Chapter 76 - Secrets Revealed! Perfection Halfway!
Another night at 1-A's dorm gave Nana a lot to think about. The upcoming Festival, someone she had in mind to invite as a guest if the school allowed it, and the breakdown of everyone's roles in the concert the class had planned with a little added help from the resident Guardian, Ghost, and Eliksni.
While Yuki, Izuku, and the others were finishing up their catch-up work, Nana was the one to feed back information about what was going on while they were away. So far, the class was discussing who will play what instruments or role in the overall execution. One issue remained, and that was with the chosen drummer, the explosive Bakugo.
"No way am I making a fool of myself up on stage," He tucked his hands into his pockets, turning to leave.
"You do that anyway with or without a stage," Nana murmured under her breath.
"You know what I mean, pointy ears!" He snapped back, causing her to rub her sensitive ear.
Kyoka was adamant though, "Come on, Bakugo, do it! If we rock out on that stage everyone will have a great time!"
"Don't you get what's gonna happen!?" He kept his head forward, unable to see Kyoka's silent worry. "I'll tell ya; We're doing this so the other courses can blow off some steam, right? But we're the ones that caused that stress to begin with, so we're just trying to make ourselves feel better,"
He turned to the class with his jaded glare. "This is gonna seem like a slap to the face from the people they can't stand!"
While Kyoka was left star-struck, Hagakure vented steam, swinging her arm. "Don't be mean, we're just trying to help!"
"You didn't help us decide what to do so you can't complain now," Shoto countered.
"Bakugo sir is right; you're not seeing this from their perspective," Of all people, Nana spoke almost as sternly as Yuki, staring at her hands. "Emotions are transferred through action and intent; your goal is kind but it will be interpreted as though you are doing this only to rid the guilt from your shoulders, you'll be seen as being in the wrong."
"I see... maybe they're right, did we think this through enough?" Iida conversed with Yaoyorozu.
"Doesn't all this make you mad?" Katsuki grunted, "It's not like we wanted villains to show up and ruin things for everybody, why do we have to be concerned about how these weaklings feel!? Stop trying to get on their good side, we're not here to make friends, we're here to fight! If we're gonna put on a show then we can't hold anything back!"
Nana smirked. "That's the right attitude..." As she nodded her head, Katsuki drew a thumb over his throat to emphasize his words.
"Let's murder everyone in UA with killer music!" His words and reasoning left those that had confronted the darkest sides of villainy, those left scarred by the battles they faced with a strange feeling rising in their chests. It was so painfully similar to facing down that evil head-on, that rush to their bones.
"BAKUGO!" The whole class bar a few cheered with enthusiasm at his speech, rejuvenating the atmosphere once more.
"Your reasoning was scary but if you'll do it, who cares!" Hagakure clapped.
"Don't ignore the other part!" He snapped but Ashido wrapped an arm over his shoulders.
"Yeah-yeah, tough guy, we get it!" She gave him a cheeky grin while he practically exploded.
Nana smiled, sending the recording through to her sister. "Guess we're doing this," Meanwhile, another text from someone else popped up on her screen. "...wonder if she likes concerts...?"
With the night settling in slowly, the class underwent the rest of their brainstorming, those from the Work-Study catch-up returning with Tekres and Rayla who were conducting their own research as their licenses to perform outside of UA were approved.
"I see, so we've decided on rave-rock club music for our performance?" Asui summed up.
"Having Jiro on bass, and Yaoyorozu on keyboards makes sense," Kirishima nodded along with Rayla.
"I can see that, Jiro struck me as the rocker type, that and Akio." She said this while swaying Solaire around between her hands. "I only ever listened to music outside of my duties, or if Cayde's rookie was playing in the Tower so I haven't the best judgment on what's right or wrong."
"But Katsuki on the drums is kinda... how do I put it...?" She did her best to try and word it right for her boyfriend.
"Shocking!" Hagakure stated bluntly with an invisible smile.
"You got a problem with me!?" He glared but the group shook their heads.
"Question is, who's singing?" Yuki inquired, looking around at the class.
"Well, that part we haven't figured out yet," Kyoka dismissed quickly as Ochaco and Akio shared the same thought process.
"Wouldn't it be you, Jiro/Kyoka?" The two paused, pointing at one another. "Oh, jinx - drat..."
"Nope, stop!" Nana shot up from her seat, keeping any of the boys from stepping forward, her ears twitching. "I know what's about to happen, but for everyone's sake, mine especially, please don't."
"Oh, come on!" Kirishima whined but met the little bluette's glare.
