Heroes of Tomorrow

Part 30~Motivation

Akiko sighed as she stared out of the window.

"Hey, how are you doing after yesterday?" Jiro smiled as she leaned down in front of Akiko, making her jump.

"Oh, hey, Jiro."

"Call me Kyoka. So, how are you?" Jiro sat down as Akiko as she smiled.

"I'm okay. Honestly, I'm just glad I haven't run into Naka so far. Though I guess that's because he's at the extra lessons."

Jiro hummed a concerned look. "Uzu looked really angry when he found out everything. I hope he can stay focused while at Hero study."

"You kidding? It's Uzu, and he has heroes looking after him too." Akiko sighed as she stood up. "I'm going to go crazy staying here."

"You not seeing your friends today?"

Akiko smiled. "Nope. Ava and the others left Japan last night. They should be in China by now. They'll be there for a total of three days before heading to Europe. They have a ton of places to go in there, but after Britain, they'll head to America before ending in Canada."

Momo blinked as she walked closer, holding Jiro's breakfast. "Why are they ending in Canada?"

"Canada is one of the most popular places for immigrants to go to. Even if they aren't accepted there, Canada has the kindest re-homing scheme as they have tons of connections with other countries and don't like leaving these people to be hurt."

"It's hard to think about leaving your home," Jiro muttered as Akiko shrugged.

"Things have gotten a lot worse since Quirks arrived. Families abandoning kids with villain quirks or weak quirks are really common, especially in certain countries where hero work is higher paid than any other job. Not to mention, people can get kicked because of their quirk's effects, regardless of whether it is a villain quirk or not, because it goes against their beliefs. There are entire communities across the globe that will only accept people who are Quirkless because they view quirks as a result of radiation or something else that isn't in 'god's plan'."

"That's horrible," Momo gasped as Akiko smiled.

"That's why Ava and her friends are so cool. They have connections with tons of people in those cults who still have a conscience and help them save the kids. They used the profits from last year to build a special ton full of people with just villainous Quirks where they won't be bothered."

Jiro and Momo shared a look as they began laughing.

"What?"

"It's nothing," Jiro chuckled. "It just sounds like you're one good act away from joining them."

Akiko blinked. "I-I'm not joining them. They're just my friends."

"You've seriously never thought about joining them?" Jiro leaned against her hand as she smiled. "I don't think anyone here would be at all surprised if you shouldn't disappear because you sailed away with them. And doesn't one of your friends call you 'captain'?"

Akiko blinked dumbly as she looked away from Jiro. "I-I never thought about it like that. I want to be a hero; I always have."

"Why?" Jiro sat up, seeing Momo's disapproving look. "I mean, what is your motivation for being a hero?"

Akiko frowned. "I don't actually remember."

"You don't?" Momo sounded surprised as Akiko nodded.

"According to my family and friends, I would go on about how heroes were cool, and I wanted to help them. However, my earliest memory of wanting to be a hero was when Kat went into hospital. I was about 14. I was already training to be a hero at that point. Most people knew I would become one eventually, but I remember thinking that I wished I could be a hero who would help people like my sister."

Momo hesitated. "What happened?"

Akiko frowned. "That's not my story to tell, but the more I think about that time in my life, the more I realise how shit my childhood was, so I think I wanted to be a hero who would have saved me, who really should have saved me. We did have two separate occasions where child services got called to remove us." Akiko laughed as Jiro and Momo stared. "Woah, don't look so horrified. I don't remember most of my childhood, and most of what I do remember, I was too autistic to realise what was happening."

Momo shook her head. "I don't think that is an accurate statement. I think you were too young."

Akiko blinked as she coughed awkwardly. "It doesn't matter." She smiled nervously as she chuckled. "Damn, maybe I'll have to tell my therapist about this." Akiko paused as she stood up. "I think I'm going to do some training, or I'll drive myself crazy."

Momo and Jiro shared a look before they stood. "Mind if we join you?" Akiko stared at them as they blinked. "Is something wrong?"

"I have waited my whole life for someone to say that. I'll see you in the training room!" Akiko beamed as she rushed off.

The second she was out of sight, Jiro glanced at Momo. "Do you think we should tell Uzu about that?"

Momo paused. "I think we should respect Akiko's privacy."

Jiro huffed, crossing her arms. "I knew you were going to say that."

~~~

Ava took a deep breath as she walked to the UA grounds, stopping before the gate. She pulled out her phone, about to message Akiko, when the others approached.

Bakugo and Todoroki waved to her as she waved back kindly.

"Morning," Ava greeted as Bakugo tutted, grumbling a response, and Todoroki greeted her firmly. She turned, smiling as she saw Naka. "Morning, Naka."

Naka blinked, looking up. He really didn't want to talk to her right now. "Oh, hey. You're Akiko's girlfriend, right?" Naka forced a smile as he forced himself to talk. He'll only make Akiko madder if he ignores Ava, too.

Ava blinked. "What?"

"Yeah. I've seen your picture in Akiko's room. There is one with you both in it, which is weird considering Akiko never lets anyone take a picture of her."

"I-I," Ava was struggling to form words. "Does she call me her girlfriend?"

Naka frowned, narrowing his eyes. "I'm pretty sure she does." Akiko does not. "Are you here to see her?"

"Y-yeah. It's a surprise."

Naka nodded. "I'm not sure that's a good idea. She's in a bad mood."

"What happened?"

Naka lowered his head before shaking it. "Nothing. I should go." Naka pushed past Ava as she watched him go.

Ava leaned against the wall surrounding UA. Her mind ran as she thought over what Naka just said.

She ended up sitting out there for hours before she finally picked up the phone to call Akiko.