"And that's how we ended up here."
Ace simmers. Seriously? Of all the stupid things, this takes the cake.
You are welcome! Urataros chimes in.
Zip it, Turtle-brain! Ace retorts. I trusted you, and you pull this? What if she finds out who I am?
Relax, Ace. I handled it like a pro. Besides, a little romance never hurt anyone.
Romance? You call this romance? This is a disaster waiting to happen! The cops are already after me, and now I have to worry about a Pro Hero finding out my secret?
Hey, at least you got to cuddle with a hot celebrity. Not many people can say that.
That's not the point! Ace's inner voice raises. We're supposed to be protecting this city, not getting entangled in a secret love relationship!
Yu stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Ace flinched, a deer caught in headlights. Her gaze met his, and a smile stretched across her face. She reached for him, arms wrapping around his torso in a warm embrace.
"Good morning," Yu murmured, her voice husky with sleep.
Panic flared. Urataros, get me out of here! Take over now! Ace pleaded, his thoughts a frantic barrage. He had no idea how to navigate this situation. One wrong move, one slip-up, and his carefully constructed facade could crumble.
But Urataros remained stubbornly silent.
Urataros? Ace repeats. Now is not the time to slack off.
And miss this show? This is too interesting, Urataros snickered.
Urataros! Ace exclaimed.
Left to his own devices, Ace awkwardly returned the hug, patting her back gingerly.
"Good morning, Takeyama-san,"
Yu's face scrunched up ever so slightly. "Takeyama-san? Come on, Ace, we're way past that. It's Yu-chan now," she pouted, her lower lip jutting out.
Ace coughed, trying to play it cool. "Right, sorry. Good morning, Yu-chan."
Yu's smile returned, brighter than before. "That's better!" she chirped, snuggling closer. "So, what do you want for breakfast?"
Ace blinked, momentarily thrown off by the sudden shift in topic. "Uh…"
Smooth, Ace, real smooth, Momotaros chided.
Shut up, you overgrown peach! Ace fired back mentally.
Yu didn't seem to notice his hesitation. "I can whip something up. I'm actually a pretty good cook, you know," she said proudly. "Just give me a few minutes."
With that, Yu threw the covers off her body and Ace's eyes widened. He stared dead ahead, fighting the urge to peek. Yu was as naked as the day she was born. A gentleman never peeks, he reminded himself firmly, focusing on a spot on the wall above the bed.
Yu giggled at his obvious discomfort. "Don't be such a prude, Ace!" she teased, but Ace could hear the playful affection in her voice.
Yu grabbed an oversized t-shirt from the closet, slipped it on, and headed towards the kitchen, her blonde hair bouncing with each step. "I'll make you something amazing," she called over her shoulder. "You just wait here and relax."
The aroma of sizzling bacon soon filled the small apartment, mingling with a less appealing burnt smell. Yu, humming cheerfully, busied herself at the stove, flipping strips of bacon and cracking eggs into a pan. A few minutes later, she presented Ace with a plate of slightly charred eggs and bacon. Her face, usually brimming with confidence, was now a picture of nervous apprehension.
"I...I'm not exactly a five-star chef," she admitted shyly, fiddling with a strand of her blonde hair. "Hope it's okay."
Ace surveyed the plate, his expression unreadable. But he didn't mind the burnt edges. He sensed that Yu had put her heart into this. Besides, she's the only one who's ever cooked for him. Ace took a bite of the eggs.
"It's delicious," Ace declared, offering her a genuine smile. "Really. It's the best breakfast I've had in a while."
Yu's face lit up, a blush creeping up her neck. "Really? You're not just saying that?"
"I mean it," Ace affirmed.
It was a warm feeling, better than most of the coffee he had tried. This breakfast meant more than any fancy dish Naomi could conjure.
"Well, I'm glad you liked it!" Yu replied, beaming. Her cheeks were flushed a rosy pink, and her purplish-pink eyes sparkled with delight. She grabbed her phone, which lay on the bedside table, and checked it. She looked away to keep her giddiness in check.
Oh, get a room already, Momotaros interjected.
You're one to talk, Baka Momo! Ryutaros replied. You're always picking fights.
What was that snot-nosed brat?! Momotaros yelled.
Ace ignored them. He had more pressing concerns, like getting out of this apartment without causing a scene.
Just then, Yu's phone buzzed, shattering the comfortable atmosphere. She glanced at the screen, her eyes widening slightly.
"Oh, shoot!" she exclaimed. "That's the agency. I have to go."
She leaped to her feet, her movements a flurry of energy. Ace watched, bemused, as she darted around the room, gathering her costume pieces. In a matter of moments, she was transformed from a casual girl in an oversized tee into the towering Pro Hero, Mt. Lady.
"Duty calls!" Yu announced, striking a pose. "Gotta go save the day!"
Ace watched her, a strange mix of amusement and concern swirling within him. "Take care out there, Yu-chan," he cautioned.
Yu flashed him a dazzling smile, her confidence restored. "Always do! See you later, Ace!" And with a wink, she was gone, leaving Ace alone in the now-empty apartment.
Ace exhaled deeply, feeling a wave of relief wash over him as the door clicked shut. Okay, crisis averted... for now.
She is cute though, Urataros stated, a dreamy quality coloring his mental voice. Those eyes, that smile...
Knock it off, Turtle-brain, Ace commanded, cutting off Urataros's musings. You're the one who got me into this mess. Don't think I've forgotten that.
Hey, I thought you could use a little fun. Besides, you secretly enjoyed it. I saw you glance at her breast for a moment.
That's not the point! Ace shot back, his thoughts a whirlwind of irritation.
He glanced around the apartment, taking in the girly decor, the scattered magazines featuring Yu on their covers, the lingering scent of perfume. This wasn't his world. He didn't belong here, not really. He had a mission, a purpose that extended far beyond this world, and he couldn't afford to get distracted.
When I get back to the DenLiner, you're going to get an earful you won't soon forget, Ace thought, directing his mental glare at the turtle Imagin.
He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. First things first, he needed to get back to Starry before Ami started to worry.
Suddenly, Momotaros's voice boomed inside Ace's head, cutting through his inner turmoil.
Oi, Ace! An Imagin's close!
Ace's eyes widened. What? Where? He mentally demanded, his previous irritation forgotten.
Nearby! I can smell it, that stink is nasty. Momotaros declared.
How close? Ace pressed, his mind already racing. He had to act fast. He couldn't risk another incident like the one with Muscular, where innocent people got caught in the crossfire. Not with the Pro Heroes breathing down his neck.
Real close! Gotta go now! Momotaros snapped, his tone urgent.
The declaration snapped Ace into action. Every second counted. He wasted no time gathering the clothes he had shed only hours before. As he buttoned his shirt and laced up his shoes, he scanned the room for anything he might have left behind, any trace of his presence that could link him to Mt. Lady. Finding nothing, he slipped out of the apartment and onto the busy Musutafu street.
Which way, Momo? Ace asked, his senses on high alert.
Left! Down the street! I smell the stink coming from there! Momotaros urged.
Ace broke into a sprint, weaving through the crowds of pedestrians. He dodged salarymen rushing to work, students chatting excitedly about their day, and elderly women shuffling along with their shopping carts. He followed Momotaros's directions, his heart pounding in his chest. Please don't let there be casualties.
***
Leave a comment and review of your thoughts
Give some power stones to support this novel.
Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz