I don't own Boku No Hero Academia / My Hero Academia.
The creator is Kōhei Horikoshi.
Only made characters are mine.
Don't copy or claim it.
(A/N: Thanks to Shadow9, he had the great idea for Himari's quirk. It's been long but here is the chapter. Enjoy it.)
(*****)
Me: Hello everyone. For today, we have a special guest: ALL MIGHT! (Presenting Number 1 Hero)
All Might: (raising his hand) Saluting from the stories. The number 1 hero, All Might, is here! Thanks for having me, Author!
Me (shrugging with a smirk): No problem, All Might. It is good having you as the guest of this chapter.
All Might: HAHAHA! So am I, Author! (Gives a thumb up and trademark smile)
Me: Do you want to say anything to our readers?
All Might: Oh, yes. The author is still learning the ropes, so don't judge him for his bad vocabulary. Since I'm here, I'll help him get better.
Me: That... wasn't what I had in mind. But oh well, enjoy this chapter.
CHAPTER 4
Eccentric Inventor
The Takahashi family started to get used to the new home. It was cozy, comfortable, and they loved the garden – mostly Genkei, Keiji and Fumiko who they laid on the grass and let their skins feel the warm breeze and sun on them. Hideko watched in amusement and Junpei mostly played with Himari on the garden when she wanted and guarded her.
But… a problem had surged. The problem was his Quirk.
Yes, you read it well, you all. His Quirk was giving him a problem. Why do you ask? If you don't remember, his new Quirk [Oni] gave him goliath-like strength even in his child body.
And the first thing it happened when he used chopstick as normal as possible but they ended up crushing them like butter which shocked the family except for the oblivious Himari. And they were iron ones, not wood. Many other accidents happened with him which won't be mentioned as the replacements were many.
But one that can be mentioned was that during his training in the Unbreakable Dojo. Genkei had told Arata about the surge of his new strength which intrigued Arata fully and asked one of the toughest senior he had to spar against him. Most kids, Izuku included, were worried about Junpei's safety but Arata shrugged them off, even if reluctantly Genkei accepted this match, and began the sparring.
To say that Junpei's new strength shocked everyone was an understatement as when he sparred normally, people barely flinched with his punches. Now, the toughest senior who his Quirk [Rough Skin] could tank any kind of attack which he had the best defense Quirk in the dojo was sent backward and crashing toward a wall, knocked out, was shocking to everyone.
"Hmm, well now…" Arata mused with a hint of… something in his voice and eyes. He didn't know. "Let's try another test that doesn't involve anyone and see how we can work with it."
Junpei followed to the T his new regimen of training as he knew exactly how his strength – that he could control between non-lethal and lethal whenever he tried, to FULL lethal – and see how can lessen his strength.
He was once asked by Arata to punch the tower of bricks and see how much he could do. This test was mostly to those that had experienced punching things and that their hands hardened to the point that most objects wouldn't damage their hands.
So, he did as he was told and punched the tower of bricks. There were ten thick bricks as tower and he positioned behind the tower while a group of spectators watched the scene in wonder. While thick enough to hurt a hand of a child, Junpei's hand wasn't hurt with it as it looked pristine, a few brick dust on it but nothing else.
As for the bricks themselves? Well, they now had a hole in the center carven cleanly while maintaining their tower form. It shocked most of the kids while impressing a few seniors and Arata.
It has been two months since he started training and he had gotten better on holding back instead of almost killing his opponent. He could now only train with seniors as they had more experience than him and Izuku wasn't worried with it.
"We can train together once you get better with your strength." He declared and Junpei was okay with it.
Continuously training his Quirk and strength, he knew that no matter how much he took his time on training them, he felt that it wouldn't be close to reach his limit. So, he decided to ask his parents about it.
"Mom, dad, is there a way to control this strength of mine?" Junpei asked. "I know that I won't be able to control this strength by myself alone and I need somehow to adjust my power."
Both parents glanced at each other, understanding their son's worries. While he had worked hard to adjust his strength, being a kid with a goliath-strength was very worrying for those close to him and they had to look for a solution before accidents occur.
"Dear, should we ask for support equipment for Junpei?" Hideko asked worriedly.
"Yeah, we should. But it will be difficult to find a competent support industry that is able to match Junpei's strength." Genkei grimaced. "While I'm not dissing them for their quality, they wouldn't be able to match his strength and they are working. What about your parents or your brother?"
Junpei blinked in surprise. That was the first time he heard about them. The only time he knew about his grandparents or any uncle or aunt, from both Genkei and Hideko, were the times that they sent them presents during special events which were extravagant.
What kind of family did he born into?
"No, they are busy with their work and from what last I heard them, they were in a business arrangement with another company. As for him, he won't be able until his business trip in France ends." Hideko sighed. "I don't think they'll be able to build a support equipment for him even if they wished."
Genkei groaned, massaging the bridge of his nose. "Great… who would be crazy enough to build something like-!" He paused as his eyes widened in realization. "Unless…"
Noticing his realization, Hideko also thought of the same person they thought about and grimaced. "Oh great, are you telling me that we have to take Junpei to her? I don't mean that she didn't that bad but…"
"I know, I know, I know what you mean…" Genkei groaned, slightly shivering. "Even with many years, I can't still shake off the feeling of being… her guinea pig."
'Uhhh… should I be concerned about that?' Junpei thought, slightly worried of who they'll take him to. 'Still though, I wonder who that person is if father is scared of her.'
The next day, Genkei took Junpei to the person they talked about yesterday.
"So dad…" Junpei started, unsure on how he could speak about. "Who is this person you're going to take me?"
Genkei rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, you know that your mother and I assisted U.A. together, right?" With an affirmative nod, he continued. "Well, back when I started, I used to have the same problem with you at the beginning and there was someone who got interested in making me my support equipment before I stopped using them."
"So…?" Junpei tilted his head, wanting to know more.
"Well, my son, while the person we are going to meet is strange, she is one of the best inventor that I can put my trust on. Apart from your mother's family, I guess." Genkei smiled confidently before that confidence shattered like a broken glass as it became twitchier. "Despite of her oddness…"
Junpei mused who this person would be. Someone new that he didn't have any knowledge of. 'I mean, I did meet Itsuka by chance as I knew that she was a martial artist. I would meet other characters that I know of or those that I don't any recollection.'
