~Arisa's POV~

Sunlight spilled across the well-maintained garden spreading warmth through me. My hands lightly gripped the handles of my brother's wheelchair as I pushed him through the breathtaking botanical gardens. A gentle breeze whipped through the garden causing loose blossoms to dance in the wind. It was mesmerizing to watch, until a clump of petals smacked into my face.

Akio looked up at me as I swatted at the blossoms that had assaulted my face and chuckled, "That's a good look for you, Ari."

"Yeah, yeah. Really funny." I continued pushing his wheel chair.

"Getting some real, flower power, hippie vibes right now." Akio poked at me as there were a plethora of blossoms now entangled in my hair.

I rolled my eyes, "It's just going to happen again, I'll fix it when we get there."

"Nah, I think you should leave it, I want to see mom freak out." Akio laughed. "She's either going to insist we all look like flower children or will painstakingly pick out each blossom. Either way it'll be hilarious."

I smiled softly as I thought of our overbearing mother, he wasn't wrong, she wanted everything to be perfect for the family photo. We all had to be matching. "You know if you say you like the flower look she's going to push for that." Since the incident that left my older brother paralyzed, my mother had become even more overbearing which none of us thought was possible.

"You're right." Akio snickered, "That's a point for the cripple."

My grip tightened on the handles of his wheelchair but I kept a smile on my face, for him, "Play the cripple card I want to see dad with a flower crown."

Akio grinned, "Yes."

As we rounded a corner of the botanical garden I spotted our mom and dad standing beneath the gazebo with my eldest brother, Ayame and his husband Hideo who stuck out like a sore thumb in our family of dark haired, dark eyed individuals with his light brown hair and his bright green eyes. Everyone was dressed in coordinated perfectly pressed suits and my mother wore a beautiful dark emerald dress with a pretty emerald necklace. I hated family pictures because I always had to wear a dress. In my middle school days, I remembered trying to rebel and wear my track uniform, it did not go well for me.

My mother didn't have a quirk, no one in our family did until Hideo joined our family, but we all liked to joke that mom's quirk was something quite demonic. Whenever she got angry her voice got all weird and terrifying and there was just something in the tone that said do what I say or you'll regret it for the rest of eternity. I ended up being dressed like a doll, frills, lace, a bonnet, all of it and was traumatized ever since and followed her stupid dress code for all family phots from that day onward.

Mom pursed her lips the moment she spotted all of the flower petals tangled in my hair. Our mother possessed the kind of elegant beauty that no matter what expression was on her face she looked like one of those Hollywood starlets from the old days. It was a beauty I could never achieve no matter how hard I tried. I'd always been a tomboy, there had never been anything soft or delicate about me, from the time I could walk I was following Akio around playing football with him and his friends. He was closer to me in age than Ayame or any of our other siblings so I always wanted to be around him and do what he did. Akio was my hero growing up. My father's dark gaze noted the petals in my hair and he chuckled softly as he looked to my mother as she reached for her oversized purse to look for a brush.

"Now's your chance." I hissed at Akio.

"Ari, I love the petals in your hair! We should all do that." Akio said loudly and threw me a very obvious overly dramatic wink causing Hideo, Ayame and our father to laugh.

Mother paused at this, "You really like it, Akio dear?"

"Absolutely."

Hideo was in stitches.

"I'm not putting flowers in my hair." Father held his hand up to stop mother as she turned to him. "How do you never realize they're conning you, my dear?" He sighed.

"Aw, come on dad!" Akio and I cried simultaneously.

"You rotten children!" Mother cried dramatically as she raced toward us with her bag in hand.

"Oh shit, she brought the bonnet, you're on your own little sister." Akio grabbed the wheels of his wheelchair and took off leaving me alone on the stone path causing Hideo, Ayame and our father to collapse against one another laughing hysterically.

"I thought we were in this together!" I couldn't help but laugh at my older brother as he took off in a serpentine pattern.

