Love - Kendrick Lamar (70s Remix).
Kendrick really is my favourite artist of all time (Just like Sora hehe).
"You wouldn't understand how I feel,
Our fathers betrayed us, our fathers fight against us, our fathers aren't with us,
So let's be better than our fathers."
The crisp morning of March was one that was refreshing.
A chaotic but organised morning which while an oxymoron made a lot more sense looking at the state the Class B kitchen was in. It was an absolute tip. I dropped my bags off with a sigh staring at all the empty bottles of alcohol, spillages and takeout bags and boxes that were littered all around the place.
I spent one weekend with my family and I was forced to come back to this?
What was worse was the fact that it was Monday morning so I'd have to live in this mess slowly cleaning it up because of how busy our schedules had become with the end of term rapidly approaching. Our exams were cancelled thankfully, I can rest easy knowing All Might is being a great teacher to us even after death by cancelling our exams, but the truth was that I sort of missed it.
"Wake up."
I yelled in Tokage's ear as she lay down on the couch with a Shojo manga covering her face.
"Huh…?" Tokage replied sleepily. "Sora… Wha' time is it?"
"Seven."
Tokage swore as she shot up from the couch and groaned as she looked at the mess around the living room and kitchen. Yawning, she stretched her arms as she walked to the kitchen and poured herself a bowl of cereal… only to open the fridge and see it was empty.
"Do you have milk?"
"No one has milk."
Shrugging her shoulders, I watched as she filled her bowl of cereal with water from the tap before she sat on the counter and ate silently. Sighing, I grabbed a bin bag and began to pick up everything off the floor.
"Why are you doing that?"
"Because I don't like living in a mess," I told her honestly. "And really, what if someone trips over these empty bottles? Sure, not everyone is as clumsy and stupid as me but who knows."
"To be fair, I didn't come home until late last night."
Tokage was wearing an expensive oversized green leather jacket with a cream blouse, blue jeans and white trainers as I realised that whoever had made the mess were people that didn't go out last night.
"You guys actually celebrated Miruko's birthday?"
"I did," Tokage corrected. "Everyone else but Yaoyorozu, Bakugo and Monoma were too afraid or too tired to go out. So I'm pretty sure everyone else came here for some pre's and were going to go into town and do something, but as you can see they just stayed here until like two. By the time I got here I saw Tsuyu and Mineta playing a game of jenga and kicked them out."
"How was Miruko's party?"
She shrugged her shoulders at me.
"It was okay. Yaoyorozu and I had a few cocktails and Miruko had this amazing carrot cake, oh and I managed to get a picture with Hawks who performed 'Rock Your Body' live when it was his turn to do karaoke," Tokage told me. "How was your weekend spent with your family?"
"We went shopping and bowling on Saturday and spent most of yesterday just lazing about and flipping through some old photo albums my Mum made when Miwa and I were kids," I answered. "She also made me enough food for a week and cried when I left this morning, so there's that. Want some tamagoyaki? I think Hinata made about fifty of them."
Tokage giggled at that.
"Aw, are you embarrassed? Little Sora's Mummy made him some food," Tokage cooed. "You know, most people's Mum's here just send them a good morning message. You should count yourself lucky that she cooks you shit to bring back here."
"Hey! It's not my fault I was born in this city."
"I'm not blaming you," Tokage shrugged her shoulders as she placed her empty bowl in the sink. "But at the same time, I don't really care. I lived with my Aunt and Uncle, and let me tell you they make the Dursley's seem like the best guardians to Potter."
"You slept in a cupboard?"
She rolled her eyes at me.
"That's your takeaway?"
"Sorry I'm concerned that my friend slept in a cupboard, might as well tone it down a bit, yeah?" I sarcastically bit back. "Go wash up. No one's down yet so I doubt outside of me and maybe Monoma that anyone's coming to homeroom. I'll be sure to give Vlad King an amazing excuse."
"Say you fucked me so hard that I can't walk."
"Fuck you. I don't stick it in crazy."
"You're right," Tokage smirked at me as she walked up the stairs. "You haven't stuck your one inch punisher in anyone yet, virgin. But for some reason Yanagi's gone around and called you a manwhore, isn't that funny? Your little lie has now basically become the truth."
"S-shut up!"
Tokage giggled as she ascended to the next floor, likely to have a shower and ready herself before she came to school. Vlad King was going to be so pissed. But it is what it is. I placed the food Hinata cooked for me in the fridge, which made my sections filled with plastic and tin containers with different labels and instructions on how long I should heat them.
Yawning, I went upstairs and threw my bag on my bed as I got my blazer and put it over my grey hoodie. I wasn't bothered to dig up my tie and shirt from my closet, so I simply combed my messy and fluffy hair which admittedly didn't do much to tame it at all. It was weird, I looked at a specific photo on my desk.
It was an old photo, one taken a few years before I was born.
A memento Aizawa gave to me.
One of a much younger Aizawa, Present Mic and a boy with light blue hair that had the same messy and fluffiness that my hair had - We looked quite similar even if I had brown hair and brown eyes. If I had a plaster over my nose, I reckon Oboro Shirakumo and I would be seen as twins, which was ironic considering he was my biological father.
But I never knew him.
I knew Kurogiri, the zombified version of Oboro, more than I did the man himself.
Yet the stories Aizawa told me of him made me realise that he and I would have gotten along quite well, Oboro had such shit luck as he was constantly late to everything, and in terms of women he always got hungover his exes. Hell he and I both had derpy looking faces when we were caught unaware, but according to Aizawa he and I both clicked our tongues when we were angry.
I never knew my biological father, yet we were still so similar.
Grabbing my school bag, I walked back downstairs to see that no one had gotten up yet. It was about seven-thirty, and Monoma didn't wake up until eight. Shrugging my shoulders, I reasoned that I might as well go to homeroom a little early and get some homework done so that I'd have more free time - Not that I already didn't have a lot of free time anyways considering I was ahead of everyone in every subject.
A year as a general studies student was a blessing in disguise.
I shut the door as I made my way to my classroom, only to run into those two on the way.
"Yo," I waved at Kaminari and Jiro who held hands as they walked the path to the main building. "Fancy seeing you up in the morning. Thought you guys would have spent more time in bed."
Jiro rolled her eyes at me.
"We're not Midoriya and Uraraka to have a shag in the morning," She told me playfully. "I don't think Denki's even capable of doing that."
"You've never asked."
"And I never will."
We laughed at that as I walked alongside them.
"Had a good weekend? Outside of the double date."
"Well, I went to work yesterday. Got an interesting case," Jiro replied. "There's been a lot of movement with the Yakuza lately. Heard that you're going to be a major player in the upcoming peace talks. Care to share with the class?"
Hehe.
"Kanto and Osaka's biggest gangs are coming to Musutafu to sign a peace treaty. The same Osaka that sent their goons to All Might's funeral," I explained to them. "Now, that sounds a little dangerous but it's fine. I'm attending the meeting as a consultant, but also as a detective. If anything happens, I'll stop it."
Jiro's eyes narrowed at me.
"You'll stop it?"
"Do you have no faith in me?"
"What she means is that maybe you can use some help," Kaminari added. "You're a reliable guy, Sora. I think you got this. But you know how Kyoka is, her and all her worrying does no one any good."
"H-hey!"
"I'm your boyfriend, I'm forced to hear you spill your fears to me every day," Kaminari returned. "Seriously, you're not missing out on much, Sora. Haha. Was she like this when she dated you?"
Jiro turned to glare at me.
"Was I like this when I was with you?"
I raised my hands in protest.
"I didn't say anything!"
"You're not denying it."
"Well, what can I say? Even I got tired of you complaining about your period all the time."
Jiro's frustrated growl could be heard from Brazil.
"Say that again I dare you-,!"
Chapter
Sixty
Five
'Father, please forgive me.'
I yawned as I took a sip of my red bull.
"Ryuji Fujou and Ryuukei Hayate… The two kings of Kansai and Kanto," I read out loud, flipping through some old reports. "Hm. That Ryuukei Hayate guy came from Musutafu, I wonder how he became a Kanto gangster? Whatever."
"Are you still working?"
Nejire was wearing her civilian clothes, a plain blue dress with boots and a denim jacket.
"There's no rest for the wicked," I joked, leaning back in my seat. "Plus, it's not like I have anything else to do. It's also my case. The meeting between them and Ryutaro's happening in a few days, so I might as well brush up and be ready."
But Nejire shook her head at me.
"This isn't just your case. It's my case too, we're partners, remember?" Nejire said as she sat on my desk. "Plus, Aizawa's helping us out behind the scenes, and Nanao's doing her best to make sure everyone's on standby in case a gang war will break out. You don't need to worry about it."
