All men are not created equal.
All men… are not created equal.
These words rang true in this day and age, a harsh truth in a world full of marvelous abilities, with every one of men and women able to express themselves in otherworldly ways. Power inside them with some using these gifts for malicious intentions yet there are those who are responsible and chooses to do the right thing.
But as we quickly learned…
…my son, it was devastating to learn your affliction or dare say lack thereof.
Oh, my courageous son. Listen closely and hear my promise…
You will become a hero, mark my words. No matter what happens, I will never give up on you so you may never give up on the world.
I love you my, son.
I will come back, that is my promise.
Everything hurts—oh, it hurts so much. Kaachan did it again. He bullies me, and I get blown up. It becomes normal. Oh, the sun… It's blinding me even if I have my eyes closed. I can hear the boy I saved sobbing next to me.
"Izuku?!"
That voice… i know that voice…
"Izuku!"
His hair kind of looks like mine, but it's red where the green parts should be. He wears those silly big round glasses.
"Where's your parents, kid? What happened?" he asked the purple-haired boy next to me
"A buncha kids was hurting me because of my quirk! But-But this boy saved me from them!"
Oh I'm being picked up now, I tried but my arms weakly wrapped around the man's neck I look up to him I see…
I see a purse snatcher with a gigantification quirk on tatooin station, Kamui Woods was about to unleash his preemptive binding lacquered chain prison—
"Canyon Cannon!"
But like everything in my life, a different fate comes to mind. A giant lady dropkicks the villain to sleep on the streets?! From out of nowhere paparazzis appeared and started taking risque shots of her tights… Anyways it turns out this is her debut as the giant hero Mount Lady, it seems that she hogging all the attention much to our resident wooden hero.
Still this is interesting, her gigantification seems a bit different from the villain, how did her clothes enlarge with her? I wanna know what kind of material she's wearing. Do her clothes enlarge with herself? I need to jot all this down—
"I think her rear is too small, try thickening it more." My friend peered behind me.
His comment made me blush like a tomato, "Shinso! You know I don't draw female heroes like that!"
He made as sly smile along with his droopy eyes that made me question his sleeping schedule, "Chill, Midoriya. I think we need to run now since our train just got delayed by that villain."
"Yeaaah… you're right." I sighed as I returned my hero analysis notebook back into my backpack, now hurrying to his side.
It was a long time ago since I met him from that playground, away his straight hair in favoring of a flared style. It was mean for Bakugou to bully him for his 'Villainous' quirk I personally believed there is no such thing as an evil quirk but only evil users yet tragically his quirk is what made him lonely and I was Shinsou's first-ever friend since every kid was afraid of his quirk. He bonded our shared mission to become heroes, to prove to the world that we could even if the world doesn't see it that way.
"Let's be clear with all the pleasantries away; all of you are becoming heroes!"
Our classmates cheered around us, everyone showing off their uniqueness; a flaming arms (I wished I inherited my dad's fire breath), Rock hands, Muscles coming out on demand, and so many more. But me? Nothing, worse for Shinso behind me who can not even show off his quirk and could only sulk mindlessly, he's not even paying attention to our teacher.
"Teach! Don't lump me with these extras since I'm going to the top once I get enrolled!"
That earned him the ire of everyone else, many shouting obscenities towards him as if everyone forgot proper speech etiquette.
"Oh, If I remember correctly you are applying for U.A. High, huh?" That silenced everyo—
Wait what?! Him tool?! No way! I can't have him in the same scho—
"We also got Shinso and Midorioya applying for U.A. as well."
Yabai.
…
…
…
"No way! A quirkless like you?!"
From yelling insults at Bakugou to laughing at my expense, "Th-They got rid of that rule! There's just no precedent—"
"OI DEKU!"
BOOM!
Bakugou instantly blew up my desk as I tumbled on the floor from the shockwave, ow my butt… Looking to find his menacing grin and smoking hands.
"You quirkless little runt! You're worse than all of them, what makes you think you can compete with me?"
Then someone stood between us, his purple hair facing me, "With you and Midoriya? it seems kinda even." Shinso grinned smugly at Bakugou.
"Shinso?" "Him? He's got that villainous quirk right?" "Ewww~, imagine the things he could get away with."
