Season Four, Episode XXXIII

Encounter

. . .

Kaiji Adachi

. . .

The next week went by without issue. Amari even played a part in keeping people from bugging me too much about my scars. Which was nice, because rumors about those got around really fast, apparently somebody in the crowd had snapped a picture as well. The Class President herself kept her distance otherwise, evidently my exposure took her by surprise. Maybe it was the end of her bothering me, or just her working on some new scheme, can't say for sure.

I got some details about her from Tsuno while working out at the gym, learned about her weird Quirk and this mysterious "Red" she had hiding away inside of her. I wasn't exactly eager to meet a more aggressive version of Amari. So I was crossing my fingers that didn't happen any time soon.

Classes had just got out, I was leaving when I overhead a few students just down the hall chattering. "No for real! Togama said he was gonna be there!" A young girl with a ponytail and glasses exclaimed excitedly.

"I'm surprised he has the time," Answered a tall thin boy, "You'd think his schedule is locked pretty tight."

"I know right! It's so cool," She beamed, "Lets hurry up, I don't want to miss it!"

Who were they talking about exactly? I had a few ideas, so I followed along. Keeping my distance of course, not wanting anyone to think I was stalking them. Eventually, they reached what appeared to be the library. But there was a sign out front reading "Hero Studies Club Room".

Right, Amari mentioned this one. I'd asked around about them, evidently they were actually just a bunch of fans. What I thought was supposed to be a club about studying hero laws, or for aspiring young heroes, was actually just a gathering of teenagers talking about their favorite heroes. Both pointless, and harmless. But this stir being caused could only mean one thing for this club.

Nabu Island's elusive solo hero was visiting.

I'd heard of him before, an old man that worked the island by himself. Not that more than a single hero was really needed, with a basically non-existent crime rate. But he was also needed at all times, mostly for simple tasks, but I'd yet to actually see the guy. I doubted he knew about our situation, or else I'd have met him already I think. Still, getting a look at this guy didn't sound like a bad idea.

"Hey," I greeted a few members standing by the door. "I heard you've got a special guest today."

"That's right," The glasses girl beamed, "Nabu Island's one and only Garro is going to be here!"

"Cool," I nodded with a friendly smile, "I actually haven't gotten a chance to meet him yet, mind if I sit today?"

"Of course not!" She shook her head, "Come right in! I'm sure he'll be here any minute!"

She opened the door for me, allowing me inside and letting me see the large crowd of others inside. This was definitely the largest club, people from multiple ages, most of them otakus and fangirls. All here to swoon over heroes and analyze them, I doubt there was much actual discussion about Hero Society, Laws, the important details. Though, I couldn't help but notice they all looked... Kind of disappointed.

"Kenzaki!" The girl with glasses called out, drawing attention of a taller student, a girl near the back of the Library, "Hey! What's up," Guiding me through the crowd, nearly dragging me along. "Why does everyone look so down?"

"We got some bad news," She answered, before looking at me. "And uh, you brought a guest?"

"Kaiji Adachi," I introduced myself with a half wave, "Wanted to see this Hero for myself." Shrugging casually.

"Ah, well," Kenzaki frowned and released a heavy sigh, "Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we got a call that he won't be coming in today, sorry Aika."

"Awww why not!?" The girl beside me whined.

"I guess he hurt his back helping out at the docks this morning," She explained, "Remember he's already well into his sixties, so he wants to rest at home in case there's an emergency."

"Tough break," I nodded, "But that's smart, oh well... Maybe next time." I guess I was done here, "Guess I'll head out, thanks for the invite though."

"W-Wait!" Aika suddenly grabbed my sleeve, "You-You said you moved here from the big city right? Near Kamino Ward?"

I blinked in surprise, "Uh, yeah... Why?"

"You must have seen lots of Heroes in action in that area!" She explained excitedly, "Would you... Maybe want to tell us about some of that?"

I shifted nervously as she released my sleeve, "Uh... I don't know, I mean... It's really not-"

"Please," Kenzaki added, "Most people on Nabu Island have ever only known Old Man Garro, it would mean a lot to everyone here..."

"Go see the hero Adachi! What's the worst thing that could happen?" Why was past Adachi such a dumbass? Ugh, now I gotta deal with this. "Well... I guess I could talk about heroes for a little bit..."

Kenzaki immediately started barking orders, trying to get everyone together and explain what was going on. Despite how eager Aika seemed, the others didn't look too interested in what I had to say, they were mostly clinging to the disappointment of their hero not coming today. "Alright everyone, try to keep things orderly, and ask Adachi any questions you have about heroes in the big city." She instructed.

"What heroes have you met?" Aika was nice enough to kick things off.

And also put me in an a bad spot, as I had to remember some heroes that weren't from UA. "Well, I once got to meet the Zodiac Twins."

"Who are they?" Someone else asked.

