NeonHorizon: The next chapter will be mostly from Twice's point of view. I love...everything...about him. I had to rewatch the second to last episode of season three, where it opens with Twice. I've seen it a dozen or so times, but I never get tired of it. Even if it's a bit sad...

Neneko still had goose bumps from the interaction with the villains. As she walked down a long dimly lit alley, she tried to calm her nerves. It was uncomfortable for her to spend so much time around them. She had difficulty being around people in general so, to be among such rowdy villains, left her unsettled.

I am doing this for Jin…to protect him…but this is so difficult. I never imagined that I would be in such a situation, yet I've placed myself into it willingly. Shigaraki…such a malevolent man. His eyes hold nothing but hatred and I can sense his dislike for mankind. If he were to touch Jin…his quirk…he would decay Jin into nothingness…

Just the thought was enough to make her eyes burn with forming tears. She hated dealing with the villains, but if it meant keeping Jin safe, she would do anything. Which was why this day was particularly rough for her. Neneko hated her villain persona Mystic; hated the fake voice, the fake personality, the closeness Mystic shared with Dabi. She could handle these things, though. What she could not handle was Twice.

Being so close to Jin, but having to keep her distance, was torture. However, it was a torture she had committed herself to. She knew it was necessary to keep a distance. If he knew that it was her, she feared what he might think. He might think she was a hypocrite. He might be angry or feel betrayed. She just wanted to keep him safe.

When Twice got so close to her, it made things even worse. Being held by him had made her want to hug back. She wanted to hold onto him and never let go, basking in the warmth that radiated from him. It was a new level of agony to have to pretend to be Mystic with Twice; crude, overly flirtatious. So unlike her true self that it made goose bumps form on her skin.

I feel so strongly about him…I care so deeply about his safety. I'm afraid that I might…perhaps…I might…The tears she had managed to keep at bay began to roll down her cheeks and dampen her mask. I believe…I'm certain…this must be love. I've fallen in love with Jin and I can't see him without putting him in danger.

It hurt immensely, but she knew it was true. She had to keep her distance so her love would stay safe. Until everything was squared away with her shadiest client, he would be in danger. I need to tend to it quickly. I'm uncertain of how much more I can take. I feel as though…I'm breaking apart…

To top it all off, Twice was following her. He had been following her at a distance since she left the bar and she was completely aware of it. Neneko lifted a gloved hand, lowering her head to wipe at her eyes for a moment. I must appear brave. I am…Mystic. I need to maintain my villain persona until Jin leaves. I apologize, Jin. I…love you too much to allow you to be harmed.

With her tears gone, she tensed her vocal cords and released a growly sort of chuckle. "What's the matter, Panda Man? Feeling clingy? Don't tell me you're needy like Staple Face!"

"Hey! I'm not clingy! You got me! I want another hug!"

She smiled genuinely behind her mask, behind the skeletal grin printed on the dark fabric. Turning to face him, she found the other masked villain approaching. "A hug, huh? Sure ya don't want more than that~?" Despite the flirtatious tone, Neneko felt nervous butterflies seem to take flight in her stomach. She desperately wanted to feel him hold her again, but as herself it was much too dangerous. Twice could hug Mystic, but Jin could not hug Neneko.

He pointed at her, his arm waving a bit erratically. "What're you trying to say?! You think I'd want to do that with you? You're totally my type! Get over here!"

"Whatever ya want, Panda Man." Neneko approached, pulse quickening with each step closer to him. She half-expected him to push her away after that verbal rejection, but instead found his arms wrapping around her and pulling her against his chest. The translator felt heat rush through her and gripped his shoulders. "Kheheh! Careful there! What're ya-?"

Her back connected with the alley wall and she felt hands slip behind her thighs. His touch was warm, even through the fabric of both of their costumes. Neneko's legs were lifted up and around his waist as the villain leaned down. Her arms slid around his neck on reflex, to save herself from possibly being dropped.

The male villain's chest pressed tight against hers as his mask-hidden face drew close. A hand came up, covered fingers sliding through her dark hair within the hood of her costume. Neneko struggled to maintain her villain persona as a masked mouth met hers through her own mask. Her eyes slid closed, heart hammering as she felt his lips move against hers.

Jin…but why…? Mystic? Why Mystic? Why would you do such a thing with Mystic? Such boldness. Such…Her back arched as she felt his hips push against hers. A sound of pleasure escaped her, but it was muffled by the kiss.

Even through two layers of fabric, she could feel his lips desperately pressing at hers as if to break through the barrier. She almost wanted to weep from the painful pleasure this brought her. As myself…I was the one to initiate a kiss so why…are you able to be so forward with Mystic? Is it due to her being a villain? What…would you do with Mystic?

Shift P.O.V

He knew that she knew who he was. He also knew that she knew he followed her out of the bar. Neneko was really smart. It was one of the things that he loved about her; she was intuitive and intelligent. Still, he could not help worrying.

If she was working with the police or a hero to try to infiltrate the League of Villains, she was putting herself in a lot of danger. If any of the others found out, she would probably be killed. Jin gritted his teeth behind his mask as he watched her walk down the middle of the dark, empty alleyway.

Now that he knew that Neneko was Mystic, it was difficult to watch her interact with the others. Flirting with Dabi, talking to Compress like they were old friends, even talking to Shigaraki and attempting to flirt with him. He was sure that she was only doing this to try to blend in and make them trust her, but it still made his chest hurt when he saw it.

So, when he finally confronted her in the alley, everything had built up. The frustration of knowing she was in danger, the pain of seeing her with Dabi, the confusion regarding why she was masquerading as a villain. Jin moved without thinking, which led to this current situation.

The dark, the female villain pinned between him and the wall with her legs wrapped around his waist. Kissing through their masks. Her back arching so her chest pushed tighter against him. One of his hands was running through her hair, but the other moved now and pressed at her lower back.

