My Hero Academia: Of Blood and Flames
Chapter 4: Leukocytes
"Are we going to play now?" asked Himiko as they arrived at the Endeavor Agency.
The hero didn't pause in his stride, moving towards the elevator as he looked at her. "I have a meeting to attend."
"Can I join?"
"Of course not," replied Endeavor. He pushed the button to go up. "No civilians allowed."
"But I could come as your sidekick!"
The elevator dinged and the door opened. Endeavor frowned. "No one would believe that."
Himiko thought hard about a response as they entered. "How would they know?"
"You're a child. If you were my sidekick, I would get my license revoked."
As they went up to the top floor, she thought of a way to go. "I could go as Fiametta!"
"I said no," replied Endeavor, his tone hardening.
The door opened and the pair exited into an empty hall. Himiko clenched her hands to her chest as she made her final plea. "But you said we would do things together!"
"I said no!" yelled Endeavor. Flames flared up around him. "When I say no, you listen, Touya!"
Himiko didn't have words to respond with, just tears running down her cheeks. Her mind went back to the day before and how her parents had treated her. Was it happening again? Was she about to be hit?
Endeavor's flames died immediately as his eyes went wide. He went to say something, stopped, then knelt. Himiko could barely see through the tears, barely breathe through her gasping breaths. It was impossible for Endeavor to get to her eye level, but he got as low as he could. He didn't move to approach her, instead taking a deep breath and slowly releasing it.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice softer than she'd ever heard it. "You're right, I did promise to watch over you. But I have other duties I already promised to do, and I can't change that. How can I make it up to you?"
Himiko took a few gasping breaths before responding. "T-toys…," she said. "And to teach me how to fly…"
"We can do that," said Endeavor with a nod. "Would it be fine if I sent you with Fiametta to get toys, or do you want to go after I'm done with work?" His words were slow, measured, like each one took physical effort to say.
"Fiametta is nice," said Himiko. Just like she'd been grateful for distance from her parents the night before, she now wanted distance from Endeavor. At least for a little while.
"Then I'll call for her now," he said, standing slowly. He didn't approach or reach for her, instead turning around and walking down the hall into an office. He held the door for her and gestured inside. "There's a couch you can wait on."
Himiko entered the office, large even for the massive man who stood next to her. There was a desk in the middle of the room which Endeavor went to and picked up the phone. As he did, she looked to her left and saw a couch pushed up against the wall. There was a bookshelf next to it and as she approached, she saw a jar of white wrapped candies set high up on it, far out of her reach.
"Fiametta?" said Endeavor into the phone. "Are you free to come to my office?" A pause. "Good. I'll see you soon." He hung up and looked over to Himiko. "Make yourself comfortable."
Himiko points up the shelf. "Could I have a candy?"
Endeavor's face tightened, then he let out a long breath. "Yes." He strode over, easily grabbed the candy and handed her the full jar. "Have as many as you want."
"Thanks!" Himiko plopped down onto the couch, jar in her lap. It took a little bit of effort, but she yanked the top off the jar and reached in for the white wrapped candies inside. She peeled a wrapper off to find a brilliant red candy that she licked once, then popped it into her mouth. Strawberry. It was delicious. After sucking on it for a minute, she chomped down on the candy, her teeth breaking it into tiny, delicious shards. She grabbed and ate another.
"Here you go," said Endeavor, causing Himiko to look up. She hadn't realized he'd moved, but he'd apparently left and come back with a damp towel. "Wipe your face."
He was a little too far away, so she had to bend over in her seat to reach out and grab it. It was only once she brought the warm, damp towel to her face that she realized she had dried tear trails and snot still on her face. The towel felt nice, and she sucked on the candy while she cleaned herself.
"Sorry for the delay," said Fiametta. Himiko lowered the towel, smiled and waved at the sidekick. Fiametta smiled and waved back. "The police called as I was about to head up."
"Anything important?" asked Endeavor, now sitting at his desk. He was looking through some papers.
Fiametta shook her head. "No progress."
Endeavor sighed. "Yeah, I thought so." He gestured over to Himiko. "I have to go to the Commission for a meeting. Could you take Himiko out to buy some toys?"
"I can," said Fiametta. "Just that?"
"Get some snacks and other things while you're at the mall," said Endeavor. "Have a good time. Consider it a reward on company time. You can use the card for everything."
Fiametta laughed at that. "Mission accepted!" She held out a hand to Himiko. "Do you want to go now?"
"Of course!" said Himiko. She took a final candy, put it in her mouth, recapped the jar, set it on the couch next to her, then jumped up and ran to the winged woman. "I've never been to the mall before."
"It's a great place," said Fiametta, taking Himiko's hand. "We patrol it often, so I know it like the back of my hand."
"While you're there," said Endeavor, stopping the pair short. "Make sure to get Himiko a nice mattress, pillow and sheets. She might need to stay another night."
Himiko was smiling from cheek to cheek and skipping through the mall as Fiametta held her hand and kept pace. The mall was huge, going up three stories around it and packed with people. They had just left a bed store, and she'd found a set softer than even her bed at home. She'd sunk into the mattress; the pillow was like a cloud and the blankets were so light and soft. For a few brief moments of testing, she'd felt like she was flying.
Fiametta had requested that everything be delivered to the Endeavor agency by the end of the day, and the staff were more than happy to agree. There was so much in the mall, and Himiko wanted to see it all. Unfortunately, her stomach made its plan loudly known.
"Let's get something to eat," said Fiametta with a laugh. "How about I take you to my favorite place?"
"Yay!" She wondered what type of food a woman as pretty as Fiametta enjoyed?
A short while later they found themselves in a quiet corner of the mall where a small walk in ramen shop was set up. The lone old man working at the counter waved at Fiametta, although the perpetual frown on his face didn't waver. He held the knife that was preparing vegetables like he'd killed before and could kill again.
"Take a seat," said Fiametta, helping Himiko onto a stool. She glanced over to the man. "Two bowls please."
The man just responded with a nod, heading into the back of the store. Himiko looked around. "Where are the menus?" In front of each of them were drawings etched into the wooden counter.
"No menus," said Fiametta. "One size fits all specialty ramen. No ifs, and/or buts about it. Also, keep your hands off the counter."
Before Himiko could complain about the weird situation, two large bowls appeared in front of the pair out of thin air right on top of the drawings. A shout came from the back. "Enjoy."
"Don't mind if we do," said Fiametta, bringing her bowl closer to her and blowing on it. "Are you ready to have your mind blown?"
"I don't think I can finish all of this," said Himiko, pulling her bowl closer as well. She sniffed the soup, and immediately sat up straighter. She took a spoon, grabbed some broth, blew on it a few times, then sipped it. "This is delicious!"
"Isn't it?" said Fiametta. She picked up the steaming bowl and started to drink half of it without stopping. She put it back down and let out a satisfied sigh. "The perk of having a fire-based Quirk."
"I wish I had a fire Quirk," said Himiko, trying not to burn her tongue as she slurped up noodles from her chopsticks.
"Transformation seems pretty cool to me," replied Fiametta.
Himiko glanced over at the hero. "Do you think I'm able to copy Quirks as well?"
"Maybe. Sometimes Quirks evolve as they're used more. Or maybe there's a trigger we don't know about yet? Either way, training is always the way to go."
"Would Endeavor train me?" asked Himiko.
"You would be lucky if he did," said Fiametta. "He might not be a teacher, but every single person who has interned or worked for him has learned a lot. When I started, I wasn't nearly as good at using my Quirk. He's got a great grasp of training to a person's strengths."
Himiko frowned at that. "I don't get it, but he sounds impressive."
"He is."
The pair went back to eating. Fiametta finished by the time Himiko was halfway through. She was starting to feel full, but it also felt like a waste to not finish. Eating in silence gave her too much time to think, and a question rose to the top of her mind.
