Y-yeah, it makes sense. I guess it's just a little difficult to arrange that sometimes, because so many people in our world have quirks. It doesn't always work out.
[Izuku shakes his head, smiling gently.]
I don't mind, Tonbokiri-san. You can ask all the questions you want.
Thank you. I am glad to learn more about you, and your Japan. Perhaps one more question for now, then. About when did people start having these quirks? I admit, although it seems that you are familiar with the history I know, I wonder about how such powers might have affected things.
A long time already, actually. [Izuku presses his thumb to his lip, thoughtful.]
I've only heard about it through books and online research, but developing the quirks really set us back as a society for a while. Instead of making advancements, people began to doubt others different from them, and argued about what made us really human.
To be honest, I did not expect an answer like that. I am disappointed to hear such a thing happened, but it also makes sense. Human kind's greatest enemy will always be themselves. [With the History Retrograde Army a close second. But they won't ever get their way.
He then lifts his eyes to the pictures of All Might and lightens his tone.]
Humans are also incredibly resilient and optimistic. Your Japan came back from that to have a society full of great heroes! Like this All Might. You said that you have liked him since you were a child. Can you tell me about what it was that first impressed you about him?
You're...not wrong. [There's a flicker of sad understanding in Izuku's eyes as he thinks about what things must have been like back then.] I think people just don't like it when others are different.
[He has first hand experience of this.]
All Might... he's the kind of hero who leaves an impression. I was a kid when I first saw him--and I remember thinking... he was so cool, and that I wanted to be able to save people like he did.
[He nods in understanding, himself. There are reasons why the touken danshi do not usually reveal themselves, and that is one of them.]
To still be devoted to him years after that first impression, it is commendable of you! And now you are even being mentored by him. It seems that you are firmly upon the path you wished for.
I hope so! [He lifts a hand to rub at the back of his neck.]
I know I still have a long way to go before I can even measure up to someone like him, but as long as I'm helping people, that's the important part, right?
Yes, helping people is important. ... [He pauses, clearly considering his words deeply.]
But if I may say, from my experience and what I have seen, one thing that may be more important than that is why. If you lose sight of why you are doing what you are doing, everything will unravel around you, no matter how hard you grasp for it.
Why do you feel so drawn to save people like All Might-dono?
[He's quiet for a moment, clearly giving Tonbokiri's question a lot of thought.]
There will always be people who need help, right? [He says slowly, carefully.] I think anyone who has the ability to should do all they can to give that help.
That's why I was drawn to All Might to begin with. He's so strong, but he uses that power to protect people, even when it puts him in danger.
[Izuku sputters, breaking the calm that had fallen over them. In his surprise, all he can do for a while is just wheeze and try to get back the air he'd lost when he choked.]
No, no no no... I don't think I'd ever be able to come close! Let alone surpass him.
[The idea alone is... well. The reaction probably says it all.]
I'll do my best--to be my own kind of hero. [Be himself? Izuku knows that both All Might and Gran Torino have told him that he tries too hard to imitate All Might. He just hopes that being himself is good enough.]
And to...take better care of myself. [Izuku ducks his head now, embarrassed.] I don't want to make people worry about me.
Immediately he lights up with anticipation when he sees the desserts being offered to him. And he selects one from the plate, letting it rest in his hand as he smiles at Tonbokiri gratefully.
"Thank you! This is your favorite food, right?" He asks, remembering what had happened last time. Now that some time has passed, he can think of it with some amusement. "I'd be happy to share this with you while we're here in your home."
Or the closest thing to it that they can have right now, anyway!
They forged their friendship after eating ashen daifuku... It is a special food to them both now, isn't it! He happily takes one for himself and nods.
"Thank you. Let us enjoy this as fully as we can." And he bites his daifuku clean in half, his expression clearly showing his satisfaction.
After finishing his mouthful he invites Midoriya-dono onward with a small gesture. "Next, I shall show you the dojo."
He keeps the plate of daifuku in hand as he moves into the hall to lead the way. It doesn't take long to come to the wide doors that slide open to the dojo. The warm wood interior near begs for its space to be filled with people sparring, and the doors at the other end open onto a small open area outside. The slight breeze is most pleasant.
