Ember Sunblaze: I want to take a moment to sincerely apologize for the long waitfor this chapter. The month has not been a great month for me in general with start of potty-training my 3 year old (that's actually going quite well as of now), my mother's health steadily declining, planning and making home-made Martha Steward style party decorations that is colored themed to the My Little Pony characters for my 3 year old's birthday party (which turned out great until 30 minutes into the party, rain/hail storm blew through destroying all of it in less than 3 minutes _ ). And the topping to all of that...after the party I found out my indoor cat had escaped outside and is still missing after 11 days.

This is my four year old cat I've had since we found her at 3 weeks old. Her being missing this long is has me so heartbroken and stressed that it's hard to even function. So if this chapter isn't as good as the rest, it's probably because my heart just really hasn't been into writing at the moment. Most of this was written during the beginning of May and I had planned on adding a lot more to it. I hope it is still enjoyable for you all.

Also, thanks to everyone who take the time to review these chapters. Your comments really make my day!

Chapter 29: The Free Day, Part 1

"Here's your stop!"

The driver barely had the words out of his mouth when Kirishima and Ashido burst through the van's sliding door, bounding out excitedly.

"Thanks for the ride!" Kirishima called over his shoulder as he followed Ashido. The pink girl had run ahead, pausing to admire the large red building that marked the entrance to the popular tourist attraction, Okinawa World. Like with many of the structures on the island, several Shisa statues stood guard in front of the premise, much to Ashido's delight.

"Look! Look!" The pink heroine fawned, pointing at them. "Let's take a selfie together in front of them!"

"Sure!" Kirishima agreed, coming to stand next to her as they positioned themselves in front of the dog-like creatures. Ashido frowned at him.

"You know, there's no way I can get us both together if you stand that far away." She explained, wrapping her arm around his and pulling him in against her side. "There! That's better! Now smile!" Ashido exclaimed, holding up her phone and flashing a pic. The final product revealed a flustered and reddened Kirishima pressed against a happily grinning Ashido.

Ashido beamed at it. "Isn't it great?! Our first picture together!"

"Sorry, I wasn't really smiling in it." Kirishima apologized, giving an embarrassed grin. "I'm not really used to taking pictures….with girls." He quietly added, blushing. Ashido shook her head.

"No, I love it." She said, once again looking down at it. She put her phone away, adding with a laugh. "Besides, we'll have plenty of opportunities today for practice."

Kirishima smiled. "Yeah totally!"

They bought their tickets, going through the gates and entering the park. Once inside, they took a moment to take in the different pathways, along with the lush vegetation and beautiful tropical flora that lined the trails. A lovely woman in a traditional Okinawa kimono approached, smiling and greeting them, "Welcome to Okinawa World! We hope you enjoy your visit today!"

"Uh, thanks!" Ashido answered, both her and Kirishima bowing their heads politely back as she moved onto the next set of guests. As soon as she was gone, Ashido tugged on Kirishima's sleeve, whispering excitedly. "Did you see her wardrobe!? Wasn't it so pretty! I feel like the colors are so vibrant here!"

Kirishima glanced back, replying. "I guess it does sort of pop out at you."

"I think I read somewhere that you're able to try on some traditional clothes here." Ashido said, moving towards a large sign with a map. "I wonder if that's true? If so, I would totally like to try some out!" She glanced at Kirishima, asking, "Is there anything you want to do while we're here?" She found him, staring at the map in concentrated silence, seemingly unaware of the question.

"Kirishima?" Ashido repeated, pouting slightly as silence followed. She hesitated, blushing as she then called out, "E-Eijiro!"

"EHH?" Kirishima blinked, his head whipping around to stare at her. "D-Did you just say m-my name?!"

"Well, yeah…." Ashido muttered, feeling a wave of sudden embarrassment. "You wouldn't answer me otherwise."

"Sorry! I was just…." He trailed off, also looking embarrassed. Ashido frowned, reaching out, touching his arm.

