"How dare you use Eri like this! She's just a child! I won't let you hurt her anymore, Overhaul. I'll protect her with everything I've got!"
—Deku.
Chapter 3
"Come to think of it, will I have to give my quirk to her now?" He mused. "She already has it, I felt it resonate with mine when she… splitted the ocean for a moment, which is quite a feat. Maybe, this new kind of One For All, what did she call it? Ah, Rewind For All, will it surpass both One For All and All For One?" He grinned as his muscular form appeared once more with a poof of smoke. "Only time will tell, for now," All Might looked at the little girl who was waking up. "It's high time we prepared you for UA!"
"No!" Izuku retorted.
"W-what?" All Might was confused. "Don't you want to get in UA?"
"I mean, I do," Izuku nervously said. "But there is something much more important that I need to do."
"And that is…" Trailed All Might.
"I need to save Eri," Izuku said. "She's with the Yakuza…"
"A Yakuza, huh?" All Might mused. "Which one?"
"Chisaki Kai," Izuku gritted her teeth. "He might be working for Hassaikai now. But in the future, he kills his boss. He is known as Overhaul in my time."
"Tell me more about him," All Might said. Then he looked around. "Although this is not an ideal place." He lifted Inko in his arms. "Come on, take me to your home, we can talk there."
"Y-yes sir!" She saluted, the loose t-shirt almost fell from her shoulder. "I am s-so sorry…!"
"I take it that you do not have any clothes for your current form?" All Might sighed as she shook head. "Before we talk more about Kai, why don't you go to the mall for some new… clothes." Izuku paled. "Your mother seems to be waking up."
Inko blinked groggily, her head pounding as consciousness slowly trickled back. The world was a blur at first, shapes and colors swirling around her. Then, she felt it—the steady rhythm of movement, the gentle sway. Confusion flooded her mind as she realised she wasn't lying down, but being carried.
Her eyes struggled to focus, adjusting to the light. And there he was, the Symbol of Peace himself, All Might, carrying her like a damsel in distress. Inko's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. How in the world did she end up like this?
"All Might?!" she managed to croak, her voice barely above a whisper.
The hero glanced down at her, his trademark grin softened with concern. "Ah, you're awake, young lady! Fear not, for I, All Might, am here to save the day!"
Inko's face burned hotter, if that was even possible. This was beyond awkward. She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back into the safety of All Might's arms.
"Easy there," he said, adjusting his hold on her. "You took quite a hit back there. But don't worry, you're safe now."
Safe, she thought, nestled in the arms of the world's greatest hero. It was surreal, to say the least.
As they continued on their journey, Inko couldn't shake the feeling of being utterly ridiculous. Here she was, a grown woman, being carried like a child. She prayed that no one she knew would stumble upon this scene.
"Mom!" Of course her daughter had to be there. "Your face is completely red. Are you sure you are okay?"
…and she had to make the situation more awkward.
"I am fine," she said before asking, "Where are we going?"
"To the shopping mall," All Might replied, making Inko see questionable things in her mind with him and she was regretting watching all those… stuff online. "She cannot wear these clothes all the time. It looks appropriate."
But despite the embarrassment, there was a strange comfort in All Might's presence. His strength, his reassurance—it made her feel strangely protected, like everything would be okay.
And so, with a sigh of resignation, Inko settled into her unlikely perch, ready to face whatever absurdity the day had in store.
All Might took them to the Mustafu Shopping Mall in his car. He gave Inko his credit card and told them to spend as much as they wanted. Inko tried to refuse but All Might insisted.
'Reluctantly', she agreed.
As they wandered through the bustling marketplace, Izuku's mother gently guided her from stall to stall, pointing out items of interest and chatting amiably with the vendors. Though Izuku's mind still wrestled with doubt and uncertainty, she found herself drawn into the rhythm of their surroundings, the vibrant energy of the city washing over her like a soothing balm.
Izuku was hiding, or rather, trying to blend in the background behind her mother.
After being called her own mother's younger sister twice, she dare not to take any risk.
Some gave her weird looks while some really looked nice.
"Okay honey," Inko finally says. "We're going to the young girls' clothes shop now. Get ready…" Then she shakes her head. "You know what? Just act normal."
Izuku nods furiously.
She is confused. She is curious. She is excited.
The shop was full of girl's voice and various other sounds.
Inko approached the task of buying clothes for her daughter with a mix of trepidation and determination. Stepping into the store, she scanned the racks of clothing, her mind racing with questions and uncertainties.
