Chapter 24
The Truth

Kachidoki Residence, Noburo's Study, Morning

Takashi had woken up extra early the day after they came back from their "vacation" at Shirahama Resort. Spending another day in bed wasn't his idea of fun, but it helped him clear his head. Thanks to Ryuji, he had connected some dots and discovered valuable information.

Shuffling some papers around, he groaned upon not discovering what he had wanted. He knew there was something off about him. After all, his neon color was drastically different compared to his family. But what could that mean? He certainly wasn't adopted. That much he had figured out already. There was no way he would have his Quirk had that been the case.

He stood up and glanced around the room, heading for a cabinet by the window. He opened it and scrambled for some papers. There he found something interesting. In a small wooden box, there was a notebook. He curiously opened it, taking into account it had detailed notes his father had done as the years went by. He found a section where his sister was the main highlight.

"Ayushi is such a beautiful child. I'm the luckiest man in the world. I've always wanted to have a baby girl and my prayers were answered." Takashi recited, going for the next page."Unfortunately, my father told me this was also my curse. A girl couldn't become the heir of the Kachidoki family. He offered me-" Takashi rose a brow, noticing that the text became intangible and was scratched up in various places. Not finding this important, he went over to the next section. He clicked his tongue, noticing this was about Hisashi.

"Ayushi has proven to be quite skilled and talented. Had she only been born a male. Hisashi is our second son. Unlike his sister, this child seems to cry a lot. When he was born, the doctors had to take him to emergency because of how unstable the birth was. He almost died." Takashi hummed, going for the next pages to find more information. He skipped 3 years ahead.

"Hisashi manifested his Quirk. However, I don't think he'll come to do much when he grows up. He's a slow learner and quite clumsy. Maybe he got that from his mother? Honey, if you read ever read this, it's a joke. Relax." Takashi stifled a laugh at that."Ayushi has grown stronger. Still, none of them are suited to become heirs. My father keeps insisting on-"

Now, this was strange."Again, the letters become are scribbled over. As if someone didn't want the text to be read." He went for the next page, noticing a huge chunk of the notebook to be missing."The hell? A good portion of the notebook is gone. Someone tore it out, but why?" He went to the next available page.

"Father and mother are dead. They called me today after they found...what remained of their bodies. Not much evidence to go off on. It was as if the killer just came in, killed them, and vanished. Ironic that dad was assassinated. Now I'm the official heir of the family. I hope I can-" The rest of the page is missing. Takashi was used to this by now and went over to the next one.

"Kaburo is dead. I've been heir for a few years and I'm not only fearing for my life, but for my family's. I saw him. I felt as if it was a dream, but I saw him standing at the edge of my bed. It can't be a coincidence that two of our family have been murdered. He will come for the rest of us."

Takashi gulped down, closing the notebook after reading the last available page."No useful information. But now I at least know he's had three children because of his stupid desire to look good in front of grandfather. Ayushi and Hisashi. Then there's me. He always called me the most talented person in the family, but..." Takashi closed the cabinet and went over to a bookshelf on the other side of the room. Looking at its various texts, he grabbed the family album.

"There has to be something here. Something that I've missed before." He skimmed through the pages and already saw something strange. His mother had organized the album going from their births in chronological order. He saw Ayushi's and Hisashi's baby pictures in the hospital. But his was nowhere to be found. Another strange fact he saw was his lack of an umbilical cord.

He recalled the time he asked his mother about 5 years ago. And he remembered her answer.

"Oh, that? Don't worry about it too much. The doctors were in a hurry and threw it away before I could ask them to let me keep it."

Something was not adding up here. He continued looking for pictures of his birth but found none. Strangely enough, he started appearing on the album when he was at least a few months old.

"The fuck...?" Takashi bit his lower lip.

"Takashi?" He heard his mom open the door behind him."What are you doing here? You know your father doesn't like when others come in here without permission"

"Mom...?" Takashi covered his mouth."Why...aren't there any pictures of me when I was born? Not even my umbilical cord is here and you preserved both Hisashi's and Ayushi's."

"This again?" His mother sounded exasperated, and yet, he noticed her tensing up."I told you, the doctors at the hospital threw it away."

"And what about the pictures?"

"That..." She trailed off, smiling sheepishly."Oops! I must have misplaced them somewhere! Why don't you help me cook lunch and then we can-"

"Stop fucking lying!" Takashi snapped, cutting his mother off."Then explain this, why is my neon color so different from the rest? Going by the spectrum, I'm on the other fucking side while Hisashi and Ayushi are within range!"

