Lightning – My Hero Academia
Chapter 37: The Same Side
The next night, Chikashi made his way up to the third floor of the class 1-A dormitory on the boy's side. As he stepped through the elevator doors, he could hear music faintly playing from Ako's room. He followed the music and knocked on his door.
Ako, who was making some personal adjustments his respirator, set down his tools. He got up with a huff, annoyed at being interrupted when he was already in a groove. He answered the door, "No, Hideo, I'm busy, you can't come in and listen to my music right now...
"Oh. Chikashi. What's up?" Ako asked, surprised to see him.
"Can I come in?" Chikashi requested.
"Sure. Sure." Ako nodded and stepped aside, allowing Chikashi to come in. Chikashi quietly entered the room, glancing around and tapping his fingers against his leg to the beat of the song playing.
"You have way less decorations than I thought you would. But it's nice to see you still making the room your own." He commented with a little chuckle.
"Yeah, heheh...um, sorry about the mess. I was working on my...uh, well it doesn't matter. What's up?" Ako asked as he stopped the song.
"Shut the door for a second, please." Chikashi requested. Ako's eyebrows furrowed oddly but he walked back to his door and gently closed it, allowing the lock to click before turning back to face Chikashi.
"Everything okay?"
"You tell me," Chikashi responded. "I've heard some talk about weird noises coming from your room lately...suspicious noises - like you might be sneaking out or sneaking someone in maybe?" He suggested. Ako's eyes widened a little.
"Sneaking someone in? Did Zachary or Cain say something to you?" He asked. Chikashi scoffed in amusement.
"Look, man, as class rep I gotta keep an eye on this kinda stuff. It was gonna come out one way or another."
"There's nothing to come out, bro." Ako denied with a shake of his head.
"Is there? I know Mr. Aizawa talked to you about the motion detectors picking up movement outside this building after curfew, so it's coming from somewhere." Chikashi pointed out.
"But why are you assuming it was me? We've got some weirdos in our class; you know that, right?" Ako argued.
"You're not wrong, but I'm checking with you. Look me in the eyes and tell me it's not you." Chikashi calmly demanded.
Ako let out a frustrated exhale. He turned towards Chikashi and made firm eye contact with him. He took in a deep breath, but the words didn't come out. Defeated, Ako shook his head and turned away.
"Alright, fine, you got me."
"Aww, Ako, come on, dude. You just got here! Who're you sneaking into your room?" Chikashi asked, sounding both disappointed that Ako was the one breaking the rules and surprised that he'd managed to get into a relationship so quickly.
"I'm not sneaking anyone into my room." Ako rolled his eyes.
"Is it Aya?" Chikashi guessed.
"No! Why would you even ask that?" Ako asked, making a face.
"You two are talking, aren't you?"
"Yeah, we talk. That's a pretty far cry away from what you're insinuating." Ako said.
"True...I mean, it technically wouldn't be that hard though. You're fast, she teleports – it kinda makes sense if you think about it." Chikashi thought out loud.
"No, it doesn't make sense because it's not happening." Ako emphasized again.
"You sure?"
"Yes! Why don't you sneak her into your room since you're so fixated on it?" Ako huffed irritably and folded his arms.
"Okay, okay," Chikashi chuckled a little. "So you're not sneaking anyone in. So what, you're sneaking out then?"
"...yeah." Ako answered quietly.
"Into Aya's room?"
"Shut up, man. Would you please shut up?" Ako rolled his eyes again.
"I'm just messin' with ya. Look, man, I don't wanna see you get in trouble, but if something is going on, now's the time to come clean about it. Trust me, you'll be much better off telling me. Otherwise, I'mma have to go to Mr. Aizawa and he'll force it out of you."
"And probably force me out of the class too." Ako added with a sigh. Chikashi nodded and shrugged.
"I don't want that to happen, man. So let's hear it."
"Fine...the truth is...I have a mentor." Ako revealed slowly.
"A mentor...?" Chikashi raised an eyebrow at him.
"Yeah. He's a pro hero that just recently moved into the area. Have you heard of Hunter?" Ako asked.
"Hunter? Is that his hero name or is he from America?"
"No, that's his hero name. He's taken me under his wing and he's been showing me fighting styles and stuff like that. He gives me tips." Ako explained.
"That so? Well, that explains some of those new moves you were whipping out in training yesterday." Chikashi thought aloud while stroking his chin.
"Yeah. That's it, man. That's all I've been doing."
"Is that how you got the cut on your cheek?" Chikashi asked, pointing to the healing cut.
"O-Oh...um, no..." Ako answered slowly, brushing his fingers over the cut.
"...you ok, man?" Chikashi asked, his eyebrows furrowing in concern.
"Yeah, I'm good. Truth is I got attacked on my way back one night. I fought h...the attacker off, but I got nicked by the blade." He explained.
"You serious? And you still didn't say anything?"
"No. I don't wanna get in trouble. Look, I'm already done sneaking out. After what happened, I think it's for the best that I cut back and only go to see Hunter on my days off."
"Yeah, sounds like it...you sure you don't want any help? That sounds pretty serious."
"I'm good, Chikashi. It's not gonna happen again, I promise. I'm done being the troublemaker. I've already put my status here in jeopardy. Please, keep this between us and this'll be the last you hear of it." Ako pleaded with him.
"Hey, chill, man, I wasn't gonna tell him anyways unless it was something really bad. But I get it: you were just tryna hone your heroing skills and things took a turn for the worse. I don't see a reason for you to get punished for that.
"Just don't do it again, please. If you get found out then I might get in trouble too for knowing about it and not saying anything." Chikashi explained.
"Ok, got it...why are you covering for me?" Ako asked.
"That's what friends do, man. I got your back. I just got one thing I wanna ask." Chikashi said, holding up one finger.
"Oh boy. What is it?"
"Could you introduce me to Hunter?" Chikashi requested. Ako looked at him in surprise.
"You wanna meet him? Why?"
"Well, based off those moves you were pulling off before, it looks like he has a good fighting style. I might be able to learn a few things from him." Chikashi reasoned.
"Oh...yeah, sure. I can set it up for one Sunday. I'll ask him next time I meet with him." He agreed.
"Great! Thanks, Ako." Chikashi smiled and offered a handshake.
"No, thank you," Ako shook his hand. "For being on my side here."
"Anytime, bud. We're all on the same side, after all." He smiled at Ako.
"Yeah. Right." Ako smiled back and slowly nodded in agreement...
