Himiko

The weight of the day pressed on Akaeru's shoulders as he fumbled with his keys at the front door. Stepping inside in an exhausted manner, he braced himself for the usual emptiness of the apartment his mom was paying for for him. But instead of the silence he expected, a flicker of movement caught his eye.

There, bathed in the moonlight filtering through the window, stood Himiko. Her arms were crossed, her expression a stormy mix of jealousy and fury. The air crackled with unspoken accusations.

"Himiko?" Akaeru asked. "How'd you get in?"

Despite his questioning tone, he didn't care too much if she broke in.

The question seemed to spark a fresh wave of anger in her. "Where were you?" she spat, her voice tight but still high pitched like usual. "It's past midnight!"

"I met up with Nejire," he mumbled, taking his shoes off and walking into the kitchen, opening the fridge. The cold air felt nice on his skin.

"We went for ramen," he said briefly, taking a swig of milk straight from the carton. "She finished a difficult seminar and needed a pick-me-up."

Himiko didn't move, her gaze sharp. "That late? And why didn't you tell me you were going out with Nejire?"

"It wasn't planned," he said, and went back to drinking the milk.

"So what did you guys do? What did you guys talk about?"

Akaeru stood in front of the fridge with Himiko behind him, and bluntly said, "She told me she likes me."

Nejire?" she finally whispered, her voice barely a breath. "But... she's your sister."

Akaeru slammed the fridge shut, the loud clang echoing in the quiet apartment. He leaned against the counter, rubbing his face in exhaustion at the situation. "I know, okay? Believe me, I know."

Himiko crossed her arms, silence settling in as she thought about the situation.

Himiko's arms remained crossed, her expression unreadable in the moonlight. "So what did you say?"

Akaeru slightly grimaced. "I told her I feel the same way."

Akaeru could see Himiko shake as soon as he said that.

"Look," he started, his voice authorative. "I don't know what's going on with Nejire or me. But it doesn't change anything between us, Himiko. You're my..." He paused, not finding the right words. "Listen, I would've kept this from you if I didn't trust you."

Himiko uncrossed her arms finally, taking a hesitant step towards him. Her eyes, usually sparkling with mischief, were clouded with emotions he couldn't decipher.

"Do you love her, Akaeru?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. The question hung in the air, a sharp knife cutting through the already tense atmosphere.

Akaeru was silent for a moment before answering. "I do. I'm just not sure if it's in the way she wants me to just yet."

As he said those words, a knife stabbed directly into the marble countertop, piercing through it.

"No you don't! You don't!" Himiko screamed.

The knife embedded in the counter sent a jolt through Akaeru, but not from fear. It was irritation. This wasn't the time for Himiko's theatrics. He slammed the fridge shut again, the noise echoing in the tense silence.

Akaeru's eyes took on a cold, authoritative glint. "Quit being fucking childish, Himiko. What did you want me to do? Tell her no and ruin our relationship forever? I'm not doing that."

He knew he was being harsh, but kid gloves wouldn't fix this. He needed to be clear, even if it bruised her ego.

"So you're choosing her over me?!" Himiko cried out, her voice cracking, but Akaeru wasn't phased by her words.

"Do you really think guilt-tripping me is the best thing to do right now, Himiko? Not once have I ever felt guilty about something."

Himiko opened her mouth to retort, but Akaeru cut her off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Look, I'm not asking you to be happy about it. But here's the reality: I care about Nejire, and I care about you. I'm not giving up on either of you."

He walked closer to Himiko, only a breath away from her. "Look, Himiko. We've been in this together for a while, right?"

Hearing his words, Himiko begrudgingly nodded her head.

"Are you planning on leaving me because of this?"

Almost instantly, Himiko responded, "N-No. I'm never doing that."

"Even if I start having feeling for both you and Nejire?" He asked.

Himiko thought about it, and although she'd be upset, she wouldn't be able to bring herself to leave him.

So she shook her head no.

Akaeru then leaned down to kiss her. He knew better than anyone that he was using Himiko's feelings for him right now as a way out, but he didn't care. Himiko, hesitancy gone, melted into his touch.

Ending the kiss, Himiko said one last thing: "Just no secrecy, okay? I want you to tell me whenever you do something with another girl. Hopefully only Nejire."

"Mmm, alright."

With that, Akaeru took Himiko up to his room, and eased her thoughts with pleasure.

***

The next day, in front of the UA building, the gate was completely covered up by reporters trying to get interviews with students at UA, trying to get more information on All Might.

