Six Years Ago

Hikari Age: 13

Two Months After the Commission Attack

Pulling Touya's black jacket closer to her body, Hikari lowered her eyes as she passed through the street, ignoring the never ending stares that had now been accustomed to her because of her destroyed wings.

The street lights started to begin to grow sparse and thin the more she made her way into the lower part of town, although the only thing on the girls mind was the white haired boy that had given her food last month.

She hadn't seen him since then and to be completely honest, Hikari missed the comfort that his very presence brought. It was like he was the only one that wasn't completely disgusted or freaked out about her grotesque quirk.

She didn't know why but the girl was thankful for it regardless.

It's like he brought a feeling of normality, something that was very little to none since being thrown onto the streets like this. Times they shared together just seemed easy, relaxed, like she could finally lower her guard around him. It may have just been talking but it was something that Hikari learned to cherish.

And she missed it, she missed him.

But not in that way, okay? Don't make it weird. It wasn't like that.

Hikari just wanted to thank him for his moment of kindness that's all, for actually looking at her like a human and not like some kind of trash on the street like everyone else did. Yeah, that's it, that's all it was..

But she didn't even know where to begin with such a thing, hell the girl didn't even know his full name or where he lived.

Maybe he was just like her, living on the streets. Although that thought didn't seem overly true because his reasons for coming to see her were always out of "boredom" more than anything.

And that kinda sounded like a rich kid way of putting things. Those thugs that tried to rob him even said that his pockets were loaded so maybe he really was just coming down here to pity people like her.

Regardless though, his actions were something so incredibly sweet, a kindness she hadn't felt since Keigo had tried to calm her down from their father as kids.

So it didn't really matter his reasonings, even if he pitied her, that was okay.

Passing by a row of TVs in a store window, Hikari heard the sounds echo around her, although she didn't pay that much attention to them, that was until a very familiar white haired boy flashed on the screen, causing her to freeze.

Breaking News: Pro Hero Endeavor has officially named his youngest son, Todoroki Shoto as his successor. The title once given to his elder son Todoroki Touya has been passed over given sudden health concerns that have arisen with the boy.

The former successor Todoroki Touya has withdrawn from his spot at the commission and is officially retired from the hero world. What a tragic end to the once promising career. Although we look forward to seeing what kind of hero the new successor will be in the future.

Widening her eyes at the words on the screen, Hikari took in the meaning before Touya's school picture appeared on the side with his name right below it.

Bringing a newfound realization to her eyes, her feathers couldn't help but twitch.

Hold on, the boy that helped her, the boy she was just thinking about, Touya..

He was a Todoroki?

He was Todoroki Touya, he was part one of the most prominent and well off hero families in Japan? And not only that, Endeavor, his father was the one that saved Keigo and her when they were kids.

It was crazy, the connection causing her to push her lips together in thought. What the hell was he doing hanging out with her, hanging out in the deepest most disgusting parts of the city? It didn't make sense, he had a home, a life to go back to..

She was suddenly pushed out of the way by a group of women who were eagerly waiting to see the news for themselves. They seemed rather happy about it, about the sudden change in power.

But what about Touya, what did he feel about all of this, about being passed over? Did he know it was coming or was it out of nowhere? She didn't know and a part of her wanted to ask him herself. Was he hurting right now? She sure hoped not.

Although that's when a new realization passed over her. The news said that he was a part of the commission, the very same commission that her brother was a part of.

Why hadn't he said anything about that, did he know her brother?

The never ending questions in her mind began to stew before realizing that she craved his presence even more, to get him to make sense of all of the chaos that was inside her at this very moment.

But mostly, she just wanted to make sure he was okay.

Hikari kept thinking about him for the next couple miles, walking aimlessly and finding herself going to the spots he usually frequented, hoping to see the boy that she now knew as Todoroki Touya.

Although, to no avail, the girl sighed into the dark streets before a group of teenagers moved past her, all of them sharing a laugh before Hikari's eyes widened at a very familiar voice.

It was him, she knew it. But where..?

Turning her head around, she just barely saw his white hair enter an old sketchy looking bar before completely disappearing from her sights as HIkari felt her stomach drop.

The place looked less than friendly to say the least and the girl could already sense the growing danger, just around the entrance.

