Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In all his years of being a pro hero, Aizawa Shouta can say that he prides himself in expecting and remaining indifferent through the most unexpected scenarios. He has seen the most unbelievable things, witnessed the worst crimes unfold in his career that he stopped being fazed anymore.

But for some hellforsaken reason, watching a young fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl successfully defending herself without using a quirk from three assaulters with dangerously powerful quirks and then walking away unscathed threw him completely off guard.

He quickly collected himself, however, and dropped down from the roof he was perched on to tie up the criminals and talk to the girl before she can get away.

“Hey, kid,” he called after her, “You can’t leave yet.”
She turned around at Shouta’s voice, confused for a moment before a small smile graced her lips. From where he’s crouched down, he could see that the girl’s wearing a dark purple haori with white flowers at the bottom, a navy blue hakama skirt that was a few inches below her knees over a maroon flower-patterned yukata, and jikatabi boots. She carried a giant basket on her back that looks very heavy for her average stature. Everything about her just screams “traditional”; surprised knowing she might only be around his students’ age or younger. Aren’t teens supposed to be...fashionable or whatnot? Following the latest trends and all that uncomfortable crap?

But what stood out the most about her other than the earrings she wore was the giant red...tattoo? Scar? Whatever it was on the left side of her forehead.

“Am I in trouble, sir?” she asked in a soft-spoken voice. Almost like a whisper.
“No, you’re not,” the hero answered. “But you are going to have to give a statement to the police about...this.” He gestured to the still unconscious criminals tied up in zip locks.
“Ah,” the kid merely said. To Shouta’s further surprise, she put her giant basket down on the alley floor and sat down quietly in a proper seiza position. ‘The fuck? How is she doing that??’ “Are we going to wait for them, sir, or will you take me there yourself?”

Shouta thought for a moment. He glanced at the three out cold on the floor, to the kid still smiling at him, then back to the three, then to his phone.

“We could wait,” he finally said, pocketing his phone. He called the dispatchers before he came to tie these three up, so they’ll be here in no time. He could faintly hear the sirens in the distance.

The kid nodded and was quiet while remaining in the same position, staring at the hands on her lap. She’s well-behaved for a teen. Even more so than any teenager he came across, more so than his own class. Or maybe she isn’t a teen at all. ‘Man, how old is this kid?’

He was pulled out of his thoughts by the sounds of sirens getting closer and closer. When police cars finally arrived, he dumped all three delinquents in one vehicle and ushered the kid in another. Once he was inside the car with her, they drove off.

The erasure hero knocked on the detective’s door. A faint “enter” came from the other side and Shouta walked in with the girl following from behind. Tsukauchi waved at him tiredly and the shaggy man waved back. Both were, admittedly, exhausted considering their line of work. The only one presentable despite the early hour was the kid, who smiled softly at the detective and bowed her head in greeting.

“May I sit?” she said in the same soft-spoken tone.
Tsukauchi blinked, then smiled. “Of course. Go ahead,” he gestured to the chair in front of his desk. Like before, she sat down quietly with her hands on her lap. Most teenagers and adults he’s sent here would always show small signs of nervousness or oftentimes, fear. Any wringing of hands, darting of eyes, shuffling feet, and the like. This girl, though, didn’t show any of those. She continued to smile calmly as if they were only talking about the weather over some tea.

What a strange kid.

Shouta sat her heavy basket down next to him as he leaned against the wall. ‘Fuck, what was she carrying in there?’

Now that he was up close he could actually take a good look at the kid; like her earrings that looked just like hanafuda cards and the mark on her forehead that stood out in stark contrast with her pale skin. Her ebony black hair was tied up in a high ponytail, long enough that it reached her waist while bangs framed the sides of her face. But the most characteristic thing about her was how her purple gem-like eyes seem to crinkle with kindness and how her gentle smile seem to hold no judgment, but a deep patience that knows no bounds.

A strange kid, indeed.

