Breadsticks are so amazing.

But pretzel bread is even better!

Song: Harukaze by SCANDAL

Code to join the discord server is:

p6HcDQpxuk !

"And thus, the wheel of fate keeps turning…

I wonder if the world I'm not in anymore is one I can keep up with."

"I'm telling you I can get your Quirk back. All of them."

My eyes widened as he whispered that in my ear, his grin only widening as he knew that he had me, hook, line and sinker. Tch. The more I stared at this guy, the more pissed off I was starting to get.

"That's impossible, you can't reverse-,"

"Oh, I can't," The man replied, "But Yukari Aotsuki can. While you did something to your Quirk, which had a knock-on effect on being able to access them, it doesn't mean you're Quirkless. To be Quirkless means you must have been born without a Quirk. In your case, you simply can't access your Quirk. While Quirks are a science, they are also entirely controlled by the mind. That way, using your mind and with Yukari's help, there is a way for you to get your powers back."

…

"Why are you doing this for me?" I asked the Fifth.

"I already told you, I need your help," He replied. "And it has all to do with the lie All For One told you. Experiments from the First through the Sixth didn't all die, though one through four did. But myself and the Sixth lived. While I haven't seen the Sixth in six years, I know for a fact that she's still alive. The problem is that All For One wanted us to die, yet Garaki didn't. Yukari and Tokage joined the project twenty-eight years ago, but by that point, I had already been born. And so had the Sixth."

"So then what happened?"

The man relaxed in his seat as he studied me for a few seconds.

"What did All For One tell you about us?"

"I can't remember, it was over a year ago and not a good day for me," I replied honestly. "He didn't talk much about you first six. Only that you had died."

"We were… 'failed' experiments. Unlike you who has perfect recall of his past life, I have gaps in my memories. Thus, we were imperfect. All For One sought to rid us, to start anew but Garaki saved me and the Sixth. That's when a compromise was met, the two of us would be sent to 'El Agujero.'"

"Huh?"

"It's Spanish. Don't you speak Spanish?" I shook my head. "It means the hole. It's an international underground fighting ring in Spain. All For One controlled it and profited off it, and so he made us two children fight to our deaths. It wasn't until the project fell apart when you were born, seventeen and a half years ago, that I managed to escape with the Sixth. But it was thanks to the strongest fighter in the hole. We called him Molinete."

"Okay, and?"

"He's now coming after me. Trying to kill me. Those who go into the hole don't come out sane, I was lucky I had the Sixth with me or else I'd turn out exactly like him. Molinete's turned crazy, and I'm not much of a fighter. The problem is his Quirk is powerful. And the reason he wants to kill me is because of his Quirk, the ability to drain someone's life force and convert it to power."

"That's tough buddy, but how the hell is that my problem?" I asked him. "How long have you been stalking me? It's been months since we first met. What the hell is your problem?!"

"I told you already," The Fifth started softly. "He's coming after me. Molinete isn't your normal asshole, he was one of All For One's top enforces. Our dearest villain betrayed him and locked him up in the hole, and now that he's out he's bided his time for All For One to be toppled, and now that he's gone for good, he wants to ruin every plan All For One had."

"...And?"

"That includes you," The Fifth pointed out. "You, your family and everyone you've ever loved. That's how power-hungry, but also how vengeful he truly is. Sora Yamazaki, if you want to fight off against Molinete, to fight him to save your loved ones - You need your powers back. That's why I've come to you, you're the one with the biggest chance to win."

"How?" I asked him angrily. "Tokage exists, I'm sure you know about her. Hell, even Zero or Yozora would have been able to protect you from this 'Molinete' guy, why the hell have you come to me?!"

"Because you're the one with the closest ties to Yukari Aotsuki. She is your mother after all, and she's the one who knows the most about Molinete," The Fifth explained. "Molinete after all was the person who helped Yukari set the other kids free. The punishment for that was Molinete being stuck in the hole, and so if anyone knows how to fight back it's her. And judging from what I've seen and heard, the only one who would willingly go to Yukari and ask for help is you."

…

Tsk.

"What if I don't want my powers back?"

"Hah," The man laughed at that. "Sora, you may think you're hiding it. But to be honest, you've been a bad sight since you lost your powers. You want to fight, right? Not being able to personally protect the people around you, really gets to you? I can see it in your eyes. The reason you haven't reached out to your old friends is because you hate the fact that they remind you of when you were strong enough to protect them."

"That's-,!"

Tch.

I closed my mouth and glared at the table.

"You don't have to hide it, Sora. Because feeling that way is what makes you who you are," The man told me, pouring the two of us a glass of expensive whiskey he had brought with him. "You'll get your Quirks back, and who knows how powerful you'll become now. If it's the power you want, the power to protect unlike before, the power to fight - Then this isn't such a bad deal."

"...How would Yukari reverse my Quirk?"

The Fifth merely grinned at that.

"Do you know what Yukari's Quirk is by any chance?"

I shook my head as the Fifth chuckled at me.

"It's called 'The Price is Right.' I remember when she first joined the project and she used her Quirk to do the impossible. Paying a price, which I remember was her bone, she healed the First's broken neck in a matter of seconds. You have a similar Quirk. While Yukari pays a price to do something to others, you pay a price to empower yourself. Thus, Yukari can use her Quirk to reverse whatever it is you did to yourself."

"Hold on, that means that Nimbus-,"

"Is not your original Quirk. Well, that would be incorrect," The Fifth smirked at me. "You really didn't listen to what All For One said to you, did you? I'm pretty sure he explained for what reason you were born, that being to torture Yukari. But it was also to test the impossible, could a child be born with two different Quirks."

"So Nimbus and my Gambler's Quirk are both ones I was born with?"

The Fifth nodded.

"That's at least what I was able to discern from Garaki's notes, as well as my own memories at the time. My point is that Yukari's Quirk functions similarly to yours, and as such, she's the one that can help you," The Fifth explained to me. "But, that's where the problems come into play."

I watched as he slid photos across the table.

Pictures of Yukari with important officials, ones I recognised from the news.

Famous politicians, rich businessmen and even a few heroes.

"I don't see the problem."

"Many of the people in these pictures are in politics, true, they also have ties to the yakuza," The Fifth told me. "The point is that Yukari seems to be using her Quirk to help the 'villains' as you'd call them. Hell, I have no idea where Yukari even is. I can't seem to find her, but you have."

"How do you know that?"

"I met a certain 'masked man,' and he told me that you reached out the truth, whatever that meant," The Fifth said while frowning. "Said 'masked man' also nearly killed me. Jeez. My bones are still aching from our fight I'm pretty sure. Anyways, Yukari is a slippery person. Just because she helped the other numbers escape doesn't mean she did so out of the kindness in her heart, maybe she just wanted to stop feeling guilty for her actions. What I'm trying to say is that she may not help us willingly."

…

I thought back to when I last 'met' Yukari.

Or rather, when I visited her home.

When I heard her cry behind that door.

Did she really want to see me again? Or did she want to wash herself from feeling guilty of abandoning me? Or were those all excuses she told herself to keep me away from her so that I wouldn't ruin someone else's life?

"The choice is yours, Sora Yamazaki," The man got up from his chair. "I already gave you my number before. You know where to call me. Oh, I forgot the most important thing. My name is Gyro. Nice to meet you."

He offered his hand out.

"Nice to meet you too, I guess."

I watched as Gyro left me alone with my thoughts, and instinctively I reached out for my cigarettes. After lighting one up, I took a long drag from it as I stared at the empty sky, and for once I was lost for words…

…

Fuck.

Chapter

Forty

Eight

'Welcome to our EXECUTION'

Walking back into the party, I tried looking at every corner, but I couldn't find Gyro. It was like he completely disappeared, almost as if he was never there. But despite that, as I looked at my phone, I could see his contact that I had hastily plugged in all those weeks ago.

One I had just renamed to Gyro.

…

My powers…

If this Molinete was really going to come after me, then I needed to be prepared. But I had no way of verifying if what he was saying was the truth, yet, if it was then I had to fight. Just using a sword wouldn't cut it, and if Yukari really could help me then… I sighed loudly, leaning over the kitchen countertop with tons of alcohol still available as I reached out for the rum.

Damn it.

I had no idea where Yukari was.

Not only did I burn all the medical records I had on Yukari, the ones featuring her address, but I barely remembered where it was since I visited her a year ago. And even if I did, why would I want to go visit her?

And even if I tried retracing my steps, that would mean going to Aizawa's Yakuza contact once again…

The only problem is that he knew me as Aozora.

And Aozora's supposed to be dead.

