Garaki
Letter 1
4/21/2113
Dear Mary,
I hope this letter finds you well and that the situation at home is good. I hope communicating in letters is fine with you as I would like to spare my international usage. I arrived in Japan just two nights ago, and despite my adventurous attitude when I jumped on the plane, I find that I no longer want to be here. No fault to the Japanese people, most of them have been terribly polite and courteous to me, despite my American blood. However, their attitudes towards Meta-Abilities is quite frightening. I am glad I never revealed my status nor made it a prominent calling card at work, otherwise I would have been outed the day I arrived. While not beaten black and blue the people who possess Meta-Abilities are often ostracized and frequently harassed in public spaces. Those whose Meta-Abilities cause physical changes have it the worst. They are seen as freaks, as people will often tell you, and if one is coming your way when walking down the street, people will often cross the road or just walk the other way entirely. They are being treated as criminals. While America isn't perfect, I think we are much better in this regard where Meta-Abilities aren't treated as disabilities or curses from the enemy, but as a unique gift from God.
In more positive news, I have secured the deal for my company with Jaku General Hospital and we are going to be providing them with medical technologies and equipment to support and study Meta-Abilities. I was lucky to find a like mind in one of the hospital's founders. He is a young man with a gift for studying Meta-Abilities and how they affect the body of the man or woman that utilizes them. I have been talking with him about his theories on the matter and the man is absolutely fascinating to listen to. Although he says he doesn't have a quirk himself, he seems to be the only one in this place with an inkling of respect towards people with Meta-Abilities. I'm not sure when I will be able to return home, the closing of this deal may have me here for a little longer than I was expecting, but when I return home I will take you to anywhere you wish and make up the time separated. Tell Jimmy that I promise to take him out to the next Padres home game when I get back and that I can't wait to see him as well.
I love you,
Paul
Letter 2
4/23/2113
Dear Mary,
I'm writing to you again so soon after my previous letter because I will be forced to stay in Japan a little while longer. A week at most, but I was promised significant overtime pay for my extra work. During my time here other than working I got to see Mount Fuji. What an amazing thing to experience, I might have to take a vacation here with you next time so that you can see it for yourself. It truly is a different experience in person. Other than Mount Fuji, the rest of the countryside is beautiful, though I think the city isn't as cool as I thought it would be. I've spent some time with the doctor that I told you about in my previous letter, he told me about one of his most proud theories, one that I find is horrifying. He calls it the Paranormal Singularity Theory. Where Meta-Abilities will grow stronger and more powerful with each generation until the human body can't support the quirks anymore. Basically a doomsday. While I find the idea that the end of the world will come from Meta-Abilities growing out of control absurd, I think he has some credit in the idea that the newer generations have gotten more powerful Meta-Abilities. He says he has some more research to be done before he can actually publish his findings and the theory, he hopes that the scientific community will heed the warning and begin looking more into Meta-Abilities.
I hope they do, what if Jimmy gains an ability that can possibly harm others even if he tries his hardest to keep it under wraps? I wouldn't wish that on any parent. The minimal telekinesis I can perform is safe for anyone, but if it gained more power? I think superpowered criminals are bound to happen with the attitude here in Japan. I hope that we fare better in America. Anyway, I can't wait to tell you more when I see you. Please make sure Jimmy is keeping up his grades, I don't want him ending up a delinquent.
Love you so much,
Paul
Letter 3
4/29/2113
Dear Mary,
Although I was supposed to stay two more days in Japan, I am writing to you now to announce my departure tomorrow morning at five. I made a colossal mistake. My initial understanding of Japan and their opinions towards Meta-Abilities is proven to be true, and I fear for my life. I revealed my Ability in public when a construction accident almost took a worker's life. Some cinder blocks weren't properly to a platform as a crane lifted them up, and as the blocks came tumbling down, I did what I had to. Unfortunately, I think many saw me, a foreigner, holding my hand out towards a bunch of floating cinder blocks above a man's head, and assumed the worst. I had to quickly escape the scene lest I had been beaten right on the street. I don't think I was followed, but just in case I am making the early departure home. I am currently staying at Jaku General Hospital, as it was the closest safe place I could think of. Doctor Garaki has assured me safety until I leave. Don't worry about me, I'll be home soon. Tell Jimmy I love him.
God Bless,
Paul Mills
Incident Report
4/30/2113
Time of Incident: 4:15 AM
Location: Exit Ramp near Narita International Airport
Description of the Incident: A call came in reporting a car alarm and what sounded to be broken glass. Upon arrival at the scene, dispatchers found an unregistered vehicle with broken windows, dented doors and signs of struggling. Blood was found, one of Paul Mills, an American man that works for Silver Medical Technologies here on a business trip. There was no sign of Paul Mills, any potential perpetrators, or the driver. The day before today, Paul Mills was attacked after showing signs of a Meta-Ability that prevented the death of a construction worker. Paul Mills was staying in a hotel provided by SMT, but was not reported returning there the previous night. This is to be classified as a hate crime, and a missing persons case. There were no witnesses to the incident, the American consul has been informed of Mr. Mills current condition.
