Chapter 20
Healing

Shie Hassaikai Hideout, Cafeteria, Night

The Shie Hassaikai base was rather lively at night time. Especially since the boss would lock himself in his office and would leave things unsupervised. Of course, people knew better than to cause a ruckus and make a mess. The Precepts would pick up after the rest of the underlings, particularly Nemoto, Tojo and Tengai. Chronostasis would occasionally come by and order people around, but he also kept himself in his study during late hours. So the ones in charge were either the Seven Deadly Sins or some members of the Eight Precepts. Taichi liked to think he was the one in charge when the adults were out. Sure, he was by far one of the youngest people in the organization, next to Megumi and just under Setsuno.

Of course, being the little brother of the boss brought huge benefits. People would listen to him and do the things he said. But he wasn't as tyrannical as his brother. He enjoyed having fun with whoever he came across. He would hold up events in the cafeteria or outside to entertain himself. Most of the time he would just go out to hit the town and enjoy the beauties the city had to offer to him. But not today. Today he was tired and just wanted to relax. After coming back from trying to recruit Kachidoki, he was told that he could not have a party since they just finished polishing the floor.

"Stupid Chrono and his stupid rules." He would occasionally mutter as he typed away in his computer. He had a rather advanced laptop on his table, playing poker online, trying to get some easy money. He would often gamble online since poker calmed his mind and brought his intelligence to the test. He was known in the organization as the technician and the smartest person there. He worked on security systems, fixing any sort of technology, and improving it. His hobby was working on robots and program them with AI.

"Hey, man, you still on that?" He looked up to see Setsuno, biting down an apple. He took a seat in front of the brown-haired teen, glancing over to his screen."How much have you made?'

"Not that much. I just started." He grumbled, fixing his gaze on his second laptop. He had a black screen with a bunch of coding on it and numbers being written. He scowled, typing something and bringing the program to a halt. He swiftly took a spoon from his bowl and grabbed a bite of curry, humming as he swallowed on his meal.

"Your multi-tasking abilities are highly impressive." Setsuno whistled."But shouldn't you be focusing on the game?"

"Dude, even if I lose, I still have some savings left." He waved it off, adjusting, removing his mask from his neck and setting it on the table. He was a handsome young man with a carefree expression. He would often argue with his brother since he believes wearing the mask all the time obscures his handsome face. But he never listens.

"I guess being an assassin does have good benefits." Setsuno mused, folding his arms."Is that what you were doing out? Finishing a job? How messy was it?"

"Nah, no job today. Aside from that shakedown this morning, I didn't get a single yen." He shook his head, resuming his online poker game."We went to recruit some kid that caught the attention of Teema."

Setsuno's eyes widened in shook."The Baron himself?! That's insane! Why is that kid so special?!"

"I'm not sure." He furrowed his brow."Teema is being secretive about it. The kid's name is Takashi Kachidoki. You know, that fancy family with the neon Quirk."

"Son of Vermillion Ray, huh? I heard about him."

"Yeah, the bastard actually earned me the jackpot." He grinned from ear to ear."Mimic and I made a bet whether he would win or lose. Guess who lost?"

"Ouch." Setsuno flinched."Considering how much he likes his money, he must have been pissed off."

Taichi guffawed, remembering the tantrum Mimic threw that day."Hell yeah. His punk ass wasn't expecting me to win. But, I'm not the third strongest of the Seven Deadly Sins for nothing."

"What's does strength have to do with winning a bet?" He gave him a confused expression."No, never mind that. So, did you end up getting that kid on your team? After all, you guys are called the Seven Deadly Sins, but there are only six of you."

"For now, no." He rolled his eyes."Megumi kicked his ass but the bastard apparently has gotten more stubborn after his defeat at the Sports Festival. Which is good, really. I don't need another repeat of Terazaka."

"You can say that again." Setsuno chuckled."How did he even make it on your team? He's as weak as they come."

"He knows how to pilot my mechas, so I just gave him that." Taichi shrugged, frowning once the game finished."Fuck this!" He tossed the laptop to the floor, stepping on it."

Setsuno flinched, startled at the sudden outburst."Sheez, man! Take it easy! I thought you were good at this game!"

