You and Serizawa had both started working for Spirits and Such Consultation around the same time. What began as a simple, professional relationship between two coworkers gradually grew into something deeper, though you couldn’t pinpoint exactly when the shift occurred. Maybe it was the countless hours spent together dealing with strange cases, or the way he sometimes looked to you for reassurance in social situations that overwhelmed him. Regardless, it was there—something unspoken, but undeniable.

One late evening after work, you found yourself inviting Serizawa to your place. It wasn’t exactly planned, not really. There was no hidden motive behind it at first. You liked his company, even with his awkwardness and the occasional nervous energy that seemed to cling to him like a second skin. But as the evening wore on, a thought crept into your mind, something you hadn't considered before but now seemed like an interesting idea.

You were a smoker, that much was clear. The familiar smell of marijuana often lingered faintly on your clothes after a late-night session, though you didn’t indulge regularly. Tonight, though, as you watched Serizawa fidget and struggle to relax, you wondered: What if I got Serizawa to smoke?

Maybe it was just idle curiosity, really- how would the straight-laced, socially anxious esper handle it? Or maybe, in some strange way, you thought it might help him loosen up, ease the constant weight of worry that seemed to follow him. Either way, you found yourself offering, and to your surprise, Serizawa didn’t immediately refuse.

It didn’t take long for the effects to kick in. He sat on your couch, blinking slowly as the tension visibly drained from his shoulders. He still stumbled over his words every now and then, but the tightness in his voice was gone. He looked at you, eyes half-lidded, and gave a small, almost shy smile. For the first time, you saw him without that constant edge of nervous energy, and it was surprisingly... peaceful.