Y'ALL WE JUST HIT 900 VOTES CLAP THAT UP FOR EACH ONE OF YOU!!! 😭😭

We wouldn't reach this milestone with you. 🥰 I love you!

• • •

Enji arrived at the campsite in a rush and her daughter came running to him, looking like she's going to break into tears again. He enveloped his precious bean in his arms, shielding her from the chilly night. She was whimpering while clinging to his coat.

Her teacher came running to them with a pant, this girl may be little but she's surprisingly great at running away.

"I'm so sorry for the trouble sir Endeavor-- I-- She kept on crying! And begged for me to send her home..." She heaves a sigh as Enji picked up his weeping little daughter, "She's not ready for going away from her family." The teacher stated.

A few of her classmates came running to them with her backpack, surprising the teacher with their kindness.

"Awww, thank you so much, you guys." She cooes to them while patting their head as Enji gave a small thankyou then threw her backpack over his shoulder.

Richie hid behind the bushes.

"I understand what you wanted to say. Hopefully, I can do something about this." Enji nodded at their homeroom teacher, "For now, thank you for taking care of my daughter."

"No problem, sir Endeavor. In the end, all kids are innocent."

• • •

He settled his car while holding Homusubi and heaved a sigh, "Are you okay, musubi?"

She sniffles, "Now that dada is here... I'm happy..."

He rolls his eyes with a small blush dusted on his cheeks, thinking that maybe he's spoiling her a little too much. 

Then he hears a grumble, that's surely not from his stomach.

"I'm not hungry." She stated.

"Yes, you are." He sighs while shifting a bit, just enough to start the car, "Come on, we're going to get some burgers."

A pout formed on her lips, feeling guilty for leaving her classmates behind.

Enji noticed this and he didn't hesitate to pat her fluffy head, "Hey, it's okay. I am here."

After getting some burgers, with Enji's being a 'Big King' Burger and Homusubi called hers 'Little Princess' Burger, they pulled up by the glistening river that's filled with beautiful swans.

Sitting over the edge, both of them enjoyed the peaceful silence paired up with the taste of taking out burgers. The rustling of trees filled the background.

Enji cleared his throat to start a conversation, "So... why did you cry?"

"... I... missed you. Mommy... Touya... Fuyumi... And Natsuo."

"You know, in the future, you'll have to leave home at some point."

"I know..." She hangs her head low, trying to hide her shimmering eyes, "I'm... sorry..."

"What are you apologizing for?"

"I wanted to be strong, but you said strong people don't cry..." Her tears fell on her hands.

He flinched and sighed with a small smile, "Homusubi, I'm sorry for teaching you the wrong thing." He continues, "The one who cries the most is the strongest."

She looks up at him to listen attentively despite her tears that continued to flow down her cheeks.

Enji continues, "Everyone you meet once cried. Even I almost cried when I heard YOU cry-- but that's not the point."

She giggled. 

"You're still growing: to be stronger, smarter, and better than who you were in the past. It's okay to cry when you miss someone, it's okay to cry if you couldn't do anything because crying... means you have a good heart."

He pulls her into a side hug, rubbing her arm in comfort, "You're my precious daughter, my little sunflower, my rice ball. And as a father, I promised to protect you, and I will." He turns back to her, "So don't forget your promises too as a big sister."

Her eyes widen in shock, the memory of her making those silly promises back then flashed before her eyes.

She promised to get stronger to protect everyone who loves her.

She promised to take care of her little siblings who looked up to her.

She promised to be someone who can protect her own hero.

"Dada...?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"... I love you too."