Bab 16: Agendas (IV)
Revenant got dressed in his freshly picked up suit, it fit him well, tailor made, layered with Kevlar and slash resistant materials. It lacked the plates of his normal combat equipment but made up for it with style and function. The blazer was a soft pastel blue, all Giran's supplier had on hand at the time, with a light natural fabric pattern. The slacks where similarly bright and soft looking being a handsome khaki which blended well with the blazer. He wore a white button up shirt and similarly pastel blue tie.
Wearing it with his hair down, he looked like a majestic fantasy princess who was cross dressing as a modern country club attendee. It felt ridiculous. It was ridiculous. Despite all that, the look was not so bad, and the equipment he was able to hide on his person made him still more than a threat even without his usual gear. He kept his pistol – a weapon he rarely used, holstered on his lower back, and a new butterfly knife stored safely in his pocket. He could've armed himself to the teeth – had this not been a rush job, he was lucky enough to have the knife, the pistol served as a last resort weapon.
Next came the topic of his ride. As much as he didn't want to ride his VFR190 Assassin, he had yet to be caught by anyone as Revenant for doing so and would prefer to keep it that way since once Midnight found out it would reveal who he really was. On the other hand, riding Ren's bike was completely out of the picture – far too noisy and disruptive, it would draw attention that he did not want to deal with. The two choices kept him in an argument for 30 minutes before deciding to just call Giran and buy a third, completely normal cruiser bike. It was such a headache that when he arrived at the depot, he almost rode it straight back to his warehouse, forgetting his job.
It was a major detour on his trip, the complete opposite direction of the Koru district. With a huff, he turned his bike around and sped off toward the rich people district. The new bike was big, heavy, and slow, none of these things made Revenant's quirk burn with excitement, in fact they made him want to take a nap – and it hadn't even been a week since his last one! It was absurd! Completely crazy! Outrageous! This bike was so gutless and squishy that he couldn't properly enjoy himself, the idea of having to do this job for two weeks was grinding on him already, and he had barely set off for day 1!
With a grumble he arrived at the Kanaya mansion and waited. And waited. And waited. For 30 minutes before Eli Kanaya left the home and came up to him.
"ASL?" Revenant asked on reflex.
"Smol Light School. Speaking of, take me to school Renny Zenny~" Kanaya said with a teasing tone. She looked to be around 12 or 13, which next to Revenant looked about the same. She had long, straight blond hair and an overall vibe of a cute little dog – with a body count. It was hidden well, but she radiated a distinct bloodlust and ruthlessness that Revenant couldn't help but find endearing, in a kindred spirts kind of way.
He patted the seat, indicating for her to hop on, "Come along princess, your chariot awaits. Unless of course you'd prefer to ride me~" he teased right back, pulling on his experience with the R18 hero. She gave him a look of displeasure, "So no flirting then?"
"No sexual flirting, I'm an idol, we're supposed to be ethereal perfect beings with only cute downsides," she said climbing onto the bike and wrapping her arms around his waist. "I'll direct you to the school building. Drive slowly, I need to keep up appearances."
With a huff, Revenant pulled away from the curb and rode slowly toward the private school, all while Kanaya chatted his ear off about proper behavior and how he would show some – not all of it. How they needed to keep him slightly on edge in order to sell a more princess and the beast type relationship. The whole conversation was painful for Revenant to sit through, but a job was a job and he was damn sure he would follow through. Eventually she got to the subject of classes, she only took 6 classes and all of them were with the same three other girls and their assistants. Kanaya bragged how before now she rarely if ever brought along an assistant and was keen on doing her own work, Revenant was quick to jump in a decline the implicit offer to do her work for her.
"So, the three bitches I go to class with are named Shiro, Hanamaru, and Kensuki. We all call each other by first names so don't worry, in fact it would help if you did so as well, drop the honorifics too." Kanaya jabbered on and on about her classmates. Revenant couldn't decide if she liked them, or hated them. Each had good aspects and aspects that sounded outright awful to have to be in the same room.
He supposed it was equally likely that Kanaya was actually just a massive bitch who loved to rag on her classmates, she did have an idol killed when they were already 18 years old – an age where most were dropped from the industry. It was cruel, and so too was Kanaya, a heartless person willing and able to do whatever was necessary to get what she wanted.
If it weren't for the fact that she wanted publicity, he would have willingly invited her to assist in the Spirit Network, she was cutthroat and vindictive as hell, but still smart enough to not show it. With exception to the one person who could bring her down of course, an actual assassin and hired killer.
'I suppose that's just how dangerous she sees herself,' Revenant thought with a smirk. She didn't remind him of anyone in particular, just a snotty brat with too much money and smarts for her station in life.
