(Kata POV – Shie Hassaikai Compound, Underground)
My heart aches as I watch her cry, but I keep holding her close, comforting her in silence.
'I didn't expect her quirk to activate like that.'
Still, it worked out in the end.
At least now she knows she doesn't have to be afraid of hurting me anymore, which is something she's been scared of.
'Now... what comes next?'
I keep gently patting her back as my mind drifts to the plan I'd set in motion after leaving Rumi.
I'd already visited the hospital—my parents' usual one. As morally questionable as it was, I altered the brains of a few doctors, nurses, and staff connected to my family, carefully constructing false neural pathways.
I made it so they remembered my mother getting pregnant when I was around nine, giving birth when I was ten. A child they gave up for personal reasons. That child, of course, would be Eri.
Forging the hospital records was simple. Physical files were easy to manipulate—duty rosters, consultation notes, schedules. I even generated a birth certificate and modified security footage. All of it done cleanly with telekinesis.
Each person's memory was slightly different—enough inconsistency to avoid suspicion.
'Not perfect, but good enough to fool a serious investigation.'
I also hacked into government databases, erasing every trace of her: birth records, medical files, any tie to Overhaul. That part was inevitable, so I'd prepared how I'd do it well in advance—even learned how to hack for it.
Then came the orphanage. Same procedure. I embedded the idea that Eri had been there for years, since early childhood. Adjusted memories, forged intake documents, caretaker notes, medical charts—even altered photos in old files.
'All I need to do now is claim she's my blood relative.' Since I'm emancipated, I can take guardianship as her older brother.
But only if she wants that.
I glance down at her. 'She's stopped crying.'
"Eri?" I say softly.
She looks up at me, eyes wide and red-rimmed.
"Would you want to be my little sister?" I ask. "I'll understand if you don't. I can still set you up with a good family who'll treat you well."
Her eyes widen, and she stares at me in silence.
'Is it that surprising?'
"I know I don't have much experience taking care of a kid," I admit, keeping my tone serious, "but I'll try my best."
Her eyes shimmer again as she asks, "Won't I be a bother?"
'Is that what she's worried about?'
She's not wrong. Taking her in won't be easy. I'll have to officially adopt her, look after her, manage Toga… But even with all that—
"You know," I start honestly, "I always wanted a real family. Mine… didn't really like me."
Eri blinks, looking at me with wide-eyed sadness. She understands.
"Do you like me, Eri?" I ask.
She panics a little at the sudden question but nods seriously.
Somehow, I smile again.
"Then you're already more of a family to me than my parents ever were," I say gently. "And I like you too. When trouble comes, it's your family that sticks by you. I'll support you. Will you support me?"
Her expression shifts—panic, then surprise, then determination. "I'll support you!" she squeaks with everything she has.
She still doesn't smile. Not from happiness, not from joy. She doesn't know how to yet.
'I'll make sure that changes.'
"Great," I say, standing. "Let's get out of here."
She nods, and I lift her by the sides—only to hesitate as we just stare at each other.
'...How do you even carry a child?'
She's too big to cradle. A princess carry could work, but it'd be a too awkward. Should I just let her walk? But I already picked her up.
'I'll look it up later.'
I bend one arm into a makeshift chair and let her sit, holding onto my torso for support. It's awkward, but it works.
Her puzzled expression stings a little.
But this is the best I can do right now.
I start walking through the corridor, Eri in my arm. From her view, it's an empty hallway—light bent around us, blood and bodies erased from her senses. I've filtered my carnage out.
We walk out of the Shie Hassaikai Compound like ghosts—unseen by everyone.
And then I decide to fly us home.
(Himiko POV – Kata's House)
I was flopped on the couch, bored out of my mind, flipping through TV channels when my phone buzzed.
A grin spread across my face as I snatched it up.
'Only one person has my number!'
The message was simple: "I'm coming back, and I'm not alone. She's important, so don't scare her."
"Hm?" I tilted my head at the screen, my brain cycling through a carousel of emotions.
'Kata's coming back? Finally!' I squealed in excitement, hugging a pillow.
'He's not alone? Weird…'
'She… important?' A calm, toothy smile spread across my face.
I wonder who "she" could be if she's so important to him.
A girl from his class? Someone he likes? He must really care if he's warning me not to scare her.
I sat up straighter, stroking my knife fondly, a soft smile on my face as I waited.
A few minutes later, the door opened—and I heard two voices. One was Kata.
The other wasn't.
That was all I needed.
The knife vanished into my sleeve as I walked to the door, a cute smile painted on my face.
"Huh?" I blinked.
A little girl—clinging to Kata as he carried her.
My first thought?
'Kata's never held me like that.' I pouted.
Then my eyes narrowed. 'Does he think she's cuter than me?'
And then I noticed it—white hair. Red eyes. Just like him.
'Is she… his child?'
I gasped internally, and I could feel my shock showing. My lips stretched into a wide, innocent grin as I stepped closer.
"Kata~! You're back!" I chirped, eyes fixed on the girl. "Who's this?" I asked sweetly, tilting my head.
'If he has a kid… who's the mom? Has he been cheating on me?'
My grip around the knife twitched. I'd have stabbed already. But Kata told me I should ask first before stabbing. Even if I'll stab anyway!
