"Growth and Understanding"

Disclaimer:

This is a fan-created work inspired by the world of My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia), created by Kōhei Horikoshi. All rights to the original characters, settings, and concepts belong to their respective owners. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended for commercial use. The original character Yami Kurogane and the plot of this fanfiction are my own creation.

As Yami approached his fourth birthday, his life had been a journey of constant and strategic discovery. The Kurogane household had been a refuge of love and support, where Haruno and Masato became his emotional pillars. Although Izumi's presence was less frequent, her visits were filled with warmth and significant moments that Yami cherished.

Since he arrived in the family, Yami had grown up surrounded by attention and affection. Over the years, he had developed a stronger bond with his parents. Haruno nurtured him tenderly and always encouraged him to explore the world around him. Masato, although busy with work, always found time to play with him, taking him to the park or teaching him how to ride a bike. These moments were valuable to Yami; each shared laugh and every hug reminded him that he had a family that loved him.

However, despite the familial love surrounding him, Yami also felt the pressure of being different. From a young age, he had noticed that his body responded in surprising ways. While other children struggled to maintain their balance while walking or stumbled while running, he moved with an agility that defied the norm. Every step he took was a reminder of his uniqueness; he could run faster and jump higher than most children his age. Yet this physical superiority did not make him feel emotionally superior; rather, it kept him alert and aware of how he should act in every situation.

As he grew older, Yami began to understand that he was not only physically more agile; his mind also operated at a higher level. He had learned to read and write before turning four—something uncommon for a child his age. He spent hours flipping through illustrated books, absorbing words and concepts like a sponge. His brain seemed designed for rapid learning; each new piece of knowledge acquired was a personal victory.

As the years passed, Yami became increasingly aware of his physical capabilities. He knew that his body was ten times stronger than that of an average human, but he had yet to fully awaken those abilities. This understanding fueled his anxiety about discovering his peculiarity; each day was an opportunity to get closer to that goal.

Izumi's visits were moments Yami eagerly anticipated in the Kurogane household. Although she was busy with her work as CEO in the hero support industry, she always found time to come see how Yami was doing. During those visits, she showed special kindness toward him; she brought small gifts or interesting books for them to read together.

—You're very smart —Izumi would say as they flipped through illustrated books—. You have a great future ahead of you.

Yami felt a special connection with her; although they didn't spend much time together, every moment was significant. However, there was something deeper in Izumi's gaze when they talked about heroes and villains; a hidden sadness lingered behind her smile that Yami couldn't fully comprehend.

As his fourth birthday approached, Yami knew he was on the brink of something important: understanding his own abilities and discovering the world in which he truly lived. Curiosity drove him forward; he wanted to learn more about himself and the heroes whose existence he had begun to grasp.

However, interactions with other children remained challenging. Although he had developed superior physical abilities and could run faster or jump higher than his peers, he struggled to connect emotionally with them. Instead of feeling inferior due to their teasing or curious glances, Yami learned to view them as mere distractions compared to what he could achieve.

One afternoon at the park, while trying to join a group of children playing ball, he noticed how they looked at him with curiosity but also with suspicion. When he approached them to ask if he could join their game, one of them mocked:

—Why do you walk like that? You look like a robot!

Yami felt a slight chill run down his spine upon hearing those words. However, instead of letting it affect him, he chose to ignore it and focus on the game. He ran after the ball with surprising speed; the children were left stunned as they watched him move so agilely.

That small triumph marked a step forward for Yami; while he still struggled to establish deep connections with other children, he began to understand that his uniqueness could be an advantage if he learned to accept it.

As he enjoyed time with Aunt Izumi and his parents during family visits filled with shared laughter and simple games in the living room—each interaction reinforcing the sense of familial love—Yami knew he needed to keep moving toward an uncertain but promising future.

With each passing day, the urgency to understand who he really was grew within him. He knew he needed to prepare for discovering his peculiarity; that anxiety kept him alert as he continued training discreetly at home.

Often found alone in the backyard practicing physical movements like jumps and quick runs, Yami pushed himself beyond his natural limits, feeling how his muscles strengthened with each repetition. There was something liberating in that effort; every small advance was a step toward understanding what he could truly achieve.

Meanwhile, conversations between Haruno and Izumi about heroes and villains further ignited his curiosity. Sometimes he'd overhear snippets about U.A. Academy where young aspirants trained to become professional heroes. Those echoes awakened deep desires within him: Could he be one too?

With that spark ignited inside him and growing anxiety about the unknown—the constant possibility of discovering who he really was—Yami knew he had to be prepared for any eventuality as he moved into this new chapter filled with opportunities and uncertainties.