ABSOLUTE POWER?

"By the way..."

Touma returned his attention to what Hachiman was saying.

"Does your right hand really cancel all Esper abilities?"

Now that surprised Touma,his classmate had never shown interest in Espers before.

Many were pissed off when he nulled their ability and wouldn't believe he was Level 0 but Hachiman had never bothered him about it.

"Well yes. While scientists don't know much about it,that's what Imagine breaker does. But I'm still a Level 0 yet most people think I'm lying or something."

"Probably because you don't explain it well."

"Huh?"

"It just means Espers rely too much on their abilities and not train themselves physically. They start panicking and act out even more."

Touma looked stunned by what he said. He had always known him to be quiet but never seen him so astute and thoughtful.

"You really are paying attention to other people. Many in the class say that you ignore everyone because you dislike Espers or something but that's not right at all."

"I prefer to be aloof regarding Espers. I find them troublesome."

Touma thought about it and a certain Biri-biri came to mind,causing him to shudder.

"Well you're right the troublesome part."

"Then why do you help them?"

"What?!"

Touma looked shocked by how casually that question was asked. As if it was a wrong thing to help someone.

"I know you always saying 'such misfortune' or something like that. Then why bother involving yourself with other people. I just don't get you."

"What are you saying? You help out people too."

"It's usually because Sensei tells me too. I just live for myself."

Hachiman blatantly admitting that he doesn't care about others was not something Touma expected and be felt compelled to counter him.

"How can you say that?Do you not believe in helping others?"

Hachiman's attention had returned to his notebook on his desk at this point.

"No one was there for me. Why should I care?"

It was followed by an uncomfortable silence between them. Touma could tell by his tone that it was something from his past and didn't know whether to prove any further.

He had to hold that thought as Komoe sensei entered the class and everyone returned to their seats.

...

"All right class! Dismissed! Those who didn't improve in their tests will be sitting tommorow until you show improvement."

Touma groaned as he'll most certainly be grounded by Komoe-sensei again till nightfall.

He was still sulking on his chair when Hachiman approached him.

"If you're done,then we should go."

"Huh?Go where."

"You agreed to give me an interview about your Imagine Breaker. Don't tell me you forgot."

(Touma tripping and landing into Fukiyose's boobs, followed by a pounding while Hachiman watched later)

Hachiman slid open the door of the school's Literature Club.

"Well,come on in."he told Touma

"I didn't know we had a Literature Club."

He said while looking around curiously.

"How many members are here?"

Hachiman closed the door after they we inside.

"Other than me,only the Club President. Our senior."

He motioned towards the main table at the centre of the room and indeed,in the far corner a boy with bushy black hair was asleep with his face towards the table.

Touma was surprised and took a moment for him to register presence of the student in the room.

"Using his abilities drains him so he sleeps here most of the time. We better not disturb him."

They took their seats so that they could face each other and Hachiman put his notebook on the table.

"I have a feeling you have a special power."

Hachiman muttered to himself.

A/N : I've been following protests on Police Brutality in the US after murder of George Floyd and many others. I have relatives there and feel worried,if the Pandemic hadn't been bad enough. I sincerely hope something good will come out of all this.

#BLACKLIVESMATTER