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Waiting by the restaurant entrance, Aika had her eyes closed and was tapping her foot repeatedly. She wasn’t listening to anything, but rather was feeling quite nervous. Her arms and hands were still bandaged, as they had another day or two before they could be properly taken off, but she was lucky and was discharged rather quickly. And after talking to Haya a bit, they decided together that it was time for each other to meet the adults in their lives. For Aika, it was Haya’s uncle, and for Haya, it was Aika’s mom. That alone made Aika feel nervous. But then there was also the matter that Aika’s mom would see her bandaged. And how Aika’s mom also declared to her that her new step-sister will be coming along, as she didn’t intend on leaving her alone. Which meant this would also be the first time she met her step-sister. She couldn’t even remember what her name was.
The restaurant chosen was a respectable Japanese-style restaurant, as she knew her mother would likely complain about most other styles. Haya trusted Aika’s judgement with food for her, and Aika wasn’t going to let her down now. She just hoped Haya’s uncle and her step sister would also have something to eat there
Haya smirked as her uncle was going on about some request he got from an old classmate. She let him know what was going on and who they were going to meet, but he was more focused on the plans for what he thought he should make. He wanted her input, since he was rarely only with Haya, since she started school, or even in public. It wasn’t long before she noticed the feeling of Aika, “Uncle.” she said to cause him to pause, she motioned towards the feeling, “I believe we are here.” she told him.
Uncle looked up and smirked, Aika was…pretty and she looked like she was a fighter. “Ah.” he said as they got close. “Aika?!” he called to her and bowed “Haya tells me I have you to thank for helping with the diamond and armor idea that she requested.” he smiled, “So, thank you, I have been trying to get her to let me create her an armor for years, since we decided she would become a hero. BUt the diamond idea from your joint combos was a brilliant idea.” he stated as they stopped in front of Aika.
Haya smiled at Aika, “He can be a little hyper.” she explained, when it came to Haya, her uncle had no end to ideas and his projects were always ways to help improve her quirk or fight against any quirk he could think of.
Hearing someone call out to her, Aika turned to see Haya, accompanied by someone who she could only assume was her uncle, considering how he was the one who called to her, before both approached and he immediately bowed and started thanking her. Aika just stared in surprise for a moment before shrugging ”Erm. Hey. I’m Aika Yamada. And trust me, as much as I may have helped Haya, she helped me back and more.” She smiled, briefly taking Haya’s hand and squeezing it ”My mother is probably gonna arrive in a bit, so we could go in until they arrive. Get our table.” Aika suggested, before going and opening the door for both to enter before her.
Haya smirked, "Shouldn't we wait for them first?" She asked.
Her uncle smirked, "Well, how about you two go in. I mean," he turned to Aika, "If you tell me what she looks like I can wait here while you two get us a table." He offered. He understood what haya meant and part of him thought it was important to wait. But at the same time, securing a table was important for a place like this. Even with a reservation, there is always a chance of losing your table if you were late.
Haya nodded, "If you are okay with that." She said to Aika. "My uncle is pretty good with this kind of thing. Waiting I mean."
”There isn’t really a need to wait for them. And besides, even if you do wait for her out here, since she doesn’t know you, she would probably not take kindly to a stranger approaching her.” Aika said, sighing a bit. The lifestyle of the wealthy had really spoiled her mother in some aspects ”If you want to wait outside, then we can wait. And I mostly suggested going in so that we wouldn’t just wait out in the cold.” Aika explained, looking over Haya’s uncle. The kindness ran in the family from how he was acting. Looking around, Aika’s expression turned into a frown as spotted someone approaching.
Wearing high heels, a black dress and some expensive looking jewellery, Aika's mom approached the restaurant entrance. She was walking with a small girl by her side, and the girl kept making her best efforts to keep hold of the older woman’s hand as they arrived by the group “Hello Aika. Still dyeing your hair I see.” She said, before glancing over her bandaged arms and hands “And getting injured. This is exactly why-”
”Save it mother. Not now.” Aika said, keeping her gaze on the younger girl, who looked at Aika with her blue eyes. She could tell the young girl was curious, but it felt like there was something more. However, seeing as everyone was there, Aika opened the door to the restaurant once more ”Alright, everyone here, let's go inside.” She told the group.
Aika’s mom appeared upset by Aika’s response, only to turn her gaze to Haya and her Uncle “Hmm. I’m Elena Yamada. And who might you two be?” Elena asked, as she walked into the restaurant. The young girl seemed to just follow Elena, remaining silent.
Haya's uncle smiled as he was noticed, "Kagerou Haramatsu, and my niece Haya Kimura." He mentioned to Haya, "Seems like you disapprove of Aika getting hurt, as a good parent should." He said as he took the door and motioned Aika to go ahead. "But nothing else can be expected from an aspiring hero after all. Getting hurt means you went against someone stronger and was brave enough to stand for your beliefs. As much as I would hate Haya to get hurt, I would be proud knowing she faced her challenges with a good head and returning alive." He pointed out. It sounded to him like Aika's mother could be a little overbearing. Something he was still working on with Haya.
Haya smirked, her uncle's conversation was only because she hadn't explained what she knew about this woman. She followed Aika and stayed close. Part of her wanted to use her sound against the woman. Neither her uncle nor Haya were impressed by the wealth she displayed. Her uncle hardly used the money he has, so Haya was raised knowing money was just money and nothing of importance. "You dyed your hair?" Haya whispered to Aika. She had no idea what color Aika's hair was.
Entering with Haya after her uncle took the door from her, she nodded to him before looking at Haya ”Well, yeah. My eyes were always pink because of my quirk, apparently. I just dye my hair to match. Plus my own little rebellion against my mother.” Aika whispered to Haya, glancing at her mother’s back as they were led to their table. Aika helped Haya sit down, before sitting next to her, between Haya and her step-sister.
Sitting across from her daughter, Elena kept her eyes on Aika for a moment, before turning to look at Haya and her uncle “So, Miss Kimura and Mister Haramatsu. I can already assume what Miss Kimura does from her age and apparent closeness to Aika. What do you do? Oh, and apologies. The little one is still getting used to spending time with me. Go on, introduce yourself.” Elena told the child.
The young girl, who appeared to be around ten years old, looked at Elena, before looking at the rest “I’m Kanata. Kanata Yugo.” She said, before turning to look at Aika again.
Haya smirked at the little girl, "It is nice to meet you, Kanata." She said before she turned to her uncle who sat across from her next to Aika's mom.
"I am a quirk based gear specialist for heroes. I generally make things like Haya's headset." He mentioned the headset on Haya's head. "It weighs about 9 kilogram and have defensive and offensive capabilities." He smiled proudly, "I hear from Haya, that Aika has actually managed to use some of its features." He said, turning to Aika. "If you want, I can design something for you. Your help with Haya's armor was very helpful and I had an idea for something that might help you."
Haya turned to her uncle, "That is not a conversation for now." She pointed out.
”Only because Haya showed me, and I saw it in action.” Aika remarked, before looking at Kanata ”Well, uhm, nice to meet you Kanata. Hope I can be a good older sister for you.” Aika said, before glancing at the waiter who came and brought them all water and menus.
Looking at Kagerou, Elena seemed to just ponder something quietly before glancing at her older daughter, who seemed to try and make a connection with her step daughter. Already felt rather unusual compared to how she was before. Elena looked back at Haya “I must say, I do not recall ever seeing Aika be like this. Willing to spend time with family and having a friend that she seemed to enjoy her company with.” She said, before nodding “You have my gratitude, Miss Kimura. I was afraid that she would be forever a recluse, but it seems that fear is no longer valid.”
Kanata, in the meanwhile, just nodded as both Aika and Haya talked to her, before lowering herself as Elena spoke.
Haya turned to Aika's mother, "It wasn't valid at all." She paused before turning to Kanata, "What do you like to do, Kanata? Aika likes music, maybe we can play something for you when you visit next?" She suggested.
Her uncle glanced at Haya, it was strange that she would be rude but he was starting to suspect Haya disliked Elena. He turned to Elena, "If you don't mind. What do you do? You seem to be in a well off position by the looks of you. Or is your husband's business well off?" He asked curiously. Haya's conversation was focused on helping Aika be a big sister. So he decided to put some focus on be an adult and having an adult conversation.
Glancing at Haya after hearing her reaction, Elena turned her gaze to the uncle after he asked his question “Well, it’d be more correct to say that both me and Aika are set, and likely even Aika’s children. Her grandfather from her father’s side and her father both shared the quirk with Aika, but they saw the potential financial benefit one could reap from the quirk. He started small, chipping small parts from his diamond skin and selling that off, slowly growing some reputation. My husband, rest his soul, worked with others to find ways to improve his diamond shards and managed to bring his business to even international levels. Gained a small fortune until his passing. The final stocks that remained were sold a few years ago, but Aika had a fund set up for her. So we are both still very well off in that regard.” Elena explained “What about you? With the amount of heroes and ANVIL agents running around, I’m sure you have plenty of business yourself. Even if some of them would be better off doing other things.” Elena briefly glanced in Aika’s direction, before fixing her gaze on Kagerou.
Aika threw a glare back at her mother for the final remark, and clearly had something in mind to say, but instead she just took a deep breath and looked at Kanata ”Well. We don’t have to play music. We could also just do something else. What do you like?” She asked.
Kanata listened to both, and briefly opened her mouth to say something, only to quickly close it, before pointing at Haya, trying to indicate that she liked Haya’s suggestion. Seeing that Elena wasn’t looking at her, she grabbed Aika’s sleeve and pulled on it, until Aika brought her ear closer to Kanata. Opening her mouth again, Kanata would speak very softly “Elena said only the grown ups should talk here. I’d love to hear your music.” She whispered as softly as she could, to clearly not catch Elena’s attention.
Haya's uncle smirked, "I get a lot of requests. But no. I don't feel the need to accept them all. I usually only take one request a week or less depending on the week. As for being better off," he slightly glanced towards Aika and then Haya. He was slowly understanding Haya's behavior towards Elena. "I don't think they would be. Heroes and ANVIL members all have their part in making sure you are able to live the life you have now. If even one of them changed their minds, the next victim could be you. I think all heroes are right where they should be. Dangerous or not, my closest friends are heroes and they have never thought of doing anything else. It's important what to do, more important than wealth. I am well off, but after buying a house and modifying it, I don't really need the money I have. So it goes to supplies and my family. Do you and Aika spend a lot of time when she's home?" He asked curiously.
Haya heard what Kanata said and looked towards Aika, "They have some fish around here, don't they? The three of us should go look." She suggested so they could talk more freely with Kanata and not have to worry about Elena's influence in the way. Not to mention argue with the woman as they try to get to know Kanata better.
“Hard to spend time with a daughter that kept shutting herself out. And as for me being the next victim?” Elena shook her head “When organizations like ANVIL and all the heroes cannot help spot potential criminals in the making, then what do they do? Just come and clean up afterwards?” She remarked, before glancing towards Haya “It is rather rude to just get up and go see other things when you are supposed to be dining.” Elena remarked, before fixing her gaze on Aika.
