Interlude – Lisa
I sigh when the biggest source of my headache finally leaves with his doe eyed and incredibly easy to rile up friend. I was still unsure of how to feel about what I had agreed to here. Though Grue would say differently, very rarely did I let my own personal feelings put me into such a weird position. I hadn't lied to Shirou yesterday night, I was reminded of things I wanted to ignore and forget, the only thing in my life I could admit to myself was a failure caused by me. While the rest of the Undersiders who had been watching only saw a crazy and mask less glowing brute utterly decimating Lung, my power wasn't so kind as to leave it as simple to me.
-Very Depressed-
-Doesn't want to do this more than anything-
-Wants to do this more than anything-
-Lost-
-Doesn't care if he dies-
-Lives for others-
-Will kill Lung-
-Doesn't know who Lung is-
Ouch... That had been a lot at the time, and even now with rest and very good food, it was still a bit much. In all honesty, I wasn't sure why I had so easily made the connection to Reggie. They were similar, but Shirou was immediately shown to be far worse off than my brother had been, at least, far more complicated. Something in my head just pushed these feelings on me, I guess. In any case, I had quickly floated the idea of inviting him into the Undersiders by confidently stating he wasn't a hero like that was something I could see with a glance. It sometimes was, but in this case, it had been a lie. I might have felt bad if any of us were actually what I'd call friends. Surprisingly, Bitch had been the first to agree. Grue and Regent didn't have any objections that they voiced, but I didn't need powers to tell Grue was a bit wary.
There was the other girl on the roof too, which I knew now to be that girl, Taylor, who had been following him around the apartment like a lost puppy. Shirou hadn't seemed too happy with her assistance that night and I suspected he knew she was a cape but I didn't have enough to go on in that sense. She was less important really, just a tag along in my mind to the puzzle that was Shirou Emiya. When I tried to get more informative information from my power, it started throwing contradictory observations at me that I couldn't understand. That had never really happened before and that was concerning. But I didn't let that stop me.
Then I had glanced at his swords and everything fell apart from there.
- E̶̢̨̧̺̩̠̯̟̜̻̯̖̬̣͙̲̓̄̓̂̈́̐͗̑̈́̒̚͝r̵̯̤͕͕̫̹̂̂́͗̉̃̀̔̂̏̒̾̀͛r̶̼̼̲͔̱͚̘̝͙̝͎̣͙͙̮͌̽́̿̌͗̈́͒̇̋̌ͅǫ̷̰̺̻͕̩̩͍͈̯̱͖̰̍̿͗͆̋̊͐͋̔̐̄̿̎̚͝r̸̳͙̫̞̟̯̤̣̱̳̝̳̻̝͈̂͂̆͛̃ͅ -
-He is a sword-
-Sword-
-Sword-
-Sword-
-Swords cannot move-
-Swords cannot breathe-
-Swords do not feel-
-Yet he is a sword-
The sound of metal grating in my ears had been so strong that I had to suddenly look away. I was dizzy and desperately needed an Ibuprofen but out in the field I was shit out of luck. What that had been I still wasn't sure, some esoteric tinkertech effect from the blades maybe? I had never been the best at finding out what those did, not that I'd admit that aloud. Regardless, Shirou had handily won the fight and we were preparing to approach the two when Alec started acting weird. He had stumbled, face showing what looked like mystified confusion.
Then his eyes had started bleeding.
Bitch and Grue had quickly panicked and I can't lie and say I wasn't concerned. Regent was an asshole but whatever had happened was serious enough that we had to put such a meeting on hold. But as shitty as it might sound, I realized an opportunity when I saw one, so I sent them off on Bitches' dogs with a promise to meet up later at the hideout. I made sure to portray confidence that I knew what I was doing. For some reason Bitch seemed to approve, my power was still freaking out about swords so I couldn't make any accurate guess as to why.
They left, only later that night telling me that Regent had suffered from a brain aneurysm when he had decided to take a look at Shirou's nervous system. Or more specifically, what looked like a second nervous system. He had just touched it with his power and it had been to alien for his power to understand in his words, but even after the harrowing experience he had only spoken of a desire to touch it again.
That was creepy and I nor Grue or Bitch wanted to approach that with a ten-foot pole, but my power obviously didn't agree with me.
