Author's Note: Time to fix Keigo's mind! I try to bring in new characters or do each portion of the story like an arch. That's why sometimes people will come and go, and other times the chapter is split into thirds. We are midway through this arch. I'm hoping to get all the little short stories I have part way done completed soon. Overtime at work is keeping me busy though. I hope you enjoy and thank you for the reviews and kudos.
Disclaimer: Same as normal. Contains spoilers and sensitive subject matter. Don't like, don't read. Rates for content and themes. I don't own MHA, but the original characters are mine!
Chapter 42 - Unbreakable
Keigo had met his grandfather, Soji's father, twice in his entire life. The first time was at the wedding celebration for Azumi and Soji after her surgery. They had planned a large party instead of a ceremony because the civil ceremony was enough for them. The party was an entire afternoon of meeting Soji's side of the family and the few remaining members of Azumi's side. Since Keigo had never met any of his birth parents family, this was an explosion of people he was now related to. It was overwhelming at the time, so his memories are a bit scattered about that day. Soji and Azumi had been working on seeing Soji's family more often, which is how Keigo knew his Uncles, Aunt Rubi and his twin cousins.
Matsumoto Nakamura hadn't stayed long at rhs wedding celebration, but he did make a point to meet Keigo and talk with the young boy for a bit before he had to leave. The same thing happened the second time Keigo met him, at a family get together one summer. Again, he had made a point to track down Keigo and chat with him for a few minutes about his hero training and goals. This turned out to be a normal reaction for Matsumoto whenever he showed up to a family affair. Soji had explained it was because of his quirk and was part of why the firm was turned over to Soji and his brothers as soon as their father and Uncles were able to retire.
Keigo's grandfather didn't ignore his family. The oldest Nakamura made a habit of calling each of his sons once a month to see how things were going. He sent presents and cards at holidays, and was present for large formal events. If the event was not a big formal affair, however, Matsumoto would not be there. When Keigo asked about it, Soji explained that his grandfather traveled a lot due to his quirk. In fact the only person who seemed able to keep track of where their father was at any given time was Nero. The youngest brother took after their father the most in appearance and quirk, so it made sense he would keep track of the older man.
It surprised and shocked Keigo to learn that his grandfather was coming over to their apartment the next day to help Keigo with the memory blocks. Matsumoto was in Japan, on the other side of it to be precise. The old man was at a hospital helping police with a villain who claimed to be an amnesiac and was trying to dispute the allegations against him. When Nero called to explain what he thought happened to Keigo and by who, Matsumoto told his youngest son he was taking a flight to Fukuoka that night and would be there that Saturday. Keigo was also told that depending on what they found out, he might not return to the Commission Monday morning.
Saturday morning came and found Keigo nervously pacing the living room with his left wing pulled around his front so he could preen at the feathers while Azumi sat on the sofa and stitched up a tear in one of Soji's suit jackets. Soji was at his desk on the far side of the living room working on the laptop to find anything in the contract they could legally go after the Commission for. Nero and Akina were at the office working, so it was a normal, sunny relaxing Saturday. Accept for Keigo. As the teenager turned to start pacing again, Azumi set down her sewing and looked pointedly at him, not using her quirk.
"Handsome birdy, you can relax. It's just a visit from your grandfather and he's coming to help you. Ok?" The blonde rubbed the back of his neck as his wing moved to rest next to its partner on his back. "I just- what happens if- I mean it might not- you know. How-" Soji walked up to his son and put both hands on his shoulders to try and help him relax. "Kei, it's not going to hurt. He isn't going to force you into anything. If he can't remove the blocks we can try something else and given how powerful his quirk is, you will be just fine. Now do as I do, take a deep breath in and out slowly."
There was a deep breath in and out before the shorter young man nodded, looking a bit relieved. "Ok. Sorry I'm just nervous." Soji grinned. "I would be much more concerned if you weren't nervous about this. It will be fine. Your mother and I are going to be right here." A knock on the door made Keigo twitch as Azumi stood to go get it. The older gentleman who stood in the doorway looked tall as he bent down a bit to give Azumi a hug. She smiled and returned the hug before inviting him in, offering to take one of the two bage he had.
