Chapter 12: Hopper's Café Tales
~Kazuho H. POV~
[A few Weeks Later, Naruhata, Hopper's Cafe, Tokyo, Japan]
Oh, man…. Everything has been very embarrassing and awkward ever since Ren saved from Rokuro – I mean that villain. Just the mere thought makes me flustered.
He nearly lost his chance to become a hero because of me… like how I failed to apologize for Koichi saving me a long while back. But he managed to return to his nonchalant attitude again working at Hopper's Café.
There was even news of him in the incident help saving me from a villain but that was as much as the media got involved in the topic. Fortunately, Midnight known as Nemuri Kayama managed to ask for his abilities to not be known under his request pleading to her.
She agreed to let Ren have his normal life, but the price of saving me earned him some kind of fame as the boy who lived or the hero in the making. It wasn't much news, and he wasn't bothered by it that much.
His actions despite being 'Quirkless' lessen the discrimination against him. But even so, he made sure not to do any vigilantism continuing to be busy working with us. I eventually joined working for Hopper's Café as their singer.
Of course, I had my friends Toga and Miu working here, so I'm not alone in this. Recently the Hopper's Café seems to be growing in their business especially with Ren manning the cooking and attracting different kinds of people.
It's not that hard to figure out since his cooking has been increasingly good lately. He just gets better each time he cooks, impressing the bosses of this place and attracting customers to Naruhata.
As for Koichi, he got accepted for a job being Captain Celebrity Sidekick thanks to Makoto but had to move to America to avoid legal issues occurring. I never got the chance and those two seem so well together… I can only hope for the best of their relationship.
Besides, considering he's older than me, I should get my head straight. My friends are moving on, and the last Narufest was canceled due to that villain's occupation.
This led me to be a singer here in Hopper's Café, having a big budget and some fans of mine listening to my songs. I guess in some way Miu and I are having a hard time moving on together with our lives.
But Toga and Ren both have bright futures ahead of them. Despite the initial danger the way Ren moves makes my heart flutter – what the hell am I thinking?!!
I shook my head. No bad thoughts, Kazuho! Bad!
Despite things changing, I'm still somewhat stuck on how to progress with my life. When Makoto returned from America, he rewarded Ren with a hair strand of Captain Celebrity being able to copy his Quirk [Flight] in the future.
Things seem to be looking bright for him as he manages to get his life together. I don't even want to know what would have happened if that villain had done to me if I hadn't been saved by Ren in those precious few moments.
*Shiver*
Just having that almost happened to me sent shivers down my spine. And because of that bastard villain, I have a bit of trust issues towards strangers other than my friends.
"Hey Pop, you okay?"
I was a bit startled when I heard Miu's voice, turned my head around, responding in a cheerful tone not to worry her, "Ah – Oh, Miu. Sorry, but you startled me there. I'm fine, just been thinking, is all…"
Miu sighed as she patted my shoulder and cheekily grinned at me, making me freeze on the spot, "Oh? Did someone have a crush on little Ren, huh Pop?"
I shook my head, immediately denying it as Miu laughed at my embarrassed face, feeling my cheeks blush as she grinned even wider in a cheeky tone and said, "Damn. I guess Koichi is missing out with him gone in America being Captain Celebrity Sidekick you have another hero crush to go after huh?"
… I hate it when Miu gets involved in my business…
/////
~Neijre H. POV~
[Days Later, Naruhata, Hopper's Cafe, Tokyo, Japan]
Sigh… rolling my eyes again, humbly annoyed, I'm all alone again. No big surprise there.
Since middle school when I was curious about my classmates and their Quirks, they would shun me. But they think I'm looking down on them due to my powerful Quirk.
Whenever I tried to learn more about others, the more they would keep their distance. As a result, I simply became cold and – what the heck am I even doing…
Shaking my head, I began to walk away from the train station, checking out the latest topic of Hopper's Café being popular. As of late, according to the internet, this place has been getting popular for its food being unbelievably close to Lunch Rush cooking.
Hearing that it was quite cheap, I thought to visit the place. Entering the café, I was a bit surprised to see a lot of people there and the cute cats in their cat trees.
Upon entering, one of the staff dressed as a butler appeared and asked me in a chill tone with a light grin, "Welcome to Hopper's Café, miss. Here to taste our rising fame menu, or here to play with the cats?"
I chuckled lightly, answering my waiter's question in a calm tone as I played with the kitties coming near me, "I'm here to taste the food. I hear this place is getting recently good, even becoming successful enough to have a second café in Musutafu."
He smirked as he gestured me to my seat. While taking me to my table, he surprised me with his words in a chill tone, "I take it you're someone who's attending UA Highschool, right miss?"
I blinked a bit, surprised someone was talking to me. Guess I don't usually speak much to anyone as he continues talking, introducing himself, "Ah sorry. I haven't introduced myself, have I? Hi. I'm Ren Yuki. It's a pleasure to meet you miss."
My eyes blinked as I got closer greeting him and asking a few questions in a blunt tone letting my curiosity get the better of me, "Nice to meet you. I'm Neijre Hado. You look a bit young to be working here. How are you here? What's your Quirk? Are you the guy that's on the news saving a friend calling the heroes and police?"
