-.My Hero Academia: 180 degrees. -
6. Where Uraraka behaves strangely around Deku, Todoroki visits his mother in the hospital, and the successor of All Might is discussed
(Segment marked with * for suggestive themes Izuku x Ochako)
( *)
It was a new day, one of those days when the fresh air and bright sun seemed full of promise. The cherry blossoms decorated the landscape with their delicate pink petals slowly falling with the breeze. Uraraka stood under one of those trees, waiting patiently after school. The sun filtered through the branches, casting small rays of light that forced her to shield her eyes with her hand.
—Uraraka! —a familiar voice called out, making her turn immediately.
She was delighted to see Deku running up the hill toward her. His face was full of enthusiasm, though it was clear he had run with all his might not to be too late. When he reached her side, Deku bent forward, placing his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. His cheeks were flushed, not just from the physical effort but also, Uraraka thought, from the excitement of seeing her.
—Sorry for making you wait —he said, still breathing heavily—. Kacchan tried to fight me again, but I managed to dodge him.
Uraraka smiled, shaking her head to dismiss his lateness. She enjoyed seeing Deku like this, so full of energy and always willing to do his best, even in situations that others might find frustrating or annoying. As he caught his breath, she couldn't help but notice how adorable he looked with his cheeks flushed from the run.
The sun kept climbing higher, and its rays grew more intense. Uraraka squinted and covered her eyes a bit more with her hand. Deku, noticing her discomfort, glanced around, searching for a solution.
—We should get some ice cream from that stand over there —he suggested, pointing to a small cart shaded by another cherry blossom tree further ahead.
Uraraka blinked in surprise; she was sure that stand hadn't been there a moment ago. How had she not noticed it before? But she didn't dwell on it and nodded eagerly.
—Great idea! —she replied, feeling instant relief at the thought of a cold ice cream on such a hot day.
Deku eagerly ran ahead toward the ice cream cart. She watched him talk to someone inside the small stand, gesturing as he spoke. But after a few moments, he returned empty-handed, with a slightly disappointed expression.
—They said the ice cream machine broke down —he announced apologetically.
—Oh, that happens a lot —Uraraka said, trying to cheer him up—. I think it's even become a joke on the internet.
Deku chuckled softly at her comment, shaking his head. Then his face lit up as if a brilliant idea had just crossed his mind.
—I know! —he said excitedly—. I know what would be even better than ice cream in this heat!
Uraraka looked at him, curious to know what his new idea was. Deku approached her with a sweet smile that made her heart beat a little faster. But what he did next left her completely bewildered. Deku took one of her hands, gently pulling it toward him. His expression changed dramatically; from the sweet and cheerful smile she knew so well to an intense, focused look, maybe even a little provocative.
—You, Uraraka —he whispered, and without warning, he kissed the inside of her wrist, his warm breath sending a shiver down her spine.
Before she could react, Deku slowly ran his tongue over the skin where he had kissed, leaving a trail of warmth that made her whole body tense with surprise. A shiver ran down her spine, and Uraraka felt a chill that made her skin prickle.
—Deku...? —she murmured, not knowing what to think, her mind a whirlwind of emotions.
Suddenly, everything vanished. Uraraka's eyes flew open, startled, and she found herself staring at the ceiling of her room. Her breathing was quick, her heart was pounding, and her face was completely flushed. She felt the heat in her cheeks as she covered her face with her hands, embarrassed.
—Why did I dream something like that? —she asked herself quietly, her voice a trembling whisper.
She turned over in bed, trying to calm down, but the sensations from the dream still lingered, as if Deku had really been there, so close to her. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her wrist and the intensity of his gaze.
It was 4 a.m., and All Might was wide awake in the darkness of his room. His mind couldn't find any peace. There were too many worries, too many thoughts circling around his head, making it impossible to sleep. Shigaraki and his unclear intentions were at the forefront of his mind. But what truly haunted him was the persistent feeling that even though All for One was dead, his influence still lingered over all this chaos.
