Wow.
Just... wow. Seriously. I did not expect so many reactions. I'M SO HAPPY! I've got so many reviews and awesome comments and you guys are simply fantastic! I had been working on Hagane/Ren for a while now, and I was really excited to finally reveal everything, and your reactions went beyond expectations. Anyway, I love you guys so much, and I know that I don't post often but, again: I'm using the Anime pace! I can't post if the episode isn't out yet!
On another note, I apologize for this rather short chapter, but I can promise you this: the next one is MUCH longer AND it'll come out next weekend. So, without holding you up any longer...
Warning: Kira's language, Kira's decision and Kira's pain
Enjoy!
A few hours before the Heroes' intervention
Hospital
::
Kirishima checked his phone. "Yaoyorozu said to let her think about it. I wonder, though…"
"Well, no matter how fired up we are, we're not going anywhere without her help," pointed out Shoto.
"We can still use Deku," pointed out Jiro, the cat in her arms. She was having a hard time keeping him in place. "I'm telling you, he's trying to go after her."
"Maybe, but it's still- oh! Yaoyorozu!" greeted the red-haired boy, before noticing another figure behind him. "Midoriya!"
"Wait!"
The five students startled, turning to see their class representative coming their way, a scowl firmly planted on his lips.
"Of all people… you guys should know better!" he barked Izuku and Shoto's way. "Especially you two, who criticized me for my rash actions and who, like me, had to receive a special pardon in the end! Why are you about to commit the same blunder I did!? This is foolish!"
"What're you talking about?" protested Kirishima.
"We're still under protection, and U.A.'s already facing hard times as it is. Who do you think will have to take responsibility for your actions?"
"That's not how it is, Iida," assured Izuku, frowning. "Nobody said we're gonna break any laws-"
Without warning, Iida punched him right in the face. Jiro cursed loudly while Yaoyorozu stifled a gasp, and the two other boys tensed.
"I HAVE REGRETS TOO, AND OF COURSE I'M WORRIED!" snapped the bespectacled boy. "I'M YOUR CLASS PRESIDENT! NATURALLY, I WORRY ABOUT MY CLASSMATES! AND NOT JUST BAKUGO AND KIRA-SAN!" He took in a deep breath. "Seeing you hurt earlier… reminded me of my injured brother! What happens when your little vigilante act… takes you somewhere there's no coming back from, like my brother? Are you saying you don't give a damn!? Are you saying you don't care about how I feel here!?"
"… Iida-"
"Iida," called Shoto, calmer. "You don't seriously think we're planning to smash down the door, guns blazing, do you?"
"…"
"We're getting them back without fighting," added Kirishima. "It's gonna be a covert mission! That's how we Heroes in training can fight on the right side of the law!"
"I trust you, Todoroki-san, but, worse comes to worst, I should be there as backup," then announced Yaoyorozu. "Which is why I'm coming too."
"Yaoyorozu…!"
"I'm… not really sure I get it," admitted Izuku. "But the thought that we can still reach them… I just can't sit around doing nothing. I need… I need to go save them!"
"There's no swaying you, uh…?" Iida sighed, replacing his glasses. "In that case, take me with you!"
"You should make up your mind, you know?" sweatdropped Jiro, before shaking her head. "Whatever. We should really get going now. The more time we loose… the more at risk our friends are."
The other five nodded in agreement and, on that note, they left the hospital grounds.
.
.
They were now on the train, heading for Yokohama City, in Kanagawa. It was a two-hour train ride, so they'd get there around 10 P.M.
"Err… did anyone tell the others about the details of this mission?" then inquired Izuku, curious.
"Yeah. And then they wasted their time trying to stop us," confirmed Shoto, not really bothered by it.
"Uraraka was really harsh about it, just to drive the point home," added Kirishima.
"'Harsh' is an understatement," scoffed Jiro, mindlessly playing with Deku. "She sure knows how to get to your feelings."
