Their Hero Academia – Chapter 47: Faith and Lust
Akaya Koda in Tears from a Stone
Akaya tossed a handful of seeds into the water and called out to them with her Quirk, causing the water plants to grow larger and more rapidly than they ever would if they had been left to their own devices. The water lilies large and strong, forming the perfect series of rafts between the sinking yacht and the Oki Mariner. Other members of the Oki Mariner crew, all of whom had aquatic Quirks, worked to help safely transport the yacht goers across.
Aunt Tsu—Froppy, when she was working, of course—directed the action like a consummate professional. "Don't worry," she said. "You're in safe hands with my girls." As always, her expression never seemed to change, unless you were familiar with her. Nevertheless, the pride in her voice was quite evident.
Normally, this would have been a job for more local services, but they had been close with the call had gone out and so had taken charge. There'd been six people on the yacht, three adults, a young boy, and a pair of teenagers about her own age, a boy and a girl. The two parents were highly inebriated, the other adult, a butler, slightly shaken. The inebriation probably explained the fact that the yacht had dashed itself on rocks. The younger boy's eyes were wide, quite taken with all the Heroes.
The teenagers, on the other hand, seemed more annoyed than anything else. No, not just annoyed. Annoyed and… disgusted? The looks they were giving her and the other crew members like Octo-Pod, Tera-Spin, and even Aunt Tsu, she hadn't encountered such cold looks in some time. But they were frighteningly familiar all the same.
"Can't believe we got rescued by the aquarium patrol," the teenage boy said to his sister, sneering.
"Were all the other Heroes busy?" the girl asked, her haughty tone of voice carrying easily. "I don't remember ordering sushi."
"Or a rock garden," the boy added. "Think she's hard everywhere?"
"Don't be gross," the girl shot back. "Nobody ought to be thinking anything like that about any of these freaks."
"I wasn't thinking about doing anything! What kind of freak do you think I am? Have to be pretty desperate to want anything like that with her."
Akaya felt her face flush as she looked away. Meanwhile, Asuka Sakamata, the daughter of Gang Orca, and third year student at U.A., hauled her massive black and white bulk up onto the deck. Lady Orca, as she called herself, was Froppy's Work Study student and the largest woman Akaya had ever seen, easily dwarfing her and even larger than Grandmother Koda. Despite her fierce appearance, though, Akaya had already come to know her bark was far worse than her bite.
Still, it did not take strong powers of observation to see the hurt in Sakamata's eyes. She'd heard it too. Akaya was certain that the hurt was mirrored in her own eyes. Her own Quirk was, technically, an Emitter type. But she carried with her inherited mutations from an ancestor on her father's side that had possessed the Quirk "Rock Skin." That skin had been passed along her bloodline in the form of changed appearances, even as other Quirks had combined and mutated. It gave her great size and perhaps some small measure of greater strength and resilience with it, coarsening her skin even still. Her moss like hair came from her mother's side of the family, where plant-like Quirks and appearances were common.
She was well aware that she appeared to be something of a walking mountain range. Or perhaps a troll, as some of her middle school classmates had called her. She'd thought she'd buried such hurt long ago. She had many friends who did not care about her appearance one iota. But she was only fooling herself, if she'd thought the world had moved past such things.
"Buncha ingrates," Sakamata said, crossing her arms. "Shoulda just let them drown."
"They are young and foolish," Akaya said. "Perhaps they may yet learn in time."
They watched as the parents avoided the touch of Cephalo-Squad and Rockhopper, the mother in particular shrinking away from Cephalo-Squad's tentacles.
Sakamata grunted. "Looks like it ain't just them. Bastards. Maybe we should just throw them overboard."
Akaya only wished it were that easy.
