A month had passed since Nanami began training with Rappa. Though she regularly checked her eardrums to make sure they hadn't ruptured from his teaching style, aka yelling 24/7, she was already seeing the benefits. Thanks to his recommendation to add some more proteins and healthy fats to her diet, she noticed her muscles were more toned. And thanks to his "be ready for a fight at all times" attitude, she noticed her reflexes had improved. It was an effective way of teaching as it carried over to her life outside of the gym, much to the disappointment of who was notorious for his practical jokes and jump scares around the hospital.
"It's no fair, you're always so ~*cool and reserved *~ now. How am I supposed to get in my midday pick-me-up pranks in now?" Tanaka whined as they sat in the café for their coffee date.
"Oh, so I'm cool now? Besides, if you need a mental break, just lock your office door and hide under your desk like the rest of us functioning adults." She replied, casually sipping her drink while checking her phone.
"You kids nowadays, always so depressing. What's got you so zoned into your phone anyways?"
"One, you're literally only 5 years older than me. And two, you wouldn't get it, old man."
Tanaka gasped dramatically clutching at an imaginary dagger in his heart. "You wound me—oh thank you!" he responded as the barista brought his drink over, cutting off what Nanami was sure would have been a Shakespearean performance. "Anyway, so how're your classes going? You look like you're getting shredded already."
"Oh please, it's only been a month or so. But to answer your question… it's been awesome! Super tiring, but awesome, nonetheless. I feel… more secure." The conversation was meant to be light, but the last part came out more sincere and thoughtful than she intended.
From across the table, Tanaka could see a far-off look in her eyes as she gazed out the window for a beat, fiddling with the crow keychain on her phone. He knew there was something more going on that she wasn't telling him since her fiasco at the construction site but also knew better than to pry. From her residency until now, Nanami proved she could handle herself and he trusted that if she wasn't saying anything, it was probably for good reason. However, it did little to alleviate his worry.
Looking back across the table, Nanami could see her friend deep in thought. Tanaka was a goofball, but he knew when something was off and when to get serious. Though she was protecting him, Hitomi, and everyone else close to her by lying, the guilt persisted. Now realizing they were staring at each other, they shared a moment of realization and then a snicker, and a laugh. A knowing smile crept across their faces, Nanami patting Tanaka's hand.
"You're a real bro, you know that?"
"Always." He smiled warmly as his beeper went off, "Oop, duty calls. We're still on for dinner next week though, right?"
"Oh yeah, let me write it down before I forget. I'll meet you at the restaurant, sound good?"
"You bet, I'll see you later—be safe getting home, ok?"
"Of course," She smiled, nodding. Nothing was said directly, but she knew what he meant. He left the café, Nanami now enjoying her mocha and treats at last.
Looking back at her burner phone for what felt like the millionth time today, there were still no further messages. It had been a week and a half since she'd seen Overhaul. It was Sunday night when her phone vibrated, the text simply reading "Out on business. Be back in 2 weeks." The follow-up text coming a minute later, "Don't burn the place down." Looking back at them she found herself almost sad she wouldn't be seeing him for a bit before slapping herself back to reality. I am not sad, I do not miss him. I am elated to have a break from that moody asshole.
As she cursed into her cup, a crow perched itself on the windowsill by her table. It pecked at the glass, cawing, interrupting what would have been a peaceful break. Nanami leered, irked at the timing. Tch. Still better company. She mused, comparing the two birdbrains. She smiled smugly as an idea popped into her head that she was just bored enough to entertain. Pulling up the camera app, she snapped a picture of the winged nuisance, sending it with the caption "Found your replacement." After a quick chuckle to herself, a sense of panic came over her as she realized what she'd done. That was definitely too casual. He's probably carrying out a hit or something and you sent a dumb picture of a bird? Why am I such a cornball? She bemoaned inwardly as she hurriedly locked the phone, laying it face down on the table like the bad decision would go away if she simply ignored it. He probably won't even reply anyway… He'll just give me a judgmental look when he gets back and never speak of it again…First order of business is finding a rock to crawl under.
Just before she facepalmed herself into oblivion, the phone vibrated. Her eyes shot wide as she stared at the offending object, knowing she'd have to pick it up at some point. Clearing her throat, she worked up the courage to turn over the phone, the text reading, "Same here." with an attachment. She opened it up, choking on her drink when she saw a picture of a dumpster.
Yup, I walked right into that one. She thought, shedding a single tear inwardly, having only the strength to send a sad face emoji.