My mother hugged me once she reached me before picking all of the petals from my hair. "You two are so rotten. How could you be so mean to your poor mother?" She held me at an arm's length away, "Now let me get a good look at you." Her smile was radiant as she looked me over.

I was wearing a dress she'd had delivered to my apartment, it was a long evening gown in a deep emerald like the one she wore but it had black velvet filigree all over the material. It had a high neck for which I was grateful as it completely covered the bandages wrapped around my upper torso to keep the gauze in place over the stitches on my back from the knife wound I'd received the night before.

"I went through labor six times, trying so hard to have a little girl." My mother geared up for a dramatic speech, "She hates dresses, make up and all the other pretty girly things I wanted to shower her in from the day she was born and yet she's still the most beautiful girl in the whole world." She pinched my cheeks. "And I couldn't be prouder."

I saw through her flattery, "So there's another occasion you want me to dress up for? I told you mom, two a year, that's the max."

My brothers and father laughed at this.

My mother's smile never faltered. She draped her arm over my shoulder and steered me to the gazebo as the photographer arrived. "Well, darling, your father and I-."

"Nope." My father cut her off, "This one's all on you, my love."

She didn't waiver, "-think it's time you went to a matchmaking-."

"WHAT?!" Hideo, Ayame, Akio and I all snapped in unison.

"You're at that age now, darling." Mother ignored my brothers and brother-in-law.

"Akio and Ayame didn't have to go to a matchmaking." I pointed.

"Akio and Ayame also started dating when they were in high school. You haven't been on a single date. Ever. Boy or Girl. You don't even have friends, I'm worried about you, Arisa."

"That's going to be a hard pass." I rubbed my temples. "I'm too focused on my career right now, I have no interest in dating."

"If you can make a single friend within the next week, I'll drop the subject for at least a year." Mother said sternly.

What the hell kind of ridiculous deal was that? It was the best I was going to get. We took our family photos in the gazebo as we had been doing every year since I could remember with the same photographer. Once finished, the photographer bid us all a pleasant farewell and took his leave knowing the rest of our now somewhat sacred tradition. After the incident in which three of my elder brothers lost their lives, our tradition changed to include visiting the family mausoleum after our family photo. After what happened to Akio, I retired from Special Ops so I could return home and keep my family safe, I'd lost too much and couldn't bear to lose my favorite sibling.

Growing up, Akio had always wanted to be a hero, he wanted to save people, due to our family being quirkless he quickly learned he wouldn't have any success as a pro-hero, he went into law enforcement instead. He quickly ascended the ranks to become one of their top detectives. A few months ago, he'd been working on a case, time was of the essence, there were hostages involved, as most law enforcement did, Akio was working alongside some pro-heroes. They ignored his orders wanting to show off because they ignored his order they ended up getting killed. Akio almost died, had he been found even a few minutes later, he would have died. His injuries were severe, he was paralyzed from the waist down and had to have several extensive surgeries to repair damage internally. Despite all of that, he could still smile, laugh and even joke about his current situation.

I was not nearly as forgiving as Akio and had already had too many experiences with heroes and potential heroes in my younger days to leave a bitter taste in my mouth. Every hero I'd ever met just wanted to prove themselves, they just wanted to be the best and show off. It was time for the world to stop relying on heroes, to stop perpetuating this ridiculous culture that just breathed life to arrogance and the need to prove oneself better than the rest.

A gunshot sounded in the distance further into the gardens near where the pond and park were located. It sounded like it had been fired into the air, a warning shot. Akio tensed in his chair, his hands gripping the wheels as he was suddenly overcome with the need to flee, a sign of his PTSD. His knuckles were white from the intensity of his grip. Without thinking, I ran toward the sound.

"Arisa!" My mother panicked but I knew my father and brothers would calm her down. Though my family knew what I was capable of and the very basics of what I had done in Special Ops, my mother still worried. After losing three children, she'd become even more overbearing especially after what happened to Akio.

