Bab 24: Blind Girl
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—
Rentaro and Enju walked down the bustling streets of Tokyo Area, munching on snacks that Accelerator had given them. The sun was shining brightly, and the atmosphere was lively with people going about their daily routines. Enju was animated, her small hands gesturing wildly as she talked about her day at school.
"And then," Enju said, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "we had a race in the playground, and I won! All the other kids were so amazed at how fast I was!"
Rentaro, lost in thought, nodded absently. "I see, Enju."
Enju pouted, her cheeks puffing up in mock annoyance. "You're not even listening, Rentaro!"
Rentaro snapped out of his reverie and looked down at her with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, sorry, I was just thinking about something."
Enju crossed her arms and gave him a stern look. "You always say that. What's so important that you can't listen to my awesome stories?"
Rentaro chuckled, ruffling her hair. "I'm sorry, really. I was just thinking... it's been a while since we visited the Outer District. How about we go there today?"
Enju's eyes lit up. "Yeah! Let's go see the kids there. Maybe we can bring them some snacks too."
As they walked, Enju continued to chatter about her activities in school, detailing every little event with enthusiasm. Rentaro listened more attentively this time, laughing at her antics and engaging in playful banter.
"You know," Rentaro said, a thoughtful look on his face, "it's really great that you can go to school without worrying about your secret anymore."
Enju smiled brightly. "Yep! Thanks to Accelerator-san, no one will ever know I'm a Cursed Child."
Rentaro nodded, though his smile was tinged with a bit of sadness. "It's true. I'm grateful to Accelerator for that. But sometimes I wonder if we're just running away from the problem instead of facing it."
Enju's expression softened. "We're doing what we can, Rentaro. One step at a time, right?"
Rentaro smiled and nodded. "Yeah, one step at a time."
They continued their journey, eventually reaching the Outer District. As they walked through the rundown streets, they were greeted by a surprising sight. Accelerator was lying on a sheet spread out on the ground, surrounded by a group of Cursed Children. The girls were all smiles, their faces lit up with joy as they interacted with him.
"Big Brother, look at this!" one girl exclaimed, holding up a beautifully colored stone.
"Big Brother, I made this for you!" another said, presenting a small handmade bracelet.
Accelerator, with his usual gruff expression, acknowledged each of them. "Yeah, that's nice," he said, though there was a hint of softness in his voice. He didn't appear uncomfortable at all, instead seeming at ease among the children.
Rentaro and Enju watched in amazement. The sight of Accelerator surrounded by happy, giggling children was almost surreal. Enju's eyes widened in delight. "Look, Rentaro! They're so happy!"
Rentaro nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, it's incredible. I've never seen them this happy before."
One of the girls noticed Rentaro and Enju and waved excitedly. "Rentaro! Enju! Come join us!"
Enju bounded forward, her excitement contagious. "Hi, everyone! We brought some snacks!"
The children swarmed around Enju, their faces lighting up even more at the sight of the treats. Rentaro walked over to where Accelerator was lying and sat down beside him.
"Hey," Rentaro said, still smiling. "Looks like you've made quite an impression."
Accelerator shrugged, though there was a small, almost imperceptible smile on his lips. "They're good kids. They deserve to be happy."
Rentaro nodded, looking around at the joyful faces. "You've done something amazing here, Accelerator. Thank you."
Accelerator waved off the gratitude, his expression returning to its usual stoicism. "Just doing what needs to be done."
Enju, now surrounded by the children, handed out snacks and shared stories of her school adventures. The children listened with rapt attention, their laughter ringing through the air.
As Rentaro watched them, he felt a warmth in his chest. This was what they were fighting for—a chance for these children to have a normal, happy life. And Accelerator, despite his rough exterior and ruthless methods, was a crucial part of making that happen.
Kisara would have a hard time believing this, Rentaro thought with a chuckle. The man she often saw as a cold, calculating enigma was here, providing joy and safety to these kids.
Accelerator, seemingly sensing Rentaro's thoughts, glanced over at him. "What's so funny?"
Rentaro shook his head, still smiling. "Just thinking how surprised Kisara would be if she saw this."
Accelerator grunted. "She'd probably think I've gone soft."
Rentaro laughed. "Maybe. But she'd be wrong. You're just doing what you think is right."
The afternoon passed with the children playing, laughing, and showing off their creations. Accelerator watched over them, his presence a comforting constant. As the sun began to set, the children reluctantly started to head back to their makeshift homes, each of them thanking Accelerator, Rentaro, and Enju for the wonderful day.
