Elliot
Again, he found himself stuck on the impossible question of why exactly he'd allowed this to happen. The internship was one thing, but this? There was no benefit here, no pay. Sure, the meal was covered and probably going to be the most exquisite (and expensive) meal he'd ever indulged in. But precious time was wasting away, his patience alongside it. Time is irreplaceable, meals, on the other hand, are not.

Hakamda promised him a suit and some unfortunately much needed assistance in tying a necktie. That meant all he really needed to do was fix his hair, wash his face and dart for the door. Readying himself, the thought swelled up in his mind like a bad bruise; was he good enough for all this? He always knew he was the fucking shit, that wasn't anything new, but this was for the higher class and he wasn't much of a high class citizen. At least he could blend in. Clothing was amazing like that; dress a certain way, everyone who lays eyes upon you will assume your class, your personality. People are summarized by what they wear, how they do their hair, how they pat on their makeup. It's painfully shallow, but that's just how the world has always turned since the dawn of time. 

Diving headfirst into an internship at Hakamada's agency, he'd rediscovered a few fossils of his past; passions, memories, old feelings. He'd forgotten how badly he used to crave this– to live out a life just like this, rubbing elbows with the best of the best, being recognized, pursuing something that feels good and right to pursue. In a way, he'd been indebted to Hakamada the very moment the man had reached out to him.

Time slipped through his fingers like granules of sand. A generous thirty minutes to spare so rapidly diminished to nothing as he lost himself in thought, glaring down at his phone screen in some poor effort to pretend he's not overthinking this as much as he actually is. Out the door, down the hall, out another door, and across to the parking lot. Hakamada was already there because of fucking course he was; fancy car, classical music, irritating suit and all. Katsuki scoffed to himself, poorly repressing the smallest smile as he swung open the passenger side door and climbed into his seat. 

"You're always crazy early. Do you have the suit?"
Earl
Tsunagu put way too much effort into this tuxedo. A two piece that was easily converted into a three piece with the extra vest he couldn't help but add in. It looked like a classical tuxedo, black as pitch on the outside, on the inside he had used his favorite fabric, one that most didn't really enjoy. It was entirely made up out of different shades of orange that blended together spectacularly, the dress shirt wasn't a blinding white and instead was more off white with an orange undertone. The cuff links had Tsunagu's custom made insignia on them. It was perfect.

He ironed out all possible wrinkles, gently folded it and placed it gently in one of his brands boxes. Now that the suit for his little protégée was finished Tsunagu had to renew his own. His suit was a dark blue, the inside being a fabric of which he had personally designed. His own brand logo scattered across it with a few other symbols, fabric shears, mannequins, even some of those flimsy measuring tapes. It was an older design, even including a watch pocket. He donned it and stared in the mirror, making sure to properly secure his tie, placing his monogrammed tie bar to secure his tie to the dress shirt he was finished. Tsunagu took one last moment to slick his hair with a little gel to its usual position before picking up the box and walking down to his car. 

The drive wasn't too long, he turned the music up so that it wasn't blasting but could be heard if you were within 30 feet of it. The moment the door swing open he had to repress his smile. So the young man *Could* At least make himself look presentable. Katsuki's words make Tsunagu softly laugh. 

"I'm not early, I'm right on time." The taller blonde spoke as he reached into the back seat and placed the large box from the backseat into Katsuki's lap. "There is the suit. Please do not ruin it, if you need it to be cleaned bring it into the office and I will have it professionally washed and steamed."

_ _ 
Tsunagu tapped the screen on the dashboard. The directions to the restaurant appeared upon it. The placed the car in drive and they were off, not at an insane pace like last time but they were at a comfortable speed. Without looking back at the teen he spoke again. "I can stop at the agency and you can change there or I can activate the heavy tint in the car and you can change in the parking lot. I'm assuming you'd prefer to change in the agency? It's much more spacious in there.
Elliot
It was still the biggest mystery to him; what wonderful thing he must have done for this man to deserve all this special treatment. He eyed the box in his lap, lifted the lid. His eyes drank in the sight of rich fabrics, velvet black, an interior of warmly melted shades of orange. With an uncaring shrug, he tugged at his T-Shirt and tossed it into the back seat just as Hakamada pressed his foot to the gas pedal.

"Right on time is early. Ever heard of fashionably late?" He wryly spat in response. "Just activate the tint, I'll change in here. I'm not about to hold us up for time."

He reached first for the off white dress shirt resting, perfectly folded in that box; not a single wrinkle or flaw. It was a thing of fucking beauty. He started himself on the process of buttoning it up, soon reaching into the box again to partner it with the vest, then the blazer. Thick fabrics, suffocating layers. Driving with Hakamada at the wheel was terrifying enough on its own. The man was unhinged; speeding, swerving, slamming down on the brakes so hard the contents of the back seat would come flying forward. Changing without hanging on to something for dear life turned out to be quite the feat; every sudden turn had him jostled in one direction or another as he struggled out of a pair of sweats and tugged on black straight legs through a series of squirmed maneuvers. 

