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Chapter 8: Scarlet Hair that Shines like Fire
🕑 Added 2023-11-16 14:09:56 +0000 UTCOh, I’m in a bit of a pickle with this chapter. My notes for it aren’t nearly as detailed as I would have liked, as for how I forgot to work on them before, I couldn’t tell you. But, I spent extra time working on it to make up for that, at least with my holiday break coming up from the 24th, I'll have time to plot shit out up till the beginning of the movie where Nine and his crew appear which as you can guess, would need to have an altered plot.
Chapter 8: Scarlet Hair that Shines like Fire
Hours later, the two runaways rested in a small crack in the snow-covered mountainside, one that couldn’t be reached by anyone unless they happened to be able to fly like Nine, or were Mountain Goats at climbing. Within the crack, there was a sizable space, more than big enough for the three of them as they sat by a fire, Midoriya might not need it, but he figured Nine might even if the man hadn’t complained like the cold, and if it also didn’t, than Koharu could enjoy it as the snake laid by it, napping after a rather chaotic day.
While their dinner, which happened to be a couple of birds they had found in the crack, slowly roasted over the fire, Midoriya turned his attention to his…friend? Travelling companion? Comrade? He didn't know what to call it at the moment. “Nine, how are you feeling?” He asked the man, choosing to focus on that.
“Better…much better than I’ve felt in years.” Nine replied, his eyes might have reverted to those expression voids they had been, but Midoriya could pick up how he was impressed with his quirk and its healing effects. “You truly have a powerful quirk if it could heal me like that.” Nine had never used his quirk for as long as he had today, maybe in small bursts which were spaced out, but thanks to Midoriya’s flames, each time he started feeling the effects of his quirk’s drawback, he was doused in flames and came out good as new. Because of that, they had managed to fly for 2 straight hours before deciding to stop for the day.
“Try telling that to others, it’s not so bad to be set alit, you barely flinched.” He muttered as, crossed his arms as he watched the emerald flames dance about.
“Regardless, it would be wise if you advised others about that part before you used your quirk.” Nine advised, that as great as the healing was, he could see why people would be dissuaded by the first part. Still, as someone who had grown used to pain thanks to his quirk’s near-fatal defect, he hadn't been all too bothered by it, especially since he could see and feel its effects after the fact.
"We'll move on in the morning, we flew for 2 hours, and there is enough distance between us and any heroes looking for us to offer us time to rest." Nine hadn’t been followed, but he also knew that the heroes must have suspected that he or someone with powers similar to him was in the area. Still, that shouldn’t be enough for them to be clued in where they went, unless they brought in a tracker which he had thought of as they flew and made sure to disperse the winds around them as they went, throwing their scent all over the place.
“And after that?” He looked up to Midoriya’s, his emerald eyes glowing under the light of the fire. “How do we change the world?” He took a breath, relaxing against the wall of their little cave.
“Not by ourselves, as strong as we are, we would fail if for other reason than All Might. He is a demi-God among men and has remained unchallenged for years for a reason.” He knew that he was powerful, but as much as he hated it, he couldn’t see them coming out on top against the top 10 as things were. They had to be smart about it, gain allies and supporters on the side, target the heroes in ways that benefit them and force them to fight on their terms.
“Yeah…All Might,” Midoriya didn't think taking on All Might would be all that challenging, but on the other hand, he was also one of the few that knew that he was essentially a crippled old man that could barely work half a normal work shift. A part of him said he should tell Nine this, give up All Might's secret, but another said to keep it to himself, at least for now. “So we’re going to find others then?” He asked.
"That is the plan, along with you, I had leads on three others. However, there lies an issue with that." Nine replied as he reached into his pocket and pulled out four newspaper clippings, one of which he could see was about him from months back.
“And the trail gone cold?” He assumed.
Nine shook his head. “In a way, but that is to be expected when looking for those that don’t wish to be found, a situation you are well aware of.” Midoriya frowned at that, though he supposed that it was accurate. He also made a mental note to better his hiding skills as if Nine found him, what’s to say the next time it was a hero?
“No, the issue is that they were last seen in completely different cities.” He handed Midoriya two of them, keeping the third and his own to himself.
Reading through them, he noted that they didn’t give much information. Was that because they didn’t have it? Or was the media actively withholding? However, it only took the pictures that were featured to see what Nine meant. One was blurry, clearly taken from a distance which showcased a woman with long, beautiful hair standing over a wounded and defeated pro. The second was closer but shaky as whoever captured it couldn't keep their hands steady, said picture showcased a man fending off 4 different opponents, using wraps coming off his body to knock them around or grab them.
