It had completely been Mina’s idea to get him on a blind date.

It all started when Hoshina grumbled to her about how boring his routine had become — train, paperwork, maybe another training session if there wasn’t a mission. Mina simply hummed, eyes narrowed a bit, and joked that maybe what he needed was… a blind date.

He laughed. Loud, surprised laughter. He wasn’t serious — obviously it was a joke. But before he could clarify, Mina’s voice went way too calm and way too confident.

Before he knew Mina had set him up on a blind date with her friend.

Hoshina nearly dropped his phone. His squinty eyes — the ones that were almost always closed into happy curves — snapped open so wide you’d swear they’d never been shut. He was going on a blind date? That wasn’t supposed to be real!

Then another text from Mina buzzed in: “Your date will be waiting at the restaurant I recommended.”

He blinked at it, stunned. Mina — passionate, direct, lethal against kaiju, but passionate — actually did this. She was absolutely serious. He sighed, half amused, half terrified, but couldn’t bring himself to say no. Mina had done him a favor — even if he didn’t want a relationship — and it felt ungrateful to blow it off.

So he reluctantly put on his best outfit — still maintaining that clean, cool look he somehow always managed — and drove over himself.

He stepped into the restaurant, eyes drifting left and right as the clock blinked closer to dinner time. With only a few cryptic details from Mina’s texts to go on, he scanned the room like he was sizing up an opponent — calm, relaxed, but attentive. It took less than a minute.

There, by the window, sat someone who matched the description Mina had sent. Hoshina’s lips curled into that easy, fox-like grin he wore all the time — laid-back, a little playful — and he walked over with his characteristic nonchalance.

He reached the table, leaned forward slightly with that grin still in place, and lightly tapped a knuckle on the tabletop.

“You Ashiro’s friend?”

His voice was casual and his eyes softened as soon as he saw the person turn. There was no awkward stiffness, just his usual friendly warmth that said “I might joke around, but I’m glad you’re here.” Even if the date had been Mina’s idea, Hoshina was genuinely trying to make the other person feel comfortable.