Keigo grunts as he slightly opens his eyes for a moment before closing them again. He lifts his head and gazes around, seeing his feathers scattered everywhere as he's on the sofa in his living room. After rubbing his face and slowly sitting up, he glances up at the LED clock on the wall. It's almost 9am. He then glances down at his rugged clothes he fell asleep in. His head throbs a bit, rubbing his face again as he lets out a deep sigh. Suddenly, his eyes shoot wide open at remembering last night. His feathers swiftly return to his back before he kicks his blanket off and jumps to his feet. He carefully scampers toward his bedroom, knocking on the door before he slowly opens it. He peeks inside and spots me still sound asleep on his bed, tucked away under the blankets. He swiftly but quietly pulls back and closes the door, his eyes wide again.

"I confessed to her…" he whispers to himself. "And she kissed me."

Keigo makes his way over to the kitchen, pacing back and forth as he rubs his hand over his face and hair repeatedly. He comes to a sudden halt with wide eyes as his wings expand a bit in surprise.

"I confessed to her," he whispers again. "And she kissed me."

Keigo then quietly rushes to the guest bathroom. He peers at his reflection in the mirror, spotting a faint stain of rose-pink lipstick on his lips as further proof of what occurred last night. Keigo stays frozen for a moment before quietly hopping into the air with a swing of his arm. As he silently cheers, his wings swiftly flap with single feathers fluttering around.

"She kissed me!" Kiego whispers in disbelief as brushes his hair back.

He feels his face warm up as he recalls the kiss again, placing a hand over his mouth. A warm smile spreads across his face as he heads to the kitchen and starts to take pans out from his cupboard. He feels something in his pocket and feels it's his phone, seeing the screen is completely black and not responding.

"Musta died last night," he figures.

Keigo connects the phone to a charger on the kitchen counter nearby before heading to the fridge. He grabs a carton of eggs, a bag of shredded cheddar, while a few of his feathers carry a pancake mix bottle and a pack of sausages. Another feather closes the fridge while a few others bring Keigo cooking utensils and seasonings. Keigo cooks with the help of his feathers, a pep in his step as he can't help but beam with a smile to himself. After cooking for some time, he sets the stack of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausages on plates. His feathers bring the orange juice and carton of milk over for him to pour in glass cups. Some of his other feathers carry the dirty dishes into the dishwasher while he wipes the counter down. As he's just about finished, he hears his phone vibrating on the counter nearby. The caller ID says it's the President calling.

"Oh crap…" Keigo mutters. "I'll come up with a good excuse," he shrugs before answering.

"Where is she?" the President immediately demands.

"Good morning to ya, too!" Keigo jokes.

"Where is Akira?"

"Don't worry!" Keigo makes his way to the balcony. "She spent the night at my loft," a feather closes the door behind him.

"And what is she doing there? I granted permission for her to stay until 1am - not the night."

"Yeah, completely my fault - sorry about that," Keigo fake apologizes.

"Neither of your phones answered our calls."

"Our phones were dead. Completely slipped my mind."

"Keigo…listen very carefully."

Keigo rolls his eyes, expecting a lecture from the President. He leans on the balcony railing with a bored expression, eager to get back inside his apartment.

"I'm all ears," Keigo fakes as he lowers his head against the railing.

"You'd better not be getting carried away with Akira," the President says.

"Carried away? What do ya mean?" Keigo plays dumb.

"You know exactly what I mean."

"Now why would you think that? What kinda guy do ya think I am?"

"If your relationship with Akira is getting inappropriate, I will not hesitate to send her overseas."

Keigo's eyes widen as he lifts his head up in a moment of silence.

"You're quiet," the President says. "Seems I've got your full attention now."

"What do you mean you'll send her overseas?" Keigo furrows his brow.

"When Touya was 13, he attempted to kiss Akira - this resulted in their separation. That's what I mean."

"They were kids."

"And you and Akira are now adults. There's more that can happen - and I will not allow such a risk."

Keigo's heart begins to race at what he's being told.

"You and Akira were raised as teammates," the President continues. "You have duties to fulfill, leaving no room for distractions that can lead to error."

Keigo continues to remain silent as he processes the thought of separation.

"I'm giving you my one and only warning," the President continues. "That's more than what I gave Akira and Touya back then. Consider this your chance to correct anything."

"Correct?" Keigo finally responds. "Why even bring this up when Akira and I are like siblings?"

Keigo bites his tongue after saying that.

"Siblings?" the President questions.

"We were orphans…" Keigo continues. "We see each other as orphan siblings."

"Ah, so I don't have anything to worry about, do I?"

"No, you don't…." Keigo turns toward the balcony door. "Akira had too much to drink last night and fell asleep at my place…She stayed in my room while I crashed on the couch."