The detective cleared his throat as he pulled out his pen to write on the paper and a recorder. He smiled at the kid once more. “My name is Tsukauchi Naomasa and I am a detective. My quirk is Lie Detector, and well, the name speaks for itself. I can detect any lie and truth from a person as they speak so that no lie would get away scot free,” he smiled apologetically.
“I only need your account on what recently happened this morning, but I’m going to ask questions every now and then. Unless you’re not comfortable on making a statement now, then we can just choose another time.”
“Is it alright if I tell you now, then?”
The man looked surprised. “Er...yes, if...it’s alright with you.”
The kid only nodded.
Once again, the detective cleared his throat and turned on the recorder. “Shall we start?”
Another nod.
“What is your full name?”
“Tsugikuni Hanako, sir.”
Tsukauchi wrote it down.
“Can you recount your view of the events that led you here?”
She took her time on answering.
“I was doing a favor for a neighbor of mine, so I came here in the city. By the time I was finished, the sky was getting dark, and I promised my grandfather that I will stay someplace safe here and leave for home in the next morning light.”
“I stayed in a cheap motel for a while and then got up to make my journey back since sunlight was coming in a few hours. It’s a long trip home, after all. I was walking down an alley, when three people ganged up on me. They seem to underestimate me but I did not mind. I used that to my advantage, while completely aware that I was being watched.”

Ah. So she noticed that Shouta was there in the first place.

But she didn’t seem bothered by this. “I was about to walk away from the scene when I heard...er,” she turned to Shouta.
“Just call me Aizawa,” he said nonchalantly.
“When I heard Aizawa-san drop down from his hiding spot and called out to me. We waited for the police together and now I am here.”
Judging by Tsukauchi’s lack of reaction from his quirk, all of what she said was genuinely true. Meaning she knew that he was watching her the whole time she fought (he felt a little guilty about that) and she heard him drop down stealthily from the roof.

No one, not even his students, not even Yamada had ever caught him sneaking around. He swore he wasn’t making a single sound at the time, and yet, this kid —Tsugikuni—was skilled enough to even hear him coming. ‘She’d make a great hero. Wonder who trained her?’

It was silent for a while. The only noises being the scratching of pen against paper and the air conditioner running. Then Tsukauchi spoke again. “Have you used a quirk?”
Tsugikuni smiled, then shook her head. “No, I did not. For how can I use something that fate was so determined I cannot have?”
Both men froze and stared at the girl. Then silence. ‘Til the detective decided to break it.
“You’re...quirkless?” he asked rather incredulously even though his quirk registered it as true.
“I believe that is the term, yes,” she answered, with no change in her gentle tone.
Even Shouta was in a state of slight skepticism because it can’t be. He saw how she fought. He saw how strong she was when she punched, how quick she was on her feet. He thought that she had an enhancement quirk of some sorts. Surely, she was only kidding? Right?

He searched Tsugikuni’s face for a lie, but he didn’t find one. Her expression didn’t waver even when no reply came from any of them.
“It is indeed hard to believe,” she slowly explained, “that I am not in possession of a superhuman ability like the rest of my kind since the moment I was born.”

“However,” then the air around her changed while the temperature in the room dropped a few degrees.

Tsugikuni’s face may be mistaken for the same one she had when she came, but both men saw the difference with the one she wore now. 

Like how her gem-like eyes were suddenly hardened into cold violent purple stones and how her smile was similar to that of a needle; small yet sharp. One prick and your finger will bleed into a hundred-year slumber.

When she spoke, her tone remained soft. But instead of underlying gentleness, she talked like she was delivering an ominous warning. Or maybe it was.

They could only think of one thing as freezing chills ran down their spines.

“Might I remind you that the same people who have underestimated me are already behind bars?”

She. Was. Terrifying.

Chapter Text

After waving goodbye to his wife, he began making his way down the mountain. The mountain itself seemed peaceful today. The leaves in the trees swayed with the light autumn breeze and there was not a single gray cloud in the sky. 

Yoriichi stopped for a while to take in a deep breath. The air was crisp, sharp; at the same time, calming. He never thought that he would actually get this kind of peace. Even after all that happened, what with the death of his mother and having to leave what he once called home so that his brother will finally get the recognition he deserved.

It was difficult. Yes. But life has always been that way. And again, Yoriichi was grateful that he had been born into this beautiful world. He was grateful that he had a loving mother and a talented brother in the first place. Though, his only regret was not getting to talk to them more, or have more time to spend with them.

He felt for the pouch in his pants that contained a handmade wooden flute.

He could not, however, bring himself to regret running away; otherwise, he would not have travelled to places he never knew existed. He would never have witnessed the beauty of life, see the vast blue sky turn into a deep orange everyday, or see the flowers bloom, or hear the birds sing.

He would never have met Uta, his best friend and the love of his life. He would never have seen her smile with joy or hold her hand or hug her close or tell her that he loves her every single day.

He does not regret leaving. He never had. He loves Uta and their unborn child with all his heart, and he will do everything in his power to give them more than what life can offer.

Nodding, he continued down the path to find a midwife before sundown.

A boy with burgundy hair and eyes watched silently as his mother prayed in front of a shrine. 

His mother bowed at the end of the prayer, and turned to her son. She smiled. She then beckons him to come forward and he obeys, wearing the same calm expression he frequently has on his small childish face.

They tell him that a midwife will arrive at their home the next morning. Good. Yoriichi bowed in thanks before  turning around to head back. Uta must be worried.

The sky was getting dark, he still had time, but he was not going to waste any of it. So he ran as quick as his feet can take him. 

His mother looped the second earring into his other ear, then once done, she cupped his chubby cheeks with both of her hands. He loved her hands. They were the opposite of his father’s; warm and gentle. They made him feel safe.

“Yoriichi,” she said in a motherly voice, a loving thumb caressing his right cheek. He stared up at her to see her eyes shining with soft pride. “You are a gift to this world. A part of our beautiful homeland in which we cherish and fight to protect. And with this mark of yours, the gods have made you even more special.”

She traced his birthmark using her right thumb with utmost care. After that, she kissed it like she was blessing him with her love. And that love seeped into the deepest parts of his soul the moment her lips touched his forehead.
“May these earrings keep you safe, my son...for there will be those that will trample all over your life to bring you misery.”

He passed by the nearby village, rice fields, then through familiar trees and boulders. He was near, but something in the air brought him to an abrupt halt.

And then he hears it...

The sound of an impending doom.

He dashed for his house.

She carded her fingers through her son’s red-black hair. The child merely closed his eyes, leaning into the caring touch while listening to the rhythmic beats of his mother’s heart. He breathed in deeply, savoring every minute he had with her.

She continued speaking.

“For just as there are good beings, there are also the evil that go against them. Dark spirits. Entities. Strong forces that are barely out of our control.”
“These are the ones that stray from the gods. The ones that will not hesitate to ruin the lives of yours and many others.”

“The Sun god will protect you, my dear, but be vigilant...”

He was nearly out of breath. His lungs felt like they were about to burst and his body was aching in many different places. But he could not care any less.

He was almost there and so are the sounds. The horrid sounds of ragged breathing, sharp claws, and gnashing teeth.

A heavy dread dropped in the pits of his stomach. He feared that he might be too late to save his wife and child.

He was almost there.

“...for happiness will end...”

There! His house! Now all he has to do is reach for the front door and—

Yoriichi froze when he saw that there was no door. Just a gaping hole from where it used to be.

The broken pieces of what was left of the door lie in a heap on the ground next to it.

He ran to the entrance of his home, and he has not yet taken one step inside when what he saw made his blood run ice cold.

“...at the sight of blood.”

He did not even register the heavy metallic stench that was in the air. His eyes were too fixed on a trail of thick crimson leading up to the body of the woman he loved. And hunched over her, feasting happily on her flesh like a tasty meal—slitted eyes, sharp claws, red dripping from the tips of its razor-sharp teeth—was a monster.

A murderer.

‘There will be those that will trample all over your life to bring you misery.’

‘Be vigilant, my dear.’

‘Yoriichi...’

‘Fight to protect.’

He woke up all of the sudden in a cold sweat. He could feel his heartbeat quicken in pace, drumming against the walls of his ribcage. Where was he?

He was sitting on an engawa with his legs tucked neatly beneath him and his spine rod straight. A cushion was placed under his legs for maximum comfort while sitting.

He then looked around. A lantern sat beside him which was the only source of artificial light. He looked over a huge clearing that was surrounded by lush green bushes and colorful flowers. What’s most lovely about the place, however, was the never-ending sight of bright purple Wisteria Trees, making the lantern look dim compared to the bright other-worldly glow of wisteria flowers. When he stared up at the sky, he saw the light of the first break of dawn.

And he remembered. He woke up early to wait for Hana. But somehow, he managed to fall asleep in this position. He really is getting old.

Yoriichi glanced at his wrinkled hands that was once stained with the blood of many unfortunate lives.

