Chapter 18: Support ItemAuthor: Geraint(MC's POV)
A few days later, I finally finished crafting my new costume in my room.
"Hmm... This should be fine. As long as I don't speak, no one will recognize me."
It was a teal-green platypus outfit with a brown fedora perched on top of the hood.
(Img <<<)
Krrrrrrr!
"Platypus sound... check."
Still, something felt missing.
"Hmmm... Oh! I'm supposed to be a secret agent. That means... I need spy gadgets."
Looking around my room, all I saw were game consoles and stacks of serialized manga.
"Ugh. Guess I've spent too much time gaming, even in this life. Same mistakes as before…"
Then I remembered—Rumi and I used to play these games together. But ever since she became a top 10 pro hero, she barely had time for it. Or me.
"This is all the villains' fault. Because of them, Rumi's always out fighting crime instead of hanging out. If I could still be Captain Falcon… I'd beat those guys down until they regretted turning to crime."
Sigh
Just then—
"Ichika! I bought dinner! Let's eat!"
All Might was finally home.
"Coming, Dad!"
A Few Days Later – Musutafu Elementary School
Today, our midterm results were being handed back.
"Midoriya Izuku!"
Izuku nervously walked up to receive his paper. He glanced at it—then sighed in relief.
He returned to his seat, smiling at me.
"Look, Ichika-san! Thanks to your help, I passed!"
Midoriya Izuku – Midterm Results
Mathematics: 57
Social Studies: 65
Japanese: 78
Science: 58
English: 55
"No problem. But you still need to work harder."
"Hehe… you're right."
After a few more students, the teacher called—
"Yagi Ichika, highest score again."
I stood and accepted my test papers. Scanning them, I smirked.
"Sensei, you really need to work harder. These questions were too easy. Thanks for the bonus points."
"Shut up."
Yagi Ichika – Midterm Results
Mathematics: 105
Social Studies: 100
Japanese: 100
Science: 105
English: 100
I noticed Bakugou glaring at me from across the room. Naturally, I waved my test paper at him with a grin.
"Ichika, you bastard!!"
I walked past him and patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry, you're still the second-best in our year."
Bakugou Katsuki – Midterm Results
Mathematics: 94
Social Studies: 98
Japanese: 99
Science: 95
English: 96
"…But you're still not on my level."
He trembled with frustration.
"Damn it!"
He slammed his fist on the desk.
"We're settling this later on the drums, Ichika!"
"I'll win this time, Drummer Bakugou!"
I pointed at him dramatically. "I accept your challenge!"
Then sat down like nothing happened.
But even with perfect scores in my main subjects, there was one I bombed hard.
"Oh, that's right," the teacher called. "Ichika, you have remedial class for Ethics after this."
I flipped to the last page of my results.
Moral Studies: 27
"Ugh…"
The bane of my existence.
After remedial class, I visited the bookstore and picked up books about creating support items. I'd have to start from scratch: machine components, design basics, energy sources. If I wanted gadgets, I had to learn how to build them myself.
Later that day, Izuku and I went to Bakugou's house to settle our drum rivalry.
I lost. Again.
As expected of Drummer Bakugou.
After returning home, I handed my test papers to All Might, then locked myself in my room and started studying. I scoured books and online references, absorbed the basics, and tried following a simple schematic for support gear.
But I hit another problem—space.
We lived in a high-end apartment. Making gadgets here? Not a good idea. I didn't want the building owner kicking us out over explosions or noise complaints.
So I had to ask All Might.
In the living room, he was watching the news. A building was engulfed in flames, firefighters scrambling.
"Dad, I have a favor to ask."
He turned, eyes still on the screen.
"Ichika, I have something to tell you too."
"Hm?"
"I'm… going back to Tokyo tomorrow."
"Oh."
"I'll be returning to my Hero Office next week. And… I want you to come with me. To live there."
"…?"
He looked serious.
"The people need me again… as the Symbol of Peace—"
"Sure!"
He blinked. "Eh?"
"As long as I get a big enough room for my workshop."
"…A workshop?"
"Yeah. I want to make support items."
His eyes widened, then he chuckled with relief.
"Alright. But… won't you miss your friends?"
"I'd be lying if I said no. But that's life. I can still call or message them. And Rumi? She'll follow me wherever I go. She's always challenging me. The orphanage? I'll visit often."
"If you say so."
Four Days Later – Playground Park
I was sitting on the swings with Izuku and Bakugou.
"So, you're really moving to Tokyo," Izuku said.
"Yeah. My dad's returning to work."
"What's his job?"
"He works as a receptionist in a hero office."
"Wow! That means you'll get to see Pro Heroes every day!"
Izuku's eyes sparkled.
(What a fanboy...)
"Yeah. A bunch of incompetent clowns."
"That's harsh, Ichika," Izuku sighed. "They do protect people."
I shrugged. "If they were doing their jobs properly, the crime rate wouldn't be this bad."
"Is that how you see us, Ichika?"
My spine froze.
That voice...
Slowly, I turned—and there she was. Rumi, glaring, arms crossed. She was wearing a school uniform, holding bags full of souvenirs.
(Img <<<)
Sweating bullets, I stammered, "W-Welcome back, Rumi! How was Okinawa? Uh, why the school uniform?"
No response.
"R-Rumi?"
She suddenly lunged and locked my neck in a tight headlock.
"GYAAAH! Misfortune!"
"Hold it, dumbass! I haven't forgotten what you said on the phone last week!"
In the distance, I saw Izuku and Bakugou watching with deadpan looks.
"Deku! Kacchan! Help me!"
Izuku smiled. "Sorry, Ichika-san… but you did go too far."
"You reap what you sow," Bakugou scoffed.
"Any last words, Ichika?!" Rumi growled, tightening her hold.
"D-Deku…"
I stretched my hand toward him.
"Ichika-san?"
"You have… legs… ugh..."
My vision faded.
"Huh?"
(To be continued.)
(A/N: It's morphine time! I'll fix my mistakes later.)