The low purr of the motorcycle faded as Kael pulled into the modest apartment complex nestled on the quieter side of Musutafu. The sky had dipped into shades of orange and lilac, casting long shadows across the pavement. Yumi hopped off the back, her long black hair bouncing with each step as she removed the borrowed helmet.
"This is your place? How did you afford it?" she asked, looking up at the second-floor apartment with a grin. "You're father gave me a job at his agency. Unloading and loading equipment. Pays pretty decent as you can tell.."
"Sounds just like dad."
"Yeah. I decided to move out of Aunt Nari's in the first place because it was getting so cramped. And Yuto was just annoying the hell out of me. I do miss Hana though."
Kael swung his leg over the bike and gave a soft chuckle. "But yeah, it may not seem like much, but it's home. Its freedom."
He led her up the stairs, unlocking the door and gesturing inside. The apartment was clean and minimalistic—gray furniture, warm wood flooring, small framed posters of pro heroes on the wall. A window in the living room offered a soft view of the city lights beginning to glow.
"You can stay here," Kael said as she stepped in. "For as long as you need. If you want… you could even live here. I already got your fathers permission and everything."
Yumi blinked. "Wait—really?" she turned toward him, surprised.
Kael nodded, hands in his pockets. "I've got the space so why not? And I figured, after all this time… it'd be nice. Having you around again."
Yumi beamed. She dropped her suitcase and walked over, wrapping her arms around him. "Just say you never want to leave me, you big baby. And yeah, I'd love to stay here with you. We're close to U.A as well, so it'll be super convenient."
"I kept that in mind when choosing this place."
…
They unpacked together in a quiet rhythm—Kael taking her extra hero gear and books to the storage closet while Yumi folded clothes into drawers. There was no awkwardness, no hesitation. Just the comfort of being together again after so long.
Later, they flopped onto the couch, both a little winded. Yumi had changed into a loose shirt and shorts, her hair tied into a messy ponytail. Kael sat beside her, one arm draped lazily over the backrest, watching her from the corner of his eye.
"I missed this," she said softly, tugging her knees to her chest. "Just… being able to sit and talk like we used to."
"Me too," Kael admitted. "It's been a long three years."
She looked over at him, eyes shining. "So tell me. How many Quirks do you have now again? I lost track after a while."
Kael smirked faintly. "Yeah, I did gain quite a few. But in total, I've got….20 Quirks I actively use? Yeah, 20."
"20?!" Yumi's jaw dropped. "Kael, that's insane. They don't bother you, do they?" She placed her right hand on his thigh, clutching her chest with her left.
Kael stared at her for a moment, hiding his true thoughts. The truth is, Kael had began experiencing… things.
BalanceKeepers mental toll. While Balancekeeper was was originally stable with a small number of quirks, after holding 20 of them actively, it began placing a strain on Kaels cognitive harmony. Unbeknownst to Kael however, each quirk carries a tiny residue of the original users will, instinct, or emotions. Those tiny residues will eventually begin to bleed into Kaels personality.
The effects are subtle at first. A minor overreaction, acting more rashly, treating companions coldly, the effects are different depending on the Quirks he aquire.
"No, they don't bother me, Yumi. Do I seem any different?"
"Mmm, No, I-I guess not…"
He chuckled. "Then there's nothing for you to worry about then, is there?" He placed his hand on her cheek and carrassed them. "Now, do you want me to list them out for you or not?"
"Mm, yes, please. Gotta know my competition.." she teased him. Kael smirked before taking out a notepad from his back pocket, opening it up, and placing it out on the coffee table in front of them.
Kael leaned forward. "Alright, so you already know DarkBind, Flashstep, Healing Aura, Smokescreen. And… Kinetic Forge."
Her brow lifted. "Wait. That last one… Kinetic forge. What does that one do?"
Kael grinned. "It allows me to build up kinetic energy, store it, then release it however I want to whether its through a punch, kick, for increased speed, all that good jazz."
"Tryna copy me it seems." Yumi teased and pushed him a little.
He laughed, then continued, "As for the new ones…"
He ticked them off with his fingers. "Eagle Hunting – that gives me crazy eyesight. Like, I can read a license plate from five blocks away. Fake Mortal – I can alter any single part of my body, making it more durable or..."
"You are such a pervert.." Yumi shook her head as she began blushing.
"Ah, uhm, anyways. Cloak – I can completely disappear from one person's perception at a time. Works well in close combat. Thoughtography – I can take mental snapshots of anything and edit them in my head."
"That's— oh, maybe I really should report you to the authorities. Am I actually safe here?"
"Keep your socks on and you'll be fine."
