It’s been four days since Mandalay brought Kota home.
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Four days since Mandalay learned that Ragdoll was now quirkless.
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Four days since Mandalay retired from being a hero.
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Four days since the Pussycats hit a standstill as heroes.
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Time moved both slow and fast for the former hero. She didn’t know how. But that’s how things are when everything changes so radically.
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She told Tiger and Pixie-Bob that they could continue being heroes, to not let the group die. But they knew, that it wouldn’t be the same with only them.
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So they stayed together at their shared house, taking care of Kota, trying to help him heal. The progress was slow, with him barely responsive to anything. But Mandalay won’t give up on him, never again.
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And so the fourth day arrived and went by normally. Mandalay did chores, ignored the news, and spent time with Kota. Her friends and colleagues did the same, but she could tell that they wanted to do more.
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Help with the clean-up. Hunt down the ones who helped take away Ragdoll’s quirk. Something. Anything.
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But Ragdoll could do nothing. She would act as an office lady of sorts if the team was out and about, but they weren’t. Pixie-Bob and Tiger refused to leave them.
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So they ate together, mostly in silence.
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That is, until they heard a knock at the door.
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Pixie-Bob: “I’ll get it.”
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Quickly getting up, she went to the door and opened it to reveal a welcome surprise.
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Kiri: “Cat Lady.”
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Usually, the woman would be annoyed by the nickname. But right now, she is just glad to see a friendly face. Two, in fact. Though this one was hard to look at.
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Izuku: “Sorry for intruding.”
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She swallowed when her eyes scanned over the boy’s missing limbs. But she’s sure he has been fussed over enough, and so doesn’t voice her concern.
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Pixie-Bob: “It’s no problem. I’m more surprised you found out where we lived normally.”
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Izuku: “I asked All Might and the Principal for a favor. Kiri wanted to see how you all were doing.”
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Kiri: “Nh.”
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Pixie-Bob: “I see. Well… you’ll just have to come in and see.”
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She lets them in and leads the group to the kitchen table. The sight of Izuku does earn concerned looks, but they did the same as Pixie-Bob and didn’t fuss.
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Mandalay: “Oh, Kiri, Midoriya, I’m happy to see you two again.”
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Ragdoll: “T-Thanks again, for saving me.”
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Kiri: “Nh. Always.”
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Pixie-Bob found them extra seats so they could rest their feet. They had to sit near the wall, since there was no room at the table. The arrangement was fine with Izuku. His attention was more on Kota, who didn’t acknowledge the newcomers. Saving that conversation for later, the boy focuses on the reason why he came here.
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Izuku: “We saw the news… are you all doing alright?”
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Mandalay: “We’re… fine. It’s just the media doing what it does.”
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Pixie-Bob: “Doesn’t mean it’s right, Shino! Getting dragged just because you permitted to the students to defend themselves!? It’s ridiculous!”
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Tiger: “Agreed.”
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He says while nodding, but Mandalay is of a different opinion.
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Mandalay: “It’s not just that. It’s also because I retired. Which wouldn’t be so bad, but you two left too.”
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Izuku: “So it’s true, you two also retired?”
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Pixie-Bob: “Well, not officially but… ”
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Kiri: “Want to be there for Mama-Cat and Little Cat?”
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Tiger: “Yes.”
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Ragdoll: “You all don’t have to do that. I-I’m fine.”
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Mandalay: “And the Pussycats can’t be totally absent.”
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Pixie-Bob: “Is it even the Pussycats without you two?”
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Kiri expected the tension, considering everything that happened, but it didn’t make feeling the sour knots all around any easier.
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Kota: “This is stupid.”
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The boy said while dropping his fork and leaving his food uneaten.
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Mandalay: “Kota!”
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Her words fall on deaf ears. The boy retreats into his room and mind, leaving his guardians once again worried. Mandalay could only sigh and rub her aching head.
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Izuku: “I’m sorry if we came at a bad time.”
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Sighing, Mandalay ran her hand through her hair before responding.
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Mandalay: “No… it’s fine. We’ve been tiptoeing around each other for days. You’re coming by sort of forced the matter.”
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Pixie-Bob: “But what can we do? Kota hasn’t said much since he came home.”
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Looking at Kiri, Izuku offered a possible solution.
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Izuku: “What do you feel, Kiri?”
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Closing her eyes for a moment, Kiri focused on the negative emotions Kota was emitting like a furnace. Opening her eyes, she reveals her discoveries.
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Kiri: “Twisted. Conflicted. Knots of confusion. I don’t know how to explain.”
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Mandalay: “Conflicted…”
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Pixie-Bob: “You don’t think he wants to go back to those villains, do you?”
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Mandalay: “Kota… ”
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She looks at his door upstairs and thinks back to how much he seemed to care about that Azrael.
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Izuku: “Doesn’t matter, he can’t go back. It’s too dangerous.”
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Pixie-Bob: “I agree!”
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Tiger: “But instead, they could come back for him.”
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Ah, that thought wasn’t a pleasant one.
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Pixie-Bob: “All the more reason why Yawara and I should stay here. Not just for Kota, but for Tomoko.”
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Kiri: “Me too.”
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Mandalay: “No. Kiri, you already have so much to deal with.”
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The girl thought about the media struggles she had to deal with recently for a moment before responding.
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Kiri: “Doesn’t matter.”
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Mandalay: “Kiri… please.”
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Izuku: “She’s right. I also don’t think they’ll come for Kota right now. They’ll be more focused on us and U.A. So you being here may make things worse.”
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Kiri: “… Fine.”
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Tiger: “There is still a problem. If they do come for Kota, could we stop them?”
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Ragdoll: “… Yawara.”
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The man tightens his fists on the table as he releases some of his recent frustration.
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Tiger: “I hate to admit it, but we were proven inadequate before. After viewing the footage of the war, even more so.”
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Pixie-Bob: “We were taken off guard before! And Shino fought them, so we can too.”
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Tiger: “With the help of promising students. And we can be taken off guard again. Maybe… we should place Kota into protective custody.”
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Slamming her hands down, Mama-Cat got up and glared at her teammate with protective fury.
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Mandalay: “Absolutely not! Some people already think he is a criminal; this will only fuel those rumors. I won’t give him up.”
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Tiger: “It might be for the best. At least until the entire League of Villains is brought to justice.”
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Ragdoll: “I don’t know… he just came home.”
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Pixie-Bob: “I can’t believe we’re actually considering this.”
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While the group deliberates, Izuku feels a certain familiar inner urge. This time, he doesn’t resist. For this could be the solution.
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Izuku: “There may be another way.”
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The group turns to the boy with curiosity, but Kiri already has an idea. Her eyes widen at the thought.
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Kiri: “Onii, no.”
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Izuku: “This could help, Kiri. They are pros, they can handle it.”
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Kiri: “No. Too dangerous.”
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Before the two can argue, Mandalay cuts in.
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Mandalay: “It’s fine, Kiri. We should be the ones to decide if it’s too dangerous.”
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Pixie-Bob: “Especially if it can help. So go on, what is it?”
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The boy looks at his other half for her blessing. They look into each other’s eyes, but after a moment, Kiri couldn’t continue and so turned away.
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Sighing, Izuku decides to go through with explaining it anyway. Kota’s future is at stake after all. That was the biggest reason why he explained the Apostle idea to them. A smaller part, a hidden other part, was eager to continue the growth of this part of his quirk.
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After the explanation was done, Mandalay sat back down to fully digest what was just told to her.
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Mandalay: “Midoriya, your quirk is… not normal.”
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Izuku: “I-I know… ”
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Tiger: “I’m ashamed that I’m not compatible.”
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Kiri: “Not a blessing.”
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Ragdoll: “But if it can really do what he says-”
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Pixie-Bob jumps up and marches to Izuku before holding out her hand.
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Pixie-Bob: “Let’s do it.”
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Kiri: “Cat-Lady?”
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Izuku: “R-Really?”
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Pixie-Bob: “Of course, if this can make me stronger-”
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Mandalay: “Hold on! This is an important decision, you can’t just-”
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Pixie-Bob: “What’s there to think about!? I… none of this would have happened if our quirks were stronger, right? Yawara and I were knocked out while everyone was fighting for their lives. Because of us… Tomoko… ”
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Ragdoll: “Please… don’t blame yourselves.”
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Tiger: “It’s… hard not to. We became too lax with All Might. Now that he is gone, we owe it to you and everyone we fight for to become better.”
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Seeing that Mandalay and Ragdoll have no more to say, Pixie-Bob turns back around to Izuku.
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Pixie-Bob: “Alright, do what you have to. If it works out for me, then I’m sure Shino will agree.”
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Izuku goes to grab her hand with his sole one, but Kiri grabs it first.
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Kiri: “Onii, don’t.”
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His eyes soften for her, but his mind is made up.
