Chapter 12: A Fathers Truth
The simulation gym was alive with energy, the hum of quirks and the thudding of feet against the floor filling the air. Valerie, Bakugou, and Izuku were locked in an intense training session, their abilities weaving together as they worked on Valerie's new technique. She darted across the gym, her Thunderstep flashing her from one end to the other in rapid bursts of lightning. Bakugou launched explosions at her from every angle, and Izuku's One for All cracked through the air with tremendous force.
Valerie's goal was clear: to combine her Thunderstep with her shield, creating an impenetrable defence that could simultaneously disable other quirks. But it wasn't easy. Bakugou's relentless taunts and Izuku's calculated moves kept her on her toes, pushing her to her limits.
"Come on, Sparky!" Bakugou shouted, his voice dripping with his signature mockery. "This all you got? I thought you wanted to be a pro!" He sent another explosion her way, the heat brushing past her as she narrowly dodged with a crackling flash of lightning.
Valerie grinned, sparks dancing along her skin as she skidded to a stop. "You're gonna eat those words when I perfect this move, Katsuki!"
Izuku, ever the strategist, wasn't far behind. His brow furrowed as he sent out tendrils of Blackwhip, trying to catch her as she maneuvered through the gym. "She's fast, but we can pin her down if we work together!"
But just as the Blackwhip lashed out, it missed Valerie by inches and instead tangled around Bakugou. For a moment, everything seemed to freeze—except for Bakugou's temper.
Izuku accidentally snagged Katsuki with Blackwhip, Katsuki froze for a second before his face twisted in pure disbelief. "DEKU! Are you out of your damn mind?!" Katsuki barked, flailing to free himself from the tendril. "You're supposed to be catching her, not me, you useless nerd!"
Izuku, eyes wide with panic, scrambled to retract Blackwhip. "I—I'm sorry! I didn't mean to grab you, Kacchan! I was aiming for Valerie, I swear!"
Katsuki's eyebrow twitched as he yanked himself free, his hair frizzing from the sheer rage. "You were aiming for her?! You think that flimsy noodle of a quirk could actually catch her?!" He crossed his arms, glaring with mock disdain. "If you can't even aim right, how the hell are you still in Class 3A?"
Izuku winced, still flustered, but tried to defend himself, "It was a reflex! I didn't see you move that fast!"
Valerie, watching the whole scene unfold, burst into laughter, clutching her sides as both boys turned to her, thoroughly annoyed. "Honestly," she teased, wiping a tear from her eye, "it's like watching a married couple fight over who left the milk out."
Katsuki's face turned an impressive shade of red, his usual scowl deepening. "Married couple?!" he shouted, rounding on Valerie. "The hell are you talking about?!"
Valerie, still laughing, only winked at him. "You know, Kacchan, you're all bark and no bite when you're mad at Deku. It's kinda cute."
His blush deepened to a level that was borderline crimson, and he jabbed a finger in her direction. "C-Cute?! I'll show you cute! How about I blow you and Deku to bits right now, huh?!"
Valerie grinned playfully, completely unfazed by his threat. "Sure, babe. Let me know when you're done pretending to be mad."
Bakugou opened his mouth to retort but found himself at a complete loss for words, flustered beyond reason. He finally let out an exasperated growl and stomped away, muttering, "You're impossible," while Valerie giggled triumphantly.
Izuku, already nervous from being caught in Katsuki's blackwhip tirade, scratched the back of his head awkwardly as Valerie continued to laugh. He blinked a few times, trying to process the whole "married couple" comment.
"W-Wait, what?" Izuku stammered, looking between Valerie and Katsuki. "Did she just say—uh—cute? And... married?!"
His eyes widened as Katsuki's face went redder than a fire hydrant. Izuku shuffled nervously, unsure whether to laugh or run. "I think we, um... should focus on the training?" he suggested hesitantly, trying to steer the conversation back to something safer.
Katsuki shot him a glare. "You would say that, nerd." But despite his usual grumbling, the blush on his face was hard to miss.
