gave him a small peck on the forehead.

''Selfish as it may be, I don't suppose that means it is unreasonable of me to want to spend more time with you going forward?'' Hearing that he liked being around her, that he felt safe in her presence, made her feel so impossibly happy, valued and loved. He felt safe with her, and she with him. Theirs was a pact between warriors, a bond between training partners and a promise between lovers. She was so distracted looking at Enma, thinking about what to say next, how to express her feelings and how important he was to her that she was caught completely unaware.

''What is..'' She muttered as she was suddenly spun around, held in his embrace and out of the corner of her eye she saw him kick someone away into a nearby department store. ''Enma?'' She asked in a haze of confusion looking at him with mounting fear in her eyes. ''I am okay...'' She gave a small nod and looked past Enma, trying to catch a glimpse of the attacker. ''Kill me?'' It was true that she was from a prestigious family, but for most of her life it had kept her safe. It was one thing to be related to heroes, her father was a first generation hero and the first to put on the armor for the sake of justice. To try to kidnap her would be putting a target on your back, but to make an attempt on her life? Never before had something like this happened. ''Are you hurt, Enma? Did they get you?'' She brought a hand up to squeeze his shoulder, seeking reassurance in his red eyes.

This time, she saw the figure approaching. Red blades? It didn't ring any bells, not that she had much time to think in the split second it took for her to act before the figure could attack her boyfriend. She wasn't as delicate as Enma had been with her, but it was out of worry for his safety that she quickly pulled Enma aside. Normally she was a stickler for rules, and a model student at UA. She had been for years, but all it took was one threat to Enma and in a flash, she activated her quirk without a license. The armor shone brightly for a brief moment, before settling. ''State your business! Who are you and what do you want with us?'' She made no attempt to avoid the red blades, trusting in her quirk to be durable enough to simply take the hits. If she got the chance to, she would also reach out and try to punch the assassin when they got within range.

enma

''Understood, Misaki-san.'' She sounded serious in the way she replied, but she said it with a smirk on her face. She couldn't go upsetting one of her only friends, especially not Misaki. ''Your work ethic is most impressive, between hero work, acting jobs and idol gigs you have plenty on your plate. It is probably no exaggeration to suggest that you are more busy than I am.'' After all, she wasn't working a ton of jobs or anything, just alternating between working in her workshop and training to become stronger. ''I am eager to see what you have been practicing.''

Misaki polite as usual, complimented her quirk. ''It is but an armor quirk, I have been practicing a new move, but I have not been able to perfectly replicate it every time. Besides, from what I can tell all it does is make tougher armor.'' She neglected to go into details for fear of rambling too long and boring Misaki. She was much more interested in what her friend was up to anyway.

''M-My boyfriend?!'' She felt her pulse increase as she looked over at Misaki, embarrassment written all over her red face. ''How did you.. We aren't! Well...'' She muttered, suddenly getting a lot more shy. ''He said he's my boyfriend, and I really like him.'' She couldn't look directly at Misaki, opting to look at the ground instead, fidgeting with a lock of her red hair as she talked. ''We went on a date together...'' She covered her face with her hands and squatted down. ''And we k-kissed...'' It almost felt shameful confessing to all of this, confessing to the fact that she had feelings and wasn't just the cool, stoic third year student who pretended to know everything that she was doing. ''I apologize, Misaki-san, do you think less of me for not telling you sooner?'' She asked with her face still buried in her hands.

Takanashi Misaki

The two-finger salute earned him one of her rare chuckles, both because she found it amusing, because she was so happy to see him and to mask how flustered his compliments made her. ''The feeling is mutual, I feel like the lucky one.'' She looked into his eyes as he stepped closer, her gaze wandering to his lips. They were both thinking the same thing, but he was the first one to actually put it into words. Rather than talk, she listened to him as he talked, taking in his every word and little mannerism before putting a hand under his chin and gently tilting his head upwards while she leaned in for a kiss. Her heart fluttered and bounced in her chest, amplifying the feelings she felt for him exponentially when they were this close. ''In all honesty, I wasn't sure if you thought this place might be a little too public for kissing.'' She admitted with an embarrassed smirk. There wasn't even that many other students around, but she was just as scared of freaking him out as he was with her. ''You always have my permission, Enma-kun.'' She added while looking down at the ground shyly.

She appreciated that he took the time to show her things from his own life, like his father's sports shop. Thankfully there was no encounter with Mr. Arashi this time either, although she had a feeling that if her and Enma kept seeing each other like this inevitably they would have to confront their parents. Maybe she should make more of an effort out of showing him things from her life too... But taking him to a Ando-owned store would be risky. What if someone recognized her? And holding hands with a guy in public? It was enough to make her anxious just thinking about how her family would react. A feeling that was fleeting when she was in the company of Enma. Something about him just naturally made her calm down and feel safe. With Enma by her side, nothing could go wrong. ''It's huge, the stand at the Sports Festival pales in comparison. Does he own a franchise?'' She gave his hand a little squeeze and smiled. ''It is the least I could do.'' 'I like spending time around you' she would have said, but she hesitated and instead continued with, ''Your smile is a gift I treasure.'' She did it because she wanted to help make his day easier, but also for the purely selfish reason that she missed him and wanted to see him as often as possible without being clingy.

As she was lost in thoughts imagining each time she made Enma smile, his question ripped her right back to reality, her heart skipping a beat as she felt her face turn red. Boyfriend? Did she hear him right did he just say boyfriend? Did that mean it was official? Did he like her like that? She was so happy she could hardly process everything that was going on, and she was probably suspiciously quiet for a few seconds before she managed to scramble together a reply. ''...It is to be expected that your girlfriend would want to surprise you, right? Besides, you surprise me and bring me gifts all the time.'' She wanted to sound confident, but she wasn't used to wearing clothes like this, much less being complimented by the guy she loved so openly for taking a chance. ''As you have probably noticed already I don't dress like this often. I never had anyone I wanted to show off to, and it isn't practical for training or work.'' She snuck a few nervous glances at him, before she stopped walking. ''You're... You mean a lot to me, Enma. You make me happy, I wanted to repay the favor.'' She bowed down and closed her eyes, bringing his hand up to give it a kiss.

''Does that mean I can call you my boyfriend, would you be okay with such a personal designation?'' She didn't just want to hear his response, she wanted to see it on his face. She knew what she felt for him was real, did he feel the same way?

enma