Ryutaro would start asking questions, and Aizawa would soon hear of it. And knowing Aizawa, would lead him straight to me and ask questions about Gyro and Molinete - As well as Yukari. It would become a messy situation, and there would be less of a chance of me getting my powers back, which was the preferred outcome for both Gyro and myself.

Shit.

What was I supposed to do…

"So-Ra!"

I poured myself a shot of vodka and turned to my left where I promptly spat out my alcohol all over the floor. In the corner, Kendo was waving at me positively drunk. But sitting next to her, Monoma and Yui were passionately making out. Grabbing each other's hair and Yui was even sitting on his lap. My jaw dropped to the floor as Kendo wiped away her tears and walked over to me.

"I think a second date is definitely going to happen," She told me.

"Wh-, How?!"

Kendo merely smirked at me.

"Is that jealousy I hear?"

"NO!" I smacked my forehead with the palm of my hand. "All three of you are so drunk. And now I have to worry about those two lovebirds throwing up in my car alongside you…"

"What do you mean?" Kendo asked me as she was barely able to stand up straight. Not to mention she wasn't looking at my eyes. I narrowed my eyes at her as she stumbled over a chair/

"...have you taken drugs?"

"Me? No, never…" Kendo refused to meet my eyes. "Well, maybe when I was in the toilet I tried out a little-," I groaned, grabbing her hand as I walked over to Monoma and Yui in the corner.

"Oi," I yelled, scaring the two of them. "Get up. I'm driving you home."

"Huh?"

"Why?"

"Either I drive you home or you sleep on the streets tonight," I warned them, twirling my car keys with my free hand. "You decide."

Without much argument, all three walked with me to my car and we entered. Monoma and Yui were holding hands as they entered the back of my car giggling like school children, which they ultimately were, even if it was very annoying.

Kendo sat next to me as I drove Yui home first.

"Can we turn on the music?"

"No," I replied, rolling down my window as I lit myself another cigarette. "No radio."

"Do you really have to smoke in here?"

"It's my car. Now stop complaining."

Eventually, we reached Yui's apartment. She still had her keys, but I made sure to message her aunt that she was highly drunk and outside. I watched as she gave Monoma a goodbye kiss, hugged me and waved goodbye to Kendo before she stumbled into her apartment complex. Monoma wistfully sighed.

"Dude, I think she's the one," He told me.

"Is that so?" I grinned at him.

"Yeah! Man, she agreed with me in saying that Aozora is a real hero! Not to mention we have a lot in common. Same music tastes, we both like poetry and we both like reading books and stuff. One minute we were speaking about literature, the next moment she was kissing me and I loved it! Thanks for being my wingman!"

I snickered at that.

"I didn't do anything, dumbass," I then turned to Kendo who was struggling to stay away as she leaned her head against my window. "Alright, I'll drive you two back to U.A. now. Let me just call someone to pick you up at the gates."

"Can't you just walk us back?"

I laughed at that.

"Is Class B's dorm still close to A's? If so, I'd rather not risk it. Not to mention I'm not actually allowed to on to U.A.'s property since I ain't a student, I'm pretty sure I'd get arrested for trespassing or something," I told Monoma as I phoned Aizawa. It didn't take long for him to open his phone, albeit irritated. "Yo. I'm with a drunk Monoma and Kendo in my car, can you meet me at the front gate?"

"...Why are they drunk and in your car?" I heard Aizawa ask me amused.

"We met at a party," I explained, starting the car as I began the journey to U.A. "Oh, and bring someone with you. Preferably someone that won't cause a scene by just looking at me. I think Kendo's fast asleep in my car."

"Alright. I'll meet you outside in ten minutes."

"Sure. See you then."

The rest of the drive was done in silence, with Kendo fast asleep and Monoma messaging Yui, it was rather peaceful. I tapped my fingers against the driving wheel, occasionally turning to my window to take a drag of smoke. Thankfully the roads were basically empty at this time of night, not to mention I hadn't drunk that much alcohol so I wasn't driving under the influence.

After a few minutes, I pulled up outside U.A. and waved at Aizawa, as well as the boy who was standing next to him. I smirked as I got out of the car with Monoma, and watched as he wobbled forward, but he was ultimately fine.

"Sora Yamazaki," Hitoshi Shinso's eyes widened as he looked at me with a small smile on his face. "It's been a year since we last met. You've changed."

"Well, it's been a year," I told him. "Of course, I've changed."

"True. I just didn't expect you to grow taller. How tall are you now? One hundred and sixty-seven centimetres tall?" Shinso joked, offering his hand out for me to shake.

"Try one hundred and seventy, you miserable bastard," I joked, shaking his hand as I slowly opened the door which Kendo was leaning on as she slept. "Anyways, I'll help carry her to the gate, is that alright-,"

Despite the fact that Aizawa was standing only a metre away from me, I could see a picture tucked underneath his hands. It's not like he was trying to hide it fully, but my eyes snapped to it before my brain could even comprehend what I was looking at. It was a picture of a familiar blonde woman meeting with an important politician.

Of Yukari.

The same picture featuring Yukari that Gyro had shown me. The gears in my head began to turn, perhaps what Gyro told me wasn't a lie? It's not that I doubted him, I mean sure I didn't know him, but why would he lie to me? But if what he was saying was the truth…

I had to find out more.

"Who's that in the picture?" I asked Shinso.

"Huh? Oh, that's our new case-,"

"Shinso!" Aizawa barked, making the boy stand up straight. "Even though Sora may be a friend, do not discuss important case details with a civilian. It can cause unnecessary danger for them, understand?" Shinso nodded as he turned to sheepishly look at me, scratching the back of his head as he looked apologetic.

"Sorry man."

…

"Eh, it's no problem," I told him as I helped lift Kendo up and carried her to the gate where Aizawa took over my position. "Goodnight you two."

"Yeah, nice seeing you again, Sora!"

"Nice to see you too, Shinso," I replied. "Don't let Aizawa bully you around. He's really easy to manipulate, I won't lie."

"Message me when you get home," Aizawa told me. "And Shinso, if you try to use me to get what you want, I'll be sure to torture you in our next training session."

Shinso shuddered at that while I could only laugh in response.

"Alright, I'll do that, Uncle," I ignored him growling and muttering something under his breath, laughing it off as I closed my car door and started my engine once again. But this time I didn't take off and go home right away. No. I kept on thinking about the photo in Aizawa's hands, the fact that it was the same one that Gyro showed me. Were Aizawa and Shinso looking into the case with Yukari?!

Shit.

Shit.

Tsk.

I turned to my window and lit another cigarette as I stared at U.A. Just a year ago I would have been sleeping in the dorm, probably after having spent all night playing games with Kaminari, or watching a movie as a class together. Jiro was probably preparing to sneak into my room so we could spend time together, probably talk about an issue that was bugging her…

And now a year later I was 'kicked out' of U.A., basically Quirkless, not to mention having not spoken to anyone in Class A in nearly a year.

Wasn't that a funny joke?

If someone had told me this was my future in a year's time, I would have laughed in their face. I wonder what I'll even be like in a year's time if I'm even alive in the first place. Tch. I simply couldn't trust Gyro, I mean what if he was lying? What if I couldn't get my powers back and then I failed yet again?

Did I even deserve my powers to come back after what happened?

I could only smoke in response to that.

Starting the engine, I tapped my hand against my door as I drove home. Hinata and Gekko were home, and judging by the fact the living room light was on, either they were waiting for me to come back home or they were watching something on the TV. Grabbing my phone, I messaged Aizawa that I arrived home safe as I opened the door to my home and took off my shoes at the door.

"I'm home," I called out to them. "...Mum? Dad?"

No response.

I clenched my fists, running into the living room as I prepared for the worst, only to find them sleeping on the couch peacefully, the TV on in front of them. I smiled as I walked over to my room to take out a blanket from my drawer and put it over them, turning the TV off as I switched the light off. I walked past Miwa's room and knocked once.

No answer.

"I can see from the lights that you're in there, Miwa," I told her. "I… I'm sorry. I haven't been a good brother to you recently. After our last argument, I shouldn't have started to ignore you. Hell, I shouldn't have been ignoring you in general. I guess what I'm trying to say is-, Well… ugh. Goodnight."

Without saying another word, I closed the door to my room and fell on my bed as I stared at the ceiling.

…

"Go… Nimbus."

No response.

"Ra…sengan."

No response.

…

I had no powers. If someone wanted to attack me and my family, we'd be screwed. While I could try and fight, an enforcer of All For One would easily be able to overpower me. And while I don't mind creating an opening for my family to escape, I know that they would never take that chance. At least if I were attacked in school I'd be able to… no, I wouldn't abandon anyone there either.