Izuku raised his hands in defence, laughing nervously. "R-right! Training it is!" He quickly backed off, knowing better than to poke the already explosive bear any further. "But seriously... did she say cute?" he mumbled to himself, eyes wide as if trying to comprehend the impossible.
Valerie only winked again, clearly enjoying how flustered the boys were, leaving Izuku thoroughly confused and trying not to laugh but Katsuki had enough, his palms sparked with explosions as he prepared to charge at her.
But before he could charge at her, a familiar presence in the doorway caught Valerie's eye. She straightened up, her laughter fading as her gaze landed on Aizawa, standing silently with his arms crossed. He had been watching the entire time, his expression unreadable.
Valerie's smile softened as she met his gaze. "Sensei," she greeted, still catching her breath.
It wasn't until then that Bakugou and Izuku noticed their teacher's presence. Valerie, with a mischievous glint in her eye, raised her hand and sent a tiny spark of electricity toward them. The jolt wasn't strong enough to hurt, but it was enough to send both boys' hair frizzing upward in a static mess.
Bakugou sputtered in outrage, his eyes wide as he stormed toward her. "You're dead, Sparks! I'm gonna—"
Valerie winked at him, her grin teasing. "Save the threats for later hotshot"
Bakugou found himself speechless. He stammered incoherently for a moment before scowling and crossing his arms, muttering under his breath.
Aizawa cleared his throat, his eyes locking onto the two boys. "Bakugou, Midoriya, I need you both to leave. Val- Black and I need to have a word."
Izuku quickly nodded, understanding. "Of course, sensei." He shot Valerie a concerned glance but followed Bakugou out of the gym, leaving her alone with Aizawa.
Once the door closed behind them, Aizawa's stoic expression softened. He stepped forward, closer to Valerie, his gaze intense but not unkind. Valerie felt her heart begin to race. There was something different about him today—something in his eyes that told her this wasn't a typical training critique or lesson.
"I've watched you grow," Aizawa began quietly, his voice carrying a weight of emotion she wasn't used to hearing from him. "Not just as a student, but as a person. And the more I see of you... the more you remind me of someone I once knew."
Valerie blinked, her curiosity piqued. "Who?"
Aizawa's gaze grew distant, as though he were looking back into a time long passed. "Your mother. Odette Black. She was in the engineering department when I attended UA. She was brilliant. Stubborn. Passionate about her work. I admired her... more than she probably knew."
Valerie's heart skipped a beat at the mention of her mother. She had rarely heard Aizawa speak about his past, and even rarer were moments when he spoke with such vulnerability.
"She... never talked much about her time at UA," Valerie said quietly, her voice tight with emotion. "I always wondered why."
Aizawa sighed, crossing his arms as he leaned against the gym wall, his usually tired eyes more focused than ever. "I didn't know about you, Valerie. If I had... things would've been different."
Valerie frowned, confusion and unease bubbling up inside her. "What are you saying, sensei?"
With a heavy breath, Aizawa reached into his bag and pulled out an old, worn album. He held it out to her, his expression unreadable. "Your aunt, Laura... she gave this to me. It belonged to your mother. There's something in here you need to see."
Valerie hesitated for a moment before taking the album from his hands. Her fingers trembled as she opened the cover, revealing pages of her life laid out in photographs—moments she had nearly forgotten, memories captured with love and care. Pictures of her as a baby, as a toddler, growing up through the years. Her heart clenched as she turned the pages, her throat tightening with emotion.
"I'm your father, Valerie," Aizawa said, his voice raw with emotion.
Valerie's world seemed to stop when Aizawa finally said the words, "I'm your father."
She stared at him, her breath caught in her chest, her hands trembling as they clutched the old photo album he had handed her moments before. The words echoed in her head, impossible to fully grasp.
She opened the album with shaky fingers. Each page revealed moments of her childhood—photos of her smiling with her mother, running through fields, laughing at family gatherings. It was surreal, to see her life in those pictures. And then, tucked between the last pages, she found a folded letter, slightly yellowed with age. Her heart pounded as she pulled it free, her name written in her mother's elegant handwriting.
