Chapter 6
It was a normal day like any other. And right now, Hayato was doing his early morning jog. It was something that became more of a habit when he and Izuku were training leading up to their entrance exam. Before, it was just to give their bodies a warm up for their long days of exercising. Now, it's just how he finishes waking up for school. As he jogged through the streets, the events of the past few days had been stuck on repeat in his head. First, the class had elected their representative. At first it was Izuku, then after an alarm scare where the entire student body went into panic: they voted to make it Tenya, who had single-handedly calmed everyone down when he realized it was the press who had gotten onto school grounds. But what kept his attention the most was HOW they had even got in, U.A. has top of the line security, so only students and faculty can enter when they have their special badges on them. But someone had completely destroyed the security they had and allowed the press to invade school grounds to get an interview about All Might being their newest teacher.
But, who was he to worry about that? He's in the top school in the country where the best heroes to ever exist in Japan are alumni, if anyone wanted to declare war on them: then it'd be the same as an injured Gazelle against a Pride of Lions. He's just 15 years old, he has other things to worry about. Like teasing Momo about how she'd only got second place as their vice representative. But the more important matter, he'd spent every moment he could with Izuku to help him spread One for All across his entire body, but it was a task proving to be just impossible at the moment. When he would be close to nearing their goal, the power would just leave his body due to him not being used to it. But, they both knew that with time and patience: he would control One for All and continue walking the path to becoming a hero.
And now he has a new favorite hobby, teasing Izuku about Ochaco. It was more than clear that Izuku had feelings for her, even if he was too stubborn to admit it. He's been scolded by Momo and approached by every other girl in their class, and of course due to his timid nature: he would stutter and act weird around them. But with Ochaco, it's a different story entirely. His face always turns red, he's always blushing, and when that leaves: he talks to her with a confidence neither of them have ever had, even after ten years of friendship.
"Grandpa, I'm back!" Hayato yelled as he opened the door to his home of over ten years. He looked around, seeing the lights were still off and the curtains were still closed. "Grandpa?" He looked around and went to the hallway to see the light to the bathroom on and the door closed. He heard what sounded like someone retching and rushed over to the door, knocking on it. "Are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine!" Kazuma yelled on the other side of the door. Hayato took a step back as the door opened, revealing his grandfather wiping his mouth with a red towel. "Sorry to worry you, I had a stomach bug when I woke up."
"If you're feeling sick, I'll stay home from class today to take care of you." Hayato said making Kazuma shake his head.
"No, son, I'll clean up in there and you just worry about getting ready to go to U.A." Kazuma said as he weakly walked over to a nearby closet. Hayato sighed and walked over to his guardian, turning him to his bedroom.
"Get into bed, old man. I'm taking care of you today." Hayato said as he walked his grandfather to his room and put him in his bed. He sighed and left the room, walking to the phone that they had on the wall nearby. He quickly dialed a number and waited for the other line to pick up.
"Hello?" All Might said as he picked up the other line.
"All Might, it's Hayato."
"Oh, Young Kiryuu! What can I do for you this morning?"
"Well, I wanted to ask you for a favor. My grandpa woke up insanely sick this morning, and given his age: I'm gonna stay home today to take care of him." All Might went silent on the other line. "So I wanted you to let Mr. Aizawa know I won't be in today."
"...I see..."
"Is something wrong?" Hayato asked as there was an odd hesitation in his mentor's voice.
"Nothing, just a crime going on nearby. I'll let them know at U.A. Take care and I'll see you later!" All Might said as he hung up the call. Hayato chuckled before dialing another number, waiting for them to pick up as well.
"Kazuma?"
"Dr. Ishida, it's Hayato." Hayato said as his grandfather's friend picked up the phone.
"Oh, Hayato! How are you?"
"I'm doing good."
"How are your hero studies at U.A?"
"They're going fine, but doc, I called you because my grandpa isn't feeling that well this morning." Now it was Dr. Ishida's turn to go silent on the other line. "I wanted to know if you could maybe come and check him out? He says it's just a stomach bug but I'm not so sure."
"Hayato...he never told you?"
"Told me what?" Hayato asked as he took the phone to the balcony.