"A gang war won't break out."
"We don't live in a perfect world, Sora," Nejire reminded me with a smile. "You can take a break, you know. I don't want to see you sleep in this office ever again. You can go home and take a break, the case will still be here tomorrow morning. No one is going to die if you prioritise your health. I know you don't like half-ass things but you're neglecting yourself."
"I know, it's just-,"
"It's just your pride talking. Or maybe it's the fact that you want the burden to be placed on you just in case everything goes to shit so there'll be someone to blame, in that sense you'll never be able to forgive yourself if you want to feel guilty about everything," Nejire chided me. "You're just like a little boy. You want to be an adult but you don't know the first thing about being an adult."
…
"And pray tell, what is the first thing of being an adult?"
"Sometimes it's okay to let go and accept the imperfections in your life," Nejire answered wisely. "Not everything's going to be okay, or even happy. Not everything will be picture perfect. But I'd like to think that the imperfection in life is why you can be happy in the present. Sure, I can't be friends with Mirio ever again but that means I've gotten closer to you, Sora. The world always balances itself."
I hummed in response.
"Whatever. Are you sure you're not telling me this just so I can treat you to some food?"
"Hehe."
I rolled my eyes at Nejire, looking at the time.
"Ugh. It's eight. Wanna head over to mine? I'm sure my parents would be thrilled to have you over, again," I said, putting on my coat. I guess I could take a small break. "For some reason you're basically their second daughter. Just as long as you and Miwa don't discuss ways to embarrass me in front of my 'future wife'. That was annoying."
"Well, your Mum gave us tips."
"She's annoying too!"
Nejire laughed at that.
I shut off the lights to the office and followed Nejire back to her car, an old yellow Beetle that had clearly gone through better times. Nejire hummed her steering wheel as she started her car and put on the radio, the sound of pop-songs and hosts chatter fading away into the background as I stared out of the window.
"...So, have you met a special girl in your life yet?"
"Why does everyone want to talk about my love life?" I moaned, huffing loudly. "You, Setsuna, Miwa, Denki, everyone always wants to know if I've found a girl or not. I don't see how that's anyone else's business. I don't see why it matters."
"No then. Well, if you want, I could help you set up a dating profile-,"
"No thanks," I cut her off. "I don't think it'll work."
"Why not?"
"I'm not exactly tall, dark and handsome."
Nejire scoffed at me.
"Are you that shallow to think people will date you only because of your looks? Sora, dating apps aren't serious. If you're not having silly fun on them, then you're doing something wrong," Nejire chided me. "And the reason anyone would ever ask you about your love life is because you sit around all day and either do your work or sleep. You don't really have a social life."
"I don't need one-,"
"And why's that? Why aren't you willing to reach out to others? Is it the guilt you feel?"
I clicked my tongue in response.
"I… Nejire, I really appreciate you helping me out. Really. I mean you've practically sacrificed your career for me," I truly was grateful for everything she'd done for me. "And you're my partner, that's the truth. I really trust you, and you've helped me out in such a short amount of time helping me do what I really want to … I… if I tell you a few things, can you promise not to tell anyone? Mostly my family and Class A."
"Sora? What is it?"
Sighing, I shrugged my shoulders at her.
"I'm… dying."
"...Huh?
"It's a slow death, but there's a high chance that in four years I'll be dead. Ten if I don't fight and use my Quirks, but there's no way in hell of that happening," I told Nejire. Her reaction was far different than I expected as she swerved off the main street into a side road and emergency stopped, staring at me intently. "Yeah, I know. Me. Dead. One of the reasons I accepted the role you offered me to become a detective was so I could try and find a cure. I still am. Either way, you promised that you wouldn't tell anyone… so."
"You're joking, right?"
"I'm not joking. Aizawa, Setsuna, Recovery Girl and Nezu know. Or I think Nezu knows, it's probably why he picked me to become his pawn. Because I'm on a timer and can't afford love. Or distractions. Because if I want to find my brother, Raiden, and cure myself I can't do both while prioritising my friends. My family. Not by myself."
…
Nejire hadn't said a single thing to me, causing me to break eye contact and stare away from her. Damn. I rubbed my arm, waiting for her response to say anything. But no words came out of her mouth as I patiently waited for the awkwardness to dissipate from her car - This is what happens when I'm truthful to others. My life is such a mess that when I stop lying all that happens is that I ruin a perfectly good relationship-,
"Sora…"
Tears swelled up in Nejire's eyes as she latched herself upon me, hugging me tightly.
Huh?
"What's all this for?" I chuckled, patting her back gently as she cried herself raw. "I'm fine. Four years is more than enough time to find a cure. It's not like I've given up. It's just… There's a reason why all I can think about is work sometimes, my life really is on the line. It matters to me because I don't want someone to clean up my mess."
Nejire's sniffles was the only reply I got.
"A-and, I know that maybe I should tell this to more people. But I also know that everyone else would rather I give up doing this and live as long as I can instead of taking a risky gamble, and I don't want to give up on this chance, no matter how small it is," I told her, refusing to meet her eyes. "Aizawa and Setsuna are already helping me, with, er, trying to find something to cure me. And Recovery Girl's helping me out too! Oh, and Nezu's funding this entire operation for me so-,"
"Can you just shut up?"
"Eh?"
"Of course I'm going to help you," Nejire told me. "We are partners after all. But more than that, Sora, I… I get why'd you want to keep this a secret. Or not tell many people about this. I guess it makes sense that you want to work as hard as you can, but I think you're wrong."
…
"Sora, you're just burning yourself out again. You may not want to hear it, but that's what will happen. Unlike before where you focused too much on your bonds, don't you think you're focusing too much on external things? You're forgetting what's important," Nejire chastised me. "Or maybe you're conscious about this and you're ignoring them. I can't imagine how it feels to know that you're dying and also know you can't tell everyone you care about. To know that one day, you won't be here anymore."
"...What would you have me do?" I asked her. "Give up? I'm asking for help. Yeah, I can probably ask for more help but that's a different topic entirely. I… I hurt a lot of people. I killed a lot of people. That's never going to go away. What would you have me do?"
Nejire shrugged her shoulders at that, wiping her tears away.
"I don't know. I'm not that smart, maybe if Mirio were here he'd know - But I think you need to find a balance," Nejire told me. "You do need to work, yeah, but not at the cost of everything else around you."
"I'm doing that-,"
"Who are you trying to convince, Sora? There's many reasons why you haven't truly made things right with Class A, why you keep on stalling. Is it because you're afraid you won't be able to work at this? Trying to save yourself?" Nejire asked me. "You can't even accept yourself, Sora. It's easy to see. You keep reaching out to everyone for help other than the people that want to help you the most."
I scoffed at her.
"It seems like every person I speak to wants to reveal a brand new reason to me as to why I haven't done something. The answer's complex, but it's not that complex," I joked. "...But I do agree with you, somewhat. I do need to find a balance, and you're not the first person to call me out for it. I just-, How the hell do you find a balance? Ha, that seems like an impossible task. But I'll do it. For me."
Nejire smiled at me.
"Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me this."
I merely smiled at her.
"I'll always trust you, Nejire. You're basically my older sister. You know what happened that day and you don't blame me for it, for any of it," I whispered. "When you're here it feels like all my guilt and self-hatred disappears. Like it doesn't matter, like I'm just being stupid because of how understanding you are. It's sort of scary actually."
Nejire laughed at that.
"Older sister? Then I want you to call me onee-san!"
"Absolutely not."
Nejire ruffled my hair, much to my annoyance.
"Thank you for not giving up, Sora. That means a lot to me."
I blinked at her in confusion.
How?
"Because if you aren't giving up with everything going on in your life, it means you're carrying Mirio's will in your heart," Nejire said to me. "It means that even if he's not here in person, he's still with us. It means that no matter what I go through, you'll always stand tall with me. Well, not tall."
"Hey."
Nejire giggled at my expression.
"Sora, the fact is that you don't give up. And I know you're going to say that you gave up once, but you bounced back from that stronger than ever. If anyone can find a balance, it'll be you."
…
I grinned at her.
I promise, I will.
"Sora."
The school roof was nice and empty as I leaned over the rails and took a long drag from my cigarette. It was still a little chilly as I wore a thin jacket and a beanie, despite that I could feel the Spring breeze begin to set in.
Izuku Midoriya stood by my side, looking as awkward as ever.
"Yo. You alright?"
"Eh, I had a rough day of lessons. Forgot to bring in some homework, but I managed to smooth it over," Izuku told me with a smile. "What about you? How was your day?"
Shrugging my shoulders, I flicked my cigarette off the school roof.
