Chapter 35: UA's Announcement
|Six POV|
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"So, we're finally ready?" I couldn't help but ask Nezu as I carried him on my shoulder.
"It took some time, but yes!" He squeaked, cackling manically. "With this, we can turn your public image around in one fell swoop!"
"But it will put the HPSC on my back more than ever," I countered, "While I may be able to use it to my advantage, others would be able to as well."
"While that may be true, we'll have more than enough wiggle room to do what we need to do!" Nezu squealed in delight.
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I swear he is an evil mastermind at times. Other times he was just a mild-mannered Chimera who loved tea and cakes.
But I had other things to think about.
Currently, Nezu and I were on our way to the Auditorium where the press were waiting for us to start. Today was the day that the HPSC and the rest of the world would understand that some people should be well enough to be left alone. While there may be some outrage, hate, and fear running wild, more good would be done in the end. Though, to those who could understand the deeper meaning behind this, a thinly veiled threat would be spoken.
Finally, outside the door to the Auditorium, I met with Yagi, the now-retired AllMight in his skinny form, and Aizawa. Both were in suits and ties, Aizawa in a black one and Yagi in a yellow one. The two of them had stern faces as they watched Nezu and I approach. Once we were at the door, Nezu jumped down off my shoulder and straightened himself up to make him look presentable.
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"Are you sure about this?" Yagi asked as he patted himself down, making sure he was presentable.
"Very," I replied as I straightened my armor.
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After this, my face would be known so I decided to just go with my best-looking armor and duster. All were cleaned and repaired to the best of my and Power Loader's abilities, even my underarmor was cleaned and patchless. My helmet was under my arm, looking all clean and brand new. My hair was cut short and my face was clean-shaven. In short, I was probably the best-looking I have ever been in all my life. Past life included.
I was armed with my most powerful handguns and sharpest of blades. All were strapped to my body in a way that hid them but were within reach. I was expecting trouble, that as much was true, but I also know that the chance of nothing happening is there as well.
Better to be prepared than not at all.
As we entered the Auditorium, the crowd of reporters was clamoring to get a word in first. We ignored them, for now. We got to the stage where a table was set up with microphones and sat. As we did, the whole Auditorium went quiet; our mere presence silenced the entire room. The anticipation was killing the reporters.
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"Welcome," Nezu greeted them, starting the interview.
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I sighed, everything was going as we'd planned it. The planted reporters and others were asking the questions we'd hoped they would. Just a few more minutes and the interview would be over and things would go smoothly.
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"Questions for the Courier," One of the reporters stated when he was called on.
"Go ahead," I answered, hoping that it was one of the planted reporters.
"It's well known that you're a Quirkless individual," The reporter started, "Has it ever impacted your life in any way?"
"Not that I'm aware of," I answered, a feeling of dread entered my gut
"Care to explain?" The reporter asked, "After all, little is known about you since you appeared."
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That's when I realized that this wasn't a planted reporter.
Shit.
I sighed mentally before complimenting what to do. I sighed externally before reaching for my helmet. The crowd of reporters were on the edge of their seats since I was never seen without my helmet, something I made sure no one could connect me to without it. As I removed my helmet, I had closed my eyes before opening them. My dark blue orbs I called my eyes opened to see the crowd of stunned reporters.
My dark brown almost black hair was cut short enough for my bullet scar to be hidden from view but my face was clearly seen. As I set my helmet on the table, I reached up and moved my hair back to show where the bullet struck me. As the crowd of reporters snapped out of their trance and started to take pictures, I spoke.
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"The reason I'm not sure is due to an incident years ago," I spoke then dropped my hand and rested it on my helmet. "A man named Benny shot me in the head and stole a package I was carrying for a friend. He had tried to take my life because I had seen his face and knew who he was. It was only thanks to a kind, elderly, quirkless doctor that I am alive today.
However, due to the damage inflicted on my brain, I had lost all memory of who I was. It was only thanks to my desire for vengeance that I learned that I was a courier. I was never given my name so I took up the name Six since that was my courier number.
I didn't bother with what my name used to be since the old me died that day. I didn't care or want to know my past. If I had a family or not. My desire for vengeance was too great." I took a breath and raised a hand to stop questions before continuing. "No, I don't regret my decisions or the way I lived my life, even now. No, I won't bother with who I was in the past as that me, is dead.
As for who I am now: I am Courier Six."
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Once I finished with my speech, I placed my helmet back on and stood. Yagi, Aizawa, and Nezu followed suit. We bowed and left as the reporters were clamoring for more information. Soon, drones appeared and started to direct the reporters out of the Auditorium.