Tai huffed, squatting down and examining the broken computer. He removed his left glove, revealing his hand as he touched the pieces. Suddenly, the hardware began attaching itself back, the screen coming back together from the fallen pieces of glass. The keyboard pieces attached themselves back piece by piece in their corresponding order. The laptop was back in place, looking better than ever. The screen even showed the open windows Taichi had left.

"I never get tired of seeing that." Setsuno remarked."Thanks again for fixing my phone.

"No problem." Taichi placed the computer back, typing on his second one and opening up a file.

"I was wondering where you were." He heard a monotone voice speak. Megumi was walking towards their table, hand on her hip. She was wearing her regular Chinese dress, but this one was sleeveless, revealing her toned arms, and in exchange, she was wearing long black gloves.

"Sup." Tai glanced back to his screen.

"H-h-hey, Megumi." Setsuno stammered, feeling anxious.

Megumi gave him a glare."Setsuno." She acknowledged him, looking back at Taichi."Are you working on your assignments? Or are you off playing those gambling games, which you often lose."

"Yes, Megumi, I'm working on it," Taichi growled under his breath.

"Really? Because last time I checked, you were past the due date." She folded her arms under her chest."Need I remind you we are in the need of funds? Or do you think Overhaul gets money from thin air? If we want his plan to work, we need all the resources you can get."

"Isn't Teema making mad bread with that new drug of his?" He asked, giving her a curious look.

"Bread?" She rose a brow, not understanding what he meant."Are you hungry?"

Setsuno sweatdropped while Tai facepalmed."It means making a lot of money."

"Ah. If so, then no. The drug is still in the testing phase." She pointed out."Not to mention not everyone can buy it. The Baron mentioned that only specific people can."

"I guess." He shrugged, losing interest in the conversation."If you came here to nag at me, you can go. You're such a hard ass that it literally blows my mind."

"My ass is not hard." She seemed offended, scowling."I'll have you know my butt is very soft."

"Uh..." Both young men shared looks."That's not what I mean, you sheltered girl. Hardass means that you are bossy and annoying and like to order people around."

"Ah." She said in realization."Well, of course, I'd be bossy. We have an organization to uphold and I'm fortunate enough to have some sort of authority to make important decisions."

"The hell do you mean authority? Kai doesn't give a shit what anyone says and Teema only listens to you because he thinks I'm childish!"

"Which you are." She nodded."I understand that we may not hold much since we're merely assassins, but our work ethic must at least gain us favor to the boss, do you not think?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever." He replied absently."Just go away, alright? I'm busy."

"Suit yourself." She turned around and walked out of the cafeteria, adjusting her mask slightly as she walked.

Taichi sighed, grabbing his own mask and putting it around his head.

"Does the boss ever give you shit for making your mask similar to his?" Setsuno pointed out.

"No, because I programmed both of our masks." He answered, giving him a tired look."If he wanted to complain, he can stick his mask right up his ass. Anyways, I'm outta here. See you around, Setsuno."

"Hey, do you think you can-"

"Trust me, you don't want to be around Megumi." He snapped, putting his laptops inside of a bag."Trust me, I felt the same way you did when I met her. My charms didn't work on her. I heard Chinese people were uptight, but she takes the first place for asshole of the decade. Besides, you aren't over your break up yet."

"Yes, I am!" He suddenly slammed on the table, earning odd glares from the others.

"My point exactly." He deadpanned, leaving the blonde boy to his own devices.

Hosu Hospital, Midnight

Waking up in an unknown bed really freaks you out, and Takashi has learned that the hard way. He didn't know how long it had been. But it was still nighttime based on the dim light outside. He examined his environment, realizing he was attached to an IV that was supplying him with blood.

'Blood? What hap-' Like a lighting a match, Takashi began remembering all the events from that night. From when he faced off against the masked girl to where she completely outmatched him. He began hyperventilating, grabbing his chest in pain as cold sweat dripped down his forehead. The image of the plague doctor masked imprinted into his brain and how slowly but steadily got closer to him until he saw the kick directly into his chest. He felt the pain of the attack as if he were living it again, and screamed in bloody murder.

