For Some Reasons, Asuka's Speech Almost Made Me Cry LIKE IMAGINE LOSING ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS AND UOU HAVE

For some reasons, Asuka's speech almost made me cry LIKE IMAGINE LOSING ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS AND UOU HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THEM TO LITERALLY THE WHOLE WORLD 💔

WARNING!

This fic is not suitable for minors. It contains sexual relationships, accidental pregnancy, substance abuse, withdrawal, and addiction. This is a sequel fic.

Chapter 8

The New Hero Billboard Chart

The auditorium set up for the Hero Billboard Chart announcement is massive. You catch Hawks mingling with some of the pro-heroes and sidekicks who’ve already arrived, one of whom is Best Jeanist who spots you first. He whispers something to Hawks who turns and waves you over.

“Ready for your speech?” he asks.

Best Jeanist adds, “I must say, Asuka-san, I’m looking forward to hearing what you will announce today.”

“Thanks,” you reply awkwardly. “I’m ready. Just a little nervous.”

“Did All Might help you with it?” Hawks asks.

“No,” you snap. Yes, he did. Very enthusiastically, too.

“Is it safe to assume this is a special announcement?” Jeanist guesses.

“Not special in the way you’re thinking.”

Hawks scrunches his face and grumbles, “Jeanist-san, we talked about this.”

“My apologies. I shouldn’t have assumed,” he says.

You groan. “Ugh, it’s okay. Just stop bringing it up. I don’t need people overhearing.”

“Overhearing what?” Miruko approaches the small group.

“Asuka wrote a speech for the Hero Billboard Chart announcement,” Hawks says, trying to cover any lingering embarrassment.

“A speech, huh? Well, that’s impressive. Are you gonna talk about your recovery from villain activities and how Hawks giving you a job at the PSC reformed you?” she teases.

“Oh yeah, how’d you know?” You’re pretty sure your sarcasm doesn’t come off in Japanese very well.

“Lucky guess,” she replies.

“Alright, alright, everyone settle down and take your seats. We have a few things we need to do before we begin,” Hawks says, shooing the pro-heroes away.

Best Jeanist tries to offer him some encouraging words, but the denim laced proverbs don’t land well with Hawks who just looks at him confused.

You wander to the bathroom and use it quickly. You touch up your makeup and fix your hair, making sure you look professional for the camera. All of Japan will be watching, and it’s the first time you’re making a public appearance. The thought makes your stomach churn. Outside of the bathroom is a full-length mirror. You look at your body, smoothing over any wrinkles in your blazer. You look the same as you always do, but you’ve heard the camera adds weight anyway. 

“You look fine,” Hawks says, approaching you. He puts his hands up in defense. “Not a compliment, just an observation.”

“Thanks,” you say softly.

“If you’re too nervous, I can give the speech on your behalf.”

“No. I have to be the one to do it. They’re my words. It has to come from me.”

“I understand. You’re going to do great, by the way.”

You hum softly, looking back at yourself in the mirror. You notice him staring at you, and you look back at him.

“I believe that you’re a good person, and when everyone sees you today, I hope they see what I see,” he adds.

You notice how he stands a bit too closely. His cologne smells manly and expensive, and you want to joke that the people watching the broadcast will probably be able to smell him through the TV. His piercing golden irises capture you, and you remember the way you felt when you first saw them—how terrifying he could be. Yet, it’s not the same as then. He grew warmer with you, and even now after everything, he’s gentler.

He’s done this many times as a hero, but it’s his first time orchestrating the whole ordeal. I wonder if he’s nervous too.

“I hope so too,” you say. “Show me how to get backstage?”

He smiles and leads you down the hall to the back of the auditorium. You peak out at the crowd. Pro-heroes and their sidekicks from across the country fill the seats with many standing and mingling about. You pull out your phone and quickly search up the venue and its capacity. 

Seats 4,500. There’s about 4,500 people out there.

Blood rushes to your ears as the sound of chatter fades to a dull throb. Suddenly, your whole body feels hot. Your mouth runs dry, and it hurts to swallow. Your heart and mind race as so many thoughts run through that you can’t sort them out. The lights become blinding, and you feel like you’re going to pass out.

