My hero academia:Am I worthy?

In every parent's life, there comes a time when the chick leaves the nest, leaving the parent alone and longing for their child, hoping that they will achieve their goals and integrate into society. Not all young people are eager to leave their comfortable homes in search of exploring the world and its knowledge, contradicting their coziness. Such young individuals, spoiled by excessive parental attention, simply refuse to venture into the outside world and make new acquaintances. Parents play a significant role in this, laying the foundation for an unformed mind. When parents overly shield their children from the difficulties and challenges they face, they tend to create a safe environment that prevents them from learning to overcome new horizons, which are filled with various threats. But no matter how frightening the outside world may seem, behind the dark veil there is always light that leads to the gardens of Eden.

Many parents, feeling their own inadequacy, try to create a better version of themselves out of their child, losing the balance between care and freedom. Excessive attention can create invisible chains for the child, suppressing their desire to move forward in the exploration and understanding of something unknown that beckons curious travelers. On the other hand, a lack of support can turn a child into an insecure and indecisive person, who is unable to make decisions in adult life, relying on the opinions of others and lacking their own judgment.

There comes a moment when even the most indecisive chick begins to feel the call of the outside world with its prospects and opportunities. At this point, the parent becomes a spiritual mentor, guiding their child down the right path. This path consists of many mistakes and thorny trails. Many young people cannot withstand such a burden, and at this critical moment, a loving parent, gently guiding their child, allows them to choose their own fate.

Parents, despite the pain of separation, must remember that their main task is not to hold their child back but to prepare them for independent life. If the chick leaves the nest, it means that the parents have succeeded. This is not a loss but proof that they have raised a person ready to face this world. And let boredom and silence temporarily settle in the house, the parent's heart will be filled with pride. For every success of the child is a piece of their love, patience, and labor invested in them.

But for Tadao, this truth was a distant dream that he could never grasp. As long as he could remember, he had never known what it meant to grow up in a complete family. His mother had died giving birth to him, and her death became the seed of his father's hatred towards him. They lived under one roof, but that was all that connected them—just a roof. His father provided for his basic needs, but the warmth of parental love and attention, which Tadao desperately craved, was absent. His father was an impenetrable fortress, cold and distant, and no matter how hard Tadao tried to break through this wall—whether it was through academic success, helping around the house, or simply seeking words of approval—his efforts met only disdainful grunts and averted gazes.

Tadao grew up without understanding the value of family. For him, the word was nothing more than a hollow set of letters, an abstract concept describing happiness he had never known. He was not proud of his existence; on the contrary, he despised it. He saw himself as something repulsive, unworthy of love because even his own father turned away from him, refusing to acknowledge his presence. The man who was supposed to be his support treated him as if he were invisible—a ghost in his own home.

By the age of four, Tadao had lost all interest in his family. The pain of rejection had cut so deep into his heart that he no longer sought love or approval. Instead, he built walls around himself, protecting his fragile soul from further wounds. But beneath those walls, a storm raged—a storm of fear, anger, and an unrelenting desire to prove that he was more than the worthless creature his father believed him to be.

It was this storm that compelled him to take the first step into a new life. A life in which he would no longer be defined by his father's neglect or his mother's absence. A life where he would carve his own path, no matter how dark or dangerous it might be. Tadao's path was not one of hope but of survival—a desperate attempt to find meaning in a world that had shown him only indifference.

And so, at the tender age of four, Tadao made a silent vow to himself: he would never rely on anyone again. He would become strong, not for love or pride, but to prove that he could exist without them. His heart, once thirsting for connection, now burned with cold determination. The boy who had been denied family would grow into a man who needed no one. But deep inside, in the hidden corners of his soul, the scars of childhood would remain—a grim reminder of the love he never received and the father who was indifferent to him.

This was the beginning of Tadao—a beginning born not from joy but from pain. And as he stepped into the unknown, he carried with him the weight of a past that would forever shape his future. The absence of love drove him to seek it in various interpretations, and he found it in music when he set his eyes on a girl who was seven years older than him when he was only nine. No one listened to her on the street, but despite the fear of the unknown, he approached her, listening to every stroke of the bow that caressed his ears, soothing his soul. That day, he found his hobby, which would accompany him to this day. Tadao froze before the musician, as if enchanted. Every stroke of her bow seemed to erase the oppressive silence of his childhood, filling it with something new—bright, touching, and profound. It was not just a melody but a voice he had been missing.