After hearing Kanata, Aika glanced at Haya who made her suggestion. It sounded like a brilliant suggestion, but observing the conversation between her mother and Haya’s uncle also felt like they were going to clash. After her mother gave the remark towards Haya, however, Aika stood up ”You’ve been playing a goddamn victim for over ten years mother. Yes, dad got murdered. Just goddamn get over it.” She told Elena, straight and simple, before gently picking up Kanata, holding her in one arm, and grabbing a hold of Haya’s hand with her other ”We are going to look at the fishes. Please excuse us.” She said, with a rather sarcastic tone, before beginning to lead them towards the aquarium in the restaurant.
Initially, Kanata appeared to get scared at hearing Elena talk, only to glance upwards as Aika seemed to retort. Being picked up by Aika, Kanata just softly grabbed Aika’s shirt, looking at Elena for a moment, before Aika turned around and began leading them away. Looking at Aika, the young girl seemed to slowly start relaxing.
Haya took a moment, before she slipped from Aika’s hand and turned to her mother, “It is rather rude to expect your daughter to take care of you and sacrifice what she wants, don’t you think?” she snapped back, before she moved behind Kanata and followed after them. She sighed as they got a little way, “Are you okay, Kanata?” she said, noticing the tension from the little girl relaxing. “I know we just met, but is it okay if I touch your face? I’m blind and it will help me to stay close, if you don’t mind?” she asked, relaxing herself.
Haya’s uncle listened to Elena, Aika and Haya and it clicked exactly what was going on. He sighed, “I should apologize for Haya, she is normally a lot more behaved. But at the same time, I think you misunderstand the way things work as a hero or a member of ANVIL. I would explain, but I feel like your ideas of life would be in the way of your understanding. Aika is going to be a good hero and you should be proud of that. I know, I am, of Haya. Life can be worse than it is now. Losing the things that you now think are important is something you might have to go through to understand that. But you are her mother and if you want a part of her life to be you, then you should not expect her to take the steps to do so.” he stated, it may sound like a lecture, but since he knew what it was like without parents. Since he understood that Aika and her mother were at odds over something like money. He felt it was the only way to explain things.
Watching as both Aika and Haya came and gave her some kind of angry retort at her, Elena remained silent, before turning her attention back to Kagerou and listening to what he had to say “You are right about one thing. My ideas of how life should be definitely conflict with what you’re saying. And I can tell she is growing to be a much stronger woman than I’ll ever be, so I am proud of that.” Elena said, before shaking her head “But I cannot be proud of her choice when she never bothered telling me why. With how she was, for so long? It felt like she was dooming herself. I wanted to keep her close, in a safe environment.” She said.
As Haya briefly let go of her hand, Aika just stopped, still carrying Kanata, and just waited for Haya to return to them. Once she did, Aika kept walking towards the aquarium, listening to Haya’s question for Kanata. Looking at the little girl, Aika smiled and nodded ”It’s alright, whatever you choose. And I can personally tell you Haya has a gentle touch.” She reassured the young girl.
Looking at Haya, and then at Aika, and then back at Haya, Kanata seemed to focus on Haya’s eyes “You’re blind?” She asked, before nodding slightly “Uhm, okay.” She said, Kanata would also touch Haya’s face back when Haya started, and try to mimic Haya’s own movements.
Haya’s uncle smiled at Elena, “I know how you feel, but understanding why and respecting it, is very different. Respect her choice and show that you do. She will find her way and with your support, she might be more open to explaining herself or even letting you in, in her own time. Haya is the same way, she picks a path and if I stand in her way, or force her, she will push back every time.” He sighed as he thought of what it took to get Haya to take this chance, “Haya is a good kid, it’s easy to talk to her and she listens most of the time, but sometimes she needs a little guidance, that menas, I don’t tell her what she should do, I tell her what would benefit her and her goals to do it her way. I am glad I did it for her, when Suppression asked her to join their school. Aika seems like a good influence on Haya, she is growing up a lot better than solitary could do.”
Haya smirked as she knelt down and her fingers softly moved to Kanata’s face, she felt small fingers on her own, as she moved her fingers along every inch of Kanata’s face. The expression was something like curiosity and she smiled, “You are a very pretty girl.” she commented as she pulled her hands away and waited from Kanata to do the same, before standing up. “I am blindsince birth, I was 12 when I got my quirk, which is sound, that helps me move around with easy. It is why most people don’t notice until I mention it, or they really look at my eyes. Since they don’t reflect light the color of them is dim and dull.”
Looking at Haya’s uncle, Elena turned to glance at Aika’s back “She is doing much better than I ever expected. Just wish she would have a better diet, but other than that, it seems like your niece is also a great influence on her. I can’t say I’ll come around to accepting her choice, but,” She turned to look back at Haya’s uncle “Perhaps I could stay out of her way as a first step. Just let her be her. Even if every instinct of my being is telling me that’s the wrong thing to do.” Elena smiled back at him.
Aika watched in silence as Haya and Kanata did their mutual face touch, which was adorable to watch, and a bit amusing as Kanata appeared to not understand why Haya did this. After they concluded, Aika bent down as well and looked at Kanata ”You know, Haya’s sight might not be there, but that just let her heart be that much bigger.” She smiled ”Even managed to shatter my diamond heart’s casing with that beautiful sound of hers.” She added, before grabbing a hold of both Haya and Kanata’s hands once more.
Kanata appeared a bit confused as Haya touched her face, before letting go and watching Haya as she explained a bit more about herself “Sound as a quirk. Whoa.” She said, before Aika talked to her, and she moved her gaze between Haya and Aika “A bigger heart.” She repeated, before fixing her gaze on Haya “I didn’t get my quirk yet. Daddy told me he got his when he was eleven, so he believes I’ll get mine by next year. And he can grow plants.” She said.
Haya’s uncle shrugged, “Maybe, but probably not completely. You don’t want her to think you replaced her or forgot about her. Maybe a call or two every so often to let her know you are thinking about her.” he commented before the waiter came, “Oh, ummm.” he turned to Elena, “Do you know what drinks they would want?” he asked about her girls.
Haya blushed a little from what Aika said, she wasn’t sure what Aika meant, but she felt like she was getting credit for something she wasn’t sure she had done. Before her attention went back to Kanata. She smiled at her, “Really? That sounds like it is beautiful. My father doesn’t have a quirk, but my mother runs as fast as sound and my uncle can see things, he uses it to build and fix gear and he taught me how to do it when I got my quirk.” she pointed out, “Do you work with plants?”
Elena shrugged “If Aika would ever be inclined to answer. Most of my calls end up in voicemail. But we shall see.” She said, before nodding slightly “I know what Kanata would like. Orange juice is her favourite drink right now. Aika always had a liking for grapefruit. Don’t know how much she drank it recently, seeing she doesn’t bother making food past those instant ramens.” Elena responded.
Aika rose her eyebrows as she listened to Kanata, and with Haya already having asked what she had in mind, Aika just looked at her step-sister, waiting to hear the answer.
Kanata nodded “Yeah! Daddy taught me about them a bunch. Also took me to his work to help me learn more. He helps design gardens and parks. He hopes I’ll have the same quirk so we could have a family business.” She told the two with an excited voice.
Haya’s uncle nodded, “I will try talking to her, maybe it will help.” he offered before he turned to the waiter, I will have a water and we need a grapefruit and water, Orange juice and green milk tea.” he said, to the waiter before turning to Elena, “And you?” He asked, if the order needed to be changed they could change it, but for now, if they brought the drinks he was sure that they would fine for the girls when they got back.
Haya smiled, “That sounds really cool. BUt do you want to follow in your father’s footsteps? I think if it is what you want to do, you should do it. Even without a plant quirk, you might get one that might help you in a different way to help your father out.” she commented.
“Ah, I’ll have some sparkling water.” Elena told the waiter, before looking back at the uncle “Well, if you believe you can get through to her, then by all means. But I do know she is quite stubborn when it comes to certain topics.” She said, as the waiter stepped away.
Listening to Haya and Kanata, Aika listened quietly, though looking at Kanata, she felt a bit jealous. Kanata really seemed to have a connection with her father. Putting on her best smile, Aika went and picked up Kanata in her arms once more ”Well, regardless of what quirk you will or won’t get, you have several more years to think about what you want to do. You might change your opinion a million times, but I’ll be there to help however I can with finding what is right for you.” She told Kanata.
“Yeah, I want to help regardless of what I get!” Kanata told Haya, before Aika picked her up. Looking at Aika, Kanata smiled after hearing her step sister “And I’ll help you too!” The young girl told her.
Haya’s uncle smirked, “I will give it a try.” he assured her before he stood up and started towards the girls. When he stopped at them, he said, “The waiter already took drink orders, you girls should get back to figure out what you want to eat.” he said. But before they all could go, he said, “Aika. I actually wanted to talk to you, before you go back.” he stated.
Haya looked confused as she faced towards her uncle and felt a small smirk from him, as she moved to take Kanata’s hand, “Kanata, you can help me with the menu and while we wait for Aika.'' She smiled to take Kanata’s hand and led her back to the table.
Hearing Haya’s uncle, Aika turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow ”Uhm, alright. What’s up?” She asked, a bit confused about what he wanted to talk to her that needed to be in private.
Kanata grasped Haya’s hand and nodded “Okay! I’ll do my best to help you.” She said as she walked back to the table with Haya. Seeing Elena back there made Kanata, she bit her lip for a moment, before she moved to sit next to Haya “Okay, uhm, they have a bunch of noodle dishes, rice dishes, curry dishes, and sushi.” She called out for Haya as she went over the menu, to the amusement of Elena.
Haya’s uncle sighed as he moved towards the water where the fishes were, “Well, I am a naive man, even as a boy I was. So, keep that in mind and please, whatever you tell Haya, do not tell her what I am going to tell you. This is something of a family matter that she is not involved in and should not be.” he commented as he faced more towards the water then to Aika. “When I was younger, my family had their own…”business”. I was pretty good at it and that was why my father trained me to take his place. I didn’t mind, it was what we did and it was something I was good at. Of course, I also understood that in this “business” there were those of value and those without. Being a twin, I simply assumed my sister was of value because I was. But before I turned 10, I found out that my sister was not of value to the “business” and that was going to change. I was going to make sure that it changed. It took some work but we left the “business” with my parents and that was supposed to be the end of it. My parents didn’t see it that way, they believed that with some “family time” that I would return and figure out that my sister was of no value. It ended in a fight when I joined the Hero Academy. Throughout my time there, I did talk to my parents, but my sister didn’t. It wasn’t until my sister became pregnant that I cut ties from my parents, in order to keep Haya a secret.” he sighed, he had been serious for the first time ina long time, as he vaguely explained his past with his parents, before he turned to Aika, “What I mean by telling you this is, your parents don’t know what is right for you. You have to make that decision on your own. You might disagree, but that doesn’t change the fact that you are their child. Your mother might not be as gentle or caring as she acts, but she is your mother and once in a while, just hearing you say you are fine, might be enough for her to accept that you are not just her child. You are a growing young woman with a mind of her own and the power to make your own choices. Just something to think about.” he sated and smirked down at her, “We should get back. Lecturing is kind of what I have been doing, as of late. I really just want to have some fish.” he half chuckled.