::
"I'm sure Bakugo will consider it disgraceful to get rescued… And Kira-chan… She's always trying her hardest to protect us. How do you think she'd feel if one of you gets hurt while trying to save her?"
::
"Let me say this much: what we're about to do is a selfish thing that won't be accepted by anyone, even Bakugo. Kira will surely understand, but she won't be happy about it. If you wanna turn back, there's still time," pointed out Shoto.
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't completely sure about this," scoffed Kirishima, munching on a meat bun. "Plus, Bakugo's not the kind of dude that'll let a Villain boss him around, and we all know how Red One can get when it comes to people telling her what she can and can't do."
"For all we know, she already burnt down the place," snorted Jiro.
That earned a few chuckles and some smiles. While the situation was dire, and what they were about to do was risky, they also knew that both of their friends could very well stand on their own. The Villains had made a mistake in targeting Katsuki, considering his ambition, and they had made a second mistake in taking Kira, knowing her short temper and her history with Hagane.
Their third mistake was to capture them both. Knowing them, those two were surely driving the Villains insane with their constant bickering, and that was a rather reassuring thought.
.
.
"We're here! It's Kamino Ward!"
Two hours after their departure, they had finally reached their destination.
"Guess those jerks are hiding out somewhere around here," grunted the red-haired boy. "Sure is crowded. So, where to, Yaoyorozu?"
"Just wait a second!" the girl stopped him. "From now on, we must exercise extreme vigilance! The Villains know our faces!"
"Right, gotta be all covert," nodded Izuku, hiding his face.
"We can't very well scout the neighborhood like that, though," pointed out Iida.
"We can just buy costumes or something- whoa, calm down!" The purple-haired girl had more and more difficulties holding the cat in place. "Kira's around here, that's for sure."
"Costumes?" echoed Kirishima.
"There's a cheap shop over there," pointed Yaoyorozu. "Let's go."
"Let's move fast," agreed Shoto.
And move fast they did. Barely five minutes later, they all stepped out of the shop, all looking extremely out of character. Shoto was dressed as some sort of Yakuza member, Yaoyorozu looked like a much older woman, Iida seemed to be a server in a cheap Italian restaurant, Kirishima… was wearing something, though his hair was down, so it was already a lot, and Izuku was completely out of character, dressed as a thug with a goatee.
As for Jiro, well…
"I can't believe I'm wearing this," sweatdropped the girl.
She was dressed as a cat lady. Like, literally. She had an heavy fur coat, a gigantic hat that covered her distinct earlobes, and Deku was still trapped in her arms-
"Shit!"
Well, no, he wasn't in her arms anymore. Too preoccupied with the coat that kept falling off, her grasp had loosened, and the cat had used the opportunity to slip through her fingers.
Instantly, he disappeared into the crowd.
"Shit!" she repeated, throwing the coat and the hat away. "I'm going after him, you guys catch up as soon as you can!"
"Wait, Jiro-"
"Oh, it's U.A.!"
The students stiffened, but Jiro was already running away. She could still see the cat running ahead, so that was good thing, but she held no doubt that she'd loose him soon enough if he didn't slow down.
Thank god for this stamina training Kira put me through.
"Deku! Deku, wait- damn it, I told you to wait!"
Taking a sharp turn, she almost ran into someone, though that person caught her before she could fall.
"Thanks, sorry about… that…" She gulped, only now recognizing who she had ran into. "A-All Might!?"
"Young Jiro… what are you doing here?"
Startled, it took her a few seconds to realize that, behind him… were numerous other Heroes, along with dozens of police officers in full combat attires.
They're coming to save Kira and Bakugo, she realized. But… they're not heading the same way the others are? Then there must be more than one hideout!
"I've come after Kira," she admitted, picking up the cat that had miraculously stopped when seeing the Heroes. "Her cat tracked her all the way here, so I thought maybe I'd be able to figure out her's and Bakugo's location."
