Disclaimer:
Hey there! Thanks for checking out my fanfiction! I just want to make it super clear that I'm just a regular fan who loves to write stories for fun. None of this is for profit or anything like that. It's all just for entertainment, pure and simple. So, if you're enjoying the read, awesome! But please remember, I'm not making any money off of it. I am just sharing my love for these characters and worlds. Thanks for understanding! Happy reading!
ISitting cross-legged on the floor, I rolled a Rubik's cube between my fingers, watching it break apart and reassemble in a blur of colors. Overhaul's quirk made this whole thing feel like child's play, deconstructing and reconstructing the cube in seconds. But this wasn't just some mindless hobby—I was analyzing every little bit of Overhaul's ability, trying to understand the quirk on a deeper level.
It was wild how precise it was. Changing the molecular structure of objects, rearranging them in real-time, and even bringing living things back together like it was nothing. The limits of what Overhaul could do were pretty insane if you really thought about it. I'd already tested out healing some cuts, rearranging matter, that kind of stuff. But there was always more, always another layer of potential.
I flicked my fingers, watching the cube break apart mid-air before snapping back together perfectly. Could I push this quirk even further? I thought, staring at the cube. Turning it into a curse technique wasn't completely out of the question. I'd done it with other abilities before—using Snatch, stripping away raw power and converting it into cursed energy. But converting something like a quirk? That was on a whole different level.
Would it work? I wondered, my mind drifting. Quirks were biological, tied to the very fabric of someone's existence. Turning that into a curse technique could give me an edge, something even more deadly than what I already had. I sighed, shaking the thought out of my head. Nah, screw it. I've already got enough firepower to wipe out continents. No need to add another nuke to the arsenal.
Overhaul was good as it was. I didn't need to mess with it. Besides, I wasn't about to turn into some quirk-obsessed maniac like Chisaki. I'd rather keep things simple.
I tossed the Rubik's cube aside, watching it land perfectly on the table, and turned my attention to the pile of papers in front of me. Enrollment forms. I was planning to sign Eri up for school, but finding a place where she'd be safe? That was the real challenge. There was only one place I could think of that would guarantee her protection—the U.A. High.
The problem was that Eri's past wasn't exactly clean. Her connection to Kai Chisaki and his underground operation was something I couldn't risk getting out of. I'd have to scrub any trace of her involvement with the Shie Hassaikai, and there was only one person who could handle that kind of cleanup. Time to summon Cyborg again.
I activated the Summoner's Bond, bringing Cyborg into the room. He materialized with that familiar look of "I know you're about to ask me for some sketchy favor." Before he could even say anything, I cut to the chase.
"Look, I need you to wipe all records of Eri's connection to Chisaki and his organization. Anything that links her to that mess? Gone. I can't have U.A. digging into her past either."
Cyborg crossed his arms, clearly not thrilled. "You do realize this is the second time you've asked me to pull something shady, right?"
I shrugged. "Yeah, and? It's not like I'm doing this for fun. I'm trying to give her a normal life."
He let out a sigh, running a hand over his metal face. "You always have a reason, don't you? Fine, I'll do it. But you owe me one."
"Fair enough," I said, leaning back. "Besides, I had you research all the shady stuff the HSPC's been up to, didn't I? You know why I'm asking."
Cyborg paused, his expression shifting slightly. I could tell he wasn't happy about what he found. The Hero Public Safety Commission had skeletons in their closet, and once I'd shown him all the dirty laundry, it wasn't hard to see why I didn't trust them. They'd done worse things than Chisaki, but they were sitting on a throne of lies while pretending to be heroes.
He finally nodded. "Yeah, you're right. The HSPC is rotten to the core. But you've gotta be careful. This Nezu guy is a super-genius, right? He's going to be harder to fool than the rest of them."
I rolled my eyes. "Tell me about it. That rat's smart as hell. I need to make sure there's no evidence linking to Chisaki, otherwise Nezu'll sniff it out my lies in no time."
Cyborg sighed again, his metal fingers tapping against his arm. "You really know how to make my job fun, huh?"
I grinned.
