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Post by kouta on Oct 23, 2019 16:51:26 GMT -4
The train just wanted to move incredibly slowly today, didn't it? Even though it moved at the same speed it always did, overcrowded as always, leaving the boy wondering exactly why there weren't bigger trams.. trains? Whatever they were, it was weird to think about why they didn't make them bigger, since they had just so much money from the thousands of people going to work at that time. After all, these clogged places, which Kouta fit in well, mostly because he was so small that any space was comfy for him, were just sexual harassment festering grounds.
Like right now. He could spot, through the bunch of people there, a guy trying to get a bit too handsy with someone who just didn't want to cause any problems. Calling the police wouldn't exactly work in such a clogged place, not now at least so, instead, once he finally wriggled himself from the multitudes of people ahead of him, the boy squeezed himself in the middle by force, small in stature, but somehow exuding enough confidence to make the guy back off.
Also because he sneaked the smallest one-inch elbow jab to a soft spot of his gut that made him cough in the sudden pain. Quirkless, untrained people are always so frail, even his normal teenager strength sufficed for martial arts techniques.
Being close to a girl, as he had come to expect, didn't make him feel sick to his stomach or send him into a frenzied panic. After struggling for his life with a girl thug and winning, as well as being handled by nurses for one month and surviving the terror, the boy had actually fought past so many of his fears, finally trusting his own self. No longer was he just a defenseless, small creature but, instead, a young guy who could achieve more if he put his heart into it.
If he stopped believing that, he'd probably turn into a coward again.
Once out of the train and with the girl having told the security of what the guy had done, maybe emboldened by Kouta's courage, maybe not, the young boy made his way directly to a place he dearly missed. It had been too long since he stepped into Ochi orphanage, a smile showing on his kind face.
The boy was finally home, maybe a bit more worse for wear than before, after all, he did have a mostly hidden scar in his scalp, thankfully hidden away by his adorable, ruffled pink hair as well as some motor problems in his arms, with them sometimes getting a bit shaky or stiff from the nerve damage that they received, though it wasn't anything too rough, his dark eyes staring at it up and down, wondering how he should come back. On him, he only had the clothing on his back, his stuff and a bag with clothing that his "Mommy" occasionally brought in for him. He never called her mommy but, today, he had a promise to go forward with.
A promise to himself, that he'd continue to stay a changed boy if he actually got out.
"It's time. I hope they still remember me. I hope they still like me. God, five months.. they must feel abandoned." Kouta murmured to himself, stepping forward with a bit more confidence, even if shaky. In just his U.A. uniform, he raised his hand a bit to ring the front door, twiddling his fingers repeatedly while waiting for an answer.
If it was her, he wouldn't contain himself. His body was barely containing itself right now as is.
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Post by Rose Shrimp on Oct 24, 2019 20:06:02 GMT -4
For the last five months, Kimiko had been fraught with worry. She’d known Kouta was going to UA, that he was doing everything he could to get stronger and protect other people, but when she’d heard first heard the news - that Kouta had been badly injured defending himself from a villain, that the villain had been trying to burn down the orphanage - she couldn’t help but imagine the small, scared, hungry little boy that’d collapsed on their doorstep so many years ago. The little boy her mother had tried her very best to help, even when he shied away from her. The child that she, herself, had managed to get to open up to her, even while he ran and hid from any other woman. That little boy had been attacked, and he was hurt. Badly.
She’d had to hold herself together as she told the rest of the children where their big brother Kouta had gone. That he was okay, alive, but he’d be away in the hospital for a while. When she was on the phone, with Wagyu, begging him to find the monster that did this while he promised to, in the low stern tone that she knew meant he was hurting inside just as much as she was. When she’d gone to bed that night, it’d been a struggle to stop crying.
She should’ve been there to help him, she’d told herself. Even without a Quirk, even against someone so dangerous they could hospitalize a hero-in-training, it was her sworn duty to protect the children she cared for as her family. And, she’d failed. It wasn’t the first time, but it hurt just as much as the last.
