A/N: I'm back (:
After being a longtime fanfic reader, I'm kinda annoyed (read really annoyed) with myself for dropping the ball after posting regularly, but life happened. I'll spare y'all the whole post-hiatus spiel, and just say it's great to be back. A humungous thank you to all the people the commented about continuing this story and that you enjoyed it, your feedback and concern after I dropped off the face of the earth was heart-warming to say the least. This is pretty self-indulgent so to know other people are indulging and getting into the story is like fuel in the tank to me haha. On that note, I'd like to dedicate this update to everyone who left encouraging words and to especially to my best friend Nariana who not only motivated me to continue, but whose birthday is also today 3
I'll be posting every other week now to make sure I don't fall off the wagon, so thank yo for all the favs, follows, and comments—hope y'all enjoy!
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Expelling the last of her sniffles, Nanami massaged her throat regretting she'd traded the breakfast in her stomach for the current burn in her throat. Still slightly embarrassed by her outburst, she struggled to look in his direction. His eyes were narrowed, focusing on something far in the distance, his breath steady and air dangerously calm.
"So, what's this plan you have?" she queried, trying to regain some of her cool as she sipped from the bottle of water they picked up after her date with the drainage ditch.
He casually rolled his head over relaxed shoulders, eyes meeting hers with ease, "We're going to kill Mephistopheles."
A cumbersome glob of water slipped into her windpipe as she nearly choked in response, "We're going to do what now?"
"Exactly as a I said." He replied, eyes focused back on the road.
"Ok, so the grand plan is to just kill Faust? That easy?"
"Eventually, him as well, but I said Mephistopheles."
"What do you mean? They're the same person."
"Not according to folklore."
"Yeah, but that's just what it is, folklore- a legend to make some uppity old bastard feel powerful."
"And so were superpowers and evil villains, until they weren't. What do you believe is the point of using these specific names? The theatrics of it all?"
Nanami sat pensively for a second before deciding to entertain this line of questioning," Hm… Probably to intimidate, I assume."
"That's half, the other is to mislead. Think, what would someone with such power need with a legend?"
"… Unless it wasn't just a legend." A nagging feeling crept up Nanami's spine at the implication." So—and correct me if I'm wrong because this does indeed sound batshit—you're saying Dr. Faust is really who he says he is and is obvious about it because he wants to hide a whole ass demon?"
"It may sound, as you say 'batshit', but it makes perfect sense when you put it into context. After all, what did you do the second you found out the full extent of your powers? "
"… Hid them in plain sight." She reluctantly replied as the theory, however bizarre, was beginning to make sense.
"Precisely." Seeing she wasn't fully convinced, he continued, "This Mephistopheles may not be a literal demon per se, but it's entirely possible he's another, much more powerful quirk user playing into this folklore narrative. He may have even created it himself."
"I suppose if you had the ability to give a power like the one Faust has, it would make the most sense to hide in myth rather than fight off every Joe, Jack, and Harry looking to have their wish for power granted." Nanami responded, now buying into the idea that there may be a larger force at play. It felt like when she was thrust into the underworld overnight all over again, the fear of the unknown being replaced with the anxiety of the inevitable. If they were going to go with this theory— engage the folklore as reality, they'd have to start somewhere tangible. "We need to do some research on this first. Even if this is all true, our knowledge of the legend itself is surface-level at best."
"Which is exactly why we're going on a trip. Be sure to clear your schedule this weekend."
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Nanami took a deep breath, allowing the hot water to relax joints and muscles that had been getting all the wrong action from the past couple weeks of double shifts and being on-call. Her quarantine was necessary, especially given what they'd learned, but it did nothing for her workload which predictably spiked upon her return. Things were beginning to calm down but judging by the dark circles threatening to emerge under her tired eyes, a break was still in order.
Stepping out of the shower her phone lit up and she quickly realized much more time had gone by than she meant to. Fumbling through familiar icons, she opened her messages.
Hitomi: Hey girl 😊 I think I'm outside the place, could you come down and let me in?
Nanami: omg I'm so sorry! I just got out the shower, but if you give the doorman my number I can buzz you up.
Hitomi: … Doorman? Your new place is cute but…
Nanami: but what? :(
Hitomi: The place I'm at is a reg apartment building. Maybe the skystabber next door would have one, but I don't see one here
Nanami: is the skystabber white and the place you're in front of brownish grey?
