MHA: Absolute Telekinesis-Chapter 53: [51] Eri’s Justice

A special thanks to Jordan, natsu Kurosaki, Nuro, jacob miguel, and pEmKayS for supporting me on Patreon.

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(Kata POV – Hosu Alleyways)

Once Native and Midoriya could move again, we tied Stain up with rope that Todoroki happened to be carrying.

I floated the unconscious Stain behind me with my quirk. Midoriya carried Ida on his back, despite the weight as we finally left the alley.

'They've got their own thoughts about the situation,' I noted idly, watching their quiet expressions.

Todoroki was silent, haunted, even. His eyes seemed to gaze at a faraway scene as guilt clung to him like soot. Midoriya kept his head down most of the time, looking depressed. He glanced at me now and then, hesitant and nervous. 'It'll be annoying later.'

Mirko, by contrast, was relaxed. She walked with her arms behind her head, like we'd just taken a casual stroll, which isn't too far from her truth. Native was just out of it, still reeling his near-death experience.

"It's you." A voice cracked through the heavy silence.

"Endeavor." I sighed, looking towards him as he turned into the street.

He strode toward us with burning intensity. Heat poured off his body in waves, matching the fury hidden beneath his scowl. The flames on his suit crackled erratically as he stopped in front of me—no, in front of us—but his glare was for me alone.

'He's still sore about the Sports Festival?' I groan. 'How annoying.'

As much as I'd love to teach him a lesson, neither of us can do anything to the other at the moment.

I didn't flinch. Just stared right back.

'You want to start something? Go ahead. I'd win.' I contemplate, not backing down in the slightest.

But before I could do or say anything—

Mirko stepped forward.

Hands on her hips. Chin lifted. That wild, smug grin on her face.

"You know my partner?" She asked, her voice casual but laced with challenge.

Endeavor blinked, taken aback. "...Partner?"

"Yep. You got a problem with him, you've got a problem with me." Her smirk sharpened dangerously. "So. Do you?"

She's shorter than both of us, but somehow she towered. That's Rumi for you. Unshakable, unapologetic and fierce.

'Cute. She's got my back even without knowing the full story. So, this is what it means to be her partner?'

Endeavor's flames flared up again, heat pulsing with his rising temper. Mirko didn't even blink. She just cracked her knuckles and waited.

For a second, I thought he might actually start a fight.

Then—

"Father... Don't."

Todoroki's voice cut through the silence.

He stood behind me, his shoulders low, but his voice strained but steady. His eyes were filled with quiet intensity.

"Not now." He said coldly.

Endeavor's gaze shifted, scanning the group—Izuku standing with an air of depression, Ida unconscious on Izuku's back, Stain floating like trash behind me, and Native looking like a ghost.

His flames dimmed.

"Tch. Whatever." He muttered and shoved past Mirko, who didn't move an inch. "So you left to fight the Hero Killer?"

Todoroki nodded. "I went to help my classmates."

Endeavor's scowl deepens. "It doesn't look like you're the one who stopped him. You'll need more training." He says, analysing Stain's injuries.

Todoroki flinched. He didn't argue. He just nodded quietly, his gaze fixed to the ground, as his fists clenched hard.

Mirko rolled her eyes with a groan. "Ugh. You're such a dumb blockhead."

And Endeavour chooses to ignore her comment.

I hide a smirk. 'She isn't wrong.'

As the first pro heroes rounded the corner, Endeavor stepped aside—reluctantly—his eyes lingering on Todoroki with something surprisingly close to concern.

"Huh?! Why're you here?" A voice barks, just before a yellow-and-white blur blazes into the group—and plants a firm kick into Midoriya's face.

"I told you to stay put!" Gran Torino growls, flipping off Midoriya's head like a gymnast and landing lightly on the ground.

"Gran Torino?!" Midoriya jolts awake with a startled gasp, still dazed from earlier.

Despite his scolding tone, Gran Torino's voice softens. "Tch... I don't know what the hell went down here, but..." He lets out an exaggerated sigh. "I'm glad to see you're still alive."

More heroes begin to trickle in. Most seem more impressed by Endeavor and Mirko's presences than concerned with the situation.

