CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Rio blitzed straight home, cursing all the way. Was this the thanks he got for putting his life on the line? He felt helpless about the ordeal and just wanted to be on his bed as soon as possible. He was sorely tired and needed to decompress. He thought he knew O'Clock well enough, but it seemed he didn't. His master's lack of trust in him stung more than he cared to admit.
He had neither the time nor energy to muse on that for now. Waiting for him at home was another obstacle that presented itself as his mum. He dreaded her reaction and hoped she didn't go for the nuclear option that was quirk counseling. It was something that would present itself in any qualification he had, as it was information most schools required and was, quite frankly, a scandal that would follow him for life.
Quirk counseling was for unstable people, the kind of people who couldn't fit into the mold. The closest resemblance to that would be the pre-quirk era's psychiatric homes. It was a stigma he did not want to bear.
Like the last time he got in trouble for using his quirk, he also had his reasons, but he knew his mother. While she was usually silent, she seemed to have a lot of bottled-up rage. That excuse was not going to make the cut, and he knew it.
On entering the commune, the obsidian gates opened up as he walked down the driveway. There was no particular reason to, but Rio felt it was important to walk to the house; there was no need to run, right?
At the door was Sebastian, looking as pristine as always. Rio called out to greet him with an awkward smile, but Sebastian just looked at him to acknowledge his presence and went on his way. At that, his heart dropped into his stomach. Trouble, I'm really in trouble this time.
Rio took small steps towards the main living room, his footsteps heavy as he struggled to drag them across the hallway floor, his feet seemingly steeped in lead. He knew his mother would be waiting there for him, and sure enough, there she was, staring at him emotionlessly, her eyes boring into his soul.
"Sit!"
That wasn't a request; it was a demand, one that required absolute obedience.
"You know, I don't even blame Oguro-san," Izumi started. "You have an unfortunate penchant for being trustworthy, until of course you suddenly aren't."
Rio was just surprised that her and O'Clock were on a first name basis and it seemed that surprise showed as Izumi addressed that.
"Oh, you think I didn't know about your little escapades, Rio? I've known since day one. Oguro-san took out the time to teach you how to be better with your quirk and it's been showing—you don't suddenly inexplicably lose weight and you've been doing better at school. I didn't agree initially, but I was glad I did—until now at least. I think I'm starting to regret it. You're obviously hell-bent on sacrificing your future."
"Mum, I—" Rio was about to interject, but his mum stared daggers at him, which prompted his silence.
"You don't seem to understand, Rio… Even if you think you're safe, that you won't ever get hurt out there, that should be the least of your concerns. The police usually don't mind, they don't take offense to some bit of vigilantism—kids your age are fascinated by heroics—but you've already had an infraction. One cop in a bad mood and you'll be arrested as a Villain next time." Her tone was like stone now—unyielding
"Rio, society does not accept Villains. That is a label that will follow you till the very day you die. You won't get proper employment. Any minor offence you commit means jail time. No one will go easy on you just because you are young—don't think that will protect you. You have a phone, don't you? Just look up how villains are treated and ask yourself if that's the kind of life you want for yourself. The only thing you could do at that point would be to flee the country and hope no one recognizes you."
She sighed, long and tired.
"I know I'm being long-winded here, but this is important, Rio. I need you to understand that. I need you to promise me you understand that. The decision on the quirk counseling is final—it's the weekend tomorrow, so I'll get you registered. I hope you can start those sessions as soon as possible—"
"You know—" Rio's grandmother interjected. Rio had no idea that his grandmother had been at the door listening in on their conversation.
"He won't get into any trouble—even if he does get into trouble; I have some connections in the HSPC that I can use. I'll call in some favors and he'll be out of any trouble."
Izumi just gave a deadpan stare at her mother. Yukina started feeling uncomfortable being stared at like that for so long.
"Thank you for the offer, but we have no use for your blood money or connections."
That wasn't true. Izumi was just being mean. Grandma Yukina had been very considerate—allowing us to stay at her home, buying clothes for us, and even helping Takeru set up a business. She wasn't being logical by saying that; rather, it came across as spiteful.
"It's been years already, Mimi. Do you still refuse to forgive me?" Grandma said sadly, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
"You're not allowed to call me that. You lost the qualifications long ago," Izumi said with a level voice, with no emotion whatsoever—but deep down Rio could tell she was hurt as well.
"I understand I'm not needed. I'll be leaving then. See you later, Rio," Yukina said calmly.
Her control over her emotions was impressive. She had been nearly crying earlier, but now she was completely impassive. Rio could tell where his mother got that from.
"Just go to your room or something, Rio. I need some time alone."
Rio complied as he made his way to his room, understanding that she needed some space to unload. His curiosity about the nature of the relationship between his mother and grandmother was stoked, but his own sadness meant he couldn't even muster the energy to care.
Rio entered into his room and straight away plopped into his bed.
"FUCCCCK!" Rio gave a muffled scream into his pillow.
He had managed to master time management, and there was so much to do that even with a near-infinite amount of time he hadn't gotten half of it done. Taking out the time for therapy was not on his bucket list.
A soft knock on his door broke him out of his reverie and demanded his attention.
"Who is it? Come in," Rio replied to the sound, and his brother came into the room.
Pulling out the gaming chair from Rio's desk, he wheeled it to the bedside and regarded his younger brother.
"Well, you've had better days," Takeru noted teasingly.
Rio just groaned once more into his pillow. He wasn't deigning to give his brother the satisfaction of a reaction.
"Come on now, look up. Stop acting like it's the end of the world—it's just therapy."
Rio flipped his brother off at that statement.
"Ah, must be nice having quirk-related problems. Poor quirkless me wouldn't be able to understand."
At that, Rio sat up worriedly. It was a false call, however, as Takeru just grinned smugly, proud that his plan worked.
Rio tossed his pillow at his brother as he dodged, laughing all the way.
"Seriously, you should have seen the look on your face. That was hilarious," Takeru said between laughter and tears.
"What do you want, aniki? If you don't have anything productive to say, the door's that way," Rio said annoyedly as he pointed at the door.
"I heard what happened today, Rio. While I don't exactly approve what you did—that was a very dangerous situation, after all—I can understand it. And, well... I do respect it."
Rio looked up at his brother in amazement. That was really all he wanted to hear.
"Keep your chin up, little bro. Don't let anyone put you down if you know what you're doing is right. It's the only way to live in this world without regrets."
Rio just smiled at that. Look at him—taking life advice from a fifteen-year-old. Stranger things did happen in the world.
"How's your preparation for the high school entrance exams coming up?"
Takeru groaned at that question.
"Ugghh, I've been going through brochures of past questions, but still... it seems both U.A. and Shiketsu place more importance on the practical test results. Unless everyone else is a monster though, I doubt I'd lose."
Yeah, that was him. Rio's confident older brother with an ego that could take on the whole world alone.
"Welp, I'll be going then. Got some test papers to review. And Rio… you did good today."
Well, at least the day ended on a somewhat good note.
All in all, it could have been worse.