The months that went by dulled the pain a little, but every day she didn’t see his pink hair bouncing down the orphanage hallways, or his voice during dinner times, was another ache in her heart. Wagyu had visited him several times, had brought him cards and gifts and words of encouragement from Kimiko, but she’d been unable to find even a single day that she could take off to visit in person. Kouta needed her, but so did all of the other children. If only Mom were still alive…
When she’d gotten the call from the hospital, that he had recovered enough to come home, she’d dropped everything she could to get something together for him. Dinner today would’ve been stew, but she’d changed plans immediately just to have spaghetti and meatballs ready for him when he got back.
As excited everyone else was for his return, she’d had to remind them to not overwhelm the poor lad. She’d told them all firmly to not wait in the front room, so he could settled back in. Behind the door, Rocky’s voice was loud and clear above the other kids, chatting about all the things he had to tell big bro Kouta about.
Then, the doorbell. Her heart skipped a beat, and despite herself she rushed over to fling open the door as fast as her legs could carry her.
And there he was. “Welcome home, Kouta!” A single tear rolled down Kimiko’s cheek as she looked the boy over, her first genuine smile since he’d been hospitalized spread wide over her face. Her instincts said to hug him, to pull him close and never let him go, but she held herself back. The last thing she wanted to do was make him uncomfortable, after all.
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Post by kouta on Oct 24, 2019 20:22:35 GMT -4
Standing at the front door, Kouta couldn't help but show a small grin when he heard that noisy little cretin Rocky talking about everything that he would tell him. Surely, all the other children would have things to tell him, to ask and so many games to play. He missed them all, more than when he moved to the dorms and visited on weekends (and weekdays when he decided that being two weeks ahead on homework was enough). This had been horrible, a painful experience of five months that he did not regret at all, since it was thanks to that that he saved his family and, in a way, helped himself.
More confident, less afraid of everything, strong-minded and surer than ever that, even if he was to not be a top hero, he'd still be the children's top hero.
How would he show this? Well, when the door was finally open and the first face to meet him was Kimiko's happy, relieved face, a tear streaming down her face, the child leapt towards her by himself, his small, yet surprisingly firm, trained arms wrapping around her torso, his weight being too little to actually push her back too hard, though it may still force her to stagger. The boy's own eyes couldn't contain themselves and, unlike the restrained tear that she let out, the boy devolved into bawling soon enough, his confident plan breaking down completely for a few seconds while his bottled up loneliness let itself out.
But he was still firm on what he wanted. He already hugged her, which was surely something new to her, but he wanted to go further. So further that, when he cleaned his tears away with his scarf, the boy pushed himself on the tips of his toes and planted his soft, smiling lips against Kimiko's cheek, planting on it a big kiss.
"I missed you so, s-so much, mommy! I thought I was ready to die for my family, but I was too scared to even move at first! I-I'm sorry for being such a coward for so long, that I couldn't even give you a hug!"
The child, now devolving back to exasperated weeping, tightened his hug as much as he could, burying his face into her torso to let it all out, no longer giving her any kisses, mostly because his face was way too wet and he'd just get her wet too, but instead held onto her for dear life, forcefully containing his own voice so that he could speak without sulking too much. "I love you! All these years since I escaped that horrible place and thought I'd die in your front door, I've loved you always! Mama never gave up on me.. You never gave up on meee!!" His small hands that grabbed onto her shirt, his legs that trembled and his face that couldn't stop leaking tears, his pink hair that could never get properly combed, no matter how much he tried.
He was back at last and, though a lot of him has definitely changed, he still was the same scared, perpetually love starved child he always had been.
wc: 527
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Post by Rose Shrimp on Oct 26, 2019 16:06:40 GMT -4
The last thing she’d expected was for her wish to come true. The moment Kouta saw her, he’d leapt onto her, and pulled her into a great big hug. A hug she’d wanted to give him for years. After the initial surprise wore off, she hugged him back, her tired arms hugging him as tightly as possible without hurting him.
