The crew finished their food and went back to the Hero Safety Commissions headquarters. The girls collected their things to move to another location. Nezumi made note of Kota not being there along with her stuff. She felt her heart sink as a different voice in her head degraded her for being hopeful.
From this point, things moved quickly for everyone. The decision to become heroes still hadn't been made but was lighting a fire in the girls. They were able to hear more about the schools they could potentially be attending in the future. They were led by Harumi due to Akihito and Keigo being the center of attention when being in public. This led to each girl receiving a smartphone with each person's location on, including Keigo, Harumi, and Akihito. If they needed to meet in private, the girls would find them accordingly to document their discoveries on their quirks, give any new information they remembered, or just to simply communicate.
They news of the raids spread like wildfire. Every news station, both locally and internationally were constantly talking about new breakthroughs that were being made during the investigations. There were some happy stories of children who were kidnapped being reunited with their families. Though the trauma they endured held uncertainties for their futures. Someone from the States started a grant for the children upon hearing of this news. The young head of Color Pop Industries wanted to help the Hero Public Safety Commissions with ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children and teens that were rescued, begging anyone that had more information to come forward for some of the suspects at large with the offer of 1m yen for each successful capture of the remaining few who escaped.
Neighbors near the Rumi Apartments spoke out about how they were unaware of the things that were happening so close to them. They claimed to not notice the amount of traffic going in and out of the apartment due to secret entrances that were controlled by quirks. While Harumi suggested that they not investigate the news, the girls insisted.
Hisoki Kawari, Tomiko Murasaki, and Koiso Chinen were all looking at the death sentence due to the severity of their crimes against minors. Each girl had seen each head of the Apartments that were being ran at some point during the time spent there.
Koiso Chinen oversaw the facility that housed Shizuka, formerly known as Shiro. Shizuka shared that Koiso always got excited when she caused harm to the others that had experiments performed on them. Shizuka learned that if she didn't react, she would get bored quickly. She explained that the scars on her body had nothing to do with her quirk, but because Koiso wanted to see if anything made her squirm. Nezumi and Topaz clenched their jaws and fists as they listened, trying not to interject their anger.
Topaz was over saw by Tomiko Murasaki. This surprised Nezumi, but not Shizuka. Shizuka saw Topaz in passing but never interacted. Topaz had to get her wounds treated without seeking medical attention from an actual hospital. Koiso patched the kids up even though she insisted on keeping them for her experiments.
Nezumi always saw Tomiko as a kind person anytime he came to visit the other kids. But with the dots connecting, she realized he would bring some of the older girls to his complex so that his men could do things with them. The kids in her housing never spoke of the things that happened with the monsters that came for "services." The older ones wanted the younger ones to live normally and comforted them when they could.
Tomiko would let his men abuse the kids most of the time. They were able to know when child welfare services were coming to visit due to inside sources. She never knew how they never saw the kids and the conditions they were in without raising speculation. Nezumi wanted to say something but didn't. She knew why but wasn't sure if Topaz was ready to hear the information she had.
What would she think of you after she finds out about what you've done? The voice in her head rang loud as she tried to push it out. There were so many new aspects going into play that she wasn't sure when the right time to share this info was. Shizuka pressed her thigh against Nezumi's, and it brought her back. Even though the voice simmered, she had comfort that leveled her.
It was a common trend between them all. They tried not to cut the other off as they spoke of their pasts. Mostly with the bad they realized how each one faced different horrors that tortured them each day. It was always an exhausting vent for each of them. Each time they spoke of the things they knew, they would always fall asleep after, piling together.
It was something that they didn't understand but brought them comfort. The thought of staying with them was a thought that was constantly in Nezumi's mind. This didn't stop the insecurities of them leaving her like Kota did. She hadn't seen Kota or heard from her since Kota cut ties with her. That's because she's disgusted with you.She ignored it as she continued to press forward with her new friends, but the thoughts still lingered.
She wanted to reach out to her and apologize even though it didn't matter. She knew that Kota wouldn't care enough to give her gratification, but she craved any form of validation from her. It made her feel guilty because of the time she had been spending with Topaz, Shizuka, and even Harumi. They made her feel heard and like she could let her guard down around them.