His hips rolled against hers subconsciously, sending a rush of heat straight through him and drawing a muffled sound from her. He wanted to pull down her mask and take his off so they could be face to face, but he hesitated. Jin knew she was undercover. If he took away her mask, if he even alluded to knowing the truth, she would be in more danger.

He wanted to tell her how much he loved her. How much joy he got just from being around her. How great it felt to hold her this way. His pulse was rapid, anticipation forming as her ankles hooked behind his back to keep her steady. Warmth was settling in his lower abdomen and he had to stop himself from reaching to the edge of her mask to pull it down.

The hand on her lower back moved to her right leg, gliding along her knee and up her thigh. The fabric of her dress was pushed up little by little to display the dark, skintight material of her leggings. He frowned into the kiss, wishing they were in their normal clothes. Wishing they could be this way without her throwing herself into harm's way.

Now there was a struggle forming. The desire to pull down her mask was becoming overwhelming, among other desires. He could imagine the blush that was hidden by the dark fabric of her mask, the shape of her lips curling into a faint smile. I want to see more of her face, but I can't expose her identity! I don't want her to get hurt! Nah! She'll be fine; just tear it off!

She broke the kiss and leaned her head against the space between his neck and shoulder, her arms still wrapped around him. A muffled sigh could be heard as she gave him a light squeeze. "Kheheh! Feeling frisky, Twice? Careful. We wouldn't want to make Staple Face jealous~"

He tensed and drew his hands away for a second before holding her hips. "What're you talking about?! Dabi's not even here! I bet he's watching right now!"

Lifting her head to look at him, she quirked an eyebrow. "Wanna give him a show or something?" she teased.

A hand trailed down his chest, gloved fingertips gliding down his costume and finally lifting to press against his heart. Jin breathing hitched, teeth gritted as he fought the urge to expose her identity and do something unseemly in this dark alley. I can't do that to her…what if she gets hurt? Totally worth it! I wanna make her all mine! No! She's…better than that. Not here. Not right now. Come on! She wants it! Just rip her costume and-!

In her bag, her phone began to ring. Her eyebrows furrowed and she growled softly. Her left hand remained against his heart as her right hand trailed fingertips along the side of his face, through his mask. "Sorry, but duty calls. One more for the road, eh?" She leaned up, lips pressing against his through the fabric.

Shift P.O.V

She hated to part from him, but it was necessary. Things had gotten a little too heated between them in that alley. If he had taken off her mask, he would have known her identity in a heartbeat and she would have been exposed.

Her heart was still beating wildly in her chest as she rushed to change out of her costume and into her normal clothes. This time, she was sure that Twice had gone back to the bar to allow Mystic to attend to business, whatever it may be. She still felt hurt that he seemed to get over her so quickly, but if Twice could love Mystic, then it was good enough. As long as he was happy and safe.

The call had gone unanswered, but she intended to return the call as soon as she was in her apartment. When she finally did arrive home, she had to begin boiling water for some chamomile tea. Since he entered her life, the taste of chamomile reminded her of Jin. It was what she needed most in this moment; calm, happiness. Especially with the number listed as "Giran" calling her phone again.

Do I answer as myself or…am I to answer as Mystic? I believe he has this number listed as Mystic. I am quite certain. She grimaced at the thought of using the fake voice, but forced herself to do it. "What d'you want, old man?"

"Kuroiwa! So you found your phone? You didn't answer earlier."

Her heart seemed to drop as she registered what he had said. Recovering quickly, she began fixing a cup of tea. "Don't know what you're going on about-"

"Cut it out; I know who you are. "Mystic" is just a persona, right? I've gotta say, I'm impressed. That voice can't be easy on your vocal cords, Kuroiwa. And keeping up a character that's so different from your true self. I bet it's pretty tiring, right?"

She carried her cup of tea with her into the hallway, staring at the door to be sure it was locked. It was. "I suppose…you must have a good reason for this intrusion on my privacy, Giran-san." It felt good to use her normal voice. Much less painful and the words came naturally; no awkwardness or forcing herself to sound brave and bold.

"Straight to business, huh? You really are a professional. Okay, wanna talk about the fact that you said you didn't approve of the League and then threw on a disguise and joined? Does Bubaigawara know?"

"I do apologize, Giran-san, but I regret to say it is no business of yours."

"Riiiight. So he doesn't know." There was a quiet click of a lighter. "Let me guess. You joined to protect him, right?"

"I would prefer it if the other…villains…are left unaware of my true identity," she spoke. Neneko was trembling and leaned against the wall, eyes closing as she tried to remain calm.

"Okay, but why?"

"I do not condone their activities. I will not have my name attached to an organization that spreads hatred and vio-"

"But you work with yakuza." Giran's smirk could be felt through his tone. "It's kinda funny. Looking up "Kuroiwa Neneko" just brings up a translator, but if you do some digging around and have the right connections, you eventually find "Hitokoe Nageku". You worked pretty hard to hide that old name, didn't you?"

Neneko slid down the wall, clutching her teacup with a white-knuckled grip. "I suppose you intend to blackmail me…"

"Not at all! I just want you to consider the facts here! You're a smart lady; you know you'd be safe with the League. If you joined as a real member and put that quirk of yours to good use, you'd be protected. Prized, even. I mean, you want to cut ties with the yakuza, don't you? And wouldn't you feel better if you could be yourself with the League? Bubaigawara would be happy."

"I don't require the assistance of villains," she murmured, staring down at her tea. "Giran-san, I believe that you are threatening me."

"No, no! Not at all! Just thought I'd offer some helpful advice. And don't worry; I'll keep your secret, Kuroiwa. Just don't make me regret it!"