A/N : I was going over this chapter yesterday and was about to post it but my sister stopped me. She literally edited/ pointed out everything that she thought was kind of awkward, and although I am very grateful that she edited this chapter... I had a lot of work to do, haha. That's why I couldn't post it yesterday.
The next written few parts are of Ainiru's memories, not Aera's memories. I'm telling you that Aera's background is totally different from Ainiru's. Personally I think I developed Ainiru better as a character, though I think her background is kind of similar to other people's OCs.
I was literally obsessing on how she looked, what relationships she had, and what quirk she had. This fanfiction literally took over my life and I thought about it day and night, but I guess it was a great distraction while studying… Because now AP season is over for me, and I could now breathe a sigh of relief. I think I got a somewhat good score on my AP exam…!
Also, thank you for reviewing! Reviews always motivate me, that's why I love people who review! Your reviews always put a smile on my face, hehe. XD
Disclaimer: My Hero Academia belongs to Kohei Horikoshi.
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~4 years old.
Bursting to tell my long-kept secret, I tugged on Touya's sleeve and began to whisper to him when he crouched down to look at me, face to face. "Don't tell my Otousan, Touya-Oppa…. but I want to become a hero! Just like you and my brothers are going to be one. Just like All Might!"
"... really? ….Ainiru, being a hero isn't that great. Heroes act like they are so just and faultless when they themselves treat their own families like tra— Nevermind…..It's just that I think that the title of a hero doesn't deserve you."
"...But still! I want to be a hero! ….I hope that Otousan will let me…..!"
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~5 years old
"Ojiisan, Obaasan! You're -huff- here! I—-"
"Insolent girl! You shouldn't be running to meet us! Walk slowly and gracefully like a proper lady should!" Stifling my huge gasps for air, I stared up at my scowling grandparents, frightened by their snappish dispositions.
Did I... do anything wrong?
"...I'm ...sorry...Ojiisan, Obaasan."
"...Hmph. If only your good-for-nothing mother birthed a son, instead of a disappointment. A daughter." My grandmother spat spitefully. "Stand up straight! What is wrong with your posture! And why did you not stop and bow deeply when you saw us! Did your mother not teach you your manners!"
I falteringly bowed, my head tipped back to peek at my grandparents' expressions to see if they approved. "Don't look at me when you are bowing, girl!" Cheeks flushing deep red from embarrassment, I immediately tucked my head in, hoping that her chastising would end.
"Humph." My grandparents strode by coldly, leaving me to cautiously look up and watch them walk down the main hallway of my home.
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~6 years old.
Nervous, I shyly brought out my present from behind my back, offering it hesitantly to my uncles. They ignored me, as Eldest Uncle kept on scrolling through his phone while Youngest Uncle kept on talking into his phone.
"Eldest Uncle, Youngest Uncle…. I made this at my school… " Both uncles shot me an exasperated look but I kept venturing on. Their faces grew increasingly aggravated as I finished my words with a tremble in my voice.
"And.. I was hoping if you would… keep t-this?" There was an awkward pause. And another pause that stretched for long minutes. Both of my uncles never looked up at me and I soon left, defeated.
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~ 7 years old
"Aumma, why are Ojiisan, Obaasan, Eldest Uncle, and Youngest Uncle always so against me…! They always nit-pick heavily on my every move while they adore Tsuiniko and dote on him. They always acknowledge Eldest, Second, and Third Brother..!" I exploded, once my extended family had left for their respective homes.
"They don't even come over for my birthday, Aumma! They only come over for Tsuiniko, Otousan, and my brothers! They never even come over for Onee-san's birthday either…!" Tears erupted as my long-kept anger and disappointment exploded in an outburst toward Aumma.
"…..Even Otousan is more proud and more supporting of Tsuiniko than me! I know that it isn't Tsuiniko's fault… But no matter how much I study or how much I concentrate on my looks and manners, they don't acknowledge me at all!" I paused, finally coming to a conclusion after all these years.
"….It's because I'm a girl, right? They have been looking down on me ever since I was born...It makes sense." Tears spilled out of me as I looked around my quiet room.