"Son, your grandfather has stage 4 lung cancer." Hayato nearly dropped the phone hearing this. "It was at its end stages when they found it, so now it's terminal. I'm sorry to say this to you, but if your grandfather is in horrible condition...then I'm afraid he won't live to see the end of this week."
"Thank you doc...I'll update you if anything else happens." Hayato hung up the call and looked at his hands, feeling them trembling. He quietly walked back into the apartment and walked over to the bathroom. He opened it and saw the floor and sink covered in blood splatters, even the mirror had splatters on it. He picked up the towel and looked at the dark red splatters all over it, recognizing them as blood stains as well. He walked over to his grandfather's room to see him watching TV calmly.
"Oh, you're not going to get ready?" Kazuma asked as Hayato sat down next to him.
"Nah, I called out. If my old man is sick, then why would I leave him alone?" Hayato asked trying to control his trembling. "Especially when he might need me the most."
"Oh, you're shivering. Here, don't get cold." Kazuma said as he pulled his blanket over his grandson, smiling while Hayato tried hiding the tears welling in his eyes.
"Grandpa, what do you want for lunch?" Hayato asked hours later as he entered Kazuma's room.
"I think I'll just have some soup, don't worry." Kazuma said making Hayato nod.
"Okay, I'll order some right now."
"No it's fine, I'm good enough to go out and get some fresh air." Kazuma said as he struggled to get out of bed. Hayato rushed over and helped him up, walking him over to his closet. "Hayato, I'm good."
"I'm not gonna help you get dressed but I'll at least help you get some clothes." Hayato said as he grabbed a black shirt and sweatpants, handing them to his grandfather. "I'll get ready to go with you." Hayato said as he left the room to change his clothes as well. After ten minutes, the two made their way out of their apartment and downstairs, greeting their other neighbors that they passed on the way down. "So where are we going?"
"Well, the soup at that restaurant at the downtown station is really good."
"Alright then, let's go to the station." Hayato said as the two made their way down the sidewalk and continued for about fifteen minutes until they reached the monorail station. The two got their tickets and made their way onto their train, with Hayato standing up while his grandfather got the last available seat.
"Hayato, have a seat and I'll stand." Kazuma said as he struggled to stand up.
"Age before beauty, come on just sit down and relax." Hayato said placing a hand on Kazuma's shoulder. The rest of the train ride was met with silence before they reached their stop, with Hayato helping Kazuma out of his seat and off the train. The two left the boarding area and made their way to a nearby restaurant. They sat down and a waitress immediately came over to them.
"Good afternoon, how can I help you both today?"
"Well, I'll have a Pork Cutlet Bowl and my grandpa will have your soup of the day." Hayato said speaking quickly before Kazuma could answer her.
"And to drink?"
"Water for him and a cola for me." The waitress nodded and walked away with their order written down. Kazuma looked at his grandson confused while he paid attention to the people walking past them.
"Hayato?"
"Yeah?"
"Is something wrong?" Hayato simply responded by shaking his head. "You've never missed class for me before, what's the matter?"
"It's just..." Hayato let out a trembling breath as he tried to find a way avoiding of what he was told before. "Being at U.A. reminded me of how precious time can be. How one mistake can cost you everything, if I left you behind today to go to school: I could've come home to find you unable to move on the floor."
"Hayato please, it's just a stomach bug."
"You missed out on work a lot when I was a kid, I need to make that up to you in some way." Hayato said as the waitress returned and place their drinks in front of them.
"Son, you never need to worry about getting even with me. I raised you since you were barely a toddler, you paid me back by getting better and never giving me a reason to worry about you." Kazuma said as he struggled to drink his water. "What more could I ever ask from you?"
"...you never told me why my parents left me. Can you explain that to me now, I'm old enough now to understand." Hayato pleaded making Kazuma sigh. He cleared his throat and sat back in his chair.