"Who is Touya?"
Fiametta finished the last of her broth and set the bowl back on the counter before turning to look at Himiko. "Where did you hear that name?"
"Endeavor called me it earlier," replied Himiko. She didn't like thinking back to him yelling, but the name had stuck in her mind.
"Touya was Endeavor's eldest son," said Fiametta. Her tone was stiff.
"Is he a bad kid?" asked Himiko. That would explain why Endeavor had gotten so angry, right? Calling her a bad kid…
Fiametta shook her head. "He wasn't," she replied. "I only met him twice, but Endeavor always spoke fondly about him. I don't think he'd talk like that about a bad kid. What would make you think that in the first place?"
"I was bad, so he called me Touya. That means he's a bad kid, like me. Right?"
Fiametta put a hand on Himiko's head, ruffled her hair and gave her a sad smile. "You're not a bad kid. Endeavor wouldn't have me get a bad kid a bed and toys and ramen this delicious, would he?"
"Maybe not?" said Himiko, unsure. She was starting to feel tears again. "But why would he yell at me?"
"I don't know," said Fiametta. "I'm sorry he did that, and I hope we can make it up to you. Where would you like to go next?"
"Toys?"
"Of course," said Fiametta. "That was always the plan. Anywhere else?"
"Sweets?"
"That candy from before wasn't enough?"
"You said though!"
Fiametta ruffled Himiko's hair then finally removed her hand. "Yeah, you're right. How do crepes sound?"
"Yay!" Himiko picked up her bowl and slurped down the remains of her ramen. Good kids finished their food, after all.
The crepe was delicious. Plenty of strawberries and cream to make her mouth feel like it was in heaven. Fiametta got one as well, but with kiwi. She gave Himiko a taste and it was…strange. Not bad, just not something she was used to. After eating, and washing up, the pair headed across the mall to a toy shop. Himiko was already imagining all the cute stuffed animals she might grab off the shelves. A bird would be the best, of course. She could already imagine taking her new winged friend flying through the sky with her. Now she would just need to learn how to-
"It's falling!" yelled someone. Himiko looked around and saw people rushing to watch a large monitor embedded into a pillar of the mall. It was longer and wider than her room. She squinted at the monitor and saw blue, white and black?
"What's happening?" asked Himiko.
"I'm not sure," said Fiametta with a frown. She pulled Himiko towards a railing where they could get a better look.
"Flight 1977 is currently hurtling towards land after an engine failure on its return home from overseas," said a news anchor. "An emergency call has been put out for assistance from any available heroes, but no word yet on who will be responding. As you can see, the pilots are heroically trying to get the plane under control, but there is only so much they can do. All Might is currently off stopping a dam that burst and won't be able to make it in time. Will anyone be able to come to the plane's rescue?"
Himiko felt Fiametta's hand tighten around hers. She glanced up and saw the hero looking up at the skylight of the mall. "Damn it," muttered Fiametta. "It's too far for my top speed…"
"Is someone going to be able to save them?" asked Himiko.
Fiametta remembered she was there and looked down, giving her a fake smile. "I'm sure a hero will come to rescue them any second now."
"There's no reason to lie, big sis," said a confident voice. Himiko and Fiametta looked over to see an older boy with red wings and a grin on his face standing next to them. Himiko hadn't heard him approach. He pointed to the screen. "Because a hero is here."
Himiko looked back and saw a red streak rushing towards the plane. The newscaster let out a cry of surprise. "What is this? A hero is heading towards the plane. Is it who I think it is?" The image zoomed in, and Himiko gasped at who she saw. "It's Endeavor! Endeavor has come to rescue the plane, but will he be able to do it?"
"Of course," said Fiametta and the boy at the same time.
"First he'll stabilize the wing," said Fiametta as on-screen Endeavor caught up to the plane and grabbed hold.