Our classmates whispered all around us, doubting us, could they not see he could be hero too? He's saving me…
"Even?! You think you're funny? Huh?" Bakugou is now gritting his teeth to match Shinso's smile.
"Well… How do I put this, he's quirkless yet intelligent versus you with an explosive quirk yet stupid."
"Stupid? Get some sleep because you might be getting blind since I'm top of this class!"
"Of course you are stupid, you keep replying to me."
"Replyi—"
Bakugou's eyes dulled suddenly, "Bakugou could you please blow your own face." Shinso ordered him to which Kaachan did as was told of him, blasting his own face and marking his visage black.
…
"I'm. Going. To. Kill. Youuu…" Bakugou was warming his palm with fire cracks and was about to throw his hands at Shinso.
"Settle down boys, I don't want most of you getting expelled before you get into U.A."
Thankfully our teacher came in time to intervene, even if at my expense.
Bakugou and I had fallen out since our quirks and essentially became my bully since then, Dad was the one that taught me that Kaach- Bakugou wasn't always the person I looked up too nor I should have to begin with. I still feel kinda bad that Shinso essentially replaced him as my best friend. In fact Shinso was always by my side and had always protected me from other bullies, I guess it his way of returning the favor.
Kusokusokusokuso!
He knew he was screwed, he knew how he has messed up this badly, if his employers find out they were going to kill him! Someone must've tipped off and now his cover was blown.
That scientist, it must be them!
They did inform him about a turncoat, he got the briefing on how the nerd betrayed their employers, he ain't really dabbling on politics or ideologies or even stupid religions people are making, Destro this, Humarise that! But the pay… the pay is good and they really want this packaged badly.
He looked behind to see… no way, not him! He's scaling the wall with those blue rings on his palms and feet, boosting on the air before landing on the street in now full throttle towards him!
"Captain Celebrity's runt?! Damned gaijin ruining everything!"
He may not outrun him but he sure can hide from the sidekick so he made his viscous slime body go through the sewer grates but the briefcase he was carrying was halted by the metal barrier, he used his full weight to smash it open and finally pulled the package in.
It was a peaceful afternoon, cherry blossoms flowing by the wind as their petals littered the ground. A pretty sight to take in while me and Shinso walked side by side on the road, clutching my hero analysis notebook as I jot down about Mount Lady while Shinso played the video for me with his phone.
"Y'know, we should probably change to Shiketsu or something."
What? I look up to him questioningly, "Why?"
"Bakugou is there, and I know he's gonna be a pain the ass. It will be good if we both change to a hero school like Shiketsu."
"U.A. is closer Shinso, you know me and mom can't afford me living alone."
"I know, just… Whatever, it was dumb."
I feel like there's something here more than just Bakugou, so I pushed further, "Where did this question come from?"
"Izuku… I know we are disadvantaged…"
"And?"
"Look, all I'm saying is that you just… um…"
"You'll make a fine cloak for me, boy!"
From behind Shinso green slime wrapped around his body and one of the tentacles was prying into his mouth, shutting him up! No! His mouth blocked he can't use his quirk! Shinso desperately clung to the tendril intruding his mouth but his hands grasped at nothing as if it were water, he was shaking violently and eyes fearfully darting around. Think, Izuku, think!
"After I take his body, I'll kill you next!" The villain chuckled at me.
I am useless, I can't do anything but watch my friend get taken over. I stood there like a deer in the headlights, what am I supposed to do? What can I do?
"Shooty-Go-Kablam-blam!" Two consecutive shots pierced the slime villain's eyes.
"My eyes! I can't see! I can't see!"
"Shooty-Go-Blam-Blam-Blam-Blam-Blam!" More shots rained down upon the villain and all missing Shinso to which gave my friend to opportunity to escape the slimy grasp.
"Knuckle Style!" The Pro-hero made a fist and 4 rings punch through the slime villain, blasting him into liquidy bits and thus defeated.
Now I got good look of the Pro-hero he wore a glass visor with twin rabbit ears, his suit is colored black, blue, and white. I can even see he has a hoo behind his nape that he has not pull on his head. He looks very familiar, in fact is he?
"You're Skycrawler! One of Captain Celebrity's sidekicks!"
"Gee first day and I already have a fan here, is this what Cap felt when he came first?" His index finger was pulling on his own hood, I must be making him anxious.
"Sorry, is just that you have an awesome quirk! A quirk that can used for fast transportation and be of great offense at the same time is very cool!"
"I have met you kid before?" He pointed an accusatory finger at me.
"Uh, no… Now that I think about it… your quirk does remind me of that vigi… Holy crap you're the vigilante!?"
"Aw crap, I was afraid of this."
"Ho-How?! How are you not in jail? Since when did you become pro? Never mind that was a dumb question you debuted in America but why America? Did you come to America to—"
"Slow down kid! Could you and your friend there help me collect this villain?" He requested of me as he pulled out plastic bottles of all things, I look behind to see Shinso still coughing green mucus.
"He's right we should clean this up before the villain wakes, still thank you for saving our lives." My purple-haired friend answered
"Just doing what is good." Skycrawler smiled at us.
It was a quick affair, we got our own bottles to scoop up the remains and gave it to the Pro-hero. He waved goodbye and left with the villain apprehended and now we were on our own. It was awkwardly quiet between us, we are sitting on the ground as our back lay against the cement arch, the villain attack may have interrupted us by I still remember what was unfinished.
"So Shinso, what were you about to say?"
"Say what?"
"Back there before the villain attacked you, what were you about to say?"
"Nothing." I can see his eyes darting away from me, I could tell he's hiding something.
"What were you about to say? Something about being disadvantaged?"
"Is just that…"
"I'm Quirkless."
He sighed at that word but we both knew this was where the problem lies, Mom and now Shinso too?
"…"
"I believed in you, Shinso. Why can't you do the same for me?"
"Izuku, let's be realistic here. My quirk may be 'villainous' but at least I can apprehend criminals but you? Every time you're in trouble I have to save you just like with Bakugou earlier and now? You did nothing which isn't your fault, guys like him will kill you if they get the chance."
He's… he's not wrong, how many time does he save me? I saved once the first time on that playground but after that he's the one protecting from bullies, using brainwashing quirk to turn them away. And now just now? I stood there being useless as he was about to be violated.
"Look, not everyone needs to be a pro-hero. You can still help people by finding a different profession, I'll keep in touch even if I'm a pro-hero."
Maybe, maybe he's right but I can't, I just can't… I can't let down Dad, I won't give up… I gotta push through to see my dream.
"Respectfuly… No," I stood firm and stared down intensely back at his baggy eyes, "I can't give up, you always know that. Quirk or not, I'm becoming a hero."
From there he stared back at me, his demeanor unflinching as if he was analyzing me but eventually he sighed, "You got some Iron will, Midoriya. No different when you first saved me, I just hope you know what you're doing."
He chuckled as he reached out with his open hand, prompting me to take and pull him up. We picked up our bags, and as we were about to leave, I noticed a briefcase on the floor. I picked it up, and it felt a little heavier than expected.
"Shinso, I think the hero forgot this." I called out from behind.
"Oh? That sucks, the villain must've stolen that."
Looking closer at the clasp that its broken, it must have snapped from the battle earlier, but then I saw something glowing inside the case. It was blue and it made me curious to what is inside so I lift it open to find vials of glowing blue liquids.
"Shinso… Is this what I think it is?"
My friend walked back and knelt beside me, "Hmm, could be a new variant of Trigger."
"Scary, I didn't know he was a drug dealer."
"Leave it, let's call the police and be done with it."
He tried using his phone only to realise it was wet with green slime and the screen was unresponsive, I pulled out mine and it could be said the same on my part. That villain's wet slimy body must have short-circuited our phones like water. How fascinating.
"Well, we can't leave it here," I whined, "We gotta return it to the law somehow; the nearest police station is at Tatooin."
Shinso exhaled deeply, this will be a long day for both of us.
He needed something to refresh his throat and probably his own face, that's why Katsuki decided he and his goons should go to Tatooin Shopping District to get some canned tea. Thinking about what happened earlier boils him more than ever, fucking Shinso playing fucking hero again to save that delusional nerd. Can't Deku see he's a goddamn idiot? That bastard Baggy-eyes took his only fucking true friend away, who needs a brainwash quirk when you can manipulate gullible dumbasses?
Thinking about those two just piss me off, it's making me thirsty.
Katsuki slurped this piece of shit can empty, Baggy-eyes always feeding that stupid lie that Deku could become a hero. He's useless, Deku is less than useless; at least there are quirkless who know their place and actually contribute to society but noooo, be a hero without superpowers like that would do nicely.
