A/N: This is bit of a long chapter so bear with me! Again, I hope you enjoy this and we're beginning to make our way to the sports festival arc in chapter 10!
Sunday is as it always was. A day where I could reflect on things. Later tonight I was going to be shown the night life with Midnight (Nemuri). I was looking forward to it because for once, I could me myself more – although I admit, I've been wearing this front for so long as the interrogator, I was still discovering little snippets of myself.
7:30 am, I was shuffled bear footed around the apartment in a cotton night dress that a had white smiley cats on a red background. My hair I had yet to brush and re-plait was dishevelled to the middle of the shoulder blades. I could give it a break tonight and just it be loose. I don't even know what to bloody wear!
Maybe a piece of toast will help me think….. and see what's going on the ground from the balcony. I don't think anyone is up this time of day to be honest. If there was it would be runners, cyclists and the odd person working today. The once throbbing half a heart had finally disappeared thank goodness! I don't think I could quite handle another person looking around and investigating where the sound was coming from.
I got a message from my mum, asking how I was and that she and my dad were enjoying living down the coast. She told me once before that the seawater's salt was doing her own hands some good and they had healed up well. However though, she hasn't used her quirk since she retired. She wasn't in the hero business, I think they put her into interrogating instead. She always said that being a hero took more than one person to make a person – dad on the other hand said that being a hero took guts and self-sacrifice. I don't think I'm there yet.
"Hey!... Hey!" came a voice from a bout 20 feet down from my balcony. Being nosey I looked down.
"Hizashi? What's wrong?"
"Kasumi! You coming down? I'm just about to go to work at the radio station! We can catch up as we walk there!"
"Ok, ok" Trying to calm him down. "Let me just get dressed first!"
After a few moments, I was downstairs. The air was cool and fresh (considering it was a city).
"It's been ages since I've seen you! Except of course in U.A – but you understand, right? You and midnight were always hanging around together, despite being in different classes."
"Well, president mic - I wasn't in the great hero class like you lot were, I was in the department of general studies. Always a plan B…..or C"
"I remember hearing in the school that Toshinori was quite disheartened that you couldn't make the Department of Hero"
Crossing over the road and into the main town, I was trying to act casual when I was in fact, actually engrossed in this new information. A few more civilians began to creep out of the woodwork.
"Well, he and I were in middle school together and we grew up a couple of blocks away from each other. I don't think we went to kinder garden together because there would be the class photos. I know for certain there's one in middle school. You and Shouta were joined at the hip too you know, even though you guys are opposites in every way!"
It was true, I remember seeing them as night and day (even now they're still the same) He was a hyper-active and the life to any party that was going on. Shouta…kept to himself – but was still taken out and about (Or dragged out) with Hizashi.
For a strange reason though, I felt like we were being watched from a distance. I began to feel uneasy.
Peering through his tinited glasses he noticed it as well. "Kasumi, I think we're being watched"
"Don't know why…..we're just having a catching up….and it's still early in the morning"
"You going to be ok walking back?"
"Of course!" I beamed "I presume you'll be joining us for drinks later?"
"Karaoke too!?"
"Yes, yes just don't shatter any booths ok? I would like to enjoy this evening – I've never been out on a social event as such since…well I was 16"
"YEAHHHHHHHHH! IT'S GOING TO BE ELECTRIC!"
I shoved him through the radio station's door as quick as you would do with an embarrassing relative. I can tell that this was going to an eccentric night. I wonder how drink is going to affect me (If at all considering I regenerate also)?
Walking past some shrubbery, I pulled up two familiar students by their shirts.
"Your stealth skills suck Ochaco, Mina. What were you two up to?"
Sheepishly, Mina responded first.
"There's nothing going on between you two is there miss Yakota?"
"AHAHAHAAAAAAaaaaaaa!" Busting a gut "oh Mina no of course not! I know him from when I was at U.A – most of your teachers there at U.A I know. Now what possess you girls to follow me though?"
Ochaco piped up.
"we also know that you're off out with Midnight also on the town!"
"yes well…..that's what adults do – uh, Nevermind…. where are you getting this information? Only midnight and I know about this arrangement."
They stubbornly remained quiet. Their faces staring at me with a mixture of both guilt and mesmerisation.
"I've been here a week and already I'm getting some sort of inkling of what my students are capable of. Hmmmm come on, walk with me – I've got to look for some new clothes" Shaking my head in disbelief. They both did the funny fist pump together. They do know that I'm not buying them anything, right? They have parents.
Plodding on towards the shops, I could see the weather was turning for the better. It wasn't blinding hot – but I wasn't freezing my ass off either.
"We saw the results yesterday!" Exclaimed Mina
"It was for a good cause" trying to calm her down and tone the situation right the way down.
