You glance down at Mr. Fluffles and back up at Benimaru.
Actions speak louder than words. So does that mean physical reminders are the same? Mr. Fluffles means a lot to me, but he might mean more to Benimaru as a friendship token.
With your mind made up, you hand off the stuffed bear to your friend.
"Take care of Mr. Fluffles for me."
Everyone is incredibly shocked by the gesture, but Benimaru more than anyone. "Are you sure?"
"You'll need him more than me."
"But he's your most prized possession!"
"I know, but I don't want you to be alone."
Horie breaks out into full-on tears, even more than before. "This isn't fair! I want Benimaru to come with us."
Akia grabs Horie's shoulders, hoping to soothe the girl, but says nothing.
Benimaru looks between you and Mr. Fluffles before eventually taking the bear.
"Thank you, Kazuha. I promise I won't let anyone lay a scratch on him."
"That's all I could ask," you sniffle, the emotions of losing two of your best friends catching up with you.
"I feel bad," Benimaru admits. "I wish I had something else to give you."
The boy blinks before his eyes widen.
Benimaru bites down on his thumb, causing a small trickle of blood to come out of it.
"You're able to copy quirks with blood, right? Then take mine. That's my gift to you."
"Kazuha," Akia warns. "The last time you took in a quirk, you ended up in the hospital. I don't -"
You quickly suck on Benimaru's thumb, ignoring Akia's words.
Part of me wanted to ask Benimaru for his quirk anyway. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?
As you pull your mouth off his hand, you feel a bit queasy, but your reaction is not quite as severe as the first time.
"Are you okay?" Benimaru questions.
"Yeah," you console. "I'm awesome."
"We already knew that," Benimaru laughs before it turns back into a frown. "See you later?"
"Yeah. See you later."
Horie gives Benimaru the biggest smile she can muster, unable to speak.
"Come on, kids," Akia leads. "It's time to get the two of you ready."
Being dragged away by your caretaker, you leave Benimaru at the breakfast table.
As you walk out, all eyes, including Sadow's, are on you.
Your bully says nothing. There are so many emotions behind those dark eyes of his.
As you round the corner, you realize, for the first time, that you've closed the book on the first chapter of your life, and it's time to enter the next.
After being lectured by Akia for what feels like an eternity and being forced to promise her that you'll be on your best behavior, it's finally time to meet your new parents. And as you descend the orphanage staircase for the final time, you find them waiting for you at the bottom.
Nezu is dressed relatively similar to how he was when you met him for your interview nearly a week ago, but this is your first time seeing the Youthful Heroine in person.
Already in her mid-fifties, Recovery Girl, or rather, Chiyo Shuzenji, doesn't quite live up to her hero title, but when Nezu claimed she was the pinnacle of health, he wasn't kidding. Ms. Shenzenji looks to be in her late thirties, early forties at most, despite the noticeable wear and tear of hero work, such as her already graying hair tied into a bun.
Chiyoko is wearing a muumuu covered by a shawl. But the most noticeable thing she has on… is a warm, gentle smile. The nurse leans down to meet your eyes, holding out her hand. "You must be Kazuha. It's very nice to meet you."
You shake her hand. "I-it's really nice to meet you, too."
Horie is even more nervous. "Di-ditto."
…
"I, uh, I-I'm so-sorry, Recovery Girl!" Horie bows, stiff as a statue. "Please take care of me!"
Ms. Shenzenji covered her mouth to hide a slight chuckle. "Oh dearie, I have a name, you know. Please use it."
"T-thank you, Ms. Shenzenji."
"No," the pro-hero shakes her head. "The other name."
"Ma-mommy?"
The woman freezes for a moment. "Well, I was more thinking Chiyoko, but if you're comfortable calling me your mother already, I'll happily accept it."
Horie begins to sniffle. "Really?" Your best friend runs up, hugging your new mother's leg. "Thank you, Mommy. I'm thrilled to meet you."
Nezu smiles, standing next to you. "This is worth it."
"It is?" you question.
"This is what being a hero is all about, isn't it?"
"How so?"
"We saved you."
"Yeah, I guess you did," you cheekily reply. "But… I saved you, too."
Nezu scoffs. "We'll see about that, won't we?"
"I guess so…. Nezu."
Nezu immediately knows why you can't look him in the eyes.
"It's okay," the Principal consoles. "Everyone goes at their own pace. You don't have to call me 'Dad' if you're not ready."
You nod before looking up at Akia one last time.
Seeing her like this…. It hurts.
"You... you live a good life, okay? Don't waste this. Okay? Now, I'm going to go before one of us... before I change my mind. I'm going to walk away and... I might not look back, but not 'cause I don't want to." Akia takes a deep breath. "I'm happy to have met you, Kazuha."
