Chapter 11: Everything's Perfect

Letting out a breath, I've finally finished summoning all the requested avatars. Summoning hundreds of avatars in a single sitting is rather draining, especially when I need to take into account each Heads' requests.

But looking around, seeing all these freshies with their own personalities give me a rather... surreal feelings.

Shaking the thought off my head, I turned my head to Chiharu. Seems like she's busy with paperwork, a pen in hand, muttering, "...request, check... check... check..."

'Maybe I should tell Greed department to give her a raise,' I quietly thought.

But it couldn't be helped. Counting with my fingers, I try to remember if there's anyone else that can replace her as my secretary.

Ichiro is a training maniac. Sangaku and Fuji is real busy with business. Shichika's not good with word. Niina got an orphanage to manage. Akira doesn't really like me. Head of Sloth is... well, slothful. If I really want someone, I'll have to scour through thousands of avatars. Uhh, nope. I'll be relying on you, Chiharu.

It's my fault, actually. Even if they attains individuality, most of my avatars still took after me. And I'm not good with paperwork and business; I'm a criminal in my past life, remember? So, really, having Fuji and Chiharu is a blessing.

"Ehem, so Boss, one last thing before we're done. Here," Chiharu said, passing me some papers.

Taking a look, they're portfolios of two people. An 11-year-old girl and a bald teen full of tattoos. The girl is from Purity Orphanage handled by Niina and the man's a former guy from our rival (underground) organization.

Once I got the paper, Chiharu starts explaining. "The girl, Haru. According to Niina, she is worthy to be groomed as a core member. Her quirk is called Solar Vault, Emitter and Accumulation type. She can store solar energy in her antler, where at certain level of accumulation will cause a flower to bloom on her antler," taking a moment to breathe, Chiharu continues on.

"The energy can be used for simple illumination, energy beam, energy barrier, body strengthening, sustenance, and vitality-booster. The flowers themselves carry multiple beneficial properties when ingested, even by others; noteworthy effects are healing injuries and reducing fatigue."

Chiharu looks at me if I want her to continue, to which I nodded.

"The drawback is that she can't replenish her energy at night. There's also a limit on her energy storage, which is 22 flowers, though there's likely possibility for growth. In an hour of sunbathing, she can absorb and stores three flowers' worth of energy."

I told her to stop there, before asking the key question. "How strong is a punch worth 10 flowers?"

Chiharu, as if expecting this, immediately answered. "A rough estimation, but 30 flowers' in a single punch is believed to be equal to an All Might's punch."

Hearing that, I nodded. Ten hours for one such punch is acceptable. Not to mention she's only 11. The key is, her power has a wide range of usage. Close and long-range offensive, solid defensive, and healing, a complete set.

"She's good. What's Niina idea?"

"Um, she said not to give her any obvious difference in treatment compared to other children in the orphanage..." Chiharu said, looking a bit worried that I might get mad.

"Nope, she's right," I deny her worries. "I don't want a person, Chiharu." Leaning my body forward, I stares right into her eyes before slowly saying, word by word, "I. Want. A. Loyal. Army."

She stiffly nods.

"Ah, but of course. Never, ever, use force or threat against children. Rather, treat them with kindness. Tell this to everyone, ok? I'm sure Niina knew this as well."

Hearing that, I can see Chiharu breathed out a sigh of relief. "Noted, Boss. And yes, Niina knew. Or more like, she really like those kids. She's been a real mother right now."

I let out a subtle smirk. Niina, the Head of Lust, being a mother figure? Did Chiharu forget that's Niina inherits my acting? She's on par with me, you know?

Well, no need to burst her bubble. Happiness is precious, after all.

"That's all on my list, Boss. Anything you want to add?"

"Nope. Just make sure the preparation for USJ is complete."

With a confident smile, she replies, "It's done, Boss. Wrath even double your request. Good?"

"Uh-huh. Then, dismiss," I said. To be honest, doubling it means more risk for me. But it'll also increase the authenticity of my performance. If I want to act, then everything has to be perfect. Even my pain.

'Agreeing to that... somehow, I really chose brilliance instead of safety, huh...'

*****

(3rd POV)

"I'm home."

Hearing Kyoya's voice from the door, Nemuri checked the time. It's 7.20 pm. Considering that Kyoya said he'll be back before eight, Nemuri is a little pleased that he stays true to his word, though she's still hungry.