"So-so. I nicked some of Aizawa's lunch, the bastard ordered KFC so I took his burger and some fries. He also got a Milky Way Krushem, but I wasn't able to drink all of it before he caught me."
Izuku laughed nervously at that.
"Is that why he was on edge when he taught us in the fifth period?"
"Probably. Either that or because Present Mic helped me get away with it, but it might be also because I took some for Setsuna too," I grinned at him. "So, what brings you to the roof? If you're thinking of hurling yourself off from it, I have to warn you Nezu put some crazy technical thingy that like stops your fall. Or something. I mean I'd catch you with my Quirk anyway, or I'd try to."
"It's not because of that. Tonight we're having a movie night, so I was wondering if you'd like to come?"
Oh.
"Thanks for the invite, but I can't come."
Izuku frowned at that.
"I'm not asking you to become buddies with us, you can just chill with Kaminari and Jiro - No one will mind that, but you should make more of an effort-,"
"Seriously, I actually can't come," I cut him off with an apologetic look. "I would if I could, but tomorrow's an important day for me. Sorta. It's work, Izuku. You know, it's not something I can just avoid."
"Oh."
I watched as Izuku slowly nodded at me.
"How's work treating you?"
"The same it's always been. A few cases here and there, and a few big ones that'll take ages to solve," I replied. "What about you? Allying yourself with the government and the HPSC isn't exactly something that's easy."
Izuku nodded at me as he rested against the railings alongside me, staring up at the sky.
"I know it's angered a lot of people. It's not as if the government has been our supporter for a while now, even if they have to crave into the pressure's of the public," Izuku said. "But, I think it's the right thing to do. No matter how flawed they are, they can make things better for us. It's like you said, what's the point of enduring if nothing ever really changes? And the only one that can change things around is the government."
"Even if it's corrupt?"
"I've had to deal with corruption myself. Sora, I… I know how hard it is. To let them go or work with criminals that you want to put away, but you can't. I know what it's like to find out someone you trusted was a criminal, but I've also learned that not all criminals are bad," Izuku told me. "Sometimes, you do need to save them. Not everyone deserves to be saved, but everyone deserves at least a chance to be saved."
Hah.
"I agree," I said while chuckling. "It's simple, but I do agree. Sometimes the only thing that's the difference between us and a villain is that we had others around us to stop us from becoming that monster; or that's what I'd like to believe. Maybe I'm wrong. Everyone always talks about nature versus nurture, and while I'd like to believe nurture is the main reason - Sometimes nasty people are just born."
Izuku nodded at that.
"The HPSC is allowing me to do that, even with how it's structured. Even if it treads on the freedoms of others, I have to pursue my justice," Izuku told me. "Because you're right. You can't endure everything, and even if you could, why would you? If change never happens, then you are just stuck in a never ending cycle. I'm going to break that cycle, because if that cycle is broken then won't we all truly be free?"
Won't the age of Heroes and villains end?
That was the question he was truly asking me.
"Maybe. But what if the price to break this cycle is too high?"
"Then it's a price I'm willing to pay," Izuku replied plainly. "No civilian will get hurt-,"
I shook my head at him.
"You can't promise that. You can't promise anything because you aren't that strong, Izuku. No one is. Not even All Might, and even when you surpass him it doesn't mean you'll be able to do what he did but better," I cut him off. "Right now you're just spewing an endlessly hopeful dream without understanding how hard it makes things for everyone else. What about Uraraka?"
Izuku smiled sadly at me.
"If it means to achieve my dream I have to give up Ochako and everyone else, that's a price I'm willing to pay," Izuku whispered to me. "Why are you so vehemently against me? I thought you of all people would understand."
I…
I did understand.
But this was just playing around with people's emotions - Hurting everyone you love for a selfish reason. This line of thinking is what led me off the edge in the first place, and I was just aware of the fact that I'd pushed Izuku Midoriya right there with me.
He was still under the impression that he could do what I couldn't.
No, he was forcing himself to believe in that reality so it became true.
"Whatever," I whispered, annoyed at him and myself. "Just don't do anything stupid to hurt them, and I won't beat you up. Along with everyone else. Is your goal really that important that you'd live in solitude for the rest of your life?"
Izuku chuckled at that.
"Isn't it a parallel to your carefree tomorrow, Sora? You fought to make sure that in the future we didn't have to worry about anything, and I'm fighting for a peaceful tomorrow. Aren't they the same thing?"
I merely snorted at him.
"Believe what you want to believe."
"Mmh. Oh, by the way, did I ever tell you about All For One's origins?"
"...You know the origins?"
"After his death, Nezu and I looked into who he was," Izuku told me. "And there weren't many records. Did you know he and his brother were born from a prostitute?"
"Huh? No fucking way!"
"Yeah, even more than that…"
Tokage's bags were packed.
"Going somewhere?" I asked her as I applied some cottage cheese to my ham and coleslaw sandwich. "I didn't know you were such a busy person. I would ask if I can tag along, but I can't be as carefree as you."
Tokage rolled her eyes at me, stuffing some toiletries in her handbag.
"Har, har. For your information this is a business trip."
"Where to? Tokyo's red light district? Heard they were hiring whores, didn't think they'd pick you."
"Try Kanazawa," Tokage told me, fastening her rucksack over her shoulder. "I got a lead in something that could be important for me. And you too. So I got Midnight to give me permission to go and investigate it, not as a Hero, but as myself. I get shit done. Unlike you, I don't spend most of my daydreaming about if my ex and I didn't break up-,"
"S-shut up! Tch, whatever," I waved my hands around angrily at her. "Just go already. And don't even come back, how about that?"
"You'd miss me"
"Bitch, please. I wouldn't miss you at all," I told her, taking a hearty bite out of my godly sandwich. "If anything now it means that when I order pizza I'll have a few extra slices. Kanazawa, eh? That's a four hour journey. Are you sure your lead is even accurate?"
"About as sure as I am that blue hair looks good on me, which considering the fact that I did just dye my hair a deep blue, then I'm ninety-nine per cent sure," Tokage replied. "Still, it's better than any lead you've gotten."
"Hey! It was confirmed to me that Raiden lives at the very least!"
"Yes, yes. You got confirmation from the Yakuza that your brother worked with them a few years ago," Tokage mocked. "And what about your other issue? I know for a fact that you haven't found any leads on that."
"...Recovery Girl is trying her hardest-,"
"We all are," Tokage cut me off with a smile. "I can't say whether my little investigation is going to bear fruit to a cure, but I think it might lead to a few hints at one. You can thank Nanao and I if it works, by the way. I expect a dowry for our marriage in the Spring-,"
"I'm not marrying you."
Tokage kicked my shins violently.
"See? You abusive bitch."
"You deserved it."
"All jokes aside, thanks," I winked at her. "I got my hands full with this Yakuza business here, as well as a few other things. I really appreciate you being able to do this for me. All of you. Think it's a good lead?"
Tokage shrugged her shoulders at me, taking my maroon beanie off my head as she wore it.
"I don't know, that's why I'm going to check. Don't you think I look good in this beanie?"
"My beanie."
"Yes, yes, yours. Well, now it's mine," Tokage smirked at me. "I'll be gone for a few days. Regrettably, I can't help you with your little Yakuza get-together, especially when shit will inevitably go south."
"Don't speak that shit into existence!"
Tokage once again rolled her eyes at me.
"Even you're scared of it. What a wuss."
I watched as she grabbed her bags and went to walk toward the exit, and I couldn't help but put down my sandwich and made a gun using my fingers, pointing it straight at her as I grinned.
"Setsuna," I watched as she turned around to face me in surprise. "Don't die out there."
"...You better not die either, Sora. Personally I'd kill myself just to get the chance to annoy you forever in hell," She replied with a smirk. "And believe me, we're both going to hell. You for being so annoying, and me for being so sexy that even God would see me as a temptation."
"Relax, you're not that hot."
"Says the guy obsessed with Kyoka Jir-,"
I don't know what possessed me to throw my godly sandwich at her.
But at least it shut her up.
The faint glow of dawn peeked through the curtains, casting a soft illumination over the small kitchen. The aroma of brewing coffee mingled with the scent of miso soup, creating a comforting atmosphere. As I sat at the modest wooden table, Shota Aizawa, in all his glory, shuffled in wearing his dishevelled sleeping attire. He greeted me with a silent nod, and I returned the favour.
"So," I started with a yawn. "What's for breakfast? I have a big day, you know."
"What are you doing in my apartment?"
"You left your door open," I told him. "Well, truthfully Nejire came to mine last night, but she got so drunk off wine I let her sleep in my room. I could have slept on the couch but then I knew I wouldn't be waking up in time for today."