Where others would have seen nothing more than two villains soon to be caught, he saw two people who looked exhausted, angry at the world, fearful for what tomorrow may bring but also, deep in blurry eyes, he could see an honest desire to escape all that, to change things. It might have been poor footage, but he had looked at himself in the mirror enough times since he found the temple to recognise that look in someone else. But in the moment, he had to focus on the written information given, namely the locations of both incidents.
“This one is from a paper in Chigasaki, and the other is,” That was a real long way from there, even if they fly, it’ll take them a while and they’ll risk being spotted. “Fukuoka? That is quite the distance between them.” The second one, which was the wraps guy was far closer, but it was in the opposite direction.
Handing them back to Nine, the man returned the newspaper clippings to his coat’s jacket. “At least 800km, but they’re my best strongest leads.” He had another, but it lacked so many details that going by himself would easily prove fruitless, however, if they both managed to track and convince their targets, then the four of them could pour their efforts into it.
Midoriya could see the issue, as they could travel as a group from one to another, but that would take time, days even depending on how long it'll take to find just one, but there was a solution. “So, should we split for this one? I handle the one and you the other?”
“Would you be capable of that?” If that was anyone else asking, he might have taken offence but Nine's question was as blunt as the rock they stood on.
“…I’m not sure,” He was never a social butterfly and could barely make it through a presentation in class. Nine had managed to convince him because he wasn’t just sympathetic to him due to his experiences, but also had an energy to him, a charisma that made him want to listen. With the person he was going after, this unnamed woman, he needed to have something similar, and a plan because if she was like him, then she'd either flee from him or fight him off. One was bad, the other was worse as the last thing he wanted to do was fight her, nor did he want her to join them because she felt threatened.
“But if we’re going to change anything about this world, I need to be able to convince people to join, right?” Regardless of that, he had to try and if they had to change the world, he couldn’t afford to be the same person he used to be. A notion that Nine could see in his eyes which lit up like the flames that cooked their food. Truthfully, he still had his doubts, but part of working with others was trusting them, right?
“True…alright,” Nine knew there would be issues, and risks to this but that it also did come with some benefits. “Come morning, I’ll drop you off close to Osaka. You can figure out your way to Fukuoka from there, right?” Midoriya did the math in his head. Having never been outside his home prefecture till today, he could only rely on maps and general knowledge but it seemed doable.
“If I have cash then sure, though I’ll need a change of clothes…which sucks.” He wiggled his arm, sad that he'd have to ditch his clothes. At that moment, Koharu woke up from her nap and said something to him that Nine couldn’t hear.
“Yes, I like them, what of it?” Izuku retorted to the snake which seemed to roll its eyes at him before saying something else which Midoriya pouted at. “Well, I can’t wear them anymore, they’ll be looking for a boy dressed like a shrine maiden.” Nine wondered if the snake really could communicate with him, or if he was one of those people that just projected conversations on their pets but seeing how he knew snakes couldn’t act like cats and dogs, he would geass it was the former.
“In terms of cash, here.” Nine pulled out a ward of bills and threw them at Midoriya who caught it with a suspicious look.
“Do I even want to know?” He asked the man who shrugged his shoulders.
“I think you already do, but it’ll be less suspicious than stealing. There should also be enough for the train ticket, as for the return trip, you’ll have to figure that part out.” Nine replied, all but confirming what Midoriya thought but as much as he disliked it, he wasn’t wrong. He had only drawn attention the first time since he had stolen bread. If he had paid for it, the baker would have never looked twice. There was also the possibility that with so much time between his appearance, people wouldn’t be likely to recognise him so long as he kept a low profile.
“That’s fair, where should we meet up then?” He decided not to think too hard about it, maybe in the future they could take on jobs to earn their cash.
“We'll meet up at Raxulon Park in Secundus ward. I trust you know where it is?” Nine asked him, as he thought about it for a moment before recalling hearing about it once.
“Hyogo, right?” Nine nodded as he rolled onto his side to get so get some rest, leaving Midoriya to watch the food till it was done.
“Correct.” The man stated, the conversation ending for the moment. “Then it’ll be best if we rest, we have a long day ahead of us.”