Haya listened to Kanata and nodded, but she focused on what her uncle might be telling Aika. But he knew her quirk best. Focusing most of the conversation to the water made it almost impossible for Haya to hear or feel clearly enough what he was saying. She sighed as she smiled at Kanata, “What kind of fish do they have?” Haya asked curiously, that was something she was probably looking forward to eating. “ Swordfish or Sea Bass?” she asked.
Listening to Haya’s Uncle, Aika’s expression remained the same until he finished speaking. When he noted they should head back, Aika just nodded and followed him back to the table, before sitting down beside Haya, just remaining silent after everything she heard. She took Haya’s hand and squeezed it lightly, before turning her gaze towards her mother, who seemed to focus her attention on the interaction between Haya and Kanata.
“Uhm, it says there is Salmon, Cod and Sea Bass.“ Kanata told Haya, before watching as Haya’s uncle and Aika came back to the table “We’re choosing what to eat!” She told the two excitedly “And uhm, could I have the noodles with chicken and teriyaki sauce?” Kanata asked, turning her glance upwards towards Elena.
Elena nodded towards Kanata “Sure. It is your first meal with your big sister, so you can get anything you want. Just make sure to let either me or Mister Haramatsu make sure the chicken pieces are cut enough for you to eat.” She told Kanata, who nodded in return, smiling towards Haya’s uncle.
Haya’s uncle sat down and listened before he smirked, “Haya likes white fish, mostly, so Sea Bass would be the best option for her from what I saw.” he commented before he looked at the menu, “So, we both will do Sea Bass grilled with some steamed rice.” he commented, “Sound good, Haya?” he asked, to make sure that she was fine with it. He ordered for her all the time, so he was sure that what they ate would be the same. But he never took control of what she did, so he always had to be sure.
Haya smiled at Kanata as she listened before feeling Aika’s hand squeeze hers and turning to her. It was a little concerning since she had no idea what her uncle said. But before she could ask, her uncle started to talk and she nodded. “That sounds good to me.” Haya confirmed. She rarely ate something her uncle wouldn’t but him asking was how she had learned to deal with Aika and giving choices. “Are you okay?” she finally whispered to Aika.
Looking at the menu, Aika skimmed through it before speaking up “I’ll have the green curry with chicken dish.” She told the waiter, before glancing at Haya ”I’m good. Your uncle shared some of his wisdom directly with me. Just gave me some food for thought at the same time.” Aika whispered back under her breath. He asked her not to share it, so she wouldn’t. But she also had every intention to talk to him directly, in private, about keeping Haya in the dark about this.
Elena nodded after seeing everyone order “Then I suppose that’s our order. Thank you.” She told the waiter, before moving to look around the table “So, how are the two of you doing in school? Are they having you all participate in all the activities, keeping things fair and equal? I heard that you even had a festival not long ago.” She asked.
Kanata turned her gaze to Haya and Aika at the mention of a festival “Festival? What kind? Did it have shows? And clowns? And all those booths?” She asked, clearly excited at the thought of any festival.
Haya’s uncle raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “Oh yeah, was meant to ask how you liked that Haya. You told me it was loud, but you mentioned you spent time with some friends, and then changed the subject.” he commented. He had forgotten all about the festival, “From what I heard” he commented to Kanata, “Aika put on a show of her own. Heard it was a really good one too.” he added with some pride in his smile, “Haya calls home every weekend when we can’t visit and keeps us updated, Aika and Haya even had a mission together recently, didn’t go too great but everyone made it out okay, so that is enough.”
Haya blushed slightly, she didn’t expect this to come up, “It was fun. And I think classes and missions are going okay, we all make it back okay, nothing too serious ever happens and we both do our parts to make sure that our teams do good.” she didn’t want to mention all the chaos that had happened, thankful her uncle left that part out in his confirmation of things, too.
”Yeah, the festival was fun. We rode in the ferris wheel that they set up. Haya got to experience a bunch of silence from the commotion in the festival when we reached the top there, or so she said.” Aika said, glancing towards Haya before looking back towards Kanata ”And there were so many stalls! Whenever I get to come home next, If there is any festival, I’ll take you to it. Then you could see all the stalls too! Maybe win a stuffed animal!” Aika said, clearly ignoring the mention of her own show by trying to distract Kanata with the offer.
Aika’s attempt was working successfully with Kanata, as the young girl seemed ready to hop out of her seat “Yeah! All the stalls and all the stuffed animals! I’d love to go with you!” She said, sounding even more excited and louder now, causing a few heads from other tables to turn to them for a moment.
Spotting the attention Kanata was attracting with her loud voice, Elena smiled to the young girl “Keep your voice a bit softer sweetie. We don’t want to disturb everyone else who is eating.” She told Kanata, before offering an apologetic look to everyone else around “Like I told you on the way, people come here for many reasons, along with eating, and we should be respectful and not disrupt what they may be doing.” She told Kanata, and the young girl seemed to lower herself slightly and nod quietly.
Haya’s uncle smirked, “Well, next time, how about we rent out the restaurant and you can be as loud as you want, Kanata. That’s what we used to do with Haya. I would rent out the restaurant and she could move around and learn to navigate it. Plus, she was still a little odd when it came to control.” he commented to Kanata, before he turned to Elena, “It’s good for kids to express themselves, maybe taking her to a park after this, might help.” he suggested.
Haya smirked, that was her uncle, but she turned to Aika, “Then I guess I am not invited.” she teased as a joke, she was learning to talk with people, but she liked hanging out with Kanata and Aika when Kanata was a kid.
“Well, I could’ve rented it all for us, but Aika insisted I don’t do it so I don’t seem like I just enjoy throwing my money whenever I can.” Elena explained, glancing in Aika’s direction, before she shrugged a bit “And we do go out on walks in parks. Kanata gets to see a lot of parks with her dad. So she does get to let her energies all loose, but I do want to teach her a bit of proper etiquette. So for today, all I asked was that she doesn’t speak loudly while we're here.” She explained, turning her gaze to Haya’s uncle.
Aika glanced from her mother to Kanata ”Don’t worry, we’ll love to go to all the parks with you. You and Haya and I, all together. Swing and go down slides and all the fun things.” She told Kanata, who seemed to cheer up a bit with a smile. Aika looked back at her mother ”And maybe,” Aika stopped herself for a moment, seemingly considering something, before continuing to speak ”Maybe you could let yourself be a bit more loose. It isn’t every day we have a meal like this. So just for today.” Aika said.
Haya’s uncle nodded, “If that is how you want it, but proper etiquette is for teenagers, not children. But she is not my child, I have never been an actual parent. So, I can’t really argue either way. I just think, being a child that was not allowed to be a child a lot, that children should have fun as children and learn to be proper when they have the drain of energy to be.” he commented.
Haya smirked at Kanata, “It sounds like a lot of fun, doesn’t it? We should go soon, I think .” she commented to her to make sure she knew that Aika agreed with this idea.
Elena glanced in Haya’s uncle’s direction, before offering a nod “I understand. Though from how it seems, even if you were not a parent yourself, you were clearly very involved in Miss Kimura’s upbringing, to a point where she wanted you to meet Aika and not her own parents. From how I know things, people will often want to have their friends meet other important figures in their life first.” She said.
Aika nodded ”Yeah. I’m definitely on board with that.” She smiled. Kanata returned a smile to both, and seemed to look excited as the drinks were brought to the table by a waiter. Kanata grabbed her drink and started drinking it with a lot of enjoyment, while Aika first made sure Haya felt where her glass was, before looking at her own drink. Looking at Elena, she offered a small smile ”Haven’t had grapefruit juice in years. I always shared it with dad.” She said, before grabbing a hold of the glass. She looked at it for a moment, before taking a sip. The taste alone brought her back to what felt like better times with her parents. But she was also happy with where she was now.
Haya’s uncle smirked, chuckling a little, “Well, her father had some work stuff to do and my sister is not one to leave the house with just me. She doesn’t like using her quirk outside of the house and I can get a little wild, when I don’t have my brother in law around. So, I was invited but I wasn’t the only one. I am just the only one that would drop work just to be around my niece.” he started. It was true, her uncle had skipped doing work for over a month just to be able to hang out with Haya. he was her primary focus and she knew it, which was why he was hers.
Haya smirked to Aika as she took her glass and sipped her milk tea before she nodded, “My uncle is right, I had invited both my parents, but he was the only one that had a chance to come. But he raised me most of my life too, so I guess that would be right too.” she agreed.
Nodding as she listened, Elena didn’t seem to have any intentions of questioning Haya’s parents and their chosen actions. But with how it sounded, it certainly felt like a firm confirmation “Well, at least we got to meet. I know Kanata’s dad, my husband, would’ve loved to meet Aika, but he too had some prior obligations he couldn’t shake off. But he did say that you are both welcome to accompany him and Kanata on any day when he is out in the parks.” She told Haya and Aika.
Hearing the offer, and seeing Kanata nod her head very firmly at the offer with a big smile, Aika nodded as well ”I appreciate the offer, and let him know I’d be happy to take him up on it. I would love to meet the man Kanata seems to admire so much.” She told Elena.
Haya’s uncle smirked, “Sounds like a good plan.” he stated as he turned to Haya, “If you want….”
“No.” Haya said, as she smiled at her uncle, “Of all things that is not a good idea.” she mentioned, knowing that he was going to offer to send her his makeshift pet he had her years ago. Which was fun, but the pet could be like her uncle and unlike Aika and Haya, Kanata had no quirk in order to protect herself from the pet’s excitement.
Aika and Kanata both seemed confused by Haya’s sudden rejection of what was going to be her uncle’s suggestion, before Aika shrugged ”Well, maybe it would be best if we don’t spring any surprises on Kanata’s dad? Surprises can sometimes ruin things.” She said, while Kanata still continued to be confused.
Elena couldn’t help but chuckle a bit, looking at Haya’s uncle “Seems you’ve been outvoted with whatever your proposal was going to be.” She stated, amused by how things went, before watching as waiters went and brought their food to the table.
After they finished eating and paid for the meal, Elena stood up “Well, that was quite the nice meal.” She said, before looking over to Kanata and the other girls “I believe we still have time to get some ice cream, if you’d want some.”
Kanata, who seemed very happy with her food, aside from the broccoli she kept pushing aside, immediately started nodding her head excitedly “Ice cream! Please please please!” She said, before grabbing both Haya and Aika’s hands “Can you come with? Please?” She asked the two.
Aika couldn’t help but chuckle a bit at Kanata’s excitement ”Well, I don’t believe we have anything that requires us to come back right now, right Haya?” She asked. She knew well there was nothing stopping them, but in case Haya decided she had enough, then she did want to give her the option to head back.
Haya nodded, “I don’t have any plans for now. I think ice cream would be a good idea.” she commented before turning to her uncle, “Do you have to get back?”
