All Might found the break more helpful than he had expected. Being with Reinhard eased the constant pressure that came with carrying the world on his shoulders. When the boy was nearby, things felt quieter, almost normal.
He never said it out loud, not even to himself, but the truth lingered in the back of his mind.
He thought of Reinhard as a son.
So after finishing his patrol for the day and hearing nothing urgent over the comms, All Might made a decision.
"Reinhard," he said, leaning down slightly, "how would you like to go somewhere special today?"
Reinhard looked up from the book he had been reading. "Special?"
"Yes," All Might said, smiling. "An amusement park."
Reinhard paused, then nodded. "I would like that."
The park was loud, colorful, and overwhelming in ways Reinhard had never experienced. Music echoed through the air, lights flashed everywhere, and people moved with carefree energy.
At first, he stayed close to All Might, careful not to get lost. All Might noticed but did not comment.
They started with gentle rides. A carousel, then a small train that wound through the park. Reinhard watched everything closely, absorbing the sights like he was afraid they might disappear.
"This place is... lively," Reinhard said.
"That is one way to put it," All Might replied with a chuckle.
Later, they tried faster rides. Reinhard stiffened on the roller coaster but did not ask to get off. When it ended, he exhaled slowly.
"I did not enjoy that," he said honestly.
All Might laughed. "You are allowed to dislike things too."
They ate together after that. Reinhard examined the food with interest, asking questions about each unfamiliar snack. Cotton candy confused him the most.
"It dissolves," he noted, watching it vanish on his tongue.
"That is the magic of it," All Might said.
For a while, Reinhard forgot to be careful. He laughed quietly at a game booth when All Might missed an easy shot. He smiled without realizing it when a prize was placed in his hands.
Then All Might's phone vibrated.
He glanced at it, and something in his expression changed.
It was subtle, but Reinhard saw it.
All Might's eyes darkened, his posture stiffening for just a moment before he forced his smile back into place.
Reinhard said nothing.
"Looks like we will need to head home a bit early," All Might said after a moment. "Something came up."
"I understand," Reinhard replied.
They walked toward the exit together. The noise of the park faded behind them.
All Might kept talking, filling the silence with light conversation, but his steps were quicker now. Focused.
Reinhard watched him from the corner of his eye.
He did not know what the message was about. He did not need to.
All Might was worried.
That night, Reinhard sat on the edge of his bed, hands resting on his knees. He did not feel sad, exactly. Just thoughtful.
All Might had given him a good day. A real one.
And now, All Might had something heavy to carry.
Reinhard stood and dressed quietly. He moved with care, the way he had been taught, making sure not to disturb anything. The Dragon Sword Reid rested at his side, sealed and silent.
At the door, he paused and looked back.
All Might was looking at the files, darkness written plainly on his face.
Reinhard did not feel like a burden.
He felt... responsible.
"I will just make sure you are safe," he whispered, more promise than apology.
Not because he doubted All Might.
But because this time, he wanted to help.
"I am done being a burden"
...
Reinhard watched as All Might left the house he made his decision. He would follow him and ensure his safety.
He had lost his grandmother Theresia and he couldn't afford to lose All Might too.
Reinhard saw the look on All Mights face, it was the same look he had seen on the faces of soldiers who would get sent to war.
The uncertainty in their eyes. And so he followed All Might from a distance.
He moved silently through the streets. His small frame slipped between shadows and alleyways. The Divine Protection of Stealth wrapped around him like a second skin. Even All Might would not sense him here. Reinhard kept his distance.
All Might was fast. Reinhard noticed the tension in his shoulders, the faint creases between his brows, and the tight set of his jaw. He had seen this look before. It was the look of a soldier about to be deployed for war. Now it was on All Might.
"I can't let him face this alone," Reinhard whispered.
The streets were quiet. Night had dulled the usual bustle. Reinhard stayed hidden.
His hands clenched. If he was going to protect someone, he would do it without excuses. He would not be a burden this time.
A shadow flickered to his side. A cat darted across an alley. Reinhard ignored it. His eyes remained on All Might. He adjusted his stride to keep the right distance, close enough to help but far enough to stay unseen.
"Everything will be fine," Reinhard whispered. "I'll make sure of it."
Ahead, All Might slowed. He glanced at his phone. Reinhard saw the change immediately. His eyes darkened for the briefest moment. His shoulders stiffened. Reinhard did not know what the message was, but he knew it was serious.
He had no words to say. He did not need to. He only needed to follow and be ready.
He said quietly. "I won't interfere. I'll just make sure he is safe."
He tightened his grip on the Dragon Sword Reid, but he did not draw it. Not yet. He would not reveal himself unless absolutely necessary.
The night stretched on. Reinhard's mind was clear. He was not thinking of what he had lost or what he had failed to do. He was thinking of what he could do now.
He had made his choice. He would protect All Might.