Akaashi Keiji was no fool. He was smart and he knew it. He had been the top of his class back in high school and had excelled at everything he had ever done. That was until he was introduced to the prospect of dating. So often he had avoided the topic, dodging it like a hero dodging a villain's attacks. Dating had only ever ended badly in his personal life, or at least that's what it seemed like when his parents had split up when he was in primary school.

Right now he was sitting in his apartment, listening to his roommate's incessant complaints about his dating life. He rolled his eyes at every snide remark or mean comment and continued to work on his homework. Being a full time college student and part time office worker was not the best idea but he excelled at that, too. All of his reports went in on time and all of his homework got top of the class scores. The only problem now was dealing with a very persistent Sugawara Koushi, the one and only daycare teacher he could actually stand.

"I'm just saying, you're so alone nowadays. High school I can excuse but you're twenty two!" Sugawara cried out. He looked over from cooking in their cramped kitchen, brows knit in frustration.

Akaashi looked up and rolled his eyes. He turned back to his laptop, finishing up his essay. He dragged it to the drop box for his classwork and submitted it before looking up again, taking off his glasses. "For the last time, no. I refuse to download that stupid app. That app has been linked to several male rapes in our area. I don't feel like becoming a statistic."

Sugawara crossed his arms, upset at the lack of compliance. "You're overreacting. Totally overreacting. I know people who have met on that app."

Akaashi stood and stretched out his legs. Sitting for nearly six hours on his only day off had been a mistake. He would be so sore tomorrow. He twisted and his back popped like a firework. Akaashi groaned in delight at the feeling. "Fucking finally."

"What?" Sugawara questioned. He eyed Akaashi before shaking his head. "Iwaizumi has told you not to do that, you're going to hurt your back one of these days."

"So what?"

Sugawara rolled his eyes. Akaashi would learn the hard way with some things, it always worked like that. Ever since high school he had learned some things in especially hard ways. One of those things was the fact that milk burned if you boiled it for too long to try and get it to the right temperature for hot chocolate. Also that it stunk when it boiled over and fell on the stove eye. Akaashi was book smart though. He had that going for him at least.

"What are you cooking?"

"Chicken noodle. It's Daichi's favorite when he's sick," Sugawara answered simply, referencing his dearest fiance and their other roommate, Daichi Sawamura. The two hadn't met over the silly dating app that Akaashi didn't want to download. That thought prompted Sugawara to smile devilishly.

Akaashi eyed him. "What is that look for?"

"Just download it. It's completely anonymous so you won't be grossed out by anyone's image. You can't even send images on the app. No dick pics!"

Akaashi groaned, caving. "Fine. But we're only making the account. I will not swipe on anyone's profile."

Sugawara whooped before diving for the couch. "Finally!"

Akaashi sat next to him and pulled up the app store. Was this really a good idea? Was he really willing to do this just to get Sugawara to finally shut the hell up about his love life? It's not like his love life mattered anyways, his family was cursed with the disease of divorce. His parents were divorced, his aunts and uncles were divorced. Hell, even his grandmother on his mom's side had divorced her husband after forty years of marriage after discovering that her husband was cheating. He was hopeless.

Sugawara scooted closer to him on their already small couch. He hummed thoughtfully. "You're nervous."

"Shut up."

"Yeah, yeah. Just download the damned thing. I'm sure everything will be fine and if not you can do something embarrassing to me or something. I don't know. Just stop being a worry wart and download the damned thing!"

Akaashi hit the download button before holding his breath. The little wheel next to the name of the app slowly turned, as if tormenting him for falling for Sugawara's trick. His eyes traveled to Sugawara, who was grinning. He sighed. "Suga..."

"You've got this! Just relax!" Sugawara patted his shoulder. "Believe me, I think this is stupid too."

"Then why did you have me download this stupid app?!" Akaashi cried. He paused the download and groaned. "I can't do this."

Sugawara huffed. "Fine. But don't come to me in twenty years when you're still single." He turned, heading to his bedroom. "Daichi! Get your sick ass up! Dinner time!"

Daichi emerged from his shared bedroom, sporting only a pair of blue and black pajama pants. He rubbed his eyes before sitting at the table and thanking Sugawara for a large bowl of chicken noodle soup. Akaashi fixed himself a bowl and yawned loudly. Sugawara snickered.

"Someone's sleepy."

"Leave him alone Koushi," Daichi grumbled.

Sugawara stuck out his tongue and sat down at the table. "You know, Akaashi here won't download LoveHero."

"LoveHero?" Daichi questioned, confused. "Why in the world would he want to download that stupid app?"

"Because I'm lonely and haven't dated anyone." Akaashi smiled awkwardly. "That's why."

Daichi sighed heavily. "You don't need to date if you don't want to. Right, Koushi?"