Aizawa glanced at the time and swore.
"Well you can have some miso soup and rice. A nice standard Japanese breakfast," He grunted, reaching for the coffee pot. "And if you want a black coffee, well you can have a mug of it for free."
"You know, in England you'd have something more heartier. Bacon, eggs, sausage, even some beans," I replied. "Ever had a full on English breakfast?"
"Beans for breakfast? Sounds like a hassle."
"It's an acquired taste."
Aizawa raised an eyebrow, his perpetually tired eyes narrowing. "When did you ever have an English breakfast? I wasn't aware you'd been to England before."
"I… I haven't," I answered, stirring the bowl of miso soup he had placed in front of me absentmindedly. Truth was in another life I was born there. "But you know, you have soup and rice everyday and you get sorta' bored of it. Can you blame me for wanting to branch out? Everyone always says that Japanese food is great, and it is, but when it's all you have I guess it gets tiring."
Aizawa grunted again, acknowledging my point without words. The clink of utensils signified the fact that he didn't particularly care to carry on the conversation as we ate in a comfortable silence. I sighed, reaching out to his fridge as I got some milk, a small bottle of Whiskey and some sugar, mixing all three ingredients with the pot of coffee Aizawa had placed on the wooden table.
"Bells? Really?"
"Sorry that I don't have more expensive alcohol stored in my fridge," Aizawa said, rolling his eyes at me. "Here's an idea - Why don't you go out and buy a bottle?"
"I'm not eighteen yet."
"Then why don't you shut up and drink the alcohol I give you for free gratefully," Aizawa told me with a grin. "You know, I could get you suspended for your job. Underage drinking, underage smoking, I bet you've done a few party drugs too. Isn't that a bit naughty for a detective?"
"Oh shut up, old man. You're the one that buys me the alcohol and cigarettes, they'll get your wrinkly arse too," I sneered at him. "And I don't do party drugs. Never got the appeal really."
"Call me an old man one more time and I'll show you whose bones will creek after a fight."
I put my hands in the air, shaking them dramatically at him.
"Oooh, scary. Whatever will I do now?"
Eventually, our conversation quietened down once again. I yawned, rubbing my own tired eyes as Aizawa read the news on his phone. I checked my messages to see that the meeting between Osaka, Musutafu and Tokyo's representatives that Ryutaro had set up and invited me to was going to be at eleven. That meant I had about three hours remaining to get there, which was more than enough time.
"So, today's the day?" Aizawa asked me, his gaze still glued to the news on his phone. "I'd ask if you're ready, but even if you weren't you wouldn't tell me."
I chuckled at that.
"I would, I just know that you wouldn't help me."
"Sora."
"Kidding, kidding," I replied, my tone changing from the light banter we had before to one a little more serious. "All jokes aside, I am fine. I'm a detective, I can handle a few bigshot Yakuza who think they can come into my city and cause some chaos."
Aizawa huffed in response.
"You're the only 'pig' there. You'll have no back up-,"
"And I'll be fine," I cut him off with a smile. "After all, I'm a representative of the Tatsuya Clan. Even as a detective. And is that concern in your voice? Are you worried for your only nephew in the world?"
"Don't you have an older brother?"
"Raiden isn't Oboro's kid," I told him. "You know this. I am your only nephew."
Aizawa raised his eyebrows at me.
"And how do you know this?"
"You never speak about your family," I replied. "You said Oboro was like me, an orphan, but you never speak about your family. I don't think you're an orphan like me or him, but I also don't think you grew up in an especially kind environment considering the shitty adult you turned out to be."
Aizawa snorted at that.
"Well, well, I guess your detective's intuition isn't too shabby," Aizawa mocked me. "I grew up with no father. I was a single-child to a mother who worked two jobs every day just to make sure we had some food and a roof over our heads. She died when I was twelve, a robbery gone wrong the Heroes told me. Said if they had arrived just a minute earlier, maybe she could have been saved."
I nodded at that.
"Is that why you became a Hero?"
"I wish. I became a Hero because if I didn't I'd probably have joined a gang, I wasn't exactly a great teenager," Aizawa told me, much to my surprise. Was my jaw on the floor?! "Oh yeah, I was exactly like you. A delinquent. My Mum always told me I'd regret it, that she didn't want me to hang out with the riff raff around our area. Whenever she saw me play football or talk to them she'd get her broom and chase them away."
"What happened?"
"When she died, a switch flicked in me I guess. I didn't want to disappoint her memory, so I tried my hardest to become the best Hero I could be, and I made a couple of good friends along the way. One even had an unruly child that I've been forced to accept is my nephew," Aizawa told me with a smirk. "But, there was always a lingering thought in my mind. What if my father was in my life?"
The unspoken question was would my mother still be alive if he was present.
"I'm lucky in a sense. Hinata and Gekko adopted me, even if they aren't my biological parents, I love them like they are mine anyways," I told Aizawa with a smile. "Gekko's really childish. He speaks with a lot of slang despite being a doctor, although he deals with kids a lot so it makes sense. It's why I say things like ya' know a lot, or even things like ya' didn't have ta' say that. He's from this city, both of them are, but I guess it's a funny quirk."
"Gekko's a good man."
I nodded at that.
"So was Oboro, from what you told me…"
Aizawa's pained expression gave everything away, even if it was for a brief moment that he allowed himself to open up to me. I understood why he closed himself to me, ultimately, even though Oboro was my biological father I never knew him. Ultimately, Oboro isn't my concern.
Or should I say Kurogiri.
Aizawa, Present Mic and Midnight missed their best friend that had died and was turned into a villain, meanwhile all I ever knew of the guy was the fact that he was a villain working for the League of Villains and had tried to kill me a few times.
"You know," He began. "I've said it before, but you and Oboro would have been really nice being father and son. Or rather your relationship as father and son would have been refreshing. With who you are and who he once was, I can imagine on parents evening both of you turning up an hour late because you got distracted having ice-cream. Or watching a football match."
"You know Liverpool won last weekend?"
"I know. You told me."
Hah.
"I'm sure we can save-,"
"Don't worry about him," Aizawa cut me off. "Or rather, don't worry about how I'll deal with him. This is a dispute between Kurogiri and I. You have no right to be involved in it. Even though he may be your father, it's clear neither he nor you care about each other. Obor-, Kurogiri and myself, we… We still share a bond of friendship. So I'll handle him, the same way you'll handle Zero."
I nodded slowly at that.
"If it's what you want."
"I'm not being stubborn, Sora. It's just… There's a chance that Kurogiri doesn't want to be saved, that he doesn't want to go back to being Oboro," Aizawa told me. "If that happens, I'll have to bring him down. Even if it means killing him. I don't want you involved because I don't want you to see the worst possible outcome happen, even if it doesn't happen the fact that it can happen still makes me want you to not be involved."
"I'm not a kid."
"No one should see their father die, even if you don't view him as your father my point still stands," Aizawa replied. "I won't let you get involved in this, Sora. It's not your place to sort what Oboro and I have out."
…
"You can't exactly stop me. I don't want to see either of you die."
Aizawa merely hummed in response.
"Uncle-,"
"It's what I like to call father issues. The process of us thinking we know better than others - Being independent because we had no present father figure in our life. Oboro and I are similar, Sora," Aizawa cut me off. "Neither he nor I will accept your help. If you want to meddle, then be my guest. But not every story has a happy ending. I tried to convince him to come back, but he didn't want to listen. Now all that's left is to finish things once and for all… make sure the same doesn't happen to you and Zero."
Hm?
Aizawa merely shrugged his shoulders at my questioning gaze.
"Fate isn't what's written, it's something that's unavoidable. I can try my hardest to save Oboro, but he's a Villain and I'm a Hero, our roles will never change," Aizawa lectured me. "There's no hope for Oboro and I to deal with things peacefully, but that doesn't mean that you and your friend, Zero, have to end up like we have. You're the next generation, if anyone can change things around it has to be you."
…
I got up from the wooden table, grabbing my jacket from Aizawa's couch as I put on my shoes and my black beanie. I didn't spare a single glance at Aizawa as I paused at his door, sighing as I turned around to face him.
"I refuse to accept that outcome."
"Isn't that arrogant of you? Poking your nose into other people's business when you haven't even made things right with your old friends," Aizawa said. "Like I said kid, I'm not involving you into what happens with Oboro and I. It's none of your concern, even if he is your biological father."
Tch.
"Whatever."
"Sora," Aizawa's voice cut through the sound of his creaking front door. "Good luck with your business. If you need me I'm just a call away, and so's everyone else. But I doubt you'll need it."
"Are you sure about this?"
