Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dark Shadow bloomed into existence with pain in her heart. A deep, cutting pain- grief and loss sharpened into shape. She looked at the body she somehow remembered being in just moments ago, and knew it wasn’t real. The pain was too real. The memories were too distant.

She wasn’t Akari. Not with Fumi-nii’s pain striking her to her very core.

She was Dark Shadow.

A dark shadow cast across Akari’s light.

The memories she stored were just Fumi-nii’s recollections- warped to purpose.

The Spark specialists agreed.

" 'She' isn’t really a person, " they told her hopeful Fumi-nii. " Just an expression of your grief. "

She felt how that shattered him.

She knew she could never again think of herself as Akari.

Even if she hadn’t really thought of herself that way in the first place, because it would only devastate him more.

So instead she drifted in the darkness. Only coming when called, carefully not thinking about how she wanted her Fumi-nii anything. 

When her brother host was nine,
He tried making contact with her Akari using a Ouija board.
Shakily, he spelled out:

“Are you here, Akaree?”

She wasn’t sure why she felt compelled to slip a tendril of darkness under the piece and gently guide it to Yes ,
but she did.

They talked for hours, as Akari-chan and Fumi-nii under candlelight.

She could tell Fumi-nii was happier than he’d been in a long time.

It made her happy, too.

It was painful to say goodbye in a way Dark Shadow couldn’t understand.

But she told him she had to go. To move on. To live his life the way he wanted.

That was the day Fumi-nii her host decided he wanted to be a Hero- for her Akari.

It touched Dark Shadow how much her nii-san host still cared about her his sister.

And so she stayed away for a long time. Locking down her wants to just... exist with her Fumi-nii host. Watching him train himself, train her, work towards their Akari's dream. She Akari had always promised to support Fumi-nii and so Dark Shadow would fulfill that promise in any way she could. 

The years filtered past but Dark Shadow honestly wasn't really aware of the time passing. She took this as further confirmation that she was just a shadow- a pale imitation of Akari's light. After all, she was still stuck with a couple of years of jumbled memories- ones that were so short compared to her hosts memories and thoughts and feelings that bleed over their bond. 

She knew that bond worked two ways, too. So she didn't let herself feel. Didn't let herself think. Didn't want to hurt fumi-nii her host again. 

Before she knew it Fumi-nii her host was twelve and was crying at her Akari's grave. 

"You would have been eight today" he murmured. "But your light was taken too soon."

Before she could stop herself, she wrapped herself around him in a hug.

Startled, he didn't move for a moment before gently touching her shadow. "Thanks, Dark Shadow" he said after several long minutes. "Your hug... it reminds me of hers."

After that Akari Dark Shadow continued to push the boundaries of what was allowed. She would gently poke him awake in the mornings. Would point out butterflies and pretty flowers. Once she even stole an anpan from his plate. She remembered it being her Akari's favorite, although as a Shadow she had never needed to eat. She took a bite anyway and-

IT WAS GLORIOUS! She quickly devoured the rest of the roll before Fumi-nii her host could complain. 

After that it was like a rite of passage for her to steal something off his plate - mostly rolls - at every meal and devour them. 

One day, when he was fourteen, he startled her by offering it before she could steal it. And without thinking she said "Thanks Fumi-nii!"

They both froze for a second before he let out a long exhale of breath and said, "You're welcome, Dark Shadow."

It was freeing to be able to think of her brother her host as Fumi-nii again. She felt the spark of joy in his chest every time she said it so she kept it up. 

And then, she hadn't even realized it, but they had made it into UA! They were going to be Heroes just like she Akari always wanted! 

Meeting the other Sparked kids was interesting. And Akari Dark shadow felt ready to sass them, and her Fumi-Nii, like there was no tomorrow. 

"He means that’s cool!" she interjected to her brother hosts bland introduction. “I am Dark Shadow She/Her, and that's Fumi-nii!” 

It was the first time she had really introduced herself like that. Like the person she was wasn't. She almost expected to be rejected. To be told "You're just a quirk, you don't get pronouns" to be relegated back to the darkness she'd been drifted within for the past eight years. But then the curly green haired kid smiled at her.

And she realized 

I can exist?

She knew she wanted that kid- Izuku Midoriya- to smile more. So when she saw the video over Fumi-nii's shoulder, of him light up in green lightning, zooming around chaotically, a large smile making him seem even brighter then the lightning, she knew she had to say something. 

So she stole Fumi-nii's phone for the first time. 

✨We Don’t Talk About Spark Club✨

Bonebreaker: Guys! Look! I can not break bones! *video*

RedRiot: That... that doesn't sound like how you'd want to phrase that...

Uravity: OMG! Look at you go!

Command Z: congratulations you are zooming around like a high cat

Abyss: I DUB THEE ZUMIES!

"Fumi-nii how do I change the nicknames?" She asked. 

"I will regret this..." he sighed, but showed her how. 

✨We Don’t Talk About Spark Club✨

Abyss: I DUB THEE ZUMIES!

Bonebreaker: ... Are you okay Tokoyami?

Abyss: NO! NOT FUMI-NII! I AM DARK SHADOW!

RedRiot: Hi Dark Shadow! You can text? That's so manly!

Abyss: I LIKE YOU! YOU CAN BE MY BROTHER TOO!

Abyss changed Abyss to FUMI-NII

FUMI-NII changed RedRiot to SHIELD-NII

FUMI-NII changed Bonebreaker to ZUMIES

FUMI-NII: THERE THATS BETTER

Uravity: You are so cute! 

Command Z: thats one word for it. how about we cool it with the caps?

---

Fumi-nii helped her with that, and with changing the nicknames to a lowercase format. But she felt seen. She felt real in a way she wasn't sure she ever had. Not if the memories were just Fumi's.

She both missed them and didn't over the coming weeks. Chat was filled with silly little moments, but she didn't get to connect to them as much as Fumi-nii mostly hoarded his phone to himself. 

But then she got to see them all again! There was a Quirk assessment test and she got to shine as the spark she was. Then afterwards she even had another chance to steal Fumi-nii's phone during the test! She changed Uravity's nickname to Upsie Daisy during the ball throw where the ball just went up-up-up-up! 

And when Ochako complained about the change she had the perfect ammo! She brought out a new type of text-chat warfare with the “no! keep it big sis Ocha!” and just like she thought Upsie Daisy folded under her cuteness! She was just brilliant like that. 

On the way to the cat café she saw her Zumie’s looking sad, and she knew it was because of Drama-Bean, so she made a joke and she hugged him just like she always hugs Fumi-nii and he smiled at her! And laughed!

She was so overcome with joy that she needed an outlet. There! A butterfly! She chased it to the best of her abilities, still being tethered to Fumi-nii, stretching her shadow as far as she could. 

That night she stole Fumi-niis phone and started reading posts onlines and memes. It was her new favorite pastime, though she’d only gotten to do it twice before. And there was this one meme that kept referring to people as cinnamon rolls! It was so cute!

The next day at lunch Zumies was looking a bit overwhelmed, so instead of eating the roll she stole from Fumi-nii’s plate, she lobbed it at him. He looked startled and a flash of inspiration filled her. “A roll for the cinnamon roll!” she said like she was one of the actors in those plays Fumi-nii likes, internally cackling.

Then Zumies smiled at her and said Thank You. To. Her.

She would have to do this again. 

And again she did it. Making sure to keep puns going too. She wasn’t sure if he was smiling at the pun or the roll or just at her but she needed those smiles so she’d keep it all up.

“I am the carb gremlin. I bring balance to the loaf.” She declared with all her soul.

Her heart beat faster when he declared “We do not want Tokoyami and Dark Shadow to fall!”

And Dark Shadow.

He didn’t want her to fall too.

She was a person to him.

She was a person quirk but he made her real feel real

She glued that garden gnome together with precision, fueled by the elation she felt of being seen. 

And so she saw him in return. She saw the complex mess of emotions on his face when he realized he no longer had to sit next to that bully. 

She saw him struggling with being allowed to feel pain.

She rolled her eyes and backed off when he wouldn’t let her help. 

But she still saw. 

And she backed off to give him room to breathe. Teasing her brother Fumi-nii instead about his poetry and seminar choices.

But she was filled with a deep want want want to do something- anything. 

So when Drama-Bean asked people to the Arcade she leapt at the chance and demolished the bean in Skee-Ball. 

But then the quirkless girl was missing. The photo reminded her of herself Akari. Only slightly older than when...

And she could almost feel Zumies sorrow. But she wasn’t sure how to help.

So she didn’t at first. 

But then class elections were announced and she had an idea.

She quickly sent out texts- not in the group chat, but one on one. 

Fumi-Nii: Shield-nii! Vote for Zumies!

Shield-Nii: Why?

Fumi-Nii: Because he’s an awesome cinnamon roll and this will help him see it!

Shield-Nii: Manly! I’ll do it!

Fumi-Nii: Big sis ocha vote for Zumies!

Upsie Daisy: Of course! He’s awesome!!!

Fumi-Nii: vote for Zumies and I'll send you pictures of Fumi-nii petting a stray cat I took last week!

Command Z: Sold

She didn’t even let Fumi vote, she just stole his ballot and checked Midoriya and handed it in for him. He had no choice in the matter.

Mr. Robot-san wrote out all the names of the class on a board and started doing tallies next to the names.

Every tally mark next to Izuku's name sent a shiver of pleasure through her Shadow. 

She wasn’t sure where the other votes came from- other then the fact that of course people would vote for Zumies. He’s awesome like that.

Then near the end he paused unsure. She watched him hesitate, curious, as he then moved the chalk off to the side and wrote a new name. Dark Shadow: |

What?

She got a vote?

Who?

It was probably Zumies. He really was the best. She had gotten everyone else she knew to vote for him so it must have been him.

So, when he still looked worried at lunch so she tried the direct route and lobbed the customary bread-roll at him. 

And it worked! During the crisis he addressed her, directly, twice, to help solve the issue! She was helping him! She was!

...

Then the USJ happened and he was ripped away from her by that mist guy. She didn’t like the mist guy. Or the hands guy. 

Then she blinked out of awareness for a long moment.

When she flickered back into view she decided she hated the bird guy.

All Might came but Zumies was already hurt. Broken. Bleeding. She could see it from the edge of the ruins zone. He was bleeding on the stairs. 

She lost control and the ruins zone got a bit more ruined. Fumi-nii comforted her that she didn’t hurt anyone, just things. And that she protected him from more bad guys.

But she wanted her Zumies.

He didn’t talk in the group chat all weekend and she was worried.

She saw him broken and bleeding and what if...

No Zumies was fine. He was fine.

They got back to school on Wednesday and Zumies was not fine.

He was not there. 

The sub didn’t say anything other than that Aizawa would be out for a while.

Nothing about Zumies

Then at lunch those kids started saying someone died.

Died?

Like Akari had died?

No.

Zumie hadn't died. Just like Akari hadn’t died he couldn’t have. She wouldn’t allow it. He’d be fine.

She was breaking even as she denied his death. He couldn’t be. HE COULDN’T BE.

She felt herself starting to lose control when she saw Zumies typing in chat. 

It immediately grounded her.

Zumies...

“I’m not dead” he had said and she felt a weight that had been crushing her fall away.

Zumies.

When he was back and sad that the other courses were jerks she just stayed by his side. Plying him with rolls, then later with cats. Snuggling into him. Assuring herself that he was in fact alive. 

She told him that silly story about the time Tokoyami was half asleep asked for a screwdriver to fix his gaming system and she gave him a banana and he tried to fix it for fifteen whole minutes with the banana before he realized what she’d done. 

By then the entire system had been coated in banana mush.

He hadn’t even been mad at her!

Just ruffled her head and asked her to go fetch some cloth to clean up the mess. 

And she had gone to get mama instead who had laughed with them and helped fix everything up.

Fumi-nii had been such a silly seven year old.

Wait...

Seven?

But wasn’t that Akari?

Why did she remember her mother’s hand on her head? Fumi-nii hadn’t been there for that part...

No. No, it was just probably her brain filling in the gaps. 

Fumi-nii had read a book about how brains did that sometimes.

The next day she decided to give Zumies not just any roll, an Anpan roll. 

He was struggling with not being allowed into Heroics, and she knew Apan was good for the heart. Fumi-nii had said that once. Or was it the soul? She couldn’t remember but it was good so he should have it! Even if it was her favorite!

She played up Fumi-niis Poetry to get him to smile more. Zumies looked better with a smile. 

She decided to make her own poetry to see if that could get him to smile too! She spent hours making sure the rhymes were all there and everything!

She practiced it in the mirror all night while Fumi-nii was sleeping.

Then she had Fumi invite him out for coffee and cinnamon rolls so she could recite it to him!

She couldn’t quite make it to the end though. Poems were just too silly! She wasn’t sure why Fumi-nii had wanted to be a poet before deciding to be a hero.

But Zumies ate the cinnamon roll and she counted it as a win.

Then the question came.

And Zumies learned about her Akari.

She hugged Fumi-nii through the pain. 

Then he fell apart, but she was falling apart too and she wasn’t sure how to fix it.

She wasn’t sure how to fix anything.

Fumi-nii was feeling that pain again.

Zumies was unable to be in the same room as All Might.

Everything was wrong.

But then...

Zumies walked in with stir-fry.

With just the tiniest bit of mushroom on top.

Just like mama Fumi-nii’s mother used to make for her Akari.

She felt the shadows that had been edging up on her all week disperse as Zumies offered her a bite.

She felt real enough to poke him with some sushi and then to drag him dancing across the dance floor.

Its okay that tragedy had happened. They were still allowed to live.

Then Zumies told her she glowed, and she was so happy. She couldn’t help but squish the squishies until Fumi-nii made her stop. She made all the silly shark noises and movements for Zumies to capture and send to Sheild-Nii. Zumies was the bestest. 

Then they met Gang Orca! And he was so cool! Not as cool as Zumies of course, but as close to that as you can get if you aren’t Zumies! She loved him! She wanted to intern under him! He could be Uncle Orca! She would lead his order of the Shark Bite to protect Zumies and Fumi-nii at all costs!

She was a bit miffed when Fumi-Nii wouldn’t let her train with Zumies for the sports festival. But she understood. Kinda. Sorta. Not really.

Before she knew it the festival was on! They made it through the first two rounds easily and then were into the finals. 

The creation girl making the flashlight startled her. The bright light calling back a forgotten memory. The light beckoned her. It called to her. It wanted her to leave Fumi-Nii. Leave Fumi-Nii? NO! She wouldn't, she couldn’t, she didn’t want to! YOU CAN’T MAKE ME LEAVE! She withdrew back towards her safety. Her Fumi-nii.

Then the light was gone. And she felt anger. Deep anger. How Dare She. HOW. DARE. SHE. 

No one got to take her away from Fumi-Nii! NO ONE! She hurtled the danger out of the ring only to realize a second later that it wasn’t a danger.

No one was taking her away. 

It was just the Creation VP. She looked down regretfully, she had won but she hadn’t wanted to win like this. Not by losing herself. 

She drew back a bit as she watched Zumies match with Drama-Bean. She didn’t want to lose control like that again.

Then the next match was worse.

The light was flickering in and out from all sides. Like a million little portals to the afterlife. Trying to suck her out. Trying to draw her away. She clung tighter and tighter to her Nii-san. She had to get away. She fully immersed herself inside of him, hiding from the light.

Go away, go away, go away. 

She was filled with fear and she knew that her fear was echoing down the bond to Fumi-Nii but she couldn’t stop it. It was overwhelming her. Overwhelming them both. 

Zumies, ever the sweetheart, was clearly trying to console them after their loss but Fumi-Nii didn’t want to hear it.

But then he didn’t.

He asked a question.

When did she Akari die?

And then Zumies looked deeply into her soul.

“Akari, is that you?

And saw the trembling child hidden deep inside.

Chapter Text

✨We Don’t Talk About Spark Club✨

Fumi-nii added Akari ✨ to the chat

Akari ✨: Surprise! Guess who gets her own phone!
Akari ✨: Posts selfies of her flexing while Fumikage looks done with life in the background
Akari ✨: Nezu said im people now so I get a phone!
Akari ✨: Actually he said I was always people but I still get a phone!
Akari ✨: Zumies watch out! Snipe is on your six!
Akari ✨: or is it my six?
Akari ✨: FUMI-NII YOU NEED TO TEACH ME TO TELL TIME
Akari ✨: Ouch that looked like it hurt Zumies!
Akari ✨: Oh, big sis ocha I see you there!
Akari ✨: Why won’t anyone talk with meeeeeee
Akari ✨: FINE I’LL GHOST YOU AND SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT!

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: Nezu! My BFF, My homie, My shining star!

Tea: Yes Akari-chan?

Light: No one is talking to me so I ghosted them!
Light: Get it? Ghosted? Because I am a real ghost?

Tea: Very amusing Akari-chan. Do the others even have their phones? I believe you are all in practical heroics right now.

Light: Well yeah, but I can text and block Snipe at the same time! Why can’t they?

Tea: Not everyone is as multi-talented as you, Akari-chan.

She gasped in delight.

“Fumi-nii! I’m multi-talented!”

“That’s great Akari- but can we focus on the task at hand?”

She blew a raspberry at him.

✨We Don’t Talk About Spark Club✨

Akari ✨: Since none of you bothered to ask on Monday
Akari ✨: My Hero name is Dark Shadow! I will not answer to anything else during heroics!

She broke down in giggles as Fumi-nii tried to get her to cooperate but she staunchly refused unless he used her hero name. It wasn’t her fault that he was trying so hard to acknowledge her as a person. Mr. “Tsukuyomi” should know how important hero names are!

Because no one was interacting with her she decided to try gaming! Nezu-chan said “Happy Birds” was supposed to be fun for the young mind so she eagerly slapped the icon to load the game. 

After sixty seconds spent staring at a loading screen and absent-mindedly blocking a single attack from Snipe before remembering she was ghosting Fumi-nii, the game was ready to play. 

The first bird is launched into the void with the precision of a caffeinated gremlin. It arcs dramatically over the screen. Misses. Hits a cloud. 

Quickly she swapped back to tea time

🧀Tea Time ☕

Light: Nezu-chan! I am trying the 🐦 and it flew to space! It was an 👨‍🚀🐦
Light: Like Thirteen! If she was red!
Light: GOOD JOB THIRTEEN

Switching back to the app, the second bird is fired straight down. No regrets. Just vertical velocity and childlike hubris. It hits the ground with a cartoon splurt . 

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Tea: Maybe aim a bit lower Akari-chan?

Light: I DID! IT WENT SPLURT!
Light: I think this game doesn’t know big sis exists!

She made her way through five levels while ignoring Tokoyami who still hasn’t used her hero name and texting her BFF Nezu-chan! Before she knew it class was over and Fumi-nii was tiredly pulling out his phone.

“Really, Akari? You refused to help for a solid hour because I didn’t call you Dark Shadow?” His lip quivered, “I didn’t want to dead name you...”

Family Chat

BestSister: It’s okay Fumi-nii! Its not dead naming me because I was never dead :D
BestSister: Also I will only speak in text for the next day as punishment for ignoring me!

WorstBrother: I... just talk with me next time Akari? Like... don’t ghost me because you think I am ghosting you. Come to me when there's a problem? I don’t want to lose my sister again.

BestSister: ... Okay Fumi-nii.
BestSister: you know I love you right?

WorstBrother: I love you too.

✨We Don’t Talk About Spark Club✨

Zumies: Woah! Congratulations Akari! When did this happen?
Command-Z: wait so like the shadow is a child?
Upsie Daisy: Woah! Congratulations... Akari was it?
Shield-nii: So manly! Congratulations Akari!
Drama Bean: Honestly. And you all call me the dramatic one.
Drama Bean: uh... good for you though. 

She squealed in happiness to see everyone acknowledging her. 

She had her Zumies and her Nii-chan and her BFF.

Could life get any better?

Oh yeah! It can!

✨We Don’t Talk About Spark Club✨

Akari✨: ZUMIES CATCH 🍩! A VIRTUAL CINNAMON ROLL FOR THE CINNAMON ROLL!

Zumies: You know it's not virtual if you also chuck it at my face, right?

She just cackled while the others made plans to keep in touch over internships. As if they didn’t all have cell phones and a group chat.

Silly friends.

Life really was great. 

Chapter Text

Akari wasn’t very hyped for internships. A whole week away from everyone who made her people? Sounded fake. And hurtful. And...

Okay she was scared . 

Scared that everyone would have fun and forget her and decide she’s just a dumb quirk an expression of grief- she didn’t want to go back to not being Akari don’t make her go back she didn’t like the dark please don’t take her light don’t turn off her light she needs her light.

“It will be okay, Akari. No one will forget you again. I won’t let them.” Fumi-nii cut through her spiral. He was awesome like that, even if he was a lame poet.

“I know Fumi-nii, our friends are too good for that but...”

“I know, Akari. Our parent’s response leaves a lot to be desired. Why don’t you text the others while we wait for our stop?”

Akari really didn’t want to think about mama and papa right now, so she dived right into the group chat.

