Chapter 6 : Bad Feeling

As the day for the parent-teacher meeting arrived, Yana and Itachi made their way through the school grounds toward his classroom. Children were scattered around with their parents, laughing, chatting, and playing. Yana glanced at the bustling scene and then at her son.

"I already know what they're going to say about you," Yana said with a teasing smile.

Itachi sighed, clearly bored. "I know. It's always the same thing, and it's boring to hear it all the time."

Yana chuckled softly and patted his shoulder. "For me, every time I hear something good about you, even if it's the same thing, it makes me proud. Repetition doesn't make it any less special."

Itachi glanced at his mother, a small smile breaking through his stoic expression. "Sure, if you say so."

As they arrived at the classroom, Itachi immediately spotted Keigo and his mother sitting in front of their homeroom teacher. Keigo's usual cheerful demeanor was replaced with a shrug, while his mother looked exasperated. The teacher was clearly discussing Keigo's behavior, likely another reprimand.

Itachi sighed and muttered under his breath, "I knew that was going to happen."

Yana gave a knowing look before guiding Itachi forward. "Let's go sit down. It'll be our turn next," she said.

Itachi nodded, following his mother to the waiting area. Once Keigo's meeting was over, he turned around and spotted Itachi. His face lit up with a grin. "Hey, Itachi!" he called out.

Itachi gave a small nod, lifting a hand in a brief wave. Keigo's mother smiled as well, noticing the interaction.

"So, you're Itachi," she said warmly, her eyes studying him with curiosity.

Keigo's mother gently pushed her son forward. "Let's give them their turn. We'll talk later, Keigo," she said.

Keigo nodded enthusiastically. "We're waiting outside," he added.

Itachi and Yana nodded back, watching them leave. Keigo's mother glanced at them one more time as they exited and thought to herself, They're like carbon copies of each other. She bowed politely before leaving, and Yana and Itachi returned the gesture.

They took their seats in front of the homeroom teacher, who greeted them with a warm smile. "Hello, I'm Hana Suzuki," she introduced herself.

Yana smiled back, introducing herself as well. "Yana Yaoyorozu. Thank you for your time."

Suzuki smiled warmly. "I know of your family, of course. The Yaoyorozu name is well-known."

Then she turned her attention to Itachi, her smile widening. "Itachi has been excelling in class. His intelligence and academic performance are outstanding, as are his athletic abilities."

Yana listened to the teacher's praise, her heart swelling with pride. Every compliment, though expected, made her beam. Suzuki continued, "If he keeps this up, the school will likely award him a gold medal for academics by the end of the year. He's already earned two."

Yana turned to look at Itachi with a proud smile, but then Suzuki hesitated, adding, "However, I do have one small concern."

Yana's smile faltered, surprised. "A concern? What is it?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. No one had ever mentioned a problem with Itachi before.

Suzuki nodded, choosing her words carefully. "It's not academic, but more social. Itachi excels in everything he does, but he lacks communication with the other students. It's good that he's formed a bond with Keigo—Keigo talks a lot, which balances out Itachi's quiet nature—but still, Itachi tends to keep to himself."

Yana listened intently, her expression softening.

The teacher continued, "I know school is about discipline and academics, but it's also about learning to build relationships. Itachi could benefit from talking more with his classmates and forming friendships. That's just as important as his grades."

Yana nodded thoughtfully, turning to her son. She understood the teacher's concern. "Thank you, Miss Suzuki," she said with a soft smile. Then, looking at Itachi, she added, "What do you think about that, dear?"

Itachi, still composed, gave a small nod. "I'll try," he said simply, his words holding a quiet resolve.

Yana placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, grateful for his willingness to listen, even if it wasn't his strong suit.

Itachi gave a respectful bow to his homeroom teacher, saying, "Thank you, Sensei."

Yana also offered a polite bow, smiling. "Thank you for your time."

Hana Suzuki, their homeroom teacher, smiled warmly in return. "Thank you for coming. And Itachi, remember what I said—communication is just as important as your studies."

Itachi nodded, acknowledging her advice, and with that, he and Yana left the classroom. As they walked down the hallway, they spotted Keigo and his mother sitting on a bench outside. Keigo noticed them first, his face lighting up.

"Mother, look! Itachi's here!" he said excitedly.