"What can you also tell me about her?" He asked curiously.
Genkei rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I did meet her in the strangest way when I began U.A. She wasn't the most sociable person I had encountered but she was good on what she did. She loved creating new things and promoting her inventions."
"Huh…"
"She was eager to show her inventions with expectation and when her inventions failed, she wasn't boomed down but instead, she put effort on her next projects and surprised everyone in U.A. with her inventions." He smiled in a nostalgic way.
'She reminds me of someone.' Junpei thought of a certain pink-haired inventor.
The nostalgia ended when Genkei shivered in terror and Junpei blinked in confusion. "The worst of all, while I am resilient with many things because of my Quirk, she continuously asked me to become her guinea pig for her inventions and she was famous for making her projects blow up or injuring her test subjects."
'Uh… now, I don't really feel like meeting her.' Junpei deadpanned.
"Here we are!"
Junpei looked up to the store that looked like a house was attached over it. There was a sign that the store was named 'Creating for the Crazies' with the 'C' word emphasizing grandly and the other words smaller one over another in a steampunk style.
Genkei walked to the store's double door and knocked. "Hey, Natsumi! We are here!"
"Alright, alright, I heard the first knock. Knock it off!" A female voice complained as steps could be heard inside just as the sound of machinery.
Once the door opened, Junpei noticed the woman at front. She was a beautiful woman standing at the door wearing black cotton tank top with blue working pants with a strap hanging on one shoulder. Her hair was practically dark pink dreadlocks, and over her head she was wearing black working goggles. And what most noticeable in her appearance where her yellow eyes which were various circles around her pupils. Oh, and she had big breasts too.
She had the height of 5'10' (1,78cm)
The only thing that it came up in Junpei's head was.
'Wow, she just looks like her!'
Genkei laughed wholeheartedly. "My bad, my bad, thanks for making time to visit." He said thankfully. "I brought my son to look up some ideas."
The newly woman named Natsumi leaned down to see Junpei. He noticed that her pupils shifted to him and grinned. "Well, well, well, if you look at that, it's like seeing you again when we attended at U.A. except for the horns." She spoke up bluntly. "The name's Hatsume Natsumi. It's nice to meet you, future hero."
'Hatsume… Natsumi…?' Junpei widened his eyes in realization. 'Same hair, same attitude, same face and body…! I'm meeting with that eccentric's MOTHER?!'
"Junpei…?"
He quickly shook off his surprise as Genkei looked at him oddly and bowed politely. "U-Um, it's nice to meet you Hatsume-san. I'm Takahashi Junpei."
"And he really had a tone like that when we first met." Natsumi blurted out with a chuckle. "Man, those were the times."
"If turning me into a test subject of your many inventions is to call it 'times'…" Genkei grumbled murderously.
Oblivious or ignoring his grumbles, Natsumi continued. "Still though, it is like seeing you like before. Take off his horns, lighten the blue of his hair, have instead of purple to blue eyes, and done! An exact replica of you!"
"Well, he is my son but there are also his mother's features." Genkei chuckled.
"Oh, how's Hideko?"
"She is fine after the pregnancy." He told her.
"Was she pregnant? I didn't know about it." She said, slightly surprised.
"You were kind of busy at the time and you tend to ignore your messages of your friends." He pointed out flatly.
Natsumi blinked numbly for a moment before putting a 'Tee hee' expression. "Whoops! My bad! I had another idea for a project and I couldn't stop until I finished them." She chuckled humorously.
Rolling his eyes, Genkei continued. "Anyways, about my son…"
"Oh, yes, yes, yes, your son, alright, let's get inside and see what I can do." She moved aside for them to pass. "Shall we?"
Entering the strange store, Junpei noticed the interior of the place. While the place didn't look so big, the space was spacious enough to play basketball… had it not be for the mass scattered inventions, both on the walls and ground. There were many piles of machinery and gadgets on the ground amassed that started to form a pyramid.
"Jeez, at least work on cleaning this place, Natsumi." Genkei grimaced at the sight of 'garbage'.
"Don't worry, I'll have it cleaned out one day." Natsumi shrugged carelessly.
'I don't think she'll ever work out on cleaning.' Both father and son deadpanned in synch.
The walked around more until they found a large desk with a lamp hanging over it and many blueprints scattered on it. There was also a name plate with Natsumi's name in a steampunk version with gears and so.
"So, little hero, what is it that Aunt Natsumi can help you?" She asked as she spun on her steampunk-y chair and grinned in challenge.
"Since when were you considered his aunt?" Genkei asked with a raised eyebrow in amusement.
"Since when you presented your son to me!" She declared dramatically with a hand on her chest. "I know I'm not the best person to be considered like that but I wished to have a nephew of my own!"
"Alright, alright, enough of this dramatization." Genkei rolled his eyes. "So, what do you need for him to do?"
Natsumi grinned, accepting the challenge, before walking toward the backdoor. "You see while I can do anything I want, I need a demonstration of his Quirk before knowing what equipment to build. To do so, I need to-"
She was interrupted when a pile of gadgets fell down and Genkei stared at her unamused of her fallen piles. "You need to work on that."
Natsumi sighed tiredly before staring at the fallen piles. "Mei! I know you're there."
Junpei didn't seem to understand how the pile flinched but his thoughts were cut when the pile scattered and a petite girl emerged from it.
The girl who rose up had a reasonably short girl. She has salmon pink hair which was shoulder-length and was styled into thick dreadlocks, thicker than her mother's. Her eyes were wide and sloped upwards with long upper eyelashes and yellow irises which made it look like scope lenses.
She was wearing a plain black tank top with workshop coveralls tied casually around her waist with red and gold goggles. And her height was barely 4'10' (1,47cm). Junpei was 5'0'' (1,52cm) for which he could see well her scoped eyes.
He noticed that her goggles weren't those that he remembered. 'Maybe those were her first goggles before upgrading them.' He mused, thinking on how steampunk-y they were.
"But mom!" Her whines brought his attention as Mei walked up to her mother. "You promised me that I would help you if I finished my homework!"
"You finished even the thing I asked for?" She inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course!" She beamed joyfully.
The woman nodded in acceptance before smiling at her daughter. "That's great of you, Mei! You're gonna be awesome once you grow up!"
