Chapter Two: All Protective Older Brothers Hate Whatever Worthless Punk Dares to Date Their Younger Siblings
Yuuto kicked back in his brother's office after he'd finished tormenting his brother's minions—uh, teaching them to become one with the universe.
He hummed a happy tune as he thumbed through the pictures on his phone. That had been so emotionally satisfying. He'd recorded Japan's greatest villains dancing and then uploaded the video clip to the cloud so even if his brother vaulted him again later, it could never be taken away from him.
A buzz from his phone announced a new picture had been sent: his brother's devoted, overly aggressive bodyguard dressed up as a clown. Priceless! Yuuto laughed. It came out as an evil cackle. He clamped his hands over his mouth. That had been strange…but also fun. No wonder his brother liked doing the evil laugh so much.
All for One's office had oak panels and was covered floor to wall with bookshelves. Several landscapes hung on the walls from artists inflated enough to match his snooty tastes. The chandelier base had been carved into the shape of a demon king. Yuuto had to admit it looked pretty cool, except heroes were better than villains.
Sitting down in the tall, throne-like chair, Yuuto typed in the new computer password: HisashiSucks1. He'd broken into his brother's computer by shouting at minions until someone got past security. It was fun to be the guy everyone was terrified of.
Yuuto sat straight up upon seeing that he'd received an email from the government. Or to be more exact, from the leader of the Japan's first team of heroes, Akira Shogo. This must be about his application to become a professional hero! He opened it up eagerly.
Then he screamed, "What do they mean, they're looking for people with less villainous powers?"
Dozens of All for One's people lay fallen in the hallway. The walls of the underground bunker had been stained with smoke and explosion marks. Hisashi's eye twitched. Clearly he needed better security if all his minions had been defeated this explosive fool.
Kaji Bakugo forged ahead, crushing anyone who got in his way. "Ha-ha! I'm the strongest!" he crowed as he kicked aside another man in a suit.
He glanced over his shoulder. "Are you feeling all right? You've been awfully quiet, deadweight."
Hisashi had been speaking in one syllable answers because he didn't want to accidentally give himself away. He knew full well this was his only chance at escape. He said, "I'm not feeling well."
"Aw, sorry to hear it." Kaji's clap on the back sent him staggering. "Just feast your eyes on my prowess. I'm sure my awesomeness will make you feel better." He flexed a muscle. "Hurry up, idiot," he called as he ran down the corridor.
Hisashi's eye twitched. He longed for even one of his powers to put this insect in his place. Why did Yuuto insist on associating with such a crude ignoramus? If he wanted to be called an idiot, then he had his loving older brother to do that.
Kaji stopped at a particular metal panel in a hallway covered in them. He tapped it, revealing a secret passageway.
Hey! How had Yuuto and his braindead friend found out about that? Hisashi had murdered the architect who'd created his secret passageways. This might explain a thing or two about his pathetic little brother's past escapes.
"Stop lollygagging, useless." Kaji waved at the tunnel.
Gritting his teeth and fantasizing about murder, Hisashi followed.
When they finally stood outside in the sunlight, Hisashi could have laughed in relief. He'd been stuck in that stupid bank vault for—he checked Kaji's watch—almost a whole day. How could Yuuto have been so heartless? True, he'd stuck his younger brother in there much, much longer, but he would have let him out at any time if he'd given up on his pathetic rebellion. Therefore, Hisashi considered himself completely justified in his indignation.
The wind tickled his lungs. He coughed.
Kaji removed his scarf to drape it over him. "You look cold. Don't fall over dead on me, you walking corpse. I've got a new safehouse. Let's head home, and I'll cook you my signature gyudon."
Hisashi tried his best to imitate his younger brother's stupidity. "I insist I'm fine despite all evidence to the contrary. I disdain all food."
Kaji frowned. "Seriously, are you all right? Was that supposed to be a joke?"
What had gone wrong? That had been a perfect imitation of Yuuto. Hisashi tried to pull off a recovery. "Yes, just a joke. I'm eager to eat your no doubt terrible cooking."
Kaji laughed. "That's my idiot!" He leaned in. A flush covered the blonde's cheeks. His lips puckered.
