[I-Island Airport] Yoshida POV:
Checking my phone, I confirm the location of the right exit and stand by with a large sign. Most people who come to I-Island don't need such rudimentary signals but many first timers had someone like me to help guide them.
I was strictly instructed to ensure our guest was accomodated to whatever needs he may have. Whether that be a sudden craving of local cuisine or a ride to the Central Tower.
Either way, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed at this situation. I could've retired ages ago and I wouldn't have to deal with any of this tourist shit. But as much as I wanted out of this gig, a direct command from Mr. Shield cannot be ignored so easily.
Sighing, I reminisce on the days when Mr. Shield was just a fledgling junior on the island and I could boss him around however I so pleased. He really grew up so fast. Nowadays, he has no qualms with pushing this old man to the side.
It truly is a wonder how this young boy from the mainland has managed to garner Mr. Shield's attention. And not only his attention at that. I believe most of the top scientists have heard of Mr. Kanzaki's exploits since his debut at the festival.
In fact, I remember hearing from a friend that the principal at U.A., Mr. Nezu, didn't even have to pull any strings for the boy to come here on such short notice. Most visitors would come during the I-Expo event during the summer, and even they would have to be highly regarded Pro Heroes. Though, civilians and students can receive invitations through Pros.
My thoughts get pushed to the side as I see a young boy with striking hazel eyes and dark brown hair staring intently at me.
His looks are foreign but the way he strides through the crowd makes it hard to even comment on it. His gait is calm, the kind of calm I've seen in people with copious amounts of confidence—or arrogance.
Behind him is a medium sized suitcase which strangely moves on its own at a steady pace, catching the eyes of passersby. Possibly a custom piece of technology he's developed? Not that self moving suitcases were uncommon. But based on the synopsis I received, Mr. Kanzaki has likely made improvements or completely revamped the design all together.
It's a wonder how he moves through the bustling crowd with perfect precision. Within seconds he comes up in front of me with a subtle smile hinting at his lips.
Outstretching his hand, he smiles at me and says, "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Yoshida."
I reach over to shake his hand. At first, I'm surprised at how firm his grip is, but I keep my face from showing much reaction.
"It's a pleasure, Mr. Kanzaki."
He lets go of my hand and reaches over to point at the sign I had been holding up earlier and chuckles. "There was no need for that by the way, I thought you would've been told that sooner."
This time, a confused expression does make its way to my face as I glance at the sign before turning back. "Excuse me?"
Mr. Kanzaki walks past me, oddly in the direction of the car the Island has provided us, even though there had been no clues of which car was ours, and taps on the side of the door. To my surprise, the door unlocks immediately and without any problems despite the number of security measures in place.
Looking back up, he flashes me another grin, gesturing for me to enter the passenger's seat.
"I was always going to find you."
For the first time today, a sudden chill runs down my spine and I shiver before I can stifle it. I open my mouth to protest—to explain that it was my duty to show him around the place which included me driving—but the impatient look on Mr. Kanzaki's face through the window throws me off.
Perhaps there is a reason why the young boy was extended this precious internship.
—
Renji Pov:
Rolling down the windows, I breathe in a breath of fresh air and let out a happy sigh. What a great scent! I don't think any other place in the world could beat the freshness of the air here.
Instantly, it makes me wonder what kind of technology the scientists here have been cooking up to combat air pollution. While I-Island may be centered around the study of Quirks, it was still the home to some of the sharpest minds on the planet.
I'd have to ask around for that kind of info. I wonder how many secrets I could gather within the week I'm staying here. Even if they don't want to tell me their top secret designs, there's nothing stopping me from finding out myself. It's not like they'd even notice.
Wait a second. "Hey, you're pretty knowledgeable about the stuff that goes on around here, right?"
The old man in the passengers seat pauses, as if interrupted mid-thought before nodding firmly. "That's right, Mr. Kanzaki. I've been working here for a very long time now."
Perfect.
"In that case," I begin, glancing at him, "what can you tell me about the air here? It's much better than the dirty stuff back in Tokyo and Musutafu."
Eager to prove his intellect, Mr. Yoshida adjusts his small glasses before jumping into a spiel. "About a decade ago, a young biologist named Lily Feng arrived on the island during one of the expositions and showcased her inventions. One of which was a device she called the 'Ambient Purifier Unit', or APU for short."
"Feng?" I think out loud, "Like the wind. How fitting."
"Indeed, Mr. Kanzaki." Yoshida agreed. "Despite the simplicity of her project, Ms. Feng was invited to stay on the Island longer. Eventually, one week became a month, then a year, and now a decade."
"So she's still here?" I perk up, a growing excitement shakes in my chest. Coming to the island is already paying off.
Mr. Yoshida nods, sensing the hidden message. "I can arrange a meeting with her if you'd like?"
"It's like you read my mind," I laugh, pulling into a parking garage next to an extravagent hotel. "I can work around her schedule, I'm just hoping to get a look at her inventions."