He couldn’t see it, with his face buried in her shirt, but the single restrained tear that’d rolled down her face was joined by others. She wasn’t bawling like Kouta was, but she was far from restrained. She’d expected the poor boy to be even more scared of women after the attack, she’d prepared herself to accommodate his phobia and anxiety, to take it slow and let him get used to being around her again. She would’ve understood, would’ve been careful to make him comfortable despite it, but here he was, not only unafraid but hugging her.
She tried to wipe away her tears with her sleeve, to put on a strong face for him, but when he looked up at her the red in her eyes would be as obvious as the huge smile on her face. What happened next only made her cry more.
“It’s okay, Kouta! It’s okay! You aren’t a coward!” She replied, hugging him even harder. “You were so brave, protecting all of us, thank you, thank you! I’m so sorry I didn’t visit you in the hospital, I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you Kouta!” Now she was bawling as well. Even as her shirt was soaked by the boy’s tears, she didn’t break the hug. She’d been so, so, worried, and now he was home.
“When I got the call from the hospital, that you were coming home today, I started making spaghetti and meatballs. Everyone else is out in the hall, though I guess you can hear them…” With one hand, she stroked Kouta’s soft pink hair, and with the other she rubbed soothing circles into his back.
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Post by kouta on Oct 27, 2019 19:15:36 GMT -4
Now that his mommy was crying out of guilt because she was unable to visit him, Kouta's emotional distress only rose, a mixture of joy over being here and sadness that his mommy was sad, his quirk released itself involuntarily. It had been a long time since his emotions grew too out of line to the point where his eyes could no longer contain it, usually being reserved for his distressed fear where his quirk would come out and protect himself. Still, as it enveloped his entire body, the prehensile cape split in two and quickly loomed over her, only to wrap around his mommy as well, gently, lovingly. Just like his arms.
All of his person, including the powers that usually worked to giving him the sad, negative thoughts, loved Kimiko whole-heartedly, his pitch black self now weeping in a slightly twisted, more cavernous child-like voice, sobbing for as long as he needed until they both calmed down. Releasing his quirk actually did get some pressure off of his mind and emotions, partly because it needed them to work, feeding on them to empower itself, giving himself some sort of release, an outlet to let it all out without hurting anyone.
Of course, when he saw himself releasing his quirk without intending to do so, the child started giggling over how silly he must look, the darkness rapidly slithering back into the cages of his eyes, turning them back into those eternal dark voids that couldn't help but stare at Kimiko's eyes.
"My favorite food! Mommy, you didn't need to do it! Thank you, though!" Kouta thanked her right away, his small nose sniffing the air to get the smell of the cooking meatballs right into his senses, being one of his favorite things about them. The nostalgic smell that made him feel so much happier, even when he was sad or frustrated about something. To smell it reminded him of all that he had now and all the people that loved him, giving him reasons to be happy and stay happy.
So, of course, once the smell came to him, a huge, innocent smile plastered itself on his face, refusing to go away no matter how much he tried to stop, giving in to his bubbly, energetic emotions by giving a bigger hug to Kimiko, maintaining it until she too was all joyful smiles, not wishing to see her cry anymore.
It was over and it was all ok. They both let it all out and, now, could go back to a loving family.
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Post by Rose Shrimp on Oct 30, 2019 19:13:57 GMT -4
Kouta’s Quirk activated, but Kimiko wasn’t afraid. Even with all she knew about his Quirk, how strong he was, she also knew her baby boy would never hurt her. Her tears started to dry, and she hugged Kouta ever tighter, not quite able to match how strong his cape was.
