Chapter Text
“Kirishima… could you tell me more about your sister?”
Midoriya knew this poor segue into the conversation, but ever since “The Incident” and Mineta’s long-overdue expulsion, it had been sitting at the back of his mind, waiting to be asked. They had grown closer since then, and had made a habit of doing homework together. With Kirishima’s surprising English skills and Midoriya’s brain being hardwired for math and science, they were the perfect match when it came to studying. Still, Midoriya was worried he would overstep the kind of social boundaries he always missed, and he didn’t want to sound to creepy. “I mean, only if you want to of course, it’s just, you’ve mentioned her once or twice, and, um, I guess, since we’re closer now, I kinda wanted to know about your family, so…” Crap. He’s rambling again.
Luckily, Kirishima either didn’t notice, or didn’t mind. “It’s okay, man. I love talking about Mayaka! She’s 14, in 8th grade, and she’s got the coolest quirk. Her hands turn into super strong blades that can cut through almost anything! Man, I should bring her to my next sparring session with Tetsutetsu, she’d deal with him in a second… Anyway, is there anything else you wanna know?”
Midoriya knew what he wanted to say, but that didn’t stop his binding from becoming chokingly tight, or his voice from becoming uncomfortably high. He was so used to being in the closet that even hear the word “trans”, even in front of people who knew like Kirishima, sent him into a panic. “I… um… I guess I wanted to know about her… transition? I mean, obviously don’t tell me her dead name or anything, god no, I just… what is it like being the sibling? What is it like when the person you thought you knew is suddenly, so different?”
“I mean, I never saw it as her changing, or being different,” he said. “I just thought I knew who she truly was. She came out when she was… eight, I think? It feels so long ago. My family was never upset or anything, we were just surprised. None of us knew much about it, other than vague mentions in passing, though they were rarely positive. She was so young, we weren’t worried about hormones or puberty yet. After we knew more, we had her change schools, for her safety. Getting used to her name was a bit difficult, but she started talking in the third person to hear her own name more, so we got used to it quick.” He chuckled at the memory. “I don’t remember it being difficult, I think I was just more worried. Being the older sibling is always hard, but after she came out, all I could think about was the stories I had read, of trans women getting murdered just for existing.” His throat grew tight, and he choked on every word, barely getting them out. “I just didn’t want to see my sister hurt. I just didn’t want her to die.”
Midoriya looked away, a seed of guilt planted in his chest. Is that what he had put his mom through? It was already tough enough being a single parent, but…
“But I wouldn't want it any other way.” Midoriya looked up in surprise. It's like Kirishima had read his mind. “I love my sister, and all I want to do is see her happy. That's… one of the reason I decided to become a hero, actually. So I could protect people who had been targeted, like her. But that's not the only way she helped me become a hero.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. No one thought I'd be able to be a hero, not my friends, not my teachers. Even my parents tried to steer me away, though they were more subtle about it. Everyone discouraged me from applying to UA, and I was about to agree with them. But then Mayaka told me, ‘Even if you never become a hero, you’ll always be mine’. And that’s when I knew I was going to apply and become a hero.”
“Wow…” Midoriya stared in amazement at his classmate, secretly wishing he’d had someone like that. All Might was an amazing teacher, but before he had decided to give him One For All, even he’d suggested police work to the then-quirkless boy.
“I mean, it’s not like she’s ever needed me to be a hero for her. She’s always looked out for herself. One time before she grew her hair out, some kid asked her what was between her legs, and she decked him in the face!”
Midoriya couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculous story. She was definitely Kirishima’s sister, that’s for sure. Kirishima joined in, and the boys’ laughter continued, until interrupted by a blaring ringtone.
“Sorry about that,” Kirishima, reached over and grabbed his phone from the desk. “Well speak of the devil, look who it is!” He showed his phone to Midoriya, a photo of Kirishima and his sister staring back at him. She was a bit shorter than him, with pitch black hair that hit her mid back. She was caught in a noogie by her brother, playfully pushing him away. The caller name read ‘Mayaka (Baby Sis!!!)’, and Kirishima quickly accepted the call. “Hey, how my favorite sister do… Oh my god, are you okay?”
Midoriya could only watch as Kirishima suddenly went pale in front of him. He stood up, slamming his chair into the desk, and Midoriya noticed his hands begin to tremble as he tried to calm his sister down. It was like watching a friend’s world fall apart with a screen between you. All he could do was watch.
“Calm down, Mayaka, it’s okay, just tell me what happened… You’re shitting me. I’m on my way. Where are you now?... Okay, I’ll be there in ten minutes. Just hang on, okay? I’ll be there soon. Love you.” Kirishima hesitated, then hung up and stared at his phone, his body tense and shaking with fear. He finally put his phone away and headed for the door, giving Midoriya a quick glance before rushing for the exit. It said everything he needed to know, and Midoriya ran to catch up with his friend.