Out of Place & Out of Sorts

Ch.58 - Fashion Statement

Izuku's iron soles clacked against the pavement as he walked the streets of Tarisu, currently on patrol for the Ryukyu agency.

"So, Deku, how's parenting life treating you?"

The street was thankfully sparse with people, but that didn't stop the green hero from gawking at the girl beside him.

"Nejire-Chan, please! Can we not talk about that out here?"

The bluette pouted and waved her hand. "Alright, alright, jeez~."

Today, Izuku had been paired up with his senior intern and senpai.

Ryuko had suggested drawing lots a few days ago to add randomisation to who would cover which part of the patrol route to avoid the suspicion that could arise from consistently teaming with the boy... as much as she'd prefer to.

Ryukyu's territory and assigned patrol route were sizeable due to her position as one of the top 10. While the pro could cover that area herself, especially in her dragon form, it was time-consuming. So occasionally, the interns were split up when pressed for time to fulfil the agency's quota... with the heavy caveat that they didn't cause another Dozer incident and call for backup.

Izuku breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you..."

The streets were wet, and cold puddles lay on the roads in the winter evening from a sudden shower that appeared and left only a couple hours earlier. The young green hero occasionally spotted his reflection, heavy with contemplation from this morning's events.

'Ryuko's probably going to have plenty to say in the vault tonight...'

The boy could tell his last conversation with the dragoness was far from over. There was no way she could've heard about the suicide baiting and just been ok after a few words from him. Izuku knew she tended to stew on things that bothered her... not unlike how he is.

'Heavy with dread again, I see, Ninth.'

Izuku had to forcibly prevent himself from jumping out of his skin at the sound of the voice.

Nejire looked at him. "You ok, Deku?"

He was sweating slightly, but not because of her. "I'm fine; I just had a weird thought."

She put a finger to her lips, leaning toward him with deep curiosity. "What weird thought?"

"Uh... I'll tell you in a bit. But I need to... think about it more."

She leant back and smiled. "Kay!"

Thank goodness he's gotten a better handle on dealing with Nejire after all this time. Unfortunately, there was currently someone else he had little to no experience with residing in his head.