126 Chapter 125
After getting a bite to eat at a restaurant close to the Waldorf Astoria, Izuku and Luna hit up the largest mall in New York, a truly monstrous monument to capitalism known as the World Central Mall.
While the rest of the world was in a state of crisis, most Americans didn't even consider the Meta World Transversal phenomenon a serious threat. For them, it was someone else's problem, an event that would have been utterly unrelated to them if not for the fact it pumped up the cost of food, energy, and imported electronics.
"This place is packed..." remarked Izuku, genuinely awed by how many people were moving about the seven-story, 5.2 million square foot, 1373-store mall.
"Of course it is~!" exclaimed Luna. "People come from all over the world to visit the World Central Mall. It's a major tourist attraction."
"I can see that..." remarked Izuku, his eyes feeling a little dry and fatigued from inspecting too many people. He wasn't particularly curious about the mass of people walking around, but there were a ton of costumed Heroes within the mall, some on patrol and others taking a break.
Seeing Izuku massage his eyes, Luna asked, "You good, cumpà? Not used to being around a lot of people?"
Shaking his head, Izuku replied, "Japan is still rebuilding its population in the wake of the Quirk Wars. It gets crowded in the metropolitan areas, but never quite like this."
"There's a park and greenhouse center on the top floor," said Luna. "Want to check it out?"
"I'm not really tired," replied Izuku. "Let's just go where you want to go. I should be fine once we get into an actual store."
"Eh, I'm fine with heading back to the car," said Luna. "I'm saving up to move into a new apartment once I graduate, so I didn't come here to do any shopping. Take enough business and finance courses, and you learn quickly that purchasing things in-store is pretty wasteful."
"What if I offered to pay for everything?" asked Izuku, adopting a faint, fearless smile.
Narrowing her eyes, Luna replied, "My mamma and babbo didn't raise me to be dependent on others. If you want to spend money on me, that's on you, cumpà. I'm just here to have fun."
"Then let's find something out for your parents," replied Izuku, adding, "And anyone else you happen to be close to. I imagine you have a pretty big family."
"Six brothers and eight sisters," replied Luna. "I'm the third oldest, but I have twin sisters named Loona and Neve."
Blinking in surprise, Izuku asked, "You're a triplet?"
"Technically," replied Luna, scratching her cheek as she clarified, "It's common for the girls in my family to have 2-3 kids at a time. I was born alongside my two sisters, but we look nothing alike. Loona has grey fur like my babbo, and Neve's is pure white."
"Ah..."
"Disappointed?" asked Luna, giving Izuku a playful punch in her arm as she teased, "Don't be greedy. You don't even know if you can handle one De Luca girl. If we all sank our teeth into you, there wouldn't be any meat left on your bone."
Though he was tempted to ask if she was speaking from experience, Izuku guided the conversation to the original topic, asking, "So, where to? Want to pick your mom out a necklace or something?"
"Sure, but it shouldn't be too pricy," replied Luna. "If I return with a bunch of expensive presents and jewelry, my parents might think you're trying to buy their favor. I won't get into the reasons why, but things might become difficult for you if that happens. Let's just say my 'extended family' doesn't mesh well with Heroic types..."
Pretending he had no idea what Luna was referring to, Izuku maintained a relaxed smile as he teased, "You'll be the one choosing the gifts, so it's on you if there are any misunderstandings. I'm just doing what I can to make this a day to remember."
Adopting a narrow-eyed smile, Luna grabbed Izuku's arm, musing, "Sure. And, in exchange, I'll give you a night you won't forget..." before licking his cheek...
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As the more expensive, name-brand stores were located on the upper levels, Izuku and Luna made their way up to the sixth floor of the mall, passing through a series of scanners as they went.
Assuming that Izuku didn't know what the scanners were for, Luna explained, "America uses a Social Credit System where your ID is linked to your bank account, digital profile, and other personal information. If you have a dangerous Quirk, a criminal record, or carry an unregistered weapon or support tool, the elevator will stall until people from the Public Security Bureau show up to chaperone you."
