So A Cat And A Lightning Bolt Walk Into A Bar...

Part 1

"The crime rate has been on the rise lately, and more and more criminals are getting away with these various acts. Is the government planning on confronting this issue? More at 10," the crappy tv above the counter announced. Noya propped his unoccupied arm up to rest his chin while the other turned the page of yet another comic book. It had been half an hour since the last customer had walked in. It wasn't Tanaka's day to work, so it was mostly quiet besides the light sounds of rain hitting the roof and monotone speaking from the tv.

All the crime lately has made Noya actually worry about the state of the city. In all honesty, he wished he could help. All the news showed was all the horrible things people were doing. Nothing about an amazing dog that can play the drums, or, hell, not even celebrity gossip. Only crime. Something needed to happen to this city, and soon.

Checking the clock, Noya noticed that his shift was almost over and he would have to close up. Clicking his tongue, he went to retrieve the broom. This was one of his least favorite tasks, sweeping the floor. But, he did like his paycheck, so it had to be done.

He could hear a few things from the tv as he went about cleaning the store. There had been another bank robbery by an unidentified subject, apparently, along with a few other small things. Finally, Noya finished and was able to leave.

Taking one step outside he could tell the rain had not let up, it probably had gotten even worse. Sadly, he had not checked the weather broadcast beforehand, so he was unprepared for this obstacle. Noya looked at the view before him, the light from the street lamps reflecting against the rain, everything smelled much cleaner than normal. Heading down the road, Noya kicked and splashed in a few puddles. A few claps of thunder were heard in the distance but Noya deemed them harmless. That is, until he fell to the ground at the feeling of being stung by a thousand wasps all at once. He curled up and let out a blood curtling scream. There was no one around to hear or see the incident. The odds of being struck by lightning were one in a million, looks like Noya was that one.

"No way, no way, that... why don't I hurt?" Noya spoke aloud to himself. His eyes widened as he rapidly felt felt his limbs and chest. There was no external damage. His clothes were singed, but nothing too bad. For a few minutes he just laid there looking at the sky, letting the rain hit his face. He thanked every god he could think of for letting him survive what he just experienced.

Just as he was about to sit up he heard hurried footsteps getting close to his spot on the ground.

"Noya! Bro! What happened?" the unmistakable voice of Tanaka yelled.

"I just had a life changing experience," Noya gasped from the ground as Tanaka was kneeling down to help him up.

"What the hell do you even mean?" The taller man looked at him in confusion, putting an arm around Noya and bringing him into a standing position.

"I think I was just struck by lightning," Noya admitted, clutching Tanaka's arm.

"Noya, I think you have been reading too much at the shop."

"No, bro, I'm serious, bro's honour," Noya said has he drew an x over the center of his chest.

"Alright, I think you need to sleep, come on now, up," Tanaka said turning around and leaning down, motioning for Noya to climb onto his back. Noya did not hesitate when offered a ride. He wrapped his arms around Tanaka's neck as he began walking again.

"Hey, how did you even know I needed help?" Noya asked, lifting his head from its resting position on Tanaka's shoulder.

"Um. Best Bro instinct? I guess?" Said man in question shrugged as he repositioned Noya on his back.

"Yeah, okay. I'll believe you," Noya commented, the 'for now' part left unsaid. Noya and Tanaka were able to start a pleasant conversation that did not last long before it became excited screaming about random topics.

Tanaka felt slightly guilty for lying to Noya on why he knew to be there. But it was best he didn't know yet. He would learn in time. He would soon learn about who and what Tanaka and Ennoshita really were, and how he had become one of them. Ennoshita was able to see what had happened with the lightning a few minutes before it did and told Tanaka immediately, and he also informed him that this had given Noya an ability. A few years prior, Ennoshita made Tanaka not tell Noya about their own powers yet, for it could put him in danger, and that was the last thing he wanted for Noya. Danger, that is.

"How much longer?" Noya suddenly asked, "I'm getting restless." He knew something was bothering Tanaka. He wasn't as excited or as hyped like he usually was.

"Just one block, calm down," Tanaka responded. The rest of the walk was silent, the rain still pouring. By the time they got to the building, they were soaked head to toe. The pair decided to race up the stairs for no other reason than the hell of it.

Once Noya reached the door and went for the keys in his pocket, the door swung open to reveal Ennoshita.

"How does he always do that?" Noya asked, to no one in particular. Tanaka just shrugged while Ennoshita offered a smile.

"Now that you two made it back, I can finally go to bed. I swear it's like you two are owls," Ennoshita said, walking into his and Tanaka's shared room. With that, Noya and Tanaka both agreed to call it a night as well. Sharing goodnights, they both went to their respective rooms.

Even after 256 sheep, Noya still couldn't sleep. He still had the feeling that something was off about himself and how Tanaka was acting.

'I mean, we can tell each other anything and everything. If something bothered him that much, he would tell me.'