Two Years Later...
[General POV]
The orphanage was chaos incarnate. Kids raced through the halls, their voices merging into a cacophony of shrieks and laughter. Some were jumping with excitement about school, while others dragged their feet, faces twisted into scowls. And the reason for this madness? School.
---
[Iruma's POV]
I sat in front of the mirror, lazily running a comb through my damp white hair. My eyes flicked to Astro, who was brushing his teeth with one hand while somehow managing to comb his hair with the other. He caught my eye in the reflection, and I couldn't help but notice the new bruises and scars that dotted his torso. We were both shirtless, and it was impossible to ignore how much we'd changed over the last two years.
Astro wasn't the same skinny kid he used to be. No, now he was built—muscle, abs, shoulders. He'd begged to train with me after hearing about my regimen, and with the tiniest bit of leverage (not that I was above using it), he got what he wanted. Still, no matter how much he pushed, I had the edge. My Saitama-style training had me getting stronger, leaner, faster—though it didn't come without cost.
Through trial and error, I discovered something pretty neat about my magic. The more exhausted I got, the weaker my magic became. My blasts got slower, less potent. A lot like Sans when he was worn out. I even tested my Gaster Blasters, and let me tell you—they were just as ridiculous as I thought. Sure, I could adjust their power, spam them at will, or even ride one like a broken-down hoverboard. At full power, one of those things turned a tree into ash. Yeah, it was a rush, but I couldn't afford to get careless.
Astro, on the other hand, was Quirkless. It hit him hard at first, but you couldn't break his spirit. He wanted to be a hero, so I taught him magic. It wasn't a lost cause, either. His soul had just enough magic to get a leg up. His power shifted with his emotions—when he was driven by guilt, it was like he was on fire; when he was motivated by compassion, he softened. Sparring with him was always fun. I had the upper hand most of the time, but his instincts were sharp, and his aggressive style made him tough. You don't get that kind of cold, calculating gaze without being dangerous.
But yeah, we didn't only train. There was also Shimou, a younger girl we'd taken under our wing. After a rough bullying incident, we'd become her protectors, and she eventually got adopted. She promised she'd meet us at the UA entrance exams. I really hoped she made it.
Astro snapped his fingers in front of my face, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Hey, you good? You've been staring at the mirror like you're about to turn into a vampire," he said, a teasing note in his voice.
I shrugged. "What can I say? Just admiring the masterpiece."
He raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"
"Of course, I'm sure. Who else could pull off looking this good?" I winked before grabbing my glasses from the bedside table. The slight magic aura I channeled slid them onto my face effortlessly.
Astro was dressed to impress, too. His navy blazer fit him perfectly, paired with a white shirt and a red bowtie. Polished black shoes, and a tiny gold pocket square peeking from his chest. He looked like he belonged in an upscale café, not an orphanage.
I, on the other hand, was… well, I was the definition of "elevated." Black blazer, tailored trousers, crisp white shirt, shoes that were practically mirrors, and those reflective wraparound glasses that made me look like some untouchable, mysterious figure. No way anyone was walking into the room and not noticing me. "To hell with anyone who thinks otherwise," I thought, smirking.
Then I remembered. The locket. I grabbed it from under my pillow, slipping it around my neck. It settled comfortably against my chest—a quiet reminder of everything I was fighting for.
"Ready?" I asked, glancing at Astro.
He nodded, and we stepped out the door, our sights set on the bus.
---
The kids in the common room were buzzing with energy, talking over each other and practically vibrating with excitement. Astro and I sat back, drawing stares left and right. Some kids were clearly curious, while others were just plain dazed by our aura of confidence. I caught a few girls blushing when they met my gaze, quickly looking away with a giggle. Heh, classic.
"So, you excited?" I asked, grinning at Astro.
He sighed, dramatically dragging out the moment. "Not even a little," he muttered, sarcasm dripping from his words.
I snickered, reaching over to mess with his hair. He ducked out of the way, his reflexes faster than I expected. "You're getting quicker," I noted. He probably had been sneaking in some extra training. I let it slide, though, as Onee-san stepped into the room, clapping to get everyone's attention.
"Alright, elementary kids! Line up outside—the buses are waiting!" she called out.
I waved to her as we stood and headed outside. The sun had already started to shine, casting a warm glow. I felt the locket against my chest, its weight comforting. We climbed onto the bus and found our seats, and I let out a yawn. "I'm gonna sleep," I told Astro, closing my eyes. "Wake me up only if it's life or death."
"Sure," he muttered, probably rolling his eyes.
The ride was a blur of muffled voices and the sound of the wheels on the road. A few bumps here and there, and before I knew it, Astro was nudging me awake. The fresh air hit me as I stepped off the bus and looked around at the school. It was big, imposing. But in my head, it was already just another routine.
"See you later," I said to Astro, watching him head toward his group of new friends, before heading toward my classroom.
---
[Astro's POV]
First day of school. Yeah, I made a few friends. No big deal.
But I knew, without a doubt, Iruma was bored out of his mind. His "I'd rather be anywhere else" expression was pretty hard to miss.
As for me? I was adjusting. I'd gotten a lot of stares, sure. The Quirkless thing had its own weight, especially in a world that worshipped Quirks. But honestly? Who cared what they thought? Most of these guys would probably squander their powers anyway.
I ignored the whispers, not giving them the satisfaction of knowing they were getting under my skin. It wasn't worth the effort. Let 'em talk. My magic didn't count as a Quirk, so they could keep their judgments. Besides, it wasn't like I couldn't fight back if they pushed me too far. My emotions shaped my magic, and it always gave me an edge when I needed it.
