Chapter Text
You never realize the value of something until it's gone.
Todoroki Shouto wasn't one to mind such expressions - from an anonymous person at that. No, he was the type to face things head-on and go with the flow - accepting that things are like this and that no one can do anything about it. He moves on quickly. Quotes like these don't affect him.
So why now?
He knows why now - well enough, too well actually, it's making him lose his mind.
The pit-pat of the rain falling doesn't affect him as much as the meaningful touch on the shoulder her parents gave him before they left. In fact, the rain was one of the last things in his mind right now. It's comforting in a way Shouto hasn't noticed before - he always thought the rain was gloomy and full of bad memories (memories now buried and replaced with beautiful ones).
The silence isn't comfortable, though. It's eerie, chilling, and nervous - Shouto wants to break it. But that isn't his job. It was always her who had shattered the stillness with her mesmerizing ramblings.
"If only you weren't the closest hero to the area... No, if you weren't called by your agency at all." After speaking for the first time in a few hours, Shouto's voice is naturally hoarse. He wonders whether the shed and unshed tears were the reason instead. "If I had been more stubborn and succeeded in tagging along with you, I... we..." The young hero could almost imagine her rebuttal, except he could only imagine.
He can't remember her voice anymore.
The tears are flowing again.
A day off is rare for a person in their field of work - rare, but not non-existent. Heroes need a break too.
Today was one of those rare days.
It still feels uncomfortable- no, that's not the right word. Hmm, what is it...? Ah, foreign, yes. It still feels foreign for Shouto to wear something besides his Yūei uniform or his hero costume. After all, he just graduated about two years ago.
Checking himself in the mirror to make sure he is presentable enough to go outside, Shouto nods to himself and finds his way into the sidewalk. After 'I'll be off's first to his family, of course. Family, huh? Another foreign feeling, not uncomfortable. It's nice, on the contrary.
With no particular destination, Shouto begins walking. A fresh breath of air without the occasional chaos feels good. Spotting the small yet cozy bookstore nearby, the dual-toned boy made an entry. Books and reading were one of the things he liked. And the green tea they serve here is delicious.
Nodding a bow to the old owner, he begins the search for his book of the day. Skimming through the books' bridges, he becomes unaware of the familiar figure approaching. "Todoroki-san?" Oh, he knows that voice anywhere.
Looking to his right, he sees the person who called his name and greeted her, "Yaoyorozu." She beams at him, "Todoroki-san. It's a pleasure to see you here. Are you, perhaps, on your day off?" Her smile is as blinding as always. Opting for a low hum, Shouto affirms before returning her question, to which she replies, "Indeed, I am on my day off too. Was it this year's Hero Billboard Chart Event that we last saw each other? It's been a while."
"Yes, it has been." She slightly fidgets before speaking again with flushed cheeks, "In that case, should-" The ground lightly shakes for a few seconds before stopping as if it hadn't happened. Momo's phone pings, cutting her sentence off. "Oh, it appears that was an aftershock of an earlier earthquake. I am so sorry, Todoroki-san, but I must go now. My agency just texted."
He didn't know what convicted him to - maybe it was the ominous feeling he had on the bottom of his gut, but he wasn't aware of it at the time - but Shouto grabbed her forearm before she could turn away. "Let me come with you." Her gunmetal eyes went from surprised to confused to settling with a smile, "Todoroki-san, it's your day off," And it is yours too, he wants to say, "and besides, it's just a small rescue mission of the trapped people under. It'll be fine."
She left, offering only a reassuring smile over her shoulder.
Little did Shouto know it would be their last meeting.
He remembers dropping to his knees at the unexpected news. No, no, no! He remembers the feeling of his trembling hands and stinging eyes. He remembers the feeling of denial. No, no, no! He remembers everything...!
Yaoyorozu Momo, also known as pro hero Creati, died in a planned ambush near the supposed earthquake site.
You never realize the value of something until it's gone.
"Todoroki-san."
Light and heat were emitting from somewhere, and it wasn't because of Shouto's quirk. For a moment, he thought he was only conceiving it, but it wouldn't hurt to look, right?
The sharp inhale of breath Shouto took was enough to make someone into a coughing fit. Not him, though, no. He was too focused on the untrue sight that he wasn't feeling the tickle in his throat.
"Y-Yao-Yaoyo...rozu..." He croaks out. Wordlessly, Momo smiled, and that was what he last saw before everything went black.
//
With gasping puffs, the heterochromatic boy shot up into a sitting position. Attempting to steady his breath, he closes his eyes for a moment. Did I fall asleep? Opening one eye after the other, he scans his surroundings. He couldn't have possibly slept in the cemetery. In the rain, no less? The minimalist state of his room greeted him, illuminated by the morning sunlight.
What... Looking off to the side once more, Shouto saw an unusual full-length body mirror. What surprised him wasn't the piece of furniture but the reflection. He... looked younger? And his clothes don't feel wet? How...
Three soft knocks on his door snapped the dual-toned boy from his hypnotism. "Shouto? Are you awake?" It's Fuyumi, his older sister. "You're going to be late to school if you don't get ready now." What... school? "Are you still recovering from the training camp incident?" The sliding door opens with a harsh swipe of wind. "You can take a leave if you're not feeling well."
Training camp? "...But I graduated two years ago..." A soft smack on his head. "Did you have a dream? Are you perhaps still dreaming? Get up! You're moving to the dorms today." Shouto just noticed the packed suitcase and a few boxes near his desk. Am I really dreaming?
//
Everything feels so real.
From his nagging sister, his ever-scowling father, his complaining brother, Izuku's mumblings, Tenya's booming voice, Katsuki's equally loud yelling, his classmates' chattering, and...
"Todoroki-san! Good morning."
Shouto almost teared up, seeing her here alive and well, not on a hospital bed or a coffin or in a grave. But he didn't. Instead, he just nodded and smiled back at her - at Momo.
Yaoyorozu Momo is here.
If he is dreaming, Shouto doesn't want to wake up forever.