"What? You glared at me and ran off without saying a word. Am I really supposed to eat dinner alone?"
Abandoned by the two girls, the hungry Igarashi Masata had no choice but to head to the cafeteria by himself.
"Huh? Izuku and Iida are up ahead… and Grape too?"
Spotting familiar faces, Masata quickened his pace and strode over happily.
"Hey! How about eating together?"
He suddenly slapped Izuku and Iida on the shoulders from behind and squeezed himself between them.
"A-Ah! Igarashi!" Izuku jumped in surprise.
"Of course! Iida and I were heading to the cafeteria anyway, so let's go together."
"But… why aren't you eating with Yaoyorozu and Uraraka today?" Iida asked curiously as they walked.
"…Honestly, I'm wondering the same thing," Masata replied.
Feeling that something was off, he briefly retold what had just happened.
Izuku and Iida—who had basically zero experience with girls—were completely at a loss after hearing the story.
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu—!!!"
They all turned to look down at Minoru Mineta, who was trembling with envy and resentment.
"What are you even saying?" Masata asked in confusion.
"Is your emotional intelligence negative?" Mineta snapped.
"Anyone can tell that Yaoyorozu and Uraraka are both interested in you! Yaoyorozu was obviously jealous just now!"
The self-proclaimed veteran, Grape, had instantly seen through everything.
"Uh… but Yaoyorozu and I have always been close since childhood," Masata said hesitantly.
"And Chacha—no, Uraraka—we've only known each other for a few days. How could she suddenly like me?"
"That's exactly what I want to know!" Mineta suddenly exploded.
"Big Brother! Teach me how to attract girls! You meet them for a few days and they already like you, and Yaoyorozu is openly jealous! Meanwhile I haven't even held a girl's hand yet!"
Mineta nearly grabbed Masata's pant leg, his desperate eyes making Masata instinctively step back.
"Found you, Midoriya boy!"
A booming voice suddenly echoed from the corner of the cafeteria.
All Might's iconic blond head popped into view.
"Oh? Igarashi boy is here too?"
He lifted the bento box in his hand cheerfully.
"How about having lunch together?"
"…Sure," Izuku replied immediately.
Refusing All Might wasn't really an option.
Masata just wanted to eat anyway. His appetite had skyrocketed recently, and eating with All Might saved time.
The three of them headed into the staff lounge.
After sitting down, All Might poured tea for the two boys.
"My current activity limit is about an hour," he said suddenly.
With a burst of steam, his body shrank into its thin form.
Izuku froze.
"W–What…?"
"Igarashi boy already knows," All Might explained calmly.
"He's trustworthy."
"Don't mind me," Masata said while shoveling food into his mouth.
"Just talk. I'm listening."
All Might sighed.
"The shortening of my time is my own fault. But that's not why I called you here."
He looked serious.
"To be honest, the time I can continue as the Symbol of Peace… is running out."
Izuku fell completely silent.
Masata stopped eating.
"And among those filled with malice, there are people who have already noticed this."
All Might opened his palm slowly.
"The reason I entrusted my power to Midoriya… is because I felt I could no longer carry everything alone."
"…?"
Masata stared blankly.
"Wait—entrusted power? What do you mean? Is there some kind of inheritance system?"
All Might blinked, then realized.
"…Ah. I forgot to explain last time."
After All Might finished explaining One For All, Masata nodded in understanding.
"So after the sludge incident, Izuku inherited your Quirk," Masata said.
"And he went through special training before entering U.A. No wonder— I was wondering how he suddenly changed so much."
"That's the general story," All Might said.
"Midoriya boy, can you control One For All now?"
Izuku lowered his head.
"I… can't yet."
All Might sighed softly.
"I see."
"Then you must hurry, Midoriya boy. Villains won't wait for you to grow stronger."
Then All Might turned to Masata.
"Igarashi boy… everyone has seen your strength. Without your efforts at USJ, I wouldn't have defeated Nomu so easily."
"You're only a first-year student. If possible—could you stand up and become the next Symbol of Peace?"
The room fell silent.
"…No," Masata finally said.
All Might stiffened.
"Why?"
"I can feel that you long for justice."
Masata looked straight at him.
"I've thought about this a lot."
"When I was little and first awakened my Quirk, I saw you on TV. I thought Heroes were cool, passionate, and well-paid. So I wanted to be the coolest, most passionate Hero."
"As I grew up, I realized Heroes are bound by countless rules. Back then, I thought that if anyone was truly free, it would be All Might."
"So I just wanted to be the strongest."
"But now… knowing the pressure you carry behind that glory, I'm confused."
"Do I want to be the coolest Hero? The hottest Hero? The strongest Hero?"
"I can't answer that yet."
"But one thing I know for sure—my heart always stands in the sunlight."
"That's the only promise I can make right now."
Masata paused, then continued.
"Before finding my true answer, I'll keep moving toward Number One and open my own Hero agency."
"Maybe when I stand that high… I'll finally understand myself."
Then he looked at Izuku.
"The title Symbol of Peace suits you better, Izuku. You inherited One For All—you'll earn that title someday."
"And until then…"
Masata grinned.
"Leave those scumbag villains to me."