Chapter 77 - We Aren't Perfect

Um... right, hello. How do I start this...? My name is Nana Hiroshi Azuru, so I'm Yuki's younger sister. To recap, I've been stuck in a coma for a couple of years, seven roughly, so a lot's happened since my hospitalization. Between my sister having a strange Quirk that is sentient, a villain out for her head, and losing our... yeah. Ahem! So, here's a little of the story of my journey to becoming a hero slash rockstar, pretty neat, right?

Right, let's get the good times rolling!

"Okay, I got this, I got this; you can do it, you feel great!" My pep talks aren't something to aspire to.

Through the door to a classroom, I could pick up on the sound of the teacher informing her class as I nervously played with the hem of my blazer, trying to appear calm and collected. "-starting today, we'll have a transfer student joining us, they're a little slow so please do your best to welcome them," Ah, that was my cue. Here goes everything...

Sliding the door wide, I quickly hopped to the front of the class that began to murmur though I chose to tune out the noise for my personal sake. My right ear was twitching but I managed a fanged smile and a wave. "H-hi, ahem, I'm Nana Azuru, nice to meetcha!" Good thing my tail's hidden under my shirt, I'm sweating up a storm here. "Sorry if my social skills suck, I've been out of the loop for a few years, hehe."

Of course, the boys were most vocal, I don't want to tute my own horn but I certainly didn't lack in the looks department, if my sister could swoon a following to her side, then so can I. Though I'll admit, having people think of me that way is a little embarrassing.

The teacher patted my shoulder, she was nice, I could tell by her eyes she understood my 'condition' transparently thanks to UA. "I'm sure you'll do fine, there's an empty seat next to Suki by the window," She leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Just take today to adjust, okay? I've already sent everything you need to UA."

I murmured back, "Thank you, Miss Yoko." The brunette smiled kindly and I went to my new seat with a few greeting me in passing. They were nice though I curiously found my eyes meeting someone at the back, one of the few that didn't share the class's enthusiasm.

Her hair was a warm black and chin-length with a ponytail pulling the front bangs out of her face, briefly, her deep blue eyes met my lighter shade. Notably, she had a mutation Quirk. Behind her seat was the small tail of a great white shark, one of the fins stitched on. Her own canines appeared pointy too but I wonder if all of them can become sharp? Her eyes retained that predator point to them, and a few faint highlights of blue were peeking through her raven hair.

Had I realized that from day one of my new school life was gonna turn sour, I might have reconsidered. What do I mean by that? Well, let's skip about a week to what I love to call the 'Paint Incident'.

I was standing above the entrance of the gym with a paintbrush and bucket. I said I'd help out in adding a new coat of paint since I wanted to wait for my friends, Aki and Suki, to finish up in their club, plus it paid. I didn't mind the labor work, it builds character as Mom would say, though she admitted watching paint dry was not as exciting as it sounds.

*Tap*

"Hm?" I paused, looking to my left at the wall I continued to paint as it arched above the entrance to the gym. Nothing. "Must've been below." I continued with the next line, adjusting the abrading paint can on my wrist.

*Tap*

"Ah," Again, only now that sound made contact with the back of my head. I turned around but everyone was training, even the instructor was silent, back turned to me and near the far end of the gym. What could've - It was hard to make out from the sound of chatter, but two students were snickering. I narrowed my eyes but slowly craned my neck, I see what's going on. "Do it again, I dare ya."

I continued my work slowly, listening to the two girls that were stifling their laughter, unaware I was preparing my hand to send the object flying back with the force of an iron bat. I heard the floorboards creaking closer before I caught the sight of the rubber hurtling toward me. Turning sharply, my hand did indeed catch the eraser, frightening the girls I knew as it embedded itself in the floor by their feet.

I mean, I knew I hit it hard, but they screamed? That's a little dramatic. However, one fatal flaw in my plan, I struck with the hand holding the paint can.

I winced as the can clattered to the ground, unfortunately, someone was standing under it without my knowledge, judging by the smirks on the girls' faces, they had intended on this. The white paint had quickly smothered one of the top students when it came to... well everything; Kairi Takumi, in a new white coat, the girl's shocked expression twitching bitterly when I slid down the ladder in a panic.

"I'm sorry, I, wow, that's a lot of paint... I-I was trying to hit them, but I forgot about the can, I am so-so sorry!" Her eyes could set the world on fire, my throat felt really dry, and briefly, her eyes' pigment turned red. Woah.