-Saw something he's never seen before-
-Overloaded his mental capacity-
-B̷̢̢̛̛̘̣͔̜͙̠̫͇͎̺̣̹̮̟͇̬̻̻̿̿̎́̉̾́̿̉̎̑̚͘͘̕͜͠e̴̢̢̡̛̛̛̟͓͖̥̬̳͍̬͒̀̓̊̄̋̄͛́͊̃͗͑̕̕̕̚̚͠͝͝͝ļ̷̛̙͉̯͔̹̫͇͓̺̮͍̳̜̳̥̖̯͈̥̺͉̞͇̲̆͋̽̉́͂̉̌͗̃̈̅̉̇͛̍͂̀͂̕̚i̶̢̺̮̟̲̳͙̜͈̖͎͓̭͚̞͕̋̂̈́̔̏̂͋͆͒̄̍͐̉̔̐̌̀̋́͑̎̔͜͜͜͝͠͝ͅë̴̱̝͖̉͑̉̈́͐̇͆͒̒̽̚͠f̸̥̭̭̓̅̌̑̓̎̐̂̋͗̃̏ ̷̡̛̤͉̜͕͕͔̱̲̯̘̞͉̮̺̰͉̱͋̈́̇͑̎͂͌̎̾̀͐̾̓͒̑͗̒̽͊͘̕͝͝ͅį̵̨̮̭͈̗̥̣̼̗̞̘̱͍̰́̀̉̍͂̄̆̈́̔͊͌͆̍̔̀͘͝͝ş̵̧̛͎̦͇͉̤̬̝̤̰͈͖̪̥́̌̾͐̉̌̉̍̆͌̑́̉̚̚͘͠ ̸̢̡͓͔̭̳̯̘̪̠̪̥̞̥̬̹̩̤̺̪͈͚̉̔̾̉̄͆͆̊̿̂͂̂̚͘ͅn̴̢̡̤͉͕̲͎͚̬͙̩͍̪̻̘͈̱͍̩̂͜ͅǫ̶̢̡̫͔̭̯̪̮͔͚͕̝̞̻̥̲̱̰͚̫͙̿́̒̍̀͜t̸̨̰̻͇̩͉̲͇̘̖͇̲̮̺̯̝̮͔̣̹̗̾͌̽͒̈́̐̾͜͝ͅͅ ̸̧̧̨̢̧͓̖͇̰̣̗̖̲͎̫̻̫͇̲̱͖͇͔̫̿̈̄̉̓͆̓̉͒̿̋̏́̾̃̓̚̚͜͝a̶̫̠̟̻͍̅̔̌̏̇̓̂́̈͛̊̾̆̿̿̀̀̃̓̎̍ ̸̧̡̼̼̞̤̳̮̼͌͆̅̓͌̃̊̈́̈́̀̀͛̾̔͐̄̃͘ͅm̴̧̢̘̯̞̮͎̝͖̮̰̮͈̝̟̳͔̤̞̖̫̗̯̾̊͂͆͐̎́͂̑̉͂̇̌̍́̈́͂̀̍͘͠ͅą̶̡̛̲̼̱̖͖̞̲͊̔̓͗͑̆͒̍̆̍̇̃̇̿̈́́̕͝͝͝͝t̷̢̛̠̖͇͍̯̱̳͔̠̻̯̻̺̃̓̽́̀̈́̒̀̂͑͒͐̏̕̕͘͜͠ë̶̢̡̨̢̹̤̙̣̥̲̮̖͔̟͈̭͕̮̟͕̰́͐̐͒͌̀̄̂̀̏̊̈́͆͊̍͌͒̃̒̍̆̀̆͠ŗ̵̛̝̟̗͎̳͈̗̝̳̪͐̀̔̐̽̉̽́̑̐͋̋̀̒̑̽̈́̕͘͝͝͠ͅī̶̛̝͎̱̯͕͍͙̭͎̰̇̿̄̍͊͋̔͊̄̅̇͗̿̂͒̏̓͆̈̂̕͜͠ą̶̖͈̮̠͖͈̫͍̼̯͕͚͈͊̒̓̍̂͊̄͌͊̃̾̋̎̚͘ļ̸͚̦̬̞̟̪̣͓̭͖̱̱̗̣̰̠̟̖̪̾͗͑̋́̾̈́̈́͗́̏̅̈́̊̽͛͛̚͠͠ͅ ̶̛̟͉̻̦̺̏̏̉͐̀͗̒̒͐̓̓͛̈́͂̄̑̕͝͠f̷̢̨̛̜͉͈̪͙̳̦̜̮͓͙̯̆̈̓̐̐͒̓̂̊̄̃̋̃͜͝͝ö̵̡̖̤̭̦̘͔̻̤̯̌̔̋͑̅̏͘ͅr̶̬̤̥͙̈͒́͌̈́̊̓̒̈́̈̈́̚ͅc̶̡̰͓̻͉̯̝̣̟̖͓̝̤͓͙̩̩͖͕̹̳̰͙͗̍̎̐͜ę̸̛̛̪̲̫̜̞̞̣͙̖̥̬͔̬̻͕̝̺̱̲͍̺͓̒̿̒̔̎̓̋͐̽̏͊͊͗̅̒̍̽̍-
-Sword
-Sword-
I push away those thoughts before the unwilling pondering could start again. Something was clearly wrong with Shirou Emiya; beyond just the obvious fixation he seems to makes my power have on him. I was far out of my depths; how do you help someone like him NOT kill himself doing something stupid? I think I was off to an ok start, but who knew how long that would last? I needed to be proactive else I'll never get any of the answers I wanted out of him.
