Author's note
For those wondering, I didn't put the name Haruto just because.
Haruto has a meaning which is "He who returns to the sun" or "Star of the Sun"
Also, I'm thinking of posting a chapter every three days (I said that before haha) But I'm also going to alternate between a new chapter and a remake.
Without further ado...
Let's Go!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Recovery Room: UA]
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway, followed by the sudden slam of the door being flung open.
—Izu-chan!
Inko Midoriya's voice cut through the air, thick with concern and obvious relief.
His eyes scanned the room until they fell on his daughter, who was standing next to a stretcher.
Without hesitation, he lunged at her, his hands firmly cupping her face as he inspected every inch of her skin, searching for any wounds, any trace of pain that would indicate she wasn't as well as she'd told him on the phone.
"Are you okay? Have you been eating well? You've been here for four days! Tell me you haven't skipped a meal!" Her tone was a mix of demand and maternal desperation.
Midoriya, feeling the warmth and love in each of her words, let out a soft laugh, taking his mother's hands tenderly.
—I'm fine, Mom. I promise.
Inko sighed, allowing her body to finally relax.
But then his eyes wandered to the stretcher next to his girl.
There, immobilized in a cast on his legs and left arm, with bandages on his torso and right arm, was Hades.
His dark hair was somewhat disheveled, and his crimson gaze, intense like a predator's, met Inko's for a brief moment. However, as soon as he noticed the gleam of tears in her eyes, he looked away awkwardly, his jaw tensing.
"You too..." Inko murmured with a shaky smile, bringing a hand to her chest as she let out a sigh. "I'm glad you're okay."
Hades felt a chill run down his spine. He wasn't used to someone speaking to him like that, with such genuine warmth, such emotion laden with affection.
"Tsk... Don't look at me like that," he grunted, turning his head away. "It's irritating..."
Inko blinked in surprise, and Midoriya stifled a laugh at Hades's reaction.
—Ara, ara... —Midoriya rested his cheek on his hand, with an amused smile—. Did you blush, Hades-kun?
"Shut up, brat! I wasn't blushing! It's hot in here!" she immediately blurted out, her voice coming out a little louder than necessary.
—Hades-kun, it's nine o'clock at night and it's raining outside.
—So what's with that? Your school is full of weirdness, I wouldn't be surprised if they have a volcano to torture patients!
—But you're a god of the Underworld, you should be used to the heat...
"You..." Hades gritted his teeth, his face growing red. "I'm going to kill you when I feel my legs again!"
—With that you admit that you are weak right now...
Hades tried to move, he wanted to jump on the green-haired girl, but the sharp pain he felt when he tried to do so made him stop with a grunt.
Defeated, he could only clutch the sheets with his bandaged hand.
—Idiots...
While this was happening, Nezu watched the scene with amusement.
He calmly took the last sip of his tea and closed his laptop with a soft click.
Before the screen went black, a name appeared at the top of the document I was working on:
"Stray Dogs – Unconventional Response Project"
The little director smoothed his suit and stood up elegantly.
"Well, it looks like everyone's in good hands," he said with his usual smile. "You'll see me again at the beginning of the semester. Until then, take care."
With a polite bow, he simply walked away.
The room was silent for a moment, until Recovery Girl decided to speak, her tone firm and professional.
—You'll have to stay in the hospital for four days, until Sunday.
Hades frowned.
—Four days? Are you kidding me?
—Ungrateful brat... I'm healing you!
The god growled, clutching the sheets in frustration.
—This is a fucking prison...
Recovery Girl ignored her complaint and left her clipboard in Inko's hands.
—You, as their current and apparent sole representative, must sign here to approve their stay.
Inko, a little surprised by the sudden responsibility, took the document and began to read it carefully.
[Recovery Report – Hades]
Patient: Hades (No last name recorded)
Current status: Stable, in the process of accelerated cell regeneration.
Time required for recovery:Four days
Day 1 (Thursday):
- Application of the "Healing Kisses" Quirk every 8 hours to accelerate healing. - Monitoring of vital signs and observation of the rate of natural regeneration. - Assessment of bone damage in the lower and upper extremities. - Administration of low-intensity analgesics to reduce pain without affecting the regeneration process.
Day 2 (Friday):
- Continuation of treatment with the Healing Quirk. - Beginning of passive physical therapy with assistive devices. - Monitoring of stability in the regenerated tissue. - Monitoring of post-regeneration fatigue, given that the patient has an innate healing capacity that consumes his or her own stamina.
Day 3 (Saturday): - Initiation of active upper extremity physical therapy. - Non-weight-bearing assisted mobility testing of lower extremities. - Assessment of endurance levels after cell regeneration. - Analysis of unconscious use of the Healing Quirk, given evidence of spontaneous joint relocation.
Day 4 (Sunday):
- Intensive motor therapy, focusing on neuromuscular coordination. - Final physical fitness assessment to determine if the patient is fit for discharge. - General review of endurance, considering the high energy consumption of the patient's ability. - Preparation for the gradual removal of casts and bandages, with constant monitoring of muscle response.
Additional note: The patient is recommended to consume a high intake of foods rich in protein and carbohydrates to compensate for the loss of energy generated by their regeneration.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inko read each line carefully, biting her lower lip. Her fingers tightened around the pen before she signed with determination.
"Does this mean he'll be discharged on Sunday?" he said, staring at the elderly nurse.
The woman shook her head as she picked up the now signed clipboard.
—He will be discharged on Monday, attending directly on the first day of classes.
"I... I see," Inko said, looking back at Hades. "I hope you recover soon, Hades-kun..."
He, still with his back turned, clicked his tongue and murmured:
—Hmph... I don't need anyone to worry about me...
But Haruto, his second personality, manifested with a soft laugh.
—Thank you, Mrs. Midoriya... I'm glad to have someone who cares about me.
Inko smiled warmly at him.
—I'm just doing what any mother would do.
Hades, regaining control, felt his stomach lurch at those words. Something in his chest felt uneasy... warm, even.
—Tsk... Annoying...
Recovery Girl sighed and closed her clipboard.
—Well, now that that's settled, everyone better get some rest. Especially you, brat. I don't want to see you pushing yourself again.
Hades snorted, sinking down onto the bed in annoyance.
Inko, on the other hand, put her pen down on the table and turned to her daughter with a relaxed smile.
—Akemi, it's time to go home.
Akemi's smile, which until now seemed perpetual, vanished almost immediately. Her green eyes sparkled with a mixture of surprise and mild annoyance.
-No.
"Akemi..." Inko sighed, her tone still gentle, but with a maternal firmness behind it. "You've been here for four days straight, without a good rest, without a decent bed. I know you, you probably haven't even eaten properly."
Akemi frowned and looked away.
-I'm fine.
"No, you're not." Inko narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. "I know you want to stay here, but Hades is already awake and stable. You, on the other hand, look like a panda with those dark circles under your eyes."
Akemi puffed out her cheeks and clicked her tongue, clearly annoyed.
—I won't leave.
Inko looked at her tenderly, but her smile took on a playful tone.
—Oh, honey, of course.
Before Akemi could react, she felt a tingling sensation run through her body. Her feet lifted off the ground, and in the blink of an eye, her body floated lightly in the air, surrounded by a faint greenish glow.
—Mom! Don't play dirty!
"I'm just using my single-mother skills to keep a teenage daughter in check," Inko giggled, slowly floating Akemi toward the exit. "You'll rest whether you want to or not."
-I don't want to!
—Of course, you do.
Akemi struggled in the air, but the force of her mother's telekinesis was gentle, firm, and unwavering. Her eyes met Hades's, and for a moment, her annoyed expression softened.
"Take care of yourself, Hades-kun," she said with a slight smile, before winking at him. "I'll be back tomorrow..."
Hades watched her, his expression hardened, but his gaze stayed fixed on her for a couple of seconds longer than necessary.
—Tsk... Do what you want.
