Eri: "Look, Daddy! We're so high up!"
The clear, bell-like voice of the little girl rang out as she pressed her face against the private jet's window. Her small face was lit up with awe, wide eyes sparkling as sunlight streamed through the fluffy white clouds outside.
The young man seated beside her—tall, dressed in a sleek black dress shirt and neatly pressed slacks—chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle her snowy hair with gentle affection.
He… Ryojin. For the first time in years, he could feel his bloodstained, hardened heart slowly beginning to thaw.
Right now, they were on their way to I-Island. The aircraft carried only the two of them in the passenger cabin; the captain and flight attendant were his own people, carefully chosen. There was nothing to worry about. He had already arranged every detail, even planting operatives in the target zone ahead of time.
And thanks to his championship victory in the Sports Festival, he had two extra special passes in hand. He'd given them to Bakugo without much explanation. Whatever that hothead chose to do with them was none of his concern.
His mind drifted back to the first day he brought Eri to headquarters.
He remembered her tiny hand trembling as it clutched tightly at his shirt. This child… abused, experimented on, treated as if her life held no worth at all.
"It's over now," he had told her that day, lifting her into his arms and holding her close.
After digging for information, he had discovered she'd once been in the clutches of a Yakuza group. They were distant, but their name was already on his list—one he fully intended to erase.
From that day forward… he had a daughter. Adopted, yes—but his daughter nonetheless.
Even the entire organization seemed to welcome the change. Not merely because he was the boss no one dared defy, but because little Eri had quickly become their light—the heart of them all.
As for Toga, he'd dispatched her on a covert mission. She was infiltrating the League, wearing her sweet smile that masked sharp fangs. He trusted she could survive in the shadows.
Now, above the endless stretch of clouds, Kazuma sat happily playing with Eri. She burst into laughter when he hugged her too tightly.
Eri: "Daddy, stop! That tickles! Hahaha!"
Ryojin: "Well, what can I say? Why are you so cute, huh?"
He grinned mischievously, only for the little one to squirm away with another peal of bright laughter
Eri, in the new outfit he'd bought her—it suited her perfectly, as if she had stepped straight out of a storybook.
And just before he could reach out to ruffle her hair again, the little girl turned back to the window, her small finger pointing outward in excitement.
Eri: "Daddy, look over there!!"
He immediately followed her gaze—and though he couldn't yet see what exactly had caught her attention, the sparkle in her wide eyes said everything. It was proof that this world still held beauty… and that his daughter had just led him to discover it once more.
Ryojin: "Impressive, isn't it…"
He murmured, standing still with the little girl in his arms, gazing at the view before them. The world stretched endlessly below—the vast, sapphire-blue ocean meeting a horizon of shimmering silver light. His eyes and his daughter's followed the same line, filled with both wonder and serenity at the same time.
For a brief moment, he thought… he should've invited Momo and Mina along.
But then again, he had already told them he had business to take care of and didn't want to intrude on their personal time.
Momo had her own obligations—far greater than most heroes, needing to return to her family.And Mina… she had plans with her friends—her laughter still echoed in his ears, even now.
He didn't mind. Because right now, the most important thing in the world… was the little girl in his arms.
When the small private jet touched down smoothly on the runway and came to a stop, father and daughter stepped out into the gentle sunlight of I-Island. The rays glimmered against the clean concrete, and the very air carried a mix of technology and freedom.
Walking side by side, they passed through the sleek, futuristic terminal before arriving at the heart of the island.
Ryojin couldn't help but feel a flicker of surprise—and yet, it made sense—when he saw how advanced the city was. Neon lights flickered with the rhythm of urban life, and skyscrapers rose at nearly every corner, as though he had stepped straight into a sci-fi vision of the future.
Crowds bustled through the streets, and not just civilians—hundreds of heroes from around the world had gathered here. In this festival, where abilities could be displayed freely, he witnessed powers more varied than he had ever seen before.
Flames danced in midair, water spiraled into sculptures, the weather itself bent under command, and there were even heroes whose forms looked more alien than human.
Music drifted from every direction, street performers proudly weaving their quirks into their art, becoming part of the vibrant festival atmosphere.
Eri: "So cute!"
Her cheerful voice pulled his gaze back to her. She was pointing at one of the heroes—a giant figure reminiscent of a kaiju, clad in a brightly colored suit, waving enthusiastically at the cluster of children gathered around him.
He chuckled softly under his breath. Eri's innocence was truly enchanting, and it made his world a far better place to live in.