Tomie Takami, Keigo's mother, stood up and smiled as they approached. "Hello, Miss Yaoyorozu," she greeted with a warm smile. "My name is Tomie Takami. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Yana smiled in return. "I'm Yana Yaoyorozu. Please, call me Yana. Keigo is Itachi's friend, so you're also my friend," she said kindly.

Tomie chuckled and nodded. "Yes, of course. Because of your son, my Keigo has matured a bit. He talks about Itachi all the time."

Yana glanced at Keigo and smiled, noticing his cheerful energy. "Your son is adorable and handsome," she said, genuinely complimenting him.

Keigo muttered shyly, "Yeah..." while shifting slightly on his feet. Itachi let out a small sigh but remained composed.

Tomie smiled and then added, "Your son is also very handsome, Yana. He looks just like you."

Itachi bowed slightly. "Thank you, Takami-san," he said with his usual calm politeness.

Tomie laughed lightly. "So well-mannered too, unlike my son," she teased, causing Keigo to frown in mock offense.

"Mother..." Keigo muttered, but Tomie laughed again, clearly fond of her son's antics.

Yana smiled at the friendly interaction. "You're both going to be heroes, aren't you?" she said, looking between the two boys.

Keigo's face lit up, and with a smirk, he proudly announced, "Yeah! Not only me..." He tugged Itachi's arm, pulling him closer. "We're going to be heroes together!"

Itachi looked at him and nodded, a small but meaningful smile playing on his lips. "Yeah."

Both mothers smiled at their sons' determination. "We'll be cheering for you both," Yana said, her voice full of encouragement.

Tomie nodded in agreement. "Absolutely."

As the conversation wrapped up, Tomie glanced at the time. "Well, we should be heading out. It was lovely meeting you, Yana. Take care, Itachi."

Yana and Itachi nodded in return. "Thank you, Tomie. Take care as well," Yana replied.

Keigo grinned at Itachi and waved enthusiastically. "Bye, Itachi! See you tomorrow!"

Itachi gave a brief nod, lifting his hand in a small wave. "Yeah, see you tomorrow."

With that, the Takamis left, and Yana and Itachi made their way to the car. Once inside, Yana started the engine, glancing at Itachi out of the corner of her eye. "So," she began, "what do you think about what your teacher said? About being more social?"

Itachi looked out the window, thinking for a moment before responding in his usual calm tone. "I understand why she said it. I'll try to talk more. But it's not really my thing."

Yana smiled softly, her eyes filled with motherly pride. "I know. It's okay, though. Just try in your own way. You'll figure it out."

Itachi nodded, appreciating her understanding. "I will," he replied quietly, his eyes focused ahead as they drove home together, the day's events still fresh in his mind.

They arrived home a short while later, pulling into the driveway of their large family estate. As they stepped out of the car, the evening air was cool and refreshing. Yana glanced up at the sky, watching as the stars began to appear.

Inside, the house was quiet, but the warmth of home enveloped them. Erika was in the living room, playing with Momo, who was giggling as she tried to crawl across the floor toward her. Momo's soft laughter echoed through the room, filling it with a sense of peace.

Yana smiled at the sight and turned to Itachi. "You should spend some time with Momo. She's missed you all day."

Itachi nodded, setting his bag down and walking over to his baby sister. As soon as Momo saw him, her tiny hands reached out toward him, her bright eyes filled with joy. Itachi knelt down beside her, letting her crawl onto his lap. Her innocent giggles filled the air, and he couldn't help but smile, a rare moment of tenderness softening his usual stoic demeanor.

Erika watched them, a small smile on her face as she observed. "She really adores you, Itachi," she said, her voice quiet but affectionate.

Itachi glanced at Erika and nodded. "I know," he said softly, stroking Momo's hair gently. "She's special."

Erika's smile widened. "We all think so."

Yana entered the room, carrying a tray with tea for herself and Erika. She set it down on the table and sat next to them, watching her children with warmth in her eyes. "You're both special to me," she said, her voice filled with love. "Our family is everything."

As the evening wore on, the atmosphere in the house was peaceful. Itachi continued to play with Momo, letting her tug at his fingers and giggle as she babbled nonsense words. Yana and Erika chatted quietly, the light from the lamps casting a soft glow around them.

Eventually, Momo grew tired, her eyes drooping as she nestled into Itachi's chest. He gently rocked her back and forth until she fell asleep, her tiny breaths even and peaceful. He carefully stood up and carried her to her crib, tucking her in with a tenderness that only those close to him ever saw.

