Hello! In honor of Mother's Day, I decided to write something a little different. I certainly hope you all enjoy it!
Warnings: If you have not caught up with current events of the manga, there will be spoilers.
I do not own My Hero Academia.
Toshinori stepped off the train and wove through the seemingly endless number of people crowding the station. He kept his eyes focused on Ishiyama just a couple steps ahead of him, trying to fall into step behind him and take advantage of the path his colleague was creating. The hood of his jacket started to slip off his head, and he swiftly grabbed it and yanked it as far down over his face as he could. He glanced down at the flowers in his other hand, grateful that they'd managed to survive the train ride.
It probably would've been smarter to buy some from a closer shop….
He briefly shook his head and continued through the station. Ishiyama glanced back to make sure he was still following before stepping out of the station. Toshinori inhaled deeply the second he was outside. He squinted the instant he walked into the sunlight and relished the heat it provided. He had to fight the urge to take off his jacket.
I'm glad to see the sun finally come out after the storm we had this morning.
Puddles covered the street and sidewalk, and the scent of rain still lingered in the air. He stared up at the clouds, watching them slowly move across the sky and leave a brilliant blue sky behind them.
You probably would've loved a day like this….
"Is everything all right?"
The question yanked Toshinori out of his thoughts. He offered his colleague a small grin.
"Of course," he said. "Thank you for taking time on your day off to come with me."
Ishiyama chuckled.
"It's no problem at all. Besides, you really shouldn't be going out alone since…."
He glanced at the other hero when he trailed off, any traces of a smile gone from his face. He couldn't miss the way Ishiyama's eyes darkened, or his lips quirking into a grim line. The two simply started down the sidewalk, their silence unnoticed due to the hum of passing cars and civilians. Toshinori tightened his hold on the flower stems and shoved his free hand in his jacket pocket. It didn't take long for sweat to form on his palms.
It's too hot and muggy for this jacket…but I can't take it off yet….
Not if I want to get there in peace.
He led his colleague around a corner and down a less crowded street. He straightened a bit once he saw the ornate gates at the cemetery's entrance. He picked up the pace, not caring as he walked through several puddles and soaked his shoes. He could hear Ishiyama's footsteps behind him, but they slowed when they reached the gates.
"Would you like me to wait out here for you?" Ishiyama asked.
Toshinori stopped. He looked over his shoulder and nodded.
"I won't be long," he assured.
"Take your time."
His shoulders sagged as he entered the gate.
I'm quite fortunate to have such amazing colleagues.
Only a few people were scattered across the cemetery, so he finally took his hood down. Not a single person looked his direction while he walked past the graves. A cool breeze whipped around him when he finally made it to the back of the cemetery. He stopped when he reached her headstone.
Shimura Nana
He couldn't stop the smile from gracing his face. He knelt down and laid the flowers on the grave.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" he muttered to himself.
He began to rise, but suddenly froze, his smile slowly fading. His hands clenched into fists, and his arms started to shake. Disregarding the wet and muddy ground, he sat down and buried his face in his hands.
"Not a single day goes by that I don't wish you were still here, but today…." He took a deep breath, ignoring the way it hitched in his throat. "I…I could really use your advice right now. Young Midoriya's gone. He's been gone for nearly a month now, and I don't have the slightest clue where he is."
He ran a hand through his hair. An infinite number of thoughts raced through his mind. His chest tightened, but he forced himself to keep breathing through it.
"Midni-no. Kayama. Kayama is dead. Eighteen other heroes lost their lives in that battle. Aizawa sacrificed so much…he cut off his own leg and lost one of his eyes, but he kept fighting. Everyone kept fighting…."
His voice broke. His vision blurred. He held it in as long as he could, but soon enough the first tear trailed down his cheek. Then another.
"…and I couldn't do a damn thing."
He could imagine her comforting hand on his shoulder. He could imagine her voice. He could imagine her smile that could brighten his mood on his worst days.
But she was still gone.
I really wish you were here.
Despite the tears, his felt his lips start to quirk upward again. Warmth bubbled in his chest.
Maybe a part of you is.
"Civilians are starting to doubt the abilities of heroes," he continued. "I can't say I blame them, but it's still hard to comprehend. My colleagues fight with everything they have to make sure everyone's safe, and sometimes it isn't enough. Still, I know you wouldn't let that keep you from smiling. You'd keep pushing forward. I may not have my quirk. I may not be able to save people like I used to, but I can take care of their hearts. That's what you taught me, isn't it? Even without a quirk, I…I can still be a hero."
He remained until the tears stopped falling. He wiped the tear tracks away with his sleeve. He finally got up, brushing the wet grass off his pants. They were soaked, but he couldn't get himself to care. His smile only widened, exactly like hers would have. He looked up at the sky. The sun was shining and the clouds had completely disappeared.
"Happy Mother's Day, Nana. Thank you. I hope you'll still be watching Izuku and I."
Well, there it is! I think Nana and Toshinori's relationship is absolutely adorable and I wish we would get to see more of it. Now, I've never written a fic like this with Toshinori, so constructive criticism is welcome as I'm always looking to improve! I hope you all have a very blessed May and I'll see you all soon with more fics!
Until then,
alightintheshadows