AN: I don't own My hero academia. Also WARNING: some sensitive topics touched. Don't know if I needed to say that but I did.

What happened to your hair?

It was just like every other day. He woke up. He looked around. He was alone. There was a cold empty spot beside him. It made the bed feel too big. Just like every other day he'd stare at the spot for an underestimated amount of time. His mind wandering further into darkness while his heart sank with it. He should get up now. So, he did.

He continued his daily routine of tripping over noodle cups. Each time he swore to clean up. However, by the end of the day after work, he never could. That's because he always started at the same place. The table with a single picture frame. He'd polish that table until it had a mirror shine every time. Then he would stare at the picture and get lost in their eyes. Their innocent, beautiful eyes. Any motivation to clean would be killed afterwards. Then he would slink back to his lonely bed and sleep for the next day. During the times when he didn't have work, he'd stare at the ceiling. Wasting the day away. It was all he did during his time off. Not like he has much else to do but work.

Today he had to return to work and should prepare. That thought was the only thing that kept him going. He wandered to the bathroom. Kicking the garbage in his path. It didn't matter. Barely anything did. That feeling grew more and more prominent with each passing day. Once he reached the bathroom, the first thing he saw was his reflection. He hated it. The way his uncombed hair would stick out randomly. Some parts were flatter than others. It was ugly unlike his. Perfectly straight. He picks up a straightener he bought so long ago. Maybe it was time to use it. He pinched one of his curl clumps but stopped.

"But I like your hair like this. It's a lot of fun to play with."

Once again, he put the straightener down. Opted to comb his hair to a presentable degree. Next, he stared at his face, but it would always be disgusting. The gashes that ran across it were eyesores. He couldn't hide them as easy as the other ones across his body. So ugly.

"They must have hurt a lot." Cried the voice from the past. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more."

"How silly," he whispered to himself and held his body. He could vaguely feel the warmth that was once around him. "You shouldn't cry over something so trivial. You look better smiling." It was then he noticed his roots. They've grown out too long. He only left them alone for a few weeks since his boss gave him some mandatory time off. He wished they hadn't. He would not have allowed it to get this bad otherwise. Why did his hair grow so unusually fast? It was like it wanted to stay long. His natural dark roots have grown over his shoulders. He'll have to correct that. From the cupboard, he reached out for his usual tool to counter the unsightly dark colour. It never turned out perfect for him since it was naturally so dark. "Yours was so much lighter."

"I think it's too light. It's scary how it matches my skin. Some people tell me I looked like a ghost."

He smiled truly for the first time that day. "I think it looked pretty. Pure like an angel" His vision started to blur. The bottle he held in his hand started to slip. His head became light as his legs widen with a buckle. Even his voice could no longer work. It was hard. Really hard. His thoughts began to run with everything that happened since that day. The day he never came home. He had to stay strong. For the sake of his students, he had to try and ignore that for a time. Just for a time. He'll ignore and pretend for as long as he could. That time was running out. Despite the blurry vision, he went ahead and aggressively poured the contents of the bottle all over his head.

If I looked like you

If I act like you

That means a piece of you is still here.

Right, Sai?

He didn't know if he did a good job. He couldn't see if he did. His version was still too burred. Hopefully, he did. It would be a pain otherwise. Semi blind, he felt for a brush. Hands collided with anything in his way, making them fall from their place. His search led him to the edge, but he couldn't make it. His legs were too weak. It wasn't long before they collapsed on themselves. His vision failed along with them.

"…I'm tired."

Marching down the street was a civilian dressed Enji with fury burning in his eyes. It took all his willpower not to have his flames burst out, revealing his identity to any passers-by. Hopefully, they'll ignore his defamed suit as well. The man had a massive, tanned trench coat over it, so that should help hide him. Paired with a matching-coloured fedora, it should be enough to walk in broad daylight unnoticed. Now some of you might be wondering why he was out and about trying to hide. On a workday no less. Well, it started like any average day. Getting the breakfast ready for the boys. He made it extra special since it was Touya's recommend exam. He needed some good food to keep him going. While the older child tried to act confident his father spotted his nerves in the way his arms shook. So, he placed a hand over his shoulder assuring him he'd be fine. Izuku even joined in with a big hug. It eased the older boy's mind just a little.