"Is everything okay?" Ashido asked, golden eyes gazing up at him in concern. "You seem kind of distracted. You're not….having second thoughts about going out today are you?" She asked, never one to beat around the bush. Kirishima gawked, taken aback at the accusation.

"No! Of course not!" Kirishima quickly reassured her. He shifted uneasily, admitting. "It's just…I guess I'm still trying to wrap my head around you and I are actually on a date together."

"Why is that so hard to believe?" Ashido asked with a laugh.

"I don't know." Kirishima shrugged. "I was just really surprised when you confessed to me yesterday. I always thought you would go with someone who's a little flashier. I'm not really a hero that stands out very much. Not like you."

"Hmph! You make it sound like I'm the perfect hero." Ashido replied, moving to sit on a bench. "I'm far from it."

"Not to me." Kirishima replied, sitting beside her. "I mean not only do you have an awesome quirk, but you're also great at helping others. That's why I've always admired you as a hero."

"But what about as a girl?" Ashido slyly asked, causing Kirishima to redden.

"Uhh…I….well…."

"I'm kidding!" Ashido teased, giggling at his flustered response. Then to his utmost shock, she leaned her head against his shoulder. Her soft voice drifted up to him, trying to quell his insecurities. "You know…it's not just you. I admire you too."

Kirishima felt a ripple of joy run through him at her words. He scratched his chin, feeling somewhat curious. "If you don't mind me asking…what exactly is it about me that you admire?"

Ashido lifted her head, her finger coming up to jab at his cheek. "Sorry…that's a secret." She answered. "All you need to know is that I like you and…." She shifted in her seat, feeling a wave of shyness hit her as she finished. "...and I hope you like me too."

"I do!" Kirishima quickly answered. "I like you a lot!" He covered his mouth, instantly feeling embarrassed.

Ashido smiled, feeling happy flutters in her chest at his declaration. "In that case, no worries about not being my type, kay?! Also," She added, her tone turning serious. "Since we're together, we should act more like it. Like using our first names with each other."

Kirishima nodded, sensing the seriousness of the discussion. "Got it! Then, I'LL START!" He took a deep breath, bracing himself as he attempted to say Ashido's name aloud. "Mi-Mi-MINA!"

Ashido laughed aloud, finding his overzealous effort adorable. "Hahah! Okay! Okay! My turn!" She sat up straight, expression determined as she pronounced, "E-Eij—

"EIJI-KUN! THERE YOU ARE!"

The revolutionary moment between the young couple was abruptly interrupted by a loud, cranky voice. Kirishima turned around just in time to see a petite elderly woman violently swinging her walking cane his way. He collapsed off the bench, hunched over and grimacing as he clutched the very delicate area it had landed.

"Eijiro!" Ashido gasped, leaping down to check on him.

"No worries…." Kirishima wheezed, feeling more shock than pain from the assault. "I was hard so it's okay."

"...Oh."

Blood rushed to Kirishima's face as the second meaning of his words dawned on him. "No! No! I mean from my quirk! Hard from my quirk! I wasn't…I mean..it wasn't….OMPH!" His flustered explanations came to a painful halt as the cane came down again. This time landing upon his head and planting his face into the pavement.

"What in heaven's name are you blubbering about Eiji-kun?!" The elderly woman snapped, standing haughtily over him.

"Eiji-kun?" Ashido repeated, glancing back and forth to the slain Kirishima to his assaulter quizzically. The elderly woman was squinting at Kirishima through thick pointy-framed glasses. A mop of bright, pink hair was piled upon her head in bee-hive hairdo. She wore a simple yellow dress, with a white cardigan. The elder glanced up sharply at her.

"And who are you, PINKIE?! An employee?" She snapped, shaking her cane at Ashido in a threatening manner. "What kind of worker wears a skimpy outfit like that, EH?!" The heroine backed away, palms held up in a calming gesture.

"Umm…Hello!" Ashido replied, bowing politely. "My name is Mina Ashido and you are…..?"

"This worthless boy's grannie!" She snapped, just as Kirishima's head whipped up in surprise.

"Grannie?" He repeated confusedly, before he was once again assaulted by the frenzied cane whackings of his "Grannie."

