บท 2: NO. 2 - The Number One Hero
After drying my face with my blue towel, I looked up at the bathroom mirror. A small, youthful face stared back at me, barely containing the excitement within. My black eyes danced around as I intensely scrutinized my appearance. My straight but spiky black hair was combed back semi-neat, a stark departure from my usual wild and unkempt look. I was also wearing my nicest pair of clothes: black pants and a hoodie. I said nice, not fancy.
"Hurry up, Loser! It's my turn!"
"Yeah, yeah."
I hopped down the step stool I was standing on and opened the bathroom door to see a long line of children waiting to use the bathroom to take a shower, change, or freshen up. This was not a regular occurrence at the orphanage I stayed in, but due to our special guest tonight, everyone was in a rush to clean up and look presentable.
"All yours, my kind Sir." I made an exaggerated motion towards the door, and an older boy with dark grey hair glared at me briefly before stepping inside the bathroom.
"Tch. Quirkless runt." The grey-haired jerk said before he closed the door.
"Make sure you clean your ass! I don't think the caretakers can keep buying you more underwear!" I quickly pounded my fist on the bathroom door and decided to run off. The loud laughs of those still in line echoed behind me as an embarrassed but angry yell rumbled in the halls.
"T-Thats not true! Gah! I'll get you, you quirkless little shit!"
[+5 SP]
[+5 SP]
[+5 SP]
[+5 SP]
I chuckled as I slowed to a walk with my hands in my pockets. I knew it was childish of me to pick on a child, but I didn't appreciate being bullied for something that was out of my control. It also didn't help that I did, in fact, receive social points with every interaction I had. It wasn't just limited to the main players, as the system said. Although the points I got from everyone else were minimal.
Now then, back to the jerk, the way he treated me wasn't uncommon, as a few others at the orphanage called me names for my lack of quirk. I, of course, took it all like a champ and retaliated in my own subtle way.
Said retaliation involved numerous pranks and framing them for minor transgressions to get the caretakers to punish them.
I stopped walking and looked down at my hands with a frown. Looking down the hallway, I saw a boy sitting on a chair while reading an old manga. His hair was composed of several hundred green worms as they danced around on his head—definitely one of the oddest quirks I've seen.
Clap!
The boy with worms for hair looked over in my direction but quickly shrugged. I sucked my teeth and ruffled my hair in frustration, ruining my once-brushed hair.
"Just as I thought, I can't use Boogie Woogie on those without CE," I muttered and continued walking towards my destination, which was the cafeteria. "Just my luck, one of the best cursed techniques, and I can't use it due to me being the only one with cursed energy in this world."
I brought up my right hand and held my chin as I began to think of a way to properly utilize the technique with this world's limitations.
"What if I pumped someone with some of my CE to allow me to switch with them? Just like how Todo infused his CE into a rock during his fight with the transfigured humans." I muttered and decided to head outside instead of the cafeteria. "But is that something I can do? What effect will CE have on the people of this world? Hm..."
Opening the door, I looked around and saw no one else outside. I jogged over to the south side of the building, where no one usually hung around, to ensure I had some privacy. Scanning the ground, I found a well-sized rock in between a few blades of grass. Crouching down, I went ahead and grabbed the rock. With it in hand, I began to focus until waves of blue and black enveloped my hand. Slowly, I attempted to infuse my CE into the rock. After five minutes, I began to grow irritated at the rock and myself. No matter what I did, I couldn't get my CE to do what I wanted.
"Tch, This is hard. I just awakened this stupid gacha system and my CE. I shouldn't be surprised that I'm not an expert at this. Todo was a Grade 1 sorcerer, after all. So, for him to be able to switch with a rock on the fly is easy. Currently, I'm no better than a Yuji at the start of the series." Just before I decided to give up, I decided to give it one more shot.
"Think of CE as electricity and cursed techniques as everyday appliances. Using electricity on its own is hard. But anyone can connect a vacuum cleaner to an outlet and power it on. Using that theory, all I have to do is think of this rock as a battery and pump my CE to charge it. I can't just try and force my CE into it and expect it to work."