Akemi laughed softly, and in an instant, the door closed behind her, leaving the room silent.
Recovery Girl, who had been busy with her paperwork, finally came over and placed a tray on Hades's table.
-Lunchtime.
Hades looked at the tray with distrust.
In front of him was a steaming bowl of clear soup, with a piece of white meat, carrots, and potatoes floating in the broth. Beside it was a glass of a thick, yellowish-white liquid.
He frowned.
—What is this... food?
"Pick and eat food!" Recovery Girl replied firmly, without looking up from her papers.
Hades stifled a growl, muttering curses as he took the spoon.
As soon as she dipped it in the broth, the warm, comforting aroma invaded her nostrils. She felt her stomach growl loudly, reminding her that she hadn't eaten anything in four days.
Her pride told her to eat calmly, with dignity. But her body had other priorities.
As soon as the first sip of soup touched her tongue, warmth spread through her chest and descended into her stomach like a wave of relief. Without realizing it, her pace increased, shoveling down spoonful after spoonful with an almost primal eagerness.
Recovery Girl watched the scene with a slight, pleased smile.
—Good sign. If you're hungry, your recovery is on the right track.
Hades grunted between bites, about to make a sarcastic comment, but then...
—It tastes delicious! I've never tasted anything as good as this!
The voice that came out of his mouth was not his own.
Recovery Girl raised an eyebrow and muttered to herself.
—Oh, that's right... he has multiple personality disorder... although, it seems to be bipolar.
Hades's body remained still for a moment, his eyes shining with childlike excitement as he continued eating.
—This is amazing, it's like a hug in the form of food.—Haruto said, with a genuine smile—. The soup is so delicious, I could eat this every day!
Recovery Girl nodded, satisfied.
—I'm glad you like the chicken soup. Don't forget to have your banana and skim milk smoothie.
The boy inside Hades nodded enthusiastically and took the glass in both hands, taking a deep sip.
When he lowered the glass, a white foam mustache had been marked on his upper lip.
—Mmm! This is good too.
Recovery Girl laughed softly.
—You should let that personality of yours take over more often, hohoho.
But in an instant, Hades's expression changed.
His brow furrowed, his jaw tensed, and the childlike sparkle in his eyes disappeared.
—Fuck you, you old hag.
Recovery Girl smiled mischievously.
—Oh, what a shame.
And before Hades could react, he felt a sharp blow on his casted leg.
—Son of a—!
Recovery Girl's cane had reached him with surgical precision.
Hades gritted his teeth, but didn't scream. Only his face twisted in a gesture of suppressed pain, as he leaned back slightly, still holding the glass in his hand.
"Luckily you're done eating," Recovery Girl said casually, as if she hadn't done anything out of the ordinary.
"Old demon..." Hades muttered through gritted teeth, glaring at her.
"You say that, but we've been taking care of you like a baby these past few days," she replied with a smug smile. "You should be more grateful."
Hades clicked his tongue and looked away.
—Hmph.
Recovery Girl just laughed and picked up the tray.
Hades's stomach was full for the first time in days, and the warmth of the food spread through his body like a comforting balm. He slumped lightly against the pillow, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction.
I'd never been in a situation like this before. In the Underworld, food was a meaningless concept to a god.
As a mortal, I had learned that hunger could be unbearable... but also that food could be pleasurable.
It was another of the many things I couldn't quite understand about this existence.
While his body digested, his mind wandered.
He had realized something.
Since waking up in this world, his personality had been gradually softening.
He was no longer as frivolous as he had been at the beginning.
He no longer clung to his identity as a god.
His constant anger had subsided, and although he was still brusque and proud, something inside him was transforming.
Because?
I couldn't find a clear answer, but I had some suspicions.
Perhaps it was the influence of Haruto, the second soul that inhabited this body.
The boy was naive, kind, and saw the world through hopeful eyes. His existence within it must be affecting him in some way.
Or maybe...
Maybe it was Akemi.
The idea immediately made him uncomfortable.
Akemi was annoying, impulsive, and had a bad habit of intruding on his personal space.
But at the same time, she wasn't someone who treated him with pity or fear. She looked him in the eye, challenged him, and pushed him to react.
Was that what was changing him?
He grunted softly, uncomfortable with the direction of his thoughts.
But before he could analyze it further, he felt something unexpected.
A light touch on her cheek.
His whole body tensed. A shiver ran down his spine.
And then, his instinct reacted before his brain.
—What the hell do you think you're doing, you old witch!
His voice resonated with a tone of alarm and pure horror.
Recovery Girl walked away with her typical calm expression, her cane resting in one hand.
—I just applied my quirk to you, you outrageous brat!
Hades's eyes widened, his skin burning where he had felt the contact.
—You're an old bitch!
But before he could continue protesting, he felt a sharp blow to the head.
—Tsk!
A flash of pale green light enveloped him, and almost immediately, the lingering pain in his casted limbs subsided slightly.
The tension in his muscles dissipated, and a feeling of drowsiness suddenly came over him.
His eyelids grew heavy, his consciousness began to fade.
"Old... witch…" he muttered in a drawl, his head slowly falling to one side.
He could barely hear the door opening.
—Hey, Recovery Girl! I need help with a minor injury...
The voice was animated, full of energy, almost too much for Hades to bear in his current state.
Recovery Girl sighed wearily.
—Did you hurt yourself again, Mirio? It's the third time this week, and we're on vacation!
—Hehe, well, let's just say I had a little incident in training...
Mirio laughed with a mixture of discomfort and nonchalance, but then his eyes fell on Hades.
The boy in a cast looked at him out of the corner of his eye, his consciousness already halfway to sleep.
Mirio smiled.
—Wow, looks like we have a new partner here.
But before he could get any closer, Recovery Girl grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room with a gentle shove.
—He's a patient and needs to rest. Come, let's go to the other room to treat that injury.
—Ah! I understand, I understand, see you later, new friend.
The door closed, and silence filled the room again.
Hades barely managed to grunt before his consciousness completely shut down.
Sleep gripped him helplessly, dragging him into a deep and restful sleep.
[Recovery Room – Next Morning]
Hades woke up with an unbearable heaviness in his eyelids. He blinked a few times, feeling the burning in his dry eyes, and let out an involuntary yawn. His body still ached, a reminder of how fragile he was now.
He tried to stretch, but the slightest movement sent shock waves of pain through his casted limbs.
—Tsk... damn mortal body... —he growled through gritted teeth, his brow furrowed in frustration.
The door swung open and Recovery Girl's familiar voice echoed through the room.
"Don't stretch so abruptly, brat," she said in her usual scolding tone as she walked over to his stretcher.
Hades gave him a sour look, but ignored it when his attention was caught by the steaming bowl the old woman placed on the table next to her bed.
The aroma was delicious, a white broth with golden threads floating on the surface. Her stomach growled immediately.
Next to the bowl was a glass with a thick, white liquid.
Hades reached out with his right arm to grab it, but before he could even touch it, a sharp blow from Recovery Girl's staff stopped him.
"I'll change your bandages and take your pulse first," she said, looking at him sternly.
The boy grunted softly, but drew back his arm in obvious annoyance.
Hades hated feeling so helpless.
The old woman leaned over him, her expression tired but pleased to see her patient's continued improvement. With meticulous movements, she began to undo the knots in the bandages on his torso.
The cold air in the room made her skin crawl as he removed her hospital gown, exposing her still-healing wounds.
Just then, the door opened again.
—Hades! Good morning! —Midoriya's cheerful voice filled the room.
But his energy faded as soon as his eyes fell on her bare torso.
The bruise on his torso was enormous, with an ugly yellowish-green hue and bluish edges. His skin looked torn in places, as if he'd suffered a brutal impact that had nearly pulverized his ribs.
Midoriya shifted his gaze to his right forearm, where the reddened, slowly peeling skin revealed the burn damage.
His expression went from carefree joy to analytical coldness in a matter of seconds.
