Artemis P.O.V
All day I have been wanting to talk to Shino about the necklaces, but whenever I come close to him, something forces my attention to another situation. A school project, a test, a student wanting me to make them a hero outfit, everything.
Finally the end of the day came and I felt that I could finally tell Shino the story. " Oh, hey Shino!" I called across the hallway as we left our classes, Shino turned his to me and nodded, indicating that he saw me and wanted to talk to me. I began to rush forward when Rikku and Clover block my path
" uhh... hey guys, I kind of need to talk to Shino over there. Can you please move" I ask politely but impatiently, but Rikku speaks up " sorry Artemis, you can talk to him later. Right now,we need to head to the Cafe and get too work, our customer status has doubled!" She grabs my sleeve and drags me down the hallway and all the way towards the cafe, not even letting me have a say in the conversation.
Once at the cafe, I can see why Rikku was so upset, the small shop was filled with customers all demanding coffees and pastries. I rush to the back of the store and get in my maid outfit, ready for work.
Finally, after almost 4 hours, the cafe is empty with just a few customers. Rikku was sipping some tea, Clover was fanning herself with one of our menus, Davis was on his phone, Yuuto was making himself something and I sat in the back with my head back, trying to calm down. For so long, we rushed and yelled and ran between tables to take orders, fix them, and deliver checks. Several people mistaking me and Rikku's gender and some light controversy about out LGBTQ+ style.
While I sat in the back, All I could think about were the military tags from long ago
Why would these show up now? I haven't seen him in years. Is something wrong?
I thought back to my younger years at the orphanage, having fun with the younger and older kids, getting into some light trouble, cooking with Mrs . Rose and other memories.
My thoughts were interrupted when Rikku came in " umm Arty, there's a postman by the door asking for you to sign a package" She reported. " A package?" I ask confused, Rikku just shrugs and runs out. I get up and cautiously make my way to the front of the store to see your average post man holding a box the size of a tool box. " are you Artemis Divil sir?" He asked and I nodded " yes it's me, may I ask what is with the package?" The postman shakes his head
" sorry, the man that gave it to us gave explicit instructions to hand deliver this to you without any detail as to who sent it, hoping that you would figure it out yourself." He reported, I stare in shock at the small cardboard box, I know exactly who sent this. I grab the package and sign the form, taking it to the back with me.
I grab some scissors and begin opening the package, the other Club members gathering around to watch, as I open the box, a pull out a small rectangular metal prism that has cuts, scrapes and carvings, forming a certain patter on the small prism " what on earth is that?" Clover asks, the others start to murmur in question as well. Unlike the others, I knew exactly what it was. And it wasn't good.
•~•
Once my shift was over, all I could think about was the gift I had gotten, knowing what was in store for me. Once I walked through the door, Shino was already sitting on the couch, waiting for me. Realization dawned on me that he wanted to talk about what he found this morning, and to be honest, so did I.
" ok Artemis, I don't want to put you in an uncomfortable position, but can you please explain to me what those military tags meant?" He asked, the need of an explanation bore through me from his eyes. I took a deep breath and began to explain my story
" at the orphanage, I wasn't entirely alone, during my younger years. I would hang out with kids my age and sometimes older, but one kid at the orphanage was my best friend, practically a brother to me. Patron Carter knew what I had been through and I new his story, how his mother was murdered and his father committed suicide. We both had an empty slot where the love of our parents should have been, but we filled it with something else, a brotherhood. Together we did all sorts of things, we played mind games, solved all sorts of puzzles, even stayed the night at a museum just so we could enjoy the Egyptian section and decode all the hieroglyphics." I took a breath to make sure that Shino was listening, which he was, so I continued
" we did all sorts of things together, whenever Patron wanted us to do something, whether it was go to the park together, ice skating, breaking into a building to have fun, he would always send me a message or puzzle for me to break so I could get the details of our meet up, to make life fun. One day, me and Patron went out to the ice skating rink to have some fun, but when we returned, the police were looking for Patron, saying that he had broke some sort of law, even though he was 100% innocent. Before they took him away, he tried to give me the military tags he was planning to give me for my 10th birthday, but the cops confiscated it."
I let the silence take over the room, Shino absorbing the new information, sympathy and sadness in his eyes. I decided to try and wrap up the story " I never heard or saw him again, until apparently, he must have found me and slid the Tags under the door as a message." I concluded. Shino looked at me in shock and surprise, than suddenly lurched forward and hugged me. I smiled as I felt tears start to prickle my eyes. Shino pulled away, starring deep into my soul
" must've been hard for you, losing the closest thing you had to a family. But what do you plan on doing now?" He asked, I was reminded of the package I had gotten " oh! Well, while I was at my shift, someone dropped off a package, with the same puzzle box Patron would give me to find out the message inside, so now all I have to do is solve it, read the message and see where it takes me." I revise, but Shino still looked uneasy " I don't know Artemis, what if it's not him? What if it's a villain trying to lure you into a trap, there was already an attack on the school!"
Shino's statement reminded me about the ambush, I can't believe that someone so diabolical and sick would do something like that. I gave him a sympathetic smile, he sighed
" a lot has happened in this year, and the last thing I want happening is you getting hurt, or worse." He mumbled, sorrow coating his words. I reached over and grabbed his hand " I know you're worried, and I love you for that Shino, but I can look after myself. If there is any problem, you are going to be the one I turn to first." I reassure him, Shino sits there in silence, thinking. Finally he caves in and lets off a small smile
" ok Arty, just don't get hurt" he ordered and I smiled " don't worry love, I won't" I answer and give him a quick kiss on the lips and run off to my room to begin my work, leaving Shino blushing and lightly glowing.
•~•
All night I have been lying in my bed, twisting and turning the small metal plates forming the rectangular prism. Each time he would send me with, he would change the pattern into a different form so each time I opened it, it would be a new form to open the compartment.
Patients Artemis, you know what Patron would do, he would test your focus and patience with each puzzle, think outside the box
Outside the box
A lightbulb seems to light up in me as I turn the small metal plates into a completely unusual pattern. Finally as I twist the last plate, I hear a small click as a small square pops out of the end of the prism
YES!!!
I pull out the small square to see a piece of paper wrapped around it. As I unroll the small parchment, I immediately read the letter
Land of ice - we dance the night - good to see you - my old shadow brother
The ice skating rink!
I'm on my way!
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How are you all doing?
Did you like the chapter?
I have a small question for my viewers, what is your favorite ship in My hero Origins and what is your favorite ship scene
Say so in the comments!
See you soon
Hydro out!
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My Hero Origins - L.O.V.E's Significant Other
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