With a small shake of his head, Cyborg got to work, scanning the files and wiping away any traces of Eri's past. I leaned back, my mind spinning with thoughts of what was next. U.A. was a great option for Eri, but I wasn't naive. Even with all this data scrubbing, there was always a chance something could slip through the cracks.
But for now, I was putting my trust in Cyborg's abilities—and hoping Nezu wouldn't be able to outsmart us. Though knowing my luck, that little rat's probably already a step ahead.
While Cyborg worked, I started thinking about how far we'd come since taking Eri in. I'd managed to keep her safe, set up a new home, and even trolled Shigaraki in a PvP game. Life wasn't half bad. All I had to do now was keep things smooth. And maybe, just maybe, I'd finally catch a break.
Yeah, right.
Kaina Tsutsumi POV
It had been three weeks since Kaina Tsutsumi met Kazuya Akiyama, and she was still caught between two worlds—one where she accepted his offer, and one where she kept her distance, unsure of the teenager's true intentions. In the suffocating confines of Tartarus, there wasn't much else to do but think. And she'd been doing a lot of thinking.
Sitting on the cold concrete floor of her cell, Kaina leaned back against the wall, her eyes staring up at the ceiling as her mind drifted over the same thoughts she'd been circling for weeks now. Kazuya. His name echoed in her head, tangled up with doubt, curiosity, and something she hadn't felt in a long time—hope.
When he first approached her, Kaina had been skeptical. She wasn't an easy person to fool, and after everything she'd seen, sincerity was a rare commodity. And yet, there was something in Kazuya's words, in his demeanor, that had felt... real. He wasn't part of the HPSC—she was certain of that. His attitude toward the Commission, his casual disdain for their actions, told her as much. But that didn't mean she could rule out other possibilities.
Was he a spy? Someone sent by the villains to recruit her? The thought crossed her mind more than once. She'd been in this game long enough to know that deception often wore the mask of kindness. Yet, every time she started to lean into that suspicion, she'd remember the look in his eyes when he talked about his sister. The way his voice softened when he mentioned protecting her. And, of course, that slip when he'd accidentally asked her out. She couldn't shake the memory—it had been so human, so... sincere.
Sincere. The word felt strange in her mind. Kaina had long forgotten what that even looked like. After years of being a tool for the HPSC, being used to maintain their "order" through bloodshed, the concept of genuineness had become alien to her. Her time as an assassin had stripped away any illusions of honesty, replacing them with cold pragmatism. And yet, Kazuya had brought it back, if only for a brief moment.
She sat up, running a hand through her long purple hair, her expression darkening with uncertainty. How long has it been since I saw someone that genuine? The question gnawed at her. She could tell Kazuya wasn't just some arrogant kid relying on his quirk to get by. He wasn't naive either—there wasn't a single trace of that fairy-tale belief that the world was all sunshine and rainbows. No, Kazuya knew. She could see it in his eyes. He was fully aware of how messed up things were, and he didn't try to sugarcoat it.
That was what made her pause. Usually, someone who came to her with promises or requests had ulterior motives. She'd learned to sniff out a schemer or a snake from miles away, and yet with Kazuya... there was none of that. He didn't hide behind false promises or grand speeches. He was blunt, direct, and unashamed of who he was.
But still... Kaina shook her head again, trying to clear the fog of doubt. What if I'm wrong? It wasn't like her to let her guard down so easily, and she worried that her time in Tartarus had dulled her instincts. Was she making this up in her head? Was her isolation clouding her judgment? Maybe she was desperate for something to believe in after so long, and she was just projecting that onto Kazuya.
And yet, every time her mind started to twist itself into knots of paranoia, that memory of his sincerity shone through like a beacon. The way he talked about Eri, the way he dismissed the HPSC's authority without a second thought—he wasn't like anyone she'd encountered before. He wasn't a pawn of the system, and he wasn't interested in revolution or overthrowing the world. But there was something... something about him that felt different.
All Kaina had ever wanted was a stable society, one that didn't need bloodshed to keep itself standing. She knew it was a dream, an unattainable goal in a world that thrived on violence and corruption. But in Kazuya, she saw a flicker of something else. Not a revolution, not a leader calling for upheaval. No, Kazuya wasn't the type. She could see that much in him. But what she did see was an idea. An idea that, if given the right opportunity, could spark a wildfire.
