WhEdgy: ehe, sorry for the cliffhanger ~ i hope you enjoy this chapter !
pinkpaladin: ❤❤❤ i really adore these characters, too ! and i realized i haven't been including them much so bam! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖° ahaha, i hope you enjoy this chapter !
AugustRrush: gotta love drama, ehe c;
Oblivious IJ: oh shit, indeed
LadyAmazon: thank you so much ~ ! and aha, i agree ! death is sad, but i admittedly laughed drawing that fishy ! & aahh thank you i fell in love with the nickname for Bakugo , c; aha. i can easily see him being a human version of chain chomp! thank you , again ! you stay safe & healthy , too ! take care of yourself always !
Vienna22: ❤❤❤❤
Bluishapple: you're welcome, and thank you for reviewing ! ~~ and yep i admit that cliff hanger was evil ｡ﾟ(TヮT)ﾟ｡
Frost: hi, hi ~ ! ahh, thank you so much ❤ as for inspiration, reading other works of writing is always a big help! it also helps me to try and imagine scenes in my head before i write it out on paper. or, for describing things, it's always helpful to look at my own surroundings and break it down. such as the smell in the air, the lighting/mood, any sounds and colors ~ or, watch an interesting t.v. show and do the same ! sometimes the smallest little details are the most beneficial, at least as i've found. starting off writing is always the hardest part. but, i think the most important thing before starting is knowing what kind of mood you want to set ! ～('▽^人)
winddemon199: thank you ~ writing Bakugo is always a joy ! & yeeeep , i wonder if Shoto will inform dear Taru of his mistake ? ehe ~
Elimina Alice: hopefully i can keep you on the hook ! (couldn't resist, lmaoo) ╰(*´︶`*)╯, next chapter for you ~
Emocean: aha those were my favorite parts , too ~ thank you so much ! i'm glad to hear that, as writing those scenes with large amounts of people is difficult for me, aha ｡ﾟ(TヮT)ﾟ｡ i hope you enjoy this chapter ~ cheers !
TheVulcanNara: ❤❤❤
kirika o7: hi ~ ! ;D good to see you again i hope your well ~ ! thank you so much for your review ~ unspoken words chapter is still my favorite chapter lmaooo ! and ooo okay ! i'll check out your story as soon as able ~ i look forward to reading it ! ❤
Katerina1245: update for you~~!
totallynotobsessedwithfiction: ❤ (ɔˆз(ˆ⌣ˆc) thank you thank you thank you ~
Uwu: ヽ(°〇°)ﾉ
ZabuzasGirl: thank you ~ ! you're review like 2 days ago made me lol bc it was so quick & accurate ｡ﾟ( ﾟ^∀^ﾟ)ﾟ｡ ! sorry for the wait, and please enjoy ~!
ShardAura: aaahhhh more for you ! ❤
bbymojo: ahah ~ i love writing Hotaru's good/villain side ! ｡ﾟ(TヮT)ﾟ｡ i think her nickname is cute too, tbh ! as always, all of your highlights are my highlights ! ( ´ ▽ ` ) can't wait for you to read this chapter, aha ~ and THANK U SO MUCH. honestly, i'm thinking of re-designing her costume but idk we'll see about that ~ sending you lots of love !
WhiteBear27: thank you so much ~ !
•○●○•
HELLO ALL, I'M SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT !
summer classes hit me, then writers block hit me next, then i got a new ipad which is pretty darn cool & addicting
but, i'm back, happy, safe & healthy ❤
i hope you are all well, too ! thank you so much for all the reviews and messages. i literally read them the day they come in!
here's a monster chapter for you all, that i hope you'll enjoy !
there's also a ton of new Hotaru drawings up on my deviant art & even new my instagram i was talked into creating which is, as always at;
cherryblossomx6
•○●○•
anywho, i missed you all and i'm happy to be writing again ! ~
thank you so much for your patience, and i apologize for any errors!
please, enjoy ~
•○●○•
❤•○●○•❤
Deception
❤•○●○•❤
The warm and stuffy air makes her sweat, contrasting with the darkness cloaking her that somehow makes her feel cold. There's a constant dripping sound and the ground her fingers brush against is rough, tainted with moisture even. What is this? Why is she in such an annoying place? Such a dark place?
Her fingers skim against something frigid and out of place. At a slow pace, she looks down to see something glinting. Lightning spirals around her fingers like a serpentine dance, casting light. There's a knife covered in blood. Oh. This must be her knife. And, this dead person in front of her, she killed him didn't she? Their fingers twitch. It seems she was wrong. She didn't kill them… yet.
"That's weird…" She murmurs, slowly rising onto her feet with knife in hand. It looks like they've been bleeding for a while, yet they still cling to life. "Normally I hit a fatal spot."
She blindly twirls the knife in her, the speed behind her actions making a whirling sound. It's raised over her head as she stares down at the person withering like a worm on the ground in their own pool of blood. She brings the knife down.
"What the hell are you doing, Lightning Bug?!" Someone yells, grabbing onto her arm and yanking before her knife can become imbedded in flesh. "Trying to stay behind and play some cliché hero?! If you're going to tell me to fucking run you better be running, too!"
What?
She stares at the back of this person's head as they drag her around and force her to run. They have spiky hair that's a dirty blonde color. It doesn't look like he noticed what she was about to do. It doesn't even seem like he's aware of who she is. If he did, there's no reason he would be coming in contact with her. Who is this? Did he just call her… Lightning Bug? The chains dangling around her neck jingle like bells.
They turn around a corner and continue a good distance down the path. Three other people come into view. They are teenagers dressed as heroes. Are they students? Is it Halloween? Why are they looking at her with so much worry?
"Aihara!" A boy with a plain face exclaims, relieved. "What were you doing? We gotta go before the villain catches up!"
"Let's hurry. The heroes are getting closer!" Another boy informs, holding a child in his many arms. The next one to speak is dressed in the most obnoxious costume.
"Oui!"
This person who's gripping her arm tightly called her by the nickname her father gave her. These other people are acting like they know her on a friendly level. Interesting. She can't say her prey has ever acted like this before. Her lips curve upwards and she lets out an entertained laugh, heinous in sound.
"What the fuck is so funny—?"
Bakugo's words are cut short when he takes notice of her glowing eyes that are locked onto him. Despite their luminosity, he feels like he's staring into a crater located in the deepest part of the ocean. Something isn't right. It's like she's an entirely different person.
"Shit," He breathes out, quickly dropping her arm.
Lightning discharges in all directions, and everyone jumps backwards before they fall victim to it. Thunder rumbles and seems to make the walls tremble. The waterway beside them becomes unsteady. Everyone stares at her with wide eyes.
"A-Aihara?" Sero stutters out, taking a backwards step. "Are you okay?"
"I-I thought we were friends?!" Aoyama quivers.
"Something's wrong." Shoji grows tense. He makes sure Akito can't see the Hotaru standing before them.
"Is it that villain's Quirk?" Bakugo mutters, spitting. "Oi! Snap out of it!"
"'Snap out of it?'" Hotaru repeats, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "I think you should take your own advice."
"Huh?!" Bakugo takes a single step forward with his fist raised. "Wanna say that again?"
"H-Hey, don't tempt her!" Sero grabs onto his shoulder. "This is really, really, really, bad!"
"It seems you get it." Hotaru acknowledges as her expression darkens. "Although, I don't really get it myself. Whatever." She sighs, tilting her head from side to side and raising her knife. "It doesn't matter. It's all the same. Stay still for me while I kill you all."
"W-Wait!" Aoyama tries desperately. "Don't you remember? We're classmates!"
"We're training to be heroes together!" Sero adds on. "Didn't you say once before that you always wanted to be a hero?!"
"Fight it, Aihara-san!" Shoji yells. "Don't let yourself be controlled!"
They are all pissing her off. Classmates? Being controlled? Training to be a hero? Her teeth grit together and her knuckles grow white. What the hell are they on? She can't be a hero. She can't. They know nothing about her or her circumstances.
"Shut up, shut up, shut up…!" She stomps her foot on the ground, the lightning radiating from her intense enough to form cracks beneath her feet. It's suddenly hard for her to think straight. Her mind is clouded. "Talk anymore bullshit and I'll kill you as slowly as possible!"
