Chapter 16
“What’s wrong?” Toga asked as soon as she saw Camie.
The two had agreed to meet up inside their karaoke room. Toga had arrived first and had already ordered some snacks and drinks for the two of them. She had just finished selecting the first song when Camie walked in. Camie could barely smile in response to Toga’s greeting and that was the first sign that something was wrong. That is if you don’t count the fact that she was a tad late.
Camie didn’t look at Toga as she shook her head and mumbled a quick, “Nothing,” before shaking herself out of the trance. She turned to Toga with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Which song did you pick?”
“That is the least important thing to me right now,” Toga took Camie’s hand and led her to take a seat; pulling her into her chest for a prolonged hug. “What happened?”
“Just a stupid fight with Inasa, nothing too serious.” Camie yielded as she told Toga what was bugging her.
“Really?”
“Yes, he’ll probably be over it by Monday morning.”
“What did you two fight about?” Toga tilted her head back slightly to look at Camie.
“Something is bothering him and he refuses to tell me what it is.”
“Could it be that he likes you?” Toga asked softly.
Camie pulled back from Toga before starting to laugh. By the time she had stopped, tears had started to form at the corners of her eyes.
“Inasa liking me?” Camie gasped. “There is no way. That boy is crushing on that Todoroki kid so badly that he can never think straight around him.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, although he would never admit it. Inasa is so far in denial that I don’t think he even realises it himself.”
“Then how do you know this for sure?”
“He never shuts up about him. It’s always Todoroki this and Todoroki that. He may also have a secret photo of Todoroki in his wallet that he claims is to fuel his hate. I honestly don’t know who he is trying to fool.”
Toga giggled, “You seem very sure about this.”
“I am sure,” Camie answered before the two lapsed into a comfortable silence.
“Are we ever going to actually sing?” Camie asked after five minutes.
“Do you want to?” Toga responded with a question and a smile.
“Mmm, nah. I’m comfortable sitting like this.”
The two spent the rented time talking to each other quietly, ignoring the snacks and screen that had been prepared for them.
By the time they had left the venue, it was getting dark and the air had a chill to it.
“I’ll take you home,” Toga turned to Camie.
“No it’s alright; it is quite a far way to walk. I’ll just take a cab.”
“I didn’t say that I’ll walk you home,” Toga giggled. “I have a motorbike so we won’t need to walk.”
“Where’d you park?” Camie asked; excited to be spending just a little more time with Toga.
“There’s a parking garage down the block, I parked it there.”
The two started off down to where she had parked. When they were halfway there, Toga grabbed Camie’s hand.
“Someone’s following us.” She whispered before pulling Camie into a side alley and ventured all the way to the end. Away from the street, both girls turned to face the man who had followed them down. Camie recognised him faintly as one of the newer rookie heroes.
“May we help you, Sir?” Toga smiled sweetly at him.
He raised his arms and sent a piece of concrete from the ground towards the two of them. Both girls leapt out of the way, narrowly escaping the solid mass.
“What are you doing!?” Camie yelled from her side of the alley.
“Shut up!” The man screamed. “If I manage to take down two of you ‘League of Villain scum’, I’ll be revered as a hero amongst heroes and I’ll be able to climb the hero ranks easily.”
“That’s kind of a shitty reason if you ask me,” Toga commented. “Besides, she isn’t a part of the League.”
“She’s with you, guilty by association. Trust me; I won’t be blamed if she dies here too.”
Toga narrowed her eyes and leapt forward, catching the man off guard. He moved side-wards a little too late and was dealt with Toga’s knife slicing along his cheek. He touched the wound and brought his hand back down to look at the smeared blood that now dirtied it.
“Tch, damn bitch.”
The next few objects to flying Toga’s direction were bricks from either side of the alley wall. She skilfully wound her way through the attack before she launched herself forward and kicked off the wall, dealing another wound to the man. Rage filled the atmosphere in the small area as the hero became more and more frustrated. Camie watched the almost dance like battle take place in front of her. The man would send things flying at Toga and she would gracefully avoid them before inflicting more damage to his body and ego. Camie wanted to do something to help...but who should she help? The obvious choice would be Toga but that could end up affecting her future as a hero. On the other hand; if she helped the hero, she would be betraying Toga’s trust. Her feet remained frozen in place as her brain failed to make a decision.
“Camie!”
She looked up as three large chunks of concrete raced towards her. A small part of her said to run but her body didn’t seem to listen. She held her arms up instinctively, to try and protect her head and awaited the impact that never came.
Instead the sound of concrete hitting the floor sounded as if what had been controlling them had vanished. Camie lowered her eyes and peeked in the fight’s direction. Toga towered over a very shocked hero who stared at his arms in shock. Two red stubs vividly stood out even in the darkened alley. His hands were lying either side of him on the floor. Toga raised her hand, the knife glinting in what small light they had, her face void of emotion.
“Toga, wait, stop!” Camie called out in vain, scrambling to get over to her.
It was too late as Toga had already plunged the knife into the man’s chest.