The Quiet of Us (Denki Kaminari x OC)

The Halloween Party

It had been a few weeks since the paparazzi incident, and things between Aiko and Kaminari had improved. Aiko had started to open up more—not just to Kaminari, but also to her closest coworker, Mayumi, who had been incredibly supportive. Confiding in them helped Aiko feel less alone, but it also stirred up painful memories from her past, memories that were difficult to face without something to numb the pain.

On the nights when Kaminari stayed with her, those thoughts were kept at bay. His presence was comforting, a reminder that she didn't have to carry everything on her own. But on the nights when he couldn't stay over, Aiko found herself slipping back into old habits. The temptation to drink was always strongest when she was alone, and though she hated herself for it, she couldn't seem to stop. The alcohol dulled the pain, made the memories less sharp, but it also left her feeling ashamed. She wanted to tell Kaminari, to ask for help, but the fear of how he might react kept her silent.

It was the day of the hero Halloween party, and Aiko had left work a little early to prepare. She had been looking forward to the party for weeks, but now that the day had arrived, a familiar sense of dread had crept in. The idea of being around so many people—other pro heroes, their friends, and possibly even more attention from the media—made her anxious.

Kaminari met her outside her workplace, a bright smile on his face as he took her hand in his. "Hey, babe. Ready to get spooky tonight?"

Aiko smiled softly, though her nerves were still simmering beneath the surface. "Yeah, I'm ready. Just... hoping for a calm night."

"It'll be fun, I promise," Kaminari reassured her as they began walking toward her apartment. "And don't worry, I made sure the venue is private. The reporters will be nowhere near us."

Aiko bit her lip, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. She appreciated Kaminari's efforts, but no matter how much he tried to shield her from the public eye, there was always a part of her that remained on edge. She wanted to trust that everything would be okay, but the fear—of both the media and her own personal struggles—loomed over her.

As they walked, Aiko could feel the weight of her secret pressing down on her. She wanted to tell him about her drinking, about how badly she wanted to get help, but every time the words formed in her mind, they got stuck in her throat. What if he thought less of her? What if he couldn't handle the truth?

"Denki, I..."

Kaminari looked over at her, his eyes soft and filled with concern. "Yeah?"

Aiko hesitated, her heart racing as she tried to summon the courage to tell him. But the fear held her back, and she forced a small smile instead.

"Nothing," she said quietly. "Let's just... focus on the party, okay?"

Kaminari gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Okay. But if you need to talk, I'm here. You know that, right?"

Aiko nodded, her chest tightening with guilt. She wished she could be more open with him, but for now, she wasn't ready.

When they arrived at Aiko's apartment, they quickly set to work getting ready for the party. Aiko had been looking forward to their couple's costume—Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein—and Kaminari's excitement was infectious. As they slipped into their costumes, Kaminari made sure to crack a few jokes, trying to keep the mood light.

"You look amazing," Kaminari said with a grin as Aiko adjusted her wig. "Seriously, we're gonna win 'best couple' for sure."

Aiko chuckled, her nerves easing just a little as she looked at him. He was dressed as Frankenstein, complete with green face paint and fake stitches, and he looked both ridiculous and adorable.

"You don't look too bad yourself," Aiko teased, giving him a playful nudge.

"Not bad?" Kaminari gasped, pretending to be offended. "I'm going for 'iconic' here, babe!"

Aiko laughed softly, shaking her head. It was moments like these—when they were joking around, being silly together—that made everything feel okay, even if only for a little while.

As they finished getting ready and prepared to head to the party, Kaminari could sense that Aiko was still a little on edge. He didn't push her to talk, though—he knew better than to force her into a conversation she wasn't ready for. Instead, he focused on keeping her spirits up, determined to make the night as fun and carefree as possible.

"Okay," he said, taking her hand as they stood by the door. "You ready to go win this party?"

Aiko smiled, though her nerves still lingered. "Yeah. Let's go."

As they left her apartment and made their way to the party, Kaminari kept his arm around her, his touch reassuring. He knew Aiko was still struggling, but he was determined to be there for her—to make sure she knew she wasn't alone.

And though Aikoappreciated his support more than she could put into words, the secret she waskeeping from him—the alcohol, the shame—still gnawed at her. It was only amatter of time before she'd have to face it. But for tonight, she pushed thosethoughts aside, focusing on the present and the man beside her.