Enma didn't mind waiting for Masao, it gave him time to steel his nerves and not appear to be the bumbling fool who has been falling head-over-heels for her. If he froze up and couldn't function every time he saw her, the charm would wear away quickly. Though, when he thought about Masao, he felt this warmth in his chest that has never been ignited by anyone else. Clutching his chest and reading the text, he pursed his lips and exhaled while nodding.

"Okay, she'll be a moment. I guess I will limber up in case we do a lot of walking." As he would do stretches, it passed the time and took his mind off of the strong Masao. She was a majestic knight, but today would bring another surprise. As she came to the entrance to UAU, he would take her in and the same awe that struck him on their first date would tear away any notion that he had the fortitude to not melt in her presence. It was a sight to behold.

The duality of someone's fashion really showed in Masao, and Enma couldn't stop himself from smiling. Looking forward to talking and listening to her, mostly listening, Enma gave a two-finger salute. "Masao, you're beautiful. Just...stunning. I've...I feel lucky." He felt as if this was a treat for only his eyes. He'd never seen her dress up like this and as he stepped forward into her space by instinct, he froze once more.

Did they kiss now? Were they on that level? Something was born within Enma that was almost primal. His hand would go for her arm gently and he would look up at her, eyes just peaking above her chest. "I don't know why I moved in so...suddenly. But, uh, is it okay if I..." Mustering up the courage was hard when it was the girl you were falling for. Beating bad guys? Saving hostages?

Easy work. Romantic partners? The biggest challenge in the world. "My first instinct was for us to kiss. I'd rather have your permission, dear Masao. I've missed you." Way to play it cool. Afterwards, they would depart and he would need to pull himself together. Making their way into Tokyo, they would cross the street where Enma would show the large sports equipment shop owned by his father. It was flashy and warm in its design, something that called on the locals to support.

"I figured since we're making our way to grab dinner near here I'd show you the store. You've saved me from boredom more times than I can count there." Keeping to the sidewalk closest to the road as a way of protecting Masao from falling into it, he couldn't help but take glances at her appearance. One could not tell she was a smith when dressed so elegantly. "What inspired today's outfit? Showing your boyfriend how many ways you're so beautiful?"

Where did that come from? It felt true but unnatural, pheromones taking full effect. Being connected to Masao has made him feel more human than he ever had and has grown his confidence ten-fold since they met. The idea of protecting her, feeling her, spending time with her has been blossoming in his mind for weeks now and now he's said his first overly flirtatious line. It also assumed one thing that hadn't dawned on him until he said it: he declared himself as her boyfriend.

When he realized what he had done, his eyes widened and his face went pale. Would this be the day he dies?

Masao Ando

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Despite them being adults, the two truly led sheltered lives socially. Enma was taught to appreciate literature, nature and a warrior's spirit. Masao was taught to work hard and never let up, always trying to accomplish the proud admiration of her family. It was inevitable that they would lack in things like how to hold a person or comfort them. How to run with the moment, even. Most relevantly, how to kiss.

But Enma didn't expect Masao to be a good kisser, nor did he expect himself to. It wasn't about good or bad to him, because she was connecting on all crucial points. She accepted him, she supported him, she felt natural to talk to and be around. Her aspirations were inspiring, her work equally so. So much for Enma to idolize that he forgot about his fears and his darkness. He needed to be careful, as sooner or later he would need to contend with a lot of unknowns.

The deeper he bonded with Masao, the deeper the well of unknowns he must draw water from. Still, as they bumped noses softly, Enma didn't chuckle, he just smiled. A laugh might scare her off, despite it being nobody's fault. No, he took the kiss in full stride and let their lips dance together. With the warmth and softness of each other's pillows, he felt confirmation in his heart. The feelings, the truly big feelings he had for Masao were real.

He didn't want the kiss to end. Something was born between their kiss, be it a budding love for each other or a love for affection. Pale fire rolled from Enma's body and used the surfaces of their embrace to swirl around. His heart and his tears shined. When the embrace finally ended, he didn't let go of Masao. "That was wonderful, Masao. I won't lie and say I'm any good at it, but it felt right."

The date could not have gone any better. A share of emotions, refined and mature. An appreciation for art. Vulnerability that would invite mutual sharing. An acceptance of romance that could paint the memory so vividly and clearly that he would always remember this day. It won't last forever, but it will drive him even further into his heroic aspirations. He won't be alone, either. "You bring so much out of me that I didn't know was possible. Thank-you. Now, dumplings?"

A sweet date, the next he decided to make much more easy-going for them to enjoy. Still, he didn't know that sharing his sister's painting would be such a bonding experience. The fear regarded it as selfish and too much, but Enma knew Masao would appreciate it. He just knew.