✨ We Don’t Talk About Spark Club ✨

Akari ✨ : Hey guys have fun this week!
Akari ✨ : and Zumies don’t forget to eat bread every day!
Akari ✨ : Our cinnamon roll needs his cinnamon rolls to stay strong 💪💪💪

Zumies: Yes Akari-chan, I have the entire box of cinnamon rolls you gave me and I will make sure to eat one every day.
Shield-nii: This will be so manly! Stay bright, Akari-chan!
Drama Bean: Ha! All you peasants are going with lesser heroes. I am interning with Best Jeanest

Akari audibly gasped in shock.

Akari ✨ :  Drama Bean!!!! YOU POSTED NOT LAST!!! YOU LOVE US! YOU REALLY LOVE US

Drama Bean: Just because I give you peasants a scrap of attention doesn’t mean I feel any affection.

Akari ✨ : Drama Bean and Spark Club sittin’ in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Drama Bean: shut up! It’s not like that!
Zumies: Akari-chan let him be, you know how he is
Command-Z: Yeah Akari-chan if you keep poking the bean he might combust
Command-Z: or worse, realize he has feelings
Drama Bean: See if I ever take part in your chats again!
Zumies: No wait Monoma-kun!
Drama Bean has left the group chat

Akari ✨ : NOOOO!

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: TEA I NEED HELP

Tea: Yes Akari-chan?

Light: Drama Bean LEFT THE SPARK CHAT
Light: BRING HIM BACK 😭😭😭😭 

Tea: Ah, yes that is unfortunate. Please stand by.
Tea: Maybe play that word game you found the other day?

Akari tried but words are hard . How was she supposed to know how to spell nessessarry to complete the puzzle? She died in pre-school and woke up in third grade with Fumi-nii! She didn't have the basic knowledge to really understand what they were saying so she just didn’t pay attention when Fumi-nii was in school. 

Maybe she should have asked him to tutor her but she really didnt know she was people then and why would a quirk need tutoring?

Being a ghost-girl-quirk sucked at times.

Maybe she should ask Fumi how to spell nesisari? Or maybe just check in with Spark chat. Yeah she’d check in with spark chat.

✨ We Don’t Talk About Spark Club ✨

Shield-nii: Totally not Manly bro! You know Drama Bean is sensitive!
Command-Z: I’m sorry! I thought he was being playful and misread things!
Command-Z: I hope he’ll forgive me
Zumies: It’ll be okay! Monoma is pretty strong! I’m sure he’ll be back soon!
Tea-chan has joined the chat
Tea-chan has added Drama Bean to the chat
Tea-chan: I have now made it impossible for you all to leave!
Tea-chan: Don’t make Akari-chan cry or you’ll serve detention with me
Tea-chan: Good luck on your internships!
Tea-chan has left the chat
Drama Bean: guys... who the fuck was that?
Zumies: I... think it was Principal Nezu?
Shield-nii: No way! That’s totally manly! When did Akari and Nezu get close?

Akari ✨ : Nezu gave my my phones silly! Remember Im a people now!

Command-Z: Fear ™
Upsie Daisy: Why is my phone blowing up?
Upsie Daisy: WAIT DID YOU MAKE AKARI CRY?

Akari ✨ : It’s okay big sis! Tea-chan fixed everything! Oh I should thank him!

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: Thank you Tea! You’re awesome!

Tea: No problem Akari-chan. I think you should be arriving at your station soon.
Tea: Please be a dear and help your brother find Hawks-san?

Light: YES BFF NEZU-CHAN! o7 I CAN DO THIS!

“Hey Fumi-nii, Nezu-chan says we’re nearly at our stop!” She helpfully chimed in.

Her brother responded with “Yes, Akari, with the power of darkness and train charts I can assure you we will be there in less than two minutes.” or something like that... probably... She wasn’t really paying attention to him, she did catch the two minute part though!

She squashed her shadowy face up against the glass. “Do you think Hawks will pick us up or send a sidekick?”

“I highly doubt a hero of his renown will be able to just pick us up, Akari-chan”

She turned suddenly and stuck her tongue out to nii-chan. “Oh yeah?” she said a second later. “I bet you a cinnamon roll he’s at the station when we arrive!”

“What a mad banquet of darkness” he muttered, before “okay, sure. I can get you a cinnamon roll later, you don’t need to make a bet out of it.”

“YAY!”

Girl Hero Stuff

DarkShadow: big brother said he’d get me a cinnamon roll!
DarkShadow: that means he’s given his blessings for Zumies and me to marry right?

Uravity: ... Akari you can’t marry Izuku until after you do your own taxes.
Uravity: I am sure your brother meant the edible kind of cinnamon roll.

DarkShadow: ZUMIES IS EDIBLE? WHY DID NOBODY TELL ME?

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: DID YOU NO ZUMIES IS EATABLE?

Tea: All humans are, but you shouldn’t eat people Akari-chan. I am told it is not nice.

Light: OKAY TEA-CHAN I WONT EAT ZUMIES

Just then the train rolled to a stop and the doors opened to reveal Hawks right infront of them. 

Akari audibly gasped

“HAWKS! This means I was right and Fumi-nii owes me two cinnamon rolls!”

“I only promised-” her brother then sighed a deep sigh. “Sure, whatever, two cinnamon rolls.”

“Sounds good chickadees, but how about we get some fried chicken first?”

And that is how Akari got her first taste of fried chicken.

“I’m in love! THIS IS THE BESTEST! Hey Hawks, do you have a cell phone?” She asked their mentor with stars in her eyes.

“Ah yes! Good idea birb sis, let me get my number in your phones in case we get separated.”

BIRB SIS?

SHE WAS A BIRB SIS!!!!

You have been added to Just Birbs

Just Birbs

Big Birb: Hey chicakdees, txt me if u ned hlp or want 2 chil k?

Littlest Birb: YES HAWKS BIRB-SENSEI!

Little Birb: Yes Hawks-san
Big Birb: K lets go back 2 base n get settles
Big Birb: u want any 🍗 2go?

Littlest Birb: YES HAWKS BIRB-SENSEI! 🍗 IS GOOD!

They ended up with three buckets to go, two for Sensei and one for her. For some strange reason her brother didn’t want any. Then they made their way to The Hawk Nest, Hawks Birb-sensei’s agency, with greasy fingers and laughing faces. 

Well except her brother, but he was always weird like that. 

Girl Hero Stuff

DarkShadow: BIG SIS I AM LIKE YOU!

Uravity: A girl?

DarkShadow: No silly ! I CAN FLY LIKE YOU
DarkShadow attached flying with Fumi.mp4
DarkShadow: Apparently I float! And I can make Fumi Float too!

Uravity: That’s so cool Akari-chan! Way to go! Girl power!

Darkness Buffet

TheGirl: ZUMIES! WE CAN FLY

TheEmo: Indeed, it seems with the help of Akari I have been gifted with flight.
TheBoy: That’s so cool! I am happy for you Akari, Tokoyami!
TheBoy: Anything else happening?

TheGirl: No mostly just flight practice so far! And Hawks is cool! He said we were birb siblings!
TheGirl: And he bought me fried chicken!
TheGirl: Fumi-nii’s never given me fried chicken!

TheEmo: You have never asked, Akari-chan

TheGirl: I DIDN'T ASK HAWKS-NII EITHER! 

Akari gasped out loud again. Hawks-nii? YEAH! Hawks-nii! 

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: HAWKS BIRB-SENPAI!

Big Birb: Ye chickadee?

Littlest  Birb: I DUB THEE HAWKS-NII

BigBirb: aww- u want more fried chicken?

Littlest Birb: no! well maybe! but u are my new brother! 

Little Birb: what about me?

She felt a small pang of sadness through their bond and instantly made sure to reassure him

Littlest Birb: its okay Shield-nii is my brother too!
Littlest Birb: You are always my most brother brother Fumi-nii!

Big Birb: idk its weird how u txt ur bro when u r attached
Big Birb: kinda creepy ngl

Littlest Birb: TAKE THAT BACK! Texting is the superior way to communicate! 

Big Birb: kk i take it back

Littlest Birb: Good Hawk-nii! Do you want head pats? Head pats are the best

Big Birb: mby l8r, i g2g patrol, bb soon chickadees 

---

A few days later Hawks-nii allowed them to patrol with him!

She got to fly around in public!

Though they were mostly observing. They didn’t get to fight the bad guys. 

So naturally she got bored and started texting. 

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: Hawks-nii there's a pickpocket to your right
Littlest Birb: He is making off with a granny's purse while you are fighting the bank robber

Big Birb: 👍

She saw four of his feathers juggle his phone to send the reply to her while two others shot out and apprehended the purse snatcher all while fighting the bank robber with the slippery oil quirk.

Hawks-nii is so cool! He’s like me!!!!

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: Hawks-nii you are so cool! You are multi-talented I think Tea-chan called it!

Big Birb: Ye i hv 2 cntrl evry feather so i got gud at doin multiple tings

Littlest Birb: So cool! Oh look there’s a mugger down that alleyway

Big Birb: 👍

The patrol continued like that with her texting her cool new nii-san and him taking down criminal after criminal. For some reason Fumi-nii seemed to get more and more depressed as the day went on, but she didn’t see why? They got to see so many cool takedowns and text with Hawks-nii!

Granted... Fumi spent a lot of time running when she didn’t feel like flying and he didn’t seem to be multi-talented. 

Maybe she should talk to him more. Or send vibes through their bond.

She sent him the feeling of being hugged and he seemed to brighten up just a tad.

Enough that she didn’t think he’d melt in the sun anymore. 

Progress.

They were just winding down from there evening with more fried chicken and watching the news on Hawk-nii’s takedowns while debriefing from patrol when it happened.

“Breaking news: Hosu under fire! The city is burning as several creatures are attacking the city. Heroes have quarantined the area, but we are able to get word from some of those who have been evacuated the flames of the burning city”

“Kamui Woods saved me from a burning building, but my toddler was missing. I was so scared that I'd never see him again! Then this hero in training, he said his name was Felis, he came and had my toddler with him! Then he led us to the evacuation routes!”

Felis? Wasn’t that was Zumies-

Her phone suddenly chimed the chime set up for messages marked as important. So did Fumi-nii’s.

She opened her phone to see

Izuku:  ❗  ❗ Location Dropped 📌

“Fumi-nii?” She asked with fear in her voice.

 “It says he’s in Hosu.” Tokoyami intoned solemnly. 

“One of you forward me the location, I’m fifteen minutes out at my quickest speed, but maybe I can make it” Hawks-sensei barked out and she quickly complied, forwarding the pinned location to him.

Please be okay Zumie’s. I don’t want you to nearly die again. 

Neither Akari nor Fumi-nii slept that night. Instead, they waited for Hawks to come back, or text an update. He finally came in, exhausted, with the first break of day.

“Your friend’s okay. He was rescued before I got there. He got a bit banged up and sent to the hospital, but he should be discharged soon from what I heard. I had to spend the night helping the rest of the city. Sorry I couldn’t text an update sooner, I accidentally dropped my phone on my way there.”

Akari cried with relief, picking up her phone for the first time since she texted Hawks-nii her Zumies location. 

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: Tea-chan!!!! ZUMIES IS ALIVE

Tea: I was unaware that Midoriya’s life was in danger

Light: YEAH HE WAS IN HOSU AND PINGED HIS LOCATION
Light: I WAS SCARED
Light: BUT HE IS ALIVE

Tea: I see, I know Aizawa-kun was keeping an eye on him. I shall inquire about the details. Thank you for letting me know Akari-chan.

Girl Hero Stuff

DarkShadow: SIS ZUMIES IS ALIVE THE MARRIAGE IS STILL ON

Ochako: You got that weird text too?

DarkShadow: Yeah he was in Hosu and in trouble
Dark Shadow: but Hawks-nii says he is okay now. 

Ochako: THAT WAS IN HOSU? BUT THE NEWS!

DarkShadow: I KNOW I WAS SO SCARED

✨ We Don’t Talk About Spark Club ✨

Akari ✨ : ZUMIES I HEAR YOU ARE ALIVE SO TEXT ME

Command-Z: Is this about the weird text he sent me while I was on patrol last night?
Drama Bean: It seems the showboat somehow ended up in Hosu during last night’s events.
Shield-nii: Shit, Hosu? That’s not manly at all. My mentor says it was a warzone out there and that we shouldn’t watch the news.
Upsie Daisy: We?
Shield-nii: Yeah! Tetsutestu is interning with me! His quirk works similar to mine but is also different! So manly!

They had to stop talking for a while because of internship responsibility. Whatever that was. Sounds fake.

She went back to texting Hawks-nii about pickpockets she saw, but her heart wasn’t really in it until her phone vibrated that there was a notification from the Spark chat

✨ We Don’t Talk About Spark Club ✨

Zumies: Hey guys, I’m mostly okay. Got another concussion, andanotherspark.

Akari ✨ : another spark?!

Upsie Daisy: another one?
Zumies: Yeah! Actually glad you both are here, I think you’ll like this
Zumies attaches mynewspark.mp4
Zumies: Surprise! I joined the flight club!

Akari ✨ : OMG WE CAN ALL FLY THAT IS SO COOL

Command-Z : not all of us can fly
Drama Bean: of course the showboat got another op power...
Drama Bean: glad you didn’t die in Hosu, Izuku. 

Akari gasped out loud before diving back in.

Akari ✨ : DRAMA BEAN NO SWIPING!
Akari ✨ : DRAMA BEAN NO SWIPING!
Akari ✨ : DRAMA BEAN NO SWIPING! 

Drama Bean: What the fuck Akari?
Fumi-nii: I would appreciate it if you refrain from cussing out my sister
Drama Bean: What the heck* Akari?”
Fumi-nii: Better.

Akari ✨ : Drama bean was trying to steal my Zumies!

Upsie Daisy: Akari-can I thought we agreed you couldn’t marry Zumies until you did your own taxes?

Akari ✨ : And?

Upsie Daisy: He isn’t yours until you marry him

Akari ✨ : Oh. I don’t like that. Fumi-nii how do I do taxes?

Zumies: You won’t do taxes until you are an adult and maybe not even then!
Zumies: Ochako what the hell are you teaching her?!
Upsie Daisy: It’ll be fine Zumie’s! 🤗

Akari ✨ : Fine, I will do taxes later!
Akari✨: Hawks-nii said he’d get me more fried chicken anyway.

Akari✨: BYE!

And if she pouted into her bucket of fried chicken at dinner that night, trying to figure out how to do taxes?

Well Fumi-nii promised he wouldn’t tell anyone, so no she didn’t.

Chapter Text

Finals were boring . Test after test after test of things that made her brain swirl to look at. So she didn’t. Instead she settled on trying to beat her high score at Happy Birds.

Or should she call it Happy Birbs? Ooooh maybe she could text Hawks-nii!

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: Hawks-nii little birb is being booooooring make him stop

Big Birb: 🔪🦹🏻‍♂️ 💰🦅? 👧🏻 😭 ??!

Littlest Birb: Oooh catch that bank robber before they stab someone!
Littlest Birb: I’m not sad just board it’s okay.

Big Birb: 🍗🕓?

Littlest Birb: OMG YES PLEASE

Big Birb: 😎👌🔥

A cough startled her. Looking up she saw the tired-sensei looking down at her text conversation. 

“Akari, I know you don’t have to take the test but I need you to keep your phone in airplane mode until Tokoyami is finished.” He whispered.

“Fiiiiiinnne” she drew out in a low-volume whine, aware of everyone taking their tests.

Then she promptly went back to playing Happy Birbs.

By Thursday she had actually beaten her high score! She was so happy when she got to turn her phone off Airplane mode. She could tell Tea-chan!!!

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: TEA-CHAN!
Light: I DID IT!
Light: I BEAT MY HAPPY BIRBS HIGH SCORE!

Tea: That’s lovely, Akari-chan. How far did you progress?

Light: IT SAYS I AM ON LEVEL TWO NOW!
Light: AND IT LOOKS DIFERENT!
Light:   ITS SO COOL
Light: How many levels are there Tea-chan?

Tea: Hmm, I believe there are over five thousand levels, Akari-chan.

Light: Five THOUSAND!?
Light: That will take like a hundred final exams to complete!
Light: So cool!
Light: Oh Fumi-nii is texting me

Siblings

Fumi: Akari-chan, I wish to inform you that Hawks is here.
Fumi: He has been here for ten minutes.
Fumi: Please stop zoning us out and put down the phone.
Fumi: ... he has the bucket of fried chicken.

Akari: WHY DIDN’T YOU START WITH THAT!

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: THANKS FOR COMING HAWKS-NII!

They sat and enjoyed the fried chicken and Akari was happy.

“This is nice, like when we fed the ducks. Wait, ducks are birbs, I’m a birb, am I a duck? Hawks-nii I’ma duck!”

She threw her shadowy limbs wide and accidentally threw a chicken bone across the room.

“Akari-chan, that is not how it works.” Fumi-nii was being a buzz-kill like always.

“See this is why I don’t talk most of the time!” She stuck her tongue out at him. “Hawks-nii gets it. Ooooh Hawks-nii did you stop the stabbing?”

Hawks-nii laughed and ruffled her shadows. She didn’t know that was a thing. It felt soooo good! 

“Never change Akari-chan. Yeah I caught the bank robber.” He glanced down at his watch. “Hate to eat and run, but I’ve got to get back to patrol. See ya later chickadees” 

Then it was Friday and they were being paired with a girl she didn’t know. For their practical finals. Against loud-sensei.

When they got together for their brief planning she glared the silent girl down, before demanding to see the other's phone.

This Kodai or whatever her name was complied wordlessly and Akari got to work creating a new group chat.

Finals Fiends

DarkShadow added Tokoyami to the chat
DarkShadow changed Tokoyami to Tsukuyomi
DarkShadow added Kodai to the chat

DarkShadow : I don’t know your hero name and I don’t care
DarkShadow: but put it as your chat name anyway.
DarkShadow: finals are hero work so we use hero names.
DarkShadow: and I WILL be texting the entire finals. Deal with it.

Kodai changed their name to Rule
Rule: omg yes u r genius
Rule: y have no1 else done this?
Rule: we r gna crush this
Rule: + w txt mic-sens not 2 loud

It was texted almost faster than Akari could read . She got stars in her eyes. 

DarkShadow: Yeah! We are going to rock this!

They didn’t have much time to plan, only about a minute later they were shuffled onto the bus. 

Tsukuyomi: I will endeavor to communicate here.
Tsukuyomi: However, I am not as “multi-talented” as Akari-chan
Rule: who Akari-chan?
Tsukuyomi: Akari, I will focus my intent through our bond when I cannot type.

DarkShadow: That’s me! I’m Akari 😀but only when we arent being heroes.
DarkShadow: My hero name is DarkShadow!

Rule: 👍

DarkShadow: Rule! Look out loud sensei on your left!

Fumi-nii still hasn't taught me to read the clock...

Rule: 👍go > - ^ 

Akari flew her and Fumi to a roof and watched Rule-chan whip around a corner into an alleyway then climb a ladder up to the adjacent roof.

She’s so cool.

Rule: 🔘🌱 🌠

I wonder what that means?

Then she was speechless watching in real time as Rule-chan picked up a pebble and grew it to the size of a boulder before dropping it on loud-sensei

Rule: mic-sens dge, ned 2 mov

DarkShadow: Where to?

Rule: sty on ruf 4 now. Mic-sens smrt, kep mov try 2 get saf

So that is what Akari did, focusing mostly on flying them from building to building, trying to herd them towards the exit. 

“Akari-chan watch out!” Fumi-nii exclaimed. 

“It’s Dark Shadow while we are doing Hero work!” She snapped back.

Only to get flung through the air by loud-sensei’s scream, crash landing in a heap. 

Rule: mic-sens ambsh, care

She saw the text when she managed to get her phone out from where she had stored it in her own shadow body during the flight.

“No fair, Fumi-nii distracted me.” She pouted to herself.

She felt a surge of reassurance and love through their bond, and the words “Sorry, was trying to warn you.” Faintly filtered through. Words were hard for them, so she was happy he made the effort and sent forgiveness back.

Rule: mic-sens nos, ned 2 distract

DarkShadow: Tsukuyomi what does distract mean?

She could remember to use hero names, unlike some people.

Tsukuyomi: It is like when you are talking but then see a butterfly and forget what we were conversing about.
Rule : !!! genus bugs r not like us, they her diff
Rule: DarkShadow cn u find a bug? Biger = beter

DarkShadow: I’ll look Rule-chan!

She immediately started looking for butterflies but didn’t see any, so she looked at the ground. She found a rolly looking beetle, an ant, and a bee, but just as she was trying to decide which one to grab she saw it. 

So cool!

It had like a million little legs and its body was so long and wriggly! She had to have it!

“Fumi-nii LOOKIT!” She shouted, pointing at the corner of the building where the bug was squirming. “LETS GO!”

He obligingly (that’s a FumiWord) walked her over until she was close enough to scoop the bug up with a corner of her shadow. 

