My Brilliant boy

Golden days

Katsuki's earliest memory began with him being a constant presence in the most important moments of his life. Actually, every moment involving him was the most important thing to him.

His very first memory was of him. This memory was both vivid and somewhat fuzzy. It was in the middle of a bright day: the sun was shining, the sky was a clean blue, and the breeze was mildly cool and tender. Katsuki was very young, probably about to turn four years old from three, he guessed. He was also still quite young, a teenager from the neighborhood, definitely shorter than his peers. But at that age of Katsuki, the taller figure before him seemed enormous. Ah, the green curls, the freckles, and the warmth and affection in those big green eyes.

They were playing tag on the front yard of his home. The older boy was a tagger, just as he always preferred to be when playing with Katsuki.

He chased after Katsuki, arms reaching out like rakes.

「Run away, run away, Kacchan! I'm an evil villain, and I'll catch you!」

Katsuki ran, happily roaring and laughing.

「Stay away from me, villain! Kyaaaaaaa!」

At some point, the older boy caught him, hugging him from behind, and they rolled over on the lawn together. Katsuki remembered the sweet scent of the plants, the vibrant green grass tickling his soft skin, and the cool soil's earthy smell. The world was teeming with life all around them.

「No! Let go! I'm a hero! I'll win! I don't lose!」 Katsuki protested while laughing, squirming and playfully punching and kicking with his tiny fists and feet.

「Oh no, you're too strong! It hurts! Please forgive me, hero Kacchan!」 The older boy screamed in delight, but his trusting arms only drew the little boy closer to his chest, his laughter filling the air.

──Wait, is this truly his very first memory? He can't be sure. He rummages through his memories and retrieves another scene.

This time, it was a winter night, with snow falling, people bundled up in warm clothes, and colorful neon lights. Were their parents with them? It was uncertain. Anyway, the two of them stood hand in hand in front of an electronics store's display, gazing at a TV screen through the glass. The screen showed a famous hero, now a classic.

Little Katsuki was enthusiastic because the old hero had blonde hair like his, exclaiming, 「I want to be like him! A strong hero! I will!」

The older boy softly echoed, his eyes fixed on the screen, 「Yeah, I believe you can, Kacchan.」 Then there was a pause before he added, 「And honestly, me too.」

Katsuki turned to look up at the other. The teenager's profile was illuminated by the screen's light, his breath visible in the chilly air, and, his round, freckled cheeks rosy pink from the cold, or something else. Most of all, a certain light shone in his dreamy eyes, and Katsuki felt it.

He asked, 「Do you want to be a hero too?」

The older boy glanced down at him.

「I do.」

It was almost a whisper, yet his breath created a thick mist in the cold air.

So, Katsuki declared confidently.

「Then, let's be heroes together!」

Seeing mild confusion on the older boy's face, Katsuki thought he didn't understand, so he clarified once again, 「I mean, you and I. We're going to be heroes, and we'll be hero partners.」