Things were fairly quiet in Fukuoka, so most of the work at the office consisted of paperwork or leisure patrols. As the weeks turned to months, things continued to go well for the Hawks agency and its staff. Before they knew it, spring had turned to summer and summer had come to an end to bring autumn into full swing. Keigo was finally starting to get the kind of world he had been dreaming of where heroes could complain that nothing happened and take it easy for once. He often spent his days sitting with Hanako in his office, mulling over paperwork or talking or watching her work. He had grown to admire her, from her strength and determination to her kindness and good nature. He had even asked her to spruce up his office a bit with some plants, surprised to see how delighted she was by the request. He found that the thing he looked forward to the most in his day was watching her lovingly care for the plants that decorated his office.

One September day at the office, Hanako enjoyed coffee with her friends.

"So, you're going with Ryushi to the charity dinner in at the end of the week?" Mizuku Honda asked.

"Mhmm," Kana replied, beaming. "It was a really surprise when he asked me to accompany him."

"So are you guys, like, dating?" Mizuku asked, raising her brow with curiosity.

"No, nothing like that," Kana said. "Though I wouldn't mind if something like that were to happen. I mean, he's such a sweet guy and he's really cute."

Hanako chuckled. "Just ask him out already, Kana."

"'A lady never makes the first move' is what my mother always said,'" Kana replied, laughing. "Who knows, we'll just have to wait and see how things go."

"I wonder if Hawks is going to take anyone," Mizuku mused.

Out in the waiting room, Ryushi was overhearing the happy banter and smiled. 'It's good that she's grown so comfortable here.' He knocked on Keigo's door and stepped inside, clearing his throat to get his attention.

"Here are the latest reports, sir."

"Thanks, just put them on the desk."

Ryushi watched him a moment as he did as instructed. "What's on your mind, sir?"

Keigo sighed, his arms crossed with his hands behind his head. "That lame party is coming up."

"The charity dinner?"

"Yeah," Keigo turned towards him and slunk into his chair. "I don't mind the charity part, but the parties are never interesting."

Ryushi chuckled. "Having trouble finding a date to the party?"

"Maybe?"

"Well, maybe you can ask one of the lovely ladies here to accompany you. Say perhaps, Hanako?"

Keigo glanced at him. "She doesn't seem like the party type."

"True, but neither is Kana and she's agreed to come with me," Ryushi noted. "She'd be a far better choice than some random fangirl off the street, again."

"I suppose," Keigo thought on it for a moment.

"Think about it, that's all I'm saying."

As Ryushi left his office, Keigo did just that and thought about what he had suggested.

'Would she even consider going with me? Would it be appropriate to ask her to accompany me? At least I'd have someone different to talk to there.'

While Keigo was lost in thought, musing over the idea, Hanako returned to his office and checked on the plants. She was still pleasantly surprised that he had asked her to decorate his office with foliage to liven things up a bit.

Hanako chose plants that were pleasing to the eye but also good for purifying the air, plants like bamboo palm, dragon tree, peace lilies, spider plant, and ferns. She also chose plants that added a subtle fragrance and created a calming atmosphere in the office space, plants like lavender, jasmine, azaleas, Japanese catmint, and Japanese woodland primrose. Since she had started the plants in Keigo's office and word spread of their aesthetically pleasing effects, she had been asked to do the same throughout the building and was more than happy to oblige. It gave her a chance to make people happy, but to also work on strengthening her quirk.

As she worked, Keigo noticed that she had returned to the office and watched her a moment before calling her attention to him. "Miss Itami, may I ask you something?"

"What is it, sir?"

"What are you doing later this week?"

"Nothing, why?"

"Would you like to accompany me to the charity dinner that Miruko is hosting?"

Hanako paused as she knelt down to check the azaleas. "I could, but I'm curious," she lifted the stems gently out of the way, "why ask me? I'm sure there are plenty of women who would be lining up for the chance to attend a party of that caliber with you."

"Because out of every charity dinner I've attended, none of the women who've accompanied have provided very... intelligent company and conversation."

Hanako was pleased with the condition of the azaleas and set the flowers back into their natural positions. "I see, and you're hoping that I could do better?" She stood and turned to face him, stopping short of herself when she saw him standing right next to her- feeling a heat beginning to spread through her cheeks as they stood nearly nose to nose.

"I know that you can," Keigo replied, offering her a smirk as she stepped back and cleared her throat.

"When is this party?" Hanako asked, offering him a smile and hoping that her blushing cheeks weren't too noticeable.

"End of the week, on the 26th," Keigo said. "It's an evening party, starts around 7 pm." He tilted his head a bit and asked, "So what do you say?"

Hanako's smile grew and she nodded. "I'd love to."

A knock sounded at the door and they turned to find Ryushi standing there.

"What is it, Ryushi?"

"There's a call for you on line 1, sir."

"Thank you," Keigo replied, then looked back down at Hanako. "I'll give you further details later this week, alright?"

Hanako nodded and excused herself, closing the office door.

"Hanako, what is it?" Mizuku asked, noticing that she seemed flustered.

Hanako turned to her friends. "Mr. Hawks just asked me to go with him to the charity dinner."

Mizuku and Kana squealed.

"Oh my gosh, we need to go shopping!" Kana said, beaming at her. "After work, let's have a girl's night out. We'll go shopping for dresses and grab some dinner or drinks after!"

Back in his office, as he listened to the person on the other end of the call drone on, Keigo heard the squealing and couldn't help but smile. 'I'm glad she accepted.'