DarkShadow: Sent a picture of a millipede 
DarkShadow: Lookit I found the distraction!
Dark Shadow: So many legs!
DarkShadow: Loud-sensei could be counting for horus! 

Rule: gud, brng 2 me

She had to glance around a bit before she saw the peak of  Rule-chan’s hat peeking out over the edge of a building. She flew her and Fumi-nii up to Rule-chan and handed over the bug. 

Rule touched the squirming mass with 5 fingers and it got large.  

Like real large .

Like suddenly Fumi-nii grabbed Rule-chan and dived off the roof, trusting her to fly them to safety, large.

It was a very very big bug now.

And she wanted it more than ever. 

Rule-chan motioned for them to get running to the exit. They took two whole steps before loud-sensei screamed.

But it wasn’t a scream like the one that smashed her into the wall.

It was pure terror. She felt his soul quake in fear.

“We have to go back.” She whispered with large eyes.

“Rule-chan we have to go back. Shrink the bug. SHRINK IT!” She was panicking. He was panicking. There was panic. So much panic. If loud-sensei wasn’t so panicky he might even say it was panic at the disco. But he was too panicky for that so she had to think it for him. 

Rule-chan thankfully didn’t question her and merely pressed her hands together. The bug was gone but Akari was already dragging Fumi-nii over to loud-sensei who was curled up in a ball and rocking back and forth, muttering “not again, not again, Akaguro is in jail, Shou promised, please go away, not again.”

“Loud-sensei?” she asked but he seemed to be lost in his own world. 

Gently she scooped their sensei up. “We need to get him to the kiss-sensei word dog-sensei.” She said simply, her brother sent worry through their bond as he intoned, “we have cast a shadow deep across his soul, it is only right we guide him back into the light.”

Rule-chan nodded.

She felt a text and used a tendril of shadow to check it.

Rule: I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Let’s get Sensei to safety.

Rule-chan must be feeling awful, that was the first full text she’d sent.

Nodding her head Akari put her phone away and motioned for Fumi-nii to lead them out. They crossed the escape exit and were announced victorious but she didn’t care about that.

Instead, she rushed loud-sensei onto the bus and started whispering to his soul that it was okay to heal, that it didn’t need to stay cracked.

She wasn’t sure it did anything, but she wanted to try.

It was only when the bus arrived and loud-sensei was taken away by word dog-sensei that she felt okay to pull out her phone again.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: loud-sensei needs help
Light: so help him
Light: or I won't forgive you!

Tea: I am sorry Akari-chan
Tea: I know why he was hurt but...
Tea: I failed to see how much of his pain lingered.

Light: do better next time tea-chan! He hurt to his soul!

Tea: I will try, child. 

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: What do I do if I hurt someone and didn’t mean to?

Hawks: 1mo

...

A couple minutes went by while Akari fiddled with the volume on her phone.

...

A loud chime startled her.

Big Birb: Okay baby bird, what's up?

Littlest Birb: We were doing finals

Little Birb: And I am afraid we may have triggered a panic attack in our sensei

Littlest Birb: loud sensei was so sad! I could feel it in his soul. 

Big Birb: If it was an accident I doubt he’d hold it against you
Big Birb : just make sure you avoid whatever set it off chickadee’s
Big Birb: and maybe you can make him an apology card?

Littlest Birb: oooh with glitter?

Big Birb: With all the glitter baby bird!

So that’s what they did. They dragged Rule-chan, You can call me Yui she’d texted, into taking part. They’d had to drag her away from kiss-sensei who was looking at a bruise on her arm, but that was okay.

She met this pretty lady with blue skin who said she was a therapist too. And she told her the plan and the pretty lady agreed! She even let them into tired-sensei’s art supplies and they’d made a big large card that looked like Yui-chan had used her quirk on it! That’s how big it was! And Fumi-nii had drawn them in glue while she poured fifteen different colors of glitter on to make their likenesses sparkle and shine! 

Yui-chan wrote in flowy script that they were sorry for triggering him and they hoped he was better soon!
Then she got to draw hearts all over it with crayon!
It was the bestest. They gave it to tired-sensei to give to loud-sensei. 

Then they got taken to word dog-sensei and debriefed, told it wasn’t their fault, blah blah blah.

She knew that, but still... she’d felt the crack before, and she didn’t mean to make it just a tiny bit wider. 

She’d have to get better at figuring out what those cracks meant.

She’d have to. 

Afterall, Hawks-nii had them too. And so did Tea-chan. And tired-sensei.

And... she admitted quietly to herself, although they had been getting smaller for as long as she had known him.

So did Zumies. 

Chapter Text

✨We Don’t Talk About Spark Club✨

Zumies: I’m going to be out of touch this weekend!
Zumies: Taking an international trip to I-island!
Zumies: I don’t have international coverage!  

Akari✨: What’s I-island? 

Zumies has gone offline. 

Akari pouted down at the phone. She could hear chimes coming in but she had wanted Zumies to explain. 

Now he was gone.

Oh! I’ll have Fumi-nii explain! She cheered at her idea.

“Fumi-nii!” She asked her brother, whom she was literally attached to.

“Yes Akari-chan?” Asked Fumi-nii with a single raised eyebrow.

It was cool how he could do that. Akari couldn’t...

On a count of her not having eyebrows and all.

But it’s okay she’d just have Fumi-nii do it for her.

Wait, why was his eyebrow raised again? She paused to think on it for a moment then her shadowy eyes widened.

“Oh right! What is I-island?”

Fumi-nii sighed one of his soul-deep sighs that said he was about to get poetic.

So she just glanced at the screen, tuning out his words.

✨We Don’t Talk About Spark Club✨

Upsie Daisy: it’s a tech island or something. I think Kirishima is going too? He said something about it while we were headed out after finals.
Drama Bean : hmph, I too shall be headed to the island this weekend.
Drama Bean : And it’s more than some “tech” island.
Drama Bean: It’s the hub of innovation! A floating Island that drifts across oceans!
Drama Bean : And I heard Dr.Eléonore Dubois is going to be there!

Drama Bean was being weird so she stopped reading. Instead she focused on the fact that three of her people were all going to the mystery island without her!

That was like, a lot of her people!

She had Zumies and Drama Bean and Shield-nii all gone without her.

Maybe she could get some of her other friends to have an adventure with her?

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: Tea-chan can we have an adventure this weekend?

Tea: Certainly Akari-chan, what sort of adventure are you looking for?

Light: !!! We can have a tea party Tea-chan!

Tea: Sounds like a plan Akari-chan. Let’s say two o’clock tomorrow?
Tea: We can meet at the gates to UA. 

She did a wiggly little happy dance. Her plans were coming together!

“Fumi-nii we are going on an adventure tomorrow at UA! Tea-chan said we could!”

Fumi-nii sighed a sigh that said Okay, but only because I love you. Then he opened his mouth to actually speak. “Alright Akari-chan. What time are we meeting the Principal?”

“Mm two!” She chimed with a smile.

She glanced down at her phone. Who to invite? Big sis had said earlier that she was going home to visit her parents.

She could invite Shinso, but he had said he wanted to nap as much as possible before camp. She wasn’t sure what a Tea-chan tea party entailed, but she was pretty sure napping wasn’t on the a-jenda. 

Oh she knew who to invite!

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly : Ru-chan! 

Beetle: Yes Ak-chan?

Butterfly: Come to tea time with Tea-chan and I tomorrow at 2!

Beetle : ... stand by

Akari counted to twenty seven while Ru-chan did whatever she did.

It was hard because she couldn’t remember if eleventeen came before or after twenty one, but she’s pretty sure she got it all right in the end.

Beetle : I’ll be there!

“Yay!” She shouted earning a ‘why must you be this way?’ sigh from her Nii-san. 

UA was very big.

Akari already knew that, obviously, because she’d been going here for a full semester, but it felt extra big when you were the first one waiting by the gates and it was quiet and the shadows stretched long like sleepy cats.

She poked Fumi’s feathers until he hummed low in his throat and gave her the Look.

The stop poking me or I will call this adventure off look.

She grinned. “Just checking you're awake.”

“Not everyone can fall asleep while standing up Akari-chan. Remember you are multi-talented.”

She felt his teasing words wash over her like a warm hug, his love washing over their bond.

She wiggled a little bit as Ru-chan walked up to the gates.

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Beetle: Hello Ak-chan, Tokoyami

Butterfly: Hi Ru-chan!

Bee: Must we communicate over text when we are all five inches from each other?
Beetle: Obv.

Butterfly: Of course!

Fumi sighed a sigh she thinks meant why are we all here, just to suffer, but she wasn’t sure because he had only explained the reference once and most of it slipped out of her brain before he was done explaining it.

The trio walked to Tea-chan’s office in silence. Akari spent the time trying to get Ru-chan to laugh as she made increasingly silly faces above Fumi-nii’s head.

But Ru-chan was stonefaced.

She even pulled out her fumi-nii face where she went all stoic and acted like she would die if she didn’t pause to sigh, and nothing.

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly : Ru-chan you are too good at this!

Beetle : Sorry Ak-chan, I have resting bitch face

Akari made a ‘o’ shape with her shadow beak and then Tea-chan opened the door for them!

They had some very nice tea and all these nice shiny cookies with jam filling with Tea-chan. It was nice.

They even played chess!

She didn’t really understand the rules Tea-chan explained. So she took one of her white pieces and flung it across the board at Tea-chan’s black pieces.

“Score!” She cheered. “I knocked down three pieces! That means I’m winning!”

Tea-chan replied with a small “Interesting” before throwing a black piece that took out four of her white pieces!

“Oh no! I’m losing! Fumi-nii, avenge me!”

As she played dead she fished her phone out of the shadowy depths of her soul, where she kept it safe when not in use of course, and texted Hawks-nii.

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: Hawks-nii! We’re having a tea party aventure with Tea-chan!
Littlest Birb: I have become dead
Littlest Birb: Bring chicken and advenge me!

Big Birb: : 🦹🏻‍♂️ 💰🦅➡️🍗🕓👍

She cheered aloud as Fumi-nii took down Tea-chan’s biggest pieces with a little white one. “Good job Fumi-nii! You can have some chicken when Hawks-nii gets here!”

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Beetle: I would like some chicken too. Also, I believe Nezu just took out half your board with his king.

Butterfly: Noooooooooooooo! But sure you can have some chicken!

All and all Akari had a fun adventure to tell Zumies about when he got back tomorrow.

She nestled down into her blanket nest. She’d bet her weekend was ever more awesomeness then his.

She smiled as she fluttered off to sleep.

This...

This was not good.

“BREAKING NEWS: I-island was attacked late last night by villains!”

It was flashing across the screen.

Zumies?

“HEROES CAPTURED! All the Heroes at the expo were captured and unable to respond to the villain attack.”

But what about Zumies? And Shield-nii? And Drama Bean????

“SYMBOL OF PEACE STOPPED: Reports are even coming in that All Might himself was captured by the villains!”

Her breath became more and more shallow. What about her friends? WERE THEY OKAY?

“STUDENTS RESCUE THE HEROES: There were several hero students at the expo who were reportedly given permission by All Might himself to use their quirks to rescue the island held hostage.”

Her breathing got a bit deeper. Of course Zumies would save the day. That’s the kind of boy he was.

“ONE DEAD- ONE CRITICAL CONDITION: In the final confrontation between the main villains and the students it appears that a hostage was shot dead, and another in the altercation is in critical condition with heart injuries.”

Dead?

Critical condition?

Heart problems?

Zumies had heart problems.

He was missing from school that day after the USJ with heart problems.

They said he was dead then... but it wasn’t true.

He’s not dead now right?

Zumies is alright, right?

Right? 

Zumies?

Where is Zumies?

She felt herself losing control.

Z U m I e S?

WhERe is ZuMIes?

Z U M I E S.

She felt calm wash over her from their bond, pulling her away from the brink of panic.

Or... she glanced around their wrecked bedroom, shards of bed strewn across everything, maybe not the brink?

She wasn’t even sure how long she had been gone for but Fumi-nii was hugging her and telling her it would be okay. 

He was throwing all his love and comfort through their bond. She couldn’t hear his words, but she could feel them. “It’ll be okay. Midoriya is strong, it’s not him. Calm down Imōto.”

Imōto?

That’s right... she was his Imōto...

He hadn’t called her that... since before...

She hugged her nii-san as she let out great big heaving sobs.

“I just don’t want to lose someone, nii-san.” She whispered into his ear.

“I know Imōto. I know.”

After that they sat wrapped up in blankets with a couple of mugs of hot chocolate. She spent the next few hours sipping the slowly cooling beverage and glancing at her phone.

Occasionally there would be a message of worry sent between her and Big sis. Once even Shinso said he was scared too, but that he was sure their friends were alright.

But the deep fear slowly built back up in her.

Then the most beautiful thing happened.

✨We Don’t Talk About Spark Club✨

Zumies has come online 

She looked at her phone, cheeks damp.

“Okay, maybe his weekend was more awesomeness,” she whispered, sniffling a smile before slamming into a message.

Akari✨ : GUYS IT SAYS ZUMIES IS ALIVE HE DIDN’T DIE

Chapter Text

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly: Ru-chan! Zumies got Fumi and me a goth pillow!

Beetle: oh?

Butterfly: yeah! It's perfect!
Butterfly: *attaches picture of the purple ghost-shaped pillow*
Butterfly: It smells goth! It’s like Fumi and Me as one!

Beetle: Sounds interesting Ai-chan! 

Butterfly: Mm! One day ima marry Zumies and we can have a goth pillow themed wedding!

Beetle: Does he know of your joint wedding? 

Butterfly: Yeah! But its gotta wait. Big Sis Ocha says i haveta do my taxes first!

Beetle: Then I shall await my invite as your best lady on that joyous day.

Butterfly: kay!

Akari put away her phone as she felt worry from her brother.

She tuned back into the world and away from her phone just in time to hear Word dog-sensei bark out “Damn right I did, you don’t betray your allies like that. Not even in the name of training.”

She was a bit more interested in the little boy she saw off in the distance.

His soul is cracked worse than Loud-sensei’s after the bug accident... she worried to herself.

After that was a period of so much fun she didn’t even care to check her phone. They were flying and fighting and Zumies was taking command!

And and and she got to whoop Fumi-nii over to a flying dirt beast and thwap it over the head and into the ground. Then Zumies whamed another one that came from behind her while she was zwhumping over to a sneaky little crawler that was going for Shield-niis blind side.

Then the call came out and she zipped into the air to get away from electric boys zap- they were airbound and in insulating clothes so she wasn’t worried about being zapped but...

Word dog-sensei said it was okay to take it slow. She reminded herself, feeling a soft squeeze of reassurance through her bond with Fumi-nii.

I can be scared of bright lights. I just gots to remember not to let that fear rule me. A slight elevation to avoid the light is fine...

Before she knew it they were arriving at camp and chowing down on curry.

Then they had what should have been a nice relaxing bath, but she felt weird being in the boys bath. She had always felt weird about it so after rinsing with Fumi-nii she retreated inside of him so she didn’t have to see anything.

Eventually she peeked her head out when she felt from the bond that it was safe. Fumi-nii was dressed in his night clothes and she peeked her shadow around a corner when she thought she heard Zumies footsteps.

"Heroes are stupid, they just get themselves killed for glory."

That boy was there.

And he touched Zumies no no spot.

She remembered about how they said to tell an adult or a trusted older kid if someone touched her no no spot. It was in the brightly colored room with lotsa blocks that she had to go to while Fumi-nii went to school, back before she just went to school with him.

Before she forgot she was a person.

She had thought she wanted to help mend his soul, but after he did that to her Zumies?

She turned back around the corner resolving to avoid the kid at all costs.

Pulling out her phone she warned Ru-chan to avoid him too. Plus that was kind of like telling a trusted older kid too? It was Zumies spot and not hers, but she should still tell... right?

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly: Ru-chan! That little boy is mean stay away from him!

Beetle: ???

Butterfly: He punched Izuku in the no-touch spot!

Beetle: I am not a man, but I felt that.

Butterfly: EXACTLY!

Bee: I believe we should go to bed now. Sensei said that camp really starts in the morning.

Butterfly: Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine

Camp was an... experience.

She could have done without the constant electric shocks shocking her with light but it was fun to team up with Ru-chan to practice her aim and Ru-chan’s timing with reversing her changes!

They made a good team.

Even if the sudden bright bright bright too bright lights still caused her panic.

Tea-chan wasn’t even on her side. Said camp was going to help her get past her fear.

Word dog-sensei took her side at least, when she talked with him on the third day.

"While Nezu is correct that you will need to face your fear, overwhelming exposure can have the opposite effect."

She wasn't sure what some of those words meant, but she got an afternoon with no more bright lights. She was relieved, and without having to hide from the light she could just think for a bit.

About how she was now pretty sure she wasn't Fumi-niis quirk. That she had never been his in that way, though she had played pretend and locked herself in that dark space when she thought being herself was hurting him.

She was always his in a completely different way. 

All and all she was still wound up from two and a half days of feeling like she was going to be violently ripped away from everyone she loved- especially her Fumi-nii, and maybe her Zumies, and of course her Ru-chan too!- When they said it was time for a test of courage.

Excuse me, crazy cat lady? She’d been courageous this entire camp, thank you very much.

To make matters worse she couldn’t be paired with Ru-chan since it was some sort of competition.

And they didn’t let her pair with Zumies either. Or Shield-nii. Or Big Sis. Or anyone she knew.

At least the electric boy was going to remedial lessons so she didn’t have to pair up with him either.

Instead Fumi-nii and herself were paired with that weird twinkling boy. It was okay, his sparkles were dim and soft and didn’t make her feel like she would be ripped away and drawn to whatever lay beyond. 

The test of courage was honestly boring.

Really. Truly. Fumi-nii had written poetry that scared her more.

Why would a quirk dismembered but still alive body scare her when she still remembered how pale her body got as life left it ?

What was scary about slashes at the trees? The slashes looked jagged and rough, amateurish, nothing like the slashes to her own body once were.

Even when they cut out the light she wasn’t too scared, Word dog-sensei had helped her anchor her fear of the dark to her brother's presence. With Fumi-nii there to help, darkness wasn’t as scary. After all, when she had died to the shadow man she was alone, but when Fumi-nii came to her dying body, she was reborn with new life.

But then there were flames everywhere.

Bright bright bright bright blue blue blue blue.

The world was on fire.

It was hot hot hot bright bright bright.

She didn’t like it. It hurt.

🧀Tea Time ☕

Light: Tea-chan the blue light hurts make it stop!

Tea: What blue light Akari-chan?

Light: Its hot and burning and all the trees are coated in it! I’m scared!

Tea: Akari-chan I need you to head to the nearest teacher

Light : I don’t know where they are!
Light: There is just fire and burning and Fumi-nii is scared too
Light: Help us Tea-chan!

Tea: Akari-chan I am sending a text to Aizawa-kun. Please turn on your phones GPS

Light: *Starts Sharing Location*
Light: I think I see someone? Wait who is that?
Light: It’s a man I don’t recognize! 

Akari slipped the phone into her shadowy pocket, wary at the stranger.

Is he the cause of the lights?  

“Hello young children, would you like to see a magic trick?” The man with the tophat and the mask said. Something about his voice sent a chill down her spine.

She made a tiny hole in her shadow pocket and clicked a soft little photo of the villain bathed in the blue fire and sent it off to Tea-chan.

“You see I have these cards.” The man continued.

🧀Tea Time ☕

Light: *Attaches Photo of Villain* 

The man shot the cards everywhere. “Whoopsies, clumsy me.” He said with an eerie chuckle. He bends as if to pick up the cards and tumbles over shockingly fast.

Before she or Fumi-nii can react he is jumping to his feet right in front of them.

🧀Tea Time ☕

Tea: Akari-chan don’t let him touch you!

Just as she is reading the message there is a light touch on Fumi-nii’s arm as the villain pretends to steady himself.

“And now I’ll make my target disappear.”

The last thing Akari saw was the sparkly boys wide eyes full of fear.

🧀Tea Time ☕

Tea: That is the villain compress! [Message Bounced, the intended recipient is out of service]

[GPS Signal Lost]

Chapter Text

Life inside a marble was weird, and disorienting, and did she really just come out of that thing?

She was so confused that she didn’t even see them slip the handcuffs onto Fumi-nii.

“Quirk and spark suppressing.” The lizard looking dude muttered. “Nice.”

She just sort of floated there, not really sure what she should be doing while the villains tied Fumi-nii up. It was weird- he was asleep for some reason but she couldn’t feel him like she normally could.

Even when he was asleep there was normally a hum of love acceptance miss you glad you’re here . 

It was suspiciously missing. So she tried to steal the key from the lizard looking boy. Maybe the handcuffs were doing it?

“Wait!” Said the scratchy villain from the USJ. “Why is his quirk still floating there?”

She blinked at him. He stared at her.

“Hi?” She asked, as if it was a question.

“The fuck? We knocked him unconscious with drugs to wait for sensei and his quirk’s fuckin’ sentient?”

