Authors note:
Speaking: "…"
Thinking: '…'
_
Hitoshi's POV
At the same time
Shiketsu High
Changing from their gym clothes into regular school uniforms, Hitoshi and Igarashi were chatting like usual about their daily occurrences and what had happened in the previous class.
"The professor really did a number on us today. It's been a while since I've had to use my quirk that much," the stone boy said, stretching his arms above his head with a yawn.
Removing his shirt, Hitoshi lazily turned his head and replied, "I guess so. Your close-quarters work has gotten better, though," while tucking the shirt into his backpack and taking out his uniform.
"And yet I still can't even land a single effective blow on you. The things I'd give to meet the one who taught you to fight like that," the golden-eyed boy joked, his gaze drifting to the scars across Hitoshi's exposed chest and back.
Crossing his arms and leaning against the lockers, he asked, "I've been meaning to ask, Shinso, where on earth did you get a scar like that?" He tilted his head slightly.
The purple-haired boy's eyes wavered for a fraction of a second, recalling the events of his fight against Noctra and how the impalement had left this mark on him. His fingers brushed lightly against the scarred skin.
Then, putting on his uniform, he simply said, "Let's just say the training I had to endure to get where I am today wasn't always as forgiving as it is now." After finishing, the brainwash user slung his backpack over his shoulders and left the room, waving a hand in silent goodbye, leaving the Terra user alone, staring at the door with narrowed eyes, deep in thought.
Outside, the vice principal, and personal teacher of the top five first-year students, stood waiting with her arms crossed. Not feeling particularly talkative, Hitoshi made a quick, respectful bow before turning to leave, hoping she wasn't waiting for him.
"Hold it, Shinso. The principal wants you in her office," the silver-haired woman said, walking up beside him.
Continuing on his path, the young Oni let out an annoyed, "Then tell her I'm busy with classes," without turning to look at her.
Grabbing his shoulder, the storm hero cut him off. "Sorry, but that's not gonna cut it. You just got excused from the rest of today's classes."
‚Great. What the hell does that ice queen want now?' he thought, already dreading the inevitable doom. Sighing, he accepted his fate and headed toward the director's office.
Inside, Elara was already waiting, ready to take him to the Eiswyrm Citadel, like always.
Upon arrival, the aura-wielding maid led him through the castle to what he had come to know as the medical wing. After training with various Aegis members, and losing almost every time, he'd come to accept that, besides Hawks, he couldn't hope to beat a single one of them. Especially not Eira.
From what Hitoshi had gathered through intel, Eira was one of the Four Elders. The other four Aegis members he'd met were far below her level. Hawks, being the newest, was also the most inexperienced.
He hadn't met the other Elders, but one name kept cropping up: Nerion, the Abyssal Seeker. Hailed as the strongest current Aegis member and, ironically enough, Eira's ex-husband. She never talked about him, instead, she'd get furious any time his name came up. It made the young apprentice wonder what had happened between them, and if being the strongest Aegis would place Nerion on the same level as his sensei and Midoriya.
Eventually, Elara stopped in front of a white door in the treatment wing and gestured for him to enter.
Sighing, Hitoshi opened the door and stepped inside. There was only one bed. In it lay a person he was quite familiar with, despite not having seen her for over a year.
His hand instinctively wandered to the part of his chest still covered in scar tissue from the scythe attack this woman had inflicted on him.
"Fancy seeing you here, Noctra. To think I'd find you in a hospital bed for the first time after all these years," he said coldly, stepping toward her bed. She gave him a cold, but oddly confused, look.
'So she's the one who scarred you. Funny seeing her in the hospital instead of you.'
The demon princess laughed in his head.
'Shut it, you sadistic demon,' the mind user snapped back, severing the mental link.
Eyeing him closely, the violet-haired woman tilted her head and deadpanned, "Sorry... who are you again?" Her tone was innocent, her confusion genuine.
Hitoshi, stunned, stared at her.
"And who's Noctra? My name's Selene," she added, without a hint of dishonesty. That only deepened his confusion.
'She's not lying. I've spent years reading people. Her aura, voice, and micro-expressions, everything says she's telling the truth,' he panicked.
'But that's not possible. We nearly killed each other. You don't just forget something like that!'
"You're kidding, right?" Hitoshi deadpanned.
"Sorry, pal. Your face isn't ringing any bells," she replied with the same deadpan tone.
'Wait, that's it. She doesn't recognize me without my Oni mask. This should do the trick.'
He began unbuttoning his uniform shirt until his bare chest was revealed, scar exposed.
"How about this, does it ring any bells if I tell you this scar was your doing?" Hitoshi asked, confident it would spark something.
Momentarily surprised, she leaned in, eyes scanning the wound. Then she reached out and gently traced the scar tissue with her fingers, sending a jolt of electricity down Hitoshi's spine. He shivered at her touch.
"Could you maybe stop touching it?" the assassin muttered, cheeks reddening as he looked away.
Retracting her hand, she shrugged. "Nope, still nothing. Besides the last few days, there's nothing in here." She tapped her head. "But if it makes you feel better, that scar kinda looks hot on you."
Now thoroughly confused, and red-faced, Hitoshi slumped in defeat and turned to leave.
"While I might not remember who you are," Selene said, "I do feel a strange familiarity with you. I don't know if that's good or bad, but... it's more than I've felt with anyone else."
Unsure how to respond, Hitoshi pulled over a chair to sit, but was cut off by a familiar voice at the door.
"Seems my hunch was right after all."
He turned his head. Eira stood leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, smoking an icy cigarette. She wore her usual getup: black sweatpants, white turtleneck, and pink slippers.
"What are you talking about? And what the hell happened to her?" Hitoshi snapped, pointing at the confused girl in the bed.
Pushing off the frame, the ice queen stepped in. "Isn't it obvious? That numbskull had her memory wiped. By someone powerful."
"As for my hunch, I figured she'd show some kind of reaction when she saw you. Whether you realize it or not, that fight you two had, and the fact you spared her, left a mark." Eira glanced toward Selene, then back to Hitoshi.
She crossed her arms. "Anyway, she's your responsibility now. You're the only one who got a reaction out of her. I'm putting you in charge of figuring out how to reverse it."
"Hold up, what the hell am I supposed to do about it? You're the one with centuries of knowledge!" Hitoshi snapped.
Heading back toward the door, she waved him off. "I'm sure you'll figure something out. Good luck."
At the frame, she paused and looked over her shoulder, expression turning serious.
"Oh, and Shinso, this was just the beginning of something much bigger. Be on your guard. And try to get stronger, fast. Because right now, you're the weakest of the Eight Rings."
Then she left.
'Why is it always me who has to deal with people? I'm an introvert, for god's sake.'