Ryojin: "Alright then, let's go, sweetheart… looks like we'll have to go all out."
Eri: "Yay~!!!"
Her cheerful voice echoed in his heart louder than any explosion. It was a spark of hope… proof that even a man who had walked through so much darkness could still find a reason to keep moving forward.
Hours passed as they enjoyed sightseeing and searching for food. For the first time in her life, Eri was truly having fun. She busied herself with all kinds of toys, while he, in turn, found joy simply in watching the little girl smile the whole time.
When they arrived at a sleek, modern building, the sliding doors opened wide to welcome them into a world of futuristic technology. Everything inside was astonishing—from intelligent suits to state-of-the-art vehicles.
Eri: "Daddy! This suit can dive as deep as 700 meters! Wowww! Do you think we'll get to see whales and sharks?"
Ryojin: "Of course, my little one. You'll see the whole school of them."
He chuckled softly as he watched the little girl's excitement, before his gaze caught a moving figure in the distance.A green-haired boy… He recognized him instantly—Midoriya Izuku. And next to him, a blonde girl.
Ryojin (thinking):"Wait a sec… that's Midoriya? And who's that girl? Don't tell me… is he cheating on Uraraka?"
Before he could dwell on it further, his eyes fell upon another group just entering the hall. Three familiar faces—so familiar that he nearly forgot how to breathe.
Ryojin: "No way… Momo-chan!? How in the world did you all get here!?"
Momo: "Ryo!? You're actually here!?"
Momo's surprise was evident, but what startled him more was the way her eyes shifted—straight to the little girl standing by his side.
Eri: "Daddy… who are they?"
She tugged gently at his sleeve, half-hiding behind him. Ryojin chuckled, knelt down, and gave a simple introduction.
Ryojin: "This here is Momo—your dad's wife."
He flashed Momo a playful mini-heart, which made her smile despite herself and shake her head. She then walked up to Eri and gently patted her head.
Momo: "I'm your daddy's girlfriend. And what's your name, little one?"
Eri: "My name's Eri! I'm Daddy's daughter!"
After that, his classmates took turns introducing themselves. One by one, they greeted Eri warmly, and soon the little girl found herself opening up, drawn in by their friendly energy.
But then his attention snagged on another unfamiliar face—a young woman he didn't recognize.
Melissa: "Hello! I'm Melissa Shield… You must be Ryojin Kazuma, right?"
Ryojin: "Bingo, glasses-girl. Sharp eyes you've got there… but be careful. Staring too long might make you fall for me."
He smirked teasingly—only to have his ear yanked hard by Momo.
Momo: "We're definitely going to talk later, Ryo!"
Sweating, he whispered under his breath:
Ryojin: "Eri, sweetheart… please save Daddy."
When he turned, however, he realized he wasn't the only one in trouble.
Uraraka: "Izuku! Come here—we need to talk!"
Izuku: "Y-Yes ma'am!!!"
Midoriya's face drained pale before being dragged away by the ear as well. Ryojin burst out laughing, the sound echoing warmly as the group eventually made their way to a nearby café to relax.
The girls clustered together in their own chatter, while he and Midoriya sat at the next table. Eri, meanwhile, was happily munching on a slice of apple cake, with Momo feeding her bite by bite—much to the little girl's delight.
The conversation flowed smoothly until Melissa steered it toward internships.
Melissa: "Wow! So you all actually got to go on missions with pro-heroes?"
Uraraka: "Yeah, though it was mostly training exercises or patrol duty."
She clenched her fist and punched the air with determination.
Jirō: "I actually… got involved in a hostage situation."
She muttered shyly, fiddling with her earlobe, and stole a quick glance at Kazuma.
Momo: "As for me… well, I just did a commercial for hair care products."
Her shoulders slumped a little, making everyone laugh.
Melissa: "But still—that's amazing! You've all gained so much experience already!"
Ryojin turned toward Midoriya, leaning closer with a grin.
Ryojin: "I get you, Midoriya. Right now, I'm in the same boat. But remember this—you've gotta be bold sometimes. Watch closely, I'll give you a live demonstration."
Before anyone could stop him, he stood up, pointed at himself dramatically, and strode toward Momo. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Ryojin: "Mooo-chan~ I missed you so much! Let me stay like this forever, pleeease~!"
Momo: "W–wait, Ryo—!"
Seconds later, the fist of love came crashing down, courtesy of his princess herself. The café echoed with Eri's bright laughter as she watched Momo, her eyes sparkling like starlight.
Not long after, a familiar voice rang out at the entrance.