Hitomi: Yeah
Nanami: well I live in the skystabber
Hitomi: ?
Nanami: idk what to tell you
Hitomi:… gimme a minute.
As mixed as her feelings were about her new digs, Nanami couldn't help but flex ever-so slightly considering there was only a very short list of people who were allowed to know where she lived now. Wrapping herself in a robe, a knock came at the door and she hurriedly shuffled over to unlock the 3 deadbolts after checking the peephole. Seeing one of her favorite faces through the other side, she opened it, "Hey! Sorry for checking my phone so late, I'll be ready in a minute and then we can go shopping—for real this time, no work interruption or anything." She began as she quickly shuffled back in the direction of her room, disappearing down a hallway. Now getting dressed, she called from her room to her friend, now noting the uncharacteristic silence, "Do you want some water or someth—"
Nanami peaked her head out to speak, but stopped short upon seeing Hitomi's face, now fixed in a grimace," I can't believe you."
Brows knitting upward, Nanami quickly racked her brain for all her offenses Hitomi could be referring to, a twinge of guilt creeping in as she thought a bit too hard about all her offenses in general. Before she could overthink further, she continued, "I can't believe you went and got a sugar daddy and didn't even bother to hook up your best friend. Unforgiveable."
"A SUGAR WHOMST?" she asked incredulously, now being fully caught off-guard.
"Oh, don't play dumb with me, Frugal McDougall. There's no way a veteran penny pincher like you would ball out like this. Who is he and why haven't you introduced me to any of his friends?"
Stunned, Nanami stood there before bursting into a fit of laughter. Of course, to the naked, non-underworld entangled eye that's what it looked like, but she'd never thought of it that way. Her belly laugh persisted as Hitomi carried on with her rant, and Nanami remembered how grateful she was to have ties to the outside world. The world outside the whirlwind of chaos that had consumed her life for the past year. In her teary-eyed, coughing state, she ambled over to her still-animated friend, embracing her in a bear hug, burying her face into her shoulder, remembering what normalcy smelled like.
Hitomi continued her tirade before slowing as she felt the fabric of her blouse dampen, gently clinging to her clavicle where her friend's head lay. "Wait, are you crying? No, no, no don't cry! I was just kidding (kind of, because if you have a connect, I would still like to know), but I didn't mean anything by it. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine you absolute jackaloon. I just missed you and this. A lot."
"I... I'm not getting what's happening here—and I am neither a jack nor a'loon, but I missed you too," She responded sincerely as Nanami reigned in the waterworks enough to raise her head, seeing a smile she realized now she'd give her left kidney for.
"Well good, because there's a lot to tell, and I've got the rest of the afternoon to catch up and talk your ear off."
"No arguments here. Now hurry up and finish getting dressed while I rassle up some mimosas. We've got work to do.~"
The pair shared a leisurely breakfast over mimosas before starting their walk towards the outdoor mall near Nanami's new place. Though it wasn't as crowded as ones by the stations, they were pleased to window shop and visit the smaller boutiques. Thanks to her strict training regimen over the past year, Nanami had bulked up, gaining more muscle than some of her clothes could accommodate, and needed to refresh her wardrobe.
"If you've got it, flaunt it" Hitomi remarked while Nanami looked herself over in the mirror sporting a dress that was much more revealing than she was used to.
"Ok, but what if I don't got it?"
"Girl, hush. Your body's got more cuts in it than a delicatessen. Besides, what's the point of working out so hard if not to feel and look good?"
Not getting abducted, being able to fight off assailants, etc… "Well, there're plenty of other reasons but I guess you're right."
"Of course, I am! Now let's get this cute little number and head out. Think we can catch an early dinner before your trip tomorrow?" Hitomi tempted, her eyes bouncing between Nanami and the phone she held up displaying a wine bar nearby, eyebrows wiggling.
"Fine, fine. If you're gonna twist my arm about it, I guess I have no choice but to have a relaxing dinner with one of my favorite people," Nanami jested as she took a last look in the mirror.