"...The way they always treat me and Oneesan. Even though Oneesan is older than me, and she doesn't talk to me, the only fact that we both share is that we are both girls in this family….! ...Aumma, did you also think I didn't notice you suffering under the same treatment that Oneesan and I are going through!"
Aumma stayed silent. Then she took my hand in hers.
"...I'm sorry that I can't do anything about it without a huge explosive fight….. Ainiru. As your Aumma, I was always blaming myself that I couldn't do anything ever since they were treating you like that... But Ainiru, even I can't do anything about it... I am always here for you. The only way to push through their treatment is to show them that it hasn't gotten to you...! Do the things that you want to do, regardless of what they say about it. Shrug their insults off and don't let them chain you down."
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I stared down at my shoes as Otousan lectured me about my dream to become a pro-hero for what felt like the millionth time. I had begged him painstakingly every sparing moment, hoping that he would give in. But no! He doesn't!
I felt my eyes water, my nasal cavity burning with tears. Keep it in. It won't help you prove your point for the billionth time.
Feeling the mind-numbing lecture in its full force, I stared up at my father, who again was firmly asserting his decision. "Ainiru. Girls of the Yukimisaka family must hold up the old ways, the traditions that your ancestors have upheld, even before quirks have appeared. We were one of the powerful and wealthiest daimyos in Japan! Instead of being a hero….perhaps you can instead be talented in your studies and concentrate on your visage."
"But, Otousan…. I really want to be a hero! I've asked you so many times…. Why can't I become a hero, just like Tsuiniko is going to become one! Even Eldest Brother is going to graduate from a hero academy, and Second Brother is planning to go to UA!"
"You should do something else. Something more feminine, more safer, and more well-fitting for your gender. Being a hero will shatter you into something unrecognizable, something that I'm sure that you as a girl can't handle. Why do you want to go the hard way? Leave that road for Tsuiniko and your brothers, who will be able to handle the pressure. Little girls like you can't train vigorously for UA, especially when you would be too weak."
"But—!"
"Ainiru. Stop this irrational fantasy of yours. I know that it is not fit for you. I will not speak about this matter anymore, no matter how many times you beg in the future. Now lower your voice. Girls must be seen, not heard."
I shut up, swallowing my tears. That was something I was good at. Keeping the pain in. My words. My opinions. My thoughts of everything.
As he waved me off dismissively, I quietly went out of his study, feeling wrath burning in the midst of my insides. As soon I was inside my room, I went over to my hidden bulletin board and ripped off and threw everything that reminded me of heroes into the trash. Where my dream was currently. At the deep bottom of my life, unable to bring up again.
"Ow!" I immediately withdrew my hand after a thumbtack pricked my finger as I was clawing the posters off in fury.
Suddenly the small stinging pain brought up every defeated memory that I had stored away in my mind over the years. Every depressing thought I had was brought to the surface all at once, along with the now familiar tears. My knees hit the floor, my pricked hand sliding down the wall, smearing blood as I put my head on the wall.
I can't remember how many times… I begged him on my knees, sobbing. All those times when I laid my pride down… all for nothing…!
As I wept my fury out, I finally decided to give up. Give in to the overwhelming pressure to crush everything that I had hoped to become.
I don't want to be a hero anymore. ...I don't. I don't. I don't. Squash it down.
It won't help me anyway.
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"That's it! I'm done! I'm done with your family, Isaoyume! It's not the ancient Japanese medieval age anymore!" Aumma yelled, as Otousan tried to scold her.
My pencil stopped writing out math formulas on my clean notebook as I heard Aumma and Otousan fight explosively for the first time after my relatives had left.
I wish that they would stop fighting.
"Ainiru is your daughter, not theirs! You don't see how they are hurting her inside, don't you! If you don't stop this treatment immediately, I'm leaving for Korea with Ainiru and Tsuiniko! Yes, I will be divorcing you because I have enough of this treatment for years!"
"Asagao, you will not be leaving for Korea, nor will you be divorcing me."
