Daily Meme
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After a while, Toga rested her chin on her hand. "So? Do you regret it?"
I didn't look up. "Regret what?"
"Y'know." She twirled her spoon. "The whole 'ruining Four-eyes' plan and putting yourself on the Commission's hit list' thing."
I rolled my eyes. "So you know?"
Toga spun her spoon like she was twirling a blade, eyes gleaming like she just watched someone die creatively. "Everyone with a little bit of internet connection knows."
Of course, they did. No way in hell something that big wasn't making rounds. The fact that she was bringing it up meant it was bigger than I expected.
She tapped her cheek, watching me. "They are calling you the 'Unhinged Hero.'"
I snorted. "Wow. Did a middle-schooler name me?"
"Right?" She grinned. "You should be the 'Sexy, Dangerous, Makes-Girls-Weak-in-the-Knees Hero.'"
I shoved a spoonful of ice cream into my mouth instead of responding.
Toga leaned in. "But seriously, you got the whole city talking." She pulled out her phone, tilting it toward me. "Look."
Her phone showed some dipshit news anchor trying to sound worried while creaming himself over the views. Comment section looked like a riot with better grammar. Below it, the comments were all sorts of praise, confusion, and people calling each other idiots.
"You are a full-blown terrorist now," she cooed. "God, I am wet."
"I mean, you always were, but now it is official." She added.
I clicked my tongue. "Yeah, well, they will move on."
Toga hummed, stretching out her legs under the table, touching mine. "Maybe. But you really pissed off the Commission. They don't like when things get messy."
"No shit."
"Think they will pull your license?"
I shrugged. "Nighteye wants them to."
She whistled. "Oof. That is rough."
"Yeah. Nothing like being crucified by the same people who teach 'Save the Girl 101' in orientation."
Toga stirred her ice cream, her voice turning more casual. "So, what is the plan?"
I exhaled. "I get them something big. A raid. Full wipeout. Chisaki and his people in one place."
She licked her spoon. "And if they still screw you over?"
"They will."
Toga smirked. "And that doesn't bother you?"
I flicked a napkin at her face. "You think I care about a damn license?"
She let it hit her, dramatically pressing a hand to her chest. "Oh no~! My heart! Ryuu, tell me you still dream of being a 'proper' hero!"
I didn't entertain that. She already knew the answer.
She pouted, resting her chin on her hand. "Well, if they throw you out, you can always come play with me."
"No."
"You didn't even think about it!"
"Didn't need to. I remember telling you at your 'welcome package,' remember? A knife to the ribs in Forest Lodge? I am a hero, and have no intention to switch sides. You can forget it. Never, ever dream about it."
She sighed, drumming her fingers against the table. "You are no fun."
We left the ice cream shop, the night air a little cooler than before. Toga was still licking at her spoon, humming some nonsense tune. She kept glancing at me like she was waiting for something.
"What?" I asked.
She grinned. "Nothing~ Just enjoying our little date. Don't you think it is cute?"
"No."
She gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. "Wow. Just crush a girl's heart, why don't you?"
I ignored her, shoving my hands into my pockets. "Where is this movie theater?"
She twirled her spoon before chucking it into a trash bin. "Two blocks down! C'mon, we gotta hurry before all the good seats are taken."
She grabbed my arm and started dragging me. I let her do as she wished. No point fighting when she was like this.
The theater was some old-school joint, the kind that still used neon signs and paper tickets. It smelled like butter and soda syrup. A couple of people milled around, but it wasn't crowded.
Toga practically pressed her face against the glass at the ticket counter. "Ooo, they are showing something scary! Let's watch that."
I shrugged. "Fine."
The guy at the counter looked half-asleep. He barely acknowledged us, sliding the tickets over with a lazy "Enjoy the movie."
Toga snatched them up. "Ooo, are you gonna hold me if I get scared?"
"Doubt it."
We grabbed snacks, found our seats near the back. Toga curled up immediately, legs pulled onto the seat, leaning against my arm like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"So," she said, side-eyeing me, "you gonna pull the whole 'stretch and put your arm around me' move?"
"No."
She leaned in. "Whisper sweet nothings in my ear?"
"No."
She grinned. "Let me lay on your shoulder and sigh dramatically?"
"No."
The lights dimmed. She slumped in her seat, sighing anyway. "You are about as romantic as a concussion."
Not seeing any reaction, she leaned closer. "Wanna make out during the jump scares?"
I flicked her forehead. "I would rather french a cactus."
She let out a snort-laugh, like I just fed her a line of cocaine and compliments.
The movie started. Some supernatural horror flick. Cheap jump scares, dumb characters making dumb decisions. Toga was eating it up. Every time the music swelled, she would grip my sleeve like she was actually scared.
I glanced at her. "You are enjoying this too much."
Her smile stretched, equal parts adorable and serial killer. "It is like nature documentaries, but bloodier!"
I shook my head, popping a piece of popcorn into my mouth.
Halfway through, some guy got his head twisted the wrong way, and Toga let out the fakest yelp I'd ever heard, immediately clinging to my arm.
I deadpanned. "Really?"
She grinned against my sleeve. "Shhh, I am scared."
I flicked her forehead. "No, you are not."
She giggled but didn't move.
The movie ended with the final girl walking off into the sunrise or some bullshit. The lights came up, and she let out a mock yawn so dramatic it deserved an Oscar, then stretched like a cat about to commit a felony. "Mmm, that was fun. You should've screamed more."
I stood. "Not happening."
