"Good Morning!" Izuku yelled as he slid open the door to Class 1-A. The class greeted him happily before the majority looked behind him. "Sorry, guys. Hayato isn't with me." The class all groaned sadly before he waved his hands up. "Nonono! He's here! He just went to see Principal Nezu before coming here!"
"So did his grandpa actually pass away, Midoriya, ribbit?" Tsuyu asked making Izuku nod.
"Right after he arrived here, his grandpa had collapsed and sent to the hospital. He passed away right after he told him goodbye." Izuku said as he placed his bookbag on his desk.
"Poor guy, is he alright?" Eijiro asked earning a sigh from Izuku.
"He looked better on Friday, but this weekend he spent it working out."
"Poor guy." Denki said sitting back in his chair.
"I'm not surprised." Tenya said speaking up. "Death affects everyone differently, Friday may as well have been the worst day in Kiryuu's life." Tenya said as he cleaned his glasses.
"But let's try to cheer him up! Come on everyone, let's give him a big welcome when he walks in!" Mina said before they heard the door open. They all turned to see Hayato walking in with an exhausted look on his face.
"Good morning, everyone." Hayato said raising a hand to greet his class. He trudged over to his seat and sat down, looking at the board.
"Uh...you okay, bud?" Denki asked earning a nod from the boy.
"What did Principal Nezu want to talk to you about?" Kyoka asked making Hayato sigh.
"I understand this is a difficult time for you, if you need anyone to help you or even just talk to you: all of the faculty are willing to assist you." Hayato sat across from a humanoid mouse with two cups of tea between them.
"I'm fine...I appreciate the offer."
"You know, Hayato...a lot of times our emotions, even the strongest ones, can begin to waver when we hit our lowest points." Nezu said taking a sip from his tea. "Anger is a gateway to revenge. Loss can fog our judgement and make us do things we normally wouldn't. What we do when it happens can define who we are for the rest of our lives." He watched as Hayato reached for his backpack. "You're an amazing student and a promising hero, I just hope you understand what I'm trying to warn you about. Those villains made their way here to try to harm us in an attempt to declare war, and chances are a lot of them are fueled by emotions such as that."
"He told me that the faculty will be there to support me if I needed anything and that was it." Hayato said before the door opened. The class looked in a mix of shock and horror as Aizawa walked in, bandaged from head to toe with his arms in slings.
"Mr. Aizawa...aren't you supposed to be in the hospital?" Momo asked as he took his place in front of the class.
"Time is limited, I can't waste it in bed. Besides, I'm just here to let you all know that coming up we have an important event: the U.A. Sports Festival." The class lit up hearing this announcement. "It's in two weeks, from now on you can use your time in the afternoon and on campus to train. That's all, Plus Ultra and all that crap, homeroom is dismissed." As quickly as he came in, Aizawa quickly made his way out. The entire class, minus the typical quiet ones, all erupted into different conversations.
"This is so exciting!" Ochaco yelled as she happily jumped out of her seat.
"And so many pros are gonna be watching!" Eijiro said running hands through his red spiky hair.
"Yes, this is an important occasion for all of us." Momo said before noticing how Hayato stayed quiet in his seat, the complete opposite of how he normally would be. "U-Uh...Kiry-"
"Speed freak." Hayato looked up to see Katsuki standing over him, with a somewhat more muscular appearance to him. "What are you so damn quiet for?"
"Just thinking, Bakugo."
"I'm gonna crush you at the festival, but you better make it worth my time."
"Kacchan, I don't think-" Izuku responded by Hayato standing up to look at Katsuki dead in the eyes.
"I'm gonna leave you in the dust, I can promise you that." Hayato said making Katsuki chuckle.
"That's the spirit, don't you dare go easy on me. The same goes for you, Deku." Katsuki said turning his attention to Izuku, who jumped slightly at this. "If you hold back for even a moment, I'll fucking kill you. You got that?"
"Maybe working on sprints would help." Hayato said cracking his neck after school. He was currently on the field dressed in his P.E Uniform while his other classmates were in the nearby training facilities.
"Or maybe you should just train like any other person." He turned around to see Hitoshi Shinso walking over to him with his hand on the back of his neck.
"Shinso. What do you want?"
"So damn cold, I just wanted to talk."
"About?"
"Well for starters, I just wanna say I had no part in that sappy ass video they made for you. I was forced to be in it by that psycho. Second of all, I just wanted to talk."
