A/N: So, I've watched four episodes of MHA season 6 so far, so I'm starting to lift the ban on requests related to the Paranormal Liberation War. Even so, I still forbid people from sending me requests for this story involving anything from the manga.

Anyways, about today's story: I realize that the United States feels more divided than it's ever been. I realize there are people looking up "civil war" and related search terms. Nevertheless, because today is Veterans' Day, I decided to write a one-shot to honor the men and women who died to protect the rights enshrined in the Constitution, so that we can openly disagree with one another without getting arrested by some secret police. Not only that, but I want this story to serve as a reminder that forgiveness is a powerful thing, too.

Also, today is Poland's national holiday, and being of Polish descent myself, I want to say to everybody in the Polish diaspora: Wesołego dnia niepodległości!

Today, Deku and Todoroki were taking a trip like no other. More precisely, they were taking a trip to Washington D.C., the capital of the United States of America. However, this wasn't just any day of the week. Rather, it happened to fall on a certain November day. The number of security measures they had to go through at Dulles Airport was bewildering, but the two lovebirds put up with it all because both of them were excited to see the land of the free and the home of the brave. Finally, after getting out of the airport terminal, Deku hailed a cab.

"Where to?" asked the cab driver, a tall Black man.

"The World War II Memorial, please," said Deku.

And thus, the cab driver drove off.

"So, where you two from?" asked the cab driver.

"We're from Japan, more precisely a city called Musutafu," said Deku.

"Japan? Didn't think anybody from there would wanna visit the World War II Memorial."

Todoroki shrugged. "I still don't get it, either. Why are we going there again, Deku?"

"I'm not only doing this as a way of paying respects, but as a way of putting the ruins of the past behind us and ushering in a new era of peace and love."

"Does that also explain the wreath you brought with you?"

Deku smiled. "Yep!"

The cab driver smiled. "Yeah, that's good stuff! They teach a lot about World War II over there?"

Deku frowned and shook his head. "They only covered it briefly, if at all. I had to do a lot of research for myself, and I was horrified by what I found out about Japan's role. Rather than getting angry at my home country, however, I decided to look back on my own life and how Japan was able to move forward, and I feel like I owe much to America for that."

"Hey man, America did some pretty bad stuff too."

Deku nodded. "I'm aware of this, but the way I see it, all the good things that America's ever done far outweigh the misdeeds in its past."

"Sounds like you're a pretty optimistic dude!"

Deku smiled. "Well, I always wanted to be the kind of guy who could put smiles on people's faces even when things looked bad, and I see this as another opportunity to make someone's day!"

Todoroki smiled. "Deku, you're so sweet!"

Eventually, the cab reached the World War II Memorial. Deku paid the fare, and him and Todoroki headed to the grounds of the memorial. Straight ahead of them was the Rainbow Pool, still standing after the memorial had been put up, albeit sunk slightly lower into the ground. On either side were a series of granite pillars, each inscribed with the name of one of the 48 states that were part of the US at the time of World War II, plus the names of US territories such as Hawaii, the Philippines and Guam, for a total of 56 pillars, 28 on each side. Also on each side was a large arch, one marked "ATLANTIC" and the other "PACIFIC", representing the two theaters of the war. Deku led Todoroki to his left, towards the Pacific Arch. Along the way, they saw various scenes of the war depicted in bas relief, such as prospective servicemen getting physical exams, taking the oath of service and being issued their gear. Once they reached the arch, Deku laid his wreath at the base of the arch.

"Well, hello there!" said a mysterious male voice. "Come to pay your respects?"

Deku and Todoroki turned to see who'd addressed them: an old man wearing glasses, but not just any old man. He was dressed in a green-and-khaki US Marine Corps Service "A" uniform with various medals on the left breast, including the famed Medal of Honor. Deku smiled when he saw the man.

"Hi!" said Deku. "Yeah, we came all the way from Japan!"

"Japan?" The man raised his eyebrows and put his hands over his heart as he dropped his jaw. "Well, I'll be! When I was serving in the Marines, I never imagined that the Japanese would come here years later to honor my service! God bless you young folks!"

"You served in the Marines?" said Todoroki. "So you must be a World War II veteran, then."