Still, the guilt of not being enough to keep her friend around broke her when she was left alone with her thoughts. She thought of the time she had been spending with Shizuka and Topaz, admiring them and the way they were unique. There were moments of adoration that leaked into other territory that Nezumi couldn't understand.
She stared at Topaz as she snored. Her full lips fluttered with each snore because of her tusks as her long crimson hair trickled over shoulders and face. Surprisingly, she was the same age as Shizuka, both fourteen yet completely different. Topaz was 5'11 and still growing while Shizuka stood at 4'10. Their features were like night and day, both beautiful in their own ways and it made Nezumi feel insecure in her own looks.
Nezumi appreciated Topaz's features and stature. Whenever Topaz got close, she could feel her heart beat fast and any time their skin touched electricity would pulsate through her body and made her groin flinch. She hated the feeling she got though she didn't notice Topaz's eyes lingering on her as well. Neither of them had a moment alone long enough to relieve the tension building within their own bodies.
Shit. Nezumi thought to herself as she felt her body grow warm. It was a feeling that came more frequently that she denied it. She got up to get a cold glass of water to slightly alleviate the feeling. Sometimes it worked, other times it didn't. She ignored the sensation as she tried to settle in the cuddle pile, trying not to have vulgar thoughts of her new favorite people.
These newfound feelings managed to not disrupt the routine that the girls fell into with one another. The girls would try to gauge each other's quirks daily. Topaz was eating constantly but burning stamina and gaining muscle almost as if something just switched in her. Shizuka noticed that Topaz was taking pills that were given to her by Harumi. She wondered if it was to help Topaz with training considering her muscle mass was showing a clear change.
Each day they made little progress but found joy in discovering new aspects of their quirks. They had the freedom to move around and that was more than one had had in her own life. Shizuka was growing slightly, and the color of her skin went from porcelain to having a slight peach tone. She had yet to smile but she still managed to bring comfort to the others. Shizuka knew she was the voice of reason, and that didn't bother her in the slightest.
The day had come when the girls had to decide if they wanted to go forward. The President of the HPSC had summoned them to her office each girl waiting as the elevator climbed to the top. Akihito and Keigo were accompanying them as well during this time, ensuring last minute questions being answered and information being given.
"Usually in situations like this, we assign names to those we plan on giving new identities to; however, we gave you the option of coming up with your own. Do you have an idea as to what you wanted your names to be?" Akihito wore his hair slicked back; bags long formed under his eyes. The girls stood quiet for a moment til Shizuka spoke.
"Eun-ji Shizuka. One name was chosen, the other was given. That is what I want to be referred to from here on out." Shizuka stared Akihito in the eyes as she spoke, making him understand that she wasn't going to give him any room for suggestions. This wasn't a problem due to Akihito promising some freedoms, knowing soon that they will be restricted to training and enhancing their quirks.
"Takao Topaz," Topaz bursted brightly. Everyone gave quizzical stares because they weren't sure if Topaz understood the assignment. Akihito furrowed his brows and spoke, "I don't think it would be wise to use a name you've been going b—" Topaz put her hand up, cutting Akihito off. "I didn't start til the day of the raid. N' I only started when I introduced myself to Nezumi. Other than her, Shizuka, n' Hawks, no one else knows that's the name I prefer."
Akihito nodded as everyone turned to Nezumi. She had a look of concentration and finally responded, "Sakuran Etstumi, but I want to go by Umi." Akihito had a small look of concern but didn't protest. He knew that with this, they would be more inclined to recreate themselves moving forward.
The elevator dinged, signaling that they had reached the top floor. They exited the elevator, Harumi waiting on the other side to lead the way. The top floor was just the whole room, the biggest office that they ever thought possible. Shizuka noticed the person she assumed as the president and a recorder near a typewriter to the side. They all stood evenly, sided by side as they waited for instruction. Topaz was jittery as she hopped from one foot to the other every so often. Umi stood still as she looked the President head on. Shizuka avoided eye contact, waiting for the thick silence to be cut.
