In the end, it was all just a dream.

Enji woke up from that horrifying nightmare with a gasp and breathed heavily.

'What the hell?' He thought while looking around, only to find himself on a couch. He was sweating badly as he runs a hand through his hair.

Waking up inside a dream is one of the worst feeling.

His eyes looked up and met his precious riceball, who silently sat on the edge of her hospital bed. She half-heartedly eats her breakfast with a lifeless stare. Causing Enji to heave a deep sigh before getting up to eat his packed breakfast too. The father had been growing more and more worried as each day passes.

In the past week, after the news of the Amaterasu Cave exploding into the skies at night, heroes did not wait around to investigate. There, in the midst of the underground city of dust was the unconscious body of Hero Endeavors' child.

Just 'child', because they only found one.

When he found her, the heroes made way for him to pick up his child. He fell to his knees and carried her off of the ground. Her heartbeat was faint, but she was thankfully saved on time before it disappeared.

What was even more horrific is that there were no other bodies except for her...

Then she woke up in the hospital the next day. And only spoke when there were the two of her and her father, to speak about everything that happened.

"...  I don't think I'll be able to live again..." Homusubi blurted out in a quiet and raspy tone. It was a first time in a while that she spoke. She only speaks with her father and no one else.

His body froze, a bit confused of her statement but he knew what she was saying, "... T-That's fine."

"Is it...?"

Setting down his pack of breakfast, he eyes her genuinely despite her remaining to hold her head down, "... I think it's best... if you should ask that to yourself..."

"... Well I said: It's not okay. That everything will never be."

"It's not like that--"

"IT IS!" She snapped at him, "I KILLED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE! And... I killed your son!!!" He couldn't count how many tears she has shed this week, "... Burning them to ashes and leaving nothing of their traces. And what's even worse is that I can never even take it back..." Her heart ached in agony...

Touya was a part of her. That's enough to express how much she's going through. Take a moment to think about it.

As much as Enji did not want to believe that Homusubi would do that, he knew that she won't lie either. Not only it is her who is mourning, but the rest of the entire Todoroki family too. But no matter what she says to him, he changes it when he tells others about it: She says she killed Touya, Enji says the enemy killed him instead.

It was for the best, the kid already felt guilty. He couldn't bear to imagine the burden she would carry. Or the guilt of the people that could trap her in. Even with the serious situation, Homusubi remains to be his Homusubi.

"Look at the positive side, you saved the world before the worst scenario comes.

To save many... some sacrifices are needed. And it's not a small price, Homusubi..."

Homusubi shuddered while covering herself in her blanket to protect her from the aircon. She could just heat herself, but she didn't want to use the fire that killed people. A curse. That's what the girl thinks of it.

"I don't want to continue--"

"And! From what I can see, I wouldn't even dare to compete with you now." He said while scooting beside her and held her close into his warm arms, "I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for the both of you... I take the blame to myself because I truly am an utter failure as a hero... and a father."

Before she could debate with what he said, he continues and finished it, "This old man has now learned his lessons..." He thinks about his late son, "So I hope you learned yours too."

Her eyes grew wide open while looking at the side deeply. Her experience granted her life lessons in exchange.

'Tsuki was an example that good people can turn bad, but that doesn't mean they can't have the chance to turn good again.

Blaze fought for her loved one. She wasn't any different from me, we both have the same goals but took different paths.

Yama... is the reason why some people doesn't need to be reborn and just die.

And Touya... maybe... I should've done better in talking to you when I knew it was being to end up like that.

No... No... In the first place maybe I should've listened to him.

To be more considerate.

Then maybe, I wouldn't be the only one... to survive...'

Homusubi heaves a sigh, slowly pulling down her blanket that acted as a barrier, "... You're not old..."

He bursts into a peal of soft laughter, "I know. But seeing how my incredibly lovable daughter grew up so fast. It makes me feel like one."

She smiles softly with a scoff, "... Before I go and live with grandma... I want to spend my time with my siblings first and my friends."

His gaze softens before he nods and pulls her into an embrace, "Of course... anything for you."

• • •

After being discharged later that day, she takes her time with each one of her siblings to cheer them up too. Starting with Fuyumi whom she made cupcakes with since the two were the ones who liked to cook the most. Decorating it with a chibi version of each of their family member. They laughed at Shoto's traumatized expression when their father ate the cupcake with his face decorated on it.

The next day, she went out with Natsuo to go sight-seeing by the beach at sunset with the light snowfall. She knew how this little brother of hers loved the sea as much as he loved himself. He was joyful too, constantly smiling at her while making sandcastles with her across the beach. Being able to see his dear sister again and hold her hand with his smaller one, just makes him forget about the existence of the rest of the world.

Last but certainly not the least of their siblings was Shoto, what they did together was simple but he enjoyed it more than his past years. They ate bowls of cold soba together in a traditional restaurant, sitting on the floor with Shoto on her lap like it was what he lived for. It seems that her likings to noodles passed down unto him. At least it's a good thing now that he knows Homusubi is his sister and not his mother, it took him a while to adjust though, they just look so much like each other...

For the rest of the day, she made sure to give her favourite teacher in the world a visit at the hospital. When she did though, she received a harsh pinch on the bridge of her nose, causing her to hold it in pain while falling on the ground. Aizawa quickly followed by a whole one hour lesson of what she did was stupid, the exact opposite of what she told her. Then it ended with her giving him a sudden hug, then a thank you because his teachings saved her, causing him to fluster like a tsundere and told her to get out.

A few days later, Rumi, her best friend that she hasn't seen for so long, finally agreed to meet up with her too by the bench in the plaza. The whole time together was silent as the memories of their late friend play before their eyes. It didn't take long for Rumi to break into tears and asked for forgiveness. Homusubi obliviously didn't know why she was apologizing, but she didn't fail to give her friend the comfort she needed and also tell her that Tsuki would be happy if Rumi continues to pursue being a hero.

Nearing the end of the month, everyone was beginning to move on from a family members' death. So before she left the country... She decides to visit her unconscious yet precious mother, together with her dada...

"I'm sure you got a lot to tell her when she wakes up." Enji joked from behind and she gave him a look in return.

"Dada?"

"Hm?"

"When I leave... will you take care of mom for me?"

"... Of course!" He sets a hand on her shoulder, "You don't even have to tell me that. As her husband, I'll remain loyal to my duty to love and protect her for as long as I live. That's what I vowed when we were married." He smiles sheepishly while remembering the sweet memory of his early marriage.

A small smile forms on her lips as her eyes glimmer, "She'll be really proud of you when she wakes up... Oh, and please don't forget to call me when she does wake up."

"Of course I wont!" He chuckled lightly before looking out at the window and saw a familiar boy with a pair of bright red wings on top of a building, "... Do you have anything more to do?"

"... Yeah. You don't have to come with me." She turns around to face him with a genuine smile, "I'll be here before sunset."

"Alright..." He returns it before gently patting her head, "Go."