Hey folks! We're back with more of "Through the Rough" as we're almost done with this current arc! Last time, Shoto went ahead and took down Madame Kurenai in Homura's name! And now that she's been defeated, all that's left is to wrap things up!
Hope you enjoy!
THROUGH THE ROUGH
Sirens blared as police cars and fire trucks were on the scene, with firefighters hurriedly rushing to put out the fires upon the Kurenai Dragoon. Meanwhile, officers had detained both Baku and Garrot, loading them into trucks after making sure they were restrained. Nino was next to join them, though he had the opportunity to glance back sympathetically towards Homura and her classmates. He was shoved into the truck, with its doors closing behind him.
"Get your disgusting hands off me!" Kurenai yelled as she tried to break free from the grasps of the officers restraining her, trying to take her away to one of their cars. She gritted her teeth, looking for some kind of way to escape. Then she spotted her daughter. "Homura!" she cried out, trying to get her attention, "Don't let them take me away from you!" she insisted, "I'm your mother, aren't I?!" she screamed with tears in her eyes, "We just reunited!" she noted, only for the Soul Blade Quirk user to solemnly turn away, "Homura…!" she whimpered out. Suddenly, the figure of Endeavor stepped in front of her.
"Your crocodile tears aren't going to save you," he affirmed, "I hope you'll never see your daughter again," he added coldly, turning away to the shock of the villainess, "Because to her, you're not a mother," he mentioned, "You're a monster," he said as he walked off. Kurenai's shook in disbelief before she hung her head.
"Endeavor, you did good work stopping this thing," Naomasa pointed out, on the scene as the Flame Hero approached the wreckage of the Kurenai Dragoon.
"It wasn't me," he confirmed to the detective's surprise, "It was Shoto," he pointed out, looking over to his son, who was sitting on the edge of an ambulance, being treated for any injuries he received.
"In any case, a fight like this ending in no casualties is always a win," Naomasa noted as he took off his hat, "Though in this case…" he continued, looking over to the solemn Homura, "I'd call this one bittersweet…" he admitted.
"Yes…" Endeavor agreed, "What about Valkyrie's body?" he inquired of the detective.
"It's being transported to UA secretly as we speak," he confirmed in reply, "We've contacted the Shining Stars to let them know it's coming," he mentioned.
"Good," the Flame Hero said, "If you need anything else, be sure to call," he advised of Naomasa, "We'll be heading over to the hospital now," he noted, walking over to the ambulance. Glancing over, Homura's eyes watered as she saw Shoto being tended to by the EMTs. Though he sustained quite a few blows from her mother, he seemed relatively fine. But that didn't absolve the Soul Blade Quirk user of the guilt she felt for putting him in that situation. Because she couldn't fight, he did and risked his life. He risked it… all for her.
"Homura…" Naomasa chimed in, getting her attention as she saw him approach, "I know that there's probably a lot going through your mind, but…" he continued, only to exhale a sigh, "we're going to need to run tests to confirm that Kurenai is indeed your biological mother," he told her as she blinked, "You can take your time if needed, but—"
"No… I can provide you with whatever you may need," the Soul Blade Quirk user assured, interjecting him as he gave off a look of surprise, "Would I be able to provide a sample of my DNA at the hospital?" she presumed. The detective cracked a small grin.
"I'm sure we can arrange something," he affirmed. Homura couldn't bring herself to smile. Not after the events of tonight. And she didn't know if her smile would ever return…
OPENING
Insert "Kaibutsu" by Tani Yuuki
Opens with Rebecca getting into her winter costume, donning her cat ears and blue jacket before stepping out of the locker room. She smiles as she spots Izuku, Katsuki, Shoto, and Homura, as they're all gathered at the Endeavor Agency together. They walk into the main office, finding themselves greeted by Endeavor, Burnin, and the other sidekicks, ready to start another day of work.
