AN: Second chapter is here! This one with less gore thankfully. Unless…
-xXx-
Police, firefighters and Paramedics arrived on scene after ten minutes of someone reporting the incident. I feel like that can't be true. I spent hours hiding behind that piece of rubble. The medics gave me a quick look over before handing me over to the police. I was driven to the station soon after. They tried to ask me questions when we were still near the mall but I didn't answer any of them. Still seeing what was left of my parents.
The first thing I asked when I arrived at the police station was if I could use the restroom. Now I'm in front of a mirror washing off tears and snot. My hair changed. It went from mostly black with white bits to the reverse. Is it because of the stress? I think I have cleaned myself up enough to return to the room.
"Are you feeling well enough to tell us what happened? We can wait if you need more time." Asked one of the police officers. At first I thought it was the shock that caused the time to slow down. But it's still slowed. Has my quirk evolved? As I thought about normal time speed again it returned to normal.
"T-the man… a-ate them." I barely get out after a period of silence as I erupt into tears again.
"Who did the man… eat?" The second one pushed, trying to be as gentle as possible.
"M-mommy and Daddy." I whimpered.
"Oh shit." Blurted out the first one from shock at what he heard. He placed a hand on his mouth in shock and regret at his own words.
"Larry!" Scolded the second officer.
"I'm sorry." He said right after he realised he said it out loud. I just kept crying.
"Do you remember how the man you saw looked?" The second one asked, still glaring at the first one.
"Yes, just give me a moment." I managed to say through my tears. As they called in someone new. They had a pen and notebook in hand. Where are they going to do a sketch? I thought they used computers for that these days.
"Sit back and relax and close your eyes, our associate here will take care of the rest." The officer said pointing at the newcomer with the drawing kit. I listen to him and lean back and close my eyes. I can't relax as much as I wish to because of the scene reappearing. But I had to if I wanted him to get caught for what he did.
"Oh you poor thing. I'm already done, you're free to leave." Said the artist. I looked down at his notebook and saw a detailed drawing of the monster. It was an almost exact replica of his face.
-xXx-
I'm moving to an orphanage. I got a week break from kindergarten and right now some people are helping me move my things to my new home. There is an awkward silence in the car, the man helping me trying to be as nice as possible to me after being told what happened.
We reached our destination and parked the car. He helped me get my suitcases from the trunk and handed them over to the staff.
"Well, best wishes kid." He told me with a small smile as he waved me goodbye.
"Shiobana Junko right?" Questioned the older orphanage employee.
"Yes." I weakly confirm.
"Let's go meet the other kids then." He changed the subject seeing how uncomfortable I was.
We walked inside, above the front door was a colourful sign that read: Sunflower Orphanage. Beautiful name. The inside looked like a toned down version of the Kindergarten. At least the first room did. With sunflower fields on the walls and colourful furniture. The one unique feature though was a grandfather clock placed against a wall. It looked antique. Dark oiled wood, white clock face, golden frame, pointers and pendulum.
"Everyone, this is Shiobana Junko, give her a warm welcome." He introduced me. They all welcomed with enthusiasm and smiles even the older ones. It felt nice after all that happened. They all quieted down as one of the older kids stepped forward.
"My name is Yazuma Akira, but you can call me Akira. I'm the oldest one here except the old man of course." He said, giving me his hand to shake and pointing at the employee that brought me in. He had spiky black hair and yellow eyes. He was dressed in a bright green and yellow blazer with a black shirt underneath. His pants were stripped in dark colours and deep, crimson red.
"Nice to meet you, Akira." I answered and shook his hand with comically large force.
"I'd love to talk with you more but I need to go or I'll be late for my job!" He exclaimed as he left. I looked at the kids, with a puzzled expression.
"Akira and a few others work multiple jobs trying to get funding for the orphanage. At least he says it's a part time job. We aren't exactly well funded." Stated a teenage girl sitting in the corner, noticing my confusion. Muttering the second sentence under her breath. She had dark purple hair and violet eyes. She was wearing a lavender hoodie and black leggings.
"Some even tried being pro heroes. But most of us don't have good enough quirks, and those that do don't have once suited for being famous and having a high income." She added with a sad look.
"I'm Akane by the way." She introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you all." I responded, bowing to everyone present.
-xXx-
Daily life in the orphanage was something that took some getting used to. I didn't have my own room or anything of that kind. Everything was just split for gender. There were also only two bathrooms, the man's and the women's. So the lines were pretty long. I spent most of my day helping the others or hanging out with the older ones.
Life there wasn't luxurious but we had each other and that helped. I also tried experimenting with my quirk. I learned I can alter my perception of time on a spectrum like temperature. Similar to my mom's quirk…
-xXx-
Today some of the children including me went on a bug collecting and observing trip to the local park. What can a girl not like bugs? They're cool and scuttle cutely. We found mostly ladybugs and beetles but the trip was quite fun. Though a boy fell from a tree trying to reach a butterfly and fell down onto a pile of branches. That cut our leave short and we headed back to Sunflower.
