Fuse slowly drew a breath, and the first thing he felt was the sharp, stinging scent of carbolic acid and antiseptic piercing his nose.
The second sensation that hit him was the softness of the mattress beneath his back—vastly different from the hard floor he last remembered. Yet that comfort was quickly overshadowed by excruciating pain. His entire body felt as if it had just been tumbled inside a washing machine filled with bricks, especially his front and stomach. Every inhale made his ribs throb.
What happened? he thought, his consciousness still drifting.
Slowly, fragments of memory began piecing themselves together. Alarm sirens. Shigaraki. Nomu. The blood he had vomited. And of course… the ultimate execution with the giant lightning sword.
Ah, yes. The climax battle at USJ, Fuse reflected, a flicker of pride slipping between the waves of pain. I remember vomiting quite a lot of blood. Given how dramatic that scene was, it's only natural I passed out and ended up here.
With great effort, Fuse tried to open his eyes. His eyelids felt like lead. Harsh white neon light stabbed his retinas, forcing him to blink several times until his blurry vision finally focused.
The ceiling he saw was clean white. And it definitely wasn't his bedroom ceiling, nor his house. This was a hospital.
"Fuse?"
A voice broke the room's silence. It was soft, trembling, and heavy with deep worry. Fuse knew exactly who it belonged to.
He turned his head slightly to the side. His vision still needed time to adjust, but he could make out the silhouette of his mother sitting in the chair beside the bed. Behind her stood his father's sturdy figure.
"Mom… Dad…" Fuse called, his voice hoarse and dry like sandpaper.
Hearing that voice, Sakura's defenses crumbled. "Oh, Fuse…" His mother sobbed, immediately leaning forward and clutching his right hand tightly with both of hers. Her hands felt cold and trembling. "Thank goodness you're awake… I was so scared, you know?"
Tears streamed down Sakura's cheeks, dripping onto the back of Fuse's hand.
Behind her, Isamu stepped forward. "You kept your mother awake all night, son," his father said, voice heavy and serious. "She sat in that chair the entire night and refused to move even an inch."
Fuse looked at his father. Even though Isamu tried to appear as solid as rock, Fuse could see the thick dark circles under his eyes—exactly like Aizawa's. His father might not be the type to express emotions verbally, but his actions always spoke louder. The man loved his family deeply.
A genuine pang of guilt stabbed Fuse's chest, sharper than his current wounds.
"Ah… sorry," Fuse said sincerely. He hated what he had put his parents through. He hated making his mother cry from worry.
But of course, Fuse couldn't drop his persona for long. He tried to smile faintly. "But I saved a lot of people, Dad, Mom. That's something to be proud of, right? Your son was a real hero out there."
"You need to take care of yourself too, Fuse!" his mother cut in quickly, wiping her tears with a handkerchief. "Your classmates who visited said you charged straight at that giant monster alone! That was incredibly reckless! What if you…" Sakura couldn't finish the sentence.
Fuse tried to defend himself. "I had to, Mom," he looked into her eyes seriously. "They all needed my help. As Class Representative, I couldn't just sit back. Besides, I knew All Might would struggle handling that villain alone. I had to clear the path for him."
Isamu crossed his arms over his chest, staring flatly at his son. "How did you know he would struggle? He's the Number One Hero, the Symbol of Peace. He wouldn't have trouble with a monster like that. His job is to defeat villains—your job is to take shelter and study."
Because he has a severe stomach injury and his time limit was almost up… Fuse wanted to retort.
But he swallowed the words. If he said that, they would all look at him strangely and confused. How would he know the country's biggest secret? Also, as someone aspiring to be the strongest entity, there was no way Fuse could sit in the audience while the main stage was unfolding! That would be an insult to his existence!
"I have a hero's instinct, Dad," Fuse deflected. "I can feel it when someone needs help. The magnetic field around me resonates with destiny."
Isamu let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Please, don't talk like that, Fuse. This isn't the time to joke about your comic fantasies."