"I can hear just as well as Miss Jiro, I do not want to hear whatever hellish sympathy that comes out of that shared bathroom meet my ears directly," Her whole body trembled at the memory, wishing to unhear the vocalization similar to nails on a chalkboard.
"I'm with the girls, it's got to be you, Jiro!" Hagakure pressed close to the anxious rocker. "When you were teaching us instruments in your room your singing was super cool!"
"Look, my singing isn't that great... maybe we should-" She froze when Viral helped to prop up a microphone for Hagakure. "Viral...!" Her jacks twitched as the chuckling mass of darkness seeped away into the shadows.
"Come on, don't be shy, show us those pipes!" Kirishima encouraged, though still downtrodden about being shut down along with the others by Nana's oddly cute disapproval.
"You got this," Rayla approved with a thumbs up.
Sighing, Kyoka grabbed the stand, closing her eyes to drone out the gazes pressed to her. She's done this in front of a few of them so it would be okay, right? Taking in a breath, she let her voice flow. "You know everyone... wants to sparkle... like the stars in the night sky...~!" The sheer pitch and energy behind her voice gave off a glow like no other, resonating throughout the class with an overpowering radiance. "In this wondrous place... filled with all the dreams... I've been wishing for... waiting for the chance...~"
There was silence at first, the class speechless for a time until they erupted into applause for their aloof classmate. Behind them, Kirishima, and Aoyama were floored. "Always a pleasant sensation on my ears," Akio beamed with his eyes closed. "Never cease to amaze me, Kyoka."
"My ears are so happy!" "That is such an assuasive voice!" "I told you!"
"Alright, I call this a unanimous decision!" Iida fired ahead, none really realizing how flustered Kyoka had become, unable to move an inch for fear of collapsing.
"Right, well, before we move on..." She robotically swung her arms to the left of her, meeting Yuki's eyes. "If that's the case, Yuki?"
"Hm?" She tilted her head, still lost in Kyoka's performance.
Patting her reddened cheeks to steady herself, Kyoka found her voice. "Do you want to perform with me as backup vocals?"
This caught Izuku's attention the most, glancing over at the machinist who stared into space for a time. As usual, Hagakure was there to shake Yuki's shoulders. "First Jiro, and now Yuyu's voice on top! This would be the greatest performance since rock music was invented!"
"That's... definitely a claim," Rayla leaned to the side of Asui, Tekres, and Solaire copying her. "She really that good?"
"I don't know, we've only seen Yuki play the guitar, ribbit," Asui tapped her chin.
"How about it, Yuyu?" Kyoka turned to the absentminded girl, receiving one word.
"Nope,"
...
...
"WHAT!?" Everyone turned white as snow.
"But-but you're so good!" Hagakure gushed, patting Yuki's shoulders. Again, the Archon just shrugged.
"I appreciate the sentiment but this is Kyoka's dream," Her words silenced them a moment, the rocker turning to her friend tapping her fingers together. "Look; I love music, my family and Kyoka's are similar in that field... but music is just a pastime for myself really."
"Are you sure?" Kyoka felt disappointed but wouldn't force the subject. Izuku didn't say anything, this wasn't his place to say a counterpoint.
Yuki looked away a moment, frown present, "I'll do it on one condition," Her finger rose, holding the tension before dropping it toward one person in particular. "Nana sings your first song with you as a duet."
"Wait, me!?" She blinked, looking around awkwardly. "I-I mean, I know I've kept tabs on what's been going on and stuff, b-but I'm not part of your class..."
"And? Who said it was exclusive to us?" Yuki rolled her eyes, rubbing her blemish. "You're the one who wants to be a famous singer someday; so here's your chance," She smiled, shaking her head. "I've hogged the spotlight more than a few times by now."
"She has to be good if Yuki's suggesting it." Ochaco grinned.
"Definitely." "Come on, play something!" Their comments flew through the girl's ears, turning her cheeks to the tips of her pointy ears red once she hid behind her hoodie, tucking her knees up.
"I-I get stage fright..." She murmured quietly, downtrodden. "I like singing... but I messed up the last time I was ever in front of people... so I stopped... a-and the library incident doesn't count! Someone's life was on the line!" Nana interjected before Yuki could speak.
"You're still hung up about that? Not the library part anyway," Yuki asked; Her sister's head bobbed. Exasperated; she moved closer to kneel in front of Nana, pulling her hood back to show her adorable embarrassing face. "This isn't our old school; these guys won't judge you, look at me, Nana, I'm literally part Eliksni, an alien race of reptiles, but they accept that,"
She flicked Nana's pointy ear, making her giggle slightly. "I do want to sing but I want you to be the one to lead strong with Kyoka; this is your debut, not mine."