"His heat will create an updraft that'll make it easier on the plane in general as he radiates it outward," said the boy. Himiko watched as the plane's wobbling stopped.
"He's probably already in contact with the pilots before he even approached," said Fiametta. The plane had been keeping a flat approach so far but started to list to the side. "Now that he's there to replace the engine they can use him to realign their approach."
Flames roared from behind Endeavor, pushing the plane out of the impending collusion with the city. Instead, they turned, almost back the way they came. Himiko frowned. "Where are they going?"
"Too many things could go wrong with a city landing," said the boy, his face scrunched in thought. "Further complications with the plane. Safer to take it somewhere else."
Fiametta nodded at that. "Correct. But also, the airport is too far, which would mean a highway landing and those are always tricky. Endeavor is powerful, but he's no replacement for a jet engine. It's easier and safe for them to head back to the ocean."
"Planes float?" asked Himiko. She watched as Endeavor directed the plane exactly where the pair said. They were headed right off the coast to an empty spot of water.
"They do," said Fiametta. "There are some issues with a water landing as well, but the crew are probably prepping the occupants as they near their landing. You can see some small boats keeping clear but preparing to rush over. Endeavor probably contacted some sea rescue heroes before he even got to the plane."
Once the plane had turned towards the water it started to slow down. Soon enough it was gliding under its own power, its altitude decreasing gradually. Himiko's breath caught in her throat as they got closer and closer to the ocean. Right before the plane hit the water Endeavor flew away, avoiding being smashed into it. As the plane smashed to a stop in the water, Endeavor flew in a spiral to wait in the air above it.
"He did it!" yelled the TV announcer. "Endeavor saved the plane!"
A cheer ripped through the mall, Himiko, Fiametta and the boy cheering along.
"That's the number two hero for you," yelled the winged boy, a bright smile on his face. "He makes it look easy." Himiko agreed.
The TV Announcer continued. "The Sea Rescue Hero Selkie is already on the scene, along with several other heroes and the Coast Guard. Due to the actions of Endeavor and the brave pilots, the plane is intact. It remains to be seen what the state of the passengers are, but we'll keep you informed as the situation develops."
"That was amazing," said one man.
"I didn't realize that the Flame Hero was so strong," said a woman.
"He looks so scary I just thought he was all talk," said someone else. "But I guess he really is a hero."
Himiko looked around the dispersing mall crowd. Everyone was talking excitedly about the rescue and Endeavor. One boy mentioned getting some Endeavor merchandise and a teen girl was talking to her friends about whether it was possible to find some cute accessories.
"How about we go get that toy now?" asked Fiametta as she took Himiko's hand. Himiko took one last look at the screen, a close up of Endeavor observing the rescue from his place in the sky, and then let herself be dragged away. The boy had disappeared when she hadn't been looking.
There was a toy store nearby and the pair entered. An older woman was at the counter and waved at Fiametta. "Dawn Destroyer, it's nice to see you again."
Fiametta waved back with a smile. "It's nice to see you again Sugimura-san. Also, my Hero name isn't Dawn Destroyer. I changed it."
"Again?" said the woman with a frown. "What is it then? Was it Shimmering Vigil? Apocalypse Punisher?"
Himiko observed Fiametta turning bright red. It was cute. "No, those were all old names from years ago. Why do you always remember the embarrassing names?"
A laugh. "You know how my memory is dear. If it's not those, then what is it?"
"Fiametta."
"That's a cute name."
"Fiametta isn't your name?" asked Himiko.
"It's my Hero name," replied Fiametta. "I use it so much more than my birth name I sometimes forget it."
"You're not old enough for that yet," said the woman. She glanced at Himiko. "Who is this?"
"I'm Himiko!"
"Such a cute girl. Are you here for toys?"
Himiko nodded. "Yep! Something cute."
A chuckle. "We've got plenty of cute toys around. Feel free to take a look around." She gestured to the back of the store then turned back to Fiametta. "So, what was all that shouting about earlier?"
