Takeshi Tanaka walked down the dark street, heading home after another long day at work. His thoughts stubbornly returned to the events of four years ago when his daughter was only ten. He tried to distract himself, pushing away the memories, and glanced at the dark shop windows he passed, but a bitter smile crept onto his face. He wanted to leave those events behind, but they seeped into his consciousness again and again, refusing to let him forget even for a day.
It all started with a fight — his daughter had stepped in to protect Izuku, trying to save him from bullying. This incident prompted Takeshi to start an investigation. Step by step, he uncovered new facts, and each new discovery horrified him more. Bullying turned out to be not just a spat between a few kids; every student in the class was involved in this tormenting game. Even the homeroom teacher, Sae Fujiwara, silently facilitated it, turning a blind eye to everything that was happening.
Takeshi stopped for a moment, clenching his fists. Anger rose within him like a wave as he remembered how carelessly the other teachers reacted, remaining indifferent even when they were directly present in the classroom during the bullying. They turned a blind eye, pretending that nothing was happening, simply because Izuku had no quirks.
He relaxed his clenched fists, recalling the conversation with his daughter. She told him how Izuku constantly begged not to tell anyone about the bullying, considering it a minor issue. Takeshi shuddered, realizing how abnormal that was. He had to help the boy see a psychologist to explain to Izuku that what he was going through was not a "trivial matter". The psychologist was meant to help him understand that it was anything but a minor issue that could be ignored and kept to himself.
But that wasn't all. The school principal was also aware of the situation and, like the other teachers, ignored everything that was happening. Takeshi recalled their first meeting when the principal coldly informed him that his daughter was facing serious consequences, explaining that such behavior was unacceptable in the educational institution. And this was despite the fact that he himself had known about the bullying from the very beginning but consciously turned a blind eye to it. These hypocritical words sparked a flare of anger in Takeshi, the same kind he felt the day he first learned about it all.
As time went on, the matter gained widespread attention: not only the police but also the media became involved in the investigation. The incident captured the entire country's attention — everyone was following the developments and hoping for just punishment for all those involved.
When the principal was summoned for questioning, Takeshi felt that he was hiding something more than just this. And although during their meeting the principal's lawyer was meticulously protecting his client, there remained a sense that crucial information was still unknown. But before Takeshi could learn more, the unexpected happened — there was an assassination attempt on many of the teachers, including the principal. Everyone except the principal was killed, and he only sustained injuries.
Takeshi was convinced that this attack had been orchestrated by the principal himself, who was trying to cover his tracks and evade justice. But what happened next in the hospital was simply impossible. Despite being under close police surveillance, the principal somehow vanished, as if he had dissolved into thin air. The cameras recorded no movement — there were no signs that could indicate his escape. Considering that his room was located on the fifth floor, the possibility of escaping through the window seemed utterly unrealistic. And yet, he disappeared as if he had never been there at all.
After discussing the situation with his wife, Yukiko, Takeshi and she decided to transfer their daughter to another school for her safety. He couldn't predict what the principal, undoubtedly enraged with him, was capable of. They chose a prestigious private school where Kimika would study online, which would certainly reduce the risks to her life and safety.
Although the parents were not thrilled about their daughter not being able to interact with classmates in person, they knew it was necessary for her safety. Initially, Kimika was not in favor of this idea — she wanted to continue her studies alongside Izuku — but her parents were eventually able to persuade her.
Continuing to walk slowly, Takeshi pushed away negative thoughts and memories, trying to focus on the positive moments that had occurred in his life. He proudly recalled how his daughter had overcome all the hardships and was no longer that little girl who only dreamed of becoming a hero. Now she was seriously working towards it, asking him to design her training — both physical and for the development of her quirks.
Although he and Yukiko were initially not thrilled about this decision, as when Kimika was a child and simply dreamed of heroism like all the other kids, it didn't seem so frightening. But now, as she had grown up and appeared to choose this path not just as a dream but as a life choice, they became concerned. They tried to explain to her that heroism wasn't just what she saw in the news, but also a daily danger. However, Kimika was resolute in her desire and refused to back down from this path. Takeshi, looking at her, saw in her a little version of himself — just as determined and stubborn.
Ultimately, Takeshi agreed to help her, realizing that he could give her the opportunity to begin her journey as a hero, preparing her for whatever lay ahead. Although he was a detective rather than a hero, he could still pass on at least some of the necessary knowledge and develop her to be ready for the challenges she would face. He wanted to teach her everything he knew, believing that preparation and knowledge could help her become a hero.
He watched with pride as Kimika grew stronger, resolutely going through his training. Takeshi's heart swelled with joy as he recalled how his daughter stubbornly overcame all obstacles, demonstrating incredible determination and a desire to learn.
He also couldn't help but notice the emergence of another friend in Kimika's life — Toga. Although she seemed a bit strange, Takeshi observed how his daughter became attached to her, spending more time with her than with Izuku, her first friend. It appeared that Kimika was beginning to distance herself from Izuku, preferring walks with Toga over spending time with him.
But suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by quick footsteps behind him, as if someone was running. Quickly turning around and preparing for anything, he was surprised to see no one. Dismissing it as fatigue, Takeshi was about to continue on his way home, where his wife and daughter were waiting for him, when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. Looking down at the point of pain, he saw a knife protruding from his stomach.
