The Damned Legacy

Chapter Twelve. Flashfreeze Heatwave

The night came far sooner than Kukumi expected. She feels like she got nothing done throughout the day. After her failed discussion with Tokoyami, it is difficult to figure out what her time would be best spent doing.

She gets dressed far quicker this time than usual, excited to have a task for her to focus on. And as she opens her door, Tenya is standing there, poised to knock.

"Looks like I beat you to it Tenya." She teases, "no accidental nudity for you, how disappointing."

"It would only be disappointing if it was expected nudity. Happy to see you on time though."

"Blunt today aren't we? Someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"

Tenya shrugs as he straightens his posture, "I think my morning wake-up had little to do with my mood." He gestures for her to close the door and come out with him. "And the event I found after I woke up. Why are you locking yourself in a room with Tokoyami? He's not exactly a cuddly puppy. He's a hero, and he is dangerous."

Kukumi looks at him sideways as she pulls her door shut, "your mood is about me talking to the hero?"

"My mood is about you putting yourself in unnecessary danger."

"You are so full of it. I am far from doing anything dangerous. He is just scared and in need of someone to talk to."

"Kukumi, you are putting yourself in the line of fire for something that doesn't really matter."

She looks at him with a raised eyebrow, "what exactly are you talking about Tenya?"

"We already have Shadow on our side." He gestures to the being possessing Tokoyami's body at the bottom of the stairs. "Why would you risk even more by trying to get Tokoyami on our side? You are going to get hurt."

Kukumi laughs, "no I am not. He deserves someone to talk to. Locking him in a room and forgetting he exists is inhuman and not fair to him. At least this way, I am working on getting him out of there, becoming one of us, and not treating him like he is lesser."

Tenya groans, "this is pointless. We already made a point with the Heroes Association."

"Yes we did, but if any of us actually believe this to be right, this is what we should be doing either way. Getting as many people to 'see the light' as possible. Now can we fucking drop it? Stop worrying that I cannot take care of myself. I managed wonderfully without you I can still do it with you." Kukumi snaps as she marches down the stairs to the rest of them.

She knows that Tenya is just trying to be protective, but it isn't like her life has exactly gotten safer with them. Now when she runs into heroes, she might actually be a target, whereas before, they let her do her thing. You have a team now. Stop being so uptight about it when he is just looking out for you. I'm not his, and he doesn't have to do that. Stubborn this evening, aren't we? Shut up.

"Kukumi, is there a reason you are leaving the lights on for him?" Shadow asks, breaking her away from her thoughts.

She shakes her head a little before smiling at him, "yeah, I think it'll give him some space to relax. Having his body at complete tension all the time is going to drain him for you too. So, giving him something to let him breathe may offer you more power to work with." She doesn't know why telling him would be so bad. Maybe Tokoyami is listening? Then isn't this lie worse? Not necessarily. Maybe having a secret with Tokoyami would build their bond even faster. "So, as a request from me, can you start leaving the lights on for him?"

Shadow nods once, and that is the end of that conversation. Tonight is meant to be routine. Checking on how everything is running. Usually, Izuku and Todoroki would do the rounds alone, but with the chaos that the Heroes are dealing with, the number of them out at one point has increased, which is a far safer tactic. So, they all go out together to stay safe.