Over the Top

by papireaz

When I died, I expected a few manga volumes. Maybe to learn what the One Piece is. Instead, I found myself in a world that I recognised, a story I had read and what's worse was that it was a story I had no interest in wanting to involve myself in! Then and again, the offer to become a Hero is far too tempting...

68. Issue 66

The Sound of Breath - SIM

---

"Is it impossible to ask for my dream?

Or was my dream impossible to begin with."

---

Miwa hadn't come home that night.

Nejire went home looking dejected while I took the train back to U.A. Aizawa stayed the night to try and help my parents look for Miwa, he was a night hero after all. But even then, she still wasn't found.

She didn't answer any of our messages or calls.

The only reassurance we got that she was safe was when Keiko, an old middle school friend of ours texted me that she was going to spend the night with hers. It was the first time I had spoken to Keiko since… Well, in well over a year and a bit.

It was all my fault.

Miwa ran away because of me.

Because I didn't know the answer to her question.

Because I couldn't help her.

Tokage was away on her trip to Kanazawa, and I didn't particularly feel like going to Class A and telling them that Miwa had gone even if I knew that when I woke up, they'd know and would be looking for her. Despite what happened between us, Class A was still on good terms with Miwa which made me happy and sad at the same time.

That on some level they still wanted me in their lives.

But, I just couldn't find a way to be in their lives.

Maybe that was why at three in the morning I found myself standing outside of their accommodation. Standing outside the place I once called home. All of their lights were switched off, I had no doubt that at this hour on a weekday that they would all be fast asleep by now. Especially with finals coming up.

The heavy build up of snow was annoying as I stuffed my hands into my pockets.

Fuck.

"..."

I turned around to go back to the Class B dorms, I didn't deserve to be near Class A. Not only that, but I had to do important shit in the morning. Despite that, I couldn't help but remember it all.

My sins.

My punishment.

For some reason; I couldn't forget it.

Even if I tried.

I hurt them at the end of the day.

The twenty-fifth of December, Christmas Day, the day I woke up from my coma and made the biggest mistake of my life. A mistake that still haunted me to this day. I rubbed my arm, glaring at the dorm.

Happy memories tried to flood my mind, but all I could think about was that day.

…

…

…

"Get out of my way," I told them coldly. "I won't ask again."

My suitcase carrying all my essentials banged against the last step as I stared at the rest of Class A who stared at me with hope on their faces. They had been patiently waiting a month for me to wake up, to be a part of their class again.

And it hurt me deeply to know what I was about to do, but I had no Quirks -I had no business being here. I killed everyone in the raid, and it was my stupidity that led to them dying. My decisions.

At the end of the day, I was the scum that they called a friend.

"What's wrong with sleeping beauty," Bakugo snarkily asked me. "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"

"Bakugo! Sora's just woken up, I'm sure he must be confused-," Yaoyorozu tried saying, shooting me a concerned look. But I merely chuckled at her question, of course I was confused. Why the hell was I still alive?!

Why the hell was I still here…

"I ain't confused or anything," I lied calmly. "In fact, my mind has been clearer than it's ever been before."

It hadn't.

But…

That's why I packed everything up, I knew what I needed to do even if it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Memories of this school flooded my mind as I refused to meet any of their gaze, just in case I'd fail to do what I forced myself to set out to do once I woke up from my coma.

I couldn't protect them.

I was no Hero.

"So then, why'd you pack that?" Sero asked me, pointing at the suitcase behind my legs.

And I smiled at Sero - and it wasn't the warm one they were used to either. It was cold and twisted. And everyone in the class knew as some members took a few steps back in shock because this wasn't the Sora that they remembered, no that Sora Yamazaki they loved had died.

I was just a weak bastard who would kill them eventually because of how pathetic I was.

"Because I'm leaving."

"To go where?" Izuku found himself asking.

"I'm leaving 1A."

The immediate reaction broke my heart, Yaoyorozu and Midoriya were too stunned to speak as others like Mina and Uraraka failed to understand what I said. But it was the truth, and I stood tall despite their looks of confusion.

It was Christmas Day, and instead of spending time with their families.

They stayed here at U.A.

For me.

…

"Guys, look at him," Mineta scoffed, shaking his head as he refused to believe the words that had come out of my mouth. "All of a sudden his hair changes colours and he thinks he can say whatever he wants."

I opened my mouth to try and calm him down but-,

Denji's corpse crushed under rubble came to mind.

Eri's cold smile on her corpse as she took a hit that was supposed to kill me.

Mirio's lifeless body on the beach.

Nighteye's final breath as he looked at me in approval.

And so many others who had died. All I could think about was those who had died because of me, because I made the Overhaul Raid turn to shit because I couldn't keep my emotions in check.

I didn't deserve to be friends with anyone here.

I don't deserve anyone's love.

"I can say whatever I want. Just like how your parents can do whatever they want and not raise their son," I forced myself to say, the dull feeling of pain coursing through my body as I used Mineta's deepest secrets against him. "But to be fair to them, no one would want to raise you anyway. You're an unloveable piece of shit. A waste of space."

Mineta's eyes widened at that.

And inwardly, I couldn't help but accept it.

I really was a demon.

They were right - Everyone from when I was a kid to now was right in saying I was a piece of shit, because these people in front of me? They were more human than I was. Or rather, they were just characters in a story I didn't want to be a part of any longer - Perhaps that's why it was easy to sever the bonds we had forged together.

Because, they'd be better than me.

I don't deserve their love.

I never did.

"Sora! That was uncalled for-,"

"Uncalled for? Yeah, what you said at the gala was uncalled for. Do you think I care about your sob story? It's no wonder after your dad died your mum gave up on you. What a failure you are," I spat at Yaoyorozu hatefully. She had the potential to surpass her mother, I know she did. Maybe this was the push she needed. "You try to run away from your mother and become a hero to prove her wrong, but you can't even do that properly. Just shut your fucking mouth already, you pitiful excuse for a human."

And that was the straw that broke the camel's back.

There was no going back.

But… Heh.

Why would I want to go back?

"Hey man," Kirishima butted in, an annoyed expression on his face. "If you are annoyed, that's fine. But don't take it out on us. We stayed here for our Christmas break for you, we didn't even visit our families nor can they really visit us because of how worried we were that you would wake up and no one would greet you."

"So what? Did I ask for this?" I asked him in annoyance. "Anyways, why are you speaking as if your parents were going to visit you anyways? Your dad can't walk so why the hell would he come over just to see his disappointment of a son?"

Kirishima was restrained by Bakugo and Shoji and I laughed at his attempt.

He was so manly…

Out of everyone here, he was the least disappointing person.

Any parent would be proud of Kirishima, I was proud to have once been called his friend. Tsk. I felt the bile rise up in my throat as Iida stepped forward in confusion, glaring at me as he was the next target.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Iida asked me. "I don't understand, Sora, why are you acting like this? Did we do something to offend you? Please, just help us understand."

…

"Like how you tried to murder Stain? No, I mean like how you ran past innocent civilians in your quest for revenge. How many people died because of your actions, Iida? What gives you the right to even look at me, murderer?" I replied smugly, ignoring the painful sensation in my heart. And ignoring the temperature of the room as it dropped, there was no going back now. "What? No one wants to say anything?"

"What is there to say?" Bakugo asked me. "You're just being a dickhead for no reason."

"No reason? As if," I scoffed at them, I hated myself for ever thinking I could be friends with them. "I hate all of you. Every single one of you. You are all so pathetic. I've always hated you, but I pretended as if I cared to fit in. And now my little act is up. I don't care if I hurt your feelings anymore, because I will tell you exactly what I think of you."

I paused, turning to face the rest of the class.

"Aoyama, you should be dead. I should have let Tokage kill your worthless life because there is no way a coward like you can become a hero. There is no way you can change," I then turned to face Mina. "You'll never be beautiful or attractive. You're an eyesore. You look like a freak, and you'd do better to become a villain and scare kids than try and be a hero." Both Aoyama and Mina's eyes darkened at the words he said, but they were all powerless as Sora continued his tirade.

"Tsuyu, why are you even trying to be a good role model for your siblings? What is there to look up to? Just give up already and kill yourself. That goes for you too Uraraka, perhaps if you kill yourself maybe your parents would have more money. Did you ever think that it's because of you that your family needs money? Children are needy. And expensive. But I bet you never thought you would be the reason why your family needs money, and that's simply the funniest thing ever."

"Ojiro, you'll never be a hero. You can try your hardest, but that hero that you look up to was a weak piece of shit that died. You look up to someone who failed. And that's all you will ever be, a failure," I paused, regaining my breath. "Kaminari, I don't even need to say anything to you. You are just a waste of space, and I don't want to waste my time telling you how worthless you are. See the advice I gave to Tsuyu and Uraraka and please take it."

With each passing second, it became easier to hurt everyone in the ways that hurt most - Using the trust and secrets they had given me out of love and twisting it against them, using our friendship as a weapon.

This was the only thing I could do now.

To protect them… To still feel strong…

And to make sure that I could never be in a position where someone can love me ever again so they'll continue to live. So that I'll never choose them ever again, the people that I cared about most in this world - I'd make sure that they live even if they hate me.

Because their hatred for me would never outweigh the hatred I had for myself.

"Koda, you know it's funny. You try to be quiet, but you are exactly like your grandfather. I only met him once as well. You think that you are better than him, but you aren't. You are exactly like him," And as Koda began to cry, I grinned at his tears so that my own wouldn't start falling. "Shoji. You are a monster. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, because it's a good thing you wear that mask. If I have to see you unmasked again I think I might jump off a bridge in disgust."

"Shut up already!" Sero yelled at me in frustration. "Why the hell are you saying this? Why are you spouting such bullshit?!" Sora merely laughed in response.