"I don't care what you say! You're always restricting everything I did for the past 12 years! And I don't care if our marriage was a quirk marriage! I'm taking my children with me!"
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~8 years old
The day was cold. And the sky was gray, with dark clouds. The cherry blossom trees, planted in front of our house, were blooming profusely and ever so slightly, petals would float down with every sway of the wind. As night fell, the winds grew more cutting and harsher, but everything was illuminated by bright moonlight.
It would have been beautiful if only Aumma wasn't leaving.
Blindly, I stumbled after my mom, with my shadow darting across the long walkway that led to our house. "Aumma…. Please don't leave me." I cried out as I gripped her arm as she dragged her ragged suitcase behind her.
She stopped and looked back down at me, the glowing outdoor lanterns shining behind her. Then she crouched down to my level and I looked through tears into her swollen jade-green eyes. "Aumma, please let me go with you! I don't care if I don't know Korean that much! Just take me and Tsuiniko away from this family!"
Her red-rimmed eyes closed and huge pearls of tears streamed down her cheeks as she reached out and wrapped her long arms around me tightly.
"I'm so sorry… Ainiru..! You can't come with me… It's all my fault..! My fault that I didn't have money or influence..! I was so foolish! I should have saved up money... Your father had tried everything to keep you and Tsuiniko in his family... and he succeeded..!"
I clung unto her, bawling into her parka and leaving damp stains on her shoulders. But I didn't care of making a big mess of myself. We were in that position for what felt like eternity. I tried to engrain her voice, her build, her scent, and how strands of Aumma's beautiful sunset hair lifted in the wind in the moonlight in my mind.
Aumma withdrew slowly to study my face, tears winking at the corner of her eyes. "Ainiru… I know for sure the next few years would be hard for you…. I'm sorry that I wouldn't be there for you... but you have to stay strong…. Okay? You have to be strong for Tsuniko, too." She whispered falteringly while brushed away my hair behind my ears, weakly smiling.
Taking my hand, she pressed a folded piece of paper into my palm and closed it tightly. "When you become 20… you wouldn't need to stay with your Otousan. Wait for Tsuniko to be 20 as well. Then you two… can both leave and come find me in Korea, okay?" She kissed my forehead and continued on.
"I… will be at this place, written on this paper. I will wait for you… or when you don't come at all, I will come to Japan again and find you. Just wait until you become 20 and you can see me again." Letting me go after a small pause, she then stood up with a shaky breath.
"I promise you... that we will meet again. I love you, Ainiru… Always remember that. Tell Tsuiniko that I love him too."
Then she left. Storming through the night as she disappeared from my blurry vision.
I collapsed there on the cold stone walkway, bawling so hard that I was sure that everyone in the vicinity could hear me. Exhausted of all my energy after crying, I then curled up on the walkway and passed out into sleep. I felt the freezing cold seeping into my bones, but I didn't have the strength to get up and go back inside.
Faintly, I heard footsteps on the walkway through my lucidness. They stopped right in front of me. Strong arms reached under me and scooped me up into their embrace. Suddenly my face was leaning on someone's shoulder as my sleep-heavy eyes fluttered.
With a whoosh of warm air that signified that I was in my home, I was soon placed on a comfortable bed. My parka that I had hurriedly put on was unzipped and was replaced with a warm blanket. I drifted off to deeper sleep, and in the morning, a new chapter of my life began.
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~ 10 years old.
"My dad just added another physics teacher to help learn more about molecular structures, Ainiru. This is so exciting! …. Aren't your parents starting your training? You know, to become a hero."
Avoiding my best friend's questioning eyes, I bit my lower lip, stifling back my instant urge to change the conversation immediately. "No.."
"Why, though? Your quirk is really good! If you were a hero, you would be one of the best!"
"... Momo, I want to become a nurse."
Stop thinking about it. The prospect of becoming a her—-.
"...Okay, then. But promise me, we will still be best friends even after I become a pro-hero!"
"Of course, Momo. I promise." Turning my head, I tried to ignore the overwhelming envy stirring in my heart.
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The next thing I knew, I was lying down on the bed again with my concerned brothers and a doctor hovering over me in relief.