Yanking a free towel on a rack, she wiped her face clean of paint though it did stick regardless. The two girls certainly had a field day, same with some others that tried their best to appear aloof. "Oh, wow, can you believe that? She waited for you this whole time just to give you a new paint job, really brings out the anger in your eyes," The one on the left snickered.

"That wasn't what happened!" I seethed. "I didn't even see anyone underneath the doorway, who the heck stands underneath a place someone's painting!?" I realized it the moment I said it. "I, uh, w-what I mean is... I really should stop talking."

Takumi narrowed her eyes, "Apricot; tell the instructor I'll be late for practice, I have to clean up," She growled that last part in my direction, taking off with footsteps of white.

"Takumi, wait-!" Her arm stretched back to point a finger dangerously close to my eye. Was her nail sharper?

"I better not see you here when I'm back," Note to self, finish the job and run.

"But I-" She prodded closer than I thought was possible.

That last look shut me up, and Takumi walked away while half the people present laughed, either at Takumi's or my expense, I honestly think my face couldn't burn any hotter than this. "Mom's right, this isn't exciting at all..."

"-And that was just the tip of the iceberg!" I threw my hand wide as I strolled down the street nearest my school. On the opposite end of the phone, I could hear laughter, causing my ears to deflate. "You're not helping..."

~S-sorry, it just sounds like everything I do to Dumb-Dumb, only my antics are intentional~ Yuki giggled while I pouted, groaning between my lips. ~Don't get pouty, so for the last month you've both been at each other's throats, join the club, it happens~

"But I don't want to be at her throat!" I ruffled my hair a bit. "I just want to make amends, that's all."

~Then you need to give it time~ Her voice sounded very similar to Mama's now. ~I didn't mend my friendship with Katsuki overnight, Great Machine knows it took a lot to get that far, I mean, look at Izuku~ That was true.

"I'll... try," Rubbing my cheek as I hopped up the steps toward a library I smiled slightly. "I'll be back later than usual, teach said I should pick up a few books from the local library to help with my workload."

~Noted, I'll keep Mr Aizawa informed, Cee!~

"Cee~" With that, I hung up and pushed through the doorway while adjusting my guitar case as to not bump into people.

Passing by the massive columns of white stone I was greeted by the nearly limitless supply of information. A stained glass window above refracted the light as I admired the sight. Given I never left UA often, these new locations were increasingly more exciting to see. Plus, now I can gather all the books I want on stories I've missed out on!

The purple glass windows and pasty white walls lined with dark wood beams and a marble floor really sold the building for its quality alone. I scoured the various sections for what my teacher requested of me. If you asked me to study before my coma, I'd probably roll my eyes in disgust, now, I found it worthwhile. Being in a coma changes one's perspective on the little things.

Curiously, I felt my eyes trail toward the children's section. I mean, it was right next to the fiction so there's no harm in taking a look right? With the four books I required for study under my arms I hummed to myself while checking the various titles and issues I've neither missed nor had clue about. So many choices, just with my body still on the mend I didn't want to push it.

"What are you doing?" That voice!

"I've been spotted!" My back pressed to the bookshelf, scanning the corridors of books to find... no one? My brow rose, and I inched toward the open archway that led into the children's section, what I saw in the colourful room was very unexpected that I'm sure my eyes were playing tricks on me. "What the what?"

"Lily, can you please give me my bobble back?" Inside, knelt by one of the little girls was Takumi, her hair down due to the girl clutching a hair bobble in her hands. "I can't exactly read to you if I can't see."

"No!" Ah, the girl was a stubborn one. I sat my books down at the side in order to sneak a closer look inside, using a pillar as cover against the wall and between a bookshelf. The children leaving never noticing me.

Takumi rolled her eyes playfully, "Okay, then how about next time I promise you can pick what we read, no ifs or buts?"

That made the little girl beam, handing it back. "Really!? Sweet, thank you, Miss. Takumi!"

The girl ran past me while the girl who hated my guts smiled, and it looked really nice on her too. Once she did her hair up again, I made my presence known, rubbing the back of my neck. "Wow, I never pegged you as the kind to like reading to kids, n-not that I would know, of course."

Her smile fizzled out for a bemused expression. "Oh, you..." She returned to her clean-up, picking up any disorganized books. "It's for extra credit, what else?" She scoffed but something about that felt... fake like she was denying it to herself.

