Chapter 24
Title: Prelude To A Conversation
You guys can support me by donating powerstones on this book
Anyways! Let's begin
◆━━━◆━━━◆
Third Person POV. -- 2nd Of November -- 2415
[ Banquet Hall ]
Yotsubashi Rikiya, CEO and founder of Detnerat company. Also the leader of MLA and the one who will see to Destro's vision becoming a reality.
The smiling man is walking through the halls, greeting fellow CEO's and friends alike, when suddenly the chattering crowd quietens, and 3 new faces enter the hall.
He looks up, and the little good mood he was beginning to feel behind his facade crumbles away.
The Benihanas, descendants of the man who took down Destro's ideals and stripped him of his dignity!
Rikiya will never forget. The things he learned about that man, the one who mercilessly tore apart his ancestors ideals, making him and his noble followers retreat into the shadows. If it weren't for Benihana Kuroine, then maybe the liberations of quirks would be an accepted ideal in the current society!
As Destro's descendant, Rikiya opted to make his dream become a reality and sought every way to gather followers to his cause. He used every method known to man, his end goal being the liberation of quirks, and the free will to use them as normal human rights!
He even took on the honor of naming himself after his ancestor, naming himself Re-destro, the incarnation of Destro, a symbol for the people, a beacon to guide them towards himself, and make his dream and the dream of his ancestor a reality.
'This time, they won't get in our way. Heck, the number 3 doesn't even know I'm related to Destro. ' his eyes slowly fall on a seat to the side, which houses 2 occupants with a white clothed table in the middle.
Specifically his gaze falls onto the Miracle,
–the girl who can do miraculous surgeries that would otherwise be impossible for others.
Even right now, even when the public, media, and other nations know of how she does it, they can't replicate her work. Not when they don't have the most crucial tool for these operations...
'Sanguimancy, what a blessed meta ability she's been born with. '
The CEO of Detnerat company, the leader of MLA, Re-destro is feeling jealous of a not yet teenage girl. 'She is so blessed that it's making me sick!
How can God Allmighty have such favor towards just one of their creations.' He may have these idle thoughts, but Re-destro is no man of religion. To him, she is just a lucky child who got everything handed to her, she never worked for her power, never improved upon it.
In fact, if it weren't for her family's inherent quirk, she'd be nothing more than another sheep, walking the streets of this oppressed world without a care in the world!
'Idle thoughts aside, she is still a potential asset, a big help in realizing Destro's vision for the future of this world. ' Despite his earlier claims, that he hatesthe Benihanas for what their ancestor did to Destro, Re-destro still plans on convertingRetsu to his cause.
'For Redvein it's too late, same with his wife, but their child is still young. There is still room for me to root in the idea.
Imagine it, the prodical daughter of my sworn enemies, turned against them and fighting for what her ancestor stood against. Now that is a fair play for what Kuroine did to my ancestor.
That is an outcome that puts a smile on my face. ' Rikiya decides. A tiny, more genuine yet sinister smirk donning his visage, and he begins walking towards where his target is sitting.
'The information we have on her, in terms of healing capabilities, she is easily the best. Her combat capabilities aren't bad either, based on the data Skeptic was able to gather, she is quite the formidable close combatant,
But that is all.
Even in close combat she wouldn't be able to best me, she is too young after all. Maybe in the future it could be different though, who knows. ' the smirking man will walk forward, his steps full of confidence and reassurance that he has already won.
He will take confident steps towards his perceived prey, his perceived victory...
–and he will freeze in place the moment he gets within a 15 feet radius of her.
His eyes will widen, as before him is a massive presence!
This presence is going unnoticed by every other soul inside this room, even the one his target is speaking with, and only he is feeling this pressure.
Rikiya's chest tightens, his breathing stopped not by his own command, but by the command of a higher existence.
'Th-this... Pressure-... ' the CEO does everything in his power to not lose his balance and fall to the floor, his bald head gathering sweat, and his stress responding in kind.
