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The sun rides high in its chariot across the sky, casting warm rays upon the cityscape below. The cloudless sky, the color of Caribbean seas, is reflected off skyscraper windows down to the little shops on the ground. The city is lively, with happy chatter and endless footsteps clacking on concrete sidewalks. Along a semi-bustling street sits a newspaper stand; you browse the selection with a wandering eye. Your fingers pluck a fresh newspaper from the pile, and the grey paper crinkles in your grip as you skim-read the cover story.
Disaster Averted!
"Police successfully apprehended a mob of local thugs who were planning to sell a large shipment of weapons that could have been used to terrorize the downtown area. When asked to comment on how they were able to stop the deal from going through, the police captain made the following statement: "Yet again, we owe our success to the mysterious 'Bastet' who's been leaving us accurate tip-offs about gang activities. We don't know who this person is, but their intentions seem good. We do have some theories-"
Satisfied with your reading, you tuck it under your arm and pay the old man behind the stand. Leaving him behind, you head for home. The winding streets resemble a confusing labyrinth, but you weave your way through easily enough. You've lived here your entire life, so your familiarity with the concrete jungle makes navigating less difficult. After you round the final bend, your modest abode comes into view. It's a decent two-story building you can call all your own. No neighbors living under the same roof. No chance someone might find out your alias- Bastet.
The comforting sight of home has you increasing your pace. You'd love nothing more than to relax. Stepping through the front door, you are greeted by a suave voice. It belongs to your best friend- who happens to be a cat.
"Back so soon? Did you bring me anything?" Sebastian inquires.
He's a sleek, thin, monochrome cat you found abandoned as a kitten in an alleyway. Malnourished and frail, you nursed him back to health, and you've been inseparable ever since.
Early in life, you knew what gift set you apart from the rest. You're bilingual; You can understand what cats say and converse with them. Your parents named your quirk 'Cat Chat' because of that.
You've learned you can speak with your feline friends but can't forcefully control them. They usually listen, but there are times when they don't. They do what they want when they please. Cats are drawn to you wherever you go, like there's an unspoken kinship between you.
Surprisingly, cats can speak your language rather fluently. You've held many conversations with cats, and what they say about their furless friends is scathing, hilarious, and even insightful. It ranges from harmless gossip, like their humans having the gall to buy them the cheapest food, to secrets, like someone being unfaithful to their partner. Cats are highly opinionated creatures. Who would have thought?
"The latest news report...?" You offer with an awkward smile.
"I'll pass, thanks. Is it about you again?"
"Yeah, it's about the latest heist they stopped. I'll have to go into the inner city and thank the cats there for the information."
Your work under the guise of 'Bastet' is more recent. You picked that name because it related to cats, your favorite subject, and wasn't personally connected to you in any way—just any old alias that anyone could use.
You were an ordinary citizen. An average person. You wanted to be something more- a hero. It's been your dream since you were little. Inspired by big shots like All Might and Endeavor, you admired their valor and boldness. Disappointingly, your ability isn't helpful for combat, and you're not suited for fights. You get nervous about confrontations and have no fighting experience. You don't have the same courage to charge the frontlines like the heroes on the news. You'd rather be behind the scenes than be in the thick of the action. But, you couldn't deny the longing in your soul, the stirring in your heart to make your dream a reality.
You wanted to help people stay safe, so you did what you do best- stuck to the shadows.
You've spent a long time amassing your 'spy network' of felines. You've had frequent forays into the city, especially the shady areas. That's where most crimes take place. That's where help is needed the most. You play it as safe as possible when you venture into any parts known for high crime rates. Before, it was to find cats that call that place home, but now that you know who's there, you simply go there to chat with them and collect any information from them. You do make it a point to reward any cats for their efforts with cat treats and other goodies.
The cats are most at risk in the field, and you don't want them to get hurt. That would tear you up inside. You urged them to leave if it gets too dangerous. If it's safe to do so, you've instructed any cats to tail the criminals to uncover more important info like planned heists or illegal deals. Unfortunately, there were times when things did not go as planned. Some criminals are miserable enough to take their petty grievances out on random animals, some of which are your cats. You've taken a few strays to the hospital before for injuries resulting from thrown debris. The cats tell you that the debris wasn't the only thing thrown; there were insults, too. Their pride is also wounded by being called 'mangy furballs.' Unfortunately, you can't assuage a bruised ego, but at least it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg. This is the kind of scummy people you're dealing with. Heartless wrongdoers.
The way you gather information is often a hit or miss. You can't hear everything, unfortunately. You only have access to where your cats can go. Anything inside a secure facility is a no-go, but everything on the outside is fair game. Cats are well adept at surveillance and scouting. They are everywhere, and with their natural agility and flexibility, they can get to most places with relative ease. Cats are inconspicuous. Commonplace. They are not prone to suspicion, and the most attention they might attract are wandering eyes. Nothing more. They're the perfect agents for reconnaissance on the streets.
