Hello!
I am glad I managed to post this chapter so fast... the number of reviews on the last were very shocking!
At any rateI've changed chapters from one to five, but I don't think you would need to re-read them. I only changed the fact, that Izuku isn't Theo... he just really, really resembles him. I think I like how it is now. Also I fixed some mistakes. There was A LOT. Seriously, how could I post something like that? Embarrassing...
Haa anyway... this was pretty exhausting chapter. I addressed two major things, that I was planning from the start and well... they weren't happy. Oh well, back to Angst we are going. I certainly didn't miss you! I also tried to lighten it up with 'experimenting'. The whole Mom/Kou scene was pain in the ass to describe... I couldn't find the right words! I hope you will somehow understand what I was trying to say?
I am not wholly impressed with what I wrote (it's confusing and weird at times), but, it was fairly fast, so at least that could count, right? Right?
Quote: Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. - Harriet Tubman
I sat on Izuku's bed with blank face, myriads of emotions swimming inside my head. I was angry – angry at myself and at the world – sad – because why Izuku? Why my sweet, little brother who wanted nothing more than to be hero – in denial – surely doctor just made a mistake? Izuku wasn't really… - and in then I felt helpless… because I could be angry, sad, in denial all I wanted, but there was nothing I could do to change the fact that my brother was quirkless.
'I wonder… If I wasn't born… would Izuku have my quirk?'
This sudden thought made me feel cold in the stomach. Did I steal my brother's quirk by being born?
My hands started to shake. I bowed my head and yanked at the green strands of my hair. Powered by my raging emotions, my quirk activated, causing smaller object in the room to tremble and face me. They slowly started to inch towards me. I noticed it soon, even in my distressed state (I have learned to always be aware of my quirk these past weeks), therefore I took deep breath and then I slowly let the air out.
After everything stopped moving.
Why it was me, who inherited this quirk?
I curled my hands into fists and raised my head slightly to look across the room at the boy sitting in front of a computer.
Why is he the one without quirk?
I wasn't hero material. I didn't matter in my first life; I wouldn't matter in this one. Instead I wanted make sure that my brother reached his dream. Being hero. Standing on the same grounds as his idol. That's what like it was supposed to be.
So why?
My eyes burned from tears I didn't dare to let out. This wasn't about me. I had no right to cry now, to be hurting, when I didn't lose anything today.
Faint noise made me turn my head towards a door that was opened by mom. She stepped inside quietly with sad expression on her face.
All Might's laugh echoed in the room. The echo sounded ominous in the dark room.
"Kaa-san... Nee-chan... Heroes are really cool, ne? I wonder... do you think I could be like All Might, when I grow up?" asked Izuku in a sof tone. His tone pulled at my heart-strings, but at the same time... at the same time, it made me think about alternatives.
This wasn't the end... Didn't I always think that quirks were fancy and all, but somebody could be hero even without it? Just think about possibilities... there had to be something…
Suddenly mom rushed forward and hugged my brother from behind, together with a chair, crying and apologizing all the way.
I was startled for a moment, not really knowing what to do, but the sight of both of them crying made me snap out of my frozen state.
And then I was angry again, angry at a word for making these two suffer like this. Nobody hurt someone I loved, not even fucking world. You decide to not be fair? Okay then, screw you!
I stomped over to the bawling duo and angrily kicked a trash can, making a mess everywhere. The loud sound made the two of them look at me with startled expressions. Once I had their attention, with an expressionless face, I started to speak.
"Will you just give up like this?" I asked Izuku, dead-serious. I needed to know that. I could plan all I want, but in the end, this all depended on my brother's determination and resolve.
"Huh," both of them made confused sounds. They were truly mother and son. However, now wasn't time for this. I needed answer.
I slapped my hand onto the table, loudly, making them both jump. I squirmed a little inside. I didn't want to scare them, but... I could apologize later.
"I am asking again. Are you letting this stop you? Are you fucking giving up?" I asked again, more harshly this time.
There was silence after that, nobody dared to make a sound.
Then, Izuku bowed his head, hiding his expression from us and slowly, he stood up, breaking out from our mother's embrace. He turned to face me, still saying nothing.
I was starting to get worried. Maybe I should have chosen gentler approach? Damn my rash decisions and my impulsiveness, what if I -
"N-no w-way…!" came from my twin in a whisper. I narrowed my eyes, observing his now raised face. He was staring right into my eyes. Ah... here it was... the spark I was looking for. Huh, maybe I didn't fucked up so badly.
