So... Who do you ship Akira with? Just curious.
Akira POV
I'd learned four fundamental truths in the training room this morning as Mei helped me learn to use my brace. Which overall, it was going terribly no matter what I tried.
1. Mei Hatsume has zero concept of acceptable personal boundaries, and despite coming from a very physically affectionate family myself, at times it can be... a bit awkward.
2. There is a distinct possibility I am developing a crush on Mei Hatsume, which is not ideal considering I thought I had a crush on... Well, someone.
The final truths I learned was both shocking and confusing and happened when Katsuki and Kirishima walked in on Mei standing dead in front of me in a position that to outsiders... Very likely looks highly compromising.
3. Katsuki Bakugo gets upset, but not in an explosive manner. His jaw locks the way it does when he's seething with anger, he makes that face he makes when he's about to almost growl at someone but no sound comes out. And then he just turns and walks away. Muttering to himself about whatever it is that's bothering him.
4. Eijiro Kirishima can turn just as red as his hair and will stutter incomprehensibly when presented with visually confusing information.
Kirishima's confusion resulted in Bakugo whipping back around to grab him by the back of the shirt and drag him off. Mei gave me a confused look.
"What was that about?" I laugh a little and very pointedly look down and back up.
"Look at how we're standing..." She does so and blushes a little, but gives me one of her sly smirks.
"Well, if I don't stand like this you'll fall again... Which is adorable because you keep pouting about it but-"
"I am not pouting about it."
"You are."
"Am not."
"You are, you really are. Like a little kid who can't get the hang of riding a bike."
"For your information, I have never even been on a bike." Mei's eyes get wide and she looks absolutely gobsmacked by that piece of information.
"What? How is that possible? That's like... Never trying ice cream or learning to curl your hair! It's a fundamental experience."
"What about people with lactose allergies? Or people with naturally curly hair? Or-" She claps her hand over my mouth.
"Don't question it, after you learn to walk I am so teaching you to ride a bicycle. It's just so much fun!" I nod and remove her hand from my face.
"Fine, but I have to learn to walk first. Which means..."
"Right! Right... Alright, when I step back... You step forward..." It's slow going, and frustrating, but by the time the school day was over, I could walk on my own. Kind of. Sort of. Well, honestly I'd just stopped falling over every time I tried to take a step. Which still counts as a win, even though it means that I have to use my crutch again.
Mei insists on escorting me to the station, where Shouji is waiting for me. Which is unusual, but nice all things considered. Mei waves to me as she leaves me with Shouji, who helps find a seat. We sit in companionable silence, other than me borrowing his phone for a brief period of time to get some information off of it, and he breaks it softly as we disembark at the station, ready to head our separate ways.
"Here, this is for you." He pushes a small box into my hands and walks away before I can say anything. It's a long walk home today, so many people stop me to talk about my father. My smile is plastered on bright as I talk with them, listening to stories and receiving condolences. When I reach home I resist the urge to collapse against the door frame and try to decide if I want to call a meeting with the girls. I feel guilty for not doing so, it feels a lot like I've been neglecting our friendships since I began at UA. But I have so many other calls to make right now. So many other people depending on me. So many things to think about. So it'll have to wait... They'll understand.
I settle on the couch, notebook in my lap, phone pulled over to me. The first call I make is to my father's construction agency, Mr. Ra's secretary tries to take a message. But I insist on holding until he's ready to speak to me. Which doesn't take as long as she seemed to think it would have.
"Akira! Dear girl, I hope you're doing alright in these times. To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"
"It's a business call, sir."
"Oh? I believe all matters regarding dear Jian have been settled, but I'm absolutely willing to hear whatever business it is regardless. You're practically family after all."
"Oh no sir, it's not regarding my father. Though I appreciate the sentiment, you were a dear friend to my father, he a lot of respect for you as a man and as a businessman. Which is why I'm reaching out to you today. I understand there's a bit of a production deficit with the loss of my father and his management skills, some workers leaving your employment in light of his death." Mr. Ra becomes more serious now, hearing the professional tone I present much more clearly now.
"And by what means did you come by this information?"
