Chapter 002 (Voices of the Future Generation)

"Young Miss Yukimura, may I have a moment of your time?"

Aoi turned at the familiar voice, spotting Principal Nezu's petite form outlined against the warm glow of the ballroom. Despite his small stature, he exuded an aura of wisdom and authority, and his sharp eyes twinkled with curiosity.

"Principal Nezu," Aoi responded with a respectful bow. "How may I assist you?"

Nezu walked over to join her at the railing, his gaze sweeping the cityscape before settling on her with a thoughtful expression. He remained silent for a moment, observing her with his characteristically keen insight.

"You have your father's eyes," Nezu commented, his face lighting up with a broad, knowing smile. "That same sharp awareness, even at such a young age. It's quite remarkable."

Aoi shifted her posture to face a bit away from the Principal, caught between flattery and uncertainty. "Thank you, Principal Nezu. My father has always emphasized the importance of understanding people, of seeing more than what's on the surface."

"I noticed you listening to our conversation earlier," Nezu continued, his voice gentle yet inviting. "It's impressive for someone so young to engage with such complex issues. I'm intrigued—what did you think of our discussion?"

Aoi hesitated, unsure if she should admit to eavesdropping. "It was... enlightening, to say the least. Thought-provoking. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn how you and other heroes are tackling these complex societal issues."

Nezu waved a paw dismissively, chuckling. "Oh my, the young Miss has quite the soft tongue!"

He then gazed at her intently, his voice growing softer. "But I genuinely want to know—what do you think? About the complex moral dilemmas heroes face, such as when, if ever, a hero might need to make the ultimate sacrifice? It's a heavy question, I know. Feel free to share your thoughts openly. I'm genuinely interested in knowing how the next generation views these difficult choices."

Aoi's gaze drifted back over the city as she pondered. The twinkling lights below seemed distant, much like the lives heroes vowed to protect. "I'm not sure if it's ever truly right," she began cautiously. "But perhaps there are dire situations where it might be the only option left. Sometimes, it's necessary to take drastic measures to prevent a greater evil.

However, the question of who has the right to wield the executioner's blade is complex. No one should claim that right lightly. Power must be accompanied by a sense of responsibility, and the intention must always be the betterment of society. If actions are driven by revenge, wrath, or greed, then they are not justified. The path of a hero is to protect, not to punish out of anger or for personal gain."

Nezu's eyes sparkled, a glint of approval flickering in their depths. "A wise answer, Miss Yukimura. You grasp the gravity of such decisions, which is essential. These moral quandaries are challenges every hero must face eventually. You've shown a mature perspective—it should indeed never be taken lightly."

He smiled at her, a smile filled with both kindness and reflection. "In view of the rise in criminal activity, I have been contemplating modifying U.A.'s curriculum for quite some time now. Your perspective clarifies a few things to at least better understand how the younger generation views things."

"Your father speaks very highly of you, and now I see why. Having such a reflective daughter, it's no wonder he often mentions your achievements. By the way, have you ever considered pursuing a career as a hero, or do you see yourself following in his footsteps with the family business? The world of heroes could certainly benefit from someone as determined and mindful as you."

Aoi chuckled lightly, her expression a mix of pride and contemplation. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in running the family business, perhaps even establishing my hero career to market our wonderful and luxurious brand!""But truly, my ambition is to be a hero who brings hope, akin to Star and Stripe. Someone who commands respect and fear from both heroes and villains alike. I aim to inspire peace, not just in Japan, but across the entire world."

Nezu raised a brow, intrigued. "I didn't realize the young Miss had such lofty ambitions."

He thought to himself, watching her carefully, Someone so young aiming to be the Symbol of Peace for the world huh and not just Japan. Fascinating.

"I'll take my leave now then miss. I wouldn't want to dampen your evening with this wise and charming mouse's banter."

After Nezu excused himself, and not even a minute later, Aoi heard the familiar voices of Momo Yaoyorozu and Shoto Todoroki approaching.

"There you are, the most elusive pearl of the evening!" Momo exclaimed, a playful grin lighting up her face. "Why do you always disappear like this? It breaks my heart!"

Aoi rolled her eyes, laughing. "Oh, stop being so dramatic, Momo."

Momo, unfazed, leaned closer, her voice dropping to an excited whisper. "Guess what? Shoto and I have been planning a weekend getaway trip, just for the three of us, to Fiji Island. It's been ages since we had a proper adventure together, and I've already started planning all the outfits we could wear. You have to come! You have no say in this."

Shoto, standing quietly beside Momo, nodded in agreement. Momo continued, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Imagine the sunsets, the endless beaches, and yes, the best shopping spots. We could use a fabulous getaway! And with Shoto around, we have someone to carry all our bags. It's perfect!"

Shoto's expression was flat, but there was a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth. "Hey."

Aoi couldn't help but smile at her friends' infectious enthusiasm. Despite the weighty discussions of the evening, moments like this reminded her of the lighter joys in life—friendship, laughter, and dreams.

"Alright, fine," she said with a grin. "I'm in. You're always full of plans, aren't you, Momo?"

"Of course!" Momo clapped her hands together, delight written all over her face. "It's settled then. Fiji, here we come! And don't worry, I've already thought of the perfect beach attire for us. You know someone has to keep this group organized. If I leave it up to you or Shoto, we'd probably end up at some random ramen shop instead of a five-star resort."

"Yes, her majesty here only resides in five-star resorts," Shoto added, his tone completely deadpan, though Aoi caught the glint of humor in his mismatched eyes.

"And you're sure you're not just planning this so you can show off a bunch of new outfits?" Shoto raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'm starting to think this is less about relaxation and more about giving Momo the perfect runway on the beach."

"Oh, absolutely not," Momo laughed, looping her arm through Aoi's. "But a girl needs to shine in every setting, right?"

Aoi laughed, her earlier reservations fading into the night. "Right. Let's make it a trip to remember!"

Momo nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! It's about time we took a break from being worked up students to just being us—fabulous, unstoppable, and utterly carefree. Let's make it the best trip ever!"