Eraserhead and Scribe

Eraserhead and Scribe Chapters 13-18

Chapter 13

The little bookstore on the quiet street near the waterfront was nearly how Aizawa had pictured it. There was no cat and no fireplace, but the front windows were large and bright with sun. The shelves were overstuffed with books on every subject. When they entered, the young woman at the desk looked up with a bright smile that changed to something more genuine a moment later as she jumped up and ran to hug Scribe.

"Oh my gosh, it's so good to see you. When did you get back, how long are you staying, why—"

Scribe laughed. "One question at a time, Chelsea!"

Chelsea looked at Aizawa and her eyes widened. "Okay, let's start with who's the hot ninja-type guy you brought home and can we keep him?"

Aizawa felt his eyebrows shoot up. He'd opted for a suit and had tied back his trademark black mane in hopes that he wouldn't be recognized. Scribe had straightened his tie before they left and shook her head with a smile. "Recognizable or not, you're still going to attract attention in my little town, my love."

He hadn't believed her but when Scribe caught his eye now, he shrugged acknowledgment. Scribe introduced him only as "Shota", and he shook hands quickly, then moved off to prowl around the store while Scribe handled Chelsea's questions. He found a set of stairs in the back and looked up, knowing they led to Scribe's tiny apartment where she'd lived alone for so many years. It felt strange being here, as though he were peeking into a part of her life he had no right to see.

Even if I am partly responsible for it.

I brought her here to give her a life, Aizawa. He couldn't shake All Might's words. Had All Might been here, then? Had he seen her living a quiet life when she could do so much more? Maybe they'd sat in the bookstore and drank tea together. Did you know I would fall in love with her if you brought her back to Japan, Toshinori? Or was that as much a surprise to you as it was to me?

Her gentle hand on his arm made him jump a little. She smiled. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

He rubbed the back of his neck, distracted from his thoughts about All Might. "It's fine. I guess I'm more tired than I thought."

She started up the steps. "Let's get settled in and cleaned up, then. I doubt there's anything to fix for dinner here, but we can order out."

He followed her, bringing their bags. Inside the little apartment, he looked around. Even with the light coming in from the small front window looking down on the street, it was dark. Books were everywhere. On shelves and in boxes. On tables and chairs and the sofa. She flipped on a lamp and started moving books from the sofa to the coffee table. "It's not much. But we should be okay for a couple of nights. Of course, if you wanted, I could get you a room at the hotel down the street—"

For answer, he put an arm around her waist and pulled her close to him, kissing her gently. He brushed her hair back. "I'm fine with you. Wherever you are."

It felt so good to kiss her freely, he did it again. But when she drew away, she looked worried. "Shota, are you sure about us now? The council could still—"

He shook his head. "There's nothing anyone else could teach you, my love. The drills All Might and I devised for you are just practice now. You've had no problems controlling your quirk. And thanks to the practice on the obstacle course, you are aware both of how you rely on your quirk and what to do if it's not available. You are stronger and faster and more reliable than even I anticipated." He paused, then bowed his head a little. "I would fight by your side any time."

Her face flushed a little. "What's next then?"

His lips curved. "Besides making out, you mean?" He laughed when her face turned an even deeper shade of pink. "Fine, the next step is to get your provisional hero license. And then you decide where you want to go from there. But first..." He took her hand and led her to the couch, pulling her down onto it. "I just want to enjoy being able to hold you without worrying that someone could take that away from me."