The only way I can get out of this is if I fight.

But to fight, it means I need my Quirk back.

All of them.

If it's even possible to get them back.

Could I even trust Gyro? I had no choice. The clock was already ticking, and if Aizawa was looking into Yukari and her dealings, that meant my timeframe to get my powers back was getting thinner by the minute because Gyro had to be telling me the truth. I couldn't rely on anyone else, not that I even had anyone else. This was all up to me…

If I wanted to protect them, all I had to do was pick up the phone.

…

I didn't even hesitate as I picked up the phone and called Gyro's number.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

Ri-,

"There's something I want to talk to you about."

"I'm sure there is," I heard Gyro say across the phone. "After all, you wouldn't be calling me if there wasn't, am I right?"

I closed my eyes, breathing heavily before opening them once again.

I can do this.

I gripped my training sword tightly as I swung upwards, hitting the dummy with as much force as I could before bouncing backwards and then to the left, making sure I was on my toes before I moved forward and slashed downwards from the left shoulder. I yelled loudly as I twirled around, practising the sword routine I had been taught.

It was almost like a dance.

I made sure to keep an eye on my footwork, and I started to grin as I reached the two-minute mark. Eventually, after a few minutes of non-stop moving and slashing, I fell to the floor satisfied with my progress.

When I first came here after the raid, after losing my powers, I was awful.

I couldn't even swing a sword for more than ten seconds without getting tired. It was because I didn't have much endurance or even muscle. I didn't train hard. It's not like I was super ripped even now, not to the extent of anyone else in Class A like Kirishima or Midoriya. I used my Quirk to fight, I relied on it so much, and maybe that was why in the end I was so weak.

Because I focused so much on one thing, I forgot to balance myself out.

I was a glass cannon before, but if, and it was a very big if - If I got my Quirk back, I didn't want to make the same mistake. As much as I didn't want to say it, probably due to how overused it was, looking at my body in the mirror I was lean and fit. I tried to do a ten-kilometre jog twice a week, not to mention I came to the dojo on most days so I could practice my sword skills.

In the past year, I'd grown leaps and bounds.

Even without a Quirk.

"Well done," I heard Megumi clap behind me. She was wearing her normal clothes, not the gi she usually wore when training. "You've improved a lot, Sora. You should be proud." She told me, handing me my towel.

"Yeah, thanks," I replied, wiping the sweat off my face. "You didn't bring your little brother today?" Megumi shook her head.

"Nah. He wanted to stay home and play games instead. To be honest, I didn't expect to see you here after all the snow that's been forecasted to come. Not to mention the rain that's been a pain in my arse," Megumi complained. "Point is, I've never seen you train like this before. Are you gearing up for a fight?"

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Maybe. Depends on how my future goes," I sat down on the floor, and Megumi followed after me. "You said to rely on the adults around me, right?" Megumi nodded at that. "I think… I think I finally am. I've got this friend, he's in his thirties right, but I think I can trust him."

"That's good, I'm happy for you," Megumi replied. "But you shouldn't forget the other adults in your life. Your parents, your boss and even me. I know there are some things you can't run to your parents about, believe me, I know. But I'm here if you ever need to talk. I'd be a horrible teacher if I wasn't."

I grinned at that.

"You are a horrible teacher. Tell me, are my strikes still missing that 'something'?" I asked her. And for once, Megumi actually laughed at me as she shook her head, smiling as she picked up my sword from the ground and hit the dummy on the head.

"No, they look good," She told me. "Before, your strikes were missing something. They were empty like you had no goal. But now? Now you're fighting for something. Whatever's changed in you is good, because your future doesn't seem so bleak, I can tell from the way you fight. You're excited. And I for one think that's a good thing. Swordsmen need to be fighting for something, or else their blades will be like their souls - weightless."

I nodded at that.

Maybe, getting my Quirk back was what I really wanted?

Scratch that.

To fight Molinete, I needed my Quirk back.

Whether I wanted it or not didn't matter, even if I didn't necessarily think I could get it back, if I wanted to fight Molinete and win, to prove that I was strong, I needed my Quirk. After all, I used to fight primarily using my Quirk. Even if that wasn't the case now, using just a sword against a hitman with a powerful Quirk wasn't a good idea.

"Sora," Megumi's voice snapped me out of my thoughts as she grinned at me, helping me back up. "You're looking sharp. I don't know what's happening with you, and I doubt you'll tell me. But, I do want you to know, that I do care about you. I don't know your life before you came here, you don't really talk about it, but I do at least know that something big happened. Something that changed you."

"Wha-,"

"Listen," Megumi cut me off. "I don't know if the old adults that were supposed to take care of you whenever that big thing happened tried to help you, or maybe they didn't care, but if something big is happening now, you can rely on me. I may just be your teacher in the art of using a sword, but the Hiten Rishin-Ryu style is one that focuses on both mind and body. To become like a dragon. To protect what's dear to us, and I think you understand that."

I-,

"I do," I said. "I know what it means to protect… but also what it means to lose."

"That's why I trained you in the first place," Megumi told me. "Most people that demand me to train them want the power to show off to others. To win competitions and be the best. But not you. You wanted to learn, to get power not for your own gain, but to prove yourself wrong, I think. To be a protector. Not to never lose again, but to make sure when you lose it's with a smile on your face. Because you lost not because you weren't strong or didn't try your hardest, simply because it was fate."

I snorted at that.

"I thought you trained me because I was the only one who offered to babysit your brother?"

Megumi grinned at that.

"Oh, that too."

Yui Kazuma POV

"Huuuuuuuuuuuhhh?!"

Yui couldn't help but scream as she spoke to Neito.

"S-Sora really used to be a delinquent? Well, he did tell me that but I didn't believe him. You aren't lying, are you? " Yui asked him. She watched as Neito through a potato chip in the air and caught it with his mouth as he nodded at her, even if he was sitting on top of her bed.

"He used to skip school to hang out on the school roof with his old friends," Neito answered. "What a time to be alive. Even if it was only a year and a half ago, it feels like it happened such a long time ago. Like an entire lifetime ago."

"Did he always smoke?"

Neito shook his head at that.

"Nah. He started smoking just before he left U.A., I remember it was quite a big shock when he was first caught doing it," Neito replied. "Apparently, it was for his Quirk, but that-,"

"Oh yeah! What is Sora's Quirk? I've asked but he never answers."

Yui watched as Neito paled rapidly.

"That-, uh-, I need to go to the bathroom real quick." Yui rolled her eyes at him but watched as he left her room and smiled. He's really cute. Yui sighed as she swirled around on her chair and checked her computer, specifically for messages from her online friend.

She had met him in person twice before, but he was really nice.

They even changed their on-screen name to something easier to pronounce for her.

Molinete.

They had told her it was their nickname, even if their real name was different.

Yui smiled as she read his message.

"I think that… Aozora… might… be… alive?" Yui read out confused. That was impossible. He died fighting Overhaul, there was even an announcement from U.A. themselves. "I'm looking into it from my end… can I trust you to deal with… gathering information on your side?" Yui shook her head, sighing heavily. "What the hell am I supposed to do?!"

While her friend typed out another response, Yui's mind went into overdrive.

Perhaps the reason why U.A. wiped any trace of Aozora off the internet was to prevent people from figuring out his true identity, perhaps Aozora was still alive! Maybe that was also why members from Class A refused to answer questions about Aozora! If that's the case then… then…

'This could be bigger than any book I would ever write!' Yui thought to herself. 'If I wrote an article exposing the truth, I'd get so much money and fame! I'd never have to go back home! I'd never have to take over the family inn!'

Yui Kazuma could only smile as she stared at her monitor.

This was it.

Her ticket to escape her fate!

"Sora," I tore my eyes away from the ceiling to see Gekko standing at the door. "Do you have a few minutes? I just want to talk."

I shrugged my shoulders, motioning to my chair as I sat up. Gekko grinned at me, closing my door as he sat in my chair and whirled around on it for a few seconds, his childish impulses taking control of him for a brief moment.

"I like the chair. Is it brand new?"

"You got it for me for my birthday last year," I replied. "It was when I was in Hosu."

"Oh right," Gekko scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Heh, sorry about that. My memory isn't as good as it used to be. Even at work, sometimes I'll forget that I have to go to a meeting and that causes all sorts of problems."

"Maybe you need a diary or something?"

"Bah, as if I'd ever write in a diary," Gekko muttered, spinning around on my chair even more. "Getting a diary would just prove my worst fears. That being that I'm old."

I laughed at that.

"You already are old," I told him.

