Chapter 3: A Dream for the Future

Taikou knows something is wrong when his best friend returned to the daycare with a sulky face.

Unlike the usual days of her running up to him with a big smile and a plan of mischief in mind, nowadays she just walked to a corner and sat down, hugging onto one of the plushies nearby.

Ever since that faithful day, when Genko was picked up late, she has been really quiet. She wouldn't go outside to play, only hide in a corner either hugging onto the plushie all quiet-like, or reading a picture book in silence. No matter how he tries to persuade her, she would not budge, often asking him to play without her.

This isn't right. Genko is supposed to laugh and run around with him, come up with new fun games to play with; not sit and read all day long!

What she needs is some cheering up!

And with Christmas' eve coming soon, he knows exactly what to do!


My dad's sulking period lasted for several months. During that time, he is pretty much jobless since his forced retirement from the hero business after officially handed the reins to one of his sidekicks and we are mostly running on our savings as well as on mom's earnings from any court cases she wins which leads to her rarely able to stay at home anymore, to a point which she rarely came back at all.

Tetsu seems to have started working part-time to try and support us the best he could, at least that is what I assumed is why he started working in the first place; where at he worked he did not mention, or I didn't catch it, leaving the house often empty and very quiet. At this point, I spent most of my nights at home with dad alone, and he is becoming a very different man, less like the father I once knew and into a complete stranger.

So much has changed so fast, and even with my speedy quirk I can't catch up.

But then… All that changed one day when there's a surprise visitor to my home.

It was a cold winter afternoon on the weekend, the day before Christmas eve; mom is still hadn't returned home from work and Tetsu is working a shift at his part-time job leaving me at home with dad, again. I had planned to call Taikou to come over to play, but his family seems to be really busy that day so he can't come.

That left me to entertain myself in my room with a picture book with my beloved All-Might plushie (It's the first present Taikou got me so I'm taking really good care of it!), as the living room is occupied by dad and I just don't want to see him. I was busy reading a picture book, when the doorbell rang a few times. It can't be mom or Tetsu since they have the key so it's either Nerumi, which is very unlikely considering that she has officially started her career as a hero last year or is that door-to-door salesperson that patrol this part of the neighborhood trying to sell us some kind of subscription of some sort.

I, being the curious person that I am, decides to take a look as I peeked out into the living room to see who it is. Dad got up from the couch and with an aid of a walking stick, walks up to the door to look through the peephole for a second. He then backs off almost hesitantly before gingerly opening the door.

There by the doorway stood an elderly-looking man with short greying hair in a business suit, who just stares at dad before letting out a gruff, "What? Not even a new years' greeting?"

"W-What are you doing here, Dad?" Dad asked the man much to my hushed surprise. Dad? That means… that's my grandfather? I didn't even know I have a grandfather!

"A father can't visit his own son?" The elderly man asked with a sigh, "But honestly, I wanted to see if you are doing well. Your mother and I have seen the news, we know what happened."

"I… see…."

"Aren't you going to invite me in? It's really chilly today and I have come quite a long way." My grandfather eyes suddenly meet mine and I quickly hid behind the wall on reflex. "And who may that young lady be?"

"Young lady-Genko?" Dad's voice calls me out as I flinched a little before swallowing my spit and walks out into their line of sight.

"Morning, dad… Good day to you, sir." I greet him gingerly bowing slightly as of the proper Japanese etiquette that was pounded right into me by mom. She can be really persuasive with that shock quirk of hers…

"Maki, is this polite little girl your daughter?" The elderly man asked curiously, "She's definitely grown a lot since I last saw her."

Huh? Did he come here before? I would have noticed an unusual old man in the house before.

Then again… being a toddler does have some issues with memories sticking.

"So? Are you going to leave an old man out in the cold or are you going let me in?"


After dad invited him in, we are properly introduced. Turns out he is indeed my grandfather, one Takaya Tsubasa, and he stayed in Hosu City with my grandmother working at the local college as a lecturer of sorts. His primary topics are usually to do with history, mostly from the few decades since the very start of this 'Era of the Weird' as does some historian labelled the present. And it turns out he DID come to visit a couple of times, once during my first birthday and another during new years' when I was two.

He even shows off his quirk, named 'Screen View', where he is able to copy any picture and projects it onto any surface.