It's incredibly satisfying to share some daifuku properly after that first disastrous attempt! Izuku finds himself smiling even more when he sees how happy Tonbokiri is to have this.
Izuku takes in the rest of the house with the same amount of awe as before, peering into the dojo with wide eyes. "Does that mean you guys spar pretty often?"
That would be a sight.. Izuku wonders if they've ever sparred against each other in their weapon forms or if they usually keep their human forms to practice.
Daifuku is quiet happiness! At the threshold to the dojo he eats another one, and offers the plate to Midoriya again. He then nods and swallows to answer the question.
"Yes! It is an excellent pass-time, particularly as Aruji cannot send many of us out on missions at once. So we keep our skills sharp against each other. Recently, some have gone out on journeys in order to find deeper strength within themselves. When one returns, we are all eager to test ourselves against him!"
...Thing were rough for all of them before that even hit.
[His father had been executed because he wasn't quick enough to catch Mahiru, his friends had died, most if not all of his family is probably dead. It's a big mess.]
Don't worry about it too much. Even without the catastrophe, I was in the center of Japan's magical society. Things were always dangerous. I have friends who are with me, and I intend to keep them alive.
[There's definitely a lot that he's missing here, but Izuku's grateful that Guren's sharing a piece of his own story just to put him at east. It...makes it a little easier, knowing that he's willing to do that for him.]
The Hiiragis? [Izuku asks softly. Some of Guren's words had hit just a bit too close to home, and Izuku doesn't mind letting the conversation shift onto Guren for the moment while he collects his thoughts.]
They were the family at the head of Japan's magical society, and the one my family is meant to serve. They treat everyone like dirt, but the Ichinoses in particular get the worst treatment.
[He didn't want this to focus on him, so he's not elaborating too greatly. Just explaining for context.]
So that's why they wanted you to wipe them out. Treating people like that...I bet they had a lot of people resenting them for it.
[Izuku looks at Guren again, this time scrutinizing him, like he's looking for something in particular.] How...how long had things been this way for your family?
500 years or so, according to what's passed down. We were the top family, and then two Hiiragi sons fell for the same Ichinose daughter. She was in love with the second son, not the first, and so the first son punished them both. Instead of annihilating the Ichinose family, he let us live on and suffer humiliation.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
inheritance) wrote2018-08-12 12:43 pm
no subject
Y-yeah, it makes sense. I guess it's just a little difficult to arrange that sometimes, because so many people in our world have quirks. It doesn't always work out.
[Izuku shakes his head, smiling gently.]
I don't mind, Tonbokiri-san. You can ask all the questions you want.
Thanks!
Perhaps one more question for now, then. About when did people start having these quirks? I admit, although it seems that you are familiar with the history I know, I wonder about how such powers might have affected things.
no subject
I've only heard about it through books and online research, but developing the quirks really set us back as a society for a while. Instead of making advancements, people began to doubt others different from them, and argued about what made us really human.
no subject
To be honest, I did not expect an answer like that. I am disappointed to hear such a thing happened, but it also makes sense. Human kind's greatest enemy will always be themselves. [With the History Retrograde Army a close second. But they won't ever get their way.
He then lifts his eyes to the pictures of All Might and lightens his tone.]
Humans are also incredibly resilient and optimistic. Your Japan came back from that to have a society full of great heroes! Like this All Might.
You said that you have liked him since you were a child. Can you tell me about what it was that first impressed you about him?
no subject
[He has first hand experience of this.]
All Might... he's the kind of hero who leaves an impression. I was a kid when I first saw him--and I remember thinking... he was so cool, and that I wanted to be able to save people like he did.
no subject
To still be devoted to him years after that first impression, it is commendable of you!
And now you are even being mentored by him. It seems that you are firmly upon the path you wished for.
no subject
I know I still have a long way to go before I can even measure up to someone like him, but as long as I'm helping people, that's the important part, right?
no subject
But if I may say, from my experience and what I have seen, one thing that may be more important than that is why. If you lose sight of why you are doing what you are doing, everything will unravel around you, no matter how hard you grasp for it.
