Chapter 37
Chains of Love
U.A Highschool, Cafeteria, Noon
"Okay, are you ready?"
Darby and Yui were both just outside of the cafeteria, their hands behind their backs as they hid something from each other.
"Mhm." Yui nodded as she giggled.
"Okay then. One...two..."
"Three!"
Both of them immediately shoved each other's provisional licenses in their faces and smiled."I passed." Both of them said in unison.
"I knew you could make it." Darby coed as they embraced each other."I was rooting for you."
"Me too." She snuggled against his chest."I heard what happened with Kachidoki, so I got worried..."
"It's fine. He has a lot to think about, but he's coming along." He let go of her and simply stared at her eyes."To be honest, I was a bit skeptical about it. But I know he wasn't completely evil."
"I'd say he was misguided." Yui offered her opinion."Like maybe he didn't know what was right or wrong, so he just went ahead and rolled with it."
Darby smiled, his eyes showing a sad tone in them."He says I convinced him to turn around again, but that's not true. Well, in a way, he felt it was shameful of him to keep working with him and get borrowed powers when I got mine by training alone. Anyway, when The Baron showed us to get him and kill me, his father came to our rescue. The person Takashi hated the most for hurting him was giving his life to make sure his son lived another day. He told him he loved him. I wonder what was going through Takashi's head when he heard that."
"He feels guilty about his father's death...just like you were before, right?"
"Yeah..." Darby nodded."We both screwed up big time. But he's in a more delicate position right now. He doesn't know who to trust. Thankfully, Vermillion Ray stirred him in the right direction, towards us. The Baron's plan involved Takashi somehow. He knew Vermillion Ray would come to save him. There's a lot we don't know, but hopefully, that mystery solves itself and soon."
"I see. Please don't try to do anything dumb again, okay?" Yui pouted."After all, we have to celebrate our big accomplishment."
"Oh, right. Sorry I got a bit gloomy just now." Darby chuckled sheepishly."So, what do you have in mind? Wanna just hang out with me?"
"Actually..." She fidgeted a bit, looking around nervously."I was hoping you'd want to come with me and my parents to have dinner...tonight..."
"Huh." Darby blinked a few times, unresponding."Ah, right! I left the stove on! Silly me!" Darby took a few steps back but Yui walked up to him and grabbed him by the collar.
"Darby!" She frowned, annoyed at his theatrics.
"Okay, okay! Sorry! I give up." He held his hands up in defense."It's just...well, I never met my girlfriend's parents before...considering you are my first girlfriend."
"How do you think I felt when I met yours?" She pointed out a valid point."It's just bound to happen. We're dating."
"Yeah, but it's even worse for the guy, you know? What if I don't live up to your parents' expectations? God, what do I even wear tonight?"
She gave him a quick peck on the cheek, silencing his rambling."Don't overthink it. My parents are a little strict, but I'm pretty sure you'll get along with them. They're coming over to Osaka for business purposes."
"That'll be quite the ride. Anyway, I'll be happy to meet your folks. Text me where we're meeting and I'll be there as soon as I'm done dressing up."
"Sounds good. See you then." She gave him a quick kiss on the lips before entering the cafeteria. Darby sighed, leaning against the wall and collapsing.
"You seem troubled."
Darby glanced up, chuckling."That's an understatement, Neito."
"At least you're doing better than Kachidoki." Monoma said as he sat next to Darby."He keeps avoiding Kendo. It's funny. To be honest, I don't blame him. We kinda cornered him in the bathroom."
"Huh? What did you guys do?" Darby inquired, genuinely curious.
"Let's just say...Hoshi used his Quirk to block the bathroom entrance, allowing us to...shall we say, convince him to "stay away from Kendo."
"What the-you know what, sure." Darby facepalmed in exasperation."I can see your point. But what does Kendo-san think of all this?"
"Just as what you would expect from her. She wants to talk to him, naturally. Apparently, he's still under surveillance, even at school. I heard Eraser keeps him in the teacher lounge during breaks. And when school is over, they escort him out to be picked up by his sister."
