"Wait, don't take a picture of me now!" you chuckled.

"Why not?" he asked, smiling.

"Because it's your Photogram!" you protested, covering your face as he angled his phone at you. "It's your social media page, not mine!"

He shrugged. "I can put what I want on it."

"At least use a selfie with both of us in it," you rolled your eyes.

He stopped for a minute, then nodded.

You had just helped him set up his email and social media. Photogram was the easiest to set up and understand, in your opinion, so you started him off there. He chose a simple username, being tshoto, which wasn't inherently bad. However, you thought that wasn't the wisest decision, given that "t" or "shoto" wasn't his hero name. If he really wanted to be consistent, it was smart to have his social media and his professional persona to be consistent.

You supposed it didn't really matter, and could always be changed later, or he could set up a different account if he wanted. Either way, he didn't seem too concerned about it…why would you?

He turned his camera around as you took another sip of your boba, then set it down on the desk in front of you. You looked at his phone, which was preparing to take the picture. It seemed he was waiting for you to be ready.

You teasingly put your fingers in little peace signs and tilted your head and winked–

He took the picture.

"Wait, don't use that–!" you exclaimed.

"Why not?" he said again, looking at his phone. "It's a good picture. It fits your real personality."

You startled internally at first, questioning what he meant by that, then let out a long sigh and put your hand to your face and shook your head. You couldn't believe you did that.

"Okay, how do I post?"

You looked over his shoulder at his phone screen, looking at his home screen.

"Do you mind if I post something alongside you to walk you through it?" you suggested.

"I'm perfectly fine with that, thank you."

You nodded and pulled out your phone, taking a picture of the boba tea in front of you before opening the Photogram app.

"Okay click this icon," you said, and he did. "Then select the photo from your gallery you want to use. Then you can move it around and crop it to what you want to post. When you're done press 'Next.'"

You waited for him to finish before moving on, watching him meticulously place the photo where he wanted it to be cropped.

"Okay now what?"

"If you want a filter on it, you can pick one of the filters here," you scrolled through them, showing how it changed the image of your Boba on your phone. "Or, you can edit the picture yourself here…" and you went through the different settings that he could use and change. You did some editing yourself on your image.

"What if I don't want to edit it?" he said.

"Then you select 'Done' and it'll take you…here," you showed him the next screen, "where you put in your captions and tag people if you want."

"I'm not sure what tagging people is," he confessed.

"Well…it's where you type in other people's social medias, if they have them, to get them exposure. For example, since the Boba shop has a social media account, I'm going to select 'tag people,' and type in their social media. Then I'm going to move this black 'tag' and put it with the boba. You can put it pretty much anywhere on the image."

"So can I tag you?" he inquired.

"Yes, hypothetically. If you want to," you said tentatively, knowing that if he posted any picture tagging you, it would likely blow up with the climate of the internet right now.

He nodded and began typing and tapping on his phone. You did the same, quickly captioning the image with " kyoyascoffee never fails 33"

You posted it and put your phone away, taking another sip of your boba.

"What does 'stan' mean?" he asked.

"It means you, or a group of people support or like someone or something," you explained. "For example, If someone, or a group of people, likes cats a lot, they could say, 'we stan cats,' or 'I stan cats.' Does that make sense?"

"Yes," he said, "I see. Interesting."

He turned back to his phone, and you began to think about why he would be asking that. Why would he be asking that?

You were undeniably curious, but you could get over it. You weren't going to ask him. You supposed if it was important, you would find out.

Todoroki seemed to finish what he was doing and put his phone away as well, looking at you. Observing you.

You simply smiled, a little put-off by his sudden interest.

"You know, you really are beautiful," he stated. "Especially when you smile. It brings out your eyes."

You blushed profusely, turning your face away. Your chest swelled and heartbeat rose at the compliment, but an ache in your chest prevented you from fully accepting it.

He's lying, a voice told you. He just wants to make you feel special so he can hurt you.

You blinked, and plastered on another small, doubtful smile. "Don't…lie to me," you said, a small chuckle following the end of your sentence.

"I'm not lying," he said. You looked back at him. He certainly looked genuine..

Those are empty words. You should know better.

Father was right. All men were the same. The moment you slipped up…all the kind words and compliments would mean nothing. Just like with Tadao.

And it hurt you. And you hated yourself for it.

