Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Inky Hearts. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own MHA Shonen Jump, Kohei Horikoshi and a few others do.
Chimon would never let it be said that he didn't find the very idea of being here terrifying. He would eternally be grateful to Ryuko and Nejire… But he was also terrified.
Chimon finished the final drawings on one page. He didn't normally get up early in the morning to start on one of his drawings. But in this case?
Well? this was not a normal day… As thus? He would make an exception. Aquatint was polite enough to put his note book into his satchel as he hummed.
Chimon knew that being the apprentice to any hero on the path to becoming one was not easy. It demanded much from him…. From any hero. All Might's retirement would send the majority of heroes into a flurry trying to be the next one.
He and Nejire watched as the door opened. Ryuko told him that the majority of today would be her speaking to Fat Gum. He would mostly be handling a few questions which the hero asked everyone. He dared not question the dragon pro hero.
"I'm so nervous…" Aquatint muttered to himself and sighed. Nejire blinked and turned to look at her friend.
She could see Aquatint's fingers continuing to move as if they were possessed. She knew that Aquatint enjoyed making art from what little she had observed of the hero. It was nice seeing him create something that creative.
"Oh, because you're going to become the apprentice of a new hero?!" Nejire questioned and got a look from her trainer.
"Nejire…" Ryuko stated which caused the girl to grow silent.
Aquatint knew or at least guessed that Ryuko had more than one reason for talking to Fat Gum. The loss of the symbol of peace had made a gap. One that would not be easily filled by anyone.
Whoever filled that gap would have a target branded on their back. A target that everyone would hunt them for… Not simply because they were a hero… Because if they replaced All Might? Then their death would break the entire country.
He felt Nejire playfully poke him on the armored helmet he wore. Aquatint smiled to himself despite all this.
"Ryuko?" Aquatint questioned as the door started to squeak open. "Do you need me for anything today?" Aquatint questioned and didn't get a response.
He knew very well the majority of training and such would be without Ryuko. He didn't want to disturb the heroine… But he saw almost nothing left to make him wonder what would happen next. Still? The pure curiosity drove him forward.
"No… Fat Gum will speak to you when I'm done." Ryuko said and nodded. "But I thank you for asking… Nejire and you can talk in the meantime." Ryuko said before entering as the door closed behind her.
Aquatint said nothing and turned to the side, unable to face Nejire at the moment. He was far too curious as to what to say… What to do, it didn't make him anything more than curious in the end.
He spoke up a moment later as Nejire turned to look at him once more.
"So do your fingers move so much because your hurt or…?" Nejire questioned which caused Chimon to blink.
It was not an uncommon question… And if Nejire was insulted by the remark? Then he'd assure her it didn't bother him at all.
"Oh, it's because I like to draw all the time." Aquatint responded which caused Nejire to tilt her head to the side in interest. "I used to draw and sketch all the time when I was younger. I guess I just used to spend so much time that I… Just don't like the inactivity." Aquatint said as he rubbed at his head.
Nejire hummed at the remark which caused Aquatint to clear his throat.
"You know I spent the entire morning sketching something for you?" Aquatint said and began to manipulate his quirk. "As a way of uh… Thanking you for helping me like this. You know, helping me get the apprenticeship here?" Aquatint said and sighed with annoyance.
"I'm sorry, I talk a lot easier to people inside my hero costume." Aquatint said as he looked to the side. "I always stumble over my words at times. It's so annoying rephrasing the question over and over again." Aquatint stated as he hummed and looked around.
If the tone of his words annoyed Nejire? Then she said nothing about it to him. Nothing at all.
"Oh, can I see it!?" Nejire asked before Aquatint blinked and smiled under his helmet.
"I honestly want to give it to you after the talk." Aquatint stated and cracked his fingers once more. "It helps keep my head focused on not being nervous. I'm FREAKING out over talking to Fat Gum." Aquatint said and continued to tap his fingers together.
He had no idea what happened next.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that I plan on fleshing out next chapter more. Next chapter will be in 12 weeks and will show Nejire and Aquatint talking to Fat Gum, show more bonding between Aquatint and Nejire… And set up the villain more. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!
P.S: Next chapter is 1500-2000 words. Fuyumi might get a story alongside Nana, Jiro, Dusty Ash, and more.