What the hell would Ms. Midoriya would do if he dies…
Shit, that's a grim thought… And now he's reminded that he had drank all of his tea so he blew a small controlled explosion to char the tin can
"Oi, Bakugou? You alright? Your own explosions don't hurt you that bad, right?"
"Shut the hell up for a sec, I'm not in a good mood." Ah, Dumb and Dumber, these two trash. Why the hell did he think it was a good idea to replace his friend with these two? As if… he misses Deku… maybe if only he's been nicer to that Shinso guy and… maybe it will be the two of them walking beside him…
Nah fuck both of 'em, they're extras anyways. I'll just need to practice my explosions if I want to get into U.A.
"So what you guys gonna do today?" Black lung asked while sucking up on those cancer sticks.
"We could go to the arcade and let Bakugou some steam," Lecher with his long fingers picked one of those lung-destroyers to inhale more of that putrid smog, "Then we could find some prey if you get my meaning~" If Deku and Baggy-eyes were bad and these two mooks will be the death of his career before it even begins.
"Oi stop smoking near me and don't suggest that creepy shit, you dipshits will get me in trouble!"
"Hey, stop right there!"
Ah kuso.
All of us looked behind us towards the alleyway, they peer closely to see a Pro-hero with a visor on his face sliding on the ground before momentarily halting in front of us.
"You kids should know loitering is bad." His voice suggesting he's belittling us like they are children, Prick.
"Huh? It's just trash, don't you have something better to do hero? Like catching villains?" Fingers pointed accusingly at the Pro, fucking dipshit will definitely get me in trouble.
"Yeah! We ain't toddlers!" Smoke-throat added in, "Who are you anyways? Never heard of ya!"
"Uhhh— Skycrawler! Yes, I'm Skycrawler!"
"Yuck! Who names themselves something so creepy? It's like you didn't learn how to name yourself from a hero school or something."
"Well, you should know better, as a pro-hero it is my duty to enforce the law like putting trash away properly." The Pro-hero crossed his arms, he's got a point but damn it stop treating us like pre-schoolers.
At this rate, my U.A. application is the one going in the dumpster instead of that can if this escalates, deep breaths, gotta be the bigger man
"Sorry, sir. I'll get my trash." Katsuki finally says his piece and calmly answered the pro-hero, he picked up the can was about to—
Suddenly one of his lackeys and they're infinite wisdom took a plastic bottle filled with green liquid behind the Pro-hero, "Sure thing mister!"
"Hey! Stop that!" The Hero frantically screamed and tried to take the bottle but those two mooks started passing the bottle over the hero like some kind of school cliche bully bullshit! The worst part is the fact the hero can't reach the bottle, these two are lucky that they might be dealing with a hero newbie. He seems capable enough to apprehend them but chooses not to in order to not escalate this embarrasing shitshow.
"Oi what the hell are you doing?!" I'm gonna kill these pricks! "This will go to my permanent record if reported to the police!"
"This is for injustice!" Skirt-flipper replied back to me.
"Come on kids, this is serious!" the Hero whined
"In the bin!" Creeper-panty-sniffer finally tossed the bottle inside the dumpster—
Suddenly everything turned green.
Plans are essential. They are the bones of a system. Plans should be vague guidelines, just like muscles intertwining along the bones. However, like any other bone, they can sometimes be broken. No plan survives first contact, and due to its vagueness, it has now been compromised. Calling in an American sidekick, given his experience dealing with Trigger smugglers, might seem like the right idea at the time but it also occurred to her that Skycrawler never actually went to a hero school to begin with.
Intelligence Agencies from America, the British, and even the Russians, the Japanese are no different in making third parties handle such important objectives. But like all of them the fools they are think they can trust such, amateurs? No, Skycrawler is experienced at this… Disappointments?
Whatever the word is, whether it exists or not, the Hero Public Safety Commission might fumble their biggest leak about this serum, this compound since Trigger.
How do they hold such information you may ask? Well, it seems the creator of this new drug begged asylum in your nation due to some nasty groups wanting his genius and formula, at first he was not taken seriously by the World Heroes Association but if a famous scientist also vouches for him and even friends with this unassuming homeless man? It would be foolish HPSC not to entertain it.
