•(Y/N) (L/N)•
My luck was officially over.
I suppose it's karma. I mean I had met three very important hero characters. So, despite meeting Dabi, I suppose karma did have to swing the other way.
But why him?
I was just on a walk around my neighborhood when I saw him. His bright bluish-white hair was what initially drew my attention to him. The poor boy was shivering as he sat against the wall of an alleyway. What made it worse was the fact it was raining.
My feet moved before I could think, and within minutes I was in front of the shivering boy. I was holding my umbrella over us as I crouched down in front of him. The boy looked up at me and the second he did there was no doubting who this was.
Tomura Shigaraki.
I was hoping I was mistaken, but there is no way I could say that now.
Our eyes stayed glued to each other's eyes. There was a sense of mutual understanding. We both knew this world was unfair and painful life could be. Hell, I died at nineteen.
There was so much pain in his eyes. So much guilt and grief and anxiety.
That's when the realization hit hard. Shigaraki wasn't a hate-fueled, psychotic, murderer...not yet. He was just a kid who went through something traumatic and was abandoned by society. It doesn't make his actions justified, but it was understandable why he was so hateful.
I felt guilty for judging, for being afraid, of this boy. He was just as scared of his own quirk as I was. He didn't mean to kill his family. He was just emotionally pushed to the point his quirk involuntarily came out. He was four and didn't know how to control his quirk. And here I was being judgmental for crimes he hasn't even committed yet.
From what I remember about Shigaraki's past was that his father was abusive both physically and emotionally. His mother couldn't help him as much as she wanted, his sister had always tried to protect herself by blaming Shigaraki, and his grandparents just stood aside and let him be abused.
Then he accidentally killed his family and searched for help from anyone on the streets. Yet everyone avoided and abandoned him, thinking heroes would just take care of him. It was awful.
In truth, all the villains just needed someone to be kind to them and try to understand them. Just a little bit of kindness towards these guys...and the whole world can change.
I reached forward and placed my hand on his head.
"It's okay. I'll help you now," I smiled.
Shigaraki's eyes widened as I kept my smile. I held out the umbrella and Shigaraki hesitantly reached out. He grabbed the Umbrella, his hand above mine, and I suppose he forgot what his quirk was as the umbrella decayed. Shigaraki's hand shot back towards himself and I frowned.
"It's okay. It's alright. Um...give me a second. I'll be right back. Don't move," I assured.
I quickly entered the small store across the street and searched my pockets. I had a bit of money my parents had given me for food should I want any.
I would never know why my parents let their five-year-old girl walk alone around the neighborhood. Anime logic, I guess.
Anyway, I bought some gloves for him, another umbrella, and some snacks. I walked back outside and walked back to the alley. Shigaraki seemed shocked that I returned and my heart hurt for him.
"Try holding the umbrella with four fingers. I need to open this," I said.
Shigaraki hesitantly grabbed the umbrella, and when it didn't decay he smiled a little. I smiled at his smile and worked on opening the small package of gloves. I was about to help him put the glove on when I realized something. If all his fingers were inside the glove then he would decay the glove. That's why he wore gloves that covered only three of his fingers in the anime, right?
"One second. Here, have this," I said.
I handed Shigaraki the snacks before running to the store again. I asked the woman at the register for scissors. Hesitantly she gave them to me and I cut the cloth that should cover the thumb, point, and middle fingers along with a bit of fabric for the palm. I gave the scissors back and then went back to Shigaraki.
"I think your quirk reacts to you touching something with all of your fingers. So I think these should help. If not we'll find something else," I said.
Shigaraki put the gloves on and grabbed the umbrella with all five fingers to test it out. When the umbrella didn't decay I smiled and clapped my hands together.
"Perfect!" I smiled.
I grabbed the boy's free hand and he tensed up.
"See, I'm fine," I smiled.
Shigaraki pulled his hand away gently and looked at his hand. Shigaraki teared up before tears fell down his face. He cried, the umbrella falling from his hand, and I reached out. I wiped his tears as he cried before hugging him.
"It's alright. It's okay to cry," I said.
Shigaraki clung to me and I rubbed his back. Eventually, Shigaraki pulled away as he calmed down and I smiled.
"I'll be back. I'm going to get my parents. I promise we'll help you," I said.
Shigaraki looked at me with a bit of fear, but I just rubbed his shoulder.
"I promise I won't abandon you," I said.