The girl, noticing the boy, stopped playing and smiled.

— Do you like it? — her voice was soft, like the music itself. Her clothes were too big for her, but that didn't matter to him, and she wore a classic French beret on her head. Tadao nodded, unable to take his eyes off the violin. Her appearance and sound awakened something new within him—an unexplainable feeling, as if he had found a part of himself that he had long lost.

— Do you want to try? — she extended the instrument. The boy, surprised by the unexpected offer, shyly took the violin. It was slightly bigger than he had expected, and his fingers tentatively brushed the strings. The girl stood behind him, gently taking his hands and guiding the movement of the bow. The first sound was far from melodic, but Tadao felt his heart fill with a tremor.

— It's not easy, but over time you will learn, — she said.

— The main thing is to listen to what the music tells you. It is your voice if you trust it. Those words stayed with him forever. The girl turned out to be a wandering musician. Her name was Sayo, and she played on the streets not for money but to share her music with the world. She told stories of travels, how music unites people, even the most distant. Tadao listened, absorbing every word. He began to come to her every day, watching her play, learning the basics, until one day she disappeared into the unknown, leaving him alone with the longing for the violin he tried to fill, but in the end, it remained in Tadao's childhood soul until he grew up and entered the police academy. His relationship with his father was still tense, and all those years of growing up, Tadao's father ignored the dreams and goals of the boy, leaving a deep insecurity in the young man's mind. Despite Sayo's departure, Tadao had not forgotten her lessons. Every night he took out an old, slightly cracked violin that he had managed to find at the market and tried to reproduce the sounds that had once captivated his soul. The strings of the violin were tight, and his fingers often trembled from tension, but he perceived each mistake as a lesson. He did not know if his music would ever be as beautiful as Sayo's, but her words about music being a voice stayed with him.

His father, noticing his son's new passion, merely grunted in disdain.

— A violin? That's not for a real man, — he said one day, passing by Tadao's room. — You'd better do something useful. Those words hurt the young musician, but instead of giving up, he closed his room door and continued to learn, this time even more diligently. He played for himself, for the silence that filled their home, and for Sayo, hoping that one day she would hear his playing and understand what an important role the violin had taken in his life.

But no matter how persistent he was, sacrifices must be made in life, and his passion for music became one of them, which he abandoned during his service at the police academy. For a while, he tried to maintain his hobby, and he succeeded, but with new knowledge in his profession, the violin faded into the background until it was completely left behind as a bright spot in Tadao's dark past.

When Nejire was born, he wanted to revive his old skill, which had dulled over the years, but family circumstances did not allow him to do so. He did not blame Nejire for this; she was just a child who needed to be fed and raised. Remembering his past and his father's contempt, Tadao, for the first time upon seeing Nejire, promised himself:

— I will never let what happened to you happen to you, Nejire. I will be the best father you have ever seen. A lonely tear fell onto the face of the still newborn Nejire, but she slept soundly, unaware of it.

In our time.

The bright sun illuminated the bustling market, where the air was filled with the smell of fried street food and fresh fruits and vegetables that attracted buyers. The assortment of goods was vast: from fruits and vegetables to clothing and household items. Weekends were often lively, as new items or antique relics adorned numerous stalls, and vendors called curious customers to their stands with their promotions and product qualities.

— Tomatoes for 600¥ = $3.80! Come and get them, fresh, grown on farms without preservatives! — shouted an old man behind his stall, trying to attract buyers.

— Come and get it, dango for 300¥ = $2! Just made! Buy two portions and get a free drink! — called a young guy from the village who had just arrived in the city. Spotting a cute girl with blue hair, like lilacs, and big blue eyes, the young man's heart skipped a beat, and in an attempt to appear better, he started combing his messy dark hair.

— Forget about her, little brother, girls like her won't pay attention to a country boy like you, — teased the older sister from the city, watching her younger sibling's sad face. But what she did not expect the most was that the very girl her younger brother had set his sights on approached their stall with a cheerful smile on her face, while behind her walked a tall blue-haired man dressed in plain, unremarkable clothing. Seeing the girl approach the stall and examining the assortment of goods, the older sister poked her younger brother in the side with her elbow to make him stop staring at her.

— Ahem... Ahem, — the sister made a demonstrative sound, pulling him out of his trance.