Mei giggled excitedly before noticing Junpei blankly. "Who's he?" She asked her mother.
Natsumi was going to introduce him before she paused and it seemed that something had struck her mind. With a sly grin, which Genkei recognized and dreaded for her idea, she pushed her daughter forward to him.
"Why don't introduce yourself, Mei?" She said as Mei now stood in front of him and she blinked in surprise.
Junpei noted how Mei was checking on him like a rare animal before beaming with a smile. "Hi! I'm Hatsume Mei! It is nice meeting you, future hero!"
He blinked at her introduction but nevertheless, he gave her a smile. "Takahashi Junpei, same. I'll be in your care, Hatsume-san."
She seemed to pause momentarily before getting into his personal space. "That will not do! Just call me Mei! I know that you and I will be capable of changing the world by showing my babies!"
'And her way of 'naming' her inventions was brought out. Good for her.' He thought slightly disturbed on how a kid of 8 years old brought the word 'baby' from her mouth without sounding normal.
"Y-Yeah, but I'm going to take on heroics like everyone on my family." Junpei said which where the worst thing as Mei immediately put her face much closer to him and with a mad and challenging grin, accepted the fact.
"That is even better as I need someone who can test my babies!" She stated excitedly, her eyes literally sparkling which started to scare Junpei. "This was the work of destiny meeting you and me! We'll make many babies which you'll test them for me and I'll be able to upgrade them!"
There was a pregnant pause except for the giggling Natsumi and the excited Mei. The silence was broke out when Junpei spoke out.
"Dad?"
"Yes, son?"
"Is it normal to be scared of women but more…?"
"Yes, Junpei… yes, it is."
"Oh good, then I'm not the only one."
"You have my sympathies."
"I'll take it."
"Oh, come on, Genkei! Don't be a drama queen!" Natsumi chided, putting an arm over his shoulder. "Those were good times! You and me testing my own babies and upgrading to the point that I could promote them!"
"Yeah… good times…" Genkei grumbled sarcastically.
So with the banter done, they moved to another room which in the center, there was a harmless dummy. Except that it had experienced many hardships as dummy.
"Hey, if it isn't training dummy I used back when you had me test some gadgets." Genkei whistled. "I thought it was destroyed the last time I used. And it was 25 years ago."
Natsumi shrugged. "Eh, it is sturdy enough that it lasted this long and the many times I had to upgrade it to the point that it would take All Might's strength to destroy it."
'This training dummy can hold his strength?' Junpei stared at the training dummy in appreciation. 'I hope that it can hold mine.'
"Why don't you try it, Junpei?" Genkei offered, noticing the excitement of his son.
He nodded in agreement as he walked toward the training dummy. "Alright."
As he walked toward it, Natsumi had to ask. "So… what is your son's Quirk, by the way?"
"Eh, it was a surprise at first about it, but we named it [Devil]." Genkei said which earned a flat look of Natsumi.
"Really? I remember the first time you said your hero name before changing it." Natsumi tapped her chin, missing the blushing Genkei. "What was it? Ah, yes, it was-!"
"Enough about me! My son's about to start!" Genkei cut in, blushing while covering her mouth with his hand.
Junpei, ignoring what they chatted, stood in front of the training dummy in expectation. While he wanted to spar more with his seniors, there was a limit on how long they could continue, and training dummies weren't resilient enough for his strength.
'Somehow, I feel like that bald character of that anime, the missus were suddenly interested in.' Junpei thought before shaking off those memories.
"You can do it, Takahashi!" Mei cheered which Natsumi grinned at her daughter and Genkei sighed.
Junpei positioned himself ready to strike the dummy. He reeled back his fist and threw his punch toward it. The consequence of his actions brought widens eyes of his spectators which they barely managed to cover their eyes as a shockwave with wind blew up completely the training dummy.
Once recovered from the shock, Natsumi whistled at the state of the dummy. The pole that was attached on the ground remained where it was, except that it lost the upper torso of the dummy.
"Aww, man, I thought it could last long." Junpei clicked his tongue in displeasure.
"Hahaha, don't worry, Junpei. They can also make more and resilient, am I right?" Genkei said, glancing at Natsumi.
"Hmm, yeah, I could." She grinned. "And it will be the best challenge that I'll overcome with it."
The three (one in mind) adults glanced at the silent Mei as she hadn't spoken at all. The reaction was unexpected for Junpei but for Natsumi and Genkei, they were familiar on how her expression was.
Her grin stretched ear-to-ear and her eyes sparkled at the idea that someone could destroy the training dummy that her mother was proud of.
"Mom?"
"Yes, dear?"
"Can I have a suggestion?"
"Hmm?" Natsumi quirked an eyebrow. "Let's hear it first."
The mother leaned down to her daughter's height and Mei whispered something on her ear. After finishing her whispering, Natsumi looked blankly for a moment before grinning which brought shivers to Genkei.
"Well, that is a great idea!" She stated. "Nothing less of my daughter. That is for sure! Genkei!" She called out the hero. "Why don't you lend me your son?"
A pause…
…
…
…and then.
"WHAT?!" Genkei shouted incredulously. "Why?! I brought him for his support equipment and you are asking me to lend him to you?!"
'Do I look like a toy to you?' Junpei deadpanned with a sweatdrop.
"Because!" Natsumi bellowed out dramatically. "I understand what you are thinking. But I will pay him the part-time job if he wants to help around. With his strength, we would be able to accelerate some commission that we were asked to. The more the merrier!"
Junpei noticed Genkei's eye twitching on how to respond to that before sighing wearily and pinching the bridge of his nose. "And to think that this was a bad idea…" He grumbled under his breathe.
He sighed again to calm himself down before staring at his old friend. "I have to speak with my wife about this before we decide anything. But I won't promise you anything, you understand?"
"Alright!" Natsumi grinned victoriously.
"As for the gadgets…"
"Oh yeah, Mei, bring me my notepads." She said, raising a hand which Mei immediately handed her one and begun writing. "Alright, we will have to build some kind of suppressor that won't kill anybody but enough to make his opponent unconscious. Are you following?" With an affirmative nod, she continued. "So, we might need to build a prototype for both arms and legs, and test them as soon as possible."