"Spouting? Well done, I'm surprised you know that word. Perhaps all those days while you were younger that you spent starving for food didn't addle your brains that badly. At least it took one of your parents away and left the other permanently hospitalised, sadly you're still alive, so there is that."

Members of the class restrained Sero from hitting me.

But I wish they didn't.

Still, I continued. I had to make sure they understood that a bastard like me didn't deserve their love and happiness, that there was only one outcome for me and that loneliness because all I had ever done was abuse the trust given to me.

…

"Tokoyami," I turned to face Tokoyami, whose face which was usually unreadable was scrunched up in anger and pain. "The accident that happened to your sister was your fault. And you can never escape the fact that you are a monster. It's not your Quirk, it's you. No wonder your parents didn't pay much attention to you. I bet they could already tell that they had birthed a monster."

I turned to face the other few students left.

"Todoroki, the more I see you the more I'm convinced that you had it coming," Todoroki looked like he was expecting what I said, but even then he was still hurt by the words spoken. "And Bakugo, we both know that your attitude is just a mask. You can lie to yourself all you want, but I can see you for who you really are. Just a loser. You'll never surpass the 'Deku' that you want to beat so badly, you'll never be a hero. You are just a villain in disguise. I mean really, who says to someone that they should take a swan dive off the roof?"

Bakugo didn't visibly react as his face remained calm, something that I didn't foresee, but despite that I could see that Bakugo's hands balled into a fist, and he was ready to fight. Unfortunately, Izuku stepped forward, ready to intervene at any moment.

As always, he was the Hero.

Even now, he just thought this was a bad dream.

And I… I wished this was a bad dream.

But this was simply reality.

"Oh right, Hagakure," I turned to my friend who was invisible, but even I could see she was trembling in fright of what I would say to her. She wasn't forgettable, I'd never forget her ever for the rest of my life, but-, "I forgot about you. Just like everyone else. I would say more, but if I'm being honest I totally forgot what I was about to say-,"

"Are you done?" Izuku interrupted.

I turned to look at him.

"Yeah. I think I am," I answered proudly. It made me want to throw up as Midoriya-, As my friend-, As everyone here glared at me. There was nothing to salvage anymore, this was the scorched Earth I had once seen in my visions. "Midoriya. Stop staring. Why are you shocked? I've always been like this. The 'Devil from Class E.' That was what they called me in middle school, and you know I quite like the name."

I hated that name.

More than anything.

I didn't want to be a demon, I just wanted to be loved and accepted.

But I always fucked it up.

I don't deserve it.

"None of you should be shocked," I added bitterly. "I mean really, do you know anyone that would willingly sacrifice their life for their friends? I was pretending the entire time. But somehow you idiots thought I was being genuine."

"Shut… up," Izuku whispered, barely able to control his anger. "Just shut up already!"

Izuku Midoriya.

The Hero of this story.

Because of me and my actions, I fucked up his future. I fucked up all of their future's, they were supposed to be stronger - They need to be stronger for what is to come. Not just relying on me to solve their issues, not just relying on someone like me who fucked everything up just for a chance at a revenge.

"Or what? What will you do? You couldn't even save Nighteye. You couldn't even fight Overhaul without nearly dying. You know, I was the one who saved you. Why don't you be more grateful to the Hero who saved your shitty life!" I yelled right back at him, laughing all alone at my words. I was no Hero. "It doesn't matter anyway. You can say I was a liar the entire time, which I was, but what about you? When are you going to tell everyone the truth? The truth about One For A-,"

Smack.

I was sent tumbling to the floor as Kirishima stepped forwards and decked me in the face as hard as he could. He went to try and kick me while I was on the floor, but Izuku got involved as he and Bakugo dragged Kirishima away from me. Despite all that, I simply spat out some blood on the floor and stood up as if nothing had happened.

Why…

…Why…

…

Why did that punch do nothing to ease the pain?

The numbness?

Right.

I guess I really was a demon.

"Goodbye. I hope I never see you again."

Or rather, I hope you never get to see me again. I left the dorm, my bottom lip trembling as I slammed it shut, the cold Winter air and snow hid my true emotions as tears slid down my face, my footprints in the snow telling me how many steps I was taking away from the people I cared about most.

But this was for the better.

For them and me.

I'd be free - Free to live a carefree tomorrow.

I wouldn't have to fight anymore, I wouldn't have to save anyone, I wouldn't be in any danger, I'd just be a normal student for once. I'd be a normal student who… who… Who…

"Sora!" I stopped walking alone in the snow as I looked up to see her. Kyoka. A grin was etched upon her face as she saw me, but she had no idea what I had done. "Sora? Are you alright? Did something happen? Sora?"

I…

I have to hurt her too.

Didn't I?

I dropped my suitcase as I walked forward and hugged Kyoka tightly, the scent of strawberries that always made me miss her only made the words that wanted to come out of my throat stuck. Come on. I have to hurt her feelings, I did with everyone else, I-,

It's for her!

It's for Kyoka-,

"Sora, is everything alright? Where is everyone?"

…

I closed my eyes, resting my face on her shoulder as we stood together in the snow. I wanted to tell her everything, how I was feeling and what I had done - But I couldn't bring myself to ruin Kyoka, she was one good thing that ever happened to me.

They always say your first love is something that changes you forever.

Kyoka changed me.

She was…

Important.

The most important person in my life, the person I really… really… lov-,

"I… can't go to your concert. Sorry."

Kyoka softly chuckled at that, running her hand through my hair. I missed this. I missed her. I was going to miss her if I went through with what I was planning to do, but all I could do was stand there and accept her loving embrace.

"You don't need to apologise. I get it, you just woke up. You packed your suitcase to go back home, right?" I slowly nodded at her, refusing to correct her. "Then don't worry about it. Your family missed you. We can always hold the concert another day when you feel like it, honestly, I don't mind. So long as you are happy, that's all I care about. But are you sure you are alright?"

"...Yeah. I'm fine. I just had to say goodbye."

A goodbye.

But, it wasn't exactly right.

And Kyoka knew that as she laughed at me.

"Why do you say it so dramatically? 'I just had to say goodbye.' What does that even mean?"

I didn't respond.

I didn't want to.

In the end, I just wanted to spend the rest of my time with Kyoka.

Snow fell around us, and eventually, that bittersweet silence came to an end as Kyoka pulled away from me in confusion, a frown enveloping on her face. She deserved answers, and I couldn't bring myself to provide them for her.

"Sora, what did you mean by that?"

"Nothing."

I lied with ease, after all, I was the biggest liar here.

But she knew better than that.

"You are going to come back, right?"

I didn't reply as I stared at the snow.

It represented me in a weird way, snow represented emptiness and death. I was empty. I was numb to everything around me, I had broken the trust of all of my friends, I was a murderer who somehow was free, but in this cold harsh weather I was alone.

…If only Kyoka wasn't here.

"Jiro, I need to say something to you."

This was it-,

"Go ahead and say it," Kyoka replied with a grin, punching me in my shoulder lightly. I missed this. I missed her. "I'm all ears."

Even now, Kyoka was still on my side. Even now, she loved me.

And so, I sighed.

I was never going to be able to hurt her.

Never.

"Thank you. For everything."

Kyoka's eyes widened as she grinned heavily at my words, I had never told her how much she meant to me. How much I valued her as my rock, the one thing that kept me from sinking further and further into the abyss - I had failed her completely, and that stung more than anything else in the world.

"Dude, you don't have to thank me. Like ever!" Kyoka replied in annoyance. "I've told you a million times that helping you is what I do. I'm your girlfriend. If I didn't help you it would be because I stopped being your friend altogether. And tell me, does that seem like a likely thing to happen?"

I bitterly laughed at that.

"No. Not really."

"You couldn't get rid of me even if you tried."

I know, Kyoka.

You don't need to tell me.

So, I gave Kyoka her coat that I had been borrowing for the time being as I picked up my suitcase and continued to trudge along the path to exit U.A. for one final time, this was it. This was the end. Whether Kyoka realised what I had done or not didn't matter to me-,

"I love you."

…

Those three words made my eyes widen as I paused, not daring to look back.

If I did, I would never leave.

I'd stay.

I'd apologise and explain myself and my feelings, and sure I'd never be a Hero again, but I'd still have everyone in my life. They'd understand, right? No. No, they wouldn't. I was worthless. I was below worthless.

There was not a single Quirk in my body I could use.

I was powerless.

Weak.

I love you, Kyoka Jiro.

But I can never love myself.

"I'm sorry."

And with those words, I walked forward as my tears melded with the snow and no one would ever know.

…

…

…

Even in March, over a year and a bit later, the scene still hadn't changed.

Snow still violently attacked me.

I had gotten my powers back, I had come back, but this dorm was still like an impenetrable fortress and those sleeping inside still didn't know how to deal with me. Or rather, I didn't know how to deal with them. But I was well aware of what I had done to them, and no amount of explaining would ever grant forgiveness for betraying their trust in the worst way possible.

Truthfully, I deserved a lot worse.

But here I was.

It was a dumb wish to think that I had a chance to make things right with Class A.

After everything I had done to them, there wasn't a point in making things right. We'd never return to what we once were, and now we were on two very different paths in life. They were trying to change this world for the better, and I was just looking for my brother and a way to live in that world.

Right.

There was no point in it.

---

Chapter

Sixty

Six

'Sin and Punishment'

---

Nejire Hado POV

The small cafe was tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, away from the bustling hero headquarters and the constant chaos of crime-fighting. Nejire Hado sat at a corner table, sipping on her latte and absentmindedly stirring the foam with her straw. She watched the steam rise from the cup, lost in thought.

She wore a fluffy winter coat, jeans and a beanie she had borrowed from Tamaki as she was deep in thought over what was happening in her life, something that was happening more often than not.

A familiar voice interrupted her reverie.

"Nejire, I hope I'm not too late," Shota Aizawa, the stern and stoic pro hero, stood at the entrance, his trademark scarf hanging lazily around his neck followed by his young pupil, Hitoshi Shinso. "The traffic to get here was unbearable. I've been trying to teach Shinso how to drive, but, well he can't grasp it."

"H-hey! It's not my fault

'They look rather alike,' She mused to herself, giggling at the mental picture of them wearing the same pyjamas.

She grinned and motioned for him to sit. "Aizawa-sensei, it's been ages! And you brought Shinso too!"

Aizawa sighed, taking a seat across from her.

"We met last night. At Sora's. And drop the 'sensei', I'm just a coworker to you now. I just needed a break from paperwork and wanted some caffeine. Plus, it's hard to avoid you when you're practically glowing with energy."

Nejire laughed, her bubbly personality in stark contrast to Aizawa's deadpan demeanour. Just like how Sora contrasted her, or how Sora contrasted Aizawa - And it didn't feel right that the unofficial third member of their trio wasn't there with them.

But after last night…

"Hey, Shinso!" Nejire waved him over. "Join us!"

Shinso raised an eyebrow but approached the table. "What's going on? Am I interrupting some secret hero meeting? Did you invite me here for a secret hero meeting, sensei?!"

Aizawa shot him a look.

"If it were a secret, you wouldn't be invited."

Shinso rolled his eyes and took a seat. Nejire leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with excitement. She tried so hard to seem excited, especially when she knew what the conversation would eventually lead up to.

But she had to try.

She owed it to him.

"Okay, guys, hear me out. I've been thinking about something lately."

"Is this going to be one of your philosophical rants?" Aizawa asked, sighing loudly as he took a sip from his coffee. "Or better yet, a business proposal? We're busy in an investigation you are supposed to be helping out with. If you haven't forgotten, we have two of the biggest Yakuza gangs in this city right now."

"I haven't forgotten!"

"Then what are we doing in a place like this?

"Heroes, you know, we carry a heavy burden. We make decisions that affect people's lives, and sometimes, we have to deal with the consequences," Ignoring Aizawa's pointed look at her words, Nejire continued, "And you know. Especially with more recent events, we've been in a difficult situation lately. The U.N. and the public are breathing down our necks expecting perfect results when that's impossible. We can't save everyone."

Shinso tilted his head in confusion.

"What are you getting at?"

"Well," Nejire said, humming to herself. "I was thinking about how Heroes have to face their sins and punishments alone. The sins and punishment that society puts on our shoulders, but also the sins and punishment we endure because of our 's what Sora's been trying to do, and, well look how it's worked out for him. The world can be unforgiving, and we can't always rely on others to understand the choices we make. Especially civilians."

Aizawa nodded in agreement.

"True. Heroes often have to navigate a grey area, making tough calls for the greater good. But that is our job, Nejire. It's why Sora isn't here, because he's doing his job. Did you just call me here for a coffee and talk or what? Miwa's still with her friends. As long as she doesn't reach out to Ryuukei, everything should be fine. A war won't break out. So what's the point in calling me here?"

"Ryuukei?" Shinso asked in confusion. "Is this the case you're working on?"

"It's the case Sora is working on," Nejire answered. "The Yakuza gang war that may or may not happen, we don't know what the future holds. And… I want to help Sora. Not just because I work with him, but because he's my friend. Every time I want to ask him about how he feels about sins and punishment, I always get an odd look. I keep on reminding him that what happened back then wasn't his fault, but-,"

"He doesn't believe you," Aizawa finished, and Nejire nodded slowly. "I've tried having the same conversation with him multiple times before, but it doesn't work out the way I want it to. It's not just that Sora hates the past and himself, he just can't admit that he's being too harsh on himself. He has made mistakes, but not everything purely is his fault. It's something everyone at U.A.'s noticed, right Shinso?"

The boy nodded at that.

"Yeah. Class A-, My class-, has been a mess ever since he came back. Now, I don't particularly care if he patches things up with them, I'm fine with him either way, but I've seen how much it hurts him to keep away from everyone else," Shinso admitted. "He's gotten better, and he's somewhat explained to everyone why he left. I think he doesn't want anyone to pity him, which is ironic because all anyone can do is pity him. Because Sora has the chance to fix things, all he needs to do is come back but he doesn't for some odd reason."

Pity.

It was also something Nejire hated, but for different reasons.

"Do you think… Maybe Sora hates pity because it means that he knows he's not the villain he's built himself up to be?" Nejire asked. "In a sense, his self-hate fuels his idea of punishing himself for his sins. And every now and then I'm reminded of this fact. Instead of chasing after Miwa he just went home and sulked, blaming himself when Miwa's outburst had nothing to do with him. He just ignored everyone and got stuck in his own mind, yet again."

Aizawa grunted in response.

"I see where you're going with this. Miwa's outburst was because she found out her biological father who had abandoned her was in the city, that Sora had met him. I'm sure she knows now that Sora genuinely didn't know where Ryuukei was, but in the moment she reached out for an impossible dream of hers - To meet her father and ask why," Aizawa explained. "I understand that dream. And so does Sora. But Sora will blame himself for not being able to provide an answer for her."

"But if he didn't know, how's that his fault?" Shinso asked in confusion. "And also, it's stupid that his sister even wants to get involved in these matters. I understand wanting to meet your parents for the first time, but in a tense situation like this? A gang war could break out and she's more concerned about this? I just don't understand why Sora blames himself for her actions."

"That's how Sora is. Or rather, how he's convinced himself to be like this," Nejire said with a sad smile. "You saw it, didn't you? The look on his face, Aizawa-sensei. It hurt to see that look on his face again."

Nejire watched as the man merely nodded.

It was the look of utter defeat.

It was as if Sora had given up.

"...Sora's a complex soul. He doesn't want to run away, but when it comes to those he cares about the most - I think his first instinct is to run away," Aizawa answered. "He came back to U.A. not to run away from his responsibility any longer, but all that's led to is him running away from patching things up with Class A despite knowing he has a responsibility to them and wanting to do so because Sora's convinced he needs to be punished. Because the more he looks at them, the more guilty he feels that he left them the first time."

Shinso scoffed at that.

"His excuse to Class A is stupid too. He says that none of them have learnt, and I'm not saying that Class A is perfect. But how would Sora know if they've learnt to be better or not if he keeps his distance?" Shinso asked, shaking his head at the table. "He's a contradiction. Personally, I think it's gone on for too long. Sora's changed and grown, but when it comes to Class A he's still stuck in a cycle. Either he accepts what happened and moves on, or he continues down the path making no one happy."

"That's a cycle that can't be broken, Shinso."

"I know, I know," Shinso replied. "He tried to do that with them and it backfired spectacularly. I understand that. But I also know that the more he adds 'sins' to his life, the more he'll want to punish himself and that's just going to lead to the same outcome as the Shie Hassakai raid for him, no? He's going to have another breakdown and this time who knows if he'll wake up in time to save the people close to him before he kills us all."

Nejire felt hot anger coarse through her body.

"Sora would never-,!"

A single look from Aizawa shut her down though.

Because they were just deluding themselves into thinking that.

If such a situation arises yet again, they all knew what Sora Yamazaki would do. He would do what he's always done, and perhaps that was what hurt Nejire so much. It was ingrained into Sora's soul to sacrifice himself and his happiness, from putting his body and mind on the line for those he cared about to punishing himself for the 'sins' he created in his own mind to justify the fact that he thinks he doesn't deserve to be loved.

Sora may have changed, but this was a mindset.

One forged over countless months-,

Perhaps years of being alone.

Of having no one around him that he could talk to. It wasn't his family's fault, they tried. And so did everyone in Class A. Nejire herself had tried in the months spent working with Sora, and Aizawa had tried his hardest to get through to his nephew too.

But there was no breaking it.

It was just Sora's inability to let anyone truly in that led to this, that led to his current predicament, and it was infuriating because there was nothing they could truly do to convince Sora that his way of thinking was wrong. He thought that if he punished himself he could change in the future, but that was wrong.

All Sora was currently doing was sabotaging his own future.

"Maybe… Maybe this is what it means to be a Hero," Shinso whispered. "He's convinced himself that this is Heroic. He says he knows what he did was wrong, but does he really know why? Or does he say that because he knows he's hurt those he cares about? Sensei, I… I do want to help Sora. We all do. But…"

But is it possible to even help him?

That was what was left unsaid.

"But that doesn't mean we're completely alone. We have to find our own support systems and truths, even if it means going against the grain," Nejire tried to cheerfully say. "We just need to be better as Sora's support system! That's all! So long as Sora knows he can continue to rely on us, maybe his mindset will change! Maybe he won't ever relapse and hurt himself again!"

Shinso smirked at that.

"Sounds like you've been reading too many self-help books."

"Maybe. but I've also been reflecting on our fallen Heroes too, Heroes like Mirio. He was a great person, and he had his own convictions," Nejire replied with a sad smile. "...When he died, it hit me that we don't really know who's going to die in the future. That we can't control what happens other than our own decisions. I could never have imagined Mirio losing, but he did. And the same can be said with Sora. I don't want to see him die."

Aizawa hummed at that.

"Reflecting on the past is something Sora hates doing. It's easily his worst aspect, the fact that he'll ignore the past because he wants to avoid confronting it, but he's so steeped in that past that he doesn't realise it," Aizawa told them. "His sins and his punishment comes from this flaw. I think he knows this, but he just doesn't accept it. Ironically, everyone but him has reflected and changed wholly recently. Ironically, the boy who came back to U.A. who had changed the most is now the one needing to change even more just to keep up."