"Busy now. See you Monday."
Sighing in defeat, Nanami gathered her things, hoping whatever had him so busy would make him forget her blunder.
It was now Thursday evening and Nanami was in her workout gear, walking briskly towards the training room. Hearing Rappa completing his usual sets, she knew it was time to put her game face on. They'd been sparring twice a week after each session, but beforehand, he had her doing a myriad of drills and weightlifting. As she approached the door cautiously, she heard his voice booming, "DON'T JUST SIT OUTSIDE, GET IN HERE AND ON THIS BENCH."
"Yes sir!" She piped, knowing he was officially in drill sergeant mode.
Dropping her bags and plopping in her earplugs, she headed over to the benches, completing her sets as Rappa counted aloud each repetition while throwing motivational insults in the mix. She knew the words "Get to it you sad sack of bones" and "you wreak of failure" had to be on a Ballmark card somewhere.
Finishing out her final squatting reps with a grunt, she wracked the bar, breathing heavily. Just as she was fantasizing about the water bottle in her bag, she heard him yell "NO BREAKS YET, MAGGOT" as he swung at her. She barely had time to dodge, but a week ago it would have grazed her and two weeks ago it would have had her doubling over as it made full contact. Without a second thought, she had her guard up and she was in the proper stance to launch a counterattack. They traded blows, Nanami landing 5 for every 10 of his. She'd made great strides, but becoming a master fighter in a matter of weeks just wasn't realistic, quirk or not.
This continued for an hour, Nanami only taking a break to heal her injuries. Though it wasn't the main goal, she'd cut her healing time in half, but it came at the price of pain. Having to repeat this over and over on small parts of her body, she could see how it would be slightly maddening to perform it on a large scale over the course of a lifetime. Interrupting her thoughts, Rappa landed another punch to her gut before tossing her across the room. Her recovery was better than the first time, but it still hurt like hell. She staggered, rushing to heal and counter him as he charged forward.
She was knocked down again and again, but refused to stay down. Today, she felt he was being particularly hard on her, but she wanted to rise to the occasion striking back every chance she got. Now feeling her stamina running low, she stumbled to her feet again, assuming her stance as she had the first time.
"Why don't you just use it?"
A bit dazed from the last blow, Nanami asked what he meant.
"Your quirk. Why aren't you using it to defeat me?"
"What's with this all the sudden?" She rasped, still out of breath, "I've been using it this whole time." She defended, weakly gesturing to the pillars she'd created to help her maneuver around the arena.
"No. I mean on me. You could have ended this an hour ago… Is this a game to you?" He spoke gravely, sounding a tad annoyed.
"What? No, not at all. I ju—"
"NO EXCUSES. You think your opponent will care about your little hang-ups when it's life or death?" He cut her off as he charged forward, barely missing her as the punch landed on the floor leaving a small crater. Her eyes widened at the realization that the punch would have split her in half.
"That could've killed me!"
"THAT'S THE POINT!"
The adrenaline began rushing through her veins as she felt the air in the room shift. Behind every blow there was killing intent. Confused as to why he was now hellbent on escalating the match, she managed to blurt out "W-why are you doing this?!" as she rolled to dodge another potentially fatal blow.
"YOU'RE MESSING AROUND. TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND STOP BEING A FUCKING COWARD!"
Still not understanding his anger, she continued to try and dodge like her life depended on it, because in that moment, it did.
"THERE'S NOTHING MORE DISRESPECTFUL THAN HOLDING BACK WHEN YOUR OPPONENT IS GIVING THEIR ALL. YOU'RE GONNA DIE RIGHT HERE IF YOU DON'T FIGHT ME LIKE YOU MEAN IT!"
She knew what he wanted her to do, but the fear of losing control was still there. In her moment of doubt, he landed a blow that sent her flying into one of her pillars. She heard a sickening snap as her leg bashed into the corner of the structure, undoubtedly shattering her femur. The pain was more than she expected, and she cried out bitterly for a moment before stifling it once again as blood welled up into her mouth from the previous blows. Spitting lazily, she saw him stalking towards her as he continued to speak, "Do you think someone in a real match is going to use restraint and wait for you to have your little breakthrough? Plenty of weaklings would kill to have a quirk like yours, but here you are wasting it. Makes me sick." He spat, as he bent down to hold her up by the neck and she thrashed in vain to break free. "I dunno who I saw during that trial, but you sure as hell aren't her. Let me end this pathetic existence for ya," he said squeezing tighter.