[Iruma's's POV]
By lunchtime, I was already over it. The cafeteria was like a battlefield—kids shouting, laughing, trading food like it was currency. I sat off to the side, picking at my food while watching the chaos unfold.
I spotted Astro at a table, already fitting in with the group. He caught my eye, gave me a subtle nod, and then returned to the conversation. Typical Astro—making friends like it was his job. Me? I was content to sit back and let the world pass me by.
But then, I felt it. That unmistakable sense of being watched. Slowly, I glanced to my right. A group of kids was staring at me from a few tables over, whispering among themselves. It wasn't subtle. Every now and then, one of them would glance my way and snicker.
"Look at him, sitting there like he's too good for everyone," one of them muttered, loud enough for me to hear.
"Probably some rich kid who thinks he's better than us," another added.
I rolled my eyes. Classic. I was already used to it. But what the hell? Time to have a little fun.
With a flick of my fingers, a gust of wind swept through their table, knocking over one of their drinks. The yelps of surprise and the frantic mopping that followed were music to my ears. I went back to my tray as if nothing happened, a tiny smirk tugging at my lips.
---
[Astro's POV]
Lunch wasn't bad. The kids at my table didn't treat me any differently, didn't mention the whole Quirkless thing. It was a nice change.
But I kept an eye on Iruma, as usual. He was sitting alone, his expression unreadable as always. There were a few kids nearby trying to get under his skin. It didn't take a genius to notice that.
Then I saw it—the flick of his fingers, and next thing I knew, one of the kids was cleaning spilled juice off their tray. Classic Iruma move. I smirked, shaking my head. Yeah, he didn't need my help. But he'd still pull something like that when no one was looking.
---
The rest of the day dragged on, and when the final bell rang, I was relieved. Astro met me at the entrance, his bag slung casually over one shoulder.
"So," he asked with a grin, "how was your first day?"
"Boring," I replied instantly, knowing it'd get a rise out of him.
"Progress," he teased.
---
[Iruma's POV]
The ride back to the orphanage was uneventful, and for the first time in a long while, I could feel myself relax. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy the chaos of school—it was more that I was accustomed to it by now. The hustle, the noise, the petty drama of it all. None of it mattered. I'd dealt with more serious stuff before. Still, there was something strangely comforting about the normalcy of it.
Astro, on the other hand, was still buzzing with energy. I could see his mind racing, probably already plotting some new thing to improve. That kid never stopped.
We boarded the bus, and the hum of conversation faded into a background blur. I leaned against the window, my mind drifting. The scenery outside seemed like a moving painting, the streets blurring as we passed. My thoughts flickered to our future. UA. The entrance exams.
Astro had his sights set on being a hero—no surprise there. His drive was relentless. He didn't have a Quirk, but in his mind, that wasn't a limitation. If anything, it made him more determined. I admired that about him. He had guts, and I knew that would get him places.
I, on the other hand, wasn't sure. The magic I had, the soul-binding abilities, all of it felt like a force I couldn't quite control. I had no doubt I could get into UA if I wanted to, but what would that really mean? What kind of hero was I supposed to be with powers like mine? I didn't have answers yet, but I knew I wasn't done figuring it out.
The bus stopped, and I snapped out of my reverie. We both filed off the bus, heading back to the orphanage in relative silence. The day had been quiet, uneventful, and that was enough for me. No drama, no surprise attacks, no enemies popping up from nowhere. Just a normal day.
---
[Astro's POV]
The day wasn't over yet. I could feel it in my bones. I knew the second I saw the sky start to shift, something would happen.
Sure enough, when we got back to the orphanage, I found Iruma in his usual spot—on the balcony, looking out at the horizon. I walked up beside him without saying a word. The air was thick with unspoken thoughts, and I knew he had his own things to sort out.
"Thinking about UA?" I asked, nudging him.
Iruma didn't respond immediately. He just stood there, his hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze unfocused.
"You know," I continued, "you've got this. Whatever it is you're thinking about, you'll figure it out."
He turned his head to look at me, a faint smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. "I know, Astro. But... sometimes, I feel like the world's too big for me to handle."
I chuckled softly. "That's exactly why you'll handle it. It's big, sure, but that just means there's more to conquer, right?"
Iruma laughed lightly. "I guess you're right. I don't really have a choice, do I?"
"Exactly," I grinned. "We don't do this for anyone else. We do it because we want to. We're gonna make it."
Iruma nodded, his eyes twinkling slightly. "Yeah. We are."
--
The rest of the evening passed in its usual rhythm—dinner, cleanup, and then some quiet time in our room. As night fell, I could feel the familiar weight of exhaustion creeping in, but also the excitement. Tomorrow would bring something new, and I wasn't about to let that slip away.
Iruma had a way of making everything feel like an adventure, even the most mundane of tasks. And as I drifted off to sleep, I knew that we were on the path to something bigger. Whatever came next—whether it was the entrance exams or some unforeseen challenge—we'd face it together.
[Iruma's POV]
I lay in bed that night, staring up at the ceiling, lost in thought. I thought about the future, about the choices that were coming. The entrance exams would be here before I knew it, and I needed to be ready. I wasn't like the others. I wasn't born with a Quirk, but I had something far more powerful.
Astro's words kept echoing in my mind: "We're gonna make it."
And for once, I believed him.
I pulled the blanket over my head, letting the warmth settle around me, and closed my eyes. Tomorrow would come with its challenges, but I knew I wasn't alone. With my brother by my side, and the weight of my abilities pushing me forward, there was nothing we couldn't face.