"This is not a mission for a student," he retorted, frowning.
"I know! I just wanted to find them, so that I could tell you where to find them!" She was lying, more or less. "I know I can't engage them, I'm not stupid either."
"And you came alone?"
"Yes." There was no hesitation. She wasn't about to rat the others out. Plus, if she told them, then the Heroes would be distracted. "So you've found them?"
The Top Hero simply nodded. The girl bit her lower lip.
"Then… let me come with you." His eyes widened, and she shook her head. "Not to fight! I just… I just want to make sure they're safe! I'm better suited for stealth missions, I can help you guys infiltrate it, and then hang back while you handle it!"
"Young Jiro-"
"All Might, we're moving in soon!" warned one of the officers.
"Understood!" He reported his attention to her. "Young Jiro… I admire your sense of friendship. And, while it is not a wise decision, I also know that you'll be going even if I tell you not to." The purple-haired girl blushed a little at that, somewhat sheepish. "However! You must stay by a Heroes' side at all time, and obey every command you are given. Is that understood?"
"H-hai!" I can't believe he accepted!
"Good. Edgeshot!"
After a few seconds, the Hero appeared. He glanced at the student, before reporting his attention to All Might.
"What is it?"
"Young Jiro here is going to lend us support for the infiltration of the building," he announced. "Would you mind keeping an eye on her?"
"I'll do what I can," agreed easily the ninja-like Hero. If All Might was telling him to, then surely it was a good idea. "Come with me, kid."
"R-right!"
.
.
"So?"
"They're in the building," confirmed the girl. She was kneeling on the ground, her earphone jacks planted into the wall. "Kira and Bakugo are here, at the door. The Villains with them… nine of them. You should move fast, I think they know you're planning something."
"Understood," nodded Edgeshot, before turning on his transmitter. "Nine Villains confirmed, two hostages confirmed. Hostages near the door, so limit the range of damage. They're aware of something, though, so we'll probably need a distraction-"
Without warning, though, Deku suddenly ran into the building. Jiro blinked as, thanks to her Quirk, she heard the window breaking farther down the hall, followed by loud exclamations.
"Go," she let out, eyes wide. Realizing no one was moving, she snapped her head at Edgeshot. "Go! The cat distracted them!"
"Launch the attack now!" ordered instantly the Hero.
"Roger!"
Jiro let out a short breath as the action started, pulling away from the hall. Kira was there, and so was Bakugo, but she hadn't hear anything from the rest of the group she had come with. They had surely gone to the second hideout, and she couldn't help but feel a little smug.
I was right about the cat all along!
She didn't know her good mood wouldn't last much longer.
.
.
More or less five minutes later
Second hideout, students' rescue group
::
There was a loud noise, followed by some coughing. The noise echoed again and, this time, a familiar voice echoed.
"That thing… tastes nasty… The hell was that?"
Kira, realized Izuku. It's Kira!
"I… don't know…" Katsuki was apparently with her, coughing too. "It stinks…"
The five students were frozen in place by the killing intent emanating from the new Villain that had showed up and, most of all, their fear. They had believed everything would end well, but then that unknown enemy had shown up and blown everyone away…
And now, their friends were here too, facing that very enemy head on.
"Apologies… Bakugo, Suttoki…" The voice was hollow, chilling.
Izuku would have screamed in frustration if he wasn't so terrified.
My body wouldn't move back then. That's why I couldn't save him! But now… now, I'm frozen out of fear, while he's right over there… And Kicchan's here too… All For One mustn't have realized we're here, or he wouldn't be talking so freely right now. It's about six or seven meters to them from here! I could use Full Cowling and reach them in a second… But what then? Could we really get away? Where to? I wouldn't be able to grab them both anyway… And everyone else would be in big trouble too! We need a plan here, for everyone! Either way, I have to do something! If I don't act now, then… then…
Before he could muster up the strength to move, though, Iida suddenly grabbed him to keep him in place. Startled, the boy didn't fight back, and they kept on listening, trying to figure out what to do.