We see the five interns struggling to keep up with Endeavor as he speeds ahead, saving lives and stopping villains. For a moment, he hesitates upon thinking of his family laughing at the dinner table without him. Meanwhile, Gowen is hanging out in an abandoned warehouse with Elsie and the rest of the crew, glancing out a window to see the Flame Hero he once worked under acting like more of a hero than he remembers. He turns away to gather with his colleagues, whom all don't notice the smirk on Jesse's face.
Elsewhere, Madame Kurenai marvels at the sight of the red mech suit being built for her, with her cohorts standing behind her. Nino grimaces worriedly before looking away. We get shots of the Paranormal Liberation Front, including Tomura as he enters a vat and closes his eyes, being sent into a deep slumber. Dabi is out in the city, overlooking how Endeavor and his interns are faring in fending off villains.
Katsuki blasts himself away from Baku, who swings blades of energy his way from his axe. Izuku protrudes his Blackwhip from his right arm, imitating Spider-Man as he swings about while evading the many Punishers heading his way. They're shot down by Rebecca, who winks with a grin before taking care of more foes.
Next, we find a scene of Homura coming face-to-face with Kurenai for the first time, as she opens her arms to welcome her. However, Shoto suddenly steps in between them, igniting the flames on his left side threateningly. Kurenai smirks, hopping into her mech as it towers over the two U.A. students. They take ready stances before starting a battle.
There are shots of Deadend Crow, Poseidon Shura, Tomura Shigaraki, God Acnoella, Elsie Crimson, and Saintfire Nox, as they all give off ominous auras. We also see the likes of Justice, Mirko, Holy, Eraser, Feather, and Cure, though the latter looks away. There's also shots of the other students on their internships, with Kleene and Ochaco flying alongside Nejire and Ryukyu, with Tsuyu riding aboard the Dragoon Hero's back. Weisz, Eijiro and Tetsutetsu gorge on takoyaki with Fat Gum, while Tamaki sulks in the corner, unable to keep up with their energy.
Kyoka and Mezo are interning under Gang Orca with Laguna and Hitoshi. The Tears Lover Quirk user notices that Kyoka's home screen on her phone is a picture of her and Rebecca from the school concert, which she blushes at. She yelps in embarrassment upon realizing that Laguna saw, while Mezo and Hitoshi blink in confusion. Shiki flies alongside Fumikage as they soar after Hawks, who's lost in thought over whatever the Paranormal Liberation Front is up to.
The song winds down with the interns at Endeavor's agency taking a much-needed break, having snacks and drinks atop the building's roof together. Rebecca lovingly leans against Izuku's shoulder, while Homura winds up holding hands with Shoto as they stare at the sunset together. Katsuki scoffs and trudges away, but not before taking one last glance at Rebecca and letting off the tiniest of smiles.
END OPENING
The waiting room was practically silent at the local hospital. Burnin, Kido and Onima leaned up against the wall in wait, Katsuki lounged upon one of the sofas while looking over a magazine in boredom, and Izuku and Rebecca held hands, sitting next to each other. Everyone was still a little shocked over the revelations of tonight. Between Kurenai being Homura's mother to her also being Valkyrie's killer, it was a lot to take in.
"What… happens now?" the Cat Leaper Quirk user asked aloud, getting everyone's attention.
"What do you mean?" her boyfriend questioned back, arching an eyebrow.
"Well… what does Homura do with everything she's found out…?" she rephrased, holding the One For All inheritor's hand firmly, "She thinks it's her fault that Valkyrie got killed…" she noted, "Even though it's not, she has to live with the fact that her own mother was the one responsible…" she mentioned sadly.
"Yeah…" Izuku said.
"Hm," Katsuki huffed, "I'm sure Kogetsu's gonna be fine," he assured, "Her shitty mom didn't get her to turn like she wanted…" he pointed out as he tossed the magazine he had aside, folding his arms behind his head.
"That's true…" Rebecca said with a little smile, while her boyfriend chuckled nervously. At that moment, footsteps approached, enticing the group to look over to see the Soul Blade Quirk user herself enter. "Homura…" the Cat Leaper Quirk user uttered, causing her to perk up.
"You doing okay, kid?" Burnin asked as she approached. Homura glanced down solemnly.