After checking me over, the doctor announced that I did not have a concussion and was just dehydrated. I, on the other hand, was stunned speechless because of the sudden, forceful torrent of unfamiliar memories and stayed frozen through the whole ordeal.
"Are you sure that you are feeling okay? Should I get you anything else?" My older brother, Keitomo, said.
"..…..Oniisan. I'm.. fine. I just have a minor headache." My mouth weighed like stones as I gave the pink-haired boy-no, my older brother a feeble smile, stretching my lips thinly in an act of reassurance.
"Oniisan… can you and... Tsuiniko... leave me alone for a few minutes? I... just want to get some rest." My hands fisted my comforter tightly as Oniisan looked down at me and gave a nod.
"Tsuiniko, let's leave your sister for her to rest. Ainiru, call for me if you want anything…. okay?" With the help of Tsuiniko, Oniisan readjusted my pillows to make me comfortable. Then he took my little brother by the hand and walked across my spacious room to leave. As soon as the doors closed, I stayed sitting there in silence, feeling paralyzed. My body felt like stone, as my eyes stared unfocused into the distance.
...This doesn't make sense….! How…? Why….!
What do I do?
…..What do I…. do?
Sweat started to drench my clothes, as I felt pins and needles coming to life in my cold hands. I suddenly felt cold wetness and touched my face tentatively. I'm… crying?
The sudden impact of my situation hit me as I realized that this was all real.
This doesn't make sense at all…. This is not me… this is not me at all….!
I'm a different person… How is this possible….? This is not my body, nor my own memories! I now have a different name, a different family, a different background, a different home…. A different life….
In…. an another world…..!
I began to sob harder, the shock overriding my senses. No, this is not real! I want to go back!
Suddenly flashes of the shooter, Esperanza, my injury, and the situation I was in made themselves known. ...But although I'm in this crazy, impossible situation…. it's definitely better than almost dying again!
If I went through a school shooting, then definitely…. I could go through this with no problem.
I sucked in deep breaths and expelled out air from my lungs. Pull yourself together! Aera, remember what you promised to Mom!
…..It's okay! Everything is fine. I'm not hurt or in danger right now. ...I can do it. There's nothing I can do to change this situation, so I would have to go with the flow. I can adapt to this situation! I can do this!
But first, I need to stop crying!
A sharp, clipped voice snapped in my head. You have two choices, Aera! One: you can have panic attacks and be listless to the world. Two: You can pull yourself together, ready your mind, and move on. What's it gonna be?
Number two. Obviously not Number 1.
Then breathe and let your emotions escape.
My heavy breathing became more calm and less sunken, with my tears ceasing next. I sat there still, finally calm. As I stifled the upcoming lumps in my throat, I felt drained of strength with my tears sticky on my face, my eyes hurting as I blinked.
I glanced at the shiny intricate clock that adorned the pale blue wall in front of me. What felt like hours was only a few minutes.
The air inside my room felt stuffy and I felt sweat trickle down my neck. I should…. go get some fresh air.
Slowly getting off my bed, I directed my heavy feet toward the tall tinted-glass doors that led to a balcony, if my memories served me right. As I walked laggardly, my face felt wooden with my mind in a befuddled state.
Desensitized to any feeling, I wordlessly opened the door and swung it open. I stepped through the doors and unto the balcony. The warmth of the strong sunlight hit me all of the sudden, along with the soft wind ruffling my damp hair.
I slowly put my hands on the banister and leaned over, my eyes slowly widening as they took in the far-away cityscape sprawling in front of me.
City buildings stood stark against the vibrant, cloudless blue sky, with birds singing their songs. The lively hum of the city reached my ears as a faint roar and rumble erupted from some part of the city. The rich green trees faintly swayed in the wind, as the sun shone more blindingly as if knowing my awe.
As I strained my eyesight as far as it could into the distance, I could see the source of the rumble more clearly. A hulking, gargantuan figure on the right side of the city was creating the rumble as small figures darted around the figure and around the buildings. They seemed to be …
….Heroes. Pro-heroes to be exact!
