Hopefully, I'm not taking too long with these chapters but I'm going to be as fast as possible with how I upload from now on. Since season 4 is almost coming now and I at least want to keep up with the anime. But before that, I want to get your views on this chapter because I usually try to stray away from switching perspective too much but I felt it was quite necessary for this chapter as I wanted to see how it affected the storytelling aspect of the story.

I'm trying to improve seeing what others do and trying to add it to my writing style but I feel like this chapter kind of came up short of what I had expected. There are some amazing writers out there and I truly want to have my fanfic envoke that feeling from people but when I read back my previous chapters it often felt like my storytelling fell flat on its face at certain times. Besides this, however, I have been debating the pairing for a while now. Should I keep the pairing Tsuyu and Akio or Yaoyorozu and Akio? I've changed the description of this story to reflect my indecisiveness but it is subject to change.

Review responses:

JustAShadow4: :)

:)

Mr. Wackaodo:

In chapter 6, Lia pushes Yū into sex. So is Lia related to Yū or did they have a past relationship?

No, Lia is not blood-related to Yū and they did have a consensual past relationship. The backstory is that Lia met Yū when she was pregnant, Their relationship will eventually develop into best friends and Yū family would through a legal battle get custody of Lia

My Hero Academia: Akio Takeyama

Chapter 20

I was tortured last night.

This one felt surreal. The kitchen was a wonderful little place for my aunt and me to chat and talk before I left for school in the morning. I vividly remember this day - my 6 birthday - Blowing out the candles, making a prayer, and there was a knock at the door. That's not right. There was no knock after I blew out my candles that day.

When Aunt Lia opened it, I half expected it to be my mother. But it was a dream...a simulation of what could've been. The smiles and happiness on my face didn't compare to the frown and utter disgust on my mother's face when she saw me. The spite on my mother's face. The way she looked at me as if I was beneath her. When she opened her mouth...when mother opened her mouth.

It was difficult getting out of bed. I remember ferociously flinging my sheets off and across the room. I remember running into the bathroom and vomited into the toilet. I remember the way Aunty Lia held me so tightly in her arms on the bathroom floor while I sobbed into her chest.

I sobbed into her chest like a child until morning came.

Nightmares. Those aren't the prettiest dreams to have when you go to sleep. Scientists believe having nightmares are simulations your brain puts you through while you sleep. That little piece of knowledge still makes me laugh. When you take a moment to truly think about it you will eventually come to the same understanding that I found. The understanding - that our brains love to torture us.

"Do you have nightmares?"

Toshiko looks up to me with her big doe eyes ever the curious little cat. I ruffle her hair something she hates so I make a habit out of doing it at random times. She swats at my hand but I swiftly pull away with a chuckle. Do I have nightmares? What kind of question is that?

"Everyone has nightmares Toshiko." I thought this was common knowledge?

Toshiko climbs up onto my lap and looks up at me her curiosity not sated. "What kind of nightmares?" She asks.

I pause and recall most of the nightmares had up until now. It brings with it a cold shiver up my spine and makes my hairs stand on end. What kind of nightmares? It depends. What I consider nightmares are simulations so real that it makes me forget I was even asleep in the first place...something that makes you wake up in a cold sweat or brings tears to your eyes when you do. When the horror and terror felt so real that it digs at your mind even when you've awoken.

I can't tell you how many times I've had the same nightmare over and over again. The torture that is a simulation of if my mother was still in my life when I was a kid. I dreamt of Lia and mother beside one another taking care of me, grooming me, congratulating me, and loving me. Being able to just walk into the kitchen and see her smile and greet me in the mourning with a breakfast she cooked. Sometimes I would dream that we just talked for a long time about anything. It felt so real to look at her and be able to reach out in arm's length to embrace my mother.

But my arms would always go through her.

Reality...hurts.

Little hands slap against my cheeks and hold them together. It's when my purple irises come into close contact with big bright yellow orbs. "Uncy Aki are you dead!?" She shrieks and the proximity makes me jump back to hit the back of my head against the bed head and I unceremoniously fall to the ground.

I groan in pain as laid down on the carpeted floor. "Well...thanks for shrieking in my ear Toshiko." I sarcastically murmur. Toshiko, however, being the sassy but rude child. The bed creaks and the blue sheets become more wrinkled when Toshiko hops on it. My eyes widen when I realize she's preparing to leap. "You're-" I don't get to stop her before she suddenly flops belly first onto my stomach. The wind is knocked out of me momentarily as Toshiko laughter fills the room at the painful expression on my face. "-Welcome!" Oh how cute.