"Why?" Shinso asked in confusion. "Why can't he just… accept it all."

"Because if he does accept it, it means that maybe people like Denji and Mirio died because they could - That ultimately Sora couldn't have saved them even if he was better," Aizawa answered. "And that breaks everything Sora believes in. It means that everything he did after the raid was futile and stupid. It's because he is too kind, he wants to save so many people even if it's impossible. That's his dream, or rather, what he believes in."

Nejire sighed at that.

"...But he's wrong. The truth is that you can't save everyone, and even if he logically understands this he doesn't want to accept it. In a sense, he's a direct parallel to Izuku Midoriya, no?" Nejire asked, but she already knew the answer. "Both want to save people no matter the cost to themselves, even if they know it's an impossible dream. But Midoriya works side-by-side with the government and the HPSC, Sora works with those he trusts."

Shinso shook his head at that.

"They're insane."

"That's why they're suited to be Heroes," Aizawa replied. "Although, Sora's not a Hero. But even as a detective of his own group, he has the freedom to do whatever he wants. We all forget that if Sora is convinced of something, he'll go through it no matter what. To break him away from punishing himself for his sins - It's going to take more than a wake up call. It's not about making him reject his punishment, it's about him accepting and moving past it. Because all he wants is to find meaning in everyone's deaths when there isn't, so he blames himself and calls it his sins - Something he needs to be punished for."

And only Sora could do that.

"That's hard."

"Almost as hard as accepting the death of your friends," Aizawa replied. "As hard as knowing that they aren't going to come back, that they're truly gone. To keep on doing our job, no matter what."

Nejire stood up at that.

"You're wrong!"

Perhaps it was the time she had spent with Sora, perhaps it was how he had influenced her, how after Mirio's death Nejire felt lost. But it was Sora and his stupid grin on his face that changed that, now she knew what she wanted to do even if the future was still uncertain.

It was Sora Yamazaki that had changed her life for the better.

"The people who've died… we can't just forget about them! We have to honour their lives, honour the hopes and dreams they had, because that's still being alive - Even if they aren't physically here with us, Sora once said that he believed that their souls stay with us. That we carry their hopes and dreams," Nejire whispered. "And I agree with him. That's a nice sentiment to believe in. A nice hope in this world that can do so much to change what feels like a cold and empty life into one filled with warmth."

Mirio Togata might be dead, but his will was carried by Nejire, Tamaki and even Midoriya.

All Might was dead, but the entire world carried his will.

That was the single truth Nejire Hado had reached.

Shinso leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"So, you're saying that heroes need to create their own truths and carry the legacy of those who came before them?"

"Exactly! We can't let the world define who we are. We have to shape our own destinies and honour the memories of those who paved the way for us," Nejire beamed at him. "See! I knew it made sense!"

Aizawa smirked at that.

"Well, Hado, that's surprisingly deep for someone who usually babbles about sparkles and rainbows."

"Hey, I can be deep when I want to be!"

"I never thought I'd see the day when Nejire Hado becomes a philosopher."

"H-hey!"

---

"Sora."

I looked up to see Jiro and Kaminari join me on top of the school roof. I was smoking a cigarette like usual, but while they were wearing their school uniform I was still wearing my costume. The windy air made my jacket belts fly around wildly, reminding me of those American gas station balloon-people.

"Yo. I assume you're the two Aizawa sent to help me out with my investigation, right?"

"Hehe, bang on!" Kaminari winked at me. "You really are a good detective. Sora Holmes?"

"He's not that smart, relax," Jiro cut in, deflating my ego. "But yeah, Aizawa filled us in. So, who do you want us to help get information on? I can talk to Miwa if you want-,"

"No," I cut her off, shaking my head. "Just find out more on Ryuukei Hayate and Natsuki if you can. I'll follow the trail of the money. Technically, you aren't allowed to look into this because your Heroes and no Quirk have been used in a crime yet. So, take this."

I threw my detective badge at them.

"If you get stopped just pretend you're me. It should be fine."

Kaminari looked at the badge with a grin as Jiro stared at me intently. I could tell she wanted to say something to me but was wondering how I'd react to it, and eventually she realised that I knew this as she cleared her throat.

"Is there anything we can do to prevent a gang war from breaking out in the city?"

"You two? C'mon, get real."

"I meant Class A."

I paused, shrugging my shoulders at her as I finished off my cigarette.

…

"I don't know. Maybe, but you're asking for something else entirely different then," I told her. "Maybe if all of Musutafu was united, we'd be able to stop it. But this city is more fractured than this country. Most protests to make Heroes illegal come from this city, and with the recent economic sanctions and the Musutafu Redevelopment project more people have been fired from their jobs and are now living on the streets. If you think that Class A can just magically fix things then you're wrong. But if we were all together… yeah, I think we'd win."

Jiro smiled at me, raising her hands to make a finger-gun as she pointed it at me.

"Sounds like you don't think it can happen."

"...I'm not counting on a dumb hope."

"It's not a hope to believe that maybe we can all help each other, Sora. Maybe you don't want to believe in nice things, but it can happen. We were all united at All Might's funeral, and we can all be united for this," Jiro reminded me. "We're resilient. And we don't give up, even if things look bleak. Take a guess as to who we learnt that from. I'll give you one chance, but you know him quite well."

"Lionel Messi?"

Jiro rolled her eyes at me.

"It's lunchtime, so we'll skip our afternoon lessons and start investigating what you told us, alright? We can meet at your parents house later to discuss-,"

I shook my head at her.

"You can go ask my parents outright. They know something about Miwa and her father, something I don't," I cut her off. "I could ask them, but… To be honest, it's not my place. I don't deserve to ask them. I don't deserve to live in the same house as them…"

Jiro frowned at me but I didn't care.

"Sora-,"

"I'm fine," I said a little too quickly as concern flashed over both of their faces. "Trust me. It's all good, it's just, you know. Miwa's involved in this case now. I don't want to hurt her, so I'll ask her directly when I see her next. Just… If it's possible for me to save everyone, I don't care who I have to rely on - I just don't want to see anyone get hurt because of me ever again."

"But that's the same as giving up."

I looked up at Jiro who scrunched her face up in anger as she glared at me.

"You flipped from one end of the extreme to the other, Sora. From lying and only relying on yourself to protect us to not trusting or believing in your own capabilities so much that you'll rely on others to prevent an outcome only you can dictate," Jiro told me. "Don't tell me what to do. I'm not helping you in this case because you need my help, I'm doing this for Miwa. My friend. I'm doing this because my city that I live and care about is in danger, not because you think you don't deserve anything. Don't get it twisted. I'm not your therapist that you can just use whenever you feel down."

"...Jiro, that's not what I-,"

"Save it," Jiro cut me off. "It's disrespectful that you doubt your own abilities. You saved us time and time again out of pure determination when you weren't as skilled. But now? This should be easy for you to solve, but you're so determined that you're going to fuck up that you can't even do something as simple as ask the truth from your parents."

Pivoting on her foot as Jiro stormed away from me, I sighed loudly. Kaminari and I stood on top of the school roof in silence, completely surprised by what just happened. I chuckled at that, where did she get that idea from?

It's not like I was planning on giving up.

"She's sorta right, you know," Kaminari eventually told me. "Just because Miwa's now involved doesn't mean you should doubt your own capabilities. You can save her. You saved everyone in Class A during All Might's funeral, and if we go back-,"

"What if I can't."

"That's just your own self-doubt talking. Kyoka… You know how she is. For better or for worse, she wants to stay endlessly positive because that's who she is - In a sense a manic pixie dream girl," Kaminari told me with a grin. "You're still holding on to the past. Of what happened that day. Of whom you failed to save, because you haven't really accepted what happened, have you? Accepted that you weren't responsible for the deaths."

"I have-,"

"Your actions paint a different picture, Sora," Kaminari cut me off, shaking his head at me as he fiddled around with his own lighter before he threw it at me. I managed to catch it in time as Kaminari winked at me playfully. "If you've truly accepted it, then steel your heart and get rid of any doubt. Because from everyone else's eyes, it looks all you've done is beat the past into submission. But it's not a person that'll go away, you're going to carry that burden for the rest of your life."

"It's like you told me… not to be stuck in a moment of time that's long gone," I recounted Kaminari's conversation to me on this very roof not that long ago. Right before I first clashed with Class A. "You guys think it's so easy. Nothing about my life is easy, and I know it makes me sound like a whiny bitch-,"

"I don't think you're a whiny bitch for not being able to cope sometimes. Ever since you've come back to U.A. you've shown how remarkably mature you've actually become, Sora," Kaminari told me. "You proved everyone wrong when they thought you would crumble, you stood proud and taught everyone a lesson. You proved Class A wrong. And then you went to go and prove the world wrong. So even if you stumble, I'll be here to pick you back up."

I chuckled at that, lighting up both of our cigarettes with the lighter he gave me.

"Ain't that what friends are for?" I asked with a smirk, blowing smoke to the sky above us.

Denki Kaminari merely grinned at me.

"Yeah. That's what friends are for."

---

Kyoka Jiro POV

"He's so annoying! Grah!"

Kyoka Jiro yelled angrily as she put her headphones on and played her playlist. The fact that Radiobrain was the first band to start playing calmed her down slightly, but it didn't help the fact that Sora frustrated her to no end. Despite that, she was determined to get to the bottom of the investigation.

Denki was still on the school roof smoking with him.

It was up to Kyoka to do this, just like always.

"Kyo-Kyo?" Mina and Uraraka were sitting on the couch as Kyoka rushed to the kitchen to make sure that her frozen pizza that she had put in the oven wasn't burnt. It was going to be her lunch before a long day at work that she was sure of. "Are you alright?"

Kyoka paused her music as she shrugged her shoulders at them.

"I want to say yes, but that bloody pillock keeps on threatening to ruin my good mood," Kyoka murmured. "He and his self-destructive cycle…"

Mina and Uraraka shared a look between them as they nodded slowly.

"It's about Sora, isn't it?" Uraraka asked. Kyoka didn't need to answer as her sigh was the only answer they needed. "I hope Miwa's okay. She's really nice, even though I've only met her a few times. But I guess you know her a lot better than I do, right Kyoka?"

She nodded her head at that, cutting her frozen pizza into four equal slices.

"Back in middle school… Well Sora and I were best friends. Truly. So I got to know Miwa through him, and she is great - But it's also clear to see that her stubbornness came directly from Sora," Kyoka replied. "I know some people didn't like her for that specific reason. She was too forceful. Didn't have the tact to deal with things behind closed doors."

"A bit unlady-like."

"Miwa's the type of girl to read porn in public with no shame," Kyoka said with a smile. "...I can't imagine what it must feel like to know that the father that abandoned you is back in town, and that your brother is looking to potentially take him down. I'm sure she has conflicting thoughts on what she wants to happen. After all, she's having to choose between the family she always dreamed she had and the family that was always there for her."

Mina looked down at that.

"Most people our age would crumple at that. The fact that she's out there trying to make that decision is a testament to her strength," Mina told them. "I'm sort of envious of that strength. I guess Sora's angered you because he doesn't see that strength of hers? That he thinks she's in danger?"

Kyoka shook her head at that.

"No, Miwa is in danger. Aizawa filled me in on the case, if something happens to Miwa and her father for whatever reason decides to fuck the peace treaty that is trying to be signed between the yakuza then a gang war will happen. The issue is that Sora's unconvinced that he can protect her, so much so that he's insulted all of us," Kyoka spat out bitterly. "He thinks asking us to do his dirty work is proof that he trusts us, but all it's proof of is how little he trusts himself. However, after everything he's proved, he still thinks he's below us."

Mina and Uraraka nodded in understanding.

"I see."

"Hm."

"Even now after everything, his mind is still trapped in the aftermath of the Shie Hassakai raid," Kyoka stated plainly. "Even now, after recognising that he's wrong, he can't accept it. That's what's so infuriating. The fact that he's done all the hard parts, he came back, he fought alongside us and saved our lives, but he can't just accept that maybe he isn't as bad as he thinks he is."

"That type of trauma - It's not just going to go away," Uraraka told her with a sad smile. "I-, Izuku goes through the same thing sometimes. But he lets me in, and in turn I tell him that he's wrong. That he can't blame himself for failing, all he can do is carry those failures with him. But you can't do that to Sora, can you?"

Kyoka shook her head at that.

"I'm not his girlfriend. I'm not even someone he trusts enough to fully explain why he's back, only a vague explanation and promise to tell me when the time is right," Kyoka lamented. "That's who he is. And I'm fine with that, I'm still friends with him and I will help him out - But not because he's my friend. I'm doing this for Miwa, and he knows that now. Because he could easily do this without my help, that's how strong he is. Relying on us for simple things he can do just means that he thinks this is all we can support him with."

And that was the truth on the matter.

Mina and Uraraka chatted animatedly on the subject as Kyoka ate her pizza in peace, waving goodbye to her two friends as she walked to the entrance where Kaminari was waiting for her all alone.

"You ready?" He asked, smelling of cigarettes.

"Did you smoke an entire pack?"

Kaminari merely shrugged his shoulders.

"It was a competition. I didn't want to lose to him."

Kyoka merely rolled her eyes at him, pecking him on the cheek.

"You and your silly pride. Why do you insist on having a rivalry with Sora? I get you two are best friends and you always want to one-up each other, but still. It's funny, if a bit sad."

Kaminari scoffed.

"You wouldn't get it, Kyoka. It's… it's more than a rivalry. He's my best friend - my brother - so obviously I want to help him. I want him to be better, so I'll push him as far as I can," Kaminari told her. "Truthfully, it's something women wouldn't get. Not to be sexist or anything, but seriously. It's just friendships between men."

"And you're a man, are you?"

"No more than you're a woman."

Kyoka sighed at that.

"Come on, let's go look for clues to help your 'brother'. I know you mean it metaphorically, but ever since the start of U.A. you two really were like brothers. You still are. Do you… Has Sora ever talked to you about Raiden?" Kyoka asked him.

She watched as Kaminari's face blanked for a moment, deep in thought like he always did when asked a question, before he shook his head in response. It was what Kyoka expected, but she still felt a small wave of disappointment.

"Hm. Nevermind. So, should we start asking some questions then head on over to Gekko and Hinata's?"

"Sounds like a plan."

It didn't take long for them to start their investigation. Flashing Sora's badge, Kyoka found that the civilians of her home city were far more pleasant to talk to when they weren't in hero costumes.

"Eh? I don't think I've ever been to Osaka, sonny."

"A Yakuza war? After the Shie Hissakai? Huh, I knew these Heroes can't be counted on."

"Hohoho! I haven't heard anything about Osaka's gangsters. We'll drive em' away though!"

Kyoka Jiro paced alongside Denki Kaminari through the neon-lit streets of Musutafu. The city's heartbeat pulsed in the distant hum of traffic and the occasional buzz of streetlights overhead. The air held a certain tension as they ventured into the darker corners of the urban labyrinth.

"Kyoka… maybe we should give up-,"

"Nope!" Kyoka cut her boyfriend off. "I'm not giving up. Just because a few people don't know anything important, doesn't mean we can just take off. Sora gave me this badge, if I give up now I'm no better than him. This is for Miwa's sake too."

"Yeah, but it's sorta pointless, '' Kaminari replied. "We aren't getting anywhere asking old people questions in between saving their cats from tall trees. At the very least, you should understand that this isn't going to work."

Kyoka's ears twitched as she listened for the whispers of information that could lead them to the heart of the mystery they were chasing.

"That drunken sailor, Hamazuki, really has it out for those Osakan bastards. Hic."

Kyoka brightened up as she pointed at a dingy bar off the side of the road, and Kaminari could only sigh a drunken man spewing what could only be counted as a small but hopeful lead vomited all over himself.

"It's a stretch."

"It's a lead," Kyoka corrected.

"We're either seriously lucky, or seriously stupid."

"Stop being so negative."

The pair ducked into a dimly lit bar, its flickering sign revealing the silhouette of a drunken sailor slumped over a table in the far corner. The pungent aroma of cheap liquor hung in the air as they approached the grizzled old man, who seemed to be drowning his sorrows in a sea of regret.

"Hey, old man. Mind if we join you for a chat?" Kyoka asked, her voice a low hum that cut through the bar's background noise. "We have a few questions for you, if you have the time to answer them.

The sailor glanced up with bloodshot eyes, sizing them up before nodding towards the empty chairs.

"Suit yourselves. What's a couple of kids like you doing in a place like this? Ma' name's Hamazuki by the way. Lived here my whole life. You - girl - You have that Musutafu look on you. Blonde boy, you certainly look like you've lived away from this city your whole life. But I can see that it moulded you, had an effect on who you once were, right?"

Kaminari flashed a charming smile.

"Huh. Yeah, you're right in that sense. Either way, we're just looking for some information, you know? Heard you might have the inside scoop on some interesting happenings around here."

The sailor grunted, taking another swig from his bottle. Beer. And certainly not his first or second due to the empty bottles that were surrounded on his table, but Kyoka doubted that he had drunk all of them by himself.

"Happenings, you say? I've seen my fair share. What's in it for me?" Hamazuki inquired. "I'd expect a reward… especially from famous Heroes such as yourselves. Don't think I wouldn't recognise the pair of ya' from the news. Tsk. Those bloody U.N fucks been pissing all over our country, and for what? Terrorists? We can handle them! That and that fuckin Musutafu Redevelopment projects has just made my life a living hell the past few days."

Kyoka leaned forward, her purple hair falling slightly to one side.

"We make it worth your while, old man. Just spill what you know, and you'll find yourself with a full wallet. Maybe a drink or two extra. It's not much, but that obviously depends on how much information you're willing to give us on the Osakan bastards."

Hamazuki grinned at that.

"It's terrible. I used to be a big shot at the port in the east part of the city, you know. Dagobah Beach was so great back in my day, and to be fair it's cleaned up a lot now. The ocean used to be free… now it's all but ignored because of the freakin' supes destroying our world," Hamazuki drunkenly ranted. "Not you two of course. But after All Might's funeral and the sanctions, I got fired from my job. And then you have the Osakan bastards just shipping container after container to the dock while I get fired for the fucking U.N. punishing the working people of this country, fuckin cunts the lot of them."

As the sailor began to ramble, mentioning shipments from Osaka, Kyoka's mind began to connect the dots. She exchanged glances with Kaminari, the gears turning in both of their heads. They needed more details.

"Where are these shipments coming from?" Kaminari asked, his interest piqued. "The company, I mean."

"Detrenat. I've been seeing heavy cargo coming in from there for weeks now," The sailor leaned in, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Big containers handled by total amateurs, but you even think of helping those poor sods out and you get fired. Tch. Corruption, corruption and corruption! This world reeks of it! But I don't get it, the cargo's are supposed to be for the Redevelopment project. Why hire Osakan bastards…?"

Detrenat.

A company.

One of the biggest companies in Japan.

Were they involved with the Osaka Yakuza?!

Why would a company even get involved with them?!

The name rang a bell in Jiro's memory. She recalled a similar case in Sendai, where Toyota was caught supplying experimental weapons to the Yakuza. It was the case with Shirou, the one Sora and his group had solved right before All Might's funeral. If Kyoka recalled correctly, the Yakuza in Sendai were afraid of a move made by Osaka.

Wasn't that coincidental?