Am I crazy? Kaina thought to herself, her brows furrowing. Was she making up some grand story in her head, attaching meaning to a teenager's request because she was tired of sitting in this damn prison? Maybe. But her gut was telling her otherwise. And if there was one thing Kaina had learned to trust over the years, it was her instincts.
This kid's got something. Something that might just lead to the dream she'd long thought was impossible. She didn't know exactly what it was, but she could feel it. Something about Kazuya was different. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized she wanted to see where it led.
Finally, Kaina exhaled, leaning back against the wall with a small, resigned smile. I've made up my mind. She would accept Kazuya's offer. Whether or not she'd regret it? Only time would tell. But something deep inside her told her this was the right choice.
She could only hope she wasn't wrong.
Kazuya's POV
Sitting in Nezu's office with Eri beside me and Aizawa across the room, I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down. The air was thick with curiosity and maybe a hint of suspicion. Nezu, ever the sharp-eyed rodent mastermind, tapped his paws on the desk, breaking the silence.
"I must admit," he began, his voice calm but probing, "I don't fully understand why you would want to enroll your younger sister in our school, considering we are primarily a high school for heroics."
I leaned back slightly in the chair, keeping my expression casual. I knew this was coming. "Yeah, I get that," I said, glancing at Eri for a moment before turning back to him. "But it's not about the age, or even the heroics. It's about her quirk. 'Rewind.'"
That word—Rewind—instantly grabbed their attention. Nezu's eyes narrowed in interest, and even Aizawa, who'd been half-slouched in his seat like he was barely listening, straightened up.
"Rewind?" Nezu echoed, tilting his head slightly. "Please clarify."
I nodded, expecting the question. "Eri's quirk lets her rewind the state of anything she touches. It's powerful, but she can't control it. At its worst, she could rewind someone to the point of nonexistence. That's why I want her at U.A." I paused, giving the words time to sink in. "You guys are the only ones who can actually help her learn control."
The room stayed silent for a beat, the weight of what I'd said hanging in the air. They were both processing the gravity of Eri's quirk, especially the danger it posed. But I could tell they were also wondering what my angle was. So, I decided to throw them a bone.
"To give you a better idea," I said, cracking my neck like I was gearing up for a fight, "let me show you how I handle it." I activated my Shikigami Architect ability, and in an instant, Black Demon Asta appeared beside me. The sight of the demonic knight standing there in all his cursed, black-clad glory didn't exactly put Nezu or Aizawa at ease—if anything, their eyebrows shot up higher.
"This," I pointed to Asta, "is one of my shikigamis. His ability is to nullify quirks completely, like flipping a switch. I created him specifically for Eri's sake, to stop her quirk from running wild if she ever lost control."
Nezu leaned forward, intrigued. "Nullifying quirks, you say?"
I shrugged, downplaying it a little. "Yeah, though it's not permanent or anything. Just enough to keep things in check. But here's the catch—Asta only lasts for two minutes if something happens to me. If I'm out, he's gone, and Eri's left vulnerable. That's why I'm asking for help."
There was a slight shift in the room as the pieces clicked together for both of them. Aizawa, who had been watching me with that deadpan look of his, exchanged a glance with Nezu. They were both smart enough to understand the stakes now.
"I see," Nezu said slowly. "You want Eri here at U.A. so that if the worst happens, we can step in, particularly Aizawa's quirk to nullify hers."
"Exactly," I nodded. "I can't guarantee I'll be around 24/7, and if things go sideways, I need to know she's in good hands. Eraserhead's the only one who can handle it if Asta's not around."
Aizawa's eyes flickered with understanding, but there was still something in his gaze. He didn't fully trust me yet. Not that I blamed him.
Nezu, however, wasn't done. "While your reasoning is compelling, I still don't understand why you're set on U.A., specifically. Surely there are other schools—"
I cut him off by dropping a thick stack of files onto the desk, each folder landing with a heavy thud. "Yeah, about that," I said, smirking slightly. "I've done my research. Every other school with students who have remarkable quirks? They've all got a track record of kids going missing. U.A. is the only place with a clean slate."