“Right…”
Line Break
The following evening, Nine dropped Midoriya off in a deserted park close to the city limits of Osaka. “I’ll see you again in 3 days, make sure to watch yourself.” He informed him, to which Midoriya nodded.
“You too.” With that, the man was off, taking to the skies and using the cover of darkness to help conceal him before he was gone. Looking towards the lights of the city, Midoriya wondered how he'd find his way but put a pin in that.
“Alight, Koharu, ready to get a change of clothes?” He looked towards his friend, who like always, was securely wrapped around his shoulders. He had changed him out a little, ripping off the sleeves and using them as a means to cover his waist, breaking the color patterns a bit, but it was a half measure at best. As much as he didn't like it, he'll need something new.
Beginning his trek, he found that he had some luck on his side as while there were still many people out and about, even with the sun long set, they all stuck to themselves with most barely giving him a passing glance, if anything it was Koharu who was getting more attention while the serpent was mesmerized by all the lights and scents she could pick up, this being her first time in a big city. Midoriya would have found it funny but he was in the same boat as the closest he could compare this to would be when he went to Tokyo once with his mother when he was 7.
However, she wasn't here, and this wasn't a normal trip by any means as the nightlife of the city was booming, with heroes visible as they talked with people or helped with small things, a fun and relaxing sight, made all the more relaxing by the fact that they didn't even notice him in the crowd which was one of the few times that he was so average looking, he didn't stand out unless he tried something. Soon enough, he managed to find his way to a clothing store that was still open, its sign reading 'Dirt cheap Donki Oote’. Its bright lights almost blinded him as he wondered how their electric bill hadn't been enough of a reason to tone it down.
Looking towards Koharu, he saw that she was already facing away from the light, finding it just as bright as he did. “Let’s hope we can find a place that doesn’t ask too many questions.” He said as he approached the door, but as he approached, he paused when he realized something.
“Hide,” Koharu turned to him with an inquisitive look as he nodded towards her with a smile. “You draw attention with your beautiful self.” She seemed to take some pride in that, as she was quite the specimen but alas, humans tended to freak out when they saw her, so she did as he asked and slithered into his clothing, completely hiding herself before he entered the store.
Inside, he saw it was one of those places that sold more casual streetwear, but most of it was stuff he wouldn't be caught wearing if he had a choice, not helped by the fact it was a store aimed towards college-aged customers if not older as he had never seen anyone in his age group wear stuff like it, or maybe it was just unfashionable, he couldn't tell the difference. Picking up a pair of dark blue pants, he winced as he tried to picture himself in them. ‘Good a place as any.’ He had to bite the bullet, if he could steal bread to live, then he could wear…whatever this was.
Taking the rest of it, he went into the dressing room and changed out of his clothes before reluctantly putting on his new ones, not helped by the fact Koharu, despite being a snake who understood human society and culture as well as a toddler, still found it funny too. A couple of minutes later, he looked at himself in the mirror and could say that he looked different. His dark blue pants and jacket popped against his light purple shirt and gold chain, but it was more in the 'pop' like what happened with a zit than 'pop' like a firework. He felt himself visibly cringe as he reached for the tinted sunglasses to complete the…look.
Now, with the voice of a snake's laughter in his head, he wondered how the hell people thought this look was good?! He looked like a mid-tier drug dealer, if anything, pros were going to focus more on him because he looked like he had a bag full of pills to sell. But no, because if a store could sell this, it meant that it was popular and he didn't know how he felt about that. Somehow, dressing like a shrine maiden made more sense to him than this, in that he felt free of stress as he always did while at the temple but this was just another mask, another disguise because people just wouldn’t understand him and that pissed him off.
“I’ll be taking this.” He walked up to the counter where the cashier looked at him funny, what? Had he never seen someone buy the clothes while wearing them?
“Oh…okay, just let me scan the tags.” Midoriya presented the tags for him to scan.
Once the final tally was done, the cashier turned to him, a customer service-ready smile on his face. “That’ll be 9700.” Midoriya reached into his new pocket and pulled out the ward of cash that Nine gave all, mainly being 5k notes, with a couple of 10Ks and a few 1Ks. while the cashier looked on in surprise at the fact he just had that kind of money, he gave him one of the two 10K.
“Keep the change,” Midoriya informed him as Koharu made herself known by climbing up his leg, scaring the hell out of the cashier while Midoriya didn't even react to the green snake taking her place on his shoulders as he turned and walked towards the exit. “Have a nice day.”
