It was a Tuesday afternoon when he first met her.
Satoru was patching up his knee when he heard the voice.
> "That's some pretty pathetic armor, helmet guy."
He turned.
A girl stood there—maybe nine or ten—arms crossed, brows high with condescension. Her school uniform was scuffed from running, but she wore it like royalty. Her hair was pulled into a haphazard ponytail, and a bandage hung lazily off her cheek.
> "You crash into a wall or just flop over from weakness?" she asked.
Satoru blinked. "Just a scrape."
> "That's sad."
He chuckled, trying to be polite. "Thanks for the concern."
> "It wasn't concern, genius. I'm just shocked someone like you hasn't been run over yet."
She walked past him and kicked his bike lightly.
> "What even is this? You going for 'hero' or 'junk collector'?"
Satoru stood slowly, brushing dirt off his gloves.
> "Trying to help where I can."
> "Help?" she scoffed. "You think people need help from you? Quirkless freak with a used-up bicycle?"
Her words were sharp, cruel even—but her tone was more amused than hateful. She was used to mocking others. It was how she kept herself above them.
> "I've seen you before," she added, tilting her head. "You're that weirdo that talks to trash cans and hands out snacks to strays."
> "Somebody's gotta do it."
> "Nobody has to do anything. People just like pretending they're special."
Satoru didn't reply.
Kana narrowed her eyes.
> "You think you're special, don't you?"
> "Not really."
> "Then why the act?"
Satoru adjusted his helmet.
> "It's not an act."
> "It's stupid. Heroes are just people who want attention. Real strong people don't waste time saving nobodies."
He studied her for a moment. Saw it in the way she held herself—like she needed to be stronger than everything around her.
> "That what you think?"
> "It's what I know."
She turned to leave.
> "Try not to die tonight, junkman."
> "You too, kid."
She stopped.
> "Tch. Whatever."
---
That night, Satoru logged a new entry in his notebook.
> "New observer: Kana Fujimura. Age: ~9. Strong quirk (unidentified, but reactive energy manipulation observed). Disposition: arrogant, hostile, dismissive of heroic ideals."
He paused, then added:
> "She doesn't believe in heroes. That's okay. I'll just keep showing her what one looks like."
He closed the notebook.
And smiled.