Chapter 2: The Sand Trickles Out

When I open my eyes, a white ceiling greets my view. The next thing I noticed is that I'm alone in this room. Soft lighting, clean environment, and everything around me serves as proof that I'm in a hospital ward. I mean, it's a standard hospital room, though it might be a bit more luxurious as there are a television and a couch.

As for why I got a room to myself, this handcuff that locks me to the bed is a big hint. From my sand-sense, I can also feel there's some sort of contraption inside the doorknob and around the only window in here.

No one outside though, so I'm certain that my status right now is a suspect rather than confirmed criminal. Else they won't be leaving a criminal, with a high chance being a Villain, without the supervision of a pro-Hero.

Last night was tiring. I mean, I don't suffer any grave wounds but the two test subjects put up hell of a fight. Considering that I sneak-attacked them during the explosion, yet they were still kicking for about another half an hour or so says a lot.

Like I mentioned before, I'm just another one of the three successful test subjects, which means that between the three of us there's not much difference in our physical stats.

Ah, we also learned the same martial arts, but their mastery is too inferior compared to me. I mean, I do have the "perfect body and mind for martial arts", so my technique exceeds them by leaps and bounds.

The decisive factor was that all test subjects were brainwashed. So, while the test subjects don't fear injuries and death, they are too rigid with their form. As for me, the brainwash failed. But because I cooperate with the researchers, they just ignore it after a while. Probably my wish for a "perfect coverup until 12yo" in effect. All hail Coverup-sama.

So far, everything that happened is still within an acceptable range. I do need some dark past in my record for my plan. I mean, it's very helpful you know? A bad guy turns over a new leaf, a student carrying a burden from the past, and other examples of cool background stories and excuses for anything that I'm planning to do later on.

Sitting on the bed, I try to gather as much sand as I can from inside the building. There's only about a handful of them, just enough to serve as my "eyes".

For my quirk, sand-sense can't replicate vision, which is a disappointment. They work like bat's sonar, where whenever they collide or forcefully moved, I can feel it. But combined with the brain-enhancement, it still gives me a pretty accurate reading of my surrounding.

Meanwhile, sand avatar needs about 200kg of sand to replicate me, but damn they are cool. My absolute sand-control work roughly 50 meters around me. Don't get me wrong, I can control sand up to 2km with absolute precision, but it's so damn draining. Just like how a human body can, in theory, reach a running speed of 65km/h.

Same case with this absolute control from 2km. But using it within 50 meters around me has the exertion rate equivalent to straightening your back. The fatigue is there, but you can remove it by doing some light stretching. Since I've been training it for years, I can do it 24/7 now.

There's still another weakness though. Water. Water hampers my precision real badly. I can make a sand needle if the sand is dry, but the same is impossible with wet sand. Can still yeet those wet lumps of sandfuckery though.

All in all, a bit lower than expectation. I mean, other wishes are fine, but my quirk is not as strong as I expected. I mean, almost 50% of my rewards went to quirk alone you know?

But when I think back, it's kinda justified. I mean, my merits only came from a few hundred criminals right? Even then, most of them are just some small fishes like rapists and muggers. Meh, whatever.

It's not like I can keep thinking now. Not that I don't want to, but I got guests to entertain. After I adjust my "mask", I settle in an appropriate pose.

*knocks*

Three people immediately come inside. Mr. Shota Aizawa in front, Midnight and a middle-age doctor trailing behind him. Rude, I've yet to invite you guys inside, you know? But my face still has that welcoming smile though. Midnight gives me a small wave along with a smile but the other two males just keep their business face. Once they land their butts on the couch, Mr. Aizawa starts the conversation.

"Morning kid, I'm with the Pro Heroes Association, Shota Aizawa. Before anything else, let me open those cuffs. Then, I want you to answer my questions about your info."

After he unlocks the cuff, I erase my smile and put on a more serious expression.

"Don't worry, it's nothing serious. It's just there's no data at all about you, so we need to start from scratch. Now, tell me your name, age, and quirk, if there's any."

"My name is subject #21, 12-year-olds, and my quirk is Sand Emperor," I answered, trying to make it as short as possible.

Aizawa frowned, before asking, "Do you remember anything before you get that name?"

I stare into his eyes before slowly saying,

"I have a perfect recollection from when I was three. I've never had any other name, sir."