"No way, what?" I nudged him with my words, fueling that spark.
"No way that I'll give up! I am gonna be the greatest hero of all time! THE NUMBER ONE HERO!" His voice slowly increased in volume, and at the end of his proclamation he was fully yelling.
I fought down my smile. I still had one more question...
"Even without quirk?" I asked softly.
I saw him falter a little, but then determination blared across his face and he rose both of his hands, clenched his eyes shut and yelled at the top of his lungs,: "EVEN WITHOUT THAT DAMNED QUIRK!"
I raised an eyebrow. Izuku, swearing? Woa. Well... he learned from the best.
Heh...
I let smile bloom on my face and chuckled, making him face me with betrayed expression. I hurried with explanation, not wanting him to think I was making fun of his dream.
"Hmm. That's nice. Well, I guess I'll be helping you with that. Damn what a load of work is before us..."
"N-n-nee-chan," he muttered with relieved expression. Then he shuffled over to me and buried his face into my neck, where he started to cry again. I patted him on the head sadly.
True. He can be strong later, now I'll let him cry. He had shitty day after all.
I stretched my hand towards our mother who was looking at us with guilty expression. Seeing my hand she took a step forward and then stopped, uncertainty crossing her face.
I smiled at her. It it was okay; after all, even I had my weak moment just minutes ago. She could simply make up for it by being there for Izuku from that moment onwards.
She started to cry again and hastily crouched down, to our height, to envelop both of us into a tight hug. I let my head rest on her shoulder as I rubbed her back soothingly.
'Haaa… they are such emotional dorks,' I thought fondly, stubbornly ignoring wet tracks on my own cheeks.
xXxXxXx
After that night's emotional roller-coaster, everything went more or less back to normal. We informed Katsuki of Izuku's quirkless state, and his reaction was something between annoyed grunt and disinterested snort, followed by a question of what was my brother planning now.
Izuku made another heated proclamation and Katsuki just shrugged and said that he looked forward to having a worthy rival in becoming 'Number one hero'. After which I made fun of him, asking how he wanted to become the best hero with that nasty attitude of his.
Needless to say he didn't take it well and my brother looked so done, when he had to separate us again.
Hmph, like we needed that separating. If he waited few minutes more, I would win.
However other kids at the kindergarten were less understanding. Although that wasn't such big problem in the long run, I made sure they would understand, whatever methods I had to use. It helped that I had always either fork or other pointy object to scare them away. And when I with my glare and forks didn't scare them away, there was Katsuki too... Gah! Seriously what was so scary about some shiny sparkles anyway? I could pull forks from out of nowhere, literally, what was to not love, about my quirk?
(I was still feeling guilty whenever I used my quirk in the presence of my brother, even if he said it was oka... it wasn't okay for me. Would this guilt and what 'ifs' ever go away?)
What was weird though, was that Chizuru wasn't picking up his phone. I wanted to filter some of my frustration on him, but he just... wasn't available. He didn't even answer my e-mails.
Sure, I could excuse two, three days, hell even one damn week, but full month? Not so much. Our calls started to be more frequent this year, therefore him not answering...I couldn't help, but to worry. He grew on me like a very ugly and persistent mushroom... I sincerely hoped that there wasn't any disaster on his end, too.
One was enough for a long, looong time.
Anyway, there was nothing I could do than wait until he will contact me again, thus I concentrated on the matter at hand... and that was how to help Izuku become hero.
The tree of us - my brother, me and Katsuki – decided to sit one afternoon in our room (we went there, because mom always made the best cookies for us) and brainstorm every option that was available.
I suggested that he should learn some kind of Martial art or at least basic self-defense. If he wanted to protect others, he should first learn how to protect himself. Katsuki agreed on that one, which was a surprise for me – he usually didn't like my ideas, however great they were (okay, raid an Ice-cream stand because I was too hot and I didn't have money, was bad idea... but... ice-cream). And Izuku looked apprehensive, but he too agreed. When we told mom about it, she assured us that she will look into what kind of dojo were around.
Anyway Katsuki then exclaimed that he will join me on my daily moorning exercise and that Izuku will, too. No questions asked. Well... I didn't have problem with that, but...