After that, he drove Touya to U.A with Izuku tagging along on their little adventure. It was a pleasant drive with his sons on either side of him. Izuku excitedly pointing at anything that caught his interest and Touya looking over some last-minute notes. No media hounds to be seen which made it that more perfect. It was oddly nostalgic when they reached the gates of his old school. Seeing how big it's grown yet still looked so much like the school he once knew. The goodbyes were quick and sweet. Not long after Touya gave his little brother a big hug goodbye and his father a cheeky fist bump to the stomach.

"Don't get beaten up too much," he said while running off ready to face whatever challenges awaited him.

Then Enji took Izuku to the agency expecting Arata to already be there. He was supposed to be there. He sent a message to them earlier than they would be teaching at the agency today. The tutor responded with a yes to they had to have known. He asked around his staff, but none of them as seen the dirty blonde either. Nor get any call from them indicating that he was running late or couldn't make it. Both cases were unheard of for Arata. The teacher was always very punctual. Even early as if they couldn't wait to get the day started. An hour later and several failed phone calls, Enji decided to head over to the teacher home himself to get some answers. That man better appreciated the effort, as well as have an excellent explanation as to why he hasn't shown up yet.

After hunting down the address of the teacher he found a door to an apartment. It was a shabby-looking place. The paint coloured with age. Some parts chipping and cracking. Even the door itself looked worn. Cobwebs inhabit the corners. He paid no mind and knocked.

Click… The door was unlocked so easily.

Enji's senses stiffen as confusion settled in his eyes. Why would the door be unlocked? He called through the open crack but there was no answer. Worried, Enji opened the door wider. That was a mistake. His nose was immediately attacked by odours he couldn't complete deduced. There was mould and musk stench. Whatever it was the thing was rotten and dusky. He had to cover his mouth and nose for protection. The next thing he noticed was how dark it was. The lights were off and there was only one window. It was completely blacked out by heavy drapes. When his eyes readjusted to the dim darkness, he could mostly see. This place was simply put a mess. Dust caked nearly every surface while more cobwebs decorated the walls. There was garbage scattered about. Most of the instant noodle cups. Some of them half-eaten with most of that moulded. Who knew moulding cheap ramen would small that bad? If Enji didn't know better he'd think this place was abandoned. Or belonged to some hobo. Yet he could have sworn this was the right address. Maybe he read It wrong?

In the corner of his eye, he saw a light. Along with it was a door slightly cracked open. He could hear a faint groaning behind it. Curiosity and concern got the better of him as he went to investigate. Carefully, not stepping the garbage around him. Once he opened the door his body halted in surprise.

Lying there wedged in the cramped space was a man fallen on his back. One he both recognised and didn't at the same time. For one he was half nude. He has never seen the man outside of wearing his long-sleeved suits. If seeing them barefoot with nothing but a pair of shorts wasn't odd enough. There was also the fact his body was branded with scars. One of the most prominent ones slashed across his nose. A few others joined his face by framing his closed eyes. His hair was twice as long since he saw it and was completely matted. In a way, it looked like coloured mop strands with the way they fanned along the floor. The oddest thing was their colour. The curled tips were coloured in his usual blonde while the majority up to his roots were dark. A near jet black with a tint of navy. Once his shock faded, he called to the man. "Arata?"

Slowly, the man opened his eyes revealing their signature shade of deep blue.

The fact they responded at all was enough of an answer. "What happened to…your hair?" Enji awkwardly asked unsure if it would be impolite to push for other questions.

"Who are you?" He asked in an extremely deep voice than his usual.

Enji eyes twitched offend. "It's me. Enji."

"Enji…Enji…Enji… oh!" While still in his awkward lying position Arata hit a fist in his palm. "The delivery guy."

"NO!"

Arata tiled his head. Staring intensely at the stranger before him. It took him a while but he eventually remembered. "Enji…Endeavour…what are you doing here?"

"You were late to work."