The two pulled up to the school building, drawing the eyes of various girls as the duo dismounted the motorcycle, both of their hair blew majestically in the wind. His was like a cloud, wavy and light. Hers like waves of gold. It made quite the impression. They were quickly swarmed by Kanaya's classmate, inquiring about Revenant and their appearance on a motorcycle. Phones quickly snapped pictures of the pair, prompting Kanaya to let out an embarrassed and abashed hand wave, hiding behind an unaffected Revenant.
"Eli, you okay?" Revenant tried attempting to sound adequately concerned for his client. He was out of his depth attempting to be caring for someone, the feelings lost since experiencing his own death.
"I'm okay Renny, its just a lot!" Kanaya said with a bit more cheer than Revenant had expected. She stepped out in front of him with a newly reinforced false bravado.
Scowling at the poor display, he shot a look at the crowd and began following the idol into the school building. No one dared approach him, he had a dangerous aura, even while looking like a magical space prince – probably the face scar and pale completion, he didn't spend much time outside. Walking to Kanaya's class was an experience he felt vaguely nostalgic for – it had been over a year since he last was in a school for classes (he had not lied to Teach when he said he had stolen test answers, but that was a different case). Chest puffed out, eyes passing over each and every person who approached or passed him and his client, he sized them up, categorizing them into a myriad of sets and groups. He felt like a sore thumb, though, one that held back the hammer of a revolver.
He imagined that this must be how Kanaya felt often – she had an air of superiority about her that she lost the second she took on her idol persona.
"Shiro! Hey! This is my friend Ren Zentoki!" Kanaya said, excitement evident on her voice.
Revenant bowed before the classmate and introduced himself, "Ren Zentoki, pleased to make your acquaintance. "Raising from his bow, and staring her directly in the eyes, "You're Shiro? Eli told me a bit about you this morning, you seem like a nice person." He said emotionlessly, trying to force a faded smile.
The girl eyed him with confusion and looked ready to laugh at his poor display. And she did laugh, for a moment – before Revenant activated his quirk and leveled a severe amount of animosity at her, shutting her up instantly. Kanaya seeing this decided to intervene and save her protector.
"Oh, don't mind him Shiro! Ren can be a bit intense sometimes but he's pretty soft with me. Isn't that right Renny?" She said, draping her arms around him.
He quickly pulled back his quirk, tattoos receding to his back and completely relieving the tension in the room. He gave Kanaya an apologetic look to which she blinked signifying her acceptance of the non-verbal apology.
"O-okay, if you say so Eli," Shiro said clearly unable to regain her composure after being faced with the bloodlust that made petty criminals freeze in place.
The sight of the girl made meek by his quirk gave him a perverse joy, his quirk burned in appreciation of the sensation of dominance over weaker people.
From there classes continued without incident, Revenant attempting and mostly failing at interacting with his client's peers, putting on a frustrated and sad act when his endeavors inevitably and invariably failed. These attempts only served to bolster Kanaya's claim about him being bad at socializing and having had a rough go of things that past few years. The backstory she weaved for him was complex, tragic, and served to explain his temperament and standoffish attitude. Of course, she also explained his hair as being a huge fan of Takane Shijou – which was true in part, not that she would know that. He appreciated her in her last moments, not for her work as an idol but for her humanity when faced with death. She was infinitely more noble than anyone he interacted with, she reminded him of someone who he couldn't name in that moment.
Joining Kanaya for lunch saw them leaving on his bike to travel to a local mall to pick up food. Traveling with an Idol, while wearing an idol's hairstyle better than anyone else, by motorcycle, in a pastel blazer drew an ungodly number of eyes as they rode. He knew one specific person who was likely watching his escapades, he would no doubt need to find out Kanaya's stalker by weeks end or he would go crazy from all the attention.
"Hey, Revenant," Kanaya whispered hugging him close as they rode. "How long has it really been since you've interacted with someone like that? You sucked."
"It has been a while Kanaya. I mostly deal with people online, or they are trying to get something from me."
"Talk about paranoia, those girls are about as bright as smoldering embers," Kanaya said with a teasing tone.
"Even embers can burn you," Revenant replied coldly. "Even long extinguished fires can burn brightly, never underestimate them for they could be just kindling," Revenant added, making a note to give her a glance.
"How old are you? You sound like my grandpa~" she teased, her genuine curiosity showing through.
"Same age as my benefactor, Doesn't Matter."
"Hold the fucking phone," she hissed, "are you telling me that Doesn't Matter Doesn't Matter Nowhere is the terrifying kingpin who owns you?"
"Never speak to him again, that is my advice. He is scarier in person, I assure you"
Kanaya nuzzled herself deeper into her hug against his back. "Thanks for the advice Revenant."
