A Weekend at Kyushu
Chapter 1: Thanks A Latte
Kyoto is always crowded this time of year. Inigo weaves nimbly between pedestrians, his skateboard trundling along the smooth pavement. He’s just skirted around a gaggle of wide-eyed tourists when a familiar cafe sign flashes in the corner of his eye—and he skids to a stop so suddenly that he almost drops his slushie.
“Shit!” he yelps, flailing to catch it before it hits the ground. A few passerby give him weird looks. "Hey! What's with the lag, buddy?" He shoots a look at the green skateboard under his feet. Gigan, his dragon construct, gives off a thump and waggles left and right, followed by a snort.
"Yeah whatever," Inigo frowned.
Stepping into the Thanks A Latte cafe, Inigo hears a bell chime cheerfully overhead and he spots Christopher, Sally, and Hiro gathered around their usual corner table. Yui's behind the counter in her barista uniform, looking bored as she scrolls on her phone.
"Yo!" Inigo calls out, making his way over. Just then, Kaylee enters the cafe, throwing Inigo a nod.
Above them, two dragon constructs pirouette through the air - Gigan and Hitomi. Their squeaks and chirps carry in hushed tones as they catch up in their own mysterious language.
"Look what the cat dragged in," Sally smirks. "Where've you been hiding?"
"Movies," Inigo and Kaylee answer simultaneously. They freeze, eyes meeting in panic.
"Really?" Chris raises an eyebrow. "You two went together?"
"No!" they both exclaim, then wince at speaking in unison again.
Sally snorts. "Let me guess - something sappy and romantic?" She points at Inigo with her straw.
"And something with explosions and battles for Kaylee," Hiro adds with a smirk.
Inigo and Kaylee share another glance. The truth would be mutually assured destruction - Inigo had just sat through The God-Auntie 3, a bloody mafia epic, while Kaylee had swooned over Love at First Stars. With expert subtlety, they each slide their ticket stubs across the table.
"Yep, you got me!" Inigo grins, waving Kaylee's romance ticket.
"Blood and glory!" Kaylee proclaims, brandishing Inigo's action stub.
"You're both so predictable," Sally rolls her eyes.
"So how's gaming club going?" Inigo asks Chris quickly, changing the subject. "Still getting wrecked by the first years?"
"That was one time," Chris mutters. "And that kid was obviously cheating..."
"Sore spot, huh? I'm kinda glad I'm not allowed there. Room full of nerds - Oh yeah Hiro!" Inigo waggles his eyebrows. "Have you and Orochi finally-?"
"No," Hiro cuts him off flatly, hiding his face. "And stop asking."
Inigo keeps teasing. "Still dancing around her, huh? You know I'm trying to come up with a Ship name - how about' Gingerhearts? Lazarus Lovers?"
"Shouldn't you be chasing after your second half," Sally says begrungingly.
"I am!" Inigo answers,"But it's been tough tracking her down since Gigan started acting weird."
Chris nods sympathetically. "Yeah, Hitomi's been off too. Who knows what goes through their heads."
"He's mad because you've been skipping club duties," Kaylee states matter-of-factly.
They all turn to stare at her. Above them, Gigan and Hitomi are squeaking animatedly.
"Wait - you can understand them?" Inigo gapes.
"Yeah, you can't?" Kaylee furrows her brow.
Chris and Inigo shake their heads slowly.
"Are you sure you're not-" Chris begins.
"An alien!" Inigo exclaims, pointing dramatically.
"I'm not an alien!" Kaylee snarls.
"Order up!" Yui interrupts, appearing with a loaded tray. She starts distributing plates. "Two lunch specials, one veggie wrap, and whatever the hell this drink is. Helene says you're not allowed to make custom orders anymore."
Inigo grabs his drink, his eyes lighting up. "Oh yeah! Almost forgot why I came here!" He waves the drink for emphasis.
"Anyone up for a lil trip?"
Chapter 2: Shiketsu Art Room #7B
Inigo wandered through the empty halls of Shiketsu, hands in his pockets as Gigan floated lazily beside him. His shoes thudded on the polished wooden floors, pausing every once in a while as he peeked through one of the many doorways, searching for Hoge. As they approached a multi-purpose room at the end of a hallway, a heavy bass line caught his attention, making him pause mid-step. He knew this song. As they reached the art room, heavy bass rhythms leaked through the closed door, the kind of alternative rock that made your chest vibrate.
His lips curved into a grin as he approached the door, Gigan perched excitedly on his shoulder. He grasped the handle and slid the door open without knocking, only to freeze at the sight before him. Hoge was... painting? But not just painting - she moved like a shadow around the easel, her graceful frame clad in paint-splattered blue overalls as she executed ninja rolls between brush strokes. She'd spin into a crouch, then surge up with her brush to paint a dramatic curve. Drop into a soundless roll, pop up to add a splash of ink, then leap backwards to study her work from a new angle.
Gigan mewed in amazement from Inigo's shoulder, little dragon eyes wide. Hoge's movements flowed perfectly with the pulsing bass line, each artistic strike timed to the music's crescendos
Her glasses had slid down her nose, smudged with ink, and her usually neat hair was delightfully disheveled. If he wasn't already deeply in-love with her, he would fall a second time now.
"Whoa!" Inigo blurted without thinking, caught up in the moment. Hoge spun around with quick reflexes, her quirk instantly activating a squeak of surprise. The brush went flying from her hand, sending an arc of black ink directly at Inigo's face. He yelped and tried to dodge, but ended up with a face full of ink. He spluttered and spat a wad of black onto the floor, wiping his eyes.
"Uwa! You have to knock!" Hoge's voice wavered. When she saw what she'd done, her outline flickered. "I-Ini!"
But the fear on her face was quickly replaced by a different emotion as she took in his ink-splattered appearance. A tiny giggle escaped her, quickly muffled behind her hand. The sound was so unexpected and cute that Inigo couldn't help but laugh too, even as he wiped more ink from his face.
"I'm sorry. You shouldn't sneak on someone like that," She frantically searched her pockets for something to help clean him up.
"Well that's one way to sign your artwork," Inigo joked, grinning despite the ink dripping down his chin. His smile faltered when he saw how distressed Hoge looked. "Hey, it's fine! A little paint never hurt anyone. Though I have to say, your aim is getting better - you nearly got me right in my good eye."
"You painting?" Inigo asked, one eye closed as his hair dripped with paint. Gigan chirped on his shoulder. The little dragon was now splattered with various colors itself, having caught some of the spray.
Hoge's form stabilized slightly as she straightened up, adjusting her glasses with ink-stained fingers. "Y-yes. Though it's not very good..."
"You? Not good at something? That's impossible!" Inigo declared, advancing toward the canvas. "Let me see this masterpiece!"
"No!" Hoge darted between him and the easel. "It's not finished! You can't look yet!"
"Aw come on, Coru-chan! Just a peek?" He tried to peer around her, but she kept blocking his view with surprising agility.
"Ini, I mean it!" Her voice took on that echoing quality it got when she was truly flustered. "It's not ready!"
But Inigo had already caught glimpses of the stormy seascape taking shape on the paper - the dramatic black waves, the blood-red sky, the precise ink work that could only come from someone as meticulous as Hoge.
"Is that what you've been working on all week?" he asked more softly. "The waves you were telling me about?"
Hoge's outline wavered as she glanced back at her work. "It's... not what I wanted it to be," she admitted quietly. "The reflections are all wrong, and the wave dynamics aren't properly balanced..."
"Are you kidding? This is great! You're just letting mean ole' Batty get to you," Inigo interrupted, moving to examine the painting more closely. "Look at how you captured the power of the storm! Those waves look ready to leap right off the page! And that red sky? It's like the whole ocean's on fire!"
Hoge's form blurred further, her edges becoming so indistinct it was hard to tell where she ended and the air began. Her eyes were visibly welling up behind her glasses, which only made them magnify and refract more noticeably through her quirk's effect. The sight made Inigo's heart clench.
"You're just saying that," she whispered, voice warbling. "It's nowhere near the level it should be. I've already started over..." She gestured to a second sheet of paper with just the beginnings of waves sketched out.
Inigo stepped closer, reaching out to catch her into a hug before she could completely fade away. "Hey now," he said softly. "Remember what Popsy told us about seeing the bigger picture? Sometimes you have to step back to really appreciate something. Your art is like you - absolutely stunning. And even when you think you're messing up, you're actually creating something amazing."
