I don't own One Punch Man, nor do I own My Hero Academia. Each Franchise i owned by their respective owner..
mindofmine6020: Idk if you've read the thing I said two chapters earlier in the author's notes, but I remember saying that I'd continue all my unfinished fics after finishing One Punch Might. And thanks for the feedback!
ENJOY!
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"A quirkless person claiming the victory over this year's festival is something that has become somewhat of a controversial topic. What do you think of this, Doctor Bofoi?"
"I think, that this is a waste of time."
"That boy's speech has become ubiquitous in such a short timeframe, tells you how much we have developed, technology wise."
"Do you think that he might be the famous figure that the Hero Commission has been hunting for a year by now, 'The vigilante whom disappears'?"
"Who knows? This world has so much possibilities."
"I don't agree with his outrageous claims that a quirkless person should be put in the frontlines, face to face with the real dangers that the pro-heroes faces everyday."
"Societal Researches has confirmed that the recent speech given by the boy known as 'Yagi Toshinori' might spark a light of hope towards the quirkless kind, and, in short, a new movement might rise from within the ashes."
"I can't believe the nerve of that boy, telling us not to be reliant on quirks! Who does he think he is?! Some kind of symbol?!"
"How can a quirkless person achieve such a powerful state, yet his so-called training regimen is so abysmall, so shallow, so unreal. Only an idiot would believe such a ridiculous claim. He must have some kind of quirk, there is just no way."
"Bigotry against the quirkless kind is real, people. It's called 'Infraphobia'. This is a real case, in which where minors gets all the shit and the one's who does the shitting gets no fucking repercussions at all. It's like the oppression of the LGBTQ community all over again."
"Speeches aside, our condolences goes towards those who were unfortunate enough to have lost their family due to the recent invasion. May God bless them and give them strength."
"The Hero Commission proves once again that they are not competent enough to keep the public's safety. It's in their name, goddammit, and they're not even living up to it! Who in their right mind would occupy thousands upon thousands of pro-heroes from all over Japan to watch a pointless, gimmicky event just to endanger the safety of the public?! Don't they know that the only thing that's keeping the mysterious beings from devouring us alive is the existence of the pro-heroes?!"
"You know it's bad when I'm starting to trust a kid more than a legit official group who's supposed job is to protect the safety of this country."
"The UA Sports Festival event is just a ploy by the government officials to exploit money from the good people of this country. This won't stand."
...
Genos entered the wide room of his adoptive father's laboratory. As he strode across the tables of experiments, he found Kuseno standing at the corner.
"Genos..."
"You didn't tell me. You never told me." Genos said, his voice shaky, "Why?"
"Hm?" Kuseno raised his brow, "What are you-?"
"Cut the act, I know about everything. About the village of Chōwa, about Metal Knight's indirect involvement in it, about how it all connects to the Yaoyoruzu Corps, you know, the company you used to work on?" Genos interrupted.
Kuseno stared at him for a while, trying to find the words to explain. How did he know?
Genos asked one more time, "Why?"
"To protect you-"
"From getting revenge?" Genos interrupted him, "I've always put my trust in you. You always do this, Kuseno-san, and you do this over, and over, and over again. You use deception in the name of my protection."
"...you were always a rash boy, Genos, I know it, and I'm sorry. I should've told you-"
"You should've." Genos emphasized, "But you didn't. I don't know many times will you repeat this, and frankly, my trust for you is starting to deterioriate every time you do this."
The blond boy felt a bit guilty for saying that.
Genos then sat on the chair near one of the tables, his back facing away from Kuseno, "Tell me everything."
"Genos-"
"Tell. Me. EVERYTHING."
Kuseno was surprised by his tone. He's done this again. Another mistake.
He sighed, before saying, "Our company was dying, on the verge of being bankrupt. That's where Metal Knight came in. He offered us a lending hand, in exchange, we give him rare materials, which can only be produced through the CEO's quirk. It was required for his other project. It sounded like a good deal."
He put his hands above his forehead, "Until we found out that Metal Knight was using an unstable A.I to create what he calls 'The Ultimate Cyborg', who will replace him one day when he dies. He decided to gave it a test run, but everything went haywire from there. The regret still stayed with me even to this day. The cyborg he created, it rampaged on the village you were raised in, killed everyone there, and.." His hands were shaking uncontrollably.