Haya’s uncle shook his head, “Nope. I finished up some upgrades for your new headset to go with your armor and the next order happens to be from a friend who is currently in the hospital because he couldn’t wait another day.” he sighed, shaking his head as he smiled, “So, I have time for it.”
“Excellent. I believe I saw an ice cream parlour not far when we were walking to the restaurant.” Elena said, before going and opening the door for the rest to exit, before leaving as well. After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the parlour, and Elena looked at the rest “Right, this will be my treat for everyone. What flavours would each like?” She asked, before glancing at Aika. She already had a hunch about Aika’s flavours, but she figured it’d be better to let Aika answer.
After walking with Kanata, who was also holding Haya’s hand, Aika looked at Elena ”Vanilla and strawberry for me.” She answered, before looking at Kanata ”Now what are your favourite flavours?” She asked.
Kanata’s eyes widened as they arrived outside the parlour “Whoa.. Chocolate! And cookie cream!” She answered both Elena and Aika loudly, hopping on the spot as she did.
Haya smirked, “We will just take Green Tea.” she said, Her uncle nodded in agrence. He had got her into green milk tea and the ice cream slowly followed as she started to want green tea more.
Nodding, Elena went into the ice cream parlour, and Kanata quickly let go of both Haya and Aika’s hands, before following Elena inside the parlour too.
Being there with just Haya and her uncle, Aika put her hands behind her head ”So, new upgrades to Haya’s armour and headset?” She asked casually. She wasn’t sure if Haya wanted to talk about that right now, but Aika wasn’t sure what else she could mention to get a conversation rolling.
Haya’s uncle smirked, “Yep, I am always looking for ways to improve Haya’s abilities while enhancing her quirk and usage. It is important that she has the best. She might never be number one, but she will be a famous hero one way or another, even without gear. But if she wants the gear I want to make sure she has it.” he commented.
Haya smirked, “That is one of the main jobs he does.” she explains, “When he finally lands a job, if he thinks the work is best for me he will try to give it to me or dumb it down so he can make it for me instead at it’s highest ability.” she sighed, “It’s actually why I have to avoid him when I am at school, unless my parents are around.” that comment made her uncle pout a little.
Aika chuckled a bit upon hearing that ”Sounds like a doting uncle. ‘Doting and always thinking of you’ uncle.” She remarked ”Oh, if you need more diamond shards or such, I can give you some. I don’t think I’ll need any armour or weapons, personally, so you probably won’t have much to suggest to me.” Aika added, before hearing the ice cream parlour door open.
Carrying three cups of ice cream, Elena went and gave one to Aika and one to Haya’s uncle, while Kanata went and brought a cup to Haya “There we go, two cups of green tea, one of vanilla and strawberry, one sweetness explosion and for me, some strawberry.” Elena remarked, offering everyone a tiny plastic spoon, before tasting the strawberry ice cream “Not bad.” She said, before turning her gaze to Kanata who was deep into eating her ice cream, letting a smile come onto Elena’s expression.
Haya’s uncle nodded, “Well, your diamonds are very rare, so anytime.” he commented just before the door opened and Elena handed him ice cream, “Thank you Elena.” he said as he took a small spoon too and started to eat.
Haya smirked at Aika’s comment and offer before she felt the door open and was handed her ice cream and she reached for a spoon and started to eat her ice cream. “My uncle is actually a bit obsessive.” Haya stated, “It’s more like having a best friend that always wants to be around you and never wants to do anything else. If he could, he would be on campus with me all the time.” she chuckled. Her uncle turned to Haya and smirked, that was about what he was like. But somehow it was not exactly the whole thing, Haya knew it, but couldn’t explain it and her uncle didn’t want to say.
“Reminds me of someone else we know, doesn’t it Aika?” Elena asked in between ice cream bites, with a smirk, before shrugging “But it can be nice knowing there is someone like that in your life. Someone who would always be willing to be there for you.” She said, before patting Kanata on her head. The young girl just kept eating her ice cream, a bit lost with what was being discussed, but clearly not minding as she had ice cream.
Rolling her eyes at Elena’s remark, Aika looked back at Haya’s uncle ”Well, I guess you could say they are nowadays. Probably even tougher than what my old dad could make back in the day.” She said, before continuing to eat her ice cream.
Haya’s uncle nodded, “Well, I am grateful. If you need me to make something just let me know, or I could offer to take you in for some training. I am still in the hero database, from my understanding and can take on students.” he commented.
Haya turned to Elena and looked confused for a moment, before she looked to her uncle and Aika, when her uncle made his offer. “Do you know anything about Diamond training?” she asked him. Her uncle had been a hero and had been in contact with a lot of different heroes, but she wasn’t sure if he had ever dealt with someone with a quirk like Aika’s.
“I actually know a couple of people who helped my late husband back when the company was still around. They researched many non-combative ways to improve the diamond skin hardiness and quality. It’s what allowed him to get as far as he did.” Elena told them, before glancing at Aika “But while I reckon that is not how Aika would prefer it, I do imagine she could still learn a thing or two from them, like what to focus on to better her diamond.” Elena added.
”Gee, because you were so open with those details until recently.” Aika told Elena, before glancing at Haya’s uncle ”Anything would be appreciated. I started off with punching stuff and slamming myself against walls, and floors, and whatnot, until those weren’t enough. Now the latest thing to shatter any part of me,” Aika rose her still bandaged arms and hands ”Was Haya. Painful, but at least I know I’ll get out of it with an even stronger diamond skin.”
Haya’s uncle smirked, “I have a feel I know a lot more about diamond then you might think.” he told Haya before turning to Elena, “Well, in combat, her diamond would harden a lot faster and focusing on just one thing would actually degrade some of the diamond as a whole.” he commented before turning to Aika, herself. “Have you tried a diamond cutter or diamond tip? If your diamond could withstand either of those it would be near impossible to crack. But given the right tone, Haya’s sound could probably continue to crack and even break off your diamonds. I would use a tuning fork, it’ll help you figure out where your diamond is weakest for the moment and might help you improve strengthening it. You don’t want a spot stronger than the other. It’ll make your shield useless in a fight, because they only have to find the spot.” he advised her.
Haya smirked at her uncle, of course he knew something. At Elena’s comment, Haya sighed, “Your way is only for the benefit of your own ideas. Aika needs to strengthen her diamond skin her way, to improve her ideas of what she wants to do with it.” Haya added on. Something told her that the suggestions would only improve Elena’s chances of getting Aika to do what she wanted.
Elena nodded at what Haya’s uncle said, before glancing at Haya after hearing her clear jab at her. Between what her and Aika said towards her, she got a feeling that perhaps it was time for her and Kanata to depart. Kneeling down, she looked at Kanata, and whispered to her “We need to go home, Kanata. We have a long drive. Go and hug your big sister and her friend goodbye for now.”
After finishing her ice cream, Kanata listened to the whisper from Elena. She initially made a pouty face, before hopping and giving a hug to Haya “I hope you get to hear a lot of things, and that I see you again soon!” She told Haya, before moving to hug Aika “Come home soon! I’ll be waiting!” Kanata told her older sister, before letting go. She looked at Haya’s uncle, giving him a big wave “Bye bye!” She told him, before going and taking a hold of Elena’s hand.
After listening to Haya’s uncle, Aika nodded at his suggestions, taking them in as mental notes to herself, before hearing Haya’s own words towards her mother. While she understood where Haya was coming from, Kagerou’s words still roamed in her mind, so she elected to just stay silent for a moment. When Kanata suddenly started to make her rounds saying goodbye, Aika glanced at Elena’s direction, before smiling at Kanata ”I promise to come home and see you as soon as I’m able, pipsqueak.” She told Kanata, ruffling the young girl’s hair a bit, before Kanata went and grabbed hold of Elena’s hand.
Haya’s uncle listened to what Haya said and frowned, it was hard to see her dislike someone, and strange at the same time. But it was something he understood. It was also something that he would have to have a talk with her about later. But he smiled at Elena, when he noticed Kanat saying her goodbyes, he bowed to her, “It was a pleasure to have met you, today. I look forward to another meeting.” he said to her and then smiled towards Kanata, “and to you, Kanata.”
Haya smiled at Kanata, and sighed, she didn’t want her to go, Aika seemed to like her but she was saying goodbye. “We will see you later, Kanata.” Haya told her. She hoped to be able to hear the little girl again, as she pointed out. It made her smile to know that she was a sweet girl and that Aika seemed to like her.
“And I will bid you all farewell as well. It was certainly an interesting evening. May we all meet again with only reasons for celebration and happiness.” Elena told Haya and her uncle, before looking at Aika “And like Kanata said, I’m hoping to see you home soon.” She told Aika, before turning and beginning to walk away. As Kanata walked away with Elena, she turned her head and waved some more to Aika and Haya’s uncle “Bye bye!” She called out to them again, before moving to focus on where she was stepping.
Simply nodding quietly to Elena, Aika watched as the two began to walk away, before waving to Kanata. Once the young girl looked away, Aika turned to look at Haya and her uncle ”So, while you don’t have any kids of your own, I’d rather you didn’t stay here too long on account of us. You still have your own job to do, even if the client is in a hospital.” Aika told Haya’s uncle, as she put her hands in her pockets.
Haya’s uncle pouted when Aika suggested he leave too, “Well, I would like a little more time with Haya, but I guess you are right.” he said, but he clearly would rather be there to hang out with his niece then go to work. “But to be clear the project is planned out enough that I can still wait to complete it and still get it done before he is out of the hospital,” he added.
Haya smirked at Aika and then turned to her uncle, “But we have to get back to the dorms. We had promised a friend to do something and it would be a little odd if we brought my uncle, wouldn’t it?” Haya commented in hopes that it would work.
”Yeah. We still have some things to take care of. And we can still meet other times.” Aika told him, piggybacking off what Haya said ”And trust me, I’ll keep Haya safe all the way back there.” She added with a firm nod.
Haya’s uncle sighed, “I see. I guess you are right then.” he said before he kissed Haya’s forehead, and then bowed to Aika, “Thank you for taking care of her, I will get going.” he commented, “Maybe we will catch you on our weekend visit.” he smiled. He was hoping to have more time with Haya, but the fact that she had something to do meant he had to find his own way through the day. “Have a good day girl, and stay safe.” he said waving as he started to leave.
Haya smiled at her uncle and nodded, waving to him as he started to leave, “Bye, uncle.” she called to him, before she turned to Aika, “Sorry about that. He is obsessed, as I said.” she told Aika, in all honesty she had made plans with someone, but those plans were for later tomorrow. She just wasn’t sure how else to get rid of her uncle.
Aika waved to Haya’s uncle before turning to look at Haya ”No worries. Now, shall we head back then? I don’t know about you, but all of this actually gave me a couple of ideas for songs to write.” Aika stated, taking out her right hand and gently taking Haya’s hand.
