Disclaimer: I don't own Boku no Hero Academia
Chapter 241:
I have to get to work. Assurely assured me there is no break due to our graduation. A day like any other. Yaoyorozu stood in her bedroom with her hero costume box in hand. She was in her school uniform that she wore to and from her internship where she would get changed before the day's patrol. She was ready to leave. Yet she continued to stand in her room without moving for her door.
There was not much space between the end of her bed and her door. She had less room in her bedroom than any of her classmates due to the size of her bed. Yaoyorozu still had a desk in there though that her eyes shifted over to. Why today? Yaoyorozu walked towards her desk even as she wondered the question to herself. I told Kyoka I didn't need to. I don't. He's not the same, person… He is though. But still! Yaoyorozu's reaching hand flinched and she stopped herself with a deep breath. There's no point. She turned for the door and took a step, then she froze.
Or what if there is? Doubt crept back up on her and she turned back to her desk again. She pursed her top lip over her bottom one then walked back fully for her desk and reached down to a drawer. Yaoyorozu pulled out an envelope that had her first name written on it in familiar handwriting. I need to get to work. No time to hesitate. Yaoyorozu built up her confidence through necessity and just opened up the flap of the envelope that was stuck shut and showed Jirou had never opened it. Yaoyorozu ignored the bends in the corners suggesting someone may have considered opening it before, and she just slid out the paper from inside…
Yaoyorozu rose her eyebrows in surprise as she moved the paper and found that there were multiple sheets folded together. She unfolded them and then tried not to read the front or back of any of the three sheets as she searched for one that would be the beginning. And she found it when she saw her name at the top left corner of one with a comma next to it indicating that was where he started his letter. She put the other pages behind the first and then started reading while standing in her room, her hero box resting at her feet that already had shoes on.
'Momo,'
'I'm sorry. From the moment I made my plan, whether it was while I was breaking down immediately after Kaminari betrayed us in that basement, as I revived Tsuyu and came up with it during that madness, or after you had comforted me that night when I put all the conviction I had gathered during that day into action by creating the plan, I've doubted myself. Through all the time since then I kept second guessing myself and hesitating, almost stopping, because of you.'
'You were there for me in all of my worst moments. My lowest points. You dragged me out of all of them. Momo, I hesitated so long to write your letter, after everyone else's, because I couldn't come up with what to tell you on a single sheet of paper…'
A single sheet? Momo thought. She slid her fingers on the back of the bottom page that showed the person writing this first page had been unable to do what he wanted to when he started.
'…Through these two weeks you've almost made me turn back so many times, especially after Killmore…'
There was a short break with more pencil marks and a few erased words as he had tried to continue on from there. His whole letter seemed to just sidetrack after as he did not feel the need to explain Killmore in the letter, feeling that Momo would understand it enough just from reading that. 'I care so much about you,' read the next line that made Momo step back then lean against the foot of her bed. 'I wish things could be different, but it's already too late…'
It wasn't.
'…My plans are set. I have to do it…"
You didn't!
'…And I know I have to break your heart which crushes me more than anything else I know I'm about to do.' Zach's penmanship started to get shaky. Momo could see smeared marks on the page that looked like it had gotten wet, and she shook her head as she closed her eyes for a moment thinking about how hard it was for him to write this letter that she never read. It was Kyoka's fault. But I still could have read it, right after she gave it to me. I should have. Why? What does this do for us?!
Yaoyorozu opened her eyes back up and kept reading anyway. It hurt her to read and yet she went on with it despite how she needed to get to work already. '…I told you that I didn't have any family, that Kaminari was the family I chose, but he wasn't the only one. I have no idea why you cared so much about me, but it made me believe I was a better person, made me believe in myself if someone like you believed in me. The most beautiful, smartest, most amazing girl I'd ever met in my life.'
She flipped the page that was double-sided, and she kept reading his letter to her that she wished she had been able to read years ago. A small smile formed on her face as she read, '…I think I waited so long to ask you out because… because-' His writing seemed to hesitate like he had when he was writing it back then, before he wrote, '…What if I was misreading signs, because you really were just so kind that maybe you cared about everyone like you cared for me? But I was an idiot for not asking you out sooner, because I wish I had spent more time with you. More time by your side…'
Zach's handwriting got smaller the farther down the page he got before getting larger again nearest the bottom. '…I have a million things I wish I could tell you. Things I want to leave you with before I say goodbye, forever…'
'…There's so much that I couldn't fit it all on one page. So unlike everyone else, you get a longer one. Please don't tell them.' Yaoyorozu smiled even as she wiped her eyes. She laughed when her arm went past her eyes. Was that a joke? You tried making me laugh- you succeeded. She laughed again at the thought of it, even as she lowered her arm from her watery eyes and continued reading his emotional letter to her that really sounded like it was the boy she knew back then talking to her. It sounded just like him.
'…There was nothing you could have done to stop me. I know I wrote that you made me hesitate, but I have too much to make up for. I kept so much from you that you don't know. Things I'll try to explain before I go. The things that I couldn't tell you that night…' Momo's eyes squinted more in a sadder way as she read that. She thought of the things he yelled in the Enudora Forest. You managed to explain a lot. Her eyes opened wider and shook in pain as she read, '…But things I'll try to explain tonight…' The day of? You couldn't finish this, until the very day- Yaoyorozu's squinted eyes pressed shut for a few seconds. Maybe right before you came outside? Before you slid the letters under everyone's doors, you were finishing- mine?
She kept reading through a letter that touched her and filled her with so many emotions. Then she reached near the bottom of the back of the second page, '…This is the hardest letter. The hardest goodbye. But if I am never going to see you again, then I want to wish you the best in life. I want you to know that you were my family, and that I know you're going to be the most amazing hero the world has ever seen.' He ran out of space on another page front and back that Momo had been reading while holding the pages tightly in her hands. Her eyes widened as she moved the page and got to the final one that she had thought was mostly empty after catching mainly brief glimpses of it so far.
'Thank you. Momo. You are, and always will be,'
'My hero.'
Zach walked through an empty building on his own. Everyone else had already left that morning for work. Not a single Class A student was still on campus. Even ones who did not have patrols to go on that day were meeting with hero reps and support companies off campus in preparation for immediate-post-graduation. The school had put them in contact with a lot of scouts and influential people in the hero industry who all wanted to work with the famous Class A, though Zach knew that all of the Class B students were also in contact with them as well. He still paused as he walked through the first floor common room of their dorm by himself and glanced towards the wall closest to Class B's building.
