Hey so curious question do yall wanna see this whole America arc thing or would you rather me just skip to the training camp? I can go either way.
Anyway, I hope yall enjoy :)
Chapter 47: Departure
Cid and Yui finished packing just a few minutes before Stars messaged them that she was there.
Most of their clothes and supplies were already reduced down to a fraction of their normal size. Yui and Cid shrank most of their stuff so by the time they were done, everything fit into a single backpack which Cid slung it over his shoulder.
Yui stepped up beside him, slid her hand into his, and gave it a small squeeze. He glanced down at her, then adjusted his grip so their fingers properly laced together as they left the room.
Stars was already waiting outside, leaning against the side of a black car with a grin.
"There you two are," she called, straightening up. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah," Cid said.
Yui beamed at Stars "yes!"
They loaded into the car without much ceremony. Stars pulled away from the dorms and headed toward the airport, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually against the window.
"You're gonna love America," she said after a few minutes, clearly excited. "The food alone is worth the trip. Weather's better depending on where you are, people are louder, and everything's just… bigger. You'll see, it's like stepping into another word."
Yui smiled brightly. "I've always wanted to visit, I've read so many different things about it."
"Good. You're gonna get the real version, not the tourist one." Stars glanced at them in the rearview mirror. "While you're there, though, there are a few things you need to know about how Quirks are handled."
Cid looked over. "How strict is it?"
"Less of a pain than Japan in some ways, more of a pain in others," Stars said. "Public Quirk use still is ok as long as you're not hurting anyone or causing a problem, people tend to mind their business more than they do over here… but the second you start damaging property or putting civilians at risk, it becomes a real issue fast."
She tapped the steering wheel lightly.
"I've already arranged temporary licenses for both of you under my agency. That'll cover most of what you need while you're training with me. When we land, you'll have to read through a short set of rules and pass a basic test so everything's official. Nothing too complicated. I'll walk you through it."
Cid gave a small nod. "Simple enough."
"That's the idea." Stars grinned. "I'd rather you two be able to actually enjoy the trip and train properly instead of dancing around paperwork the whole summer."
The rest of the drive passed quickly with Stars pointing out a few things about the country as they went, answering Yui's questions and occasionally messing with Cid when he gave 1 word answers. By the time the private jet came into view, they had fallen into a rather easy going mood.
As they pulled up beside the private jet, the waiting staff moved in quickly taking the single backpack from Cid and Stars luggage, as the three of them boarded. The interior was clean and practical but also luxurious in a way that was tasteful. Within minutes the engines were running, and the jet began its climb into the sky.
Once they leveled out, Stars dropped into the seat across from them with a relaxed grin.
"Soooo," she said, glancing between Cid and Yui, "this is a pretty convenient romantic getaway for you two, huh? Bold move using my internship like this."
Yui's face went a little pink. Cid just looked at Stars flatly.
Stars held up both hands, still smiling. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding….. Mostly."
Yui sat there then coughed awkwardly, still blushing lightly, and asked, "Do you… have anyone?"
Stars blinked, then let out a short laugh. "Nope. Way too busy for all that. I've still got to catch up to All Might. Don't really have time to slow down for something like dating."
Yui's expression softened. "That seems kind of lonely."
Stars leaned back in her seat, folding her arms behind her head. "It might look that way from the outside. But I've got a goal, and I'm focused on it and I want to achieve it no matter what. That's enough for me for now."
"Its good to have a goal to dedicate yourself to like that." Cid commented
"So what is the hero life like in America? its gotta be pretty different from what we have in Japan" he asked
Stars started telling them how daily hero life worked in America explaining what it was like.
After a bit Yui got curious and asked stars "How did you become America's Number One, it must have been really hard to do?"
Stars' expression shifted into something more thoughtful, though the usual energy never fully left her voice.
"Hmmm id say It started when I was a kid," she said. "My family was driving toward Santa Monica Pier when we got caught in the middle of a villain attack. I was terrified. I remember holding onto my little sister and just praying she'd make it even if I didn't." She exhaled through her nose. "Then this Japanese exchange student showed up, took out the villain and saved everyone in seconds. That was All Might, before he was well All Might. He saved all of us."
She looked out one of the small windows for a moment with a smile.
"From that day on, I decided I was going to become a hero just like him. I joined the military at 18, worked my way up, became a Pro, and kept pushing until I eventually hit the top. The government keeps a pretty tight leash on me because of how strong New Order is. They don't like the idea of someone like me moving around without oversight, but they've also given me the support I needed to achieve my dream. It's a trade-off. Restrictive sometimes, but it works."
Cid had been quiet through most of it, listening.
The more she talked, the clearer the parallels became, and the clearer the differences. All Might had saved her family. In Cid's case, All Might's existence as the Symbol of Peace had been part of the chain of events that ended with his own family dead. Her government had restricted her, yes, but it had also protected and supported her to achieve her dreams. His had tried to turn him into a weapon. A tool they could control with no regard for him in the slightest.
His expression darkened slightly. Not at her. Just at the parallels and the reminder of it all.
Stars noticed.
"Hey," she said, tone shifting to a softer pitch. "What's wrong?"
Cid blinked, then looked up. "…Sorry. It's nothing against you or your story. It's just…" He hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's the exact opposite of mine."
Stars' eyebrows rose slightly.
Cid continued, voice even but quieter than before. "The HSPC covered up a lot of what they did to me. Most people don't know the details, and the ones who do keep it quiet so it doesn't cause problems and they don't disappear. But where All Might saved your family… he was tied to the reason mine died. Where your government helped you even while restricting you, mine tried to shape me into something they could control."
Yui reached over without a word and took his hand, her fingers tightening around his.
Stars expression shifted into a grimace mid way through.
When he was done, stars was quieter than usual. After a moment she asked, not accusingly, just curious:
"Do you blame All Might?"
"No," Cid said immediately. "The blame for my family's death isn't on him." 'That's my fault. It's my sin to carry and atone for.' He looked down at Yui's hand for a second, lost in thought, then back up. "But I do hate what he represents."
Both Stars and Yui looked at him surprised at what he just said.
Yui's fingers tightened slightly around his.
'He hates what All Might represents…'
The thought caught her off guard for a sacond.
Then the surprise faded almost as quickly as it came.
'Of course he does. After everything they did to him… after everything that happened… it would be stranger if he didn't.'
She tightened her grip on his hand ever so slightly and leaned into his shoulder as if to say she was with him.
Stars reaction was different, The usual brightness in her expression had dimmed into something more serious, more uncomfortable. She studied Cid for a moment, clearly turning his words over.
"…Can you explain that please?" she asked. Not accusing. Just careful, and visibly unsettled by what she'd heard as it went against her very core beliefs.