"You were the only one left, at least to my..observations. It was also part of the reason why I took you in. From that day on, I tried to tell everyone that conducting a business with that man is a bad idea, they didn't listen. I tried to tell the CEO, yet she didn't listen as well, saying about how we should give him a second chance, that humans makes mistakes. But I know, that Metal Knight isn't even remotely close to being a considerate person. He sees no value in a human's life. I left the company for good, because I didn't want to be in a company that willingly takes risks just to conduct a business with a madman. They tried to take me back in because I was such a valuable member to them. They only realised that by the time I left. They even refused to associate with Metal Knight even further as their way of apologising. I didn't take that offer. I couldn't. I just don't want to partake in the demise of several hundreds of people like I did unintentionally when I was in that company." He finished explaining with a heavy exhalation.
Genos shifted his gaze towards his adoptive father with a remorseful look, regret already filling him like a sudden wave of tsunami.
He slowly stood up, walking at a slow pace towards the old man, his arms slowly spreading. "Kuseno-san.." Genos said, his trembling hands moved as he walked.
"I don't expect you to understand, of course." Kuseno looked down, "Just know that I've always loved you like a son, that I'm sorry for indirectly causing the deaths of your parents, and in result..took your childhood away. I'm trying my best to rectify for my past mistakes, and I'm failing horribly, and for that, I'm terribly sorry about everyth-"
Suddenly, he was enveloped in a tight embrace. Kuseno widened his eyes in surprise.
Genos was hugging him, and it looked like he wasn't letting him go anytime soon.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Genos rambled a wave of apology, his heart ached for how unnecessarily harsh he is when he spoke to Kuseno.
"It's not your fault. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..." Genos removed himself from Kuseno's embrace, "You shouldn't be held accountable for this. I apologise.."
"It's alright, my boy. How you reacted is justifiable." Kuseno reassured, keeping his hand firm on Genos's shoulder.
Genos then darkly chuckled. The first emotion he could ever express ever since he became a cyborg. The emotion that were caged inside due to the cyborg's body's programs.
"It's like a cycle, this thing is.." Genos looked away in shame, "You do something to protect me, and then I whine about it like an ungrateful child. I don't deserve a father figure like you."
"Genos-"
"I really don't."
"My boy.." Kuseno called out his name somberly.
"I'll be off. I need to get this off my chest.." Genos said, "I'm sorry." He apologised for one last time, before going out of sight.
Mustafu...
After the Sports Festival was done, nothing else interesting was happening, aside from the fact that the city just got invaded in the absence of the heroes.
He still felt like shit about it, but he knew he had no license yet. It's not like he could help them when he's binded by the legality of his actions...
But of course, he could always wear a mask, right?
These monsters really left a huge mess on his balcony, though. What a hassle. The outdoor fan for his AC also got destroyed, so there goes his only comfort when the temperature rises in the room unreasonably.
He could always fix it, but it is a hassle.
He then couldn't help but think about how happy his mother sounded when she called him. She was always so curious about how he got so strong, especially when he's quirkless. She never believed him when he told her that it was all due to a training regimen he did for one and a half year.
He didn't blame her, though. Any normal person wouldn't believe this sort of thing.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
"Oh, who might it be.." Yagi picked his phone, only to see the name 'Genos' on the screen.
"Oh" Yagi mouthed, concerned, before answering the call, "Oh, hey, Genos? Sup? Everything okay?"
The stern voice replied, "Toshi.. I'm sorry if I was being intrusive, but-"
"Don't say that, I can talk anytime. I was the one who made the offer, you know? I'd look like an idiot if I go against my word, now spill the beans, Genos, I'm okay with it." Yagi reassured with the gentleness in his voice.
"I..I think I might have found some information regarding my..past."
"Your past?" Yagi widened his eyes, "Like..like this intel has something to do with the mad cyborg that killed your family?"
"Yes, I believe so.." Genos said over the phone in a slight saddened voice. His emotions were suppressed, but over time, his body were readjusting, giving him some of his emotions back.