"Well, you talked. So, bye." Hayato said as he prepared to run. Before he could, he sighed and turned to face Hitoshi. "I'm curious, how did you even pass anyway?"
"Well my Quirk is brainwashing, I thought it would hold me back from passing the practical part of the entrance exams."
"But you can't brainwash robots, so what the hell did you do?"
"I brainwashed people to get out of the way if they were in trouble. Apparently that adds up Rescue Points. I wouldn't have passed but apparently some twerp with some glue ball quirk had ripped off a girl's shirt and bra with his balls by accident and then proudly groped her, so they disqualified him and that made me the 36th place person for the exam." Hitoshi explained rubbing the back of his neck.
"Damn, but you know...I think it's cool you joined the hero course." Hayato said crossing his arms. Hitoshi looked at him in surprise while he sighed. "A Quirk that can brainwash people would be used for evil, that's no question. I'm sure people would've thought that about you, but look at Mr. Aizawa. You could say his Quirk can be an evil Quirk, but at the same time so could anyone else's. It's not the tool, it's the person using the tool that matters." Hayato said before nodding at him.
"You know...I'm gonna crush you at the festival." Hitoshi said surprising Hayato. "It goes without question just how much help you would've been on Friday, Iida isn't as fast as you and you would've been able to take out more villains than any of us. I could barely make those assholes turn on each other when you could've easily knocked them out. I'm gonna outshine you when the festival happens, you can count on that." Hitoshi turned around to leave, not noticing Hayato was beginning to tremble while clenching his fists. Once he was gone, Hayato fell to the ground and began punching it as hard as he could with the side of his fists, before letting out a loud scream signifying his guilt and frustration.
"O-Oh, Hayato, dinner is ready." Inko said as Hayato walked in, covered in dirt and scratches. He nodded and went to the table, seeing a plate with a fish on it and a bowl of rice. "If you want more, I can-"
"It's perfect, you're doing enough for me as it is." Hayato said as he grabbed a pair of chopsticks and began digging in.
"You've been like a second son to me and a brother to Izuku, if anyone's done enough for anyone: it's you for us." Inko said as she ran her hands through his hair. "I know this isn't the right time, but the funeral date is set for next Sunday. Is that fine with you?"
"It's fine...will both of you come with me?"
"Of course." Inko said as she walked into the kitchen to start washing dishes. "But you know...I mean what I said. If anything, the hope you gave Izuku when you came into our lives saved me from the guilt about that Quirkless diagnosis. I began eating out of guilt...if I had continued, I may have gained a few pounds." Inko said as Hayato looked at her confused, as from when he had met her: she had always been a slender woman. "But when you came and told me you were going to make sure he could be a hero, no matter what, I was relieved. It was like god had sent me the answer to my prayers with you because the way you had said those words...somehow I knew you meant it."
"But, I didn't really do anything. It was all him."
"But you were there to protect him from bullies, you always looked on the brighter side of things, you gave him hope like that All Might video never could: because someone actually knew that he could be a hero." Inko said as she dried her hands. She walked out of the kitchen and looked at the boy with a warm smile. "I would've loved to adopt you, but your grandfather was adamant that your new guardian was more than up for taking care of you. But until they're ready, this is your home. Even then, this will always be your home."
"Thank you...I appreciate it." Hayato said as he finished up his dinner and looked around, realizing his best friend was nowhere to be found. "And Izuku?"
"He's down at Dagoba Beach, he said when you finished eating: to go see him, he said he had something to show you."
"Izuku?" Hayato asked as he made his way down to the sand at Dagoba Beach. He looked around before a green blur landed in front him, revealing Izuku with a victorious grin on his face. "What's this?"
"I did it, I finally did it. At an output of five percent, this is One for All: Full Cowling!" Izuku said as the energy of One for All surged through his body in a constant stream as green energy sparked off him. "I've spent all weekend trying to master it and now I have One for All coursing through every part of my body."
"Nice." Hayato said before turning around.
"Where are you going?"
"Home, I wanna relax after a long day." Hayato said as he walked up to the steps to leave. Izuku landed in front of him and looked at him with a serious demeanor. "What are you doing?"
"I know you're hurting...but is being such a dick really worth it?" Izuku said making Hayato grit his teeth.
"Izuku, I'm EXHAUSTED. Is that not clear?"
"It's not, you want to avoid me, that's what it is. It's the Sports Festival isn't it?" Izuku asked while Hayato stayed quiet. "Why are you so worried about the festival? Do you think a pro will not see how amazing you are?" Izuku asked walking up to him. "I just barely got the hang of this power, you've had yours for years. What are you so worried about?"
