LUMINARY [bnha]

Chapter 3 - Omega's Gift

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Almost there, little moon. Your gift is imminent.

With the spectral voice humming in her ears, Tsukiko stood at her ledge once more, a pillar of strength beside her ever-burning lantern, both beacons of light. Normally, she'd be terrified. Normally, her hands would shake and her mouth would go dry. Normally, she'd be counting down the seconds until it was over.

But this year was different, and it was finally time.

"Good evening to omegas, alphas, and betas alike." Tsukiko's gentle voice echoed out over the crowds, strengthened and amplified by hidden microphones. Her audience stopped and looked up, all eyes on her. She practiced her speech for so long that she didn't stumble over any words. "Happy solstice to you... and happy birthday to me," she said with a smile, earning her polite laughs in kind. "In a few short minutes, my speech will be done and you can return to your fun. But if you could grace me with a moment of your time, I will make it worthwhile."

Down below, she spotted Momo and Katsuki, and they waved when they noticed her attention. Momo shot her a double thumbs-up, and Kat nodded, his gaze focused upon her.

Strengthened by their support, Tsukiko continued, ignoring the butterflies in her chest. "Omega's children have had a year of hardship and triumph, and I vow to make the next year our best one yet. As always, I have an open forum every Sunday at the Omega Building, where you can voice your concerns and suggestions." The forum was her idea, or rather her father's... but he never got to see it to fruition before his passing. The alphas and betas were openly critical of her program, but Katsuki and Momo both thought it was a good idea. Tsukiko went every week, bolstered by her father's memory, and promised herself to keep the tradition going for as long as she was able. Her title as Luminary didn't afford her as many gifts as it seemed, but the one that mattered the most was the power of representing her fellow omegas. She wanted them to have a voice.

Little moon... it is time.

"My next announcement is both sad and exciting," Tsukiko said, palms slick with either excited or nervous sweat. Knowing that this news was only exciting for herself, Tsukiko fought a smile, and said, "I regret to tell you that this will be my final year as Luminary for the children of Omega."

An uproar came up from below, and Tsukiko glanced at Katsuki and Momo — they were stunned. Tsukiko knew the announcement would be all over the news the next day, and her mother already lined up interviews with all of the major news stations across Japan. No one had been Luminary for as long as she had. Ten years of the spotlight was more than enough for her. Momo and Kat knew that, but likely thought she'd keep going until she turned twenty, until she got married, or until her mother forced her to stop.

Relieved that the secret was out in the open, Tsukiko gestured for the crowd to settle before she continued, "And, in accordance with Omega's will, I—"

Her vision swam, and Tsukiko clutched the rail before her, her grip white-knuckled while the temple grounds roiled before her. "I..." Tsukiko couldn't find the words anymore. Her mind fogged over, unable to connect two thoughts, nevertheless make a single coherent idea. People moved below her, surging forward like a tsunami... but maybe that was a trick of her brain. Maybe she was moving and they were still. She couldn't tell.

"Tsukiko," said Izuku, suddenly at her side. He gripped her by the elbows, gently tugging her away from the balcony. "I've got you. Everything's alright. Breathe, Tsuki."

Even with Izuku's support, Tsukiko's legs collapsed beneath her and her vision tunneled. He caught her before she could hit the ground.

She tried to fight it, to claw her way back to the surface. Izuku's stony face hovered above her and far away, shouting directions that sounded muddled as if she were underwater. A pressure settled onto her chest, choking the air from her lungs.