"They… just finished my tests…" she confirmed to the group, "Kurenai is my biological mother…" she said to most of the group's shock, "I'm so sorry… for everything…" she apologized, trembling a little as if she was about to cry again. However, the Blazing Hair Quirk user brought her into a warm hug.
"Don't do that shit," she insisted, "What that bitch did wasn't anyone's fault, especially not yours," she affirmed seriously.
"She's right," Kido agreed as he came over, putting a hand onto the Soul Blade Quirk user's right shoulder, "You're not Kurenai," he stated, "And you'll never be," he added reassuringly. Despite their kind and caring comments, Homura still seemed solemn. It wasn't going to be easy to assuage her after tonight's events and revelations.
Meanwhile, Shoto had been seated on a bench in a doctor's office for the past half-hour, having gone through a few tests as bandages had been wrapped around his head. His father sat beside him, shooting nervous glances over to the physician, who had just finished his notes. He looked over the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user once more.
"Doctor, how is he?" Endeavor asked somewhat impatiently.
"Well, aside from the obvious cuts and bruises that've been treated, I'm under the assumption you think your son suffered some severe burns from that last attack he pulled off," the physician retorted thoroughly. Embarrassed, the Flame Hero glanced away, making him chuckle. "Well, worry not," he assured, "Shoto doesn't have any burns," he confirmed to the shock of the Hellflame Quirk user, "Nor does he have frostbite," he mentioned.
"Incredible…" Endeavor uttered in shock.
"It's… not that big of a deal…" his son argued, looking away modestly.
"I think it is if you're looking to surpass Endeavor," the doctor chimed in to his surprise, "In terms of your ability to regulate your body temperature and withstand both the cold and heat that you exude," he continued, "you were able to utilize a firepower over a hundred degrees Celsius, which is even stronger than your father's," he pointed out.
"Shoto…" Enji uttered in disbelief.
"Have you felt any drawbacks to that last move you pulled off?" the doctor asked of his patient.
"I have been feeling a bit lightheaded…" he admitted, putting his left hand up to his head, "I definitely think it's from all that heat…" he confirmed.
"Well, that's a no-brainer," the physician responded with a chuckle, "I think drinking plenty of water and getting some rest should be good for your son, Endeavor," he affirmed to the Flame Hero.
"Should he stay the night at least, just in case something happens?" he inquired out of concern.
"Well—"
"I'm not staying," Shoto firmly interjected, causing both the doctor and his father to blink in surprise.
"Shoto…" Endeavor uttered out.
"We've still got work to do, don't we?" his son presumed, getting off of the bench and putting on a white t-shirt in place of his destroyed jacket, "I haven't finished my job as a hero today," he stated. The Flame Hero's eyes shook for a moment, but he then gave off an understanding look.
"Doctor, thank you," he said gratefully to the physician. Moments later, the two walked into the lobby to meet with the others.
"Todoroki!" Izuku called out as he approached alongside Rebecca, "Are you alright?" he asked of the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he answered, looking over at Homura, who glanced away ashamedly.
"We're heading back to the agency," Endeavor confirmed, "We all need rest after tonight," he mentioned seriously.
"Yes, sir!" everyone except for Katsuki, Shoto and Homura responded. As the group departed the hospital from the entrance, they were shocked to see the multitude of cameramen and reporters on the scene.
"It's Endeavor! And Shoto!" one of them cried out, causing the others to suddenly start closing in on the group.
"Whoa!" Rebecca yelped as a microphone was shoved into her face.
"Is it true that your team took down the rumored Madame Kurenai?!" a female reporter asked.
"What about those strange armored flying guys that she was controlling?!" a man with polka dot-like skin questioned emphatically.
"Did you discover the truth about her connection to Valkyrie's death?!" one more reporter asked.
"Hey, tone it down, wouldja?!" Burnin yelled in frustration, "We just got done with that whole mess!" she pointed out. Unfortunately, it didn't seem like the media was planning on relenting.