A few moments after he left, the cashier finally gathered his wits as he kept on staring at the door, wondering if he had been working too long or perhaps there was a gas leak. “Was…was that a snake?”
Line Break
If he could prevent Nine from ever seeing him like this, he would as he felt ridiculous. Even if he was blending in better with the crowd, with Koharu only making him look more like a normal oddball, if there was such a thing. "One issue solved, now we just need to get to the train station and check out their schedules, hopefully, we'll be able to get one today." He didn’t fancy the idea of finding somewhere to sleep in the city as he might be able to pay for one, but he would rather save the money if he could. Which would mean he’ll need to find somewhere clean..ish as to not dirty his new clothes.
As he walked his stomach rumbled, reminding him he hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast, with Koharu also giving him a look that said he better have a few large mice on him but he only pats her head. “We’ll eat later.” Trains normally had vending machines, didn’t they? He could get them something t eat once they were on their way, dried meat like jerky should do it for the moment. Once they reach their destination, he'll let her run loose for a couple of hours hunting rodents and birds.
“Young man, hold it!” He froze, cursing his big mouth as he slowly turned to see who had called him out, calculating his chances of being able to escape them.
“Y-yes?” To his dismay, it was a pro that had stopped in, he didn't recognise them but that didn't matter. He had been made and he had gone through the trouble of changing clothes! While looking about to see which way would be best to escape to, he tried to buy himself time.
The hero crossed his arms but didn't move to attack, instead, his attention was on his friend. “You can’t just walk around with that animal unchecked, it’s dangerous.”
“Oh…oh!” Never before had Midoriya felt so relieved that he wasn't the centre of attention, of course, Koharu was the reason. “I understand, but she’s friendly, I promise.” She somehow managed to give him a skeptical look despite the fact she didn’t have eyebrows to raise but the hero didn’t seem to care.
It seemed that the pro agreed with her on that front. “Doesn’t matter, kid. You get her into a cage otherwise you’ll get yourself a fine.”
“Yes sir,” After he assured him that he'd get right on that, with the pro leaving muttering about how kids do crazier stuff by the day, he took a sigh of relief. “Great, what are the odds that a cage big enough for you isn’t going to be comfy or easy to carry?” She didn't know what that was but had heard it thrown around back when they lived at the temple and could guess that she wouldn't like it, which she made known to him.
“Figures…” Still, that raised an issue. If that pro stopped them, who's to say that the people running the train didn't do the same? That wasn't something he could just ignore so it was better to get ahead of the issue.
"Maybe a travel bag, I can poke holes in it so that you don't get too uncomfortable, and then all you need to do is pretend like you're not there." Koharu didn't like that option either, but if it meant they could find this woman faster, then she could bear with it, but she had her demands as she would be damned if he put her in a cold box. If he tried that, she'd bite him.
Midoriya looked offended by that. “Yes, I’ll keep it warm, who do you take me for?” Most that saw them didn't give them any attention, assuming that he was speaking with his animal via a quirk of some kind, which was good for him as it meant less attention as they decided to look for a store that sold bags and other luggage. They managed to find one a couple of streets down which seemed like it was closing for the night as he rushed up and opened the door.
The clerk sighed, no doubt just wanting their shift to end but knowing that they had to keep to business hours else they'd have to deal with another Karen. So the 20-something plastered a big smile on her face and turned to see who was dumb enough to shop for bags at this hour. “Welcome to…”
She was so grateful she wasn't her co-worker who would have said that all out loud as here before she was some drug dealer and his pet snake! Oh God, was he to mug them? What if she offended him? Dammit, they couldn't get robbed a second time, it had only been 2 weeks since the last time.
"Evening, I wanted to know how much it would cost for a medium-sized travel bag, something a little bigger than a school bag." She blinked when she heard them speak…was…was this a kid? Rubbing her eyes, she paid closer attention and picked up the signs of baby fat, the couple pimples and his relatively small frame. What the hell?
Shaking herself back to reality, she pointed towards the requested items. “That would be around 2800 to 4100 depending on the brand or size, they’re in aisle 4.”
“Thank you!” The boy smiled at her, making it as clear as day that he was not a criminal, nor would they get robbed tonight and rather, it was just a weird kid who decided his pet snake didn't need a cage for the night.
