Chapter 14: Mirko's AchievementsAuthor: Geraint(MC's POV)
— Two days later —
I woke up and slowly opened my eyes.
...
The first thing I saw was Rumi's sleeping face, her head resting on top of mine. A bit of drool dripped from the corner of her mouth. We were both wrapped under the same blanket, sitting together on a long bench in the interrogation room.
She had decided to accompany me here since she was bored and had nothing else to do.
I gently pushed her head off mine and stood up, leaving her leaning against the white-painted wall.
These past few days, the police had been holding me in custody while investigating my identity. Principal Nezu had informed me that the process of being adopted by All Might was already underway—which honestly shocked me. He explained that the quickest way to get me out of this situation was for me to become All Might's legal son.
Thanks to All Might's influence and connections, neither the police nor the Hero Association would pursue anything regarding my identity or my abilities as Captain Falcon. They might even keep my information hidden from the public... though I think it's already too late for that. Too many pro heroes saw me transform—and so did the children I helped save during that incident.
"I'm thinking of visiting him later."
"Uuuuuu~ Good morning, Ichika."
Rumi finally stirred awake, yawning and stretching her arms.
"Good morning, Rumi. Today's the day—I'm finally free to leave this place."
"Then how about this, Ichika! I've been dying to have a duel with Captain Falcon. Let's fight!"
"Rumi... can you let me rest? I've got a lot to do, and the orphanage is already worried about me."
Click!
The door opened and a police officer stepped inside.
"Fujiwara Ichika! You're free to go!"
Hearing that, I smiled genuinely.
"Thank you."
— A few minutes later —
As Rumi and I were about to leave the police headquarters...
"Hm?"
Endeavor was standing at the entrance, glaring at me with his usual annoyed expression.
(Img<<<)
I gave him a smug smile.
"Yo! Endeavor! Looks like I'm finally out!"
"Captain Falcon..."
"What are you talking about? I can't be Captain Falcon anymore."
I casually tapped his knee.
Peeeeeww!
He was visibly surprised when the flames around his body disappeared.
"Captain Falcon didn't just die once—but twice. I'm nothing more than an ordinary kid now."
Endeavor trembled with anger.
I paused and glanced back at him.
"Oh, right! A lot of people have been saying Captain Falcon's strength rivals All Might's."
"What are you trying to say?"
He narrowed his eyes at me.
"Well... All Might is definitely stronger than me in terms of raw power. But when it comes to speed—I'm faster."
I met his eyes squarely.
"What I'm saying is... stop comparing yourself to others. It's a complete waste of time. Comparing myself to All Might is like comparing apples and oranges. Both are sweet, just in different ways. And you—"
I pointed at him.
"What kind of flavor do you offer to the public?"
"So you're saying everything I've done up to now has been meaningless?"
"Captain Falcon is gone. And All Might's power is fading. Sooner or later, the Symbol of Peace will disappear. Who's going to be the next pillar? You're the one closest to taking up that mantle."
I turned and kept walking.
"Falcon! What do you mean by 'fading'? What happened to All Might?!"
"I won't say more than that. You'll find out soon enough. Bye-bye, Todoroki-san."
I waved at him casually and walked away with Rumi.
"Ichika, you really sound like an old man sometimes."
"Shut up."
As we left the police headquarters—
"Eh?"
I turned around and saw a huge crowd of media surrounding us. I quickly tried to hide my face.
"Huh?"
Every microphone was aimed at Rumi.
"Rabbit Hero, Mirko! We heard you helped defeat the villain boss alongside All Might and Captain Falcon, then raided their main base solo and captured most of the subordinates! That's incredible! What are your thoughts on your current Hero ranking?"
"Rumors say you're close to Captain Falcon. Are you aware of his true identity?"
"Some eyewitnesses claim that Captain Falcon is actually a child! Is that true?"
"Did Captain Falcon really die in that battle? What happened?!"
They bombarded her with questions.
"Wait! Wait! I haven't even eaten breakfast yet! Will you guys just let us through—Huh? Ichika? Where'd you go?"
"Mirko! Your hero ranking is skyrocketing thanks to your actions. How do you feel about that?"
"What's your relationship with Captain Falcon?"
They kept piling on the same questions.
Meanwhile, I quietly moved to the sidelines and slipped away through the crowd.
"Sorry, Rumi. Please deal with them for now."
(I really can't handle interviews like that. Better to run before they start hounding me... Looks like they still haven't figured out who I am.)
"Ichika! Where did you go?!"
Rumi was scanning the crowd, looking for me.
(I'll message her later.)
I pulled my hood up and disappeared into the crowd, making my way to the hospital to visit All Might.
— Jaku Hospital —
Walking through the corridor, I scanned the room names.
(Principal Nezu told me All Might was transferred here for stomach surgery. I can't ask the front desk—they'll never admit he's here.)
I headed upstairs, turned a corner—
"That's reckless, All Might!... You should retire."
I spotted All Might leaning against the wall, struggling to walk.
Behind him stood a tall, lean man with sharp features and slick, dark green hair with three yellow streaks in the front.
(Img<<<)
(That's Sir Nighteye—All Might's former sidekick.)
Principal Nezu was there too, along with two small elderly people.
(Must be Gran Torino and Recovery Girl.)
All Might wore a hospital gown, bandages wrapped around his frail body. He looked so weak... it made my chest hurt.
"Everyone's... waiting for me... If they're waiting... I have to go..."
(Img<<<)
"If you keep being a hero in that condition, you'll only make everyone suffer. For the peace you wish for... you should retire while you're still a legend," Nighteye said.
"If you're looking for a successor, come to my school," Principal Nezu added. "You've done enough."
I kept hidden, listening quietly.
"You can finally get some rest. Find someone cheerful, strong, and approachable—someone like you—and pass on the torch," Nighteye pleaded.
"Who'll be the Symbol until I do? Even with All for One gone, someone will replace him soon," All Might said, stumbling. Nighteye caught him.
"I understand your theory about the Symbol, and I respect it. But you can't even smile anymore. I'll say it again—retire. If you keep doing this, I won't support you. I can't. I don't want to."
All Might looked at Nighteye in shock.
"You saw it, didn't you?... I told you not to use your foresight on me."
"Even if you retire, a new number one will rise. It might be rough for a while—but we can avoid disaster."
"In that short time... how many people will be afraid?" All Might pushed on.
"All Might!"
"Besides... your foresight has never been wrong, has it?"
"There's no precedent! I'll change the future! I have to! I'm here because I want to help you! All Might!"
"For the sake of the world... I shouldn't even be here, Nighteye."
"If you continue like this, you'll face a villain and die an unspeakably gruesome death!"
Just then, All Might turned the corner—and saw me.
"Huh?"
"Yo, All Might. Still as stubborn as ever, huh? Even when you're in this shape."
He recognized me right away.
"You're..."
I took off my hood, revealing my face.
"Come with me. I want to talk with you—alone."
(To be continued.)
(A/N: I'll fix my mistakes later.)