As soon as Shigaraki nodded I ran through the rain to my parents' house.
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•Tenko Shimura | Tomura Shigaraki•
That girl, what was her name?
It was the first time in the past four years that someone had actually tried to help me. She gave me food, an umbrella, and gloves.
The gloves.
I looked down at my hands at the black fabric that covered half of my palm, my wrist, my thumb, and my ring fingers. The cut in the glove was uneven and crude, but despite it only covering half of my hand it was warm. The fabric was soft and comfortable.
I could hold things again without destroying them.
I could touch people.
I hugged her.
Despite not knowing the girl's name I doubt I could ever forget her kind (E/C) colored eyes. The way she looked at me wasn't in pity, but understanding.
Those eyes showed pain in their own right. Nothing like mine, no she had parents and she most likely hadn't killed anyone, however pain nonetheless.
"Such a kind girl, isn't she?" a deep, smooth, voice asked.
Looking up I saw a man in a suit. He was standing in the rain as if he didn't even feel it. He smiled down at me.
"But nobody else would help you, would they? It hurt, didn't it? You must have run, looking for a helping hand. What an awful thing," he said.
He walked over and crouched in front of me, pulling me into a hug.
It was strange how much better I felt being hugged by someone again.
I cried again.
Tears fell down unwillingly.
"A hero will...sooner or later a hero will..." he said.
Memories of those adults who I'd passed had said. An excuse to ignore me.
"That's what they all thought as they pretended not to see you. Who the heck made it this kind of world, anyway? You'll be fine now. I'm here for you," he said.
He stood and smiled down at me.
"I'll take you in, and one day you'll be able to save that girl from the injustices of this world. The heroes, the civilians, and everyone who ignored those truly in need when it doesn't help themselves. Those are the people who need to see a true change in this world," he said.
He offered his hand and as I put my hand in his he smiled.
"And I'm sure you'll change the world," he said.
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•(Y/N) (L/N)•
I managed to convince my dad to come with me, and I practically dragged him to the alleyway.
"He needs help, papa. He's scared and lonely," I said.
However, when we got to the alleyway he was gone. The only thing left was the umbrella on the ground.
I froze.
I shouldn't have left him alone. I should've tried getting him to come with me. I failed.
I failed.
Did All For One appear when I left? Or did Shigaraki run away?
I didn't know, but as my dad picked up the umbrella he frowned. He turned to me and held it out to me as he kneeled down.
"He was here. I promise. He...he was scared of himself," I frowned.
"I believe you, baby girl. Let's go to the police so we can tell them there's a boy out here," my dad said.
I grabbed the umbrella as my dad stood and grabbed my head. We walked towards the police system, but I couldn't help but look back with overwhelming guilt.
When we got to the police station the policemen welcomed my dad with friendly smiles and familiarity.
"Shoji?" a man asked.
We turned and my dad smiled happily.
"Nao! How've you been?!" my dad asked.
I recognized the man. Naomasa Tsukauchi is a tall man with short, black hair and somewhat rectangular black eyes. He was wearing a uniform, which consists of a signature tan overcoat and matching hat, underneath which he wears a black suit, a green tie at his neck with matching slacks, and dress shoes.
"I've been fine, Sho. Ah, (Y/N)! I haven't seen you since you were a baby," he smiled.
Wait...he did?
Was I asleep when he visited, or am I just that forgetful? No. I would've remembered, right?
"She won't remember. She was too young," my dad replied.
Mr. Tsukauchi sighed in defeat before crouching down and offering his hand.
"You won't remember me, but I'm a close friend of your father's. I'm your godfather," he said.
WHAT?!
When did this happen?! Don't get me wrong I'm happy, but holy shit!
I mean, I suppose it makes sense. My dad did start as a policeman and became a private investigator. So of course he had friends within the police system. I just never expected him to know Mr. Tsukauchi.
What a small world.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Tsukauchi," I replied.
I shook his hand and he smiled.
"Just call me uncle. Anyway, why are you two here? Just visiting?" Mr. Tsukauchi asked.
"I wish. (Y/N), why don't you tell the detective what you saw," my dad said.
"There was a boy. He looked scared and lost. I think he's homeless," I muttered.
Mr...no, my uncle frowned before humming.
He took me to his desk where I filed a report to him. I explained what Shigaraki looked like and what had happened. I even explained the boy's work and that I got him gloves. By the end, the two men could tell I was upset that he'd just disappeared.
