[AN: And now, Akira… the second of four side chapters covering the early lives of Satoru and Mitsuri's children]
Akira's NOT A DIARY Journal
(Papa said journaling every New Year builds "character." Mama said it's cute. Ai-oneechan said that people might read it one day so I gotta make it good.)
Year 1
I can't write yet. Papa is writing this for me.
He says I drooled on the page. That's a lie. Probably.
Ai-oneechan held my hand when the fireworks went off. She smelled like mochi. Mama kissed my cheeks. Papa picked me up and floated me into the air. The stars were really big.
I like stars. I like Mama. I like Papa. I like Ai-oneechan.
Mei-Mei sat on my tummy and purred. It was warm.
Year 2
I can hold a pencil now! (But Papa said my handwriting looks like a demon's curse.)
Mama made sakuramochi for the New Year. Ai-oneechan tried to sneak extra but Papa caught her with his infinity thingy. He laughed. She pouted. I laughed too. She gave me her mochi anyway.
I said my first New Year wish out loud this year:
"I wanna be like Papa!"
Everyone laughed. Papa said, "Of course you do, you have taste." Mama bonked him on the head with a ladle.
I love my family.
Year 3
I'm a big brother now!!!
The twins were born right before the leaves turned. Hikari-neechan has white hair and shiny blue eyes like Papa. Himari-neechan is quiet but she looks like she could punch a mountain. Papa said she probably will.
They're tiny, but Ai-oneechan is already taking care of them like a boss. She's amazing. She reads them bedtime stories and lets me hold their little hands.
Hikari-neechan grabbed my finger and wouldn't let go. Himari-neechan stared at Mei-Mei like the cat was some kind of monster. Weird.
Mama says I'm a great big brother. Papa says I'm "the second coolest in the house." I'll be number one someday.
Year 4
Papa let me ride on his shoulders through the snow this New Year!
Mama made a feast. Ai-oneechan helped, kind of. (She burned the rice again. Papa said it's "tradition at this point.")
Hikari-neechan toddled around the house shouting "Again! Again!" every time she saw Papa use his technique. Himari-neechan followed me everywhere, quiet but strong. She also hides behind walls when Mei-Mei walks by. I don't get it.
I practiced Limitless with Papa today. I can make things stop in the air for a little bit now! Ai-oneechan cheered so loud Mama thought something exploded.
I'm gonna get strong fast. For Mama. For Papa. For everyone.
Year 5
New Year fireworks again!
Papa took us up above the clouds to watch them. Mama hugged him from behind and Ai-oneechan clung to his sleeve like always. I held onto Papa's head because I wanted the best view.
Hikari-neechan started learning some of Papa's moves. She copies everything he does, even the way he leans on doors. Papa says she's his "mini-me." I'm supposed to be the mini-me though!!
Himari-neechan tried to pet Mei-Mei. Mei-Mei purred. Himari-neechan screamed. I laughed. Mama said to be nice.
I wrote my wish by myself this year:
"I'll protect everyone like Papa does."
Year 6
Papa made me spar with Ai-oneechan.
She's scary strong. I thought I had her, but she dodged like Papa and threw me into a snowbank. She helped me out after and gave me her dango, though, so it's okay.
Mama says I'm getting better with Limitless. I can hold it longer now. Papa says if I train hard I'll surpass him "in a hundred years or so."
Hikari-neechan learned to stop pebbles midair just like Papa. Himari-neechan keeps climbing trees and jumping off them. Mei-Mei naps on all of us.
I love this house. It's never quiet, but it's warm.
Year 7
I'm gonna be cool this year.
Papa said I should "embrace the swagger." So I leaned against a wall like he does and said "Heh" to Ai-oneechan. She bonked me on the head.
Mama laughed so hard she dropped her mochi.
We trained as a family today. Ai-oneechan sparred with Mama, Hikari-neechan trained with Papa, Himari-neechan tried to race Mei-Mei (she lost), and I worked on my control. Papa says my barrier's getting better.
I wrote in big letters this year:
"Future Strongest!"
Papa laughed and said, "Dream big, kid."
Year 8
Ai-oneechan's been quieter lately. She still smiles, but sometimes she goes out to the koi pond alone. I followed her once, but she just looked at the stars.
I didn't say anything. Just sat beside her. She smiled at me. That was enough.
Papa told me real strength is protecting people's hearts too. Mama kissed my forehead after and said I was growing up.
Hikari-neechan practiced using one of Papa's techniques on a tree. Himari-neechan broke three training dummies with one punch. Mei-Mei stole Papa's dango.
I'm gonna keep training.
Year 9
This year I beat Hikari-neechan in tag. That's a big deal. She can see everything with her special eyes, but I used my brain like Papa told me.
Papa gave me a thumbs-up. Mama gave me mochi. Ai-oneechan gave me a hug so tight I thought my ribs cracked. Worth it.
Himari-neechan getting scary fast. She's like a blur when she runs. Mei-Mei rides on her shoulders sometimes. She pretends not to like it.
I feel stronger this year.
Year 10
Papa said I'm officially "not a runt anymore."
I sparred him for the first time. I didn't win (obviously), but I made him move. Just a little. He looked proud. Mama said she almost had a heart attack watching.
Ai-oneechan started training more seriously. She says she wants to be someone everyone can rely on. She already is.
The twins are catching up fast. Himari can pick up boulders. Hikari-neechan can stop a everything Papa throws at her now. Mei-Mei stole Mama's sakuramochi.
My family is amazing.
Year 11
I wrote this entry while leaning against the doorframe with sunglasses I borrowed from Papa. Ai-oneechan called me an idiot. Papa said "that's my boy." Mama sighed.
Training's getting intense. I can hold Limitless for almost a minute now. Hikari-neechan basically a second Papa. Himari-neechan keeps challenging Papa to races. Ai-oneechan beats us all at hide and seek.
Mei-Mei's been hanging out on my bed more lately. She's warm.
Year 12
New Year was loud and perfect.
Papa took us up to watch fireworks again. Mama made a feast, Ai-oneechan made cookies (she only burned half). Hikari-neechan showed off a new move, Himari-neechan broke a log in half with a karate chop, and I can hold my barrier up for more than a minute now, Papa actually said "not bad."
Ai-oneechan rested her head on my shoulder after. She said, "You're growing up so fast Akira-chan." I pretended not to like it.
Year 13
I looked back at my first entry today. Papa wrote it because I couldn't.
Thirteen years later… I can float like Papa now, not as long though, but I can fight. I can protect everyone. I can be the kind of person I looked up to.
Mama says I've got her heart and Papa's power. Papa says I've got his looks (Ai-oneechan threw a pillow at him).
Hikari-neechan is catching up fast. Himari-neechan is a beast. Ai-oneechan's still my favorite person to train with.
My wish this year:
"I'll make Papa proud. I'll make Mama smile. I'll keep all my sisters safe. I'll protect this noisy, warm, amazing home forever."
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[AN: Please Enjoy this picture I had my personal Clanker Sla- I mean, prisoner with a job make of Satoru, Mitsuri, and the kids. ]
IMG HERE