(Kata POV – Rumi's House)
The following morning, I returned to Rumi's house for my internship. I'd left Eri in the care of a clone—a temporary solution while the trial for her adoption proceeded.
'Still... the limitations are annoying.'
There's no range cap, but I have to divide my consciousness between bodies. The percentage is up to me, but it directly correlates to the power each clone has.
I split off 10% of my consciousness, so it's only has 10% of my power, while I'm left with 90%.
Not catastrophic. It's like trying to write with both hands at once—neither will be perfect. But it would be terrible if I ever had to make more.
'I'll need to train raw output to compensate as well as find another method.'
As I entered the clearing, I spotted Rumi already waiting outside her door, arms folded and grin wide.
"You're late!" she called, striding toward me.
"...I'm thirty minutes early."
She scoffed. "Yeah, well, I had to wait. That makes you late. Be earlier next time."
Her grin widened. "Anyway—let's fight!"
'So that's what this is about,' I sigh internally, keeping my face neutral.
I nodded. "I did promise. Do you mind if I change into my hero costume this time?"
She raised a brow, clearly amused. "Didn't you say it wasn't worth suiting up before?"
"I did," I answered, already opening the case. "But our hero costumes represent what we stand for. I've come to respect the values you represent. So... I'll show the same courtesy."
My U.A. uniform broke down into particles, starting from the feet up, as my costume rebuilt itself across my frame with a smooth transition. In less than a second, the switch was complete. I closed the case that now held my uniform.
She studied the design curiously. "So... what values do you represent? That outfit's got a bit of a menacing vibe to it."
'You say that, but you're don't look scared,' I thought.
"I chose the design because it looked cool. But also... it's how I want to be seen. Apex Hero: Zenith. The one at the peak."
Technically not a lie. But the full truth was harder to say.
It wasn't just about who I wanted to be—it was who I needed people to think I was. A hero.
It being scary and villainous works well as a distraction. It diverts attention from the real me.
Because the real me isn't a true hero. 'No, I'm a killer.' I muse internally.
It's something I don't feel remorse about, nor will I ever regret, because now...
'I'm a brother.'
That thought quieted everything else.
'I'm her hero.' And maybe that made the costume feel... a little less like a lie.
I looked Rumi in the eyes.
"I represent strength," I said, voice steady. "I'll remain unbeaten, so that anyone who relies on me knows no harm will ever reach them."
Inside, I knew they were meant for very few people, but Rumi doesn't need to know that.
(Rumi POV – Rumi's House)
'This brat…' My grin stretches wide as I crack my neck, blood already thrumming with anticipation.
I bark out a laugh. "Glad you feel that way, kid. But—"
I launch forward like a bullet, my leg swinging up as it heads toward his head. "If your actions can't back it up, then your words don't mean jack!"
My heel makes contact. Not with flesh and bone, but rather, it hovers an inch away from his skin. 'Tch. It's that barrier of his.'
"If you're gonna claim to be the strongest, prove it!" I snarl, my heart pounding in anticipation.
He doesn't flinch. "Your house is right behind you," he says, deadpan, like I'm the unreasonable one. "Are you sure you want to fight here?" He asked curiously. Somehow, I feel like he's prepared to wreck it if I say yes.
I blink, glance behind me, and curse under my breath.
'Damn it. Got too hyped again.'
"Tch. Fine," I grunt, dropping my leg. I pivot and start walking. "Come on, keep up!"
Then I bolt into the forest, each step cracking and shaking branches, as I jump from tree to tree.
He follows silently, flying behind me.
Once we're deep enough, surrounded by thick trunks and uneven ground, I halt and stretch out my arms like I've found my personal paradise. "This is perfect." My smile stretches wide. "It'll be more fun fighting here."
"Sure," he says, completely unbothered. "It's a good handicap for you. At least you'll have something to stand on this time."
My ear twitches and I turn to face him, eyes burning with fighting spirit.
'You cocky little—'
"Don't get ahead of yourself, brat!" I growl, even as part of me grudgingly admits he's not wrong. "This is your training anyway. You gotta learn how to fight when the terrain sucks and your opponent's in their element."
He shrugs like it's all the same to him. "Whatever you say."
I narrow my eyes, but I'm grinning again. "You better not hold back this time."
"Make me. I won't if you force my hand," he replies, calm as always.
"Good. I won't either—especially now that I know you can patch yourself up."
I drop into a stance, my muscles coiled, and with a sharp breath—
—I lunge.
(Kata POV – Rumi's House)
I gently place Rumi back on her couch after she finally collapsed.
'It took Five hours.' I groan internally, checking the time. It's now 1 PM.
It wasn't that I held back and she didn't magically get stronger either.
'She's just too damn persistent.' I sigh. Not that I'm complaining.
I actually had fun and got to try a lot of things that require an opponent. So I'm actually learning from this internship. I ended up enjoying the battle more than just winning... though probably for the wrong reasons.
I wasn't thrilled about how badly I had to beat her down... but watching her get frustrated when she couldn't land a hit, or when her kicks did nothing was kind of fun.
