When Rei awakens, it's to the familiar scent of antiseptic. The same smell she's woken up to for years. She's lying on an unfamiliar bed and, when she looks down, finds various tubes connected to her body. It doesn't take her more than a few seconds to realize that she is in a hospital.
Once she regains enough of her bearings, she examines her body more closely. In addition to some tubes on her arms, there are various scars, stitches, and burn marks. She looks underneath her clothes and it's the same with the rest of her body. 'So it wasn't a dream. And I'm alive…' She was more than willing to sacrifice herself to atone for everything and that would have happened if it were just her alone trying to cool him down… 'I suppose I will always be destined to be indebted to my children.'
When it comes time to remove the bandages on her face, the nurses warn her not to be alarmed about any facial scars. The first thing that sticks out is the large scar around her left eye. Just like Shouto's. And then she looks down at the rest of her face. The scar extends from her left eye down to the right side of her neck in a line. The nurses exchange weird looks when Rei smiles at her reflection. She wouldn't call it pleasant, but she does feel closer to her Shouto now.
"You won't be able to use your quirk as effectively anymore." The doctor tells Rei.
Rei would rejoice if that were the only cost. She wasn't a hero, so she didn't need it in the first place. Before this point, she hadn't used it for years. The last time was when she tried to cool down Shouto's face after giving him his scar.
"Shouto-kun, Fuyumi-san, and Natsuo-kun have all suffered various burns, but they're perfectly healthy other than that. They will all be discharged around the same time as you."
Though her children came away with visible burns, they're all able to resume their lives. That's about as good of a result as Rei could've hoped for.
News about Touya has to be communicated through a detective. To summarize: Touya was successfully treated after he was detained and will serve out a life sentence… for whatever time he has left of his life until it comes to an end. His doctors predict he only has months at best. The machine that confines him also serves as his life support. The most important news to Rei, other than knowing he's survived, is that he will be allowed visitors.
"Your husband can no longer use his legs. He will need to use a wheelchair to move around from now on. His right arm was also cut off during the battle." The doctors apparently offered him prosthetics for these missing limbs, but he refused.
'He's lost his quirk, hero status, his arm, and his legs… and he'll be all alone.' Some may say he deserves it. He might even say he deserves it. But does she really deserve better?
If she asked her kind children, they would undoubtedly say that she does… so she doesn't ask them. Though she could see herself pleasantly living out the rest of her life with her children in their new home, Enji would always be on the back of her mind. He provided them the home, he is the father of their children, and he did raise them without her for all these years. Her children are all grown up, they don't need their mother permanently in their lives anymore.
If these feelings of obligation were the only reason she wants to stay with him, it's possible that she can change her mind. She could also be talked out of it, whether it's by Enji or her children. But she doesn't think that it's the main reason because she doesn't feel like avoiding him. After a few days of reflecting, she realizes that the main reason is that she wants to see the new, changed Enji from up-close. And she'll be right there if his resolve ever weakens.
Her older children are discharged from the hospital first and visit her before they leave.
"We'll get the house ready for you by the time you're discharged, Mom."
Rei uses the chance to tell them her decision. "I'm sorry. Natsu, Fuyumi- I won't be able to stay with you. I'm going to take care of your father from now on."
Natsuo looks reluctant, though also nods in acceptance when he replies first. "I thought that might be the case. Let us know if you ever change your mind."
"You're calmer than I expected."
"I think all of us have taken enough responsibility and fulfilled our duties. We should do what we want to from now on. Speaking of which, I wasn't sure when to tell you, but I guess now's a good time. I'll tell Dad in person next time I see him. I'm not going to be involved with him anymore. I'm getting married to my girlfriend... and I'm not letting him meet her."
"I see. Congratulations! And that's fine. That's your choice. I'm sure your father will agree." Rei thought while she was still in the psychiatric hospital that she would protest Natsu's decision more. But at this moment, why should she? Everyone in the family has done more than enough already like he said, and everyone except Shouto is already an adult, free to choose their own paths. Rei will respect Natsuo's decision, just as he respects hers.
"But you can come visit anytime." Natsuo says. "You'll always be welcome."
"That's right." Fuyumi comments. "I'll come by and help out both of you sometimes."
"Thank you both. And you really don't have to, Fuyumi. You've taken care of us for a long time. And you're starting that new job soon, aren't you? You'll have your hands full for a while."
"But…"
"It's fine. Live your own lives. That's what we want for you and what you deserve. And take care of your brother."