Haya smirked with some excitement, “Sounds like we did have something to do back at the dorms after all then.” she said as she took Aika’s hand and moved to walk with her. “You know, if you want I still have some energy. I can listen to the sound and replay it for you now. I was actually going to show you that at the festival. I can replay the sounds I heard.” Haya said as she walked with Aika, she got a little excited that her hand slipped out of Aika’s as she tried to explain how she absorbs them and works on how she moves sounds to different parts of her body. She spent most of walking back explaining it and telling Aika that she was starting to try and get it to work in different ways. But she had not yet gotten to that point yet.
The restaurant chosen was a respectable Japanese-style restaurant, as she knew her mother would likely complain about most other styles. Haya trusted Aika’s judgement with food for her, and Aika wasn’t going to let her down now. She just hoped Haya’s uncle and her step sister would also have something to eat there
Haya smirked as her uncle was going on about some request he got from an old classmate. She let him know what was going on and who they were going to meet, but he was more focused on the plans for what he thought he should make. He wanted her input, since he was rarely only with Haya, since she started school, or even in public. It wasn’t long before she noticed the feeling of Aika, “Uncle.” she said to cause him to pause, she motioned towards the feeling, “I believe we are here.” she told him.
Uncle looked up and smirked, Aika was…pretty and she looked like she was a fighter. “Ah.” he said as they got close. “Aika?!” he called to her and bowed “Haya tells me I have you to thank for helping with the diamond and armor idea that she requested.” he smiled, “So, thank you, I have been trying to get her to let me create her an armor for years, since we decided she would become a hero. BUt the diamond idea from your joint combos was a brilliant idea.” he stated as they stopped in front of Aika.
Haya smiled at Aika, “He can be a little hyper.” she explained, when it came to Haya, her uncle had no end to ideas and his projects were always ways to help improve her quirk or fight against any quirk he could think of.
Hearing someone call out to her, Aika turned to see Haya, accompanied by someone who she could only assume was her uncle, considering how he was the one who called to her, before both approached and he immediately bowed and started thanking her. Aika just stared in surprise for a moment before shrugging ”Erm. Hey. I’m Aika Yamada. And trust me, as much as I may have helped Haya, she helped me back and more.” She smiled, briefly taking Haya’s hand and squeezing it ”My mother is probably gonna arrive in a bit, so we could go in until they arrive. Get our table.” Aika suggested, before going and opening the door for both to enter before her.
Haya smirked, "Shouldn't we wait for them first?" She asked.
Her uncle smirked, "Well, how about you two go in. I mean," he turned to Aika, "If you tell me what she looks like I can wait here while you two get us a table." He offered. He understood what haya meant and part of him thought it was important to wait. But at the same time, securing a table was important for a place like this. Even with a reservation, there is always a chance of losing your table if you were late.
Haya nodded, "If you are okay with that." She said to Aika. "My uncle is pretty good with this kind of thing. Waiting I mean."
”There isn’t really a need to wait for them. And besides, even if you do wait for her out here, since she doesn’t know you, she would probably not take kindly to a stranger approaching her.” Aika said, sighing a bit. The lifestyle of the wealthy had really spoiled her mother in some aspects ”If you want to wait outside, then we can wait. And I mostly suggested going in so that we wouldn’t just wait out in the cold.” Aika explained, looking over Haya’s uncle. The kindness ran in the family from how he was acting. Looking around, Aika’s expression turned into a frown as spotted someone approaching.
Wearing high heels, a black dress and some expensive looking jewellery, Aika's mom approached the restaurant entrance. She was walking with a small girl by her side, and the girl kept making her best efforts to keep hold of the older woman’s hand as they arrived by the group “Hello Aika. Still dyeing your hair I see.” She said, before glancing over her bandaged arms and hands “And getting injured. This is exactly why-”
”Save it mother. Not now.” Aika said, keeping her gaze on the younger girl, who looked at Aika with her blue eyes. She could tell the young girl was curious, but it felt like there was something more. However, seeing as everyone was there, Aika opened the door to the restaurant once more ”Alright, everyone here, let's go inside.” She told the group.
Aika’s mom appeared upset by Aika’s response, only to turn her gaze to Haya and her Uncle “Hmm. I’m Elena Yamada. And who might you two be?” Elena asked, as she walked into the restaurant. The young girl seemed to just follow Elena, remaining silent.
Haya's uncle smiled as he was noticed, "Kagerou Haramatsu, and my niece Haya Kimura." He mentioned to Haya, "Seems like you disapprove of Aika getting hurt, as a good parent should." He said as he took the door and motioned Aika to go ahead. "But nothing else can be expected from an aspiring hero after all. Getting hurt means you went against someone stronger and was brave enough to stand for your beliefs. As much as I would hate Haya to get hurt, I would be proud knowing she faced her challenges with a good head and returning alive." He pointed out. It sounded to him like Aika's mother could be a little overbearing. Something he was still working on with Haya.
Haya smirked, her uncle's conversation was only because she hadn't explained what she knew about this woman. She followed Aika and stayed close. Part of her wanted to use her sound against the woman. Neither her uncle nor Haya were impressed by the wealth she displayed. Her uncle hardly used the money he has, so Haya was raised knowing money was just money and nothing of importance. "You dyed your hair?" Haya whispered to Aika. She had no idea what color Aika's hair was.
Entering with Haya after her uncle took the door from her, she nodded to him before looking at Haya ”Well, yeah. My eyes were always pink because of my quirk, apparently. I just dye my hair to match. Plus my own little rebellion against my mother.” Aika whispered to Haya, glancing at her mother’s back as they were led to their table. Aika helped Haya sit down, before sitting next to her, between Haya and her step-sister.
Sitting across from her daughter, Elena kept her eyes on Aika for a moment, before turning to look at Haya and her uncle “So, Miss Kimura and Mister Haramatsu. I can already assume what Miss Kimura does from her age and apparent closeness to Aika. What do you do? Oh, and apologies. The little one is still getting used to spending time with me. Go on, introduce yourself.” Elena told the child.
The young girl, who appeared to be around ten years old, looked at Elena, before looking at the rest “I’m Kanata. Kanata Yugo.” She said, before turning to look at Aika again.
Haya smirked at the little girl, "It is nice to meet you, Kanata." She said before she turned to her uncle who sat across from her next to Aika's mom.
"I am a quirk based gear specialist for heroes. I generally make things like Haya's headset." He mentioned the headset on Haya's head. "It weighs about 9 kilogram and have defensive and offensive capabilities." He smiled proudly, "I hear from Haya, that Aika has actually managed to use some of its features." He said, turning to Aika. "If you want, I can design something for you. Your help with Haya's armor was very helpful and I had an idea for something that might help you."
Haya turned to her uncle, "That is not a conversation for now." She pointed out.
”Only because Haya showed me, and I saw it in action.” Aika remarked, before looking at Kanata ”Well, uhm, nice to meet you Kanata. Hope I can be a good older sister for you.” Aika said, before glancing at the waiter who came and brought them all water and menus.
Looking at Kagerou, Elena seemed to just ponder something quietly before glancing at her older daughter, who seemed to try and make a connection with her step daughter. Already felt rather unusual compared to how she was before. Elena looked back at Haya “I must say, I do not recall ever seeing Aika be like this. Willing to spend time with family and having a friend that she seemed to enjoy her company with.” She said, before nodding “You have my gratitude, Miss Kimura. I was afraid that she would be forever a recluse, but it seems that fear is no longer valid.”
Kanata, in the meanwhile, just nodded as both Aika and Haya talked to her, before lowering herself as Elena spoke.
Haya turned to Aika's mother, "It wasn't valid at all." She paused before turning to Kanata, "What do you like to do, Kanata? Aika likes music, maybe we can play something for you when you visit next?" She suggested.
Her uncle glanced at Haya, it was strange that she would be rude but he was starting to suspect Haya disliked Elena. He turned to Elena, "If you don't mind. What do you do? You seem to be in a well off position by the looks of you. Or is your husband's business well off?" He asked curiously. Haya's conversation was focused on helping Aika be a big sister. So he decided to put some focus on be an adult and having an adult conversation.
Glancing at Haya after hearing her reaction, Elena turned her gaze to the uncle after he asked his question “Well, it’d be more correct to say that both me and Aika are set, and likely even Aika’s children. Her grandfather from her father’s side and her father both shared the quirk with Aika, but they saw the potential financial benefit one could reap from the quirk. He started small, chipping small parts from his diamond skin and selling that off, slowly growing some reputation. My husband, rest his soul, worked with others to find ways to improve his diamond shards and managed to bring his business to even international levels. Gained a small fortune until his passing. The final stocks that remained were sold a few years ago, but Aika had a fund set up for her. So we are both still very well off in that regard.” Elena explained “What about you? With the amount of heroes and ANVIL agents running around, I’m sure you have plenty of business yourself. Even if some of them would be better off doing other things.” Elena briefly glanced in Aika’s direction, before fixing her gaze on Kagerou.
Aika threw a glare back at her mother for the final remark, and clearly had something in mind to say, but instead she just took a deep breath and looked at Kanata ”Well. We don’t have to play music. We could also just do something else. What do you like?” She asked.
Kanata listened to both, and briefly opened her mouth to say something, only to quickly close it, before pointing at Haya, trying to indicate that she liked Haya’s suggestion. Seeing that Elena wasn’t looking at her, she grabbed Aika’s sleeve and pulled on it, until Aika brought her ear closer to Kanata. Opening her mouth again, Kanata would speak very softly “Elena said only the grown ups should talk here. I’d love to hear your music.” She whispered as softly as she could, to clearly not catch Elena’s attention.
Haya's uncle smirked, "I get a lot of requests. But no. I don't feel the need to accept them all. I usually only take one request a week or less depending on the week. As for being better off," he slightly glanced towards Aika and then Haya. He was slowly understanding Haya's behavior towards Elena. "I don't think they would be. Heroes and ANVIL members all have their part in making sure you are able to live the life you have now. If even one of them changed their minds, the next victim could be you. I think all heroes are right where they should be. Dangerous or not, my closest friends are heroes and they have never thought of doing anything else. It's important what to do, more important than wealth. I am well off, but after buying a house and modifying it, I don't really need the money I have. So it goes to supplies and my family. Do you and Aika spend a lot of time when she's home?" He asked curiously.
Haya heard what Kanata said and looked towards Aika, "They have some fish around here, don't they? The three of us should go look." She suggested so they could talk more freely with Kanata and not have to worry about Elena's influence in the way. Not to mention argue with the woman as they try to get to know Kanata better.
“Hard to spend time with a daughter that kept shutting herself out. And as for me being the next victim?” Elena shook her head “When organizations like ANVIL and all the heroes cannot help spot potential criminals in the making, then what do they do? Just come and clean up afterwards?” She remarked, before glancing towards Haya “It is rather rude to just get up and go see other things when you are supposed to be dining.” Elena remarked, before fixing her gaze on Aika.
After hearing Kanata, Aika glanced at Haya who made her suggestion. It sounded like a brilliant suggestion, but observing the conversation between her mother and Haya’s uncle also felt like they were going to clash. After her mother gave the remark towards Haya, however, Aika stood up ”You’ve been playing a goddamn victim for over ten years mother. Yes, dad got murdered. Just goddamn get over it.” She told Elena, straight and simple, before gently picking up Kanata, holding her in one arm, and grabbing a hold of Haya’s hand with her other ”We are going to look at the fishes. Please excuse us.” She said, with a rather sarcastic tone, before beginning to lead them towards the aquarium in the restaurant.