Masao Ando

With the Sports Festival ongoing and the bond between Masao and Enma growing, he figured that he would show her the equipment stand rented by his father. It seems as if his father was using the festival to gauge if he should expand at all again, either opening a larger location or a second one. His last attempt didn't go well, with consistent success coming from having just the one in Tokyo. He knew that it would just be one of the clerks working together, so there wouldn't be an awkward meeting between his father and Masao.

If he was caught with someone he clearly had a thing for, his father would not be calm. Especially if he found out it was one of the Ando line, it might make him encourage some sort of political marriage. They didn't need that, so Enma decided it was best if she did NOT meet his family any time soon. Bringing her in, he would give Masao a tour of the place and point out some of their key products. That's when someone entered and exclaimed they had a broken bat.

If he was his father, he'd fix it with his quirk. At the moment, it seemed as if that perk only worked for things special to him. Deciding to let the clerk deal with it, they explained how there wasn't any repair services and offered to help them browse the bats and see which one was a good fit. The unnerving detail was how the bat was mangled, but Enma didn't think much of it. "So, yeah, that's the stall. I'll be working it a few times, my father will be running the store in Tokyo."

Hands at his waist, he looked at Masao to gauge her reaction. "What do you think?" He also had a surprise for her waiting for when the clerk was done with the customer. He learned that he could give Masao a lot of surprises that pleased her, so he would keep doing it. As long as he avoided bad surprises.

🆁🅴🅼 Masao Ando

When Enma was young, his grandfather made sure to numb the emotions he still had from the dysfunctional home he came from. Where his father and him could not get along, he feared and respected Papa Arashi. The toxic nature of both homes had been in two forms, one where his father did not try to understand or care properly for his child and one where his grandfather was cruel to make a warrior out of him.

It took a long time to realize what love was like, but he knew the kindling fire within was for Masao and because of Masao. He couldn't say it yet, it was too soon. He needed to let the fire grow, test it against the winds. The moment they shared for such a heavy first date was beautiful, but it helped him realize that his father and grandfather didn't show love like they should've. They didn't cultivate it, they were too busy building their masks and trimming their bonzai trees to let a child be a child.

The scars on Enma's body were not entirely real, but signs of his journey with his family that he wouldn't realize had manifested from his quirk. They were so realistic that anybody could mistake the scars on his body for healed over wounds. Some were, patterning and weaving together between real and false scars that made his body look more weathered than it should have. The mark on the side of his head from his time in Kyoto was the final symbol of him becoming a warrior in Papa Arashi's eyes.

So many big feelings from his past came to the surface when he was held by Masao. Touch so welcome that it melted the adamantine armor he wore on his skin at all times. He didn't look ridiculous. He didn't feel ridiculous. He felt like he was in the right place, being around Masao. With great admiration, he would see her accept him and show him that emotions were okay, even if it was just for him. Enma needed to return this great service to her, he needed to be a sword for her to wield.

"Yeah...I'm okay, Masao. I'm okay because you are with me." While they had known each other for a while, this would be the first time they would be in a romantic setting. This was also the first time that he dealt with such a variety of big feelings and felt safe in letting another see it. "I'm feeling...a lot. You being with me, here, seeing this painting and accepting me...it means a lot Masao."

Through teary eyes, he smiled and gestured for them to leave. "I am hungry for some dumplings. There's also something we must do, but not here." Once they finally left the museum and began walking towards a place to eat, he would stop and suddenly pull Masao into him. "Masao. I am confident because of you. I am feeling things I should have known how to feel because of you."

On one of many hills in Tokyo that overlooked the down-curve of the city, the setting sun struck both of their faces. He looked at her passionately, with deep and sincere romance on his face. "I only know how to express myself like a war spear, so I can't wait any longer. May...I kiss you?" There was heat in his breath, the rising and fall of his anxious chest even more accentuated. Trembling hands held Masao with the most soft puppy expression one could ever capture from him looking up at her.

Did she feel the same?

Masao Ando

Ever since he met Lawbringer, Enma knew that he needed to hone his weaponless skills. Hand-to-hand combat was very real and he would be at a disadvantage if he ever found himself fighting without Raiju or the sword Masao made for him. Arriving at the training grounds after some time of talking himself up, he heard there was a third-year that was leading it. In fact, the third-year was of some renown. Oberon, the Time Turner himself.

If there was anybody who could help Enma translate his fighting prowess with the sword to his own hands, it would be him. In that respect, Enma had little problem getting himself break from his comfort zone and attend. Quietly, he would appear and see the lesson was already ongoing and saw the teacher who recently held the bomb run simulation, Arbogast. Not trying to startle her, he would appear by her side.

"Arbogast-senpai, good morning. Am I still able to join the class? I usually am...very punctual." He didn't immediately make way, observing and wondering how Farrin was as a teacher. Hands behind his back, he gave his teacher a bow and conducted himself formally. There was excitement behind his hesitation, held back only because he would be that guy showing up late. Enma was not that kind of person and didn't like the attention.

Farrin Lucille Arbogast