I closed my eyes and began to imagine the rock as a small battery. Carefully, I slowly pumped my CE into the rock. It took some time, but I eventually felt the transfer of energy go as I wanted. It was at that moment that I opened my eyes and saw the rock now covered in an aura of CE. Grinning at my achievement, I stopped pumping my CE into the rock and saw that it continued burning with my power. However, it gradually began to disappear without the continuous supply of CE from my body.
I stood up and chucked the rock towards a far-off tree and clapped my hands. Before I knew it, I had suddenly swapped places with the rock. I looked back to where I once stood and saw the rock land on the grass, the embers of my CE now gone.
"A perfectly executed Boogie Woogie swap." I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and satisfaction at my successful use of the technique.
I pumped my fist in the air and felt my understanding of CE improve. Raising my fist, I was able to quickly summon my CE around my arm and, in no time, infused it into the aforementioned limb. Walking over to the rock, I picked it up and held it in my hand. Grunting, I began to grip the rock in my grasp and eventually managed to crush it.
"With CE, I should be able to enhance my body to improve my strength, speed, durability, and stamina. With enough time and practice, I should be able to give most pro heroes a run for their money with pure CE alone." I said as the now shattered pieces of rock slid out of my hand and onto the ground. Looking at my hand, I saw that my experiment had its consequences.
At the center of my palm was a deep gash from one of the pieces of rock cutting into my flesh. The gash was now bleeding, causing some blood to drip onto the blades of grass below. I winced in pain, but the smile on my face didn't disappear as I pulled out a handkerchief from my pocket to stop the bleeding.
"Maybe I could create my own cursed tool to swap with so I didn't have to keep infusing rocks with CE?"
With my experiment over with, I decided to head towards the cafeteria. As I walked, I wondered which option I should use my remaining 500 SP on. Reaching the cafeteria door, I heard several loud voices on the other side. But what stood out the most was the loud and booming voice that sounded bigger than life.
That voice! I quickly opened the door and saw the Symbol of Peace himself dressed in his red, white, and blue hero costume at the center of the large cafeteria with several large bags filled with presents and gifts behind him. Standing all around the man were all the inhabitants of the orphanage. Each one of them was looking at All Might in awe and excitement. Off to the side, the adults and caretakers also looked like they were creaming their pants at the sight of the large man, but they held themselves back for the kids.
"Haha! I am here! With several presents for you all!" All Might said as he began handing out gifts to all the boys and girls. "Now, now! Don't be shy! There's enough for everyone!"
"All Might..."
I was left in awe at the sight of All Might. Despite having read and watched the series, having the man himself right in front of me in the flesh was a completely different experience. It was as if I was sharing the room with a demi-god! I shook my head to stop myself from falling deeper into the mindless recesses of a crazy fan and remembered just who the man was.
Okay, enough with the glazing.
All Might, or should I say Toshinori Yagi. The very person who held up Japan's society with his presence alone and the man who lived his whole life doing what was right. A true hero. I wondered if this is what it would feel like if I ever shared the same room with Superman, too. Then again, All Might is this world's Superman.
But the largest question in my mind right now was why someone of his caliber was doing at an orphanage. My orphanage! I looked around and saw a distinct lack of cameras and reporters, so this wasn't a PR stunt. Not that All Might would do something like that. But still, why was he here?
"All Might! All Might! Can I have your autograph?"
"Oh! I want one, too!"
"Me too! Me too!"
Several dozen voices began to chant and beg for the man's autograph. All Might looked around at all the children and then kneeled on the ground with a large, friendly smile.
"Of course! I'll be more than happy to!"
I walked over and leaned on one of the far walls and watched as All Might began to give everyone who wanted one an autograph. He even signed some of the presents he brought as well.
"How kind of All Might to do this for the kids."
I looked over to the side to see the orphanage's principal director standing beside one of the caretakers. Her face was weathered and kind as her brown hair had hints of grey. "He already does enough being one of our most generous donors. He really is Japan's greatest hero."
I see. So that's how it is.
I looked down at my shoes and listened to the excited chatter and yells from the children.
