Chunky chapter ahead!
Hello there, everyone! Welcome back to another chapter of The Steam Powered Hero! There's a couple of things I wanted to get out of the way before we get to today's chapter.
First, this chapter will probably have a weird pacing, that's mostly because I had plans to write it WAY before the manga chapter revealed what's up at U.A right now, so I had to improvise, writing both stuff from my story and the manga, you'll see the results in a minute.
Second, I mentioned that I have different plans for my story in the future. The main one is that, I'm not gonna lie, it's getting 'tiring' to write as reader insert. It's just not that fun anymore. So I thought about writing another book, a continuation from this one, but as an OC book.
Now, this idea seems outta pocket, and I understand how it would be. Changing completely the story right now, 125 chapters in, wouldn't make any sense, so I understand if you guys would be against the idea.
Again, it's just a thought. Doesn't mean I'll stop writing. I'm just wondering if the OC idea DOES fly, would you rather see another book, a new book, a continuation from this one? Or do I just turn this one into an OC book?
That's gonna be it for today! If you find any typos or stuff like that don't be afraid to point out, in fact, I encourage you to do it! I got kinda lazy with this chapter's edition to be honest!
I hope you enjoy it, and I'll see you in the next one!
Kisses!
>>>>🚂💨 ⭐ 🎧🎶<<<<
Nezu's words caught him off guard, although for obvious reasons he didn't felt as surprised as expected from hearing them. He just didn't expect to hear that so early. It's not been a full week since he stopped his vigilante activities, he didn't even stay a vigilante for too long. But even that small window of time was enough to lead to grave consequences in the already trembling Hero society.
"Kyoka... go ahead without me." he patted her hand softly and reassuringly. "I'll be right with you." He smiled.
"Oh." Kyoka noticed that the situation seemed serious. "Alright." She let go of his arm and joined the rest of the class who prepared to make their way back to Heights Alliance.
"Is it serious?" Kaito questioned, turning his attention back to the Principal and the teachers.
"I'm afraid so." Said Nezu, closing his eyes and tilting his head down. "It seems your deeds outside as a vigilante unintentionally brought unexpected consequences regarding some civilians."
"I see." Kaito sighed. "What can I do to help?"
"Come on! Atsuhito!" Yelled Kirishima. "We need to wash the stinky broccoli!"
"We'll need your help!" Added Kaminari.
Kaito chuckled watching them literally carry Midoriya away.
As Nezu watched his students in a more relaxed situation, for a second ignoring all the terrible stuff that had happened the past few days, he was inclined to delay the chat with Kaito.
"Join your classmates for now." Nezu smiled. "Come see me tomorrow, first thing in the morning. Normality like this is needed these days, so enjoy some time with your classmates."
"Principal Nezu?" Kaito was surprised. He noticed Nezu was serious about that. "Alright."
The Principal and the teachers walked back to U.A, there's still a lot to deal with regarding the safety of all, a few people to calm down.
Kaito for a second trailed off, haunted by the words of that one civilian a few minutes back.
"The steam vigilante was right! You're all fakes!"
"Well done, Kaito..." He mentally bashed himself.
"Come on! Atsuhito!" Insisted Kirishima.
"Y-Yeah... I'll be right there!" He shook that feeling away and ran to join his classmates again.
"OPERATION WASH-A-DEKU! ENGAGE!"
🚂💨A Young Girl's Insistence🎶🎧
"The water is at 42 °C!" Exclaimed the boys, stampeding their way to the Dorm's bathroom, quite literally carrying the stinky Midoriya by hand.
"RUN!"
"STRIP!"
"WASH!"
It took quite a teamwork from Ojiro, Kaminari, Kirishima and Atsuhito, all spraying the stinky broccoli with water hoses, along with Mineta who brought the soap. All of that to just get the operation Wash-A-Deku started. The kid had spent days out in the rain and mud, fighting his way through hordes of villains, no simple bath was gonna be enough.
"AND JUMP IN!" They all jumped in the bathtub.