Space aboard the Oki Mariner was at a premium, even with the improvements to the ship Aunt Tsu had been able to make to it during her rise to being one of the Top Ten Heroes. But Akaya was able to steal a few minutes in the cabin she shared with the penguin-like Rockhopper and turtle-like Tera-Spin. She was grateful for the all-female crew, at least. With how she was feeling now, male attention would only make it worse. But she appreciated the all-too-brief moment of privacy even more.
She got down on her knees, feeling the slight rocking of the ship beneath her, and folded her hands. Closing her eyes, she bowed her head. "Lord, grant me the strength to endure their slings and arrows," she prayed. "I try not to listen to their words, but the hatred in their hearts does me great pain. I do not mean to question your plan, Lord…"
She opened her eyes and, as a tear fell down her face, found herself staring at her hands, with their wide palms, and thick, coarse fingers. Akaya folded them again and closed her eyes. "And I am not unhappy with who I am. I know this is but another challenge I must overcome… But I do know if I have that strength."
Life, she knew, came in many different forms since the advent of Quirks. The nature of attraction itself had changed. But there were still many who perceived those with inherited mutations or Mutant-Type Quirks as less than human. And even within those who were open-minded and accepting, the further from the norm one deviated, the more scrutiny you faced. Even before her… developments, she knew her dear friend Mika's appearance had elicited far less shock and discomfort than Akaya's own. Her horns and hooves did little to diminish her attractiveness in most eyes. Sero, Tokoyami, Kaminari, Shoji, even Ojiro, there were many of Class 1-A that had unusual appearances. But even with his extra-arms, Shoji was considered quite handsome, and Sero cultivated his look in such a way that few people called him on it. Those with animal characteristics, like much of the crew here and Tokoyami, had their own problems to bear, but it was more varied. Her own younger brother Rikido appeared basically human, with only green hair to show for his differences, and thankfully did not endure what she had to.
She still remembered one of her first crushes, three years ago, a hasty and mumbled confession when she's skewed up all her courage to ask him out. He'd been a friend. He'd said "Sorry, Koda, but I'm just not into rock-people." He'd meant well by it. But somehow, that had hurt far worse than anything else could have.
Her friends at U.A., both those she had grown up with and those she had made since starting at the school, at least, had no problems with her appearance. And many of them, Mika, Kana, Shiro, and even Aoyama, would be ready to "throw hands," in Shiro's words, with anyone who had spoken to her as the people they rescued had. None of which made it hurt any less.
She was but as God had made her. Why did so many see that as wrong?
"Fuck 'em all," Sakamata said, as she and Akaya were on deck-swabbing duty. The events of the rescue still weighed heavily on Akaya's mind, even though most of the other crew appeared to have moved on from it. For now, the Oki Mariner was docked in the harbor, much of the crew ashore getting dinner, with only a skeleton crew left behind. It still left them plenty to do.
Aunt Tsu had tried to be reassuring, but she could not understand, not really. For all that Frog was a Mutant-type Quirk, Aunt Tsu's deviations from baseline were fairly minor. She was a beloved Hero and a favorite of children, seen by many as cute. She could not understand.
Akaya regarded Sakamata for a moment. "That hardly seems the Christian thing to do," she said.
The orca-woman pointed a finger at Akaya. "You're the way you are. Don't apologize for it. Don't let them tell you what you're worth. You think I gave a shit what meatheads and dumbasses thought when I started transitioning? You think I give a shit what some bigot thinks of how I look?"
Sakamata was the daughter of a former Top Ten Hero and a rising star at U.A. One of the Big Three of her year, alongside Nejire Togata, and a Speed-Quirk user named Hayai Sokudo. Akaya had already seen how she threw herself into every task before her, the way in which she walked unapologetically through life. And yet, Akaya had already seen that she could be kind as well. She was not soft-spoken, but could be soft when it came to children or animals like dolphins and whales.
Truthfully, she reminded Akaya of Kirishima-Bakugo.
But there was something behind those red eyes of hers, the same pain Akaya had seen there earlier. "I think," she said, "you care more than you let on. Or more than you would like to, at least."