Kaminari: "Sorry to keep you waiting, guys!"
Ryojin glanced up—and nearly choked. Standing there in waiter uniforms were Kaminari, Mineta, and Tsuburaba, grinning wide.
Izuku: "What are you three even doing here!?"
Tsuburaba: "They needed extra staff for the Expo, so we signed up."
Mineta: "Getting paid and scoping out girls? Oh, heaven truly exists!"
Kaminari: "But seriously, Midoriya—where'd you pick up this blonde beauty!?"
Ryojin dusted himself off casually and stood tall.
At once, the trio's voices rose in unison:
Kaminari, Mineta, Tsuburaba: "BOSS!! What are you doing here!?"
Ryojin: "Tch. You guys seriously didn't notice me lying flat on the floor just now?"
The three exchanged sheepish grins.
Ryojin:Sigh "Unbelievable… My own subordinates can't even spot me. I was even planning to give you guys an introduction to the ladies…"
Before he could finish, Momo's fist landed on his shoulder again.
Eri beamed, teasing in her sweet little voice:
Eri: "Daddy, you're being naughty! Mommy's the strongest in the whole world!"
Her eyes shone so brightly that Momo couldn't resist scooping her up into her arms, playing with her affectionately. Eri's giggles filled the café as she glanced back at her dad, clearly amused at his predicament.
Turning to the three newcomers, she introduced herself with all the cheer she could muster:
Eri: "Hello! My name is Eri Kazuma! I'm Daddy and Mommy's daughter! Nice to meet you~!"
The trio froze, their jaws dropping as they shouted in perfect harmony:
Kaminari, Mineta, Tsuburaba: "WAIT A MINUTE—BOSS HAS A KID!?"
Ryojin met their stunned gazes, full of questions and disbelief. He realized he had never explained a single thing to them—not when he ran into Midoriya earlier, nor when he reunited with Momo and the others.
At last, with no other way out, he sighed and began to tell them everything…
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Ryojin: "And that's… pretty much everything that happened."
He finished his explanation, though truth be told, he had slipped in quite a few lies.Like when he claimed the police had already been notified and that a secret investigation was underway, hidden from the public. Or that he'd obtained official custody of Eri through certified adoption papers.None of it was true.
But he delivered the lines so smoothly, so convincingly, that no one suspected a thing. Even Eri played along, nodding adorably as if she'd been prepped beforehand. What a sweet little girl… he thought with pride.
Of course, one thing he absolutely didn't mention was his own office. That secret had to stay buried, no matter what.
When he was done, everyone nodded slowly, digesting the story.
And then—out of nowhere—Iida Tenya burst onto the scene.
Iida: "Why are you three slacking off like this!? If you're here to work, then work diligently!"
The trio of Kaminari, Mineta, and Tsuburaba practically jumped out of their skins as Iida sprinted past, only to skid to a stop right in front of them.
Izuku: "Iida-kun! You're here too!?"
Iida: "Correct! I came here on behalf of my older brother. Thanks to his new external support gear, he can operate in the field again—though only for three hours before a recharge. Hatsume has been assisting him. When he asked if I was free, Hatsume insisted this place was paradise for her, so I accepted."
Hatsume: "Robocop! C'mon, let's go already! I haven't even explored the east side of I-Island yet! And I wanna meet this new kid!"
Iida: "Ah—my apologies, Mei! But first, I must ensure these three actually earn their wages!"
Ryojin thought with an amused smirk: So, the walking neon-sign glasses boy paired up with the unwashed inventor girl, huh? That's… oddly fitting.
Suddenly, an explosion thundered in the distance. Everyone wolfed down the last of their food before rushing to the source.
When they arrived, they saw classmates battling training robots—it looked almost like an arcade game come to life. Ryojin, however, walked at his own pace, unhurried as always.
The trio who were supposed to be working were stuck on duty, so only the rest of them could witness the spectacle.
Announcement:"New Record! 14 seconds cleared!"
Below, Bakugo was in his element, a wild grin plastered across his face.
Tokage: "Not bad, Dynamight. Way better than your last performance."
Bakugo: "Heh. That was nothing…"
His cheeks burned red, though. When he realized they were watching, his embarrassment turned into anger, and like a magnet, he stormed straight toward Izuku.
Bakugo: "Damn it, Deku! What the hell are you doing here!?"
Izuku: "Aaaaahhh!!!"
Midoriya's scream echoed as Bakugo lunged at him. Meanwhile, the girls wandered over to Tokage, who was standing calmly at the sidelines.