It's nice to rely on your furry friends to go into the more difficult regions. You'd rather not set foot down mucky, dark alleyways. A vulnerable young lady walking alone down those is asking for trouble. Your kitties have no qualms with skulking about in the darkness.
So far, your tips have proven true. The police have successfully handled the tips you've given them with efficiency. You're happy they take your advice seriously. The sad thing is you can't prevent every crime, but helping even a little bit is enough to make you feel better. Your eyes and ears only extend as far as where your cats can go. So, even with impressive range, anything you hear about is by chance, so you take action as soon as possible by alerting the authorities.
Within a few years, you turned your ability into something useful that could help the law while avoiding the spotlight just as you preferred.
Something you share in common with the pro-hero, Eraserhead.
He's been your role model for years and a major inspiration for becoming who you are today. Becoming Bastet. That's one of the many reasons you admire the reserved man. Another has to do with his rugged handsomeness.
Sebastian knows you've been crushing hard on the man and will tease you whenever he comes up. Supportive cat that he is. With your ambitions to help the city become better, Sebastian also willingly helps you. He's the closest ally you have, your partner in crime. You worry for him when he's alone in treacherous territories, but he always comes home.
It's been a good, long year for you. You've been keeping at your work and have never had anybody come barging down your door. As far as you know, nobody knows of Bastet's true identity, [Name] [Surname]- police or otherwise.
~~~
All was relatively quiet in the detective's office.
One exception was the soft whirring of the ceiling fan as it pushed the air about. The force behind it was barely enough to play with the edges of important papers strewn about the walls, tacked on by pins. It was a giant spiderweb of information that either showed an astute genius's or a madman's inner thought processes.
The office was empty except for two men- one leaning against the wall and the other seated at the desk. The man leaning against the wall with crossed arms was a renowned hero, while the one at the desk was a renowned detective- Shota Aizawa and Naomasa Tsukauchi.
Aizawa had worked with Tsukauchi on cases before, but they were few and far between. He knew him to be a devoted defender of the public and dedicated to his job, spending the vast majority of his time working. An overflowing waste bin and documents haphazardously sticking out of filing cabinets told Aizawa as much. Either that or Tsukauchi needed to invest in a housekeeper.
With a steaming cup of joe in hand, Tsukauchi took a long sip as he surveyed the manila folder on his desk.
"What's this all about, Tsukauchi?" Aizawa's gruff voice came from across the room.
The young detective turned the folder around and slipped it across the desk. The pro-hero stepped forward to grab it, opening the contents. It was about a person named 'Bastet'. Very little information greeted his eyes. It was filled mostly with theories and wild conjectures—mere possibilities. There were some useful tidbits, but not a lot to go on. It seems like they've been trying to gather any revealing details for over a year and still have come up with hardly anything.
"Why do you want my help to find this person?" Aizawa asks with a quirked brow.
The detective leans back in his chair with a soft creak. "She's been a person of interest for a while. We don't know how she gets her information, but it's been accurate every time. This could be a high-ranking member of some crime ring that wants to break up the competition by revealing the locations of rival gangs to us or simply a person with good intentions who wants to do the right thing," he pauses to take another sip of his coffee. "Bastet has been our unofficial informant when it comes to breaking down illegal activity. We decided we wanted to unmask whoever this was and bring them in for questioning. She could prove to be a great asset to us or a big threat. We don't want to leave it to chance. You work best in the shadows and we thought you would be the best suited for tracking her down."
"You said 'she'? How do you know that for sure?" Aizawa says like an astute bloodhound already on the trail.
"She leaves anonymous tips over the phone and hasn't bothered to conceal her voice. We've traced those phone calls to various public payphones."
"Do you know anything else that I should keep in mind?"
Tsukauchi steeples his fingers, looking contemplative. "The general location of the phone calls is the same. She'll use different ones but doesn't move too far out of a certain radius. So, we've narrowed it down to a small area. We'll give you a temporary residence. We want you to observe and learn what you can. Be on watch. Do what you do best. We also don't know if a quirk is being used or not, perhaps that's another reason they stay anonymous... Be on your guard, Eraser."
When the ebony-haired hero exits the police station and disappears down the street, his startling presence doesn't go unnoticed. A black and white tail hugs the corner of another building, slit eyes piercing into the retreating man's back.
Oh, he has something interesting to tell his human...
~~~
"He's here?!" You gawk in disbelief at your cat.
"Yep," Sebastian smirks at the look of bewilderment on your face. "but I'm not sure why. He was carrying some folder with him though."
"A folder out of the police station? I wonder what that's about..."
"I followed him to his new home. It seems he's going to be staying. He's got a nice little set-up on 5th Street. Inconspicuous. He'll blend right in."
