I'm an Orphan?...That's Hilarious

[General POV]

The rain lashed against the grimy windows of the abandoned warehouse, a relentless drumming that echoed the frantic beat of the woman's heart. Each gust of wind seemed to mock her dwindling strength. Her steps faltered, each footfall a battle against exhaustion. Her breath hitched in ragged gasps, the cold rain plastering her matted, auburn hair to her face, mingling with the sweat that beaded on her brow. She clutched the bundle tighter, her knuckles white, the thin blanket offering little protection against the elements. Each drop of rain was a tiny hammer blow against her dwindling strength. The alley reeked of damp garbage and stale beer, the stench clinging to the air like a shroud.

???: "We're... almost there, my child..." she whispered, her voice barely a croak, the words catching in her throat.

The baby in her arms stirred slightly but remained blissfully asleep, unaware of the desperation that carried them forward.

Her heart pounded slower, each beat a painful reminder that her time was running out. She stumbled through the desolate streets, her hooves clicking against the wet pavement, a stark contrast to the soft patter of the rain. The flickering neon sign of the Saitoni Orphanage finally came into view like a beacon of hope. Relief washed over her face, her green eyes, with their horizontal pupils, widening in gratitude.

But her legs gave out before she could reach the steps.

???: "Aaaargh! Not yet..." She fell to her knees with a pained groan, her body trembling. Blood spilled from her lips as she coughed violently, splattering onto the baby's blanket. Her small, brown horns, usually held high with pride, drooped with exhaustion.

The child stirred again but did not wake. The woman, her breaths shallow and ragged, smiled warmly through the pain.

Using the last embers of her fire quirk, she summoned a tiny fireball, a flickering flame that danced in her palm. With a trembling hand, she tossed it towards the orphanage's doorbell. The small explosion of heat triggered the chime, the sound echoing through the rain-soaked night.

???: "This is... where we part, my child," she murmured, tears mixing with the rain. She brushed a trembling hand, the fur on her fingers soft against the baby's skin, across the baby's cheek, leaving a smear of blood. "I... love you, Iruma."

Her body gave out completely, and she slumped beside the basket, her smile frozen in place even as the light faded from her eyes.

A soft but heart-wrenching crack echoed—the sound of a monster soul shattering, echoing a familiar sound from a certain underground world—followed by silence...

-

[Three Years Later: Saitoni Orphanage, Hosu City]

[Iruma's POV]

The morning sun bathed the orphanage in golden light, filtering through the lace curtains and painting stripes across the wooden floor. Birds were singing a cheerful melody outside, flowers bloomed in vibrant colors in the small garden, and inside one particular room, a young boy snored peacefully, oblivious to the world outside.

???: "Iruuuuma! Wake up!"

A short girl with jet-black hair and fiery red eyes burst into the room, her pajamas slightly wrinkled. Without hesitation, she climbed onto the bed and poked the sleeping boy repeatedly.

'Does she not understand what personal space is?'

Determined to ignore her, I feigned sleep, letting out an exaggerated snore.

Iruma: "Zzzzzzzzz..."

The girl huffed in annoyance, puffing out her cheeks before hopping off the bed.

???: "Fine, be lazy!" she pouted, stomping out of the room dramatically.

I silently celebrated my victory, rolling over with a satisfied grin. Five more minutes of sweet, sweet freedom. Perfect.

But my peace was short-lived. The door creaked open again, and this time, two figures entered.

Before I could even react, I was scooped up and tossed into the air.

Iruma: "The hell!? Onee-san, please! Just five more minutes! I'll do all the chores for a day, I swear!"

Lucy, the older girl who practically raised me, laughed as she set me down on the bed. Her smile was gentle but held the kind of authority you didn't mess with.

Lucy: "What am I going to do with you, Iruma-kun? You sleep more than anyone I know! The doctor says you're perfectly healthy, but honestly, I'm starting to wonder."

As she ruffled my curly white hair, the other girl—Shimou—leaned in uncomfortably close, inspecting me like I was some kind of specimen.

When did she get so close?! Does she have teleportation or something?

Shimou: "Maybe his quirk is starting to manifest! I bet it's going to be super strong—just like mine is!"

She puffed out her chest confidently, her excitement contagious.

Lucy hummed thoughtfully. "That's possible. We'll know soon enough."

Her words hung in the air as she clapped her hands, snapping us both out of our thoughts.

Lucy: "Alright, little soldiers! Let's brush our teeth and get ready. Breakfast is almost ready!"

---

In the bathroom, a chaotic scene unfolded. A dozen kids jostled for space at the sinks, toothpaste tubes were squeezed haphazardly, and the air was thick with the smell of mint and bubblegum. I stood at the entrance, brushing my teeth half-heartedly, dreading the thought of navigating the sea of children.

Before I could continue, something strange happened.

One moment, I was standing at the bathroom's entrance, dreading the crowd. The next, I was right next to Astro at our usual sink, a faint tingling sensation lingering in my limbs.

Astro: "Huh?! When did you get here?"

I froze, staring at my hands. My heart raced with excitement as the realization hit me. My quirk... it finally manifested!

I kept my cool, brushing it off.

Iruma: "I was here the whole time, A. Maybe you're just tired."

He shrugged, going back to brushing his teeth, but I couldn't stop grinning. Teleportation? This is going to be fun.

---

[Timeskip: After Breakfast]

After breakfast, I convinced Lucy to let me go to the park. She looked at me like I'd just grown a second head.

Lucy: "He actually wants to go outside? Did the gods bless me today?"

She quickly agreed, and I dashed out the door, the words "Saitoni Orphanage" glowing behind me in the sunlight.

I knelt briefly, clasping my hands together.

Thanks Mom...for bringing me here...rest in peace.

As I stood and walked toward the park, I decided to test my quirk further. Concentrating, I thought about skipping the street separating the Orphanage and the park.

*Fwoosh!*

In a blink, I was standing in the park's secluded bushes, the scent of pine needles and damp earth filling my nostrils. The world seemed to shimmer for a moment, and I felt a slight tugging sensation behind my navel.

Iruma: "This is going to be incredible. I just need to figure out the limits..."

Sitting cross-legged in the grass, I closed my eyes and concentrated. A warmth spread through my chest, and when I opened my eyes, a multicolored glow hovered before me—a shimmering soul unlike anything I'd ever seen. It pulsed gently, emitting a faint, ethereal hum. The colors shifted and swirled, a kaleidoscope of hues that seemed to defy natural laws.

Iruma: "!!!"

I stared in awe. A multicolored human soul? That's not supposed to be possible...

For the first time in my life, I felt the weight of something… important. Not destiny, exactly, but something close. A responsibility. My quirk wasn't just strong—it was different.

And in this world of heroes and villains, different meant one thing: opportunity.

My MP must be a lot!! No! I thought, mentally slapping myself. Focus, Iruma. What can this thing do? I reached out tentatively, and the soul shimmered, reacting to my touch.

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