Four years ago, it had all started with an operation that was supposed to be kept secret—a carefully planned move with a small team to avoid leaks to the media. Alongside him were Endeavor, Best Jeanist, Eraserhead, and the rookie of the year, Hawks. Despite his young age, Hawks had proven to be exceptional. His role as a double agent had been crucial; with his ability to infiltrate, he had managed to pose as a young prospect of an All for One follower, thus uncovering the villain's base of operations.
All Might vividly remembered the day they had stormed that base. The damp, dark walls, the narrow corridors filled with echoes of a dark past. As they moved deeper, they had found the remains of a grotesque laboratory. It was there that the records revealed the most abominable truth: those monsters All for One had created, those beings in their early stages of development... had once been people. People who had once had dreams, hopes, and families. The villain had turned them into tools for his own ambition.
Even now, years later, All Might felt an indescribable fury remembering how All for One had manipulated his own followers, exploiting their deepest desires for his own gain. That man had been a master at preying on human yearnings and despairs, at twisting the noblest aspirations into weapons of destruction. And that was something All Might could never forgive him for.
When the time finally came to face him, All Might had not hesitated to use all his power. He remembered how every blow reverberated through his body, how fury and justice intertwined in every movement. He had fought with everything he had, with every fiber of his being, and when the dust settled, All for One was dead. But victory came at a cost. He himself had been gravely wounded, a price he was willing to pay to stop the villain once and for all.
Now, as his thoughts drifted through those dark memories, his phone vibrated on the bedside table, pulling him out of his reverie. It was a news alert followed by a text message that, despite the hour, prompted him to get up.
—Are you sure you don't want us to come with you?— Midoriya asked, his voice filled with concern as he stood in front of the entrance to the apartment building where he lived.
Todoroki, staring at the ground for a moment, shook his head gently.
—I think it's something I need to do on my own,— he replied firmly.
Midoriya nodded, understanding. He knew how important it was for Todoroki to face his past and his family, especially after everything that had happened.
—Alright. Text me if you need anything. My mom and I are going out for a run since Mr. Yagi had something to take care of. But I'll keep my phone on at all times,— Midoriya said, trying to offer him all the support he could.
A few steps behind them, Midoriya's mother, Inko, was already doing warm-up exercises, stretching her arms and legs with a serene smile on her face.
Todoroki took a moment, as if carefully considering his words. Then, with a seriousness that was so characteristic of him, he said:
—I never thanked you for what you've done for me, Midoriya.— His eyes met Midoriya's. There was a brief silence before he continued, —But since I don't want to seem as cold as my father, I'll say that... I feel like you're the first friend I've ever had.
Todoroki's words hung in the air, filled with a depth of sincerity that left Midoriya speechless for a moment. Inko, who had been listening from a distance, couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion. Her eyes filled with tears, moved by Todoroki's honesty and the bond her son had formed with him.
—Todoroki...— Midoriya began, but he stopped, unsure of what to say. Instead, he offered a warm smile, one that radiated support and understanding. —I'm glad to hear that. And I'm really lucky to have you as a friend, too.
Todoroki scratched his chin slightly, a small, unconsciously nervous gesture he made when he wasn't sure how to express his feelings.
—I should go,— he finally said, straightening up and adjusting his backpack on his shoulder.
—We'll see each other after school!— Midoriya called out with a wide smile, raising his hand in a wave.
...
Uraraka patted her cheeks lightly, trying to shake off the drowsiness that still lingered after not being able to fall back asleep. The dream from the previous night still haunted her, leaving her confused. Her thoughts kept drifting back to that moment, that strange dream where Deku had been so... bold. The image of him kissing her wrist and the sensation of his skin against hers made her blush just thinking about it.
She stopped on the train platform, gazing toward the tracks as the morning sun began to rise in the sky, bathing the city in a soft, golden light. Uraraka just wished the train would arrive soon so she could get to school and maybe find a moment to rest before classes began.
Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice that pulled her out of her thoughts.
—Uraraka!— Deku was running toward her along the platform, his breath a little heavy but a smile on his face.
—Ah, Deku!— Uraraka exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening. —I didn't know you took this train line.
She pinched her cheek lightly, making sure this wasn't another strange dream. The sensation was real, so this Deku wasn't an illusion.
Deku scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.
—Usually, I don't,— he explained, —but I went for a run with my mom and finished earlier than expected. I decided to take a different route and get some training in at the school gym before classes.
Uraraka nodded, feeling her heart beat a little faster than usual at the sight of him. She tried to ignore the feeling and forced a smile.
At that moment, the train arrived, and due to rush hour, a wave of office workers and students pushed both of them into the train car. Before they could react, they were together, pressed against the window on the other side of the car. The space was tight, and their bodies were almost touching. Uraraka could feel the warmth of Deku's body next to hers, and her face blushed even more.
—Looks like it's rush hour for office workers,— Uraraka commented, trying to ease the awkwardness of the moment with a nervous laugh.
—Y-yeah,— Deku responded, his face also flushed as he tried to turn his head away from her. But it was impossible to ignore how close she was. "I can smell her shampoo... and it smells so nice!" he thought, feeling his heart pounding.
As they both tried to find a more comfortable position, the voices of two young women, sitting further up in the car, caught their attention.
—Look! They say he'll be the new symbol of peace when All Might retires,— one of the women said excitedly.
—His name is Mirio Togata, and he's in his second year in the Hero Course at U.A.,— the other replied, showing a photo on her phone to her friend.
—He's so handsome! Maybe if I were 15 years younger...— the first woman joked, laughing.
—You sound like a total creep!— the other woman laughed, causing a burst of laughter between the two.
Hearing the conversation, Uraraka looked at Deku and noticed his expression had changed. His gaze seemed distant, as if he had fallen into deep thought. She had already noticed that sometimes, when All Might was mentioned, Deku became contemplative.
Without thinking much, Uraraka touched his arm, trying to snap him out of his reverie.
—Deku...— she murmured softly, but when her fingers lightly pressed against the muscle of his arm, she couldn't help but be surprised by how firm it felt. —Hard...— she whispered involuntarily, her eyes widening as she realized what she had just said.
—Huh?— Deku blinked, coming back to himself and looking at her in confusion.
Uraraka's face turned as red as a tomato. —I-I'm getting off here!— she suddenly exclaimed, pushing forward and making her way through the crowd, trying to escape the embarrassment she felt.
—But this isn't your station!— Deku shouted, worried, trying to keep his eyes on her as she hurried off the train.
Once outside, Uraraka put her hands on her face, fanning herself in a desperate attempt to cool down her burning cheeks. The train pulled away, and she took deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart.
—What's happening to me...?— she asked herself quietly, looking toward the train that was moving away, still feeling the warmth of Deku's body against hers and the firmness of his arm under her hand. The images from the dream came back to her mind, and although she tried to push them away, she couldn't help but feel a strange mix of excitement and embarrassment that she couldn't quite understand.
Meanwhile, inside the train, Deku looked at the door Uraraka had exited through, feeling a little lost. He didn't understand what had happened, but he knew that the expression on her face, just before getting off, was something he had never seen in her before. Part of him wanted to run after her, to make sure she was okay, but another part was frozen, thinking about how strange it all had been.
When Todoroki reached the corridor of the clinic where his mother's room was, his steps slowed, almost faltering. But he summoned the courage to continue. However, as he turned the corner, his expression hardened upon seeing his father standing there, dressed in civilian clothes, waiting by the closed door of the room.
By reflex, Todoroki frowned, the tension in his shoulders increasing.
—I didn't come here to see you,— he stated firmly as he reached the door.
—I know,— replied Endeavor, his voice low but clear. —But I want us to talk, Shoto.
Endeavor extended a hand, stopping Todoroki's before he could turn the door handle.
—About what? About how to continue your training plan so I can accomplish what you couldn't?— he retorted with a biting tone.