"It's a given. Even in class, they keep him separated from the rest. Not only that, he still feels guilty and conflicted, so he avoids talking to us altogether whenever he can. But still, this is a better result. What we could have hoped for."
"At least you understand now. Seriously...you class A fellas are quite a handful, aren't you?" Monoma shook his head."And now, here you are, nervous about meeting Kodai's parents. It's one thing after another with you."
"Shut up. I'm pretty sure you haven't met Tokage's parents, have you?"
"Actually, I did. Their sense of humor is too much for me but other than that, I can manage." Monoma placed a hand on his chest."See, it's all about first impressions, Darby my friend. You are a pretty likable individual. I think it's impossible to hate you."
"Uh...thank you?" He tilted his head, not sure whether it was a compliment or not.
Monoma laughed in amusement."Sorry about that. Regardless, I know you'll be fine. Trust me." Monoma patted his shoulder before standing up."Besides, what's the worse that can happen?"
Darby refused to answer that and simply glared at Monoma, who conceited defeat.
Nishikawi Residence, Darby's Room, Noon
Darby grumbled in exasperation as he kept searching for an appropriate outfit to wear for tonight."Maybe I should just wear a polo? Long-sleeved shirt? Keep it casual? On the other hand, she said her parents were rather strict so maybe...fuck!"
"Language, young man." His dad, who was sitting on his bed, chided him."You are way too nervous, Darby. Breath in and breath out."
"How can I be calm when today is such an important day, dad?" Darby groaned in defeat, tossing his clothes on the floor."Nothing fancy!"
"Where is it that you're going anyway?"
"Apparently an expensive restaurant in Chiba."
Ren cringed, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets."Talk about a night to remember! I heard restaurants there are five stars, bare minimum. Sheez, here I thought we gave Yui-chan a warm welcome..."
"Stop saying stuff like that, dad. I'm already pressured enough as it is." He grumbled on the floor."I don't know what to do now..."
"Anyhow, you are still exaggerating. I mean, you just passed a very important exam and took a huge step towards becoming a hero. A date should be a piece of cake, don't you think?"
"Give me advice. How did you meet mom's parents?" Darby rolled over to his dad's feet.
"Well...I never did. It's the reason why we never introduced you to your grandparents, from either side of our family. See, your mom and I were under very difficult times back when we were young. A lot of complications. Well, I lost my mother when I was young, so I lived with my father until he too passed away."
"Dad...sorry, I didn't mean t-"
"It's okay." Ren bent down and ruffled his son's hair."As long as I keep you from suffering the way we did, that's all I can ask for."
"Dad?" Darby tilted his head, not understanding what he meant.
Before he could ask more, Ren stood up and stretched."How about I give you one of my relics? You'll like it, trust me. I used to wear it when I was your age. Naturally, I kept it in good condition just in case we would ever go out on vacation or something like that. A special day. I guess this is a special day as any, though, so I'll let you have it."
"Sure, thing, dad." Darby grinned as he followed his father to his room."Just make sure I look cool."
"Don't worry, kiddo. You can count on me."
Chiba, Chuo-ku, Silver Spoons Restaurant, Night
"Okay, last time I'm trusting dad with helping me pick a good outfit." He stared at himself in a bathroom mirror in the restaurant they were supposed to meet at. Stakes were high, but when he asked for his name at the entrance, letting him known it was a reservation-type of restaurant, everything got worse.
Well, to be precise, his suit didn't look bad. He was wearing black dressing pants with brown shoes. He was also wearing a crimson long-sleeve shirt with black dots all over it along with a black bow, suffocating his neck. To top it all, he also had a black vest opened up to the middle.
"Maybe back in the day this was the trend, but now, I don't think so." He sighed, hitting his forehead against the mirror."Anyway, not like I had much of a choice. I'm already here, so I might as well accept my fate." He exited the bathroom, trying to walk as professionally and neatly as possible. He kept his head high, shoulders tensed and chin up.
"Look at you." He glanced to the right, noticing Yui giggling at him."You actually got normal formal attire."
Darby's jaw dropped to the floor. She was dressed in a red dress and wearing black boots. She also had make-up on and although he didn't know the specifics, he could tell she had spent quite a bit of time in the mirror.