Hoge made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a hiccup, her form still wavering but solidifying slightly where his hand touched hers. "You have paint all over your face," she managed to say.
"Yeah? So do you," he teased, using his free hand to wipe a blue speck off her cheek. This just resulted in smearing the paint around more, making Hoge let out a watery giggle.
"Tell you what," he said, eyes sparkling with sudden inspiration. "What you need is a change of perspective! Come with me this weekend - I know this amazing spot where the ocean meets these crazy cliffs."
Hoge's outline stabilized slightly as she blinked rapidly behind her glasses. "That's... that would be nice," she admitted softly. Then her eyes narrowed.
"Wait, is this just another excuse to skip studying? I told you no dates until I take my spot back."
"What? Me? I would never!" Inigo gasped in mock offense, pressing an ink-stained hand to his chest and leaving a perfect black handprint on his black jacket. "Call it a study field trip! You don't want to risk not getting an A from ole' Batty, right?"
"Baka," Hoge muttered, but her form was almost completely solid again and the ghost of a smile played at her lips. She looked back at her painting thoughtfully. "Maybe... maybe a change of scenery would be nice."
Chapter 3: Oita, Kyushu Region
The old bus rattled along the winding coastal road, its wheels crunching against loose gravel as it hugged the cliffside curves. Through the salt-streaked windows, Inigo watched the glittering ocean stretch endlessly beneath a pastel winter sky. Gigan dozed contentedly in his lap, occasionally stirring when the bus hit a particularly rough patch.
Beside him, Hoge had dozed off against his shoulder, her glasses slightly askew. Across the aisle, Hiro was deeply engrossed in some dense academic text while Christopher played a game on his phone, the tinny music barely audible through his headphones.
"Six years," Inigo murmured, more to himself than anyone else.
Christopher looked up. "Mm?"
"Just thinking out loud," Inigo said softly, careful not to wake Hoge up. "It's weird being back."
While still playing, Chris studied his profile. "Are you nervous?"
"Nah," he grinned, but his fingers absently stroked Gigan's scales. "Well, maybe a little. But having you guys here helps."
"What should we expect?" Hoge asked quietly. She was awake.
Inigo's eyes sparkled with mischief as winked at her. "It's like another world. You'll see what I mean."
The bus began to slow as they approached a small coastal town. As they pulled into the station, Hoge caught glimpses of movement that seemed impossible - shadows that moved wrong, objects that floated and twisted in ways that defied physics.
When they stepped off the bus into the crisp mountain air, Chris and Hiro stopped to stare. A woman walked past with what appeared to be a living umbrella that adjusted its angle to shield her from the winter sun. A group of children chased each other, their laughter mixing with the excited chirps and barks of construct animals resembling half-dogs half-birds that bounded alongside them.
"Yo, is that chair walking by itself?" Hiro gasped, pointing at a construct furniture piece that was indeed trotting down the street on wooden legs.
Inigo grinned at their dumbstruck expressions. "You wanted to study Gigan for those pills you were making, right? Well, now ya got a lot of constructs to work with." Gigan preened on his shoulder, earning admiring looks from passing locals. A farmer riding a large mammoth walked past them.
"Fascinating," Christopher murmured, his usual stoic demeanor cracking as he watched a farmer directing a team of construct oxen with gentle whistles. "Constructs are fully intergrated into their daily lives."
"Yeah, and bro, we can understand constructs and quirks better here. Call it a guide on how to take care of Hitomi." Hitomi herself seemed amazed at seeing so many other constructs.
Inigo spread his arms wide. "Welcome to Tsurumi. Not a lot of people know this place exists."
As they made their way through the narrow streets, Hoge couldn't help but stare at the constructs around them. A small yarn-made monkey construct arranged bread for a baker. A blue frog with flames on its head was being used as a stove by a street food vendor.
"Professor Aucuba's place is just up the mountain," Inigo said, starting up a worn dirt path. "He's been expecting us."
"The construct expert you mentioned?" Hiro asked eagerly.
"Something like that," Inigo replied with a mysterious smile. "C'mon, you'll see."