Because why would knowing how someone is going to behave hurt you? You were prepared for it, you were even expecting it. And yet the thought of him just manipulating you still made you sad and angry and tormented.

Stupid, foolish, emotional girl. You can barely get yourself together.

"Hanae?" Todoroki snapped you out of your thoughts.

You looked up at him, attempting to mask the pain and hurt at the realization that he was likely just manipulating you because all men were the same as you smiled.

"Yes?" you asked quietly, your voice betraying you.

"Are you okay? Did you…space out?" he asked, genuine concern on his features.

You were horrible.

"Kind of," you said honestly. Unable to express your true emotions at the moment, lest you begin breaking down in front of him just before you went to meet his mother. Speaking of which; "Should we be off to see your mother?" you mentioned.

"I want to make sure you're okay first," he insisted. "Do you need to talk about it?"

You shook your head, beginning to stand. Whatever formalities you were breaking, you didn't really care. You gathered up your purse, wallet, and your two drinks just as Todoroki stood as well.

"I'm fine, really." Liar. "I…I'm not sure I can talk about it right now. I don't want to be late to meet your mother–what a first impression," you joked, trying to change the subject and lighten the air around you.

"Can you talk about it later?" he said quietly, holding his own unfinished drink. "I can call anytime if you need me."

But what if you were wrong? What if he really wasn't like what you thought he was?

Was it even possible?

You deflated a bit. "Maybe." Never. Even if you were wrong, you didn't want to admit it to him. You looked at the entrance. "Do you know the way from here? Can we walk there from here?"

Todoroki paused, looking at you. You pretended not to notice or act like anything was amiss.

"Yes. I'll show you the way," he said unsurely, but seemed to drop the matter.

You smiled again as he opened the door for you, and you made your way to the crosswalk.

.o0o.

The hospital he led you to, the one that his mother was in, brought…real grief to you. All these people with such….horrible stories that they couldn't handle it on their own. Hurt to the point where they had to live assisted, under trained officials and monitored to ensure their wellbeing.

Todoroki either didn't notice or was used to it as he told the secretary who you were and who you were here to visit.

You tried to keep your feelings to yourself, to stop staring at the poor souls who needed help, and to stop hoping you weren't so helpless. To stop hoping that you could still help them.

Todoroki seemed to notice your distress and walked up close to you.

"Everything's okay," he said. "I'm right here."

You looked at him and nodded, not bothering to pull back or protest when he took your hand in his.

Despite everything, it was a comfort. It was a comfort that he was there, and you didn't let yourself think beyond that. Especially not after earlier.

He approached a door and knocked quietly. He let go of your hand.

You straightened your pants and jean jacket, holding your purse in front of you, instead of on your shoulder.

The door opened slowly after a quiet click from the doorknob.

A short woman peeked around it, with white hair and a gentle face. Her gray eyes lit up when she saw who was there, a small smile resting on her face.

"Shoto!" she breathed. "Please, come in. It's nice to see you."

"It's good to see you too." he said gently as he walked in. "Mother, there is someone I would like you to meet."

You took a step forward–

Todoroki stepped aside, holding the door open for you. You stood in front of his mother, who had just sat down in her chair by the bed.

"This is Nazumi Hanae," he said as you took three meek steps inside the room. "My fiance."

You took a bow, smiling kindly at her. "It's an honor to meet you."

"The honor is mine," she said. "Please, have a seat. Shoto has told me a lot about you."

You looked around yourself for a seat. You tugged one from the table behind you and sat in it, keeping your posture straight.

"Has he really?" You inquired as he sat on the bed.

"Yes," she said, and you glanced at him. "He told me all about the Festival you were in, and about some of the things you and he talked about."

You couldn't stop your cheeks from turning pink. "Did he?"

"Mhm. He said you had….What was it? Eight siblings?"

"Six," you corrected politely. "But, soon to be seven. My mother is expecting."

"Oh, congratulations," she smiled. "Although that's a lot of children. I could barely handle four."

Four. That's right. Shoto had two older brothers and a sister. Not just the one.

Your heart clenched for her. You knew how horrible it was to lose a sibling. You could hardly imagine what it would have been like to lose a child.

"Mom…" Todoroki said softly.

"It's alright," she said, her tone shifting the mood. "I've…I came to terms with it a long time ago."

He went quiet after that, and you stayed silent as well. You weren't sure what to say, if anything at all.

