Seven Years Later
Morning light filtered softly through the Moriyama household.
Haruto sat at the table, a newspaper in hand, though he hadn't turned the page in several minutes. His brows were drawn together, his thoughts far from the printed words.
"The world keeps getting worse…" he muttered under his breath. "And now Takeshi is leaving for the U.A. entrance exam…"
He exhaled slowly.
"I can't help but worry."
Aiko glanced at him from across the room, her expression gentle but firm.
"You've always known this was his dream," she said. "If we try to hold him back now, he might stay… but something inside him will never settle."
She paused.
"You can't take that away from him."
Haruto said nothing.
Because he knew she was right.
But knowing didn't make it easier.
The door slid open.
"Good morning, Mom. Dad."
Takeshi stepped inside.
Both of them turned—and for a moment, neither spoke.
Seventeen.
He stood taller now, his frame lean but well-built from years of training. His posture was steady, his presence calm. The wild child they once knew had grown into someone… composed.
Focused.
His eyes still carried that same sharp clarity—but now, there was weight behind them.
Aiko quickly moved, handing him a glass of milk.
"Drink this before you go," she said, masking her emotions with routine.
Takeshi smiled faintly and sat down.
As he took a sip, his gaze shifted to Haruto.
"…Dad?"
Haruto looked up.
"What's bothering you?"
Aiko opened her mouth—but Haruto spoke first.
"I'm worried about you."
Simple.
Direct.
"The city isn't like this village," he continued. "There's danger everywhere. Just months ago, there was that sludge villain incident… even All Might had to intervene."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"A boy your age almost died."
Silence followed.
Takeshi lowered the glass.
For a moment, memories surfaced—fragments of a story he once knew… now becoming reality.
But more than that—
He saw his father.
Not as a strict teacher.
Not as a strong man.
Just… a father.
Worried.
"There will always be danger," Takeshi said quietly.
Then he met his gaze.
"But I can't run from it."
His voice steadied.
"I don't want to become a hero just because I have power."
A pause.
"I want to become one… because I want to protect people."
Haruto's expression softened.
A faint smile formed.
"…Good answer."
He leaned back slightly.
"I won't stop you."
Then, after a moment—
"But don't forget one thing."
Takeshi blinked.
"It's not me you should worry about," Haruto said. "It's your mother."
Aiko stiffened slightly, turning away as if busying herself.
"She hides it well," he continued, "but she worries more than anyone."
His tone softened.
"So call her."
Aiko sighed, still facing away.
"Don't listen to him," she said quietly. "I'm fine."
Then she turned back, her eyes softer now.
"But… promise me something."
Takeshi stood.
"Walk your path without regret."
Takeshi nodded.
"I will."
He paused at the door.
"…I'm heading out."
And with that—
He left.
School
The morning air was fresh as Takeshi rode his bicycle through the familiar roads.
He had received it years ago—on his thirteenth birthday.
It had carried him through countless days.
And now—
It carried him toward something new.
At the school gates, familiar voices greeted him.
"Hey, Takeshi!"
He parked his bicycle and waved.
"Haru, Emi—are we about to start? And where's Kaito?"
"You're looking in the wrong direction."
The voice came from above.
Takeshi glanced up.
Kaito descended smoothly, standing atop a platform of metal shaped by his quirk. He landed cleanly, without a single misstep.
Takeshi smirked.
"You've improved."
Kaito crossed his arms.
"Not as much as you."
They shared a brief look.
Then walked inside together.
Final Day
As expected—
Takeshi ranked first.
Academics.
Quirk assessment.
Overall performance.
Nothing had changed.
And yet—
Everything had.
In their final homeroom, Mr. Satoshi stood before them, arms folded.
"You four are among the finest students this school has seen," he said.
His gaze moved between them.
"Takeshi—you're aiming for U.A. That was expected."
A small pause.
"Emi. Haru. You've chosen Tokyo Rescue & Safety Academy."
Emi nodded softly.
"My quirk isn't meant for combat," she said. "But I can help people. That's enough for me."
Haru scratched his head.
"Yeah… same. I think I'm better off saving people than fighting villains head-on."
Mr. Satoshi smiled faintly.
Then—
"Kaito. Shiketsu High?"
Kaito met his gaze without hesitation.
"It suits me."
Simple.
Confident.
Mr. Satoshi nodded.
"Good."
He looked at all of them.
"You've chosen your paths."
A pause.
"And I'm proud of every one of you."
The Station
Evening came quietly.
The station buzzed with movement, but for them, the moment felt still.
This was it.
Takeshi stepped onto the train, placing his bag by the window seat.
Outside—
His parents stood side by side.
Haruto, steady as ever.
Aiko… barely holding herself together.
The whistle blew.
The train began to move.
Takeshi pressed his hand against the glass.
For a moment—
No words were needed.
Aiko's lips trembled.
"…Be safe," she whispered, too softly to be heard.
Haruto placed a hand on her shoulder.
"He'll be fine," he said. "He's not a child anymore."
His gaze followed the train.
"He's on his way to becoming a hero."
Inside—
Takeshi clenched his fist.
The past lingered behind him.
Mistakes.
Regret.
Loss.
Not this time.
As the train carried him forward, Takeshi Moriyama stepped into a new chapter of his life.
Not as a boy chasing a dream—
But as someone ready to face it.
End of Chapter 11