I had breakfast, then went to see Tokoro and told him I had broken the sword.
"No need to worry. Weapons are consumables to begin with. Breaking or wearing them out happens often enough. More than anything, if it broke while saving the life of the person using it, then that sword would be satisfied too."
Tokoro told me that, and said he would repair the sword.
"And if there’s anything else you need or want, just say so. If you want it, I’ll make it."
I told Tokoro what I needed. And then...
"Hmm... It’ll take me a little time to improve that thing on your wrist, but I can make what you want quickly enough. I already have some throwing daggers ready, so I’ll prepare those for you. Smoke bombs, though..."
There was a limit to fighting a large group head-on. But if the enemy couldn’t see me, I thought smoke bombs would be useful for ambushes or escape, so I asked for them. Fortunately, I had [Sense], so even if my vision was blocked, I’d be fine. Tokoro said he’d make them quickly, and I bowed my head in thanks. He told me it was nothing, then crossed his arms as if thinking about something.
"Still, coming all the way to this old man’s house every time might be troublesome. If you need anything, try asking my granddaughter. She goes to the same high school as you, apparently. She likes making things, so if she’s interested, she’ll probably make it for you."
His granddaughter?
______________________________________
I parted ways with Tokoro and took a short walk.
'Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I’ve gone for a walk alone like this.'
I thought that as I walked.
"Taka-kun?"
I turned at the voice calling me. A woman with sky-blue hair and eyes, wearing a white blouse and a black skirt, was calling out to me. Minori.
"Hello."
"What a coincidence. Were you out for a walk?"
"Yes. What about the shop?"
"I decided to take the day off today. There weren’t any customers, so it was boring sitting inside."
'Is that really okay?'
I started worrying about the shop at Minori’s words, and she tilted her head and looked at me.
"You weren’t thinking something rude about me, were you?"
"Not at all."
'Sharp.'
"Taka-kun, do you have any plans later?"
Minori asked if I had anything scheduled.
"No. I was planning to walk around a bit, then go back to the orphanage and rest."
"Then do you want to go out with me?"
Minori clasped her hands behind her back and looked up at me, inviting me to spend time with her. I didn’t have any plans, and it didn’t seem like it would be a problem, so I didn’t refuse her invitation.
"All right."
______________________________________
Minori and I went around to several places. We went to a movie theater and watched a film, visited a famous restaurant, and even went to an aquarium. Then, all of a sudden, I thought...
'Is this a date... no way.'
I followed behind her while entertaining a pointless misunderstanding. By the time we left the aquarium, the sun was almost setting. Minori said she had somewhere to take me and told me to follow her. We walked for about ten minutes, and where we arrived was an observatory in a park with a great view of the city.
"The view here is nice. It’s one of the must-visit spots whenever I go out for a walk."
She said that and looked out over the scenery. I came up beside her and looked too. The lights from the buildings lit the city brightly. A brief silence passed between Minori and me, and then she began to speak.
"I saw on the news that the U.A. students were attacked by Villains yesterday. I also learned from the news that you were one of the students who got attacked, Taka-kun."
Unlike her usual bright atmosphere, her voice was quiet and dark.
"When I was little, my family was attacked by a Villain. I was scared then, and I was so sad that I couldn’t do anything. Luckily, the Villain who attacked us was caught by a Hero, and my family only suffered minor injuries, but back then, the thought of losing them was terrifying and frightening."
I listened quietly to her past and remembered my own. The pain of losing a warm family and a home is something nothing can ever fill. The feeling of a hole torn through my chest still hasn’t gone away.
"When I told you, Taka-kun, who had never really been interested in Heroes, that you wanted to become one, I was honestly surprised. I was also happy that you had finally found something you wanted to do. But at the same time, a bigger part of me was worried. When I thought about you getting hurt in a Villain attack... I... I’m scared."
I simply looked at her in silence.
"...Ahaha, sorry. I brought up such a heavy topic. You must be tired, so let’s head back."
She said that, turned around, and started to go home, and I called out to her.
"Honestly, I’m not sure this is the right answer either."
Minori turned back at my words.
"Even now, I’m still not certain about my admiration for Heroes. I don’t even know whether this is truly what I want to do."
I let out my honest feelings.
"But back then, I was reminded of my dream from when I was little by the actions of a boy who was trembling in front of a Villain. Even though he must have been scared too, he ran to save his friend. That reminded me of the dream I had as a child. Whether Hero or not, it reminded me of the feelings I truly had: the desire to help people. That is my true origin point, and my belief."
She looked at me with a surprised expression. Not long after, she smiled and said to me,
"Ahaha, that’s cool. I had no idea you were thinking something like that. I never knew what you were thinking with that sleepy face of yours. Taka-kun, I could tell you were being completely sincere just now."
She looked at me with a somewhat refreshed expression. I felt refreshed too. It was like a tangled knot had finally come undone.
"Let’s go back. It’s gotten late, and the people at the orphanage will be worried."
"Yes."
I turned my head and looked out over the view again. The beautifully lit city seemed peaceful.
______________________________________
The next day
Today, I accidentally overslept, rushed to school, and entered the classroom.
"Everyone!! Homeroom is starting! Sit down!"
"Everyone else is sitting down. You’re the only one not sitting."
Iida was trying to get everyone seated, Sero was picking at him, and the rest were already in their seats.
"Ah, Sorano-kun."
Midoriya called me, and everyone looked my way. I had arrived cutting it close, so I felt a little self-conscious, but I still said to them,
"Good morning."
When I said that, everyone stared at me blankly. And then...
"Good morning. Hm? Something wrong?"
Aizawa-sensei, his head wrapped in bandages, came into the classroom and greeted us. I hurriedly sat down at my desk, and the teacher said the fight wasn’t over yet. The students reacted differently, and then he spoke again.
"The U.A. Sports Festival is coming up!"
"Something so school-like is happening!!"
I looked at the scene and thought,
'Peaceful.'
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