Hoshina's POV.

This entire interaction with her has been the most thrill I've had since I started in the Defense Force. Who needs to kill kaiju when I can tease and play with her like this?

"One date," I said smugly. She'd played me into asking her out, and I didn't even care.

"Okay, Mr. I-don't-do-dates," she said with a little grin and booped my nose. Booped. My nose. And I let it happen. She stood from her chair, brushing imaginary lint off her skirt like she hadn't just turned my whole week upside down. "Well, you already know where I live, so I guess you know where to pick me up." She paused at the door, glancing at me over her shoulder. "But I hope you know, you're gonna fall in love with me after this one date."

"Is that so?" I chuckled, heart thumping harder than usual. Her confidence was addictive. I felt something in my chest I hadn't felt in years, excitement. "Then I suppose this relationship wouldn't be strictly professional."

"Maybe not for you." She flicked her fingers through her hair, and I had the sudden, nearly feral urge to bunch it up and bend her over the-, focus. "Like I said, I'm not trying to get into something I regret."

"Do you have other guys you'd prefer?" I blurted, cutting off my thoughts before they got ahead of me. "Since you seem set on keeping things 'professional' by your terms."

"No," she said simply.

I exhaled. Relief hit me like a wave I wasn't ready for.

"Just as you won't sleep with other women, I won't sleep with other men. See? A professional, fair business transaction." She nodded, and I nodded back even faster, like an idiot agreeing to something I hadn't earned.

"Yes, a very proper business transaction indeed, Ms. (L/n)," I said with mock formality. She held out her hand. I clasped it, sealing the deal with a firm shake that lasted a little too long.

As I stepped out of the small room, I glanced back at her. "Oh, and for your interview, you can just make up something cool about me, I guess."

"No need for that," she replied. "I got all the information I needed from the internet to properly write the segment." She shut the door, but her face was red as sunset.

She exposed herself. "From the internet, huh?" I teased through the door. "What do you know? What do you want to know? Did you already think I was cool?"

"No, stoppiiitt," she squealed from the other side, covering her face as she bolted around the corner. I nearly doubled over from how hard I laughed.

As light as the moment was, the weight of reality settled again. This would be hard to hide. Personal relationships outside the Force weren't banned, but they were... discouraged. For good reason. Nothing in our work was guaranteed.

And Captain Ashiro? She knew me too well.

"I need this evening off," I said as I approached her desk, pointing to the upcoming Friday on the calendar.

"For what reason?" she asked without looking up from her paperwork.

"Personal." My voice cracked slightly. I hated lying—especially to her.

She looked up, studying me with sharp eyes. "You never take days off. We usually have to force them on you. What's changed?"

I looked away. Said nothing.

"I apologize," she said softly, signing the form. "It's none of my business." She handed it to me with a small sigh. "Honestly, I wish you'd take your full three months. You've earned it."

"I've never been one to take too much time off, you know that, Captain," I said with a grin. "I just can't help myself."

"That, I know." She stood and opened the door for me. Just as I passed through, she added, "Don't let that girl distract you from what you have here, Vice-Captain Hoshina."

"How did you kn—" But she shut the door before I could finish.

________

I grumbled as I walked down the street. She gave me extra time off. I hadn't asked for that. It was the night right before I was supposed to take (L/n) on our date that I regrettably signed myself up for. I was already too deep in and could try to get out, but she could always clasp onto me easily and pull me back in.

Of course, I had my gear with me. Just in case there was trouble.

And of course, there was trouble. Just not the kind I needed my gear for.

"No. I don't like you. Get off me right now!" Her voice cracked through the evening air, slurred and unsteady. My blood ran cold. I turned the corner, hand on my blade, only to see her stumbling, annoyed, and drunk, being dragged toward a bar by some oversized asshole.

"C'mon, baby, it's just a little fun! I'll even buy you a drink!" The guy tightened his grip, pulling her toward the same bar where I first saw her.

She looked up at him, blinking slowly. "Didn't your mom ever teach you when a girl says no, she means no?" And with that, she slammed her handbag right into his face. His hand flew up, and she nailed him with the heel of her foot.

"YEOUCHH!"

I stood there stunned. She didn't need me.

"That's what you get for messing with drunk, capable women." She threw some yen at him. "Buy yourself a Band-Aid."

Then she brushed right past him, and past me too, like I was invisible.

"Hey—"

"Don't get me started with you too, god forbid."

"Let me take you home," I said quickly. She paused.

"That's a new kind of hit on me I've never heard," she said, turning to face me. "But no, thank you. I can go home by myself. I'm a taken lady."

My heart sank. She didn't recognize me. Was she that drunk?

"Well... sorta kinda taken," she said with a grin.

My heart started beating again.

"A situationship?" she muttered, tapping her chin. "I don't even know. But he sure is handsome." She didn't look back. Just kept walking.

I trailed behind her, hands in my pockets, watching her weave her way up the street.

"Tell me more about this situationship you have," I said playfully.

"Why would I tell you? I don't even know you." But she kept talking anyway. "I mean... I like him. But something about him screams, 'Use me and leave.' And I'm not looking for that right now." She sighed, head tilted up to the dark sky. "I like him. I want to trust. But I've been with a 'use me and leave' guy before. It ruined me."

I stayed quiet. Took no offense. Whoever that guy was, he was a fool.

"Something's telling me he won't do that. Like... he's playful and cocky on the outside, but serious underneath. Probably just a big softy who wants connection like anyone else. But on a deeper level." She stumbled slightly, catching herself. "Ugh. I should stop drinking. I talk too much."

"I won't do that," I said. "I wouldn't leave you."

"I'm not talking about you, dummy," she laughed, staggering a little.

"Do you always talk to strangers on the street?" I asked, speeding up to walk beside her.

"Only the ones who hit on me. So I can reject them." She giggled. "Oh, this is me." She pointed to her apartment building. "I'd better never see you again, Mr. Stranger Man, or else my situationship might be mad at me."

"I hope your situationship goes well," I said softly.

She smiled, smaller this time. More real. "I hope it goes well, too."