Endeavor, instead of responding with anger or defensiveness, simply held out an envelope. Todoroki eyed it suspiciously before taking it and pulling out its contents. To his surprise, the envelope contained a document with a photo of a condominium and the deed to the property.
—If you want to go live with your mother, I won't stop you,— Endeavor said, his gaze shifting away, avoiding his son's eyes. —You two can live away from me if that's what you want. Your brother will be leaving for college soon, and your sister is about to get married. I wouldn't want to force you to live alone with me.
Todoroki stared at the papers in his hands, feeling stunned. The offer was unexpected, a kind of truce, but the anger he had always felt toward his father did not dissipate. He could still feel the weight of every shout, every hit, every moment his mother had suffered because of this man. His hand clenched into a fist, crumpling the deed.
—This doesn't even begin to make up for half of what you've done,— he spat, his voice trembling with restrained fury. —And by the way, I still haven't heard you apologize.
Endeavor looked at him, his expression darkened by a mix of regret and stubbornness.
—Shoto...
—Not to me!— Todoroki shouted, his voice filling the hallway with an intensity that echoed. —To my mother!
At that moment, the door to the room opened, and a nurse wearing a mask came out, pushing a wheelchair with his mother, Mrs. Todoroki, seemingly unconscious.
—Could you be more considerate of the patients?— the nurse complained firmly, looking at both men with disapproval.
—Mom!— Todoroki quickly leaned down beside the wheelchair, trying to reach for her hand.
—She's just sedated,— the nurse explained, his tone softer. —Just moments before you arrived, she felt overwhelmed knowing her son was coming to see her, and we had to sedate her to calm her down. Now, I think it was for the best.
The nurse moved between Todoroki and his father, carefully pushing the wheelchair. As he did, Todoroki felt something strange. Something in the way the nurse looked at his father… Something was not right.
—Don't worry. Maybe when you manage to resolve your issues, you can visit her again,— the nurse said, probably smiling under his mask as he continued down the hall.
Suddenly, Todoroki felt as if everything was moving in slow motion. His mother was being taken away, the sound of the wheelchair wheels echoing on the linoleum floor. He could see the silver shine of her white hair under the hallway lights. Something was off, but he couldn't quite understand what it was.
—Wait!— Todoroki shouted suddenly, driven by an instinct he couldn't explain. He ran after the nurse, his heart pounding in his chest. He quickly turned the corner of the hallway, hoping to catch up to them, but to his shock and horror, the wheelchair and his mother were gone.
...
Izuku walked through the bustling streets of the city, a slight smile lighting up his face as he looked at his phone. He had just received a message from Uraraka, and although he had initially been worried when she rushed off the train, he now felt relieved.
—I forgot I was meeting a friend, so I got off the train earlier,— the message read. —Don't worry, Deku, I'm fine.
Izuku couldn't help but chuckle softly. For a moment, he had thought that maybe Uraraka had felt uncomfortable about something. Maybe because he still smelled of sweat after his morning jog, or perhaps because of their closeness in the crowded train car. However, it was comforting to know it had just been a sudden change of plans. He pocketed his phone and continued on his way to school, letting his thoughts wander.
Suddenly, a notification popped up on his phone screen. It was news. Curious, Izuku decided to open it. As he read the headline, his expression shifted to one of surprise and uncertainty.
"Lemillion: The Future Symbol of Peace."
This was the article the women on the train had been talking about earlier. The title echoed in his mind, stirring a whirlwind of emotions. Unable to help himself, he began reading the article as he walked. As he absorbed the words, a sense of unease grew in his chest.
The news detailed the impressive achievements of Mirio Togata, a second-year student at U.A. Academy. The agency where Togata was interning highlighted the countless successes he had achieved, even surpassing many professional heroes in his short career. His Quirk, Permeation, allowed him to pass through any object, a skill he used with impeccably trained physical prowess. The article concluded with an ambitious statement: Togata aimed to rescue a million people, hence his hero name, Lemillion.
Izuku looked at a photo of Mirio included in the article. There was something about his smile, his confident posture, that reminded him of All Might. It wasn't just his physical appearance but the same aura of hope and determination that All Might exuded.
As he approached the entrance to the school, Izuku was still lost in thought.
The sound of something slamming against the metal fences of the soccer field snapped him out of his thoughts. Izuku blinked, realizing he had arrived at the fields without even noticing. What he saw made him stop in his tracks.
There was Kacchan, kicking a soccer ball with a ferocity that Izuku recognized instantly. Bakugo was furious, almost rabid. He was slamming the ball against the fence with such force that it seemed like it might break at any moment.
Izuku watched him for a moment longer. He could see the frustration in his movements, the same feeling he was trying to suppress. For a brief instant, Bakugo looked away, but realizing he was being watched, his expression hardened even more.
—What the hell are you looking at, you idiot?— Bakugo shouted, his tone biting.
Without responding, Izuku dropped his backpack and began to walk toward the field, his steps steady.
—Nobody invited you!— Bakugo yelled, his anger evident. —So get lost!
But Izuku wasn't intimidated. He ignored Bakugo's words and, without thinking too much about it, ran toward the ball and kicked it with all his might. The impact was liberating, a burst of pent-up emotions released in that single kick. The ball bounced off the fence and rolled back toward them.
—Are you deaf or something?— Bakugo exclaimed, clearly irritated.
—Did you read the article too, Kacchan?— Izuku asked calmly as he watched the ball roll back.
Bakugo trapped the ball with his foot and kicked it again, this time with even more force.
—That dumbass doesn't even come close to All Might!— Bakugo spat, his rage evident in every word.
To Bakugo's surprise, stupid Deku didn't try to defend him and instead just kicked the ball again. Each strike seemed to ease the tension they both felt a little.
—Do you think All Might will really choose him as his successor?— Izuku asked, his voice lower, almost a whisper, as he watched the ball fly toward the fence once more.
—If he does, I'll kill him!— Bakugo shouted, kicking the ball even harder than before.
Izuku gave a small smile. Despite everything, there was something comforting in knowing he wasn't the only one feeling this way.
...
—I was surprised you agreed to meet with me,— Sir Nighteye commented, adjusting his glasses with a precise, measured motion. His voice was calm, but his eyes spoke volumes: he had been anticipating this meeting for a long time.
All Might did not respond immediately. Instead, he took out his phone and placed it on the table, showing a headline that seemed to have followed him throughout the day, like a persistent shadow.
—Well, you weren't very subtle in your intentions,— All Might replied, frowning. The headline on his phone read: "Who Will Be the Successor of the Symbol of Peace?"
Nighteye remained composed, but his fingers tensed slightly on the table.
—I didn't leave you many options, All Might. You've been ignoring my requests to introduce me to Lemillion,— Nighteye continued, straightforwardly.
All Might let out a sigh, his gaze falling momentarily to the coffee in his cup before he answered.
—I'll meet him when he starts teaching at UA next semester. There's no need to rush.
Nighteye remained unfazed.
—I think there is a need. You see, Mirio developed his Quirk, which was initially a flaw, and turned it into his greatest strength. His physical prowess is entirely natural, a result of relentless hard work. Furthermore, his charisma is undeniable; he inspires others just by being present.
All Might nodded, considering his old colleague's words. He had heard about Togata and his exceptional potential, both as a hero and a symbol of hope.
—Undoubtedly, he could become a great symbol of peace,— All Might mused aloud.
A spark of triumph briefly flickered in Nighteye's eyes.
—I knew that...
—But maybe he has already accomplished too much on his own,— All Might interrupted, keeping his gaze fixed on Nighteye, who looked puzzled for a moment. —It's undeniable that young Togata has made a name for himself, and that's more than admirable. But my power, One for All, is a power that must be nurtured and then passed on like a torch. With young Togata, I feel that, rather than passing on a torch, it would be like fueling a fire that's already burning. A sort of "power-up," if you will.
Nighteye did not respond immediately. His glasses gleamed with a light that concealed his true thoughts.
