Disclaimer: I do not own Boku No Hero Academia.

CHAPTER XXIV – THE LAST CHAPTERS: CHAINS

In the corner of his eye, All Might saw Tomura brush his bangs in front of his eyes for what was at least the twentieth time. He had to keep his eyes on the road, so he couldn't turn and see if the whole fidgeting around was giving him satisfying results, but by the way Tomura kept pulling it down, it told All Might that it didn't.

"Do you regret cutting your hair?", he asked and the younger one immediately stopped himself from trying to do the impossible with his mop.

"No. It's not the length that's bothering me right now.", he replied quietly and turned his head to watch the passing buildings. This was his way of saying that he wasn't going to add anything else to this conversation.

Another dead end.

The young man was still wearing that long-sleeved shirt from the morning, which he had worn for working in the garden, as well as the same pair of long black jeans. Not only were his clothes stained with earth and probably sweaty, but it was too hot outside to be walking around like this, completely in black no less. All Might didn't comment on it however.

He's not a child anymore; he can wear whatever he wants., he scolded himself.

The skinny man parked his car near Shimbashi station, since he was planning to get some dinner in an Izakaya restaurant around there that had some great food and most importantly, private areas where Tomura didn't have to hide.

All Might was sure that no one was ever going to recognize his face, since he used to hide it behind his father's hand that was now buried somewhere under the rubbles of Tartarus, but Tomura seemed to prefer the 'better safe than sorry' route in this regard and the older man kind of understood. It was still too early trying to push him out of his comfort zone.

When All Might found his perfect spot, Tomura put on a hygienic mask, pulled up his hoodie and followed the man with his back crouched and his face hidden.

There was a greeting to the hero here and there, but mostly they were left in peace. Now that it was April and already this warm, a lot of people spent their evenings outside again and Tomura watched them with a mix of jealousy and disgust.

Why do you still harbour so much hate?

Tomura followed his foster father to the pharmacy, the library and other shops where the man had to get something. When they entered the restaurant, it was already after nine and the place was packed. They were immediately seated in a more secluded area, where Tomura could pull down his hoodie but decided to keep the mask on as long as there was no food served.

All Might placed his bags next to the chair that was standing opposite to Tomura, but did not sit down.

"I will be right back.", he said and left the table including a dumbfounded Tomura alone. Sure, he was probably just going to the bathroom and he was still in the same building but Tomura was still surprised that All Might trusted him this much to leave him alone here, even if only for five minutes.

"Wow, you're a cutie!"

Tomura looked up at a girl that had come out of nowhere, standing next to their table and examining him from top to bottom. Judging by the looks, she was a westerner, though her Japanese seemed rather good.

"What?"

"I said you were cute.", she repeated and grabbed her electronic notepad that would send their orders directly to the kitchen.

Tomura felt his cheeks warm up at her words and at that, the girl laughed directly at his face: "And now you're all red, haha!"

How could she see that when he was still wearing his mask? And why was he getting flustered? He wasn't interested in those sorts of things!

"Anyway, have you decided on anything to drink?"

Already? He just sat down! "No, I.."

Tomura thanked all things heavenly when All Might came back to the table, saving him from his lack of social skills and ordering for the both of them.

Since All Might didn't comment on him ordering some beer all by himself later on, he didn't shy away to repeat the order a few times. When they left, he was sure to have drunk three big glasses. Or four. He couldn't exactly remember. What he could remember was, that he still couldn't hold his liquor.

All Might, who was still sober since he had to drive, lead the way back to the car spot. He was telling a story about him and Gran Torino but Tomura wasn't listening, his eyes focused on the shopping windows and faintly he realized, that his hoodie wasn't pulled up and that he didn't wear his mask anymore, but he didn't care. Passing a Pachinko & Slot establishment on their way, he stopped and gazed at all those pretty lights and screens.

Had All Might realized that wasn't following anymore? He didn't care, the alcohol made him bold.

Why was he so fascinated with games? Tomura entered the establishment, ignoring the fact that he had no money to play and sat down, looking at the screen that was presenting an animation of the latest big shounen anime.

The voice inside his head was a mix of telling him to get back to All Might and at the same time to steal some money from another guy so he could play himself.

Why are you shying away, Tomura?

"Huh?"

You've killed people before, what's some stealing gonna do?

Out of nowhere, a big headache hit him, causing him close his eyes and grab his head.

What the–

When the pain dissolved, he looked back onto the screen and directly into All for One's face. Not the ruined face with the respiratory mask; no, the real All for One, the man that had taken him in. Tomura's heart pounded hard inside his chest and ears and in a second, he was sober again. He got up and slowly stepped away from the machine, turning around and staring into all directions: Why were all of these machines showing his former master's face?!

"You killed them, Shigaraki Tomura."

"You are a tool for killing. You don't mind being one."

The screens spoke to him.

"Don't ever forget that you are mine."

Sudden nausea hit him and Tomura threw up and as someone touched his shoulder, his instincts told him to run, out of the buildings and onto the street were a taxi hit the brakes and horned angrily at him, but he didn't care. He pushed through gatherings of people; he pushed sign boards out of his way and ran into the darkest ally, far away from the ramen shops and other restaurants, from the gambling establishments and the Seven Elevens and Family Marts that seemed to stand at every corner of this district.

He ran until he found himself in some lonely park, where he could gaze at the stunning lightened beauty of Tokyo Tower, but he didn't care. Instead he let himself fall face-forward onto the grass ground, buried his nails into the earth and cried.

"Leave me alone! Just leave me already!"

After all that you've accomplished, you still can't erase who you really are.

There is no forgiveness for someone like you.

You are still his prisoner, still in his chains!

You are so weak. Weak like Shimura Tenko!

There it was again, that voice that filled him with insecurities.

Had he not made it? First his father, then All for One! Had he not reached his goal, being with All Might? Why was his past still following him? Why couldn't he just be happy?

But worst of all: Why had he disappointed All Might again?

His nails let go of the earth and wanted to reach for the skin beneath his clothing, but he was a rudely turned onto his back and two sharp swords were place next left and right to his throat. Heavy boots stood on his wrists, ready to break them like sticks if he decided to do something stupid. Tomura was looking directly into the face of the hero killer.

"Hello little boy.", Stain greeted him, his long ugly tongue sticking out, "Looks like you've gotten a little rusty."

Next to them stood someone Tomura knew all too well, the League of Villain's favourite cosplayer.

"Good evening, Shigaraki.", Spinner greeted.

Great.