Rei's doctors have given her the best news she could hear; if she continues to demonstrate her good condition, she can be discharged in a few months. Honestly, this news makes her so happy that she first thought it was a dream. A dream where she wakes up to a reality where she has to stay here a few more years. Thankfully, that moment never occurs.
The first month flies by, which is an oddity since Shouto is too busy to visit. The walls that confined her until now do not feel as restrictive anymore now that the end is in sight.
A few weeks pass before Shouto visits again.
"Hi, Mom. It's been a while since I could come see you again." Shouto eyes her curiously. "You look healthy. And happy."
"Ah, you've noticed." Rei can't wait to share the good news with her son. "Your siblings have been busy with the move so I haven't seen them lately either. I haven't been able to tell this to them either, but… the doctors told me it may only be a few more months until my discharge."
While Shouto's expression typically doesn't change much, she enjoys the stunned look on his face right now. "That's… great news. I'm not great at showing my happiness, but I promise you that I am right now. I'll tell Natsu-nii and Fuyumi-nee as soon as I leave."
"Yes, tell your siblings for me. Thank you, Shouto."
"It's not something you have to thank me for."
"It's not just that. It's not a coincidence that I've recovered so much progress since I started seeing you again." With happy tears in her eyes, she uses both her hands to clasp Shouto's. Rei struggles a lot to keep her tears in check in front of Shouto and now is now different. "Thank you again, Shouto."
He takes his free hand and rubs her back with it. "...You're welcome."
They stay like this for less than a minute before she lets go and rubs her eyes. "How's the new home?" She asks partly to change the subject.
"I haven't really had a chance to stop by there either. According to Fuyumi-nee and Natsu-nii it's similar in size and materials to the other house, but the structure itself is different enough that we won't be reminded of the old one."
"Is it because of school that you haven't been able to go see the home?"
"Yeah. It's tough to find a chance. If I don't improve everyday, it feels like I'm falling behind everyone else. But it's not a bad feeling at all. It means I have to keep myself sharp all the time, like I'll have to be when I'm a hero.
"On the first day of classes after the new year, Present Mic-sensei and Aizawa-sensei had errands to run. Even without being supervised by anyone except All Might-sensei, no one slacked off and everyone demonstrated their abilities in the free training against robots. We weren't the only ones who made some progress."
"Your first year will be finished soon. Make sure to finish strong and rest well during the break." Rei points out.
"Now that you mention it, that almost slipped my mind. It's the first time I've felt time go by so quickly before."
"Are there any takeaways you want to carry over into next year?"
"Takeaways… That's part of the reason I came here today." Shouto starts to tap his thigh with his fingers. "I wanted to hear your advice, Mom."
"Advice? About what?"
"I think I might have a heart problem."
"…What? What are you talking about?"
"There have been times recently when my heart starts beating much more quickly than usual. Like it beats as much as if I were working out, except I'm just sitting there and it comes out of nowhere."
"That sounds serious. Perhaps you should go to your school nurse or a doctor."
"I did go to Recovery Girl, our school nurse. She told me to tell her the details and when I finished, she chased me away saying to stop wasting her time with nonsense."
Those aren't the words Rei expected to hear from a medical professional. This leads her to believe that something is amiss in this story. "I don't think she would say that without reason. Could you tell me those details too?"
"She told me to tell her when I started noticing these symptoms. It was right before homeroom that day, I was listening to Iida and Midoriya talk and then it happened when Yaoyorozu walked in. Since then, I realized the heart problems usually arise when I interact with Yaoyorozu… What is it?" He asks when he sees her chuckle. "Did you figure something out?"
"It's only my hypothesis, so it's possible that I'm wrong," she starts, though she's quite certain she's correct on the inside, "but it sounds like my son is in love."
"..." Shouto doesn't say anything nor change his expression from his usual calm face. That may be a tell in itself.
"You don't seem very surprised."
"Honestly, I was thinking it might have been something along those lines."
"Really?" Rei asks out of genuine surprise.
"Yes. But now I don't know what to do. In the various manga that I've read, this would be where the character confesses their feelings to the other. Unless it's a romantic-comedy manga, then it would drag on for as long as the mangaka wishes."
"Is there something stopping you?"
"A definite part of me wants to tell her. But another part of me is afraid. Not that she'll say no- though that is a concern- but that she'll say yes and then we'll end up like…" He trails off and takes a glance at her. It's not like him to not get straight to the point, but Rei knows exactly where he was going and why he's hesitating.
"Shouto." She transitions her grin into a gentle smile. "It's fine. Just say whatever's on your mind."
"Okay." He takes a deep breath. "I've read that abused children often follow their abuser's footsteps. And I'm worried that… I'll be like that."