He sighed deeply, wincing at his slightly raspy breath. He’s worrying too much. Hana is fine. She promised that she would stay in the city when it gets dark out. And if she ever gets attacked, she is capable of defending herself. He taught her how to fight with and without a sword for that reason.

Even if he never wanted to put that burden upon her.

He decided to get a glass of water. The nightmare he had must have dehydrated him a bit and his throat felt a little dry. It wasn’t from yelling. He never does that for fear he might wake the entire mountain. No, his throat had always been dry. ‘Part of growing old, I suppose,’ he tiredly thought. ‘Hana will be home soon.’

As soon as that thought passed, his hyperhearing picked up on two voices in the distance.

One was the voice of a man. It sounded way too young to be Sumiyoshi’s and way too deep to be Tanjuro’s. If the man’s not anyone from the Kamado family, then they must be new in the mountain, judging from the labored breaths and wheezing he’s making. The other one was the all-too-familiar warm voice of his granddaughter.

He watched as Hana emerged from the trees and cross the clearing, waving at Yoriichi as soon as she caught sight of him with that lovely smile of her’s that reminded him so much of Uta. A comforting relief settles in his heart and he waved back. 

Then a second party followed behind her, stopping for a moment to regain his bearings from the trip up here before crossing the clearing with her. A man in all black, including his hair, with what seemed to be a gigantic scarf wrapped around his shoulders that covered almost half of his face.

The old man found himself wondering if this is what most people in the city looks like. He shook his head at that as he stood up to greet his granddaughter and their guest.

“Jii-chan, I’m home,” she said once they were near the engawa.
Her grandfather smiled softly, once again grateful that she was safe. “Welcome home, my dear,” he replied in his raspy voice, then turned to the tall stranger next to her.

Yoriichi doesn’t know why the man in black was looking at him as if he had just performed some kind of miracle. However, the expression was brief, and was replaced by a look of humble indifference. He bowed to the old man in front of him.

“I...I am an underground hero, s-sir, and I came here to escort your granddaughter safely back...h-home,” he explained in an effort (he can tell) to keep his voice steady despite his underlying tone of fatigue.

And he was glad to hear that. It’s nice to know there are still people out there who prioritize the well-being of others before themselves. 

But he is genuinely concerned for the poor man’s health, and the added exhaustion did not help in the slightest. ‘Has this man ever gotten any proper sleep at all?’ he mused while he examined the dark eyebags he sported.

“What is your name, may I ask?” he said.
“Eraserhead, sir,” the man replied.
“No. I meant your birth name.”
That request took the man by surprise. He slowly straightened himself out from his bow before stuttering. “I am Aizawa S-Shouta, sir.”

Satisfied with his answer, he nodded and then gestured to the washitsu behind him. “It is still quite early to be going back down the mountain. Please, come join us for breakfast.”

“I’ve...already eaten, but thank you for offering.”
The former swordsman raised an eyebrow at that lie, but did not call him out on it. “Then at least stay for some tea?”
He could tell Aizawa-san was about to decline again when his granddaughter spoke up.
“It is alright, Aizawa-san. We do not mind the company. And we have tea that works and tastes better than the caffeine you normally consume. Besides, you are going to need the extra energy if you are to take the trip back down.”

Hana then walks over to the front door that leads to the genkan. She gestured for Aizawa-san to follow while the man sighs in defeat, finally accepts the invitation, and joins her inside.

Yoriichi lightly chuckled in amusement as he entered the room to wait for the other two.

Chapter Text

The nice detective thanked her for her cooperation and said that she was free to go. Internally, she sighed in relief. She can finally go home after a long night. She’d be lying if she said that the city did not tire her out one bit. How couldn’t it when everything here was just so—
Bright.
Crowded.
Confusing.
Especially last night. How can people still be so busy at such a late hour? She thought she was going to faint in the middle of the street from all the blinding lights. She would much rather prefer admiring the pretty glow of the Wisteria Trees and watching the morning sunrise with jii-chan.

Jii-chan! He must be worried!

After bowing to the detective and saying a quiet “good night” to the receptionist, she made her way to the front door, rushing to get back to the mountains as soon as possib—

“Tsugikuni,” a gruff voice called out to her. She turned around to see Aizawa-san approaching her. She smiled at him, although she was puzzled as to what the underground hero would want with her.
“Yes, Aizawa-san? What is it?” she asked, rubbing the straps of her basket to ease her underlying worry.
The man considered her for a moment, then replied, “I’m going with you.”