"A bath really does take care of most problems." Commented Kaminari. Happily chilling in the bathtub with the bros, no need to stand five feet apart to prove anything.
"I'm not one for bathtubs, cuz' of the steam. But I'll make an exception today." Said Atsuhito.
"THERE'S DIRT EVERYWHERE!" Angrily yelled Bakugo after seeing all that mess. "SCRUB IT OFF WITH DETERGENT RIGHT NOW! AND MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE SIDE OF THE BOTTLE AND USE THE RIGHT AMOUNT!"
"You might have apologized for your actions in the past, but you haven't changed a bit." Denounced the birb.
Bakugo then splashed into the bathtub joining the rest of the bros, also splashing everyone with water.
"I haven't given up on becoming number one. You're still all my rivals. And that includes you, Dek-...Izuku."
"..." Atsuhito stared. "Rivals? I thought I had surpassed you all by MILES already!"
"WHAT'D YOU SAY, STEAM-PUNK?!"
"Deku is fine, you don't have to force yourself, Kacchan."
"I'M NOT FORCING MYSELF!"
"This is a great time to submerge Bakugo! Let's do it!"
"WHADDYA MEAN 'GREAT TIME'?"
"Also, you're still stinky, Izuku!"
"I-I am?"
"We'll need more than this...It's time to use it!" Atsuhito glared. "FLASHFIRE STEAM..."
"No, no, no, no! WAAIT A SECOND Kaito!" Izuku frantically waved his arms in response as Atsuhito aimed his quirk at him.
"TIME TO COOK THE BROCCOLI! STEAM POWERED POWER WASHER!"
~~~
The time passed, as in the first time in what felt like years, the skies finally calmed down and the rain stopped. As the night grew closer, the class finally found themselves back in the security and peace of the Dorms, everything looked normal again, all were ready for a much needed rest after all that had happened the past few days.
Most, with only a few exceptions, were at the common room, to get on the same page once again.
"Thanks, everyone. And sorry for the trouble." Midoriya apologized. "Where's Uraraka and Atsuhito?"
"Uraraka fell asleep. She was completely knocked out once the situation died down." Said Ashido. "Atsuhito was here a second ago..." She looked around. "Jiro?"
"He said he needed some time alone." Clarified Jiro, twirling one of her earphones. She didn't quite knew what was going through Kaito's head by now.
"I see..." Midoriya understood. "I wonder..."
"The Steam Vigilante was right! You're all fakes!"
Kaito heard that in his mind, repeatedly, a thousand times over. He couldn't shake that feeling that something was wrong. The feeling of messing something up. He looked up to the sky, stargazing as he always does. Only that way those haunting words seemed to finally cease, if only for a second. He imagined what was it that Nezu had to say. Surely it wouldn't be something good, after all, it's the Principal himself who called him. One in a thousand things he could've done in the small window of time he spent as a vigilante, yet he had a tight grip on what exactly it could be.
After a few seconds, he heard the old #1 Hero's voice, breaking his trail of thought.
"Woah, you are Hawks' hatchling through and through, aren't you? Young Atsuhito?"
"All Might?" He looked down at the Dorm's entrance. Of course Kaito was up on the roof.
Kaito jumped down, using his steam to slow his descent once he got closer to the ground.
"You seem distracted. Is something wrong?" Questioned the concerned All Might.
"Yeah, it's just..." Kaito dismissively rubbed the back of his head, looking around. "It was a full day, just trying to... y'know."
"I see. Rest assured, everything is fine now. Young Midoriya and you are back, that's all that matters."
"Thanks, All Might."
"I'm heading out to meet Endeavor and the others." All Might turned away.
"Can you tell Hawks to-" Before Kaito could finish, All Might knew exactly what he would say.
"To text Tokoyami? Don't worry! I will!" All Might waved.
Kaito returned the gesture with a smile and turned back to get into the Dorm again. Once he got closer to the door, he could hear his classmates' talking.
"I'm Dabi's brother and Endeavor's son. So I bet deep down he's still worrying about me."
"All because of family circumstances, aren't you frustrated?" Wondered Kirishima, worried about his friend. "It's not like you did something to deserve this..."