"So, I'm only 'one of' your favorite people now, huh? I wonder who could've edged their way into that category," Hitomi mused half-jokingly, knowing how reserved— and some would say guarded, her friend could be. Looking up after a couple moments of no response, she could see a far-off look in Nanami's eyes, as though she'd thought of something or someone very specific in that moment. Never one to resist the opportunity to tease, she prodded, more purposefully now," I wonder if it's that hot older doctor you work with? Wait no, he's married—oh, oh maybe that cute barista at the tea shop? Nah, too easy." She continued to guess as Nanami turned to enter the dressing room again, though Hitomi could hear her friend subtly sigh disapprovingly at her previous guesses though the curtain. However, she couldn't resist continuing as her best friend had yet to deny the implication that there was someone else living rent free in that head of hers. "Hm... who else could it be… Someone you probably spend a lot of time with, who is almost as devastating as me… Wait a second, aren't you still doing research with that tall, menacing, and handsome lab partner of yours?" She asked nonchalantly before recognizing the distinct silence now coming from the dressing room. "Oh my gosh, it is him isn't it?"
The silence continued, though small shuffling could be heard before the dressing room curtain was thrust open, her silver hair conveniently providing a second curtain to hide her now-flushed face. Refusing to make eye contact, she marched toward the register with her items in hand before politely greeting the shop worker who would check her out. She tried to keep her gaze forward, but she could feel the looming presence behind her.
"Let's see, last time I saw you run into him you were almost as red as you are now, did something change may haps?"
"Yes, thank you I will take a bag" Nanami responded to the shop keeper's question, ignoring Hitomi's more-difficult ones.
"Something definitely happened. What was it? Too many longing stares? No, you guys were already doing that when I first saw him…"
"Yes, thank you— we'll be sure to visit again soon!" She continued with her attempt to tune her friend out.
"Maybe a tender embrace? No, no you wouldn't be this flustered about that... But maybe you guys took things to the next level and upgraded that partner title to, ya'know, partners" She intoned suggestively, noticing Nanami once again stop in her tracks, now outside the store on the sidewalk. "Wait, he's your boyfriend?!"
As Nanami was about to turn to respond, she felt a gust of wind and a shoulder slam into hers as someone rushed by, a shout from her friend coming shortly after "Hey! He's got my purse!" Before she could register her own response, Nanami took off after the thief catching up to him after only a couple yards. Running slightly passed him, in a swift move she turned to face him, crouching down as she lunged forward. Bracing her arm and shoulder, the force of his momentum hitting her knocked all the wind out of him. The thief doubled over after she landed a swift blow to his neck, causing him to pass out. In quick form, Nanami grabbed the purse from his under his crumpled form before walking briskly back to Hitomi. She made sure her head was turned away from the bystanders that caught a glimpse of the skirmish and the others who were beginning to crowd around the indisposed thief. Handing the purse back, Hitomi now stared at her in a mixture of shock and fascination before Nanami responded, hoping to get out of sight as soon as possible, "My boyfriend taught me—and yes, I'll tell you more about it over dinner. Now can we please get out of here before a hero comes?"
"With moves like that, who could argue with you?" Hitomi laughed incredulously as they escaped the forming crowd.
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A warm satisfaction wriggled its way through languid cords of muscle and tendon as Nanami stretched in response to hearing her second-to-last alarm. Her night with Hitomi had proved much more painless than she'd imagined after letting the "yes, I have a boyfriend-and he is definitely normal" cat out of the bag, though dodging the suspicion and guilt around hiding the relationship were considerably more difficult to navigate. Rolling over, fingertips found the offending object, squinting through the bright light of the screen to gauge how much time she'd have to get ready before their trip.
"Our" trip, huh… Nanamiintoned internally, remembering that in … exactly 53 minutes. I can make that work, she and Chisaki would be enroute to their weekend getaway, though most would akin it to more of a study date. A study date which naturally required Nanami to consider packing her little black dress, Just in case… She reasoned before promptly remembering why they needed to go in the first place. A small roll of anxiety unfurled itself in her stomach as she remembered just how little they had to go on in the way of tangible evidence, much less an inkling as to the location of the real Mephistopheles. It was one thing to test a theory when there's documentation and proven science to lean into, but here they were, about to stake their lives on an allegory. Life teaching me a lesson. How original.
She tried her best to stifle the bitter thoughts that ensured her whatever suffering and hardships came her way were deserved. The thoughts that confirmed her worst beliefs about herself and the future. The void of pessimism that disguised itself as logic proven by a hard life. Her life being the butt of a cautionary tale seemed like a cruel joke. Nonetheless, she pulled from a familiar well of strength—too scared to check how much was left and drowned the thoughts in it. Burying them once again. She was tired, but there was work to do.
