16) Hiro’s Dream: The Path to Heroism

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After the award ceremony, we all went to eat at a delicious restaurant that served ramen — offered by our generous sensei, who came back with his usual serious face.

Wait… eating ramen after a win?

Am I in Naruto or something?

Whatever.

After partying a bit, everyone eventually went their separate ways, and our parents came to take us home.

"Who is our little champion?" my mom asked while ruffling my hair.

Come on, I'm not a kid anymore… but if I said anything, she'd just start nagging me.

My dad tried to lift me up in a hug, but I was too heavy for his back.

"You've gotten a little too heavy… in a few years, you might be the one lifting me."

"A few years? I can already lift you."

As I said that, I began circulating chakra and lifted him up off the ground.

"Me too! Me too!" shouted my little sister, jumping out of the car.

"Okay, come here," I said, letting her climb up onto my shoulders.

"Hiro, we are very proud of you," my mom said with a wide, happy smile. My dad just nodded, eyes watery.

Ah… same dad as always.

"Okay, let's go home. You must be very tired after today," said Mom.

And just like that, we all got in the car and started heading home.

While we were stuck in traffic, my dad looked at me through the rear-view mirror and asked:

"Hiro, do you like kendo?"

Huh? What kind of question is that?

"I don't mind it. Why?" I replied, throwing the question back.

"Well... you never seem that happy when you're practicing. You know, the only time I see you having fun and smiling sincerely is when you're using your quirk."

Damn. He knows me too well.

He's right, though. I love watching my own progress — maybe I'm even a little too obsessed with training.

After a minute of silence, he asked again:

"Hiro… is there something you really want to do? A dream you have?"

He sounded both concerned and curious.

"Yeah," I said honestly. "I want to be a hero."

I really do.

I want to earn well, grow stronger, be free to use my quirk, and — oh, right — save people.

There are a lot of reasons I want to become a hero.

My parents looked surprised. I had never actually told anyone this before.

"Are you sure? That's a very dangerous job, Hiro," my mom said, clearly worried.

People smile when they see a hero on the street…

But if the hero is a friend or a family member, it's different. They're scared — because being a hero means you could die for many reasons.

"Yes, Mom, I'm sure. Kendo is just a stepping stone. My real goal is becoming a hero."

"Okay, honey… I know you're smart, and it sounds like you've really made up your mind," she said, still reluctant but supportive.

"Brother… are you going to be a hero?" my sister asked, scratching her eyes, trying not to fall asleep.

"Yes. And a very strong one," I told her with a warm smile.

"Ahh, you already made your decision without telling us. You're as stubborn as your mother," said my dad, pretending to be offended — and earning a deadly glare from the venomous beauty in the passenger seat.

Damn, Dad… you really do like sleeping on the couch.

Just then, I glanced out the window and saw a giant screen showing All Might saving people.

Hmm… still six years from the start of the canon.

All Might, enjoy your glory while it lasts.