"Was I?" He then looked down at himself. His position was not exactly flattering. "I suppose I got into a bit of trouble."

"I'll say, here." Enji expanded a hand which Arata accepted. The man was then hoisted up to his feet. "What happened to you?"

Arata looked down at the mess he made. More so the bottle he was using that now painted the bathroom floor. "I was trying to dye my hair blonde. Then I kind of slipped." He looked over at the mess he created. The smearing of dye on the white tiles could be mistaken for blood. He was sure he didn't hit his head that hard. At least he hoped. "I'll start washing off what I can. Probably need to redye it anyway. I doubt I got everything." Irritated he combed through his curled locks with his fingers and noticed how long they've gotten. They reached his hips. "Dang, has it gotten that long? I need a good clean up. Well, whatever."

Enji eyed the man. Forget his look. Even his mannerisms were off. "Are you ok, Arata? You don't seem like yourself."

The man clicked his tongue while lazily gazing at the other. "Oh, I'm sorry, were you expecting this:" his face suddenly perked up with a grin as he twirled in spot. His voice became higher along with it, "good morning, Endeavour. It's good to see you again…" his voice grew thinner with each word. His face dulled soon after. "Sorry but I'm a little too tired to act that way now," the gloomy Arata said with his gloomy deep voice. He then began to push Enji out of the bathroom. His expression was somehow gloomier. "You go make yourself at home, I guess. I need to wash out this dye and cut my hair."

Once the door slammed in his face, Enji awkwardly stood around for what felt like an hour. He really couldn't see himself thinking of this place as home. With how depressing and messy it was. Although thinking back to their first meeting it looked like a place the hobo he first met would live in. But the clean-up act Arata put on soon after was the complete opposite. Made him wonder how much was real. While wandering through the filthy apartment he found another opened door.

Now Enji wasn't the type to snoop but it was wide open. Beyond it was a peculiar sight. Most likely the cleanest place he has seen so far. A single table with a picture. Curiosity got the better of him and so he wondered inside to inspect. The picture was of someone he recognised. They were a young man with short straight ash blonde hair that scarily matched their near-white skin. Even though their completion looked sickly, their expression they anything but. The man faced the camera with a smile that could rival his youngest son. They playfully two-fingered salute the camera while winking. Showing off only one of their bright green eyes. The clothes they wore were a simple button-up shirt with a dark grey jacket over their shoulders. They looked so happy. Alive. There was a small plate of incense was placed before it. Enji couldn't help but frown at the sight.

Respectfully, he knelt before the table and brought his hands together in prayer.

Sometime later, Arata walked out of the shower. His hair shortened back to his shoulders and tied back with a ribbon. The dye job ended up terrible with only patched of the blonde coloured here. He also forgot the bleach, so it looked browner despite their intense colour formula. Aimlessly, he looked around for his boss. It shouldn't be too hard. The guy was massive. Eventually, he stopped as he saw the man's broad back in his room. Hunched over the most sacred area in his home. He walked inside and sat next to the man. "You don't have to do that."

Enji shook his head. "It's only right to pay respects to the dead." He solemnly turned his head to the other and bowed. "I'm sorry for your lost."

Arata bit his tongue back. Unable to say a word. Or more like he didn't want to. An awkward silence settled between the two men.

Then Enji broke it, "You know it's unfortunate Izuku couldn't have met him."

Arata didn't bother to reply. He already knew the man searched him. Back when he looked at his hero license. He looked a lot different than he was currently, with the mask he wore among the Todoroki family. For one his hair was much longer and wasn't blonde. Another was the fact he didn't bother to hide the scars on his face. The one along his nose was the most prominent with how deep and wide it was. After seeing that, and how mismatch it was to his current mask, anyone would want to look at his record. Not like he had much of a history outside of his life with his beloved.

"Sai Darewell, fairly accomplished for a quirkless man." Enji continued while facing the man in the picture frame. "A prominent graduate of Shiketsu high gained scores higher than most of his classmates. Landed a job with the hero association while also freelancing for investigative journalism. One of his most notable was the story he's written was breaking a human trafficking ring. A master in Judo often volunteering as a teacher. Also had a hand in theatre work. Often playing side characters or be an understudy." The list of prise went on. The man truly was an outlier of the quirkless crowd. The type he could see his son could potentially become one day. It might have been great if his son were to meet him if only for a day. "It was unfortunate he died in a car accident so young."

