A bathroom filled with steamy heat. Water trickled down the drain as a boy let out a long sigh.
Sigh... I never thought I looked like such a heartless brat. These viper-like red eyes, this blood-red hair...
And to think it's all genetic. Even my bone structure—it's way too intense if you really look at it.
Ester turned off the water, stepping out of the tub. He walked toward the mirror and stared at his reflection.
Creepy-looking, he thought, grabbing his toothbrush. He brushed his teeth, straightened out his hair until it looked presentable, and sighed again.
I can't believe it. I'm in my niece's favorite anime... but it's so trashy!
After drying his hair with a towel and letting it air dry, Ester walked out—completely naked—before finally throwing on his outfit for the day. Today was important, after all. It was his first day of training.
Why? Because of the U.A. Entrance Exam.
Ester had heard of U.A. High School from his niece, but he didn't know much beyond what she babbled on about before he got isekai'd here.
Why do I have to take this stupid exam? Can't Shoto do it instead? I want to walk around freely and actually enjoy life for once...
But I guess I have to listen. He's my adopted dad for now.
He put on a black, skin-tight suit that hugged his body, but still let him move easily. Just in case, he tucked a small, sharp object into the side of his waistband, then stepped out of his room and headed toward the training center.
As he walked, he spotted a white-haired teen ahead.
Natsuo, Ester said quietly.
Natsuo glanced his way and gave him a cold stare before bumping Ester's arm as he passed.
Ester scowled. Seriously? What's his problem?
I can't believe my niece liked this guy too. She had no taste in men.
Face darkening with irritation, he kept walking—until he saw a car parked out front.
He froze.
"...Sir?" Ester asked, eyeing the tall man approaching him.
"It's 'Father,' Ester," Enji said coldly, before motioning to the car.
Ester climbed in and buckled his seatbelt. Enji slid in beside him. As The car started, and for a while, the only sound was the quiet hum of the engine.
"You know," Enji said, staring at his hands, "I used to have a son. He died."
Ester didn't know how to comfort people. He wasn't the "touchy-feely" type. So he just muttered:
"That son of yours... maybe he didn't want you to mourn forever. Even in death, people want the ones they leave behind to find happiness."
Enji looked at him for a long second. Then, almost imperceptibly, he smiled. Just a little.
The driver glanced up in the rearview mirror. Watching them quietly, he smiled too.
As the driver steered the car toward the training arena, Enji decided to grab a quick snack before they arrived.
The driver nodded and turned toward McHonald. Ester gazed out the window, trying hard to recall every detail his niece had told him—everything from the start of the anime to the manga's ending. But no matter how much he focused, the memories slipped just out of reach.
Enji glanced over at Ester and asked coldly, though worry flickered behind his eyes, "Ester? Do you want anything?"
Ester looked from Enji to the menu and finally said, "I'll take a small fries." He glanced down at his wrist. I wonder how my power works... I need to test it more. Maybe try using other animal blood? Lost in thought, Ester barely noticed Enji's second attempt to get his attention.
"Ester? You seem spaced out. Is it because you don't have a phone? We could buy you one right now," Enji said, voice cold but eyes watching carefully.
Ester felt a flicker of happiness at the offer and quickly answered, "Yes."
But the reply they heard was a flat, "Okay."
It was so cold, so emotionless, it felt like it carried no meaning at all.
The driver and Enji exchanged startled glances but said nothing.
After picking up their food from McHonald, they headed to a phone store to buy Ester his first phone.
__
Arriving at the training arena, Ester and Enji stepped out of the car to see a crowd of reporters and heroes gathered—waiting for the Number 2 Pro Hero, Endeavor.
If I remember correctly, Ester thought, Enji was an abuser obsessed with being number one... to the point he made his own child suffer and die.
Cameras flashed relentlessly as whispers spread through the crowd.
"Is that kid his long-lost son?"
"Who is that? They look familiar... except for the eyes."
"Are they related?"
Reporters and heroes alike murmured, speculating about Ester's connection to Endeavor.
As they entered the building, a worker greeted them and handed Endeavor ( Enji ) the keycard for the close combat training room.
Enji took the card and motioned for Ester to follow. That's when Ester spotted the Number 1 Hero—All Might—standing nearby.
W-why is he here in Japan? Enji whispered, noticing All Might's radiant aura and wide smile.
So this is All Might? Ester thought, watching the flamboyant hero. Trashy personality, according to my niece.
Tch, how does she like all these ridiculous characters? Ester muttered, hiding behind Enji.
All Might, beaming brightly, spotted Enji and greeted him warmly. "Endeavor! It's been ages! What have you been up to?" His smile radiated genuine joy, as if nothing in the world could bring him down.
Enji clenched his fists tightly, biting back the urge to wipe that smile off All Might's face. "All Might? What brings you back to Japan?" Enji asked, struggling to keep his composure in front of everyone.
Ester peeked out from behind Enji, studying All Might closely—the blonde, spiky hair, the piercing blue eyes, and the strong jawline.
"Oh! Is this your kid? I don't think I've seen him before," All Might said, completely ignoring Enji's question.
Enji's irritation boiled over. Without answering, he grabbed Ester's arm and muttered, "Let's go. I can't waste time on that clown."
Ester glanced back at All Might, still smiling wide and... creepy.
__
As soon as we arrived, Enji didn't waste a second.
He stood tall in front of me, arms crossed, flames gently licking around his shoulders. "We begin with the basics," he said.
At first, it was simple defensive movements—block, dodge, counter. I could handle that. But then, without warning, he lunged.
"Villains don't wait for your guard! You need to be ready every second. NOW, ATTACK!"
A wave of heat surged toward me. His voice, his fire, his presence—it was all too much. My instincts screamed at me to fight, but my body knew better. I ran.
There was no shame in surviving, right?
We kept going. Hours blurred together in a haze of dodging flames, failing blocks, and aching muscles. I wasn't even sure how I passed the first round of his insane training. Pure desperation, maybe. But I did.
And just when I thought it was over, round two began.
Shoto stood across from me now, calm as always. But there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes—maybe pity too. Our goal: fight without using quirks.
At first, it felt manageable. But we quickly realized something.
Shoto lacked stamina and I lacked strength. We were stuck in a loop—neither of us able to dominate the other. It was frustrating. Exhausting.
That's when Enji added another twist.
"You're both weak," he said flatly. "But differently."
So he divided our training. For me: stamina drills—running, dodging, enduring. For Shoto: strength—weight lifting, resistance, breaking through solid walls.
He wanted to create monsters out of both of us. And he needed to understand my quirk to do it.
The problem? I didn't even understand how my quirk work.
Time lost meaning. Sweat dripped from my face onto the hot ground. My limbs shook, my vision blurred. My stomach growled painfully, but I hadn't eaten in...how long? My tongue felt like sandpaper, and my lungs burned with every breath.
This is too much. I can't remember the last time I saw the outside world. Or slept. Or smiled. This isn't training. It's torture. This is HELL.
And then, my knees buckled.
The last thing I saw before hitting the dirt was the flame-shadow of Enji towering over me.
He looked down, face unreadable.
"...What a monster," he muttered under his breath.
Shoto stepped forward, looking at me—no malice, just quiet acknowledgment.
"Yeah... he is."
__
Why so SHORT! Maybe I should cut down the pace! Ahhhhh!