Hello Fellow Readers!

This chapter includes a lot from the manga chapters I based it on (249-252). So again - beware of SPOILERS throughout many chapters. I hope it's not too redundant for those who have already read these chapters. I try my best to incorporate them into my story. I DO NOT OWN MHA.

Haha. Hope you enjoy it!

-D

I'm walking to Enji's office after completing some paperwork. He called me into his office this afternoon to meet with him. After knocking on his office door, I open it and peek inside.

"Come in," Enji calls me over.

I close the door and head over, sitting in front of his desk.

"So I see you decided to train all three of the boys instead of just Shoto," I say.

"Yes," Enji nods. "Initially, I planned on leaving the other two to my sidekicks while I focused on Shoto...but now I'll be in charge of them myself."

"I assume it's because of what Hawks shared."

"That's exactly why...He's giving us a warning, something the Safety Commission isn't directly giving us…"

"Knowing how shady the Commission is, I'm not surprised."

"Speaking of which...your research on the Liberation and League...Keep it between you and me. It's best we don't stir up worry amongst the interns."

"I will."

After a moment, I notice Enji's expression turns into a thoughtful yet serious one.

"Is something wrong?" I notice Enji's lowered gaze.

"I've been having this recurring dream…" he replies.

"A recurring dream?"

Enji stays quiet for a moment.

"I'm going to face them…" he finally says. "And make up for what I've done…"

I stare at him for a moment, realizing he's talking about his family.

"Every night…" he continues. "I fall asleep asking myself...At this point, what can I do...for the sake of my family? I've been dreaming the same dream every night. My wife and children...sitting happily around the dinner table...But I'm never with them."

I carefully listen, wondering about this dream of his.

"I'll have to think carefully about it…" Enji says.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out," I give him an encouraging smile.

He sees my smile and looks more encouraged. I then recall a conversation I had with Fuyumi.

"Oh, Fuyumi spoke with me about a dinner…" I say.

"Yes, she spoke to me about it…" Enji replies.

"It would be nice for everyone to get together, especially to get to know Shoto's friends."

"Until now, I've been working as a hero...so when it comes to family, however...I thought...I thought that we too could become a real family."

I think of Fuyumi's determined attempts to bring her family together, the way it's supposed to be. Despite all that's happened, she still has hope.

"Fuyumi has no idea how much I've been saved by her…" Enji says.

"I'm sure she realizes your efforts," I say. "We'll be supporting you, Enji."

Enji nods with a hopeful gaze.

I'm at the Todoroki abode, helping Fuyumi prepare for tonight's dinner with Shoto's friends. Enji allowed me to leave early to help Fuyumi set everything up while he and the boys finished up their training. Fuyumi and I finish placing the dishes on the dining table, gazing at the amazing dinner.

"Thank you so much for helping," Fuyumi wipes her hands on her apron.

"No problem," I also wipe my hands on my apron. "You know I'll support you and your family in any way possible."

"I just hope everything goes well tonight…"

We then hear a commotion going on outside the home, and I immediately recognize it to be the three boys.

"They're here!" Fuyumi exclaims. "Natsuo! They're here!"

Fuyumi and I head over to the front door, meeting with Enji, Shoto, Katsuki and Izuku. Not to my surprise, Katsuki is annoyed at being here.

"Thank you all for coming!" Fuyumi greets. "It's nice to meet you! I'm Shoto's sister, Fuyumi! Thank you for always taking care of Shoto!"

The boys and Enji enter the home, leaving their shoes at the door. Natsuo has taken his seat at the dining table, surprising me that he's actually here.

"Sorry for inviting you on such short notice," Fuyumi tells the boys. "And thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to accommodate me today!"

"It's a pleasure to be here!" Izuku smiles. "I rarely get invited to a friend's house, after all!"

"But why…" Katsuki follows the rest into the dining area as he grumps.

"Oh, is Natsuo here too?" Shoto asks. "I saw his shoes," to which I nod.

