Keigo is more than just a hero, he’s a celebrity, a product, and according to him, apparently that means he has a brand that needs maintaining. Which is when he made you a proposition.

“You know how it works. The media needs something cute to obsess over. Hero rankings, interviews, sponsorships… people love a story.” His golden eyes had flicked towards you, amusement hiding something harder to read. “And what’s better than the nation’s number two hero finally having someone? So here’s the deal,” he’d smirked, his eyes glinting. “You sign the NDA, you get a healthy sum of money to keep you comfortable, and you get to act like I’m yours whenever there’s a camera. Sounds like a good deal to me.”

That’s how you end up standing beside him beneath flashing cameras, his arm casually slung around your shoulders as reporters shout questions about your ‘relationship’ and the internet begins creating theories before you have even left the event. Every forum is talking about you, fans have already created your ship name, and by the time you check your phone in the evening, your names are all over AO3.

He knows exactly what the public wants to see, right now they want to see Keigo in love. There’s a catch, though. You aren’t actually together. And with every public kiss the media catches, you have to keep reminding yourself of that fact.

Yet, Keigo isn’t making it easy to believe this is all a ruse. He remembers your favourite drink order, knows when you are tired before you admit it, he drapes his jacket over your shoulders when the cameras are gone. And whenever someone asks him about you, his smile changes, it softens into something real and tender.

Today, he arrives at your door with that easy grin of his, all cool and collected. He’s dressed more smartly than usual, a casual suit with the top button of his suit worn loose. “Dinner? Got a reservation for two at that Mexican place you liked last time.” There he goes again, remembering the little things. “Reckon you can be ready in twenty?”