Two Sides to Every Coin (OPM Garou x OC)

Chapter 4: Loose Ends

Trying to make a better life for himself was easier said than done.

As a human who was officially registered as a monster, and was now walking around? It was bound to attract unwanted attention.
Especially the attention of disgruntled heroes.
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When Garou had come back to the dojo, he was under strict house arrest for the first month. It wasn't fun, as he still wasn't trusted in the compound. He mostly stayed in his room, but when the students would leave, he'd train in the courtyard.
It didn't really occur to Garou that people would try to come after him. However, when word went around that he was back and staying at the dojo, many were quick to try and pick a fight.
First few times, it was rival dojos, sneaking into the compound, trying to jump him. Of course, Garou had put them in their place, which then led to a new problem.
Anyone he would fight to defend himself, it would go back to the Hero Association, these people making false claims that he was starting the fights. That was the main goal of these people: Get him in enough trouble so he'd be locked up for good.
So, one false report after the other were coming in, which Bang had to address to clear them. Soon after, the rival dojos had stopped sending their students as soon as Bang got involved (And made personal visits to each and everyone of them. In the end, leaving them all extremely terrified). It only got worse, when some heroes got wind that he wasn't fighting back, some B and A class heroes had started targeting Garou. As a result of these, Garou was left with two options: Run from the confrontation, or take an inevitable beating. He felt that running was a coward's way out, so he took a couple beatings.
They weren't that bad, only a few bruises and scrapes. Which, if one thought about it, said a lot about his prowess, now. As an awakened monster, his limiter was broken, so it made it impossible to physically injure him, at all. Now that his monster form is no more, only traces of that strength remained. His strength now, was at the level it was when the Monster Association let him leave to prove his worth to them.
The worst beating he had taken before running into Kaana again was a sustaining of a couple bruised ribs and a mild concussion. Bang would patch him up every so often, when Garou would let him.
Bang wouldn't lecture him about not running or when he got roughed up. It was odd to him, never had he ever seen Garou use so much restraint, especially when it came to fighting. Bang, at the time, chalked it up to Garou seeing the beatings as a form of atonement for his deeds.
Obviously, that wasn't the case, but Garou wouldn't openly admit it to anyone. He had the option to run, of course, so maybe there was a part of him that felt that he deserved the beatings. One incident changed that, though.
After he saw Kaana again.
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Garou was out and about, walking around the city, it was dusk, so he was done with classes at the dojo.
As of right now, he was only three months from being released from the program.
He had made some good progress throughout the months, despite the minor hiccups. Garou was allowed to go out on his own, as long as he told Bang where he was going. He was helping with some of the adult classes now, as well. Plus, three months back, Kaana and himself had started construction on a home for him. It wasn't finished, of course, and he couldn't move in until the he was out of the program.
Nonetheless, it was nice to be spending time with Kaana on those late afternoons. Kaana would bring some home cooked meals for them. They would just sit together after a certain project was done, eat and watch the sun go down. Those days were nice and peaceful, the best part of Garou's day, actually.
Today, however, he had turned down working on the house. He had some business to attend to in City D and was determined to see it through.
Garou made his way to the empty park, some leaves blowing along the dirt ground, not a child in sight. His eyes narrowed in mild annoyance, "Not here. Did he leave the city after the battle or something?"
Yes, Garou was looking for young Tareo. This wasn't the first time, actually, but he hadn't seen him, at all.
It was disappointing, but Garou wouldn't be surprised if the kid actually moved elsewhere.
Garou made a turn to leave, but two steps in, he stopped. He felt rooted to the ground, something telling him to stick around.
Garou heaved a sigh at this feeling. Maybe it was the nostalgia of being back at this place. Perhaps, sticking around for a couple more minutes wouldn't hurt.
He turned to go sit at the old bench, when he heard, "Mister?"
Garou glanced to his left and was almost shocked by what he saw. It was Tareo, but he was a little older, now. He grew about a foot and his hair had grown out, more locks than that even bowl cut he had.
Four years really does change people.
Garou couldn't stop the smirk from playing on his lips as he turned to the boy, his hands in his pockets, "Hey, kid."