"…Yeah, okay," Sakamata growled. "What can I say? People suck."
"More people are good than not," Akaya replied. "At least, so I chose to believe."
"And when they're not?"
"Then my faith sustains me. Or so I try. I pray for the strength to endure and I pray for their enlightenment."
Sakamata snorted. "No offense, but that sounds like a lot of useless wishing."
Akaya was used to such reactions when she spoke of her faith. Christianity was not common in Japan and not well understood. "None taken. But my faith sustains me when I feel like breaking."
Sakamata gave her a skeptical look, but then shrugged. "Whatever works," she said. "I've probably punched a few more people than I oughta have. Tossed a couple of 'em around. Might be a reason for all the black marks on my record.
"But if you want me to, I can punch the next guy who says somethin'. Lots of bigots in this town."
Akaya nodded as they resumed their work. "It is appreciated, but I will decline."
There would always be those who were cruel and thoughtless, who judged others for matters beyond their control. But at least she had found someone else who knew how she felt. She remembered her mother's words, that prayers were not always answered in the way you would think.
Sakamata lived her truth, unapologetically, with strength and courage. Akaya, truthfully, struggled at times with her appearance, especially when so many of her friends and classmates were so much more traditionally attractive. That she was from a long line of people who looked like her suggested it wasn't impossible that someone would find her pretty, but some days, that seemed like a very far off possibility.
But perhaps she could find something worth following in Sakamata's example. She just had to have faith.
Mika Mineta in A Lustful Morning
Mika had never been awake at 0500 hours before. She was pretty sure she hadn't even been aware 0500 was an actual, for real, not made-up time before now. But Ingenium insisted upon an "early patrol" every Wednesday, in order to "remind people from all walks of life and occupations that Heroes will be there for them, every hour, of every day." This explanation had been punctuated by significant hand waving. Mika wasn't certain if it was just a tick or if he was trying to enhance his communications through semaphore.
How someone could be as attractive as he was—a little over two meters of pure, rock-solid beefcake—and be that big of a stick in the mud, she had no idea.
She'd only been here since Monday and she'd already worked harder than she ever had before, even in her Hero classes at U.A. Intense physical training, readiness drills, and so many manuals to read and procedures to memorize. Not to mention having been forced to make her bed in the Sidekick's berth multiple times until she'd gotten it right. And there was the criticism of her costume, as "overly sexual" and "not fitting for a woman of your young age." Just because Ingenium's daughter ran around in full armor…
Ingenium ran a tight ship. Which was not to say everyone under him did. His brother, Tensei Iida (not to be confused with the Tensei Iida who was in her class), who lent his expertise as mission control, was a much more easy going individual. And several of the Sidekicks were more relaxed as well, though a few did try to model themselves after their leader.
Speaking of, she knew Team Iidaten had a lot of Sidekicks working for it, but seeing it in the flesh was quite another. Many of them had mobility-related Quirks, though not all of them. And all of them very attractive.
"Ugh," she said, rubbing her eyes. "I've already been up thirty minutes. Why can't I have coffee?"
Ingenium was standing before her and the four other Sidekicks selected for morning patrol. "Coffee is an addictive stimulant!" he said, waving his arms through the air in what seemed like random, but carefully controlled motions. "A Hero must always be prepared to function at their best, regardless of circumstances, and without artificial aides! While some coffee is acceptable in moderation, relying upon it as a jumpstart is unacceptable!"
"Okay, okay," Mika said, rolling her eyes. Guy definitely didn't do anything by half measures.
"And stand up straight!" Ingenium continued. He was wearing the helmet, but she could tell he was scrutinizing her all the same. And not in the way she liked to be scrutinized. Objectifying her was one thing, but actually judging her and trying to correct her faults? What was the world coming to?