"Do you think this is all about impressing some heroes? Do you think that's all I care about?!" Izuku flinched as Hayato snapped. "Damn it, Izuku why can't you understand?! You're not just my BEST FRIEND...you're more than that, you're my damn BROTHER! I was nothing but useless when you all needed me on Friday! Everybody I left behind all got hurt in some way and it even took my grandpa from me!" Hayato yelled as tears welled up in his eyes. "You got hurt! Ochaco was hurt! Iida was shook up for once! And Momo...Momo could've been killed! Both of you could've been killed! I could've helped you! I could've done everything I could to help all of you! What kind of hero leaves the people he cares about behind?!" Hayato yelled letting his tears fall. "Mr. Aizawa is hurt and broken nearly everywhere, even All Might's limit is barely at an hour now, I could've prevented that!"
"Hayato...you don't know that." Izuku said reaching for him. Hayato slapped his hand away and fell to his knees on the sand.
"I DO know that! I'm the fastest person in class, even if I didn't go top speed: I could've helped everyone out and still had the energy to keep going! I can't look anyone in class in the eyes without thinking about how safe they would've been if I had just shown up to class!"
"And then what?! Your grandpa dies at home and you feel guilty about that instead?!" Izuku yelled making Hayato stop screaming. "No one blames you...no one expects a lot from you...but that doesn't mean you should beat yourself up over it! Damn it, Hayato, I understand perfectly what you mean! But what does that festival have to do with anything?!"
"It's my chance to be better than I already am! To see if I have what it takes to make my old man proud! I don't want to win, but I don't want to lose either!"
"Then don't lose! Your grandpa died happily knowing that his last day was spent with the person he loved the most in the world! But if he was here right now, he'd kick your ass for being like this!" Izuku yelled making Hayato stand and wipe his tears. "If you think you would've protected us on Friday, then go ahead and think that. But what I know is that the moment I saw those villains walk through that warp guy's portal: I knew that I was relieved that you were safe from harm."
"You know how useful I could've been to all of you...why are you acting like I wouldn't?"
"I never said you wouldn't have been, what I'm saying is that what happened already happened. You don't need to beat yourself up over it." Izuku said placing a hand on his shoulder. "Looking at all the villains that showed up, I realized just how inexperienced we really are. The hero world isn't sunshine and rainbows, it's an unforgiving place that will chew you up and spit you out if you're not prepared for it. As the next Symbol of Peace, it's my duty to be prepared so that whatever dangers come our way again will be dealt with." Izuku was met with silence. "But if that's really what's bothering you...then be someone he would definitely be proud of." Izuku said before turning to look at the ocean. He sat down on the sand to look at the moon's reflection on the water while Hayato did the same. "All Might told me he had used up most of his time in his muscle form by dealing with crimes that morning, he was supposed to be at U.S.J. to begin with but he had to take a break to build up some stamina. Even if you were there, All Might would've still had to push himself to fight a villain that had multiple Quirks at once. The same goes for what happened with Mr. Aizawa and Thirteen, they jumped into action to try to give us a chance to escape. They wound up being overpowered and even if you were there, they would've risked their lives to make sure you were safe too. Everyone had an issue that pushed us to know what it means to be a hero, to know just how deadly Villains can truly be. But what you saw was the other aspect of it, the feeling where you know you could help someone but you know you can't be everywhere at once. You can't save everyone, but you can always help someone."
"I just know I could've helped..."
"Then be that kind of hero." Hayato looked at Izuku, surprised by his statement. "You have the speed to do it, you might not be able to reach everyone...but be a hero that saves everyone he CAN reach. Just like you saved me all those years ago. Seeing you like this...it just bothers me. You called me the smarter one out of the two of us but you're also the most optimistic out of us. You had the heart of a hero from the very beginning, you can't just let one moment bring you down." Izuku said standing up. He turned and extended his hand to his best friend, who then grabbed it tightly. "You and I are gonna be at the top of the Sports Festival. And we're gonna do it, TOGETHER."
"What was it Bakugo said once?" Hayato asked as he stood up with Izuku's help. "Deku and Speed Freak, a pair of losers who'll stay at the bottom?"
"We have a chance to show him and the world..."
"We'll show them the next generation has what it takes. We're gonna stand at the top, and with your strength and my speed, together we'll look at them and say..."
"WE'RE HERE!"