Now feeling sufficiently overwhelmed, she grabbed a fistful of duvet to bury herself in, deciding to let the last of the alarms do its job in fifteen minutes, savoring the last of her rest. As the apartment was once again silent save for her soft breathing as sleep took hold, she heard the elevator bell for her floor ring. Immediately assuming she'd overslept, she leapt out of bed in a panic, scurrying down the hall to the front door hoping to mitigate the damage by at least showing she was up. Upon entering the kitchen, she saw him setting down a bag and two cups that smelled like breakfast, her eyes fixating on what looked like heaven and eggs. As she was focused on the bag, he'd lifted his gaze to take stock of her, doing a double-take before assessing the familiar visage fully.
Her eyes were heavy-lidded, a wrinkle beginning to form beneath them from working late. Her chestnut skin was smooth and glowing from hard-won rest. The large windows now streaming in natural light to her apartment making the whisps of silver hair that slipped from under her bonnet shimmer as they framed her face. She stepped out of the doorway, her shoulders slowly relaxing, looking every bit the angel he'd fallen in—Wait, what is this… "feeling" the thought crossed his mind before he could capture it. Shaking off the trance, he slowly removed his mask, folding it neatly into his pocket to give her his full attention. He cleared his throat, now reassured that seeing this vision of her was much better in person than in daydreams or memories.
Judging by his stunned silence, Nanami was sure she must have looked like a hot mess. I knew I should've gotten up earlier, but no I just had to get in those extra minutes like there wouldn't be plenty of time to sleep in the car. She chastised herself inwardly knowing he certainly wouldn't forget the sight now seeing it twice, though she had once again thoroughly misjudged why. Quickly straightening her sleep shirt that insisted on sliding down one of her shoulders and riding up one of her legs, she fidgeted under his gaze, wishing he would say something—anything—and put her out of her misery. She decided to speak first, unable to stand the silence any longer though it had only been seconds. "Hey! I'm so sorry, I thought I was just resting my eyes for 5 minutes and totally overslept," she spluttered to explain herself, but he remained silent, his eyes were glued to her. "Good news is I packed last night so once I get dressed, we can leave immedia—"
"May I kiss you?"
Stunned for a moment, Nanami registered what he'd said. It wasn't long after seeing his complete lack of irritation that she was going to make them late, that she noticed his gaze contently bouncing between her eyes and lips as she went to wet them reflexively. It was in even shorter order that she remembered her feelings when she'd been in this position before, though she wasn't being offered then what she wanted as she was now. Gulping, she attempted to trust her shaky voice to answer, "Ye—" he gingerly ran his hand along her neck feeling her jawline atop his thumb making her limbs weak, "Y-Yes, you may." Not wanting to wait any longer, he craned downward, brushing his nose with hers as his lips followed soon after. Tenderly massaging her lips between his, it became apparent he was a quick study, deepening it with a broad hand that snaked up her back causing her to shiver. Just as she felt the coil of heat wriggle its way through her core, he broke the kiss, pleased with the blissfully dazed look now on her face.
"Thank you, and good morning," Chisaki responded softly though it hit her like a palette of bricks.
"You're very welcome" She couldn't stifle the chuckle that erupted at his undying formality though her heart continued knocking against her ribcage. I'm definitely gonna pack that dress now.
"Also, you don't need to apologize. I'm early."
"Phew thank goodness, I don't know if I could bear being judged in a car for 3 hours straight."
"3 hours and 57 minutes, there's traffic."
Making a face at him, she grabbed the coffee from his now-waiting hand," Anyway, where exactly are we going? I was looking through all the major libraries with older texts and they're not that far."
"That's because they don't have the oldest. At least none of the ones we need. After doing some research of my own— "
"Were any people injured during the making of this research?"
"That is entirely beside the point."
"So, a hard yes. Continue."
"As I was saying, there seems to be a small town with a particular library known for possessing more obscure, but valuable texts. I believe there is where we'll find the first clue to the real Mephistopheles' location."
"What's it called?"
"Hihō."
"Really…It's called Hihō? That's strange." Nanami's brow furrowed as the name struck familiar.
"How so?" He questioned, taking a sip of his cup.
"That was the name of my parents' main research lab. And they'd name all kinds of things that… I just figured they liked the name, never knew it was a place."
"Hm. Then it is true they say about coincidences…"
"And what's that?"
"That there are none."