"Hello there girls, I am the President of the Heroes Public Safety Commissions. You will be referring to me as Madame President and only that. The less you know about me the better." She was curt, poised, and radiated power. Each word she spoke was clear, concise, and calculated. Madame President clicked her heals, echoing throughout the large room despite the insulation.
"As of now, we have a surfaced level of trust with one another. You all roam freely, but have no access to information, which is arguably more powerful than money. You may not see it that way as of now but will one day. We here at the Safety Commissions oversee keeping the peace all over Japan and even sending some of our heroes out to other countries."
The recorder began to type away at their keys as she spoke. Each clack and click sent a wave of unease through Akihito. He knew that the HPSC approached things in different ways. He wondered if she would have a more direct approach, or one that they used for hopeful heroes, promising the safety of the country.
"I want to make it clear. What we do here is not conventional. What we do here does not fall into the 'black and white' category the public thinks heroes represent. We at the Heroes Public Safety Commissions keep a public image while also working in the shadows. I will not lie with this—there will be moments where you will stain your hands with blood."
Akihito was surprised with this approach. He knew that they were desperate for new heroes with top tier quriks, but he wasn't sure what these girls wanted enough to put their life and mentalities on the line to serve the public. "Bold of ya to say things so brash." Topaz said in a slightly shaking tone. It was unlike her to show any kind of insecurity, and this made Umi feel off, but she kept her composure.
"To be frank, you are children with no resources or credibility. Tell me, are you okay with going back to your old life? You have been taking advantage of some of our resources that will be stripped should you decide to leave." Topaz stood straight up with her head down. "Also, I'm aware that there are two of you that have lost people close to you. You would be able to have more information than the police and investigators have. This means you would be able to find closure in the wounds you attempt to hide."
Umi's body slightly twitched as she heard Madam President's words. There were many thoughts that went through her head, wondering if she would have the ability to find out who killed her family. She was more alert to the possibilities this could have.
"And then there's the other who has no idea who they are or where they came from. Unfortunately, we do not have more information, however, you would have the opportunity to lead your own investigation when you aren't in school or training here." Despite the promise, this aspect didn't grab Shizuka's attention. She had already made her decision long ago and had no desire to know where she came from or what her name was. This was an empty reach on the PHSC's side, and she wasn't phased in the slightest.
"The plan from here on out, should you choose to be Heroes of this country, will consist of separated training." Umi parted her lips, but Madam President put her hand up to silence her. "This will take over in the span of a year, meaning this time next year, you will be preparing to take some exams. We want you to be accepted into a hero school to be integrated into the society and experiences you were denied.
"During your first year you must excel in every aspect while enhancing your quirks. By your second year you will apply and succeed in achieving a provisional license and scale back on the schoolwork, only attending school four days a week. The other days dedicated to the HPSC and orders that are given to you."
Hawks signaled to Madam President to voice his question. "Madam President, my, Lady Nagant's, and other heroes who work for the HPSC always trained within designated areas. Why are they being sent to a hero school? This seems a little unorthodox for the HPSC."
Madam President closed her eyes to indicate her annoyance towards the question. It seemed simple enough to ask but uncertain of the intentions. "It is. This situation is a more… Delicate situation. You three have already seen the ugly reality that they do not teach in the hero schools. While the provisional licenses give a more hands on experience, this does not make those who are put into hero society capable of being heroes.
"The logic behind it is that being closed off and tortured by society, you are more inclined to turn against it. But the idea is that working alongside hopeful, ignorant, and normal aspiring heroes may give more of a push to do the ugly work that is done in the shadows. There is a chance it could not work, and we can use you as mercenaries, but we would like to have more fresh faces appeal to the public.
"And to be quiet frank, you all may be able to add a spin on the next generation of heroes. Adding your own insight and experiences to help inexperienced children to have what we call… Common sense in the hero world. Working together from the beginning, deciding when and who to help in disasters, and so on. Being a hero is one of the most selfless jobs in society. Somedays the rewards may not outweigh the grief." The silence was unbearable after she stopped talking. Even the clicking of the typewriter was drowned out by the silence and the weight of her words.