— Oh, I'm sorry, — awkwardly tearing his gaze away from the girl, the young man spoke with a hesitant voice.

— Hello, how can I serve you! — with a loud offer responded the girl, eagerly pulling a customer from examining the street sweets.

— O, hi! Can we have two dango, please? — said Nejire with a smile on her face, melting the heart of the young man, who kept stealing glances to avoid looking at her.

— Oh, no, it's 400¥! — the young man intervened with a sharp and loud voice, drawing Tadao's attention, who smiled at the behavior of the boy, who was openly blushing when he saw Nejire. The older sister made a pouting face but didn't intervene. Nejire pulled out a 500-yen bill and handed it to the girl, who gladly accepted it.

— No change needed, — with a cheerful voice replied Nejire, waving to the boy as she left the kiosk.

Tadao smiled at Nejire, who was enjoying her dango with a satisfied expression. He looked again at the boy, who was now reddening even more as Nejire left the stall. The older sister scolded him for such impulsiveness.

— It seems that you just captivated that boy with your beauty, breaking his heart, — Tadao's voice sounded soft but with a note of irony. Nejire giggled at her father's words, covering her mouth with her hand.

— Well, Dad! Stop it! I just bought some sweets! — she replied, laughing and glancing at her surroundings.

— Of course, just bought, — Tadao stretched out, looking at her with a warm smile.

— But did you see his eyes? He probably dreams of you coming back and buying something else.

— You're exaggerating! — Nejire laughed even harder, shaking her head. — Maybe he just got flustered because I was asking too many questions. Tadao, finishing his dango, looked at the list of products he had taken out of his pocket.

— So, let's not forget why we came to the market today.

**List:**

- Tomatoes

- Fish

- Cucumbers

- Rice

- Potatoes

- Vegetables

- Spices

— Strawberries? — with a questioning tone pronounced Tadao, knowing which curious person had written this item at the end of the list. Nejire, turning her head, began to innocently whistle, looking up at the sky, causing Tadao to chuckle as he ruffled her hair.

— Well, alright, where do we start? — asked Tadao, looking toward the market with the fish section. Nejire, catching her father's gaze, decided to suggest they go there.

— Maybe we should start with fish and finish with strawberries? — Tadao, turning his head, met Nejire's eyes and, realizing that his daughter could not be stopped from this choice, decided to agree with such a proposal.

— Okay, first fish, then strawberries... — walking through the market, Nejire's curious eyes darted from side to side, searching for the best fish for dinner. The market buzzed, as if coming to life with each new customer. People chatted, discussing prices, haggling, while vendors enthusiastically beckoned them to their stalls. Nejire and Tadao walked along the fish rows, and the girl admired the displayed products. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she spotted something interesting.

— Dad, look at that big fish! It probably weighs more than I do! — she exclaimed with delight, pointing at the huge tuna lying on display. Tadao smiled at her lively reaction but at the same time carefully surveyed the stalls, choosing a place to make a purchase.

— Welcome! We have the freshest fish! — shouted one of the vendors, clearly noticing their interest. They approached closer. The vendor was stocky, with rugged facial features and a self-assured smirk.

— So, what do you say? A great choice for your family, — he began, casting a glance at Nejire. Then his gaze became more evaluative, and a mocking smile appeared on his face. — And you, girl, what are you doing here? Is this place for people like you? — Nejire was taken aback, her smile faded slightly, and she looked at Tadao, who maintained a cold expression, glaring at the vendor.

— What do you mean by that? — she asked quietly, trying to stay polite. But the vendor merely chuckled, provoking Tadao, who was ready to hit him in the face.

— Oh, it's nothing. Just a joke. But if your little girl is so brave, why don't we see what she can do? — with a clear hint of a challenge the vendor said. Tadao did not want Nejire to participate in such a bet since it would negatively affect her in the long run, but she was not an ordinary girl.

— We are not interested in your "tests." Let's get back to business. — But the vendor, as if sensing a challenge, raised his hand, attracting the attention of bystanders.

— A bet! If she beats me in arm wrestling, I'll give you every type of fish from my shop for free. And if I win, you buy all my goods at double the price! — The crowd around them buzzed with excitement, and people started to gather closer, discussing the proposal.