"Well, other than that suit I rented for the funeral, I...pulled something together for tonight. Dad helped me, so it['s a bit old-school."
She checked him from up and bottom."I think you look really handsome. It suits you."
"Sheez, thanks." He chuckled awkwardly. He offered his arm to her."Anyway, shall we, my lady?"
"Oh, what a gentleman." She teased back as she wrapped her arm around his as he began to escort her."By the way, do you know where the dining hall is?"
Darby stopped dead in his tracks, freezing. He coughed awkwardly in his hand. Yui sighed, shaking her head as she guided him.
The dining hall was huge. Chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, illuminating the place. In the middle of it, there was a platform where people were setting up instruments to play. Overall, it was the fanciest restaurant Darby had ever seen in his life. Not even in movies. Yui guided him to a table of four, where two people were patiently chatting away.
"Mother, father. This is him." Yui announced, earning the full attention of the two adults. The first one was a woman with long black hair, darker than Yui's. She had a serious yet fierce expression on her face as if she was studying the newcomer. She was wearing a dress similar to Yui's, with this one being navy blue in color, and had oval earrings in her ears.
The second one was a man, probably around in his forties. He had short brown hair, a well-kept mustache, and blue eyes. He was wearing a dark gray crocodile-skin suit worn over a snakeskin waistcoat, a black shirt, a violet tie, and dark brown dress shoes,
"So this is the boy that caught your eye." The man nodded to himself."A foreigner. I would dare say you're an American. Is that correct?"
"Yes, sir." Darby bowed down in respect."Thank you for having me tonight. My name is Darby Nishikawi, first year at U.A Highschool! A pleasure to meet you!"
"Take a seat." He instructed, which Darby immediately complied."My name is Jo Kodai. As you might have guessed, I'm Yui's father. My wife here is Aoi Kodai. Take a loud of, Nishikawi-kun. We've just finishing ordering the appetizers."
"Thank you, sir," Darby said, as he took a sip of his glass of water.
"So, Nishikawi-kun.' Aoi began, resting her head on her hand."Do you go to the same school as our daughter? Do you have classes together? Is that how you met?"
"Right. Well, we're not in the same class, but our classrooms are practically next to each other." Darby explained.
Jo seemed to ponder at that as he rubbed his chin."I see. So how did you two meet then?"
"Well, I had gone to the wrong classroom on the first day, and we crossed paths. But we officially met when we were hanging out together we some of her classmates. We talked and became friends."
"From what Yui said, your Quirk was..."
"Black Spheres." Darby supplied, manifesting one in his hand."I can create these spheres which I can control telepathically, as long as they are within my range, of course."
"How many of those can you make?" Aoi asked in curiosity.
"Four..." He trailed off."But I can make more of them!"
"Create more of them?" Jo quirked a brow."What does this mean? You can increase the capabilities of your Quirk?"
"That's right. Let me show you. Just give me a minute or so." Darby closed his eyes as he began meditating.
"He's certainly interesting, I'll give him that." Jo observed with great interest."What exactly is he doing?"
"From what I understand, he has the ability to harness the energy around him and make it his own. It boosts up his Quirk and physical abilities to a new level."
"How peculiar." Aoi commented."I never heard of a case such as this one."
"Sorry for the wait." Darby apologized, his skin color was pale and his hair was light blue."This is called Neko Mode. It was inherited from my late master, Ashe. Thanks to this, I can create a total of six spheres."
"Very interesting. So what exactly do your Black Spheres do?"
"They are malleable, regardless of how hard they seem. I can create shields, weapons, or just throw them at my opponents. I could technically fly with them, but it's a bit inefficient and it gets me dizzy."
Jo seemed to ponder at this information."How would your Quirk mix with Yui's?"
"What do you mean, sir?" Darby cocked his head."If you mean how well I can work together with her, then that's not a problem. When she makes contact with me, she can enlarge my spheres for a devastating attack."
"I heard of the Smoke Hero Ashe before." Aoi cut in."I'm sorry for your loss. It must have been rough."
"It's fine." Was all that Darby said, not wanting to get into details.