Line Break
Picking out the largest of the bags, Midoriya happily paid the lady and wished her a good evening before leaving. Finding an alley was easy enough so he had the privacy to gut the bag to make more room, rip a few holes and use what he removed from the lining to make a relatively comfy bottom. With that done, Koharu had been willing to give it a try and found it adequate.
Now with his ‘bag’ in hand, he didn’t have much issue finding the train station, all he had to do was ask for directions before he found himself standing outside of it, the rumble of trains coming in and leaving sounding every few minutes. “Now, we’re here. Let’s hope the money we have left will be enough, it’ll be awkward to have to try and walk the entire way.” He said to his friend, but most thought he was just speaking to himself as he made his way up the stairs, finding that there wasn’t much of a line to the till, so he hadn’t had to wait long before he was next.
“When will the next train to Fukuoka depart?” He asked, the man just raised an eyebrow at that, wondering why the kid didn't just look it up or find one of the timetable sheets they hung around, but decided it wasn't worth the hassle to ask and merely looked up the information on his terminal.
“In the next five minutes, are you looking to purchase a ticket?” He replied, with Midoriya nodding his head.
“Yes please, the cheapest one you have.” The man looked through the available seats, as most were taken even at this hour but there were still a few cheaper places left.
“That’ll be 12,000 Yen.” Midoriya pulled out his ward again and counted the amount before happily slapping it down onto the counter.
“Here!” The receptionist didn’t share his enthusiasm as he just took his money and ran him up before handing him a small slip with his train’s details on it.
“Here’s your ticket, don’t lose it.” They told him as Midoriya nodded.
“Thank you.” With that done, he looked over the ticket and towards the signs that dotted the place to figure out his way to where he needed to go. Koharu was silent, keeping herself hidden in his bag as he moved through the crowds with him making it halfway to it when the overhead speakers caught his attention.
“In Shin-Osaka Station, Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen 2, bound for Hakata Station, Fukuoka is now boarding at platform 3. The doors will close shortly, Please make your way to platform 3 if you are boarding the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen 2, bound for Hakata Station, Fukuoka. Thank you.” Cursing under his breath, he rushed to make it, managing to get to the train in question as the last of the passengers boarded. Taking a breath of relief, he looked for his assigned seat before plopping down, happy that he managed to clear Osaka without issues.
Looking at the helpful overhead map that highlighted their route, he saw that they'd pass through a couple of other cities on the way, such as Okayama and Kitakyushu. He also saw that they’ll be expected to arrive at 22:00. “We’re going to be travelling for 2 and half hours, please bear with it till we get there.” He patted his bag, wishing he could take her out but he would have to settle for this.
“Don’t worry, kid. The trip isn’t so bad once you get used to it.” Someone sitting close to him spoke up, fortunately not noticing the snake in his bag.
“I can only hope.”
Line Break
Midoriya was woken up from his daze when he heard the announcement over the intercom of the train. “Now arriving at Hakata Station, Fukuoka. Please mind the doors and other passengers when disembarking. Please be sure to check all luggage and personal belongings before department. Please ensure that all waste is properly disposed of or kept till such a time when a trash bin can be found. Thank you.” Looking around, he saw that there were several new faces when they had left Osaka, also there were seats that were now vacant, no doubt having gotten off at one of the other stops.
Smiling and thanking Kagutsuchi for his uneventful trip, he got up to stretch his legs. “We’re finally here…” He said, seeing the station coming up in the distance as he tapped his bag. “Are you awake in there? We’re getting off soon.” He got a mumbled, sleepy reply from Koharu as she asked if she could get out of the damn bag and find a corner to relieve herself.
“Yeah, just a little longer.” He told her, which proved to be true as in just a couple minutes, the train came to a stop and the doors opened, allowing them to leave. Midoriya found a corner which didn't have cameras watching it, which made sense as there wasn't anything of value close by and the only vent was floor level and far too small for even a medium-sized dog, but more than large enough for Koharu as he placed the bag close to it and acted as natural as he could, squatting like a slav while she told him he looked more like a criminal as she slithered out of the bag and down the vent, returning a few minutes later.
That done, he grabbed the bag and they made their way out of the station into the busy streets of Fukuoka, despite the late hour, the place was bustling with activity while traffic raced about, and waves of people went about their evenings. Some on their way home from work, others going to work, or groups out for a night on the town. “Well then, let’s head over to where she was last seen and see if we can’t track here.”
