I sighed a bit, eye twitching. Shinso, who sat across from me at the lunch table, put down his milk carton. "What is it?" He asked.

Pursing my lips I handed him my phone. Normally I'd keep it in my bag, but there's been a constant annoyance lately.

Shinso grabbed my phone and tapped on the video Ume-Nee sent me.

More specifically, for Shinso.

It was a short video of a man in a wig doing stupid things. Shinso sputtered, slapping his hand to his mouth to stop a laugh. "I love this guy. His vines are awesome."

There's that word again. Vine. What the heck is a vine?

"I'm surprised that I'm not upset about how well you and Ume-Nee get along." I stated.

A small smile made its way onto his face. "You're sister's fun and nice, but I prefer hanging out with you." Shinso has been over to my house everyday for the past five days. Mom hasn't been home to see him because of work, and the same goes with my dad.

The only real nuisance is Ume-Nee because she often works while I'm at school. But she and Shinso get along really well so it's not like it's embarrassing.

We were supposed to go to Shinso's house today, but Ume-Nee has 'demanded our presence' so we're going to my house again to satisfy Her Highness.

"Really, all she does is demand we play video games or even some card games. I worry about her future. Sending vines to her sister and friend while they're in school." I sighed, thinking of what her future could become.

Shinso chuckled a bit. "Yeah, but you always seem to be having fun with her. You and your sister have a strong bond."

Hm? Well he does have a point I suppose. Ume-Nee and I weren't always this close. It wasn't until she graduated that our bond really formed. And it's nice having someone physically there for you.

"You're right." I said with a small smile. He returned it with one of his own.

Like usual, not a lot of people sat around us. Sure, we'd share the table but they'd make a point not to sit directly next to us.

Shinso always apologises for it, which is starting to become irritating. It's not his fault. And there's nothing wrong with his Quirk.

"Oh yeah. I was talking with Hori-Sensei about wanting to work my way into the Hero Course. She said it's possible, but my best shot would be to wait for the Sports Festival. Then it's up to the two teachers to see if we'd make a good fit and they'd be working with us on it."

Shinso sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. A habit of his.

"Well the School Festival is still a while aways, but I picked up the rulebook." I handed him the small pocketbook I picked up at the teachers lounge.

He took it and began to scan it. "I'm going to rewatch old festivals and use that and the rule book to adjust my training regimen starting today. After working on the project of course."

Shinso looked at me over the rule book. "Wow. You'd switch out your regular training for this? Nobody else in our class is very determined to transfer to the Hero Course."

My brows scrunched up. "Switch out? No, I'm just adding in some different routines. I can't drop my regimen. Missing even one day would show."

As I was about to start my speech, Shino sweat dropped. "Neglecting the mind and body will lead to your downfall."

I blinked before blushing bashfully. "I've already told you, huh?" I murmured.

Shinso smirked, leaning his cheek in his hand. "Just a couple of times." I groaned and placed my head on the table.

That's embarrassing.

Shinso laughed before reaching over and patting my head. "It's okay Igarashi. Your dedication is very admirable. There's nothing to be embarrassed about."

I peek up at him. "You don't think it's weird for a highschool girl to always be at the dojo?"

"Oh it's weird."

My eye twitched at his lack of hesitation. "But it's a good weird. You're not like other girls and that's a good thing. Promise." His smile did make me feel better but I'm still on the fence about it.

"Ume-Nee thinks I should stop with the dojo and do typical high school things. Movies, karaoke, shopping, dating, the whole spiel." I sighed again.

I'm just . . . not that.

"You don't have to be someone you're not. Your fine just the way you are. Ume is Ume. But you? You're you. The two of you aren't the same person so no one should expect you two to be."

He may be right. But it doesn't mean the world is really like that.

~

"I'm home." I called as I stepped through the threshold. "Pardon the intrusion." Shinso spoke after me, not as timid as he has been he's getting use to coming over.

Footsteps thundered and Ume-Nee came sliding across the floor. The moment she slid into view my gut dropped.

Oh no . . .

She's wearing a nice pair of black skinny jeans, a fitted hot pink cami over a navy blue one, and a punk black and white striped arm sleeve on her left arm.