— That's ridiculous, — Tadao cut in, preparing to take Nejire away. But she, looking at her father, suddenly raised her hand, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

— I accept the challenge! — Nejire boldly replied, grinning at the vendor, who was already relaxing, thinking he would win easy money by defeating the self-assured girl.

— Nejire... — Tadao started but she had already stepped up to the stall, ignoring his words. Tadao was not worried about his daughter, as he had embraced the role of a concerned father, cheering for Nejire's sweet victory.

— Don't worry, Dad, I can handle this, — she said confidently. The vendor grinned widely, clearing space on the counter for the contest.

— Well, brave girl, let's see what you're worth! — Nejire took her place opposite him. The vendor grasped her hand, and Nejire held onto his hand as well, squeezing them tightly to prevent him from cheating. She looked into his self-assured eyes, slightly smirking.

— Ready, set, go! — someone from the crowd shouted. The vendor immediately began to press down, putting all his strength into it. But Nejire's hand remained in place, not yielding. Her face remained calm, and her eyes looked straight into his, as if assessing.

— Are you kidding? — he croaked, starting to turn red from the effort. The vendor exerted all his strength, but all he managed to do was strain himself, watching Nejire's satisfied face, who expressed boredom.

— No, I'm just giving you a chance, — she replied with a light smile. The crowd erupted in laughter and cheers of support. The vendor tensed even harder, but his hand began to slowly lower. Tadao, watching this scene, smiled at Nejire's strength. She turned her head toward her father and, smiling at him, he nodded for her to finish the performance.

— Wow! She's beating him! — someone shouted. With a loud thud, the vendor's hand slammed against the table. The crowd roared with excitement as Tadao clapped his hands, applauding his daughter's victory.

— Victory! — Nejire raised her hand in the air, clenching her fist, not forgetting the gesture from Midoriya, shining with joy.

— Well, you lost. Are you ready to keep your promise? — The vendor, getting up and panting heavily, could hardly believe his eyes. Though reluctantly, he took out and placed every fish into special bags, unable to accept his defeat.

— No way... — he mumbled.

— Fish, please, — Tadao reminded him, crossing his arms. With obvious reluctance, but not breaking his word, the vendor began to pack the fish. Nejire proudly accepted the gift, while the crowd dispersed, discussing her incredible victory.

— I never doubted you, — Tadao said, smiling at Nejire's victory, but he did not want to add any more words so that she could enjoy her crushing success.

— Of course! — she replied, beaming with joy. — Now we will have a great dinner! — But there was too much fish, specifically 14 bags of not light fish that Tadao picked up.

— I think it's better to take all the fish to the car than to carry them around the market, — Nejire said, smiling brightly in response to her father's words as she followed him closely. Finally, upon reaching the car, Tadao unloaded Nejire's winnings.

— I'd rather believe we were fishing than that we won a seller on his own territory for free, — Nejire remarked after her impressive victory in arm wrestling against the fish seller. She and her father continued their shopping at the market, following their common list.

The market still looked lively, despite the fact that it was long past morning. People were just starting to arrive, and glancing at her list, Nejire declared with pomp:

— So, Sir Nejire and her squire Tadao are on a great quest: to save the tomatoes from the evil sellers! — she said, deliberately lowering her voice to a rough tone, like a knight of the Round Table. Tadao couldn't help but be amazed by Nejire's creativity and positivity.

— Alright, your squire has already found a stall with attractive tomatoes. — To maintain the atmosphere between them, Tadao played along with his role for the sake of Nejire, who was shining brighter than before. As they approached the tomato stall, Nejire noticed an elderly seller who had his head down, looking at a photograph with sad eyes and appearing worried. Not wanting to ruin the adventurous atmosphere, Nejire decided to speak to the elderly man in a kind tone.

— Good day, wise tomato seller! You have such beautiful tomatoes. Is something wrong? — Nejire's words brought a smile to Tadao, but he was genuinely glad that she showed concern for ordinary people. She did not look down on the common workers as Yoshiko did; no, she stood above them, and her father was proud of his curious daughter.

— Hehehe, thank you, young knight. Unfortunately, evil forces have stolen my cat, and I can't find her. If I try to leave the stall, I fear there will be nothing left of my tomatoes, — the old man said sadly, placing his hand on his head and scratching it awkwardly. Nejire couldn't bear to see the good, innocent old man sad, so she offered her help in finding the fluffy runaway.