"Look, um, I'm not the best at this stuff..." I needed to find the correct words, biting my lip. "Everything that's happened, between us I mean, I've just been trying to fix that and every time I do something or someone messes it up, I become a nervous wreck and-"

"Azuru!" Takumi slammed the books onto the desk, "I have spent years to get to where I am, then when you came along you've done nothing but get me into trouble or cause trouble around me, so for both our sakes, leave me alone!" Her tail threshed sharply. "And don't mention any of this to your friends, ever."

That... definitely hit a sore spot; it's not the first time someone's said that to me someplace else, I'm not like Yuki, I don't understand people. Music was all I knew well. Stepping back with a frown I turned to leave. "I'm sorry I... sorry," I sighed, lightly punching my forehead whilst retrieving my books. "So much for fixing things, idiot..."

With my books collected, I slowly made my way back to the front of the building, gone was my cheery demeanor. Takumi was right, every time we've interacted I just make things awkward or embarrassing for her, when I try and mend our relationship I cause something worse to pile atop that stress. How did my sister do it? Befriending people who are angry, cynical, unsociable? Those years spent in a coma really left me out of the loop, I just didn't realize how wide it was.

By the time I approached the desk I pulled my schoolbag around to stuff them away while the man sitting by the desk registered them out for me. Then my ears twitched, drawing my eyes up in surprise.

*Crash!*

The middle stained glass window above the grand entrance suddenly erupted into shards, showering those present. Many screamed and panicked to the edges of the room or behind counters and tables in fear of what rose to its feet with a grotesque snap of bone and muscle.

"Need souls... need to hide... he's coming for me!" What... was that thing? My back was pressed against the edge of the desk, facing the horrific sight head-on. "Traitor, that soul stealer!"

Its skin was pitch black with a reptilian-like structure, standing with a hunch on hindlegs. Its arms sagged by his knees, crooked claws dripping in blood with various gashes leaking black mist. Chipped or severed bones protruded from its body with a black mane flowing down from its scalp toward the tail that split into two forked whips. Chains marred the flesh and baggy trousers. A strange cage trapping the crocodile-shaped face, four jade eyes narrowed with frightened desperation. A Nightmare like Viral.

"No, you don't!" His head snapped toward the right, and to my surprise, the arm extended like a tendril to coil itself around a man trying to flee, the other arm doing the same to someone else who yelled in protest. "Any of you try to flee and I'll tear your souls out!" He stepped further into the building, retracting his arms with the people as meat shields. "Hear that, Chaser!? You wouldn't risk killing two civilians, would you!?"

There was silence from the smashed window above, and my heart was racing by this point. In one of his arms was an innocent man, the other held the very person that hated me. "Takumi..." "I need to calm down, don't overexert yourself..." Taking control of my breathing, I lost my fearful expression, setting my guitar case down to prop it open with a hesitant look around the library.

I've failed her so many times, I suck at social norms, what's trendy, I can't even dress in the right styles without Yuki or the girls at UA for advice. This was all I knew. Biting my lip, I picked up my one companion that understood me and vice versa.

The Nightmare squeezed tighter, chuckling at how Takumi's tail swiped at his scaly arm. "Hehehe, you're a fighter, I'll enjoy taking your soul first, maybe I take your Quirk too?" Her breath hitched as he pulled his arm around to practically hiss in her face, chains coiling close to her body like vipers. "Maybe breaking your bones first? An arm, a leg, maybe I'll just snap your little head off!"

"Hey, lizard face!" "I'm totally about to die here," He paused, the eyes of the Nightmare and Takumi turning to stare at me as I held my guitar close, placing my fingers on the correct strings with a sad smile. "Guess my bad luck dragged you into this, huh?" Her silent plea with a shake of her head made me more determined, ignoring the stares as I strummed the first few cords.

"Little rat," One of his tails curled and swept through desks and chairs to swat my gut, sending me flying across the floor beside my guitar, coughing a little. "This isn't some cartoon, you can't just play your way outta a situation!"

"Azuru - gah!" His gripped tightened around Takumi, so I picked myself up with my guitar, the same Mama and Papa gave me for my birthday years ago, Yuki had kept it maintained for me. That's right, this guitar was cared for by people that loved me, so I'll play it for them.