Wonder if anyone's around today? Could be someone. If Kuroiro's around, or Monoma… Zach shook his head as he doubted it. They're all getting ready for after graduation. They're excited about it. They can't wait to get out there. He put his right hand down to his pocket and hovered it over his buzzing phone. Zach pulled it out and looked at the screen briefly, then he put it back in his pocket and shook his head again. Wish they didn't give their contacts my number too. They're out there trying to network me. That's not very professional. Companies shouldn't be trying to give me offers if I'm not the one marketing myself out there. Not that every company isn't trying to get in contact with me.
But the ones I'm ignoring might just sell my number to their competitors then. If they realize I won't ever respond they might just go for it because they won't be helping their foes and will be making a quick buck. I don't want a marketing team… I could use one though. I'm not very good at doing this on my own. That would be one of the departments in my own agency. PR. I don't really need much else but help in how they see…
Zach stopped where he was pacing and just sighed while bowing his head. What am I thinking about? People are dying right now. I could be reviving them. Right now. Dying people I could be saving.
The principal would expel me if I did that, Zach reminded himself. And? The question had no response in his own head. What does a hero license mean if I'm going to start reviving right after graduation anyway?
Every family member of someone I let die while in my agency… or even any family member, could become radicalized just by the idea that I'm "letting" them die. They'll see it on the news. They'll be radicalized. Attack innocents. Leave them in ways impossible to revive. Attack my agency. Attack those who work with me. Attack my friends. Killing them. I can't not revive. That's not an option. How much though, and who? Those are the questions. Questions I have no answer to. Days. I have days.
I put this off from day one. I kept imagining the deadline was so far in the future. Zach walked towards the courtyard and stared through the glass into it. Both of his hands were in his pockets. He lifted his gaze up and stared into the blue sky with light white clouds moving slowly across the air. But now it's upon me. I'm the one who has to act first. There's nothing to wait for anymore. I have to make the decision. But, if not reviving puts so many people in danger, especially my friends, and it means letting innocents die who I could save… then what really is the choice? I know what's right. Right for all of them. And right for the world. And, I can do it. I won't last very long, but I'm definitely doing it. Until I can't. Don't go too far though. You can't risk it. When you know it's too much that it'll break… I, I don't want to reach that…
Zach's left hand rose and he put it over his wrinkled brow. He felt his pocket buzzing more and his fingers pinched into his forehead. His breathing was coming out heavier and he could hear himself panting as he pressed his knuckles up against the glass, separating his head from just resting against it. He brought his right hand up from his pocket and lifted his phone with it. He looked at the screen and then curled his fingers tighter for a moment before pushing back and turning away from the courtyard.
His thoughts had exhausted him despite the day still being young. It was not like he slept the night before though, as much as he had wanted to. He just stayed up all night thinking of the same things still plaguing him this morning. I recognize the number. "Yeah," Zach answered his phone. What does he want- actually, it makes sense. They need to know before I graduate too… What am I supposed to tell them is my plan? I can't go in there with nothing. "I understand. Yeah, I know." I have a license, even if it is only provisional.
Zach hung up then started back for his room. He opened his contact list and called up the principal, and he put his phone to his head as he spoke to the mouse man in charge of U.A. "Principal Nezu… They already contacted you? Okay. Yeah, I know I'm not supposed to leave campus. I can't deny the request though. Yeah… Yeah, I'll be back right after. No hospital stops," Zach muttered at the end, and he lowered his phone and hung up. Then he brought his phone back to his head and pressed it against his temple. What was that? A fucking joke? I need to get my shit together. Zach smacked himself in the cheeks a couple of times then shook his head around fast.
He cracked a smile and started a jog for his room. "Get serious," he snapped at himself on his jog. Should I dress up? No, I think the school uniform is probably best. Or, my hero uniform? That could be… Yeah, let's go with that. Zach smiled more and relaxed his expression. I should have showered this morning. Zach sniffed his pits and then lost his smile. Deodorant should be fine. It's a short meeting. I mean, it probably will be. I have no idea. I've never been called to the Karebo Office before.
Zach got dressed and ready then headed out. He made for the front gates of the school that he had not left since his trial when he was forcibly removed from the premises. Zach walked to the guard station and the security guard who had already received word from the main office that Lifebringer was going to be leaving campus today. Most of the other students in Class 3-A and Class 3-B had already left, as had the majority of the second years and a good amount of the first years in the hero course. He was still surprised to see Lifebringer though who he allowed out of the gates.
Zach walked into Musutafu and in the direction of the nearest subway station. It's not an emergency. Can't just fly there. Not that I didn't fly back to school from the courthouse. No one said a word then. The rules don't matter when it comes to me, apparently. Nobody cares. I still have to respond to a mandatory summons from my boss though. To Tokyo I go. Zach's feet dragged as much as he tried to keep a steady pace and force a smile on his face for the people who gawked towards him in his hero costume walking down the streets of Musutafu.
People on both sides of the sidewalk stopped in place as they saw him. Cars slowed down, and drivers cocked their heads to the sides in a way that Zach felt was too dangerous, not that there was anything he could do about it. Don't crash. I don't want to die this morning. I need to save my strength. Zach continued towards a staircase two blocks down leading to a train station aboveground that had a rail cutting between cities of the Tokyo metropolitan area.
The Prime Minister could have forced a press conference with the two of us as soon as I got my provisional license. I respected his decision not to involve me in his politics. Then again, Zach wondered as he walked up the steps of the station. Those vague threats I made to police officers suspecting the PM of being corrupt by wanting to get on my good side, also likely stopped myself and Nikko from being in contact before this. I've never talked to the man. Just his receptionist. Zach's expression darkened and his smile was gone as he waited for the train. The Koimou Massacre, was too sudden. If I had just been in contact with him from the start I could have, I could have done something! I couldn't get in contact. Couldn't get the address.
It would have been illegal to give a student the classified information… and that's the drawback of being a hero, Zach reminded himself. He calmed his thoughts and reminded himself how people were watching him and gawking at the dark look on his face. Every one of them had seen the trial and the videos that had played, and they eased away from the teenager who they tried not to stare at in fear that he might look back and make eye contact with them. Even the citizens who had felt grateful and appreciated all Lifebringer had done, or that they agreed with the outcome of the trial, found themselves sweating just being in his presence. The fact that he was about to ride the same train as them was insane, and some of them decided to be late for work and to catch the next train instead in the off chance that one of his enemies came hunting for him during the ride.