"Nu-uh! I just reached fifty. I'll have you know I'm in the prime of my life right now," Gekko said. "But you haven't reached your prime yet. Listen, I know Hinata and Miwa tried speaking to you about this, but I have no intention of making the same mistakes. Sora, where do you see yourself in a year's time?"

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Probably still working with Shigeo, if he doesn't fire me that is. I don't know, probably still bunking school even if it's my final year of high school, maybe trying to find a place to move out so I don't have to drain you and Mum's resources any longer than I have to," I paused, thinking of what else to say. "I want to go to university, I don't know which one yet or what course to study, but I do want to go at one point. Why are you asking?"

Gekko gave me that look.

The one that made me feel like I had been caught lying.

"You have to submit what you want to do in the future soon, Sora. December Seventeenth according to the email your school just sent me, and currently, you're the only one in your entire year group to have not completed it yet," Gekko sighed heavily as he took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes before he stared directly at me. "I've always treated you like an adult, so long as you acted like one. I'm proud of that, and I'm also proud of you. Proud of us. I may not be your biological father, but I feel like I am your father."

"You are," I replied. "Nothing's ever 'gonna change that, Dad."

"So, then I'm going to speak to you like an adult, Sora. Why are you stalling on deciding what you want for your future?" I felt my eyes widen as he asked that question. "Not knowing what you want to do in the future is perfectly normal, in fact, there is a little box on the form that even says, 'I don't know.' You haven't even ticked that. You've refused to even write more than just your name and homeroom on the sheet. Now to me, that screams like you have an idea of what you want to do in the future – You just don't want to say it."

"I-, Dad, if I had an idea I'd put it down-,"

"Not if you thought it was unachievable," Gekko cut me off. "Sora, I know you. You're my son. I love you, and, well, I see this spark in you. And it's amazing. Hinata and Miwa see it as well. Your old friends… they saw it too. You can do all these amazing things, you can be an amazing person, and I really don't want to say it. I don't. But U.A. was the best thing that ever happened to you. You had a goal, you had friends that supported you, and you were happy."

"I'm happy now."

"Are you?" Gekko asked me. "Because from my eyes, as the man who's seen you grow for the past decade and a half, are you? You spend most of your time outside of our home because you avoid us. You avoid your family. You work yourself to death at Shigeo's restaurant constantly, and then you go to your dojo and practise your swordsmanship for hours on end. Then you go to school and revise, and somehow you maintain good grades. Sora, you're burning yourself out."

"I'm fine-,"

"And when you come home, just look at you," Gekko continued. "You lock yourself up in your room and stare at the ceiling. You threw away your old phone and got one that's way older and can't access your old social media accounts. Not to mention you changed your number. And your games? Your manga? You don't play or read anymore, and then you have everything here packed up in boxes, and I'm not even going to mention the frame you have hidden in the back of your room, so you don't-,"

"That's enough," Gekko looked surprised as I shook my head at him. "I-, Listen, Dad, I'm happy. Sure, things aren't the same. Sure, I've changed. But I'm happy. Yeah, it's not U.A. Yeah, I ain't a hero anymore, and yeah, I don't have a Quirk. And sure, sometimes when I look at the pictures on the walls, I don't recognise that blue-haired kid, but… I've grown up."

But Gekko smiled at me, shaking his head at that.

"You shouldn't be in a rush to grow up, Sora," Gekko told me. "You should live a happy life, not a good life. They are two different things. Ultimately, Hinata and Miwa along with me just want to see you happy again. Instead, you take your frustration with life out with a really nasty habit. I know you're turning eighteen soon, and I know that I have no right to lecture you. But if you know what you want to do for your future, you should do it, even if you think it's impossible."

"I don't want to be a hero, Dad."

"You don't have to be a hero," Gekko replied. "And I wasn't talking about that. I'm talking about your old friends. You don't have to ignore them anymore, nor do you have to feel like you're a bad friend-,"

"Dad, it's all good," I cut him off. "Honestly, they… listen, even Aizawa thinks it was for the best. And so do I."

"What Aizawa thinks the reason you left U.A. was, and the real reason why you left U.A. was are two very different things," Gekko told me seriously. "I agree with Aizawa. Your old friends near the end weren't making you happy. You needed some time away from them, and that's okay."

"So then what's the issue?"

|You hurt their feelings – No, you trampled on them. You showed them exactly who you aren't. The real reason you left is buried deep within yourself, and I wish I knew. But I think that not even you know, or rather, you don't want to know. When you say you're happy, I somewhat believe it. I believe that you're happy being alone for some reason."

…

Ping.

I looked at my phone and saw that Gyro messaged me.

Gyro: Let's meet

"Sorry Dad, gotta run," I said, getting up from the bed and putting on a jacket. "A friend of mine wants to meet-,"

"Are they a girl?"

"Huh?"

"I'm asking if they're a girl, considering you have a bright grin on your face," Gekko added.

"N-no. He's a guy. It's just… we have a deal in place, he can get me something I want. Something I need," I told him. Gekko nodded in understanding, stroking his chin as he got up from the chair and hugged me.

"Well, whatever it is he's helping you with, I hope you get it," Gekko said, hugging me tightly. "I love you, son. And that's never going to change. Just… I want to see you smile again. Not in a carefree way, but in a way where you're really happy. Like you can't believe your luck. Just don't forget, you have a responsibility to yourself. Life a happy life, Sora, don't live a good one."

I nodded at that.

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind. Love you too, Dad."

It was eight p.m.

I sighed as I called Shigeo. Pressing the phone next to my ear, I tapped my foot against the ground as I kept watch of the building in front of me. Gyro was standing a few metres away, wearing the same jacket as before. It was like he was married to the damn thing, but oh well. It's not like I could complain, especially if what he was saying was right…

"Yo. I know this is your voicemail, but I can't go to work for the next week - I have pretty big stuff coming up for school," I lied to him. "Hell, I probably won't be able to work most days until December. Sorry. I'm really trying to study so I can get into a good university in the future. I'll still be able to work on Tuesday though. So, I'll see you then!"

Tucking my phone into my pocket, I turned to stare at the building in front of us once more.

According to Gyro, this was where the picture of Yukari meeting the yakuza was taken.

And I could clearly see the resemblance.

"You sure she'll meet with them today?" I asked Gyro, lighting up a cigarette so I could smoke it.

"Yep. My intel isn't wrong on this," Gyro replied, leaning against the wall. "We just have to wait just a bit longer. Anyways, do you even know why we are here?"

"So we can follow Yukari back home?" I asked him.

Gyro shook his head at me.

"No!" He yelled at me. "It's so we can try and see what she's really doing with the Yakuza. Also because if Molinete shows up, which I guarantee he will at one point, wouldn't it make sense that he first aims for the woman that caused him to fall into the hole in the first place? So long as we don't know where Yukari lives she's in danger."

"That doesn't make sense," I told him. "If Molinete wants to go after Yukari, wouldn't he just go after her anyway? Tch. You told me you want to help me get my powers back. If Yukari shows up, we can just ask her-,"

"Will you really ask?" Gyro's question made me pause and think. "Or will you stall, look at Yukari from a distance and start to feel sorry for yourself? Sora, I reached out to you because you need to get your powers back. Finding out what Yukari is doing with the Yakuza is as much a confidence booster for you as it is for you to find out that Yukari's help on this occasion isn't ruining her life. You have no responsibility towards her. Use her however you like."

…

"Tch. What a drag," I moaned, "What's your Quirk anyways?"

"X-Ray vision," Gyro answered. "Although it only works from one metre away. It doesn't help all that much sadly, although I wish it did."

"How'd you survive in the hole then? Hell, you said you fought Zero to find out where I was. How'd you do that?"

"I was always good at surviving," Gyro told me, a sardonic smile forming on his face as he refused to meet my eyes. "From what I remember of my old life, minus the gaps in my memory, I grew up in a rough area. Kill or be killed. I had to survive, I wanted to survive. Can't remember why, but I joined a gang to survive, it was my only option. Perhaps I wanted to protect those I cared about, or maybe I had a few bills that needed to be paid - The point is that I joined the gang."

"Then ya' died?"

Gyro nodded at that.

"Shootout, I'm pretty sure. Or maybe something along those lines. My point is that the police raided one of our little hideouts, and I wasn't going to go down without fighting," Gyro explained. "Next thing I know I wake up in a freakin' anime series I watched with my younger brother. I wish it could have been something like Naruto or Dragon Ball instead, that would have been way cooler. Either way, I got taken to the hole and had to survive once again."

His story…

I couldn't help but be reminded of Denji.

Another person I failed to help. To save.

"And Molinete?"