"See you later?" you say hopefully.
…
"Yeah," Akia forces a smile. "See you later, brat."
As Akia heads up the staircase, your eyes land on Benimaru and Sadow, watching the whole scene from atop it.
"Are you ready, Kazuha?" Nezu asks.
…
"Yes."
"Well," Nezu begins. "It's a little earlier than most, and quite the unusual circumstances… but welcome to your hero academia."
…
…
…
ONE YEAR LATER
It's the one-year anniversary of your adoption, but to you, it's just an ordinary day.
"Sis? Sis, wake up! We're gonna be late for school," Horie pouts, tapping you on the nose in the vain hope of waking you up.
"Five more minutes," you mumble, rolling back over on your side.
"But we'll be late for school!"
"Don't care. Need sleep."
"I-I'll… I'll get daddy," Horie threatens.
That causes you to shoot straight up. "I'm up! I'm up! Please don't get Dad!"
"So you admit you're scared of him?"
"Of course. He's terrifying when he wants to be. And he's sneaky like a rat too."
"Cause he is one?"
"Good morning, children," Nezu interrupts, standing at the door. "Horie, did you say something?"
"Nope," Horie quickly denies. "Nothing at all, papa."
"That's what I thought," he says smugly. "Now, please come in for breakfast. Your mother and I need to leave soon."
"Yes, sir," you both respond, following after the chimera and adoptive father.
As you find yourselves in the kitchen, Nezu puts two plates, topped with fresh pancakes, butter, and maple syrup, at the dining table. Chiyoko is there, too, reading a newspaper.
The dynamic between you and your adoptive parents is indeed strange. Nezu and Chiyoko made it no secret that despite their legal marriage, their bond only went as far as old friends, roommates, and co-parents. And yet, they were the best parents you could ever ask for.
"Are you girls ready for school?" Chiyoko asks.
"Not really," you yawn. "Kindergarten is easy. And boring."
"That's because I'm teaching you curriculum at a second-grade level by now," Nezu reminds you. "Of course, you're way ahead of the curve."
"And why can't I skip grades then?"
"Because Chiyoko and I want you to enjoy life. Besides, do you really want to be in a different class than your sister?"
…
"No," you admit. "Fine, Kindergarten isn't the worst thing in the world."
"Well, unlike Kaz, I'm, like, super ready to learn! I can't wait to attend med school to be a doctor like you, Mommy!"
"Well, dearie, I think you can wait. Being a grown-up isn't all it's cracked up to be."
"But I just want to help people," Horie pouts, her eyes damp.
"And you will," Chiyoko says. "When I was your age, I didn't know how to use a med kit. But you do. We'll go at your own pace, and when the time comes, you'll be my successor."
"You really think so?"
"I know so."
"And when you do that, I'm gonna be the greatest hero ever!" you declare.
"Well, as your parents and teachers, it's our job to see that dream realized," Nezu casually says before handing you his mug. "More coffee, please."
I'll never get tired of this.
I know I made the right decision back then.
Sure, I miss Akia and Benimaru, but I'll see them again someday. I know I will.
"Sis," Horie pokes your arm. "I think she's staring at us."
You both try your best to not pay attention to the fact that Himiko Toga has been peering at you from afar for the last ten or so minutes. The blonde had recently transferred into your Kindergarten, and basically, everyone was avoiding her.
"She's weird with a capital 'W.'" Horie cringes. "Oh… she's coming our way."
Himiko beams as she approaches, putting her face right in yours. "Hi, can we be friends?"
You blink. "Huh?"
"My parents said I need to act normal, so I need to make friends. Will you be my friend?"
She's… rather direct.
"They said to be an ideal young girl as expected of society," Himiko clarifies. "And society expects young girls to be friends with other young girls."
"She… uh… heard you the first time?"
Himiko grabs Horie's hands. "Will you be my friend too? Every other young girl turned me down. I don't want my parents upset at me again."
"Only if Kazuha will be your friend," Horie deflects, punting the ball off to you.
Himiko turns to you. "Will you?" she pleads.
Himiko is… weird… even by the standards of weird. And Horie doesn't seem to like her very much, so I'm pretty sure Sis just passed off the giving of bad news to me, as always.
In preschool, the kids didn't hang out with me, Horie, and Benimaru because we were from the orphanage. Do I really want to be isolated again by being friends with Himiko? But… isn't being a hero about self-sacrifice? What should I do?
…
I really need to talk to Daddy about getting his intelligence-boosting quirk.
DECISION POINT: What Will You Say To Himiko?
A - "Of Course We'll be your Friend."
B - "Only if Horie Will Be Your Friend."
C - "I Don't Want to be Friends."