When he returned to the living room, Yana was waiting for him, her expression soft. "You're a good brother, Itachi."

He gave a small nod, acknowledging her words but saying nothing. He didn't need to. The bond between them, the love in their family, was unspoken but strong.

Itachi sat under the dim light, his Sharingan activated as he pondered the nature of his new quirk, still adapting to it in this new world. "With my three-tomoe Sharingan, I can use illusions, but... who should I test them on?" he mused. As he looked up, he noticed Erika standing nearby, her head tilted with a curious expression.

"What's going on, Itachi?" Erika asked, sensing his focus on something serious.

Itachi turned toward her, his tone calm as always. "If you don't mind... could you be my test subject?"

Erika's eyes widened slightly before she covered herself playfully, teasing him. "What are you saying, Itachi? Asking a girl to be your test subject?" she said with an exaggerated pout.

Itachi immediately sweatdropped, waving his hands in slight panic. "You know I didn't mean it that way..." he muttered, caught off guard by her teasing.

Erika laughed, enjoying seeing the normally composed Itachi flustered. "I know, I know! But what can I do to help? I don't even have a quirk," she said with a mock-sad face, but there was a glint of humor in her eyes.

"You don't need to do anything," Itachi replied, regaining his composure. "Just look into my eyes, and I'll cast an illusion."

"An illusion?" Erika asked, intrigued. "Your quirk can do that too?"

Itachi, not wanting to explain the truth about his Sharingan just yet, quickly came up with a cover story. "I accidentally used it on Keigo earlier. So, I thought I should train to control it better."

Erika raised an eyebrow, studying his face before sighing. "Alright, Itachi. I'll trust you... but this better not be scary!"

Itachi nodded, activating his Sharingan. The red tomoe spun slowly as Erika gazed into his eyes. Suddenly, her vision was engulfed in darkness, and two large, ominous Sharingan eyes floated before her, staring into her soul. A sense of dread washed over her, and her body froze as fear gripped her heart.

In a split second, Itachi deactivated his Sharingan, and the illusion dissipated. Erika gasped, stumbling back slightly, her breath unsteady.

"I'm sorry, Erika," Itachi said softly, his eyes filled with genuine regret as he stepped closer to her. "I didn't mean to scare you..."

He thought to himself, I've shown far worse illusions in the past, but even something mild was enough to frighten her... He frowned, knowing he should have anticipated that.

Erika looked up at him, taking in his apologetic expression, and managed a soft laugh. "It's okay, Itachi. It was... well, it was scary, I won't lie," she admitted, running a hand through her hair. "But it's nothing I can't handle."

Itachi still seemed troubled, shaking his head. "I should've known better. It was a bad idea."

Erika smirked, reaching over to poke his forehead lightly. "Don't worry, Itachi. Maybe I just need to watch more horror movies to build up my tolerance."

Itachi blinked, momentarily taken aback by her lightheartedness, then smiled softly. "Yeah, maybe."

Erika grinned, stepping closer. "So... what, you're gonna use your scary eyes to prank me next time? Is that the plan?"

Itachi's eyes widened in slight surprise. "No, no, of course not—" he began, but before he could finish, Erika burst out laughing, clearly amused by his reaction.

"For someone so serious, you're really fun to tease, you know that?" she said with a wide smile.

Before he could respond, Erika did something unexpected. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a warm, affectionate hug. Itachi stood there for a moment, surprised by the gesture, but slowly returned the hug, feeling the warmth of her embrace.

"Don't overthink it, Itachi," Erika whispered softly. "It's fine. And don't do anything stupid like blaming yourself."

Itachi let out a soft sigh, slightly relieved. "Why would I?"

She pulled away from the hug, looking him in the eyes with a playful smile. "Good. Now, you should probably go get some rest. You've had enough training for one night."

Itachi gave a slight nod, but just before he could leave, Erika teased him one more time. "But seriously, if you ever decide to use your quirk on me again... make it something cute next time, okay?"

Itachi blinked, caught off guard yet again, before a rare, genuine smile crossed his face. "I'll keep that in mind."

Erika winked at him, turning to leave. "Goodnight, Itachi."

"Goodnight, Erika," he replied, watching her go with a quiet sense of appreciation for her lighthearted nature.

Time Skip to 4 years later.

