Chapter 82: Trigger
Author: Geraint
In a certain alleyway in the city district of Naruhata...
"Hehe…"
Ichika grinned smugly at Aizawa Shota—the Erasure Hero: Eraserhead.
"Hahahahaha!"
Beside him, Ms. Joke was cackling uncontrollably. She was Aizawa's patrol partner for the day.
"Good luck, you two. Have fun! Pfffffft! Fu fu fu…"
Ichika couldn't help but laugh, while Eraserhead looked thoroughly unamused.
"Falcon really knows what he's doing," Ms. Joke said, smiling. Ichika shot her a thumbs-up.
"Of course. I'm such a considerate president."
"We're on hero duty, not a date," Eraserhead deadpanned.
Ichika stepped back dramatically, raised a hand, and shouted,
"Shazam!"
A bolt of lightning crashed down, transforming him back into his younger form, dressed in civilian clothes.
Eraserhead frowned. He tried erasing Ichika's Quirk, but nothing happened.
"This guy's powers are just too weird…"
"Isn't his ability similar to yours? Disabling Quirks by touching people?" Ms. Joke asked.
"Yeah… but he's ridiculously strong, and he has other abilities. Even bullets can't pierce his skin."
"No wonder All Might wants him to be the next Symbol of Peace."
"You also know why he turned it down."
"Yeah." Ms. Joke nodded solemnly.
"Alright, I'll leave the rest to you guys. It's easier to find the culprit if I disguise myself as a civilian. Hunting people is my specialty—former bounty hunter, remember? I am Captain Falcon after all. Ha-Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
"You don't have to copy your father's weird laugh," Eraserhead muttered.
"Take care, Falcon!" Ms. Joke waved as Ichika walked away.
"…Why is he wearing weights? Those look heavy."
"Don't mind him. Let's patrol."
"Roger that, Eraser~"
Ichika, now in his younger form, casually walked down the street, blending in perfectly as a normal civilian.
"Heh… I like this form more. No paparazzi. No fans. Just peace and quiet."
"Huh?" ×2
Suddenly, he ran into a familiar face.
"Ara! Isn't that you, Ichika-kun? You've grown so much!"
"Eh? Inko-san?!"
"Hehehe… What a coincidence! How's school going?"
Ichika raised two fingers and smirked.
"Heh… same as always. Still on top of the ranks."
"Oh, amazing as ever, Ichika-kun. I really hope Katsuki and my daughter can learn a thing or two from you."
"You shouldn't compare them to me. Everyone's different. We all have our own talents. I have ups and downs too, y'know?"
"Eh? Like what?"
"Hmmm…"
Ichika paused. He couldn't really think of any weaknesses—except one.
"My luck sucks."
"You still think you're unlucky?"
"Yeah. I stepped in dog poop this morning."
"…"
Inko didn't even know what to say. It wasn't the first time something like that happened to him.
"I-I see… Nothing's changed…"
They said their goodbyes, and Ichika turned down a different street. As he walked, he stopped in front of a TV playing the news in a shop window.
[Breaking News: Crime rate increases by 4% this month despite Pro Hero efforts.]
Ichika stared in shock. He clenched his fists.
All Might was still active. He had become a Pro Hero too. Every hero was doing their best… and yet crime was rising. The people were still suffering.
Maybe I shouldn't have interfered with everything…
He'd stepped in to reduce casualties, to protect the future. But things were still getting worse.
Even with all his strength, villains kept pushing back harder. He knew crime would never truly end. One bad day could turn anyone into a villain. It was the dark side of hero society—something even his power couldn't erase.
Still… what's done is done. I can't change the past—unless I had the Time Stone.
He sighed, using the Space Stone to teleport to a random alleyway. His patrol was done for the day anyway.
He stepped out into the street, lost in thought… and suddenly stopped.
"Kyah!"
Someone bumped into him from behind and fell.
Ichika turned to see a petite girl with ash-blonde hair and inward-tilting yellow eyes—feline-like. Her uniform was a dark blue seifuku with a red ribbon and a light blue blazer.
Ichika's eyes widened. He immediately recognized her.
"You're…"
"Huh?"
The girl's face turned red. She quickly looked away, flustered.
Seeing her groceries scattered, Ichika bent down.
"Oh, sorry! I was spacing out and didn't notice you."
"No… it's okay…"
He helped her pick up her groceries and handed the bag back.
"Are you okay? Any scrapes?"
He checked her knees—no injuries. He sighed in relief.
"Looks like you're fi—huh?"
She was breathing heavily. Her body trembled.
"Are you sure you're okay? Say some—"
Suddenly, she dropped the groceries and lunged at him, grabbing his collar and exposing his neck. Her wide mouth revealed long, sharp canines—almost vampiric.
Ichika didn't resist. He let her bite into his neck.
Pain stung as she sucked his blood. Tears streamed from her eyes, but she smiled ecstatically.
People nearby gasped as they saw blood on his shoulder, but before anyone screamed, Ichika raised his hand.
"I'm fine," he signaled.
Despite being in his younger form, he didn't feel weak. Somehow, his body was handling it—likely another quirk of his powers.
Still… I've got bigger things to worry about.
He sighed, remembering the trigger incident he still needed to resolve.
"Such misfortune…" he muttered, deadpan.
(To be continued.)A/N: I'll fix my mistakes later.
Umu Umu Umu Umu Umu Umu Umu Umu Umu Umu Umu Umu Umu Umu Umu...