—I'm not saying I've ruled him out, but my initial impression is that he doesn't need to be my successor, given that he's already a hero in his own right,— All Might continued, with a softer but firm tone.
Nighteye continued to watch All Might without showing any emotion.
—That was well-rehearsed, All Might, but you're not fooling me,— Nighteye finally said.
All Might frowned, a slight gesture of discomfort crossing his face.
—The only reason you'd dismiss the most logical and sensible option for passing on One for All is if you're expecting something or someone specific. So tell me, what or who is it?
The question hung in the air, heavy and inevitable. For a moment, the memory of Hawks, asking almost the same question, flashed fleetingly through All Might's mind.
—Yes... yes, I am expecting something,— All Might finally confessed, his voice low but firm. —I've always thought that when I meet the one who should be the successor of One for All, I'll be the first to know. It will be a clear feeling, like the impulse to run when someone is in danger, and you feel your feet moving without thinking.
To All Might's surprise, Sir Nighteye smiled. A small but genuine smile.
—I've always appreciated your sense of humor, All Might.
—I'm being very serious.
—Totally foolish and sentimental... That's so like you. But fine, in the end, it's your decision. Just promise me you'll keep an eye on Mirio when you have the chance,— Nighteye said, adjusting his glasses again, this time with a more relaxed gesture.
All Might nodded, his expression softening.
—Alright. I'll consider it.
...
As Izuku left school, he felt the afternoon sun warming his back gently as he walked toward the main exit. The crowd of students dispersing around him barely took notice of him, each absorbed in their own conversations and plans for after school. Checking his phone, he saw another message from Uraraka that made him stop.
—I'm going to start taking martial arts classes after school— the message read—. It's a free course for women, teaching self-defense principles. Sorry, I won't be able to walk with you to the station from now on, but we'll see each other soon.
Izuku read the message twice, feeling a mix of emotions that left him with a strange emptiness in his stomach. At first, the news discouraged him a bit; after all, those small walks to the station had been moments he cherished, a perfect excuse to spend a few more minutes with Uraraka at the end of each day. But he quickly corrected himself, remembering that it was a good thing. Knowing that Uraraka wanted to learn to defend herself, that she was taking steps to protect herself, made him feel a bit proud of her.
—That's great...— he murmured to himself, forcing a smile as he put his phone in his pocket.
However, the truth was that he didn't feel like talking much that day, even if Uraraka had been there. As he walked slowly toward the campus exit, Izuku gripped the straps of his backpack tightly. An unknown weight pressed on his chest, and he was ready to admit, even if only to himself, that he was upset about the article he had read that morning. The one claiming that Mirio Togata, Lemillion, would be All Might's successor.
The mere idea gnawed at him from within. Although the article didn't directly mention All Might's opinion, the assumption that someone else, anyone else, could take the place he had dreamed of holding since he was a child made him feel... jealous? The word burned in his mind, as if it were something he should be ashamed of. Was that what he felt? Jealousy? Over a position?
The crowd around him began to thin out, and suddenly, Izuku remembered what he needed to do to release all the frustration swirling inside him like a storm.
Without a second thought, Izuku tightened the straps of his backpack and started running toward the beach.
...
When Uraraka arrived at the place where she would be taking her first martial arts classes, she felt a bit nervous.
A group of girls was already sitting in a circle in the center of the room, waiting for the lesson to begin. Some chatted among themselves, while others checked their phones or stretched their limbs. When Uraraka noticed one of the girls waving at her, she felt a small wave of relief. She forced herself to smile, reminding herself that she was there to learn and become stronger.
—Hi,— she said as she sat next to the girl, trying to sound friendly and confident.—I'm Ochako Uraraka.
—Hi! You can call me Camie,— the girl replied with a relaxed smile, her eyes sparkling with a playful glint.—It looks like you're new to this, but don't be nervous.
Camie had a laid-back attitude that immediately made Uraraka feel a bit more at ease. Her voice was soft but assured, and her green eyes, paired with her blonde hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders, gave her a friendly and approachable air.