"Tsk. I'll kill you first!" Bakugo shouts, and Hotaru's irises shrink.
"You idiot!" Sero rebukes when Hotaru starts to advance.
Hotaru pulls at the chains on her neck. The metal rope falls to the ground although it still remains tight in her grasp. Lightning flows through the shackles and she raises her knife in front of her, the blade positioned right between her luminous eyes. A murderous intent spews outwards and everyone stiffens instantly.
"...T-That's coming from her?!" Sero takes a backwards step. That aura is much more intense than the one the crocodile villain let off.
"Wait! Veuillez patienter!" Aoyama pleads desperately and yet again through his frightened trembles. "Look at what you're wearing!"
"Good idea!" Shoji exclaims. "You're wearing your hero costume!"
Hotaru has no intention of studying her attire like they want her to. They must be trying to trick her so they can make their escape. That's what she thinks, until she catches sight of her gloved hands.
She comes to a stop so suddenly and breathing becomes a profound mystery. What she's wearing is something surreal. It's something she never thought she would ever have the pleasure of wearing. Her eyes are wide as she takes it all in. She spins in an entire circle as she studies her own appearance.
What is going on? When did she put this on? Come to think of it, how did she even get down here? Not only that, since when was she a teenager? Nothing feels real. Her lips part as she looks back ahead at her "classmates." Realization strikes her.
"I'm…" She begins, slowly pointing at herself. "...A hero?"
"Yes!" Sero nods instantly with a smile.
"And…" She whispers, extending her arms as if to embrace the scenery. "...I'm dreaming?"
"No, you fuc—!"
"Yes!" Aoyama quickly cuts Bakugo off.
"And in this dream, you saved this child." Shoji speaks up, revealing a skittish Akito. "Remember? You two talked about how much you love fish."
"Fish…" Hotaru murmurs, lowering her knife.
She gazes vacantly at the ground. This dream is too good to be true. Being a hero and saving someone… there's no way. Her hand rises and presses against her head. These people, even though she has threatened them, they aren't running away. She's confused. Do they really know her? How come she can't recall a single thing about them?
Everything is so scattered. Her mind is like a jungle. Fog obscures her. Vines are twisted and knotted together in no particular order. She's trapped in the middle of it all. Trying to push through instantly makes her break out in cold sweat. The last thing she can remember is…
•
"You led him straight to us... Taru you rat!"
•
The knife she held clatters onto the ground and her hand presses against her ribcage, just below her left breast. Her breaths come in and out rapidly. Her nails dig into her flesh through her costume. She's bleeding. She's bleeding a lot. Her mom found out. She's going to die—
"Aihara!" Sero appears in front of her. "Are you hurt? What's wrong?"
He reaches towards her and she immediately takes a backwards step. Yes, she's hurt. She should be experiencing the most intense pain she's ever felt. Her mother should be standing before her with a knife covered in blood. But, she's not experiencing any of that.
She looks down, removing her violently trembling hand from her rib-cage. There's no blood. There's no pain. Her vision blurs in and out. What's happening? She stares at the complete strangers before her. They know her, but she doesn't know them. This isn't a dream, it's a nightmare.
"W-Who are you?" She gasps.
"What?" Bakugo drags out, raising a brow. "Did your memory actually get wiped fucking clean?"
"My memory...?" She repeats quietly, and Bakugo glares.
"You mean you don't remember your promise to me?!"
He starts to advance on her as her hands tangle into her hair. His exclamation makes her feel even more trapped than before. She doesn't know what he's talking about. She's never seen him before. What promise? Her fingers curl tightly, pulling at her wavy tresses. The world around her is spinning.
"Stop it! Stop it!" She screams at the top of her lungs, making him pause with widened eyes. When she looks up at him she's so disoriented it even disturbs him. "Who the hell are you people?! How do you know me?! You shouldn't be here!"
"Aihara-san," Shoji begins through his unease. "It must be hard, but you need to calm down—"
"No!" She cuts him off, as white as a ghost. "Y-You need to leave!"
"Please," Aoyama brings his hands together. "Take a deep breath—!"
"I am! I'm breathing but nothing is working!" She stares at them all with her hazy eyes. "You're still here! I-I'm still here…! If this is a dream like you said, then…!" Her form suddenly glows blindingly bright. "This shouldn't hurt…!"
"What are you doing?!"
"Aihara!"
•○●○•
A loud boom of thunder makes Bubble Girl jump as she runs by Sir Nighteye's side. A drop of sweat forms on her temple and she lets out a jittery breath. She knows just who made that sound. As a result, worry floods into her.
"That sounded pretty close." She breathes out, and Sir Nighteye merely nods which prompts her to frown. "Everything is going to turn out fine, right?"
"Of course." All Might's former sidekick answers.
"Doesn't sound like it." Endeavor grumbles.
Shoto finds himself torn between agreeing with his old man and trusting Sir Nighteye. It is true that things don't sound alright, but it is also true that Sir Nighteye's foresight is never wrong. Or, at least that's what he claims. There is a hint of doubt within him revolving around that. He doesn't see how the future he sees is set into an unstoppable motion.
If one knows of future events, surely they can alter that future. Not only that, after Sir Nighteye's explanation of his own Quirk, he sounded bewildered when it came to Taru. He wonders what kind of future he saw for her. Was it just as scattered and whimsical as she is?
"Shit! Did she just shock herself?!" A familiar voice reaches Shoto's ears, dragging him out of his thoughts.
"Aihara-san! Come back!"
Shoto picks up his pace instantly along with everyone else. His pulse races away in his ears. The moment he turns the corner from where the voices came, his breath becomes lodged in his throat.
Hotaru's running in their direction, but the sight of him and everyone else makes her stop in her tracks. She's drenched in her own sweat and he can see translucent steam rising off of her. Why does she look so scared and confused?
"Taru?" Shoto tries, and she shakes her head.
"N-No…" She breathes out, stumbling backwards. "No, no, no…"
"Tempest?" Bubble Girl frowns. "What's the matter?"
Hotaru clutches at her head. Nothing makes sense, that's what's wrong. She's not dreaming. Those people lied to her. Shoto is looking at her with so much concern, but she knows for a fact he hates her with every fiber of his being. He's older now. Who is this hero calling Tempest? Who is this business-like man with the scary stare? And, why is Endeavor here? He should be fighting her father. She gasps.
Her father.
"Aihara!"
At that, she turns around quickly to see the liars have caught up to her. What the hell? She starts breathing rapidly again while her body quakes with shivers. The guy with the plain looking face holds up his hands to show he means no harm.
"It's okay—" Sero starts to say until she yells at him.
"Stay back!"
"Tempest—?" The businessman starts up next, and her head snaps in his direction. He looks like the weakest one.
Lightning channels through the chains in her hand instantly. She slings it towards him and it thrashes like a serpent. His yellow eyes narrow and he throws something to counter. He throws it so quickly and with perfect aim. She can't dodge.
A small and heavy object hits the chains out of her grasp, making her weapon sink into the murky water. She stares after it with an agape mouth. She was wrong. That guy is strong. Insanely strong. She can't win. She can't win against Endeavor, either.
Especially Shoto.
She's not ready to face him. After everything she's done, his hatred for her must be as intense as ever. She's a villain. He's a hero. She messed up. Their friendship is ruined beyond repair. It should be. Yet, why doesn't it feel like it?
"Girl!" Endeavor yells at her, making her jump. "What's wrong with you?!"
"I-I…" Hotaru stutters out, her silvery orbs darting around wildly. "I-I… my dad… w-where…? I-I…!"
"She ran into some shitty villain and got her memory wiped clean!" Bakugo answers loudly and over her childish stuttering with a popping vein.
"I see." Sir Nighteye murmurs, adjusting his glasses.
Why she's so confused makes sense now. He saw something like this happening, but he couldn't see exactly how it happened or the details behind it. May it be due to the darkness down here that makes his sight so hazy, or the own actions he took in an attempt to stop this, he can't say. Either way, everything still seems to be going according to his foresight.
Endeavor studies her as he contemplates. It doesn't appear like all of her memory has been erased. She recognizes him and his masterpiece without a doubt. She's avoiding their gaze with a panicky expression. Just like when she sought out his help way back when, she's clueless. It's almost a familiar scene.