And… they're trying to catch a villain!
...Oh my gosh. Immensely stunned, my mind was blank. My heart pounded strongly as I stood there, slowly processing what I was seeing. Something vividly colored in the distance then caught my eye and pure, unadulterated laughter suddenly burst out of me at the sight of it.
In his familiar hero costume, All Might gave his iconic huge grin, holding up his right fist in his iconic pose on a big billboard.
Laughter came exploding out of me for what felt like an eternity. I doubled over in two, holding on to the bannister for support while laughing wholeheartedly. As it smashed the lingering impassivity in my body, I felt the heavy weight fly off my chest and I could finally breathe. I could once feel my body coming to life again, coming back to my usual self.
As I gasped for air numerous times, I wiped away the wet residue from my tears of laughter off my face. A broad smile started to emerge in my face, lighthearted excitement beginning to stir in my heart.
So what the crazy lady said was true. This….is actually real!
I'm in the world... of My Hero Academia!
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The last few days passed agonizingly slow as I struggled to adjust to my new life. Not even noticing my victorious mental battles at the end of each day, everyone carried on with their own lives, not even knowing that their world was drawn on paper.
Every day I would wake up with my half-asleep brain, expecting the messy, paper filled walls of my old room, but I always would get a major kick in the teeth as I remembered.
Ainiru Yukimisaka. That's my name now?
It seemed like the memories that came back in dreams when I lost consciousness were only the base memories that I needed to know, because more trickled into my mind whenever I caught sight of something that triggered them.
Lying on Ainiru's huge bed, I stared up at the huge light that was hung on her room's cerulean ceiling. The light, along with the sunlight that was beaming from the huge balcony windows, illuminated the room which was awash with vivid shades of blue.
Ainiru's room was spacious, compared to my old small bedroom. Gleaming white quartz covered the floors, as towering black bookshelves covered one wall. A big study desk was pushed toward one side, filled with colorful stationery, workbooks, and notebooks.
Ainiru is rolling in money, but I bet that she doesn't even know that! Just like her best friend, Momo..!
Just think that I'm having a vacation in a luxury hotel that I can't even afford in my first life! That would be easier for my brain to adjust.
"Miss, you should get ready for dinner." Natsumi, a maid that Ainiru had considered as an older sister, beckoned me toward Ainiru's huge ebony dressing table. Standing up from the plushy bed, I hesitantly sat down on the cushioned stool that Natsumi held out for me.
Various arrays of makeup containers and skin care bottles stood in uniform lines, all perfectly arranged on the dressing table. A huge mirror sparkled in front of me, which I was sure that Natsumi or somebody had polished it to a shine multiple times. Having maids to clean up everything would have been great back in my world..! Apparently, Ainiru is a neat freak. She would probably grimace at my messy, small room, even though she doesn't make facial expressions that much.
It's a wonder how Ainiru didn't become a spoiled brat like Veruca Salt. Slightly clearing my throat, I said the very things that Ainiru said routinely to Natsumi every day. "Can you do my hair again, Natsumi?"
"Of course, Miss."
My eyes bulged comically when I met eyes with my reflection. Oh my gosh, who the HECK are y-! Ah, right. ...It's me.
Natsumi gave me a weird side eye, as she gently dragged a brush through my soft locks of hair.
No matter how many times I keep on reminding myself that it's not going to be me, I keep on thinking that it is me! Even though I was inwardly grimacing from embarrassment, I still kept looking at the clear image of Ainiru that was shown in the mirror.
As Natsumi went on braiding my plaits, I felt somewhat consoled as I kept on scanning my face. As I kept staring at my reflection in curiosity, I realized that I assumed a few things wrong about my appearance.
I thought Ainiru was a redhead at first, but apparently she's not. Her hair… is like a mix of….purple and red. Where did I see that color before? Ah, right…! I snapped my fingers mentally in my head.
Wine. Wine-colored hair. Specifically, claret-colored hair. Assemble that along with her crystal-water colored eyes, Ainiru is seriously pretty..!