"S-S-S-STAY AWAY!" He yelled, backing up to the wall of his bed. All of a sudden, Reiko and Nagito stormed into the room and went over to him.

"Kachidoki?! It's us! Please, take a deep breath and calm yourself!" Reiko struggled to control his left arm while Yasukage held him on the other side. A nurse came running into the room and quickly injected him with a tranquilizer. His screams began dying down until he could no longer muster any strength.

"That should have calmed you down." The nurse sighed in relief."However, it won't put you to sleep, not unless you don't fight it."

"What...happened to you...Takashi?" The quiet voice asked in concern.

Takashi simply looked over to him, not replying at all. He began touching his torso, looking for something. He felt the phone he had hidden.'They didn't find it. That's good...'

"Are you feeling alright?" Yanagi inquired, handing him a cup of water."You were screaming quite loudly, as though you were afraid of something."

Afraid? No, that couldn't be. He couldn't be afraid of that girl. He was a Kachidoki for crying out loud.

"I just have to show you how weak you really are."

Those words echoed in his head. At the end of the day, he had given it his all in his Cataclysm Blaster and she just kicked it away. Just what was her Quirk? She had a habit of spinning around, from what he remembered. And before she kicked that attack, she spun in the air as well.

'It as if she was powering herself up as she spun in circles...' He frowned, rubbing his belly.'That would explain her insane level of hand-to-hand combat and how hard her punches are. She might be small but she packs a hell of a punch. Dammit!' He clenched his fists in frustration.

He felt a hand grasped his, prompting him to glare at the silver-haired girl."What?"

"I asked you if you were feeling better?" Yanagi repeated, this time a bit more roughly.

"Yeah. Thanks." Takashi shook her hand off."Not to be rude, but how the hell did you guys even find me?"

"We've got...separated from the rest of...the interns that we work with...and we saw that huge blast at a distance..." Yasukage began explaining, much to Takashi's dismay. His way of talking was slow and monotone, it could put him to sleep."And we eventually found you...all bloody and beaten..."

"Who did that to you?" Yanagi asked the question he was afraid to answer.

He didn't know why he couldn't just answer. If he had given them details, perhaps that could help them capture the assholes who hurt him that badly. But...

"If only you were stronger, you'd have everything at your disposal."

"Will you be happy, letting others get ahead of you?"

"I don't know." He droned, looking down to his hands."I saw Yuuki, my coworker, being put to sleep by some sort of drug. When I chased the assailant, I found nothing but an empty alleyway. When I turned around, I saw nothing. And the next second, I saw darkness. Next thing I know, I woke up here, disoriented and with no idea where I was. I screamed became I felt as if I had just registered what I had been through."

The nurse finished jotting down some notes before excusing herself.

"We'll leave you alone to get some rest." Yanagi gestured Yasukage to follow her."Also, do not worry. Your coworker is fine."

"I'm glad to hear that." He drawled."Thank you again for rescuing me."

Both teenagers waved goodbye and headed out of the room, leaving the brown-haired teen alone once more. He knew that maybe they wouldn't believe such an excuse, but they had no evidence to say otherwise.

"I won't go to you, dickheads." He muttered, taking the flip phone out."I'll make my own path and next time we meet, you'll learn a thing or two about the real power of the Kachidoki family. Just you wait."

Hosu Hospital, Morning

"I honestly don't know how you slept like a log, despite just coming out of surgery." Todoroki eyed Darby, who was currently next to Iida's bed. He had his arm in a cast and had his torso wrapped up around under his shirt.

"The anesthesia helps greatly, trust me." Darby shrugged with his good arm."Not to mention that hospital beds are surprisingly...comfortable..."

"I...guess?" Midoriya couldn't help but think of the times he would spend laying down in the nurse's office.

"Well, I'd rather take this oversleeping in that uncomfortable bed Ashe-san gave me." He shuddered, remembering the pains it would give his back."Although whenever I would lie on my side I-"

"You would wake up screaming and go back to sleep," Iida stated with a bored tone as if the event had happened more than once.

