Aero (a BNHA OC story)

Chapter 69 *

This is an Option 1 ending chapter :)

...

A while later, Kenzo stood on the threshold of Ms. Aki's house, a bouquet of freshly picked flowers in hand. He had returned to express his gratitude for her kindness and to continue the conversation they had shared the day before. But as the door swung open, he was met not by Ms. Aki, but by a stunning brunette girl adorned in a traditional kimono.

For a moment, Kenzo's breath caught in his throat as he took in her beauty—the way the sunlight caught in her chin length hair, the delicate curve of her smile, the grace with which she carried herself. Her presence was captivating, her demeanour exuding both kindness and a hint of daring as she held a large snake in her hands.

"Um, hello," Kenzo greeted, his voice faltering slightly as he took in the unexpected sight before him. "Is Ms. Aki home?"

The girl smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm afraid Ms. Aki isn't feeling well today," she explained, her voice soft and melodious. Her grin widened as she introduced herself, the snake winding around her wrist like a living accessory. "I'm Aiko, her granddaughter. And this cute little fellow here is Hiro," she said, gesturing to the snake.

Kenzo nodded, feeling a rush of curiosity mingled with apprehension at the mention of Ms. Aki's granddaughter. He had heard stories about her from the old woman yesterday—tales of her adventurous spirit and love for nature—but nothing could have prepared him for the sight of her in person.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Aiko," Kenzo replied, offering her the bouquet of flowers with a smile. "My name is Ikari Kenzo. I hope these brighten Ms. Aki's day."

Aiko's eyes lit up with delight as she accepted the flowers, the snake coiling gently around her wrist as she did so. "Thank you, Kenzo. That's very kind of you," she said, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer than strictly necessary.

As Kenzo and Aiko chatted, he found himself drawn into her world, captivated by her stories of adventure and the natural beauty that surrounded them. She spoke with a passion that mirrored his own, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with her.

After a while, Aiko noticed Kenzo's fascination with Hiro, the snake coiled around her wrist. With a mischievous grin, she gently transferred the snake into Kenzo's hands, watching with amusement as he tentatively held the creature.

"He's not as scary as he looks, I promise," Aiko teased, her eyes twinkling with laughter as she observed Kenzo's cautious expression.

Kenzo couldn't help but chuckle nervously as he held Hiro, feeling the smooth texture of the snake's scales beneath his fingers. Despite his initial apprehension, he found himself growing more comfortable with the creature, marvelling at its beauty and grace.

As they continued to chat, Kenzo felt a sense of warmth and connection that he hadn't experienced in a long time. In Aiko's presence, he felt at ease, as if he could truly be himself without fear or judgement.

And as the afternoon sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape, Kenzo couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected encounter that had brought him to Aiko's doorstep.

That evening, as Kenzo made his way through the quaint streets of Hakune, he couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider. Despite spending a month in the village, he still felt like he stuck out like a sore thumb in his modern attire. With a sigh, he decided it was time for a change.

Spotting a small tailor shop nestled between two traditional houses, Kenzo pushed open the door and stepped inside. The air was filled with the scent of fabric and sewing machines, and the sound of soft music drifted through the air.