No, it didn't matter where he was, she still just wanted to thank him for his kind gesture last time, the girl causing her feet to move on their own before she pushed the beads to the entrance away as a bright purple strobe light hit her immediately.

It was so loud, with bodies and drinks and drugs everywhere, causing Hikari to internally cringe. She was really out of her element here and honestly just wanted to find the boy so she could thank him and then leave.

Pushing herself through the scary looking people in her way, the girl folded her wings behind her back before spotting a boy with a hood over his head by the bar, white hair peeking over the edge ever slightly. He was swirling a drink with his finger as he boredly listened to the people next to him.

And frankly, he looked less than happy to be there.

Hikari didn't seem to notice though, reaching her hand out before watching him slowly stand from his seat and start to disappear into the people around him.

Wait, no not yet. She was so close, just a little further…

Her hand wrapped around his jacket hood a second later, pulling the object down and stopping his movements as Touya's eyes widened at the action, turning around as he heard her voice reach his ears.

Even above the loud pounding music, her voice seemed to cut through it all, pouting into him without permission and care for who was around them. "Touya..!"

Blinking in clear disbelief, the white haired teenager took in the scene in front of him, her blonde hair now colored in purple because of the lights around them before he seemingly remembered where he was, slapping her hand away in order to fix his hood back onto his head in a hurry.

His disbelief was soon covered up by annoyance though. "Y-You..what are you doing here? Didn't think this would be your kinda thing Princess."

Obviously trying to dispel his annoyance, Hikari looked around the space before not seeing his friends anywhere. He seemed to have left them at the bar. Perfect, now she could talk to him normally.

Although the minute he opened her mouth, she found herself strangely nervous for some reason. "O-Oh..uhh...well I saw you come in here and I just wanted to talk to ya about something…so I kinda followed ya in here.…"

Because she was anxious, the girl noticed her Kyushu accent slip through ever so slightly, causing Touya to stare at her blankly before scoffing in some unsaid amusement. "You really have no shame, do you? So you've moved onto stalking then?"

Pushing his drink up to his lips, Hikari frowned. "No! That's not why I..wait..is that alcohol?"

The white haired boy then turned his eyes towards the swirling liquid before cracking a smile. She seemed uncomfortable, how cute. "Why, do you have a problem with that?"

Shifting around on her feet, the blonde haired girl glanced towards the bar before pushing her attention back to the boy in front of her. He looked practically the same age as her, and she was only thirteen, which meant that he was underage.

And yes, that did make Hikari uncomfortable. Her dad would have quite literally killed her if she touched his booze. "How did you even get that? You shouldn't do that, you could get in trouble.."

Touya couldn't help but shake his head at her tone though, realizing that she sounded like a mother more than a thirteen year old girl, his lips playing in a teasing smirk. "With who? Look around you Princess, these people don't care about that kind of thing…"

At his words, Hikari twisted her eyes in confusion before clearly looking at the people around her only for her to let out an unexpected gasp. Some were the same age as her, with drinks of their own while others were clearly wanted villains from the news, mingling around like no problem at all.

Tensing up when one of the villains looked at her, Hikari then immediately turned around before feeling her breathing start to change with the atmosphere. This was bad, this was so bad. "Touya, there are villains here."

Touya didn't seem all that bothered though, almost like having murderers and killers next to you was supposed to be normal. "Did you really just walk into this place without knowing what it was? Damn Princess, you'll get eaten up like that if you aren't careful."

His words were clearly teasing but there was some kind of tension underneath them, causing her cheeks to light up slightly before turning away in order to hide them. 'I-I told you, I just wanted to talk to you about something. I wasn't really paying attention to anything else.."

Touya paused his hand then, glancing at the female Takami before remaining silent, his mind traveling to places unknown to the girl at the moment.

Did she really just fearlessly admit that she was only focusing on him, that she only could think about him? How bold for an innocent little Princess.

So much so that he played into her, his head turning with pretend disinterest. "Oh? Alright I'll bite. What did you want to talk about? It better be good."

Realizing this is what she came for, Hikari then locked her hands together with anxiety before forcing herself to lock eyes with him again, his playful ones meeting her fragile one in a single instance.

Why are you so nervous, just tell him, tell him how grateful you are, and then can get out of here before you get stabbed or shot. Okay okay okay here we go. Don't mess it up.

The girl then sucked in a breath before managing to speak, although because of her nervous nature, all the words seemed to stick together, her speed super abnormal as she was already trying to back up to her exit.

"Ijustwantedtosaythankyouforthefooditreallymeantalottomeokaybye."

And although Touya would come himself pretty smart, there was no way in hell he was able to decipher that, the boy calling back. "What the hell does that even mean? How about taking a breath.."

Realizing she had messed up her words, Hikari then did as she instructed before trying

again, this time being mindful of her words. "I..uhh..just wanted to say thank you for the food. You didn't have to do that and it really meant a lot to me.."

The girl then curved her lips into a small warm smile, catching the boy off guard immediately. That's what she stalked him for, a thank you? That's it? This girl, she was really something else.

Letting out a heavy breath, Touya felt his heart twist a certain way before doing what Hikari had done a couple moments ago, forcing his eyes away in order to answer evenly and hide his pure surprise for her words. "Don't get used to it."

Hikari didn't really seem bothered by it though. "I won't, once was more than enough for me. I just wanted to thank you for it regardless, so thank you Touya.."

The white haired boy only responded by staring at the floor before wordlessly downing the rest of his drink in a single shot and changing the subject, almost like he didn't know what to do with the current one. "Whatever. Now that you're done you can get out of my face, unless you have any more pointless conversations to drag me down with…"

And although she was done with what she had originally come for, the news reports seemed to pop into her head then, glancing at his sullen half glazed over eyes before her mouth moved before she even had a chance to think about the words.

"Hey, are you okay?"

This caused Toya to pause before pushing his empty glass back down. "What are you going on about now?"

Pushing her lips together in anxiety, Hikari then forced herself to take a step forward. No, she had to do this. He had already helped her so many times, if he was hurting then she wanted to help.

"I know, I know that you're a Todoroki and I…"

But as soon as his family name poured from her lips, Touya's eyes widened immediately before quickly turning his head around the bar for any wandering stares, quickly grabbing onto one of Hikari's arms and pulling her away. "Get over here."

Not understanding his sudden anxiety, the girl let him drag her to the corner of the bar with all of the mushing dancing bodies before practically pushing her against the back wall, his hands outstretched to stop her from leaving. What had gotten into him?

Although that's when Touya pushed his head closer to her ear, his hot breath causing a shiver to run up her spine in order for him to hear her through all the chaos. "You better watch your mouth."

Hikari couldn't help but blink in surprise though. He sounded angry and the close distance between them was making her head spin. "I...w-what..?"

Groaning at her naive response, the boy then leaned in even closer before hissing back. "Listen, don't just go saying things like that where anyone can hear. First my hood and now that name. Princess, you don't know how dangerous that is…"

And he was right, she didn't understand how dangerous her actions were, well until he explained them. She supposed he was right. If the son of the number two hero was in a villain bar then things would probably look bad on both sides.

She just didn't really think about that, only focusing on her words at the time. Hikari then realized that calling to him like that was probably really stupid, especially if he wanted to stay hidden. "S-Sorry, I didn't mean to..I..didn't know.."

Sighing at the fact that she seemed genuinely guilty, Touya replied back in exasperation, his low voice causing her face to light up once again and she hoped that boy couldn't see given the purple lights. "Unbelievable.."

Feeling her breath lodge inside her throat, Hikari then recalled her previous question before, the words pouring out before she could stop them. "You didn't answer my question before."

Touya seemed to twist his brow in confusion though, obviously completely forgetting whatever she was saying before he pulled away into the corner. "What are you going on about?"

Pushing her head up to meet him, Hikari then leaned closer in an attempt for him to hear her over the loud booming music. "Are you okay, after everything?"

The boy felt all the music drown out at her words, his eyes fixating on her before forcing a bitter smirk to his lips. He already knew what she was talking about, it was all over the news after all, how his father completely dropped him for his brother.

"What are you worried or something?"

Although the girl only answered honestly, her amber eyes turned in concern. "Of course I am. I can't even imagine how that must feel. I guess I just wanted to tell you that I'm here for you, if you wanted to talk about it or something."

And that was something Touya didn't expect in the slightest. He wasn't used to people, caring about him, for people to actually ask if he was alright. No, usually the boy was just plain ignored or pitied from his family.

No one was really "there for him" in any sense so the boy found her words strange, his chest twisting with that same unpleasant feeling before widening his eyes with clear disbelief..

This was new, and something the boy didn't know how to answer, his face leaning towards her ear once more before speaking low. "And why the hell would I want to do that Princess?"

Feeling the shivers return up her spine, Hikari pushed the feeling away to answer, moving her head ever so slightly to lock eyes. "Because I care about you Touya, I care about how you feel and about what happens to you. You saved me after all, so if there is anything I can do then I want to help, that's all."

Touya took in her words before blinking in disbelief, taking in the genuine meaning, something that he had never heard before today before feeling his breath lodge in his throat.

She said it so simply, so honestly, so much so that the boy felt his eyes close before dropping his head from her ear to her shoulder, muffling into the fabric all at once. This girl, she was utterly exhausting, more than he thought she'd be.

"God, you're so fucking innocent. I can't take it."

Feeling his hot breath pouring through the jacket, Hikari's face turned a light shade of pink before widening her eyes. What did that mean, did she say something wrong, did she offend him somewhere? She sure hoped not.

"Umm..T-Touya?"

He didn't speak though, his eyes still squeezed shut in some kind of internal chaos before she heard someone from a couple feet away whistle in their direction, his drunk voice cutting the moment immediately. "Hey kid, let me have some of that."

Feeling her skin start to crawl, Hikari opened her mouth to turn down his offer before Touya seemingly sprang from his position on her shoulder before reaching down and quickly wrapping his hand around her waist.

Then he pulled his hand closer, causing the girl to gasp as her body forced itself closer to Touya's before realizing they were only a couple inches away from each other, the boy's breath basically blowing onto her face. What was he doing?!

That's when his voice lowered down a couple octaves, his tone filled with so much hidden aggression and warning, something she hadn't heard from their conversation just moments ago. "Fuck off."

The drunk man's gaze traveled between the two before realizing that he didn't want a fight tonight, shaking his head before cursing under his breath and stumbling away. "Get a room then."

And once he was gone, Touya's hold seemed to relax on her waist before taking a step back for the first time since bringing her to the corner of the bar.

Once he pulled away, all the air seemed to rush back into Hikari's lungs at that moment, almost like she had forgotten to breathe while he was so close. She knew he was just trying to scare away that creep but his sudden movements had made her heart go crazy.

Maybe that was enough dangerous decisions for tonight. Her heart couldn't take anymore. "A-Anyways, I'll let you get back to..whatever it is you were doing…"

Touya didn't seem to protest the idea, causing the girl to take one step towards the entrance of the bar before a group of voices stopped her from moving, catching the sight of the group of people that the boy came with. "Ey, where did you go Touya? Mami just bought shots for the table. You're missing out…"

His words stopped when he caught sight of Hikari before his friends began to circle them with interest, one of the women in the group frowning. "Oh, he looks like he's busy with something else."

The man next to her seemed to like her joke though, turning his eyes up and down Hikari's form before smirking. "Touya, you sly dog. You holding out on us?"

Feeling visibly uncomfortable with his gaze, HIkari then jumped out of her skin when another one of the boys forcibly grabbed one of her folded wings before lifting them out to show the others. "Whoa, look at her quirk! It's so messed up.."

His hands on her feathers caused the girl to feel visibly sick, the nostalgia of the commissioned soldiers touching the same spots causing her to sidestep away with another flinch. "P-Please don't.."

Although in her attempt to get away, she seemingly fell into the arms of another one of the teenagers, the boy gladly wrapping his arms around her as Hikari tried to jump back. "Ooh she's bold. I like that. How about it sweetheart, you wanna play with me tonight..?"

His breath was so painfully close to her ear, although it wasn't warm and inviting like the moment that her and Touya had shared. No, this one made her squirm and wiggle in order to break away. "N-No.."

The group only seemed to laugh about how uncomfortable she was though, another one of the girls calling back to her mockery. "Aw, she's so innocent. Who wants to help corrupt her with me? Come on, it will be fun.."

Although she didn't even get the chance because a moment later, a bandaged arm reached down and grabbed onto the frighted Hikari before pulling away from the teenagers and pulling her into his arms.

Feeling the whiplash from the motion, the girl just barely glanced up before Toya's eyes seemed to ring with some sort of unamused frown, even though he tried to play it off casually.

"I saw her first. Touch her and you're dead."

And it was obvious that the tension could be felt by everyone, one of the boys chucking to himself before turning his head to the side. "Damn, you've never seen you this serious Touya. I hear you. Didn't know you already claimed her."

Hikari didn't like the idea of "being claimed" though, her frown twisted in disapproval as she opened her mouth before Touya turned her with a look that clearly said. You better stay quiet and go along with it.

Shutting her mouth a second later, the white haired boy then looked away from her before already pushing her towards the exit with a chuckle. "Yeah, how could I give up someone like her? I mean, she's practically begging to be corrupted. Let's go Princess.."

Hikari felt his warm hands rest on her hips as he moved her away from the horrible villains and thugs with ease, the interaction causing various eyes to start staring at them as Touya hissed in her ear. "Just keep moving. Don't stop."

Listening, the girl forced her legs to keep moving before a rather large man seemingly stepped in their path, his purple eyes staring into the two with a huff. "You look familiar boy."

Then before either of them could speak, another villain ripped off Touya hood, his white hair causing a couple of villains to seemingly stop to stare. "I knew it. You're that Todoroki kid, aren't you? You have a death wish little boy, coming in here like this?"

Feeling breathing stop, Hikari looked up only to find his usual amused gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about. Now move before we have a problem."

Although the villain didn't seem convinced in the slightest, turning to Hikari before pointing at her a second later. "Nice try, I already heard this one call you by your name earlier. Just had to see it for myself if it was true and what do you know? I was right.."

His words caused Hikari's heart to drop into her chest. It was her fault? The reason Toya was outed, the reason he was now in this dangerous situation, it was her fault? Wait, she didn't know, she wouldn't have said his name if she knew it would end like this.

Touya also seemed to realize he was screwed, cursing under his breath, something like. "Goddamn it Hikari.."

Maybe she heard wrong though because she had never told Touya her name, not once. There would be no reason for him to know it, so she must have been imaging that. He always just called her Princess.

Shaking the idea away, Hikari then watched as the large villain's fist balled towards the two of them, the girl shouting out in fear. "T-Touya, look out..!"

The boy only narrowed his eyes though, quickly tightening his hold on Hikari's hips before forcing her behind him as he caught the hit with a groan, forcing his eyes on her frightened figure. "Time to leave Princess…"

Yet the girl didn't move an inch, watching as the villain landed a hit on Touya's chest, causing the boy to stumble backward as she shouted. "N-No, I can't leave you here. What if you get hurt..?"

Groaning at her words, Touya only shook his head before Hikari balled his fists, watching the villain get another hit. She couldn't do this, she couldn't just stand here and be a princess, she needed to help him, to save him.

Feeling tears work their way into her eyes, she felt herself suck in a heavy breath before focusing on the fight ahead of her, her hands shaking with every intake of air.

Hikari then lifted her wings upwards as the people in the bar gasped at the horrifying sight before pushing herself in front of her friend and forcing one feather towards the villain as his fist moved towards her face. "Touya..!"

One of the feathers latched onto his jacket before pulling his hit back as he stumbled backwards with surprise. "What the hell?! Get these off of me..!"

Once he was further enough away, Hikari detached her feathers before another man behind her grabbed her long blonde hair, pulling her backwards by the scalp. "How dare you little girl! You're so dead…"

Letting out a gap at the pain, the girl began trying to detach him before he was forcibly removed by Touya, his breath rather shallow from the gash on his head. "What are you doing, I told you to leave..!"

Hikari only shook her head though, seeing the large villain start to barrel towards them again before trying to hide her shaking hands. "I'm not going to leave when these people are trying to kill you..!"

Racing forward ahead of him, the girl threw a blind fist in the villains direction before missing completely as he turned around and punched her in the stomach with brute force.

She felt herself stumble backwards with a groan, the room around her spinning like crazy before a pair of hands wrapped around her, his palms smoking and the bandages on his arms turning blue as they started to burn off.