"It hurts like a bitch." He said dryly, hugging his knees."Apparently from what the doctors told me, the blade he used on me was long enough to cut through one of my ribs, although not all the way. Call them battle scars. Hey Iida-san, about your brother. I'm sorry. It was so insensitive of me to not ask if you were doing alright back then. I deeply apologize."

"Please, Nishikawi-kun, don't apologize." Iida rose his hand, giving a smile to his friend."I didn't want anyone to worry, so I didn't tell anyone else. If anything, I should apologize to you for fighting for me, despite not knowing anything of the situation."

"Hey, don't sweat it. I would never leave a friend hanging, even more, when their life is in danger." Darby waved his hand."I'm just amazed that we all made it out alive."

"What amazes me is that he let us live, despite the many chances he had to take us out." Midoriya mused, rubbing his patched leg.

"Yeah, as much of an asshole as he was to dig his damn blade into my arm, he just let me stuck on the wall. I was pretty much out of it throughout the whole fight and he never came to finish the job.

"Indeed." Todoroki nodded in agreement."Must have been rough on you, Iida. Considering he was actually trying to kill you. Even with him coming at you with full bloodlust, you stood up to him. Even though we came to save you, we were the ones who needed saving. I'm sorry."

Before Iida could mutter a response back, the door to their room open. Gran Torino, Ashe, Manuel, and a dog? With a suit?

'I guess principal Nezu isn't the only one.' Darby mused, examining the person closely. But all his attention was just there. He absently listened to them being chewed out for acting irrationally. He heard something about the laws of society and the need to follow them, Todoroki getting upset, and them being offered a deal. To keep quiet and abandon the glory of their actions but getting away without punishment.

Frankly, he wasn't about to object to that. The police chief, Tsurugamae, was actually against pressing charges against them and in fact, felt the need to thank them. After all, they did save a life. Before they exited the room, a man with white hair and a mustache came into the room. The police chief gave him a nod and excused himself, followed by the other heroes.

Ashe walked over and sat on the edge of Darby's bed, giving a tired look.

"That man just now...was that...?"

"Yeah, Guren Intelli. He's the one your friend is interning with." The rest of the students perked up."So yeah, Takashi Kachidoki is in this hospital as well. In the emergency wind, to be exact."

"So that was Kachidoki that night..." Todoroki had a somber expression on his face."Is he alright?"

"Apparently, he was attacked." Ashe sighed, shifting her gaze over to the young Todoroki."He was in pretty rough shape when they found him. But he's conscious now. Nonetheless, he will go through the same talk you guys went to, and probably questioned."

"Questioned?" Midoriya rose a brow.

She nodded."We don't know exactly what attacked him. Had it been one of those creatures that attacked the city today, he would have been killed since those savages were going for the kill. The Hero Killer was not near that area, and you said you saw one of his blasts in the sky while you were fighting, right?" She asked the four students, who nodded."Keeping in mind that neither the Hero Killer nor the monsters use poison needles either, we can safely rule them out."

"Poison needles? What do you mean by that?" Darby asked, earning yet another sigh from the old woman.

"I guess you don't know this, but apparently Kachidoki was out with one of Guren Intelli's servants at the time. She was poisoned and left on the side of the street. Fortunately, the poison wore off on its own, so she is fine. In that case, his attack could have been the cause of a third party."

"A third party? But who could be capable of doing that? And why him?" Iida wondered, not understanding the full situation.

"Who knows?" Ashe glanced at the window."That's what they'll try to know. We'll know who is our third party, and hopefully, we can find out their intentions. I have a bad feeling about this." She grabbed Darby's shoulder, shaking him."Also, we have to talk. You did the move, didn't you?"

Hosu Hospital, Morning

"So, you are absolutely sure you did not see anyone?" Tsurugamae pressed on as he continued to question Takashi. The brown-haired young man looked disinterested, yawning.

"I told you I don't know. I simply went, following the hooded person who shot my coworker with that needle." He gave a condescending glare at Guren."You are the one who left us to our own devices, sir."

"I left Yuuki alone because I knew she was capable of handling herself." The wealthy man insisted."You were to come with me to patrol along with the others."

"Capable of handling herself?" Takashi growled, ticked off by his comment."I don't know if you realize this, but she's in the other room. What if that poison had been lethal?"

