Shota slept for another seven hours.
I woke up after the third, watched him for a while just like the creeper he always accused me of being, then finally untangled myself from his long limbs.
Sheru Aizawa checked in not long after I'd begun rifling through child-Shota's life, peeking behind posters for hidden notes and swooning over a bundle of well-preserved valentines he'd received from his parents every year until he grew up, and even then they seemed to continue.
She took my caught-in-the-act frozen panic and smiled a very knowing, motherly smile before asking if I'd like a change of clothes.
Which is how I ended up in a floral cotton dress, awkward next to the pleasantly-smiling mother of my boyfriend, waiting my turn at her favorite salon to have my hair returned to its genuine color. I sat in awe as some quirk-enhanced serum drew out my bangs like warmed taffy, until two shining waves of dark hair brushed against my collar bones.
"Now you look like Shota's description," Mrs. Aizawa said in a dry tease.
Shota was lost in a clowder of cats when we entered through the shelter's entrance, lying on his back in a blissed out state as they investigated him for hidden treats. How many days had he spent exactly like this growing up?
I'd never seen him in shorts before.
Likewise, he'd never seen me standing next to his mother in a dress he probably recognized as not belonging to me, so our flushed faces came in a pair.
Sheru Aizawa seemed to be enjoying our awkwardness immensely.
Shota's eyes narrowed as he sat up.
"What did you tell her?" He demanded. I startled, unsure what he meant.
"Chiyo and I had a lovely time." Mrs. Aizawa breezily waved off her son's inquiry, stepping between kittens to check her son's temperature. Shota batted her hand away, flustered, before a glare silenced his protests altogether.
"We talked about your detective work, among other things. I'm glad to see you've found someone with a good head on her shoulders to keep you in line." She sighed. "Maybe now I can worry a little less about you ending up as roadkill after falling asleep in that stupid yellow bag your father bought you-"
Mrs. Aizawa fussed over her son for a while longer, nagging about his scraggly face and if he slept like a proper adult, he could've received a haircut too, pinching his cheeks and dusting his t-shirt off with a surprisingly strong hand. I tried not to grin too widely; everyone knows a mother's wrath extends well past adolescence and often doesn't stop at their own children, either.
I was shown primary school crafts, his very first UA ID, and photo albums that made him pink with embarrassment. He eventually dragged me away, claiming important matters needing discussed about our detective work, as his mom had put it. Only by promising to visit again soon did the Aizawas even consider allowing us to leave, begrudgingly following us to the door with offers of free rent and more wonderfully embarrassing tales of a young Shota.
He couldn't have hurried me out any faster even if he had held a whip.
"It was nice to meet you, Chiyo." His mom wrapped me into a laundry-smelling hug. I tried to inhale enough of her scent to last me until the next visit. "Promise you will call if Shota starts acting foolish again, won't you?"
"Mom," Shota sighed. His dad wore a similar expression, patting Shota's shoulder.
"It's just how it is, son. Best not to rattle the lion's cage."
"More like a dragon's," Shota muttered.
There was no denying the containers of leftovers she placed in my arms, providing a very Shota-like lecture about nutrition and the importance of maintaining stamina. When she reached out to touch our faces in a final good-bye, a forgotten to-do task drew a little surprised sound from my mouth. The three of them watched me, curious, as I fumbled the food containers into Shota's arms instead.
"This is yours, isn't it?" The ring was snug but finally came loose, shining like an eye in the palm of my hand as I extended it towards Mrs. Aizawa. "Shota let me borrow it to cover up an injury I'd received just a few days earlier." I glanced at him with a smile halfway to exasperated. "It didn't matter in the end- they had known who I was all along- but thank you. I promise I was very careful."
"Chiyo, I-" Mrs. Aizawa's words faltered when I placed the ring in her hand and fell into a low bow, the edges of my hair slipping across my shoulders. What had he said, I wondered, to cajole her into lending out such a beautiful, priceless possession?
Her gaze warmed my face before her fingers slowly closed around the jewel, accompanied by a peculiar smile. "You're welcome, Chiyo."
I turned to the youngest Aizawa, grinning after the relief of carrying out my last anxious task. "Ready?"
Before he could respond a pale hand fell onto his shoulder. That same odd smile still pocked Sheru Aizawa's left cheek as she addressed her son; "Oh, Shota. A word, please?"
Mr. Aizawa refused to let me leave until I saw their newest adoptable creature anyway- a Siamese kitten with a dusted face and great, crystalline eyes. I nearly broke down in tears at its adorableness- Mr. Aizawa's sneaky little plan, I suspected, as he watched me with a not-very-sly smirk. He spent the next two minutes acting like a used car salesman, showing me the kitten's features and offering the very low price of free.
