This time I will protect them I won't be a coward

181

Denki woke up with cold tears sliding down his golden eyes. His chest heaved as he took sharp, shallow breaths. A dull ache spread through his heart, and an eerie chill clung to him like a shroud. His trembling hands clenched the edge of the sofa as he whispered a single name:

"Midoriya."

Bubble Girl, standing nearby, tilted her head curiously. "Huh, Midoriya-kun, your friend is calling your name," she said, glancing toward the green-haired hero.

Izuku Midoriya approached cautiously, his emerald eyes filled with concern. He knelt beside Denki, his movements careful as if afraid to startle him. "Kaminari, shh," he said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't cry. What's wrong?"

Denki’s voice cracked as he murmured, "My quirk... it hurts."

Izuku gasped softly, his mind racing. "Kaminari-kun, maybe you should lie down for a bit," he suggested, his tone soothing but tinged with worry.

Denki shook his head, his golden bangs falling messily over his face. "I’m at Sir Nighteye’s agency, right?"

"Yes," Izuku confirmed, confused but attentive.

"I need you to tell that Smurf Lady to inform Sir Nighteye to drop whatever fanboy thing he’s doing. And you—" Denki paused, his lips curling into a faint smirk despite his tears, "—get me a cold Coke."

Bubble Girl frowned slightly at being called "Smurf Lady," but before she could retort, Izuku nodded. "Okay," he said simply, respecting Denki’s odd request. He and Bubble Girl exchanged a glance before leaving the room, choosing not to question him further.

As the door clicked shut, Denki slumped back against the sofa. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands, a flicker of a smile gracing his lips. His nightmare still lingered at the edges of his mind, but for the first time, he felt as though he was making progress in unraveling its meaning.

"You can do this," he whispered to himself.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. "Uh... um," came Bubble Girl’s hesitant voice as she peeked into the room. "Sir Nighteye is ready to meet you."

Denki pushed himself up, steadying himself against the sofa as a wave of dizziness swept over him. His legs wobbled slightly, but he clenched his fists and took a steadying breath.

You’ve got this, Denki. One step at a time.

He walked out of the room, making his way down the corridor. The hum of fluorescent lights buzzed faintly above him, and the agency’s quiet atmosphere felt oddly heavy tonight. As he neared Sir Nighteye’s office, he spotted Midoriya waiting for him with a can of Coke in hand.

"Here," Midoriya said, offering it to him with a small smile.

"Thanks, Midoriya-kun," Denki said softly, his voice is more stable now. He cracked open the can, letting the satisfying hiss of carbonation fill the air. Taking a sip, he savored the crisp, fizzy taste as it tickled his throat, grounding him for what was to come.

Pushing the door open, he stepped into Sir Nighteye’s office. The man sat behind his desk, his sharp eyes fixed on Denki with a solemn expression. The room was meticulously organized, the faint scent of coffee lingering in the air.

Denki quirked an eyebrow at him, breaking the silence. "Not much of a talker, are you?"

"Hurry up, kid. I don’t have all day to babysit you," Sir Nighteye retorted, his tone cold and impatient.

Denki’s brow twitched, an angry vein threatening to throb in his forehead, but he bit it back. Instead, he spoke as if he hadn’t heard the jab. "I just want to help speed up your investigation of the Shie Hassaikai case. I have some intel that might help."

Sir Nighteye’s demeanor shifted instantly. His back straightened, and his sharp gaze turned even more piercing. "Who are you, kid?" he asked, suspicion lacing his words.

Denki’s lips curved into a sly smile. "I’m Bob," he said, his voice steady but playful.