This will probably be a three-shot or something like that. I recently thought of this OC and wondered if she were to experience anything like romance who would be the proper person for her to explore it with?
And for some reason, he popped into my mind. So here we go.
When all was said and done, the two witches were exhausted and in need of a good rest. Em's employer agreed that they had done exceptionally well these past few years capturing the monsters let loose by a particular demon woman. While Em's employer gathered more information on the whereabouts of any remnants she was told she could go to any world they wanted to and rest there until they were called again.
Em visited here once before when the powers known as "quirks" had just manifested, and it was pure chaos. She left just as quickly as she came, because of this. Now as Em and May landed in an empty room, they were aware that the world they now entered was in a state of peaceful uncertainty.
May wasn't used to the immediate processes of entering another world. She looked around in a bit of awe and squeezed different limbs. This world was lighter than the one she was raised in. The airy sensation was strong enough she thought if she jumped she could probably float for a few seconds.
"This is strange."
Em walked ahead of her to the only door in this white space. When she opened it they entered upon a busy city street with unique people traveling in every direction.
"Whoa."
May hadn't stepped out of this type of warp before. She was quite disoriented.
"Is it always like this?"
"Usually," Em's composed, slightly raspy tone eased her building anxiety. "Some places are heavier."
"So what do we do now?"
"Blend in."
They both glanced around and found that wouldn't be an issue. This world had a mix of people in clothing similar to theirs and others in elaborate costumes.
"Okay, then what?"
"Find somewhere to serve as our house, but we're not searching for anything this time. Renting an apartment will do."
"With what money?"
Em patted her pocket.
"I have plenty. We only have to find a place." she started in one direction. "I want to eat first."
Of course, you do, May thought.
"I haven't tried a lot of Japanese food. What's it like?"
"I think they'll have something here… that's similar…"
Em wasn't listening, but May was used to this. Though she was enjoying observing this new environment, she was careful to trot close to her slightly shorter counterpart. If they became separated, Em wouldn't go out of her way to search for her.
"What are you looking for?"
May was persistent. She reached out and took hold of her white sleeve.
"Hey, what are you looking for?"
"It's called Ramen."
X
"It's really good, right? I told you it was really good! You have to agree it's good! Togata, tell me it's really good!"
Nejire was practically glowing with excitement. It was only a week ago that she discovered this incredible ramen restaurant and the following school day she convinced Tamaki and Mirio to go with her. Nejire hadn't taken a bite yet because she was too eager and bouncing in her seat. Mirio wanted to answer, but his cheeks were full of soft noodles. He provided his agreement with an enthusiastic nod of his head.
The ramen shop was rather large, but not well known due to not being on one of the busiest streets. The table the big three sat at was large, circular, and dark brown. Though many ramen restaurants sported an individual vibe, this place was unique for accommodating families and groups of friends. Their table had enough room for at least three more people to sit.
Nejire finally started to eat after reciting the story of how she found this restaurant for the fourth time.
They didn't get to leave U.A. too often, aside from having to attend their work study. Coming to this restaurant was a much-needed break from their most recent harrowing experience. Nejire planned this out, not just as a fun get together between friends, but as a serious check-in with Mirio and Tamaki. They dealt with the worst only weeks ago, and she wanted to make sure they were alright. Seeing the blazing smile on Mirio's face and the classic sullenness of Tamaki put her at ease.
Their meals were halfway done when Nejire's wandering gaze caught sight of a pair of young women entering the restaurant.
"It's rude to stare at people," Tamaki mumbled.
"But, look look! They look lost, don't you think?"
"Maybe not lost, just like they're searching."
"No, no. They probably just landed here? I wonder where they came from? Do you think they'd want company?"
"It's better not to bother people,"
"Excuse me!" Nejire hopped toward the pair that entered. "Are you foreigners?"
"Oh, yes. We-"
"Really really? When did you come to Japan? Do you have quirks? What are your quirks? What have you explored while here?"
May smiled and started answering her questions. The excited women jumped from one topic to another at a pace that was difficult for any average person to follow. Nejire clasped May's hand and asked her about her painted nails while stroking them in curiosity.
The men at table Nejire abandoned weren't surprised by this turn of events.
"She isn't bothering them, I think," Mirio said.
"She might have met someone that's similar to her. She's keeping up well."
"Do you think she'll invite her over?"
"She'll probably invite both of them."
Mirio hadn't immediately noticed the other person standing behind Nejire and the woman she was holding hands with. It wasn't until she stepped forward that he saw her. She had a short crop of blonde hair that billowed outwards slightly. While Nejire was average height with pronounced curves, this mysterious woman was shorter and very slender. But what struck him most was the blank expression on her face. While the features were relaxed, he could discern no emotion from any aspect. Mirio had seen expressions similar to that before, and his first thought was that this woman must have faced terrors that left her listless.
