Chapter 5 — Adjusted with Improvements
The next day at school, Kai sat alone on a bench, quietly observing the other kids running back and forth, playing heroes with boundless energy and enthusiasm. Their laughter filled the air, mingling with shouts and the occasional thud of a fall. In the middle of all the chaos, Midoriya was leading the group, a wide smile stretched across his face. He wore a piece of cloth as a cape, fluttering behind him as he shouted proudly that he was the "All-Powerful."
Kai let out a soft sigh.
— At least he's going to have a decent childhood. He won't grow up feeling useless just because he doesn't have a quirk...
The teacher approached with a polite, but somewhat forced smile — the kind that suggested she already knew the answer.
— Kai, why don't you go and play with them?
Kai returned the smile, calm and courteous.
— Ah, teacher... I'm not really into those kinds of games.
Inside, his thoughts were sharper, even a little bitter:
— Me? Playing hero with snot-nosed kids? My mind has lived more years than they've had birthdays... no thanks.
The rest of the day dragged on slowly, like a shadow creeping across the walls. The lessons were dull, filled with basic content that offered no challenge to him at all. The other students seemed to exist in a completely different world — literally and figuratively. Their excitement, their worries, and their fears were things Kai could barely relate to anymore.
By the time school let out, Kai was walking beside Midoriya, who was animatedly discussing their next "secret mission" in the upcoming game. The younger boy's enthusiasm was infectious, and for a brief moment, Kai almost allowed himself to be caught up in it.
But then, something on the opposite sidewalk caught Kai's attention, and he stopped dead in his tracks.
There, a man dressed in a patched-up All Might costume was picking up bags of trash and tossing them into a nearby bin. He smiled widely and struck exaggerated heroic poses, as if the garbage he was collecting was a defeated villain. A small group of elderly women watched nearby, clapping and cheering him on.
— "That's all for today, citizens! The trash has been defeated!" — the man declared, holding a dramatic pose as if basking in the glory of a great victory.
Kai's eyes widened in disbelief before he burst out laughing.
— Hahaha… I can't believe it… this world really is one crazy mix.
Despite the ridiculousness of the situation, Kai recognized the man from somewhere.
It was Koichi Haimawari, the hero "Capa" from the series "Vigilantes."
— This guy… does he really exist here? And is he seriously cosplaying as a hero in some random neighborhood?
Kai folded his arms and watched for several minutes, a small smile lingering on his lips.
— At the very least... it's entertaining. You can pass the time just by watching these little gems of humanity.
With a light chuckle, he turned his back on the scene and continued walking alongside Midoriya, who was still excitedly talking about their next game plan.
— This world might be ridiculous… but at least it's not boring all the time.
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