Suddenly Quirkless

The Consequences of Friendship and Heroism

I really struggled with this chapter for whatever reason, and eventually I just decided that I was just going to stop banging my head against the wall trying to make it work. So, this is going to be published alongside the next chapter, since I couldn't spend any more time looking at these words. Who knows, maybe I'll come back and clean it up at a later date, but honestly, I think this is as good as it's going to get.

I'm honestly pretty frustrated with myself for breaking the whole two section per chapter pattern I had, but I figured it was probably worth sparing myself the mental anguish.

Mirio* was in the cafeteria when he got the news.

It was his fourth period lunch, and the blonde had been happily chatting away with some of his classmates in line for his ramen. It was always a nice way to pass the time, considering that Lunch Rush's counter was invariably swamped with customers during the designated lunch times. After a quick exchange of yen, Mirio had waved cheerily and they had all gone their separate ways, just as usual.

Mirio normally had a strict diet to accompany his grueling physical training, but Sir had been especially frustrated with something recently, taking frequent calls and pacing back and forth. Mirio had struggled to keep up with the sudden advancement in his drills, but the challenge had helped him to grow, as it always had.

The blonde guessed that Sir felt a bit guilty once he noticed the sudden increase in pressure, even though he'd never admit it. Mirio genuinely hadn't minded, but he found it amusing that Sir cared so much about him despite the man's aversion to showing basic affection.

Sir was a professional through and through. Mirio still couldn't help but see him as more than a mentor- family.

(Was he getting off topic? Maybe Hado was rubbing off on him...)

After everything the hero had done for him- the time they'd spent together, the encouragement and laughs (no matter if Mirio always laughed more often and louder than Sir ever did), and the promise that Sir would one day see Mirio become a great hero,- the respect and admiration wasn't only because of his internship.

(Sir was like a second father to Mirio, and he knew that Sir thought of him as- at the very least- a treasured pupil whom the man treated with fond tenderness.)

Sir was his teacher, yes, but Mirio knew that heart was what truly determined family. And Mirio had always had a lot of heart to go around.

Regardless, Sir's frustration and subsequent guilt had resulted in Mirio getting a free day for his diet. Even if the blonde wasn't upset with the training, he missed having ramen every day, and decided to just take the opportunity to cherish his favorite food for the first time in a while.

It was a bit nostalgic.

When he was younger, his mother had made it as a comfort food. It was something of a last resort for when he was feeling down about his quirk. There was ramen and hugs, and his dad would spin him through the air like he was flying. It always ended with Mirio giggling until he was breathless. 

He couldn't help but smile remembering those days. Mirio wasn't that little boy anymore (no matter what his mother said) but those memories were still precious to him.

(Getting emotional over ramen...maybe Sir was right when he told Mirio he was too sentimental. Then again, Sir was always right, wasn't he?)

Luckily for Mirio, he didn't need to worry about finding somewhere to buy his ramen since Lunch Rush sold some variety every day at lunch.

Today's was Wakayama Ramen**- Mirio knew that just from the smell. It was made with a shōyu soup base augmented with tonkotsu broth, served with thin, straight noodles, and topped with ingredients such as chashu pork, bamboo shoots, green onions, and fish cake. A small dish of hayazushi sat beside the bowl, the cute dinosaurs on the ends of Mirio's chopsticks resting on the lip of the plate. He even treated himself to a massive side of watermelon.