"Exactly. I'm Gunnery Sergeant Ernie Carruthers, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines."

Deku waved at Carruthers. "Pleased to meet you! I'm Izuku Midoriya, and this is my girlfriend, Shoko Todoroki!"

Todoroki smiled. "How do you do?"

Deku and Todoroki each shook hands with Carruthers.

"You two have good handshakes," said Carruthers. "My daddy always said that a good, firm handshake was a sign of honesty and good character."

Deku smiled. "Interesting! So, where are you from, Mr. Carruthers?"

"Please, call me Ernie! I was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, and I've lived there ever since."

"Interesting," said Todoroki. "What made you want to join the Marines?"

"During the Great Depression, I knew I wanted to do something with my life, but I wasn't sure what. Then, Pearl Harbor happened, and immediately after that, I enlisted. I remember my first assignment was at the Battle of Guadalcanal. I took part in the battle of Henderson Field, and we came under heavy fire from the enemy. One of our machine gunners was killed, and we lost the tripod for the gun, so I grabbed the gun myself and used one of my buddies' shoulders as a tripod. He suffered some pretty bad hearing loss, but we held the enemy off long enough to claim victory."

Deku and Todoroki had been listening in awe at Carruthers' story. Even if they hadn't experienced war firsthand like he had, the way he talked about it reminded them of their own experiences as young heroes-to-be.

"Fascinating!" said Deku. "So, what did you do after the war?"

"I married a girl I knew since middle school and had a family. For several years, I worked at Electric Boat in North Kingstown." Carruthers stroked his chin and briefly averted his gaze. "Funny how things work out, isn't it? When I was in the Marines, I never imagined I'd live to see the end of the war, never mind living to 100."

Todoroki's eyes widened. "You…you're 100 years old?"

Carruthers nodded. "101, to be exact. I celebrated my birthday yesterday."

Deku smiled. "Happy birthday!"

"Thank you. Honestly, I don't think much of it anymore since my wife died, but even so, I consider each day that I'm alive to be a gift from God."

"Considering what Deku and I have been through, I've been trying to be grateful for each day that comes, too," said Todoroki.

"Oh really? Are you two training to be pro heroes?"

Deku's eyes widened. "How did you guess!?"

Carruthers lightly shook his index finger. "I've seen that look in your eyes before. I've heard my own tales about pro heroes over here in the US, and when I think back to the day that Quirks first came about, I see my own story happening over and over again. It breaks my heart to hear stories of young kids using their Quirks for evil."

Todoroki raised her right hand. "Believe me, Ernie, Deku and I would never use our Quirks for evil. After all the love and support that Deku's given to me, I wouldn't even dream of doing that."

"Then you two are very wise young folks. Perhaps one day, you two will start your own family like Marjorie and I did."

Deku smiled nervously and rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I love Shoko very much, but we're not really ready to have a family just yet!"

Carruthers smiled. "Who says you have to start one right now? You have plenty of time!"

"Good point."

"Anyways, do you two mind if we exchange E-mail addresses?" Carruthers produced a notepad and a pen. "I'd like to keep in touch, but I don't really make a lot of phone calls anymore."

Deku and Todoroki looked at each other briefly.

"Sure!" said Deku.

Deku and Todoroki exchanged E-mail addresses with Carruthers.

"Hey, Shoko and I have to get going now," said Deku. "It was nice meeting you, Ernie, and thank you for your service!"

"You're welcome! You as well, Izuku and Shoko!"

Carruthers saluted Deku and Todoroki, who returned the gesture.

"God bless you, Izuku Midoriya and Shoko Todoroki!"

"You as well, Ernie Carruthers!" said Todoroki.

Deku and Todoroki parted ways with Carruthers, choosing to explore D.C. for a bit before returning home. Unbeknownst to the two heroes in training, Carruthers passed away in his sleep a week after he'd met them. Even if he was no longer among the living, at least his soul could rest easy knowing that his sacrifices had made the world a better place for future generations. Deku and Todoroki would be able to rest easy, too, because no matter what the news people said, no matter what various self-serving politicians were devising, these two young folks knew that if they kept loving each other and fighting for the values of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, then the sacrifices that people like Carruthers had made would continue to mean something.

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.