The air in the room became denser.
But before she could say anything, Recovery Girl interrupted her with a snort.
—You don't know when to knock first, brat!
Midoriya blinked and snapped out of his stupor.
"Sorry!" He bowed slightly, immediately regaining his jovial energy.
Hades noticed the subtle change in her face. For a moment, his expression was like that of a predator sizing up its prey.
But now, he smiled with the same attitude as always.
"I wanted to see if Hades could go for a walk," she said, showing the black wheelchair she'd hidden behind her. "It's so he doesn't feel cramped being trapped between four white walls."
Recovery Girl looked at her silently, evaluating her request.
Hades raised an eyebrow, intrigued, as leaving this room sounded tempting to his ears.
The old woman sighed and nodded.
—Fine, but first I have to change your bandages and apply my Quirk after you're done...
He stopped dead in his tracks.
Her gaze hardened as she saw how Hades, ignoring her warning and his own pain, had clumsily reached for the glass.
"Tch... as if I could wait," he murmured, taking a sip of the thick liquid.
It was sweet and had a creamy texture, though he didn't mind it too much. All he wanted was to calm the hunger that was making him more irritable.
Recovery Girl glared at him.
—You are the most foolish patient I have ever had!
Midoriya smiled, entertained by the scene.
Hades, still holding the glass, rolled his eyes.
—If you wanted me to follow your rules, you should have tied me to the bed, you old hag.
Recovery Girl hit his head with the cane without hesitation.
—Stop talking nonsense and cooperate!
Midoriya stifled a laugh and moved a little closer to the stretcher.
—Does that mean when you're done eating, we can go out?
Hades looked at her suspiciously.
—Why do you care so much?
"Because I need to talk to you," she said with a radiant smile.
Hades blinked heavily, and nodded sleepily, feeling the uncomfortable tightness of the newly removed bandages on his torso and right arm.
His cast-encased limbs weighed like lead, but worse was the hunger that gnawed at his stomach with an almost unbearable intensity.
I could hardly think of anything else but food.
As she tried to move a little without dying of pain, Recovery Girl took her blood pressure with a digital sphygmomanometer. The old woman sighed and murmured softly:
—One hundred and twenty out of eighty... At least that part of you is working fine, brat.
Then, with firm, expert hands, she began changing his bandages. The touch of the gauze on his wounded skin made him frown and bite the inside of his cheek.
"Tsk..." he grunted, resisting the urge to pull away.
Recovery Girl didn't bother being gentle, but she wasn't cruel either. She adjusted the bandage precisely, making sure there were no slack.
Hades felt the pressure increase in his torso and right arm, forcing him to inhale deeply to control the pain.
"You shouldn't endure the pain, Hades-kun," Midoriya said suddenly, in a playful, almost amused tone.
He glared at her, and that's when she noticed what he was doing: he had picked up the tray with his breakfast and was examining its contents with interest.
"I see it's oatmeal with honey and... yogurt?" Midoriya tilted his head slightly and brought the spoon to his mouth, taking a small sip before nodding in satisfaction. "Yes, yogurt!"
Hades felt the vein in his temple throb with suppressed fury.
"Don't eat my food, Midoriya!" he growled irritably, reaching his right arm out toward the tray with clumsy movements.
Recovery Girl ignored him and continued with her work. Just when Hades thought the torture was over, the old woman tightened the bandage on his right forearm with a tighter pull than necessary.
Hades gritted his teeth and stifled a growl, feeling a lash of pain run through his body.
"Good, now I'll apply my Gift to you," Recovery Girl announced, without giving him time to protest.
Hades couldn't even dodge when the old woman leaned down and pressed a kiss against his cheek.
"I hate this..." he muttered in annoyance, feeling his body illuminate with a faint greenish glow.
The relief was immediate. The persistent pain in his wounds and limbs eased, as if an invisible weight had been lifted from him.
But then his stomach growled furiously, reminding him of the side effect of that damned Quirk. His tiredness and hunger multiplied, turning into an urgent, desperate need.
Without waiting any longer, he took the spoon and began to devour the porridge quickly, hardly breathing between bites.
The sweet taste of honey mingled with the comforting warmth of oatmeal, and for a moment, his entire world narrowed down to the food in front of him.
Midoriya watched him with an amused smile, resting a hand on his cheek as he tilted his head.
—Wow... I see you were very hungry, Hades-kun.
He grunted without looking up, bringing the yogurt cup to his lips and taking a deep sip. The thick, cool liquid soothed his dry throat a little.
"Don't even mention it, moss-head," he grumbled between bites.
Midoriya chuckled, narrowing his eyes with an expression Hades couldn't quite interpret.
Recovery Girl crossed her arms, watching him with a mixture of resignation and satisfaction.
"At least you have an appetite. That means you'll recover faster," he said, though his tone still held a hint of grumpy annoyance. "But don't think that means you're going to do whatever you want, brat."
Hades rolled his eyes and continued eating, enjoying the only pleasure he had at that moment: filling his empty stomach.
[After a while]
Hades let out a satisfied sigh, resting his head on the pillow as he finished the last sip of his yogurt.
For the first time in days, his stomach was full, and it gave him a sense of calm that almost made him forget how much he hated being stuck in a hospital bed.
However, the peace was short-lived.
—Wow... you ate with the same spoon as me... —Midoriya suddenly commented, with a tone that made Hades open one eye suspiciously.
The smile on her lips was different. Flirty. Teasing. As if she were about to play with him.
—That's an indirect kiss, Hades-kun... —he added with amusement.
Hades frowned at her, his expression a cross between anger and confusion.
—What the fuck are you—?
But he didn't finish the sentence.
Right in the middle of his words, his second personality, Haruto, took control.
Hades's eyes widened, his face turned bright red, and he reflexively swallowed the last bit of yogurt he still had in his mouth.
His breathing became erratic, and his usually cold and calculating mind went completely blank.
"A... a... a... indirect kiss?" Haruto stammered, bringing his hands to his mouth in embarrassment.
Midoriya didn't waste the opportunity. His mischievous smile widened as he slowly leaned toward him, closing the distance between their faces.
—Of course, Ha—
However, before she could continue her provocation, Hades's bandaged hand shot towards her face, grabbing her firmly and stopping her advance.
"What the hell are you trying to do, Midoriya?" Hades snapped coldly, having regained control.
His gaze was icy, but his face still had a faint trace of red, a vestige of Haruto's reaction.
Midoriya, far from being bothered, let out an amused chuckle.
—Well, well, looks like you're awake, Hades-kun~ —she joked, not trying to escape his grasp.
Before Hades could respond, Recovery Girl's laughter filled the room.
"I see you're getting along well," the old woman commented sarcastically as she signed some documents on her desk.
Hades growled, releasing Midoriya, who massaged his cheek in mock indignation.
"You can take him for a walk around campus," Recovery Girl continued. "Also..." She paused, turning her gaze to Hades with a serious expression. "You should visit the campus psychologist."
Hades gritted his teeth, his brow furrowing further and his jaw clenching in annoyance.
"I don't need to see that thing!" he snapped.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, you bipolar split-personality brat," Recovery Girl said nonchalantly, waving a hand. "It's settled."
Hades snorted in resignation. Midoriya, on the other hand, wasted no time and wheeled the wheelchair in front of the stretcher.
Activating his Quirk, black whips gently emerged from his back and wrapped around Hades carefully, lifting him up gently.
"All right! Let's go for a ride, Hades-kun~" she hummed excitedly as she sat him down on the chair with amazing fluidity.
Hades growled again, but didn't protest.
The truth is, after so many days trapped in that room, going out for some fresh air didn't sound so bad.
Recovery Girl watched them leave with a small smile, though she didn't say anything else.
The hallway was completely silent as Midoriya calmly pushed the wheelchair.
Hades looked around intently, memorizing every corner of the building. The walls were white, clean, impersonal... but at least they were better than the monotony of the infirmary.