Shota reappeared, looking as if he'd just swallowed a pine-cone.
"We already have two cats, Dad. We don't need another," He mumbled. I waved a quick good-bye as he caught my other wrist and dragged us out.
"What?" I asked when he continued his backbreaking pace. "What did your mom say?"
"Nothing."
A likely story; she'd nearly ripped him back by the ends of his hair after our initial good-bye. I narrowed my eyes, detective mode switching back on.
"Shota, you didn't...take that ring without telling her, right?"
He snorted. "No."
"Was she mad I wore it to begin with? There wasn't any blood; I made sure to clean it every-"
"It's nothing like that, Chiyo."
"Okay."
He sighed, softening at the blush creeping into my skin after he turned and took my face between his cool hands. I cured my fingers around his, eyes closing when his mouth brushed over mine.
"We should check in with Toro and the Hoppers. There might be a little follow-up, and the police will probably want some primary testimony statements from us. But after that, I thought-" A ghost of a smile kissed his lips. "Would you like to see my old haunting grounds?"
It was my turn to scoff.
"If it involves the bedroom of some teenage girl and the back of an old car, no."
His laugh played against my skin like the softest breeze.
Sara Sokonashi, known originally as Sara Lewis, was given a twenty year sentence to be served at the Fuchu Prison.
Rozu, an obliging testifier, would be sent to a psychiatric hospital for further diagnostic testing and rehabilitation.
Despite this dramatic case filled with drugs and manipulation, Shota and I were the only subject the Hoppers wanted to discuss.
Stupidly, I hadn't put together how Ichiro and Jiro knew about Sara and I's conversation- they'd been listening through my mic.
Which meant they also heard Shota and I's heartfelt conversation in the ballroom, leading them to continuously quote back their favorite phrases until irritated-Shota gave way to red-eyed-enraged-Eraser-Head and he beat them into submission.
They still continued to coo, however a lot more quietly.
Shota would return home; Toro and I still had business at Gang Orca's agency.
And so ended my time in Hokkaido as the undercover Akua Tsurihito
"Is all that true?"
A roomful of wide-eyed individuals sat in total rapture, having hung off my every last word. I took a long slug from my thermos and gave a stoic grunt of confirmation.
"Wow." The woman to my left fell back in her seat for the first time in an hour. She looked around the group for similar responses. "That...Wow."
A few weeks had passed since then. I had returned home to a symphony of piteous whining, composed by two felines with solo features from their cranky, exhausted caretaker, who needed just as many cooed words and belly rubs to placate as the damn cats had.
Summer slipped through our fingers, but they were the most soothing, saccharine weeks of my life. I continued my sabbatical even though I wasn't currently active in a hero case, just to try and hold on to those final days. Shota didn't seem to mind; in fact, I think he enjoyed having someone to fall into as soon as he walked through the door.
The next semester began. I'd barely dialed Sakamata's number before he was harking on me to prepare for the Hero Licensing Exam, set only two short days from when I called.
Which meant I had enough time to limber back up, enjoy one final, carefree date with Shota, and locate a local infertility counseling group before it was back to business.
Not because I was particularly sad, or distressed. I just liked the idea of knowing where to go, if such a day did occur again.
But instead of giving a polite recap of why I'd come, my entire summer experience blurted out in a tale dramatic enough for a telenovella. My continuous guilt of using up all the share time kept losing the duel against their piqued interest.
Next time, I'll be sure to let someone else go first.
"So you moved back here? With, um, with your boyfriend?"
"Yep."
A fluttering of fanning hands, several pleased sounds and nods of approval for a happy ending done well.
"Did you get a procedure done in Yokohama?"
It was the youngest one of the group who asked. Throughout the story her dark eyes had never left me, expressionless but attentive, a cut tree still rooted to its purpose of solidness.
Who had cut down that tree, I wondered?
The theme song to Jaws drew a few giggles from the room. Hitomi, the counselor, clapped her hands together.
"That's all the time we have tonight, anyway. Don't forget our next meeting is next Tuesday, since the building will be receiving renovations…"
I hurried out into the crisp night air, waved one final good-bye with the mouthed promise of next time! to the dark-eyed girl.
"Hello?"
"Chiyo," Sakamata always stated my name like a fact. "I have requested a pick-up for you set at nine AM tomorrow; is your address still the same?"
"Mhm." Nine AM? Our event didn't even begin until one. So much for sleeping in.