As for Rei's choice, she is only more certain that she's making the right decision now. She was saved by her children time and time again. She would've lost herself years ago if it weren't for them… and would've lost her life a few days ago if they didn't go with her. He should have someone by his side to stop him from losing himself. And on the unlikely chance that Natsuo changes his mind and wants to reconcile somewhere down the line, she can be the bridge for them to be together again. Along that line of thinking…
"Touya will be allowed visitors next week." Rei relays this information to them, not sure if they heard it already. "You've both done more than enough. You don't have to come if you don't want to."
"We'll be there." They both say immediately.
The first time they meet as a full family again is just outside of Touya's room. Enji is well enough to leave the hospital, though he is still covered in bandages as he hasn't fully recovered yet.
"We said you didn't have to come!" Fuyumi casts a worried glance at Shouto.
"I would say the same to you two." Rei says to Fuyumi and Natsuo.
"We're not here out of a sense of duty, right?" Shouto replies.
Rei takes a deep breath before they all enter and see Touya in a giant metal pod. Only his head, which is completely bandaged up, is visible in that pod. It's his new permanent home for the rest of his life; it serves as both a prison to keep him there and life support that keeps him alive as long as possible. Rei pushes Enji's wheelchair forward so that he can get a better look.
"He can speak, but only for a few minutes per day." Says the guard who opened the doors for them. "It's a slow march towards death that Touya Todoroki is facing."
"The gang's all here… Ha ha…" Touya laughs maniacally before stopping to cough. He then continues, "I ain't some damn tourist attraction." Though he says that, he and everyone else knows he has no choice. The same machines that are keeping him alive are the same constraints that prevent him from moving anything except for his eyeballs and mouth. The loud beeping sounds in the background apparently indicate his heartbeat.
"I'm here to tell you what comes next, Touya." Enji calmly looks up to say. "I'm retiring from hero work. That was always my plan once this war was over… and now I can't even stand up on my own." He opens his arms so that Touya can see his disfigured legs. "Endeavor the hero is dead and burned away. Your flames were fiercer than any I've ever faced."
"Is that so? My condolences." Touya replies sarcastically. "Quit trying to play nice now that it's all over anyway, you freaking coward."
"Fair point. You know me too well, Touya. You kept a close eye on me, after all. You only ever wanted me to watch you, but I never did.
"People can say what they like, but the fact is that's my hellflame burning inside you. I watch the video of you denouncing me every single day. From now on…I'll come here every single day… to talk with you. I realize it's far too late, but let's talk."
"His heart rate is elevated. Any further strain could be dangerous." The guard interjects once the interval between beeps becomes shorter and shorter.
Enji looks towards his family. "Rei. Natsuo. Fuyumi. Let's talk using the time that Shouto made sure we'd have together." He then turns back to Touya. "If you hate me? So be it. Speak your mind. Lay into me! Let me have it!"
Touya's eyes narrow at Enji, though he says nothing. It's possible that he's already reached the limit of how much he can talk.
"Touya, I want to talk too!" Fuyumi exclaims.
Rei stares at Touya and takes the chance to speak. "There's so much I want to say."
"That's enough for today!" The guard raises his voice. "You can return tomorrow."
"One last thing, if I may?" Shouto asks. He turns towards Touya once the guard gives a nod. "I have a question. Touya. What's your favorite food?"
Touya looks down at Shouto and still says nothing. The only sounds for the next few seconds is the beeping.
"Looks like he's reached his limit. You can come back another time."
As the family begins to leave the room, they hear Touya's voice, much weaker than before. "Soba."
Shouto turns back and replies to him. "Same here."
"Shouto… I'm sorry." Are Touya's last words before breaking into tears.
A lone tear rolls down Rei's cheek. It's only the first step, but she's happy that the brothers are connecting and that Touya feels some repentance for his actions.
Once they are all outside, Natsuo lays out his intentions to Enji. "Listen, I'm done. Sorry, but nothing's changed about how I feel. And I don't want anything to do with you. My girlfriend and I are getting hitched. No wedding, though. And you won't get to meet her."
"I'm sorry… but I understand." Enji says.
"How about you, Sis? You quit your job, right?" Natsuo asks Fuyumi.
"I did. But the mother of one of my students says she's found me a new job and can provide support."
"Honestly, I think we've taken responsibility. Punishment's been doled out too. Isn't that enough?"
"I'll be making amends and apologizing for my sins for the rest of my life… Whether you're all around to see it or not, I'll shield you kids from the fallout to the best of my ability. If there's a reason I survived, that's got to be it."
"Sounds like hell." Natsuo replies.
"Yeah. It has been since I took him up on his offer to tango."
"I never thought of you…" Natsuo scratches the back of his head, "as a badass until this very moment, Dad."
Natsuo unlocks his car and looks back at Shouto. "Are you headed back to school, Shouto?"