"She's usually seen on Floor 43 of the Central Tower. I've heard the air there is even fresher than in the city."
—
Opening the door to my room, I'm greeted by a huge decorated area.
The floors shine with a polished finish that reflects the amber lights above and the walls are lined with sleek panels that shift color depending on where I stand.
I whistle under my breath. "Damn. This is way nicer than my living room at home."
To my left sits a compact living space with soft gray couches arranged around a floating screen, the kind that adjusts to your eye movement.
Further in, a kitchenette stretches along the wall stocked with utensils and appliances I don't recognize but absolutely want to take apart later. Behind a sliding panel next to the kitchenette, I catch sight of a bedroom with a massive bed draped in crisp white sheets.
"Okay, I-Island," I murmur, watching my suitcase glide it's way into the bedroom. "I see you."
Following along, I open the now unmoving suitcase and empty it before crashing onto the bed with a pleasant sigh.
—
[Floor 52, Central Tower]
??? POV
"What are you doing, Michael?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" Michael retorts angrily, though he chuckles all the same.
"It looks like you're spying." I cross my arms and stifle a yawn. Mike could be working on his project, like I told him to, but here he is up to his old shenanigans.
Glancing at the table next to me, I spot three empty cans of energy drinks and a half finished schematic of his latest 'revolutionary' propulsion module. Figures.
"Michael," I say again, slower this time, "you're on the 52nd floor. What exactly do you think you're going to see from here?"
He lowers the compact telescope just enough for one eye to meet mine. It glints with a manic gleam that tells me he probably hasn't slept.
"This thing," he says, patting the barrel lovingly, "is not some tourist toy. It's my prototype Hyper-Optic Scope. Fifty-two floors is nothing."
I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. Sometimes I feel like I'm the older twin. "You made a telescope specifically to spy on other people?"
"Correct that sentence," he mutters. "I made a telescope specifically to observe points of interest on the island. And one of the other interns is a point of interest the size of a small moon."
I step closer, following his gaze. Below the jagged lattice of towers and walkways lies the most luxurious hotel in the district.
"…You're looking at the new arrival." I say flatly.
Michael grins like I just cracked some forbidden code. "Exactamundo, dude. The guy arrives late to one of the most prestigious events on the planet and you expect me to not be a little curious?"
I rub my temple and sigh. "But spying seems like a breach of privacy, right?"
He ignores that, pressing a few buttons on the side of the scope. The lens shifts with a soft whir and zooms much further than should be possible.
"I heard rumors," he murmurs, "we'll find out if they're true soon enough."
"Rumors?"
"Renji Kanzaki." He says the name in a low voice, mysterious voice that makes me roll my eyes. "Nezu's golden baby. His performance at the festival made him stick out for sure, but only those at the top knew about him before his rise to fame."
"Hero student made engineer." I laugh, settling deeper into my seat.
"Not just that either," Michael raises his gaze from the scope and looks at me. "You know how I've been dabbling in the background."
"Yeah?" I reply with a confused twitch. "So, what information have you found on him?"
"Haha," Mike places a hand on my shoulder with a resigned smile as if he's talking to a child. "Information? What information? As far as my skills are concerned, there is no juicy info on Renji besides common knowledge."
"You couldn't find anything?"
"Nada."
"Maybe your 'skills' just suck."
It's like looking in a mirror, except my reflection decides to stick out its tongue and squint its eyes at me.
"Whatever," he relents, shifting his attention back to the telescope. "We only have so much time before our break is up. Let me live a little."
"Aren't there better things to be doing…" My voice trails off when I notice my brother's gone silent.
"What's wrong?" I ask. Strangely enough, I'm able to move him aside and look through the telescope myself.
My eye adjusts to the lens and the image sharpens until the glitter of the hotel clarifies into a wide balcony window.
And there he is. Renji Kanzaki.
Standing by the window. Looking directly at us.
For a second, my brain refuses to load the visual so I blink and adjust diopter before blinking again.
Nope, still there. Still looking right at the scope. And smiling?
And then, very casually—like he's greeting an old neighbor across the street—he lifts his hand and gives us a gentle little wave.
"…Michael," I whisper.
Michael doesn't answer, opting to sit with a complicated expression on his face.
"Michael," I say again, a little louder. "He's waving."
"I KNOW!" His voice rises a few octaves. "WHY IS HE WAVING?! How can he see me? This scope has zero back-glare. ZERO. It's meant to be the stealthy version!"
Down below, Renji motions with his finger and curls them into a circle which he peeks through just like us.
"Creepy." I mutter, glancing at Michael.
"I need to talk to him." He mutters as his face contorts from disbelief to intrigue.
Suddenly, just as fast as his mood lifted, his face drops and he whirls around in a panic. "Wait—! He's gonna think I'm a stalker."
"You are a stalker."
"You're not helping."
"You aimed a sniper grade telescope at his window."
"I guess…"