Nikko might have thought Koimou was a trap for me too. Was it? Kaminari seemed assured I wouldn't be able to show up in time, but, if I thought that, then what if that was what he wanted me to think? So I would rush there with no support? The Prime Minister might have saved my life by not telling me. But he certainly doomed those other heroes' lives. Not that I could have revived all of them anyway. Miruko, Icarus, they fell in Meta's Magma before the fight was over and the rest of the bodies were tossed in. Fantasma… I could have arrived in time. I could have saved Indago senpai. I should have, been able to, Zach grimaced and tried again to force these dark thoughts out of his head. Just by stepping onto the train car, the car mostly emptied out.
He went and sat down since there were several stops before the station closest to the Karebo Office. He did what he had to do. He couldn't tell me, but that doesn't make it okay. I'm still mad that I couldn't save them, and stop those villains, revive my fallen heroes… Grappler. Zach closed his eyes and bowed his head on the train car. I pushed him to return just so he could die. Die so horribly with his friends dying by his sides. Nothing he could do to stop it. Feeling he had failed! And that the villains were winning! FUCK!
Zach brought his right hand up under his bowed head and pressed his fingers on either side of his eyes. He started panting again, I could have kept Japan from being as unprotected as it is right now. As much as crime is drastically lowered right now; two major recent drops after the convenience store and again after my trial that steeper drop- I had to drop crime like that. I had to force villains into hiding by being so terrifying, because I know how much danger Japan is in after Koimou. Losing so many top pros all at once. Everyone watching Fantasma die like that… Best Jeanist's head- Zach gasped and gripped his skull tighter. They need more heroes right now. They could use Lifebringer, couldn't they? More top heroes. Real heroes, not just, a revival monkey-
Even should we locate the League, the Radians, and the Jazz too after graduation, there are still dangerous villains out there who will take advantage of this lack of heroes. Can the newest generation really stop them all with how few protectors are still out here? Hopefully, Class A can be the hope that the people really think they are. Deku needs to be! Even villains outside of those strong groups are dangerous though. Splodo survived a direct confrontation with Endeavor. Sketchy people like Xilovic are still around with tons of money and dangerous connections, and there's little heroes can do against men like that. I doubt that Death comes to Japan either. Probably trusting that I can handle my home country on my own… Can I?
"'Lifebringer spotted?'" Scorchle wondered in surprise.
Midoriya and Bakugo both spun to one of their comrades in Lemillion's agency and the only one with them at the moment. Lemillion was elsewhere on patrol in Tokyo, leaving them not completely unsupervised but at least out of his own eyesight for a while. Scorchle was behind the two younger men who he lifted his head up at fast when they spun so quickly to him. He turned his phone and showed the boys the picture of Lifebringer sitting on a train's bench with his hands folded and his chin resting on them. His lips were flat and his eyes pointed straight ahead of him. Despite his hero costume, he was not looking very heroic. More, tired.
"What is he doing off campus?" Bakugo muttered.
Midoriya pulled out his own phone but hesitated before texting Zach. He instead texted the principal with a quick question, and after a few seconds he nodded his head at what the response read. "Zach was summoned to the Karebo Office. Principal Nezu knows," Midoriya looked to Bakugo and assured his classmate.
"Hmph," Bakugo grunted and looked back forward. "Whatever. Let's go," he started moving again, losing interest in whatever Zach was doing today.
Midoriya looked back down at his phone for a second and imagined the picture Scorchle had shown them. He went back to his texts and sent one out, 'You okay?' Then he pocketed his phone and continued moving as Scorchle called for him to get back into it. Midoriya put a smile back on his face and waved to his left at a couple of kids who called out his hero name and waved. The boys in yellow helmets and primary school uniforms waved faster when Deku waved back at them, and one cupped his hands to his mouth and called towards him, "I want to be a hero like you!"
Deku lifted his left thumb up and extended his arm out towards the boy. "Go for it! I know you can do it!"
"Keep up, Deku!" Bakugo snapped backwards in a yell.
Ten blocks away and walking down from a train station they just patrolled, Creati and Assurely stared off the staircase and down the block that stretched over a mile ahead of them. The grid pattern allowed them to see far across the city, and Yaoyorozu mentioned to her pro hero, "There are quite a few heroes out on patrol right now."
From their higher-up position, they could see different patrols rounding corners on different streets. Villain activity was low lately, and one might think from a look at the city that it was due to the high volume of heroes. Yaoyorozu knew differently though and that the number of heroes in Japan was at its lowest low in a decade. So it surprised her and confused her to see more heroes than she could remember seeing at once just on random patrols all at once. Assurely hummed in agreement to her sidekick but responded to the younger woman who turned her head to the side in a way hopeful to learn something, "The National Diet is in session today. They are discussing a major crime bill and the possible federal-level 'Lifebringer Act' that has suddenly gained much popularity in every district, in every prefecture."
"People want more education of Quirks in schools," Assurely continued while Creati looked back down the stairs and nodded her head in understanding as she had heard about this legislation. Recently the media was more focused on other things and she had been focused on final exams, but she was familiar enough to know the reasoning. Her pro hero continued anyway, "Lifebringer's old report from his first year in high school is gaining lots of re-shares across the internet. Again," Assurely added, and Creati nodded her head once more but with a flat lip that Assurely noticed and looked at oddly as she thought her intern would smile upon hearing that.
He does so much. In every aspect of our world, Zach's had such an impact. I don't just feel that way because he's such a big part of my world. He's, the most important person… 'Thank you, Momo.' Why were you thanking me? Why was I your, hero? You saved my life. Died for me! And I didn't notice what you were going through. I could have stopped you if I knew! If I had just paid more attention, I would have stopped… and if I stopped you, what would the world look like right now? Yaoyorozu wondered to herself. It wouldn't look like this, that's for sure.
Walking on his own just two blocks behind Yaoyorozu, Kirishima Eijiro was on patrol without Gang Orca. His pro had sent him out on a solo patrol for a few hours, giving him much more independence since Red Riot had told his pro that he was preparing to start his own agency as soon as he graduated. His arms were down at his sides and his sharp smile was spread across his face. He forced it to stay up even as he thought on his best friend's expression from the night before and what he saw this morning before leaving for work.