Well, she's entertaining it because it turns out the World Heroes Association won't give a rat's ass about some miracle drug that improves people's health since we got quirks for that. Quirk this, quirk that, no one is looking at the bigger picture.
Can't really blame the WHA, they don't have the same info they do when you have the former O'Clock under your employ. The man was busy when he first heard of this drug and was utterly desperate to try to get it, he always kept it vague about what it could actually do and is now in Unified Korea busting down dens for any clue.
All of this intrinsic web fall apart because Captain Celebrity's sidekick is now conjoined to a dumb kid spewing explosions in a market street, on her television. Being the President of an Intelligence agency for heroes is always a headache to deal with, she feels a little envious that agencies of the pre-quirk era didn't have to deal with super-powered nonsense.
"Never seen these stuff before…"
I marvel at the vials inside the briefcase. I pick one of the glasses and gave it a light to shake to see the blue liquid slush inside, "...I read about trigger before, a drug that can amplify quirks by stimulating parts of the brain that activates quirks. Now that I think about it, what would happen if I did take one? If legal, I would like to test for myself how a quirkless body handles such a drug…"
"How about we start with the regular green stuff before we go straight for the prototype, huh?" Shinso said beside me as he also eyes the vials while we walk, "I swear, for quirkless, you like heading first without much thought."
"Ha… Sorry about that…" I chuckled with embarrassment. "I am kind of dumb…"
"Don't sell yourself short, I seen your hero analysis notebooks. You got a fine eye for attention to detail, maybe you can use that talent of yours for something more immediate."
"Like what?"
"I dunno… maybe planning before doing things?" He looked up to the sky with those droopy eyes before shaking his head, "I legit dunno, I'm not good at giving advice."
Suddenly he paused on his tracks.
"Huh?"
"Look…" Shinso pointed up towards the grey smoke from the distance, judging from the direction the fires must be in Tatooin where we are supposed to drop off our briefcase. We both sprinted towards the site to find a crowd of people blocking the market entrance, we tried shimying through the mob and we could see heroes doing their damnedest to control the situation.
Backdraft busy extinguishing the flames, Kamui Woods is rescuing— wait! That's Bakugou's lackeys! And Death Arms is fighting the Sludge villain, Mount Lady in her giant form is holding the same hero inside her hand who defeated the Sludge villain from earlier.
No… How?! How did he escaped?! I guess plastic soda bottles are not the best ways of constraining villains, now that I think about it.
I kept watching in horror at the fiery sight, I can't do anything, I'm truly useless, I'm a lesser, my mom does not believe in me, my only true friend has doubts me yet when I saw his eyes my old childhood friend? The one that tormented me in my early years, a bully pleading for me?
Just because people have given up on me doesn't I should return it to.
So I ran.
Between the crowd and the pro-heroes, I heard their screams and yells cursing my idiocy but I have something none of them have: A bargaining chip.
"Looking for this!" I screamed out as I presented the briefcase above my head.
…
…
…
There was a pregnant pause with the crackle of fire and splashing of water from Backdraft producing ambience, the Sludge villain stared intently at me before his eyes guide up towards the package. His eyes widening at the realization, his cruel smile turning upside down.
"H-Hey, kid…" His voice was careful as if I was holding a bomb, "Slow down there, let's do anything drastic eh?"
"Release him or—or" Think, Izuku, think! "Or I'll drink it!"
…
"WHAT!"
"HUH?!"
"Wut?"
"Nani?!"
It was the sludge villain, then Shinso, the heroes, and ended with the rest of the crowd.
"OI ARE YOU STUPID KID?!", "NICE GOING, LAD", "WHAT A SHOWOFF", "LET THE PROS HANDLE IT!"
Now the people are piling on me with more cursing my presence but I see an angle they have not, "I know whatever this is, is trigger!"
Then I opened the case full of blue glowing vials and grabbed one of the glasses to let everyone else to see it. That gave pause for me to continue as others quiet down to listen intently at me, "I remember that pro-hero the Mount Lady is carrying had something to do with the infamous Naruhata surprise villains!"
"Where are you leading this kid?!" the Sludge demanded at me.
"This could be none other be one of those surprise villain triggers, so I'm go-gonna drink it!"
"Drink it?! Won't that make you go berserk? Wouldn't it be better you smash it now?"
"Yeah he's right!", "Stop being the main character kid!"