And when he met her eyes again, it was clear to tell that he was furious. "Seriously, what is with you?! Get out of the way, already. Listen to what I'm telling you already, you shitty bird..."

Hikari didn't like his words, shaking her head. There had to be something she could do, something to help him with. "But this is my fault. I want to fix it.."

Touya only seemed pissed off by that idea though, quickly pulling the girl backwards as he shouted angrily. "It is your fault, and you're making it ten times worse by getting involved. Stop thinking you can fight when you can't, you're becoming a nuisance..!"

And although his words were rough, she knew he was right. When she tried to get involved it only ended in Touya having to save her. She had contributed nothing to this fight, not without giving him even more distractions.

She had fucked all of this up and she couldn't even fix it, because forcing herself into the situation had made it worse. The truth was, she didn't know how to fight. She wasn't her brother, the brave commission member.

She was just Hikari, little crybaby Hikari.

It was the same as two month ago with those commission agents. She was helpless, just a little damsel in distress like Touya had always called her. She hated that nickname but it seemed to fit more than anything.

Hikari was at the loss, watching as the villain pounded onto Touya with horror, all of them grabbing onto him as her knuckles turned white, every feather seeming to twitch at the sight.

What could she do, how could she help with this?

"I-I'll go get help. Hold on Touya. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…"

Feeling her legs finally move, Hikari took off through the exit with her eyes closed in pain, running onto the empty street before her head swirled around frantically, desperately searching for anyone to save her friend.

Touya needs help, he needs someone. They could kill him, and it would be my fault. Please, please be okay..I'm sorry...I'm so sorry for being so weak….

As the sirens blinked through the dark streets, Hikari watched from afar as Touya was taken to the hospital, the boy only suffering from multiple bruises and a few gashes. She heard that he would probably need stitches but that's it, and the girl was thankful for it.

She really wanted to see him but with the commission on her ass, the girl couldn't risk it, tucking her wings behind her back before sighing to herself in overwhelming self hatred.

All of this happened because she was smart enough, because she wasn't strong enough. He had to fend for her the entire night, treating her as a weak little princess that needed saving, and she hated it.

Because of her Touya was hurt, because of her he could've died, and that very thought was extremely real to her. The truth was, she couldn't defend herself with those commission agents and she couldn't defend herself tonight, nothing had changed.

Her dad was right, she really was just a useless little crybaby, wasn't she?

She couldn't make it as a hero and now she couldn't make it on the streets either. It seemed she didn't fit in anywhere, only a nuisance, just like Touya had said.

Already feeling tears cloud her eyes, Hikari shook her head as she silently poured down her face, the bright lights of the police cars in the distance reflected off the hue in unsaid sadness. "Keigo, what do I do now?"

Just then, she sensed someone behind her as the girl immediately turned around only to have a stranger attempt to touch her as she jumped out of the way. "W-What, who are you?"

The person didn't answer though, Hikari narrowing her eyes before feeling another stranger grab onto her a second later, the girl retracting her wings as she did so.

Lifting the objects outwards caused the strangers to pause though, one of the females voicing out in slight disbelief. "You were right Haruto, her wings do kinda look like the kids. Maybe she is related to the big boss."

Nodding back through the darkness, the boy, Haruto replied plainly. "Just take her. Worst case scenario if she's not then we can just sell her.."

Wait wait wait, sell her!? What the hell did that mean!? Hikari couldn't help but be utterly terrified with every word spoken, the girl detaching a couple feathers in anxiety as she spun around.

Although that's when another person seemingly appeared out of nowhere, their spiral irises staring into her soul as she lightly touched her forehead once. "Now, go to sleep little birdie.."

Almost immediately, Hikari felt her body start to give out before forcing herself to stay awake. Who knows what kinds of crazy things these people wanted to do? She couldn't let them win.

Yet it seemed the more she struggled to stay awake, the more her eyes seemed to close against her will, the girl feeling her wings lose all of their feelings, collapsing into someone's arms before fully giving into the darkness.

And the horrors that would most likely await her.

Groaning to herself, Hikari felt her eyes force themselves open before trying to move her muscles only to find them locked together behind her back. What the hell even happened, why couldn't she move?

Although that's when a voice seemed to force herself awake, the girl's eyes widening at her words. "Oh, she's finally awake. Took long enough."