When we arrived Old man was talking to two people inside of his office. Someone is getting adopted I'm guessing. Well good for them, right now the priority is taking care of the injured kid. I led him to the common room and spotted Akira there. He should be able to help.
"Akira! Someone is hurt!" I called out to him, grabbing his attention.
"Go get the medkit from the medical cabinet, I'll take care of him." He told me. And I listened, running to get it. I returned to a surprising sight. Akira was distracting the boy with bright light arcs appearing in his hand while picking out the small bits of wood stuck in his patient's arms.
"Here I brought the medkit." I told him, handing it over while my eyes were glued to his hand with a curious expression.
"Oh that's just my quirk. I can't do much more with it so I use the best I can." He answered while taking the medkit and returning to his work.
-xXx-
"Remember Junko-chan went through a lot, so please be sensitive with her and don't ask questions." I heard the teacher ask, through the door.
I waited a moment then entered the room.
"Ah Junko you're here, welcome back." Miss Miramoto greeted me. All of the kids repeated her words then went back to playing. Except for Akemi. Who ran at me with arms opened wide. She tackled me into a hug and then helped me up.
"Are you okay?" She questioned with concern on her face.
"I'm fine." I told her trying to sound as convincing as possible.
"If you say so. Wanna go to the playground?" She asked with new found excitement.
"Sure!" I responded, matching her energy. We both ran outside and went on the swings. As we went back and forth we returned to our usual conversation topics.
-xXx-
"Wait here. I need to go to the restroom." I said as I jumped off the swing seat and scurried towards the building.
When I returned I saw three kids standing next to Akemi who was now on the floor. I recognized them as Azumi, Sakura and Kazuou. I hid behind one of the trees and listened to what they were saying.
"Freak!" Sakura insulted, posing her hair like snakes.
"Imagine having a mutation type quirk that only makes you uglier." Kazuou mocked. Anger gathered inside me at what I was witnessing. I rushed out from behind the trees standing between them and Akemi.
"Stop!" I shouted at them. The others seemed to be ignoring us.
"Or what you'll use your quirk? Oh wait, you don't have one yet." Kazuou laughed.
"You know what else she doesn't have? Parents." Said Azumi. I lost my temper at that and punched her in the face.
Sakura tried to tie me up with her hair after she saw what I did. But I slowed down my perception of time and dodged the slow moving hair.
Kazuou tried to attack me but a yell stopped him.
"What are you doing?!" Seems someone went to get the teacher.
"She attacked us." Fake cried Azumi pointing at me from the ground.
"They started it!" I defended myself.
"All five of you inside now!" She ordered us.
-xXx-
Once we were all inside the office we all started arguing except for Akemi.
"Akemi, how about you explain what happened first." Proposed the teacher.
"Well me and Junko were playing. When she left to go to the bathroom they walked to me. After I said hi Azumi pushed me off the swing and they all started making fun of my quirk. Then Junko showed up and tried to stop her. They made fun of her too and when Azumi mentioned her parents she attacked her. They started fighting. And you stopped them." She explained on the verge of tears. That's why she was on the ground.
"Junko don't attack your classmates no matter what they say. You and the other three have to go to timeout. I don't need to explain why, right?" She scolded us.
Kazuou tried to protest but stopped when he saw the look on Miss Miramoto's face. Then he grumbled a yes and we all went to timeout. Akemi stood next to me wanting to keep me company. Something I really appreciated.
-xXx-
"Good job Junko!" Exclaimed Akane after hearing my story.
"But watch out next time so you don't get in trouble. Defending your friend was a good choice, attacking not so much. You can beat someone without throwing a single punch. A good man once taught me that. Not directly I sadly only could see recordings." She told me her voice was full of passion at the mention of the good man. And filled with sadness or disappointment at the end I couldn't quite tell.
"Who was he?" I asked gleefully.
"I'll show you when you're older." She laughed. Way to build up anticipation.
"Fine. But it better be worth it." I responded, faking anger. It only made her laugh.
-xXx-
Today I was quite excited. Akira and Akane promised to show me something when I come back from kindergarten. I ran into the orphanage latching onto Akira when I saw him.
"Someone is excited, huh?" He said as he returned my hug and lifted me up high into the air. Then he started spinning.
"Stooop!" I shouted while getting more and more dizzy. Thankfully he listened and placed me on his shoulders instead.
"Well get ready, we're going up, Akane is already waiting there." He stated as he went to a backroom and walked up a staircase. He opened the door that was at the top of the staircase. Behind it was the roof. It was the middle of winter so the starry sky was already visible, shining on the falling snow petals.
"Woaah." I took in the view in the sky and then I felt something hit my back. A snowball.
