Shota stalked toward Maya, his footsteps deliberate and heavy with intent. Maya kept her gaze downcast, her eyes fixed on the scuffed floor beneath her feet. Her wings drooped behind her, the glow dimmed to a soft shimmer. She didn't need to see his face to know he was upset—she could feel it in the air around him, tense and crackling like a storm about to break.
She bit her lip, her hands trembling slightly as she clasped them in front of her. She knew she was in trouble. Using a quirk without a license, taking matters into her own hands—there was no getting around it. But as much as she wanted to explain herself, the words wouldn't come. The weight of Shota's approach bore down on her, silencing her completely.
When he reached her, she braced herself for the reprimand she knew was coming. But instead of yelling, he stopped in front of her and tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. Slowly, he reached out, his rough yet steady hand slipping beneath her chin. His touch was gentle, but firm enough to guide her face upward, forcing her to meet his eyes.
Her heart skipped a beat as she looked up into his dark, piercing gaze. There was no anger there—at least, not the kind she expected. Instead, there was something else. Concern. Worry. Something that made her chest tighten in ways she didn't quite understand.
Shota's eyes scanned her face, his thumb brushing lightly against her jaw as he checked for injuries. "Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice low and steady, the tone leaving no room for dishonesty.
Maya blinked, surprised by the question. She had expected anger, a lecture, maybe even disappointment. But this... this was different. She shook her head slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "No... I'm fine."
His eyes flicked briefly to her wings, then back to her face. "You sure? You just fought off five villains and helped a room full of hostages. I'd say that's not exactly 'fine.'"
"I mean... I'm not hurt," she clarified, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm just... tired."
Shota studied her for a moment longer, his gaze softening slightly. He let his hand fall from her chin but didn't step back. Instead, he crossed his arms, his expression shifting into something more serious.
"Maya," he began, his tone quieter now but still firm, "do you have any idea what you just did?"
Her shoulders sagged, and she nodded. "I used a quirk without a license. I know that's illegal. I just... I couldn't stand by and do nothing. Not when they were hurting people. Hurting a child."
She paused, her voice trembling slightly as she continued. "Shota... my quirk... it just awakened. I didn't even know it was there. I—" She swallowed hard, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "I snapped. When he grabbed me, when I heard that child screaming... something inside me broke, and suddenly... all of this happened."
Shota's brow furrowed, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied her. He crossed his arms, the movement deliberate, as he waited in silence. His steady gaze felt like a weight pressing down on her, urging her to explain.
Maya took a shaky breath, her hands trembling slightly as she smoothed the front of her shirt. "It's... it's not the first time," she admitted, her voice low. "I had this quirk when I was a kid. But it's been dormant for years. My wings disappeared when I started hiding them."
"Hiding them?" Shota's tone wasn't accusatory, but it held a note of confusion.
She nodded, her wings drooping further as she continued. "When I was little, my hair was fully pink, and my quirk was... active. I didn't understand it, but I loved it. The wings, the connection to nature—it all felt so... me. But things changed."
Shota's expression didn't waver, but his eyes softened slightly as he watched her wrestle with her words.
"I started hiding my wings when I was around eight," she said, her voice trembling. "My mom... she told me it was better to keep them out of sight. Safer. And I listened. I didn't use my quirk anymore. Eventually, it just... stopped. My hair started changing, too."
Shota's brows furrowed deeper, his arms still crossed as he processed her words. After a moment, he asked, "Did Nemuri know about this? About your quirk?"
Maya shook her head slowly, her wings fluttering faintly before settling again. "No. Mom made sure Nemuri was kept in the dark about it. No one knew about my quirk except her."
His expression hardened, his jaw tightening slightly. "Why? Why would your mother hide something like that from Nemuri?"
Maya hesitated, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her shirt. "Mom thought it was safer that way. She said it would protect me. She didn't want anyone—especially Nemuri—to draw attention to it. Remember, Shota," she added softly, finally lifting her gaze to meet his, "Nemuri and I are seven years apart. When I was eight, she was already fifteen. She was going through her own stuff, and... I don't know. Mom just didn't want her involved."
Shota's gaze softened slightly as he absorbed her words. He could see the pain etched on her face, the weight of years spent hiding who she truly was. "So you carried this alone," he said quietly, more a statement than a question.
Maya nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah. For a long time."
She hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers as she glanced up at him. Her voice wavered as she asked, "Are you... angry with me?"
Shota's expression softened slightly, though his features remained unreadable. He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his dark hair. "No," he said finally, his voice calm but firm. "I'm not angry with you, Maya. I'm just... frustrated. Not at you, but at the situation. At the fact that you've had to go through all this alone."