"What's gotten into you?!" His mother frowned, hands on her hips."Why are you asking all these questions all of a sudden?!"

"Just answer!"

"I don't know!" She finally said, pausing after noticing her tone."I'm sorry, sweetie, I didn't mean to yell at you. But...I think your neon color is different because it represents you as a person. Besides, you like it right? You've always told me how much you love purple."

Takashi seemed distraught, fighting back the tears."A few days ago, had you told me that, I would have believed it without question. But now? There are too many inconsistencies. I'm going to go ask him."

"No need. I've been listening for a while now." From behind Sayaka, Noburo came into the room, standing in front of his son."You want to know the truth so desperately?"

"Dear, don't!" Sayaka grabbed his arm, begging."Please...don't..."

"We knew this day would come, Sayaka." Noburo soothed, gently removing his wife's hand."It's better if we tell him now, otherwise, he will live with that doubt for the rest of his life."

"Tell me what?! What the hell do you guys know?!"

"Takashi. You are without a doubt our son. And we love you very much. Perhaps you don't think we do, but it's the truth." He stepped aside, glancing over at Sayaka."But the reality is that Sayaka...is not your biological mother."

"What...?" Takashi's eyes widened."What...? What ar-"

"It's true." Sayaka admitted, closing her eyes."I'm not your real mom. Even though I've always loved you dearly with my life, I could never come close to the love a true mother would give to her child..." She broke down into tears, hugging her husband.

Takashi stared wide-eyed, his mouth gaped."Where do you go..."

His father looked over to him while comforting his wife, trying to make up what he was muttering."Takashi, I understand that you hate me. But-your mom, she-"

"WHERE THE FUCK DO YOU TWO GO OFF PLAYING THE DAMN VICTIMS?!" Takashi screamed, generating a neon dagger in his hand and holding it out.

His mother gasped."Takashi! Put that knife down before you do something you'll regret!"

Noburo gently pushed his back behind him and stood protectively in front."Son. Put that away. You are no villain. You are a great young man, aspiring to be a hero. Sure, it hasn't been easy and there's plenty of obstacles where you've struggled, but-"

"Tell me." Takashi snarled.

"Tell you what." Noburo narrowed his eyes, knowing deep down what he meant.

"You know damn well what." Takashi crushed the neon dagger in his hand."Now hurry up and tell me. And don't try to deny that from me. You want me to believe you love me and all that shit, but those fucking note of yours say otherwise! You've been having kids for the sole reason of having a decent fucking heir for this stupid ass family! That's why there are 3 of us! Ayushi is a girl, which your feminist ass doesn't like and Hisashi is a fucking liability. What, you gonna replace me too? You're going to go fuck her again?" He pointed at the heartbroken Sayaka, who was sobbing knelt on the floor."Or is it going to be like in my case, where you fucked another woman!"

"That's not it!" Noburo roared, punching a hole in the wall."You really want to know? Then I'll tell you but I'm warning you right now, this knowledge will not make your life any happier. In fact, it will only cause you pain and suffering."

"I just want the know the truth." He said cooly. He listened intently to his father talk, his eyes widened with every word. He walked up to him and stared at his eyes, telling him one last piece of information. With that, Takashi stormed out of the room and out the door, heading for the nearest train station. His expression said it all. He wanted to know how he came to be and under what circumstances. Now that he knew where to look, he went there and nothing was going to stop him.

Shibuya, Shopping Center, Noon

"Today is such a nice day." Darby looked up at the blue sky. He was wearing black sweatpants, white shoes, and a black shirt with an opened-up white sweater. He didn't particularly like either of those colors that much, but he had chosen that outfit because it somewhat fit him. And he thought he looked good.

Yawning, he took a sit on a nearby bench, observing the cars on the street moving about. He quickly pulled up his phone and checked for any new messages in his class group chat. Nothing new, except his friends talking about their adventure on I-Island. He would need to ask them about that, but he was content with having an adventure of his own at Shirahama. Though hardly an adventure, and more like a villain attack.

"Have you been waiting long?" Darby shut his phone, glancing at the source of the voice. Yui stood by him, wearing a knee-high brown skirt, brown boots, and a long-sleeved white sweater.

"Nope." Darby grinned as he stood up."And might as I say you look lovely today, my lady?"

"Oh, stop it." Yui blushed slightly, immediately hugging him."I've missed you."

"And I've missed you too. Being a few days away from each other has got to be one of the hardest things I've done." Darby chuckled, brushing Yui's hair with his hands."Well, that and definitely Ashe-san's training. So, you ready?"