By the time they'd reached the parking lot, he was dressed but disheveled as ever. His hair was a mess, he'd struggled enough to work up a mild sweat. One final look into the box, he rolled his eyes, shook his head. 

"I'm not wearing the goddamn bow tie."
Earl
The moment they parked Tsunagu unbuckled his seatbelt and turned towards the young man. Pulling out the bow tie from the box he undid it and held it out. Truthfully he felt bow ties were inferior to the sleek design of a tie but unfortunately Tsunagu knew his protege would despise it. He clicked on the window tint and pulled out a few hair products and a comb.

"Come here, let me fix your appearance, honestly, we could've just taken a detour to the agency and I would've moved our reservation up. You will be wearing the bow tie or you will not be allowed in. I'm quite sure you'd prefer having a nice dinner in a restaurant than having to wait until I'm finished eating for me to bring you the food."

Tsunagu reached out and lifted up the collar of the dress shirt, making sure to carefully slide the bow tie underneath it and make sure it was secure. Then he calmly tied it and once it was done fluffed it slightly so it looked pristine. Then he fixed Katsukis blazer and made sure everything was in order. 

"There, now hold still while I fix your hair. No this will not be like...*The incident*. Instead I'm going to use some products to make sure those unruly split ends of yours do not end up getting into the food. Please stay still, I only have a few moments."

The taller blonde sighed and went to work. Using a bit of leave in conditioner to smooth down and bring back moisture to Katsuki's hair. Then he used the comb to separate the sections of his hair so he could apply some oil directly to his scalp. Finally he took the comb yet again and styled it, fighting the increasingly growing urge to gel down Katsuki's hair he finished. Looking at the young man with a slightly satisfied smile Tsunagu turned off the car and stepped out. Turning back to his intern with a slight chuckle. 

"We are fashionably late, and one can never be fashionably late without the aspect of being fashionable. Now hurry up, and please do not start a commotion, the owners already are wary of me."
Elliot
"What? Wary of you? Why in the fuck...-"

He trailed and accepted defeat on the matter before he was met with a response. God, this felt weird. His hair probably looked dumb, *He* Probably looked dumb. Bow ties— ties in general really weren't his thing. If it wasn't an entry necessity here, he would have never bothered. Leave the dumb little bow to sit alone in its designated fancy ass box. 

He'd hurried slightly ahead of Hakamada, who was still just getting out of the car. Across the parking lot, he paused at the front entrance, guarded by a man dressed like a million bucks; all black suit, accessorized with a red tie. Darks shades rested against his nose bridge, concealing a clearly judgemental gaze. Katsuki anxiously fidgeted with the stiff fabrics on the cuff of his right sleeve. He was already anticipating the moment he could take this all off and remember how it feels to breathe again.

The man eyed him, he eyed the man in turn, unwavering glares until Hakamada had approached by his side.
Earl
Tsunagu smiled and fully got out of the car now. Making sure to pocket the keys and lock it. Stepping right next to Katsuki and turning to the greeter with a scowl. He hated these kinds of people, but the food was truly delicious. Fixing his blazer and hair one last time he spoke. 

"Move, I have a reservation and you are going to make me miss it, and I am sure that the owners would prefer me to not cause a scene like last time someone attempted to look down on me?" 

The greeter flinched but ultimately opened the door and allowed the two of them in. Hakamada simply had to say his name to the hostess and she was already guiding them to their table. It was fairly secluded from others and Tsunagu finally felt at ease. Having his face out and in the open in a restaurant was much different compared to galas. 

"I'll be having the 16 ounce wagyu, an 8 oz salmon, with the mashed potatos, and a bowl of the gnocchi soup. Oh, with a mango lemonade." 

It was the same order, as always. He had no hesitation in ordering and then handing his menu to the server. Tsunagu was now fully at ease once the waiter had taken Katsuki's order and rushed off. Chuckling slightly he turned towards Katsuki and spoke yet again. 

"They're wary of me because last time they attempted to kick out one of my interns for her protective hairstyle. So I ended up breaking three tables and having our meal comped with no charges pressed against me."
Elliot
This feeling; this sense of pride simply to stand beside this guy, be associated with him. It felt just as good as it did weird– he hadn't felt such a thing for anyone ever in his life before. Not mom, not dad– and they had accomplished plenty in their own right too. Still, he wasn't proud to share their blood, nor their last name. 

He made his order and it was stupidly simple when contrasted with the demands of the man across from him. He nodded the waiter away when he was done.

"I'll have a... Uh- the gnocchi soup too. That and water."