"Ugh…" Endeavor groaned, "Please move aside," he requested of the media, walking off through them as they stepped back to let him pass, "We aren't going to be taking any questions at this time," he confirmed on. The others followed him, thankful for his help. Homura tried not to meet the eyes of any of the reporters on the scene. She was too overwhelmed with shame to even say a word.
"Hold on, is it true?!" one reporter yelled, "Is Madame Kurenai actually the mother of Homura Kogetsu?!" she inquired. Everyone froze in shock, especially the Soul Blade Quirk user.
"Wait, what?" another reporter whispered out.
"I didn't hear anything about that…" someone else chimed in.
"That sounds pretty baseless…" another person commented. A low growl left Shoto's lips. He had enough of Homura suffering emotionally today. However, before he could do anything, his father marched over. He snatched the microphone out of the reporter's hand as she yelped in surprise. He took a deep breath.
"Whatever you may have heard, just know this," he began as everyone listened on, "Madame Kurenai is a villain that had no right to call herself a mother with what she did," he declared, "If anyone can be considered to have been a mother to Homura Kogetsu…" he continued, looking back at the Soul Blade Quirk user as her eyes shimmered a little, "it would be Valkyrie," he stated. The entire paparazzi went dead silent. Endeavor handed the microphone back to the shell-shocked reporter. "Let's go," he advised of his colleagues, walking off. They followed after a moment, stunned themselves by what he had just done. Homura especially didn't know what to think. At one point, she saw the Flame Hero as a rival that she was working to overcome one day. And now, he was defending her, much like Shoto. Gratitude filled her heart… but she still couldn't bring herself to smile.
X
"I'm… having trouble coming to terms with this…" Witch admitted, standing alongside Hermit, Sister, and Pino as they were looking over the delivered vat containing Valkyrie's body.
"So those Punisher things were using her battle data in order to fight so effectively…" the Heal Atomizer Quirk user noted aloud, crossing her arms over her chest.
"And Kurenai was apparently going to apply that to the Knight Gear she used…" Witch mentioned, "I'm happy that we've found her real body at the very least," she said solemnly, "But I do worry…" she confessed, "How is Homura faring?" she wondered aloud. At the Endeavor Agency, the Soul Blade Quirk user was sitting alone in her room, holding the dirty stuffed animal she had in her hands. She had held onto it ever since her biological mother had left her at the orphanage, which led to her meeting Valkyrie and then becoming her student.
FLASHBACK
"You're always carrying that thing around with you…" the Soul Blade Quirk user noted to the little girl, "Aren't you worried about getting bullied?" she questioned in concern.
"Mm-mm," Homura responded with a shake of her head, "It's from my mom," she pointed out to the Shining Star Hero's surprise, "It'll be what brings us back together someday," she affirmed confidently. Valkyrie chuckled.
"I sure hope so," she said, "And when you do see her again, she'll get to see just how strong you've become," she mentioned with a grin. The little girl smiled brightly.
"Right!" she agreed.
END FLASHBACK
'Strong…' Homura uttered inwardly, exhaling a sigh. She didn't know if she really had any sort of strength left in her. Today was emotionally grueling. From anger to despair to sadness, she had gone through quite the rollercoaster. And it wasn't even midnight. By now, she should've gone to sleep. But today was keeping her up. And it couldn't end without one last thing. She got up from her bed, quietly departing her room.
"Ah…" Shoto exhaled after finishing his second water bottle in his room, tossing it into the trash can before wiping away some sweat forming on his brow with his towel. He still felt somewhat dizzy from using his ultimate move against Kurenai, feeling the heat course through his body, even after a shower. Maybe it would've been better to stay at the hospital in case something happened. But he knew he couldn't. Not when he still had something that he needed to do. He went over to his door to open it… and blinked in surprise to find Homura there.
"Sh-Shoto…" she stuttered out, "Were you… going somewhere?" she assumed.
"Yeah, to see you," the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user answered to her surprise.
"That's… quite a coincidence…" she remarked, "I was coming over to see you as well…" she confessed, lowering her gaze to the floor for a moment, "May I come in?" she requested. Nodding, Shoto stepped aside for her to enter. She went over and sat down upon the bed.
"What did you want to see me for?" her classmate asked, causing her to tense up a little.
