25 – Hebrews 13:2
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
When Overhaul's entire soul was consumed his body simply dropped with a thud and James felt a burst of power flood his body. It seemed the power of the individual who's soul he consumed through the contract did have an influence on the boost it gave him.
He signalled the others to clean up the scene while he himself walked over to Eri.
He brushed her cheek that was cut by the bullet.
"I'm sorry about that, dear." he said doing his best to come across as caring and remorseful.
"You don't have to worry about him. He can't hurt you anymore." he told her.
She finally lost composure, the tears in the corners of her eyes turning to streams as she cried out everything she had been holding in.
James got on his knees and gave her a hug.
One of his squad members let him know they finished cleaning the scene of their traces.
"We have to go now, before the police come or we'll get in trouble. Is that okay?" he asks Eri gently.
She rubs the tears out of her eyes, her expression firms as she nods in agreement.
"That's a good girl." he told her before picking her up.
"We're going to fly, but I'm here and will protect you." he said making sure to sound calm and not scare her any further.
She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. James smiled before unfurling his wings and taking off at a much slower pace than he usually would due to the little girl he was carrying. She wouldn't be able to resist the air pressure if he flew at his usual speed.
Rather than flying home he took her to one of the safe houses run by his organisation.
It was just an inconspicuous house in the suburbs. It was specifically chosen and maintained in a way to not stand out.
After landing not too far they quickly made their way into the building where some of the others of his organisation were already waiting for them.
Now that they were finally in a secure location James took off his helmet revealing his face for the first time.
"You're a big brother?" Eri asked in shock. She was surprised to find out the one who saved her wasn't an adult. It was near impossible to tell when he was wearing the helmet due to his impressive physique that easily passed for an adult. His face on the other hand still had some mild childish features. He was still only 14 after all, no matter how well his quirk helped his body develop. He could still easily pass for 16 though even with his face. While masked though people would assume he was an adult, which was useful at times when acting as the head of his organisation.
"Yeah, I'll be taking care of you from now on." he said sporting a sunny smile.
Though he had his contract powers to control people, it was a lot easier with the newer batches that didn't get to see his face right away and assumed he was an adult and afforded him the respect generally granted towards adults unlike kids. It reduced the amount of people forcing the contract to call in their collateral.
James turned to Mio. "Ok, it's your turn Mio. I want your team to work on getting her paperwork in order and use our plants in one of my parents company to make it look like Eri was the daughter of one of our more senior employees that passed away leaving her orphaned. Make sure that they break the news to my parents while I'm present to make sure I can guide things the way we want them to go," he told her.
"Oh, and thank you for your work on this operation Mio. It wouldn't have been as smooth without all of your assistance," he added while patting Mio on the head. The adult woman actually blushed being patted by what was really just a boy. The women around him were having a harder and harder time dismissing their feelings as just being care for a boy now that he looked like the most attractive teen heart-throb they had ever met. They might still consciously realise, but their bodies definitely didn't.
The seductive aura he naturally exuded as part of his quirk's effects didn't help this either. It was like playing with fire and they were throwing themselves like moths to the flame. He didn't mind though as it made controlling at least his female associates much easier even if he had to watch that they didn't go too far and enter yandere territory.
"Y-yes sir!" Mio answered with determination despite the blush on her visage.
"How about we get you fixed up and cleaned up?" he asked Eri.
She nodded shyly looking around the unfamiliar surroundings and people.
He ended up cleaning and patching up the graze on her cheek himself before having Tsumugi help her take a bath and change in to clean clothes.
When she finally was fresh and the worst of the shock had worn off he decided to talk about their plans.
"Now that you're a little more relaxed, how about we introduce ourselves?" he offered.
"I'm James, 14 years old, future UA student and as you can imagine from our little trip a quirk holder." he started first.
"Four- fourteen!?" she asked once again shocked, something she would probably need to get used to. After realising she had shouted that out she blushed lowering her gaze in embarrassment.
"Ah yes. I do look a little mature for my age. I think it's due to my quirk." he said nonchalantly.
"So how about you, little one?" he asked despite already knowing much about her, but she didn't need to know that.
"I..I'm Eri." she answered timidly. She would alternate between looking at him and the floor.
He smiled to reassure her. "Well, it's nice to get to know you," he told her.