March 14, 2025 — Tokyo, Japan
8:27 PM
The streets were painted with a faint drizzle, the neon signs reflecting on the wet asphalt like a watercolor painting. People hurried past with umbrellas in hand, each wrapped in their own busy lives. Amidst the flow of pedestrians, a young man walked at a steady pace, a small grocery bag swinging by his side.
His name was Hayato Kurogane, twenty years old.
An unremarkable figure in the crowd, yet this night marked something special for him.
Hayato's life hadn't been easy. He grew up in an orphanage on the outskirts of the city, abandoned at birth with nothing but a name tag. Life in the orphanage was stable, but never warm. There was always food on the table, a roof over their heads, but affection was a luxury. He learned early to keep his expectations low and his dreams tucked away.
Books and manga became his refuge. Among them, My Hero Academia held a special place in his heart. The story of heroes, quirks, and larger-than-life characters gave him something to look forward to during the long, quiet nights. He followed the manga from childhood all the way to its final chapter, which he had just finished reading earlier that evening.
This day had been good. For once, the world seemed to give him a small victory. That morning, he'd received an acceptance letter into Tokyo Metropolitan University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the country. It wasn't just a chance at education—it was his ticket out of a stagnant life.
"A new start, huh… maybe things will finally get better."
He whispered it to himself under the faint glow of a streetlight, the weight in his chest lighter than it had been in years. He wasn't rich, nor did he have a family to rely on, but he had made it this far on his own. That meant something.
He had picked up some groceries to make himself a small celebratory dinner. Nothing extravagant—just a packet of instant curry, rice, and a cheap soda. But to him, it was more than enough.
He rounded the corner near a busy intersection. The light had just turned green for pedestrians, and people surged forward. Lost in thought, Hayato followed the crowd, plastic bag rustling softly in his hand.
I'll work hard. I'll make something of myself. I'll—
BEEEEEEEEP!!
A deafening horn shattered the calm. His head snapped to the side.
A truck.
Skidding. Swerving out of control. Headlights bearing down on him like the eyes of some mechanical beast.
For a single, horrifying second, time slowed.
No way… is this really how it's gonna end?…
Then came the impact.
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A Week Later
A shrill electronic tone echoed through a hospital room.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
"Patient's heart rate is decreasing abnormally!"
"Nurse, bring the—!"
"Increase the power, now!"
Voices shouted over one another, monitors blared warnings, and the sterile room filled with the chaos of desperation.
But amidst it all, Hayato's body lay motionless on the white hospital bed. His breaths came shallow and uneven. His body was broken, his pulse fading.
Then—silence.
When his eyes fluttered open again, everything had changed.
Gone were the hospital walls and frantic voices. Instead, he was surrounded by endless white—a space so vast and empty it seemed to swallow sound itself.
For a moment, he simply stared, confused. His body felt light, whole. No pain, no injuries. Just… clarity.
What the… where am I?
Before he could even take a step, something appeared before him.
A glowing sphere of light, small at first but pulsing with a soft, divine warmth, hovered silently in the air. It was so sudden that Hayato froze in place, wide-eyed.
What the hell is that…?
As if answering his unspoken thought, a calm, resonant voice filled his mind.
"No need to speak. I've already read everything from your mind."
The orb pulsed gently, almost like it was alive.
"Your wishes have been granted. Your new life awaits. It's time for you to go."
Before he could form a single word of protest, the orb's light intensified, flooding his vision. It wasn't blinding in a painful way—it was warm, almost comforting, like being wrapped in sunlight.
His body grew weightless. His consciousness blurred.
And then—he was gone.
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April 1, 2252 — Musutafu City Hospital, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
10:42 PM
The fluorescent lights of the maternity wing bathed the polished floors in a sterile glow. Outside a private medical ward, a middle-aged man paced back and forth anxiously. His light silver hair was slicked back neatly, but sweat clung to his temples. Every few seconds, he stopped, stared at the closed doors, then resumed pacing.
"Everything will be fine," he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. "She's strong. She'll be fine."
The faint cries of newborns echoed down the corridor, mingling with the soft chatter of nurses. Then—suddenly—a sharp, loud wail came from behind the door he had been waiting in front of.
His heart skipped a beat.
The door opened, and a nurse peeked out with a reassuring smile.
"Congratulations, sir. It's a healthy baby boy. You can come in."
The man's eyes widened, and all anxiety evaporated in an instant. He rushed inside, his polished shoes squeaking against the tiles. There, on the bed, lay a tired but radiant woman, her hair plastered to her forehead. Cradled in her arms was a newborn baby, wrapped snugly in a soft white blanket, his tiny fists waving aimlessly in the air.
The man leaned closer, eyes softening as he took in the sight.
"He's… perfect," he whispered, his voice trembling with relief and pride.
The woman chuckled weakly, her eyes shining as she looked up at him.
"Dear… have you decided on a name?" she asked, her voice gentle and filled with warmth.
The man paused, gazing at his son's small face. After a brief moment, he leaned in and whispered softly, almost reverently:
"Hayato Kurogane."
As if on cue, the baby's eyes fluttered open for a second, his expression momentarily widening in surprise before a loud, clear cry filled the room.
"Waaaah!!"
The mother laughed softly, brushing a strand of silver hair from her face.
"Oh my, he loves it," she said tenderly.
The father smiled, shoulders relaxing as he placed a hand on his wife's.
"Then it's decided. Hayato Kurogane… our son."
The room filled with the baby's cries, the mother's quiet laughter, and the father's relieved sigh. Outside, the city lights of Musutafu shimmered under the night sky—unaware that a new life had just begun.