Chapter 22: Alleyway Incident
Author: Geraint
A/N: To support me, please donate to my PayPal:paypal.me/Geraint124xThank you very much! It would really help me out.
(Toru's POV)
A month had passed, and Ichika—the boy who sat next to me—still hadn't gotten along with anyone in class, except a few teachers. The rest of the class had already labeled him a teacher's pet because he was always hanging around staff, even during free time. Most of our classmates had started avoiding him, making their dislike clear.
Right now, he was leaning on his desk, fast asleep. As usual, he showed no interest in anyone around him. I tried talking to him every chance I got, but it was no use. Every time, things got awkward—he'd just stare at me and look away.
(Why won't he just talk to me? I really want to be friends with him!)
After our history and literature classes, the final bell rang—it was time to go home.
I was one of the students assigned to clean the board and take out the trash today, but the boy I was partnered with ran off to hang out with his friends. I ended up doing everything alone.
When I finally left the classroom and shut the door behind me, I let out a long sigh."What a bad day..."
As I walked home by myself, passing near a convenience store, I spotted someone.
"Huh? Isn't that... Ichika?"
He was surrounded by a group of high school delinquents—judging from their uniforms—and they were following him closely.
"Oh no! Should I call the police?!"
I quickly ducked behind a wall to hide while I watched.
(What did Ichika do? Why are they after him?)
Ichika pointed down an alley, leading the group there.
"This is bad!"
I pulled out my emergency phone and quietly followed them. If anything happened, I was ready to call for help.
As I entered the alley and turned the corner—
"H-Huh?"
My eyes widened.
"Uuuuugh..."
I froze in place.
All of the delinquents were sprawled out across the alley floor, bruised and bloody. Some were groaning in pain, others completely unconscious.
(D-Did he beat all of them... by himself?! There were more than ten!)
Ichika was gripping one of the remaining conscious thugs by the collar, lifting him up with one hand.
"If you want to beat me... bring your whole gang next time."
He grinned, eyes wild with excitement.
"This isn't even fun with such small numbers."
(S-Scary!)
Before I realized, I stepped on something—a can—and lost my balance.
"Ugh! Ow... huh?"
Ichika turned and stared directly at me.
He dropped the thug and began walking toward me.
Panicking, I scrambled to my feet and bolted.
My bag was too heavy, so I tossed it aside—along with my phone—and ran as fast as I could.
(I have to use my quirk!)
I tore off my uniform piece by piece, even stripping off my underwear and shoes. Finally, I removed my socks.
Naked and fully invisible, I burst out of the alley and ran into the open streets.
(With this, he won't be able to find me!)
Raindrops began falling from the sky.
"I just need to call for help—Huh?!"
Suddenly, headlights blared in front of me.
A truck was speeding my way. I hadn't realized I'd wandered into the middle of the street—and the driver couldn't see me.
(No! He can't see me! I'm invisible!)
As the truck closed in, I shut my eyes tightly.
CRASH!
Instead of pain, I felt someone grab me—pulling me to safety.
I opened my eyes and saw Ichika holding me tightly, his expression filled with fury.
"Are you an idiot?! Why would you run away and strip your clothes?! You almost got killed just now!"
(He's terrifying when he's angry!)
Sniffle... sniffle...
"Uwaaaaah~"
I broke down and cried.
"Hey! Stop crying!"
"You're scary!!"
"Okay, okay! I'm not angry anymore! Please, just stop crying!"
Later, we were both taken to the police station for questioning.
Inside the station...
"So, to confirm—you saved this invisible girl from being hit by a truck?"
"That's right," Ichika answered calmly.
"And you stopped the truck using... your right arm?"
"Yes."
"What's your quirk again?"
"I'm registered as quirkless."
BAM!
The officer slammed his hands on the table.
"Quirkless?! Are you messing with me?!"
"Anyone can do it with the right training."
"Stop joking!"
"I'm serious. You can check my records."
Ichika just shrugged, as if it were no big deal.
The officer looked like he was about to argue again when someone knocked on the door.
Actually—no. The door burst open.
(Play: MHA OST – All Might Theme)
"Ha ha ha! Worry not—because I AM HERE!"
Standing at the doorway was none other than the Number One Hero, All Might himself.
(Img<<<)
"ALL MIGHT!"
My jaw dropped in awe. Seeing him in person was surreal.
Ichika, on the other hand, looked... disappointed?
"What are you doing here?" he asked flatly.
"What do you mean, Ichika? The police called me because of you! Got into trouble again, huh?"
"Huh?"
(Wait... what's going on? They know each other?)
All Might turned to the police officer.
"I've already spoken with your superiors regarding this incident. If you have further questions, refer to them."
"Y-Yes, understood, sir!"
The officer stood and saluted, then left the room.
All Might turned back to Ichika.
"Ichika..."
"What now?"
"I can't exactly be mad at you after hearing you saved a classmate from getting hit by a truck. I'm proud of you—as your father."
"EH?!!"
I gasped.
(F-Father?!)
Ichika pointed at me with his thumb."The girl I saved is right here."
"What?! I didn't even notice her!"
All Might squinted at my direction.
"She's been here the whole time. I guess your eyesight's getting worse."
"But I can't see her!"
"Oh, right. She's invisible."
He just remembered.
My heart was pounding from the revelation.(Ichika... is All Might's son?! No wonder he could stop a truck with one arm!)
I stood up and bowed politely."H-Hello! I'm Hagakure Toru! I'm Ichika's classmate!"
"Nice to meet you, young lady," All Might smiled. "I hope you'll be a good friend to my son. But please—keep our relationship a secret. It would cause problems at school if people found out. Ichika wants to live a normal life."
"Yes! Absolutely! I'd love to be friends with him!"
I turned to Ichika.
"Come on, Ichika! Let's be friends!"
He looked reluctant, but finally sighed.
"Fine."
He raised his hand, and I grabbed it with both of mine.
"Yay! We're friends now!"
Peeeeeww!
"Huh?"
Suddenly, I could see my hands—holding his.
"T-Toru! Your body!"
Ichika's face turned bright red and he quickly looked away.
Confused, I looked down—
"W-W-Wha—?!"
(Img<<<)
I could see my entire naked body.
"My body... It's visible!"
All Might immediately turned around.
I frantically tried to cover myself.
"Kyaaaaaa!!!"
WHACK!
"Huh?"
Before I knew it, I'd reflexively punched Ichika in the face.
He collapsed to the ground.
"I-I'm so sorry!!"
I rushed over to check on him.
Before passing out, he muttered,
"Such misfortune... ugh..."
(To be continued)
A/N: I'll fix my mistakes later.