The next week arrived and with it Momo's renewed determination. As she walked beside Junsei through the school gates, her thoughts fixed on a single goal: to show him that life among people was warm, that friends could be as real and comforting as any animal companion he trusted.
They had barely taken a few steps into the grounds when a boy's voice rang out across the courtyard.
"Junsei!! It really is you!!"
Both of them turned at once. Momo's face filled with confusion, but Junsei's reaction was immediate, his eyes flared, his body tensing as though he were about to spring. The approaching boy froze, threw both hands into the air, and hurriedly said, "Woah!! Calm down, it is…"
"You tried to kill me," Junsei said coldly.
The words struck like a slap. Momo's eyes widened, while the boy shook his head frantically. "I didn't!! I swear I didn't! I was just an idiot back then, I didn't think about the consequences. I mean you no harm. I was just… excited. Excited to find someone who survived that day!!"
Junsei did not lower his guard. "Stay away from me."
"I never meant to hurt you," the boy said quickly, his voice full of guilt. "I'm really sorry for what I did. I feel bad every time I think about it." His words trembled with sincerity, but Junsei remained rigid, his glowing eyes fixed on the boy.
Momo stepped forward, her confusion turning into concern. "Who are you? And how do you know Junsei?"
The boy swallowed. "I'm Sykes. I lived in the same orphanage as Junsei years ago, before I was adopted by the Picot family. It was right before the tragedy."
Momo's eyes widened. "You lived with him back then?"
Sykes nodded slowly. "I was angry over something stupid. I lashed out and hit him with my quirk. It nearly killed him." His voice dropped. "I'm not proud of it. I've regretted it ever since. I wanted to apologize for so long… but then he was gone. Everyone was gone. Overnight."
Something in Momo's expression softened at the raw honesty in his tone. But Junsei's face remained unchanged.
Sykes noticed.
"I'm sorry," he said again. "And… I'm thankful to you. If not for you, my parents wouldn't have adopted me. I might have gone with everyone else." He hesitated, then asked quietly, "Junsei… what happened that night?"
"I don't care," Junsei snapped. "Stay away from me."
Sykes flinched, his face twisting with pain. Momo opened her mouth. "Junsei, he…"
"It's my fault," Sykes interrupted gently. "He has every right to be angry." He took a step back. "I'll keep my distance. But if anyone bullies you or if you ever need help, you can ask me."
He turned to leave, took two steps, then stopped. Slowly, he looked back over his shoulder. "Just tell me one thing," he said. "Are the others alive?"
Junsei stared at him for a long moment. "I don't know," he said at last. "Probably not."
Sykes lowered his head. "I see. Thank you, Junsei." He forced a small sad smile. "I'm glad you're alive."
Momo watched him walk away, his shoulders heavy, before turning back to Junsei. "You were too harsh with him," she said quietly. "He was sorry, and…"
"I will never trust him" Junsei replied flatly.
Momo sighed. As she looked at him, something shifted in her understanding. Hearing Sykes's words had raised a new possibility she didn't think of before. Junsei could have suffered even within the orphanage, if he had known pain and betrayal there and found safety and peace in the forest, then his hatred of people made a terrible kind of sense.
And for the first time, Momo wondered just how Junsei's life had truly been in the orphanage.
Later that day during a break, Momo gathered her friends and asked about Sykes, who he was, what sort of person he is. Saji answered readily that Sykes was an older student with ambitions set firmly on becoming a hero. He possessed a powerful quirk, trained relentlessly, and was known for his diligence. Teachers praised him, classmates trusted him, and it was often said that he had the potential to rise among the top heroes of his generation. He was currently aiming for U.A., and most believed he had a real chance. In short, Sykes was well liked, almost admired.
Momo nodded thoughtfully, her gaze drifting to Junsei, who stood apart as always, silent and withdrawn. She had asked partly to learn more about Sykes, but more importantly because she hoped that Junsei might hear something that would soften his stance. From what she had seen, Sykes was genuinely remorseful. Someone like that could be a great help to Junsei, if only he would allow it. Healing old wounds felt, to her, like the right first step.
