Chapter 63: In Between Tales (2)
~Momo Y. POV~
[Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall, Tokyo, Japan]
I looked at Ren as he explained his life story. He was orphaned and never knew his parents along with his status of being Quirkless for the past 14 years dealing with all kinds of bullying or vile threats.
Explaining to him that he should die and hope to be lucky for the next life. Or that his parents abandoned him, being Quirkless denied any hope for a future with Dojos only getting kids with useful or powerful Quirks so they could shine their talents getting future fame and recognition.
Then, he exclaims his choice of how he picked to save his friend over allowing a villain to take her away, even getting into trouble with the police for his vigilantism. And the time when he helped Lady Nagant turn over a new leaf over the news of the HPSC.
I've heard of the news as it was a mortifying moment in Hero Society. It was frightening to learn what the previous HPSC President did and the name she mentioned during the news… Ren Yuki.
The way he spoke sounded so genuine to me. Everything he said and the sadness in his eyes allowed him to be open.
It made me feel happy that he trusted me this much. He was probably the only one he trusted this much other than Toga because, despite the fame, most wouldn't believe it was him during his middle school year.
Hearing his experience made me realize how fortunate I was born and the life I've had. This kind of discrimination was still here as Ren explained how some bullies tried to teach him his place because he had no Quirk and confessed to blackmailing them when he beat them up in self-defense and for practical defense.
I-I never knew… someone like him had such a tragic life story. I wonder how he even has the resolve to become a hero after everything that happened to him.
I can't even say my life story; mine would sound like heaven compared to his. And it made sense why he was the way he was.
He had only himself to prioritize and lacked social interaction while taking care of Toga, who lost her family as her only true friend. I could only drink my juice in front of me.
After a while, he seemed calm down. But it was his words and eyes the way he spoke with a confident grin on his face, "I will become the number 1 hero and surpass All Might!"
*Shiver*
The way he spoke I felt a strange chill go over my body. This feels weird as if this strange belief he'll be able to do it. Someone who inspires confidence – no.
My eyes widened, realizing this familiar feeling as I gazed at him. This familiar feeling is like seeing All Might.
Even with everything that has happened to him, he had every right to be the villain. Every justification, but in the end, chose to be a hero not out of worship or idealization but simply out of –
Standing up, he soon spoke, getting my attention with a gentle smile, interrupting my thoughts in a kind tone, "Sorry if I got a bit emotional there. I'm not used to sharing my feelings… Midnight did say I needed to express myself a bit more."
Shaking my head, I began to form words coming out of my mouth, exclaiming in a positive tone, "N-None at all. I'm sure this is just a big step being more used around the class or others."
He nodded but he soon acted a bit embarrassed about something as I decided to walk around with him. Seems like he was nervous about something as I spoke in a calm tone, "I can see you have something to say. You don't have to worry about saying it to me."
He seemed a bit reluctant as he exhaled his face flushing a bit red. Oh, this must be something embarrassing as he began to speak in a nervous tone, "Y-You promise not to judge me right?"
I nodded my head as he began to explain to me his… embarrassing secret. My face flushed red when I learned of it.
Ren wants to form a big family. Like one of those harems that only top heroes form or make it work with Quirk Marriages.
It wasn't something too unusual for me. Quirk Marriages are marriages that began to appear after Quirks manifested in society, sometime during the second and third generation of Quirk users.
Quirk Marriages were arranged with the sole purpose of choosing and/or enhancing a specific Quirk to be inherited down the bloodline, as a child will either inherit the father's Quirk, the mother's Quirk, or a new Quirk that's a combination of the two.
They became a problem when Quirks became widespread as people would select partners in their desire to conceive powerful children. As a result, many were forced into relationships under the guise of old-fashioned arranged marriages.
Attempting to create custom children solely for the sake of experimenting with superpowers was quickly deemed unethical by society. Nowadays, Quirk Marriages are regarded as a taboo and outdated practice.
Despite the practice being frowned upon, there are still instances of it in recent times, mostly for personal interest. And frankly, I wouldn't say it was a bad idea either with my family following that tradition as well.
But that's beside the point, as I couldn't help but ask in genuine curiosity, "But why are you interested in such a topic? Unless…"
He immediately shook his head, his arms forming an 'X' symbol. Ren began to explain in a calm tone, gaining my attention, "Oh! You mean forcing – oh no! If I want any girl to like or love me, I would rather it be natural, oh god, no. The reason why I'm considering it is because, well…"
Returning to his hesitant expression, I raised an eyebrow as he exclaimed, darting his surroundings in a cautious tone, "Momo. What would happen if there was someone who could give more abilities to a person's Quirk? Like enhancing them more abilities than they usually could do alone."
Blinking my eyes, I found that to be odd – it clicked. My eyes widened realizing what he meant as I asked for confirmation my mouth agape in a hushed tone, "No… You mean to tell me you recently gained the ability to enhance a person's Quirk!"
Shushing me with his lips, he gazed carefully before we took to a secluded spot, he muttered close to me, almost whispering, "No… not yet anyway. I want to hear your input on what a person with that ability would do. Because I might be able to enhance someone's Quirk soon."
