Chapter 292: You must be tired.

--Saturday, July 11, 2172

“Well, since next week is the first term closing ceremony at UA, this marks the end of the last training session before the summer camp. You've all made decent progress so far, so I plan to continue these sessions. So don't slack off, even on your break. We'll meet again on I-Island in 15 days.”

Standing in the middle of the training ground, Kai commented as he looked at the entire training group sprawled on the ground like corpses. Among them, besides the familiar faces from Class 1-A, were Momo, Nejire, Mirio, and a new addition, the invisible girl. After trying out the suit for a couple of days, the girl had mustered enough courage to attend the training.

“Recover for a bit on the ground. Someone will bring drinks for you shortly. See you later.” As his gaze swept over the 'trail of corpses,' Kai remarked casually before walking away with light steps.

“Yao Momo… Saito is too terrifying…”

Sprawled on the ground with limbs extended like a starfish, Mina commented in a breathless voice, looking at the beautiful Black-haired girl not far away. Momo nodded and replied in a tired voice, not wanting to get up from the floor.

“He was more 'enthusiastic' than usual today… Maybe because you're about to go on 'break,' he wanted to make the most of it…”

“It's a bit frustrating. After all this time, we still can't land a single hit on that arrogant smile…” Jiro added through gritted teeth. Hagakure Toru, the invisible girl, commented with labored breathing.

“…Even my invisibility proved completely useless against him…”

“But our improvement is also visible… I've never achieved such fine control over my quirk before…” Todoroki, who had managed to sit up not far away, remarked while trying to control his ragged breathing, as flames and ice formed simultaneously in his hands.

“I know what you mean… Now I feel like I'm hundreds of times harder than when we started… And I can also last much longer…”

Kirishima commented, also lying on the ground while hardening one of his hands extended into the air until it resembled a blade. Kaminari also sat up, and as electrical sparks crackled in his hair, he commented while looking at Mirio, who was already standing and stretching.

“Even though I've improved to the point where I don't have to fry my brain to do something useful, we're still very far from the senpais… They were the only ones who could put up somewhat of a fight against Saito.”

“That's because we've been getting our butts kicked for much longer, hahaha.” Mirio commented with a huge smile while flexing one of his arms, which drew bitter smiles on the faces of the younger students. At that moment, Nejire jumped up from the ground and commented with a cheerful smile.

“It's true, you just have to endure a lot of beatings, and you'll naturally become strong! Kai is really good at that!”

The listeners' smiles turned even more bitter at Nejire's seemingly innocent words. However, Midoriya, who had barely managed to sit up after the beating, couldn't help but nod in agreement. More than anyone, he was aware of how important Saito Kai's training had been for his current strength. Nowadays, he could control around 20% of One For All without much trouble and unleash short bursts of up to 30-35%, which he used as “finishing moves.”

At the same time, his combat skills and techniques had undergone a radical change, to the point where in pure hand-to-hand combat, he could face someone like Todoroki. He was strong now, stronger than he ever could have imagined possible. So much so that, among all present, apart from the senpais, he was the one who came closest to hitting Saito, although he still failed.

“Although it's the first time I've seen Hado-senpai use a sword. I'd seen it on her hero costume in the news, but I'd never seen her use it…”

As Midoriya got lost in his thoughts, Uraraka commented while looking at Nejire with admiration. This made Midoriya snap back to reality and look at her. But the moment their eyes met, they both looked away with blushing cheeks. Meanwhile, Nejire drew the Ninjato sword at her waist, revealing its beautiful black blade, and while gazing at it with affection and nostalgia, she replied in a soft, sweet voice.

“Hehe, I normally don't use it since my quirk is enough for most villains, but Kai gave it to me many years ago, and I learned to use it. And since he told me he would fight a bit more seriously today, I brought it.”

