CHAPTER FORTY TWO
So Iwao Oguro for the first time told his story.
How he had been investigating a case for years, how he had been so close to solving it and how he lost it all to his greatest foe.
Rio's lips pressed into a thin line as he considered the implications of the story he was just told. "So you're telling me this guy just..." Rio blustered as he tried and failed to clamp down the rising fear in his heart. "Ripped out your quirk like it was a damn prosthetic." His fear simmered until it became rage. "And then your license was revoked without a single care in the world. Just because you became quirkless, like you haven't been doing this shit for years, like your service didn't matter." The realization that his mentor had been through so much within a few months was a heartbreaking discovery, made even worse by the fact that he was probably jobless now.
"It's not like there was a choice in that regard. I was deemed unfit to sere without my quirk. The threats I had been facing were too much for a quirkless person to handle." Knuckleduster said with a sigh as he shook his head.
"Don't give me that bullshit. I may have not noticed it first but I'm pretty sure you've been doing Vigilante work. Do you think I can't help you? That I would be dead weight?" Rio seethed in anger.
Knuckleduster was considering it. His fight would bring him into the sights of that man. The demon king who till this day haunted his nightmares. It was a battle he had decided to face alone, once he was done with dismantling the drug ring in Naruhata he would leave Koichi behind as well, no one deserved to lose a part of themselves in a hopeless battle.
"No I don't think you're dead weight, I know for a fact that you are!" Knuckleduster said suddenly as the tension between the two began to rise.
"You're what nine? You're going to die a stupid death, worse still I'll have to watch as they bury you because I let you mess with forces you can't possibly comprehend." Knuckleduster lashed out as he stared down Rio.
"I'm sorry—" The two pioted to face Popstep who was now in Civilian clothing. Rio noted that she looked plain, a face that wouldn't stand out in a crowd.
"I didn't know someone stole your quirk. It must have been awful, I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone." Pop finished as tears threatened to spill out of her eyes.
Koichi just sat silent, his head down as if just processing the news that was just reaching his ears.
"I won't die you stupid old man, I'm strong I'll—"
"You're scared." Knuckleduster pointed out. Rio's fists were tightened curled up into a ball while his body visibly trembled. Beads of sweat rolled down his face but it was just the heat getting to him. Just the heat, if he said it enough times he would start to believe it.
Koichi as if done with his musings looked up his eyes fully focused "I'll help. As I am now I can't offer much assistance" Koichi said as he pointed out his lanky frame "But I'll train, I'll get better with my quirk and if you need someone to get to a destination I'll be there."
Knuckleduster looked into those eyes and realized that they mirrored his own. The determination to see a task throught to the end. It was something to be admired but it mattered little. Knuckleduster knew that his war was not one that would be quickly settled, he was still years before he could realistically put an end to the production of Ideo trigger. The thought comforted him somewhat.
Knuckleduster just nodded in response to Koichi. "Enough about me, we can always discuss this later. Why are you out here in the middle of the night Rio?"
Rio faltered at the question all the earlier energy he displayed leaving me. "it's my older brother. He's been missing for nearly two weeks now." Rio ran his hand through his hair as he recite the story. The trio lisened intently as they waited for him to finish. "I don't know but I feel he only left because of something I said or didn't say. It still confuses me till now."
"Personally I think you should resect his wishes but you're right. The world is a dangerous place and it's okay to worry about your family. What's not okay however is running yourself ragged for it. When was the last time you slept." Knuckleduster continued as Rio thought back to the last time he had taken a nap, had it been a day or two ago, time went by so fast that each moment blended into the next.
"You need o take a rest." Suprisingly it was Koichi speaking this time. "Come here and we'll figure something out. Just have a good rest for now, we'll deal with the problem tomorrow."
Rio felt something warm rising up in his chest but he was too tired to process the emotions he was going through right now. "Why are you guys even trying to help me. As far as I'm aware we only just met today, I don't think it's worth the trouble you're putting yourself through."
Popstep wrapped her hand around Koichi's neck. "Do you know the moniker people had for Koichi? 'Nice guy' he's such a nice guy that he tries to help others in spite of his own personal safety. I've just come to accept that he's a saint."
Koichi pushed her hands from his shoulder before he knelt slightly so he was eye level with Rio. Don't listen to her I'm not some saint. Still… you're clearly in distress, what kind of hero would I be aspiring to be if I can't ease the pains of a child."
Ah even though there wasn't any lights shining down on him specifically, Rio could have sworn that he saw a golden halo rise behind Koichi's head.
'Ah he really is a saint'
The Next day
"So what are we doing out here." Rio asked with crossed arms. They were presently at a street in the upper east side of the neighborhood.
