The Press Conference Leak and Haircut

*Next Day

The day I started with an air of unease. All Might was at home with Ryo spending time together after a busy week of meeting. 

The sun filtered through the curtains of their living room, casting a warm glow over the space. The peace was shattered when All Might received a notification from his phone–– a news leak that spread like wildfire across all media platforms: All Might Has a Secret Son!

The headline was everywhere, on every news channel, every website, and every social media platform. Within minutes the entire world knew that the Symbol of Peace had a child.

All might be heart sunk as he read the headlines. He knew this day might come, but not so soon, not like this. He looked over at Ryo, who was sitting quietly on the couch, absorbed in a book. The boy seemed unaware of the chaos brewing outside their walls, blissfully ignorant of the storm about to crash into their lives.

With a sigh, All Might put down his phone and walked to his son, kneeling beside him. 

"Ryo," he began gently, his voice carrying the weight of the situation, "I have something to tell you."

Ryo glanced up from his book, his calm eyes meeting All Might's. He can sense the seriousness in All Might's tone, and though he doesn't say anything, his slight frown shows that he is paying attention.

"People have found out about you," All Might explained, carefully choosing his words.

"They know you're my son."

Ryo's grip on the book tightened, but he said nothing. His eyes, normally so calm and distant, flickered with a brief flash of anxiety.

"The Hero Agency thinks it's best if we hold a press conference," All Might continued, trying to keep his voice soothing. "I'll be there with you the whole time. We'll answer some questions and set the record straight. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."

Ryo nodded slowly, trusting All might. If his dad said it's the right thing to do, then he'll do it.

As All Might watch the boy process the news, he noticed how long Ryo's hair was. It fell almost to his shoulders, framing his face and nearly obscuring it entirely.

Ryo's hair was thick and dark, a stark contrast to his pale skin, and All Might suddenly realized that Ryo had probably never had a proper haircut.

"Hey, Ryo," All might say, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he tried to lighten the mood, "How about we get you a haircut before the press conference? Your hair's getting pretty long."

Ryo's reaction was immediate and intense. He shook his head vigorously, his bangs swaying in front of his eyes. "No," he said firmly, his voice stronger than usual.

"I don't want a haircut."

All Might was taken aback by the forcefulness of Ryo's refusal. he's never seen Ryo so adamant about something before. 

"Why not?" he asked, genuinely puzzled. "it's just a little trim. You'll feel much better afterward, I promise."

Ryo's expression hardened, and he lowered his gaze to the floor, his hair falling even more over his eyes. 

"My eyes... They look disgusting," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper as he remembered what his past parents used to say about them.

"I don't want anyone to see them."

The words hit All Might like a punch to the gut. Ryo thought his eyes were disgusting. Those beautiful, galaxy-like eyes that reflected the cosmos themselves?

He felt a pang of sorrow and regret, as he realized he'd been so focused on protecting Ryo from external threats that he hadn't noticed the internal struggle his son had been facing.

All Might gently placed a hand on Ryo's shoulder, guiding the boy's face up so he could look into his eyes. With great care, he brushed the hair away from Ryo's face, revealing those mesmerizing eyes in full view. The dark, swirling patterns within them were like galaxies, filled with untold mysteries and beauty,

"Ryo," All Might said softly, his voice filled with warmth and love, "Your eyes aren't disgusting. They're beautiful. They're a part of who you are, a part of what makes you special."

Ryo's expression didn't change, but All Might could see the faint flicker of doubt and hope in his eyes. The boy is still struggling to believe those words, but All Might is determined to make him see the truth.

"I know it's hard," All Might continued, still holding Ryo's gaze, "But you don't need to hide who you are. Your eyes are a gift, a reflection of the incredible power and potential you have inside you. And no matter what anyone else thinks, I want you to know that I'm proud of you–– every part of you."

Ryo blinked, his mind processing All Might's words. He had never thought of his eyes as a gift before, never considered them anything other than a curse. But the sincerity in All Might's voice, the way he was looking at him with such unwavering affection and pride, made something shift in Ryo's heart. For the first time, he felt a small seed of acceptance beginning to take root.

"Do you think…" Ryo hesitated, his voice small and unsure, "Do you think I could look…okay? With a haircut?"

