Chapter 21
“Dad, you’re back,” Camie stated trying to keep her tone even.
“Yes I managed to wrap up my meeting faster than usual,” her father said, recovering from his shock rather quickly. He finally turned his attention to Toga, “Oh sorry, I’m Camie’s father. It was nice of you to come over and help look after Camie today. Are you a friend from school?”
Toga smiled sweetly, “Something like that.”
“Would you like some tea or maybe something else to drink?” Camie’s father asked, before turning to head out the door.
“No thank you,” Toga quickly stopped him, “I should be getting home, I didn’t let my family know I was going to be out for so long.”
She quickly got up and grabbed her bag that lay under Camie’s window, before waving a goodbye to Camie and her father. She walked out of the room, through the house and out the front door.
“She seems nice, how come you haven’t invited her around when Inasa comes over?”
“We uh... recently became friends,” Camie fumbled for an excuse to give her father.
He nodded in response, “Get some more rest, I’ll bring your lunch up in a bit.”
After he had closed the door behind him, Camie reached out for her phone and unlocked it. She had already received a message from Toga.
‘You’re dad seems nice.’
‘He is.’
‘Thank you for coming over and taking care of me.’
‘It’s no big deal, are you feeling better?’
‘Yes but while we are on the topic; how did you know I was sick and at home?’
‘It’s a secret.’
‘Come on, you can tell me. Please.’
‘Only if you tell me what you meant by couple.’
Camie instantly reddened. She could picture Toga’s smirk as she typed the message. A few minutes passed before Camie managed to compose herself enough to send a reply.
‘I didn’t mean to say that today; it came out in the heat of the moment.’
‘If not today, then when?’
‘I don’t know, I wanted to ease into a friendship before rushing off into a relationship.’
‘So you do want a relationship?’
‘Argh, you’re pushing me into a tight spot here.’
‘You’re digging your own grave.’
‘At least one of us finds this amusing.’
Camie put her phone down with a sigh.
I don’t know how much more of this my heart can take.
The two girls continued to message each other as time marched forward. They struggled to find time to meet up due to Camie’s hero training and Toga’s League plans. Both girls were also very nervous about taking the risk of Toga being recognised again.
Two weeks after Camie’s fever, Toga messaged her on the Friday night. She suggested that the two go bowling and not to worry about how it was going to work as she had a plan.
Friday arrived and Camie felt sick to her stomach as she stepped off the bus and headed towards the bowling alley. She knew Toga had told her that she didn’t have to worry about her being recognised but she was still nervous. Due to her hero training, she was able to keep her quirk activated for a longer period of time but she wasn’t sure she would be able to hold it for the full date. That ruled out changing Toga’s appearance unfortunately.
She entered the bowling alley and immediately a brunette girl came up to her.
“Can I help you?”
Camie put on a stiff smile, hoping the girl would leave before Toga arrived, “No thank you, I’m waiting for someone.”
“Pfft,” Camie turned to look at the girl who a slapped her hand over her mouth to mute the rest of her laugh. Camie glared at her.
“May I help you?” Camie rudely blurted out, annoyed at this girl for wasting her time.
“You know, you’re actually really grumpy around other people, aren’t you?” the girl smiled and winked. “Ah but I’m done messing with you. Let’s go book a lane and start our bowling date.”
The girl grinned and suddenly all the pieces fell into place.
“Toga?”
The girl’s grin widened. “That took you long enough to figure out.”
“You could have told me you would look so different! So your plan was to use your quirk?”
Toga nodded, “I still had a bit of blood from a girl from U.A so I thought that I better make the most of it. It’s also more convenient this way as no one will be able to tell it’s me.”
“It also makes it harder for me to recognise you in a crowded place.”
Toga shook her head, “Already been taken care of. Hold out your wrist.”
Camie did as she was told and felt a cold sliver envelope her wrist. Toga fastened the clasp and let the simple silver chain rest against Camie’s arm. A small circle with a ‘C’ engraved into it was the only charm on the bracelet. Toga held up her arm after Camie was done inspecting hers.
“See, they match,” Toga’s circle had a ‘T’ engraved into it but other than that the two were identical.
Camie started to go red but before she could utter her thanks, or anything else for that matter, Toga grabbed onto her one hand and dragged her further into the building.
“Come on, let’s go.”