"So far so good, Nishikawi-kun." Jo praised the young man."But how about we move on to the main event?" He intertwined his fingers as he leaned forward."Depending on how this goes, we will decide whether to allow this relationship to go on, or to put a stop to it."
"Dad!" Yui gasped.
"We've talked about this, dear." She reminded her sternly."We want you to focus solely on becoming a hero and achieving your dream. Playing house like this is just bound to hindrance your progress."
"Of course, there is also the possibility that we are wrong." Jo pointed out."What do you say, Nishikawi-kun? Care to prove me wrong?"
Darby took a long breath, calming his nerves as best as he could as his hair went back to blonde."I accept."
"You seem awfully calm about this." Jo mused."Normally, I would have expected you to fall under pressure. The boy always has a hard time with the girl's family."
"I am nervous, don't get me wrong." Darby smiled sadly."But no offense sir, with the things I've gone through so far, meeting my girlfriend's family isn't as scary as facing villains."
Jo gave a boisterous laugh."I see your point. Still, despite all the dangers your class has faced during this school year, you still wish to persist. Why is that?"
"I want to be a hero, sir. Because want I believe in is the truth of all things. See, my parents rose me to always be true not only to myself but also to those around me. I want to be a hero who inspires honesty and truthfulness. Someone who is always real and precise. But I also want to protect it. I want to make a difference. I know it sounds cliche, but I really do. I just want to make anyone I can happy." He put his hand on top of Yui's."And with Yui, I feel like I can take on anything. In fact, I'd go as far to say that I've made it this far because she was on my side."
"It's the same for me." Yui chimed in."Before, I used to be closed off to everyone and everything. I didn't talk as much as barely said any words. I was just a doll, really. Just serving a purpose."
"I was worried about you." Her mother addressed her."I thought that you would grow out of that phase. But ever since you were young, you had trouble expressing yourself around people."
"I was afraid of having my feelings shattered. To open up to the wrong people and end up being taken advantage of." She lowered her head."But Darby showed me differently. Aside from my classmates in UA, he was the only boy that never approached me with the wrong intentions. He was honest, kind, and friendly. His determination inspired me to push myself and break out of my shell."
"Aw, come on. All I give you was a little push." Darby chuckled sheepishly."You did all the work on your own. Give yourself some credit, Yui. Though you can say you've also motivated it. I wanted to get stronger to protect you, though now I see you need anything but. I'm pretty sure you could give me a beating if you wanted."
"I'll take that under consideration when we spar next time," Yui said with a small smile.
"Uh...you're kidding, right? You don't have to do that."
Jo chuckled at their interaction."I must say, you two get better than Aoi and I did. She was kind of dry."
Aoi simply shot him a glare, silencing her husband."Anyway, Nishikawi-kun, what are your plans? Anything planned for the future."
"I do, actually. I want to get strong enough so I stop relying on my Neko Mode. Since it only boosts my ability, it means that I could actually reach that level eventually. Don't get me wrong, I like it. I'm glad Ashe-san taught it to me because it got me out of several hairy situations. But honestly, it takes a bit of time to prepared. Not to mention I want to rely on my own power without any type of enhancers."
"But Darby, you didn't say you made that power your own?" Yui asked."Why do you not feel comfortable using it?"
"It's hard to explain..." He rubbed the back of his neck."My Quirk by itself is not strong at all. Or at least at the level that I'm at right now. I'm the only one in my class that relies on an outside force to get stronger. Sure, I mastered it with intense training, but still, that doesn't make it mine. It's just temporary because once I run out of nature power, I'm back to normal."
"Spoken like a true hero." Jo gave a short applause."I don't see anything wrong, really, using that Neko power thing that Ashe taught you. After all, you did say it took rigorous training to properly wield it. However, you feeling guilty about using a power-up to enhance your Quirk speaks volumes of you. It is a good goal to have to always get stronger. I'm sure you'll manage."
"I also have another goal." Darby continued."I want to help catch the culprit that brainwashed Takashi Kachidoki and killed his father. I owe it to his father since he saved our lives back then. The Baron ruined a family and made them suffer. The family of my friend. I'll do whatever I can to give them peace."