“Are you alright?” Hawks asks, coming to your side.

“That’s a lot of people,” you say.

He wraps his arm around your shoulders and guides you to a chair nearby. 

“Just breathe, it’s okay.” He chuckles softly. “I didn’t think you were someone who got stage fright.”

“I’m not. The last time I was in front of such a big crowd was when Tomura announced the League of Villains and Meta Liberation Army team. It just brought back all of the feelings.”

“I see. Well, this is different. Those aren’t villains out there,” he says, trying to be reassuring.

“That’s the problem. I’m about to declare members of the League of Villains as heroes to a crowd of like four thousand pro-heroes and sidekicks. And, on national TV.”

“Are you expecting me to talk you down from doing it?”

“No!” you protest. That isn’t what you want at all. “I just need to calm down.”

“I already told you that you’re going to do great, so there’s no need to worry. You decided that you needed to do this and you insisted this was the way to make change. I’ll be honest, you might not get the best reaction, but there are still people supporting you.”

You hum in thought, letting his words sink in.

Hawks kneels down to look at you. “I support you too.”

His hand finds yours and you feel the rough scars again. He gives your hand a reassuring squeeze before quickly pulling away and standing. He clears his throat and it’s hard to see his face in the dark lighting backstage.

“It’s almost time to start, so I’ll get you some water.” He leaves you sitting there.

What was that all about? you wonder.

You thumb through your note cards, quickly reading through them to distract yourself. One of the backstage crew brings a bottle of water over to you, and you sip it to calm your nerves. After a few minutes, the crew relays the “places” called by the stage manager. You find Hawks again and stand by him. 

When one of the assistant stage managers backstage relays the “go”, Hawks walks out onto the stage first. You watch him with slight jealousy when the crowd roars in applause, knowing you definitely won’t receive the same reaction. With charismatic swagger, he struts right up to the podium.

“Greetings everyone. I know many of you traveled far for this and have been waiting with [...] for even longer. The Public Safety Commission has been busy undergoing many changes, and the result is something I’m proud to share with you today. My staff and I have been working tirelessly to bring you the new and expanded Hero Billboard Chart.

“Recently, our country was devastated by certain events. We all felt the [...] and destruction it brought. It left many feeling hopeless. Today, I present to you the new rankings following those events.”

The crowd cheers loudly. The screen behind Hawks lights up with animations to present the chart. He starts with civilian aid, presenting names as honorable mentions. People who helped with the medical teams and clean up events, then he moved on to announce police and firefighters who helped during the battle as well before finally going through not only the top ten pro-heroes, but the top fifty as well as their sidekicks. The whole ordeal lasts for two hours. It feels like both forever and only a brief moment as your heartbeat pounds in your ears. When it felt like you finally calmed down and caught your breath, you hear Hawks’s speech to introduce you.

“A special segment of the Hero Billboard Chart has been added exclusively for tonight. My assistant has curated it for this moment, so please give her your full attention,” he says.

For a moment, you thought you hallucinated his words, but he smiles warmly at you and claps along with the crowd. His confidence seems to carry their enthusiasm and your nerves as you step foot onto the stage. The audience’s cheers quickly shift into hesitant and awkward claps. You walk up to the podium as Hawks takes his leave. He still smiles warmly as he watches you from off to the side. Even out of the lights, you see the wink and thumbs up he gives you for encouragement. 

Your throat suddenly feels dry, and swallowing makes you cough on your spit a little. You clear your throat to regain your composure. The crowd is silent as they watch you with anticipation.

Just like I practiced, you tell yourself.

“A little over two months ago, the nation watched a teenage boy reach his hand out. His actions and words have echoed through the nation, many people taking them to heart. The first step to being a hero is caring about someone else; reaching out to them when they need it most. 

“Most—if not all—of you have heard my story already. Many of you are still wondering who I am. I’ve taken the time to create this list for the Hero Billboard Chart to honor people who need it the most. These are people who I believe are heroes in their own right, and they’ve influenced me to be here today.”