"We should come back more often," Enju said, her eyes bright with excitement. "They really appreciate it."
Rentaro nodded in agreement. "Definitely. They need all the support they can get."
Accelerator stood up, stretching his arms. "I'll keep an eye on them. Make sure they're safe."
Rentaro smiled at him. "I know you will. Thanks, Accelerator."
.
.
.
Accelerator walked through the bustling streets of Tokyo Area, unfazed by the hostile gazes directed his way. The people had tried reporting him to the authorities multiple times, but every attempt to arrest him had ended in failure. Those who tried to challenge him were left broken and unrecognizable. Arrogant officials who attempted to assert their power over him had mysteriously vanished overnight. Fear of his power had spread throughout the district, and no one dared to confront him directly anymore.
He had even been seen grabbing a Gastrea with one hand, effortlessly squeezing it to death without a hint of struggle. The sight had cemented his reputation as a monster beyond reckoning, one that the people could not bully or control. They hated him for it, but Accelerator relished the attention. It reminded him of his time in Academy City, where fear and hatred were his constant companions. In his opinion, it was far better than being a hero, a role he loathed.
As he walked, a crazy man emerged from the crowd and threw a stone at him. Accelerator activated his reflection ability, sending the stone hurtling back at twice the speed. The man's eyes widened in horror as the stone struck him, leaving a gaping hole in his side. Accelerator ignored the man's screams and continued walking, his face set in an expression of annoyance.
He wandered through the city, letting the anger and frustration of the day simmer beneath the surface. As he turned a corner, a soft, melodic voice caught his attention. He followed the sound and soon came upon a white-haired girl wearing a blindfold. She was singing on the street, trying to earn money, but a sign hanging around her neck prevented any real charity. The sign read: "Cursed Child."
Accelerator stood there, watching her intently. Despite her blindness, she sang with a smile on her face, her voice pure and haunting. Her bowl of money was pathetically empty, and it was clear that the sign was deterring anyone from giving.
He approached her, his presence casting a shadow over her small frame. "Brat, what happened to your eyes?" he asked, his voice cold and direct. "Cursed Children have regeneration. There's no way you could get a disease that would make you blind."
The girl paused in her singing, tilting her head as if trying to sense him. "My mother put lead in them because she hated my eyes," she replied, her voice heartbreakingly innocent. She continued to smile, despite the cruel fate she had endured.
Accelerator's face twisted in anger. He hated the cruelty that seemed to permeate every corner of this world. As he stood there, two men approached the girl, laughing as they dropped junk into her bowl. The girl, unaware of their actions, thanked them with a grateful smile. The men laughed louder, their derision clear.
"Thank you, kind sirs," the girl said, her smile unwavering. "May you have a blessed day."
Accelerator was not pleased. He grabbed the two men by their collars and lifted them off the ground. "You think it's funny to mock a blind girl?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You want to have some real fun?"
The men's laughter died in their throats as they realized who they were dealing with. Fear replaced their earlier bravado as Accelerator manipulated the vectors of their natural bioelectricity, sending painful jolts through their bodies. They spasmed and screamed in agony, their eyes rolling back in their heads.
But Accelerator wasn't done. His anger had only begun to surface. He threw the men to the ground and started beating them mercilessly. They cried and begged for mercy, tears streaming down their faces, but Accelerator's expression remained cold and unfeeling. He systematically disintegrated every joint in their bodies, ensuring that they would never heal.
"Stop! Please! We're sorry!" one of them pleaded, his voice choked with pain.
Accelerator ignored their cries, his fists continuing to rain down blows. The crowd that had gathered watched in horrified silence, too afraid to intervene. They knew what he was capable of, and none of them wanted to become his next target.
The beating continued, each blow a testament to Accelerator's unyielding rage. He wanted them to feel every ounce of pain they had inflicted on the girl, and more. His mind was a whirlwind of fury, but at the center was a cold, calculated desire for retribution.
The girl remained unaware of the violence unfolding around her. She sat quietly, her hands resting on her knees, her head tilted as if listening to a distant sound. She couldn't see what was happening, but she could feel the tension in the air, the silent anger that radiated from Accelerator.
Finally, Accelerator paused, looking down at the broken, sobbing men. They were barely recognizable, their bodies mangled and destroyed. He had made his point. He released them, letting them collapse to the ground in a heap.
"Get out of here," he said, his voice icy. "And if I ever see you near her again, I'll make sure you won't be able to crawl away next time."