"What's the last thing you remember, girl?"
Instantly after that more so demand than question, she brings both of her hands over the left side of her abdomen firmly. Her already pale face becomes even more faded. She doesn't say a single word and only bites down harshly on the inside of her cheek.
"Is she hurt…?" Bubble Girl whispers, and Shoji shakes his head as he answers.
"She isn't. But, she thinks she is. She doesn't even remember how she saved this child."
"It doesn't seem like this is a simple memory erasure. Does she believe that she's living in the past?" Sir Nighteye speculates, his eyes narrowing. "Did anyone see who did this to her?"
As Sir Nighteye tries to gather more information through the present Class 1-A students, Hotaru's breaths become unstable once more. They are saying her memory has been erased. How can this happen? She supposes it makes sense due to all this confusion she's feeling and unanswered questions. It must be true since this isn't the first time her memory was brought up. But, what should she—?
"Taru?"
That voice makes her breath stop right away. She looks up, seeing Shoto is standing just before her and so close. Cold sweat forms on her temple and she takes an immediate backwards step. He frowns.
"Do you really not remember?" He asks with a crease forming in his brow.
The silence she gives him in return is more than enough for answering his question, resulting in his frown deepening. So, does she not remember how they made up? Does she not remember the day they spent together at the park not that long ago? Those thoughts make his chest feel heavy. Just how far into the past was she sent? Looking at her now, she's melancholy and ashamed.
He tries thinking of her past that she told him about, and when she started to realize that she was being brainwashed by her parents. The last thing she remembers has to be around the time she sought out his old man for help. Little does he know; his old man is having the exact same thoughts.
Endeavor folds his arms over his chest right when Hotaru's silvery orbs meet his turquoise ones. Right now, she isn't a ferocious puppet that only knows how to kill, meaning the last thing she remembers has to be after when he spared her in that alley and told her that she's living in a false reality. He smirks slightly. It's quite obvious what the villain that did this to her had planned.
"Either way, it doesn't seem like enough of her memory was erased." Endeavor states as a matter of fact. "Right now, she's just a forlorn brat."
Shoto glares at his old man for calling her that. He looks back at Hotaru to see that her head is ducked in shame and her shoulders are trembling. She's staring at the ground with half-lidded eyes. He moves closer to her and she slides her foot back in response. A hero should first comfort the person they are trying to save. But, more than anything, he just wants to reassure his friend.
He wants to let her know that everything is alright. He wants her to know that he has forgiven her and knows of her circumstances, and that everything isn't her fault like she believes it to be. He wants her to know that he missed her just like how she missed him.
If he had met her once again before they became classmates, all while knowing of the things he didn't know before, what would he say? This is almost like his do-over. He won't respond to her with hatred like before. He regrets that.
"Taru," Shoto begins. "It's okay. I know everything, and I forgive…"
He trails off when her fathomless eyes meet his own. Their brightness contrasts greatly against the darkness they are standing in. The sight of them makes him short of breath. Suddenly, he remembers how he shoved her to the ground in that alleyway all those years ago—when their hatred for each other sprouted. Just like he forgives her, he's sorry too. Seeing her like this makes her story she told him much more real. It feels as if he has also been sent back in time. No matter what he says now, he can't convey anything at all.
With the smallest of sighs, he moves even closer to her. Bubble Girl brings her hands over her warming cheeks, and Endeavor scowls when Shoto brings a single arm around Hotaru, holding her against his front. He can easily feel her tense against him.
"I'm sorry." He murmurs, staring at the grimy wall that's off to the side with an expression that's difficult to read.
In that moment, Hotaru's mind goes blank. She feels even more confused than before. The thumping of her own heart can be heard in her ears, along with Shoto's own heartbeat that's so remedying. She blinks multiple times, now in a daze. Her memories, fleeting and enshrined, they…
"Somehow knowing this is what you would say to me is disappointing." Hotaru says, her breath traveling through the fabric of his clothing. He freezes.
"Disappointing?"
"You don't need to apologize for anything… stupid-head. At least, not at this point."
She peeks up with him with rose dusted cheeks along with a bashful smile that makes his lips part. Instantly after his surprised gesture, he frowns. The words he spoke weren't good enough. Of course, he knew that they wouldn't be. However, her claiming that they were disappointing even when he already knew they were… makes it even more disappointing.
"What should I have said?" He asks.
"...I don't know." She mutters honestly.
Her gaze falls away from his. She doesn't know what she wanted him to say, and she doesn't even know what she expected him to. Maybe what he said was ideal after all, or maybe he didn't need to say anything at all. The moment he held onto her like this, it was like he pulled her from one world to another. This isn't disappointing in the slightest. It's just a little embarrassing. Despite that, she finds herself leaning into him. He saved her again.
She suddenly feels awfully warm as she listens to the rhythmic sound of his heart. It's a peculiar sensation. Normally she doesn't like feeling warm, so why does this feel so refreshing? The soothing warmth from his left side, and the tranquilizing coolness from his right side—it sends her elsewhere. It's somewhere up high and secluded. She finds herself imaging a snow top mountain with warm springs strewn about… a cozy paradise. It's somewhere she's never been before.
"Just this is enough… I guess." She whispers. "Thank you."
"Oh." He whispers just as quietly as she. "You're welcome."
His loose hug and her ear pressed against his strong chest—they remain like this for a few long seconds. It's just as awkward as it is pleasant. His hand that is resting between her shoulder blades have some of her wavy strands trapped beneath. Her tresses are much softer and silkier than he expected. He has this strange urge to glide his fingers over their length.
Once those long few seconds are up, Hotaru takes a large step back and turns so her back is to him, and Shoto merely stares at his hand. He just barely catches sight of her pink cheeks. Do hugs still make her embarrassed? Why? They have embraced many times before. In fact, she's always been the one to do it.
"Sir!" Bubble Girl faces Sir Nighteye with widened eyes. "Did you see that? The spell was broken with their strong feelings of lov—!"
"I'm sorry." Hotaru suddenly speaks over her, cutting her off and oblivious to the fact that she was even talking. She's bowing lowly and facing her classmates. "I'm really, really, sorry."
Bakugo only lets out a grunt of acknowledgement, while everyone else smiles in relief. Aoyama twirls his way over to her as she straightens up, and Sero moves to give her shoulder a reassuring pat.
"It wasn't your fault." Sero says with a grin, subconsciously looking between her and Shoto with obvious thoughts running through his mind.
"Oui!" Aoyama agrees.
"Is your memory okay, now?" Shoji asks.
"I think so…" Hotaru whispers, bringing her hands together and lowering her eyelids.
She thinks everything over carefully, reminiscing every possible moment. Yes, everything seems fine now. All the missing pages have been restored. She lets out a heavy breath, clasping her hands together even more tightly. It was scary losing all of those precious memories and feeling so lost like she did back then. Her brows knit together in frustration, not being able to believe that she let that villain do that to her.
"Yeah…" Hotaru speaks again, slowly lowering her hands. "I'm okay now."
"What a relief." Bubble Girl sighs out happily. Hotaru looks over, seeing Sir Nighteye walking over to her. She faces him instantly.
"Sir Nighteye," She begins, giving yet another apologetic bow while her eyelids clamp together. "I'm sorry for attacking you."
"It was a pitiful measure." Sir Nighteye states as a matter of fact, making a gloomy aura surround her.
Almost as quickly as it appeared, that gloomy aura of her fades when his hand settles atop her head. At a slow pace her eyelids raise while her lips gradually part. She looks up at him in surprise, seeing an unfitting guilty expression on his face.
"I wasn't able to prevent this." He says, the lenses of his glasses flashing and briefly shielding his yellow orbs. "I apologize."
He looks really crestfallen at the events that transpired, and something else that's buried that she cannot discern. He must have seen this happening in her future, and he must have tried to prevent it. He's apologizing for something that isn't his fault.
"There's no need for you to apologize, Sir." Hotaru starts up with a gentle smile, straightening up. "I won't be accepting that apology. But, if you really want me to accept it, you can take a picture with me—"
"That was almost funny." He lightly uses his hand to bonk the top of her head, moving away from her and towards a snickering Bubble Girl.
