"Hello?"

"Hey."

There's a pause at the other end of the line.

"Miu?"

Miu feels her hand shaking around her cell phone; she's been working up the nerve to call all morning and she still doesn't trust her voice.

"Hey, Kaito. Is this a bad time?"

"No, no-hold on, let me pause my game."

Miu can't help smile as she waits; sometimes she would have trouble contacting Kaito because he'd be too immersed in a game to pick up the phone or he'd end up leaving it behind somewhere.

"What's up?" Kaito doesn't sound wary or unwelcoming; from his casual tone, one would guess they haven't spoken in over a year.

"I, uh, I wanted to tell you something." Miu swallows. "Kaito, I've been doing a lot of thinking recently and...well, long story short, I just wanted to tell you how much you…"

Kaito is silent as Miu gathers herself; he knows when she feels overwhelmed with emotion, she can't find the right words. When that happens, Miu pauses until she can find her voice again. She knows he knows. Miu swallows the lump down in her throat.

"Thank you for being there for me. I don't think I ever told you enough how much I appreciated it. You tried really hard to make things okay, but I...I just-"

"It's okay Miu. You don't have to apologize."

"But I do. I just gave up on us and you didn't deserve that. I don't know if I'll ever be okay really, but you need to know I'll always care about you Kaito. I never wanted to hurt you, it wasn't you. It was me. I have to pull myself together. I hope you never felt it was anything you ever did."

Miu holds her breath, clutching the phone close to her ear and trying to keep her tears at bay.

"I know bun."

Bun. It was short for honey bun or bunny, just one of the many pet names Kaito had used; he was always more openly affectionate, at least when Miu started going out with him. He had been the one to teach her how to cuddle. Miu clenches her teeth at the swell of warm memories and how right it feels to be called that, even after so long. It's not right. Things are over between them.

"Kaito…"
"Sorry."

"No, it's okay. Kaito?"

"What?"

"Do you ever...think about it still?"

Miu knows she doesn't need to elaborate; they both know what 'it' is.

"Sometimes. I get kinda sad, but then I end up distracting myself. I only think about it now and then."

Miu feels her heart sink. "Right. I...I guess that's sort of how it is for me. It's not as if I'm obsessing over it, but then it just keeps coming up in my mind somehow and then I can't distract myself. I just have to wait it out, but I still feel just as horrible as the last time I thought about it."

"Well, you were the one pregnant." Kaito says plainly; he has always been very matter of fact. Once upon a time, it both irritated and endeared Miu to him. "I always figured it would be hardest on you, no matter what we decided. I mean, you know I would have gone along with what you wanted. I always just wanted to make you happy."

Why, Miu wants to ask, why does that matter in the slightest? But she knows. They've had this conversation a thousand times before and never has Kaito ever grown tired of telling Miu exactly why he loved her and just how happy he was being with her. Not once.

"You did. It's just me. I just…I don't know. I guess I just need to start making a change. I'm so tired."

"Well, I'm glad to see you've moved on. You deserve to-"

"What?" Miu notes that there isn't a hint of hostility or sarcasm in Kaito's tone, but she still has no idea what he's referring to.

"I saw online, that picture of you and the Hawk guy."

"Hawks? What picture?"

The confusion is audible through the bad reception. "Pictures actually. The first one posted was of him carrying you after your fall. There's even a clip. I was going to call to ask if you were alright, but I wasn't even sure it was you and, uh," Kaito trails off and Miu feels her chest tighten through her confusion. "I didn't want to bug you."

"No, it's-but nothing happened."

Kaito sounds just as befuddled. "But there's this other picture of him and you on your balcony...he's touching your hair. Miu you don't have to lie, you know I'm okay. I want you to be happy."

"What?! Wait, no, he was just making sure I got home safe. We were flying and a bug got in my hair!" Miu was incredulous; who had even taken the second photograph? She didn't even think anyone else was around.

"I'm sorry Miu, I believe you. It's just all these articles are saying-well, it just looks weird out of context."

"Oh my god...this is bad Kaito. Hawks can't have this kind of publicity. If people think something's up, he'll get so much hate for just being seen with someone like that...oh my god…"

"Miu, calm down."

"But it's looks so unprofessional; just the fact he took me home afterward-pros aren't even supposed to do that, aren't they? Hawks could get in serious trouble, all because I-" Miu fell silent; she couldn't say the whole truth, not even to Kaito. "Hawks wasn't trying to do anything, he was just helping me…what are people saying?"

"Well...it's a mixed bag." Kaito confesses uneasily. "Some people think it's cute, but then other people are saying some nasty stuff. I wouldn't try to read any comments or chat groups if I was you."

"Oh no, I don't care what these idiots think. But Hawks' reputation could be ruined; he just got bumped to the number two spot, and this...is there anything from him? Has he responded to-I don't know, whoever runs these kinds of things?"

"The pictures have only been up since early this morning. I mean, he could just ignore them."

