Colors in the Dark

Special 6: Found

A/N: ...Oops. I think saying life got away from me is a bit of an understatement! To be totally honest, I forgot I didn't post the last few chapters I wrote, and now it's been years since I touched this account. I'm not sure I'll ever finish this story, but I can at least provide you guys with some more events that never got published!

Hayako found it fitting that she was standing outside a school, given who she was looking for. It was an ordinary-looking elementary school, but she could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she walked closer and closer. She was impressed and honestly a little afraid at how fast the League's informants had gotten her a location for one of the names she gave them, including the address of occupation for one in particular.

Her fingers were crossed, and she was praying to the stars that they had gotten her the right info, given they- as she requested- didn't make contact. The right person, the right address, even the right time- the school was just letting out, meaning the teachers would be sending the young students off for their homes soon enough. The perfect opportunity for Hayako to reunite with an old face, a younger sibling she was the closest in age with.

Please be them, please be them, please be them, was her mantra as she watched children file out of the building. She glanced over the teachers standing at the doorways, seeing mutation quirks and men and women but none that she recognized, thinking to herself how ironic it was that was standing her now, years later.

All those years, they were always a nurturing soul, one who taught the younger kids everything they had learned in school. It was only natural they became a teacher. Besides, with a deadname that meant digest, whether it be literally with their quirk or metaphorically digesting information, and even the name they chose that suits them so much better- one I triple-checked was now their legal given name- contains the kanji for knowledge or wisdom. Figures it's also a unisex name.

Just then, as she was scanning the school once more, another door opened, lines of students filing out. And, at their side, stood a figure she knew heartachingly well.

Cropped, wavy teal hair that framed a fair-skinned face, bright golden eyes creating a striking contrast, yet they were so warm that you couldn't help but be drawn in. Which, as Hayako knew well, was perfectly complimented by their loving and accepting nature. The figure was wearing a black and white suit, as per uniform norms, with sleeves rolled up to the elbow and a pin clipped onto the front of their shirt.

As she neared, she was able to make out the design: black, gray, and white horizontal stripes that closed in on a green one in the center. Just what she'd expect from her sibling who happened to be this particular individual.

Hayako let the majority of the students go before striding up the sidewalk, calling out just before they were ready to turn and go back inside- no doubt having many assignments to grade and lessons to plan. "Excuse me, sensei! I have a quick question."

They stopped mid-turn, eyes landing on her. With one eyebrow raised, they replied, "Yes?" Her heart skipped a beat as they locked eyes, and she noticed the slight change in their expression. Something like recognition.

"Are you... Tomomi Gohan?"

The small stack of papers in their hands fluttered to the ground, the person in question having lost their grip in shock as the full realization hit them. "Oh my god... Oh my god! Hayako! It's you!"

(A/N: Tomomi Gohan, dear agender teacher sib of Kamino. Their quirk: Ingest! They can eat pretty much anything without any negative repercussions, giving them a passive immunity to basically every substance toxic to humans. Whether it be metal, poison, garbage, or anything else, they're able to harmlessly ingest/digest it. Not only does this make them a walking and nature-friendly incinerator, but their teeth are also razor-sharp to cut up hard-to-chew materials and can regrow if chipped or broken- in dire situations, they can (and have) chew through metal, wood, and glass to get to safety.)