Yotsubashi Rikiya, Meta Liberation Code Name, Re-destro. Quirk, Stress.
He will convert his stress and other extreme negative emotions and stock piles them, later being able to convert them into physical strength.
The physical strength will masifest itself as black ooze like substances that will envelope and act as muscles for him.
That same ooze is slowly starting to make it's way towards his face, circling around his eyes and slowly making a domino mask take place on his visage, –like the defense mechanism build within the human body.
When a prey falls under the radar of a predator, they will instinctively try and save themselves.
Rikiya's quirk is instinctively wrapping around him, his body thinking that it's in danger.
This pressure goes on for a few more seconds, before it's lifted and Rikiya immediately supresses his quirk, not letting others see his changed visage!
His breathing is a little ragged, like he just had a light jog, his heart is hammering into his ears, making him hear his own heart beat. He has sweat all over his bald forehead, quickly bringing a napkin and starting to erase them with shaky hands.
In all his years of living, never before has Rikiya been on the receiving end of such an intimidating presence.
'And the fact that she was able to only direct it towards me, an Intent of such magnitude only on me with no one else to notice, it tells me everything I need to know that Skeptic wasn't able to with his gadgets,
Benihana Retsu is dangerous, I should proceed with caution. ' Rikiya concludes, all his earlier bravado about him being stronger than her and such evaporated from his mind.
Now he sees Retsu for the Apex Predator that she is.
Rikiya fixes his posture, before he starts walking towards Retsu's table, no longer a tiny victorious smirk on his face, but one of his buisness smiles.
That's right, he is not here to implement an ideal inside this girl anymore, he is here to talk buisness with her. Whatever outcome this conversation will lead to, Rikiya will make sure it's not a negative one for him and his side.
.
..
...
As the man of the hour gets closer, he's able to hear snippets of the conversation his target is having with the daughter of the Yaoyorozus.
"Oh, no not all three of them, only Triglycerides. Sterols and Phospholipid are a lipid kind that would cripple my body if my quirk demanded them. " The young Yaoyorozu says, a hand working on finishing her dessert while her conversation buddy is doing the same.
Now Rikiya isn't a man of science and human anatomy, so he has no idea what these girls are talking about. He just knows that children their age shouldn't be speaking about such advanced stuff but here they are.
'Maybe Skeptic could have an idea of what they are saying, what with his quirk needing him human sized objects to control and such. ' Rikiya thinks,
"Oh, no no, I understand. Phospholipids are a major part of cell membranes, so using them would cripple the human body. Same with Sterol lipids, they are also important for the human anatomy to work, hence why they'd cripple you if you used them in order to make things.
But quirks are special body mutations, I just thought maybe your body had found a way to bypass those human restrictions. "
Yeah on second thought maybe even skeptic wouldn't understand what they are saying.
Anyways, by now Rikiya has come close enough for the two children to turn and look at him.
Retsu's expression is as monotonous as it can get, while Momo is looking at him with wide eyes, seeing him for the Benevolent CEO that he's made his alter ego be.
Rikiya smiles politely, his eyes taking on a U shape as he waves a hand in a gesture of greedings and relaxed demeanor.
"Well hello here, I don't believe I've seen you two young ladies in my parties before. I am
R- Yotsubashi Rikiya, It is nice meeting you two. " Rikiya says, though internally he has other things to say,
'Dammit! The earlier scare hasn't worn off! I should be more careful, I almost stuttered my alias to them. Get it together dammit! you are Destro's Incarnation for god's sake! '
"May I have the pleasure of knowing you young ladies' names? " He offers a hand, from his posture to the way he speaks, it is clear he has no idea how to talk with young girls the age of 12, –never having thought of preparing for a scenario like this.
Retsu regardless though, humours him by accepting his outstretched hand, she is a polite lady after all. Always have been, always will be.