Her eyebrows creased as she made a confused sound, seemingly even more puzzled.

“I beg your pardon?” she said.
He let out a sharp sigh while pinching the bridge of his nose. “Look, kid, it’s not that I’m doubting your abilities in a fight, but legally, you are still a minor in this city. Wandering about. Alone.”

She made an “oh” in realization when he emphasized that last part.
“What you are implying,” she started slowly, “is that the only way I am allowed to wander these streets is if I am accompanied by an adult, preferably my guardian or a legal care taker.”
“That is correct.”
“But since none is available, you, a pro hero instead will be held responsible for my safety until either is free to take me off of your hands.”

She tried hiding the amusement in her tone, but must have ultimately failed by the tiring sigh the hero made.
“Exactly.”
“So you are going to accompany me home?”
“Yes.”
“But I live in the mountains, sir.”
“Which is all the more reason to go with you. Now come on. Or your...grandfather, you said?” she nodded. “Or your grandfather might start to question what happened to you.”

Hana was about to argue that the walk up the mountain isn’t as easy as he thinks when Aizawa-san was already moving to open the door for her. She could only shake her head exasperatedly as she thanked the man and exited the building. Aizawa-san followed suit.

She breathed in the crisp morning air. Mornings were always her favorite part of the day. There’s not really a specific reason other than “she just likes it.” And she would have taken her time to appreciate the quiet hour too if it weren’t for the insistent tap on her shoulder.
She turned to her right and saw her companion bent down on one knee, his back towards her as if offering a piggy back ride.

“Hope on,” he said in all his seriousness.
She blinked. “But...why?” she asked.
“The mountains are in the southwest, right? Near the city’s borders?”
“Y-yes, but—“
“It’ll be quicker if I take us both there via rooftops.”
Oh. Oh. That made much more sense.
“Ah. That would be a good idea. Unfortunately, though, there is a problem.”
“And what’s that?”
“My basket”, she patted the straps. “It may not look like it, but it is considerably hefty. This and adding my weight could slow you down, Aizawa-san.”
He hummed in thought. “Well, you’re not wrong,” he mused, “but I think I can take it.”
She shook her head. “Not to be disrespectful, sir, but I promise you, you couldn’t.”
She heard the hero sigh before he stood up to face her and crossed his arms.
“Do you have any other suggestions, then?”
She merely gave him her go-to smile. Although, her eyes had a glint of mischief in them.
“How about we settle a competition?” she offered, no, requested.
There was a flash of involuntary surprise on his face before it was quickly replaced by sneaky suspicion.
“What are you on abou—“ his question was cut off when Hana took a stance not unlike a marathon runner.

Then, she breathed. Just like how jii-chan taught her.

“Whoever reaches the borders first,” her voice low, but loud enough so Aizawa-san can hear, “shall be proclaimed the victor.”

And she was off, dashing in a speed that could rival a bullet train. She jumped and leapt and ran across rooftops, and she felt the wonderful chill of the morning air through her skin, complementing the rising heat from the acceleration of her blood flow and the bulging of her muscles. She held on tightly to the straps of her basket.

She heard muffled yelling coming from beside her, so she turned her head to meet the exasperated yet irritated expression of her companion who was doing his best to catch up to her as he gradually fell behind and then back at her side once more.

Bewilderment was evident on her face. She hasn’t had any competition like this in a long while. Not when quirk or no quirk, no one was ever able to get close to her speed. Tanjiro and Nezuko could barely beat her in a race, and the only one who was able to was her grandfather. She was ecstatic to finally have someone she could race against.

“You are doing great, sir!” she yelled through the rushing of air, her earrings thrashing with the aerial beat of her skirt and haori.

More muffled yelling came from the man and a bubbly laugh escaped her throat. Oh, she was having so much fun!

‘That little shit,’ were the only words his mind spat in the midst of racing after a ridiculously hyperenergetic teen with the speed of a getaway car in a high-speed chase.
He never had a hard time going after criminals like this. All he had to do was pin them down in a matter of seconds once he got his eyes on them.

So why now, was he exhausted on keeping up with a child that he was certain was proven quirkless a mere few minutes ago?

His legs were beginning to tense and ache from all the running and leaping, and his chest was in dire need of oxygen. But he kept pushing until they reached the borders. Jumping down a building, he panted, his hands on his knees to steady himself, heaving deep shuddering breaths as he attempted to keep his dizzy mind under control.