All Might then showed up, though Shoto didn't really noticed. All he could focus on was how Kira was just there, not even ten meters away. From what he could hear, she was trapped. She had mentioned something about Ren spilling information just now, and his mind was working fast, putting the pieces together.
::
"It's Ren! He's-"
::
That's what she tried to tell them, back in the forest. Ren was actually the mole all along, and she found out, and that was why Hagane took her. But would her brother actually do that?
To protect her, he would.
The fight started. He was listening with a distracted ear, trying to think of some sort of plan to put into action. He needed to help her, get her away from that psycho, save her… but how? If he rushed in without a plan, then he'd only make things harder for everyone.
"Oh, trying to fight back?" He then heard Hagane. He was closer now. "How… annoying. Look, I told you I'd let you go as soon as I was done with my stuff, right? Why bother fighting back?"
"As if I'd let a Villain boss me around!" she snapped, and some sort of relief washed over him despite the situation. She hadn't changed at all despite what she had just gone through. "I'm not some toy you can play with, Hagane! I'm going to stop you, even if it's the last thing I do!"
A weak smile found its way to his lips. It would seem that Kira could hold her own for a little while longer.
The smile quickly disappeared, though, when he realized that the situation was only becoming worst. If they didn't act quickly, then Kira and Bakugo would be taken again. And this time... This time, there would be no way to find them.
She'll be out of my reach.
"Argh! You little devil!" suddenly cursed the black-haired man.
There was a hiss, one the boy easily recognized.
Her cat? Shoto blinked, surprised. Then Jiro was right, Deku was actually looking for Kira…
"Eat that!" It was followed by the distinct sound of someone hitting metal.
There was a gasp, a crack, a crash. A cloud of dust rose above the wall, and it took him a few seconds to realize that Hagane had landed barely three meters away from the wall behind which they were hiding. Unable to help it, he twisted his head and peeked through one of the numerous holes in the wall. At first, he could only see dust, but he soon spotting the glittering metal of a broken mask.
Hagane's?
"Meow!"
"Deku?"
He shifted his glance to the source of the voice. He couldn't see very well, but it really was the ginger. Her hair was a wild mess, she was handcuffed, she wasn't wearing any shoes and, from what he could see, her hands were heavily injured. There was also some blood tainting her shirt, her shoulder obviously injured.
"Ah, shit… I can't believe this just happened…" Hagane groaned, extremely close to their hideout now.
Shoto narrowed his eyes when realizing that all of the other fights had stopped, everyone curious enough to set aside their battles to see Hagane's face.
Wait… He then spotted something caught in the cat's claws. A wig…?
"Got caught by that damned… damned… achoo! Damned cat…"
He's allergic to cats? He realized. That tidbit of information was familiar, somehow.
Hagane sneezed yet again. Where did he hear about it?
Think, think, think!
As the dust slowly settled down, he could make out his shape, slowly rising back up.
There was a flash of white.
No way.
His hair was white. Hagane's hair was white.
White hair and allergic to cats.
Could this be…?
Kira choked down a disbelieving gasp. Shoto could only watch, along with the rest of his classmates, as Hagane took something off his face and threw it on the ground.
Blue contacts…?
"No way…" murmured Yaoyorozu.
"This.. this can't be happening…" Kirishima bit out.
"Well, guess the cat's out of the bag, uh?" Hagane then joked, sneezing again.
No, not Hagane. Shoto felt sick. It's…
"Ren…?"
"Yo."
Yaoyorozu slapped an hand over her mouth. Izuku's eyes were wide, unfocused. Iida couldn't seem to breathe. Kirishima was shaking.
Shoto wanted to throw up.