"I did. I was so caught up in my own problems I lost sight of my origins. But I'm different now, and I'll prove it to everyone, I wont let you worry about me anymore..."
"Won't let you worry about me anymore?" Kaito's hand stopped before touching the door handle as he absorbed those words. "The last thing they need is me here..."
"Don't you understand?" Kaito heard another voice, one he didn't quite recognize. It almost sounded like his own, but different in a twisted way. "They don't need you..." He looked around, and didn't see anyone.
"People regard us with apprehension now..." He heard Kyoka's voice, addressing the rest of the class. "In order to erase their worries, to put smiles on their faces, we'll think of what we can do." She used her earphones to grab the A Band members, along with straight up pulling Bakugo by the shirt, as much as he didn't like to admit she was right.
"Just like we did in the School Festival, let's do everything we have and do our best! We won't just take it back we'll move forward and become better versions of ourselves... go beyond!"
The smiles from everyone showed the class agreed with her.
"Look who's starting to sound like a lot like Atsuhito~!" Ashido teased, tickling Jiro.
"I guess you're right." Jiro blushed. "Speaking of Kaito!"
She walked to the door, hoping to meet her boyfriend outside. "Kaito!...". Jiro opened the door and saw a small cloud of steam, indicating he was there a second ago. She stepped forward and looked up to the building, but didn't see him anywhere. "Weird..."
Surely he wouldn't just fly away again after having returned just a few days ago, so the obvious next stop would be his bedroom.
Kyoka didn't even knock on the door, heading straight into the room, and there he was, looking away at the balcony.
"It's kinda chilly outside..." She said entering the room and closing the door behind her. "What's up?" She asked, by now she could tell when he had something bothering him.
"Do you ever feel like..." He scoffed, finding the whole situation somewhat comical. "Cast away? From everyone? Almost as if... you were not in the same page as everyone else around you?"
"Why do you feel like that?" She wondered, joining Kaito in the balcony.
"I can't say for sure... Midoriya has returned, the class is back together again, but right now, I don't feel like I'm part of Class A at all."
"Kaito..." She softly touched his cheek, moving his head so he could look into her eyes. "What happened, happened. Everyone welcomed you back, nobody thinks any less of you for what you've done."
"Tsk... you're too kind." He took her hand.
"And you need some rest." Jiro brought him back into the room. "You're looking like Mr. Aizawa." She giggled.
"Heh, I wonder how he's doing. Tomorrow I'll see if I can find him."
"Oh, and tomorrow we'll definitely see my parents after your meeting with Principal Nezu!"
"Finally!"
After a day full of emotions, a rollercoaster of emotions, if you will, the two lovebirds, finally got some time to rest... Or at least Kyoka did...
"...pretend as long as you want. You're not the same as them..."
"You're NOT a Hero. You never WERE a Hero. You never WILL BE a hero..."
That same distorted voice returned to haunt him.
Kaito opened his eyes and looked around. He was still at his room. He sighed, relieved for a moment.
"It was just a nightmare..."
When someone grabbed his arm, lifting him up by the neck with an overwhelming strength.
"KYO-" His instinct was to protect Kyoka who was by his side, but she wasn't there anymore.
He tried to fight back and break the grip from whomever fought him. He didn't even notice who was it, for the mysterious attacker looked down as he choked the hero.
Although one thing was certain. Kaito recognized the ruined gauntlet the attacker had, the leather bomber jacket, equally ruined and teared apart, and finally the brass colored helmet with a fin at the top. There was no mistake about it.
"What are you afraid of?" The vigilante asked with a raspy voice. He looked up, meeting Kaito's gaze. The helmet was partially ruined, showing half of his burned face while the other half had diagonal tears through the eye slits. "THEY'RE WAITING FOR YOU..."
"GAHH!" Kaito woke up in a cold sweat, breathing heavily, aiming his quirk around the room.
"What's wrong?!" Kyoka woke up from the sudden scream and movement. "Kaito?"