The men didn't need to be told twice. They crawled away ignoring the intense pain and, dragging their shattered bodies as best they could. The crowd parted to let them through, still silent, still afraid.
Accelerator turned back to the girl, his expression softening slightly. He knelt down beside her and took her hand. "Come" he said, his voice entering her ears. "I'll take you somewhere safe."
The girl hesitated, sensing the sincerity in his tone. "Thank you," she whispered, her smile returning. "You're very kind."
Accelerator snorted softly. "Kind? Hardly."
With that, he led her away from the crowd, the hostility and hatred of the onlookers following him like a shadow. He didn't care. Let them hate him. It was better than being a hero. He would rather be feared and hated than allow the innocent to suffer.
The girl's grip tightened on his hand as they walked, her trust in him absolute. For the first time in a long while, Accelerator felt a sense of purpose. He was still a monster, but now he had something to fight for. And he would destroy anyone who dared to stand in his way.
As Accelerator walked with the blind girl beside him, he pondered over his next move. The cruelty of this world had been laid bare before him, and he couldn't ignore it. He knew he had to do something for this girl, to change her fate. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"Do you want to come with me?" he asked, his voice gruff but kind. "I can provide you with a house to sleep in and food to eat."
The girl's face lit up with happiness at his words, but then she faltered, her expression turning sad. Accelerator noticed and frowned. "What's wrong?"
With a sad smile, the girl explained, "I have a sister to take care of. I can't leave her behind."
Accelerator clicked his tongue in irritation. "Lead the way," he said firmly.
The girl seemed hesitant, but she didn't argue. She asked a few questions about what he intended to do, but Accelerator remained silent, his decision unyielding. He would change the fate of this girl and her sister, no matter what it took.
They walked for a while, finally reaching a rundown house on the outskirts of the district. Another Cursed Child, a younger girl, was waiting at the entrance. Her face beamed with happiness when she saw her sister, her relief palpable.
"Big sister! You're home safe!" the younger girl exclaimed, running to hug her.
The older sister smiled, bending down to embrace her. "Yes, I'm home safe," she said softly. The younger girl looked around, noticing there was no food.
"It's okay, big sister," she said, her voice a mix of sadness and relief. "I'm just glad you're safe."
The younger girl had the same white hair as her sister but was a smaller, more fragile version. Seeing them like this, Accelerator felt a surge of determination. He clicked his tongue at their state and without a word, lifted the blind girl into his arms and hoisted the younger one onto his shoulder.
"Hey, what are you doing?" the older sister asked, her voice tinged with alarm.
"Taking you to a better place," Accelerator replied curtly. "No arguments."
The younger girl giggled, finding the situation more adventurous than alarming. "Yay! We're going on an adventure!"
Without further hesitation, Accelerator carried the two girls away from the dilapidated area. He headed towards the former office of their agency, which he had converted into his apartment. The journey was quiet, except for the occasional giggle from the younger girl and the soft murmurs of the older one.
Upon reaching the apartment, Accelerator set them down gently. He led them to the bathroom, where he carefully washed the grime and dirt off their bodies. The girls were silent, too surprised by the sudden change in their circumstances to say much.
After they were cleaned up, he led them to the kitchen and prepared a simple meal. The girls ate hungrily, their eyes wide with amazement at the taste of the food. Accelerator watched them silently, his expression unreadable.
Once they finished eating, he finally spoke. "What are your names?"
The older girl hesitated for a moment before answering. "My name is Sana. And this is my sister, Mina."
Accelerator nodded. "Sana and Mina. I'm adopting you both, whether you like it or not. You have no choice here."
Mina's face lit up with joy. "Yay! We get to stay with Big Brother!"
Sana, however, looked more hesitant. "I don't want to abuse your kindness..."
Accelerator cut her off with a stern look. "It's not about kindness. It's about doing what's right. You both deserve better than what you've had. And I'm going to make sure you get it."
Sana nodded slowly, tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.
Mina, oblivious to the deeper emotions, simply hugged Accelerator's leg. "Thank you, Big Brother!"
Accelerator looked down at the girls, a rare softening in his expression. "Get some rest," he said. "You're safe here."
As the night settled in, Accelerator sat in a chair, watching over the girls as they slept. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of peace. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but he was ready to face it head-on. He had found a new purpose, and he would see it through to the end.
Unknown to Accelerator, his constant use of vector manipulation had altered something within the Tokyo District. The large monoliths seemed to ripple and release some electrical charge. He has no idea that his power will create a chaos that no one will expect.
—-
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone