Kapitel 8: Chapter 8: Path Crossed

After a few months had passed, Itachi had cleared his semester exams with perfect scores. He and Keigo stood before the result board, scanning the names. Itachi's name sat at the top, as expected, while Keigo's was in fifth place. Keigo grinned and said, "See that? I'm catching up."

Itachi glanced at him, unfazed. "That's good for you."

Keigo, annoyed by the indifferent tone, retorted, "Hey, what do you mean by that?!"

As Itachi walked away towards his classroom, he replied over his shoulder, "You heard me."

Keigo quickly caught up, falling into step beside him. "I swear, one of these days I'll figure out if you're praising me or insulting me," he muttered, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

As they moved through the hallway, they noticed a group of third-year girls chatting nearby. Keigo nudged Itachi with a mischievous grin. "Hey, look over there—it's the third years."

Itachi gave a brief glance, then sighed. "Yeah, so?"

Keigo sweatdropped, muttering under his breath, "This guy…"

With a teasing grin, Keigo added, "Bro, look at them closely. They're cute!"

Itachi sighed again and kept walking. "I see them just fine."

Keigo groaned, feeling defeated. "You're so dense, man. I mean look at them. They're adorable!"

Without breaking his stride, Itachi moved ahead, clearly uninterested. Just as Keigo was about to say something else, a figure came barreling from the side corridor. The girl wasn't looking where she was going and was seconds away from crashing into Itachi. In one fluid motion, he sidestepped, gently catching her before she slammed into the wall.

Keigo watched the scene unfold with an exaggerated look of jealousy. "Of course! He's always so lucky!" But as he got a clearer look at the girl, his eyes widened. Holy crap… That's one of the student council presidents. What's her name again…?

The nearby students had stopped, staring at the event. Itachi, unfazed, released his grip on the girl and said calmly, "Be careful where you're going." Without waiting for a response, he continued walking.

Keigo stood there, internally screaming, Damn it! He looks so cool!

The girl, now steady, stared at Itachi as he walked away. She didn't say anything at first, just watching him in silence. Keigo, still recovering from his mini-jealousy fit, ran to catch up with Itachi, calling out, "You bastard! Do you know how cool you just looked?"

Itachi sighed. "I didn't do it to look cool."

"I know, I know," Keigo replied dramatically, "but now everyone's going to notice you even more!"

Itachi, still unfazed, simply continued walking. But before they could get too far, they heard a confident voice call out behind them.

"Excuse me."

Both of them turned around to see the same girl Itachi had saved earlier. She approached with a calm, composed demeanor, her long indigo hair streaked with pink framing her face in two shoulder-length strands. Her striking purple eyes, shaded with a hint of mauve, locked onto Itachi's. Her posture exuded confidence, her voice clear and unwavering. "Thank you for helping me earlier."

Itachi nodded once, acknowledging her gratitude without saying much. But the girl wasn't finished. "What's your name?"

Itachi paused, now taking a moment to observe her fully. Her eyes were direct, her expression cool but polite, clearly someone used to leading with authority. He could tell she was no ordinary student.

After a beat, he finally replied, "Itachi Yaoyorozu."

Keigo perked up, flashing his usual grin. "Keigo Takami," he introduced himself enthusiastically.

Kaina Tsutsumi nodded at him politely before turning her attention back to Itachi. With her hand extended, she spoke confidently, "My name is Kaina Tsutsumi. I'm the president of the student council."

Itachi gave a slight nod before shaking her hand.

Kaina raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Which year are you in?"

"First year," Itachi answered.

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. "You're a first-year student?" She studied him for a moment, taking in his calm demeanor and maturity. "You don't look like a first-year at all."

Glancing at Keigo, who definitely looked more like the typical energetic first-year, she couldn't help but think how different the two friends were. "Well, thanks again for saving me," she said, her voice softening.

Itachi nodded, acknowledging her gratitude without much fanfare.

Then, with a thoughtful look, Kaina offered, "Would you like to join the student council? We could use someone with your presence."

Itachi shook his head politely. "I'm sorry, but I'm not interested."

There was a pause as she studied him, clearly curious about the calm, unshakable air he carried. But before she could say anything more, Itachi inclined his head slightly. "I'll be going now," he said, turning to leave.

Kaina watched him walk away, a thoughtful expression on her face. Before she could dwell on it too long, Keigo spoke up, "Sorry about him!" He gave her a sheepish smile before jogging off to catch up with Itachi.

