[57] Healing the Symbol

(Kata POV – Kata's House)

'I guess I made the best of this situation.' I think as Nezu and All Might agree to my conditions.

Healing All Might was inevitable. Nezu made sure of that by providing legal clearance, and I had no real reason to refuse. In exchange for some information, I get 3 favours.

'AFO's likely targetting me, so removing his spy is a necessary preemptive move. And as for letting All Might speak to Nana...'

I want to enter the vestige world of OFA. Given it's unique nature, I can't replicate the quirk without doing so. I mainly want to understand how it strengthens quirks, so I can improve my own.

I glance toward Nezu. "So... the spy is Yuga Aoyama," I say calmly. There's no point dragging things out.

Nezu's eyes narrow just slightly. "Do you have proof, Mr. Okada? Or is this information without a source?"

'You believed me last time.' I groan internally, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.

"He was born quirkless. His parents made a deal with AFO to give him a quirk. That's why he gets a stomach ache when using it."

There's a moment of silence as Nezu's expression tightens in thought.

"You can verify it at your own pace. But it's true." I shrug.

"I believe you," Nezu says softly. "I'll investigate it discreetly."

I nod once, then turn to All Might. "As for healing you... do you want to do it now?"

All Might blinks, caught off guard. "You can do it now? Don't you need to prepare?"

I shake my head. "I've got everything I need. So, can you show me the wound?"

He hesitates briefly, then nods. In a puff of white smoke, his body shrinks, transforming into the skeletal form unknown to most of the world.

'I still don't get why there's actual smoke.' I muse as I observe him.

His frame is gaunt. His clothes hang loosely over his withered frame. And when he lifts it, exposing the deep, cavernous scar carved into his abdomen—

'Yikes. All For One really tore into him.'

"I want to test something," I say, already inspecting the wound.

"Test?" All Might tilts his head in confusion.

"I can heal the damage. That part's simple. But I want to see if I can reverse your muscular atrophy. Reconstruct the muscle mass your body lost."

"You'd go that far for me?" he asks, sounding shocked.

'Normally, I wouldn't. But...'

"You made Eri smile. So I'll try harder than usual. But I'm not promising anything."

His expression softens at that—his smile faint, like he sees something in my words I didn't put there.

I sigh. 'I'm being misunderstood again.'

But I don't care to correct it.

I raise my hand. A subtle shimmer of dark green energy begins to glow along my fingers, before condensing into a denser light. It's healing energy, converted from Telekinetic energy.

Nezu observes the entire process with interest and fascination.

I press my hand and direct the energy towards All Might's abdomen. The moment the energy flows into him, It immediately targets the damage. Scar tissue, missing organs, collapsed tissue, damaged nerves. Each one is a sign of his body's failed attempts to heal itself.

The wound itself disappears quickly as skin knits together with surgical precision, leaving unblemished skin.

But the real work happened beneath.

The energy dove deeper. I guided it with intent, but didn't try to control it and let it operate on its own logic. New cells bloomed wherever it passed. Damaged lung tissue grew into full lungs, and an absent stomach reappeared soon after. Scar tissue made way for healthy ones, and nerve endings reconnected.

All Might tenses, suddenly breathing easier as the energy finished repairing the damage.

Then something unexpected happens.

The energy doesn't stop at fixing damage. It floods into the surrounding musculature, unraveling the degeneration. Fibers twist, split, regenerate. His chest expands. His shoulders rise. His arms thicken as muscle floods back onto his gaunt frame.

His frame grows, looking fuller and more robust. The skeletal silhouette fills out with muscle and renewed vitality.

'What is this...?'

I narrow my eyes.

'It's not just healing injuries... it's restoring the body to its peak state?'

I can tell it's not affecting DNA, so aging isn't being reversed, but his muscles are growing towards his prime.

'My best guess, is that it's reading from some information recorded in his body, about what his peak state was, and building towards that.' I analyse calmly.

Finally, the energy has nothing to work on, and I cut off the supply, causing the green glow to dim, then fade.

All Might sits there, taking deep breaths, as though fearing these few moments of painless breathing would once again disappear.

"Is it done?" He asks hesitantly. His voice already sounding stronger.

I nod. "Yeah."

He slowly lowers his arms, staring down at his hands—at the bulk of his arms, the weight of his chest, the sensation of breath with lungs that hadn't fully worked in years.

He touches his side, experiencing no pain.

