Toshinori scrolled through the Hero Network. His eyebrows furrowed in response to the numerous recent activity reports of Pro Heroes across the country. This could mean that the heroes were working to their best extent or that the number of villain attacks increased drastically. He clicked on the Villains section and looked at the recently added individuals. Some of the quirks they possessed were bewildering. Toshinori often wondered why people with such amazing quirks would use them for something so dreadful. For someone like him, who was born quirkless, it was a complete mystery.

The big man sighed and moved away from the computer. His gaze fell on the file Ren left at the agency. He read through every page from start to finish, but nevertheless he picked the file up and flipped through the pages. Even without a scientific background he could tell how well thought and planned the research was. The proposal was laid out clearly, covering all the major points and answering potential questions. There was not a single irrelevant phrase. Her passion and depth of knowledge were seeping through every page.

Another heavy sigh escaped his lips.

Toshinori rubbed his face with both hands trying to get a grip on the vortex of emotions, but his heart continued to race perilously every time he thought of her.

Nakagawa Ren.

She sparked his interest since the moment he laid his eyes on her in that bar. While being surrounded by Pro Heroes, she managed to keep a laid-back attitude, as if it was something ordinary for her. Now he knew that it was.

He thought back to the way her body moved to the rhythm of the peculiar music in the club. The way she closed her eyes and gave herself completely to the beat. Toshinori closed his eyes and reconstructed every detail of her body in his mind. His skin flushed and he swallowed hard. The tight jeans hugging the curves of her body, the blouse exposing her shoulder, the tattoo…he yearned to touch it, to trail his fingers over it and then his tongue. He wanted to know how far down her arm it went, how far down her back. Toshinori want to slowly expose her skin, inch by inch and savour the sight.

Toshinori flexed his fingers; they ached with the need to touch her. His tongued darted out to lick his dry lips. He imagined her body beside his. She looked miniature, but not weak. Something in the way she held herself showed the inner strength Ren most certainly possessed. He still remembered the way her body felt in his arms when he took her to his place from the club. Her hands clenched on his shirt as continued to try and bury her face under his armpit. Familiar tingling sensation washed over him, making the hairs on his body stand up.

His chest kept rising with unfamiliar violence and heart raced like a racehorse, threatening to break through the ribcage. Sweat beaded his forehead. Unintentionally his hand reached to his sweatpants. His eyes widened in shock as he quickly pulled his hand back.

What am I thinking? He grunted, rubbing the back of his neck.

"If you rub your neck a bit more, you'll get a callus,"

Her words replayed in his mind, making the blonde smile. Friday was just around the corner and he could barely wait to see her again. Does she feel the same? He wanted to believe that. He felt like a teenager again. Ridiculous. He rubbed his neck more violently. At my age I should be able to tell a woman that I like her. But what if she thinks this is rushed? Suddenly he felt very aware of the situation. He was an older man, without a social life, without any particular hobbies. He couldn't even help her out with her research. Telling her why was also out of question. How could be confess that All Might, the Symbol of Peace, was born quirkless. What would she think about him then?

Toshinori felt dizzy thinking about rejection. In his mind he understood that his fears were groundless, but his heart refused to agree. Even if Ren rejected him, they could still be friends, but the pang in his chest denied the thought. It's been so long since his body and mind longed for someone so much. The hero exhaled soundly, releasing all the air from his lungs, and taking a deep breath. Not wanting to dwell in the negativity any longer he switched on the TV and clicked through the channels searching for something to watch.

Regardless of her answer, Toshinori knew that he would always be there for her as whoever she'd allow him to be.