We left the theater, stepping onto the quieter streets. A few late-night shops were still open, casting warm glows onto the sidewalk. Toga skipped a few steps ahead, spinning once before falling into step beside me.
"I like night walks," she said. "It feels like the world is a little smaller. Like it is just us. Us and whatever poor bastard is about to get jumped."
I didn't say anything, just kept walking.
She suddenly shivered, rubbing her arms. "Ooo, it got colder."
I sighed, pulling off my jacket and dropping it over her shoulders. She blinked, looking down at herself, then up at me with an exaggerated gasp.
"Oh my gosh, Ryuu, are you being chivalrous?"
"Shut up."
She hugged the jacket around herself, grinning. "You are such a gentleman. I might just swoon."
Toga pulled my jacket tighter around herself, still grinning. "Ooo, it as all warm from your body heat~! Are you trying to get me addicted to you?"
"Yeah, and now you smell like me. Bet that gets you off."
"It does! You do know me!" She took a big sniff.
I ignored her, shoving my hands into my pockets. She skipped ahead, spinning on her heel, then fell back into step beside me.
The streets were quieter now. Most of the shops had closed, leaving only the glow of streetlights and the occasional late-night convenience store. Toga rocked on her heels as she walked, humming some off-key tune, like she had all the time in the world.
Then she stopped.
Her face scrunched up, brows furrowing. I slowed down, watching as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
"Ow," she muttered.
I looked at her sneakers. Same model as mine, just different colors. They weren't small, but she was acting like she had been walking in high heels all day.
She huffed, scowling down at them. "Ugh. Stupid shoes. My feet feel like they are gonna fall off."
I sighed, already crouching down to untie mine.
She blinked. "Oh? Ohhh~ Ryuu, are you about to be all chivalrous again? Giving me your shoes like a true prince?"
I tossed them at her feet. "Just switch already."
Toga giggled but kicked off her own sneakers, sliding into mine like it was some kind of fairytale moment. "Ooo, they are all roomy! And warm~!" She stretched her toes, then bounced a little. "Mmm, much better."
I carried her shoes in my hand, walking bare. The pavement was cold, but it was whatever. She kept bouncing in my sneakers, probably stretching the insoles to hell, but I let it slide.
She grinned. Her smile was all fangs and fairytales. She tilted her head like she was posing for a mugshot. "You look like a prince in a cracked-out fairytale! Barefoot and brooding. All you are missing is a tragic backstory and a dragon. Should I start swooning now?"
I gave her a look. "Dragon is in my pocket. Keep talking, I will prove it."
"Rude!" She spun on her heel, still walking backward. "I am complimenting you, Ryuu. You should say 'thank you, Toga, my beautiful, wonderful date.'"
"You tripped twice in the last ten minutes. Real graceful."
She gasped. "That was the pavement's fault!"
"Sure."
We walked a little more. Toga rocked on her heels, looking around like she was searching for something. Probably deciding if she wanted to make a scene before the night ended.
Then she stopped. Looked at me.
"Time for bite."
I sighed. "Kiss."
She pouted. "Why not both?"
"Because I don't feel like bleeding tonight."
"Ugh, so boring." She stepped closer, rocking on the balls of her feet. "Fine, but I want a real one."
I raised a brow. "You thought I was gonna half-ass it?"
Her lips curled. "You do like to piss me off."
I grabbed her chin, tilting her head up. She blinked, then grinned wider, probably thinking she won something.
"Shut up."
Then I kissed her. She hummed like a cat curled around a grenade. Satisfied. Dangerous.
She made some satisfied little hum in the back of her throat, but for once, she didn't say anything. Her fingers curled into my shirt, pulling just slightly. Not like she was trying to take control... just making sure I wasn't going anywhere.
I didn't pull back right away, and neither did she.
When I finally did, she stayed close, licking her lips, looking way too pleased. "Mmm. You taste like chocolate."
I wiped my mouth. "You taste like blood orange."
She grinned, biting her bottom lip. "Told you. Sweet up front, murder in the aftertaste." She giggled, hands still curled in my hoodie. "Okay, okay, I approve! That was a good first kiss. Good job, Ryuu!"
I pulled away. "I am not doing a performance review with you."
She swayed, still grinning. "Ooo, you are shy!"
I ignored her. "You good now?"
She hummed, swaying on her feet. "Mmm, for now~." Then she grabbed my sleeve again, yanking me back just enough for her to peck my cheek. "There! Now I am good."
I shook my head, dropping her damn shoes in front of her. "Put these on before I throw them in traffic."
She huffed, shoving her feet back into them. "Ugh, you are such a brute. No aftercare? No 'Toga, my love, was the kiss everything you dreamed of?'"
I turned on my heel. "I am leaving."
She giggled, skipping after me. "Ryuu~ don't be mean!"
"Should've thought of that before you started talking."
She grabbed my hand again, swinging it between us. "Mmm, fine. I will let you be all grumpy and mysterious for now." She leaned in slightly, voice lower, teasing. "But if you ever wanna kiss me again~"
I pulled my hand away. "Goodbye, Toga."
She pouted but didn't push it. "Fine, fine. Go be a hero or whatever." Then, with a lazy wave, she turned and wandered off, humming to herself.
I exhaled, turning the other way.
Twenty-four hours to drop a bomb on the Yakuza, dodge the Commission, and maybe, just maybe, not fuck up the one girl in the world more chaotic than me.
One day.
Tick-fucking-tock.
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Subject: Just circling back on that Power Stone 🙂
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