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The bustling city of Musutafu was preparing for the Christmas season. Naomasa was out with his partner Sansa. Both men were wrapped in their heavier clothing. The temperature was in the negatives currently but it was his only full day off that was guaranteed. Their work was picking up because it was the holiday season.
Naomasa carried three bags of trinkets for his coworkers. He was still looking for something cat related for Eraserhead. The two of them had been friends for years. It got to the point where they typically shared small gifts for birthdays and Christmases.
Sansa similarly was carrying a bag but it was much smaller. His tail twitched with an unknown agitation. Every time Naomasa had tried to ask him about it he was brushed off.
As they walked towards the end of the street snow began to lightly fall. Feeling a shiver run down his spine Naomasa pulled his coat tighter around him. As he did so he caught the scent of hotdogs hit him.
Without really thinking about it he turned his head to the side and caught sight of the hotdog cart. There standing next to the cart was a young man in his mid twenties with a hotdog in his hand. What made Naomasa pause was the young man wore a thin tshirt and jeans. It was entirely too cold to be wearing that.
Naomasa started to make his way over before his brain caught up. The man took a bite out of the hotdog as he moved away from the cart. Even in the busy street no one seemed to notice him. They just moved around without ever looking at him. Almost like there was a quirk preventing them from getting too close.
The hypothesis was thrown out when Naomasa got close. It didn't feel like something was making him ignore the man or move away from him. On top of that he didn't even seem to notice the detective.
Until Naomasa asked, "Are you okay? It's freezing out you shouldn't be out here like that."
Surprised green eyes shot up to look him in the face. Now that he was actually looking at Naomasa he realized his original guess was generous. There was a good chance this person was in his late teens or very early twenties.
"You can see me?" Questioned the boy is a low hoarse voice.
Naomasa blinked in surprise at the question before he said, "Of course I can see you. Why are you surprised by that? Are you okay?"
The boy took a step back away from him, "You... You aren't like me."
Truth.
What? He didn't understand. What did the man mean he wasn't like him? Was it because of his quirk?
"If it's because of a quirk we can help you," tried Naomasa, "It's not the first time I've had to deal with a strange quirk. I'm a detective with the Musutafu Police Department."
Green eyes shot around uncertain. That's when Naomasa noticed he was getting odd looks by those around them. It was as the passerbys thought he was talking to himself. What in the fuck?
Sansa was only a few dozen feet away and was quickly making his way over. The young man looked between them and took another step back. Mistrust was clear in his eyes.
"I think I should go," he tried in a soft voice.
Naomasa took a step forward with a hand reached out and there was a flash of fear. He stopped but he still wanted to reach out to the young. It was obvious that he was in trouble and if Naomasa could help him he would.
"Nao? What's going on? Who is this?"
Sansa reached them. The young man looked between them his nose crinkling slightly. It made the freckles more pronounced.
"I didn't do anything wrong," grumbled the man, "Why are you bothering me?"
Truth.
Sansa's eyes were unfocused as he looked at the other, "Naomasa he's fine let's finish shopping."
Truth.
What the fuck? How in the twelve hells was this man okay? He was in a short sleeve t-shirt and ragged jeans. This was not okay for anyone in this weather!
There was a flicker of sadness in the man's eyes as he glanced at Sansa. Then he shook his head and moved to the side. Naomasa kept moving with him. That drew the man's attention back to him.
Naomasa declared, "You are not fine. It's freezing out. Let me get you a jacket or a hoodie. Something that's warmer than what you're wearing now."
Confused he questioned, "Why do you care? It's not like you'll remember as soon as you turn around."
Truth.
"I care because it's the right thing to do. I help people as much as I can. Why do you say that I won't remember you?"
"Everyone forgets me," he answered without looking at Naomasa, "You're the first person to actually see me in over six months. So don't get my hopes up. Not when you will forget just like everyone else."
Truth.
Before Naomasa could say anything else the man stepped into the crowd. Just like before the people moved around him without getting close or seeing him. Again he thought. What the fuck?
He wanted to go after the man but Sansa was already moving in the opposite direction. He clenched his teeth in anger and moved after his partner.
As soon as he caught up to Sansa he grabbed the cat headed officer by the bicep and asked, "What the hell, Sansa? Are we just going to let the guy go? He looks like he needs help!"
Sansa asked his eyes clearer than they were just moments ago, "What guy? Naomasa what are you talking about?"
"You don't remember talking to a dark haired man with green eyes in a t-shirt and ragged jeans? We were just talking to him?!"
Sansa looked around trying to figure out what he was talking about. Then he said, "Nao we weren't talking to anyone. We were just looking in the shop. Are you feeling okay?"
Truth.
What in the world? How did Sansa not remember? What was going on?