Chapter Text
Moving sucks. It’s an action full of uncertainty and loneliness, at least, that’s what Koshiro always thought.
It’s why he kept his ears focused on the radio, adding ambience to the passing scenery of hills, trees and rice fields that whizz past his brown eyes. His head rested on the palm of his head, a finger lightly caressing his black bushy hair, helping to keep his hands busy as he sat in one of the cushioned seats. Koshiro turned his head to the driver’s seat ahead, eyes narrowing as he looked at his mother.
Long, white hair stretched down to her upper back, a contrast to her dark skin, similar to his. Her hands laid on the steering wheel, keeping the car in pace with the moving truck ahead of them. Their eyes met as she looked up at the rear view mirror. Koshiro immediately diverted his vision elsewhere. He was never one to want conflict, especially with family. But it was no use, as he noticed the decline in volume from the radio and breathed a tired sigh from her mouth.
“Look, I get that this isn’t the greatest of decisions, but it’s necessary, Koshiro.” Kei said, her voice thick with her usual soft and gentle tone. Koshiro sent a quick glance her way before narrowing his eyes as they became blurry with the tears that began to well up within.
Koshiro huffed, sniffling as he felt his body show the signs of crying. He wiped away at his eyes, desperately trying to prevent himself from letting tears fall down their cheeks. “I know…I just miss everyone. Why couldn’t we stay close by?” Koshiro croaked, voice cracking as his sorrow rose to the surface, a lump growing in his throat. A steady series of sobs escaped his lips, chest rising and falling in quick succession.
“You know why, Koshiro…” Kei uttered, her eyes turning back to the road ahead as they narrowed, her grip on the steering wheel tightening and voice lowering in tone. Even with how young he was, Koshiro understood the reason why they had to leave, change their names, everything that made them who they were. It was for that reason he turned his blurred and tearful gaze down to his dangling feet. The reason was simple: his father wasn’t a nice person. In fact, he was someone Koshiro feared. Burning orange eyes, a large imposing figure. The man was more of a monster his mother read to him before bedtime. So, one day his mother had enough and they left.
Koshiro was fully aware of it. But that didn’t mean leaving home hurt any less.
The rest of the car ride was silent, the upbeat pop music playing over the radio providing a stark contrast to the air of somberness hanging over them. Koshiro turned his attention back to the window beside him, returning to his sightseeing. Before long, forests and rolling hills became replaced by towering buildings and the bustle of urban life and eventually, the van came to a stop, parking in the driveway of a house in a row of similarly built homes.
The rumbling of the engine ceased, the radio cutting off as the power to it was cut. Kei took a deep breath followed by a deep breath out before turning to Koshiro, a smile creeping its way into her face. “Well, that was a long one…are you ready to get out of that seat?” Koshiro took a moment to turn to his mother and when he did, he gave a simple nod, unbuckled his seatbelt, opened the door and hopped out, his sneakers tapping against the concrete.
Koshiro looked up as Kei grabbed his hand, kneading his knuckles as she took a deep breath. They’re gazes met as she looked downward, smirking as she gestured towards the house and questioned, “Now, how about we get inside and then once everything is settled, maybe we can have a look around. It’s a new town, a new life.”
The mother and son walked in unison through the front gate and towards the porch, unlocking the door and stepping inside, taking off their shoes before walking into the rest of the home. They were met by a relatively normal interior; to their immediate right rested a staircase leading to the upper floor. In front, a hallway stretched down, leading towards a kitchen to the immediate left with a dining room in front of the kitchen and a living room to the right. Next to the table was a set of sliding doors leading into a backyard, the leaves of the tree and blades of green grass swaying softly as a breeze rolled in. Much of the furniture was wrapped in bubble wrap and cardboard, with boxes stacked on top of each other in various places across the house. It was a fairly basic home, not rousing any particular emotion from Koshiro, but looking up at Kei and seeing a smile on her face, he kept that to himself. His mother seemed happy about it, so he guessed he should as well. Or pretend to at least.
Kei kneeled down and held his shoulders as she met him at eye level, her smile remaining as she directed, “Koshiro, how about you go upstairs and check out your room? We have some unpacking to do, so it’s good to get started now.”
Koshiro nodded, turning on his heel and running across the dark wood flooring, slowing to a speedy walking pace as his mother shouted from behind to be careful. Heading up the steps, he found yet another hallway with multiple doors. After checking each one, he came to the end of the hallway, opening the door to find his bed and desk. This was it.
Closing the door behind him, he found a box designated ‘Koshi’s Toys.’ Opening it, he dug through a crate, pulling out two action figures. One was muscular and colorful, with tanned skin and a broad smile plastered across his face with two yellow strands of hair stretching up, looking like antennas. The other had silver hair to contrast his brown skin, wearing sunglasses, an all black suit and jacket with pouches and thick gloves. Koshiro smiled, feeling joy as he looked at the figures in the visage of his favorite heroes: All Might and Divergent.
What wasn’t there to say about All Might? He was strong, fast, funny and felt so comforting. Divergent was a new hero and wasn’t All Might popular, but he was still really strong and in the Top 10, so Koshiro couldn’t help but like him too.
Placing them on the same edge of the desk, Koshiro walked towards the window, staring down into the backyard. As he leaned against it and sighed deeply, a thought crossed his mind: What would his heroes do? Pursing his lips, he pulled at the corners of his mouth and turned them upward, forcing a smile. They’d be strong, defiant, brave, everything a hero should be. What was one measly move?
“New town…new life, right?”