"Yup." She pulled back, gasping quietly when he grabbed her hand.

"Alright then. Let's make this "Find items to bring to the camp" mission a go!" Darby declared as they started walking."How are your injuries?"

"I think I should be asking you that, Mr. Let me punch a rock."

"Hey, I didn't know what else to do, alright? I thought Neko Mode would let me break through Ryuji's attacks, but it wasn't the case. But as for your question, I'm feeling alright. I was mostly just tossed around in that fight so no biggy."

"I'm happy." She snuggled up to his arm.

Darby smiled, leaning on her head."I know this is a bit late to ask, but are we dating? Like, are we officially a couple?"

"I think we are."

"So, boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"Yes."

"Right." Darby rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly."Sorry. It's my first time being in a relationship with someone."

"It's okay. We'll learn together." Yui intertwined fingers with him.

They reached a stoplight and waited for the light to change."I've been meaning to ask, but do you know anything about Hoshi-san's condition?"

"Ibara called me recently, actually. He's recuperating. Thankfully, the attack he received wasn't life-threatening but had he lost more blood, he wouldn't have made it."

"His Quirk is very versatile. To think he can create barriers that small to cover his wounds..." Darby thought about that information. Once the light turned green, he guided Yui across the street as they submerged themselves in the crowd of pedestrians."But if anyone deserves the MVP award, it should be you. I saw how you manhandled Ryuji after you used your Quirk against his rocks! That was so cool, Yui!"

Yui blushed like a tomato at his compliment. She wasn't ready for him to say that. And now that they were together, she felt it meant 10 times as much."I still didn't do much...he injected himself with that drug and had Kendo and Kachidoki not stepped in..."

"I know. To be honest, I was going to jump in much sooner, but I was charging up nature energy. When he was about to attack you both, I was going to go in my normal form and try my luck. I didn't expect Takashi to come and defend you guys."

"He fought really hard. And in the end, he was the one who deflected that attack we did back to Ryuji."

"Yeah, he's pretty awesome, isn't he." Darby said with a hint of admiration."To be honest, I look up to him. He's got a cool Quirk and when it really counts, he knows what to do and say. I've always wanted to be like him. Have the same confidence and all."

They entered a camping shop and began browsing around."But he's been acting strange, hasn't he?" Yui pointed out."I mean, Itsuka tells me every night when she calls me how he's...different..."

"Yeah, I've noticed. I've noticed it after the Sports Festival, but now it's different. After our exam against his father, he's been researching stuff on his phone and spending a long time thinking. It's weird. But he won't tell anyone." He sighed, thanking the cashier and offering Yui his arm. Yui decided to tease him a bit and just gave him her back to carry.

"You are worried." It wasn't a question.

"Yeah..." Darby exhaled as he followed Yui to another store."It's just...I wish I could help him. But I just don't know how. I don't know how he feels and he doesn't tell anyone. From what his brother told me, it has something to do with his father. But that wasn't that big of a problem before."

"He has problems with his family?' Yui tilted her head."I guess I understand why you can't relate to him in that aspect. You never mentioned having problems with your family."

"Yeah. We have a few disagreements here and there, but I would never resent my parents. No matter what." Darby huffed, taking a look at a nearby pizza place."Mind if we stop for a quick bite? I'm starving. My treat."

"What a gentleman." Yui giggled, opening the door for him.

"What a lady." Darby mocked bow and entered the store. They sat down on a table near the entrance and took a look at the menu."So, what kind of pizza do you like? We can share one if you'd like, but there's also the personal ones which are smaller."

"I think we can eat a single one ourselves." She stared blankly at the menu."To be honest, I think I would go with pepperoni with some tomatoes.

"Then let's do half and half. I like to put jam on mine. I don't know why, but I think it goes great with the pepperoni. Say, this is a bit random, but I have a little thing to tell." He leaned closer to the table."When I was younger, I thought pepperoni was actually tomatoes."

"No." Yui said in disbelief. When she saw him nodding his head, she erupted into laughter."That's so silly! How can you make that mistake?"

"Hey! You can't tell me it didn't happen to you! It looked like a slice of tomato when I first had my eyes on a slice."

"Nope." She continued giggling."Never to me. I think you're just a special case."

"Well, I'm happy to be special." He stuck his tongue out."It's one of my charms~!"

They both chuckled upon his words and stopped in time for the waiter to take their order. Once he came back with their drinks, they went back to talking.

"I've been thinking about Komori..." Yui admitted, playing around with her cup of water."Now that we're together, she'll find out and then..."