"Darby, don't." Yui tightened the grip on Darby's hand."You can't do that. You have to leave that to the pros. Remember what happened last time you got involved in something like that?"
"I said Takashi from becoming a villain. From going too far." He reminded her."I saved him by doing that. I know the ends don't justify the means, but I feel like I owe it to Vermillion Ray to make sure his family gets justice. Of course, I'm not going to go out and hunt for The Baron alone. He's too powerful from what I've seen, and I have a feeling he wasn't even trying when I encountered him. I know it sounds stupid, but even if I do the smallest of things, I'd happy."
Jo and Aoi glanced at each other momentarily."Nishikawi-kun, that is a noble goal to have. But as I recall, Yui told us that you and him fought. Not only that, he sent two of her classmates to the hospital. Why do you still call someone like that a friend? Someone who's betrayed your trust and friendship."
Darby was at a loss for words. When someone put it like that, it seemed rather foolish. But he had seen first hand the new Takashi. He was willing to change and come back."I thought so. But during our provisional license exam, I saw a new side of him. He was completely different than when we fought. It's like he was in control of himself. When I fought him, he was like a wild animal. He was rash, violent, and straight-out insane. I don't know what he went through during his time in the psych ward, but he's on the right path now. Besides, I believe everyone deserves a second chance."
"You are a kind soul." Aoi sighed, shaking her head."What do you think, dear?"
"Do you believe in him?" Jo asked with a serious expression."Do you truly believe he won't snap again and become an enemy?"
"I believe in him." Darby nodded solemnly."He feels the same way I do. Now more than ever, he wants to find the truth about his family. Besides, he's a proud person. I'm sure he feels offended The Baron manipulated him."
"Then that's a good enough answer for me." Jo smiled in approval."I'd normally ask you more questions, but I believe I have a good grasp of the kind of man you are, Nishikawi-kun. I approve of your relationship with my daughter. You already did her good by making her more confident and sure of herself. I thank you for that."
Darby and Yui smiled at each other in glee, going for a kiss before a cough interrupted them.
"You have some nerve, though, boy, kissing my daughter in my presence." Jo narrowed his eyes, causing Darby to help.
"S-sorry, sir!" He apologized.
"Also..." He folded his arms."I'm not mentally prepared to have grandchildren yet. So I better not get any surprises any time soon."
"DAD!" Yui's flushed deeply.
Darby nearly passed out on the table at the implication, his cheeks red."No worries sir...We won't do anything like that..."
"Was that really necessary?" Aoi rose a brow at her husband."You may not be ready for grandkids, but I am. I want to have my squishy little grandchild in my hands one day. You don't look forward to handling a baby again?"
"Yui was enough for me. If I'm going to have another baby in my hands, I need another 20 years." He clasped his hands."Anyway, I hope you all are ready for our banquet tonight. Our main dish...Pecking Duck!"
U.A Highschool, Class 1-A Dormitories, Takashi's Room, Noon
Takashi laid in his bed with his phone on speaker next to him. His room wasn't decorated besides his bed, a desk, a drawer, and a closet. He preferred to keep things minimal due to his mind being busy with other things.
"So..." He heard his sister speak up from the other side of the phone."What are you doing right now? Planning anything for tonight."
"No." He drawled, his eyes drifting off to the ceiling.
"Well, why don't you go hang out with Nishikawi?"
A good choice, except he wasn't exactly on speaking terms with Nishikawi either. Sure, they had chatted a bit, but it felt awkward. And how could it not? He had tried to kill him a few weeks ago. It felt so surreal how natural they felt about taking him back in. He had expected them to refuse him back. It was class B the ones who gave him a piece of their mind by cornering him and threatening him.
"He's out with his girlfriend for the night." He informed her."He won't be back until late tonight."
"Girlfriend, huh? What about you? Have you tried talking to that Kendo girl?" Ayushi inquired in curiosity as she finished filing some documents in a drawer. She was sitting down in her office, a ton of paper piled up on her desk.
"Are you kidding me? She should hate me, despise me, resent me for all the things I did. I deadass fucking ditched her during the attack in the forest and left her to die by Mustard. I almost killed a handful of her classmates. And yet...yet..."