"That's great idea, Kacchan!" ... Ah, looks like Izuku didn't too. Okay then, I will have company in the mornings.
And then Izuku decided that he will start gathering information on villains and heroes alike, so that he will be prepared once he steps into that world.
I patted him on the head and Katsuki just nodded and didn't comment anything as he was too preoccupied with mom's delicious cookies.
xXxXxXx
"Slowly... slowly... Yeeeees, like that. Like that. Slowly... Come to meee~" I mumbled quietly as I attracted my bear plush to me. It took a lot of effort, because I wanted for the toy to go slowly and not just flew over quickly.
With both hands in front of me and focused expression on my face I watched as the stuffed toy slowly neared me.
I smiled triumphantly when the plush was few centimeters from my hands. I was about to yell happily, but suddenly plush changed direction and crashed roughly into my forehead.
"Aaaarrgh! Why is it always my head?!
xXxXxXx
I narrowed my eyes at slowly, very slowly moving stone. I narrowed them even more, willing the stone do what I wanted with my pure will. I just continued to crawl through the air towards me.
"Kou-chan? What are you doing?" asked mom in concern. I sighed and let the stone fall as I turned towards her.
"I am just experimenting. I am trying to completely 'stop' the stone in the air when I attract it to me. But when I try to 'stop' the stone, it just either continues to fly to me, or it drops down..." I said miserably. I was so excited for this! Just imagine, if I could attract objects from many different angles and then stop them, they could form my... ULTIMATE SHIELD. Wouldn't that be super cool?
"Hmm... I've never thought to use my quirk like that," she mused. Yeah that's because this world was totally deprived of quality films. Those films that were produced here... what a sad excuses of a films they were when compared to those in my first world. But I guess reality there was already film-like...
"Show me how you are doing it," said mom, snapping me out of my thoughts. I threw the stone away and used my quirk to attract it to me. When it was relatively close, I tried to stop its approach, but without any success. It slowed, but didn't stop.
"I see...I think I know where the problem is."
"You do?!" I said in excitement. Will I have my own ultimate shield?! I turned around to fully face her, stone falling onto the ground when I didn't pay attention to it.
"Yup! I think it's because you are doing it wrong," she said cheerfully. She crouched next to me and observed the fallen stone thoughtfully.
"How should I do it then?" I thought about it. There were other ways?
"I think it's not stopping, because you are attracting it from a bad angle," I blinked and tilted my head. What? Seeing my confused expression she smiled, stood up and stepped back a bit.
"Let's see. When you attract an object, you are forcing it to go towards you." She raised her hand and slowly, the stone started to fly over to her. I quietly observed what she was doing.
"When you want it to stop, you basically lessen the pressure on the object which was forcing it to go to you." The stone started to move more and more slowly and in the end, when it looked like it would stop, it started to descend, though its descending trajectory was little crooked as if the stone still wanted to move towards the older woman.
"However, like you saw, there will be a moment where the pressure will be so insignificant, that it would be overpowered by gravitation." She stopped deactivated her quirk and the stone fell with soft thud few centimeters from her feet.
I blinked. That was pretty impressive display. She did it with spoken descriptions, too, but she did everything I did so what...?
She kneeled next to the stone and raised her hand, so that it was above it.
"I think that if you want the object to completely stop moving," she paused and used her quirk to slowly lift the laying stone, then when it was around hallway towards her hand, it stopped. I felt my eyes widen at what I saw.
She continued,: "You need to attract it, vertically against the ground and then somehow find the right amount of 'pressure' to be used on the object, so that's in the same ratio with gravitational power," she ended with a tired huff. Simultaneously she stopped using her quirk, stone once again falling. Then she sat up and started to breathe heavily.
With my eyes still widened I looked from her, to the stone and them back. And repeated it many times. What the hell... so I did it from the wrong angle? What was with all this logic?! Wasn't superpowers supposed to overcome logic?! And do unbelievable things? I call bullshit! I wanna have my ultimate shield!
"Of course there is another way to do it. You can held the stone in one of your hands and then attract it to the other. Then once it is between your hands you start to attract it to the hand you held it in before, too. If you manage to adjust attraction on both hands, in theory you should be able to 'stop' the object too... but I think that option will be really tiring."