"I… wanted to make sure you were alright…" she answered. The Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user narrowed his eyes slightly. He went ahead and sat down next to her. "What… did you want to see me for?" she questioned.
"To see if you were alright," Shoto responded, "And I can tell you're not," he added, making her inwardly wince, "Homura… are you thinking that Valkyrie's death is your fault?" he guessed.
"Wouldn't you think so?!" she yelled back in question, tears brimming her eyes, "I burdened her by being under her care while she fought as a hero…" she pointed out, "And though she looked for my mother, it led to her being killed…" she mentioned as she whimpered, "It's my fault…" she sobbed out. Shoto watched as she lowered her head and quietly cried.
"If Kurenai really cared about you the way that she said…" he began, "she would've stayed with you and done her best to support you," he noted, causing the Soul Blade Quirk user to perk up slightly, "The fact of the matter is that she turned to a life of crime and wanted to bring you into it," he mentioned on, "Maybe it would've worked…" he suggested, "But she didn't realize how strong you became thanks to Valkyrie," he added, causing his classmate to widen her eyes as she looked at him, "She taught you about love and compassion for others, she helped set you on a path to become a hero…" he listed off, "And… she made sure that you had someone that cared for you," he continued, "Someone that loved you," he mentioned further.
"Shoto…" Homura uttered out.
"Valkyrie was definitely more of a mother to you than Kurenai ever was," the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user affirmed as he gave off a smile, "At least, that's the impression I get from seeing you," he noted, turning to look at her, "You're a kind person, Homura," he said as the Soul Blade Quirk user's eyes shimmered, "That's something that makes you better than Kurenai," he assured. Tears streaked down Homura's face.
"Shoto…" she whimpered out, lunging over for an embrace as she cried into his chest. He was shocked at first, but held her close, gently wrapping his arms around her. She sobbed some more before slightly pulling back, looking up at the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user. And then, she leaned up, pressing her lips against his while closing her eyes. Shocked again, Shoto did close his own, melting into his first kiss with the Soul Blade Quirk user as he held her warmly. The two of them stayed connected for a few more moments before separating with a heavy breath.
"Homura…" Shoto uttered, only for his classmate to pull him forward as she fell onto the bed, with him looming atop her. For the first time all day, she smiled.
"Shoto… I love you…" she confessed to his surprise. His eyes shook for a moment. But then, he too smiled.
"I… love you, too…" he admitted back. The Soul Blade Quirk user giggled. He leaned down as she cupped his cheeks, engaging in another chaste kiss. At that moment, the clock struck midnight.
X
Exiting her room the next morning, Rebecca let out a long yawn. She hadn't gotten much sleep, what with everything that had happened all in the span of the past few days. She closed her door and started to walk over to Homura's, about to knock upon it. However, she stopped herself.
'After what happened last night… I bet she wouldn't want to get up…' she admitted inwardly, lowering her hand, 'Neither would I…' she added sadly to herself. With a sigh, she walked off down the hall. She and the Soul Blade Quirk user shared a troublesome similarity. They both had mothers who abandoned them. Though while Homura knew what her mother was like before confronting her, Rebecca had no memory of her own parent. All she did know was what Witch had told her. She stopped for a moment, looking at her right hand. 'I wonder… if my mom's like Homura's…' she said through her thoughts. Continuing her trek, she blinked upon hearing a loud banging nearby.
"Hurry it up, Icy-Hot!" Katsuki's voice bellowed in demand, causing her to groan. She turned a corner to find the Explosion Quirk banging his right fist against a door, while Izuku was standing alongside him, giving off a grimace. "Get the hell outta there already!" he roared.
"Kacchan, calm down…" his rival insisted, holding his hands out in a placating manner. He then took notice of his girlfriend. "Oh, Rebecca," he greeted as she approached.
"Morning," she remarked, managing to give off a little smile, "You sleep okay?" she asked of her boyfriend.
"As much as I could…" he answered, "You?" he inquired.
