Chapter 16: A little relaxation
Kai pushed open the door to his apartment, greeted by the familiar scent of cedar wood and the gentle hum of silence that wrapped around him like a warm blanket. The soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden hue across the cozy living room. He dropped his bag by the door, letting out a contented sigh as he stepped inside.
With each step, the day's chaos began to fade, replaced by the serene ambiance of home. The plush couch, slightly sunken in the middle from countless hours spent lounging, called to him. He slid into its embrace, feeling the soft fabric against his back as he sank deeper into the cushions.
The peaceful stillness enveloped him, broken only by the distant sounds of the city—a faint murmur of traffic and the occasional laughter from neighbors. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to breathe in the calm, momentarily shutting out the world outside.
After a moment of indulgent stillness, he reached for his phone to order takeout, craving the familiar flavors that always made him feel at home. Scrolling through his favorites, he smiled at the memories tied to each dish—comfort food that never failed to lift his spirits. Tonight, it would be spicy ramen, the kind that left a warm glow in his chest and a content smile on his face.
Kai sat up slightly, pulling his phone from his pocket and tapping on the screen with a familiar rhythm. He navigated through the app, his mouth watering at the sight of steaming bowls and savory options. As he scrolled, the images of tantalizing dishes filled him with nostalgia.
"Ah, the spicy ramen…" he murmured to himself, recalling the first time he tried it—an impromptu celebration after a successful exam. It had quickly become a staple, a dish that transformed even the most mundane evenings into something special.
He selected his favorite order, adding extra noodles and a soft-boiled egg, then glanced at the clock. The delivery time would be just right, allowing him a few precious moments to unwind. As he placed the order, a sense of anticipation bubbled up inside him.
Setting his phone aside, Kai leaned back against the couch, letting his eyes drift around the room. The walls were adorned with a mix of posters and photos, a reflection of his new life and the journeys he would have to take.
Kai relaxed, lost in thought. Suddenly he said, "Kai, I don't know if there's a remnant of you in here or something, but I want you to know that I'm going to do the most I can with what you left me. Thank you."
Just then, the gentle buzz of his phone interrupted his thoughts. A notification flashed on the screen, confirming his order. Kai smiled, the promise of a warm meal on the way made the day's stress fade further away.
He relaxed back onto the couch, stretching out his limbs as he closed his eyes once more, enjoying the quiet moments before his meal arrived.
As the soothing hum of the city outside wrapped around him, Kai felt a renewed sense of purpose stir within. The warmth of gratitude lingered in his chest, reminding him of the journey that lay ahead.
With the promise of his meal soon to arrive, he opened his eyes and sat up, shifting his focus to the task at hand. He accessed his system, feeling a familiar rush of energy as the interface lit up in his mind. The notes he had compiled, a digital reflection of his progress, were now at his fingertips.
Eager to dive into the inventory of his gains, Kai scrolled through the organized lists of the fruits he had absorbed and the abilities he was beginning to master.
As he reviewed the entries, a sense of pride swelled within him. Each fruit represented a new skill, a stepping stone toward his goals. This was more than just data; it was a testament to his growth and the power he was beginning to wield.
With a spark of determination, Kai began releasing the energy he'd built up throughout the day into his scalp. He felt a tingling sensation as the energy flowed through him, invigorating his senses. One by one, fruits started popping off his branches, each one glowing faintly as it separated from him.
Kai plucked them gently and placed them on the table in front of him, each fruit a vibrant symbol of his achievements. The colors dazzled under the soft light of his living room—brilliant reds, deep purples, and vibrant greens.
He first went along the twenty fruits he'd gotten from Class 1-A. He started with the fruit he got from his after-school training with Izuku, a vibrant green apple made from physical energy that increased strength by a large margin.
Next, he picked up the fruit he'd received from Bakugou Katsuki, a small black persimmon made from the explosive energy he produced that allowed minor explosions from the fingertips.
After that, he examined the light green plum derived from Inasa's wind energy, granting the ability to breathe out a gust of wind.
He moved on to the deep purple lime from Ochaco Uraraka, which allowed him to levitate objects lighter than a pound with gravity energy.
Momo Yaoyorozu's creation energy manifested in a sparkly pomegranate which allowed the user to mold something with their hands as if it were clay.
Next was a small golden kumquat made with electric energy that allowed the user to discharge lightning from between their fingers, Courtesy of Denki Kaminari.
Following next was a grape with the same white color of Hitoshi's Clarity energy, but this one made the user's words more persuasive. Kai would be keeping this one in his inventory.
He then picked up a bright red fruit resembling a cherry, gifted by Eijiro Kirishima. This fruit enhanced his physical durability by roughly 20%.
Next was a small teal fruit from Tsuyu Asui's frog energy, resembling a fig, granting him the ability to stick to surfaces as if he were climbing a wall.
Finally, he held a shimmering silver orange from Tenya Iida, which made him feel as though he could run for miles without tiring.
It was a shame that he was to submit almost all of these fruits to Nezu for research, as well as most of the ones he'd made outside of the exercise, but that's how it was. While he was sorting which ones he would 'donate' he heard a knock at the door.
Kai paused and got up to get his ramen, a steamy bowl of red noodles with egg and pork. Since his hands were full he couldn't mess around with the fruits, so he went over his status.
Status;
Name: Kai Sugimoto
Age: 19
Alignment: True Neutral
Cheats: Devil Fruit System, Meta-Knowledge
"Powers": Empowering Fruits, Tinker Tinker Fruit
Skills:
Mechanical Engineering Lv. 47
Chemical Engineering Lv. 36
Driving Lv. 34
Biology Lv. 39
(See More)
Not much had changed; he had gained a couple of levels in his skills, and his Devil Fruit was now noted in the powers section. Kai set the bowl down on the coffee table, the aroma wafting up to greet him, and reflected on the progress he'd made.
As he slurped up the noodles, savoring the rich flavor, Kai felt a sense of contentment wash over him. This was a well-deserved break after all the excitement and challenges he'd faced lately. He settled back onto the couch, the warm bowl resting comfortably in his lap.
With his meal in hand, he couldn't help but ponder his next steps. He had a wealth of fruits to work with and the chance to refine his skills even further. Kai considered how to maximize the potential of the fruits he would be keeping and the ones he'd have to submit.
After finishing his ramen, he turned his attention back to the fruits spread out on the table. They glistened under the soft light of the room, each one a testament to the connections he had made. He picked up the vibrant green apple from Izuku, admiring its polished surface, and thought about how to integrate its strength into his training routine.
"Time to make the most of this," he murmured to himself, his mind buzzing with possibilities.
With renewed determination, Kai began jotting down ideas for his next training sessions, thinking of combinations that could maximize the fruits' effects. He felt ready to embrace whatever came next, energized by both the meal and the potential that lay ahead.