The girl just buried her face deeper into his shoulder, eyeing me cautiously.
Kata sighed. "This is Eri. She's my little sister."
'Oh~.' My hand relaxed.
"I didn't know you had a little sister~." I said, voice sugary.
I crouched slightly and placed my hands on my cheeks to look extra adorable.
"Hi there~! I'm Himiko Toga!" I sang. "You can call me Himiko, or Big Sis, or Miss Super Cool! Don't be scared! I only bite people I really like—and that's Kata~!"
Her eyes widened like she'd seen a ghost. I'm used to that look. 'But I can't have my future sister-in-law scared of me, right?'
I laughed it off. "Too much?"
Kata gave me a deadpan stare. "Yeah. Too much."
I pouted. "Fine, I'll tone it down."
I leaned in a bit, softening my tone. "I'm actually really nice once you get to know me! Right, Kata?"
Both Eri and I turned to him.
He tilted his head like he was actually thinking about it. 'Rude.'
I huffed, crossing my arms and glaring at him.
Then finally, he sighed and nodded. "Yeah… she's really nice," he said. Then he looked at Eri and whispered way too loudly, "She hasn't bitten me yet, but I think she wants to. It's how she shows she cares. She's just shy."
'Wow. I've never seen Kata act like that~.' But it worked.
Eri visibly relaxed. She still held onto him tightly, but she looked at me and said, soft as a whisper, "Hi. My name's Eri."
'AAAAHHH~!' I screamed internally. 'She's so cute~!'
'…But I'm still the cutest!'
"It's nice to meet you, Eri," I said brightly.
She nodded shyly, and I saw Kata exhale in relief.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
'What did he think I'd do? Stab her just because he brought a cute girl home? Am I that unreasonable?'
'…Okay, maybe I am.'
But at least I asked first!
(Kata's POV – Kata's House)
Eri's still wary of Himiko, but at least I don't have to worry about her getting stabbed. Which is huge progress.
I was aware of the knife. I was ready to step in if I had to—but I gave her a chance.
I believe that she can learn genuine empathy and restraint. 'And she needs someone who believes in her.'
'She's still crazy... but more reasonable now.' I sigh.
"Eri," I say gently, "Do you want something to eat? I'm feeling a bit hungry myself. We could all eat together."
I'm not actually hungry. But I don't want her to feel pressured and think she's the only one eating.
Himiko, always quick to chime in, grins. "I'm hungry too~! Kata's food is really delicious~!"
I'll give her this—she knows how to sell it. I 'borrowed' techniques from Lunch Rush by way hung him with my radar, so my cooking's decent. I admire my own foresight right now.
Eri's eyes flick to Himiko. They brighten a little, and she nods. "...A little."
I nod back and gently pat her head. She seems to like that. I set her down on the couch and head to the kitchen.
This time, I decide to use my quirk to finish faster—and to make it perfect.
I go with Tamago Sando (Soft egg sandwiches).
With precision, I accelerate the molecules in the bread just enough to keep it warm and I also make the bread really soft and fluffy.
The eggs are cooked to a creamy sweet spot between soft and hard-boiled while seasonings are measured down to the grain.
The result is an appealing, simple, warm and easy to eat comfort food.
I warm some milk, purifying it with my quirk to enhance the freshness and sweet, and for dessert—peeled apple slices, arranged neatly.
'Children like sweet things right?'
I plate three portions. One for me, one for Eri, one for Himiko. I know she wasn't just being nice when she said she was hungry, but it helped nonetheless.
When I bring the food out, Eri stares at it like it's magic. She doesn't reach for it though.
Sigh. 'Is she waiting for permission?'
That's not impossible.
"It's all yours," I say as I sit down. "Eat as much as you want."
I watch her carefully.
She's tense. I doubt Overhaul ever let her eat in peace—let alone made her food that looked or tasted good.
'I won't rush her.'
She stares at the plate, hesitating. But Himiko takes a bite and melts in her seat with an exaggerated moan of delight.
That seems to tip the scale.
Eri picks up half a sandwich with both hands. The bread gives way under the lightest pressure—exactly as I planned.
She takes a small bite—
And freezes.
(Eri's POV – Kata's House)
He's just sitting there. Watching me.
Not in a scary way… he's just waiting. Like he really wants to know if I like it. His face is expressionless, but I feel like that's what he's thinking.
'I don't want him to be sad if I don't eat.'
I reach for the sandwich. It's warm. Soft. It bends gently in my hands like it doesn't want to fight me.
'It's… beautiful.' Like it came from a storybook.
I glance at Kata. His eyes are calm, but I can feel how much he's paying attention.
I bring it to my lips and take a bite—
And stop.
The bread almost melts in my mouth. The egg is creamy, mellow, sweet.
'It's the best thing I've ever tasted.'
My lip trembles. I don't know why I want to cry. But I do.
I look up at him again. His eyes are soft and patient.
I swallow and whisper, "It's… good."
He smiles. Just a little, but it's real.
I blush and turn back to the food, hiding my embarassment behind another bite. I keep eating, slow and careful, like if I mess up, it'll disappear.
But it doesn't.
For the first time… it feels like I'm eating something made by someone who cares.
A warm feeling spreads through my chest, something I've never felt before.
'It must be the food...'