My mind momentarily paused listening to this. Seeing the genuine seriousness in his eyes I decided to comply thinking this carefully.
The ability to modify or enhance a person's Quirk. The thought of such a person could very well take a new level of importance for both heroes and villains.
Who wouldn't want their Quirk to be more powerful or useful? And if that person were to monopolize on that they would be extremely valuable, and people would – oh. Oh!
Realizing why his researching such topics as Quirk Marriages, if he gains the ability to enhance a person's Quirk or even refine it, most people will pay extremely high for him. I flinched, realizing his background being bought off was very likely.
And being the sole person who could provide it could make him extremely wealthy. I can imagine rich family members would want to use him just for that ability and my family would be no different in that regard.
If anything, they would want me to secure such a role keeping such a person onto me. It's something I would need to discuss with my family later.
Add to the fact that he can copy Quirks permanently, including with All Might's copied Quirk and many others, and he could potentially become the No.1 Hero quickly with his powerful Quirk.
This… this is certainly a lot to take in. But as a friend, I had to be quite honest with him on this topic.
But still, being aware of such an ability is quite a game-changer. Most heroes would probably want that kind of enhancement to make them stronger, no matter the reason. People would want power and if they can afford it why not?
That's certainly a tempting idea. Almost too tempting for some to resist… and the reason he came to me specifically was to ask these kinds of questions knowing my family background with his extensive research.
I had to admit his observational skills and thorough info were impressive. He is determined to become a hero but I had to ask out of curiosity, "Can I ask you a question? Why exactly did you come to me to discuss about privately?"
He gazed at me with a light smile as he spoke honestly, leaning his back against the wall in the hallway we secluded ourselves, "Because out of anyone, I figured you would be the most knowledgeable in this subject. I could ask Shoto this question, but he'd more likely lash out at me if I did. And I wanted your take on someone from a rich family background and their honest opinion if – no rather when I can modify a person's Quirk. It would be my trusty vice rep to set me out straight."
I felt my face heat up a bit from his comment. The way he spoke those words, trusting me this much, made my heart flutter like this…
I mean, it is simply helping him out, right? And this wasn't something he could openly discuss with anyone it had to be me to help him out.
I'm not against the idea. But before I had to ask why, this sudden questioning in a curious tone, "Of course. I'll help as much as I can, but can I ask you something in return? Why the sudden interest in all of this?"
He looked a bit sheepish as he explained himself neutrally as we started to exit out of the hallway, "Because of the future ahead. Gotta think ahead and plan. Besides that, if I wanna have a big family one day, I wanna make sure none of my kids ever go through what I've been through."
I felt touched by his words when he said that. Learning of his tragic life and changing for the better, I smiled encouraging him the best I could… I just wish I was as confident in my abilities as him…
But it was when his words woke me up, alarmed, as he said in a neutral tone, "I guess Jiro and our classmates are up to listening again."
Hearing this, I was about to go out, but Ren grabbed my wrist, shaking his head as he cooly explained in a calm tone, "Whoa! No need to get upset it was bound to happen, informing them one way. I'm fine with this, really, I am. It just saves me the trouble of re-explaining it, and besides… we're on a date, remember?"
I blushed a bit harder when he said that so openly and confidentially. Fine. I'll ignore this just for now, and hopefully, the girls will learn not to eavesdrop again…
/////
~Third POV~
[Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall, Tokyo, Japan]
The girls listening in on the date between Momo and Ren felt chills run down their spines. They felt like Yuki was just telling them a fact.
But also hints of sadness and pity were expressed learning of this. However, what Jiro spoke out alerted them, "In any case, we should get going Momo I think Jiro is up…"
She soon explained as the girls were stunned, seeing they were caught again. But this time, there was a new glint in their eyes expressing genuine guilt for interfering and listening to this private conversation.
*BEEP*
But they all soon received a text to them from the group chat in Class 1-A. Their worried expressions soon turn to relief reading the text.
[Ren: I know you girls listened, but… thanks for listening to my tale. Sorry if I was a bit emotional there hopefully this won't change anything between us and in class. And seriously, you girls got to stop eavesdropping on me. *Smiley Face Emoji*]
Soon, all their face blushed, and they realized they had been caught by Ren. They couldn't even openly argue against this as they listened to his tale, leaving them no means to argue back as they did spy on his date.
From that point, the girls would learn to respect his privacy, thinking what Ren wanted them to think on their own. Showing them this level of trust will guarantee that they won't mention his enhancement to others.
Toga, on the other hand, simply smiled as she thought to herself in a curious tone, 'I wonder if this was intentionally planned for him to get every girl in Class 1-A to pity or respect him saying these words.'
Toga's expression turned beat red in admiration and love at the idea as she thought in a blissful tone, cupping her face, 'Ah~ Truly, Ren-sama ways are mysterious, spreading his love to these innocent girls… I can't wait to see their ahegoa expressions if they truly love my lord and savior… then I better teach his harem to love him~'