(Part 2 of chapter 26)
My blood boiled, fury surging within me as I listened to this. How could he? Dad continued grimly.
Flashback (Hizashi pov)
The air hung heavy with anticipation. Mid-twenties me, tapped my foot, the concrete cool beneath my worn sneakers. Six years old. That was how old my boy, Anos, was when he took his prep school entrance exam. Six years felt like an eternity back then, each tick of my watch mocking the snail's pace of time. Beside me, Enji Todoroki, a man I could barely tolerate in the best of moods, stood rigid as a statue. His jaw was tight, and a familiar snarl twisted his lips – impatience, always impatience with that man. We'd never see eye-to-eye, not then, and not ever.
Then, the doors swung open, and a wave of children poured out. My heart skipped a beat when I saw my boy, Anos, his white hair a beacon in the sea of dark heads. He grinned, his freckled face alight, and next to him, was Touya, Enji's son. The two were inseparable. It was always Anos and Touya, a pair of matching smiles and boundless energy. They'd been like that since they were four, and even though the sight of Enji made my blood boil, I couldn't find it in me to hate the boy, who did absolutely nothing wrong towards me. So, I let them be. Their innocence deserved to be protected.
Years flew by, a blur of scraped knees, laughter, and the gradual honing of their powers. Now, they were teenagers, and in the UA arena, facing their final trial. Anos, his Superman-like strength on full display, moved with impossible speed, while Touya's flames danced and roared, matching Anos blow for blow. They were truly something to behold, a testament to their hard work and dedication.
But then I heard it. A roar. Enji, screaming at Touya to push harder, his voice laced with a manic edge. I noticed it, Touya's skin, it was rough and bruised, with burnt patches, and it looked like Anos Did too, He froze, hesitating in his attack, and then he was going to help him, but Touya shook his head telling Anos to stay, but Anos refused, Touya then walked out of bound to give Anos the win. I knew what he was doing, saving his friend, and then he collapsed, his body giving out at last.
Anos was there in a flash, trying to cool Touya's skin, his freeze powers working for a precious few moments, until it was overcome by the inferno. Enji surged forward, fury in his eyes, and I grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Not now, not ever," I growled, my voice a low growl. They were taking Touya away to be looked at, and everyone was let out for a break, leaving me and Enji alone. He was a coiled spring, ready to unleash hell on my son. He lunged, his fist connecting with my jaw. The taste of blood filled my mouth, and something inside me snapped. Rage, years of it, surged to the surface. I retaliated with a hard punch to his ribs, followed by another to his nose, the bone crunching under my fist, "You never learn do you!" I hissed. We were a mess and I felt like I was back in my childhood once again. We fought, not for glory or honor, but to lash out. Fire and blood intermingled until Midnight arrived, the tearing of her sleeve and then then darkness.
When I woke up I was in the crowd again, separated from Enji. I looked to the podium and saw Anos standing at center stage, a small smile on his face. My heart swelled with pride. He had done it. He made it. But it was bittersweet. I couldn't shake the image of Touya, pale and exhausted. I knew how much this meant to both of them, and in the end, Touya gave it all so my son could win, and even though my anger towards Enji still burned, I had a sense of gratitude for his son. I hoped Touya was ok.
My mind went blank. The memories came flooding back in bits and pieces, little snippets of reality that I had pushed down. I could see Touya's face, that bright smile he'd given me that day when I won first place.
"As long as one of us makes it… we both made it," I mumbled, tears streaming down my face. It had been three years since they took Touya from me, since the forest fire that took his life. The anniversary of his passing is coming up soon. I always went to his grave with a bouquet of blue flowers, a symbol of a friendship I never had the chance to express the way I wanted too.
Dad wrapped his arms around me, his embrace a source of warmth in the cold reality of my painful memories. "Go get some sleep, Anos," he said softly, "You look exhausted."
I nodded, feeling the weight of weariness settle over me. He walked me to Diamond's room, the sun was now rising, painting gentle colors across the sky. I laid down on the futon next to her bed, her breathing rhythmic and soft. Dad stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable. "Good night, Anos," he said, his tone softer than usual, before walking into the guest room.
"Good night, Dad," I whispered.
I'm sorry, Touya… I wish I could've saved you. I thought then I drifted off to sleep.