"While we have given you time to think about it, you must come to a decision today. You will not be given the same opportunity in the future. You will not have the same resources you do now. Moving forward, you will not be able to contact those you previously lived with. If you choose to pledge your entirety to the safety of the country, you will be greatly rewarded throughout different stages of your career. Keigo and Harumi are prime examples of what we are able to provide for them."
I stood quietly as my heartbeat echoed through my ears. Despite not having Kota around there was a chance of having closure with my family's death. I won't be able to see the kids I grew close to over the years but that really matter if they were being provided for?
You're thinking like a fool. The voice in my head was back and sounded malicious, his words oozing like an infected wound. But I need this. I need to know what happened to my family. He chuckled at me, and I could imagine him hovering over me, whispering in my ears.
What makes you think you would live long enough to find anything out? From the looks of it, you'll be disposable the moment you aren't useful anymore. They'll be the same as that bitch Kota. They'll leave you all alone like the pathetic mess you are.Despite how deep his words cut, I didn't care in that moment. I had been fighting the urge to join, but with this information I know that there are records and information that wouldn't be available to me otherwise.
Inhaling, I stepped forward and bowed forward slightly, "I, Sakuran Etsumi, pledge myself to ensure the safety of the country." My voice came out confidently but inside I was uncertain. Topaz and Shizuka came forward and imitated my motions and words. Madam President gave us more information and informed us why the Recorder was present. The information shared will be put on record and our names as well, sealing our new identities.
Mentions of the Raid will be redacted from our lives moving forward and any information gathered previously will be used to the best of their ability in the court hearings. When I turned back, I saw Akihito with the first look of pity I have ever seen. His eyes looked sad, and it confirmed to me that we made a difficult decision. Upon entering the elevator, all of us, adults included, exhaled simultaneously. We had all been holding our breaths it seemed.
"I'm surprised you agreed to it, Etsumi," Harumi said after the elevator dinged to indicate it descend. "Just Umi," I responded as I felt my knees go weak. I leaned back against the elevator wall. She nodded, making note of it in her papers. The rest of the descent was quiet as the weight of my decisions loomed over me like a festering thunderstorm. You think your life was bad before, but now it's about to get worse.But was it really? Could it really get worse from here?
Once we got to the bottom, Keigo pulled us to the side as Harumi and Akihito went to start the process on our new identities. "Hey, so, there's something else you all have to do while you're training with us." I saw Topaz cross her arms defensively and I did the same. For some reason, I felt the need to mimic her response to this. "It would be best if you all came to the therapist here at headquarters. You think you won't need it, but it really will help with the transition. Just think about it, kay?"
Keigo explained to us that we would be parting ways soon, which didn't set right with Shizuka. She began to protest because she didn't want to sleep alone, but Keigo assured her that she would be roomed with some sidekicks that would also be in the vicinity of the hero she would be mentoring under. He didn't know who or where we were going just yet, but he had some ideas.
It was the first time I had seen Shizuka react the way she did when we heard the news. Since Kota had parted ways, she had been by my side like a parasite. Not that I minded but it was unusual to me how she just clung to someone that was previously a stranger. Keigo looked slightly indifferent as he explained, "This is so you can learn how to work with others. You all going to a hero school means you must break out of this pile you've all thrown yourselves into. There is no guarantee that you will be in the same class or living in the same area."
This was news to us.
They made everything seem as though it were a team effort. Even so, we didn't think going to different schools would be plausible enough to talk about it. Divide and conquer. It will make it easier for them to make you dogs to the public.That thought wasn't entirely wrong and part of me agreed with it. They made their intentions with us clear, and they were very honest about the things we may experience.
"Hey Keigo," I had to ask him to be sure, "Have you ever had to kill anyone?" He looked up from his phone, making eye contact. Despite how calm and collected he tried to appear; I could feel that he was suddenly uneasy. There was a deep inhale before he responded to the question, Shizuka and Topaz both looking with slight anticipation. "Yeah. I have. And you all will have to eventually too."