Matsumoto Nakamura was tall and athletically built for his early 60's. White hair was neatly trimmed on his head with a beard and mustache. He wore thin wire framed glasses that framed his bright hazel eyes. They were most the color of watered down syrup or dark honey. Wrinkles were visible on the sides and corners of his face, giving away his age. He wore a black suit with a crisp white dress shirt and no tie, a camera bag over his left shoulder and carrying a gift bag in his right hand. When Azumi was done giving him a hug, Soji walked over and shook hands with his father, using the other to give him a quick hug as the older man stepped into the small apartment.
He sounded jovial, turning his gaze to Keigo as the teenager remembered his manners and stepped forward, bowing at the waist. "Hello grandpa." He spoke quietly before straightening up. The old man smiled and offered an arm to give him a hug. "Look how tall you are! And those wings have filled out nicely. What are you now 15? 16?" His friendly mannerisms had Keigo grinning and giving him a quick hug as Soji took the camera bag to set it down and watched their interaction.
"I'll be 17 this winter. And next year, when I graduate from the Commission training I'll have my own agency." Keigo explained as his grandfather kept an arm around the teen's shoulders and was walking the teenager to the sofa. "Your own agency, huh? That sounds like quite the commitment to hero work there. Any ideas on sidekicks or where you want to set up your agency?" The two spoke about Keigos goals as Soji set the camera bag down on his desk. Azumi was making a pot of tea and setting up a tray of cups on a tray in the kitchen.
Keigo seemed right at ease talking to his grandfather, all previous nervousness was gone as the old man handed his grandson the gift bag. "I brought this for you. I know there isn't a holiday, but grandfathers are allowed to spoil their grandsons when they see them." Soji chuckled at that, moving some things from the center table. Keigo took the bag and looked genuinely surprised. Remembering his manners, he thanked the older gentleman, opening the gift when his mother walked in with the tray of tea and fixings
Inside the gift bag were two wooden handles. The wood was a dark color, smooth and with indents on the sides for gripping with his fingers, an indent on the top and bottom for his thumb no matter which way he grabbed them. Confused, Keigo held up one of them as he tilted his head at his grandfather. "Stress bars?" The old man nodded and started to make himself a cup of tea. "Yes. They're made of Brazilian ebony, one of the hardest woods in the world. These two stress bars can withstand almost 4,000 pounds of pressure. Your quirk gives you the traits of a Sundown Hawk. They have a natural grip of ten times their body weight and their stress grip is almost double that. I would guess it causes tension and pain in your hands when you do it as well. These will help with that."
The teenager looked down at the wooden handles with a lot more reverence as he thought about all the times he had stress gripped blankets and shirts, even Azumi and Toya's arms a few times. He stopped paying attention to what the adults were saying as they talked amongst themselves about where the older man had been traveling to and from and what he was up to. Keigo set the gift wrap down and held a bar in each hand, head tilting the other way as he squeezed to test them out. He knew his grip could shatter bones, they had tested it regularly at the Commission. The teenager hadn't expected such a thoughtful gift from his grandfather when they'd only met twice before. It told him that even though he didn't see the older man regularly, his grandfather kept tabs on his children and grandchildren
Azumi's question seemed to pull Keigo from his thoughts. She had asked how they were going to do this, and Matsumoto set his teacup down on the table. He addressed all three of them as he answered. "For starters, I would like to record it just in case you need it for later. Whatever they covered up will be rough to live through again. That pain and emotional burden should be recorded so that they can't just claim here say in court." He looked right at Keigo now. "Even if they suppressed parts of your quirk, like mannerisms and sounds, that goes against your contract with them. Those things are a part of you, as much as your wings, eyes and the talons on your feet. They do not have the right to remove those from you."