Why did we all shut him down on his dream? He said that same thing to the people who were still with him when Wampajawa was over. Right before Gentle turned off his camera. Kirishima's lips lowered slightly at the corners but he pushed them back up and continued marching down a street of Tokyo for all the people around him to see a strong hero walking confidently. He noticed another pair of heroes also walking heroically down the road across the street from him, but he tried not to let that affect how he was carrying out his own hero duties. Still, it was impossible not to lose some of his heroic look as he imagined those soldiers who Zach begged to stay with him until the world was a better place. They all died for the kind of 'near perfect' world that Zach wanted. The world isn't perfect though! It never will be- GRaah! But he thinks it can?! Zach's the smartest guy there is, so why not?! Why couldn't I just, believe him?
Kirishima frowned and he lowered his gaze down to his hands. He balled them into fists, Zach needs a break. He imagined seeing his friend dragging Gentle through the streets of Wampajawa. He could see Zach snapping a pistol up and shoving the barrel in a man's mouth, firing out the back of his skull, using the man's body as a human shield as he shot more villains with his arm shoved through a corpse's head. He saw Zach's face blown off and Zach grabbing the shotgun that did it, and using the butt of that shotgun to spin around the man's skull who had just shot him. And he saw a man Zach knocked into a burning building, screaming as he burned to death while caught under the crumbling rubble. Kirishima shook his head around. He needs more than a break! After everything he's done, Zach… Zach really should just retire. Retire before he even starts. We almost lost him in China, and no one knows.
Kirishima rose his head as he spotted a familiar face heading his direction. His eyes opened wide and his smile rose up in surprise and happiness at the sight of his former senpai. The man with indigo-colored hair had on his white cloak and was covered in pouches full of food to power his Quirk, Manifest. Amajiki Tamaki was looking to his right and across the street towards another three heroes who just rounded a corner and were heading away from him. "Senp- Suneater!" Kirishima cut himself off and called out his fellow hero by his hero name.
Suneater looked back forward and a bead of sweat formed on the side of his face at how loud Kirishima just shouted out his name. He lifted his right hand in a half-wave, then Suneater glanced back to his right, then he turned his head and stared behind him as well even as Kirishima ran up to his front. "How's it going?! I'm glad I saw you!"
Amajiki looked back forward and rose an eyebrow at his younger friend and former comrade at Fat Gum's agency. "Is there something you need?" Suneater asked based on what Kirishima just said.
"I'm starting my agency next week," Kirishima stated definitively. He said it with confidence and determination that Suneater did not remember having as a third year at U.A., which is why he struggled for so long to do what Kirishima just stated firmly he was going to do. "Could you give me some pointers while we- do you mind if I tag along and patrol with you? You're also patrolling alone, huh?" Kirishima talked loudly and faster than Suneater who nodded back at him to respond to all of that at once. "Great! You're going this way?" Kirishima turned around and walked up to Suneater's side so they could continue going the direction his senpai had been moving, as he was the one asking to tag along here.
When Kirishima turned, he saw another two heroes down another block and across a crosswalk waiting for it to turn green. Mt. Lady and Kamui Woods were talking with one another, and Kirishima tilted his head back in surprise before mentioning, "Sure are a lot of heroes on patrol today."
"Must be due to the Diet session," Suneater attributed it. Isn't that why I'm stationed in Tokyo today? I don't know why the officials think it's necessary. It could also be U.A.'s upcoming graduation. All the students out here, they really don't want to risk the new generation getting hurt or killed right before they were going to be added to the ranks. That would be the worst thing that could happen…
"I've seen like five of my classmates already out on their own patrols. It's crazy active today…" Kirishima was speaking as he and Suneater walked together.
Suneater nodded along with him in agreement to what the redhead just said, while thinking himself, I just saw Mirio. He wasn't with his agency, but he told me they're around somewhere. Without Lifebringer to track down all the time, Mirio's gotten a lot more focused on the League like the rest of them. I really hope they haven't all forgotten about Intanzo. I don't want to find him on my own, Suneater grimaced with his hood shadowing over his face more. If he could kill Animatricia and Floodgate together… No. I can do it. If I have to, which hopefully I won't. Hopefully I can call in Mirio's help, or Endeavor, would be best… Better than Deku or Lifebringer? Suneater's thought of two high school boys yet to have even graduated as being better than the number 1 hero in Japan made him sweatdrop more, and he looked back to his side at the chatty redhead who was close friends with both of them.
I haven't heard about him since the trial. Do I ask? Amajiki was unsure and opened his mouth only to close it after a second. If Kirishima's this upbeat, I'm sure Lifebringer's fine. That's good. If Intanzo's really working with Shigaraki, we're going to need him.
Respond already damn it, Jirou lifted her phone and glared at the screen that did not have any messages back to her on it. She frowned deeper but pocketed it as she saw Ms. Clue giving her a look. "Sorry," Jirou muttered while getting back up close to the edge of the roof.
"Don't be. Did Lifebringer respond?" Ms. Clue asked without taking her eyes off the street she looked back down at.
Jirou grimaced that her pro called her out on what she was just doing. Ms. Clue had seen the same pictures she had though that were being shared all over the place from people who spotted Lifebringer and snapped secret pictures of him. "Not yet," Earphone Jack replied to her pro. "Midor- Deku put in our class chat that he got called to the Prime Minister's office though. So, he might be in a meeting right now, or something."
"Hmm. Makes sense," Ms. Clue admitted with a tilt of her head to the side. She stood from her crouched position though and motioned with her head to the west. "Come. We'll move closer to Karebo and the Diet Buildings. There are likely protective patrols and surveillance going on already near them, but with Eziano Mozcaccio on the loose and after your classmate, we can never have too many heroes near him. Especially if he's near the head of state."
Jirou nodded her head without hesitating. Once Ms. Clue had turned from her though, Jirou grimaced deeper. I overheard some whispers that, make me feel like that's not necessary anymore.
Inside of a building that was seven stories tall and in a more suburban area of Tokyo than its central districts, Iida Tenya nodded his head at the real estate agent describing the floor layout to him and the team of support staff and sidekicks with him. Ingenium had on his armor all except for his helmet that he held in the crook of his right arm as he took the tour of the building in the exact area he felt he was needed most. "I do have to wonder though, Ingenium," the real estate agent continued. She was happy that such a prestigious, and rich, new hero was looking at a building that she had up for sale, but she had been surprised to hear from him. "What made you choose this location? It's nowhere near where your older brother's former agency was."