Her shoulders sagged in relief at his words, but her apprehension wasn't entirely gone. "Am I... am I going to be in a lot of trouble for this?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
Shota sighed, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Using a quirk without a license is serious," he said, his tone measured. "But given the circumstances—you just saved a room full of people, took down five villains, and didn't cause any collateral damage—I don't think anyone's going to come down too hard on you."
Maya looked at him, her blue eyes filled with uncertainty. "But... the law is the law. I broke it."
"You also saved lives," Shota countered, his tone firm but understanding. "Heroes and law enforcement take context into account, and what you did today wasn't out of malice or recklessness. It was out of necessity."
She bit her lip, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I just... I didn't know what else to do."
Shota tilted her chin up again, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You did what you thought was right. That's what matters."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them slowly easing. Maya gave a small nod, her voice soft as she said, "Thank you."
Shota straightened, his hands dropping to his sides as he glanced toward the shattered doors. "Come on," he said. "Let's get out of here. The heroes will handle the rest."
He placed a hand gently on Maya's shoulder, guiding her toward the exit. Her wings fluttered slightly as they moved, their glow dimming as the adrenaline of the moment began to wear off. Outside, the chaos had transformed into something more controlled. Police officers and heroes were scattered across the scene, interviewing hostages and securing the captured villains.
Maya's eyes scanned the crowd nervously. The weight of her actions pressed against her chest, but the sight of relieved faces gave her some comfort. As they stepped further into the open, a soft voice called out behind her.
"Miss?"
Maya turned and saw a small child running toward her—the same little girl whose scream had pierced through the bank earlier. Without hesitation, the child threw her arms around Maya, hugging her tightly. Maya froze for a moment, surprised, but then her expression softened into a warm smile as she wrapped her arms gently around the girl.
"Thank you," the child said, her voice muffled against Maya's shirt. "You saved us."
Maya felt her chest tighten, a wave of emotion washing over her. "You're very brave," she whispered, pulling back slightly to look at the girl. "You're safe now. That's what matters."
The girl nodded, her big eyes filled with admiration. Maya's hands clasped together instinctively, her fingers pressing lightly as a soft glow formed between her palms. She thought of something beautiful—something peaceful—and felt the connection to her quirk stir within her. Slowly, a lily began to bloom in her hands, its petals vibrant and delicate.
Maya bent down to the child's level, holding out the flower. The girl's face lit up with wonder as she reached for it, but Maya stopped her gently. "Let me," she said with a soft smile, tucking the lily carefully into the girl's hair.
"There," Maya said, brushing a stray lock of hair from the girl's face. "Perfect."
The child beamed, her smile wide and full of gratitude. "Thank you," she said again, her small voice carrying a warmth that melted away some of Maya's lingering tension.
Maya straightened, her gaze following the girl as she ran back to her mother. Shota stood silently beside her, his arms crossed as he watched the interaction. His expression was neutral, but his eyes held a depth that betrayed his thoughts.
"You've got a knack for this," he said quietly, his tone softer than usual.
Maya glanced at him, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I just... wanted her to feel safe," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Before Shota could respond, the heavy thud of boots against pavement drew their attention. Maya turned her head to see Endeavor approaching, his towering frame casting a long shadow as he walked toward them. His face was set in a serious expression, his sharp blue eyes flicking between Shota and Maya as he closed the distance.
"Eraserhead," Endeavor greeted gruffly, nodding once at Shota before shifting his intense gaze to Maya. "And you must be the woman everyone's talking about."
Maya instinctively took a small step back, her wings fluttering slightly behind her as she tried to compose herself. Shota noticed the movement and stepped slightly in front of her, his stance protective but casual.
"She's with me," Shota said, his tone calm but firm. "What's the issue?"
Endeavor's gaze lingered on Maya for a moment before he crossed his arms, the flames on his shoulders flickering faintly. "The issue is that she used a quirk without a license in the middle of a highly dangerous situation. You know how that's going to look."
Maya's chest tightened, her hands fidgeting nervously at her sides. She opened her mouth to respond, but Shota spoke first.
"She saved lives," he said bluntly, his dark eyes locking onto Endeavor's. "Five villains, a room full of hostages, and not a single civilian harmed. You've seen the footage."
Endeavor's expression didn't change, but his silence was telling. He exhaled heavily through his nose, his gaze shifting back to Maya. "What's your name?" he asked, his tone less abrasive but still authoritative.
Maya hesitated, her voice wavering slightly as she replied, "Maya Kayama."
