Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
Jinx Pov.
"AAAAARRGGGHH!!" I couldn't help but scream in fury as I walked over to my bed, grabbed the first thing I found, and threw it behind me.
"Careful, someone could get hurt," said a voice at the door as she grabbed the pillow she had just thrown.
"Cass," I choked out.
"Can we come in?" she asked politely, still standing in the doorway of my room. I tensed slightly.
"'Can we?'" I asked carefully, almost growling, Cassandra entered the room and cleared the space for the person behind her.
"Mom." I sighed in relief when I saw Mother walk through the door. Finally, I gave up and sat down on my bed with a stifled groan. "H-how could she do this to me?" I asked pitifully, tears forming in the corner of my eyes. I blinked rapidly to keep from crying. How pathetic.
I could feel the bed sinking on either side of me. Mother and Cassandra sat on either side of me.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, Jinx," Mother said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You can come to Zaun and stay there. You're of age. She can't force you to do anything you don't want to do. She won't have any say in what you do," Mother said easily. Cass snorted to the side.
"I'm sure Violet would love for you to do that, she's more than capable of accusing you of kidnapping," Cass said mockingly. Mom shrugged.
"Violet can throw all the tantrums she wants; that doesn't mean she'll get anything done," Mom said calmly.
"Certainly not," Cass said with a shrug. "Besides, you can easily cancel your application. The exams aren't for another five months, if I'm not mistaken. That's no problem," Cass added.
"You don't owe Violet anything," Mom said firmly again. "You can do whatever you want. It's your life. Live it however you want."
"They don't want me to meet with you, they don't want me to be... me... they want to change me," I said tearfully.
"You don't have to change a thing, my girl. You're perfect just the way you are," Mom said gently. I could feel all her love in those words. I ran to her and hugged her tightly. Mom only stroked me lightly.
"If I could say something—" Cass said after a few minutes. I sat up and looked at her as she wiped the tears from my eyes. "—I think you should agree to go to Japan," Cass said. I looked at her, betrayed, as she raised a hand. "Let me explain," she said immediately.
"…okay." I said slowly.
"You've been complaining about Ekko for weeks. You mentioned he won't let you be free, either at the academy or in your free time. And now Violet's going to be added to this, and unfortunately, my daughter, because she's so whipped by her that she'll do anything she asks. They're going to get annoying. We both know she's too stupidly stubborn to let it go."
"It's easier to just accept everything and go to Japan as soon as possible. That way, you can avoid them and stop them from bothering you. Besides, it's not like you're being sent somewhere; you'll be studying at UA, a renowned university for Heroes and Hunters."
"If… you wish to inherit your mother's guild leadership, then a degree from UA would be a really good thing," Cass said analytically, and I looked at her flatly.
"First, this is Zaun we're talking about. No one could care less about a certified piece of paper saying I graduated from a fancy university as a huntress. I'll be the laughingstock of everyone." I said dryly.
"You're right, Zaun doesn't mind, but Piltover does," Mom said, humming, thinking as she always did. "The Piltover Council wants me off the tables. They'll be delighted to have someone take my place, and they really can't wait for it."
"But they'll look down on anyone from Zaun, simply on principle, but someone with a full resume from one of the world's most renowned universities? Even they'll be able to understand the value of that."
"And then Zaun, they might not care, strength is what speaks in Zaun, you'll have years to train, all you have to do is prove to all the Zaunites that you're stronger than them. Period." Mom said dryly.
" Yes, it sounds like an excellent plan, but that brings us to the damn second point. It seems that they are forgetting a small detail, a detail called the damn years of service! I will have to serve who knows how many years in Japan before I can return! " I exclaimed forcefully while clenching my fists.
"I think we can get you the shortest possible mandatory service time—three years, if I'm not mistaken," Cass said, calculating. "Plus the three years on your standard resume, that's six to seven years in Japan."
"7 years! 7 years away!? How are you so calm!" I said incredulously, Mom laughed lightly as she placed a hand on my head.
" Because I want the best for you, Jinx, if that's in another country, so be it," Mom said softly.
"But… but you'll be alone." I bit my lip hard. Mom pursed her lips into a thin line.
"There's nothing more ruinous than a daughter," Mom said with a soft smile as she took one of my hands. "I'll miss you? Terribly. But I would never put my needs above your well-being," Mom said firmly. Cass laughed lightly.
"I can't believe this is the first time I've completely agreed with you," Cass snorted amusedly. Mom shrugged again, amusedly.
"Besides, I still have Sevika and the rest of Zaun. And I certainly hope you'll call me often if you decide to leave," Mom said mockingly. I was silent for a few seconds as I thought everything through. I took a deep breath before making my decision.
"I'll do it," I said finally.