Koharu hissed something at him. “Yes, I know it’s been days since, but your tongue is our best bet, hopefully, it'll be a talking issue, but a fighting one.” Part of the reason he had asked for this was because as a snake, Koharu would have a much easier time tracking this woman if they could find something that belonged to her, and if the newspapers were right, her quirk was her hair, and he was betting that the police hadn’t been able to find all of them, nor would see the need to as it was just hair.
The two were silent for a bit as he moved, following directions from people towards the part of town where she had been seen. As he walked, he noted that he was living behind the glamour and lights and entering a poorer part of the place, one with smaller stores and buildings, and an increased presence from pros which only made him worry about the biggest one of them all, who for all he knew was flying overhead like a crimson bird of prey. “It’s still surprising though, that she’s gone this long without being caught when this is Hawk’s district.” Koharu made a confused sound, oh yeah, he hadn’t talked about heroes so much with her, had he?
"He's the number 3 hero, he started his agency at 18 and reached the top ten in the second half of that same year. He's the youngest person ever to break into the top ten." Midoriya was aware enough to recall that not too long ago, he looked up to the man like he did all heroes. Hawks as the picture of natural talent and well-horned skills. Granted, no one knew that much about him, such as where he went to school or what his real name was, but his work spoke for itself as breaking the top 50 before even making it to the top 20 before he was 20 was insane. The last record holder is the now villain, Lady Nagant who broke the top 50 when she was 18 and managed to make it to the top 20 by the age of 20.
Koharu didn't see what was so impressive about that, as heroes fought villains but her young friend Izuku handled those other humans with ease. Midoriya picked up on this and decided to put it into terms she'd better understand. "He also has massive red wings, when he took the hero name of Hawks, it wasn’t for show so he is not someone you or I want to mess with.” She hissed that he should have led with that, and if she was riding him, he bet she would have bit him to add to it.
Sparring a look towards the skies, he couldn’t see anything but he didn’t lower his guard as she asked him about this Hawk’s hunting habits and territory. “I’m not sure, he tends to work at his own insane speed, he’s been spotted in the early morning and late evening, man moves as fast as a bullet train in everything he does.” Most pros did something like that, changing their patrol schedules with little warning to ensure that villains didn’t try to plan their crimes when they would normally be resting or at home.
However, when he thought about it, he supposed that as a villain himself, he would be part of that group who now had to always worry about stuff like that. Koharu on the other hand saw it was annoying and wondered why the hell humans couldn’t just stick to a habit like everything else, even if they weren’t the only prey this Hawks could target in a city so big, made all the better by the fact his stupid disguise ensured they hadn’t been made, or at least had reason to suspect they had.
Thinking of ways to get her back to yet another comment about his looks, he replied. “Yeah, we do have that going for us. Let’s just hope he’s being kept busy with other issues as All Might was one thing, I just ran from him without a fight. Getting into a battle with the number 3 would be a worst-case scenario.”
Line Break
Hasaki Kiruka felt cold, but for the life of her, didn't have the motivation to do something about it. she had her blanket, that would do even if it was a thin summer sheet. She didn't use the bed, the thing had been broken for years and the mattress was as comfortable as a bag of rocks but she had the corner, it was clean, at least compared to the rest of the room but it was hers. Maybe she should clean the place but then…would it mean anything? It would still be a dump; it would still be ruin…it would still be all she had.
No, no…not all, she reached for her bright scarlet locks, hair that she did all she could and more to care for, keeping it as beautiful and healthy as the hair that any random model would have. It was part of her, it was the only thing that helped to connect her to her hair stylist of a father though a part of her wondered why she even bothered. Her father cared more for her lavish hair growing up than he did her, not even her mother mattered enough to him for him to notice when she left him over it. All he ever loved was hair, which made him one of the best hair stylists, but also an absent father and distant husband.
It was part of the reason that she could never make friends because other parents didn't trust her father would be capable of watching over them, which brought her a dulled sense of amusement as she recalled how bad her dad was at most things that didn't involve hair dressing, his total lack of interest in anything else-from romance, to chores, to spending time with her. It didn't help things that she was his daughter, the weird girl who knew nothing but hair care. When her quirk came in, she thought she could bond with the other girls and boys in the playground, that she too could play heroes with them.