Her brother… her own brother…
"We need… we need to get her out of here…" gasped out Izuku. "Her and Kacchan, we need to save them… With them around, All Might can't go all out… And now that Hagane… Hagane revealed himself, Kicchan's in shock, she won't be able to fight back properly…"
"We can't, Midoriya, we-" protested Iida.
"Yes, we can!" the boy cut him off. "'Cause we won't be 'engaging' in battle! We ought to be able to get away and rescue both of them at the same time. There is a way!"
"Go on," instantly prompted Shoto.
Now was not the time to let their emotions take over. Kira needed them now, and he'd be damned if they let her go again.
"You… can't be serious…" Kira's knees buckled, her legs were shaking so badly she couldn't stand up. She barely noticed as she hit the ground, eyes fixated on her brother. "Ren… you must be joking… tell me you're joking…"
"Kira, sweetie." He shook his head with a sigh. "You were never one to deny the truth, even less so when it's before your eyes. Why start now?"
"You were him… all along…? Hagane… and you…" She felt dizzy, faint. "I thought you were just a mole… but you were actually him…" Tears welled up in her eyes. "You… killed our parents…?"
"I did a lot of things, far worst than that. Don't dwell on it too much."
"I fought for you! I- I decided to become a Hero so that I could protect you! So that- so that I could bring you justice! I… I trusted you…" She didn't know what to do. Her own brother was the one she swore to stop. What was she supposed to do now? Anger growing, she pushed down the hurt of the betrayal and wiped away the tears before they could come out. "And you had the galls to tell me that you're doing this for me!? You lied to me! To everyone!"
::
"Ren!"
"What?" he stopped, glancing back at her.
"No more secrets, alright?"
He stared for a moment, before smiling back.
"Alright. I promise."
::
"I only ever lied to you about one thing," he admitted, scratching his head. "But that's a story for another time. Can't you see? I am doing this for you!" he then retorted, his voice rising a little. "No, you can't see it now… you're not ready yet… you wouldn't understand… But all I'm doing, I'm doing for you! It's always been for you! I've lied all these years… betrayed so many people… I've done all this and so much more, just for you! You always admired Heroes, so of course you wouldn't understand now… but the world we're living in? It's cruel. It's going to destroy you. And now?" He let out a sharp, hollow laugh. "Well, I guess it's as good of a way as any to find me out, because you'll finally open your eyes to see the ugly truth. I wished I had had more time to settle things, but I'll take what I can get for now."
Her throat dry, the fiery teen forced herself to stand. She couldn't show weakness, no matter who stood in her way. She'd think about it once she had the time but, right now, time wasn't a luxury she could afford.
Red clashed with red, and she took a short breath.
"I'm not coming with you, Ren."
He stared for a moment, before waving his hand. Instantly, her handcuffs fell on the ground with a loud 'CLANG'. Deku jumped into her arms, and she held on to him, seeking some sort of support that'll help her not to crumble here and then.
"I know. I told you, you're not ready yet. It's as I said before, isn't it? You have difficulties seeing the bigger picture," he mused, shoving his hands into his pockets. "It's only a question of time, though. Be it tomorrow, in a month, or in a year, you'll come to understand what I've been trying to show you all along."
"I don't think so," she replied, calmer now. "You're my brother, Ren, and I love you… but I won't simply stand aside as you keep hurting my friends. I told you too, didn't I?" She offered a bitter smile. "Be it as Hagane, or as Ren, I'm going to stop you. Be it tomorrow, in a month, or in a year, but I will stop you."
He chuckled a little at that. "Guess we'll have to wait to see who'll win then, right? The Hero… or the Villain…? Though frankly, I'm not really worried about the outcome. We're family, Kira! I'm the only one you have, the only one you'll always be able to actually come back to. We'll always be together." In a theatric gesture, he spread open his arms. "I won't be going after you anymore. You're the one who'll come back to me."
She stared at him for a moment longer, struggling to decide her next course of action. She couldn't really fight back, and Katsuki was still surrounded by the Villains, and All Might and All For One had started battling again, and-
The wall behind Ren suddenly exploded.
