I might look weird, that's why they're avoiding me.
Well, of course, they would. If people saw a person with tattered clothes and metallic strings dragging around from his wrists, they would normally back off. Well, considering that the strings are much thicker right now, they should be... whips?
Ah, I would like a busty oneesan to be the one swinging whips around instead. If it's a grown man like me, it'll just look creepy.
Although I'm still a kid right now.
As to why I'm dragging my strings like this, that's because they're metallic. What does that have to do with anything, you may ask?
Well, Bakugo was blasting fire around just some minutes ago and that, my friends, heated up my strings a lot. So, right now, I'm cooling them off.
If I retracted them right now, I would get burns. Hah...
I looked up towards the sky helplessly. Right now, Midoriya-kun should already be heading home and, All Might will confront him a little later.
I thought to myself sulkily. Why can't my quirk be invisibility instead like Hagakure-san? That way, I'll be able to spy on them with no worries. Hah...
I've been sighing a lot today. Hah...
I should stop. Sighing reduces lifespan. Hah...
Damn it.
Just like that, I walked towards the train station, heading home.
...Oh. It's cool now.
A strange, white-haired boy poked the whips on the ground, crouching down by the streets like a fool.
...
When I got to the relatively large but cold house, I went straight to my room, not even sparing a single glance towards the plate that flew towards me and shattered on the floor behind. The cleaner will get it later.
With a click, the room was locked, leaving me alone in darkness, accompanied by silence and my shelves full of manga and anime posters.
Ah~ Finally ~ My little haven~
Picking up the headphones that I forgot on my bed this morning, I played my music loud, blocking the screaming from below and connected my phone to my pc, printing the pictures that I secretly took today.
One of the three heroes capturing the giant villain this morning, Bakugo being captured by the villain, ... and Midoriya-kun's desperate face as he ran towards Bakugo.
Hah~ That expression really is beautiful~
I hope I'll see it again soon~
...
The rest of the week passed uneventfully.
Fortunately, it was Saturday, and I already found the garbage beach some weeks ago. Today, I am finally free enough to visit.
As I walked along the sands, I took a deep breath of fresh air.
Haah~
The air here really is different.
A little further down the path was the large heaps of trash just scattered on the beach, ruining the beautiful view of the ocean.
Since I woke up late today, it was already afternoon. At this time, the heat was at its peak so, I found a cool shade to hide myself in temporarily, my hands instinctively reaching for my pocket and taking out a cigarette stick as I tried to see if I could spot Midoriya-kun.
It was done out of habit. I don't really light it unless I'm stressed out.
I bit it between my teeth, rolling it around to see if I could taste the nicotine. This helps my mind concentrate and prevents my hands from shaking.
Suddenly, a sickly-looking, blond man appeared in front of me, blocking my sight.
"Young man! Aren't you much too young to be wasting your life like this?" That obnoxious voice...
As the cigarette was snatched from my mouth and squashed onto the ground, my mind went blank momentarily. "All Might..?"
I looked up to see his shocked expression. Oh, oops. He's in his normal form.
"You are mistaken! I am just an ordinary passer-by!" He tried to explain hastily.
"...Right." I nodded to help him out, making him look relieved.
Hah... I should've watched a bit farther.
"All Might! I'm done with the-" Midoriya-kun's voice drifted from behind All Might. Perhaps he hadn't seen me from the way All Might's body blocked mine from his view but his shout had already done the damage. I couldn't help but smile wryly. Well, there goes my plans. "Oh! Oops! I might have seen wrongly!"
I chuckled and peeked my head out with a smile. "Yo, Midoriya-kun. Sup."
"Ah! Yamori-kun!" Midoriya-kun seemed startled, not expecting to see me. "Why are you here?"
Ah, that... I haven't really thought of what to do in case I got caught. Then, the squashed cigarette caught my eye.
"Midoriya shonen, is this boy your friend?"