Nana smiled a little, nodding to her older sister before Ashido handed her the mic. The class braced themselves for the girl sitting cross-legged on the sofa. She was still pink in the face but closed her eyes, exhaling softly.
"I have to go to somewhere I saw. When I was so young and immature. I want to know if truth is painful or not. And why my heart bleeds at the sight~"
Her voice released a soothing blue aura from her body. It traversed the common room; those who felt stress or woes were weightless, those chaotic thoughts settled in their hearts, raising their trapped feelings. Nana's voice was completely different, strong and caring with every vocal that quelled the darkness.
"Time will tell us gently. Just how powerless we used to be. But now, now's the time to raise my arms. And throw away all hate~! 'Cause I meant to be your piece until I die. No one's wants to be alone. So I'll leave my soul by your side. And though we fall apart between Hell's divide. I would seek you on my own. That ol' smile, beneath the stars~!"
When she opened her eyes, praise flooded the room. Kirishima covered his eyes again, tears falling from beneath. "That was... just so manly!"
"I think my soul is crying...~!" Ashido wept against Rayla.
"I'm sorry Zane but her voice is beautiful!" Rayla fell to her knees, Solaire nodded by her side.
"An amazing talent, certainly."
"Human customs are strange, however, this melody feels soothing to listen to." Even Tekres admired her talents.
"U-um, wait!" Nana waved her hand, flicking her tail. "M-my Quirk... it happens whenever I sing s-so not all of that was my doing! I-I basically cheated..."
"And!? You were freakin' awesome!" Kaminari exclaimed, silencing her doubts. "Right guys!?"
"Her words pierced the abyss," Tokoyami concurred. "I feel enlightened."
"Even my darkness friend loved it - Viral too!" Akio waved his arms.
The blushing girl bowed her head, feeling steam rise when people stared at her when she sang. Not every event was met with praise, the last time she really was praised was when her Mom and Dad were... then by her best friend...
"Fine!" She yelled, rubbing her eyes quickly. "I'll do it, alright, happy now?!"
"YEAH!"
Another day later, and All Might stood within a secluded wooded area of UA with his Successor dressed in his gym clothes. Since the Work-Study, he had given a lot of thought toward was they've spoken of; about the lost traces of other Quirks residing in One For All, the vast improvement Izuku had undergone, and the startling development Yuki dumped on his and Katsuki's shoulders the last time. Fusion between One For All and SIVA.
"You want me to use sixty-five percent here?" Izuku echoed as All Might threw a fist high with gusto.
"That's right!" He declared. "Speaking of which, Young Azuru?"
"You caaaalled?" Yuki waved from upsidedown on a tree
All Might answered Izuku's curious face. "I asked Young Azuru here to help you make that connection again; she and Siva described to me how OFA merged with her nanites, becoming a tremendous unity unlike the crystallization that OFA undergoes, so I want to see you both try and master this fusion form," He clenched his fists with determination. "Go as high as you can with One For All and fuse!"
"But I don't know if that's possible," Izuku's gaze downcast at his still damaged arms, the many scars reminding him of how brittle his bones have become, still needing Yuki to try and mend them. "It was honestly all a spur of the moment, I don't know if it was due to us trying to save Eri at any cost, or the stress, maybe our emotions played a part..." He kept muttering into All Might's blank face, Yuki counting down with her fingers.
"Enough of all that!" He snapped, punching the air. "Just go Full Cowling!"
"R-Right!" Holding a steady posture; Izuku focused on that feeling again before his whole body overflowed with energy, bolts, and wind pressure swirling around his body. "Full Cowling... Sixty-Five Percent!" Izuku winced, that ache in his bones wearing down on him. "I-I can't really move like this...!"
"Okay, hold that pose, Izuku," Yuki hopped down, cracking her knuckles before resting her hands atop his fists, leveling her gaze to his own. "Just relax; these increases are strenuous but you can use it if you only adjust your body."
Nodding, he clasped her hands, her blue bolts mingling with his once her own body temperature rose to synergize. "Siva... Perfected... Fifty Percent!" Izuku gripped her tighter once she stumbled close to his chest, head against his shoulder as her power tickled his skin, the metal smooth to the touch. "Hah... hah... never went... this high against Overhaul,"
"Y-yuki?" Izuku felt the same, helping her stand eye to eye.
"Okay... Okay, ready?" Her sweaty face managed a smile.
"Uh-huh," Izuku shut his eyes, forehead against his girlfriend's.