That grinded at Arata's gears. His teeth gritted together with a growl while his nails drugged into the floorboards. His eyes glowed brightly with his rage. "Do you really believe my Sai would die in such away!" He yelled with a furry Enji as only seen once. Only stronger. A couple of empty noodle cups glowed and slammed at Enji side. It didn't hurt much but it was a surprise that made him flinch. Arata breaths become erratic as he glared down at his boss. With a look that can only be described as a wild animal. "Lies. It was all a lie!"

To balance the man's furry Enji remain calm. He carefully chose his next words, hoping it would defuse the situation. He might not be much of a talker about sensitive issues. Nor was he the type to console people even as a hero. For him, a rescue stops once the villain is out of the way and the reports were filled. But this isn't a rescue. At least it wasn't supposed to be. "Then tell me the truth."

"You won't believe the truth!" Suddenly Arata felt pressure on his wrist. He was soon forced down to face the stern eyes of the hero.

"Try me," he said simply.

Arata calmed down, steadying his breaths. He turned to the picture. Gazing at his beloved smiling face, he stroked the edges of the frame. "If I were to describe Sai in one word it would be insane. He'd often do things on impulse and think of the consequences later. Take me in for example." He started with a light smile. "By the way, how much information have you been able to find about me?"

Enji couldn't say a word. Truthfully, he couldn't find much outside of Arata's teaching career, a couple of minor cases he was a part of and the fact he was married to a man named Sai Darewell. Whom he found far more information on. Anything about Arata's childhood, parentage and so on was near impossible to find. As if he didn't exist until that point. There were some classified documents, but he didn't have the authority to look at them.

It made Arata chuckle. "I'm not surprised I don't have much a history, nor can what's there can be read by the average person. You've heard of the Nozomi's case, right?"

Of course, Enji knew about it. it was the biggest uproar of its year that temporarily harmed the hero industry. It was all the talk back when he was in U.A so you couldn't escape the rush of news and rumours. A prestigious and old hero agency turned out to be the façade of a human trafficking ring. It was said they kidnap children who held promising quirks and train them forcefully to be heroes or do other forms of labour. It is unknown how they managed to keep their pristine image for decades. The media expo the event was light, as well as the damage extend of their victims. There were reports on deaths, but sources vary as well as saviour counts. There were some happy stories about how some victims managed to find their lost family or no live happy lives doing something else.

"Sai was one of the first to wrote about it. After all, he was the one that figured them out. Even helped with the behind-the-scenes investigation." Arata explained. He then felt the scar along his nose. Out of all of them. That was the most annoying. The feeling of his chains always felt heavy there the most. "I happen to be one of their many victims."

Enji's eyes widen in realisation. It was something he wasn't expecting. "Those scars."

"Yup," Arata affirmed while holding up one of his sacred arms. "They were from back then. Given to me by my caretakers or carports. Whichever you want to call them. Technically both are correct. Although I can't remember who or how they were made. Except for this one." He once again ran a finger across his nose and the side of his temples. The scars there were the deepest. "Whenever I was out of line or just out of duty, they would force me to wear this metal mask. It was a way to take away my quirk since my telekinesis requires my sight. It reminded me how powerless I was without it. That thing was so heavy it cut into my skin making these darn things." He clawed at the old scars. Remembering the pain that went along with them. "Sometimes that thing was so heavy I thought it would tear my head off…sometimes I wish it did."

His eyes then returned to the picture. Any coldness and hate soften to love. "Then Sai came. He took me in despite the danger and his superiors' wishes. Even gave up his seat in the association for me. You know what his reasoning was?"

As the tension from before faded, Enji found his expression softening. It was odd to listening Arata's natural deep voice talking at him, yet it oddly suited the man. Along with their dark navy black hair. They looked more relax. Neutral than the semi hyper teacher that was around his boys. "What?"