Hoge noticed how the locals' gazes followed them - or more specifically, followed Gigan. There was recognition in their eyes, and something else. Respect? Fear? She couldn't quite tell.
She slipped her hand into Inigo's as they climbed. Whatever secrets this hidden town held, whatever history lay between Inigo and this place, she would face it at his side.
The mountain path wound upward through rolling green hills dotted with wooden fences. Beyond them stretched Professor Aucuba's ranch - a sprawling expanse where constructs of every shape and size roamed freely. A group of horse constructs with icicles growing from them, grazed peacefully beside what appeared to be a giant living vending machine. In the distance, a tree construct with totem faces swayed independently of the wind, their branches reaching out to pat passing construct birds.
Gigan suddenly perked up on Inigo's shoulder, its eyes shining with excitement. Without warning, it launched into the air and soared toward a group of playful cat constructs near the fence. On Christopher's shoulder, Hitomi stirred to life and followed after Gigan with an eager chirp.
"Ah- Gigan, wait!" Inigo called out, already breaking into a run.
"Hitomi, get back here!" Christopher shouted, sprinting after his friend.
Hoge watched the boys chase their constructs with fond exasperation. Beside her, Hiro's eyes were alert. A rustling sound from a patch of tall grass caught their attention.
"What was that?" Hiro stepped closer to investigate the movement, smoke rose from a vial he pulled into his pocket. Even this far from Kyoto- could Sandatsu be-
As they approached the grass, a booming voice rang out: "STOP!"
They turned to see a thinly man in a worn lab coat rushing toward them, his gray hair wild and his round glasses slightly askew. He skidded to a halt between them and the grass, arms spread wide.
"HEY! Don't you know it's dangerous to go into tall grass without a construct!" he declared. "Wild constructs live there!"
Hoge blinked. "Wild... constructs?"
"Indeed!" The man adjusted his glasses. "Ah, where are my manners? I'm Professor Aucuba. And you must be Inigo's friends from Shiketsu."
"We are," Hoge confirmed.
"May I ask if you're a boy or girl?"
"Professor. What are wild constructs?" Hiro repeated incredulously. "But how can they exist without quirk users?"
"Fascinating question!" Aucuba's eyes lit up. "You see, constructs can become self-sustaining under certain conditions. Some are abandoned or separated from their users through death or sickness. These constructs go on to live in the wild until they eventually fade. They're quite remarkable really - developing their own behaviors, forming communities..."
"This feels a bit derivative," Hoge muttered under her breath.
"What was that?" Aucuba asked.
"Nothing, sensei." She bowed politely. "Please continue."
"Ah yes! Follow me, I'll show you to the main facility and- oh my!" Aucuba cut off as they rounded a bend in the path.
Ahead of them, Inigo and Christopher stood triumphantly over two dejected-looking boys in shorts and straw hats. Various beetle and worm constructs lay defeated around them while Gigan and Hitomi preened victoriously.
"Your bug constructs were no match for our power of friendship!" Inigo declared with a dramatic flourish. He turned to Christopher and they exchanged an enthusiastic high-five.
Inigo shot finger guns at the bug catchers. "Now you have to give us all your money!"
"Is that really the rules here?" Christopher asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Of course! It's tradition!" Inigo insisted. "When construct users' eyes meet, they have to battle! And the loser pays up!"
One of the bug catchers grudgingly handed over some coins. "We'll get stronger and challenge you again!"
"Looking forward to it!" Inigo grinned. He spotted the others approaching and waved. "Hey! You missed our awesome tag-team battle!"
Hoge pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ini, you can't just go around battling children for money."
"But they challenged us first!" Inigo protested. "Right, bro?"
Christopher shrugged. "Their bugs were very aggressive."
Professor Aucuba cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should continue to the lab? There's much to discuss about why I asked you all here..."
"Oh right!" Inigo sobered slightly. "Lead the way, Prof!"
As they followed Aucuba up the path, Hoge noticed Inigo's expression grow more serious. Whatever reason the professor had for summoning them to this strange place, she suspected it was more than just a nostalgic homecoming.
In the grass behind them, countless construct eyes watched their departure with growing interest.
