First of all, sorry again for another long wait. I wish I could say it won't happen again, but, sigh. Life.
In my intentions, this chapter was meant to be published over a month ago. Also, I meant to have a mould-free house, I meant for works to end before olive-picking season not to have to juggle both, and I meant to get my degree by this winter but I can make all the plans I want, they never seem to work out. I'm sorry.
On a happier note, this fic turns 3 years old this month! So I want to thank everyone who read it, who was here from the beginning and who just arrived, who comments and who reads in silence, and assure all of you I still love this story and I'll keep working to, someday, finish it.
Please, enjoy the chapter.
Given he wouldn't know anything about the License Exam until it'd be over, Toshinori knew his only course of action for the day was to keep himself busy and not think about it. Save for practical work - his one-hour-and-something limit was even more challenging than he thought it'd be - his only other options were to relax - which would have led to more worrying - or to work on his neglected paperwork, both from his agency and in the form of school assignments to grade, lessons to prepare and so forth.
In all honesty, he wasn't thrilled at the prospect of any of it.
Nevertheless, he put himself to work, filling stacks of reports left unattended for longer than he wanted to admit, in peaceful silence. Normally, he would have rather kept the tv on, but he knew that would distract him in the worst way, especially if there happened to be news about Villain attacks or accidents close enough he'd want to intervene...
«Wow! How much did you wait to fill those?»
Artemis, who had come over with Minako for the day, jumped on the table to be at eye level and get his attention, followed by Luna.
It was proof that old age didn't quite catch up with All Might yet that he noticed the cats' intentions in advance despite being distracted and he didn't spill his now-cold mug of tea all over the freshly written papers.
«Uh...»
Luna took a look at the date of the one he was compiling - a report on a robbery, three weeks overdue - and scrunched her nose: «Well, now I know where Usagi-chan took from» she commented, but it felt more good-natured than her usual remarks.
«I suppose» the man replied with a meek smile, going back to his work almost instantly once he thought there was nothing she wanted to say.
Artemis peeked some more «You know, we could help you out, if you want to. We can use computers»
Luna nodded too, not a sign of dislike at the proposal.
This was new. Not the fact she could use a computer, he already knew the pair weren't normal cats, but the offer of help. A sudden olive branch, so to speak, even though their relationship with him wasn't antagonistic, per se.
«No need to worry yourselves...»
«We have nothing else to do,» she replied with what could have been a shrug, had she been human.
«Yeah, with the girls at the exam and preparations for the meeting with the Heroes as well as done, we don't have much to do at this point but wait for news» the white cat sighed.
Toshinori put down the pen with a frown «You've been preparing for that already?»
«After the girls will be licensed, they'll be able to speak with the pro Heroes about the daimons, and also to ask the police to let us help the ones they caught and weren't reversed yet. Tsukauchi-san said there are good chances we'll be allowed to make an attempt, and we have no time to waste»
Of course, that was the plan from the beginning: for the Sailor Senshi to become provisionals in order to be involved by the police in an official capacity. It was never about getting the pros' help, it'd always been about helping people.
He was on the verge of accepting the cats' offer of help, when the doorbell rang, startling the occupants of the house.
«They can't be here already» Toshinori glanced at the clock and got up «Chiba-shonen said he'd send a message before departing the exam site, maybe I missed it...»
Another ring. Then two long in quick succession and another, short one.
Toshinori's blood froze in a kind of dread he hadn't felt in ages. Under Luna and Artemis' astonished gazes, he ran to the entrance, slipping slightly in the curve he had to do between the living room and the corridor, almost tripping over the genkan's mat when he lept to open the door.
«G-gran Torino-sensei» he greeted, limbs shaking.
The old teacher was in front of the door, wearing casual clothes and with a stern frown sent his student's way «You took your sweet time, Toshinori. You're getting slow»
«M-my deepest apologies, sensei. I wasn't expecting visits, b-but please, come in» he stuttered, then moved away so the elderly could enter.
Sorahiko took some time to take off his boots, then to enter and look around the living room and flop on the couch before talking again: «So, is this the hospitality you offer? Have you lost that little bit of manners you had?»
Toshinori jumped in his skin «I'll make tea, sir. Please, make yourself at home» to which followed a quick escape to the kitchen, from where a still very perplexed pair of cats were staring.
He exploited the sound of running water to cover up his whispered explanation: «He's my old teacher, Gran Torino. Luna-san, do you know if there are sweets around? Tayaki would be best, but anything goes as long as it's sugary»
«There must be the cookies Makoto brought this morning and whatever is left of that chocolate mousse from yesterday, if Usagi or Chibiusa didn't get to it first» she answered in an equally hushed tone «You don't know what he came here for, I suppose»
«I have a few guesses» he admitted in a cold sweat, then rummaged in the pantry for the cookies Luna mentioned. Unfortunately, the two girls had, in fact, added the mousse to their breakfast that morning, but Kino-shojo's excellent cookies, many of which were filled with cream or a bean paste very similar to that of the tayaki, would be enough for a small army of gourmets, at least so the man hoped.
Once the tray was ready, the cats strolled after him to the other room, half-hiding behind the couch, curious about the man who scared All Might so much to make him more frantic than Midoriya-kun on a bad day.
«Here it is, sensei. The cookies are homemade, not by me, though, uh, they're good...» his hands were trembling slightly and he put them on his knees «What do I owe the pleasure of your visit to, sir?»
«I wanted to see what you were doing. I see Usagi's things are still around. Where is she?»
«Ah, out with her friends, she should be back...» he glanced at the clock «Uh, in a short while, I suppose» he glossed over and started to pour the tea.
«With friends» he was judging what to make of it, while appeasing a cookie at the same time «Are those friends going to help her pack?»
