Chapter 60: EngagementAuthor: Geraint
(3rd Person POV)
A month after Ichika rescued Momo from the terrorist rebels, Mr. Yaoyorozu kept shaking Ichika's hand nonstop out of gratitude.
"Thank you for saving my daughter, Ichika! I owe you so much. If it weren't for you, she'd be dead."
"It's okay," Ichika replied casually.
"My daughter really wants to meet you, but I told her you're a busy man."
Mr. Yaoyorozu's eyes welled up.
"How's her condition? She didn't suffer any trauma, right?"
"She's fine, thanks to you."
"I see…"
"Oh, by the way—may I ask how old you are?"
"I just turned twenty-three this April."
Ichika's eyebrow twitched, nearly revealing his real age.
"So, that's a ten-year difference."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Well, the truth is… my daughter seems to like you. I was even considering arranging a marriage between you two."
"What?"
Ichika was stunned.
"But unfortunately, I already made a deal with someone."
"I see…"
Relieved, Ichika took a sip of his tea.
Mr. Yaoyorozu sighed.
"It's with All Might's son."
Pfffffft!
Ichika almost spat out his tea, coughing violently.
"Pardon?"
"You see, All Might and I agreed that I'd continue supporting the commission. After the deal, I learned he has a son—and I decided to engage my daughter to him."
Ichika's cheek twitched.
"Imagine… becoming relatives with the No.1 Hero?"
(This All Might fanatic…)
Ichika trembled, trying to calm himself as he poured himself more tea and ignored the spilled drops.
"Don't worry. If things don't work out with his son, I'll consult you immediately. As long as my daughter is happy and safe, I don't mind—even with the age gap."
(It's still the same!)
Ichika screamed silently in his mind.
Mr. Yaoyorozu glanced at his watch.
"Oh, I have to go now. My daughter and I will meet All Might and his son at a restaurant soon."
"Yeah…"
With a headache, Ichika slumped over the table as Mr. Yaoyorozu hurried out.
"Ugh… Such misfortune."
It had already been a month, and Mera was back in the hospital after collapsing again. Due to budget cuts and understaffing, the president had overworked himself and fallen ill—so Ichika became the acting president of the Hero Public Safety Commission.
The old man leaned close and whispered in Ichika's ear.
"Eh? Is that true?"
"Yeah. The bounty rewards for the notorious terrorists you killed have finally arrived. A total of 39.7 million US dollars was deposited into your account."
"Ha! It's been a while since we did bounty hunting. I kinda miss it."
The old man poured some tea for himself and took a sip, then reminded the acting president,
"Also, there are many complaints from the Pro Heroes. They want to know how long they'll have to keep picking up trash. Mirko and Endeavor are especially angry."
Ichika stamped some documents without looking up.
"I don't care about Endeavor. Next time, I'll make him clean the neighborhood next to his house. I want to see how his family reacts. Hahaha."
"What a horrible guy."
"As for Rumi, hmm… let her clean up beach trash. Lady Nagant can watch her. Also, Mt. Lady, Midnight, Ryukyu, Burnin, and the three from Wild, Wild Pussycats—I want them conducting survey interviews. Tell them it's for gathering information."
"Seriously? More absurd jobs? I understand Mirko and Lady Nagant, but why those other female Pro Heroes?"
The old man noticed Ichika's grin.
"That job's actually to help them find decent guys. Aren't I thoughtful? I feel like I'm solving the country's declining birthrate."
Ichika looked proud.
"This kid… Aren't you forgetting your marriage meeting with Mr. Yaoyorozu's daughter? Feels like you're venting your frustrations on others."
"Ugh… I don't want to go."
At Might Tower, teenage Ichika was changing into his formal black suit. Fixing his necktie, he heard three knocks.
"Yes?"
"Ichika-kun?"
"Toru? Come in."
The door opened and Toru stepped in, uneasy. Ichika gestured to the side of his bed for her to sit.
"Is something bothering you?"
"Yes… Ichika-kun, are you going somewhere?"
"Well, yeah. I have business to attend, and Dad's coming with me."
Toru hesitated but forced herself to ask.
"I heard you talking with Roboco about a marriage meeting arranged by your dad. I was worried if…"
SniffSniff
She broke down in tears.
"About that…"
"I'm horrible! I don't want to trouble you after all you've done for me…"
Ichika patted her head. His hand nullified her invisibility, revealing her tear-streaked, messy face.
"I'll just attend and refuse since I don't know the girl. I don't want to go, but it'd be rude not to after all the preparations. Also, I'm only 13—marriage is still far away."
SniffSniff
"I see."
Toru calmed and smiled.
"Thanks for answering, Ichika-kun."
She stood, wiping her face.
"I'm making dinner tonight. Please come home early or Manami-chan will eat it all."
"That glutton…"
Toru left happily, and Ichika sighed, tired.
He remembered he'd travel to Akita Prefecture tomorrow with the basketball team for a practice match—his first game with the new team, but not a starter yet.
"The baseball club wants me for their practice match the next day. I'm glad we're at the same school. Oh, and the soccer team wants me too. Ugh! So many things to think about!"
Ichika's head nearly exploded.
Meanwhile, at a middle school in Akita, a fair-skinned girl with a cold, distant expression stood beneath a tree. Her long periwinkle hair cascaded down to her knees, curling at her waist and legs. Her royal blue eyes were framed by long eyelashes and short eyebrows. Her senior uniform was crisp.
In front of her stood a boy, determined but nervous. The wind stirred their hair as he bowed slightly and raised his right hand.
"Hado Nejire! I fell in love with you at first sight! Please go out with me!"
Nejire tilted her head indifferently.
"Oh really? Didn't you get rejected by another girl yesterday?"
"Ugh!"
The boy dropped to his knees.
"Three days ago, the girl in my class said no."
"Ugh!"
"Last week, a second-year girl rejected you."
"Arrgh!"
"Love at first sight? Deceitful words."
"No! I swear I like you!"
The boy pleaded.
"You're not serious—always late to school and neglect your studies. How could you match with me? You're just trying your luck."
"Tsk!"
The boy stood, annoyed, and walked away.
"Such a foolish guy."
Nejire turned and walked off, her expression cold.
(To be continued.)
A/N: I'll fix mistakes later.