Tareo's eyes widened before filling with tears. He all but charged at Garou and wrapped his arms around the man. The force caught Garou by surprise, nearly knocking him a step back and his arms now hovered at his sides, "Whoa, hey," he chuckled lightly.
Tareo was now ugly crying into Garou's black shirt, "I can't believe it's you, Mister! You were gone for so long, I thought the heroes finally killed you! Where did you go?!" he sobbed, but there was no anger in his tone, just relief.
Garou was shocked that Tareo was so worried about him, but he wasn't going to show that to him. However, Garou put a hand on the boy's head, "Come on, stop your crying. I'm here, aren't I? I see you've grown some since the last time I saw you."
Tareo then pulled away and wiped at his face, snivelling loudly and hiccuping from the sobs, "Y-yeah. It's been four years. You look different, too, Mister. Your hair isn't sticking out, anymore."
Garou heaved a sigh, still not liking to be called 'Mister', but it was strangely endearing, "So, you wanna catch up?"
~
"School's been going better. The bullying stopped, too," Tareo was relaying some things that had happened during Garou's absence.
"Why'd they stop?" Garou inquired.
Tareo rubbed his head sheepishly, "Well, I kind of hit one of them after I got cornered, one time. Since I was defending myself, those boys got in trouble and got transferred out of my classes."
"You actually fought back?" Garou quirked a brow before smirking mischievously, "Didn't think you had it in you."
"Well, you said that no one would respect me if I didn't stand up for myself," Tareo then looked into his lap, suddenly a little bashful, "I even made a new friend, too. She's really nice to me and sometimes we see each other here, at the park."
"Hm. She got a name or what?"
"Oh, her name is Zenko," Tareo told him.
Garou mentally groaned, 'Seriously? Metal Bat's kid sister? Well, at least he's got a friend.'
"So, what about you, Mister? Are you still in hiding? Is that why I haven't seen you?" Tareo asked.
Garou went quiet for a moment, he had to remind himself that Tareo was now aware of his doings as a Hero Hunter.
"Tareo, you understand why they were after me, right?" Garou asked suddenly, "I did some pretty messed up things."
"I know, Mister. But...I don't care about what you did," Tareo told him, "I know why you did what you did and I felt bad that you were hurting so much. And when some of those heroes just wanted to kill you, I understood. Some heroes...aren't really heroes."
Garou released a breath, "Good. As for how I've been, well...I've been in a Rehabilitation Program. If I don't cause trouble, the Hero Association will take me off their Wanted List. I'll be a free man, soon."
"Wow, that's great! Have you made any other friends?" Tareo asked eagerly.
"One. She's pretty cool," Garou gave a short answer, not wanting to talk about Kaana too much.
Tareo chuckled, "Is she nice to you? What's her name?"
Garou bit the inside of his cheek, suddenly feeling self conscious, "Her name is Kaana Furukawa. Her older sister is a hero."
"Wait, is her sister's name Saya Furukawa? I heard rumors that she's married to that bald guy," Tareo asked incredulously, "Is it true?"
"Yeah, believe it or not," Garou folded his arms behind his head, leaning back into the bench, "Small world, for sure."
"How did you two meet?" Tareo's question hit a raw nerve. Remembering how they met meant a great deal to Garou, but he didn't feel comfortable talking about it in detail.
"It's...a long and weird story, but...I was in a pretty bad place, and so was she. We helped each other get better. Recently, I found her living in the City again. We've been hanging out since," Garou briefly explained.
Tareo took noticed to how Garou's demeanour changed when he spoke of Kaana. It sounded almost wistful compared to his gruff and uptight responses, "Do you like her, Mister?"
"What?! NO! Don't be asking stupid questions, kid," Garou quickly spat, but the blush on his cheeks contradicted his tone.
Tareo laughed it off, "I'm not trying to make fun of you, Mister. Do you think I can meet her, she sounds like a nice person?"
Garou grumbled, highly embarrassed by his reaction as he looked away, "Don't know. Maybe. She trains with Master Bomb in another City."
"So, she's a Martial Artist, like you? That's awesome!" Tareo all but marvelled at this new information.
Garou chuckled at how easily impressed the kid can get. That's when he noticed that the sun was nearly out of sight. He had been out too late, and it was almost curfew.
He stood up, "Damn, I gotta get going."
"Can I walk with you, Mister? I don't like to walk after dark," Tareo asked.
Garou placed his hands back in his jacket pockets, "I got a curfew, kid."
"But there are still monsters around," Tareo pointed out, looking visibly worried.
Garou closed his eyes, sighing again as he relented, "Fine, but if I'm late for curfew, I'm taking you with me as a witness, you got it?"
Tareo just nodded and they started walking back.
The sun quickly went and it was now very dark out. The bugs were out, flying around the street lights, crickets chirping.