A few days have passed. I engaged in a tough fight tonight. I'm finding more and more I'm being pushed too far. Truthfully speaking, I knew I was at my limit before going into this one. I think I've permanently weakened myself again. I just can't escape it though. I collapse onto my bed.
As I lay I clutch my side which was sending waves of pain throughout my body. My breath hitches. The air feels heavy in my lungs. I can feel my body tremble in the aftereffects of the fight. This was getting to be too much. If I keep this up I'm going to die and the One for All line will end with me.
I think it's time. Four years ago, after my fight with All for One my friend Nezu said I could seek a successor from his students at UA. Maybe now's the time to discuss it. I pull out my phone and dial his number. I listen to it ring.
"All Might! Fancy hearing from you so late at night," Nezu says, answering the call. Shit, I hadn't thought of the time. It's got to be after 11pm.
"A-Ah. Sorry for calling so late," I say apologising.
"Pay it no mind. What can I do for you? Are you finally contacting me about finding your successor?" He asks. He's right on it as always.
"Yes, if that's okay," I reply. I wince as a another wave of pain pierces through me.
"I'd be delighted! You sound tired so how about you rest tomorrow. Why don't you come to UA on Friday? Let's have a chat over some tea," Nezu offers. I push myself up, withholding a groan.
"Thank you. I would very much appreciate that," I respond. I write down the time and day we'll be catching up on the notepad I kept next to the bed.
The thought of finding a successor, an inheritor for One for All, is terrifying for me. This power, for all its greatness, is burdensome. I need to find someone who can smile through it. Who will engage in confrontation without a thought. Someone who has a good heart. I can only hope there is a student like that at UA.
—
That Friday I make my trip into UA. It's a nostalgic experience. Although much of the grounds and buildings had changed since I'd attended as a student there were still parts that had stayed the same. Nezu met me out the front of the school building.
"Greetings!" He said, his hands raised. I give him a small bow.
"Good afternoon. Thank you for inviting me here today," I reply.
"No need to be so stiff, my friend. Please come on in," Nezu says, gesturing towards the school doors. I nod and follow his direction. We arrive at his office. He asks me to take a seat and hands me a cup of tea.
Once settled Nezu shows me the files of several students. He speaks particularly fondly of a second year student Togata Mirio who allegedly holds many of the qualities I'm looking for in a successor.
"His grades are lackluster but he's always surrounded by laughter," Nezu explains. I look at the boys photograph. I sigh. I can't make a connection with just a picture.
"It's hard to make an assessment without meeting them," I admit. Nezu fold his hands I'm front of himself.
"Well then, why don't you consider taking up a teaching position here?" Nezu suggests gently. I stare at him blankly. Me... teach?
"I-I beg your pardon?" I ask. Nezu, while appearing innocent is a cunning individual. Was this his plan when he asked me to come here all along?
"You'd be a welcomed asset to our school. I can't think of anything more inspiring for our students to be taught by the number one hero," Nezu explained. I thought carefully about his offer. Is this something I could do? I rub my chin thoughtfully.
"It might be difficult to fit around my hero work," I say.
"Your body is at it's limit, is it not? Perhaps think of this a productive substitution for your hero work, not an extra obligation," Nezu gently suggests.
I suppose he's right. I can't be seen to be unproductive. It's not befitting of the number one hero. However as it stands, I'm eventually going to run into a situation where I've used up all my stamina and can't respond to a crisis. I'll be useless and the extent of my power might fall under scrutiny. However if I teach, I can still contribute while saving my stamina for more important situations. My productivity won't be questioned.
"You don't have to answer now. Take some time to think about it," Nezu says. It's not a decision I can make lightly. Becoming a teacher would change my image. I need to consider the impact.
"Thank you, I will let you know my decision soon," I respond.
"My pleasure!" Nezu says, raising his hands to the air. He's an eccentric, cunning mouse but also a dear friend. I can't imagine him suggesting something to me if it's not in my interest to do so.
—
I thought a lot about Nezu's offer well into the night. I got barely enough sleep. I was up again early Saturday morning, engaging in stopping a few villain attacks before my promised outing with Kiritani at 10. I thought about postponing but I decided it would be best to get it out of the way. The sooner I limit our contact the better.
Right at 10am I hear a knock on my door. That must be her. I pull myself up from the couch and walk over to the door. I unlock it and open it up. Kiritani stands in the entry smiling brightly. I'm momentarily taken aback. Previously when I've encountered Kiritani she's been in either her exercise gear or other comfortable outfit but today she's in a blue sundress with her hair cascading down just to her shoulders. She holds a similarly coloured clutch in her left hand. I hadn't fully appreciated it earlier but she's actually quite an attractive woman.