As they walked, the morning sun filtered through the windows, casting long shadows on the ground.
—Hades... I have more things to tell you... —Midoriya suddenly broke the silence.
Hades shifted his gaze to her, noticing how her expression, though still cheerful, had taken on a more serious tinge.
They passed through a large glass door and stepped out into a large, empty courtyard.
Green grass stretched out around them, dotted with a few wildflowers.
The wind blew gently, ruffling Midoriya's hair as he pushed the chair with calm steps.
"About what?" Hades asked, still in his dry, distrustful tone.
Midoriya stopped and took a deep breath before answering.
—About the future.
Hades held his gaze for a moment, then nodded slowly.
—I'm listening.
The wind blew gently, but Akemi barely felt it.
His body stiffened, his hands trembling slightly at the sides of the wheelchair, as if he were struggling to stay upright.
His eyes became empty, lost in a dead point on the horizon, but his mind was trapped elsewhere.
A deep abyss of broken memories began to open in his mind.
And the pain returned.
The space around the girl distorted and the sound of a doorbell began to resonate in her eardrums.
The apartment door opened with a heavy creak, revealing a police officer with a grim expression.
Akemi felt an invisible pressure on her chest.
—Are you related to Inko Midoriya?
The officer avoided her eyes, looking at the ground.
The girl felt her insides churn at those simple words.
-Yeah...
The man swallowed and took a breath as if what he was about to say would suffocate him.
—I'm so sorry... Your mother, Inko Midoriya, passed away this morning in a terrorist attack at the Musutafu supermarket.
A high-pitched whistling filled his ears. A high-pitched whistling enveloped the small entrance to the apartment.
—No.... No, that can't be true...
The policeman's lips continued to move, uttering words that were drowned out by the dull thud against his head.
—He protected civilians...
—He died instantly...
—He didn't suffer...
Lies.
His mother couldn't be dead.
The floor seemed to disappear beneath their feet. The room spun.
She clutched her chest tightly. Something inside her had been torn, something deeper than flesh or bone.
And then, he heard it.
The notification sound on her phone silenced any breathing Akemi managed to do.
Shaking hands pulled him out.
[Message from Mom]
—Akemi-chan, I bought your favorite cookies. You were grumpy from waiting today. I'm paying now. See you at home. Love you.
The notification stared at her like a mocking ghost.
His throat closed.
-Mother...!
The scream she let out was inhuman, heartbreaking, but the reality was crueler.
His mother couldn't answer him.
Anymore.
The room spun and distorted once more. Now he was outside, on a racetrack, the sun beating down on his pale skin.
And, in front of her, there was no longer an officer.
Now there was a man with long, jet-black hair, dry eyes, and a scarf ready to attack her.
That man's eyes were cold and free of remorse.
His words, like knives, pierced the girl's eardrums.
—You are not worthy of being at the UA
Each syllable was a blow to the chest.
His companions remained silent.
Bakugou looked at her with disdain. Todoroki looked away. Kaminari scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably.
Uraraka frowned, unable to defend her.
—It's a disappointment.
His heart hammered in his chest.
—Did you really think you could be a hero with that attitude?
The voices became a distorted echo.
An invisible cage surrounded her, imprisoning her in that moment, in that truth.
His legs trembled.
He wanted to scream. He wanted to defend himself.
But I couldn't.
Because a part of her believed Aizawa was right.
"I'm not a failure..." she whispered, but even she didn't believe it.
The scene was distorted.
This time, she was no longer in the open air, now she was trapped between concrete walls.
But that wasn't all. The girl only managed to blink once before a huge explosion consumed her.
The roar of the explosion felt like the whole world had exploded.
A second before, I was standing.
A second later, he was on the ground, the taste of metal and ash in his mouth.
Smoke covered everything. His vision was blurred.
He tried to move.
But he couldn't.
A burning pain spread through his abdomen and legs.
He looked down.
His hero suit was torn, and beneath it... the skin was charred, the flesh exposed, bubbling and red.
The pain was unbearable.
His breathing was erratic, rapid, desperate.
And then, through the mist, a silhouette approached.
Bakugou.
His eyes were wide open. His hands were shaking, and every step he took was like the sound of a drum.
—I... didn't want to...
His expression was not angry as it had always been.
No... his expression was one of fear.
Afraid of what he had done to her.
Fear of how close he came to killing her.
Akemi couldn't answer.
Because at that moment, something inside her died.
His eyes darkened into an almost infinite mist.
His chest pounded, and heavily, he opened his eyes again.
What he looked at was no longer his childhood friend.
"Tsuyu-chan!" he shouted, reaching out his hand.
The girl just looked back at him.
A look of terror blurred her features before a pale hand cupped her face.
And in a matter of seconds, it disintegrated as if it had never existed.
The flesh and bones disappeared into a gray dust.
His eyes, stained with horror, went out in an instant.
Akemi couldn't scream. She couldn't move.
A hot liquid splashed on his cheek.
The sound of a body falling to the ground.
And then, silence.
His legs didn't respond.
His lungs forgot to breathe.
His mind shattered into a thousand pieces.
She closed her eyes, looking away from her friend's headless body.
But when he opened them again, he saw it.
All Might was on the ground.
The symbol of peace, Japan's number one hero, lay on the ground, covered in wounds, his face buried in the bloody pavement.
But that wasn't the worst part.
The worst part was the creature on top of him.
A monster of twisted purple flesh and enormous strength, with a beak full of sharp fangs and dead eyes.
His fist was raised in the air.
And he fell hard.
The impact resonated throughout his being.
All Might shouted.
He screamed like never before.
Akemi felt her world crumble.
—All... Might...!
She tried to run, but something stopped her.
A portal opened in front of her and from it, a pale, bony hand emerged.
His deformed fingers approached All Might's forearm.
A second later, everything changed.
The skin, the muscles, the bones.
Everything disappeared.
As if it had never existed.
All Might's scream resonated in his bones.
Blood splattered the ground.
The arm that had once carried the hope of a nation... was gone.
The world stopped making sense.
Akemi blinked.
The wind continued to blow gently.
But his whole body was stiff.
His shoulders had a slight tic, his hands trembled, his fingers barely able to close into a fist.
His breathing was erratic, shallow, as if he couldn't fill his lungs with air.
The screams still echoed in his head.
The smell of blood was still in his nose.
But I had to speak.
I had to keep going.
"What I'm about to tell you..." her voice broke, but she forced herself to continue. "It will be key to saving the future."
Hades stared at her.
For the first time, he didn't make a joke.
He didn't mock.
He just watched her.
And even though he didn't say anything, Akemi knew he had noticed something.
That he had really seen her.
—Akemi... —his voice was low, but serious.
She took a deep breath.
Once, twice, three times.
And then, when he looked up, there was no more trembling in his eyes.
Her icy glow had returned.
"Listen carefully, Hades-kun," she said, before walking with slow, controlled steps until she stood in front of Hades, who was watching her from his wheelchair.
His hands were shaking.
She tried to hide it by clenching her fists, but the trembling continued, giving her away. Her breathing was deep but labored, as if each inhalation required a titanic effort.
And then, she felt a warm touch on her cheek.
His thoughts stopped.
The touch was neither aggressive nor mocking. It was gentle.
His gaze met Hades' crimson.
Her eyes shone with a tenderness that shouldn't be there. With an innocence that didn't fit into his world.
Akemi felt a slight chill run down her spine, that wasn't Hades, it was her second personality.
He didn't know how to react.
His body just... froze.
"You're warm..." he murmured, with a small smile.
She felt a pressure in her chest, something uncomfortable. Something she didn't want to name.
But he couldn't get distracted.
His mission was the only thing that mattered.
She bit her lip, regaining control, and took Hades's hand tightly, feeling the warmth in her palm.
"Monday... will be the first day of school," his voice sounded more stable than it felt.
Haruto tilted his head curiously, but said nothing.
