Chapter 6: The Grandfather

Chapter 6: The Grandfather

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Yahari Kyoujiro gazed out of the car window, watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky. The winding road they followed was flanked by towering trees, their branches forming a canopy of green that filtered the sunlight into soft patches of light and shadow. The crisp mountain air carried the earthy scent of pine, and the distant chirping of birds added a serene soundtrack to the journey. It felt like they were traveling through a world untouched by time.

"Almost there," Yahari's father, Subaru, said, breaking the long silence. "He probably heard the car by now."

As if on cue, a flock of birds took flight from the trees, disturbed by the sound of the approaching vehicle. Up ahead, nestled in a clearing, was an old log cabin. Its rustic charm fit perfectly with the surrounding wilderness, blending into the landscape like it had always been a part of it. Moss grew on the sides of the cabin, and the wood, though weathered, stood sturdy against the passage of time.

When they arrived, Yahari and his parents stepped out of the car, their feet crunching on the gravel driveway. The quiet stillness of the forest felt almost reverent as they made their way toward the cabin's door. Subaru knocked firmly, the sound echoing in the stillness.

Moments later, the door creaked open to reveal a tall, broad-shouldered man with a long white beard. He held an axe slung over his shoulder and looked at them with sharp, commanding eyes.

"Who goes there?" he asked in a gruff voice.

Subaru smirked. "It's me, old man. Don't tell me your eyes have gotten that bad."

Recognition dawned on the older man's face, and the stern expression melted into a wide grin. Dropping the axe to the ground, he stepped forward and enveloped his son in a bear hug. "Subaru! You rascal! It's been too long."

Subaru returned the hug, patting his father on the back. "Busy with work, as usual."

The grandfather's gaze then shifted to Yahari's mother, his expression softening as he greeted her. "And how's my lovely daughter-in-law?"

"I'm well, thank you," she replied with a smile.

Finally, the older man's eyes landed on Yahari, and his face lit up with pride. "And this must be Yahari! You've grown into quite the young man. But... you look lighter. Have you been eating well?"

Both parents exchanged glances, surprised by the accuracy of his observation. Subaru cleared his throat. "Actually, that's part of the reason we're here."

Concern creased the grandfather's brow. "Don't tell me the boy is sick..."

Subaru shook his head. "No, not sick. But it's a little more complicated than that. We'll explain inside."

The grandfather gave a short nod, then placed a firm hand on Yahari's shoulder. "Well then, let's not waste time. Come inside, and we'll sort this out."

Yahari's mother followed the older man into the cabin, offering to help prepare tea. Inside, the living room was warm and inviting, filled with the scent of pine wood and the gentle crackling of a fire in the stone fireplace. The cabin's wooden floors were covered in colorful, handmade rugs, and shelves along the walls were lined with books and old family photographs. The space exuded a timeless, comforting atmosphere.

As they sat down, the aroma of fresh tea filled the room. The grandfather handed each of them a cup before taking a seat himself. "Alright," he said, his voice more serious now, "let's hear it. You said Yahari awakened his quirk last week? What happened?"

Subaru nodded, his face somber. "It happened when he saved a cat from being hit by a car. That's when we noticed something was... different about him."

The grandfather turned his attention to Yahari, his sharp gaze softening with concern. "A rubber body, you said? Hmm. No one in our family has had such a quirk. It's strange... Did anything unusual happen before the quirk appeared?"

Yahari thought back for a moment, recalling the strange day by the shore. "I found a weird fruit by the sea. I ate it, but it tasted awful."

"A fruit from the sea?" his mother asked, frowning. "That doesn't sound familiar."

A heavy silence settled over the room as they all pondered this mysterious fruit. Finally, Subaru broke the silence. "Regardless of how it happened, Yahari, this quirk of yours is unique. You should be careful who you tell about it. We don't want you becoming a target for unwanted attention."

His father's words carried a weight of concern. Yahari nodded quietly.

The grandfather stroked his beard thoughtfully. "So, what's your plan now, boy? You can't just sit on this power and do nothing."

Yahari's gaze grew more determined. "I'm going to take the entrance exam for U.A. Academy."

The old man's eyes gleamed with pride at Yahari's resolve. "Good. I figured as much. You've got the heart of a hero if you threw yourself in front of a car to save a cat."

Subaru, on the other hand, looked more uncertain. "But U.A. is no joke. He's strong-willed, but physically... he's still weak. How will he make it?"

The grandfather's expression turned serious. "Leave that to me. Bring him here every break and weekend. He has nine months before the exam. I'll make sure he's ready."

Yahari's parents exchanged glances, both relieved and slightly apprehensive. They knew how demanding the old man could be.

Later, as Yahari stood outside the cabin, watching his parents' car disappear down the mountain road, he felt a mixture of nerves and excitement. His grandfather placed a heavy hand on his shoulder.

"We don't have much time to waste," the old man said firmly. "Your training starts now."

Yahari looked up at his grandfather, determination burning in his eyes. He had no idea what lay ahead, but he knew that whatever trials came his way, he would face them head-on. With his grandfather's guidance, he would make sure he was ready for U.A.

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