THE SINS OF THE FATHER (BnHA Dad for One AU)

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO: Reason

At the hot springs, the students couldn't help but simply melt into the water as they felt its soothing effect on their stiff bodies.

Izuku, who hasn't been in one for years, felt heaven and almost drifted to sleep before Tenya pulled him up and chop-manded (chop + reprimanded) him for his carelessness.

"For a moment there, I actually thought your family had your own hot springs resort." Shinso stated.

"I proposed the idea to my dad and brother but they said I might end up using it after every training session and get too comfortable, and that I won't be able to progress." Izuku explained.

Shinso was hit with a sudden realization. That's right. Izuku's brother and dad are Tomura and All for One. They're villains.

"Hey, why did your family let you enter the hero program?" Shinso suddenly asked. Izuku looked on with a confused look.

"I mean, from what I heard, your family isn't the biggest fan of heroes, so why did they let you?" Shinso clarified.

"Oh yeah. I wondered that too."

"Come on, Izuku. Explain."

Their other classmates joined the discussion.

"I... never really put much thought into it. I just thought it was because I kept pestering them about it." Izuku smiled sheepishly.

"The oldest memory I have of telling the two of them that I want to become a hero is probably one of me in an improvised All Might costume. I remember my Dad looking a little hesitant but he still gave a smile and told me it looked good on me. After that, I reminded them occasionally but it was mostly memories of me training, a few discussions about Quirks and heroes, and more training."

Izuku paused a bit then continued, "Actually, I can't remember why all my training started or if they ever really outright told me the reason if they didn't want me becoming a hero but I'm very grateful because then I got a recommendation letter from UA."

"Even though both of them disliked the idea, Dad was still supportive, unlike Tenko, who took every chance he has to voice his worries and convince me to reconsider. But even though he acts like that, I know he wants me to be happy."

Izuku's explanation seemed to have come to an end.

Shinso couldn't help but somehow look at the greenette with pity, knowing that one day, he might have to learn the truth about his family. How he might have to face them in battle, or worse, give up his dream of becoming a hero.

Is that what he's scared of?

Shinso grimaced at the thought. Good intentions or not, they should've just told him. The thought of someone having to give up their dream because of the circumstances they're in makes his blood boil.

At least, if they had told him sooner, then it wouldn't be as devastating for the greenette as it will be.

Meanwhile, as Izuku was talking earlier, there was actually one more listener nearby, sitting on top of the wall behind Izuku that was separating the baths of the two genders.

Kota had been listening intently, leaning forward a little bit every time to hear more clearly. However, in his latest attempt at leaning forward, he accidentally slipped.

"Waahh!" Kota let out a cry as he fell. Half his way down to the ground, the sound of a loud clap echoed through the air, and Kota immediately flew back up the height of the wall.

On his way up, he was able to get a glimpse of who was responsible for the clap that saved him. The greenette he failed to land a critical hit on earlier.

But once he reached the climax of his flight, he accidentally looked over to the other side of the wall, the side belonging to the girls.

The sudden revelations were enough to immediately made him faint exactly as Izuku caught him on the air.

Good. I caught him. Izuku thought. Huh? Did he pass out from the fear of falling? He asked.

"Hey, I'm going bring this kid to the Pussycats." Izuku told the rest of the males before he left.

---

"Thank you for saving Kota, Izuku." Mandalay thanked the greenette as he set down the boy onto the couch in her office.

"So his name is Kota? Is he your son?" Izuku asked.

"No, he's actually my nephew." Mandalay answered.

"Oh, so where are his parents? What are their jobs? It's not that common for heroes to be the ones acting as a child's guardian." Izuku pointed out.

Mandalay's face turned hesitant, "Actually, his parents are dead. They were the Water Hose who died two years ago in the line of duty."

Izuku flinched, "I-I'm sorry."

"That's actually the reason why he hates heroes. To anybody else, they died as true heroes, but to Kota, who was too young to understand, they left him and abandoned him for their jobs." Mandalay explained.

"Had Kota lived a normal upbringing, he would probably be aspiring to become a hero." She added.

Izuku bit his lips.

"I can't blame him for having such views on heroes." Izuku could only say, piquing the Pro Hero's interest.

"My brother's Quirkless, which limited the opportunities he could've had. He was still lucky to have our family's influence and a job waiting for him in the family company, but I couldn't help but think it might be one of the reasons he and our Dad hated the concept of heroes."

"There will be people in the world who carry such resentments towards heroes, and not all will have the same opinion as us," Izuku clenched his fists.

"But for someone as young as Kota to have them... the thought shouldn't even cross their mind."

---

NOTES: This chapter may be a little messy at some parts because I wrote this at the verge of falling asleep.