"I'm all ears, Genos." Yagi said with a welcoming voice.
"I..I recently found out that..Metal Knight..he was the one who caused the destruction of my village, indirectly." Genos said, his voice hesitated to continue.
Yagi's mouth were left slack jawed, shock reeling inside every course of his emotions. He knew Metal Knight was an asshole, but this?
Genos then told him about how The Yaoyoruzu Corps was somehow involved, about how they conducted a business with Metal Knight out of desperation to crawl out of their bankruptcy. This alone led Doctor Kuseno to leave the company.
Yagi was shocked when he heard that. The Yaoyoruzu's was involved in all of this? The very one and same, the rich family that gave him compensation..
They indirectly caused Genos's misery out of their desperation to gain economic advantage?
That means...
All the money he has..
The majority of it...
Are earned through the blood of the innocents.
He couldn't bear the thought.
Not at all.
He decided to brush off the thoughts. This isn't about him. This is about Genos.
He knew Genos was about to do something rash, and he isn't going to let him to do so.
"I'm coming." Yagi simply stated, much to Genos's surprise.
"What?"
"You heard me. I'm coming. Let's talk this over, in person." Yagi firmly replied.
"But why-?"
"Trust me." Yagi replied, his voice stern. Genos seemed to have a moment of silence, before replying, "I will..comply to this odd request of yours. Meet me at the entrance of Kuseno-san's laboratory in Hosu."
Yagi nodded, "Okay, be sure to be there. I'll be going in a sec. See you soon, Genos." He then hung up the call.
He shifted his eyes to the television, which aired a news stream talking about how impossible it is for a quirkless person to be a hero.
He grudgingly stared at the television, before promptly turning it off. He then texted Tatsumaki about this, before going off to meet Genos.
...
Genos was standing in front of the oval shaped entrance in the middle of an obscure abandoned street.
He looked everywhere to find the signs of his best friend, before a gust of wind breezed against his metallic skin.
Yagi was already in front of him with his casual clothes, "Yo." He waved.
Genos smiled slightly, seeing his best friend after so long. He approached him, before giving him a gentle hug.
Yagi widened his eyes for a little, before returning the hug with one of his hands, "You holding up okay for the past week?"
"I've been.." Genos removed himself from the embrace, looking away, "...better."
Yagi frowned at that.
"I don't trust anyone at this point. Even the ones we're supposed to feel safe by are nothing but a bunch of frauds. The Hero Commission, Metal Knight..." Genos said in distress.
"...you should stop this." Yagi suddenly said.
"What?"
"You heard me right, you should stop this and come home."
Genos was caught off guard by that statement, before replying, "I- I told you-"
"I know." Yagi interrupted, his gaze locked on Genos's orange pupils, "But you're rash. I know what you're about to do without even casting a single glance."
Genos didn't even bother to finish that for Yagi, because he knew what he will do already.
He wasn't planning to tell Yagi, but his friend was always observant. This complicates things even more..
"Revenge." Yagi finished, "Right? You've been harbouring some kind of malicious hatred towards the cyborg that turned your life upside down. It's not healthy."
"Toshinori, you don't understand...I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing that the killer of my family is still out there, either still lingering around the hidden corners of the country, or he's already stored inside of that madman's facility. I can't." Genos said in distress.
Yagi sighed, "You're diving too deep right now, Genos. Don't reach the bottom of the ocean. You'll never get out of it if you do."
"At this point, I don't even care about myself," Genos said, "Even if it means drowning at the bottom of the ocean, forgotten, unable to escape, I'd do it. I have nothing to lose."
Yagi reached out to him, "Please, don't be like that. You worth everything to me, as I said before, don't treat your life like it's expendable."
"But it is! What the fuck do you think I am, just by at the slightest sight of my pathetic fucking self?! I'm nothing more than a piece of scrap. My human body? It's gone. I'm a cyborg, I've turned into very thing I hated." Genos practically yelled, "Getting revenge is my one and only purpose."
"You're human-"
"AM I?!" Genos yelled louder, interrupting Yagi.