When Kimiko was finally done crying, and Kouta’s Quirk had retreated, the door burst open and the rest of the kids rushed into the room. Rocky was first, almost falling down onto the floor with how fast the door had moved. He must’ve been pushing against it with his head as much as he could. Katsuragi was next, his usually stoic expression completely absent, replaced by a teary smile. The fur beneath his eyes was matted and wet, no matter how much he tried to wipe it away with his paws. He was pushing Jennifer’s wheelchair, and she looked to be feeling much the same as Katsuragi, though her Quirk made it impossible to tell her tears from the regular wet of her bright white skin. The rest of the kids were all gathered in the hallway, trying to give Kouta space.
“Big bro Kouuuuutaaaa!!!!” Rocky shouted, muffled slightly by the floor beneath his face. Katsuragi helped the lizard boy up, and he immediately rushed over to Kouta’s side, burying his face in the boy’s scarf in lieu of the hug he couldn’t give. “UUuuuhhhh… You’re okay!!! Big broooooooo!!”
In between Rocky’s happy sobs, Jennifer spoke up. “Kouta, I- Katsuragi and I visited right after the accident, but you were sedated- I don’t think you’d remember. I’m sorry we couldn’t come by again…” Her voice was slightly warbly, in the way it always was, as water bubbles fought to reach her mouth. Katsuragi didn’t say anything, but bowed in apology.
Now that other kids were in the room, Kimiko tried to compose herself, and clapped her hands lightly. “OK, dinner should be almost ready. Let’s go, Kouta, everyone!” She put one hand on Rocky’s head, as if to hold him steady, and guided the rest of the children to the dining hall.
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Post by kouta on Oct 31, 2019 17:09:41 GMT -4
With his big hug given, Kouta finally contained himself just enough to hold it in, only to fail once again once the door burst open, his other siblings coming right out, them all seemingly having missed the young boy's presence as much as he missed theirs. To see all of them so happy to see him, even coming right over to him for hugs made Kouta so happy that he burst into tears again, as well as a small giggling fit, his arms moving right around Rocky to hold him, since he was the first one there. That armless, loving boy somehow gave some of the best hugs Kouta ever had. Must be his personality, which never hides away his true feelings.
While holding Rocky, allowing him to sob as much as he needed him to, repeatedly petting his head, Kouta's void eyes turned to look at Jennifer, listening to her tell him about the visit that she and Katsuragi actually managed, that one that he got when he was sedated. Sure, he couldn't really see or rationally remember it, but in terms of emotions, he remembered it all too well.
A quirk that feeds on negative emotion will definitely use it to torture him, even in the small amount of times where he'd sneak use it to actually browse through his phone without suffering or having to ask another person.
It repeatedly reminded him of how much he missed them, how this'd be probably the only visit he would ever get because they didn't really like him. They weren't proud of him. They only did it by obligation.
Sure, half of it was simply his quirk trying to devolve everything into the absolute worst, most non-factual thoughts and assumptions it could pull out but, at least, it allowed him to remember them.
So, instead of telling them how he could remember certain things when he was heavily sedated, Kouta instead smiled wide and spoke, wanting to comfort both her and Katsu.
"Oh, don't worry. I remember the visit well, including how you cried. What, you thought that being sedated would make me deaf to the cries of my beloved siblings? Don't be sad because you could only do it once, but be happy that you managed to do it to begin with." The young boy, now a young man, walked over to her, very gently patting her head, showing his lack of a need for personal space. It only existed before because of his anxiety, after all.
Of course, he didn't forget to give Katsu a big, strong hug as well, patting the stoic boy's head, patting him with the widest smile he could off. To him, he did have some special words as well. "And you are such a strong man, Katsu.. I'm sure you held this house together with Mama. I'm proud.~" Kouta assured him, giving a kiss to the top of his head, his tears still uncontrolled. Just the thought that he could possibly have died without telling them all of this made him appreciate his life a lot more, honestly.
Lastly, he had words for Rocky. What could he actually say to him that would really stay with him, more than just a few, gentle words? Well, once he finished petting his dearest, Kouta had found something within him to say. "Among all of us, Rocky, you have the cheeriest personality. The bright sun to kick the butt of all the gloomy darkness. Never let anyone take this away from you - but don't be afraid to rely on us as well, got it?"
