Illusion

The Beginning; Next, USJ

Chapter 3

Acanthus; Meaning: Art

I run, pushing my lungs so far it feels like my chest is about to collapse in. I'm running and running and running I can't remember where I am, what I'm doing. Am I even breathing?

I pound my feet on the treadmill, the heart monitor screaming. But I run. I pound and pound and pound and pound...

How long has it been?

I slow down to get a clear view of the timer.

I feel a shock run through my arms and abdomen.

"Run, Etso." A female voice pitches in from behind me, her voice liquid velvet.

I turn my head back to the front wall and push my legs further. I run. And run. And run.

Is it hot in here?

My steps waver.

Then my ankle is rolling, pushing the wrong side of my foot on the treadmill. But the thing still moves. My front and side are slamming down, nose smacking on the now bloody and sweat covered rubber.

I fall, curling on the floor beside the treadmill that whips small drops of blood and sweat as it spins around. My stomach pulses with rug burns.

I wheeze, tightening my muscles to try and get rid of the pain. I feel her grab onto my shoulders, pulling me up. I get a glimpse of myself in a mirror. I'm shining with sweat and I'm all red. The sports bra and shorts soaked that I wear for running are soaked. I look incredibly tired, eyes drooping and dark, nose dripping blood, my cheek shiny and puckered pink. My stomach has marks of skin rubbed by the rubber.

"Be more careful next time." She says, her voice sickly sweet. I'm drowning in the liquid. Soft and velvety.

My vision clears enough to see her figure in the background. She carries me by my shoulders, and pushes me against the wall, grabbing a rag and wiping my face.

My nose stops bleeding quickly. My ankle throbs. She slams me down into a chair. She firmly places her hands on my feet. I feel no change but she feels satisfied with her work. I know her quirk did something.

"Answer me when I talk to you." She says, getting close to my face and staring at me with her chocolate brown eyes. They flicker with hate and challenge. Her hair, dark red and straight, hangs back and tickles my legs as she leans over me, like a lion about to kill its prey.

Her fingernails dig into my thighs, testing me with pain. She should know pain doesn't do anything to me anymore.

"Answer. Me." She says, very dangerously.

I stare at her for a moment, looking at her heart-shaped face and puckered lips. Ugly pointy nose. And I trace my eyes across the ugly scar on the right side of her face. It goes from her forehead all the way to her chin. I try and think of some comeback, like the fact that her scar frames her face. But I want to be healed sometime soon.

"Yes, Akuma." I stare back at her. She hates that I steal his attention and I use it to my advantage.

She grabs me by my shoulders again, shoving me into a standing position. She checks the rest of my skin, circling around me as my chest heaves. She throws me back by the treadmill.

And I run.

"Can anyone explain why Etso was the most valuable player in this match?" When I get into the room, those are the first words I hear. "Yes, Momo."

She puts her hands down and begins, "Well, she went to the bomb room - and while she was found - she figured out the source of weakness, the reason she got found, and got rid of it. Then, when she was in danger she found an escape route. She then followed the battle, helping her teammate in need. She then jumped with a surprise attack and won the battle. While she could've just ran and won the game, she also knew that this was going to be a learning experience for others, she let the game run, but also made sure to keep the slack up and not lose the game because of it."

All Might spoke "Good, while she could've ended the game, she wanted to help others learn, along with herself. It's important to learn and not always do things the easy way and rely on your quirks."

"Now, the students in the next round, will you all please go out and get ready. The match will start in five minutes"

After the students left, all eyes turned on me.

"Akaria! That was so cool!"

"Manly!"

"The way you jumped out of the vent! So awesome!"

"You were like a blur!"

"Yeah! I swear, how is she so good!."

"Thanks, I do a lot of training." Everyone stopped when I spoke.

I retreat to a wall, leaning back on it and watching the cameras from a distance.

The fights go on for a while and I let my thoughts roam. I think about the 3 vigorous years of tutoring and quick classes, shoving content down my throat so I could catch up. I think back to before everything

I wish I could just go back, live those 7 years over and over and over. To feel Mom and Dad's touches and kind words. Back before Pa came.

I slide down to sit against the wall, tired of standing. I sense someone coming up next to me.

The way he breathes, the way he moves, the way he acts, I remember it all. For when he dissapears again.

"Hey, Sei." I say to him, not even looking over. I'm sure it brings back some good memories for him, using his old nickname.

I wonder what he remembers. It seems he's forgotten those 5 years. I wonder why. I see no reason why he'd forget. Maybe I've forgotten too.

He sits down next to me.

I'll never forget...

I lean into him a bit, and I feel settled with the only constant thing in my life, the energy that I've always been connected to. It always felt like we had been together since the beginning of time, even our quirks like yin and yang.

