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“Thank you so much, Eraser head!” The woman who is still covered by the shock blanket yelled out, scared that her voice would be drowned out by the sirens in the background.
It was a relatively easy-to-handle situation compared to Aizawa's many other cases before.
A simple mugging out in the cliché dark back alleyways, the mugger didn’t even use his quirk. Said that it would attract too much attention, but it’s not like it matters anyway.
One swift landing followed up by his capture weapon had taken care of this in under thirty seconds, all the mugger had was a simple kitchen knife.
“It’s no problem Ms, it is after all my job as a pro hero to help those in need.” Aizawa gave the woman a simple nod to indicate that he heard what the woman said.
The shock blanket was there because the mugger have snatched her jacket off in hopes of searching for a phone or a wallet, realizing that it was empty made him mad and proceed to slam her against the wall.
It's supposed to be autumn right now, night-time temperatures tend to drop below 10°C, and the woman only had a T-shirt on.
The audacity of him to pour water on the poor woman!
Aizawa waited until the last police car is out of sight to start walking down a familiar path.
He’s done patrolling for tonight, and he figures that he should treat himself a little for this rare, peaceful night.
He didn’t notice the figure sitting on the rooftop, observing the monuments he jumps off to save the woman.
“深海の雨”
“Rain of the Deep Sea”
Such a weird name for a bar.
But Aizawa doesn’t complain, they offer good drinks, a safe place to escape the troubles of the real world and a comfy, relaxing/quiet atmosphere.
There's also privacy, just generally a nice place after a hard day of work.
The owner Ray is a retired underground hero, formerly known as ‘霜’ or ‘Shimo’. They were a good hero, retired only because of age and the frustration of can’t find any good bar without being used for drugs and illegal deals.
Or constantly having fights breaking out and getting everyone in the bar being sent away despite doing nothing.
Through some connection, Ray managed to keep their hero license, so this bar that’s been open for about seven years now has not been compromised even for once.
Though Aizawa does always wonder why the bar is always so clean, and cool even though the air con is hardly on when it’s like 30°C or something out there.
( Later on, he found out that it’s because of Ray, whose quirk is to produce ice that is extremely hard to melt unless they command it to, the side effect is that the temperature drops 14 degrees lower than normal within fifteen hundred meters radius )
The sound of the door being pushed open didn’t draw much attention, though Ray who is behind the bar looking up, upon seeing who it is, gives Aizawa a warm smile.
"You look... Better than usual, a good night l hope?" Once Aizawa sit down at his usual spot in front of the counter, Ray started their usual little conversation.
"You can say that...It's a slow night tonight, but it's a good thing, no?" Clink, the sound of glass hitting wood is always so soothing.
"Hmm... Here, would you have the usual or something else tonight?" Ray asked.
"Cosmopolitan. Felt like trying something different tonight." Aizawa pulls his capture weapon up even more to hide his expression.
"Heh, a 'Girly' drink? Hey, don't give me that look! Just joking, one Cosmopolitan coming right up!"
There's always something mesmerizing about watching a bartender work, even though Ray's not the type to do any tricks.
Citrus Vodka, Orange Liqueur, Cranberry Juice and just a small amount of Lime Juice.
The sound of ice crashing against each other inside the cocktail shaker until it slowly dies down.
Coupe Glass, a slice of lime wheel.
Clink! A faint smell of orange oil, such a bittersweet smell coming from a simple orange peel.
“Here is your drink sir, would you like anything else?" It's just basically a habit at this point, to always talk to someone who ordered like this.
"I am alright for now, but thanks." Getting the captured weapon out of the way, Aizawa took a slow sip, it is after all his first time drinking it.
The sweetness from Crane berry juice with that ever-present touch of lime, it's not bad.
Jazz music fills the room, and warm yellow light and quiet conversations amount the patrons who are just here to have a nice time. People who despite having chosen to stay up so late, ended up here to escape from their real life.
Even if just for the split second of tranquillity.
Door opens, the bell rings, Bam! Door closed.
Repeat
Door opens, the bell rings, Bam! Door closed.
Repeat
Door opens, the bell rings, Bam! The door closed, rustling.
"Hey there, mmm, sorry to bother but-eh... Is that spot save for someone else?"
Only one shot of Cosmopolitan in, so Aizawa wasn't that tipsy, and the young man that comes up to him has quite the interesting features.
Black hair, kind of pale skin, with a red and white hoodie and some jeans. The thing that stands out the most is his blue eyes, a type of icy blue that is just simply impossible for it to be normal, though call Aizawa insane, but it sometimes flashes a bit of toxic green.
Probably because of the yellow lighting.
"Sure, go ahead."
"Thanks."
Quiet Jazz music, the sound of slow breathing coming from the man next to him. The bar is back to that moment of tranquillity, the relaxing atmosphere would make anyone want to come back again.
Soon, the glass of Cosmopolitan is gone, while the glass of water that was here at first is finished halfway, Aizawa begins to look through the menu once again.
"You seem like you're having some trouble deciding which one to pick."
The young man sitting said, Aizawa glanced over to his side, a half-finished cup of Negroni.
"I guess, l usually go with a simple Irish Coffee, felt like trying something new today l suppose..." Aizawa look back to the menu, "I could use a suggestion or two."