Professor Aucuba's lab was a curious blend of traditional Japanese architecture and modern research facility. Construct-powered equipment hummed alongside paper screen doors, and holographic displays flickered beside carefully tended bonsai trees.
As they toured the facility, a small construct that looked like a stylized raccoon dog kept peeking around corners at them. Every time Hoge turned to look, it would duck away, only to reappear moments later mimicking her exact pose.
"Ah, I see Tako has taken an interest in you," Aucuba chuckled as the tanooki construct perfectly copied Hoge's head tilt. "He's one of our more... playful residents."
"Tako?" Hoge asked, watching as the construct matched her questioning expression.
"He's quite the little actor," Aucuba explained. "Loves to imitate people. We found him near an abandoned shrine last spring."
The tanooki construct waddled up to Hoge and tugged at her skirt with tiny paws. When she looked down, it had somehow produced a pair of tiny glasses and was attempting to adjust them just like she did.
"I think he likes you," Inigo grinned.
Professor Aucuba cleared his throat. "Actually, that brings me to why I asked you all here. We've been noticing some unusual behavior among the wild constructs lately. I was hoping I could borrow Gigan and Hitomi to help survey the lands beyond the ranch? Their abilities would be invaluable for the research."
"You want to study our constructs?" Christopher asked, protective instinct flaring.
"More like work with them," Aucuba clarified. "Something's affecting the local wildlife and construct population. We need to understand what's happening."
Hiro's eyes lit up. "If you don't mind, I'd love to take a look at your research. The applications for my support gear could be incredible!"
"Same here," Christopher added. "The data could help us better understand construct-quirk relationships."
"I knew you nerds would love it here," Inigo laughed. He wrapped an arm around Hoge's shoulders. "But if ya don't mind, I'm gonna take Hoge and go see some of my relatives here."
"Of course, of course!" Aucuba waved them off. "Just be careful out there. The wild constructs have been more active lately."
As they left the lab, Tako scampered after them, refusing to be left behind. Hoge smiled and scooped up the little construct, who immediately tried to match her expression.
"Looks like you've made a friend," Inigo said as Gigan transformed into its larger dragon form. "Ready for a tour?"
Hoge nodded and climbed onto Gigan's back, settling Tako in her lap. They took off into the crisp mountain air, soaring over the picturesque countryside below.
The landscape unfolded beneath them like a living painting. Terraced rice paddies stepped down the mountainsides, their waters reflecting the sky like mirrors. Construct scarecrows walked their posts while construct plows moved independently through the fields. In the orchards, pink penguin constructs helped workers harvest fruit, their branches gently lowering to place ripe picks in waiting baskets.
"It's beautiful," Hoge breathed, watching a flock of construct cranes dance through the air beside them. Tako mimicked her awestruck expression perfectly.
"Wait till you see the beach," Inigo called back. He guided Gigan lower, skimming over a stretch of coastline where the mountains met the sea.
Finally, they crested a hill to reveal a sprawling traditional estate nestled in a valley. The villa's curved roofs and paper lanterns spoke of old money and older traditions. Several guards with constructs patrolled the perimeter - not the usual thugs with tattoos, but men in traditional garbs. Their vision followed Inigo and Hoge as they moved close. Inigo had to reassure Gigan thatt nothing was going to happen to them here, as he sent the dragon back to the professor.
"We'll be fine. This is home."
Chapter 4: The Daiichi Estate
Inigo's steps faltered as they approached the massive wooden gates of the sprawling estate. Dark storm clouds swirled ominously over the main building at the center, a sight that made his blood run cold. He knew that quirk - the localized storm that followed his father everywhere.
Hoge's hand tightened around his, her eyes searching his face with concern. "Ini, what's wrong?"
Inigo tried to force a smile, but it came out more like a grimace. "That storm... it's my old man's quirk."
Hoge's eyes widened in understanding. "Your father is here?"
A stern-faced man in a tailored black suit stepped forward to greet them before Inigo could respond. "Young master Inigo. We've been expecting you."
"Uh, hey there Ishiro," Inigo said, trying to sound casual despite his racing heart. "Listen, I'm just popping in because Sato said I should check in while I'm here. But I'm not staying."
Ishiro raised an eyebrow but merely bowed. "As you wish. Shall I have a room prepared just in case?"