"Your mother had a rocky relationship with her father. Her mother died after giving birth to her and your grandfather took her death hard, leading her to always believe he resented her. But he never once blamed her for the loss of his wife. But when she reached your age, she met your father. She fell madly in love and after three years, she got pregnant with you." Kazuma began as he felt the taste of blood in his mouth. He drank it down with water and looked at his grandson who began hiding his eyes from him. "She ran away from home and I allowed them to live with me since your grandmother divorced me years before this. She gave birth to you and I began to take care of you so they could work to earn money. Your father began to rise up in his job and got your mother to work with him when he became supervisor at this accounting firm he worked at. By that point, you had already begun to walk and you were nearing the point where you would begin to talk. Then when you were about to turn three, they offered your parents positions at a branch they were opening in America and they immediately jumped to it. I supported them accepting such well-paying jobs, but they had no intentions of taking you. I had been taking care of you daily and when they were home, they would find reasons to leave and come back late at night to leave me in charge of you. So when they were preparing to leave, I gave them an ultimatum: they would take their jobs but find time to take care of you, or they could leave you with me under the condition they were to never ask me for any help or involve themselves in your life once they did."
"And they cared more about the money than their mistake of a son..." Hayato said under his breath.
"Don't you dare start talking like that. They were children who made a mistake and didn't see the miracle they had created. Without you...I would've given up on life a long time ago." Hayato looked at his grandfather who kept a serious demeanor. "How is that right? I retired early so that everyday I woke up, I could proudly see my grandson grow into the man he is today. And your parents couldn't even put five minutes aside for you...how is that...how is that right? You deserved better, especially from me."
"No I didn't...I'm grateful for everything that I have. All the blessings I have in my life, being enrolled into U.A, my friends, I'm grateful for all of that. But you? You're what I'm most grateful for." Hayato said as he felt his tears begin to stream down his face. "If it weren't for you, your patience, your courage...the will to keep going and be better...I learned all of that from you. More than anyone else, you're the one who showed me, what it takes to be a good person..." This time it was Kazuma's turn to begin to hold back his tears. "...for that I will always be grateful." Hayato stood up and walked over to his grandfather, giving him a tight hug. "I just wish I had more time with you...so you could see me become a hero."
"It's alright, it's okay. I'm never gonna leave you, even when I'm gone." Kazuma said kissing his grandson's head.
Following their emotional lunch, the two walked through downtown Musutafu before suddenly on a TV screen above them: the news started playing.
"I'm here reporting from U.A. High School that has just been attacked by villains." A female reporter said on screen making Hayato look up and his eyes widened. "Apparently, the villains snuck in during what was supposed to be a Rescue training mission and cornered the first year class, Class 1-A." Hayato and Kazuma looked in shock as they played a video of all of the Class 1-A students leaving a domed building while dozens of villains were being arrested by police. "The perpetrators are believed to call themselves the League of Villains and even managed to injure the heroes Eraser Head and Thirteen in the process. Luckily for the students, All Might arrived and defeated their heaviest hitter and bought time for the other faculty, all known Pro Heroes, to arrive and make the arrests on all but two villains. We'll bring you more updates as we get them." The news report stopped as the crowd that was currently watching, all began to talk among themselves. Hayato turned to his grandfather who nodded at him.
"Go."
"But you need to get home first."
"Hayato, go! Your friends need you!" Hayato hesitantly began to walk away before running away towards the direction of U.A. High. Kazuma sighed before feeling faint, beginning to fall to his knees. "They'll always need you..." Kazuma collapsed on the ground making onlookers scream in horror while others began to dial for an ambulance.
'Damn it! Damn it! I left them all behind! I could've helped them!' Hayato thought to himself as after twenty minutes of running, he reached the gates of his high school which was now being surrounded by the media. He gulped and ran into the crowd, reaching the entrance only to be stopped by a police officer.
"Stop! What is your business here?"
"I go here!" Hayato yelled as he dug into his pocket and pulled out his badge. "My class was the one who was attacked, please I need to see my friends!" The officer looked at his superior who was standing nearby wearing a trench coat who walked over to him.
"I'm Detective Tsukauchi. I'm a friend of All Might's, you're the missing student right?"
"Yes sir!"
"We've been waiting for you, come this way." Tsukauchi said as he led Hayato onto school grounds while a bus finished making its way to the parking lot. He turned to see Tenya, Ochaco, and the others coming off, the majority of them looking frazzled. "Go see them and then meet me in the infirmary."
"Guys!" The class turned to see Hayato running at them, making the majority of them smile.
"Hayato/Kiryuu!" Hayato ran up to them and looked at them worriedly.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't here but my grandpa...he's...he's..." Hayato said visibly shaking.