The sludge villain suggested with that sadistic smile as the people behind me showed support of his logic, his reasoning maybe sound but I know the angle on what he is trying to do.
"If I did smash it on the ground, I know you'll try to consume it, and thanks to your sludge form, I can imagine you easily soaking up the trigger."
His face mouth and eyes around the incredulous bakugou turned both to shock at my analysis as the pro-heroes and the crowd murmuring with agreeance to my argument, I looked at the corner of my eyes to find Shinso smiling at me.
I continued, "And no, even if I lose my mind I won't be much trouble for the pros since I'm q-quirkless."
"What did he say?" "I don't know I didn't hear the last part."
The Sludge had this utter horrified look and by the eyes of Kaachan, he must be smirking underneath his sludge bond. I follow the sludge villain's eyes looking around himself to find the fire dying out thanks to Backdraft being bought enough time, he realizes that he's losing time.
"Okay, fine! How about this, you hand me that briefcase and I give this kid back. How does that work?" He bargained to me.
"Of course." I nervously replied as I slowly approach the sludge villain, people say I should have waited for the fire to die down and more pros to come but what if the Sludge villain kills Bakugou on the spot? Can't risk that, he maybe my bully but he still has a family to go home to.
As I approach the sludge villain, I reached out my hand with the briefcase and in return he released Bakugou from his clutches. Bakugou coughed for a second as he continued glaring at me.
"Didn't need your help, nerd." He muttered.
"I'm just grateful that you were—" I didn't get to finish as I was pulled by the sludge villain towards himself, his eager cruel smile wrapped around as I helplessly stared at a horrified Kaachan.
"YES, YES! YOU IDIOTS JUST HANDED ME THE GREATEST JACKPOT HAHAHA!" The Sludge villain bellowed as I felt the his wet vibrations around me caused by his laughter, "I DON'T NEED SOME KID'S EXPLOSION QUIRK WHEN I CAN HAVE THE MOST UPDATED TRIGGER FOR MYSELF!"
His tendril is inside my mouth, this guy is perveted! I am going to suffocate from this! This is it, this is where I'm going to die! At least I saved one, but I'm sorry mom… dad…
"Damn it! That kid just gave him an out!", "Call in more backup!", "Prepare yourselves!"
"GOOD, A POWERBOOST IS ALL I NEED TO WIPE YOU ALL OUT!" I can see his mouth opening as he opens all the vials inside briefcase and let the glowing contents color his sludge from green to blue, a pretty glowing blue.
"BWAHAHAHA— Ooh…" The sludge villain was boisterously laughing before his joy silences into a painful groan, around me the sludge started to bubble, "W-why do I feel like I'm burning… no… no… Oh god! HELP! HEEELP MEEE!"
His viscous body is leaking as like he was becoming more liquid, first his eyes become dull grey and his mouth becoming wide as if it was melting and goodness… The screams was the most horrifying part of it all, it was loud no doubt yet couldn't form any words but only gargles came out. I watched everyone's reaction from Shinso to Kaachan, from the pedestrians to the pro-heroes, as if they were watching a brutal murder is happening right in front of them and it was not far off.
Soon only a puddle was left, and oh no… I think I got him inside my mouth!— I threw up on the ground, its the same blue liquid the mixed with his sludge body. His dull eye looking back right at me.
I think… I think I just killed a man.
It was night outside the hospital, Inko watches the city skyline above before looking back at her comatose son on the hospital bed and hearing that constant beeping noise from the heart monitor.
Everything was normal, cooking his favorite meal which is pork katsudon. She waited an hour for her baby to return home but he did not come, then that's when she received a text message from his school that he was involved in a villain incident and was hospitalized. She went to the hospital as fast as she could, turns out his good friend Shinso was staying beside him and thanked him for being there with her son.
Hitoshi Shinso is always a good man, it does not matter if his quirk is perceived villainous as long he does good like protecting her son. Inko preferred the purple haired boy compared to her close friend, they still keep in touch but is still distated when she found out about the bullying incident in the playground.
She could have never known that incident if it were not for… him…
Damn him.
Suddenly the door opened, he was an aged man and wore a brown coat; his red hair etched at the edge of his black hair is umistakenable, and the smell of his cigarettes felt sour in her nose. Whereas she was plump and short, he was skinny and tall.
"Inko, my love?"