"Come on, dear," Sakura chimed in, gently patting her husband's arm. "He just woke up and is still recovering. We shouldn't be too hard on him right now. The important thing is he's safe."
Good. Fuse sighed in relief inwardly. Honestly, even though he wanted to argue longer to prove his heroism, he really didn't have the energy to talk much. His throat hurt.
Suddenly, a loud, unrefined rumble came from under Fuse's blanket.
Kruuuyuuk…
Fuse's stomach growled loudly. His face flushed slightly. Damn, how long had he been unconscious? A full day, probably? No way he slept too long—his body wasn't that weak!
"Mom. I'm hungry," Fuse muttered, turning his gaze to the wall.
Isamu immediately turned around. "I'll go to the nurse station and ask them to bring your meal."
"No!" Fuse almost shouted, which only made his ribs ache. He winced. "I don't want hospital food! Please buy something from outside! Hospital food is so bland, like eating boiled paper porridge without salt!"
Fuse had tried it in his previous life when hospitalized for a sports injury, and it truly betrayed the tongue.
"You haven't even tried it here," his father replied indifferently. The man opened the hospital room door and walked out, closing it softly behind him with a quiet click.
That left Fuse sighing in resignation.
"You really shouldn't argue with your father right now, Fuse," his mother said gently, sitting back down and stroking her son's messy red hair. "Your father may look calm, but he looked like he was about to have a heart attack when the school called saying you were badly injured. He left his meeting immediately and drove here at the same crazy speed as when I was giving birth to you."
Hearing that, Fuse fell silent. The words of protest and complaints about the food that had been on the tip of his tongue got stuck in his throat. He stared at the door where his father had just left.
"So," Sakura continued, smiling. "You should focus on recovering right now, okay? And promise Mom you won't be reckless again. U.A. has its own professional heroes. First-year students like you shouldn't get involved in life-and-death matters."
Fuse could only nod slowly. "Yes, Mom."
Not long after, his father returned with a food tray. With his mother's help, Fuse sat up and ate in silence. And surprisingly… the hospital food wasn't that bad. The soup broth was savory enough, and the vegetables were fresh. It was still tasty enough that he had no reason to complain, even though the rice was too soft for his taste. But he ate everything to restore his cells' energy.
Seeing Fuse eat with gusto, his parents then left to handle administrative matters and left him alone. They knew Fuse needed quiet to recover, and he was grateful they understood.
Thanks to his trained physical fitness and no vital bones shattered, Fuse was allowed to go home that same afternoon.
The ride home in the car was very quiet. Fuse sat alone in the back seat, leaning his head against the window. He stared at the sky turning into a reddish-orange gradient, with clouds that looked huge and magnificent in the distance.
When they arrived home, the atmosphere returned to normal. Dinner was prepared by his mother, and Fuse devoured it hungrily like someone starving after emerging from the forest. After a warm shower that washed away the lingering hospital smell from his skin, Fuse finally lay down on his beloved bed.
He reached for his phone on the table. The screen lit up, showing dozens of unread notifications.
There were many messages. The Class 1-A group chat was filled with panic and relief. Private messages from Kirishima, Kaminari, Iida, and several other students asking how he was.
Fuse replied to them all in his usual style, making sure they knew he was fine and hadn't lost any of his handsomeness. He smiled in satisfaction, feeling very pleased to receive their attention.
Hah, a protagonist should be like this, he thought proudly while rolling onto his side. People would feel the world collapse if they lost their main pillar!
[FUMIKAGE]: "Good to hear you weren't seriously injured. The other students were really scared seeing it, you know? And… the news outside is chaotic. There are tons of reporters hounding the school, questioning why they let students fight on the front lines. I heard Aizawa-sensei and All Might had to speak to the reporters themselves to calm things down."
Fuse's fingers danced quickly over the virtual keyboard.
[FUSE]: "We're here to become HEROES! Of course I'm going to FIGHT! If there are villains, I'll crush them. THOSE REPORTERS ARE WEIRD! They can only type safely behind desks. They don't understand the romance of the battlefield!"