During the next two weeks after Aizawa announced the Sports Festival, all of Class 1-A spent their free time trying to enhance their abilities. As Aizawa had said later on, this was only one of three chances to show Pro Heroes and the world what they could do, so they began dedicating themselves to physical and mental training to reach for the top. But the four who were putting in the most work, at least in the eyes of their teachers and classmates, were Shoto Todoroki, Katsuki Bakugo, Hayato Kiryuu, and Izuku Midoriya. Shoto spent most of his time training his right side, increasing the speed and power of the ice he could create from it. Katsuki began to work on strengthening his explosions by spending hours on end firing them until his muscles couldn't handle the strain.
But Hayato and Izuku were the ones they were most surprised by, especially All Might. He'd spent his free time looking over them and seeing how the two began practicing how to use their Quirks in combat. Izuku spent his time keeping the force of his attacks at the five percent limit he set on himself while also adapting to his newfound speed that would rival his best friend's. Meanwhile Hayato was learning to use his speed to increase the force of his attacks, while also setting his own limit as to how to keep a constant speed without draining all of his energy in seconds. Both began to show up to class with marks and bruises, but their training was proving to be the most effective for them as they neared Kazuma's funeral. They would begin the moment they were allowed to train on campus, before heading home and continuing their practice at Dagoba Beach: where they would either race on the sand to increase their speed, or spar in the water to increase the muscles in their arms and legs. Seeing how dedicated they were, All Might couldn't help but contact his former mentor, Sorahiko, to let him know about their progress. Sorahiko had already agreed to go to the Sports Festival in person to see his grandson for once, but now he was interested in Izuku and curious to see how the fruits of their training will show once the day arrived.
"Boys, are you ready?" Inko asked, dressed in a black dress, as she knocked on Izuku's bedroom door. The door opened to reveal Izuku and Hayato both wearing all black suits and ties. Today was Kazuma's funeral, and five days before the U.A. Sports Festival. They made their way out of the apartment and downstairs to where a dark green haired man wearing a suit similar to the boys' stood by a waiting car. "Hisashi."
"Inko. Izuku. Hayato." Hisashi said before planting a kiss on Inko's forehead.
"Dad." Izuku said hugging his father.
"Hisashi." Hayato said shaking his hand. "Thank you for coming."
"Your grandfather treated me well the times I came to visit, it's the least I could do." Hisashi said before opening the door for his wife to enter. The two entered the backseat while Hisashi entered the driver's side and the four left to where Kazuma's funeral was being held.
"Dad...how long are you staying?" Izuku asked as they came to a red light. He bit his lip from disappointment as he remembered how his father took a position abroad and rarely came home unless it was the holidays, his wedding anniversary, or any of their birthdays. He sat back as he knew the answer was going to be the same as always, two days then he has to return to work in California.
"I dunno. Maybe long enough to see my son compete in the U.A. Sports Festival." Hisashi said making the eyes from the other three widen. "I wasn't here to congratulate you for making it in, I wish I was. I know I haven't been around much in your life but I saved of my vacation days to be here until next Sunday. This is one of the biggest moments in my only son's life, what kind of father would I be if I missed out on that?" Hisashi said making Inko and Izuku tear up. "I set my DVR back in America to record it so I can show it to my friends when I go back, but I got tickets for me and your mother to see both of you compete that day."
"Hayato." A balding old man said as the Midoriyas and Hayato reached the church and exited their car. He walked over and hugged the boy who returned the hug.
"Dr. Ishida, is everyone here?" Hayato asked earning a nod from the old man. He looked inside to see everyone his grandfather had ever been friends with, work with, even the neighbors who he had been on good terms with were all in attendance. "But...I want you to know that they're here too."
"You don't mean..?" Inko and Izuku asked earning a nod from the doctor. Hayato looked past the crowd to see a white haired woman and a black haired man, both of who were talking to the neighbor who had known Kazuma the longest as well as his old boss.
"Hayato, are those your parents?" Hisashi asked earning a nod from the younger Kiryuu.
"Towa and Raito Kiryuu, the parents who ditched me a long time ago." Hayato said before Dr. Ishida placed a hand on his back.
"Son, I wanted you to know that you and your father will be both giving speeches today. If you want, you can go after him...but Kazuma said that the person he wanted the most to speak ,when he passed, was you."
"I will...don't worry."