'They're here because of Endeavour's request for backup?'

Then someone finally notices Stain suspended midair behind me, unconscious and restrained.

"Wait... Is that—?!"

"Holy crap... The Hero Killer?!"

"Did Endeavour or Mirko catch him?!"

"No." Mirko jerks a thumb toward me. "Credit goes to my partner here. I was just supervising."

'I give her a surprised look. 'Weren't you supposed to claim the credit?!'

The air shifts as heads turn towards me. There's astonishment, confusion and doubt. Whispers begin to spread between the heroes, but before anyone can press further—

A growl rumbles from behind me.

A long, wet inhalation.

Then—

"Fake."

The word cuts through the air.

Stain's eyes snap open, blood still crusted on his lips.

"All of you. Fakes."

He breathes raggedly, his body still limp in the air, but his voice—his voice is steady, even as he struggles to breathe.

"False idols in a crumbling shrine. You parade yourselves for glory... You fight for paychecks. You speak of justice but move only where you can be seen..."

The temperature doesn't change, but everyone shivers from the cold. A chill brought by fear. Real fear. Even the seasoned pros tense.

He lifts his head, just slightly. His eyes gleam like knives.

"I've seen the rot. You walk past the weak. You let the corrupt thrive. You kneel to sponsors and laws written by men with no spine."

Bloodlust so thick it seem tangible erupts from him like a wave.

Several heroes fall to their asses. Others backpedal in fright.

Gran Torino's face hardens. "Everyone back—now."

Stain smiles. A savage, reverent smile.

"I will cleanse this society. I will rip out every weed that dares call itself a hero. Until only the true remain. Those who live only to serve, who sacrifice without praise."

He ignores those who collapsed, flinched or became paralysed with fear. "All of you are fakes."

His eyes flicking to Endeavor.

"Fake."

Then Gran Torino.

"Fake."

Then Mirko.

"Fake."

Then land on me.

"You..." His voice lowers, guttural and burning with conviction. "You're no hero."

I calmly meet his gaze.

"I never claimed to be one. I still a student. First year, actually." I reply with a shrug.

The words don't faze him. In fact, he laughs—a short, barking sound, deranged and filled with genuine insanity.

"Exactly. You don't even deny it. Your intentions are impure. Your heart's already corrupt. You don't protect people. You protect interests."

That strikes a chord with the others. I sense a few flinch at the words.

"Your soul's tainted. You're better than the fakes—you wear no mask. You don't hide behind false honor."

I stare at him. My expression neutral. But the gears in my mind turn.

'Your speeches are wasted on me. I don't believe in heroics, nor would I try to make myself think otherwise.'

Still, I speak.

"I don't care to fit your definition of honor."

I lower Stain to the ground. He immediately buckles and collapses to his knees. I can tell how damaged his body is. He shouldn't even be conscious.

"No true hero ever believes they are one." I say calmly.

Stain's eyes narrow. My voice doesn't rise, but it cuts through the silence like a scalpel.

"A hero isn't measured by the title they wear, but by the weight of the expectations they choose to carry."

'I choose to carry those of the people I care about.'

"There's a difference between a pro hero... and a real one. You think I'm the former pretending to be the latter. But what defines a hero is that they save people."

'I save my people.'

He bares his teeth as his anger rises, but I keep going.

"I don't desire to inspire you. I don't care to save you and change your mind, but..."

I watch his tattered form.

"You think you're the cure. You're just a maniac with a savior complex."

His smile fades, replaced with a mad scowl of anger and rage.

I let out a sigh as wave after wave of bloodlust slams into me.

"Your ideals are worthless." I say calmly, focusing my quirk on the bloodlust itself. I wave my hand, immediately dissipating it. "Your convictions won't affect me, as I don't doubt mine."

For a moment, silence descends, as Stain's eyes flash with contempt, rage, disgust and hate.

Then he finally slumps. The fight drains out of him once more as he passes out.

The heroes around us release their held breath.

Gran Torino finally speaks. "Someone cuff him properly and sedate him before he wakes up again."