He was telling me more about our family, like the fact that we apparently came from a line of scholars and astrologists that goes as far back as the Heian period, when dad finally walked towards us balancing a tray with a few cups of tea with his spare hand as he limps his way onto the dining table. "I know you are particular about your tea, but instant is all we have around the house."

"Anything warm is good enough." Tsubasa stated sipping the cup as I blow a bit before taking a sip and regretting it as the hot drink burns my tongue. He chuckles as he pets my head while I nurse my poor tongue before turning to my dad, "So, how's being a retired hero treating you?"

"It's… good, I suppose?" Maki stated with a sigh, "I mean, no more late hours, I get to sleep the day away, not to mention not needing to be so worried about a public image anymore…"

"Maki."

"…Yeah, it's not that great…" My father conceded to grandpa's glare, "I just… it's pissing me off!" He slams his fist on the table nearly knocking the cups over as I steadied my own cup the best I could, "I'm useless now! I don't have any other way to make a living besides being a hero and it's weighting on our finances hard! I just…! GAR!"

Wait, that's why he's so sulky the past few months?! All because he felt useless?! That's a stupid thing to be angry about!

Tsubasa sips his cup before stating out, "You could have called us, Maki. We were worried sick."

"I know! I know! It's just…" Maki groaned rubbing his palm down his face, "I didn't want to be a burden to you guys too…"

"Maki, I would never consider you a burden." The elderly man tells him, "We have followed your exploits on TV, you know. I even boast to the neighbors sometimes, nearly got called to the station for noise pollution too." He chuckles at the memory as I raised my eyebrow at his behavior, "But then we heard about the report on your injury and… well, once I found a free day in my schedule, here I am. It's the least I can do to ease your poor mother's heart little."

"Sorry to have you guys worry so much." He said before I saw his hand moving to his legs, "It was bad, I could walk but I could not do hero work ever again. It's torture, to stay in the sidelines like this."

"I know. You were always an adventurous child, almost caused me and your mother quite a few heart attacks with your actions."

"He did?" I asked my grandfather curiously with a grin on my face. Oh, the amount of blackmail I can get out of him…

"Oh yes! There's this one time where-"

"Whoa, whoa! No telling my kids my embarrassing past!" Maki cried out in fear.

"Hahaha, that's the job of a grandfather, is it not?" Tsubasa chuckles as he pats my head to my glee, "But back to the topic, I bet you are stuck at home without being able to do anything, correct?"

"Don't need you to remind me of that…" He groaned, "The past few months have been really bad… I was really bad… It's like me and Lisa are…"

Understatement of the year… He was always fighting with mom over a lot of dumb shit, and mom is kind of acting distant from him, from me and Tetsu too. I'm just hoping that they would work it out soon, I don't want our family to split up… especially because of such a stupid reason as self-loathing.

"Well, I have a proposal for you." The elderly man tells my dad, "You see, I am great friends with principal Nezu of Yuuei, great guy he is, and he has been needing a few more teachers for the Hero Course as of late. Especially ones who have experience in the field and been in it as long as you have."

"Are you… suggesting that I become a teacher? At my old school no less?" Maki stated in surprise, "That's rather sudden! I mean, I don't even have a teaching license!"

"Well, you don't need one, just a certificate to make it official." Tsubasa tells him, "The Hero Course teachers are usually heroes who are previously on active duty before transferring to the desk job, or retired ones due to… um… certain situations… If you are willing to try, I can put out a word on your behalf."

"…He's the one that sent you." My dad's eyes widen in realization.

"Guilty as charged; but to be fair, he sent his request once I'm on the train."

"Why would-I'm not the teacher type!" He cried out, "What on god names would he think I would be suitable for that?!"

"He figured you will say that." Grandpa pulls out his phone and what I assumed to be speed-dialing someone, "So he specifically asked me to call him when I told you."

He places the smartphone on the table in front of Maki; a few rings later before it is picked up and a really familiar voice spoke out, "Tsubasa, I take it he didn't receive the news well?"

I let out a small squeal of excitement when I hear him talk. Oh my god, that's the exact same voice as the one in the actual anime! Not only that, it sounds a lot cuter!

"Yup. I take it that you are taking over?"