Why do you feel so drawn to save people like All Might-dono?
no subject
There will always be people who need help, right? [He says slowly, carefully.] I think anyone who has the ability to should do all they can to give that help.
That's why I was drawn to All Might to begin with. He's so strong, but he uses that power to protect people, even when it puts him in danger.
no subject
[He repeats back Midoriya's words softly, nodding.]
Thank you for your thoughtful answer. [His expression falls slightly though-- he still has a reason to worry. How to put it...?]
Do you hope to be exactly the same as All Might-dono? Or do you hope to surpass him?
no subject
No, no no no... I don't think I'd ever be able to come close! Let alone surpass him.
[The idea alone is... well. The reaction probably says it all.]
no subject
I see.
Then, if I may say- please do be yourself. If it's you, you can be strong, and help people, and find ways to not put yourself in danger to do so.
no subject
And to...take better care of myself. [Izuku ducks his head now, embarrassed.] I don't want to make people worry about me.
no subject
I am glad to hear it. [Yes, please don't make people worry... (
/sideyes Minato)][He reaches out to pat him soundly on the shoulder.] Because you will do your best, you will certainly achieve it.
I am glad I was able to come here with you today, Midoriya-dono. I could learn some very meaningful things about you.
no subject
I'm really glad, too, Tonbokiri-san. [Bashfully, he fidgets.] As... as your friend, I'd like to learn more about you from now on, too!
no subject
Certainly. It would be my pleasure.
no subject
Immediately he lights up with anticipation when he sees the desserts being offered to him. And he selects one from the plate, letting it rest in his hand as he smiles at Tonbokiri gratefully.
"Thank you! This is your favorite food, right?" He asks, remembering what had happened last time. Now that some time has passed, he can think of it with some amusement. "I'd be happy to share this with you while we're here in your home."
Or the closest thing to it that they can have right now, anyway!
Thanks!
He happily takes one for himself and nods.
"Thank you. Let us enjoy this as fully as we can." And he bites his daifuku clean in half, his expression clearly showing his satisfaction.
After finishing his mouthful he invites Midoriya-dono onward with a small gesture. "Next, I shall show you the dojo."
He keeps the plate of daifuku in hand as he moves into the hall to lead the way. It doesn't take long to come to the wide doors that slide open to the dojo. The warm wood interior near begs for its space to be filled with people sparring, and the doors at the other end open onto a small open area outside. The slight breeze is most pleasant.
no subject
Izuku takes in the rest of the house with the same amount of awe as before, peering into the dojo with wide eyes. "Does that mean you guys spar pretty often?"
That would be a sight.. Izuku wonders if they've ever sparred against each other in their weapon forms or if they usually keep their human forms to practice.
no subject
He then nods and swallows to answer the question.
"Yes! It is an excellent pass-time, particularly as Aruji cannot send many of us out on missions at once. So we keep our skills sharp against each other. Recently, some have gone out on journeys in order to find deeper strength within themselves. When one returns, we are all eager to test ourselves against him!"
no subject
[He goes cold at those words. How did he not think of this earlier? He knew that conditions were bad in Guren's world, and yet...]
Then...your family? Your friends?
[What happened to them?]
no subject
[His father had been executed because he wasn't quick enough to catch Mahiru, his friends had died, most if not all of his family is probably dead. It's a big mess.]
Don't worry about it too much. Even without the catastrophe, I was in the center of Japan's magical society. Things were always dangerous. I have friends who are with me, and I intend to keep them alive.
no subject
You can't seriously expect me to not worry when you just said things were rough for you even back then.
[Did you forget who you're talking to?]
no subject
[It's normal!!!]
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[There's definitely a lot that he's missing here, but Izuku's grateful that Guren's sharing a piece of his own story just to put him at east. It...makes it a little easier, knowing that he's willing to do that for him.]
The Hiiragis? [Izuku asks softly. Some of Guren's words had hit just a bit too close to home, and Izuku doesn't mind letting the conversation shift onto Guren for the moment while he collects his thoughts.]
no subject
[He didn't want this to focus on him, so he's not elaborating too greatly. Just explaining for context.]
no subject
[Izuku looks at Guren again, this time scrutinizing him, like he's looking for something in particular.] How...how long had things been this way for your family?
no subject