Miu is doubtful things will go that smoothly. "Thanks Kaito, I'm sorry to….I can't believe this…"

"It's okay Miu. People will calm down and forget about this. I'm glad you called me though."

Miu feels a wave of sorrow flood out her panic and anxiety.

"Kaito, I mean it. Thank you."

"It's okay. I love you, Miu."

"I know."

There's silence and Miu knows it hurts Kaito almost as much as it would to tell him she doesn't love him anymore, not the way she used to. Not the way she should.

And yet, a part of Miu wants to ask Kaito if she can go to him. She wants to be wrapped up in strong, warm arms and break down, like she's some fragile thing that needs to be comforted. It's partially true, of course.

And wouldn't it be so easy? Miu knows if she gave in to these urges, Kaito would take her back in a heartbeat, no hard feelings. Conflicts between them have never ended in anger or harsh words. In retrospect, Miu can't remember a single time they've actually gotten into an argument and remembering this makes her feel like the biggest fool for ever giving him up.

But Miu knows it won't work. She's not the person Kaito deserves and he's not the person she needs right now; to be fair, Miu doesn't know what she needs, except that staying with Kaito out of comfort and fear of being alone is not fair to either of them.

"Hey Miu, are you busy today?"

"Why?"

Kaito chuckled nervously and Miu can see the way his eyes crinkle at the edges, the dimples in his cheeks, the broad, earnest sweetness of his sheepish grins. Miu wants to hold him so bad it aches.

"Well, uh, I was looking at the calendar and…"

"Oh. That's right."

It's their anniversary but Miu has forgotten once again.

"You know, it's weird. I mean, I keep feeling like I should be getting ready to come pick you up so we can go for sushi."

They have a place. Miu doesn't go there anymore.

"Yeah. I remember."

Kaito pauses. "Miu, if this thing gets out of hand or you need help, you can call me. And whatever you do, don't read the comments on anything."

Miu can hear the smile in her own voice and Kaito laughs; he would spend hours showing her the darker portions of the internet: reaction videos of gamers, how tos on building things, and really ust anything that came to mind. They'd sit on the couch, sometimes naked, sometimes half clothed, sometimes in the mood for sex, sometimes just wanting to cuddle, and pig out on junk food and compare their matching pouches.

"I won't. I don't really care anyway. But Hawks was so nice and now I'm just screwing it all up-"

"Hey, don't insult my bun like that." Kaito says playfully; it's an old joke he says when Miu's self loathing peers it's ugly head.

"Thank you Kaito. I should get going, see what's happening."

"Alright. Bye."

Miu hates herself. She wouldn't take it back, but all the same, she hates herself for giving up something so precious for the sake of what's better in the long run.

But then, what else is new?

"Bye."

Miu takes a few minutes to just hug herself and let the tears flow. She just needs a few moments before returning to the reality, but that makes her feel even lower. The idea she could be responsible for ruining Hawks' reputation, for putting him in the center of so much negative attention is eating Miu alive and she hasn't even seen anything yet.

Miu soon finds out what everyone is saying; there's already pages upon pages of speculating articles. There are a few that give the bare facts; Hawks, the number two hero, was seen soaring overhead with an unidentified young woman in his arms. Eyewitnesses reported they that while they had not seen what had happened moments before, they assume Hawks saved her from a dangerous fall. Miu even sees the short video and feels some relief that her face is not very visible. Only someone like Kaito, someone who could recognize her dress, her hair, who's paid such close attention to everything she does, would be able to point her out at first sight.

Miu forces herself to focus and hunts for the second picture.

She'll say this, it's definitely incriminating. Hawks is standing in front of her, on her balcony, and it's clearly night time. Miu's face can be seen from the side, but even then the lighting is poor. Hawks stands out more due to his unmistakable wings and his visor catching what little light there is off the moon. Anyone with half a brain can tell who he is, but it seems no one has yet determined Miu's identity.

Most of the articles aren't negative; a few point out the unprofessional behavior of hitting on a rescued civilian and some just make jokes. 'Winged Hero Really Does Move Fast', 'The Second Place Hero Rounds Second Base?!', and 'Who's Falling for Who?' among other borderline painful headlines. It's harmless gossip to chew on, but Miu knows it's not all it seems.

Hawks not only has to worry about what his agency will say of a photograph of him seemingly meeting with a rescued civilian at night, but his fan base, particularly the demographic made up of women, will have a thing or two to say. Whether they just disapprove of the ethical context or they simply hate the idea of Hawks showing someone special attention, it doesn't bode well for his approval ratings.

Miu scrolled down, clicking on her tabs to search for where the picture appeared; it seemed every social media sight had been bombarded with the photograph. Despite Kaito's warnings, Miu couldn't help skim through the comments sections to see how people were reacting.

It actually wasn't quite as awful as she thought; among the comments of her weight, criticisms and ugly accusations of Hawks taking advantage of his status, how people wished she had fallen to her death, (yeah, that was the plan, Miu thought wryly) and crude remarks of her laying eggs with Hawks' babies, there were just as many, if not more, positive reactions.