The weight of his answer was heavy but not something we shouldn't have expected. Most heroes in the public do what they can to secure and ensure justice. However, in some situations, there have been heroes who killed publicly and were blacklisted. It occurred to me that this is exactly what the Hero Public Safety Commissions was for. Hiding in the shadows to ensure the peace of the country. When saying it, we look to society for the standards, not realizing the work that goes into the safety of those day to day.
The following week, we were called back to be introduced to our new "guardians." Akihito told us starting by that Wednesday, we were going to be parting ways and that our endurance would be intense.
"Shizuka," Akihito extended a large envelope to her. "This will be your new information with a passport and other forms of identification going forward. We are pairing you up with Fukukado Emi." Just then, a woman broke through the door to make an entrance. She was loud as she introduced herself to Shizuka.
Akihito moved on to Topaz, giving the same information and introducing her to several people calling themselves the "Wild Wild Pussycats." It made me wonder if I was going to be grouped or paired with someone. Topaz seemed more enthusiastic with her mentors than Shizuka was. Topaz seemed excited and slightly honored that they thought she needed more than one mentor to handle her. Shizuka, on the other hand, was overwhelmed by her mentor's personality.
Finally, Akihito gave me my papers and told me that I would be guided by… Keigo? "Is this a mistake?" I asked, not sure if they did this because they were short on heroes or if this was joke, they wanted to play on me. I didn't think that there would be much for him to teach me considering he would be in the spotlight for the foreseeable future.
"No, Madam President had this in her mind since she met you apparently." Akihito gave a sympathetic smile, his exhaustion showing on his face making him look older. He looks like him—
I pushed the voice aside as it tried to speak. I looked over to Keigo who looked as sheepish as I felt. There was no way I was going to be getting along with him as well as I was hoping for. There was just something about him that seemed, off—Like I constantly made him feel like he was being read. Then again, I was always observing the things around me. Still, it looked as though he had something that he wanted to share with me but didn't know how to articulate it.
After going over our information, the prefectures we would be staying in, and ensuring that we would each be provided constant communication through our phones, we parted ways from headquarters into the city of Kyushu. Shizuka leaned against me as we walked, very much exhausted by the brief interaction that she had with her new teacher. "Apparently she's a teacher at one of the schools we may be attending. Her quirk makes people laugh and she said she couldn't wait to have me a part of her team."
Shizuka's silver hair cascaded from her neat braid. A question suddenly hit me as she continued to talk. I paused, looking at her and asked, "Shizuka, did you ever attend school?" Her eyes took an icy blue as she stared into mine. For a moment, I didn't thing she heard the question that left my lips. "No, but I did receive some type of education. I can read and write. I know some other things but never got to attend anything really. I think they wanted me to know enough about what was going on for them to enjoy the torment I went through."
Topaz's fists tightened as they usually did in situations like this. She turned to Shizuka and knelt enough to be eye-to-eye. "If anyone ever does anythin like that to you again, tell me n' I'll take care of it." Topaz gripped her hands firmly in her own. Shizuka formed her lips in the same curl it usually did, trying to imitate a smile.
I held my pinky towards them, adding in my part, "Same goes for you, Topaz. If anyone ever makes you feel less than you are, I'll kick their asses. Promise." They both looked at me in confusion, not understanding why I was holding my pinky out in the way that I did.
This told me a lot about what kind of life these two lived. While there were times I wanted to die, I was loved at one point. I got to go to school. I knew who my parents were, how they looked, how they sounded, and had nice things. Books I could read for days and supplies I could use to create. I had birthdays and celebrated holidays and festivals. I once had friends and family that loved me. They didn't.
I could feel my eyes well up over this sudden realization. And while what I went through was awful, it made me wonder what it would've been like not having any of that and still going through the same things. Being hurt and knowing only that. Being used and only feeling that. Finding comfort in someone I had just met but instantly trusted because I understood that they were safe. The reason Topaz introduced herself to me. The reason Shizuka clung on to me. The connection was unmistakable but was still clouded in mystery.