Every garment seemed to mock Izuku, a reminder of the new reality she faced.
Inko sensed Izuku's discomfort but knew they needed to get through their shopping trip. With a reassuring smile, she gently took Izuku's hand and led her through the store, her touch providing a sense of comfort to her uneasy daughter.
Reluctantly, Izuku followed her mother's lead, her steps hesitant as they approached the racks of clothing. Inko kept a close eye on Izuku, offering encouraging words and a supportive presence as they browsed through the aisles.
Inko selected a few t-shirts and pants for Izuku to try on, carefully considering each piece to ensure her daughter's comfort. Despite her initial refusal, Izuku reluctantly followed her mother to the fitting rooms, her anxiety palpable in the air.
As Izuku tried on different outfits, Inko provided gentle encouragement and positive feedback, helping to ease her daughter's nerves. With each new item of clothing, Izuku's discomfort slowly began to fade, replaced by a tentative sense of confidence.
As Inko sifted through the rows of clothing, her eyes fell on a cute dress in soft pastel hues. Something about it spoke to her, a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. With a sense of determination, she selected the dress and a few other items, each chosen with care and consideration.
"Mom, do we really have to buy that dress right now?" Izuku whispered as she poked in the dress as if it was a sleeping animal that would attack her any moment.
"Uh… not really," Inko sheepishly said. "But All Might is being generous enough to pay, so, why not? Plus, I always wanted to dress up my daughter."
Izuku froze. Uh-oh. Inko was indirectly calling her 'Barbie Doll'. But if that makes her happy, then she'll 'endure' it.
"Okay…"
Inko gave a feral grin.
Izuku gulped.
Inko strolled through the store, carefully examining each display. She picked up a pair of pink panties with frills, holding them up to Izuku. "What do you think, sweetie?" she asked. Izuku shook her head shyly, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of pink. Inko nodded understandingly and placed the panties back on the rack.
They moved to the next aisle, where Inko selected a pair of blue briefs with cartoon characters. "How about these, Izuku?" she inquired. But Izuku shifted uncomfortably, her small hands clasped together. "No, Mom," she murmured softly.
Inko sighed gently, patting Izuku's head. "That's okay, dear. Let's keep looking."
They continued their search, Inko pulling out various styles and colours, but each time, Izuku shook her head or simply looked away, feeling increasingly flustered.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of browsing, they reached the end of the aisle. Inko spotted a pair of All Might-themmed underwear tucked away in a corner. She hesitated for a moment before holding them up to Izuku.
Izuku's eyes widened with relief as she took in the design. "Mom, are we really buying those?" she asked, her voice hopeful.
Inko smiled warmly, feeling a wave of affection for her little girl. She had hit the Bulls Eye. "Of course, Izuku," she said, her heart swelling with love. She reached out and took the underwear from the rack, knowing that sometimes, All Might was all that was needed to make Izuku do… stuff.
When the awkward part of the shopping ended Izuku became a little more comfortable.
With each passing moment, Izuku felt the weight of her worries begin to lift, replaced by a sense of peace and contentment that she had not felt in far too long. She laughed and joked with her mother, their conversation flowing easily as they browsed the colourful array of goods on offer.
Inko guided Izuku along, pointing out different styles and colors. "How about this t-shirt, Izuku?" she suggested, holding up a pink shirt with a cartoon All Might on it. Izuku's eyes sparkled with excitement as she nodded eagerly.
They moved on to the pants section, where Inko helped Izuku pick out a pair of denim jeans and some comfortable leggings. Izuku twirled around in front of the mirror, admiring her reflection in the snug-fitting pants.
"They are comfortable," Izuku said with a whistle.
"Yep." Inko popped the 'p', still grinning.
Next, they explored the skirts aisle, where Inko's gaze was drawn to a fluffy, pastel-colored skirt. "Can you try that on, sweetie?" she asked.
Izuku gave her blank look before sighing. "Fine!"
After trying on several outfits and twirling around in front of the mirror, Izuku finally settled on a few t-shirts, a pair of jeans, and the fluffy skirt Inko had fallen in love with.
As they made their way to the checkout counter, Inko couldn't help but feel grateful for moments like these, moments where she could share in her daughter's happiness and watch her grow into a confident and stylish young girl.
All in all this is a completely new experience for Izuku. And it was a good one albeit a bit… too embarrassing.