How wrong she was, it was just one look at her shape taking shape, becoming jagged spikes and blades for them to run away, screaming she was there to hurt them, that she was a monster. She never understood it, she hadn't done anything with her hair, and she had never been mean or violent before…just…distant, but it would seem that was enough for them and her friendless status remained. Her mother was never an option, she was too busy handling everything in their house that her father had no interest or skills in, and after she turned 7 and she left them, it fell to her to handle them. But she managed…she always managed. Training herself with her quirk, she got to the point where she could sit in a single spot and let her beautiful hair do it all in a room, this skill at such a young age should have won her son friends, some praise.
But all it did was lead to further isolation, as they saw her as the hair-obsessed beast, the girl who never went to play, who didn't speak with other students, the one who spent all her free time with her weird dad even as his business started losing clients as not even his skills could save him from the fate that any business with terrible costumer service faced. A part of her raged at that hypocrisy of it, that people hated and feared her for being hair-obsessed when that was her only escape when they thought she was a shady loner when they were the ones that made it clear they didn't want her around, calling her a shut-in when she was the one that had to take care of the house, clean the place, prepare meals on top of school work.
She remembered those days, when groceries became less common, as she struggled to stretch supplies as her father's business fell apart, as he fell apart and with fewer customers, his obsession reached new heights. He had always been firm when it came to advising clients on hair care and never let it be secret what he felt when one didn't follow that, but he got to the point when he would get into shouting matches over it, scaring off more clients and feeding the cycle till the day came, close to her 10thbirthday when he had to close down the saloon, after weeks without a single client and bills racking up.
She hadn't cared all that much by that point, for as painful as it was, she had lost her father a while before this if she ever had one to begin with. She had suggested he get a new job and take on hairdressing as a hobby once they had become financially secure. And all he did was look at her with a blank face as his scarlet beard stretched out and grabbed himself a bottle from the fridge, the 10-year-old her resenting that when they could barely afford to keep the lights on, he found money for such vices.
Like her mother, she got sick of him and packed up and left. She told him she would be staying at a friend’s till he got his act together, but all he cared to ask was if she would be taking her favorite comb with her, not asking who her friend was, or when she made one since she often told him over dinner she didn’t have friends, he didn’t even ask why she chose to leave in the middle of the night.
No, because all he cared for was stupid hair and 9 years since she walked out of that house, she would say he hadn’t changed if she cared enough to search him up.
But…for all the anger she held towards him, for not loving her, for not caring for her. Towards her hair for all the pain it caused her, she could never bring herself to forget him or cut it. Because…it was her only connection to him, when she cared for it, she remembered her father’s gentle hands as he expertly combed it, humming a song whose words she had long forgotten. Told her that she didn't need to listen to others, that they were fools for even believing her and her lavish, bright scarlet hair was anything less than perfect.
Perhaps that was part of the reason why she did all she could to maintain it. But time was running out for her. It had been weeks since she lost her 7th job in 4 years, jobs that were hard enough to find when she didn’t even have a complete middle school education and had to study on her own time using the public library and the internet. The reason why she lost her job? The same as the other 6, she used her quirk to aid in her work, and it didn’t matter to her supervisor if it saved time, she was breaking the law, not helped by the fact she spent a lot of her time making sure her hair was healthy and strong.
With that loss of her meagre pay cheque, she found herself desperate, angry…and tired. Tired of life's mission to screw with her. Tired of people judging her. Tired of people looking at her like she was a beast. Tired of a world where just being herself self was enough to be hated. Her thoughts were interrupted by her stomach grumbling for what felt like the 10thtime today.
Food…she would probably get some soon, the canned stuff she had stocked up was getting smaller by the day, but…did she have the money for it? She was pretty sure she still had a couple of bills left, didn’t she? But when she last went out, some stupid pro thought she was a druggie and tried to ‘help’ her, even when she told him she didn’t need it. He had tried to take her to the cops by force…she made him pay for that. Now she just didn’t know what to do as she got up from her spot, hugging her blanket close to her as she went to the run-down kitchen of the old house she was squatting in to grab a can of beans, a strand of hair straightening into a blade to cut it open while she used another to grab a spoon.
She'll figure things out once she is fed, she'll make it through this.
She always did.
Listen, I tried my best, but since we only know the barest details of Nine's backstory and even less for the rest of the crew, I had to be creative with this. So, I run with the whole 'obsessive parent' route. And yes, I changed her age as since we know little, you can't tell me she's not 19 pre-U.A. Also, this chapter runs a bit long, but it's acceptable as it's the second last one for the year.