"I... I don't believe it..." His voice breaks. "The pain... it's gone!"

He stands, stretching his muscles cautiously as though fearing this is all a dream he'll awaken from if he moves too quickly.

The shirt, that was once hanging loose, now fits properly. A size or 2 too big, given he's not flexing his muscles anymore, but filled out nonetheless.

I watch All Might test the motion of his shoulders with wide, disbelieving eyes.

"I feel like I could fight again. Probably even better than I did in my youth!" All Might says with a booming laugh. "I haven't felt like this in over a decade!"

'Loud.' I complain internally.

He looks up at me, and for a moment, his eyes glisten.

"Thank you. Truly. I don't... I don't have the words to express the depth of my gratitude."

"We had a deal, so there's no need for gratitude." I say, then pause. "But I'm glad you can finally breathe again."

"Still, I am grateful!" He says as he tries to hug me, which I quickly stop with my quirk.

I deadpan and say plainly. "I don't do hugs."

'Let's conveniently ignore the exceptions.'

All Might isn't deterred and laughs happily. "My apologies!" He says in his booming voice, sounding much more at ease than before.

I sigh. Deep down, I don't regret healing him. And maybe... maybe someday, I'll help restore OFA too.

'...Nah. Why would I do that?' I scoff at such a ridiculous thought.

(Nemuri POV – Kata's House)

I never thought I'd be spending Friday morning braiding a child's hair—and giving "the talk" to a teenage girl and a five-year-old.

Yet here I am. Sitting on the couch behind Eri, gently parting her soft white hair into sections while Himiko watches from the side, mimicking me as I coach her through it.

"So..." Himiko says, voice light and breezy, as she works. "I love Kata. Like, really love him. I think about him all the time. His voice, his face, even the way he smells..." She says dreamily with a blush and happy grin on her face as she recalls some memory.

I blink. "Okay. That's... really detailed."

She hums. "And I really love his blood. It tastes amazing. I think I only want his blood from now on." She with a thoughtful him.

'Wait... what?!'

I freeze mid-braid. "You love his... blood? You drink it?"

"Yup!" she chirps. "Totally in love—with all of him. Inside and out." She glances at me, narrowing her eyes. "And I'm not sharing his blood with you."

"I don't want his blood!" I blurt out.

'And what do you mean sharing his blood?! Are you saying you'd share the rest?'

Before I can unpack that, Eri tilts her head thoughtfully. "I love Kata too," she says sweetly. "He makes my heart feel warm."

She places a tiny hand over her chest and gazes down at it.

'Oh my god! That's adorable!' I squeel internally.

"Have you told him how you feel?" I ask, resuming my braid with a softened voice.

Eri nods with serious intent. "I did. I bite him sometimes so he knows."

My hands stop again.

My smile cracks slightly as my hands freeze.

'What the hell kind of lives did these girls have?!'

I know I'm not the weird one here... right?

I school my expression and glance between them. It's heartbreaking how they think this behaviour is nromal. It's like no one ever taught them about boundaries, or nuance, or feelings that are... normal.

'It's kind of sweet... No! Don't get dragged into their logic.'

"Well," I say carefully, "loving someone is... a big feeling. Sometimes it means you like how they make you feel. Safe. Happy. Comfortable. That's love. But 'liking' someone in a romantic way is a little different."

Eri frowns, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Isn't loving and liking someone the same thing?"

"Not quite. You can love lots of people. Family, friends... me," I add with a wink.

Eri giggles at that.

"But when you like someone romantically, it's usually someone you want to be more than just close to. It's different from how you like family. You want to spend a lot of time with them. Maybe hold hands... hug..."

"Kiss?" Himiko offers eagerly.

"...Sure," I sigh. "When you're older."

Eri blinks. "But I love Kata. He's my big brother. I want to hold his hand and hug him. Is that okay?"

"It's more than okay. You love him like family." I finish her braid with a twist and tie it off with a soft blue ribbon. "And that's really sweet."

She turns and beams, fiddling with the braid. "You're good at this, Midnight."

"Call me Nemuri," I say softly. "Using my hero name here feels weird. Just between us girls, okay?"

"Okay!" she grins brightly.

Himiko stretches with a groan. "Nemuri, do you think it's weird that I like blood so much?"

"Honestly?" I meet her gaze. "I can't say I get it—but weird? No. It's intense, yeah. But if it's safe and everyone's okay with it, then it's not wrong."