Sugawara gave a thumbs up, scarfing down the hot soup in front of him. Akaashi finished off his bowl and stood. He washed his bowl in the almost empty sink and set it up to dry. "I'm going to bed, goodnight. I will see you after work and classes tomorrow."

Akaashi walked into his room, full of drawings that he had sketched out. He took off his loungewear and stripped down to his boxers before slipping on a t-shirt and some running shorts. Akaashi headed to the bathroom and brushed his teeth and washed his face. His eyes met his reflection and he paused, staring intently.

His eye bags were worse lately and he had a pimple forming next to his nose. That was easily fixed with a pimple patch but the eye bags were permanent. Compliments to his mother for the insomnia and the extremely unfashionable eye bags he carried with him daily, of course. He got away from the mirror and headed back into his room, sitting on his bed. His phone dinged from next to him and he peered at the notification.

Alert!
LoveHero could not be downloaded due to a pause. Would you like to finish the download?

Akaashi clicked no before reaching for his sleep medication. He took one and a half pills before laying down, slipping off his glasses. It took a while but he found himself growing drowsy and turned towards the open window. A smile spread across his lips as he watched the city lights twinkle. He had to love Miyagi and its lights.

*****

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Akaashi rolled over, groaning loudly. His door opened and in came Sugawara, turning off his alarm. "Good morning! You missed it, Daichi burnt a pancake. Do you want some?"

Akaashi shook his head before sitting up, grabbing for his glasses. He slipped them on and got out of bed. "Coffee."

Sugawara laughed. He headed into the dining area and grabbed the coffee pot, pouring the rest into his coffee mug. Daichi glanced up, saying a quick good morning before sneezing. Akaashi mumbled good morning before going back to his room and setting his cup of coffee down at his desk and going to the bathroom. He squirted some curl cream into his hands before messing with his hair and staring at himself. Sugawara's laughter rang out from the kitchen and he sighed. He would have to move out within the next two years so the two could live their lives as a happy, married couple.

Akaashi downed his coffee before turning to his closet and inspecting his options. What was something he could wear today? It was hot for a fall day. He picked out a short sleeved flannel and a black jacket, grabbing washed out jeans right after. He cringed at the prospect of the pants and grabbed a pair of dress pants. At least he wouldn't have to change for work later.

Akaashi took off his pajamas and boxers, avoiding his reflection across the room. He put on his new clothes before brushing his teeth and grabbing his school bag. It was already packed with his wallet and keys, and everything else he needed. Akaashi grabbed his subway pass before saying goodbye to the couple he lived with, hurrying to the train station. He caught one and waited patiently with a headphone in, standing with his bag tucked under his arm so no one would get to the zippers.

At school, he sat through an English lecture before heading to Biology, ignoring the girls talking in the back of the class. He did his work and turned it in before turning to leave the school. Annoyingly enough, a classmate hurried up to him, grinning.

"Akaashi-San!"

Akaashi turned, praying to whatever higher power there was for a little bit of patience. Hinata bounced on his toes in front of him, grinning still. "Yes, Hinata?"

"Guess who finally lifted over 300 pounds?"

"You."

"Damn right!" Hinata laughed. "I also have a date with Tobio tonight. Can you believe that I met him on some random ass dating app? It's blowing up everywhere now."

Akaashi cringed at the mention of LoveHero. "Yes, I'm aware of it blowing up everywhere. It's quite concerning though, seeing as how many cases are linked to that app nowadays. I'm glad you found happiness though."

"Thanks! Catch you later!" Hinata dashed off, energetic as ever. He had been like that since Akaashi had first met him, which always concerned the older male. Drinking too many energy drinks could certainly make him seem a little foolish.

Akaashi walked down the street, heading to work. He worked at a firm where they sold various items, including knives and kitchenware. Akaashi was sure that their company would tank one day. He was a customer service representative, selling knives and useless tupperware.

Akaashi reached the office just after noon, stomach grumbling. He headed to his cubicle and signed into his computer before clocking in and putting on his headset. The coworker across from him looked up and smiled. "Good afternoon Akaashi-San. How are you today?"

Akaashi smiled back a soft smile before simply replying with an okay. He opened his email and sighed at the newest announcement from management. Mail was running late today.

He paused, heart stopping for a moment in his chest. His blood ran cold. If mail was late today, that only meant one thing. He groaned.

"Everything okay over there?"

Akaashi looked up. "Mail is late today."

"Uh oh."

The raven haired male looked around for the man he despised so much. Well despised was a strong word. It was more like he didn't really enjoy the presence of the man.

His co-worker laughed. "Bokuto-San is not scary. He's just super friendly."

"Too friendly," Akaashi grumbled. He opened his next email inferring him on the status of his package, which had arrived. Great. Just great. His entire day was ruined now.

"Akaashiiiii!"

Akaashi looked up, dreading the smile reaching him. "Good afternoon Bokuto-San."

"Hey, hey, hey! How are you? You look so tired. How are you feeling? Getting enough sleep?"

