A young teenager who looked about 13 years old, dressed in a gray hoodie with blue jeans, was walking along one of the busy streets of the capital of North Carolina, Raleigh, lazily observing the surrounding city. Music poured from the gray headphones resting on his head, and the teenager nodded his head to the beat. Lyrics sometimes escaped his lips.
"In the pitch darkness, the days shine,
When, knowing no worries,
We could spend time,—
An ideal world where there are no problems,
But without excitement."
Red eyes aimlessly scanned the glass high-rises of office buildings of large companies and numerous catering establishments with takeout tables. Despite the end of September, the city was still full of tourists wanting to be in the "City of Oaks" and one of the technological centers of the USA.
"Grown lazy completely, completely.
Illuminated in the pitch darkness,
Our road is laid
Who knows where,
Only the movement of the clock hands—like a bone in the throat,
And there is no fire,
Only warmth remains."
The names of famous scientists who worked here did not let the city's fame and popularity fade. The teenager's figure moved smoothly among the flow of people toward a large building with a high glass dome instead of a roof. Near it, many tourists stopped to take pictures or pay for a pass inside the building at a terminal near the entrance.
"From where can be seen
The dance of the bonfire's flashes,
A forgotten melody
Is audible to me now..."
His eyes filled with greater interest as he read the title: "Exhibition of Research by the American Research Community."
"They insist: 'Not forever, everything
Is not forever on earth!'
But it's funny to me, because even with this
I am quite content.
Let the fuel run out,
Let this light fade,
As long as there is a flame in our chests,
Toward our goal we will continue
To move lightly!"
Quickly finding himself at a visitor schedule and tour timetable projected in the air, the teenager moved quite briskly toward a small line near one of the terminals.
"And loud rattles, and magic,
That will scatter pain into dust—
My treasures in trembling hands.
They insist: 'Not forever, everything... Is not forever on earth!'
As long as there is a flame in our chests,
Toward our goal we will continue
To move lightly!"
I finished singing in a quiet voice, receiving a temporary pass and taking off my headphones. I had wanted to see this exhibition for a long time ever since I arrived in this city.
Generally, when I was asked to help deliver a suitcase with contraband, my first thought was to stash it somewhere before the flight. I had to give up this idea for two reasons: first, ignorance of the aircraft's construction and where a suitcase could be hidden unnoticed; second, the possibility of a thorough check of the aircraft before takeoff. So I acted simply and effectively. I took the suitcase from the unremarkable-looking man designated by Giran, made it permeable to light and the entire surroundings. And boldly walked through the checkpoint. Next were several hours of flight, which merged into an improvised training session for me. Arrival, and the suitcase already becomes visible in a toilet stall. I should become a magician! True, we landed in Charlotte, the most populous city in North Carolina. A couple of days of waiting until my official "guardian" for this trip handed over the suitcase, and we were already sitting on one of the high-speed trains heading to Raleigh. Arriving in the city, my "guardian" quickly rented me an apartment and vanished somewhere on business. He told me to call him only for an important reason. Officially, he is an acquaintance of my official uncle, who allowed him to take me for a trip here. After asking him what to say to the cops when they ask questions, I lost interest in him. I had more serious problems. My equipment and gear remained in Japan, so I'll have to create it or buy it here, with the search for a place to hide this stuff. What kind of search for my father can we talk about under such conditions?
So I've been wandering around the city for a week while I buy spare parts and details in some stores. Fortunately, I was able to bring the fabric for the suit without problems. And this exhibition really interested me. The Quirk phenomenon itself greatly slowed down the development of science, but at the same time, it incredibly helped scientists. Absurd? Remembering the permission for the construction and full control of the island by the international research association, I wouldn't say so. After all, before the Quirk phenomenon, the government could suppress projects that frankly interfered with getting more profit for oligarchs or large companies that were connected to the bureaucratic apparatus. Then, at the moment of general chaos with the massive appearance of the first people with superpowers, all rich people and organizations fell into a panic and began to invest insane sums in research on Quirks and ways to counteract them. Then a question might arise as to why the development of science slowed down if giant sums were invested in research? The answer turned out to be simple. They couldn't. They didn't find a simple and technical solution to fight Quirks. Quirk owners turned out to be too strong and diverse. And although the authorities continue to invest giant sums in scientific communities, the first satisfactory results appeared relatively recently in the form of security systems for places like Tartarus Prison. That is, about 10-20 years ago. So the governments of different countries had to look for another solution to this "problem" during massive "mutant" uprisings, "witch" hunts by crazed citizens under the leadership of sects appearing like mushrooms after rain, and lynchings by newfound vigilantes. And the government of one of the US states, at that time the country most affected by this Quirk phenomenon, found an elegant solution at the time. They chose loyal vigilantes or simply people with superpowers, signed contracts with them and organized, and later declared them heroes, and their opponents villains, thus introducing for the first time in history such a profession as "hero." All other countries quickly picked up the idea and even began to call mutations more harmlessly as "Quirks." Later, the International Hero Association and ratings of the strongest heroes of countries quickly appeared. All this reached its apogee with the appearance of All Might. Having literally become an ideal and an idol to emulate, he increased the popularity and support for heroes among the populations of countries several times over. That is precisely why he is considered the Symbol of Peace. With his strength, allowing him to defeat any villain, he created a precedent similar to the first appearance and use of the nuclear bomb. There were and surely are a few people similar in strength to him, but among them, he was absolutely first. And the name of All Might still hangs over all villains like the sword of Damocles.
Recalling these historical facts, I curiously examined and read information on the exhibited items and inventions of modern scientific thought. The desire to find my father still burned fiercely in my chest. But I was in no hurry; I couldn't afford a mistake. Because of constant training and studies, one can burn out. So I decided to be an ordinary tourist, and besides, the topic of technology has always been interesting to me. Even a foolish thought arises to enter the Support Course at UA. On one hand, the risk of getting caught by one of the smartest beings in the country—the Principal of UA—on the other, the amusement that a villain will be studying almost right next to future heroes, and the desire to develop my skills with the help of professionals in this matter.
My further thoughts were interrupted by a running 15-year-old blonde girl. By what? By the fact that she tripped and knocked me off my feet. From the sudden embrace, I rolled to the side from fear and jumped to my feet with a knife ready. However, I hid it just as quickly, hoping that no one noticed, staring at her with eyes still widened from fright. Receiving in response in a confused and excited female voice.
"I'm sorry."
Author's note: template for an awkward meeting and the protagonist being knocked off his feet by an unknown girl—check.