Toshiko shifts to sit on my stomach, legs folded, and head being propped up by both her hands.

"What was your last nightmare about Uncy Aki?" Toshiko the embodiment and the rightful owner of the title 'pursuer of knowledge' and, "little devil" was suddenly thrown off to the side. A yelp accompanied by the tossing of pillows ensued.

"None of your business, brat." I laughed, throwing and smacking Toshiko in the face with a white pillow that was thrown off when I fell. Toshiko then jumped up having equipped a white pillow as a weapon herself. Her golden eyes glint with mischief and anger.

The little girl glared, the pout making the expression more cute than one to be feared. "You will pay for that with your life." Toshiko threatened in a deep voice.

...

...

It took every fiber of my being not to burst out laughing.

"I respect your valiant effort villain," I spat with venom positioning my sword - pillow but it's essentially the same thing - at my hip. "But this is where it ends Evil mastermind Toshiko." Toshiko laughed the best evil laugh she could and raised her sword - again a pillow but it's the same thing essentially - above her head.

She smiled smugly like a villain who was about to reveal his amazing trap and boast about how smart it was, "If you thought that was the only thing I had up my sleeve than you're surely mistaken for I-" I gasped, eyes widening in horror, and taking a fearful step back. "No-no! Two swords! How is that possible no one's ever been able to master the two-handed technique!"

Toshiko had two pillows raised above her head and laughed again, "That's because I'm the smartest women who ever lived and you the dumb bug will be squashed by my ultimate technique." I do a disturbing intake of breath before stepping forward once more with new resolves sword raised once more.

"Then come! I will win because we heroes will always win the end!" I yell back the most overused line I could think of. As a hero and protagonist of this battle, I must take my role seriously and say what a typical hero would. However, Toshiko goes off script and laughs as she begins lightly hopping in place getting ready to fling herself at me.

"Then allow me to give you a reality check!" I freeze in place. I wonder if that little girl knows how much truth her words held behind them. However, me panicking gives her the perfect opportunity for an opening to run and leap off the bed. "Die!"

"Wait to stop!" My eyes widen and so does Toshiko's as twist and tumbles to the ground before looking back up at Miyaki her mother standing in front of my arm's outstretched. Did she protect me? Toshiko brows furrow and she points at her mother with one of her swords.

"What are you doing!? Why are you protecting him!?" Toshiko yelled.

Miyuki shook her head and with the best voice she could muster, "You can't kill him He's your brother!" Miyuki shockingly revealed and cue the gasps of Toshiko and me in the room.

"B-But how!?" I question in utter shock.

"Y-You're my brother?" Toshiko seems to finally grasp the words that just flew out of her mother's mouth. I feel like this game of heroes and villains has got too much of a complex backstory that's just going all over the place at this point. I lower my sword and take a deep breath. I open my mouth only to find my breath catch in my throat.

Toshiko screams and Miyuki turns around to scream as well. I coughed and slowly looked down to the sword - soft white pillow - under my armpit but let's imagine it's striking through my stomach. It's suddenly ripped out and I let out a pained grunt as dramatically fall to my knees holding my stomach.

"I-I'm sorry." I apologize to Toshiko who runs over to me just as I fall to the ground. I guess this is the end for me. I smile and take my fake last breath as Toshiko shakes me attempting to awaken me. It's futile however as I lay there unresponsive.

Welp. That's the end of my character.

Unknown Location - 3rd person

Her fingers lightly tapped against the steering wheel of her car. She sighed and scratched lightly at her cheek. Already Yu is having second thoughts about her out of the blue decision. "Maybe I shouldn't have picked the day after the festival, " Yu says, tilting her head to rest on the back of her car seat and letting out a frustrated groan.

"I'm such an idiot!" Without hesitation Yu brings her head down onto the steering wheel, her forehead smacking into the middle and causing her car to let off a sound of it's disturbing horn. That's Right. What will he think? 15 years old. Her son, her little boy had grown up without her.

Reality hurts.

Yu shoulders slack and she slumps back in her seat, fingers firmly grasping the steering wheel. Fifthteen...he is fifteen for goodness sake. It only hit Yu now that this isn't going to be the light-hearted reunion she had hoped for.

This was a mistake. Shutting her eyes tightly Yu pushed back the uneasy feeling in her gut. It was going to be fine. She as a hero has never faced a threat bigger than her or rather a threat she couldn't handle. But this threat wasn't physical and it can't be solved with a dropkick to the chest.

Rather it was mental.

