So...

I finally figured out how to work my new phone...

Luckily, many of my friends had already given me their numbers since they thought I had a phone, so I was able to put them in my contacts and text them my number. I now had eight contacts all together. I'm still not sure whether that's a good thing or not...

"Before you go and become obsessed with your phone like every other teenager, we have some errands to run," Aizawa-sensei glanced at me as we were walking. He had watched me trying to set up the new phone and even had to help me with it a few times. I don't think he knew how to react at seeing me get so frustrated at such a supposedly simple thing...

"S-some errands?" I tilted my head in confusion. I didn't realize we were going anywhere else today. Are we out of milk or something?

"I need to go and meet with someone in Shirakumo," My eyes lit up at the familiar name. "And since there's nobody else to watch you, you're coming with."

Oh... He sounded irritated...

Then again, Aizawa-sensei always sounds irritated, so I suppose that this is nothing new.

"S-Shirakumo?!" If I haven't previously stated this, Shirakumo is the same place where the factory I used to live in is. It's actually quite a nice place despite popular belief. And, what's more, there's supposed to be a festival going on today. I didn't think that I would be able to go to it, but I guess I would!

"Ah, that's right, you used to live there, didn't you?" Aizawa-sensei didn't look surprised at my excitement.

"Mhm," I gave an eager nod. I haven't been back to Shirakumo since I started staying with Aizawa-sensei.

"Do you know anything of a woman known as Akagi Aiko?" Akagi? Is that who we're going to meet? Why would Aizawa-sensei need to meet with her of all people?

"A-ah, I suppose you could say that," I had to sweat drop. I wasn't sure whether or not admitting to knowing her was a good idea. Akagi was... Special to say the least... And well known to almost everyone who lived in Shirakumo... "She's q-quite famous to those in the area. T-though, not many know how to find h-her."

"So, you don't actually know where she lives?" He raised a brow at me.

"W-well, I wouldn't exactly s-say that..." I looked away with a nervous laugh as I lightly scratched my cheek. "Akagi-san is a-actually a good friend of mine, s-so I'm probably one of the very few that actually knows her location. I-I'm actually kind of surprised that you k-know about her."

"I don't," Eh? Come again? "She agreed to give the heroes all the information she had on villains if we were able to find her. The only clues she gave us were that she lives in Shirakumo and that we could come only if the unofficial leader of Shirakumo gave permission."

Of course she would make a deal like that... She probably thought it would be an impossible task.

Joke's on her though.

"S-So, you're looking for the unofficial leader t-then?" I asked with a sweat drop.

"Something like that," Aizawa-sensei paused in his steps as he turned to look at me. "Unless you happen to know anything about this unofficial leader."

"W-well... About t-that..." I rubbed the back of my head with a nervous laugh. I suppose it would be better to tell him now than have him find out through someone else.... "I may, or m-may not be the u-unofficial leader."

He could only stare at me blankly after my declaration.

That staring lasted a few seconds before he finally decided to just sigh. "Somehow, I'm not even surprised..."

"Knowing Akagi-san, s-she probably thought it would be impossible f-for you to find me and g-get my permission..." I gave a sigh of my own. "I-I apologize for her childish b-behavior."

"So, I take it we have your permission?" Aizawa-sensei raised a brow at me.

"Mhm," I nodded in confirmation. Honestly though, the question was a bit unnecessary. If I didn't give him permission, all I had to do was keep my identity a secret. "But, d-do you think we c-could walk through the festival w-while we're in town. I-I promise I'll be quick!"

"Is that all you want?" I nodded eagerly in response. "Then knock yourself out."

"T-Thank you!" I beamed at him as we finally reached the entrance to the festival. I'm pretty sure there was a skip in my step as we walked through the crowded streets. There were different kinds of stalls everywhere varying from food stalls to games to vendors. Everything was bright and colorful, and everything seemed peaceful. Luckily, nobody seemed to notice me as we blended into the crowd.

"It's a cat plushie..." I whispered in amazement with stars in my eyes as I looked at one of the vendor booths. I was tempted to go over and buy it, but I was broken out of my daydream by the sound of a child crying.

I looked around before finally noticing a small girl with light purple hair being comforted by her older brother. It was Noriko and Riku.

