Chapter 177: Chapter 176: A Father’s Responsibility
After Tetsutetsu left, the sky gradually darkened. Soon, a bright crescent moon hung in the night sky. At the same time, the atmosphere in the community where Kaminari's family lived grew increasingly tense.
"Remember, don't take action unless it's absolutely necessary. And if you do, make sure not to kill anyone," Aizawa instructed Kaminari firmly. The class teacher, who had returned with a commanding presence an hour earlier, was now preparing to head out again.
"Yes, thank you!" Kaminari responded sincerely, bowing as he watched Aizawa leave.
To be honest, Kaminari was deeply grateful. He appreciated not only Aizawa's efforts to protect his family but also the support from Midnight and Principal Nezu, who had coordinated everything despite not being here in person.
This experience only solidified Kaminari's respect and admiration for U.A. High School.
---
"Mr. Kaminari, Snatch just responded to my message. He said he's currently handling a mission in Tokyo, so he can't make it here tonight," Midnight informed Kaminari's father after checking her phone.
"When will he arrive?" Kaminari's father asked, his brow furrowing as he sat on the sofa.
"Before eight o'clock tomorrow morning," Midnight replied while putting away her phone.
"That's acceptable," Kaminari's father nodded. Given how suddenly all this had happened, he couldn't expect Snatch to drop everything at a moment's notice.
---
Time passed slowly. The hands of the clock ticked steadily onward, and no one in the house could relax enough to sleep that night. But as the moon disappeared and the first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon, the suspected night attack never came.
"...This is…"
Officer Megure looked visibly embarrassed. He and his team had worked tirelessly throughout the night, only for nothing to happen.
"They must've caught wind of our preparations," Aizawa said as he approached the officer. "I just finished checking some of the darker areas in Saitama. Aside from the usual petty criminals, I didn't find any wanted villains."
Aizawa's theory wasn't entirely wrong, but the reality was more specific. The villains had learned that Kaminari's combat uniform had been returned to the Mitsui Group. Since their primary target was the suit itself, they no longer had any reason to target Kaminari directly.
When Kaminari explained this to everyone later, the realization brought a collective sigh of relief. Both Officer Megure and Midnight looked noticeably more relaxed, while Aizawa's expression remained stoic as usual.
---
"Kaminari, do you really need that combat uniform?" Midnight asked after a moment of silence. "Can't you just switch to a different one?"
"Uh…" Kaminari hesitated. He knew she had a point. Keeping the suit would undoubtedly invite more trouble in the future. While he wasn't afraid for himself, what about his parents?
"Son, you must really like that combat uniform, don't you?" Kaminari's father asked calmly, his eyes fixed on his son.
Kaminari paused before nodding. "Yes." His voice was quieter than usual, and for a moment, the normally self-assured boy looked like any other fifteen-year-old.
"And," his father continued, "since the suit is valuable enough to warrant a $50 million bounty, it must be an excellent tool that will help you achieve your goals, right?"
"Yeah," Kaminari admitted, nodding again.
Though his father hadn't said much yet, Kaminari was beginning to understand what he was trying to convey. He felt a mix of guilt and gratitude building inside him.
"In that case, don't give it up."
Kaminari looked up, surprised by the firmness in his father's voice.
"If this combat uniform is something you cherish, then it's my responsibility to protect it," his father said firmly. "Just like I refuse to give up the home I've worked so hard to build, I won't let you give up something that's important to you."
His father's words struck a chord deep within Kaminari. For the first time, he truly saw his father not just as a loving parent but as the head of their family—strong, determined, and willing to shoulder any burden for his loved ones.
"Son," his father said, leaning forward slightly, "always remember this: what you cherish, your mother and I will cherish too. That's what family is for. Understood?"
"Yes!" Kaminari shouted, his voice filled with conviction. "I got it, Dad!"
Midnight and Aizawa exchanged a glance at the heartfelt scene, but neither spoke. It was clear the moment carried a weight that didn't need their input.
---
"Even though there was no attack last night, that doesn't mean we can let our guard down," Aizawa said after a pause.
"Don't worry about that," Midnight replied. "Our office has already transferred fifty Pro Heroes to assist with security. They'll be working closely with the police to ensure this community remains safe."
"And once Snatch arrives, the defense level will increase even further," she added, adjusting her glasses.
"Snatch, huh?" Aizawa said, nodding in approval. "Good choice. He's a solid Hero."
Turning to Kaminari, he continued, "Kaminari, even though you didn't sleep last night, you're still coming to school with us."
Kaminari blinked. "Huh? No exceptions?"
"You should remember what I told you at the start of the school year," Aizawa said firmly. "As a student in the Hero Course, it's best not to ask for leave unless it's absolutely unavoidable."
"Can't he rest for one day?" Kaminari's mother asked worriedly, but before Aizawa could respond, Kaminari smiled.
"It's fine, Mom. Missing one night of sleep won't affect me," Kaminari said with a reassuring grin. "Besides, Mr. Aizawa and Midnight didn't sleep either, right? I might not be as strong as them yet, but I won't lose to them in willpower!"
Aizawa nodded slightly, his expression calm as ever, though there was a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.
"In that case," Kaminari's mother said, brushing her hair behind her ear, "let's have breakfast first. Then the teachers can accompany you to school."
"Uh…" Aizawa hesitated for a moment, but Midnight quickly chimed in, "That sounds great. Thank you."
Hearing this, Kaminari's mother smiled warmly. "Please, make yourselves at home."
Seeing no reason to refuse, Aizawa nodded as well. While he often came across as withdrawn, he knew when to accept simple gestures of hospitality.
---
Later, as Kaminari's mother prepared breakfast and his father escorted Officer Megure out, Aizawa took a seat on the sofa next to Kaminari.
"Kaminari, when your combat uniform is finished, keep it stored at U.A. and make that information public," Aizawa suggested.
"Got it," Kaminari replied. He understood exactly what Aizawa was implying. By storing the combat uniform at school, the responsibility—and any potential threats—would shift to U.A. itself.
For Japan's top Hero school, such pressure was negligible. With All Might and a host of Pro Heroes on campus, any attempts to retrieve the suit would be nothing more than a futile gesture.