"Don't you talk back to me!" She scolded, as he held up his hardened arms in defense from her blows. "Do you have any idea how long I had to sit out there waiting? My bones are practically shattered here!" Her attacks came to a halt as Ashido gently, but firmly grasped her wrinkled arm.

"Okay, I think we may have a bit of a misunder—OWWWW!" Ashido flinched away as a second something appeared out of bushes, biting down on her leg with fang-shaped teeth. The heroine glanced down at her leg, finding a short elderly woman, wearing a green cheongsam shirt and white pants, staring unblinkingly up at her with squinty-snake like eyes. "Who….WHO ARE YOU?!"

"She's venomous, that's what she is." The grannie snapped, snatching her arm away.

"VENOMOUS!?" Kirishima yelled, rushing over and lifting the fanged elder off of Ashido's leg. A trickle of blood down, where the teeth had embedded themselves. The boy paled, reaching over grabbing Ashido's shoulders in alarm. "Are you okay? Do you feel faint? Do I need to suck the venom out?! OW!" He flinched as the grannie popped him with her cane from behind.

"Stop your blubbering. You know good and well that Ya-Ting's been dried up for two decades now!" Granny chided, clicking her tongue at his nonsense. Ya-Ting's head swiveled in her direction, unblinking eyes narrowing.

"Huangyan!" She hissed out, pointing an indignant finger at the pink haired granny.

"No! You're a liar! Just like that time you cheated during BINGO night two years ago!"

Ashido came between them, loudly exclaiming. "OKAY! TIME OUT! Can someone please explain WHAT is going on here?!"

"Oh there you two are!" A third woman appeared, looking even older than the other two as she hobbled along on a wooden cane. Despite the heat, she wore a cute, kitten-themed pink sweater, giving her a far more innocent look than her elders. She looked up and smiled at Ashido holding back Grannie, while Kirishima still tightly held the snake-quirked elder, who had begun to gnaw the arm holding her. "And look, you made friends. That's lovely."

"No! Not another one!" Ashido wailed, releasing Granny so she could cover her face at the injustice of it all.

"Where are they coming from!?" Kirishima complained, flapping his arm up and down to dislodge Ya-Ting. She released her hold, hissing at him before waddling over to her two companions.

The newcomer turned to Granny, asking. "Did you find your grandson? I bet he went for candy. Children love candy."

Before she could answer, Kirishima quickly jumped in, trying to explain. "Excuse me! My name is Eiji—"

"Eiji-kun!" Granny snapped, loudly cutting him off. "We already know that! Now stop stalling and show us around like you're supposed to! These old bones aren't used to standing around all day!"

"We're so excited to see Universal…" The sweatered elder piped in wistfully.

"I told you Suzu! We're in Okinawa World! Not Universal!" Granny snapped. Suzu merely nodded, contently oblivious to her surroundings.

"Okay so let me get this straight." Ashido cut in, trying to piece things together. "You're grandson…Eiji-kun….is supposed to take you on a tour of Okinawa World today. Is that right?"

The elders nodded in unison, with the ringleader snapping, "And he's been doing a lousy job so far!"

"Riiiight…" Ashido waved Kirishima over, leaning in so she could whisper. "So what do we do? This woman obviously thinks you're her grandson. We can't just leave her here."

"Maybe her real grandson will show up soon?" Kirishima said, taking a hopeful glance around. While he did so, Ashido turned to the grannies, politely asking.

"Um, would any of you happen to have your phone on you?"

The trio shook their heads, with Granny loudly protesting. "Nope! That darn thing rings too much!"

"Oh here it is." Suzu-san declared, holding up her wrinkled hand and showing off a completely normal wristwatch. "Call home…." She ordered shakily, turning to Ashido and adding. "It may take a bit, Love. My cats hardly ever answer."

"Wo chi le wo de shouji." Ya-Ting spat.

Ashido lips gave a stressed twitch. "Of….course." She turned back to Kirishima, muttering darkly. "Great, now we have no way of even contacting her grandson!"

