Chapter 13: Chapter 13: A Welcomed Homecoming
In the heart of a secluded forest,
Toya stands, his youthful physique oddly matures for his tender age. His torso, bare to the elements, reveals a well-developed musculature that is neither overly ripped nor excessively muscular. Instead, his body is reminiscent of a martial artist's - lean, toned, and disciplined.
He begins a series of stretches, extending his arms above his head, bending to touch his toes, and twisting his torso from side to side. A neatly folded cloth lies on the ground nearby, just a few feet away from him, resting against the trunk of a sturdy tree.
In the tranquility of the forest, Toya focuses on his breathing, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly. He repeats this process several times, his chest rising and falling rhythmically.
As he opens his eyes, a transformation takes place. His body becomes enveloped in a cloak of blue flames, the vibrant hue a stark contrast against the greenery of the forest. The flickering flames, particularly those dancing on his hair, are reminiscent of the legendary Tsuna and his iconic flames.
Suddenly, a massive flame erupts behind Toya, taking on the shape of a roaring tiger. Its head and front legs are clearly defined, each fiery tooth in its open maw sharp and menacing. The sight is both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
Toya raises his hand to shoulder level, palms open and facing forward. The fiery tiger leaps forward, its form soaring through the air as if it were walking on an invisible path.
Upon reaching a nearby tree, the tiger dissipates into nothingness. The tree bears the mark of the encounter, a blackened spot marring its bark. However, despite the intense heat of the flames, the tree remains unscathed, the damage limited to the superficial charred mark. This controlled display of power attests to Toya's mastery over his fiery abilities.
"I'm getting better at controlling my fire, but there's still work to be done. I will master this, I will unlock the ability to fire freezing," Toya declares, his determination unwavering.
Taking a moment to gather himself, he adds, "I'll test a few more flame shapes, and then I can start training my body."
He proceeds to mold his flames into various forms - a slithering snake, complete with scales and a flickering tongue, a lion's head with a flaming mane, the curled form of a pangolin, and several insects, their shapes simplified but still recognizable.
His body glistens with sweat from the effort of manipulating the flames, a task he has been honing since he was four years old.
Once satisfied with his flame control, he sets a timer for an hour and begins a slow, deliberate push-up. The downward motion takes a full 30 minutes, as does the upward motion.
This is a part of his rigorous training regimen, which also includes pull-ups, squats, handstand push-ups, and a significant number of crunches.
After completing his workout, he takes a refreshing dip in a nearby river, washing away the sweat and fatigue. Dressed in fresh clothes, he then heads back home.
"I'm back, Okaa-san," Toya announces upon his return.
"Where have you been? Your little brother has been looking for you," Rei chides gently, her attention partially on the television in the living room.
Shoto Todoroki, his four-year-old brother, rushes to him, wrapping his small arms around Toya in a tight hug. "I missed you, Onii-chan."
Toya returns the hug, ruffling Shoto's hair affectionately. "I missed you too."
"Come here, I want to show you something," Shoto says, grabbing Toya's finger and leading him to his collection of toys.
Shoto proudly displays his latest creation - a toy made from the parts of several broken ones. His eyes shine with pride as he presents his handiwork.
Toya chuckles, patting his brother's head. "Good job."
Shoto's face lights up with joy at his brother's praise. "Yay!" he exclaims, his happiness infectious and brightening up the room.
Just then, another boy enters the living room, his hair as white as Toya's. He raises his hand in greeting as he calls out to his older brother. This is Natsuo, at the age of eight.
"Aniki, when did you get back?" Natsuo inquires, his eyes lighting up at the sight of his brother.
"I just got here, but why did you stop calling me 'Onii-chan'?" Toya asks, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
"I'm not a child anymore, I'll only call you 'Aniki' from now on," Natsuo declares, a determined look on his face.
Toya walks over to Natsuo, ruffling his hair affectionately. "You'll always be my little kid brother," he says, a teasing smile on his face.
Natsuo swats Toya's hand away, although he can't hide his fondness for his brother's affection.
"Stop it, I don't like that," Natsuo protests, trying to maintain his newfound maturity.
Unfazed by Natsuo's protest, Toya changes the subject. "Are you heading out to meet your friends?" he asks, noticing the eager look in Natsuo's eyes.
"Yes, you should come with us, Aniki. We need your help; our team keeps losing against the other team," Natsuo pleads, his eyes hopeful.
"Nah, you need to figure it out on your own," Toya responds, a teasing smile on his face. He then turns his attention to his mother, who looks weary from the day's activities. "Okaa-san, what did you cook for dinner today?"
"Your favorite," Rei replies, a gentle smile playing on her lips.
"Really?" Toya's voice lifts with excitement.
"Yes, go ahead and enjoy," Rei encourages, her smile widening at her son's enthusiasm.
Toya's eyes light up as he catches the familiar, mouthwatering aroma of fried chicken wafting from the kitchen. His favorite meal - crispy, golden fried chicken served over a bed of fluffy, steamed rice. The thought alone is enough to make his stomach rumble in anticipation.
Without wasting another minute, he heads towards the kitchen, his footsteps quick with anticipation. As he enters, he's greeted by the sight of the delicious meal laid out on the dining table. The chicken, still sizzling from the fryer, is paired with a generous serving of rice, its steam curling up in delicate tendrils.
Unable to resist, Toya digs in, the taste of the chicken and rice combination bringing a satisfied smile to his face. It's a simple meal, but one that he always looks forward to, a comforting reminder of home and family.
As he savors his dinner, he can't help but feel grateful for these peaceful moments, amidst the chaos and challenges of his training. It's these moments that fuel his determination, reminding him of what he's fighting for - a safe and happy life for his family.
Just then, their little sister arrives home, announcing, "I'm back!" Upon seeing her older brother, her face lights up with joy.
Being the affectionate little sister that she is, Fuyumi rushes towards Toya, launching herself into his arms for a hug.
"Easy, Fuyumi. We'll both end up on the floor if you keep surprising me like this," Toya warns, although his tone is filled with fondness.
"I don't care," Fuyumi retorts, planting a kiss on Toya's cheek as she pulls away from the hug. Spotting Natsuo and Shoto, she greets them with equally enthusiastic hugs.
"Natsuo, be careful when you go out tomorrow. I don't want to see you crying," Fuyumi advises, her protective instincts kicking in.
"Okay, Nee-chan," Natsuo agrees, his gaze fixed on the floor.
"Can I come with you, Natsuo-nii-chan?" Shoto asks, his eyes wide with anticipation.
Natsuo hesitates, knowing that if Shoto tags along, his focus might not entirely be on the football game. But before he can voice his concerns, Toya interjects.
"How about we all go and watch Natsuo's football game? What do you say, Fuyumi? Are you in?" Toya suggests, ruffling Shoto's hair affectionately.
"Sure, let's do it," Fuyumi agrees, her enthusiasm evident.
Their mother, however, interjects with a note of caution. "Be careful out there, and Toya, look after them for me, please."
"Don't worry, Okaa-san," Toya reassures her.
With that settled, they head out to watch Natsuo's football game. During the match, Toya tries to help the team by offering guidance, but only a few players heed his advice. Despite his efforts, Natsuo's team still ends up losing.
Toya sighs, rubbing his eyes in frustration. "Even with my coaching, they still lost. Natsuo's team really needs to step up their game. No wonder they keep losing," he laments, his disappointment evident.
Despite the fact that it was a match between eight-year-olds, Toya, as an older brother, couldn't help but feel a strong desire for his younger brother's team to win. His competitive spirit, coupled with his brotherly instincts, made him root for Natsuo's victory even more.
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