“But it's surprising that you have an 'Aurora Sword.' Since Yoroi Musha made them famous, they've been so coveted that you can't even get them with money. Even someone from Endeavor's agency lamented for a whole month about missing a flash auction for one of those swords…” Todoroki commented while looking at the sword, especially the mark of a hammer surrounded by an aura on it, with equal parts surprise and curiosity.

“Fufu.”

Nejire couldn't help but show a proud smile upon hearing Todoroki and quickly sheathed her sword. She then looked at Rin, who was approaching with a cooler full of cold sports drinks. Todoroki couldn't help but look at her with a hint of suspicion as the girl happily took a sports drink and downed it in one gulp.

………

At night, Kai sat on the sofa in the living room and let out a tired sigh as Salem and Tama lazily settled on his lap. Meanwhile, Keiko, who had arrived with Kai, sat beside him, removed her glasses, and began massaging her eyes with a tired expression. The amount of information she was learning had left her mentally and physically exhausted to the point where she couldn't help but look at Kai and comment in a soft voice.

“You've really been working too hard, dear…”

“It's not that big a deal. It just seems so exhausting because you're learning too many new things at once.”

Kai commented in a calm voice while extending one of his hands to pull Keiko into his embrace. The beautiful mother looked at Kai's tranquil smile with a complex expression before resting her head on his chest with a bitter smile.

She knew Kai was just downplaying his efforts because, although it was true she was just learning, Kai didn't only dedicate himself to developing those complex skills. Every day he underwent Spartan training in his gym, worked on different patents, designed computational chips, and made improvements to the girls' equipment.

He also kept up with his grades at UA, trained those kids, made time to be with the family, managed the house and businesses, and occasionally forged weapons. But on top of all that, Kai satisfied them sexually daily, to the point where they all always stayed relaxed and in a good mood. Not to forget that there was a bastard trying to harm them, and Kai was desperately searching for any clue to stop it.

Making that simple recount, it was obvious Kai suffered from a brutal overload of work. To the point where the only moment of “relaxation” for him was forging, which was also arduous work and something he lately could hardly even do. They had at some point forgotten he was just a 15-year-old boy.

Kai's maturity and appearance, which, thanks to his height and physique, made him seem much older, had led them to place too heavy a burden on his shoulders. A burden that perhaps not even they themselves, the adults, could handle.

“…Honey… You must be tired…”

Feeling a lump in her throat, Keiko commented in a soft voice while stroking her beloved's face. Kai looked at Keiko with a tranquil smile and replied while returning the gesture, stroking the smooth, soft face of his beautiful girlfriend.

“I already told you, it's not that big a deal. Don't worry.”

“Forgive me…”

Seeing Kai's affectionate smile, Keiko felt a dagger in her heart and could only comment in a soft voice. At that moment, Nemuri, who was walking from the kitchen with a pitcher of strawberry milkshake and some fries, asked with a confused expression.

“Did something happen?”

“Nothing. It's just that work was a bit exhausting today, and Keiko is tired.” Kai looked at Nemuri and extended his hand to take a fry with a calm smile. Keiko turned to look at Nemuri and commented with a repentant, pained expression.

“…We've placed too much weight on Kai's shoulders… He works too much…”

Hearing Keiko, Nemuri let out a sigh and nodded, as she had also realized it a while ago. At that moment, Kai took a sip of the strawberry milkshake and commented casually.

“You're exaggerating, Keiko. It's really not that bad.”

“Kai, tell me something. When was the last time you took an afternoon off to read a good book with a cup of hot coffee?”

“…”

Nemuri asked seriously as she sat down next to her beloved. Kai turned to look at her, a bit surprised, while trying to remember to give an answer, but no words came out of his mouth. Nemuri let out a long sigh and pulled Kai's head to her chest, commenting in a soft voice.

“Darling, I understand things are a bit complicated now and you want to protect us, but rest a little… We're not so weak that you have to work yourself to death like that. Besides, it's no use us being safe if something happens to you from overwork. So, disconnect a bit. Take advantage of this break to get the rest you deserve. Let us pamper you.”