"Do you think we should send them to security?" Kirishima suggested, stealing a glance at them. "They aren't exactly lost kids….but they're also not that different either."

Ashido's face scrunched together in indecisiveness. "Aargh! Why did something like this happen today of all days! It's almost like a…." Her eyes widened, realization striking. She turned to Kirishima, asking. "You don't think….this is a test do you? A test from Aizawa Sensei?"

"A test?" Kirishima responded, scratching his head skeptically. "But today is supposed to be a day for us to just chill. Do you really think he would spring a surprise on us like that?"

Ashido cocked her brow. "This is the guy who told us we were taking a high school trip to Okinawa. And instead turned our fun day on the beach into a dangerous stake-out mission that almost got us all killed."

"You….do have a point." Kirishima had to admit.

"Think about it!" Ashido continued, getting caught up in her own theory. "This scenario is totally something Aizawa Sensei would cook up! Having to assist demented and slightly violent senior citizens on our supposed free-day!" Ashido air quoted, adding. "Can't you just imagine it!?"

A thought bubble featuring a more demented Aizawa appeared above the duo. He grinned down at them, his voice mocking as he said, "You thought this was a free-day? News flash…heroes NEVER have days off!"

The two students shuttered at the illusion, with Kirishima morosely commenting, "Yep. That sounds like Aizawa….but if that's the case, when exactly does the test end?"

"I guess after we're done showing them around Okinawa World?" Ashido guessed, glancing back at the elders. "They did say that's what they wanted." They both turned to face them, hearts sinking at the prospect of spending their first date in the company of the strange trio. Though Kirishima felt his spirits lift slightly as Ashido's fingers unexpectedly intertwined with his.

"No worries! We got this!" She said, beaming up at him. Kirishima returned the gesture, nodding determinedly.

"Right! I mean, they're just old grannies right? How hard could this be–OUCH!" He felt his knees buckle beneath him as a well aimed strike from behind was made by his "Granny" with her deadly cane.

"Can someone PLEASE take that from her!?" He sputtered as Ashido helped him back to his feet.

"What are you two chattering about!? Times a-wasting!" Granny barked impatiently.

"Sorry! Sorry! We were just trying to decide what area you wanted to head to first" Ashido exclaimed, clapping her hands together, putting together a bright smile as she patiently addressed the ladies. The snake-quirk elder raised her hand. "Oh! You were….?"

"Wo jiao Ya-Ting."

Ashido blinked, her smile faltering. "Ummm…"

"Her name is Ya-Ting." Kirishima translated. Ashido whipped her head, staring at him in shock. "Wait! You can speak…whatever it is that she's speaking?" She paused, trying to think.

"Mandarin? Not really, I just can pick up a few basic words. My cousin married into a family who owns a Chinese food joint. I sometimes help out there to earn some extra cash. So I just naturally picked on a few terms." Kirishima explained with a casual shrug. "But it's mostly food related."

"That's still awesome!" She exclaimed, eyes sparkling with this new bit of knowledge she's learned about him. She turned back to Ya-Ting with renewed energy, excitedly asking. "So Ya-Ting! What would you like to see today?"

"Women shenme shihou chi?" She answered stoically.

"She wants to know when we can eat." Kirishima helpfully translated.

"That's all you Taiwanese ever think about is food!" Granny snapped, causing her companion to send her a withering glare. "I want to see the caves!"

"I want to see Jurassic World!" The kindly Suzu-san piped in. The three ladies began to loudly bicker amongst themselves as Kirishima and Ashido overlooked the scene with resigned gloom.

"Welcome to Kokusai-Dori!" Ripper brightly announced, standing amidst the crowded entrance to a long alley filled with market vendors. "Or also known as International Street!"

The students following behind gaped at the array of different stores built along the long alley. Though many of the stores were geared towards selling cheap souvenirs to tourists, many of the shops sold an assortment of foods and a few even featured Okinawa based traditional crafts and ceramics. Ripper and Siren led the group through the crowded alley, pausing here and there to allow the students a quick look around. Iida stood guard in the back, making sure no students strayed too far.

