Zero - A Vigilante Deku Story

Chapter 18 - The magic of red shoes. There's no place like home.

POV Zero

"So you want these?"

Zero nodded enthusiastically and looked at his feet - or rather, the shoes he had tried on. They were the first thing he had chosen of his own accord. Earlier, they had gotten supplies for school and Zero had gotten some new notebooks and various pens. As it turned out, this had been the easiest part by far. They also had insisted on a new phone.

Mic and Shouta had tried to buy him various furnishings and decorations, but apart from a desk, nothing had convinced him. He was used to traveling light and therefore lived very minimally. He also didn't want the two heroes to spend an unnecessary amount of money on him.

But he had taken a liking to these shoes. He wouldn't have chosen or worn them for his job as a vigilante, but as a normal student he could perhaps afford the bright red. After all, it was secretly his favorite color.

He rocked back and forth in his new shoes, bubbling over with enthusiasm. Shouta smiled at him with satisfaction. "Okay, let me pay for them and then you can keep them on right away, yeah?"

Zero nodded eagerly. Maybe this shopping trip was good after all. Despite the supplies Shouta had gotten him, it was still sensory overload. However, Zero had to admit that he desperately needed some new clothes. They picked out two more pairs of shoes and left the store.

Ever since they had entered the mall, Hitoshi kept by his side. His presence was surprisingly reassuring and Zero liked the way he held his hand. There was something surprisingly caring about it. Maybe it really was possible they could both become brothers. Could Zero wish to be part of this family? It had only been a day and yet he already felt so close to these three.

A warm home with a family which was happy to see him, where there was something tasty to eat and pets which would hopefully soon no longer see him as prey or a toy, but would cuddle with him - just like Shiro had this morning. It was a beautiful dream. Could he allow himself to dream it?

They walked through the upper floor of the mall, looking for a clothing store which had clothes Zero might be a little more comfortable with his wings. So far, they hadn't had much luck. Zero couldn't try on normal clothes. He could just buy them and cut holes in them at home as usual, but Shouta wasn't satisfied with it. He wanted to find something for Zero which really fitted. Good luck with that ...

Lost in thought, Zero looked around and swung their intertwined hands back and forth a little. Ever since he knew how good gentle touching felt, he could hardly get enough of it, he was downright starved for it. There were all kinds of stores on this floor too and he didn't know where to start. The two heroes walked ahead of them. Zero turned to the other boy and was about to ask a question. Hitoshi smiled at him encouragingly.

"Toshi?" An uncertain voice sounded behind them.

The two boys turned around at the same time. Behind them stood a group of teenagers who didn't look particularly pleased to see them. Zero scrutinized the four of them. There was a girl who was pink from head to toe, a boy with his red hair styled up, a black-haired boy, and a blond one. The latter had a flash of black in his long bangs. He looked like he was on the verge of bursting into tears, while the other three scowled.

"Hey Denks," Hitoshi said cheerfully. "Hi guys, what are you doing here?"

"Who's that?" the girl asked in a hard voice. Her eyes fell on their clasped hands.

Zero let go of Hitoshi and hid behind him. Whoever this was, they seemed pissed to see him with Hitoshi.

"I thought you didn't have time today," the blond said in a shaky voice. "And yet you're strolling through the mall hand in hand with another boy."