"And you are saying your presence made it better?" The chief asked."Whether you were there or not, the result would have been the same...unless..." The chief walked closer to his bed."You were being targetted."

"Targetted?" He frowned, nervousness rising inside of him.

"Indeed." He nodded, opening a map on his phone."Yuuki was attacked several blocks away from where we found you. After a closer inspection. we noticed that they were luring you further away from all the commotion in the city. Specifically to the tenements, an area where a continuous crime wave had been reported previously. The perfect place to commit a crime. That is why we thought it was Stain who had attacked you, but after taking the statement of the other children, we came to the realization someone else was involved. Now, the question that we have is simple." He crossed his arms."Why would they target you? And who is "they"?"

"Well, I am part of a prestigious family, as you might know. So it shouldn't be a surprise for someone to try something on my father by hurting us."

"And who would be willing to want to hurt you and your family?" Tsurugame asked, interested in where this was going.

"Maybe it was that family killer that killed the Ginsberg family all those years ago." He guessed, shrugging."The same person who murdered my grandparents and my uncle."

Tsurugamae and Guren exchanged bewildered looks."How are yo-"

"I did a little research during my internship. The Gingesberg family was brutally murdered a long time ago and they never found the culprit. So it happens that a few years later my grandparents are brutally killed with the same circumstances. And later on, my uncles died. I came to the realization that my family might be being hunted down."

"That's quite a claim you're making." Tsurugamae admitted, sighing."I am familiar with those cases. However, there's no real correlation between the death of your relatives and the genocide of the Ginsburg family." He saw Takashi opening his mouth to retort but he cut him off."Do not try to change the subject, Takashi Kachidoki. I understand your frustration, and I guarantee you that we're still looking for the culprit, but for now, we have to focus on you. Perhaps you really don't remember, or perhaps those blows you've suffered caused you to forget about the incident. I apologize if I seemed rough with you, but I only wanted to get to the bottom of your attack." The chief stood up, taking a piece of paper from his pocket and handing it to the neon user."Here's my number. Call me if you remember anything. It will help tremendously."

"Will do, sir." Takashi droned, taking the paper and stuffing it in his pocket. The chief and Guren disappeared from the room, closing the door behind them.

"So, they're suspecting me?" Takashi looked baffled, almost offended."Then again, I guess the circumstances do seem oddly in my favor, so it's only natural for them to do so. As soon as I get out of this dump, I'll start training. I'm done just sitting around here." He grabbed a nearby folder they had given him earlier."Good thing my wounds are that bad. I guess she did hold off on her punches..." He gritted his teeth, crumbling the paper, and tossing it to the trash can."Damn her! She dared to look down on me! I'll fucking e-"

His phone began ringing, stopping his rant. He answered without looking, slightly agitated."Hello."

"Oh, thank God you answered! I was so worried I could barely sleep!"

"Itsuka...?" He blinked, not having expected to get a call from her."Why are you..."

"Are you okay? Are they treating you right? Did you get hurt?! Will you get better?! Please tell me you'll be fine!" Her voices began breaking down the more she spoke. Was she really that concerned? Takashi was baffled.

"Please, Kendo, take it easy." Yaoyorozu? He heard Itsuka's voices growing slightly distant."Kachidoki-kun? Are you alright?"

"Yaoyorozu..." He clenched his phone. Why were the people who turned their backs on him calling him now?

"I'm sorry. We're sorry." She said, catching him off guard."We weren't there for you when you needed us. I was upset over losing that I neglected you, my friend. Itsuka also wanted to apologize but, she's scared. Not of you, of course. But of this whole situation. We woke up today with a message from Yanagi saying they found you half-dead? Of course, we'd worried."

"They were exaggerating a bit." He bit his lower lip, mentally noting to give a piece of his mind to his "saviors"

"Even so, I-Oh? Yes, that's quite alright." He heard the phone muffled, presumably, they were switching.

"Takashi..." He heard the sweet voice of his childhood friend."What happened? We looked n the news and saw there was an attack at Hosu. But I didn't know that we're you were, so it caught me by surprise."