To his horror, Hisashi realized this insect was about to kiss him.
"Argh! Get away from me!" Hisashi screamed, shoving with all his might.
Since this was all of Yuuto's might, it failed to even move the other man. Instead, Kaji stepped back voluntarily. His face looked hurt. "I'm sorry. Did I do something wrong? Are you angry at me for some reason?"
"You're sleeping with my brother?" Hisashi shrieked.
Kaji recoiled. "Absolutely not. Did Hisashi tell you that? He's lying to break us apart. You're the only one I love, Yuuto. Even if I was single, I would never, ever go near that ugly sociopath."
Hisashi snapped, "I'm an extremely handsome sociopath!"
Kaji's eyes narrowed. "Wait a moment. You're Hisashi?"
Yuuto tried to convince himself that maybe he'd misunderstood the government email. Maybe they'd rejected him because of his brother's villainous past. But he knew for a fact that several former villains had been recruited into Japan's first professional heroes. Thanks to his skill at whitewashing his misdeeds, Hisashi actually didn't have as bad a reputation as them.
The email stated quite clearly: they didn't want people with villainous powers. Akira Shogo, so-called hero, even shamelessly went on to elaborate about how redistributing powers seemed like an evil ability and he should consider isolating himself from society. Patronization and disdain dripped off every word.
How dare they be so blatantly prejudiced? Yuuto burned with rage. This did not meet the standards of his beloved ideals. Anyone should be allowed to be a hero!
He hit "delete" with more force than necessary. Screw the government. He'd become a vigilante!
The more Yuuto thought about this, the more he liked the idea. Superman, Spiderman, and Batman were all vigilantes. All the cool heroes worked outside the law. This was going to be so much fun!
Humming to himself, he sent an email to his brother's staff with orders for his new costume and equipment.
A minion pounded on his door. Yuuto called, "What is it?" before he remembered he was supposed to act like his snooty older brother. "I grant you permission to enter."
The frazzled woman threw open his door. She stared at him as if facing the Grim Reaper before looking away. Barely above a whisper, she said, "A blond man with explosive powers invaded. Your younger brother has escaped." She didn't take her eyes off her feet.
Oops. Yuuto realized he'd never told Kaji about what had happened to him. Actually, he'd had no means to reach his boyfriend, since they'd both been moving around on the run from All for One. But he ought to have at least tried.
"Have they already escaped the bunker?" he asked.
"Yes." A small sob escaped the woman's lips.
"Then don't chase after them. Let them go." Yuuto couldn't risk Kaji getting hurt. It annoyed him a little that his older brother had escaped the vault, but since Yuuto had already had his fun stuffing him in there, he didn't care that much. He'd never been the type to hold a grudge for very long. Also, it might be risky to let Hisashi come into contact with his former minions in case he could turn them to his side, so better to leave him alone.
The woman stared at him. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.
"What's wrong?" Yuuto asked. Then he realized his concerned tone would be extremely out of character for his older brother. "I mean, say what you want to say, then get out."
She stuttered, "Aren't you angry? Last time your brother got out, you were so upset you ended up building a bank vault…"
Oh, right. Yuuto flung a hand over his forehead. "Curses! Foiled again! I hate heroes!" He peered at her. "Is that better?"
She stared with wide, terrified eyes.
He sighed. "Keep trying to track them down, but don't get too close to them. Especially not my brother. Don't speak a word to him. If you find the blond one, then hand him my personal phone number and tell him to call me. Give him my apologies."
Yuuto suspected Kaji would quickly figure out about the switch. He'd never been much of an actor, and his brother wasn't any better. If nothing else, the deception wouldn't last past the first time Kaji tried to get romantic. Yuuto winced at the realization his older brother was about to find out about that. Now he had even more motivation to avoid Hisashi for the near future.
Her eyes became even wider. "Your apologies, Master?"
"Just do it," Yuuto growled. "Don't harm Ka—I mean, the blond one. I'll make you pay if you so much as muss a hair on his spikey head. Understood?" He summoned up his older brother's most intimidating glare.
