I gaze at the different options available to me in the cereal aisle at my new local supermarket. Something I'm sure most people don't consider when they see me in the media is that even I have a domestic side to my being. Alas even the number one hero has home errands to tend to from time to time. I'm sure it would be a bizarre sight for most.
I frown. They don't have my preferred brand here. I rub my chin, picking up the box of an unfamiliar brand. My muscle form uses up a lot of energy. Ideally I need something with as high nutritional value as I can find.
"You know that's a very serious face you're showing over cereal Yagi-san," I hear a voice say next to me. A shiver runs down my spine. I was so focused I hadn't notice Kiritani standing next to me.
"K-Kiritani-san!" I say, surprised to see my new neighbour. She holds a hand over her mouth, suppressing a laugh.
"Sorry, it seems I scared you a bit," she teases. I manage a small smile in response to this. If only she knew that she had managed to sneak up on me, the number one hero. It is absurd.
"Ah. I was very focused. I'm not familiar with the brands here," I admit, placing the box I was holding back on the shelf. She raises a have to her chin thoughtfully.
"Well you're in luck! As it happens I've been shopping at this supermarket for the better part of five years. You could consider me somewhat an expert when it comes to the cereal aisle," she declares with a false seriousness to her tone.
"A-Ah," is all I manage to say in response. I watch her take a box from the shelf.
"You're such a skinny guy, Yagi-san. You probably need something that is high in fat and protein. Based on my naught medical expertise and subjectively expert judgement on cereal brands I suggest this," she says, handing me the box. I review its nutritional information. It is indeed high in protein and fat. Kiritani looks pleased with herself.
"I suppose I'll defer to your questionably expert judgment," I say. She looks pleased with my response. I place the box in the basket at my feet.
I'm not exactly sure how it's happened but Kiritani has taken it upon herself to show me through the supermarket. She chats happily with me about all kinds of things. Her favourite brands, ways she likes to cook her meats, seasoning. She even tells me about her favourite bakery nearby where she gets her bread. I find it hard to get a word in but I don't particularly mind just listening to her. If I'm being honest, this is the type of neighbourly interaction I don't think I've ever had the luxury of experiencing. With the madness that comes with being a hero I find this type if interaction a novelty of sorts. It's pleasant.
We leave the supermarket together, each with our bag of shopping to head back to our apartment building.
"How's the unpacking going?" She asks as we walk.
"Tediously," I admit. She laughs brightly.
"That was a very honest answer," she says smiling. Again, I find myself taken with her warm smile.
Our attention is intercepted though when we notice a commotion up ahead in front of an electronics store. There's a large boulder like man getting in the shopkeepers face. A villain? Shit. I've got Kiritani with me. She watches the confrontation with concern. It's going to make leaving to transform into my muscle form difficult with her here. I'll need to come up with some sort of excuse to leave...
Before I can make a move though Kiritani has dashed straight ahead, directly between the boulder like man and the shopkeeper. I watch, mouth agape.
"Oi... Oi! Cool down Ito-kun," Kiritani says, arms stretched wide in front of the boulder like man, shopping still in hand. I watch amazed. She's a tiny woman but she's just fearlessly intervened in this confrontation!
"Kei-chan! I... uh I was..." the boulder man, Ito, starts to say. Kiritani turns around, bowing to the shop keeper.
"My names Kiritani Kei. I'm off duty but I work with the police. Is there a problem I can help with?" She offers with a reassuring smile. The shopkeeper frowns.
"This man just stole a phone from my store," he says, pointing a finger at Ito. Ito rounds his shoulders, looking around nervously.
"I did not," he says coyly. I'm gobsmacked. Just moments ago this man was enraged but now he's acting all shy! Kiritani's smile drops. She turns to look at Ito, frowning.
"Ito-kun... I will ask you this once only. Did you take a phone from this mans store?" She asks. I'm taken aback at the authority in which she speaks to him. It's unlike the cheerful woman I was speaking to just moments before.
Ito shifts uncomfortably. She watches him carefully. Eventually he relents. He lifts up his shirt and takes out a box he had in his waistband. She sighs.
"Sorry Kei-chan," he says regretfully. She snatches the box from his hands.
