NeonHorizon: I write from Twice's P.O.V. so often that I sometimes forget who the main character of this is supposed to be.

Is this really okay? He followed her into the apartment with hesitation, frowning deeply. I don't have anything for her to translate. I'm probably bothering her. Jin had started to feel happy when she hugged him, but now he remembered that thing he saw earlier. That horrible thing that made his heart drop.

He listened carefully for any male voices as he stepped into the apartment. Seeing her walk alongside another man, with her arm linked with his, made Jin break out in a cold sweat of panic. If she was dating that guy, he would have to distance himself. It was only natural that he would have to admit defeat if she was already in a relationship.

To his relief, the apartment was silent with the exception of her cat meowing at him from the floor. "I'm sorry. I should've called …"

"Ah. No, no…it's…quite alright. In fact, I'm very pleased that you decided to visit. It…always brightens my day to see you, Jin."

In that moment, his heart started to beat so fast that he thought it might burst. Trying to maintain his composure was proving difficult. He ran a hand through his hair, turning his head to the side and allowing himself a half-smile. She's happy to see me? Do I really…brighten her day? Yeah, this girl's out of her mind!

"This way. I was…actually about to start making dinner. If you want to eat with me, I would be pleased to have you."

"Th-thanks." He let her lead him down the corridor to a door he had never gone through before. Since he first began visiting, she had only showed him the tea room and part of the kitchen. Jin was very surprised when she opened the door to reveal a room with a large, plush couch and a television with a big screen. There were a lot of shelves in this room, lined with various movies.

"Just…if you don't mind…while I finish preparing our food, you can select a film and we could…watch it to entertain us while we eat." Neneko smiled shyly just seconds before hiding it behind a sweater-hidden hand. The pink hue on her cheeks was quite obvious against the rest of her pale face.

Now left alone in the room, he sat on the couch and set down the bag he had brought with him. The cushions were just as comfortable as they looked. Soft, but not too soft. A nice fabric. Much nicer than the couches in the tea room.

Leaning back, trying to force himself to relax, Jin released a sigh. How big is this place? He remembered seeing other doors in the corridor as well. Now he was wondering if the young man he had seen her with was actually in one of the other rooms of the apartment.

The thought made him grimace and he held his head in his hands. Thinking about Neneko being with that guy made him feel conflicted. Too many emotions swirled around in his head as he remembered what he saw. If that guy made her happy, he should be happy for her. He knew that. He wanted her to be happy and safe so he would need to be supportive. However, it still hurt him to imagine not being with her. Not seeing her cute, shy smiles. Not hearing her soft, whispery voice. Not feeling her warm, gentle touch.

Heartbreak started to bubble up and it blended with a surge of anger. Jin dug in his pocket and drew his mask out. By now, the man's hands were trembling. "…Neneko…I can't…lose you…I don't want you to hate me…I just want another hug…I can't stand this! I feel like I'm splitting! Ngh!" He put a hand to his head, gritting his teeth as he struggled to keep himself together.

Shift P.O.V

Tea. Which kind? Perhaps something slightly sweet to compliment the salty flavor of the soy sauce in this. I do wish that I knew what sort of tea he prefers. He seems to enjoy chamomile, though that's the only tea I've made for him. Neneko bit at her thumbnail, frowning as she looked at the selection of boxes in her cupboard.

The woman tilted her head, long obsidian locks falling over one eye. I suppose could always ask him what sort of tea he prefers. Perhaps I should start buying coffee. He did say that he wanted coffee when he first visited. She lowered her gaze and released a quiet sigh.

Neneko was shaking from nervousness. Not just from pushing her bravery earlier when she hugged him, but from thinking about what she had to do. What was necessary in order to keep him safe. Before I make an absolute decision, I should simply ask him not to do it. I can tell him that I wish for him to be safe. He will understand, won't he? Though…to say such a thing to him. He may construe my words as a confession of admiration. I do admire him…

"Neneko! You look so cute when you're deep in thought! You're gonna get wrinkles if you make that face!"

Before she could turn around, alarmed by this exclamation behind her, Neneko found arms encircling her waist and pulling her back tight against a toned chest. She was lifted off her feet as he leaned down, a fabric-covered cheek rubbing against hers. Neneko's hands moved on reflex, gripping his and trying to steady herself somehow.

Jin?! Is he…what…is this…? His chest felt warm against her back, his hold on her secure. It made heat rise to her cheeks and she felt a warm wetness trail over her lips from her nose. She lifted a hand to hide her bleeding nose, even more embarrassed to realize that a simple hug gave her a nosebleed.

The translator was hugged tightly for a moment, while she still tried to stop the blood from gushing from her nose. When he finally set her down and turned her to face him, the eye parts of his mask seemed to indicate that he was alarmed. "Neneko?! Hey, now! What's with the bloody nose? Are you having dirty thoughts about me? That's so cute! Ewww! Creepy!"

She bit her lip, tasting her own blood, and shook her head as she tried to step back. Her lower back pressed against the counter's edge and a hand planted on the marble surface beside her. The man in the black and pale gray mask leaned down, effectively caging her in place, and she was forced to meet his stare through the mask. Her face was so hot now that it felt like it was probably glowing red.

"I-I can assure you…Jin, I would never…impure thoughts…such as that…I assure you…I would never…" she stammered, going in circles.

His free hand gripped her shoulder as he brought his mask-hidden face closer to hers. "That's a lot of blood! Nah! It's not that bad!" He lifted his other hand from the counter and wiped beneath her nose with his sleeve for a minute before realizing that the hem of his sleeve was now soaked crimson. "Gross!"

Neneko shook her head again, trying to shake herself out of her moment of embarrassed silence. "Your sleeve…Jin…I apologize for the mess. Allow me to wash this before the stain sets."

