Hello! Thanks for all the support, I mean seriously. 150k words is a massive feat for me, that's half of 300k (Duh), and 300k is around the cut off point for Part 1. Or maybe it'll be extended to 350k, honestly we will see as we get closer and closer to it. Still, 150k words is an insane number. Anyway as of writing this chapter I have started school (Yes usually I write two chapters ahead of the current chapter which was hard to pull off, but now I don't have to stress about it anymore.)
My work rate for this story shouldn't decrease, I hope, but that doesn't mean it isn't a possibility. Still, as of now it's been fine so I'll keep on doing what I'm doing, and you can keep on reading. Yeah, each and every one of you that read this story thanks! I know I thank you all every chapter, but you genuinely don't understand.
Seeing people actually discuss something I wrote, even giving me theories puts a massive smile on my face. Sure this story doesn't have the biggest community on the platform, but I'm more than happy with the numbers that I'am pulling. It's a SI/OC in MHA with a slightly annoying protagonist that is as far from the word 'Hero' as you can get.
But just as Sora might eventually become a Hero, I'll eventually become a better writer. I think I've improved a lot from chapter 1, so here I bring you chapter 14 complete!
ALSO THANKS FOR 100 REVIEWS! I CANNOT BELIEVE IT STILL!
So should we try to aim for 200?
But for real I'm so thankful for well... everything? Everyone enjoying this story has genuinely put a fat grin on my face, and it's not going to go away anytime soon.
So thanks!
(Now we are on 160k words :P That number blows my mind just thinking about it.)
Song for today's chapter... uhm... You can be a hero OST from the popular series Boku no Hero Academia, currently wrapping up it's fifth season?
Summary:
You can do it. Or well I did it, I saved everyone from their deaths at the hands of villains. It was hard, and I nearly lost my way many times, but I pulled through, I achieved my dream (Or one of them at least). Only now I have more questions than answers, who is Zero? What was those 'flames' that I used? Are they correlated?
What is Nimbus?
And finally, the biggest question of them all, what is Midnights breast size?
I suppose it was not an innovative idea to try and escape the hospital.
I mean sure, I was injured, but hospitals scared me shitless. I mean have not these people seen any horror movies set in hospitals. What if the doctor tried to kill me, huh? It wasn't a scenario too far removed from reality!
What then?!
Luckily, Recovery Girl worked wonders, and the current hospital I was in was none other than the infirmary wing located in U.A. And luckily there are three other people, or should I say two? They tried to be inconspicuous by drawing curtains around All Might, but I already knew his secret so all it did was amuse me.
Midoriya had broken his arm. yet again, trying to shield All Might from Kurogiri and Shigaraki.
Aizawa was here as well to mend his broken arm, courtesy of the Nomu that was blasted into space much like Team Rocket. And then there I was, two broken ribs, a shit ton of internal bleeding, a fractured wrist, seventeen bruises, fifteen non-lethal cuts, a torn muscle and new scar now on my chest, looking like a small 'X' courtesy of whatever those 'flames' were.
My entire body, on the inside at least, was set on fire.
Needless to say, I was not going out anytime soon as I was covered head-to-toe with bandages to prevent me from bleeding and losing any more blood than I already did. Not to mention the countless blood bags used, thankfully I did not have a rare blood type, or at least it was not the rarest.
Wait, it said 'B minus', was that rare or common?
Either way U.A. had a lot of blood bags, something I was grateful for.
According to Recovery Girl, U.A. had a graduate who could duplicate blood and thus donated a lot of blood to not only the school, but worldwide. It was a cool fact, but I had to resist the urge to reply, "When did I ask?" in case she went batshit crazy and poisoned me or something.
I do not trust doctors.
Thankfully, I was not entirely bored for my entire stay here.
"Seventy-seven sheep crossed over the road, then a car ran one over! Now we had seventy-six sheep, and another car came, this time a sports car and ran over another sheep! Then there were seventy-five sheep, and an aeroplane had an engine failure causing them to make an emergency landing on the road the sheep were crossing, leading to one more sheep dying! Then we had seventy-four sheep-,"
"Shut up or else you'll get another detention."
I frowned at Aizawa-sensei's comment, that was rude!
I only wanted to lighten up the mood slightly, especially in this mangy room! Well, all the medical rooms were mangy - But that wasn't the point, the point was that Aizawa-sensei had really hurt my feelings.!
"Come on, sensei, lighten up won't ya? We all lived, and with very few injuries too boot!" I smirked at him, trying to give him a thumbs up to emphasise my point. "...We all lived, so why the hell shouldn't we celebrate? Haha! So what if we're in a freakin' hospital room for now, we aren't going to stay here forever!"
Unfortunately, my hand was wrapped around a cast, so to him it looked like I just waved my injured hand at him. He scowled in response, choosing to ignore my antics as I rolled my eyes at his behaviour. Where was the cool sensei that shielded me from Shigaraki? Give me my sensei back!
Oh right, I had forgotten to mention I was on a shit ton of pain killers.
"U-Uhm, S-Sora." Izuku Midoriya began with a nervous look on his face. "I-Is it true?"
"What's true? That I am a Hero, with a capital H? Yeah, that is true, do you know what else is true? I'm also a badass in disguise, see I'm not actually short but rather my badassery affects my height which is why I'm a little below average height for our age-,"
"Did you nearly kill a villain?" Izuku asked curiously. "...That villain who you fought all the way to sensei, after you said you wouldn't hurt anyone. You broke your promise."
Huh.
I balled my fists as I pulled the bed sheets closer to me.
I knew the answer, despite my jokey exterior on the interior I was a mess. A complete and utter mess as I recalled the past few hours. I had nearly killed a man, technically led Zero's subordinate to his death, though he was more than willing to follow me. I also cut off someone's limb and used a katana as my main weapon.
For all intents and purposes, I was not a Hero.
But I saved everyone.
I felt like a Hero because of that reason alone.
And so that's what matters.
"Yeah," I eventually replied, meeting Izuku's green eyes. It was a nice shade, one that matched her hair perfectly. "I almost killed a man. It was in the heat of the moment... I was angry. Furious even, I just wanted to lash out. I wanted to make him pay for even trying to hurt Jiro, for even attempting to kill us. I... I lost control. And I am sorry, truly I am, I never wanted any of this to happen."
…
"None of us did, kid," Aizawa commented. "What you did was wrong, and if it were not for the fact you helped with the escape and your countless injuries, I wouldn't think twice about kicking you out. Ultimately, you proved you worth today. As a human, and a Hero - You didn't give up in the face of hopelessness, you proved that everyone in Class A are mighty Heroes."
He got up from his bed as he walked over to the door, his arm still in a cast.
"Don't forget your report next lesson, Yamazaki. I'll give you an extra three days before you have to read it aloud."
I groaned as I fell back onto my pillow cursing him underneath my breath. It just was one of those days I suppose. Suddenly, the door burst wide open as a familiar trio came rushing in.
Hinata, Gekko and Miwa.
I grinned as I tried to wave at them, wincing slightly as Hinata wrapped me up in a fierce hug. Izuku had the decency to walk out the room, only All Might staying, however judging from the lack of sounds from his bed, he seemed to be fast asleep.
"My baby," Hinata sobbed. "Are you-, No, is there anything you want me to do?! Anything?"
Hm.
"Do you think you can bring me a few sweet packets-,"
Miwa interrupted me as she poured the contents of her bag over my bed as my eyes widened at the sight. Tens, if not hundreds of miniature sweet packets, I was buried in them completely. From strawberries to wasabi, every sweet I could possibly eat. My mouth was watering from just looking at it.
"That's good enough for you?" Miwa asked me, wiping her tears away. "...I rinsed an entire seven-eleven out of sweets, as well as most of my freakin' bank account. I'm glad your alive, Sora."
Right.
I worried them, again.
Fuck.
"I'm sorry," I apologised. Huh? What was this, was it raining inside? Was my Nimbus summoned and could it now pour rain? Why were the bedsheets getting wet? Oh, I was crying. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry-," Hinata wrapped me up in another fierce hug as Miwa joined, making me the metaphorical piggy in the middle. "I'm sorry," I managed to whisper. "I'm really sorry that I worried you guys. I-, I-,"
…
"Don't be," Gekko said unexpectedly, taking a sour sweet packet from my pile and opening it. "You are a part of U.A, now, the Hero course no less, we expected you to get roughed up but..." He took off his glasses as I could finally see what time had done to the man. Small grey hairs all grouped up making him look older than he actually was, forty-four was not that old. "...You are going to' be the death of me kid."