"Welcome back," Nemuri replied, as she stays buried in the comfy couch.

Kyoya takes a look at her and his trademark troubled smile appears on his face. How could he not, when Nemuri has yet to changes out of her Hero uniform she wore to work.

"Sis... have you eaten yet?" Kyoya asked, though his hand already carrying the groceries he bought to the kitchen.

"Uh-huh... There's some leftovers in the fridge," came the reply, her voice lethargic.

Checking the 'leftover' she spoke of, Kyoya found a plate of barely eaten instant pasta.

'Sis can cook better than this, though... Wonder what's bothering her,' Kyoya thought.

For Nemuri, she is so used to her brother's presence. A reply to her greetings, a smile seeing her safe and sound, warm meals ready. Small things that she took for granted.

So when she returned today to an empty, silent house, she admits that it hits her like a truck smashing her to another world.

In the few hours gap from when she returned until now, she had been thinking of that issue. Her original plan was to raise Kyoya till he's 18 and let him go wherever he wanted, after all. But the thought of him leaving is...

Suddenly, a delicious smell tickled her nose. Her thoughts come to a halt, as she is reminded of her hunger.

"Sis... Can you accompany me for dinner?" her brother asked.

"...I've already eaten, I've told you." While she's hungry, she wanted to at least keeps her last vestige of pride intact.

'Hopefully he'll left some leftovers,' Nemuri thought, suddenly regretting rejecting his offer.

While she's trying to watch the TV to distracts herself from the fragrance wafting around, she feels someone slowly leaning on the couch from behind her.

"I know that, sis. But I'm not used to eat alone so, please? I've even cooked your portion."

'Good grief...' Nemuri thought. There's so much concerns packed in that voice. And his tone sounds like he's indulging a spoiled little princess. And a spoiled little princess she is, nowadays. Meals, laundry, cleaning, groceries shopping, he did everything. If Kyoya's old enough to work, then probably money too, she thought. He did everything, and more, to spoil her. Everything. Plus ultra.

By the time she realized, she is already seated at the dinner table, blissfully enjoying the warm meals.

As usual, her brother talks about his day with a bit of excitement. How Aizawa is his homeroom teacher, Aizawa's lie of expulsion, the quirk test, his classmates, etc...

To be honest, Nemuri likes the passion found in youths. And her brother is more like the opposite of passion. He's calm, rational, humble, and all other qualities found in adults. But unlike other adults, he spoiled her. Like no one else did, saves her parents. Besides, who else will bother spoiling a 30-year-old woman?

"Sis, this is the... third time, I think? Where I used this recipe," Kyoya suddenly said, followed by an unnatural pause. He stares right into her eyes, with voice dripping with concerns, he says, "So if there's anything wrong, if there's something not to your liking, then you can tell me, ok? Anything at all."

Nemuri almost cries, right there and then. He's concerned about her, yet he knew a straightforward question will hurt her pride. So he asked, with his cooking as a disguise, about what's bothering her.

'God, why the holy fuck did an angel stays on earth?! In my house, at that!' she thought, her worries suddenly seems so trivial.

Donning what she believed to be her best smile, she happily exclaimed, "Nonsense. Your cooking is good as ever. The taste, the smell, the presentation. Everything's perfect." Looking back into his eyes, she once again emphasized, "Everything."

Seeing Nemuri back to her usual self, Kyoya let out a small smile.

"I'm relieved," he said, though it is unknown whether he's implying about his cooking, or his sister.

As Kyoya heads to kitchen, carrying all the dirty dishes, Nemuri basks in the residual warmth she feels. From the meals, and from her brother's concern. His cooking is good, but she has tasted something better from famous restaurants in the past. And she knew she liked his cooking more.

Letting out a breath, she decided that she should bath and change to something casual. In the early days when she just adopted Kyoya, she'll be sure to try and tease him every time she changes. But now...

'A troubled smile... And not even a blush anymore,' she indignantly thought.

'Well... Passionate youth is good, but I can accept this calm and collected boy as well...'

'Still, I kinda wanna see his passionate side too, though. Maybe it'll appear when he gets a girlfriend?'

With those idle thoughts, Nemuri makes her way to the bathroom, lightly humming along the way.