Invading Your Life
The next day...
Kyoka's morning routine was all a blur to her, between shoveling her necessities for school into her bag, mindlessly taking the appropriate amount of time to enjoy a hot shower without looking at the devil that was the mirror, and getting changed, she barely had the thought process to think of much else. Well, aside from one thing.
Knocking twice, she waited for a reply from the other side of the door, upon not receiving her answer, not even a stir, she cranked the guest room open to find... nothing? Looking at the bed, it was neatly folded, like no one had been there at all. Any and all possessions of her 'roommate' were also nonexistent. Akio was gone.
For the first time in... well, probably her whole life. She felt her chest twist at the strange emotion plaguing her body. "Not even a letter?" The nightstand was barren too. Her aloof face didn't change that much, but her eyes were a little less colorful as she slowly closed the door.
It was the afternoon once more as Kyoka was startled slightly from her blank thoughts by the bell, signifying that school had come to a close for today. Once more, she was left without a concrete idea on how to explain her decision to her parents, about wanting to enroll to UA. The many questions and worries were beginning to weigh her down so much so that she could hardly sleep last night.
There was also the issue involving a certain green-eyed boy, and the fact he had disappeared before Kyoka had a chance to ask or say anything. Despite the short amount of time knowing him she sorta wished he stuck around, his level of curiosity was funny, and he had so much going on that she inadvertently became enthralled by him, wanting to learn more about him or just out of the simplicity of helping him.
With her headphones off, she slung her bag onto her left shoulder a slowly wandered back outside, the sky a complete contrast to yesterday, bright blue sky, a few clouds, nothing out of the ordinary. Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder, it was one of her classmates. "Yo, what's up?"
"I heard there's some guy wandering outside the school," They murmured, a few standing by the gate as their nosy curiosity got the better of them, Kyoka would be lying if she said she wasn't a little intrigued by... whoever it was just aimlessly pacing. "Think he's waiting for someone?"
Kyoka shrugged, pushing by a few prying eyes to get by. "Beats me, probably got... turned... around..." Her words died out in her throat as she felt a kick return to her chest, odd but understandable. She spotted the stranger sitting atop a sign while hanging a few bags over his shoulder, confusion was written over his face.
He was still wearing his getup from when they first met. His dark, ragged cloak draped over the sign while his bandaged arm remained bare, the other mummified again with a pair of fingerless gloves. The girl from her glass whispered. "He looks cool, maybe he's a hero from an agency?"
"Or an idiot who looks like he never read a map before..." Kyoka growled in her head.
"Could've sworn we made a right?" Akio's left brow slanted. "Hrm, no it was left..." He threw his free arm high, completely obvious to the onlookers. "Nope, I'm lost, haha!" He sighed in defeat, blinking lazily at the crowd before his eyes settled on Kyoka, herself frozen to the pavement with embarrassment beginning to creep up her face, shaking her head to keep him from saying anything. "Oh, thank Eve it's you, Jiro..."
"Dammit, idiot!" She bit the inside of her cheek while murmurs and the odd chatter sprouted, and she found one of her jacks jabbed dangerously close to his eye, causing him to fall to the ground in fright. "Why. The Hell. Are You Here?" She seethed through her teeth, blood rising to her cheeks.
Akio blinked, then pointed to the street behind them, then brought it back around. "I... may have gotten a little lost running some errands, turns out I have zero skills in navigation!" His chuckle wasn't shared as he felt the tension in the air, blinking. "Oh... ooooh, this is your school ain't it?"
"This is why I should be the one asking for directions," Viral murmured.
"We were fine until that last junction," Akio defended.
"We somehow ended up atop a moving train, how you even accomplished that is astounding," Viral sighed, the image of him shaking his head evident in Akio's mind.
Despite the overwhelming embarrassment, Kyoka kept her chill demeanor again, crossing her arms while laying a flat stare toward the boy. "Dude, you're on the other side of town, how did you get that lost?"
His eyes widened, quickly jogging into pace with the musical girl. "You'd be surprised how mazy things are, I mean I tried using a map and that just... did not work!" His crisis adverted now with Kyoka he smiled, hands behind his head while his cloak fluttered in the wind. "So... guess we're roommates now... surprise - Ow!"
She jabbed his forearm with a jack, breathing through her nose. "A little notice next time thought you left without saying anything..." Was it stupid? Yes, she knew that for certainty. But did it make her smile knowing he'd stick around a little longer? Most certainly. "Hey, I know a few places 'round here we can stop by before catchin' the train?"