Everything about us is the opposite, but we fit like puzzle pieces.

"We have to go to the store, get some groceries. Celeste made sure we had the money and grocery list."

I nod. There's a small moment of comfortable silence.

"How was your battle trial? I wasn't really paying attention." I ask, moving to lay my head on his leg, laying on my back.

"Oh, our team won, I was teamed up with the nice girl, Momo, she has an awesome quirk, she can make stuff from her body."

"Cool, pretty useful."

"Yeah, she made something like a trap to capture the heroes, it was cool."

I stare up at him as he talks about his match. He has my face. Pretty pink lips, a button nose, and rather wide eyes. His eyes were a stark red, something you would always notice, even when you're not even looking someone in the eye, they're glowing.

His hair is red, the same shade as his eyes, but it has grey streaks as if he were growing old, but no, his hair has less grey than mine. His hair is a tangle of spikes and curls. His hair is the hardest to describe, but I've done this a thousand times. It spikes in front of him, shorter and tame in the back, but the top of his head, his hair flows to the front where it lands on his forehead. He runs a hand through it. He tends to play with his hair. It gets in his eyes too much.

I'll remember every strand when he's gone. Every single thing about him burned into my mind. It'll make it easier to find him when he's taken away. I'll listen for his breathing.

"Don't fall asleep. We can hang out later."

I realize my vision is black and open my eyes. His hair pokes my forehead as he looks down on me, up and close. I brush it away and sit up, cracking my back as I stretch. I tug my hair out of its tight ponytail and let is crash down in waves, pooling on the floor. I scoot over, moving and gesturing Seiko to braid my hair. He obliges, moving to sit with his legs crossed. He grabs my hair, bit by bit, running his nimble, soft fingers through it. I know that I've spent hours drawing his hands, soft and almost feminine. They're smooth as if he's run them down like eroded stones. His nails are perfect, soaring and arching through small parts of my hair, left in the middle, right in the middle, left in the middle, right in the middle. His braids are soft yet tight, clinging to my head as if I could soar into the stratosphere and every single hair would stay in place.

But even with his soft edges and wide eyes, he's strong, powerful. I should know. I do know.

I stare blankly at the floor, thinking.

I'll try, I'll try so hard to never, ever, let go.

What feels like seconds go by and I feel Seiko tapping my shoulder. I turn to look over and Seiko is waiting for my gaze, smiling a lopsided grin. I return my own small smile.

My sweetest treasure.

I scoot back to the wall, sitting next to Seiko, legs touching.

We both sit and wait, legs stretched out in front of us.

Seiko, know, that I will always love and fight for you.

No matter what, I love you.

In a while, the class is over, All Might dismissing us to the locker rooms to change out of our costumes.

The final bell rings and I'm closing my notebook, sweeping up my pencils and pushing all my stuff into my bag. I stand, slinging my bag over my shoulders, hearing groups get together around the room and begin to chat. I see Seiko huddle in a group with Ochako, Iid, and Midoriya. I walk up to the group and stand next to Seiko, nudging him with my hip.

"Hi Akari-"

"Call me Etso, makes things less confusing." I kneel down, ignoring the rest of the conversation, I dig through Seiko's bag, finding the compartment where he always stashes his phone and other important stuff. Grabbing his wallet, I fold it open, yen peeking up from a compartment. 15,000 Yen. I see a grocery list packed behind the money. I take the wallet and stash it in my blazer pocket next to my phone.

Giving Seiko his bag, I stand and wrap my hands on the straps of my bag.

I see Seiko is finishing up the conversation, I stand there next to him, hands feeling the soft fabric.

"We'll be heading out now," I say, stopping Seiko in his tracks. I pivot on my heels and head out.

I hear him say a quick goodbye and head out behind me.

He jogs up, pulling something from his bag. He tosses me a piece of gum, peppermint.

I take the gum piece out of its wrapper and put it in my mouth. The freezing mint flavor explodes in my mouth.

"You seemed a bit scattered," I chew, inhaling a cold breath. He takes a step forward, craning his neck to look at my face, "All good?"

I nod, turning my head to escape his look.

I'm supposed to worry about him.

He's so sweet. My treasure.

I love you, Seiko. No matter what.

I will always love you.

The walk is full of small streets and cherry blossoms, taking a shortcut that allows a faster walk, and a more scenic route.

I take in a breath, the peppermint gum in my mouth making the air cold. The smell of cherry blossoms blooming in the air and floating into my nose in a sweet clarity

"Do you like it there," Seiko interrupts my thoughts. "U.A. I mean,"

"Yeah, What about you?"

"I do."

Good.

We turn the corner onto the shopping street.

We walk around the busy market, parents with young children, teenagers, older men and women, a whole variety of people browsing the shelves.

My phone buzzes in my uniform pocket. I pull it out and click it on.

Celeste: I gave you some extra yen to buy some more flowers for the garden. We are gonna plant everything this afternoon. Mind texting me when you're checking out so I can get everything ready.

I respond with a simple 'k' and poke Seiko with my phone, smiling.

He reads the message, turning my phone off form and handing it back to me.

I stuff it back in my pocket and continue walking, reaching the area that we wanted, having passed all the processed foods on their shelves. I scan the grocery list, handing it to Seiko in front of me.

We walk the shelves, grabbing strawberries, blueberries, all sort of fruits, carrots, and celery, all sorts of veggies. We also grab what else was on the list, things like flour and salt and eggs.

It takes a little while, but with our packed cart we make our way to the garden section of the store. Stepping into the cool room, I can smell the wet grass and plants, the cool sensation. I bounce on my toes. Seiko continues forwards, and we make it to the rows of plants.

"Wait." I say, pulling my phone out of my blazer. I open it up, scrolling to the list of plants we had on my phone. I search through it, Seiko moving to look over my shoulder at one point. We need one or two extra green leaf plants, then we can get some other flowers and more greens. You always must have an equal number.

We both walk past shelves, picking nice blooming flowers and small green plants.

Seiko picks out some yellow carnations with booming bushes of petals, a pure yellow, red dahlias that show a promising bloom, and very large orange lilies with large full petals with great size and coloration.

I hand him a planter of yellow and white tulips that stand strongly on their stems and he lowers it down into the cart.

I find an eglantine rose plant. I move my finger over it's soft, pinkish petal, faintly smelling its sweet aroma. I set it in the cart. It would look good on my windowsill.

We find a good number of plants, aware of our budget, and finish shopping, heading to the checkout area. I text Celeste while Seiko pays the man at the register.

We walk home the rest of the way, holding our groceries in the bags that we found in Seiko's backpack.

I push the door open, snagging my key back from the lock and slipping it into my backpack pocket. Dropping our schoolbags on the floor, Seiko and I move into the kitchen to put everything away.

I grab a pack raspberries and one of blueberries, washing them before putting a blueberry into my mouth and the rest of the fruit together in a bowl. I put the rest of the 6 packs of sweet and tasty fruit into the fridge.

"Race?" I hear Seiko question. I nod

We shove the rest of the groceries away, hurrying. We both run back towards the door where our backpacks lie, deserted. We grab them and dart up the stairs, running across the large loft, into our rooms. Mine on the right and Seiko's on the left. We both slam our doors shut. I move quick, tossing off my backpack and my blazer. I hear my phone bounce against the wall and fall to the floor.

I shove open a bin and find my overalls. I throw off the rest uniform and slip them on, pulling out one of a few t-shirts. I clip the overalls closed and grab my semi-dirty gardening boots, small blue rain boots. I hop across the room, trying to get each boot on securely

I open my door a moment before Seiko does, wearing the same outfit I am, and I use my advantage. I run, not using my quirk. (Celeste got mad when Seiko was shoved into a wall and he almost broke his nose) At least I won.

I keep going, almost falling down the stairs, Seiko trailing behind, moving across the house to the back door, which is open. I run through it, and now we're outside. I push further, huffing as I almost fall over the door frame. I see Celeste across the yard, watching us with hands on her hips. I nag her arm and whip backward, my shoulder stinging painfully. Her damn quirk

I land on my back, bouncing on the fresh grass. I put my arms up in victory.

"I WON!" I jump up. "That makes the score 11 to nine. Me winning."

Seiko scoffs. "I thought we weren't including the time I went to the emergency room!"

"You didn't go to the emergency room! Just the doctor!"

"How am I supposed to know! I was delirious because I slammed my head into the wall!"

"Fine. Ten to nine." I rub my back. "Why'd you have to use your quirk, Celeste! That hurt."

Celeste cuts in "I didn't want to fly across the yard, I wanted to stay grounded."

"But hey, it's not fair that you attach yourself to the ground! You're like a steel pole!"

Celeste is pretty, she had long flowing brown hair, not as long as mine, but it still went to her waist. Her hair is tied up, similar to Momo's, but instead, its twisted along her head, 2 fierce bangs on each side of her face. She has dark chocolate eyes.

She looks like a pouting teddy bear, or young child when she's angry.

Another treasure of mine. She's too sweet. I'd call her a savior.

"C'mon, let's get started."

I hang over his shoulder as he carries me like I'm weightless. I stay still against him and let him take me with.

The lights flicker, changing from dark to light. I don't care, blood rushing into my head in a wave. I close my eyes and act like I'm not practically bathing in the plague that is his presence.