The villain was scratching at his neck. “And the fucking thing isn’t going away???”

Akari blinked at him then had an idea.

🧀Tea Time ☕

Light: Tea-chan I think I have been kidnapped

Tea: Akari-chan! What can you tell me about the kidnappers?

Light : Uh there is the itchy villain from the USJ
Light: 1 sec

Crusty boy was reaching out his hand to try and dust her so she ducked under the hand and kicked him in the shins.

“That won’t work~” She sang to him.

“I could try a second pair?” The hat villain who stole her asked uncertainly.

Another villain cut in, “Yeah lets do that! NO! Lets tie her up instead!”

She just sort of sat there while they tied her up, cuz’ that wasn’t dangerous like the hand.

🧀Tea Time ☕

Light: There is the guy I sent you a photo of and- oh!
Light: attaches photos of all villains
Light: The crusty looking one is the one from the USJ
Light: The top hat one stoles me
Light: The lizard boy said something about quirk suppressing

Tea: It looks like the villains Mange, Twice, and Compress are there.
Tea: As well as the “hand villain” Shigaraki, and an unknown with a mutant quirk.

Light: If that's what they’re called! OH there is another one coming!

She watched in interest as a stapled guy dragged one of the crazy kitty ladies from camp into another chair and stole the extra pair of handcuffs to place on kitty-ladies wrists.

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: Hey Hawks-nii I dun no if you no but I am kidnapped

Big Birb: Kidnapped?!

Littlest Birb: Yeah the handy guy from the usj and his friends
Littlest Birb : I rememebreds you said you like bad boys and I wants to know
Littlest Birb: is this guy your type?
Littlest Birb: *Attaches image of a villain with a stapled face*

Big Birb: Chickadee, not the time. Can you share your location?

Littlest Birb: Ye sure!
Littlest Birb: [Shared Location with You]

She realized as she dodged the flame by ducking through Fumi-nii that she had accidentally shredded the ropes.

Woops.

It wasn’t her fault that the rope was so flimsy!

She still stuck her tongue out at the flame guy for having tried to burn her. How rude!

A mist looking man spoke up from behind a bar. She honestly hadn’t realized he was there? 

“Perhaps some juice will distract the quirk? It acts like a young child...”

The pretty-lady nodded. “Good Idea Kurogiri!” She walked so gracefully over and swiped a cup off the counter.

“Here you go squirt.” She offered the cup of juice to Akari.

Akari eyed it for a second trying to decide if it was a trick.

But while the pretty-lady’s soul had some cracks it seemed to be radiating a feeling that tasted like “I love kids and am not trying to hurt you.”

She wasn’t sure what that feeling tasted like other than cherry red and a wistful melancholy blue. But it was true anyway. She thinks. Maybe.

Souls were weird okay?

So she drank the juice. It was apple, and nothing weird happened. So she counted that as a win.

“I hope you didn’t hurt Zumies, you’re nice.” She muttered into the pretty-lady who was stroking her shadow-head.

The lady cocked her head to the side. “Zumies?”

Akari nodded. “Yeah! Zumies! He’s the cute one with the green hair and ima marry him someday!”

Staple-face snorted. “Sure kid. You talking about the sports festival winner?”

Akari thought for a second then nodded. “I think he won because he’s too awesome not to. But I wasn’t really paying attention at the time.”

Staple face grinned a savage grin. “Hate to break it to you kid, but I think I saw the one running around down an arm. Less cuddles for you.”

Akari’s eyes went wide, Zumies lost an arm?!

“Dabi!” The pretty lady cried out in alarm. “That was uncalled for!”

She pet Akari’s head some more. “Don’t worry dear, I think I saw him in the chaos too and it looked like his arm was just injured. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

She nodded her head, beak clacking a bit in her worry.

The dusty one snapped. “Why are you consoling the creepy shadow? We have more important things to do. Like plan how to convert the kid when he wakes up.”

A shadowy portal opened up and she snapped a picture of the potato head that walked out.

“Now now children. Be calm.” His voice was very creepy as she texted the new image to Hawks-nii and Tea-chan.

🧀Tea Time ☕

Tea: If you can please record what he says and send it to me Akari-chan!

Light: Okay!

She started up a recording as the potato-head approached the kitty lady.

“Ah yes, Ragdoll. You have a quirk I want very much so.”

The potato head reached out an arm and grasped onto the unconscious kitty’s face.

“It will make a marvelous addition to my collection.”

Creepy purple lines started connecting kitty lady and potato head.

“Come to me, little quirk... Come home to me...”

His soul was weird. It wasn’t cracked like so many others- it was so smooth . It tasted like nothing . An abyss of no emotions. Like the man couldn’t feel.

I don’t like it .

“What’s this?” He cried in what sounded like anger but tasted like nothing.

“Some more useless junk code. She must still have her power, one of those disgusting Sparks .” He muttered to himself, but Akari could hear him and she thinks her phone could too.

“If I can’t have Search, nobody can.” He whispered.

Then, louder. “I was going to let you live, you know, but you just had to have nothing but corrupted code. Now you’ll have to die. But which method would be most satisfying?”

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: THE POTATO HEAD IS GOING TO KILL KITTY LADY!

🧀Tea Time ☕

Light: KITTY GOING TO DIE!

She sent off the texts rapidly as the man seemed to be deciding how he wanted to murder the kitty lady in front of Akari.

She didn’t want to see anyone else die.

Suddenly there was an explosion and All Might-sensei was standing in the door not smiling. All the villains turned to him in shock, not expecting a rescue mid-murder.

Hawks-nii’s feathers zipped around the ground- she saw them but she thinks everyone else was focused on All Might-sensei because no one moved to stop them.

They came and lifted the chair’s that Fumi-nii and kitty lady were cuffed to and started sneaking them out the back.

More heroes started pouring through the opening that All Might sensei created just as the Hawks-nii express got them to the back of the building and the wall melted away to show their literature teacher, Pun-sensei.

“Good thing they were in one of these old war buildings. They’re built with cement and gave me an in to cement your freedom.” Pun-sensei said with a grin.

She wasn’t really sure what happened to the villains after that, though she did happily wave at the pretty lady who was the only one to notice the escape.

The pretty-lady smiled at her and mouthed “go,” instead of telling her friends about Akari and Fumi-nii’s escape.

She hoped the pretty lady made it out okay. Maybe she’d tell Tea-chan to let pretty-lady off with a warning. She was too nice for jail.

Before long she was in Hawks-nii’s arms as he hugged her and Fumi-nii and worked to get the handcuffs off.

“So proud of you Chickadee.” He said, ruffling her shadowy head.

“Mmm I didn’t panic at all! Not even when I couldn’t feel Fumi-nii after the cuffs!” She sniffed out a sob.

🧀Tea Time ☕

Tea : Akari-chan you’ve already done a lot today but if I could ask you for a favor?
Tea: Your “Zumies” is about to do something very stupid
Tea: Can you please tell him you are safe?
Tea: I will even get you this t-shirt if you do
Tea: *attaches image of t-shirt that proclaims I Can Save Myself*

Her eyes widened. “Zumies!” she gasps out before fumbling through her contacts.

She would have to send over the recording to Tea-chan another time.

Why didn’t I think to text Zumies?!

Chapter Text

Akari was not happy with Tea-chan.

He took her phone! Her. Phone!

He should know her phone was what made her a peoples! He was the one who gave it to her!

Sure, it was only for a little...

And it was because he wanted to make sure no one panicked because of All Might’s retirement in the news but...

He could have just asked her to not say anything. She would have listened!

Tea-chan was not her best friend anymore.

Down with Tea-chan, long live Ru-chan!

In fact that’s what she did the moment she got her phone back.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: You took my phone!
Light: You lose bestest friend privlagizes!

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly : Ru-chan! You are my BFF!
Butterfly: Not just bug friends! You’re my best friend!
Butterfly: Down with the cheese!
Butterfly: Long live the texting!

Beetle: ... Ak-chan maybe listen to what the Principal has to say?
Beetle: before declaring him your foe?

Butterfly: Fiiiiine

So she started listening.

She didn’t see what was the problem. So punch-sensei was retiring. Whatever.

Didn’t they know that Hawks-nii saved her?

Hawks-nii was totally cooler than punch-sensei.

I mean, sure, she knew who All Might was. 

She had been a little girl once, and seen him rescue people on T.V. and thought woah I want to make people smile like that while her grin widened with her missing tooth.

Wait...

That was from before...

Is it real? Do I want it to be?

She didn’t know.

But that wasn’t the point.

Punch-sensei was really really old! He’d been a hero when she was small! Of course he would retire! So what!

She did get mad when that one reporter purposefully misgendered Shouto! Couldn't they tell that her soul was pink pink pink hopeful female love ice today?

Then Tea-chan announced dorms and something in her ached for them- the idea of living with family again.

For what was 1-A but family?

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: You can be my friend still..
Light: Please just take me away~

Akari sighed.

Her parents were fighting with Fumi-nii again.

“But it’s really Ak-” her big brother started.

“STOP IT!” Her his mother shouted. “Akari is dead. She has been for eight years. I don’t know what's gotten into you but you need to stop.”

Tears were running down mama’s her face. Papa His father’s face was stern. “I thought the specialists cured you of this notion years ago. Maybe letting you pursue her dream is too much...” His voice grew stern. “Do we need to pull you out of school?”

Panic raced down their bond from both directions.

It was their dream now- they couldn’t- he couldn’t- it was- it- no!!!

There was nothing but deep breathing for a few moments before Fumi-nii lied .

“No you are right- it is nothing but a flight of fancy I should grow out of. It will be okay. Mother, father, please sign the forms for me to move into the dorms. I won’t bring si- her up again.”

It took three days of big brother pretending she was just a quirk again before her parents caved.

---

That day they had to go in for a debrief.

She texted Tea-chan while Fumi-nii told his side of the story.

Which was boring.

He’d been asleep for most of it!

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: Are you sure we can’t move in early?

Tea: I am sorry child.
Tea: How about you pick out things from your room?
Tea:   I’ll pay since your parents...

Light: Okay Tea-chan!

Tea-chan slid a computer over to her for her to shop at while Fumi-nii talked.

If she picked out the gaudiest, most ostentatious pink she could find? (Tea’s words not hers!) 

Well maybe she was getting back at her big brother for pretending again.

She didn’t want to go back into that dark place please no.

So she did everything counter to him.

Then it was finally her turn!

And she hesitated mid-explanation.

“Tea-chan...” She whispered, scared.

“When we first awoke I couldn’t feel Fumi-nii anymore. They had these cuffs on him and they seemed surprised I was there and and I couldn’t feel Fumi-nii...”

She took a deep, shuddering breath.

“But I could see their souls! They were cracked and hurting and awful and Fumi wasn’t awake and I couldn’t feel him!”

Tea-chan offered her a gentle hug, and she cried into his fur.

He set up an appointment with word dog-sensei for her a few days later.

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly : what would it be like to be a butterfly~
Butterfly: To just be free to flutter away

Beetle: have you been looking at your brother's poetry again?

Butterfly: Maybe.
Butterfly: Life is weird... being back at home.
Butterfly: And a bit lonely. Even if Fumi-nii is here...
Butterfly: It’s sometimes like I‘m all alone

Beetle: that sounds rough
Beetle: Maybe we can grab tea or something?
Bee: We can’t- darkness has stormed my parents hearts
Bee: We’re grounded except for an appointment with our therapist later this week.
Beetle: that sounds horrible, what did you do?
Bee: Ignored the light of my life-

Butterfly: Brought up me being me

Beetle: ouch, sorry to hear they are so resistant
Beetle: ignore them Ak-chan, they’ll come around

Butterfly: I hope so...

“Woof, Fumikage I understand this is weird, but I want you to let Akari-chan take charge here. I know we’ve been in a few sessions before- but please, pup, let Akari talk and use these headphones to relax and listen to some slam poetry. Pretend we’re not here.” Word dog-sensei growled.

Fumi-nii had nodded solemnly and put the headphones on. Akari could feel him melting into the poetry that she couldn’t hear.

“Okay pup.” Word dog-sensei’s voice was low and soothing. “If you can’t be suppressed when Tokoyami is… that means you might not be his shadow . You might truly be yourself .”

Akari felt fear flood her. Some part of her still thought she was just Fumi-nii’s quirk- oh she knew she had memories of before- but her -mama and papa- nii-san’s parents seemed so sure she was his quirk.

What would it mean if she wasn’t?

Word-dog sensei continued gently. “It’s okay to be your own person. You won’t lose him- he’s still your nii-san.”

She shook her head with fear. She didn’t even look the same as she did when she was alive! Fumi-nii had the bird-head mutation she didn’t if she wasn’t his quirk- what was she? Why did she look how she looked? 

Would he reject her like they did?

Fumi-nii reacted to her fear by ripping the headphones off and hugging her tightly, glaring at word dog-sensei.

“I think that is enough. Don’t ask me to ignore my sister again.” Fumi-nii growled.

She burrowed into his embrace.

And maybe she accepted Fumi-niis silent apology... so when they actually moved in she regretted the pink.

So maybe she was happy the cat shredded the pink so Shouto could buy her something less.... Annoying.

It was a work in progress okay?

Working on super moves with the class was so much fun.

She lost herself in the planning and doing of the super moves.

So much so that she didn’t even worry about her parents brother’s parents.

Or the fact that she might be herself.

It was just her and the rest of class 1-A having fun and planning to take down all their competition!

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly : You said you can hold things indefiently..
Butterfly: Think you can shrink some cupcakes for my class?

Beetle: 👍

Then before she knew it they were in the licensing exam! She was so excited she decided to text Hawks-nii. 

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: We’re being awesomeness!
Littlest Birb: They went Swish and then there was a STOP
Littlest Birb: And the birbs went plip plop!
Littlest Birb: And then Shouto went brrr with her soul
Littlest Birb: And now we’re taking our ambushers down!

Big Birb: 👍 ➡️ ⚔️☠️🕵🏼🔪🔪🩸

Littlest Birb: Yikes! A sword stabbed someone and you’re investigating it?
Littlest Birb: Someone died? Sounds scary!

She hit another immobile contestant with three balls while she was texting.

Then...

She saw a crack in Zumies’ soul just in glancing and refocused on him.

Zumies looked so angry .

Angrier than she’d ever seen him. His soul was cracking more and more- Fumi-nii hadn’t even noticed and she reached out to help- to sooth his soul, to send the one hurting him away with a final target hit.

She actually reached and touched his soul and the crack healed just the tiniest bit.

Then her eyes widened and she realized- she realized that Fumi-nii wasn’t connected to her.

It was just barely- just a fraction of an inch- no one else seemed to notice...

She quickly rebound into him, attaching herself deeply.

Fumi-nii sent confusion down her bond- he was confused as to why she was scared-

So she buried the fear deep down and sent an image of Zumies’ rage and pretended she was scared for Zumies.

Fumi-nii didn’t question it and let it go.

So they completed the plan and even went on to do rescue.

She hid her fear deep deep deep down the dark pit.

Chapter Text

Akari was not happy that she had been shot out of the air so easily by someone who doesn’t even have wings.

So she immediately texted her Hawks-nii.

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: You are going to be our mentor for work-studies!

Big Birb: 👍
Little Birb: Do I not get a say in this?

Littlest Birb: Do you not want to work with Hawks-nii?

Little Birb: It is more that I feel he does not work with me...

Littlest Birb: It’ll be fine. Hawks-nii send a contract!

Big Birb: ✋

Akari waited for a few minutes for Hawks to finish whatever he was working on. She flopped onto her bed as best she could with Fumi at the desk. Then she stared at the ceiling for exactly ninety seconds before her thumbs betrayed her and opened a new chat.

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly : Ru-chan! 

Beetle: Yes Ak-chan?

Butterfly: You should totally skip whatever 1-B is doing for Heroics on Monday and come spend the class with us and All might!
Butterfly: It would be so cool to work with you again!

Beetle: I asked my Sensei if I could, he shrugged so I think we are on.
Bee: You two in the same room together? Class is doomed.

Akari stuck her tongue out at Fumi-nii before flipping to Tea-chan.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: Tea-chan! Ima work studies with Hawks!

Tea: That sounds lovely, Akari.
Tea: Just don’t sign anything quite yet!
Tea: Or rather, don’t let your brother do so.

Light: Why not?

Tea: Well there is a teacher you’ll be meeting tomorrow who will be quite cross if you do!

Light: Oooh a new teacher?

Tea: Indeed, Akari-chan!

“Fumi-nii we’ll be meeting a new teacher tomorrow!” Akari exclaimed in their now purple and black room. The pink really hadn’t been her style.

“Of course we will be, and of course you know before anyone. You are such a chaotic essence, dear sister.”

Akari’s eyes widened. Dear sister. She felt tears coming upon her so she acted fast. She quickly googled a thesaurus and grabbed two synonyms that called to her.

First, she looked at essence and found something easily enough- but when she looked at chaotic and higgledy-piggledy was right there - but she accidentally clicked on that and her eyes widened once more.

“And you’re such a whimsical face!”

The open-beaked look of outrage cured her of the tears easily enough as she started cackling instead.

She was distracted from her mirth (it was a new word Tea-chan gave her as part of a word-of-the-day thing! And look! She was using it!) by a series of chimes of her phone. Especially when she saw Fumi-nii on his phone.

Just Birbs

Big Birb: Okay chickadees I’m fine with you working with me
Big Birb: For availability you’ll mostly have to come with me which means a weekend based contract
Big Birb: Maybe Friday-Saturday? It’ll be tough missing out on classes once a week but you’re smart birdies, I’m sure you can keep up!
Big Birb: Oh! And one week a month I can swing patrolling out by you all so put that in the contract. It’ll give you a break!
Big Birb: And that’s on y’all- UA doesn’t accept agency contracts they build them with their students.
Big Birb: Something about ensuring their students aren’t signing away their souls!
Little Birb: I will ask sensei about this

Littlest Birb: Yay! Contract with Hawks-nii! Although I will miss the Saturday seminars.

Big Birb: It’s okay chickadee, these things usually only last 2-3 months. You’ll get your Saturdays back eventually!

Monday they lost their free-period, and she had been planning on conning Tea-chan into playing chutes and ladders with her by using the new word of the day ‘cloister’ against him.

Instead of being, well, free , they were conscripted into a boring conversation about contract law with some business kid she couldn’t remember the name of. Feni or something. She didn’t know or care. 

She just knew his voice sounded like static and he kept swatting her hand away when she tried to doodle birds in the margins of the contract.

So she just pouted and texted Tea-chan while Fumi-nii worried about the specifics.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: Tea-chan! You’re cloistering me away with boring contracts!

Tea: Am I? Or am I securing your future!

Light: I don't like it! I wanted you to play shoots and ladders with me!

Tea:   Maybe another time, Akari-chan.
Tea: Besides- I am working on our personhood case!

Light: My personhood case?

Tea: Yes! I know you are a person, and so do you-
Tea: But the law doesn’t! We need to fix that!

Light: Oh.

Tea: Yes! I have been remiss on working on it recently
Tea: But if we do not want you cloistered away we do need the law to catch up!

Light: Fine, but this is boring!

Tea: Maybe try and beat level five on your Happy Birds?
Tea: I do believe that is where you said you were stuck.

Light: Fine! I do want to see what level six looks like!
Light: Bye!

She happily launched the birds through the sky for the rest of class.

Although she still hadn’t done enough to get to level six. She wasn’t really sure why- surely launching the birds into space should count for something? But the score kept reading zero and she struggled to remember how she had gotten past the other levels.

Oh well- Heroics was here! And with it- Ru-chan! 

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: Punch-sensei is doing a festival rescue for heroics.
Light: It is pure chaos.

Tea: Oh dear, do you need me to step in?

Light: No! I love it!

Food stalls lined the training field, with colored streamers and robots in festival masks milling about as “civilians.” There were smoke machines in the corners, and Akari was gleefully weaving around pretending she was a butterfly among all the paper lanterns.

Then came the “villain attack.” Which, of course, meant explosions.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: I love explosions!

Punch-sensei was fighting a group of students including explody-boy and Zumies. The students were honestly no match for Punch-sensei- it was inspiring that even quirkless Punch-sensei could drive an entire class of students into the ground.

Bakugo was yeeted to the other side of the festival. Blasts cracked across the field, louder than the fireworks strung up overhead. Stalls rattled, paper lanterns toppled, and one of the metal poles holding up the stage lighting broke loose with a screech.

Akari saw it.

She saw Ru-chan, right there, focused on a joint attack with Big Sis Ocha and not even aware of the danger teetering down on her.

Akari didn’t think. Didn’t realize that Tokoyami was too far away for her to help. Didn’t reconsider and call out a warning.

She lunged.

She stretched as far as she could, and then a little more. Just enough- just enough to shove Ru-chan aside. The rig slammed down where she’d been standing a moment before.

“Rule!” Fumi-nii cried, his voice sharp with alarm.

But Rule was fine. Startled, safe, and staring at Akari with wide eyes.