"But you said we would be able to get ice cream!" I heard Noriko cry out as I began walking over to them.

****

Noriko Hyashi: Noriko is a small and cheerful child whose quirk is known as Changling. She can morph how she looks at will. However, she can only hold the transformation for a certain amount of time, and she can't change into other creatures. She is limited to humans only.

****

"I'm sorry Noriko-chan," The girl's older brother, Riku, apologized with a sincere look. "I just don't have the money today. I'm really, really sorry!"

****

Riku Hyashi: Riku is Noriko's older brother. He would do anything for his little sister, and his quirk is known as Rupture. His quirk allows him to rupture inanimate objects to a certain extent. He has to have all five fingers touching the object, and if he uses it too much, his hands will start to burn.

****

"But you promised!" Noriko bawled as Riku tried to calm her down.

"Noriko-chan!" I called out to the young girl with a soft smile. Both of them turned to me in surprise as I finally reached them. "Riku-kun!"

"Masami-nee!/Masami-san!" The two exclaimed at the sight of me. Luckily, Noriko had paused in her crying and sent me a bright smile.

I let out a small 'oof' as she tackled me into a hug.

"It's been forever since you've come and said hi to us!" She pouted.

"Sorry about that, little one." I sent her a soft smile as I patted her head. "I got caught up in a few things."

"Ah, that's right, you participated in the UA Sports Festival, didn't you?" Poor Riku looked relieved that Noriko was finally distracted.

"Yeah!" Noriko yelled out, letting me go. "We saw you on the TV! You were super cool! Masami-nee is the best!"

I let out a small giggle at her excitement. "Thank you, but I'm far from the best. You're probably a lot stronger than I am!"

"Eh?!" Noriko actually looked offended. "There's no way! Masami-nee is stronger than anyone!"

"I have to agree with Noriko on this," Riku was actually taking Noriko's side! I feel betrayed now...

"You guys are too nice for your own good," I shook my head at them, but they only grinned in response. "Anyways," I finally got back on track. "I heard that somebody was having an  ice cream problem?"

"Mhm!" Noriko nodded immediately while Riku regained his miserable look. "Riku-nii promised me ice cream, but now he says we can't get any!"

"Is that so?" I gave a soft sigh while keeping the smile on my face. "Well, how about this? I'll give you guys the money to go buy yourselves some ice cream if, and only if, you promise me something!"

"I'll do anything!" Noriko promised eagerly as she clasped her hands in front of her face.

I looked at her with a serious look on my face so that she would know that I wasn't joking. "I want you to be nice to your brother. He puts in a lot of effort to make you happy, but still, he can't do everything just like I can't do everything. We all have our limits whether it be in money, strength, speed, or intelligence among other things. Riku-kun is doing the best he can, and I think that's something that can be appreciated. Don't you?"

"I guess..." Noriko looked down in shame.

"So, don't you think you owe him an apology?" I gave her a knowing look as she began fidgeting with the hem.

"I guess..." She repeated before finally looking up towards Riku and tackling him into a hug. "I'm really sorry, Riku-nii!"

"Don't worry about it, Noriko-chan," Riku gave a soft smile towards his sister. "I'm sorry that I can't provide everything you want."

"It's okay!" Noriko grinned. "I can handle it! Why? Because I'm a strong, independent woman!"

Both Riku and I let out a laugh as little Noriko began posing.

"Well, I suppose I should keep my end of the bargain," I smiled as I handed some money over to Riku. "That should be enough to get some ice cream and some dinner!"

"Thank you, Masami-san," Riku smiled down at me while Noriko shouted her thanks.

"It's no problem," I returned his smile. "Now, you should probably go before Noriko decides to go run off to one of the ice cream vendors on her own!"

"Right, thanks again," I only waved in return as the two finally walked away to get their ice cream.

"I'm surprised that you even know how to speak without stuttering," I froze at the words coming from the man behind me.

I forgot about Aizawa-sensei...

"A-ah, well, y-you know..." I trailed off as I rubbed the back of my head nervously. "Um, anyways, I-I should probably start leading t-the way to Akagi-san's, shouldn't I-I?"

"Lead the way."

****

1733 words excluding A/N's

Finished- 11:35 pm on November 25, 2018

Bye~