"We wanted to get to know you guys," Fuyumi says. "We're Shoto's family, after all!"

Once we're all ready, we settle around the dining table. At the end sits Enji with Fuyumi adjacent to him on his left. I sit to her left between her and Natsuo. Sitting on the other side of the table is Shoto, Izuku, and Katsuki. Everyone eventually begins to eat.

"Don't force yourself to eat anything you don't want to, alright?" Fuyumi smiles.

"Everything is delicious!" Izuku exclaims. "Despite having such a deep flavor, the skin of this tatsuta-fried chicken has the perfect amount of crunch, resulting in such an exquisite mouthfeel that just…"

"Stop analyzing your damn food!" Katsuki demands. "I can't focus on my mapo tofu with your damn blabbering!"

"Well, of course," Natsuo says. "Ever since our housemaid threw out her back and retired, Fuyumi has been taking care of the cooking."

"I see!" Izuku smiles.

"Give yourself some credit, Natsu!" Fuyumi smiles. "We take turns, don't we?"

"Eh?! Then I've eaten your cooking?" Shoto is surprised.

"Aah, I wonder about that," Natsuo replies. "I might have been forced to stop...After my cooking failed to reach someone's standards," he eyes Enji.

There's a strike of tension after Natsuo's comment, everyone sensing it.

"Well, to clarify…" I try to lighten the mood. "Natsuo tends to over-season the food, haha."

"What do you eat at school, Shoto?" Fuyumi also tries to lighten the mood.

"At the cafeteria…" Shoto doesn't finish.

"I didn't even notice," Enji tells Natsuo. "Next time…"

"Mmph…" Natsuo grunts.

Once again, the tension can be sensed amongst us as I see it on Katsuki and Izuku's faces. Natsuo has a stern gaze for a moment before gathering his plates.

"Well, I came like you asked," Natsuo stands. "Can I go now? Thanks for the food."

"Natsu!" Fuyumi is surprised.

"I'm sorry, Fuyumi. I still just can't…" Natsuo stands at the sliding door with his back facing us.

Fuyumi has a sad gaze as she watches Natsuo leave. I also watch as she's saddened at her efforts not working. After everyone finishes eating, we all bring our dishes to the kitchen to wash. Enji begins to wash his dishes while everyone helps clear the dining table in silence. The boys exit the kitchen while I stay with Enji, noticing how quiet he's been.

"Hey…" I walk up next to him.

He keeps his lowered gaze at the dishes. I put a hand on his forearm in an effort to comfort him. He then begins to prepare some food on a platter, and I realize what it's for. To keep him company, I follow Enji down the hall quietly until we stop at the sound of conversation in the dining area.

"Sorry for making you all help out…" Fuyumi says.

"Midoriya would feel even worse if we didn't let him help," Shoto responds.

"It's not like I don't feel the same as Natsu…but...we have a chance now...What do you think about dad, Shoto?"

Enji stands in silence, listening for Shoto's response as I do the same.

"I've always thought of this scar…" Shoto says. "As something that I received from father."

I recall the incident that occurred between Rei and Shoto involving the hot water which resulted in Rei's hospitalization. She was hospitalized before Touya's incident.

"Mother just endured and endured…" Shoto continues. "Until it all just boiled over one day. She was eaten away from the inside out. I can't forgive him that easily...That said, mother is working hard to get over the past. To be honest...I'm not sure myself. I don't know what I should think about him. I still...can't see anything yet."

"Keep that shit to yourself when you've got guests over!" Katsuki's voice booms into the dining room, startling me. "Hand over the rest of the dirty plates!"

"Aaah! I'm sorry!" Fuyumi apologizes. "We didn't mean to…"

"Ah! Umm!" Izuku sounds like he's panicking. "We've already heard about your situation from Shoto…"

"I just happened to overhear, got it?!" Katsuki continues to grouch. "Isn't a dinner party supposed to be more light-hearted? Now the taste of that mapo tofu is ruined!"

