The Hero's Daughter

The Same Mentions

I’m trying to focus on the street signs and the chaos of New York, but all I can think about is that damn girl, Vickie, and how Charlie’s face lights up every time she mentions her. It’s infuriating. One minute we’re talking about hero training, and the next she’s gushing about Vickie like she’s some kind of goddess. I mean, who the hell is this girl that has Charlie so wrapped around her finger?

“Seriously, Kacchan, Vickie is amazing! You should see her in action; she can manipulate shadows like it’s nothing!” Charlie’s voice has that excited lilt again, and I can feel my fists clenching at my sides. Why does she care so much about this girl?

“Yeah, sounds great,” I mutter, trying to keep my tone neutral, but I can’t help the edge that creeps into my voice. “But why are you telling me about her? I don’t care about some random girl.”

Charlie looks back at me, her eyes narrowing slightly. “It’s not just any girl, Kacchan! Vickie’s got this incredible quirk, and she’s super talented! Plus, she’s really sweet and funny. You’d actually like her if you gave her a chance.”

I scoff, but the truth is, I don’t want to like her. I don’t want to hear about how great Vickie is when I can’t even get Charlie to stop talking about her. “I don’t need to like anyone, especially not some shadow manipulator,” I snap, trying to sound tougher than I feel.

Charlie rolls her eyes, and I can see that familiar spark of annoyance in her expression. “You’re just jealous!” she teases, and I feel my face heat up at the accusation. Jealous? Me? No way.

“Jealous? Of what? Her quirk? I don’t need to be jealous of anyone,” I retort, but there’s a part of me that knows it’s not just about Vickie’s quirk. It’s about the way Charlie’s eyes light up when she talks about her, the way she gets lost in her thoughts. It’s enough to make my blood boil.

“Come on, Kacchan! You can’t honestly say you wouldn’t be impressed by someone who can manipulate shadows. That’s pretty badass!” Charlie continues, and I can hear the excitement in her voice.

“Yeah, well, I’m badass too!” I shoot back, my frustration bubbling over. “I don’t need to hear about her all the time!”

Charlie stops walking and turns to face me, her expression serious for a moment. “Look, I’m not trying to make you jealous. I just think you should appreciate talent when you see it. Vickie’s worked really hard to get where she is, and she deserves recognition.”

I scowl, my heart racing. “I don’t care about recognition! I’m here to be the best hero, not to sit around comparing quirks!”

“Maybe you should care a little more,” she challenges, crossing her arms over her chest. “You’re so focused on blowing things up that you’re missing out on everything else. You could learn something from Vickie.”

“Learn what?” I bark, but my voice lacks its usual force. “To be a shadow freak?”

“Stop it!” she snaps, her voice rising. “You’re being ridiculous! Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t mean you have to dismiss it. Vickie’s not just some shadow freak; she’s a hero in her own right!”

I can feel my jaw tightening. “I don’t need to hear about how great she is, alright? I’m not some jealous loser!”

“Then stop acting like one!” Charlie fires back, and I’m taken aback by the intensity in her voice.

For a moment, we just stare at each other, the tension thick in the air. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. It’s not just anger I’m feeling; it’s something else, something deeper. I don’t want to be jealous of Vickie. I want Charlie to look at me the way she looks at her.

“Fine,” I finally say, my voice low. “I just… I don’t want to hear about her all the time.”

Charlie’s expression softens a bit, and I can see the understanding in her eyes. “I get it, Kacchan. But you’re going to have to deal with it. Vickie’s my friend, and I care about her. Just like I care about you.”

“Yeah, well, maybe you should care a little less,” I mutter, but the words come out more like a plea than a demand.

“Not a chance,” she replies, her smile returning. “But I promise I’ll try to tone it down a bit. Just don’t be such a grump about it, okay?”

I can’t help but let out a frustrated sigh. “I’m not a grump!”

“Sure, buddy,” she teases, and I can’t help but roll my eyes.

As we continue walking, I can’t shake the feeling that this trip is going to be a lot more complicated than I thought. Charlie’s chaotic energy is infectious, but it’s also a reminder of how much I want her attention to be on me, not on some shadow-manipulating girl.

But maybe, just maybe, I can figure out how to navigate this mess. I just have to keep my cool and not let my jealousy get the best of me. Easy, right?

Yeah, right.