It was a quiet Sunday morning, and Itachi, now sporting jet-black hair pulled back in a low ponytail, was doing push-ups. He, having opened up more over the past few months, was no longer as stoic as he once was. His toned arms flexed with every movement, sweat dripping from his brow as he maintained a steady pace. Erika, sitting on top of him, was counting each rep with a playful smirk.

"82... 83… 84…" she counted, casually enjoying her perch on his back.

As Itachi pushed up again, his breathing steady but labored, he quirked an eyebrow and teased, "Erika, have you been eating more lately?"

Erika immediately shot him a glare, her cheeks puffing slightly in annoyance. "Let me remind you, my weight is exactly the same as last time!" she snapped.

Itachi chuckled, continuing his reps effortlessly. "Feels like you've gained some weight. My arms are going numb."

"Liar!" Erika retorted, crossing her arms indignantly.

Still amused, Itachi pushed himself through more reps. "Relax, I'm just messing with you."

Erika pouted but couldn't help a smile from creeping onto her face. "Well, today's Momo's quirk test, right?" she asked, shifting the conversation.

Itachi nodded, his tone becoming more serious. "Yeah… sometimes it worries me. I hope her quirk manifests well."

Erika looked at him, her teasing demeanor fading into something more empathetic. "I know you're anxious… but I have a feeling she'll get an amazing quirk, Itachi. She's strong, just like you."

He finished his final push-up and stood, wiping the sweat from his face with a towel. "Yeah, she will."

Erika stood up as well, brushing her clothes off. "You should get cleaned up before we head out."

Itachi nodded, draping the towel over his shoulder. "Will you be coming with us for the quirk checkup?"

There was a moment of hesitation before Erika replied, her eyes shifting slightly. "Uh... no, I have something to do today."

Itachi, sharp as ever, narrowed his eyes. "Something to do? If it's work around the mansion, the other maids can handle it."

Erika quickly stammered, trying to cover her tracks. "No, no! I... I'm meeting someone."

"Who?" Itachi asked, his gaze steady.

She hesitated again before blurting out, "A friend."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "A friend, huh? Who's this friend?"

Feeling cornered, Erika crossed her arms defensively and shot back, "Are you my mom or something?"

Itachi sighed, knowing she was avoiding the question. "Fine, I won't ask anymore," he said, heading towards the bathroom. But just before entering, he glanced back at her with a smirk. "But Erika… work on your lying skills."

Erika's eyes widened in surprise, her face heating up as she realized he had seen right through her. "He saw through me..." she muttered to herself, sighing in relief that he didn't push further.

After a quick shower, Itachi returned to his room and found a neatly folded set of clothes on the bed—a black hoodie and matching track pants. He smiled faintly to himself, knowing Erika had laid them out for him. Dressed and ready, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. "Not bad," he mused before heading downstairs.

As he descended, he noticed Erika slipping out the door in her maid's uniform, carrying a small bag. She was gone before he could call out to her. His mother, Yana, was seated in the living room, wearing a beautiful green dress adorned with delicate jewelry.

"Mother," Itachi greeted, "where's Momo?"

Yana looked up from her book and smiled warmly. "Oh my, Itachi, you look good. That hoodie suits you," she remarked.

Itachi offered a small smile in return. "Thank you. So, where is she?"

"She's with your father, playing," Yana replied. "Takashi's been entertaining her all morning."

Itachi nodded approvingly. "That's good. He's great with her."

Before Yana could respond, a high-pitched voice interrupted them. "Brother!"

Momo came running into the room, her excitement palpable. Itachi dropped to one knee and caught her in a hug, smiling as she clung to him.

"Today's the quirk test!" Momo beamed, her eyes bright with anticipation.

Itachi smiled gently, brushing a hand through her hair. "That's right. My little sister is going to get a strong quirk."

Her face lit up even more. "I'll get a quirk just like my big brother!"

Itachi's smile faltered slightly at her words, and he glanced over at Takashi, who was watching them from across the room with a stern expression. Itachi quickly refocused on Momo, placing his hand gently on her head. "No, Momo. You'll get a quirk even more powerful than mine."

"Really?" Momo asked, eyes wide with wonder.

"Yes," Itachi replied softly. "You know why?"

"Why?" she asked eagerly.

"Because our father has a strong quirk," Itachi teased, a playful glint in his eyes. "Like All Might. He could wipe out everyone with one punch."

