My Oath to You [Under Reconstruction]

Chapter Four

I woke up with a start. I sat up straight and I looked around. I'm back here again. I'm not as scared as I normally feel so what is happening? There was a gentle knock at the metal door before it was pushed open. The old version of Akira walked through the door, her long hair swishing behind her. "Good morning 03!" She chirped. I found it so odd that she was so happy at work. Wary of her energy, I pull my legs up to my chest curling into a ball, "Good morning, Doctor Zeterra." She came to the edge of my bed and brushed my hair out of my face, "I talked to Zero today." My face lit up and I looked up with joy. Why am I so excited? Who is Zero? I asked excitedly, "Did he write back today?" Doctor Zeterra smiled softly, "He sure did!" She hands me a folded piece of paper. I snatch it and clutch it to my chest. I felt warmth spread across my chest. I'm so confused. What is this feeling? Why am I feeling this? I look back at her urgently, "Will you read it back to me?" She chuckles, "Sure thing, 03." She takes the letter back from my chest. She opens it and begins reading, "Dear 03, H҉o҉-҉'҉~҉/҉?҉;҉"҉'҉'҉:҉"҉;҉[҉.҉.҉'҉l҉ --" Something is wrong, I'm still smiling but the room is becoming static. Doctor Zeterra's voice started changing and contorting. I looked at the door and it was still open. A shadowy figure of a child about my age stood in the doorway. He raised his hand, speaking hysterically, "̷D̷i̷d̷ ̷y̷o̷u̷ ̷f̷o̷r̷g̷e̷t̷ ̷a̷b̷o̷u̷t̷ ̷m̷e̷,̷ ̷N̷o̷z̷o̷m̷i̷?̷"̷

My eyes sprung open and I was panting. I touched my forehead and felt sweat. I sat up and used my shirt to dab off the sweat. What was that? Akira flung my door open and it made me jump. She yelled, "Aye! You slept in today! I demand breakfast!" I groaned, "Yeah, yeah. I'm up." She huffed and slammed the door closed. I mutter, "I swear." I stretched and crawled out of bed. I sloppily put my bed together. I pressed my hands against my temples. Man, I really shouldn't have stayed up so late texting Izuku, but late at night are the only times he can talk. It's almost been 10 months since the sludge monster attack. Izuku and I have become closer. He'll text me about his classes and "secret" training. He wants to go to UA but I'm not sure what I'll be doing. I've been meaning to talk to Akira about it but lately, she seems a little touchy. I don't have much longer since the hero exam is in a couple of weeks. Maybe Midoriya and I can get in together?

I exit my room and head for the kitchen. I popped open the fridge and it was a little more full than normal. Maybe she went shopping for once. She has been warier about letting me out of the apartment. I shout from the kitchen, "Oi! What do you even want for breakfast?" I hear her yell back from the living room, "Can I get a breakfast burrito to go?" I groan, "Fine but it'll be simple; since you have to leave soon." I quickly pull out some eggs and cheese from the fridge. I toss a pan onto the stove and dump the eggs in to start frying. I pull out a couple of potatoes from the cupboard and the soft tortillas. I quickly chop the potatoes into cubes and toss those in the pan as well, stirring it up to cook with the eggs. When I started to see the potatoes cook, I tossed the cheese in to make the sticky gooey breakfast burrito Akira loves. I shout behind me, "Breakfast to go, ready!" I could hear Akira getting her things to go. I tossed the cheesy concoction onto a soft tortilla and rolled it up. I grab a paper towel from the rack on the wall and wrap it around the burrito. I quickly poured the black coffee I started preparing the moment I entered the kitchen into a to-go mug. I capped it and held out the readily prepared mug of coffee and burrito. She walked into the kitchen as she was putting on her jacket, "Thank you doll face." She took them out of my hands and kissed my forehead, "I love you and you know the drill. Stay safe and I'll see you later!" She quickly headed to the door. I stammered, thinking about this morning, "W-wait! A-Akira!" She stood halfway through the front door, "What is it, hun?" I fidgeted, nervous about her answer, "About high school? I want to take the hero course at UA." She looked surprised but softened, "I'm sorry, but we'll need to talk about this later. I need to go. I'll see you later." With that curt answer, she closed the door behind her. I stood a little dumbfounded. At least she didn't turn the idea down, but she seemed to want to avoid it a little despite being in a rush.

I continued about my day cleaning, studying, and anxiously awaiting Akira's return. It's now 8 p.m. It's strange for her to be out this late. The sun was down and with each passing minute, I became more anxious. Should I call the police? No. What're they even going to do anyway? It hasn't been 24 hours and she had worked earlier today. Maybe I should give her a call myself? I pull out my cell phone. As soon as I started to dial her number, I could hear keys and the lock at the front door started to jiggle. The door opened and Akira staggered in. She looked exhausted. She sluggishly closed and locked the door behind her. I came to her side and helped her take off her jacket, "Are you okay? You look so tired." She nodded meekly, "Yeah. It's been a long day today. I think I need a drink." I laughed as I hung her jacket on the coat rack, "Wow, must have been a day if you're looking for a drink." She didn't laugh in response. She went into the kitchen and rummaged around in the fridge. My anxiety came back now wondering what happened. I walk past the kitchen into the living room, "I boxed dinner. You can take the leftovers and heat them in the microwave." Akira murmured her thanks and popped open the first beer she got her hands on. I stood on the other side of the counter from in the living room. I looked her up and down, my anxiety making me impatient. I couldn't hold it any longer, "What happened! What is going on?"

She stopped mid-chug. She set her beer on the counter and sighed. The anticipation was killing me. In a deadpan expression, she stared into my eyes, "They are here." I could feel the blood drain from my face and felt weak in the knees. All my anxiety, now justified, I wanted to vomit. I covered my mouth, actually holding back the temptation. She sighed, "I was really afraid that this would happen. That's why I moved to plan B after work." I felt as if I couldn't speak. Seeing my reaction she continued, "You know of my friend I spoke of. It was the main reason we moved to Japan?" I nodded. "Well, I went and spoke to them today," She paused, "I couldn't get you into UA based on recommendation alone. I have no standing so my word means nothing to the board. You'll have to take the exam of your choice and they will house you." House me? I spit out, "What do you mean, house me?" She spoke evenly, "You will be living on UA grounds." Akira said it so matter-of-factly. I couldn't accept it, "What!? Why? What're you gonna do!?" In a stern voice, turning away, "Don't worry about me." I couldn't help but burst into frustration. I stomped into the kitchen, "DON'T WORRY ABOUT YOU!?" She sank into the kitchen counter, "Nozomi. Please calm down-" I shout, "NO! I won't calm down! This is ridiculous. I do not want to leave you behind. Are you kidding!? You were the one who pulled me out of that damn hell hole!-" Akira pulled me by my wrist into a hug. She was trembling and all my anger fled my body. Her voice was shaky, "How many times do I have to tell you? Don't put me on a pedestal." I was so surprised. I wonder if she's just as scared. I hug her tightly. I don't want her to be scared. She continued, her voice still trembling, "I know you mentioned you want to take the hero course." She pulled back. Tears streaming from her jade green eyes, she still smiled, "Do your best. For me, okay?" Sadness enveloped my heart. I unashamedly cried, tears flowing and I could feel my nose start to run. She giggled, "Man, you really know how to ugly cry." I jumped on her, taking her into a hug and we fell on the kitchen floor. She laughed after we hit the ground. Still crying, I sputtered out, "Sh-shut up." I nuzzled into her neck and she stroked my hair. I don't know how long we stayed like that, but I melted into her warmth that I couldn't help but fall asleep.