"That's quite unimportant, much like my father I know many people. Many people with many different skills. Which is why I'm calling to give you the possible solution to your production issues, and any employee losses you may continue to suffer."
"This solution, how did you come to the conclusion it will suit my business needs?"
"It's exactly the decision I know my father would have made."
"What decision is that?"
"Are you familiar with the name Uraraka?"
"Perhaps I am. A small construction company based in the Mie Prefecture, correct?"
"That is precisely correct sir."
"And in what way are they the solution to my problems?"
"Their employee numbers match what have lost so far, bar a few extras. The owner is a man with much experience, can lead his own team with minimal supervision on your part. Subcontract smaller jobs to them, jobs your men aren't suited for. That they aren't willing to do. The jobs my father always did for you. They'll take them gladly."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Did my father ever present you with an option he wasn't a hundred percent certain of?"
"Of course not."
"And who do you think taught me to solve problems such as this?"
"I'm still not sure I have much faith in this solution."
"It's what my father would have told you to do, what he would have wanted you to do."
"Yes, but what is your opinion?" That stops me dead, that's not really how I think of things. It's always 'what would my father do?' 'My mother?' 'Grandpa Toro?'
"I... Well, sir, I think we both know that in this situation- opinion isn't what matters. Fact is. The fact of the matter is, not only do you need help but so does this company. They're small as you said. You'll survive this hiccup, but they're in a tough spot right now. They have been for some time. You see, the man who owns the company, his daughter is a friend of mine now. She goes to UA with me, a brilliant girl. Strong. Vibrant. Determined. And she's determined because she wants to help her family. It'll be a long time yet before she can do that, she'll make a great pro someday- but that day's not here yet. The day that is here though, is the day that I can help them. I can't tell you to make that phone call or to refer jobs you are too busy for to his company. I can only ask, and only hope, that you are the man that my father always believed you to be. A man of honor, and a man who believes in those that most no longer hold out hope for. Like this company, sinking faster than a ship with a hole blasted in the hull, but you are a man with the means to offer a lifeboat- a new boat if you really wished to. The question is, will you offer it? Or will you allow your fellow man to drown?" Silence drifts over the line for a few seconds, and then he chuckles.
"Exactly like your father, I hear your voice and it's like he's echoing in the background sometimes. It's odd, as you get older I hear it more. When you were small, you almost never spoke. Stuttered, even with speech therapy you had a hard time. But now, so grown up, Anne, my wife, would have been proud to see how well you grew up. You sound like her sometimes too, reminding me not to just be a good boss- but a good man. She paid for your speech therapy you know? Insisted on it, no matter how much your father protested. Loved you like her own child, maybe you reminded her of our daughter... I don't know, I'm not strong enough of a man to try and remember my little girl most days. I doubt you remember her... You were so little when she took that fall. Your father always said... Well, that's unimportant, and you'll have to excuse my unprofessionalism. Your father had that effect on me too. I'll make that call today, refer what I can if he refuses a partnership. You have my word. Was there anything else?"
"No, sir... No other business. And thank you, it will mean a lot to me and to them as well I'm sure. But sir... I do remember Anne. The first portrait I ever drew was of a picture of her holding your daughter. That one you kept on your desk until the fire. I still have it... If you'd like it, sir?"
"I- well yes I would very much. I miss them both so terribly, it's getting lonely as I get older. Your father was like a son to me... I had... Well planned to offer him the position as my right hand this year, as I've no other family left. A few distant relatives long forgotten perhaps, but I'd thought someday he would take my place at the helm. That'd have been something to see, it'd have shown a lot of people what people like him are capable of. So many people doubted him in so many ways, though he never seemed fazed. Never wavered in his convictions. Always smiling. Never giving people a chance to question that if nothing else he cared."
"I'll send it with Shouji's father for you, sir. I hadn't known that I'm sure he would have been honored. He wasn't fazed sir no, he believed that we are not defined by people's perception of us, but rather we are defined by our reaction to their perception of us. That if you can smile through struggle, then when things are truly at their worst you'll be just fine. He was wise that way." A soft sigh comes over the line.