The screen behind you flashes and your own name pops up with the number ten next to it.

“Despite being pardoned, I’ve moved my name from the civilian list to this one. Based on merit points, I should be much higher, but there is a reason for all of this. I will not forget my origin, and the reason I’m standing here today to deliver this message is because of the people above me.”

The next name that flashes causes the crowd to gasp. Number nine: Bubaigawara Jin. Villain name: Twice.

The crowd begins to murmur. You know the list only grows in controversy as it goes on, so you tailored your speech perfectly.

“While he was not actively involved in the Final Decisive Battle, it was his death that pushed many villains across the nation to act. Many of you heard that he was killed in order to prevent mass casualties on the hero's side. The truth is, he was killed trying to save his friends, the League of Villains.”

You feel a lump in your throat, but you swallow it and continue. “He has no family left to mourn him, but we did. This is to honor him as a man who, if given the chance, could’ve lived his life freely and happily, being a hero to those he loved.”

The screen shifts to the next person. Number eight: Sako Atsuhiro. Villain name: Mr. Compress.

“The Final Decisive Battle was planned strategically and thoroughly by only vetted individuals. I was included in this. What people don’t know is that part of the strategy was told to me by Sako Atsuhiro. It was because of his ideas that the task force was able to put a plan of action together.

“As well as this, he saved the remaining members of the League of Villains at the Battle of Jaku by using his quirk to maim himself, allowing himself to be apprehended by the heroes, so we could escape safely. I wouldn’t have been given the chance to be saved or to take part in the Final Decisive Battle if it weren’t for him.”

The video shifts to the next name, and you flip to your next note card. Number seven: Iguchi Shuichi. Villain name: Spinner.

“Many of you are familiar with Spinner for his part in rallying people with heteromorphic quirks around the country. While his message may have been twisted with violence, his pain was real and felt deeply amongst thousands of people across the nation. His efforts have re-sparked the push to ban exotic animal cafes, and a hope to rid the plague of quirk discrimination. 

“Moments before he was apprehended, passing out due to extra quirks given to him by All For One that were destroying his mind and body, he reached out to an ally saying ‘let’s save Shigaraki and the others.’ Even when all he could do to keep living was breath, he pushed through the pain, still caring about others. 

“This leads me to the next person on this list.”

Number six: Kurogiri. Real name: Shirakumo Oboro.

“Shirakumo Oboro died as a UA student. His body was stolen by All For One and turned into the nomu called Kurogiri. His task was to protect and care for Shigaraki Tomura, and up until the very end, he did just that. His last words to me were: ‘Asuka, I must protect Shigaraki Tomura.’ He then told All For One to give Shigaraki’s body back and that his friends were waiting. 

“I knew Kurogiri from my time living with Shigaraki Tomura. He often cooked us dinner or bought meals for us. I’ve heard that Shirakumo Oboro was a person who always reached out to those in need, and that sentiment transcended his life. Kurogiri, despite being a nomu, defied his master to save the person he was tasked to care for for fifteen years. Shirakumo Oboro died as a UA student, but his spirit lived on in the body of Kurogiri, who died trying to save Shigaraki Tomura.”

You take a deep breath, trying to calm your shaking hands. The next part is the easiest to announce.

“The next three individuals made this list based on their former villain associations. Although they’ve all been pardoned, their heroic actions saved many lives during the Final Decisive Battle.”

Number five: Tsutsumi Kaina. Villain name: Lady Nagant. 

“Despite receiving life-threatening injuries from a quirk All For One gave her, Tsutsumi Kaina left the hospital to join the battle and aided heroes on the scene. Her bravery could be chalked up to her former career as a pro-hero, however, Tsutsumi showed that no matter what, the moral of a hero lies within the soul.”

Number four: Manami Aiba. Villain name: La Brava.

“It was with Manami Aiba’s intellect and swift computer skills that kept our communications with the heroes on the scene clear and concise. When our comms were hacked, she worked quickly to restore them. Her aid was a necessity in the Final Decisive Battle. Followed by her proud lover.”

