Kenta knew something was up the second Hawks walked through the door.
He had that look again—easy smile, wings relaxed, eyes brighter than usual. The look that meant only one thing.
He'd seen Aerith.
Kenta sighed.
> "You've got that dumb smile again, boss."
Hawks chuckled, tossing his jacket onto the chair.
> "Dumb? Nah. That's the 'I'm-in-a-good-mood' smile."
> "Yeah, well, I'm not. You know your girlfriend—"
> "Aerith?" Hawks said, and that lazy smile somehow got softer.
Kenta gritted his teeth.
> "Yeah, her. She came by earlier to deliver flowers, like usual. But she saw something she shouldn't have."
Hawks tilted his head, amused.
> "Oh? What'd she find this time?"
Kenta slammed a folder down on the desk.
> "This! The house investment plan! The one you said was 'no big deal!' She opened it, boss! She looked through the whole thing!"
Hawks blinked once… then smiled.
> "And?"
> "And?! That's all you're gonna say? She saw the house you designed for her!"
Instead of looking nervous, Hawks just took out his phone, leaning casually against the desk.
> "Guess I'll ask what she thought of it, then."
Kenta nearly choked.
> "Wait, you're actually—don't—oh, he's calling her. He's really calling her."
A few rings later, Aerith's voice came through the speaker, warm and gentle as ever.
> "Hawks?"
> "Hey, Sunshine," he said smoothly. "Kenta told me you stopped by. Saw that house plan on my desk, huh?"
> "I did!" Aerith said, sounding happy. "It was beautiful. You've been putting so much thought into it."
Hawks smiled faintly, his tone soft.
> "Yeah? What'd you think? Anything you'd change?"
Kenta froze mid-step.
> "Oh, he's not doing this. He's not seriously asking for design input."
Aerith giggled through the line.
> "Maybe add a little pond near the garden? I've always loved the sound of water when I work with flowers."
Hawks nodded like he was taking notes.
> "Got it. A pond. Anything else?"
> "Hmm… maybe a bench under the tree in the yard. Somewhere quiet."
> "Perfect," Hawks said, and there was that tone again—soft, sincere, real. "Thanks, Sunshine."
> "You're welcome," she said warmly. "You really think of everything, don't you?"
> "Only when it's about you," Hawks replied before hanging up.
The office was silent.
Kenta slowly turned toward his boss, eyes wide.
> "You… just flirted with your girlfriend about a house plan she doesn't even know is for her!"
Hawks just grinned.
> "Well, it'd be rude not to get her opinion. Gotta make sure she likes it."
Kenta's voice cracked.
> "Boss, that's not an investment anymore! That's—domestic!"
Hawks leaned back in his chair, wings folding lazily.
> "I prefer 'future-focused.'"
Kenta rubbed his temples.
> "You're giving me migraines, you know that? I'm supposed to handle patrol reports, not relationship blueprints!"
Hawks smirked.
> "You're doing great, though. I appreciate the emotional support."
> "Emotional support?! I'm five seconds from resigning and becoming a florist!"
Hawks laughed quietly, then looked out the window, his expression softening again.
> "You know, Kenta… she liked the house idea. That's enough for me right now."
Kenta groaned, throwing his hands up.
> "This is insane. My boss is building his love life like it's a mission file!"
Hawks winked.
> "And you're my best sidekick, partner."
Kenta sighed in defeat.
> "I swear, one day, those wings are gonna carry you straight into trouble—and I'm gonna be there with a headache when it happens."
Hawks just laughed, already sketching a pond beside the drawn garden.
> "Worth it."