Endeavor's brow furrowed slightly at the name, but he didn't comment. "Kayama," he repeated, his tone thoughtful. "You did well today. But using a quirk without proper registration—especially one as powerful as yours—raises questions. You're going to need to explain yourself to the authorities."
Maya's wings drooped slightly, her heart sinking at his words. "I understand," she said softly, her gaze dropping to the ground. "I'll take responsibility."
Endeavor nodded curtly, his stern expression softening just a fraction. "Good. Responsibility is the first step. For now, let the heroes handle the rest." He turned back to Shota, his tone sharp again. "Eraserhead, make sure she understands the gravity of this situation."
Shota nodded, his face unreadable. "I will."
Endeavor lingered for a moment, his sharp eyes drifting back to Maya. He looked her up and down with a calculating expression before a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You know," he began, his tone almost casual, though there was an edge to it, "quirk marriages aren't uncommon, especially for someone with your level of power."
Maya's brows furrowed in confusion. "Quirk marriages?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Endeavor crossed his arms, the flames on his shoulders flickering faintly as his smirk deepened. "Marrying someone with a compatible or complementary quirk can produce offspring with incredible abilities. Your power, combined with a strong lineage, could create a legacy unlike any other."
Maya blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. "I'm not interested in..." she started, but Endeavor cut her off.
"My son," he said bluntly. "Shoto. He's got a quirk that could complement yours perfectly. You should consider—"
Before he could finish, Maya's expression hardened, and she straightened her posture. "Your son?" she interrupted, her voice laced with incredulity. "I'm twenty-four years old, an adult. I wouldn't marry a child."
Endeavor raised an eyebrow at her response, the smirk fading slightly, but before he could retort, Shota stepped forward, his presence suddenly more commanding. His dark eyes bore into Endeavor, and his voice was calm but firm. "She's already married."
The weight of Shota's words hung in the air, the silence that followed almost deafening. Maya's eyes widened, her head snapping toward Shota in surprise. "Shota—" she began, but he held up a hand, stopping her.
Endeavor's expression shifted, his smirk replaced by a flicker of genuine surprise. "Married?" he repeated, his gaze shifting between the two of them. "To who?"
Shota didn't flinch, his tone steady as he replied, "To me."
Maya's face flushed, her pink hair falling forward to partially hide her expression as the weight of Shota's declaration settled over her. She opened her mouth to protest, but the look he gave her—a mix of reassurance and quiet determination—stopped her in her tracks.
Endeavor stared at them for a moment, his brows furrowed as if trying to piece together the situation. Finally, he let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "Eraserhead, you never cease to surprise me," he said, his tone almost amused. "Well, I suppose that solves that." He turned to Maya, giving her a pointed look. "Just remember, marriage or not, the authorities will still want answers about your quirk."
With that, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving the two of them in tense silence.
Maya finally found her voice, her words tumbling out in a hurried whisper. "Shota... why did you say that?"
Shota glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. "Because it's the truth," he said simply. "And because someone needed to put Endeavor in his place."
Her cheeks flushed deeper, and she looked down, her wings fluttering nervously. "I didn't think you'd—"
"We'll talk about it later," Shota interrupted gently, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Right now, we need to focus on handling the fallout from today."
Maya nodded silently, her mind swirling with emotions she couldn't quite place. She followed Shota as they moved away from the scene, her thoughts lingering on his words.
He told them we're married... because it's the truth.
As Maya and Shota began to move away from the scene, a group of uniformed authorities approached them, their expressions serious. The lead officer, a tall woman with sharp features and a badge identifying her as Detective Tsukino, stepped forward, clipboard in hand.
"Eraserhead," she greeted Shota with a nod before turning her attention to Maya. Her gaze was analytical, studying Maya carefully. "Miss Kayama, I'm Detective Tsukino. We need to ask you a few questions about what happened today."
Maya swallowed hard, her wings drooping slightly as she nodded. "O-of course," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I'll answer whatever you need."
Tsukino's pen hovered over her clipboard as she asked, "First, your quirk. Can you confirm its nature and capabilities?"
Maya hesitated, glancing nervously at Shota, who gave her a small nod of encouragement. "It's... an earth-based quirk," she began, her voice steadier now. "I can control vines, plants, and... I guess it's connected to nature in general. The wings are new—part of my quirk, I think—but they only just reappeared."
Tsukino raised an eyebrow. "Reappeared?"
"Yes," Maya explained, her fingers fidgeting slightly. "My quirk has been dormant for years. It only awakened today. I didn't even know I still had it until... well, until everything happened."
Tsukino jotted down notes before glancing up again. "I see. And were you aware that using an unregistered quirk in public, especially in a situation like this, is a serious offense?"