"N-Nothing, nothing..." He got up from the bed, feeling another headache. "Everything's fine." He started putting on his sneakers, as if getting ready to head out.
"What- what are you doing? Where are you going?"
"..." He didn't answer.
"Kaito! Talk to me!"
"Don't worry..."
Without uttering another word, he moved out.
Kyoka looked wordless, trying to understand what had just happened...
~~🚂💨~~
"I must say you're here sooner than expected." Said Nezu. "I'm afraid I must have left you worried since yesterday."
"You have no idea, sir."
"I'm sorry about that. I felt like a little normality was needed for your class, after all, you have been through a lot, not just now, but throughout the year too."
"I understand, sir." Kaito looked eager. "I just... really needed to hear what you had to say. I just couldn't shake the thought out of my mind."
"I see. I'll head straight to the point." Said Nezu. "As I mentioned yesterday, your vigilante activity has bore an unexpected fruit. As you may know, many civilians refused to evacuate into any Hero Academia or evacuation center due to the lack of trust in heroes and their ability to keep them safe."
"I noticed that from the evacuees reaction by bringing Midoriya here."
"Indeed. Although, our evacuees are in a little more...reasonable side."
"Reasonable?"
"After the villains from Tartarus, as well as multiple other prisons broke free, there was a sudden spike in villainous organizations and militias trying to make justice by their own hands. One of these organizations has taken quite a liking to the 'Steam Vigilante's Ideals', and have formed some sort of 'Cult'... around you, Atsuhito."
Those words were hauntingly heavy on Atsuhito's shoulders. After hearing one of the civilians should his name and 'ideals', he didn't think there would be a whole 'cult' worshipping his actions, and even worse, diminishing the Heroes, or at least the few who still fight and risk their lives to protect those people.
"A Cult?" He facepalmed.
"At least that's how they call themselves." Nezu pressed a button on his desk and a TV screen was lowered behind him. "These images were taken yesterday in Kyushu."
The images showed multiple men and women dressed in the same style as the vigilante, all carrying support items to enhance their quirks and Jetpacks in the same style as the vigilante used. Not to mention the different, brass colored helmets, also mimicking the Steam Vigilantes'.
"What are these people doing?" He wondered.
"In the most part, fighting villains. But they're most definitely not our allies. They target anyone who isn't deemed 'worthy'.
"This is just like.... Stain." Kaito recalled how Stain got his popularity through a video in the internet. "It doesn't make sense... what can I do about it? How can I stop this madness?"
"I understand your concern, but for now, I'd rather have you stay put within the safety of U.A's security system." Said Nezu. "With the newly acquired information All Might has gathered from Stain, we don't have any Pro Heroes available."
"But... Principal Nezu, we can't let these people go around doing whatever it is they're doing! I did this, I can stop it!"
"Hmm..." Nezu looked thoughtful. "You may head out when the time is right. But for now, it would be best to stay here. I wouldn't want to risk the life of one of our students."
Kaito sighed, knowing arguing is pointless. "Very well, sir."
"Aizawa wouldn't want you doing that... he's still at the hospital, you know?"
"At the hospital?" Kaito found it strange, he had just met Aizawa a few days ago when he returned. "I thought he was here?"
Nezu shook his head negatively. "Aizawa only returned for one day, just to see you..."
"W-What?"
"Mhm... You remind him of Oboro." Nezu hummed, he could see why Kaito would remind Aizawa of Oboro. "After you returned to the dorm, he had to return to the hospital. He only wanted to make sure you returned safely. Midoriya always had the Pro Heroed and All Might by his side, but you were alone. Aizawa didn't want to lose you too..."
"H-He really said that?" Kaito looked down, as a tears formed in his eyes.
"Mhm." Nezu nodded. "He's already feeling better, so I'm sure he'll join us again in no time."
"T-That's... good." He wiped the tears with his arm. "I'm glad!" Kaito smiled through the tears.
~~~~~
After leaving the Principal's Office, now with even more thoughts weighing him down, Kaito wondered what would happen next. Surely things couldn't get WORSE than they are now, would they?