I was wearing my normal outfit, my white overcoat and belts but I didn't bring my Chokuto with me. There wasn't a need. Nejire was in her civilian clothes sitting in a cafe with Tamaki, opposite the Millenium Spire. Even as we talked underneath the tallest building in the city, I couldn't help but be impressed with how it was constructed in such a short time thanks to construction companies which employed those with unique and strong Quirks for the business.
In a sense, Quirks really were amazing.
"I'll be fine," I tried to keep Nejire from worrying about me. "No one needs weapons considering it's a peace meeting. But if something does go south, you know that I don't need a sword with me in order to fight. I can just make one. It won't be as strong, but if it breaks then I can just make another."
Nejire tutted, furiously jabbing her fingers into my stomach.
"That's not what I'm worried about! I'm saying, are you really going to go do your job without having a jam doughnut from this place!" Nejire yelled at me, love hearts in her eyes as she devoured the confectionery that Tamaki had spent his hard earned money on. "It's so good! The creamy thickness of it, the way it looks! Even the icing! I could have about three-hundred of these."
I turned to look at Tamaki who simply sighed.
"I-I don't have the facilities for that."
"But Sora does!"
"I'm not transferring you funds from our budget to feed your sugar addiction."
Nejire pouted at me.
"But you'll do it to buy alcohol and cigarettes?"
"T-that's something entirely different!"
Tamaki turned his head at me.
"W-well, it's sorta different," Nejire followed suit in staring at me. "...Gah. Fine, I'll give you twenty-thousand Yen, anything after that is your business. Also know that your pay is getting docked for this."
"You can't do this to me!"
"Well it's not your group. I'm the leader of Nezu's little pet project, so I get to allocate funds," I told her proudly. "Which means I get to decide your pay. Hah. Go eat your jam doughnuts you big baby."
"Mmh. Why are you so mean, ototo!"
Ew.
"Why did you call me your younger brother?"
"Don't guys find that attractive?"
Tamaki and I shared a knowing look.
"I think that's the biggest ick I've ever heard. Anyway, I'm going to be late to my meeting, so I'll see you later," I winked at Nejire, turning around to hi-five Tamaki. "Make sure she doesn't vomit out her lunch. Actually, why don't we let her learn her lesson?"
"She doesn't ever learn."
"Damn. It was worth a shot at least. See ya'!"
I left the two of them at their small cafe as I entered the Millenium Spire and made my way to the floor where Ryutaro and the Tatsuya Clan resided. I was nervous as I entered the elevator and pushed the buttons to go to their floor. Straightening my jacket, I looked at the reflection of myself in the mirror.
Why was my hair sticking out?!
I quickly tried to make my hair stick down, but it still stuck up.
There wasn't enough time to fix my hair however as the doors to the elevator opened, and the atmosphere was tense. Multiple Yakuza members were spread throughout the lobby, glaring daggers at each other. Tatsuya Clan members were wearing red, and the Osaka Yakuza members were wearing the same all black suits that their brethren wore during All Might's funeral.
And the Tokyo yakuza? All white suits.
At least it would be easy to differentiate them.
"Sor-, Detective, I'm glad you could make it," Yuuya bowed deeply to me. The poor boy stuttered as he wore an expensive looking suit and had stress lines all across his face. "Please follow me, Chairman Ryutaro is waiting for you in the hall."
I saw both the Osaka and Tokyo gangsters eye me warily, but I ignored them.
"Psst," I whispered to Yuuya when we were out of their earshot. "Has it been this tense since they arrived?"
Yuuya nodded, swallowing whatever bile he had.
"Yeah. I haven't been able to take a shit in peace since they came."
"Well, you look like you need a break," I told him, reaching out into my pockets and giving him a few coins. "There's a vending machine downstairs, go get a drink or two. I got this. Anything I need to know before I get in?"
Yuuya chuckled nervously, opening the door to the hall for me.
"Don't fuck up, kyodai."
Great advice.
Great fucking advice.
The hall had a wooden floor which meant I had to take off my shoes, but I could see Ryutaro sitting down on a cushion as he wore a traditional Japanese robe. There was an empty cushion next to him, and his face brightened as he saw me enter the hall - But even I could see that even with a smile, his face was still far too tense to truly smile carefreely.
Opposite him was someone who I never thought I'd see again.
Dirty blonde hair that was unkempt and reached well past his shoulders, silver-horn rimmed glasses that didn't quite manage to hide his bright blue eyes and some stubble matched his white lab coat nicely.
Natsuki.
Or more accurately, the villain known as Azreal.
The Angel of Death.
Another reincarnate just like me who worked with the Shie Hassakai to perfect an even stronger and deadlier version of Trigger. Tch. Natsuki waved at me with a knowing grin on his face as he sat down next to Osaka's premier Yakuza boss - Ryuji Fujou.
He was a portly man in his late forties who wore an expensive gold suit with gaudy chains and sunglasses to make up for his short stature, receding hairline and lack of inherent good looks. Even if this man tried to fix himself up with all the money in the world, his face was simply a tragic mess that couldn't be fixed.
And on the Tokyo side?
There was just a lone black-haired woman who sat down wearing a beautiful kimono as she sipped her green tea slowly. I wondered where the leader of the Tokyo Yakuza was, but maybe he was running late.
"Sora! I'm glad you could make it," Ryutaro said to me as I sat down next to him. "Everyone, please meet not only my representative for today's meeting but also the head of my security. Sora, I'd like you to meet Natsuki-san-,"
Natsuki interrupted cheerfully with a cough.
"Sorry, Ryutaro-san, but I'm already well acquainted with Sora," Natsuki teased. "Isn't that right, Sora? Although last time we met you were wearing a mask and I was stuck underground. I'm certainly glad the Shie Hassakai were brought to justice. Wouldn't you agree?"
"...You were one of their primary researchers."
Ryuji Fujou snorted at that, grinning at me so I could see his shiny gold teeth.
"And where is the proof in that, Detective? Frankly, I'm surprised Ryutaro here would entrust such an important role to you, a mere child," Ryuji said snidely. "You always were the most foolish out of the three of us, Ryutaro. Natsuki here is a feared scientist, his mind is truly brilliant. While in a fight he may not be as strong as Sayaka-chan from Tokyo, or even Ryuukei himself, his brilliance shines brightly."
Ryuatro simply scoffed at Ryuji.
"Oh? Don't underestimate Sora, he's a formidable opponent."
Ryuji barked with laughter, slightly pissing me off.
"This kid? You're joking."
"...He's not joking," A deep voice replied from the window. "He's a true fighter. You can tell from his eyes how he's scanning everyone in the room for their weaknesses. You shouldn't underestimate anyone, Ryuji. Though I guess not even you learnt that lesson."
Sitting on the open window with a pipe in his hand was the real deal. Unlike Ryuji's expensive suit or Ryutaro's traditional garb, Ryuukei Hayate wore simple clothes that wouldn't have made me guess that he was the head of the biggest Tokyo crime family. His orange hair and brown eyes reminded me of someone, but that wasn't important right now.
I watched as he emptied out his pipe and went down to sit next to the girl he had brought with him, who had a ghost of a smile on her lips as we locked eyes. They were eyes I had seen before, eyes of a killer who was already planning ways to dispose of your dead body in the quickest way possible.
"Now, now, he may be a fighter but he's not anything like you, Ryuukei," Ryutaro laughed boisterously. "But that's besides the point. Let's all forget about our days as rivals and friends and get down to business, shall we?"
Ryuukei didn't reply but Ryuji hummed.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Must it always be business with you, Ryutaro-,"
"I believe today's topic of discussion is your actions just a few weeks ago, Ryuji," Ryutaro cut him off with a serious look. "Care to explain why you sent armed men to a funeral? All Might's funeral? Care to explain why experimental weapons that were once linked to the Toyoto factory months ago were linked to your men?"
"...I just wanted to pay my respect," Ryuji replied with a grin. My fist tightened as this sleazeball continued. "And my men were attacked. It was purely a safety response that my men fought back. If the police and Heroes hadn't gone ape-shit crazy on my men just paying the funeral a respectful visit"
"Your men gunned down dozens of innocent men and women, how was that a 'safety response'? Do you know that the U.N. is now looking into prosecuting your men?" I growled at him. "Your men killed a few Heroes. That's why they're being prosecuted for terrorism. Let's call a spade a spade, shall we? You're scum. You ordered a hit that your men carried out, and you're a fucking cunt."
Ryuji scoffed at me.
"I… agree actually," Natsuki said. "Ryuji-san, you did attack the funeral on purpose."