"She wants to speak with you, doesn't she?" Ayushi sighed."She came to me when you were in the hospital, asking if there was any way she could see you."
"I don't understand why, Ayushi..." Takashi covered his face with his hands."Why is everyone just...welcoming me back in their lives? Why you too? Because of me, dad is dead...Hisashi almost died...I did so much fucked up shit and yet...why am I here?"
Ayushi bit her lower lip."Gosh, I really want to hug you right now. I hate how you're attacking yourself this way lately. I...listen, I know how you feel. I won't sugarcoat this, since you wouldn't want me to. You really screwed the pooch but at the same time, your actions only happened because we neglected you. And because dad was hiding things from you. But you have a fresh start now. I, for one, love you no matter what. You are my little brother and I adore you and Hisashi. You two are my reason for living. I failed to save you before and did it again. Now I have the chance to help you on the right path. Even Hisashi doesn't hate you. It'll take time to get everyone to trust you again, but they are willing to give you a chance."
She heard him sigh, almost a whimper as if he were crying."Why don't you talk to Kendo? Here's a thought, why don't you make her something? Like chocolate? I'll send you a recipe that you should be able to make in U.A."
"But I don't know a single thing when it comes to cooking something, Onee-san."
"I'm sure you can get someone to help you. You should try out with people in class B if you feel comfortable."
Takashi sweatdropped, realizing his sister wasn't aware of his and class B's situation."Sure. I'll do it then. I...I..."
"I love you too." Ayushi giggled at her brother's embarrassment."Call me if you need to vent or anything. I'll be up the whole night."
"Will do." Takashi said as he ended the call, going back to staring at his ceiling."Shit...I guess I should try to talk to Itsuka. I'll try Ayushi's chocolate idea. Who the hell do I even ask for advice..."
U.A Highschool, Class B Dormitories, Living Room, Night
"So what you're saying is that you want us to help you make chocolates for Itsuka?" Tokage folded her arms under her chest."Did I get that right?"
"Why should we help you?" Hoshi narrowed his eyes at the brown-haired teen."In case you don't remember, you literally tried to kill me, Tetsutetsu, Monoma, and Nishikawi."
"Hoshi-san, you're being a little too blunt." Komori tried calming him down."We should at least hear him out."
Hoshi turned to face the short girl with a skeptical expression."Seriously? What's there to think about? He tried to kill us. How do you fix something like that? You weren't there to see it. He shot through Tetsutetsu without a care in the world. He tried to kill me too. If it weren't for Nishikawi, we would have all been shot down."
"I heard something like that from Neito." Setsuna placed a hand on her hip."So? Do you have any excuse for that?"
"I have none. Everything you've said is true. I was acting on my own volition back then and clouded by my hatred." He slumped his shoulders."I did almost kill your friends and your boyfriend."
"B-b-but..." Komori fidgeted in place."Weren't you being influenced by that villain? The one you Nishikawi mentioned?"
"The Baron was his name." Hoshi nodded."What did he offer you? Power? Is that why you did everything?"
"And why did you suddenly regret your actions?" Tokage gave him a quizzical look."One moment you are out with the villains and the next you're back here, attacking yourself."
"Please." Takashi scoffed at her words."I was never under his influence. I only joined him because he did promise me power, which he provided it. But our deal was that I was just a partner, if anything, not a lackey. The moment that bastard began giving me orders was the moment I turned on him."
"Sounds like something you would do." Setsuna giggled."You are too proud for your own good. Still though, you sure you didn't change your ways because of Darby?"
"I'll..." He paused, thinking of how to phrase his next words."I'll admit he did kind of motivate me to stop relying on The Baron to get new power. He got this strong all of his own. If he can, why can't I? It was pathetic of me to even do so. That and...my father...he...he saved us. He saved me and told me he loved me. I want to know what he was hiding. He looked like he had met The Baron long before as if they had a history together of sorts. I want to find that bastard and make him confess everything. My family deserves it."