With a final scribble, Natsumi nodded with a smirk. "Alright, I might have something to work with. Mei, check our inventory if we still have some of these materials to start!"
"Roger that, mom!" Mei saluted, receiving the notepads before looking at Junpei with a smile. "It was nice meeting you!" With that, she began her work.
"Y-Yeah…" Junpei mumbled, unsure of how their first time meeting went.
His first meeting with Itsuka was surprising for him and he was glad to meet her, she was looked up as the leader of her class and she was strong, and also a good sparring opponent. But meeting Mei, because of his lack of control, it seemed that the world has planned something for him and now if his parents permitted him to work here, he would see her daily.
"Okay, Natsumi, what's the big deal that you had to ask about my son working here?" Genkei huffed, crossing his arms.
Natsumi glanced between Genkei and Junpei, who had still watched Mei do her things, before whispering on his ear. Genkei listened attentively for her excuse before frowning in contemplation and nostalgia before sighing in defeat.
"Fine… that is… something I can relate between you two." Genkei rubbed his face. "But still, the final word is between me and Hideko, so don't get your hopes up, alright?"
"That is all I ask." Natsumi nodded in affirmation before looking at Junpei. "So, what do you think of my daughter, future hero?"
Junpei looked at the mother present before looking back at the daughter. "Well, she is quite… a character you don't see every day." He admitted truthfully.
Natsumi laughed at his confession in acknowledgment. "Yes, yes, she is my daughter and got most of my traits than her father." She said. "Alright, little hero, we'll be busy for a time so I think that it would be a week or so to get a prototype. We'll call you when it is ready."
With that promise, Genkei and Junpei left the warehouse leaving the duo engineers to work.
(Year 2281 – Age of 8 – Takahashi Household – Afternoon)
They had returned to their home and both father and son went to do what they were supposed to do. Junpei played with Himari on his laps, giving her some weird faces and earning some adorable giggles while Genkei sat with Hideko on the dining room with cups of tea.
"So, how did your meeting with Natsumi-chan go?" Hideko asked.
"Well, truthfully, she hadn't changed much through years and it still the same when we first met her." Genkei answered with a chuckle. "In fact, she has a daughter that looks and acts like her."
"Oh my, it seems that Junpei-kun will live like you had." She chimed with a chuckle.
"Ugh, don't remind me of that." He groaned, sipping his tea. "I was the unluckiest one on being asked to test her gadgets. Too much explosions… too much pain… that was too much…"
"What is I hear about explosions?" Fumiko asked in worry, walking out of her room.
"And did I hear something about a girl?" Keiji added, the same as his sister, with a grin. "Oh, our little brother is meeting another one, huh? Don't you worry, that your brother will teach you the way of wooing a girl."
"I simply went to look for a support equipment and the one who would work on it, was coincidentally a girl." Junpei said flatly.
"Oh, don't be so shy on your aniki." He stated, getting closer with a sly grin.
"If you're going to pester me because of it, I'll use my eyes." Junpei warned him, narrowing his eyes. "I'm not afraid to use it."
Keiji was about to retort before Fumiko slapped a tail on his back earning a glare. "Hey, what the hell, Fumiko?"
"Knock it off, Keiji. Just because he met another girl doesn't mean that he was going to woo her." She huffed angrily. "He is 8, for god's sake! I won't let you taint his innocence with your stupidity and hormonal problem."
'I'm older by a large margin than them but they don't have to know.' Junpei deadpanned, holding Himari between his legs.
"Oh please, Junpei knows what he does!" Keiji declared. "I remember that he brought a girl to our previous house with Izuku. The girl named Itsuba? Itsuka? Whatever. The thing is, he is working on his range of women!"
"Don't put on the same category as you, you damn hormonal idiot!" Fumiko scowled angrily. "Or I'll make your dreams a nightmare if you keep doing it!"
"Try me! I'll have my revenge if you do that!" He retorted, butting heads with Fumiko. "And I'll have you know that in the future, he'll be popular with girls just I am!"
"Why you?!"
"Children, please." Hideko warned them with a morbid smile which made them flinch in terror.
"We're sorry!" They apologized, prostrating to her.
'What dumbasses of siblings.' Junpei sighed as he laid Himari on the floor with her toys before walking toward his room.
But mentioning about Itsuka, it had made him think about her. It has been eleven months since she moved out and had their tearful farewells with Izuku. They did chat before, but he had been busy with the moving and it had been two months since then. Maybe he should contact her and see how she is.
Taking out his phone, he dialed her number that Genkei passed him through Itsuki. "Hey, Suka, it's been a while!"
"Yeah, it has been, Jukkun. How you've been?" She asked, happy for calling her.
"Good, good, just getting used to the new house and having a young sister." He told her. Itsuka didn't know about Himari at all.
"Really? Aunt Hideko was pregnant?! Tell her my congratulations." She said joyfully.
"Sure, I might also send you some pictures of my little sis. Her name's Himari, if you're wondering." He chuckled, sitting on his bed.
"So… moving out to another house." Itsuka drawled out. "Did Zuku cry when you were about to leave?" She asked in a teasing tone.
Half-groaning in distress, he slumped down with a hand on his face. "Yeah, you wouldn't believe how much he cried when I told him. He was crying more when you left."
"Can't blame him." She responded, hinting that she was shrugging. "From what I understood, you were his very first friend that didn't leave him so it is an understatement that he would cry."
"Yeah, I guess." He admitted, quite happy about his friendship with Izuku. If only he could say that about Katsuki. "Anyways, how's treating you in your new home and prefecture?"
"Eh, there weren't many changes about it, but I miss you both. Sparring, I mean, I tell you how the new dojo I moved, my opponents can't even throw a punch or underestimate me completely. It is a complete disrespect!" She complained.
"I remember how a senior underestimated you when you first sparred with him." He chuckled. "You destroyed him completely and ever since then, there wasn't any senior that held back against you."
"Yeah, those were the times." She said wistfully. "How's Zuku, by the way?"
Junpei shrugged. "Eh, same old same old. He keeps writing down on his notebooks and keeps gushing on All Might's merchandise. Oh, and he also focuses on his training since it is his dream to go to U.A."
Itsuka giggled. "Hahaha, that sounds like him. How about you? How are you holding up in the dojo?"