"Sure, but why?" He blinked, noting her confident smirk while flicking one of her ear-jacks, her hand pinching his cloak
"You need more than some worn drags man, gotta look the part you get me?" He looked to be drawing a blank, so with a shove of his shoulder, Kyoka directed in down another street. "Want to hide from that 'Harbinger' guy can't keep wearing the same stuff, he's bound to point you from a crowd; So leave it to me,"
"He could just read my soul though... buuut I do need more than one pair of clothes..." Slowly his own smile grew while ghosting the rocker. "Right... sure, lead on ma'am!"
"Sooo..." Akio awkwardly clapped his hands in front of him, unsure on how to break the silence between them while Kyoka looked through her phone at a news headline about a 'Sludge Villain Attack'. "You wanted to help me find other clothes to hide from Harbinger, I got that much... but why?"
"Because without me you'll probably walk to the other side of Japan without knowing," She replied, putting her phone down with a lazy-eye stare and smirk. "That, and you've seriously got to have more than what you're wearing to stay inconspicuous."
"I can't refute that, we haven't exactly had a wardrobe change in... I want to say over two centuries? Even before I met you I... wow, my fashion sense is dwindling," Viral enforced her suggestion even if Akio was the only one to hear it. He then gave himself a once over before tugging his cloak closer
"But I like my cloak," He pouted like a child just as they stopped before a clothes shop of Kyoka's choosing, she liked the place, had some good styles for cheap. She never got the whole 'needs to be super expensive', so long as it has style acquired to her taste she was fine with anything. Not like anyone cares about how she looks.
Her gaze deadpanned, shoving those negatives down, "You make it sound like I'm telling you to dump it," "Which wouldn't be a bad thing since it looks like it's been through the wringer." She pushed him inside, flicking his head with one of her jacks. "Look, you can keep the threads you have just pick out something new, we can catch the train back in an hour."
"Why are you helping me?" He quickly put his hand up to stop her reply. "What I mean is, your parents and yourself already have done more than enough for me, heck, I have a roof over my head now. So why are you going out of your way to help me with my real-world problems? It's..."
"'Dangerous', tch," Kyoka crossed her arms, pursing her lips for a moment of consideration. "I'm wanting to be a hero, that means helping people because it's right, not for fame, money, recognition though perks are pretty cool, I just want to help you, no strings."
And now Akio felt like an ass. He's been very doubtful of Kyoka's family, the million yen question of 'why' plagued him. He was generally thankful for their hospitality, spending nights in the cold all the time would kill anyone else but was merely very unpleasant for him. Yet of all the families or good people he came across, they were to first to offer him a place, to willingly reach out to him when he himself feared for their lives.
"I... I guess I'm still... I'm sorry, Jiro," Despite his ignorance, she kept a stern eye to him but lightened up with a flick of her ear-jack to his temple
"You can call me Kyoka, only fitting since you lack a surname," With a shrug, she tugged him deeper into the shop. "Come on, may not have much sense of fashion but I think I can get you something with less... bleakness? I guess is the word."
Akio deadpanned. "You're dissing the cloak again, aren't you?"
"Yep." She popped the 'P' with a chuckle.
Not long into their browsing did the duo discover a few interesting pieces to try, though primarily for Akio's sake Kyoka did note a few shirts she'd certainly pick up some time. Her attention, however, was more to the ever-so-curious boy eyeing the many colors, styles, and brands with a twinkle in his eye, she decided to shadow him at times just to observe, smiling without knowing.
"How's this?" Kyoka looked up from her phone and almost spat with a laugh as she saw him wearing a pair of black jeans, boots, leather jacket, gloves, and a pair of pink shades in the shape of stars. "This is most excellent."
Kyoka snorted while stifling her laugh under her hand, "You look like a... pfft, well, you wouldn't get it!" She waved a hand, snapping a picture without his notice while she held her stomach. "Keep it but the shades have to go, hahaha!"
Akio huffed then shut the door, face turning red as he heard the volume of her laughter increase alongside Viral's 'explanation' as to what she was implying.
"Next!" Kyoka waved, sitting with her back on the rectangular bench. She lifted an eyebrow, trying to understand this next line-up
He wore a vibrant summer tank-top, a pair of blue chinos, and bright red shoes. "I think it's too vibrant?" Doing a small turn to assess himself
"I think someone should call the fashion police, you deserve solitary for this," Viral added
"This coming from the guy that wears only black." Akio fired back but heard the clap
"Ah-ah-ah! I like purple, hah!"