"Yeah, we can all agree on that. No one deserves something like that." Tokage put a supporting hand on his shoulder."At the end of the day, you were a victim too. Regardless of whether you let it happened or not, you were bound to suffer."
"Sheez, Tokage..." Hoshi cringed at her words."You could ease up a bit. This guy just lost his dad."
"I doubt he'd want me to be gentle with him." She grinned, playfully winking at him."Am I wrong here?"
"You know, even though we barely talk to each other, you know me pretty well." He couldn't help but chuckle."Still, it's not about my pride anymore. I don't deserve anyone's pity."
"It's not pity. Sympathy." Tokage was quick to correct him.
"Sure." He shrugged, not bothering to take her words into account. He knew he was to blame for everything that happened
Tokage sighed, shaking her head."I think I've had enough of seeing you mopping around. Itsuka, wanna talk to him already?"
Takashi froze.'Itsuka is here?'
Footsteps could be heard from the living room. They were slow and quiet as if the person walking didn't want to reach their destination. A familiar orange-haired girl stood by the door, leaning on the doorframe.
"Were you listening in this whole time?" Takashi asked in disbelief.
"I think we should give them some space?" Komori suggested, tugging at Hoshi's sleeve.
"I guess," Hoshi replied, following the mushroom user out of the room.
Setsuna sighed, walking over Itsuka and leaning against her ear, muttering something Takashi couldn't make out, and left the room, closing the door behind her. Takashi and Itsuka stared at each other, not saying a word. It was an awkward silence, and them stealing glances at each other than turning the other way was helping.
"Itsuka, I-"
"Taka-"
They stopped.
"You go first." Takashi offered."I've pretty much said everything I had to already. I think it's only fair if I let you speak."
Itsuka sighed, taking slow steps closer to him."I don't know what to say. I...there's so much I thought I wanted to say. But now...I don't know. That night...I failed you. If only I tried harder...if only I..I..."
"Please, don't blame yourself for that." Takashi soothed, nearly touching her to comfort her but stopped a few inches away."I...You tried your damn hardest." He watched her tears stream down her cheeks as he continued."You were so good to me...and I just fucked it all up for a stupid plot of revenge. You did everything you could. I never appreciated you enough." Takashi's vision became blurry as he himself started sobbing."I'm sorry...I'm sorry. You have the right to hate me...In fact, I...I want you to. What I did was unforgivable. I betrayed everyone who loved me...who cared about me...I was blinded by my own rage, I didn't see what mattered. And now..."
His knees gave out as he collapsed on the ground, glaring at the floor."I have to pay for what I did. I don't deserve anyone's forgiveness...I betrayed what it meant to be a hero. Honestly, what the hell was I thinking...? I'm disrespecting everyone and everything. I should just...I can't...I hurt too many people. I don't deserve it..." He reached for his pocket, pulling out his provisional license."I don't deserve this...it's...it's...tainted...I almost tainted everything with blood..of the people I cared about!"
Before he could rip the license, a punch to the cheek knocked him on the ground, crashing against the counter.
"You idiot! What the hell are you doing?!" Itsuka screeched as she snatched the license away from his hands.
"Huh...?" Takashi's hands were pinned down against the counter as Itsuka closed the distance between them.
"Why were you about to rip this?! The proof that your closer in becoming a hero?!" She screamed in his face."Are you an idiot? No! You are an idiot! An idiot who doesn't think! Idiot!"
"How many times are you gonna call me an idiot?" He tried wrestling his way out of her grasp, but she partially enlarged her hands, making it impossible.
"As many times as it takes, idiot! Idiot! Idiot! IDIOT!" Itsuka coughed for breath, breathing heavily."Stop attacking yourself like that...it hurts me...Do you want to keep hurting me? Didn't you do enough that night?! Think about what everyone wants of you! If they still accept you in their lives...if they still welcome you and consider you part of their life...it's your job as a man to take responsibility and make amends! Don't just throw everything away because you messed up once! Learn from that mistake and make things better! No one in this world is perfect! No one expects you to be the kindest person in the world! We want you to be you! I want you to be you! Get that through your thick skull!"
"Itsuka..." Takashi breathed, unable to respond.