“…I'll try.” Kai commented in a slightly reluctant voice before putting a fry in his mouth.

Faced with that response, Keiko looked at Nemuri seriously, who looked back at her in the same way and nodded. Keiko then quickly separated from Kai. At that moment, Nemuri moved the fries and milkshake away from Kai, and with Keiko's help, they managed to get Kai lying on the sofa with his head on Nemuri's chest.

“You're not going to 'try.' From now on, we'll make sure you rest as you deserve.”

Nemuri commented in a soft, affectionate voice before bringing a fry to Kai's lips. Meanwhile, Keiko created a straw with her quirk and put it in the milkshake, then brought it to Kai's lips while speaking with a loving smile.

“We're not your women just to give you problems and work. Just as you love us and strive for us, we love you and want to pamper you with all our hearts.”

“…I guess I can rest for a while.”

Kai commented with a touched smile, which melted the expressions of Keiko and Nemuri. They quickly divided tasks, with Nemuri feeding Kai while Keiko carefully massaged his legs.

…

…

…

After a while, Yumiko entered the living room accompanied by Nejire and Momo, all carrying shopping bags. They found Keiko and Nemuri massaging Kai, who had his eyes closed. With shining eyes, Nejire ran over, but before she could speak, Nemuri put her index finger to her lips, signaling for silence, and then commented in a low voice.

“Kai has been working too hard and is exhausted, so we want him to relax. It hasn't been long since we started pampering him, and he fell asleep…”

Hearing Nemuri, Nejire's expression quickly turned bitter. With great care, she approached to give him a kiss on the lips, then looked at Nemuri and Keiko and commented in a serious tone.

“I'll help. I'll bring the incense Kai-chan likes.”

After speaking, Nejire quickly headed towards the stairs, avoiding making noise. At the same time, Yumiko and Momo, who had left the bags on the floor without worrying about them, approached with concerned expressions. Yumiko gently stroked Kai's sleeping face and asked with a somewhat guilty smile.

“Is Rin here?”

“No, she's back on Monday.” Keiko replied in a low voice, to which Yumiko nodded before whispering with melancholy.

“Then I'll go get towels and water to clean him up and let him rest more comfortably.”

“How about we sleep here tonight? I can create a comfortable spot, put on relaxing music, and so on.” Momo commented with a small smile while looking at the sleeping Kai. Nemuri, Keiko, and Yumiko nodded with beautiful smiles on their faces, at which point Keiko commented softly.

“Let's create our little secret base here tonight.”

“I'll organize everything then.” Momo commented with a smile and quickly got to work.

…

By the time Shino, Ryuko, and Tomoko arrived in the living room, they found Kai lying naked on a wide mattress in the room, his head on Nemuri's lap, who wore a light, comfortable robe. Meanwhile, Yumiko and Nejire, who wore matching blue robes, were cleaning Kai with damp towels.

Meanwhile, Keiko and Momo, who also wore robes, though with different designs, were moving the sofas and creating a sort of fabric fort with their quirks. Confused, the trio of pro heroes walked towards the others. At that moment, a half-asleep Kai barely opened his eyes and greeted in a sleepy voice.

“Welcome…”

“Rest, dear… Close your little eyes…” Nemuri quickly closed Kai's eyes with delicate movements while whispering affectionately.

[Did something happen?]

Shino quickly asked all present telepathically as they walked towards Kai, so Nemuri and Keiko gave them a brief summary. Upon hearing everything, Tomoko quickly sent a message through the mental connection while running to the second floor.

[I'll shower super quick and come down to help!!]

Shino and Ryuko looked at each other and nodded, then sent a telepathic message in unison as they followed Tomoko to the second floor.

[[We'll be right back.]]

Shortly after, Ryuko, Shino, and Tomoko arrived freshly showered, wearing tiny robes, and quickly took towels from Yumiko and Nejire to start carefully cleaning Kai. At the same time, Keiko and Momo finished assembling the 'fort,' so they returned to join the fun.

***

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