There was this sense of fear and for good reason. In her previous phone call, Years upon years of hatred and spite was all that she could hear in the gruff and deeper voice of her baby boy. She promised that if he made it far in the tournament that she would agree to set a time to meet and talk with him. Here she was, sitting in her car, waiting for Lia to arrive in front of a small cafe. Why did I think it was great to meet him at a cafe again?

Oh right.

Tea always made her calm. It's why she decided it was best to meet at a cafe. A cafe that didn't have a lot of business or customers but it was small and during the mourning, it was almost always empty. Still, will she say in anticipation for the questions Akio is sure to have?

Why did you leave without a single word? "I-I thought it wouldn't hurt as much." That seemed like a wonderful excuse. Why did you never send any letters? She did write letters. Why did you never send them? Yu fingers tightened hard against the steering wheel. So much so, that her knuckles had turned white. "I-I…" Did you hate me? Her eyes felt out of focus as she looked down at her knees and imagined the expressions on her son's face.

Yu Takeyama was a horrible mother.

Yu knew that more than anyone.

There's a tap on her car window and Yu shoots upright in her seat. Coughing into the back of her hand she than wrinkles her nose. With a deep breath, Yu turns to the window. It's Lia. With the press of a button, the window slides open to allow the air from outside to come rushing into her face. Magenta orbs gloss over her form, "Are you ready?" Lia must have noticed.

But there was this sympathy to Lia's tone that brought the painful sensation back to the inside of her stomach.

Yu sucked in a breath through her teeth and winced slightly at the sensation. She found her hands still coiled tightly around the steering wheel when trying to find an escape from the concerned expression of her best friend.

Stop being a child and face your problems. She wouldn't run. Yu knew she had to walk into that cafe and talk with him. "I'm afraid...but I'm ready," Yu responded, fingers uncurling from around the steering wheel and she couldn't help but relinquish a small smile at her best friend.

"You're doing the right thing Yu." Lia reassured as Yu inclined her head. They exchanged smiles but Yu couldn't help but notice t44he cold feeling on the back of her neck. The way her hairs stood on end. A chill. It must be the wind.

She smiled despite the nagging feeling. "I hope I am."

"Thank you,"

Akio looked at the small teacup carefully placed in front of him. The liquid only swaying slightly as it slid in front of him. The waiter, a young woman, couldn't have been a year older than him smiled happily and bowed slightly before leaving. Akio looked down at the liquid inside of the teacup and watch the small movements of matcha tea. When was the last time he had tea? Too long in fact. Akio gently clasped the teacup in both of his hands and brought it up to his mouth.

"This smell...it's so calming," Akio whispered, taking a long whiff of the rich aroma. Tea, as he's come to learn, has many properties that could relieve certain stresses of the day. Akio wasn't stressed - not necessarily, but it was nice to feel his whole body melt against the aroma this green tea gave off. It felt even better when it went down his throat and entered his body - as taboo as that sounds - Akio found great pleasure in it.

Amazing. Delicate and small sips had Akio relishing in the alluring sweetness of the drink. It forced him to shut his eyes taking in the powerful taste it had. He placed the tea down still half-full. Something like tea couldn't be enjoyed unless elemental quirk user sure felt grounded letting a content sigh escape his lips at the drink.

"Taste good doesn't it?" He let the right side of his lip curl up into a smirk. This isn't just good - it's magnificent.

"It took you long enough to come back," Akio says opening his eyes and expecting to find his aunt there. Instead, he found matching purple eyes staring back at him. His breath hitched in his throat as he watched the woman relinquish a small smile and twist her head to the approaching waiter. Her blonde curled bangs slightly swaying with her movements. She accepted the beverage in her hands and nodded thanks to the young waiter.

The woman took a sip from her teacup. "I guess we have something in common...Green tea always relieves stress." Her eyes didn't meet his instead down into the teacup.

Akio found himself doing the same. Her eyes weren't the bright colorful expression she had on as a hero. Of course...that's just her public image after all. Something she puts on for the fans Akio noted. She looked more real...maybe because his mother is sitting right across from him.

3rd person

"So," Yu eyes darted to the left avoiding the gaze of her son. "How are your hero studies? I know you've been working hard. Your showing at the festival was amazing." Yu was trying to make small talk but Akio snapped. Usually, he was more hardened to not lash out as he did but this was different.

Akio brows furrowed. "Don't act like you care all of a sudden."