"What about him? He fought strong opponents each day until he was the strongest, the king. That's who Molinete is, a fighter," Gyro said. "It takes another fighter, someone like you, to measure up to him. I'm a survivor, not a fighter. But you? Oh, you're a hero. Fighting someone like Molinete will be easy for you, especially when you get your Quirk back-,"

"Fighting isn't easy," I cut in. "It's dangerous. Just because I can get my Quirk back, that doesn't mean I'll win. Not only that but from what you made it sound like, Molinete was one of All For One's most trusted enforcers. If that's the case I can't take him lightly, even with all my Quirks. Hell, even if I get my main Quirk back, it still has a bunch of rules I have to follow or else it just won't work."

"Oh, really?" Gyro perked up at that. "What rules?"

"Well, for starters, if I lose concentration when creating a construct made from Nimbus, it disappears," I explained to him. "Not to mention it has a limited range before I lose all control of the construct and it fizzles out of existence. I also have a set limit of Nimbus I can use for a single construction. But I did make a method to overcome those limits, that is by having specific hand signs for specific constructions. It's sort of like tricking my mind to ensure I get 'more' concentration or something. Not really sure how it works other than it does - did work."

Gyro hummed in response.

"So you're a short to a mid-range fighter? Interesting," Gyro stroked his chin as he studied me. "In that case, Molinete should be rather easy for you to take out. He's a short-range fighter only, and to steal other people's life force he needs direct contact. If you can take him on in the mid-range, you've won your fight against him. Anyways, I'm sure we can think of a plan to beat him."

"Yeah, maybe," I shrugged my shoulders, turning back to the building in front of us. We were camped in a nearby abandoned building, near the top floor. Yukari hasn't made an appearance yet. Are you sure she's even in the damn building? Tch."

"Be patient, Sora."

"Yeah well, it's the start of November. I'm freezing my balls off," I told Gyro, warming my hands up with my lighter. "Oi. You wanna smoke?"

"Sorry, I don't smoke," Gyro replied. "Are you sure you should be smoking?"

"Yeah, why not-,"

Hack. Hack.

A violent cough erupted from my chest as my cigarette fell on the floor. What was worse was that I coughed up blood once again. Shit. Ugh, I still had a damn cold from before…

"Uh," Gyro was at a loss for words. "Are you alright?"

"It's all good," I told him, wiping the blood away from my mouth. "It ain't cancer or anything. I had a check-up from Recovery Girl just a few days ago, just an ordinary check-up after… well after I lost my powers. Just to make sure I don't go back into a coma randomly. And of course, she checked my body to make sure my 'bad habit' didn't affect me, and she said I was clear. I think it's because I have a weak immune system, and I still have a nasty cold. Something like that."

"I see," Gyro smiled at me, before turning to stare at the building. "Well, eyes up. Guess who's leaving the building."

I've never felt like time had gone by so fast.

I guess having lived two lives, one having ended at seventeen and one seemingly going to at least past seventeen, I always felt like time moved slowly. Maybe that was why when I saw Yukari Aotsuki again, I felt my breath hitch in my throat. She looked aged. Perhaps a combination of stress and other things going on in her life. Her once premium blonde hair looked dishevelled, not to mention her once golden eyes that shone brightly were glued to the ground.

They didn't shine anymore.

What was worse was the cast on her left arm, one that looked to be freshly put on.

Her arm had been broken.

Or rather, she had sacrificed her left arm to use her Quirk on someone. She walked alongside the man in the picture as they walked to a car and drove off into the distance, but I couldn't even keep my hand steady.

"We need to move out now."

"Huh?" Gyro looked at me in confusion. "What do you mean-,"

I ignored Gyro as I ran to the stairs, gripping my sword tight. It wasn't a wooden sword, it was a real blade that could be used to cut things. To cut people. It was one I had taken from Megumi's dojo before I came here, but it wasn't a sword I was used to using. For one, it was much shorter and was a straight, single-edged sword. It was called a chokuto, and while I had never used one before, it felt right in my hands.

A familiar weight.

I jumped down the final set of stairs as I made my way to the building Yukari had just walked out of. Looking at it more closely, it was less of a building and more of a warehouse, but that didn't stop me from approaching the back of it and looking at any windows I could climb into. Gyro hadn't followed me thankfully. Shit, there weren't any broken windows-,

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Huh?!

Those were gunshots!

I rushed to the front, drawing the chokuto I had brought with me. I could feel my heart beat faster as I peeked around the corner and saw a pool of blood. A man with a bullet in his head and his chest was lying right outside the entrance of the warehouse. His lifeless eyes stared directly at me. It reminded me of-,

Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body.

Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body.

Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body.

Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body. Denji's body. Eri's body. Nighteye's body. Mirio's body.

"SNAP OUT OF IT!"

Gyro shook me awake from my trance as I realised where I was. The stench of blood filled my nostrils as he pushed me inside the warehouse where it was much worse. Fifteen of the men were dead. Also shot to death. But the other five were looking at Gyro and me in shock, almost as if we were the ones who had pulled the trigger. Shit. I pushed Gyro to the side as I jumped behind a container to avoid bullets that were shot our way.

Fuck.

"You fucking pigs!" I heard one of the Yakuza shout at us. "Do you know who you're dealing with?! Do you think I won't have your fuckin' head for this?! How fucking dare you?!"

Another three shots on the container made me realise that I needed to move. But as I looked to my right, I saw that Gyro had already moved. Tsk. I crouched down on the ground as I hid behind another container, trying to flank the Yakuza on the side. Only five of them remained, but only two had guns.

The other three were heteromorphs.

Like Shoji or Koda, which meant that their Quirks were bound to be unfair.

Shit.

Shit.

I couldn't fight them. I moved to the back of the warehouse where I spotted Gyro, who also was trying to escape. He glared at me but said nothing as he tried to find an opening. But just like when I went to the back, he quickly realised there were no broken windows and gave up. I looked at the front of the warehouse, the five Yakuza still thought that we were trapped by the front. Tsk. Gripping my chokuto, I closed my eyes as I broke one of the windows.

Without even thinking, I jumped through the window and landed on the glass, with Gyro directly following me. I helped him get up and grabbed him ar as I began running as fast as I could to my car. Thankfully, I had parked nearby, and from what it looked like, the Yakuza weren't chasing after us. Shit. That was a dangerous situation, I was glad that-,

Bang.

Blood splurted out of Gyro's right shoulder as he fell to the floor groaning loudly. I scoured the area, but the Yakuza weren't nearby. Hell, they hadn't even left the warehouse-,

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

I heard five consecutive shots fired in the air and grit my teeth, they had hit our surrounding area and I was forced to duck down with Gyro as we crawled across the floor to safety.

"So-Sora," I heard Gyro say as he gripped my arm tightly. "It's him. It's Molinete. That pinpoint accuracy, who else could it be? If he sees you and recognises you, what do you think is going to happen? You need to get in the car and drive. Leave me behind, focus on getting your powers back and-,"

Tch.

"Fuck off," I told him, wrapping his arm around my shoulders as I lifted him up and began walking slowly to my car. "I ain't leaving you behind. Not when you made a deal with me. I'm supposed to get my powers back so I can beat this guy for you, and I… I ain't breaking that deal we have. So I ain't gonna leave you behind."

Gyro laughed.

"You… you're a good kid," He told me. "Reach out in my pocket. I have a tweezer there. I need you to take out the bullet in my shoulder when we park safely. Don't turn around, don't pause, just get in the car and drive."

"Alright."

I followed his instructions after putting him in the back seat of my car.

After driving for twenty minutes, going outside the city and parking near a residential area, I helped him out of my car. Thankfully there wasn't too much blood on the seats. I sat him on the floor and got his tweezer, cringing slightly as I helped Gyro take off his jacket and shirt underneath.

"Alright, how do I do this?" I asked him.

"Just… just reach inside and pull the damn thing out," Gyro told me while gritting his teeth. "I'll wrap my shoulder afterwards using my t-shirt, so just pull the damn thing out already." I nodded at him, biting the inside of my lip as I followed his instructions. Ignoring the blood, as well as Gyro's screams of pain, I reached deep inside the wound and pulled the bullet out.

But it was…

A small bullet.

What the hell?!

"That's a… pistol bullet…" I whispered in shock. That was impossible. I looked up at Gyro who simply snarled in response.

"That's Molinete for you," He managed to say. "All For One's most feared enforcer. An assassin with the skills to achieve the impossible. Don't think too much about it, just throw the damn thing away and drive us back to the city. Then go home, lock your doors and windows, and wait for my message."

"Will you be alright?" I asked Gyro.

"Heh, don't worry about me. I've survived much worse. Anyway, thanks."

I shrugged my shoulders in response.

"I should be thanking you, I mean after all you're the one who snapped me out of my thoughts back there. I coulda died if it wasn't for you, so consider us even," I told him. "Let's just help each other out so we can beat this Molinete guy to a pulp. I'll... I'll think of ways to convince Yukari to help us, alright? Just give me some time. Trust me on this."

Gyro nodded in response.

"Stop bugging me," I flicked Yui's head lightly, before picking up her empty glass and plate. "I'm at work. Working. And I take my work really seriously." Yui giggled at that as she snapped her fingers at me.

"Well then, waiter, can I have another Peach iced tea?"

I stared at her for a few seconds.

"You're 'gonna be the one paying for that."

"Huh? Why?!"

"I gave you free food and a drink," I sighed, walking over to the counter and placing the dirty items in the sink. "That's more than most. Hell, I don't even do that to my parents and sister when they come and visit me when working."

"But Shigeo's not here-,"

"Do you know what day it is?" I asked her.

"Huh?" Yui shook her head as she checked her phone for the date. "Twenty-fourth of November. What about it?"

"Today," I paused, leaning against the counter as I thought about what to say. "Today's the day… His grandson died. My friend. I'm working basically as the floor manager for today, and I'm really not in the mood-,"

"Then sit down already," A voice called behind me.

I rolled my eyes and turned to glare at Shigeo, who was wearing a bowler hat and a suit. He smiled at me, closing the door to the garden area as he took his hat off and clapped my back harshly.

"If you aren't in the mood, not that I blame you, then sit down," Shigeo told me. "I went to visit him. You still have time to go-,"

"No need, I'm fine," I told him. "Plus, I sincerely doubt that he'd want me to visit him anyway. Are you sure about celebrating his death today?" Shigeo shrugged his shoulders at me.

"Just like you said, it's fine. It's the role I have to play after all, even if the Raid's anniversary isn't until tomorrow," He whispered so that only I could hear before he took my apron away from me. "And you're going to sit down and not work for the rest of the day. Don't worry, I'll add your wage to the literal mountain of cash you still haven't collected in my office."

I sighed at that.

"I already told you, just use my money for renovations or to hire some new workers or something-,"

I was interrupted as Yui chopped my neck.

"Sora! Just shut up and take the day off, or else I'll pierce your ears and make you look like a full delinquent."

Huh?

"You wouldn't fucking dare, you psycho bitch!" I yelled at her. I turned around to Shigeo, watching him laugh at the two of us. "And you! I ain't pausing work because you think I need to take the day off. I'm perfectly fine working-,"

"Here," Shigeo ignored me as he reached into his pockets and gave Yui some cash. "Take this idiot and get his ears pierced. It's on me." H-huh?! Wait, this wasn't the plan! I was supposed to work for the day and-,"

Yui grabbed my arm.

Tightly.

Shigeo waved at me as Yui dragged me out of the shop.

"C'mon, let's go Sora! I know this really good place, I promise it won't hurt that much!" I recoiled at that. That much?! I've already been stabbed before, and that fucking hurt! I don't want to be stabbed again-, "Sora. You don't have to push yourself."

"Huh?"

Yui's eyes softened as she tapped the top of my head, almost as if I were a little kid.

"You can take a day off. You've been going out lately more and more, and it's clearly worrying the old man," She explained to me. "I know you said it's for an important reason, and I believe you. But… Shigeo really cares for you. While his grandson may be gone, he still has you. Working on a day like this isn't what he wants for you, surely you can figure that out."

…

I sighed, rubbing the back of my head in annoyance.

"Tch. Why can't he come out and say it then?"

Yui gave me a pointed look.

"Really? Would you do the same?"

"I-, Nah. I wouldn't."

"Exactly!" Yui heavily sighed. "Anyways, let's go get your right ear pierced."

"Wait, for real?!"

"Yep. And before you have any objections, you've been trying to grow a beard for how long? You just have stubble. Mind you a lot of stubble, and it's not the short kind of stubble either, but I do think if you get your right ear pierced, you'll look better."

Tsk.

I pulled out a coin from my pocket.

"Heads I do it, tails I don't," I told Yui, who agreed with me. I prayed to whatever God existed as I flipped the coin in the air before catching it with my right hand. I closed my eyes, placing the coin on the palm of my hand as I opened them, hopefully, to see tails… "Oh, fuck."

It landed on heads.

Knock, knock.

"Come in," I yelled, swivelling around on my chair to see Hinata open my door and walk in, holding a DVD in her hands. "Mum? What's up?" I watched as Hinata sat down opposite me on my bed and waved the DVD around in the air. It was an old animated movie I watched with her when I was younger.

"I found this old thing lying around and thought why not ask you if you want to give it a watch," Hinata replied. "It's been a while, but you and Miwa used to love it when you were kids. Recited all the lines too."

"Yeah, I remember it vaguely," I nodded at her. "Something about heroes and villains? Anyway, I'm down to watch it with you. I have time," Hinata giggled at that, pulling me away from my chair as she hugged me tightly.

I didn't say anything as I hugged her back.

"What's all this for?" I asked her.

"I can't hug my son now? Hmph, you and Miwa grew up too fast, it was just yesterday that you were starting middle school and now you're close to finishing high school," Hinata lamented. "Where does the time go, huh? Sora, I just have to ask you this one thing. What is it that we value in this family?"

I shrugged my shoulders at her.

"Love?"

Hinata smiled at me warmly as she shook her head.

"Our family doesn't run away from things, Sora. No matter how tough they may get, we all have each other to pull through," Hinata explained to me. "Even when you were acting up as a kid, I had Gekko and Miwa to help me pull through. And when you were healing, looking to be better, you had all of us to support you. But now… now it doesn't feel that way."

"Mum-,"

"Sora, it's okay to be afraid of the unknown. To be afraid of fighting. Ever since you said you wanted to be a hero, I supported you wholeheartedly even though in my heart I was scared," Hinata spoke. "And I was right in the end. You were battered and bruised seemingly every day, you were put in dangerous situations right off the bat. And yet, you pulled through. You didn't run away. Despite my concerns, you were happy."

"I can't go back, Mum," I told her. "I-, I messed up. I hurt them all, and it wasn't by accident. It was on purpose. I don't deserve to be a hero, I don't deserve to be their friend, I don't-,"

"If you don't deserve them, then you also don't deserve us," Hinata pointed out with a soft smile, running her hands through my hair. "Sora, you're my son. I didn't birth you, but I raised you. I know when you're hurt and you're trying to put on a brave face, I saw you do it for months on end after you were kidnapped by the League of Villains and tried to brush everything off."

My eyes widened at that.

"I also know that you started smoking because you couldn't handle the pressure of being a hero. And truthfully, when you were in a coma, I-, I-," Tears ran down Hinata's face as she failed to wipe them away. "I was scared. I thought I failed as a mother for letting you be a hero. But then you went and left U.A. You broke up with Kyoka, and you began to stop smiling altogether. That hurts me more than anything, Sora. Knowing that there's nothing I can do to help you."

"...I'm happy-,"

"And I'm the Queen of England," Hinata joked. "You can lie to us all you want, but we know the truth. I'm not telling you to go back, and I'm not telling you to lie more convincingly. I'm not even telling you to tell us what's going on, I just want you to know that I love you, Sora. And I hope - I pray - that one day you can smile again the way you used to back when you attended U.A. I hope I don't see my son look so sad in the future."

"..."

"You don't have to say anything back," Hinata replied, hugging me more. "It's my duty as your mother to make sure that you know this, even if you don't want to accept it. Because our family doesn't run away from things, Sora. We never have, and we never will. And neither should you. Because that's not who you are either. You've never been someone to just lay down on the ground without getting back up over and over."

"..."

I didn't say anything as I held my Mum close. I didn't need to say anything, because I knew I was lucky I had her in my life. Even as she messed up my hair and told me I needed to get a haircut, I couldn't help but smile as I hugged her. It didn't even matter when Miwa saw us hugging and decided she didn't want to be left out.

"I love you, Mum."

It was near the end of November.

Christmas lights were beginning to be put up, as much as I disliked that fact. Even around school, the holiday spirit was up and running as small little 'elves' that looked robotic and had the Yaoyorozu Corporation logo etched onto their faces drove around with mini hats and fake elf ears. More and more clubs were beginning to unwind, not to mention the looming school festival that made me abundantly aware that my second year at high school was rapidly coming to a close.

Soon I'd be in my final year.

Then…

Well, then I'd graduate and go on to do whatever it is my future held.

