Heroes in the Fabric of Rebellion

Chapter 10

Deku's feet hit the pavement hard as he dashed through the streets of Honnoji Academy with Ryuko in his arms. His breathing was steady, but his mind raced with questions.

Deku (thinking): Yuuki... There's no mistaking that voice. But what is she doing here? How did she end up in this world? And why is she standing with Satsuki?

Ryuko groaned softly, stirring in his arms. Deku slowed down slightly, glancing down at her bruised face.

You: "Hey, just hold on. I'll get you somewhere safe."

Ryuko's eyes fluttered open, and she weakly gripped his shirt.

Ryuko: "Why... did you... step in?"

You: "I couldn't just let them hurt you like that. You were fighting so hard, and—"

Ryuko cut him off, her voice hoarse but fierce.

Ryuko: "You don't get it! This is my fight! I don't need someone saving me!"

Deku stopped abruptly, setting Ryuko down against a nearby wall. He crouched in front of her, his expression firm but kind.

You: "Maybe you don't think you need help, but everyone needs it sometimes! I'm not going to stand by while someone gets hurt—hero or not."

Ryuko blinked, caught off guard by his words. Before she could respond, a cheerful voice broke the silence.

Mako: "Hey! There you are! I found you! I mean, I wasn't really looking, but then I saw you and thought, 'Wow, they look like they need Mako!' So here I am!"

Both Deku and Ryuko turned to see Mako Mankanshoku bounding toward them, her arms flailing excitedly as she spoke. She skidded to a stop a few feet away, eyes wide with concern as she noticed Ryuko slumped against the wall.

Mako: "Oh no, Ryuko! You look terrible! Like you got hit by a truck, then the truck reversed, then a steamroller came by for good measure!"

Ryuko groaned, rubbing her temples. "Thanks, Mako. That really clears things up."

Mako clapped her hands together with sudden enthusiasm.

Mako: "No worries! Lucky for you, you've got me! And I know just the place to get you fixed up! Follow me, follow me!"

Without waiting for a response, Mako grabbed Ryuko's arm, careful not to touch her injuries, and started pulling her along.

You: "Wait—she's hurt! Shouldn't we—"

Mako: "That's why we've got to hurry! My dad's a doctor—well, an alleyway doctor, but still a doctor! He'll patch her up in no time!"

A short while later, they found themselves outside a small, ramshackle clinic tucked into an alleyway. The sign above the door read, "Mankanshoku Family Clinic – All Treatments (Mostly Legal)."

Deku raised an eyebrow, glancing at Ryuko, who simply sighed.

Ryuko: "This... is your idea of help?"

Mako flung open the door with a dramatic flourish, her grin stretching ear to ear.

Mako: "Ta-da! Welcome to the Mankanshoku Clinic! Where miracles happen... most of the time! Papa! We have customers!"

Inside, the clinic was cluttered with mismatched furniture, strange medical instruments, and stacks of papers. A middle-aged man in a stained lab coat, Barazo Mankanshoku, looked up from a patient chart. His demeanor was as eccentric as his daughter's.

Barazo: "Ah! New patients! Welcome to the Mankanshoku Clinic, where the prices are low, and the results... well, we'll see!"

Ryuko sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "Thanks, Mako. This is... very reassuring."