As if in response to Luna's words, the elevator abruptly came to a stop, followed by the lights dimming a digital strip around the roof displaying the words: For your safety and well-being, please remain calm and follow the instructions of the Public Security Bureau. Thank you.
Raising her brows, Luna looked to Izuku and asked, "Are you carrying? Or is your Quirk something dangerous...?"
Adopting an awkward smile, Izuku rubbed the back of his head as he revealed, "I'm wearing my Hero Costume and a few unregistered support items..."
"Ma dai..." muttered Luna, smacking her forehead. She knew that Izuku was a Hero. At the very least, she believed him when he told her he was one. However, if it turned out he didn't have a license or a permit to carry and operate the support tools he was wearing, things would become very troublesome very quickly.
"Relax. It won't be an issue," asserted Izuku, adopting a calm and relaxed demeanor. Sure, most of his support items weren't registered, but Melissa had filed the necessary patents through a subordinate company of Shield Labs. His name was on the registry of Heroes authorized to field test their equipment, and according to Nezu, he had limited immunity and approval from the Governor to act as a Hero within the Manhattan city limits.
Seeing Izuku's confidence, Luna narrowed her eyes and mused, "Okay, Mr. Bigshot. But if we get arrested, you get to explain to my babbo how his baby girl ended up in a holding cell."
"Sure thing," replied Izuku, maintaining his composure as the message system informed them a representative from the Public Security Bureau had arrived and to take a step back. The standard procedure was to turn around and place their hands against the wall, so Luna's brows perked up quite a bit when the doors parted, revealing a bespectacled woman in a power suit and an incredibly athletic-looking man with a Hero Costume consisting of a black bodysuit with a yellow arrow pattern adorning his broad chest, back, shoulders, and legs.
Recognizing the man immediately, Luna's eyes widened as she muttered, "Vector Hero, Force Maxim..."
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Name: [Timothy Adams]
Title: Party Invitation Required
Quirk: Vector
Bond Level: 44
Current Level: 47
Effective Level: 69
[Attributes]
Strength: 78
Agility: 43
Vitality: 193
Intelligence: 71
Dexterity: 68
Luck: 241
Free Attributes: 235
[Perks]
Party Invitation Required
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Contrasting Luna's worry, Izuku thought ("Weak...") even though Force Maxim's Quirk was fairly useful, allowing him to arrest the momentum of objects with his hands and feet and use it to empower his strikes. The caveat was that he couldn't absorb and discharge energy at the same time, so if he were forced to endure a continuous assault, his body would rapidly heat up.
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Name: [Amanda Riviera]
Title: Party Invitation Required
Quirk: Pathokinesis
Bond Level: 51
Current Level: 23
Effective Level: 28
[Attributes]
Strength: 14
Agility: 16
Vitality: 71
Intelligence: 93
Dexterity: 25
Luck: 67
Free Attributes: 115
[Perks]
Party Invitation Required
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("This one is a lot more dangerous...") thought Izuku. Pathokinesis was the ability to read and manipulate emotions, so it could be a powerful tool for both good and evil, allowing the user to pacify and rile people up with a touch.
Wearing a professional, business-like smile, the bespectacled, intelligent-looking brunette said, "Please, be at ease. Neither of you is in any kind of trouble. Rather, when our scanners identified you, my Supervisor couldn't believe you were walking around without an escort."
Directing her gaze at Izuku, the brunette, Amanda, adopted a 'troubled' smile as she added, "The PSB would be in quite the pickle if something were to happen to you on our watch."
Furrowing his brows, Izuku pointed out, "We'd draw more attention with you chauffering us around. Also, if you're aware of my identity, you know I'm more than capable of protecting myself. Tell your Supervisor that their 'concern' is unwarranted and, more importantly, unwanted."