[FUMIKAGE]: "We're here to learn to become heroes, Fuse. Not to die young. But whatever, arguing with you about safety logic is pointless. The important thing is you weren't too badly hurt."
[FUSE]: "Of course I'm fine! Who do you think I am? I'm your Class Representative! I can't break that easily! HAH!"
There was a pause before Tokoyami's reply appeared.
[FUMIKAGE]: "After school we were thinking of visiting you as a group. But Iida forbade us. He said you needed complete rest. I don't know where he got that info, and since you really looked like you needed a full year's sleep, we decided not to disturb you."
Reading that, Fuse's smile widened.
[FUSE]: "Heh, you missed me? Admit it. Fighting on the side of light is addictive, right? How about we go out tomorrow to celebrate my victory? Maybe to the mall? Breathe the air of freedom."
[FUMIKAGE]: "You sure? You're really recovered? The doctor didn't forbid you from wandering?"
[FUSE]: "My body regenerates faster than average. Invite the others too! Since I'm in a really good mood, I'll treat everyone to lunch!"
[FUMIKAGE]: "If you want to invite them, you should do it yourself in the class group. I'm not your secretary, Fuse."
…
The next day, afternoon sunlight illuminated the mall's glass facade. The largest shopping center in the area was bustling with visitors.
As planned. Fuse had successfully dragged several classmates out to celebrate his "recovery." Here were: Midoriya, Kaminari, and Tokoyami walking with arms crossed.
Fuse led the way. He walked with steady steps, though he occasionally hid a slight wince when the wound around his ribs throbbed.
"I really don't understand the way you think, buddy," Kaminari said, breaking the silence as they walked down the wide mall corridor. The blond youth stared at Fuse's back with disbelief. "You just got badly injured, and now you want to go shopping at the mall? You're weird!"
Midoriya, walking beside Kaminari, could only smile awkwardly. He scratched the back of his head. "Y-yeah… Fuse-kun said his body regenerates quickly… right?"
Fuse stopped walking. He turned slowly, looking at his two supporting characters.
"Heh, of course my thoughts can never be guessed by you, Kaminari," Fuse replied. "This is the most complex thing in the world! While ordinary people need weeks to recover from physical and mental trauma, someone like me knows there's no better medicine than breathing the air of freedom and draining my wallet."
Tokoyami, walking at the very back, leaned slightly toward Kaminari.
"Don't argue with him," Tokoyami whispered softly, though his hoarse voice made him not very good at whispering. "His ego is too dense to be pierced by medical logic."
Fuse's ears twitched. He could of course hear the whisper very clearly. But instead of getting angry, Fuse only snorted in amusement and shrugged elegantly.
"I can hear you, Fumikage. But whatever, I'm in too good a mood to punish your insolence," Fuse said casually, turning back to continue walking. "Let's go shopping first. It's not dinner time yet, so we have some time to browse."
"Where do you want to go, Fuse-kun?" Midoriya asked.
Fuse tapped his chin, putting on a thoughtful face. "Looking for a jacket, maybe? I want to buy a new one, something that really suits my everyday style."
Fuse suddenly turned again and pointed at Midoriya, making the green-haired youth jump in surprise.
"Now, Midoriya! As someone who has a habit of analyzing heroes… can you guess what kind of jacket would suit me? A protagonist with an elegant and deadly magnetic Quirk?"
Midoriya raised his eyebrows, his face instantly turning red at suddenly becoming the center of attention. He looked Fuse up and down.
"U-uh…" Midoriya stammered, waving his hands in panic in front of his chest. "I… I'm worried I can't give a good opinion on that. Casual clothes aren't my specialty… I mean, look at my shoes—they're always bright red."
"Lame," Kaminari scoffed while slinging an arm around Midoriya's shoulder. "Leave it to me, Your Majesty Class Rep! I know a place that sells super cool clothes. Style that will make girls turn their heads twice at you!"
