"I Reincarnated in Boku no Hero but They Forgot to Give Me a System"

Chapter 26 — Science, Fire, and Christmas

Aoi was sitting in his office, staring intently at a huge wall covered in notes, diagrams, formulas, and prototype sketches — all hand-drawn, organized with strings and tape.

Right in the center of the wall, in large bold letters, was a single sentence:

"Technology must be useful, accessible, and vital."

He remained silent for a moment, letting those words echo in his mind.

— I don't need to build weapons — he murmured. — I need to create tools. Simple things, but essential. Like the soldier pills from Naruto… or healing potions from RPGs...

With that thought, he grabbed his notebook and began to write quickly:

• Emergency rations with high nutritional value, ideal for rescue teams and disaster zones.

• Recovery potions for minor fractures and exhaustion.

• Detox potions for poisoning victims.

• Coagulation potions to stop bleeding in the field.

• Mobility and combat device — inspired by the 3D gear from Attack on Titan.

As he scribbled, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

— No matter how strong I become... I'll never be able to be everywhere at once. And I don't want to be the next Symbol of Peace. With these inventions... I can help, even when I'm not around.

From that day on, he dove into a relentless routine.

During the day, he studied biology, genetics, biotechnology, and advanced engineering. He absorbed textbooks, watched online lectures, read scientific articles, and simulated experiments in custom programs.

At night, he trained non-stop: push-ups with gravity-enhanced weights, high-speed running, fire-propelled maneuvers, aerial rotations, and precision burns. Even his rest periods were used to review code and solve chemical equations in his head.

Meanwhile, his mother, Rei, took full charge of managing Todoroki Industries — handling the legal and financial side, and supervising the purchase of new scientific equipment. Thanks to her, the company's first laboratory was nearly complete.

In just a few weeks, Aoi mastered biotechnology concepts that would take most people years to learn.

— My compression ability allows me to learn in weeks what others take a decade — he whispered one night, staring at his notes under the lab lights.

His physical development was just as impressive. He could now lift over 100 tons. His reaction speed matched hypersensitive sensors. And with his flame propulsion, he reached speeds of Mach 2 — twice the speed of sound.

The combination of scientific genius and brute strength made Aoi something unprecedented.

But even with all that, he never forgot what really mattered.

On Christmas Eve, with snow falling gently outside, Aoi did something unexpected: he stopped everything.

He closed the books. Shut down the lab. Turned off the lights. And stepped out into the cold night.

The world could wait.

That night, he wasn't a scientist. Or a prodigy. Or a rising hero.

He was just a brother. A son. A boy.

When he arrived at the new house — the one his mother moved into after leaving their old home — he found his siblings already gathered.

Fuyumi was decorating the tree, carefully placing ribbons and lights.

Natsuo was arguing with Shoto about how the lights were set up — once again, backward.

Rei, in the kitchen, was humming softly while preparing Christmas dinner. The smell of cinnamon and sweet rice filled the air.

As soon as Aoi entered the living room, Fuyumi turned and teased:

— The scientist returns to base!

Natsuo smiled:

— Scientist? No way — genius hero!

Even Shoto, usually serious, looked at his brother and sincerely said:

— Thank you for coming.

Aoi laughed, ruffled Shoto's hair, and replied:

— Of course I came. Tonight is just about us.

No cameras.

No experiments.

No training.

Just warmth, family... and presence.

They sat at the table. Ate Rei's food — which tasted like childhood and healing. Laughed at Natsuo's bad jokes and exchanged gifts — some handmade, others simple, but all meaningful.

For a few hours, the world outside disappeared.

No villains.

No calculations.

No burdens.

Just clinking forks, genuine laughter, and the warmth of hearts that, despite all the pain... still found joy in one another.

Later, Aoi stood alone by the window, watching the snow fall under the soft glow of the streetlights.

Behind him, his family was still talking and laughing.

He smiled quietly.

Because that feeling — was what gave meaning to everything he did.

All the fire.

All the science.

All the sacrifice.

It wasn't to save the world.

It was to save the world of the people he loved.

He didn't want to be a hero for the headlines or the glory.

He wanted to be the reason his mother never cried again.

The reason his siblings could dream in peace.

The reason people could feel human again.

Because in the end...

What's the point of changing the world,

if the people who matter aren't in it?

Aoi looked at the neon lights of the city in the distance and thought:

"I'll never be a hero like All Might... or Izuku. They risk everything for complete strangers. All Might didn't even have a wife or kids — he sacrificed everything to be the Symbol of Peace."

He clenched his fists.

"I could never do that. I'm just an ordinary guy... who wants to protect the people he loves. The most I can do is help as much as I can — but there are things I can't give up."

And with that thought...

Aoi turned back to the living room and rejoined his family by the fireplace.