"He's living here too? His hero agency is miles away! He has no real reason to be here. It's out of his jurisdiction." When Sebastian tilts his head, you backtrack. "Don't get me wrong! I mean... I'm ecstatic he's here! But something isn't right. I think I'll talk with a few of my 'scouts' and ask them to keep an eye on him, just in case."
"Why? For your own personal curiosity of what he does on a daily basis or purely for investigating?"
You flush a little at that and can't get a denial out fast enough. "I-I'm not asking them to spy on him while he's home! I'm more interested in his movements outside. To figure out why he's here..."
Sebastian gives you an incredulous look. He doesn't believe you for a second. You sigh, defeated. "Fine, I can't deny there is a small amount of curiosity for my fangirl's sake. It's Eraserhead! Of course, I'd want to know about him! I hope he settles in okay."
"Uh-huh. A smaaaall amount. I'm sure it's not the main reason behind your motivation to do so." Your cat delivers the statement in his signature snark.
"Shush you."
"Instead of fangirling behind the scenes, why not introduce yourself? I know you've been wanting to meet him for a long time. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not everyone can claim to live near a pro-hero, let alone meet one in person."
The thought of meeting him in person makes you nervous. You'd love to see him, but you suddenly feel self-conscious. What would you say? What should you wear? Would he think you look okay? Sebastian must see your distress and sighs.
"Look, how about I come with you? I could trail behind you, keep an eye on you. Would my presence make you feel better?"
"No, no. I think I got this. It's just first-time jitters is all. I'll be fine. Thanks, though." You give Sebastian a few good ear scratches, which he readily accepts with a pleased purr.
~~~
It's been less than a week, and Aizawa can tell something strange is going on. He can't put his finger on what exactly, which makes him wary. When passing by alleyways, he notices something that doesn't seem harmless at first—cats.
But there's more to it than that.
He often crosses paths with them, far more than usual. On the streets, down alleyways, at his home. When he looks, he locks eyes with them, and they don't turn away. He swears they are watching him. There's an uncanny spark of intelligence within those slit irises.
Now, he adores cats, and because of that, he notices these cats are acting differently. Cats are usually finicky and easily distracted, not hyper-focused. These cats act as if they have a goal in mind, a hidden purpose.
An idea crossed his mind. It unnerved him enough that he used his power one evening on the cat he saw following him, afraid it was someone in disguise. He knows it sounds far-fetched, but he swears there's something unusual about the cats.
He feels foolish for thinking so, but he trusts his senses. They've gotten him through many struggles. He'll get to the bottom of it.
~~~
Sebastian was right.
The small house before you isn't resplendent by any means. The porch is rickety and pockmarked with dents. The dull gray paint is peeling and faded from many years of being sun-drenched. It looks like any average joe resides there, not some renowned Pro.
Wringing your hands together, you gather some meager courage and approach the front door. Gently rapping on the wood, you see movement pass by the window and see him peek outside. He spots you and leaves. Within moments, you hear locks being unlatched, and he swings the door open. You startle when you see his entire figure. You've never seen him in casual clothes, only in his hero uniform. It's a comfortable pair of baggy black trousers and a loose grey V-neck shirt. His well-toned arms are on full display. Every rippling muscle. Every scar. You briefly wonder what the story is behind each mark.
Leaning against the threshold, his shaggy locks fall over his face like an obsidian waterfall. He glances at you cursorily, rasping, "Do you need something?"
"Uh, hi, Eraserhead! My name is [Name]. I'm sorry to bother you, but I noticed your recent arrival and wanted to say hi. I-I'm a big fan!" You confess timidly.
He rubs the back of his neck as he returns the greeting, a little caught off-guard by the unexpected answer. "It's nice to meet you, [Name]. I didn't expect to find a fan of mine here."
Silence hangs as your mind blanks. You have so many questions you want to ask him, but now you can't think of anything with him standing right in front of you. If you don't say anything soon, it will become awkward and most likely end with you standing on his porch alone. Striving to save the conversation, you spout the first reasonable thing that comes to mind.
"Since you're new around here, would you like to come with me to the nearby cafe? My treat. Y-you look tired, and it might perk you up."
He contemplates the offer and you wait with bated breath for his answer. He nods and joy blooms in your heart. "Sounds logical. I could use a boost. It's been a long day."
"Great! Let me show you the way."
On your way to the cafe, a discarded newspaper blows across the ground. It's the same edition as the one you read days ago.
"Have you seen the articles about Bastet?" Your dark companion pipes up.
Your heart quickens at the unexpected inquiry. Play it cool. He doesn't know who you are. He's just asking a basic question.
"I have."
"What do you think about them?"
"I... appreciate what they've done. They're helping people and I can respect that. They might not be a hero, but they're clearly someone who wants to make a difference in the world around them and is doing exactly that in their own way." Your heartfelt emotions bleed into your words since they are a direct reflection of your own actions.
He looks over your face, a brow raised. "You sound like you admire them."
"Yeah, I guess I do. Why do you ask? How do you feel about them?" You feel apprehensive about his response. It will be his opinion of you and what you do without him knowing it.
His frown deepens, looking off into the distance. "Let's just say I'm interested in them and leave it at that. I admire their tenacity to help the law. It takes guts to take matters into your own hands, but my concern is if they will cross a line and become a vigilante. When normal citizens take up arms to stop crime themselves, that's when it causes more harm than good. I hope whoever it is remains to have a good head on their shoulders."
He's interested in Bastet...?
Suddenly, it clicks. That about explains his presence here. You're sure of it. The visit to the police station, the file, his sudden arrival in a location he has no reason to come to... He's been tasked with unmasking the person behind Bastet.
That revelation gives you mixed feelings.
You didn't think your presence was noteworthy enough to have Eraserhead called in, but you're not complaining. On one hand, you're excited because your work led to an unexpected yet fortuitous meeting with your long-time crush. On the other, it concerns you. If you're exposed, you're not sure what would happen. Your dream to help people... Your work... would you be forced to stop?
When you reach the cafe, he holds the door open for you when you enter. Some people inside don't react to his presence, unaware of who he is. Others stare in awe. Once you order and receive your beverages, he leads you to a secluded table in the back.
"So, Mr. Aizawa, what are you doing here in our little community? You live a long way."
"Just Aizawa. I'm on an assignment. Hero work." He sips his black coffee, savoring it. He isn't keen on opening up, but you already think you know why he's here.
"Ah, alright. You know, it's not really fair that I know more about you than you do me. With you being a pro and all." You chuckle awkwardly. "Is there anything you want to know about me?"
"Sure. Do you have a quirk?" He asks bluntly.
You hesitate, wondering if you should be truthful. If he's already on the trail, you don't want to make it easier, but... who on earth would know how you're using it? Who would ever guess that you get your information through cats? Or that you have a spy network of felines? It sounds absurd. You think it would be safe. He still won't have any idea.
"I can speak with cats."
An interested gleam flashes in his ebony eyes, a break in his stony stoicism. His posture straightens ever so slightly.
"It's called Cat Chat. I can speak with and understand what cats are saying. I can't control them against their will, but they seem to like me more than most people..."
As you continue, he listens with rapt attention, interjecting his questions about how it works at the appropriate times. He is extremely curious but keeps his enthusiasm subdued. A testament to how composed he is and how he has to be on the battlefield. Not one to lose control of himself. You respect that about him.
Once his curiosity has been satisfied and the coffee has run dry, you know your time with him is running short. But you don't want it to be the last. You press your luck and ask, "Aizawa, it was nice chatting with you. Would you like to do this again with me sometime?"
He, much to your delight, accepts. "Sounds good. I agree. It was enjoyable." He smirks and it's criminal how such an effortless gesture makes your heart flutter. It's the first time you've seen him smile since you've seen him.
True to his word, it would not be the last time you'd see him.
~~~
Days later, you're sitting with him at the same table in the same cafe.
"I have a favor to ask."
You're surprised by his request. "Oh? What do you need?"
"There's been a particular cat that comes by every evening to my house. It lets me pet it, but I don't know why it started appearing or keeps coming back. Since you can understand them, could you speak to it for me? I'm curious to know."
You pause. You did ask your 'scouts' when Eraser first came to keep an eye on him, and they're still doing so. Your first thought is that it might be one of them.
"Yeah, I can come along. I'd love to talk to them."
When you drop by his home later, you're surprised by what you find. You were not expecting this.
A familiar monochrome feline is sitting on the porch ledge, getting chin rubs from Aizawa. It's Sebastian.
You have to quell the shock on your face before it appears. Why is he here? You never asked him to be here. Knowing him, he's probably doing it to mess with you. It's just one of his favorite pastimes. Sebastian sees you coming and flicks his tail. You can practically feel the smugness radiating off your cat as he sports the feline equivalent of a smirk. You roll your eyes and approach the two. You'll have to pretend you've never seen Sebastian before. It would be weird if Aizawa found out it was your cat visiting him every night, especially since he knows you can talk to them. He'd think you were spying on him or some creep. You don't need that extra attention when he's already trying to figure out who Bastet is.
Making eye contact with Aizawa, you see he's eager to hear what the cat has to say. You're not. Pulling on a fake smile, you peer at Sebastian.
"Hello there, kitty. What's your name?"
He raises a brow, a smug smirk still present. "Did you forget about me already? Did being so close to your crush addle your brain?"
You ignore his teasing remarks and quickly make something up. It's not like Aizawa will know what he's saying anyway.
"His name is Goblin," you say calmly but mutter under your breath so Aizawa doesn't hear. "Because that's what he is."
Sebastian, having better hearing than Aizawa, clearly hears your pointed words. "Oh, a goblin, am I? Just wait till we get home. I'm scratching up all your furniture."
You want to reply that he'll be sleeping outside, but that would sound out of place with Aizawa standing there. To him, you're talking with a cat you've never seen before, not a cat you've known your entire life.
You press on, knowing Sebastian isn't going to take any of this seriously. Might as well get it over with. "Aizawa would like to know why you keep coming here."
Your clown of a cat doesn't deign to answer your statement. "I think what you should tell him is how much you like him."
You flush, and before you can stop yourself, shout, "No!"
"What's the matter? What did he say?" Aizawa steps closer to you, brows furrowed.
"N-nothing. It's... nothing." You say a little too fast.
He looks skeptical, not buying your weak excuse, but he doesn't press. You can only imagine what's going on in his head after that.
"He says that you give good chin rubs and treat him with respect, so that's why he keeps coming back."
Sebastian snickers. "He does give good chin rubs. Very astute of you."
Aizawa sighs, rolling his eyes. "It's because the cat wants something from me. Typical."
He casts a quick glance at Sebastian and then back at you. "It feels odd speaking to cats now when I know they can understand me. They are more intelligent than I thought."
A laugh escapes you. "They are far more cunning than most people realize."
"I want to know something, [Name]. Regarding their names, do they already have names, or do they use names given to them by humans?"
Sebastian stays silent for once. Your cat is one of those sad exceptions. He doesn't remember anything about his parents or even if he had a name. He was so young when he was forced to survive on his own. He would have died if you hadn't found him. He likes to tease you a lot, but you have a deep, unshakable bond. He would protect you in a heartbeat.
"Most cats are given names by their parents, much like humans. However, they recognize the language barrier between humans and them, so they also accept the names given to them by their humans. They think of them more like nicknames. They go by their actual names around other cats.
"I remember a funny conversation with a sphinx a while back. He was a sophisticated creature. Regal. An air of superiority about him. He was royally displeased with his 'title' as he called it. He complained how his human, or to him, servant, called him 'Mr. Fluffers' and how she was a 'simple-minded two-leg.'"
Aizawa chuckles, and the happy sound brings a smile to your face. He always looks so stern and serious. His stoic persona breaking is like the clouds parting and letting in the sun.
"Thanks, [Name]. For helping out."
You beam. "You're welcome! Any time you need a translator for cats, let me know."
You soon wave goodbye to each other and go your separate ways. Sebastian leaves a different way and reconvenes with you at home. When you walk through the front door, Sebastian greets you.
"Your crush has my approval. He gives the best chin rubs."
"Even over me?" You pout.
The kitty has the nerve to take a second to think about the answer. "Aizawa's a close second."
"That's better. If you would have picked him over me, you'd be sleeping outside."
"If you call me Goblin again, I will scratch your furniture."
You sigh and trudge your way upstairs. "You're a menace, but I love you."
He follows beside you, rubbing against your legs. "Touche."
~~~
Your satchel jostles with every step as you head for the alleyway where you're supposed to rendezvous with some feline friends. You asked Sebastian if he could arrange a meeting. Word through the grapevine is something unpleasant is brewing behind the scenes where the abandoned warehouses are. You hope your cats gleaned more information from their time wandering. You have mace with you because this is one of those areas known to be dangerous. The sun is up, so hopefully, it won't be so risky.
Aizawa preoccupied most of your focus this last week, which left you in high spirits. However, you can't slack on your duty as Bastet. It's been a while since you collected intel, and that's what you are doing.
You see a furry face poke around a corner and lock eyes with you. It nods and turns away, disappearing into the shadows. You know you're in the right spot. Stepping into the grimy stretch, you see a couple of cats resting on a rusty dumpster lid. The smell coming from it is unpleasant, and your nose crinkles in disgust.
"Hi, you two. Did you discover anything new since last time?"
"First," one cat saunters forward, pawing at the ground. "Payment."
You resist the urge to roll your eyes and dig around in your satchel, pulling out a fresh can of high-quality wet food—full of slimy salmon goodness. Yuck. When they see it, their eyes narrow as if zoning in on prey, momentarily enraptured.
"Tell me the information, and then you can have your treat."
You swear, dealing with these cunning creatures is like bargaining with conniving businessmen. The difference? Cats are highly treat motivated.
"Alright, human. The Darkies are making a move next Saturday around 10pm. They are moving something big. We don't know exactly what. They were very hush-hush, but we managed to get the meeting place. It will be at the abandoned shed by the old park. That should suffice, I presume?"
"A day, time, and a place... This is excellent. Good work, you two! Thanks for the intel!"
You peel open the can, and a gross(wonderful to the cats) fishy smell wafts out. You place it on the ground, and the two cats' tails twitch excitedly, ears perking. They approach the meal simultaneously and decide they don't want to share. They glare at each other, claws flexing.
"It's mine. I gave her the information."
"No, I'll be taking it. I was here first."
Their argument becomes muffled when your focus shifts to a new yet unexpected voice.
"[Name]? What are you doing here?"
Eraserhead.
You freeze, muscles tensing. What is he doing here?! You hope he didn't hear your conversation with the cats. Explaining that would be difficult.
"I-I saw these cats and... wanted to have a chat. And feed them." You curse at yourself inwardly for how the uncertainty in your voice betrays you.
A dark eyebrow raises as he considers your answer. "In a semi-dark alleyway? Alone?"
You shrink under his scrutiny. "Yes...?"
You groan inwardly at how terrible of a liar you are.
He sighs exasperated, rubbing his stubbled face. You turn tail, leaving the bickering cats as you approach Aizawa's side. "So, uh, what are you doing here?"
"I was scouting when I noticed you disappear into the alleyway, and you didn't come back out. I was worried something was afoot."
You can't stop the way your heart skips a beat when he says he was worried. He's indirectly implying he cares about you, too. Or maybe the part of you crushing on him is reading too much into his words, hoping to find something deeper there.
"You need to be more careful. I won't always be around to protect you. These are dangerous parts, and you shouldn't do something so irrational. Come on, let's get you home." He reprimands sternly.
You wither a little from his scolding and sulk as he walks you home. It's more like he's chaperoning you; as if he doesn't trust that you won't get yourself into trouble. When you reach your front porch, you turn to him before you enter the house. "Um, thanks for walking me home... I appreciate it."
"Anytime. Just ensure it's not because of me saving you from doing something reckless again."
You give a quick, embarrassed nod when Sebastian jumps into the open window. Aizawa spots him. "That's Goblin- the same cat that's been visiting me. Why is he here?"
You swear Sebastian is annoyed about the nickname, judging by how he promptly rolls his eyes. The questioning look Eraser gives you makes you nervous. "Oh... He's actually mine."
"Your cat was visiting me? Why did you pretend to not know him?"
Oh drat. This is awkward.
"Because you wanted to know why he kept coming back, and I felt too embarrassed to admit the truth... I was just... having him check on you when I couldn't!"
"Why?" he presses.
"I-I wanted to make sure you were okay while you adjusted to living here! I know you're strong, but I still worry about something happening to you."
"I see..." He runs a hand through his bedraggled hair. "Well, thanks... for keeping an eye out for me," He reaches out his hand and sets it on your shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "I'll be alright. Trust me."
"Okay," your lips curve into a small smile. "I will."
~~~
The overcast sky is swollen with the promise of rain and gloom.
You get a perfect view of the roiling clouds from your soft couch. Swaddled in some blankets, you entertain yourself by playing with Sebastian with a loose thread on your covers. You both flinch when a sharp knock comes from the front door.
"I wonder who that could be. I'm not expecting anyone."
"I bet you wish it was tall, dark, and handsome." Sebastian quips as he stretches.
"Oh, hush you."
Unraveling all the blankets, you reach the door and peer through the peephole.
Speak of the devil! What is he doing here?
Fixing your tussled clothing and hair, you swing open the door and greet the Pro-hero.
"Hi! How are you, Aizawa?"
"I came to speak with you about an important matter." He says with a serious tone.
"Really? What about?" Your brows furrow in confusion.
You let him inside, and he sidles past, the door shutting with a soft click behind him. When he reaches your living room, he slowly turns to face you. He rubs the back of his neck, gaze cast to the side. His brows are furrowed deeply. He appears conflicted.
"Look," he begins. "I'll ask this once. Answer me honestly. I'll know if you're lying, so there's no point."
You shift uneasily. "Okay..."
"Are you Bastet?"
The moment the words fall from his lips, the world freezes around you. Disbelief and shock blend together as you gape at the ebony-haired man who somehow solved the riddle that was your secret identity- the only one to ever figure it out.
"I, well, um..." Your shock makes it hard to think, and every sentence is a struggle. You take a deep breath, salvaging the barest amount of self-composure.
Time to end this gracefully.
"Yes, that's me. But... how did you figure it out?!" You blurt out, astonished.
"It's all circumstantial, but you've left clues behind that pointed in that direction. It was the only logical conclusion," Aizawa continues. "First, you told me you could talk to cats, and I've noticed strange behavior with cats around me since coming to this town as if they were watching me. When you mentioned you asked your cat to check on me, I figured you must have done the same with other cats or asked them something similar. It was the only thing that made sense.
