Chapter Text
The room is littered with students along with Yagi, Shouta and Hizashi. Izuku was laying on the bed with stabilizing bandages wrapped over his arms.Shouta went to Hitoshi’s side. He placed a soft hand on his son’s shoulder, “He’ll be alright.”
“I know.” Hitoshi whispered while his fellow students chattered to Recovery Girl, “Doesn't make seeing him like this any easier.”
“Fair point.” Shouta pulled out his phone, “Perhaps you should call his mother. I’m sure that fight wasn't easy for her to watch either. And she is stuck at home.” Hitoshi took the device like a lifeline. With one last look at his friend the lilac haired teen power walked out of the room. Just as well. He missed Recovery Girl mentioning the surgery.
Shouta and Hizashi returned to their seats once Hitoshi was done speaking to Inko. The next few matches were interesting but lacked the visual stimulation of the last round. Ida performed admirably against Kaminari, using his Boost to dodge the random electricity bolts. His method of removing Kaminari from the ring by simply pushing him very fast had Hizashi chuckling to himself. And watching Tokoyami utilize his Quirk again had Shouta leaning forward. So much potential, but there was an odd lack of teamwork in the movements. If the kid ever got that under control he would be a near unstoppable force. Ka-chan’s fight with Kirishima was pretty much a one sided brawl.
Hizashi’s phone suddenly started to make little cat noises. The man pulled it out and paused at the caller ID, “I’ll be right back.” he shuffled away quickly
“It’s probably work.” Shouta said as Thirteen and Snipe sent him questioning looks, “His condition requires a lot of working from home. I’m sure it’s nothing serious.”
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“He struck again. Hosu.”
“Shit!” Hizashi whispered, “Who this time? Not one of my Prey I hope.” he looked around to make sure the hallway was still empty
“No one from the Target Agency. But still a big deal. He got Ingenium.”
Hizashi hissed. The guy was a big deal indeed. And an old friend before they had parted ways after school. The man’s little brother was even competing in this festival, “Did he live?” Hizashi asked dryly
“Seems so. But the prognosis isn't great. Rumor in the ER is the Hero will never walk again.”
“Damn, tough break.” Hizashi leaned against the wall and sighed, “Keep everyone on their toes. And keep digging. Someone has to know who this asshole is.”
“You got it Boss.” the line went dead
“Damnit.” Hizashi whispered to himself one last time before heading back toward the sky box. This Hero Killer was starting to become a real thorn in Void’s side. Heros were on High Alert all over the country. And while they hadn't caught the murderer yet they had nabbed several others that would have normally gone unnoticed. Void would have to contact their people in Hosu and put everything on hold for the next month. Luckily Shouta had secondary plans in place. But it was still disruptive.
Hizashi sighed again as he retook his seat. Shouta’s warm fingers wrapped around his wrist, giving a gentle squeeze, “Everything alright?”
“Just more distribution issues. Nothing there isn't already a plan for.” he said in a tired tone
Shouta tapped his index finger twice against Hizashi’s wrist to show understanding, “That’s a relief at least.” Then the announcement came. Ida had dropped out for family issues. Hizashi sent Shouta a loaded look. The dark haired man tapped Hizashi’s wrist again. And finally, the last match of the festival commenced.
The fight was a fantastic spectacle. Fire and ice colliding, exploding, and reforming. Yet it lacked the elements of pure insanity from Izu-kun’s fight. Still, there was something similar. How Ka-chan kept clearly trying to pull the strength Todoroki was hiding to the surface. Except this time Todoroki didn't give. And it took Midnight’s Quirk to get Ka-chan to stop screaming about it. Hizashi snuggled closer to Shouta as Todoroki was removed from the lawn, “Poor kid.” he muttered, “He’s so mixed up Sho.”
“Toshi will help. Both Todoroki and Izu-kun. It’s what he’s determined to do. So he’ll succeed.” Shouta said in that matter-of-fact way that warmed Hizashi’s heart, “I expect nothing less of our son.”
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Hitoshi is sitting alone in the locker room. He can hear the medal ceremony going on outside. But right now his heart feels too heavy to care for such things. Today had simply been too much. His friend was so hurt. A person he thought cold and unfeeling turned out to be just like Hitoshi. And he had been subjected to the whims of the public for the first time. Their cheers still echoing like taunts in his mind. Hitoshi took a shuddering breath, “It’s all okay.” he muttered to himself, “Everything is fine. No one died. Things just got a little intense.” he looks across the room to where his image is reflected over a sink. Hitoshi watches his mouth curl up into a slightly hysterical smile, his eyes shining just a bit too brightly, “Right?”
“Toshi?” The muffled knock and sound of his Pop has Hitoshi rushing for the door. When it opens and he sees his parents his smile instantly feels more natural, “You okay kiddo?” his Pop pulled him into a tight hug
“Yeah.” Hitoshi returned the hug. He sighed when he felt his Dad’s arms join the embrace, “It’s just been a really long day.”
“I’ll second that.” he felt his Pop nuzzle the top of Hitoshi’s head, the medical mask causing a bit of static to form in his hair, “Being surrounded by all these...people, leaves me on edge.”
“How about I take both my boys home?” Dad offered in a soft whisper, “We could make popcorn and watch some of those horrible movies your Pop likes.”
“They aren't horrible Sho!” his Pop’s embrace loosened into a simple hold over Hitoshi’s shoulder. He led them to the hallway and started for the parking lot. Hitoshi didn't bother to pull away. He found it grounding at the moment.
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“All I’m saying is that close up shots have a time and a place.” Hizashi argued his point while using his bottle of beer to gesture with
“And all I’m saying is that close up shots for the sake of comedy don’t have the same guidelines.” Shuuichi sighed and got off the couch with a huff, “Ya know what, forget it. I can’t talk Film with someone who refuses to watch actual movies of substance.”
“Black and white isn't my thing. We’ve discussed this already.” Hizashi half shouts after him. Sho chuckles next to him on the couch, the arm over his shoulder giveing a slight squeeze.
“Must you two have the same conversation every time?”
“It would seem so.” Hizashi shrugged, “I just don’t know what his problem is.”
“Your lack of taste.” Sho teased
“Hey!”
“Easy you two.” Toshi said with a soft smile as he emerged from the kitchen area with a large bowl of popcorn, “Scoot over Dad.”
Sho did so without complaint. Hizashi didn't hesitate to wrap an arm around his son’s shoulders when Hitoshi moved into the now free space between his parents, “You’re really gonna love this one kiddo. It’s called Master of Disguise!”