Keigo looked down at his hands and the stress bars in them. "What if it's secret training techniques that I'm not supposed to remember until I'm back at the Commission?" Matsumoto leaned forward and angled his head so he could look up into the young man's eyes. Gently, he put a hand around Keigo's left wrist, careful of the bruises. "I do not know of a single type of training exercise a hero would need to undergo that would leave these types of marks on a 16 year old. These? These are torture marks, not training, of that I am certain." The two of them stared into each other's eyes before Keigo nodded slowly, whispering. "Ok."
Matsumoto nodded and stood to start getting the camera and recording devices ready. Azumi frowned and moved to sit next to Keigo, fingers running through his hair to scratch his scalp. "Your father and I are going to be right here. Anything we can do you just say so. Anything at all, ok my handsome bird?" Keigo nodded and leaned into her fingertips, still unable to make a bird noise. "I didn't realize how much I would miss the chirps and motions of my wings until they're gone." Keigo tried to sound amused and almost did a double take when he saw his grandfather laughing. "Boy, I will tell you what I told your father when he was about your age."
Soji rolled his eyes as if he knew what was coming, even speaking along for the first sentence. "Don't mess with your quirk until you've mastered it." The two exchanged a glance before the older Nakamura continued, handing Soji an audio recorder to set up next to the tea tray. "When you're born your quirk is already growing and developing. In some cases it manifests in children at the age of 4 or 5. The more you use it and develop it, the stronger it gets and the more conroel you have over it. Just like your body has stages of growing up, there are stages to your quirk. Imagine not being taught to walk, but you have to continue to grow up. Same type of thing."
Keigo was listening with rapt attention as Azumi put her arms around him in a gentle hug. He leaned into her as he listened to his grandfather, only moving when the recording equipment was all set up. Matsumoto sat Keigo in the single seat recliner and moved to grab a kitchen chair and put it next to the teenager. Azumi hugged herself watching as Soji moved the recorder closer to his father. "Are we going to be able to see what Keigo remembers?" The old man shook his head no. "They're Keigo's memories. At most he might talk about them while I'm removing the blocks. Soji could even prompt and ask him because he'll relive the memories they blocked." She frowned and took a few breaths in case she needed to relax Keigo.
Keigo bit his bottom lip as he adjusted his grip on the stress bars. Looking over at his grandfather he took a deep breath and sighed. "I'm ready grandpa." Matsumoto smiled a sad smile as he took off his glasses, giving Keigo a pat on the shoulder. "I know you are. I'm not." The teenager looked confused for a moment before his eyes widened and his hands gripped the stress bars. A scared chirp came from his throat as his eyes glassed over and he stared, wide eyed. The old man's eyes were now a dark brown as he tucked his glasses into his suit jacket pocket and mumbled.
"It's always harder when they're young."
/
Memories:
Agent Bends asked Keigo about the rescue mission to save Azumi Nakamura. Keigo answered truthfully about how he and Jin left on their own to rescue her.
Agent Bends asked for everything about Jin's friend Dabi with a quirk like Toya's. How they did their own reconnaissance and planned a distraction. Despite the way Bends phrased the question, Keigo confirmed he had never met Dabi until that night.
Agent Bends asked about Jin and the hero he was interning for.
Agent Bends asked about Soji and Azumi, how they treated him at home and the fact that they let him have raw chicken.
Keigo was locked in a cold room with no light. He curled up in his wings, still in his gym uniform because it was Monday night. The cold was messing with his bird side and causing him to start passing out like a type of hibernation. He made a few chirps as he shivered and missed dinner.
Keigo was exercising from right after breakfast until bedtime. He wasn't given a break. Even when he collapsed he was forced to get up and keep going. Mist would come in and take control of him mentally, forcing him to push his body beyond what he could handle.
Keigo is punished for almost passing out during physical training. Strapped to a chair with two electrodes on his temples. Every time he chirps, he is shocked. If he falls asleep he is shocked awake. If his wings flutter he is shocked. If he coo's he is shocked.
Wednesday he is sat in a chair and told he will be given interrogation training. He is given a word and told not to give that word to anyone except Agent Bends. Two men come into the interrogation room and begin trying to get the word from him.
Keigo failed the interrogation training and is back in the chair. He is gritting his teeth and forcing himself to stay awake. The more he chirps or tries to react like a bird the more he is shocked.
