Chapter 5: Chapter 5
The faint aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the small living room, mingling with the soft rustle of papers as Aiko flipped through a magazine. The past week had been calm, yet there was an undercurrent of quiet determination in Haruto. Tonight, that determination had culminated into something substantial.
"Mom, do you have a moment?" Haruto's voice, calm yet purposeful, interrupted Aiko's reading.
She looked up, setting the magazine aside. "Of course. What's on your mind?"
Haruto placed a stack of neatly organized notes on the table. "I've been working on a plan—a roadmap for what I want to do. It's about hero preparation, education, and, well, everything else."
Aiko arched an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Everything else? That sounds ambitious."
"It is, but I think it's doable," he replied, his tone steady and confident.
He unfolded the first sheet, titled *Hero Training*, and slid it toward her.
"Let's start with this. For hero preparation, I've divided my focus into three parts: combat, quirk mastery, and dealing with villains," he explained, pointing to the sections neatly outlined in his handwriting.
Aiko leaned forward, reading aloud:
"Polishing peak condition, martial arts, parkour, tactics…" She paused, glancing at him. "You're planning to train in all of this? When do you plan to sleep?"
Haruto chuckled softly. "It's all about balance, Mom. I've broken everything into manageable chunks. Physical training will be in the mornings, quirk practice in the afternoons, and theoretical study at night."
She frowned slightly, tapping her fingers on the table. "And who's going to teach you all this?"
"I'll start by teaching myself," Haruto said confidently. "There are plenty of resources—books, videos, and even tutorials from professionals. For martial arts, I'll study techniques from multiple styles and practice the basics. Gymnastics and parkour are about body control and movement, so I'll focus on improving my flexibility and agility first."
Aiko wasn't entirely convinced. "And when you hit a wall? No one can master all this alone, Haruto."
He nodded. "I know. Once I've grasped the fundamentals, I'll look for professional trainers. But this initial phase is about building a strong foundation."
Aiko crossed her arms, still skeptical but curious. "And what about villains? Why is that a focus for you right now?"
"Because understanding them is key to stopping them," Haruto replied earnestly. "I want to study their quirks, tactics, and psychology. If I can predict their actions, I can prevent incidents before they escalate."
"You're talking about profiling them, aren't you?" Aiko asked, her brows knitting together.
"Exactly. Knowing their motives, weaknesses, and habits could give me a significant advantage. I've already started collecting information on famous villains. There are patterns in their behavior that can be exploited."
Aiko sighed, leaning back in her chair. "That sounds smart, but also dangerous. Villains don't exactly hand over their secrets willingly."
"That's why I'm also planning to work on investigative skills," Haruto added. "Building an information network, cultivating informants, and even working with law enforcement. It's a long-term plan, but it'll pay off."
There was a pause before Aiko asked softly, "Haruto, do you really want to shoulder all this? You're just a child."
"I know it's a lot, but if I don't prepare now, I won't be ready when it matters," he said. "You've always taught me that hard work and planning are the keys to success. This is me applying that."
She didn't respond immediately, her gaze lingering on the notes in front of her. Finally, she nodded. "All right. What's next?"
Haruto flipped to the second sheet, labeled *Education*.
"For this, I want to diversify and deepen my knowledge. I already have a solid grasp of high school subjects and even some college-level material, but I want to go further," he explained.
Aiko's eyebrows rose. "Further? How much further are we talking about?"
"STEM fields are my priority—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—but I also want to study law, medicine, linguistics, and finance," Haruto said.
She blinked. "Medicine and linguistics? Why those?"
"Medicine is crucial for emergencies, especially during rescue missions. If I know how to treat injuries on the spot, I can save lives," Haruto explained. "As for linguistics, it's about communication. Heroes interact with people from all walks of life. Being able to connect with them, understand their concerns, and convey my intentions clearly is invaluable."
Aiko tapped her chin thoughtfully. "And how do you plan to study all this?"
"With my quirk enhancing my mind, I can process and retain information much faster," he said. "I've already started compiling resources—books, lectures, and case studies. Covering my head with my quirk boosts my focus and brain capacity even further."
Aiko frowned slightly, concern flickering in her eyes. "But what about burnout? You're not invincible, Haruto."
"I know," he said gently. "That's why I'm pacing myself. I'll dedicate specific times to each subject and take breaks when needed."
She sighed, rubbing her temples. "You're determined, I'll give you that. What about finances? How does that fit into your plan?"
Haruto's eyes brightened. "This is where things get exciting. First, I'll continue writing novels. My first series is already outlined, and I'm working on the drafts. If we time the releases well, we'll see steady income."
Aiko smirked. "Assuming the publishers like your work."
"They will," Haruto said with a small grin. "But if not, there's always self-publishing. I'm confident in the quality of the story."
"And the trading? You mentioned before that it's temporary," Aiko said.
"Exactly. I'll only day-trade for a year, enough to build some capital. After that, I'll focus on game development," he explained. "I already have concepts for mobile games that could do well domestically and internationally. With an initial investment, the first game could generate significant revenue."
Aiko blinked. "Games? Really?"
"Think of it as building financial security. The revenue from a successful game can fund my training, education, and hero work," Haruto said.
There was a long silence as Aiko processed everything. Her gaze moved from the notes to her son, whose determination was evident in his every word. Finally, she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.
"Haruto," she began softly, "this is a lot. It's ambitious, overwhelming even, but it's also impressive. You've clearly thought this through, but are you sure you're ready for all of it?"
"I am," he said without hesitation. "But I'll need your support, Mom."
Aiko's expression softened, pride mingling with concern. "You'll always have that. Just promise me one thing: don't push yourself too hard. Balance is important, Haruto."
He smiled. "I promise."
She sighed, a mixture of exasperation and admiration. "All right, then. Let's get started."