He sighed half-mockingly. "Well, some of the seniors or the same age as us are mad because they can't hit me at all."
"Well, you are fast that dodging seem easy for you and you hit back hard." She pointed out.
"Haters gonna hate. If they can't hit me, they should work hard to do so." He shrugged with a shit-eating grin before sobering when he remembered something. "Oh, almost forgot, back at the Unbreakable Dojo, Grandmaster Arata invited various martial artists, heroes included who were his alumni, and trained us."
"Oh man, I wished I stayed!" Itsuka moaned in defeat. "Training with heroes would have been a boost for my training! When we meet up, I want a spar against you!" She demanded.
Junpei laughed. "Alright, alright, it's a deal. It would have been fun if you stayed."
There was a pause which Junpei frowned at it. 'Did I say something wrong?' He wondered confusedly. Before he could ask, Itsuka continued.
"Anyways, how's Arata-sensei? I know that he is busy with his work but otherwise, he was a great master."
"Oh, you know, beating idiot kids for their morals, telling the parents off when they demand to have their kids taught – you know, the spoiled ones – and bellowing out his laughter like he found a challenge on anybody. And that 'anybody' was unfortunately, me." He told her flatly.
"Hahaha, same master." Itsuka chuckled. "Alright, I think I had taken enough time of yours. Take care, Jukkun."
"Before I forget…" He began as he felt she needed to hear it. "I know we will meet four years before U.A. but… Izuku and I miss you dearly, Itsuka. Don't forget about it."
There was a hitching gasp and the pause which Junpei waited for her response. After a few seconds, Junpei could hear the happiness of his dear friend. "Y-Yeah, thanks, Jukkun. I'll wait for you and Izuku in U.A." She declared.
"Yes, ma'am." He chuckled. "Good night, Itsuka."
"Good night."
Turning off his phone, he laid down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He had lived through eight years and half since he was reborn, and he was living well his new life. There will be challenges, which is for sure, but he knew that he had people he could depend on this moment.
The next day, he was told by his parents what they talked about working with the Hatsume but it seemed that he wouldn't be able to work there but assist during visits were fine. He would be allowed after twelve but only a few hours.
-o-
Two weeks passed since he met the duo mother-daughter Hatsume. They had taken a week more to work on his equipment and their patience had granted a call from them, calling that the prototype was ready.
"Genkei! Little hero! Welcome to our crazy factory!" Natsumi greeted them warmly as they walked inside. "Come in! Come in! And let me show you the magic."
Once they were inside, they noticed that the piles of gadgets had piled up more than before.
"You've been working on more commissions, Natsumi? 'Cause I think they had piled up more than the last time we got here." Genkei sighed.
"What can I say?" Natsumi shrugged cockily with a grin. "If nobody is capable of finishing their work on time or are incapable of building it, they all send it to me. I'm proud of myself, if I say it myself!"
"Sure, sure, I believe you." Genkei rolled his eyes playfully.
"Mei! They came for the support equipment!"
"You finally came!" Mei appeared, dirty as always with grease on her face and clothes. Junpei noticed she was holding something between her arms. "Welcome to our crazy factory!"
He blinked at the coincidence between the mother and daughter on how they greeted them. "Déjà vu?"
"What was that?"
He quickly shook off his head. "Nothing. It is good to see you again, Mei."
"Good! Because I want to show you your new equipment!" Mei grabbed on his sleeves and dragged him off. "Follow me!"
"H-Hey! I can walk!"
"Doesn't this remind you on something?" Natsumi chuckled to the nostalgic sight.
"I said before that Junpei looked more like me but…" Genkei sighed. "Well, it seems familiar."
"Yeah." She chortled in agreement. "I wonder if he is going to act like you once he gets in U.A."
"Ugh, don't you start again, Natsumi. I had enough of reminiscing that time in U.A." He groaned with a shudder. "To think how stupid, I was. Aggressive polite, stupid, and dense…"
"Still, I am thankful that you can at least send him here talk with Mei." She said gratefully. "I know her desire to build her babies and getting in the Support Department in U.A. but… she really needs a friend of her age and because of her… let's say, eccentric nature, she can hardly meet up with new people."
Genkei nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I remember a time that I first met a dark pink-haired girl working on something and she hardly listened to others. Sometimes, I wonder, what would have happened if Junpei hadn't existed and Mei wouldn't have met him?"
Natsumi cringed at the thought, hissing between her teeth. "Yeah, well, like the past me. And I am thankful that you can let your son visit her, y'know. Like I said, Mei needed a friend that it isn't me or her babies."
"Don't worry. Knowing my son, he'll keep a good eye on her before anything happens." He assured her.
Just on cue, an explosion surged where the kids were. Both parents weren't in the case panicked as they knew that the store had a self-defense weapons and they were both familiar with the explosions.
"Unless your kid kills mine…" He added in a deadpan.
"Hahaha…" Natsumi laughed and scratched her cheek awkwardly and embarrassedly. "Yeah… sorry about that."
"Whoo! That was awesome!" Mei cheered excitedly, coming out of the smoke, all darken.
"You… *cough* say that…" Junpei followed behind, also darken of smoke, coughing. "What did that supposed to do?"
He had the worst moment to be curious on one of the many artifacts that Mei's family had been working on. It was a spherical object that could hold any kind of energy inside before being released like a grenade. Mei had explained eagerly about it while pointing at the freaking red button on the side which while explaining, she pressed the button, releasing the energy inside and exploding into their faces.
Fortunately, the energy inside was outdated which lost most of the punch of it so they were mildly hurt and their ears ringing.
"Like I said! Hold energy and release it! It isn't that hard to understand." She shrugged indifferently.
"Right…" He coughed the last dirty air he choked on and cleaned his throat. "Anyways, about my equipment…"
"Right! Right!" She exclaimed hurriedly as she laid down what she held before on the table. "This is the baby that I and my mother worked on. The culmination of two weeks of work and time we worked on since you gave us the commission."
Junpei looked at the gadget on the table with interest. Both equipment was like wrist bands and ankle warmers but in a steampunk design and metallic instead of cloth. He wasn't expecting much as they were their first prototype so with time, he should be able to tell them about upgrading them to a much bigger version of them. Both had black and purple as main colors and had a small panel on the right wristband.