Hotaru rubs the crown of her head with a small pout, Sir Nighteye moving away making Endeavor in her sight. Instantly, she throws him the dirtiest look possible. His already irritable expression grows even more so.
"You'd do well to watch yourself, Girl!" He barks out.
"You'd do well to watch yourself, too." She glares, bringing her hands to her hips in an impudent manner. "Like I'd forgive you anytime soon."
"This again? I wasn't aware that—!"
"That I was outside of your office? Yeah, right." She scoffs, running her fingers through her hair angrily. "I bet you wanted to hit me with that damn door. I should shock you for that, asshole!"
The people that were present when Endeavor knocked Hotaru out with the door stare at her in complete bewilderment. Endeavor's flames dim for a split second, and his fingers that were curled so tightly straighten out. What? Now she remembers how she got knocked out?
"D-Did she just call the Number Two Hero an 'asshole?'" Sero whispers over to his classmates in shock, and Bakugo snorts.
"Then," Endeavor starts up, too skeptical to care about how she called him an "asshole" once again. "Do you not remember the fish—?"
"Of course I remember the fish tank!" She jabs a finger at him. "I still expect it to be cleaned by the end of the week! I will be checking personally to see if it's done. So, if you value your life, you'll make sure it's spotless!"
"You insolent girl!" Endeavor stomps closer to her, glaring down at her unfazed form as he towers over her. "Do you think you have the authority to give me orders?"
"In this situation, yes. Yes, I do—"
Hotaru's words are cut short when Shoto pulls her away from the volcanic Endeavor by her shoulders. She blinks a few times in bewilderment, tilting her head back to take in Shoto's displeased face.
"Can we get the fuck out of here?! Or, are we just going to stand here forever?!" Bakugo suddenly roars with a popping vein, and Hotaru's eyes enlarge as she remembers something.
"Wait!" She faces the Pro Heroes desperately, pointing down the direction she originally came. "We can't leave yet. Someone down there is hurt really badly." After that, she gasps while looking around in a panic. "And, Akito. Where is he?"
"Don't worry." Shoji quells her worry about the child. "He's right here."
Hotaru runs over to him quickly, resulting in Shoto's touch to fall away. She lets out a relieved breath when she sees Akito peek out from the tentacles he's safely confined in. She gives him a kind smile and holds out her hand to him.
"Thank goodness…" She begins to say, until he shrinks back in fright.
Slowly, she lowers her hand while something dismal flickers in her silvery orbs. That reaction makes sense after he has seen her as a villain. It's wise of him to not take her hand and be cautious. She commends him for that, yet it still feels like a punch to her gut. Shoji notices her disheartened expression and looks over his shoulder at Akito.
"It's okay. She's—"
"Don't worry about it." Hotaru forces a smile, waving her hand back and forth through the muggy air. "It's natural and smart on his behalf. If he feels safe with you, then," She gives a helpless shrug. "Isn't everything alright?"
Before he can answer that and show his uncertainty, she spins around and faces the Pro Heroes with her hands clasped together tightly. She's gazing at them awaitingly for what they choose to do next.
"We should help that person who's hurt." Bubble Girl states instantly.
"I agree. However…" Sir Nighteye looks over all of the U.A. students.
Usually he wouldn't think twice about helping that person right away. However, the kids before him besides Endeavor's son are all victims in this criminal act. He needs to make sure they get to safety. On top of that, something strikes him as strange.
The villain that's lurking down here, why haven't they appeared yet? They are lying in wait somewhere and perhaps even watching them from the shadows. This person that's hurt further ahead may as well be bait. It would be unwise to lead everyone back in that direction where danger is lurking. His first priority is to get these children to safety.
"You get these kids out of here." Endeavor instructs, pointing at Sir Nighteye. "Leave the villain to me. Shoto, let's go!"
That makes Hotaru grow rigid instantly. Her head turns in Shoto's direction while her brows knit together. After knowing what that villain is capable of, she doesn't want Shoto going anywhere near her. What if his mind is backtracked just like hers was? Would he be sad like back then? His eyes, would they be so tearful and bring about a familiar heartache? At that thought, his reassuring gaze meets her own. It's like he knows exactly what she's thinking.
"I'll be fine." He tells her, and his confident tone makes her smile.
She really shouldn't worry. Shoto's one of the strongest people she knows, and he's much stronger than her. On top of that, his father is the flaming prick Endeavor. Despite that man's crudeness, he's an outstanding hero. That's a fact she can't ignore. He'll protect Shoto, and should Shoto fall into the same trap as she did, she'll pull him out of it just like he did for her.
"Right." She says softly, not being able to disagree with that. She holds out her fist to him. "Beat her up!"
"Okay." He nods, bumping his fist against hers while Bakugo erupts.
"I ain't running!"
Before anyone can respond to his livid words, footsteps start echoing. Aoyama squeaks and ducks behind Hotaru, wrapping himself up in his glittery cape while somehow clutching her arm in the process. The Pro Heroes move forward. Everyone stares into the shadows in anticipation, and Bakugo sneers and raises his explosive palms.
"About time you came out of hiding, you stupid, fucking, piece of—!"
"Your attitude is still so unpleasant." A voice sighs out, vexed. "And your hair has returned to its original state…"
Bakugo's entire form freezes over instantly at the person who steps out of the shadows and into the light of Endeavor's flames. It's a man enveloped in denim. He's tall, his hair in a similar style as what Bakugo's was earlier. It's the Pro Hero, Best Jeanist. Hotaru stares at him with a slightly opened mouth.
He's moving so elegantly in that getup. Whenever she wears denim, she feels so restrained. She peeks over at Bakugo, seeing he's standing further back than originally as if to avoid Best Jeanist. She supposes he should be skittish after insulting the Pro Hero like that, even if it wasn't intentionally.
"You are quite the piece of work." Best Jeanist comes to a stop before them all, flicking his hair while his hip juts out. "It took me longer to find you than I thought. And…"
His eyes narrow the tiniest bit as he takes in the alarming number of U.A. students trapped down here. This is unexpected. He was made aware of the other Pro Heroes down here, but not these children. What is the villain down here planning, exactly? Are they trying to rid the next generation of heroes?
"Hold on. Did you not run into any villains? Or, someone who needs help?" Bubble Girl speaks up and voices what many are curious about, pointing down the path he came.
"No one." Best Jeanist answers.
"...That's concerning." Sero laughs nervously, sweat forming on his temple.
"O-Oui!" Aoyama nods instantly, and one of Shoji's many ears twitch.
"I hear something." He announces.
As if on cue, there is a tiny splash that sounds out. Hotaru looks over at the waterway next to them along with everyone else. The red of Endeavor's flames reflect upon the surface, flickering without restraint. At a slow pace, her eyes widen. There's something else flickering.
Suddenly, there is a loud bang and water spews skywards. Akito whimpers in fright. Droplets hit the brick ceiling and rain down. Puddles form and liquid soaks into her attire, and Hotaru nearly gags through the splattering noise. The horrid shower ends almost as soon as it started, and Aoyama lets out a screech in his drenched state.
"H-How can this happen?!" He cries out in agony, and Bakugo curses loudly.
"You gotta be shitting me! Literally, fucking, shitting me! Who the fuck—?!"
"Watch your language." Best Jeanist scolds him instantly. "It's just rainwater."
"Mixed with other junk, I bet." Hotaru can't help but mutter, her eyelid twitching in irritation.
If it's just rainwater, why does it smell so foul? Perhaps it's been sitting still for a while. She channels lightning within herself, making her body temperature rise so greatly that all the water tarnishing her evaporates with an audible sizzle.
"That's not fair!" Sero whines at how she's able to clean herself off just like that, and just when Shoto and Endeavor do something similar with their flames.
"We need to go." Sir Nighteye quickly speaks up, seeing another flicker of red from within the water.
"This way, everyone!" Bubble Girl waves everyone along.
"I ain't running—!" Bakugo starts to protest.
This time, instead of Sero being the one to drag a resistant Bakugo along with his tape, Best Jeanist does with his fibers.