"Remember to have your cellphones with you at all times! And don't wander off!" Iida warned, glasses flashing with authority. "We don't want to cause our guides any trouble!"

"Relax mate!" Ripper remarked, throwing a friendly arm around the class president. "They'll be right. The alley is pretty much a straight shot." He glanced over his shoulder at the others, striking a conversation with the group. "How yous hanging mates? Feeling stoked yet?!"

"We're pleased that you and Miss Sirius are taking the time to show us the highlights." Ojiro answered politely.

"Snorkeling will definitely be a new experience." Tokoyami murmured, sounding not a bit excited. The sparkling Aoyama blinked curiously at him.

"I'm surprised, Tokoyami!" The sparkling blonde commented. "I was under the impression you didn't fare well getting your feathers wet."

"I. Don't." He moodily replied, just as Dark Shadow emerged over his shoulder. The apparition excitedly turned to his newfound singing buddy.

"But I'm SUPER EXCITED!" He answered, ignoring his companion's irritated groan.

Aoyama clutched Dark Shadow's claws, blue eyes sparking with equal amounts of joy. "Oui! Oui! Let's make today a day to remember! Light and Darkness embracing the sea together!" Tokoyami rolled his eyes, not quite sure he approved of this unexpected friendship.

"I think snorkeling will be fun." Sato added. "It's not like it's an activity we can really do at home."

"I'm looking forward to practicing with my quirk today." Koda said, joining the discussion. "Talking to aquatic animals is still a little tricky for me." He shyly admitted.

"No wozzas, mate! By the end of this go around, you'll be speaking fish before you know it!" Ripper confidently assured Koda. "Aquatic critters are my specialty!"

"Hey Koda!" Sero called out, holding up a giant spider crab from a seafood stall. "You can practice here! What is this guy saying?!"

"He says he wants to go home." Koda replied, his voice solemn.

"Oh….right…" Sero replied, quickly setting it back down with the other crabs waiting to be sold. "I guess that makes sense…"

Jiro gave an amused chuckle, causing Ripper to turn towards her, Hagakure, and Asui. "What about you beauties, eh? I reckon you're all still a little buggered after the day you all had yesterday, am I aight?"

"Not really, kero." Asui replied. "We had a lot of downtime at the hospital. So it's nice to be out and about."

"It also helps having such nice scenery to look at." Hagakure added, with a teasing tone of suggestiveness that only Asui and Jiro caught.

"I'm actually more surprised about you being up and about so soon." Jiro noted curiously. "I was under the impression that most of the boys affected by Siren's quirk had really bad side effects. Weren't you controlled by her quirk for quite a while?"

"I was definitely a bit out of it when I first woke up." Ripper admitted. "But from my understanding a lot of the sickness came from the rapid increase of testosterone caused by that old gal's quirk." He tightened his forearms, his muscles bulging as he explained. "With my quirk, I'm constantly going through a transformation that increases my muscle growth, so my body is probably already used to the ebb and flow of those hormones." He tilted his head towards the other boys. "Also can't forget I'm a bit older than your mates. Their bodies are still going through changes that I reckon makes them a tad bit more sensitive."

"That makes sense." Asui agreed. "When we were fighting, your body was definitely a lot….bigger." She withheld the word frightening, in case he took offense. Ripper grinned mischievously, catching on to her intention.

"A bloody croc face wasn't I?" He asked, winking. "No worries, only like that when I'm in a real tussle. Rest of the time I reckon I'm quite a beauty, eh?"

Before the humored girls could answer, Iida approached, pulling Ripper's attention away as he promptly inquired. "Pardon the intrusion, but I wanted to be sure of the exact schedule of our departure at the port. I wouldn't want us to fall behind on the itinerary that you and Miss Siren had planned out for the class."

"Yeah nah mate! Don't really have much of a schedule so…" The shark boy faltered, Iida's astonished expression at this statement making him instantly back track. "...What I mean is…our schedule is…pretty low-key, so just take your time for now and enjoy the shops!"

"He's right." Sirius added, joining in. "You should take a look around. It's a fun spot to pick out souvenirs for the family."