"It looks cool." He pointed out blankly before earning a face-to-face closeness of Mei.
"'Cool' doesn't mean the half of what this baby can do!" She leaned back with a proud grin. "This baby is able to alter how much strength it can hold so you shouldn't be concerned about it."
"That's amazing, Mei." He complimented her as he knew how much effort she puts on her babies.
"Aw, shucks, you're making me blush." She chuckled embarrassedly. A part which he hadn't seen her act like this as she was… let's be gentle, and say she is a hardworking girl.
"So, how does it work?" Junpei eyed at the metallic wristbands. "From what I can see, there isn't a button or anything that helps me with adjusting."
"Oh, that's easy. First off, put them on!" She ordered.
Feigning worry, he eyed warily at the gadgets. "Are you sure? Aren't they going to explode if that happens?"
She puffed her cheeks, offended. "Of course not!" She mumbled embarrassedly while not looking at him. "…sometimes."
"I'm just pulling your leg, Mei." Junpei chuckled. "Failure is the mother of success, so I won't be mad at you."
"Really?!" She asked eagerly, getting into his personal space again. "I knew I liked something about you!"
Natsumi snorted at the sight. "I think there is something more than that." She whispered to Genkei, who rolled his eyes with a groan.
"As for how it works…" Mei continued, ignorant of what their parents were whispering about. "We had yet programmed something so we gave you a panel that you could adjust on your own."
She began tipping the panel and numbers began forming in it. As she continued touching the gadget, Junpei was watching attentively on how she worked on. While eccentric, she was one of the best engineer/inventors in U.A. that anybody could ask for, even matching the girl in I-Island.
"Done!" Mei stated as Junpei noticed that his right wristband showed '100%'. "And don't worry about the others! This wristband is connected with the others through hardware and software, and if you adjust your strength in this one, the others will adjust accordingly!"
"Nice." Junpei grinned, eyeing in appreciation at the gadgets. 'Now I should be able to spar with Izuku with these on.'
"First! Let's test them before taking them!" Mei urged Junpei to the previous room that Junpei first tested his strength on the training dummy. Natsumi and Genkei followed behind and noticed the upgrade the dummy.
"You upgraded it?" Genkei asked, noticing the new armor the dummy wore.
"Yup! I got the idea of adding armor as there are some training grounds that needed more resilient training dummies!" Natsumi stated proudly. "This gadget is one of the many successful equipment that I created and many others buy it from me! And all is thanks to you, Genkei!"
Genkei looked away embarrassedly, scratching his cheek. "I didn't do anything. I just wanted something to punch after losing my first Sports Event."
"Hahaha! You say that and I know you better!" Natsumi chortled amusedly.
"Come on!" Mei pouted at their parents for their interruption. "Let's see if it works perfectly!"
"Alright, alright, I'm going." Natsumi glanced at Junpei with a hand offering to the dummy. "You can start, little hero."
Junpei nodded and adjusted his strength in 95%. "Let's start smaller." He glanced at the now armored dummy and prepared himself with his fist.
Breathing in and out in a complete serene state, he closed his eyes and slightly crouched down into a punching stance. The Hatsumes and Genkei watched in anticipation on how the dummy would resist despite the first destruction.
The silence was broken out when Junpei opened his eyes fiercely and thrust his fist forward in an efficient way in the solar plexus of the dummy. The dummy reeled back onto impact but it brought the result they wanted to get.
The dummy was intact and nothing out ordinary appeared on the dummy.
Natsumi whistled. "Well, it seems that the gadget works!" She declared.
"Woohoo! My baby works!" Mei cheered, jumping victoriously.
"How do you feel, Junpei?" Genkei asked.
Junpei glanced at his fist, while not badly hurt he felt the familiar throbbing sensation of pain, and grinned. "Great! I haven't felt like this before my overpowering strength appeared!"
"That's good to hear!" Genkei nodded in acceptance.
Junpei was glad that his strength was now controlled, through a machine – but he couldn't be picky on that – until he was able to control it on his own.
"Thank you, Mei!" He said with a grin. "It will be useful in my trainings!"
"No problem!" She answered in acceptance, slightly blushing. "I'll continue making those baby better once they broke down or needs an upgrade."
Junpei nodded in acceptance. Although she is a weird girl, her brain and dedication on building support equipment was extraordinary. "Great! I'll be able to help you once I am able to work here. But for now, I'll be helping you or giving some ideas for your inventions!" He declared which brought Mei a big smile.
"I can't wait for that day, Junpei!" She chided joyfully.
In that moment, it started a weird but fruitful friendship between the future inventor/engineer and the reincarnated hero.
Once he brought out his support equipment to the dojo, a few – including Izuku and Arata – asked about them and Junpei had explained that he was brought to a support department on commissioning something to be able to adjust his strength.
While Arata disapprove the usage of them, he knew that he had yet to reach his potential to control his strength so he allowed him to use until he is able to control his strength without them.
Izuku wondered about them and Junpei told him that the person behind his support equipment was an old acquaintance of his parents'. But above all, Izuku was glad that he was now able to spar with Izuku and train together to become heroes.
He was now happy that his 'Strength-Suppressor (name not yet named) MARK I' was now in his possession until he was able to control his strength willingly.
What would happen after that? Only future will tell us.
(Year 2287 – 6 Years Later – 14 Years Old – Canon Timeline)
Well… even after 6 years, he had still been able to control his strength on his own. While his strength gradually grew up with his training – including his support equipment – he also got interested in machinery as at the age of eleven, he was given permission to work with the Hatsume at their store part-time before going to the dojo and train.
Izuku had wondered where he left after school and Junpei explained to him that he was going to his part-time job despite the age but it worked out well and that he would see him during training.
There were times that the store didn't have much to do so Natsumi told him that he could take the day off but those days were rarely as work was sometimes overwhelmed with various commissions.
But those are stories that had yet to be told… now, Junpei was now 14 years old just like Izuku and Katsuki, and he was at the start of their stories before U.A.
His relationship with the people he had met was varied. With Izuku, he remained being his best friend apart from Katsuki, training and hanging out together for the most time of his life. With Itsuka, he and she kept contacting through calls and messages to talk about how they were. With Katsuki, ever since Katsuki had declared him his rival, there wasn't a time that Katsuki kept demanded for a match which Junpei simply used his [Magic Eyes] Quirk to stop rampaging once he couldn't accept defeat.