Akari glanced back and noticed the one foot gap between her and Fumi-nii. She snapped back into her brother’s shadow so fast she almost tripped over herself, curling tight and small, praying no one noticed that stretch, the gap.

She wasn’t sure what it meant- it had happened twice now-

But she didn’t want to be taken away from Fumi-nii. You can’t take her away.

Fumi sent comfort down their bond, but she wasn’t sure he had noticed- he was too focused on Ru-chan’s fate.

Shakily she texted Tea-chan from within her own shadow.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: I don’t like explosions anymore

Tea: Oh dear.

Punch-sensei boomed across the field, voice carrying like judgment from the heavens. “Excellent reflexes, Young Akari! But let’s not miss the true lesson here!”

Everyone froze. Bakugo scowled. Kirishima looked like he’d swallowed a rock.

“You all work closely together- you know your classmates, their quirks, their rhythms. But that is not enough for a Pro Hero! You must be aware of everyone in the vicinity of your fight. Today, it was Young Rule who nearly paid the price for tunnel vision. Tomorrow, it could be a small child. Or a slow-moving elder. Or any civilian nearby!”

His cape fluttered behind him like a flag in the storm. “Never forget- your strength exists to protect lives!”

Akari pressed herself deeper into Fumi-nii’s shadow, hiding the way her hands were still trembling.

Akari and Fumi-nii were called to Tea-chan's office the next day. 

“Akari, I looked at the footage to determine why you didn’t like explosions and I think... I think it would be good for you to practice what I saw.” Tea-chan said gently.

She shook with fear anyway.

“But the light.” She whispered.

Tea-chan patted her shadow-back. “It will be okay, Akari-chan. We will go slowly and I will ensure the light does not take you.”

Akari swallowed and whispered out a single word. “Okay.” 

Tea-chan set her up with some appointments with a specialist who specialized in both “co-deep-end-a-see” and quirk science. Her name was Milly and she was a foreigner.

It was weird.

But maybe okay.

Maybe.

She separated from Fumi-nii for like two minutes and the light didn’t take her away!

Progress...

Maybe...

Before she knew it, it was time for Fumi-nii and her to board a train to go visit Hawks-nii for the weekend!

Chapter Text

The train hummed beneath their feet, steady and fast, carrying them toward Fukuoka. Akari pressed her face against the glass, wide-eyed at every passing blur of rice fields and tiled rooftops. The glass fogged where she breathed too hard, but she didn’t care.

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: Hawks-nii!!!! We’re coming!!!

Little Birb: We have indeed made the train, we will be there in four hours.
Big Birb: 👍🍗

Littlest Birb: Yay!

“We’re getting Hawk-Nii’s Fried Chicken!” She poked her brother's cheek.

He sat with his arms folded, gaze fixed on the shifting sky outside. His feathers rose and fell with the rhythm of the tracks.

Akari leaned close, whispering dramatically: “You’re not excited at all, are you?”

He tilted his head just enough for his eye to meet hers. “Excitement is not the word.”

She rolled her eyes and flopped back against the seat. “You mean ‘yes, I am, but I’m too cool to admit it.’”

“Or perhaps,” he said, voice even, “I remember how ineffective I was last time.”

That pulled her up short. The sharpness in his tone wasn’t aimed at her, but it stung anyway. She fidgeted with the cuff of his sleeve where her shadow joined his. “This time’ll be different,” she murmured. “I won’t leave you behind anymore.”

His eyes softened and he pat her shadowy head in that way that made her shiver. “I am not worried about you leaving me behind.” He whispered, sending love down their bond.

Patrol with Hawks was fast, like always. Hawks was fast. He moved like a streak of red across the rooftops, feathers flicking with casual precision as he sent them out, retrieved them, sent them out again and again. Akari darted after him like an echo, the two of them falling into banter before her feet even touched stone.

Just Birbs

Big Birb:  You’re keeping up better

Hawks teased in their group chat, a dozen feathers off to the side juggling his phone as he hovered beside her and Fumi. He just floated there, hands in his pockets, for just a beat before shooting forward again.

Littlest Birb: Only because you’re slowing down for us! 

Her chest swelled with pride anyway.

Below her, Fumi-nii dangled, unable to text and left out of the conversation.

A part of her broke at that, so she sent the message through the bond.

He sent a feeling of love acceptance resignation back and she frowned.

“Hawks-nii,” she said aloud- the first time she had actually spoken to Hawks in a long time. 

He glanced back. “Yes, Chickadee?”

It was while they were distracted that Fumi-nii saw it.

Akari opened her beak to say something about the cone of silence around Fumi-nii when she felt the images filter through their bond.

A hand, reaching through the crowd. A purse tugged, the strap half torn from a woman’s arm. It wasn’t flashy. Just small, ugly violence hidden by the noise of the street.

“Permission to engage?” Tokoyami’s voice cut through the air, clipped but calm.

Hawks slowed midair, glancing down. “Go for it.”

Akari opened her mouth to say she’d back him up—

“Let me get this one,” Tokoyami’s voice ordered, a slight break in the word me had Akari stilling after she let him touch the earth once more.

He was moving, cutting through the crowd with long, steady strides. The mugger barely had time to register the looming shadow before Tokoyami’s shoulder caught him square, driving him to the ground. The purse clattered free.

The man swung wildly, but Tokoyami’s hand locked around his wrist, claws digging just enough to sting. A sharp twist, a pin, and the fight was over. Clean. Controlled.

Akari’s chest tightened as she hovered above him. She’d never seen him move like that- or maybe she had? Something... in the sports festival- but there was too much light.

She couldn’t be sure.

Hawks touched down with a low whistle. “Nice work, kid. Textbook clean. Better than half the pros I’ve worked with.”

Tokoyami inclined his head, feathers ruffling with quiet pride. “Thank you.”

The warmth of that pride bled through their bond, humming against Akari’s chest like a hidden ember. She clung to it, glowing with him, but the glow twisted as they walked on.

Because if he could do that without her-

If he didn’t even need her to back him up-

Then where did that leave her?

Monday slipped back into routine like nothing had happened. Or at least, that’s what Akari wanted everyone to think.

She cackled at Zumies during lunch, tossed a bread roll that smacked him right in the side of the head, and kept her jokes loud and sharp. A few kids at the nearby tables snickered. 

To anyone else, she was the same Dark Shadow as always- just Tokoyami’s little sister being dramatic and annoying and maybe a little too smug about it.

But inside? She felt brittle. Like every laugh was cracked glass.

She didn’t even have the heart to text three people at once during Heroics.

She didn’t even check until after Punch-sensei called them for the day.

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Beetle: Are you okay Ak-chan?

Butterfly : Just thinking Ru-chan! 

Beetle: ... are you sure?

Butterfly: Yup! Don’t worry about me!
Butterfly: Why wouldn’t I be fine?
Butterfly: I even had tea with Tea-chan!
Butterfly: Totally fine!

Beetle: ...
Beetle: is it work studies?

Butterfly: No... 

Bee: Yui-san it’s just... not the time to talk about it, okay?

Beetle: Okay but you better treat Ak-chan right mister!

Bee: I will strive to do my utmost to ensure her happiness.

Beetle: Good.

She’d catch herself staring at her own hands when no one was looking, flexing them, half-expecting to see them dissolve into smoke and vanish. When she tried to sleep, her mind replayed nightmares of when she first came to be a shadow- of the light that kept whispering at her to come home.

But was it really home without Fumi-nii?

By Wednesday, she was back in word dog-sensei’s office for her standing therapy appointment. Fumi-nii came too, of course. They were literally attached. He was sitting calm and still in the chair while Akari perched on the opposite side of the chair like some wounded animal pretending not to be cornered.

“Ready to try the separation again?” the counselor asked gently.

“Yeah,” she lied, stretching away from Fumi-nii’s side. The connection thinned, thinned- until it broke and her shadow was no longer attached to his. 

One minute- two minutes- by three she was a full minute longer than last week.

But she could do more. She could!

The seconds ticked past and she started worrying- what if the light came from her when they reached five minutes? 

She started to inch back towards Fumi-nii but then stopped herself.

She could do this she could do this she could do this.

The clock kept ticking and she closed her eyes and focused on other things. Like tea with Tea-chan last Sunday. It was nice.

They had sipped tea and acted posh and Tea-chan had even said he was proud of her for being separated for 2 minutes last week!

Had it been 2 minutes? Was she past five?

She peeked an eye open- she was still here!

She risked a glance at the clock and blanched-

Seven whole minutes-

She snapped back into Fumi-nii quickly, hugging him and sobbing.

She had  spent seven full minutes apart from him. Seven. That was five whole minutes longer than last week. It was progress .

That was Tea-chans word today. Progress meant to move forward but... She hated every second.

She was now latched onto Tokoyami’s back like she was drowning and he was the only air left in the world.

“Seven minutes, good job pup.” Word dog-sensei  said, calm as ever, but Akari heard the weight under it. The steady not-quite-approval.

Akari pressed her face into Fumi-nii’s feathered face and whispered, “Doesn’t feel like progress.”

No one argued with her.

And then came the part she hated more than the separation drills.

“What we need to discuss next,” Word dog-sensei said, voice deceptively casual, “is the possibility that Tokoyami’s Spark is not what we assumed. If Akari is more than a projection, more than an extension- then what, precisely, does that make your Spark, Tokoyami?”

The silence that followed was heavier than anything Akari could throw a joke at. She didn’t have a punchline for that. Not this time.

The streets of Fukuoka spread out beneath them like a living map, humming with the soft chaos of evening traffic. Hawks streaked ahead, sleek and effortless, sending his feathers out in precise arcs and catching them again before they even hit the ground. Akari trailed close behind, her shadow curling around her like a warm cloak, and Tokoyami moved steadily below, his eyes scanning every alley, every movement.

It started simple.

“Check that side street,” Hawks called, wings angling toward a quieter lane.

“Got it,” Fumi-nii replied. And then, before she could even react, he barked a correction: “Wait. That alleyway’s blind. Take the street one block over, less traffic.”

Akari froze and hovered for a second mid-flight. That tone . That decisiveness. That small but firm claim of authority. She should have been the one reading the streets, protecting him, guiding the operation. Instead, Fumi-nii was doing it, before she had the chance to intervene.

She swallowed, her shadow tightening instinctively around him, as if trying to cling on more, make herself necessary.

Hawks glanced back, one eyebrow raised. “Looks like someone’s getting independent.”

Akari forced a laugh. “Yeah! Totally. Independent.” Her voice sounded smaller than intended.

Every time Fumi-nii called out another potential hazard, she felt herself shrinking inward. She caught herself hesitating before suggesting anything, worried she might be ignored- or worse, unneeded. Each correction, each decision he made without her, sent a little prickle of fear down her spine.

And yet, there was pride there too, tucked between the unease. Watching him move with that quiet confidence, knowing he could make choices in real time without her shadow guiding, made her chest swell despite the anxiety.

She followed him, letting her shadow trail close, but trying not to cling too tightly. Hawks zoomed past them, tossing off a casual quip about “little shadows learning to fly,” and she laughed- more at the joke than herself. But inside, she couldn’t shake the question that burned softly at the edges of her mind:

If he can do this… if he can protect himself… then where does that leave me?

She hadn’t even thought of her phone that entire weekend.

Monday morning felt heavy. Akari moved through the hallways almost invisibly, keeping her usual routines but quieter this time. She still lobbed a bread roll at Zumies most days, letting out little cackles, but the laughter had lost its spark. It was performance, a shield.

Most of their classmates were absorbed in their own worlds- whispering, their souls cracking in their own way. They all were having problems too- she could see it. 

So she wasn’t surprised that nobody seemed to notice the subtle tremor in her hands or the tension in her shadow, except for one.

Fumi-nii.

He caught the way she flinched when someone brushed past her in the corridor, the fraction of a second her shadow tightened around him even when she was standing at the edge of the room. Later, before therapy, he waited by the office door, calm and patient.

“You’ve been quiet,” he said softly, stepping closer. “You don’t have to pretend for me, you know.”

“I’m fine,” she replied, her voice thin.

“No,” he said firmly. “Not just fine. I mean… I’ll always need my baby sister. But I’m proud that I might be able to protect you now, instead of just being protected by you.”

Her breath caught. His words sank into her chest, warm and heavy. For a moment, the anxiety loosened its grip. Maybe she didn’t have to cling so tightly. Maybe she could exist in her own space and still be needed.

When they sat down in therapy, Akari hesitated only for a second before letting their shadows separate.

One minute. Two. Three. Four. Five. Ten.

Her heart raced, but she stayed. Her shadow hovered nearby, aware but detached, and she realized she was… okay. The anxiety hadn’t disappeared, but it had dulled. She could breathe. She could exist apart from him and not crumble.

Word dog-sensei watched them. He barked out  “good work today, both of you.”

Akari leaned back in her chair, letting herself relax for the first time in weeks. Maybe, just maybe, she could start trusting that she didn’t have to be the only one holding things together.

She thought that maybe she should charge her phone... it had been dead for several days.

The city stretched below them, dark streets punctuated by pools of light from streetlamps and neon signs. Hawks shot ahead, a streak of red, feathers flicking with casual precision, and Akari followed in rhythm with Fumi-nii, her shadow twisting beside him like a second heartbeat.

“Street’s clear,” Hawks called back mid-flight, glancing down at the pair.

“Confirmed,” Fumi-nii said, scanning the alleys below. “No movement on the east side.”

Akari hesitated. Then, almost on instinct, she let her shadow detach from him and rise into the sky. From above, she could see the intersections he couldn’t reach quickly and relay information through their bond.

Two on the northeast corner, she transmitted silently. More images than words. White van. Moving toward the alley.

Fumi-nii shifted, long strides carrying him toward the threat before she even needed to guide him. He moved decisively, taking the right angle, avoiding bystanders, and neutralizing the situation with precise hand-to-hand technique. Hawks hovered nearby, impressed.

Akari felt a thrill she hadn’t before- the exhilaration of knowing she could contribute without needing to be there. She circled higher, eyes scanning, sending updates through their bond, while Fumi-nii acted with confidence and calm.

“You’re in sync,” Hawks commented, landing lightly nearby. “Looks like someone’s growing into their wings… metaphorically.”

Akari’s shadow swirled happily around Fumi-nii. He glanced up at her with a small smile. “We make a good team,” he said, voice low but steady.

“Yes,” she whispered back through the bond. “We do.”

For the first time, she could detach without fear, could fly without panic, and could trust that he had her back- not because she was guiding him, but because they were truly partners.

That night she pulled out her phone for the first time in over a week.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: I think I’m ready to be a person.
Light: Can we... go over what that looks like?

Tea: Certainly, Akari-chan.

Akari moved through the halls quieter than usual. Her usual loud jokes and rolls were fewer, and when she threw one at Zumies, it was absentminded- too hard, too fast. He didn’t flinch. He caught it easily, even though his back was turned.

“Whoa,” he said, turning around with a small smile. “Oh, hey Akari-chan! Guess what? I’ve… developed another Spark.”

Akari blinked, rolling the bread in her hands. “Another Spark?”

“Yeah,” he said, shrugging. “Danger sense. Like Iida’s, but… mine’s self-centered. It warns me when I’m in danger, not everyone else. Means I can… look out for myself too.”

A warmth bloomed in Akari’s chest. Pride, pure and simple. Her Zumies was learning to take care of himself. 

And maybe that meant that she could take care of herself   in her own way.

She thought about herself. About the past few weeks. About work studies, Hawks, and therapy. About the way she’d been so focused on being “useful” that she’d almost forgotten what it meant to exist outside of needing to be needed.

She thought about that session with Tea-chan. The one where he asked Fumi-nii to stay outside.

“Akari-chan, becoming a person for real- legally speaking- would require me to remove you from the hero course.”

He had held up a paw when she went to protest.

“Akari- you are a child. You need to learn and grow- we have another child who lives here on campus now. I know your parents are not... accepting of reality. Perhaps you could grow here with one whose situation is very like your own.”

She had clacked her shadow beak a few times, unable to form words.

“Think about it, Akari-chan. Nothing is final yet- we still have to test if there is some aspect of your quirk that really is intrinsically linked with your brother- but, I would like to see you get a chance to be a kid.”

She had left that meeting feeling like the answer was never- but...

Maybe… maybe it was okay to be a kid. To laugh, to play, to sip tea with friends. Not every moment had to be heroic.

She pulled out her phone and typed a quick message to Nezu:

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: Maybe it’s okay to be a kid and not a hero.
Light: I can still be a hero later though, right? When I’m old enough?

Tea: ☕

Akari stared at it for a long moment. And somehow, just that simple symbol- warm, calm, patient- made her chest loosen. Made her think that maybe, for the first time in a long time, it was really okay.

The agency was quieter than the streets outside. Hawks moved in and out with precise efficiency, feathers flicking, phone in hand, giving updates on patrols, but Akari didn’t follow him this time. She stayed inside, texting.

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly: Whatcha up to Ru-chan?

Beetle: getting a manicure with that invisible girl from 1-A, Hagakure
Beetle: By the way, you have a love rival!

Butterfly: What?!

Beetle: I overheard Midoriya asking Hagakure out! On a date! This Sunday!

Butterfly: oh that’s fine. He can date, he just hasta marry me once I do taxes.

Beetle: ... I wish I was as secure as you.

Butterfly: Thanks!

She hummed to herself for a bit before texting Tea-chan.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: I decided to not patrol.
Light: If im going to be a normal girl I haveta get used to it

Tea: I am proud of you Akari-chan!

She hummed some more and sent out one more text.

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: Bring back some chicken when you’re done with patrol.

Big Birb: 👍🍗

She wasn’t sure how far she could get from Fumi-nii without panicking. Not entirely. But for the first time, she realized she didn’t actually need to be physically attached to him to feel safe. She could observe, track, and exist in her own space without stretching herself too thin.

Without the light threatening to take her away.

Just Birbs

Big Birb: ... U rly okay bein ther alone?

She hummed to herself for a second before replying.

Littlest Birb: Yeah... I think I am.

The thought of existing without being needed, chilling without clinging, was new. It wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t panic either. And for her, that was enough.

Akari’s chest lightened. The weight she hadn’t realized she was carrying shifted slightly, like a curtain finally pulled aside. The path forward was still unknown, but for the first time in a long while, it felt possible.

She leaned back in her chair, letting herself savor the quiet. For now, she could just be.

After an hour of sitting in the same chair, restlessness crept in. But then she had a brainwave...

She'd been so focused on learning to be apart from Fumi-nii that she'd forgotten what it meant to just... explore. To wander without purpose or panic.

The lobby of Hawks' building was busy enough- heroes coming and going, civilians with appointments, the usual controlled chaos. But it was the flash of brilliant yellow that caught her eye through the glass doors.

Even from inside, she could see it- the brightest yellow shawl she had ever seen. Bright like light, like the thing that always whispered for her to come home. And yet, despite every instinct that should have made her recoil from that blazing color, she felt... pulled.

Curious, she drifted toward the doors and slipped outside.

The next thing her eyes landed on made her blink twice. The lady wearing the shawl had a hat that seemed to defy all logic - a tiny black top hat that sat almost sideways on her head, complete with a shiny red ribbon. But that wasn't the impossiblest part.

On top of the top hat sat a yellow rubber duck.

But it didn't end there. Upon the duck's head was an even tinier, sparkly black top hat with another shiny red ribbon. And Akari noticed as she drew closer, squinting to make sure she wasn't hallucinating, that on top of the duck's hat was a smaller, even tinier yellow duck.

She couldn't help but breathe out in a whisper: "Crazy duck lady."

The lady turned to her and smiled, and Akari got her first good look at her face. Short brown hair framed black-rimmed glasses that couldn't quite hide bright blue-green eyes that sparkled with mischief. But most of all- and this was what made Akari's shadow curl with fascination- the lady's soul was bright yellow with nary crack in sight.

Nary was Tea-chans word of the day. It meant not . She thinked.

"Hello there, child," the lady said cheerfully, her voice warm like honey tea. "Would you like a duck pin? Or perhaps I can interest you in a recipe for duck-safe bread?"

Akari tilted her shadowy head. "What does it mean to be duck-safe?"

The crazy duck lady's eyes lit up behind her glasses. "Oh, wonderful question! You see, white bread is terrible for ducks- all empty calories and no nutrition. But this recipe card," she held up a cheerful yellow card, "has a recipe for bread that gives ducks the nutrients they actually need instead of just filling their little bellies with junk."

Akari considered for a moment, then nodded decisively. "I'll take both the pin and the card. I'll give it to Zumies in case we go duck feeding again! I think the bread we used was seedy, but I'm not sure if it was the good kind."

The duck lady handed over a tiny rubber duck pin and the recipe card with obvious delight. Akari carefully pinned the duck to a cat charm hanging off her phone case, creating what might have been the most chaotic combination of tiny accessories ever assembled.

After that, she found herself just... staring. The crazy duck lady continued her work, handing out pins and cards to other passersby with that same warm smile, her uncracked soul glowing like a beacon in Akari's peripheral vision. There was something mesmerizing about watching someone who seemed so completely, genuinely happy doing something so simple.