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Izuku: “It’s her choice, Kiri. Don’t worry, nothing will go wrong. I promise.”
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It took her three seconds to relent and let go.
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Kiri: “Okay, but I’ll be there.”
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Nodding, he takes Pixie-Bob’s hand and gets up.
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Izuku: “We’ll do it in your room.”
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Pixie-Bob: “Oh? How bold! Please, be gentle.”
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Izuku: “N-N-Not like that!”
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Kiri: “Onii, perv.”
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Izuku: “Ugh!”
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Thanks to Pixie-Bob, the atmosphere lightened up as smiles bloomed among the group. Still, Mandalay couldn’t help but feel some unease while watching the three of them go upstairs.
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Feeling a hand on her own, she turns to see Ragdoll, trying to offer a comforting smile.
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Ragdoll: “It will be fine. I don’t know Midoriya that well, but for some reason, I have faith in him.”
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Tiger: “And it will help us protect Kota.”
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Exhaling her anxiety, she smiles back at her fellow heroes. Even if Ragdoll lost her quirk, she is still a hero to her.
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Mandalay: “Thank you. I’ll trust him.”
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Mandalay: ‘And if it works for me, I’ll get Ryuko and Yawara to take up hero work again. I’ll be strong enough to protect Kota on my own.’
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With that, 30 minutes passed before Izuku came back down to convey the news.
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Mandalay: “How is she?”
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Izuku: “F-Fine. But Kiri wants to stay with her for the night, if that’s alright.”
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Mandalay: “Of course. I feel better knowing that Kiri will stay by her side.”
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Ragdoll: “Um, how long will it take?”
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Izuku: “I-I… well… apparently, due to Pixie-Bob’s quirk, a while.”
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Mandalay: “Why? Is something wrong?”
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Izuku: “N-No! No. She’s just… fairly compatible, and the outcome is going to be… a lot. I-In a good way! S-She just needs a day or two.”
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Mandalay: “Okay… ”
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Izuku: “Y-You can visit anytime you like. There’s no danger.”
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Ragdoll: “We trust you.”
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Seemingly taken off guard by the words, the boy stands stunned for a moment before recovering.
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Izuku: “… Thank you. I’ll be back tomorrow. For now, I need to deal with some other stuff.”
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The boy heads to the door, ready to deal with the problems plaguing his other girlfriend. But before he can leave, Mandalay catches him at the door.
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Izuku: “Y-Yes?”
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Mandalay: “Midoriya. I just want to say, thank you for being here for my family. And I’m… sorry.”
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Izuku: “Sorry? For what?”
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Mandalay: “You’re just a kid and yet… you have to deal with so much. The media, the responsibility, the villain attacks, y-your injuries… and now you’re helping us too. We’re the adults; we should be helping you. But instead, we’ve added to your burden.”
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The boy smiles and takes her hand with his own.
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Izuku: “I’m trying to be a Hero, it’s the least I can do. I don’t mind.”
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She smiles at the boy who’s carrying much more than he should.
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Mandalay: “At this point, Midoriya, you’ve more than earned the right to call yourself a Hero.”
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To her surprise, the boy shakes his head.
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Izuku: “I… still have a long way to go.”
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She notices the sliver of sadness and weight behind his eyes, but can do nothing as he lets go of her hand and walks away.
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Mandalay: “Midoriya… ”
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Watching him go, she prays inside that he can conquer whatever demons eat away at him. The woman inhales in strength, as she returns inside to deal with her own demons.
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Time passes normally after that. With some hope on the horizon, things weren’t as suffocating. But Kota never came back down again. Mandalay wanted to check on him so bad, but decided to give the boy some time.
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Mandalay: ‘Maybe we’re smothering him?’
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And so the night came. After checking in with Kiri and the sleeping Pixie-Bob, the woman once again passed by Kota’s door. While deliberating whether she should say goodnight or give him more time to himself, Mandalay’s heart stopped.
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Kota: “Azrael?”
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Maybe he was just calling out for the man, which is already worrying, but then the second voice spoke.
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Azrael: “Kota, I’m glad to see that you’re alright.”
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A mix of fear, anxiety, and worry rooted her to the spot. This is the same man who fought several powerful heroes and nearly won. Even still, she told her body to move, to do something before he takes her boy away again.
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Azrael: “I’m sorry for taking so long. Come on, let’s go.”
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Mandalay: ‘Come on! Move!’
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Before her body powers through the fear, Kota’s words stun her again.