After seconds of painful breathing exercises, his heartbeat slowed back down to its normal rhythm and something was shoved into his face. He looked up to see the problem child offering a bamboo canteen—undoubtedly filled with water—with an apologetic gaze and zero signs of fatigue. Or maybe it was his exhausted mind making up crazy delusions.

“H-how...,” he wheezed.
But she simply smiled and gently guided his trembling hands to grip the canteen.
“Please drink, Aizawa-san. It will help,” she whispered, somehow sympathetically.
He did as she said and took a gulp, then another, until he was starting to feel a bit relaxed. His muscles were loosening from the tension and his brain wasn’t going in head-throbbing circles anymore. He sighed in immense relief the ice cold water brought.

The hero glanced at his charge who was patiently waiting for him to compose himself in the same soft expression, which by now, he thinks, is her default one.

“Thanks,” he said gruffly, handing back the container.
She hummed in acknowledgement as she took it, capped it, and tied it securely at the waist of her hakama skirt.

He really wanted to ask this, so he did. “Are you sure you don’t have a quirk?”
The kid chuckled at that.
“Yes, I am quite certain that I don’t, sir.”
“Then how the hell were you dashing like a devil’s spawn was on your tail just now?”
He almost regretted what he said when he saw her subtle flinch at the word “devil” (he made note of that for later), but instantly suppressed it when her gaze met his and she smiled at Aizawa with, what he begrudgingly noticed upon closer inspection, a hint of a smirk.
“I breathed, Aizawa-san.”

Then without further elaboration, she turned and walked towards the dense forest-covered mountain that was a few steps away from where they were standing, leaving him puzzled over her words.
At the corner of his eye, she stopped. Then swiveled back around to see if he was following. He sighed before he did, and now they were heading up, hidden by the first few layers of trees that pass them by. Light was gradually rising from the east, but it’s not for another hour or so ‘till the sun was fully out.

Even if they were in the woods, that doesn’t mean he wasn’t going to keep a close eye on her from now on. And taking in her appearance, his deadbeat brain definitely weren’t playing tricks on him when he saw how calm she was after running for half a mile across the city. 
The silence was unusual for him, and he’s an underground hero. A career that involves staying out of the spotlight, going on numerous solo missions, and requires a whole lot of stealth. He was specifically trained to do just that, to move anywhere as quiet as humanly possible. 
But even with all the training he had, nothing could prepare him for the crunching of leaves under his feet that seemed to echo loudly throughout the entire vicinity. And only he was making that sound.

Because Tsugikuni, shockingly he thought, was not creating a single vibration.

He could only hear one pair of footsteps walking on the rough leafy path. One. Not two pairs. It’s as if the kid was just a spirit joining him on a journey up a dark creepy mountain. The mere thought perturbed him in a way that made his skin crawl.
‘Or,’ he sourly mused, ‘this really is my shitty brain playing mind tricks on me.’

Then out of nowhere, within the profound silence, his charge spoke up like a whisper in the breeze.
“Before we go to my house, sir, I am going to make a trip to my neighbor’s first. Is that alright with you?”
She glimpsed at him to see his confirmation in a form of a quick nod. “Sure. Just do what you gotta do, kid,” he grunted.

They were quiet again, but as they walked each step, the hero noticed that he seemed to be having a bit of trouble breathing. Was he really that exhausted?
“I am going to warn you Aizawa-san,” Tsugikuni suddenly spoke again, “the higher up the mountain we go, the thinner the air would be. So I suggest you take deep constant breaths as we go.”
“And you tell me that now?!” he hissed at her, which he didn’t mean to, but this whole trip was already weird enough as it is. And he’s tired, hungry, and pissed.

His charge, on the other hand, seemed perfectly fine. “Well, sir, I did try to tell you that I live in the mountains; to which you replied: ‘was all the more reason to go with you.’”
She did say that. And he did say that too.
So the kid ain’t wrong.
Soft jewel purple eyes looked up to him, “But believe me when I say this, Aizawa-san. I think you are capable of climbing up this mountain more than anyone else who has never been here before.”
“I do not doubt that with more training, you would be able to run about this entire mountain without any trouble breathing.”
The kid said those last words as if from experience. And the hero was reminded that this was still a teen, albeit a strange one.

