The press is sometimes overwhelming to me. The cameras flash in my eyes and the voices of dozens of reporters all mush into one large murmur. I close my eyes for a second of peace. For a second, I can catch up with my thoughts. It is my choice in the end. No one will die if I leave, will they? Other heroes can take over my place. I glance to my side. Toshinori is there in his street clothes, my closest friend. He shoots me a thumbs up from the side of the stage and it means everything to me.
I limp onto the stage, and I see Toshi step forward, poised to run to me if I fall. I wave him off and he takes a step back. I had to do this myself. "Necromancer! Why did you call this press conference?!" There is a reporter in the very front, yelling above everyone else. I hadn't even made it to the podium. I do not begin until I can lean on the podium for support. Shouts grow louder as reporters try to ask their questions.
With a sigh, I begin. "My fellow Americans, I have called this press conference today to announce that I will be retiring by the end of the month." It hurt to say those words. I was going to be the hero with the early retirement. I couldn't handle the job. The only reason I would be mentioned in history would be because of my partner.
"As a result of my injuries, I have decided to retire as a pro hero, but am privileged to teach at the Japanese hero school, UA in their next school year. I will teach future generations to protect and save you just as I did. Thank you for your understanding. There will be no further questions." I quickly make my way off of the stage, tilting my wool hat to shield my eyes from the flashing lights. Toshinori and I quickly walked through the halls of the building and go out back to my truck.
"Get in." I patted the seat next to me with a sad smile. He doesn't say anything. He knows I need a minute, or I should need a minute. We had always planned to retire together, yet I just demonstrated myself as the weaker of the pair. Of course, the general public doesn't know the extent of his injuries. I do. Only I really know the major step I took further back into his shadow. Toshinori wouldn't notice. He would always see me as his equal, and I was so very thankful for that.
"We are going to be roommates again, Toshinori. Won't that be fun?" He nodded from the kitchen as he made some tea. I sat at my laptop and tried to find an apartment for the two of us near the high school. "Is there something wrong?" I knew there was. We have faced mortality too closely for being top heroes, and it is worrying. When Toshi got hurt, we knew he would pull through, but I was a lot closer and he wore the guilt in plain sight.
"I was just thinking that, because of my current state, I need to find a successor a lot faster than originally planned." Toshinori walked over to sit next to me on the couch. I stared. I never saw this coming and it made me question how close we actually were. He handed me a cup of tea and avoided my gaze.
"We are catching the flight tomorrow. All our stuff is being shipped there soon after. We will make it on time." He smiled and pulled me in for a hug. It was nice, I loved his hugs. They were warm and secure and safe. I never wanted him to let go. We would never have to face our imminent deaths and the changes that would lead up to them, as long as we were here.
"I mean that I am not at my best anymore. Neither of us are. We are like two old people sitting around. One for All isn't going to wait around for me anymore. If I die, I don't want you to bring me back. Just look out for the new holder."
"I don't make promises, Toshinori. I won't bring you back as long as you have a successor. Until then, don't screw yourself up too much." I smiled and patted his cheek. I could never lose him, but I knew one day I would have to. I hoped I would die before he did, so I wouldn't have to make the decision he wants me to.
This is the edited version of chapter 1