"…More or less the same…" Rebecca admitted in reply, lowering her head for a moment, "I… wanted to check on Homura, but…" she continued, tensing up a little, "I just couldn't bring myself to knock on her door…" she confessed on sadly.
"Yeah…" Izuku agreed, "I'm sure she needs a lot of time to process all this…" he pointed out. An awkward, solemn silence fell amongst the group as Katsuki had stopped banging on the door.
"Oh, I almost forgot!" the Cat Leaper Quirk user yelped out in realization, causing her boyfriend to blink in surprise, "Happy Valentine's Day," she told him with a cute little smile.
"O-Oh…" he stuttered, letting out a chuckle, "I… kinda forgot, too…" he confessed, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head with his gloved right hand, "With everything happening, it slipped my mind…" he pointed out with a grin.
"No worries," Rebecca assured, "I'm the one who should be sorry I didn't get you any chocolate…" she mentioned sheepishly.
"It's okay," Izuku said. As they conversed, an irritated Katsuki growled. He started banging on the door again.
"OPEN THE HELL UP ALREADY, ICY-HOT!" he roared, "YOU'RE NOT LEAVING ME ALONE WITH THE STUPID LOVEBIRDS TODAY!" he added angrily.
"Hey, Kacchan!" Izuku yelped.
"Shoto might still be sleeping!" Rebecca pointed out with a panicked expression, "You saw that he got all worn out from last night, didn't you?" she questioned of the Explosion Quirk user.
"Like I give a crap when he still won!" he retorted in frustration, "If he's gonna be a real hero, he'll get his ass up before I—!" At that moment, the door finally started to open, enticing him to stop banging his fist against it. He and the others blinked in surprise to see Shoto there, shirtless and unkempt as he rubbed his tired eyes.
"Oh… hey…" he greeted, letting out a yawn.
"Todoroki…" Izuku uttered in surprise.
"You slept in, you idiot…?!" Katsuki growled out.
"You know why!" Rebecca shouted in a reprimanding tone, "Sorry, Shoto," she apologized to the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user, "We'll let Endeavor know that you're still resting up," she promised.
"No… that's fine…" her classmate assured, "I just need to get my spare costume for today…" he pointed out, turning to walk over to his dresser. That was when the Cat Leaper Quirk user noticed something. Shoto did have a few bruises, but she didn't remember seeing him with scratches, especially all over his back.
"Shoto, you really should rest…" she insisted as she stepped into the room, "I'm sure Endeavor'll understand and—"
"Mmm…" another voice moaned out, getting her attention as she glanced to her left. There was someone in Shoto's bed, sitting up. And Rebecca widened her eyes to find that it was Homura, who appeared to not be wearing anything underneath the covers as she had her hair down. "Shoto…?" she uttered out, rubbing her tired eyes.
Her mouth gaping open in utter shock, Rebecca slowly turned to the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user, who was blushing a bright red. Izuku seemed just as stunned by what they had uncovered, and even Katsuki looked surprised. After what felt like a solid minute, the Explosion Quirk user went over and pulled Rebecca away, also taking his rival out of the room and shutting the door.
"W…Were they…?" the One For All inheritor started to guess, letting his cheeks flush scarlet. His girlfriend trembled with disbelief still.
"…Tch," Katsuki scoffed, "Guess we'll let Endeavor know those two are gonna be late…" he grumbled as he marched off down the hall, leaving the couple behind. They looked to each other with gaping mouths, still bamboozled by what they had just uncovered.
"Damn it…" Shoto cursed inside the room, putting his right hand onto his face out of exasperation with himself, "I'm sorry…" he apologized, turning to Homura, "but Bakugo kept knocking and—" He stopped himself upon seeing the Soul Blade Quirk user. She looked as unkempt as he did, yet in his eyes she was still so mesmerizing. He let off a little smile.
"What?" she said as she blinked.
"You look beautiful," the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user told her, making her blush before she smiled cutely.
"Thank you… Shoto…" she replied gratefully, "For… everything," she added, "Even though Valkyrie may be gone…" she continued as she looked down, "I think I can find a new family with you…" she affirmed confidently. Now it was Shoto's turn to blush.
