Chapter 52 – The Beginning of Everything
Five years later…
Rei Todoroki looked at the clock on the wall and let out a small sigh.
— "Time really flies…" she murmured.
Five years had passed since the incident on the island. During that time, Aoi had not only grown stronger but also matured as a person. He had trained without pause and worked hard to expand his company, which now had multiple branches across the world, helping thousands of people with his inventions.
Rei smiled, walking toward her son's room. She opened the door and clapped her hands.
— "Time to wake up, you lazybones! Midnight and Ryuko left a long time ago, and you're still sleeping!"
Aoi opened one sleepy eye and yawned, still holding Mirko tightly in his arms as she slept.
— "Mom… why are you waking me up so early today?" he asked, his voice dragging.
Rei crossed her arms.
— "Because today is the entrance exam for U.A. Academy! You'd better hurry, or you'll be late."
Aoi blinked for a few seconds.
— "Ah… right. Don't worry, Mom. I won't be late."
Without hesitation, he picked Mirko up — like a prince carrying a princess — and walked toward the bathroom.
— "Hey!" Rei shouted, blushing slightly. "Be careful, you two! I'm not ready to be a grandmother yet!"
Aoi laughed.
— "Relax, Mom! I can take care of a kid just fine!"
— "Aoi!" she called again as he disappeared down the hallway.
Inside the bathroom, steam from the bath filled the room. Aoi held Mirko carefully, making sure she was comfortable. As he kissed her lips briefly, he thought about everything he had accomplished over the past five years.
He had created several useful technologies: transforming seawater into drinkable water, reusing waste to make renewable construction materials, and even regenerating lost limbs.
Everything had gone according to plan. What made him happiest was that Midnight and Ryuko had finally agreed to date him — although it had required signing several "unfair agreements" with Mirko.
Aoi sighed, remembering the paperwork. He rested his chin on Mirko's head and reflected on his progress. He had reached half of All Might's strength, a milestone few would have believed possible before entering U.A.
From now on, only real battles would make him stronger. He had developed new techniques with his flames, and all preparations were complete. Now, he only needed to wait for the future.
Mirko, still half-asleep, interrupted his thoughts with a kiss.
Aoi smiled.
— "What is it, my little bunny?"
Mirko bit her lip and replied in a teasing tone.
— "I'll show you the bunny later…"
Hours later, Aoi walked along the sidewalk toward U.A. Academy, the morning sun shining on his uniform.
As he walked, he thought lightly to himself:
— "If my little bunny keeps acting like that, it's only a matter of time before I become a dad… Considering my past life and this one, I'm probably around forty mentally already. So… maybe it won't be that bad."
His thoughts were interrupted when a boy tripped ahead, almost falling face-first onto the ground. Aoi quickly stepped forward and caught him by the arm.
The boy looked up, revealing messy green hair. It was Izuku Midoriya, who stammered:
— "Th-thank you!"
Aoi smiled and extended his hand.
— "Nice to meet you. Aoi Todoroki."
— "M-Midoriya Izuku…" the other replied shyly, shaking his hand.
Aoi chuckled lightly.
— "Let's get going, or we'll be late."
— "Y-yeah, of course!"
Side by side, they walked through U.A.'s gates.
Aoi's heart beat a little faster as he looked up at the large building.
— "So this is it…" he murmured. "The place where my new journey as a hero begins."