"Nah, no need," Inigo said quickly. He turned to Hoge, his hand trembling slightly in hers. "Hey, I bet the elders are still hanging around the old farms! Let's go see them instead. Much more fun than this stuffy place, right?"
Hoge studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Okay. If that's what you want."
With a wave to Ishiro, Inigo steered them away from the imposing main house and its swirling storm clouds. As soon as they were out of earshot, Hoge tugged him to a stop.
"Ini," she said softly, her outline blurring with concern. "We don't have to avoid this. If you want to see your father..."
"No," Inigo said firmly, his jaw clenching. "Trust me, that's the last thing I want. He's not... we don't get along."
Hoge's expression softened. She reached up to cup his cheek, her touch grounding him. "Okay. Then we won't. But if you change your mind, I'm here. Always."
Inigo leaned into her hand, some of the tension draining from his shoulders. "I know. And I can't tell you how much that means to me. But right now, I just want to show you the parts of my home that I actually liked. The people who made me feel welcome. Not... whatever power play my old man is up to."
Hoge nodded in understanding. Tako, sensing the heavy mood, nuzzled Inigo's hand with a comforting chirp. Inigo took a moment to pet the construct.
Hand in hand, they descended back into the terraced fields, leaving the storm-shrouded estate behind them. Inigo kept up a cheerful stream of chatter as they walked, pointing out childhood landmarks and spinning tales of youthful misadventures. But his mind kept drifting back to the questions he was trying so hard to outrun. What was his father doing here? Why had Sato been so insistent he check in at the main estate?
Inigo shook his head, forcing those thoughts aside. Right now, all that mattered was Hoge and making sure she had a good time. She'd already seen the messy, complicated parts of his life. Now he wanted to show her the simple joys, the honest work and kind wisdom of the people who had helped him become the awesome guy she knows.
Chapter 5: Kyushu Farms
Morning dew sparkled on the grass as Inigo and Hoge made their way through the terraced farmlands. Tako scampered ahead of them, occasionally stopping to mimic a passing construct scarecrow or playfully chase butterflies. The air was crisp and clean, carrying the mingled scents of earth and growing things.
"Oi, Old man Tanaka!" Inigo called out, waving to a weathered farmer directing a team of ox constructs. "Remember me?"
The old man squinted, then broke into a toothless grin. "Well, well, if it isn't little Ini! Or should I say not-so-little Ini now!" He hobbled over to clasp Inigo's hand. "Last time I saw you, you were barely tall enough to reach the kappa pears!"
Hoge's head tilted quizzically. "Kappa... pears?"
Inigo laughed. "They're a specialty around here. Kinda look like little green kappas. I used to think they were actual kappa heads when I was a kid."
Hoge's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Sounds like someone was a scaredy cat."
"Hey now, I was a brave little soldier!" Inigo protested. "I totally would've fought those kappa pears if they'd come to life."
Tanaka chuckled, patting Inigo's shoulder. "Sure, sure. So, who's this pretty little lady? Don't tell me our Ini-chan finally caught himself a girlfriend!"
Inigo grinned proudly, wrapping an arm around Hoge's waist. "Sure did! Old man Tanaka, meet Hoge. My partner in crime and ninja extraordinaire."
Hoge blushed, her outline shimmering. "Ini, you're embarrassing me in front of Tanaka-san."
As they picked kappa pears alongside Tanaka’s construct helpers, Inigo spoke, his voice thoughtful. "Out of Kyushu, everyone has quirks, but it's different here. Here, people's quirks are outside their bodies, so you can kinda tell what they're about. We co-exist. The pro hero association and the government don't really reach all the way out here. On paper, Tsurumi's still part of Japan, but it's the Daiichi who takes care of everything. And everyone gets to live in peace. No villains, no media, no politics. Isn’t it great?"
Hoge studied his profile, noting the wistful edge to his voice. "It's beautiful here," she agreed softly. "But Ini... is this really what you want? To stay here, away from everything?"
Inigo sighed, picking at a loose thread on his sleeve. "Sometimes, yeah. It’s simpler here. Easier. Sato... he wants to extend this. The Daiichi way of life."
Hoge's brow furrowed as she plucked a pear from a branch. "What do you mean?"