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Kota: “I… can’t.”
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The words take the wind out of both Mandalay and Azrael’s sails.
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Azrael: “What? Why?”
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Kota: “… I… don’t want to leave them.”
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The woman’s breath hitched at the truth of the boy’s feelings. She thought he might want to go back, but instead… he chose them?
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Azrael: “Why? I thought you hated them.”
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Kota: “I… I don’t, not really. I just… wanted them around more. To stop wasting their time being heroes. But now… Sosaki retired… because of me. And with Shiretoko losing her quirk, I… can’t just leave now.”
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Azrael: “I see.”
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For an agonizing moment, Mandalay thought he would take the boy regardless of his feelings. He’s a villain after all. But to her further surprise, he didn’t.
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Azrael: “I understand. It’s your choice, and I won’t take that from you.”
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Kota: “Thank you.”
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Azrael: “… I’ll try to convince the others to leave the Pussycats alone as well. I don’t know if they are True Heroes, but they are at least trying to be there for you.”
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Kota: “You would do that?”
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Azrael: “Yes, I would not disturb the peace you’re finding here.”
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The woman couldn’t believe it, this man who caused so much chaos and death is not only leaving Kota alone, but also her group?
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Azrael: “That being said, I won’t stop in the pursuit of our shared dream. To tear down this rotten world.”
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Kota: “Yeah… I wouldn’t ask you to. Even now I… I’m still so mad. When I hear the news and what they’re saying, I just want to… but I can’t leave. Not right now.”
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Azrael: “I understand. Still, if you ever need help, press this button, and I’ll be there.”
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She couldn’t see it, but she’s sure he gave Kota a device of some kind.
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Kota: “Thank you, Azrael. And… goodbye.”
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Azrael: “I think I prefer, see you later, Kota.”
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After a moment, he said something that confused Mandalay even more.
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Azrael: “And about Ragdoll… I’m sorry. It was not something I personally would have wanted for her, even if she was a hero.”
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Kota: “I know… ”
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And with that, silence returned to the room. He was gone, and Mandalay didn’t know how to feel about it. How can she process such a tender interaction? What is she supposed to make of the man who seemed to care so much for her nephew?
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Sliding to the ground, the woman runs her hand through her hair.
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Mandalay: ‘What do I do now?’
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Kiri: “Cat-Lady…”
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The girl has been by her friend’s side all day, and only now does something happen. Before, she seemed like she was sleeping peacefully.
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But now, she was sweating and tossing in her sleep. Something was wrong.
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Kiri: “Please… be okay.”
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She couldn’t do anything but hold her hand through it all.
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Pixie-Bob, Ryuko Tsuchikawa, didn’t know what she was expecting when Izuku touched her forehead.
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A naughty part of her thought this was just an excuse to kiss her. But then she lost consciousness. She didn’t know how long she was out, but when she came to, it was pitch black.
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Weirder still, she was outside. But it was… strange. There was no wind, and the temperature was way too neutral. Not hot or cold, just a strange nothingness.
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Pixie-Bob: “What is-”
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The hairs on her body stand on end as she feels a STRONG urge to get on all fours and bow. She does so as fear builds and confusion fogs her mind.
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Something was coming, emerging out of the darkness surrounding her. But before fear coaxes a scream out of her, a small green light floats out of the gravel ground.
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The green light forms into a pulsing phoenix and speaks into her mind.
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Phoenix: “Calm yourself, Ryuko Tsuchikawa.”
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Easier said than done.
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Pixie-Bob: “W-What are you!? W-What’s happening!?”
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Phoenix: “You remember what you asked Izuku Midoriya?”
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Pixie-Bob: “Y-Yes… but this-”
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Phoenix: “Would be much worse without a sliver of my presence, and if IT didn’t agree to take it slow. The pain will be minimized, but it will still be painful.”
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Before she could question anything more, The Ninth, The Reality, grew impatient and sank its two purple translucent tendrils into her back.
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The brave hero had to bite her lip to prevent herself from screaming.
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Phoenix: “Endure. Remember why you agreed to this. Why you must grow stronger.”
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Despite blood dripping down her mouth, and sharp pain slowly making its way through her body, she manages to nod.
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She remembers.
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For Kota. For her friends. For everyone she will fight for in the future.
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Never again will she feel so helpless.
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So she will take on this pain and burden. It’s the least she can do.
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Pixie-Bob: “I… c-can… take it!”
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The Ninth: “!&(#.”
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That remains to be seen.
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