—Thanks. I'll try,— Uraraka said, letting out a small sigh of relief.—Have you taken classes before?
—A few,— Camie answered, shrugging casually.—It's just that the streets aren't as safe as they used to be.
—Tell me about it,— Uraraka said, her voice dropping slightly as her eyes darkened with the memory.—Recently, a stranger grabbed me by the neck and tried to use his quirk on me.
—That's terrible,— Camie responded, though her expression remained curiously calm, almost as if she was used to hearing such stories.
Uraraka looked at Camie's features more closely. Her fair skin contrasted with her blonde hair, and her figure was slender but athletic, suggesting that she was accustomed to taking care of herself. "She must have been through something similar," Ochako thought. It was easy to imagine that, with her striking appearance, Camie might have been a target of harassment more than once, which might explain her nonchalant attitude toward dangerous situations.
Across the circle, another girl watched them silently. She had long green hair and large, round eyes that seemed to observe everything with a calm intensity. Noticing Uraraka's gaze, the girl lowered her eyes shyly, as if she wasn't used to being the center of attention.
—How cute. She might be a bit shy, like Deku,— Uraraka thought, smiling softly.
To Midoriya's surprise, Todoroki was already at the beach when he arrived, moving the scrap with an intensity that was unusual for him. The afternoon sun shone on the nearby waves, reflecting off the rusted metal and debris piled along the shore. In the distance, the sound of the sea crashing against the rocks offered a curious contrast to the metallic echo of trash being tossed into the container by Todoroki.
Izuku was about to call out to him, but something in Todoroki's posture stopped him. He could see the fury contained in every sharp movement. The clenched jaw, furrowed brows, and that steely gaze fixed on the scrap he was collecting told Midoriya that something must have gone wrong during his visit to the clinic to see his mother. Izuku felt a pang of guilt remembering how he had assured him the day before that everything would be okay, believing his words might offer some comfort.
'Why is nothing going as planned?' he thought, clenching his fists and ready to start working.
Todoroki didn't seem to notice his presence as he began moving the heavier scrap, and both continued working tirelessly.
All Might walked slowly and thoughtfully toward the beach, feeling the weight of responsibility with each step. True to his word, his attention was fixed on his cellphone screen, where he was reading the latest articles about the young Togata. Each line left him more impressed than the last: stories of daring rescues, decisive confrontations with villains, and the tireless fighting spirit that Togata demonstrated time and again.
—Am I wrong to expect that the successor to One for All will reveal himself to me on his own?— he wondered silently, his brow furrowed with concern. The words of Mirai, echoed in his mind like a persistent refrain.—Was I being too sentimental about this?
The hero felt a pang of anxiety remembering how his coughing up blood had become more frequent in recent months. The pain in his chest was a constant reminder that his time was running out. He needed to fulfill his responsibility, just as his teacher had taught him many years ago. He had to find his successor and pass on the torch before it was too late.
With a sigh, All Might placed a hand on his side, where an invisible wound still tormented him. His respiratory system had been damaged after the battle with All for One, and every breath reminded him of the limits of his mortal body. But his mind, his spirit, always refused to yield. He looked up at the beach, expecting to see the familiar scene of scattered scrap he had left Midoriya and Todoroki.
However, what he saw took his breath away.
The beach, which had been covered in trash and debris for so long, was now completely cleared. All the scrap had vanished, as if it had never been there. All Might blinked, unable to believe what his eyes were seeing. He let the cellphone fall from his hand, dropping it without even realizing it.
On two gigantic piles of perfectly stacked metal, he could see the young Midoriya and Todoroki. They stood at the top, shouting with a mix of euphoria and relief. Tears streamed down their faces, but they were not tears of sadness; they were tears of pure effort and determination.
—Impossible...!— All Might murmured, his eyes wide with astonishment. His voice, barely a whisper, was lost in the wind coming from the sea.
The work that would normally take ten months had been accomplished in just five.
Author's Notes.-
Your comments are always welcome! Thank you so much for reading, following, and liking. It always makes me smile.