"Huh?"
Gekko managed to grin at me, despite his tears, ruffling my hair as always.
"Next time do try to break a leg-, Wait actually don't. Next time, just don't break anything."
"...I'll try not to."
"What do you mean by 'try', young man?" Hinata screeched. "Promise us you'll never get hurt again!"
"But what if I get a paper cut?" I asked sarcastically as I tried to dodge Hinata's hand from lightly slapping my head. "Then I'd be breaking my promise to you."
"Oh, shush you!"
"Mum, can't you see he is already damaged? His brain isn't wired right," Miwa commented with a smirk. "Doesn't that mean he has already broken his promise? I think you should sell all of his things and give the money to me."
I stuck my tongue out at Miwa as I replied, "Shut up or else I'll fight you!"
"You can't fight girls, that's illegal."
"Oh yeah? Then how come I broke a female villain's wrist? I beat her very easily, and you see those bite marks on my arm? Yes, some wolf girl gave them to me, luckily, I stabbed her in the neck, so it isn't as bad as it looks," Hinata gave me a shocked look as she covered her mouth, tears threatening to spill again. "...Shit. Er, Mum, I was joking! Honestly!"
"Jeez Sora, you are such a bad son. Are you trying to make our Mum cry more?"
I shrugged my shoulders.
"I'm just reporting the truth-, Er-, Well, to be fair, I was fighting villains out to get my head after all."
"Don't describe them in front of Mum, then! You know how she is! She will try to track down the villains now and shout at them for an hour for hurting her son. Such a thoughtless, ungrateful child. That's why I'm the angel and you're..."
"A devil?" I supplied Miwa, who nodded, clicking her fingers in response. "...How original."
"That's right! I am an angel; you are a devil. Isn't that right, Oni Chan!" Miwa said with a giggle. I rolled my eyes, she had just said 'Oni', which meant demon instead of 'Onii' which meant brother. She tried to call me a demon brother. Wow. "It's such a great joke, is it not?!"
If I could clap, I would have, it was a genius joke. However, Hinata had caught on to it as she scolded Miwa for insulting me and scolded her husband for eating from my pile of sweets.
Heh, this was exactly what I liked.
Just a family doing family things.
Chapter
Fourteen
'When they say the next generation will surpass the previous generation, they mean in stupidity and not in talent!'
"Mmh. And that's your account?" The detective asked me, placing his pen down as he reviewed the notes he had made in the past half hour. The interview was a long and tiresome process, but it was necessary. They needed to gather as much information on the villains as possible. Fortunately, the Heroes hadn't picked up on Zero, or rather everyone in Class A hadn't talked about Zero.
They had assumed he was just a crazed maniac since I did not know him. And they were right, I did not know him, not personally at least. But...
I understood him.
He was like me, trapped and alone in a different world with knowledge of the future. Everything seemed... boring? No, that wasn't quite correct, rather he felt even lonelier. He was surrounded by people blindly following a set path that he already knew, a set path he could change. Maybe that's all it was, just a sense of loneliness motivating him forward, the same way my want to protect everyone drove me forward.
But there was something more, something extra that drove him.
Something I couldn't quite grasp, or rather something I didn't know yet.
That 'truth' he and Kurogiri were sprouting, it left a bad taste in my mouth.
Along with that nickname, 'fourteenth.'
Fourteenth was an odd nickname to call someone, that meant that there were thirteen people named before. Did it mean that I was the fourteenth to be reincarnated here? I mean, it did make sense - Zero was aptly named Zero, which meant he was likely the first or at least the progenitor of it.
But I had my doubts regarding that theory, if I indeed was the fourteenth to be reincarnated to this world then where were the others?
That couldn't add up, because would that mean I'm the only one that became a Hero? That everyone else became a villain? But then the timeline must have already been shifted at that point, with thirteen other people with copious amounts of knowledge regarding future affairs was a recipe for disaster.
And that meant that only I could really beat them.
If they all decided to join up with All For One, wouldn't that make them technically a terrorist group? Maybe if they do exist they can be called the Akatsuki... No. Please! Let it just be me and that bastard Zero be the only ones reincarnated, I wouldn't be able to take it if there are anymore with his ideas!
Fucking revolutionaries, why couldn't they just be normal?
...Maybe they had a cute girl?
NO! I must not be tempted! No amount of cuteness will deter me... right brain? C'mon?! Please?!
I groaned as I buried my head in the pillows provided to me, courtesy of U.A. The detective snickered at my predicament, while everyone else had been allowed to go, I had to stay here 'just in case the worst case scenario happened and I started to bleed out again'.
Why was I left with more questions than answers?
I thought I could nip everything in the bud by USJ, but now it was an absolute shit-show. More chances of me suddenly gaining the ability to sing instead of the villains backing down and leaving us alone. Especially with Zero around. No doubt he was liaising with the villains right now, scheming in some dark and dingy place about their nefarious plans for the future regarding U.A...
And I was complaining in the hospital ward!
Luckily the detective sympathised with my plight as he cut straight to the chase, Tsukauchi Naomasa as he introduced himself to me was a pretty cool guy, he understood my actions and while not condoning them didn't hold them against me. He even went as far as to say that my fate was up to the staff in U.A., and not the police since this was an internal affair.
"If they decide to expel you from school, and the villain that you amputated decided to press charges then we would apprehend you. However, that is very unlikely. Not only does the villain feel great remorse, but so do you," Tsukauchi told me. "As a matter of fact, I'm willing to bet the fedora I'm currently wearing that you'll be okay. Just be extra careful next time, it was a freak accident. Repeat offences... well you don't need me to explain what would happen."
Right.
I'd be a 'vigilante' at best, and a 'villain' at worst.
Not that I actually wanted to brutalise villains, I mean it wasn't my style. But I was prepared to kill them, wasn't that worse? My words were left unspoken as he bid farewell to me, wishing me a speedy recovery as he left the room, closing the door behind him so as not to make too much noise and disturb the remaining person in the hospital ward.
Aizawa and Midoriya were walking free, leaving only me and All Might in here.
Of course I had no real way of knowing it was All Might, I just knew judging from the curtains and all the secrecy along with my knowledge of what went down. I guess that did mean that I knew it was All Might then? But I digress, that wasn't the point. At least it wasn't until Recovery Girl entered the room, holding a few papers with a grave expression on her face.
She said she was going to run some blood tests, everyone including myself was curious regarding those 'flames' that I had used at the USJ. Aizawa and Nezu promptly followed, their expressions unreadable. What was it? Good news? Bad news? The suspense was killing me.
"Yo," I greeted with a friendly wave. "Guess you found out what my cool new attack is right?"
"Cut the jokes Yamazaki, we are going to have a serious conversation here," Aizawa told me, making me frown slightly. It was just a bunch of flames? I bet I set my Cloud on fire, what's so 'serious' about that? "...And you will answer all of our questions honestly. You understand?"
"...Er… Sure?"
…?
Huh?
"Hello Sora Yamazaki," The small rat greeted me politely. "I don't think I have introduced myself to you, so let me introduce myself as Nezu, the principal of this school. Now, I bet what you are thinking right now is if I am a rat, or another creature. Correct?"
Wait...
"Heh, I think I might have met you already. Uhm, at a restaurant near the west of Musutafu a few years back. I worked there and served you I think," I replied, scratching my cheek in embarrassment. "...Or maybe I got the wrong rat-, Er-, Creature."
Nezu hemmed in response.
"Ah, that's correct. Shigeo's place, no?" I nodded in response. "I see, I remember you as well. You were a very polite staff member, do you still take shifts working there?"
"Nah, I quit a year ago. Although if money becomes an issue, I'll probably work there again."
Aizawa coughed slightly as I realised that we were supposed to be discussing something serious, not if I went to work at a restaurant. I rubbed the back of my head in embarrassment as Recovery Girl rolled her eyes at my antics, offering me a lollipop from her desk.
Eugh, orange flavour. Better than nothing I suppose.
"Do you want the good news, or the bad news?" Recovery Girl asked me. I stroked my chin, which one would I rather here first? "Although from my position, both aren't exactly great news."
Hm.
"The good news first, bad news last," I eventually replied as she nodded at me in understanding, before she passed me a sheet of my body. "So, what's this about? I, er, if it's about the fact I set my Quirk on fire, then believe me that I don't know how it happened! It just did!"
Recovery Girl nodded at me.
"I didn't expect you did."