"You may be right. I do have an obligation to bring back gifts." Iida readily agreed, nodding to them in thanks. "Very well, I'll leave our schedule's timetables in your respectable hands."

"Take your time." Sirius replied, smiling as both her and Ripper waved him off. Once he was out of earshot, Ripper gave a relieved sigh.

"Nice one, croc. I reckon, I've never been quite able to get a good grip on those stiff types."

"Best thing to do is give them a task to work on." Sirius explained with a knowledgeable wink.

"Looks like ya haven't changed. Always was a sharp one, eh?" He replied with a sharp-toothed grin.

Sirius frowned, growing serious as she shot him a knowing glare. "Speaking of being sharp, don't think I haven't noticed you throwing your charms at those poor innocent girls over there," She remarked, inclining her head towards where Jiro, Asui, and Hagakure stood near a stall that sold pottery.

Ripper's expression lit up. "So you admit I'm charming, then!?"

Sirius sent him a reproachful glare. "No…what I mean is you have the appeal of a rowdy Australian shepherd that may give the impression to SOME girls you are….approachable." Despite their jarring height difference, she stood on her tiptoes, jabbing a finger into his hard chest. "Remember, you are three years their senior! So no flirting on my watch!"

Ripper chuckled, completely unperturbed at her threat. "Aight! Aight! But shouldn't that go for you as well?"

"Ehhh?" Sirius gawked, crossing her arms over her chest in no-nonsense manner. "What are blabbering about?"

Ripper squatted down so he was eye level with her, teasingly answering. "Don't think I haven't been watching you as well. I've seen how you've been eying Miss Asui the cutie all morning." He changed his voice to a higher pitch in a comical attempt at sounding more feminine. "Oh, Asui! Boys are just dumb drongos! Let's just have a ripper of a time together, just you and me! Teeheehee!-OUCH!" Ripper flinched away as Sirius gave his neck a sharp flick with her fingers.

"First off, girls do not talk like that. Second, that is not how that conversation went." Sirius said, with a disdainful sniff.

Ripper smirked, coming back down to playfully tug at her fin-shaped earpiece. "Ai, don't be like that mate! Though I do have to say, you can't really be busting my bottom here when YOU'RE EVEN older than me….eh, senpai?" He teased, stressing out the syllables for emphasis.

"You know shark-fin soup sounds really tasty right about now…" Sirius replied with a withering glare.

Before Ripper could retort, he gave a low whistle, pointing out. "Oi! Dried frog purses 3 o'clock!"

Sirius turned, spying Asui, Hagakure, and Jiro walking right toward a gift shop that had bizarre purses that were made from the dried out bodies of dead frogs, hanging from the doorway for sale. The duo turned to each other, coming to an understood truce as they rushed forward.

"Wow! Look at these!" Hagakure exclaimed, reaching out to touch one. " Are these real frogs—" Ripper and Sirius suddenly appeared before them, blocking Asui's view of the offensive item.

"Nothing to see here mates!" Ripper exclaimed, his back fins knocking into the rack and causing it to tip over. He grimaced, fumbling to catch the bizarre accessories as they began to fall.

"Too right!" Sirius agreed, chuckling nervously as she unsuccessfully tried to hide Ripper's antics. "How about we girls go check out the shop next door? Nothing but tacky stuff here!"

"I can hear you, you know!" The grizzly shop owner called out from the counter.

"Don't get your knickers in a knot!" Ripper replied back, waving the girls off as he wrestled with setting the rack back up. He held up one of the purses, cringing. "Do people even buy these things?"

"Is he okay, kero?" Asui curiously glanced back at Ripper back at the shop.

Sirius clapped her shoulder, brightly answering. "No need to worry about Ripper! Him and I are just here to make sure you all have a great time today!"

Kaminari watched from afar as Sirius steered Jiro, Asui and Hagakure through a shop selling cute accessories.

"Isn't it weird how girls always seem to travel in groups?" Sero asked, leaning against Kaminari's shoulder as he followed the blonde's gaze.

