Contagion.
Much like it's literal definition, my quirk is the communication of disease from one person to another through close contact. Unlike this explanation, however, my ability has slight nuances. Any aliment that is inflicted on my body, whether that be disease or physical damage, can be transferred to those I touch with the palm of my hand. In turn, my body heals itself through this transmission, ultimately making me as close to an "immortal" as possible.
The research I conduct is primarily focused on how my quirk is mutated from the abilities my parents have: my father possessing the ability of emotional manipulation and my mother to cause targeted blindness. My younger brother, Touji, inherited a "hive mind" quirk that allows him to mentally control large crowds through the use of sounds waves. According to the laws of science and the little we do understand about quirk development, I should have received more of an ability to contort psychological "mind-scapes" like my brother versus the regenerative quirk I was born with.
It's a shame. I was born into this world believing something was inherently wrong with me. Cursed even. My classmates desperately wanted to get to know me and, as little kids typically do, they would unsuspectingly grab me by my hand to drag me out into the sunshine with them. But even through this kind gesture, my body viciously fought back without me even knowing, transmitting any sickness, bruise, scrape, sprain directly to them in exchange for their good health. Over the course of a year since my quirk was awakened, my peers pretended I no longer existed claiming that I brought bad luck and misfortune to anyone I was close to. The ones who did notice me, relentlessly harassed me, questioning the reasons of my very existence. As a little girl, I thought those who belittled me were cruel; but now reflecting on it all, they were fearful of what they couldn't understand.
During this time in primary school, I typically kept my distance from other kids, believing those harsh words they spoke were gospel truth. Hating myself more and more, I sunk into an inconsolable sadness that left me jaded and indifferent to the idea of ever having friends. As much as my parents attempted to keep me tucked away from the cruelty of other children, they, too, couldn't understand the nature of my power. Classmates and teachers alike treated me like a freak of nature with not a single shred of decency, my family loved me but couldn't truly sympathize with my struggle...in this regard, I was truly alone. That was until I met him. In that single instance, the world around me changed dramatically.
If memory serves me right, it was a mild Friday afternoon in October and following the route I typically walked back home, I ran across a couple of boys who were from my class excitedly talking about All Might and his recent victory.
"You mean to tell me, he took down a whole swarm of bad guys without any help from his sidekick?!"
"Of course, dude! He can do anything on his own! There is no one as powerful as him...those villains better watch their backs!"
"I guess you're right. God, I hope I can be like him someday."
Hearing those two chat about the number one hero gave me hope that maybe, one day, my quirk could help those in need as well. Feeling a renewed sense of purpose, I foolishly ran to chime in their conversation.
"You can do it, Goro!" I proudly stated, stoking the boy's ego. Call it a desperate attempt, but my heart needed to connect with someone...anyone at that point. "With a muscle memory quirk like yours, you can be just as good - if not, even better than All Might!"
The boy paused his conversation and turned to meet my eyes. I'll never forget the face he made as his head slowly turned to acknowledge my presence. His red eyes glaring at me with dark intent.
"I don't ever want to hear my name coming out of your mouth again, freak!"
Goro began walking towards me with his friend shadowing just behind. His long, blonde hair hung menacingly below his chin framing a devilish smile.
"As a matter of fact," he continued, "I want to rid of that filthy face completely!"
The boy raised his arm high above my small form. Muscles began to morph on his right bicep, ready and willing to bring me down to the floor with a single punch thrown.
Before I could even react, a boy I didn't recognize shielded me from the blow.
"How could you ever think about hitting a girl!" This strange boy proclaimed loudly as his sweet mouth began to stream blood from the open wound on his lip.
"My pops taught me better! Clearly, you're the filth that this poor girl needs to be rid of!"
The chestnut haired boy grabbed Goro by the collar of his uniform and shoved him down onto the pavement with violent force. Though, still a small grade school kid, this "knight in shining armor" fearlessly took on my classmate who was twice his size with such flawless ease. His fists began to make contact with my bully's stomach; repeatedly hammering down and crashing into his ribs.
Left...punch...
Right...punch...
Left...punch...
"Apologize," the boy yelled as he continued to land brutal hits.
"C-Chisaki...that girl is cursed!" Nervously shuddered the friend who spoke on behalf of Goro.
The nameless boy then ceased his fight and stood up, allowing my two classmates to run far away from the scene. This was the first time anyone stood up for me. Children can be cruel but through this act of innocent bravery, I came to understand that not all children possess the mind of one. People who come into our lives can surprise us like that.
"Let's get out of here! These freaks can have each other!"
"Don't you dare try to hurt her again! My old man and his friends will come find you if you even think about going near her," the stranger shouted as my two harassers retreated deeper into the neighborhood, disappearing into the tangerine sunset.
"So...," the boy turned around to greet me. He began breaking out in hives while vigorously wiping his arms of any trace of blood and saliva with his gloved hands. A pair of beautifully set golden eyes pierced me to my core sending strange waves of warmth and comfort down my spine. I blushed in response. He looked cold in appearance, his voice had a soft, lower pitch that intimidated me but, yet, the energy he had was so inviting to the senses. "Those idiots say you are cursed, huh?"
I slumped, staring at the cracks in the cement...tears trickling down my cheeks, nodding in recognition.
"If it makes you feel any better...I don't see you that way. You're the girl who is always healthy, yeah? A quirk like that is a blessing, really. Besides, a girl like you shouldn't be 'dirtied' by this world, anyways."
He spoke like a man at such a young age, I was floored. Speechless and taken by his formality. My black hair flowed downward, scraping the sidewalk as I bowed in gratitude.
"I can't thank you enough," I sniffled. "I still don't know what's happening to me. My quirk seems to scare everyone - even my family - and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared of it myself. I still don't know how to fully control it."
"Quirks are strange that way...that's why I wear these gloves to keep myself from accidentally activating mine."
The boy smirked with a huge grin that could've eclipsed All Might's signature "camera ready" smile entirely.
"But to be honest," the boy began as his golden orbs locked a firm stare with mine, "I think sometimes that we would be better off without them."
"My name is Akane Satō," I softly spoke.
"The name's Chisaki, but you can call me Kai. It is nice to meet you, Akane."
I remember he innocently grabbed my hand, unafraid of the potential consequences that my quirk could have unleashed. My eyes widened, basking in the possibility of new hope. I finally felt my story taking flight in pursuit of the small beacon of light at the end of my tunnel.
"Would you like me to walk you home? I'm also headed in this direction...just in case you need...I don't know," Kai shyly began scratching the back of his neck, "a bodyguard, maybe?"
Maybe, you can be my hero. That's what I wanted to say. Instead, I grinned and eagerly nodded, accepting his proposition.
You will be my hero...and I will be yours. I wanted to chant these words back to you like a mantra that could never be broken.
You didn't know it at that time, but you saved this outcast in more ways than one. Words failed me back then but, through the mouthpiece of a shy and awkward eight year old, how could I have conveyed to you that you instantly became the most meaningful person in my life? Above my family. Above any hero. You were just a small boy...frail and slender in stature. Even with those stats of yours, you stood mighty against the cruelty I faced daily without the slightest hesitation.
We walked side by side that day - not leaving one ounce of silence to linger between us.