(Kata POV – Kata's House)

I open my eyes, the quiet calm of home washing over me. Although, I can't escape the fatigue from Hosu. 'But that's what I get for pushing myself.'

I exhale and activate my radar.

Himiko is crouched low behind the kitchen counter, her breathing suppressed, muscles coiled like she's waiting for something.

Eri is on the couch next to me, her legs curled beneath her, nervously pretending to sip from a juice box. Her heart beating quickly.

I don't need a mirror to know something's off.

I know exactly what happened.

My lips twitch slightly and I let out an exhausted sigh.

'Himiko got me. She probably tricked Eri by playing innocent. And Eri... sweet, trusting Eri, probably helped her without question. When she realised what happened, it was too late. That's probably why Eri's nervous.'

I pause, considering my options.

'It's not all bad.' I think, suppressing a smirk.

Then I make a decision.

I stretch my limbs and yawn like I just returned from a nap, then slowly rise to my feet. I make a show of walking to the bathroom.

I don't want them to know I've figured it out yet.

Eri watches in tense nervousness. Guilt seeps into her expression as she sets the juice box aside, hands clutched in her lap, like she's awaiting her final verdict.

I stop in front of the mirror, take one look, and let the silence stretch.

Thick, cartoonish eyebrows. A tiny bat-winged heart on my cheek. A single fang drawn over my lip. And just beneath my eye, the words, "My Vampire Prince" with heart next to them.

I stare, seeing it a second time, making my lips twitch again. It's less in anger or frustration, and more exasperation.

Then slowly turn back toward the room.

A strangled giggle escapes from behind the counter.

"...Eri," I say, keeping my tone even and calm. "Did you give Toga a marker?"

Her head dips like she's about to be scolded.

"She... she said she wanted to draw something," She murmurs, her voice small. "I didn't know it'd be on you..."

Her eyes start to shimmer with anxiety. I walk up to her and kneel down beside the couch, leveling with her gently and pat her head.

"I'm not mad." I say softly. "But I do need your help."

She blinks.

"Help?" She echoes.

I nod, lowering my voice like we're conspiring.

"Himiko started this. We're going to finish it. Will you help me get revenge?"

Her eyes go wide and she covers her mouth in shock. "You want me to... help prank Himiko?"

I glance toward the kitchen. "Think of it as justice. If she got to draw on me... then we get to draw on her."

Behind the counter, Himiko lets out an exaggerated gasp. "Eri! You wouldn't betray me, would you?!"

I resist the urge to roll my eyes, but I'm glad she's playing along.

Eri hesitates, torn between her loyalty to Himiko, and getting justice with me.

I lean in, whispering softly. "You can draw whatever you want. Even a bunny."

Eri's face lights up.

"...Okay," She whispers with a small nod.

I stand, lifting her with one arm. With a subtle pulse of telekinesis, I guide her upward, letting her float just slightly above me, stable and steady, her arms outstretched like wings.

"You fly. Let me know where she goes." I murmur.

She gasps softly in delight and nods, giving a him of acknowledgement, before turning serious and pointing towards Himiko's hiding spot in the kitchen.

"Traitor!" Himiko yells, leaping out from behind the kitchen counter and bolting down the hallway.

I take off after her, Eri floating above me with her arms stretched wide. I run slowly, and don't use my quirk to catch Himiko, dragging out the chase.

Eri giggles as she floats, keeping track of Himiko whenever she runs into a room, or hides somewhere.

"She's over there!" Eri shouts and points towards the bed, and Himiko rushes out.

"Eri, don't fall for his lies!" Himiko calls from the bedroom, voice high with laughter. "I'm the fun one!"

"You drew on him!" Eri calls back.

"That was love art!"

"You wrote "My Vampire Prince!""

"...Exactly!"

We corner her eventually, slipping around her route through the hallway. I make sure the furniture stays intact as we dodge and dash through the house, and when Himiko finally 'trips' over her own feet, I gently tackle her onto the couch.

Eri floats down like a little fairy and lands next to the couch, as I playfully pin Himiko down.

Himiko looks at me shyly as she pretends to struggle, an excited blush on her face as she grins wide.

'...Was this planned?' I begin to doubt, but shake it off. 'There's no way she could've anticipated all this... right?'

