When I had returned to the Yaoyorozu Manor, people had already found the corpse of Yuga Aoyama in an alleyway, a hole in his sternum and chalked it up to a villain attack due to the nature of the wound.
A search zone was immediately set up from there, one which did not affect me whatsoever, and one that thankfully I didn't have to be interrogated for.
Anyways, when I entered the Manor I was greeted by the head butler, Gillard, who escorted me to the main hall where the family was waiting for me.
Once the large doors to the hall opened, I saw the family sat around a couple of chairs, a large table between them. Momo, who had immediately looked over on my arrival looked starry-eyed at me, genuine awe in her eyes.
Miko and Safuku, the parents, both looking extremely rich and high class not just in poise but facial structure too, also seemed to be happy at my arrival.
"Ah, you must be Momo's parents, Miko and Safuku if I'm not mistaken. A pleasure to meet you, and thank you for allowing me to spend the night in this wonderful home of yours."
"The pleasure is all ours, Reinhard. I must say, after watching your performance in the public exam, it was certainly worth it housing you. An astonishing combatant, and especially at such an age. What might your Quirk be, young man?"
He threw the question out on the table right in that instance. I can only assume that due to his stature as a rich and upper class man he is a Quirk Power focused man. Weak Quirks are worthless in his eyes, at least I think.
"Well, I'd recommend you sit down, because it's quite a powerful Quirk, concerningly so."
"There's no need to be so prideful, Reinhard. Why, our Momo here can create anything she knows the chemical composition of. Anything at the palm of your hand."
"I will agree, that is indeed a strong quirk. However, mine is much more focused on need over want."
I hesitate for a moment, thinking of what would be the best cover option for my Quirk before deciding to make it so that I am so valuable an asset that people will use anything they can to try and coerce me. If they view me as so unique they will do anything to have my allegiance.
♧◇♡♤
"Divine Blessings. That's what I call my quirk. Any power I wish for is granted to me, however I cannot simply just think of a power and have it be granted. I must need it earnestly for it to be given to me."
Safuku and Miko had stopped listening after the first sentence, because in their mind cogs were turning. Divine Blessings: Any power granted at will. Creation: Create anything dependant on composition knowledge.
Surely a fusion of the two would mean the creation of Quirks entirely? Or power creation at will? Just the thought of it causes the parents of the young Heiress to salivate at the mouths,
"Say, Reinhard, how about instead of staying the night you stay here for the foreseeable future. I assume you have no home, we'd be perfectly happy housing you, especially given that you and Momo already seem well acquainted."
Speaking of Momo, her mind bad temporarily crashed after hearing my power, brain overloaded with each and every possible application that could be had for such a unique power, one that overshadows hers. 'No wonder Reinhard had performed so well in the exam. No matter what, he was destined to succeed. Is there any way to counter such a Quirk? How has nobody heard of it?'
Of course, after hearing about her friendship with Reinhard, as fresh as it may be, she couldn't help but be excited. After all, the last genuine friend she had was years ago, before people started seeing her as a cash machine. 'He was so kind, so calm in the face of danger, so powerful and... handsome'. She blushes earnestly at the last one, still unused to dealing with the feeling of attraction.
I smile at both of the parents, happy that they had allowed me to stay, despite knowing exactly what their intentions were thanks to [Divine Protection of Thought Reading].
"Ah, that would be wonderful, thank you, truly. I had been concerned over how I would handle my time outside of UA up until this point. I also hope that the matter of my Quirk would stay private, please, Safuku?"
"No need to worry about that. I'll stay tight lipped. Oh, and none of the formalities. While you're in this house, you can call me Dad."
The very thought of trying to address this filthy aristocrat with the same title as my beloved father damn near burned my tongue, however I needed to make sure I had a place to stay. A compromise.
♧◇♡♤
"Ah, well, I thank you for allowing me to join the family so soon, Father."
Detached, obligatory. I see this man not as family of my own but as scum who would so quickly try to set up his daughter with a man he barely knew based on potential power alone.