Everyone runs after Bubble Girl and Sir Nighteye, travelling quickly towards a ladder leading to the surface at the very end of the waterway. Another blast makes the air quiver and more water erupts. Fortunately, no one is drenched this time. Hotaru's eyes narrow the tiniest bit.
Whatever's in the water, grenades or someone's Quirk, doesn't seem like they are aiming for them specifically. They are running straight into a trap. It's like a fisherman dropping a net into the water to snare fish. Aren't they playing right into the villain's hand? Something else is concerning, too.
With this many Pro Heroes present, a wise villain would have tried to escape instead of continuing this conflict. This villain must be really dumb or have a plan they are extremely confident in. Are the Pros aware of this?
"Aren't we doing exactly what they want us to do?" Hotaru asks through her heavy breaths.
"Sometimes heroes must take risks." Sir Nighteye answers, and she stares at the back of his head.
Although that's true and better than standing by mini detonating bombs, she can't shake off this unease she's feeling in the pit of her stomach. Goosebumps sprout cover her flesh and she shivers. She has the chills. Something definitely isn't right.
"There!" Bubble Girl suddenly yells, and Hotaru looks ahead.
Someone is standing within the shadows and she can't discern their looks. Countless bubbles form in Bubble Girl's palm, and she sends those glistening spheres floating in their direction. Sir Nighteye and Beat Jeanist move to assist her. A sudden clang sounds from behind her, and she turns around along with Shoto and Endeavor. The Pro Heroes have her and her classmates fenced in as they ready for battle, but villains also have them surrounded.
She raises her hand in front of her, blue sparks coming to life in her palm. Before she can illuminate their surroundings further to reveal the villains, there's a loud bang. Her breath hitches. A gunshot. Fortunately, it wasn't a bullet that was shot. But, what is launched isn't much better.
There's a lashing sound and something coils firmly around her ankle. She looks down instantly to see a steel bolas weapon responsible. There's a rope attached to it that stretches deep into the separate path she's standing next to. Nobody else has noticed it yet. Everything is happening so quickly and many sounds are acting as diversions. There's a tug and she starts to utter.
"Oh, shit—"
Her own startled yelp cuts her off when she's no longer on her feet and being dragged away at an extremely fast pace. She curses repeatedly every time her bottom goes over a rugged part of the ground. Shadows swallow her whole before she even knows it and she grows shades lighter. She's being dragged along fast, and it's so dark. She can't see a thing.
"Taru!" Shoto yells, running after her instantly.
His heavy tone that's laced with worry makes her breath get caught in her throat. Every time he calls her name so loudly like that, it's because she's in trouble. Whether it's moments like this or her own actions, she always troubled him, hasn't she? Her jaw painfully stiffens, and her eyelids lower halfway in frustration.
"I-I'm fine!" She calls back, her voice quivering from her body moving across the rough ground, along with the boiling up irritation inside of her.
She doesn't want to make him worry anymore. She doesn't want anyone to worry for her sake. Never has she wanted that, yet so many people ignore that want. Someone like her shouldn't be worried over. If only she was more competent, this wouldn't even be a problem. She glares ahead and takes aim. Whoever's at the end of this rope should be straight ahead.
Her eyes glow and static tickles her flesh as lightning forms. She's not going to show no mercy to whoever lies ahead. She's in a terribly bad mood now which is quite unfortunate for them. The shadows engulfing her start to diminish.
A vivid blue bolt shoots from her fingertip. The sound of impact follows almost instantly, and she's no longer being dragged. Her lightning vanishes almost as quickly as it appeared, but not quick enough to make a pair of silver orbs go unnoticed.
"N-No…" She breathes out, scooting backwards subconsciously.
The sensation of nipping ice spreading throughout her veins makes itself known, along with the sensation of lead filling her stomach. She knows those eyes. She stared into them many times. He can't be here. Not when Shoto's…!
She hears the sound of Shoto's rapidly approaching footsteps, and she quivers as a result. No. He can't come any closer. She looks over her shoulder quickly. It's too dark for her to see anything. That's an easy problem to fix, but she's scared to see her dad in front of her. Despite that, she's not scared enough to not safeguard her best friend who's running to do the same for her. At least this is something she's always been good at—risking it all to protect those she cares about.
Pushing onto her feet, she raises her dangerously sparking fist and runs forward. The voltage she's letting off results in a loud boom of thunder. Those silver orbs are visible again along with much more of her surroundings than before. She freezes and her irises shrink. Instead of her father she's face to face with, it's herself. She's staring at herself through reflective glass.
There's a mirror in front of her that's extremely out of place—an entire vanity with makeup atop its structure. Half of it is scorched as a result of it getting struck by her lightning. She mistook her own eyes… as her father's? Her own reflection becomes cloudy as she gasps heavily. This dark and enclosed place is getting to her. She shakes her head to snap out of it, and a voice whispers in her ear.
"Do you hate yourself?"
Hotaru turns her head and is immediately greeted with a knife to her throat. Eerie pink eyes are staring into her own, and long ivory tresses are swirled around them both across the ground. Sweat forms on Hotaru's temple. This is the villain one who messed with her head.
She was so out of it she didn't even hear her approach. How did she even get here? Wasn't she far back in the other direction? There's no way she could have looped around, because where they are now is a dead end.
"Well, do you?" She repeats in her unusually soft voice. Hotaru starts to move, and the tip of her knife suddenly is able to be felt against her flesh. "You shouldn't move, my doll. I don't want to have to kill someone so tragically beautiful."
"You shouldn't talk as if you're the one in control." Hotaru snaps back. "I can kill you much faster than you can kill me… bitch."
"Oh my," She lets out a gentle laugh at that foul word. "You really hate me, don't you? Are you frustrated that I tampered with your memories? I apologize. This time, I'll send you back a little further to when you weren't so disoriented."
"Get away from me!"
Hotaru discharges lightning and forces the villain to jump back. As she does, she sends a series of throwing needles her way. Just how many weapons does she have beneath her cloak? Hotaru's teeth bare slightly and she somersaults out of the way, using her lightning to counter against the steel spikes. However, her poor luck doesn't allow for her to stop them all. One of them nicks the top of her foot.
She glances down instantly to see a clean cut in her attire, and a tiny trail of blood seeping out of the wound. It's not very deep and nothing to be concerned about, but it still pisses her off. She glares intensely ahead at the villain, and just as hot fire consumes her.
"E-Endeavor!" Hotaru looks over, seeing Endeavor standing there with his violently flickering flames.
"Are you hurt, Girl?" He asks, his turquoise eyes zoning in on her.
"No…" She whispers, her fingers fiddling with her hair. As she straightens up, she resists the urge to rub at her throbbing backside. She's sure that's going to bruise. "Well, not really—"
"Get over here!" He barks at her, and she can't help but jump.
"O-Okay!"
She runs on over to him and maneuvers so she's right behind his much bigger frame. Afterwards, she looks over her shoulder with furrowed brows. She was sure Shoto was running after her, but only Endeavor is here. Not only that, she's curious about everyone else.
"Where's everyone else? Is Shoto okay?" She murmurs. "I could have sworn he was right behind me..."
"They are holding their own. Worry about the enemy before you, girl. Heroes can't afford to be distracted."
Did the Endeavor actually give her some heroic tips? Her lips purse. What he said wasn't wrong. At least, for the most part. She folds her arms over her chest with a stubborn huff, shifting her weight in the process.
"My hero name is 'Tempest.'" She informs him. "Not, 'Girl.'"
"I'll only call you by your pathetic hero name when you no longer refer to me as an 'asshole.'"
"But, you are one."
"And you're nothing but an infuriating, incapable, pitiful, brat!"
Her lips curve upwards slightly, and his eyes widen the tiniest bit. Once again, he's not wrong, but she won't admit that out loud to him. This whole situation she's caught up in is making her realize how disappointing she still is.
"Your orders then, Endeavor?" She inquires, moving so she's standing by his side. She extends her hand and points ahead with her finger-gun, sparks embellishing her. "Just this once I'll give you the pleasure of bossing me around."
"Tsk. The last thing I'll ever need is assistance from you…"
He trails off when his flaming attack diminishes. The villain is nowhere in sight. Hotaru's eyes widen considerably as a result. Did he literally turn her into a pile of ashes? It's not like she has a problem with that because she was considering doing the same, but it's still quite shocking.
