Lunchtime had barely begun when Komi collapsed dramatically onto the bench beside the table. Her face was twisted in clear annoyance as she announced "After all my effort, I only got eighty-three points!"
Momo looked up at her and offered a gentle smile. "Still, that's a big improvement compared to before. You should be proud."
"But I worked too hard for it," Komi groaned, resting her chin in her hands. "You and Junsei both got perfect scores, and neither of you even look like you're trying."
Momo tilted her head thoughtfully. "We study every day. We don't cram everything the night before."
Komi scoffed "I don't understand how you can bear studying pointless things, when will I ever need to know how light is reflected off surfaces or how human eyes work?"
Then turned toward Junsei, her annoyance melting into a crooked grin. "Still, thanks for the notes. You're the only person I know who's willing to give his notes away right before an exam."
Junsei, who was methodically eating his pile of sweets, glanced at her, nodded once in quiet acknowledgment, and returned his attention to the candy.
Komi watched him for a moment, then sighed. "How is it that you eat nothing but sugar and never get sick or fat?"
"I am built different," Junsei replied calmly.
Komi leaned back with a dramatic huff. "The world is unfair."
"I agree," Junsei said.
Momo watched the exchange with a soft smile. She could not help but compare this scene to how things had once been. After the ceremony months ago, Junsei had changed overnight. He was still expressionless all of the time and did or said inappropriate things sometimes, still distant in his own peculiar way, yet now he spoke to others. He responded when addressed, voiced his thoughts now and then, and even helped classmates when asked.
The change still surprised her. It felt sudden, almost abrupt, as though something inside him had shifted overnight. Momo believed the ceremony and Sykes' death must have altered the way Junsei viewed everything. Whatever the reason, she was relieved. At last, he seemed to be taking steps toward something resembling normal life.
Junsei finished his sweets and stood up. "I'm going to the library," he said. "I want to borrow a few books before the next period."
"okay," Momo replied, nodding.
She watched him leave, noting yet another change. Before, Junsei had spent his time reading spiritual and religious texts online. Now his interests had widened considerably, animal biology and interspecies breeding, human history, even detailed analyses of heroes and their quirks. Every week, it seemed, he was drawn to something new.
Komi followed Junsei with her eyes before turning back to Momo. "So, Mo… why does your cousin read so much? And about such random things? Every other day he's researching something new. What's he planning?"
Momo hesitated. "I asked him once why he does it, what he wants to become in the future. He just said, 'I have nothing in mind. Knowledge about humans can be useful.'"
Komi blinked. "Your cousin is weird, in both how he acts and how he talks. It is concerning"
"He's just a little different," Momo said gently.
Komi shook her head. "Keep telling yourself that. I bet he's secretly planning to conquer the world."
Momo frowned. "What?"
"Think about it," Komi said, warming to her theory. "He's way too smart, he never shows emotion like he has no heart, and he absorbs knowledge like there's no tomorrow. That points to one thing: a mad genius looking down on the rest of us normal people, or as he calls us, humans. He's basically a villain project in progress."
Momo laughed softly. "That's silly even for you."
Komi chuckled. "Mark my words. One day he'll try to build a machine to take over the world. No! Wait!" Her eyes lit up. "His quirk lets him communicate with animals, right? He'll build a device to help the animal kingdom rise up against us humans. It will be the fall of civilization just like in movies. That makes more sense."
Momo shook her head, still smiling, as Komi continued to grin triumphantly.
——————
The car ride home was relatively quiet. Momo sat, her attention fixed on the small screen in her hands, where the news replayed footage of All Might standing triumphant amid broken concrete and flashing cameras. His smile filled the screen.
"All Might really is the greatest hero in history," Momo said, her voice full of certainty. "There will never be another hero like him again."
Across from her, Junsei did not look up. A book rested in his hands, his eyes moving steadily across the page. He offered no comment.
Momo continued anyway "I wish I could become a hero faster. I want the chance to work by his side and save people, like the other heroes."
"You are a few years away from that," Junsei said calmly.
Momo nodded, then glanced at him. "What about you? Did you change your mind? Do you want to become a hero? You're strong."