Toshinori paused mid-motion while filling his own cup, then put down the pot and steeled himself.
«She isn't going anywhere, sensei»
A scowl, the cookie forgotten «What?»
«I know you think it'd be in her best interest, but I believe otherwise. My daughter is staying with me for as long as it'll be necessary»
The scowl on the wrinkled face deepened «You already made a huge mistake allowing yourself to get married, worse having a child to put at risk. Leaving them was the only choice you made with your head and now you want to undo it all? Now that we know the man who put that hole in your stomach is still out there and wants nothing more than to destroy you?! Did you learn nothing from the past? Shimura's sacrifice means nothing to your thick head?»
Despite the scolding, Toshinori didn't look down «Master's decisions were her own and I have full respect for them. I'll never think any less of her, her choice was brave and selfless. But the circumstances are different for me. I am aware of the risk. I already spoke with Usagi-shojo...»
«No, you aren't!» the tiny man jumped up, tea and cookies forgotten «You being the Symbol of Peace doesn't grant her immunity. If anything, it makes the target on her back bigger, especially now that you passed down One for All»
It didn't go unnoticed to Sorahiko the second Toshinori's eyes darted in mild worry towards the cats.
«I am not so presumptuous to think I can shield her from everything. But I know she'll be safe and able to protect herself. She'd done it for quite some time now, without my help, and I'm not going to turn my back at her now that she asked for my guidance, as poor as it can be»
«You're a weak-hearted idiot, that's what! That kid, your successor, was a mess, worse than you at his age. You can't properly teach a single child, let alone two!»
«I-I'm trying my best, sensei»
«Your best would be to focus on your successor and him only, and keep your daughter safely out of reach»
«This is not possible...»
«Bullshit!» the elderly shouted, punctuating the exclamation with a thump of his cane on the ground «What will you do if he shows up again before the boy is ready? What if he targets the girl? What if he goes after the two of them at the same time? Will you be able to protect them both? No, you'll have to choose, and what then?»
«It won't come to this. I won't allow it. Even if I'll have to give my life for them...»
«And don't you think that's a problem too, you fool?»
Toshinori flinched at that but had no reply. They both knew of Nigheye's prediction, there was no need to bring that up, especially not in front of Luna, who was listening to more than he'd like her to and would have questions about it sooner than later, as she often did.
Gran Torino wasn't done: «Shimura left her son to other people when she decided to fight, and left you to me when she died. If you don't want to repeat history, pray, tell me who are you going to leave the kids to?»
To this, he had an answer to give: «To each other. And to the people who love and care for them, their mothers, their friends, their teachers. They're not alone, and I don't want them to be. Soon enough they won't need me...»
«You're not thinking with your head, as always. I hope you know...» the elderly shook his head and let himself fall back, tiredly, on the couch «Bah, you'll do whatever your thick head tells you to, no matter what I say, won't you?»
The blonde sheepishly smiled, as to acknowledge what his teacher said as the truth.
«I'm not here only for that anyway» Gran Torino revealed and took out from his pocket what looked like a thick letter and dropped it on the table.
«What's this?»
«Take a look for yourself»
Toshinori took the paper, finding it was a group of sheets, six or seven, tightly folded to turn about the size of a wallet and stapled together on one corner. At the back of his mind, he felt one of the cats jumping on the armchair's back to peek too, but didn't make a move to hide the contents.
He quickly skimmed over the words and the few pictures printed on, his frown deepening with every bit «How did you get this?»
«Investigation made by another pro, dropped on my head during your boy's internship»
«Do you think this is his doing?»
The elderly nodded «We were correct, he'd started to move again. And long ago, too»
«He thought we wouldn't notice?»
«We didn't until now, did we? If there's one thing that old bastard has, is an ego the size of the sun, but he's cunning, and more cautious than before, which makes him more dangerous, if possible. Honest, I have no idea how that girl found that and even less how she figured we may need it»
«It's of great help, even if concerning» the blonde considered «This may be enough to prompt an investigation, but not to intervene in any way just yet»
«Ask the rat if he has ideas about it» the elderly interrupted «He may hate humans in general, but he cares about kids»
Toshinori nodded «I guess we could...»
«We're back!» the two girls' voices came from the entrance, followed shortly by the usual rustle of shoes taken off, startling the two men.
Chibiusa came in first «Mamo-chan stopped home to get changed...»
«And Mako-chan said she'll make dinner, so the others stayed with her to help with... uh?»
The girls stopped mid-way at the entrance, equally puzzled at the sight of the old man on the couch, happily munching cookies, and ignoring the piece of paper sticking out Toshinori's pocket, put there in a rush as it was.
«Welcome back, my girls...» he started, only to stop mid-phrase, horrified by his misstep.
The blonde man could see - from the corner of his eye because he didn't dare look directly that way - the vein pulsing on his teacher's head. He had learned to fear that twitch long ago and it still made him want to run for cover, One for All roaring quietly in anticipation to be used to avoid getting hurt too much.
«Toshinori» the old man started, his voice deceptively low «When exactly did you decide to have another child?»
«C-chibiusa-shojo is not mine, sensei!»
«What do you want to tell me? That she's Usagi's?!»
The girls' faces had similarly raised brows and mild panic, all while Toshinori sputtered ungracefully his half-explanations - along with a bit of blood - that the girl was Ikuko's niece and a few other unintelligible blabbers.
«Bah, whatever» the old man rolled his eyes and looked pointedly at the two girls, the older in particular «Not even a hello, you kid? Thought your mother would teach you better»
«Uhm, sorry! Hello, sir!» she instantly bowed.
He frowned «And they say old people lose their memory! You don't remember me at all, girl?»