Revenant noted 3 people following them since they arrived at the mall for lunch. In all likelihood one of them was the stalker he was specifically asked to kill; the others were immaterial to his situation. The duo walked toward a café, it was a cutesy place, fitting for an idol and her date. The hostess saw them coming and rushed the staff to provide them a table by the window. It was convenient enough that the only table was by the window.
'Probably a scheme to take pictures of the idol and her date,' Revenant thought with a sigh, more eyes on his civilian persona. Which raised the question of who he was when he took off his gear at the end of the day. He had come to think of himself as Revenant only recently, but it felt right to call himself that. Izuku Midoriya had died and he was still there. Given his experiencing death itself, he couldn't be sure how much of the boy he once was, was left. Thoughts of this nature swam through his head as he and Kanaya were led to their table.
"So, Ren, what are you going to order?" Kanaya asked sweetly.
"I'm not sure Eli, I don't go to cafés often. I usually cook for myself," Revenant said with a shrug.
"And you can cook? That's pretty incredible Renny, what do you normally make?"
"I cook lots of proteins, I need them for my lifestyle. I used to help cook with my mom, she taught me a lot of what I know."
Kanaya leaned in suddenly very interested in this glimpse into his backstory, "Is that true?"
Revenant decided to tease her by leaning forward until their noses were millimeters apart, "Some of it Eli," he added a wink with his right eye, which was not faced toward the window. She blushed at the closeness and shot back in her seat. He leaned back with a satisfied grim on his face.
Kanaya looked down at her lap, still working through the embarrassment. She turned puppy dog eyes to meet his, "Renny~ that's not funny!" She said lightly banging the table.
The display made Revenant let out a huff of amusement. "It's kinda funny Eli," he offered, with a more neutral smile.
She plastered a loving smile on her face and nodded in agreement. Eventually a waitress came to their table. Kanaya took charger ordering for them both, she would be having a spring salad, and he would have a steak sandwich, for dessert they were going to share a dragon fruit shortcake. The duo made polite conversation, both creating new interesting things about themselves and further elaborating on their relationship's dynamic. They were both liars and knew how to speak truth in lies well, not letting any onlookers in on their secrets.
When it came time for dessert, Kanaya scooched herself next to Revenant so that they were just rubbing shoulders while they ate their cake. It was part of a new plan they had decided – to get the stalker so incredibly upset that they would act out, likely targeting Revenant, which would be their unmaking.
Revenant was very uncomfortable being close with a girl, she was nothing like he knew to expect, she was not soft, she was not sweet, she was hard, she was conniving, she was a person he appreciated at arm's length and would prefer to keep there. Partway through the cake she gestured that she wanted to feed him a mouthful of cake. He was offended by the gesture for whatever reason, and chose instead to grab her hand and bring it to his mouth of his own accord, he might be unwilling to be fed, but he would be sure to not turn down the delicious cake.
The action made his "date" smile and giggle a little bit, which he returned with a slight smile, her persona half reminded him of someone.
From there he paid for the meal, and they continued to chat over a pair of coffees. It was small talk mostly, occasionally checking their phones and watching social media blow up as the idol was on a date with a handsome boy would could pass for a model himself. The chaos they were causing was insanely amusing to Revenant, and given what little he knew of Kanaya, she too was surely relishing in the added celebrity and chaos. Walking back to were he had parked his bike he felt her reach forward and grab hold of his hand. He gave a glance over his shoulder, "You know I could accidentally break your hand, right?" Said in a voice just low enough that she could hear it.
"So super strength? Is that your quirk?" she asked, attempting to pry more secrets from her attendant.
"Yeah I have All Might's quirk. No, I'm just strong." He replied voice laden with sarcasm. She brought his hand up to her face and inspected it closely, before bringing it around herself draping his arm over her shoulders.
With a Cheshire grin, "Of course you are strong, you're my power Renny~" she said with a tone that could be called flirtatious. After giving her a dumbfounded look and pulling his arm off her, she let out a giggle as she took hold of his hand again, suddenly content with the contact.
The ride back to the academy had Kanaya holding herself tight against his back once again, with Revenant riding just a bit quicker in order to out ride the paparazzi who had appeared and started harassing the duo. Eventually the arrived at the school building an were able to take refuge inside.
The rest of classes were just as much a bore as the morning half, Revenant found himself pulsing his quirk as quickly as he could attempting to try and spook the girls in the class while remaining undetected. He succeeded much to his own delight. Control over his ability had been growing steadily in the months since reliving his own death, he could raise and lower the power from its lowest to highest in moments, of course he wouldn't dare actually use it to its fullest, the risk of rampaging would be dire. No, instead he attempted to recreate the conditions that he had that fateful day, his quirk on edge, just needing one final effort in order to evolve towards a new tier, whatever the tier was he didn't actually know of course.