And who else capitalised on that fear other than Toyota, making and selling experimental and dangerous weapons at a higher price because of that. Kyoka's fist tightened as she thought about the same happening with Detrenat and her city. The connection between Osaka and a seemingly unrelated company like Detrenat raised alarms in her mind.

Kaminari, too, seemed to catch on.

"Wait a minute. Wasn't there a case in Sendai a month ago? Toyota, Yakuza involvement? This feels too familiar," Kaminari whispered to her, ignoring the sailor and his drunken rants. "I know this is technically Sora's jurisdiction, but… There could be bigger things going on here."

Kyoka nodded, her mind racing.

"You're right. This timeline of events is far too convenient, almost like it's falling along to a plan," Kyoka added. "But for a gang war? Why would Detrenat even lower themselves to work with a Yakuza group, it doesn't make sense. It didn't make sense why Toyota would do the same in Sendai. It's like… I don't know."

"The heavy shipments from Detrenat – those could be weapons, right? And the guys unloading them here must be Yakuza members," Kaminari scratched his head as he paused to think of what else to say. "Sora's worried about a gang war happening if the peace treaty isn't signed. But what if Ryuji's Yakuza group never intended on signing that treaty. They've prepared for war."

Kyoka's eyes narrowed at that.

"It makes sense. And with the police and Heroes swamped with other matters, this whole operation slipped under their radar. Shit. We've played right into their plans, fuck! Denki, we need to tell Sora."

"I'm sure he already knows. Whether or not he cares…"

She blanched at that.

It was true.

With Miwa now involved… Sora was compromised one way or the other.

"Someone's orchestrating this. They want a gang war to tear the city apart. It's more than just pride; there's something bigger at stake here," Kaminari told her, and she felt eyes widened as realisation dawned on her. "...Sora's right to be afraid for Miwa's life if she wants to get involved in this. We're all in danger if we don't do something quick. Should I call him or what?"

Kyoka's jaw tightened.

"Sora needs to find out who's pulling the strings and put an end to this before it spirals out of control. Musutafu can't afford another war on its streets. This world can't afford it. The U.N. would easily use it as justification for the fact that we can't deal with the criminals in our country to forcefully send Heroes here. We'll be stripped of our positions and our pride. I-, Fuck. Alright, we have to head over to Gekko and Hinata's. We have to learn about Ryuukei. We have to make sure that no matter what, we'll have his support."

"Hey! What about my payment?" The sailor asked.

Kyoka sighed, reaching into her purse as she threw a thousand Yen note at him.

"Keep the change."

---

I sighed as I met with Yuuya.

Was I bunking? Yeah. I was. But it was only English and History, my two best subjects, so it's not like I really cared. Saw that Jiro was calling me, but I turned my phone off. Ultimately, this was more important. I was wearing my normal detective outfit only without the signature jacket, going for a much simpler grey jumper over it all instead.

Yuuya greeted me with a wave.

"Hey!"

"Yo," I waved back. "You alright?"

"Not too bad, not too bad. The boss went to the graveyard, said he wanted to meet a few ghosts so I left him to it. I figured why not call you and tell you how the meeting is going to go later on tonight," Yuuya told me. "Essentially, it'll be your job to make sure that if Natsuki or Ryuji want to make a move, you'll work with Sayaka from Tokyo to make sure that nothing happens."

"So, is Ryuukei truly on our side?"

Yuuya nodded.

"I don't know what's tying him and the boss together. Whatever it is, it isn't strong, but it's enough to keep Ryuukei on our side," Yuuya answered. I frowned, thinking back to Miwa and the fact that she was his daughter. Her existence in this city naturally complicated everything, but I didn't press. "It's just surprising to see Ryuukei come back here even though he is the boss of Tokyo's biggest gang, you know."

"I know he was a gangster here before we were even born, but was he that big?"

Yuuya whistled in response.

"You couldn't go a single street without hearing mutters of the 'Dragon of this City.' It's ironic that Ryuukei's name begins with Ryu; the kanji for dragon. He's probably the most famous gangster this city's ever produced," Yuuya told me. "He came up with no one, yet he loved this city the most. He was more like a Hero than a gangster. The Boss told me a funny story actually - One time Ryuukei caught a few members of their gang selling drugs to kids and he beat them up and sent them to the police with evidence. Haha."

I cracked a small smile at that.

"Hard to believe he grew up and went to Tokyo."

Yuuya nodded alongside me.

"Yeah. Boss said it was because his wife died. He just suddenly lost all passion for this city. But you know, the Boss is really cool! He's sorta like you, Sora," Yuuya said. I raised my brow at that, motioning for him to explain further. "The Boss joined the Yakuza to protect what's most important to him! He told me that he grew up in a not so great environment. Before this city had U.A., and even so many Heroes, it was a shithole."

"Yeah, he told me that too. How crime changed - Instead of it being about making the most money by doing illegal shit, they couldn't function like that with the threat of heroes and the changing society. It's basic history how traditional Yakuza groups were stamped out of existence, those that did still remain changed," I explained. "From helping Heroes and police, to keeping peace on the streets. For Ryutaro, that's what it means to be a Yakuza."

"Don't you agree?"

I shrugged my shoulders at Yuuya's question.

"I don't necessarily disagree. It's nice to work together on cases like this, to make sure that no one gets hurt - But you also can't forget people like the Shie Hassakai. Groups that are dangerous, and didn't Overhaul kill your family?"

Yuuya bobbed his head.

"...You aren't wrong. My Mum and Dad were absorbed by Overhaul, and later died when you-, Aozora defeated Overhaul. I don't blame the Heroes for not getting to them in time, I heard a lot more Heroes died that day. I know I thanked you for… well you know, but I don't think you understand how much it really means to me," Yuuya whispered. "I just wish that everyone else in this world understands that. Like me and Ryutaro. I hate seeing these protests about barring Heroes, getting rid of them isn't going to solve the problem. I hate seeing the U.N. punish us for no reason. So what, a few people died. People die every day."

"And what do you think the problem is?"

Yuuya hummed, deep in thought as we sat down at a park bench.

"I think the problem is us. That as a society we're all too focused on pointing out problems and making it seem like you're either on one side or the other. Instead of banding together for a hopeful tomorrow, all we're doing is throwing stones at each other to pick sides that don't exist - Those at the top keep on getting away with ignoring us at the bottom, leading the cycle to inevitably repeat," Yuuya answered truthfully. "If we could take a step back and, I don't know, be truthful to ourselves, maybe we'd be better. It's sort of what Prime Minister Yamaguchi was saying, but I know it's naive.""

…

"You're right. That's a simplistic view on things. Nothing in life is so black and white."

"True, but if we only focus on what's grey then how are we ever going to make things better? Nuance only exists because people want to look deeper, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll find the truth. Sometimes, the truth is plain and simple staring right in front of you," Yuuya replied. "Sure, the Yakuza are criminals. But we also serve our purpose as a cog in the machine called our society. Such is the same fate as Heroes and Villains, all working together to make things run smoothly."

I nodded at that.

"Without even one piece, the whole thing falls apart. I agree with that. But this system… our society… it's flawed," I whispered. "You know, Yuuya, I can really see why Ryutaro likes you so much. You'd be a good Yakuza boss. I know you want to talk about Ryuukei and his legendary status… But I can see you be even better."

Yuuya's ears flushed red.

"M-me?! No, you're joking."

"I'm not."

Yuuya simply laughed.

"Hah. Maybe one day. You know, I could easily see you becoming a teacher, even though I may not be on the same level as you, you treat me as if we were the same. Not everyone does that," Yuuya told me. "Call it what you want, but you know how to listen and how to understand someone. In a line of work where I'm constantly either called a kissarse or inexperienced, it helps that you give me the respect I deserve."

I shrugged my shoulders at him.

"Hey. Ryutaro respects you."

"The Boss does? All he does is pile mountains of work on me while he goes and fools around with prostitutes…"

"That's his test for you," I grinned at him. "You know, my teacher taught me the same way. Bastard would leave me to my own devices while I trained with a friend of mine. Either he beat us up harshly or shouted at us so we'd learn, but ultimately it made us stronger. My friend? He now interns under our teacher. They're both great Heroes. And me? Well, here I am still saving people, just as a detective."

Yuuya giggled at that.

"I think it's cooler."

"Hm?"

"Being a detective," Yuuya clarified. "I like Aozora, but Ryutaro told me about your first meeting. How much of a hothead you were, how you couldn't even imagine working with criminals to capture other criminals. Now you're far more comfortable with it."

I see.

Nodding at that, I twirled my lighter around my fingers.

"Because… I used to think that I'd be able to do everything on my own. It was arrogant. But, it's what I was used to ever since I was a kid - I always used everyone else as an excuse for what I wanted to do. If I bullied someone it was because they bullied someone else first, if I hurt someone it was because they were going to hurt someone else, and if I saved someone it was because they needed saving," I explained to him. "And then I have to accept that I can't do everything by myself. That I'm not infallible, even as a Hero. That there are secretive things I must do to protect what I want to protect."

"And you felt weak?"

I nodded at him.

"I did. Ryutaro isn't a good criminal. I've looked over his file, you say that Ryuukei was a legendary gangster, well Ryutaro's got over a decade of experience on him. A decade of helping the police and Heroes protect this city because it's the city he grew up in," I told Yuuya. "...His parents died when he was a teenager. Villain attack. It was too late for him to be a hero, and his environment didn't exactly allow him to become one. But I think he became a Hero anyways, even through the Yakuza."

Yuuya's eyes widened at that.

"Yuuya, why do you think he took a kid like you on after the Shie Hassakai incident? That's far more stress than needed. Now, I don't know if this is true. But I think he saw a lot of himself in you, real potential for someone to do some more good in this city - And I see it too," I said, placing my hand on his shoulder. "We're the same age, but it feels like I'm ten years older than you. I chalk that up to experience. But you're a solid guy, Yuuya. I trust you."