"To see me smile. Crazy right?" He said with a hearty laugh. "He did anything to get me to smile. Pull silly faces. Recent to cheesiest of jokes. Even went as far as slamming a pie to his face once. He was so stupid." He could barely contain his laugher at the old memories. His beloved Sai pulling every trick of the comedy book just to get a little bit of a giggle from him. Any time they pulled it off, they acted like it was the greatest achievement he had ever done. It was so stupid yet charming. He could help but want to make the strange man smile back.

"When I was 'free' I required a lot of therapy. Since I had to use my quirk nearly 24/7, I grow so reliant on it. The damage would have been life-threatening if left unchecked. The act of simply floating was deadly. I couldn't walk. I couldn't speak half the time. Early on I didn't want anything to do with it. I hated those sessions. I just wanted to sleep. Put Sai kept pushing me. We got into a lot of fights that way." Ah, the little spats they use to have. It ended with both wrestling on the ground. Mostly with Sai pinning him down and giving him a lecture. They were weirdly strong for a guy who had sticks for arms. "He won in the end. I started to take the therapy seriously and slowly recovered. Sai kept pushing me into society and I let him. It wasn't long until I became a teacher at his old school. He knew how uncomfortable as was continuing to be a full-time hero after everything. So, he thought teaching was the next best thing. As usual, he was right. It was awkward but I do love to teach. Seeing the passion in my student's eyes. The stories they'd tell about their heroic adventures. They were much more treasured memories than my forced escapades." Arata's happy expression soon dulled lightly. "Eventually I asked him to marry me."

"You asked him," Enji chimed. Hearing the man talk like this was an odd treat he didn't expect to enjoy. Perhaps it was because they barely talked, to begin with, or the genuine passion in the man's voice. It was congestions. He couldn't help but smile along with him. "With how forceful you've painted him to be. I'd thought he asked you."

"Forceful is such a harsh word," Arata said using his more playful high pitch voice. "More so pushy. Really pushy." The two men laughed. Either of them expected to feel this comfortable with each other. Despite knowing each other for over a year now they never talked quite like this. "But yes, I was the one to ask him. Despite his resume, Sai was a simple man with a simple wish. Get married, have a family and live happy without regrets. I wanted to be part of that dream. I was only lucky enough he said yes. But then…" Arata's voice dulled further. It lost any form of emotion as he trailed on. "He died."

Enji held his breath. The conversion and atmosphere were so light he had forgotten where it was leading. No matter what the ending to this story was a tragic one.

"It started like any other day, but it was special. Sai thought it was time to have a kid and he wanted to adopt one. I was unsure but so long as I was with him, I thought I could manage," his voice grew unsteady. Each word felt like needles on his tongue. "We said goodbye for the last time that morning…" his voice was failing more and more as time went by. It was becoming harder to get the words out. "I didn't know it at the time, but there was an incident that day. A territories group was running away and took an orphanage hostage. The same one Sai visited. Negotiations stopped when a hero came to fight the villains. The damage to the building was severe, but everyone came out safely thanks to the hero," there was heavy sarcasm every time he said the word 'hero' as well as this lingering bitterness. His eyes grew dark. His voice grew deeper. Bitter. "Everyone but one small child…and Sai."

Enji's heart sank. The realisation dropped on him like bricks raining down on him. One after the other with each sentence that came out of the man's mouth.

"If I told anyone else this story. They'd label me as crazy. Nothing bad happened that day. You know why?" Arata's aggression fated to dissonance. The tone he used was hunting. Almost like an ominous lullaby: " because a hero saved the day. That's why everyone can rest easy. A hero saved the day, that's why there's no need to check for others safety. A hero saved the day, that's why no one else needed saving." Arata's tone darkened further. It chilled the flame user next to him. "The hero was being praised so much. No one noticed two missing. Forgotten until it was too late."

