The morning sun crept softly through the sheer curtains of Nagato's room, washing everything in a delicate gold. Flecks of dust danced in the beams as Nagato stirred awake, the warmth pressing against his face and eyelids.
For a moment, he lay still beneath the sky-blue comforter, listening to sleepy creaks and the faint hum of city life building beyond their window. The faint birdsong mixed with the low clatter of dishes and the gentle laughter of his mother somewhere deeper in the apartment.
He sat up, the crispness of morning air brushing over his cheeks.
His heart was a nervous flutter—a strange blend of old soldier and new child, both eager and oddly fragile. It was the first day of kindergarten in this world, a beginning that twisted his stomach with anticipation.
Through the paper sliding door, he glimpsed the heart of their home. Yui Uzumaki—already neat and purposeful in her soft blue sweater—moved through the kitchen, preparing his schoolbox with gentle diligence.
Her hands, deft and steady, placed neat stacks of rice balls, cut fruit, and tiny sandwiches into a bright yellow bento.
On the table, a thermos of cool barley tea waited beside a napkin folded into the shape of a dog. Nagato's uniform—freshly washed and pressed—hung on the back of his chair. His small backpack sat nearby, the same sky-blue as his comforter, embroidered with little clouds and a single embroidered rabbit peeking from the side pocket.
As Nagato padded down the hall in his pyjamas, his mother glanced over her shoulder and smiled wide, her entire demeanour radiating sunshine.
"Good morning, sweetie! Are you ready for your big day ahead?"
He blinked, still half-drowsy but playing along with her cheerful energy.
"Yes, Mom-" he answered with a warm smile of his own.
She straightened and gestured toward the bathroom.
"Go freshen up—I made your favourite for breakfast," she said, her smile soft but proud.
He slipped into the small bathroom—washed his face, brushed his teeth, and stared at the pale reflections of the Rinnegan.
He pondered for a moment before Returning to the kitchen, the aromas of breakfast greeted him: grilled fish, scrambled eggs, and rice, all laid out with loving attention to every detail.
His mother poured him a cup of cool tea and sat across from him, hands folded in quiet anticipation.
"Eat up! You'll need your strength."
As he began, they talked in the soft rhythm of morning:
Yui: "Remember, you can always ask your teacher for help if you need anything."
Nagato: "I know, mom. Thank you."
Yui: "And if you forget anything, I wrote your name inside every pocket—just in case!"
Nagato: (smiling) "I won't forget. I'll be careful."
She watched him finish, eyes fond. There was a loving pride there—a gentleness that made even his tangled memories settle, for just a moment.
When the last grains of rice were gone, Yui wiped his mouth with a napkin and led him back to his room.
"Time to get you dressed! You want to look your best, right?"
Getting Ready: The Uniform and the Backpack
His uniform was simple but crisp: a soft blue blazer with silver buttons and the Musutafu Kindergarten shield stitched on the front.
Underneath, a lightweight white shirt with a sky-blue tie, Gray shorts that reached just above his knees, and kneesocks pulled sharp to the calf.
His shoes were a polished black, solemn yet childish with a hint of bounce in the step.
Nagato fidgeted, still unused to the gentle discipline of new clothes.
"You look so handsome-" his mother praised as she brushed imaginary specks from his shoulder.
She knelt to help him slip his arms through the backpack. It was comically small in his hands: soft blue, puffy seams, a rabbit dangling from the zipper. Inside, she had packed pencils, crayons, a workbook, a spare shirt (just in case), and the sky-blue scarf he loved, folded tight and safe in the inner pocket.
Just as Yui double-checked the bento box and fussed with his bangs, the doorbell buzzed—clear and polite, echoing through the little apartment.
She hurried to the door and opened it. Sunny morning spilled in, bringing the voices of their neighbours.
"Oh! Inko-san, ohayo!" Yui greeted, her own voice delighted and familiar.
"And little Midoriya, too! How are you both? Excited for school?"
Inko Midoriya—kind-faced and cheerful—bowed slightly, her own hands holding a bright green bag for her son.
"Ohayo, Yui-san! We're a little nervous, right, Izuku?"
She nudged her son gently.
Izuku Midoriya, a petite boy with wild green curls and curious eyes, grinned shyly up at Yui and Nagato standing behind her.
Izuku:
"B-but it's okay! M-mama says the teachers are very nice, and I-I have my lucky All Might keychain." He lifted the tiny mascot clipped to his bag, a little spark of pride in his cheeks.
Inko beamed. "We're both a little excited, but I know having a friend like Nagato will make it much easier, won't it, Izuku?"
Izuku nodded, shifting back on his heels.
"U-um… Is N-nagato ready?"
Yui turned to her own child, warmth in her tone.
"Nagato, come on out! Midoriya-chan is here."
From the entryway, Nagato called—his voice steady and sincere but with a thread of childhood energy—
"Coming, Mom!"
He stepped into the sunlight of the foyer, wearing his new uniform, backpack gleaming, and a little determined smile.
"Ohayo!"
Midoriya's eyes widened, a beam of recognition breaking over his face.
"Ohayo, Nagato!" he said, voice picking up confidence with each syllable. They shared a glance, an understanding passing between them built from shared afternoons and playground promises.
Yui handed Nagato his lunchbox and patted his head gently.