After a few long and sad moments of reminiscing, Todoroki spoke up again. "How have you been, Mom?"

She grinned. "I've been doing well. I'm allowed to watch TV again starting next week. The doctors say I've been improving a lot recently."

"That's great," he said.

"Your father sends me flowers too," she added. "Even still. I'm glad he hasn't forgotten me."

Todoroki seemed to tense. You considered intervening, but you knew that it wasn't your place. You just sat back and watched it unfold.

"You realize that he's the one paying to keep you here?" he said. "You can go home–or, go somewhere that's not here."

"He's doing what he knows is best for me," she countered. "I trust him."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because I need to be here, and I know it. I…I shouldn't be anywhere else…" she confessed.

She sniffed, looking out the window, where the fresh flowers in a vase sat. "I'm done talking about it…When again are you two getting married?" She changed the subject.

You swallowed. You felt so grieved for her. She was so bright and kind–and yet, so hindered in so many ways.

"Sometime next year," Todoroki said. "It keeps getting postponed."

"Why's that?"

"Religious reasons," you cut in, hopefully not being impolite. "My father wants it as soon as possible, but…erm, Todoroki…San–he wants…Sh-Shoto," you felt so awkward saying both Endeavor's and Todoroki's names so casually, "to be over sixteen. The date is still undecided."

You tried to calm yourself and maintain composure as she seemed to register what you said. "What is your religion?"

"Hubai," you said, almost chuckling at the irony of the situation.

"My mother was Hubai," she said brightly, her gray eyes twinkling. "My father was not. I wasn't raised in it, but Mother was always loyal to her beliefs."

"That's very interesting," you said, smiling.

"I didn't know Nana was Hubai," Todoroki spoke up.

"Mhm. She never approved of…the marriage, but she followed Father's wishes. And she loved every single one of you."

"If you don't mind me asking," you inquired meekly, "do you have any siblings?"

"No," she said. "Mother was only able to conceive once. Although, I would always wonder what it was like to have a little sister." She looked like she had been taken back in time.

You smiled. "If it's any condolence, they're a lot more work than they're cracked up to be."

She chuckled. "I suppose they would be."

You glanced at Todoroki, who was simply staring at you, his expression gentle and curious.

You had been wrong about him, you realized. At least in part. And you were willing to own that, even just to yourself, but you weren't sure if…you could embrace it yet.

Would you let yourself love him, Hanae?

Or were you too afraid?

.o0o.

You and he stayed and chatted with his mother for the next hour and a half. You thought it was the most wonderful hour and a half you'd had to date. She was a very sweet woman, and loved her children very much. It seemed every other moment, she would begin telling stories about one or the other of them.

The time was cut short, in your opinion, when one of the nurses came into the room to inform Rei that she had to go for some kind of event or activity she was supposedly participating in.

That was alright, though, you thought. It was good for people to be around other people, and to have things to do with others.

So you gathered your things and stood to leave, Todoroki once again opening the door for you. But his mother caught you by your arm and pulled you close to her.

"Hanae, dear," she whispered, "you are an exceptional young lady. I see a lot of myself in you–but you're stronger than I ever was. Keep that strength. I wasn't there for Shoto when he needed me," she said, tears glistening in her eyes. "Now you're here. Please be there for him. Since I can't. You're stronger, and you're able–do it for me, please?"

You clenched your jaw and had to take a few deep breaths to keep yourself from tearing up. Then you nodded. "I will," you promised.

She nodded, and patted your arm gently, lovingly. "Thank you. Thank you," she repeated. She then let your arm slip from her frail hold.

You only smiled, and allowed her and the nurse to go through the door before you did.

Todoroki closed the door behind you. He didn't bring up the conversation between you two, but he did take a hold of your hand again as you and he walked back out to the street.

And you held his hand back.

.o0o.

A/N: I KNOW ITS BEEN A HOT SECOND.

things have been hectic on my end, from getting a new job and dealing with writer's AND artists block...things have been a little crazy, but don't fret I would never forget or abandon this story no matter how few and far between the updates come.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, it was so fun to write, and edit, and leave for weeks on end, then write again,t hen leave the tab open for weeks more on end, then finish writing, then editing again,t hen beta ing it...

i promise it was fun im just messing around. DOn't forget to leave a review and follow and favorite :)

anyway have a wonderful day everyone :))