Hades took control again, his expression changing to one of boredom.
—And what's so special about that day?
Akemi took a deep breath.
—That day... I almost got expelled.
Hades's eyes narrowed.
-Because?
—Because I was too weak.
The answer was simple.
But the way he squeezed Hades's hand said otherwise.
He said it wasn't just a memory.
He said he hated it.
But still, despite all of them.
He forced himself to smile.
—This time it will be different.
Hades didn't respond immediately. He just looked at her carefully, as if searching for something in her expression.
Finally, he let out a snort.
—Are you confident enough to pass it now?
Akemi's smile became more real, warmer.
—Of course you do, silly.
Hades raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by the tone of her voice.
But before he could comment, Akemi continued.
—After that, there'll be a training... one where I almost die.
Hades' reaction was immediate.
His brow furrowed.
—Who was it?
Akemi tilted her head, her smile growing.
Seeing him react like that gave her a strange feeling. Not pleasure, but a quiet satisfaction.
—Don't worry. This time, I'll dodge the attack.
"That doesn't answer my question," his tone was serious.
Akemi didn't respond. She just maintained her smile, that light expression masking a mind that was constantly calculating.
Hades growled, but didn't insist.
—And then what?
Akemi looked down for a second.
The weight on his chest increased.
—Then... the attack on the UA will come
Her voice cracked slightly, but she didn't let the tremor filter through.
—I don't know how they did it... I don't know how they got in...
Hades noticed the small twitch in her shoulders, the way her grip on his hand grew tighter.
He looked away for a moment.
"This time..." he whispered, with absolute certainty, "you have a god as an ally."
Akemi looked at him, and something inside her stirred.
It wasn't hope, it wasn't warmth.
It was not faith.
Just the confirmation that her best weapon was right in front of her.
His queen on this chessboard.
...
The silence between them felt thick, almost physical, as if the air itself had frozen after Hades's last words.
The ancient god in the wheelchair narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, but his face slowly relaxed. His frown melted away, giving way to a calmer expression.
But his mind didn't stop, not completely.
And then, with a slight inclination of his head, he raised an eyebrow and spoke:
"Hey... now that I think about it..." His tone was calm, but there was a hint of latent curiosity in his voice. "What happened to that mortal you asked Larry to look for?"
Akemi blinked once.
Just one.
There was no immediate reaction on his face, but something in his eyes lit up for a brief moment.
Slowly, she exhaled a sigh before walking behind Hades. Her hands gently placed themselves on the handles of the wheelchair, and without another word, she began pushing him, heading toward the hallways.
—I found it.
Hades turned his face toward her, his inquisitive gaze searching for details in her expression.
But Akemi just kept pushing the chair, her posture relaxed, though her tone... her tone held something else.
Hades waited a few seconds, and when he saw that she didn't continue, he raised an eyebrow impatiently.
-AND?
Another sigh escaped Akemi's lips before she answered.
"When I was on my way to pick you up... I saw him." Her voice was measured, but it couldn't completely hide the shadow of emotion that passed through her. "He was coming out of the rubble of a women's clothing store."
There was a brief silence.
The wind blew gently, stirring a few strands of Akemi's hair.
Hades turned his head back to the front and asked naturally:
—Did you kill him?
Akemi swallowed.
The question was direct, cold and straightforward.
She looked away, though her pace didn't slow.
He tightened his grip on the chair handles, feeling his grip tighten.
"Yes..." her tone was low but clear. "I crushed his head and buried him in the rubble using my whips."
There was no immediate reaction from Hades.
Only the sound of the wheels moving forward and the wind filling the void between them.
But then the god's tone became thicker, colder.
—Didn't you make him suffer?
Akemi felt her body tense.
"After all," Hades continued, a hint of sternness in his voice, "he betrayed them."
Akemi closed her eyes for a brief moment.
The image of that bastard, his expression of horror as he felt the whips closing in on him, appeared in his mind like a distant echo.
Their whips had been precise. There was no chance of a fight.
But still...
"I wanted to..." he began, his voice lowering slightly. "I really wanted to torture him... in the future... that bastard committed suicide to avoid capture."
A chill ran down her spine, and her fingers trembled subtly on the chair.
—But you were more important.
Silence.
Hades blinked slowly, his expression losing some of its seriousness in surprise.
He turned his face towards her immediately.
—What did you say?
—Nothing, I didn't say anything, deaf.
Hades frowned.
—What did you call me, moss head?
He turned his head with a frown, ready to throw out a biting comment, but his voice died in his throat when he saw the expression on Akemi's face.
It was not a wide, mocking smile.
It was a small, tiny smile, but real.
Hades looked at her skeptically for a few seconds before snorting and looking back at her.
—Damn... and now where do we go?
Akemi tilted her face slightly, her smile still present.
—I'll take you to the best chef in the world.
Hades raised an eyebrow in distrust.
—What kind of absurd statement is that?
—You'll see.
The god clicked his tongue, but did not argue.
As the chair moved through the halls of UA, Hades noticed that Akemi's grip on the handles remained firm.
He wasn't shaking.
I had no doubt.
And for the first time in a long time, the tension in his chest eased.
...
The sound of wheels rumbled softly against the ground as Midoriya pushed Hades' chair with a firm step.
The UA was quiet, the sun filtering through the large windows of the hallways, illuminating the long corridors with a warm light.
Hades, his brows slightly furrowed, remained silent... until his curiosity got the better of him.
"If we're going to see that... 'world's best chef,'" he said with a hint of skepticism, crossing his only functional arm over his chest. "Does that mean we'll be eating?"
Midoriya smiled, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
—That's the plan after all!
Hades tilted his head slowly, raising an eyebrow.
—Midoriya... I just ate twenty minutes ago.
The girl didn't stop walking, but her shoulders tensed slightly.
"You do, but I don't..." he replied in a casual tone, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Hades looked at her out of the corner of his eye, his eyebrow still raised.
A light sigh escaped her lips before she let out her next comment.
"Your mother will be angry," he said, turning his head to look at the girl.
Her shoulders drooped slightly, her expression turning somber, almost as if a shadow had fallen over her completely. Her steps didn't slow, but Hades felt her grip on his wheelchair weaken for just an instant.
It didn't last long.
Barely a second later, Midoriya recovered, his smile returning with an almost rehearsed ease.
—Look, we're here—
Her voice sounded animated, but Hades was not so easily fooled.
However, any thoughts on that were cut short when the girl looked up... and her expression froze.
Hades followed her gaze and slowly focused his attention on the large sign posted at the entrance to the cafe.
"Closed for Vacation."
The wind in the hallway suddenly felt colder and silence enveloped the room.
Hades didn't say anything at first, just letting reality sink into Midoriya's mind as he watched her frozen in place.
Her shoulders slumped, her mouth parted, and desolation painted her face with an almost comical intensity.
Hades sighed heavily and turned his face to look at her again.
—Didn't you see it coming?
Midoriya, still in shock, barely moved his head to look at him.
—...
"Come on, moss-head," Hades continued mockingly. "Where is your great intellect now?"
The girl closed her eyes tightly and gritted her teeth before letting out a low growl.
—Shut up, Hades...
The god smiled slightly.
—God of Death.
—I don't give a fuck.
—You look more depressed than when I almost died of hypothermia.
—It's called hypothermia.
—It's the same.
Midoriya gripped the chair handles tightly, but instead of arguing further, he abruptly turned the wheelchair around, forcing him to turn around.
Hades didn't even complain.
The rest of the ride back was silent, though every now and then Hades could feel Midoriya tightening his grip more tightly than necessary.
Upon arriving at the recovery room, Midoriya left him in front of the bed and looked at him with his arms crossed.
—Stay still.
"I can't move, genius," Hades replied sarcastically, pointing at his casts. "See?"
Midoriya rolled his eyes, but his expression softened just a little.
—I'm going to... do some things. I'll see you later.
He didn't wait for a reply.
