"Must be a festival." Katsuki muttered as they walked into the town. It was bustling with people from all over, most of them wearing colourful costumes. The blond had to wonder what there was to celebrate as he pulled his cloak tighter around him to avoid recognition.
Sure, his hair had grown out in the past year, making him look almost identical to his mother, but that only made his identity harder to conceal. He had considered growing out a beard, but he couldn't make facial hair happen if he tried.
Eijirou, however, hadn't had a problem concealing his identity. He hadn't let his hair turn back into its red colour, nor did he bother styling it in his old spiky manor. He looked like a whole different person apart from his face, which nobody took notice to anyway.
"The person who found me is supposed to live above the tavern." Eijirou recalled, trailing closely behind his friend. He didn't like being in crowds. Not anymore, at least.
"Are you coming with me this time?"
"Nah. I'll wait outside."
"I really don't like leaving you alone like that."
"I know, Katsuki."
The blond let the conversation drop. He didn't want his friend to feel pressured. As much as he didn't want to leave Ei in danger, he knew that he didn't like being involved too deeply in the quest.
"I'm with you for emotional support because I know you need to do this, but I'm not encouraging you." He had said about a month into their journey, when Katsuki had asked why he never joined him in finding leads. And now, a year later, he still hadn't been completely won over.
"Hopefully, after this, we won't have much more searching. Then we can complete the mission and go back home!" Eijirou's eyes lit up every time home was mentioned. Katsuki could tell he wanted to be there so badly, but they couldn't return. Not without fulfilling their vengeance.
"We should check into the local inn after we finish asking questions. I'm tired of sleeping in the woods."
"Good idea." Eijirou agreed softly.
They reached the tavern in question, knocking three times on the door.
"Come in!" A loud voice shouted. Katsuki pushed the door open while Eijirou ducked away to wait for him.
"Hello?" Katsuki called out as he stepped into the tavern.
A tall, spindly man was at the bar, long blond hair tied into a ponytail at the back of his head. His lips held a small, pointy moustache and a friendly, yet creepy, grin and his hands busied themselves with polishing a glass.
"I'm looking for a Shōta Aizawa." Katsuki stated briskly. He sat at the bar, leaning against its surface.
"I'm not gonna give ol' Eraserhead's info to just anybody," the man raised an eyebrow behind round glasses, "Especially not somebody as suspicious looking as you."
Katsuki sighed, realizing that the hood of his cloak was still pulled over his head. He tugged it down, revealing his regal face to the man at the bar.
"Ah. King Katsuki. We were wondering when you would show up."