"I ain't the fashion type but that looks like someone smacked you upside the head with a rainbow," Was her downright blunt reply, discharging him with a wave. "Neeext." He slumped, shutting the door with a grumble
"Take five!" She declared with a clap and out came Akio for the exhausted fifth time, however, he himself was impressed with this look, in particular, smiling fondly at the clothing of choice. For Kyoka, her eyes sailed upward in a slow inspection. "Right so..."
Over a white shirt was a light blue zip-up hoodie. A pair of light grey jeans with black running shoes and white soles tracing to form the designer brand on the sides. His skull necklace paired nicely and with his fingerless gloves too. He was happy with this look, it just... matched seamlessly with his contrasting clothing from before.
"Kyoka? Hello~?" She didn't respond immediately, her entire expression was blank a moment before she snapped back for how close he was, a little embarrassed by her sudden lack of attention
"What was that?" "Man that was weird," She murmured before standing up, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "You know, think you've found your look, dude; cool and confident."
Satisfied with his new look, the two packed up everything to pay. While in the process of paying for this newly acquired clothing, Akio thought of something while Kyoka slipped on her headphones a moment, lost in her own world while a small smile crossed his face, an idea manifested before the oblivious girl.
As the two walked to the station, Akio couldn't help but wonder about her answer to his question before. "You want to be a hero?" He knew not all were stuck-up on the whole 'fame and fortune', Eraser, All Might, and a few others come to mind, well, the ones he's openly came across. But he never saw heroes-in-training, and if Kyoka became a hero would, if by some leap in logic, crossed paths, what would happen?
Not answering immediately herself, Kyoka sighed, twirling one of her jacks mindlessly. "Yeah, see, we have to write down suggestions on what we want to do come high school, courses and career paths, normal school stuff," Akio nodded slowly to follow along, noting her somewhat conflicted expression. "And well, I want to become a hero, go to UA and join the Hero Course."
"Well that's good, right?" He was optimistic about her choice but she didn't share his smile, eyes locked to their feet
"...But I love music, like, it's a part of me, my parents put so much time and energy into teaching me, and I really appreciate it, but... music isn't a 'hero' thing, it's an entirely different road then the one I want," Kyoka stopped herself from saying more, keeping her eyes to the road ahead while the anxious silence from Akio was putting her on edge. "Sorry, I just kinda dumped my problems on you."
His brow furrowed and he kept his lips together, "Hrm, that's a tough one," He clicked his fingers, patted her shoulder. "One sec!" Without another moment he vanished into the shadow of a building, zipping away from her for roughly four minutes, leaving her to contemplate her choice further with little success.
Staring at her reflection in a shop window, what about the bored-looking girl stood out to anyone? Her quirk was good for hearing even the faintest of sounds, she could paralyze her enemies with her heartbeat, and... that's it. Aside from that, she'd probably be among the rank-and-file of heroes. Unappealing, dull, forgettable. Yeah, that sounded right.
"I'm back!" With a sudden whoosh, Kyoka yelped as Akio made his reappearance, a toothy smile on his face as he tugged something out from one of the many bags he carried with ease. "May not be my place to say but I think your parents will support you in this choice, no question about it."
She found that a little unlikely. "Really? You would know?" He nodded obliviously anyway. "May not occur to you but both my parents are serious music enthusiasts, music is their whole lives, and it's been mine too so to... move away from that it's... just not as easy as you make it sound."
"'Course it is, music can help people in many ways, bring light to troubling topics and times, turn sorrow into joy and vice versa when either is necessary for an individual's growth," He then held out a silver chain, allowing the item attached to dangle before her surprised eyes. "Music speaks when words alone aren't enough, and with your Quirk, your passion for music, there is no doubt you'd make for one amazing hero, one that can reach out to people in a way only you can." He winked. "I know you believe that because you helped me when I couldn't help myself."
"We owe her more than she may know," Viral added unbeknownst to the dumbfounded girl
The symbol was a silver beam note, vaguely similar to that of his silver skull. Without acting of her own accord she found it resting in her palm, the glint of the sun reflecting off the surface. "Where did - How did you-" She wasn't a jeweler or anything but it looked pricy, and it wasn't some cheap design either, a detailed ridge around the edge and gradient to the metal too.
"I remembered this store I passed, had lots of necklaces, earrings, a bunch of accessories, and it's the same kind of shop I got mine so consider this my thank you, and no, there are no returns... I checked, there are no refunds, meh, cheapskate." While off on his tangent, he hadn't seen the faint smile break through Kyoka's stoic concentration
"You really do say what you're thinking, don't you?" She finally spoke and was met with a shrug as he collected his bags again to continue down the pavement with Kyoka stepping into rhythm with him, her hand closing around the necklace gingerly with a new air of confidence to support her
[Later that afternoon...]