"It's alright, we'll find him," Tsukauchi tried to comfort me.
It did little to console me as I knew that he most likely wouldn't ever find Shigaraki.
"How about I take you to get ice cream? Your uncle's treat," Tsukauchi offered.
"Hey! Hey! Sayuri will kill me," my dad argued.
Tsukauchi just smirked before suddenly sweeping me into his arms and before giving my dad a mischievous look.
"Well, that's your problem, not mine. Let's go (Y/N)!" he said.
I couldn't help but laugh as I was taken out of the precinct as my dad fumbled after us. In the end, we did end up getting ice cream.
However, as we entered the house our happiness was cut short...by my mother's upset face and crossed arms.
"Where were you two?" my mother asked.
My father and I kept our mouths shut. We looked at each other before my mother cleared her voice.
"The police station," I replied.
"Oh? And why is that?" she asked.
"There was a boy. He was scared and I think he didn't have a home," I replied.
My mother looked at my father with raised brows.
"And you didn't go anywhere after?" my mother asked.
"Nope," my father replied.
My mother then pointed to my father's shirt and I saw a spot of ice cream.
"Are you sure?" my mother asked.
A silence passed before my mother hit my dad on the head.
"Ow!" my dad whined.
My mother then hit my head, though with a lot less force.
"Ow!" I whined.
"To your rooms, the both of you," my mother scolded.
"Yes ma'am," we replied while pouting.
We walked past the woman and out of the room.
"It was so worth it," I muttered.
"Yes, yes it was," my dad added.
We looked at each other and withheld our laughs as my dad walked to his room and I went to the stairs.
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For weeks afterward I returned to the park during my free time, hoping to see Shigaraki again, but he never appeared. This made my mood worse. I was more agitated with Bakugou, and gloomy the rest of the time. Everyone noticed. Even Shoto, who I haven't properly talked to face-to-face.
"You've been upset these past couple of weeks. What's wrong?" Touya asked.
"There's this kid I wanted to help, but he disappeared before I could get my father there to properly help him. I'm...worried. We talked to the police, but...I doubt they'll find him," I sighed.
"I'm sure the police will find him," Fuyumi said.
"Yeah, and I'm sure he won't forget your kindness," Natsuo said.
That I doubt. I mean despite being kind to the nine-year-old he would soon turn into someone who wants to kill and destroy everything simply because he didn't like it. I'm sure he'll forget me as soon as All For One gets control of him.
And that pained me.
"I'm not so sure," I replied.
Suddenly a hand ruffled my hair and I looked up to see Touya smile. His smile made me relax as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"If you got through to me, I'm sure you got through to him," Touya said.
"Yeah...thanks," I smiled.
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"You seem happier," Shoto said from behind the door.
"A bit. I'm still upset, but all I can do is try and move forward. Try and be better," I replied.
"I'm...glad," Shoto replied.
"Hey, Sho," I said.
"Yes?" Shoto asked.
"Thank you for being my friend. For noticing my mood," I said.
After that, I began to tell Shoto about my day, and he listened. It was how our relationship was. Shoto, even in the anime, didn't talk much. He felt more comfortable listening to others, and I was perfectly fine with letting him know I was there.
I failed in saving Shigaraki, and I feel incredibly guilty. However, now I know to be more careful. I would change this anime's story to try and improve as many lives as I could. That would be my goal.
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Ah, your first failure. Not really, I doubt you would've been able to protect baby Shigaraki forever. It was canon that All For One had his eyes on Shigaraki to get at All Might and Nana Shimura after all.
Also, I know Shigaraki was picked up by All For One soon after he killed his parents (probably a couple of days after). However! To fit the story, this one, he will be canonically nine when All For One takes him. Let us just say All For One gave him a couple of years of seeing "people's true selfish nature".
Also, I hope you enjoyed having some fun with your dad and meeting Naomasa Tsukauchi! If you don't remember him, he is All Might's detective friend. No, you do not know All Might!
Now I know that Private Investigators have very different laws to follow, and can not make arrests, but some policemen do become Private Investigators and this is what your father did. It will be explained later on why he did that (I can't give you all the details right away 😉).
ALSO! Special thanks to PizzaCostco for some fanart! For some reason I cannot put the art here, once I figure out how to I will show the amazing art they made!
Like always, tell me what you think.
Till next time: stay safe, don't forget to take care of yourself, and have an amazing day/night! 🤍