Akira walked beside All Might, who was currently in his deflated form, as the two made their way toward the gates of Musutafu Elementary School.
Today was Akira's first official day at school.
Right now, he was wearing his new school uniform—a clean white shirt paired with black short pants, along with a yellow school hat resting neatly on his head.
On his back was one of those classic anime-style school bags he used to see in the shows from his previous life, the kind that reminded him of Nobita's bag from Doraemon.
Despite the peaceful morning atmosphere, Akira's mood was slightly down. '…I really have to attend elementary school again.'
In his previous life, he had only just graduated from high school before dying.
And now—He had somehow looped all the way back to elementary school.
Akira let out a quiet sigh. Still, after a moment, he calmed himself. 'At least… maybe this time I can enjoy the things I missed before.'
He had never really experienced school properly in either life. One had been miserable. The other had been a laboratory. So perhaps this wasn't entirely bad.
Beside him, All Might glanced down. "Are you nervous, young Akira?"
"A little," Akira admitted honestly. Then, after a pause, he added, "But I'm happy I'll be in the same class as Izumi."
All Might smiled faintly at that. When he thought about Izumi Midoriya, he couldn't help but feel grateful.
While the girl was timid and shy, she had somehow managed to slowly open Akira's heart. The small smile Akira had shown while talking to her yesterday was enough proof of that.
After hesitating for a moment, Akira looked up at All Might. "Can I bring Izumi to Might Tower someday?" he asked. "She's a really big fan of you. She would love to meet you."
All Might immediately stiffened. "You must remember," he said carefully, "that no one can know I am All Might while I'm there. So bringing someone over would be difficult."
Akira quietly clenched his hands. Then—He activated his ultimate weapon every children posses.
He looked up at All Might with large puppy-dog eyes and asked in a small, adorable voice, "Can't I bring her… just once?"
All Might froze. It felt as though a thousand arrows of cuteness had pierced directly through his chest. He clutched his heart dramatically.
'So this is it…' The forbidden technique. The ultimate move children used against parents.
He remembered reading about it in the 'How To Become A Good Dad' book.
Children may use overwhelming cuteness to emotionally manipulate their parents into agreeing with them.
All Might's mind screamed. 'Resist it! Resist it! Resist it!'
Then Akira reached into his school bag and pulled out a fluffy white dog-ear hairband. He placed it on his head, then intensified the puppy eyes.
All Might was instantly obliterated. "I-I surrender!" he said dramatically. "You can bring her!"
Akira's eyes brightened immediately.
"But!" All Might quickly added. "Only after I come up with a believable excuse that won't reveal our relationship!"
Akira instantly deflated slightly. After a moment, he spoke again. "I understand why people can't know you adopted me," he said quietly. "And I understand why my quirk's true nature can't be revealed until middle school…"
He looked at All Might seriously. "But can't I tell a few people I trust?"
All Might's expression softened. "You only met Izumi yesterday," he pointed out gently. "You should get to know her better first before trusting her with secrets that important."
Akira thought silently.'I already know enough.' If Izumi was even fifty percent similar to the Izuku Midoriya he remembered from the anime, then she would never betray someone's trust.
Still, he didn't argue. Soon, they finally arrived at the school gates.
Akira's eyes immediately moved around the crowd until they landed on a familiar figure. Izumi stood near the entrance beside her mother, Inko Midoriya.
Akira raised his hand and waved. Izumi's face brightened instantly as she waved back and hurried toward him. The two children quickly began talking as they entered the school together, leaving the adults behind.
Meanwhile, Inko approached All Might politely. "I'm Izumi's mother, Inko Midoriya," she said with a warm smile. "It's nice to meet you."
"Toshinori Yagi," All Might replied kindly.
Inko smiled softly. "I'm really glad Izumi met your son, Akira. She's been talking nonstop about him ever since yesterday."
Toshinori chuckled awkwardly. "I'm glad as well. We're new here, so I'm happy Akira managed to make a friend so quickly."
Meanwhile, further ahead, Akira glanced around carefully to make sure no one was paying attention.
Then he leaned slightly toward Izumi and whispered quietly, "I'll show you my quirk during recess."
Izumi's green eyes widened with excitement as she nodded rapidly. Akira had already told her yesterday about the nature of his quirk—and had also asked her to keep it secret.
She had agreed instantly. Neither of them noticed the pair of furious crimson eyes watching them from behind a nearby tree.
Katsuki Bakugo glared at Akira from his hiding spot, irritation written all over his face. 'It's that damn white-haired guy…' he thought angrily.
The memory of getting punched yesterday was still painfully fresh in his mind.