Number three: Danjuro Tobita. Villain name: Gentle Criminal.

“Danjuro Tobita was stationed at what we called the Coffin in the Sky. He was tasked with keeping the massive vessel afloat. It was his efforts that kept it from crashing to the ground, which would’ve caused a devastating impact. He saved many lives and prevented mass destruction.”

You shuffle the index card to the back, revealing the second person on your list. Knowing the last two are the most difficult to announce, you take a deep breath, waiting for the crowd to settle a little more before you proceed.

Number two: Toga Himiko.

As expected, the crowd chatters again, this time more loudly.

“Oi, are you just listing your villain allies to make yourself feel good?” someone yells.

“I know this one is shocking to everyone, but I ask everyone to remain calm while I finish,” you continue. “What nobody knows is that Toga Himiko gave her life saving UA student Uraraka Ochako by giving her her blood. The last thing she ever did was save another person’s life. It wasn’t caught on camera, but her heroic act shouldn’t be taken to the grave with her. 

“Himiko was more than just my friend, she was my little sister. All she wanted was to live freely as herself.” You feel yourself begin to choke up as tears prick your eyes. “She died saving someone she loved. And all I hope is that in her final moments she had a smile on her face, because she had the most beautiful and warm smile of anyone I ever knew.

“By now, you all can assume who is the first person on this list. You’re probably wondering how he even made the list at all. Many speculations about who he was have been circulating in viral videos online. The comments are all from strangers, people who didn’t know him. So, I will tell you who he was.”

Number one: Shigaraki Tomura. Real name: Shimura Tenko.

“I’m not going to stand her and justify any murders he committed or any destruction that happened at his hand. I’m not going to do that for anyone on this list. Shigaraki Tomura was the first friend I made after coming here from the Vortex Quirk Incident. He was my best friend, and I love him dearly. He was someone I could fight with like a sibling. We would have petty arguments about what to eat for dinner and using the last of the toilet paper and not replacing the roll, and how it’s morally wrong to invite minors into a villain association—it’s okay, you can laugh. It’s funny.”

A few people do chuckle softly in the audience, but it’s awkward and quickly cut off. You continue then, “To all of you, he became a symbol of fear, but to me, he was just some guy I lived with. He’d help me study Japanese. He’d let me watch him play video games, and occasionally he’d let me play with him. He taught me the proper way to eat soba. When the drugs wore off and I’d start to remember where I was and all the pain it brough, he’d let me lie my head against his shoulder or his lap, until I fell asleep.

“To me, Shigaraki Tomura was my best friend. And he was my hero. He made life worth living when I was at rock bottom. He was a light for me when I was in the dark. He’s number one on this list because his last words to Midoriya Izuku were to take care of me. Even as he was dying, he thought about the League of Villains, and wanted nothing more than to be our hero.

“While each member came to the association for their own means, each of us stayed because of him. He was our precious leader, and through him, we had a cause. We had a reason to fight. We wanted to change society. We wanted it to be a place where we could live happily. I will honor his memory by continuing that fight. As a member of the PSC, I will make sure to reach out to the most vulnerable of our society, so that no one has to bear the pain he did his whole life.

“I want to give an honorary mention to two people not on this list. Firstly, to my dearest big sister, Mag-nee. She had a dream of living as her true self. She was a proud transwoman who wasn’t accepted by society, and she was killed by another villain. I also want to give an honorary mention to Todoroki Touya, who saved me from being killed by other villains on multiple occasions. 

“While I have personal connections with a majority of people in this chart, I selected them for these reasons. I’m aware of the controversy this will cause, but please keep in mind the message of all of this: if the first step to being a hero is caring about someone, then all of the people I’ve mentioned are heroes. And, you can be a hero too, by listening and caring for those around you.”

The crowd is absolutely silent as you finish, stunned by your words. You can’t tell if that’s a good or bad thing. Suddenly, clapping from the front row catches your attention. You look and see Best Jeanist standing to applaud you. The others around him follow suit, albeit awkwardly as their discomfort settles in. You retreat off the stage, shaking from the blend of nerves and adrenaline coursing through your veins. Your vision is blurry as your head spins from the rush.