But Junsei gave no reaction at all. He neither approved nor objected. He simply ignored the conversation as if it had never reached his ears.
Momo's heart sank. She wondered how she could possibly get Junsei to open up, to forgive. Her thoughts drifted in circles until one rather desperate idea surfaced, perhaps she could ask Sykes to bring Junsei a pile of sweets. As childish and silly as it seemed, it was the only thing she knew that Junsei got excited over. And if that gave her a chance to help Junsei mend his years of trauma, then it was worth the shot.
——————
When the school day finally ended, Sykes walked out through the gates with his two closest friends. One of them snorted. "Are you for real?"
Sykes replied casually, "Yeah. He was a freak back in the orphanage too. That's how I knew it was him. Same name and acting like a freak. All these years couldn't change what he is."
The other friend frowned. "So how do you think he ended up with the Yaoyorozu family? Didn't the orphanage kids all get kidnapped? Caretakers killed and the building burned down?"
Sykes shrugged. "Maybe the kidnappers thought he wasn't worth the trouble. Freaks aren't exactly valuable. As for how he ended up with the Yaoyorozu, who knows? Doesn't really matter. What matters is that I can benefit from him."
His friend glanced at him sideways. "U.A. isn't like other hero schools. They don't just let people in because they have connections."
Sykes shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "U.A. has a special referral program. Students with unique or powerful quirks can get recommendations. It's not a guarantee, but it's an advantage. I've got a strong quirk, good grades, and nothing to lose by trying. The Yaoyorozu family sponsors heroes and funds schools like U.A. Their word carries weight."
"And if it doesn't work?" the friend asked.
"Then so be it," Sykes replied lightly. "I'm just trying to improve my chances. Worst case, I waste a little time on that freak."
His friend laughed. "Wow. You really sound like hero material."
Sykes smirked. "Like my father says, being a hero is just another job. It just comes with more PR."
The three of them continued down the street. None of them noticed the murder of crows gliding silently above. The crow leading the murder had piercing blue eyes, fixed on the boys below.
——————
Later that evening, Sykes sat at the dining table with his adopted parents, the soft clink of cutlery filling the pauses between conversation. He spoke of his meeting Junsei, the boy with the blue eyes from the orphanage. At that, both his parents looked up in clear surprise. A child had survived the tragedy that shook the entire country.
His mother was the first to speak. "How did he survive?" she asked. "What happened back then?"
Sykes shook his head, pushing a piece of food around his plate. "I don't know. He's still the same as he was in the orphanage. Barely talks, and he's quite rude."
His father gave a thoughtful hum. "He could be an autistic child," he said plainly. "After all, children who have not grown over the years do get diagnosed with autism."
His mother nodded in agreement before asking, "So what did you speak about?"
"Nothing really," Sykes lied. "He hates me for some reason. I don't know why. It seems like he's holding a grudge over something from the orphanage."
His father waved a dismissive hand. "If he's truly autistic, then he's probably clinging to something silly. I heard stories of people with autism clinging to silly grudges that normal people would completely forget or ignore, this could be the case here. It's better to ignore him and put your time where its worth. The orphanage days are behind you."
Sykes nodded, though a flicker of thought lingered behind his eyes.
"Still," he said, "he's with the Yaoyorozu heiress. There's no harm in trying to fix things between us. Who knows, I might be able to make a connection with the Yaoyorozu family. If I can get a recommendation, that would be great. And even if not, with time, they might sponsor me once they realize my potential."
His father's expression softened into approval. He nodded firmly. "That's good," he said. "I'm glad to see you're already thinking like this. My teachings haven't gone to waste. But don't put too much hope into them."
Sykes smiled, straightening slightly in his chair. "I know. I'll make you proud," he said. "Just wait and see."
Both his father and mother nodded back at him, smiling, clearly satisfied by his words.