Just then, someone seemed to kick the girl in the ribs, Hikari groaning at the pain before another person forced her head up by her hair roughly. "Show some respect kid, the boss is here. He wants to talk to you."

Gritting her teeth at the pain, her eyes then fixated on a tall red haired man standing before her, his eyes staring into her soul with a silent intimidating stance. "What is your name little birdie?"

His voice practically made her skin crawl but in fear of them hurting her again, Hikari compelled herself to speak. "P-Please...I don't have anything for you...just let me go please…"

She was cut off when the person holding her hair growled before slamming her face into the pavement without a second thought, his voice clearly agitated. "Answer the question!"

Flinching at the tone, the girl felt her heart stop before stuttering back loudly. "T-Takami Hikari, my name is Takami Hikari…"

Then she heard someone's fingers snap as her head was yanked up again, not noticing how close she was to the tall red haired man until they met eyes. "Well what do you know, it is you. How interesting. Never thought I'd get to meet another Takami after your father…"

At the sound of her father, Hikari's eyes couldn't help but widen, a sense of tread rising in her stomach. "W-Wait, you know my father?"

The red haired man only seemed to find this funny though. "Oh sweet little birdie, look around, don't you recognize anyone? This is his gang after all, we all know him. He was a legend before those heroes shut him down.."

Doing just that, Hikari turned her eyes around the room only to recognize a couple of people in the corner from her time with her father. They looked almost exactly the same, except for the fact that they had aged quite a bit over the years.

All these people, they followed her father? She thought his gang disbanded when he went to jail. Were they really thriving all of these years without her knowing?

The red haired leader then spoke up again, forcing her eyes back onto him to avoid being hit again. "He talked about you and brother from time to time, though I can't say it was anything good. By the way, where is that brat? You used to hang onto him for everything."

And even though she knew exactly where her brother was at this time, the last thing she wanted was for these people to pick up his scent and drag him back into this life.

Sure, he had moved on without her, but she was sure he'd be way happier as a commission agent rather than as a low level villain like their dad had trained them to become.

No, Hikari didn't want that for him, no matter how much he tried to disown her. "I-I don't know where he is."

Staring into her soul for seemingly eternity, the red haired man then closed his eyes before shrugging his shoulder playfully. "Pity, well at least we have you."

That caused her heart to drop in her chest. "W-What are you going to do to me?"

Yet the man chose to ignore her dread, waving his hand away before leaning down to her level with a sly smirk. "Oh don't act like that, I'm here with a proposal, one that will be beneficial to us both. I just wanted to offer you back your old job here, the one that you used to do for your father when you were five."

Wait, what was he saying? She wanted her back in the gang, back where her father forced her to be for years, hurting people, tricking them? No, she couldn't do it, she didn't want to go back. "W-What?"

He was seemingly happy to clarify though. "You know, being a good little diversion. Your father said you were quite good at it after all, your little innocent face the perfect cover. We need that, and now that you've fallen into our lap again, it feels like fate."

Then he added lightly. "Besides your father always said that if we found you to drag you back, so here we are. You should feel lucky, this opportunity doesn't come to just anyone, little birdie."

Although Hikari wasn't fooled, knowing just what kind of job he was selling her. It was the same one that the kids at the orphanage used to bully her for, it was the one she had tried to run from her entire life. "No, I'm not a villain, and I don't want to be that person anymore. I don't care what dad said, I'm not going back."

Frowning at his disapproval, the leader than hummed in disinterest. "I gotta say, I couldn't help but overhear about that little fight tonight in the bar, how you were overly useless and caused your little boyfriend to go to the hospital. You do know that was your fault right?"

And though Hikari did in fact know it was her fault, she didn't speak on it, letting him continue when he saw her casted down eyes. "That was just the beginning Hikari. Think about it. He got hurt because he was trying to protect you, because you couldn't defend yourself. Is that the kind of person you want to be, do you want to be liability to everyone you meet?"

His words cut deep without her even realizing, and the leader knew that exactly well. "If you continue like this you're gonna die alone in those cold empty streets. Something has to change, doesn't it? Unless this is how you want to live your entire life..?"