"KICCHAN!" The girl's eyes widened as she saw familiar three figures fly above her head. "RUN!"
They're getting Katsuki, she understood instantly. And Hagane… Ren, he's letting me go. It's our chance.
"Clever brats," snorted Ren, running an hand through his hair. He was obviously done fighting for the day. "Not going after them?"
She hesitated one last moment, before her eyes landed on two more of her friends, still behind the wall. She met Shoto's gaze for half-a-second, but it was enough to steel her resolve.
"Next time we meet… it'll be as Hero and Villain," she warned, feeling sick at her own words. "Don't expect any mercy. Fire Rocket!"
And she was propelled after her friends.
Ren's smirk twisted into a smaller smile as he watched her go. "See ya around, Little Spark."
They had managed to grab Katsuki, but were now dangerously closing in on the ground. The Villains tried to stop them, but were intercepted by Mount Lady, who woke up just in time to allow them to escape. As she collapsed, the Villains tried once again to get them, but were this time stopped by Gran Torino.
Kira passed by them in a flash, focused on reaching her friends.
She didn't dare look back.
The ginger didn't really notice when she finally landed. She somehow managed a safe landing, though she had no doubt her feet were going to kill her once the adrenaline shot down.
"Kicchan!"
"Izuku…?" She stared at him for a moment, puzzled. "What the fuck are you wearing?"
"Err, it's a long story… Oh!" His phone was ringing, and he answered. "Todoroki-kun? Yeah, we're fine. What about you guys? Have you managed to get away?" He waited for a moment, before relief showed over his face. "Thank God. We're by the station! That shockwave hasn't reached up to here, apparently. The rescue's a success!"
"I didn't get rescued!" growled Katsuki. "You chuckle-heads were just the best escape route outta here! I just… didn't wanna be in All Might's way."
At that, Kira lowered her gaze. It was such a fucked up mess…
Ren…
There was a sharp pang in her heart, making her gasp.
"Kira?" Kirishima was instantly by her side. "Are you-"
"KIRA!"
Someone suddenly barreled into the ginger, almost knocking her over. At first startled, the girl then recognized the newcomer.
"Kyo-chan!?"
"Thank God you're alright," exhaled the purple-haired girl. "What happened? What'd I miss?"
"Actually-"
"We're reporting live from the attack on Kamino Ward!" On the TV above their heads suddenly appeared the devastated area they had just escaped, with two figures facing off in the middle. "It's a nightmarish scene! In no time at all, Kamino Ward has been leveled to dust! At the moment, it appears All Might is locked in battle with the Villain thought to be the mastermind! I- I can't believe it! A single Villain destroyed the city! A single Villain is proving to be more than a match for All Might's power!"
And so they could only watch as the horrible battle began. Contrarily to the others, though, Izuku and Kira could feel an actual pressure. They knew All Might's true state, his power limit, his actual physical form…
They knew that he wouldn't be able to go on like that for much longer.
The Symbol of Peace can't die yet, she protested weakly. Izuku isn't ready for such a burden… and the world still needs All Might…
And then, the dreaded attack happened. For some reason, All Might didn't dodge it, so Kira easily guessed a civilian must have been in its range too. And, finally, as the dust settled down... All Might's true form was revealed.
"Fuck!" Kira wanted to tear her hair off. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"
"What…?"
"Uh?"
"Who's that skeleton?"
"Wait… what the…? My eyes aren't deceiving me, are they, viewers? All Might seems… emaciated…"
"All Might!?"
"Whoa… he can't really be…"
"No… no, I can't bear seeing him like this!"
"All Might…"
"If you can't beat him… then who the hell can?"
"Forget how he looks, he's still All Might, isn't he?"
"He always comes and saves the day somehow!"
"C'mon All Might, you can do it!"