He turned and left the room without saying another word.
Hades watched her go, leaning his head against the back of the chair.
Something in his chest felt... strange.
He saw her tense up when he mentioned her mother.
He saw her stare blankly at the sign.
And while most people would just see a girl complaining about food, he saw something deeper.
He saw her frustration.
He saw her disappointment.
And for a moment, he wondered if it was because in that moment, for once, he just wanted to do something simple without worrying about the future.
A sigh escaped her lips.
—Damn strange mortal... —he muttered to himself.
And so, he let calm envelop him.
A few hours later, she received Recovery Girl's Gift before falling asleep.
[Three days later]
Hades lay on the gurney in the UA recovery room, feeling Recovery Girl's strange green aura envelop his body. His regeneration was progressing rapidly, too rapidly for what should be normal human injuries.
Three days had passed, three days without seeing Midoriya.
It was weird... but it was okay.
Or so Hades thought.
Haruto, his second personality, did not think the same.
"Where's Akemi-chan?" he'd asked again and again, like a lost child searching for his older sister.
—I don't know and I don't care.
—But I miss her!
-I don't!
The internal argument repeated itself so many times that Hades felt like tearing his head off.
And now, finally, this torment of recovery was going to end.
Or so he thought.
"Okay, with this it should be safe to remove the cast on your legs and arm," Recovery Girl said neutrally, taking a few steps back to search for something in a cabinet.
Hades sat up slightly, watching the old woman move calmly. But then, his gaze fell on what she pulled out.
His eyes opened.
A chill ran down his spine.
—Why... do you have that thing?
Recovery Girl turned on the machine, and the roar of the engine filled the room with a high-pitched, menacing sound.
Hades swallowed hard.
"C-Chill, brat," the old woman said, her smile too calm for the situation. "Stay still... my hand with the saw isn't as good as it used to be."
The god felt a cold sweat run down his forehead.
-That!
His eyes darted frantically, searching for a way out, anything to keep that spinning blade from getting close to his skin.
And then, he saw her.
A shock of green hair peeking through the door.
—Hi, Hades! How have you been? How's your recovery going?
Midoriya walked in with a lively smile, as if he didn't notice the hellish scene that was unfolding.
Hades looked at her for a few moments, something between pleading and anger on his face.
"Fine," he replied curtly, returning his gaze to the saw that roared in the old woman's hands.
But before she could say anything else, Recovery Girl lifted the tool and brought it closer to her leg.
—Wait, wait, wait...!
"Calm down, brat. Just stay still," she repeated in a tone that didn't help at all.
—I don't think this is safe!
Recovery Girl just smiled.
—Nothing in life is certain, boy.
Hades's heart skipped a beat, his breathing quickened.
His mind went into panic.
Haruto screamed in panic and the god felt like he wanted to do it too.
And in that moment of vulnerability, his second personality took over.
—H-Help me, Akemi-cha!—
Haruto's scream was abruptly cut off by the sound of the saw turning on at full power.
The child inside Hades tried to move, desperately tried to get away from the infernal machine... but something stopped him.
Something caught him.
His limbs tensed.
And then he felt it.
Black whips, twisting around his body, pinning him to the gurney.
Midoriya's smile widened, victorious.
Hades regained control of his body and mind, but his situation did not improve at all.
"Traitor!" he shouted furiously, looking at her with eyes full of anger and fear.
Midoriya just laughed softly, leaning a little closer to her face.
—Shhh, Hades-kun, don't make Recovery Girl's hand shake more than usual.
Hades felt his stomach sink.
—Brat, hold him tight! I don't want to accidentally cut his skin.
"Understood, Recovery Girl!" Midoriya said excitedly, tightening his grip around her limbs.
Hades struggled, but the whips held him completely immobile.
—Don't say it like it's possible!
Recovery Girl tilted her head with a wicked smile.
—Hmm, wait a minute... was this the leg that was broken? Or the other one?
Hades felt his soul leave his body for a second.
-That!
Midoriya frowned and put a hand to his chin, as if he was thoughtful.
—Uhhh... I think it was the right one.
"No, no, wait, brat," Recovery Girl muttered, bringing the saw closer to her leg. "I think it was the left one."
Hades held his breath, feeling the heat of the spinning blade getting closer to his skin.
—How the hell don't they know! It's two o'clock! Two o'clock!
"Bah, it's not a big deal, if we cut off your leg, we can glue it back on," Midoriya said in a relaxed tone.
—No, they can't!
Recovery Girl smiled sweetly.
—Well... there's only one way to find out.
And without warning, he brought the saw down on the cast on his leg.
—Aaaaaaahhh!
Hades' scream echoed throughout the recovery room.
For a second, he thought he felt the blade piercing his skin.
His vision blurred with sheer panic.
And then, the sound stopped.
When he blinked, he saw Recovery Girl holding two freshly cut plaster halves, with a satisfied expression.
—Oh, yes, it was two o'clock, —he said with a smile.
Midoriya could barely contain his laughter at Hades's terrified expression.
—Oh, come on, Hades-kun, it wasn't that bad.
The god breathed heavily, feeling his heart beat with an absurd force in his chest.
—My damn heart almost stopped!
Recovery Girl laughed softly as she continued to remove the remains of the cast.
—If you were to die from this, you would deserve to lose your self-imposed title of god.
Hades glared at her, but he didn't have the strength to argue further.
His soul had already passed too close to his former domains in those minutes.
"Let's get this over with..." he muttered, sinking back onto the stretcher.
Midoriya finally let out a chuckle.
—You know, Hades... you should have seen your own face, it was really funny.
The god gave him a murderous look.
—If I ever regain my divinity... you'll be the first to fall into my domain.
Midoriya just winked at him.
—Ah, how scary.
Hades closed his eyes, exhaling heavily.
—...Damn mortals.
The echo of the saw's engine still reverberated in Hades's head.
Fear, betrayal, and anger still burned in his chest, but for now, he could only grunt, lying on the gurney as Recovery Girl discarded the casts into a metal bin with a thud.
The mere sound made him shudder.
The old woman calmly put away the saw and then crossed her arms, looking at him with her stern gaze.
—Okay, brat, how do your legs feel?
Hades grumbled, still angry from the scare from a few moments ago.
"If I still had my powers, I'd send you to the deepest part of the Underworld..." he muttered through gritted teeth, without even looking at her.
"You were saying that?" Recovery Girl said, raising an eyebrow.
—Nothing... —Hades looked away in frustration and decided to focus on his own body.
He flexed his left arm.
A shiver ran through her skin.
It didn't hurt, but it felt like his own body didn't belong to him, it was heavy, stiff, and felt strange.
His brow furrowed and he tried to move his legs.
But it was the same result.
"They move... but they're clumsy, slow, as if I've forgotten how to use them," he thought, without taking his gaze from his limbs. "I have trouble flexing them," he admitted with annoyance.
But before she could process it further, she felt a small touch on her thigh.
His eyes moved towards the source of the sensation, and he saw Midoriya.
The girl stood there, a curious expression on her face, poking her leg with her finger over and over again.
"...What the hell are you doing?" he asked, frowning.
Midoriya stung him once more.
"It feels weird. Like you're made of stone," he said with an amused smile.
Hades tried to push her away, but as soon as he tried to move his leg, a crushing feeling of heaviness stopped him.
It was as if a block of lead was tied to his limbs.
I couldn't move them as easily as before.
—Why does it cost so much...?
"You need rehab before you can leave," Recovery Girl said firmly as she headed for the exit. "Honey, help me get this brat to the gym."
Midoriya nodded enthusiastically and turned to a wheelchair that was attached to the side of the stretcher.
"Come on, Hades!" he said with a smile. "I'll help you take your first steps."
Hades's eyes narrowed in irritation.
—You talk like I'm a baby.
Midoriya tilted his head, as if considering the comparison.
—Well... technically, babies need help walking.
Hades growled, his scream drowned out in his mind as his second personality took over.