"Kiryuu, we understand. We all felt happier that at least one of us was safe from harm." Momo said as she walked forward to him.
"Yes! This was all too dangerous a situation for you to wish to have been there."
"But-"
"Hayato, what's wrong with your grandpa?" Ochaco as she realized what Hayato was saying before.
"He's dying..." Hayato said clenching his fists. "I wanted to spend today with him because I thought he was just sick normally...but now that I know that he could die any day now...and now that you guys could've been too...can't, I just can't..." Hayato struggled to keep his composure before Momo pulled him in for a hug.
"It's okay...but Midoriya broke his legs using his Quirk." Momo said making Hayato's eyes widen.
"Go to him." A boy with half white half red hair said walking forward. Momo let go of Hayato while he took a step back.
"Todoroki...everyone..." He activated his Quirk and took off, heading into the building and as fast as he could: ran to the infirmary. He slammed the door open to see Tsukauchi, All Might, and Izuku all there waiting for him.
"Young Kiryuu."
"Hayato."
"You did it again...I thought you had control over it." Hayato closed the door and walked over to Izuku's bed side, hiding his eyes from his best friend.
"It was a spur of the moment to save All Might."
"Young Kiryuu, you look tired." All Might said making Hayato punch the window behind him.
"MY BEST FRIEND GOT HURT, MY CLASS GOT ATTACKED BY VILLAINS, MY TEACHER'S IN THE HOSPITAL, DEATH IS KNOCKING ON MY GRANDPA'S FUCKING DOOR, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BE?!" Hayato yelled as tears continued streaming down his face. "WHAT THE FUCK EVEN HAPPENED?!"
"There's a group of villains known as the League of Villains, I've been investigating them for a long time. And as it looks: the leader of today's attack was responsible for the U.A. Security door being destroyed the other day. He has the ability to disintegrate anything he touches, we also have a villain that can warp so that's new information as well. But for now all we know is All Might was their target." Tsukauchi was interrupted by Hayato's phone ringing. He didn't recognize the number and cleared his throat, answering the call.
"Hello?" Almost immediately, Hayato dropped his phone when he heard what they were calling him for.
"Hayato?"
"My grandpa...he's in the hospital..." Hayato said making Izuku and All Might's eyes widen. "I have to go!"
"Wait!" All Might said as Izuku limped out of bed and Tsukauchi stood up. "Tsukauchi, can you take him?"
"Of course."
"I'm coming too!" Izuku said as the three of them rushed out of the room and out of the school.
"GRANDPA!" Hayato yelled as he and Izuku ran down the halls of Mustafu General to the room they had said Kazuma was in. They reached the room and ran inside to see Kazuma laying down on a bed, strapped to a heart monitor with a doctor standing next to him.
"Hayato..." Kazuma said weakly as his grandson ran over to his side. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you..."
*BEEP*
"Forget that! Grandpa, please hold on!"
*BEEP*
"I'm sorry son...you should tell him your goodbyes now." The doctor said as he left the room, leaving the three alone in the room.
*BEEP*
"Izuku...will you promise me something?" Kazuma asked as Izuku walked over to his side. He nodded as he held back his tears while Hayato's were falling all over his grandfather's bed sheets. "Take care of him...keep him out of trouble. Make sure he marries someone worth marrying, and make sure that I don't see him on the other side until he's as old as me."
*BEEP*
"I promise."
*BEEP*
"You can't leave me! You need to see me become a hero you'd be proud of!" Hayato yelled grabbing his grandfather's hand.
*BEEP*
"What? Hayato, from the moment you were born, you were my hero. You saved me more than you think, I'll always be proud of you." Kazuma said as he placed his left hand on his grandson's cheek. "I love you...so much..."He gave him one last smile before closing his eyes, letting his hand drop as the last ounce of life that was in his body passed on. Izuku began to cry and Hayato began to scream while all they heard was the flatline coming from the heart monitor.