"Benihana Retsu, it is nice meeting you. Your work as the CEO of Detnerat company is something that i both envy and admire. Choosing to listen to the cries of the people and your clients, it shows how benevolent of a man you are. "
"W-wow, thank you for the compliments, my Young Lady. The feeling is mutual actually. I truely admire your father's work and how he uses his Meta ability to save people, it is truely a blessing to have you Benihanas in our midsts. " Rikiya replies, at first a little suprised by the way Retsu introduced herself and started the conversation.
He doesn't want to look like he's after her only though, so he turns his gaze to the other occupant next.
"And yet another very promising and beautiful young lady. My dear, everyday I thank the world for the chance to have the Yaoyorozus in our midsts. Your family is a Major investor in hero support companies and other major ones that build support items, including my humble Detnerat.
Please do extend my thanks to your family, and if I'm blessed with being able to interact with them myself in these yearly gallas, then I'll glandly thank them personally myself. "
Ah, his silver tongue is back, being long and pointy like the tongue of a serpent, the same as his long nose.
Retsu has a neutral smile throughout the whole exchange, 'let me guess, after this he will go and start learning everything he can about interacting with younger aged people in order to never get under an unprepared scenario like this again.'
Rikiya continues, "Now you ladies have a good time talking with each other. Little old me is needed elsewhere to talk about adult stuff and such. " He smiles towards them, before giving Retsu a side look, knowing that someone able to produce such a presence as before can't be measured by their age.
Retsu gets the look, before she and Momo nods, leading to Rikiya turning and going away, leaving the two to continue with their conversation.
"Wow, he is so easy and nice to talk to, isn't he, Benihana-san? " Momo says, a smile on her face, the intelligent girl still naive in these aspects.
Retsu nevertheless gives her a nod, "hm, he is nice to talk to I'll give him that. But a word of advice, Yaoyorozu-san, " Retsu says, making the smiling girl turn to look at her. "Never judge a book by its cover, but the contents within. " Retsu says.
Momo tilts her head in confusion, "hm? If you say so, Benihana-san, " Her tone is unsure, though she chooses to listen to Retsu's words, trying to decipher its meaning.
The duo continue from where they left off before Rikiya came and interrupted their conversation.
They mostly talk about their quirks, and what genetic limits they've come to realize of it. Retsu is so open about her limits to Momo because she knows the 12 year old girl is no snitch. She won't be going around explaining everything to everyone she sees, not even her parents.
Yaoyorozu Momo is a girl who was born different. Her quirk demanded she be more innovative, have higher mental capabilities, and an overall higher IQ.
Because of this, she always had a different, more intelligent way of thinking, resulting in her not getting much friends who are in her own age class. Anyone her age who she interacts with, they didn't understand what she is talking about most of the time, resulting in her losing friends as fast as she makes them.
A creator who can't create friends for herself because of her intelligence and way of thinking, what a twist of fate.
That is also the reason Momo was so fast in becoming Retsu's friend. She has finally found someone who can keep up with her, someone who understands what she says, someone... Someone like herself.
This feeling is somewhat mutual for Retsu. The over a thousand years old soul isn't someone who would lose themselves just because she can't make friends her own age, –her soul being too old to care for trivial things such as human interaction, but she also doesn't hate the idea either.
Now that she has found someone she can share some of her passions with, someone her own physical age, she is quite happy if she says so herself.
She wouldn't let Himiko know of this though, that girl can be quite possessive of her. Not even Mina has cracked her walls yet and they've been together for months.
Anyways, as the duo are continuing with their conversation, –their desserts already long been enhaled, Momo's parents suddenly walk forward.
"Oh, there you are Yaomomo, I was looking for you everywhere dear. " Her mother, a woman with the same black hair and Onyx eyes as her daughter, says as she and Momo's father walk towards their seats.
'Sigh, can't an old soul have a full conversation without being interrupted for once. ' Retsu thinks, though doesn't show it on the outside, choosing to instead wear a mask of polite smiles.
Momo tilts her head as she sees her friend has suddenly changed her expression so much, an expression that frankly doesn't suit her in Momo's opinion, but she doesn't voice it.
