Kenta thought the day couldn't get any worse.
He was wrong.
After the whole "retirement plan" incident and the hero community's new obsession with flower-based investments, the Hero Commission decided to make him pay for all the extra work that had piled up.
He was still sorting forms when Hawks strolled in, humming like a man who had absolutely no regrets in life.
> "Morning, Kenta."
Kenta didn't look up.
> "You're late. Again."
> "Had an interview."
> "Another one?" Kenta muttered. "What did you promise this time? A 'Hero Family Garden Initiative'?"
Hawks chuckled.
> "That's a good idea, actually. Remind me later."
> "No!"
Kenta sighed and rubbed his face.
> "You're lucky the Commission didn't punish you. I got stuck doing triple paperwork."
> "Aw, you're a hero in your own way, Kenta," Hawks teased, grinning.
Kenta glared up from his stack of forms.
> "I swear, boss, one of these days I'm gonna make you pay me back for all this."
Hawks raised an eyebrow.
> "Oh? How you planning to do that?"
Kenta smirked faintly and pulled a folded document from his folder.
> "Already did. You're paying me back right now."
He slapped the paper on Hawks' desk with dramatic flair.
Hawks blinked at it.
> "…What's this?"
Kenta crossed his arms.
> "That's your payback. Read it."
Hawks picked it up, scanning the bold letters at the top — Certificate of Godfather Appointment.
He blinked again.
> "…Godfather?"
> "Yep," Kenta said flatly. "If you're going to keep making me cover up your romance, your PR disasters, and your fake investments, you can at least be my kid's godfather when I finally snap and retire early."
There was a long pause.
Then Hawks laughed — that soft, genuine laugh that filled the whole room.
> "Oh, you're serious?" he asked, still smiling.
Kenta glared.
> "Dead serious."
Hawks leaned back in his chair, still chuckling.
> "Well, guess I'll have to start practicing. You think Aerith would make a good godmother?"
Kenta froze.
> "What?"
> "You know, balance it out. Flowers and feathers. Kinda fits, doesn't it?"
> "No—no, don't drag her into this!"
Hawks only laughed harder, his wings fluttering slightly with amusement.
> "Relax, Kenta. You're too easy to tease."
Kenta sighed deeply.
> "I hate that you enjoy this."
> "Of course I do," Hawks grinned. "It's the best part of my day."
Kenta muttered as he walked out,
> "Unbelievable… I'm his assistant, not his emotional punching bag."
Hawks called after him,
> "Hey, don't forget to file that godfather certificate! Never know when it'll come in handy!"
Kenta didn't even turn around.
> "I swear, one day…"
Behind him, Hawks just laughed again — carefree and content.
Because for once, life felt peaceful.