"Sort of...? He's the person who pulled me and Kacchan, the one who was attacked by the villain a few days ago, to safety."
"I see! So he's that boy!"
...Hah. Since I already attracted the boss's agro, I might as well tank it out and attract more damage.
"I go here from time to time to smoke. It's plenty quiet here." I smiled carelessly. "Ah, but, are you really All Might?"
To change the topic, I pretended to be in disbelief.
"I guess we can't hide it now." All Might muttered, making Midoriya-kun apologize profusely.
"I'm so sorry! I'm really very sorry!"
"Yes! I am All Might!" He confirmed, his body inflating as his hero form emerged.
...It's like a balloon.
"Whoa..." My eyes widened, more from curiosity than actual awe. Just how can his body expand that much? There must be a scientific explanation for this!
And, just as quick as he inflated, he deflated. "Now that you know, you must keep this a secret, hear that, boy?"
"Ah, okay." I nodded. "But, why are you here? And with Midoriya-kun too?"
I already know the answer but I still want to know what excuse they could come up with.
"T-this! We were-" Midoriya-kun stuttered.
"I am here to train my nephew, of course! After learning that this young relative of mine wanted to apply for U.A. and become a pro hero, I, of course, as his relative, I wanted to support his dreams and came to train him! As a relative!" Ah, a pro hero really is good at making excuses.
But the way he kept stressing the 'relative' made it sound more suspicious.
Let's pretend to believe it for now.
"Oh! So that's why! I totally understand!" A smiled and nodded.
"But that's besides the point!" All Might suddenly exclaimed. "Young man! Don't you know that smoking is bad for your health?! You shouldn't be doing this! Where is your home? Let me talk to your parents!"
Ah~ I knew I couldn't get out of it so easily.
"My parents are dead. I live with my mentally unstable sister." I smiled helplessly. "But I study in NA middle school in case you want to talk to my teacher instead, though I doubt he'd care."
"Oh..." Suddenly, everything went silent.
Hmm? Did I say anything wrong?
"Oh right!" Midoriya-kun suddenly began to reach for his pockets. "I didn't know when we'll meet again but I bought it anyway to apologize for breaking your phone and a thanks for saving me and Kacchan."
"...It's all my extra money could afford." Cautiously, he handed a small package to me. Inside it was a single ornament.
"I saw you wearing rings on your fingers so I bought you a piercing... I couldn't afford the rings they were selling."
"Midoriya-kun... This is a tongue piercing." I realized it earlier on from the longer edge.
"Ah! I'm so sorry! It's okay if you don't like it! I can just buy you another one next time!" He panicked and tried to take the package back but my hand beat him to it.
After rudely tearing open the package and grabbing the black colored stud, I stuck out my tongue and pierced it in before they could stop me.
Stab!
Dead center.
It was surprising how easily it went through.
After pushing in the lock at the bottom, I flicked my tongue around to get used to the feeling.
"Ya-Yamori-kun, are you okay? Does it hurt?" Midoriya-kun asked hesitantly, his fingers twitched like he was grabbing the air in front of him.
"Haha~ Did I scare you? I'm totally fine~ Thanks for the gift. I really like it~" Though I spoke with a light lisp, I managed to get rid of it quickly.
"Yamori shonen, are you sure you're fine?" All Might asked seriously.
"Oh, yes. Aside from the strange feeling in my mouth, everything is fine. I'll get used to it soon anyways." I shrugged nonchalantly.
It feels strange to suddenly be cared about...
But it's strangely warm.
I really like this gift... It's the first gift I've received from anyone in a long time.
I'll be sure to treasure it.
"If you ever feel like it hurts, be sure to tell us, alright?" Midoriya-kun demanded, making me smile and nod. "Oh and... If ever you go here to smoke... You can just leave behind the cigarette and we'll chat instead. I'm actually a good listener, you know?"
Ah~ He's really an angel.
"Haha~ Thanks. But I'm fine." I chuckled. "Really."