*Bzzt!*
All Might couldn't believe his eyes once their powers merged in a blink of an eye. The colours tinted a dark purple, converging around the middle of their bodies. "Amazing...!" Not once in his life had such a unity been achieved between Quirks. A natural bond not born of genetics. This hybrid of One For All and SIVA could rival All For One!
The wind tore up the earth, forcing the retired hero behind a tree for cover. A white streak melded the two students into a single shadow, a great boom rattling the trees until that storm settled. When All Might peeked, his jaw slacked.
Yuki and Izuku were gone. Amethyst bolts permeated the air around the new human. Their hair was an odd mixture of Izuku's hairstyle with a tint of blue. The eyes were turquoise-red, brimming with might. They didn't share a discernible gender, a bit of both really. "Well? How do we look?" Yuzuku inquired, mask clattering against their right temple. "Pretty sweet, right?"
"I... I haven't the words," All Might held his arms wide, chuckling breathlessly. "Your powers are unified beyond my expectations! Holy... freaking... crap!"
Yuzuku giggled, scratching the blemish they shared. "It's a little hard to bring our power beyond fifty though, Izuku had to lower the output for SIVA to synergize with, now-" They grinned, backhanding the air to topple a tree with a massive plume of dust. "-our power is the equivalent of one hundred percent! Ahahahaha - ack!"
There was a white flash with some odd, multicolored specks. Then the light immediately spat out Izuku atop of Yuki, their eyes spiraling. "Back to the drawing board...?" Yuki chuckled giddily.
All Might relaxed, pleased at how far his students had progressed on their own. "I think we can call this training a success, for now, you both should work on freeing a space in your minds to make this unification easier in the future," Then he grinned slyly. "Oh, and perhaps you can take your private affairs to a much more secluded space."
They blinked, looking at each other upon realizing Izuku was straddling Yuki against the ground. Blushing intensely, Yuki warped a few feet away, headbutting a tree with Izuku covering his face with her own mask. "Y-y-yes, sir!" Izuku's expression was shown on the mask with a blushing emoticon.
"I curse you, I curse you and all the other successors!" Yuki could hear it, several presences echoing in her mind at the predicament. She curled up against the tree. comedic tears running down her face. "Not even my head is safe anymore...!"
The day went by like any other; With some steady training against Rayla, who was a literal monster at hand-to-hand combat. Yuki and Izuku spent most of their afternoon with one another playing games on a shared console within the common area. "I'm telling you, dodge 'into' his attacks, it's not that hard." Yuki played backseat to Katsuki's failure, resting her head on Izuku's lap, a most suitable pillow.
"Shut up! I know what the hell I'm doing!" He thundered, diving back from another flaming swing of Lorian's blade. The Twin Princes weren't to be trifled with. He drank another Estus.
"Aaaaand you're almost out of Estus~" She sing-songed lazily. "Seriously; he's not even giving you bad RNG - pfft, last time I let you control my handsome hunk of metal for an Ashen One." Sir Indeed deserves so much better in her modest opinion.
"DIIIIE!" Katsuki button mashed behind the Princes, swiping the two bosses down to a mere slither. One last strike would be the end of it.
"Kacchan, he's using the holy light!" Izuku blurted out, making the blonde twitch.
"Where the hell is he, nerd!?"
"Behind you!" The couple screamed, his fingers twitched, slipping out from the blinding attack's range in time to swipe his Wolf Greatsword wide, nicking Lorian's waist.
"There it is, come on, kick his Lord of Cinder ass!" Yuki screamed, shaking Katsuki's shoulders. Ochaco was beside them but she just enjoyed watching stuff on her phone with her feet propped on Katsuki's lap.
The younger brother knelt to heal his fallen sibling but failed to see the demonic wrath of Katsuki bearing down on him for a final spinning slash, ending the fight with only a fraction of health left. "I DID IIIT!"
"That's all the Lords suckas!" Yuki cheered, flopping back onto her mate's lap. "Nothing beats a handsome boyfriend's lap." She especially enjoyed seeing him blush from the flirt.
"Hey," A jack tapped Izuku's forehead, retracting to Kyoka's ear once more. She seemed... fidgety. "Can us three talk... alone, just a sec?"
The couple glanced at one another, silently getting up to follow their best friend, leaving Katsuki to glare at their backs. He grunted, turning back to the game. Ocha's head tilted. "What's with Jiro's weird face?"
"Nothing; just leave them," He was very calm about it, but Ocha knew that face, he had an idea what it was about, further her curiosity until his hand propped out. "Don't bother; unlike Deku, I can keep a secret."
"Ah!" She covered her head, leaving her slit eyes visible. "Super secret between best friends."
"Tch, sure..."