Yana, unable to suppress her laughter, covered her mouth while Takashi's expression tightened. Momo, stars in her eyes, turned to their father with awe.

"Really, Father?" she asked, pure admiration in her voice.

Takashi struggled to keep his composure, his annoyance barely hidden. "Yes, Momo. But we should get going, or we'll be late for the appointment," he said, his voice strained.

Momo nodded happily, and Itachi lifted her into his arms. As they prepared to leave, Yana walked beside them, glancing at Itachi thoughtfully.

"You've changed a lot, Itachi," Yana remarked, her voice soft but full of warmth.

Itachi smiled softly. "Yeah, I guess I have." Then, after a brief pause, he asked, "Mother, do you know where Erika went?"

Yana shook her head. "She mentioned meeting someone, but didn't say much more."

Itachi sighed. "She told me the same thing… and I know it's a lie."

Yana chuckled softly at Itachi's comment. "How can you be so sure?"

Itachi, with a faint smirk, replied, "Because she's not exactly the best at lying, Mother."

Yana gave a soft laugh, amused by the gentle banter. Momo, excited as ever, chimed in, "I know where she went!"

Itachi glanced at his sister, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? And where's that?"

Momo grinned mischievously. "I think she's planning to surprise us at the hospital!"

Itachi sweatdropped, amused by her innocence. "Yeah, that sounds about right."

Before they could continue, Takashi's voice boomed from the front of the house. "What's taking you all so long?"

Yana, ever patient, said, "Let's go, Itachi."

He nodded, and they all headed out to the car. As they settled in, Takashi sat in the passenger seat up front, while Yana, Itachi, and Momo sat in the back. Itachi leaned back in his seat, watching his father through the rearview mirror, his gaze sharp and contemplative.

He turned slightly to Yana, speaking low enough for Momo not to hear. "Why is he even here? Now he's going to start judging Momo too..."

Yana gave Itachi a warning look but didn't say anything.

Before she could respond, Takashi, as if sensing the tension, spoke up. "Because I believe Momo won't turn out to be a failure like you."

The air in the car grew thick with silence. Yana's eyes flashed with frustration as she turned to Takashi. "Do you really think this is the right time for that, Takashi?"

Itachi's expression didn't change, but there was a noticeable tightness in his voice. "And what if she doesn't inherit your quirk… or Mother's? What then?"

Takashi remained silent for a moment before muttering, "Nothing."

"Exactly what I thought," Itachi said softly, glancing down at Momo, who was now watching the exchange with a confused expression. Itachi quickly gave her a reassuring smile and patted her head gently. "Don't worry about it, Momo."

Momo's wide eyes softened as she returned his smile, trusting her brother completely.

Yana's eyes darted between her son and husband, the tension in the car unmistakable. Out of nowhere, Takashi scoffed. "She'll inherit something greater. Something far more impressive than anything you ever had."

Itachi sighed, barely able to hide his growing irritation. "Right… because your quirk is so extraordinary," he muttered under his breath.

Takashi's eyes flared with anger, and he was about to retort when Yana stepped in, her voice calm but firm. "Itachi… apologize to your father."

Itachi looked at his mother's face, her expression a mixture of disappointment and concern. After a brief pause, he let out a resigned sigh. "Sorry, Father."

The car fell into an uneasy silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy in the air as they continued toward the hospital.

After a while, they reached the hospital, and Momo was practically bouncing with excitement as they entered. Itachi stayed close by, watching his little sister with a soft smile as they approached the reception.

The nurse called out, "Yaoyorozu, please come in," and the family followed her into the doctor's cabin.

The doctor, a middle-aged man with a gentle demeanor, greeted them with a warm smile. "Hello, Momo," he said.

Momo, still a bit shy, greeted him back. "Hello, Doctor!"

"We'll need to take a blood sample to run a few tests," he explained. Momo winced slightly as the needle pricked her arm, but she remained as still as possible, her face determined.

"Strong girl," the doctor praised her, giving her a kind smile. He then left the room to run the tests.

As the minutes ticked by, Momo's excitement only grew, though there was a hint of nervousness in her wide eyes. Itachi, sensing her unease, reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Whatever happens, you'll be amazing, Momo," he said softly. She smiled up at him, her worries easing just a bit.

After what felt like an eternity, the doctor returned. His smile remained as he looked at the family and said, "Congratulations, Momo! You have a Quirk called Creation."