You hear Hawks at the podium speaking to the crowd. “That concludes our service for this year's Hero Billboard Charts. We will be tracking acts of heroism diligently from here on out.”

The crowd applauds him as he walks off the stage. You try to find a place to sit in the corner in a vain attempt to settle down. You swoon, but before you even lose balance, Hawks is right there. He wraps his arms around you before easing you down into a comfortable seated position on the floor. His hands are warm as he holds your waist, but the sudden coolness of the air replaces it as he pulls away. He’s still kneeling by your side, and you feel your body heat up again as he beams.

“You did well, seriously,” he says. “There’s going to be a lot of [...] following this, but I hope it will help pave the way for future reconstruction plans.”

“What?” you ask.

“I just mean whatever plans you have. You want to help rebuild society, right?”

“Oh, yeah, that.”

It’s all too confusing and you’re lost on what he’s talking about; your mind only focusing on his close proximity. 

He stands. “I have to go make a public appearance and talk to some reporters. If they ask any questions, I’ll do some damage control so don’t worry about it.”

Hawks leaves you then. You take deep breaths to calm yourself. You’re unsure of how long you’re sitting there, but Best Jeanist approaches you.

“Hawks asked me to take you home,” he says.

You rise, following him quietly to his car parked in the back away from the crowd of reporters and hero fans. 

You stare out the window, scenes of destruction passing by. Most of it has been sectioned off with construction cones in the efforts to rebuild everything. 

“Did I make a mistake?” you wonder out loud.

“It was a bold move, I won’t lie—one almost as [...] as when low rise jeans came back into fashion again. However, Hawks believes in you, and as the new president of the Public Safety Commission, I have faith in him, so I have faith in you as well,” he says.

You hum in thought. “I want people to have faith in me outside of his influence.”

“I understand, but like all denim trend cycles, it takes people time to warm up to them.”

You sit with his words, trying to make sense of his jean related proverbs. As he pulls up to Toshinori’s house, he bids you farewell. You step inside and find Toshinori waiting for you on the couch.

“How did it go?” he asks.

The comfortability of his English makes the home feel warmer, as if you can drop the mask you’ve created for yourself.

“It was terrifying,” you say honestly, sitting next to him.

“You did well, kid.”

“I’m not a kid.”

“I know, I just meant—”

“I know, sorry, I didn’t mean to sound snappy,” you apologize. “It’s been a long night.”

He places his hand atop of your head. “I mean it.”

You look at him for a moment, wanting nothing more than to melt into the comfort of someone. Toshinori has gone out of his way to try and make you comfortable in his home. He’s done so much to try and bring some normalcy back into your life. You now legally hold his last name even. His gesture feels inviting. It’s not awkward like you’ve felt previously. You crumble under it, curling up into his side, allowing yourself to seek his comfort and praise.

“Hawks said that you disagreed with expanding the Hero Billboard Chart,” you mention.

“I did,” he admits, “but I also think that your additions could prove beneficial.”

“You don’t think I was wrong?”

“I think some of it may have been vanity to praise your friends, but to be honest, you saw sides of them that no one else did. We’re all human, afterall.”

“You’ll just say anything to make someone feel better, huh?”

He snorts softly. “That’s not entirely true. I do want you to feel better though. It was your decision to do this, and since you’re my—I mean, we’re legally family now, so I’m going to do my best to support you.”

He was going to say ‘daughter’ wasn’t he? you muse.

“I’m gonna get ready for bed.” You peel yourself away from him, and once again you feel the way the air shifts around your body with the lack of warmth. 

As you turn to walk down the hall, you turn back to him. “Thank you, Toshi.”

He gives you a soft smile before clicking resume on the TV program he was watching. You watch him for a moment, taking in the serenity of the mundane act. Your new normal brings you another step forward into your new life.

Tag list: @janex12 @xxjesshuxx @evalineplayz19 @im-just-a-simp-le-whore @NyxNightshade7656 @failuredecore @rwura

Chapter 7 ⬅️🐦➡️ Chapter 9

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