—First they torture me with that thing, and now they humiliate me!
"I'm not a baby!" Haruto shouted, trying to stand up.
He tried to move on his own, trying to prop himself up with his arms... but as soon as he put tension on his legs, an invisible weight pulled him back against the stretcher with a thud.
-Shit...
Midoriya brought a hand to his mouth, holding back his laughter.
—Hades, did you just fail to get up?
The god took control and gritted his teeth.
—Shut your mouth.
"Oh, this is pure gold." Midoriya gave him a mischievous look. "The almighty Hades, king of the Underworld, unable to move his legs."
Hades felt a nervous twitch in his eyebrow.
—I said... shut your damn mouth.
Midoriya just smiled wider.
—Okay, okay, I'll help you.
Suddenly, the green girl's black whips unfurled and wrapped around Hades's body with ease.
The god's eyes opened wide in fury.
—Hey, wait!
—Let's go!
In one motion, Midoriya lifted him off the stretcher like a sack of potatoes, using the whips to suspend him in the air.
Hades felt a mixture of indignation and despair.
—Akemi! Put me down right now!
"If I put you on the floor, you'll fall on your face," she replied innocently.
—I'd rather fall on my face than be picked up like a doll!
Recovery Girl, on the other hand, sighed from the doorway.
—Scandalous brats...
Midoriya simply ignored everything and moved the boy with the whips towards the wheelchair.
Hades tried to resist, but his body was still too weak to really fight.
And with a slight "plop", he was placed in the chair.
Midoriya leaned back and patted him on the shoulder.
—There you have it, Your Majesty. Your rolling throne.
The god closed his eyes tightly, inhaling and exhaling to avoid casting a curse on his companion.
—When I regain my strength...
Midoriya smiled.
—Yes, yes, when you regain your strength, I'll be the first to fall. You said it before.
Hades just grunted.
Recovery Girl walked in front of them and waved her hand.
—Come on, we have to put those legs to work before they become useless!
Midoriya began to push the chair vigorously, leaving the room.
Hades slumped into his seat in resignation.
—I... The former strongest god... reduced to nothing more than a crippled mortal...
The sound of wheels turning on the polished floor of the hallway echoed in the air.
Hades, arms crossed and an annoyed expression, watched Recovery Girl walk a few meters ahead of them with a firm step.
Midoriya, on the other hand, had a playful smile, pushing his chair with an energy he considered unnecessary.
The god clicked his tongue, still frustrated by his state and Haruto's constant questions.
"Hey, Midoriya," he called without taking his eyes off the hallway. "Where the hell were you?"
The green-haired girl glanced at him, her smile softening, and she murmured softly:
—I've been preparing some strategy notes for the near future.
Hades raised an eyebrow.
—Notes? Strategy?
Midoriya just nodded with a calculating look.
The god clicked his tongue and looked at the green-haired girl.
—What comes first?
Midoriya smiled and, in a tone that was too cheerful for his liking, replied:
—The first thing is to help you walk, Hades-kun.
He, for his part, just grunted.
—Say it again with less joy.
Midoriya just laughed.
The rest of the journey passed in silence, until they finally reached a pair of enormous metal double doors.
The UA gym was immense, with training equipment distributed in different areas and high ceilings that amplified the echo of every movement.
Recovery Girl was the first to enter, and after taking a look around the space, she turned her head towards Midoriya and beckoned.
"Help the brat stand so we can get started, and help him with this list of exercises," the old woman said, handing him a clipboard. "I'm busy."
Midoriya nodded, and without warning, his black whips wrapped around Hades' torso, gently lifting him up.
—Wait, wait! Give me time to get ready!
—Too late~
—Damn it, Midoriya!
His feet touched the ground, but as soon as he felt the weight of his own body, a shiver ran down his spine.
It was a strange feeling.
Her legs didn't hurt, but... they didn't feel like hers either.
Out of pure instinct, he tried to steady himself, but his balance was off.
Midoriya noticed the trembling in his posture and gently placed a hand on his back to stabilize him.
—Calm down, I'm here.
Hades inhaled deeply and exhaled heavily.
—This is shit.
—Yes, yes it is, —Midoriya smiled. —Now, let's get to work.
...
[Exercise 1: Weightless movements to unlock joints]
"We'll start slowly, don't worry," Midoriya said as he guided him to a padded bench.
Hades sat down without protest, more out of necessity than will.
—First, move your ankles in circles.
The god looked at his feet and growled.
-Easy.
He tried to turn his right ankle...
And he barely moved it a few degrees before an unpleasant tingling sensation ran through him.
His brow furrowed.
Midoriya watched him patiently.
—Take your time. You don't have to do it perfectly.
Hades gritted his teeth and continued moving his ankle. Slowly, the range of motion increased, and although the stiffness was uncomfortable, it wasn't unbearable.
After a few minutes, he repeated the exercise with the other ankle.
Then he bent and extended his knees.
Every time I bent my leg, I felt a slight pull in my dormant muscles.
"If it hurts, tell me," Midoriya said, looking at him closely.
—It doesn't hurt. It's annoying.
—Good. Then go on.
Hades snorted, but obeyed.
—Now, the arm. Start with the wrist.
The god rolled his eyes and began to slowly rotate his wrist in circles.
Then he moved his elbow and shoulder in all directions.
It was awkward, but he managed it without any problems.
"It's not so bad," he murmured.
Midoriya nodded approvingly.
—You're doing well. Now, next exercise.
[Exercise 2: Balancing]
Midoriya helped him back to his feet.
—Now I want you to gently swing your legs back and forth.
Hades raised an eyebrow.
—And what's this for?
—To loosen the muscles.
Hades sighed and began to swing his right leg.
At first, it was clumsy and stiff, but after several minutes, the movement became more fluid.
—Good. Now the arm.
The god began to rotate his arm in slow circles.
The creaking of joints filled the silence.
Midoriya grimaced.
—That's not a good sign.
—Bah. It's just rust.
After nearly an hour of repetitions, Hades felt the stiffness ease a little.
[Exercise 3: Reintroduction to loading]
Midoriya helped him walk slowly.
Every step was a challenge.
"Shit..." Hades growled as his leg twitched.
Midoriya held his arm, making sure he didn't fall.
—Don't worry. I'm not going to let you fall.
-I hope so...
The exercise lasted almost an hour, with Hades leaning on Midoriya as his legs regained strength.
When he managed to take more than five steps without shaking, Midoriya smiled proudly.
But, for his part, Hades tried not to look at her.
[Exercise 4: Accelerated Strengthening]
The bodyweight exercises were hell.
Every muscle in Hades's body burned with a mix of pain and fatigue, and that damn Midoriya wouldn't stop pushing him.
"Come on, partial squats," she ordered in her usual enthusiastic tone, but with a hint of sadism.
Hades glared at her.
—Midoriya, if I fall, I'll drag you down with me.
She gave him a confident smile.
—I'd catch you before that happens.
The god growled, but obeyed.
He went down slowly, feeling the tension in his legs. As he tried to climb up, he felt a slight tremor in his muscles.
—That's it, Hades-kun, another one.
—If you call me "Hades-kun" again, I swear I'll make my skeletons scare you in the shower.
Midoriya laughed.
The push-ups were less terrifying, although his arms were still not in optimal condition. However, the one-legged balancing exercises made him want to kick something.
Every time he stumbled, Midoriya laughed.
"Don't you dare..." he growled.
—I didn't say anything~
Hades narrowed his eyes.
I'd give him what he deserved as soon as I could walk without looking like a drunk.
But then, Midoriya did something unexpected.
Without warning, she positioned herself behind him and slid her arms around his torso, pressing her body against his.
Hades instantly stiffened.
—What the fuck are you doing?
"Guide you," he replied in a mocking tone, still holding on. "I want you to do your squats correctly, so you need my help."
Midoriya's fingers rested on her abdomen, as she used her own weight to guide him down.
