Feel My Flame (Akitaru Ōbi x OC)

Chapter 16

Conversations, traditional music, kimonos, haoris, yukatas, hakama pants, tabi socks, zōri sandals, booths with different foods, festivals; Asakusa was sure different from the city. Some would say it's almost like going back into time. The town of Asakusa is known for keeping its traditions prevalent in the Tokyo Empire. People who live here prefer to be called by their surname first, just as it was back in the past. Everything in the town had barely changed, from the architecture all the way down to the people. "Amazing! They have a hibachi grill over there!" Kazan gasped in awe as Company Eight walked past all types of different things in the streets of Asakusa. To keep him from wandering off and getting lost, Shinra had to grab him by the collar and walk with him like a dog on a leash. Mizuki giggled in amusement. "Sorry, Kazan's not always like this but whenever we visit a new area he gets overly fascinated. If Father Kōfuku were here he would be sure to keep Kazan in line for you." Mizuki said with a small smile. "It's fine." Shinra replied. Shinra stared at Hina as they walked and remembered a conversation they had in the Matchbox.

At Least an Hour Ago

Company Eight was just getting ready to arrive on the scene of Asakusa. Everyone was suiting up. Mizuki put on her jacket while Kazan did the same. Mizuki and Kazan's uniforms weren't too special, they didn't have any extra modifications to them. Mizuki and Kazan just never wore their safety hats. But Hina's uniform was a bit different from the rest. Of course she wore the normal Fire Force overalls and boots. She wore a black long sleeved muscle shirt that fitted her perfectly and had thumb holes. Over that was the fireproof haori that was given to her by Leonard. And over the haori was her uniform coat that was draped over her shoulders, the top button was buttoned so that no matter what move she made, the coat would never slip off. She never wore any gloves and never wore a hat. Hina quickly but the naginata staff in a case. "I would say I hope you all have a good time but I forget this is a business trip." Kōfuku laughed as Maki and Iris blushed. "We will have a good time." Maki gushed. Father Kōfuku and Sister Iris watched as everyone got into the matchbox. "Princess Hibana is coming over to watch over the Cathedral. She was my only choice. So Father, you have one job." Akitaru said as he walked up to Kōfuku. "Yes?" Kōfuku asked. "Make sure Princess Hibana doesn't wreck the place by all means." Akitaru said before getting into the Matchbox. "You can count on me, sir!" Kōfuku said as he saluted. Before they knew it, Company Eight was on the move. "That's a really hard job, sir." Kōfuku muttered sadly.

Of course, Shinra and Arthur were already bickering with each other. And of course, the name 'Devil' came out of Arthur's mouth. "When will this get through your thick skull? I'm a Hero, not a Devil!" Shinra yelled. "Guys, keep it down before the Lieutenant stops the car." Akitaru said as he closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat. "Kusakabe, I've noticed that Arthur likes to call you a devil a lot. Why is that?" Hina asked. "Just a dumb nickname that everyone likes to call me because of what happened twelve years ago and my tendency to smile when I'm nervous." Shinra replied with a small frown on his face. "I see... well you wanna be a hero then. Why?" Hina asked with a tired look on her face. "I wanna become a Hero because it's my dream to save everyone from the fate of human combustion. I'm gonna make Infernals a thing of the past." Shinra said with a straight face. Hina shifted in her seat. "That's a fine dream Kusakabe." Hina said. "Miss Shinmon if you don't mind me asking, do you have a dream or any type of goal?" Shinra asked. Hina looked at him and hummed. "Well, I don't see myself as a person of much importance. If someone tells me their dream and I see it as a one worth dying for then I'll help that person achieve that goal no matter what. Does that count as a dream?" Hina asked as she rubbed the back of her head. Mizuki let out a sigh as Kazan grinned. "Kusakabe, please know that I see your dream as a valid one so I'll help you gain the title of a hero no matter what." Hina said sternly as Shinra's eye sparkled. "So cool." He thought as Akitaru chuckled. "Miss Shinmon, you can call me Shinra." Shinra said with a grin. Hina let out a small sigh before nodding. "Fine Shinra, but just know that I still respect you." Hina said.