If there was one thing Kenta had learned working under Hawks, it was this:
The man had no shame when it came to blurring the line between "hero work" and "personal missions."
So when Hawks dropped a file labeled "Operation Sky Date" onto his desk that morning, Kenta just stared at it in disbelief.
> "Boss… what is this?"
Hawks leaned casually against the wall, feathers flicking lazily behind him.
> "It's exactly what it says, Kenta. A mission."
> "Mission?!" Kenta exclaimed, opening the file — only to see maps, restaurant options, and weather forecasts. "This isn't a mission! This is… a date itinerary!"
Hawks grinned.
> "Same thing if you think about it. Strategy, timing, emotional management—"
> "Stop trying to sound tactical about romance!" Kenta snapped.
> "You're just jealous of my multitasking."
Kenta pinched the bridge of his nose.
> "I'm your sidekick, not your event planner."
> "You're both now," Hawks said cheerfully. "Hero Commission wants me off heavy patrols for the week, so technically, this is work."
Kenta groaned.
> "Unbelievable. What happened to normal hero tasks?"
> "Love's a dangerous mission," Hawks said with mock seriousness. "Takes skill, stealth, and heart."
> "And you're assigning me to logistics," Kenta muttered. "Wonderful."
---
By the afternoon, Kenta was knee-deep in travel guides and reservation lists, trying to coordinate something that didn't look suspicious to the public.
> "You know, one of these days, you'll owe me a raise for this," he said, typing furiously.
> "Already ahead of you," Hawks replied from behind him, balancing a cup of coffee. "I bought you your favorite donuts this morning."
> "That's not a raise, that's a bribe."
> "Call it an investment in morale."
Kenta turned in his chair, glaring.
> "Don't start with the 'investment' line again!"
Hawks laughed, almost spilling his coffee.
> "You're fun when you're flustered, you know that?"
> "You're impossible," Kenta muttered, but he couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at his lips.
---
Later that evening, Hawks stopped by Kenta's desk again, scanning the final itinerary.
> "Perfect. Simple, quiet, private… she'll love it."
Kenta looked up, curious despite himself.
> "You really like her, huh?"
Hawks paused, his expression softening — no jokes this time.
> "Yeah. I do."
For a moment, the air between them shifted.
Kenta blinked, surprised by the honesty in Hawks' tone.
> "Guess I'll keep helping, then," he said finally. "Even if it's not in my job description."
Hawks smiled, genuinely this time.
> "You're a good guy, Kenta."
> "Tell that to my stress levels."
> "Don't worry," Hawks said, turning toward the door. "One day, when this all works out, you'll be my best man."
Kenta froze.
> "Boss… please tell me that was a joke."
Hawks just waved over his shoulder, laughing.
> "Guess you'll find out soon enough."
As the door closed, Kenta dropped his pen and muttered,
> "I didn't sign up for this…"
Then he looked down at the itinerary again — and couldn't help but smile.
> "But maybe… it's kinda nice seeing him happy."