(A/N):
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
-------------------------------------------------
The time passed quietly.
Too quietly. Eventually, reality crept back in.
Rudra checked the time and spoke gently, but firmly as he spoke.
"It's time, Toya needs to return to the hospital."
Rei stiffened instantly.
"...."
"…I'll come with you,"
Rei Todoroki said, already standing.
"I'll stay with him. I don't want to leave him again."
Toya looked torn—relieved by her concern, yet uncertain.
"...."
Rudra shook his head as he spoke calmly.
"Not yet,"
Rei froze hearing his response to her plan of staying with Toya.
"Why?"
While Rudra started explain about what is he planning to do with Toya now.
"Toya will be moved soon, To a recovery center—one designed specifically for children and young adults who've suffered long-term quirk-related trauma. Physical and mental."
Jeremy nodded in agreement.
-Nod
"It's structured, safe, and supervised. The kind of place where healing doesn't feel like punishment."
Rei's hands clenched.
"...."
"…Mental,"
She repeated softly. Her gaze drifted to Toya. She understood she too was suffering from the same issue. But to Toya it was even worse.
To the scars. To the way his shoulders tensed whenever his father's name came close to the conversation.
"…Enji is the reason, Didn't he…"
She whispered, guilt flooding her voice.
Rudra didn't answer directly. He didn't need to. The silence said enough.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Rei sat back down slowly, tears slipping down her cheeks as she murmured.
"I should have protected him,"
Toya moved closer, carefully, and took her hand as he responded quietly.
"It wasn't just you, I don't want you blaming yourself too."
Rudra stepped forward and handed Rei his phone for her to take his number.
"Here, My number."
She looked up, surprised.
"I'll contact you as soon as the recovery center is officially opened and Toya is transferred,"
Rudra continued telling she could visit Toya at the hospital.
"Until then—you can visit him at the hospital whenever you want. Nothing's stopping that."
Rei clutched the phone as if it were fragile. She said, bowing her head deeply.
"…Thank you, For not taking him away from me again."
Rudra shook his head as he said.
"We're not taking him away, We're making sure he survives what comes next."
Toya stood up, hesitating only a second before turning back, he promised her.
"I'll come back, Stronger. And… calmer."
Rei smiled through her tears.
"I'll be waiting, As long as it takes."
As they stepped out into the hallway, Rei remained in the doorway—watching until they disappeared from sight.
Rei stood in the hallway for a few seconds longer, fingers curled lightly around the phone Rudra had given her.
"...."
Her chest still hurt.
But it wasn't the crushing kind anymore. It was… lighter.
"Mom?"
Rei blinked and turned.
"...."
Standing a few steps away were her children—the ones who always came.
Fuyumi Todoroki stood frozen mid-step, bag still slung over her shoulder.
Beside her, Natsuo Todoroki stared openly, disbelief written all over his face.
They had come as they always did.
Routine visits. Careful smiles. Quiet conversations meant not to reopen wounds.
But today—Something was different.
"Mom…?"
Fuyumi said again, hesitant.
"...."
Rei realized she was smiling. Not the practiced, fragile smile she'd learned to wear in counseling. A real one. She touched her cheek as if only now noticing it herself then she spoke softly.
"…You're here,"
Natsuo frowned thinking what happened to his mother.
"Of course we are. We always come."
Then he paused.
"…Are you okay?"
That made Rei laugh quietly—a small, breathy sound that stunned both of them.
-Chuckle
"I am, I really am."
Fuyumi stepped closer, eyes searching her mother's face. she struggled for the word,
"You look… lighter."
Natsuo nodded slowly agreeing to Fuyumi's point.
"Yeah. Like something heavy's gone."
Rei looked down the hallway where Toya had disappeared. Her grip tightened on the phone in her hand. Then she spoke gently.
"…I remembered something today,"
Fuyumi's breath caught thinking once again her depression is taking on.
"Remembered…?"
Rei met their eyes, warmth steady in her gaze. And finally spoke.
"That I'm still a mother, And that I still have children who need me."
Neither of them noticed the tear that slipped down her cheek—because it wasn't born from despair. It was relief.
Natsuo swallowed hard and looked away.
"That's… good."
Fuyumi smiled, eyes shining.
"I'm really glad, Mom."
They stepped inside the apartment together.
The space felt different now. Not healed. But hopeful.
As they sat down, Fuyumi glanced toward the hallway. As she spoke helplessly.
"…Shoto didn't come today, He had training."
Rei nodded thinking about her younger son.
"I know, He'll come when he's ready."
And for the first time—She truly believed that.
Outskirts of the Musutafu City —
Abandoned Hospital Grounds...
The iron gates creaked open.
Dust rolled across the cracked driveway as the car came to a stop.
Rudra stepped out first, eyes lifting to take in the structure before them.
It was… massive.
A full-scale private hospital, built in an era when money had been poured into marble floors, wide corridors, and open-air recovery spaces.
Even under six months of neglect, its bones were magnificent.
Jeremy let out a low whistle while muttering.
-Whistle
"…Luxury hospital, Not the cheap kind either."