"Um… maybe we should… go meet up with the others…" he suggested.
"Oh, yes!" Homura agreed, throwing off the covers. Shoto turned away politely as she ran past him, grabbing her garments. "Let's not make haste for our friends!" she insisted, hurriedly putting on her costume.
"Y-Yeah…" her boyfriend agreed with a stutter.
"Shoto?" she said, getting his attention as he glanced back at her, "I love you," she confessed with a smile. He blinked in surprise, but smiled back.
"I love you," he reaffirmed. The new couple quickly got their costumes on, cleaning themselves up as best they could before leaving the room. And all the while, they kept smiling. For today marked the beginning of a new chapter for them.
X
"Whoa, you two seem all hot and bothered…" Burnin commented upon noticing the blushing faces of Izuku and Rebecca, "One of you go for the Valentine's Day flirt?" she presumed, "Or did you two actually plan something?" she inquired on with a cheeky, curious grin.
"Uh… no…" the Cat Leaper Quirk user responded, trembling a little to the sidekick's confusion.
"What about you, Deku?" she asked of the One For All inheritor, who squeaked.
"Um… I… uh…" he stammered, fidgeting with his fingers.
"Tch…" Katsuki scoffed beside the couple.
'I'm not even sure what to say after seeing… that!' Rebecca admitted inwardly, practically steaming from how red she was. Her boyfriend wasn't faring any better.
'Todoroki and Kogetsu… Todoroki and Kogetsu…' he repeated through his thoughts, clenching his eyes shut as he tried not to think about whatever salacious activities his classmates had undertaken last night.
"Seriously, what's up with the two of you?" Burnin asked, now starting to grow concerned.
"Just ignore 'em," Katsuki advised, "Where's Endeavor?" he asked, noticing that the Flame Hero wasn't at his desk.
"Out going over details about last night with the police," Kido answered with crossed arms, "He should be back soon," he confirmed. At that moment, the door on the left opened, getting everyone's attention as they saw the Hellflame Quirk user walk in.
"Good, you're here," he said, trotting over, "We're going to be working cleanup today where Kurenai's mech was destroyed," he told the group, "After that, I'll be taking you back to UA," he mentioned to the student heroes, only to blink upon realizing that two in particular were missing, "Where are Shoto and Valkyrie?" he asked. Izuku and Rebecca squeaked, while Katsuki glanced away in annoyance.
"Um… well… the thing is…" Rebecca tried to say. At that moment, the automatic doors at the end of the office opened.
"Sorry we're late," Shoto apologized as he entered alongside Homura, who was in the middle of tying her ponytail.
"We… had slept in…" she told the group sheepishly.
"I see…" Endeavor responded, "That said, I wasn't planning on giving you two an assignment with us for today," he confirmed to the new couple's surprise.
"Wh…Why?" his son asked with a stutter.
"Last night probably dealt you both a great deal of turmoil," he pointed out in reply, closing his eyes for a moment, "I know especially that Homura needs time to reflect on that…" he mentioned, "And Shoto…" he continued, making the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user perk up slightly, "I know that she needs you by her side through it," he mentioned, causing both him and new girlfriend to look at each other in surprise, "Aside from that, it's Valentine's Day, isn't it?" he presumed rhetorically, "Go ahead and spend time with each other today, and head back to school at your own leisure," he insisted of them.
"Um… thank you, sir…" Homura said gratefully as she bowed.
"Are you sure you don't want us to help out today?" Shoto questioned.
"Shoto…" his father began, "you said yourself that your job wasn't done, right?" he inquired of him, making him blink in surprise as he remembered what he himself had said at the hospital, "Do this for her," he advised. Without another word, the Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user nodded. He then took his new girlfriend's hand as she blinked, looking over at him. He gave off a small smile.
"Let's go," he said.
"Right," she responded with a warm smile, heading off out of the office with him. Izuku and Rebecca both exhaled sighs of relief, glad that they didn't have to save face for the new couple. Katsuki huffed again.