Kaina stood still for a moment, watching Itachi as he walked away, his composed and quiet demeanor intriguing her. He's just a first-year, yet he carries himself with such maturity, she thought. There was something about him—his calmness, the depth in his eyes—that left an impression on her. It wasn't something she encountered often among students, especially not first-years.

Just as her thoughts lingered on him, another student council member approached. "President Tsutsumi, are you coming?" they called, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She nodded and began walking toward them, though her mind was still on Itachi. "I want him to join the student council," she muttered to herself as she lifted her head high and continued down the hall, determined. There was something about his presence that would bring balance to the council, she was sure of it.

Meanwhile, back in class, Itachi and Keigo entered together. The atmosphere was lively, but one student caught Keigo's attention immediately.

"Hey, did you see her?" Keigo asked, nodding toward a quiet girl sitting alone at her desk. She had ranked third in their exam results, just behind Keigo, and he seemed particularly interested in her.

Itachi glanced in the direction Keigo indicated. "Her name is Fuyumi Todoroki," he said with his usual calm.

Keigo nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, the daughter of Endeavor, right?"

"So what?" Itachi responded, his voice indifferent as usual.

Keigo gave him a sideways glance, noticing the subtle sympathy in Itachi's eyes. "I've always seen her sitting alone," Keigo continued, his tone softening slightly.

Itachi tilted his head, understanding where his friend was going with this. "So you want to make friends with her, is that it?"

Keigo smirked, his usual playful energy returning. "You know me too well, bro."

Without waiting for an answer, Keigo walked over to Fuyumi's desk. "Hey," he greeted with a bright smile.

Fuyumi glanced up, looking a bit startled. She hesitated for a moment before turning her head away, unsure of how to respond.

Keigo, not easily discouraged, rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I'm talking to you, y'know," he said with a small laugh, trying to ease the tension.

Fuyumi, clearly embarrassed, finally answered in a soft voice. "Y-Yes?"

Keigo's smile widened. "I always see you sitting alone. Do you want to be our friend?"

Fuyumi blinked, surprised by the offer. She turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting Itachi's calm gaze from across the room. Itachi gave her a small nod of encouragement, his expression soft.

After a moment, Fuyumi smiled shyly and nodded, agreeing to Keigo's offer.

Keigo's face lit up with a wide grin. "Great! Let's shake on it, then!"

Fuyumi hesitated but then extended her hand. Keigo shook it enthusiastically, and then she turned toward Itachi, her eyes meeting his once more. Itachi stepped forward and extended his hand as well, offering her the same calm nod of assurance.

With a small but genuine smile, Fuyumi shook his hand, and for the first time, she felt like she was part of something—like she wasn't alone anymore.

Keigo, never one to miss an opportunity, leaned over and whispered to Itachi, "See? Told you we'd make a good team."

Itachi gave a small smile, knowing that Keigo's infectious energy was slowly making an impact on everyone around them.

It had been a few weeks since Itachi, Keigo, and Fuyumi had first met. Over time, their interactions grew into a genuine friendship, surprising both Itachi and Keigo with how naturally Fuyumi fit into their dynamic. She was calm and collected, a stark contrast to Keigo's energetic personality, and seemed to understand Itachi's quiet, introspective nature without trying to change him.

One afternoon, the three of them sat together in their usual spot at the back of the classroom. The end of the school day had brought a rare moment of quiet, with most of the other students having already left for club activities or home. It was the perfect time for a relaxed conversation, and Keigo, never one to pass up an opportunity for banter, decided to bring up something that had been on his mind.

"So," Keigo started, leaning back in his chair, "we already know about each other's quirks, but we never really talked about them. Fuyumi, we never asked about yours." He shot her a curious look. "I've seen you in action a few times, but I don't think you've told us the full details."

Fuyumi smiled softly, glancing between Keigo and Itachi before answering. "Well, my quirk is called Frost. I inherited it from my mother. It lets me create and control ice, but I have to be careful. If I overuse it, my body starts to feel the effects of the cold. It's powerful, but it has its limits."

Keigo whistled in appreciation. "Damn, ice powers? That's pretty amazing, not gonna lie. I've got feathers, and Itachi's got… well, you know..." He gestured vaguely toward Itachi.

Itachi, who had been quietly listening, glanced at Fuyumi, his expression thoughtful. "Frost… It sounds like a precise and dangerous quirk."

Fuyumi nodded. "It can be. My father's always pushed me away and focused on my brother's power, but I prefer using it with more finesse. Ice can be powerful, but it's also calm. It's about control." She looked at her hands for a moment before adding, "I've been practicing different ways to use it efficiently."

Itachi looked at Fuyumi with a quiet intensity and said, "We're very similar, you know."

Fuyumi's eyes widened slightly in surprise, her fork pausing mid-air. "What do you mean? Does your father not support you either?"

Itachi nodded, his gaze lowering slightly. "Yeah, he doesn't. He wanted me to inherit his or my mother's quirk… but I didn't."

Fuyumi's expression softened, the weight of his words sinking in. She placed her fork down and leaned forward, her voice quieter now. "I understand. My father… he's the same way. He only ever cared about us becoming something we never asked to be."

A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of Itachi's lips. It wasn't much, but it was the closest he had come to a real smile in a while. "Yeah," he whispered, acknowledging their shared struggle.

Keigo, who had been watching the exchange in silence, suddenly burst out, his voice loud and full of energy. "Hey, hey! Come on! You two seriously gonna turn this into a sob story? Don't make the atmosphere so gloomy, you dumbasses!"

He grinned broadly, trying to lift the mood, though his words were rough around the edges. His wings fluttered slightly behind him as he leaned back in his chair, eyes flickering between Itachi and Fuyumi.

Itachi, sensing Keigo's attempt to lighten things up, let out a small sigh. He glanced at Keigo, his calm demeanor unwavering. "You always have a way with words, Keigo," he said dryly, though there was a hint of gratitude in his voice.

Fuyumi chuckled softly, appreciating Keigo's blunt yet well-meaning interruption. "He's right. We shouldn't let it get too heavy," she agreed, her smile returning as she relaxed.

Keigo said with a wide grin," Now it's my turn. My quirk, Fierce Wings, is all about speed and maneuverability, but if I overdo it, I can't use my feathers for a while. They don't grow back instantly."

Itachi's gaze shifted between his two friends. He wasn't used to these kinds of conversations—talking about quirks so openly, so casually. It felt different, but comforting in a way. There was no judgment here, just understanding.

"You both have impressive control over your quirks," Itachi remarked quietly. "That's important, especially when you're dealing with something powerful."

Keigo grinned. "Hey, don't sell yourself short, Itachi. Your quirk is insane."

Fuyumi looked at him curiously. "Itachi… I've never really asked. What exactly is your quirk? I know you're incredibly strong, and I've seen those moments where your presence just… shifts. It's like everything around you changes."

Itachi hesitated for a moment, then answered. "It's called Sharingan. It allows me to perceive things differently—faster, clearer. I can copy movements and techniques, and predict an opponent's actions. And there's… more to it, but it's complicated."

Keigo, who knew more of the details, jumped in. "Yeah, 'more to it' is an understatement. Itachi's Sharingan is a serious powerhouse. His reflexes and battle instincts are next-level. If you ever fight him, just give up before you even start."

Fuyumi looked genuinely impressed, though she could tell Itachi wasn't one to boast. "That sounds… intense. But it must be exhausting to use something like that."

Itachi nodded slightly. "It can be. It takes a toll, especially when I push it to its limits."

Keigo leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. "And don't forget about that hypnosis thing you can do," he added, referring to Itachi's genjutsu ability. "I've seen you put people in a daze with just one look."

Fuyumi's eyes widened. "Hypnosis? You can do that?"

Itachi nodded, though he looked reluctant to explain further. "It's an advanced part of my quirk. I can create illusions, but I only use it when necessary."

Fuyumi stared at him for a moment, her expression shifting into one of deep respect. "That's incredible… but it sounds like a heavy burden too."

Itachi didn't respond, but Fuyumi could see in his eyes that his power was more than just a tool—it was something tied to his past, something he carried with great responsibility.

Keigo, sensing the shift in mood, quickly jumped in to lighten the atmosphere. "Yeah, yeah, Itachi's quirk is cool, but don't forget about me! I'm not just feathers, you know. I'm gonna be the number one hero someday."

Fuyumi chuckled, and even Itachi allowed a small smile to cross his face. "Is that so?" he asked, his voice calm but with a trace of amusement.

Keigo puffed out his chest proudly. "You bet! Just watch, I'll be soaring above all of you. You'll see me on every billboard in the city."

Itachi shook his head slightly, still smiling. "Good luck with that."

As their conversation continued, the weight of their powers and the responsibilities that came with them seemed a little lighter, at least for now. They were just three friends, talking about their quirks, their dreams, and the challenges they'd face together.