He was beginning to follow her advice, taking deep continuous breaths when his charge led him to a path that was surrounded by towering pine trees with huge barks and a few trees that have...weird glowing flower things.

They walked through said path, passing the trees and soon entered a clearing surrounded by more trees (especially the glowing purple ones, what are those??), grass below his feet, and rocks scattering everywhere in different shapes and sizes.
In the middle of it all was the humblest home Shouta had ever laid his eyes on. A traditional Japanese house that you rarely find in the city these days. It has an engawa veranda, shōji sliding doors, and everything. But most of all, it was...warm and homey. Truly a place to call home.

They weren’t the only ones up in this early morning, however, for he spotted a young boy who was chopping up firewood at one side of the house. He still hasn’t noticed them approaching even when Tsugikuni was already in arm’s reach of the boy. It’s good to know that his stealth training wasn’t wasted after all, so he took his time to inspect the kid more closely as he aggressively bisected logs with extreme focus.
For one, he was way younger than the hero thought he was due to the unsurprising strength the kid showed with an axe. Pale skin, dark hair, with a mole under his left eye. Like his charge, he also wears traditional clothing: a gray yukata, a light green haori, pants with its bottom bundled up in some sort of bandages, tabi, and a pair of zori.

Chop.
Chop.
Chop—

“Good morning, Takeo.”

Swing!
Whoosh!
Thud.

“Great instincts! It looks like your father taught you well.”
Shouta watched all of this unfold; from the startled kid impulsively throwing the axe with deadly precision, to Tsugikuni catching it with practiced ease. The weapon remained firm in her right hand, and to say he was shocked was an understatement.

She walked over to the boy—Takeo—and handed back the axe. “But you are going to have to hone that skill if you do not want to kill an innocent person by accident.”
“Hana-nee!” the poor kid breathed out as he shakily took the sharp lumber’s-axe-turned-lethal-weapon from her hands.
“Hello, Takeo. Forgive my intrusion.”
“Intrusion?! You scared me half to death!”
“Again, I apologize.”
“You could have at least let me know of your presence instead of sneaking up on me and then pounce like a panther!”
The hero could hear the amusement in her voice. “A panther?”
“Don’t give me that look! You know what I mean. For all we know, there could be one attacking us any moment!”
Her shoulders trembled in silent laughter. This seemed to agitate the boy even further.
“Hana-nee, this is not funny!”
“Takeo, there are no black panthers in East Asia.”
“We don’t know that!”
“Even if there are,” she mused, “that would be a sight to see.”
“Hana-nee!”

To his surprise, she bursted out laughing, and it took a while for her laughter to die down before she started talking again.
“Anyhow, is your family still asleep? Because I only just came back from the ci—“
“Takeo? Is something the matter?”

He swiveled his head to the small engawa and saw a girl around his charge’s age wearing a pink star-patterned kimono and a black haori. In her arms was another boy even younger than Takeo. One tiny hand was clutching the older’s kimono while the other held a small handmade plush doll that suspiciously looked a lot like—

“Eraserhead!”

His eyes darted back to the voice and saw the youngest staring at him with sparkles in his burgundy eyes. Which, in turn, made the others turn their heads in his direction.

Takeo only just noticed him there and his eyes widen like saucers. “No way...that is—“
“Eraserhead!” the unnamed child squealed. Then he blushed, as if realizing what he just did, and buried his head shyly in the crook of the girl’s neck. She giggled at this sudden change of behavior.
Tsugikuni seemed to also just realize something, because all of the sudden she smacked her forehead and her laughter backed up again. “Oh my goodness!” she lowered her hand to rub the back of her head, “I’m so sorry, Aizawa-san. I forgot that you were there.”
“Wait. You mean to tell me that you were with the coolest underground hero the whole time and you forgot?!”
“Oh, Takeo, you know how Hana-nee is,” the girl in the pink kimono said, “She might be skillful with a sword, but her memory with certain things are always down the drain.”

Both Takeo and Tsugikuni laughed like crazy, but the hero himself had a lot of things going through his mind right now. Like how the kimono girl mentioned that his charge was skillful with a sword. A sword! She’s almost unbeatable with her fighting skills alone, but a sword?? What other secrets does this kid even have?!

And these people—children—know who he is! An underground hero! So many questions and so little answers.

‘What is happening??’ his mind screamed.