Checking into their respective hotel rooms should be easy, given the fact that both of them are provided with invitations. What they didn't realize previously, that it also means their rooms actually have been assigned based on the invitation code, which unluckily... is nowhere near to each other, different buildings even.
Next time, Shoto internally gripes as he takes a seat in the hotel lobby, both my old man and Aizawa-sensei have to forward the details to us too, not just these cards. This could have been avoided if we had sent a special request to the I-Expo organizer.
"Isn't the room provided with a telephone?" Arata suggests and sits down next to him. "Maybe we can use it."
"No," Shoto refuses quickly. "Our assigned rooms are too far."
There is a lot of ground to cover between their hotel buildings, and if something happens when either of them is outside the room, it will be too hard to find each other. After her panic attack at the airport, he doesn't want to risk it. And really, having her near him can definitely save them from a number of potential troubles.
"Um..." Arata shuffles her feet, her green eyes averted to the marble floor. "The receptionist did say we have another alternative... And, it might be the only option available... But..."
"..."
"..."
The silence that follows is thick with unspoken words, each waiting for the other to break it. Finally, Shoto blurts out the big question, not bothering to pad his words with small talk, "Do you mind if I sleep in the same room as you?"
Why are you so blunt!? Arata physically winces, a hot blush crawling up her cheeks. Are you asking me just to be polite?
Bewildered, she just stays quiet, waiting for him to drop his own decision in their conversation. It is not until a full minute of total silence later, that she realizes he truly wants to know her opinion.
Despite the need for basic courtesy, why the hell is he asking her? It is for her sake that they need to hold a certain degree of precaution, damn it.
Had Shoto chosen to travel by himself, Arata is sure that he wouldn't have to deal with so much inconvenience. So far, going with her hasn't done anything except dragging him down, and there is no saying troublesome incidents won't happen again. The one with the right to refuse is him, not her.
"Shoto-san, I— I think you're the one who should mind—"
"Don't turn this on me." he rubs the back of his own neck, now feeling a tad awkward himself. "Same room with you or not, I still have access to a bed, bathroom, and air conditioner. No one is losing anything, except privacy. And, since it's only for a night, we should be able to manage."
To agree or not to agree, Arata's mind wails inaudibly as she chews on her lips. How can he say that with a straight face? As if only logic factors in this kind of situation.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Just... answer the question, Ara."
She pulls the maroon hood over her face, its color almost matching the skin underneath. "Well, if— if you don't mind... I'm not against it."
"..."
"..."
After a long silence, Shoto shoves his phone—almost forcefully—into Arata's hand. "You should talk to Aizawa-sensei... You know, to get an adult's permission for us."
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One would think that Aizawa has gotten used to waking up early by now, considering his career as a high school teacher. However, he still feels cranky every time he has to get up from his bed prior to noon.
Such is the case as today. It is barely a little over eight in the morning, but here he is, nursing a cup of coffee that isn't quite as effective at reducing drowsiness as he would like. Not that he needs any at the moment, because this phone call is more than enough.
"So, they have like, three towers only for guest accommodation and still can't spare two rooms that are adjacent to each other," Aizawa concludes and sips his black coffee, his eyebrows knitted in the middle of his forehead. "They're what, fully booked?"
The communication line crackles a little before Arata answers, presenting his ear with bits and pieces of other people's conversations in the background. "Yeah, because today is I-Expo's early access and tomorrow is the grand opening..."
Actually, it makes sense, considering that I-Expo has always amassed a large amount of interest worldwide. It indeed would be a pain in the ass to manually look for a missing person among the international crowds. One error and who knows if Arata would be on a return flight for Egypt instead of Japan.
"You sure Todoroki and you don't have any other idea to avoid getting separated? Is rooming together the only option?"
"Um..."
Aizawa can hear Arata getting away from the line to speak to Todoroki, whose reply is clear enough to be heard through the phone. "Ask Aizawa-sensei if he has another alternative."
