*ON HOLD* 𝘽𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙮𝙚𝙨 (𝘽𝙣𝙝𝙖 𝙭 𝘿𝙤𝙡𝙡)

Reassurance

"It's been five years since you started your training with your instructors. They all said you've done well and have learned everything they can teach you," Dad says.

I stand in the center of the study room, biting my cheek as I look in his direction.

"You've mastered a handful of martial arts and your senses. How do you feel?"

I tense at the question, "I'm extremely grateful that you and Mother pushed me to work so hard."

He hums, "good. You'll be going to Yuuei so you can go into the hero course. Some heroes are willing to give you recommendations so you won't be taking the normal entrance exam."

"The exams are in ten months, correct?"

"Right, just because your instructors have taught you everything, doesn't mean you get to slack off. I want you to train every day so you don't forget anything. Same schedule as always. I talked to your boxing coach, he says you can go there to train. I expect that you are working every minute."

"Yes, Father."

"Alright, go. Your mother is planning more talk shows or whatever."

I nod and promptly leave the room. Making my way straight to my room. Once my door closes, I relax my shoulders with a sigh. I change into pajamas, my hand going up to feel my shoulder.

I frown as I feel the protruding scar, the edges jagged and rough. This action makes my other arm hurt, the scab running up my upper arm threatening to tear. I frown and pull on my shirt.

"Doll! Dinner!" Mother announces.

I hum and walk out, holding the railing as I go down the stairs. Then follow the smell of rice, garlic, chicken, and lots of other ingredients towards the dining room. I feel Mother and Father's presences as I take my seat. A plate being set down in front of me.

While my parents converse, I eat quietly. Picking at the garlic rice and teriyaki chicken. I got some of the more burnt pieces.

After dinner, I go back upstairs and sit in my room. Listening as my parents come up and walk past my door, going to their room. I wait a while until I'm sure they're both asleep before I get up and grab a jacket. I open my door and head downstairs again. Keeping my steps light as I head to the door, grabbing a spare key from the hook before I walk out.

I lock the door and start walking the familiar path. Counting steps for me to turn, listening around me until the sound of water enters my ears.

I walk down a few steps before my feet hit sand, I hum and walk towards the sound of water. Salt fills my nose and slightly comes to my mouth.

I keep walking until water hits my feet, I take a few steps back then sit down in the sand. There's a slight breeze in the air, making the hot air just a bit cooler. Water sprays and my feet and legs as I lean against my knees.

I let my body relax, the environment calming me down.

I've been coming here for a few weeks now. My boxing coach brought me here during one of our lessons and since then, I've been coming after my parents fall asleep. It's my escape.

No one else comes at this hour. It's just the beach, ocean, and me.

If I could sleep here every night I would. But I have to get back home before my parents wake up. Tonight can be an exception.

For now, I take in my surroundings, laying back on the sand. It's soft, like a blanket, yet there's a rough edge I can feel from each grain.

I lay my head on my arms and stare up at where the stars would be. That's one thing I miss. In my old town I could look out my window and see all of the stars filling the sky. In the darkness I now see, I can imagine them. Tiny white dots that shine and glow. It's not the same, but it's something.

I wake up to the sound of a car in the distance bringing me back. Time to go home.

I stand and brush off the sand from my body and hair, then start walking back. Quieting my steps as I step onto the porch, I hear Mother and Father's steady heartbeats signalling they're still asleep. I unlock the door and lock it again when I enter, hanging the key on it's hook before making my way back to my room.

I gently close my door and walk to my closet. I take my school uniform and lay it on my bed. I still have a few hours before school starts but it's best to get everything ready. I make sure I have my backpack and braille book. Then I lay in bed until my parents woke up.

After they do, I get up and take a quick shower. My phone tells me the time through voice commands and when I have an hour before school starts, I get dressed and bring my bag downstairs.

I grab an apple to eat and with thirty minutes left, I start walking to school.

~~~

"Good morning, Abe."

"Morning, sir," I greet my teacher and wave in his direction. I trace my steps to my desk near the back of the room and sit down.

A few more students come in and converse with each other.

"Abe! It's good to see you this morning! How did you sleep?"

I hum and turn towards the voice, "good morning, Iida. I slept well. How did you sleep?"

"I slept well. I hope you had an exceptional breakfast?"

I chuckle, he's such a mom... Wish he was mine to be honest. "Yeah, I did, Iida. How are your parents? Your brother?"

"My parents were granted a vacation to Tokyo for the weekend. As for my brother, he is busy with his hero work, but makes plenty of time to visit at home."

I smile, "that's nice. I'm sure he can't wait for you to become a hero."

"Right, the entrance exams are coming. Have you been preparing?"

I nod, "yeah. My instructors have said that I've mastered everything I could. I just hope it's enough. My parents have recommendations for me to enter the hero course."

"I'm sure you will do well, Abe. You've worked extremely hard for five years now. It's astonishing what you can do with your senses alone."

"It'll be hard without an actual quirk though," I sigh.

He pats my arm, "your advanced senses are more like a quirk than you think."

I tilt my head, "really?"

"Yes! You are able to hear distinct sounds from meters away, as well as feel and sense things most everyone cannot. You have abilities that no one else has, and with your combat skills, you are very well prepared for fighting."

I hum, nodding, "yeah... I guess you're right."

"Believe in yourself, Abe. You've worked hard to be where you are now."

The bell rings to signal the start to the school day.

"Thanks, Iida."

"Of course," he pats my arm again before his presence leaves to the other side of the room.

I sigh. Iida is one the only people I can consider a friend. He doesn't talk to me just to get a better reputation or to try and get some cash. Being as his family is a line of heroes, he doesn't need cash. But he's really a genuine friend. He cares for me and talks to me like I don't have a disability at all, like I'm a normal person.

He doesn't care about my publicity, my wealth, none of that. He cares about my health and feelings. Really he acts like a mother or brother towards me. I really appreciate that and I try my best to do the same for him.

Some other kids in our class think he's weird since he's pretty uptight about rules and stuff. And I can sense he does this hand chopping motion while he's talking, I think it's pretty funny.

Of course, he doesn't know about my parents. No one does. They've kept it that way for five years now. Iida doesn't need to know. He's already worrying about living up to his brother's name, his family's name. And he already cares for me enough.

School goes by pretty quickly, afterwards I'm surprised there isn't a crowd of people waiting for me. Neither is Mother in her car. I shrug and start walking home. It's weird that there aren't a lot of people out.

BOOM