Monachopsis || Bnha AU

Verity | 17

(Warning: Slight mentions of gore.)

The line of restaurants and cafes was never the more packed with customers enjoying their sunny afternoon with glee, leaving their bundled-up problems for future them to untangle. A handful of workers in maid outfits stood outside the maid cafe, the stack of flyers in their hands never seemed to run out. Ahane swayed further away from the cafes, he wasn't planning on being bombarded by bright-coloured flyers and wide smiles that hid a dreadful aura.

"Those lessons were fun, you should do them more often!" 

"...maybe, who knows."

Midoriya chuckled at his response, the fact that Ahane didn't entirely reject the idea alone was progress shot through the roof. The boy was glad Ahane was gradually opening up to his newfound friends, Midoriya felt somewhat proud to be the one witnessing the whole process from start to end. Was this how it felt like to be a proud parent?

That beaming smile could never go unnoticed with such intensity, Ahane sighed at the thought of the chaotic concoction that was brewing inside that happy-go-lucky brain of his. "It's a good thing we're making progress," he interjected.

Midoriya hummed, a satisfied tune accessible only to the dead, with the exception of Ahane. But as his tunes went on, the more fidgety his eyes began to glance around. After all, a people-rich city wouldn't be complete with dark alleyways hiding gazes Midoriya couldn't help but shiver at. He scooted closer to Ahane, "I'm sure you've noticed it by now, but is it really okay to let him follow us like this?" he whispered — as if someone would hear him if he were any louder.

Ahane appeared nonchalant, "Let him be, we have nothing to be afraid of." he continued to walk along the busy sidewalk. Weekends in the late afternoon were no weekends without the hustle and bustle of the city centre, it wasn't the most ideal spot to assault someone, not in this hero-rich world.

"I guess you're right..." Midoriya gave Ahane a quick scan. "You were really a step ahead with the earbuds too, are you a psychic or something, Ahane-kun?" he blurted out. But it wasn't a far-fetched speculation considering it was Ahane of all people, if someone were a psychic, his main suspicion would definitely be Ahane. 

"A ridiculous hypothesis, I'm merely making precautions." He replied coldly, it was a rational decision. It would be bothersome for people like Midoriya to make wild assumptions if they were to catch sight of him talking to himself. The last thing he wanted was to attract unwanted attention, a ghost companion was enough to fill up his plate.

Ahane entered a nearby normal cafe, he supposed he should treat himself to a nice cup of coffee after all of those tiring lessons. It was what he deserved.

This momentary peace was interrupted by a familiar voice — a voice Ahane wanted to personally drown it in a pool of acid.

"Mind if I join in?" 

Midoriya stared dumbfounded at the person who emerged out of nowhere in front of their table. Ahane took a small sip of the coffee, its bitter flavour delightful on his taste buds. The ghost boy couldn't believe how Ahane was showing such calmness in front of the stalker that was following them the entire walk. 

"I'll gladly take it as a yes." the man promptly sat down right across them, leaning back comfortably with a composed demeanour. The only nervous one at the table was Midoriya, as absurd as it was. "I'm sure you know well about the intent behind this meeting." A waitress set down a cup of tea with a polite "Enjoy your tea." The mysterious man returned the gesture.

"I could say the same to you," Ahane savoured the bitterness of the coffee, tranquil dispersions of the drink collided with each other with every sway of the cup. "The answer is no." the cup struck the table with a gentle sound, but that was clear enough to serve as a stern warning to the man Ahane appeared to have connections with.