Chapter Text
It was SUPPOSED to be a normal day. I was chatting with Denki about a new game release over the weekend, before I hear shouting getting closer.
"That is a dress code violation! Why is your tie so loose?! Your belt is crooked! Are Mohawks even an approved hairstyle? What is your name? This is in no way how a hero should present themselves at all!"
The guy was decently tall, very square all around; glasses, face shape… hell, his body shape was even a rectangle. But by God, he's intense. It's honestly rather intimidating, as stupid as it sounds. He was karate-chopping the air like it owed him money, for some reason.
"Tenya, chill out, he’s not even in the hero course...” Denki whines, but the guy, allegedly called Tenya, is having none of it.
"Kaminari, if he's in the hero course or not, he should present himself well!”
"It's not that deep, dude," I speak up, "it's not like where I went to high school will have much of an effect with what I'm planning to do.”
"What could you possibly be planning to do that graduating from top hero academy in Japan won't matter?"
"Well, my band is gaining some traction, I think I'll ride that train as far as it'll go.”
"Ah. I... I see. What kind of music do you play?" Tenya deflated almost instantly.
"Punk rock.” I respond flatly.
"That explains your appearance. I... I realize that I was being unnecessarily rude, and I apologize."
"Just... Do better, dude."
“I will. Have a good day”
"You too."
Once Tenya leaves, I turn back to Denki.
"Who was that?"
“Tenya Iida, class rep for my class. He's got good intentions, even if he is extra about it. Classic case of book smart, but not people smart.”
"That makes sense. You coming over to the game shop for DND night tomorrow? New campaign."
"Yeah! You said in the store Discord that you’ll be playing, will your boss be okay with you doing that? She always schedules you to work during.”
"She’s the one who begged me to do it, she’s always on my ass about taking my job too seriously.”
"Really? I'd kill to have a boss like her.”
"You wouldn't last a week. I know you, Denki. You’ll slack off and neglect your job."
“Ugh, you're right."
"By the way, you've been real odd about your plus one for the campaign. Are you sure that they should play a spores druid? That’s a lot of resource management, especially for a newbie."
"He likes resource management, I tried suggesting something easier, like a fighter or barbarian or somethin’, but the moment I said ‘resource management’, he asked which class and subclass had the most, not in a ‘I wanna prove I’m better’ way, but more of a ‘I know what I’d like’ way. I have a backup for him as a failsafe."
"That's good. What's this guy like?"
"You'll love him. You know how you have that thing for nerds? He might look ... and sound... and act... a little intense at first, but I promise that he’s a great guy. He... just has a bit of a volume control issue when he's excited.”
"Oh, that won't be too big of an issue. He's welcome in the shop anytime.”
"Good to hear. I gotta go, I'll see ya at the shop”
"See ya there, Denki”
Later that day, in the middle of my after-school shift at the local game store, Denki brings Tenya in.
"So here's where we're gonna play the game. YN behind the counter there is also gonna be playing. I know you two met today on... Less than ideal terms, but I really think that you two would get along”
"Alright... What class is he playing as?”
"I'm playing a warlock" I chime in, answering Iida’s question.
"Sounds good, YN. Can't wait to see what tragic backstory you give this one." Denki shoots back teasingly.
"Don't think you're innocent, mister ‘my family is all dead so I'm a rogue'. Hey Iida, did Denki tell you what he was gonna be playing?"
"He said he was playing a rogue."
"Knew it.”
I show Iida the dice sets because he mentioned to Denki that he doesn’t have a dice set for the game.
"Personally, I get dice sets based on the vibes of the character I'm playing," I suggest, "Have you got an idea on who your character is?"
"I have a basic idea..."
"Awesome! Any of the sets we have fit that idea?"
"This one fits the idea quite nicely.” Iida says, picking up a set of highly-decorated metal dice.
"Ooh, that looks pretty. It's one of our most expensive sets, if price is a concern.”
"How much does it cost?" Iida asks with a quizzical expression.
'It's 9000 yen for the set." [author's note: 60$ USD]
"I thought it would be much more than 9000, I'll take it”
"I'm glad it's cheaper than you anticipated. I recommend getting a couple dice sets, just in case one starts rolling poorly. I'll give you one of my old dice jails when we play."
"Woah, YN, you proposing or something? You never just give away your dice jails~” Denki teases
"N-no! I barely know him!" I stammer out, my face feeling hot enough to melt metal.
“Uh-huh..." Denki skeptically retorts.
"Kaminari, that's inappropriate! Show YN some respect!" Iida reprimands from behind his hand. I can hear his calf engines sputtering softly.
“Fine, fine. I'll let up... for now"
I help Tenya buy a couple last-minute DND items for the game, with occasional teasing from Denki.
"And that's all I can think of that you need for game tomorrow."
"Thank you, YN. I appreciate it.”
"Have a good rest of your day, the both of you."
The rest of my shift happens as normal. The next day, at school, I see Denki talking with one of his friends before class. Her skin is pink, with some yellow horns poking through her fluffy pink hair.
"Ooh, I ship itt!!” She exclaims.
"I know, right? They're perfect for each other!” Denki replies.
I head to my class, hoping and praying to whichever gods listening that that conversation wasn't about me and Iida.