Suddenly, Arata jumped up in laughter. It was no joyful laugh. It was wild. Chaotic. Completely insane. Tears running down his face all the while highlighting the crazed look in his eyes. "But who would believe that, right? Their precious hero didn't do anything of the sort. He didn't forget anyone. No one did. That child was adopted out. That's why they weren't accounted for after the incident. And my Sai? No, he wasn't there. He died in a car crash on the way!" He screeched. His eyes glowed with furry while severely empty cups of noddle floated menacingly around them. None of them stayed in shape. They were all crushed or ripped by the sheer force of Arata's quirk. "That was the lie they had to write. All to protect their precious hero. All to make him perfect. They erased his mistakes. For the good of society, they claim. The heroic tragic end of my Sai protecting a small child while debris crushed and suffocated them. That end was rewritten. As if honouring his death was meaningless compared to protecting their precious hero's image." His head twisted to face Enji. His eyes still glowed brightly with blazing fury. Only highlighted brighter by the running tears of frustration. "Is that truly justice?"

Unable to hold back Enji pounced and held the frantic Arata tightly. Stopping him from saying any more, he held him close while hooking their head over his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

Arata was confused. "Why are you apologising?"

"I am a hero."

Arata pushed back but it didn't hold enough power to get the man off him. "You are not the same hero that left my Sai that day."

"That maybe so, but I am still a hero." Enji tightened his hold. Hoping it could do something. What that thing was he wasn't sure. Just something. Anything. "Is this, ok? I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly."

The awkwardness made the other chuckle. "Are you try to comfort me, Endeavour?"

"Didn't I told you to call me Enji."

"Sorry I forgot," Arata apologised with a whimper. The glow of his eyes weakened while the objects floating around them started to drop one by one. "I've forgotten a lot of things. So many… I don't want to forget again." He admitted, tears overwhelming his version. Little by little he slowly gave in to the warmth provided by Enji's body. His knees bent while slowly sinking back down to the floor. "Especially him," he whispered lovingly despite the crack in his tone. "My memories of Sai are treasures. He was everything to me. I don't care if they were exciting, sad or mundane. They are precious. Even the times we got mad at each other. Him saying I'm overprotective. I saying he was too reckless of his good. Did you know we argued about whose eye colour was better? It lasted for a week. It was so stupid, but I loved every second. Every word…" at that point Arata could no longer stop. He planted his face on the hero's chest and wept. Wailing sobs of sadness made the hero hold him tighter. "I didn't want to forget any of it. Not even his death. Them saying I should forget. Pretend like how it happened didn't happen. They should have told me to die." The emotion of his voice was gone along with any tighter to hold his body. His eyes dulled and became voids of emptiness. "At least then I could see him again."

That line snapped something within Enji. As if a sudden lightning chill struck his heart. A shock that froze it over to a standstill. He has never been in this type of situation before, so his mind couldn't think of an immediate response. At least a reasonable one. He could have paused. Allowed his mind to process the information. Then he could give the best and most sensible answer. That didn't happen. A fire burned through his heart. Awakening it with a familiar feeling of passion and rage. Like all the times that came before, the feeling consumed him to black. Impulse was all that was left. Swiftly, he pushed Arata back. Against any better judgment, Enji raised his hand and slapped the man across the face.

The force was like one would expect after getting slapped by a man with Enji's size and structure. Arata was sent flying off his feet. Bouncing on the floors, he skidded across the floor which was had friction that slowed him down to a halt. A red hand mark decorated his cheek. Confused, he held the stinking cheek while looking up at the man who gave it to him. Oddly enough Arata didn't look mad. More surprised. Although the look was better than his previous dulled eyes that were drained of life.

"Do you really," Enji started low with a growl. "HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO LIVE FOR!" He then grabbed the man by the shirt and shook them. Anything to bring some sense into their brain. "Do you think I'd believe you have nothing left? Nothing at all?" He knew he probably shouldn't do this but hearing the man's words of defeat irked him. It was like saying the last year or so they've known each other meant nothing. His time with his boy's meant nothing. Everything that happened meant nothing. Life right now was mindless. As if there was nothing left for them to make them want to live it. That can't be true. Enji hoisted the confused Arata up to face him. Glaring at the man with all the fire that burned within him. "You can't have me believe that everything was an act. A part of It was genuine. I know it. You can't have me believe that you still want to die." He took a deep breath and bellowed something familiar to Arata:

"Is there nothing you want to do?" / "Is there something you want to do?"