"Wha-what does that mean?!!!" She tilted her head while laughing.
"Exactly." Kael said.
"Then theres Floating – I can suspend myself in mid-air, but not fly. It's balance-intensive. Shock – I can jolt people with my fingertips. Doesn't hurt them, just shocks and makes 'em jump. Courage – suppresses my fear in battle."
She raised a brow. "Useful, but that can be veryyy dangerous."
"Translate – I can speak, read or write in any language. Insomnia – removes the biological need for sleep. Silent soles – cancels all noise made by my movement.
Yumi leaned closer, amazed. "That's 16! Keep going!"
"Flexweave - My flexibility and agility are increase for a breif period of time. Breathlock - I can hold my breath up to 15 minutes, but I can't use it more that twice a day. Soundspike- releases a sharp sound to disorient enimies or maybe even allies. Quickcode - allows me to understand blueprints, data, and formulas instantly, though I forget them if i don't reinforce it in my mind."
She stared at him, jaw slack again. "You've really grown, Kael."
He looked at her, softer now. "You have too. In multple ways.."
Yumi smiled, eyes damp. "Haa~, such a smooth talker… I'm glad that you allowed me to stay here Kael. I'm really thankful."
Kael reached over and gently bumped her shoulder with his. "Your my best friend. You're always welcome."
The city hummed softly beyond the windows as the two sat in a quiet bubble of comfort, the past behind them, and the future wide open.
…
The sun had long since dipped below the skyline, leaving the apartment aglow with soft lamplight and the clink of dishes. Kael moved around the small kitchen with practiced ease, spooning stir-fried vegetables and rice onto two plates while Yumi set out chopsticks at the little dining table tucked against the wall.
"This smells amazing," Yumi said, peering over his shoulder. "You actually learned how to cook. Wow, I feel so useless.."
Kael handed her a plate, giving her a dry look. "You spend a few months on your own, you figure it out. Unless you like living off protein bars and takeout."
She wrinkled her nose. "Well, this food reminds me of mom, so let's just hurry up and eattt. Plane food is actually so awful."
They sat down across from each other, the hum of the fridge filling the easy silence between bites. Outside, the city murmured on — cars in the distance, an occasional bark or shout echoing down the block — but the apartment felt calm, like an island floating just out of reach of the world.
"I missed eating together like the good ol days," Yumi said after a while, twirling her chopsticks between her fingers. "You, me, Ms.Nari, little Hana, brooding Yuto. We had some funnn memories together at the table."
Kael glanced up. "We can go over there every once in a while to eat with them. You know they wouldn't mind."
She nodded. "Eh, let's not interrupt them. I like our small little family here."
A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Keep talking like that, and I might just have to..."
"Have to what? Go on, I'm listening…"
"Nothing, nothing. Just can't keep teasin me like that. I might end up taking it to heart"
"I want you to."
They stopped eating for a breif moment, staring into each others eyes. Kael never thought of Yumi in that way as they were growing up. It wasn't until she left and gave him a kiss on the cheek that day that he started seeing her in a new light.
She was more mature now. In all the right places too.
They finished the meal in comfortable silence. Kael gathered the dishes and started washing them at the sink while Yumi wandered over to the couch, stretching out with a satisfied sigh.
"I forgot how tiring real conversations are," she said, half-laughing. "You overload my brain with nineteen Quirks and then feed me? That's evil."
"You're the one who asked for the full breakdown," Kael called from the kitchen.
"And I regret nothing," she replied, eyes half-lidded. "Except for maybe not recording it."
Once the dishes were done, Kael grabbed two cups of water and handed one to her before tossing the lights off one by one.
"I put your bag in the guest room," he said as he paused in the hallway. "Sheets are fresh. If you need extra blankets, there's a basket in the closet."
Yumi stood and stretched again, her black shirt slipping slightly off one shoulder before she pulled it back into place. "Thanks. It's weird… I didn't expect to sleep at all tonight, but now I think I might just."
Kael gave a small nod, suddenly aware of how quiet the apartment had become. "Yeah. Same."
She walked past him, heading for the spare room, but paused at the doorway and turned back. "Hey, Kael?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you're here."
He met her gaze, warm and steady. "I'm glad you are as well."
She offered a small smile, then slipped inside and closed the door with a soft click.
Kael stood in the hallway for a moment, letting the stillness settle before walking to his own room. He shut the door behind him, exhaled slowly, and sat on the edge of his bed.
Everything felt different. Calmer. Grounded.
For the first time in what felt like forever, the weight on his shoulders didn't feel so heavy.
And with that thought, Kael laid back, pulled the blanket up to his chest, and let his eyes close — not out of exhaustion, but out of peace.
…