The news spread like wildfire.
Every pro hero across Japan was talking about it.
The legendary Akaito — Japan's first hero, long believed to be a myth, a story from the pre-quirk era — was alive. And not only alive, but he had appeared at U.A. High, unmasked, revealed, standing confidently before the nation's top teachers.
And by his side... a little girl.
⸻
In a sleek hero lounge high above the city skyline, four pro heroines gathered, their patrols done for the night.
Mirko lounged on the couch, one leg slung casually over the armrest, tearing into a protein bar with sharp teeth.
Ryukyu sat gracefully at the table, her delicate hands wrapped around a cup of tea, her dragon-like calm balancing the room's chaotic energy.
Midnight leaned back in a leather chair, a glass of wine twirling lazily between her fingers, her sly smile betraying wicked curiosity.
Mt. Lady sprawled dramatically across a couch, sighing loudly as she kicked off her giant boots.
"You're telling me," Mt. Lady groaned, "that the masked vigilante — the guy all over the news — is actually Akaito? The Akaito?" She threw her arms up. "And... he's hot?!"
Midnight let out a rich, velvety laugh, her eyes glittering.
"Oh, honey," she purred, "you have no idea. I saw him myself at U.A. — tall, broad shoulders, that black-and-red suit hugging all the right places, and when the mask comes off..." She fanned her face dramatically. "Mmh. Flawless. Not a wrinkle, not a scar. Just this sharp, perfect jawline and those eyes — piercing. Timeless."
Mirko snorted, smirking.
"Tch. I don't need all that flowery nonsense. I've seen him fight. Guy's a beast. Fast, brutal, precise. No wasted movement. He's not just some poser from the past — he's the real damn deal."
Ryukyu gave a soft, thoughtful smile.
"I met him once, remember? At that little restaurant... he was with Kairi." She set down her teacup gently. "He introduced her as his daughter. You could tell right away — he's protective of her. There's a quiet warmth in him, underneath all that power."
Midnight arched a perfectly shaped brow.
"Gentle? With that body? Mmh... I bet there's a wild side under all that calm..." She sipped her wine, eyes gleaming wickedly.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Mt. Lady shot up, her long blonde hair bouncing. "You're all just casually talking like you know him? Why am I the only one who hasn't met him yet?!"
Mirko laughed, a sharp, teasing sound.
"Guess you're too slow, Mt. Lady. He's not exactly hanging around the flashy celebrity types."
Mt. Lady puffed out her cheeks.
"Ugh! And here I was thinking he sounded like the perfect mysterious type..." She crossed her arms, pouting dramatically.
"But seriously," she added after a pause, glancing around, "he has a kid? That's confirmed?"
Ryukyu nodded softly, her eyes warm.
"He introduced her himself. Kairi — sweet little girl. You could see it in the way he stood by her, the way his hand stayed near her shoulder, always watching. He's not just a fighter — he's got heart."
Midnight smirked, setting her glass down with a delicate clink.
"A hero, a father, a living legend... and still looks like he's in his twenties?" She leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "No wonder the teachers were rattled."
She gave a sly grin.
"I wonder if he's... single."
Mirko laughed sharply, crossing her arms behind her head.
"Good luck keeping up with him, Midnight. That guy moves like lightning."
Mt. Lady grinned, her eyes shining.
"Oh, you know I love a challenge."
⸻
Meanwhile, inside the Hero Public Safety Commission, the atmosphere was anything but playful.
Tense eyes flicked between news reports, grainy photos, and paused security footage.
The director sat stiffly at her desk, tapping a pen rhythmically against the polished surface.
"Akaito..." she murmured under her breath. "The First Hero... alive after centuries."
An aide hesitated at the edge of the room.
"Ma'am... should we initiate a full investigation?"
The director's eyes sharpened, cold and calculating.
"We must. We can't allow a wild card like him to disrupt the balance we've established. Watch him. Watch the girl."
