Despite I-Island being largely dedicated towards research and development there were a few places dedicated towards entertainment. There were many reasons for this, the first was that researchers that didn't do anything but research and develop all day resulted in uninspired products, the next was to entertain family and guests, and the last reason, was to promote romance between the young researchers. Despite its purpose being known, the romantic entertainment area was quite popular and effective.

More than one research study had been performed at the park, and couples that went on their first date at this particular one had a staggering 75% marriage rate.

Izuku licked his lips and checked his watch one more time. Saiko wasn't exactly late, but she wasn't exactly five minutes early like she normally was. Which meant she was late. No message from her either. He half expected her to cancel Melissa's insane demand of an experimental date and to stop taking it into the lab. Which was fair.

But he was fairly certain Melissa was enjoying playing matchmaker more than she cared to admit. Which was a lot because he asked her earlier if she was having fun. Her answer was yes.

Still, while it wasn't a true 75% chance that going here with Saiko would result in their union, the prospect of it was both frightening and appealing. While he did indeed accept his own feelings for Saiko and had resolved himself to enjoying watching her squirm while she tried to get him to confess, he was still uncertain about spending his life with Saiko. Yes, she was smart, yes, she was beautiful, yes, he was fairly certain that he loved her, but all of those things did not make for a relationship. He still had to deal with her rotten personality, an ailment that he wasn't certain had a cure.

An odd sensation tore through him. A desire to look to his left, there was no reason to, but he did. Almost like a primal instinct, drawing him towards his potential mate.

And for following that basic urge, he was rewarded.

Saiko was beautiful. That much he had always been willing to admit. But that beauty often had a cold smugness that made her unapproachable. But now, here a few meters away from him, he could feel the warmth of her beauty spilling outwards in waves towards him, what was different? Did she do her make-up differently? Well, yes, her lips were stained a more pink color, but that wasn't it. It wasn't in how she dressed, though that was as immaculate as ever, an off white blouse that hung low, though there was a black fabric that covered her cleavage, the sleeves were translucent, ending at her elbows, a dark blue skirt was highlighted by a light blue sash that went around her waist, exposing her long slender legs and the practical flats she had on. Nor was it her hair, he had seen her in a ponytail before, and it was as amazing as always.

It was her smile. Not just the smile on her face but the smile in her eyes as well. She was genuinely happy about this date. That smile was akin to the smile she wore whenever she triumphed over him, only it wasn't mixed with the sting of defeat. It truly was a simplistically beautiful smile unlike any other in the world.

If she kept smiling at him like that, he could marry her happily.

Now to see how she reacted to compliments.

Izuku put on his best smile, it wasn't forced, nor was it mockery, it was simply a smile that expressed his joy of seeing her, a true genuine joy at seeing Saiko. That felt as wrong as it did right. His smile only grew when she stopped a few feet away from him, the wind catching her hair and her blue shining through her makeup, both of her hands grasped her purse strap tightly and her eyes were wide. Apparently his smile had a similar effect on her.

And he hadn't even told her she looked beautiful.

"Saiko," He nodded, keeping up the smile. She jumped at hearing her name. "You look more beautiful than usual, did you really go all out for this date?"

"Of course!" She half shrieked her face glowing red. Saiko took a moment and gathered herself. "Of course I did. Just because I'm on a date with you and this date is purely experimental does not mean I would allow my appearance to slouch."

So she says, but even he could tell this was beyond her norm. Maybe Melissa helped.

"And I would like to thank you for dressing the part as well." She took a step closer to him and nodded at his outfit. His outfit consisted of a white button up shirt that breathed well and was tight around his chest, a pair of pants that ended above his ankle and some new shoes. "Now shall we get started?"

"Absolutely, would you like to hold my hand now, or do we have to work up to that?" He held out his hand to her waiting for her to take the bait.

Saiko stared at it for a moment, her hand inching towards his before she stole it back. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"It's part of the dating experience, is it not? I thought you wanted to do this right." He withdrew his hand, trying not to let his amusement show on his face. If he had to classify Saiko, she would be a Tsundere through and through.

"Wait, I," Her eye twitched. She lunged for his hand and did more than just hold it. She wrapped her arm around his and entwined their fingers. "We're going to do this correctly."

"Right then, let's get started on this date. When you fall in love with me, just let me know."

XXXX

"This is bullshit."

Melissa groaned and rolled her eyes, turning away from one of the cameras she was using to spy on Izuku and Saiko. Hitoshi was complaining. Again. It seemed that unless he was actively relishing in someone's torment that he was complaining. Which made him a rather annoying lab partner. "What now?"