He briefly eyed the place; candlelit tables, crystal chandeliers suspended from the ceiling, combating the darkness of dusk. Beautifully detailed satin tablecloths, cushiony upholstered chairs. Quiet jazz in the background. This was lovely, he sure as shit didn't belong here though. Fidgeting his index and thumb together, rubbing at the thick dark fabrics of his blazer, he turned focus back to Hakamada. 

"Huh. Y'know, of all the different scenarios I'd thought up when you told me they were wary of you here, that was the answer I was least expecting." He snickered his words, a small smile tugging gently at the corners of his mouth. "I assumed you'd thrown a fit over nothing."
Earl
Hakamada smiled softly. He knew the younger man was nervous, that was insanely clear. Sipping on his mango lemonade he leaned back. His eyes scamming the people at other tables who were so engrossed in their own conversations acting as if no one else existed. 

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it eventually. It was a hard transition period for me. I wasn't always the wealthiest you know? Over time it'll be easier to relax. Now, are any of your teachers giving you trouble for the attendance? Adult drama is always so boring,"

Tsunagu sighed as their food was sat down before them. Gently taking the napkin and placing it on top of his lap and gently grasping the proper silverware. He easily cut both the salmon and the steak in half. Deciding to savor the taste of the soup instead of diving straight into the proteins. 

"I only make fits at reasonable times. It's just a nice perk that now whenever I make a reservation it immediately gets granted and I get treated with the best service."

Taking a small sip of the soup Tsunagu grinned. Other things he cared not for, but the soup always reminded him of his mothers soup. It always warmed his soul and fended off his worries. Looking up at Bakugo he asked yet another question. 

"How do you feel the internship is going? Personally I believe you are doing fairly well for a first time intern, but I'd like to learn of it from your own perspective."
Elliot
How *Was* The internship going? Well, it was a nice escape from school, from family, from shit all, really. He had yet to really step aside from the rush of day-to-day life to actually consider how things were going though; how he felt about it. Most of the time, it didn't really matter how he felt about this sort of shit; it would happen regardless. Agencies are pushy like that. People are pushy like that.

The question almost unnerved him. There was probably a right answer to this; say that's it's lovely, a blessing, perfect, glitter, and rainbows, and frolicking unicorns and shit.

Almost boredly, he poked and prodded at the steaming bowl of soup set delicately before him. Its scent wafted, delighted his senses. God, it smelled like heaven.

"I donno..." He mumbled, head down, probably the wrong answer. "...I mean, it's beneficial. It's good." Good in all the ways it was supposed to be good. "...The food looks great." How the hell was he supposed to say it? He was the problem here, not Hakamada, not anyone else. This chronic unease, this dissatisfaction; this feeling, this hollow pit in his chest– it was his and his only to deal with. It was no one else's business to know or worry. Being exposed again to this vast world had taken its toll. He longed to dive headfirst just as much as he feared the ache that would follow. It was all confusing and dumb. Really fucking dumb. Anyone with half a brain would love to be in the position he is now; steps away from walking that runway, cameras flashing, praises screamed simply for breathing.

He started silently on his dish.
Earl
Tsunagu took in Katsuki's expression. The apprehension, the sense that there was something more to be said unnerved Hakamada, maybe because he had too been placed into this position, except facing a much less open person. The sliced at his stake and took a generous bite from it. Taking a few moments to absorb the sounds of the restaurant, people chattering quietly, plates being set down on white tablecloths, the soft clanking of metal on ceramic dishes. It all helped slightly soothe his nerves. Then he spoke. 

"You know your prerecorded response does nothing for me right? If I expected dishonesty I wouldn't have picked you. I hate people who sugarcoat things. As much as I am your boss you shouldn't feel afraid to tell me about what you truly are thinking." 

With that Tsunagu took another bite of his steak. Then he had some of the salmon, humming pleasantly at the spices that adorned it. Taking his time between every single one of his bites to make sure he could savor the flavors. Once he was done he ordered himself another mango lemonade, still contentedly finishing his first. Once he had finished he pulled his tie loose and gently folded it up, placing it in his pocket. Waving off the waiters raised eyebrows with a single harsh hand movement. 

"Truthfully I had begun to even consider closing Jeanist Industries. Everything had begun to be so dull. Rinse and repeat. Then I had learned of you, every year I take in *Someone* From UA into Jeanist Inc as an intern. None of the third years appeased me, but your attitude drew me towards you. I like workers who are brash and unforgiving. For fashion is something you should never just allow to be trampled over. One must stand strong, and incredibly stubborn in their advances to make it. I couldn't help but see a bit of me in you."

Luckily his rambling was quickly stopped as he was served his lemonade, and then was drawn into a heated conversation with the waiter about his tie. Until ultimately the waiter gave up.