Usagi got up and squinted a bit, hoping for a flash of memory to resurface. And, miraculously, it did, feeble as always but good enough.
«Grandpa Sora?»
«Ah, now we reason» he instantly looked more cheerful «Did you make those great cookies?»
She shook her head «Uh-uh, my friend Mako-chan did»
«Usagi-chan can't cook to save her life» the little girl by her side snickered.
«Chibiusa!»
«It's true and you know it»
«Bah, I'm bad at that stuff too, nothing to be ashamed of» Gran Torino replied «This big oaf of a father you got here was pretty much a disaster too, at your age. I think that American friend he had taught him how to make some western stuff and grilled meat and that was pretty much his best for years»
Toshinori seemed surprised by the statement «I thought sensei didn't like grilled meat»
«As a principle, but how you make it isn't bad»
It was funny to see how small praise like that had on All Might the same effect it'd have on Izuku: his eyes lit up, he had a glow in his face and he seemed to sit a bit straighter too.
«Did you make tea, Toshi-papa?» Chibiusa asked.
«Ah, I did, but you should put on the bigger kettle if everyone is coming over»
Usagi shook her head «They'll come later on, Mako-chan wasn't sure she had all the ingredients so they went grocery shopping»
«I see» at that he got up «If it's only for you two, I'll go get it. Sorry, sensei, I'll be back in a moment»
«I'll help» Usagi volunteered.
«Me too!» Chibiusa followed suit.
As she often did, Luna had preceded the humans to the kitchen and had a bit of a scowl «I thought you said you'd call before coming back home»
«Yeah, we were too tired to wait for trains and more, we made an exception and used the teleport, Even Ami-chan was on board with it!»
«So, how did it go?»
Usagi was glowing, there was no mistaking her happiness for a cover-up, and so was Chibiusa. It must have gone quite well indeed for them to be so relaxed, so he didn't need the following confirmation that much.
«It went great! Even with what happened...»
«What happened?!»
«Later!» Luna hissed, mindful of their visitor in the other room «We're going to connect with the Control Center to get what we can, you'll explain the rest when we'll be alone» she added and scurried out and upstairs, with Artemis at her tail.
The small family went back to the living room, not without a praising pat and a congratulatory smile for the girls, and the new teacups and fresh tea, of course.
«Is today a special day I forgot of?» Usagi tentatively asked to the old man's address once sat down on the free armchair.
«What do you mean, girl?» the man replied with a fake adorable elderly man act that could have fooled her, had it been the same from the start.
«Well, you never visited much, not even when mama and Toshi-papa were still together...» she trailed off, playing a bit with her teacup. She was still putting together her memories regarding him and if there was one thing clear, it was that he only showed up on big occasions and that only before her parents divorced, so there had to be something going on.
From his seat, Toshinori looked at his old sensei from the corner of his eye, waiting for his reaction. If Gran Torino was there to force his hand and kick Usagi-shojo out his house, he was on his own.
Surprisingly, Sorahiko let out an embarrassed scoff «Well, Toshinori could have come to visit me and brought you, I'm the senior citizen here! Now, what are your plans?»
He changed topic quicker than he switched trajectories mid-fight. Toshinori wasn't even surprised at that point: Gran Torino was awful with people and that was a fact, he was unable to weasel his way out of a conversation with ease. One of the many things Toshinori had to learn on his own were people skills, but he still used his own version of his sensei's way of deflecting for dealing with the press' uncomfortable questions, and one of the strategies was to shift the topic in a way that interested more the one questioning to make them forget the original inquiry.
It was only a bit upsetting to see that it worked on Usagi-shojo pretty well, when she repeated «Plans?» with her head tilted.
«Toshinori tells me you changed your mind on not becoming a Hero» Gran Torino went on «You must be preparing»
Usagi nodded, a bit more relaxed now that the territory was familiar again «I'm going to try and get into Yuuei. Toshi-papa is helping me train and I'm working hard»
«I guess you're going to take the recommendation, then»
«Should I?» she frowned «Everybody keeps asking me that, but that one is an exam too, no? And there are only four places with candidates capable, I think, so isn't it supposed to be harder, actually?»
«It depends. But with a quirk like yours, you'll never come out on top of the regular exam» was Sorahiko's pragmatic reply.
«Now, sensei, that's not true» Toshinori tried to intervene. Usagi-shojo may have not had the same self-esteem troubles Midoriya-shonen did, but surely he didn't want her to doubt herself needlessly.
«Hush, you. The recommended exam is the only one where there's a one-on-one interview with the examiners, other than practical and written portions, that's where the true advantage lies. Usagi has charisma, but no practical experience when it comes to fighting, and before you object neither do the other brats who try the exam, they usually have combat-based quirks. Training can only take her so far...»
«Well, that's not true» Chibiusa muttered «She did pretty well as Sailor Moon in the past yea-»
Usagi wasn't quick enough to put down her teacup and plant her hands on Chibiusa's mouth, the words were out already.
Gran Torino's stare seemed to dig a hole into the girl's head, silencing without a word her clumsy attempts at deflecting and saving the situation.
«The Juuban Vigilante. You?» he asked with a deep frown. No incredulity, though, as strange as it could seem.
Usagi sighed and nodded, not without a small glance at her father, who shrugged with a "may as well tell him" motion.
«And those friends you talked about too, I have to guess» the elderly continued.
«W-well, yes...»
«This explains some things...» he grumbled and shook his head, then aimed his pointed gaze at his former student «How long have you known about that, Toshinori?»
«S-since Ikuko told me in April»
Gran Torino hit him in the legs with his cane «And you told me nothing of it? Thick head through and through»
«T-that's what I meant with different circumstances, sensei. If you let me explain...»
