They'd been practicing for hours and yet, despite the fact it was literally dark outside, Mina still insisted on another run through.
Hitoshi was beginning to understand what Kacchan had been so vehemently against the idea of a concert for now.
"Look alive!"
He couldn't help the small groan which escaped his lips; he was tired and very, very sick of dancing.
Dancing, as he'd come to discover, was not fun; and Mina, despite all her loveliness, was very bossy.
Suddenly, the doors burst open revealing an angry looking Hound Dog.
"It's 9 o'clock! Students should've cleared out of the gym already!"
"Sorry Sir!"
After stuffing his gym clothes into his locker, Hitoshi headed out into the corridor.
"Hey, Tosh."
He turned to find a familiar face leant back against the wall.
"Hey, Aunt Nem."
Her expression creased a little at the term.
"That makes me feel old."
Hitoshi smirked.
A smile came to her face.
"But I still like it."
Waking over she ruffled his hair.
"How's everything? You doing okay, Spiky?"
"Yeah, I'm just worried about Eri, that's all."
"That's understandable, but at least you'll be able to cheer her up at the festival."
He sighed.
"Dad seems really worried about it and hasn't been building her hopes up, I have no idea why."
"It's because of the commission."
Hitoshi furrowed an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Nezu had a meeting with the head of police a week or so ago. They told him straight that if anything happens during the festival, even something as small as an alarm going off, then they'd shut it down."
"They can't do that!"
"They can and they will; it's no skin off their back to see a high school festival close early."
"But what about Eri?!"
Auntie Nem smiled reassuringly.
"Hey, it's okay; that's just if anything happens, chances are nothing will so we should be fine."
But he was still worried.
"You should probably head out, the other kids are waiting for you out front."
He gave a nod.
"Goodnight."
"Night, Spiky."
He could barely keep his eyes open as they made their way back to the dorms.
"Whenever I'm preparing my personal kettle I always select a tea that correlates to the size of my current job."
Kacchan turned to Kaminari, the voice having come from his phone.
"What the hell are you listening to?"
"It's some guy named Gentle Criminal apparently; he uploaded this a couple of minutes ago and it's already had tons of views."
"Be sure to stay tuned in. My next video will be an alarm. Not just to my faithful viewers, but to all of society."
"This guy really likes tea." Denki smirked. "Hey, he even has a tin of that really posh one you let us try, Yaoyorozu."
"Well at least he has some taste."
"Ah, the rope is really frayed!" Zuku exclaimed as he inspected the coil wrapped around his arm.
"We did use it quite a lot in practice." Jiro stated.
"I should have noticed, this is dangerous."
"It's okay, I'm sure one of the stage team wouldn't mind grabbing another one before the performance tomorrow." Mina offered on their behalf.
He knew where this was going before it even happened.
"Toshi!" She beamed in a sing-song voice.
"Yeah?"
"Could you get some more rope tomorrow?"
He grumbled a little under his breath.
"Sure."
"Yay!"
The Next Day
7:49AM
Kacchan looked confused for some reason as he walked over.
"Did you get the rope?"
"Not yet, Mina's had me practicing this stupid dance for hours now."
"Why? You're not even on the dance team."
"That's what I said!"
"Well you better hurry up, the festival starts soon."
Hitoshi looked around to see whether Mina was on the warpath or not. Upon noticing the coast was clear, he rushed out of the gym.
"Okay, I can do this."
8:15AM
Not knowing where anything was in town proved his downfall. How the hell was he supposed to know what type of store sold rope?
Turns out convenience stores didn't, but a kind woman behind the register had recommended a hardware store a few blocks over.
Thank god for that woman otherwise he would've been looking around forev-."
"Oof!"
Hitoshi landed on the ground with a thump.
He quickly picked himself up off the floor.
"I'm so sorry! You're not hurt are you?!" He asked the man he'd abruptly collided with.
He wore shades, a facemask, and large hat, an odd combination for so early in the morning.
"Nothing to worry about my boy, I am unharmed; as long as you are the same then it was nothing more than an unfortunate accident."
Hitoshi nodded.
"I'm fine."
"Then you best be on your way."
Something about his voice sounded familiar.
And then suddenly...
It all clicked.
Gentle Criminal.
No! No he can't!
"Please..." He forced out, his tone begging.
'They told him straight that if anything happens during the festival, even something as small as an alarm going off, then they'd shut it down.'
"I don't care what you have planned..."
Eri; you deserve a day to just be a kid... so there's no way I'm letting them take this away from you!
"I won't let you near my school!" He roared.
8:32AM
The strange looking guy pulled down his mask and turned to him slowly.
"Look, boy... I suggest you go home and don't interfere."
"That's not happening."
The man scoffed.
"All of this over one little festival?"
"You might not understand why it's so important, but I do."
The man turned to the smaller woman beside him who was holding a video camera.
"La Brava, whatever happens, don't stop filming."
"Of course." She replied happily, flipping open the screen.
"My dear viewers, today I shall demonstrate my power before I enact my greatest plan yet. Watch in awe as I take down this boy from the acclaimed UA High School in a flash!"
Hitoshi growled.
The man bowed.
"You probably already know my name but I shall introduce myself all the same. I, am Gentle Criminal, and I will prove to you all just what I am capable of!"
"Grrr, I don't have time for you to fuck around! Stay away from UA!"
"My my, someone needs to teach you some patience, boy; manners like that will get you nowhere in life."
"Sorry, but I'm not really interested in getting etiquette lessons from a villain, thanks."
The man chuckled.
"Straight to the point I see, very well then. La Brava, this fight will be over in a snap, don't worry."
"Don't be so sure."
Hitoshi readied himself to attack.
"Fine; but don't go crying when you lose." The villain grinned.