"Sometimes the simplest moments become our most profound memories." - Your Lie in April
Tears welled in Momo's eyes, blurring the edges of the moonlit sky. Her world, her beliefs, her trust - all were shattered like fragile porcelain. Anger mingled with the grief, a burning ember in her chest. They used her, her trust, and her friendship, for their own agenda.
But when she thought clearly she realized that they hadn't actually used her or had tried using her, they just didn't reveal anything about them, and beneath the pain, a spark of defiance flickered.
She felt that the evening they spent together wasn't fake, or forced, what they had was a good time, and in no way was it fake, she refused to believe it was fake.
Toji may have lied, his motives might be unknown to her, hidden in secrecy, but the echoes of their connection remained.
The way she was filled with laughter and joy, she felt really happy, and she who had learned to sense the intentions of people meeting her knew, that what they experienced wasn't fake, it was real, as even after revealing what her background is, there wasn't a slight bit change in their behavior, she was able to be herself in their presence.
And Maki, her first friend, was burdened by a dark past she hadn't chosen. A past Momo now glimpsed, a sliver of understanding piercing through the fog of betrayal, as she realized it wasn't something she had decided, but the environment she grew up in, there was nothing in her control, so she understood that there must be a reason behind her actions.
But amidst the bewilderment, shock, sadness, anger as well as understanding, a tiny spark of warmth bloomed. She remembered something. They wanted to protect her.
To guard her world, built on sunshine and rainbows, from the dark shadows they themselves carried. The thought brought a bittersweet kind of happiness, a teardrop clinging to a smile.
"Protect me from… what?" she whispered to the empty balcony, the question echoing as lost as she felt. Was it their past, a blend woven with threads of pain she couldn't even imagine? Or perhaps the truth itself, a bitter tonic hidden in a gilded cup?
Her hand instinctively went to the tiny clockwork sparrow resting on her palm, its iridescent feathers whispering of shared laughter and stolen moments.
Was it all a lie, too? A meticulously crafted illusion to lull her into a sense of trust before… before what?
Doubt gnawed at the edges of her newfound happiness, but alongside it, a curious determination arose. She wouldn't be kept in the dark, a damsel protected from a ghostly storm.
Toji's eyes still held a flicker of something genuine. And Maki, her friend, bore the weight of secrets with a quiet strength that demanded not pity, but understanding.
Momo straightened her shoulders, the emptiness in her chest replaced by a steely resolve. She wouldn't let things be as they are, she would help Maki, embrace her past, and also help bring Izuku to the right path.
She would unravel the truth, thread by thread, and in the process, she might even mend the shattered fragments of their world. If heroes were a facade, she would build her own haven, bathed not in blinding light, but in the steady glow of self-discovery.
The happiness was gone, replaced by a quiet fierceness. Momo Yaoyorozu, the girl who craved rainbows, was ready to embrace the storm.
The next day, Izuku decided to take Kaina on her well-deserved date.
On a sunny Saturday morning, Izuku surprised Kaina with a special date. He took her to a school filled with small kids, hardly 5 or 6 years old, as guests. Kaina, who had a dark past and struggled to face kids, felt nervous at first. But Izuku held her hand and reassured her.
"Don't worry, Kaina. They're just kids, and you are no longer an assassin, they'll love you, and don't worry, after you feel better, I'll come with you, to apologise to all those people whom you have killed unwillingly under the orders of HPSC." Izuku said with a warm smile.
"Plus, these kids are special, they are all those kids who lost either one of their parents or both the parents in hero fights in the last few years." said Izuku as he held her hand tightly.
As they entered the school, Kaina felt a lump in her throat. She had never been comfortable around children, especially after a kid said she wanted to become like her, but she trusted Izuku. Slowly, she followed him inside, her heart racing with uncertainty.
The moment they stepped into the classroom, the kids surrounded them with excitement. Their innocent laughter and curious eyes melted Kaina's heart. She felt overwhelmed but tried to hide her unease.
