***
Three days had passed since Max and his grandmother had come to the Kyoka household. The statewide lockdown still held, the news was that authorities were still in search for the people who did this. Heroes mobilized each day, searching. During this period, crime had plummeted as the search for the culprits that did this led to finding the other villains as well. So, even the villains had to stay hidden.
The moon hung high in the air. Hoots of owls and rustling of the occasional leaf echoed through the forest. Max was training out once again.
But Max knew all of that was for nothing. They wouldn't find any group, cause it was just one person. One person! He gritted his teeth, his hands burning in pain as he continued to swing.
I'll kill you, I promise. His eyes flashed darkly.
You keep saying that, but are you? The voice whispered in his head. His out there, while you're just…here. Weak, pathetic self. The voice seemed to lean in closer. Your parents would be ashamed.
Max's eyes flashed in anger, his sword lashing out with anger as it shattered on impact, tearing a wide gap in the tree as well.
He puffed, glancing down at another broken blade. He's out there. The thought echoed in his head. Him sitting here while he was out there, felt wrong. He should be doing something.
His eyes narrowed. I'll find him. He concluded in his head.
Having changed, Max glanced down, the pendant around his neck and bracelet on his left arm. If he left, there wasn't any coming back.
I'm sorry Grandma…Jiro. He paused, he has just gotten her back, the idea of leaving her. But him staying, not doing anything while he still remained out there felt equally wrong.
He narrowed his eyes, steeling himself as he climbed down the windows.
"Is this your answer Maxwell?" Eleanor asked.
Max spin around, eyes widening a bit. He had made sure to check if anyone was asleep and was careful leaving. But he should have expected it. His face darkened, he didn't want to face his grandma.
She rounded the corner, glancing down at Max. "Answer me boy, is this your answer?"
"I'm sorry Grandma, but I can't just sit here."
"So you want to throw your life away instead?" She said coldly. "In the off chance you find him, what will you do? He would kill you before you could think."
Max gritted his teeth. "I don't care!" He snapped. "I'd rather die while trying than just sit down and do nothing!"
She narrowed her eyes at him. "You think I'm not griefed Max." She stepped closer to him. "I lost my son and daughter-in-law that day as well. You throwing your life away goes against why they died for you in the first place."
Max didn't back down, he stared her back in the eye. "I'm not changing my mind grandma, I'm sorry."
Eleanor stared at him for a few moments. The air felt crushing, tense. Until finally she spoke again. "If this is what you wish, I will not stop you." she stepped aside.
Max's eyes widened slightly.
"But just know Max, this wouldn't be what they want."
Max clenched his fists as he continued on.
***
Ring…ring…ring.
Jiro's alarm blared. A groan escaped the girl's voice as she hit it to stop it. She sat up, stretching. A shark ache in her back made her freeze. She let out a bitter, dry laugh. "God, is this hell? Hell would be better than this."
Three days since her and Eleanor have been training. Hell was a nice way to describe what she went through.
From the early dawn of morning to late night, training. Physical, quirk, combat, that was basically what Jiro would do. And Eleanor's teaching style wasn't your conventional one, no, in her words. Experience is the best teacher, you can practice stances and forms, but those won't matter when someone wants to kill you. Everything was battle simulated, so Jiro had to learn on the fly. The first few times, she was injured throughout. But she had been getting better. Though, the pain in her body said otherwise.
Freshening up, she dressed in her sports ware, grabbing her spear by the side as she went left her room.
Jiro paused, her eyes drifting towards Max's room as a heavy melancholy settled in her eyes.
She hadn't spoken to him for a while now. Every time she tried to, either he was tired or they wouldn't meet at all. It was unlike the boy.
She walked forward, her hand raised as she knocked. "Max." She uttered softly
No reply.
She knocked again. "Max, please it's me Jiro." No reply once again.
He was ignoring her, she turned to leave, wanting to give him space. But she paused. Her eyes trailing down, the door was open all this time.
She turned, entering. The room was quiet. Clean as always for Max's room. She stepped into the room.
"Where is he?" She muttered. She glanced at the window, finding it open. She raised a brow.
She showered the room, not finding any trace of him. She left the room, a hint of worry was on her face.
Meeting Eleanor outside in their usual training spot. "Eleanor, have you seen Max?"
The woman glanced at her. "Maxwell has left…permanently."
"What!" She shouted, shock all over her face. Max…ran away. That's not possible. Why would he?
Eleanor sighed, "The boy is dead set on revenge, I fear he is not changing his mind on it. Grief has rooted itself in him." She explained
"I'll get him back." She said, determination in her gaze.
Eleanor glanced at the girl, "You two are so alike. Very well, Jiro, you may be the only one who can help me."
She nodded. She would bring back Max, this time, she would save him.
***
A/N: Sorry guys for a week of no uploads, been busy and also sick at one point. So schedule is going to be back to the usual. Hope you enjoy the chapter, though it was short.
God bless🙏