She had a feeling that she would have to have this conversation with him one day. And it came sooner than she expected. "Your father worked hard to get to where he is. But he is different from you. He isolated himself from others. He rarely let anyone into his heart and personal life. He obviously wasn't fond of All Might-san, and he viewed the other heroes as coworkers that he cooperated with, but also rivals that he wouldn't give an edge to.
"You let me back into your life even after everything. You let others know about our family history. That thought never crossed his mind once, I guarantee you." Rei sees some of Shouto's doubts fade away, though there is still some left. "And even if you do start straying down the wrong path, I will let you know. And your friends that you've opened up to as well will let you know as well.
"You are far too kind and clever to become like us. So please don't let that stop you if you want to do this."
"Thanks, Mom. I needed to hear that."
"Any time. I'll always be here for you."
Rei takes a look at the window and sees the sun is about to set. Shouto still shows no sign of leaving, which Rei is glad for but also wonders if this could cause trouble for him with his teacher.
"There's one more thing I want to ask you. Can I ask you to tell me how you and… Father got together?"
'I never thought there'd be a day where he'd ask me about that.'
She clears her throat and wonders where to begin with this topic. "The first time I saw him was when I was watching the news with my family. That was how I learned about the hero, Endeavor. Someone my age was out there rising up the rankings and making a name for himself by rescuing many people in danger and apprehending villains. That was all I knew him as. And then one day, that same rising hero comes to our doorstep asking for… well, me. Shocking doesn't begin to cover it."
"Was that because arranged marriages weren't common back then?"
"That's part of it. And usually families are the ones who coordinate these deals. But Enji- your father- was all by himself, with no living family and proposed this. It was a mutually beneficial offer; he was looking for someone that could help him make a child that could surpass All Might-san, and my parents were looking for a way to save the family from ruin."
"So they forced you to go through with the marriage to save themselves?"
"There was no forcing. Your father made it clear that I could always walk away and he would still honor the agreement to support our family. I also wanted to help my family however I could. But none of that is relevant to you right now.
"Your father and I went through something in between a courtship and an arranged marriage. We spent a lot of time getting to know each other more through dates and walking with each other around both of our huge properties. As I got to know him more… I did fall in love with him. I hope that that story helped you." Rei herself wonders whether her words were helpful at all.
"I think it did."
"...I have to go now. I'm not sure the next time I can come here, but I'll definitely be here when the year-end break is here. If you're not released by then."
"See you later."
There is only one or two months at most until she's released. And then she can begin a new life with her children, leaving behind the pain and nightmares that have haunted her for all these years.
Due to Shouto's last questions on his recent visit, Rei re-explored a time in her life she hadn't thought about in a long time. Those reflections spurs a few complicated emotions in her.
Seeing how Shouto is discovering and realizing his feelings, she should do the same.
Dear Enji,
I'm not sure if you even receive or read these letters, but, on the chance that you do, I'll keep sending them regardless. I want to let you know that my condition has improved. I've also convinced my doctors to let me see you if you visit again (with their supervision). I know you've wanted to see me and we have a lot to talk about.
It's all thanks to Shouto, Fuyumi, and Natsuo that I'm better. I think you and I can agree that we do not deserve our wonderful children.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Rei
Even if he doesn't read this letter either, she is confident that she can see him in person. On second thought, maybe she could have Fuyumi call him ahead of time before revealing herself. 'He never did like surprises.'
A few weeks later, all the news programs are tuned into a big hero operation. The details were blurred or omitted for confidentiality reasons, but from what Rei can gather, it is an operation so massive that it involves hundreds of heroes and students. Enji is the face of the operation and that Shouto's school is mentioned leads her to believe that he is involved as well. She can only hope that there are proper precautions to ensure that the students are safe from harm.
A picture of Enji is shown on the screen and she is no longer afraid. He hasn't visited, but it feels like she's seen his face more and more on television since she stopped turning away whenever she hears his name.
The updates range from arrests of notable public figures, to emergency alerts of evacuating citizens, to live viewing of the action from the cameramen at the scene.
Halfway into the broadcast, something strange occurs. The reporter giving her analysis from the helicopter on the scene transforms into white noise on the screen before phasing to a completely different person and location.
The white noise dissipates into a young man with dreadful scars all over his body sitting in front of the television in a small room. It takes her a moment to recognize him as the villain, Dabi… but he feels more familiar than that. Rei doesn't know what this inexplicably terrible feeling is as she starts to sweat and feels goosebumps rise all over her body when she looks at him. Yet, she can't peel her eyes away.
Dabi stares intently from behind the screen. It feels like he is looking right at her before opening his mouth.
"I am Todoroki Touya. The eldest son of Endeavor."