Nezu led us to his office where we all stood around his desk as he sat. When we were sure that all the reporters were out of UA's grounds, we breathed a sigh of relief. I pulled out bourbon for me, Aizawa, and Yagi while Nezu brewed some tea for himself. Once we all had our cups or glasses, we all raised them up in a toast.
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"To facing future problems," I said before we all downed our drinks.
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We knew that the problems we faced now were far from over. We were now in uncharted territory without any allies. With our announcement, we've pretty much alienated UA as a whole. But this wasn't without the consent of the entire school's faculty.
Now, the problem was how many people would see this as a challenge to the current status quote.
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|The Next Day|
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I sighed as I waited for Class 1-A to trickle in. I could see them out the window as they walked to the school from the dorms. However, the amount of students was less than what was normal. So far, I've seen most of classes 1-A and 1-B. But there were still a few that haven't shown up yet.
If this was what it took for kids to drop out or not show, then they weren't cut out to be heroes.
Aizawa, who was lying on the ground next to me, read my thoughts.
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"They'll come. They aren't ones to quit over something as trivial as what occurred," Aizawa stated as he wiggled for a second before pulling out a juice packet.
"And if they drop out or request a transfer to another school?" I asked as I watched a few students running from the window.
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Aizawa said nothing, and I understood that his silence on the matter.
Pretty soon, the class was getting close to starting. With the last of the students making their way in, Six started a head count to see if there were any missing. Six sighed when he noticed that not a single student was missing.
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"Welcome back, everyone," Six spoke when the bell rang for classes to start. "I'm guessing that you all saw the announcement that UA had made."
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The students didn't say a word yet that was all he needed to know. Six sighed once again as he took off his helmet and stared directly at the students.
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"Look, I can tell that not all of you liked what was said during the interview," Six stated to which a few nodded. "But what was said can't be taken back. And everything that was said was and is still true."
"We don't regret it," Aizawa sat up and said. "What's done is done."
"If you're thinking about transferring to another Hero School after the announcement, then please ask for and submit transfer papers." Six said solemnly. "We will do our best to make sure that you're transferred to a good school."
"I ain't leaving!" Katsuki's voice broke the tension that was making the whole room depressed. "Like hell I care about what you said, you're heroes. If that shit had to be done or said, then so be it!"
'Crude, but I have to give it to my kid, he knows how to uplift people's spirits,' Six thought as the tension that was there disappeared completely.
"If heroes are meant to save people, then this was for the best," Izuku spoke up, his voice filled with determination. "Heroes are meant to do what's right, and I believe that what you did was right."
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Six just smiled, both of his kids were doing just fine. Both of them inspired the rest of the class with just their words alone.
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'If it's them, then I don't need to worry.' Thought Six as he smiled at the class, seeing their determined expressions.
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Six sighed as he walked out of Class 1-B. Several students were worried about the school losing certain privileges they had gained over the years. Vlad King had to grab SIx's shoulder to make sure he didn't lose it on the students. So, to say that Six was disappointed in the class was true.
As he walked away from the classrooms, Six made his way up to the roof. Something that he's been doing in his spare time lately. Once up there, Six looked out at the city that surrounded UA.
The skylines reminded Six of the simpler times in the Mojave. Where it was easy to see who wanted you dead just from the look in their eyes. Where good and evil were more black and white than Japan was now.
With a sigh, Six started to pull out a bottle of rum and a shot glass. After filling the shot glass, Six raised it before saying a quick prayer and downing it in one go. The prayer was for all the friends and allies he lost during his time in the Mojave.
Once that was done, he packed his things away. By the time he finished his little ritual, Veronica found him.
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"One for them, I take it?" Veronica asked as she saw the bottle of rum still in Six's hand.
"It's the least I can do for all of them," Six said as he took a swig from the bottle.
"You're not alone, you know," Veronica said as she looked out into the cityscape.
"I know, but sometimes-"
"No you're not," Veronica interrupted him, "You have allies, friends, and family by your side. If you ever need help, it will come."
"Thanks," Six sighed as he passed the bottle to her, "I forget how good you are with handling me."
"I know," She said as she took a swig from the bottle, "After all, I was the one whose known you the longest."
"Thanks, sis." Six said as she went to take another swig only to spit it out as Six never called her that before.
"Wrong pipe," Veronica coughed as she pounded her chest. "Really?" She asked Six when she stopped coughing.
"You are like a sister to me, it just took me a while to admit it," Six said as he walked away with Veronica watching his back.