«Shush, you. You said enough nonsense for a day» then the old man turned back at Usagi «What happened to your quirk?»
She tilted her head, confused by the question «My quirk?»
«Don't take me for a fool, girl» the tone now was a tad softer than the one he used with his former student but had an edge to it anyway «You had a weak healing quirk, how did it change so much?»
«It didn't» she shrugged, understanding the matter at last: he wondered how her quirk allowed her to have Sailor Moon's abilities. Except the two things were closely related than she was comfortable to explain, so she only added: «It's still the same, Healing Tears»
«Apparently, her ability to become Sailor Moon is unrelated to her original quirk. We don't know the details, yet, but we spoke with Recovery Girl in case she may have some ideas» Toshinori supplied, mixing up lies and truths with a lot more ease than the girls thought he would. Usagi was grateful for it: Luna was going to talk her ears off for revealing so much already, she didn't need more.
«Uhm. Little Usagi a Vigilante, go figure. So that's why your mother shipped you here, uh?»
Usagi nodded «Ah, but we're not Vigilantes anymore: from today we're provisionals, we passed the exam and all!» she happily replied.
There was about a second or so of stunned confusion on the wrinkled face of the man, followed by a grin «Something reasonable, at last. I guess the rat is involved somehow, right?»
«Principal Nedzu was of great help for their training in the past month» Toshinori confirmed «But the practical work was all theirs and they passed the exam without external influence»
Gran Torino seemed to contemplate the new facts offered then, in order, he cast a long judgmental look at his former student, took a glance at the clock and put his cane to the ground.
«I might as well take my leave then» he sprung up from the couch.
«Uh? So soon?» Usagi couldn't hide her surprise at how abrupt that seemed.
«I don't have anything more to do here, and my ride should be here any moment now»
With that, the elderly moved out, and the little family followed him out the doors for goodbyes.
In front of the house, someone was parking a blue motorbike with yellow accents with practised ease. A second helmet was strapped to one of the handles, while the pilot took off theirs once the bike was safely on its side stand.
«Haruka-san?» Usagi recognized, not without a bit of awkwardness.
She had, more or less consciously, avoided the pilot the previous days, partly because she's been busy, but a lot more so because of what happened during the Mugen camp. Truth to be told, Haruka didn't try to get close again either. In more than one way, it felt like she argued with a friend and didn't know how to make peace again, a feeling hard to shake off.
«Ah, bun-head. So that's where you live?» their reply was casual, but their eyes were shadowed by a kind of lingering Usagi couldn't pinpoint. A bit of relief too, if she wasn't mistaken.
"But you knew already," Usagi thought "You took Chibiusa here just the other day"
Nevertheless, she nodded.
Gran Torino frowned «Do you know each other?»
«Usagi-chan is my kouhai at Mugen Academy and Michiru and I gave the little bunny a lift the other day» Haruka explained to both the older men, then grinned «Hey, uncle, you could have told me you have other relatives. All this time and I thought it was only me and you left while you had a son and more family, you're the worst»
«Shut up, Haruka» he jabbed but didn't deny.
«Uncle?» Chibiusa looked at the two men, then at the newcomer with the same puzzlement Usagi showed.
Haruka just grinned and walked to the group, an expectant look aimed at Sorahiko, who scoffed in reply.
«Haruka, this is Yagi Toshinori. You already know his daughter, the other is her cousin Chibiusa. Toshinori, my grandnibling Haruka»
«Your manners are awful, uncle» was the teen's comment, then they smiled «Nice to meet you, I'm Tenoh Haruka. I've been hoping to meet you for a while, Yagi-san»
«Ah, likewise, young Haruka...»
«Yeah, yeah, we're all very pleased with this,» Gran Torino interrupted before his former student could say much «Didn't you say you had a test drive today? Move it, I want to see that car you keep blabbering about»
«Sure, just a moment,» Haruka fished out their pocket something and pushed it in Usagi's hands «Here. I've been meaning to give them to you this morning but you weren't at school»
«Oh, I had a thing to do, so uhm... Thank you?» she looked at the item she was given: a small booklet of event tickets on which there were printed a few words and Michiru's picture, a nice one in which she was playing her violin in a dainty aqua blue dress.
«They're for tomorrow. I hope you and your friends will be able to come» Haruka added, their hands not leaving Usagi's for a solid second.
There was a bittersweet look on their face, somehow guilty, but hopeful at the same time, one that confused Usagi a bit.
What was it? An apology, perhaps, since the invitation was extended to the girls?
Chibiusa hopped to look at them too and let out a wide smile «I didn't know the onee-san from the other day is a violinist!»
«I heard her play, she's wonderful» Usagi confirmed, remembering perfectly the hauntingly beautiful melody she heard that one time.
«It's her magic,» Haruka said with a soft smile «Once you hear her violin, you end up loving it for good. Michiru can breathe life into her instrument and music, just like this. You should come too, Yagi-san»
«That would be wonderful...»
«Yeah, yeah, he'll come» Sorahiko interrupted again, tapping his foot on the concrete next to the motorbike «Can we go, now?»
«Sure, sure. If I didn't know you better, I'd say you don't want me to speak with them» Haruka sighed, then took the second helmet, the one strapped to the bike's handle, and offered it «Put this on, old man»
The elderly rose a brow «I reach higher speeds than this thing with my quirk, why would I need a stupid helmet?»
«I'm not getting a fine for your stubbornness. It's bad publicity and my patrons will want my head if I get caught. Not to mention they won't let you get close to Miranda if you harm my popularity»
«Who's Miranda?» Chibiusa asked.
«My racing car. It's a nickname we use until the real name will be revealed to the press» Haruka answered with practised ease and a wink.