"It's okay. Like I told you, I'll handle it." Darby put a comforting hand on top of hers."She might hate me for it, but I don't mind being hated as long as you two continue to be friends. After all, it was my fault."

"It was a misunderstanding." Yui corrected him.

"Yeah, but I could have told her. I just didn't want to hurt her and now I might hurt her even more. I'm such a hypocrite. All this time I've been rambling about wanting to fight for the truth of the world, and yet I've been lying to Komori-san this whole time." He clenched his fists, lowering his head in shame."But I want to fix it. I'll do whatever I have to at least not break her heart. She's made so much progress in such a short time. It's astonishing."

"Yeah..." Yui lowered her head and began playing around with her straw."It's funny. I've been trying to change as well for a few months now and I'm still having trouble expressing myself and be more open with my feelings. I'm still the same poker-face girl."

"I think not," Darby said, causing her to look up. He took a sip from his strawberry milkshake and hummed in delight."Want some?" He put another straw in his shake and slid it over to her."You're wrong. You've changed dramatically. Before, you either said one or two words or just hum. Now, you're having full-blown conversations and expressing your opinions. Sure, you got a long way to go, but no one said it was easy. Just take your time and you'll be fine."

"You really think so?" She asked sparkles in her eyes.

"I know so." Darby nodded immediately."And I'll help you in every step of the way. No matter what, I'll always love you the way you are."

She choked on the shake, covering her mouth with a napkin."You're such a jerk."

"I aim to please," Darby responded with a cheeky grin.

Unknown, Unknown, Noon

Takashi stood in front of a grave, his gaze fixated on the epitaph."Tomoe Kohei. Villain name Esper, Quirk Second Sight...what is this...?"

"You must be Takashi Kachidoki." A man wearing a black cloak with black pants and a beanie came into view from behind him, holding a shovel."My name is Kazuma Nijima. I'm a friend of your dad and I work in this villain cemetery. He called me saying you'd come by."

Takashi stood silently, not saying a word.

Kazuma was a man in his mid-fifties. He had short brown hair, a mustache, and seemed to be sleep-deprived with the bags under his eyes."I take it he told you."

"I pieced it all together..." Takashi muttered, barely above a whisper.

"Tch. I told him that eventually, he will have to tell you. Indeed, that is your mother in that grave. She was a villain. She used to do small-time crimes here and there back in the day. She was pretty wild and stubborn. Never took a no for an answer and always had this cocky aura around her."

"When did she and my dad...?"

"They've known each other for years. I believe they used to go to school together at one point but drifted apart. While your dad became a successful hero, she became a notorious villain. Her Quirk was something else, let me tell you. She eventually crossed paths with your dad and he barely won." He chuckled, reminiscing about the past."I wasn't always a grave keeper. I was your dad's sidekick. At the time, he only had Ayushi-chan and little Hisashi. He told me about his situation. How he needed to make the perfect heir for his family's sake."

"How did it happen?"

Kazuma sighed, shaking his head."They met by mere chance on the street. Of course, your dad's first instinct was to take her in, but...something in him must have snapped. They went out for some drinks, and one thing led to another. We never heard from her again until a few years later. I believe their night of passion happened when your dad wasn't in his right mind. I doubt he'd cheat on Sayaka willingly."

Kazuma walked closer to Takashi, standing next to him."Noburo desperately tried finding Tomoe. If word of her being pregnant by the current heir of the Kachidoki family came to light, your whole family would come crashing down publicly. A hero screwing a villain. You can see the headlines. I don't know what happened afterwards, but your mom was taken to Tartarus and kept there until she died a few years ago of unknown causes."

Takashi felt his stomach contract, causing him painful spams. He glared at Kazuma, and he took the hint to give him some time. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Takashi."

"What happened? After you thought she was pregnant with your child. What the hell did you do?"

He was met with silence. Before he could repeat his question, Noburo continued."I tracked her down. By then, she was settled in the outskirts of Shibuya. She had gone from being a villain to being a mother for you." Takashi's eyes widened at that, almost losing grip of his phone."When we busted through the door, she was rocking you in her chair. We arrested her on the spot, but before we manage to take her down, she fought fiercely for you. She overused her Quirk in a fight against me and went blind as a side effect. We locked her up on the charges of first-degree murder, theft, among other things that are better left unsaid. Point being, those crimes we charged her with...were on false grounds..."

"False grounds...?"