"I'm sorry we ended up overhearing you guys…" Izuku apologizes. "Shoto...You're preparing yourself to forgive him, aren't you?"

"Eh?" Shoto sounds surprised.

"If you really hated him, I think it's fine if you never forgave him….But you're not like that. You're a kind person… That's why it looks like...you're waiting...But it's just not the right time yet…"

I listen to Izuku's words, then glancing at Enji, who is also listening. After a moment, Enji then continues down the hall toward a room. Inside the room is an altar where Enji kneels and places the food he's prepared. He takes a moment to stare at the photo of Touya sitting at the center of the altar, preparing himself for a prayer. I watch quietly from the doorway, seeing how Enji is truly hurting. I recall the recurring dream Enji shared with me, imagining his family all together in his dream. This dream is what he ideally wants for his family, and I know that he wanted Touya to be there too. My heart sinks at seeing them suffer, knowing that Touya is actually alive, and I can't say a word to them.

'I'm so sorry, Enji…' I think to myself. 'To you...and your family…'

Once I see Enji has had his moment in prayer at the altar, I kneel next to him and join for a prayer. We sit in silence for a moment before we finish.

"I don't blame Natsuo for feeling the way he feels…" Enji finally says. "I did this to our family."

"Yes, you did what you did…" I say. "But your actions show that you're changing for the better. It won't happen overnight… Things like this...they take time. But as long as you're willing to change, you're on the right track."

I place my hand on Enji's shoulder and give him a comforting smile, earning a quiet nod from him.

"Alright," he stands. "It's time to take the boys back to their school."

"Right," I stand and nod.

I follow Enji back to the dining area where Fuyumi and the three boys are talking.

"Alright, it's about time I send you back to school," Enji announces.

The boys listen and prepare to depart. Once they've gathered all their things, Fuyumi and I also prepare to escort them out to the limousine.

"Don't forget your jacket," Fuyumi tells me. "Even if we're just going outside for a bit."

"Thanks," I give her a smile.

We follow the boys and Enji out to the car.

"Thank you so much for the meal!" Izuku aggressively bows.

"Hey, give me that mapo tofu recipe," Katsuki says to Fuyumi.

"I'll have her text it to me," Shoto replies.

"Sorry things ended up like this!" Fuyumi apologizes with a smile. "Let's talk about school next time!"

Enji stops before entering the front seat and looks back.

"Fuyumi…" Enji calls. "Thank you."

Fuyumi stares at her father with a warm smile as I put my hand on her shoulder. She then turns to the boys.

"Midoriya…" Fuyumi takes his hand. "Thank you for being Shoto's friend."

"Oh, that's…" Izuku has a shy smile. "The pleasure's all mine!"

Fuyumi and I watch the boys enter the black limousine and watch it drive off.

"You did well, Fuyumi," I give her a warm smile.

"Thanks!" she smiles cheerfully. "How about some tea?"

I give her a nod and we make our way back into the home. We hang our jackets and Fuyumi heads into the kitchen to prepare the teapot on the stove.

"Sorry you had to witness all that…" Fuyumi says.

"No, it's fine," I say. "Besides, it turned out okay in the end. After all, Natsu showed up, right?"

"That's true."

"I know he says he won't ever forgive his father...but he showed up to the dinner for your and Rei's sake...Natsu knows that you've always looked up to the idea of a family...because Enji destroyed your own… But after seeing you restlessly try to go back and start anew...Natsu's always been trying his hardest to consider your feelings too."

Fuyumi stares at me for a moment, realizing what I'm saying.

"And like the rest of your family…" I continue. "Natsu is also a kind person."

Fuyumi listens intently as she pours the tea into mugs and brings them over to the dining table. She places one in front of me while she holds hers.

"It's alright if you guys never forgive Enji…" I say. "He doesn't want your forgiveness...He just wants to make up for everything that he's done."

Fuyumi nods.