University, a job, or… whatever.

I still had no idea.

Even as I clutched the sheet that was supposed to decide my future for me, it was empty. Apart from filling in my name, home tutor and year group, I hadn't done anything else. For all intents and purposes, I had no future. It was the time of year when wearing just my blazer wouldn't cut it, thus I stuffed my blazer into my bag as I wore my black puffer jacket outside on the school roof.

"Sora," I heard Yui begin softly. "Have you still not filled out your form?"

"I still have a month," Was my excuse as I lit a cigarette. "Anyways, don't you have exams? Stop worrying about me, I'll be fine. You sound like my parents whenever you say that shit."

"Maybe because a seventeen nearly eighteen-year-old with no plans for the future is very worrying!" Yui berated me, shaking her head furiously as she then sighed. "It's cold, can we go back inside?"

"Shoulda' brought a coat."

"Dumbass!" Yui snapped, punching me in the arm lightly. "Even if I did bring a coat like that would matter! It's freezing out here! Anyway, I can't message Neito out here if my fingers are going to freeze-,"

"Neito, huh? Glad to see you care about your boyfriend, even if he is a bit of a weirdo," I avoided another of Yui's punches. "Oi! You can't deny that your boyfriend loves me more than he loves you-, Shit, wait not the balls!" Yui doubled over laughing, and I had to thank my lucky stars as I began laughing with her. "You psycho bitch." I told her, ruffling her hair.

"What am I? A kid?"

"You're younger than me," I replied, opening the door to go inside as I threw my cigarette over the roof. "So that means I am your elder. Even if it is by only a year. Anyways, let's go inside unless you want to bunk school?"

"You want me to bunk school with you?!"

I shrugged my shoulders at her.

"Well, I do sorta want to go to Kiyashi Ward, there's this new game that came out and I, uh," I scratched the back of my head in embarrassment as I saw Yui's face fall in disappointment. "Heh. Sorry. Listen, I know you like going to malls, and since Kiyashi is the biggest one in the city, why don't we skip school and go there? After I buy my game I'll even treat you to salted caramel pretzels, alright?"

"If you buy my three I'll go with you."

I rolled my eyes at her.

"Fine. Three it is."

Yui Kazuma POV

"Sora…" Yui looked at her friend Deadpan. "This queue for this game is going to take three hours!"

"More like forty minutes," Sora grinned at her. "Listen, it's an important game, alright? It's basically capping off an entire series of sixteen connected RPGs that's been going on for nearly thirty years now. It's quite literally called 'End of the Saga!' There are fans all over the country that have been waiting to play this game-, OI! FUCKER, WHOSE PLACE IN THE LINE ARE YOU TRYING TO STEAL?!" Yui giggled as Sora yelled at the man who tried to push past in front of him.

"Alright, alright, I'll leave you to it then," Yui replied. "Meet me near the fountain once you get your game?" Sora nodded at that.

"Sure. See ya' in a bit then."

Even if it was lunchtime, there were tons of students walking around the shopping centre. It really did start to feel like Christmas, which was great since it was her favourite time of the year. The bright lights and sound of laughter made her smile, familiar Christmas songs were played loudly and Yui couldn't refrain from smiling as she looked through each shop and picked out things that interested her.

She wondered what present Sora would enjoy for Christmas.

Perhaps a random game?

Yui shook her head at that thought. That was far too obvious and meaningless as a present, especially when Sora had helped her so much throughout these past few months. Not only had Sora been her first and primary source for her book on Aozora, she had also introduced her to Neito, her new boyfriend. But above all else, Sora had been a good friend to her.

That's why Yui had to-,

Bump.

Accidentally, Yui bumped into a girl that looked around her age. She was holding tons of posters for a stall that would be opening up soon where all the proceeds would go to charity. It was even a Class A stall selling its merchandise.

"Oh, sorry about that," Yui apologised, helping pick up the posters off the floor. "Sometimes I just stop paying attention." The girl opposite Yui merely laughed in response as she shrugged her shoulders.

"That's alright, honestly," She replied, smiling at Yui. It was only then that Yui could take a good look at the girl. She was a lot shorter than her, but as opposed to Yui's long black hair, the girl had long dark hair done up in a loose bun. Not to mention the most glaring part of her face, her earlobes that looked like headphones. What surprised Yui, even more, was the girl's school uniform, that being of U.A. "Not many people would stay and help, usually they'd mutter a 'sorry' and run off."

"Y-you're-,!"

"Hehe," Kyoka Jiro covered Yui's mouth with her hands. "As much as I enjoy the attention, I'd rather if you didn't blurt out the fact that I'm a hero in the public. Especially when I'm trying to set up posters for our stall in a few weeks' time. But yeah, I am Earphone Jack. Well, I'm not on duty currently, but that's beside the point, what I'm trying to say is-,"

"Kyo-Kyo!" To their left, another student dressed in the same uniform moaned as she walked up to Jiro and tapped her on her head. "You were supposed to help us set up the posters for the stall, not go and make new friends! We can do that after we set this damn stall up, or else Shoji's going to have our hides!" A pink-skinned girl said.

Yui recognised her immediately.

Mina Ashido.

Also known as Pinky.

"I-I can help you if you want! My name is Yui Kazuma by the way," Yui told the two of them. "And I have a few hours to spare, especially since that dumbass is in a queue waiting for a game of all things…" Ashido hummed loudly as she turned to squint her eyes at Yui, studying her up as she shrugged her shoulders.

"All right - But no funny business!"

"Er… what do you mean by that?" Yui found herself asking as she stuck a poster on a nearby wall. Jiro shrugged her shoulders as well, turning to Yui with an apologetic look on her face.

"Sorry about that, Mina's a bit… off. I personally think it's because she can't find a good man to save her life, which is even more embarrassing considering it's her dream," Jiro teased her friend with a smile on her face. Ashido only growled as she tried to trip Jiro up. "Hey! What's that for?!"

"Not everyone can be as lucky as you," Ashido replied bitterly. "What about you, random stranger? Do you have a boyfriend?"

Yui nodded.

"Yep. We only got together recently. If you're all in Class A, you know people in Class B, right?" Jiro and Ashido nodded in confusion. "I see. My boyfriend is Neito Monoma-," Yui was cut off as Ashido yelled in frustration, banging her head against the wall repeatedly. It even started to draw the attention of some passersby who looked at her in both concern and confusion.

"Him?! You're the reason Monoma's been gloating for the past two weeks?! Argh, no wonder he's been a pain in my ass whenever we team up for training!" Ashido yelled in frustration. "Sorry, I may forget a face but I'll never forget a name, Yumichika!"

"...It's Yui."

"Gah!" Ashido dramatically fell to the floor, clutching her chest. Yui could only stare at the girl in confusion as Jiro kicked Ashido with a frown on her face. In fact, Jiro wouldn't stop kicking and soon a third girl joined the fray, a girl with auburn hair and a round face. Yui also recognised her as Uravity, a famous heroine in her own right.

"Didn't we tell you before?" Jiro asked Ashido as she kicked her once again. "Stop being a drama queen, and maybe we won't kick you in public. Maybe that's when you'll find a man."

Uraraka giggled at that.

"That's not fair," Ashido whined on the ground. "You three girls are in a relationship. You wouldn't understand how lonely it feels."

"To be fair, my best friend is also single," Yui replied. "Although, I feel like in his case he doesn't really care. If you want, I could introduce you to him. He's literally in line to buy a game right now."

Ashido shook her head.

"I appreciate the offer, but I have bad memories with boys who line up to buy a game," At that, Uraraka's smile became strained while Jiro's body froze. "Oh come on, it's been ages since he left! Kyo-Kyo, you even got a new boyfriend! Just grow up already, I ain't gonna call him 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named'! It's silly."

"Whatever," Jiro muttered, sticking a few more posters up on the wall. "There. We've stuck about one hundred, that should do it. Plus, we'll get our extra credit for helping set up the stall for Shoji's coursework in business. Oh, not to mention he'll post us all helping on his story so we can repost it and hopefully more people can come to the stall and buy stuff."

"Uh, sorry to butt in," Yui interrupted her. "But what is the charity your stall is supporting? It doesn't say on the poster…"

"It doesn't say-," Jiro turned around and glared at the poster as she read it out loud, screaming near the end. "That damned-, Uh, now we have to tear every poster down and tell Kaplosian to re-print the poster again! He's actually going to blow us up. Argh."

Yui chuckled nervously at that.

'Who the hell is Kaplosian?! Never mind that this is my chance!' Yui thought to herself as she cleared her throat and faced the three U.A. students. This was it. She could test her theory and see if it was right!

