Legacy of The Sky

Chapter 3: The Departure

The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the scent of fresh dew and the promise of a new beginning. But for Izuku, today felt heavy, laden with an unshakable sadness that settled deep in his chest. He stood at the entrance of their modest apartment, eyes fixed on the packed suitcase resting beside the door. It was real. Today was the day Shirakumo would leave for U.A. High School.

Izuku had always known this day would come—Shirakumo had been talking about U.A. for months, his excitement contagious. But now that it was here, Izuku couldn't help the sinking feeling that gnawed at him. He tried to be brave, to smile and support his brother, but the thought of coming home without hearing Shirakumo's laughter or feeling his comforting presence was almost too much to bear.

Shirakumo, ever the optimist, tried to keep the mood light. He zipped up his suitcase and turned to Izuku with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Well, Izuku, today's the big day! Ready to send me off with a smile?"

Izuku forced a small smile, though it trembled at the edges. "Yeah... I'm ready."

Their mother entered the room, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She approached Shirakumo and wrapped him in a tight embrace. "I'm so proud of you, Kumo. U.A. is lucky to have you."

Shirakumo hugged her back, his voice warm and reassuring. "Thanks, Mom. I'll make you proud. I promise."

She pulled away, brushing a tear from her cheek before turning to Izuku. "Why don't you walk your brother to the station, Izuku? Spend some time together before he leaves."

Izuku nodded eagerly, grateful for the chance to stretch these last moments a little longer. He grabbed his jacket, and the two brothers headed out the door, the early morning sun casting long shadows on the quiet streets.

As they walked toward the train station, the city was just beginning to wake up. The streets were filled with the distant hum of traffic, the chirping of birds, and the occasional bark of a dog. Shirakumo walked with his usual confident stride, but Izuku noticed the slight tension in his shoulders, the way his hand clenched around the handle of his suitcase.

"So... U.A.," Izuku began, trying to sound casual. "What's the first thing you're gonna do when you get there?"

Shirakumo chuckled, his smile genuine this time. "I don't know, probably find my dorm room and scope out the campus. I've heard it's huge! But I'll definitely be on the lookout for some awesome hero training. Can't wait to meet the other students too."

Izuku listened intently, hanging on to every word. He admired Shirakumo so much—it was hard not to when his brother was so full of passion and determination. Shirakumo was everything Izuku aspired to be: brave, strong, and kind. He was a hero in every sense of the word.

They arrived at the train station far too quickly for Izuku's liking. The platform was bustling with people, a mix of hurried commuters and excited students embarking on new journeys. Shirakumo set his suitcase down and turned to Izuku, his expression softening.

"Hey, Izuku," he began, his voice quieter now, "I know this is hard. Believe me, it's hard for me too. But this is something I need to do. It's a huge opportunity, and I've got to give it my all."

Izuku swallowed hard, nodding even though his eyes were brimming with tears. "I know... I just... I'm going to miss you, Shirakumo."

Shirakumo knelt down so he was eye-level with Izuku, his hands resting on his brother's shoulders. "I'm going to miss you too, buddy. More than you know. But this isn't goodbye forever. I'll come back to visit whenever I can. And you can always call me or send me a message, okay?"

Izuku sniffled, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "Okay. But you promise you'll come back?"

Shirakumo's smile was bittersweet as he held out his pinky finger. "I promise. Pinky swear."

Izuku linked his pinky with Shirakumo's, feeling a small surge of comfort in the familiar gesture. It was something they'd done since they were little, a secret code that meant their promises were unbreakable.

As the train pulled into the station, the reality of the situation hit Izuku all over again. He watched as Shirakumo picked up his suitcase and turned toward the train, taking a deep breath before looking back at him one last time.

"Remember, Izuku," Shirakumo called out over the sound of the train, "You've got a hero's heart. Don't ever doubt that."

Izuku nodded fiercely, blinking back fresh tears. "I won't forget!"

With one final wave, Shirakumo stepped onto the train. The doors closed with a soft hiss, and the train began to pull away from the platform. Izuku stood there, watching as the train carried his brother away, feeling a hollow ache in his chest. He stayed rooted to the spot until the train was nothing but a distant blur on the horizon.

The walk back home felt much longer than the walk to the station. The streets were still filled with the morning hustle, but to Izuku, everything seemed quieter, duller without Shirakumo beside him. He kicked a small pebble along the sidewalk, lost in thought.

When he finally arrived home, the apartment felt emptier, even though everything looked the same. His mother greeted him with a sad smile, ruffling his hair as she passed by. "You okay, Izuku?"

Izuku nodded, though his heart wasn't quite ready to let go of the sadness. "Yeah... I'll be okay."

He headed to his room, plopping down on his bed and staring up at the ceiling. The day stretched ahead of him, but without Shirakumo's presence, it felt strangely quiet. Izuku reached under his pillow, pulling out the small action figure Shirakumo had given him a few years ago—an All Might figure, his brother's favorite hero. He held it tightly, finding comfort in the familiar weight.

"I'll be strong," Izuku whispered to himself, echoing Shirakumo's words. "I've got a hero's heart."

With that promise echoing in his mind, Izuku closed his eyes, letting sleep claim him. Tomorrow would be another day, and even though Shirakumo was gone, Izuku knew his brother's words would stay with him, guiding him forward, just as they always had.