I kept asking questions, but he just smiled as he revealed some answers in a sheepish tone, rubbing the back of his head, "Hahaha… yeah, I'm the guy on the news. I work part-time here as a cashier and cook. And yes, I am. My Quirk is a secret. I'm planning on joining UA in the following year."
I blinked, a bit astounded, listening to the guy. By a year… he's 14 years old judging by the way he looks as he explains in a neutral tone, "I know you've probably been asked this, but what's UA like? Do you have lots of friends? And is your hair natural blue or periwinkle?"
Interesting. I couldn't help but think being the first time being asked this many questions and someone genuinely asking me. But before I could ask further, he soon asked me my eyes lit up with this guy wanting to talk to me in a curious tone, "Not to be personal but who's your favorite Pro Hero?"
*Fushigi~*
Like that, I began talking to him a lot, and he didn't seem bothered by my constant words. I smiled, seeing I might have a friend outside of UA that isn't annoyed by me.
Eventually, he had time to return to work as we exchanged numbers. Might've been too eager to get a friend honestly however it beats loneliness. But when I learned that his actually 'the' cook of this place it was true of the rumors.
The rumors of someone's cooking level being close to Lunch Rush are true. I tasted the food and drinks they were unbelievably good it was mind-blowing.
Mhmm~
I can't describe it, but the taste makes me feel all kinds of good in me. It's like a spark of something happening, but I can't put my finger on why…
Either way, it tastes yummy~
/////
~Izuku M. POV~
[Days Later, Naruhata, Hopper's Cafe, Tokyo, Japan]
Hopper's Café… pretty far enough trip to here to meet him. I couldn't find him in Musutafu much less ask for his advice…
Ever since that day, someone believed me, I never felt so determined, nor was I motivated to become a Hero now more than ever. Hearing those words motivated me to be innovative and strategic.
Even without a quirk, I can still be a hero. I just must work harder than anyone else to achieve my goal. Since when did Heroism require anything other than courage? With human ingenuity, nothing is impossible. Being a quirkless hero is the least of it!
Those words helped motivate me beyond belief. It made me realize that even if I had a Quirk, what if that Quirk only granted that person the ability with slightly pointy ears, or really long but frail fingers or purple eyes?
Would you still make a better hero with a Quirk than without? No. Not unless they trained or put in the effort, perhaps because Quirks don't matter as much as I put my conviction and hard work.
Besides, the strength of humanity doesn't lie in quirks. Quirks didn't invent modern architecture or guns. Quirks don't make the hero's brains do!
Ever since hearing those words, I put my time into studying Support Gear Courses or tutorial videos to help me get a better grasp. And I hate to admit it but I seem to have a knack for this kind of thing taking notes.
Although Ka-chan still tries to dissuade me, he's been oddly off. But whatever the case, I entered Hopper's Café greeted with the sight of the customers, staff, and, surprisingly enough, cats.
When I entered inside, I was greeted by a familiar face smiling as I spoke to him in a surprised tone, "Oh! We meet again Ren-chan!"
Ren looked at me a bit surprised before smiling as he returned the favor in a friendly tone surprised seeing me, "Oh! Didn't expect to see you… Izuku right? Been a while since we last met. How's life treating you?"
I felt happy that he knew me but turned a bit sour when he said how was I doing. But I put that down for now as I greeted in a friendly tone, "Doing well. I heard what happened over the news you saved your friend."
He flinched lightly as he chuckled nervously when I mentioned that as he spoke in an upbeat tone of the news, "Hahaha… yeah, that was me. Kind of reckless what I did, but everything turned out fine in the end. We can hang out later if you want when I'm off the clock if you want."
I nodded my head vigorously as we exchanged numbers. I was very excited to see him again and be able to talk.
But I know that despite All Might not believing in me, just as long someone does, then I know I can make my dreams a reality. I'll be the first to support people like me with Support Gears to the Quirkless and show the world that Quirkless people can just become heroes like everyone else.
As my hero said, Quirks don't make the hero; courage and brains do!
/////
~Kaina T. POV~
[Days Later, Naruhata, Japan]
I'm exhausted… after so much killing. Everyone is seeing that phony sense of order they've manufactured.
No wonder people tinged by it can't understand the truth. I was exhausted… after so much killing.
And it was all to preserve our sham society. Say there was a group plotting acts of terrorism against heroes or a hero team colluding with a gang of villains while gaining fame and fortune…
When you have people like that people capable of shaking the bedrock of our society… law and order won't cut it. They must disappear along with their crimes.
Once upon a time vigilantes played the role of heroes and won the people's trust. In turn, the country made sure they kept doing their part.
At the end of the day, trust in heroes is the foundation of a superpowered society. And me? I'm a cog set in place that keeps that system running nice and smooth.
A system with two sides to it. A front and a back. A system that needed both sides to maintain itself, so I obeyed. I complied. I did my duty.
Even the other day when a bunch of kids asked for my handshake led me to hallucinate with a bloody hand as I realized on that day, I was merely a cog to maintain the phony illusion of our society.
A system so fragile it made my head spin… I was exhausted. But I had to do my duty.
I've been spying on Ren Yuki for the past few days, getting a general gist of his persona. I have everything I need to persuade him and know of his workplace gaining attraction as of late.
Just this mission. Just this mission, I'll ask for a vacation… those nightmares and delusions of seeing my hands covered in blood hoping my sins would go away.
I'll approach the target in a few more days. Just enough to have mental stability for this one more time…