Although… their relationship between Junpei, Izuku and Katsuki had something to do that they were childhood friends and their families gathered up together to lunch or travels.
As for Mei… well, they were colleagues and in some kind of relationship of partners during her weird and crazy creations they made.
Fortunately for him, she hadn't met yet with Izuku or Katsuki but he had told her about them. And while it was amusing that she gave them nicknames such as 'Muscles' and 'Bomber-Head' respectively, she wasn't interested unless either they met face-to-face or becoming her new guinea pigs.
Oh, and his nickname was 'Horny' or 'Bull' because of his horns. While he didn't have problem with the latter, the other one would misunderstand many people and looked at him oddly. He had tried to correct her or prohibit her of saying that word… only for her to ignore it and continue with her day like nothing happened.
Sighing in defeat, he had no other choice to let her do as her please. She was stubborn, he'll give her that.
But obviously, it didn't end just like that. Sometimes, Natsumi invites him to some late-lunch – he understood that they were the same on not eating during their working times on their babies so he sometimes bring some sandwiched for them when they forget to eat all day – and he was surprised that Natsumi knew how to cook. He thought that like her daughter, she could barely cook and order take-outs.
Of course, he didn't voice that.
Why, you ask? Well, you have to understand one thing that can be described to the Hatsume family: the insanity of the mother-daughter duo.
Working on their store, he had become some kind of guinea pigs of Mei's, testing many of her babies which resulted in various errors and injuries which he got used to – it's a lie – but it was more manageable to hold his resistance.
Nevertheless, he had gotten so used to her insanity that he felt numb of it while others watched them oddly. His family somehow gotten used to Mei's madness although Junpei was wary to have Himari close to her. The same thoughts were shared with the other family members.
Despite all her oddness and weird attitude, Junpei's family welcomed Mei which brought her a smile which was different from the usual grins or smiles she wore.
In one of their works, Mei had told him something: her dream.
"You know, Bull, what is my dream?" She asked, her eyes on her work with a wrench on her hand.
"Hm? What is it, Mei-chan?" He asked, lifting up his goggles on his forehead. It was the first time he had heard about it as apart from supplying her babies to the heroes and so, he knew that it was mostly about her desire to be able to build her creations and hand it to the heroes.
She continued tightening the screw with her wrench before leaving it aside and looking at him. "My dream is to help not only heroes but others such as normal people, Quirk or no Quirk, in their daily lives and making it easier!" She declared grandly.
He gave her an accepting smile and nodded. "That is great about your dream, Mei. I know for sure that you will be able to make your dream real." He replied truthfully.
In truth, with the six years of friendship with her, he had seen an insight which the manga didn't talk about. Mei was a shy girl. She only talks passionately when it is about her babies and brainstorming ideas but apart from that, she didn't know much about what to talk about if it is something else.
He always thought of her that her way of speaking and the way she acted was much eccentric and reckless in a way that she wouldn't listen nobody if it isn't something she is interested in. She might look odd at the eyes of society and her group but under her selfishness of inventing her babied, she was a determined and stubborn character like Izuku.
"Thanks!" She said brightly.
Noticing the time, it was almost time for him to leave and get to the dojo. "Well, it seems that I have to leave now." He saw the mildly dejected look but brightened up when he showed her a Tupperware with a specific item inside. "Oh, don't be sad, Mei-chan. It doesn't suit you. I brought a hand-made chocolate cake for you!"
"Oh~ gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" She urged to hand her over her delicious snack. Once handed, she opened the cap and eat a mouthful of chocolate inside, melting her inside blissfully. "Oooh… it's delicious~!"
"Hehehe, I can see that." Junpei said with a chuckle, wiping his hands with a towel. "Still though, I have to get back to training if I want to be ready for the Entrance Exam, y'know. But don't worry, I'll ask my master if I can get a week off or something and help you!"
"Really?!" She jumped over and gave him a grateful hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My babies will be grandiose with you helping me!" She cackled eagerly.
He patted her head with a smile and with that, he exited the store toward his home, missing the slight blush it formed on Mei's face.
Mei was glad that her mom was friend with Junpei's father, although at first, she was interested in him becoming her guinea pig to wear her babies but by the time he was allowed to work with them, she had seen that the brainstorm ideas he shared with her was amazing and even capable to making better her babies which it was a bonus for her.
"Ara ara, what's with that blush, Mei?"
Mei was startled because of the voice and turned around to see her mother leaning on the wall with a grin that dreaded her completely.
"Mom? I thought you would be late and told me that I was capable on getting by myself!" She said, flustered.
Natsumi shrugged, still wearing that shit-eating grin, and walked toward her daughter. "Mah, mah, the exhibition I was supposed to get at got attacked by villains and a hero happened to stop them. So, the event was passed to another date and I came earlier than I supposed to." She looked at her daughter mischievously. "But enough of that, what was with that look that you gave at the door when Junpei-kun left, hm?"
"Mom! Stop teasing me!" Mei moaned.
Natsumi laughed at her reaction. "Hahaha! I'm pulling a leg of yours, Mei. I know that look when you looked at Junpei." She sobered up with a solemn look. "Just as I was in love with his father."
"Huh?" Mei was surprised at that. "What do you mean about that?!"
Natsumi pursed her lips in a thoughtful manner before shrugged and walking away. "Eh, nothing important. I'll go take a nap or something."
"W-Wait! What do you mean about that?! Mom!"
-o-
Junpei suddenly had the urge to scratch his head. Like he missed something… important? Something that would understand about something. Eh, he shrugged it off and continued getting toward his home and get prepared to the dojo.
Now that he thought about it, Mei hadn't met Izuku as Itsuka did. If he was honest, she can be an oddball or weird to him, but he can say that she is indeed a good friend that he can talk to and he felt that Mei needed more friends than him. Just like Izuku.
Maybe it would be a great idea of have them meet each other.
…
…
…
…
…
…although…
With Izuku who is still shy talking with girls except for Fumiko, Himari, and Mei who talks uncontrollably but cannot talk anything else except about her babies or anything related to that, they weren't going to make any progress.
And he expected to watch the funny scene of the first meeting between them in the future… hmm… why does he feel like he didn't want that?