The evening gown and ridiculous heels my mother insisted I wore, didn't hinder me as I sprinted across the gardens toward the sound. My eyes scanning everything around me as I ran, taking in everything, processing rapidly who could be potential threats. As I reached the path near the pond I spotted a man holding a gun in his hands pointing it at a man with a child sobbing at his side clinging to him desperately.

I swept low hurriedly retrieving the hunting knife strapped to my leg and raced forward hurling it with expert aim. The knife hit its mark knocking the firearm from his hand just as I was about to reach them. The man who'd been threatening the father and son let out a cry of pain as he was nicked by the blade and swiveled around toward me with a roar of rage.

A deadly calm washed over me as I slipped into the darkest recesses of my mind pulling forth memories of military school training, special ops training, everything that had made me the lethal force I was today. He made a move to grapple me but my adrenaline was pumping and from subtle tells in his body I knew his next three moves. I blocked him, swiping his first blow to the side making him swing wide so he couldn't get a grip on me before catching his second swing and flipping onto the ground taking him with me in a complex grapple. I landed atop him and had him immobilized in seconds, evening gown and all.

The father who'd been being threatened moments before stared down at me in awe. Curious onlookers were starting to gather after the sound of the gunshot. There were sirens in the distance. Ignoring the gathering chaos around me I looked to the father and son calmly. My captive tried to struggle, without even glancing down I adjusted my grip on his arms moving them into a more painful hold that caused him to let out a gasp of pain and submit to me.

"Are you two alright?" I didn't alleviate my captive's pain by easing my grip or readjusting my hold letting him know I wasn't to be trifled with. The still shell-shocked father could only manage to nod.

The child's crying had ceased as he looked beyond me with stars in his eyes, "Heroes!" he cried happily tugging at his father's shirt sleeve and pointing. Hurried footsteps approached from behind and I resisted the urge to groan. Of course, heroes would be arriving.

"Thanks for your hard work, we'll take it from here." A familiar obnoxious voice sounded from behind me, it was one of the heroes I'd had to work with the night before. The blonde, Present Mic. He said we, did that mean his dark and surly counterpart was with him?

I turned to look over my shoulder at them, my eyes meeting the dark gaze of the slightly scruffier hero, Eraser Head, though he'd introduced himself to me as Shota Aizawa. He looked ragged and homeless, his eyes looked tired, his hair was a wild tousled mess that fell to about shoulder length, there was some stubble on his chin and he was entirely swathed in black save for the white carbon fiber scarf around his neck

"Sorry, this is my jurisdiction." I said coolly and watched as both of their eyes grew wide at the sound of my voice. They hadn't recognized me.

"EEP!" Present Mic took a step back.

"Officer Nakamura." Aizawa recovered quickly.

"If you're going to interfere, we can go for round two." I shot reminding him that I had handed his ass to him the night before.

The corners of his mouth twitched and for a moment I thought I saw a flicker of amusement in his dark eyes. My palms grew hot and I felt my heart flutter unsteadily for a brief moment, shorter than a single breath but enough to alarm me. What was that?

He held his hands up for peace, "I wouldn't dream of it."

Before I could retort with something snappy and shoo them off, more hurried footsteps announced the arrival of several police officers. They surveyed the scene before them with interest before staring at me sitting atop the perp in an evening gown with their jaws nearly on the ground. It took a moment for them to recover before the highest-ranking officer stepped forward and handed me a pair of handcuffs.

"Officer Nakamura, good thing you were here." He said somewhat stiffly. He'd been present the night before and among one of the ones laughing at me for being quirkless. He was also one of the ones who'd been rendered unconscious by the villain who targeted people with quirks.

The rest of the officers quickly took the perp and hurriedly took down my statement before ignoring me completely to finish up with the father and son. As I was about to take my leave and find my family, the two annoying heroes blocked my path.

"What's with the get-up?" Present Mic pondered.