The minion looked even more confused. "But that's the exact opposite of what you told us last time! You ordered us not to harm your brother but you said you didn't care what happened to his friend."
Rising, Yuuto slammed his hands down on the desk. "Focus on the present, not the past! Are you defying my orders?"
Her face paled. "Of course not! As you command, Master! Are you…okay?"
When he'd stood up, Yuuto had accidentally knocked his head into the ceiling lamp. He clutched it, groaning. His brother was a good six inches taller than him—that would take some time to get used to. He rubbed the bump. "Ouch. My big brother always said I didn't have many brain cells to lose."
"Your…older brother? You have another one? Please tell me you're not going to make us chase after him, too."
Yuuto drew himself up to his oversized height, nearly banging into the light again. "I don't look for initiative in minions."
"Forgive me, Master!" She cowered, tears starting to form in her eyes.
This made Yuuto feel guilty. "Uh, but I'm not trying to be too hard on you. I'm sure you're a lovely person and you're trying your best, even though you ought to put your efforts into something besides evil."
"M-master? What does that mean, master? You are the master, right?"
Yuuto thought fast. "Psyche! I was just messing with you!" He summoned his best evil laugh. It came straight from his belly. "Muhahahahaha!"
"Very good, master." Looking confused but relieved, the woman fled.
Yuuto sank back into his chair. It was fortunate his brother's underlings weren't the brightest—or they were too terrorized to think. He'd have to be more careful.
Kaji Bakugo wore a black leather jacket with spikes on the shoulders. A metal chain ran from his nose piercing. Buckles covered his boots. A long scar ran from his forehead across his nose. Another scar on his neck had been masked by a dragon tattoo. A perpetual emo scowl covered his face. He looked like exactly the sort of disreputable punk no one would ever want dating their younger relatives.
If only Hisashi still had his powers, he would have already solved this problem with a quick murder. He shrieked, "Stay away from my adorable little brother!"
Kaji rolled his eyes. "This is why we never told you. Not even back in high school before you turned super-evil. We knew you'd freak out."
This sordid affair had been going on for so long? How could Hisashi have failed so badly as a parental figure? He'd known that letting Yuuto have friends would be a mistake. His pathetic younger brother had no sense or judgment. "This ends right now!"
"Oh, yeah? What are you going to do?" Kaji crossed his arms.
"I forbid it!" Hisashi raised a shaking finger. "You never asked for my permission!"
Kaji brayed like a donkey. "Why the hell would I need your permission? We're both adults. Do you think you belong to a royal dynasty with arranged marriages, you egotistical prick?"
"My criminal empire says you need my permission!"
Kaji didn't even bother to point out that All for One no longer had his empire, his minions, or his powers. He simply stared with one eyebrow raised until the point became obvious.
Hisashi gritted his teeth and switched tactics. "My foolish little brother is too young to date. He's certainly too young for you. You're a cradle-robber!"
"Stop babying him. I'm only one year older than Yuuto."
"I don't approve of you."
Kaji sneered. "I don't approve of you as Yuuto's brother."
Hisashi gaped. "You don't get to do that!"
"Really? Because this is me here, disapproving of you." Kaji raked him with his eyes. "I don't like how you insult him or how you control him. Yuuto has self-esteem issues because of you. He should dump you as a brother."
"Ridiculous! You can't break up with your family."
"Sure you can." Kaji shrugged. "My family disowned me after I turned out metahuman, so I disowned them back. You've done far worse to Yuuto. You imprisoned him. He's developed claustrophobia because of you. After he finally gets over his lingering attachment to your abusive ass, I'll become his new family." Red eyes burned into him. "I'll make him so happy he'll forget about you."
Hisashi shook with fury. "Yuuto can never leave me! I won't allow it! We're the only family each other has!"
"You want to go back and ask him who he'd pick between the two of us?" Kaji jerked his head back in the direction of the bunker. "I'm not afraid of the answer. Are you?"
Hisashi licked suddenly dry lips. He'd come to the unfortunate realization that this blond moron posed a high threat level to his happy family life. Although he didn't want to admit it, there was a very real chance that his deluded, rebellious younger brother might pick this spikey idiot over him.