Right, crap, they are less public heroes. "Yin and Yang, twin sisters that each can change forms to six of the chinese zodiac animals," I explained, "They work mostly off the record, like Eraserhead."

"You've met Eraserhead!?"

"I didn't say that," I corrected quickly, "Just that I know about him." Good lord they were chomping at the bit.

"Who's the biggest hero you've ever seen?"

Well, technically speaking... "The biggest hero I've ever seen work was Ryukyu," I stated, "I saw her chasing down a stolen car, flying through the air in her dragon form." Earning some excited gasps, "But, off duty, I did get to see All Might once, it was a long time ago though."

"YOU MET ALL MIGHT!?"

"BEFORE HE RETIRED!?"

"HOW BIG WERE HIS MUSCLES!"

I laughed nervously at the outcry, good god can you imagine if I told them All Might taught my class once? "Yes, yes, and his muscles? He was ripped as all the videos you've seen."

I think I get it, this bunch of nerds, otakus and fangirls. They lived on this secluded island, and growing up the only hero they got to see was this Garro guy, who's been an old man their entire life. They only got to see the flair of Hero work on TV, in the news. They didn't know what it was really like, I'm sure. But they also wanted anything to change the daily boredom.

I wonder, before the Kamino Ward incident, and All Might's retirement...

How many of them wanted to be heroes?

I decided not to think about it too much, but I wasn't able to escape the Hero Studies Club for another hour. Carrying a water bottle on my way out, quenching my parched dry throat from all that talking. I needed to get going, figuring I would head straight home. After all that talking, I wasn't in much of a workout mood and just wanted to finish my homework and relax for a little while. I just needed to stop by my locker near the entrance and grab my other books.

"Huh?" I blinked in surprise, spotting a small note stuffed partway into the slot on my locker. I grabbed the slip of paper, pulling it free before noticing- "Oh no." A small heart drawn on the fold. "This is the last thing I need right now..."

Curiosity getting the better of me though, I opened it up and silently read the paper as I walked. The writing was very clean, someone with a skilled hand no doubt.

Dear Adachi, I saw you lifting weights the other day.

And your scars when Amari made you take you shirt off.

I've had a huge crush on you ever since.

If you're interested, meet me on the old forest trail outside of town.

"Great..." I sighed heavily, shaking my head. I stuffed the note in my pocket, and made my way out the doors. "This is going to end badly, I can just feel it."

. . .

Kirai Amari

. . .

"I'm not sure this is a good idea."

"Oh come on, its just to get him out here alone."

"And what are you going to do after that?"

"Oh ya know... Just talk."

"I don't believe you."

"Don't care, you tried your thing so it's my turn now."

Well she certainly sounded confident, but I wasn't so sure. I'd been afraid to even approaching Adachi since seeing those scars. I couldn't imagine the horrible accident that would make a person look like that, or the pain it would cause. So I kept my distance from him, biding my time and watching, trying to learn what I could. Which, despite a week of observation, wasn't much.

Both he, and his mother were vague about where they came from and their past. Most people brushed it off, happy to have some new faces. However, I felt like there was something else going on here. The way he never talked about himself, or if he did kept things unclear, never spoke about friends on the mainland, or what school he used to go to. It was all so suspicious...

"There..." I noticed him moving along the trail, one hand stuffed into his pocket with the school bag still slung over his shoulder. "Hmph, took him long enough..." I stayed in cover for a moment, "Alright... Take control whenever you're ready, Red."

"Right, just give me a moment."

Adachi came to a stop suddenly, eyes darting around briefly before he looked towards me. I was still hidden in the underbrush, but he was staring directly at me. "I can smell you, so come out of hiding."

Dammit! I was thirty yards away how the hell did he detect me so easily!? "Alright, you caught me." I answered, rising up from the bushes.

He quirked an eyebrow as I appeared, "Really? You're the one that left the note?" He scoffed, before shrugging casually, "Oh well, I guess that does explain why you've been so obsessed with me since I got here..."

Wait, "WHAT!?" I exclaimed, cheeks turning red.

"Look," He held up his hands, "No offense, you're cute and all but I'm not really in a good place right now," W-Wait... He didn't think this was a trick? "It wouldn't be fair for me to drag somebody else into it... So, thanks for the note but, not interested." AND HE WAS TURNING ME DOWN!?

"Pfft! AAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!"

"SHUT UP! OH MY GOD SHUT UP AND TAKE OVER!" I felt so humiliated, I didn't even like him like that but he was rejecting me!? HOW!? I'm ME!? "That's not what this is about you jerk!" I barked back at him furiously, "The note wasn't my idea, she just wanted to get you alone!"

His head tilted slightly, "She?" He repeated, before blinking in realization, "Ooooh, you mean Red, right?" I see somebody around here already told him, "And what the hell does she want with me?"

"Hmph, ask her yourself." I huffed in annoyance, crossing my arms. Totally beside myself after that mess of an introduction. "I'm done."

. . .

Kaiji Adachi

. . .