There was a sudden rush of air and a red and gold blur arrived, seemingly out of nowhere, next to Ingenium. It resolved itself into a woman with long blonde hair, wearing tall red boots with yellow trim, a red and gold leotard, and long red gloves, likewise with yellow trim. Red trimmed goggles with yellow lenses completed the outfit. On her chest—yeah, she was looking—was a yellow lightning bolt symbol. "SorryI'mlate," she said, tossing off a small salute to Ingenium. "Hadtostopapursesnatcheronmywayhere. Don'tworry, I'llgetallthepaperwork filedbeforetheday'sover!"
Okay, Mika was reasonably certain those were words. But they'd come out way too fast for her to follow. And probably for Ingenium too, as his expression passed through irritation, confusion, and then acceptance.
"Flash-Step," Ingenium said, "glad you could join us for this early patrol. And do not worry, your duty to the citizens of this city outweigh your duty to be on time. Just please remember to slow down before you file the paperwork."
"Ofcourse,Boss," Flash-Step said.
"Sorry," she added, finally slowing down. "Was still going pretty fast there. Back to normal now."
She shook her head, sending her hair cascading in a halo around her. Mika took a moment to take in everything, from her well-toned legs to her chest to an ass that looked like you could bounce small change off of to what looked like a six-pack under her leotard.
"Mineta," Ingenium said, "please meet Hayai Sokudo, my Work Study participant, from U.A. She will be responsible for supervising you during this morning's patrol."
Maybe 0500 wasn't so bad after all.
Mika's hooves made a soft clip-clop on the pavement as she and Flash-Step walked through the streets of Hosu City. It had been pretty boring. According to Ingenium, crime never slept. Right at that moment, though, it felt like crime was sleeping in. Of course, she'd managed to nearly walk into three street signs, two mailboxes, and one phone booth (Why was there still a phone booth in this day and age?). So there was that.
She couldn't help it. The view was incredibly distracting. Of course, Mika found most people distractingly attractive. But Flash-Step was really distractingly attractive. Like, on the level of Shinji distractingly attractive.
Speaking of her boyfriend, she surreptitiously took a picture of the Work Study student with her phone while she was speaking with a civilian, then sent it to Shinji.
Babe, look who I'm working with.
Sorry, right, it's stupid early.
Hope I didn't wake you up.
But, she is, like, super-hot.
Should I hit on her? Y/N?
Hot Boyfriend: Holy hurricanes!
Hot Boyfriend: She is nearly as spectacular as you!
Hot Boyfriend: I INSIST that you hit on her! To waste this opportunity would be criminal!
Babe, you are –the best-
Wait, crap. What if she's straight?
Hot Boyfriend: You won't know until you try!
Hot Boyfriend: But if she is straight, could you try and talk me up?
What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't?
Try and talk my boyfriend up to the hot girl that we're both trying to hit on?
Of course I will!
An open relationship with a super-hunk worked out really well.
Flash-Step, as it turned out, possessed a Quirk called "High Gear." It let her shift into super-speed for five minutes, but then required another five minutes to cool down afterwards. It also took the full five minutes to come out of it, as evidenced by the fact that she remained accelerated and fast talking even if she finished whatever high speed task she'd set herself before that time was up.
"Saw you at the Sports Festival," Flash-Step said, as they walked the streets. "They had Third years helping with security, but I caught your first match on my break. When the Boss said you were coming, I watched the rest." She paused stuck a piece of gum in her mouth. "Don't tell the Boss. Not supposed to have this, but I gotta get my oral fix."
She blew a bubble with perfect lips and such breath control that it made Mika's heart and other parts flutter. It popped, noisily, and she sucked the pieces back in.
"Oh yeah?" Mika asked. The pop had snapped her back to her senses, letting her formulate an actual response, instead of stuttering like a moron. "What'd you think?"