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well the good news is that whatever those 'flames' were didn't have any lasting impact on your body. At first, both Aizawa and myself frankly had thought that your insides were burnt. And well, we were right about that, for a set period of time after you used them your body on the inside was set aflame," Recovery Girl explained to me. "However, it had no lasting damage thankfully. Also, those 'flames' were not a separate Quirk, or rather they are a part of you just like your Nimbus is apart of you. However, that is where the bad news also lies..."
What could be so bad? I mean really, if I had no lasting damage why feel the need to call this a serious 'conversation'.
"Yamazaki, do you know anything about your parents?" Aizawa asked me. "Your biological parents, I mean."
I shook my head.
" Nah, unfortunately I don't. I haven't met either of them in my life, well maybe my Mum when I was just born but she abandoned me right? I haven't had any contact with them ever. Why?"
"Because we need to get in touch with both of them as quickly as possible."
Huh?
"Why?" I found myself asking, confused. "I mean what's so important that you need to meet with them? Hinata and Gekko are my parents in all but blood, I'm sure anything you need from my biological parents you can get from them, right?"
Aizawa and Nezu shared a look as the small animal took over my homeroom teacher.
"Sora, if I may call you that, we have some concerns. While your flames are somewhat connected to your Nimbus, that isn't the issue. You went above a certain temperature causing your Nimbus to burst on fire, normal clouds can do that, unfortunately what normal clouds, and humans can not do is not only go well above the required temperature, but also heal your wounds after. You get what I'm trying to get at here?"
…
I shook my head.
"I mean I had coated my insides with my Nimbus, wouldn't that be the reason why my body was set on fire and protected then?"
Nezu shook his head.
"I'll explain it to you simply, Sora. You have multiple different Quirks stuffed into you. From what we have gathered you have your Nimbus Quirk of course, but a confirmed two more. One which allows you to raise your temperature completely at the cost of burning your own body, as far as we understand it, gambler's Quirk of sorts that made you sacrifice your movement for ten minutes for power - And a mild healing Quirk, one that made sure you didn't pass out, or even worse, die. Those three Quirks are completely unrelated, yet fit perfectly with each other."
W-what?
I...
What?
"What we are trying to say Yamazaki," Aizawa started, "Is that we need to find your biological parents and ask them about these two extra Quirks, and where you might have developed, or gotten them."
"But... how?" I asked. "How can I go so long without... How did you find out about them?"
Recovery Girl pointed at the vial of blood she had taken from me.
"Dearie, I studied your blood while you were asleep. At first I was curious as my attempts at healing you were not working at all, which relates to your 'Gambler's Quirk', the set period of time in which you couldn't use your Quirk, and anyone else's Quirk used on you hadn't won off yet which is why I was adamant on you not leaving as you simply were not healed yet. Then your mild healing Quirk popped up as soon as the period was over, your cells had started to heal, albeit very slowly but much faster than the normal human. Along with it dulling your senses. From there it was quite easy to guess why my healing wasn't working on you originally, your 'Gambler's Quirk' had simply blocked any of my attempts meaning you could have died. Your Quirk's are the reason for this."
"But I mean, how are my parents involved with this? They have nothing to do with me, so how are they the ones responsible?"
"Tell me, have you heard of All For One?" Nezu interrupted. "It's fine if you haven't, but we just need to make sure."
…!
I froze at Nezu's question. No... that couldn't be... I mean Zero had...
"No, but I heard the villains mention his name, as some boss or something," I lied. I couldn't tell them, not now. They would be too suspicious, plus I didn't know the truth myself. "...Why?"
"No worries. Well it doesn't matter now, but we are under the impression that your parents might have been in contact with All For One," I could hear a slight shuffling next to me, near where All Might was laying down. So even he was curious, huh? "But if you don't know who he is, then there isn't a problem. We believe you, Sora."
"Well I haven't heard or met of a fellow called All For One, they sound pretty suspicious. But what does that have to do with me having multiple Quirks? I mean, that's impossible, right? Having multiple Quirks, it's like a fever dream or something."
"And it is! Don't get your hopes up sonny, especially with that Gambler Quirk of yours!" Recovery Girl told me with a stern voice. "...Your body was breaking itself down for some reason. Before your healing Quirk kicked in and repaired you back to normal, boosted of course with my Quirk once your body accepted my healing. Probably a side affect of you Gambler Quirk, only adding to how dangerous it is!"
"...Why?" I asked curiously. "Without it, I wouldn't have won the fight. I'd have probably died along with my friends. So what if it hurts me? For a brief moment I was strong enough to win."
"Because you only burnt the inside of your body to get a power boost! What if next time you gambled your left arm? The ability to walk? Your life? The higher you risk, the more power you gain! Is that a Quirk you really want to use?"
"So I get more flames?"
"No, the 'flames' were a product of your Nimbus simply being raised well above a certain temperature. And that Nimbus which had coated your body, that was also set on fire. No, you were furious right? At that moment in time? Angry and desperate for anything? This time I presume that you sacrificed your body to go well above its temperature limit because of your boiling anger. Next time you could be calm, and you could create ice or something along those lines. Or maybe you could just increase the potency and power of Nimbus. It's not something we can just predict, it depends entirely on what you want, how far you are willing to sacrifice yourself."
"So... my biggest power boost would result in my death?" I asked. Recovery Girl nodded, sighing as she sat down on her seat. "...I see."
"It will be hard. To be a Hero with something like that, you made a gamble like that because you wanted to win, to save everyone am I right? That's what Aizawa said to me while you were asleep, so what if you are pushed over the edge once more? What if the only thing you have left will be to make a gamble on your life? It would be better to give up now, to save yourself from the trouble that will follow. Take my advice however you like, but it's the truth."
"..."
I yawned.
Just sounded like a bunch of bullshit to me.
"So? Aizawa-sensei, didn't you say a Hero worth their salt has to make sacrifices? If I gave up now, gave up because of this then why did I even enrol here in the first place? So no, I'll keep on struggling to be a hero. Even if it means my death, well I just won't take that gamble. I'll be strong enough with my Nimbus to never even consider using that Quirk, is that good enough?" I asked the three teachers. "'Cause there is no freakin' I'm going to give up cause of a minor setback like that!"
There was no way I was stopping here!
It doesn't matter how hard I have to try, or how hard I have to work every day, this won't bring me down! I'll surpass these odds with my own strengths, not a helping hand from a deadly Quirk!
"The kid has a point," Aizawa agreed with me. "As much as it's irrational to think even attempting what he suggested, he has help from us. From U.A. If he would just give up now, wouldn't it spit on those with even worse Quirks then him? Take his classmate Midoriya for example, a Quirk like that which breaks his bones yet he still continues."
Recovery Girl and Nezu shared a long, along with a glance to where All Might was laying down. No doubt Aizawa probably felt confused at that point, but I understood what they meant. They couldn't afford to lose Midoriya, One For All was a powerful asset not to mention the only one with the means to defeat All For One, to become the next Symbol of Peace.
With that comparison, I was just a random kid with some potential ties to a deadly villain, one that crippled All Might.
It was clear who they would support, and I knew it wouldn't be me.
By all accounts, I was just a pawn.
Replaceable, just another cog in the machine that is the society built on Heroes.
I understood that, I understood that completely because if I was in their shoes, I'd probably make the same decision. Why try to save a random kid compared to saving someone you already know and care about? Being a Hero and being altruistic was not mutually exclusive, the same way not every manager is a leader.
That was just the way things were.
"It would be foolish to continue to try to fight with a Quirk like that! Being a Hero also means knowing when to cut losses, tell me Yamazaki - Are you a fool? Are you truly willing to risk your life for a childish dream? Are you so foolish to think that we, the staff at U.A, won't protect our students?" Nezu said. "I cannot risk one of my students' safety like that, it would be irresponsible for me to support this foolish behaviour."
Heh.
Like I could stop now.
"Then I'll remain a fool my entire life," I said, gripping my bedsheets tighter. I stared directly into Nezu's eyes, I wasn't going to back down from this. "If being a fool means I'll continue to fight, continue to live out my life the way I want. Continue to protect those that I care about - Then I'll happily be a fool for the rest of my life. Hell, you can even tattoo it on me if you want."
…
Nobody said anything for a few seconds. Nezu, having been stunned by my sudden exclamation, looked at me with a nostalgic smile on his face. Recovery Girl fared no better, begrudgingly accepting my answer albeit with the tiniest hint of a smirk. Or was that a frown? If I could shake my head I would, women were so confusing at times. Especially old hags.
And Aizawa...
"Then I'll help him," Aizawa said, breaking the silence and stunning me in the process. Why would he help me? What is there to gain from that? "If it's okay with you, I'll help train him. Make sure he doesn't use his other Quirk, make sure he doesn't act irrational. Is that a good enough compromise?"