I suddenly remembered when I had looked into a mirror for the first time a few days ago. I screamed like a banshee, so high that I myself was cackling at the end. I thought I had a brain aneurysm when I saw that my eyebrows were a different color. If I was a K-pop idol, I would be really used to it though.
….To think about it, how in heck did I get here?
I'm in someone else's body right now. So, somehow, my soul went into another person's physical body, combining both of our memories, feelings, and experiences. But then where is Ainiru's soul right now? Does this even make sense?!
Ugh, I feel like I'm treading on thin ice right now! If I count on what the crazy lady said, when is the envelope going to come? Hopefully, it would explain everything.
…...If I recall correctly, I didn't see or hear Ainiru getting mentioned anywhere in the manga or anime. Since the story is in Izuku Midoriya's point of view and along with the fact that she didn't go to UA, obviously no reader nor anime watcher would know about he—-
OW! I attempted to hide my wince as Natsumi tugged unforgivingly at the remaining wisps of my hair while trying to loop strands into the hair ornament. "Are you okay, Miss?"
"Yes. I'm okay."
"...Alright, Miss." With a curious glance at me, she smoothened down some stray hairs. "Miss, you should go down to the main hall now."
"Alright. Thank you, Natsumi."
She bowed as I left my room with soft, graceful steps. As soon as I went out of her sight, I felt my original brisk, hard pace return. I never knew that meals can be this stressful….!
I could see why Ainiru just wanted to take her little brother and leave this family. This family… just being next to them makes my stress levels go so high…!
Joy is always at the source of food! Yet this situation proves me totally wrong. Let's hope that I don't get indigestion again…..! I thought I was going to die last time from how bloated I felt!
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I went down the wide, marble staircase that led to the main hallway of Ainiru's house, my stomach churning at the thought of having to interact with Ainiru's family members.
Ainiru's siblings always had to greet Otousan at the main entrance of her home. It was to show respect, similarly like how I always walked to the door and called out a greeting to my mom when she came back from work late at night. I'm slightly glad that Japanese culture is somewhat easy for me to adapt to, considering that I'm Korean….
I quietly took my spot between Third Brother and Tsuiniko, as my hawk-eyed family members immediately noticed my appearance. Please don't talk to me, Please don't talk to me!
"Ainiru, how come you were in your room all day long? I stopped by your room but you didn't answer." Keitomo quietly greeted me, his mouth twitching up to a soft smile.
Dang it!
Keitomo Yukimisaka. Ainiru's third older brother. One of Ainiru's brothers who is the most closest with Ainiru. But why does he need to talk to me right now!?
….I'm worried that I might slip up and act unlike Ainiru!
Calm down, Aera. Just rely on your memories and try to mimic how Ainiru behaves!
Trying my best to replicate Ainiru's facial expressions, I slightly smiled and added a touch of an apology to appear on my face. "I'm sorry, Oniisan. I wasn't feeling that well today."
"Really? Is it because you slipped down the stairs a few days ago?"
"...Maybe, Oniisan. I'm not quite sure."
Keitomo opened his mouth to say something but Second Brother cut him off. You. I dislike you so much that I want to chop up the nearest bonsai tree and shove it down your throat!
Tokisora Yukimisaka was Ainiru's second brother and was Keitomo's twin. The two are just polar opposites in how they treat me, how they act, and even their personalities...!
"Well, well, Ainiru." Tokisora drawled condescendly, leaning on Keitomo's shoulder with an arm. Keitomo stiffened.
"It seems like the little mouse left her sewer hole. And she doesn't look presentable at all today. What will Otousan say?"
Tch, why does this non-existent, fictional person bothers me so much...! Makes me uncomfortable, considering that he should be drawn on paper! ...He's just paper, for goodness's sake!
"... Otousan would say that I would look exceptionally pretty today." Pushing the limits as far I could dare, I sent an unrattled smile to Tokisora. He looked astounded for a millisecond, but quickly recovered.
He opened his mouth to release another barrage of venomous snark but thankfully, the nearby maids hurried forward and opened the main doors to our home as Otousan strolled in. Saved by Otousan! ...I never knew that I would be happy to see Ainiru's father...