— Do you know what she looks like? Maybe she has a special colored fur or a collar? — Nejire asked, placing her finger on her chin.

— Thank you, young heroine. She has a collar around her neck, and her fur is orange, — the old man pulled out a bell from his stall and handed it to Nejire, who was curiously examining the new artifact.

— Just ring it, and if you hear a meow, that will be her, — the old man said with a kind smile.

— Alright, dad, you chat with the nice old man for a while, and I'll go look for his cat, okay? — Nejire asked, to which Tadao simply nodded, giving her the green light for her search.

With the bell in her hands, Nejire slowly walked between the rows of the market, listening carefully to the sounds around her. She shook the bell, producing a soft, melodic sound, and listened, hoping to catch a meow. The noise of the crowd, the conversations of buyers, and the shouts of sellers hindered her search, but Nejire was determined.

— Come on, little kitty, respond, — she whispered quietly, looking around.

Suddenly, in the distance, Nejire heard a weak, plaintive meow. It was coming from an alley behind one of the rows. The girl quickened her pace, ringing the bell more frequently. The sound of the meowing grew louder. When Nejire reached the source, she froze. In the narrow alley, where trash and crates were piled up, stood three small children. They surrounded the orange cat that the old man had described. One boy was pulling her by the tail, another was scaring her with a stick, waving it right in front of her face, while the third laughed, poking her with a stick. The cat meowed plaintively, pressing herself to the ground and trembling with fear.

Nejire's eyes filled with anger. She stepped forward but stopped, deciding that she needed to be cautious with the children. The girl remembered how her father taught her: to remain calm, even when everything inside is boiling.

— Hey, kids! What are you doing?! — she called out loudly, trying not to show anger in her voice.

The children flinched and turned to Nejire. Seeing the unfamiliar girl, they froze in place, but after a moment, the oldest among them, apparently the leader, frowned.

— And what's it to you? — he mumbled, continuing to poke the cat.

— This cat is lost, and her owner is looking for her, — Nejire replied, stepping closer. — Don't you think she's scared enough as it is?

— It's just a cat; she doesn't care, you see? — mumbled the boy with the stick. Nejire crouched down to be at eye level with the children. Her gaze softened, and she spoke in a calm yet firm voice:

— She is a living being, just like you. Imagine if someone hurt you. How would you feel? — The children hesitated. The youngest, who had been laughing earlier, looked down and hid the stick behind his back.

— We... we were just playing, — he mumbled.

— Games shouldn't cause pain. Now, do you want to help me? — Nejire said, gently picking up the cat in her arms. The animal pressed against her chest, still trembling. The children exchanged glances. The oldest still frowned, but seeing the disapproving looks from the younger ones, he relented.

— Alright, — he grumbled. — What do we do?

— Help me take this cat back to her owner. He will be very pleased to know that you helped return his pet. The children nodded, and the whole group headed back to the old man's stall. On the way, Nejire told them about the importance of kindness, and the children listened to her, albeit reluctantly. When they returned to the old man, his face lit up with joy.

— My Mika! — he exclaimed, taking the cat from Nejire. — Thank you so much, young lady!

— They helped too, — Nejire said, pointing to the children.

The old man smiled at the children and, handing each of them a big tomato, said:

— Thank you, my little heroes. Remember, kindness always comes back.

The children smiled shyly, and even the oldest muttered:

— You're welcome.

Nejire stood next to her father, who watched his daughter with pride. The seller handed a bag of juicy tomatoes to Nejire.

— Take it, young lady; you deserve a gift from me, — the old man said with a kind smile. Nejire hesitated, but instead, Tadao handed the money to the seller.

— Thank you very much, but no one wants to work at a loss. So take it; you can't leave empty-handed, — the old man kindly accepted the bill, petting his cat with his other hand.

— Thank you; you are a good father to this girl. Good luck on your journey, — both members of the Hado family smiled at the old man's wishes and left his stall. All these incidents had meaning for Nejire, as her father said that a hero's profession consists not only of fighting villains but also of helping ordinary people with their everyday situations. Although this did not show Nejire's entire heroic nature, it demonstrated how humane and honest she was towards strangers.

— Dad, why did you give him money? He gave us the tomatoes for free! — Tadao's expression changed slightly, but he continued walking, holding the bag of tomatoes.

