Take Down Chapter 12: Literal Sunshine

He cleared his throat as he looked back at Mirio.

“Ok, long story short, our AI, who you are acquainted with already seeing as you were the one who rescued Y/N here, has gone rogue and entered the game you are playing- RFO.” Hansu said quickly.

“Ok.” Mirio replied, “and you need my help to get the AI back?”

“Well yes and no.” Hansu said hesitantly, “we actually want them shut down and defeated in game as it will close down their programming and basically delete them.”

“Will I be doing this on my own?” Mirio asked, “if Goha is going to be a difficult opponent then I’ll need backup.”

“Im coming in game with you.” You suddenly blurted out.

“You are?!” Mirio asked with hopeful excitement.

“NO, YOU CAN’T!” Hansu yelled a split second after your comment to Mirio. “It’s too dangerous Y/N, Goha wants you dead, if they realizes it’s you and they kill you, they might be able to access your headset and … well… do you remember SAO?”

You shuddered.

“I remember SAO, yes.” You replied. “But Goha is my responsibility and I need to do this myself.” You added firmly.

“And sir I won’t let a hair on her head be harmed.” Mirio added, “she is in good hands.”

“I can’t let you do this, Y/N.” Hansu said.

“I’m not actually asking you if I can or not, Hansu.” You replied darkly.

There was a moments steely silence as you and Hansu locked eyes neither backing down.

“If I might add something.” Mirio said hesitantly from the sidelines. “Y/N would know best how to deal with Goha, it would actually be important to have her along.”

Hansu clenched his jaw.

“Ok.” He finally said, “but you both dive from the lab here so I can keep an eye on you AND you let me put a heart rate monitor on the two of you so that if your heart rate goes past a certain point I can disconnect you so that you come out of the game before Goha can do anything to you.” He said sternly.

You and Mirio both nodded.

“Ok. That’s settled then.” He said with his arms crossed across his chest. “You need to be chill tho, Y/N, when you find them don’t let them know that it’s you.”

You nodded.

“Don’t you think I already know that.” You huffed. “I need to go and get the nervegear headset and research stuff.” You added.

“I’ll go shopping with you.” Mirio chirped, “it’ll be fun.”

“I- o-oh, ok?” You said as you looked at his bright smiling face again.

“Want to go now?” He asked eagerly.

“Go,” Hansu said, walking over and lifting you out of your chair by your arm. “I need to drop into the RFO headquarters and see if we can’t get some more information on whereabouts in the game Goha might be. I’ll get you a super account too while I’m there.” He added.

“No!” You said quickly as he lifted you up to your feet. “Not a super account, that would be too suspicious. I need to level up myself.”

“Ok, fair enough.” Hansu replied.

“That’s ok, Y/N, you’ll be partying with me.” Mirio said reassuringly, “I’ll make sure you level up quickly.

“Thanks Mirio.” You said with a smile.

“Your welcome.” He said with a wink.

Your heart did a backflip.

“Ok you two, get going, I’ll be in touch.” Hansu said, ushering you both out the door.

“Want to get a drink first?” Mirio asked as he walked beside you, his arms swinging freely from his sides. “We could just grab something to go while we shop.”

“Umm, ok,” you replied with a shaky smile as you looked up at him.

He smiled down at you.

“Awesome, it’s a date then.” He said casually with a chuckle as he continued with his happy march.

Your heart jumped excitedly and looked away.

………………………………

“Let me buy you the drink, Y/N,” Mirio offered with a giant grin as he approached the bubble tea store. “Whatcha want?”

“Uh…um… can I have [fave bubble tea flavour]?” You asked.

“You most certainly can!” He replied enthusiastically. “That’s a TEAriffic choice!”

He waited expectantly with a open mouthed smile, hoping you would get his joke and laugh like you did before, and it took you a second or so to catch on before giggling stupidly at his pun.

His smile grew when you giggled and the two of you just stood there staring at each other with soft looks on your faces, enamored with each other’s presence.

“I see that joke was definitely your type of flavour.” He said proudly with a laugh after another minute. “That little giggle is as sweet as the tea you like.”

You giggled and smiled down at your shoes, no one had given you this type of attention before; sure you were used to praise and a lot of butt kissing comments but it was always very professional geared.

“I uh, I hope I’m not making you feel uncomfortable, Y/N?” Mirio asked hesitantly as he took the tea that he had just ordered, from the vendor and held your one out to you.

He thought that maybe the reason you were looking at the ground quietly meant you felt uneasy from his slightly flirtatious comments.

“Oh no! I’m very comfortable!” You said quickly, “wait… that sounded weird, I—.”

“No, that’s ok! I get it, I like making you smile so I’ll keep it up” He said excitedly as he pumped one very muscular arm up in the air, “plus ultra!”

You watched him with amusement as he took a sip of his tea, he was bubbly, happy and just the loveliest guy you had ever met.

“So umm…. you’re a hero in training?” You asked him as you two walked down the road together.

“That’s right.” He nodded with a big smile. “I want to be a great hero some day!”

“I’m sure you will, you are so happy and your smile is infectious.” You added as you smiled at him.

“Well thank you.” He replied with a grin, “even if I’m not doing hero work today, if I can make you smile or even get you to laugh then I’ll count that as a win.” He said as he strode happily along.

You smiled bashfully.

“He’s so gorgeous, I can’t….” you squealed internally.

“Oh! Here we are!” He said as you arrived outside the game shop. “After you, Y/N.” He said as he pulled the door open and stood back for you to enter first.

You thanked him shyly and entered, stopping short in the doorway as your eyes took in your surroundings.

“There are a LOT of games here.” You commented as Mirio stepped in behind you.

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