BNHA: Forge & Conquer

Ch6 – Family & Tradition

Read ahead: /bloooog

***

Yoshiki activated Observation.

120 meters to the southeast, in a nearby apartment, were a man and a woman. They were just lounging about, acting like a regular couple... but no. For the last few months, Yoshiki had been tailed by a number of people, these two included. Or at least, that was when he'd first spotted one of his many stalkers with Observation.

When Yoshiki first realized he was being tailed at all times, he freaked out a bit. In hindsight, it was pretty embarrassing.

Using Archive, Yoshiki had peered into their backgrounds, rooting around for all the information he possibly could. Was Garaki behind this, or All For One? Did he somehow draw the attention of the Meta Liberation Army, or maybe even the Hero Public Safety Commission?

No... this was just par for the course when it came to being an Enokawa.

Because that's what he was. An Enokawa.

Yeah, Yoshiki didn't like his father all that much. He only saw the man a few times a year, and unlike Izumi's dad, Ichiharu didn't even work overseas. Ichiharu might've been there for Yoshiki's birthdays, as well as family photos... but, ironic as it was, he treated it like a job.

Emotionally distant and annoyed, like he was forced to be there.

Given how little he cared for the man, Yoshiki had never bothered to learn why such a prick would have a wife and a kid... but then again, maybe he should've asked.

'An arranged marriage...'

It explained a lot. Ichiharu Enokawa was the third son of Eto Enokawa, who was the current CEO of Enocorp. A shipping company. Ichiharu only had a wife and kid because it was expected of him, and nothing else. His mom... well, she saw an opportunity to spend the rest of her life relaxing as some rich guy's housewife, and took it.

Which was pretty based of her.

But still, that had been quite the shock. He was the grandson of Eto Enokawa? A billionaire? Well, he wasn't directly in line for the heirship, and neither was Ichiharu... but Yoshiki guessed that that was exactly why Ichiharu spent so much time at work.

And the last few months, Yoshiki had been slowly introduced to the idea of being an 'Enokawa.' He knew he was rich, but... it was still a little odd to be lectured about the importance of family and traditions. Especially from a man like Ichiharu, who clearly did not care about anything more than obtaining Enocorp for himself.

Well, Yoshiki could roll with the punches. Even if just a few months after learning he was the grandson of a billionaire, he was going to a luncheon.

One held by the Intelli Family.

All to meet his 'fiancé.'

No one had outright said it, but Yoshiki wasn't stupid. He knew that Ichiharu was willing to do anything to increase his chances at becoming the Enokawa heir, and having his son married off to the Intelli's would do exactly that. Not to mention that these last few weeks, Yoshiki had spent more time with his father then he had his entire life.

As sad as it was, Ichiharu's involvement pretty much cemented the idea that this luncheon with the Intelli's wasn't about family, but about work.

"Fumika? Yoshiki? How are we looking?" Ichiharu asked.

"Just a few minutes, dear," Fumika called, still fixing Yoshiki's tie. While Yoshiki didn't really care for Ichiharu, and he wasn't really fond of having being used like this...

He was willing to play along. At least for now.

"There," Fumika finished, giving him a once over. "You're growing up so fast, Shiki, and so– well, you're definitely handsome," she said hurriedly, blushing a little.

Yoshiki smiled. "Thanks, mom."

Of course he was handsome. With all of his passive enhancements, his face and physique were practically flawless. Not to mention that he now had... that power.

Mutual Attraction: Those you like will like you in return. *Passive.

This one was pretty interesting. Yoshiki wasn't sure how it worked, at least not exactly. He could normally get a feel for his sub-Quirks... but this one just felt off. Yoshiki knew that it wasn't mind-control, and he also knew it wasn't biological in nature– all he really knew was that it just kind of worked.

It had also drained an entire month of his reserves, leaving him with just two months of Energy at the moment... but that was fine.

More than fine, even.

Yoshiki bit his lip just thinking about it– the way Inko's face would flush slightly whenever they made eye contact, and the times that he's caught his own mom ogling his body... it was tempting. So very tempting. As for Mitsuki, though, while she was hot, she didn't look at Yoshiki the same way that Inko and Fumika did.