"All right, we have a lot to prepare, and very little time," Mom said, her eyes shining.
"You'll have to learn Japanese. You have a few months. I'll hire some tutors. I understand there's someone who uses a quirk to speed up learning a new language. I'll see if I can hire her," Cass said with the same brilliance.
I moaned loudly as I followed them, listening to them plan everything. Maybe this was a bad idea.
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July 29 2xxx - Jinx Pov.
I stretched lazily as I walked toward my room. Today had been a good day. A small party formed by the rest of the class, doing practically nothing, was just what I needed after the previous day.
Being forced to wake up was a terrible idea, but now I had a date with my bed that could last as many hours as I wanted; it sounds like paradise.
I felt my scroll vibrate slightly, took it out of my pocket, and looked at the incoming message.
"I'm sorry."
I blinked a few times as I looked at the message before seeing who had sent it. Caitlyn? What the hell does sorry mean? What did she have to apologize for? I wrinkled my nose before putting it away and brushing it off. I walked to my room, about to enter the security code, when I felt the door open, unlocked.
I frowned, opened the door, and looked inside.
" Pow -" BAM! I slammed the door. " Powder! Open the door!" I ignored Vi's muffled scream. Why the fuck was she in my room!? How did she get here?! How did she get in!? " Pow -"
"Jinx!" I interrupted Vi.
"Whatever! Open the door! " Vi said, I could hear footsteps from inside, I gripped the door handle tightly just in time as Vi started pulling on the door.
"No!" I exclaimed forcefully while clenching my teeth, Stupid sister with a strength quirk! I placed one foot on the wall next to the door and held on with all my strength to keep the door closed.
"Open up!" Vi shouted as she banged and slammed the door open. I gritted my teeth.
"No! Go away!" I grunted with exertion.
"I'm in! How do you want me to leave?! " Vi shouted.
"There's a window, jump out!" I snapped.
"Let go of the door at once! I'm not leaving until I've spoken to you!" I could hear the door creak.
"I have nothing to talk to you about, fat hands! This is clearly a violation of privacy and trespassing!" " Hatlady! Do your damn job and arrest your wife!" I shouted through the door.
"I'm sorry, Jinx. I really am," Caitlyn said in a pained voice. "I tried to stop her. You know how your sister can be."
"My sister?! She's your wife when she acts crazy!" I retorted forcefully. I could feel my fingers aching from the tight grip, but I didn't let go of the door.
"Jinx, she's clearly your sister when she breaks the law," Caitlyn said in a tired voice.
"So you're admitting to breaking the law!? What kind of sheriff are you?! Please, at least tell me she didn't convince you by having sex to break into my room illegally!" I exclaimed incredulously. I waited for Caitlyn's denial, but it never came. "You're losing all respect I have for you, Cupcake," I growled loudly.
"I'm still here! Open the damn door already! " Vi growled as she banged harder on the door.
"I'd tell you to fuck off, but it seems your wife already did that part!" I yelled angrily.
"Jinx!" " Powder!" they exclaimed at the same time, clicking their tongues before suddenly letting go of the door. The door flew open at full speed, revealing the room, and that was the exact moment when Vi was thrown back by the door to fall on her back with a thud.
"Nice moves, sister." I huffed as I walked into the room. I didn't even bother closing the door. I walked all over my sister, literally stepping on her leg, her stomach, her chest, and her face as I walked by.
" Powder!!!" Vi growled, as she tried to push me away. I just jumped away from her and ignored her. I entered the room and saw my bed. I was about to throw myself down before looking at her suspiciously.
"Tell me they didn't sleep in my bed?" I asked with a grimace of disgust.
"No!" Caitlyn cried, embarrassed, as she helped Vi to her feet. I huffed, kicked off my boots, and tossed them aside before jumping up and falling onto the bed.
"Okay, you've seen me, now go, I have to rest." I snorted as I looked at them out of the corner of my eye.
"Not yet, we need to talk." Vi said firmly, and I rolled my eyes.
"Speak, but you'll notice I won't listen," I said mockingly. Vi groaned in frustration.
"You entered a Gate! You faced terrorists!" Vi said suddenly. I hummed softly.
"Good for you, they have a proper understanding of what happened, the talk was wonderful, you know where the door is," I said simply.
" Powder! Can you be serious for once! " Vi exclaimed in frustration. I rolled my eyes and sat down on my bed. I looked at Vi, who looked worried and very frustrated, and Caitlyn looked more tired and had a growing headache. I should have felt sorry for her, but I didn't.
"Talk for now so I can go to sleep," I said, crossing my arms.
"You fought terrorists, entered a red door, and were missing for over six hours. You don't see anything wrong with that?" Vi asked, gritting her teeth. I blinked and looked at her in disbelief.