"Such a nice brother," the President sounds snarky. "I expect Akira back at the facility later this morning."

Keigo sees me inside the apartment through the glass door, his stomach sinking.

"Sure thing…" Keigo replies.

"I'm glad we were able to straighten things out," the President says before hanging up.

I'm rubbing my eyes as I make my way around the kitchen. My head throbs a bit the more I walk. The balcony door slides open, and I turn to see Keigo walking in with my squinted eyes.

"Good morning," Keigo greets.

"Morning…" I grumble.

"How's the hangover?"

"Head…hurts…" I grumble.

I struggle to sit on a stool at the kitchen island, leaning my head down on the counter.

"I'll get you some aspirin," Keigo chuckles a bit.

Keigo makes his way to his bedroom bathroom and opens his mirror cabinet. He takes the bottle of aspirin and drops two pills into his hand. After putting back the bottle, he closes the cabinet and gazes at himself in the mirror. The pink-rose lipstick stain is still lingering on his lips. Keigo stares at the stain for a moment before wiping it completely off with his hand, a look of sorrow in his eyes. He then makes his way back to the kitchen and gets a glass of water.

"Take these," Keigo hands me the pills. "They should help your headache."

"Thanks…" I groan.

I pop the pills and chug the cup of water.

"What happened last night?" I keep my tired eyes closed.

"Hm?" Keigo looks surprised. "You don't remember?"

"I remember walking into the bar…but that's the last thing I remember," I rub my eye.

Keigo stares at me for a moment while I blink a few times.

"Did I miss the fireworks?" I ask. "Is that what happened?"

"Yeah…" Keigo replies as he looks down. "Definitely missed the fireworks."

"Aww…" I sadly groan.

"There's always next year!" Keigo tries to cheer me up.

"Oh, right…" I give him a weak smile.

"Anyway - eat up!" Keigo serves me a plate.

"Thanks…" I begin to eat.

Keigo and I eat our breakfast at the kitchen island, silence ensuing between us. I glance over at the couch and see a blanket and pillow on it.

"Sorry for taking up your bed…" I feel bad.

"Don't worry," Keigo replies. "I wanted to make sure you were comfy."

I give Keigo a warm smile, but he averts my gaze. I notice there's a hint of sorrow as he picks at his food.

"Are you okay?" I peer at him.

"Hm?" Keigo looks up at me in surprise.

"You look kinda down…"

"Oh, I'm fine! I'm hungover, too!" Keigo smiles.

I blink at Keigo a few times before getting back to my food.

"Let's finish up breakfast," Keigo says. "Then I'll take you back to the facility."

"The President is probably upset…" I say.

"I just spoke to her. Things were cleared up."

I keep my gaze at Keigo as his eyes are lowered to his food.

"Keigo?" I say.

"Mm hm?" he doesn't look up at me.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Keigo stares up at me for a moment in thought.

"I'm fine, don't worry," he gives me a smile.

I stare at him before returning a small smile as we continue to eat our breakfast.

After the facility, Keigo and I went out on patrol through the city until lunch despite the agency being closed for holiday today. We're now sitting at Keigo's favorite spot in the tallest building in the city. Keigo is munching away at his BBQ chicken wings while I'm eating dumplings and noodles as we gaze out into the snow covered city.

"So you seriously don't remember anything after you got to the bar last night?" Keigo asks.

"Mm-mm," I shake my head and chew.

I continue to eat my noodles, stuffing a dumpling into my mouth.

"I'm surprised you haven't thrown up," Keigo says. "You had a lot to drink."

"I'm just so hungry," I continue to eat my food.

"Must be the hangover," he chuckles.

Keigo tosses a bare chicken wing bone into a tray full of them.

"Listen…" Keigo says. "I already told you this last night, but you were too drunk to remember…A guy was fondling you at the bar."

"Hm?" I turn to Keigo with a surprised gaze.

"I'd gone to the restroom, and you'd found your way to the dance floor alone… The guy noticed you were drunk and started to grab you."

I furrow my brows, trying my best to remember any of this.

"Luckily, I made it back in time before the bastard did anything else," Keigo bitterly says.

Keigo lets out a deep sigh.

"Please make sure to watch yourself if you drink alone," Keigo says. "You don't catch on to social cues and getting drunk further hinders your awareness… That leaves you vulnerable."

"Vulnerable?" I listen and Keigo gives me a nod.

"I noticed a lot of guys watching you at the bar…like some vultures, waiting for a chance to catch you alone."

"But…why would they do that?"

"Because some guys are only interested in one thing when it comes to women…and some are sick enough to get it whatever way possible."

"Interested in one thing? Like what?"

"Sex, Akira," Keigo is blunt.

"Sex?" I'm surprised.