A few of the sites had users putting up the pictures, specifically the one of Hawks touching her hair, with a variety of cute stickers and filters to give the image a more romantic aesthetic. By the late afternoon, Miu had poured over dozens upon dozens of posts where people were gushing over the way Hawks was leaning in, how adorable they looked, how her round face and chubbiness complimented Hawks' scruffy, wiry appearance. Miu was actually surprised that for all the people calling her a cow, a pig, disgusting, a slut, etc. there were just as many praising her looks and admiring how down to earth Hawks was for showing open interest in a woman who wasn't more conventionally beautiful.

"Are people shipping us? It hasn't even been a day! And nothing even happened!"

Miu decided it was time to shut down her computer; she saw plenty already, but so far she had not seen a thing mentioning Hawks' response to this frenzy of misinformation.

"Maybe he's just not going to say anything. Kaito's probably right. Something like this will be forgotten eventually; besides, if Hawks does make a statement, it probably won't be until some of the hype dies down and he gets in touch with his agency."

Miu knows a lot of pro heroes don't make public statements until getting the okay from the people they're funded from; one false move, and the whole thing could blow up in their faces.

"But Hawks won't let this get to him. No one even knows who I am."

Miu relaxed a bit. All she could do currently was see how it played out and wish Hawks the best. Staying inside and moping all day with a fridge full of alcohol would just make things worse. Or more accurately, make her feel worse.

Miu sighed deeply. Thinking about falling off that building, how close she had come to ending it all, it terrified her. Yet under the relief and the fear was the doubt.

Maybe Hawks had been wrong.

"I'm still here. How could he think that's worth anything? How could anyone-?"

Miu ran her hands over her cheeks and pulled herself together before the tears started up again. She was tired of crying. She was tired of it all and now with this fiasco, it was all just too much.

It only took a few minutes for Miu to brush the tangles out of her hair and throw on something clean for the short walk to the supermarket. Maybe she'd treat herself to something nice while she was at it.

Miu walked down the stairs and out the main entrance door, purse slung over her and ready to face the day.

"There she is!"

"Excuse me, can you please give us a comment?"

"Are you the woman in this photo? How do you know Hawks?"

"Did he save you or were the two of you on a date?"

Miu's mouth gaped as a few groups of reporters with microphones shoved them into her face, making her nearly fall backwards on the stairs to her apartment. The camera people were closing in not too far behind the interviewers, pens and pads and recorders clutched in hand as each person tries to get the closest to Miu.

"I….hey, watch it!" Miu blinked rapidly and steadied herself, sending one of the reporters a terse frown. She held her purse to her chest and stared at them all warily.

"Please miss, we just want a comment about your relationship."

"Is Hawks in your apartment now?"

"No idiot, our witness said he left, remember?"

"Oh yeah. Sorry, got carried away."

"You don't say…" Miu muttered under her breath; it would seem her first plan was a bust. "What should I do? I could just say no comment...but that might make me look guilty…what do I do? What can I do?"

"Miss, please, tell us what happened."

Miu froze up; she could feed them the lie about Hawks just scooping her up from an accident, but that wouldn't explain why he felt the need to personally escort her home late at night. Miu stood up straight; there was only one thing to do. She wouldn't let Hawks pay for her mistakes.

"Please listen; it's not at all how it looks. Hawks saved me..but I didn't just fall off that old building."

Miu inhaled; the crowd around her seemed to hold their breaths.

"I jumped on purpose. I did it with the intention of ending my life...but Hawks spotted me. He took me to the hospital so I could be checked for injuries. Hawks only took me home himself because he was worried I might...that I would try to hurt myself again. We never met beforehand. That's all that happened."

There was an uncomfortable silence until one of the interviewers scribbling notes continued to press on.

"But how do you explain the photograph of him touching your hair?"

Miu didn't miss a beat. "A bug just got in my hair when we were flying."

The interviewer frowned. "That's it?"

"Actually, no."

Miu looked right into the camera and smiled.

"Um, if Hawks is seeing this...I just wanted to say thank you again for talking some sense into me. You do so much to help people every day. You even took the time to stop to make sure I was okay after the fact. You're a good person and I hope you get some time to enjoy yourself between making the world a better place. And eating fried chicken"

Miu beamed softly, not even caring she had exposed herself to the world to be judged. Everything she said was the truth; if it helped Hawks, well, then it just goes to show what comes around goes around.

"Hawks, you might be second in the polls, but you're number one to me."

Miu turned to go back into her building; grocery shopping would have to wait and she honestly didn't have the energy at the moment. Not that her plight mattered to the reporters still swarming the complex's entrance

"Hold on, miss!"

"What's your name?"

"Is that really all there is to the story?"

"Why did you try to kill yourself?"

Miu turned to smile at them coldly. "I have nothing else to say, except you vultures need to find better stories to waste time on." she sent them a brief, half hearted wave. "Have a nice day."

Miu shut the door closed behind her and made he way up the stairs, two at a time; she felt like skipping.

"I know I will."