Chapter 88: Attending Your Own FuneralAuthor: Geraint
While eating at a Family Burger, Ichika had already devoured a mountain of food, much to Sir Nighteye's shock. Empty plates piled up on their table like a mini skyscraper. Yet, Ichika still went and ordered more.
"Falcon, seriously—what the hell are you?" Sir Nighteye asked, his tone grim.
Ichika paused, chewing slowly. After wiping his mouth with a tissue, he replied casually,"It's better if you don't know. You'll just be disappointed. Some things are better left unknown."
"I'm not letting this go. Everything's happening exactly as I saw in your future. But everyone else's futures? They've changed. It's like the world is revolving around you."
"I see… So everyone else's futures are diverging from the timeline, but mine stays on course."
"That's right. For example, All Might was supposed to die in a few years. But in your future, he's alive, healthy, and still working as a veteran hero. That's why I'm suspicious of your very existence."
"Understandable… but still, I can't tell you."
"…I see." Sir Nighteye fell quiet, eyes fixed on him.
"You'll only understand after you die," Ichika added.
"So it's… something spiritual?" Sir Nighteye guessed.
"Yeah. Something like that."
"One last question. Be honest with me—do you have the ability to see the future?"
Ichika smiled."Nope. Not really. I knew the future."
Sir Nighteye's eyes widened."But it's useless now," Ichika continued. "Everything's heading in a different direction. I don't know what's coming anymore."
"If that's true… then tell me. What was supposed to be my future?"
"You sure you want to know?"
"Yeah. Tell me."
Ichika gave him a serious look."Three years from now, you would've joined a raid on a Yakuza hideout. You were supposed to die during that mission."
Silence. Then Sir Nighteye stood, noticing Ichika had finished his meal. He followed suit.
"I see… Thank you for answering, Falcon."
Ichika gulped the rest of his drink.
"Oh, and as a token of appreciation… I'll tell you a little something about your future."
"Hm?"
"You'll have more than ten wives."
"PFFFFT!!"
Ichika spit out his drink in shock, coughing violently."Cough! Cough! Wh-What?!"
"I don't know how you pulled it off… but congratulations." Sir Nighteye chuckled as he walked ahead.
"Hey! Wait!! Explain that!!" Ichika scrambled after him.
Sir Nighteye stopped the car near a cemetery. Ichika stepped out, looking around.
"Are you sure they're here? Did someone die while I was unconscious?"
"No idea. Go check it yourself."
Sir Nighteye followed after him.
When Ichika returned to his workshop at Might Tower earlier, no one was there—not even Roboco. His phone had been destroyed in his fight with All for One, so he had no way to contact his friends or employees. His only choice was to rely on Sir Nighteye.
"Where did Roboco go? She's not supposed to leave the workshop without my permission."
"Isn't that a bit strict? She's a robot, after all. But I get it. People say you're overly secretive about your tech."
"I don't care about patents. People can find my blueprints on my website. But letting Roboco go out alone? That's different. What if some creep tries to approach her?"
Sir Nighteye went quiet, noticing Ichika's oddly paternal tone.
"Falcon… she's a robot."
"Roboco is different from the rest. Sure, she has a machine body, but she has human-level consciousness."
Sir Nighteye's eyes widened."Wait… Falcon, don't tell me—"
"Yeah. It's like a human with a 'Robot' quirk. It's practically taboo. That's why I want to discontinue the project and just go back to making support items."
"Good idea. It'd be dangerous if that got out."
"No worries. No one can replicate Roboco but me. Even if they knew how, it's pointless. Roboco's my greatest—and cutest—creation."
"You sound like a proud dad."
"Hehe. Always have been."
When they arrived at the cemetery, they saw a large group of people dressed in black. Many were crying. Among them were Toru, Nejire, Momo, and a visibly furious Himiko. Roboco stood emotionless, while La Brava held her hand with concern.
Even Pro Heroes like Mirko, Lady Nagant, Ryukyu, Best Jeanist, and Edgeshot were in attendance, all looking somber.
Bakugou and Midoriya were also present, along with their parents and the orphanage caretaker, who was crying alongside the children.
Mirko, dressed formally, stepped forward and laid flowers by a headstone. Holding back tears, she muttered,"…You idiot."
Sniff… sniff…
She couldn't hold it in and quickly walked away.
Seeing everyone mourning, Ichika felt awkward for being late… to his own funeral. He quietly joined the back of the line.
"I wonder who died," he whispered.
"No idea," Sir Nighteye answered.
"I didn't bring anything… Should've donated earlier. Haven't even spoken to the family yet…"
"Don't ask me. I already paid for your meal."
"Yeah… sorry. I'll pay you back."
As they neared the headstone, Ichika grew nervous."This is nerve-wracking. I've got nothing to offer."
"So what?"
"…I'm rich. I feel like I should offer something."
"Just shut up and pray."
Ichika suddenly noticed someone staring at him.
"Huh?"
It was Roboco—her eyes squinted in disbelief.
He waved at her, smiling.
Roboco tapped La Brava's shoulder and pointed at him. La Brava's eyes widened, but Roboco quickly covered her mouth before she screamed.
Ichika and Sir Nighteye stepped forward when their turn came.
Everyone else turned and stared in shock.
"Huh?"
"Wait, isn't that—?!"
Ichika finally looked at the name engraved on the headstone:
In memory ofYAGI ICHIKA20XX – 20XX
"WHAT?!?!"
(To be continued.)
A/N:Finally! My dream of writing a "protagonist attends their own funeral" scene is complete. I'm satisfied. I'll fix more errors later.