"You are. No matter what body you have, you're still a human at core." Yagi said, "You don't deserve to be here, caged here, feeling like you don't deserve something good for once. Come home. I'll.. we'll... we'll make you happy this time, I promise, WE promise."
"No." Genos turned his back, "I've made my decision. You can't stop me."
"Genos-"
"You can't control me." Genos spat back, "Stay away."
"You don't know what you're saying. You can't possibly think that your entire purpose in this planet is to get revenge? Your parents wouldn't want that for you, and neither do I." Yagi pleaded.
"Too bad, you don't own my life. You don't get to decide what I want for myself." Genos then walked away, "Farewell."
Suddenly, a breeze of wind passed him by, revealing that Yagi already stood in front of him, "You're not listening to me."
"I shouldn't."
"YOU SHOULD!"
"AND WHY IS THAT?! I SHOULD LISTEN TO YOU SO I CAN LET YOU CUDDLE ME AND TREAT ME LIKE A GODDAMN CHILD?!" Genos screamed, "You're not doing this for me, aren't you?! YOU'RE DOING THIS FOR YOURSELF!!" He accused.
"Genos-"
"No, no, I don't want to hear it. You're always like this, aren't you?! Thinking that the world revolves around you."
"I don't think tha-"
"What, with your whole 'Symbol of Peace' shtick, I'm very convinced that you think the world revolves around you." Genos accused.
Yagi didn't even open his mouth. He looked hurt. Maybe he was being selfish?
"I'm.. I'm very sorry if I made you think that, but I assure you, I care about you more than you think." Yagi reassured, his voice still shaking, an expression of hurt was plastered all over his face.
"No. It's very infuriating that you think you're the only one who can do the saving. You're only soothing your ego, right, RIGHT?! Just remember this,Yagi, you can't save everyone, and certainly not me. Let that be a reminder to that huge ego of yours." Genos spat with venom.
Yagi kept his expression frozen, staring at Genos, no words he could think of coming out of his mouth. He didn't know what to say to that.
Defending himself with Genos being on this state is not a very good idea. Should he let him go?
No.
He'll go down a path that he'll regret doing so later. He should prevent him.
But how?
Genos begrudgingly stared at his best friend, his hands trembling, holding back his tears, if they were even tears anyway. He couldn't believe he just said all that to his best friend.
Emotions started to progressively spread across his mind and body ever since that shocking information was revealed by the stranger.
His knees started to loosen it's strength, before he ultimately fell into the ground, resting his head against the wall.
Yagi quickly moved to his side, "Are you alright, Genos?" He asked in concern.
"Been fucking better.." Genos said bitterly, hitting his head against the wall repeatedly.
Yagi held his head, preventing it from slamming the wall, "Please don't do that. You're hurting yourself."
"Maybe me hurting would make everything better." He darkly chuckled.
Yagi didn't respond to that. He didn't know how to respond, to be frank.
"Sorry." Genos said, "For you know..saying the hurtful things..I don't know if you'll forgive me, but I don't care anymore."
"I.." Yagi cleared his throat, "I completely understand. What you said was..well, maybe it has it's own merits. I have a couple of issues with myself as well, starting with how I would act out of the impulse to follow in my 'saviour complex' tendencies. There are many things that are wrong with me, which is why I would feel...so uncomfortable sometimes when people put me on a high pedestal."
"But enough of that, you really should go home. This isn't about me being a hero or a symbol of peace, this is about your mental health, your safety, your sanity, and I really care a lot about you." Yagi said earnestly.
Genos looked at him with a slight look that promised 'yes'. Unfortunately..
"I'll think it over." Genos stood up, his hands still trembling, "You should go home. I'll be fine."
"Take your time, no need to rush it. Just please.. don't do anything rash.." Yagi pleaded.
"I won't." He then said, "Thank you, Toshinori, for everything." He gave him a sad smile, before walking away.
Yagi's shoulder hung low, before staring at the sun above.
He then walked away to cool off. Maybe he could do a pastime..
Or maybe even go on a date with Tatsumaki.
He really needed to let go of this stress.
THAT'S ALL FOR TODAY'S CHAPTER! Yeah it was short, the next one will be longer, pinky promise!
TO BE CONTINUED!