Kira watched as, all around them, the civilians started cheering and shouting encouragements to the Symbol of Peace. Even in that condition, he still inspired their hearts… Her throat constricted, her heart was still in pain, and she had to let it out somehow.
"GET HIM ALREADY, ALL MIGHT!"
Her yell was lost in the cacophony, but she couldn't have cared less. She knew he couldn't hear them, but she also knew that this… this couldn't be the end. And so, along with her friends, she kept on screaming, from the bottom of her heart, because supporting him from afar was the only thing they could do now.
The other Heroes finally showed up. They lent him their support, rescued the civilian that kind-of was in his way, distracted All For One… The support of everyone present and watching must have reached him somehow, for his will to fight suddenly came back.
The clash that followed would more than probably go down in history.
"Oh God…"
Silence befell the crowd. No one dared to make a noise, eyes fixated on the screen. And then, the smoke cleared, only to reveal All Might now standing above his enemy.
He raised his fist in the air to declare his victory.
"The Villain… he's not moving! He won! ALL MIGHT WON! The Hero stands victorious!"
And then, it was absolute mayhem. Hoping not to loose sight of each other, the students stayed as close as possible. The train weren't moving, and most of the civilians were soon directed towards nursing facilities, while others handed blankets and food.
"I couldn't keep track of where Todoroki-kun and Yaoyorozu-san went," informed Iida. "I would have liked to join back up with them, but…"
"For the time being, let's just hustle out of here," proposed Kirishima. "We've got report back to the Heroes about Bakugo and Kira."
"Yeah…"
"You're…" The students stopped in their tracks as, suddenly, All Might's voice echoed. Lifting their heads, they saw the Symbol of Peace pointing his finger at the camera. "You're next."
Instantly, the crowd started cheering again. They all believed it was directed to the Villains that had managed to escape. However, Kira knew better than that.
He's talking to Izuku. Could it be… that he reached his limit?
She glanced at her friend, and gritted her teeth when realizing he was crying. He had obviously come to the same conclusions.
And then, all the pain she had been pushing down until now came back.
Ren…
The adrenaline was wearing off. All Might had won. The pressure was vanishing, the Hero was victorious, they had been rescued… Now that she no longer had anything to focus on, she could only think back to the sharp betrayal of her brother.
Ren…
"O-oi! Kira!"
It took her a few seconds to realize she had just collapsed, Kirishima catching her just before she hit the ground.
"You okay?" he frowned, helping her sit.
Jiro's eyes widened. "She's injured! Shoot, I completely forgot… Come on, let's get you to the nearest hospital!"
"It…" She could barely say the words. "It was Ren, wasn't it? I wasn't dreaming, was I…?"
At that, her friends stiffened. Well, saved for the purple-haired girl, who still didn't know what had happened.
"Kicchan…" sniffed Izuku, rubbing his eyes.
"Yeah." To everyone's surprise, it was Katsuki who answered. His tone was flat, blank. "It was him."
That simple statement broke through the last of her barriers. A foolish part of her had still been caught in denial but… now…
"Ren…" Unable to stop it any longer, she started crying. As the tears flowed down, she let out choked wails, barely muffled as Kirishima started rocking her softly, holding her tightly. "DAMN IT!"
The battle was finally over. They had won but, to Kira, it felt as if she had just lost.
Ren…
I love you…
So... yeah. That's the conclusion of the Kamino Ward Arc. I know some of you might have expected a little more, but Kira's under shock. Lashing out wasn't an option but breaking down wasn't either, so she simply tried to ignore the situation until she finally couldn't. For those who wonder about why the hell Jiro was with the Heroes... Well, it really was just because she wouldn't have been of any more use with the original rescue group, frankly. And the only reason All Might accepted that she followed them was really because he knew she'd have gone anyway.
Kira's mental state will be more explored/explained the next chapters. Again, don't hesitate to ask if you have questions. See you guys next chapter!
Plus Ultra!