"We're off, Dean."
"We're off!"
Walking away from the orphanage, the children, led by Hiro, stood in a line as they went their way to school.
"Hiro-nii! Hiro-nii! Tell us the story again!"
"Ohh! Tell us how you beat the blue villain!"
"No! I wanna hear about the smoke villain!"
"Keep your eyes on the road. We don't have time for stories right now."
"Aww~ just a little, Hiro-nii?"
"Hmm, how about this? Whoever is the goodest child in school- I'll tell their favorite story before bedtime."
Hiro smirked as childish groans of protest came from behind him.
A day has passed since the USJ incident. Classes in UA had been suspended yesterday, and school only resumed today.
Therefore, he should have been heading towards the train station to Musatafu. Right now, however, he was on a brief detour.
"Hiro-nii, really, I could take care of them on my own. There's no need for you to go out of your way for them- you'll be late to school yourself."
Shara said with a slight pout of her lips. Children in the orphanage studied in nearby schools of each other. Thus, it was the norm for one of the older kids to accompany the younger ones when going to and fro.
"It's just for today, Shara. I miss having to walk with everyone. You'll understand when you graduate next year."
Hiro said, his eyes briefly glancing at a man in yellow costume walking down at the end of the street.
Since yesterday, he had noticed an increase in the number of patrolling heroes around the area. Especially at the orphanage where he lived, there was always a hero within a couple blocks.
After a little thought, he crossed out the possibility that it was to monitor him. Instead, the more likely reason was the officials being wary of Shigaraki's retaliation- especially for him, who was the main force in defeating the villains.
But Hiro wasn't too concerned. If he was, he wouldn't have acted at all in the USJ incident- much less kill Kurogiri.
No. It wasn't because the family members of the main cast had not been attacked in the anime. He was very clear that anime and real life should never be confused.
Instead, Hiro's confidence lies in the preparations he himself made.
For the past 7 years, while he laid low in the world of My Hero Academia, that doesn't mean he did the same in One Punch Man. By utilizing the gap in technology and information between both worlds, he had amassed quite a sizable sum of resources.
And through those resources, he had been able to gain access to quite a few things.
If someone really dared to act on his siblings, they'd be in for a rude surprise.
"We're here. Now be sure to study well, okay? I'll check in with Mana-sensei at the end of the month whether someone's been naughty."
"You're lying! Mana-sensei wouldn't tell on me!"
"Oh? Does that mean you did something bad?"
Hiro squinted his eyes at Kyo, who hurriedly looked away.
"I-it's time for class! I'm going now!"
The 5 year old executed the oldest survival mechanism engraved in mankind's genes. His tiny backpack plopped along as his figure quickly blended in with the other kids at the gate.
"Seriously that child. Anyways, you guys go on too."
""Byebye, Hiro-oniichan, Shara-oneechan!!""
Soon, the other children's figures also vanished, and Hiro and Shara were left standing at the gate along with some of the parents.
"Goodbye too, Hiro-nii. I'll be fine on my own. Hurry back or you'll be late.
"Don't say that, Shara-chan~ Come on. Hiro-oniichan will also accompany you~"
"You-!"
Hiro ignored her protest, taking her wrist as they walked towards her school just three blocks away.
"Ugh, seriously! If you are late, don't say I didn't warn you!"
"That's fair. Anyways, let's talk about you. For example, what's your plan for high school?"
Shara grumbled. She contemplated just staying silent as a protest, before sighing in resignation and replying.
"I plan to take the UA hero course. I know, I know, it's stupid. But-"
"I don't think it's stupid. Why do you think it's stupid?" Hiro cut in, his voice innocently curious.
"W-why? Of course it's because of my Quirk! Me, just a normal civilian with a sharper teeth than most, wanting to be a hero. Isn't that stupid?"
Shara laughed in self-mockery, though when she turned her head, she met Hiro's serious gaze.
"If you want to be a hero, then go for it. Don't let your Quirk define your limits. Besides, you have me."
"You?"
"Yeah, me. If you still want to become a hero next year, I can give you some help. Come on, we're here."
In just a short while, they arrived in front of her school. Teenage boys and girls cast a curious look at the two of them, especially at Hiro who wore a different uniform.
Shara's face flushed. It further reddened when she noticed Hiro had only released her wrist just now.
"I-I'll hold you onto your words. Goodbye, Hiro-nii!"
"Yeah, good luck!"
Hiro smiled as he watched Shara ran away with her head buried in her chest, before turning to go to school himself.
—
"Just 3 minutes before class, all according to calculation."
Standing outside the 1A classroom, Hiro pushed his metaphorical glasses up as he admired his own time management ability.
He pushed open the door, and all discussions inside suddenly ceased as they turned towards him.
"What's the matter? You guys miss me?"
"Ryuga!!"
Before anyone could respond, a pink projectile flew towards him. Hiro deftly caught her with both hands, taking a single step back to cushion her impact.
"No, seriously, what's going on? Is this some sort of a whole class prank?"
His eyes narrowed at Mina in his arms, and then at the relieved sighs from his classmates. Was this another attempt of hers? Acting like he came from a life or death situation?
"Of course not, doofus! We were worried that you'd quit UA!"
"Why would you think that? I literally messaged you just 10 minutes ago that I was on my way."
"Yeah, but, but…you were never this late before! And then there's what Tokoyami said."
Here, Mina's gaze locked on to the birdheaded boy, whose eyes shifted to the side.
"Ehem. I merely proposed a slight possibility. Due to yesterday's revelation, shadows of fear could have eroded Ryugamine-kun's resolve. It was the darkness of others which twisted my meaning."
"Alright, I understand. Anyways, everyone, I'm fine. It doesn't matter if the mastermind of the villains escaped yesterday. I believe the school and the heroes would protect us. Isn't that right, sensei?"
Hiro stroked Mina's hair once before letting go and turning around, just in time to see Aizawa walking out from his cocoon (sleeping bag).
"A rational judgement, Ryugamine. But class has already started, so go back to your seats."
Aizawa impassively stared as his students rushed to their desks and greeted him. He casually greeted them back, then said.
"Yesterday's incident was an oversight on our part. Investigation has already begun to find the criminal's whereabouts. However, those are none of your concerns. Instead, there's a more important task laying ahead for you."
Everyone gulped. Aizawa-sensei's eyes…they looked so serious that some had begun to shed cold sweat.
"In three weeks, it would be time for the UA sports festival. I expect everyone to perform to the best of their abilities in there."
A/N: You can access advanced chapters on patreon.com/Ked2002