Akio was alone, wandering across the rooftops of the suburban streets with his arms behind his head, head poised to the sky as he remained stoic, still thinking back on what Kyoka said once they arrived back at her place.
"Hey, can you... wait, just for a while, won't be long I just kinda need to do this alone," She looked really uneasy, but Akio understood, giving a short wave while placing both hands in his pockets.
"I wanna check out the area, maybe I'll improve my navigation skills!" He was trying to cheer her up, but if what she was implying lined up with what they discussed both in the street and on the ride back then this was clearly a difficult choice for her, and it wasn't his place to listen in
She sighed, grateful for his understanding, "Thanks, it shouldn't take long so come back whenever,"
"Think it's going well?" He asked, toes swaying at the edge of a rooftop
"Knowing that calm and collective girl, she's probably fine." Viral wasn't all that interested, but if it was of great concern to his Host then he wasn't going to fake ignorance. "You've really struck a chord with her."
Akio almost slipped but didn't hold in his smile. "Y-you think so? She's really cool, wonder if I can hear her play sometime?"
Viral went to reply but thought against it and kept his shadow leering up at the sunset, his shadow stretching gradually.
*Tick...Tick...Tick...Tick*
The ambient chime of the wall clock kept Kyoka on the edge of her seat. For only ten minutes she and her parents discussed her career, and the basic nuances that came with said path, all the while she answered briefly and with anxiety in her voice.
This was the time to tell them, to finally follow through with her choice, her hand instinctively coiled around the silver necklace resting on her collarbone. Feeling the bumps along the music note strangely soothed her heart, if only a little.
"Kyoka, what's wrong, you look distracted?" Her Dad asked curiously, and both remained silent as Kyoka bowed her head, unable to look them in the eye as her hand played with the silver pendant
"Mom, Dad... I want to be a hero," It took her a great deal to keep her voice steady. "I'm not going to become a musician, I'm sorry." Was she letting them down by saying this? Was... Akio wro-
A hand patted her head, "Did you think we'd be upset?" Her Dad asked, a knowing smile across his features like her Mom. "Come on, kid?"
"It's just..." She bit her lip a moment as she became misty-eyed, all those stupid emotions bubbling up from an abyss. "It was hard to decide, helping out others and making them happy," She finally raised her head, blinking away a few tears with her hand clenched around the necklace shakily. "It just seems so cool at the time, but now, after really helping someone I want to do more, to help more,"
Her tears struck the table, "I've always admired it but you taught me music and I didn't want to waste that either-" She swept her tears away for a moment, trying to maintain a sense of confidence she lost. "-because I love music too and... I didn't know what to do."
"Kyoka," Her Dad spoke up, and she finally saw the supportive expressions on their faces. "You can do whatever you want, just remember this, your mother and I became musicians because that's what we love most but this stuff can take a while, you have to pay attention to how it makes you feel."
"Choosing a career is a big decision, and you have some good options," Her Mom added too, and Kyoka's eyes felt a new light touch her, a painfully obvious route that may not have been realized if certain events never unfolded for her. "Maybe you can help others with your sound, in that sense musicians and heroes aren't too different, right?" She gave her daughter a confident wink, and she remembered what Akio said
"'Music speaks when words alone aren't enough'." Gradually, Kyoka's smile and confidence bubbled back to the surface, and she finally had the strength to breathe, clearing her eyes as her Mom ruffled her hair
"You can always open up about anything that's troubling you, you know this." She smiled while Kyotoku wrapped his arm around her back, pulling Kyoka into a side hug with a chuckle
"Honestly, you can worry over such silly things." He sighed, earned a flick from Mika's jack
"Kettle calling pot, genius." That made Kyoka laugh herself. The atmosphere lightening up while a green eye watched from the window gently, turning his head to lean it back against the wall with a small smile, a shadow beside him copying his actions, a single eye closed
"And here you were worried about her?" The shadow remarked, earning a punch that went straight through its form
"Yeah-yeah, know-it-all."
To Be Continued...
Things are in motion, and emotions will become more apparent later as Akio grows to trust in Kyoka and vice versa. Also, more commentary from the wise-cracking Viral too, I hope you guys are enjoying this, seeya in the next chapter, Plus Ultra!
Next Chapter: Play Your Way
Akio accidentally eavesdrops on Kyoka in her element, embarrassment and friendship ensue...
