Projection [ an Overhaul fanfic ]

- I -

tick...tick...tick...
Emiko sat impatiently, staring at the bland school clock. It was the last day of senior year. Graduation was 2 days later, to give time for all finishing touches. Emiko had bittersweet emotions about graduating, but with her quirk, she wouldn't be able to carry a stable job.

'Just...10 more minutes...' she thought.

Everyone in the classroom was chatting about what they'll be doing during the summer, or where they plan to go. None of it interest Emiko. She was only focused on surviving in this world, where villains were able to roam as they pleased.
There hero course at Emiko's school didn't fit her 'style'. Instead, she opted to stay in general studies to hide her quirk more.

''Save the world, one smile at a time'' Emiko emitted an internal scoff. '...yea right...if only they understood the harsh reality of death...'

The final bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Emiko slipped on her bag, and strutted our into the crowded hallway. When halfway down the hall, an above-average built boy, with green/black hair stood in her way.

"Emiko!! What's the rush? But I've been thinking...you seem...different?"

The boy turned out to be one of her close friends, Izuku, from the hero course. He was standing really close to her, whispering all these questions that seemed to just...disappear from her. With her mind blank, and cold, her grip loosened from her bag's strap, and fell limp to her side.

"I-I saw...him..the one in my nightmare.."

Izuku knew Emiko had some personal things going on in her life, but to hear her voice audibly shake about the situation, panged his heart. He really wanted her to be happy.

"E-Emiko...I-"

"I have a f-feeling he's coming..."

Emiko's eyes filled with tears quicker than she could wipe them away. Izuku hated seeing one of his best friend in pain. It reminded him of who he was growing up and he never wanted others to feel alone. Especially in situations this serious.

"H-He has this mask...like a bird..."

Emiko described what this suspicious character was. From what she said, he was fairly tall and thin, with short, shaggy brown hair. A green jacket with purple fur surrounding the hood, is what he seemed to always wear. Izuku took in all the information like he was a police investigator. Like he was going to interrogate this guy as soon as he saw him.

"Izuku..that's the best I can give..I can barely remember.."

"It's okay Em..I'm just in shock that you could remember that much detail..."

Emiko's eyes slowly drifted towards the ground, where the both stood. Emiko hated this feeling; the feeling of helplessness. It was like she seemed weak to everyone. It really hurt her well-being, especially ever since her nightmares started occurring more often. She couldn't handle the fear building up inside.

She was truly afraid of him.