Once he had told them all this, Kouta sighed with relief, cleaning off his tears with his already slightly wet scarf, turning back to Kimiko with a smile, nodding and following right away to the dining hall.
His favorite food, five months in total since he hadn't eaten it, was a detail that everyone got to observe: for someone his stature, Kouta had always been a relatively very ravenous eater, but today it was ridiculous.
One could swear that he actually ate enough food to feed an entire family of five.
Still, the entire time he was devouring everything in sight, he was surprisingly well mannered.
wc: 704
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Post by Rose Shrimp on Nov 11, 2019 16:51:14 GMT -4
Rocky beamed back through his tears at his big brother, as he returned the hug that Rocky couldn’t. He didn’t have any more words, only happy-cries that he didn’t bother to muffle or stifle.
Katsuragi usually didn’t admit to liking head pats. His grumpy, stoic personality just wouldn’t let him, even when Kimiko would do it. But this time, all he could do was grin and wipe away the rest of his tears. Kouta had never done this before, the surprise knocked down his emotional guard.
Jennifer, meanwhile, just gave Kouta a small smile. She reached up and took his hand gently as she spoke again. “Oh… I’m so glad…” Another few “tears” fell from her eyes, only to inflate and float into the air, as bubbles. They caught the light of the lamp above, refracting rainbows across the room. “We all missed you, Big Bro…”
When Kouta turned back to Rocky, and gave him precious words of brotherly wisdom, the bright ray of sunshine grinned, and blubbered words that just barely sounded like, “Thank you big brooo…”
Kimiko lead them down to the dining hall, and the rest of the children rambled about behind them, calling greetings and “welcome back”s to Kouta all the way to the dining hall. Each child in turn noticing the others were no longer giving Kouta a lot of space, and the smile on their big brother’s face despite that, and crowded a little closer to him. Not enough to make him uncomfortable, but enough that they clearly understood he was no longer too anxious to stand near them.
Dinner was peaceful, despite Kouta’s ravenous appetite. They’d all expected it; he’d either been eating hospital food for months, or had been too injured to eat at all, it only made sense he’d be wolfing down the first home-cooked meal, whatever it was. Kimiko had even made seconds just for him, and whenever he cleaned his plate she would give him another huge helping with a smile on her face.
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Post by kouta on Dec 16, 2019 14:52:06 GMT -4
It wasn't like hospital food was totally at blame for this. Thanks to his quirk, Kouta was always an intensely ravenous eater, who always needed what some would call "food for two grown men", his body burning through so many calories that he needed to constantly pump himself up with those just to keep his body afloat and healthy. Lots of stuff that shouldn't be eaten way too often were some of his favorite things to eat, with his favorite ones being, of course, spaghetti and meatballs.
It wasn't like he could even get fat with the amount of food he ate, so he never really had a reason to worry about it. Just eat it all, devour to his heart's content and down it all with enough water to fill up a pool. Hyperbole, but in all honesty, he was rather thirsty.
"Yo! How's everyone been, though? I was gone for so long, I'm sure that a lot happened around here!" The young boy asked his family with a wide smile on him, relishing in the closeness that his siblings were sharing with him, grateful to the hospital that he actually managed to lose a good deal of his anxiety towards the people he loved most.
Instead of being afraid, he'd just use his left arm and occasionally pet them, since he only needed his right hand to hold the fork to scarf down spaghetti and meatballs. All into his stomach that didn't seem to run out of space, at least not until he was near his fifth full plate. Only then did he actually thank Kimiko for the food and drink the rest of his large glass of water, leaning a tad bit back into his chair, ever so slightly slouching for once, his mind lazily processing what was supposed to be next in a big lunch/banquet.
"..What's for dessert, though?"
Kouta hungrily asked, clearly not full enough to forget the chance of eating candy.
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