"Of course I did!" Ryuji snapped. "Anyone can see that. But that doesn't mean anything! What has the U.N. done outside of punishing this country? Hmph, what are either of you going to do? Send men to fight my gang in Osaka? Try to challenge me right here and now?Neither of your gangs can actually afford that right now. Don't think I don't know about your dealings with each other, haha."
Sayaka, the 'muscle' for Tokyo's Yakuza, snorted at that.
I was the only one out of the loop.
"You didn't even tell your own aide? How tragic," Ryuji laughed at Ryutaro and me. "Ryutaro here after the whole debacle with the Shie Hassakai was so low on funds that he asked Ryuukei for some help. And of course he helped considering this is Ryuukei's home city, even if he's a Tokyo bigwig now. This entire building, the Millenium Spire, was built with funds taken from the Yakuza! In fact, the only reason why the Musutafu Redevelopment Plan was even taken from its initial planning stages to its current point of purchasing land and working on it is because the Millenium Spire was built. Go and thank the Yakuza for that."
…
"And what exactly is the problem with that?" I found myself asking, cutting through all his bullshit. "Are you just sad that you weren't invited, you fat bastard? Is that why you enjoyed trying to tear down the peace they tried to build after this city went through hell?"
Ryuji's smirk was wiped off his face.
"Haha, you got some spunk on you, kid," Ryuji said. "Ten billion Yen is supposed to be spent on this city, and you can't even bring yourself to question if it will be worth it or not. You're a detective, and yet you seem the most corrupt here. In this room filled with Yakuza, why is it that you're the one that seems to want to kill me the most?"
"Ten Billion Yen? Where did that money come from?!"
My question was met with silence.
"...Does it really matter? Why do you care?"
I laughed at that, summoning my sword.
My action was a declaration of attack as Natsuki's eyes narrowed, and the lady who was rolling with the Tokyo mafia's boss glared harshly at me. But I didn't care as I stood up, tapping my sword against the tatami mat.
"Go on. Tell me all about it, and maybe I won't gut you like a fish," I replied like a grin. "Everyone keeps on mentioning money here and there. Everyone keeps on talking about hidden funds, so I'm curious as to why you mentioned ten billion Yen specifically? You got something to tell me, before I throw your arse into prison. It'd help with an investigation of mine."
Ryuji laughed at that.
"Nothing that would concern a brat like you."
Tsk.
"Sora, relax - These are peace talks after all," Ryutaro assured me. "Though, I do find it interesting that you mentioned that specific number, Ryuji. Do you have information on the Musutafu Redevelopment that we don't? The plan is bankrolled by Detrenat and other companies at the end of the day. It wouldn't surprise me if you have links with them.
Ryuji scoffed at that.
"Why would I tell you what business I have with them?"
"Because, as the three Kings of Japan, perhaps we could meet in the middle and ensure that a gang war doesn't break out," Ryutato replied. "Because I thought that the three of us realise that war is bad for business. Because, Ryuji, if you want to declare a war - What comes next is on you."
"And what does come next? Natsuki cockily asked. "Neither of your gangs have the money nor the power to challenge us. Not without significant losses on your end. All you will be doing is adding to the bloodshed this country has established over numerous decades. Do you want to be but a mere footnote in history?"
I laughed at him.
"Don't pretend like you care about human life, Mister-I-Experiment-On-Children."
Natsuki sharply exhaled.
"...Let me get this straight for you, Sora. I never once treated Eri like that," Natsuki told me seriously. "What Overhaul did was his prerogative. I simply used the tools presented to me to do the job I was hired to do. And the same thing has happened here. I don't advocate for my inventions being used to harm people, those weapons at the funeral? They were mine. Based on a design the Toyota factory had made months ago."
…Tsk.
"They made those weapons as a response to the threat of your gang."
"Why is that, Sora?" Natsuki asked me. "It's not my gang. Ryuji, who bankrolls you?"
"Er-, Well-, Thats-,"
Natsuki laughed at his boss's response.
"Precisely. If that 's what you want to know, then seek it, Sora," Natsuki challenged me. "Seek the truth. I don't know if what you'll find will make you happy. I'm here for one reason only, the same reason I helped Overhaul. It benefited me and my plans. It allowed me to get one step closer to my goal."
"Which is what exactly?"
Natsuki smugly grinned at me.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Enough," Ryuukei growled, smoking from his pipe. "Ryuji Fujou, I think we should wrap this up cleanly. Don't attack Musutafu again, and I won't join forces with Ryutaro to tear down Osaka just to find you. I'll come straight for your head."
Ryuji growled at that, glaring at Ryuukei and I before Natsuki's hand calmed him down.
"Isn't this supposed to be a peace treaty? It looks to me as if everyone is willing to foster war instead," Natsuki lamented. "If that's the case… Well, Ryuji-san, shouldn't we respond in kind?"
The portly gang leader bobbed his head, flashing his disgusting golden teeth.
"You're absolutely right, Natsuki," Ryuji replied while clicking his fingers. Nothing happened at first, until it did. Men in black suits from the lobby kicked the door to the hall down holding guns. Not traditional guns. As I turned to look at Natsuki, his smirk made it clear who was the one that designed them. "These bad boys fire explosive rounds. So, shall we truly get down to business?"
There were fifteen of them.
I didn't have my sword on me, and my Quirk couldn't protect Ryutaro while I went to attack them. Realistically, I could protect us two and head for the window, jumping out to escape but that was still a risky gamble.
Tsk.
Ryutaro's gaze however made me relax, slightly.
"What do you want to talk about?" Ryutaro asked. "...What business do you want from this place?"
"I want half," Ryuji grinned at us. "Half of Musutafu and half of Tokyo. You can both give me what I want, else I'll take it by force. By after-tomorrow, I'll be expecting your answers. We'll be conjuring here late at noon. And I don't need to mention the fact that the clause of being kyodai's is in effect. A promise we made to each other when we were younger. If you don't show up tomorrow it means that you agree to give me all of your territories."
"...And if we decline your offer?" I asked curiously. "Because there is no way in hell we're giving you half, you fat pig."
Ryuji chuckled darkly at us.
"I'll burn this city to the ground to get what I want. If you thought that All Might's funeral and what the Shie Hassakai was bad, I'll do you one better," Ryuji taunted us, but he couldn't help but glare at Ryuukei who sat without a shred of emotion leaking onto his face. "For every day you still deny my offer, I'll kill one-hundred civilians. I'll sure I live up to the terrorist nametag my men claimed. I won't stop till I get what I want. It's about time that Osaka ruled this entire country."
That was when I snapped.
"You're going to bring down the entire wrath of the country on you? Do you think the police and even Heroes are just going to sit back and watch you do all this?!" I scoffed at him. "I don't speak just for Ryutaro here, but for this entire city. We'll always reject some fat bastard like you that doesn't understand a single thing about being human. Let's see how far your greed will take you."
"Why you little-,"
"Ryuji-san, I believe it's time for us to go," Natsuki interrupted him with a smile on his lips. "We've made our point clear, and if they don't want to accept it then that is on them. Tomorrow. We'll be awaiting your answers till then, and we'll conjure after-tomorrow here. And Sora-san, it's nice seeing you back in action. Even if we're on opposing sides yet again. It's good to see you as a detective, it suits you."
Hmph.
"Yeah, yeah. Save your sarcasm for another time, Natsuki," I replied, glaring at him. "You're not slick you know. I can see what you're doing. Why do you want to destroy this city so badly? First with the Shie Hassakai and now this? Tsk."
Natsuki laughed.
"Destroy? That's what you think I want?" Natsuki shook his head at me. "I'm just a humble scientist. I used to be a doctor, a long time ago. You know, I did agree with Overhaul once upon a time ago. This world… any world, it is diseased. But not because of Heroes."
"...Huh?"
"Don't worry, Sora. It doesn't concern you. For now, I shall bid you all a farewell," Natsuki bowed his head respectfully. "I hope that your answers tomorrow shall be on the positive side. I do hope that after-tomorrow, war won't break out in this city."
And with that, Natsuki, Ryuji and all their men left.
Tsk.
Ryutaro exhaled, and it allowed me to see the stress lines and how far he had truly aged in just this meeting alone. He closed his eyes and shook his head at me, trying to think of solutions to this problem.
"It seems to me as if this is a problem that can't be solved," Ryuukei told us, interrupting Ryutaro's thoughts. "I refuse to give any part of Tokyo to that poor excuse of a gangster. Greed this, greed that. He'll be punished for his sins soon. Sayaka, we're heading back to Tokyo-,"
"Hold on," I interrupted him. "Don't you come from this city?"
"So?"
"Don't you want to protect it?" I asked him. "Don't you have a family here?"
Ryuukei's eyes narrowed at me.