"Huh?" Hitoshi looked up from his phone and looked at her with surprise. He turned it slowly and showed off the came he was playing. "Oh, someone was-"

"Shouldn't you be monitoring Izuku's and Saiko's vitals?" Melissa asked tapping her foot onto the ground.

"Shouldn't you be minding your own business?" Hitoshi retorted rolling in the chair over to the computer. "They're doing all the usual stuff when they're together. Besides this data is for them to argue, not for you to-"

"Guh, fine, I'll stop meddling."

"What? No keep doing that, just let me enjoy watching the shit show." Hitoshi stretched in his seat. "Really though, if you're trying to get them together, I legit don't think you'll have to worry."

"Oh?" Melissa crossed her arms and let the sass channel through her body. "And what makes you say that?"

"Because, while Saiko is all over the place, Izuku is calmer at the moment. He's in control, has been from the start, this experiment is going how he wants it to go. He's got Saiko's number. I think he would have gotten around to this without you sticking your butt into it." Hitoshi said in a drull pulling out his phone again and swinging the monitor towards Melissa.

"And what makes you so certain?" Melissa muttered glancing at Izuku's numbers. He was much calmer than Saiko, but that was normal. Saiko just operated in a naturally high strung state.

"He told me his game plan when you forced us to get him dressed." Hitoshi spun in his chair putting his back towards her. "Don't be surprised if something unexpected happens."

XXXX

Even if she was in love with Izuku, there was no way that she ever would have thought him capable of being actually romantic. Not only was he not arguing with her, even when she tried to poke and prod him into doing just that, but when she won some of the games, he just smiled and congratulated her.

And he didn't even seem upset by it.

What did it mean? What on earth did him being so nice, so supportive, so, so, so, so she couldn't even think about what he was being! It was like he really was her boyfriend right now and they were just going on another date! And she was actively trying to make him lash out at her.

Okay, she knew that she was a bit of a bitch, but this just felt cruel.

Very cruel.

"Hey," Izuku touched her shoulder slightly, she could feel his warm hand through the sheer fabric of her sleeves. His touch was almost enough to make her shudder, and more than enough to make her smile. "You feeling alright?"

"Why?" she felt her anger growing, but then stopped herself. Izuku didn't mean anything by that. He was showing her genuine concern. Which was amazing. He had done it a few times before but this was different. "I'm," she took another breath and smiled at him. "I was just lost in thought, why?"

He pointed towards one of the docks, towards a swan shaped paddle boat. "I wanted to know if you want to go out onto the lake for a bit."

Saiko blinked at the cute little boat. "That sounds like a cliche where we both end up falling into the water."

"Ha, don't worry, we'll be fine, I think between the two of us, we can figure out how to safely operate a paddle boat." Izuku held his head high, his shoulders back and a soft but brilliant smile on his face. With how Izuku looked right now, he was certainly eye candy, and she was well on her way to getting eye cavities. Seriously, it felt like she was swooning every ten minutes or so.

"I certainly hope so." She gestured towards her outfit, "While I do enjoy swimming, I don't think I'm properly dressed for that."

She caught him, just the faintest blush, but she caught it, she thought about bringing it up, but stopped. That would be getting in the way wouldn't it? Or would that simply be teasing? But then Izuku grabbed her hand. Stealing her breath and making her blush all the more.

They walked over to the rental boat and got in it with some difficulty, and then paddled out into the middle of the lake. It was a nice trip, the water clear and they could see several of the underwater facilities that dotted the lake shore. But being on the water, alone, with Izuku, constantly brushing up against him, and finding it so easy to be happy.

To be in love.

Was making her just so at ease.

"You know," Izuku stared out over the shore, and then brought his gaze over to hers. She didn't trust that look in his eyes, nor that soft smirk of his. "Being, alone, out in the middle of this lake is pretty romantic right?"

"I agree with your hypothesis." She muttered, unable to look away from him, if anything she was being drawn in closer.

"We should kiss."

She had never agreed with him more.

She didn't even care that she was the one to kiss him. It was worth it. She could feel herself melting into the kiss, her body sending signals to her mind that this was good and that she wanted to do this a lot more.

They parted for too soon. Stared at each other for far too long. Then she spoke up. "Well?"

Izuku blinked. "Need more data."

He kissed her again. And she agreed. They needed a lot more data.

A lot more.

AN: Hope you all enjoyed.