"...Thanks."

Before I could reply, I noticed something was off.

And so did Yuuya.

Trucks of familiar men with black suits speed right past us, driving to a nearby graveyard. The same graveyard that Ryutaro was visiting. Panic filled Yuuya's face as I growled, wishing that I had brought my jacket and weapon with me.

Fuck.

"Stay here and call for some help! Eraserhead, U.A., even the police!" I told him as I leapt up from the bench and began to run over to the graveyard. "I'll deal with this! Just go! NOW!"

I didn't wait to see if Yuuya had got up or not as I sprinted full speed toward the graveyard.

Shit.

I just hope I'm not too late!

---

Kyoka Jiro POV

The Yamazaki's house was clean, as it always was whenever Kyoka visited. She and Kaminari had taken their shoes off in the corridor as they followed Hinata to the living room where she and Gekko were sitting in silence.

They both looked sadder than usual, and it hurt to see.

"Hinata, Gekko, I'm really sorry for dropping by - Especially with everything going on with Miwa and Sora-,"

"Nonsense, you two are always welcomed here," Hinata cut her off. "You are Sora's best friends. Along with that sweet Tokage girl and Mineta. Oh, Nejire too. But my point still stands, you two are his best friends. I assume you've come here to ask questions about Miwa? About her father?"

Kyoka nodded hesitantly.

"Sora asked-,"

"You mean Sora was too afraid to ask us?" Gekko cut her off with a sad smile. "I know my son. He wants to be respectful about our past. Ever since we adopted him, he never once asked about our families. He just accepted that they weren't in our lives and rolled with it. Unlike Miwa, where we had to explain to her that we were just like her and Sora."

"Excuse me?" Kyoka asked in confusion. "Like them?"

"We're orphans," Gekko answered. "Hinata and I grew up in the same orphanage on the coast of this city. It's shut down now, but it was near Dagobah Beach. Our families were… Well as with any orphan, they weren't around for a myriad of different reasons. My family was shot dead."

"My father was gone, and my mother was an addict. Even before I was born, so, I was born with some… defects," Hinata whispered, her bottom lip quivering. "I'm sorry, I'm nearly fifty, I shouldn't still act like this. I physically cannot have any children, not without a lack of trying."

"It's fine," Kyoka reassured her. "Seriously. So that's why you adopted Sora and Miwa?"

Hinata nodded, flashing a smile of appreciation at her.

"Yes. But, only for Sora's case. Around that time we were looking to adopt a child anyways. Gekko always had a big crush on me since we were kids, and it took me until we reached high school to realise I liked him back," Hinata explained to them, resting her hand on her husband's knee. "We always wanted a family. Even if it wasn't likely, we weren't opposed to adopting. After all, we knew how lonely things could be for orphans."

Kyoka smiled at that.

"That's really sweet."

"I agree," Kaminari chipped in with a big grin. "That's really nice of you two. Family isn't just blood, anyone can be your family if you let them. But you said only for Sora, so you weren't expecting to adopt Miwa then?"

Gekko chuckled at that.

"You're a smart kid, Kaminari."

"Thank you."

"But nonetheless true. Yes, we didn't plan on adopting Miwa," Hinata revealed to them. "I suppose we have to explain our orphanage before we explain how we adopted Miwa."

Kyoka blinked at the two of them in confusion.

"I'm sorry, but I don't see how that's relevant?"

"It's very relevant. You see, Hinata and I weren't brought into a regular orphanage," Gekko replied. "While all the kids there were orphans, there was a teenager - a young adult placed in charge of us. It was his first job. His name… well, his name was Ryutaro. He's the current chairman of the biggest Yakuza in this city."

'…What?'

Kyoka's mouth hung low as she turned to see Kaminari's face scrunched up, deep in thought as he processed what Gekko had just told them. The man that raised them is now a Yakuza boss?!

"All the orphans sent to our now defunct orphanage weren't your average child who had just lost their parents. We were all orphans because of the Yakuza, either our parents were killed on purpose or by accident, or someone had died leaving their child alone. Sometimes, if they had sold someone drugs and they overdosed on them, they even took their kid as punishment for their sins," Hinata explained. "Call it an act of kindness, or perhaps atoning for their sins, but the main Yakuza group of Musutafu set up this orphanage for the kids they directly or indirectly orphaned. To give them a good life they would have had if it wasn't for the Yakuza."

Kyoka nodded in understanding.

"And Miwa fits into this how?"

"Her father, Ryuukei Hayate, was our best friend at this orphanage," Gekko answered with a sad smile. "Ryuukei was my best friend. He viewed Hinata like a sister. And he was my best man at our wedding. Ryuukei's father died as a lowly thug of the Yakuza, and so he was inducted into the orphanage. His mother died at birth. But… While I grew up to be a doctor, and Hinata grew up to teach children, Ryuukei wanted to protect people."

Gekko paused as Hinata took over for him.

"As a kid, Ryuukei knew his father before he passed. He knew he was a Yakuza… and he accepted that maybe it was in his blood to be the same. Ryutaro, the man who practically raised us, tried his hardest to deter Ryuukei from this dream - But he wouldn't budge," Hinata told them with a smile on her face. "He wanted to repay the debt that he owed them. For allowing him to grow up surrounded by people like him, loved even by those not of the same blood as him, he wanted to protect this city."

"So he joined the Yakuza?" Kyoka asked. "To give back what they had given him…"

Gekko nodded at her.

"I thought it was stupid. If he wanted to, he could have become a Hero. But I don't think I pushed hard enough. It's why I was so supportive of Sora becoming a hero, I didn't want to see another bright kid lose their way because they thought they knew better," Gekko clarified. "But that's besides the point. Ryuukei went on to join the Yakuza, and much to everyone's surprise, he fixed it up. He and Ryutaro, our old caretaker, rose up the ranks so quickly and changed this city for the better."

"Can that even happen? Er, because they're Yakuza I mean."

Hinata nodded at Kyoka who had asked the question.

"Not in the same way a hero or a politician can. Crime was still happening, but the Take Bore Ikkai or now known as the Tatsuya Clan did help clean the streets. They stopped selling drugs to kids, in fact they stopped selling drugs at all - They didn't invite kids to join them, you were invited and that was that, and most importantly they worked a lot closer with heroes and the police to clean up this city," Hinata answered. "It wasn't perfect, but it worked. And to this day, it's something that still works. Something I take pride in my city doing. A unified front."

Kyoka grinned at that.

It sounded nice.

Far nicer than the city she was currently used to.

"So, how does Miwa fit into his life?"

Gekko's face darkened at that question as Hinata's eyes were glued to the floor.

"...Ryuukei fell in love with a beautiful woman. Chiemi. They were married within a year of knowing each other, and soon after she was pregnant," Hinata said. "It was amazing. Us two were promptly named Miwa's godparents when she was born, and all was right in the world. So, we started to look for children to adopt so little Miwa would have a best friend growing up."

Hinata paused, a sob escaping her tense face as her husband reassured her quietly.

"Suddenly, Chiemi died. We're pretty sure it was the Shie Hassakai that killed her. A rival gang attack, and Ryuukei… everything he ever believed in was shattered. He dropped Miwa off with us when she was about three, and just bid us farewell," Gekko explained. "I socked him in the jaw for that. But his eyes - They were defeated. He said he didn't deserve to be in Miwa's life, and that was the last and first memory she has of her father."

…

Oh.

Kyoka hunched over slightly, tears pricked at her eyes.

That was sad.

Sudden.

And…

Familiar.

"Sora's a bit like Ryuukei, don't you think?" Kaminari asked. Gekko barked a laugh in response, slapping his knee as he couldn't help but nod. "Er, did I say something wrong, Gekko?"

"No. You're exactly right," Gekko remarked. "The reason we adopted Sora from all the kids we saw was because of how similar he reminded us of Ryuukei. And as he grew up, the similarities just piled on. They never even had an effect on each other's lives, yet they're still so similar. They both just want to protect everything they've ever held dearly, and both failed. Both view their loved ones as undeserving of their life. Both continue to punish themselves for the sins of their past."

"But that's unfair! Ryuukei didn't kill his wife, so why did he abandon Miwa?!" Kyoka yelled angrily. "Thats-,"

"And Sora didn't kill anyone, so why did he abandon you?" Hinata asked, and it felt like a cold dagger had just pierced Kyoka's chest. "It's pure irony that we failed another child. This time, because we simply couldn't be there for Sora-,"

"You're wrong."

Kaminari's voice cut Hinata off as everyone turned to stare at him.

"Sora… You didn't fail him. No one did. And sure, there are similarities between him and Ryuukei, but they're different. Sora can still make things right, he still believes he can and is working toward that instead of running away," Kaminari said proudly. "Ryuukei isn't. He went to Tokyo, he hasn't been present in his daughter's life for nearly fifteen years, and that won't change because Miwa meets with him. I can see it in your eyes, you're more worried about the impact this will have on Miwa if she asks him why he left her."

Gekko and Hinata didn't respond.

"It's fine. We'll make sure she is okay," Kyoka promised with a smile. "C'mon, Denki. We've done enough work today-,"

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

The Yamazaki's house phone was ringing.

That was strange.

Kyoka Jiro had never once heard a ring in the numerous times that she had been to this house. Gekko and Hinata looked equally confused as they shared a nervous look.

"...It could just be a random number?" Kaminari offered, but Gekko shook his head violently, swallowing down his bile as he cautiously approached the phone. Kyoka held her breath as she waited for Gekko to answer.