"I'm glad dad's got you around," Fuyumi looks up at me. "He doesn't feel comfortable sharing such sensitive stuff with me...but I'm glad he's got you."

"It's the least I can do for all he's done for me," I reply. "Though I'm still not quite sure what he saw in me to be such a father figure to me," I rub my neck.

"That's a good question. I also wonder about that…"

I then lower my gaze in thought.

"I know for a fact…" I say. "That if it wasn't for your father...I would've been a much different person than I am today."

"That's not true."

"It is. The Commission treated me so harshly...The methods they used...to train my quirk...All I've done for them. I still have nightmares to this day. If Enji hadn't come into my life when he did, I would be a cold, heartless person. He saved me."

"Akira…" Fuyumi stares at me in awe. "Do you...know anything about your past? About your parents?"

"The Commission told me that I was simply taken in because I was an orphan… I know nothing about myself other than my name Akira. Not even a last name. Nothing."

"Do you ever wonder about who your parents were?"

"I do sometimes...I wonder what my parents looked like...Do I have my mother's hair? Or my father's eyes? Whose personality do I have? What kind of people were my parents? All these questions...but I'm afraid I'll never know the answers."

"Hey…" Fuyumi reaches for my hand. "At least you have us to call family."

"I suppose the white hair makes it more believable," I joke.

"Looks like it!" Fuyumi and I lightly laugh.

After enjoying tea for a while, Fuyumi and I are cleaning up the tea mugs and table.

"Are you bundling up well?" Fuyumi washes the teapot. "Your quirk makes you sensitive to the cold."

"I am," I wipe down the table.

We then hear the front door open. It's Enji and Natsuo.

"Hey, welcome back," I say.

"Natsuo was attacked by a villain," Enji states.

"What?" I'm shocked.

"You were attacked?!" Fuyumi exclaims. "Are you alright?!" she wails.

"Yeah…" Natsuo nods quietly. "We were saved by Shoto and his friends."

"Fuyumi," Enji says. "I've already spoken with Shoto and Natsuo about this, but...you've been working hard to make a home that your mother can return to...But I can't rely on you any more than this. So I've decided to do my part too… It'll be alright now."

I stare up at Enji, wondering what he's decided to do after all his thinking.

"I'll find a plot of land close to you two's workplace and build a new house there," Enji continues. "Please, welcome your mother home there."

"What about you, dad?" Fuyumi asks.

"I'll remain here."

My brows rise at his words. Enji has decided to distance himself from his family, maybe using his recurring dream for his decision.

"Anyway, it's been a long night," Enji says. "It's best to get some rest. Akira, I'll drive you home. After that villain attacked us, I don't want you going home alone."

I nod and gather my stuff and put my jacket on. Fuyumi stands at the front door while Enji and I prepare to leave.

"Thank you again for your support tonight," Fuyumi hugs me.

"Of course," I smile. "Despite the craziness, I'm looking forward to coming back for another dinner!"

"I'll keep you posted!"

With that, Enji and I head to the black limousine and sit in the back seats.

"So what happened?" I ask.

"A villain known as Ending had been watching over our home the entire time," Enji replies.

"What?" I'm surprised.

"He's an ex-convict who I apprehended seven years ago...Ever since then, he was obsessed with me…"

I recall the villain Ending when Enji apprehended him as I was around sixteen years old at the time.

"He believed that the only equal right that all people have is how they choose to end their lives," Enji continues. "So he wanted to end his life by my hands….and in order to get to me he held Natsuo as a hostage."

"I'm so glad he's alright," I'm relieved.

"He used a quirk enhancing drug."

"Again with those?"

"It seems they're still floating around."

I gaze down in thought.

"So you really decided, huh?" I say.

"Hm?" Enji turns to me.

"You're having a house built for Rei, Fuyumi, Natsuo, and Shoto...while you remain alone in your home."

Enji sits quietly.

"If that's what you truly think is best for your family," I say. "Then I support you."

"Thank you…" Enji keeps his gaze lowered, appreciative of my support.