"Did she disintegrate?" Hotaru mutters, and Endeavor raises his fist angrily with vanishing pupils.
"No!"
That's not it at all. The temperature of the flames he used weren't nearly hot enough to result in that happening. His attack was nothing but a warning, only capable of bestowing mild burns to force her back. This villain slipped away somewhere like the sewer rat she is, and she did it so shrewdly that even he wasn't able to detect it. He catches sight of a burning cloak sticking out of a pipe.
"There, maybe?" Hotaru guesses, pointing right where he's looking.
It sure seems like that's where the villain slipped away to, but he's skeptical. He gazes down at Hotaru who's keenly looking around for any other clues of the villain's whereabouts. Her silvery orbs hover over the waterway.
"Do you remember what you said to me before?" She asks suddenly. "Back when I was exactly as my father wanted me to be?"
"What are you talking about?" He frowns deeply.
"I've always been really indecisive." She answers quietly and in a tone he can barely pick up. "Even back then when I did nothing but do as I was told, when I believed that I was doing right by doing wrong. I really tried to block everything out, but deep down I couldn't forget that feeling. I only recently started feeling it again. I was far too sensitive back then, and I'm only now just learning how to recognize and disregard what's necessary. It's disappointing, really. Although, I don't hate myself for it."
Endeavor merely stares at her with the dullest expression yet. Why is she spouting her innermost feelings to him? And in such an enigmatic way? He couldn't care less. Her fingers curl into fists and her eyelids lower briefly.
"There. That's my number one weakness after high temperatures." She says, peering up at him through her lashes with a smile.
"I must have hit your head harder than I thought…" He grumbles, and she waves him off.
"You always know just what to say, Endeavor."
How she puts extra emphasis on the word "say" makes realization dawn on him. That peculiar little speech she delivered replays in his head. Now that he actually analyzes it, he understands it. It should've been obvious back then and even now. Her greatest weakness is words. But, not just any words, and not words just from anyone.
Words from those she admires, the offering of kindness in which she lived so long without, those who reached out to her, those who saved her, and those she trusts… she's sensitive to them all. He looks away from her with a tightened jaw. What a pushover, she is. Always seeming to be hanging from a thread. He's starting to question if she's truly Lightning Beast's daughter.
He looks down at the murky water, watching as a tiny swirl glides across the surface. His eyes narrow slightly as some blank spaces are filled. Where the villain is hiding, and why that girl said what she did. He looks over at her, seeing her hands clasped together tightly behind her back as she stares at the water with a troubled expression further.
"Girl," He abruptly addresses her, and her lips downturn.
"Taru!" A familiar voice yells out before Endeavor can say anything else.
Quickly, Hotaru turns her head to see Shoto running in their direction. Relief is evident on his features at the sight of her, but there is also annoyance at the sight of Endeavor. The water stirs and Hotaru grows tense.
"She's…!" She whispers.
Endeavor moves in front of her promptly, nudging her roughly behind him in a protective, yet rough manner. Hotaru gasps as she watches as the villain's soaked form emerges from the water with great force, causing a miniature downpour. Even though she's right in Endeavor's flaming path, she's grinning and looking right at her. Something isn't right. This villain is way too confident.
"Behind you, Taru!" Shoto suddenly yells, and she turns around quickly to see the exact same villain behind her. No, not the exact same. Their different people with the same features. Now it makes sense. She thought it was strange how she came and went, and how she didn't pursue when she fell into her trap the first time.
Sparks start to swirl around her form as she gets ready to counter this villain's pathetic attempt to attack her. It's an attack that she can stop easily, but when she notices her sparks beginning to travel across the soaked ground her breath hitches. If only she were alone, she would've been able to stop it.
She puts out her lightning quickly before it can shock Shoto or Endeavor, and as a result she's pinned against the wall and seemingly frozen in time at this villain's touch. It's really frustrating. This dark place, the fact that she can't use her Quirk without the possibility of shocking those she doesn't intend to, and having her mind be rewound once again.
The villain caresses Hotaru's face and whispers to her words she can't distinguish. Ice rams into the villain's form and sends her flying off of her. No longer being held upright, Hotaru falls onto her knees with clouded eyes.
"There were two?" Endeavor barks out with bared teeth, looking away from the villain he just defeated who is now unconscious on the ground.
"Yes." The villain who was hit by Shoto's ice giggles softly. "I'm Temptress, a manipulator of minds. And that over there is my dear twin sister who is identical to I, Lorelei. We made a mistake before, but now we have made up for it. The two of you will now end here in our fortress."
Shoto quickly runs over to Hotaru. She is sitting on her knees and staring blankly ahead, remaining still even as he crouches in front of her. He holds his hand out to her with a crease in his brow.
"Taru. Are you okay?"
Her lips curve upwards atrociously, and Endeavor moves quickly. He grabs Shoto by his arm and pulls him away from her, resulting in Shoto throwing him a heated glare. Endeavor is unfazed by his son's childish temper. Temptress laughs from off to the side. Slowly, she rises onto her feet just as Hotaru does.
"Let go of me." Shoto bites out in disgust, yanking his arm out of Endeavor's grip.
"That girl isn't stable. Right now…" Endeavor's eyes narrow as Hotaru faces them. He recognizes that deranged poise. "She sees everyone only as things to kill."
"But, she's not inhuman." Shoto instantly rebukes, shaking his head while his hands form fists.
While it may be true that right now her mind is so clouded and she only knows how to kill, she's still Hotaru nonetheless. That's still his best friend standing right there. He bites down harshly on the inside of his cheek. His best friend who he wasn't quick enough to save. His best friend… who is enduring her dark past once again.
"She's always been sensitive…" He murmurs more to himself than his old man. "She doesn't see things like that..."
"But, she does." Temptress laughs, walking forward with her hands cupped together. There's a floating pink orb being held by her with transparent pictures flashing through it. "This girl's memories, her life, it's so beautifully tragic. These memories… are so fragile and profound. The amount of fear and hatred, it's a stunning combination. I'm jealous."
"Give her back her memories." Shoto says in a low and dangerous voice, and Hotaru's eyes widen the tiniest bit.
"Shoto. I'll handle this." Endeavor steps in front of his furious son. "Now, watch me from behind!"
Hotaru stares at Shoto before she zones in on Endeavor—the man she's supposed to kill. He's the one she's been searching for. She's forced to look away from him when she feels something being placed in her hand. Looking down, she sees Temptress giving her a knife.
"Don't you hate him for what he did to your father?" Temptress whispers in Hotaru's ear, staring ahead at Endeavor. "Don't you want to disembowel him? You don't need to hold back. Do as you've always done."
After that, silver clashes with turquoise. Endeavor slowly smirks and Temptress falls back to enjoy the show. Hotaru's grip tightens on her knife when he comes to a stop before her. The smirk he wears fades away and a more deliberate expression overtakes his face.
"Endeavor…" She bites out, and he replies with words that are oh so familiar.
"You're living in a false reality."
Her silvery irises shrink in size and her features tremble. She feels cold all of a sudden. A false reality? Slowly, she redirects her gaze to the ground. Now she's tired and more frustrated than before.
"...Thank you." She whispers, and Temptress tilts her head in confusion.
"What's this? Don't you hate him, my beautifully tragic—?"
Her words are cut short when Hotaru flings her knife over her shoulder, staring at the ground the entire time. The sharp blade impales the villain in the leg, making her cry out and fall to the ground. She stares at Hotaru in shock and fear, even shrinking back when her deadly cyan eyes lock onto hers.
How could this girl break free from her mind spell once again? The only thing that can demolish her spell is a strong emotional shock. Is she truly that susceptible? Although, Endeavor's child did interrupt her mid-spell. It is also possible she left some gaps in her memory that made it easier for her to put the pieces together. Despite that, what's with this murderous intent she's letting off? This girl is nothing like she originally thought.
"I hate people like you more than anything else…!" Hotaru whispers heavily, her shoulders trembling as her vision blurs. Her teeth are bared as she glares so intensely, fighting with the overwhelming urge to wound this villain further.