"There are screen boxes for observers not wishing to be- well, observed," Gang Orca chuckled at himself. I was glad he couldn't see me facepalm. "I thought you might enjoy watching your students before we begin."
Enjoy was a strong word. I'd been nervously pacing for a few days now, arguing with Shota over the irrational choice of not telling them what was about to happen. Why hire an ethics instructor if no one ever listened to her anyway?
"Yeah, sounds good. I'll be ready and waiting outside at nine."
"There's also another matter I would like to discuss with you, but I'd appreciate doing so in person."
"Sure," I laughed at his sudden mysteriousness. "See you tomorrow."
Shota was face-planted on the couch when I breezed into our apartment twenty minutes later, a cat curled like a pill bug in the small of his back. Neither made any move at the sound of the door. Something knowing tugged the corners of my mouth.
"Long day?"
An exhausted sigh responded.
Nasu slinked away with a huff after I pulled him away from his adopted human. I layered myself on top of Shota instead, resting my head over crossed arms propped up by his shoulder blades. His sighs became a lot less harried as submersion lulled into his bones.
"Do you know what schools are going to be mixed in with UA?" I'd forgotten to ask Sakamata.
He grunted. Is that a no, then?
An earthquake rumbled beneath me, flopping tectonic plates so his chest appeared, along with a face full of cushion creases. How long had he been lying here like this?
I'd sat up during the chaos; now I leaned over, massaged the folds on his cheeks. The creases reappeared at the sides of his eyes, more at my effort than despite it.
"There's three examination locations, so classes don't have to compete against themselves. We- you, Class 1-A, and myself- will be attending the Takoba arena, along with several other classes from various hero courses. I suspect we'll be seeing fellow professionals, as well."
"Ah."
He raised a pencil eyebrow at the sound. How do people do that? Must practice in a mirror later. I shook the thought away, refocused. "Sakamata is sending a car for me, so we won't need to worry."
"About?"
"About, you know." I made a nonsensical gesture. "Appearances. Actually, that kind of brings up another topic- how do you want to go about acting in front of the students when it comes to us?" I pointed between our perpendicular chests. "They- most of class 1-A, anyway- were fully aware of our relationship ever since Operation Submersion. If we want to be completely incognito, we might need to stage a break-up-"
"What?"
I don't know which one of us looked more perturbed- him at my idea or me at the decibel of his incredulity.
"I'm- Just because a month or two has passed, don't you think people will still recognize me?" My fingers naturally found the hair pooling over my right shoulder. It was shorter now, yes, but the same color as it had been when Chiyonex made her debut. "-Especially at a budding hero event like the PLE. With our students going out more and more, interacting with others and gaining recognition, it's only a matter of time before they might slip-up and tell someone with an ulterior motive. And you said yourself- there will be other pro heroes there tomorrow-"
"We're not staging a break-up," He deadpanned.
"I'm not saying I want to, it's just-"
"Chiyo. In no reality will I feign not being with you," The interruptions wouldn't cease, it seemed. His shoulders had tensed; they unwound in tandem with the red vines creeping around my throat and curling into my face, even if I directed my gaze elsewhere.
"Well, regardless, I promise to act professional tomorrow. No need to worry."
"I was never worried," The statement almost sounded like a confused question. He'd moved on to other business anyway, running a thumb over my right set of knuckles. A narrowed suspicion glanced my way.
"How did you know the ring belonged to my mom?"
My brain speed-dialed logic and my heart, held a three-way call on how to proceed.
Tell him the truth! Tell him you met his mother, and knew as soon as Sasu recognized the ring! My heart pleaded.
Truth brings a weightless freedom, Logic agreed.
And while you're at it, tell him what you thought the ring was really for, and how romantic it all was-
Woah now, said Logic.
Easy there, said Brain.
And that we already have a three-hundred-pin Pinterest board of wedding ideas-
Abort! Abort! Screamed Logic.
Half truths, Brain decided.
"Sasu mentioned recognizing the ring; then, when we went to register you at a hospital and found your parents lived in Naruhata, I pieced together where you must have borrowed it from. Sasu must have recognized it as your mother's to begin with."
Nice save.
Shota had that funny look about him, like when a fast food employee promises your sauce is in the bag, even when you feel like it probably isn't.
"It is a very beautiful ring," Babbling came as second nature to fill in quiet spaces; a key tell of mine, one he hopefully hadn't learned yet. I tried not to let my relief show when he hummed, still playing with my fingers.
"It was her original engagement ring. My father bought her a new one on their thirtieth anniversary. Or maybe it was their thirty-fifth?" He sighed, like trying to remember was a complete and pointless strain on his cranium. "An anniversary."