Himiko looked to Fiametta for permission and the hero nodded. She skipped down the aisles as Fiametta talked to the old woman. Her eyes settled on every toy, deciding none of them were soft or cute enough. Dolls and action figures weren't for her. They were too hard. If a toy didn't have squish, how could it be considered cute?
The toys around her changed from generic to hero themed. She didn't recognize any of them, no one in her house had been interested in heroes. Some of them were cute, especially the orca plushie she patted on the head as she passed, but none felt right. At the end of the aisle, she saw a shelf filled with merchandise themed around the Endeavor agency. There were keychains of every sidekick she'd passed in the halls. Fiametta was even featured on a pencil case and had an action figure. The majority of the merchandise was of Endeavor, and almost everything was marked as on sale. School supplies, key chains, actions figures, models and even a Chibi plushie.
Her attention was drawn to the top of the shelf where there sat a lone stuffed Endeavor that was as large as she was. Instead of a frown there was a bright smile on his face. A compulsion overtook her. A need as she remembered Endeavor saving the plane and the adoring crowd. She reached up but found she wasn't even close to reaching where it sat. She pouted, wondering how to get it down, or if she should go get help.
"Come on down here," whined Himiko. She was surprised when the stuffed Endeavor started to move, apparently listening to her. She let out a little gasp as he slowly stood, perched on the edge of the shelf, then jumped. Her eyes went wide as Endeavor landed gracefully next to her with a small gust of wind. "It worked?"
"What worked?" asked Endeavor. The toy lowered and she saw the winged boy from before, a grin on his face. "Didn't see you there."
"Are you buying that?" asked Himiko, a slight whine in her voice. She looked around but didn't see any others."
"I was planning on it," he said. "This is limited-edition version. Most stores are only getting one. There aren't too many Endeavor collectors out there, but there's enough I need to take what I can."
"Oh…," said Himiko, feeling defeated. "Do you know where more are?"
The boy thought. "I think the store across town might have one. This was just closer." He studied her. "Oh, you were the girl watching the broadcast with Fiametta."
Himiko brightened at that. "You know her?"
"Of course I do. I know who all of Endeavor's sidekicks are." He laughed. "It was cool to hear her talk about hero stuff while the real deal was going on. Do you think I sounded like I knew what I was talking about?"
Himiko nodded. "You did." He'd been very cool. "Maybe she can fly me to that other store…"
The boy shook his head. "No need for that. You want this, right?" she nodded. He held out the gigantic toy. "Here you go."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded. "Of course. You think Endeavor is cool as well, right?"
"Yeah!" she said. "He might look and sometimes act scary. But he's really a hero, isn't he?"
"Exactly. It doesn't matter what a hero looks or acts like, they're still saving people."
"And people like them for it!"
The boy smiled at her. "They do." His expression changed to something Himiko couldn't parse. "That's the type of hero I want to be…"
Himiko looked at the toy again. "Are you sure I can have this?"
"Please do," said the boy. He flapped his wings behind him. "I'll just fly over to the other store. No big deal."
Himiko quickly snatched the massive, heavy toy. She held it closely to her chest, smiling brightly. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome," he said. He waved and turned to leave. "I'd better hurry then. Have a good day."
The boy was gone in an instant as he ran out of the store. Himiko looked at the toy and tried to figure out the best way to carry it. Endeavor was heavy, and she didn't want to drag him. If she held him to her chest, his feet still touched the ground. She briefly considered going to get Fiametta, but she wanted to carry him herself. Instead, she turned and positioned Endeavor so that he was resting on her back. She felt like a firefighter or hero, rescuing someone. It was a nice thought.
As she walked down the aisles back to Fiametta, several thoughts bounced around in her head. Heroes were cool. People loved heroes. Endeavor, despite being scary was still a hero who could be loved by the winged boy and the crowd of the mall. That meant it didn't matter how scary she might seem to her parents. Because if she could become a hero, then they would love her as well. And she knew exactly who she wanted to teach her.