The two voices merged. One of the past and one of the present. Arata had to blink twice. He could have sworn he saw the image of his beloved if only for a second. Perhaps it was the familiarity of the hero's words. It was nearly the same line Sai once said when he refused proper therapy. He could still see their tear-stained face as clear as day. Back then he last left tired. He just wanted to sleep forever if it wasn't for Sai constant pestering to keep going. The desperation in both their tones felt so familiar. It sparked something in him.

The confusion in Arata's eyes softened to glee. "You're right. I do have something left." He slowly rose to his feet. Never once letting his sight off the hero before him. "I want to see Izuku succeed and shine as brightly as my Sai once did. I want to see Touya grow and decide what he truly wants to be." Once he reached his full height, Arata lead into Enji's face. Eyes sparkling brighter than ever before. "I want to see you wipe the smile off that smiling dimwit's face and raise to number 1."

Nervously, Enji turned away while pushing the man out of his personal space. "You and I both know that's impossible."

"Unlikely. Not impossible." Arata corrected. His voice sounding a little lighter. "If anyone can do it. It would be you. Besides All Might can't live forever. No matter how society tells you he will." He then winched while holding the new red mark on his cheek.

"Sorry, did I hit you too hard?" Enji apologised awkwardly. He couldn't think of much else to say.

"Nah it's ok. For sure if Sai were here to see me in such a state again. He'd slap me twice as hard. Portably yell the same thing too. Besides, it was he who asked me to live my life smiling as bright as possible. He'd be very disappointed to see me all gloomy like that." He assured while stretching his stiff limbs. It was then he noticed how late in the day it was. "Man, is it really that late? Does that mean I can't see my little Izuku for another day? I'll have to rearrange his schedule. Then there's Touya sword training. I'm thinking of bringing him up to the mountains for a change of scenery. Maybe throw him into the lake."

Enji chuckled along with the teacher. It was nice to see them like this. "Well, it's good to see you feel better… what did you say?"

"I was thinking of taking Touya up to the mountains."

"Yes, but after that."

Dodging the question completely, Arata just laughed heartily. It didn't calm the hero's mind one bit, but the thought was soon forgotten when a sound erupted between. It came from the teacher's stomach, and it didn't sound happy. Blushing, Arata scratched his cheek and turtled his neck in with embarrassment. "Hum…it appears I am hungry."

"Well, that's easily solved. What do you have to work with?" The hero asked while walking towards the open kitchen. Surely, the man would have something to work with. It wouldn't be the first time he had to make a simple quick meal with whatever was available. Ah, the memories of life alone in his little rundown apartment. When you're on a budget you got to get a little creative. Mashed potatoes becoming gnocchi, pizza bagels, stirp fry with whatever mildly rotten vegetables hidden in the fridge. So long as they were something he could make a decent meal. Enji opened one cupboard and was meant was a wall of instant cup noodles. Considering the number of empty ones on the floor he shouldn't be surprised. So, he opened another one. Again, instant cup noodles along with some spider webs. Another one, yet again instant cup noodles. Enji gave up the cupboards and headed to the fridge. Any form of hope was instantly dropped. In the middle of the empty fridge was one single cup of noodles. Leftovers looked he assumed with the way the lit curled open. With a stern expression, Enji turned back to Arata. "Do you have anything but instant noodles?"

Face now beet red, Arata twiddled with his fingers. "…I have teabags."

After hearing that Enji faced palmed himself. "Never mind. I'll go get some myself. You stay here and clean this place up. It's like a dump in here and I refused to work in a filthy kitchen."

Slam!

Alone Arata gazed at the mess around him. "I suppose it's time to clean up." He started in the same place he always has. Sai's memorial table. He changed the incense, picked up the reman cups around the area, then processed to wipe and polish the table before wiping the picture frame. He paused in his efforts while staring at his beloved's smiling face. He couldn't help by smile at his carefree expression. Loving to stroke down the face.

