She hated to go out. She was always afraid of going into public, in case something happened that would cause her to accidentally raise her voice. As Neneko put on a jacket, her fingers trembled and she bit her lip.

This was something that she had to do. An unavoidable necessity. Even with this knowledge, she felt her stomach twisting in knots. She felt the cat brush against her leg and looked down for reassurance. The cat's large amber eyes stared back at her before it released a meow.

A knock at the apartment door made her lift her gaze and tense up. Neneko's steps were hesitant as she approached the door to greet her guest. She bowed slightly once the door was open. "Thank you…for accompanying me today, Kita-kun."

The young man offered a smile. He was always polite with her, always friendly. Though it was hard to tell sometimes if he actually liked working for her or if he was only acting nice because he was being paid so well. She often suspected that her money played a large part in how he treated her.

"Kuroiwa-san, are you sure you need to go? I can pick up whatever you need."

She stepped outside, locking the door behind her. A wary glance was cast toward her neighbor's door. Without a word, she began walking toward the elevator with her assistant following close behind. Only when they were on their way to the first floor did she speak again. "This is…a necessary unpleasantness. Something that I must do in order to achieve a goal."

Kita offered his arm, beaming cheerfully when she slid her arm to link with his. "So what's this for? We've got a list of places we're going today, right?"

Neneko gave a small nod, her free hand lifting so she could nervously chew at her thumbnail. This is the first step towards my goal. This is going to be a truly terrifying path that I am moving down. So many variables to consider and so many things that I will need to encounter. This will truly be a test of my ability to remain calm, but this is a necessary inconvenience.

"Kita-kun, your family…how are they?" she asked as they stepped out of the elevator. She stayed close beside the college student, albeit with reluctance. Neneko wished that she was bold enough to walk alone. To go on these errands without accompaniment. After all, this was not the typical grocery run that he might be sent on; this was something special. There was no reason for him to need to go with her.

He brightened more and began talking about his family's farm in the country. He spoke of their chickens, of his mother's cooking, of his sickly father. When he brought up the possibility of having to move back, his expression fell to a bitter frown. "I worked so hard to get here and now I'm probably going to have to go back."

Neneko was walking with her head bowed and let her eyes slide to the side, watching him. "That is…quite unfortunate, Kita-kun. Though, you know, you could find work similar to mine where you could telecommute."

"Oh, I couldn't do what you do, Kuroiwa-san! I've got to be around people! I hate when it's too quiet!"

"…I see…" She returned to her thoughts, attempting to focus on where they were going and what they were doing. She was not a bold person. Far from it; Neneko preferred to avoid human contact as much as possible so there would be no chance of hurting someone with her quirk. Despite this, there was someone that she did not want to ever lose contact with.

Her chest felt tight as she remembered that horrible night. Cowering as Jin was injured and dragging his unconscious body into her apartment only after the assailants had fled. She felt almost sick to her stomach with guilt each time she thought about it. When it occurred to her that he could have died that night, the woman was brought close to tears.

I can't let anything happen to him. I wish that I could tell him how I feel. I just…want to do all that I can in order to keep him safe. What I would love, more than anything else, is to be able to make him smile. Neneko nodded to herself as she moved closer to Kita. "I don't suppose that…you have someone that you are fond of, Kita-kun. Or perhaps you do."

"Eh? S-sort of, yeah." He grinned and rubbed the back of his head. "I mean, there's a girl I like."

"I see…and you have confessed your feelings to her, correct? Could I trouble you to tell me how you told her?"

"Oh! Uh, well, I haven't actually told her yet." The young man released a nervous laugh. "You know how it is, right? I mean, every time I think about her, I get butterflies in my stomach!"

"I see…" Neneko's hair fell forward, hiding her expression from him. Butterflies in the stomach. Such a common phrase used to convey feelings of excitement and love. Picturing Jin's face as he attempted to read some of the English words in one of his messages, she felt like her stomach did a flip.

A noble man such as him. He deserves someone much better than a recluse that can hardly speak above a whisper. At the very least, he deserves someone who can protect him. She bit her lip as they arrived at their first destination and swallowed her nervousness. I will…I am determined to…become a woman deserving of a man like him!

Shift P.O.V

A few days had passed since he was injured and he was still healing. Jin was standing at the bathroom mirror, turning his face and trying to determine if the bruises were fading faster than last time. He wanted to go see her, but not if he looked as bad as he did that night. As much as he liked it when she took care of him, he felt guilty about making her do it.

He had gone through a lot of pain, but he had no regrets. It scared him to imagine what might have happened to Neneko if he had been better at fighting the urge to see her. The terrible things that her neighbor and his friends might have done to her. Thinking about it both terrified and angered him.

Some good had come from it though. When Neneko offered to teach him English, he was quick to accept. It meant, as she explained it, that he would need to visit a little more and they would be spending more time together for lessons. Before that night, Jin had no desire to learn English, but now he was excited for it.

It doesn't look that bad. Nasty! He gripped the edge of the sink tightly, teeth gritting. No…I look fine. Yeah, I look like I got hit by a truck. Jin shook his head and released a growl of frustration.

He grabbed his mask from the top of the television, as well as the handkerchief that Neneko had given him when they first met. Falling onto his back on the bed, he set the mask aside and lifted the handkerchief. He stared at the floral pattern and felt the corner of his mouth draw up into a half-smile. It looked dainty. Delicate. Just like her.