Akaeru and Himiko, pushing through the throng of reporters, weaved their way towards the building. A few students cast curious glances their way, but most were too busy trying to answer questions about All Might's retirement or the upcoming hero licensing exam.

Suddenly, a microphone shoved itself into Akaeru's face. A man with a greasy comb-over and a desperate glint in his eyes leaned in.

"Mr. Hado! Akaeru Hado! With All Might's retirement, do you think you have the potential to become the next Symbol of Peace? What about the hero course? Are you at all worried about how being a hero will change with All Might gone?" the reporter barked energetically.

Akaeru stopped in his tracks, letting out a derisive laugh that echoed through the sound of the reporters. Himiko rolled her eyes at the reporter's obvious question.

"Worried?" Akaeru repeated, his voice dripping with amusement. "Why would I be worried when the world has me?" He swept his gaze over the crowd, the reporters shrinking under his scrutiny.

"UA lost a 'legend', sure," he conceded, his voice dropping to a low rumble. "But legends are replaceable. This city, this world, needs a new symbol. And who better than someone who's already carved their name into the top ranking of their year, no, the entire school?"

He laughed again, a sound that sent shivers down the spines of some students watching nearby. Himiko smirked, a hint of admiration sparkling in her eyes.

"UA will adapt," Akaeru declared, his voice booming. "And with this new generation, a generation that doesn't rely on All Might, a shadow of the past, the future of heroes is brighter than ever."

With that final, audacious statement, Akaeru shoved past the reporter, leaving the media speechless in his wake. Himiko followed close behind, skipping along the way.

The students, energized by Akaeru's arrogance, erupted in a flurry of murmurs and excited chatter.

After walking a while longer, Akaeru kissed Himiko goodbye and went to class again.

But not before noticing a creepy blue-haired guy standing outside of the UA gate behind the reporters. Instinctively, Akaeru glared at him, but eventually turned around, going on his way.

Once he got to class, as he sat down in the full classroom, Aizawa came in right after and stood at the podium.

"Good job on your battle training yesterday. I looked at the video clips and your scores. Todoroki… you fought strategically. Good job."

He paused for a moment before looking at Akaeru. "And Akaeru… learn how to hold back."

While Todoroki thanked Aizawa, Akaeru simply shrugged the advice off, thinking, 'That's exactly what I did.'

"Now to home room business. This may be sudden, but I want you to… choose a class president."

'How boring,' Akaeru thought, and slumped over on his desk, keen on taking a nap. He didn't get much sleep with Himiko last night.

***

After school, Akaeru decided he wanted to buy a present for Himiko, so he went to the heart of the city.

He weaved through the bustling crowds of the city center, dodging businessmen and chattering schoolgirls, some even fangirling over the "Green Blur". His mind raced with present ideas. Maybe a new scarf? A cute plushie? Himiko would most likely cherish anything he got her in the end.

A sudden flash of neon caught his eye. He stopped in front of a small, brightly lit shop tucked away in a side alley. Through the window, he could see shelves overflowing with colorful trinkets, anime figures, and handcrafted accessories. A sign above the door declared it "Eccentric Emporium." A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. This was perfect.

He pushed open the door, a cheerful chime greeting him. The shop was a riot of colors and textures. Cutesy keychains dangled from displays, hand-painted phone cases glittered under the lights, and a life-sized cardboard cutout of a popular hero stood guard in the corner. Akaeru felt like a kid in a candy store.

A young woman with bright pink hair and a contagious grin popped out from behind a counter piled high with merchandise. "Welcome to Eccentric Emporium! Can I interest you in something truly unique?"

"Hey," Akaeru replied, his voice a bit gruff compared to the woman's bubbly enthusiasm. "I'm looking for a gift for my girlfriend. Something unexpected, but still cute."

The woman's grin widened. "Ah, a challenge! Well, let's see what we have here..." She launched into a whirlwind tour, pointing out quirky cat-eared headbands, glow-in-the-dark socks shaped like giant paws, and a phone case adorned with a grumpy-looking cartoon villain.

Akaeru smiled a little, impressed by the woman's energy. In the end, he settled on a delicate charm bracelet, adorned with tiny charms that represented Himiko's favorite things: a tiny cup of ramen, a playful devil horn, and a pair of mischievous-looking eyes. It was unique, cute, and undeniably reminded him of Himiko.

He thanked the woman, his mood lighter than it had been all day. Slipping the bracelet into his pocket, he exited the shop, the city lights twinkling merrily against the darkening sky.