Inviting him into my private getaway spot had been a risk I hadn't been able to properly gauge, but I took it anyway. Because part of me wanted to believe I could make up for past mistakes through him. I at least could confirm he wasn't some kind of creep by using my power on Taylor. Adoration like that was a bit much, but nothing she hadn't seen before in people her age. What was hard to process about that was that it was directed towards Shirou. From the little she's seen and been able to process, he just didn't seem like the type to be able to instill such devotion into anyone.
Especially when he had originally agreed to my deal. The look on his face and the answers my power had given me had made me assume I had made a mistake. After all, how the hell else was I supposed to take the look he gave me? One filled with such self loathing I was afraid it'd burst out and stick to my clothes.
My musings are cut short by the ringing of my phone, but not my personal one, my work one.
He was calling me
I wipe my expression clean as I recline on my living room couch, I had spent more time here in the last day then I have in the last couple months put together. It wasn't meant to be a place I regularly stayed. I got on Brian's ass enough as it is about him not living at the hide out that I'd hate to be such an obvious hypocrite. I pull the phone out of my pocket and put it to my ears
"Tattletale" The bastard speaks, my eyes glaring at nothing. It wasn't a greeting so much as an acknowledgment of his control. He didn't have to sound nice; he didn't have to act like she was anything more than a tool he held on a leash. It physically hurt me that I could see the similarities between how we both would go through things if we had all the cards, I might even have had a bit more respect for him if he wasn't always holding a gun to my head.
"What do you need?" I ask blandly, not bothering to waste my anger on someone who wouldn't care.
"It's come to my attention you've picked up a stray." He says, voice soft and unbothered. But I could hear the hidden edge while my face surely resembles having swallowed something sour. He had found out so quickly? It had barely been a full day! Fuck!
"What, I can't let a friend stay over?" I ask, sounding light hearted even as my teeth grit hard enough to potentially make a tooth crack.
"We both know you do not possess the ability to make friends" He responds, making his wit known and simultaneously degrading me. What a prick, even if it was truer then I'd like. "No, the one you've allowed into your little hide away is not your friend, he's your investment"
I wanted to crush the phone in my hands, but my dainty hands weren't equipped for such displays. Who the hell was he to say something like that? Maybe my track record wasn't the best, but only I knew my intentions here. I was trying to do something good for someone for once. Through misguided feelings for a personal failure, but a good thing regardless. I wish that my power was more reliable with just voice alone, but I'd already learned how easily it could lead me astray. I couldn't tell what he wanted beyond just insulting me and treating me like an idiot. I stay silent on my anger however, I wasn't going to do this, not right now.
"What can I do for you Boss?" I ask, flat, all business.
"Hm, well, nothing at the moment, I'll have a potential job for your team tomorrow, I'm sure you'll convince them it's in their best interests to accept." My boss speaks, making me tense. He usually didn't make a job mandatory, what the hell was he going to 'ask' them to do? "...I expect you have some info to share about your guest however?"
"Nothing really important?" I try to say.
"I'll decide that" His voice is final, just a bit tighter as well, he wasn't playing around and I realize I'm on thin ice here. Grimacing, I rack my brain for something to tell him.
"...He can summon these black and white swords" I start to say, my stomach flipping inside at what was clearly a betrayal, or what would become one. This wasn't what I wanted; this wasn't helping him survive any better than his reckless actions last night were. But I couldn't help him if I was dead.
…For some reason that didn't really make me feel as better as I hoped.
"...He also has some sort of brute effect, you can tell he's using it because he starts glowing green." I continue, hand on my lap starting to bite into my thigh through my shorts. "...Probably a combat thinker too, the way he was moving and reacting were hardly something a normal human could replicate."
"He defeated Lung with just that?" He asks, sounding doubtful. It's then I realize he didn't know about Taylor. That realization makes me clam up for a second, wondering what else he didn't know and what else I didn't want him to know. I couldn't let him know that Shirou was fucking up my thinker powers with his abilities. That would make me seem more suspicious while also making Shirou more of a threat. Especially to him, seeing as his power was also a thinker power. Could I gamble on him never using it to approach Shirou directly? I think I had to.
"It was probably something to do with his swords, you know I don't understand tinkertech?" I fib, those swords were NOT tinker tech.
"I see..." He says with a sigh, good, he bought it. I refrain from sighing or grinning in any capacity. "...Spend a bit less time over there, especially tomorrow, you'll have a team to convince to work"
He hangs up, and I immediately throw the phone at the nearby wall and let my head fall into my hands. I had bitten off more then I might be able to chew here. With Shirou and lying to Coil like that. But it was too late to cry, might as well see how I would be getting out of this alive...
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The front door opens and then clicks shut, Shirou walks back inside and almost instantly notices my position on the couch. His eyes immediately becomes concerned.
"Lisa...? Is everything alright?" He asks, his lack of weird swords letting my power basically guarantee his sincerity. How was it possible for someone to be that truthful? It was a testament to how fuck up his head must be.
Even if I could draw some comfort in it.
"No..." I say back, surprised at my own truthfulness. "...But it's not a problem you can throw swords at and expect to fix" I see his brows furrow, and my power tells me he wants to test that theory but he actually manages to keep that inside. I had gotten the impression he was the type to just throw himself head first at a problem and was proven right of course. I guess that was good to know if it actually ever came to a fight. I was trying to help his fucked-up sword brain so the least he could do was keep me alive right?
"...Well, if you're sure?" Shirou says, walking to the dividing counter that separated the kitchen and living room. He places some Tupperware on it filled with what looked like lasagna. "...You can come to me with your problems you know? I can see you're smarter than me, but having an extra hand isn't ever a bad thing."
God damn it Shirou, you're making yourself far too easy to take advantage of! I can see why Taylor was so upset with you when I was doing just that to annoy her. The thought does make me smirk at nothing as I lay down on the couch on my side. The comment on my intelligence does stroke my ego though.
More than those things however, I can take notice of the genuine admiration he's projecting as he speaks. Something I really wasn't used to. Everyone had ulterior motives, everyone. My powers always letting me cut through the bullshit and see what you desired at the core. Shirou desired to help, admired me, and I hadn't gotten a single sexually creepy inclination from him yet.
Though that last one did burn at my female pride just a bit, because I knew he wasn't gay.
"Do you want some Lasagna? Taylor's dad was adamant I take my roommate some when I mentioned you." Shirou asks, knocking me out of my mental tally of all my best points. My stomach growling answers for me. Making Shirou chuckle all the way from the kitchen. So, he was capable of teasing huh? Interesting...
"Can you spice it up with some of the stuff you bought at the supermarket?" I ask innocently, hearing him scoff in sudden annoyance that makes me grin at nothing.
"That's not how cooking works... adding something like spices after it's already done completely ruins the original balance... and this Lasagna tastes great" he says, the last part said lower and with some amount of comfort that my power makes quick guesses at. I glance at his expression from over the arm rest, curious.
-Cannot taste food-
-Can taste the lasagna-
-Cannot taste his own cooking-
-Psychological damage-
-Swords cannot have psychological damage-
-He is a sword-
I quickly stop that while I'm ahead and give the ceiling a weary chuckle. Well at least I know the food would be good? Still, he was talking to me like I was dumb now, that couldn't stand.
"...Hey Shirou how do you feel about sharing the bed tonight?"
Shirou's sputters where honestly the second funniest thing I've heard all day.
Only behind Taylor's attempts to 'defend' him from me.
This was nice, even if it wouldn't always be so.
Tempering 2.1
For once, school wasn't the daunting villain in my head that it had grown to become. I was energized, confident, and ready.
Ready to not go that is~
I knew how this worked; Shirou wasn't going to get out of being suspended by the school. Sophia may have been asking for it, but that didn't mean Shirou was going to be able to talk off caving in a locker with a girl's head. That really shouldn't make me as giddy on the inside as it does. But as long as it wasn't outward or affecting my decision making, a little viciousness is allowed right? Especially considering what she had taken part in doing to me.
I hadn't even entered the school since I got off the bus, sitting on a nearby bench slightly stained with some kind of sticky liquid that I had to clean off beforehand. I was watching the entrance, waiting for the only person at this school that mattered to me. He never left through the side entrances but just in case I had bugs stationing the doors on the sides that he could leave from.
Was this creepy? I just didn't want to miss him is all!
I glance at my watch to see it was about half an hour passed homeroom, the only way I could tell the time because my dad wouldn't let me have a phone. Which was something I was going to have to bring up with him. Now I actually had people to text. Technically person, but I might be able to swing Lisa's number, right? I never knew when I'd need it. It'd also let me have some petty revenge by naming her something unflattering in my contacts.
I adjust my hoodie, which mostly obscures my face and uncombed curly hair. Then make sure my backpack is still hidden under the bench. It wouldn't do to be called out by someone and having the cops called on me because I wasn't in school. Though the chances of that were low, this was Winslow's area after all. That'd be more likely around Arcadia or Immaculata or… any school that wasn't Winslow, I guess? I wonder what was taking Shirou so long? I hope they weren't trying to expel him or something. It was serious sure, but he was a top student I've heard! Winslow couldn't just drop someone like that right?
My musings come to an end as the front doors of Winslow's main entrance are pushed open. Shirou making his way out with what looked like an annoyed expression on his face, bag held over one shoulder. Annoyance was an emotion I rarely got to see him show openly, so it was a bit strange, but I was glad he was finally free. I raised my hand and waved to him, getting his attention immediately. He looks almost exasperated as he sees me, but that changes into a smile really quick. He pauses, looks both ways, and then crosses the road to meet up with me. I meanwhile, stand to greet him when he gets close.
"Morning!" I chirp, pulling down my hood and bouncing on the front of my sneakers.
"Someone is chipper…?" Shirou observes the obvious, I wasn't even trying to hide it. "…Come to think of it, why are you out here and not in class? I was looking for you, it was worrying."
"You were looking for me?" I ask, not sure why I hadn't realized he'd do just that, a lapse in my judgment. I have to always assume Shirou will do the thing I least expect, especially if it involves something embarrassing like interrupting my class just to tell me he was suspended. "Sorry Shirou, I had assumed you'd get suspended today after… you know. So, I was waiting for you out here."
"Well, I did," Shirou starts with a slightly disapproving look that actually doesn't cow me in the slightest. "…You should pay your grades and attendance a little more mind." His voice was lacking in any real steel, making the suggestion fall flat.
"You've been helping me with that," I remind with a hum, turning to walk towards the bus stop. As expected, Shirou follows along. "I can afford to miss a few days, right? Plus, you getting suspended is partly my fau-"
Shirou's hand grasps onto my shoulder and I'm forced to look back at him in bewilderment. His expression was deadly serious. The same face he had on when he was fighting Lung two nights ago. It was a scary face honestly, machine-like in all the ways I didn't enjoy Shirou being. He takes a second to take me in, as he sometimes does, before shaking his head.
"Never blame yourself for my faults," he says while letting my shoulder go and leaving me unsure. This happened often enough that I move past it quickly though, for both our sakes. This was going to be a good day! I couldn't let it fall into negativity and blame.
"You said you'd teach me how to cook yesterday remember?" I ask, flushing slightly as the memory of that tender moment resurfaces. "…Do you think we can do that today?"
Shirou's eyes noticeably widen at the request. Had he forgotten already? I sure hope not, that would be mildly distressing. I was assured that was not the case when his melancholic expression changes to clear anticipation. I appreciated it for a second and turn just as the bus that would take us to Arcadia turns the corner.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Lisa hadn't been home when we arrived, much to my relief. I'm unsure how much I could actually learn with her constantly taking every moment she could to rile me up. Yeah, I know she probably didn't mean anything by it, as her words were missing a certain bite. But that didn't mean it was particularly fun for me. Shirou had powerwalked into the kitchen the moment I closed the door; I didn't have to see his face to know he was excited. I had never seen an excited Shirou now that I think about it, which was kind of weird. I wanted to say uncanny, but…
Seeing his smile as he grabs his apron and pulls out some pots and pans convinces me that this is what he's meant to be like, that his normal neutral expression didn't suit him nearly as much. Not that it was unsightly of course.
"So, what do you-," he starts before turning to look her over with a critical eye again, like he had at the bus stop. "…No, that won't do at all," Shirou finishes much to my embarrassment. What won't do? And why'd he have to say that after seemingly checking me out? Ok, he obviously hadn't been checking me out, but my confidence is supposed to be sky high right now.
"D-Did you have to say it like that?" I ask while looking away, almost not wanting to know what he had actually meant there. Just so I could feel a little justified in my insecurity.
"What?" Shirou asks, looking clueless as always on how his words could be misconstrued. "…I was just saying how you need to tie your hair back and wear my apron if you wanted to cook. It's unsanitary otherwise, and good kitchen hygiene is essential to a good meal."
Oh.
I feel how sheepish my expression suddenly becomes, yeah, that sounded more like something Shirou would say.
Shirou hands me the apron which I eagerly take, the prospect of moving on from my own inner awkwardness far too good to pass up. He then digs into his pocket as I hurriedly start to put the fabric covering on. A moment later and he's handing me a black hair tie. This one however I do not immediately grab, my face becoming red. I… didn't know how to do that… Emma had always been the one to do my hair, otherwise I'd just wear it like normal. Thoughts of Emma were a sure-fire way to burn my mood right to the ground, so I think of something else quickly. But that wouldn't help me tie my hair.
"I… need some help," I murmur, looking up at him with my head bowed slightly, feeling strangely vulnerable. "I don't really… tie my hair up much. Do you know how to?"
Shirou blinks in surprise, but he doesn't waste any time or give her any strange looks. He opens his mouth and pops the hair tie up to his lips where he holds it. He then raises a hand and makes a circle in the air with a finger. I stare dumbly, then he does it again. After realizing he was waiting for me to turn around, I do so quickly, throwing my messy hair around and making the problem worse.
"You forgot to brush your hair this morning, didn't you?" I hear him ask me; voice slightly misshapen from the elastic in his mouth.
Mortified, I can only nod.
That mortification only grows when I feel a comb start going through my hair.
"S-Shi-," my voice trembles, my mind unable to complete a single thought. He's doing something unnecessary again. Something that was probably shaving years off my lifetime through stress and blood pressure to my face. Was this something guys actually did regularly or was Shirou just stupidly diverse in the things he could do? More importantly, did it have to feel so... Intimate? Maybe I was just looking deeper into it then I had to.
"There," Shirou's voice breaks me from my thoughts. He was done? Already? Had I been that frazzled? I don't have to turn around because Shirou hands me a mirror from over my shoulder. Grabbing it quickly, I inspected myself.
I looked good? I mean, I didn't think I looked any worse than usual at least? Shirou had detangled my hair and tied it up low, probably to keep my hair from ever flowing over my shoulders and over the food at any point. I didn't realize how serious he would take this, but it was assuring in some ways.
"S-So what are we doing then?" I ask to move us along, lifting a hand to lightly pat my cheek in hopes it'd help me calm down. Shirou just walks over to the fridge and pulls out a large pot which was covered at the top with some sort of shrink wrap it looked like. He ushers me over and I do so just as he pulls the top off to reveal some thick yellow beans that were soaking in water. I didn't even know beans could be yellow? It didn't really look all that appetizing.
"We're going to start small" Shirou says kindly, stepping away from the pot and looking at me. I hesitantly step up to the pot. "These are soy beans, we're going to be using them to make Miso paste, which we'll need for the final step of making Miso Soup"
Miso? Mee-Soo? I hope I didn't sound like a troglodyte trying to repeat Japanese names.
"These are soy-beans?" I ask, honestly having expected something darker and less yellow. Soy Sauce was black after all. Shirou nods quickly, arms crossed over his chest. "Why are they in water?"
"You need to soak them for at least 12 hours so they can plump up a bit and soften," Shirou explains, his posture and expression lighter than I had ever seen. Was this therapeutic for him or something? "I prefer to do it for 16 at least, but for this, 12 is fine." Shirou seems to think on it for a moment, before adding. "You haven't washed your hands yet"
…Right, I probably shouldn't have had to be reminded of that.
As I move to the sink to start cleaning up a thought strikes me. This was a good a time as any to start probing him for his thoughts on being a cape with me, right?
"I'm sorry to ask, but I'm a bit curious" I start, drying my hands on a hanging towel before turning to face him. I lean back against the sink, hands crossed and mirroring him. "...That cape fight that blew up your apartment, who was in it? Anyone cool?"