Izuku noticed Kaina's hesitation and gently squeezed her hand. "Just be yourself, Kaina. They'll adore you, all they need is someone who treats them with love and care, and see how they fill your world with happiness."
Taking a deep breath, Kaina knelt down to the kids' level and smiled nervously. "Hi, everyone. I'm Kaina."
The kids giggled and introduced themselves one by one, their cheerful voices easing Kaina's nerves. Soon, she found herself laughing along with them, forgetting her fears.
Izuku watched proudly as Kaina interacted with the kids, telling them stories and reading books. He could see the joy in her eyes as she connected with the children, her confidence growing with each passing moment.
Kaina joined the kids in their playtime, eager to bond with them. They played with clay, molding it into various shapes and figures.
Kaina showed them how to make animals like dogs and cats, and the kids laughed with delight as they created their own masterpieces.
Next, they built towers and castles with colorful blocks, stacking them up high and knocking them down with giggles and cheers. Kaina helped the kids balance the blocks and cheered them on as they built taller and taller structures.
Then, they moved on to drawing and coloring. Kaina handed out crayons and paper, encouraging the kids to express themselves through art.
They drew pictures of their families, favorite animals, and imaginary worlds, while Kaina had a blissful smile as she saw how innocent the kids were, even when they missed their family, as she praised their creativity and talent.
As the day went on, Kaina played tag with the kids, chasing them around the classroom and laughing along with their joyful screams.
They danced to music, clapping their hands and stomping their feet in rhythm, while Kaina twirled and spun with them, her heart light with happiness.
Throughout it all, Kaina cherished every moment spent with the kids, grateful for the chance to experience their innocence and laughter.
She felt a sense of belonging and purpose, knowing that she had found a new family in these bright, spirited children.
After spending a wonderful day at the school, Kaina and Izuku walked back home hand in hand. Kaina couldn't stop smiling, her heart full of newfound warmth.
"Izuku, thank you for today," Kaina said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I never imagined I could feel so happy around kids. You've given me a new purpose, as well as made me feel less guilty of my past."
Izuku smiled back at her, his eyes shining with pride. "I'm glad I could help, Kaina. Now let's get all the remaining burden off your shoulders so that you stop having to worry about anything."
Izuku accompanied Kaina to the homes of those who had lost family members due to her actions under the orders of the Hero Public Safety Commission. As they approached each house, Kaina hesitated, her heart heavy with guilt and remorse.
When they faced the families, the pain and anger in their eyes were palpable. They demanded answers, wanting to know why Kaina had taken their loved ones away from them. Kaina struggled to find the words, unable to meet their gaze as she explained the circumstances that led to their loss.
Some families reacted with anger and disbelief, unable to comprehend how someone they trusted as a hero could commit such acts. Others were overcome with grief, their sorrow echoing through the silent rooms.
Izuku stepped forward, his voice firm and determined. He promised to make sure they didn't have to suffer alone, vowing to look after their needs and provide support in any way he could.
He urged them to hold onto hope, assuring them that justice would be served, as he pointed out who's the main reason behind the loss of their loved ones.
He reminded the people that it wasn't Kaina that killed their loved ones, it was the Hero Public Safety Commission who was truly to blame, manipulating heroes like her into carrying out their orders without question.
Kaina protested, denying that she had knowingly taken innocent lives, saying even if it was they who ordered her, but it was she who pulled the trigger.
But Izuku pointed out that she had been framed and manipulated, turned into an SSS rank criminal by those in power who cared only for their own agenda, to which even the people agreed.
Izuku also told them how the real villain for their misery is HPSC, and how if they wish to blame someone, then it should be HPSC not her, who was used as a tool.
After Izuku explained them, they understood as well, and were very angry at HPSC for taking their loved ones, and wanted to go right then and there and demand answers, but Izuku stopped them as he said, "Do you really think they will admit it, they will never admit killing your loved ones, and once the situation cools down, who knows they might get rid of you as well, why waste your life when you still have your family to look after,"
"What about justice, will our loved ones who died never get justice," this was the common question asked by all the families they visited.
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