Her hair is in a loose braid and pulled over her shoulder with some fake pink extensions entwined with it, a hot pink bag slung over her shoulder, and matching pumps. She went a little thick with her eye makeup, but it was purposeful and made her red eyes pop.

"I didn't know you wore that style. What is it? A mix of punk and emo?" Shinso asked.

Ume-Nee only wears darker colors when she's helping mom with Hero Work. But she's wearing brighter colors with it, meaning she's doing social work. Which usually means she'll make me go with her wherever it is.

"You two! We're going to the mall~!" She sang, but there's a glint in her eyes.

I don't like it.

"But we got a project to-" She snatched our wrists and dragged us upstairs. I'm used to her doing this so I just let her drag me along.

Shinso? Well, he couldn't really speak against Ume-Nee.

She burst into her room and all but threw us on the bed while she rushed towards her walk in closet. "Hitoshi, try this on." She threw some clothes at him without looking back, yanking out an outfit for me and tossing it at me as well.

"Why do you have men's clothes?" Shinso asked. Ume-Nee gave him an exasperated look. "I'm a woman Hitoshi. You shouldn't ask such things."

Which is code for she took advantage of the fact that our parents were never home when she was in High School.

And the fact that Shinketsu has a strict 'no dating' policy made her want to break the rule even more.

"Well hurry up and change! I don't have all day!" She ushered Shinso towards the bathroom across from her room.

Before closing the door to give me privacy, she narrowed her eyes on me. "You will wear that." She warned while shutting the door. I rolled my eyes before examining the clothes she handed me.

In retrospect, it's not as bad as what she usually tries to make me wear. So that's a plus I guess.

It's just a pair of blue, high waist, jeans and a light colored tan hoodie crop top. Well, once she puts her mind to something, there's nothing you can do. With that in mind I changed into the outfit.

Because the jeans are high waisted, not a lot of skin was exposed on my midsection. Hardly any in fact. Must be why she gave me this specific pair.

Well I suppose it'll do.

I headed out into the hall to see Ume-Nee wait impatiently at the bathroom door. I tend to change relatively quickly compared to most people, so it's no surprise to me. A full minute later Shinso emerged from the bathroom, rubbing his neck.

Ume-Nee immediately bent down and rolled up his slightly baggy gray pants. He wore a red shirt with a gray hoodie over it and a thin black jacket on top of that in a rather stylish outfit.

His longish, curly purple hair thats always ruffled looks exceptionally better with that style. Wait, this clothes.

I blinked, envisioning him as a taller boy with black hair. Oh, those are Kijima's clothes.

He was a friend of Ume-Nee's back in High School. They didn't go to the same school, he wasn't interested in Heroes, or school for that matter. After graduation he just stopped coming by.

So she even stole his clothes. My sister sure is a handful.

"I'm not sure about this." Shinso began when Ume-Nee waved him off. "You look great. Now c'mon! I got mom's car." She grinned mischievously holding up the keys.

I narrowed my eyes on them. "I thought mom drove to work?" She shook her head, spinning the ring of the keys on her index finger. "Nope. Her assistant picked her up because there was a chance I'd need to drive."

Ume-Nee herself isn't the best driver. The only reason she got her license in the first place is because she cheated and used her Quirk. She doesn't even need the key.

Hopefully she uses her Quirk instead of doing it for fun like she likes to do.

We headed to the garage where the car's parked and filed in. Mom's car is a sleek black color and rather spacious.

I don't understand car's much, but Ume-Nee bounced around in joy when mom bought it.

Since my sister and my mom like things that are the best of the best, I can only assume it's an exceptional vehicle.

Shinso sat in the back while I took the passenger side. As soon as Ume-Nee put the key in the ignition I strapped myself in. While I would have anyway, if she's actually driving, I'm not taking any chances.

I looked in the rearview mirror and gave Shinso a meaningful look. He seemed to get the hint and quickly put his on before Ume-Nee pulled out of the garage and immediately went into the road.

~

I rubbed Shinso's back as he slumped over his knees. His face is green and his eyes are wide.

"I thought we were going to die." He mumbled.

I winced. Yeah, it's alway rough the first few times. He had managed to walk into the mall, but he seems to have reached his limit.

Ume-Nee looked at him curiously before smiling. "I'm gonna go meet with the client. You two go ahead and walk around, do some shopping. I'll message you when I'm done."