"When you make a promise, you cross pinkies. If you break the promise, your finger is broken by the person you let down. Usually, you lock pinkies then kiss the tip of your thumb, sealing the promise with a kiss—At least, that's the way my mama explained it." The tears fell softly as they looked at me with concern. Both girls quickly wrapped their fingers around mine and followed the ritual I explained then hugged me. The rubbed their cheeks on either side of mine as they tried to comfort me.
It's silly to come to this realization only to be comforted by the ones who need it more. And still, we stood like that for minutes, indulging on the comfort we gave each other before having to let go and walk home. Soon, my birthday would pass without anyone knowing. Soon, we would be in different places without one another, and I hoped we remained as close as we are now.
But you won't. He cackled at me. I don't care. I'm going to enjoy this. I told this to myself because I knew he would try to fight me on it. But I truly didn't care. This is where I needed to be in this moment.
Suddenly, my heart stopped. Everyone on the street had their attention on the screens that were on the buildings. A breaking news flashed across the screen as I felt my legs become weak. Both Topaz and Shizuka turned when they realized the others around them staring. When they looked up, they saw her too.
Kota was on the screen, except she looked different. Her once pink hair was now a cyan color, and her clothes were very pastel. Apparently, she had become popular within the last month on some social media platforms and rose quickly. However, this wasn't the reason she was on the screen. In the short amount of time we have parted ways, she decided to get famous as quickly as possible to reveal herself as one of the Red Roofs victims.
She didn't mean a word she said. She just wanted to be rid of you.Suddenly the world around me began to recede, losing color and focus. All the color disappeared from around me and began to form in a pool on the floor then began to take shape. Even though there was no definition or detail, I knew that my uncle stood before me. No matter where I went, he always followed, manifesting in one way or another.
She said she didn't want to be around you because you made it hard. She said she couldn't handle it because you made her sick.She didn't say that did she?Look at her! She's eating up all the attention and I never even had her be with a client. Ha! She left you to start over and yet she clings onto the thing that anyone would ever give her attention for. What a liar.
His words oozed like puss from an infected wound. Every word he spat was hot and angry. It was almost never ending as I could feel my knees buckle from under me. Despite her not wanting to be around, I wouldn't be able to escape her in the way I thought I would. I thought I would never see her again unless it was by chance once we had gotten older. Now, I might see her face everywhere if someone cares enough about the raids.
I felt myself curl into a ball, covering my ears with the palms of my hands, trying to block out the noise. I couldn't feel anything anymore. I think my body was shutting down, but I wasn't sure. Everything vibrated and yet I felt nothing. What is going on with me?
I know someone is trying to bring me back to reality, but my body can't process any of the feelings and senses that it usually does. So, I wait.
I wait.
I wait.
I wait.
Suddenly I look up and we are in a café. I'm sitting at a seat facing the outside and my hands are still to my ears. Both Topaz and Shizuka are sitting to the left of me, heads down in the same manner I was, except they seemed to be sleeping. I lowered my hands and stood up, back cracking and hands feeling stiff. What happened?
I gently walked over to them, placing my hands gently on their shoulders. Shizuka sat up quickly, yet with grace. Her movements were so fluid that she didn't seem to have the same issues I did. Topaz snored slightly and woke herself up. She had a bit of slobber running down the corner of her tusk and I laughed, making her blush. She quickly wiped her mouth with her sleeve and stood up.
After I "blacked out," they managed to lead me here, but I gave no response to any of their efforts. The waited until they accidentally fell asleep. When I asked them why they were positioned the way that I was, Shizuka responded, "We didn't want you to feel alone when you finally came to."
It… didn't entirely make sense, but I appreciated the effort. Soon, I was mentally prepared enough to go outside, knowing I might see her as we made our way home to pack. Now this was something I was going to struggle with in a more visible manner. How in the world was I going to make it without them?
She told you those things simply because she didn't want to deal with a parasite like you. Kota knows how hard you were to deal with and yet, you still couldn't take the hint. What a naive little mouse you are.