This time, not all of her memory was lost. She was able to put things together much more quickly than before, but her past is still fresh in her mind. Her mistakes, how she acted, everything has come forth and now she's struggling to bury it once more.
"Girl, get a hold of yourself." Endeavor struts past her and towards the immobile villain, getting ready to finish her off. "Right now, you look just like him."
Her fingers that were curled tightly so limp, and the muscles in her chin tremble briefly. The sparks embellishing her that she was struggling to keep at bay fade in an instant. A distasteful numbness engulfs her. Despite that, it doesn't do anything to prevent her from feeling Shoto grabbing her hand.
She can't bring herself to look at him. Her throat is tight to the point she can't manage to speak any words. There are so many thoughts weighing heavily on her mind, and even insecurities she had thought she conquered. Her eyes sting.
"Taru…?" Shoto questions worriedly.
She's keeping her head downcast and there's an obvious tremble in her appendages. Just as he starts to lean forward slightly so he can see her face, she turns her head in the opposite direction to prevent him from doing just that, and suddenly he's staring at their hands.
She's holding onto his hand, too.
•○●○•
"Tempest," Sir Nighteye stands before Hotaru with that same guilty expression as before. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah." She gives him a thumbs up with a grin. "I'm fine. You really shouldn't worry for my sake, Sir."
His yellow eyes narrow slightly at her joyous grin, and even more so at her words. She's gazing up at him brightly from her seated position almost as if she doesn't care about a thing. He lets out a heavy breath, adjusting his glasses with his index finger.
"To not worry wouldn't make me a good mentor and would result in me being an insufficient hero." He states as a matter of fact, and she sticks her tongue out.
"I'm really fine, though. See?" She stands up, extending her arms and doing a twirl that is admittedly adorable. "I'm completely unharmed."
"Even so, I take full responsibility for what transpired. I should have been more vigilant." He begins, looking up at the starry sky. "Once again, I couldn't prevent a future I'm aware of."
After that, Hotaru's smile fades slightly. Sir Nighteye really does seem sensitive when it comes to his Quirk, and especially at his failed attempts to prevent something he knows about beforehand. She's getting a better understanding of him now, and even how his Quirk works. Her expression softens into something more placid as she looks off to the side.
"Your Quirk isn't that omnipotent." She begins gently, watching as search and rescue teams enter the underground sewer. "The future is never guaranteed. Even what you see—I bet things aren't a hundred percent accurate. Maybe big events are similar, but there's something you can't predict no matter how hard you try."
"Something I can't predict?" He can't help but to repeat, and she nods as he looks back down at her.
"The little details in-between those events." She answers, holding up her finger in a smart gesture. "Those things add up, you know. And they're just as important if not more important. They can't be ignored. They are like the water fish live in—the source of their life. I know that all too well. And this future that you tried to prevent, I'm glad it happened. It made me realize a lot..."
She holds her hands up in front of her, her fingers curling into determined fists. Even though what happened was frightening and unpleasant, it was necessary. She has so many shortcomings and she needs to address them. As she is right now, she's the furthest from satisfied. There's no way she can be a hero at this rate.
"Is this tied to the 'negativity is necessary' thing you were spouting about before?" Sir Nighteye questions.
"Yeah…" She answers wistfully, bowing lowly to him in a pleading manner. "Sir Nighteye, I haven't really been taking things seriously since the start of this internship." Suddenly, she shakes her head. "N-No, I shouldn't say it like that. I've been complaining a lot, and I know I can do so much better. Acting as a hero on my own down there, I made so many mistakes. There were so many times I thought 'if I was alone, I could do this and that.' But, a hero shouldn't think like that. I want to be able to save people and even myself no matter what. I'm really, really, really, weak. I'm incapable and insecure. I've always been. So, p-please," Her eyelids clamp together. "Please, teach me how to be a proper hero! A really strong hero… who doesn't trouble anyone. A hero..." She ducks her head. "...who can save people, even if it's just with words. I promise I'll try harder!"
Surprise crosses Sir Nighteye's features as he stares down at her. The pure desperation in her voice, her audibly acknowledging her shortcomings and mistakes, and how she's unaware of the fact that she just consoled him before this pleading episode is shocking to him. He didn't foresee this. He can't help but wonder if this is the 'small details' he can't predict. Although, this moment doesn't seem small in the slightest.
"I already informed you that I would shape you into a fine hero." He reminds her, and she straightens up with pink cheeks. "And, a fine hero is what you will become. Consider it a promise. Hotaru Aihara,"
He places his hand atop her head, making her cheeks turn even more rosy as a result. She peeks up at him through her lashes with a tiny pout and puffed out cheeks. His lips curve upwards into a smile that makes her gasp silently.
"Thank you." He says, his head tilting ever so slightly. "There are still some more things that need to be done here before we can head back. In the meantime, wait here and rest. I believe you deserve it."
He ruffles up her hair before moving towards the emergency vehicles where Bubble Girl is, and her hair becomes even more ruffled at a strong night breeze. She stares after Sir Nighteye breathlessly, confusion flourishing from inside her. What did he thank her for?
Suddenly, she turns her head to see Shoto standing nearby. He's looking after Sir Nighteye with widened eyes, then looking over at her with a curious stare. She tenses from head to toe and looks away from him instantly. Did he hear what she said just now? With how he appears right now, it's most likely.
Embarrassing.
"W-What?" She stutters out, fiddling with her hands while trying to get the excessive blood that is still invading into her cheeks to go away.
"I didn't know he was capable of smiling." He answers, walking closer to her.
"Everyone is capable of smiling." She grumbles, shifting her weight from side to side.
"Around you, yeah."
"W-What's that supposed to mean?!" She faces him with a feeble glare.
"I don't know."
"Hmph."
"And, the kind of hero you want to become—"
"You weren't supposed to hear that!"
"I know. But, I'm glad I did."
Hotaru huffs and sits down where she was originally seated. Why's he glad to know that? Her lower lip protrudes, and she crosses her arms over her chest. Well, whatever. If someone else had to know that, she doesn't mind if it's him. It's still embarrassing, though. Perhaps she should have waited until they were back at the agency to beg like that.
Shoto watches as she tucks some strands of her hair behind her ear. She's sitting atop the edge of a large wishing fountain that's made of gray bricks, round in shape. There's an ornate stream of water shooting skywards from the center of it, creating many ripples along with a splashing sound. From where he's standing, the geyser of water is right behind Hotaru, complementing her form along with the light from the full moon.
He moves over and takes a seat next to her, although far enough away so there's a considerable gap between them. Hotaru looks up at the night sky, taking in the many stars. Her cheeks still hold a warm glow even as she speaks.
"Where's everyone else?" She asks.
"They are helping search for victims with the Pros." He answers.
"And that little boy, Akito?"
"At a nearby hospital to get his injuries tended to."
"I see. Well, that's good." She smiles and lowers her eyelids. "What about you, then? Shouldn't you be helping out, too?"
He doesn't answer her right away, making her look over at him to see him already looking back at her. There's an abrupt staggering sensation in her chest. It's so intense that she brings her hand over it. Even her stomach seems to twist and turn. It feels as if she's melting, especially at his next spoken words.
"I was worried about you." He admits, redirecting his gaze towards his feet.
She smiles slightly, turning so her body is facing him. The glistening water grabs her attention along with the many sleek coins within it that glow under the moonlight. She brings one of her legs up onto the edge of the fountain with her as she stares into the shallow water.
"You don't have to worry about me, Shoroki." She says softly.
"You can spend years worrying about me, but I can't spend a moment worrying about you?" He argues instantly with a frown.
"When you put it that way, it does sound unfair." She acknowledges with a small shrug.
"It is."
"Can you let me be unfair just this once?"
"No."
"Meanie." She murmurs, resting her chin atop her knee. "I worry people too much. I'd feel better if at least you didn't worry."
"Why aren't you helping?" He asks suddenly, and her brows knit together as she ducks her head slightly.
"Because…" She trails off, biting down on her lower lip in affliction as she does.
Shoto's frown deepens. That's why he's worried. He knows that behind her smiles are underlying tribulations. She just got done having all of her past mistakes and regrets thrown right at her face.