"I was an orphan raised in an orphanage, Detective. And my remaining… family, well there isn't a need for me to see them. I doubt they'd want to see me, a criminal, either. This city isn't my concern-,"
"Ryuukei," Ryutaro cut him off. "You care about this city. Or rather, you care about her. She still lives here, you know. What if she gets caught up in this? You know, it's a massive possibility. Especially because of… present circumstances."
Ryuukei scoffed.
"What circumstances?"
Ryutaro laughed, pointing at me.
"Me? Uh, sorry I don't know anyone that you know."
Ryuukei merely clicked his tongue in response to my statement.
"What's your full name, boy?"
"Sora. Sora Yamazaki," I replied, watching as Ryuukei's face gave no inclination of recognising it. "What, do you know me or something? Whatever, I don't know you man. Listen, if you and Ryutaro team up I'm sure we can fight back against-,"
"We're leaving, Sayaka," Ryuukei ignored me. "...We'll be present for tomorrow's negotiations. But I will reject Ryuji's proposal. I assume you will as well, Ryutaro?"
"I will."
"Perfect."
I watched as Ryuukei and his aide, Sayaka, walked away from us in confusion. I turned to Ryutaro who sighed as he sipped his green tea in spite of all the commotion that went on, and he had a massive grin on his face. We sat in a comfortable silence before Yuuya came rushing in.
"Uh… did we avoid a gang war?" Yuuya asked, "I really hope we did."
"Not yet," Ryutaro answered. "But, Sora here is a massive key to stopping it. Just keep on doing what you're doing, Sora. Only then will we be able to avert this crisis. Haha. I best keep Yuuya around tonight then."
"Why's that?"
"The clause of kyodai's was used," Ryutaro replied. "That means either Ryuukei or myself don't show up, or worst case scenario we both don't show up, it means that we have accepted the deal. An act to save face. Or, a way for rivals to get rid of each other in an attempt to get a favourable outcome. Haha."
Tsk.
"You think Ryuji's going to send assassins after you?"
"Absolutely. But nevertheless, I shall be fine," Ryutaro told me. "So long as the chairman of a clan is there, the clause will not be put into effect. So come on, Yuuya. I'm hungry. Let's get some lunch, shall we? I'm thinking of KFC."
"And what about Ryuukei's person? Why am I involved? Why am I important? This isn't making any sense, what are you hiding from me?!" I asked him. It just didn't make any sense. Why did I change Ryuukei's mind?! "Answer me, Ryutaro. I deserve at least that much."
"...It's not my story to tell."
Huh?
I watched as Ryutaro and Yuuya waved goodbye to me, leaving me all alone and confused.
"Mum."
Hinata was cleaning some dishes as I leaned on the counter next to her. She hummed at me, signalling to me that she was listening as she placed the clean plates in the dishwasher.
"I… Something came up at work today. It confused me. But, I don't know, I thought maybe I'd ask you because you sort of fit the bill? I don't know," I scratched the back of my head, pausing to think about what I wanted to say. "Do you have a secret biological brother?!"
Hinata stopped to stare at me.
"No? Why would you ask that."
I deflated at that.
"Something came up at work. That's all."
"Neither Gekko nor I have any remaining families," She told me. "We grew up in an orphanage, a bit like you, Sora. Hah. In a sense that's why we're so proud of adopting a kid like you."
"You didn't adopt Miwa?"
Hinata shrugged her shoulders at that.
"We did. But obviously, Miwa knew her parents. And so do we. Haven't you noticed why Miwa never calls Gekko dad? It's because she still remembers her father, even if we wish she didn't," Hinata told me sadly. "But that's besides the point. Neither Gekko nor I have any family."
Huh.
Maybe I was wrong then?
"Alright, thanks. Oh, also, Nejire's coming over for dinner with Aizawa."
"Both of them?!"
"...Yeah. I told you last night-,"
I watched as Hinata rushed past me to the fridge.
"Shit. There's nothing here," Hinata whispered. "Okay! That's fine. Sora, do you fancy takeout tonight?"
"Uh, okay."
Hinata nodded in response as she went to get her phone in order to schedule a delivery for later. Shrugging my shoulders, I walked past the couch and flicked Miwa's ear much to her annoyance.
"Stop."
"Why should I?"
"Because you suck," Miwa replied, sticking her tongue out at me. "And you smell."
"No I don't."
"Yes you do," Miwa replied, smirking at me. "Sora, he's so stinky! He's so very, very, very, stinky! Oh so stinky! Yes he's stinky! And he'll never not be smelly! Oh so smelly! Soa, he's so smelly! So very smelly. And he'll never not be-,"
"Can we stop with the singing?"
Miwa beamed at me.
"Don't you think I have a great singing voice?"
"You sound like a dying goat."
"I'd win X-Factor, what are you on about?"
"You'd embarrass yourself and our family."
"Shush."
"No, you shush," I replied, flicking her ear once more. "Nejire and Aizawa are coming over for dinner, if you didn't hear. Don't be annoying, alright? Just don't be your autistic self, and we'll be fine."
"How am I the one that's autistic?!"
I simply stared at her.
"Miwa. Please, you're easily the most autistic person in the household."
"Shut up! Bitch."
"Ooh, I'm telling Mum."
"Go eat shit."
"Shut up you big baby, I'm only joking," I told her, playfully punching her shoulder. "Tell you what, I'll go buy some snacks for you. What do you want?"
"I'm on a diet."
"For what? You've always been a cow. Wait, have you gained weight? Are you the President of Cow City or Cow Country now?" Miwa sneered at me, reaching over to punch me in the chest. "Ow. Why the hell are you so abusive? No man is ever going to love you."
Miwa simply threw a pillow at me.
"Rue. You will rue the day you ever met me, Sora!"
Sadly, the doorbell rang before I could reply. Miwa went back to watching the TV as I went to answer the door to see Gekko, Aizawa and Nejire all soaking wet from the rain. Ah.
"Are you going to let us in son, or what?"
"Depends," I joked, closing the door slightly. "What's the password?"
"The password is if you don't open this door your mother will pour scalding water over your Playstation!" I quickly opened the door at that, ushering the three of them in. Aizawa ruffled my hair annoyingly and Nejire gave me a big hug. "So, what's your Mum cooking for us?"
"She's ordering takeout."
Gekko sighed.
"Really? Alright, I'll go speak to her," Gekko winked at me as he hugged me. "I heard you had a bad day at work today. How about you go talk to your bosses while I try and convince your mother not to get the Indian place she always talks about."
"Nejire's not my boss. Neither is Aizawa."
Aizawa scoffed at that.
"I am your teacher."
"Whatever, like that matters when I graduate," I told him. "And Nejire! You were drunk here last night. I'm surprised you came back for round two. Maybe you should have brought Tamaki to stop you from drinking so much…"
"Hehe. I only had three glasses of wine last night."
…
That's nothing!
I lamented over the fact that I'd have to stay over at Aizawa's again for another night as I led the two of them to my room for a private conversation. I kicked Miwa's legs right before we went to my room though.
"Tell me when food's here."
"Mmh."
"Miwa. I'm serious."
"Alright, alright. Now get out of the way, I want to watch The Sopranos."
I led Aizawa and Nejire to my room, locking it as I sat down on my chair while they sat down opposite me on my bed. I reached out for an opened packet of sweets and offered it to them, Starbursts, but only Nejire took one.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" I asked them.
It was Nejire that went first.
"Is a gang war really starting?"
"I… don't know," I honestly answered. "Osaka wants to be really forceful, but, like I said on the phone, Ryutaro and Ryuukei seem to have a plan or something. The only reason Ryuukei is staying here is because of me, oddly enough. I don't know why. I tried to ask Hinata, but nah, looks like she doesn't have any siblings."
Aizawa hummed at that.
"Are you sure you didn't misunderstand what they said?"
"Pretty sure."
"Maybe you saved someone close to Ryuukei as Aozora! You said that Ryutaro knows about you and you trust him, so maybe it was a reference to that!" Nejire cheerfully suggested. "But, you did say that you can't think of anything that would tie Ryuukei to you. No family ties, no Hero ties, so what's the issue here? Did you save his girlfriend or something?"
But I shook my head at her.
"I doubt it, for one I don't remember saving any women," I replied. "And secondly, how would Ryuukei know? Aozora is supposed to be dead, and Ryutaro didn't say anything to reverse that known fact. Whatever. So long as Ryuukei and Ryutaro stand side-by-side to stop the gang war, I'll happily be like a mushroom. Kept in the dark and fed shit."
"Maybe it's not important for you to know?" Aizawa asked. "...It's the same thing when you said Ryuji mentioned the ten billion Yen. Are you sure you aren't overthinking anything? I know you tend to do that."