Finally the shopping was over as Izuku and her mother descended through the stairs of the mall, their hands full of shopping bags.
All Might opened his car's back door as they came. They got in and Inko gave the man he is credit card back.
"Thank you All Might, I hope we did not waste too much of your time and money." All Might waved dismissively.
"I was just planning on doing some time killing anyway and money has never been a problem for me." He looked at the little girl who was sitting in the back seat of the car in the mirror. "Let's talk about Chisaki Kai and what he intends to do with Eri ," he started the engine.
As the car zoomed down the highway, Izuku, sitting in the passenger seat, turned to face All Might, who was driving in his skeletal form. Her eyes were alight with urgency as she began to explain Eri's Quirk.
"All Might," she started, her voice steady despite the speed of the car, "Eri's Quirk is called Rewind." She gestured with her hands, mimicking the motion of time rewinding. "It's like she can turn back the clock on a person's body, restoring them to a previous state."
All Might's bony hands tightened on the steering wheel, his hollow eyes fixed on Izuku as he listened intently. He nodded, urging her to continue.
"But," Izuku continued, her brows furrowing in concern, "it's not as simple as it sounds. Eri struggles to control it, and if she's not careful, she could cause serious harm. She can erase one's quirk…"
All Might's skeletal form seemed to sag with understanding, his posture reflecting the weight of responsibility that came with knowing about Eri's Quirk. He glanced briefly at Izuku before turning his attention back to the road, his determination evident even in his skeletal form.
"Okay, Izuku," he said, his voice carrying a solemn tone. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Chisaki…" She said, her tone filled with a mix of anger and disbelief, "Chisaki's quirk is called Overhaul— he can dismantle and reassemble anything he touches. Chisaki's ambition was nothing short of megalomaniacal. He wants to forge bullets that can erase one's quirk. He wants to sell them in the black market and slowly get control of the Underworld, then eventually, the whole world. He sought to monopolise the power to erase quirks, to control them, to dictate who could and couldn't have them."
Her hands clenched into fists, her knuckles turning white with the force of her emotions. "And to achieve his twisted vision, he subjected Eri to unspeakable horrors. He cuts her open to… then he heals her over and over again..."
The car seemed to hum with tension as Izuku's words hung in the air, the weight of Chisaki's depravity pressing down on them both. All Might's skeletal form remained rigid, his expression grim as he absorbed the gravity of the situation.
"He grooms her, tortures her, and manipulates her, all to use her innocent body as a tool for his own gain."
"We can't let him succeed," Izuku continued, her voice trembling with determination. "We have to stop him, to put an end to his reign of terror, and to ensure that Eri—and others like her—never have to suffer at his hands again."
All Might's hollow eyes gleamed with a steely resolve. "You're right, Izuku," he said, his voice resonating with conviction. "We'll stop Chisaki, no matter what it takes. And we'll make sure that Eri gets the help and protection she needs to heal from the trauma he inflicted upon her. I don't think it will be too hard to save the girl if I pull the appropriate strings."
"We'll save her," Izuku declared.
"We will," All Might echoed.
As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets, a little girl with a small horn on her forehead's right side, untamed silver hair and striking red eyes stood before a bakery, her gaze fixed longingly on the array of treats displayed behind the glass. Despite the tempting aroma wafting from within, hunger gnawed at her stomach, but she refused to succumb to the urge to steal.
Suddenly, the shopkeeper burst forth from the bakery, wielding a stick like a weapon as he confronted the girl. "My customers won't come if they see you standing in front of my shop like this. Do you intend to steal? Get out of here!" he bellowed, his voice harsh and accusatory.
Just as the tension reached its peak and the shopkeeper raised his stick threateningly, an eerie stillness fell over the scene. The man froze in place, his eyes wide with shock as if time itself had halted around him. Bewildered, the girl watched as a gentle breeze swept through the air, causing the shopkeeper's clothes to sway before he disappeared.
Before she could comprehend what had just occurred, a high-pitched voice broke the silence, drawing her attention to a woman wearing a black full-sleeved t-shirt.
"YOU KILLED HIM! YOU KILLED HIM! YOU KILLED HIM!"
"N-no! I did not, no I did not want to do anything!" Eri retorted but the woman was running away as if she had seen a monster.
Eri begin to cry as she ran away from the spot before anyone else could come.
Chisaki's words rang inside her mind.
'This world is cruel. Nobody cares or wants to understand you.'
TBC