Looking back at the strange man when hearing a small laugh, he said: "Well, it depends on which type you're looking for. Something with a strong kick? Fruit tasting ones? Or something soft so no bad hangover?"
"You got something that's a bit soft? Don't really want to deal with problem children with a throbbing headache." Pushing the menu towards the young man, Aizawa took another sip of his water.
"Hmmm, then might l suggest a Sea Breeze? Vodka with some Crane Berry and Grapefruit juice, a common choice for those who have important business tomorrow but still want a drink."
"Sure, doesn't sound too bad. Ray, one Sea Breeze, please."
Ray, who's been quietly listening to the conversation with an amused smile gives a nod: "Sure thing Eraser, I'll make it softer for you considering it's Monday tomorrow."
"Thanks."
The young man next to him took a sip of his Negroni, and then the two just sat there in silence, watching Ray making the Sea Breeze. But when they finished, Ray didn't give it to Aizawa, they slide it over to the young man.
They are both surprised by this, the young man once again lets out a small laugh, he turns to face Aizawa, pulls out what he assumes is his most charming smile and said:
"Would you like a drink? Alongside a conversation starter?"
Aizawa also let out a small, amused laugh.
"Sure."
He pushed the drink back toward Aizawa.
"So a teacher huh? No offence but you kind of dress like a hobo. Oh, it's Danny, by the way."
"None taken, but this is necessary for my job, considering l am an underground hero, can't really sneak up on people when they can see you coming from a mile away."
"Hmmm, heard Ray call ya Eraser. Are you perhaps Eraser Head, the Erasure Hero?" Aizawa noticed, that Danny look so sure of himself when he said that.
"Keen observation, but yes. Then what about you? A freelancer?" That cup of Sea Breeze is pretty good, a sip and you can already taste the sweetness.
"Hmmm, you could say that. Though it's not as free as you imagined, otherwise l wouldn't be here, drinking my sorrows away."
Aizawa never gets those people who can just say things about themselves with a smile so carefree.
"Dealing with kids eh? It is Yuuei High perhaps? Those students are on the news quite often nowadays."
"And being kids you think they know better, but yes, though l don't get why does it always have to be my class, problem child."
Call him paranoid, but Danny is just a bit too good at deduction. Though there is a chance that he's just like Midoriya.
"Don't beat yourself up that much. From what I've gathered in the news, they seem like good kids."
"They are still just kids, they have broken many rules, and they exist for a reason."
"Hey, you don't need to remind me of the importance of rules, part of my job is to make them after all."
More Suspicions rose, but Aizawa doesn't show it.
The sea Breeze is halfway, the Negroni only have a quarter left. The Jazz music has already finished one loop, and the bar only has one other person than the two of them left.
"But high school is still the most memorable part of our childhood no? Friends, relationships, the first step toward taking charge of your life..."
"You get all types of things happening, whether it would be a regret, everlasting friendships, those important lessons that change your life, be it the better or the worst."
Aizawa look towards Danny's side, the cup of Negroni is already finished, he look up and stared at Danny's icy blue eyes, tints of red in his own.
"Cloud would be proud of you, so go easy on yourself and the kids."
Aizawa shot up in an instant, he quickly shot his capture weapon towards Danny, but it just pass right through him as if there was nothing there! And Danny doesn't even seem surprised by this!
Danny gives Aizawa one last smile, quickly stands up and raises his hand toward Aizawa's face as if he's going for the eye, causing Aizawa to blink.
He's gone within that blink of an eye.
"! Ray!!"
There's no one behind the counter.
Door opens, the bell rings, Bam! Door closed.
There's no repeat this time.
Aizawa frantically look around the bar, there was no one in sight! The Jazz has long stopped since Danny brought up the topic of high school memory. How does he even know about Cloud! And he certainly doesn't have the right to talk about him!
Nor is he allowed to bring it up with Aizawa.
Aizawa looks around the bar once more, but still no one in sight, he is about to call in for an emergency until the sound of a door opening stops him.
"Aizawa? Are you alright? What happened!?"
"Do you know who that is? The man that introduced himself as Danny earlier?"
"Um, no. I've only seen him once before, with someone who is just so thin that you'd think he's just a skeleton. And let me tell you, those baggy clothes of his do not help in any way, such poor fashion taste!"
Aizawa sighed, this night just went from so, so to horrible.
A figure float on top of the bar roof, one with a strange white glow on him, white hair with toxic green eyes, a black and white suit underneath a black and green accent hoodie that seems a size too big. If you look hard, a faint shadow of a crown is floating on top of his head.
"Hmmm, even though l know he would react to this strongly, though he would at least try to act calm..."
Snap! A swirling vortex of green appears next to the figure.
"Ah well, October is coming, it's time to get 'haunting'!"
Ray watched as Aizawa leaves, they smile tiredly as they put the music inside the bar back up. Smooth piano music comes out this time.
"Oh Aizawa, you know that Danny is right, and Cloud would have hated to see you like this..."
"Rain of the deep sea, lot of people wondered what it meant... Well, for a bar that's built with the intent of letting people have a moment of tranquillity out in the suffocating reality, it's a fitting name, no?
Even though it's not always a calming little drizzle, like we hoped, there's always a time that it will stop."
Aizawa who was leaning against the wall next to the door walked without a sound back towards his apartment, a faint shadow moved away from the street light next to him.