"Wow!" I exclaimed. He looked at me curiously. "Your parents look so young, I wouldn't have guessed they'd been together that long." I grinned, pinched at his ribs despite his immediate protests. "I forget what an old man you are, though, so I guess it adds up."
"Old...Man?"
He was too quick, catching my fleeing legs by their soft bends, ignoring my shouts as he carried me away.
"No! We have a big day tomorrow! I have to shower-"
"I can improvise," He complied.
Nervousness muddied my stomach like a river bank as I awaited Sakamata's driver, shifting from heel to heel.
Shota had left some time ago, grumbling about bus songs and needless interactions with others, sullen as I kissed him good-bye and forced him out the door, unknowingly leaving a hurricane of worry in the parking lot.
Would our students be okay? Would they all pass the exam? What was the average rate of success for these? I'd been blessed with forgoing the entire endeavor, awarded a license through recommendation of my mentor. Would I have been able to pass this?
So long as they remember their training and lessons, they'll be fine, I reassured myself for the millionth time.
A sleek black car pulled into the parking lot. I hurried over, surprised to find the backseat vacant.
"Where's Gang Orca?"
The driver was familiar; Sakamata had sent his personal car. What the hell does he want to talk to me about?
"Back at the agency, ma'am. He asked me to take you back there. Is that okay with you?"
"A-okay," I agreed. He seemed pleased by my terrible humor- It probably reminds him of his usual passenger- and his chipper smile settled my stomach at least momentarily.
Soon enough the sky-scraping building of Sakamata's agency rose before us, as slick and oily black as an orca's hide.
Which, now that I thought about it, seemed a little fucked up.
I meandered through the lobby, waved hello to the familiar, nameless secretary who alerted the head honcho of my presence, and awaited the private elevator to his office.
Gang Orca sat behind the largest desk I'd ever seen and in an officer chair fit for a very average-sized humanoid, of which Sakamata certainly was not.
"You look like the Princess and the Pea like that, you know?" I laughed upon seeing my finned mentor. "Except the pea is actually a full-sized chair."
"Chiyo." Again with my somber name identification. I immediately began to inspect his nautical displays, careful not to touch. Don't need another whale bite carving up my arm.
He joined me in front of a wall of sea glass bottles, each curved in the middle to fit perfectly against its right-hand neighbor.
"Sand from the seven seas," His deep timbre explained. I ran a finger down the grooved glass of a bottle.
"Did you collect each of these yourself?"
"I did."
A puff of air escaped my lips. An orca cutting through each and every sea, the apex predator in each kingdom. Would I ever travel so far as he had in his career?
"I heard your mission was successful. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Did you find what you were looking for?"
His soft tone took me by surprise; I'd grown so accustomed to his killer whale roars in the arena that any other sound was almost jarring. His crimson gaze watched as I looked up, smiled at his thoughtfulness.
"I did, yes. Thank you."
I hope he knew what I was truly thanking him for.
"Do you know why I asked to speak with you privately?"
Ah. The real topic at hand. I wandered over to a display of driftwood, placed deftly to create the image of a wily octopus. "Is Toro pressing charges because I hurt his feelings? I won't deny my actions, however it's important you know every quip was completely, totally warranted on my part-"
Sakamata's full array of teeth appeared with his deep laugh.
"No, this has nothing to do with Toro."
I turned back around. He really did look killer in his full suit and slick cape, though I wish he believed me when I said no one got the tongue-tied joke around his neck.
He barely had to lift his arm to place one clawed hand on my shoulder. I tried not to comment on its boulder-weight and stand tall, but by Gang Orca's muscle mass, each limb had to weigh at least one hundred pounds, minimum.
"Chiyo Tsutomi. Over the past few months you have proven yourself an asset to society as well as this agency. When All Might first approached me about taking on a new guppy I nearly laughed him out the door, especially after seeing you."
"I really hope this is leading to some sort of compliment, Kugo-"
"But then we entered the Paradox," He was quick to continue, teeth still gleaming with pride. "-and you consistently ripped into me like a defiant piranha facing off an underwater mountain. No matter the obstacle, how hard I pushed you, you remained resilient. Dedicated. And so I sent you out on what I believed to be an impossible mission: kill Jamon Azakuku's hard drug dealings before they truly began. Chiyo, you went above and beyond my measure of completion."
He lifted his hand. The sudden weightlessness nearly lifted me off my feet, as if having gained the power of levitation.
"Chiyo, I have a proposal for you."
A/N: *finger wave* I'm baaaaaaack.
Thank you to the private messager. You are why I returned.
But more importantly- WHAT COULD THIS PROPOSAL BE?
