Chapter Text
"Well, That looks like all we got! Until next time... Plus Ultra!" The Inkling and Octoling both said, holding their pose of sorts until the Jelly signaled that they were off the air.
Immediately Aizawa fell into the chair behind him, sinking into it with exhaustion and embarrassment. He pulled his kelp-wrap weapon up over half of his face to hide himself more.
"Hey! Lookin' great out there Eraser! Keep it up man! Although, you do look a bit... uh... Dead inside? So kinda up the enthusiasm a bit, ya dig?" The inkling asked, grinning a bit sheepishly to his co-host.
"Mic-"
"Yamada!"
"Okay fine, Yamada, I don't think i'm cut out for this type of thing. I don't like crowds, I don't like preforming, and this whole 'I'm just a breed of Cuttlefish' thing Isn't gonna fool these people for long. I mean, Inkling are gullible, especially at majority of their ages here, but they're not stupid." Aizawa said, sighing and shaking his head.
"What? Come on man, you're perfect for this! The listeners love ya! Just yesterday I saw some fan posts about you! A lotta them like your voice and think you're cute! You can't quit now! Besides, you're my buddy! I like havin' ya here!" Yamada protested, running over and putting an arm around the Octoling's shoulders and shaking him around playfullyl
"Listen, Mi- Yamada. I understand, but I have to do what could protect myself and Shinsou. He's only 15. If people find out i'm an Octerian they'll not only be coming after me and Shinsou, but you too." Aizawa said, watching the inkling grow silent for a moment.
"Well, I don't think you have to worry about that now. You should be focusing on a new outfit! That baggy mess smells! And don't even get me started on that scarf! I think..."
And the inkling rambled on and on about different things, giving Aizawa a chance to zone out finally. He was able wonder the one thing he had for awhile.
How did he even get here?
Immediately after he heard that incantation, Aizawa knew finally an answer to that question in his mind.
Nothing. He wasn't fighting for anything of true benefit to resolve peace amongst the species. The war wasn't logical, nor was for the "Greater good" like his majesty- no, Octavio, had said. It was all lies and manipulation, Shouta saw that clearly now. He cursed himself for falling victim to such falsehoods.
He knew he was getting out of here tonight no matter what, and he was taking his student with him too. If he couldn't get anyone else to listen to him, he'll at least save that boy from his future. If he could be a hero for one day for someone who needs it, then by God he was gonna do it.
Aizawa immediately stuffed with few belongings he owned into a bag before going off and finding Hitoshi. Aizawa thankfully knew the kid's address, so he could just go and get him directly. The kid lived alone, his parents' whereabouts unknown, so there would at least not be any fuss thrown his way other then from the kid himself.
"Sensei, what do you mean 'leaving'? Leaving here? You're joking, right?" Shinsou asked, his eyes wide as he stood in the doorway of the small apartment room.
"Shinsou, am I ever the kind to joke about such things?"
"...No Sir..."
"Exactly. Now stuff some things in a bag and let's go. We don't have all day." Aizawa said, tapping his foot a bit anxiously.
"But Sir, we can't leave... We're not allowed to-"
Aizawa immediately cut him off, leaning onto the doorway with his hip and sighing.
"Listen Kid. You want to be a soldier, right? A warrior? Well, the first rule is never backing down, especially for what's right. This is a moment to put all our training to use and live a new life. You want that, don't you?" Aizawa asked, watching the purple colored octoling think for a moment before turning around and grabbing his Squiffer and a backpack full of items for combat. Aizawa grinned that same sharp-toothed grin as he chuckled slightly.
"Atta Boy."
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go see the surface, Sensei."
The moment the two walked onto the land, their mind raced. The veiw, the sounds, the sky, oh the beautiful beautiful sky. The world around them was so beautiful, and all this time they never knew it was there. It was loud, but beautiful.
The two hid out for awhile in a more secluded, run down area behind Inkopolis, too afraid to venture forward any in case people attack, but it was still just as beautiful and new as anything would be.
Eventually, they ran out of food brought from the underground, and quickly that became a problem. Shouta could ignore his own stomach's growling, but not Hitoshi's. The kid also needed some clothes too. He knew what he needed to do. He had some money left over from the underground, so he decided to venture very carefully into Inkopolis and buy some quick items for the kid then sneak back, no big deal.
