Work Text:
Sako wasn’t a one-dimensional person, you know. Of course, he dabbled in villainy and theft, it was his job. However, he had a life, unlike most of his comrades. He lived in a small apartment, went to get groceries, etc. He paid rent with the money he stole and the wad of cash bestowed to him by the league. He liked to feed birds and take walks to the local theatre to see young aspiring performers use their talents for entertainment. He found comfort in the park, all he had to do was put on a coat and cover up his face and there he would watch the day go by.
So one Saturday morning, he did just that, a bag of seeds in hand. They knew him, knew he had food. After all, he was the person who came there almost every day, except when he had work.
It was peaceful, the sky was overcast and grey and the weather was colder than usual. People talked or laughed and went along their days without a care in the world. T’was a nice, calming day-
“Are you a hero?” A child asks as Sako jolts in surprise, they tug on his arm. They couldn't be over the age of six with the gap in their teeth and chubby face. Sako smiled and shook his head, if only this child knew he was the opposite, he doubts they’d have come up to him in the first place.
“Alas, I am not. I’m nothing special, just a civilian.” He gently pats the child’s hand. They’re still persistent and jostle Sako’s arm eagerly.
“That’s not true, Ms. Todoroki says everyone is special,” they insist and turn around to run away from him. Sako watches them run to a large group of small children, presumably their classmates. And in a flash, there was a crowd of kids surrounding him and scaring away the birds.
“You’re fancy!”
“I like birds too!”
“Are you my dad?”
What was supposed to be a simple morning of devoting his time to pigeons became interrupted by a flurry of elementary school students. He leans back, answering as many questions as he could when his savior came along.
“Aiko! Kyoken! Please, don’t bother the nice man!” A woman cries out, running as fast as she could in flats. She catches her breath and herds her students away from Sako, frantically apologizing and scolding the kids. Once she got them into place, their eyes met for the first time.
She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid his eyes on. A teacher, what was her name, again? Ms. Todoroki? Ah, this must be Endeavor’s daughter. How amusing.
“I’m so sorry for them, they’re on a field trip and this one got away so I went after her and I turned around and-” she profusely rambles, embarrassment written all over her flushed face while Atsuhiro adjusts the mask covering his mouth.
“Truly, it’s no inconvenience to me. They merely wished to know if I were a hero and if I liked birds. And to answer, no, I am no hero, but yes, I do like birds.” He smiles and grabs a fistful of seeds from his bag, leans down, and scatters the seeds by his feet. As if on a whim, the pigeons that had scattered now returned and pecked the offering from his hand. There were choruses of ‘aww’ and ‘I want a bird’. It nipped his hand lightly as Sako extended another handful of seeds and it hopped happily onto his hand. As more children cooed and laughed, an idea came into his mind.
“I’m not a hero, but I can do magic.”
Sako wiggles his fingers for extra emphasis, Ms. Todoroki giggles- it sounds angelic- and the child by his leg reaches to pet the bird. He tuts at them good-naturedly and brushes a finger off the head of the bird’s feather with his prosthetic hand.
“Watch, audience, as I make this bird vanish before your very eyes!” Sako angles the arm that holds the bird cautiously and forms his other hand into a cupped shape.
He activates his quirk just as his fingers interlock and press down, the marble with the now compressed bird inside slips into his sleeve swiftly. Children gasp when he opens his hands to reveal that the bird had indeed disappeared. Ms. Todoroki looked at his hands in fascination, he could see the gears turning in her head.
“Is the birdie dead?!” One child shrieks. Sako shakes his head once more.
“No, it’s simply a part of the trick. To bring it back, I’ll need a volunteer,” he winks at the teacher who chuckles shyly. She hesitates for a second before giving in and stepping forward.
“Alright, but if you steal my wallet I’ll call the police,” she half-jokes. Sako tilts his head and laughs, reaching out for her hand with the one the marble containing the bird.
“Fine fine, no wallet stealing. Now, put your hands out like this, yes, very good, and close your eyes.” He instructs and she does just as he says. His warm hands become covered by her icy ones and he can’t help but notice how small they are compared to his. She’s tiny already, he towers over her.
“On the count of three, the bird will reappear in this lovely lady’s hands.” He announces, Ms. Todoroki looks down at the leafy ground with her eyes still closed, the faintest shade of pink on her cheeks.
“Alright. One…two...three!” On three, he uncompresses the bird, and his and the young woman’s hands lift. The bird, dazed and dizzy, floppily flies away from their spot. The students scream and run after it, forgetting Sako and their teacher altogether. She starts to protest, but gives up and glances back up at Atsuhiro.
“Did you use your quirk to impress them?” She asks with her arms crossed and a grin on her lips.
“My dear, a magician never reveals his secrets,” he teases and winks. She snickers and fondly looks on as her hoard of students chase after the poor birds.
“Well, guess you’ll have to teach me then,” she replies, promise in her eyes. Oh, he liked her. His heart skips in his chest and Atsuhiro bats his eyelashes innocently.
“It wouldn’t be fair for you to know my tricks before you know my name, now, would it? My name is Sako, absolutely enchanted to meet you.” He pulls down his mask, takes her hand, and kisses it lightly. The look on her face has him beaming from ear to ear.
“I’m Fuyumi, it’s really nice to meet you, Sako. I hope to see you again- Kyoken, don’t eat the bird!” And then she’s gone, rushing back to the restless students of hers. He sees her hush them, white hair streaked with red coming undone from her ponytail by one of the kids. She looks over her shoulder helplessly and mouths a quick apology, then goes back to controlling the little monsters.
Sako hums to himself, happily sitting back down on the bench and taking another handful of seeds from his bag. Fuyumi, what a lovely name. Who knew he, Mr. Compress, could make the daughter of the number one hero blush? He tosses the seeds on the ground. If she meant it, he too would like to see her again. He silently thanks the birds.