Maya bit her lip, her heart sinking. "Yes," she admitted quietly. "I know. I just... I couldn't stand by and do nothing. They were hurting people. A child was screaming. I didn't think—I just reacted."
The detective studied her for a moment, her expression unreadable. "It's true that using an unregistered quirk is against the law," she said slowly. "But context is important. From what we've gathered from the hostages, your actions saved lives today."
Maya glanced up, her blue eyes filled with uncertainty. "So... how much trouble am I in?"
Tsukino's lips pressed into a thin line, her pen tapping against the clipboard. "We'll have to review the footage and statements from witnesses. At the very least, you'll need to officially register your quirk and comply with any legal requirements for its use moving forward. As for punitive action..." She glanced at Shota, who was standing silently beside Maya, his arms crossed. "I expect Eraserhead will vouch for you, given the circumstances."
Maya looked at Shota, her expression filled with both hope and guilt. He met her gaze, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of reassurance in his eyes.
"She acted to save lives," Shota said calmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "Without her intervention, things could've ended much worse. I'll take responsibility for her, Detective."
Tsukino raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Understood. Miss Kayama, I'll need you to come by the precinct tomorrow to complete the registration process for your quirk. Beyond that, we'll notify you if any further action is required."
Maya nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."
The detective gave them both a curt nod before turning to address her team. Maya exhaled slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. She glanced at Shota, her voice soft. "You didn't have to do that..."
Shota gave her a sidelong glance. "I said I'd take care of it. And I will."
Maya's steps faltered slightly as she processed his words. She turned to look at him, her wings fluttering faintly behind her. "But... why would you?" she asked softly, her voice laced with confusion. "I broke the law, Shota. You didn't have to—"
Before she could finish, Shota leaned in, closing the small distance between them. His dark eyes glinted with something unreadable as he bent down, his breath warm against her ear.
"It's because you're my wife," he murmured, his voice low and steady, the weight of the words sending a shiver down her spine.
Maya's face flushed instantly, her eyes widening as her head snapped up to look at him. Her heart thudded in her chest, the words echoing in her mind. She opened her mouth to respond, but no sound came out, her thoughts a tangled mess of surprise, confusion, and something she couldn't quite name.
Shota straightened, his expression unreadable, as though what he had just said was the most natural thing in the world. "Come on," he said, his tone returning to its usual calm. "Let's go. You've had enough excitement for one day."
Maya stared after him for a moment, her feet rooted to the ground as she tried to process what had just happened. Her mind raced, the weight of his words swirling in her thoughts. Her wings fluttered slightly behind her, their soft glow matching the flustered energy coursing through her.
Finally, she found her voice, her words tumbling out in a hesitant tone. "Do you... need to go back to the school?" she asked, her hands fidgeting nervously. "If you do, I can just... go home."
Shota paused mid-step, turning slightly to glance back at her. His expression remained unreadable, though his tone carried a faint hint of dry amusement. "I'd prefer you stay near me," he said bluntly. "You attract trouble."
Maya blinked, her mouth falling open slightly in disbelief. "I do not attract trouble," she protested, her cheeks puffing slightly in indignation.
Shota arched an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he gave her a pointed look. "Villain attack, unregistered quirk usage, a room full of hostages—should I go on?"
Maya's cheeks flushed as she huffed, her wings fluttering with an irritated energy. "That doesn't mean I attract trouble," she fired back, her tone defensive. "It's not like I asked for any of that to happen!"
Shota's expression didn't waver, his dark eyes fixed on hers with an almost infuriating calm. "And yet, it still happened," he said, his voice steady. "You attract trouble, Maya. It finds you."
She planted her hands on her hips, glaring up at him. "I do not attract trouble, Shota! That was—"
He cut her off with a raised hand, his voice dropping to a low, commanding tone. "You're going with me back to the school."
Maya opened her mouth to argue further but snapped it shut when she caught the resolute look in his eyes. Her wings drooped slightly as she let out a dramatic sigh, crossing her arms over her chest. "Fine," she muttered, falling into step beside him. "But I still say I don't attract trouble."
Shota gave her a sidelong glance, his lips twitching faintly as though suppressing a smirk. "You can keep telling yourself that," he said dryly, "but reality says otherwise."
Maya groaned, her pink hair falling forward as she glared at the ground. "You're impossible."
Shota shrugged nonchalantly, his tone laced with amusement. "And yet, here you are, married to me."
Maya's face burned at his words, and she snapped her head up to glare at him. "Don't remind me," she muttered under her breath, her wings fluttering erratically as she quickened her pace to stay ahead of him.
Shota chuckled softly, his long strides easily keeping pace with her. "Let's go. My students are probably causing chaos by now."