𝙽𝚘 𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚗 𝙴𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚙𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙵𝚕𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚜

Chapter I

The room was bathed in a gentle, silvery glow as the moonlight filtered through the window. Shadows swirled and danced across the walls, embracing the corners in their inky embrace. A young man moved gracefully through the house, a backpack slung over his shoulder, making a concerted effort to silence his footsteps.

His hand reached for the door handle, his fingers brushing against the cool metal before turning it to open the door. To his understanding, the clock showed 1:00 am, and there was still no sign of his father returning home. Shoto couldn't shake the feeling that he might find more happiness if he broke free from the life that had been imposed on him.

Sensing the gentle warmth of the night air as he ventured outside, he reached out cautiously to close the door behind him.

He meticulously planned his disappearance for several days, wishing he could have acted sooner before being obligated to attend U.A. High School. He worried that his absence would prompt a widespread search but knew it was inevitable. He could already envision the headlines: 'U.A. High student and son of the number two hero vanishes. Speculated to be a runaway...'

It was certainly something to think about. He knew his disappearance would not affect too many people. He had zero friends due to being homeschooled till then, even now that he is going to high school, he has yet to create any connections, and he has spoken very few words.

As he ventured away from home, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease at the thought of his siblings' reaction to his sudden disappearance. They were the only ones he truly connected with, and the idea of causing them worry filled him with dread. Despite not being particularly close, they were family, and the idea of separating from them was painful.

Lost in thought, he was startled by a sudden "meow." Looking down, he was met with the intense gaze of a cat with pure white fur and eyes as cold as ice. It seemed to peer into his soul.

After a moment of silent connection, he continued on his way, only to be followed by the quiet pitter-patter of the cat's feet. He couldn't ignore the persistent presence and turned to glance back at the enigmatic feline.

As he stepped towards it, he knelt to its level. The cat remained still, its gaze penetrating. He extended his hand, running his thumb over the cat's head.

The feline leaned into his touch, and he realised he had become so engrossed that he hadn't even passed the gate of the home he was trying to escape. Gently, he lifted the cat to his chest, feeling its head rest against him. Despite his surprise at the cat's calm reaction, he knew he couldn't dwell on it, as time was of the essence.

As he dashed, his only wish was to leave the house as swiftly as he could. His legs soon started to ache with every step, serving as a constant painful reminder of the strain he was putting on them.

As he wandered, he let his legs carry him wherever they pleased, feeling the gentle touch of the cat's nose against his neck. Living away from home was a daunting prospect, and he knew it would take time to adjust. He planned to secure a room at a motel for as long as possible and, if necessary, find employment.

He collected all the loose cash in the house and even accessed his father's savings to prepare. He decided to tally the total amount of money at a later time. He was unsure of exactly where to go.

He had not been out of the residence of his home too much, which was why his social life was horrific. He knew he would have to get there by train wherever he planned to go.

He felt a surge of uncertainty as he fled from home, driven by a deep desire to distance himself from his father. The man had pushed his mother to the brink and showed no mercy in training his child, stopping at nothing to achieve his ambitions, even resorting to creating children with specific traits as if they were valuable dogs. He despised the man he called his father, and his feelings towards his mother were not much warmer.

However, unlike his father, she had been supportive. Lost in thought, he followed the path of the concrete sidewalk, leading him to his destination - the train station. Contemplating whether to attend his third day at the hero school, he realised skipping would attract unnecessary attention.

Besides, going to school wouldn't hinder his escape; it might even help his plan, as it would give the impression that he had left early for school.

The scene came alive as a rough, sandpapery tongue dragged down his cheek, followed by a slight moistness. The lingering warmth in its wake was oddly comforting to the fourteen-year-old, giving him a sense of solace he hadn't felt in a long time. At first, he was unsure why he brought the feline with him; at that moment, a realisation struck him - he enjoyed the company of the small creature, finding a connection and companionship that was pure and simple.

The cat knew nothing of the complexities of society, and that simplicity resonated with him, easing the weight on his shoulders. As he glanced up, the imposing structure of the long concrete train station loomed above him, its grandeur a stark contrast to the intimate moment he shared with his new friend. It felt perfect, a significant step in his journey as he finally arrived at his destination, both physically and emotionally.