"But it is directly in between where Best Jeanist's former Tokyo agency, and Wash's had been," Iida responded. He stood taller than everyone else on the floor of what would be their main office, and he told the impressed and surprised real estate agent, "I will strive to be fast enough to patrol both of their former routes in their absence. Until there are enough others to fill the gaps that those heroes have left, I will do my best to take their place."
"Big shoes to fill," the older woman said in amazement and some disbelief at this boy trying to take the place of two of their former top 10 heroes.
"That's why he'll have help," Erra said. A former sidekick of Ingenium who had worked with multiple other heroes in the past few years, she smiled brightly at the chance to work with an Iida again.
The agent selling the building looked around at the rest of Ingenium's agency that looked more than ready to move in, and she smiled at their determined looks. "Alright then. Should we get right to the paperwork?"
On the roof of a tall skyscraper that had both the Karebo Office and Diet Building in view, Hawks, Tsukuyomi, and FlyGuy were all standing and looking down over the city. "What is it, Hawks?" Tokoyami wondered to his pro. FlyGuy looked to his left past the darker boy between him and the other pro up there, confused as he did not notice anything was on Hawks' mind when apparently the student had.
Hawks glanced to his right in surprise that Tokoyami asked. He chuckled at the teen's expression that stayed focused off the roof and down over the city they watched over as protectors. Tsukuyomi had not even turned to the side to look at him, but the question implied he noticed something was up with his pro. "Nothing," Hawks responded. "The city is quiet."
"It is," Tsukuyomi agreed. He did not smile though. He did not sound pleased that that was the case. Hawks did not smile either at his response that should have been a good thing.
"We like quiet," FlyGuy said, trying to give Tsukuyomi some advice before the eighteen year old turned into a pro next week.
Hawks frowned at FlyGuy's statement though. Tokoyami hesitated and nodded his head but his eyes shifted to Hawks as well. "Do we?" Tokoyami wondered.
Hawks nodded his head as well. "We do," he replied. Their dark way of speaking was unnerving and confusing FlyGuy now who looked at the pair with risen eyebrows and a confused look at their cryptic conversation. "But if the city's so quiet," Hawks continued in a lower voice. "Then, what are we doing here?" Far too many enemies we should be tracking down right now. Complacency is never good, but we aren't being complacent. We've been vigilant nonstop as of late. Sazaki pushed them all down into hiding so we can't… That's not it. The fewer villain incidents the more time we should have to be searching. Something's wrong. Something's wrong here and I can't put my finger on it. What I would give to have a spy in their ranks again. Like I'm sure they have in ours.
Tokoyami lifted his gaze to the sky where not too far above them, a flock of birds were flying together away from them. A breeze flew by the flight-capable heroes who watched as the birds fled. They're just flying, Tokoyami thought to himself. Not fleeing. Flying. Just flying away. Away… from what?
Zach walked up the tall stone steps leading to the Karebo Office's main entrance. The government building stuck out among the more modern skyscrapers around it. It was a more modern piece of architecture than the National Diet at least though, which Zach had passed on his way here only two blocks away. The legislature had more pillars and fancy marble columns than the bland look of the Karebo Office. The Diet also had more space around it though with a long tree-lined road leading up to the circular drive at the front of the building. The Karebo Office was smack in the middle of a busy Tokyo street. There was only an indent cutting in from the road that made for a much wider sidewalk area before the steps where sometimes press conferences would occur and the press could gather.
The front of the building was fairly empty today other than some police officers lingering about and a few businessmen who had stopped on the sidewalk to talk to each other. Everyone stared with dropped jaws towards Lifebringer though when he walked by and up those steps. His expression was flat and indiscernible. Although he wore his bright blue and green hero costume, Zach could tell that they were all staring at the scars covering his neck and the left side of his face. He had intentionally not done anything with his hair so that his wavy black bangs would fall over his forehead and block off another of his scars. It was not much of a stopgap measure though as everyone was staring at him whether or not they could see one extra scar.
It's not even about the impending revivals. They expect it, but they look at me like, Zach walked through the front doors of the Karebo Office. He continued staring straight ahead after entering into the lobby. They look at me like I'm Death. Like they're staring at a murderer, not a hero. How could I ever be a hero?
Zach walked halfway across the lobby and looked around the inside of the building he had never been inside before. There was red carpeting around the first floor as well as going up the stairs directly ahead of him. He looked to the counter on his right that lined a wall, then to the hallways on his left that went to different offices of the executive branch. He recognized a few politicians who were talking at the end of one hallway, arguing about something by the looks of it. None of the parliament members were around, though Zach knew about the current proceedings in the Diet and did not find it weird. He wondered if the argument going on between members of the cabinet had to do with the new federal law nicknamed after him that was in the works.
He looked away without learning what they were discussing. His eyes rose up the stairs to a man at the top who looked down straight into his eyes. A woman was running down those same steps, a semi-flustered look on her face though she tried smiling at Lifebringer while most others on the first floor were finally turning and gawking at the sight of who actually just entered the building. "Lifebringer!" A familiar voice called out, and Zach recognized a woman's voice he had heard over the phone earlier that morning. "Ah- it is, I mean," Akemi brushed down the front of her professional suit and long skirt, then she lifted her head back up and brought back a professional air around herself. "If you would follow me upstairs? The Prime Minister is awaiting your arrival. He is very glad you agreed to come today," Akemi was turning and started back for the stairs with Lifebringer following behind her now.
Zach nodded his head, though he thought to himself, Didn't think I had much of a choice. I was summoned by my superior. Do I really have superiors? Of course I do. I'm a hero. I have a hero license, at least. His gaze rose back and he looked to a hero who he recognized at the top of the steps who tilted his head back and sniffed a few times before just grunting and looking away. Bloodhound's here. Who's he looking towards like that? Zach wondered while reaching the top of the stairs. He looked down the hallway where the red-haired hero chewing bubblegum just glanced down with a regretful look.
Zach glanced down that way and saw a woman who froze in her tracks as she saw him. Nikko Enri turned away quickly and stepped through the closest doorway to her down that second floor hallway. The brick-red-haired woman had appeared uneasy and even a little frightened at the sight of Lifebringer. She had hesitated like she might continue walking, but she ducked away quickly with a bow of her head to hide her face from him. Zach looked down himself then rose his dark eyes back up as Akemi glanced back at him and gained a nervous expression of her own on her face. "I am, Prime Minister Nikko's private secretary, by the way. Akemi Kuoko. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lifebringer. I, was always a fan," she added, smiling at him from up close though still with some sweat on the side of her face.