"I'm fine." He finally replied, rubbing his nose."I was attacked by someone, but I..." He stopped. Should he tell her the truth? Or should he lie? He figured that if he trained, a prodigy like him would catch up and get payback to his attacker. But even so, if he told her, they would most likely initiate a search and in case they found them and put them behind bars, he wouldn't get his revenge. He would be unsatisfied.

"What...? What is it, Takashi?" Kendo kept on asking."Please, tell me what-"

"I didn't see who attacked me. Don't worry, everything is fine. They said they'll investigate but there's really nothing to go off on." He lied, closing his eyes."I got banged up pretty bad, but nothing I can't walk off in a couple of days. Listen..." He sighed, laying back on his hospital bed."I'm sorry I acted that way to you. It's just...it was rough. My head was wrapped around many negative thoughts. I never really...lost a match. I guess you can say I'm a sore loser."

"Takashi...you've lost to me before when we used to practice when we were young, though." She giggled, causing Takashi to smile.

"You'll never stop bringing that up, huh?" He chuckled, ruffling his hair."I'm fine, honest. Don't let me distract you from your internship. I'll call you when I get out of here, alright?"

"Okay..." She hummed."Please try not to get into any more trouble, okay? You'll give me a heart attack one day."

"I'll try." He said, hanging up the phone. He pulled out the flip phone he was given by the Yakuza and stared at it. One call away to see if he could really get the power he needed.

"I trust I can get stronger on my own." He put the phone back in his pocket."I won't let anyone else step on me again."

"Hello?" A familiar blonde entered the room.

"Nishikawi." Takashi muttered, surprised to see him here."What are you doing here? You look like shit."

"You're one to talk. You're covered in bandages." Darby shot back, closing the door behind him."What happened to you?"

"I asked you my question first." Takashi deadpanned."What happened to YOU?"

"Ran into the Hero Killer along with Iida, Todoroki, and Midoriya." He explained the story he was told to say.

"You guys were in Hosu too?" Takashi rose a brow."I was...attacked by something. I didn't see what it was, but they really beat me up to a bloody pulp. I should be fine, though. So, how's your training been?" He tried changing the subject.

"Really good, actually." Darby replied with pride."I've learned a few tricks to add to my arsenal. If we ever face-off any time soon, you'll be in for a rude awakening."

"Oh?" He gave him a sly smirk."Is that so? Someone is confident. Even though I haven't done any major training in my internship, I'm still plenty strong. Regardless, I'm curious to know what kind of training you've been doing, if you're that confident."

"Hehe~! It's a secret!" Darby said, rubbing his nose sheepishly."You'll have to wait and see."

"Fair enough." Takashi shrugged, not really wanting to pressure him."I'd finish talking with Itsuka right about now."

Darby perked up at that, rushing to sit down on the bed."What did you tell her?"

"I apologized for acting like a douche bag to her. She didn't deserve being treated that way." He confessed, regretting the way he had acted after the Sports Festival."I owe you an apology as well. No. I owe everyone in our class an apology."

"Don't worry about it." Darby put a supporting hand on his shoulder."They'll understand if you explain it to them. Yaoyorozu-san has a lot of faith in you, so I'm sure she'll tell everyone to take it easy on you."

"How considerate." He said absentmindedly, a feeling of uncomfort rising in his chest. He could feel he was about to freak out like earlier but had to play it off. He did not want to seem weak, not in front of his friend and rival.

"You sure you okay?" Darby asked in concern."You are sweating a lot..."

"Tch." Takashi clicked his tongue, shrugging the hand off his shoulder."I don't need your pity. So stop thinking I do. I'm fine. I'm just pissed off I got beat up again. First Bakugo, now this..."

"Yeah, but this time you didn't have time to defend yourself, so it doesn't count." Darby tried to cheer him up, not knowing what had truly happened.

"Right..." He trailed off, sighing."Say, Nishikawi. You look different, I guess. Before, you would act somewhat nervous around me, as if you were intimidated. Either this training you've done has put you on another level, or you're looking down on me because of my current losses."

"To tell you the truth, I've always looked up to you." Darby confessed, catching the brunette off guard."You are so talented. You are one of the strongest students in our class, maybe even the school. Your father is a great hero and you've got siblings that love you. Truth be told, everyone was surprised when they found out you've lost. But you didn't lose because you were weak."