"Girls already turn their heads three times at me without me having to wear clothes from your suspicious taste, Pikachu," Fuse replied flatly. But he still followed the direction Kaminari pointed.
They arrived at a fairly large branded clothing store on the second floor. The display windows were filled with mannequins wearing modern streetwear, techwear, and leather jackets. Electronic dance music played at moderate volume from inside the store.
The moment they entered, Fuse immediately felt heaven. So many clothes with metal zippers, iron buttons, and decorative chains. Perfect. While Fuse began sorting through the jacket racks at the front, his friends scattered.
A few minutes later, Kaminari returned holding a very eye-catching leopard-print jacket complete with faux fur on the collar.
"Ta-da!" Kaminari exclaimed, holding the jacket up like a trophy. "How about this? Super wild! It screams 'I'm dangerous and I'm rich' energy!"
Fuse stared at the jacket with a blank look for five full seconds.
Is he trying to ruin my reputation? Fuse thought in horror.
"Kaminari," Fuse said coldly. "Take that floor-mop fabric away from my sight before I use it to choke you. I am the pillar hero of the future, not an 80s Yakuza thug."
Kaminari pouted and grumbled, putting the leopard jacket back. "You have no artistic taste."
Not long after, Tokoyami approached. In his hands was a long black trench coat made of heavy-looking synthetic leather.
"Black," Tokoyami said shortly, tone serious. "Absorbs light. Hides your intentions from enemies. The long fabric will flutter when the night wind blows, merging with darkness. Perfect for concealing weapons."
Fuse let out a long sigh, massaging his temple. Another one. At least his taste is better than Kaminari's, but this is too much.
"Fumikage, I really appreciate your dedication to gothic aesthetics," Fuse answered while patting Tokoyami's shoulder. "But if I wear that, people will think I'm a villain."
"Too bad. It was pretty good," Tokoyami muttered, turning to return the coat.
Midoriya, who had been quietly observing from near the plain T-shirt rack, finally gathered courage to approach. He brought a navy blue varsity jacket with white accents—very simple and casual.
"Umm… how about this, Fuse-kun?" Midoriya offered hesitantly. "It looks comfortable. And, um, the color isn't too flashy so it can be worn anywhere."
Fuse smiled faintly, this time a little softer, though still condescending.
"Midoriya, Midoriya," Fuse shook his head dramatically. "That is the literal definition of 'Ordinary.' Very standard. Very safe. If I wear that, I'll blend into the crowd. I need something that screams my presence without having to make a sound."
Fuse then turned back to his own chosen rack. His hand stopped on a tech-wear style windbreaker jacket. The color was predominantly deep black with maroon block accents on the sleeves—a shade that perfectly matched his hair and eyes.
What attracted Fuse most about the jacket was its material. It was waterproof, with many asymmetrical metal zippers, iron buckles on the high collar, and several hidden pockets closed with magnetic buttons.
"This is it," Fuse murmured, eyes sparkling.
He took the jacket off the hanger and immediately put it on. The cut fit his body perfectly—not too tight, not baggy. The high collar with iron buckles elegantly covered his neck, giving a mysterious yet futuristic impression.
He moved his shoulders, testing the comfort. Amazing. These zippers and metal buttons… I can manipulate them with my Quirk if I'm pressed and need emergency projectiles or shields.
He posed in front of the store's long mirror, slipping one hand into his pocket, and gazed at his reflection with absolute satisfaction.
"How, my people?" Fuse asked, turning to his three friends through the mirror. "Has the radiance of my greatness blinded your eyes?"
Kaminari blinked. "Damn… I hate to admit it, but that really looks super cool on you."
"A logical and tactical choice," Tokoyami added with a slow nod. "The red accents symbolize the blood of fallen enemies."
"I-it looks really good on you, Fuse-kun!" Midoriya praised sincerely, his eyes sparkling a little. "It suits your posture perfectly."
Fuse grinned in satisfaction. Their opinions didn't actually matter much because he already knew he looked fantastic, but affirmation from subordinates was always pleasant to hear.