I let out small, even breaths, as to not dig my ribs into his shoulder.

I feel his muscles move on his body, and a door opens somewhere behind me. He steps forward, and then the door closes behind him.

He stops, taking a breath out. He then kneels, and I feel his hands, gentle as he pulls me forward over his shoulder. A damn snake, his arms like terrible slick limbs, his feet like rattlesnakes with his thunderous steps, his teeth are fangs of the most venomous snake, spitting at me with anger.

He pulls me down, allowing me to lay in his arms and lap.

I can see his face, his mousy brown long hair is thin, and he puts it behind his ears. A strand always sticks up in the front, up into the air. His face is all rough edges and his eyes are a beady amber. Like a fucking snake.

I blink up at him. Don't move. Don't shake.

Oh my god.

His large, boulder hands, softly brush my hair out of my face, and then I'm faking wonder and doe eyes.

Looking like I love him, admire him. I don't love him. I hate him.

Hate. Hate. Hate.

"Do your muscles hurt?" He says almost softly. But it doesn't work. His own voice will never let such a poisonous man speak with soft and kind tones. Too gruff. "You've been doing a lot of work and exercise. That is why I've got an ice bath waiting for you."

He smiles.

It looks ugly.

I try to keep my face in wonder, hoping to every single human being on this planet that my face doesn't turn sour and smirk.

Please.

Plea-

"What is that look on your face?" He says. I can hear the harsh tone. The call of murder.

Oh my god.

Oh no.

"Little bitch. Can't even take a nice thing given. Fucking snake."

No, you are.

Then he moves quick and precise. He grabs me by my neck. I gasp as he presses dangerously.

Please no pain.

"Please sir."

"Shut." He holds me up, towering, all by the neck. "Up." He then moves down fast. I can see my legs in front of me. "Etso."

Then it's cold. Freezing.

The ice bath.

I cry out but a coldness, like a toxin, fills my lungs, burns my nose. My ears bubble in some sort of serene, soundless world, the ice cracking as if it has no care for whos being hurt.

I try and cough it up. I need air. I need it. Oh my god.

My skin prickles with goosebumps and it feels almost like it burns.

I'm pulled up, gulping air the second I'm out. I cough up the water.

My eyes sting viciously.

But the murder voice. It's not over.

It never will be.

I take a big breath and squeeze my eyes shut. It hurts

Then I'm underwater, ice clacking together and against me. The small ice pieces dig into me.

He picks me up.

Coldness invades my skin again.

Slams me down.

My neck and head slam into the bottom like a hammer that strikes the nape of my neck.

My ears ring.

I try and breathe again. My nose burns.

Picks me up.

The water drips off me and I shiver.

My back stings. I'm probably bleeding.

I feel warmth drip from my nose. Blood. It flows into my mouth, and I taste the iron tang.

Slams me down.

Help me...

The water scalds my hands, a pulsing heat, as I dig through my nails, trying to get the dirt out.

I give up, turning off the water and wiping scalding skin against the soft fabric of a towel.

Breathe, in and out.

Grabbing the small pot that I left on the counter, I slide out of the bathroom and make it into my room.

My room is rather tidy. A bed in the corner, bedsheets a bit out of place. A desk and bookshelf on the other wall, various things littering the surfaces and shelves. A closet neatly organized, clothes on hangers or folded neatly in a small cubby. There's also a large window in the middle of the outer wall.

I place my small pot on the windowsill, the small eglantine roses from the store. I pick up my discarded blazer and straighten it out before putting it on a hanger. Picking up the rest of my uniform and folding it. Laying on the floor wrinkled them. I grab my uniform shoes and place them next to my door.

I slip out of my gardening clothes, placing the boots back away and the rest of the clothes in a bin to be washed.

Pulling on some loose pajamas, I go back into the bathroom and brush my teeth. I stare into my eyes in the mirror. Dull blue eyes.

Didn't they use to shine?

I spit out the toothpaste. I flip my hair over, deciding whether or not I should take my braid out. Deciding against it, I leave the bathroom. I go back to my room, walking in and flipping off the lights.

I sigh and fall down onto my bed. I blow out a breath. My eyes sting and I turn over. I close my eyes.

I hope only for a dreamless sleep.

Thank you so much for reading chapter 3! Following the story for email updates, reviewing, and favoriting is a sign to me that people like what I'm writing and to continue, so follows, favorites and reviews are greatly appreciated. (I see every follower, favoriter, and reviewer, and thanks so much to all of you :3)

I'm updating every Saturday, usually for my time zone, late at night, as you can tell. Thanks for clicking and tuning in.

Until next time...

Next time…

White Heather