Chapter 41: Chapter 41 – The Reason
Chapter 41 – The Reason
After the party, Aoi was lying on the couch, his head resting on Mirko's thighs. On the other couch sat Rei, Midnight, and Ryuko, all watching TV. The room was wrapped in a cozy and peaceful atmosphere, as if the burdens of the hero world had taken a break for one night.
Aoi turned his face and looked at Mirko with a calm smile.
— Did you enjoy the party? — he asked in a soft tone.
Mirko looked at him and smiled back.
— I had a lot of fun — she replied. — After so long just focused on my work as a hero, it felt good to relax a bit… to feel celebrated. Thank you for that.
Midnight, who was listening to the conversation, let out a long sigh.
— Yeah… this hero job is really exhausting sometimes — she said, her eyes half-closed as she looked at the TV.
Aoi turned toward her, curious.
— Then why did you all decide to become heroes?
Midnight looked at him with a gentle smile.
— Even when it's hard, I still like helping people. Saving someone in need… it makes me feel like I'm doing something that truly matters.
Ryuko added:
— In my case, I realized I was capable of making a difference. I saw that I could help. And when you know you can save lives, you just can't sit back and do nothing.
Mirko also answered, with her usual confident grin:
— For me, it's simple: I love fighting and saving people while punching villains in the face. — She chuckled. — That's what I'm good at.
Aoi smiled, but grew thoughtful for a moment. Then, Midnight turned to him and asked:
— And you, Aoi? Why do you want to become a hero?
At that moment, Rei, Mirko, and Ryuko also took their eyes off the TV and focused entirely on Aoi. There was a quiet anticipation in the air. None of them knew exactly what he would say.
Aoi looked at each of them and took a deep breath before speaking, his expression growing more serious.
— I… just want to become a hero for a simple reason. I don't want to put my hope in chance. I don't want to blindly believe that, when I or someone I love is in danger, a hero will magically show up to save us.
His words echoed through the room, and the women around him fell silent.
— I want to be that person. I want to have the strength to protect those I love with my own hands. That's why I chose this path. I don't want to be a symbol of peace or save the entire world with a smile like the heroes the media idolizes. My goal is more modest… — Aoi paused for a moment and then concluded sincerely: — I just want to protect the people I love. And help whoever I can.
Silence reigned for a few seconds. Rei looked at her son with eyes slightly misty. For the first time, she clearly heard the real reason behind all his determination and effort. All the dedication to training, the desire to grow, the extreme focus… it all made sense now. He didn't want glory or fame. He wanted to protect.
She then smiled warmly and said:
— Son… you're already a great hero just for having that goal in your heart.
Midnight nodded with a smile.
— Your mom is right. Wanting to become a hero to protect your family is just as noble as any other reason. It shows who you truly are.
Ryuko added:
— Yeah… that's a path worthy of respect. It doesn't matter whether your goal is simple or grand. What matters is that it comes from the heart.
Mirko, with Aoi's head still resting on her thighs, looked down at him with a softer gaze than usual. She then gave him a light tap on the forehead and said with a teasing smile:
— So in the future… I guess I might have to count on your protection too, huh, brat?
Aoi looked into her eyes with a determined glint.
— You can count on me.
Mirko laughed and ran her hand through his hair, messing it up slightly.
— You talk with such conviction… it's like you're already a real hero.
— Maybe I'm not one officially yet — Aoi replied. — But as far as I'm concerned… I'll never let anyone I love get hurt because of me again.
Rei watched the scene and couldn't help but smile with pride. Her little boy was growing up. Midnight and Ryuko smiled as well, feeling the same warmth in their chests. It was rare to find someone so young with a reason so strong — and at the same time, so human.
In that moment, none of them had any doubt: Aoi was on the right path. And with a heart like that, he'd be more than just a hero… he'd be a protector.
And maybe, just maybe… that was exactly what the world needed most.
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