A few days later they were In the bustling cafeteria, Itachi, Keigo, and Fuyumi were seated at their usual table, trays of food in front of them. Keigo was animatedly talking about the upcoming student council election, clearly more interested in the drama and attention it was generating rather than the actual candidates.

"I mean, seriously, have you seen how intense the competition is this year?" Keigo asked, waving his hands for emphasis. "People are already forming alliances like it's a battlefield."

Fuyumi, who had been quietly listening, gave a small laugh. "It's interesting how seriously everyone takes it. It's like they're preparing for some grand political showdown."

Meanwhile, Itachi was eating in silence, his calm demeanor a contrast to Keigo's energy. He listened, but didn't seem particularly invested in the conversation, his mind wandering elsewhere.

Suddenly, a confident voice cut through the noise of the cafeteria. "Excuse me, can I sit here?"

The three friends looked up to see none other than Kaina Tsutsumi, the third-year student council president, standing before them, flanked by two other council members. One was a girl with a sharp, focused gaze, and the other, a tall, serious-looking boy.

Keigo's eyes lit up with stars, clearly taken by the presence of the student council. "Please, sit! It's an honor!" he exclaimed, his voice full of enthusiasm.

Kaina gave a polite smile as she and the others sat down. The girl beside her was the first to speak, introducing herself with a confident smile. "I'm Yui Tanaka, the secretary of the student council," she said, her voice smooth and professional. She gestured to the boy sitting next to her. "And this is Daiki Sato, our treasurer."

Daiki gave a brief nod of acknowledgment.

Keigo, ever the social butterfly, jumped in to introduce himself and his friends. "I'm Keigo Takami, and this is Itachi Yaoyorozu and Fuyumi Todoroki. We're all second-years."

Kaina's sharp eyes lingered on Itachi for a moment before she leaned forward slightly, her expression poised yet intent. "Itachi Yaoyorozu… I've heard a lot about you," she said smoothly, her voice carrying a hint of intrigue. "Top scorer in your year, right?"

Itachi glanced up from his food, his expression calm but not giving much away. "Yes," he replied simply, nodding in acknowledgment.

Kaina's gaze didn't waver as she spoke again, her voice soft but firm. "We could use someone like you in the student council, Itachi. You have the qualities of a leader—intelligence, discipline, and focus. Have you considered joining us?"

Keigo, who had been sipping his drink, nearly choked at the suggestion. "Whoa, the student council? That's a big deal, Itachi!" he exclaimed, clearly excited at the prospect.

Fuyumi, though more reserved, looked at Itachi with quiet curiosity, wondering how he'd respond.

Itachi, however, wasn't swayed by the flattery. He could sense the subtle manipulation in Kaina's words, the way she was trying to appeal to his achievements and sense of responsibility. But he wasn't interested in power or leadership roles. He had more important things on his mind.

Shaking his head slightly, Itachi responded politely, "I appreciate the offer, but I'm not interested in joining the student council."

Kaina's expression didn't falter, but there was a flicker of surprise in her eyes. She wasn't used to being turned down so directly. "Are you sure?" she asked, leaning forward slightly. "It would be a great opportunity to make an impact, to help guide the future of this school."

Itachi met her gaze, his voice calm but firm. "I'm sure. My focus is elsewhere."

Yui, the secretary, exchanged a quick glance with Daiki, clearly not expecting Itachi's refusal. Daiki, who had been silent up to this point, finally spoke, his tone measured. "It's rare for someone to turn down such an offer."

Keigo, sensing the tension, tried to break the awkwardness with a laugh. "Yeah, but that's just Itachi for you. He's a man of mystery."

Kaina smiled, though it was clear she wasn't entirely satisfied with Itachi's answer. "Well, if you ever change your mind, the door is always open."

Itachi nodded in acknowledgment, though it was clear to everyone at the table that his decision wouldn't change. The conversation shifted after that, with Keigo enthusiastically taking the lead in talking about other school events. Fuyumi joined in here and there, while Itachi remained his usual quiet self, though he occasionally chimed in when necessary.

As they finished their meal, Kaina and the other council members excused themselves. Before she left, Kaina gave Itachi one last look, as if silently communicating that their conversation wasn't entirely over. Itachi, however, wasn't concerned. He had no intention of getting involved in student politics.

Once the council members were out of earshot, Keigo slumped back in his chair, exhaling dramatically. "Man, that was intense. I thought she wasn't going to take no for an answer."

Fuyumi smiled slightly. "She's persistent, that's for sure. But you handled it well, Itachi."

Keigo leaned back in his chair, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "If someone that beautiful asked me to join the student council, I'd have signed up on the spot!" He ran his hand through his hair dramatically.