I nodded, watching my friend take deep breaths. "That's probably for the best. C'mon Shinso, there's an empty bench over there." I led him over to it and helped him sit down. He groaned a bit while rubbing his stomach.

Ume-Nee already left, so that just leaves me to look after him. "I'll go see if any of the machines sell ginger ale or something to help soothe your stomach. I'll be right back."

He just gave me a thumbs up. I can't blame him. Ume-Nee almost killed us about twenty different ways.

The only reason we didn't die is sheer luck.

I made my way through the crowds, my comfort dropping. I don't really enjoy being around so many people this up close. It's not the worst and I can handle it, but it'd prefer differently. While I'm not afraid of people or are intimidated by them, I still lack the ability to properly communicate with them.

Ah! A vending machine!

I rushed over but because I was too hasty, I ran into someone. I stumbled back a bit but managed to catch myself. "I am so sorry sir, I wasn't paying close enough attention."

I can't believe I let my guard down like that! I looked at the stranger I had bumped into to continue my apology but paused.

He's a fairly tall and slim young man. Almost a lanky build and he's pale. He must be in his early twenties. He has longish black hair that is styled up with some bangs hanging low in his eyes which are an oddly familiar turquoise color.

The most striking thing about him are the patches or purple skin that cover his lower face and neck, below his eyes, and from what I can see on his arms. I wonder if he was born with it or he got it later in life.

He wore dark clothing and reminds me of Ume-Nee when she's working with her dark colored, themed, clothing.

"Don't worry about it." His voice is thick, almost raspy. But almost familiar. And his eyes. I couldn't help but stare at those lidded turquoise jewels. I've seen them before. I'm sure of it. But where?

"I'm sorry, but have we met before?" My curiosity got the better of me.

He didn't look at me long before turning. "No." He simply answered. Normally I'd just walk away. He said we haven't met, there's no need to push it. But there's just something so familiar about him.

I know there is. "Have you ever trained at the Igarashi Dojo?" I questioned him. To this he tensed and looked back at me. He was really looking at me now.

Something in his eyes flashed before vanishing and he turned again and walked away. "No."

I should leave it be. He's made it clear of it and he obviously doesn't want to be bothered anymore. But I just couldn't drop it.

My eyes watched him as he disappeared into the crowd of shoppers. The familiarity of him gnawed at my brain but it wasn't quite coming to me which began to frustrate me.

Then a memory popped into my mind.

Of a boy with unruly, fiery, hair and the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen.

"Toya . . ?" I shook my head of the thought and turned to the vending machine a couple feet away. No, that's impossible. It couldn't be.

I went to his funeral.

~

"Are you sure you're feeling alright? We could just wait for Ume-Nee at the food court or something." I offered.

Shinso had finished the gingerale I'd gotten him and we were wandering the mall. "I'm fine now, really. I think I might opt to ride the bus back home though."

I sweat dropped at his claim. Honestly I don't blame him after what happened. I'll just have my sister use her Quirk on the way back home. I would rather not traumatize Shinso anymore then she already has. He's my only friend who doesn't find me weird. And if he does he doesn't care. I can't risk that just because Ume-Nee is a public safety hazzard.

"I don't really go to malls. Is there a particular shop you'd like to visit?" I asked him. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Well there's this new game that just came out recently." He seemed hesitant.

He's been around me enough to know I am not in touch with technology. Like at all. And he wants to take me into consideration. That's just how he is. "Well I've never been to a game store. Lead the way." I offered him a smile. He returned it and we trekked further into the mall.

The game store was easy to find, but man is it huge. There's all sorts of lights and electronics out and people playing them. Not to mention the shelves and shelves of games that lines the walls and the display cases with all sorts of consoles inside.

But what was more astounding was the amount of people in here.

Shinso squinted his violet eyes. "That's weird. It's not usually this crowded. I wonder what-" He was cut off as a voice spoke through the store speakers.

"Alright welcomed customers! It's officially 5:30 and we are starting the Wintendo Contest!" A man in casual wear and an employee lanyard walked into view, right in front of four, large, Dance Dance R3volution statons.

The screens lit up and music played in the background. "For those of you who don't know; the Wintendo Company is holding this contest in all our store locations. Each location has a different game to compete in, but all are in pairs. Our location we'll have the contest done with Dance Dance R3volution! The winning pair will get the new Wintendo Flip, and two games of your choosing, and a preorder of any game of your liking!"