Momo: "Tokage-san, did you receive an invitation to the I-Expo as well?"
Tokage: "Not exactly. Katsuki got two invites, and… well, I'm just his special someone. I wasn't about to let my boyfriend come here alone."
Everyone: "...BOYFRIEND!?"
The whole group shouted in disbelief at once.
Ryojin muttered inwardly: So the little hellhound actually knows emotions besides rage, huh?
Bakugo: "What!? Is it that shocking that I have a girlfriend!? Who the hell even gave me that dumb hero name!?"
Tokage: "Aww, don't pout. Though honestly, it should be DinoMight, not DynaMight. Much cuter!"
Bakugo: "Shut the hell up, you damn lizard! And you, Deku—get down here! I wanna see if you can beat me!"
Izuku: "Uh—uhm, okay!"
The group chuckled at their usual back-and-forth. Izuku stepped onto the training field, activating his Quirk. At the signal, he dashed forward, smashing through every robot in his path.
Announcement:"Incredible! 14 seconds clear! Tied for first place!"
Melissa's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Ochako: "Wow, Deku-kun, you're amazing!"
Bakugo: "Damn nerd… fine, I'm next!"
BOOM!
The ground shook as if a glacier had erupted. Everyone turned to see Todoroki standing calmly at the start line, unmoving.
Announcement:"Astounding! 13 seconds! A new top record!"
Melissa: "He's… in your class too!? Just how strong is your entire class!?"
Eri: "Wow! Daddy, your friends are amazing!"
Her voice was so full of excitement that Ryojin's heart melted instantly. He knelt down, ruffled her hair gently, and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
Ryojin: "Of course they are, Eri. Because in the end… these are the people who'll always protect you. In the light, at least. As for the shadows… that'll be your father's role, to shield you from them."
The weight of his words touched everyone present. Even Katsuki, though pretending not to care, leapt over the railing to challenge Todoroki again—while Izuku and Iida scrambled to hold him back.
The girls all sighed in unison, muttering apologies for their classmates' behavior, but Melissa only laughed. To her, the chaotic energy of the group was dazzling—proof of their bright, youthful spirit.
Ryojin: "By the way… why are all of you in full hero costumes?"
He tilted his head curiously. Only now did they notice that he himself wasn't wearing one at all.
And as he leaned back, still wondering, a thought crossed his mind: Was it because they didn't bring casual clothes? Or maybe they just never bothered to wash them…?
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Announcement:"The café will be closing at 6:00 p.m. today. Thank you for visiting."
Ryojin walked back toward the café, only to find three of them sprawled lifelessly across the sofa.
Tokage: "I didn't expect to see you here too, Tsuburaba."
Tsuburaba: "Huh? Oh… it's just you, Tokage?"
Tokage: "Just me? What's that supposed to mean!?"
She gave him a light smack on the head, as if scolding him, right before Melissa stepped in, smiling kindly, and handed them tickets for the evening event. It seemed she admired everyone's effort today and wanted to reward them.
The three of them couldn't hold back their tears of joy.
Iida explained further that some pro heroes would also be attending tonight's event. He suggested that everyone gather together for convenience, and they agreed to meet at the central tower at 7:00 p.m.
Ryojin, half-joking, spoke up:Ryojin: "Well, I probably won't be going. I wasn't exactly invited."
Iida: "Wait—why not? How come you weren't invited?"
Ryojin answered in a cool but straightforward tone:Ryojin: "Because you guys were invited either by your wealthy families or through your hero connections. Me? I just bought a regular entry ticket. No special invitation. And honestly… events like this don't really interest me much anyway."
With that, he scooped Eri into his arms and walked away, leaving the others silent. They all knew how exclusive those invitations were—nearly impossible to add someone last-minute without a direct family or organization's request. That meant Ryojin would be left out.
But then again…He didn't really care about the expo itself. What he cared about was the plan he had been setting into motion.
Everyone else went their separate ways, returning to their hotel rooms.
Meanwhile, Ryojin turned to Eri with a cheerful smile.Ryojin: "Alright, let's get going. But first, we need to dress you up. Daddy's going to take you out for sweets!"
Eri:"Yay! Sweets! Can I dress up like a princess, Daddy?"
Ryojin smiled warmly.Ryojin: "You can be anything you want to be, my little girl."
After helping Eri get dressed, he played with her for a while—until the sound of the doorbell suddenly rang.
Ryojin stood, walked over, and opened the door…Only to find a familiar face waiting there.