Eventually, curiosity won out over politeness.

"Crazy duck lady," Akari said, not unkindly, "why is your soul uncracked?"

The lady paused in her pin-distributing and considered the question with the same seriousness she might give to a complex mathematical equation. "What makes a soul cracked?"

Akari thought about it for a minute, her shadow shifting restlessly. "I think it's fear or pain or things like that," she said finally, nodding to herself.

The crazy duck lady was quiet for a long moment, one finger absently stroking the tiny duck on her hat. When she spoke again, her voice was softer, the practiced cheer dropping away to reveal something more real underneath.

"I have plenty of fear, child, and I've been hurt more than once," she said quietly. "But... perhaps it's because I've come to accept it. I've found my place in the world, and the world's place with me. I do what makes me happy - and what makes me happy is making others happy. Perhaps that's enough to patch the cracks?"

Akari stared at her for another long moment, processing this. The idea that you could just... choose to be happy. Choose to do things that made you happy, and let that be enough. It seemed almost too simple, and yet looking at this ridiculous woman with her impossible hat and her uncracked soul, it felt like the most profound truth in the world.

Finally, Akari nodded and gave the duck lady a small wave. "Thank you for the duck pin and the bread recipe."

"Anytime, child," the lady called back, already turning to offer pins to a group of passing teenagers. "Take care of yourself!"

Akari drifted back toward the agency building, the tiny duck pin catching the light on her phone case. She never did ask the lady's name, but somehow that felt right. Some people were meant to be mysterious duck-distributing forces of happiness, and some people were meant to learn from them and move on.

As she settled back into her chair in the agency, she found herself thinking about what the duck lady had said. About finding your place in the world, about doing what makes you happy, about letting that be enough to patch the cracks.

Maybe being a kid wasn't about giving up on being a hero. Maybe it was about finding what made her happy first, and letting everything else grow from there.

After the weekend, as Hawks headed out to patrol on his own and they were headed home, Fumi-nii lingered with Akari in a quieter corner of the train. He looked… lighter somehow, like a weight he’d been carrying had been set down.

“I… wanted to tell you something,” he said, voice low. “During patrol today… I realized what my Spark really is.”

Akari’s shadow shifted closer instinctively. “Your Spark?” she echoed.

He nodded. “It’s the Bond . Or like- emotional Connection. I can… form it with others, even just briefly, if I need to communicate urgently or send them warning signals. Today, I formed one with Hawks. Just a moment. The comms were down, but I was able to warn him.”

Her chest swelled with pride and relief. He hadn’t needed her, and yet he had grown- had found a new way to act as a hero, to connect, to protect.

Proud, pride, love, proud proud proud she sent through their bond, letting the feeling wrap around him like a hug. Then she whispered. “You’re learning to take care of yourself and others.”

He tilted his head, feathers ruffling in the dim light. “And… that makes me confident I can take care of you too, without needing you to guide me all the time.”

Akari’s shadow curled happily around him, warm and steady. For the first time, she realized the balance wasn’t about needing to be needed- it was about trust, connection, and being able to exist alongside him without fear.

Just before she fluttered to sleep on Fumi-nii’s shoulder she sent one final text.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: That other kid...
Light: Can I meet them?

Chapter Text

Akari had been curious, but also nervous.

A new friend? Someone she couldn’t stand? Would they make her more secure or less secure?

She wasn’t sure. She didn’t know. And she hated not knowing.

So when Zumies was right there instead of waiting for Tea-chan to set up the meeting she bulldozed ahead. 

She'd practically dragged Zumies to the faculty dorms, practically vibrating with nervous energy. When they'd found Eri sitting cross-legged on the floor with her coloring book, something had clicked into place that Akari couldn't quite name.

Oh. She thought to herself. The single word filled her entire being.

It wasn't just that Eri was small, or quiet, or had obviously been through terrible things. It was something deeper- the way her soul felt familiar in a way no one else's ever had. Like looking into a mirror that reflected not her appearance, but her essence.

The paint fight had sealed it. When Eri had reached for that orange paint and decorated them both, then squealed with delight at their colorful mess, Akari had felt something she'd never experienced before.

It felt like love and joy and  happiness and acceptance and fun all at once. It was a very complex feeling. But it was hers.

Tea-chan had made the offer. School with Eri. A chance to be a real child, learning real things, growing up the way she'd never gotten to the first time.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Tea: Good morning Akari-chan! Today's word is 'camaraderie'- it means friendship and trust between people who spend time together.

Light: Morning Tea-chan! Thats a big word!

Tea: Indeed! Perfect for describing what you and Eri-chan are building.

Light: I like it!

Tea: I must ask... have you made a decision on your schooling?

Akari hesitated for a long moment. Comraderi. She thought to herself. She had her Zumies and her Big Sis Ocha and her Shield-nii and even her Command Z and her Drama Bean...

But they all had each other too...

Would it be too terribly selfish for her to have her Eri-chan all on her own?

She looked at Fumi-nii who was writing an essay for ethics class. A class she couldn’t follow...

If I learn with Eri-chan maybe I can understand one day?

Fumi-nii looked up, and understanding flashed across their bond.

“Akari-chan, dear sister. We’ll always be here for you- even if you have to fly onto new heights. You know that right?”

Her beak clacked a few times wordlessly before she gave in and sent love across their bond.

Light: I think... I think I’ll accept.

Tea: Excellent! We shall start tomorrow!

The decision to leave heroics had felt both terrifying and inevitable, like stepping off a cliff you'd been standing on the edge of for months. But sitting in what Nezu had cheerfully dubbed "The Learning Lab."  A cozy classroom tucked between his office and the faculty lounge- Akari found herself surprisingly... content.

"Now then," Nezu said, settling behind a desk that was definitely not built for someone of his stature, "let's see how you're both progressing, shall we?"

Eri sat across from Akari at their shared table, no longer clutching her pencil like it might bite her. The little girl's soul still had those healing cracks, but the familiar warmth was stronger now.

"Akari-chan, let's start with some math. If you're flying at fifteen meters per second and need to change direction by sixty degrees, what's the optimal banking angle?"

"Thirty degrees!" Akari answered immediately, not even needing to think about it. Math was easy when it connected to flying.

"Excellent! And Eri-chan, can you show me what you've been practicing with your letters?"

Eri carefully wrote out "E-R-I" on her paper, tongue poking out in concentration. Each letter was wobbly but recognizable.

"Beautiful! Now, Akari-chan, can you spell our word of the day for me? Remember today’s word is curiosity!"

Akari's confidence evaporated. "C-u-r... e-e? No wait. C-u-r-e-a-h-c-i-t-y..." She erased aggressively. "This is impossible!"

"Language can be quite complex," Nezu said diplomatically. "Many words developed their spellings over centuries. C-u-r-i-o-s-i-t-y. Would you like to try again?"

The door opened and Loud-sensei bounded in with his usual energy. "Good morning, my little listeners!"

"Loud-sensei!" Akari called out cheerfully, immediately pulling out her phone.

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly: Ru-chan! 

Beetle: Yes Ak-chan?

Butterfly: Loud-sensei’s here!

Beetle: Tell him I said Hello. Don’t remind him that our papers are due today.

Butterfly: Got it!

“Loud-sensei Ru-chan says don’t forget your papers are due today and to not tell you hello. Wait...”

She scrunched up her beaked face in concentration. “I think I was supposed to tell you hello and not remind you of the papers. Maybe forget the papers for me?”

Loud-sensei laughed, his usual boisterous energy somehow managing to be gentle in the small classroom. "Well, tell Yui-chan I appreciate the reminder about the papers, and that I said hello back. And don't worry about mixing up messages, Akari-chan- happens to the best of us!"

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly: Loud-sensei says hello back and thanks for the paper reminder!

Beetle: ... I specifically said NOT to remind him about papers.

Butterfly: Oops! I got confused!

Beetle: It's okay Ak-chan. How are classes going?

Butterfly: Good! Eri-chan is so smart!
Butterfly: But I still cant spell curiousity

Beetle: *Curiosity. It's tricky.

Butterfly: WHY DOES EVERYONE KNOW HOW TO SPELL BUT ME

"Today we're going to practice reading comprehension," Loud-sensei announced. "Eri-chan, would you like to try reading this short story about a cat?"

Eri nodded eagerly, carefully sounding out each word. "The... small... cat... liked... to... chase... but-ter-flies."

"Excellent! And what do you think the cat liked to do?"

"Chase butterflies!" Eri said proudly. "Like Akari-chan!"

Akari beamed. "I do like chasing butterflies! But I don't catch them because that would hurt them."

"Very thoughtful," Loud-sensei said. "Now Akari-chan, can you read this paragraph about flying?"

Akari read easily, stumbling only on a few longer words. Reading was so much easier than writing- the letters stayed where they were supposed to be when someone else put them there.

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly: Language arts is going good!
Butterfly: Eri-chan read a whole story about cats!

Bee: That sounds like excellent progress.

Butterfly:  She's getting so good at everything
Butterfly:  I wish I could learn as fast as her

Bee: You learn mathematics faster than anyone I know.

Butterfly: I guess. But math is easy for me
Butterfly: Spelling is hard and Eri-chan picks it up so quick

Bee: Different minds work in different ways.
Beetle: You two are so sweet together.

Butterfly: Your cute too Ru-chan!

By the end of the week, they'd established a comfortable rhythm. Mornings with Tea-chan for core subjects, afternoons with various teachers who had free periods.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Tea: Today's word is 'enthusiasm'- intense enjoyment or interest in something.

Light: That's me about math!
Light: And Eri-chan about everything!

Tea: Indeed! How are your studies progressing?

Light: Really good! Eri-chan can write whole sentences now!
Light: I'm still terrible at spelling though

Tea: Spelling takes time. What matters is that you both show such enthusiasm for learning.

Light: I can have enthusiasm!

Tea: Lets see if you can keep that up when you don’t have the word in front of you on Monday!

Saturday they had art class with Paint-sensei, who had set up easels and watercolors.

"Today we're going to paint something that makes us happy," she announced.

Eri immediately started painting what looked like a purple blob with orange swirls. Akari painted careful geometric shapes- triangles and angles that looked reminded her of flying.

"What are you painting, Eri-chan?" Paint-sensei asked gently.

"Akari-chan!" Eri said happily. "See? Purple shadow with orange paint streaks like when we first met!"

Akari felt that warm, complex feeling bloom in her chest again. Eri had painted her. As something that made her happy.

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly: Ru-chan Eri-chan painted me!

Beetle: That's sweet! What did you paint?

Butterfly: Flying patterns. But now I want to paint Eri-chan too

Beetle: You should! Art is about expressing feelings.

Butterfly: She makes me feel... I dont know the word

Beetle: Happy?

Butterfly: More than happy but I don’t have the words?

Beetle: That sounds like a very special friendship.

"Akari-chan, what are you painting?" Paint-sensei asked.

"Flight paths," Akari said, adding another careful angle. "But now I want to paint Eri-chan too."

She grabbed a new brush and started adding a small white figure to her geometric patterns- careful strokes that somehow captured Eri's quiet determination.

"Why did you add Eri-chan to your flight paths?"

Akari thought about it for a moment. "Because... she makes the flying make more sense? Like, flying is fun by myself, but it's better when she's there to see it."

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: Art class is making me feel weird

Big Birb: Weird how?

Littlest Birb: Good weird. Like when Eri-chan painted me
Littlest Birb: I painted her in my flight patterns
Littlest Birb: It felt... right?

Big Birb: It sounds like you've found a good friend... now that I'm sure no one is hurting my chickadee I have to get back to patrol. 

Littlest Birb: Yeah. She gets me in a way nobody else does
Littlest Birb: Not even you or  Fumi-nii and I love you both the mostest

Little Birb: Different relationships serve different purposes.

Littlest Birb:  I think I understand what Tea-chan meant about camaraderie now

Little Birb: *Camaraderie. And yes, I believe you do.

Littlest Birb:  I spelled it wrong again ugh

Little Birb: : Practice makes progress.

Akari was practically vibrating with excitement about Sunday.

✨We Don't Talk About Spark Club✨

Akari✨: GUYS! WEEKEND ARCADE ADVENTURE WITH ERI-CHAN IS OFFICALLY ON! 
Akari✨: TIRED SENSEI SAID YES!

Zumies: Is she excited?

Akari✨: She's never been to an arcade before!
Akari✨: We need to make it the best day ever!

Shield-nii: Hell yeah! Operation Make Eri Happy is a go!
Upsie Daisy: Aww that's so sweet! I can't wait to meet her properly!
Drama Bean: I suppose it's a good idea that I proposed this trip to the green one.
Command-Z: Translation: he's excited but trying to look cool.

Akari✨: Drama Bean loves us! Its camaradary!

Drama Bean: It's 'camaraderie' you illiterate shadow.

Akari✨: See! You do care! You're helping me spell!

Fumi-nii: I believe this will be educational for Eri-chan.

Akari✨: Everything is educational according to you Fumi-nii
Akari✨: But yes! She's going to love everyone!

The arcade trip was everything Akari had hoped for and more. Watching Eri experience fizzy drinks and terrible pizza and the pure joy of earning tickets had been magical.

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: ERI-CHAN LOVES ARCADE PIZZA

Little Birb: I can see her from here. She does appear quite delighted.

Littlest Birb: She giggled at fizzy drinks!
Littlest Birb: Zumies is being the best big brother ever!

Little Birb: ... should I feel hurt? Am I being replaced?

Akari ignored the obviously dumb question and just sent a quick squeeze of love down the bond.

Littlest Birb: WE'RE GONNA GET HER THE GIANT CAT
Littlest Birb: 10,000 TICKETS

Big Birb: That seems... ambitious.

Littlest Birb: WE DID IT! OPERATION CAT-MAN SUCCESS!

Big Birb: I am proud of you all.

Wednesday afternoon, as they were finishing up their language arts lesson, Loud-sensei's usual energy seemed even more excited than normal.

"So, my little listeners," he said with a grin, "how would you both like to go on a special expedition this weekend?"

Eri perked up immediately. "What kind of expedition, Yamada-san?"

"To the zoo! To see all sorts of amazing animals! And I thought maybe some of Akari-chan's friends could join us for the adventure!"

"A zoo?" Eri's eyes went impossibly wide. "With real animals?"

"Very real animals! What do you think, Akari-chan? Want to invite your friends along?"

✨We Don't Talk About Spark Club✨

Akari✨: GUYS! LOUD-SENSEI IS TAKING US TO THE ZOO
Akari✨: THIS WEEKEND
Akari✨: WANNA COME?!

Shield-nii: ABSOLUTELY
Upsie Daisy: Yes yes yes!
Drama Bean: I suppose I am available.
Command-Z: Count me in.
Fumi-nii: This sounds quite educational.
Zumies: Wouldn't miss it! Akari you and Eri-chan are going to love this!

Akari✨: BEST FRIEND GROUP EVER

But Saturday brought disappointing news.

✨We Don't Talk About Spark Club✨

Drama Bean: I regret to inform you peasants that I will be unable to attend your zoo expedition.

Akari✨: WHAT?! WHY?!

Drama Bean: We won’t be back- there's an investigation...
Zumies: Yeah I won’t be back either. I’m so sorry Eri, Akari. 

Akari✨: I understand but Eri is going to be sad so you better make it up!
Akari✨: Otherwise you will be the worst big brother!

Zumies: I will! I wish I could be there- make sure Yamada-sensei takes lots of pictures for me!

Akari found Eri sitting quietly in the Learning Lab, carefully coloring but with less enthusiasm than usual. Her small shoulders were drooped in a way that made Akari's shadow flutter with concern.

"Hey Eri-chan," Akari said gently, settling beside her friend. "You okay?"

"Zumies can't come to the zoo," Eri said quietly, not looking up from her coloring book. "And Drama Bean either."

"I know," Akari said softly. "But you know what? That's just how hero work is sometimes. Bad guys don't wait for convenient times to cause trouble."

Eri's crayon paused mid-stroke. "Really?"

"Really. When I was doing hero training with Fumi-nii, we'd have to cancel plans all the time because of emergencies. It doesn't mean Zumies doesn't want to be here- it means he's helping people who really need him right now."

"Like when he helped me?" Eri asked, finally looking up.

"Exactly like that. And you know what? He made Loud-sensei promise to take lots of pictures so he can see everything we do. He's gonna be so jealous when he sees how much fun we have."

Eri nodded slowly, then brightened a little. "Yamada-san will still take good pictures?"

"The best pictures! And we'll have so much fun that when we tell Zumies about it, he'll wish he could go back in time to be there."

A small smile crept across Eri's face. "That would be funny. Time-traveling Zumies just for zoo trips."

"See? Now you're thinking like the smart girl I know you are."

Sunday morning arrived bright and early, with Akari practically vibrating with excitement as they met everyone at the train station. Loud-sensei was there with a camera around his neck and a backpack that looked like it could supply a small army.

"Alright, my beautiful listeners!" he announced. "Ready for our zoo expedition?"

Eri nodded eagerly, clutching a small notebook she'd brought to write down facts about animals.

That's when Akari noticed the tall third-year student standing slightly apart from their group, looking amused by Loud-sensei's enthusiasm.

"Oh!" Loud-sensei said, noticing her gaze. "Everyone, this is Kaito-kun! He's going to help us keep track of everyone today."

"Senpai!" Akari called out, recognizing him from the arcade. "You're Drama Bean’s favorite!"

Kaito chuckled. "Something like that. And you must be the famous Akari-chan I've heard so much about."

✨We Don't Talk About Spark Club✨

Akari✨: GUYS KAITO-SENPAI IS HERE
Akari✨: HE'S GONNA HELP WITH ZOO VISION

However there was no response from Zumies or Drama Bean...

I hope they’re okay...

And everyone else was present so...

“Onward to the zoo, Sheeple!”

She wasn’t sure what a sheeple was, but these were her people and she could call them weird things if she wanted to.

Especially as the word of the day was anomalous and it meant her! She was anomalous! She deviated from the normal, the standard, and that's how her people liked her.

“What's a sheeple?” She heard Eri ask loud-sensei. She leaned in close hoping to hear the answer- but Loud-sensei only threw back his head and laughed, then told her not to worry about it.

Akari wasn’t pouting. She wasn’t. She had a beak and couldn’t if she wanted to. So there.

The zoo entrance was massive, with colorful banners and the sound of excited children echoing from beyond the gates. Akari immediately pulled out her phone, determined to document everything for Zumies and Drama Bean.

Click.

She looked at the photo. It was a blur of movement and what might have been Eri's elbow.

"Perfect!" she announced, sending it anyway.

✨We Don't Talk About Spark Club✨

Akari✨: sends blurry photo ZOO ENTRANCE!

Shield-nii: ...is that the gate?

Akari✨: ITS ART

Command-Z: Maybe try holding the phone still?

Akari✨: I WAS HOLDING IT STILL

Command-Z: Motion blur suggests otherwise.

"First stop, big cats!" Eri declared, consulting her carefully written list.

They made their way through the winding paths, past families with strollers and couples holding hands. Akari kept trying to take pictures of everything- the path signs, the trees, a particularly interesting trash can- but somehow every photo came out as an abstract masterpiece of motion and color.

Meanwhile, she noticed a man with professional camera equipment following at a discrete distance, occasionally appearing in her peripheral vision. Every time she looked directly at him, he seemed to be photographing completely different animals.

Weird. But whatever.

"LIONS!" Eri shrieked suddenly, pointing ahead.

And there they were- a pride of lions lounging in the sun like enormous house cats. One was stretched out on a rock, completely unbothered by the crowd of people taking pictures.

"They're so big," Eri whispered in awe.

Akari immediately started taking pictures. Click click click.

She looked at her phone. Three photos of her own shadow, one of the ground, and what might have been a lion's tail.

"Nailed it," she muttered.

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly: Ru-chan! We're at the lions!
Butterfly: sends photo of pavement

Beetle: ...lovely concrete?

Butterfly: That was supposed to be a lion

Beetle: Maybe try pointing the camera at the actual lions?

Butterfly: I AM

Beetle: Are you moving while you take the picture?

Butterfly: ...maybe a little

"Look!" Eri tugged on Akari's shadow. "That one's yawning!"

The big male lion opened his massive jaws in what was definitely a yawn, showing off impressive fangs. Loud-sensei snapped what Akari was sure would be a perfect photo.

She tried to copy him. Click.

Her photo showed the inside of her pocket.

"How is Loud-sensei so good at this?" she wondered aloud.

"Practice," Kaito said with amusement, having watched her photography attempts. "And standing still helps."

"I am standing still!"

"You're bouncing."

Akari looked down. She was, in fact, bouncing slightly with excitement.

"Oh."

She tried again, this time concentrating very hard on not moving. Click.

Success! She got a photo that actually contained a lion! Granted, it was just the lion's back leg and part of a rock, but it was definitely lion-adjacent.