Initially, Kanata appeared to get scared at hearing Elena talk, only to glance upwards as Aika seemed to retort. Being picked up by Aika, Kanata just softly grabbed Aika’s shirt, looking at Elena for a moment, before Aika turned around and began leading them away. Looking at Aika, the young girl seemed to slowly start relaxing.
Haya took a moment, before she slipped from Aika’s hand and turned to her mother, “It is rather rude to expect your daughter to take care of you and sacrifice what she wants, don’t you think?” she snapped back, before she moved behind Kanata and followed after them. She sighed as they got a little way, “Are you okay, Kanata?” she said, noticing the tension from the little girl relaxing. “I know we just met, but is it okay if I touch your face? I’m blind and it will help me to stay close, if you don’t mind?” she asked, relaxing herself.
Haya’s uncle listened to Elena, Aika and Haya and it clicked exactly what was going on. He sighed, “I should apologize for Haya, she is normally a lot more behaved. But at the same time, I think you misunderstand the way things work as a hero or a member of ANVIL. I would explain, but I feel like your ideas of life would be in the way of your understanding. Aika is going to be a good hero and you should be proud of that. I know, I am, of Haya. Life can be worse than it is now. Losing the things that you now think are important is something you might have to go through to understand that. But you are her mother and if you want a part of her life to be you, then you should not expect her to take the steps to do so.” he stated, it may sound like a lecture, but since he knew what it was like without parents. Since he understood that Aika and her mother were at odds over something like money. He felt it was the only way to explain things.
Watching as both Aika and Haya came and gave her some kind of angry retort at her, Elena remained silent, before turning her attention back to Kagerou and listening to what he had to say “You are right about one thing. My ideas of how life should be definitely conflict with what you’re saying. And I can tell she is growing to be a much stronger woman than I’ll ever be, so I am proud of that.” Elena said, before shaking her head “But I cannot be proud of her choice when she never bothered telling me why. With how she was, for so long? It felt like she was dooming herself. I wanted to keep her close, in a safe environment.” She said.
As Haya briefly let go of her hand, Aika just stopped, still carrying Kanata, and just waited for Haya to return to them. Once she did, Aika kept walking towards the aquarium, listening to Haya’s question for Kanata. Looking at the little girl, Aika smiled and nodded ”It’s alright, whatever you choose. And I can personally tell you Haya has a gentle touch.” She reassured the young girl.
Looking at Haya, and then at Aika, and then back at Haya, Kanata seemed to focus on Haya’s eyes “You’re blind?” She asked, before nodding slightly “Uhm, okay.” She said, Kanata would also touch Haya’s face back when Haya started, and try to mimic Haya’s own movements.
Haya’s uncle smiled at Elena, “I know how you feel, but understanding why and respecting it, is very different. Respect her choice and show that you do. She will find her way and with your support, she might be more open to explaining herself or even letting you in, in her own time. Haya is the same way, she picks a path and if I stand in her way, or force her, she will push back every time.” He sighed as he thought of what it took to get Haya to take this chance, “Haya is a good kid, it’s easy to talk to her and she listens most of the time, but sometimes she needs a little guidance, that menas, I don’t tell her what she should do, I tell her what would benefit her and her goals to do it her way. I am glad I did it for her, when Suppression asked her to join their school. Aika seems like a good influence on Haya, she is growing up a lot better than solitary could do.”
Haya smirked as she knelt down and her fingers softly moved to Kanata’s face, she felt small fingers on her own, as she moved her fingers along every inch of Kanata’s face. The expression was something like curiosity and she smiled, “You are a very pretty girl.” she commented as she pulled her hands away and waited from Kanata to do the same, before standing up. “I am blindsince birth, I was 12 when I got my quirk, which is sound, that helps me move around with easy. It is why most people don’t notice until I mention it, or they really look at my eyes. Since they don’t reflect light the color of them is dim and dull.”
Looking at Haya’s uncle, Elena turned to glance at Aika’s back “She is doing much better than I ever expected. Just wish she would have a better diet, but other than that, it seems like your niece is also a great influence on her. I can’t say I’ll come around to accepting her choice, but,” She turned to look back at Haya’s uncle “Perhaps I could stay out of her way as a first step. Just let her be her. Even if every instinct of my being is telling me that’s the wrong thing to do.” Elena smiled back at him.
Aika watched in silence as Haya and Kanata did their mutual face touch, which was adorable to watch, and a bit amusing as Kanata appeared to not understand why Haya did this. After they concluded, Aika bent down as well and looked at Kanata ”You know, Haya’s sight might not be there, but that just let her heart be that much bigger.” She smiled ”Even managed to shatter my diamond heart’s casing with that beautiful sound of hers.” She added, before grabbing a hold of both Haya and Kanata’s hands once more.
Kanata appeared a bit confused as Haya touched her face, before letting go and watching Haya as she explained a bit more about herself “Sound as a quirk. Whoa.” She said, before Aika talked to her, and she moved her gaze between Haya and Aika “A bigger heart.” She repeated, before fixing her gaze on Haya “I didn’t get my quirk yet. Daddy told me he got his when he was eleven, so he believes I’ll get mine by next year. And he can grow plants.” She said.
Haya’s uncle shrugged, “Maybe, but probably not completely. You don’t want her to think you replaced her or forgot about her. Maybe a call or two every so often to let her know you are thinking about her.” he commented before the waiter came, “Oh, ummm.” he turned to Elena, “Do you know what drinks they would want?” he asked about her girls.
Haya blushed a little from what Aika said, she wasn’t sure what Aika meant, but she felt like she was getting credit for something she wasn’t sure she had done. Before her attention went back to Kanata. She smiled at her, “Really? That sounds like it is beautiful. My father doesn’t have a quirk, but my mother runs as fast as sound and my uncle can see things, he uses it to build and fix gear and he taught me how to do it when I got my quirk.” she pointed out, “Do you work with plants?”
Elena shrugged “If Aika would ever be inclined to answer. Most of my calls end up in voicemail. But we shall see.” She said, before nodding slightly “I know what Kanata would like. Orange juice is her favourite drink right now. Aika always had a liking for grapefruit. Don’t know how much she drank it recently, seeing she doesn’t bother making food past those instant ramens.” Elena responded.
Aika rose her eyebrows as she listened to Kanata, and with Haya already having asked what she had in mind, Aika just looked at her step-sister, waiting to hear the answer.
Kanata nodded “Yeah! Daddy taught me about them a bunch. Also took me to his work to help me learn more. He helps design gardens and parks. He hopes I’ll have the same quirk so we could have a family business.” She told the two with an excited voice.
Haya’s uncle nodded, “I will try talking to her, maybe it will help.” he offered before he turned to the waiter, I will have a water and we need a grapefruit and water, Orange juice and green milk tea.” he said, to the waiter before turning to Elena, “And you?” He asked, if the order needed to be changed they could change it, but for now, if they brought the drinks he was sure that they would fine for the girls when they got back.
Haya smiled, “That sounds really cool. BUt do you want to follow in your father’s footsteps? I think if it is what you want to do, you should do it. Even without a plant quirk, you might get one that might help you in a different way to help your father out.” she commented.
“Ah, I’ll have some sparkling water.” Elena told the waiter, before looking back at the uncle “Well, if you believe you can get through to her, then by all means. But I do know she is quite stubborn when it comes to certain topics.” She said, as the waiter stepped away.
Listening to Haya and Kanata, Aika listened quietly, though looking at Kanata, she felt a bit jealous. Kanata really seemed to have a connection with her father. Putting on her best smile, Aika went and picked up Kanata in her arms once more ”Well, regardless of what quirk you will or won’t get, you have several more years to think about what you want to do. You might change your opinion a million times, but I’ll be there to help however I can with finding what is right for you.” She told Kanata.
“Yeah, I want to help regardless of what I get!” Kanata told Haya, before Aika picked her up. Looking at Aika, Kanata smiled after hearing her step sister “And I’ll help you too!” The young girl told her.
Haya’s uncle smirked, “I will give it a try.” he assured her before he stood up and started towards the girls. When he stopped at them, he said, “The waiter already took drink orders, you girls should get back to figure out what you want to eat.” he said. But before they all could go, he said, “Aika. I actually wanted to talk to you, before you go back.” he stated.
Haya looked confused as she faced towards her uncle and felt a small smirk from him, as she moved to take Kanata’s hand, “Kanata, you can help me with the menu and while we wait for Aika.'' She smiled to take Kanata’s hand and led her back to the table.
Hearing Haya’s uncle, Aika turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow ”Uhm, alright. What’s up?” She asked, a bit confused about what he wanted to talk to her that needed to be in private.
Kanata grasped Haya’s hand and nodded “Okay! I’ll do my best to help you.” She said as she walked back to the table with Haya. Seeing Elena back there made Kanata, she bit her lip for a moment, before she moved to sit next to Haya “Okay, uhm, they have a bunch of noodle dishes, rice dishes, curry dishes, and sushi.” She called out for Haya as she went over the menu, to the amusement of Elena.
Haya’s uncle sighed as he moved towards the water where the fishes were, “Well, I am a naive man, even as a boy I was. So, keep that in mind and please, whatever you tell Haya, do not tell her what I am going to tell you. This is something of a family matter that she is not involved in and should not be.” he commented as he faced more towards the water then to Aika. “When I was younger, my family had their own…”business”. I was pretty good at it and that was why my father trained me to take his place. I didn’t mind, it was what we did and it was something I was good at. Of course, I also understood that in this “business” there were those of value and those without. Being a twin, I simply assumed my sister was of value because I was. But before I turned 10, I found out that my sister was not of value to the “business” and that was going to change. I was going to make sure that it changed. It took some work but we left the “business” with my parents and that was supposed to be the end of it. My parents didn’t see it that way, they believed that with some “family time” that I would return and figure out that my sister was of no value. It ended in a fight when I joined the Hero Academy. Throughout my time there, I did talk to my parents, but my sister didn’t. It wasn’t until my sister became pregnant that I cut ties from my parents, in order to keep Haya a secret.” he sighed, he had been serious for the first time ina long time, as he vaguely explained his past with his parents, before he turned to Aika, “What I mean by telling you this is, your parents don’t know what is right for you. You have to make that decision on your own. You might disagree, but that doesn’t change the fact that you are their child. Your mother might not be as gentle or caring as she acts, but she is your mother and once in a while, just hearing you say you are fine, might be enough for her to accept that you are not just her child. You are a growing young woman with a mind of her own and the power to make your own choices. Just something to think about.” he sated and smirked down at her, “We should get back. Lecturing is kind of what I have been doing, as of late. I really just want to have some fish.” he half chuckled.