Ochaco interjected "We saw what you did as well! That was really adorable! You should have seen his expression!"
"It was for a good c-what?!" Turning towards them in shock "I don't remember a camera crew being there! Leaping fangirls I wasn't expecting it to be on national television! Why?"
"It was a charity event Miss Yakota, with the number one hero" Mina had pointed this fact (that had slipped my mind) out.
If there was a wall I would have slid down it like a soggy towel.
"An-and I just did that….." Going pale "but then again everyone there saw me do that also…."
I mentally face palmed myself. Although I enjoyed seeing All Might's reaction – I didn't want to give Toshinori the wrong impression either!
I hadn't realised but before long we had got to one of the clothing stores and had been staring at the dressing window. I believe there were a few stares because I had plonked my head against the glass.
"I'm sorry Toshinori forgive me for my lack of foresight" I quickly uttered as if I was to be made into a sacrifice before the laughing fiend!
"Do you not like All Might then miss Yakota? 'cause if he's not hanging around Izuka or disappearing all together, he's looking around for you"
I stopped my rambling. Dusting myself off as if I had fallen in a pile of dirt
"Does he Mina? Huh…" I faced them both "It's a lot complicated than it is. Whilst I do enjoy his company from time to time, I have this urge to throw a table at him. Maybe it's because at times he's like a bull in a china shop. To top it off I – why am I telling you teenagers? Ochaco I need to speak to you in a little while because this whole situation I'm in…is in your favour. Now, would you two kindly assist me?"
4 hours…I've heard that people can shop for longer than that but now my feet kills! I had to take off my shoes and walk around barefooted. Mina and Ochaco enjoyed helping me out – even bumped into more of the girls in their class so, after answering serval questions and advising them about their fighting strategies, I broke away. I managed to pull Ochaco to one side and brief her about my super special romance plan – sparks guarantee!
"Will it work Miss?" She blushed profusely – I could see her begin to float like the helium balloons you tend to see in carnivals. Grabbing onto her arm and pulling her down again.
"No doubt! It's gonna work! Trust me ok? In the meantime I'll keep you posted"
"Thanks Miss"
"No problem, we've all been there before right?"
Ochaco nodded before leaving with the rest of her classmates whilst I made my way back barefooted. Although I would sometimes step on a few uneven stones here and there (Which bloody hurt!), the walk otherwise was warming. I was going to soak in the bath anyways ready for tonight.
As soon as I got in I dropped my stuff in the corner of the living room next to a slowly growing indoor lavender houseplant. Its scent gently drifting through the apartment. I turned on the radio to create a comforting atmosphere with the noise filling the background.
The evening was starting to draw in, steam was filling up the bathroom as I poured in the bubble solution. At least I could take my gloves off now without fear of anyone coming in.
As I stripped off and sunk into the bath I could hear the radio play a song called 'wicked games'.
The world was on fire and no one could save me but you
It's strange what desire will make foolish people do
As the chorus began to kick off, I sunk into the bottom of the bath, allowing to watch my hair float about underwater. I used to do this when I was back home with my folks during my school days and I found It relaxing.
"MISS YAKOTA! FEAR NOT! -"
ohnononononononononononononononooooo! Why is the apartment shaking?
I was being lifted out of the bubble bath! For the love of all that is good in the world why?
"FOR I AM HERE!"
…
I crossed my arms to hide not only my modesty, but also my hands. Who the hell comes into people's apartments and does…does this!? After being put down and given time to finish getting ready (In private). I reprimanded him for barging in – even if his actions were explained as 'admirable'.
"I wasn't drowning! How did you get in here!?"
"I came through the balcony – when I saw you in the bath like that I thought you had got into trouble! I'm sorry - I presumed as a hero that the worst happened"
"Uh….huh…you didn't see anything did you?" Does he even have eyes? I've never seen them to be honest.
Covering his eyes as if to enact the moment again, he assured me that he hadn't. In fact, he came over for a different reason.
"I have a whole list and plan of what we can do for our evening" Thrusting the list onto my lap. It was a big list. With some that were scribbled out – aggressively.
Suddenly it dawned on me.
"Have you actually been out out? I've never seen someone who's practically dumped his brain on the paper" That was a lie – Toshinori was infamous for it. Not thinking and just going with it.
"I-I Have! I even have adoring female fans that enjoy my presence!"
Now he's being defensive about it! I was laughing inside and doing my best to remain composure. But I couldn't keep it in any longer.
"Your chivalry is too much! Please! I'm going have a jaw ache!….. why are you staring me like that?"
I admit I was glad that he was beginning to look at me when we talked now but he's looking at me inventively.
"You should smile more Miss Yakota, it brightens the room more"
Retorting, I hid myself behind his list.
"And You should learn to look before you leap All Might. hmmmm …let me actually read this list. What is it – two pages?"