"I want to believe in you again...I want to...I love you so much it hurts that I can't trust you. Please...please prove to me that I can..." She latched onto him and cried on his chest. Takashi rubbed the back of her head, feeling her soft hair between his fingers. They both stayed in that position, crying to each other for as long as they needed.
Chiba, Chuo-ku, Silver Spoons Restaurant, Night
"That was quite a feast..." Darby rubbed his belly as it bulged out slightly from his shirt."Man...I don't remember eating that much before..."
"It was delicious." Yui agreed as she hugged his arm."We should probably get going. My parents are already down there with the car on. I told you we should have taken that chocolate cake back to school."
"Yui, that cake was calling for my name..." Darby whined as he stumbled upon the bathroom."Go ahead. I have to use the bathroom."
"Fine." She relented, releasing his arm."But don't take long, okay?"
"Sure, babe." He gave her a kiss on her cheek and entered the bathroom, heading straight for the urinals. As he finished his business, he replayed all the scenarios in his head from today. If he was honest, things could have gone a lot worse. But he was glad things worked out in the end. He was on good terms with Yui's parents and that's all that mattered. With that in mind, he happily made his way to wash his hands as a door to the toilets opened. What he saw made his body freeze and his blood run cold.
"Oh, hey. Guess we're bathroom buddies." The young man he met before in Yokohama stood next to him as he turned on the forced and washed his left hand."You're Darby Nishikawi, aren't you?"
"How...?" He stammered, petrified.'He doesn't recognize me as the one guy whom he met at that time. Guess the disguise worked.'
"You serious right now? You were at the Sports Festival. Not to mention you were the guy who apparently took down that Kachidoki brat when he went berserk. You are a living legend, my man. Name's Taichi. Taichi Chisaki. But you can call me Tai, for short."
'He told me his last name?' Darby narrowed his eyes as he kept washing his hands.'But why? Last time we met, he refused to tell us an insight into his surname. Why is this different?'
"So? What brings a student out here in Chiba. Ah, could it be your out with your lady?" He nudged his arm."Sly dog. Though I wouldn't be surprised. I'm pretty sure you get tons of ladies piled upright on your doorstep."
"What about you?" Darby shot the question back."I'm sure you must have a special someone as well."
"Oh, I do. But right now I'm here on...a meeting, let's just say. Speaking of which..."
"I should probably get going. It was nice meeting you...Chisaki-san." Darby looked over his shoulder, giving him a glare.
Taichi found that amazing and smirked."It was a pleasure meeting you too, Nishikawi-chan." He followed Darby until he was out of the bathroom, leaving the sin of envy alone.
He felt his phone vibrating and answered it in seconds."What is it? I'm already here and I found the target, Also, I found a double price. I found that Nishikawi squirt that took down Greed. Should I off him?"
"Absolutely not." Overhaul snapped over the phone."You damned brat. Do you never learn from your experiences? We're already under the reader after that ruse Teema did and the Italian fiasco from the other day. The last thing I need is you appearing on the news. If they do, we would certainly be finished."
"Okay, fine. Sheez, Kai, learn how to take a damage joke."
"I think the Boss's words carry some weight, don't you think so, Tai?" This time it was The Baron."He might be your brother, but he is still the boss of our organization. It's best if you listen to his orders. I might be your captain and you might work directly under me, but I work under him. Finish your task and leave the premises. It's already suspicious enough that you've crossed paths with Nishikawi as it is. Finish your mission and pull back."
"Fine." Groaned the young Yakuza."Anyway, I received word of those kids. They gave us the okay and are ready to transport our merchandise overseas. Should be at the docks in Yokohama, Kanagawa-ku. Apparently, it's a huge piece of land owned by them. So it happens it has its own private docking area. They'll be doing a meet up there as well. Who are you gonna send?"
"I'll send Megumi. I want this job to be done fast, so she's my best assets to use."
"Great. Hopefully things pick up the pace after we seal this deal." Taichi drawled as he exited the bathroom. Unbeknown to him, the bathroom mirror began to ripple as the lights flickered wildly. A pair of demonic-like eyes appeared from the mirror as a white smile with razor-sharp teeth chuckled in silence.
