Hello Fellow Readers!
My apologies for a long hiatus. The MHA manga has been moving pretty slow in regards to the Todoroki story. If you're caught up with the manga, you'll know that it's revealed what happened to Touya when he nearly burned himself to death and how he survived... I won't spoil it. ;)
Still, the manga hasn't ended yet. I need to know what the end has in store for Touya and the rest of the Todoroki family. Based on whatever happens, I'll be able to incorporate my fanfic and update sooner. I already have some ideas in mind but won't know until the end of the manga . I'm excited!
Thanks so much for sticking around! Any comments, questions or suggestions are greatly appreciated. :)
Thanks!
-D
Chiyoko and I are cleaning up after dinner. I'm wiping down the table while she finishes washing the dishes, the television playing in the background.
"Your gyudon was delicious, Chiyo," I say.
"Thank you!" she replies. "I made sure to make enough since you're eating for two."
I laugh as I continue to wipe the table down.
"So have you decided on any names yet?" Chiyoko asks.
"I'm still thinking…" I reply.
"You've still got some time."
"I wonder what my baby will look like…"
"You've shown me pictures of your parents. I wonder if the baby will take after them."
"I wonder that too."
"We're reporting to you live this afternoon," a news reporter says. "The top three heroes are holding a press conference after almost a week since the raids."
Chiyo and I glance at one another before rushing to the living room. I take a seat on the sofa and Chiyo sits to my right as she wipes her hands on her apron. We both stare up at the mounted television. Sitting at the front of the press conference are Enji, Keigo and Best Jeanist. All three of them are dressed in suits. I can see Keigo is still recovering from the burns Touya gave him, a weight of guilt suddenly coming over me. His hair is burnt a bit shorter and his skin is still healing. I'm also relieved to see Enji has made a recovery - albeit only physically. Cameras flash repeatedly as the press is focused on them.
"We need an answer," a reporter says. "Was the villain Dabi telling the truth?"
"He spoke the truth," Enji responds. "And for what I've done, I cannot apologize enough."
Commotion spurs throughout the conference after Enji's answer. He continues to speak openly and freely about his and his family's dark past. I stare in worry just imagining how people must be feeling towards Enji now. I tense up a bit as he further explains himself, fully confessing to all he's done. Chiyoko holds my hand to comfort me, coming to learn my past and relationship to Enji and his family throughout the last few days.
"It's all true, you say?!" A reporter exclaims. "But the accusation about Hawks and Best Jeanist clearly wasn't!"
"My supposed assassination of Best Jeanist was a ploy to help me infiltrate the enemy ranks," Keigo steps in. "But that fact doesn't negate the rest of the accusations. The bit about my father...and the part about me killing a fleeing villain were both true. I did indeed conceal the details about my father… And for that, I apologize," he bows.
'Keigo…' I think sorrowfully as he's also coming clean about his past and actions.
"As for the matter of Bubaigawara…" Keigo stands upright. "I felt I was left with no choice at the time. If he had been allowed to wield his quirk freely...we would be looking at more widespread death and destruction. I couldn't find a proper way to help him atone for his crimes...and that is truly a shame. It speaks to my lack of character."
I then recall all those years I was in the dark, killing criminals so coldly. Keigo was the one to pull me out of the dark.
"A question, if I may?" a reporter raises her hand. "During Gigantomachia's rampage...my mother was horribly wounded. You saying it's all true, sorry isn't going to change this state of affairs!" She exclaims, pointing a finger at them. "Do you have the slightest idea how many people have lost their homes in just under a week?! How can you stand there, pretending it's all over? Like what's done is done?!"
I stare intently at the television, already anticipating this reaction from people.
"Sure, villains are directly to blame!" the reporter continues. "But your mistakes caused all of this...and none of your faces show you understand that."
"If we showed you our pain and exhaustion and tears…" Enji responds. "Would that somehow fix everything?"
"Wha…?!" the reporter shouts. "Obviously not! You need to put society at ease! You need to take down every last villain! That's how… That's how…" her voice quiets down.
"You're exactly right. That's how I...as Endeavor, can atone."
"And yet, with our ranks shrinking," Best Jeanist adds. "Heroes are ill-equipped to protect the masses at large. Therefore, we hope to reduce the overall sphere...that requires our protection."
"What?!" the reporter shouts, more chatter going on in the crowd.
"On the heels of discussion with the government, from today forward...U.A. high school and other hero programs...will put their expansive, well-secured campuses to use…as designated evacuation shelters. The students' parents have already begun the process of taking shelter."
"So with no path forward," the reporter says. "You expect people to just accept...living in shelters?!"
"This is all for finding a path forward," Enji interrjects firmly, leaning forward with his hands on the desk. "Your criticisms and doubts...direct them all at me. Not at the people who'll be putting their lives on the line! I want all of you to just…" Enji's fire flares at his face. "Watch me!"
The crowd continues to chatter as cameras continue to flash. Enji's firmness makes it clear how determined they are to put a stop to all of this. I know that somewhere, Touya must be watching this conference.
'What do you think of your father's response, Touya?' I think to myself. 'What will you do?'
"And what about talk of this One For All?" a reporter asks.
"I don't know…" Enji simply responds.
"No further questions," Best Jeanist says.
The three of them prepare to end the conference as the crowd chatters, still wanting answers. Judging by Enji's face, I can tell there's more to his answer. There's more than what they're revealing. Chiyoko turns the television off and turns to me as she sees me in thought.
'One For All?' I think to myself. 'Could that have any connection to...All For One?'