Toya stepped out last, looking around quietly.
"...."
Something about the place felt… wrong like some kind of hospital form the ghost stories.
The real estate agent arrived soon after—a tired man carrying too many files and not enough hope.
"The original owner passed away suddenly,"
He explained as he led them inside.
"Within a year, two of his relatives followed. The remaining family didn't want to maintain it."
He gestured around helplessly.
"No buyers came forward. Too big. Too expensive to maintain. So it's been… sleeping."
Sleeping was an understatement.
Dust coated every surface. Sheets covered equipment. Sunlight filtered through tall windows, illuminating empty corridors that once echoed with life.
And yet—Nothing was broken. Nothing was vandalized.
It was waiting.
They eventually stepped out into a vast open field behind the main building.
Training markings still faintly visible on the ground.
The agent cleared his throat.
"This was the activity and rehabilitation area. For injured heroes… and patients struggling to adapt to their quirks after trauma or injury."
Toya froze. He could see it in his imagination.
"...."
People trying again. Failing. Trying again.
Not judged. Not punished. Just… helped.
Jeremy noticed the way Toya's shoulders stiffened and spoke in low voice.
"This place makes sense,"
Rudra nodded impressed by the infastructure.
-Nod
"It does."
The bargaining took time. Back and forth. Numbers rising. Numbers falling.
Jeremy was relentless—professional, sharp, stripping away inflated values and pushing hard on maintenance costs, depreciation, and legal liabilities.
Finally, the agent sighed already cursing in mind for waking up looking at his wife face.
-Sigh
"…Alright, At that price—the owners will accept."
Rudra extended his hand.
"Then we have a deal."
Hands shook.
Just like that—The abandoned hospital had a future again but this time as a recovery center.
By the time paperwork was signed, Rudra was already moving.
A cleaning and renovation company was hired through the agent—deep sanitation, structural checks, modernization of equipment, and security upgrades.
No rush. No shortcuts.
This place would be done right.
Toya looked back once as they left while muttering to himself.
"…This is where people like me will come?"
Jeremy smiled placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah. And you'll never be alone in it."
Toya nodded didn't give any reply.
-Nod
"...."
Medical Quirk Council...
The final stop of the day.
A tall, official building—clinical, quiet, precise.
Rudra had already submitted the application.
Facilities. Funding. Security. Ethics.
Everything approved with the help of principal Nezu—pending one thing.
Jeremy stepped forward, documents in hand as he spoke calmly and confidently.
"Qualifications. Certifications. Specialist licensing, International and domestic."
The council members reviewed them carefully.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Minutes passed...
Then—
"Verification accepted."
A soft electronic chime the official approved.
-Chime
"With this, your Quirk Recovery Center is provisionally licensed. Final approval will be granted once renovations pass inspection."
Rudra exhaled slowly.
-Sigh.
"...."
Jeremy grinned while already planning to ask Rudra for a treat.
"Told you."
Toya stood quietly beside them.
"...."
To celebrate—entirely on Jeremy's insistence—they stopped at a nearby restaurant famous for its local dishes.
The place was warm and lively, filled with the smell of spices and grilled food.
Jeremy was already energized he declared cheerfully, waving Toya along.
"On me, You're not allowed to argue today."
Toya gave a small smile and followed him to a corner table, the two of them leaning over the menu, quietly discussing what to order.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Rudra watched them for a moment.
Seeing Toya sit so easily—without tension, without flinching—felt like a small victory and excused himself.
"I'll be right back,"
He headed toward the restroom.
Inside, the noise of the restaurant faded.
Rudra relieved himself, then turned on the tap, splashing cold water on his face.
He washed his hands slowly, grounding himself after the long day.
Rudra had just finished washing his hands when the words hit him.
"…She can't be saved,"
The man said coldly into his phone.
"She's a psychopath. At this point, it's better you disown her… or send her to a mental institution."
Rudra slowly lifted his head.
"...."
The speaker stood beside him at the sink—a well-dressed man, calm posture, clinical tone.
The kind of voice that hid cruelty behind professionalism.
Rudra's brows furrowed.
-Frown.
'That choice of words…'
He didn't interrupt. Didn't turn.
Instead, he spoke inwardly.
'System. Identify the speaker and the person he's talking to.'
The response was instant.
A translucent system screen unfolded in his mind—visible only to him.
[IDENTIFICATION COMPLETE...]
[Subject: Licensed psychiatrist (Japan)]
[Current Call: Parents of patient]
[Patient Name: Himiko Toga]
[Caller: Father of patient]
[Case Summary:
– Patient exhibits abnormal fascination with blood
– Emotional repression since early childhood
– Repeated reports ignored or mishandled
– High risk of psychological collapse]
[Psychiatrist Recommendation (Unofficial): Disownment / Institutionalization]
Rudra's jaw tightened while the frown on his ace deepen.
'So this is where it starts.'
He glanced sideways.
The psychiatrist ended the call, exhaled lightly, and looked at his reflection as if nothing of value had just been said.
Rudra turned off the tap slowly. He said calmly.