"What really confirmed my suspicions is when I came across you in the alley. I overheard your part of the conversation. Intel? A day, time, and place? It sounded dubious, especially with everything else going on. Then, there's the alias, 'Bastet. It's a subtle cat reference. That was, admittedly, pretty clever of you. There's also the known fact that Bastet is female from the voice over the phone. With all that combined, it was hard to deny that you were the one I was tasked with finding."
"So that's what that file was..." You mutter. It must have been a folder containing info about Bastet.
"Yes. I was given a mission to uncover who Bastet was and then to bring you in." His frown deepens, twisting his handsome features. I want to allow you to turn yourself in peacefully," he offers, sounding reluctant. You're a good person, and I know you mean no ill-will, but I still need you to come with me."
Nervous by the prospect of going to jail, your limbs tremble slightly. Sebastian rubs against your leg for support, which you're thankful for. "The thought of turning myself in scares me... I'm not a vigilante, and I haven't hurt anyone. Why do they want me to go? I've only left anonymous tips over the phone. Nothing criminal."
Aizawa rubs at his stubble as he confesses, "You've been doing this long enough that the police finally wanted answers. Tsukauchi, a police detective, was concerned about how you got your information, as it was so accurate, and he wanted to make sure you wouldn't be a potential threat."
He notices your trembling hands and adds reassuringly, "For now, he just wants to talk. You're not being charged with anything."
Your eyes drift to Sebastian who looks at you, worried. He presses closer. "Can I bring Sebastian with me? Please, he's my best friend. Having him there would make me feel better."
"As long as he stays out of trouble. I'll keep an eye on him."
"Thank you!"
~~~
A dim, fluorescent light hung from the ceiling, illuminating the small interrogation room like a pale imitation of the sun. Your shadow is cast upon the floor and the table you sit by. One chair sits empty across from you- meant for your interrogator. You look over your shoulder and meet your reflected gaze in the one-way window. You wonder if Aizawa and Sebastian are behind it. The Pro told you they wouldn't be in the room with you. You would have preferred his company- being alone when you're about to be questioned is nerve-wracking.
As you anxiously wait for someone, your tumultuous thoughts run wild. The uncertainty of your precarious position makes you overthink the situation. What will they ask you? What's going to happen to you? Are you going to be able to go home by the end of this...? Not being able to see Sebastian again would devastate you.
The squeak of the wooden door signified the detective's arrival.
A tall, pale man strides over to the unused chair and pulls it out. It makes a scraping sound along the floor before he takes a seat. With him right across from you, it gives you a good look at him. A tan trenchcoat cloaks his lean frame, the buttons half undone so you can see office attire underneath. He's a young man with short black tresses. Unlike Aizawa's untamed hair, his is neat and trimmed. He gives you a friendly smile, pearly whites on full display.
"Hello, my name is Naomasa Tsukauchi. How are you today, [Name]?"
His cordialness surprises you. You expected him to be more aggressive or cold, but Aizawa did say he only wanted to talk. Perhaps this means this won't be so bad?
"Um, hello Tsukauchi. I'm good, I guess? May I ask why I'm here?"
"Ah, yes. I want to confirm before we go on. You are the anonymous tipper Bastet, right? Eraserhead told me everything he knows, but I want to hear it from you."
"Yes, he's right. I am Bastet."
"Okay, for now, I want to hear your story. I want to understand the motives behind your actions. Please tell me why you donned the alias and helped the police."
"Well," you start timidly, unveiling your history to the detective. "When I was younger, I longed to be a hero. I felt the call to do more, to be more. But, my ability wasn't suited for combat or being on the frontlines. I couldn't find it in myself to give up my dream, though. I had to do something. I wanted to help others who were struggling just like me. Soon, I discovered that cats are incredibly adept at surveillance and scouting. Cats are perfect for spy work. They are everywhere, and nobody would expect anything untoward from them."
You pause to take a deep breath. "So, it took a while, but I gathered a small feline force interested in helping me. Cats are cats, so the information they held didn't come free. I often have to bribe them with treats or pets, which I'll happily oblige." you chuckle nervously. "That's why I've been doing this. That's how I get my information. Anything the cats have access to, so do I. Once I get enough accurate intel from the cats to know something will happen, I call the police and let them know."
"You use the neighbor cats as a sort of spy network?" His chocolate eyes widen. "That is impressive, actually, and entirely unexpected. But why go by an alias and not your real name?"
"I guess having an alias felt akin to having a hero name—the one thing I've always wanted. It made me feel special. It made me feel like my dream came true, even a little. And that was worth keeping, even if it meant being anonymous. I wasn't looking for glory. I wanted to help the community by preserving its safety however I could. Also, I didn't want anyone coming after me if they found I foiled their plans."
Hand gripping his chin, Tsukauchi nods thoughtfully as he gazes at the ceiling, mulling over your words.