"Of course." Nezu spoke out before a short cough later, "Am I speaking to Tatsuya Maki right now?"

"Yes, sir." Maki noted with a bow, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Principal Nezu. I have heard of great things from-"

"Now, now. No need for all of that. Let's just get to the point." The voice spoke as he continues, "Maki-kun, you do not believe that you are worthy of dealing in an educator's role, am I right?"

"Yes, sir. I honestly don't see how you think I am in the first place." My dad noted, "I mean, even in my own agency I was hardly in a mentor role. I am not the teaching type."

"I beg to differ." Nezu stated as a rustling of paper can be heard from the phone, "I have with me right now is a few examples of your teaching suitability. Let's see here: Middle School, Second Year; teachers have reported of you helping most of your schoolmates in studies, often leading to an overall increase in that year's academic average."

"W-Well, that was just a one-time thing-"

"Your previous affiliation, the Idaten Hero Agency: You were always the one Ingenium places in-charge of training any new recruits to the agency, and they all performed better at their work even after they break off to create their own agency. You also seem to have tutored his sons a few times before."

"T-That was all them. I just helped them along…"

"And your sidekicks. You may not be aware, but you have helped them in a lot of things. They have mentioned all those advices you gave out willingly several times before?"

"Okay, those were just throw away lines. I didn't even think about-"

"That's the thing." Nezu interrupted, "You never think about it too much and you understood what need to be said the most. Whether it was harsh and cold, or comforting and warm, you always manage to help them out. If that aren't qualities of a good teacher, I don't know what is."

"B-But, sir! I…"

I felt a hand on my shoulder, Tsubasa look down on me with a smile, "Why don't we step aside for a moment?"

With that, we both left the dining table and went to living room to watch tv.


Tsubasa stayed until late in the evening, just as Mom returned from work for the first time in weeks. She was as shocked as Dad when she saw Tsubasa is sitting on the couch with me on his lap watching a game show on TV sharing a large bag of potato chips that I wasn't allowed to eat before dinner.

After a few pleasantries with a decline to stay for dinner, my grandfather left our house.

Tetsu returned an hour later and for the first time in months, we are all eating at same table. How long has it been since mom cooked dinner? It feels like forever since I've eaten her cooking. I missed this, family should eat together after all.

A minute of quiet eating with sounds of chopsticks and spoons, Dad places his chopsticks and half-eaten bowl of rice down onto the table.

"Lisa." He suddenly spoke up getting our undivided attention, "This is delicious."

"…?"

…Dad? What is he doing…?

"I…" He took a deep breath in and out before speaking, "I want to say I'm sorry. For all the times I've yelled at you. I… I was frustrated about everything… and I lashed out. I know that you hate me now, and that it doesn't mean much after this long but… I just want to say I'm sorry. Sorry for being a jerk, for being a terrible husband."

"Ma-kun…" Mom put down her chopsticks in surprise, "I would never hate you… I'm your wife, I love you with all my heart. I wouldn't have married you otherwise."

"…Lisa…Thank you…" Dad sighs a little before turning to face her, his eyes now having some glint of life in them again, "I have an announcement to make."

"Announcement? About what?" She asked curiously.

"I'm becoming a teacher in Yuuei."

I never thought I could see a jaw dropped to far down before tonight, and to witness a spit-take first-hand as I got sprayed on the face by my brother who is drinking his miso soup when dad sprung the news.

"You're becoming a teacher?!" Tetsu screams out in shock while I try to wipe away the soup from my face with my shirt.

"Why… this is so… so… so sudden…!" Mom stutters out before turning to my dad, "Why the sudden career change?"

"You know that dad visited this afternoon, right?" He points out, getting a nod in reply, "Well, he came here on a request of Yuuei's Headmaster. And he has asked me to join his board of teachers in Yuuei."

"Principal Nezu ask you?!" My brother shouted.

"Yes, and after some talking, I decided to accept his invitation." He explained, "I have to go for a short course to get a certificate that he has applied for me, but once that is done, I'm an official teacher for Yuuei High."

"A-And you didn't come to discuss with us WHY?!"

"Tetsu, calm down." Mom tells my brother, who sheepishly sits down, "Dear, you know you should have discussed it with us first. Yuuei is quite a distance from here, and you are in no condition to for long distance travel. The doctor has stated-"

"I know what the doctor stated, Lisa." Dad stated with a sigh, "But not to worry. I still my driver license, remember? I can just drive there, problem solved!"