"Sai," He started. "All my life with you what I wanted was your happiness. My recovery, becoming a teacher at your old school, was all to make you happy. At some point, I fell for you. I was lucky enough to have you fall for me. I didn't know if I would have been I good father, but I knew you would have." Gently, he held the frame in his embrace. Hoping to feel something. Anything but the hardened object poking at his chest. "Was the child you tried to save that day the one you wanted to adopt? Are you with them now? Did you regret it?"

He knew the answer to that last question. No, his beloved would never regret it. Not if it meant helping another. Or in this case, attempting to help. Even in his last moments, he acted impulsively. A trait he both hated and admired. It was Sai's impulsiveness that got him rescued. Yet those same impulses took him away.

He placed the picture back down. "I was so lost." He laid his head by the table's ledge. Eyes still locked with his pictured loved one. Their green eyes looked like someone else he knew. It made him smile. "I found a child. He's not mine but he is rather cute. The boy is quirkless like you and even has eyes like you. I hope he grows up to be a fine man."

His eyes then wandered to the scars that roughly decorated his arms. They're not the same but they were enough to think of another little boy. "He has an older brother. A troubled one whose quirk hurts him much like my own. So, I'm teaching him to fight quirkless. He has taken the lesson more seriously than my other students and is very skilled with the sword. Give it a few more years and he might be able to put up a fight against me."

His eyes then focused on the burning incense. Their light of an ember while smoke danced at the tip. Dull yet still burns. It reminded him of one last person. "Their father is an odd one. The best way I could describe him is a contradiction. He's very brash, yet he can be a gentle as a candle flame. He acts strong, but he's quite fragile. He acts confident, but he's plagued with doubts each day." Arata smiled while thinking of Endeavour. Though he should call him Enji or get scolded by the man. There was something about the flame user that piqued his interest a long time ago. Perhaps it was because they were the only hero that outwardly challenged the mighty symbol of peace. Or did it start when he saw how kindly the man treated his children? They may not have shown them, but he heard it in the man's thoughts. Their father always thought of them to some capacity. Some more than others, but none forgotten. It made him rethink the harsh image that was branded across the flame hero's back. So, he watched and listened at a distance.

"That family truly is something. I want to see all three of them grow. So, I'll stay here a little longer, ok." He smiled one last time at the picture before patting its frame. "I hope you're willing to wait for me.

AN: …wow I pressed the depression button early this season. I suppose I should start by saying this. I don't really write to please. If I did, I would have forced Aizawa into Arata's place somehow…still not sure how that would work. Or Shouto would already be here. I write whatever I feel is fun or creates and interesting tale for myself. Some people would hate it. Others would enjoy the ride with me. I know Arata is one of those things.

I'll let you all come up with your own conclusion rather than me explaining my thought process for this event. I think it's clear and I hope I did it well enough. I'll probably say more about in a later event. This event was an interesting and tricky write. So much that I went over my restricted limit of these things. So far, I only did that once for the finale of season 1. Maybe this is me wanting to compensate the fact I'll never tell original Arata's story properly, but I really want to take my time with this Arata. Call it a bias. That's why I said if you really hate him still you probably want drop this for a while since he'll be quite prevalent in this first arc. I won't be offended I promise. I know the way I write and the upcoming things I will do won't be everyone's cup of tea. Especially with me bad grammar and typos. I swear I try but they continue to happen.

One other I'll be doing the same thing as I do in Archives and respond to comments when the next event is up. I don't know I just like to do things in bulk.

Middernacht - ...I didn't expect you guys to get this wild. Inko won't be officially apart of the cast for a while, but she may make an appearance for this season.

Guest nr 315 – yes this does interest me. Mainly one name on there. This role was original supposed to be nameless, but this info has presented a fun opportunity that I didn't originally consider. So, thank you for that. Although admittedly I might change some characters ages to get them in the same age with Touya for simplicity. They are already close to the same age range give or take a couple of years so it shouldn't be too jarring to have them all as similar ages.

Anyway, hope this is still enjoyable. Even if it was mainly Arata talking and having a metal break down. I swear the next one's a little more light-hearted. It appears the boys are hiding something form their dad.