— I certainly appreciate the altruism of that old man, but kindness should never be at a cost to oneself. Remember this and don't forget. Now, we need to get cucumbers. — When Nejire and Tadao approached the cucumber stall, they were greeted by an unusual seller — an elderly man in dark glasses with long whiskers resembling catfish. He was dressed in an old-fashioned kimono and held a fan in his hands, which he waved slowly.

— Good day, esteemed customers, — he said in a deep, almost theatrical voice. — You came for cucumbers, but do you know that each cucumber carries ancient wisdom within it?

Nejire blinked in surprise, while Tadao braced himself internally for something strange yet unique. The vendor certainly expressed respect, but his odd appearance and whiskers slightly unsettled Tadao.

— Wisdom? In what sense? — Nejire asked with curiosity. The vendor nodded as if he was expecting this question.

— In ancient times, warriors ate cucumbers before battles to gain clarity of mind. Philosophers gnawed on them, pondering the mysteries of human existence. And merchants used cucumbers to determine whether a person before them was honest or a liar. — Tadao bit back a laugh at the nonsense the old man was spouting, but for the sake of politeness, he refrained, while Nejire leaned in closer, intrigued.

— How does that work? — The vendor sharply pointed to a large basket of cucumbers.

— Choose one, any! — Nejire grabbed the first one she saw, and the vendor looked at her intently, studying her curious expression.

— This cucumber will reveal the truth about your soul! — He took the cucumber in his hands, held it to his ear as if listening, and then solemnly declared, looking through his glasses at the girl.

— A pure heart, but a restless spirit. Loves adventures, but sometimes hurries too much! — Nejire gasped in awe at the cucumber sage.

— Wow! How did you know? — Tadao snorted at the fantastical nonsense from an old man who was seeing them for the first time.

— It's obvious to anyone who's been around you for at least five minutes. — The vendor smiled mysteriously.

— Alright, now it's your turn, sir. — Tadao sighed, took the first cucumber he could find, and handed it to the vendor. The vendor "listened" to the vegetable again, frowned, then nodded.

— Strict, but fair. Smart, but sometimes too serious. The cucumber says you should smile more often. — Nejire burst out laughing, while Tadao shook his head.

— Amazing, right? — the vendor winked, giving him a smile.

— Well, since the cucumber said so, I guess we'll have to buy it. — The vendor nodded in approval, took the money, and handed them a bag of fresh vegetables with a bow.

— May the wisdom of cucumbers be with you, — he said solemnly. When they stepped away from the stall, Nejire was still glowing.

— That was incredible! — Tadao rolled his eyes at the old man's antics to attract customers without having any peculiarities to show.

— He was just a strange old man who knows how to observe people.

— No, Dad! He was the CUSTODIAN OF CUCUMBER WISDOM! — Surprised by her enthusiasm, Tadao merely smirked and continued on their shopping list.

The market continued to fill with people, and it became difficult to notice and hear each other amidst the chaos of the market's noise. Nejire was delighted, as it wasn't every day that she got to walk through the market with her father enjoying unusual situations. When Tadao and Nejire arrived at the rice stall, they were greeted by an elderly woman with gray hair tied up in a tight bun. Her warm yet stern gaze immediately fell on Nejire, and she squinted mischievously.

— Well, girl, let me take a look at you… — she muttered, as if studying her aura. Nejire froze, slightly embarrassed.

— Um… Good day?

— Good, good. So, are you here for rice?

— Yes, we need good rice for dinner! — Nejire replied cheerfully. The woman nodded and gestured for them to come closer.

— Well then, listen up. I have three kinds of rice here, but I don't just sell it. Each person chooses it themselves, but not with their eyes, rather with their hearts. — She pointed to three wooden boxes of rice.

— This rice is called "Tiger's Soul". It will make your dinner hearty and powerful, like a lightning strike. This one is "Whisper of the Wind". It's light, delicate, and suitable for special dishes. And this one is "Shadow of the Moon". You can cook it for a long time, but it will absorb all the flavors, like the wisdom of an old man. — Tadao was about to simply point to the first bag he saw, but Nejire lit up.

— This is so interesting! I want to try choosing! — The woman smiled slyly.

— Then close your eyes and place your hands over the boxes. Feel which rice resonates with you. — Nejire obeyed. She closed her eyes, focused, moved her hands over the three types of rice… and stopped over "Shadow of the Moon".

— This one!

