Chapter 98: A Conversation and a Decision
After some time, Aoi and Star were sitting looking at each other. The hotel room was quiet now, the morning light filtering through half-closed curtains, casting soft patterns on the floor. The air still carried the faint scent of their earlier passion sweat, skin, and something raw and unspoken. Neither spoke for a long moment, the weight of what had happened settling between them like a third presence in the room.
Aoi placed his hand on his chin and said:
—Well, who would have thought the crazy fan was really true... Star and Stripe in person. But you're a bit narcissistic to act like your own fan, aren't you?
Star punched him hard enough to make the bed shift slightly—and said:
—Who are you calling narcissistic? I was just disguising myself to see what a dangerous being like you does in my country. But who would have imagined this would happen?
She put her hand on her head, looking at him, and said:
—And now, what are we going to do?
Aoi stood up slowly, stretching his back as he walked toward the window. He stared out at the city for a second the distant ocean, the palm trees swaying, the normal world moving on as if nothing had changed. Then he turned back to her.
—Well, we can't do much. What happened already happened. We can't go back on that.
Aoi then went to his pants on the floor, fished out a small notepad and pen from his jacket pocket, wrote down his cell phone number in quick, neat handwriting, and handed it to her.
—Here, take it.
Star took the number, staring at the digits as if they were a puzzle she didn't know how to solve.
—Why are you giving me your cell phone number?
Aoi said:
—Well, since after this I bet you'll run back to work—after all, taking a day to rest is the maximum a person like you, who only lives as a heroine, can do—then we can still talk normally on the phone in your free time. At least it helps in case this happens.
Star looked at the paper again, then up at him.
—It's nice to have someone to talk to... Especially after this. I'd feel kind of weird if we just pretended nothing happened. But what does it mean if this happened? I didn't understand that part.
Aoi hesitated for a second, choosing his words carefully.
—Like... How do I say this... Well, if you know, getting pregnant after today...
He pointed gently toward her belly.
Star was shocked hearing this and stood up from the bed in shock. Her voice came out sharp.
—What are you saying? That's impossible!
Aoi said calmly:
—Well, it would be impossible if we hadn't done it. But since we had sex, nothing is impossible anymore. But relax. Even if you are, it's easy to solve.
Star looked at him with anger flashing in her eyes.
—If I'm really pregnant, I will never abort this baby. Forget that crazy idea completely.
Aoi met her gaze steadily, unflinching.
—Of course I never thought of that. Do you really think I thought you could do that to your own child when you die smiling to save strangers? It's impossible for me to think you'd do such a thing to your child. After all, what happened between us, despite being a little confusing, no one was forced into anything. You have no reason to hate this child.
Star fell silent. After all, it was true. Despite happening somewhat suddenly, no one was forced into anything. She had liked it. He had liked it. The memory of the night still lingered on her skin, warm and undeniable.
She then looked at him and said:
—So what's your plan to solve this?
Aoi smiled faintly.
—Simple. If it's confirmed that you are really pregnant, I need to use my copying power to copy your New Order and place a rule that pregnancy doesn't affect your body. That way you can have the baby without anyone suspecting anything. And after he's born, I'll take him and take care of him and no one will know you had a child.
Aoi thought to himself:
—It was a good idea to say my power is copying. That way I can use the bacteria with New Order power and place it in my hand and touch Star. That way she thinks it was the copied power without ever suspecting the technology.
Star looked at him and said angrily:
—The plan is actually good, but why do you think I'll let you take my child?
Aoi said:
—You know why All Might doesn't have a family? It's because he dies of fear that villains will use her to attack him. And you're in the same situation. Imagine the consequences of all the villains you've defeated knowing you have a child.
Star fell silent hearing this. She knew how many enemies she had made throughout her career as a heroine. If they only attacked her, she didn't mind. But she trembled with rage just thinking about them attacking her child—her child. The thought alone made her stomach twist.
Aoi looked at her and said:
—Besides, if you don't hide it and let me take him, he'll grow up in a military base, trained as a soldier from childhood. And is that what you want? For him to be treated as a soldier and not as a child who needs friends, school, and places to play?
Star, hearing this, sighed deeply and said tiredly:
—Fine... You win. You're right. Let's follow your plan.
Aoi said with a serious face:
—Besides, I can make that question for him. You can't, right? So it's better that I take care of him. And it's not like you'll be separated from him. I can bring him to visit you and we can pretend we're friends. He's your nephew. That way you can have contact with him without anyone suspecting anything.
Star fell silent hearing the family vs. world question again. She then looked at him and said:
—Well, if that's how it is, then let's follow your plan. But can your copy maintain New Order active for 9 months?
Aoi said:
—Well, it can. My copy works like slots. I have two. I just need to remove one and leave your New Order and keep only my super strength to protect myself. I can come visit you like every three months to check.
Star said:
—Well... What can I say? You already have a plan like that. I don't think it needs more adjustments.
Aoi said:
—And about the birth: on the day it happens, I can copy a healing power to avoid any accident or having to use a hospital. Well, I think that's it. Now I have to go back to Japan and you have to go back to your work, right?
Star said:
—Yes. I've rested more than I needed. Now I have to go back to my duty.
Aoi put on his clothes and went in front of her and kissed her—slow, deep, lingering. After some time, he separated from her and said:
—Well, good luck with your work. If anything happens, just call me. So, goodbye.
He said leaving the hotel with his backpack on his back.
Star lay on the bed and thought:
—Who would have thought a simple day off would cause so many problems...
She then also got dressed and quickly left the hotel so no one could see her. While running to her work quickly, she thought:
—A child... No... I never thought about that. It always seemed so distant. Well, but he must be exaggerating. It's impossible for that to happen.
On the other side, Aoi running finally reached the beach. The sun was high now, the sand warm under his feet, the ocean stretching out endlessly before him. He looked for a place with fewer people away from families, surfers, and tourists. He then looked at his backpack and checked if all the blood and genetic material was well preserved. Everything was secure, sealed, and stable.
He then impede into the water and started while following Morgana's GPS on his phone. The salt water skin at first, but he adjusted quickly, cutting through the waves with powerful strokes.
After some time swimming on the surface, seeing that he could attract attention swimming like that, he dove deeper and left the water behind. He accelerated his speed like a torpedo—body streamlined, muscles burning with controlled power, the ocean rushing past him in a blur of blue and white.
After a few hours swimming, he finally reached the beach in Japan. The sky was darkening, the first stars appearing overhead. Getting out of the water, he lay on the sand of the beach and thought:
—What the hell... I went just to get genetic material... Why did I manage the feat of leaving mine in her? But what's done is done. Only now unfortunately I can't slack off anymore when her fight with Shigaraki happens. My life is difficult... Problem after problem. I don't help either. Well, better get home soon. Nemuri, Ryuko and Rumi must already be worried.
Aoi said:
—But just five more minutes of peace first.
He said while closing his eyes. The sound of the waves was soothing, the cool night air drying the salt on his skin. For the first time in days, he allowed himself to simply breathe.