All Might's heart swelled with emotion. He was so proud of Ryo for even considering the idea, and for being brave enough to face his fears. "I think you'll look amazing," he said with a bright smile. "But only if you're ready."

Ryo bit his lip, thinking it over. He was still scared, still unsure, but there was a part of him that wanted to trust All Might, that wanted to believe he could look like a normal kid—like someone who didn't need to hide behind his hair.

After a long pause, Ryo gave a small nod. "Okay," he whispered, "you can cut my hair."

All Might's excitement was palpable as he guided Ryo to the bathroom. The room was bright and clean, with a large mirror above the sink and a stool placed in front of it. All Might brought in a high chair, adjusting it so that Ryo could sit comfortably at the right height.

Ryo climbed onto the chair, his movements careful and deliberate. He was still nervous, but the calm, reassuring presence of All Might helped keep his anxiety at bay. He watched as All Might gathered the necessary tools—scissors, a comb, and a spray bottle—moving with the precision and care of someone who knew this moment was important.

All Might started by gently spraying Ryo's hair with water, making it easier to comb through. Ryo flinched slightly at the coldness but relaxed as All Might spoke to him in a soothing tone, talking about mundane things to keep his mind off the haircut.

"You know," All Might said with a chuckle, "I'm not a professional, but I think I can give you a pretty decent haircut. Just trust me, okay?"

Ryo nodded silently, his eyes fixed on the mirror. He watched as All Might carefully trimmed the ends of his hair, the long strands falling away to reveal more of his face. Bit by bit, the boy's features became more visible—his sharp chin, his pale cheeks, and most importantly, his eyes.

All Might took his time, making sure each cut was precise and even. He left Ryo's hair slightly longer on top, creating bangs that fell just above his eyes. The rest of his hair was trimmed neatly around his ears and the back of his neck, giving him a clean, yet still youthful look. As a finishing touch, All Might styled Ryo's bangs so they framed his face, with a few strands falling between his eyes, drawing attention to them without completely covering them.

(He looks like the cover only younger since he is four years old)

When All Might finally stepped back, he couldn't help but smile with pride at his work. "All done," he announced, spinning the chair so Ryo could see himself in the mirror. "What do you think?"

Ryo stared at his reflection, taking in his new appearance. It was strange to see so much of his face, to see his eyes so clearly without the heavy curtain of hair to hide behind. But as he studied himself, he realized…he liked it. His hair was still long enough to feel familiar, but now it framed his face in a way that felt more open, more confident. He even noticed how his eyes, the very thing he once despised, seemed to shine more brightly now that they weren't hidden.

Slowly, Ryo nodded. "I… I like it," he said, his voice calm but with a hint of surprise, as if he was still processing the fact that he did like it.

All Might's smile widened, his heart swelling with pride. "I'm so glad to hear that, Ryo. You look amazing."

Ryo turned to look at All Might, his expression still calm but with a softness that wasn't there before. He hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke the words he had never said out loud before. "Thanks, Dad."

All Might's eyes widened in shock. The word "Dad" was like music to his ears, a confirmation of the bond he had been hoping for, working toward. He was overwhelmed with emotion, feeling tears of joy welling up in his eyes.

"Did you just call me… Dad?" All Might asked, his voice trembling with happiness.

Ryo nodded, his lips curling into a rare, genuine smile. All Might's joy was uncontainable. With a burst of excitement, he scooped Ryo up into a big, enthusiastic hug, lifting him off the chair and twirling him around. The room was filled with All Might's joyful laughter, a sound that was as comforting as it was infectious.

"That's right!" All Might exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with pride and love. "That's my boy!"

Ryo caught up in the moment, felt a rare, warm feeling spreading through him. The joy of being held by All Might, the thrill of being embraced by someone who genuinely cared for him, was overwhelming. He let himself enjoy the sensation, a small smile appearing on his lips as he was gently tossed into the air and caught again by All Might.

When they finally settled down, All Might kept Ryo close, his arm draped around the boy's shoulders as they left the bathroom. "I'm so proud of you, Ryo," All Might said softly, his voice full of affection. "You're going to do great at the press conference, and I'll be right there with you the whole time."

Ryo nodded.