«Haruka-san is a car racer» Usagi explained, not sure whether her father or Chibiusa knew about it.
«A pain in the ass, that's what they are» Sorahiko grumbled but took the helmet from Haruka's hands. Didn't put it on immediately, though, distracted by someone coming from a corner.
Usagi turned too and smiled wide «Mamo-chan!» she and Chibiusa called in unison.
Mamoru waved and nodded at Toshinori's address, but soon his eyes went in Haruka's direction and he put a hand on Usagi's shoulder, standing behind her in what could only be described as a protective stance although, to his credit, there was no outright hostility coming from him.
On their side, Haruka's former relaxed attitude disappeared, their stare equally intense.
A few seconds later, Minako, Rei, Ami and Makoto came from behind the corner too, their arms filled with bags and food containers. They had been chattering lightly until they saw the motorbike and its owner.
The wave of tension rose further, then Haruka glared for a couple of seconds, pushed their own helmet on and lit the engine «Let's not impose any longer»
«Uh?» Gran Torino looked puzzled for half a second, then put the helmet on his head too with a grumble «I expect you to call me more often, Toshinori. No more excuses» he warned before jumping on the bike.
The blonde man was still too confused by whatever just happened and barely managed to answer: «Ah, s-sure, sir»
«Bye, grandpa Sora! Bye Haruka-san!»
Chibiusa's chipper farewell was half-drowned by the roar of the revved-up engine, it was a matter of seconds and the motorbike was down the road and out of sight at the first corner with its passengers.
«He did mellow with age after all» Toshinori said to himself, not before taking a relieved breath. The simple thing seemed to dissolve the previous tension for everyone.
«That was him being soft?!» Usagi tilted her head in disbelief.
«You should have seen when he trained me. In my final year at Yuuei he was my homeroom teacher and my skin was more often black and blue than anything else»
Mamoru rose a brow «That couldn't have been healthy»
The man shrugged «It kept me alive» were his only words before he shifted into a jolly attitude and urged everyone to go in and put down the bags full of food the girls brought.
«I'm considering renovating this whole floor» he half-joked once they all were inside and started to put in order the content of the shoppers on the table and counters.
Luna and Artemis had come down as soon as they heard the girls arriving and both were peeking into the containers, the most normal cat behaviour Toshinori ever saw them have.
«This kitchen is too small for all of us, if this floor was an open space with the living room and no corridor we'd be more comfortable» he added.
Rei rose a brow «But we're done with training for the license»
«I never said your welcome would end with that. You can still come whenever you want. It goes for all of you»
There was a general happy look thrown around in the group, as if they doubted such a thing could be possible until he said it. He suspected a bit ago this was the reason Luna-san was spending so much time looking for a place to move the Control Center currently located in Juuban: they thought they'd need a different place to hang out.
But now the thought seemed to have disappeared, and Toshinori watched the girls chatter and be their usual cheerful bunch, with Kino-shojo in full control of the kitchen, as she often was.
Yet, he knew something was wrong still. The way they and Haruka-kun had tensed in each other's presence... he couldn't pinpoint the reason, but he believed there may be a cause of conflict between them.
Gran Torino's reaction to Chiba-shonen, he could understand, Toshinori too had been taken aback by the likeness he shared with Nana, but the way Chiba-shonen and Haruka-kun glared at each other? How the girls reacted and the sudden shift of atmosphere, added to how stiffly Usagi-shojo greeted at the beginning... what was there behind all of that?
Was it a normal teenage matter, or there was more? Was he supposed to ask? He hoped for the first, of course, yet he couldn't but worry: the kid was Gran Torino's family on one hand and a Mugen student on the other, it was hard not to think they could be one of the celebrity teens who were involved with the daimons spreading.
Was the invitation to the concert a trap? Should he warn Gran Torino? Or be worried for Haruka-kun's sake?
Pushing the thought aside, he put his focus on what Luna and the kids were saying.
«Now, tell me everything. What happened during the exam?» the cat anxiously prompted.
«At first, nothing important. The first phase went well enough and we all passed to the next» Minako shrugged.
«It would have been better if someone had not been stubborn and almost got a concussion»
«Rei-chan, I thought we weren't going to mention it!» Usagi protested, red-faced.
«Usagi-chan decided to ditch the plan and do the last part of the first phase on her own» Ami added, at which both Luna and Toshinori scowled.
«Snitches, all of you!» the one in question pouted and crossed her arms.
«But she passed and that's all that matters in the end» Makoto came to her aid, setting the oven at the same time.
Ami nodded, then she frowned «Apparently, one of the Witches 5 intercepted our presence there and attacked us during the second part»
«But it wasn't that bad because we got plenty of help from everyone around!» Chibiusa cut in «When they understood it was a real attack, everyone worked really hard to help each other»
«The witch, Viluy» Rei specified the name, so Luna and Artemis could search for it later on «Took control of the robots used for the second phase, along with awakening quite a few daimons. We managed to defeat her and restore the people, along with everyone's help, including that of the pro Heroes present, and the exam was ended there, taking into account for the scoring what happened»
«That's a good thing. The collaboration, not that the villains showing up for your exam» Toshinori clarified «So, the commission accepted what happened like this?»
«The head examiner seems to like them» Mamoru replied «Her name is Tomonaga Keiko»
«Ah!» Toshinori exclaimed.
«You know her, papa?»
«By name only. She's the heiress of the Tomonaga group, which produces toys and a good chunk of the merchandise for most of the Heroes on the market, including mine. It's less known they have a part in making items about famous Vigilantes too, and she, in particular, is known for her advocating for Vigilantes to be regularized, not unlike the Superintendent General Sakurada»
At that, Minako jumped up from her chair «I knew it!»