"Wooaaa, kaa-san. You are really smart!" I said in amazement. And then I felt really bad, I could have worded it a little bit better. It sounded, like I thought she was stupid before. Which I didn't, I just didn't think she knew so much... That sounded even worse.
"Hahaha. Well I know some things," she said lightly, not at all offended by my words. Then she got up,"I'll start to prepare lunch now. Will you please find your brother? He said he would be in the park with Katsuki-kun."
"Yup! I'll go!" I shouted as I dashed into the hall, to put on my shoes. Thoughts of possibilities flying inside my head. I may never have my ultimate shield, like I wanted. But there was sooo much I still could do with my quirk. I grinned evilly.
xXxXxXx
*Thud*
That... hurt...
"What the fuck...?" I heard Katsuki say somewhere to my left. He sounded flabbergasted.
"N-nee-chan! Are you alright?!" And here was Izuku, he sounded close, as if he was hovering somewhere near. I slowly opened my eyes and was met with the sight of tree bark. I blinked and stepped away from the tree trunk all the while rubbing my forehead. Then I looked at two boys with stunned expression on my face.
There was silence, then...
"Ha... HAHAhahhahaha..." Katsuki had to be first to break it. I sent him disgruntled look as I continued to rub undoubtedly red spot on my forehead.
"Are you alright, Nee-chan? It was quite a crash..." asked my sweet little brother. I smiled at him to calm him down.
"Yeah. Yeah. I think I am alright... I hope this will not bruise," I answered with a sigh. This certainly wasn't what I expected when I got up from bed that morning. I scratched my head as I looked back at the tree.
Looks like my quirk could be used on heavier object too... only it worked the other way around, thus instead of objects flying to me, I fly to them... What a complicated quirk...
I was interrupted from my thoughts by crackling sounds. I turned my head around to look what happened and smirked.
From the looks of it, Katsuki laughed too much and his quirk ended up going out of control and now sparks were flying out of his hands. This time it was me who laughed at his expense. Hah, at least I wasn't only one who had difficult quirk.
In my laughter I didn't notice exasperated but wishful look Izuku sent at both of us.
xXxXxXx
I looked with frown at my ringing mobile phone, where words 'Chizome' blared to life.
"Nee-chan?" inquired Izuku in confusion when he saw my reluctance to pick it up. Katsuki looked up from where he was building his sand castle and sent me a questioning look. I sighed, so no, it wasn't my imagination. I bit my lower lip and said quick "Be right back" as I hurried somewhere with less people. Once there, I accepted the call. There was silence on the other line.
"Hello…? Are you alright? You didn't call me for nearly three months, you know..." I decided to speak up first.
"Where are you?" was his only answer. His voice sounded very somber. I scratched my head.
"Uh, what? That sounded reaaally creepy you know?" I teased, trying to ease atmosphere. As I thought, something really happened. Damn, I really can't have a break, can I?
"I am in the park nearest to your house, just come," he snapped back and ended the call. Um, what? I stared at my now silent phone. He was there? It must very serious matter then...
I huffed and ran back towards two boys playing in sand-box.
"Hey! Something came back, so I have to go. Tell kaa-san that I will be at home by dinner, will you otouto?" I called hurriedly to my brother and then I rushed away and towards our house, surprised exclamations were my only answer.
Five minutes later I arrived in the park, catching my breath as I stared at the man before me. He looked tired and unkempt and as if he aged at least ten years during the time I didn't saw him. He was only twenty, but now he didn't look his age. He didn't say anything after my arrival and just stood her, looking at a family that had picnic around fifty meters across from us.
After I was sure my breathing was back to normal, I spoke up,: "So, I am here. Why are you appearing here now? You didn't pick my calls or-"
"My parents are dead."
"Oh."
...oh...
Fuck. What... what I was supposed to say to that? That came totally out of nowhere! I... lost my words. Shit. What is norm to say in these situations? Should I say 'I am sorry for your loss'? ... That sounds too hollow for my tastes. However... this oppressive silence was killing me. I'll just say it then. Better than stay silent, I suppose. I took deep breath.
"I-"
However, before I could even start my sentence he snapped his eyes to me and I once again lost words I wanted to say.
I expected to see grief in his eyes - he after all lost his parents – however more than grief, what I saw in there the most was wild rage that froze me in place with its intensity.
I opened and closed my mouth several times, until I finally managed to whisper one word: "How?".
He straightened his posture at my question and curled his hands into fists.