There was a young girl that he had seen that same expression on and he and Midoriya had done everything they could to bring a smile to that cherubic face. He felt that urge again at this moment as he studied her.
"She is inviting them," Tamaki said as Nejire drew the woman in her grasp toward the table.
"Guys guys, meet my new friend May-chan! May-chan this is Togata and Amajiki-kun!"
May nearly matched the energy of the baby-blue haired woman still clinging to her. She waved and showed them a bright smile, but she was aware that they neglected to pull her friend over as well.
"Em, come here."
She glanced over but didn't move.
"C'mon, please," she called to her. "Food tastes better with company."
Emotional appeals were meaningless to her. May knew this, but she always used them anyway. It did not matter how much time passed between these two; May wouldn't change how she spoke to Em despite the lack of response she always received.
But Em was accommodating. The facade slipped on.
"Alright," Em turned and introduced herself politely.
She sat down between Mirio and Nejire then picked up a slip of paper where she could pick out the qualities of her ramen.
Tamaki shrunk a bit from the new person on his right, but Nejire had a habit of not letting him go without participating in their exchange. The opposite side of the table was bustling with the two high voices overshadowing his responses.
This left Mirio plenty of room to speak to the still unknown Em. She was carefully marking her piece of paper with a smile. She did not know that he had seen the change in her.
"Em-chan, right?"
May noticed the use of the honorific attached to the syllable she cherished unlike any other sound in the world. Her friend raised her head and met the tall man's gaze.
"Yes. Togata-san, right?"
Nejire's finger prodded her shoulder, and she returned her attention to her new friend while keeping an ear on the conversation unfolding across from her.
"Mirio is fine," he said. "Where are you visiting from, Em-chan?"
"Scotland, we've just finished school, and we wanted to travel before going to university."
She's lying.
He was far more intuitive than his plain face let on.
"How long will you be staying in Japan?"
"It might be as long as a couple of months."
"I see, you'll have a lot of time to explore."
"Yes."
Was it a part of other cultures that she didn't reciprocate his inquiries? He did not know, but he didn't shy away from her because of this. She spoke Japanese pretty well, despite the heavy accent. The quality each pitch that left her lips was somehow rough but also flowed smoothly. It sounded to him that she had practiced for quite a long time to be able to communicate so effectively.
"You speak really well. Did you take classes in Scotland?"
Em didn't want to keep talking. She only wanted food. It was May's fault that she had been dragged into being around other people. Sometimes she wanted to leave her behind somewhere, but then she'd be lectured by her employer. If it wasn't one irritating lecture, it was another.
A waitress took Em and May's paper slips. The man beside Em was waiting patiently for her answer.
"Yes. I was thinking of applying for a university in Japan, but I haven't made up my mind yet. That's part of the reason we're here."
She's lying again. Does she always lie?
Her teeth showed with her grin that followed:
"I'm pretty sure I'm going to go back to Scotland though. This is more of a vacation than anything."
Nejire's voice projected across:
"We should go shopping together! It would be so fun! And to the beach! There much be a bunch of places the two of you want to go!"
They discussed in detail exactly where they should venture. May listened carefully and took everything her friend said to heart, but Em was more focused on the approach of her bowl of ramen. When it was set down in front of her, Mirio caught a glimpse of something in her face. He couldn't keep his dark blue eyes off of her as she lifted her chopsticks.
Em's fingers were stiff as they gripped around the utensils. Though she managed to hold them, it was awkward as she lifted a slice of Naruto to her mouth. She bit through and chewed. His eyes widened at the pleasure present in her features. It was not the coolness he saw when she first arrived, nor the strained smile that she demonstrated when she approached them. No, this was a spark of honesty. A smidgen of truth in her that no one else could have possibly noticed. Among the naturally glowing, airheaded people and the naturally brooding shadowed people, he could only describe her as a pale grey. In that smile was not the sparkle and shine that he was accustomed to, it was so subtle and yet a million times more beautiful to him.
He wanted, no, he needed to see it again.
Mirio couldn't be called an impulsive man. He had endured quite a blow over the past year, but amongst all of the sacrifice and loss, he found his friends and the little beacon of light, Eri, to push him to continue on his path of becoming a fantastic hero. Despite it all, somewhere within his chest, he felt a pain. In front of everyone, he couldn't show it. Perhaps his next move was to acknowledge that pain and find some way to remedy it.
"Em-chan,"
She was mid-bite but still looked up at him.
"Would you like to go on a date?"