«Knew what?» Rei asked.
«When Tomonaga-san said she was there to make a favour to a friend, I knew Natsuna-san was behind it!»
«I'm sorry, Aino-shojo, I don't think I follow» the man admitted.
«See, when I was working as Sailor V, I met Natsuna-san. She helped me a lot, but we sort of lost touch after I joined the team. I should have known she still has my back, Takagi-san told me too. I really have to call her now»
«Yes, you should. And ask her whether she'll come to the press conference, while you're at it» Luna advised, then she smacked Artemis' head with her paw «You baka! You should have told me about this!»
«Ouch, Luna! I forgot!» the white cat whined.
«How can you forget people who could help us when we need them?!» was the fussy reply, then: «We should to and check the footage of the day Ami-chan made, so we can see if there's something more we can find out on our enemies...»
«Can't we do that later?» Usagi begged «I don't want to think about that right before dinner»
«I think the girls deserve some rest for today, Luna-san. It was a long day already» Toshinori added «They did an amazing job, this can be done tomorrow. Moreover, dinner's almost ready, right, Kino-shojo?»
«Yup, time to wash your hands and set the table!» she happily confirmed.
«Fine» Luna gave in «But I hope you left me some cream from the cake»
«It's in the fridge» Makoto assured with a wink, and that was it about the discussion, at least for the moment being.
After dinner, Toshinori insisted in cleaning up the kitchen on his own since the youngers did enough for the day, so the girls and Mamoru, plus the cats, flopped to living room's couches.
«Now that the exam is done, what's the next step?» Makoto asked.
«The first thing we have to do is the press conference to explain to the Heroes what the daimons are and how to handle them correctly» Ami replied «Hoping they'll be willing to listen» she added.
Usagi shook her head «Wrong! The first thing we have to do is go to the concert at Mugen tomorrow to celebrate!»
«How are we even?»
«Eh-eh» Usagi grinned and made a show of pulling out her pocket the booklet Haruka gave her, fanning herself with it «I have the tickets»
«What?»
«How?!»
Minako leaned forward and swiped the booklet from Usagi's hands, her eyes glowing with glee «Yay, I've been dying to go to the Hanyu Mimi concert»
«Who?» Mamoru frowned.
«Hanyu Mimi, the idol! She appeared in commercials and shows and made lots of appearances on tv! The concert tomorrow is exclusive for Mugen students and finding the tickets outside of that is...» Minako stopped abruptly and looked better at the print «Usagi-chan... those aren't for Hanyu Mimi's concert»
The other blonde shook her head «Michiru-san's violin concert»
A wave of uneasiness passed through the team.
Ami broke the silence before it could get weird: «I like violin music. We should go»
«We'll need dresses appropriate for the event» Rei pointed out «Not knowing in advance, I didn't bring any»
Ami nodded «Me neither, but that can be solved»
Minako dismissed the concern with a wave of her hand «That's nothing a morning shopping trip can't fix. It'll be like a double celebration»
«Or you could borrow a dress from Usagi-chan since you already spent all your monthly allowance» Ami suggested.
«How do you even know?»
«How could we not? You do nothing but complain about how "stingy" your mom is» Rei shrugged.
Minako puffed her cheeks «Not all of us were born filthy rich, Hino-sama!»
Makoto shook her head «Being able to manage money has nothing to do with being born rich and all with self-control and careful planning. It's the basis of basics of home economics»
«What if it's a trap?» Luna reasoned, interrupting a discussion before it could arise «If the Death Busters are using Mugen students to gather energy and plant daimons at events of this kind, this will be the opposite of safe and funny»
Usagi's face hardened a bit «I don't think Michiru-san or Haruka-san are part of the Death Busters»
«You have to admit there's something odd going on with them»
«I don't think they're bad either» Chibiusa added, even though her only reasons to say so were her instinct and that one conversation she had with them on the helicopter.
Minako shook her head «Even if it is another attack, no, especially if it is, we have to be there and prevent the worst from happening»
«I agree» Mamoru nodded «Best case scenario: there's nothing wrong and we'll do something together. Worst case: we'll have to prevent further spreading of the Death Busters' influence»
«So it's decided» Rei's scowl stayed, but she move any further opposition.
The girls started to look for places to go buy the dresses they needed in case Usagi's and Makoto's closets didn't have anything that fit, but Usagi was distracted by Mamoru, who asked in low voice: «Do you have enough tickets for everyone?»
Usagi took the booklet from where Minako dropped it, a bit of a frown showing soon «Uh, I told Izukun to come too, but...»
«I have my own. Two, actually» Mamoru said, having counted the tickets from over his girlfriend's shoulder and realizing Haruka gave her only seven, one each for the girls and one for Yagi-san. He couldn't but wonder if the one counted out was Mamoru himself or Usagi's father.
«Uh, really?»
«Somebody gave them to me a few days ago. I wanted to invite you after the exam, but you have your own...» he trailed off.
Usagi smiled and hugged him «I would have said yes, you know? We haven't had a real date in ages»
At that, he let a quiet smile show on his face too and kissed the crown of her head «We'll find a chance» he promised.
She hummed contentedly for the few seconds she had until Chibiusa jumped in the middle requiring to be hugged too.
In the meantime, Toshinori took advantage of the relative peace of being alone in the kitchen to make a call. Gran Torino had called a few minutes earlier, during dinner, but he didn't hear the phone over the usual chaos the teens made, and he knew better than to leave his old teacher waiting too long before calling him back.
It took only two rings for the elderly to answer: «Toshinori»
«Sorry, sir, we were in the middle of the meal...»