Haya listened to Kanata and nodded, but she focused on what her uncle might be telling Aika. But he knew her quirk best. Focusing most of the conversation to the water made it almost impossible for Haya to hear or feel clearly enough what he was saying. She sighed as she smiled at Kanata, “What kind of fish do they have?” Haya asked curiously, that was something she was probably looking forward to eating. “ Swordfish or Sea Bass?” she asked.
Listening to Haya’s Uncle, Aika’s expression remained the same until he finished speaking. When he noted they should head back, Aika just nodded and followed him back to the table, before sitting down beside Haya, just remaining silent after everything she heard. She took Haya’s hand and squeezed it lightly, before turning her gaze towards her mother, who seemed to focus her attention on the interaction between Haya and Kanata.
“Uhm, it says there is Salmon, Cod and Sea Bass.“ Kanata told Haya, before watching as Haya’s uncle and Aika came back to the table “We’re choosing what to eat!” She told the two excitedly “And uhm, could I have the noodles with chicken and teriyaki sauce?” Kanata asked, turning her glance upwards towards Elena.
Elena nodded towards Kanata “Sure. It is your first meal with your big sister, so you can get anything you want. Just make sure to let either me or Mister Haramatsu make sure the chicken pieces are cut enough for you to eat.” She told Kanata, who nodded in return, smiling towards Haya’s uncle.
Haya’s uncle sat down and listened before he smirked, “Haya likes white fish, mostly, so Sea Bass would be the best option for her from what I saw.” he commented before he looked at the menu, “So, we both will do Sea Bass grilled with some steamed rice.” he commented, “Sound good, Haya?” he asked, to make sure that she was fine with it. He ordered for her all the time, so he was sure that what they ate would be the same. But he never took control of what she did, so he always had to be sure.
Haya smiled at Kanata as she listened before feeling Aika’s hand squeeze hers and turning to her. It was a little concerning since she had no idea what her uncle said. But before she could ask, her uncle started to talk and she nodded. “That sounds good to me.” Haya confirmed. She rarely ate something her uncle wouldn’t but him asking was how she had learned to deal with Aika and giving choices. “Are you okay?” she finally whispered to Aika.
Looking at the menu, Aika skimmed through it before speaking up “I’ll have the green curry with chicken dish.” She told the waiter, before glancing at Haya ”I’m good. Your uncle shared some of his wisdom directly with me. Just gave me some food for thought at the same time.” Aika whispered back under her breath. He asked her not to share it, so she wouldn’t. But she also had every intention to talk to him directly, in private, about keeping Haya in the dark about this.
Elena nodded after seeing everyone order “Then I suppose that’s our order. Thank you.” She told the waiter, before moving to look around the table “So, how are the two of you doing in school? Are they having you all participate in all the activities, keeping things fair and equal? I heard that you even had a festival not long ago.” She asked.
Kanata turned her gaze to Haya and Aika at the mention of a festival “Festival? What kind? Did it have shows? And clowns? And all those booths?” She asked, clearly excited at the thought of any festival.
Haya’s uncle raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “Oh yeah, was meant to ask how you liked that Haya. You told me it was loud, but you mentioned you spent time with some friends, and then changed the subject.” he commented. He had forgotten all about the festival, “From what I heard” he commented to Kanata, “Aika put on a show of her own. Heard it was a really good one too.” he added with some pride in his smile, “Haya calls home every weekend when we can’t visit and keeps us updated, Aika and Haya even had a mission together recently, didn’t go too great but everyone made it out okay, so that is enough.”
Haya blushed slightly, she didn’t expect this to come up, “It was fun. And I think classes and missions are going okay, we all make it back okay, nothing too serious ever happens and we both do our parts to make sure that our teams do good.” she didn’t want to mention all the chaos that had happened, thankful her uncle left that part out in his confirmation of things, too.
”Yeah, the festival was fun. We rode in the ferris wheel that they set up. Haya got to experience a bunch of silence from the commotion in the festival when we reached the top there, or so she said.” Aika said, glancing towards Haya before looking back towards Kanata ”And there were so many stalls! Whenever I get to come home next, If there is any festival, I’ll take you to it. Then you could see all the stalls too! Maybe win a stuffed animal!” Aika said, clearly ignoring the mention of her own show by trying to distract Kanata with the offer.
Aika’s attempt was working successfully with Kanata, as the young girl seemed ready to hop out of her seat “Yeah! All the stalls and all the stuffed animals! I’d love to go with you!” She said, sounding even more excited and louder now, causing a few heads from other tables to turn to them for a moment.
Spotting the attention Kanata was attracting with her loud voice, Elena smiled to the young girl “Keep your voice a bit softer sweetie. We don’t want to disturb everyone else who is eating.” She told Kanata, before offering an apologetic look to everyone else around “Like I told you on the way, people come here for many reasons, along with eating, and we should be respectful and not disrupt what they may be doing.” She told Kanata, and the young girl seemed to lower herself slightly and nod quietly.
Haya’s uncle smirked, “Well, next time, how about we rent out the restaurant and you can be as loud as you want, Kanata. That’s what we used to do with Haya. I would rent out the restaurant and she could move around and learn to navigate it. Plus, she was still a little odd when it came to control.” he commented to Kanata, before he turned to Elena, “It’s good for kids to express themselves, maybe taking her to a park after this, might help.” he suggested.
Haya smirked, that was her uncle, but she turned to Aika, “Then I guess I am not invited.” she teased as a joke, she was learning to talk with people, but she liked hanging out with Kanata and Aika when Kanata was a kid.
“Well, I could’ve rented it all for us, but Aika insisted I don’t do it so I don’t seem like I just enjoy throwing my money whenever I can.” Elena explained, glancing in Aika’s direction, before she shrugged a bit “And we do go out on walks in parks. Kanata gets to see a lot of parks with her dad. So she does get to let her energies all loose, but I do want to teach her a bit of proper etiquette. So for today, all I asked was that she doesn’t speak loudly while we're here.” She explained, turning her gaze to Haya’s uncle.
Aika glanced from her mother to Kanata ”Don’t worry, we’ll love to go to all the parks with you. You and Haya and I, all together. Swing and go down slides and all the fun things.” She told Kanata, who seemed to cheer up a bit with a smile. Aika looked back at her mother ”And maybe,” Aika stopped herself for a moment, seemingly considering something, before continuing to speak ”Maybe you could let yourself be a bit more loose. It isn’t every day we have a meal like this. So just for today.” Aika said.
Haya’s uncle nodded, “If that is how you want it, but proper etiquette is for teenagers, not children. But she is not my child, I have never been an actual parent. So, I can’t really argue either way. I just think, being a child that was not allowed to be a child a lot, that children should have fun as children and learn to be proper when they have the drain of energy to be.” he commented.
Haya smirked at Kanata, “It sounds like a lot of fun, doesn’t it? We should go soon, I think .” she commented to her to make sure she knew that Aika agreed with this idea.
Elena glanced in Haya’s uncle’s direction, before offering a nod “I understand. Though from how it seems, even if you were not a parent yourself, you were clearly very involved in Miss Kimura’s upbringing, to a point where she wanted you to meet Aika and not her own parents. From how I know things, people will often want to have their friends meet other important figures in their life first.” She said.
Aika nodded ”Yeah. I’m definitely on board with that.” She smiled. Kanata returned a smile to both, and seemed to look excited as the drinks were brought to the table by a waiter. Kanata grabbed her drink and started drinking it with a lot of enjoyment, while Aika first made sure Haya felt where her glass was, before looking at her own drink. Looking at Elena, she offered a small smile ”Haven’t had grapefruit juice in years. I always shared it with dad.” She said, before grabbing a hold of the glass. She looked at it for a moment, before taking a sip. The taste alone brought her back to what felt like better times with her parents. But she was also happy with where she was now.
Haya’s uncle smirked, chuckling a little, “Well, her father had some work stuff to do and my sister is not one to leave the house with just me. She doesn’t like using her quirk outside of the house and I can get a little wild, when I don’t have my brother in law around. So, I was invited but I wasn’t the only one. I am just the only one that would drop work just to be around my niece.” he started. It was true, her uncle had skipped doing work for over a month just to be able to hang out with Haya. he was her primary focus and she knew it, which was why he was hers.
Haya smirked to Aika as she took her glass and sipped her milk tea before she nodded, “My uncle is right, I had invited both my parents, but he was the only one that had a chance to come. But he raised me most of my life too, so I guess that would be right too.” she agreed.
Nodding as she listened, Elena didn’t seem to have any intentions of questioning Haya’s parents and their chosen actions. But with how it sounded, it certainly felt like a firm confirmation “Well, at least we got to meet. I know Kanata’s dad, my husband, would’ve loved to meet Aika, but he too had some prior obligations he couldn’t shake off. But he did say that you are both welcome to accompany him and Kanata on any day when he is out in the parks.” She told Haya and Aika.
Hearing the offer, and seeing Kanata nod her head very firmly at the offer with a big smile, Aika nodded as well ”I appreciate the offer, and let him know I’d be happy to take him up on it. I would love to meet the man Kanata seems to admire so much.” She told Elena.
Haya’s uncle smirked, “Sounds like a good plan.” he stated as he turned to Haya, “If you want….”
“No.” Haya said, as she smiled at her uncle, “Of all things that is not a good idea.” she mentioned, knowing that he was going to offer to send her his makeshift pet he had her years ago. Which was fun, but the pet could be like her uncle and unlike Aika and Haya, Kanata had no quirk in order to protect herself from the pet’s excitement.
Aika and Kanata both seemed confused by Haya’s sudden rejection of what was going to be her uncle’s suggestion, before Aika shrugged ”Well, maybe it would be best if we don’t spring any surprises on Kanata’s dad? Surprises can sometimes ruin things.” She said, while Kanata still continued to be confused.
Elena couldn’t help but chuckle a bit, looking at Haya’s uncle “Seems you’ve been outvoted with whatever your proposal was going to be.” She stated, amused by how things went, before watching as waiters went and brought their food to the table.
After they finished eating and paid for the meal, Elena stood up “Well, that was quite the nice meal.” She said, before looking over to Kanata and the other girls “I believe we still have time to get some ice cream, if you’d want some.”
Kanata, who seemed very happy with her food, aside from the broccoli she kept pushing aside, immediately started nodding her head excitedly “Ice cream! Please please please!” She said, before grabbing both Haya and Aika’s hands “Can you come with? Please?” She asked the two.
Aika couldn’t help but chuckle a bit at Kanata’s excitement ”Well, I don’t believe we have anything that requires us to come back right now, right Haya?” She asked. She knew well there was nothing stopping them, but in case Haya decided she had enough, then she did want to give her the option to head back.
Haya nodded, “I don’t have any plans for now. I think ice cream would be a good idea.” she commented before turning to her uncle, “Do you have to get back?”
Haya’s uncle shook his head, “Nope. I finished up some upgrades for your new headset to go with your armor and the next order happens to be from a friend who is currently in the hospital because he couldn’t wait another day.” he sighed, shaking his head as he smiled, “So, I have time for it.”