Eh, whatever, there is still time to think about it so he shouldn't be bothered about it yet.
But it has also been quite a normal day except that Izuku had grown more than he had first encountered. He was from 5'5'' (1,66cm) to 5'7'' (1,70cm) barely closer than Katsuki which his height is 5'8'' (1,72cm). He had grown more muscles that Junpei could have thought.
His body started to make shape during his first years of training. He was noticeably leaner than other boys in his years; even girls would take long looks on him during P.E. Also his appetite became bigger thus the years of training that his mother, Inko, prepared grand quantity of food.
Even sometimes Junpei and Izuku would take place in eating competitions or something like that.
But among the three childhood friends, Junpei was the tallest and buffest. He had grown from 5'0'' (1,52cm) to 5'8'' (1,75cm) just because of his father's genes which his father, Genkei, is 6'6'' (1,98cm), his mother, Yui, is 5'9'' (1,75cm), his brother, Keiji, is 6'0'' (1,83cm), his sister, Fumiko, is 5'8'' (1,74cm) and his little sister, Himari, is 39.5'' (1,00cm) being the youngest of the family by 6 years old.
His muscle mass had grown so much that his old clothes could barely hold him yet he maintained a balanced dietary although sometimes his hunger gets the best of him. Sometimes people would mistake him with Kenshirō of Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) because of his muscles.
So he decided to let his hair grow so much that his bangs covered a third of his face leaving his right eye open and the back of his head, the hair reached to his shoulder so sometimes he had to tie into a pigtail to not bother him during his training.
It's going to be their last year as seniors in Junior High so he will begin training his newfound Quirk.
TO BE CONTINUED
OMAKE – 'What If' – The meeting
Junpei dreaded one day of having Mei meet with Izuku and Katsuki. It just happened to be one of those days that Mei brainstormed an idea and needed his help and assistance on her project… which, it happened suddenly.
Junpei walked out of the school with Izuku behind and not far was Katsuki.
"Yo, you wanna get something before going to the dojo?" He asked.
"I don't know. The last time we did that, Grandmaster Arata got mad and bonked us with a bokken." Izuku grunted, massaging the phantom pain on his head.
"Eh, it didn't hurt much." Junpei shrugged.
"That is because of you have a hard head with your Quirk, Jukkun." Izuku deadpanned.
While they were talking, Katsuki grunted just behind them and rolled his eyes.
"Anyways, we still up to the cooking classes with Aunt Mitsuki and Aunt Inko this weekend?" Junpei asked.
The truth was, while the three of them weren't much closer than Junpei thought, they still worked on their cooking skills with their families in case that the parents weren't able to be available to cook. Keiji and Fumiko also cooked on their own in the case that they leave the house. Keiji is looking for a place right now, but he had gotten used to cook on his own… if it wasn't meat all the time.
AT LEAST HAVE SOME VEGETABLE YOU CARNIVOROUS IDIOT!
Anyways…
Izuku nodded. "Yeah, we should get to-"
"BUUUUULL~!"
A female voice shouted out excitedly before anybody could wonder, somebody had planted on Junpei… most likely his face in between two pair of melons.
"Bull! Bull! I have a great idea of a project and I need your strength to finish it!" Mei eagerly chanted, oblivious or ignorant that her breasts were on Junpei's face as she looked excited for her idea and having her friend to help her.
"Oh, Mei, I was wondering why you came." Junpei's voice was mumbled out between her breasts, not even flinching at it while everyone else looked either dumbfounded or shocked as most boys were envious of Junpei.
Junpei had already admitted defeat of having her act like this and this action was one of those. Also, he was an adult in mind so he had to act accordingly despite of his hormonal body which was being suppressed controllably.
"W-What?" Izuku stammered, surprised.
"HEY, WHAT THE HELL, SHITTY-EYES?! WHO'S THIS BIMBO BITCH?!" On the other hand, Katsuki demanded.
Mei sat over Junpei's shoulder and raised a hand with a grin. "I'm Hatsume Mei! I'm the one who built 'The Repressor MARK VI'!" She declared cheerfully.
"THAT DOESN'T EXPLAIN ANYTHING!" Katsuki raged on.
Rolling his eyes, Junpei sighed in exasperation. "She's the one who build my support equipment, you dynamite for brains."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME, ASSHOLE?!"
"I-I am M-Midoriya Izuku." The greenette greeted meekly. "I-It's nice meeting, Hatsume-san."
Mei regarded Izuku for a moment before smiling. "Nice meeting you too, Broccoli!" She said cheerfully.
"B-Broccoli?!" He asked incredulously.
"PFTHAHAHAHAHA!" Katsuki howled at the stupid nickname she gave him. "That was a nice one! You got yourself another stupid nickname, Deku!" He continued cackling.
"Whatever you say, Porcupine." Mei shrugged.
"HUH?! YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ME, BITCH?!" He did a 180 on his attitude.
Sighing in defeat, he looked at his 'passenger' over his shoulder. "Anyways, about your plans…?"
Mei blinked in realization. "Oh right, thanks for reminding me. Let's go to the store and make babies!"
"WHAT?!" / "BABIES?!"
Everyone around shouted in disbelief or incredulous or envious.
Junpei felt like a migraine was going to form. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he regarded his two childhood friends with an exasperated look. "I'll explain it later… so long!"
With that, they left hurriedly with Mei holding over his horns with a mad cackle. The two of the left childhood friends, regarded their violet-haired friend with a dumbfound expression before Izuku broke the silence with a sigh.
"I'm not going to question that, right?"
"Nope."
The two remaining childhood friends regarded the silence for a moment. Before they split up.
"I'm going home."
"Yeah, whatever."
With those two away, they thought of the same thing about their violet-haired childhood friend.
'We really got an odd friend…'
It's been a while but I'm still alive after finals on college and finally holidays. Now I have time for this and my other fanfictions. Though I'll need some help naming the Takahashi's family hero names. If anyone has any ideas for them, I would appreciate.
I added Mei in this part of the story since she is practically an inventor/engineer! I understand that this chapter was short but it was more an introduction for Junpei's support equipment and the inventor which I chosen her to become!
So, what would mean by that? Junpei had met one of the characters earlier on so he can at least see differently here.