The Damned Legacy

Chapter Eighteen. Unexpected Luck

The quiet walk leaves Kukumi to linger on her kiss with Tenya. The things I would do to him. The things I would let him do to me. And yet here you are, walking home alone. He could have come with you and left your apartment late. He really could have. The thought makes her face warm. All they've done is kiss. Does he want more? Would he even tell me if he did?

She rounds the corner of the last block to her apartment. As she does, she hears a gunshot come from the convenience store a building down. At the sound, she sprints toward the shop and sees someone dressed in all black starting to run out of the store with a bag full of stuff. Before she can even think, she drops her bag of things and uses her fire to launch herself forward at them. Her body collides with them, and they hit the ground with her crouched on top of them. They are skinny with very little muscle, making their clothes hang on them.

"Was this really your best plan?" She asks, wrenching the gun away from them with her flaming palms.

"Ah stupid bitch get off me!" They yell at the pain as she gets the gun, empties the ammunition, and tosses it aside.

"No." She hears thumping footsteps approaching the door of the store. Worried that there is an accomplice, she aims a fiery palm towards the advancing body.

Long, bright red hair is what she sees first, making her mouth nearly drop open. Kirishima is standing in front of her with his arms fully hardened. As he takes in her form on top of the criminal, he smiles, "Looks like you got him. Nice! Did you get the gun?" She wordlessly gestures to the discarded weapon as she extinguishes the flames off her hands. "You emptied the ammo and everything? How manly!"

That makes her laugh, "I want to ask, but--" The person under her stirs, and she is forced to adjust her position. Should have restrained their hands.

"Here let me." He reaches over her and grabs the criminal's wrists. As he pulls their wrists behind their back, Kukumi gets off them, and Kirishima pulls them up.

"Thanks. Stronger than they look." He smiles a shark-toothed grin at her, "do you have your phone? I didn't get to call the police when I heard the gunshot."

"The clerk pressed the alert button right after they shot at me. The cops should be here any minute." He answers.

"They shot at you?! Are you okay?" She starts checking him for blood, walking in a small half-circle around him as he laughs.

"I'm fine, perks of the quirk." He looks at her with a grin, "Quick thinking there, were you just walking by?"

"I was on my way to my apartment and heard the shot right before seeing them so I jumped into action." She laughs softly, "I like this store and Melinda inside is always very kind to me."

"She really is the sweetest lady. I was inside when they came in. They shot at me when I called them out, and I was more worried about making sure she was safe."

"As you should have been." She retorts with a smile.

Then, her brain actually processes who she is standing here with. You have got to be kidding me. Here he is. Being a hero in his everyday clothes and, I just so happened to help. What the fuck do I do now? She feels her heart speed up; she hasn't even researched yet. This was not supposed to happen. She wanted to have a plan before finding him. What do I even say? Play it cool. You just helped him, so get to talking. As she is about to ask him about himself, blue and red lights arrive. The police take the criminal and get statements from her. She figures that the "statement" from Kirishima is more of a hero report. As soon as they are done, the police leave them standing there.