Chapter 83: Toga HimikoAuthor: Geraint
In a park, Ichika sat on a bench with the girl, dabbing the bite mark on his neck with a handkerchief. He was surprised to see the wound heal almost instantly, just like his adult form's regenerative ability.
"So, your quirk is some kind of vampire ability?"
"No, not really. My quirk is called Transform. If I drink someone's blood, I can turn into them. Let me show you."
The girl stood and transformed into a perfect copy of him.
Seeing himself in her school uniform made Ichika go pale.
"What's wrong?" she asked, noticing his expression.
Ichika quickly apologized, glancing awkwardly at her transformed outfit.
"Oh, sorry... It's just... seeing myself in a girl's school uniform is a bit much."
Realizing what he meant, the girl giggled.
"Hehehe... Do I look beautiful?" she teased, striking a pose and playfully flipping up the skirt.
"Oh no, please stop it!" Ichika panicked.
"Hello! My name is..."
She paused.
"I forgot to ask your name."
"It's Yagi Ichika. Nice to meet you," he replied with a faint smile.
Deactivating her transformation, her disguise melted into a gray viscous liquid, revealing her original appearance with a wide grin.
"Ichika-kun! I'm Toga Himiko! Please take care of me!"
"Yes, please take care of me too, Toga-san."
"It's Himiko."
"Then... Himiko-san."
"Hi. Mi. Ko!"
"Himiko..." Ichika sighed, giving up.
"Hehehe!"
She smiled disturbingly, giving him a strange feeling. He figured she wasn't very good at acting "normal"—likely because of her quirk.
"Such misfortune..." he muttered.
"Ichika-kun~! ♡"
As they continued chatting, Ichika noticed it was getting dark.
"It's already evening. We should head home. Your parents might be worried."
"Don't mind them. I had fun."
"Still, let me walk you home. It's not safe for a girl to be out alone."
"Really?! I'd be happy to walk with you!" she responded excitedly.
They arrived at her house. Her parents were furious at first—until they saw Himiko with a cool-looking guy with pink hair.
"Himiko! Can you—huh?"
Ichika quickly introduced himself, bowing politely.
"Good evening. My name is Yagi Ichika."
"Oh? Such a polite young man," her mother said, intrigued.
"Are you Himiko's friend?" her father asked.
"Yes… We just met, but I think of her as a friend already. I'm sorry we stayed out so long—it got dark before we realized."
"Really? Would you like to join us for dinner? Himiko's never brought anyone home before. You're the first."
"Mom!" Himiko turned bright red.
Ichika, trying to maintain his composure, found it hard to refuse. "Okay… I'll be in your care."
He noticed both parents tearing up, clearly touched.
"I'll show you around!" Himiko grabbed his arm and dragged him inside.
Once seated in the living room, Himiko left to change clothes. Ichika sat on the couch, slightly tense under her parents' scrutinizing gaze.
Her father spoke first.
"Ichika, are you really Himiko's friend?"
"Well, we just met today, but yes. I already consider her a friend."
"You're such a nice guy, Ichika-kun," her mother smiled.
"Are you aware of her... condition?"
"She told me. I know she acts that way because of her quirk."
"I see…"
"I think her situation should be approached with care. Have you considered quirk counseling? They might be able to help."
The parents looked at each other, then dropped their gaze.
"We tried. They said it was impossible."
"Huh? Why?"
"They said they couldn't 'fix' her condition. We just want her to be normal," the father admitted.
Ichika scowled.
"'Fix' her? Are you serious?"
The room tensed. His aura made the father freeze in place.
Ichika quickly caught himself and bowed. "Ahem! Sorry. That was rude."
Her parents exchanged confused glances.
"What I meant is… you shouldn't treat her like she's broken. You're her parents. Accept her. If you force her to repress her emotions, it might lead to bigger problems."
Her father frowned.
"So you're saying you know her better than us? She's our daughter! You've known her for what—an hour?!"
...
Ichika realized they wouldn't listen. It felt hopeless.
"May I ask... Who are your parents? Where do you live?"
"My dad? He's in Shizuoka Prefecture. He's a teacher at U.A. High School. I live in Tokyo."
Their jaws dropped.
"Isn't that far?! Did you come here alone?"
"Yes." Ichika nodded.
"Then aren't you just some random stranger Himiko met on the street?!"
"Ah... Yabe." Ichika's face paled.
"GET OUT!"
SLAM!
He was kicked out and the door shut loudly behind him.
"DON'T EVER COME BACK!"
Ichika sighed and began walking away.
Meanwhile, Himiko returned to the living room, now dressed casually.
"I'm back! Ichika-kun, what do you want for dinner—huh?"
Only her parents were there, looking irritated.
"Mom? Dad? Where is he?"
"Don't ask about that rude brat!" her father snapped. "He's gone. I kicked him out. Go to your room!"
Himiko froze. Her expression darkened.
"You…"
She clenched her fists. She wanted to hurt them. Maybe even kill them.
Just as she was about to act on those dark thoughts—
Ding dong!
"Sorry! I think I left something on the couch!" Ichika's voice came from the entrance.
"Yes!" Himiko brightened instantly and ran to the door.
She picked up his phone from the couch.
Her father tried to stop her, but she slapped his hand away and shot him a menacing glare.
"Don't touch me... or I'll kill you."
He froze in fear as she walked away, looking eerily calm.
Himiko opened the door and handed Ichika his phone with a smile.
"Thank you. And sorry."
"It's okay."
Ichika turned to leave.
"Wait, Ichika-kun!"
"Huh?"
"I'm coming with you!"
"What?!" Ichika's eyes widened.
(To be continued.)
A/N: I'll fix my mistakes later.