"...Huh? Really?" I asked him in surprise. "You'd help me?!"
"This won't be easy you know, if you agree to this it will be hard for you to keep up your current lifestyle? You said you want to 'stop' the villains every time they try to attack in the future. That means going above Plus Ultra. Are you ready for that?"
…
I nodded at him.
"Yeah!"
"I expect weekly reports," Nezu replied as he agreed, Recovery Girl groaning as she muttered something about being too old for this. "From the both of you. And if the situation develops where Sora can't even function without using his Gambler's Quirk, then I'll pull you out of U.A."
"...It won't come to that," Aizawa said confidently. "Let me teach him."
"Fine."
…
Why?
"Why?" I found myself asking my teacher. Why would he go out of his way to help me like this? Surely he should realise this more than anyone? The cutthroat nature of our society? Surely, he who had not only lost his friend, but also nearly lost his class understood this? So why would he... Why me?
Aizawa merely smiled, which was a far cry from the pragmatic man I had been accustomed to. I wouldn't say it looked weird on him, no in fact it actually fit him in an odd way.
"If you want to be a Hero, and you are willing to put the work in then who am I to stop you? As your teacher, I can only support you in every choice you make. So here I am; supporting your choices."
My choice...
"Alright then," I gave a thumbs up as I grinned in response. "If it's my choice, then I'll try over and over again! I'll be a Hero, mark my words!"
"Are you willing to gamble on it? Your words I mean," Nezu asked me. "Are you willing to pin your hopes and dreams on a temperamental job like being a Hero? What happened today wasn't a fluke, there will be times where you won't be able to save everyone. I wonder, how will you cope with that? Will you shut down or will you get over it? Because that's the mark of a true Hero."
I nodded at him.
"Yeah... I won't go back on my words, not now nor ever. Especially when Aizawa-sensei said he's going to help me, I'd feel embarrassed if I failed now ya' know?" Nezu hummed in response as he cheerfully smiled, but even I could see the cold, calculating stare behind his eyes. "So no matter what barrier is in front of me, I'll get over it! I'll keep on climbing whatever barrier is in front of me, and I won't look back no matter what!"
Nezu laughed at that.
"Humans, such fascinating creatures. Well, I suppose that's all. You are free to go now, Sora. Provided you don't open your wounds, oh and also you don't have to go to school until Friday, meaning tomorrow is an off-day for your entire class."
And with that the principal of U.A walked out like nothing had happened. Recovery Girl already went to monitor All Might, leaving only me and Aizawa left unoccupied.
"Hold on to my shoulder, I'll help you up. Your family is waiting outside," He told me as I grinned. "I'll take you to them and explain to them that you'll remain as my student for now."
This wasn't so bad.
As he helped me up I couldn't help but feel a sense of elation. I still couldn't believe it, I saved everyone! Me of all people?! I was just some loser, but I managed to do something for once. I managed to achieve what I set out to do, I guess you could say I became the Pirate King? Maybe the Hokage instead?
It doesn't matter.
Nothing could make the grin on my face falter.
Nothing.
Shota Aizawa P.O.V
'He really is like...'
Shota cut his own thoughts off. He couldn't be thinking about him, especially when regarding his own student. Yet again, ever since Sora Yamazaki entered the halls of U.A he had been reminded of one Shirakumo Oboro.
However he couldn't stop comparing their every move, every twitch of Sora's smile to the same one his old friend had - The same one he used to parade all those years ago...
"Why choose to protect us? Class A I mean, it's not even been a week. Some might say that you are being very foolish, especially since you haven't even directly spoken with every member of the class yet, have you?"
Sora shook his head as he looked outside the window nostalgically, staring at the empty sports field.
"It wasn't like that, not really."
"You will explain it, won't you?"
Sora shrugged his shoulders as he leaned on the wall.
"...I had a friend when I was younger. He was very sick, and he died. He died and I didn't even realise it, not until I was much older. But he... He believed in me, made me realise that I like to be cheered on by others, and I like to cheer my own friends and family on. So even if I lose one person I care about; that's like losing a piece of my soul," Sora answered honestly. "And I'm an orphan, so I don't have my blood family. Everyone who I've managed to love and has loved me back is because of me as a person. And so I care for everyone in Class A, a class that's basically my second family, so I wasn't going to allow anyone to die. Even you."
"Even me?"
"Yes sensei, even you. Especially after you were so cool, I mean honestly now I want to learn how to fight like you do!"
Shota snorted.
"Me? You should learn your own style, kid. Mine won't work well with your Quirk-, Quirks, it'll restrict you too much. But you can adopt some techniques I use and incorporate them to your own style, that would be a rational thing to do. Unfortunately, you tend to wear your heart on your sleeve instead of thinking about things logically."
Shota's student had the decency to pout.
"Oi, I fought logically today! I made plans and the spot and everything!"
Shota rolled his eyes at Sora.
"I'm sure some of your injuries today were due to your own inability to keep your emotions in check. I mean, some of the reports from your fellow classmates tells me all I need to know about you problem child."
"...problem child?"
"Yes, do you have a problem with it? I think it labels you quite perfectly. Firstly, you tend to act off your emotions, and now you have not one but four Quirks? That just sounds like a recipe for disaster. At least two of them are passive, the healing one and the other more mysterious one that we have no idea on. And then of course we have your Nimbus and your 'Gambler's Quirk', it just seems like you're a recipe for disaster."
Eventually they reached the entrance, Aizawa seeing a family of three patiently waiting outside. A family of three that put a smile on his students face, he looked truly happy to see them.
"Thanks sensei!" Yamazaki said as he waved towards his family who was waiting patiently ahead, right next to their car. Nezu had allowed them to park inside the premises it seems. "See you later, teach!"
"Yeah. See you…"
…
'Why wouldn't Nezu allow his parents to park here... but Nezu's behaviour was odd towards Yamazaki today,' Shota thought to himself. 'In fact ever since Yamazaki was discovered to have more than Quirk, Nezu has been more interested in the kid. And that's not a good sign. He's just a child, not a soldier.'
While Shota had just found out about the existence of the villain known as All For One hours before, he was confused as to how Nezu would immediately come to the conclusion that Yamazaki was related to him in one way or another.
Although, it did make sense. Multiple unrelated Quirks... that wasn't just 'rare' but downright impossible.
"Thank you..." A woman started with tears in her eyes. Hinata Yamazaki. "Thank you for saving our son!"
"Shota Aizawa, a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Yamazaki-san," Shota replied with a small smile. "And really, don't mention it. I'm his homeroom teacher and a seasoned Hero. If I couldn't do that, then I might as well retire."
Shota watched as the family walked away.
"Take it easy, and remember Yamazaki, there isn't any school until Friday. I recommend some rest as starting after tomorrow, we will be working together to iron out your weaknesses," The boy had the decency to nod, not before giving a wave to Shota as he entered the car. "Really, don't over do it. I'll know… And well done. You did good today, kid. But you'll never have to be the Hero again, not while I'm your teacher. Stay safe."
He watched as Sora's eyes widened.
It was like he wasn't used to being told he had done a good job.
A child who thought his worth was derived by his performances rather than simply existing.
And it wasn't the fault of his adoptive family, no they clearly adored the boy, it was more so a mental issue for Sora Yamazaki. And perhaps that was what intrigued Shota the most as he watched the car leave U.A.
"See ya', sensei!"
Shota's hand twitched, oh how he looked exactly like him.
…
"Lost in thought?"
Nemuri Kayama broke him out of his thoughts as she stood behind him, cigarette in hand. That was one of Nemuri's tell that she was stressed - A nasty habit she had picked up courtesy of Oboro Shirakumo himself when they were Sora's age.
And Shota sighed, digging deep into his pockets to light up his own cigarette.
"One could say that. What's up?" Shota asked his old friend. "...Also you forget that technically we aren't allowed to smoke on the campus. It sets a bad example for our students, we don't them to start picking up our habits, now do we?"
"Says the man smoking."
"What can I say, I'm someone with a penchant for breaking the rules."
Nemuri softly laughed at that.
"I know, Shota. You know it's funny how before that kid joined your class, you never once took teaching that seriously," Nemuri told him. "Ever since you saw him you've been trying to convince Hizashi and me that Oboro Shirakumo had a bastard son right before he died. And we've been trying to convince you otherwise, and now who fucking knows what's going on with that weird kid."
…
"He's not a weird kid."