Once the trio were outside the dorms, Kyoka scanned their surroundings before letting out the breath she had been holding. This was it; she already made her bed now to lie in it. "Okay, sorry if this is sudden on you guys," She rubbed her bicep sheepishly. "Look, if you don't want to answer this I get it, basically top-secret if my hunch is right."
"Kyoka, is everything alright? You're acting weird." Izuku asked, feeling concerned for his friend who appeared to have her head in the clouds.
"You can ask us anything, it'll stay between us, promise," Yuki crossed her heart. That at least made Kyoka feel a little better for her guilt.
She waved her hands. "Sorry, I'm beating around this issue - I just... really need it out of my mind for the festival," Sucking in a breath, she let her heart settle. "Okay, here goes; Izuku," He stood up straight. "...how long have you had All Might's Quirk?"
...
...
...
The world became cold and blue, shattering whatever pleasantry remained.
It must've taken Izuku a second to register what Kyoka had said. Yuki's eyes had expanded beyond measure, lips unable to say anything. Soon; his own heart exploded, realizing the sheer severity of what Kyoka asked. What should they say? What could they say? Kyoka just dropped a question neither could worm their way out of.
She took note of their horrific expressions, sighing to herself until she stumbled back, weightless. "You really do... holy... wow," She held her forehead, blinking with a light chuckle. "I-I just..."
"Yeah..." Yuki breathed.
"Sorry... I just had to say something." Kyoka admitted, her curiosity damned her.
"Kyoka?" She met Izuku's eyes, how pleading and... defeated they were. "How... I can't hide it, not from you... so how did you know?"
She played with one of her jacks shamefully. Looking away. "I... sorta heard you guys talking about it in the staff lounge, Bakugo too -" She waved her hand instantly. "-I-I haven't spilled this to anyone, I swear!"
"We believe you," Yuki slumped to the pillar, smiling with her arm over her eyes. "I just really thought we did a good job hiding it - by the Great Machine, Dumb-Dumb's gonna chew us out for this."
"It's our fault; we should've been more careful, especially since Kyoka can hear anything," Izuku realized this wasn't entirely their fault but it was careless to think no one would grow suspicious of their friendliness with All Might. Looking up at the night sky, Izuku didn't understand why he felt so relieved that Kyoka knew. Maybe it was nice to have someone else aside from Yuki know the truth? He wasn't certain. "Kyoka; you cannot tell anyone else, especially since Shigaraki will likely come after me."
"Not to mention Kovik probably wants you dead too," Yuki pointed out. Turning to Kyoka, she smiled. "Don't worry about it, I think the shock's passing."
"Speak for yourself," Kyoka sat on the step, shaking her head. "This has been wracking in my head for like forever! I thought I was crazy, keeping it from Akio's been so annoying after he encouraged me too..." She slumped her head into her knees. "Some girlfriend I am."
"Hey," Izuku patted her shoulder, sitting by her right facing the stars. "I don't think anyone could've handled the pressure, I know I cracked when I told Kacchan; but you're not so easily bent, so I think that's why we can trust you, why I can."
To her left, Yuki did the same, flicking the girl's necklace. "And Akio's bonded with Viral; they probably know you wanted to tell them, that's why he's always willing to help you even if you never say a word, his trust is valuable, you're lucky to have him."
"Yeah..." Kyoka laughed lightly, feeling better beside them. "Thanks, guys - but seriously," She turned to Izuku with a smirk. "Tell. Me. Everything."
"Oh boy," Yuki stood up, leaning down to peck Izuku's forehead. "Good luuuuck~"
"Wait, what? Yuki~!" He whined, left to handle the millions of questions on his own. "Where do I even start?"
"Probably the beginning, Green Bean." Kyoka snickered, earning a deadpan.
"Thank you so much, Kyoka; I guess... we can start from when I was attacked by this Sludge Villain..."
To Be Continued...
With the additions of Yuki, Nana, Tekres, and Rayla, this festival's gonna be a fun one! And Nana's taking centre stage with Kyoka! And Kyoka knows about One For All now! Hah, twist ending! Speaking of Nana, I hope you enjoyed it, I appreciate the support as always; seeya in the next chapter, Heroes!
Next Chapter: We Aren't Perfect
Nana: Okay, be cool, be super cool...
Nana: You're only hated by one of the best students in your year...
Nana: I-I mean, not like you totally screwed up on every occasion!
Redacted: What do you want?
Nana: Hehehe... Next, We Aren't Perfect - ain't that the truth.
Redacted: *Sigh* Go Beyond...
Nana: *Depressed* ...Plus Ultra...