-Kaera/Rose's POV-
The next two months were hectic to say the least, but routinely so. I trained with Endeavor seven days a week. On school days, we trained from 5AM-7AM and on weekends, we would do 8 hour training sessions. It was hell, but the results spoke for themselves. I could now activate my quirk without burning myself, and my hand to hand combat was improving. My previously squishy and curvy body was becoming toned but still retained my curves.
Endeavor and I had started to grow closer as well. He told me I could call him Enji-san as long as we weren't in public, and I had gotten to meet his kids when I stayed late for training and had been invited to dinner. Fuyumi, his daughter and oldest child, did most of the talking while his two sons, Natsuo and Shoto, just glared at their father the whole time.
As usual, I found myself at the training grounds of the Todoroki estate; however, instead of the typical flame-faced man, I found myself being approached by his peppermint haired son. Shoto's heterochromic eyes stared at me with an intensity unbefitting a middle schooler.
"Tsukibara-san," the young boy greeted me with a bow. I smiled in response.
"Hey, Shoto-kun. Where's old Flame Face?" I asked looking around, half-expecting him to come charging at me to test my reflexes.
"Endeavor had hero work to do this morning, so I was sent in his place to test the heat of your flames," Shoto answered in a monotone. I looked at him in shock.
"I am NOT using my quirk on a child," I stated, shaking my head for emphasis, "Nope. Nuh-uh. Absolutely NOT." Shoto sighed at this.
"Tsukibara-san, what are you and my father?" the peppermint haired boy asked bluntly, "Are you his mistress?" At that question, I choked on my own spit before I started laughing hysterically.
"Hell no! Why would you even ask that, Shoto-kun?" I asked incredulously, "Your father was basically pushed into helping me train my quirk by the principal at U.A." Shoto nodded, his usually emotionless face showing a bit of relief and embarrassment, before he shot his ice at me and our training session began.
~Time Skip to 2PM and Kaera/Rose is back home~
Since our argument 2 months ago, I had avoided Toshinori like the plague. That was difficult at first, but I guess he eventually got the message. I didn't want to let someone that close to me again. So imagine my surprise when, after finishing my shower and sitting on my couch to relax, I was alerted by a knock at my door.
Confused, I got up and opened the door to see Toshinori in his normal form with a nervous smile on his gaunt face.
"Ah… Rose… I-I… Um…" Toshinori stumbled over his words as his face turned red before he took a deep breath and started again, "Rose, I wanted to ask you to come with me to an event that's tomorrow night… Please?..." He handed me a flyer that said the following:
In Memory of Those We Have Loved and Lost
Paper Lantern Release for Victims of Villain Attacks
Date: November 5, 8PM
Musutafu City Park Pond
Note: Please bring a photo of your loved one(s)
Sponsored by All Might
Organized in Honor of Santosh and Isha Chandrudu
My eyes widened and filled with hot tears as I read the final two lines. I covered my mouth which had fallen open in shock as I choked on a sob. Without thinking, I threw my arms around Toshinori's neck and sobbed into his chest. After a moment, Toshinori wrapped his skinny, but muscular arms around my waist and gently guided us into my apartment and quietly shut and locked the door with one arm before holding me close and leaning his head next to my ear.
"Rose… I'm so sorry for blaming you about the training with Endeavor," he said, his voice low, soft, and sweetly apologetic, "It's just that when I saw you hurt like that, I was so worried. I was angry at Endeavor, and I took it out on you. I'm so sorry. Please don't ignore me anymore."
His tone was heartbreaking, and I was already crying before. He had sponsored a night in memory of my late daughter and husband, two people he had never even met. And even as I was trying so hard to push him away these last couple of months, Toshinori had been thinking of me, his rude neighbor with massive trust issues.
"Y-you're forgiven," I whispered in between sobs as I cried into his chest, "I-I'm sorry I ignored you these past two montsh. I-I missed you, Toshi." After admitting that, I felt Toshinori's arms tighten around me, and I felt my face flush as he lifted his head from beside my ear and planted a gentle kiss on my forehead. I took a deep breath to try and steady myself as I was greeted with his comforting scent that I hadn't been around in nearly two month, and I found my breathing calming down as the sobs slowly ceased.
"I missed you too, Rose," he said, his warm lips still pressed against my head before moving his head back a bit. Toshinori grabbed my chin and gently tilted my gaze to face him.
"I'm sorry I planned the Memory Night without asking you first. It's just that I knew they were precious to you, and I wanted to do what I could to celebrate them as well," Toshinori said with a bright smile that caused my heart to melt.
"Thank you so much, Toshinori," I said softly with a soft smile of my own, "And I'd love to come with you tomorrow." A faint pink blush spread across his slightly tanned cheeks, and his electric blue eyes shined as he gave me a sweet, shy smile.
"It was my pleasure to set it up. My only hope is that it's worthy of their memory," Toshinori responded, before reluctantly pulling away, leaving me a bit confused, "I'm sorry, Rose, but I have to go on patrol for a bit. I just wanted to invite you and let you know to bring letters to both Isha-chan and Santosh-san. I'll explain why tomorrow." I nodded, and we said our goodbyes.
That afternoon and evening, I spent my time trying to figure out what to write to Santosh and Isha. Sighing, I decided to start with my late husband.
Dear Santosh…
… To Be Continued…