—Come down slower... that's it.
He swallowed, it was uncomfortable.
Not because of the contact itself, but because she could feel his breath against her neck, his body pressing against her back.
Midoriya noticed her stiffness and smiled mischievously.
—Oh~ you must be nervous... after all, a beautiful girl is hugging you from behind...
Hades blinked, then gave a low laugh.
—Beautiful girl, where?
Midoriya felt a twitch in his eyebrow.
—Hades...
—Because, honestly, you're so flat that I don't feel anything.
The silence that followed was lethal.
And then, just as he was at the bottom of the squat, Midoriya let go.
—Midoriya, don't you dare—!
But it was already too late.
His balance was broken and, with a mixture of clumsiness and fatality, he fell backward onto the ground with a dull thud.
The air left his lungs in a ragged gasp.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then, he blinked slowly and turned his head towards Midoriya, who was looking at him with his arms crossed and an expression of pure satisfaction.
—...I'm going to kill you.
She smiled with feigned innocence.
—It wasn't my fault, Hades-kun~. It was gravity.
The god dropped his head to the ground, exhaling in frustration.
—I swear that when I can walk without help, I'll make you pay for this.
Midoriya leaned over him, his smile turning into a sneer.
—Sure, sure. First, try standing up without my help.
Hades tried to push himself up... and failed.
His body trembled with fatigue, and his arms gave out before he could even sit up.
Midoriya clicked his tongue.
—Tsk, tsk. Looks like someone needs my help after all.
He gritted his teeth.
—I hate this.
—I know~
Finally, she used her whips to help him up.
As she did so, Hades glared at her.
—Just a little more... just a little more recovery and I'll make him suffer a slow and elaborate revenge.
[Exercise 5: Lessons in the Water]
The god looked at the water with contempt.
—I'm not going to get involved there.
Midoriya smiled at him with an expression that didn't bode well.
—Yes, you are going.
Hades glared at her.
—I don't know how to swim.
—I'll hold you.
—I don't trust you.
Midoriya shrugged.
-Too late.
Before he could protest, the green-haired woman used her black whips to wrap him up and, with insulting ease, lifted him out of the wheelchair.
—Midoriya, don't you dare—!
With a precise movement, he threw it straight into the water.
The impact was immediate and icy.
The water surrounded him like a trap, and out of pure instinct, he began to kick clumsily and desperately, like a wet cat trying to hold on to anything to keep from sinking.
—Damn it! I'll kill you and drag you to Tartarus!
From outside, Midoriya laughed as he watched him splash around uncoordinated.
—Hades, calm down!
—I'm sinking, you ingrate!
"No, you're just drowning in five feet of water," he replied with amusement as he calmly entered the pool.
Hades stopped moving for a second.
He looked around.
The water was up to his chest, but every time he tried to move, he sank a little deeper.
An awkward silence fell between them.
Midoriya blinked a couple of times.
—...Seriously.
Hades gave him a look of pure hatred before crossing his arms, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.
-Be quiet.
She couldn't contain her laughter and swam over with ease.
But when he touched it to steady it, the laughter slowly faded.
Now that he was closer, he noticed Hades's skin prickling from the cold water.
His hair, wet and messy, fell over his forehead, and a few drops slid down his marked jaw and disappeared into his collarbone.
He too stood still, his red eyes silently watching her.
The atmosphere changed.
There was no more laughter.
There was no more mockery.
It was just the two of them, floating in the water, dangerously close.
Midoriya felt the heat rise to his face, and for a moment, he didn't know what to do with his hands.
His heartbeat quickened.
Hades narrowed his eyes, noticing the slight blush on her cheeks.
A lazy, arrogant smile appeared on his lips.
—What's up, Midoriya?
The green-haired girl looked away abruptly.
—No...Nothing.
—Did you blush?
-No.
-Yeah.
—I didn't do it!
Hades let out a low laugh, a soft and almost charming sound, different from his usual grumpy tone.
Midoriya felt his stomach turn.
—Since when did her laugh feel so... beautiful?
The god tilted his head slightly, his feline gaze assessing her with amusement.
—If you let me go, would you still be holding me?
Midoriya looked at him, feeling his face burn even more.
—That... that's a stupid question.
Hades raised an eyebrow.
-Because?
She pressed her lips together, refusing to fall for his game.
—Because I'm not going to let you go.
The god blinked, surprised by her response.
For a moment, the silence between them wasn't awkward, but something more... intimate.
But Midoriya didn't let himself be distracted.
She took a deep breath and returned to her role as instructor.
—Okay, now that you've stopped acting like a child, let's get started on rehab.
Hades frowned.
—What am I supposed to do?
Midoriya tightened his grip on his wrists and slowly guided him toward the shallow end of the pool, where the water reached just below his chest.
—First, you have to get used to moving in the water without looking like you're having a panic attack.
—I wasn't having a panic attack.
"Of course," he replied with a mocking smile. "Now, hold the edge of the pool and start moving your ankles in circles. Gently."
Hades growled, but obeyed.
His movements were clumsy at first, as if his joints were made of stone, but little by little the stiffness began to lessen.
"That's it," Midoriya nodded in satisfaction. "Now, bend and extend your knees."
"This is humiliating..." he grumbled, but continued with the exercise.
Midoriya watched him closely. Whenever he showed signs of fatigue or discomfort, he adjusted his pace and encouraged him with brief but effective words.
When they finished with the legs, they moved on to the arms.
—Try moving your wrist in all directions.
Hades obeyed, although his movements were somewhat stiff.
—Now the elbow.
He made a slight gesture of annoyance, but Midoriya ignored it and guided his arm in circular movements.
—You need to relax more.
—It's hard to relax when I feel like a rag doll.
She smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
—Well, at least you're a functional rag doll.
Hades snorted.
After almost half an hour of basic exercises, Midoriya decided it was time to move on to the next phase.
—Okay, now I want you to swing your legs back and forth in the water. Gently.
Hades tried to do it, but the resistance of the water made it more complicated than it seemed.
Midoriya moved behind him and placed his hands on his waist.
—I'm going to help you keep your balance.
He tensed at the touch, but said nothing.
The green-haired woman guided him patiently, correcting his posture and making sure his body didn't lean too far forward or back.
When they got to the light swimming part, Hades immediately tensed up.
—I'm not going to do that.
—Yes, you are going —Midoriya smiled at him with amusement—. I'll be here the whole time.
—That's not reassuring.
—Too late to complain.
Without giving him a chance to protest, Midoriya took him by the forearms and gently guided him through the water.
"Trust me," he whispered.
Hades felt something strange in his chest.
Midoriya looked at him with a serious expression, without a trace of mockery or ulterior motives.
For a moment, he stopped resisting.
And as she guided him with slow but firm movements, for the first time in his life, he felt that the water was no longer his enemy.
[Final Exercise: Simulation of Normal Movements]
The moment had arrived.
Hades took a deep breath, feeling the weight of expectation on his shoulders.
Midoriya walked away, withdrawing any support.
There were no more black whips, no more hands holding him, no more pool muffling his movements.
Just him and his own legs.
With a frown and pride burning in his chest, he took the first step.
His left leg moved, clumsy but steady. Then his right leg.
One two three.
His body trembled for a moment, the memory of the pain still present in his exhausted muscles. But this time he didn't fall.
This time, he kept his balance.
Midoriya watched him closely, ready to intervene if he stumbled. But he didn't.
The sound of his footsteps echoed in the empty gym.
Natural.
Fluids.
Controlled.
Every fiber of her being screamed at her to stop, to rest, but she wasn't going to give in.
Not after everything he'd endured.
Not after everything he had accomplished.
He stopped and turned to Midoriya.
She smiled, that proud gleam in her emerald eyes.
—You did it.
Hades looked at her silently.
His chest rose and fell slowly, his heart pounding.
I wouldn't admit it out loud, ever.
But deep down, he was fucking proud.
TO BE CONTINUED.