She opened it carefully, her eyes scanning the words that spilled out in her mother's voice. The letter was meant for Aizawa, telling him that Valerie was his daughter, confessing the secrets she had kept for so long. Odette explained that she had left Japan not because she wanted to, but because she had felt trapped. Trapped in a life that had been planned for her—a quirk marriage with Todd, a man she didn't love but had to marry to satisfy her family. She had loved Aizawa deeply, and Valerie was the proof of that love.
Valerie's hands shook, tears blurring her vision as she read the last line:
"I wish Valerie could know the incredible man her father is. She has your fire, Shouta, and your determination. I hope one day, she finds her way back to you."
Valerie's voice was thick with emotion. "All this time... you were him. The one I was looking for."
Aizawa's expression softened, a rare tenderness in his eyes. "I didn't know, Valerie. I swear if I had... I would've been there. I would've done everything to protect you."
She closed the letter, her heart pounding. "Todd raised me, but... when I found out I wasn't really his, it felt like a part of me was missing. I came to Japan because I needed to know where I came from. I wanted to understand my quirk. The way my eyes glow when I use it... this shield that cancels other quirks—it never made sense. I thought if I found my real father, maybe I'd find answers."
Her breath hitched, and she couldn't hold back any longer. Valerie stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Aizawa, her face pressed against his chest as her emotions overwhelmed her. "I have a dad," she whispered through her tears, the weight of the past few months of uncertainty finally lifting from her heart.
In her excitement, a small surge of electricity escaped her, sparking through her fingertips and sending a shock into Aizawa. His entire body jolted slightly, and his long black hair suddenly fluffed out in all directions, frizzed by the static charge.
Valerie gasped, stepping back in shock. "Oh no! I didn't mean to—I'm so sorry!" Her hands flew to her mouth, horrified, though a giggle slipped through her panic.
Aizawa blinked, clearly caught off guard, his wild hair sticking out like a lion's mane. He stared at her for a moment, then slowly broke into a rare smile, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "You're definitely my kid," he said with amusement, running a hand through his now puffed-up hair.
Valerie laughed, wiping the tears from her eyes, her heart feeling lighter than it had in months. "I can't believe I just shocked you. I didn't even mean to! You look like Denki after he overuses his quirk."
Aizawa raised an eyebrow, still smiling as he ruffled his frizzy hair. "Guess I shouldn't be surprised. I deal with Kaminari's overload, now I have my own daughter zapping me."
Valerie's laughter faded into a warm, quiet smile. "I'm just... I'm so glad I found you," she whispered, stepping forward again, this time resting her head on his chest more carefully.
Aizawa wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, his heart aching with all the time he had missed, but filled with resolve that he wouldn't miss any more. "I'm glad too," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "And I'm not going anywhere."
Valerie closed her eyes, letting the warmth of the moment fill her completely. After all the emptiness, all the searching, she had finally found where she belonged.
As the weight of the moment began to settle, Valerie stood there, processing the fact that Aizawa, the stoic, seemingly unshakable teacher, was her father. It still felt surreal. Her heart was racing with emotions, and she wasn't sure what to do next. But then, the tension broke.
Aizawa, who had been standing quietly for a moment, gave her a long look, his lips twitching ever so slightly into the beginnings of a smirk. "Speaking of things I've noticed," he started, voice low and teasing, "I've been hearing things about you and Bakugou."
Valerie's heart jumped, and her eyes widened. "What?!" she exclaimed, her face instantly heating up. "I—I mean, I don't know what you're—"
"Relax, I'm not mad," Aizawa interrupted, his smirk growing as he crossed his arms. "But just so you know, I have 18 years of dad jokes and embarrassment to catch up on."
Valerie's jaw dropped, her face turning a shade of red she didn't even think was possible. "D-Dad jokes?! Seriously?!"
He gave her a very rare, full smile, clearly enjoying this. "I'll start slow," he said, leaning in slightly. "But let's just say, if you think I'm strict in class, wait until Bakugou realizes I'm watching him every time he so much as looks at you. He should be careful... I've got plenty of ways to make things uncomfortable."
Valerie couldn't stop her laughter, though she was still a little flustered. "Oh my god, Dad, please stop!"
