Chapter 5: What Will You Do Now?

Chapter 5: What Will You Do Now?

The final bell rang, signaling the end of the last class of the day. Yahari Kyoujiro packed his bag with mechanical precision, his face calm as ever. As the usual chatter of students filled the air, he moved toward the classroom door, ready to head home.

"Hey, Yahari," Hina's voice broke through the noise. "Do you want to walk together?"

Without stopping or even glancing back, Yahari replied, "Have we ever done that before?"

Hina, undeterred, quickly caught up with him and matched his stride. "That's why I'm asking for the first time."

Yahari kept his eyes ahead, his tone as distant as ever. "I'm not sure I want to be seen walking with someone so popular with the boys."

Hina raised an eyebrow but kept her demeanor light. His bluntness didn't faze her as much as it used to. "Are you saying my presence is unwanted?"

"Not exactly."

"Then it's fine."

A heavy silence settled between them as they continued down the hallway. Their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor, mixing with the distant hum of students eager to leave. The warm rays of the setting sun streamed through the windows, casting long shadows behind them, painting the walls with a golden glow.

After a moment, Hina spoke again. "I heard rumors about a third-year student awakening his quirk today. Some people are buying into it, but others say it's impossible at this point. What kind of quirk did you get?"

Yahari glanced briefly at his hand, flexing his fingers absentmindedly. "My body feels... different. Lighter. More flexible. Like I'm made of rubber."

Intrigued, Hina couldn't resist testing his claim. She reached out and tugged on one of Yahari's fingers. To her amazement, it stretched easily, almost a foot in length, before snapping back into place.

"You weren't exaggerating," she said, genuinely impressed. "It really is like rubber."

Yahari, however, remained indifferent. "I wish it was something else. I don't see how stretchy limbs are going to help me in any significant way."

Hina looked thoughtful for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly. "But the strange thing is, both of your parents are quirkless. Could it be a recessive gene from your grandparents?"

"Maybe. I don't care where it came from," Yahari replied, his voice distant. "All it means is that I'll be an easy target for people with real talents."

The sharpness of his words caught Hina off guard. "Real talents? Wait, Yahari, are you thinking about applying to—"

Yahari stopped and turned to face her, his expression serious, though his tone remained calm. "Do you think I'm not good enough for U.A. High?"

Hina blinked in surprise, then broke into a radiant smile. Her eyes sparkled, reflecting the sun's fading light. "No, I think you'd be perfect for it. I'm glad you're considering it. But…"

"But?"

Her smile faded as she looked down, her voice quieter. "If you go to U.A. High, we won't be in the same high school anymore. This is where our paths split, isn't it?"

For a few seconds, Yahari said nothing. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled—a rare, fleeting expression. "You don't have to worry about that. I'll come back once I'm a professional hero. Can you wait until then?"

Hina's smile returned, brighter than before. "Then I guess I'll just have to wait."

Their footsteps resumed as they left the school together, a soft breeze brushing past them. On the sidewalk, Yahari broke the silence once more. "I didn't think you'd care about being apart. I thought I'd be the only one bothered."

Hina glanced sideways at him. "I don't know if I'd call it bothersome, but... I don't want it to happen. So, what's your plan? The entrance exam for U.A. is less than a year away, and you know how hard it is to pass. With your current level, I'm not sure you'd make it."

Yahari's gaze drifted upward to the sky, as if searching for an answer in the clouds. "You're right. I have no idea how I'll manage it, but I'll need to figure out how to make this quirk useful. It's the only way."

As they continued walking, the streets around them gradually grew quieter. The sun was dipping lower, casting long, soft shadows over the suburban landscape. The distant sound of children playing and the rustle of leaves in the cool evening breeze seemed to mirror Yahari's thoughts—calm, yet full of anticipation for what lay ahead.

When Yahari finally reached home, the familiar scent of dinner greeted him. The warm, comforting smell filled the air, blending with the muffled conversation of his parents in the living room. He kicked off his shoes at the entrance and made his way toward them.

His father, a tall, bespectacled man with dark hair, sat on the couch reading the evening paper. His mother, with her striking pink hair and blue eyes, was setting the table for dinner. Both looked up as he entered.

"Welcome home, Yahari," his mother said, her voice warm and full of affection.

Yahari hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Mom, Dad... I need to tell you something important."

The seriousness in his voice made his parents exchange concerned glances. His father lowered the newspaper, eyes narrowing slightly. "What is it?"

Yahari squared his shoulders, trying to keep his voice steady. "I've awakened a quirk."

The reaction was immediate. His mother's hands froze mid-motion, nearly dropping the plate she held. His father's glasses slipped down his nose as he stared at his son in disbelief.

"A quirk?" his mother whispered. "But neither of us… How is this even possible?"

His father recovered quickly, his voice thoughtful but firm. "Tell us everything, Yahari."

Yahari explained, recounting the strange incident that led to his discovery. He spoke of the car accident and his confrontation with Raizo, describing the moment his body first exhibited its rubber-like qualities. His parents listened in rapt attention, their expressions a mix of wonder and concern.

When he finished, his father leaned back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "This is unexpected, to say the least. But we need to understand this more clearly."

His mother nodded in agreement. "We should consult someone who knows more about quirks. Maybe they can help us figure out what this means for you."

His father glanced at Yahari, his expression softening slightly. "This weekend, we'll visit your grandfather. He lives in the countryside, and he might have some insights that we don't."

Yahari nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. His parents were taking this seriously, offering their support in a way he hadn't expected. "Okay. I'll be ready."

As they sat down for dinner, Yahari's mind raced with thoughts of the future. He still had no idea what his quirk was truly capable of, but with his family's support, he felt more prepared than ever to face whatever challenges lay ahead. And perhaps, just maybe, his path to becoming a hero wasn't as impossible as it once seemed.

The day ended with a sense of quiet determination as Yahari looked forward to the weekend visit, hoping that his grandfather would hold the answers he sought.

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