On a reflex, I then folded myself into a respective bow, with my hands folded over my stomach. My siblings followed.
Otousan was a tall, intimidating person, with the same hair and eye colors that Ainiru had. Ainiru had mixed feelings about her dad. Some resentment, some longing, some love, some disappointment, with other strong emotions varying on a spectrum. I guess she just accepted his treatment of her in the end.
While sometimes how he talks and acts just irks me to no end!
I raised back my head back. "Good Evening, Otousan. Did you have a good day at work?" I said impulsively in Ainiru's flowery voice, the words tumbling out of my lips. I almost faltered while speaking, surprised at my own courage. Fudgemallow sticks, Ainiru never started off the greetings before! Whoops!
You know what, heck with it! I'm going to get my greeting done and over with!
Otousan swiveled around after giving a nearby maid his jacket. I heard a note of pleasant surprise in his voice. "Hm. Work went fine, Ainiru. Thank you for asking. Was your day eventful? Did your head hurt?"
I answered the best I could without taking a breath of hesitation. "My day was wonderful, Otousan. And no, my head does not hurt at all."
"I see. Good to hear that. What about you, Misen?"
"Very well, Otousan." My older sister, Misen Yukimisaka, had arrived right next to us silently after I did. I rarely saw her except for meal times. Apparently even Ainiru was used to her older sister's seclusive behavior.
Private. Keeps to herself. Never talks to Ainiru, even though Ainiru wishes that she did. After all, they are both born from different mothers. Misen, from Otousan's divorced first wife. Ainiru, from Otousan's third wife, her Aumma.
Otousan nodded in response and moved on. "Onsatoi, Tokisora, Keitomo. Come to my study after dinner. I would like to discuss how you are doing in your hero training."
"Yes, Otousan." My older brothers inclined their heads down in obedience. Seeing his chance, Tsuiniko went forward and tugged on Otousan's arm. "Otousan, I managed to do that move that Fujiniro-Sensei taught me! And I managed to finish my lessons a few hours before you came!"
"That's my boy! What else have you learned today?" Everyone, seeing that the greetings were finished, agreed silently in unison to walk to the dining room. I followed along, with Keitomo at my side.
Dang, I'm an outside in this family, and I could see clearly how Otousan favorites his sons over his daughters more! You can literally tell by the amount of words that Otousan exchanged with Misen and I and how quickly he moved on..!
...I could see why Ainiru wanted some attention and love from her father, considering that she could see the imbalance of the attention and love that Otousan gave her and with how much he is dishing out to her brothers.
Hmm.. actually I'm… okay with Otousan not having interactions with me. If that were to happen, I would probably have a huge migraine after! As long as he doesn't make me pissed, then it's fine. It's one less person to fool.
Did I just sound like some kind of evil clone of Ainiru? I swallowed a snicker that threatened to break out on my face as I walked.
Anyway, a toast to another fun time of finding out what kind of dishes that I'm going to eat today!
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The dining room was colossal. To me at least. Back in reality, I had a small, collapsible table to eat simple meals with my family everyday.
The crystal chandelier gave off magnificent light, beaming upon the array of dishes that were placed on the luxurious table that Ainiru and her family ate meals at. While looking around while trying to eat, I saw that the ivory-painted walls were adorned with ornamental pieces, even traditional katanas and armor that I was sure were handed down in Otousan's family for centuries.
An octopus tentacle, dipped in soy sauce. A roasted fish here. Shrimp! I softly clicked my wooden, rounded chopsticks together, again noticing the difference between them and the ones that I had used in my own world.
They are not made of metal, like the ones I have always used. It feels unusual, but familiar. This feeling…? Dejavu, again.
Swallowing, my eyes hunted the dishes on the table for something I could try out. This became a routine for me over the past few days because I had never seen these kinds of foods before. Trying out new Japanese food... Let's think that I'm staying at a five-star hotel in Japan! That is more reassuring than me remembering that all this delicious food should be drawn on paper!
Using my chopsticks, I picked up some fish roe while spooning through seafood stew that had red pepper oil added to it. As I started to dig through my rice to eat them together, Keitomo spoke to me.