He tilted his head and then stepped back, raising both hands. "Whoa! Are you trying to get my shirt off?! Not gonna happen! If you wanted to see, you should've just said so!"

Most of the time when his words conflicted with themselves, she was still able to tell what he meant. This was one of those times when she was wrong. She expected him to continue refusing, but soon found him unbuttoning the blue button-up shirt he was wearing.

Turning her head to the side, her nose done bleeding now, she anxiously ran her fingers along a lock of her hair. Of course, even with her head turned, she could see his build from the corner of her eye. The tank top under his button-up shirt clung to him and gave her a really good view. The blush remained intact on her cheeks as she held out a trembling hand to accept the piece of clothing.

No questions were asked regarding his mask. Not at this point. It was a little confusing that he was suddenly wearing it, but something told Neneko that she would be better off not asking yet. She treated the area that was soaked with her blood and finished preparing dinner, all while her valiant friend stayed by her side.

With the mask on, Jin acted different. Energetic. Cheerful. Loud. It was a sharp contrast to the way he usually acted. Though Neneko found that she liked this side of him as well. He was more talkative and, thus, she was able to learn a little more about his likes and dislikes. He seemed excited and more than happy to answer any questions she had.

So strange. Such a contrast. She frowned to herself as she carried their dinner to the television room, carefully avoiding tripping over the cat. The translator glanced toward her friend as he picked the cat up, maneuvering it onto his shoulder. He's…so peculiar. I want to know more. I'm afraid of becoming an annoyance, though. And…more perplexing than anything else…I had such a lewd reaction to a simple hug!

He was petting the cat and seemed to decide she was jealous because he swept her into a hug the second she had set the tray of plates down. "Awww! There's plenty of love to go around, Neneko! Ugh! You smell like tea leaves!"

Her heart skipped a beat as she felt his left arm press against her lower back, pinning her against him so there was more contact made than last time. The woman's slender, pale hands planted on his shoulders as she tried to keep herself from potentially slipping from his arms and falling. "Ah! Jin…you…startled me."

"Ugh! You're too cute! Quit looking at me like that! I just love you so much!"

Love…?! Warmth rapidly spread throughout her and she stared up at where his eyes were behind the mask. The heat of his bare shoulders under her fingertips was suddenly making her stomach do flips. Does he…love me? The thought made her feel exceptionally happy, but at the same time she knew she had to focus. If he loved her, she might able to convince him not to do what he was planning to do.

Shift P.O.V

Seeing her blush so red, holding her so close. If he had left his mask behind, there would be no way he could do this with her without feeling like he might come apart. The bliss from just holding Neneko was enough to make his heart speed past any pace he felt before. She made him feel like he might burst from happiness.

Of course, he had to try not to think about it now. Sitting with his mask off, a little embarrassed at wearing it in front of her, he found himself frowning. It was so hard not to think about how she made him feel when she was sitting less than two feet away from him and had made dinner for him.

Despite being so distracted, he was able to appreciate the meal. It tasted really good and he could tell that she put a lot of work into it. Jin was unable to remember the last time someone cooked for him so he appreciated it just that much more. As good as the food was, though, a thought was looming over him.

It ate away at him through the meal and he fought with himself over bringing it up. He needed to know. He needed answers. Neneko asked him what movie he wanted to watch and he told her, through gritted teeth, that she should pick. A comedy was selected and he soon found her sitting closer than before.

Neneko had stood to set up the movie to play. When she sat again, it was right beside him. So close that her thigh touched his. Whether this was on purpose or on accident, it still made him begin to sweat and clench the muscles in his jaw. It went unnoticed by her, thankfully, but he had to combat the urge to pull her onto his lap. The desire to cuddle with her while the movie played was extremely strong.

"Are you…afraid of me?" he finally forced out. "You saw me with the mask-"

"I…could never be afraid of you," she assured him. A hand rested on his knee and a shy smile graced her blushing features. "You…are a brave, noble man, Jin. You're a good man. So I could never be afraid of you. I understand that life can be rather complicated."

He wanted to smile back. The warmth of her fingertips against his knee, even through the fabric of his pants, was enough to stir something in him. "Good." On the inside, he allowed himself to be relieved. She was a good person. Not a cheater. Not a villain. Not a wanted criminal. If Neneko was in a relationship, there was no way she would be treating him this way.

Her smile fell and it almost made him wince. "However…on that note…Jin, I'm afraid that I must ask something of you. I do apologize, but when I translated your notes from your contact…I did read the translations. This LOV…and Shigaraki…if I could…selfishly make a request of you, could I ask that you please rethink your association with them? It seems unsafe and I-"

"I-I can't." Jin's chest felt tight as he said this. He could hear the concern in her soft, whispery voice and it broke his heart to refuse her anything. This was something he had to do though. He had made a promise and the League of Villains would help him to be able to live as himself and not have to hide. As much as he loved Neneko, he had to grit his teeth and refuse her request.

"…I see…" She drew her legs up so her knees were against her chest and she was basically curled up in a ball. Neneko chewed at her thumbnail, a rather distressed expression on her face. "I…yes, but I suppose it makes sense…a man of virtue…would be true to his word…it is admirable…" she mumbled to herself.

It hurt to know he had upset her, but at the same time, Jin was unable to look past the fact that she looked unbelievably cute in her current position. He really wanted to get closer to her, however he stopped himself. The last thing he wanted was to further upset her and make her dislike him.

Several minutes passed in which she seemed to be mumbling quietly to herself. Quick, elaborate words that Jin only sometimes understood so he thought they might be English. Her words finally faded. It was only when she slumped against his side that he realized she was asleep. He rubbed at the back of his neck, glanced toward the doorway, and let his arm slide around her to keep her close.