The old woman nodded approvingly.

— Good choice. This rice is for those who care for others. It requires patience but rewards with a rich flavor.

Tadao, crossing his arms, smirked.

— Then I'll take "Tiger's Soul".

The woman laughed.

— Ha! Of course, father and daughter chose what suits their hearts!

She wrapped the rice in neat bags and handed them to them.

— Eat with pleasure, but remember: rice is like people. The most important thing is how you prepare it.

As they stepped away from the stall, Nejire thoughtfully looked at the bag.

— What do you think, Dad? Did she just make all this up?

— Perhaps, — Tadao replied, — but the main thing is that she made us think about our choice. A good seller doesn't just sell goods — they sell experiences.

Nejire smiled.

— Then she was definitely a genius!

They continued to walk and buy everything else, until Nejire decided to stop and check the shopping list, and Tadao missed the most important item he had read about but did not give it much thought as he had already lost track of the products he was carrying while Nejire walked freely. When Tadao and Nejire began to gather all the necessary products, they suddenly realized they had forgotten the most important thing for the upcoming dinner — strawberries, Nejire's favorite treat. Although she was sure everything had already been bought, her gaze suddenly froze on one item in the shopping list that they had overlooked.

— Dad! Strawberries! We forgot them! — Nejire exclaimed, panic-stricken, pressing the list to her chest. Tadao, who was already tired from their long market trip, raised his eyebrows, but the concern in his daughter's eyes was such that he couldn't ignore her. Strawberries were not just berries for her; they were an important part of family traditions that always adorned their table, and Tadao knew it meant more to her than just a desire.

— Alright, alright, let's find them, — he said, smiling, but feeling a slight annoyance inside. It wasn't that important, after all. When they returned to the berry stall, it turned out that there were almost no strawberries left. In one box, there were a few battered berries, but the other sellers had already dispersed and the stall was empty. Among the few remaining boxes, one caught Nejire's attention. She reached for the box, but as soon as her fingers touched the berries, she heard laughter behind her. It was a young guy who had just approached the stall.

— Ah, come on, someone already touched this one, — he laughed and grabbed the box of strawberries that Nejire wanted so much. — Are you really sure you want this one?

Nejire froze. This was not just an obstacle; it was something that truly affected her. She could never accept when someone, taking advantage of their position, dismissed her desires.

— Wait, — she said in a firm voice, stepping closer. — I want those strawberries. You don't have the right to just take them.

The guy laughed even louder, as if she was some sort of misunderstanding. But determination flared in Nejire's eyes.

— You don't understand that you're not just taking strawberries; you're taking away a part of what is important to us, — she was adamant. Her voice held a strength that made the other customers stop and pay attention.

— And what will you do about it? — the guy joked, but he no longer looked so confident. Nejire took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment, and then turned to the vendor:

— Excuse me, can I have those strawberries, please? — The vendor, who had been observing the scene, thought for a few seconds and finally responded:

— You won't just take them like that, will you? You'll go home with that determination, right? I like it when people understand what's important to them. — He winked at Nejire and handed her the box of strawberries, which now seemed much more valuable than just fruit. The guy was stunned but shrugged and walked away empty-handed. Nejire took the strawberries, not hiding her satisfaction.

— Thank you, — she said to the vendor, and when she turned to Tadao, she added: — This is not just strawberries. It's a symbol of how I can stand up for what is important to me. — Tadao smirked slightly and hugged her.

— You are not just a hero for everyone, but also for yourself. — In her father's eyes, Nejire demonstrated her resolve to help people even in ordinary life, which made him happy. Despite her hyperactivity, she showed her charisma and kindness towards people, which drew others' interest in her persona. On the one hand, Tadao was glad that Nejire was demonstrating her sociability, but on the other hand, it might play a cruel trick on her. That's where he came in — although he wasn't the best mentor, he was certainly not the worst in her life. Tadao's goal as a father was to give Nejire all his lessons and experiences gained throughout his life before she realized her dream. He had no doubts about her, but the hero's work was very dangerous and difficult, and the emotional stability and resilience of his daughter were the main priorities and goals of her training. She could be a bit scatterbrained, but she was never foolish or naive. She possessed strength, but she needed to learn to control it, and one of Tadao's important goals for Nejire's wellbeing was to guide her life energy in the right direction. The violin demonstrated to Nejire that tolerance was one of the key elements for achieving a goal in controlling a powerful quirk that she had not fully mastered in order to become a truly strong heroine. Not wanting to be intrusive, Tadao used her own methods for her wellbeing, but she liked this approach, and she readily accepted it, and when they got home, he needed to tell her about it.