"Huh...?"

"You lost because your opponents were strong. At least stronger than what you had thought." Darby explained, a serious look gracing his features."I can't say this for Bakugo, but if you had gone serious against Tetsutetsu, you would have defeated him way easier than what you did. Trust me, if you are this strong and you haven't trained all that much, I can't imagine how strong you'll be if you train harder than ever." Darby grinned."Though that doesn't mean I won't try to surpass you. With hard work and dedication, a nobody like me can surpass even an elite like yourself."

"A "nobody", huh?" Takashi mused with a cocky smirk."Since when were you this humble? Don't say shit like that, or a certain rich girl will treat you like a peasant. Regardless, if I lost to a nobody, then that would be the ultimate defeat. Don't underestimate the power of the Kachidoki family. We don't ever give in to weakness." He told that to himself more than to Darby.

"Fine. Next time we get the chance to properly fight, I'll give it my all and defeat you." He held out a fist."We'll see who really is the strongest."

"Such confidence." He shook his head, connecting his fist with Darby's."It's on."

Hosu Hospital, Cafeteria, Noon

Darby sat comfortably in the middle of the cafeteria, sharing a table with Ashe. He was devouring a full plate of food while the elder lady was enjoying a cup of coffee.

"Is it that good? You're not even chewing." She pointed out.

Darby shook his head."It's terrible. Hospital food is as bad as they say it is, but I'm starving. Can't be complaining about the little details when it comes to survival. Thanks for treating me for lunch."

"It's the least I can do. You did great, even though you were being too reckless." She lightly chined him."Regardless, I can't believe you pulled out that move I taught you. How did you do it without any prior practice?"

"It was in the heat of the moment, honestly." He said, finishing his cup of tea."I gathered energy, more than I'm usually accustomed to. However, it was pretty hard to do so because I kept being distracted by the others being close to death and all." He chuckled dryly."Regardless, I had to find a way to now materialize that power. So I used my black spheres. While they were spinning in place..."

Darby materialized his 4 Black SPheres, putting them close together as they started spinning, leaving an opening in the middle."The spheres created fiction as they rotated, focusing the energy in the middle. That's how I created the Vortex Eruption."

"I see..." Ashe nodded in thought."So, you used your spheres to focus the energy you had gathered to then let out a powerful blast. Quite creative, in fact. I didn't think you'd come up with a solution so quickly. I suppose it's true that experience is gained in the battlefield. Later on we'll do some mental training to increase your concentration."

"Ah, come on!" Darby whined, rolling his head back."I'm injured!"

"Your body is, but your mind isn't." She remarked, shooting him a glare."Remember when I told you that if you don't meditate enough, you'll lose the frequency you need to be to go into Neko Mode."

"Aye, aye, captain." Darby mocked saluted before resuming his meal.

"That aside. I'm happy to see you've come to have great friends. Friends who value you and support you." She adopted a grin."Even a loving girlfriend. Does she know you're here?"

"Not dating. Also, no. I wouldn't want to worry her over something like this." Darby said, checking over his phone and reading through thew few texts he had sent Yui but had gotten to reply."I'm sure she has her own stuff to deal with right now."

"Very considerate of you." She nodded in approval."I'm glad you and Ren turned out to be gentlemen."

"That reminds me." Darby shifted his gaze to meet her eyes."I wanted to ask you something. Something about our conversation on the train."

"Oh?"

"You mentioned your husband saved you and some other people, right?" He waited for a nod before continuing."But what exactly were you running from? What forced you to go on the run and even required your husband to...you know..."

Ashe grimaced, clenching her fists. Darby was about to apologize before he heard the woman sigh. She stood up, beckoning him to follow back to his room."It's nothing you should concern yourself you, boy. You are much too young to know and deal with everything that's going on in the world."

Darby looked down, hands behind his back."Did they catch him? The villain, I mean."

Ashe stopped, glancing back at her intern with a sad smile."Every day I pray that they do."

Short chapter this time. I've been feeling a little sick and I got paranoid I had corona. Thankfully it's just a cold so I'll be fine. I hope everyone is safe and continues to.