MHA: A Hero’s Genesis

Haruto stood by the window of their new apartment, gazing out at the city lights flickering in the distance. It was hard to believe how much had changed in just one year. He was now 11 years old, and it had been a year since he'd first shared his dream of becoming a hero with Aiko. In those twelve months, their lives had shifted in ways he could scarcely imagine.

Three months had passed since the harrowing incident with Kagura and Mei. In that time, Aiko and Haruto had visited them frequently, and the bond they shared deepened with each meeting. Mei had quickly grown attached to Haruto, calling him "Nii-san" (big brother) with a bright smile and tugging at his hand whenever she wanted to play. Haruto couldn't help but smile back, feeling a protective instinct for the young girl.

Aiko had decided to loan Kagura five million yen to help her get back on her feet. Haruto remembered the evening vividly. They were seated in Kagura's temporary apartment, the room dimly lit but warm with conversation. Aiko had slid an envelope across the table, her expression calm but resolute.

Kagura had stared at the envelope, her hands trembling as she pushed it back. "I can't accept this. It's too much," she'd said, her voice thick with emotion.

"This isn't about charity, Kagura-san," Aiko had replied, her voice steady but kind. "It's about giving you and Mei the stability you need. You don't have to pay it back unless you're able, and even then, there's no rush. Please, think of it as an investment in your future—and Mei's."

The conversation had stretched late into the evening, with Kagura's emotions swinging between gratitude and guilt. Haruto had sat silently, observing his mother's unwavering patience and compassion. Finally, Kagura had accepted the envelope, tears streaming down her face as she whispered her thanks. That moment stuck with Haruto, a powerful lesson in selflessness and the strength it took to both give and receive help.

The loan had transformed Kagura and Mei's lives. Kagura secured a stable job and moved to a better apartment closer to Mei's school. Mei now often stayed with Aiko and Haruto after school until her mother returned from work, her laughter filling their new home. Haruto enjoyed those afternoons, feeling a sense of normalcy and connection that had been rare in his life before.

Aiko and Haruto had also moved into a new apartment two months ago. It was spacious, with modern amenities and a quiet neighborhood—a reflection of their hard-earned financial success. Over the past year, they had made significant strides, earning 30 million yen from book sales and 80 million yen from trading. The numbers were staggering, yet Aiko managed their finances with careful precision, ensuring their future remained secure.

Recently, they had visited his father's grave for the one-year anniversary of his passing. Haruto recalled the somber day vividly. Aiko had knelt before the grave, her shoulders trembling as she wept softly. Through her tears, she spoke of how much their lives had changed, how proud she was of Haruto's growth and determination. Standing beside her, Haruto had placed a hand on the headstone, silently promising his father to honor his memory through his actions and to do his best in every endeavor.

Haruto's personal development had been relentless. He had mastered Karate and Judo and was now focusing on Aikido. Alongside unarmed combat, he had delved into weapon-based disciplines like Bojutsu, Kenjutsu, and Kyujutsu. Each day of training pushed him further, honing his skills and refining his mental and physical discipline.

In his research, Haruto's intellect continued to shine. He had developed clothing reinforced with carbon nanofibers—garments that were both durable and functional for everyday wear. These innovations were part of his larger vision for his future hero work. His studies extended beyond science and technology; he also delved deep into the histories of infamous villains and terrorists from the past century. He analyzed their strategies, their ideologies, and the societal conditions that allowed them to thrive. Every piece of knowledge was a step toward understanding the complex world he aimed to change as a hero.

One night, as Haruto was sketching a new design for protective gear, Aiko entered the room with two mugs of tea. She placed one beside him and sat down across from him. "You've been working tirelessly," she said, her tone a mix of concern and pride. "You're amazing, Haruto, but don't forget to rest. Even heroes need to recharge."

Haruto looked up and smiled. "Thanks, Mom. I'll take a break soon. I promise."

Aiko nodded, sipping her tea. "You've grown so much in this past year. I'm proud of you every day."

Her words resonated deeply with Haruto. They reminded him of his purpose, his drive to protect and improve the lives of those around him. He realized that his success wasn't just his own—it was shared with his mother, who had sacrificed so much for him.

While just lazing around one afternoon, Haruto realized there was a lack of popular gaming apps for mobile phones, a big market in the world he saw in memories of the other person's life. Haru decided to refresh some app-building skills he gained from those memories and start building popular gaming apps he had observed. The idea excited him; it felt like a creative outlet that could also serve as another stream of income for their future plans.

As summer waned, the anticipation of a new school year hung in the air. The start of classes brought a mix of excitement and nervousness for many students, as the annual reshuffling of classes meant saying goodbye to familiar faces and getting to know new ones. Haruto, however, found little to be excited about. The curriculum felt trivial, far below his current level of knowledge, and the repetitive nature of the lessons left him disengaged.

A few days into the term, during lunch, Haruto sat near the window, absentmindedly gazing outside. The faint sound of laughter pulled his attention back to the classroom. Turning around, he noticed a group of boys teasing another student. The boy had a spider-like head, likely due to his quirk, and Haruto remembered his introduction on the first day—his name was Nejiho.

Haruto frowned. He had seen the same group making fun of Nejiho the day before and assumed the boy would have reported it to their homeroom teacher by now. But it seemed nothing had changed. As the group finally left after their cruel remarks, Haruto walked over to Nejiho.

"Hey," he said, offering a small smile. "I'm Haruto. Why haven't you told the teacher about them?"

Nejiho hesitated, looking down. After a long pause, he replied, "The teachers never do anything. It's been like this every year. I've learned to just ignore it."

Haruto's expression hardened. That kind of apathy didn't sit right with him. "Ignoring it doesn't mean it's okay," he said firmly. "Come on, let's go talk to the teacher."

Nejiho initially resisted, mumbling excuses, but Haruto's determination didn't waver. Grabbing Nejiho's hand, he practically dragged him to the teacher's lounge. There, they found their homeroom teacher, Ms. Ishida, at her desk.

"Ms. Ishida," Haruto began, his voice steady but assertive. "Nejiho has been bullied by some students in our class. He told me this has happened in previous years too, and no one's done anything. That needs to change."

His words carried through the room, drawing the attention of other teachers. Ms. Ishida's expression shifted, a mix of surprise and guilt. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Haruto," she said, her tone sincere. "I'll address this immediately."

Haruto nodded and led Nejiho back to the classroom. They walked in silence, but as they reached their seats, Nejiho whispered, "Thank you." For the first time, there was a flicker of hope in his eyes.

That afternoon, during the last class, Ms. Ishida called out the boys who had been tormenting Nejiho. She gave them a stern warning, making it clear that such behavior would not be tolerated. Nejiho's relief was palpable, and Haruto felt a quiet sense of accomplishment.

After school, as Haruto made his way to the gates, he noticed Nejiho silently following him. He didn't say anything, giving the boy space to gather his thoughts. Finally, as they reached the gates, Nejiho spoke up, his voice trembling slightly.

"Haruto… can we be friends?"

Haruto turned to him, smiling warmly. "Sure," he said. Nejiho's face lit up, and in that moment, Haruto knew he had made a difference.

Later that evening, as Haruto reflected on the day, he realized that small acts of kindness could ripple outward, changing lives in ways he hadn't imagined. He resolved to carry that lesson forward, both in his everyday life and as a hero-in-training. Change, he knew, started with simple, deliberate actions, and he was determined to lead by example.