He waited until Hitoshi had fallen asleep before leaving him a note and running off to the city. And Aizawa would be lying if he said his heart wasn't about to beat out of his chest with anxiety.
The closer he got, the more music he heard, and he also heard... singing? The moment he got closer he reconized those voices instantly.
The Squid Sisters.
He ran into the city and saw a festival of sorts going on, one decked out with Lights, music, singing, dancing, and more. It was so loud, yet, so interesting. There was a Sea of Inklings dancing along to the beat, and there he got a good look at the Sisters. The pink one looked similar to him, just much more cheerful, and the green one seemed to emotionally be on the same page as him. They looked like the embodiment of grace. Possible even goddesses from some unknown shrine.
Aizawa found himself caught in their music and moves before a hand grabbed his shoulder, shaking him slightly. Immediately he jumped, whirling around and punching the person in the face out of accidental reflex. The inkling cried out and crumpled to the ground, holding their nose and groaning.
"Jeez man, chill! I was just gonna ask ya somethin'! Cod Almighty!" He groaned standing up and looking at the pink ink now dripping from his nose.
Above on their platforms idols had taken notice of the situation. the pink one looked horrified, her hands over her mouth in shock while the green one just threw her head back and laughed.
"Now now boys, I understand it's a big day, but take it easy there. It's just a festival contest, nothing to throw down over." The green one said, her deep voice almost condescending sounding as she chuckled.
"Yeah! All is best in Splatfest but come on! If you gotta fight over us, take it to the battlefield! That goes for the rest of ya'll too!" The pink one said, swirling around. "And if ya haven't picked a team yet go Team Callie!" the one who was presumably Callie cheered.
"Oh please. Stop plugging for your team Cal'. Anyway, you two don't start that again, ya hear? Oh and uh, by the way, Team Marie is clearly the best option~" Marie said, winking with a smirk at the two.
"Now who's plugging?"
"Shut up and dance you Hyperpop Midget."
"Don't you talk to me like that, Granny!"
Aizawa was dumbfounded at this as the music began and two resumed dancing as before like nothing had even happened. Aizawa shook his head before looking back to the dude he punched. He was a tall slender inkling with long blond hair tied up in a bun with pink tips, the same color as Callie. He was presumably on her team if Aizawa had to guess. He had a small mustache and wore red glasses and had bright green eyes.
"Are you okay?" Aizawa asked sheepishly, knowing the answer as he watched the ink drip the guy's face.
"Yeah, i'm fine. Sorry for scaring ya. I guess I deserved that, huh?" He said, chuckling lightly. "All I was gonna ask was what Team you were on. I haven't seen that ink color before!" He said, grinning a toothy grin.
"Oh uh, I don't do festivals. I'm just here to shop for some items and got distracted." Aizawa mumbled, looking away from the inkling in embarrassment.
"DON'T DO FESTIVALS?! SPLATFEST?!" The guy said rather loudly, making Aizawa wince.
"Yes, I don't. Please don't do that again." He hissed, glaring at the inkling. Suddenly his face looked very punchable again.
"Oh sorry about that! Anyway, My name's Yamada Hizashi! Or you can just call me by my stage name, Present Mic!"
"Aizawa Shouta."
"Oooh straight to the point! I like ya! Say Aizawa, how about we go pick you a team just so you can say you tried it? Huh? What do ya say?"
Aizawa stood there for a moment before a small, sly smirk grew on his face.
"Sure. But we're both too old for this kid stuff and you know it."
"Shhhh! I'm tryin' to pass as 22! Don't blow my cover!"
"Sure."
And after that started an... interesting relationship between the two. Mic always being spontaneous and Eraser more quiet and logical. Mic even roped Aizawa with him to do the news with him after the Squid sisters moved to Inkopolis, and that's how he ended up here, in a chair, with a migraine, but yet with a smile. As much as he didn't want to admit something like that, he loves that loud man and will never change.
"Uh Hello? Earth to Aizawa? You've been seriously zoning out man! Something wrong?" Mic asked, a look of concern swirling in those wide, green eyes. Aizawa just grinned, sighing and looking up at the inkling and shaking his head. It was actually different.
For once, everything was going to be okay.