Instead of helping, she's been sitting as far away from all the action as possible and all alone. It's only natural for him to worry, and perhaps it's natural for her to not be used to people worrying over her. However, she's going to have to get used to it. Unlike before, there are many people who care about her now, and he's one of those people.
"Because?" He pries shamelessly.
"Because…" She swallows thickly. "I'm scared of dark enclosed places like that, and I'm feeling a bit down right now… I guess. It looks like everything is under control right now, too. So, I figured I'd just stay out of the way. That's all."
She answers him honestly although a bit hesitantly, and his eyes widen a notch. It was quite obvious to him that she was feeling down, but he wouldn't even have guessed that she was scared of dark places. He wonders what brought about that fear. That silent question of his doesn't matter though. Was she scared the whole time she was trapped down there? He wishes he could've saved her sooner. Really, he wishes tonight didn't happen at all.
"Sorry…" He apologies quietly, and she lets out a weak laugh.
"Don't you start apologizing too." She lowers her head so her hair falls over her face. "Seriously, you'll make me cry."
His eyelids lower slightly at the irony. How is that now she's the crybaby? The tables have turned from back when they were little toddlers. Nevertheless, he noticed she's been fighting back tears this whole time. He looks skywards.
Even though she's upset, she's unharmed for the most part. It seems Sir Nighteye was right all along about things turning out alright. As he remembers their conversation, he faces Hotaru habitually. Sir Nighteye said she would only have one scratch. Was he right about that, too?
"Are you hurt?" He questions abruptly, and she peeks over at him with her glassy eyes. She seems confused for a brief moment as she thinks over that question.
"Um... no. Not really," She answers slowly. "I just had a small scratch on my foot, but…"
She trails off when she looks down at her foot on the ground, seeing red soaked into her costume along the fine tear in it. She blinks a few times with parted lips, now becoming aware of the stinging sensation. Was the cut deeper than she thought? Or, is the blood just making it look worse than it actually is? She leans down and studies it.
"That's a 'small' scratch?" He inquires dully, looking at her with an equally dull expression.
"Compared to other scratches I've had, definitely. Don't worry about it. It will stop bleeding sooner or later. Look," She points at her wound. "It's slowing down already."
"...Taru." He says her name delicately, and somehow weaving in something exasperated in his tone.
"Hm?" She hums in response and with a smile, wiggling her foot.
Shoto's hand enters her line of sight, and her jaw slackens while the warmth in her cheeks returns much more intense than before. He picks up her foot gently, bringing it off of the ground and placing it in his lap. Her body becomes rigid while the organ in her chest becomes just the opposite.
"I'll wrap it up for you." He states, already pulling a metal capsule off of his utility belt.
"A-Are you sure?" She stammers out, reaching towards his hand. "Y-You really don't have to trouble yourself—!"
"I'm sure." He reassures her, then adding something on that makes her scoff. "This is also good practice for me."
"Then, practice away." She stubbornly waves him off and leans back on the heels of her hands, pouting.
As she watches him tend to her foot, her pout fades away. When he begins wiping away the blood with a cloth, she studies his face. His eyes shine placidly, and the moonlight beyond him casts perfectly sculpted highlights and shadows. When the wind blows, his hair that looks so soft drifts in a pleasant dance. She takes notice of his strong jawline and even the scar on his face. Everything about him is faultless.
Her lashes flutter at her sudden awestruck blinks. She thought he was handsome back when they were younger, and his eyes have always been pretty to her. How is it that right here and now, they are more than that? He really is bewitching to her. This feeling rising up from her chest, what is it?
Before Shoto properly disinfects her cut with an alcohol wipe, he looks over to warn her about how it will sting. The moment he turns his head, he freezes at the sight of her face that's closer than before.
She's staring right at him with her perfectly round silvery eyes. With the night scenery, and even the water patterns dancing across her face and form, they seem to glow like the stars above, even resembling the many bright coins within the fountain.
From the way her dark strands of hair flow with the breeze and frame her heart-shaped face, and how her pink cheeks match the pink of her lips, everything about her makes something surge in his chest. He always thought she was pretty, and her eyes were something that always drew him in. How can someone grow more and more beautiful with every glance?
"T-This…" He regrettably stutters. "Might sting."
"That's okay." She mutters, looking back down at her foot the moment he does.
He disinfects her wound with the wet wipe, and she doesn't flinch at the sting. Once he finishes that he wraps her foot up skillfully with a bandage. Her lips curve upwards when he sets her foot back down on the ground as if she wasn't capable of doing that herself.
"Thank you, Sho."
"You're welcome."
"Really, thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Really, really, thank you."
"...Really," He brings his hand behind his neck sheepishly with furrowed brows. "You're welcome—"
His words get cut short and his hands fall down to grip the edge of the fountain at the sudden extra weight. He stares ahead with widened eyes as he tries to process what's happening. She's hugging him. Her arms are coiled around him tightly while her chin rests over the space between his shoulder and neck. Confusion fills him to the brim.
"You're not embarrassed?" He questions, and her hold on him tightens.
"O-Of course I am."
"Why?"
Hotaru stares at her reflection on the water. Her lips purse and she somewhat buries her face in the crook of his neck, still unsettled from seeing her reflection earlier. She tries to hunt for an answer to his question, and many things pop into her mind. Yet, she can't bring herself to say any of them. She's sure her younger self would have no problems saying those things out loud. Why is it so different now?
"Because, you're Shoto Todoroki." She answers, her eyelids clamping together as she starts to panic. "And I… You're my… I-I just… um…"
"Are you—?" He starts to say.
"I like you a lot!" She blurts, and his lips part.
"...Crying?" He pathetically finishes his question despite the daze he's now in.
"Just shut up and take these stupid tears!"
He remains motionless for a few seconds, feeling her salty tears soak into his attire. She gets embarrassed because she likes him? Is that right? He likes her too, but he doesn't see what's so embarrassing about this. He lets out a breath heavier than the rest and returns her embrace, his arms around her waist.
A couple long minutes go by of him holding onto her as she sheds tears. He lets her cry like this so she can feel better, but it doesn't take him long to want to stop her tears. He tries to think of something to cheer her up like she has done many times for him. It hits him suddenly. He just needs to say or do something stupid.
"I wish I had a coin."
"W-Why?" She snivels, slowly pushing herself off of him although keeping her hands on his shoulders while he keeps his hands on her waist.
"To make a wish." He states, gesturing to the fountain behind them.
She looks over at the fountain with her eyes that are bloodshot from her tears. Sniveling, she looks back at him with a small frown. He wants to make a wish?
"Wishing on stars is better..." She grumbles.
"I'll do that, then."
He tilts his head back and closes his eyes, obviously making his wish. She gazes at him curiously and with the smallest head tilt. With that concentrated expression, he must be wishing for something really big. She can't help but ask.
"What did you wish for?"
"For you to smile." He answers in all seriousness.
He stares up at her as she stares down at him. There's a chirping cricket nearby. Her tears slow as she processes what he just said. There's no way he wished for that. However, how he's looking at her so vigorously proves otherwise.
"That's… a stupid wish."
That's what she says, but she bursts into a fit of giggles. She uses the back of her hand to wipe away the salty trails gliding down her cheeks. Just like that, she's smiling and Shoto is filled with a sense of accomplishment.
"At least my wish actually made sense." He states as a matter of fact, and she playfully punches his arm.
"My wish made plenty of sense!" She argues while moving to sit beside him, resting her head against his shoulder.
"It really didn't."
"Whatever you say, Shoroki."
"Taru."
"What?"
"I like you, too."
~ Next Chapter Sneak Peek:
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Friendship's Pledge
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"Please, Sir Nighteye!" Hotaru's grip tightens on her phone as she gazes at him with pure desperation. "I told him that I would be there for him if he ever needed help. If it wasn't for him, I would've walked away that day. I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for him! I can't ignore this message. A hero should go to those who need help, right?!"
He gazes at her severely and with narrowed eyes. At the start of this internship, she would have been glaring at him right now. Instead, pleading with every fiber of her being. She's altering before him quickly, and he adjusts his glasses with a burdened sigh. He knows what's to come and it's dangerous.
"I have to refuse."
"Then, I'll go by myself!"
"That's what I'm refusing. Let's go." He asserts. "I'll help you save this 'friend' of yours."