"Speaking of joining the family, what say you share a room with Momo for now? After all, its been so long since she last had a friend to speak with. I'm sure she wouldn't mind much."
"Ah, well, Father, we're both a little too old to be sharing rooms as brother and sister, are we not?". While I wouldn't complain to be sleeping with Momo, I'm sure I'd loathe having to address these two as my parents at all.
"Who said anything about siblings? Way I see it, you're a young, upstanding man with a good head on your shoulders and a humble, heroic nature to you. You're perfect husband material, one that would be far better than those who try take my little Momo as some trophy wife, that much is for sure."
Momo, who had been relatively quiet in the conversation so far, gives an indignant squeak before turning bright red, and I can't help but chuckle a little bit. Wow, that was adorable.
"I'm honoured that you would consider me for such a thing, though surely we should get the lady's opinion herself first?"
All eyes turn to Momo in that moment, and while she may mistake the look in her parents eyes for love and pride, I see it for what it is. Pressure. They can't afford to have an opportunity like this be lost.
Her response was one that, while catching me off guard, I wasn't entirely against. Though, the pressure certainly did stack on for her when Miko placed a hand on her shoulder as she was thinking about the "choice" given.
"I'm... well I haven't spoken to many boys but... I'd be happy to give it a try, Reinhard."
Her voice is both unsure and yet also optimistic at the same time. She seems both giddy with excitement and trepidation at the thought of being married off just like that, but to someone like me. A Knight in shining armour, just like the stories she once read.
"Then, I suppose I would be honoured to marry you, Momo." The parents celebrate, immediately call for Gillard to prepare a cake and save dinner for later. I shuffle over to Momo, who looks away embarrassed at first, before hesitantly meeting my gaze. I give her a single smile, yet it seems to be enough that she melts on the spot.
Honestly, I'm surprised. By virtue of the power i hold, in the 10 hours since I awoke in this world I have already become the Prince Consort to the Yaoyorozu Dynasty, one of the richest in Modern Japan, and have been married to an extremely attractive woman as well.
Must've forgotten to turn off [Divine Protection of The Rabbits Foot].
♧◇♡♤
When the celebration is finally finished and food has been enjoyed, we are told to retire to our room for the night, focused pronunciation on the Our. Momo, who had been enjoying the festivities became quite hesitant at the walk back to her bedroom.
Finally, as we reached the door to it, she whispered into my ear that she was thankful I had been so kind to her and that she hoped for a long lasting life together. Honestly, I can't help but feel sorry that she had such little input in the decision.
Deciding to be bold, I pull her into the room before walking towards her and lifting her chin up slightly, her enchanting eyes meeting mine as I cup my hand around her cheek. She practically melts under my touch, but her face is heating up exponentially right now.
She understands my intention right then and there, so she doesn't hesitate to close her eyes and lean in closer as our lips meet in a delicate kiss, one that she seems to enjoy quite a lot given that I can feel the smile on her cheeks while we embrace.
I pull back, ignoring the disappointment radiating off of her, and softly rub my thumb along her cheek as I stare into her eyes.
"I'm glad that I have been given the chance to marry such a beautiful woman as yourself, Momo. Truly. It seems fate smiled upon us the moment you found me passed out on that roadside, wouldn't you agree?"
She giggles at the comment, having thoroughly enjoyed the praise if the further heating of her face was anything to go by, before she gives an emphatic nod and drags me towards the bed with her.
Upon tucking us both into the incredibly soft sheets, she rolls over towards me and gives me another heartwarming smile before pressing her body against mine and hugging me with surprisingly strong arms.
I simply enjoy the feeling of comfort and warmth I find in her arms. After the turbulent last few weeks of my life, I can safely say that this is by far the happiest I've been. I feel loved once more, something I had missed.
I settle further into the warmth she provides, and wrap my arms around her as well, a wide smile on my face as we slowly fall asleep together.
This, I decide, is what's worth protecting.