"Sapphire's Awakening"

She knew her Japanese wasn't very advanced, so she responded in her own way.

Kanri: I'm sorry, I can't understand you...

Her gaze suddenly turned warm, and she rested her head in her hands, surrendering. She didn't have the strength to process so many things at once.

Hawks: It's okay, it's okay, you're safe. There's nothing to worry about.—He notices her gaze and lets out a sigh of surrender, as does she.—Kanri!—He calls her name, and she looks up. He smiles and pats her head, then gently lets go. He takes a bottle, uncorks it, and offers it to her. Kanri accepts, following him with her eyes, still trying to understand that he isn't a figment of her imagination!

She waits, but just then, the doctors arrive.

Specialist in Systemic Traumatology: Ah, I see you're awake! Kanri, how are you feeling?

Kanri: Hello... my body hurts so much, I'm so weak, what happened to me?

Specialist: It's normal, your body absorbed the full force of the impact from the building's roof, in part, but thanks to your Quirk you're still alive! Please tell us, how does your Quirk work? According to the scans, the pressure from the roof should have been lethal, but your cells seem to have regenerated or adapted in a way we don't understand.

Immediately, her blue eyes meet his golden gaze, as if seeking his approval. Kanri isn't just brave, or physically fragile, due to life's experiences; she's a completely distrustful person, but if she had to choose someone to trust without hesitation, it would be him.

Hawks gives her a slight nod.

Kanri: My Quirk absorbs the impact of things. I can transform into the element of water, so... every time I do it, it doesn't hurt me, but only if I've already taken some kind of energy drink. Energy drinks allow me to enhance my abilities to the point where I don't feel any pain or physical harm. I can't die even if I wanted to; my gift won't allow it. But in this case, I hadn't taken anything this morning, and...

Specialist: I'm interrupting, Kanri! The incident was seven days ago!...

Kanri's expression clearly conveys a "What?" of pure shock and astonishment, which makes her look incredibly endearing.

Kanri: Seven days... -She glances at Hawks for a moment- And he...?

Specialist: He hasn't left your side this whole time...

Kanri: But why is Hawks here?

Specialist: Don't you remember? Kanri, you saved him, you've been all over the news! -He looks at her thoughtfully- I thought you already knew!

Kanri: I saved him... I really... -She stares into his eyes, unable to believe it- I wish I could talk to him, but he doesn't understand me...

Specialist: Don't worry, Hawks records your words so we can understand them later!

Kanri: I... I didn't even know I had saved him!...

When I did it, I couldn't see well, so I didn't know who he was!

Specialist: So you... don't remember? -He's surprised and shakes himself slightly- I thought...

Kanri, finally, after that conversation, comes back to reality.

Kanri: NO... oh no! My face is all over the Argentine news? Damn, how embarrassing! -She gets frustrated, frowning slightly- My privacy is going to be ruined... there's no way to- The specialist interrupts her-

Specialist: Kanri, that's not important right now, focus, you need to recover!

Kanri: I know!... -She looks at Hawks in shock, but finally manages a very soft smile, trying to convey that she has his support- I need an energy drink, that'll give me a really quick recovery!

Specialist: -His gaze fills with confusion- A really quick recovery? How do you know that?

Kanri: It's happened to me before, that if I suffer hard blows, energy drinks give me strength and...

Specialist: Wait, how do you know that?

Kanri: I already told you, I already- he interrupts her again, a classic Argentinian thing-

Specialist: No, not that! That thing about not being able to die, how do you know that?

Kanri: -looks away, refusing to answer directly- That's very personal, I'm not going to tell him!

-After a few moments, she jumps slightly, remembers something, and makes eye contact again!- Speaking of important things! What about my family? How do I contact them?

Specialist: Relax, Kanri, I'm not going to pressure you! As for your family, your sisters have been taking care of you along with Hawks during the nights. Some of them have been taking turns, but you can talk to him about that. They're in contact with Hawks because he said he'd take care of everything. They can call me if they need anything! -leaves-

When the specialist left... I looked at Hawks, somewhat astonished. He... took care of me all these days... It was hard to process. My favorite hero, since when do almost impossible dreams come true overnight? Hawks taking care of a civilian who tries every day not to admire him so much...

Suddenly, my eyes caught his approach. It was him... with his cell phone, all in Japanese. Those characters that to any Argentinian would look like spiders fighting, but to me, they were beautiful. They translated what he wanted to tell me!

Hawks: Hello, Kanri! How are you feeling? I wanted to let you know that if you want to talk to your family, my phone is available to you! I'll be here the whole time, and... although I know you probably already know me, I'd like to introduce myself properly! I'm Hawks, and it's a great honor to meet the person who undoubtedly risked her life for me! Tell me, are you hungry? Is there anything specific you'd like to eat? Don't worry about a thing, I'll take care of it! - He gives her a tender smile.

Hawks believes Kanri is underage, whether because of her delicate features, average height, freckles, or especially because of her voice, which is very soft and high-pitched, giving her a distinctly feminine and youthful air.

He reads the translation, occasionally catching glimpses of her gaze, illuminated by the sun's rays that light up her beautiful golden eyes, which never leave his for a moment.

Her heart is pounding; everything is happening so fast for her. She feels like she's still dreaming. He's asking her what she needs, and to top it all off, he's telling her not to worry about anything!

She picks up her phone and speaks slowly so the translator can understand.

Kanri: Hi, Hawks! It's a great honor for me too, really! Thank you for introducing yourself; it's very kind of you! Although I didn't know who I saved, I'm incredibly happy it was you! I know you; I'm... a very loyal fan!

About whether I'm hungry... Yes, very hungry! Whatever you can give me is fine, I'm not going to be picky, too bad!

Oh, and an energy drink! Bring me a Monster! That'll help me recover really fast! Thanks for everything, and don't thank me, I saved you from the bottom of my heart, you don't owe me a thing!

To be continued...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***