82: 𝙾𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎
A/N: 😏
Nova's time was spread thin.
She studied, she trained, she watched over Zoey, she prepared food for Zoey, she worked with Zel and she slept.
The last of which she did at every opportunity. Even if she didn't get much during the night hours, she made up for it with cat naps during the day. After school and before training with Zel. Who had taken up semi permanent residence in Musutafu.
During Nova's fight with Stain Zel faced off against two Nomu. One of which allegedly had the ability to fly. She sustained a broken arm and wasn't able to grow her hair out for a few days due to the stress of overusing her quirk.
But now she was fully recovered, or at least that's what she claimed. Nova did notice how her movements were just slightly slower, and how she didn't use her quirk for fun much at the moment. Likely because it still caused her small amounts of pain.
Even so she didn't stop her hero work. And neither did Nova, who now worked with Zel often. While she did her best to stay away from combat and the media and simply work as support. People were starting to notice her presence with the hero. Realizing it persisted past the regular interning times.
Today was one of those busy days, interrupted by a tiny cat nap. Nova woke up and made Zoey breakfast while listening to a book she'd be tested on at school. Then she dragged the girl out of bed and into the uniform she had ironed. Braided her hair while she ate the simple breakfast and then walked her to school before leaving for her own.
Nova arrived at school just barely before it started and sat next to Iida who was a stoic and impersonal as ever during class only to be vocal and authoritative during every other hour of the school day. Then Nova walked home leisurely. Fighting the urge to walk to Zoey's school.
Zoey was going on a playdate with her friend, giving Nova extra free time she barely knew what to do with before a brief day with Zel. She filled the space with a small nap and a walk to the closest convenience store. Where she met a familiar annoyed scarred man who groaned at the sight of her nervous but pleading smile.
"Why is it always me? Are you stalking me or something?" The black haired man snapped the moment she walked up.
"No?" Nova said nervously, pulling money from her pocket. "You just... Happened to be here again?"
"Figures." He mumbled. Snatching her cash and walking into the store.
One of these days he was probably just gonna run with her money. But he hadn't yet, so he proved to be trustworthy. As trustworthy as a stranger who buys cigarettes for a random teenager could be at least.
"Have fun trying to hold up buildings when your lungs give out." He mumbled, shoving the new cigarettes in her hands.
"You know about that?" She asked with a frown.
"Who doesn't." He mumbled. Lighting his own. "Don't come around here anymore. You won't find me, I'm leaving."
"Leaving?" Nova tilted her head. "You mean leaving Musutafu?"
"Duh." He puffed some smoke, Nova took notice of the fact that he hadn't used a lighter to burn the tip of the cigarette. But she hadn't been paying enough attention to see how he did it. "This place is a shit hole. So don't be dumb enough to ask another random man for cigarettes. They probably won't be as nice as me."
He didn't realize it, but Nova had heard that same phrase from practically everyone who ever bought her cigarettes. They all saw themselves as nice guys for not causing her harm. Little did they know it wasn't uncommon for others to be just as nice, if rewarded with a thank you from a pretty face.
"Thank you." Nova said, tucking them into her pocket. "See you around, maybe."
He looked at her for a moment, and his stare seemed more unnerving than usual.
"I hope not."
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
After a smoke, then a nap. Then a shower and change of clothes Nova interned with Zel for a few hours.
Soon time rolled around for her to pick up Zoey from her friend's house. She wanted to make a good impression, which was difficult considering her... Well herself.
And her clothes didn't exactly scream presentable or polite. Most of her clothes had been carried with her from place to place since before she had even fully grown into them. She had shoes that were barely held together and shirts with tiny holes in them. Along with stained jeans and jackets meant for someone a few sizes bigger than she was. Her outfit ended up a combination of each of these elements. She knew she looked like exactly what she was...
A broke foster kid.
Usually she didn't mind it much. Her clothes were comfortable and gave her a protective feeling when she put them on like she was just a little safer with their familiarity.
But she started to feel more and more out of place as she went to pick up Zoey. She began to realize that Zoey definitely hadn't been exaggerating when talking about the size of their house. The crappy gps on her cheap phone led her through neighborhood after neighborhood. Each one classier than the last. Nova was sure that if anyone saw her walking around this area they'd assume she was trespassing or looking for something to steal.
Soon she reached a row of high class houses. Some of which were nicer than Zel's in Musutafu. All of which were bigger. She stopped and faced the one with an address matching the one saved in her phone.
It wasn't the biggest on the road, but it definitely wasn't small. It has a traditional looking Japanese roof with a fountain in the front and a wall spanning around. Open to the sidewalk. The grass looked nice and kept, Nicely trimmed bushes and trees surrounded the actual house and a pathway led from the street to the house. Towards a ramp that led up to the front door, though it looked out of place.
"Damn Zoey... What kind of friends do you have?" Nova whispered under her breath, looking both ways before cautiously walking up the path to the door. She hoped this was the right address, that she was at the right place. Otherwise she'd be arrested for stepping foot on such a nice property.
She took a few breaths to calm herself before knocking quietly on the door. No answer, after a few more moments she knocked again. The door opened under her trembling fist and she was greeted by a tall man.
He has greying hair that looked to have once been black, A mustache and an apron over a pressed black outfit. He studied Nova for a few moments as she tried to gather her thoughts into words.
"I um- sorry I'm here to-"
"Miss Zoey's sister, I presume?" He asked in a calm monotone voice. Looking down at Nova with piercing but tired eyes.
"Yes..." Nova nodded, swallowing hard. The man stepped aside, letting Nova in.
"Her and the boys are in the living room. Along with the rest of the Iida family." The man said simply, he seemed to be some type of help or butler. Unlike a member of the family-
Wait...
Nova looked up at him as she stepped in the doorway. Adrenaline suddenly spiked despite the lack of actual danger.
"T-the... what f-family?"
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