Chapter Text
Always by my side
Chapter One
Three years passed quickly, and the long-awaited day had finally arrived—the day all students of Heroes Academy, across its various departments, had eagerly anticipated: their graduation day, marking their official qualification to become professional heroes.
On the stage stood three students—two boys and a girl—known as this year's "Big Three." Their faces radiated pure joy and excitement as they prepared to embark on a new chapter of their lives.
Katsuki stood tall, his head held high with pride, and delivered a short yet confident speech, declaring his absolute certainty that he would claim the title of Japan’s No.1 Hero in the shortest time possible.
Next came Shoto, who spoke in a calm and melodious voice, yet one filled with strength and determination. She vowed to dedicate all her power to serving society and to become the kind of hero who makes everyone feel safe in her presence.
Finally, it was Izuku’s turn. He affirmed that despite losing his Quirk, he would continue serving his country by passing on his knowledge to the next generation of heroes. He then revealed that he had recently accepted an offer from Heroes Academy’s principal, Mr. Nezu, to become a teacher at the school.
At that moment, the entire audience erupted into cheers and applause.
Afterward, all the students received their graduation certificates with joy and pride, capturing dozens of commemorative photos to document their final moments together under one roof before each embarked on their own life's journey. A few hours later, each of the new heroes departed with their families, bidding farewell to their classmates and wishing success and prosperity to their friends.
Among these happy and enthusiastic families stood one whose controversial news had spread throughout Japan and even to other countries: the Todoroki family. The former No.1 Hero of Japan stood with eyes glistening with tears of joy and pride for his youngest daughter, who had ranked first among all Heroes Academy students. Beside him stood his beautiful and gentle wife, Rei, also shedding tears of happiness. Fuyumi and Natsuo cheered and celebrated, encouraging their younger sister as she received her graduation certificate, before gathering to take commemorative photos with her.
After the celebrations calmed and friends bid each other farewell, Shoto approached her family, embracing her father, mother, and siblings. She thanked them all for their trust and encouragement, promising to become the hero who would elevate their family's name.
When her father, Enji, asked, "What do you plan to do next?" Shoto replied with confidence and determination, "There's an agency waiting to be restored to its former glory; I have no time to waste." She then hurried toward the waiting car, inside which were some of the former hero Endeavor's assistants. As her siblings called after her, "Won't you celebrate your graduation with us?" she responded hastily, "Sorry, dear ones, I have a lot of work to do." She then signaled the driver to proceed, and he complied without question.
Katsuki, observing alongside Izuku the enthusiasm and swift start of their friend Shoto's heroic journey, felt a surge of excitement and competitiveness coursing through his veins. He bid farewell to his parents, Aunt Inko, and his friend Izuku, then hurried off to the agency of the renowned Japanese hero, Best Jeanist, to begin his work there. He was eager to pursue his dream of becoming the No.1 hero and to earn enough money to fund the suit that would enable his dear friend Izuku to return to hero work, so they could establish their own agency together and remain partners forever.
In the initial weeks following graduation, the new hero Dynamight experienced immense joy, as he was the only one among his newly graduated peers to be selected by one of the top ten heroes in the rankings. His significant fame at UA High School propelled him swiftly through the ranks of heroes. His relentless drive and continuous efforts in solving case after case and apprehending criminal after criminal without hesitation or rest remarkably boosted his reputation. Indeed, Katsuki earned substantial sums, all of which he sent to the laboratory responsible for developing Izuku's future suit.
However, success did not come without sacrifice. In exchange for this achievement, Katsuki abandoned all forms of comfort and leisure. He reduced his sleep to just four hours a day, refused to take weekly breaks, and declined all invitations from friends to dine out or socialize. Eventually, he stopped returning home, choosing instead to eat, bathe, and sleep within the agency. He also ceased purchasing new clothes and shoes upon realizing that creating this suit required every penny he earned.
While Katsuki was busy carving through obstacles on his way up the hero ladder, Izuku was enjoying quality time with his mother and friends. He soon began his job at UA High School, spending long hours with his former teachers, Shota Aizawa and Toshinori "All Might" U.A., discussing innovative teaching methods and designing new kinds of tests and training sessions to enhance the school's educational system.
Unaware of his close friend Katsuki's secret plan to design the suit, Izuku was both surprised and astonished by the dramatic changes in his friend’s behavior since graduation. He knew nothing about Katsuki's arduous, long hours of work aimed at saving enough money to achieve the seemingly impossible for him. Instead, Izuku began to feel saddened and neglected after Katsuki repeatedly declined invitations to hang out and spend time together with him or their friends.
Now, Izuku only saw Katsuki on the news, where his heroic deeds, immense popularity, and rapid ascent in the hero rankings were constantly being reported—seeing him among the top heroes within just a few months.
While Izuku was preparing for his new role and Katsuki was working tirelessly to achieve his goals, Shoto was restructuring her father's agency. She began by changing the agency's name, a process that required extensive paperwork and legal formalities. She named her agency "Safety," reflecting her mission to make others feel secure in her presence. Shoto carefully selected and appointed numerous sidekicks, developed a daily patrol schedule for herself and her assistants, and made some modifications to the agency's exterior appearance.
Despite her intense involvement in managing the agency, conducting patrols, and resolving cases, Shoto remained committed to maintaining her relationships with her colleagues, whom she regarded as friends and even siblings. These individuals had helped her emerge from her isolation and supported her in becoming who she is today. Without them, she might have remained engulfed in resentment toward her father and continued using only her ice abilities without embracing her fire, which would have impacted her effectiveness as a professional hero.
Shoto noticed that her friend Katsuki was refusing to go out and meet friends, even declining to take breaks, and his sleep hours had been cut in half. She began investigating to uncover the reason behind this drastic change in her explosive friend's life. After several weeks of inquiry, she discovered that Katsuki was working on a project to design and produce a suit compatible with Izuku's former Quirk, aiming to reinstate him into hero work. Shoto felt proud of her blonde friend's dedication but also pitied his situation, deciding to do whatever she could to help him without hurting his feelings.
To be continued,,