The word hung in the air between them, and for a split second, the teasing smirk fell from Aizawa's face. His usual cool demeanor slipped as his eyes widened ever so slightly. It was the first time anyone had ever called him "Dad," and hearing it from Valerie, his daughter, was more overwhelming than he'd expected. His breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
He quickly masked his reaction, but the softness in his gaze lingered. He cleared his throat, trying to play it off. "Get used to it," he said, his voice a little rougher, betraying the emotions bubbling beneath his usual calm.
But inside, the word echoed. Dad. It was something he never thought he'd hear, something he never imagined wanting so much. And now that he had it, it felt... right.
Aizawa chuckled, and his face softened. "No promises," he said. Then, with a more serious tone, he added, "But in all seriousness, you should know something. Present Mic—Yamada—and Midnight, they were close to your mom too. We've all been together a long time. They're family to me, and that means... they're family to you too now."
Valerie blinked, her heart swelling with even more emotion. She had always known Mic and Midnight as teachers, but hearing they had been close to her mother? It made everything feel even more real, like she was finding pieces of herself she didn't even know she was missing.
"They're going to be there for you, whether you like it or not," Aizawa continued, his tone growing slightly more protective. "We're a family now, and you need to be ready for that. Mic, especially, is going to be... a lot. Just a fair warning."
Valerie couldn't help but laugh again, though this time it was a little teary. "Great... more embarrassing moments incoming, huh?"
Aizawa nodded solemnly. "Oh, definitely. He's probably already planning some sort of ridiculous welcome."
Valerie wiped her eyes, feeling overwhelmed but also strangely... at peace. "Thanks, Dad," she said quietly, the word still feeling new on her tongue.
Aizawa gave her one last long look, his expression softening completely. "I'm proud of you," he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "And I'll be here from now on."
The moment hung in the air for a beat, until Aizawa's eyes flicked to the side where Bakugou and Izuku had exited still unaware of what was happening. His smirk returned. "And Valerie... you might want to warn Bakugou. I'm watching."
Valerie groaned. "Please, no!"
But inside, her heart felt full. For the first time in a long time, she knew she wasn't alone. She had a father—and a whole new family—ready to stand by her.
Aizawa stepped back slightly, his voice steady. "Valerie, we need to talk more about your quirk—about what it means for you, and how we can work on it together." He glanced toward the exit, his expression turning serious. "But first, I need to make sure you're ready. With everything happening, I can't afford to lose you to reckless decisions."
Valerie wiped her eyes, nodding, the weight of his words settling in. She'd been battling with control over her quirk for years, but now, knowing where half of it came from, she felt a renewed sense of determination. "I want to learn. And I want to be stronger, especially now," she said, her voice steadying. "I don't want to lose control again, and I won't let what happened with Hurricane stop me."
Aizawa nodded approvingly, but there was another pressing matter weighing on his mind. He needed to address the situation with the other faculty members and the students. This wasn't just about her quirk anymore—Valerie was his daughter, and there were legal and personal implications. He had to make sure she would be protected from all sides, including any family connections to Todd, especially since the truth about him was still unclear.
"We'll continue training, but first, I need to have a conversation with the other staff. And I think it's time you know more about your family, too." He looked at her, a new kind of intensity in his gaze. "There's a lot more to this than just your quirk, and I'm going to make sure you know everything."
Valerie's brow furrowed in confusion, but before she could ask more, Aizawa raised a hand, signaling for her to hold her questions. "For now, go rest. Gather your thoughts. You've had a lot thrown at you today."
Aizawa gave her a small, rare smile before turning and heading for the exit. He had to find Present Mic, Midnight, and Nezu. They needed to know about Valerie, and they needed to protect her from whatever was coming next.
As he left the gym, his mind was already planning his next steps: finding out more about Todd, the extent of Valerie's quirk, and keeping her safe. Most of all, he was determined to finally step up as the father she deserved.
For the first time in years, Aizawa felt something unfamiliar in his heart—hope. He had a daughter,
-----
I hope you enjoyed the chapter, super long yes but I loved writing this part
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top