"Ah, Mother, Father. I made a new friend here, this is Benihana Retsu, " She points to Retsu, "and Benihana-san, these are my parents. My Mother and Father. " She says, not giving Retsu their names simply because Momo has been calling them Mother and Father her entire life.
Momo's mother steps forward, putting a hand on her side cheek and smiling sweetly, "awh what a lovely girl you are! Thank you for being my daughter's friend, dear. It means more than you think. " She says, "My name is Yaoyorozu Miko, but you can call me aunt Miko if you like dear. " She says.
In Retsu's eyes and senses, and the way this woman speaks, she concludes something about her. 'It seems I had gone biased a little earlier.
From her visage, to the way she speaks, to the micro expressions she makes. Now I may be little again, but no human can fool my senses.
She is genuine in her intentions. It seems she only wanted for Momo to become my friend and friend only, there is no alternative motive behind her words or intentions. ' Retsu concludes before she shows the mother a genuine smile,
"It's very nice to meet you too, Aunt Miko. I've heard about you before. Your work in making beautiful and durable fabrics have drawn quite the attention in the fashion industry. "
Yaoyorozu Miko, Mother of Yaoyorozu Momo and the woman with the quirk, Fabric Creation.
Where her daughter's quirk have mutated and become something able to create anything none living, her's is simple fabric creation. But the fabrics she creates can be in any color or designs she wants, their durability and toughness against the elements are also quite good.
She has made herself a company before she married into the Yaoyorozus, and soon after she did she turned her fabric and fashion creation company's name into her new family name.
The Yaoyorozu Brands are both good quality and beautiful dress designs. Even the clothes her mother and father are wearing right now are from Miko's company.
Her father on the other hand,
"Oh, and this is Yaoyorozu Takahashi, my husband and Momo's father. " Miko introduces, leading to Retsu looking at Takahashi, seeing the man with a slight sweat besides her face and wearing glasses over his blue pupils.
"Oh, do forgive me for not introducing myself. You see, I'm kind of feeling uncomfortable in this circle because you are all woman and girls, I'm not quite sure I feel like I should be here, amidst this circle. " He says, bringing a hand behind his head and slightly scratching his black, straight hair.
"Oh don't mind him, he's just shy around new faces~ " Miko quickly says, a teasing smirk on her face,
'Uncomfortable with new company? The same man who meets new people for new projects and investments he does for his whole family? No I don't think so. ' Retsu thinks,
Though on the other hand she understands him too. "Oh, well feel free to speak your mind, there are no strangers here after all. " Retsu says, making the man slightly chuckle in modesty.
'Speaking with others and mindlessly complimenting them is starting to get boring and a chore at this point. ' Retsu internally contemplates before she turns to Momo, "Yaoyorozu-san, it seems my mother is looking for me. I'll catch up with you later if that's okay.
It was nice meeting you three, I hope we'll see more of each other in the future. " Retsu makes an excuse,
"Oh, very well. I have your number so I hope we will talk later." Momo says, getting a nod from Retsu,"Definitely "
She gives a curt bow to the adults, before parting ways from the trio, –her destinationnot her parents like she said, but somewhere else.
'Now that that is out of the way, it is time to find out what Re-destro-san has to say~'
Now this, this does make Retsu's blood boil in quiet anticipation.
.
..
...
Author's Note/ this chap there wasn't much revealing and thrill involved, but trust me, it's part of the process.
Trust in yours truly to deliver okay?
Anyways! Here we learn of Momo and her parents, wealthy and influential people who would fit the atmosphere of what these events is all about.
Retsu also gets to meet another original character from the show she watched in ber second life, someone who can quite compliment her way of thinking and intelligence.
Let me know what you guys think of the pacing of the story, the character introductions, and everything else in between.
The end of the first Volume is near, and I have already put the name of it too, so do tell what you guys think of that as well.
Anyways! That is all and Have a great day/night, bye!