"Of course it suits. Any clothing that sticks to my body automatically levels up," Fuse said, walking toward the cashier.
He took out his wallet and handed his card to the cashier. After paying, Fuse carried his shopping bag and walked out of the store, feeling his energy fully restored 100% from the shopping session.
"Now!" Fuse clapped his hands once, snapping his friends' attention away from browsing other items. "The casual armor search mission is complete. Now, as promised by the generous protagonist, let's destroy that grilled meat restaurant. Prepare your stomachs!"
Hearing "grilled meat," Kaminari's eyes lit up instantly, and even Midoriya looked very excited.
…
The savory aroma of sizzling beef fat on the grill greeted their sense of smell the moment they sat in the restaurant booth.
Kaminari quickly flipped a perfectly browned piece of meat with his tongs, dipped it in sauce, and popped it into his mouth. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Wow! The meat is seriously tender!" Kaminari practically glowed, chewing with pure delight. "It melts in my mouth! This is a hundred times better than school cafeteria lunch!"
"Tasty, right?" Fuse smiled casually. He lifted a piece of meat with his chopsticks, placed it on a steaming bowl of white rice, then ate it with the elegance of a noble. "I come here often after shopping. Their meat quality never disappoints."
Midoriya, who was busy chewing meat with happy closed eyes, suddenly tensed. His face turned panicked as he stole a glance at the menu lying on the table edge.
"B-but Fuse-kun," Midoriya said softly, swallowing with difficulty. "The price of this meat set… it's really expensive! Are you sure about treating all of us to this?"
"Relax, Midoriya," Fuse raised one hand, dismissing the worry like swatting an annoying fly. "A king never acts stingy toward his loyal followers. Consider it a long-term nutritional investment for future heroes. Besides, my wallet is still thick enough to treat you to this meal."
Across from Fuse, Tokoyami chewed in devout silence. His eyes stared sharply at the red embers under the metal grill.
"Meat grilled over purifying fire…" Tokoyami murmured mysteriously. "The darkness in my stomach really likes it."
Kaminari laughed freely, slapping Tokoyami's shoulder quite hard. "Just say you're really hungry, you damn crow! Don't act so edgy and mysterious in front of food this delicious!"
They spent nearly two hours in the restaurant. Conversation flowed lightly and carefree, interspersed with Kaminari's loud laughter, Midoriya's returning muttering analysis when he saw pro heroes on the restaurant TV, and of course, Fuse's sharp comments that never dropped his role.
After their stomachs were truly full to the point they could barely stand straight, Fuse called the waiter. He walked to the cashier and handed his card to pay.
As they stepped out of the mall, night air welcomed them. The sky had completely turned into a dark blue canvas, dotted with small stars and neon lights beginning to glow around them.
They stopped on the sidewalk of a large intersection, where their routes home would split.
"Thank you so much for today's amazing treat, Fuse-kun!" Midoriya bowed respectfully. "I'll remember your kindness!"
"Yeah, buddy! This was really an amazing day to rest the mind," Kaminari gave a big thumbs-up. "Your new jacket also looks cool worn outside. Don't forget to wear it to class tomorrow and show it off a bit!"
Tokoyami bowed his head slowly, giving a respectful nod. "Thank you for the meal."
Fuse returned the farewell with his signature crooked smile. He raised one hand in a casual wave.
"Yeah, yeah. Go home safely. Don't let low-tier villains ambush you on quiet streets. See you at school tomorrow."
The three waved, then turned and began walking away toward different stations and stops. Fuse stood still for a moment at the edge of the intersection, watching his friends' backs slowly shrink and disappear into the crowd of pedestrians under the yellow streetlights.
When he arrived home with a full stomach, Fuse suddenly heard a scream.
It was the scream of an old woman.
…
A/N: I'd be really grateful if you could leave a review of this story :)
Anw, after experiencing a painful event, I feel Fuse and his friends need a short break.
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