I felt somewhat self-conscious and vulnerable, I hated dresses but I'd rather die than show weakness to anyone and kept myself poised and collected not revealing any of my discomfort. "I don't really think that's any concern of yours." I said coolly and attempted to sidestep them before spotting my family approaching us. An idea crossed my mind that instantly made me feel sick to my stomach. "On second thought...I need a favor, I'll answer your question if you do me a favor."

"Not sure a simple question is going to be enough for a favor..." Aizawa mused.

"Fine, I'll also redact my statement about you interfering with my investigation and have your record cleared, deal?" I glowered.

Aizawa shrugged.

Present Mic nodded.

"Great, I need friends, so act friendly." I hissed as my family arrived once the remaining officers left with the perp and the father and son went about their way.

"Arisa, are you alright?" My mother stepped forward with the beauty and grace of a Hollywood Starlet. "Oh," She noticed my present company, "Who are these handsome gentlemen?"

I groaned inwardly.

Present Mic draped an arm across my shoulders and it took every ounce of self-control to resist the urge to hurl him over my shoulder, dislocate his shoulder and beat him to a bloody pulp. "We're friends of Arisa's. You must be her sister." He said suavely causing my mother to giggle and swat at him playfully with an 'oh you.' It made my skin crawl.

Aizawa shook his head at this as I mentally kicked myself. I brought my elbow back reflexively into Present Mic's diaphragm causing him to choke and double over. Nonchalantly I reached over to pat him on the back pretending to be concerned.

"Too close." I hissed at him under my breath before moving away from him.

"Arisa, you made friends?" My mother gasped, "And such charming ones at that?" She had stars in her eyes, "You must invite them to join us for lunch."

"Absolutely not." I shut that idea down quickly and harshly. There was a dark edge to my voice. Today was supposed to be a sacred family tradition, just family. No outsiders, especially heroes.

Aizawa looked to me curiously.

My mother pursed her lips, "I guess you're right, today's not a good day for that, perhaps another time." She smiled at my new 'friends'. "Forgive me for being over eager, you two are the first friends my darling daughter has ever had."

"Mom." I groaned as embarrassment wormed through me.

"Everything okay, Ari?" Akio pulled his wheelchair up beside me. His dark gaze swept over Aizawa and Present Mic curiously.

"Akio, Arisa made friends! Isn't that wonderful?" Mother cried as my father, Ayame and Hideo finally caught up.

Ayame, Hideo and Akio exchanged looks before holding back silent laughter. All of them assumed I was somehow extorting or coercing present company to be my friends to get my mother off my back, which wasn't entirely wrong. My father sized them up before extending his hand forward. Being a retired military general, my father could read anyone from a single handshake and a hard look in their eyes.

"General Nakamura." He said politely in greeting.

Aizawa moved first and accepted his hand, "Shota Aizawa." He appeared to have nerves of steel as he didn't react in the slightest when my father caught his hand in an iron grip.

Satisfied my father released his hand and turned it to Present Mic.

Present Mic accepted his hand, "Hizashi Yamad-ow!"

"Spineless idiot." I grumbled under my breath causing Akio to chuckle at my side.

"That's not a nice thing to say about your friend, Ari." He over emphasized the word friend.

My father released his hold on Present Mic's hand, deeming him a spineless idiot but said nothing on the matter. He turned to me, "Threat eliminated?"

I nodded.

"That's my girl." Father smiled proudly.

"I'm just surprised you were able to take him down like that after being stabbed in the back last night." Present Mic remarked absently causing me to wince as my mother let out a very unflattering shriek.

"WHAT?!" My brothers and father turned on me.

"You. Are. Dead." I hissed at Present Mic before turning to my family, "He's exaggerating, it was just a scratch."

My mother looked between me and Akio. I could see her fear and worry wondering how long until I suffered the same fate, or joined my other siblings in the afterlife. She couldn't take losing another child. It had nearly killed her when my brothers died. Tears welled in her eyes but she kept her mouth shut. Though she hated that I put myself in danger, she'd never get in the way of me pursuing my goals. She would fret and worry in silence instead. 

Video- City of the Dead By Eurielle (because random)