"My father was an amazing man." Raito said as he began to give his eulogy to the crowd, an hour after the service had begun. "He knew that there was nothing more satisfying than a hard day's work. He used to tell me that nothing in this world is free and that there is no form of currency in the world that is not earned easily. After my mother divorced him, I thought his world was going to end. And I was nearly right, I saw my father enter a depression that I thought he would never come back from. But I guess once he saw that I had found the woman of my dreams, he had found a new meaning to his life because he actually seemed happy for once. I may not have been in contact with him for a while, but there is no part of me that doesn't miss him and wish we had solved our differences before he passed. Thank you." Raito said earning claps from the crowd and made his way back to his seat next to his wife. Dr. Ishida then stood up and walked up to the front, clearing his throat.
"As Kazuma's best friend...I would like one more person to come up and say a few words. Kazuma's grandson, Hayato." Towa and Raito gasped as they had finally seen their son after nearly thirteen years. With Towa especially seeing the resemblance he shared with her father, especially from the height and spiky white hair he now had.
"Thank you...my grandpa was...I just...I don't know what to say honestly." Hayato said as he took out a piece of paper to begin reading off it. He sighed and crumpled the paper, throwing it towards Izuku. He caught it and handed it to his father who quickly put it in his hands and blew a small stream of fire, quickly burning it. Hayato rubbed his eyes and jammed his hands into his pockets, looking at the photo of the old man behind him as well as his coffin. "He was everything to me. He was the only father figure I ever had, he was the one who used to go to my room when I had a nightmare and be with me until I slept. He used to take me to the park to play when he saw that I was bored. He never once gave up on me, even considering how old he was becoming. He retired early to raise me, and I didn't know about that until recently. He told me that I had saved him from giving up on life, and I think he was wrong. I think HE was the one who saved ME from giving up. There's not a second now that I don't miss him, that I wake up in my new home and think he's going to open the door and say it's time to go back home. But, it doesn't mean I'm giving up. Everything I have now is thanks to him." He took a deep breath to compose himself while the Midoriyas smiled at him, as did everyone else listening. "The values he taught me got me into the best High School in all of Japan, I'm currently enrolled in the Hero Course of U.A. High thanks to what he taught me. The respect he taught me to give has me in good standing with my teachers and the people currently taking care of me. The love he gave me is now the love I have for the people who've been by my side and cared for me as long as I can remember, even the people who're standing by my side right now. From just spending time with him for so long, he gave me the courage to follow my dreams and become a hero. I know he's watching over me right now like a guardian angel, and I will forever cherish the time I spent with him. As the grandson of Kazuma Kiryuu, I swear on this day to be a hero that's fast enough to reach everyone that needs my help. He always believed I will be a great hero: and in memory of my grandpa, that's exactly what I'll spend the rest of my life trying to be. Thank you all for coming." Hayato said before bowing to the crowd. The crowd erupted into applause as many teared up seeing Hayato as a younger version of Kazuma during his speech. He took his seat next to Izuku who happily patted his back while Hisashi proudly nodded at him and Inko wiped tears from her eyes.
Following Hayato's speech, the service then ended as the coffin was then taken to be cremated. The four stayed and said one last goodbye to Kazuma's tombstone before returning to their car. But before Hisashi pulled out, he noticed Raito and Towa walking towards their car and turned to look at Hayato in the back seat.
"I know you might say no...but, do you maybe want to talk to your parents?" He was met with silence and Hayato shaking his head. "It was only a question, I'm not gonna make you." Hisashi said before putting the car in reverse and driving off back to their home. As they drove off, Hayato had made eye contact with his parents who looked at him in surprise before it changed to disappointment.
"Do you think we should've said something to him back there?" Raito asked looking at his wife. She shook her head and let out a deep sigh.
"Your father was the only one to ever give him a parent's love...after we left him behind, I knew we had made a mistake by doing that to him. But when I saw him today...all I saw was my own father."
"Was that bad?"
"No...it made me realize that I had a mistake leaving my dad alone too. I don't think either of them will ever forgive me for hurting them that way." Towa said as she entered their car. "I still love my father to this day, the same with Hayato...my teenage angst got in the way and cost me the two most important people in my life."
"Hayato will forgive us one day, and I know Sorahiko definitely still loves you too." Raito said rubbing his wife's back as she began to cry.
"How do you know?"
"My dad was never one to hold a grudge, if our son is anything like either of our dads: he will find it within himself to forgive us. And Sorahiko told you the day you left: his door will always be open to you, he might be an old man now but that old man still took care of you after losing the love of his life." Raito said before looking at the envelope in the cup holder with the U.A. logo on it. "I just hope he won't be mad if he finds out."