She blinks, then grins. "I like you."

I exhale, still a bit out of my depth, but... calm. It's strange.

'Is this what being a mom feels like?'

A door clicks open.

Kata walks in, flanked by All Might and Nezu.

Eri lights up instantly. "Kata!"

She darts forward and wraps her arms around his leg. "I love you!" She says seriously.

He blinks in surprise, then smiles, patting her head before picking her up and hugs her. "I love you too, Eri."

Himiko follows, hugging them both. "I love you too, Kata~."

Kata sighs. "I love you too—but not that way."

Himiko just giggles, nuzzling against him. "I'll wait."

I giggle at the sight and pause as my gaze falls on All Might.

'All Might looks... different? Did he get slimmer?'

He's still buff, but not to the same extent as his buff form. And he seems much more at ease.

'What happened in there?' I wonder curiously.

Nezu practically radiates smug joy, tail swinging slowly with glee.

"Good timing," I say lightly as I stand up. "We were just discussing life, love, and the ethics of biting people."

Kata squints. "...Do I want context?"

"Girl talk," I say sweetly. "It's confidential."

All Might steps forward. "Thank you again, young Okada." He says with a wide grin. "You've given me more than I thought possible."

Kata glances away. "You're welcome. No need to keep thanking me."

Nezu clears his throat. "We'll be off. We leave the rest to you."

'So Kata agreed?' I muse internally.

"Of course. I'll make sure to take good care of Kata." I say with a sly smirk.

They leave soon after, the quiet closing of the door marking the end of that chapter.

I glance back at Kata and smile.

"Now, about that mental health chat—"

"Wait!" Eri gasps, tugging at his sleeve. "Can I braid your hair?"

He blinks. "What?"

"I want to try! Like Nemuri did to me!"

Kata look to me in confusion at Eri calling me Nemuri.

I shrug and return a cheeky grin.

Himiko is already smirking. "Ooh! Let me too! Your hair's super silky and soft!"

Kata stares at them with mounting dread.

I raise an eyebrow, a grin on my face. "It's a good way to bond and understand each other better."

He groans. "You're using that as an excuse."

'Yes.'

"Of course not." I say sweetly.

Five minutes later, he's sitting on the carpet, knees crossed, with Eri on one side, her cute face serious as she diligently braids his hair. Himiko is on the other, giggling as she just plays with his hair.

"Gentle," I say, watching from the couch. "We want him pretty, not bald."

"I'm always gentle," Himiko lies, twirling his hair between fingers.

Kata maintains a neutral face, but I'm certain he probably wants to melt into the ground.

"This is humiliating." He says plainly.

"It's adorable bonding." I correct.

Eri leans forward and pats his head again. "I like braiding your hair, Kata. It's very soft."

Kata just sighs and nods helplessly, but doesn't stop them.

The scene is... chaotic. But something about it just works. They aren't perfect. But they fit.

Kata accepts their antics because it makes them happy. Mischievous Himiko playing with Kata. Adorable Eri consoling him and making him pretty.

I suppress the laugh that threatens to slip out.

'I'd take a picture, but he somehow catches me every time I try.' I grumble internally.

"I like this," Eri says suddenly, looking at me. "Can you come again, Nemuri?"

"Yeah," Himiko adds, "It's nice when you're around. You're fun."

I blink.

Then smile.

"Well... that's up to the boss here."

They both look at Kata expectantly.

He sighs. "She can come back."

"Yay!" Eri squeals, hugging him from behind.

Himiko beams, probably happy to have another girl to discuss love with.

And me?

I laugh.

'I think I understand each of them better now. And I think I want to know more.'

*************

A/N: Hello Everyone. If you enjoyed the chapter, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or powerstones. It really helps the book out.

On to the chapter. Yeah, I really enjoyed writing this chapter. It was cute, a lot of stuff happened, and we've healed All Might, exposed Aoyama, and gotten 3 favours.

Nemuri is now in the inner circle, and will be making more frequent appearances. So that's about 4 of 7 love interests handled. Mina, Jiro, and Nejire left to develop emotional connections to.

Also, next chapter is likely gonna be action packed. Maybe the next 2. I want to see how wild it'll get, lol.

But anyway, that's all from me, hope y'all have a great day.

6 chapters in advance on Patreon.

P@treon.com/AMV_WEAKLY