"Wait, does that bother you? Is that why you came all the way to I-Island?!" I asked incredulously. " Vi, I'm at a freaking school for heroes and hunters, one you sent me to by the way, what did you think I'd be doing?! Of course, I walked into a door! That's my freaking job!" I yelled at her. Vi growled.
"No, you're a hero in training; it's not your place to do any of that," Vi replied. I snorted.
"No, you're very wrong," I said, grabbing my Scroll and showing my digital license. "I have a hunter's license. All Might, Japan's number one hero, nationally ranked hunter, and my teacher, authorized the entire operation. At no point did I break any laws." I lied lightly.
Obviously, most of what happened had been hidden from the public, because well, it really wasn't worth it to spread panic by saying that the door was seconds away from breaking. I'm sure that Caitlyn had also been forced to tell that version, at least that she also skipped that protocol because apparently they were only following the laws that suited them.
I looked at Caitlyn and narrowed my eyes at her. She opened her eyes slightly and shook her head behind Vi; at least she could keep her mouth shut in some cases.
"If that's all, now go. You've seen me, you've talked to me, I'm fine. Now get back to Piltover." I snorted angrily.
"No, we're not done yet, you haven't talked to me in months!" Vi said pitifully, and I rolled my eyes.
"I thought the message was obvious," I said mockingly. "The plan was to spend seven years away from you, but here you are." I mocked. Vi seemed hurt by the comment. I looked away. "Now go back to Piltover, sister, and let's continue like the last few months. It's better that way." I snorted before lying down and turning around. Vi remained silent.
"No," Vi said firmly. "We'll spend the day together tomorrow, whether you like it or not." I gritted my teeth and sat down.
"What?! No?! Why can't your empty head understand?! I want you away from here!" I growled angrily as I grabbed a pillow and threw it at her.
" Pow -"
"Violet." We all froze at the new voice, my smile appearing as a figure entered the room.
"Silvia." "Mom!" I chirped as Vi gritted her teeth. I ignored her and ran to Mom and hugged her.
"This is a surprise! Why are you here?!" I asked happily. Mom just placed a hand on my shoulder while smiling slightly.
"I heard about the accident. Of course I'd come check on you," Mom said gently. I rolled my eyes while smiling.
"I'm fine! It was no problem, it was a piece of cake! Come, I'll tell you everything!" I said happily as I began to drag Mom.
" Really?" Vi asked incredulously with a hint of pain.
"As much as I'd like to hear the whole story, we should leave it for tomorrow," Mom said with an apologetic expression. I looked at her, confused, and she just placed a hand under my chin as she looked at my face. "You have pretty deep dark circles under your eyes. You need to rest." Mom said. I moved her hands away from my face.
"I'm not a little girl," I said, embarrassed, blushing slightly. Mom laughed lightly and huskily.
"Whatever you say," Mom said playfully. "I'll be happy to hear the whole story tomorrow. Now you need to rest," Mom said as she pulled away.
"But-" I complained with a pout. Mom just raised a very unimpressed eyebrow.
"Go rest." She said simply in my direction before looking at Vi. "Violet, outside, Jinx needs to rest," Mom said coldly. Vi crossed her arms while raising her chin.
"I don't have to do anything you say," Vi growled. Mom tilted her head lazily.
"There are multiple noise complaints; they were about to send security guards," Mom said flatly. "I convinced them I would end all this... conflict. Out with you, Violet," Mom said simply. Vi gritted her teeth.
"Vi… let's go." Caitlyn said, placing a hand on her arm. Vi looked at everyone conflicted.
"Fine," Violet spat, glaring at Mom before looking back at me. "But tomorrow's plans are still on!" Vi said, leaving no room for argument.
"What?! No! Don't accept anything! " I said incredulously.
"We'll be there," Mom said more calmly. I looked at her in surprise.
"Shall we do it?" I asked, confused.
"Will they?" Vi asked through gritted teeth.
"Of course, it's a family trip, right? Of course I'll be there," Mom said amusedly. My eyes sparkled slightly.
"We'll be there," I said with a wide smile.
"No-"
"Vi. You won't win this one," Caitlyn interrupted with a sigh. Vi grimaced in disgust as she looked at Silvia.
"Fine!" she spat as she finally left. I sighed in relief. I was about to talk to Mom when she turned around to look at me.
"Rest, my daughter. We'll talk tomorrow. I have the whole day just for you," Mom said firmly. My smile grew really wide.
"Okay! I have a lot to tell you! " I said excitedly. Mom smiled slightly as she nodded. She kissed the top of my head and began to pull away,
"By the way," I heard Mom's voice. "I'm really curious to know more about your new... boyfriend. I hope I can meet him." I heard the door close, and I froze.
…
…fuck.