The Heart of a Hero [BNHA]

Chapter Thirteen: Code Names

Nikita was up before the sun Monday morning and woke to a loud clap of thunder and her power going out. Sighing she got up from bed and checked the mobile device Cindy had gotten for her. It was almost time for her to get up and go to work at the store anyway. She pulled her hair up in a messy bun and slipped into a pair of sweatpants and a loose t-shirt before packing her school uniform in a bag with her shoes. She swiped a granola bar from the kitchen and pulled on a bulky hooded sweatshirt before stepping onto the wraparound porch.

She was immediately pelted with rain and groaned as she realized she didn't have an umbrella. It was still pitch black outside due to the dark ominous clouds overhead pouring rain and roaring with thunder above her. There was a chill bite to the air and she shivered as her sweatshirt became soaked in a matter of minutes.

With the help of the Cheetah, she made it to work in a few seconds and lightly rapped on the back door waiting for Toma to let her in. He didn't make her wait long and greeted her with a smile.

"You're early." He commented as she sloshed into the stockroom and dropped her sopping wet sweatshirt over the utility sink to dry. "You did great during the Sports Festival, we were rooting for you."

"Thanks." She beamed and turned to find him holding a towel out to her to dry herself off with. "Again."

After she'd dried herself off she helped Toma clear the stockroom to make room for the shipment truck's load. Toma's mother shuffled into the stockroom from the back office and paused as she noticed the cat girl. Her gaze fell on the bandages covering Nikita's burned wrist.

"Are you sure you should be letting her lift things with that arm, Toma dear?"

Toma looked to the cat girl with a frown, "Is it okay?"

Nikita offered them both a reassuring smile, "I'm okay, promise. It's more cosmetic than anything else."

"If you're sure dear." The elderly woman shrugged before shuffling over to the shipping log to look over the expected shipment as the truck pulled into the loading zone.

Nikita's ears and tail shifted to a tiger pattern and she jumped into action making quick work of unloading all the heavy crates and boxes. She was easily able to lift all the pallets without the use of a forklift and get everything off the truck and into the stockroom in a few minutes before getting everything unwrapped and handing each of the packing lists to Toma's mother to check off.

"It's always amazing to watch." Toma chuckled as he pat her on the head before going to speak with the delivery driver. "You mind getting all the cold stuff put away?"

"I'm on it." Nikita moved quickly and efficiently getting all of the refrigerated items, frozen items and then produce put away. In two hours time she had the entire truck completely unpacked and everything restocked and put away.

Once she was finished she tidied up the front and carried out the heavy sidewalk sign before going to the bathroom to change into her school uniform. As she stepped out of the bathroom ready for school, she paused as she found Toma's mother leaning against one of the fixtures just outside of the bathroom. She fixed the cat girl with a stern look.

"Is something the matter, Baa-baa?"

"You look a little pale, Niki dear, make sure you take care of your health." She extended a small parcel wrapped in a pretty green silk with white jasmine flowers and a plain black umbrella. "You never pack yourself a decent lunch and you didn't even bring an umbrella with you." She scolded the teen.

Nikita laughed nervously at this, "Sorry, Baa-baa, I'll try to be more responsible. Thanks for taking care of me."

"Get going." The elderly woman smiled fondly at the teen before shooing her on her way.