"Don't apologise to me!" She says. Ito turns to the shopkeeper.
"Sorry," he says. The Shopkeeper glares at him, clearly unimpressed. Kiritani sighs.
"How much is the phone?" She asks.
"30 thousand yen," the shopkeeper replies. His crosses his arms staring sternly between Kiritani and Ito.
"I'll pay for this. I hope you can forgive the boy. He's an idiot but despite how he might look he is only 15. He's had a rough time recently," Kiritani says. The Shopkeeper reluctantly agrees. I watch dumbfounded as she steps into the shop with Ito to complete the purchase.
Soon they're back out again. Ito follows her solemnly.
"Kei-chan, I'm really sorry. My last one got all smashed up and I needed one to get work. I promise I won't do it again," Ito says. She reaches out, patting him on the arm.
"I know there's a good kid in there somewhere Ito-kun but you're not showing him to the rest of the world. Stick to that promise won't you?" she says. He nods. He reaches down, hugging Kiritani's small frame.
"And stop calling me Kei-chan. It's disrespectful. Call me Kiritani-san... or even better Officer Kiritani," she says but her kind smile betrays her the stern in which she speaks. She tries to reach around to pat his back but her short arms barely makes it past his side.
"Kei-chan is Kei-chan though!" Ito says grinning, pulling back. She roles her eyes and waves goodbye to him. He crosses the street. I see Kiritani smile to herself as she watches him leave. I approach her.
"You handled that very thoughtfully, Kiritani-san," I say. She shivers and turns to me. She looks surprised, clasping a hand over her mouth.
"Oh my god, Yagi-san. I'm so sorry. I totally forgot you were with me," she says, bowing. I wave my hands dismissively.
"No, it's fine. It was actually kind of amazing to watch," I say. She stands back up straight and beams at me.
"I'm glad you thought so," she says. We fall into pace as we walk back to our apartment block.
"I overheard you said you work with the police?" I ask her. She grins and nods her head.
"That's right! Specifically I work with youth crime. It's kind of a passion of mine," she says
"A passion?" I ask.
"Yep. All villains have to start somewhere, right? Many of them I'm sure start off as kids like Ito-kun. Kids with strong quirks who are misdirected and getting into trouble. I like to try steering them in the right direction," she says. She looks up at me with her glowing face. She is something to admire.
"You stop crime before it happens. That's a very noble cause," I say. We arrive back at the apartment block. I follow her up the stairs.
"Well I'm no All Might but it is a small contribution I can make," she says. We each walk to our respective doors.
"I think it's very worthwhile," I reply. She looks happy at my response. She begins unlocking her door.
"Thanks, Yagi-san!" She says. She opens the door.
"Kiritani-san, do you mind waiting a few moments? I have your container," I say, suddenly remembering the meal she made me the night before.
"Yes of course!" She replies. She waits for me as I head over to my own apartment to grab the container. I take it off the drying rack from the sink.
I emerge from my apartment and see her still waiting by her front door. She smiles at me pleasantly. I walk over to her, handing her the container from the night before.
"Thank you very much for the meal. It was delicious and just what I needed after such a busy day," I say. She smiles glowingly.
"I'm so glad that you liked it!" She replies.
"If I could cook I'd love to have returned the favour but I'm afraid my cooking is subpar," I say, rubbing the back of my neck. She looks at me thoughtfully.
"Say Yagi-san, I've got an idea. If you really want to return the favour would you consider going out for coffee with me sometime?" she asks, catching me off guard. Go out for coffee with her? I should say no... but then again if it's to return the favour maybe I should agree. It's just coffee between neighbours. It can't hurt right? Her safety shouldn't be at risk.
"Yes, that sounds nice," I reply. She looks elated.
"Wonderful! How about next Saturday morning?" she asks. I nod in agreement. She beams at me.
"I'll knock on your door at 10 then?" She suggests, rocking on her heels.
"Ah.. sure," I reply with a small nod.
"Excellent, I'll see you around then neighbour," she says. We part ways, back to our own apartments.
This bright woman is really making me break all my normal rules. I'll have to make sure it stops after this outing.