Itachi glanced at Keigo, shaking his head slightly. "I'm not interested in that kind of attention."

Fuyumi chuckled softly. "Keigo, not everyone gets swept up so easily by a pretty face."

Keigo shrugged, laughing at himself. "Hey, what can I say? I'm a man of simple pleasures."

Itachi, though silent, allowed a small smile to tug at the corner of his mouth. Despite the recruitment attempt, he was glad for the easygoing company of his friends.

As the student council members returned to their meeting room, the atmosphere was filled with a mix of surprise and mild frustration. Daiki was the first to break the silence, leaning back in his chair with a thoughtful frown. "I didn't expect him to reject us so easily," he muttered, his voice carrying a hint of disbelief. "Who turns down the student council just like that?"

Yui, who had been quiet during their walk back, now crossed her arms and scoffed. "Is he completely stupid?" she remarked, clearly irritated. "He had the chance to join the most prestigious organization in the school, and he just… refused? What kind of person does that?"

Kaina, who had been sitting silently at her desk, glanced at her two council members with a calm expression. "I don't think so," she said quietly, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips.

Daiki and Yui both looked at her in surprise, confusion evident in their eyes. "What do you mean?" Yui asked, raising an eyebrow. "He's Yaoyorozu. The richest kid in school. You don't think he turned us down because he's looking down on us?"

Daiki nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it felt like he was brushing us off. Like we weren't important enough for him."

Kaina shook her head, her smile widening slightly. "No," she said thoughtfully. "That's not it at all. He didn't reject us out of arrogance. He did it because he doesn't want attention."

Both Yui and Daiki stared at her, clearly not understanding her perspective. Kaina could see their confusion and decided to elaborate. "Think about it," she continued. "Itachi Yaoyorozu is smart. Very smart. But he's also quiet, reserved, and doesn't seek the spotlight. He probably knew that joining the student council would bring a lot of unwanted attention. He's wise enough to avoid it."

Yui frowned, still skeptical. "You're giving him a lot of credit, Kaina. He could've used that intelligence to help us, but instead, he chose to walk away."

Daiki added, "He didn't even consider the offer seriously. It felt like he was dismissing us from the start."

Kaina tapped her fingers lightly on the desk, her mind processing what had transpired. "I don't think he looks down on us. If anything, I think he respects us enough to give us an honest answer. He didn't play games, didn't make excuses. He just told us the truth."

Yui huffed, still not fully convinced. "I don't know… It feels like he's on a different level, and not in a good way."

Daiki, sensing Yui's frustration, leaned forward. "Look, Kaina, maybe you're right about him not wanting attention, but there's still something about him. He's distant. Detached. It's like he doesn't care about anything that doesn't directly affect him."

Kaina couldn't help but chuckle at Daiki's words. "He's more mature than we give him credit for, especially for a first-year." She leaned back in her chair, staring out the window with a thoughtful expression. "Itachi isn't like most students. He's driven by something else. Maybe he's not interested in school politics because he's already focused on something bigger."

Daiki looked puzzled. "Bigger than the student council?"

Kaina nodded. "Yeah. I have a gut feeling that Itachi is already thinking about his future beyond this school. He's not the type to waste time on things he doesn't see as meaningful."

Yui, still unconvinced, sighed and shook her head. "Whatever it is, he's missing out on an opportunity here. We could've worked well together."

Kaina turned her gaze back to Yui and Daiki. "We still have a few months left before we graduate," she said, her voice calm but firm. "I don't know where Itachi is headed, but I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up at U.A. High. Someone like him… he's got potential beyond what we can see right now."

Daiki raised an eyebrow. "You think he's aiming for U.A.?"

Kaina nodded again. "It's just a hunch. But if he's going there, it explains why he's so focused. He's preparing for something much bigger than a student council role. He's preparing for the future."

The room fell silent for a moment as Kaina's words sank in. Yui and Daiki exchanged glances, the weight of her insight starting to make sense.

"Maybe you're right," Yui said after a pause, her tone softer now. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see where he ends up."

Kaina smiled, satisfied that her fellow council members were beginning to understand. "Exactly. Let's focus on our work here, and let Itachi do what he needs to do."

Daiki nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Besides, we've got our own responsibilities to handle before we graduate."

With that, the mood in the room shifted as they moved on to their next agenda. But even as they discussed their council duties, Kaina couldn't shake the feeling that Itachi Yaoyorozu was destined for something far greater than any of them could predict.