-Dip -Dip
"Interesting advice,"
The man stiffened slightly, surprised.
"...."
"I'm sorry?"
The psychiatrist asked, adjusting his glasses little irritated being interrupted.
Rudra met his eyes in the mirror—steady, unreadable.
"...."
"Disowning a child,"
Rudra continued, voice level,
"instead of treating the cause… that's not medicine. That's abandonment."
The psychiatrist frowned and spoke in irritation.
"You overheard a private conversation."
"You were loud,"
Rudra replied simply.
"...."
"...."
"...."
There was a brief silence. The man scoffed.
"You don't understand the case. That girl is dangerous. Some people are born wrong."
That sentence landed like poison.
Rudra stepped closer—not threatening, not aggressive—but heavy. He said quietly.
"No, Some people are failed by those meant to help them."
The psychiatrist felt it then.
"...."
Pressure. Not physical—but something in Rudra's presence that made his spine go rigid. Which made the man snapped.
"You're emotional, This is science."
Rudra's eyes hardened as he spoke.
"This, is exactly why people like her fall through the cracks."
He turned away, drying his hands.
"Enjoy your meal, doctor,"
Rudra added over his shoulder.
"I hope your conscience is as clean as your hands."
He walked out before the man could reply.
Restaurant —
Moments Later...
Jeremy was already digging into a local dish, clearly enjoying himself. He said through a grin.
-Grin
"This is amazing, You seriously undersold Japanese food."
Toya looked up as Rudra sat down noticing his serious expression he asked.
"...."
"You okay?"
Rudra nodded—but his thoughts were elsewhere.
-Nod
'A girl obsessed with blood. A family ready to abandon her. A system that labels instead of heals.'
His fingers tightened slightly around the table edge.
'Himiko Toga…'
Not a villain yet. Not broken beyond repair.
Just another child standing at the edge—waiting for someone to either push her… Or pull her back. Rudra exhaled slowly.
'Good thing the recovery center exists.'
It was clear the psychiatrist had no idea who he had been speaking near.
Ra-One never removed his mask in public. To the world, he was just a voice behind red glass and armor.
Only to some who follows him deeply knew his face.
After the meal, the three of them stepped out of the restaurant into the cool evening air.
Jeremy stretched, satisfied and said.
"That hit the spot, You sure you don't want dessert?"
Rudra shook his head. He turned to Toya.
"Go back to the hospital with Jeremy. Get some rest."
Toya hesitated for a second, then nodded.
-Nod
"...."
"Okay."
Jeremy caught on immediately.
"I've got him. Don't worry."
Rudra met Toya's eyes once more.
"I'll be there later."
Toya gave a small, trusting nod.
-Nod
As Jeremy and Toya walked off toward the car, Rudra remained where he was.
He took a slow breath.
Then—Red cubes flowed over his body, assembling with mechanical precision.
Plates locked into place. The familiar weight settled.
Ra-One stood where Rudra had been.
With a thought, he summoned his astral futuristic bike which got constructed by the red cubes.
It formed beneath him in a cascade of glowing red constructs, solidifying with a low hum.
He swung a leg over it.
The engine pulsed—silent, powerful.
-VROOM!!!
"....."
Ra-One looked once toward the direction the psychiatrist had gone as he muttered.
"…Some 'patients' don't need abandonment, They need someone who won't give up on them."
The bike lifted smoothly from the ground.
Then it shot upward, slicing into the sky like a crimson comet—vanishing into the night as Ra-One went to take care of the work only he could do.
Ra-One cut through the night sky like a silent comet.
On his system panel, a translucent map hovered in his vision—a clean blue route threading through the city streets toward a quiet residential block.
[Target located.]
[ETA: 5 minutes.]
He slowed as he reached the neighborhood, the hum of the astral bike dropping to a whisper.
Ra-One guided it upward and landed atop a tall apartment building, boots touching down without a sound.
The bike deconstructed into red cubes, dispersing like embers and vanishing into nothing.
Ra-One didn't move. He had already seen her.
"...."
Across the street, beneath a flickering park light, a small children's park lay half-empty at this hour.
A few kids laughed and ran around the slide, their voices light and carefree.
And apart from them—On a creaking swing, sat a girl.
Pink hair tied back. School uniform neat, almost too neat. Hands gripping the chains tightly.
Her legs moved back and forth, slow and uneven. Her eyes weren't on the swing.
"...."
They were on the children. Watching. Wanting. Hurting.
Ra-One recognized her immediately.
Himiko Toga.
She wasn't smiling. She wasn't laughing.
She looked… lonely.
A sadness clung to her that didn't belong on a child's face—the kind born from being told, over and over, that something inside you is wrong.
Ra-One crouched at the edge of the rooftop, red lenses dimming as he observed and thought.
'Not a villain, Not yet.'
Just a girl sitting on a swing, wondering why she felt different—and why no one wanted to understand.
The laughter from the other kids drifted through the air.
Himiko's grip tightened on the chains.
**********************************************************************************************************************************************************
(Author's POV)
(A/N):
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review!!! And power stone too!!!
Guys it will motivate me more?