This chapter is short and wholesome! Our five part finale starts the day after tomorrow!

Season Four, Episode XXXVIII

The Big Day

. . .

Shisui Adachi

. . .

Nabu Island.

This place, it had done so much for me. How many years had I gone buried beneath the weight of my past? It all went away when I came here, I was finally free of the stupid decisions I'd made. Because here, nobody knew me. I was hired almost immediately, because I had a clean record. I was able to make friends, go to the local market, visit the beach, without worrying at all about looking over my shoulder or being judged.

Nabu Island, had become my paradise.

I just wish... Kaiji would see how good this place was for us. I knew he was still determined to return to the mainland, to become a hero. I wish he could understand, that we had a chance at a new start here. We could live long, happy lives on this island...

No, now wasn't the time to worry about that. Today was supposed to be a happy day, the day of the school festival. I just had to pick up my escorts, "Knock knock," I said loudly, tapping the woodwork beside the screen door out front. Smiling as Mahoro appeared from around the corner, "Hey Maho, you guys excited for the festival?"

She crossed her arms, pouting lightly. "Yeah, I guess... Daddy's getting Katsuma ready right now."

I flashed a grin at her, "What's the matter? Don't like festivals?" Of course, I knew her problem with me.

"Who'd want to go to a festival with a stinky old lady?" She huffed, turning away from me.

But I'd been wearing her down, because I had a secret advantage most parents didn't. "Well would a stinky old lady bring you..." I was a single parent, and knew how to make friends with kids. "A new doll?" Pulling a small plush frog from my purse.

Mahoro's head turned quickly, blinking in surprise. Though she tried to hide it, her eyes lit up a little as they landed on the toy. "Hmm, well..." Struggling to maintain her pout, "It is kinda cute..."

"Shisui! You're already here," I looked up, handing off the doll to Mahoro as I spotted Kento. Wearing a simple button up, blue plaid shirt and jeans. He was carrying Katsuma in one arm, "Just finished getting ready, what time is the show?"

"We've got about forty minutes," I answered, "Enough time to walk if you'd like."

He nodded with a smile, "That sounds nice, let me just grab my phone and we can get going."

"But I don't want to walk!" Mahoro complained, clutching her new doll.

"Then come here," I launched my attack, grabbing her before she had a chance to run. "You little gremlin!" Lifting her up an placing her on one shoulder.

"Agh! Hey!" She whined, blushing as she tried to save face. "No fair! I'm not a gremlin!"

"And I'm not a stinky old lady," I shrugged, "See how that works?"

Yeah, once I relaxed and cut loose, I was great with kids. Maybe it's because I spent so much of my youth never growing up, but I could be pretty immature. Hard to believe I'd somehow started settling down here, into a normal life. With Kaiji, and this family just down the street. Sure, I had friends around the island, but Kento was... Well, he was too good for someone like me...

"Glad to see you two are getting along," He returned to the door wearing that friendly smile. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah I am," I nodded with an eager grin, "Lets see what this Quirk Expo is all about!"

. . .

Kaiji Adachi

. . .

It was almost noon, the festival was kicking off soon and we were one of the first events on the roster. Everyone was scrambling to get ready, a section of the performance field offered to us to work with. We'd managed to set up a stage, curtains and all where our class would be performing. I was going over the line up, passing between students and giving reviews of what they'd learned, tips, anything I could to help.

"So how are we looking?" I asked idly, walking along as the others continued getting ready.

"Well, everyone's here, the festival opens in about fifteen minutes," Amari explained, looking over a clipboard as she walked beside me. "Our event is scheduled for 12:30, so we've got about forty-five minutes."

"I meant the show," I elaborated, lowering my tone a bit. "You think they'll do good?"

"Honestly?" She stopped, eyes drifting over the class. Before she smiled faintly, "I think it's going to go great... You really surprised me with your teaching skills." Before she shifted slightly, "Seems all you do is surprise me..."

To which I shrugged, "Well, if you're only expecting me to disappoint you, you're always gonna be pleasantly surprised." I finished with a smug grin.

Amari blinked in surprise, "No I didn't mean that I- Oh just shut up." She rolled her eyes, continuing on her way.

I chuckled as she walked off, looking towards the other students. Everyone here, they'd really surprised me. And I guess I'd surprised myself a bit too. I knew this whole thing started because I wanted to avoid the festival, and Amari just wanted me to screw up. But... I'd really enjoyed helping them out, making more friends, increasing their confidence. I never realized how much I enjoyed lifting other people up...

Today wasn't about me though, I didn't do this so feel good. In the beginning, it was just to get in some training. But I wanted to see them succeed, to see their spirits lifted, and to see them lift the spirits of those who were worried about the future of Nabu Island. All this time, the island was still recovering from the storm, homes being rebuilt and business reopening daily.

The scars had almost faded completely, and today... Today we were going to wipe them away for good.

Fireworks signaled the start of the festival some time later. People from all over the island were coming onto the school grounds, visiting the little shops that had been set up. Buying crafts made right here, by the sons and daughters of Nabu Island. Time was running out, and it wasn't long before the area outside of our stage started to fill up. Dozens of people had come, not just parents or family of those in the class. Other students, and people who just wanted to see the show.

Sure hope nobody has stage fright...

I was behind the stage, waiting on standby for the signal to begin. Amari was the first to take the stage, a mic in hand and a bright smile on her face.

"Welcome everyone! I'm so happy you could all come out to see our Expo," She greeted, brimming with confidence. "I know we've been rather secretive about this show, but I assure you it'll be cleared up before we begin... Now, I'd like to invite the student that suggested this idea to the stage to explain." Stepping away from the center, looking back towards me. "Kaiji Adachi! Come on out!"