Between feeling disconnected from the class, his friends, learning his teacher left the Hospital in bad condition JUST to make sure he would right the right path again, and now an entire CULT following his words. The words from a Kaito who wasn't doing what was right, although he thought he was... what's next?
He returned to the Dorm again, to meet a worried Kyoka, wandering around the common room as she waited for him to return.
Kaito opened the door and she quickly headed his way, a worried look in her face. "There you are! You left in such a hurry! What happened?" Suddenly, he pulled her closer in a hug. A hug with a heavy sentimental value, meaningful.
She wondered what made him leave so early and in such a hurry earlier, but of course he used the good old 'nothing. I'm fine' shtick. She didn't want to pressure him, not under circumstances like this. The only way to hear what's in his mind would be leaving him to do it on his own, that much she knew.
Although, she also felt excited. Today is the day he'll finally, or at least formally meet her parents. She met his parents a few days ago, and everything went as well as it could be.
After getting ready to leave, what guy would want to meet his girlfriend's parents looking like 'whatever'. Kaito even more so, since he's the crispiest guy in U.A.
It didn't take them long to find the right place. Just like Kaito's parents, the Jiros are staying in another 'Dorm like' building with lots of rooms to stay, no place more secure for these people right now.
It had no Ceremony at all, it was arranged, so of course Kyoka's parents would be waiting. Kyotoku already knew Kaito from that Team Up mission, but Mika only knew stories of the 'dreamy guy who saved Kyoka' in the entrance exam, tales from Kyoka's crushing days before chapter 74. The Jiros were sitting in a sofa, and on the other side, Kyoka and Kaito stood.
"So you must be the Atsuhito Kyoka spoke so much about!" Mika politely smiled, heading straight to the point. That comment alone made Kyoka turn red blushing. "It's nice to finally meet you!"
"A-, yeah. It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Jiro. Kyoka didn't tell me much about you!" He shyly rubbed his nape.
"She told me so much about you, it's good to put a face in the name!"
"Mom!" Kyoka blushed. "Stop exposing me!"
"You should have heard her. Every day after school, telling about this 'dreamy, cool guy' in school. And that she wanted to be a hero like him!"
"MOM!"
Kaito chuckled in amusement as Mika exposed Kyoka's crush tale in rich detail. He was surprised to see how beautiful her mother was, mostly because of how the two looked alike, from the hair, the eyes, even the quirks were the same.
Although, something felt strange. Kyotoku didn't seem the same he had met before. He was mostly quiet, arms crossed, an intricate look in his eyes as he mostly heard, not adding anything. Until he finally spoke up.
"Atsuhito... do you love my daughter?" He questioned, eyes still closed, arms crossed. That question raised a different feeling in the place.
"Uh... I'm- y-yes, yes sir. Absolutely!" Kaito replied firmly. "I-Is there a reason to question it?" He looked around, Mika had a different look in her eyes, as if she had heard that from Kyotoku before, as in 'I can't believe he actually asked that'.
Kyotoku sighed before continuing. He looked back at Kaito with a serious expression, which worried Kaito. He arrived there today with confidence, since Kyotoku seemed to really like him from their first meeting, as Mika seemed to like him. But something felt different.
"Ever since the school year started, your class has been through lots of hurdles. From the villain attack in the USJ, the Training Camp where Kyoka was knocked out by that gas... needless to say, you guys have been through a lot, and I respect that you two have reached this far." Kyotoku took a meaningful pause. "The point that I'm getting at, you have also been through even more stuff, multiple times. My wife and I know how much Kyoka worried about you all this time..."
Kyoka blushed softly with a pout, avoiding Kaito's gaze.
"...how much she cried for you."
That last part surprised Kaito. He knew Kyoka cared about him, but he never stopped to think she cared about him for all time, ever since the school year started. It's not something from now.
"The point that I'm getting at is; she already has enough stuff to worry about. Now she has to beat the weight of worrying about you also? If all this time, all you did was make her cry, is this relationship of yours even a good thing?"