"You two take care of each other, okay? Try not to get into any trouble on your first day."
Inko laughed, adding, "And Izuku, remember to share your snacks!"
Both boys giggled.
"Ready?"
"Yeah!" they chimed together.
Stepping out into the bright corridor, Midoriya and Nagato walked side by side, backpacks bumping, mothers waving until they rounded the corner.
------------------------------------
The air thrummed with gentle anticipation as sunlight washed the quiet streets of Musutafu in gold. A parade of mothers and children flowed down the sidewalks—small hands gripping larger ones, bright backpacks bouncing, and eager voices drifting up with the rising sun.
Yui Uzumaki, radiant in her neat blue sweater, walked hand in hand with Nagato, his kindergarten uniform pressed and spotless, sky-blue backpack hanging at the small of his back.
At their side, Inko Midoriya coaxed along a slightly anxious Izuku, while a handful of other parents—each with their own flustered child—joined the procession toward Musutafu Kindergarten.
The building itself was a cheery two-story structure painted in pastels, its playground already ringing with laughter.
Flowerbeds lined the fence, and a crisp spring breeze carried the scent of new beginnings. Children mingled in nervy little clusters, excitement and nerves twined together as the adults exchanged polite bows and words of encouragement.
At the gates, mothers knelt to straighten collars and brush invisible flecks of dust from coats. Yui hugged Nagato one last time, smoothing down his soft red hair and whispering,
"Be brave. I'll see you this afternoon." Nagato nodded, feeling the weight of the moment, and watched as she and Inko joined the line of smiling, waving mothers by the schoolyard fence.
Inside the bright, bustling classroom, sunbeams spilled across colourful mats and alphabet charts. The teacher, Miss Hanabira—a soft-spoken woman with round glasses—greeted each child at the door, ushering them to low tables with their names scrawled in careful hiragana. The class buzzed with anticipation as all twenty students took their seats, uniforms crisp and shoes neatly lined by the wall.
Miss Hanabira raised her hands and clapped gently.
"Good morning, everyone! Let's all say 'ohayo!' together!"
The chorus rang out—some loud, some shy, some barely above a whisper.
She smiled. "Now, before we begin, let's introduce ourselves, one at a time! When I point to you, please say your name, your quirk——"
"and what you want to be when you grow up."
Each child shifted in their seats, excitement and anxiety swirling as the moment drew near.
The Introductions Begin
The first few went easily enough:
Yamada Saki: "My name is Saki! My quirk is Sticky Fingers—I can make things stick to my hands. I want to be a baker!"
Noguchi Ken: "Ken! My quirk is Bubble Pop. I want to be a hero!"
Kimura Airi: "Airi, and I can talk to birds. I want to fly!"
Just as the room relaxed, the teacher's eyes fell on Nagato.
He rose from his seat, heart thudding, the Rinnegan's patterned rings obscured beneath his bangs.
"My name is Uzumaki Nagato -" he began.
"My quirk is called Six Paths. Right now, it lets me move things with gravity—push, pull, make things float sometimes!" He paused, searching for the words that would reach these wide-eyed classmates.
"When I grow up, I want to be a hero who helps people, just like my dad was."
A few murmurs and awed looks bobbed around the room. Miss Hanabira clapped, beaming.
"That's wonderful, Nagato! What a strong, kind dream."
Encouraged, Nagato returned to his seat, meeting the shy, approving gaze of Izuku beside him.
The chain continued, the teacher pointing and prompting:
Suzuki Taro: "I can make my voice really loud—like, really loud! I'm Taro, and I wanna be a TV star!"
Shimizu Hana: "Umm… I'm Hana, and my quirk is Flower Scent. I wanna open a garden."
Then the next boy stood, spiky blond hair and a wide, brash grin, radiating raw confidence.
"My name's Bakugo Katsuki! My quirk is Explosion—I can make things go boom with my hands!" He lifted his fists dramatically, drawing gasps and some impressed oohs.
"I'm gonna be the number one hero! Just like All Might!"
Some kids clapped, others giggled at the spectacle. Bakugo's glare dared anyone to laugh at his ambition.
The introductions moved on.
Watanabe Haruto: "My quirk makes bubbles, but only in hot water…"
Ishida Mei: "I stretch! Like rubber!"
And then the teacher glanced at Midoriya, who shifted, shoulders tight.
Izuku stood, hands clenched on his lunch bag, eyes shimmering with anxious hope.
"M-my name is Midoriya Izuku. I… I don't have a quirk."
A few children snickered—not cruel, but the confused laughter of those who know only a world weighted by quirks.
Izuku's chin lifted, the tremor in his voice hardening with resolution.
"But I want to be a hero. More than anything, I want to help people and make them smile, just like All Might."
The teacher's smile faltered for half a second—awkward, searching for the right encouragement before settling into kindness.
"That's a wonderful dream too, Midoriya-kun. Thank you for sharing."
He nodded, swallowing hard, and sat heavily beside Nagato. For a moment, his eyes shone too brightly, as if on the verge of tears.
Nagato leaned close, his voice quiet but unwavering.
"Don't worry. Even if you're quirkless, I believe you'll be a hero."
Izuku blinked, glancing up, a grateful, teary smile breaking through his worry.
"A-Arigatou, Nagato…"