"Yamazaki's first response to villains threatening his friends was killing them," Nemuri replied. "At the very least you can see the anger issues, no? Or what about the fact that he refused to take accountability? He just brushed it aside. We went to school with kids like him - You know the types, the ones who aren't Heroic at all trying to delude themselves they can be a Hero. They then grow up to become pain's in our arses with their Vogue photoshoots and meet and greets."
"He isn't like that."
"Shota, you barely know the kid," Nemuri said with a sigh. "...Hizashi and some of the other teachers are waiting inside for you. The meeting regarding that student you just waved off, after all he did manage to amputate a villain. Ectoplasm and Sekijiro are calling for his expulsion, and Hizashi didn't like that. Last I heard they were still screaming at each other, Hizashi defending the boy saying he was stuck in a rock and a hard place and that he was not a 'bloodthirsty villain'."
Shota snorted, taking a long drag from his cigarette.
"Is U.A. really that divided over one student?"
"It doesn't help that All Might is also unsure of him. Four Quirks? That's abnormal, while they aren't exactly powerful, they work perfectly together. I can't help but feel like the mystery behind Sora Yamazaki is more complex than we think."
Shota shrugged his shoulders as he reached for his pockets, grabbing the item stored inside.
It was a vial.
A vial of blood.
"Is that…?"
"Yep," Shota answered. "Yamazaki's blood. Took it directly from when Recovery Girl was doing his blood tests. I'll try and find some of Oboro's blood, I think U.A. might still have some."
"...Why?" Nemuri asked him. "Why do you care so much? Oboro Shirakumo has been dead since we were in High School. That was a long time ago, Shota. Don't go chasing the ghosts of the past, because maybe you won't find what you're looking for. You understand that, right? So why do you care so much?"
To be honest he didn't have an answer for the question.
The air was fighting cold, almost bitter.
"Why else? To see if there is a match," Shotaeventually replied. "I need to know if Sora Yamazaki and Oboro Shirakumo are related in any way. To satiate my own curiosity, or perhaps to close a door in a chapter of my life I haven't yet been able to accept - Whatever the reasoning may be is something that ultimately doesn't matter."
"And if there is a match? What will you do then?"
He didn't reply because he himself had no answer for what he would do if that happened.
And perhaps that's why Shota could see why Nemuri was scared for him.
Because he was teetering on the line.
And not even Shota could predict the outcome of what was to come.
"So like, I gathered everyone we knew to go to a picnic tomorrow!" Jiro told me over the phone. It was a video call as she was cleaning one of her guitars while I simply was laying down on my bed. "I hope you're happy with that!"
"Everyone?" I asked in confusion.
"Everyone."
That... that wasn't an answer?!
Jiro could tell as she burst out into a fit of giggles, snorting slightly which made me laugh as well, she paused cleaning her acoustic guitar as I sat up on my bed so that she could see me more clearly before I winced in pain.
Argh.
"You know my stomach hurts, so you making me laugh makes my condition worse. How evil," I managed to say as she shrugged her shoulders. "Don't disregard my injuries! I'll have you know they hurt a lot!"
"Not my fault dude, next time don't set yourself on fire."
"Oi! It's not like I wanted to set myself on fire! It just... spontaneously happened!"
"You spontaneously combusted?!"
I nodded.
"Then wouldn't you be dead? That means you would be a dead idiot. Well actually I can't call you an idiot now, can I?" She said, trailing near the end. "..."
"Why not?"
"...I owe you my life. If anything I'm the idiot, I nearly died and here I am, still in the hero course. Don't you think I should quit-,"
"If you leave, I'll leave as well," I cut her off. "Don't even joke about that."
"Wha-, why? Why would you give up on your dream for a friend? If that's what we even are..."
"Jiro, you really think we aren't friends?" I asked. She didn't answer, but she wasn't opposed to what I asked. "And you call me an idiot. You are right, we aren't just friends. We are best friends, I mean come on? Did you not realise? If you leave U.A., best believe I'm coming after you and will drag you back by force. I mean if I, someone who amputated someone's arm can still be a Hero, then you definitely can."
She opened her mouth, but I didn't allow her to say anything as I continued.
"Shut up and listen alright!? You deserve to be a hero more than me... You have the smile and the heart for this job. Jiro, you are one of the nicest people that I know. So don't forget that, also don't forget you passed the exam. You deserve to be here with me and everyone else, so don't doubt yourself."
"B-but I nearly died! Y-You nearly died for me?!" She cried out over the phone. "How can I just... How can I continue? Aren't I just the worst? Just another pathetic loser, weak and useless. Ugly too. Isn't the only good thing about me my music? No, even then I'm bad-,"
"Bad? If there is anything you are not, it's being bad at music. I mean have you seen me try to sing?" I said with a nostalgic smile. God, I remember it like it was yesterday. Jiro's laughter as she told me to get away from the microphone, it was hard to believe that was only a year ago. "Useless and weak? Jiro, if it wasn't for you we wouldn't have managed to defeat him that first time. I'd be dead for sure!"
"B-But he lived-,"
I cut her off. "That's not the point. You want to go blame someone, blame me. Blame anyone else apart from yourself, because it really isn't your fault. And ugly? Really? Whoever calls you ugly needs to have their eyes checked."
"...You think I'm pretty?"
If I wasn't blushing, I sure was now. "Gah- I mean well... Yeah. You are pretty..."
"You mean it?"
I felt the sudden need to bury my face in my pillows as I nodded once more.
"Well uhm... you are not too bad yourself," Jiro replied, turning away from the camera. "Hehe, I guess we've never really spoken about this before. As friends, I mean."
"Oh come on!? I call you 'pretty' and you say I'm not 'too bad'? Is that it? Really?!" I loudly shouted over the phone as she grew redder and redder, stammering her words out in an incoherent pattern. "Urgh! I shouldn't have shouted, now my stomach is hurting again…"
Jiro sighed at that.
"I-well-you-, I mean... Do you want me to call you handsome? Is that what this is about?" Jiro accused me. "You would take advantage of me explaining my feelings to you to manipulate me!? Are you... you are one of those panty chasers aren't you! O-only talking to girls so y-you can get in their p-pants!"
"What? I've never had a girlfriend in my entire life! Why would I do something so horrible?! OH! I bet you are one of those g-girls that use inexperienced boys to get what they w-want! To have a t-toy at hand!" I retorted. "Yeah, that sounds about right!"
"As if that would be me! I bet you like those girls!"
"And I bet you like those boys!"
For what seemed like eternity, we didn't speak to each other, only stared at each other's eyes. She had deep black eyes, ones that looked rather cute and contrasted her purple hair quite nicely. It was also the opposite to my dark brown eyes.
"So uhm, are you going to speak first?" Jiro asked me.
"I thought that was your job."
"Ha! Isn't it the boys job to lead their girlfriend around?"
"We aren't dating Jiro? What the fuck are you on about?!"
We fell into another uncomfortable silence as our eyes just wouldn't meet. My eyes darted around my room, hoping to catch anything other than her eyes. If I did, I'd probably die of embarrassment. But why?
Why was this so awkward?
"Oh uhm my dad said dinner is ready. See y-you tomorrow..." Jiro suddenly said. Well that was a lie, her door was firmly shut not to mention she had headphones in. But I didn't call her out on it, in fact I supported her. "See ya'!"
"Yeah you go do that. Uhm... I'm going to go. Go play my games I mean. Yeah, I'll go play my games..." I managed to say.
And with that the video call ended as I flopped onto my bed face first. What was that? Am I all right?
What the hell just happened?
Why did my stomach feel weird?!
"So, this is where you went off to," An amused voice said. "Hehe. You dumbass."
Miwa was standing at the door, holding a bowl full of popcorn as she stared at me with an amused look on her face.
"I-, you! How long have you been there for?!"
"Long enough. That was really hard to watch."
I groaned.
"Shut up! Please! Never remind me of that again!"
"Mmh. No problem, I want to bleach my own eyes from that as well. Next time please keep your 'lovers quarrel' under wraps, I could hear you from next door."
"Oi! Don't say that! She is just a friend..."
Miwa sighed, shaking her head at me.
"My dear brother, that's how it always starts."
"What starts? I'm sorry, could you please clear everything up for your brother? He doesn't understand these concepts you see."
"Oh come on, stop speaking in third person. It's not funny, it just makes you sound weird. And you know what I mean, Sora and Jiro sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!"
"Ugh," I replied, gagging slightly. "Please don't put that image in my mind, I'd rather kiss you if I'm being honest."
"So you would rather kiss me, someone you see as a sister? Kinky. Didn't peg you as the type, but you know we aren't blood related..."
