BNHA: The Masked Hero | [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter 13: "One Step Away, One Step Closer"

I sat on my bed while I stared at the broken mask in disappointment.

It's been a few days, and the incident never left my mind.

If only I dodged Stain's knife in time, then it wouldn't look like this. Half of the mask was practically breaking apart from the left side, and by a simple look at it, this treasure of mine will not last long.

Aunt Miyako helped me craft this a year back before she left, and for it to shatter, I had to blame myself, because I knew I could have done better taking care of it.

I sighed. "Atleast they didn't die," I mutter to myself.

Even though I made a few mistakes, I'm happy nobody had any critical injuries from that fight with Stain.

I was able to lift some of their spirits in the end, but I know that I was completely useless in the beginning.

"Damn it, I really need to train more though." I glared at my bed sheet in annoyance of my unacceptable abilities.

Even if nobody had any fatal injuries, it does not mean that I can continue staying in this level of my skill.

I leaned my elbow on my knee as put my face on my hand. I was thinking of ways I could help myself grow without getting caught, and other ways I could help people without my mask.

I massaged my template in distress. How am I suppose to hide my identity now? It'll take weeks for Aunt Miyako to send a new one back.

I slowly lifted the pale mask with my right hand before examining the damage done.

Cracks and loose pieces were shown on what's left of the left side of the mask. It no longer had a smooth texture or glossing exterior look. It was scratched up and had some dirt stains here and there from the times I fell to the ground.

If I dropped it on the floor, the hollow mask would most likely disperse into pieces due to the loose material that was holding everything together.

I slowly moved my face away from my left hand to touch the left side of my face.

Even though Stain was brought justice, the fact that he knew I was a student bothered me. Did he perhaps know my real identity?

I mean- he did get a look of my left eye, but then again, he never said my name.

Maybe, he doesn't remember me?

That could be it. He probably just figured out my age from my voice and stature.

Yeah, that has to be it.

Yet, somehow, that idea saddened me. I kind of wished he knew who I was. He was someone that I knew since I was a child, but then again, maybe it's best even for him to not know me.

Everything is better this way- to not be known, to not be recognized.

~~~

The man, who was not in his hero form, Yagi Toshinori, stood outside with his close friend, Detective Tsukauchi Naomasa.

The two men stood near a railing and stared at the waves in front of them. It was night and the stars twinkled in the sky. The lampposts had very few power and caused the area to be dim.

"So, those Nomus are experiments?" the hero repeated his collague's words.

The detective nodded his head as he stared at the sky. "Their DNA consist of different people and their quirks are enhanced. Sounds familiar doesn't it?"

All Might lowered his brows in distress. His scrawny arms flexed from the thought of a certain man that bothered him.

"All for One," he muttered.