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A pile of boxes sit in the center of the room, eagerly waiting to be moved out.
Nao’s half way through packing another. Most of her and her children’s things have already been packed and relocated. Nao packed everything slowly and over time, unnoticeable box by unnoticeable box. Kotoro didn’t realize any of it, of course. Because nothing of his was being touched.
And today’s the final push. Once she drops Mon-chan and the boxes off, she’ll pick her children up from school. The mother has already submitted forms allowing her to move herself and the kids out. Nao is just grateful that a friend of hers is willing to help her until she can save enough to get her own place.
Nao tapes the box shut and places it onto a dolly along with a few other boxes.
“Nao?”
The woman takes a deep breath as her parents step into the bedroom. She turns to them, giving them a simple smile. “Hey Mom.”
"So you're serious about this whole thing?" Nao's father stands beside her mother.
"Yes. And thank you. Even though you both didn't agree, neither of you tipped Kotoro off. I appreciate that." Nao pushes the dolly past her parents and out the room and they follow close behind her.
"Sweetie, are you sure about this? You and the kids could just stay here and try to work things out with your husband." Mako tries to reach for her daughter, but decides against it.
Chizuo intertwines his fingers with Mako and gives her a reassuring squeeze. "This is a decision you should be making together as husband and wife."
Nao stops in the middle of the living room. She's so tired of second guessing herself over this. She wishes that they'd stop doing it too.
"I want nothing more than to be able to fix this. Fixing things has always been something that I've loved and that I've been good at; and not just with my quirk." Nao sighs as she steels herself to turn towards her parents. "I understand his anger and his hatred and where it comes from, so I feel like I can't fault him for that. But…" Nao works herself up to looking her parents in the eyes. "As a wife, I can try my best to work things out with him, but as a mother, I-" Her breath quivers, and her gaze wavers. "My children must come first. I want to fix this, but that will take time. I don't want them growing up in a house of anger feeling like they must wait or hide away." She looks back to their judgmental gaze and gulps. "I can do both, but I can't do them under the same roof." Nao takes a moment to breathe. "Please. Please try to understand." She opens herself to them once again, hoping.
Mako just shakes her head and frowns as she looks away from Nao's gaze and Chizuo gives a disapprovingly stern look.
"He's your husband…"
"Hasn't he been left behind enough?"
And Nao feels her heart break once more. She shouldn't have had her hopes raised. Biting her lip, she shakes her head as she returns to pushing the dolly. Why won't they just support her? Say that they believe she could do it? Say that she's making the right choice?
Is this the right choice?
The question crosses her mind for the millionth time since she first thought of leaving.
"Mama, I wanna be a hero!" Tenko's soft heart bubbles up in her mind.
This has to be the right choice. I have to fight for my children. If I don't, who will?
Nao can feel tears begin to rise as she makes a speedy exit. "They deserve better than trying to grow under a roof of anger…"