I stared blankly at her.
"We both know what I meant, stop being so difficult. Jiro is my best friend! I view her the same way I view you."
"Dear brother, you just said you would kiss me! I must say I'm flattered, however I do not wish for our relationship to delve further into the 'forbidden' side of things. That was unless I was a boy, then I'd tell you to proceed even further."
I sighed.
"Get your weird fantasies outta' here, Miwa."
"Boys Love isn't weird! You are the weird one! I promise you, if you just read one of them you will love it! I have a collection in my room, I'll go give you my favourite one-,"
I cut her off as I chucked my cushion at her.
"Piss off."
"That's not nice," Miwa commented. "Meanie."
"I'm not a nice person."
"Yes you are, you are like a small little teddy bear. Very warm and cuddly, short as well. Did I mention that you are short?"
I rolled my eyes at her antics. When will they ever learn, I haven't had my growth spurt yet! I mean sure, five foot four at basically sixteen isn't favourable. But I could reach five foot eight... it wasn't impossible!
"Please, I do not need your 'boys love' or any type of devious content."
"What are you a virgin?"
"That is exactly what I am, dear sister of mine, so please do not bring that filth inside my room."
"And if I brought in 'regular' porn would you enjoy the content?"
"Gah," Aw shit, she got me there. "Well-, I mean that is an entirely different matter. But why would you bring porn inside my room? What are you, a closeted pervert? Should I start to call you 'Master Roshi'?"
Miwa shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't get that reference to your sad Shonen manga. So instead, let me put it this way: I'm a fairy who tries to pursue a cheerful eroticism every now and then."
I blinked owlishly at her.
"And tell me, how is that any better?"
"It isn't."
I sighed as she picked up the cushion I threw at her off the floor, lobbing it on my bed.
"Toodles, I'll wake you up extra early for the picnic tomorrow. Especially since you are injured, we wouldn't want you to oversleep because of your injuries," Miwa told me. "So you make sure that you rest, or else I'll kick your arse."
"You're going? Do you know who else is coming?" I asked.
She shrugged her shoulders.
"Nope, but we will see, am I right?"
I sighed as she closed my door shut. Just... just what the hell was that now? I mean speaking to Jiro had never resulted in that before. I mean it was like... it was like...
Nah, I'm getting ahead of myself.
There is no way she would like me in that way. We were friends, close friends in fact. But then... did I-, Nope! I wasn't going to think like that, it was impossible! I mean first of all, we were only fifteen, so it didn't mean anything-,
But it was April-,
Wait, that meant I was turning sixteen in three weeks...
Sixteen?!
Sixteen years in my new life.
Or rather, sixteen years in my life. Huh... sixteen. I was that old, thirty three mentally if you count my previous seventeen years of age from my previous life. But that was… That didn't count. I mean for one, I only died technically nearly a year older than me right now.
And that was a horribly tragic statistic.
I died as a kid.
Either way, there was no way that Jiro did not like me, it was probably just meant to be a joke which I took the wrong way. Heh, even now I'm sort of the same idiot I have always been. I'm surprised she has stuck being my friend with all my faults...
Then and again everyone has stuck with me.
Maybe I should get them all a gift?
Wait... That would cost a lot of money.
And I'm basically broke meaning I'd have to burrow a lot of money to be able to even afford getting everyone presents. But that meant borrowing money from the people that I was going to buy presents for…
That's a thought. I broke out into a small laughing fit as I sat up straight, leaning on the wall as I stared outside my window.
The city was peaceful at night. Instead of bustling streets, filled with people from all walks of life and going around and living their life, you could see only faint traces of people walking by. Streets that used to be filled with traffic were now empty, with every minute or two a car breaking the empty silence.
I wouldn't call myself a country boy, but I really did find something happy about the silence that can be found in the city sometimes. I opened up my window, leaning on the outside. Unfortunately, Japanese buildings had no fire escape.
So if there was a fire, you were screwed. Luckily, beneath my room was a garage and right next to it was where all the bins were located. It was really easy to climb inside my room from the outside, so if there was a fire I had a secure escape method.
Just jump down.
It helped that we were only on the second floor, which wasn't that high up. And if I used my Quirk to ensure a safe landing, well I'd come out unscathed at least. It was times like this that made me really want to explore the city at the dead of night. I mean I wasn't old enough to go to the night clubs, or a bar for that matter. The only thing I would be able to do is plug in my headphones, grab my bike and just ride around the city.
Which wasn't a bad idea.
However as of now I was injured, so I put a pin on that idea for later.
Bzzt.
My phone vibrated.
Jiro: I'm sorry
Jiro: For everything I said
Jiro: And making it awkward with a bad joke
Jiro: If you are wondering I don't like you
Jiro: Just wanted to clear that up
I stared at my phone screen for what seemed like an eternity. So I was right, she doesn't like me. Well it didn't sting me as much as it should have, and that's probably because I don't like Jiro in a romantic way either. Our relationship was strictly platonic, and I wanted it to be kept that way for as long as I could.
Jiro: I can see u have read it
Jiro: If u don't want to reply that's fine
You: No I need to apologise as well
You: I was kinda childish
You: Sorry
Jiro: But I was more childish
You: This isn't a competition
You: You won't win a prize
Jiro: I know silly
Jiro: :p
You: You almost turn 16 in 3 months
You: Act your age
Jiro: Uhm excuse me?
Jiro: I'm not the one turning 16 in less than a month
Jiro: Maybe I should start calling you old man?
You: Ha funny
You: I almost forgot to laugh
Jiro: :/
Jiro: Ha ha
Jiro: I bet you think you are so funny
You: Funnier than you at least
You: Which isn't hard tbh
Jiro: UHM WHAT?!
Jiro: I'm funny
You: In your dreams
Jiro: In my dreams?
Jiro: Oh your on
Jiro: Tomorrow
Jiro: I'll make sure everyone knows that I'm funnier than you
You: Bring it
You: Biatch
Jiro: O
Jiro: Did you just swear?
Jiro: Hold on I'm calling the police on you
Jiro: Hero's don't swear
You: I'll be the Swearing Hero: Mother Fucker
Jiro: See your jokes are actually just not funny
Jiro: I was being sarcastic the entire time
Jiro: And you took me seriously
You: Oh
Jiro took a screenshot of the chat
Jiro: Evidence
You: Got me in 4k
You: Damn
Jiro: Heh
Jiro: Get some sleep
Jiro: If I hear that you were playing RPGs all night
Jiro: I'll break all the games you own
You: Monster
You: Do that and I'll burn all your album records
Jiro: I'll kill you if you so much as touch them
You: Ooooh scaryyyy
You: I'm quaking in my boots
You: Aren't you like 5'1?
You: Relax yourself
Jiro: Funny you mention height
Jiro: Are you even 5"5 yet?
Jiro: Pretty short for a soon to be 16 year old
You: Oi
You: I'm not short
Jiro: Pipsqueak
You: DON'T CALL ME PIPSQUEAK
Jiro: Heh
Jiro: I'm sorry
Jiro: For you not being tall
You: I'm taller than you
Jiro: In your dreams
Jiro: We are the same height
You: Now that's a lie
You: I thought you said you hate liars?
Jiro: I also hate short people
Jiro: Yet here we are
You: ...
You: Ya know you are not funny
You: Like not at all
Jiro: Yeah yeah
Jiro: Goodnight Sora
I stared at my screen, debating whether I should respond or not. I... I don't know if these feelings I had for her were genuine or not. Love or some other random bullshit. Frankly, I was scared, scared of finding out. Jiro meant a lot to me as a friend - That was all there was to it. Nothing more, and nothing less just a simple friendship between a boy and a girl.
You: Goodnight
I threw my phone opposite my bed as I laid down, heavily sighing. Just what the hell was wrong with me? Huh? I raised my only free hand towards the ceiling. It was a crazy day, and I was pretty tired. But I couldn't not think about everything that just happened.
Zero... Shigaraki... Fourteenth.
What did it all mean? How were they all connected?
My four Quirks, two passive and two aggressive I suppose. How did I get them? Was it All For One, or was it somebody or something else?
Who were my biological parents?
It seems like I got more questions than answers today.
But I will be ready next time. Zero, Shigaraki and even All For One were all going down. They wouldn't harm not one hair on anyone else's head, I'd stop them. Not just me, but Class A as a whole.
That I could promise.
It was a nice day.
Perfect for a picnic, now I had woken up early once I realised the people attending likely didn't know how to cook, or rather they weren't going to bring food so it meant that I'd have to try and make food for everyone. With the help of Miwa and Hinata, I made a few bento boxes. Were they perfect?
