He could hear her muttering to herself as she clicked around on the computer and finally looked over when he heard Yamada ask what was wrong. Her screen showed that she had been looking at a news website and the homepage was covered in "Endstrings" gossip. Photos of her encounter with Endeavor a few nights ago, conspiracy theories involving their so-called "relationship", and other annoying things that would only encourage the fanatics.

Aizawa lifted his gaze to her face and saw Akari's cherry-red lips twisted into a deep frown. He disliked it. This was more than simple frustration; she looked almost fearful. He remembered what had happened when she ran into Endeavor. How anxious and depressed she had become. How she seemed to withdraw into herself.

The man stood and walked over, taking the mouse from her and closing the tab. Even with his hair falling over part of his face, Aizawa's stern expression was enough to make her give a small nod of understanding. An added, unexpected, bonus was that she started blushing pink.

"Don't go online. I thought you were going to avoid the media."

"She shouldn't have to totally close herself off!" Yamada argued.

His narrowed, bloodshot eyes went from Akari to their blond friend. Is he serious? Releasing an irritated sigh, he pushed his hair back from his face and glared at him. "You know how this goes. If she's online, she's going to see it. Hero gossip spreads like a virus. Nowhere is safe from it. It would be better to just stay offline until this dies down."

To his further irritation, Yamada tilted his head and grinned. He tipped Akari's face up with a finger beneath her chin, taking the other two by surprise. "It would be better if she just told everyone she's in a relationship! Then no one could try to say she's seeing Endeavor!"

"No."

"How about it, babe? You can tell everyone it's me! That way Shouta won't be in the spotlight! It's a win-!"

"That's enough," Aizawa growled. He slammed a hand onto the desk between Yamada and Akari. The blond jumped a little and raised his eyebrows.

"If she's going to do something like that, she's going to tell the truth." As much as he hated the spotlight. As much as he hated dealing with the media. The idea of his girlfriend telling the world that she was dating Yamada felt too much like giving her up to their friend.

"I'd rather just avoid it altogether," Akari protested. She toyed with a lock of long, crimson hair and sighed. Leaning back in her chair, she closed her eyes. "It's like no one can see how much he hates me." Her voice was soft, her frustration clear in her tone. She seemed to dislike Endeavor just as much as he disliked her, but her fear was greater than her hatred.

Aizawa was still in the dark about how the whole "Endstrings" thing got started. Not that he wanted to know. All that really mattered was that it upset her and he disliked seeing her act so anxious and fidgety. This was nothing like the shy, awkward way she had acted around him before they hooked up. This was sad.

"Fiiiine!" Yamada turned his chair back and forth, grinning as it swiveled. "I know! You should come over tonight, Akari, baby! I've got the night off; we could have a movie night and you could sleep over!"

"Not a chance." Aizawa gave him a warning look that went completely ignored. He's persistent today. That "Endstrings" thing must have gotten to him.

"Why not?! You don't have plans, either, Shouta! You can come, too!"

Before he could answer, Akari held up a hand. "Hang on. I've got some stuff to do after work. Could I meet you there?"

The two male heroes exchanged a glance and then looked back at her. "Do you need help?" Aizawa inquired, his hands sliding into his pockets.

"No; I just…have to do something. I want to slip into something more comfortable, too." She flashed him a brief smirk in an attempt at flirting.

Shift P.O.V

"Don't you have any shame?! You home-wrecking slut! He has a wife and kids, you know! Just who do you think you are?! You think you're above common decency just because you're a hero? How dare you show your face in public!"

Before this random housewife in an Endeavor t-shirt could continue verbally assaulting his soulmate, Jin grabbed Akari's hand and put himself between her and this women. He knew he was scary-looking. It was no secret. His face was intimidating; especially with the scar on his forehead. When he glared down at this stranger, she instantly recoiled and clutched her purse against her chest.

"You've got the wrong person," he said firmly.

"Right, right. Yes, I can see that now. I'm sorry." She bowed again and again, sweat visibly collecting on her chubby face as she held her purse like it was her last tie to the earthly realm. "I'm so sorry! My mistake!"

Some people…are just garbage. Akari didn't even say anything to you and you started yelling at her. What kind of person does that? She's got a point; that hero's married! Shut up! Jin held the side of his head with his free hand, gritting his teeth as he tried to fight back the contradictions.

He glared after the woman's retreating form, struggling to keep it together. He had begun to sway slightly in his fight with himself and only managed to calm when he felt Akari's hand tighten on his, her thumb gently rubbing over his skin. Jin looked over and saw her biting her lower lip, her face flushed pink with humiliation. "Akari…I'm sorry. I just…couldn't let her talk to you that way."

She was silent and nudged at his arm to urge him onward to their destination. It was only after he began walking that he realized her true intentions. Akari released his hand, pulled up her hood to hide her very noticeable crimson locks, and promptly grabbed his hand again to keep him close.

Jin's heart felt like it was being clutched just as tightly. He felt so happy that she understood. She was even depending on him now. It was all he wanted; to be able to do things for her and protect her. This was just a small thing, but it meant so much to him that she seemed grateful. On top of that, her hand felt so soft against his. "You're…not mad at me?"

"You stood up for me," she started. Cerulean eyes lifted to meet his gray-blue ones and she frowned. "I'm sorry."

"N-no! Akari! I want you to rely on me! I want to be helpful!" he protested. He felt an urge growing within him. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to feel her against him. He just wanted to make her feel safe. However, she still seemed a little wary of him.

