Chapter Text
Fubuki didn’t know why she was here of all places. Seasoning City, Tochigi prefecture; located outside of Tokyo it appeared like any other suburban Japanese city. It had the telephone poles, shopping districts, landmarks, statues, alleyways. Despite appearing so bland, she guessed that’s what was so attractive about it. The fact here there weren’t monsters or heroes to be expected around every corner. Northern Japan had such problems, it was nice to take a break.
And the best part? No one on the street recognized her. No one asked for an autograph, to be a part of the Blizzard Group, or about her older sister. Among the crowd of this city square in particular she was anonymous.
Fubuki stayed anonymous for a good ten minutes before getting bored. Afternoon began and she had no idea how to spend her time. Maybe that was one problem with being a hero-
“Miss?” Fubuki blinked out of her meditative state to see a middle schooler standing at her side. She could tell by the black uniform he was as such. His dark colored bangs curled slightly around his face. He could have passed off as normal if not for his hair being spiked at all angles.
“Yes? What is it?” Too curt, too used to giving orders.
“My apologies.” A courteous bow of the head. “My name is Kageyama Ritsu. I noticed you’ve been standing still here for a while. Do you need directions?”
Fubuki smiled politely at the offer. She toyed a little with the dark green hair that strayed around her ears.
“I would appreciate the help, Kageyama-kun.” She removed her shades pocketing them. “My name is Kagemori Fubuki. I’m from out of town and happen to be… That is…”
Staring at the kid was making her lose traction. Just how long has it been since she talked casually with a kid his age?
“Ah, I see.” Kageyama’s black eyes were friendly, but they narrowed a little she noticed. “You need directions to a shopping district. It just so happens they’re having a seasonal sale, if I remember what the paper said correctly. I can show you the way.”
“Thank you.” Fubuki followed him as he turned to wade through the crowd. It should surprise her he read the paper. His serious attitude, however, convinced her otherwise. Cutting across the square, she looked around out of habit. Sitting on a bench underneath a tree sat a girl dressed in uniform licking icecream.
The buildings and crowds weeded out until they weren’t so tall or nearly as tight together. Fubuki noticed Kageyama made light conversation, but he wasn’t an expert conversationalist. Neither was she and they fell into a lapse of quiet.
A bridge had to be crossed. Kageyama reassured her it wouldn’t take long after that. If she needed to get to a train station before dark he would show her the bus stops along the way. Fubuki could tell his consideration was done out of civil duty. A nice change from the attitudes of lackeys trying to grant her every whim.
As they crossed the bridge, Fubuki noticed the sky’s orange was being bled red. Chanting came from somewhere. Both of them looked over and saw a group of muscular men running in a pack. Their chant became more distinct as they came closer,
“BODY IMPROVEMENT! FIGHT-ON! FIGHT-ON! FIGHT-ON!”
“What a strange fitness club,” Fubuki commented flatly. She looked over expecting a similar reaction but Kageyama’s gaze was still locked in the same direction. Looking back over, the reason why seemed to be the straggling figure behind the club. It appeared as if every step drained the boy more and more of his short stamina. He kept going despite his impairment never faltering no matter how sloppy his running form became.
Fubuki’s eyes returned to Kageyama. Focus elsewhere, his face had become a mask. Only the eyes revealed any sort of emotion, and there were many. They were intense. Now, this wasn’t her place to butt in and ask questions. Being nosy never really profited her, at least, when it came to a complete stranger’s life outside of work. He blinked.
“Sorry, you’re probably waiting on me to continue,” Kageyama said turning around. Should she really try and reach out? He seemed tense.
“Kageyama-kun.” Fubuki followed him a few steps before saying anything. He stopped and turned around when addressed. The look from before, the little narrowing of the eyes, returned. “Are you all right?”
His eyes widened in mild surprise. She bit the inside of her cheek. That’s what she was starting with when trying to act all cool and inspirational? “Are you all right?” No! No, he’s not all right! What kind of adult was she?! Sheesh!
“If you’ll excuse me, Miss Kagemori, you’re too easy to read. Were you trying to act cool just now?” Kageyama’s eyes and face relaxed for the first time. “Regardless, it is kind of you to ask about me.”
“I could say the same about you! You sound as if you’re trying to act cool as well! If I felt like it, I’d say we’re about equally transparent with whatever you’re getting at,” Fubuki retorted crossing her arms. Kageyama absorbed the snap with a calm face. He stayed silent before making up his mind to say something.
“I noticed it when I first saw you. I noticed that you seemed to have a lot on your mind. Either that or you were an airhead, but I think in the time that I’ve spent with you, you’re not one.” Kageyama darted a look away then came back. “The kid you saw out there is my older brother.”
It clicked for Fubuki just then what she had seen in Kageyama’s eyes. The intensity of a few minutes ago- a mixture of admiration but also fear. Or maybe just caution. She recognized the emotions but had not given a name to them because they were so similar to her own. A face seen in pictures and mirrors throughout her life.
Zoning out, she was zoning out. Fubuki tuned back in to see a cyclist. They were cutting it close to where Kageyama was standing. Too close- Fubuki reacted as the cyclist wobbled and started to fall towards the kid. She stuck out her hand and, upon activating her power, caused the cyclist to stop and levitate. With them wrapped safe in a light green bubble Fubuki sighed in relief at preventing a minor disaster.
“Sorry, I spaced out on you. Again.” She lifted the cyclist, who was confused beyond all imagine, and set him down a few feet away. “You were telling me something about your brother, right?”
Kageyama’s mouth had fallen open in shock.
“Kageyama-kun?”
“You’re…an esper?” At saying the word, Fubuki watched as dazzling lights appeared. They centered around Kageyama meaning he, too, had psychic powers. She would have been impressed if not for his expression of shock turning into anger. He summoned a barrier immediately acting on guard.
“An adult esper, are you with Claw?”
“Claw? I’ve never heard of them.”
Kageyama narrowed his eyes, again, making judgement. Fubuki felt she should make a better argument, but she stayed silent. She didn’t summon her powers, either, since it might be taken as a threat. Let this kid make the right choice. They already had so much in common, maybe.
“Fine. So you’re not part of Claw- don’t go joining them any time soon, Kagemori Fubuki.” Kageyama dispersed his barrier.
“You sure can be serious. What’s this Claw, anyway?” They started walking after Kageyama motioned for them to continue. Instead of leading, they were side-by-side now. Fubuki knew the routine when talking about secrets in public. Act natural.
“An underground organization of psychics. They want to rule the world one day. We’ve had a run-in with them.”
“You and your brother?”
“Mhm. He saved me.”
“I know the feeling.”
They exchanged brief glances.
“Feeling?”
“My older sister is a psychic. She’s saved me countless times and given me more lectures than I can bare. I still love her for it.”
The buildings began to appear tighter together as they passed into the shopping district. Crowds were thin, mostly last minute shoppers looking for dinner ingredients. Some were present for the nightlife clubs and bars that had yet to awaken. The sun’s rays were still peering across the sky. It would be time soon enough.
“I still love him for it, too.”