«Yeah, yeah, whatever» the other interrupted «You'll have to contact me as soon as you hear from the rat, you get it? It's going to be hard already to find anything at all as it is, the longer we wait, the fewer chances we have»
«Of course. We can't let that trail go cold» All Might confirmed.
A moment of silence made him think his old teacher had closed the call, but then he spoke up, with an uncharacteristic hesitancy.
«The boy. The one with Usagi... »
Ah, right.
«I was surprised too when I met him, sensei» he admitted with enough ease «He does look a bit like Master, but I don't think he's related to her»
«But you had no hand in it? Didn't break your promise?» Sorahiko pushed.
«I'd never. It was a shock to meet him in the first place, I assure you, but they got together before I met him»
«Background check?»
He found himself fidgeting with the washcloth. It wasn't like he investigated the kid or something, out of lack of time, sure, but also because he trusted Usagi's judgment. Chiba-shonen was too involved in the matters of the Senshi to be a danger, so he pushed his suspicions about his original family aside. After all, the kid was an orphan, there was no point in digging further, Toshinori believed. Nevertheless...
«I think Nedzu-sensei ran one when Chiba-shonen sent his transferral request for Yuuei. Had he found something, he would have not allowed him in the school»
«Or he would have wanted to keep a closer eye on him until he found out more, the old rat»
«The headmaster may be cynical, but he'd never risk his students' safety»
«Think what you want, Toshinori. As long as the situation is under control and you're doing what you should»
He stiffened «You don't mean still I should send Usagi-shojo away, do you?»
«No, at this point you shouldn't»
Toshinori hoped Gran Torino couldn't hear his breath of relief at that, since he was busy going on with his warnings.
«But make sure she's aware of what may come. I know you didn't tell her half of what she should know. I'll see you tomorrow»
«Yes, sir. Goodnight» was the meek reply before the call closed.
The man sighed at the dark screen of his phone.
He told already the baseline of the story to Usagi-shojo and Midoriya-shonen, but without going into the details he knew Gran Torino would have insisted on. Usagi-shojo knew, or had to imagine, that All For One was the cause of his injury, and at this point he was certain Midoriya-shonen realized that too. He warned them of the danger, but he knew that what Gran Torino was talking about was more than this. And he knew he had to warn them more, teach them of how All For One acted, warn them of how cunning and cruel he could be, and he knew he had to find the time and means to prepare them for the unexpected curve balls that were to come because with All For One there were always hits from unseen places to be expected.
Yet... yet... there were a few things he wanted to keep for himself as long as possible. One never to be revealed, if possible.
If he had to meet his demise in a year or less, he didn't want his time with the kids to be tainted by the omen, they already had too much to worry about even without this. If fate wanted him to give his life for them, so be it, they had to be none the wiser and hold no guilt about it. Not like it was with him and Nana.
He pushed the phone in his pocket and looked around the kitchen to see if there was more to do, but he already used fixing it to procrastinate his call to his teacher and now there was nothing more to do except move to the other room, from where the kids' chatter came like a welcomed white noise.
"Sorry, sensei, but I'm going to let them enjoy this time while they have it"
And with that thought in mind, he put back a quiet smile on his face and went to join them in the living room.
Even though it was still relatively early, especially for a Saturday night, around 10 PM, Mamoru excused himself, much to Usagi's and Chibiusa's protests.
«You can stay as long as you want, Chiba-shonen» Toshinori assured seeing the boy get up.
«I know, sir, but I'd rather go to sleep now to be able to study better in the morning and recover what I missed today in class. We'll meet at the concert hall tomorrow afternoon anyway»
The man nodded in approval. It was always good to see how conscientious the boy was «I see. Be safe on your way home»
«Goodnight, Mamo-chan!» the girls choired.
A bit more time passed in easy conversation after Mamoru left until Artemis jumped on the back of Toshinori's armchair and cleared his throat a bit.
«Don't you think it's time for the surprise?» the white cat asked.
His voice was low enough to be missed by the girls but not by Luna, who nodded «It's getting late, they should go to sleep, so better do it now»
«Ah, right, I almost forgot!» the man patted his head and went in the corridor, under the curious stares of the girls who noticed the sudden motion.
«Do you need help?» Makoto asked.
«I'm fine, worry not. I'll be there in a moment!» he replied as he took out the downstairs closet's highest shelf six boxes carefully wrapped in colourful paper and walked back to the living room, where the girls were still wondering what was it about.
He puffed up in his muscle form before he got to the entrance and: «I am here, with gifts!» he announced, showing up the boxes, marked with ribbons of the main colours of their fukus so it was easy not to mix them up while distributing.
The girls stared at the presents for a moment, a bit of hesitation at play, save for Usagi who eagerly reached for hers with a happy "thank you".
«Come on, my girls, get yours too» he nudged, refusing to relent his muscle form until each girl got her own package from his hands.
Minako was the next to lean forth to grab hers and giggled, shaking it to check if there came a sound from it «It feels like Christmas»
«Isn't it a bit early for that?»
«You mean late»
«Who cares?»
Usagi tore apart the paper and found a metal box with a nondescript handle and closing clips, which she unclasped as fast as she could.
Inside there was a magenta mask, similar in shape to Sailor V's old one, connected to small tubes that went to a large necklace sort-of thing in which a few little vials were clasped on the inside.
«What's this?» she wondered, turning it in her hands.
«It's made to collect your tears and send them to the neckpiece, where there are vials that can store them for later use since we had so many troubles trying to pack them»
«Oooh! That's going to be useful! Thanks, papa!»
Curious, the others followed.
Minako clapped her hands at the sight of a yellow jacket that looked like leather, tailored in line with the latest fashion, she realized how special it was only when she unzipped it and was face to face with her reflection, slightly distorted by the suppleness of the fabric.