"There... there was collapse of shopping mall few months back," I distantly remembered something like that from TV, some people died that day... I didn't... didn't really linked that disaster with him not taking my calls, "They, they were still alive, you know? Even after the collapse... They waited for rescue... waited but..." he took deep breath and drops of blood dripped on the ground from his tightly clenched hands.
"Heroes were too late," he ended bitterly and started to shake and considering that I didn't hear any sobs, those tremors were caused by fury. I pursed my lips and blanked my face. This wasn't time to be distracted; I needed to be calm, because Chizome as hell won't be. He was probably already planning something stupid.
Before I could say anything, he continued 'his explanation'.
"Those damn 'heroes'," word 'heroes' was spat very derisively, "were too late, because it was too dangerous for them, if they didn't wait for reinforcements. Those fucking COWARDS! Wasn't that what they signed up, when they became heroes?! Wasn't this what they were SUPPOSED TO DO? TO SAVE PEOPLE AT THE COST OF THEIR OWN LIVES?!" he shouted as he neared me and took hold of my shoulder, his nails digging into my flesh. I looked dully at the offending limb. I reached towards it to harshly tore it away, only after then I faced the enraged male.
He was breathing heavily from his outburst. I think he didn't even saw me standing before him, too lost in his own thoughts.
I looked to the right at the family from before and was unsurprised when I saw them looking at us uncertainly. I closed my eyes, okay, let's not do even more of a scene there.
Still holding his hand, I started to lead him away into deepest parts of the park where I was sure nobody would see or hear us. Chizome didn't protest, he didn't ever react, so our journey here was filled with suffocating silence.
Once I deemed that we were was safe enough, I turned towards the man who seemed to calm down during our walk and was now looking around at trees around us.
"It should be more discreet to talk here. You were gathering too much attention before," I said as an explanation and then I plopped myself down into soft glass, with my back leaning against a tree.
He turned to look at me. Then he sighed and nodded tiredly. He walked few steps away from me where he sat on the ground, leaning on his hands as he lifted his gaze up to watch a blue sky.
"Hah... I suppose I did," he mumbled wearily. I hummed, but didn't make any other sound beside that. It was largely because I actually didn't have anything to say. What was there to say, anyway?
And there was most likely some reason why he sought me out today, it wasn't consolation – his parents died weeks ago, if he wanted my support, he would be here sooner – no... I don't know what he wanted, but I would listen regardless.
Minutes stretched without anything said between us. After hour or so later I heard soft noises and when I looked at Chizome, he changed his position and was now sitting 'Turkish style', with his legs crossed and his hands rested on his knees. I raised an eyebrow and straightened myself, to let him know I was listening.
"You know...I was thinking about a lot these past weeks," he started, I tilted my head, curious, "I realized that I truly was too naïve and childish to think that I would change something just by preaching on streets... no, that truly wouldn't change anything. To change this corrupted, disgusting world... I would need to do something drastic," he paused here, looking uncertain if he should continue. I breathed out harshly and scratched my head.
"What the hell... is your conviction really so weak? Don't stop halfway, bastard..." I mumbled softly, but it was hearable for the man before me to hear. He opened his mouth hurriedly to yell something on me, but before he could, he promptly closed it with a loud snap. Then he chuckled humorlessly.
"Ha... Yeah... You are right; I already decided to not be half-assed. Sorry." He smirked crookedly and I just waved my head, to tell him to hurry up.
"I have... plan. This plan would need for me to train myself for a few years. I am too inadequate for what I have in mind as I am now. I..." he took deep breath and nodded to himself, my eyebrows twitched. He was being overdramatic, "... I'll kill every last of those damn fake Heroes!" he ended and looked at me with an expression with which he was telling me there was nothing for me to say to change his mind. I looked back at him with blank face as I processed his words.
Killing, huh? Well, that wasn't what I expected to hear when I picked up his call today, but... I wasn't exactly shocked either. Maaa, what a mess.
I closed my eyes and crossed my arms as I threw my head back to rest it against a bark of the tree. I needed to think this through. Fuuu, so, my friend wants to become a villain. Glorious.
Did I want to change his mind? Ah, what a tricky question.
It wasn't like I couldn't see where he was coming from. Sure his solution was, like he said 'drastic', however his reason for such an idea was pure in core.