Kyoka looked back at her dad, surprised. "Dad? W-What are you saying? If I cried it's because-"
"Just look at how many times you injured yourself, how many sleepless nights Kyoka spent thinking about you. You have to understand that, as a father, I don't want to see my daughter like that. Ever. So tell me... do you even care about Kyoka?"
Kaito closed his eyes, stunned by learning all of that. Does he? Does he even care about Kyoka at all?
"I don't think this relationship is gonna work out." Kyotoku concluded.
"Dad- no, hold-" Kyoka tried to say something again, before Kaito interrupted.
"I have to agree." He said, surprising everyone.
"W-What?" Kyoka looked back at him with teary eyes.
"You are absolutely right." Kaito stood up, then respectfully bowed. "I'm sorry for all the pain I have caused to your family, Mr. Jiro." Then turned away. "This won't happen again. Excuse me."
Kaito without uttering another word, simply walked away, agreeing with what Kyotoku said.
"Dad!?" Kyoka yelled before running after Kaito, slamming the door as she left.
Kyotoku sighed. He voiced his heart, told what he thought was best for his daughter, for his family, but only now he understood how much Kaito really meant for Kyoka.
"She'll get over it." He said.
"Will she?" Questioned Mika. "You can't even begin to understand how much he means to Kyoka." She said seriously as Kyotoku paid attention. "Ever since the U.A entrance exam, Kyoka hasn't stopped talking about him."
"S-She does?" He was surprised. "I thought you were saying that stuff to tease her."
"Of course she wouldn't tell you because of how protective you are of her. But this Atsuhito guy... is Kyoka's Hero. Both figuratively and literally. He's the one she wishes to become one day... someone who makes people smile by being himself, by doing what he likes, that's the type of hero she wishes to become."
Now Kyotoku understood the gravity of the mistake he committed by thinking Kaito was just a high school crush Kyoka would grow out of.
~~~
"Kaito!" Kyoka yelled, running after him.
"There's nothing to discuss, Kyoka..." he answered without looking. "Your father is right about me. I haven't done nothing good for you. You deserve someone better."
She ran ahead of him and stood in his front. "Why do you always do this?! Walk away when we're talking or arguing?!"
"You heard your father. I'm a terrible person."
"Stop trying to be EDGY and listen to me!" She aimed her earphones at him with an angy, yet emotional look. A weird blend of adorable and menacing that only Kyoka can pull off.
"...that's not very nice." He said.
"Father doesn't know a thing about me, he's always overprotective! He didn't even want me returning to U.A to begin with!"
"You heard him! I never done anything but make you CRY this whole year!" Kaito insisted.
"And don't you think that's a good thing, moron?!" Kyoka insisted, her voice cracking as her eyes filled with more tears.
"I'm...doing it again..." Said Kaito, looking down.
"I cried not because you hurt me, or because of you, I cried because I cared about you! What part of this don't you understand?!" She insisted, pushing his shoulder with one hand.
"That was close. Are you ok?" Questioned the concerned Kaito. Kyoka slowly opened her eyes to see her savior, carrying her in his arms.
"I cared about you because ever since that first moment, you cared about me..."
"Oh yeah? Why don't you come up and say that to my face, Explosion Boy?"
Jiro giggled watching him fearlessly taunt the explosion boy back.
"I cared about you because you weren't afraid of being yourself.
"Alright, I'm nervous. How can I not be? It's Todoroki! The guy has the perfect quirk! I'm just a steam dude."
"You were afraid of showing your weaknesses, but you weren't afraid of accepting help when you needed."
"Check this out! I'm the Steam Powered Hero: Steampunk!"
"All of these little moments made me realize how much I admired you..."
"C'mon! It's gonna be fun, trust me!" He took one of the gauntlets off, and Jiro donned it. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder to help her brace and she fire off a steam blast.
"W-Woah, that's awesome!" Kyoka smiled.
"Yeah! Isn't it cool?" They stared at each other, a mysterious force approaching the two.
"It also made me realize...I felt something else than admiration for you..."
"Dance off, Mic! Me vs. You!"
"Ugh, what an idiot! Is that his plan?!" Jiro facepalmed.
