Find The Password To Your Heart - Hacker Mari x Reader

Part 2 - Coincidence

"You actually met Mari?" Hero exclaimed around a mouthful of sandwich. His gaze was full of intrigue. "How did that go? How is she?"

"Well, she's a hacker now," you joked before leaning across the table to snag one of his chips.

"Hey," he protested, but nonetheless nudged his plate a little closer to you. You beamed.

After you and Kel had returned to his house, time had quickly given way to the evening and Hero had offered to take you to one of his favorite restaurants in Faraway Town: Gino's. So you can see "the origin of his nickname," a sandwich or something. You had accepted enthusiastically— after all, if that's not a sign of a good sub, then you didn't know what was.

Kel had tagged along too, but had practically inhaled his pizza and scurried off to "check out some comics, be back later!!" You wished you could have even a fraction of his never-ending energy— you probably would have studied so much that you could have graduated already.

However, you were more than happy to stick back and spend time with Hero while the both of you finished your food.

"I heard that she's taken a liking to computer programming," Hero said after taking another few bites.

You nodded. "I think so. I couldn't see her room, but..."

Now that you thought about it, Mari's room had been seriously dark. The light that streamed in from the door almost seemed to be swallowed by the room within. It was a little terrifying. She could have had a body in there and you would be none the wiser.

Hero hummed thoughtfully. "Like... nothing at all?"

You took a second to think. You probably could have seen at least some of her room if you tried, since Mari had opened the door wider to slide back into her room. However, you had been rather distracted by her and didn't really care at all about what her room looked like.

You had a sinking feeling in your gut. You almost felt like something was changing. You were becoming a simp.

I need to keep my head straight, you chastised yourself. You've had one conversation. This isn't a Disney movie. I should spend more time with her before I judge anything. Think about my feelings.

"No, not really," you said to Hero, who just nodded slowly before popping the last piece of his sandwich into his mouth. "I only really saw her for, like, two minutes at best."

"Mmm."

"Are you talking about the sandwich or the situation?"

He shrugged. "Either or."

You laughed, though it eventually faded out to the sounds of the restaurant around you. People talking, pans sizzling, the occasional shout as a conversation escalated. A certain group of teenagers were being quite loud, though fortunately they were deeper into the restaurant.

"I'll be trying to see her in the next few days," Hero offered after a minute. "Feel free to come with me, Y/N."

"Oh!" You smiled. "That'd be fun. I think she'd be willing to see you, she talked a bit about you."

"What do you mean, willing?" Hero burst out giggling, earning a few adoring glances from the tables around you. He could probably solve world hunger with his laugh. "I'd hope she'd be!! I can't even count how many years we've been friends!!"

You couldn't help but let his contagious happiness spread to you. He was probably the most charming person you'd met in your life. And you'd met a lot of people.