Best he could figure his own quirk, based upon the tattoo patterns, was that his core pattern of the Aegishjalmur represented his drive to win and instincts, the first layer, Mjolnir was directly responsible for his strength, heightened stamina, reaction time and minor healing. He did not fully understand what came along with access to his second layer of tattoo, the Gungnir. It was a spear which symbolized war and wisdom, the lore of the spear had it as a perfect weapon that always found its target, but Revenant wasn't sure how that would apply to him. What he did know was that the Gungnir pattern appeared on his face when he used his quirk, and that it suppressed his emotions to a greater degree than before, anything beyond those two aspects remained completely unknown to him. He figured that once he fully understood this portion of his power he might be able to figure out how to evolve it again, if that were even possible, three was significant to Nordic lore so having three tattoos could be all that he would attain, then again nine was more important and he already had more than three aspects of his quirk. Either way it would be better if he assumed, he could advance his powers more if he was able to train them to their fullest.
It was times like this that he missed Wada, that nerd he lived with in his prior life, he would know the answers concerning his tattoo and their powers. Though the kid rarely spoke, he was a wealth of knowledge when it came to mythos.
Revenant sighed and dropped his quirk for the last time as the bell rang. Kanaya ran over to him and jumped into he arms. Catching her, he gave her a bemused look.
"I wanted to see if you would catch me!" she squealed with excitement. Her acting was spot on, he had seen her interact the entire day maintaining an air of a happy puppy, it was truly incredible how well she could keep up the act. The thought of attempting it himself made him tired, even with the knowledge that he didn't need to sleep save for once a week.
"I caught you," Revenant replied flatly.
She beamed a smile, and maintained it throughout the trek back to his motorcycle. The paparazzi had been waiting, but someone at the school had already called someone to deal with the paparazzi. It was Midnight.
"Zentoki!" The R18 hero cheered finally meeting her unofficial child. She ran toward him and wrapped him up in a hug, earning stares from all around especially Kanaya. "Your hair is so soft sweetie! You look so cute!" she gushed earning a genuine blush from the assassin. She ran her fingers through his hair and marveled at how soft and full it was, she felt up his body and was amazed at how toned his body was. "And that spirit said you weren't 13, you dog~"
"Teach! Can ya give me some space? I appreciate getting felt up as much as the next guy, but were in public." Revenant chided, causing the R18 heroine to remember her position.
Standing back upright with an awkward cough, "So Zentoki, are you going to introduce me to your date?"
"Teach, this is Eli Kanaya"
"Pleased to meet you Midnight, what is your relationship with my Renny?" Kanaya asked, knowing full well the levels of chaos she was causing in doing so.
"RENNY?" Midnight screeched. Revenant had to cover his ears at how loud she was being, Kanaya turned her head in confusion. "Your name is Renny?" the hero asked, grabbing Revenant by the shoulders.
"It is not Renny! It's Ren! Thanks Eli!" He corrected Midnight before sassing Kanaya. This was turning into exactly as much of a confused clusterfuck as he had expected.
Midnight rolled Revenant into her chest, clutching him like a stuffed animal, cooing sweetly, "first name basis already? You player, you stud, you sweet child of mine."
Revenant struggled in vain to escape her grasp, he easily could break free, but that would require using his quirk or potentially hurting Midnight, both of which would blow his cover. Deciding to play her game, he cried in a playful voice "Mom, lemme go!"
"Woah wait a sec! Renny, is Midnight your Mom?" Kanaya asked, earning a glare from Revenant.
"No!"
"Yes!"
Revenant and Midnight answered at the same time. Revenant wanted this little play to end, and decided to play his trump card.
"If you are my mom, then you'd help us catch Eli's stalker, right? I can't get too comfortable with her knowing we are being followed by some creep."
"Of course, I'll help you sweetie pie," the heroine said her eyes wide and focused on her newly claimed child, "I know what it's like to be stalked, so I'll stop them from harassing you and your girlfriend."
Revenant was ready to correct her, but Kanaya butted in, "Thank you Miss Zentoki!" feigning ignorance to the hero and assassin's actual relationship. The token of appreciation made Midnight squeeze Revenant even harder, in a fit of joy at being called his mom.
Revenant couldn't decide what he would do with the two, but he did know one thing, he still had two weeks of being Kanaya's boyfriend and bodyguard. Plus, there was still a contract for whoever was stalking Kanaya, she promised to pay and he would end the bastard's life, assuming he didn't end his own first – no one told him being a boyfriend and child of a hero would be so exhausting.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone