MHA: Harbinger of Fear - Male Reader x Midnight

Part 71

Voices filled the air in a jumbled rhythm of joy and laughter. However, the latter was thanks to a distant table of young men.

Waiters and waitresses rushed about, tending to one table after the other with orders and rolling carts of ramen. The smell was an interesting mix of drinks and spices, making the atmosphere full but not overwhelming.

"Time to make the donuts."

Until now. Y/N eyed a tall figure of molded plastic and immaculate paint.

"Where's that from??" Keigo asked. He sported a smile going from ear to ear as he folded the joints to his new action figure, putting it in an uncharacteristic pose.

"I never said that." Y/N's dry tone and flat expression showed he was more disturbed by his plastic likeness than anything.

"You sure?" He pushed an unsuspecting button, bringing a voice out from within.

"You can't beat me with tactics alone."

"I never said that either."

"Come on!" Keigo exclaimed. "You gotta admit it's pretty cool!"

Y/N shrugged. He had no opinion. His ramen pulled the majority of his attention, but he wasn't about to ruin Keigo's fit of joy.

"How much was that?" He asked.

"About three hundred USD."

"That's..." Y/N nodded in appreciation. "A lot."

"Yeah, no kidding! Look!" He bent the fingers and adjusted the elbows, putting it into another pose. The many colors, joints, and great detail warranted the price.

"Time to make the donuts."

"I've never said that." Y/N huffed a small laugh and went back to his food.

"Here." He scooted over with the toy in hand. They sat shoulder to shoulder with the figure held and the ramen in view. "Smile and put up a peace sign."

Y/N did as he was told, cracking a forced smile, holding up two fingers, and watching as Keigo captured the moment. It was no more than a few seconds before he tapped a line of words and set his phone aside.

"There." He hummed, satisfied. "Free food and good advertisement. Every hero's secret dream."

"Advertisement?" Y/N asked. Keigo held a finger up, took a long sip from his bowl, then showed him.

"Reservations for this place aren't easy to come by." He smiled. "Two birds one stone."

"I'm not sure if I should be impressed or concerned." Y/N nodded. Curiosity took hold, putting his meal on standby. "Where are you posting that?"

"Your hero page." Keigo swiped the screen, showing the picture displayed over a short feed. "Look."

Over a backdrop of dozens of artists' depictions was a short and to-the-point news feed. Before the little outing was a picture showing him sitting beside Eri. The gentle expression he carried with his warm demeanor had millions fond over it.

Below there were hundreds if not thousands of short stories sharing their limited experience with him.

(Eye Color) eyes glossed over an appreciation letter. From who didn't matter, only he could discern a person from their username.

A boy with an allergy, a woman struck by a drunk driver, an elderly couple falling victim to a mugging. He was moving a mile a minute, soaring through the sky from one call to the next. Their faces were a blur but their words were here, gentle and as brash as a punch to the face.