"That he was, the wisest man I ever had the honor of meeting. The kindest, bravest, most honest... Well, the all-around greatest man I ever had the pleasure of meeting."
"Thank you, sir. But Mr. Ra, I do have... Well, I have one question for you, you mentioned something earlier."
"Ask anything you like dear."
"It was about Anne, and something my father used to say? About her accident I presume? No one ever told me what happened that day."
"Oh... I suppose I should tell you. Anne was always out on the site, more so after our daughter passed. One day, she climbed up to adjust the rigging on one of the chemical tanks we had suspended while we were working. She took two of the younger guys up with her, trying to teach them how to do it. Your father was a few levels down, forgive me- I've no idea what he was working on that day. He wasn't even supposed to be there that day. Something happened, the rigging slipped, or something snapped, no one's ever given me a straight answer. But an explosion was imminent, no way for the three of them to get down without the help of your father a few levels down. Anne was stuck, she told him to save the boys instead of her, there was no way he was going to get all three of them out. He got the boys down, and went back up for her, everyone told him not to. Pros were arriving when the explosion happened, but he was already falling backward. He always said 'My greatest failure will always be that I didn't save her sir, I tried, but your wife was a better person than I am.' Meant a lot coming from him, he said she'd tried to get him to leave when he came back up. Then shoved him a few moments before the blast. I never told him this, but Anne's quirk... Three minutes before someone was meant to die, she would know it. Sometimes she could change it... Sometimes she couldn't. Like with our daughter. I think she saw them both die up there that day, maybe all four, and just decided that she'd be the only one to go."
"I'm sorry, sir, I didn't mean to-"
"No dear, it's alright. I've got calls to make though, but you ring me anytime you need me, alright?"
"I will, sir. And you can call me anytime as well. Have a good evening."
"You as well." The line goes dead and I resist the urge to drop the phone. There are other calls to make, I glance over at the small box on the couch, sitting on top of the photo album, but then back at my notebook to dial the next number.
"It's Ochako! Who's this?" I bite my fingernail a little nervously.
"Ochako, it's Akira. I got your number from Shouji. I hope that's alright."
"Of course it is! What's up?"
"I was wondering, are you home at the moment?"
"Well yeah, I'm getting ready to have a game night with my parents, why?"
"Could I possibly speak to your father, it's a business matter?"
"Uh... Sure? I guess I'll bring him the phone." There's some shuffling and garbled conversation in the background. Then a deeper more hardened voice comes over the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello sir, my name's Akira. I go to school with your daughter."
"Yes. She mentioned that."
"My father, he worked for Ra construction. He's worked for them for a long time, but an even longer time ago he worked for you, sir."
"Alright, well what's his name?"
"Jian John Eubank, her was quirkless. You'd probably remember that more easily."
"That does sound familiar, what's this call regarding exactly?"
"Well sir, this is going to sound odd. But he passed recently, and it's complicated, but Mr. Ra- the owner of Ra Construction is going to be calling to offer you a partnership with his company. It might sound strange, but I swear I am not joking."
"Why would his company offer me a partnership?"
"I suggested it to him sir, my father passed recently, and it left them with a bit of an opening."
"You suggested it to him? I must say that if you're serious I'm grateful, but why?"
"Because... It was what my father would have done. I didn't know until I spoke to my mother last night that he used to work for your company. You were the first person to hire him here in Japan. You opened a lot of doors for him here, helped him make something of himself, though it wasn't easy. My mother said... He always meant to thank you, more than just with words, if he ever had the means. He no longer has the means of course, but I thought perhaps- I could thank you in his place."
"I don't know what to say, I barely remember the man."
"That's quite alright, sir, it was a long time ago. But my father was a man of honor, always paid his debts. I'm just tying up his loose ends for him now that he's gone."
"Well thank you."
"There's no need to thank me, sir, but you're welcome. You have a good game night with Ochako."
"I will, and I'll be expecting Mr. Ra's call."
"As you should, goodbye."
"Goodbye." Another click of finality. Another loose end tied. Two calls in and I already think I need a break.