The people in the store went wild at his announcement. Shinso's eyes widened and there was a bright glow around him.

He remained silent, but I could practically hear him cheering just by his smile.

He really wants the prizes. "Those of you who are wanting to participate, line up and let's get started!" The crowd went wild again and even Shinso began to fidget as the first pairs went up.

I watched Shinso as he stared intently at the first dance. "Do you want to try?" I pointed at the group. He snapped out of his amazement to look at me with wide eyes.

"Eh? Ah, no it's fine. I just thought it was interesting." He lied. I gave him a flat look.

He let out a sigh. "You don't like games. Besides, do you even know how to dance?" I looked back over at the game. Watching the movements of the contestants. The way they move their bodies and where they place their feet.

The motions themselves seem reasonable. "I can do it." I tugged on his sleeve, moving us into line. "But even if you can, I'm not-"

I held my hand up to silence him. "You can dance better then Ume-Nee, and she's been deemed Queen of Dancing in at least four clubs. You can do it." He seemed hesitant, but he must really want the prize. Shinso never asks for anything. He is very selfless and often sacrifices his wants for the people around them. Especially with those he cares about.

He really wants this. And I really want him to have it. So I'm going to make sure we win. Because Shinsl is a good person.

Soon it was our turn and I was determined to get Shinso that prize.

~

A shrill scream cut through the air like a knife. Ume-Nee stared at Shinso and his winnings with stars in her eyes.

"Is that the new Underwatch game?!" Her voice went up a couple notches. Shinso grinned, his own eyes holding a new light in them. "It is!" He told her excitedly.

Ume-Nee squealed and jumped up and down excitement. "Oh my god let's go play it!" She screeched. She grabbed Shinso's arm and took off.

"Wait! Did you finish work?" I called after. "Work Shmerk! Underwatch time!" She called as she and Shinso disappeared into the mob of people. My eye twitched.

With a sigh, I pulled out my phone and dialled my mom. "Sakura, I'm a little busy with work right now, what is it?" She asked as soon as she picked up.

"It's about Ume-Nee." I began. Mom sighed from the other end of the phone. "She ran off again, didn't she?"

My head dropped a bit as I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Yeah."

Mom let out a few curses under her breath. "Alright, I'll call the mall director and straighten things out. Do you want me to call you a cab?"

She didn't doubt Ume-Nee left me at the mall. She's done it before, especially when we were younger. She hasn't lately, but video games have a hold on my sister that I have never understood.

And it is powerful. "No, I'll walk."

After hanging up I let out another sigh. Why is my sister like this? She's only going to invoke mom's wrath. Shes an adult and she still behaves this way.

I mean, I'm more than happy to leave early personally, and I don't mind taking the bus. Malls were never my thing and i dont forsee iy being it now.

As I was leaving I spotted that man with the turquoise eyes heading the opposite direction of me.

My chest clenched painfully at the sight of him. He reminds me so much of him. I hadn't thought of him in a while, so the pain has come so unexpectedly.

I wonder why he reminds me so much of him. What makes him like him?

The urge to call out to him pushed me, but I shut my mouth tight to keep from doing so.

It's not me to approach a stranger. Especially one that was clear that he didn't want anymore to do with me. The only way I'd really know him is if he attended the dojo at some point in his life.

But I've never seen those patches before, especially not at the dojo. A girl with a cobra head? Yeah. A man made of glass? Absolutely. But I've never seen a guy with his appearance attend.

But I still can't get over this nagging feeling.

I wonder what his name is.

My phone rang loudly from my back pocket but I watched him go around the corner before answering it.

"I AM SO SORRY SAKURA! I'M ALMOST THERE, JUST HOLD TIGHT!" Ume-Nee shouted loudly into the phone, making me pull it away from my ear at the volume.

In the background I could hear Shinso screaming in absolute terror and I began to fear for my friend.

"Ume-Nee, drive with your Quirk! Shinso's going to have a heart attack!" I tried to get through to her, but horns were blaring in the background.

"OUT OF THE WAY YOU DEGENERATES! MY SISTER NEEDS ME!"

I slapped my hand to my forehead. "Why are you like this?"