Maintaining her smile, Amanda shifted her attention to Luna as she stated, "We would comply under ordinary circumstances, but the identity of your companion makes things difficult. She may not have a criminal record, but she is a known associate-"
Raising his hand, Izuku said, "I'm going to have to stop you right there. Get your Supervisor on the phone or bring them over to me. While you do, I'll be placing a call to the Governor..."
Losing a bit of her 'friendliness,' Amanda's smile cramped as she said, "I don't believe it's necessary to get the Governor involved. We just want to ensure-"
"Enough," said Izuku, exuding an invisible pressure that caused Force Maxim to step forward, hands raised in a placating gesture as he said, "Whoa, now. Let's not do anything rash, okay, kiddo? No need to make a scene."
"You're absolutely right," said Izuku. "Yet, here you are, making a scene over nothing."
Pulling out his cell phone, Izuku was prepared to dial up Nezu when Luna abruptly hugged his arm, whispering, "Let's just get out of here. There are plenty of jewelry and clothing stores elsewhere. We don't need to waste our time with these stronzos(assholes)..."
Though he felt obligated to pursue the matter, Izuku didn't want to put Luna on the spot. Thus, after a moment of deliberation and a judgmental glower at the duo of Amanda and Force Maxim, Izuku turned to Luna and replied, "If that's what you want, that's what we'll do..."
With Luna nodding her head, Izuku directed his gaze back to Amanda, regaining his glower as he asked, "You don't have a problem with that, do you?"
"Of course not," replied Amanda, forcing a smile despite cursing her Supervisor in her mind. She could tell at a glance that Izuku wouldn't let this matter go, so she was almost guaranteed to be thrown under the bus, even though she had only been following orders...
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With Amanda and Force Maxim allowing them to go, Izuku and Luna rode the elevator down to the first floor, departing the mall and returning to the car. Luna had a conflicted look the entire way, but before she could find the words to apologize, Izuku surprised her by saying, "I'm sorry you had to go through that..."
Recovering from a momentary daze, Luna adopted a sad smile, shaking her head as she said, "It's fine. I've experienced much worse. Besides, I appreciate how you stood up for me..."
Shifting her gaze to Izuku, Luna's smile regained its vigor as she mused, "That chick with the glasses totally pissed herself when you flared up at her. I almost feel sorry for her."
Shaking his head, Izuku grimaced as he said, "You shouldn't. Anyone that can look at another person like that is undeserving of sympathy..."
Shrugging her shoulders, Luna casually remarked, "Not everyone sees us as 'people.' I think that's what initially drew me to you. You may have had a perverted glimmer in your eyes, but you're not like those furry nutjobs or the perverts that pick up prostitutes near the Zoo..."
Leaning toward Izuku, Luna closed her eyes and gave him a sniff, adding, "You also smell really good. If I didn't know better, I would think you were wearing a pheromone spray to try and trigger me..."
Attempting to lighten the mood even further, Izuku joked, "Nope. This is my natural musk. Pretty manly, isn't it?"
"It smells kind of sweet," replied Luna, drawing even closer to Izuku so she could sniff him more 'intently.' It was a little awkward, and her nose was cold, but Izuku didn't mind it until she started to lick the underside of his ear.
"Luna...?" called out Izuku, his voice carrying an awkward undertone and a wry smile developing across his face.
Pulling away momentarily, Luna asked, "Do you not like me licking you? I don't really 'do' kissing..."
Shaking his head, Izuku replied, "It's fine. You just caught me a little off guard, that's all..."
"Then can I continue?" asked Luna, her golden eyes glistening hungrily in the low light of the car's interior. When Izuku eventually nodded his head, she resumed licking him earnestly, her surprisingly long and rough tongue lapping up the remnants of his dried sweat as she gradually shifted to his side of the car...
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(A/N: There's a special place in Hell for bigots (U ^ U)...)