"Dude, what are you doing?" Kaminari grumbled, nudging his grinning friend away.

"Just checking on you." Sero said, unperturbed by Kaminari's sullen tone. "Kirishima warned me that something was up between you and Jiro."

Kaminari reddened. "There is nothing UP with me and Jiro!"

"Ohhhh…" Sero replied, nudging Kaminari suggestively. "So, I guess there must be another reason why you've been glaring daggers at that Ripper dude since we've joined the group?"

"Do I sense discord over here?" Iida asked, suddenly appearing with his arms bustling with totebags of souvenirs. "If there are any problems, please let me know. As class president it's my duty to make sure everyone enjoys themselves today!"

Before Kaminari could quickly slink off, Sero grabbed his collar. "Kaminari isn't having fun." The tape-quirk boy remarked, trying to keep the laughter from his voice. Kaminari glared.

"Dude…shut up—"

"Not having fun?" Iida repeated, looking at him in concern. "Is there a reason?"

"Nope! Nothing! I'm totally having fun." Kaminari quickly replied, trying to inch away from the president's overbearing presence. Unfortunately, Sero was enjoying the situation way too much to let that slide.

"I'm pretty sure it has something to do with Jiro." Sero whispered loudly to Iida.

"Hmmm…" Iida said, fingers pressed against his chin thoughtfully. "Disputes between classmates on a class trip is a recipe for disarray. Perhaps it would be best just to get to the source of problem? Shall we all go speak to Jiro together and—"

"NO!" Kaminari snapped, causing a few heads to turn in their direction. "Look! Absolutely nothing happened between me and Jiro! So just forget about it!" He stormed away, needing some space.

Sero and Iida watched him go, with Sero quietly commenting. "Something SO happened between those two."

"Agreed." Iida said with a nod.

Pretending not to hear the remark, Kaminari sulkily wandered in front of the stalls, his mind too preoccupied to truly care about the array of souvenirs on display. "What's their deal? Nothing IS going on between me and Jiro." Images of Jiro spread out beneath him appeared before him, causing an uncomfortable rise of heat to spread throughout his body. He shook his head, trying to quickly erase those thoughts. "Stop! That was an accident! Nothing more…" But deep down, he couldn't deny the unavoidable fact he HAD wanted to kiss her at that moment. He stuck his hands in his pocket, wishing he could know exactly what Jiro had been thinking during that time.

"What am I kidding….it's Jiro we're talking about." Kaminari thought with a sigh. "The LAST thing on her mind would be thoughts of me." He absently glanced next to the shop next to him, his eyes widening as he spied the contents. Without thinking, he called out, "Yo! Jiro! Come see this!"

The girls glanced up curiously at his call. Surprised, Jiro made her way towards him, ignoring the knowing smirks from the other girls. "What's up?" She asked, trying to sound casual despite the quickening pace of her heart as she stood next to him.

"Look at that!" Kaminari said, pointing at a shop window that displayed an array of three-stringed instruments called sanshins. Looking very similar to the banjo, the striped snake-skinned exterior of the instrument gave it quite an unusual appearance. "What do you think? Looks pretty cool, right?!"

Jiro glanced from the instrument to Kaminari's expectant expression and couldn't help but let out a laugh. "Hahaha! You really do fall for the most outrageous things don't you?"

"Ehhh!? I thought for sure you would dig this!" Kaminari exclaimed, flabbergasted at her reaction. "I mean come on! It's an instrument made out of snake-skin! How bad-ass is that!?"

"I'm leaning towards tacky." Jiro teased, reaching over to touch the instrument. Her fingers brushed against Kaminari, whose hand had unknowingly reached out as well. Their arms jolted back, as if struck by electricity. They both faltered, avoiding each other's gazes.

"Damn it! Why is this so awkward!?!" Kaminari cursed, frustration eating at him. "I just wish…" He glanced over at Jiro, her flushed features causing his heart to beat fast. His mind raced, replaying memories of their times together. "...what exactly do I wish?"

He scratched the back of his neck, his voice soft as he began, "Hey Jiro…you know about last night. I—" .