As for why Mutual Attraction didn't work on a baddie like Mitsuki, it was simple.

He just couldn't do that to Masaru. The man was a bro.

"Alright," Ichiharu drawled, looking at both him and Fumika. "Good job, honey. Both of you look presentable." Then the man glanced at him. "Be on your best behavior, Yoshiki."

"Of course, father," Yoshiki answered coolly.

'It's time to meet my fiancé.'

***

The Intelli Family was interesting. The Intelli's were comprised of a mother, a father, and a daughter... and that was it. Just three people.

Yoshiki had read about this somewhere, actually– the Japanese government, interestingly enough, had reproduction restrictions for certain Quirks, including IQ. Meaning, no more than a single child per family per generation could have IQ.

At least not without significant backlash.

Yoshiki kind of understood it– Saiko Intelli would be heir by default, and since Intellicorp was a Japanese company, the IQ Quirk would stay within Japan.

And since Saiko had manifested IQ, she'd forever be an only child.

The Enokawas, on the other hand, didn't have that restriction– Enocorp wasn't built on the back of a useful Quirk, but through family money and connections. Yoshiki had two aunts and three uncles that he hadn't known about, as well as five cousins. Not that they were here– from what he could tell, this little get-together was going to be on the smaller side.

Just him, his mom, Ichiharu, and the Intelli's.

"Welcome!" Mr. Intelli boomed, his wife right by his side. "Mr. Enokawa, Mrs. Enokawa... and you young man, you must be Yoshiki! I've heard a lot about you!"

Yoshiki blinked at that. How much did Ichiharu tell him, or rather, how much could Ichiharu even know? He must've made a face because Mr. Intelli had immediately laughed.

"Haha! Don't worry, kiddo. Your father's only told me the good stuff."

'So very little,' Yoshiki mused.

Ui Intelli had bright blue hair, and bright personality to match... and his wife, Serika Intelli, had pristine white hair, and a silent yet strong vibe. Which made sense. For all of the bravado Ui had, it was Serika that had IQ as her Quirk, with her husband being the one to change his last name.

Ui Intelli was, for all intents and purposes, the consort to the Queen.

From what Yoshiki gathered with Archive, they seemed like alright people. However, it wasn't that long before both his and Saiko's parents wondered off to 'talk,' leaving Yoshiki and the Intelli heir alone in the foyer to 'play as kids do.' With periwinkle hair, expensive clothes, and a pout, little Saiko was glaring at him.

Trying to intimidate him.

[ Saiko Intelli. Annoyed, Nervous, Flustered. ]

'Cute.'

"Yoshiki Enokawa, I presume?"

Yoshiki smiled slightly. "You'd be right. Feel free to call me Shiki."

"Hmph. We've just met, Enokawa. Don't be so overly casual. You are probably aware, but I am Saiko Intelli, the future heir of Intellicorp," Saiko said haughtily.

'Alright, a little less cute.'

[ Saiko Intelli. Embarrassed, Flustered, slightly Ashamed ]

Yoshiki was starting to build a picture. Besides her fight with Yaoyorozu during the License Exam Arc, he honestly didn't know a single thing about her. In the anime, Saiko had seemed like the haughty, selfish type, but with Archive, Yoshiki understood.

Saiko Intelli wasn't raised like he was. No, Saiko probably only knew other 'high-society' kids her age, so she didn't know how to act in a casual setting.

She was fumbling, hard.

"You're right that I'm aware, Ms. Intelli," he responded. "Given our circumstances, I don't think it would hurt to get to know each other better."

"I... I suppose not, no." She blushed a little, looking down at her shoes.

'...Alright, maybe this isn't all bad.'

***

***

***

Yoshiki's Sub-Quirks:

New: Mutual Attraction

Index: Blank, Cost, Notepad, Identify, X-ray Vision, Lightcraft, DNA Lock, Sincerity, LC_decoy, Rapid Aging, Dismantle, Upgrade, Ideal Body, Healthy Body, Hyper Gains, Hyper Senses, Fast Recovery, Near Perfect Memory, Body Talent, Archive, Alert, Observation, Mutual Attraction

Total: 23

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