And... My morals were, too, a 'little' screwed. Sure, I knew roughly what was considered 'good' and what was really 'bad', however... borderline between these two things was always too blurred for me to impartially decide where someone's actions stood... Or at least in theory.
In practice I set my own rules for 'good' and 'bad' and just did whatever I so wished to do and damn consequences.
Therefore, I could hardly stop him from what he was set to do – if he didn't try to kill Izuku or Katsuki, that's it. I would beat him up myself if he even so looked at them badly. However I didn't think he would do something like this... he still had some of his morals. At least I hope he did?
Anyway, like I said before, it wasn't my place to stop him... or even disagree with his logic as... well... someone who became hero, he/she did so with knowledge that one day they could be killed by a villain - if they didn't want for that to happen, they just had to become stronger. Survival of the fittest and all that shit.
I had to make sure of something first, though.
"Are you aware of the consequences your actions will cause?" I asked as I opened my eyes, my tone carefully disposed of any emotions. He scrunched his eyebrows.
"You mean me becoming villain? Of co-" I interrupted him impatiently.
"No. I am not talking about that." Seeing his confused frown I uncrossed my hands and leaned forward to meet his puzzled eyes with my impassive green orbs.
"I am talking about what their colleagues, friends, families would feel once you kill the hero," I continued with hard look. Could he do it, knowing he would steal someone from others? Could he take the guilt?
"Once you kill someone's friend, best friend, husband, wife, parent, child... Other children will be like you, you know?... orphans." Okay, I admit, that was a bit underhanded – to poke open wound like that. But it was needed to make a point... at least I think?
When he jerked as if I somebody slapped him I was seriously debating if I didn't go too far.
"That's..." He looked away and he was clenching his knees so hard I wouldn't be surprised if it bruised later. I bit my lower lip. Should I stop, or should continue? Decisions, decisions.
Ah, what the hell? Why I was even thinking about this? I've never questioned my actions!
"These little brats will be full of hatred, like you are at this moment and what will they do with it? Why, of course they became heroes! They start this career with an intent to take a revenge on you... Where is your ideal world filled with only 'real' Heroes, now?" I ended flatly, not pulling any punches.
There was another prolonged silence after I stopped speaking. During that time I leaned back to prop myself against the tree again. Once I did that I lifted my eyes to observe branches as they were moved back and forth by the wind. I made sure to not make a sound as I waited for the male to collect himself.
"I..." I snapped my eyes towards the man after he spoke. His head was bowed and his whole body was trembling. I didn't spoke and waited until he found words he was undoubtedly looking for.
"... don't know what to do. Nothing I did to this day helped to make this world a better place. I only want... to create a world filled with true Heroes... Do I really ask for so much? I, this- this was the only way that I could think of. If not this... then what should I do?!" He raised his head and his black eyes stared into mine. His body language, his expression, his eyes. Everything screamed despair.
I instantly felt reaaaally bad that I was so blunt with him. Shit. I scratched my head.
"Aaah... who knows?" I answered(?) him impassively with my own question and then added, as an afterthought, "Certainly not me,".
He stopped trembling and looked at me wordlessly. I scratched my head nervously again. That probably wasn't worded too well? Eh, I've never was the best in handling emotional stuff.
With a sigh, I stood up. I could feel all at once the full impact of sitting in one place for so long. My body was soooo stiff. I stretched thoroughly, shivering uncomfortably inside after each crackmy body made.
Once I felt somewhat moveable, I walked over to the still sitting man. Once next to him, I patted his shoulder in comfort (?) and then helped him up. He obediently stood up, probably not really functioning, so lost in his thoughts.
Releasing another sigh, I patted away every dust particle I could see on his clothes and then I reached for his hand and started to lead him away once again.
"Where...?" I heard him ask. I resisted an urge to flinch, his voice sounded awful.
"To my home. You will have dinner with us and then you will sleep over," I said shortly, not leaving any space for objections. There weren't any.
During our journey towards my house I kept my sight on the road, not looking back at the male lagging behind me.
xXxXxXx
Mom took one look at us and without any questions asked ushered us towards the table. Izuku was already sitting there and he looked really relieved when he saw me. He only sent curious look Chizome's way, but he too didn't ask what happened.