✨We Don't Talk About Spark Club✨

Akari✨: GUYS I GOT A LION PHOTO
Akari✨: sends photo of lion's back leg

Shield-nii: Is a very nice... knee?
Upsie Daisy: I think it's a paw?
Command-Z: You need to slow down.
Fumi-nii: Perhaps focus on enjoying the experience rather than documenting it?

Akari✨: BUT ZUMIES NEEDS TO SEE EVERYTHING

Fumi-nii: I'm sure Loud-sensei's photos will suffice for that purpose.

Akari✨: But he doesn’t even have a phone out! How would they suffice?

Fumi-nii just sighed.

"Next up, butterflies!" Eri announced, practically glowing with excitement.

The butterfly garden was enclosed in a massive greenhouse, warm and humid with tropical plants everywhere. The moment they stepped inside, Akari's eyes went wide.

Butterflies. Everywhere.

Blue ones, orange ones, ones with patterns that looked like eyes, tiny ones that flitted like living jewels. They landed on flowers, on the paths, on visitors' shoulders.

"This is the best place ever," Akari breathed.

She immediately started chasing a particularly beautiful blue butterfly, phone in hand. Click click click click.

Every photo was either empty sky or blurred wings.

"Akari-chan," Eri giggled, "you have to wait for them to land!"

"But they're so pretty when they fly!"

A bright orange butterfly landed on Eri's notebook. She went very, very still.

"Akari-chan," she whispered. "Photo?"

Akari crept over as carefully as she could manage, raised her phone, held her breath, and... click.

Perfect. An actual, in-focus photo of a butterfly on Eri's notebook.

"YES!" she shouted, startling the butterfly into flight.

"Shh!" several other visitors hushed her.

"Sorry! But look!" She showed Eri the photo.

Eri's face lit up. "It's beautiful! Send it to everyone!"

✨We Don't Talk About Spark Club✨

Akari✨: BUTTERFLY SUCCESS
Akari✨: sends crystal clear butterfly photo

Shield-nii: Whoa! That's actually really good!
Upsie Daisy: Good job Akari-chan!
Command-Z: See? You just need to slow down.

Fumi-nii just sent love through the bond.

Akari✨: I AM THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Akari✨: Wait let me get another one
Akari✨: sends blurry photo of nothing
Akari✨: Nevermind

"Yamada-san I need to use the bathroom," Eri announced quietly, tugging on Loud-sensei's sleeve.

"Of course! Let's find the facilities," Loud-sensei said, consulting the zoo map. "Hmm, looks like the nearest ones are back by the main entrance..."

"I can take her," Kaito offered. "There's a closer set by the penguin exhibit - I'll walk her over and meet you all there?"

Loud-sensei hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "That would be helpful, thank you Kaito-kun. We'll set up at the penguin viewing area."

Loud-sensei turned towards Akari- "do you want to go with them or stay here?"

Akari hesitated for a moment before deciding she would go with Eri. 

As they walked toward the restrooms, Eri looked up at the tall third-year curiously. "You're Drama Bean's favorite, right?"

Kaito chuckled. "Something like that. He talks about you guys a lot, you know. Says you're both pretty amazing."

"Really?" Eri's eyes lit up.

"Really. He was upset he couldn't come today."

Akari forced Kaito to stay outside "Girls only!" while she took Eri into the toilet itself. She kind of regretted it when she had to hold Eri up for her to wash her hands, but it was the principal of the matter. Like Tea-chan. 

A few minutes later, they rejoined the group at the penguin exhibit, Eri practically bouncing with excitement.

Akari was going through the photos she had had accumulated. Seventeen shots of her own feet, twenty-three abstract art pieces of motion blur, five accidental selfies, and exactly one good photo of that butterfly.

But she was having the time of her life, and Eri's notebook was filling up with carefully written facts about every animal they saw.

"Best day ever," Eri declared as they watched the penguins waddle around.

"Best day ever," Akari agreed, taking another photo that would definitely turn out to be a masterpiece.

Omake: 

Yamada's Photos

The alley behind the radio station was dimly lit, shadows stretching between dumpsters and fire escapes. Yamada pulled his trench coat tighter and checked his watch. Right on time.

Three figures emerged from the shadows- burly men in dark clothing who looked like they could bench press a car. The leader stepped forward, briefcase in hand.

"Ya got the goods?" Yamada asked in what he probably thought was a tough voice.

"We got the goods," the lead replied gruffly. "You got the bonuses?"

They gave him a side eye.

"YEAAAAAAAAH!" Mic screamed, his voice echoing off the alley walls.

One of the "thugs" groaned and rubbed his ears. "Boss, we've told you a million times- don't scream if you want to do the shady drop off thing."

"Sorry, sorry!" Yamada whispered sheepishly.

"Anyway boss, we'll be looking for those bonuses." The lead opened the briefcase to reveal pristine photo albums and USB drives. "Here's your photo spread of the little white-haired girl and her shadow-friend, and here's the video of them through the entire zoo cropped down to just the most exciting bits. And yes, we have twelve backups at the radio station in case your hubby decides to delete it again."

Yamada's eyes lit up as he flipped through the photos- crystal clear shots of Eri's wonder at seeing her first lion, Akari's determined attempts at photography, the perfect moment when the butterfly landed on Eri's notebook, both girls laughing at the penguin exhibit.

"This is perfect," he whispered. "Absolutely perfect. Sho is going to cry happy tears."

"We also got some candid shots of the purple-haired kid trying to take pictures," the second thug added. "Kid's got enthusiasm but zero technique. It's adorable."

"The payment?" the lead asked.

Yamada handed over an envelope. "Radio station merchandise, backstage passes to my next three shows, and signed photos. As promised."

The lead thug's tough expression cracked into a grin. "My daughter's gonna love these. Thanks, boss."

As they faded back into the shadows, Yamada clutched his precious photo albums and hurried home, already planning the slideshow that would definitely make his husband cry happy tears.

After all, what good was having connections in the photography business if you couldn't document every precious moment of your daughter's life?

Chapter Text

The morning of UA's school festival arrived with Akari practically vibrating with excitement.

✨We Don't Talk About Spark Club✨

Akari✨: FESTIVAL DAY!
Akari✨: ERI-CHAN AND I ARE GONNA DO ALL THE THINGS

Zumies: Have fun! we'll be 1-As booth until 1 PM if you want to visit!

Akari✨: WE'LL BE THERE
Akari✨: After we do EVERYTHING ELSE FIRST

Shield-nii: So manly! 
Fumi-nii: Have fun, don’t let Sensei pay for everything, stop by if you run out money

She felt worry, concern, love over the bond and rolled her eyes. Fumi-nii was being so over dramatic. Like they hadn’t been spending their days apart for weeks now.

"Shadow-chan, Papa said to ask, are you ready?" Eri appeared in the doorway of the room Akari shared with her nii-san, practically glowing with anticipation. Her small horn caught the morning light.

"SO READY!" Akari declared, doing an excited wiggle that made Eri giggle.

As they waited for the elevator she remembered someone else she should text.

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly: Ru-chan! Festival day!

Beetle: I know Ai-chan! And 1-B is having an event instead of a booth!

Butterfly: WHAT EVENT?!

Beetle: Come find out yourself instead of texting me

Butterfly: That's not fair!

Beetle: But if I told you, there wouldn’t be a surprise

Akari frowned at this, then gave her phone a look when she realized Ru-chan was right.

She stuck her tongue out at her phone before pocketing it just as the elevator dinged.

"Come on, Eri-chan! We have to go see what everyone's doing!" Akari grabbed Eri's hand with her own, made of shadows.

As tired-sensei opened the door they sprinted out it and across the lawn to where the festival entrance was- or well, Akari and tired-sensei sprinted. Eri road on her back like she was the nobel bird steed for her lovely unicorn princess.

She frowned, something seemed off about that...

Then her eyes blew wide as the first stop became obvious.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the silvery stone turrets with a bright purple flag waving in the wind. It was purple. And a castle and it was bouncy.

There were slides coming down from the tallest turrets and she saw one kid bounce ten whole feet in the air.

She barely noticed the sign that proclaimed it to be the 3-H booth, too busy fixating on the student making an animated pitch with shadow puppets leaking out of their eyes!

“We have turbo jet boots for those who want extra bounce! Perfectly safe with our g-force limiter zone that slows descents at a rate...” She ignored the rest of the pitch in favor of watching his shadow puppets do a barrel roll.

I wonder if I can do a barrel roll with those boots on!

Just Birbs:

Littlest Birb: IM GOING TO DO A BARREL ROLL WITH JET BOOTS!

Big Birb: ???
Little Birb: Didn’t you do a barrel roll last month without jet boots?

Littlest Birb: ITS COOLER WITH BOOTS!

She pouted, sometimes her nii-san just didn’t understand what cool was.

"Wow," Eri breathed, staring up at it.

"RACE YOU!" Akari announced, ready to zoom toward the entrance.

“Not so fast” a hand clamped down on her shoulder before she could take off. She looked up at tired-sensei with her head tilted in silent question.

“You need to put on these wristbands before entering festival grounds.” Tired-sensei held out two bright pink wristbands. “Anyone without a wristband will be forced out of the festival. As you’re children you would be taken to our daycare until a parent or guardian could be located to claim you, but you’d lose out on valuable festival time if that happened.” He stared the two down.

Eri easily reached her hand up to accept the wristband. Akari pouted as best she could with her beak before following suit.

“Now can we race?” she asked, still disgruntled about having to wear a wristband. She didn’t do clothes. As a shadow entity she had never needed them and the wristband itched.

Tired-sensei let out a tired sigh. “I suppose so.”

They both bolted before he could take it back.

Inside was chaos in the best way possible. Kids of all ages were bouncing around, some trying tricks, others just enjoying the sensation of being airborne. Akari immediately attempted a barrel roll.

She did not succeed.

Instead, she tumbled sideways, crashed into a wall, and bounced directly into Eri, sending them both sprawling in a tangle of shadow and giggles.

"Again!" Eri demanded, eyes shining.

“I want to get those boots on first!” Akari exclaimed. “Then we can really show off!”

While waiting in line for her own pair of hover boots she shot off some more texts

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: Tea-chan! Bouncy castles are the BEST

Tea: I'm glad you're having fun, Akari-chan. Today's word is 'exuberance' - overflowing with enthusiasm.

Light: THATS ME

Tea: Indeed it is.

Akari tried the barrel seven more times. She failed spectacularly each time, the anti-whatsits field throwing off her trajectory. Eri managed to get off a perfect barrel roll on her first attempt and Akari managed to get it on camera. 

✨We Don't Talk About Spark Club✨

Akari✨: Attaches Eri doing a barrel roll.mp4
Akari✨: ZUMIES!
Akari✨: YOUR SISTER DID A BARREL ROLL

Command Z: Is she okay?

Akari✨: Yeah! It was in a bouncy castle!
Akari✨: it has an anti-whatsit field that protects!

Shield-nii: Sounds... manly? Oh!

Akari✨: Oh?

Upsie Daisy: A kid let the rabbit he was visiting with out of the pen
Upsie Daisy: Shinso and Kirishima are trying to capture it. 

Akari✨: OK!

On attempt eight, she finally managed to remember to put the anti-whatsit field in her mental math.

"SUCCESS!" she declared, smiling wide.

Eri was giggling so hard she could barely breathe.

After they finally extracted themselves from the bouncy castle they spotted the face painting booth.

"Ooh! Can we?" Eri asked, eyes wide.

"Obviously!" Akari declared.

The booth was run by a general ed student who took one look at them and grinned. "What would you like?"

"A raven!" Eri said immediately, then glanced at Akari. "To match!"

Akari's shadow-heart swelled. "And I want... a unicorn."

The artist carefully painted a delicate raven across Eri's cheek, wings spread in flight. On Akari's shadowy surface, they painted a surprisingly fierce unicorn, horn sharp and ready for battle.

"We match!" Eri declared, pulling out Akari's phone to take pictures.

The photos were glorious, Eri’s left cheek smooshed against Akari’s left as the opposite cheeks showcasing the art

"Perfect," Akari declared, sending them to the birb chat.

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: I GOT A FACE PAINT
Littlest Birb: Attaches cute picture.exe

Little Birb: A unicorn? You declared unicorns 'sparkle horses for people with no taste' last month.

Littlest Birb: THIS ONE IS DIFFERENT

Little Birb: How?

Littlest Birb: ITS SPECIAL OKAY

Big Birb:  🦄🐦‍⬛👍➡️💰🏃‍🐦

Littlest Birb: THANKS HAWKS! CATCH THAT ROBBER

"Let's go see Zumies!" Eri suggested, consulting the festival map with serious concentration, her tongue poking out just a bit.

"I hear the animal café is this way!" Akari pointed enthusiastically. 

They made their way across the festival grounds, Eri waving at everyone they passed with her right hand while her left was still holding Akari's.

Odd, something feels strange. Like my phone vibrating while stored in my center, only my phone is in my hand. 

She frowned at her phone for a moment then stored it in her shadow, just in case.

No sooner had she stored it then there was a loud BANG echoed from somewhere to their left.

Eri startled, jumping sideways- directly into a stranger who looked somewhat familiar carrying coffee.

Time seemed to slow.

The coffee cup tipped. Hot liquid splashed across both Eri and the white-haired woman’s arms. Eri cried out, and Akari watched in horror as red marks bloomed on pale skin.

"I'm so sorry!" the woman gasped, clutching their burned arm. "I didn't see-"

Eri's eyes went wide with panic. Her horn began to glow, that familiar soft light that Akari had only seen a few times during their learning sessions.

"No no no," Eri whispered, tears starting to form. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry-"

The glow intensified.

And then Akari saw it.

Cracks appeared in the woman’s purple, almost lilac? soul- not that there hadn’t already been cracks. But these were new cracks, identical to the ones Eri carried. She suddenly realized that the cracks Eri carried were fractures in time itself, spreading like spiderwebs made of light. She'd never seen Eri's cracks appear in someone else before.

The burns vanished. The coffee stains disappeared. Even Eri's raven face paint was gone, even the itching on Akari’s face from her unicorn was gone. It had all been rewound out of existence.

Then as sudden as it had started it stopped. Akari glanced up just in time to see tired-sensei’s hair stop floating before she refocused on Eri and the stranger.

The woman blinked, looking down at their unmarked arm in shock. "Oh! You have a healing quirk! Thank you so much!" They smiled warmly at Eri. "You're a little hero already!"

Eri nodded mutely, still trembling.

She hurried off, completely unaware of what had actually happened.

I know I’ve seen those turquoise eyes somewhere, but I don’t think I knew that lady.

Akari stared as the woman fled, then when the woman was gone from sight she glanced at Eri's terrified face.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: Tea-chan
Light: Saw Eri's cracks in a stranger
Light: It was weird

Tea: Concerning. Is everyone alright?

Light: Yeah
Light: The lady thinks Eri has healing quirk

Akari was good at texting. So even as she wrote those messages out she turned to Eri, who was staring at her hands like they might betray her at any moment.

"Hey," Akari said to her best friend. "You did good. You helped someone."

"But I-" Eri's voice cracked. "I used my curse without meaning to, and-"

"And now neither you nor that person is hurt," Akari said with a smile. "That's what matters, right? And it’s not a curse! It’s a super power. Unless you think I’m cursed?"

Eri thought about it for a long moment, then slowly shook her head. “You're not cursed! You’re Akari!”

"Perfect! Now lets go visit Zumies."

The animal café was warm and full of soft animal sounds. Izuku was serving tables.

“Go visit your nii-san” Akari whispered with a smile. “I’ll go visit mine!”

Akari zoomed through the cafe where she could feel Fumi-nii's presence through their bond- behind the drink counter making a cat-pachino.

"There you are," Fumi-nii said when she arrived. "My shift ends in just a few minutes, can I get you a drink?”

“Yeah! I want a cat-pachino just like that one!” She pointed at the foam shaped like a cat.

Fumi-nii looked down. “Huh, that was not intentional... maybe we should have learned to make foam art?” He shrugged and handed her the cup while filling a new one.

She took a sip and pouted. It was chai tea, she’d been hoping for caffeine but she should have known Fumi-nii wouldn’t give her any.

She pouted into her drink waiting for him to finish up.

"So where too first?" Akari asked as he came out in a normal school uniform. Inwardly cheering when she realized he, too, had the bright pink wristband.

“I procured a program from some upper years.” He flourished the little leaflet for her perusal.

She glanced at the first page and gasped. "There’s a poetry slam! You have to compete!?"

"I wasn't planning to-"

"You should compete! Your stuff is good Fumi-nii”

“But I-”

“But nothing! I might think poetry is silly but you love it, you should compete.”

“It’s not that simple, I don’t even have any p-”

She immediately got a gleam in her eye as she pulled a little black book out of her pocket. “I’d compete if I were you~” She chirped

She was sure if Fumi-nii had a normal face he’d have turned whiter then Eri’s hair.

“Akari-chan don’t-”

“Compete or I’ll go up with your diary and compete for you!”

Fumi-nii sighed one of his deepest sighs. "You wouldn’t do that to me..." His voice was half hopeful, half fearful.

Akari wiggled the book for a second before sighing. “You’re right nii-san. It’s just a fake I made with that silly poem I told you a while back.”

Relief flooded the bond as he said the next words. "...fine. One poem."

"YES!" Akari immediately pulled out her phone.

✨We Don't Talk About Spark Club✨

Akari✨: FUMI-NII IS DOING POETRY SLAM
Akari✨: COME WATCH HIM SUFFER

Command Z: That’ll be fun
Shield-nii: Wouldn't miss it!

The poetry slam was held in an all black booth set up by 3-C. It had mood lighting, a fog machine, and a small stage. Akari settled in to watch, joy filling her. 

Fumi-nii stepped up when his turn came, and Akari felt his nervousness through their bond. She sent back waves of encouragement and love.

He cleared his throat and began:

"In the gloom of dusk I lost my light-"

She felt love loss hope fear through their bond.

“A shadow fell upon my sphere”

She had never heard this poem before.

“All hope had gone, ‘twas a blight-”

That’s so sad.

“Missing breath, and kinsman’s fear”

Why is the breath missing? Her brow furrowed.

“Took my sister far from here.”

She realized with a jolt that this poem was about her.

“They said ‘twas but a dream to be unseen”

She quivered for a moment, remembering the quirk doctors, the spark specialists.

“But far from here was burning close,”

I’m right here she sent the feeling down the bond, receiving a faint squeeze of love back.

“Her shadow’s light dances ever ‘tween”

She giggled and danced a little in the crowd. Though she didn’t see it, she felt his smile.

“Living her undeath to its utmost.”

She sent love love love love back to him and could see the cracks in his soul smooth out just a bit, the warble in his voice fading and her love built him back up.

“For my beloved sister is my ghost.”

There were more poems but honestly she’d already heard the only one that mattered. So she just sat lying across Fumi’s shoulders and took a nap while just experiencing the day with him.

Eventually he woke her up just before they announced the winners.

Fumi-nii won first place as he should and they just vibed in silence as they wandered toward the food stalls. That's when Akari spotted it.

The fried chicken stand.

"FUMI-NII!" she shrieked.

"I see it," he said dryly.

They approached and a student from 2-B greeted them cheerfully. "Two orders?"

"Yes!" Akari said.

That's when another student called out: "Hey Tokoyami! Eating your own kind?"

There was a beat of silence.

Fumi-nii's shoulders dropped in resignation. Akari could feel his I-knew-this-would-happen exhaustion through their bond.

"I get this joke at least once a week," he said flatly.

"I JUST REALIZED!" Akari gasped dramatically. "I SHOULD INVITE HAWKS-NII!"

She was already pulling out her phone.

Just Birbs

Littlest Birb: HAWKS-NII EMERGENCY

Big Birb: ???

Littlest Birb: FRIED CHICKEN STAND AT UA FESTIVAL
Littlest Birb: Come eat chicken with us!

Big Birb: On patrol in Osaka rn chickadee 
Big Birb: Raincheck?

Littlest Birb: FINE 🙁

Big Birb: Enjoy the festival for me

Akari turned back to Fumi-nii, shadow-beak pointing downward in an exaggerated pout. "He can't come."

"Tragic," Fumi-nii said, accepting his chicken from the amused vendor.

They found a spot to eat, and Akari discovered she'd somehow gotten honey mustard sauce in her shadow pocket. She wasn't sure how. Physics didn't really apply to her the way it should according to Tea-chan’s classes.

She let it phase out of her and watched it squish onto the ground. 

New BFFs (Bug Friends Forever)

Butterfly: Found sauce in my pocket dimension

Beetle: Your what?

Butterfly: Where I keep my phone?
Butterfly: Attaches Honeymusterdsplotch.exe

Beetle: ...you know what, I'm not asking

Later in the afternoon, they stumbled across the emergency vehicle display. Real fire trucks and ambulances were parked on the field, with firefighters and paramedics showing off their equipment.

"Nii-san!" Akari grabbed his arm with her shadow. "The fireman said I can climb the ladder!"

Fumi-nii looked at the extremely tall ladder, then at Akari, then back at the ladder.