I sat back, watching as both Nezu and Aizawa opened the files. Their eyes skimmed the pages, but I could see the tension rising as they read more. Nezu's normally calm expression shifted slightly, and even Aizawa's frown deepened. I didn't need to be a mind-reader to see they were rattled.
"I'm not stupid enough to think those crimes were coincidences," I added, keeping my voice low but firm. "There's a pattern, and I had my people—well, one person—dig into it. All those kids had quirks that were either incredibly powerful or useful for things like espionage or assassination. U.A. might be a hero school, but it's the only place where I know she'll be safe from that."
Aizawa set down one of the files and fixed me with a hard look. "How did you get all this information?"
I gave him a half-shrug, not even bothering to hide my amusement. "I'm rich. I can hire anyone I need to dig up dirt and track evidence."
Aizawa wasn't impressed, his eyes narrowing like he wanted to call bullshit. But before he could say anything, Nezu raised a paw, stopping him.
"I believe we've seen enough," Nezu said quietly, still reading through the highlighted sections of the files. "You've made a compelling case, Kazuya. We will accept Eri into U.A., but we'll need some time to develop a proper curriculum for her specific needs."
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "Thank you," I said, feeling an odd sense of relief. "I know this is a selfish request, but I appreciate you guys looking out for her."
Nezu gave a small wave of his paw, dismissing my thanks. "It's hardly selfish. We're a hero academy. It would be against our very principles not to help someone who's doing everything they can to keep their sister safe."
I smiled, leaning forward a bit. "Speaking of doing everything I can... do you guys take investments?"
That definitely caught Nezu's attention. His ears perked up, and his eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Investments, you say?"
I grinned, knowing I had his full attention now. "Yeah. I'm not just some rich kid blowing cash for the hell of it. I want to make sure U.A. is the safest place for Eri—and for everyone else who's training here. So... let's just say I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is."
Nezu's eyes sparkled, and for the first time since I walked into this office, I could tell he was genuinely intrigued. "We'll have to discuss the details, of course," he said, his voice smooth. "But I believe we can come to an agreement."
I leaned back, crossing my arms and feeling more at ease now. "Perfect." I smirked, "I'm always down to talk business."
Nezu gave a nod, his calculating mind clearly already working out the potential benefits. Aizawa, on the other hand, still looked like he wasn't entirely sold on me or my approach, but at least he wasn't about to throw me out of the office.
As the conversation wound down, I glanced over at Eri, who had been sitting quietly next to me this whole time. She was staring around the room with wide eyes, probably not fully understanding what was going on but sensing the importance of it all. Her quirk was a dangerous one, and every day she grew, it became more crucial to get her the help she needed to control it. I wasn't about to let her end up like me—constantly fighting to keep the power in check, always on the edge.
When we finally stood up to leave, Nezu and Aizawa stood as well. "We'll be in touch with the details soon," Nezu said, his polite smile firmly in place. "And don't worry—we'll make sure Eri is properly integrated into the school."
I nodded. "I appreciate that, Principal Nezu. Really."
As we walked out of the office, Eri clinging to my hand, I couldn't help but feel like things were finally starting to fall into place. Sure, there were still a million things to worry about—villains, the HSPC, and now keeping Nezu from digging too deep into my past—but at least for now, Eri was going to be safe. And if that meant putting up with more awkward meetings or throwing money at the problem, so be it.
But man, I still couldn't shake the idea of Nezu being a genius rat. Like, what kind of world am I living in where that is the guy I'm negotiating with?
As we left U.A.'s gates and the sun dipped lower on the horizon, I ruffled Eri's hair, and she looked up at me with a small smile. She didn't need to know the details of what just happened, only that she'd be starting school soon—and that she'd be safe. That's all that mattered to me.
AN: I forgot to add this in the previous chapter and explain that Summoner's bond also puts all the information needed for the character to know what they were summoned for. Its kind of like the watered down version of the holy grail from Nasuverse which servants gets an influx of info that they need. In Kazuya's case the summons knows what they need to do but don't know why Kazuya needs them to do it. They know his character and personality from the get go. I don't know if I had already mentioned this but just in case there you go.