Yana's eyes lit up as she leaned forward. "Like mine?" she asked.

The doctor nodded. "Exactly. Her Quirk gives her the ability to create any non-living material or object from her exposed skin by transforming the molecular structure of her fat cells. But for her to create something, she needs to understand the molecular structure of the object she's making."

Itachi, ever analytical, thought for a moment before speaking. "So, she needs to eat more food to fuel her Quirk?"

The doctor nodded again. "Correct. The more material she has to work with, the more she'll be able to create. She needs to consume a significant amount of food for her Quirk to be effective. It also takes more time and larger amounts of exposed skin to create bigger objects. And because her Quirk burns fat cells, overuse without sufficient calorie intake can lead to weakness and even anemia."

Yana, always the caring mother, nodded in understanding. "We'll make sure she eats properly and stays healthy."

Takashi, his pride barely contained, smiled broadly. "That's great," he said, his voice full of satisfaction.

Itachi, however, remained a bit more reserved. "Sure," he said quietly, glancing at Momo, who was beaming with pride at her newfound abilities.

He couldn't help but feel proud of her too, but a part of him also recognized the burden of having such a powerful Quirk at such a young age. He only hoped she wouldn't feel the same weight of expectations that had once crushed him.

As Momo excitedly asked the doctor more questions about her Quirk, Itachi's thoughts drifted, a subtle sigh escaping him. His sister was strong, no doubt, but he hoped she would always remain the cheerful, hopeful girl she was today.

On the other side of town, Erika strolled through the shops, her eyes scanning the displays as she searched for something special. She glanced around at the various stores but sighed in frustration, thinking, Nothing here is what I'm looking for.

As she continued walking, a small jewelry shop caught her eye. The storefront was simple, yet something about it drew her in. Maybe this is the place, she thought, opening her purse to check the money inside. Good thing they've been paying me well, she mused with a small smile.

Walking inside, she was greeted by the shop owner, a kind older man with a warm smile. "Welcome, ma'am. What are you looking for today?" he asked politely.

Erika hesitated for a moment before answering. "I'm looking for jewelry. Something... for a boy."

The man raised a brow, intrigued. "What age are we talking about?"

"He's turning 13," she replied with a soft smile, thinking of the surprise she had in mind.

"Ah, I see," the owner said, gesturing for her to follow. "Please, come this way."

As they walked through the shop, he showed her an array of items—rings, bracelets, lockets—each piece delicate and well-crafted. Erika's eyes roamed over them until something in particular caught her attention. A locket, simple yet elegant, with a vibrant red stone set in the center.

Her breath hitched slightly. This color... it's just like his eyes, she thought, an involuntary smile touching her lips.

"I'll take this one," she said softly, her gaze still fixed on the locket.

The owner smiled, clearly pleased with her choice. "A fine selection, ma'am. I'll wrap it up for you."

As he moved to pack it, Erika interrupted gently, "Excuse me, sir. Could you gift wrap it?"

"Of course," he replied, nodding. He placed the locket carefully into a small box, wrapping it neatly with delicate paper and tying it off with a ribbon. The entire process was done with care, almost as if he understood how important this gift was to her.

"Your billing is just over there," he gestured, handing her the elegantly wrapped box.

Erika nodded and made her way to the counter, paying for the gift. As she walked out of the shop, the small box tucked securely in her hands, she couldn't help but smile.

It's perfect, she thought, her heart warm with the anticipation of giving it to him. I'm so glad I found something that suits him.

She glanced down at the box again, her fingers brushing lightly over the ribbon. I hope he likes it..

Erika walked briskly down the street, her thoughts still on the gift she had bought for Itachi. The soft clinking of the locket inside the box in her hand made her smile, imagining the look on his face when he opened it. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the pavement as she neared the mansion.

But as she approached the quieter part of town, something caught her eye in the distance. Her smile faded when she saw a group of four thugs harassing an old woman.

One of the thugs, tall and menacing, sneered, "You old hag, give us everything you have!"

Another thug chimed in with a cruel grin, "Yeah, if you wanna live a little longer, you'd better hand it over."

The remaining two thugs smirked, surrounding the terrified woman like predators circling their prey. She pleaded, her voice trembling, "Please... I don't have anything. I'm poor…"

Erika's heart raced, a chill running down her spine as she watched. Her hands tightened around the small gift box. What should I do? she thought, fear slowly creeping in. She wasn't strong like Itachi, and she had no quirk to defend herself.

