Chapter 32: The Pillar of U.A.
"Who is that guy? Why is he walking with Miss Ryanne!?"
"Give it up. He's from the Hero Course..."
"So what if he's from the Hero Course!?"
"Sorry, but people from the Hero Course can do whatever they want. Didn't you know? That one guy from the second year is chasing after the Student Council Secretary!"
"Damn it! I saw her first..."
"Tadakuni, wake up! We were wrong about you! Don't pass out from the shock!"
As Yoshikage Kira walked, he could hear the strange whispers and feel the odd looks from the people around him. He almost couldn't maintain his composure. But when he glanced at the girl beside him, who was smiling radiantly and greeting people she knew, he couldn't bring himself to express his displeasure. If she didn't care about the gossip, why should he?
When they arrived at the nurse's office, Kira could finally breathe a sigh of relief, free from the piercing glares of surprise, shock, and jealousy.
"Hehe, were you nervous just now?" Ryanne asked, covering her mouth with her hand as she laughed. "I'm so sorry. I have a lot of friends, and they can be a bit dramatic."
Although she was apologizing, she seemed quite pleased with herself.
"Yes, perhaps," Kira said, not wanting to engage with her further. He gave a noncommittal reply, pushed open the door, and saw Recovery Girl sitting in her chair, clipping her fingernails.
"Kira, you're here." Recovery Girl looked up, blew on her fingers, put down the nail clippers, and hopped off her chair. She walked over to Kira, then looked at Ryanne standing beside him, her gaze appraising. "Why are you with him?"
Him? Before Kira had a chance to process that, Ryanne scampered behind Recovery Girl, crouched down, and began to massage her shoulders, speaking before Kira could. "Grandma, it's like this! I ran into Kira-kun on the way here. You've been talking about him so much, I've wanted to meet him for a long time!"
"Hmph." Recovery Girl snorted. "That's because he's a better kid than you. You have a healing Quirk, but you never help your old grandma. All you do every day is go to that club of yours..."
"Look at Kira here. Even though he's the president of the Hero Course, he's never once refused my requests and always comes here to help..."
The more Kira listened, the more something felt off. Was he just being used as free labor? He couldn't help but speak up. "Recovery Girl, I've been meaning to ask about that. Your Quirk can heal students' injuries instantly. Why do you still write out individual prescriptions and pull me in to help when you're busy?"
"Kira, crouch down." Recovery Girl reached up and flicked Kira on the forehead. After he let out a hiss of pain, she said with satisfaction, "Weren't you paying attention in class? My Quirk stimulates a person's own cells to accelerate their division. Using it on someone who is seriously injured or unable to replenish their energy will only hasten their death. Those with minor injuries don't need my Quirk. But your Quirk is different. It uses some kind of magnetic field to enhance cellular activity, acting like a catalyst to reduce the body's natural recovery time. It's beneficial to the human body, with no harmful side effects."
Kira already knew all of this; after all, he was the one who had explained the properties of Hamon to her.
Recovery Girl sighed, her expression turning serious. "Kira, Quirks weaken with age. How much longer do you think an old woman like me can use mine? The time for me to step down is not far off. If U.A. is still relying on me by then, the school will suffer a great blow."
The principal of U.A. High relied heavily on Recovery Girl. He had her attend every major meeting, and he never refuted or corrected her opinions, instead happily accepting even her most outlandish-sounding advice without question. In reality, Recovery Girl was the most important pillar of U.A.
Fortunately, Recovery Girl generally only considered problems from her own perspective and offered sound advice, never making any outrageous demands.
Ryanne squinted, smiling slyly. "Grandma, what are you talking about? You're the pillar of U.A. Academy. If you weren't here, who could possibly take on such a great responsibility...?"
"Isn't All Might here? With the Number One Hero around, what do they need an old woman like me for?" Recovery Girl waved her hand dismissively and sat back down in her chair. She then said meaningfully, "Besides, aren't you all here? I'd feel at ease if you took over for me in the medical field. Your Quirk is even stronger than mine was when I was your age."
"Grandma!" Ryanne sat down on the bed, puffing out her cheeks and crossing her arms. "Didn't we have a deal? As long as I do what you say, you won't make me become a Pro Hero before I graduate."
"Alright, alright..." Recovery Girl sighed and muttered to herself, "Since you're so unwilling, then I suppose you won't be helping out at the Sports Festival this time. Just let this old bag of bones run back and forth between the first, second, and third-year events."
U.A. High was incredibly wealthy, and the Sports Festival for all three grade levels was held simultaneously. Injuries during the competitions were extremely common. As the only healing hero on the faculty, Recovery Girl shouldered an immense responsibility.
"Tch... you old lady." Ryanne couldn't bear the thought of her grandmother running around like that. Her heart softened. In a voice too low for anyone else to hear, she grumbled, then said in a tone of resignation, "I get it! I'll be in charge of the first-year Sports Festival. But just so we're clear, I'm not using my Quirk!"
After saying this, she didn't linger. She grabbed her pink handbag and headed for the door.
She paused at the doorway, turned, and smiled at Yoshikage Kira. "You'll be participating in the Sports Festival too, right? I'll be cheering for you. Good luck!"
Kira silently watched her leave. After a moment, he spoke. "Recovery Girl, is Ryanne's Quirk that strong? Can she handle the responsibility of providing medical treatment?"
"Don't worry. He's my grand... daughter, after all. Her medical knowledge is vast. Even without using her Quirk, she can manage every patient properly."
Recovery Girl said slowly, "I was originally going to introduce you two. I didn't expect you to meet on your own..."
Yoshikage Kira's expression didn't change. "Yes. She's a very pretty girl."
"Haha..." A shadow of gloom flashed in Recovery Girl's eyes. She looked up and smiled at Kira. "Although his personality is a bit difficult, I hope you can spend more time with him."
"Her personality is fine." Is this a parent's approval? Kira felt no pleasant surprise. Instead, he sensed that he might be getting dragged into some kind of trouble. He refused directly. "She has many friends. Just now, a boy confessed to her."
"Sigh... still punishing herself for what happened in the past. Who is she really angry at...?" Recovery Girl's expression changed, and she said enigmatically, "That child is actually very lonely. I hope you can help her."
To be honest, Kira had no desire for any further contact with Ryanne. But he understood Recovery Girl's concern for her grandchild. He simply said, "I'll do my best."
"Is that so? That's good enough," Recovery Girl said with a wry smile, hopping down from her stool. "Right, let me tell you about the arrangements for this time."
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