Bloodhound's eyes darted over towards the young receptionist who looked straight into Lifebringer's eyes with a smile on her face. Pinoko! Just follow the fucking plan!
"Thank you," Zach just replied to the woman before him. Then he looked up and at the waiting room in front of him where there was an empty desk outside of an office that he figured was Akemi's. It's her phone I called for the Koimou Massacre. The phone on that desk. She could have handed it to him. He was right in there. Feet away. Zach's expression darkened as he entered into the waiting room. Akemi's mouth opened up again but she closed it nervously at the look on Zach Sazaki's face.
Zach looked to his right after walking into the room. It was a waiting room outside of the Prime Minister's office, and yet it was actually one of the more busy rooms in the Karebo Office. Zach nodded once at the hero on his right who stared straight in his eyes in an intrigued but also cautious way. One of the top heroes in the country who had been ranked in the top 20 last year, Electro was a candidate for one of the new top 10 that had yet to be declared.
He was a muscular figure around Zach's height but looked taller because of the lightning-shaped spikes of his black hair. Electro was in an all-yellow costume tight to his toned body, with an X striped in white over his chest and black lines going down his sleeves and pant legs. His costume got darker gold on his appendages as well, he had a white belt around his waist, and there were a pair of twisting white earpieces on either ear. Electro rose his right hand up as Sazaki walked in, and the hero in front of him turned around and faced the boy at his back who he looked at with widening eyes. "He's here," Electro said, while Slidin' Go smiled at the teenager whose eyes trailed behind him while staying locked on that hero's.
Slidin' Go wore a tight purple costume with green gloves on and a black belt. He had a green cape and a black mask over the top of his head too just covering his eyes. The very muscular hero was broader at the shoulders than Electro or Lifebringer, but he gave off a less intense vibe than the other two. Tatsuyuki Tokoname had a wide smile on his face though which could have been part of it. As Lifebringer walked through the room and to the desk that Akemi stopped at to buzz the Prime Minister, Slidin' Go looked across the room and at another hero, Embrya. She stood next to Defense Minister Abani who she had just been talking to. The female hero with long green hair ignored Slidin' Go's look in her direction and instead just stared at Lifebringer's back along with Abani.
The Defense Minister was an older man than all the heroes in there. He had white hair that was thinning and wore a pair of glasses that he had to push back up his nose that was suddenly sweaty. He may have been a former hero, but back in his day there had never been anyone like Lifebringer that he had to deal with. Abani Takada even glanced towards the Prime Minister's office in an impressed way, thinking, For a young PM, he's doing a good job at handling Lifebringer. He knew he had to bring him in before graduation though. We'll see how today's meeting goes. We hope for the best, but don't expect much. I'll be waiting for any news, good or bad.
"You may send him in," another recognizable voice spoke through Akemi's phone.
Zach heard that voice but still looked back at the young woman himself as she turned to face him again. "You can go right in." She motioned her left arm out to the side at the door that made Zach nod back at her in thanks for greeting him. He then looked away from her and walked towards that door.
Zach reached his hand out and turned the knob, and he entered into Prime Minister Nikko's office. "Welcome, Lifebringer," Nikko Kaizo said to the eighteen year old who entered his office. He had stood up from behind his desk and he motioned with his left hand to the seat on the right side of the desk from Zach's perspective upon entering the room. The door Zach entered was farther on the right side of the room anyway, so he did not have to walk across the room but rather just straight forward so he stood on the right side of the chair that the Prime Minister had motioned at. "Please, take a seat. We have a lot to discuss."
The young hero-in-training who entered the room glanced back as the door behind him closed. It was one of two doors in the office. The other one was to his right and just ahead of him still, connecting to another room down that he could not see inside of since it was closed. The two of them were alone in the office. Zach put his hands together behind his back, stood straight up, and he nodded to the Prime Minister who he was face to face with for the first time. "Prime Minister Nikko. I want to thank you for my executive pardon. I am sorry, that it has taken me this long to tell you in person."
Nikko's eyes widened a bit and his eyebrows rose up. Then he smiled a soft smile back at the teen though and responded, "I was just following, the will of the people, after all. There is no need to thank me. Now please, sit."
Kaizo again motioned for the seat, and Zach nodded his head before pulling the chair back and sitting down in it this time. He put his arms down on the armrests to his sides but fidgeted in the soft chair too comfortable that it made him uncomfortable. Nikko gave Lifebringer an uneasy expression as Lifebringer glanced to the chair on his left, but the chairs were the same so he just fidgeted again then came to a stop. Nikko breathed calmer and sat down behind his own desk in a chair he slid back forward so his legs were underneath it. Nikko put his hands together over the desk with his elbows down on the wood. "I called you here today for obvious reasons I'm sure you are already aware of. I am aware myself that you have yet to work with any current pros or hero agencies regarding your post-graduation plans, so…"
Zach nodded along with the man in front of him who sounded very serious and focused on this conversation. His own mind trailed away though as he stared straight at Nikko and yet watched out the windows behind him at the same time. He listened to the Prime Minister and yet focused elsewhere. Nikko has no idea what I'm planning, but I'm not even ready to make that decision yet. Whatever questions he has for me, I'm not going to be able to answer them. "I was considering it," Zach replied as Nikko wondered to him if he was going to begin reviving people again after graduation. Seriously considering it, Zach corrected himself in his own head. I'm definitely doing that. I have to.
Zach lowered his gaze down from the windows and from Nikko's face. He sighed and then grit his teeth at what he just said. Why is it so tiring? I haven't even started yet! Stop getting so exhausted before you even start. You'll just use that, as an excuse…
Nikko stared at Zach Sazaki with his eyes huge and his words slowing down as he wondered if the teen was still listening to him. Zach rose his dark gaze back up though, and Nikko froze, then he spun to the left while Zach just turned his head slightly right to look at the side door in the room that just received two knocks. The door opened inwards so it blocked whoever was on the other side from Zach's point of view. He only saw a light-skinned hand on the frame of the door as it opened inwards, though from Nikko's seat he could better see who it was who just opened the door. Zach figured who it was by the way Nikko Kaizo's expression changed, and the relaxed man smiled towards his wife who spoke from the doorway, "Could I, get the two of you, anything to drink?"