Adjusting a string, I restarted my song, the string reverberating gently in the murmured discord, soothing those that were frightened by the monster. It narrowed its eyes, chains focusing on me as I approached, parting my lips. "Toro, I am humble, for tonight I understand, your royal blood was never meant to decorate this sand, you've suffered great injustice, so have thousands before you~-"

His chains slithered sharply, pausing inches from my face while he too stomped toward my enchanting blue aura, pulsating toward him while he poised his arms back to keep his hostages out of reach of others, growling under his breath. Compared to my aura, his overpowered mine tremendously, or it did, but mine seeped into those cracks.

"-I offer an apology and one long overdue, IIII am sorry, Toro I am sorry, hear my song, and know I sing the truth~" Above, I saw Takumi's eyes widened as I stared down the face of death. "Although we were bred to fight~-" His tails curled to reach for my neck, their spines growing as they inched toward my throat. "I reach for kindness in your toniiight~"

His tails reached for me but stopped alongside his chains, rather, they fell to the floor or dissolved under my aura, my eyes closed as I sang without murderous intent, I sang because I wanted there to be serenity again, to make the chaos fade. "And if you can forgive, and if you can forgive, love can truly live. And if you can forgive, and if you can forgive, love can truly live~"

"W-what are you... doing to... me...?" His own form began to sway, his arms releasing their hostages to retract and slump by his knees. "My head is... cloudy..." His biggest mistake was standing so close where my Quirk took the largest effect. His eyes grew heavy as I played the last verse, stepping back as a shadow slithered in from behind the crowd left in awe.

"And if you can forgive, and if you can forgive; love... love will truly liiiive...~" I hummed, lowering my guitar with a bow of my head. "He's all yours."

"Glady," A deep voice mused, shoving its fist through the slumbering Nightmare's chest to pull back a large, jade flame, crushing it as the Nightmare fell by my feet, dissolving slowly into mist and black particles. "What a fine ability you have, I was almost enraptured by it, hehehe."

I had seen him by the window, awaiting a chance to fire a shot from a weapon he carried. This Nightmare stood a little taller than the one by our feet. Leather gloves leading to bandaged arms and dark grey barding covered the majority of his body, some strands torn, brushed by a long, ultramarine fabric wrapped around his head like a cowl.

The fabric draped down his chest toward his knees, and another piece behind his back, the rest all sat as a scarf. His hands were crossed behind his back, just as the two strips of fabric blew in a stale like a single, dark wing. The crowd did applaud us as I blushed a little with my guitar close, focusing my attention on the Nightmare that seemed friendly behind his black mask, two matching eyes meeting mine.

Then I swayed, his arm catching me when I nearly hit the floor. "Woah, there, let's not have the little hero fall in front of a live audience," The Nightmare, Chaser I think, was probably smiling, helping me stand as the crisis was resolved before any local hero could realize what had transpired.

"What you did was beyond reckless, you could've gotten yourself killed, kid!" Can I go back to being praised again? When police, paramedics, and two local heroes arrived, Chaser had already bid me farewell and paid me compensation for handling his contract in the form of a strange, silver coin with a blue gem in the middle. He said, and I quote, 'When you find yourself lost beyond this world', whatever that meant.

"If you're expecting me to apologize, forget it," I huffed once I removed the oxygen mask from my face. My Quirk and the issue itself had nearly caused me to collapse so this was a lifesaver. My blunt stare didn't falter at the older man's disapproving glare. "By the time someone arrived, people could've been hurt, my own classmate too, so take that self-importance to someone who cares, I'm tired."

"You brat-"

"Enough," Slamming the door at the side of the ambulance was none other than Aizawa Sir, though in hero mode it was Eraserhead. "Leave the kid alone and go do your job, I can handle things from here." Begrundenly, the hero left though I did blow a raspberry in his direction before Aizawa Sir lightly hit my forehead. "And stop antagonizing heroes at work, brat."

"That thing was going to hurt my classmate, I wasn't going to just sit there like a child and-" He just stared at me blankly as I slumped. "...I'm sorry." He hit me again on the forehead.

"I didn't say what you did wasn't in the right; your actions were risky but seeing as no one was hurt I can't reprimand you too much, especially since you're still recovering," Aizawa commented, but his eyes briefly turned red. "But that's the only chance you get, am I clear?"

I paled. "Ye-yes, Sir!" "How does Mom have a crush on this guy?!"