"He wants my help to take over more of Japan." Inigo’s jaw clenched as he carefully examined a pear, testing its ripeness. "To bring the clan’s order to the rest of the country."
Hoge’s breath caught. "Ini... he wants you to...?"
"Yeah." Inigo laughed hollowly. "The prodigal heir, returning to take his rightful place."
They moved from farm to farm, greeting old friends who all seemed to have embarrassing stories about "little Ini-chan." At each stop, they pitched in with the work—mending fences, feeding animals, harvesting crops. In a barn, they stacked fresh hay bales, the sweet smell filling the air. Hoge sneezed adorably, causing Inigo to smirk.
"Careful there, ninja girl," he teased. "Can't have you blowing our cover with all that sneezing."
Hoge scrunched her nose at him. "I'd like to see you stay silent with all this dust and—eep!"
She let out a squeak as Inigo suddenly scooped her up and tossed her into a pile of loose hay. They play-wrestled, hay flying everywhere until they were both breathless and giggling.
At noon, Hoge found Inigo running through a pasture.
"Just over this hill!," Inigo called out, his excitement making him walk backwards to face Hoge. "You're gonna love them! They're basically my first fanclub!"
As they crested the grassy slope, the peaceful meadow opened up before them, cows grazing lazily in the late afternoon sun.
"Alright, everyone! Meet Hoge!" Inigo announced proudly to the assembled herd. "Presenting Kiku-chan, Botan-san, Ume, Trina, Nochan, Pooji, Petris, Moopet, Rin... hey, where's Momiji?"
Inigo's trademark grin faltered just slightly as he scanned the field. "That's weird. She always comes running when she hears me. Momiji! Your favorite dragon's back!"
"Ini..." Hoge's voice carried that soft tone she used when she noticed things before he did.
"Just a sec! She probably dozed off by the stream again. That old girl could sleep through anything." He jogged toward the water, Gigan chirping anxiously on his shoulder. "Remember that time she slept through the whole yakuza raid? Totally missed all the action!"
An elderly farmer approached, bowing slightly. "Young master. Momiji-san... she left us during the winter frost."
Inigo stopped mid-stride. "Oh." For once, no clever quip followed.
Hoge moved closer, her outline blurring with concern. Without hesitation, she reached up and pressed her hand to his cheek, forcing him to look at her.
Her touch was as firm as her voice was gentle. "Baka. She wouldn't want you moping."
"Yeah but..." Inigo's usual confidence wavered.
"..."
"..."
"Ini.."
"Coru-chan, have you ever lost someone?" Inigo said out of the blue, his fingers brushing through the front of his hair. For a moment, the pasture was quiet with just the light wind blowing. "Sorry, I was just thinking. I could've come here sooner." He sighed.
Hoge's outline wavered slightly as she considered the question. "No. Not in the conventional sense. My experience with loss is... different." She adjusted her glasses, a habit when organizing her thoughts. "When you're affected by Wasuremono, people don't notice you to begin with - they just didn't acknowledge I was there."
She paused, her form blurring further. "In middle school, I would observe my classmates from a distance, analyzing their interactions, documenting their relationships. I created detailed scenarios of potential friendships, calculated the statistical likelihood of different social outcomes. But that's not the same as genuine loss. It's more like..." She searched for the right words. "Like studying a language you'll never get to speak."
Her voice grew quieter, almost echo-like. "The prospect of experiencing real loss now... with people who actually see me... to be alone again. It's.. admittedly.. terrifying," she forced herself to admit.
Inigo pulled her into a hug. "Then I'll just never leave you then." He grinned. "That's a promise."
"Baka... Making impossible declarations again."
"Now we should keep looking for Momiji," he said in a sadder tone.
Hoge's lips twitched. She pointed toward a shaded area near a gnarled pine. "Look there. They're not her, but it's new cows. Those ones definitely need to hear about your heroic exploits."
Inigo followed her gesture to see several younger cows he didn't recognize. His eyes lit up with that familiar mischievous spark. "Oho! You're right! Fresh fans!"
"Let me show you the Supreme Cow-Conquering Ultimate Friendship Stance. It's a sacred art passed down through generations!" Hoge let him pull her along anyway, her fond smile hidden behind her quirk's shimmer. Tako waddled after them, and found itself getting picked up by Hoge.