«A mirror-jacket! So cool!» she put it on and started sparkling around, trying the different angles she could make light reflect from her skin to the cloth and bounce around the room. She was particularly delighted when she found the straps that opened up the sleeves, which were lined with a reflective cloth as well.
Ami got a long glove in blue and white, with a wire that could plug to her back-ear piece, made in such a way she could connect Hyper-brain to any electronic equipment with just one finger at need. It was correlated with a pen drive.
«I thought it may be useful to be able to control robots and similar and maybe reprogram them to help you... they're made so you can change the settings at need, the base-codes are in the manual and you can update it with your own» Toshinori finished to explain.
The girl bowed deep «Thank you, Yagi-san. I'll test them as soon as possible»
Makoto too had gotten gloves, but hers were short and fingerless, with thick pads inside and metal bits on the knuckles. They were pink, almost the same shade as her beloved rose earrings.
«They're electricity conductive on the upside but insulated on the palm,» Artemis said «That should widen your range on the outside without turning the electricity against you when you close your fists»
«Great!» she tried a couple of punches, the air around her hands cracked «They're amazing, thank you!»
Rei and Chibiusa were left for last.
«I wasn't sure what to get for you two. Chibiusa-shojo's quirk doesn't have requirements, while fire quirks are relatively common yet don't need particular items except for cooling devices, and since you can both make and control fire you don't seem to need anything in this regard»
Carefully, Chibiusa unwrapped her package and found a small mask, a middle ground between Usagi's new one and Tuxedo Kamen's signature one in shape, with dark glass. She took it out of the box «It's heavy» she commented, trying it out, then «Oh»
«It's a night visor» Artemis chimed in «I picked the design»
«Cool!»
Unsure what to expect after that, Rei hesitated. Old-school etiquette would want for gifts to be opened in private, but it'd been centuries since Japan discarded this kind of stricter rules, except in the upbringing of the pupils of the oldest families, and her friends already opened all of theirs, it's be rude of her not to do the same.
She opened the box, in which lied a mitsugake, a traditional three-finger glove for archery, with a matching muneate, a chest guard, both in fiery red.
«They're fireproof» Artemis provided «I remembered you could make fire weapons, back in Silver Millennium, so you can try to do that in safety here with your quirk too»
«I've been meaning to start practising archery for a while now» she admitted, more grateful than she felt like showing, except for a quiet: «Thank you, Yagi-san»
Usagi was the first to hug him, but the rest followed with their own thanks, ending up in a brief but heartfelt group hug.
«Best dad ever» Minako affirmed.
«Far from it. I wished to deliver them to you earlier, unfortunately, it took a while to have them all manufactured with your specifics and we had to make a couple of changes ongoing in some cases. I had to call in a few favours and enrol the help of Artemis-san»
The girls looked at the man in mild surprise.
«You mean... you planned this from the day of our trip in Juuban?»
Toshinori nodded «I wanted to give back to you for the nice gifts you sent me. I'm sorry it took so long»
«So...» Chibiusa fidgeted a bit «That's why mine's different?»
«I'm afraid so, my girl. But if you have something in mind, you can tell me and we can order something more apt for you»
Chibiusa shook her head «I like it lots! Thanks, Toshi-papa!»
«Now, I know it's a bit early to speak about it, but keep in mind that to use such items during entrance exams you'll have to file permission and send them in for a preventive check a week in advance to be given them back the morning of the exam. You'll have plenty of time to get used to them in the meantime. Just try not to lean on them too much. They are supposed to be helpful, not crutches»
«We'll be careful and scrupulous in their use» Ami assured all of them.
«Congratulations again» he smiled at the group, who replied with their thanks and proceeded to examine and praise each other's gifts with childish glee.
And, well, he knew their success was not due to his intervention, but he felt a wave of pride nevertheless, not unlike the happiness a good training with his students gave him. While he did his best to be a good teacher, he knew he had a long way to go before he could call himself one without lying to himself. The books he was reading on teaching methods had plenty of notes and stickers in them, a testament to his continuous attempt at improving himself before his time ran out, but he wasn't there just yet.
He briefly wondered if that was the right moment to warn them of the danger looming on him, and on Usagi-shojo by proxy, memoir of the documents and warnings Gran Torino brought him earlier, but he didn't have the heart to end the celebration on such a grim note. He always had the next day, or next week, and Usagi could tell them on her own, if she preferred.
Right. For tonight, they were kids who already dealt with enough and that was enough. For him, it was only time to be the adult for the group of teens stationed in his home, enjoying the little normalcy they had.
He clapped his hands «Now, off to sleep you go» he said.
A choir of half-hearted protests rose, along with some ill-hidden yawns and he exhorted them to get the rest they deserved.
Notes:
In case it was unclear: just like All Might knew about Nana's son, he also had a notion of Haruka's existence, but the two never met before. Gran took Haruka in a couple of years after the last fight against All For One, when they thought -the bastard was dead ahem- it'd be safe to do so, because his brother was dying and there was no other option. Haruka had already started with small league races back then (most pilots start with go-karts), later was hired for higher leagues and since then their patrons took care of them, ideal for Gran so he didn't exactly had to be too close (otherwise he would have rejected the custody).
As for the car's nickname: Miranda is the name of Uranus' main moon and where Ms Takeuchi placed Uranus' Castle. I thought, should I decide to make Haruka a pro Hero, their name would be "Tempest" as both a reference to Shakespeare's play, and to Pontiac Tempest, a car made in the 70s-80s. This one is also a nod to Gran Torino, whose name likely comes from the Ford car (the one that gave the name to the Clint Eastwood movie too).
Stay safe!