I took a deep breath, and braved the masses. Stepping forward, keeping my head held high. I was met with a wave of applause, and a single. "YEAH THAT'S MY BOY!" Oh Mom, never change.

"Thank you all for coming," I began as I reached the mic. "As most of you probably know, I'm pretty new to Nabu Island, and haven't exactly gotten around to meeting everyone yet... But I wanted to say, to each and every parent in the crowd who came to see their son or daughter, you've all got some amazing kids." Flashing a big smile, "Our show today, is maybe a little unorthodox, a Quirk Expo," I continued, spotting my Mom in the crowd with Mahoro on her shoulders. "Over the last month, our class has been practicing with their Quirks, learning how to use and improve them... Everyone's going to get a chance to come up here, and show off what they learned!"

Another round of applause, parents shouting out their votes of confidence or approval.

"However, I don't want to put anyone on the spot, so I'll go first." Just gotta keep it simple, "My Quirk, is called Lizard... I have a genetic codex for all kinds reptiles inside of me." I tensed up a bit, starting to transform. Rather than going large, I shrunk down to my gecko form. Earning a few gasps and chuckles from the crowd. "This allows me to take the forms of different reptiles, the form some of you saw or heard about from the night of storm, was my crocodile form, this is a tokay gecko." My skin suddenly changing color, earning more responses from the crowd, "A tiny little creature, that can camouflage itself."

I wanted them to understand, I wasn't a secret monster, and showing them such a harmless creature was the best way to do it.

"But this show isn't about me," Before I started returning to my normal form. Filling out my clothes again, "So lets get started with our first student, Oniko Gawara!" It was show time. "And his assistant-"

"HA HA HA!" A booming voice sounded over the speakers, one familiar to all in Japan. Eyes started darting around, searching for the sound. "Fear not citizens! Help has arrived!" The confident, joyful voice of All Might ringing out. "Why?" As the curtains were pushed aside and out slid an incredibly life-like statue of the former Number One Hero himself, followed by Gawara himself, wearing a small mic attached to his shirt. "Because I AM HERE!"

In response to hearing All Might's iconic voice booming from his teenage mouth, the crowd erupting a roars of cheering and laughter. Kicking off the show with a bang, "Oniko Gawara! Quirk; Recorder! He can repeat and mimic noises he's heard for a limited time afterwards," I explained with a grin, "After all his hard work, he's learned how to mimic people's voices as well!" Before his assistant stepped as well, from behind the curtain. "And the creator of this statue, Itsoku! His ability to turn objects into near perfect replica's of people is both incredible and terrifying!"

"What's that!? I villain!?" Gawara was still hamming it up, "Fear not good people of Nabu Island! I will protect you!" Holding up a fist triumphantly, earning more cheers. "With my DETROOOOIT! SMAAAAASH!"

"I don't remember teaching him that though," I joked along, the crowd laughing. "Guys got a future in show business I'm sure, with that acting." Before Gawara took a bow, finishing his performance, waving to the crowd and his parents. As he made his way back stage, I looked over the card, "Next up, we have another dual performance!" A sparkling white dust began to flood out from beneath the curtain. It was harmless, wafting in the breeze and lifting into the air. Already mesmerizing the crowd with the glittering lights. "With Kimito's Stardust!" Before strands of deep purple lights began piercing the sky as well, the laser lights adding even more colors to the prismatic dust. "And Minori's Laser Light nails!" Both girls stepping out onto one the stage, waving as they were cheered on.

Minori displayed her Quirk proudly, dancing through the dust the weaving her hands through the air around her. More beams firing from her fingers, while Kimito breathed out unleashing a fresh burst of her beautiful Stardust into the air. The crowd just kept eating it up, loving every second of their performance.

The show went on, the crowd growing as we continued. Slowly, down our carefully prepared list, everyone got their time to shine. Showing off their Quirks in ways their parents never thought imaginable. It felt so good to watch, seeing their smiles and laughter. Not every performance was an explosive hit like the first, but still people cheered and did their best to support everyone that had the courage to take the stage. They were just happy to see the spirits of their sons and daughters were still burning bright, in spite of everything that had happened.

I'd eventually left the stage, allowing the class to take care of their own introductions. I stood back behind the stage, watching them go one after another. Soon though, we came to the end. Everyone rushed back out onto the stage, and I took hold of the mic one final time.

"Can we get one last round of applause?" I asked the crowd, "This class, they worked so hard and had the confidence to get up here, and it was a privilege to work with them!"

The response was thunderous, but as I was taking it in. A familiar fiery redhead snatched the mic from my hand, "And another round of applause for the scaly dumbass that suggested this idea, and made us all work our butts off!" Red called out, earning an encore as I laughed, both the crowd and the students themselves cheering me on.

"Thank you everyone," I replied, after taking the mic back from Red. "Not just for the applause, but for accepting me and my mother into your community... Nabu Island is an incredible place, with great people." I added, dropping the fanfare for a moment, "I know things have been rough lately, but I'm glad we were able to make you all smile!" But I didn't give them the chance to applause, I didn't need or want more applause. "Now go visit the other performances and games the other classes set up! They all worked hard too!"

And so, with that performance it all came to an end. I accepted the praise of my classmates, and the people of Nabu Island. Reaffirming the trust that may have been lost during the storm. As well as reminding them that we're still strong, and the youth haven't lost their spirit.

It was the end of my second month in this place, living as a normal person. I still didn't know when I'd be able to return to UA and continue my journey to becoming a hero.

But for now... I was content.