Eraserhead and Scribe III

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Scribe woke earlier than she usually did, but Aizawa was gone. She sighed and smiled a little, feeling a contentment she'd missed for a long time now. She glanced at the clock. Five thirty. The bookstore didn't open for another three and a half hours. Not that she needed to worry. Chelsea would be there. If Shota came back to bed, they could even sleep another few hours.

As if on cue, the door to the apartment opened quietly and Aizawa slipped in. The phone he held loosely in the palm of one hand illuminated his face enough for her to read his worried expression. She sat up. "What's wrong?"

He turned quickly, his hair flipping across his face. He paused, looking at her thoughtfully. "I spoke to Kohei." He sounded uncertain. "I didn't want to put it off any longer."

She nodded, reaching for her robe, standing as she pulled it on. "And?"

"He's noticed the lack of activity among the League, but he hasn't heard anything about them transferring their operation here."

"Does he have any idea what they're up to? Did you tell him what To— what Shigaraki said to me?"

"He... Yes. I told him. He couldn't tell what it meant except that it's definitely a threat. And he's troubled that Shigaraki threatened you." Aizawa gave her a half smile. "I think he also hoped we'd get to Shigaraki before he could cross any more lines. But we're past that, I think."

"Yes." Scribe thought of the anger in Shigaraki's eyes. Don't say my name. But she also remembered the hint of wistfulness in his tone when he asked her if she was coming home. She closed her eyes for a moment. But nothing Aizawa had said would account for the worry she'd noted in his expression when he returned to the apartment. She opened her eyes and met his.

He sighed. "And...before you ask...there's something else. He's never actually heard of your brother."

"He's what?" Scribe shrugged. "Well, that's not really that unusual, is it? I mean, if Cameron is a federal agent, he's just one of many, and they might not all make themselves known to everyone, right?"

Aizawa nodded. "True enough. Kohei did seem to think if your brother was working for the American government on a string of crimes that might involve Japanese villains that he would have heard of him. But he said he would make inquiries." He paused and took her hands. "In the meantime, we should treat him as an unknown. So be careful?"

"Of course." She nodded. She felt restless and glanced at the small window. "How about some coffee? We can take it down to the beach to drink it."

"Good idea." He kissed her gently. "You get dressed. I'll make the coffee."

She returned to find he'd filled two travel mugs with strong coffee. She took hers and they walked together through the still nearly deserted streets down to the beach. The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon.

Scribe thought about how it was already evening in Japan. The kids would be gathered in the common area playing games or studying. She pictured Bakugo with his feet propped on the coffee table and Iida swatting at him, telling him to get his feet off school property. Yaoyarozu and Jiro might be listening to music together. Midoriya and Todoroki and some of the others would be studying.

"You're thinking of the kids." Aizawa took a sip of the coffee. "You want to talk to them?"

"Oh, Shota." She shook her head. "I'm not sure..."

"What?" He raised his eyebrows.

"I'm not sure I have the courage." She dropped her gaze from his. "You and I...I think we're okay now. But can they ever forgive me for leaving?"