So, All Might is a large part of why we all have a roof over our heads and for the warm food in our bellies. It was at that moment that my respect for the man grew even larger. Does he do this for several other orphanages or help centers? Or could it be...
Could it be because of guilt?
During that horrible incident that caused me and several others here to be orphans, All Might was one of the heroes at the scene who helped with the evacuation. I wasn't saved by him when it happened; no, I was personally saved by Uwabami. So All Might is here to check on us or something close to that.
I shook my head with a smile. "The man is a bleeding heart, all right."
"Shimizu-shonen."
I jumped at the sudden loud and very close voice of the number one hero as he stood in front of me with a kind smile. In his large hand was a gift-wrapped present. "I believe you haven't received a gift yet. Here, I hope you enjoy it!" His eyes then zeroed in on the wound on my hand. "Hm, are you okay, young man?"
"Eh? You know… my name?" I said as I accepted the gift with a grateful bow. All Might nodded and chuckled. I then looked down at my hand; the wound had clotted already, and the makings of a scab began to form. "Oh, I just got this… playing a game." All Might nodded at my answer and mumbled something about kids being kids.
"Of course I do, Shimizu-shonen. I know all of your names." All Might said as he looked back at several of the children as they opened and played with their gifts. "That over there is Fumiko-shojo, Akito-shonen, Hidemi-shonen, Kanako-shojo, Junpei-shonen..."
I listened as he continued to name every single child in the room, much to my surprise. He got each and every single name correct. After living here with everyone for two years, I knew them all well.
"That's amazing," I mumbled. "I can't believe you remember them all."
All Might nodded at my words and rested his hands on his hips. "It's the least I can do."
"...hey, All Might." I looked up at the large man. "Thanks for giving this place money. I guess I have you to thank for all that broccoli they feed us."
[+100 SP]
So many!
All Might looked briefly surprised, but it was quickly hidden by a boastful laugh. "Hah! You're welcome, Shimizu-shonen! Think nothing of it! Anything to help the next generation!"
"I guess the saying 'Don't meet your heroes' doesn't apply to you, All Might," I said with a grin as I looked down at my gift.
[+150 SP]
"That's quite the compliment, Shimizu-shonen." All Might said with a grin as he looked around the room. "Hopefully, I can continue to live up to that standard. Being a hero is much more than just beating up villains or looking cool. It's also about helping those in need and lending a hand to your community."
I smiled at him and nodded.
Who would have thought that All Might was even more impressive in person? He truly had a heart of gold. It's no wonder society relied on him so heavily; he was THE hero.
After watching my fellow orphans have fun with their gifts, All Might nodded and looked up at the clock.
[+100 SP]
"It seems I have to go now, Shimizu-shonen!" All Might said with a loud voice, gaining everyone's attention. "I'm off to continue my patrols through the city!"
"Awh! Really!"
"Don't go, All Might! Please! please!"
All Might laughed and saluted us all. "Haha! I'm afraid not you all! Someone could be out there that needs to be saved! Now then, be sure to eat your vegetables and get plenty of sleep!"
In a burst of wind that caused loose papers and hair to flutter, All Might disappeared in a burst of pure speed. I blinked in confusion at the sheer level of speed All Might had and turned to the now open doors towards the back of the cafeteria. Despite being sad at the fact that the number one hero was now gone, everyone still looked happy that he had paid us all a visit.
I looked down at my All Might themed gift-wrapped present. I shook the gift as was tradition and shrugged. In one swift motion, I tore off the wrapping paper and chuckled at what I received.
It was a limited edition Prime All Might figurine. On the bottom was a sticker that stated it was one of five that was released worldwide.
"Heh, this is something that bushy-haired nerd would go crazy about." I chuckled and looked over to see Keiko dancing around with a light blue All Might themed hoodie. "Now then, I have some more points I can spend."
With a limited edition figure in hand, I made my way out of the cafeteria and headed to my room.
AN:
Despite wanting to wait to see if this fic gained more traction and comments, I couldn't help but write the next chapter. Let me know your thoughts on the story and what you all would like to see! Make sure you leave reviews or comments!
Until next time!
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