Shirou stares at me dubiously, making me realize my poor choice of words. Come on me, did I actually just say his apartment blew up that casually? That dubiousness fades however after a few more seconds, replaced with half smirk and slightly cocked head.
"Oh? You aren't going to yell at me for it anymore?" He asks, making me slightly look away with a pout. I guess I hadn't apologized for that yet, have I? In my defense I still think it was a dumb decision so I didn't want to. "...But sure, I don't mind talking about it while you cook? We'll have at least a half hour of down time when we drain the beans and add them to the pressure cooker."
"Right!" I agree quickly, hurrying back to the soaking beans and letting Shirou verbally guide me into draining the beans into a colander. After that, I rinse them off again and slip them into the pressure cooker as instructed, sealing it shut a moment later. It was strangely cathartic in a way, having a one-on-one teacher in anything. That fact my teacher was just Shirou just made it better. "Sooo...?" I press as I finish setting a timer on the microwave. Shirou just chuckles and turns, walking out of the kitchen and to the expensive looking couches situated in the living room. I feel a small bit of envy at just how well off and loved Lisa must have been to have a whole private apartment as a backup to where ever she actually lived at. Which was probably way more impressive than this. I then move to take a seat next to Shirou after removing my apron.
"What was it you asked?" Shirou hums, reclining slightly on the couch and looking at me from the corner of his eyes "Who was there? I'm unsure how accurate I can be."
"W-Well-," I start racking my brain for a way to talk about this without revealing myself. At the same time, Shirou looked incredibly amused at something I couldn't begin to guess at. "What did they look like?"
"Well, there had been two capes, one I think was named Lung, and the other didn't have a name. I believe she had been out on her first night out. Lung hadn't been much, but I could see how he could give people some trouble."
"Wow..." I coo in a way that I hope was even slightly convincing of my sincerity. If I didn't know the man in front of me was the one who kicked Lung's ass, I would have been more concerned with his lack of cautious respect. Meanwhile I had been on the roof, trying to find any way to get out of confronting someone like Lung on my first night out. "You saw Lung? He's the leader of the ABB you know, I'm glad you're ok." That last part had been real, I didn't need to fake any of the relief in my voice. I was beginning to think I'd always be worrying even if Shirou was enough to take down the Chinese dragon. I still couldn't acknowledge my own contributions, because I just didn't see them as much.
"I'm sure you are," he says warmly, yet... he sounded off for a second.
"What about the other one?" I ask, intensely interested in how he saw my cape persona in a none biased way. Because he was talking to his friend and not said cape. That'd mean he'd be more truthful right? His smile drops for a moment and he stares at me with a complex expression I couldn't quite place. Wow, he really must have been thinking pretty hard on it. At least way harder than he had about Lung. Was that a good thing?
"She was...," he stops to consider his words, rubbing his chin again and still looking at me. "Impressive."
I feel an arrow hit my heart.
"...Admirable"
I can't keep my eyes on him, looking away so I could try to hide the giddiness surging inside me.
"Willing to step in to help the moment the fighting started, and focused on good tactics. She had attacked the henchmen while Lung was occupied, lessening the chance bystanders could be hurt by stray gunfire."
He was giving me far too much credit, I had attacked when I did out of fear for him. A plan was the furthest thing on my mind.
"...And her costume was very well made," He answers as if that was all he had to say on the matter. But he continues on afterwards. "...Her voice was familiar though"
All my mushy feelings are swept away in a sudden wave of apprehension. There was no way-
"As was her hair, height, way of walking," He lists off, each one making my shoulders slump lower and lower. I hazard a look at him, he was still smiling at me, but his eyes were lidded. "...She looked a lot like you honestly."
"M-Mhghm.." I gargle, unable to do much while Shirou proceeds to lightly laugh at me, my secret identity obviously never having been secret to begin with.
Shirou was a jerk. Such a huge, utter, and complete jerk!
"Did you really know the entire time?" I ask weakly as I regain my posture. He nods easily and that just makes it more embarrassing with how nonchalant he was treating this.
"You're not nearly as average as you think." Shirou says; there he goes saying stuff like that again, could he just give me a break? "Plus, I can sense parahumans when I... use one of my powers. Though I hardly needed that to identify you"
"You can!?" I shriek, the sheer terror that made me feel overriding the offhand compliments. That was bad, no, it was worse than bad. Secret identities were like life and death to most capes, especially villains. It didn't matter if Shirou hadn't done anything to deserve it, everyone would want such an ability on their side. Or they would want it destroyed.