I can tell that Aizawa is a little bit disturbed, but he doesn't look like he moved based on emotions. Well, not that I lose anything for a try.

"Listen up. Your case is done. You are innocent," he declared, before passing me the files he took from the doctor. "There's drugs in your body system, as well as some…mutation to your brain, which we conclude was from some sort of chemical-based mind-control technique."

I briefly skimmed the medical report, but I don't understand any of the terms in there. What's clear is, now the killing and the brain enhancement are justified huh. You know what, All Hail the Mighty Perfect Coverup-sama.

But for my audiences, I still need to pretend to be moved. Trembling shoulders, check. Teary eyes, check. Lips pursed, check. Everything's in place, perfect.

"But you still need to be in our custody, until we washed those chemicals out of your system. This is for your safety, in case there's someone out there that can control you. Any question?"

I shake my head before I flashed them my ultra-gentle full-face smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Aizawa. Both of you too, Midnight-san, doctor-san," I muttered in a small voice.

"No problem. That will be all for now, though we will come back later. For now, just focus on recuperating."

Leaving those words behind, Mr. Aizawa and the doctor walks towards the door. Midnight gives me a hug and whispers "things will get better" before following the other two.

*****

It's been two days since their visit, and during that time I just did what patients do. Watch television, eats, playing with my sand, sleep, and repeat. I think my leg injury healed yesterday, not that I mind it that much.

*knocks*

This time, Shota Aizawa and Midnight are the only two coming. Still, can you at least wait for me to reply before entering? Damn rude, these guys.

*****

(Midnight's POV)

After knocking, Aizawa immediately opens the door. This guy. He hasn't changed, isn't he? Even I can see that the boy is startled. Not that I'm complaining though, this boy damn cute whatever face he makes.

"We meet again, boy. First thing first, get a new name. We will deal with the legal stuff," Aizawa said as soon as he sits on the sofa. This guy just wants to settle this quickly, isn't he? I agree though, calling him boy and kid all the while knowing his real name is from some mad scientist's project doesn't sit well with me.

"Then please call me Kyoya. Um, how about the last name?" the boy said, his troubled look almost gives me a nosebleed.

"I can answer this one. You can use the same last name as mine, Kayama. Kyoya Kayama," I hurriedly answer, before continuing,

"I plan to adopt you, after all. Do you accept?" I look at him, with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

"I-I accept. But I still don't know your name," the boy said, scratching his cheek.

Urgh, I'm so close to getting a nosebleed here. His every gesture is fatal for my heart. Why the heck must a young boy be this adorable damnit? Still, I need to maintain my older sister's dignity here.

"Ah, now that you mention it, I've yet to introduce my name, isn't it? My bad, my bad. My name is Nemuri Kayama. You can call me Nemuri-san, considering we will be family in the future."

"Um, can I call you onee-chan?" he asked, with upturned eyes. I repeat, with upturned eyes.

That's it. Ah, I think I can die without regret now. Even if my nosebleed shatters my image as a reliable big sister, even if that stinky Aizawa gives me a disgusted look, so what?! I've reached peak Nirvana. I've exceeded humanity.

...........

(Kyoya POV)

"Urm, Aizawa-san…Is she okay? Or rather, her nosebleed seems severe."

"Just ignore her. There are still questions you need to answer, so focus."

Oh, I almost forget about that. Once I nodded, Aizawa continued.

"Next is about your quirk. Tell me about it," he said, urging me to talk.

"My quirk is Sand Emperor, named by the researchers. I heard from the researchers that there's a pro-Hero with almost similar quirk, Snatch, but they said our quirk is different. My quirk allows me to control sand, and I can get a vague perception of whatever comes in contact with the sand. Ah, I also can create avatars made of sand if there's enough sand around. The avatars have limited independent thinking, as they will use their own way to achieve what I ordered them."

After listening to me, Aizawa paused for a bit. Then, he asked the question that I want to hear the most.

"Do you want to be a hero?"

He probably asked because he can see my quirk's potential. I mean, while I've yet to describe the offensive potential, what I've given out is too damn versatile. Scout, rescue, support, just name it, my quirk got it covered. Considering how rational he is, letting me go is a waste of divine gifts.

"Ah, y-yes!" I eagerly nods.

Oh dear, I read you like an open book.