"If you want, you can leave your bags in Izuku's room while I set up an air mattress for you." Inko said as she led the two boys into the Midoriya home. Following Kazuma's death, she was called by the doctors to come pick them up under orders from the now deceased Kiryuu. She took them to his apartment get clothes for Hayato as she would be taking care of him until his new guardian was ready to take him in. Hayato nodded and walked to the living room and sat down on the sofa, hiding his now red eyes from the older Midoriya. "Would you like anything? Tea? Water? Milk?" She was met with him slowly shaking his head. "Whatever you need, I'm here for you."
"Hayato?" Izuku asked as he sat next to him. "You know, Yaoyorozu was really worried about you today." Hayato slowly moved his head to look at him. "When she saw that you weren't there, she immediately asked me where you were. I told her you were at home and she accepted that it was probably an emergency. But you know, the scariest part of today wasn't the villains that attacked us. It was how the idea that you let them know where we would be somehow went around for a minute." Hayato turned his head to keep looking down. "It was an idea that a teacher had thought of but Principal Nezu quickly shut it down, as did we. Yaoyorozu vouched for you as much as I did, saying how you were nothing like that and that you had no clue about our training today to begin with. Then the whole class rallied together to cover for you while you were dealing with your grandpa." Hayato began trembling. "I made the mistake of pushing myself to a hundred percent today, but I knew that if you were there: you would've done the same thing I did if it was to protect me, All Might, or anyone else. Mr. Aizawa wasn't the most thrilled about you not being there today, but he understood why so I'm guessing he found out in his own way. I know you don't want to talk or anything while you're mourning, but we need to make him proud. Together. We have the whole weekend to spend together and help me control One for All, and if you ever need anything: you can always come to me too." Izuku said before the two heard a knock at the door. Inko walked over to the door and opened it, being met with Ochaco and Tenya standing in front of it.
"O-Oh! Hello!"
"Are Kiryuu and Midoriya here?" Tenya asked earning a nod from Inko.
"I'm Inko, Izuku's mother. And both of them are in the living room." She guided them inside and both walked into the living room to see Hayato and Izuku on the sofa. Izuku looked at them and shook his head, making the two look at the floor.
"Hayato...are you okay?" Ochaco asked only to be met with silence.
"We came to see you, everyone in the class when you said why you were absent all came together to make this for you." Tenya said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He sat it on the coffee table and pressed play while a video started.
"Hey Hayato! It's Mina!" A completely pink girl yelled as she appeared on the screen as the camera went around to the whole class.
"And Tsuyu." A green haired girl with her tongue sticking out.
"And Kirishima." A spiky-red haired boy said as his arm suddenly hardened like rock.
"And Kaminari." Denki gave a thumbs up.
"Jiro too." Kyoka shyly waved.
"Shoji." A white haired boy with six arms, all webbed together waved.
"Toru." Nothing was on the screen but a pair of gloves that was waving.
"Sero." A black haired boy with what looked like rolls on his elbows giving a peace sign.
"Ojiro." A blond haired boy with a muscular tail said nodding.
"Tokoyami." A boy with what looked like a bird's head said nodding as well.
"...Koda..." A boy with what looked like a rock shaped head quietly said as he waved.
"Shinso." A purple haired boy plainly said before looking away.
"Aoyama." A blond haired boy that somehow looked as if he was sparkling said making a pose.
"And Yaoyorozu." Now the camera focused on Momo. "We know that you must feel so guilty about what happened along with your emotions about your grandfather. But all of us here, Class 1-A, we're sending you this message because we care about you. You're as important here as any one of us, you were safe from physical danger while you were hurting emotionally at home. We all hope you come to class on Monday, this class just isn't the same when you're not here." Momo said with a slight blush before the video ended.
"We were all worried." Tenya said placing a hand on Hayato's shoulder. "And we understand that you must feel alone without him."
"But you're not alone! No one from Class 1-A will ever be alone because we all have each other's backs." Ochaco said as she stood next to Izuku. "Especially you two, both of you combined are like All Might. Deku has his strength and you have his speed, and together you give us hope and inspire us to make us want to be better."
"Now come on, are you going to continue this journey to become a hero with us?" Tenya was met with Hayato standing up with more tears falling down his cheeks. But when they all saw, he had a big smile on his face making them smile as well.
"You guys are the best...just please let me stop crying. I'm gonna be dehydrated as shit if you guys keep this up." Hayato said wiping the tears from his eyes.
Chapter 7
"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."