"Your grandfather at the time was restless. He was the one who told me I needed to find a new mate to have a child. A proper child. He wanted me to abandon my family and go on about my life but...I couldn't. I couldn't abandon Hisashi and Ayushi and Sayaka. So I swallowed my pride and had an affair. But I was a coward. I was afraid of what could happen to our family if Tomoe would go tell the world about our affair. That's why we looked tirelessly for her. To silence her. She ended up telling everyone about the affair but...once we've captured her, her words had no meaning. Who would believe a villain, right? And with the charges we pressed her with, no one would ever take her seriously. In short...the story we created was that she met me at a bar, drugged me, and...well, I'm sure you can figure out the rest. I'm sorry. I really wish it hadn't been like that, but believe me, son, I had no choice."

"You.." Takashi struggled to find his own voice."You psychotic self-centered piece of shit...You never cared about anyone but yourself. Not me, or my siblings. You are just a fucking loner who was too afraid of his own bastard father to keep his stupid family name clean..."

"Don't you think I'm aware of that fact?! I don't need you shoving it down my throat!" His father snapped."I've done horrible things and seen atrocious acts. Things that I could have stopped. But I didn't. I was thinking about our family. For our future!"

"Shut the hell up." Takashi growled."You are human garbage. One day you will get what you deserve. You are no father of mine. You are a fucking leech who only cares about his damn public image." He shut his phone before he could give him a chance to reply. He began stopping on it hard, breaking it into pieces with every stomp. He eventually got tired and fell on his knees, looking at the grave. With all the sorrow in the world, he gave a high-pitched scream of pain.

Shibuya, Shopping Center, Afternoon

"You really did but a lot, huh?" Darby struggled to hold all of Yui's bags and his single bag as they headed for the train station."I guess it's true girls buy a lot..."

"I had to. My parents don't really let me expend money on luxuries. So when I told them I needed plenty of money for a week t camp, they were generous enough to give me a hefty amount."

"So, you lied?"

She shrugged."My parents are pretty strict. Please try your best when you meet them."

"Sure..." He sweatdropped. They entered the train and put the bags on the floor on a safe spot."Alright, I think this is where we depart for the night, my lady? I could accompany you back to the dorms, you know?"

"It's okay. Kendo is waiting for me. We are going to try out all the outfits I bought."

"Sounds like you guys will have some fun." Darby peeked her on the forehead."Alright, I'll be off, my little rule."

"Sure thing, my little sphere." She returned the gesture by kissing him on the cheek."We really need to work on our nicknames."

"That we do." Darby laughed, exiting the train and waving goodbye at his girlfriend. Just before he could pull out his phone, he felt a few drops of rain land on him. Glancing him, he noticed the rain clouds covering the sky and the lightning in the distance."Shit. I better take cover." He decided, taking his bag and hiding under a small roof with a bench. Thankfully, his train didn't take long to arrive. He eagerly ran over to it, sheltering himself from the rain. He leaned by the window, staring idly outside. The storm had begun and didn't show any indications of stopping any time soon.

"Just my luck. I hope Yui makes it back to the dorms okay..." He trailed off, noticing someone walking in the rain as his train started moving. He could swear he knew that person, but he couldn't make up any distinctive features. Deciding that it was just his imagination, he pulled out his phone and earphones to listen to music along the way.

Shibuya, Train Station, Afternoon

Takashi stood in the rain, hearing the train take its leave. His clothes were soaked but he didn't care. He allowed the rain to be the only thing on his mind. His legs gave out, falling on the ground and splashing on a puddle of water. He turned around to lay on his back, observing the dark skies."I wish I could be...as free as a cloud. But...I'm trapped. Trapped by my own life and my own limits..." He went for his pocket and pulled out a familiar flip phone, pressing the only contact available.

"Takashi Kachidoki." He heard the emulated voice on the other side of the line.

"I want in." Was all he said.

"Very well. I'll send someone to your location to pick you up. If I may, can I know the reason for your decision?"

"I'm tired of the reality I live in. I discovered that, as you've said, not everything is as it seems to be."

"Very well." The voice seemed place, hanging up the call. Takashi dropped the phone on the floor, leaving himself open to the cold rain. He ignored a group of figures wearing black cloaks as they approached him.

Short chapter. Probably the shortest I've written. But it works as a transition from the previous arc to the next one.

Originally, I was going to have Kachidoki's biological mother make a cameo in Tartarus and explain her side to her son and have her bite her tongue off to kill herself after she got to talk to him 15 years later. But my power went out and deleted my draft before I could save. By then, I had no more inspiration so I changed things a bit. Don't worry though, I'll keep on expanding Takashi's and his mother's past as this arc goes on.

Also, I felt the need to include a YuixDarby side of the story here to contrast their current circumstances. That and because I've wanted to do it for a while now.