"I don't think-"

"TOO LATE!" She was already zooming up, her shadow-form making the climb effortless.

From the top, she could see the entire festival spread below. She squinted into the distance and gasped. "FUMI-NII!" She yelled down. “RU-CHAN IS IN A PLAY!”

"Please come down before you give me a heart condition." He called back, his gentle voice carrying up to her somehow. She suspected it was bond related.

"YOU DON'T HAVE A HEART!" She cried back.

"That's anatomically incorrect and you know it."

She climbed down because she could feel Fumi-nii’s fear with that last statement, then  spent the next twenty minutes exploring the inside of the fire truck, pressing every button she could reach until someone gently removed her.

✨We Don't Talk About Spark Club✨

Akari✨: Attaches Blurry Fire Truck.exe
Akari✨:  I PRESSED ALL THE BUTTONS

Shield-nii: ...did you break anything?

Akari✨:  Not according to the nice firefighter who escorted me out!

Command Z: "Escorted" is doing a lot of work in that sentence.

They even managed to make it to see Ru-chan give the final line of the play 1-B was putting on. Something about Heroic Intent and Heroic Need.

Akari was sure it made more sense if one had watched the whole thing, but the firetruck.

As evening approached Akari felt Fumi-nii hum through their bond and knew immediately. It was time for the fireworks.

She and Fumi-nii found a quiet spot on the lawn, away from the main crowds. They settled down together, her shadow curled comfortably against him.

"Good day?" he asked softly.

"Best day," she confirmed.

They didn't need words after that. As the first firework exploded across the sky, Akari sent her feelings through their bond- joy and contentment and belonging and love and so much more that she didn't have words for.

Fumi-nii sent back warmth and pride and protective affection and his own wordless joy.

The sky lit up in cascades of color, and Akari watched in wonder. She didn't even try to take photos. Some moments were meant to be experienced, not captured.

Well. Except for one.

She snuck in a quick photo of Fumi-nii watching the drone-based fireworks, his bird-face illuminated by the colorful lights. It turned out well- focused and clear and somehow captured the peaceful moment perfectly.

She didn't send it to anyone. Just saved it for herself.

🧀 Tea Time ☕

Light: Today was amazing Tea-chan

Tea: I'm glad, Akari-chan. You've come very far.

Light: Yeah 
Light: I think I'm getting better at being a person

Tea: You've always been a person, child. You're just learning how to be yourself.

Light: ...thanks Tea-chan

Tea: Now get some sleep. Tomorrow's word is 'gratitude' and I expect you to spell it correctly.

Light: NO PROMISES

As Akari settled in that night, she thought about the day. About bouncy castles and face paint and Eri's temporal cracks appearing in a stranger who she only now realized looked like Shouto.

I always look at Shouto’s soul ‘cuz it’s the only one I know that’s always changing colors. I don’t really look at Shouto’s face much- but the soul was the same color purple as Shouto’s is when it's her day I should have realized! And the eyes look just like Shouto’s girl-time eyes!

Then she thought about poetry and fried chicken and climbing fire trucks. About weird closing lines and sitting beside her brother watching fireworks in comfortable silence.

About being a person.

About being herself.

Then she pouted.

Just Birbs:

Littlest Birb: You owe me fried chicken.

Chapter Text

Akari thought sleeping bags were silly.

Of course, she also thought blankets were silly. She usually just slept wrapped around Fumi-nii like a blanket of her own. He had some really soft pj’s that didn’t itch.

Maybe one day she’d get herself a pair and be okay with clothes again...

Maybe.

But right now they were at a museum. A whole building full of things to look at and touch- well, not touch, Zumies said no touching except for the interactive exhibits and learn about, and the grown-ups wanted them to just... sleep? In the middle of all of it?

Zumies had set up their sleeping bags near the dinosaur exhibit, which was pretty cool at least. The big T-rex skeleton loomed overhead, all sharp teeth and tiny arms. Akari liked that the scariest dinosaur had such useless little hands. It made them less scary.

Eri was already tucked into her sleeping bag, clutching the cat that the group had won her at the arcade. She looked sleepy but also like she was trying very hard to stay awake. Like if she fell asleep something bad might happen.

Akari understood that feeling. She just dealt with it differently- by deciding that if she was going to be awake anyway, she might as well explore.

"The pteranodon has a wingspan of over twenty feet," Izu-nii was saying softly, pointing up at the flying reptile suspended from the ceiling. He was using his teaching voice, the one that meant he was trying to make things less scary by explaining them. "They lived during the Cretaceous period, which means-"

He kept talking for a while, his voice getting softer and softer, probably hoping they'd drift off to sleep. Akari listened with half her attention, mostly watching the shadows the emergency lights cast on the ceiling. The pteranodon's shadow looked weird stretched out like that. Kind of creepy, actually.

Eventually Izu-nii's voice trailed off completely. Akari stayed very still, breathing slow and steady like she was asleep. She could hear Eri's breathing too, also slow and even. Her friend had probably actually fallen asleep- Eri had been exhausted.

It was quiet for a few minutes. Just the distant hum of the museum's ventilation system and the sound of their breathing.

Then Akari heard rustling as Zumies carefully, quietly climbed out of his sleeping bag. His footsteps were soft on the museum floor as he stood up, clearly trying not to wake them.

Akari kept her eyes mostly closed, just watching through her eyelashes. She thought he might be going to the restroom. He was heading toward the same hallway tired-sensei had taken Eri to about an hour ago to get ready for bed, the one that would take him past the pteranodon display.

That's when Eri stirred.

It started as mere shifting in her sleeping bag, maybe she just rolled over. Akari glanced over just as the other girl started speaking.  “What-” Eri yawned, rubbing sleep out of her eyes. 

Then there was a look of pure terror. The stuffed cat tumbled from her grip as she scrambled out of her sleeping bag and ran.

Just ran. No warning, no explanation, nothing.

"Eri?" Akari called out, startled.

Her friend didn't answer. Eri was already disappearing into the darkness of the next exhibit hall, running like something was chasing her.

Akari didn't think. She just reacted.

She threw off her own sleeping bag and bolted after Eri. She didn't know what had scared Eri. She just knew her friend was terrified and running, and that meant Akari needed to catch her.

The museum was different at night. The emergency lighting cast strange shadows everywhere, making familiar shapes look wrong. Akari caught glimpses of Eri ahead- a flash of pale hair, the flutter of her pajama shirt- but her friend was fast when she was scared.

"Eri, wait!" Akari called, but Eri didn't slow down.

They ran through the ancient civilizations exhibit, past pottery and old weapons and a reconstructed marketplace. Then through a hallway with paintings on the walls, the faces in the portraits seemed to watch them pass.

Akari could catch her- she had training with Fumi-nii before they’d realized she was a people after all- but she remembered that stopping someone who was panicking could lead to more panic, so she merely followed in her friend's shadow.

Finally, finally, Eri started to slow down. Not because she'd calmed down- Akari could tell from the way she was moving that she was still panicked- but because she was running out of breath.

They were in some kind of ocean exhibit now. There were models of fish suspended from the ceiling and a big whale skeleton on one wall. Eri stumbled to a stop near a display about coral reefs, her breathing harsh and ragged.

Akari caught up to her and immediately and gently approached without touching.

"It's okay," Akari panted, even though she had no idea what had happened. "It's okay, I'm here. You're safe."

Eri was shaking. Her whole body was trembling like a leaf in the wind.

"He was there," Eri whispered, her voice so quiet Akari almost didn't hear it. "I saw him. Overhaul was there."

Akari's mind raced. Overhaul? But Overhaul was in prison. Zumies had made sure he couldn’t hurt Eri. Eri shared that fact several times a week so he couldn't be here. Unless...

No. Eri had seen something that looked like Overhaul. Or reminded her of him. That made more sense than an actual villain breaking out of prison and somehow ending up at their museum sleepover.

But what did she see?

Akari thought back. They'd been lying in their sleeping bags. Zumies had been talking about the pteranodon. Then he'd gotten up to go to the bathroom, heading toward the hallway, and Eri had just... run.

The bathroom hallway. Which would take Izu-nii right past the pteranodon display.

Oh. Didn’t Eri say once that my beak looked a bit like Overhaul’s mask, but it was okay because she knew I wasn’t him?

"Eri," Akari said carefully, still holding her sister. "Did you see a shadow? On the wall?"

Eri nodded, still shaking.

"A tall shadow? With... with something that looked like a bird mask?"

Another nod.

Akari felt a wave of understanding, followed immediately by a wave of sadness. Zumies had just been going to the bathroom. He'd probably walked right under the pteranodon, and the emergency lighting had cast his shadow on the wall in just the wrong way. His body, the pteranodon's beak positioned right where Overhaul's plague doctor mask would be.

It had been an accident. A terrible, scary accident.

"It wasn't him," Akari said softly. "It was Zumies. He was going to the bathroom, and the lights made a shadow that looked wrong. But it wasn't Overhaul. Overhaul's in prison. He can't hurt you."

Eri's shaking didn't stop, but it got a little less intense.

"It was Felis-nii?" she whispered. “You promise?”

"I promise. We can go back and look if you want. But..." Akari paused. "Maybe we should wait a minute first? Just to catch our breath?"

She didn't really want to go back yet either. Now that she'd stopped running, she realized they were pretty far from where they'd started. And also that she had no idea how to get back.

"Okay," Eri said. "Just... just a minute."

They stood there together in the ocean exhibit, surrounded by fish and coral and the skeleton of a creature that had lived in the deep sea millions of years ago. Akari kept her arms around Eri and tried to project calmness.

“Hey Eri...” Akari thought with a sudden light in her eyes.

“How about we find something to take our mind off of silly shadows?”

Eri giggled. “You’re the silliest shadow of them all, though.”

Akari cackled playfully then looked around the ocean exhibit, taking in all the displays. Fish models hanging from the ceiling, information plaques about different sea creatures, a big whale skeleton that was honestly kind of cool...

And there- a touch tank!

"Look!" Akari pointed. "We can touch stuff in there!"

Eri followed her gaze to the shallow tank built into a waist-high display. There were sea stars in different colors, some spiky sea urchins behind a little barrier, and what looked like sea cucumbers.

"Are we allowed?" Eri asked hesitantly.

"It's a touch tank," Akari said with perfect logic. "That means you're supposed to touch things. Just do gentle touches though!” Akari remembered when Fumi-nii got mad at her for squishing the sea cucumbers at the aquarium. “Come on!"

She didn't wait for Eri to argue, just walked over and plunged her hands into the cool water. The sea star she picked up felt weird- bumpy and firm but also somehow soft? It was hard to describe. She held it up for Eri to see.

"See? It's fine!"

Eri approached slowly, still looking uncertain. But after a moment, she carefully dipped one hand into the water and touched a purple sea star.

"It feels strange," Eri said quietly.

"Right? Like... bumpy but not?" Akari put her sea star back and reached for a sea cucumber instead. "Ooh, this is the one you have to gentle squish only!"

Despite everything- the scare, the running, the confusion- Eri's lips twitched into an almost-smile. She touched the sea cucumber too, her fingers gentle and curious.

They spent a few minutes like that, exploring the different creatures in the tank. Akari named them as they went- "This one's Steve, this one's Barbara, this tiny one is Lord Squishington."

Eri giggled.

Success!

"Okay," Akari said, pulling her dripping hands out of the tank. She wiped them on her pajama pants, which didn't help much because her hands were still pretty wet. "What should we look at next?"

She leaned forward to look at the plaques on the other side of the touch tank, leaving wet handprints on the glass as she steadied herself. Eri did the same, her smaller handprints appearing next to Akari's.

"There's a deep sea section over there," Eri pointed toward a darker area of the exhibit. "With anglerfish and stuff."

"Perfect! Let's go see!"

They headed toward the deep sea display, water dripping from their hands onto the museum floor as they walked. Akari didn't really think about it- her hands would dry eventually, and it was just water anyway.

The deep sea section was really cool. It was set up like you were looking into the dark ocean, with black walls and blue lighting that made everything feel underwater. There were models of weird fish with huge teeth, and one with a light dangling in front of its face.

"That's an anglerfish," Akari read from the plaque, proud that she could sound out the word. "The light is called a lure and it attracts prey in the dark."

"It's kind of scary looking," Eri said, but she didn't sound scared anymore. Just interested.

"Yeah, but also cool. Look at this one- it's called a gulper eel and its mouth can open really wide to eat big things."

They moved from display to display, reading about bioluminescent creatures and giant squids and fish that lived so deep in the ocean that sunlight never reached them. Akari found it fascinating- a whole world that existed in complete darkness, where creatures made their own light or hunted without seeing at all.

"Do you think it's lonely?" Eri asked quietly, looking at a model of a giant squid. "Living that deep where there's no light?"

Akari considered this. "Maybe. Or maybe they like it? Like... they don't know anything else, so to them it's just normal. They have other squids down there with them."

"That's true." Eri touched the glass gently, looking at the squid model. "It's pretty, in a weird way."

"Yeah," Akari agreed. "Sometimes scary things are pretty too."

They stood there for a moment, looking at the deep sea creatures, and Akari felt like maybe they were talking about more than just ocean animals. But that was okay. Sometimes you needed to talk about scary things sideways instead of head-on.

"Should we keep exploring?" Akari suggested. "There's gotta be more cool stuff in this museum."

"Okay," Eri said. "But... maybe we should try to find our way back soon? Zumies is probably worried."

Akari felt a small pang of guilt. Yeah, he was definitely worried. But also they'd come this far, and the museum was really interesting at night, and...

"Just a little more exploring," Akari promised. "Then we'll head back. Come on, I think I saw stairs earlier. Let's see what's upstairs!"

She took Eri's hand- still slightly damp from the touch tank- and led her toward the exit of the ocean exhibit, ready for the next adventure.

The stairs led up to a whole new floor of exhibits, and Akari felt a thrill of excitement. This was way better than sleeping!

"Look!" Eri pointed at a sign. "Space and Astronomy."

They entered a darkened room that made Akari gasp. The ceiling looked like the night sky, with constellations mapped out in glowing paint. Planets hung, slowly rotating. There was a model of the solar system in the center, and along the walls were displays about stars and galaxies and black holes.

"This is so cool," Akari breathed.

They wandered through the exhibit, reading about how stars were born and died, how planets formed, what a light-year actually meant. Near the back, there was a table with a sign that said "FREE - Take some stars home with you!"

Akari investigated and found sheets of glow-in-the-dark star stickers.

"Eri! Look! We can have stars!"

Eri came over, curious. "Are they really free?"

"The sign says so!" Akari peeled off a star and stuck it on Eri's cheek. "There. Now you're a constellation."

Eri giggled and grabbed the sheet, carefully peeling off a star to stick on Akari's forehead. "You too."

They took turns decorating each other's faces with stars- on cheeks, foreheads, chins. Akari put one on the tip of Eri's nose and Eri retaliated by putting three in a row down Akari's beak.

"We look silly," Eri said, but she was smiling.

"We look awesome," Akari corrected. "Come on, let's see what else is up here!"

She didn’t notice that Eri dropped the half-used sheet of stickers as they walked, too focused on looking for the next interesting thing.

---

The next section was labeled "Science and Discovery" and it was full of interactive displays. There were things about electricity and magnetism, pulleys and levers, sound waves and light.

But the thing that immediately caught Akari's attention was a large glass sphere in the center of the room. Inside it, purple and pink lightning crackled and danced. A sign next to it read "Plasma Ball- Touch the glass to direct the electricity!"

"Woah," Akari said.

Eri approached it cautiously. "Is it safe?"

"It says to touch it, so it must be." Akari reached out and put her hand on the glass. Immediately, the lightning inside shifted, streaming toward her palm in bright tendrils. "Whoa! Eri, try it!"

Eri placed her hand on the opposite side of the sphere. The electricity split, some going to her hand, some still connecting to Akari's. It looked like colorful lightning trapped in a bubble, responding to their touch.

Akari stared at it, fascinated. The way the electricity branched and split... it looked kind of like the cracks she saw in people's souls. Not exactly the same- the cracks were more fragmented, more broken- but similar. Both were patterns of energy, splitting and connecting.

She moved her hand across the glass and watched the electricity follow. Could she do that with the cracks? Could she manipulate them, redirect them, change their path the way her and Eri's hands were changing where the lightning went?

"Akari? You okay?" Eri asked.

"Yeah, just... thinking." Akari pulled her hand away from the plasma ball. "Come on, let's see what else there is."

---

They found a section labeled "Physics Fun" with all sorts of hands-on demonstrations. There were pendulums and spinning wheels and a station where you could race different shaped objects down ramps.

And there, in the corner, was a car suspended on a pulley system with a sign: "Can you lift a car? Try it!"

"No way," Akari said, rushing over. The cube was huge- probably as tall as she was- made of rusted, crushed metal pushed together into a dense block.

There was a rope attached to the pulley system. She grabbed it and pulled as hard as she could. The compacted car lifted up smoothly despite how heavy it must be. "Eri! I'm lifting a real car!"

"My turn!" Eri waited for Akari to lower it back down, then grabbed the rope herself. She pulled, her small arms straining, but the mechanical advantage of the pulleys made it possible. The car rose up. "I'm doing it!"

Eri was so excited about lifting the car that she let go of the rope to clap.

The car dropped.

BANG!

The sound echoed through the museum, loud and metallic and definitely not quiet. Both girls froze.

"Oops," Eri whispered.

"It's fine," Akari said quickly. "It's supposed to go up and down. That's the whole point."

She grabbed Eri's hand and they hurried out of the physics section, giggling nervously.

---

Looking through a glass window Akari saw a brightly colored room with soft surfaces, and a massive play structure with tunnel tubes and a ball pit.

"Oh!" Eri's eyes lit up. "Can we?"

Akari looked around. Nobody was here to tell them no. "I mean... we're kids. The entrance says kid zone. So... yeah?"

Eri kicked off her socks and they climbed into the structure. The tunnel tubes were the perfect size for crawling through- too small for adults, just right for them. They climbed up and through, sliding down into the ball pit with squeals of delight.

The balls were plastic and colorful, and diving into them felt like swimming. Akari burrowed down until she was completely covered, then popped up like a gopher. Eri threw a handful of balls in the air and watched them rain down.

They played for a while, all thoughts of museums and sleeping bags and Zumies temporarily forgotten. It was just fun- pure, simple fun like they didn't get to have very often. At least not until recently.

Eventually they climbed out, slightly breathless and definitely messy. Akari's hair had static and the glow in the dark stickers were missing, but it was worth it.

"That was really fun," Eri said, brushing off her pajamas.

"Yeah." Akari smiled as Eri reached up to scratch her cheek and realized something. 

"Hey, where are the stars?"

"I think they  must have come off in the ball pit," Akari said. "With all the crawling through the tubes and stuff."

"Oh." Eri looked a little sad. "I liked the stars."

"We can get more on the way back," Akari promised. "Come on, I think I saw another section over there."

---

The next area had a sign reading "Earthquake Engineering" and featured several displays about how buildings were designed to withstand earthquakes. But the main attraction was a shake table- a platform with building blocks stacked on it, and a big button labeled "PUSH TO SIMULATE EARTHQUAKE."

“Let's build something!” Eri smiled.

They spent a few minutes giggling and building the tallest towers they could. Eri had a look of concentration on her face as she consulted the guide for the best placements.

Akari just built it as high as she could with careful placements.

Suddenly, she noticed a big button that said earthquake. "Oh, I have to push this," Akari said immediately.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Eri asked. "I don’t think your tower is struck-chur-lee sound.”

"It's educational, we’ll get to see what happens!" Akari said, which was basically the same as permission. She pressed the button.

The platform immediately started shaking violently. The blocks trembled, swayed, and then came tumbling down with a tremendous CRASH and CLATTER that seemed impossibly loud in the quiet museum.

Both girls jumped.

And from somewhere not too far away, they heard running footsteps.

"Eri? Akari?!"

Zumie's voice. He sounded panicked and relieved and maybe a little bit mad all at once.

The girls looked at each other.

"Uh oh," they said in unison.

Zumies appeared in the doorway of the earthquake exhibit, his hair even messier than usual, his flashlight beam sweeping the room before landing on them. His expression went from panic to relief to exasperation in about two seconds.

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!"

Akari felt guilt wash over her. They'd been having so much fun that she'd kind of... forgotten that Zumies would be worried. That he'd be searching for them. That they'd basically run off in the middle of the night without telling anyone.

"Sorry," she said in a small voice.

Eri clutched her hands together. "We didn't mean to worry you."

Zumies took a deep breath, clearly trying to calm himself down. "We'll talk about this back at the sleeping bags. Come on. Aizawa-sensei is going to kill me."

He held out his hands. After a moment, both girls took them.

As they walked back through the museum- past the ball pit, past the physics section, past the science displays- Akari noticed something odd. There were little glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to the floor. And to a wall. And to the edge of a display case.

Oh.

The stars hadn't come off in the ball pit. They'd been falling off the whole time, leaving a trail.

She decided not to mention that right now. Zumies looked stressed enough already.