"Hey," he chimed in, getting Endeavor's attention, "If they're getting the day off 'cause they're a damn couple…" he began, pointing over his rival and his girlfriend, "why not give them the day, too?" he suggested insistently.
"Ah!" Rebecca gasped out, "Hey, you just want us to go so that you can hog all the action to yourself!" she noted angrily.
"Yeah, and what's it to ya?!" the Explosion Quirk user yelled back.
"We wanna learn!" Izuku argued, "I mean… a day off would be nice, but…" he continued, all while Endeavor exhaled a sigh. Outside his agency later that day, Shoto and Homura exhaled breaths of relief, now dressed in their school uniforms. The latter of the two blushed a little.
"Do you think… Endeavor will find out what happened?" she inquired worriedly.
"…I doubt it," her boyfriend assured to her surprise, "Even if he does, it won't really matter," he affirmed on, "As long as we keep that outside of our hero work, he won't care," he told the Soul Blade Quirk user.
"I suppose you're right," she concurred, reaching over to hold his left hand, "In that case, let's spend this time together while we can," she insisted.
"Yeah," Shoto replied, heading off with her. They first went out to a local noodle shop, with the pair enjoying bowls of soba and udon respectively. What followed was the couple partaking in some various activities around a mall, gaming a little at an arcade and doing some shopping. The Half-Cold, Half-Hot Quirk user bought a hairpin, presenting it to his new girlfriend as a gift. She graciously accepted it, seeing that it was a snowflake. She set it onto her hair, making sure it was firmly in place. She and her boyfriend laughed together, enjoying the time they were spending.
Ultimately, the pair did make their way back to UA. As they walked along the brick walkway up to the Heights Alliance dormitory, Homura tensed up for a moment. Shoto stopped with her.
"They know that you're not like Kurenai," he assured, "We all do," he affirmed on. The Soul Blade Quirk user gave him a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Shoto," she said, kissing his left cheek softly. They headed up to the dorm, ready to embrace whatever was to come. Together, they'd persevere and still work to be heroes.
ENDING
Insert "Believe" by Soushi Sakiyama
Opens with Homura waking up and preparing for the day, getting dressed in her school uniform before lying on her knees in front of her memorial to Valkyrie, offering a prayer before she heads off. As she gathers in the dorm common room with her classmates, she sees Shoto and smiles, walking off with him. She breathes out a puff of cold air, looking up at the partly cloudy winter sky.
Later, we see her at the Endeavor Agency, practicing with her energy blades against the fiery ones Burnin creates with her Quirk, all while the Flame Hero watches. As Homura's exhaustion catches up with her, Endeavor offers her a cup of tea to ease her. She accepts it, sipping it gratefully. We transition to her as a child, sitting on the porch of her old home with Valkyrie, as they smile at each other.
Being taught for years how to fight with Soul Blade, Homura never knew her teacher was actually an android. But that didn't matter to her either way, as she appreciated what Valkyrie had done for her. We cut to when the police showed up at her home one evening, with Naomasa telling her the unfortunate news of Valkyrie's death. We see the lifeless body of the Shining Star Hero, having many scarlet burns along her body, with a missing right arm and half of her face gone, revealing her robotic appearance underneath.
Back in the present, we see Homura still mourning over her teacher to this day. Things have only been harder after discovering that she was a machine all this time. She starts to tear up a little, but then suddenly has a hand come onto her back. She looks to her right to see a smiling Rebecca there, followed by turning to her left to find Izuku and Katsuki there, with the former flashing a kind grin.
A hand then extends for the Soul Blade Quirk user as she looks to see Shoto standing in front of her. She gratefully accepts it as tears prick her eyes. They walk off together, with Homura starting to lean against Shoto in the process…
END ENDING
Man, am I glad that this chapter got done as quickly as it did. Given how things have been for "Through the Rough" in terms of chapter releases, I really wish this had come out sooner. But in the end, I'm glad I was able to write all this.
The Shoto X Homura buildup was something I had been envisioning for a while, and for it to come to such a thrilling climax here was the icing on the cake. As per usual, I will accept a request about their special night together, if you'd like…
That's all for now, everyone! Thanks for reading!