"Good morning, Yagi-san," she says cheerfully. I become conscious of the fact that in comparison to this bright and enchanting young woman that I'm contrastingly unkempt. I push our appearances out of mind.
"Ah, good morning Kiritani-san," I reply. I didn't think it was possible but Kiritani's smile became even brighter.
"Are you ready for us to head out?" She asks. I nod. I leave my apartment, locking it behind me.
"There's a new cafe that has opened up a few blocks away. I've been meaning to drop by there for sometime now but it's hard to find an excuse to do so," she explains as we walk. I watch her hair move lightly in the breeze. Her expression was soft and cheerful. If she was embarrassed to be seen with a sickly and dishevelled looking man like myself she certainly wasn't showing it.
"Ah," is all I manage to say in response. I'm aware that I'm abysmal at small talk. Tell me to give a moving speech to an audience of millions and I can pull something together on the fly but if you ask me to make conversation with one unassuming woman I fall in a heap.
"Luckily for me you've turned up," she said beaming at me. Luckily for me Kiritani has the facilities to carry a conversation all on her own.
We arrive at the coffee shop. She spins on her heal to face me prior to us entering. A surprisingly sly expression appears on her face.
"Now since I have deviously manipulated you into coming here with me today I think it's only fair that I pay for our coffee. What would you like?" She asks.
"Oh... no that's alright.." I start, patting my pocket in search for my wallet. She waves a finger at me.
"Nope. Don't even think about it, Yagi-san. I want to look after my new neighbour properly. It'll be my treat," she says authoritatively. I relent. It amazes me how this small woman can assert herself so effectively.
"Ah," I say. She grins.
We place our order and find a booth to sit in at the cafe. She folds her hands in front of herself on the table. The sly look from earlier is back on her face.
"Now so far you know several things about me. You know I can cook, that I can pick locks, that I work with the police and that I'm a subjective cereal connoisseur. I, on the other hand, know next to nothing about you. So Yagi-san, I demand three facts about you," she demands, smiling mischievously.
"U-Uh..." I stutter. Shit. Three facts? My whole life is hero work. What do I even say?! Kiritani laughs brightly.
"Relax, Yagi-san. You don't have to push yourself. You're kind of a funny guy, you know?" She says. Our coffees arrive. Kiritani shoots a grin towards our waitress and thanks her. I give her a small nod.
"How about you tell me what you do for work?" She asks before taking a sip of her cappuccino. I place a sugar into my long black, rapidly trying to form a response.
"I... I'm currently between jobs," I reply hesitantly. Her expression changes.
"That's unfortunate to hear. Are you looking for work? You know I'm pretty active in the community so I might be able to hook you up with something," she offers. She smiles reassuringly at me.
"Oh.. uh no that's okay. I actually had a very promising job interview yesterday," I reply. She grins.
"That's wonderful then! What kind of job is it?" She asks. She sips at her coffee happily.
"It's a teaching role," I reply. Shit! There's something about this woman, the way she asks her questions that makes me reveal to much. I've got to get a handle on myself. She looks at me with surprise.
"A teacher! I knew there was a reason such an affinity with you. We must be both on the same wavelength when it comes to helping kids right?" She says, delighted at my response. She looks elated.
I suppose she's not wrong. In a way it seems we're both compassionate about looking after our communities, albeit mine is at a much larger scale than hers. Hers is just as important though. It seems Kiritani is a good person. There's no reason to distrust a woman like Kiritani... perhaps it's okay that I share just a little more than usual. I just can't let her realise who i really am. I feel myself relax at this epiphany.
"I am hoping to guide our youth to a successful future. However it may be impudent of me to suggest I'm offering the same level of compassion and impact as yourself though," I reply. I sip my coffee.
"Not at all! Teachers are such important role models in kids lives. And I mean that about school teachers and those outside of school. They can really shape us as people. Think about it. You can't tell me that you haven't had a teacher like that in your life," she says. I rub my chin. My mind takes me back to Shimura and Gran Torino. I suppose Kiritani is right. Our teachers do have potential to shape us significantly.
"I think you're right, Kiritani-san. I'll make sure to take this role seriously," I say. Kiritani beams at me. She always seems to be smiling, even from the moment I met her.
I guess I have more to think about too. This position as a teacher is far more about than me just finding an inheritor for One for All. It's also about these kids futures. Regardless of who I choose I'll impact every one of these kids directly. It's not just about speaking to a camera to a faceless audience. They're actual, real people I'll be impacting and interacting with day in and day out. I can't take this half heatedly.