"Ahhh so you two are taking a squizz at the sanshin, eh?"

Kaminari jumped as Ripper's hulking figure suddenly appeared between the two. The sidekick shot him a grin, reaching over and casually picking up the instrument. "Pretty neat little thingos! If I can give her a tune…" He expertly thrummed the strings, producing a folk-song-like melody.

"Show-off…." Kaminari internally grumbled. Jiro, however, was impressed.

"You play it pretty well." Jiro complimented, moving closer to Ripper to inspect the sanshin, much to Kaminari's annoyance. "I would have figured only the locals would really be into playing one of these."

"Nah, I figured I've been here a long enough to pick up a thing or two! Plus I know the bloke who owns this shop!" He added, handing the sanshin to her. "Care for a go?" Kaminari watched the two with simmering displeasure as Ripper happily instructed her on the proper finger placements, the two striking a conversation on the unique instrument.

"So is this really made from snake skin?" Jiro asked curiously as she strummed a few strings.

"Righto! Though nowadays most touries go for the fake skin variety." Ripper answered. "Real snake skin tends to crack when brought outside tropical climates. Plus, who wants to hurt those little beauties?! A reckon snakes have just as bad as a rep as sharks do, eh?"

"Well both of them do tend to bite, don't they?" Kaminari cooly remarked, causing Jiro to cast him a sharp glance.

Ripper blinked, slightly surprised by the comment. "Ai true, but I reckon any creature with a mouth can bite!" He chuckled while giving Kaminari a good naturedly pat on the back that sent him almost tumbling forward. "So are you into music too?"

"He plays the electric guitar." Jiro answered.

"Yeah….WE played in a band together once." Kaminari bragged, puffing his chest out in a show-off manner. Jiro rolled her eyes at the display.

"Well ain't that gnarly?!" Ripper replied, looking genuinely pleased. "We'll have to share some tunes later." The sidekick glanced at his phone, quickly exclaiming. "Oops! Sorry mates, but I just need to do a call out…" Bringing his hands to his mouth, he loudly called out. "OI! FINISH UP YOU'RE SHOPPING! WE'LL HEAD TO THE END OF THE ALLEY IN FIVE MINUTES! ALSO DON'T FORGET TO USE THE DUNNY BEFORE WE LEAVE!"

"Dunny?" Jiro asked, brow raised questionably.

"HE MEANS RESTROOMS!" Sirius called out. Ripper went to join her, leaving the two teens alone again.

Jiro was the first to shoot Kaminari an annoyed glare. "What is with you? That snide about biting was completely uncalled for!"

"Me! Don't you think you're being a little too chummy with him!? The dude literally bit a chunk out of Asui!"

"Uh, hello?! You practically paralyzed me yesterday with your electricity quirk!" Jiro reminded him. "So you have zero room to talk! And what does it matter to you who I'm being friendly with!?"

"Well….I…." Kaminari reddened, unable to come up with a good argument under her scrutinizing glare. Jiro huffed, storming away from him to join her female companions. Her scalding words leaving Kaminari feeling bitter and a bit guilty.

"Idiot!" He muttered, knocking his forehead against his fist.

So far this free day was not going as planned.

Author's Notes:

Sanshin: An Okinawan and Amami Islands musical instrument. Similar to a banjo, it consists of a snakeskin covered body, neck and three strings. As Ripper explained, most tourists nowadays have to buy sanshins made from fake snake skin due to the skins cracking when they leave the humid, tropical climates. There are also many laws prohibiting foreign snakeskins from entering different countries, which can make it difficult for some tourists to purchase the true snakeskin variety.

Ya-Ting is from Taiwan, which is a small island country off the coast of China. It is actually closer to Okinawa than Mainland Japan, so many Taiwanese tourists often visit Okinawa. Though Taiwan does have it's own dialect of Chinese (Taiwanese), for this story Ya-Ting wil be speaking traditional Mandarin since it is the language I'm more familar with. Here are some of her phrases translated:

-Huangyuan: Liar

-Wo chi le wo de shouji: I ate my cellphone.