"Something like..."
"You're the star of the show. I have no doubt you'll become a great hero someday!
"W-Why would you say that? Why are you so certain?"
"You said it yourself, remember? I believe you can do it!"
"....something like..."
"I have a promise to keep. Also, we have our date, remember? Ain't no way I'm dying before that, Kyoka..."
She finally mustered the courage to say it, and shyly, like the tsun tsun she is, with red tinted cheeks and arms wrapped around her back, avoiding his gaze as much as she could, although she wanted to look in his eyes as she did so, so she did it.
"I realized that, well, if anything I... loved you, Kaito. I still do."
"K-Kyoka..."
"After all we've been through, after all these tears, I think it's obvious that the reason is that. I love you!" She admitted.
Kaito wasn't quite sure how to react, so he did what he does best, disarmed the situation, and Kyoka in the process, by laughing.
"W-Wha... What are you doing?" She questioned.
"You are such an angel... why would YOU be in love with ME!?" He laughed harder. "It's almost COMICAL!"
"W-Well, it's your fault for-" Before she could finish, Kaito surprised her with a kiss, one which he didn't need his steam to melt her, metaphorically speaking.
Kyoka enjoyed it for a few seconds, then pushed him back.
"W-WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DO THAT?! KISSING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF-" Another kiss, and again she pushed him back, just to keep her persona.
"UGH! I hate you!" She turned back.
"And I love you..." Said Kaito. "So much..."
"Hmph!" She puffed, and without looking back she asked. "Does that mean I win? Did I win an argument against you?"
"I-I-I... you heard what your father said! He doesn't approve me anymore, Kyoka! We can't change this now. At least not yet..." Kaito looked hopeless.
"Actually..." Both heard Kyotoku's voice. "I... overheard what you guys said and..." Kyotoku joined them, looking a little ashamed of how he acted before. "I'm sorry, I was too harsh on you, Atsuhito."
"It's ok, Mr. Jiro. You're right after all. I don't think I deserve someone like Kyoka."
"Heyy.." Kyoka whined. "Stop saying that, please."
"You're wrong." Disputed Kyotoku. "I was wrong. Now I understand how much she means to you, and how much you mean to her. You do love Kyoka, right?"
Kaito looked at her, she looked right back. He smirked, and she giggled. "Yes sir. More than anything."
"It's gonna take more than words to prove me that still. Call me overprotective..."
"You ARE overprotective, Dad." Insisted Kyoka.
"Hmph! I mean... you have your chance right here! Take it or leave it!"
"I will take it, thank you, sir. I won't disappoint."
"I hope so." Kyotoku turned back. "Now, c'mon. Mika is waiting for us."
Kyoka held Kaito's hand, I don't care if you think it's lewd not not, in this situation it's cute, and both of them walked right back into the dorm.
Kaito never thought meeting her parents would lead to something like that, and he knew very well Kyotoku had EVERY reason to question their relationship. Even Kaito himself questioned it. It's only natural a parent would want the best for their child, turns out in this situation, Kyoka always had what was best for her right by her side; Kaito.
Other than this small conflict, Kaito and the Jiro's hit it off pretty well. Mika's favorite musical genre IS punk, and Kaito is THE Steampunk. That and the months she heard about him from Kyoka.
In the end, they even sang "Crazy Train" together, musical talent is something this family won't lack, that's for sure.
The time passed, and Kaito still had to do one more thing to take care of.
The PunkRock couple was standing by the front door, still talking about everything that had happened.
"Well, I still have pay a visit to the Support Course."
"Why?"
"Nothing important, the usual. Just leave it to me."
"Right..." Kyoka didn't quite believe that.
"I think it went quite well, all things considered." Said Kaito
"I think so too... it just bothers me something like that has to happen every time for you to tell me you love me!" Kyoka pouted.
"You're so sweet!" Kaito pulled her into another kiss.
"Hey, Atsuhito you forgot your-" Kyotoku opened the door to see them breaking the kiss. "...phone." He sighed. "What are you-"
"W-What? Nothing's happening!" Blushed Kyoka.