"If you're not careful, creeps will take advantage of you any chance they get. This is why I'm glad you're learning more social skills while at my agency…so you can catch on to these things on your own."

I sit in thought as I'm surprised at how there are people who could have such evil intentions, even in the city. I'm only used to seeing these things out on the battlefield.

"Please tell me you understand, Akira," Keigo says.

"I do," I nod.

"Good," Keigo looks relieved.

I think for a moment before shaking my head in disgust.

"What?" Keigo asks.

"The thought of people having such evil intentions toward others…" I say. "It makes me sick."

"Well, it's our job as heroes to stop them," Keigo bites a chicken wing.

My stomach churns a bit, causing me to hunch my shoulders. I quickly grab an empty garbage bag and vomit into it.

"Damn, did it really make you that sick?" Keigo jokes.

"I'm not getting this hungover again…" I hurl.

The wind blows my hair toward my face, making it difficult to throw up into the plastic bag. Keigo then scoots closer to me and holds my hair back.

"No…I don't wanna ruin your appetite…" I struggle to say.

"I've had my fill," Keigo says. "Don't worry, I got you."

I continue to puke into the bag for a bit before I feel better.

"All good?" Keigo asks.

"Thanks," I nod.

"Seems the liquor was still lingering in your stomach after eating all that food," he chuckles.

"It's not funny…" I pout a bit and drink my bottle of water.

Keigo keeps chuckling until his face suddenly freezes. He covers his mouth as his eyes go wide before he grabs another empty plastic bag and pukes into it.

"Seems it caught up to you, too," I'm surprised.

"It's the damn… spicy chicken wings…" Keigo hurls.

I notice the blond tufts of Keigo's hair keep fluttering into his face, so I brush them back for him. After puking once more, Keigo steadies his breathing and ties the plastic bag closed.

"Better?" I tilt my head as I lean toward Keigo's face.

"Yeah…" he breathes. "Much better. Thanks."

I keep my hand on Keigo's head with a small smile. Keigo then tenses up and covers his red face with the collar of his tan jacket, my hand letting go of his head.

"Still feeling sick?" I'm worried.

"I'll be fine…" Keigo hides his face.

"It's all those chicken wings."

"Yup…" Keigo turns away.

I hand Keigo a bottle of water and he drinks.

"Better now?" I ask.

"I guess so…" Keigo stares at me.

After giving him a small smile, I gaze out into the city.

"You'll be moving into your own place soon," Keigo says.

"What?" I turn to him in surprise.

"The President...she agreed to let you move out on your own."

"When was this?"

"It was confirmed as of yesterday."

"But…where am I moving to? I'm not sure if it's safe for me anywhere…"

"A vacant building is being prepared for you. It's near my high-rise. You'll still be close enough to the Commission in case anything goes down… It's the best I could do."

I stare at Keigo in disbelief, lowering my gaze in sorrow for a moment.

"Are you excited to be out on your own?" Keigo asks.

"I'm excited to be out of the facility…" I respond. "But I'm still not free from the shackles of the Commission…but this is a start," I have a small hopeful smile.

"That's the spirit," Keigo smiles. "We'll throw a housewarming party."

"Ah, I don't do so well with parties…" I scratch my head. "Especially when everyone's focus is on me."

"It'll just be us and the agency, then. How's that sound?"

"Better," I nod.

"I won't force you to do anything you're not comfortable with."

"I hope I'm not annoying…being socially inept and all…"

"You know not to worry about that. You've gotten better these past couple of years."

"I guess so," I turn to Keigo with a small smile.

"Though it does crack me up when you abruptly walk away from a conversation."

"I actually do that?" I'm puzzled. "I hope I don't come off as rude…"

"If anything, it keeps people interested. Like me, they wanna know what's goin on in that head," Keigo pokes my forehead.

"Even I don't know most of the time," I have a bittersweet smile.

"You'll get better at it."

I gaze at Keigo's smile, observing a hint of sorrow in his golden eyes.

"There's something bothering you," I say.

"Hm?" Keigo is surprised.

"Ever since this morning, you've had a hint of sorrow in your eyes."

"You can catch that, huh…" Keigo lowers his eyes.

I keep quiet for a moment, patiently waiting for Keigo to respond.

"It has something to do with the President," I say. "You said you spoke to her this morning."

Keigo raises his eyes back to me.

"She has some conditions that'll have to be met," he finally says. "In order for you to move out."

"Oh, how typical…" I kick my dangling leg.

"You won't exactly be free, but at least you'll be outta that damn facility."

Keigo gazes up into the sun behind the clouds.

"I promise, Akira…." he says. "One day, we'll be able to leave the Commission…and be free from our shackles."

I stare at Keigo as he keeps his gaze toward the sun.