No. They had no 'personalisation' that other bento boxes seem to have.
It would be a pain to carry them around, even when I was injured as Miwa refused to carry them. Hmpf. Spoiled brat, sure let's all make life harder for the injured boy who nearly died, what a great idea!
I digress, it really wasn't hurting me. But that was probably due to the painkillers Recovery Girl gave to Hinata for me to have in the morning, so come nighttime I'd probably regret this.
But the weather was nice.
Although I wondered what park we were going to in order for this weather to be warranted, at least that was the question I asked Jiro once she met with Miwa and myself at the train station. She was wearing a navy sundress along with a leather jacket and black boots. She was also holding a bag filled with bento boxes, which made me wonder just how many people were attending?
"The weather?" I asked her. "Is it that important?"
"Yes," Jiro replied. "Why wouldn't it be?"
"Huh... Well, they do call me Mister Sunshine. Or they did back in third grade, apparently my smile was as bright as the sun."
"Sorry? Mister Dumb Swine?" A new voice interjected.
A voice I didn't recognise.
Along with Yaoyorozu came along a girl I had never seen before.
She had dark green hair and dark green eyes, along with being slightly shorter than me which pleased me slightly. She was helping Yaoyorozu carry a bunch of... bento boxes. What was this, a bento box hell?! Anyway, she looked at me with the most curious look in her eyes. She looked like a rose whose petals were made out of thorns, too.
"Setsuna Tokage. Pleasure to meet you..." The girl introduced. She was wearing a light pink blouse, an orange jacket and a pair of baggy denims. She gave me the peace sign instead of waving, so I had to give her points for that at least. "What's your name?"
"Sora Yamazaki." I supplied. "Good to meet you as well I suppose." I then turned to Jiro as I whispered to the girl, "Just who the hell did you invite? Who the hell is she? Are there gonna be any more 'surprise' appearances like this? What's next, will Aizawa-sensei come out holding some bento boxes?"
Jiro giggled at me.
"Relax. Tokage is coming because she and Yaoyorozu became friends during the recommended entrance exam. Apparently, she walked up to Yaoyorozu and demanded they be friends. So Yaoyorozu asked if I could invite her, and since she is in Class B I wasn't exactly going to decline. I'm sort of curious as to what Class B is like."
"So you are using a picnic dedicated to me to network?" I was confused about that. "How brutal."
She rolled her eyes at my antics.
"As if this is about you. This is about U.A. as a whole, don't get it twisted."
"...She called me 'Mister dumb swine'. That hurt my feelings," I told Jiro who shrugged her shoulders. "...Can you beat her up for me?"
"You are a big boy now, don't come running to me for your problems. Sort them out yourself."
"But you were the one that invited her!"
"Ehrm, no, that was Yaoyorozu. I just said she was welcome to come."
"Same thing!"
"Uhm, Sora it really isn't. Stop acting like a child, she won't bite," Jiro said, pointing at Setsuna Tokage who was still staring at me curiously. It felt like I was being studied from top to bottom, which was an experience I hadn't been through before I guess. "Go and say hello, properly! She seems nice."
…
I walked over to Setsuna Tokage and waved friendly at her.
"Uhm hello, Tokage-,"
But she cut me off with a snort.
"I'm sorry, your name is Bakazak right?"
…
Bakazaki meant rugged idiot.
Tsk.
"It's Yamazaki," I corrected politely. "Written with the kanji for mountain promissory. You know, something high up in the sky like on Mount Fuji-,
"Ah right, Zakiyami-,"
"That wasn't even close. You said my name backwards, are you trying to get it wrong on purpose? What kind of person are you? We just met? Don't you care about first impressions?"
She shrugged her shoulders.
"Listen... Yamanashi-,"
"It's Yamazaki! Yamanashi is a mountain, do I look like a mountain to you? Huh?! Do I really?"
She looked at me for a moment, as if she was mulling the question over.
"Huh. Well now that you mention it, you are far too short to be a mountain. Maybe an ant hill? Arizaki then? A pleasure to meet you, Arizaki."
"..."
I just didn't respond. Especially when she put 'Ari' in front of my name, which meant ant. She basically called me an ant. God, what the hell did I do to deserve this huh? Maybe being non-religious was starting to bite me in the ass.
Both Yaoyorozu and Jiro were stunned by the girl's remarks, while Miwa was trying not to die of laughter. Good to know at least she was enjoying herself. Even if it was at my expense, but then again that's how younger sisters usually are!
"I'm sorry that was rude of me..." Tokage started. At first I thought she was genuinely trying to come up with a witty retort, but as it turned out she just forgot my name. Ha, it happens to the best of us. Maybe she really was forgetful? "What's your name again?"
"...It's Yamazaki-,"
"That's right! Miyazaki!"
Gah!
I didn't respond as I stared at the girl blankly. She didn't forget! She was just pulling a prank on me all along! Or rather she was verbally abusing me, but why? What the hell did I do to deserve this?! I couldn't even think of a response as she smirked at me, sticking out her tongue as if she beat me.
"...Uhm, well if we are all acquainted then we should go to the park-,"
"Why don't we all go get milkshakes?" Tokage asked. "There is a place like a minute from here. Lastly one has to pay for them!"
And with that she ran off... not before dumping all the bento boxes she had been holding onto me. Miwa quickly raced after her, leaving only Yaoyorozu, Jiro and myself alone at the train station. I looked towards Yaoyorozu, who looked at me with a guilty expression, before moving on to stare at Jiro who looked dumbfounded as to what had just happened.
"...You guys can go ahead," I broke the silence. "I think she wants me to pay."
And here I thought I was supposed to be broke as hell, but I knew that if I didn't pay Miwa would be onto me. She'd probably say something along the lines of, 'You are the only man here, it's only fair if you pay for the milkshakes unless you are less than a man' or something along those lines.
That was the curse of being born as a male.
Eventually we met up with Tokage and Miwa, who had ordered four milkshakes. One for each of the girls, and had bought me a water bottle because according to Tokage, "I simply didn't know what you would like."
I was quickly regretting the day, I mean honestly. Who was Setsuna Tokage? What kind of parents raised a girl like that? She was more of a gorilla than a girl!
Although I didn't let her hear me say that, just in case she decided to make my day even worse. Eventually I of course had to pay the bill, which totalled up to seven thousand, three hundred and forty two Yen. I could feel my wallet shrinking, and crying in defeat as I gave the cash to the clerk, who seemed to think I was dating all these girls at once as he gave me a jealous look.
That couldn't be further from the truth.
Honestly.
We then made our way to the park, with Tokage continuously going off at me. Miwa joined the fray as she revealed 'embarrassing' stories about me as a child, like me being afraid of ghosts. Wait no, I was still afraid of ghosts-,
"Sora! Buddy, you made it!"
Kaminari came running towards me with a bright grin on his face. I had half a mind to warn him to escape from here as fast as he could, to escape! But then I saw a familiar purple midget come along, who looked at Tokage with a hungry look in his eyes. Well not hungry; more curious as to 'who this new hot chick' is. But I had to tell him, never stick your dick in crazy! Wake up Mineta! You can do so much better!
We all sat down as we waited for more people to arrive. When Jiro said she invited everyone, she wasn't joking. She sent out invites to all of Class A, and even some of our old middle school friends. When Shirou, Sakura and Keiko all started to join the picnic I nearly fainted. Shirou, Kaminari and Mineta would be a deadly mix.
It would be like the three musketeers, only filled with degenerates.
Instead of fighting for maidenhood, they'd be fighting against it.
And with Tokage's sharp tongue, paired with Sakura's loose lips.
This was beginning to look like hell.
Had I died? Was this my punishment? Please, anyone, I'll be a good Samaritan in my next life! Please save me! Please!
"Huh, so he replaced you with me?" Shirou asked Kaminari.
"Huh, I wasn't aware Sora had a friend like you before me?! He never told me any of this," Kaminari blonde boy lamented.
"That's ;cause we thought besides Jiro, he had no other friends!" Mineta said.
"Ah, that's true!" Kaminari shouted.
Shirou laughed.
"Ha, you aren't wrong there. Our little bundle of clouds never had many friends! In fact many people were afraid of him."
Oh god! Was this going where I think it was going?!
"What do you mean? Why were people afraid of Sora?" Midoriya asked, confused. Uraraka nodded her head as she agreed with the green haired boy. "...Just how was he in middle school?"
"Mmh! Sora doesn't seem mean. Why would people not want to be friends with him?" Uraraka added. "He seems like he's a bunch of fun!"