The older girl considered, chewing her gum. "Boss says you're undisciplined and a trouble-maker." Mika's heart sank for a moment. Of course, that was what pretty much everyone thought about her, so she was used to that. Hell, most of the time, she encouraged it. Being underestimated was entirely to her advantage. Flash-Step shrugged. "Now, me, I think…"
"You take that back, you bastard!" the voice cut through the air and cut off any possible answer from Flash-Step. Mika followed the source of it, finding what looked like a bunch of high school boys, two groups of them judging by their uniforms, six in total, getting ready to rumble. Probably a good old fashioned school rivalry.
It was entirely too early for this kind of dumbassitude.
"You gonna make me?" one of the boys in the other uniform taunted. He'd activated his Quirk, idly tossing a fireball from one hand to the other. Next to him, most of the others were calling up their Quirks as well.
"I'll beat it out of you if I have to!" the one who'd called out originally snarled. He raised a palm and a spikey ball of inky blackness appeared, floating around him like a miniature sun. Around him, his own schoolmates were activating their Quirks.
"We going to clobber them?" Mika asked.
"Not if we can help it," Flash-Step said. "If this turns into a fight, we'll have to call the police. It'll go on their records, they might get charged with petty Villainy." She frowned. "But we need to do something before they get tired of posturing."
"So what you're saying is we need to diffuse the situation without violence?"
"Yeah. Guess we could try talking to them…"
A grin spread across Mika's face. Her time had come. "Let me handle this."
"I shouldn't…"
But Mika was already in motion.
"Heeeeey boys," she called out, putting a little bit of extra swing into her hips as she approached. She bent forward entirely more than was necessary, giving them an excellent view of her cleavage. "Think you could break up your fight and spare a minute for little old me?" She gave them her best "airheaded beauty" look, the kind with pouty lips and half-lidded eyes.
This got all eyes on her. Good. That meant they were all straight, or at least bisexual. Being pan herself, she tried not to make too many snap judgements about other's sexualities, even if her radar for that was very good. At least two of them were openly undressing her with their eyes.
She put a hand on her cheek. "I think I'm lost. Any chance you could help me?"
"Sure," the one who'd made the spikey black ball early said. "But what's in it for me?" He was leering. Maybe in a slightly icky way.
"Dude," one of the other ones said. "She's a U.A. student! See the costume? Didn't you watch the Sports Festival?"
"I did," the fireball user said. "She's the one who kept talking like a slut."
Mika pushed down the urge to growl. She owned her own sexuality. To reduce it like that…! But she was playing distraction here. "Oh, tee-hee," she said, forcing herself to giggle. "What do I know about anything like that?"
"You little boys done?" Flash-Step said, having gotten behind them while they'd been distracted.
"What?" "Huh" "Who's..?" Various exclamations of surprise rang out from the six as they realized they were surrounded.
"Get to school, all of you!" Flash-Step shouted. "I've got all your faces recorded on my goggles! If you don't get moving in five seconds or if I hear about you trying to fight like this again, I'm sending it to the cops and every Hero in the city!"
With a grumble, the boys dispersed. There were a few half-hearted "this isn't overs" but the fight had clearly gone out of them.
"Bye-bye, boys," Mika said, waving and blowing them a little kiss.
"Good job," Flash-Step told her, after the boys had left. "Definitely not a strategy I'd have thought of."
Mika grinned. "No? You could have pulled it off, real easy."
"Maybe," Flash-Step replied. If she'd picked up on the subtext Mika was radiating, she didn't show it. "Still, nice distraction and non-violent de-escalation. Pretty sure the Boss wouldn't approve, but he can be kind of a stick in the mud."
"The stickiest," Mika agreed.
They continued walking after that. "Anyway," Flash-Step continued, "Nejire and I were talking about the Spots Festival. She was rooting for Midoriya, of course, but I was rooting for you. You've got guts, kid."
Mika turned so Flash-Step wouldn't see her frown. Kid? From somebody only three years older?
Ah, well. Win some, lose some.