"Yeah."
"Then hop in. You too, Sis."
"Thanks." They both say.
Natsuo shares a look with Rei the next moment. No words are said out loud, but his expression silently asks if she's really alright with this. Rei smiles back at him. Natsuo sighs and waves before entering his car and driving his siblings to their destinations.
Rei sets a new routine for the next few months. She goes to visit Touya with Enji as soon as visiting hours are open in the morning. From there, she goes with Enji to meet Hawks in the Hero Safety Commission headquarters where he gives the new commissioner advice and hears his troubles. Then, they go their separate ways when Enji's sidekicks come and bring him to their new agency.
On most days, the moment they separate is when Rei catches up with Fuyumi, Natsuo, or Shouto. Sometimes she can only meet with just one or two of them, sometimes all of them are together. On the rare occasion where none of them are available, she returns to the prison to see Touya again for the second time that day. And then she returns home and takes care of chores.
Today, Shouto makes a request to visit her in her home when her morning errands are finished. Of course, she complies with it.
"Hey, Mom. I'm back again. It's been a while since I've come. The house looks good."
"Thank you. I keep telling Fuyumi that she doesn't have to, but your sister's been coming by to help." A bead of sweat rolls down Shouto's forehead, prompting her to ask. "Is something the matter? You don't usually pick a specific location to meet."
"There's… something that I have to talk to you about. It's something that probably should be in private. I told Yaoyorozu how I felt about her." He pauses and looks meek for the first time in a long time. Rei wonders if that means he got rejected. The silence adds to the suspense in the air when Shouto again opens his mouth. "...I asked her if she wanted to get married."
His tone of voice barely changes, fooling Rei into thinking that she misheard him. Then, her brain actually processes what he says and she falls off her chair.
"Mom! Are you okay?!" He rushes towards her with a worried look on his face and helps her up.
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine. More importantly, what are you talking about, Shouto?! What do you mean you proposed to her? All that you said before was that you were just going to confess your feelings, right?" Her son's story seemed to skip a step or two. Or a hundred. "Could you explain from the beginning? With great detail."
"That's how it started, we were talking to each other in her room and I thought it was a good opportunity. I found the courage to tell her my feelings. I remembered you said Father came to your home and asked for your hand in marriage. So I asked her if she wanted to be married. She seemed to misinterpret what I said because she stated that she would like to get married someday, if someone that she liked would ask her and accept her putting her hero duties first. I clarified by saying that I meant married to me.
"I told her I know how valuable she is as a hero and that I can't see myself with anyone else; I know she is the one for me. Or at least, that's how it went in my head. I'm not sure if I really said that. The only thing I remember saying is: 'I think I love you, what do you think about marrying me?' You said to marry out of pure love. So, if I feel love, I should ask her to marry me, right?"
Rei squeezes her forehead in an attempt to alleviate the headache she's feeling. "...And what did she say?" She asks after sitting herself back down, somewhat apprehensive of what will come out of his mouth next while also thinking of a way to rectify the situation.
"After I said all that, she fainted," Shouto starts. Rei would have cracked up here if she didn't strongly desire to hear the rest of the story. "I laid her on her bed and waited for her to wake up. It took around 15 minutes, and then she asked what happened, so I retold the conversation and relayed the proposition to her again. She said to give her some time to think about it alone.
"The next day, she came to my room and suggested we should try dating first. So I asked her if that meant she wanted to date. She said yes; and that she was also thinking about asking me for a long time. And if we both still feel the same way after graduating, she said she'll think about my proposal. She also told me to think it over too, if we get to that time. I told her I would, but my feelings probably wouldn't change."
"It may not have been perfect, but congratulations on finding a girlfriend, Shouto!" Rei finally laughs. His perplexed face only adds to the humor of the situation. She doesn't know how long it's been since she's laughed like this. And then she remembers. A pleasant memory from long ago of Enji's proposal.
Enji asked if there was anything that Rei wanted before their wedding, and she had trouble thinking of anything so she just said a proposal, like the ones that are shown on television. She didn't even expect him to do it, but a couple of days later he got down on one knee near the koi pond… except he stepped on wet soil near the pond and the ring slipped into the water.
Seeing the highly competent hero, the stoic man that she knew him as, struggling to tangle with the koi to stop them from eating the ring is probably the greatest memory that she has with Enji. That was the last time she laughed so freely.
'In this regard, they really are a lot alike.'
"Well done, Shouto." Rei says as she wipes away the happy tears from her eyes. "I would like to meet her. Can you bring her here if she has time?"
"You're talking about Yaoyorozu?"
"Who else would I be talking about? I want to see my future daughter-in-law in person."