love stuck|| tsuyu asui x G!P Oc

Chapter zero: Kaede Tsubaki-origin

Kaede's journey as a young hero started under the shadow of her family's expectations. Born with a rare and powerful quirk that combined wolf-like abilities and fire control, she was seen as the natural successor to her mother's heroic legacy. Her mother, a well-known pro hero with a similar wolf quirk, was proud of her daughter's potential—but that pride often came with immense pressure.

"Again, Kaede," her mother's voice echoed across the training yard, sharp and unyielding. "You can't hold back if you want to be a true hero."

Kaede clenched her fists, sparks flickering at her fingertips. She could feel the fire inside her, but controlling it under her mother's watchful eyes was different. Her mother's expectations felt like a weight, constantly reminding her that failure was not an option.

"I'm trying," Kaede whispered, hoping her mother didn't hear the strain in her voice.

"You'll have to try harder," her mother replied, her tone softened but still firm. "You have a gift, Kaede. Use it."

As the years passed, Kaede's training only grew more intense. They moved from place to place as her mother's hero agency transferred her to different cities, pulling Kaede away from school friends and familiar surroundings. Each time, her mother would remind her, "This is what it takes to become a hero. Sacrifice is necessary."

But when they moved to a quiet town near Salty Banks Junior High, something changed. For the first time, Kaede felt she could breathe a little more freely. And it was there that she met Tsuyu Asui, a girl whose calm, thoughtful nature was a stark contrast to her own chaotic life.

One afternoon, after a long day of training, Kaede found herself sitting by the river with Tsuyu. They watched the water in silence until Tsuyu finally spoke.

"You look tired, Kaede. Are you okay?" Tsuyu's voice was soft, but her words were steady and caring.

Kaede sighed, staring into the water. "I don't know. Sometimes, it's like... I'm more of a quirk than a person. My family wants me to be this hero, like my mother, and... I don't want to let them down. But... I'm not sure it's what I want."

Tsuyu nodded thoughtfully, her gaze fixed on Kaede. "That sounds hard, kero. But you don't have to be anything you're not. You're Kaede—not just a quirk or a hero's daughter."

The simplicity of her words struck Kaede deeply. With Tsuyu, she felt seen in a way she hadn't before—as someone more than her quirk. Their friendship grew quickly, and Kaede found herself opening up more than she ever had. Tsuyu's presence felt like a safe place, a reminder that she didn't have to carry everything alone.

But her peace was short-lived. Her mother's agency received another transfer, pulling them back to Shizuoka Prefecture.

"Do we really have to go?" Kaede asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Her mother nodded, not meeting her eyes. "The agency needs me there. And you need the training. You know this is for the best."

That night, Kaede lay awake, unable to shake the loneliness settling in her chest. The familiar weight of expectations returned, pressing down on her, pushing her to train harder, sleep less, and ignore her own needs in pursuit of perfection.

In one of her midnight training sessions, she remembered Tsuyu's words: "You're Kaede—not just a quirk or a hero's daughter." They echoed in her mind, fueling a quiet determination to become the hero she wanted to be, not just what her family expected.

Finally, the day came when she received her UA acceptance letter. She clutched it in her hands, feeling a mix of pride and fear. Her mother watched her with a rare, soft smile.

"You've worked hard for this, Kaede," she said, resting a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "This is the start of something great."

Kaede nodded, determination flaring in her eyes. "Yes... but I'll do this my way."

As she walked away, she silently promised herself that she would live up to her potential—not just as her mother's successor, but as the hero she chose to become. Tsuyu's words lingered in her mind, a steady reminder of who she was and the path she wanted to follow.