Shift P.O.V

Akari was still a little shocked. People had threatened her online. They had called her horrible names and told her to kill herself, back when the "Endeavor Incident" occurred. Few people actually had the guts to say such horrible things to her face, unless from the safety of an angry mob. Thus why the Endeavor fan's words had come as such a shock.

While she was embarrassed and frustrated, she found herself tongue-tied when it came time to defend herself. Luckily, it was not needed. Jin put himself between her and the woman to defend her. The act made her blush a bit more and she was quiet as she mulled over what was happening.

She held his hand as they walked, but felt him eventually release her hand in favor of wrapping an arm around her. Now Akari was pressed closer against his side. She frowned and fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve. What the woman had said was still bothering her. It would be one thing if it was true, but it was false. Akari had only spoken to Endeavor two or three occasions and never under friendly terms.

Jin seemed to sense her unease and, in his desire to cheer her up, did what he thought was best. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to Akari's right temple. "You don't deserve to be treated that way," he murmured.

The hero blinked in surprise as he looked down at her. The warmth in his eyes and the sheepish way he smiled, as if he was embarrassed. For some reason, it made her pulse skip a beat. She tugged at the edge of her hood, pulling it further forward, and she bit her lower lip. He's…so sweet. Why? I don't deserve it. I held a knife to your throat! I'm a terrible hero and you're so-!

There was no proper way to describe him; he was too complex. Sweet, vengeful, protective, pained, loving, warm, sad. A blend of so many different, strange things. In this moment, walking with his arm around her, Jin seemed so content that he might burst.

I still have no idea where we're going though. Akari was, at the very least, aware that they were entering a pretty shady part of town. It became really evident when she noticed more and more rather brutish looking people in the dark alleys and Jin started to tighten his arm around her.

They finally seemed to arrive at wherever he needed to be and were let into what seemed to be someone's office. Like the rest of this part of the neighborhood, it was shady. Literally; the room was pretty dim and Akari had to squint to really see what was going on.

A man in glasses greeted Jin with a sort of sketchy smile and when he looked at Akari, Jin tensed. The man lit a cigarette, leaning back against his desk, and continued to appear pretty smug. "So that's it, huh? You sure she's worth the trouble?"

What's he talking about? Akari glanced up at Jin, who frowned and gave a nod. Wait. What exactly-?

"Okay. If you're sure." The stranger opened a drawer in his desk and retrieved a long, flat box. "Here you go. You can go put it on now, if you want. Make sure it fits right. It's better to get alterations done as soon as you can. Especially in this situation."

Jin reluctantly drew his arm away from the hero and gave her an apologetic frown. "I'll…be right back, okay? Akari. Please. Don't go anywhere."

"I'm not going to leave you. It's fine. I'll be waiting here," she assured him. Truth be told, as long as she was with him, she felt like no one would hassle her about the Endeavor gossip. He was a pretty good repellent for keeping people away from her on the street.

A look toward the stranger made her frown as Jin took the box to a smaller room and closed the door. Akari pushed her hands into her pockets, looking this bespectacled man up and down. "Your name…?"

His smug grin spread. "Giran. And you're Akahana Akari. Also known as Heartstrings. I know all about you. You know, you're a lucky girl. Not a lot of guys would do what he's doing."

"And? What's he doing?" she challenged him.

Giran took a few steps toward her and held out his cigarette case in a silent offer that went rejected with a shake of her head. "He's turning down the chance of a lifetime for you. He could've been part of something pretty great. That suit he's trying on right now? Could've been paid for by the boss, but he's paying for it out of pocket now with his own money. Just for you." He pointed at her with his cigarette. "So. You're a pretty lucky girl."

Suit? At that moment, the door to the other room opened and there were quick footsteps before she was swept into a tight embrace. A mask-covered cheek rubbed against hers as she was lifted off her feet and twirled around. Akari's hands instinctively planted on his shoulders and she felt the warmth of his skin through the material of the black and white costume. It caused a stirring within her. A new blush rose to her face as she felt his hug tighten for a moment.

"Akari, what do you think? I don't care what you think; I look awesome!"

She was set down and felt the blood flow to her face increasing as she took in the man's figure. The costume was not what she had expected. This was skin tight and left very, very little to the imagination. It highlighted how toned he was and she felt herself start to sweat a little. She was used to men's costumes that could pass for normal clothes; like what Aizawa and Yamada wore. I keep forgetting that he's built like that…

Giran snickered. "I think she likes it, Bubaigawara. So how's the fit?"

"It fits like a glove! It's way too loose!" Jin gave him a thumbs-up and the eye parts of his mask seemed to half-close as if he was smiling underneath.

"Great, great. You wearing it home or do you two have a date?" the man taunted, counting his payment when it was handed to him.

Her friend looked at her, head tilted in silent question. Regaining some composure, the woman offered a half-smile to try to reassure him that everything was fine. "What do you want to do, Jin?" It was asked with the expectation that he would want to get dinner or something.

He grabbed both of her hands in his, leaning down close. "I want you to ride me!" Instantly, Akari's face went a bright, heated shade of red that almost resembled her hair. Thankfully, he immediately realized why and released her hands. Waving his arms frantically, he attempted to fix his mistake. "No! I mean piggyback! Into a fight! If you're not going to stop being a hero, I'll just have to go with you! I want you to rely on me! You know what I really meant!"