The Strongest Quirk in My Hero Academia

The waiter enthusiastically saw Akira and his group out. Customers like Tenya Iida, who could spend lavishly on a meal, were rare but always welcomed. Their beef restaurant typically catered to an average of 200 yen per customer, so such high-spending guests were a delight to the staff.

Looking at Iida's condition after the drinks, Akira figured he wouldn't make it home on his own. He helped him book a nearby room, ensuring he was safe for the night. With that settled, Akira and Midoriya headed back. Despite spending the evening together, Akira still didn't know the nature of Iida's quirk, though he suspected it wasn't anything remarkable.

Once back at his apartment, Akira noticed that the place was empty. A sense of panic set in as he called out, "Sakura? Are you here?" Inoue Sakura, who usually waited for him at home, was nowhere to be found. Concerned, Akira set the fruit he'd bought on the table and hurried downstairs to search for her.

After half an hour of fruitless searching, Akira was growing increasingly uneasy. There wasn't even a note left behind. The absence highlighted how limited his abilities currently were. If he'd advanced further in his training, he'd have been able to use spiritual awareness to locate her within a vast range.

Determined to improve, Akira decided to redeem some of his hard-earned Salvation Points for a Qi Pill. While expensive at 1,000 points, the pill would help him break through his current bottleneck and reach the third level of Qi training. From there, he could work toward unlocking the fourth level and the divine sense ability he so desperately needed.

Just as Akira resolved to take the next step in his cultivation, he heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. Rushing to the door, he opened it to find Sakura standing there with a warm smile and a box in her hands.

"Akira, you're back!" Sakura exclaimed cheerfully. "I found a nearby bakery and ordered a cake for you. They took longer than expected, which is why I got back late."

Relieved, Akira sighed. "Sakura, it's dangerous to go out alone at this hour. Next time, just let me handle it."

Ignoring his admonishment, Sakura carried the box to the table and smiled. "Today marks our anniversary of meeting each other."

Her unexpected statement left Akira momentarily speechless. She turned to him and added warmly, "Akira, it's been so wonderful getting to know you."

Akira felt his face flush. Scratching the back of his head, he muttered, "It's been great for me too, Sakura."

Before she could respond, Akira rushed to retrieve something from his desk—a neatly wrapped box containing the best beef he could buy. "I brought this for you," he said, grinning. "You've got to try it."

Sakura's eyes lit up as she peeked into the box. "This is amazing! I was actually craving beef earlier. Let me heat it up."

"No need," Akira replied quickly. "I'll handle the cooking. You take care of the cake."

With their roles divided, the two set to work. In just ten minutes, they were seated at the table, which was now laden with a beautiful 16-inch cake topped with vibrant fruits, two steaming plates of beef—one spicy and one dry—and a box of chocolates Akira had kept for a special occasion.

"Since it's a special day, Sakura, you should make a wish," Akira said, lighting the candle on the cake.

Sakura closed her eyes, clasping her hands together as she made her wish. Akira watched her, feeling a warm sense of contentment. Despite his turbulent past and the hardships he'd faced, moments like these filled him with gratitude.

"Done!" Sakura said, blowing out the candle. She smiled at Akira and teased, "Now don't ask me what I wished for. It won't come true if I tell you."

"Of course, of course," Akira replied, chuckling. "I wouldn't dream of it."

The two spent the evening savoring the cake and beef, their laughter and conversation creating a rare sense of peace. For a while, the world outside seemed unimportant, and the painful memories of their pasts faded into the background.