"Thank you, Enri," the Prime Minister said. Zach could see some of her red hair just past the frame of the door, but she was still averting her gaze from him and he could not get a good look at her face. He looked away too as he wondered, Is she that afraid of me? I haven't seen many people off campus in the past week- I haven't seen anyone, outside of the news. Even most other students on campus look at me nervously though. It's only because they're around so many people who aren't scared of me that their reactions are less severe than hers. I don't blame her. They watched me rip out a man's spine. It doesn't get much worse than that.
Zach looked back up at the Prime Minister who had just asked him a question he barely heard. "Would you like a glass?" Nikko wondered it but then turned back to his wife and just responded, "Two glasses of water would be great."
The woman who poked her head in nodded back at her husband then quickly slipped back out of the room. She could barely look at me out in the hall. The Prime Minister is putting on a brave face, but I'm sure he's nervous about this meeting too. I don't know if there are always that many heroes just lingering outside of his office. I'm sure it's a good idea to have a protection detail on him, but four heroes constantly staying by his side in a time when we're low as it is? No, he probably has them here to protect him from me. Just in case. I don't blame him either.
"…Lifebringer?"
Zach focused up on the man in front of him who could not tell if he was listening. He nodded his head, and Nikko continued as soon as he was sure that the teen was looking at him, "I need you to seriously consider what your presence in Japan will do to our foreign relations." Nikko's expression got more serious, his hands lowering down more over the table and then opening up and pointing outwards at him in a defensive way. "I'm not saying that your being here is a bad thing, but there are complications involved with your, method of saving lives."
Zach nodded his head in understanding towards all that the PM was saying. "We need to be very delicate with how you use your Quirk, do you understand?"
"I do," Zach responded. He agreed with the Prime Minister who looked back in surprise at what the boy just said to him.
"You do? You do! Oh, uh," Nikko composed himself and nodded a couple of times. "Then, are you willing to work with me on this, to ensure that we can protect the national interests of Japan?" Nikko rose his hands up and held his palms out more. "Not that I'll limit the ability of Lifebringer to be a hero-"
Zach nodded his head again. "I think that's a smart idea," Zach replied. Why did I think this was a decision I had to make completely on my own? It should be. But it isn't! I'm a common good. A natural resource. A public servant. That means I have to follow the rules, and it might mean working closely with Nikko and, and even regulating how I act. That's better than just going out and doing things my way. I've known I can't do that!
"That's, fantastic!" Nikko looked relieved as he said that while standing up from his desk. He appeared as if he had assumed Lifebringer would be arguing with him right now, but Zach stayed where he was seated and just tried to give a look to show that he was cooperating. "In that case, I am going to go get Minister Abani in here then. And I need to contact Officials Juuzo, Morro, Ozo, and Koi. You see, I have also been in frequent contact with them about this. We're all very invested. I'll have my secretary, Akemi, give them a call to let them know you confirmed the collaboration. You can stay seated for now, I will be right back."
Nikko went around his desk and walked by close to Zach's seat. He did give a few feet berth between him and Lifebringer's right hand on that armrest, and Zach pulled his arm in from it and put his hand down on his lap when he saw the way Nikko's eyes darted to his glove even for a second. He's trying hard not to let it show. I guess, I thank him for that. Not that I don't notice. Of course I notice. I notice everything. Zach slouched in his chair after glancing backwards and watching Nikko leave his own office out the same door he came in.
Zach looked forward while leaning back in his comfy chair that suddenly felt more comfortable now that he was alone. This is helpful, isn't it? Nikko's helped me a lot. I didn't give him credit. I thanked Mina so much for it though. He's doing what he has to, and I can make it easier on him by just going along with it.
Can I go for this? Zach stared quietly ahead of him and out the windows behind Nikko's desk. What are the outcomes? I haven't been thinking about this route. Consider it. There are politicians trying to control who I revive. They, never really tried before. I guess because I was still a child. No pro license. They would have had to argue with my guardians instead, and maybe they had contacted Principal Nezu before. He kept the burden from my shoulders. Thanks. Now though, it will just be my decision and theirs. No middle man. So many politicians I'll have to deal with. If I become international too, so many leaders I've physically abused are still in their offices who I'll likely have to "meet" before taking action in their nations.
Nikko, the UN, the presidents and prime ministers of the world, even local representatives. I could just leave the power in their hands. I already considered it to be a democracy on how I use my Quirk. Why not allow their actual democratically elected officials take charge then? Do I really know better? I do. I think I do, at least. But let's say I'm wrong. If I accept that, and accept their decisions, people wouldn't be able to blame me. But everyone would call me a pawn. That's what I would be, if I accepted it. Zach frowned deeper as he admitted that to himself. If I just acted on their orders.
Isn't that what most heroes do though? He wondered again, slouching back into his chair more and staring more thoughtfully out the windows. Follow orders of their higher-ups? Is that what I'm agreeing to by becoming a hero? So this isn't an out-there idea, rather just what is expected of me. I don't know why I'm trying to argue with a good thing. An opportunity. Except, even though I can't revive everyone, Zach grit his teeth and he bowed his head down. I don't see this as an opportunity. Why? Why not?!
I know I'll break whatever rules they confine me to. I'll act when I see it's right, so I'll just be setting myself up for even more failures. More mistakes, that I don't see as mistakes. This is just another thing making it even heavier. Harder. Zach's eyes squinted and he breathed heavy panting breaths while staring down at his lap.
"I don't know," he whispered. His face scrunched in confusion. What's right? What is the answer?!
No time left. He rose his gaze back to the top of Nikko's desk. His breathing was heavier still and he could hear it as the only noise in the room. This empty room he sat in by himself, panting and thinking, Finals are over. Graduation's on Wednesday. We'll get test results back before then but I'm sure I passed. The final days of class will be interesting. His expression eased up and he even lifted a tiny smile for a moment. Maybe a game, like a capture the flag to end our childhoods… As if we were still… I've been sitting here alone for a long time. Zach frowned and stared in more confusion out the windows over Nikko's desk again. He cursed internally for shifting his focus twice in the last minute to avoid having to think about the difficult decisions he was going to need to make, and yet his frown stayed deeper more for the second distraction than the mental loops he felt like he was doing.