"What are you thinking, my dear?" Chiyoko is worried.
"Sorry, I was just...reflecting on the conference…" I say.
"How are you feeling?"
"Worried...I can't imagine the danger Enji and Keigo will be getting themselves into…"
"I know you want to be there at their sides...and I know you're putting your child first."
"Besides, I'd only be another burden on them anyways, seeing as they have to protect me as well. I've come to terms with that… All I can do now is hope for the best. "
"That's the best thing you can do… Now, let's head to bed so you can rest," Chiyoko helps me get to my feet. "It's past 9pm...it's best if you don't get so preoccupied with those matters. It's not good for the baby."
"Right," I nod.
Chiyoko and I turn off all the lights on the first floor and make our way upstairs to our bedrooms.
"Have a good night, my dear," Chiyoko stands at her doorway.
"Have a good night, Chiyo," I smile.
After closing my door, I head over to my bed, making myself comfortable. Laying on my back, I stare up at the ceiling in thought.
'I only wonder what Keigo and Enji have planned...' I think to myself. 'I just hope everything comes out alright in the end.'
I toss and turn for a moment before turning to my night stand on my right. The untraceable cell phone sits as I peer at it through the dark. Not able to contain myself, I sit up, grab the phone and dial Keigo's number.
'I know I shouldn't be reaching out…' I think to myself. 'But I just have to know what's going on…or it'll eat away at me.'
"Hello?" Keigo answers.
"Hey," I greet.
"Akira, I'm glad to finally hear back from you," he's relieved.
"Sorry to keep you waiting…" I laugh a bit.
"Hold on," Keigo sounds like he's struggling.
I hear a commotion in the background and some thuds.
"Is everything ok?" I worry.
"Yeah, all good," Keigo sounds carefree. "Just handling some jailbreak inmates."
"You're already fighting? Isn't it too soon?"
"I'm fine. Besides…crime won't be waiting on us heroes to heal."
"You've got that right…"
"Get off the phone and focus!" a voice scolds Keigo.
"Relax, will ya?" Keigo ignores.
"I can call back…"
"No need to worry, Akira," he reassures me.
I then hear another commotion as rustling is all I hear.
"You coulda just asked!" Keigo scoffs in the background.
"A-Akira?" Enji's voice comes through.
"Enji…" I smile a bit.
"I'm…so glad to hear from you. Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine and safe."
"I'm relieved…"
There's a moment of silence between us.
"Hawks informed me about you and Touya…" he says.
"Enji… I'm sorry for keeping it from you…"
"No, don't apologize…you don't have to apologize about anything… I'm the one who should apologize…"
Enji lets out a long sigh as he's quiet for a moment.
"I don't know the details of your relationship with Touya…" Enji continues. "But I'm just relieved to know that you're well."
"Still… I should have told you…" I say.
"I'm sure you had your reasons for not telling me… Either way, Touya is alive…now as Dabi…and we're going to put a stop to him."
"What's happening? Do you have a plan?"
"We're looking for AFO and his group…there's no sign of them anywhere. For now, we're stopping the jailbreak villains to prevent further chaos."
"Despite the blame the people have put on you…thank you, Enji. You've done all that you could."
"And I'll continue to do more…until we put a stop to AFO and his plans…and bring Touya home."
I smile to myself as my eyes get a bit watery.
"Are you safe wherever you are?" Enji asks.
"Yes, you don't have to worry about me," I rub my eyes. "Just focus on putting an end to all of this…and please be safe. You, Keigo…everyone."
"We will."
"I'll let you go. I'm sure you've got your hands full."
"Will you be calling again?"
"Here and there. I don't want to distract you guys."
"It'd be relieving to hear from you to know you're well."
"If it'll bring you relief I will," I smile.
"Please do so."
There's a brief silence and rustling.
"Sorry about that," Keigo is back. "Endeavor wanted to speak to you…he wanted to know that you're okay."
"Thanks, Keigo…" I smile. "I'm glad you're both alright."
"Considering the circumstances…we could be doing worse," he chuckles.
I chuckle with Keigo, seeing that he's still himself.
"So are you gonna to tell me where you are?" Keigo flat out asks.
"Of course not," I scoff.
"Hm. Worth a try."
"You knucklehead," I lightly laugh.
"When this is all over…if you're not back home… I'll be going after you next."
I sit in silence for a moment, unsure if I'll even return to Japan when things resolve. That's if they ever do.
"Even if I have to search the entire globe," Keigo is determined.
"You're too much," I chuckle.
"Seriously…I wanna see you back home after this."
My hand rubs against my belly as I sit in thought.
"When things get better…promise me you'll come back home," Keigo is more serious.
"I can't guarantee that," I admit. "Even if AFO is taken care of, there will still be people after me for my quirk…"
"Which is why we're working hard…to make sure that doesn't happen."
"Thank you, Keigo."
"A report of a robbery two miles south," Enji says in the background.
"Alright. We've gotta handle some more thugs," Keigo says.
"Please be safe," I plead.
"Talk to ya later. Love ya."
"Love ya too."
After hanging up, I stare down at the phone.
"Even if things resolve back in Japan…" I say to myself. "I'm not sure if it'll be a good idea to go back…especially with the baby."
I caress my tummy in worry.
"If the public were to find out that the villain Dabi has a child…there's no doubt they'll ostracize me and my child…." I furrow my brows in worry. "But no matter what, I'm keeping you safe from any harm…be it a villain…or a hero," I gaze down at my stomach.