San Diego, United States of America
4/30/2113
James "Jimmy" Mills was excited. His Dad was returning today. He had promised to take him to the Padres game in a week, and this game they are playing the Dodgers. Jimmy was ecstatic, this season was the Friars best record in who knows how long. The last baseball game he went to felt like it was ages ago, when in reality it was just before his Dad left. But he was excited nonetheless. He was waiting on the porch of their house, Mom had left an hour ago to go to the airport to pick Dad up and because trips like this happened frequently, he knew that she should be arriving any minute now. As he looked over the sky and the orange sun was just hitting the horizon, he overheard the rolling of tires and the familiar sound of the sky blue minivan that his Mom drove. Jimmy leapt up from his wooden rocking chair and ran to the sidewalk. He saw Mom through the windows but she looked … sad. Like water had been dumped on her checks, and her eyes red as could be. She looked to see Jimmy standing on the sidewalk, confused and pointing to the passenger seat. "Where is Dad?" the unspoken question asked. Mary didn't want to leave that car. Just curl up into a ball, and weep. She was his Mom however, and she needed to be strong. As she exited her van, the same one that had driven them all across the country in road trips as they sang songs, played games and entertained each other, she couldn't take it.
"Mom, is he not back yet?" Jimmy asked, unaware of his mother's turmoil that was spilling out to the surface. Rather than answer him she hugged Jimmy tight and tears started to run down her face.
"He said he loves you Jimmy. I just wanted you to know he never stopped… doing the right thing." Mary cried out to her son, who upon realizing what she had meant, broke down in tears.
That afternoon, neighbors reported loud noises coming from the Mill's home. When police arrived at the scene, the lawn was littered in sinkholes deep enough to break someone's leg. Upon investigating further, the house walls were also dented and items thrown around, as if a rhino had a tantrum. They wandered through the house, looking for signs of the thing that caused this catastrophe. The inner walls of the home were similar to the outside, gnarled and twisted. One could tell the house had previously been well maintained and tidy, though little of that former grace remained in the home. The shelves had little to nothing on them, glass was shattered on the floor, and toys were scattered recklessly. The only items that remained intact were pictures of the family that lived here, those remained eerily untouched compared to the carnage that surrounded the policemen. They wandered into the backyard, where they found a young boy down on his knees, and a woman, presumably his mom, comforting him. The sounds of sobbing filled the backyard and nearly echoed with all the sinkholes surrounding them. The policemen were in shock.
"Please leave us alone. I'm sorry for the noise, there won't be anymore." The child said through tears and sniffles.
"I'm sorry for whatever happened to the both of you, but we need to know what happened here." The leader of the squadron calmly asked the boy and his mother.
"Please! We don't want anyone getting hurt! He can't control it yet, when he found out about my husband…" She didn't finish her sentence, but the captain got the idea.
"I'm sure it's not his fault, we want to help you, we are not here to harm you." The captain cooly replied. "We can make sure that no one gets hurt here. Can I have both your names?" He asked.
"I'm Mary, this is my son Jimmy." She began to calm down and her crying began to subside slowly. Jimmy had gone completely silent.
"What did Dad do to deserve this? Why is he gone…" Jimmy questioned someone. Not the police officers, not his mom, but anyone that could give him an answer. "God can you please let me know?" Jimmy cried out to the sky, its orange glow of the sunset fading and the dark night sky looming above. After that night, Jimmy would not cry for a very long time.
This is an idea I have had in my mind for a while now, after I got into reading Gothic and Romantic novels, (which started with Frankenstein of course) and I thought the story behind Kyudai Garaki is an interesting one to imagine. We know he wrote the Quirk Singularity Theory, and that he was laughed off by the scientific community, that he built the Nomus, and nursed All For One back to health, but frankly, we don't know much about him. Obviously unlike Victor Frankenstein, he isn't really horrified by his creation of the Nomu, but rather treats them as either children (The High-Ends at least) or disposable pawns that he can always make more of.
As for the Mills family, I wanted to use Paul as a window into the differences between Japan and the United States during the emergence of quirks. I actually think favorably about my home country in this way, I imagine it less as an abomination against God kinda deal and more of a second amendment rights kind of thing (This is definitely not my patriotism during the Olympics speaking). This is an alternate universe, because I am so far back in the timeline that I doubt I could keep it consistent with canon without plot holes occurring, but I will keep it very similar.