Thursday he is informed he is not allowed to see a nurse until tomorrow. He is blindfolded with a leather mask and attacked repeatedly by other students and trainees.
Because he passes his training he is allowed to sleep in his bed. He tries to ice his wrists and treat his ankles.
Keigo is turned in by someone for taking medical supplies to treat himself and is forced into the cold stone room with no light again.
Friday morning Keigo is allowed to do his normal exercise routine and practise his self defense. He is allowed to shower and pack his things. Mist comes back and blocks his entire week.
Agent Bends tells him how to react to his week.
Agent Bends reinforces the bird noises are bad.
Keigo is allowed to come to himself on the way home.
Keigo was struggling to breath evenly with a gasp when he inhaled and making a strangled chirp when he exhaled. His hands were gripping the wooden stress bars tightly and Azumi had moved to lay her hands overtop of his, her eyes watching him full of concern. His eyes were open wide and seemed to be reliving whatever memories had been suppressed that Azumi and Soji couldn't see. As soon as he finished remembering everything about his week he panicked and moved his wings around to cacoon him, pushing her away as he squeezed his eyes shut. She looked from Soji to Matsumoto and back to the large fluff of feathers surrounding Keigo before moving to try and touch them.
"Keigo?" The feathers became razor sharp in an instant, and Soji pulled Azumi away before she cut open her hand. "Don't. Leave him for a moment." Matsumoto frowned as he stood up to get a notebook from his camera bag. He began to write furiously as Azumi hugged herself watching Keigo for signs that she could get close. Soji looked pissed off. He had been angry before, but the reaction he was seeing had him so angry his eyes were practically blazing. His hands were clenched in fists as he walked to the kitchen and put his fists to the sides of his head thinking. Azumi moved to kneel in front of Keigo and the lethal wall of razor sharp feathers. She waited patiently, unmoving as she waited for him to come out. Matsumoto watched as she whispered to Keigo that she was right there, and would wait for him to come out. For him to take his time and that she loved him very much. The teenager still breathed through gritted teeth as he collected his thoughts on the missing memories he was reliving. The older man walked into the kitchen and waited for Soji to turn and look at him, holding up his notebook.
"I wrote it all down. I know I said it as they were unblocked, but I had some thoughts on how to respond to this when your mind is more clear." Soji seethed with his fists at his sides. "My mind is clear right now. I'm angry that I wasn't able to protect my son from this so-called punishment that he suffered for saving my wife who I also couldn't save when she was taken to stop me from legally representing someone which is why I took the bar exam." His father put a hand on Soji's shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "I understand the anger, but you, of all of my sons, are very emotional. It makes you passionate as a lawyer, a father and a husband. Right now you need to get yourself calm enough to make sure your family is alright. Comfort them and then worry about protecting them." Soji looked at the notebook and moved to try and take it, only to have the notebook moved away. "Oh no you don't. These are notations and suggestions for Akina and Nero. You need to be a father right now, not a lawyer." Soji nodded and took a deep breath in and then out. They both heard talking in the other room, moving to the doorway to look into the living room.
Keigo was hugging Azumi, no tears from his eyes which were closed as he chirped. He was still in the recliner, his wings were poised behind him, tense and ready to react to anything. The wooden stress bars were sitting next to him on the chair, while Azumi was kneeling in front of the recliner. Once his wings had moved, she had moved forward to hug him, now resting her chin on his head as one of her hands played with the blond hair and soft downy feathers along the back of his hairline. She looked up at the doorway, her eyes sad as she smiled a little bit and kept playing with his hair. "I am so very proud of you right now. You're so strong and so brave about this." The teenager nodded and opened his eyes letting out a breath, golden eyes moving to his father and grandfather. He didn't look broken by the memories he now remembered. His face looked resolute and he had the same look that was on his face before he went to rescue Azumi. With a smirk on his face, he looked at Soji before speaking.
"I'm not letting them break me or ruin my dream of becoming a hero. Now that I remember what happened, what do we need to do about it?"