Dinner was silent and awkward thing, with my mother and brother trying to cheer things up, but ultimately failing to do it because of depressing atmosphere around Chizome. I sent them smile for their efforts, however I did nothing to destroy uncomfortable air around the table. Quite asshole-ish of me, I know - I was the one to invite Chizome after all- but, I was tired. I was four year old that was too fucking tired of all the shit that happened in the preceding year.
I was first to finish my meal and once I did, I finally broke the silence that fallen.
"Mom. Chizome doesn't have place to stay today. Can he stay here?"
Woman in question tilted her head in thought, but she didn't consider my request for long, as soon her mouth stretched into welcoming smile.
"Of course he can! I'll set futon for him in your and Izuku's room. Would that be okay?" she directed the question of her own at both me and Izuku. My brother only nodded, as his mouth was full of food and I smiled at her again. It was perfect.
Thus when it was time for sleep, everyone went to their assigned sleeping places. Izuku fell asleep instantly, but I couldn't.
I was getting worried over Chizome quietness. It was so out of character for him. By this time he would send several extremely irritating sentences my way, which only served a purpose of annoying me.
I guess, I really should think about my words before I speak them. My words earlier clearly affected him more than I anticipated.
But really... why did he even come to me then? What did he expect? From the start he knew I was blunt and rude individual that said what was on her mind without care. He knew that. So, why did he come, with his mind so fragile, that it will be shook by few of my words? It didn't make sense.
In the first place, who would even go to the four year old girl and tell her he planned to murder people? And heroes at that. Normal girl would be in tears once she heard words like that.
Yeah, yeah, I know. I wasn't exactly normal, but everyone saw a child when they looked at me, even if I had mind of an adult. So, my point still stood: Why did he come here?
We weren't even that close, for God's sake! We were friends, okay? But, we mostly just frustrated each other to no ends and most of time we only spook by phone, where it was a miracle if we spoke civilly. We bickered, we drove each other crazy, but in the end we always picked up the call from the other.
It was weird relationship, similar to the one I had with Katsuki, but still completely different.
Because Katsuki was a kid - very intelligent one, but still a kid. It would be so easy to break him – physically but also emotionally - and that, sometimes, scared me. Same with Izuku, really. I've always had this need to protect them (though shorty totally didn't need it... I only protected him from his big ass ego). I wonder, were this my totally nonexistent 'mother's instincts'? Pfft, yeah, that was what it totally was.
Hah, anyway. I've never felt this way towards Chizome. He wasn't kid anymore. He was adolescent and I didn't feel any urge to shelter, to protect him. I just felt him to be my... equal? Or something? I don't know how to describe it, but, I know that he felt that way to me too (although he had annoying habit of calling me kid). And... it felt nice to be recognized as an equal by near-adult. Because, as childish as I had became, I could never delete the fact that I was over thirty in mind.
...Again, I lost sight of what was I thinking about in the first place Ah, whatever, I'll just sleep. I was too tired to think now, anyway.
I looked at the male on the ground with a frown and then I reached around with my hand, until I came across what I was looking for. Once I had it in my hand, I threw it at my friend.
My bear plush bounced against the back of his head and fell few ways away from him. He snapped his head around to glare at the offending thing only to come across a toy. He blinked and lifted his eyes to look at me in confusion.
"For better dreams," I said simply, he looked even more incredulous, "I was told that plush toys drive away nightmares," yeah; it totally didn't help in my case. His unimpressed look told me he doubted it too, "Whatever, if you don't want it, just let it lay there," I ended and turned around to sleep on my other side. Small smile appeared on my face when I heard Chizome shuffle around, undoubtedly reaching towards my stuffed toy.
xXxXxXx
I frowned as I looked at a tidied futon, next day in the morning.
'What a shit... he could at least say goodbye or something,' I though in irritation.
"Hmmh? Nee-chan? Chizome-san already left?" asked me my still half-asleep brother as he rubbed his eyes.
"Seems like it. If you want, you can use bathroom first."
"Yeah. I'll go. You take ages, once you are in there," he said with cheeky smile. I blinked as I processed his words. Once I did I narrowed my eyes however he quickly rushed away before I could jump on him to tickle him to death.
"W-what! What did you say, you brat?! I am not that slow!" I yelled after retreating and laughing boy. I huffed in indignation. Seriously. I shook my head and turned around to change out of my pajamas. On the way there I saw folded piece of paper sitting innocently on our desk. I tilted my head and took the list into my hands, unfolding it in the process.