"What did you expect? It's winter after all." Said one of the children, with a wet glove.
"You're on! Put me down!" With that the battle of the roof began. Everyone threw snowballs at each other even the usually distanced Akane joined in after a stray snowball hit her. It was a memory we all would remember fondly. Except our caretaker. He said it was irresponsible when we came back with soaked clothes. He did have a smile on his face though.
-xXx-
"Miss Miramoto?" I approached my teacher.
"What's the matter Junko?" She asked looking over from her newspaper.
"I think I have a quirk now." I said quietly.
"That's great news! Do you want me to contact a doctor so you can catalogue it?" She exclaimed happily.
"Yes, if you have time!" I responded with more energy.
"It's no problem sweetie." She picked up her phone and dialed a number.
-xXx-
"Can you describe it to me and when it first appeared?" The old doctor asked.
"Well it first appeared when… my parents were killed. Everything slowed down to a crawl and I thought it was just because of shock. But when I remembered it the same thing happened. Then I tried doing the opposite and everything sped up." I explain, taking a deep breath when mentioning my parents.
"It seems like a combination of your parents' quirks with a small mutation. What do you want to call it?" That was a hard question. One I wasn't sure about. I even asked my family for ideas. There was one I really liked. Courtesy of Akane.
-xXx-
"Timelord!" One of the kids my age said. I thought for a bit then shook my head.
"Tick Tock." Exclaimed Akira after five minutes of silence. He was met with laughter from the children.
"You come up with a better idea then!" He yelled at no one in particular. Then a loud sound came from the clock showing it's midnight.
"I have a better idea actually." Claimed Akane.
"What is it then?" Questioned Akira. She pointed at the clock that signaled midnight a moment ago.
"Grandfather Clock, a four way reference." She stated smugly.
"Four?" I asked, confused.
"Well it's time related, we have one and the other two I'll explain when you grow up." She had a slight blush on her face when she mentioned the other two.
"I like it." I nodded my head while trying out the name in my head.
-xXx-
"Very well it's quite a unique name." He noted.
-xXx-
It was time for my graduation. I met up with Akemi near the rest of the class as we waited for our families to arrive. I saw the door open and three people walked in. The old man, Akira and Akane. I greeted them with a wave then went back to my conversation with Akemi.
"I like your dress!" I commented on her green dress that looked custom made. The bottom barely not touching the floor.
"I like yours too!" She responded. Mine was only to my knees. A dark blue colour with grey accents. For example the shoulder straps.
-xXx-
As we performed our dance I saw the old man crying. The other two just looked proud.
I managed to not mess up our routine thanks to using my quirk. I had trouble keeping up with it's pace so I gave myself a little more time to think.
We finished with a bow and the small crowd erupted with clapping and such. I looked at Miss Miramoto to see tears welling up in her.
-xXx-
I said my goodbyes to everyone and exchanged numbers with Akemi. I wanted to keep in contact after all. During our walk back I had time to think about my time there as a whole.
Our teacher was a lovely black woman who wasn't like the teachers from the anime. To her your quirk didn't matter and she punished everyone equally. Never bending to puppy eyes or arguments. She was a great teacher who I'm thankful taught me. Now I hope middle school will be the same.
-xXx-
My new class was composed of the same people as I had in kindergarten. I went to a small public school not wanting to put pressure on the orphanage and not needing a great level of education to achieve the goal I have set up for myself. Make it to UA's class 1A and get famous enough to support the orphanage and education for everyone in it.
The school subject proved to be not much of an issue. I spoke both english and japanese in my last life so elementary school levels of either aren't a problem. Math is a joke. The only real issue inducing ones are history and biology. But with my quirk, learning isn't a problem, slowing down my perception of time and reading a page takes a lot less time.
With my studies not being a problem I spent most of my time at school helping Akemi or just relaxing with her. No one tried to start anything so I've been having a pretty good time. After school I mostly help at the orphanage or train my quirk. I try to slow down time to a further and further degree which makes my body feel quite cold for some reason. I can't attempt to do it the other way with speeding up cause that takes way too long. I tried once and skipped the afternoon. In a few minutes of my time I was sweating buckets when I finished.
The speed up has been useful in class however. Sitting through the boring ones at four times the speed is quite a fun experience.
-xXx-
"A new villain has begun plaguing the streets of tokyo. The Neon robber the police call him has been doing various petty thefts for the past month. The criminal covers his body in bright yellow and green light, hiding his identity and enhancing his physical strength, the police suspect." A report was made through the radio. I felt a short sharp pain on my finger. I cut myself. They finally allowed me to help in the kitchen and I got distracted. I hate seeing blood. I just washed it off and went to get a band aid, hiding the cut.
AN: Chapter done. Wholesome this time. Can you guess who the good man is? Or what the name references? Probably. Hope you enjoyed it! Review, follow, favourite or don't.