She folded her hands tightly.
"No mistakes."
⸻
Later that night
Keiko unlocked the quiet house, stepping silently into the dimly lit hallway.
His black-and-red suit was dusted with faint scuffs from the day; his long coat hung faintly behind him like a shadow. The digital clock on the wall blinked: 10:07 PM.
He exhaled softly, pulling off his gloves, his sharp eyes catching the glow still coming from the living room.
Rounding the corner, he stopped.
There, sitting cross-legged on the couch, clutching a star-patterned pillow, was Kairi.
Her small red eyes lifted to him, fierce and determined despite the nervous tremble in her shoulders.
"Keiko..." she said softly.
He raised a brow, setting his mask gently on the table.
"You should be in bed, Kairi."
She squeezed the pillow tighter, gathering her courage.
"I want you to train me."
Keiko paused, his expression flickering.
A quiet breath slipped from his lips.
"Kairi..." he murmured, shaking his head. "No. You don't need that kind of life."
But then —
He saw it.
That flicker.
That stubborn, burning fire in her eyes.
The same fire he himself had carried, centuries ago, when he'd once stood before his own master, refusing to back down, refusing to be weak.
His chest tightened faintly.
"...There's a lot of me in you," he whispered under his breath.
Kairi stood, her tiny fists clenched, her whole body trembling but unyielding.
"I'll do everything you say! Please, Keiko — just say yes!"
He gazed at her, long and silent.
And at last, slowly... the faintest, rarest smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"...Alright."
Kairi's face lit up, wide and glowing.
She let out a little excited squeak, darted forward to hug him tightly, and then rushed off toward her room, practically skipping with happiness.
"Good night, Keiko!!" she called cheerfully as she disappeared down the hall.
Keiko stood alone in the quiet room, the faintest smile still lingering on his lips.
He ran a hand through his dark hair, shaking his head softly.
"...She's going to be a handful," he murmured.
⸻
Later.
Keiko sat quietly in the kitchen, barefoot, shirtless, dressed only in loose black pants that hung comfortably at his hips.
His long red hair was still slightly damp from the shower, strands falling softly around his sharp features.
He sipped a glass of cool water, the muscles of his chest and shoulders faintly catching the dim light.
Even at rest, his body radiated quiet strength — a warrior at ease, yet never truly off guard.
He was already mentally preparing Kairi's training plan for tomorrow when —
"Keiko!! Look!"
Kairi came bounding in, small feet padding quickly across the wood floor.
She held a glass cup proudly in one hand, her red eyes gleaming with excitement.
Keiko raised a brow, lowering his own cup slightly.
"Kairi... what are you—"
Before he could finish, Kairi grinned wide — and, with one hand, squeezed the glass.
CRACK — SHATTER!
Shards rained down onto the floor, glittering like tiny diamonds.
"Kairi!" Keiko barked, stepping forward — but then froze.
Because Kairi, calm and bright-eyed, plucked a shard of glass from her palm, holding it up proudly.
And right before his eyes...
The tiny cut in her skin closed up instantly, smooth and unmarked under the kitchen light.
"See?!" she chirped, beaming up at him. "I can do it too, Keiko! I'm strong, just like you!"
Keiko's heart clenched, pride and worry twisting sharply through his chest.
He knelt slowly, his sharp eyes scanning her little hand carefully.
"Kairi..." he murmured, voice low. "When did you realize you could do this?"
Kairi tilted her head, thinking hard.
"I dunno! I just... felt it!" she said cheerfully. "I wanted to show you!"
Keiko exhaled quietly, placing a large hand gently on top of her head.
She's inherited everything...
A faint, rare smile tugged at his lips — but his eyes stayed thoughtful, calculating.
If she's showing signs now... it's only going to grow. I need to train her. Prepare her. Before anyone else notices.
Tonight, he allowed himself to rest.
Tomorrow, the real work would begin.