I was continuing to read the list – there were a few good ones some were a bit extreme – sky diving – he might have a body of steel but even I don't think he'll survive 40,000 feet drop. I definitely won't.
Movies is good! Of course a meal… visit a temple…..go to the disaster zones and help in the soup kitchen. He was beginning to fidget now as if his assignment was being marked.
"I….would like to help out in the kitchen. Then the beach. The whole event is to do with helping those in the disaster zones, so I'd like do that. The beach would be good to unwind" I said, ticking those two. To be honest I wasn't sure how long the evening was going to be so choosing these two would mean that it would be something that we could talk about afterwards
"Right!" Taking back the list in excitement. He was about to leave when he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Where are you going tonight?" noticing that I was little more dressed up than usually.
"I'm off out with Midnight and President Mic – they're going to show me the night life and few bars" I was grinning from ear to ear. I was super excited I can tell you!
"Can I come?"
"Normally it would be ok All Might but let's be rational about this. If you got caught by the press with me before said evening – wouldn't that give the impression that the whole thing was rigged?
"Ah! Good Point! Hmmmmmmm…" He began to rub his chin with his hand in somewhat of a deep thought as he was about to leap off out of the balcony again (I should really lock the balcony windows).
"What's going through your head?" suspiciously staring at him.
"Nothing…nothing…..enjoy your evening!" And off he went into the evening – his laughter could be heard in the distance. Is he propelled by laughter? Now that's a daft thought.
9:30pm – I met up with Nemuri (Midnight) outside the Planetary Club. It was probably about a 15-minute travel by bus and the place was packed! A queue was long and the bouncers were made of rock! Nemuri was in the queue almost at the door. She was wearing a dark dominatrix style with slits along the sides – her hair was down as always but the stilettos were just lethal to even look at! They were studded with an iron skull feature as the heel itself. I thought that was a cool feature to have.
I on the other hand, was wearing grey jeggings that was ripped around the knees and had a 'flur de lis' embroidery around it's pockets. A white Bardot top with the words 'I Don't Fall Over - I Do Random Gravity Checks' completed the outfit (and yes, I decided to wear my hair down for a change).
"You made it! We're just waiting on Hizashi and our designated driver – but we'll be in by the time they get here – good thing Hizashi sometimes DJs here otherwise they'd never get in."
"Yeah – Thanks for inviting me out! It seems like forever since we actually went out together – loving the outfit by the way! It's very…..you looking to take someone home tonight by chance?"
"I might be" she responded, licking her lips excitedly – she did always like the thrill of the hunt. As we were walking in, the music was loud with the vibration of the base almost vibrating though us – we managed to find an area where the noise was just right enough that we were only raising out voices.
"What about you Kasumi?" She called out into my ear. My eyes widened and I quickly stared at my heeled boots as if someone had told me there was £5 note on the floor"
Nemuri was enjoying this too much – seeing me squirm and fidget was her being sadistic. She'd make a great evil queen in a snow white play!
"You're still after him I see! Oh that is cute! It still entertaining to watch your shenanigans when we were at school – didn't you one time make a banner to support him in the 2nd sport festival…..but then you got a fever?"
Then she cracked up. I could see where this is going.
"L-Let's get some drinks ay?"
"It had hearts all over it!"
"I set fire to it the next day…..Nemuri you're gonna wet yourself at this rate!"
"Bu-But if you hadn't stayed up all night painting in all the friggin hearts in you would've been well enough to watch him! AHAHAHAAAAAAAaa oh god that was funny – but not as funny when you wrote a confession letter – but it went to the wrong guy!"
my hand connected with my face with mortification.
" I had to date him for a week just so I wouldn't hurt his feelings"
I didn't hear from Toshinori at all for just over week.
When Nemuri settled down, she went off to get a couple of drinks. Dancing through the crowd to get to the bar.
Well, I don't how she did it, but after going away for a while she brought back a table full of every kind of drink you could think of – I'm sure some were free! I eyed up the whisky.
"ARE YOU GUYS READY TO RRRRROCK!?" Came the unforgettable vocal cords belonging to none other than Hizashi.
Jumping up from my seat I was over the moon to see him because it would hopefully keep midnight distracted with his over-the-top antics.
"And I have brought the designated driver! Ta DAHH!" showing off none other than
"Holycrap Toshi-Kun!" I noticed Midnight laughing evilly in the corner of my eye.
I'm not sure whether to kill her or kiss her because obviously, she had this planned from the beginning. Merciless woman!
Toshinori held up his keys to confirm it. He was wearing oversized khaki trousers and a white shirt – very casual compared to Hizashi who was just 'out there in fantastic style'. I'm sure he shops at a cyber punk fashion store. I liked the clothing because it suited his personality – energetic and eccentric.