"I understand. The only thing that troubles me is that you used your quirk unauthorized and without a license."
Your muscles tense. "I don't think you could really consider me using my quirk in an illegal sense."
He tilts his head, confused. "What do you mean?"
"What I mean is I don't 'activate' my ability to utilize it. I can't control it. I can't turn it on or off. I can listen to and speak to cats no matter what I do. It's easier to think of it like I'm... bilingual. You can't fault me for something outside my control, right? You don't fault mutants for being how they are because of their quirks, right? My quirk has a passive effect on me, just like them."
"You have a point. It's unconventional, though. However, the only reason you are Bastet in the first place is that you intentionally orchestrated this whole thing, intentionally gathered all these cats to do your bidding. So, you did use your quirk to your advantage to do this—something no other person could do."
"I guess that's true... What does this mean for me then? Am I going to be charged?"
He sighs, taking pity on you. "Not exactly. I understand you were trying to help, but you must go about it the right way. No quirk use. However, your help has been invaluable to our forces, and I want to offer you a deal."
"Really? What kind of deal?" Your eyes widen, not expecting this turn of events.
"We're willing to allow you to continue your work, but you must bring all the information when you receive it to the station directly. You don't tell anyone else what you discover; your work remains secret. We're making an exception for your case about your quirk use so long as you follow the rules we set for you. We can't deny you and your cats have been a big help. You've helped us tremendously crack down on criminal activities in the streets. The crime rate in your area has dropped by about 25% because of your tips. Your aid would be invaluable, and we'd like to recruit you." His voice drops an octave as he tells you the alternative. "If you deny this deal, you won't be charged, but we will require you to cease all your informant activities. No more Bastet. No more spy networks. You will be forced to halt it all, or you will be arrested and charged."
You gawk at the man. Of all the directions this confrontation could have gone, you never imagined this. This is the best possible outcome you could hope for. If you accept, you get to continue your work. You don't want to stop, and you're happy for the opportunity to continue.
"Yes! I'll do it!" You exclaim joyfully.
Tsukauchi smiles as he confesses, "The deal was actually Aizawa's idea, but I agree it does hold merit. I see no problem with it. Whenever you have information, come to the station and ask for me. You'll report to me directly. Now this has been taken care of, I think you're free to go."
He leads you out of the room where Aizawa waits for you at the end of the hall, holding Sebastian in his arms. Tsukauchi waves you goodbye as he leaves. When it's just you three, Sebastian jumps into your arms, purring loudly.
"Don't scare me like that again! I need you around. Who else will spoil me and treat me like a king?" your cat teases as he rubs his head on you.
"Oh, you silly boy. I'll be sure not to leave you again." You chuckle as you pet him.
Your gaze goes to Aizawa, and you flash him a relieved smile. "Tsuckauchi told me that deal was your idea. Thank you! I really appreciate it. That exchange probably would have gone differently if you hadn't vouched for me."
The Pro steps closer, so he's in front of you. "I told them the truth. I think you'd be a great asset to them. Your heart is in a good place, and you've shown great tenacity. You took your power and turned it into something useful. It takes courage to step out and do the right thing and even more to continue doing it when it gets hard."
"Thanks. It's good to hear you say so. You know, you were what gave me the push I needed to become Bastet. You inspired me. I admire your bravery on the field and taking the fight to the bad guys from the shadows. I know I could never do that though. I know my strengths and combat isn't one." You say sheepishly.
"Being self-aware is a strength. Everyone has their strong points and their low points, it doesn't make the work you do any less valuable. As a civilian, you shouldn't be taking the fight to criminals because you would be a vigilante. As a friend, I don't want you taking the fight to anyone because I don't want you hurt." He reaches out a hand and pats your hair. It seems a bit childish, but you appreciate the affectionate gesture nonetheless leaning into his warmth.
"Off the record," a sly smirk spreads across his face. "I can say with confidence that you're my favorite fan."
If they could, your eyes would be sparkling. "Really? That means a lot to me! If you consider me a friend, would you be okay with me calling you Shota?"
"Sure. I don't see any issue with that."
"Shota," his first name rolls off your tongue in a way that feels unreal. You never thought you'd ever be on such friendly terms with your long-time role model. "Since you're done with your work here, are you leaving?" your tone drops, disappointment creeping in.
He removes his hand and stashes it back in his pockets. "There's always more work to be done. I suppose I could stick around."
Warm hope blossoms in your chest. "So, does that mean you'd like to get coffee with me again?"
"Sounds good. Let's go." Without hesitation, he spins on his heels and heads for the door.
You follow close behind, a bright smile lighting up your face. Even a little more time spent in the company of your favorite hero is a blessing. In your heart of hearts, your excitement stems from a deep-rooted hope- that, perhaps, one day something more might become of your feelings. Until that day comes, you're alright with a close friendship with Shota.