I played with density manipulation—testing intangibility and near-total indestructibility. Her kicks phased right through me, or bounced off without any impact.
Then there was my energy manipulation. By infusing my telekinetic energy with destructive intent. Whatever it touched just vanished.
I even tried full elementalisation—turning my body into flame, lightning... pure energy. Physical attacks passed through me while burning or electrocuting her in return. It started feeling less like a spar and more like I was bullying her.
I didn't enjoy the breaking, the bleeding, or the vaporizing. But the way her eyes lit up when she was pushed, the grin she gave when I surprised her with a new ability, or hurt her. 'Yeah... there's something satisfying about seeing her expressions.'
'She's definitely a masochist... and maybe a bit of a sadist too since she wants to hit me so badly too.'
It became more of a solo training session against a living target than a real fight. But watching her enjoy getting beat up by me...
'That's normal, right? Enjoying seeing someone happy? I'm normal… right?' I was genuinely starting to question my own sanity, before I remembered that I'm surrounded by crazy people, and I'm nowhere near as bad as them.
As for how she lasted so long... I healed her whenever her body gave out. Turns out my healing energy fixes blood loss, concussions, and even restores stamina. But it doesn't get rid of accumulated fatigue on its own.
After four hours of near-constant beatdowns, her body finally shut down. She just passed out. Then I brought her back here, gave her another dose of healing and sped up her natural recovery. She should wake up soon and I've got to meet Momo at 3.
Speaking of which... The trial went without issue. Eri's now legally my sister and I'm her guardian.
We had everything lined up: physical similarities, her own willingness to live with me, those fake documents and testimonies, thanks to some tweaked memories. With all that, the court had no reason to deny it.
I'm financially stable and legally emancipated. The only potential issues being my age and not being married, but we got around that since I was adopting a blood-relative.
It's then that I notice Rumi's eyes flutter open. She stares up at me.
"This time, I'm staring at your face."
…
'Wait...'
That should've stayed in my head.
She smiles. It shifts into a smirk, then widens into a full-on grin. "So you decided to confess right away this time?"
'Yeah, that was a slip-up on my end.' I sigh.
"Yeah. I was watching. Is there something wrong with that?" I tilt my head, keeping my tone neutral.
'I didn't do anything wrong. So why bother lying?'
"Uh-huh." She snorts, rolling her eyes as she sits up and stretches. "So what is it, then? Do I just do it for you?"
She tilts her head, mimicking me—grin still plastered on her face. "Why else would you keep staring every time I pass out?"
My lip twitches.
'Is she copying me on purpose?'
…No, it's probably a coincidence. She wouldn't be that petty and childish. Right?
I shrug my shoulders, keeping my face neutral. "You're loud, full of yourself... And the last person I expected to care about that kind of thing."
She just laughs. "You never answered the question." Her eyes narrow with mischief.
"I'm just wondering if you think I'm hot. Gotta let you down before you get too attached."
'…That offended me more than I expected.'
I'm not sure what bothers me more—that she's right about me thinking she is hot, or that she thinks she can reject me preemptively like I'm some lovesick side character.
'What are you even supposed to say in situations like this?'
If I deny it and she won't let it go. If I admit it, and I lose face.
'The least troublesome response is—'
"Stunned speechless, huh?" she cuts in. "You're strong, and you don't look half-bad." She gives me a once-over and nods, satisfied.
"But it just wouldn't work," she says with complete confidence.
'Okay. Now I'm actually offended.'
I take a breath, steadying myself. 'Fine. I was gonna take the high road and let it go, but...'
"I do think you're hot," I say calmly, "but you're not beautiful enough to tempt me."
That shuts her up for exactly one blink.
Then the grin's back.
"Damn. You really just said it like that, huh?" She squints at me.
"You don't think I'm beautiful?" It sounds innocent, but she starts cracking her knuckles.
"I don't like misunderstandings," I reply evenly.
'Truth is, I just can't take that kind of disrespect without a rebuttal.'
She laughs coldly. "Choose your next words carefully, brat, or you're in for a world of hurt."
I meet her gaze, my face deadpan. "You don't care about stuff like this unless I'm being really rude," I say but she doesn't respond, so I continue.
"Second, I know you're just using this as an excuse to fight again." Her grin falters. She crosses her arms and huffs.
"Tch. You figured that out?"
I stand. "We're done for today, right?"
She waves me off. "Yeah, yeah. Be on time tomorrow."
I nod and turn to leave. At the door, I pause.
"Third…" I glance back over my shoulder. "You're too weak to beat me. Why would I be scared of your threats?"
I smirk—and slip out, shutting the door behind me before she can react.
"YOU BASTARD!!!" The door slams open a second later, but I'm already gone.
"I'LL KICK YOUR ASS NEXT TIME I SEE YOU!" she screams.
Several meters away, fully invisible, I stop recording on my phone as she storms back inside and slams the door shut.
'How pissed would she be if I pointed out she'd fail at that too?' I nod to myself and keep walking. 'At least I've avenged myself.'
1:35 PM. I'll need to meet Momo soon.
As I walk, I start researching everything I go over the list of things I'll need to buy for Eri.