"You're... recovering?" To our left, Takumi approached with her hands by her stomach, looking at a loss for words. "A-Azuru, I... look," Her brow furrowed then became pensive. "Maybe I've been too angry to admit it but you're not a bad person; I haven't exactly been the friendliest either, I'll think on that."

My smile returned gently, "Water under the bridge, and yeah, I... kinda woke from a coma a month ago," Her gaze widened as I flexed an arm, patting the small muscle. "I'm getting stronger though, using my Quirk kinda drained me though so I think I'll be missing school tomorrow."

"...that's... fine, I can tell our teacher," Her voice stammered slightly, turning away though her eye met me over her shoulder. "Thank you, Azuru."

"It's what a hero does, anytime!" I winked, then felt Aizawa Sir's glare at my back. "T-Though maybe without the life-threatening stuff, hahaha! Please don't leave me with him."

Present Day...

"-Nana? Hey-" I jumped away from Kairi's hand, seeing her stare at me curiously. "-you were staring into space, sorry."

"Huh? Oh, it's fine, kinda just flew down memory lane," I grinned as we strolled down the familiar streets toward the station. "It's been about... two months since that Nightmare went and trashed the library, dunno why that flooded back to me."

"Yeah, I remember..." Her voice faded under her breath, looking elsewhere with a red face.

"Water under the bridge," I reminded her, poking her cheek. "All's forgiven, and now look at us, walking together, actually chatting instead of... well, all that, so it worked out!"

Her smile appeared again, it was small but it suited her, seeing Kairi smile more often was nice. "Yeah, you're right,"

"Ah!" I yelled with a flame at my back.

"What?" She jumped as I spun around to walk backward, facing her with a cheesy grin.

"You should come to the Cultural Festival!" My words of wonder confused her greatly, seeing all the question marks appear.

"That event exclusive to UA this year? Isn't that only for a select few outside their students and staff?" Kairi hit the nail on the head as I wiggled my brows.

"Aaaand, you can be my 'select few', I asked, and so long as it's only one person I can bring whoever I want! I tried asking my friends but they have our school's festival to handle, so why not come to mine! I'm even gonna sing though I'm nervous as hell, hehe," In all honesty, still processing that part of the plan.

"Are you sure you want me to come though?" While her expression remained aloof and skeptical, her tail was gently swaying. Shark tail is always helpful to know if she's happy.

"Duh, that's why I'm asking, soooo?" I held a mischievous smirk, awaiting her answer.

Kairi smiled a little after much deliberation. "S-sure, I'd love to go with you - I-I mean, 'with you' as your best friend! Hahaha..." She was weird with words at times too. "I've been talking too much."

I pumped my fist high, my tail springing loose with my jubilation. "Sweet! It's a date then!" Then I noticed the time on my watch and immediately paled. "Ah, crap, my train - Aizawa Sir is gonna strangle me if I'm late again!"

"Don't forget this," Kairi handed me my schoolbag.

"Thank you, byyyye~!" I took off at the speed of light, her own home in the opposite direction of the station.

[No POV]

By the time Nana left Kairi's sight, her face was redder than a tomato, hands seizing up by her hips. "D-did she just call it a 'date'!?" Her hands patted the sides of her hair timidly. "I-I mean, this is Nana, she's not in tune with social terms, yeah, that's it!"

Even as she walked, she couldn't stop the blood from rushing to her face. "But a date... yeah, sure, only the girl you practically hated the guts of two months ago who turns out to be really sweet, funny, a little weird in an endearing way, and is an amazing musician that you slowly fell for, hahaha, no problem!" Her head deflated, steam rising from her head. "I'm so hopeless..."

To Be Continued...

Thus, Nana's own life is just as crazy as her sister's. With the approach of the Festival, Nana has her own goals in mind, and her classmate is certainly looking forward to it. I hope you enjoyed, I appreciate the support as always; seeya in the next chapter, Heroes!

Next Chapter: A Festival's Imperfections

Yuki: Good, the whole plan is coming together!

Izuku: I'm still a little nervous...

Rayla: Turn that frown upside down, muffin top, not often celebrations like this come around!

Yuki: Up top, girlfriend! *High Five*

Izuku: I'll do my best, next; A Festival's Imperfections

Yuki: Go Beyond~!

Rayla: Plus Ultra! Woo!