"Woah, hold on. Something's definitely happening." Smugly said Kaito.
"C'mon, do that when I'm not around or something..."
"Yeah! What's the matter with you, Kyoka? Grabbing me and kissing me like that? I'm a little surprised myself. I have stuff to do. See you later, Kyotoku." Kaito walked away.
"Atsuhito..."
"Yeah?"
"You're full of shit."
"Oh, yeah... your daughter loves it, though!"
"This guy..."
~~~
Kaito knew that the only one this supposed 'cult' would hear, would be the very same person responsible for creating it in the first place; himself. And in order for them to listen, he would need one more thing before heading out.
He entered the Support Course and there it was, repaired by his father. The very same helmet Kaito used as a vigilante.
"So you're really doing this?" Questioned Hatsume.
"I have to...this needs to stop."
Hatsume hugged him. "Good luck, Kaito."
Kaito hugged her back. "Thank you, Mei."
Now, wearing his newest Hero costume, along with his vigilante helmet, Kaito recieved the green light from Nezu. All he knew is that the Principal managed to form a team to support him in this mission.
When he stepped out of the main campus, he soon was stopped by a group of his classmates, running after him in a hurry.
"Atsuhito!" They yelled, catching up to the Steamboy.
"Jiro told us about how you were feeling!" Uraraka was the first to say something.
"You should have said something, Atsuhito!" Yelled Mineta with teary eyes.
"We never meant to make you feel like that!" Said Yaoyorozu.
"We're sorry if we made you feel that way." Added Todoroki.
Kaito smiled. "It's ok...I'm sorry for not talking to you about it."
"Kaito..." Izuku stepped forward. "We heard about that 'cult' too. You don't have to do this alone." He clenched his fist. "Let me join you!"
Kaito took a few seconds before answering. He chuckled seeing Midoriya like that.
"You gotta let me do my own stuff, Izuku..." He smiled. "I brought this on myself, and only I can deal with it now. I'm glad you guys are worried about me, about how I feel. Frankly, I don't feel like a student from Class A right now. I need to fix this in order to make things right."
"But-" Ochako tried to argue.
"There's nothing to discuss, Ochako. I have decided." He looked back at Izuku. "Now you, sir, have to rest! And see your mom, get on the same page with everybody."
Midoriya teared up. "T-That's not fair! You helped me, and I can't help you?"
"Heh, you don't even have a suit!" Kaito chuckled.
Finally, Izuku stepped forward and hugged his childhood friend, something that caught Kaito off guard, even more so when the rest of the class joined them.
After another emotional moment, Kaito was finally ready to head out. He found it strange to not see his closest friends in the midst of those he met outside the campus. Little did he know there was an answer to that.
As Kaito headed out, this time for reals, to start his mission, he was surprised to see those guys, his classmates, awaiting outside the main campus, all donning their hero suits and ready to join him in his mission. His 'Team'.
Jiro, Tokoyami, Kirishima, Kaminari and Bakugo.
"This whole situation was brought up by YOUR stupidity!" Yelled Bakugo. "You're CRAZY if you think you're doing this alone!"
"Don't even try to persuade us to stay." Added Tokoyami. "We're birds of a feather, remember? I will join you."
"Letting a friend deal with all of this pressure alone wouldn't be very manly, would it? No matter how hardcore I know you are!" Kirishima clashed his fists.
"Time for the Powered Power Bros to fight together again! Let's give em' an Electrifying Steam Powered lesson!" Kaminari was hyped up.
"You were never 'cast away' from us, not even after going rogue." Jiro stepped forward, grabbing his free hand. "You're Class A's Kaito. Your problems are our problems too."
"Damn right!" Agreed Bakugo.
Kaito chuckled, knowing he couldn't argue with these guys.
"Thanks, guys..." He took a deep breath as he looked away into the chaos of the streets once again. This time knowing somewhere out there, there's a whole 'cult' in desperate need of a lesson about heroism, as did him once.
"Right... let's get started!" *epic group pose*
<=== TO BECONTINUED ====