Heroes in the Fabric of Rebellion

Chapter 14

The sun was beginning to dip low in the sky as students filed out of Honnoji Academy. The faint chatter of exhausted voices and shuffling footsteps filled the air, but Ryuko, Deku, and Mako were silent as they walked down the steps.

Mako broke the quiet first, her usual energy spilling out as she flailed her arms.

Mako: "Man, today was wild! Tennis balls, crazy uniforms, and Satsuki showing up out of nowhere! That's a lot for one day! But you know what? I'm hungry!"

Ryuko barely reacted, her eyes fixed on the path ahead.

Ryuko: "You can eat when you get home, Mako. I've got something else I need to do."

Deku glanced at her, his brow furrowing.

You: "Something else? What do you mean?"

Ryuko slowed her pace, stuffing her hands into her jacket pockets.

Ryuko: "There's a place I haven't been to in years... my dad's old mansion. It's a wreck now, but there might be something there—something that could help me figure out why he was killed. I've been putting it off, but after today..."

She clenched her fists, her voice lowering.

Ryuko: "...I can't afford to wait any longer."

Deku hesitated, the weight of her words settling in.

You: "Are you sure you want to go alone? It could be dangerous, especially if it's been abandoned for so long."

Ryuko smirked slightly, though her eyes stayed distant.

Ryuko: "What, worried about me, hero? I can handle myself."

Deku looked unconvinced but kept his tone steady.

You: "I know you can, but still. If this place is tied to your father, who knows what you might find? I'd feel better if I came along."

Ryuko raised an eyebrow, but her smirk softened.

Ryuko: "Suit yourself. Just don't slow me down."

Mako gasped dramatically, throwing herself in front of them.

Mako: "Wait, wait, wait! Are you guys going on a spooky mansion adventure without me?! That's, like, my favorite kind of adventure! I'm coming too!"

Ryuko sighed, rolling her eyes.

Ryuko: "Fine, but don't expect me to carry you if you get scared."

Mako grinned, practically bouncing in place.

Mako: "Yay! It'll be like one of those mystery shows! I'll be the comic relief, Deku can be the serious one, and Ryuko—you're the cool lead who solves everything!"

Ryuko shook her head but couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at her lips.

Ryuko: "Yeah, sure. Whatever gets you to shut up for five minutes."

The three of them continued down the winding path away from Honnoji Academy, the towering silhouette of the school fading into the distance. As the city streets gave way to dense forest, Mako's chatter filled the silence, but Ryuko and Deku were locked in their own thoughts.

You (thinking): Ryuko's determined to find answers, even if it means going back to a place that clearly holds painful memories. If there's anything there that can help her, I'll make sure she finds it.

Ryuko glanced at Deku out of the corner of her eye, her voice quieter than usual.

Ryuko: "Thanks for tagging along. I don't usually do the whole 'teamwork' thing, but... I guess it's nice having someone around who actually cares."