Zero - A Vigilante Deku Story

Chapter 3 - Did I dial zero for you to come forward?

POV Hawks

This feeling of déjà vu wouldn't let him go. Something stirred in his memories, but Keigo couldn't figure out what it was or where he had heard of null before. Without further ado, he pulled out his cell phone.

Hot Wings: Why do I have to think about you when everyone here is talking about null?

It took him a moment to get an answer.

Burned Nugget: Are you looking for trouble?

Hot Wings: On the contrary, Tou. So help me out here. Why do I have to think of you when I hear someone call themselves a null?

Burned Nugget: ...

Hot Wings: What? Tell me!

Burned Nugget: That's what they called the boy.

"Why did you come here if you obviously care so little?"

Keigo looked up in surprise before he could send another message. Aizawa eyed him angrily. "I am very interested. That's why I'm asking one of my contacts for more information right now."

The older hero crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Who's the contact?"

Keigo licked his lips. "It would be better not to talk about this in a public place."

Aizawa didn't look convinced.

He sighed devotedly. "He's undercover and I don't feel like exposing him. I can ask him for a meeting. But it doesn't always work out. So we may have to wait."

"All right," Aizawa replied with a grumble.

In the meantime, his cell phone buzzed once more. The winged hero read the new message.

Burned Nugget: Fuck, Keigo, you can't start this shit and then not reply anymore. The fucked up shit they did to that kid is one of the reasons I sometimes hate my job and want to quit it from time to time. You know that for a fact!

Hot Wings: Sorry, Tou, I'll make it up to you. My new partner thought I wasn't interested in our case, but maybe it's somehow connected. Can you leave? Can we meet up?

Burned Nugget: Come here in an hour. *sends coordinates*

Hot Wings: You're the best! See you soon!

"Soo ... we're in luck. He's got time. Come with me, old man. If you don't want me to fly you to the rendezvous point, we'll have to get going," Keigo said cheerfully.

Aizawa relaxed his tense posture, but not his frown. "Don't get the idea of trying to carry me anywhere. Let's go. Don't you dare waste my time." He stepped out into the corridor.

Keigo waved goodbye to the detective and ran after Aizawa. "That you never wait for me."

The other hero snorted. "It shouldn't be a problem for the fastest hero in the world to keep up with an old man, should it?"

"Ugh! Any chance you won't hold that against me for weeks?" Keigo pushed open the doors of the police station and looked around. No one was allowed to follow them, or else a much bigger operation would be in jeopardy than arresting a vigilante.

Aizawa looked at him smugly. "No."

~~~~~

Less than an hour later, they reached the coordinates. It was an abandoned building whose roof was already half collapsed. Hardly anyone lived in this neighborhood anymore. Some rich investor had recently bought up all the land and would soon demolish the buildings to build a few overpriced apartment blocks instead.