I immediately recognized Chizome's illegible scribbles. I sighed, so he did remember to say goodbye, but really, he couldn't wait a little longer till I woke up? Well... at least he wrote the message in English. Points to him.
I started to read.
Kid,
I am sorry for my behavior during previous day. You and your family were very hospitable towards me and I didn't even say 'Thank you'. Will you please convey my apologies to you mother and brother? I would do it myself, but I am in a hurry.
Our talk yesterday really opened my eyes and even though I went over everything at night, I still wasn't able to think of any solution. But, that is okay, I suppose. I realized I was too hasty in making decisions before. I decided that I will proceed with my plan to become stronger, but what happens after I reach the point where I will be satisfied with my skills... I am still not certain of what I would do after that. However I know that to change anything, I will need to be strong.
I hope that even though I behaved the other day like I did, you will still keep in contact with me. I was thinking of changing my phone number, I will send it to you by e-mail if you still want to be friend with me.
And if you don't... well... thank you for yesterday. And all those times in the past when you listened to what I had to say.
PS: I decided to kidnap your bear. If you want it back, you will need to take it by force kiddo, though I would not be so easily defeated as before.
My eyebrows twitched in agitation as I read the last paragraph. Who the hell steals a plush toy from the child?! What a shitty excuse of a human being!
I searched for my phone and once I found it, I started to write him a message.
You bastard. I will take it back. Just wait. AND. I'll tie you next time you sleep over, so that you will not be able to run away, seriously, you couldn't have stayed for breakfast at least?
I huffed, satisfied with what I wrote. Then I threw the mobile on my bed, together with the paper and went to finally change into something presentable.
The end!
Finally! I thought I'll never end this...
So... what do you think about the way Kou managed to handle these crisis? I am especially talking about Chizome(Stain) scene... I did a lot of research about him and, of course, about time-line. He is (and will be) different from cannon. In this chapter he is still relatively young and he just lost both his parents... I think a little out of character is okay there. Also, even though it doesn't seems like it, just him meeting Kou, changed him a little too. I plan to write his POV-er in 11 chapter, so that his actions and feeling could be clearer.
Also If somebody wondered... I plan for Chizome to be something like best friend/big brother figure for Kou, but at the same time, not really. Mah, so complicated this will certainly be a 'fun' ride.
Now reviews!:
Meilinfan- Yeaah! *fangirling too*. I like his character a lot!
TheHolyBlade - I want to deliver you my deepest apologies for my thousand years absence... It was very uncalled of me. *nods grimly*. Ha! Anyway, Yup, I so couldn't wait for a moment she would meet him. To tell the truth I am not too sure how well this chapter will be received... considering how big change in his character I did. But still his fate is not set in stone. Who knows, maybe he really will become 'hero killer' in this fic too.
wolfzero7 - Eh, I am not too sure about that now, it been a while since I last saw those films. You can be sure I had BIG plans for her quirk though.
xenocanaan - Thank you for your comment! It certainly warms me that you think that way. Though, truth is, I heavily depend on the opinions of readers, because I have so much ideas and if I didn't considet what my readers wants I wouldn't know which of the ideas I should chose. Haha. I really need someone who would told me 'stop! this idea is ridiculous' sometimes.
Mary D. Black2000 – I am glad someone finds Kou badass too! Haha. I wrote some of her 'experiments' here, but she still has a way to go with her quirk.
havarti2- Yup! That's what I was going for! Wild Stain appeared! Haha… that wasn't funny, I know.
Aluminum Iodide- Aaaw! I am glad you like his appearance! They will be great friends… sort of. Hehe. Yep, she will meet other cannon character, probably in the next chapter. She will use something like 'telekinesis' but I am sorry, no fire. She would be too overpowered if I did that. And her quirk will certainly be different from her mother's.
animagirl - I guess, is this soon?
chibi-no-baka- Thank you! Ohohoho~. Her quirk? I have PLANS for it – like you saw in this chapter. But no repel though, I already have quite a lot of things she will be able to do.
OTrizy- You mean that you like changes of POV? I am glad! And don't worry; there would be another one in two chapters. Which cliffhanger are you talking about? Haha… there is so much of them. I am sorry to read that... I did warn that there will probably be spoilers for those that didn't read manga. I am sorry again. Inko's quirk is 'attraction of smaller object'.