Frostbite

Chapter 13: Night 1. Osaka

- The next night in Osaka -

I had plenty of time to fidget with my gear suitcase, backpack, and phone on the train from Shizuoka to Osaka, where Mr. Aizawa had told me to meet him.

This also let me mill over the night before. It was all awkward even though it was unintentional. We managed to brush it off and have a semi-normal conversation about our internships starting the next day, but Ochako had still asked me at least a half dozen times to make sure I had not seen anything.

I left out the thought in my head where seeing wasn't the issue; feeling was. But I half convinced myself I didn't know what I was feeling with my eyes closed and all (not that I need conventional sight to see).

The train crept to a smooth stop and I checked my phone screen. Still a few hours to kill before I had to meet Teach at the "rendezvous point" he had set up for us.

The maps seemed easy enough to read and I had downloaded a satellite topography map of the greater metro area on my phone just in case. So I headed towards the building he marked for me and found a small cafe to relax in across the street.

I propped my gear behind me in a corner facing the store front and set my alarm for 15 minutes early.

That was the last I remembered before waking up to my alarm with a jump. I guess I was still tired from the shift in sleep schedule; despite staying up last night and sleeping in. The waitress had brought my drink, but was nice enough to not wake me so I had to leave it. I slid a few bucks under the cup and headed up to the adjacent rooftop.

I had beaten him here and settled into a light meditation, trying to scan the electrical currents around me. Osaka was a far more buzzing city though. The neon and plasma in lights and TVs made it hard to discern anything below. It was pure luck that I caught the swinging movement at roof level.

My eyes opened, turning to see Eraserhead himself landing on the roof. "Evening Professor." I waved.

He studied me quietly for a moment before pulling his goggles down around his neck and crouching to my height. Even then, he looked over the street and not at me.

"Glad you got here early. Means you have time to get dressed." He stated, thrumming my case with his knuckles.

"Oh. Yes sir. I wasn't sure if I was-" I began making excuses.

He just put a finger to his lips and then to his wrist. Got it, burning time. I wasted no more getting suited up. The new satchel sat nicely behind my shoulder without even being obstructive.

When I had finished and packed my old things into the security case, I returned to his side. He glanced at his watch, still early. A small cheer rising inside me.

"How familiar are you with standard hero patrols?" He asked.

"Very." I answered flatly, thinking back to the pro I grew up underneath.

"Good. Tonight is the exact opposite." He droned.

I must have looked confused when he shot me a look in the proceeding silence. "I mean that my style of patrol will be very quiet, and hardly, if ever, in the public eye."

"Makes sense." I prompted, seeing this as obvious with his abilities.

"Here." He held out an ear bud, wireless and flat black.

I put it in without hesitation, immediately hearing the squelch and call of police band radio.

"Alongside our rooftop patrol, we will be listening for any nearby call or assist in the area. Our primary goal is a quick, clean takedown of any illegal activity."