Zach turned his head to the right and looked behind him back at the main door to the office. As he turned that way, he noticed that the door on the right side of the room was cracked open still. I thought she closed that on her way out, Zach wondered, though his eyes locked on the closed one behind him instead that he did not hear any voices outside of. He frowned and his narrowed eyes just got darker and lowered to the floor. Is Nikko nervous about coming back in here? Having a one-on-one conversation with Death must be terrifying. He hid it well. He might be having trouble convincing the others to come to a meeting with me too. They're all scared. Of course they are. People across the city were all terrified of me as I came here.
He shook his head side to side then tilted it back and stared at the ceiling. I'm a scary person. I could never be a hero. I know that. A revival tool? That's possible. Nothing more… "Hahhhh," Zach breathed out a long breath and then froze once it was out. It's so quiet in here. It should be. I'm alone. His lips curled down farther at the corners. Something's off.
The teenager sitting and lamenting his dark and painful future started to breathe heavier. His mind clouded with horrible thoughts focused more on the length of time he had been sitting here alone in the Prime Minister's office. How long have I been in here? He was breathing loudly and anxiously, his hands gripping on his legs then moving to the armrests on his sides. Were my eyes red? Is time just slowing to a crawl for me? Has it even been any time at all? It has! How long though? Zach's right hand moved down to his pants and his phone, but his hand twitched and his fingers curled in before he could take it out and check the time. What's going on? Zach's eyes widened as he stared down at his shaking right hand hovering over his thigh.
He was unnerved. The feeling of being unnerved got him even more upset though. Why am I unnerved? It was unnerving, that he was feeling so unsettled. And he stood up. Zach turned right to look back towards the door, but he froze this time with his entire body tensing up. His eyes shifted back past the open door on the side of the room that he thought had been closed. Then he looked past the corner of the desk in front of him, and along the front of it, and past the left side of the desk that he had been sitting more on the right side of, making the ground on the other side hard to see. After standing though, he leaned his head slightly to the side and spotted a glint of some round piece of metal on the floor.
He only picked up on it because the blue carpet over there was the slightest amount darker than the rest of the floor around it. Wetter. Zach stepped closer, his breathing picking up in pace and his heart rate speeding up as well. Zach spotted more of the metal tray on the floor. It was a rounded steel tray, and on the floor next to it were two glasses that were wet but had spilled all their water. And Zach stepped around more, past the middle of the desk while staring with wider eyes still. He looked down and saw the light-skinned hand next to the drink tray, and brick-red hair splayed around a head that was turned to the side away from him and down into the wet carpet.
Zach froze in place. His breathing caught in his throat while his bulging eyes trembled at the sight of the woman laying motionless on the ground. What?! He sprinted the rest of the way after the momentary freeze. His eyes were still shaking but he was breathing again, however loudly in his panic and confusion as his eyes darted around the room in utter confusion. Zach dropped to his right knee at her side though, and he stared down from closer to the back of this woman's head so that he could now see a little bit of her face. It's her. How?! It was definitely the Prime Minister's wife laying on the floor in front of him. Zach's right hand shook but he rose it and extended out towards her neck.
His other hand moved her head to the side so he could see her face. His eyes shook while growing even wider. Zach stared into the wide open eyes of a woman staring at him in terror. Her eyes were still open, her face afraid, and Zach did not feel a pulse as he put two fingers of his right hand on her neck.
Then he heard the door open behind him. Zach stared down baffled at the dead woman laying there. "Sorry for the wait- hey… HEY!" Zach's eyes lifted and stared out the windows into the bright air outside. His head shook around fast and snapped back down. I don't understand! I don't- but!
"Get away from her!"
"Wait!" Zach yelled, and his right hand covered in Death. He surrounded his hand in darkness and curled it more around the woman's neck. "I don't know what happen-" Zach's voice cut off and all the air sucked out of his lungs. Because he felt nothing.
"Stop that! HELP!"
"What is he doing?!"
"Lifebringer! What are you doing to the First Lady?!"
"Get away from her!"
"Get the Prime Minister out of here!"
"ENRI!"
"I don't know- I don't know why it-" Zach covered his hand in more Death. Darkness covered Enri Nikko's neck and head, stretching down to her heart and seeping into her body. His eyes closed and he curled his body forward as his right hand trembled on her neck. "Ah-" Zach gasped and opened his eyes huge while his jaw dropped as well. I don't feel anything. I'm not reviving her. Why? WHY? His bulged eyes shook in absolute panic. He snapped his head to the right and an open door that he had thought was closed. Then he looked back down at this woman, When did she come back in here? Wha- What's going… I don't remember. I don't… what?
"Lifebringer! Step back from the First Lady's body!"
"PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD!"
"I- I tried, I-" Zach turned his head partially to the side but never looked back to those people screaming at him. His eyes just stayed locked down on the wet carpet below him. "I tried bringing her, back?"
"You can't bring back those you've killed yourself, Lifebringer. Damn it."
"He's really… insane? Oh my God- Lifebringer! Put your face on the floor and get your hands behind your head!"
"DO IT NOW!"
"What are we going to do? He could kill us all…"
Zach's mouth kept moving but he was not speaking up anymore. He looked back at Enri's body that Death did not work on. He was down on both knees now, and his head bowed so his chin was pressed against his chest. "What's going on? I don't- I didn't do it though, I'm going to bring her back-" Zach reached his shaking right hand back forward and put it on Enri's body, and nothing happened. "I don't- I don't get-" spit dripped off of Zach's lips as he stared straight at the floor and not even at his hand that he still had outstretched on Enri's body. His hand started sliding off of her corpse, and his eyes rose up ever so slowly and locked with those terrified unmoving eyes staring back at him.
"It's not working!" Zach yelled, his head snapping up and his eyes staring out the window. I haven't been in here that long?! How long?! I don't know! "Ahh-"
"That's not how your Quirk works!"
"Shit! L-Lifebringer! Surrender yourself! Please!"
"Put your hands behind your head- We can't fight him!"
"He's Death!"
"He's crazy!"
Zach's shaking hands moved up in front of his hunched body. His eyes trembled full of horror as to why his Quirk was not working. It always works. I never revived her before. It should work. It's not working. Because- then that means, it's because… I was the one who killed her? Zach's hands in front of his watery shaking eyes flashed soaking red in his vision. No. NO! He brought his hands to the sides of his head after removing all the darkness from them. His eyes slammed shut and he hunched his body forward more, then his hands gripping each of his temples slid behind his head and interlocked at the fingers. "Ah- AHhh- I'm sorry." Zach bowed his body forward and pressed his face into the floor. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm sorry…" I've really lost it. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry…"
Finally, truly, I've lost my mind.