Chapter 51: Text Messages
Although Yoshikage Kira had said he would keep it, he had already put it back on the watch face. When he released the first bomb, the skull had fallen into a deep sleep again before it could even let out a whimper. Kira reassembled it and put it on his left wrist.
After dealing with the skull, Kira walked down the dark hallway to the changing rooms.
Oh, it seems I forgot to mention. In the wealthy U.A. High, just like in some private schools in America, every student had a large, upright locker in the changing room, as well as a small shoe locker at the entrance of the school building.
And this was just the standard for the regular classes. Since the Hero Course often had outdoor training and frequently got their clothes sweaty and dirty, the school generously gave them their own separate changing rooms and bathrooms, one for Class A and one for Class B.
As Kira passed by the girls' bathroom, he paused. Tsuyu Asui must have showered in this bathroom... He could faintly sense the lingering steam in the air.
If it had been Mineta, on a dark and windy night like this, with no cameras around, he would probably have rushed in with a nosebleed and a look of excitement. Kira sighed. He had no such interest. He walked straight to his own locker and pressed his index finger against it.
Although Kira's student ID wasn't with him, U.A. had recorded everyone's fingerprints upon enrollment. Even if someone forgot their student ID, as long as the fingerprint verification was successful, they could still open their locker.
Click—
The door popped open instantly. Kira first took out his phone.
"The U.A. attack must be all over the internet by now..." Kira muttered as he turned on his phone. The first thing that greeted him were several missed calls and text messages.
He quickly scanned the missed calls: Inasa Yoarashi, Camie Utsushimi, the owner of the movie theater where he worked, Midoriya, Hagakure... Inasa's calls made up the vast majority of them.
It was three or four in the morning. Kira figured everyone was asleep, so he didn't call back for now and opened his text messages instead.
"Kira! I heard something happened at U.A.! Aren't you in the Hero Course, Class 1-A? Were you attacked? Are you hurt?!"
"I heard that all the students who were attacked were escorted home by the police. I'll wait for you at your house after school."
"Why aren't you answering? I've been waiting at your house for two hours. Camie wanted to go in, but I didn't let her this time. After all, your house being broken into right after you were attacked... even you would be angry, right?"
...
"I know you probably don't have your phone with you right now. Please reply as soon as you see this."
This was the last message from Inasa, sent fifteen minutes ago.
This guy is still awake... Kira had no idea how rich his nightlife was. After all, he went to bed at ten o'clock sharp every night after his workout, completely insulated from such unhealthy habits.
Kira had no idea that Inasa had been up all night worrying about him and instead mistakenly thought he was used to pulling all-nighters.
"I'm fine."
Kira typed the message and sent it.
Just as he was about to check the other messages, a call came in. Inasa's exaggeratedly smiling picture, which Kira found a little disgusting, instantly filled the screen.
"Hello, this is Kira," he answered, his voice listless. "You're still up at this hour..."
"I couldn't sleep, I was so worried about you!" Inasa replied excitedly, then sighed in relief. "But the fact that you answered means you're okay. That's good."
Kira didn't go into detail about what had happened. He just said, "I'm staying at the school tonight. I'll be home tomorrow."
The conversation between Kira and Inasa had always been one-sided, with Inasa talking and Kira giving perfunctory replies. They were both used to this and felt no discomfort.
Without asking for reasons or details, Inasa only had time to say "I understand" before Kira hung up.
"Now then, let's see what the others have sent."
...
Izuku Midoriya: Kira-kun, are you okay?! I wanted to stay and wait with you, but the police insisted on taking me home, and I was worried about my mom... Please let me know if you're awake!
Camie Utsushimi: I heard your U.A. got attacked. If you feel it's too dangerous, you can still transfer to Shiketsu High, you know? I'd love to see you come crawling over, tail between your legs.
Toru Hagakure: Are you okay? I'm so sorry I couldn't help much. I saw you, Kira-kun, you were so cool back then! Really cool!
Yaoyorozu, Iida, Uraraka... even Todoroki had sent a message. Although it was just a short "Are you okay?" Kira was still surprised. That ice prince was actually concerned about someone?
Kira had been reading with a calm expression, but a smile had unknowingly crept onto his face. He continued to read the messages as he walked down the hallway.
Just as he reached the junction between the General Studies and Hero Course buildings, he suddenly felt a gaze on him. The feeling of being watched instantly jolted him.
Who is it? Or what is it... Kira subconsciously turned his head, his gaze fixed on the darkness not far away.
In the deep darkness, it was as if an eye were watching him. Although Kira didn't feel any malice, he still felt uncomfortable.
Kira changed his destination and walked straight outside the school building. He didn't have to look for long before he found his target.
The source of the gaze he had felt was a round object floating in mid-air. When it saw Kira come out, it immediately fled without a word, shooting off at an incredible speed, a trail of fire flickering from its tail.
The moment the fire flared up, Kira saw the object's true form.
"...Is that an eyeball?"
Kira didn't chase after it. He just chalked it up to a strange late-night encounter and turned back to the infirmary.
Although about half an hour had passed since Kira had left the infirmary, Tsuyu Asui was still not asleep. When she heard the soft click of the door, she instantly sat up.
Kira gently turned the doorknob and was met with the sight of Asui sitting on the bed. He was taken aback. "Tsuyu-chan, you're still not asleep?"
"I can't sleep," Asui replied simply.
"Is that so..." Kira walked over to the other bed, pulled back the covers, and lay down. He faced the ceiling, closed his eyes, and said, "I'm tired. Good night."
The moonlight shone on the two iron-frame beds in the infirmary. The window curtain danced gently, casting flowing shadows. The moonlight shifted, and the night passed in silence.