"But I need that car, Maki." Mom points out, "My office is in at least several stations away, so I can't just take the train, not to mention-"

The little debate went on for several minutes, most of the dishes are almost room temperature because of it so I decided to just finish my dinner and head back to my room. When tomorrow morning came, they have come to an agreement for them to share the vehicle until dad is able to find another form of transportation that DOESN'T agitate his knee.

And then, that morning on Christmas Eve, I got my biggest turning point in my life.


It was just a normal day in the daycare, mom drops me off before driving dad to his class the next district over.

Once I am ushered in, I decides to seek Taikou out. I had been quite a grump the past few months, and I want to apologize to him for ignoring him. I have already come up with a cool game we could play that involves heroes, I call it hero freeze tag!

"Taikou! Where are you?" I called out, hoping to get an answer in return.

But, with the exception of the other kids playing about, there is no reply. I run all over, looking in the sandbox, in the bushes, near the plushie mountain (Yes, I call it that. Don't judge me.), but no sign of him. Hm? Maybe he's not here yet? That's strange. He usually reaches the daycare way before me. So, what gives?

"Ah! Genko!"

As if answering all my questions, I hear his voice shouting across the room as he ran out from the balcony towards me with a large bundle of wrapping paper in his hands, the bundle half his height and size.

"Taikou!" I greeted with a smile as I run up to him with a hug, "Sorry for being a grump. Want to play? I've come up with this cool new game that-"

"That can wait! Take a look at this!" He grins as he puts the bundle down in front of me. "Open it!"

I looked at him confused, his grins widening before I sheepishly opens the large bundle as carefully as possible. Once all the wrapping paper is mostly tear off, my eyes nearly widen in surprise at what is inside. Inside all that paper is a plushie, but not just any plushie. A plushie of Hermes in his full costume glory. From his hat to his boots, everything looks exactly like the hero my dad once was, all in its beautiful chibi style.

"T-Taikou… this is…?"

"One of the tenants knows how to sew, so I ask her to help make this!" He explained with a grin, "Took a little bargaining, but she just manages to finish it this morning! Do you like it?!"

I am lost in words, the very symbol of my dad's old glory days is in my hands, of the best days before the accident. I couldn't do anything besides hug the thing with all the might I can muster, tears already leaking from my eyes.

"A-Ah?! W-Why are you crying?! I-I thought you'll be happy if-"

"I am happy, Taikou." I manages to smile, "I love this so much! Thank you, Taikou!"

"…" Taikou looks at me with a slight blush, before grinning back, "No need!"

"Cool plushie!"

The little commotion has attracted the other toddlers in the daycare towards us, where everyone is all staring at my gift. One after another, they all start asking about it and who it is, which I happily obliged with explaining it all.

Then, one of them says…

"He looks so cool!"

That phrase echoes in my mind a little. Yeah, dad was really cool, wasn't he? He is my idol, the hero with coolest pose and sense of justice. People may see All Might as the greatest hero ever but to me? Tatsuya Maki, the Fast Wind Hero: Hermes will always be the greatest. The image of him in his costume has always been a standard for me, but now he may never wear that suit again.

And it hit me.

I have a similar quirk, don't I? If dad can't be a Hero anymore, why not me? I'll cover for him! The hero Hermes will return with me! I'll become dad's successor!

With that, my goal is set. I'll become a Hero! One that would make the name Hermes proud!

To be continued…


There! Finally finished! Sorry it took so long, I was dealing with a writer's block about this chapter, as this is the biggest turning point for Genko's life. And I need to give it some proper justice!

Okay, the whole Maki becoming a teacher? That was my goal from the start. Most of the teachers in Yuuei are Pro Heroes who have changed their day job from civil servants to educator, so I have a thought. How about having one of them being a Hero that is retired from one due to unforeseen circumstances? And Maki's little drama is born.

For those who see Maki and Lisa little reconcilement a bit rushed, I apologised if it seems so. I have never wrote a couple writing like this, not to mention writing one about a near divorce state. If anyone has any ideas on how write one better in the future, I would love to know.

With that, I thank you for reading this!