The mall was still reeling from the robbery incident. News outlets had covered the story, and the robbers were in custody, their faces plastered all over TV screens. But Jason Lax didn't care about that. He'd already moved on. The adrenaline had worn off, and now it was just a typical day again—except for the fact that Momo kept giving him that look.
She hadn't said anything about his shapeshifting yet, which surprised him. Momo had always been sharp. And if she'd noticed his ability, Jason knew she wasn't the type to let it slide.
It was late afternoon when they got back to their family's estate. Jason had avoided the topic on the way home, making jokes, keeping it light, but he knew Momo was still processing everything.
As they walked into the massive, lavish house, Momo stopped in the entryway, her face unreadable.
"Jason," she started quietly, her voice carrying that no-nonsense tone that only Momo could muster. "We need to talk."
Jason stiffened. He'd been waiting for this. His body tensed, but he forced a relaxed expression onto his face. "About what?"
"You know what," she said. "The mall. You used your Quirk again."
Jason's smile faded slightly, but he kept his tone playful. "Oh, that. Yeah, I used it. What about it?"
Momo crossed her arms, standing her ground. "I know you're hiding something, Jason. You've always been a little... secretive. But I want the truth. You didn't just use shapeshifting back there, did you?"
Jason let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. He'd known this moment was coming. Momo wasn't the type to let things go. But the question wasn't simple. It wasn't just about the shapeshifting. There was more. Much more.
He glanced around the grand entrance hall, ensuring they wouldn't be interrupted. It wasn't like there was much he could say to anyone else about it anyway.
He looked back at Momo, seeing the concern in her eyes. Her sharp gaze. She wasn't just worried about his safety—she was worried about the whole picture.
"Momo," Jason said, his voice softer than usual, "you're right. There's more to my Quirk than what you saw."
Momo's eyes narrowed. "What are you not telling me?"
Jason hesitated. His heart rate picked up a little. He'd never been open about his past—hell, he barely even acknowledged it in his own mind. But Momo... She was different. She deserved answers.
He motioned for her to follow him, and they both retreated into the large library that Jason often liked to frequent when he needed to think. It was a room filled with towering bookshelves and soft, golden lighting. But for Jason, it was the solitude that made the room comfortable.
Once they were inside, Jason closed the door behind them, ensuring no one would overhear. He paced for a moment, his mind racing, but then stopped. There was no point in dragging this out. Momo was going to get the truth, whether he was ready for it or not.
"I wasn't just shapeshifting at the mall," Jason began, keeping his eyes fixed on her. "I've had this Quirk since I can remember. But I've always kept it under control, hidden. It's not something I've ever wanted to flaunt."
Momo's brow furrowed. "Why? Why hide it?"
Jason exhaled sharply. "Because it's dangerous. Not just for me, but for anyone who gets too close."
He could see Momo's confusion deepening, but she didn't interrupt. That was Momo—always patient when she knew something important was coming.
"The shapeshifting? That's only part of it," Jason continued, his voice steady but laced with a hint of tension. "I can do more than that. A lot more. But I don't just shift into people. I can mimic their abilities, too. Whatever their Quirk is, I can take it and use it like it's my own."
The silence that followed was heavy. Momo's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait… so you can copy other people's Quirks?"
Jason nodded, his expression serious. "Exactly. It's not just physical change. It's full-on adaptation. But the thing is, it's not a permanent ability. I can only hold onto it for a short time before it fades. The more complex the Quirk, the harder it is for me to maintain. But… that's not the worst part."
Jason's voice faltered slightly, but he pushed through. "The worst part is what happens when I use someone's Quirk for too long. I… start to lose myself. I lose my sense of who I really am. I get tangled up in their memories, their emotions. It messes with my head."
Momo's eyes softened. She took a step closer, her voice gentle but insistent. "Jason, you don't have to hide this from me. You're not alone."
Jason shook his head, looking away for a moment. "You don't understand, Momo. Every time I use someone else's Quirk, it feels like a piece of me fades. Like I'm becoming them instead of myself. And if I do it too often, I might forget who I even am."
Momo's heart ached for him. She reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "I'm here for you, Jason. No matter what your Quirk is, no matter what you're hiding. We'll figure it out together."
Jason's gaze softened, but the hint of defensiveness remained. He knew Momo cared—hell, he cared about her too—but letting someone in this deep was harder than he thought.
"Thanks, Momo," Jason muttered, looking down at her hand on his arm. "I didn't mean to keep it from you. I just… didn't know how to explain it. And I didn't want to make you worry."
"I'm your sister," Momo said with a small smile, her voice firm and comforting. "That's what family is for. To worry, to care, and to help when things get tough. No more hiding, alright?"
Jason managed a small smile in return, though it was laced with a little unease. "Yeah, alright."
As the tension in the room slowly ebbed away, Jason felt a sense of relief—but also a deeper weight. There was a lot about himself that he still needed to figure out. And as much as he hated it, he knew that Momo would be there, every step of the way.
But for now, Jason pushed the thoughts away. He had no intention of letting his fears ruin the day. There were always challenges ahead, but for now, he could just relax.
"So, uh," Jason said, flashing Momo a grin, "how about that arcade trip now? You still owe me a game of laser tag."
Momo couldn't help but laugh, the tension finally breaking between them. "I'm not letting you off the hook that easy, Jason."
Jason's grin widened. "I never said you had to."
And just like that, the world felt a little less heav