To See the Dawn
Jessylane318
-1-
My second chance at life was nothing like my first.
For starters, I was born in a world full of superheroes and villains all with magical powers they called Quirks. The ability to control flames, spit acid, and grow as tall as a skyscraper—feats that should have been crazy—were all common occurrences as early as six.
But, really, that was only cosmetic.
.
.
.
The diner is well lit and colorful. The owner had a distinct old-school passion and had decorated the entire thing like one of the American ones from the 1960s. Complete with checkerboard floors, cherry-red stools and matching booths, stainless steel, and neon signs—it's always fullest on Thursdays when alcohol is half off and those with hero license get a free slice of pie.
Those were the days I tried my best to avoid.
"Kiyo-chan, please!" begs Mina-san, the shift lead and one of my longest friends, over the phone behind a cacophony of noise. "Higurashi-san is out sick, and Takimori-san twisted his ankle. I've literally got no one!"
Didn't you just hire three new people?
"Fine," I groan, caving as she already knows I will. It's why she calls me her favorite. Neither of us mentions that this was my day off. I suppose it doesn't matter. It's not like I had specific plans anyways. "Fifteen minutes?"
"Oh thank you!" she shouts, and I wince at the volume.
It takes me less than five to change. I don't style my hair, what's the point when I'll be in the back washing dishes, and I don't bother with makeup. I do grab my favorite pink gloves, a fancy pair I bought with my first paycheck, they're made of hero-grade materials. I also grab a pair of non-slip boots. While perfect for the back of a restaurant, none of them were ever meant for transit.
"Meow?"
The white cat speckled in gray stares up with wide, yellow eyes. I pet his head with a little smile and refill his water.
"Guess our date night's canceled?" He butts his head against my leg, and I reach down to scratch his head. "Miss me, Hedwig?"
"Meow."
I smile and lock the door, heading down three flights of stairs and unchaining my bike. I put my shoes and gloves in the basket on the back and sigh as I set off down the road. It's a rather straight forward path and I get there much faster than I'd prefer, just in time to see the huge crowds from outside and the packed parking lot.
Crap.
I hate crowds.
Swallowing down nerves, I lock the bike in the back and knock on the door. When nobody answers, I bang again. After a few seconds, a harried Sakura pokes her head out, eyes wide and hat crooked.
"Oh, thank goodness you're here!" Sakura exhales, throwing open the door for me to enter. "Can you help clean out some of the booths so we can seat some people?"
"On the floor?" I ask, changing into my boots, my eyebrows pinched. "But I work in the back-"
"I know, but it's insane, please-"
She doesn't have time to finish as someone calls her name and I enter into the madness. Mina looks honestly overwhelmed, mixing up shakes and prepping pies at an alarmingly fast rate. Cook runs two ovens and eight skillets expertly, his four extra limbs flipping food, his face drenched in sweat, and his line covered in orders. Beside him, Maki and Ryu work continuously, one prepping meats and the other slicing vegetables.
Guilt scratches at my chest when I glance out on the floor to see all the waitresses rushing between tables and three of them completely covered in plates.
Heroes.
Lead settles in my stomach and I grab an apron while punching in. Mina doesn't even notice, and I glance towards the dishes unsurprised to find them stacked on carts, tables, and sinks. They're probably nearly out of them at this rate.
I just won't look. It'll be fine!
Grabbing the bucket and a rag, I make my way uncomfortably towards the floor. Sakura grins, and I move as fast as I can to scrape away any leftovers and wipe away the trash. I manage two tables before the bucket's full and I have to head back.
"If you'll follow me," says Sora, the host tonight with a tight voice, "we have an opening-"
"What a dump," says a woman in a tight-fitting costume with long silver hair and a black mask. "But I guess you get what you pay for."
"Why don't you shut your mouth, bitch." Says a man beside her with a dark glare. I glance up with surprise as they pass and stop as I notice his costume. An X across the front, grenade-like covers across his forearms, and spiky blonde hair.
My chest tightens and my breath catches.
Oh no, oh no. Not now…
.
The biggest change was my own quirk.
.
His eyes lock on mine as I stiffen, lock, and the static.
"Oh, he's my favorite!" says a brunette with a huge smile. She points towards the screen at the blonde teenager. "Kacchan is so cool!"
Static.
The boy on the screen races across the street towards the boy in green. Building looming, power behind every swing.
"DEKU!"
Static.
The boy chained to the chair, they're leering—shadowy men, an enemy with hands. Static. The boy giving the finger. Static. The boy. Static.
"Kacchan," I mumble as I crumble forward. My knees hit the tile and the dishes clink and crack. My face burns. The images don't disperse readily, and it take a moment of gasping breath, the noise of his explosions still echoing in my ears, to catch my breath. I struggle to make my lungs work, my body shaking from the release.
"Hey, lady-"
He's looking at me, eyes narrow and lips frowning.
And then there's Mina, grabbing the bin and pulling me to my feet. The room is full of whispers and Sakura's hand finds my own, pulling me forward with wide eyes.
"Sorry about that," Mina says, carefully to the room. I don't stay to listen, instead stumbling into the back and towards the sink. Ash in my mouth, I lean against the sink and breathe. Murky, cold water reflects my face, pale skin with wide black eyes rimmed in tears.
I swallow, feeling the shakes.
"What were you thinking?" Mina scolds the moment she enters. "You know you don't go out there-"
"It's my fault, Yamino-san," Sakura interrupts, "I asked-"
"She should have said no," Mina snaps. "Go back to the customers. And you—You need to stop letting people run over you!"
Like you?
I don't say it. Hanging my head, I shiver instead feeling drained and overwhelmed. I wish more than ever I had just chosen to stay home.
"Ugh!" Mina scowls, picking up the waterproof apron and handing it over. I slip it on without question, my fingers shaking as they tie the knot. Mina's shoulders drop and she goes to get my gloves with a sigh. "Just wash the dishes and head out early."
She turns around and stops in the doorway.
"And thank you for coming, even if you should have said no."
.
.
.
In this life, I am Tanaka Kiyomi. Twenty years old and the only daughter of Tanaka Mei and Kaito. I have lived my entire life in Japan, but ever since I was three, I have known more. A life in America, a brother and sister half my age, a career as a nurse in the ER, a husband, a child.
The human body isn't made for that sort of knowledge.
And so my quirk stops it, blocking every memory except for what I need. It's constantly active, constantly stopping the constant influx of a lifetime of information.
Except when I meet a trigger.
.
.
.
"That hero, Ground Zero, he wanted to know your name."
I freeze from pulling off the gloves and glance backward towards Mina. Tall, pretty, and athletic, we had started at the same time. But her ability to talk to customers, to do more than just the dishes, had led to her promotion.
I peel off the pink rubber and stretch. The sink behind me spotless.
"What did you tell him?"
"Nothing, he asked Sakura."
I groan and rub my face.
"She told him, didn't she?" I ask with a sigh.
"Oh yeah," Mina says with a twitch of her lips. "You know he's in the top 25, don't you? He only made his debut at 18 and he's already risen in prominence… He's also hot."
I lick my lips.
I know plenty about him. His civilian name, his likes, dislikes, and his fierce rivalry with a boy named Deku. The strange part is his interest in a no-name waitress who slipped and spazzed at his appearance.
"Yeah," I say and rub my head. "Well, that's neat and all, but I'm heading out."
Mina shakes her head with a little smile.
"Why don't you take tomorrow off, sorry for messing up your plans."