His phone started to ring, but he just wanted to stay where he was. He was tired and he wanted to just relax as he continued to heal. However, the name on the phone screen was one that he should not ignore. This could be important. After all, his meeting with the rest of the League of Villains was coming up.

"Hey, took you long enough to answer. That was, what, five rings? Am I interrupting something?" Giran sounded entirely too amused. As if this might be the highlight of his day.

Jin moved his free hand, dropping the handkerchief and grabbing the mask. "I'm not busy."

"Good, good. You haven't asked me to send you anything for a while so I got kinda worried, you know."

"Worried? I don't need your pity! Sorry…I didn't-"

"It's fine, it's fine. I just thought you might've changed your mind so I wanted to touch base with you, Bubaigawara. You're still going to the little gathering, right?"

"Yeah, I'm…going to be there." He sat up and looked down at his mask. "I'll be there. Or maybe I won't!"

There was a pause and then an exasperated sigh. "Hey, I know you've got a life outside of the League, but you want to talk about what's going on with you?"

"There's nothing going on. I met the prettiest girl!" Jin covered his mouth with a hand, brow furrowing as he fought against himself. Part of him wanted so desperately to tell Giran about Neneko, but part of him knew that he had to keep her a secret. A quirk like hers would be seen as a prize by Shigaraki and he wanted to keep Neneko safe. If she got caught up in the League of Villains, her life would immediately be put in danger.

"A pretty girl, huh? You'll have to introduce me," Giran said. The grin could be felt through his voice.

"No! I can't…she isn't supposed to know about-"

"Oh, I get it. She can't know the real you, can she?"

Giran was wrong. Neneko had seen the real Jin many times and each time, she was accepting of him. Overwhelmingly, sweetly, patiently accepting of him. He still found it hard to believe how well she understood him, but she did. She always knew what he meant, despite his outbursts, and she was never offended by what he said. He had never expected to meet someone that could so completely accept him for who he was, but Kuroiwa Neneko did.

When the call ended, he sighed in frustration and rubbed at his face. He wanted to see her again. He was remembering how she had taken care of his wounds, how she had let his head rest on her lap. The lavender scent, the softness and warmness. He wanted to be with her again. He wanted her.

Shoving his mask into his pocket and grabbing the bag of gifts for Neneko, he hurried off to go to her apartment. His pace was quick, pausing only at crosswalks and to occasionally light a cigarette. They could normally make him feel better, but now they were failing him.

It was during a cigarette break that he spotted something that made his heart drop into his stomach. Jin's cigarette fell from his lips, landing on the cement below and smoldering as he stared down the sidewalk at two figures. He had the sudden strong urge to run.

Neneko's arm was linked with a young man's and the young man in question was carrying multiple shopping bags in his free hand. The translator had her head bowed, but was clearly biting her lip as her companion excitedly told her about something. The young man was younger than Jin and had a pleasant, happy look on his face while he talked.

She's…with someone? No way! That's gotta be her brother or something! She has her arm linked with his. This can't be happening. What a cute couple, right?! No! Neneko…why…? How long has she been seeing that guy? He looks pretty smart!

Shift P.O.V

The translator was eager to get home and go through her spoils. The components needed to be stowed away carefully until she needed them. Some of it might need some work, of course, but she knew it was worth it.

Do it for him, she thought to herself. I will…do whatever it takes in order to keep him safe. I can only hope that I may repay him for the kindness that he has extended toward me. Though I know my limitations; I am weak and I am certainly no hero. The best that I might do is aid him when he requires assistance.

Neneko finished putting away her items and frowned, staring at the things hanging up in her closet. I have so many things that I must do before that day arrives. I should practice for it, but I must confess that I feel rather…anxious. I wish that I had the amount of courage that Jin possesses. The cat rubbed against her right calf and she jolted. Being outside among people had left her feeling jumpy. "Yori…?"

The cat meowed loudly and trotted out of her bedroom, moving toward the apartment door. Kita had already gone home so when the feline pawed at the door, she found herself raising an eyebrow. "Yori…what could it be that has your attention?" She approached and stood on tiptoe to peek out through the peephole.

Her sharp violet gaze was met with the sight of Jin in the hallway beyond, pacing and mumbling to himself. He was carrying a plastic shopping bag that caught her eye and Neneko hesitantly reached for the lock on the door.

She opened the door slightly, peering out at Jin while he held his head and growled to himself. "Jin…if I may…could I perhaps convince you to come inside?"

He paused and stared at her as the color drained from his face. "N-Neneko, I…ngh…I wanted to see you, but I…" His fingers dug into his hair as he closed his eyes. "I just wanted to see you."

The young woman felt her pulse racing as she met his gaze. He looked pained. The bruises were still healing and he was clearly in distress. She saw past the pain, though. Neneko could see warmth, yearning. It made her flush pink and, before she could stop herself, the translator was briskly walking out into the hallway to make a bold move. The bravest thing she had done in quite some time.

She wrapped her arms around his midsection, her cheek pressing against his chest and her ears filling with the rapid beating of his heart. Warmth and excitement bloomed within her as she felt his arms hesitantly wrap around her. His hold gradually tightened and she smiled shyly. The hug felt so secure, so sweet.