"Ready?" I ask.

Eri smiles and nods.

I hand her the marker.

Two little pink hearts go on Himiko's cheeks. Then whiskers. And finally a small carrot on her forehead.

"There," Eri says, proud. "Now you're a bunny."

Himiko kicks her feet in mock outrage. "You betrayed me, Eri~!" She says with exaggerated flair.

"You'll survive," I say plainly.

"But you're even cuter now, Himiko." Eri says sweetly with a smile.

"Hmm~?" Himiko hums. "I guess I am cute~!" She says cheerfully.

I stealthily grab the marker from Eri. "Now hold still."

"Huh?! What're you—" Eri says, but it's too late.

A soft flick of my wrist, and Eri has a tiny sunflower on her nose and a smiley face on her cheek.

Her mouth drops open.

"You got me too?!"

"Now we're all even." I reply with a teasing smirk.

Eri touches her cheek, then bursts out laughing.

For a few minutes, everything is light. The air in the room shifts to a warmer, softer tone. Thoughts and fears of the bloodshed on Hosu are forgotten.

All that remains is a little girl laughing with her strange little family, and me... watching her smile like it's the only thing that matters.

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A/N: Hello Everyone. If you enjoyed the Chapter, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or powerstones.

My Patreon page is also up now for anyone who wants to support.

[email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY

I was gonna post on Patreon first, but I spent all day on this Chapter, and still have things I need to add on Patreon, like all previous chaoters. And the discord is also almost ready, so that'd be done soon.

Anyway, on to the Chapter discussion. Firstly, I've got no idea where Todoroki got the rope from. It isn't mentioned in the manga, it just shows up💀.

A lot of emotional development is shown in this Chapter. From Mirko protecting him, to the last POV segment. Kata is growing as a person, which is lovely to write. But, his kindness isn't for everyone.

I added the confrontation of ideals with Stain. Don't know if I did it well (I at least think I did), and yeah, Telekinesis that can affect consciousness can affect bloodlust. Interestingly enough, Stain actually has indomitable Will (according to both me and the superpower wiki). I had initially written a conquerors haki like clash, where he'd break Stain's ideals, getting through or breaking his beliefs, but that's not exactly how Kata's quirk works, so I changed it.

The thing I'm most concerned about is the last segment... I'm a serious person. Also seriously boring. So for me, even if I wrote it, it felt too silly, if that makes sense. And it felt too abrupt, jumping into it from the serious Hosu scenario. But I decided, why not? If it's bad and people hate it, I'll just never do ti again. And even if you guys like it, I won't do it often either, so I'd appreciate input.

The subtle changes, like Kata thinking of them as a family, that's so sweet. Even when nothing is official yet. My boy is healing🥹.

I've also decided what to do with Ida. Kinda realised that I'd have to punish Deku too while brainstorming, but I've got it all planned out. I can't say I'll be harsh, but I won't be lenient. Just realistic, and hopefully that's enough. Along with that I had a Eureka moment.

I figured out how to add all the girls naturally (except Nejire for the moment), and yes, that included Jiro. I also thought up something real interesting between her and Kata, but I'm unsure of whether to do it. It's super cute and wholesome though, for anyone worried.

And finally, I've achieved peace. I realised I was worried about writing a MHA book in the way I thought a book like this should be written, instead of the way I think it's best written. This is regarding the romance, slice of life: action ratios. I don't think I can skip them and rush for more action. So I'll do it like this. I'll just create a volume, which covers the weeks before the entrance exam, and have that be the slice of life segment. Anyone truly against it can just skip the entire volume, but you'd miss a lot of the relationships developing. I'd have some interesting action in there, but it won't be relevant to the plot much.

Of course, if most of you think I'm wrong for doing it like this, let me know. If enough say so, I probably am, and it's my own error in judgement, lol. And I'll accept that.

And damn. I went back to last comments, and people are ruthless😬. I didn't even think me writing author's Notes would be target for criticism, but hey, such is life. It's funny, and I ain't upset, but I've broadened my horizons.

Anyway, I've wrapped too much, let me release you all.

Hope you all have a wonderful day (night for me).