Junsei turned a page. "No. I will never be a hero."
"Oh." Momo hesitated. "Then what are you going to do in the future?"
"Nothing," he replied. "But I am thinking of studying biology or engineering, they could be useful."
Momo accepted that with a small nod and returned to her video. Junsei, however, shifted his gaze to the window behind them. A car had been following at a careful distance for some time now.
His eyes glowed faintly for two seconds as he focused on the car, before dimming again as he returned to reading.
When the car finally pulled into the Yaoyorozu estate, Momo stepped out and headed straight to her room, eager to wash and change. Junsei took a different path, his feet carrying him toward Sai.
Sai at Junsei as he approached and smiled. "Ah, Junsei. How was your day?"
"Like usual, for the most part," Junsei replied. "But on the way back, I noticed a car following us. The two men inside work for Yuzu Kari. They plan to kidnap Momo ."
The smile vanished from Sai's face. "How sure are you of this?"
"I listened to them speaking," Junsei said. "I didn't act against them. Their car is parked two streets from here."
Sai said "Thank you for telling me. I'll inform Mr. Yaoyorozu immediately."
Junsei nodded and left, retreating to his room.
An hour later, a knock sounded at his door. Sai's voice followed. "Mr. Yaoyorozu is home. He wants to speak with you."
Junsei rose and followed Sai down the hall. Since their conversation months ago, this was the first time Mr. Yaoyorozu had summoned him directly. Junsei understood why. The man no longer trusted him, not after Sykes. Junsei reasoned that his actions had been seen as a violation of their agreement, a risk that could have implicated the family without their consent.
Inside the office, Mr. Yaoyorozu wasted no time. "Sai told me about the car following you. I want all the details."
"There aren't many," Junsei replied evenly. "They are studying our movements and waiting for the right moment to attempt the kidnapping."
"And where is this car now?" Mr. Yaoyorozu asked.
"A few kilometers away."
Mr. Yaoyorozu raised an eyebrow. "How do you know that?"
"I asked my friends to keep an eye on it," Junsei said, then paused. "Friends, as in birds."
Mr. Yaoyorozu noted the implication, the range of Junsei's awareness, and nodded slowly. "Very well. Keep watching them. Inform Sai or me immediately if they plan to act."
Junsei nodded.
"I'll double security around the young miss," Sai added.
Mr. Yaoyorozu agreed, then fell silent. Junsei looked between them, confusion flickering briefly across his otherwise blank expression.
"I don't understand you," he said. "You understand and believe Momo is in danger. You know who is targeting her and why. Why are you waiting like this? Shouldn't you act to prevent the danger?"
Both men looked at him.
"What are you implying? To kill them?" Mr. Yaoyorozu asked.
"Yes," Junsei replied. "Why wait until they hurt you? If you know what is coming, why not act?"
Sai shook his head. "Things aren't that simple. There are laws. Morals. You can't just do whatever you think is right. We didn't even inform the police"
Junsei considered this. "The law doesn't judge what can't be caught. And what is wrong with wanting to protect yourself? To prevent the certainty?" His eyes settled on Mr. Yaoyorozu. "I don't think you are a good human. You don't value life. So why hesitate? I don't understand you."
Mr. Yaoyorozu remained silent. He understood how twisted Junsei's view of the world was and yet, uncomfortably, he found a sliver of agreement in it.
Before Sai could speak, Mr. Yaoyorozu said, "Getting rid of that bastard isn't simple. If I succeed, there will be an investigation and any mistake will cause a disaster. And if we fail, there will be even more consequences."
"So you fear consequences and the law?" Junsei asked.
Mr. Yaoyorozu's eyes narrowed. "If I told you to kill Yuzu Kari without leaving a trace, without anyone ever being able to track you, could you do it?"
"Sir, I don't…" Sai began.
"Yes," Junsei interrupted.
Mr. Yaoyorozu looked at Sai's disapproving expression, then closed his eyes. After a long moment, he said, "I see. For now, keep an eye on Momo. Unless she is in immediate danger, do nothing."
Sai exhaled softly.
Junsei turned and left the office without another word, his footsteps quiet as the door closed behind him.