I sighed, turning on my laptop to go to the document which had all my investigations on Ryuukei and Ryuji, along with pictures of them. I just couldn't understand. If Ryuukei cared enough to send funds to help rebuild Musutafu, why would he ditch it when it was under threat?!
It was as if he was grateful to this city while hating it at the same time.
In a sense, I sort of understood his sentiment - It was how I felt with U.A. even now.
But still, what was the context?!
"It doesn't matter. I tried to pull on the money thread, but I didn't get anything in response, it could be a dead end," I told them. "At the very least, Ryutato and Ryuukei were just as puzzles as I was. Unless I manage to track down and arrest Ryuji or Natsuki, I'll never understand why they brought that specific figure up. Especially in relation to the Musutafu Redevelopment fund."
"Maybe… Maybe they're linked!" Nejire yelled. "Wait, no. How would they be linked? The Redevelopment fund opened after the Overhaul raid, months before the money was reported missing from the Bank of Japan."
I nodded at her.
"Yeah, the timeline doesn't add up."
"Are you sure there is even a link?"
I nodded at Aizawa.
"From Death Arm's death, I do think he was assassinated at the funeral of All Might," I told them. "Jiro and Tokage knocked him out. But by the time I had gotten to him, his nerves were frayed and he was practically dead. Ultimately, someone killed him to hide something. Even if it's just a coincidence, why would the leader of the Yakuza that attacked the funeral leading to Death Arm's death mention that specific amount of money?"
Nejire hummed.
"Maybe to confuse you?"
"I doubt it. Nothing adds up if it was just a practical joke," Aizawa replied, shaking his head at the theory. "I agree it is interesting. But interesting enough to be a major point in this case? I don't know, Sora. At the end of the day, Yakuza like the Osakan gang Ryuji runs are liable to make ten billion Yen in a year or so. It could just be a figure he mentioned because of his familiarity with it. I just wonder what Ryuji wants to do."
I nodded at that,
"True. He's pushing for a gang war on the streets over control.'
"And Natsuki… he appeared," Aizawa whispered in anger. "Sora, you know he was the one that told me about your origins. How Oboro was turned into Kurogiri. How Yukari was forced to have you, how ultimately this was all All For One's will. Do you think he was involved in the experiments that led to you and Tokage? Do you think he knows a cure for your… death?"
Nejire looked at us confused, but she didn't press as I shook my head at him.
"He was too young. The only experiments were conducted by the deceased Doctor Garaki, the rest were handled by a trio of him, Yukari and Tokage's mother," I explained to him. "Nejire. This is… About my birth. You know. Why I'm… you know. Dying. Or, rather, with more than one Quirk."
Nejire slowly nodded in understanding.
"The guy All Might killed created you?"
"In a roundabout sense, yeah."
"Weird."
"I know right? I have to be grateful to a villain that I was able to exist, isn't that a bit fucked," I joked. "Still, Natsuki is clearly the one pulling Ryuji along. I have no doubt that Ryuji's greed knows no bounds, but if it wasn't for Natsuki giving him support I doubt he'd be so brazen about all this. Sorta like the Shie Hassakai situation too, if Overhaul wasn't so confident in the suped up Trigger that Natsuki made maybe… maybe things would have ended up differently."
"That's not your sin," Nejire reminded me. "It has nothing to do with you."
I rolled my eyes at her.
It had everything to do with me.
It was my fault.
And I deserved to be punished for it.
"Sora. Back to the main topic, what do you think is going to happen?" Aizawa cut my thoughts off. "I trust your judgement. Is Natsuki seriously a threat or what? If you want to know what Ryuukei and Ryutaro are keeping from you, I can ask a few students of Class A to look into it from their end. It'll make things easier for you, don't you think?"
I nodded in response.
"Alright. But pick people I get along with, please."
"What makes you think I wasn't going to do that anyways?"
I shrugged my shoulders at him, staring at the document I had made as I zoomed in on the photo of Ryuukei. Wild short orange hair, some facial hair and a large scar across his left eye with tanned skin. He looked like the most stereotypical gangster I'd ever seen, but despite that he still felt familiar.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
Miwa came in with a smile on her face.
"The food came. Mum told me to come get you guys."
"Alright. What did she and Dad get?"
"Kebabs!"
I grinned at that.
"Sick."
As I got up from my chair, Miwa came closer to curiously peek at my laptop. It's not like I didn't tell her some of my cases beforehand, a small tidbit of information here and there made her worry a bit less. But I saw Miwa pale rapidly as she stared at my laptop before turning to stare at me in surprise.
"Miwa?"
"H-Your case, you're looking into the Yakuza, right?" Miwa asked me, her eyes not leaving my screen. I turned to look at my screen and shrugged my shoulders. It was just zoomed in on a picture of Ryuukei. "This guy… Ryuukei Hayate. He's in this city, right?"
"I guess. He's a Yakuza leader up in Tokyo, if that's what you're wondering," I told her. "Met him earlier today. Not a man of many words, but apparently he comes from Musutafu. Hah. He's an orphan but apparently he has some family left here in the city."
"..."
"Miwa?" I asked in concern, turning to look at Nejire and Aizawa who were equally as confused as me. "Sis, what's wrong? Listen, I'm gonna be fine. This isn't going to end up like the Shie Hassakai raid, alright? You don't have to be afraid of me getting hurt or anything, trust me I'll be fine-,"
"He's here? In this city?"
I blinked at her in confusion.
"Er, yeah? I guess."
"Sora…" Miwa began, shaking her head at me. "Where? Where is he?"
"Hold on, I'm not going to tell you where a criminal is. Miwa, listen to yourself. I'm fine. I don't need you to go beat up some Yakuza head because you're worried about me, that'll just make me worry!" I told her. "Seriously, just forget it. He's supposed to be working with me, but that's besides the point-,"
"Where is Ryuukei!"
I took a step back at Miwa's panicked scream.
I took a look at the picture and scrunched my face up in confusion.
His name was nowhere to be seen.
"Wait… do you… know him?" I asked her.
And that was when it clicked.
Miwa's orange hair, Ryuukei's orange hair.
Both of their last name's were Hayate.
"He's my father," Miwa whispered. "He's my father, and he's back here. He abandoned me, and now he's come back. Where is he, Sora? I need to meet with him. I need to find out why he left me. Sora, please, you need to let me-,"
"I-I-I don't know where he is."
"Sora-,"
"Miwa, I'm not kidding-,"
"Sora, please, this isn't funny. I know you want to protect me, but he's my Dad. I have to know, Sora," Miwa pleaded with me, tears welling up in her eyes. I forced myself to look away so I myself wouldn't cry. "Please. If you had the chance to meet your biological parents and ask them why, wouldn't you ask? Wouldn't you do anything just to find them? Wouldn't you do anything to understand why you were left alone?!"
…
…
…
"Miwa, I'm sorry but really I don't-,"
I was stunned as Miwa growled, turning away from me as she stormed away in a huff.
"Miwa!"
But it was futile.
She grabbed her coat, put on her shoes and slammed the front door shut.
I-,
…
"Oh dear," Hinata whispered, holding the bags of takeout. Gekko and her both had looks of shock and surprise in their faces with a twinge of guilt. Nejire and Aizawa thankfully went after Miwa, at the very least they'd be able to calm her down. All I could do was stare at the front door darkly. "...I guess Ryuukei's back in town."
Ryuukei Hayate.
Miwa's father.
It was ironic, wasn't it?
When I was a kid I had promised myself that if I ever met Miwa's father I'd deck him on the jaw for abandoning my sister in all but blood. And here I was nearly fourteen years later, confronted with that reality.
"Yeah," I muttered moodily. "Looks like he's back."
This was a twist I've been building since chapter 1!
I always wanted this to happen, and this is an arc that's been building for a while, not just in Part 2! This is essentially the end of 'Act 1' of Part 2, if that makes sense. Since there are 9 arcs in total, this is the 3rd arc of that total.
Which is great!
This arc is going to be an emotional rollercoaster, that's all I'll say. I can't wait to fully write it out because it's going to be a short but good one with a lot of conclusions to a few plotlines.
One being Miwa and her family as well as Hinata and Gekko's deal.
The other being the small yakuza side plot.
And another mystery plotline that should be fairly obvious given the context of the story.
But I did introduce Natsuki/Azreal back, who's certainly going to stick around for a bit as a villain. I don't have much to say about him because I want the story to speak for him, but let's say he'll have a few moments to shine!
And yeah, I really like this chapter and how it turned out!
Hopefully you'll enjoy the next three chapters as well!