Echoes of Vapor (Shoto Todoroki)

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

Being four years old is pretty rough with the whole predicament of still learning how the world works. For Ryou, the chilling death of both his parents created a lot more issues. Loss loyally followed Ryou as he grew up.

A timeline of Ryou's unfortunate loss streak:
-His parents (Age 4)
-His home a few days later (Age 4) (He gets put into an orphanage for a year)
-His surname (Age 5)
-His new foster family (Age 5) (They didn't like how "weird" he was)
-Foster families 2-6 (Age 6-13)

At 13, he had surprisingly been able to stick around with the latest family for a year and some change.

Ryou was constantly bouncing around from home to home, never seeming to fit in. Eventually, Ryou was taken out of his third house. It was then that Ryou realized that he no longer desired a surname, not even his original one.

Families couldn't seem to keep him because of his off-putting attitude where nothing seemed to phase him. He would shut himself off from the world with his quirk when facing any sort of inconvenience. It was unsettling watching a 10-year-old open his mouth and allow steam to roll out and engulf his body, leaving no trace that the boy was even there. However, he was still there, shrouded in his own steam, somewhat comparable to a chameleon.

[Ryou's Quirk: Vapor

Ryou can open his mouth and let any form of water vapor seep out. Ryou mainly chooses to produce mist or steam.

If he chooses to surround himself with mist, anything that is enveloped with him can be hidden from view, meaning that anything in the mist is hidden, small objects included.

Partially covered items will not be concealed in the mist and will present as untouched. Ryou's mist serves as a sort of one-way mirror since the small particles reflect on each other. While he can see outside his mist, to outsiders, it appears as if nothing is present.

The only indication that Ryou's quirk was even used are small (but noticeable) shining particles around the edges, and can be hard to spot. To anyone on the outside, the steam maintains the previous/normal appearance of whatever it is shrouding (sort of like photoshopping something out of a photo.) His quirk is a mixture of his parents' quirks. One Way Mirror, his mother, and Smoke, his father.

*the reflective properties of his mist are from his mother and the steam itself is from his father.

Later on in Ryou's life, he realizes that his quirk mutated slightly so he can manipulate any form of water vapor, whether it is his own or not, at will. To clarify, he also has full control over whatever he produces, as it's derived from his body. (Though vapor manipulation comes with great practice) If he produces steam, he discovered that if he moves the steam fast enough, it takes up a physical state where it can move and damage other objects.
Ryou's quirk relies on how hydrated he is, causing him to get dehydrated quickly. ]

Ryou was only 13 when he finally found a place that he could confidently call his home. However, it wasn't the location that made it home; it was who was running it. Cafe Ben, a quiet and small cafe that was run by Benjiro Kikuchi.

Ryou was out exploring his new (temporary) neighborhood. It had been 2 months since he had been living in that house and the only place he really knows how to get to is the school. Ryou hummed as he walked down the street, passing by a playground with children shrieking with joy. He observed a quiet grocery store with a vending machine outside that hummed dully, lights occasionally flickering.

Eventually, the street led Ryou to discover a cozy, comforting restaurant who's curtains fluttered in a way that looked like they were welcoming him in. The smell of coffee and food drew him in further, and before he knew it, he pushed the doors open and stepped in and didn't even try to hide his glittering eyes and watering mouth.

"Eh? A kid?" A gruff yet kind voice inquired from behind the counter, accompanied by a series of utensils clacking together. The smell of food wafted through the air once more, and Ryou was startled at how hungry his stomach was.

For a moment, Ryou spaced out, wondering when was the last time he ate. Ryou suddenly remembered that someone had just spoken to him. He gulped and his head snapped up as he hesitantly nodded.

"Hello..." Ryou stiffly greeted and reached a hand into his pocket, feeling around for any money. The rustling of paper accompanied by the quiet clinks of coins made him sigh in relief. When Ryou finally looked up to properly look at the man, he saw a buff, tan middle-aged man who did not look like the type to own such a comforting establishment.

The man waved a ladle in Ryou's direction before motioning for the boy to sit on a stool. Ryou nodded and sat down, looking around as he did so. It was only him in the restaurant which explained why it was so quiet.
"So, what'd ya wanna eat? Grab a menu."

Ryou was once again snapped out of his thoughts when the man tossed him a menu, which fluttered slightly in the air, and his attention was back on the chef.

"May I have a sandwich? Any kind." Ryou requested, mouth watering at the sight of some of the menu items. He wanted to get some other things too, but he could only afford the sandwiches. The chef nodded before his body flickered momentarily.

Ryou gasped when he realized that there were now two of the chef. Ryou pretended not to be amazed as he gazed at the puppet-like version of the man. A hearty laugh filled the restaurant as the chef laughed.

"Cool, isn't it? Helps a whole lot too. Don't hafta hire 'ny unnecessary employees." He boasted, putting his hands on his hips. Ryou distantly nodded, fixing his attention to his hands as he fiddled with them, "Don't worry, I'm allowed to use my quirk," He quickly added with a joyful laugh. His arm was off to the side, making some strange motions in the air, and Ryou realized that he was controlling the puppet by doing so.

"'Round here, people call me Ben, but my real name's Kikuchi Benjiro." Kikuchi supplied, wiping the counter down for what felt like the umpteenth time that day. Ryou made a noise of acknowledgment and kept his introduction to himself, unsure if he were to ever return to this establishment.

Then a thought occurred to Ryou. "What time is it?" he hurriedly asked, gray eyes searching for a clock or anything that read the time. Kikuchi hummed and glanced at something out of Ryou's sight.

"'S only 6:30." He answered simply with a shrug, "Ey look, food's done." He brightened up and placed a plate in front of Ryou. "I added a house special too, on me."
Ryou considered his options. Go home now and take the meal as takeout or stay and eat. Go home to the cold, unloving house to eat or stay in this cozy, warm cafe with the man who gave him a meal.

"Thank you for the food." Ryou finally said after a moment of contemplation. Kikuchi gave another hearty chuckle as Ryou put the payment into the small tray.
After that, it was silent, save for the sounds of Ryou eating. The food was warm and it tasted like kindness.

When he was finished, he dipped his head in a polite gesture that meant goodbye and thank you simultaneously and continued down the street in a warm and content mood.

[Note: Benjiro is his first name]