"I, uh, I have a small question," Yui said. "I know you're short on time, but I'm a huge fan of your entire class. Really. I promise that my question won't take too much time for you, especially when you're doing something important."

"It's no problem," Jiro replied, shrugging her shoulders as she left the posters up. "Shoot."

"I, well, I've had a dream for a while," Yui began. "See I come from Hokkaido. The only reason I came to this city, not to mention go to school here is because of your class. More specifically because I want to write an autobiography about one of your friends, a fellow hero in your class."

Jiro nodded in understanding.

"Let me guess, Deku? Or maybe Shoto? I don't mind answering, but Ochako could probably give you a better answer for Deku considering she dates the guy," Ochako blushed heavily at that. "If it's a biography about DynaMight, I'm afraid you'll want to pick a better hero to base it on. Although a biography on Grape Juice would be pretty cool, I reckon Mineta would jump at that chance."

"It's about Aozora."

Yui cringed as the atmosphere around them changed.

Ochako's smile disappeared as she stared at the floor numbly while Ashido growled. Surprisingly, Jiro's reaction was the most normal out of the three, with her eyes widening slightly before a resigned smile formed on her face. Almost as if she knew what Yui was going to ask already, but wanted to delay the inevitable.

"Ah. I see. May I ask why?"

"It's because his death inspired me," Yui told them. "I used to think my life was set in stone. That it would never be changed, that my fate was sealed. But Aozora's death? It made me look at things differently. Perhaps I could live a full life, one with a different fate than I once thought. That's why I ran here, and that's why I want to write a book about Aozora and his death. Along with the hope it's given me, and many others. And I'm sure has given you, his friends?"

"Hope, huh?" Jiro nodded at that. "I guess you could say Aozora gave me hope. But I think you're wrong in that sense. Aozora's… 'death' wasn't a sacrifice like the way you're trying to portray it. In my opinion, it was nothing more than a boy's attempt at lashing out because he lost in life. Because he couldn't handle the fact that he lost, and so he decided to forget everyone who ever cared for him and just followed his desires. That's not hope. Aozora was just running away."

"That's-,!"

"The truth," Ashido cut in, staring at Yui with a dark expression on her face. "We knew Aozora better than anyone else. But what So-, he did was something we'll never forgive. Aozora was nothing more than a selfish bastard-,"

"Guys!" Uraraka chimed in. "Stop it. Yui, was it? Don't listen to them. Don't listen to anyone in U.A. either, not Monoma who was a blind fan of his or any of us in Class A. I was there in the raid, and I could see the desperation on his face," Uraraka told Yui. "The last time I saw Aozora before he was put in his 'coma' was before he fought Overhaul. He looked lost. These two here, especially Jiro, loved Aozora. I was just his friend, and let me tell you, if he were alive I think he'd appreciate what you're trying to do."

Yui nodded at that.

"Thanks. Sorry for bringing up bad memories for you all, I didn't mean to-,"

"It's fine," Jiro cut in. "And I'm sorry as well. I… Aozora brings back memories. Some were happy, and some not so much. I guess, even if I'll never know why he did it, I just want to know why he had to leave us?"

…

"What do you mean by that? Are you saying he left your class rather than dying?" Yui asked, her excitement caught in her throat. Why he had to leave us? Jiro wasn't talking about his death, and Yui knew it as she saw that all three girl's eyes widened at that. Jiro was talking about a separate incident, there was no doubt about it now, the time between Aozora fighting Overhaul as well as the time of Aozora's death was fishy.

Coma?

Maybe it was a lie.

A lie for U.A. to help fake Aozora's death!

Maybe Aozora was alive!

"Uh, slip of the tongue," Jiro replied. "Uhm, anyways, it was nice meeting you. I'm sure we'll see you soon since Monoma's definitely going to bring you as his plus-one to the U.A. Christmas Ball. Bye, Yui Kazuma."

"Yup. See ya', Kazuma!" Ashido waved.

"I hope we see each other again, and good luck with your book!" Uraraka said.

Yui couldn't help but grin as she watched the three U.A. students walk away. They confirmed it for her. Perhaps not outright, but it was their reactions that said it all, the small slip of the tongue that meant that her theory was right. If Aozora was still alive then… then… what was his legacy? Perhaps that was why the three girls came to different conclusions than Yui?!

Maybe they had information that she didn't?!

No, Yui knew that they definitely knew something that the general public didn't. Perhaps Aozora was still in a coma? Perhaps he stopped being a hero because there wasn't a chance of him waking up again, that's why U.A. declared that he was dead. Or maybe it was because he outright killed Overhaul? Perhaps Aozora was in prison and-,

"Why are you staring into space?"

Sora's voice broke her out of her thoughts. He was looking at her with a bored expression, one hand tucked into his coat pocket while the other was holding a bag with a game inside. He had even bought four salted caramel pretzels for them.

"Sorry, I just met some interesting people and got really good news," Yui apologised, thanking him for the food. "My, this is delicious!"

Sora grinned at that.

"I know right?"

It was late at night.

I opened the window in my room for a smoke.

The streets were practically dead at night, but that didn't mean that I couldn't hear the few remaining cars driving past. Even as I stared at the brick wall of another apartment behind us, I didn't care as I lit a cigarette from my packet and sighed at the number I had left. Only five. Tch. I wouldn't be seeing Aizawa until next week because he was so busy.

Apparently, his case had 'an unexpected twist.'

Tsk.

What's that about-,

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

"What?" I snapped at Gyro. "It's late, why are you calling me?"

"Check your email," That was the only reply I got.

I huffed out in annoyance, throwing the cigarette I had just lit on the floor as I closed my window and turned to boot up my laptop. After a few minutes, I logged into my email account and opened the email that Gyro had sent me most recently. It was a picture. A portly man dressed in an expensive, and frankly very colourful suit. It was the same man that Yukari had met just a few weeks ago!

But with him in the picture was what shook me the most.

Aizawa and Shinso.

"How'd you get this?" I demanded.

"Relax, I was just keeping tabs on our man when they showed up," Gyro told me. "Listen, we might need to hurry up on our plan. Get your shit together, Molinete might not give us more time. Sort out whatever differences you have with Yukari. Get over your fear, and get your powers back. It's simple."

"It ain't that simple," I replied. "I'm asking her, a woman that left me at birth, to now help me. I'm asking her to sacrifice something in order to help me take back my decisions. Who knows what the cost will be, not to mention what if she doesn't even want to help me?!"

"Who cares?" Gyro asked me, and I had no answer to that. "Yukari Aotsuki is nothing to you. You have no responsibilities to her, and she has none to you. You need that power more than whatever she needs. If you want the power to fight, to win, then this is something you have to do."

I-,

"Yeah… I guess. You're right. Sorry for snapping at you."

"It's fine. Honestly, I do understand," Gyro said in a softer voice. "But you have to realise that Molinete isn't just threatening me and you. He'll also kill your family and friends if you aren't careful. I'm saying this because I don't want you to end up like me, Sora. I don't want you to make a mistake you'll regret for the rest of your life."

…

"I've made plenty of those. But alright, I'll call you tomorrow and we'll iron out the details then. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I threw my phone on my bed as I sighed, staring at the picture on my laptop.

Damn.

The picture kept staring at me.

Aizawa.

I shut my laptop and sighed.

I had to make a decision soon.

And here is chapter 48!

A little bit on the shorter side, but effective nonetheless I hope. I think ever since writing Part 1 I've come to realise that sometimes I don't need to flesh everything out, adding too much detail and scenes between characters can sometimes ruin what I'm trying to build too.

Sometimes less is more.

Sora and Yui are friends, that much is clear. They have a bunch of cute scenes together that highlight their friendship, and in the next chapter, it'll prove it even more.

A mistake the old me would have made (And what I was thinking of doing admittedly) is to write out more fluffy scenes between Sora and Yui to hammer home that they are friends.

The same thing can be said about the relationship Sora and Gyro have.

I wanted to add more scenes between them in this chapter, but I ultimately decided against it. Sora helping Gyro up and pick out the bullet stuck in his shoulder is an action that shows Sora and Gyro's relationship is one that isn't just a simple business transaction.

It goes deeper than that.

I don't need to write multiple scenes with them that effectively would have established the same outcome with only the amount of time I would have wasted being higher.

Again, the next chapter will delve deeper into their relationship.

But I suppose I'm the author, so I do need to give my thoughts on their rapidly progressing relationship. And my thoughts are as follows: Sora doesn't really have anyone in his life. Gyro comes in with promises of a life he thought he couldn't live, and Sora jumps on that…

Does that remind you of anyone else in the story?

And that's all folks!