The third thug brandished a gun, aiming it at the old woman. "Hurry up! I'll kill you right here, right now!"

Erika's breath caught in her throat. I can't just stand here! But fear held her legs in place, as if her body refused to move. Just then, one of the thugs noticed her.

"Well, well, look what we have here," the fourth thug whistled, eyeing her with a disgusting smirk. "Hey, check her out. She's cute."

The others turned to see Erika, and their sneers widened. The second thug, eyes gleaming, pointed toward her bag. "Looks like you've got something we want. Hand it over."

Before Erika could react, the old woman was shoved aside, and the thugs approached her with sinister grins. "Come on, girl. Don't make this hard. If you don't, we've got other ways to get what we want," the second thug said, licking his lips.

Disgust and fear gripped Erika, but she forced herself to reach into her purse and hand over some money. "Here… please, just take it," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

The thug snatched the money from her hands, counting it quickly. "1,000 yen? That's it?" His tone was mocking, clearly unimpressed.

Another thug, the third one with the gun, smirked darkly, "Guess we'll have to find another way to enjoy ourselves."

Panic set in as Erika's body froze, her mind reeling. Her breathing grew shallow as memories of Itachi surfaced. She recalled a time when they were younger, back when she was quirkless and felt powerless. Itachi, only four years old at the time, had looked at her with that serious expression of his.

"Erika," he had said, his voice gentle yet strong, "I know you've faced a lot of suffering because you're quirkless. But that doesn't mean you're weak."

Young Erika had looked at him with wide eyes, unable to believe him. She had always felt so inferior.

He had smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder. "People who are quirkless can be strong too, if they believe in themselves."

The memory filled her with a sudden surge of determination. Itachi's right… I'm not weak.

Her eyes hardened, and in one swift motion, she shoved one of the thugs back and bolted. "Hey! Get back here!" one of them yelled, giving chase.

Fear and adrenaline pumped through her veins as she sprinted down the street, her heart pounding in her ears. "If you don't stop, I'll shoot!" the third thug shouted, but she didn't dare look back.

Just as she turned a corner, she felt a hand grab her, pinning her to a wall. The thug with the gun stood before her, his cold eyes glaring into hers as he aimed the weapon at her. Desperation took over as she fought back, pushing the gun away with both hands. The thug was physically stronger, but Erika's determination didn't waver. She kicked him hard in the gut, making him stumble back.

In the moment of opportunity, she tried to run again, but another thug—one with a shape-shifting quirk—grabbed her leg, causing her to fall. Erika yelped in pain as the others closed in, their cruel laughs echoing around her.

One of the thugs leaned in, preparing to strike, but Erika's hand brushed against a stone on the ground. Without thinking, she grabbed it and swung it at the thug's head. He staggered back, cursing.

Breathing heavily, Erika scrambled to her feet, but before she could escape, the sound of a gunshot rang out.

Suddenly, a figure appeared out of nowhere—Tsunagu Hakamada, better known as Fiber Hero: Best Jeanist. His voice boomed, "Stop right there!"

The thugs froze, panic flashing in their eyes. In a split second, they all turned to flee, but Best Jeanist's fibers shot out like lightning, binding three of the thugs tightly. One of them, however, with a blade quirk, managed to cut through the threads and escape, his blade-like arm gleaming as he disappeared into the shadows.

As he approached the remaining thugs, his breath caught in his throat. Lying on the ground was a blonde girl, motionless. His eyes widened in shock, heart pounding in his chest.

Back to Itachi…

Itachi sat quietly in the car with his family, his gaze fixed on the scenery passing by. The recent quirk test with Momo still lingered in his mind. His face was tense, his jaw clenched ever so slightly, though he tried to remain composed.

His mother, Yana, noticed the shift in his expression. "Is something wrong, Itachi?" she asked gently.

He blinked, turning away from the window to face her. "It's nothing, mother..." he murmured, though his voice was far from convincing. "I just… I can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen."

Concern shadowed Yana's eyes. "Why do you feel that way?" she asked softly, her hand resting on his arm.

Itachi hesitated, swallowing the unease that had crept into his chest. "I don't know…" he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just hope… everything will be fine."

But deep down, the feeling clung to him, like a shadow he couldn't escape. As he looked out the window again, the name echoed in his mind—Erika.