Partner in Crime – School Edition (age 7)
Akira Tachibana had always considered himself a rational person. He liked peace, preferred playing games, and avoided unnecessary trouble.
But then there was Alya Kujou.
Alya, who had too much energy for a single human being. Alya, who was constantly dragging him into trouble.
And worst of all—Alya, who somehow made him enjoy it.
It had only been a few months since they started first grade, but Akira already regretted his life choices.
Today was no different.
The Plan
"Aki, listen!" Alya whispered, leaning over her desk with a mischievous glint in her blue eyes.
Akira sighed, not looking up from his notebook. "No."
Alya pouted. "I haven't even said anything yet!"
Akira already knew it would be stupid. "It's still a no."
Alya ignored him and grinned. "I have a plan!"
Akira finally looked up, giving her a deadpan stare. "That's exactly why I said no."
Alya giggled. "It'll be fun! Look!" She pulled out a tiny folded piece of paper and slid it onto his desk.
Curious despite himself, Akira opened it.
"Operation: Freedom from Boredom!"
Step 1: Distract the teacher.
Step 2: Escape.
Step 3: Get snacks.
Step 4: Have fun!
Akira stared at the list, then looked at Alya. "This is the dumbest thing I've ever read."
Alya gasped dramatically. "How dare you? This is a masterpiece!"
Akira sighed, rubbing his temple. "Why do I even hang out with you?"
Alya beamed. "Because you love me!"
Akira scoffed. "I tolerate you."
"Same thing!"
Akira wanted to argue, but the school bell rang, and their teacher, a strict-looking woman with glasses, entered the classroom.
Alya leaned closer and whispered, "We do it during break time!"
Akira groaned. He was definitely going to regret this.
"I'm really stuck with this idiot" he mumbled to himself but inside he really liked it.
The Great Escape
Break time arrived.
"Okay, Aki, you distract the teacher while I open the window!" Alya whispered excitedly.
Akira stared at her. "Why do I have to be the distraction?"
Alya grinned. "Because you're cute when you act innocent!"
Akira almost threw his notebook at her.
But before he could argue, Alya had already sneaked to the window.
Akira sighed. Fine. If he had to play along, he might as well do it right.
He calmly stood up and walked over to the teacher's desk. "Sensei, I have a question."
The teacher, who had been reading a book, looked at him with mild surprise. "Yes, Tachibana?"
Akira put on his best angelic face. "What happens if two Quirk users use their abilities on each other at the exact same time?"
The teacher blinked. "That's an interesting question—"
Before she could finish, a loud creak came from the window.
Akira internally cursed. Too fast, Alya!
The teacher turned toward the sound, but Akira quickly spoke again. "But what if it's a Reflect Quirk and an Absorption Quirk? Wouldn't that create an infinite loop?"
The teacher's eyes widened, her nerdy instincts kicking in. "That's… actually a complex theoretical situation…"
Akira kept nodding, pretending to be fascinated. Keep talking. Just keep talking.
Meanwhile, Alya had successfully opened the window and was now waving at him to hurry up.
Success… or Not?
The moment the teacher turned to the board to write something, Akira moved.
In a blur, he slipped past the desks, jumped onto the windowsill, and landed perfectly beside Alya.
She grinned at him. "See? That wasn't so bad!"
Akira gave her a flat look. "We're literally escaping from school."
Alya giggled. "And? That just makes it more fun!"
Akira sighed. Why was he even friends with her again?
…Oh right.
Because he never had this much fun with anyone else.
And so, the deadly duo ran off, leaving behind a confused classroom and a very angry teacher.
The Aftermath
By the time they returned, the teacher was waiting.
Hands on her hips. Glasses glinting. Fury radiating off her like a villain in a movie.
Alya, the traitor, immediately pointed at Akira. "It was his idea!"
Akira almost choked. "WHAT?!"
The entire class gasped.
The teacher's glare turned to Akira. "Tachibana, I expected better from you."
Akira wanted to scream.
Meanwhile, Alya gave him a small wink.
Akira clenched his fists. He was NEVER trusting her again.
Akira was done.
Absolutely, completely done.
One moment, he was a respected student. The next, Alya threw him under the bus in front of the entire class.
The teacher's gaze bore into him like a death sentence. "Tachibana, I expected more from you. Sneaking out of class? Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Akira opened his mouth. Then closed it.
Then turned to Alya, who was hiding a smirk.
Oh, he was going to kill her.
Taking a deep breath, Akira forced on his best "innocent child" expression. "Sensei, I would never break school rules! I was just… trying to stop Alya from making a terrible mistake!"
Alya's eyes widened in pure betrayal.
"Oh?" The teacher raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Akira nodded, keeping his voice calm and serious. "Yes. I tried to stop her, but she was too determined. I couldn't leave my best friend alone, so I followed her to bring her back!"
The entire class gasped.
Alya's jaw dropped. "Liar!"
Akira turned to her with mock hurt. "Alya, I can't believe you'd blame me for your actions…"
Alya almost lunged at him. "YOU'RE THE ONE WHO JUMPED OUT FIRST!"
The teacher sighed, rubbing her temples. "Enough, both of you. Since you can't decide who is responsible, you're both staying after school for detention."
Akira internally groaned.
Alya pouted. "That's not fair!"
"Would you like to add an essay to your punishment?"
Alya immediately shut up.
Akira sighed, shooting Alya a look. "This is your fault."
Alya grinned at him. "Nah, you love it."
Akira refused to answer.
Detention: A Blessing or a Curse?
They were seated at the back of the empty classroom, forced to remain silent for an entire hour.
…Which was impossible for Alya.
"Hey, Aki."
Akira ignored her, flipping through a book.
"Akiii."
Still ignored her.
Alya pouted, then reached out and poked his cheek.
Akira twitched.
"Akiiii."
Poke.
"Stop."
Alya smirked. "Make me."
Akira finally turned to her with murder in his eyes. "You're seriously testing my patience."
Alya giggled, then suddenly reached over and took his game console.
Akira froze.
"…Give that back."
Alya held it above her head. "Nope!"
Akira narrowed his eyes. "Alya."
Alya stuck out her tongue.
Bad move.
Akira pounced.
What followed was a silent but intense battle. Alya dodged, weaved, and rolled around the classroom while Akira chased her.
The teacher—who had stepped out for a few minutes—returned just in time to see Akira tackling Alya to the floor.
Both of them froze.
The teacher sighed. "Do I even want to ask?"
Akira and Alya quickly sat up like perfect little students.
"Nope!" Alya said cheerfully.
The teacher rubbed her temples. "You two are going to give me gray hair."
Akira completely agreed.
Walking Home: The Realization
After detention, they walked home together.
Alya hummed beside him, swinging their joined hands. She had long since stopped asking for permission—she just grabbed his hand whenever she wanted.
Akira sighed, glancing at her. "You're an idiot."
Alya beamed. "And you love it."
Akira opened his mouth to argue.
Then stopped.
…Because maybe, just maybe, she wasn't wrong.
He sighed. "At least let me win next time."
Alya giggled. "No promises, partner in crime!"
And just like that, Akira knew.
No matter how much he complained, he wasn't going anywhere.
- To Be Continued