"Aizawa-san," Arata says, intending to repeat the boy's request. "Shoto-san said—"
Rolling his eyes in annoyance, Aizawa answers, "I know, I heard him. No, I can't think of an alternative."
"Then, what do you think?" she asks gingerly.
"..."
"..."
"Do what you need, but nothing more than that," Aizawa growls, his voice stern. "You hear me, Arata? I knew what I was doing when I adopted a 15-year-old girl, but don't you dare get carried away and do anything inappropriate with Todoroki or whomever. I'm not planning to be a grandfather in my early thirties."
"O— Of course not!"
"I will have you know that I will not tolerate that kind of behavior. God forbid we will ever come to that. Do you copy?"
"Copy, Aizawa-san!"
Judging from her flustered voice, Aizawa thinks there is nothing Arata wants more than to sever their communication line right now. And, to be fair, he also shares the sentiment. Too bad for both of them that a guardian's responsibility does not merely entail warning, but also educating.
His cup clacks against the table, his hand massaging his own temples, trying to ease an upcoming headache. A single cup of coffee is not nearly enough for their discussion that lies ahead. "So, Arata..."
"Yeah?"
"How extensive is your knowledge about physical intimacy?"
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After the most grueling few minutes of her life, Arata is finally allowed to pass the phone to Shoto. "Don't ask," she mumbles, hiding her red face in her hands as he quirks an eyebrow in question. "Aizawa-san said he wants to talk to you."
"Aizawa-sensei?" Shoto mutters to the phone, feeling a bit cautious.
"Todoroki, I will call the hotel to let them know that you both have my permission." His teacher's gruff tone greets him. "But, before that, I presume your father or your sibling has given you the talk on puberty and all those things?"
Oh, that's what made Ara so embarrassed... "My junior high school got it covered in the ninth grade."
"Good, so I don't have to repeat it again for you."
"Please don't. Did Ara have no prior knowledge about it?"
"She knew. I just reviewed it to make sure."
"I think your so-called review broke her."
"It is necessary to assert those boundaries." A low, sarcastic chuckle vibrates at the other end of the line, then it slowly returns back to a serious, dark voice. "Todoroki, you've been quite sensible, and you will keep it that way for the rest of the trip. Don't give me a reason to think otherwise of you."
"Yes."
"Under no condition any of you kids will extend this as a permission to do anything improper. And, this is not a request. This is an order. If you fail to follow this, there will be consequences."
"We understand, Aizawa-sensei," Shoto exhales. "Can we get going now?"
"Yeah. Just go back to the receptionist. I will call them."
──────────
Having been subjected to airplane seats for the last several hours makes Arata hold a certain appreciation for her comfy hotel bed. It feels good to be able to straighten my body, she rolls on her back, gazing at the yellowish ceiling above. After this, we're going to try out the rides and attractions at I-Expo. I hope those won't be as scary as they seem.
To her left is Shoto's bed, separated by an end table. His opened bag sits on it, while the owner is in the bathroom to put on his hero costume. Considering that the attractions in I-Expo make use of quirks, probably it is a smart decision.
The jet lag is real, and she finds herself almost dozing off when Shoto calls her. "Wake up, Ara. You can sleep on the rides later if you're so sleepy. Do you want to use the bathroom before we go?"
"Funny, Shoto-san. I didn't come all the way here just to sleep." Arata rubs her eyes and peels her body off the bed. "Wait, let me wash my face first."
"You don't need to change?" Shoto adjusts his utility belt, swiftly checking over the contents.
"What for?" Arata stops in the bathroom's doorway, her green eyes glancing back at her friend. Then, she pulls on the maroon hood, covers it over her head, and grins. "This is my costume for the time being."
Shaking his head in amusement, Shoto replies in an offhand manner, "Complete with your drool stain on it."
"Hey! I— I didn't drool!" A bit panicked, her green eyes skim all over the hoodie. "Or... did I? Did I?"
"See a little bit to the left."
"Oh, no!"
He almost fails to stifle his snort as Arata's pouting face rapidly turns red once again. This day is going to be fun.