Chapter 85: Ah, so I forgot about that, I'm such an idiot
Aoi was driving to school, the morning sun just beginning to warm the empty road ahead of him, when something small and still caught his eye on the shoulder. He slowed the motorcycle gradually, then pulled over completely, the engine's low rumble fading into silence as he killed it. He swung his leg over the seat and walked toward the shape lying there, his boots crunching softly on the gravel.
Up close, he saw it was a kitten—tiny, gray with faint blue undertones in the light, its fur matted with blood and dirt. It had clearly been hit by a passing car, and it was dying, its breathing shallow and ragged, one paw twitching weakly. The poor thing's eyes were half-open, glazed with pain and shock.
Aoi knelt down slowly, his heart twisting in a way it hadn't in a long time. He reached out carefully, placing one large hand over the kitten's small body. The moment his palm made contact, he activated his blue flames. They flowed gently from his skin, soft and warm like liquid light, wrapping around the kitten in a protective cocoon. The regeneration quirk did its work immediately: torn flesh knit together, broken bones realigned with faint, almost inaudible cracks, internal bleeding stopped, and the tiny creature's breathing began to steady.
Looking at the kitten as color slowly returned to its eyes and its small chest rose more evenly, Aoi smiled softly.
—Well, little one, it's good to see you're going to get better. But you really were unlucky to get hurt on this deserted road... or maybe you're lucky because you found me.
The kitten, exhausted from the ordeal and the sudden healing, fainted in his arms. Aoi lifted it gently, cradling the small body against his chest as though it were made of glass. He looked down at the peaceful, sleeping face and murmured:
—You know, I thought my first pet would be a dragon, or a dinosaur, or some kind of monster. But I never thought it would be a street kitten.
He stared at the tiny creature for a long moment, then thought to himself:
—Well, it's true. Sometimes we give so much importance to big things that we forget the little things that make us want the big things in the first place.
The thought hit him like a punch to the gut. His eyes widened. He whispered:
—Damn it... damn it... how could I be such an idiot.
Without another word, he carefully tucked the kitten into his backpack, making sure it was secure and comfortable, then swung back onto the motorcycle. The engine roared to life, and he accelerated hard in the opposite direction—back toward home.
When he burst through the front door, still wearing his helmet and jacket, the scene inside was calm and domestic: Rei, Rumi, Nemuri, and Ryuko were seated around the kitchen table, having breakfast. The smell of coffee and fresh bread filled the air.
Rei looked up in surprise as her son came running in.
—Son, did you forget something at home for you to come running back like this?
Aoi didn't answer right away. He set the backpack down gently on the floor so as not to disturb the kitten inside. Then, without hesitation, he walked straight to the table, reached for Ryuko, and pulled her into his arms in a tight embrace.
Ryuko let out a startled sound, then wrapped her arms around him immediately, concern flooding her voice.
—Darling, what happened? Why are you like this?
Aoi buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing her in, and whispered:
—I'm sorry, Ryuko.
Ryuko blinked, confused, stroking the back of his head.
—Aoi, why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong.
Aoi pulled back just enough to look at her, his expression pained but honest, a sad smile tugging at his lips.
—I'm apologizing for not giving you as much attention after I found out Nemuri and Rumi were pregnant. I ended up focusing all my attention on them and leaving you aside.
Ryuko's eyes softened instantly. She cupped his face with both hands and smiled warmly.
—I don't mind. I know you love me very much. I understand that you were too worried with all this weight and these terrible discoveries you had to deal with—and are still dealing with.
Aoi searched her eyes for a moment, then leaned in and kissed her—slow, deep, full of everything he hadn't said. Ryuko returned the kiss with equal tenderness. When they finally separated, both breathing a little harder, Aoi looked at her with a genuine, relieved smile.
—You know, Ryuko, the cutest thing about you is those sharp little teeth.
Ryuko flushed slightly but grinned, pressing her face against his chest.
—You idiot, that's not supposed to be cute. It's supposed to be fierce.
Aoi chuckled softly.
—Yes, you're my fierce little dragon.
Rumi, Rei, and Nemuri watched the exchange with warm smiles spreading across their faces.
Nemuri said, her tone teasing but affectionate:
—Well, it looks like you two made up, didn't you? So now everything is back to normal.
Aoi shook his head gently.
—No, there's still one thing to resolve.
He stepped away from Ryuko and walked over to Rumi and Nemuri. He placed his right hand on Rumi's cheek and his left hand on Nemuri's cheek. Without a word, he activated his power: soft blue flames flowed from his palms, enveloping both women completely in a gentle, healing glow.
Rumi blinked in surprise.
—Aoi, what are you doing? We're fine. Why are you activating your quirk to heal us?
Aoi's smile was tired but filled with quiet determination.
—You know, Rumi, Nemuri... I focused so much on your safety and our children's that I forgot about your health. You know how it is—they won't be ordinary children, which means the burden on your bodies will be much heavier than a normal pregnancy. Our baby at nine months alone should weigh 100 kg. But I was so focused on creating the world that I forgot the reason I wanted to create a world so badly.
I'm using my quirk to reset all the damage the babies' gestation has caused to your bodies. I'm going to do this every day from now on so you don't feel any pain. And when I get the New Order quirk, the first order will be for the babies in your bodies to have the weight and strength of a normal child while they're still in your bellies.
Aoi looked at them both, his voice soft and sincere.
—Well, I also apologize for being such an irresponsible father and ignoring this. When I found out our children were no longer human, that should have been my first concern.
Nemuri and Rumi immediately pulled him into a tight hug, their arms wrapping around him protectively.
Nemuri whispered against his shoulder:
—You idiot, you're not irresponsible. In fact, you're the most responsible man in the world, going so far as to want to build a planet just so our children can be safe. How could I ever be disappointed in you?
Rumi smiled fiercely, her eyes shining as she looked up at him.
—She's right, you idiot. You're not an omnipotent god. You're just a very strong guy. But you will make mistakes. The important thing is that you try to fix your mistakes.
Ryuko stepped up behind Aoi and wrapped her arms around his waist from the back, resting her chin on his shoulder.
—Yes, you can make mistakes, because we'll be here to help you always open your eyes and not keep making them. After all, that's what family is for, right?
Aoi smiled, looking at each of them in turn, his heart full.
—Well, then I count on you to pull my ear if I'm ever making an idiot decision.
Nemuri grinned.
—Yes, you can count on that.
Ryuko laughed softly.
—Well, I don't mind giving you a scolding to wake you up.
Rumi, her smile turning mischievous and fierce, added:
—No way. I'm going to give you a strong kick right in the middle of your face to wake you up.
Aoi chuckled.
—I'm counting on that.
Then, as if remembering something important, Aoi's eyes widened.
—Ah, I forgot about him.
He hurried back to the backpack on the floor, opened it carefully, and lifted the little blue kitten out.
Rumi looked at the kitten and asked Aoi:
—Where did you find him?
Aoi smiled.
—Well, he was the first to have the honor of being saved by this great hero here.
Nemuri raised an eyebrow, half-teasing.
—I hope your great hero there didn't let the police see you using your quirk on the street.
Aoi shrugged.
—Well, I think not. I wouldn't be that unlucky. But look how beautiful he is.
Ryuko, smiling, took the kitten gently into her arms.
—Yes, he's super cute.
Rei watched the scene unfold: her son playing with the kitten, his wives surrounding him with smiles and warmth. Relief washed over her. She had been afraid—deeply afraid—that Aoi would end up putting ambition before his family, forgetting the main reason he wanted to create that world in the first place. But seeing him like this, vulnerable, apologetic, loving, and human... she smiled softly and whispered to herself:
—Our son won't follow the same path you did, Enji.