"Toshinori! We got you juice!" Nemuri called out, signalling him to join us. All that was racing through my head was along the lines of 'ohshitohshitoshit'. I turned to her, my face turning all different shades of red.
"You got Toshi-Kun to be our designated driver? Are you my fairy godmother or my wicked stepmother?"
"Well, the funny thing is, is that because he works at U.A as a Teacher – he got wind that we were going out tonight and being the darling that he is, has offered to be the designated driver to simply put it."
"wait – he works at U.A? he never told me that – and I've never seen him around on the grounds"
"Oh! Well….that's because he teaches different classes and he's been very busy as of late"
"I see….. well no wonder! Makes sense!"
I took in my first sip of whisky (rapidly mind you!), it felt warm as it settled in my stomach, the warm notes hitting my nose. I'm gonna see how much it's going to take before I notice any differences in my sensory perception –if any.
Hizashi had already commandeered the DJ station and revving up the crowd into a rave. Nemuri was out on the dance floor with a group of guys – leaving me with Toshinori. Even drinking half of what was there; I was still, unfortunately sober as a judge. Dam you father.
Toshinori was sitting there on his 4th Juice and we both hadn't much to each other since he came in. When I went to speak to him he would at times would spit blood and was little anxious. The same went vice-versa only I would occasionally freeze.
"I-it's nice to see you again T-Toshi-Kun!" cupping my gloved hand next to his ear so he could hear me. I could see his cheeky grin emerge.
"It's been too long! But you still look the same to me!" responding back the same way. I felt my face get warm again.
I turned to face him in surprise. I noticed that the whites of his eyes were now black – but he still had the same blue eyes from all those years ago. Apart from his carefree attitude and sense of justice, I loved his blue eyes.
"S-still the same?"
"well, I know for a fact that I can spot you in a crowd like this! I recognise you from your hair and gloves!"
I could see there were a few others with the same shade of hair colour as mine though. He happened to mentioned something else to me also.
"One other thing…"
"Yes?"
"Your hand is pinning mine down and I need to use the loo"
"Oh! OH! I'm so sorry! I hadn't noticed!" I took my hand off as if it was made of lava. As I watched him walk off (chuckling or talking to himself), I placed my hands near to my chest as if to cherish it. I didn't realise until now that his hands were big compared to mine.
I could see the others becoming more and more lively with enough drink inside them to knock out an elephant. It got to about 1 am till it was time to leave. We piled into Toshinori's truck, we had to put Hizashi at the back because he was singing loud enough to wake the undead! I sat in the middle whilst Nemuri was near the passenger door. I think she got a few numbers this night.
We took them in one by one and made sure they were safe. In the end, it was just me and him in the truck. I was tired, but still sober – I had even managed to drink every challenger under the table also so I got £50 at the end of the night! Not bad!
I directed him to my apartment (although I felt that he knew where I lived because he just got there with little to no prompting). We must of just sat in the truck for a what felt like hours – probably only 30 minutes but it was as if time stood still.
"I didn't know you drive" almost choking on my words. We've been alone many times before but not like this.
"Yeah I passed ages ago – I'll take you for a drive out next time if you like!" trying to act a little cool about it all.
"Really?! That would be great Toshi-Kun! It's going to be awesome!" almost bouncing up and down in excitement.
As he burst out laughing I thought he was going to plaster the interior with his blood.
"Your facial expression is classic! I Love it!"
"You …..love it?"
"Yeah it takes me back to when I took you go-karting! Ahhhhh good times…"
Now I remembered it 'cause If I won the bet we made I would have kissed him ( I didn't tell him that part – I just said that if I win I could whatever I want within reason). He won so I had to make him lunch for a week.
Smiling contently and yawning, I agreed.
"I guess I'd better go now, if I don't see you around at work I'll see you Tuesday – there's a new movie out which I'm certain you'll like"
I had initially leaned in to hug him goodbye for now (as you do) but then through my sheer tiredness I had kissed him on the cheek – almost near the corner of his mouth. I began to groggily shuffle out of the truck.
Suddenly Toshinori grabbed my wrist, clasping my hand. His face in both shock and surprise – for a moment I thought he was going to pass out!
"Huh? You ok Toshi-kun?" looking back at him. He let go of me and retracted his hand back, as if he realised what he was doing.
"Yep! I…..Just wanted to say that I'll see you around too!"
"Ok, Awesome"
"you are"
"Did you say something again?"
"Goodnight Kasumi-chan. Be safe"
I waved him goodbye and headed back upstairs to my apartment and flopped into my bed. A couple of times I could hear the horn beep a few times almost aggressively – as if someone was pounding either their head or hands against it. I wasn't sure because I too tired. Ugh, 6 hours of sleep till back at work – I'm going to be so zombified. But it was worth it!
A/N *Phew!* onto chapter 10!