Yu eyes widen when her eyes were met with a steely glare from her son. "Let me get this through your skull...I hate you." Are you blind? Akio thought his mother was smart enough to read the atmosphere. That her being here made the air more chilly than it was supposed to be. Yu breathed sharply as if something had gotten caught in her throat.

"I-I," Yu lips quivered as she failed to let the words out. "You're...right," Yu admitted her head lowering to stare at the green tea in front of her.

"You left without a word. Not even a goodbye." Akio was hurt and it was like a stab to the heart to see her son talk that way. It reminded her of how much she failed in her life. Akio pushed aside his tea and folded his hands upon the table. "Do you know how many birthday wishes of mines never came true? Did you know on my 10th birthday that I almost killed myself with my quirk?" Yu eyes shot up in horror as she covered her mouth with her hand. What?

"Oh and guess the reason why my quirk went out of control...because for the 6th time in a row I realized that you wanted nothing to do with me." Akio sneered, hands balled into fists under the table.

"That's wrong!" Yu exclaimed through hushed words. Akio bit his lip just as it started to quiver.

"I-I know that I haven't been there. But I've never stopped thinking about you. I made so many letters I couldn't count how many times I rewrote them over and over trying to find the right words to say. But even then my fear would overwhelm me and I would never send it." Yu hands slid over the table unknowingly Akio raised his arms to retreat but she snatched his hands. "I'm so proud of you. You're striving for something great." Yu shook her head and reached over the table to cup her son's cheek.

"You're what I cherish most in this world. You're the spitting image of me." Yu said a hoarse giggle arising from her throat. "You've grown to be so handsome do you know that?" Her thumb brushed against Akio cheek. She tilted her head and her lips had curved into an infectious smile. Why? Akio cursed mentally when his lips betrayed him and curved up into a small smile of its own. He could feel his tears tickling against his cheek as it descended to his chin like a runny faucet.

"Than what am I to you?" Akio grabbed her wrist and pulled it away from his face. It doesn't matter how many times you apologize. Akio couldn't, no, wouldn't accept it.

Yu was taken aback. What am I to you?

Yu...didn't know what to say. Her mouth was slightly ajar but it struggled to move and form words.

"What am I to you?"

Her tears seemingly coming down her face with more fervor than before. Akio was hit with a wave of nausea his chest constricted in pain. His purple eyes fell to the floor as his breathing started to quicken.

'I'm here...I'm not going to leave like last time. I-I can...w-we can j-just sit down and y-you c-can fill me in on everything that I've missed." Yu hands tightened around his and Akio let his finger unfold so they could then become entangled against his mothers. This was a mistake.

"I love you so much."

There it was. The words he yearned to hear. The words that released all the pain in his chest. The words that made him break down into silent sobs.

"I hate you."

The words were like silver on his tongue. It surely felt so to Yu. It felt as if the world gravity had inverted on itself. Frozen in place as Akio stood up from his seat and excused himself from the table. She made it worse. This was a mistake.

Frost formed at his fingertips as Akio snatched his hands back and covered his mouth. It felt like he was going to throw up.

Yu could only sit there in shock and agony as her son walked out the door of the small cafe. It feels like no matter what she does it always comes back to bite her. Sometimes, Yu wondered if her quirk was a curse.

She could grow to a gigantic size but she can never shrink. Maybe it is the same for her problems. Her problems will never cease shrink and they'll always come back larger than before. Maybe this was a problem that she just couldn't fix. Like a wound that was left to fester and eventually got infected.

A pale hand clasped around her teacup. She didn't dare look up at the waitress. Yu immediately apologized to her, arm raising to dry the running tears from her face.

"You should go after him."

It only then did Yu lookup. "You need to chase him. Don't let him leave here thinking you'll give up so easily."

"Why?" Why was she telling her this?

The woman smiled sympathetic and supportive. "Because...he needs you right now more than ever-tell him what he wants to hear." The waitress was right.

How could she be so dumb!? It is all her fault. She's the reason this keeps happening!

Akio P.O.V

What am I to you?

All I was met with was silence. I can't breathe. My chest was constricting again.

…

I think I think I'm having a panic attack. I stumbled forward and leaned against a tree I hastily pulled my phone out of my pocket just have it a fumble and drop out of my hands. Oh no. Please.

Not now.

"Akio!" I shut my eyes tightly and shook my head. Noo, I don't want this right now...not now. Sweat pooled from my forehead as I pressed a hand to the bark of a nearby tree. I could feel the ice pool at the tip of my fingertips and my body goes rigid.

My body's temperature has already dropped dangerously low.

I feel so numb.

I can't-

What's happening?

Somebody help.

Please.