Pedestrians went about their day chattering and laughing, while some of the people passing by gawked at them in wonder. One young boy in particular ran up to Popstep eagerly as he handed her a notebook and a pen to sign.
"We're waiting for some friends to show up." Koichi said patiently as he looked down at Rio.
This morning O'Clock had sent him a message to meet at this location. Now that they were here they'd been doing nothing but stand in silence for the past ten minutes.
"Speak of the devil. Hey Samatsu, Namimaru over here!" Koichi called out as he waved at the two boys.
One of them was a tall boy, at least 180cm dressed in a cloak like middle school uniform, he wore a visor coveing his eyes fully as he strode forward with his hands behind his back. The other was a much stockier built boy he was at most 160cm but the way he walked with his hands in his pockets as his fully unbuttoned sailor uniform painted the picture of a seasoned delinquent.
'Cyclops and Wolverine?' they looked the part to be honest and Rio began wondering if this was some else world universe of Marvel.
"Oy Cruller man what's up?" the stocky one shouted loudly as they increased their footsteps.
The duo stood in front of the group as they shook hands before the one called Namimaru turned to O'Clock sizing up the man squarely "Fist Grandpa"
He continued with no warmth in his tone. Then, as if flipping a switch, he dashed over to Pop☆Step, grabbing her hands and shaking them with childlike enthusiasm.
"Mornin', Pop! How ya been?" Another boy the one known as Samatsu slapped his hand away, quickly replacing it with his own.
"Hey'a Pop! When's your next concert?"
Rio had to reevaluate Pop☆Step. Apparently, she'd amassed quite the following. She wasn't joking when she said she was a celebrity.
"Is the venue all set?" Koichi asked, nudging Samatsu's shoulder.
"Hmm, we got it all locked down. Pop☆Step's first official meet and greet." Nanimaru nodded proudly.
Rio suppressed the urge to sigh. He could be combing through another city looking for his brother, and instead he was stuck at a fan meet for a low-tier idol.
As if sensing Rio's rising frustration, Koichi turned to him.
"Don't worry. Wait a while. Trust me—it'll be worth it." He gave Rio's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
The event moved fast. Pop☆Step was a natural with crowds—bubbly, confident, and funny. About a hundred people showed up, which was impressive for a weekday. She took pictures with everyone, insisting on goofy tongue-out poses for each.
After nearly an hour, she finally finished and signaled the crowd to stay back. Then, she waved at Rio to come stand beside her.
Rio's stomach turned. He wasn't stupid—he knew what she was doing. But it still felt daunting. What if they just stared? Laughed? Rejected him outright? No one owed him anything.
He walked up slowly. Pop☆Step nudged him gently forward. When he turned, uncertain, she just smiled and gave him a small nod—the kind that said, I've got your back. The room quieted immediately.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Rio Hayami."
His voice wavered at first, but he pressed on.
"You probably haven't heard of me. I'm just a stranger here. But… my brother's been missing for two weeks now. No one's heard from him since. Here's a picture of him."
He pulled out his phone and loaded an image, handing it to a guy near the front. The man glanced at it, then passed it on. A woman in the back bit her lip, holding her phone tighter. A teen near the center muttered, "He kinda looks like him."
"I can't offer much, but I'll put in a reward for a—"
"Hey, kid." Samatsu pushed through the crowd. His voice was rough, but steady. "Don't insult us."
"Huh?"
"What kinda man hears about a missing person and starts thinking about reward money?"
"Yeah, dude," someone else called. "You're a Pop fan, right? That means you're good people. We'll do this for free."
A few people echoed the sentiment. Others nodded silently, eyes softening.
"But—but you all took time and effort. The least I could do is—"
"Listen." Samatsu's tone sharpened. "I don't know what kind of life you've had or what values they've taught you. But where I'm from? A real man sees a kid in trouble, and he lends a hand. No questions."
"Damn, Samatsu. You really have a way with words," Nanimaru teased as he stepped in front of Rio, squatting to meet his eye level.
"He may have used a lot of big words there, but he's right. You said you need help, so we'll help."
Samatsu crossed his arms. "Just saying facts. Unlike you, I can actually read a room—because I can read, period."
"Oh, you wanna go, huh? Who're you calling illi—illitir—whatever."
"It's 'illiterate,' genius. Try using it in a sentence without spraining your tongue."
"Why you—!"
Rio smiled, the tension in his chest easing just a little.
"Thanks. For everything."
Yeah… a real man helped because he saw a need that had to be met. That was a good philosophy to live by.
Author's note: Today was so insane that I contemplated not even posting the chapter. I think i nearly died twice and the rain nearly ruined all my devices. Anyways what price do you guys think is reasonable for 5 advanced chapters.