Then he curled his lips into a cynical smirk, knowing he had her right where he wanted her as Hikari's eyes glistened with tears. "Face it Takami, this is where you belong. You've known it since the beginning. Your father has offered security, a living wage and a way to make sure you don't die. I'm just giving that to you. Unless you don't want to change?"

Feeling her eyes cover with liquid, Hikari blinked them away before thinking about his words. He was right, she was just a danger to everyone like this. Touya could have died because of her reckless decisions and weak nature.

He had to defend her from all of those sleazy guys and then protect her in that fight. It wasn't fair, she never asked for him to do that. She just wanted to make sure he was okay, that's all. Look what that did.

And as much as she hated the idea of rejoining her father's gang, the leader did have a point in his words. She couldn't go on like this, she couldn't expect people to just save her at every turn. No, she had to save herself, she had to be strong enough to survive out here on her own.

Her brother was gone, that much was painfully clear. The one that always stood by her side and gave her support, he was gone.

That meant that she only had one option felt, one comfort left, and that was herself.

Living on the streets was not easy and even in this moment she felt her stomach grumble with hunger as the cold wind tore through her. Could she really do it, could she really turn down this offer and survive and be okay?

She wasn't sure if she could be.

And that very thought terrified her, the tears pouring down her cheeks as she sniffled under her breath. All she could do was cry, and she was sick of it. She didn't want to be the same five year old kid that did nothing but cry. No, she wanted to change, she wanted to be stronger.

Even the leader picked on her for her tears though, leaning down to her level before cupping her cheek as the liquid. coated his palms, a smile of victory upon his lips. "Takami's daughter, he was always so soft with you. Such a little crybaby you are. Don't worry we can fix that. Besides, I could use a little pet next to me."

And although she didn't love the idea, the girl was at a standstill. What other choice did she have, what other option did she have besides agreeing to his offer?

If it would make her stronger, if it would give her food and money to survive then she simply couldn't refuse.

Even if it meant giving away her freedom.

Sucking in a heavy breath, Hikari then made her decision, nodding once before speaking with a slight stutter. "I-I want to be strong, I want to change.."

After realizing that he had won, the red haired boy then snapped his fingers only for the bonds tying her down to completely disappear in the next moment before pulling a simple necklace out of his pocket and handing it to her.

"Welcome back Takami Hikari. You can call me Riku Suzuki."

Once Hikari was gone from their sights, Haruto made his way over to his boss before gazing in the direction where she left. "Are you sure about this Riku? That girl is a Takami, what if she tries to overthrow you?"

Yet Riku only chuckled under his breath, clearly not bothered. "Oh please, like that would happen. The girl is just as Takami described her to be, a little crybaby nobody. He really went easy on her back in the day, didn't he?"

Nodding his head, his friend then crossed his arms over him. "What are you going to do then? Are you really going to let her join?"

The red haired boy then moved over to the table on his left before drumming his fingers on the surface. "Sadly I wasn't lying before. The boss did want his daughter back if we ever found her. It was one of his last orders before he was sent away."

Curving his lips into a tight smile, Riku then recalled the blonde haired crybaby before chucking under his breath. Her father may have never changed that girl's attitude but he was another story entirety.

Somewhere underneath all those tears, he knew there was a cold blooded heart of a Takami, just like her father. He just had to crush it in the right way, and then he would have an unstoppable little pet.

"Although, he never said anything about breaking the poor little birdie, now did he?"

Oop oop, lots of things happening here. Riku is introduced and I'm sure as we can assume, he's not a good boy. You're gonna like that he's in an un wakeable coma later. More on him later but he plays a really big part in Hikari's change into Valkyrie.

We also have some romantic tension with Touya and Hikari and the protective Touya which he seems to have carried over to Dabi.

Poor Hikari just wants to be useful but because she is a sweet innocent child she doesn't fit into her villain world just yet. I know she's kinda pathetic now in terms of fighting, she's supposed to be weak. That's what makes her change from past to present so heartbreaking. Also she's thirteen, she's small baby rn.

Also that news report that reveals that Touya is a Todoroki and the whole Shoto thing is very important in the future. Just a heads up. You might wanna keep an eye on that.

Next Chapter: Now we move back into the present. Hawks finds out about her "relations" with Dabi. Uh oh. Gonna get started right after this one cause I am very excited about this chapter.