Tadao and Nejire were walking slowly towards the car, enjoying the warm sunny day. Nejire was holding her basket of strawberries, occasionally popping one into her mouth, while Tadao, with his hands full of bags, looked completely unperturbed. But suddenly, he stopped abruptly, noticing a familiar figure among the passersby.

"Wait a minute, Nejire," he said, smiling slightly.

"What is it, Dad?" she asked, but he was already heading towards the parking lot, where a woman with long blonde hair, dressed in a light summer outfit—jeans and a white shirt—was standing. She was an old acquaintance of Tadao's, but in her casual appearance, it was hard to recognize the heroine. He had a soft spot for her, even though he carried the weight of responsibility, but his loving soul had never left him since his divorce with Yoshiko. She was beautiful in her own way, both in soul and body, but the funniest thing was that she was a popular heroine with many admirers who were head over heels for her. Yet, even so, it didn't change the fact that she was simply pleasant to talk to.

Tadao decided to sneak up on her, holding the bags in a way that wouldn't draw attention. When he got close enough, he loudly said:

"Hey, shouldn't heroes be patrolling the streets instead of picking strawberries?"

Ryukyu flinched in surprise, almost dropping her bag of groceries. Turning around, she saw Tadao smiling, and her expression quickly changed from shock to mild irritation.

"Tadao! I'd recognize your rough voice anywhere. I wish I knew why you haven't won an award for the worst jokes of the year yet," she snapped, but the corners of her lips twitched into a smile.

Nejire, who had been watching the scene from a distance, couldn't help but laugh. She ran up to her father, laughing, and then her gaze fell on Ryukyu. In that moment, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Is that... is that Ryukyu? The real Ryukyu?!" Her voice trembled with excitement, and she tightened her grip on the basket of strawberries.

Ryukyu, noticing the girl's admiring gaze, straightened up and smiled slightly.

"Thank you for the attention, young lady, but I prefer not to flaunt my hero name at every corner," she said, awkwardly adjusting a strand of her blonde hair before asking the blue-haired girl her name.

"I... I'm Nejire!" the girl blurted out, barely containing her joy. "I'm your biggest fan! I used to collect your figurines as a child, and I even have the first one, given to me by my best friend!"

Ryukyu laughed, her light laughter sincere and gentle.

"Figurines, huh? Now I feel a bit older than I actually am. But it's nice to know I inspire such cute enthusiasts like you." Ryukyu's sincerity towards her fans lifted her spirits, especially considering that this was the daughter of one of her good acquaintances, who was known for his selflessness, dedication, and honesty, though Tadao sometimes took things too seriously at work.

"It's true!" Nejire quickly added, her cheeks flushing with excitement. "You're so cool, and your fighting style... it's just amazing! I've always dreamed of meeting you!"

Tadao, watching their conversation, just shook his head with a smile.

"Well, now I see why you added strawberries to the shopping list. You just had a feeling you'd meet your idol, right?"

"Dad!" Nejire whispered indignantly, but immediately turned back to her conversation with Ryukyu. "You're so cool, even in civilian clothes!"

Ryukyu glanced at Tadao with a squint.

"Your daughter definitely knows how to give compliments. But you've surprised me. I didn't think you had such a big girl."

"Well, as you can see, she's not only big but also very curious and strong," Tadao replied.

Seeing Nejire's excited face, Ryukyu knelt down on one knee, bringing herself to the girl's eye level, and placed a hand on her shoulder as she spoke.

"You know, Nejire, I understand that heroism is about saving people and gaining fame, but don't forget that behind your hero name, there's a girl named Nejire Hado. No matter how glorious a hero you become, beyond the hero's mask, you're still just one person, and it's important to find friends and loved ones for your own happiness."

Nejire didn't miss a single word from her idol, and she understood that there wasn't a hint of falsehood in what Ryukyu was saying. Tadao listened to her words and sighed quietly, imagining her becoming the mother figure that Nejire so lacked in her free life. Maybe when Nejire enrolled at UA, Ryukyu would take guardianship over her when he couldn't.

To be continued