"Ainiru, isn't the stew too spicy for you? I thought that you didn't like spicy food."
I almost gave him a look of disbelieving horror before I managed to stop myself. What kind of person doesn't like to eat the fiery taste of life?! Apparently, Ainiru. She's been missin' out on the fun stuff!
"...I'm just trying spicy food again, Oniisan."
"Oh, okay."
At least Keitomo talks to Ainiru.. Without him, Ainiru would have to stay silent like what Misen is doing. I sneaked a peek at Ainiru's older sister, who was quietly eating what was on her plate.
Otousan was discussing hero events that happened today with my brothers while eating, with Tokisora, my second oldest brother, chiming in details and facts every second he could. All of them are hero fanatics!
As their conversation went on and on, I immensely disliked how Otousan ignored Misen and I, and didn't look at us while eating. It's as if he's telling us that our opinions don't matter at all! This is totally different from how I was accepted in my family, where I could talk whatever I had wanted, with my family including me in their conversations...!
Then again, this is better because then I could talk less and raise fewer alarms that I wasn't Ainiru. Let's just focus on eating..!
Tentatively chewing on some fish, I got distracted by the huge, sliced octopus leg that was lying a few inches away from me. Dang, that looks tasty! Oh, I wish that there was spicy red chili paste here so I could dip a piece in! There is only soy sauce and wasabi!
"Mr. Yukimisaka, an envelope was found on the doorstep."
I froze, my chopsticks freezing along with me. Wait a second…! Hold up, did he just say envelope?! I immediately turned to see our butler showing Otousan a shiny envelope.
An envelope... which was exactly the same shade and color of the crazy lady's hair, except more shimmery! So much that it looked like a certain crazy lady had swallowed and spat it back up with gem facets.
Oh shoot, what in the fudging hell do I do?! I can't let Otousan open it! What do I do?!
Otousan frowned as he took the envelope. "Hmm. Doesn't have anything written on it." His hand moved to the edge of the envelope, which seemed to me that he was about to rip its side and take out the letter inside.
"Otousan, I-," My lips opened on their own accord, my sudden panic causing me to burst out speaking. Horrified, my panicked brain tried to figure out what to say while all of my family looked at me at my sudden outburst.
Standing up, I then reached out a steadied hand as my heart resounded in my ears, so loud that I was positive that everyone in the dining room could hear it.
"Otousan, that envelope. It's mine. Please give it to me."
.
A/N: Yes, finally the envelope arrives! What do you think Lady Imagination is going to write to Aera with that letter? It would be nice if you write your expectations in a review! Also include what you liked and disliked about this chapter if you like..! XD
Aera has a weird personality mash-up right now in this chapter and her thought processes are different from how she acts. Aera's real personality comes out later as Aera starts to not care about what other people thought of her as time goes by. Right now, she is restricting what she says and does because she feels like she should.
I know that this is getting long also. I know that most My Hero Academia OC fanfictions have their OCs go to UA in the first chapter and here am I, writing out full chapters in which Aera still doesn't attend UA. I want to get to that part as soon as possible, but I think this part of Aera's story is needed.
Oh, gosh. The names..! I was researching kanji and their meaning for a few weeks, trying to make Ainiru's name and her family members' names. All the names mentioned in this chapter are all made by yours truly, except for Natsumi and Asagao, Ainiru's mom. That was because I got tired.
And another thing. I know that the usual "sexist family" background is very clique, but it's still out there. Especially in Asian countries, including Japan. Since I live in America, it often slips my mind that there are girls out there, unable to do the things that they want to do because of their family members. If you guys don't believe me that sexism still exists in Asia, search up what the Fillipino president said about his daughter. You would be fired up.
To Argo Devilian: Yep, Car-kun got replaced! I'm not so sure if I heard of the gun that the car-kun has so please enlighten me more about it!
Finally, please review again…! I will try my best in writing/editing out the next chapter, which might come out in a few days. Or it would cost some more days because I have to make a small documentary and its due during finals. Thumbs up!