The worst part was I was positive that Shirou either hadn't thought that far ahead, or just didn't care considering his ambivalence towards masks in general. But before I suddenly burst into a tirade like I wanted, I decided that now was as good a time as any.
"Shirou!" I exclaim, staring at him seriously enough that he gives me his instant full attention. "...Please help me be a hero!"
The look of emotionally shattered wonder I get in return confuses me I admit, but it's impossible to dwell on for long, because Shirou doesn't keep me waiting for an answer.
"Of course."
_____________________________________________________________________________________
-Lisa's POV-
As I enter the loft my team used as a base and home, I feel what I can only describe a premonition. A premonition that Shirou had just started on some sort of path that would cause me some serious headaches in the future. That wasn't good and it was definitely something he needed to talk about when I got back. Right now, I had work to do though. Like how exactly I would go about convincing the team to rob the biggest bank in town. Especially so soon AND with a new member of the team.
Speaking of...
I cough roughly, not even bothering to hide my annoyance when Circus, currently dressed in a way that made him look like a man to my powers, steps in after me. He had a resigned look on his face that matched the intensity of my own annoyance. I had enough of people messing with my power's deduction from Shirou, I hardly wanted to now deal with my inability to tell if Circus was a guy posing as a girl in costume or a girl posing as a man in normal clothes.
"Remember, you had a change of heart and decided that some teammates would be useful" I re-explain for what feels like the tenth time. I had brought up to Coil that even if I could convince the team (I could), we simple didn't have enough firepower to hold the bank for as long as we'd need. His response? He reveals that Circus had actually already been working for him when we had given our offer to him. Then ordering said cape to join the Undersiders. Circus hadn't been happy with that and neither had I been. In fact, the walk over here had been nothing but passive aggressiveness between us both. But that had to at least be hidden for now. "You know what Coil wants, don't fuck this up"
-Circus is annoyed-
-Circus thinks you're insufferable-
"I'm not some fucking amateur, Coil knows my worth and pays great, I can do this" Circus says with a scoff towards me, prick, before his expression shifts into something more neutral. At least I can be sure that wasn't a lie, it must feel good to actually just be paid and not be ruled by threats. Not that Coil cared about Circus farther then he was useful to him.
...Even his voice was androgynous I realize sourly.
"Lisa, is that you-" I hear Brian ask as he enters the main hall with a towel in hand, sweat running down his forehead. He stops when he sees Circus, who waves once. Brian's expression tightens, and he turns to me.
-Brian is furious-
-Brian is worried-
-Brian is concerned about his identity-
"Calm down," I urge, "At least let me explain myself."
Brian visibly restrains himself, even as soft black smoke wafts off his tank top, good, I was prepared for this. I was glad that I had put in the effort to be afforded a small amount of trust, even if Brian liked to call me a dumbass to my face whenever I got even the slightest thing wrong.
"This is Circus, he's reconsidered our offer and came out of costume as a sign of trust" I explain, making Brian stop unconsciously using his power in surprise. He was looking more intrigued now, he had been the one to suggest offering Circus a spot on the team after all.
"Sup" Circus sniffs, looking around the hallway entrance to the rest of the loft. "This is a nice hallway you got here, are the rest of your hallways as nice as this one?"
I hold in a grin as Brian lets out a small chortle of amusement, Circus was good.
"I'll leave you boys to introductions then, I'm going to head to my room" I say, wiggling my fingers at the two of them as I move passed them into the house proper and passed Bitch, who acknowledges me with a slight nod before going back to her dogs. It doesn't take me long to reach my private room, grabbing the knob and getting ready to properly plan my argument out.
That is until a hand lands on my door from behind me, making me tense. I turn my head slightly to find Alec looking at me and close behind. Was he always that good at sneaking?
"So?" He presses, a little forcefully and a part of me can't help but become a bit afraid. He had been asking if he could hang out at my place for the last couple days since his accident. It was impossible for all of us to not know why. After all, there was only one person of note staying at my apartment. Alec's face reeked of impatience, the stitches running across the left side of his head above his ear adding to the honestly menacing look I was receiving.
-Alec is agitated-
-Alec wants to meet Shirou again-
-Alec needs to meet Shirou again-
-Planning to find him on his own soon-
Shirou what the hell did you do to this guy?Last edited: 19/5/2022 Award522TurtSnacko18/5