"The only people that can call this phone are the hospital I work at. And it's for when someone signs in using my name," Gekko whispered, answering the phone. "Hello? Hm. Oh… I'll be right there."

…

Gekko closed the phone as all colour was drained from his face.

"Sora's… at the hospital."

...!

---

I didn't know what possessed me to run as fast as I could.

Perhaps it was the adrenaline, perhaps it was the fear of what might happen, perhaps it was because I wanted to save as many lives as possible. Thoughts of failing to save someone kept on flashing through my mind as I tried my hardest not to pause and take a break to clear my head.

But I had no time for that.

I wasn't allowed any time for that.

Running past irrelevant tombstones, I found the first group of Yakuza by their van smoking a cigarette. They were carrying knives and bats. Anger coarse through my veins as I growled slightly.

They were doing this here.

In a graveyard.

Disrespecting the dead.

I didn't hesitate to create a sword construct using my Nimbus, leaping into battle before any of them could even react. A quick swipe of their legs and a downward slash either knocked them out or had them tending to their wounds as I pivoted around and slashed two others across the chest.

Shit.

The thick spray of blood worried me, and I paused, applying some Nimbus to cover their wounds up. It wasn't much. And it disappeared as soon as I left the maximum range of my Quirk, but it did slow down their bleeding. I pulled out my phone and dialled the numbers for an ambulance. Damn it! Come on, phone! Hurry up and start working properly!

"Hello, how may I help you?"

"I need as many ambulances at the Jirocho Graveyard as soon as possible. I'm a Detective, there's been a gang attack here. I don't know how many people are injured, but bring as many ambulances and medics as you can."

"Sir-,"

I shut my phone off as I rushed deeper into the graveyard.

Shit.

There was another empty truck.

Where were-,

Bang!

My eyes widened at the sound of a gunshot nearby, and I rushed towards the sound breathing heavily as I feared that the worst had happened. My fingers were twitching as the clouds above us began to spit water down at us on the ground, and I clenched my sword tighter. Damn it! There was no time to waste! The sound of heavy gunfire up ahead did little to slow me down!

…

When I eventually reached the small group of people surrounding a gravestone, I-,

Stab.

I didn't even see the two men waiting for me, nor the knife that pierced me. I didn't have any time for this! It wasn't a deep cut, only a shallow one as I roared angrily, slamming my sword against his head. The other guy punched me in the eye, and I was forced to take a step back as I tried to regain my bearings.

Before he could even punch me again, I summoned my Nimbus and made a large construct of a fist to crush him against the floor. I panted heavily, I could barely open my right eye as I stumbled forward, tsk not even my body could heal that right away. I felt nauseous as I pushed through the pain, where was Ryutaro? He was the one leading the peace talks, he was the guy in charge of this!

But the rain had only gotten heavier.

Damn it!

I didn't stop walking forward, rubbing my right eye so I could see again as I tried to see where the others were. Damn it! I coughed up some blood, but I ignored it as I tried my hardest to keep running. I had to find him! If I didn't, the whole gang war would be kicked off! Come on, Sora! Everything is riding on this! Don't be a fucking loser again! Come on, just protect-,

Until…

I stopped, staring at the gravestone in front of me.

'Chiemi Hayate.'

There was blood all over the beautiful grave, the one pure flowers were now tainted red. It was a sad sight to see a grave that had been resting peacefully be disturbed the way it had. Time only paused for me as I recognised the two bodies resting on the grave, one being Ryutaro who had a gunshot in his stomach and chest as he breathed lightly, his eyes widening as he recognised me.

And the other body…

Hah.

I could recognise that head or orange hair anywhere.

Miwa, my sister, lay there, her eyes shut as a small knife was left pointing out of her stomach. She looked so peaceful resting there. I didn't drop to the floor in shock, nor did I cry out in agony - I simply stood there watching the two bodies resting on the grave of Chiemi Hayate without a single expression on my face. What...?

Huh?

Was I too late?

The remaining two Yakuza members were nearby too.

But they were already dead.

Stabbed to death.

"You're Sora Yamazaki?" A rough voice asked me. Standing by my side was him. A tuft of orange hair, one so similar to Miwa's. Smoking his pipe despite the rain, Ryuukei stood next to me as he took a long drag from his tobacco, blowing it towards the grave. "You're a step too late. Miwa's now buried with her mother. Ryutaro's joined with the mistake that cost him everything. Funny how it works out in the end, the irony of life. I killed the people responsible, and now I'll start a war in these streets. Ryuji must have planned this out, but instead he got the wrong Hayate. Hm."

…

"I believe you were helping Ryutaro as a deal? Well it's now over. You can go home now. Your job is done. Scram," Ryuukei said to me calmly, without a shred of emotion on his face. "Or are you in disbelief that Miwa's here? She came to me asking answers as to why I left her. She came to this graveyard hoping to find me. It's a shame I arrived after she died. I would have told her to fuck off anyway. This is why she's currently laying there with a knife in her stomach. This life isn't for the faint. I'll do Miwa a favour and spare you, after all you did protect her for a few years. Even if it was worthless in the end-,"

Fury moved my body for me as I swung my sword around so fast, so strong, that when it connected with Ryuukei's jaw it not only shattered my construct but sent him flying through nearby tomestones.

Ryuukei didn't even groan as his pipe was snapped in half.

"What the hell is this for-,"

He was cut off as I leapt in the air and swung down with all my might.

I was going to kill him.

His eyes widened in surprise, shock, or even anger as he was forced to turn his arm into a sword, presumably his Quirk. But I didn't care as I created another sword to try and kill him, our blades colliding in mid-air as sparks seemed to ignite the grey and unfeeling sky, the rain seemed to add more weight to my sins. I... I... I...

I couldn't speak even if I wanted to.

I could only feel anger.

…

My hand wobbled as I held my sword, even though my swing was blocked by Ryuukei's arm that had turned into a sword, something akin to Kirishima or Tetsutetsu's transformation, the bastard only smiled at me. It was a mocking smile, or perhaps one that came out of a begrudging respect - But at that moment I didn't give a shit about anything else.

"Not bad, kid. Maybe you'll fare better than those gangsters that took Miwa and Ryutaro out," Ryuukei got out, pushing me back. The rain splashed against my face, making it hard to see, or perhaps it was my tears as I tried my hardest to fight back. "Are you really willing to throw away the kindness Ryutaro and my daughter showed you? I told you, I'll spare your life out of kindness."

I growled in anger, taking a step sideways as I tried to swing at him again.

But Ryuukei easily parried my attack.

I didn't even think straight, every move that I had ever learnt was unleashed against him, but Ryuukei calmly blocked or avoided each of my swings. My arm was starting to feel heavy, and I couldn't even think straight because I knew my sword teacher, Megumi, would have been berating me for not fighting smart.

For not keeping a cool head.

But I didn't give a shit.

"ARGH!" I yelled, launching another attack at Ryuukei, but he simply transformed both of his arms into swords as he easily cut through my Nimbus contractu of a sword, my Nimbus construct of a vest I had put over myself, and eventually - His blades even slashed me.

…

I collapsed to the floor, facing the two bodies of Miwa and Ryutaro.

…

I got up, ignoring the coursing through my body as I faced Ryuukei. I raised my hand to punch him in the face, but I didn't even flinch as his arm-blade pierced my arm, preventing me from even moving it.

"I didn't know there was someone like you around. For a detective, you're persistent. Strong. Maybe in another life you would have amounted to something better than this, but this isn't that life," Ryuukei told me before punching me in the face. I was hurled backward into the ground, staring at the grey sky as rain poured down onto me. "Get lost, watchdog. There's nothing for you to protect in this graveyard. Just a bunch of ghosts of the past that don't mean anything, don't punish yourself for something that wasn't your fault. Or do. I don't care."

Ryuukei simply walked away from me, away from them, as if nothing had happened.

As if they weren't-,

As if-,

I rolled around to see their bodies next to that grave.

Chiemi Hayate.

Crawling toward them using all my remaining strength, I saw that Ryutaro's chest was still moving up and down, even briefly. His eyes locked with mine, and I felt thankful for a God, even if it was only for a brief second.

"So...ra…"

"It's gonna be okay," I told him. "The ambulance is coming. You'll be-,"

But Ryutaro shook his head.

"Take… Letter."

I watched in horror as Ryutaro reached deep inside his pockets and pulled out a letter. It was stained and signed in his blood. He didn't even manage to extend his arm over to me before it fell limp, his eyes turning dull and lifeless as I realised that he had truly died.

There wasn't any remedy for death.

I turned to look at Miwa - her eyes shut and peaceful.

My sister.

'Do your best, Sora!'

'I believe you can be a good hero one day!'

'Thanks for being my brother.'

…Miwa…

"...Miwa…"

The sirens of the ambulance closing in on us didn't help one bit.

Miwa.

It was all my fault.

If only I had gotten here sooner. If only I was stronger. If only I was-,

If only-,

This was just another sin to my ultimate punishment.

…

"ArrrRRRRrrrrggggGGGghhhhhhhHHhhhhh!"

---

And this is the end of the chapter.

A cliffhanger for sure. I don't want to spoil anything for the next chapter, but not all hope is lost, and not all hope is found. This is definitely an arc that is important to Sora's growth (Isn't every arc that?) more so in terms of this 'punishing his sins' thing he has going for him.

And it's also addressing who Sora truly is becoming.

Is he going to break again, like the Shie Hassakai raid, or is he going to grow?

I felt like it was important to address this quite early on in part 2 because it's the culmination of the first three arcs (Or Act 1) of Sora's development. From accepting his responsibility and not running away, from addressing his mistakes and trying his hardest to fix them and to now changing!

And 'Change' is the title of this arc.

See you soon for the next chapter! (We have three more chapters remaining before this Arc and Act 1 is done for Part 2).