MHA: A Hero’s Genesis

Haru reached home, his mind weighed down by the events of the day. He ate dinner silently, lost in thought. Aiko noticed his unusual demeanor but refrained from pressing him, waiting for him to open up when he was ready.

The quiet was broken by the news on TV. A report on the incident played, featuring an interview with the lead police inspector. "The kidnappers were a group of loan sharks operating in the area," the inspector explained. "They provided loans with excessively high interest rates. When three borrowers defaulted for over two months, the criminals resorted to kidnapping children to sell them and planned to flee the town once they made their money."

The report also revealed a grim detail: the bodies of two other parents were discovered. Both had died from drug overdoses, leaving behind no one to fight for their children. Kagura Isshin, the woman Haru had rescued, had narrowly avoided a similar fate. "An unknown individual called emergency services in time to save her life," the inspector added. "We believe the same person tipped us off to the kidnappers' location. However, this individual inflicted significant bodily harm on two of the suspects, which is a matter of concern. Taking the law into one's hands is not only illegal but dangerous. We urge the public to come forward with any information about this person."

The inspector described Haru's appearance: "Approximately 5'1" in height, wearing blue overalls, and an All Might mask."

Aiko switched off the TV and turned to Haru, her expression unreadable. Haru sighed, finally breaking his silence. He explained everything—the kidnapping, the rescue, and his actions. He ended with an apology for acting recklessly.

Aiko stayed calm, but her words carried weight. "Haru, what you did today was brave, but it was also incredibly dangerous and, frankly, foolish," she began. "Do you understand how many things could have gone wrong? What if they had weapons and overpowered you? What if you were seriously hurt or worse? What if the police had shown up at the wrong moment and mistook you for one of them? And now they have a description of you on the news!"

Haru lowered his gaze, guilt visible in his expression. Aiko softened her tone but didn't let up. "I'm proud that you wanted to help, and you saved lives today, but you're only ten years old. You're not ready for this. You need to be physically and mentally stronger before you even think about doing something like this again. Promise me you'll focus on preparing yourself properly before you take such risks."

Haru nodded. "I promise, Mom. I'll train harder and be smarter about this."

Aiko exhaled, relieved but still cautious. "Good. Now, about that mask and outfit—those need to disappear. We can't take any chances."

They discussed methods to dispose of the evidence. In the end, they agreed to cut the clothes and mask into small, unrecognizable pieces and dispose of them gradually over the next few weeks.

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A few days later, Aiko suggested they visit Kagura Isshin and her daughter in the hospital. Haruto hesitated at first but agreed. He knew it was important to ensure Kagura and her daughter were doing well, but he also needed to address the delicate matter of keeping his involvement a secret.

They arrived at the hospital in the early afternoon. Haruto carried a small gift basket filled with fruits, flowers, and a plush toy for Kagura's daughter, Mei. Aiko handled most of the arrangements, ensuring their visit didn't draw any unnecessary attention.

When they reached Kagura's room, Aiko knocked gently on the door. A nurse passing by paused to check who they were before allowing them inside. Kagura was propped up on the hospital bed, her face still pale but noticeably healthier than before. Her daughter sat beside her, flipping through a picture book the hospital staff had provided.

Kagura looked up as they entered, her brows furrowing in confusion. "Hello… May I help you?" she asked hesitantly, her voice still weak.

Aiko smiled warmly. "Good afternoon, Kagura-san. My name is Aiko, and this is my son, Haruto. We wanted to check on you and your daughter."

Haruto stepped forward, bowing respectfully before setting the gift basket on a small table beside the bed. "We heard about what happened, Kagura-san, and… well, I wanted to make sure you were okay," he said, glancing nervously at his mother for reassurance.

Kagura's confusion deepened, but as she looked at Haruto, something seemed to click. Her eyes widened slightly. "Wait… you're…"

Haruto took a deep breath, gathering his courage. "I'm the one who found you that night, Kagura-san. I called the ambulance and the police. I… I wanted to help."

There was a moment of silence as Kagura processed his words. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she reached out to take his hand. "You saved my life," she said, her voice trembling. "And my daughter's. I don't know how to thank you."

Haruto blushed, looking down at his feet. "You don't have to thank me, Kagura-san. I just… couldn't stand by and do nothing."

Aiko placed a comforting hand on Haruto's shoulder before stepping in. "Kagura-san, Haruto wanted to come here not just to check on you, but also to ask for your understanding. He acted on his own that night, and while his intentions were good, he wasn't supposed to get involved."

Kagura's brows furrowed, but she nodded. "I see. Please, go on."

Haruto looked up, meeting her gaze. "The police are looking for the person who helped you, and they described me. If anyone finds out it was me, it could cause a lot of trouble—for me and my mom. I was hoping… I was hoping you could keep it a secret."

Kagura's lips pressed into a thin line as she considered his words. Finally, she nodded. "You've done so much for us already. I won't say a word, Haruto-kun. You have my word."

Haruto let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Kagura-san."

Aiko took a seat beside Kagura's bed, while Haruto crouched down to talk to Mei, who was still holding the plush toy. "Is this for me?" Mei asked shyly, looking at the toy.

Haruto nodded with a small smile. "Yeah. I thought you might like it."

"Thank you," Mei whispered, hugging the toy tightly.

As Haruto kept Mei entertained, Aiko and Kagura began to talk. Kagura recounted the terrifying events leading up to her hospitalization, her voice trembling as she spoke about the loan sharks and their threats. Aiko listened intently, offering small reassurances.

"I've been a single mother for three years now," Kagura admitted, her voice heavy with emotion. "It's been so hard trying to make ends meet. I never wanted Mei to know how bad things were, but I didn't realize how much danger I was putting her in by taking that loan."

Aiko nodded, her gaze sympathetic. "I understand, Kagura-san. Being a single mother in this society is an uphill battle. There's so much judgment and so little support. But we find strength in our children, don't we?"

Kagura smiled faintly, glancing at Mei, who was now giggling as Haruto made the plush toy perform little dances. "Yes. Mei is my everything. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure she's safe from now on."

The two women exchanged more stories, finding comfort in their shared struggles. Aiko shared some tips about managing finances and accessing resources that Kagura hadn't considered. In return, Kagura offered her contact information, promising to stay in touch and support Aiko in any way she could.

When it was time to leave, Kagura held Aiko's hands tightly. "Thank you for coming. And thank you, Haruto-kun, for everything. You've given us more than you know."

As they walked out of the hospital, Haruto felt a sense of calm he hadn't experienced in days. His actions had made a difference, and Kagura's gratitude only strengthened his resolve. He glanced up at his mother, who smiled down at him with quiet pride.

"You handled that well," Aiko said. "I'm proud of you, Haruto. Just remember—being a hero isn't just about saving lives. It's about knowing when to act and when to step back."

"I'll remember, Mom," Haruto replied, his determination to grow stronger and wiser shining in his eyes.

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