Frozen in fear, he heard the voice of an unknown assailant say, "This is revenge from the principal." After these words, the attacker shoved him, and Takeshi fell, feeling several more knife strikes piercing his body. Lying on the ground, he watched as blood slowly drained from him, taking with it a part of his life.
Consciousness began to fade under the sounds of the attacker's escape, who, after delivering fatal blows, decided to flee, unwilling to remain any longer in the hero's patrol zone, knowing that his task was accomplished and that the detective would soon die.
Takeshi's thoughts were flooded with regret, as he realized he hadn't been able to spend more time with his daughter, missing the chance to see her graduate from school, become a renowned hero as she dreamed, find her soulmate, and even just tell her how much he loved her. He also regretted his wife, to whom he had promised at their wedding to be by her side until the end and to witness their little Kimika grow up happily, to see grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And, with his last strength, he uttered, "I'm sorry, my dear. You will have to do this for both of us," before his consciousness completely left him.
At the same time, Kimika, a girl with long, silky white hair that flowed down to her waist and semi-transparent blue horns, was preparing various dishes with her mother, getting ready for their family dinner. Kimika's bright, colorful eyes sparkled with anticipation, as their movie night had become a daily tradition for the past four years.
"Mom, Dad is running late. This is so unlike him," Kimika remarked, glancing at the clock with a hint of worry.
"Yes, I understand… But he has never missed this dinner. Maybe he got held up at work. After all, they can't manage without him," said the smiling Yukiko, sautéing vegetables in the pan. She smiled because she knew that Takeshi always kept his promises. 'Maybe he went to get a gift for Kimika.' Although it was late, and most shops were likely closed, having lived with her husband for nearly 20 years, she knew him very well. He wouldn't stop until he found what he was looking for, even if he had to search the entire city.
This determination always impressed her, as she also knew how much he loved both of them. These warm thoughts made her heart feel even cozier, and so she continued to smile, filled with love for her husband, eager to prepare a delicious dinner, knowing how much Takeshi loved everything she cooked. Therefore, she put in extra effort, infusing each dish with a piece of her love.
Yukiko continued to cook, not taking her eyes off the pan. "And how is Izuku?" she asked, thoughtfully considering how her daughter was spending more time with Toga, who was actively "gluing" herself to Kimika, constantly organizing hangouts and outings. At the same time, Yukiko began to notice that Kimika was talking less with Izuku, and this worried her. Previously, before Toga came into the picture, they spent nearly all their time together from morning until evening, but now everything had changed. Not understanding the reasons for this distance, Yukiko decided to ask about it, hoping to grasp what was happening.
Kimika, hearing the question, sighed and began to explain, "I don't really know… I try to talk to him more often. And even though Toga was against it, I invited him to join us on our outings, but he refused every time. Especially after that awful incident with the mud criminal, he started avoiding walks altogether. And every time I go to see him, he looks so exhausted, as if he hasn't slept at all. He claims it's because he's training for U.A. Hero Academy, but… I feel so sorry for him. He's dreamed of this since childhood, and now he's working so hard… but he doesn't have a quirk."
With sadness and on the verge of tears, Kimika spoke, feeling a deep pain from the fact that one of her two friends, her very first friend, was beginning to drift away from her without any obvious reason. And although having Toga always around brought her joy, she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for Izuku.
Yukiko, not hesitating for a moment, immediately went to her daughter to embrace and support her in any way she could. She knew how vulnerable and tender Kimika was and didn't need words or explanations to understand her pain. As a loving mother, Yukiko recognized that her daughter needed warmth and support right now. But suddenly, the phone rang, and Kimika, wanting to distract herself even just a little, quickly went to answer it.
When Kimika returned with the phone, Yukiko answered the call. Listening to the voice on the other end, she suddenly felt cold sweat break out on her forehead. Her face changed, and she tried to maintain her composure, but anxiety was already evident in her voice.
Noticing the shift in her mother's expression, Kimika felt a wave of unease wash over her heart. Yukiko, struggling to hold back tears, spoke heavily, taking long pauses between words: "It… it's about your father… He… he's in the hospital right now… We need to… we need to go to him urgently."
Noticing the change in her mother's face and how difficult it was for her to speak, Kimika felt as if every word Yukiko said about her father in the hospital struck her like thunder. Her heart raced, and although she tried to say something, fear gripped her. Yukiko quietly embraced her daughter, holding back her emotions to avoid frightening her even more.
In Yukiko's mind, the voice of her husband's colleague echoed, who had called. His words were etched with sharp edges: "Multiple stab wounds… The doctors are barely keeping him alive... His family needs to come as soon as possible." She couldn't convey the full horrific truth to Kimika, trying to protect her daughter from the painful details.
She tightly squeezed Kimika's hand, attempting to hide her own fear. "Everything will be alright," she whispered, not even knowing to whom those words were directed — her daughter or herself — unable to fully believe what had happened.
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Phew, the beginning of the chapter is already focused on the main story, not on childhood.
I have a question: how do you like my approach to telling what happened over the years? Did you enjoy that I describe everything from the character's perspective, showing his thoughts about what happened during various actions or conversations?
I also want to inform you that two chapters come out every day on my Patreon! Here, only one is released, but on my Patreon — there are two a day, hee-hee-hee. Come by so you don't miss new chapters and can read them faster than anyone else! patreon.com/Zoi4erom
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