"You're done, huh?" I questioned, "What is that supposed to-" Before she shifted stance suddenly, her black hair lighting up. Changing color to a burning reddish orange, her eyes going from blue to light red as well.

"Aaah, good to get out finally." Her voice had shifted ever so slightly as well, words coming out more loose and carefree than Amari's ever had. "And you, boy has it been fun watching you." She said, rolling her shoulders and stretching her muscles. "You've been driving Amari up the damn wall!"

"Hey it's not like I'm trying to disrupt her little school hierarchy." I shrugged casually.

"Trust me, it isn't hard." Red waved me off, "But I don't care about that, she has her way of controlling everyone... And I have mine." She smirked in amusement, "You think every high school jock or tough guy is gonna listen to what the student council president tells them?"

I shifted slightly, worried about what she might be getting at. "I suppose the usual class delinquents wouldn't even consider it..."

"Exactly," She nodded, "Not unless they have a reason to fear, and respect us."

"So..." I slowly started removing the bag from my shoulder. "You're a bully."

"Enforcer, is the term I'd prefer to use." Red answered, cracking her neck, "You're out of line, and as much fun as I've had watching you give her the run around, you really pissed me off that day."

"Quit while you're behind."

"Ignorance isn't a sin, but you clearly don't understand," Red's body started to glimmer with that red energy, a few orange sparks bouncing off around her. "Who's in control here and that insulting her is insulting me as well! So I'm going to put you in your place lizard boy!"

She was serious wasn't she? "Are you out of your mind? You do know using your Quirks on someone else is illegal right?" I scoffed.

"I don't see anyone around to stop me," She replied sharply, "Unless you wanna go running home to your mommy crying."

"Tch, alright fine." I knew a more aggressive version of Amari was going to be an annoyance, but this was ridiculous. "Show me what you can do."

"We'll start off small, I wouldn't want to make you beg for mercy before I've had my fun," Crouching down into a runner's stance, "Just a 25% boost!"

Red bolted straight for me, and almost immediately I realized the difference in our abilities. Or rather, the difference between myself and an average human. Though she crossed the distance quickly, I was easily able to sidestep her attempt to sweep my legs. She slid right past, spinning around and glaring daggers back at me. I held my ground, turning to face her.

"Hmph, so those muscles aren't just for show," She grunted in annoyance, "Fine, we'll go with a full 100% boost!" Red declared, dashing at me again. Her speed had certainly increased, but I evaded her easily by backpedaling. "How do you like that huh!? I've doubled my speed and physical strength!"

Her movements were so sloppy, just charging and swinging wildly. I could easily out pace her, but maybe I should have lost on purpose. I was annoyed, a wasn't about to let her beat on me. "Double huh?" I remarked, smirking lightly as I ducked beneath one of her swings. My tail wrapped around her waist, as I spun past her, using the pull from my tail to send her stumbling and spinning on her heels. "At this rate, you won't even make me sweat." Taunting her as she stumbled and onto her knees.

"Hrrrnnngh!" I could practically hear her teeth grinding, "What the hell is this!?" She demanded, turning on me and taking a leap. "How the hell are you this fast!? You're weighed down by all those stupid muscles! You're just a big stupid lizard!" Her fist cocked back, she threw a punch directly at me with full force.

I caught her fist in one palm, "Aren't you getting a little carried away?" This was getting out of hand, "You're gonna hurt somebody, throwing your weight around like this."

"Gaah! Let me GO!" She barked furiously, grabbing her hand by the wrist and trying to yank it free from my grip. "Dammit! How are you this strong!?"

She was pulling so hard, I decided we were finished. "Alright, that's enough." Letting go, making her fall back onto her ass. "We're done here."

"What!?" Red shouted, glaring up at me. "What do you mean!? We aren't finished! Not even close!"

"Really?" I crossed my arms, "Tell me, Red, how much further can you increase your speed and strength?" I questioned, "To 200%? 300%? Or is this your limit?" I needed to make sure something like this didn't happen again. "Amari seems smart, so let her do the math, compared to what you've seen so far, how much more do you have to multiply your power before you can even keep up with me?"

Red didn't respond immediately, biting her tongue as her heated gaze burned into me. "..."

"I'm going home," I finally said with a nod, stepping past her and back to the trail. "I'd like to think you're better than this, Student Body president, don't do it again."

"HEY!" I paused briefly, hearing her shuffle to her feet as she barked. "You're not just strong, you're skilled, don't think I didn't notice..."

Dammit, "And?"

"Who the hell are you?" Red demanded, eyes narrowed sharply.

I'd done too much, I think. Maybe gotten a little carried away with my taunting, "I'm just the new kid, who wants to be left alone..." Why couldn't she just let up? Would telling her make it stop? No, I couldn't trust someone like her, she might just go on and use that information against me if I gave her the chance.

As I kept walking, I heard my fears confirmed in her low grumbling, "This isn't over... Not by a long shot..."