Suddenly, the fear turned into anger and a calm rage came over her as she stopped thrashing and used her right hand to grasp firmly on his wrist. "You don't know shit about me, but you're about to fuck around and find out." Taking as deep a breath as she could while still in his chokehold, Nanami focused on his anatomy, surveying every cell, every blood vessel, and every hair. In the next instant, she dropped to the floor as red coated the arena. Looking up, a moment of pure terror took over her being as the flashbacks to the first time she'd done this took over. Hyperventilating, a million thoughts raced through her mind. Just as she was felt she was drowning, she felt two hands grabbing her shoulders, squeezing firmly giving her a gentle shake before letting go. It may have been part of the episode or her brain trying to regain control, but it was enough to bring her back to earth long enough to calm down.
After a few, centering breaths, she managed to recompose herself, taking stock of the situation. Rappa was now all over the room, literally coating it. No. No more panicking. You have to focus before it's too late to put him back. Remember the structure. Remember the shape. She repeated to herself like a mantra before gaining a clear picture in her mind of how to assemble him. Pressing her hands to the floor he was now embedded in, the pieces of him came rushing back, snapping back into shape before her eyes.
He took a sharp inhale, staring at his hands in almost disbelief that he was real. She watched him closely, hoping she hadn't forgotten any pieces of him. He stared in her direction for a beat and she wondered if "he" was still in there or if she'd brought back some empty husk. Her question was soon answered.
"TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH! I THOUGHT I WAS A GONER, BUT YOU DID A BANG-UP JOB!" He boomed.
"I…I almost had a mental break and you're critiquing me on my timing? You almost killed me!"
"Yup, but you got me first. Good job today." He reassured her, now serious.
Still reeling, all she could manage was a weak, "Thanks."
He closed the distance between them, extending a hand in front of her. They clasped forearms as he pulled her up and she quickly remembered she hadn't fully healed since the last couple blows. Leaning on him a bit she recovered, hoping to never have to fix injuries like them again, at least on herself. They walked over to the seats lining the walls and sat down, both recovering from the mini trauma session.
"Hey doc,"
"Yeah?"
"What made you wanna train?"
She flinched reflexively, posting up before he reassured her it wasn't the pretext to another barrage of attacks. "Well… to get stronger, obviously. Why do you ask all the sudden? Never figured you one for deep conversation." She remarked, taking a swig from her water bottle.
"Just curious. You and the boss got the same quirk. I think man-to-ma—or person-to-person combat is the greatest thing in the world, but you don't have to go through all this. Most people with quirks as powerful as yours just kinda coast off that."
She thought for a moment, reflecting to give an honest answer," I want to be more than this." She said, studying at her hand, outstretched in front of her. "A lot of people become reliant on their quirks- and I did the opposite- but in a way it's just a different side of the same messed-up coin. I still let it define me. I just want to be capable, quirk or not… Does that answer your question?"
"Yeah, I think it does." He said giving her a firm pat on the back, "Go get some rest, doc. "
He rose, leaving the room and Nanami alone with her thoughts. Thinking back to what grounded her earlier, she remembered a detail and quickly shook it off. He's not even here. I really need to go home and sleep this off. And promptly call my therapist…
As she grabbed her things to go, she was so focused, she hadn't noticed the familiar figure in the room. Clearing his throat to get her attention, she nearly jumped out of her skin. So much for the awareness training...
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
He raised his brow at the obvious question.
"Well, not like that. I mean of course you'd be here; I just mean... like what are you doing here now?" she managed to get out. Why the hell am I nervous?
"I finished my business early, decided to see how you'd progressed."
"Oh, ok. So… you saw all that, huh?" she cautioned a glance, more than a little embarrassed.
"Most of it."
"…Any thoughts?"
He paused, before answering," Rappa was correct. Your hesitation will get you killed. Don't make the same mistake again, I might not be there the next time."
She nodded, walking past him towards the door before taking a moment to register what he'd said, "Hey, by the way… when I… disassembled him—I know this is a silly question—but did you… do anything?" she almost immediately regretted even asking.
"Like what?" His expression was blank.
Sighing to herself she decided it had to have been her brain throwing her a bone back there to save her from a mental break, "You know what? Nevermind. I'm just tired, must've been imagining things. See you later."
As he watched her leave, he retrieved a clear bag with his bloodied shoes and gloves, glad he had returned earlier than planned. Replacing his subordinate would be an inconvenience, but replacing a partner would have been infinitely more difficult.