"Yeah! Yamazaki is a manly man! He tried to fight all those villains by himself!" Kirishima added. "Shouldn't he have been the coolest person to come from your middle school?!"
Keiko and Sakura shared a look as Saki and Makoto giggled. Jiro looked at me apologetically, no doubt she didn't realise what would happen if she brought all these people together. And judging how half the class was transfixed, half the class that showed up at least.
Some like Todoroki and Tokoyami were unable to come, while others like Bakugo just refused to show up.
"Well what was he? Some type of delinquent?" Mina Ashido asked, in a joking tone of course. Everyone around her laughed, with even Tsuyu Asui making a scathing remark about me being a bad delinquent. "Come on, spill!"
But when no one told Mina that she was wrong...
"No way, Sora was a delinquent?!"
"S-Sora-san?!"
"What? I've been friends with a delinquent?! So when he said he'd beat me up..."
"Hm, according to research bad boys attract more girls!"
"Didn't see that one coming, kero."
I sighed as I laid down on the grass.
"Yeah yeah, I was what you would call a 'delinquent'. But it wasn't like that, I promise."
Shirou scoffed.
"Come off it, you were known as a 'Demon of Class E'. If one person tried to mess with you, they would regret it. There was even a rumour that you could steal students' souls, and feed them to the devil."
I scowled at Shirou as I flipped him off.
"Here, take this instead."
"...Uhm Sora, were you really...?" Mina asked, unsure of how she should phrase it.
"Him? a delinquent? Yeah right, and shorty over there is a ladies man," Tokage remarked. "My mother told me it wasn't good to lie."
"Oi I am a ladies man! I'll have you know I have had three girlfriends in my life!" Mineta exclaimed.
No one believed him
"Yes. I was the 'Demon of Class E', but that's been put behind me. Who I am now, and who I was back then are two very different people. It's like comparing apples and pears, or cucumbers and oranges? You catch my drift?"
"So then why didn't you tell us, kero?" Tsuyu asked me.
"Because," Jiro answered I could. "Sora here thought you would judge him for it. He's always been like that for some odd reason, and no matter what we keep on trying to tell him, he just won't listen."
…
Hm.
"That's right, onii-chan has always been annoying like that," Saki added. "I remember one time he was really worried for me that he tried to stalk me and protect me from someone, despite the fact that I was in no danger at all."
"Or that time where he went out of his way to help mend Sakura and I's relationship! So much so in fact he forced me to bunk a school trip in order to speak to me one on one. And then he took all of my entire punishment with a smile!" Keiko reminisced, Sakura bobbing her head as she did so. "Fun times!"
"Or the fact that Sora regularly beat up my bullies!" Miwa said with a nostalgic smile. "He really fought with anyone who looked the wrong way at me. It was quite embarrassing having a brother like that."
I was probably red as they continued to tell everyone else about my exploits.
"Oh! Remember when he told that stuck up bitch that she was basically a whore when she tried to talk shit to Jiro! Fun times, apparently she's now pregnant?" Sakura said. I couldn't hold it anymore as I burst out laughing, catching everyone else off guard. "What? Do you find teenage pregnancies funny or something? Weirdo."
"I'm sorry," I managed to say in between laughing. "It's just I find it very funny that you are all so interested in my exploits when I was younger."
"Exploits?" Tokage sarcastically asked. "This is a cave filled with diamonds! Please, continue telling us stories about Shamanzaki!"
"It's Yamazaki," I corrected, but it fell upon deaf ears. "Get it right, bitch!"
"What else did you do, oh fabled 'demon'?!" Mina asked me.
"Yeah, I want to know, were you always a Hero like this?" Uraraka asked, interested.
"H-hold on," I said. "Hero? Uhm, I was a 'delinquent' not a Hero."
"But you did all these things for your friends, isn't that what a Hero is, kero?" Tsuyu asked me.
"I'm sure anyone would do what I did-,"
"Bro, not everyone is as cool as you!" Kaminari interrupted me. "I can't believe I'm friends with someone like you!"
I rolled my eyes at his comment. How was beating up people cool? However my complaints went nowhere as more and more people started to ask Miwa if I was always like this. But I wasn't, there was tons of selfishness inside me.
Someone who couldn't even see humans as humans.
Tsk.
"Yep! Ever since I first met him after he came from the orphanage, he was always like this. Although... there was a period where he was mean, he was just trying to look out for me, I'm sure!"
I scoffed. That was my 'edgy' phase, I'd rather not think about it.
Like ever again.
"Ah! Remember when he used to sleep in lessons, and eat sweets?!" Shirou shouted. "Those were the days man..."
"...So you were like this even in your middle school! Such shameful behaviour Yamazaki!" Iida scolded me. "Have you not grown up since then?!
"Wait, he still does that stuff?" Miwa frowned as she hit my arm rather forcefully. "I thought you would have grown up by now! I told you not to eat your sweets until break or lunch time! Don't make me tell Mum and Gekko!"
"Ouch... I'm still injured you know!" I screamed at the orange haired girl as I clutched my arm in pain. Fuck that hurt! The painkillers must have worn off. "You know, maybe you should be thrown into a pit of wolves to see how much it hurts!"
"Oh boo-hoo, you got a little scratch. Want me to kiss it better? You did say you wanted to kiss me last night."
I probably blushed at that.
"I-, you-, I did not say that you hellish fiend! I said I'd rather kiss you over kiss Jiro!"
"So you admit to saying you would kiss me, your sister?" Miwa said innocently. "In front of everyone here too? You really are a strange guy. But I will always reject your proposal, since you are my brother."
"No, that's-, ARGH! Why are you picking on me?!"
"Wait, why did the conversation involve you kissing me?!" Jiro asked me, completely red. "What the fuck is this conversation?!"
"Wait, don't ask me! It was her! Miwa said that we should be kissing on top of a tree! Blame her, not me!"
Miwa grinned cheekily at me, winking slightly.
"I don't remember saying something like that..."
"Yes you did! I heard you!"
"But you have no evidence!"
"Your face is enough evidence you little devil!"
Sakura snorted.
"Ah, the irony of you calling someone 'small'."
"Fuck you!" I said with a middle finger. "Fuck all of you!
"Did you just insinuate that you wanted to completely ravage Sakura right here and now in front of everyone? What a sexual deviant you are, tsk tsk," Tokage remarked with a smirk. "Oh, don't look at me with your lecherous gaze. I might start feeling unsafe, Bakazaki. You wouldn't hurt any woman here, now would you?"
"..."
Kaminari and Shirou laughed at my expense, as Mineta glared at me. Probably wishing all these girls were bullying him, what an odd fellow. He probably was a closeted masochist or something. Still I couldn't help it when Shirou threw his right arm around me, making me wheeze out for help as he hit my bad side.
"Let's cheer for Sora Yamazaki, the world's greatest idiot!"
Ha funny. Let's all laugh at my expense.
But not even I could stop the smile from forming on my face.
Chapter 13 is now done! A more lighthearted chapter with a few questions posed at the beginning, which I assure you has plausible answers! As to the 'mystery fourth' Quirk, let's just say it has already been shown multiple times before this chapter. If you can guess it, congrats, you have officially solved 1/4 of the puzzle going forwards.
Now onto Yamazaki's corner, where I answer all your questions!
Brocole07:
Hope I answered some of the questions you asked! Now it was a ton of fun to write let me tell you that for free, it was extremely fun to just think about how the fight would go and then writing it was also a ton of fun. Hopefully you all felt it through my writing!
Guest:
Well I did try at least to question the morality of being isekai'd, I mean to me it's an important aspect that isn't touched enough in works.
13thDiscipleOfIna:
...That was the point lmao
KyaahBoaHancock:
Thank you for the support! Hopefully this chapter had better spelling and grammar? Man, I cannot wait for when I have enough time to overhual each and every chapter. That is going to be a ton of fun! (And a ton of time)
...
And that is it for this chapter! I reckon two or three more lighthearted chapters then I'll head into the Sports Festival, which will probably be 6-7 chapters long. Maybe shorter? I don't actually know, or I won't know until I actually write it out.
Oh and Setsuna Tokage, I think she is cool :P and she has an important role in the future. However she definitely doesn't like Sora for some odd reason, maybe we will find out, maybe we won't? Originally I was supposed to introduce her in the sports festival, but it felt right teasing her a bit here. After all, 1B has some close ties to Sora when you think about it.
Anyway, see ya'!
Next time:
"What do you mean a cat has gone missing in school? Don't you know I'm allergic to cat fur?! What if I die? Huh? Tell me?!"