“Excellent. I believe I saw an ice cream parlour not far when we were walking to the restaurant.” Elena said, before going and opening the door for the rest to exit, before leaving as well. After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the parlour, and Elena looked at the rest “Right, this will be my treat for everyone. What flavours would each like?” She asked, before glancing at Aika. She already had a hunch about Aika’s flavours, but she figured it’d be better to let Aika answer.
After walking with Kanata, who was also holding Haya’s hand, Aika looked at Elena ”Vanilla and strawberry for me.” She answered, before looking at Kanata ”Now what are your favourite flavours?” She asked.
Kanata’s eyes widened as they arrived outside the parlour “Whoa.. Chocolate! And cookie cream!” She answered both Elena and Aika loudly, hopping on the spot as she did.
Haya smirked, “We will just take Green Tea.” she said, Her uncle nodded in agrence. He had got her into green milk tea and the ice cream slowly followed as she started to want green tea more.
Nodding, Elena went into the ice cream parlour, and Kanata quickly let go of both Haya and Aika’s hands, before following Elena inside the parlour too.
Being there with just Haya and her uncle, Aika put her hands behind her head ”So, new upgrades to Haya’s armour and headset?” She asked casually. She wasn’t sure if Haya wanted to talk about that right now, but Aika wasn’t sure what else she could mention to get a conversation rolling.
Haya’s uncle smirked, “Yep, I am always looking for ways to improve Haya’s abilities while enhancing her quirk and usage. It is important that she has the best. She might never be number one, but she will be a famous hero one way or another, even without gear. But if she wants the gear I want to make sure she has it.” he commented.
Haya smirked, “That is one of the main jobs he does.” she explains, “When he finally lands a job, if he thinks the work is best for me he will try to give it to me or dumb it down so he can make it for me instead at it’s highest ability.” she sighed, “It’s actually why I have to avoid him when I am at school, unless my parents are around.” that comment made her uncle pout a little.
Aika chuckled a bit upon hearing that ”Sounds like a doting uncle. ‘Doting and always thinking of you’ uncle.” She remarked ”Oh, if you need more diamond shards or such, I can give you some. I don’t think I’ll need any armour or weapons, personally, so you probably won’t have much to suggest to me.” Aika added, before hearing the ice cream parlour door open.
Carrying three cups of ice cream, Elena went and gave one to Aika and one to Haya’s uncle, while Kanata went and brought a cup to Haya “There we go, two cups of green tea, one of vanilla and strawberry, one sweetness explosion and for me, some strawberry.” Elena remarked, offering everyone a tiny plastic spoon, before tasting the strawberry ice cream “Not bad.” She said, before turning her gaze to Kanata who was deep into eating her ice cream, letting a smile come onto Elena’s expression.
Haya’s uncle nodded, “Well, your diamonds are very rare, so anytime.” he commented just before the door opened and Elena handed him ice cream, “Thank you Elena.” he said as he took a small spoon too and started to eat.
Haya smirked at Aika’s comment and offer before she felt the door open and was handed her ice cream and she reached for a spoon and started to eat her ice cream. “My uncle is actually a bit obsessive.” Haya stated, “It’s more like having a best friend that always wants to be around you and never wants to do anything else. If he could, he would be on campus with me all the time.” she chuckled. Her uncle turned to Haya and smirked, that was about what he was like. But somehow it was not exactly the whole thing, Haya knew it, but couldn’t explain it and her uncle didn’t want to say.
“Reminds me of someone else we know, doesn’t it Aika?” Elena asked in between ice cream bites, with a smirk, before shrugging “But it can be nice knowing there is someone like that in your life. Someone who would always be willing to be there for you.” She said, before patting Kanata on her head. The young girl just kept eating her ice cream, a bit lost with what was being discussed, but clearly not minding as she had ice cream.
Rolling her eyes at Elena’s remark, Aika looked back at Haya’s uncle ”Well, I guess you could say they are nowadays. Probably even tougher than what my old dad could make back in the day.” She said, before continuing to eat her ice cream.
Haya’s uncle nodded, “Well, I am grateful. If you need me to make something just let me know, or I could offer to take you in for some training. I am still in the hero database, from my understanding and can take on students.” he commented.
Haya turned to Elena and looked confused for a moment, before she looked to her uncle and Aika, when her uncle made his offer. “Do you know anything about Diamond training?” she asked him. Her uncle had been a hero and had been in contact with a lot of different heroes, but she wasn’t sure if he had ever dealt with someone with a quirk like Aika’s.
“I actually know a couple of people who helped my late husband back when the company was still around. They researched many non-combative ways to improve the diamond skin hardiness and quality. It’s what allowed him to get as far as he did.” Elena told them, before glancing at Aika “But while I reckon that is not how Aika would prefer it, I do imagine she could still learn a thing or two from them, like what to focus on to better her diamond.” Elena added.
”Gee, because you were so open with those details until recently.” Aika told Elena, before glancing at Haya’s uncle ”Anything would be appreciated. I started off with punching stuff and slamming myself against walls, and floors, and whatnot, until those weren’t enough. Now the latest thing to shatter any part of me,” Aika rose her still bandaged arms and hands ”Was Haya. Painful, but at least I know I’ll get out of it with an even stronger diamond skin.”
Haya’s uncle smirked, “I have a feel I know a lot more about diamond then you might think.” he told Haya before turning to Elena, “Well, in combat, her diamond would harden a lot faster and focusing on just one thing would actually degrade some of the diamond as a whole.” he commented before turning to Aika, herself. “Have you tried a diamond cutter or diamond tip? If your diamond could withstand either of those it would be near impossible to crack. But given the right tone, Haya’s sound could probably continue to crack and even break off your diamonds. I would use a tuning fork, it’ll help you figure out where your diamond is weakest for the moment and might help you improve strengthening it. You don’t want a spot stronger than the other. It’ll make your shield useless in a fight, because they only have to find the spot.” he advised her.
Haya smirked at her uncle, of course he knew something. At Elena’s comment, Haya sighed, “Your way is only for the benefit of your own ideas. Aika needs to strengthen her diamond skin her way, to improve her ideas of what she wants to do with it.” Haya added on. Something told her that the suggestions would only improve Elena’s chances of getting Aika to do what she wanted.
Elena nodded at what Haya’s uncle said, before glancing at Haya after hearing her clear jab at her. Between what her and Aika said towards her, she got a feeling that perhaps it was time for her and Kanata to depart. Kneeling down, she looked at Kanata, and whispered to her “We need to go home, Kanata. We have a long drive. Go and hug your big sister and her friend goodbye for now.”
After finishing her ice cream, Kanata listened to the whisper from Elena. She initially made a pouty face, before hopping and giving a hug to Haya “I hope you get to hear a lot of things, and that I see you again soon!” She told Haya, before moving to hug Aika “Come home soon! I’ll be waiting!” Kanata told her older sister, before letting go. She looked at Haya’s uncle, giving him a big wave “Bye bye!” She told him, before going and taking a hold of Elena’s hand.
After listening to Haya’s uncle, Aika nodded at his suggestions, taking them in as mental notes to herself, before hearing Haya’s own words towards her mother. While she understood where Haya was coming from, Kagerou’s words still roamed in her mind, so she elected to just stay silent for a moment. When Kanata suddenly started to make her rounds saying goodbye, Aika glanced at Elena’s direction, before smiling at Kanata ”I promise to come home and see you as soon as I’m able, pipsqueak.” She told Kanata, ruffling the young girl’s hair a bit, before Kanata went and grabbed hold of Elena’s hand.
Haya’s uncle listened to what Haya said and frowned, it was hard to see her dislike someone, and strange at the same time. But it was something he understood. It was also something that he would have to have a talk with her about later. But he smiled at Elena, when he noticed Kanat saying her goodbyes, he bowed to her, “It was a pleasure to have met you, today. I look forward to another meeting.” he said to her and then smiled towards Kanata, “and to you, Kanata.”
Haya smiled at Kanata, and sighed, she didn’t want her to go, Aika seemed to like her but she was saying goodbye. “We will see you later, Kanata.” Haya told her. She hoped to be able to hear the little girl again, as she pointed out. It made her smile to know that she was a sweet girl and that Aika seemed to like her.
“And I will bid you all farewell as well. It was certainly an interesting evening. May we all meet again with only reasons for celebration and happiness.” Elena told Haya and her uncle, before looking at Aika “And like Kanata said, I’m hoping to see you home soon.” She told Aika, before turning and beginning to walk away. As Kanata walked away with Elena, she turned her head and waved some more to Aika and Haya’s uncle “Bye bye!” She called out to them again, before moving to focus on where she was stepping.
Simply nodding quietly to Elena, Aika watched as the two began to walk away, before waving to Kanata. Once the young girl looked away, Aika turned to look at Haya and her uncle ”So, while you don’t have any kids of your own, I’d rather you didn’t stay here too long on account of us. You still have your own job to do, even if the client is in a hospital.” Aika told Haya’s uncle, as she put her hands in her pockets.
Haya’s uncle pouted when Aika suggested he leave too, “Well, I would like a little more time with Haya, but I guess you are right.” he said, but he clearly would rather be there to hang out with his niece then go to work. “But to be clear the project is planned out enough that I can still wait to complete it and still get it done before he is out of the hospital,” he added.
Haya smirked at Aika and then turned to her uncle, “But we have to get back to the dorms. We had promised a friend to do something and it would be a little odd if we brought my uncle, wouldn’t it?” Haya commented in hopes that it would work.
”Yeah. We still have some things to take care of. And we can still meet other times.” Aika told him, piggybacking off what Haya said ”And trust me, I’ll keep Haya safe all the way back there.” She added with a firm nod.
Haya’s uncle sighed, “I see. I guess you are right then.” he said before he kissed Haya’s forehead, and then bowed to Aika, “Thank you for taking care of her, I will get going.” he commented, “Maybe we will catch you on our weekend visit.” he smiled. He was hoping to have more time with Haya, but the fact that she had something to do meant he had to find his own way through the day. “Have a good day girl, and stay safe.” he said waving as he started to leave.
Haya smiled at her uncle and nodded, waving to him as he started to leave, “Bye, uncle.” she called to him, before she turned to Aika, “Sorry about that. He is obsessed, as I said.” she told Aika, in all honesty she had made plans with someone, but those plans were for later tomorrow. She just wasn’t sure how else to get rid of her uncle.
Aika waved to Haya’s uncle before turning to look at Haya ”No worries. Now, shall we head back then? I don’t know about you, but all of this actually gave me a couple of ideas for songs to write.” Aika stated, taking out her right hand and gently taking Haya’s hand.
Haya smirked with some excitement, “Sounds like we did have something to do back at the dorms after all then.” she said as she took Aika’s hand and moved to walk with her. “You know, if you want I still have some energy. I can listen to the sound and replay it for you now. I was actually going to show you that at the festival. I can replay the sounds I heard.” Haya said as she walked with Aika, she got a little excited that her hand slipped out of Aika’s as she tried to explain how she absorbs them and works on how she moves sounds to different parts of her body. She spent most of walking back explaining it and telling Aika that she was starting to try and get it to work in different ways. But she had not yet gotten to that point yet.