Akaashi couldn't help his laugh. Bokuto was absolutely ridiculous. "I'm alright Bokuto-San. I've been sleeping plenty, thank you. You have my package?"

Bokuto smiled even wider. "Yep!"

"May I have it?"

"What do you say?" Bokuto teased.

"Please," Akaashi stated softly. He held out a hand and the package was placed in his palm. He grabbed a pen and opened the package.

"So I am going on a date tonight," Bokuto stated. He leaned into Akaashi's desk. "This girl from LoveHero. She's super sweet."

"Yeah?" Akaashi mumbled, picking at the tape holding the box inside his package closed. He sighed, holding it out to Bokuto.

Bokuto tore the tape off of the box, handing it back to Akaashi. "Yeah she fessed up and told me her name. It's Rosalina. She's Italian."

Akaashi nodded. He pulled his new headset from the box and unplugged his old one. "LoveHero is dangerous. I'd be careful."

"Lighten up a bit Kaashi!" Bokuto beamed at him. "You should download it. Maybe you'll meet someone and they can get you to bed early enough to where you don't have eye bags. Wouldn't that be the dream?"

Akaashi nodded, connecting his new headset. It blinked to life and he smiled. "There we go."

Bokuto peered at the headset and hummed. "Neat."

Akaashi glanced up at Bokuto. "You should really get back to work Bokuto-San. I don't want to get you in trouble."

"I don't mind, it's always fun talking to you. You always have something to say even if it's very little."

He hummed in response and opened another email. He wasn't meeting his quotas. Great. Bokuto wanted to play around and he was missing his quota. "Bokuto-San I really need to make a few phone calls. Do you mind?"

"I don't mind. I'll tell you how things go when I see you again, deal?"

Akaashi nodded and pressed something on his screen, connecting him to a caller. "Good afternoon, this is Akaashi with-"

The dial tone rang out and he closed his mouth. Well. That counted for one at least. About an hour and a half later he took a break for lunch and noticed that his mother had called him. He quickly called back, worried something bad had happened.

"Hey mom. What's going on? Are you okay?"

"I would be so much better if your father wasn't telling your cousins that I'm some bad woman."

Akaashi glanced up as Bokuto walked in. "You did cheat on him though."

Bokuto glanced over, raising a thick eyebrow. Akaashi waved him off and listened to his mother ramble for a bit. Bokuto sat across from him at the little table. Why in the world was he so incredibly nosy? Eventually she tired herself out and Akaashi said goodbye.

He looked up and met Bokuto's wide golden eyes. The eyes that had smile lines, Akaashi noted. He'd draw that later.

"Is there something you need?"

Bokuto shrugged. "Just looking for someone to talk to. Kuroo told me to go away."

"Kuroo of all people told you to go away?" Akaashi questioned. He knew why. Bokuto talked so, so much. He sort of pitied him actually. Bokuto didn't seem like he had many friends despite being so friendly.

"Yep. What was that about?"

"Just my mom." Akaashi bit into an onigiri and practically melted. Perfect. He was so hungry.

Bokuto nodded before gasping. "That girl canceled on me!"

Akaashi raised his own eyebrows now. Someone passed up on the hunk that was Kotarou Bokuto? They must have looked him up and seen something bad. Probably not. He'd already looked Bokuto up to make sure he wasn't creepy and in turn became the creepy one, finding Bokuto's high school photos. Akaashi shook his head, trying to get the fact that he'd done that out of his mind.

"Such a jerk move. I was really excited to finally meet someone but she said there were emergencies going on in her life so I can't really be mad."

"How is that app?" Akaashi nearly gasped at the question that had fallen from his lips. What was happening? Was he really engaging in a conversation with the mail clerk?!

Bokuto shrugged. "Dunno. It's a little weird not knowing people's names but I find it fun."

Akaashi glanced at his phone. If Bokuto could score a date (even if she had canceled) why couldn't he?

"Why? Were you thinking of downloading it?"

"Sort of but I think I've decided to stay away from dating apps. Meeting someone naturally would probably be better."

Bokuto chuckled. "You are something else Kaashi. Keep up with the times."

Akaashi rolled his eyes. He closed his takeout container and Bokuto grabbed it for him, tossing it into the recycling bin. Akaashi thanked him before walking back upstairs and trying to focus on his work.

Something was eating at him though, and it wasn't his lunch. He needed answers. Would LoveHero be a good idea? Was he even willing to let another person get that close? He didn't have an older sibling to turn to so he had to sit in silence about his thoughts when he got home that night, trying to ignore the fear in his stomach as he stared at the downloading button. He pressed it and miraculously, the world didn't explode.

Baby steps would be the best for now. He'd let the app sit in his phone for a while before opening it and filling out the extensive survey that was "part of the app experience".  His version of fun definitely wasn't taking a test but he'd take it for now. Or in the morning, rather.