Why would Yuuto fall for this crude asshole? Maybe he was stuck in the cycle of abuse, seeking out a bad boy like their alcoholic father. Clearly it was Hisashi's duty to rescue his foolish younger brother from his poor life choices.
Hisashi wanted to murder Kaji so much. He would deserve a medal for the murder. But all his murdering powers were gone. Although he'd be happy to beat the insect to death with a rock if given an opportunity. Curse this weak body.
Kaji said, "I ought to drag you right back to Yuuto. You deserved to be in that vault." He advanced, an unpleasant expression on his face.
Hisashi tried to dodge, but his limbs wouldn't move as fast as his real body. Kaji grabbed him by the same scarf he'd gifted earlier. Though Hisashi tried to struggle, his arms had no more strength than a child's. He coughed pathetically.
Eyes widening with concern, Kaji let go. "Hey, that's Yuuto's body you're inside. You'd better be careful with it."
Hisashi seized his moment to punch.
The blow bounced off Kaji's chest. Hisashi was pretty sure his hand hurt more than any damage he'd done. Kaji pushed him against a tree and raised his fist.
Then Kaji hesitated. "I can't hit that cute face!"
Laboring under no such handicap, Hisashi headbutted him. As Kaji reeled backward, Hisashi took off running into the forest.
Kaji ran after him
Over his shoulder, Hisashi shouted, "Why are you following me? We both hate each other! Let's just go our separate ways."
Kaji bellowed, "I need to stick closely to you to make certain you don't hurt Yuuto's body."
"I wouldn't do any such thing. For one thing, this is my brother's body. For another, I'm currently inside it."
"You might not realize how fragile his lungs are! You shouldn't be running in your condition."
"Then stop chasing me." Hisashi ran faster.
"Get back here with my boyfriend's body!"
"You're not his boyfriend! I haven't acknowledged you!"
"You don't have to acknowledge the sky is blue for it to be blue, bitch."
"The sky looks grey today."
"That's not my point!"
"The idiot has a point?"
"Yes, I do." Kaji's voice turned even meaner. "You're a delusional villain with a brother complex. Guess what? Your brother loves me and hates you. No matter how much money and power you have, you've already lost what's most important. You're just too blind to notice."
Hisashi screamed with fury and ran straight into a tree.
OMAKE TIME!
Omake: Wait, No, My Pathetic Little Brother Was Supposed to Be the One to Suffer, Not Me!
Hisashi: I can't believe you left me all alone in solitary confinement. How can someone who claims to be a hero act so heartless and cruel?
Yuuto: You were inside the bank vault for less than a day. You left me in there for a month!
Hisashi: The difference is that you deserved it.
Yuuto: I hate you so much.
#
Omake: If One for All Existed in This Story
Hisashi: Wait a moment. My little brother's quirk transfers through DNA. You're the second One for All User. Exactly how have you been transferring DNA with my precious baby brother, you damn punk?
Kaji: By having sex.
Hisashi: …
Kaji: Great, passionate, bedspring-breaking sex. Our neighbors complain about the noise.
Hisashi: I'm going to murder you slowly!
Kaji: Your jealousy is sadly transparent. I bet you've never had anyone you didn't pay first.
#Fun thought #If Hisashi had let Kaji kiss him, he could have passed on the karma quirk #He'd be so angry if he knew about the missed opportunity #But probably not angry enough to be willing to kiss Kaji
Author's Note:
Remembering to call quirks "metahuman abilities" is a huge pain in the ass. Next time I write a story set in the past, I'm just going to call them quirks. I'm a fanfic writer, canon is my used Kleenex.
I gave the Second One for All User similar abrasive speech habits to Katsuki, but they're very different people. Kaji has lived a much harder life as one of the first generation of people with quirks. He's been more the target of bullying than the bully, and his tough façade is to protect himself.
But anyone who's read Clone Blues knows that Kaji and Katsuki do have one thing in common. Both Bakugos possess an almost supernatural ability to make All for One instantly want to kill them.
FYI, my story Sealed with Love was marked as complete but now has an extra alternative ending, so if you missed that please check it out.