As evening fell, they found themselves on a quiet cliffside overlooking the sea. Hoge set up her easel, determined to capture the golden waves and rosy horizon. Inigo laid out a blanket nearby and watched her work, Tako dozing in his lap.
"And... what do you think about that?" Hoge asked suddenly, dipping her brush into a sunset hue. "Taking over Japan with your family?"
Inigo ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in the gesture. "I don't know, Hoge. I mean... would it really be so bad? If we kept order, made sure everyone was safe and provided for like they are here..."
"It wouldn't be that simple," Hoge said firmly. She took his hand, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Baka. People would fight. This—" she gestured to the peaceful farms below, "—it works here because it’s all the people have ever known. But out there? It would be seen as a hostile takeover. There would be resistance, conflict... war."
Inigo flinched at the last word. "I don’t want that. I’ve seen enough fighting to last a lifetime." He squeezed her hand, his expression pained. "But I don’t know how to say no to them, Hoge. To him. Sato... he’s not the type to take refusal well."
Hoge’s expression softened. She reached up to cup his cheek, her thumb brushing over the faded scar there. "You’re not alone anymore, Ini. Whatever you decide, If I can help. I will."
Inigo leaned into her touch, his eyes closing briefly. "I know. And I can't tell you how much that means to me. But this... it’s bigger than just me." He opened his eyes, and Hoge was struck by the depth of emotion swirling in those green depths—fear, uncertainty, but also determination. "I have to find a way to stop this, Hoge. To convince Sato there's another path. One that doesn’t lead to more bloodshed."
"Then we’ll find it together," Hoge said resolutely. "You're not the same scared little boy they threw away all those years ago. You’re a—"
"Brave little child soldier? A dragon knight?" Inigo smirked weakly.
Hoge huffed, but her fingers tightened around his. "You’re a good person, Ini. And good people find a way."
He turned her palm over and pressed a kiss to it, his eyes bright. He stayed with her until he finished the painting of the stormy wave. And then they found a nice spot in the pasture (Momiji's favorite spot), to lay down until the stars came out, wrapped in each other’s arms.
Bonus Scene:
The sun was just beginning to dip below the mountains when Inigo and Hoge returned to Professor Aucuba's lab. They found Hiro and Christopher hunched over a series of screens, their expressions intense. "Welcome back!" Professor Aucuba greeted, his voice tight with barely contained excitement. "I trust you had a pleasant tour?"
Inigo: "Looks like we missed some excitement. What's going on?"
Christopher: "Gigan and Hitomi just got back. Their data is... pretty strange."
Hoge: "What is that?"
Hiro: "A giant—something. It's calling out to wild constructs."
Inigo: "Summoning them? Like mind control?"
Christopher: "More like a beacon. It's a quiet signal, but it's drawing them in."
Hoge: "What could cause that?"
Professor Aucuba: "Ah... a legendary dragon."
Inigo: "Legendary?"
Aucuba: "There have been rare accounts of creatures like this—beyond quirks. Throughout history, but it's become more frequent after the age of quirks. This particular one appears rarely, and only for a few seconds. It might as well be a mirage. I had recruited your dragon constructs to call it out."
Christopher: "There must be a scientific explanation."
Hoge: "Exactly. Likely a complex quirk, not mythology. A kaiju, or a quirk projection. Ini, could it be from my family?"
Inigo: "Dunno. Our quirks are more direct than this. The mind control dragon thing reminds me of Ka-"
Hoge: "It's not mind-control."
Inigo: "Oh... right!"
Hiro: "Maybe it's just an extremely talented quirk user."
Christopher: "Or an animal quirk. Like Tomi from the Night Parade."
Inigo: "Wait, can animals have constructs?"
Christopher: "Not impossible."
Inigo: "Or—what if it's magic?"
Christopher & Hiro: "Absolutely not."
(The dragon on the screen shimmers, then vanishes.)
Professor Aucuba: "Either quirk. Or a trick of the camera, my research will continue, my young friends. And you'll all be credited."
(Aucuba gazes out the window.)
Professor Aucuba: "How lucky we are to stand at the edge of discovery."