As a child, Shoto had been convinced his mother possessed magical powers. Rei always seemed to know exactly what he needed - when to offer comforting words after a particularly gruelling training session with his father, when to silently place a bowl of cold soba beside him, or when to respect his desire to be seen as a "big, strong hero" who didn't need hugs. But what truly cemented his belief in her mystical abilities was her uncanny awareness of Ren's presence.
She'd send double portions of snacks to his room, even when he vehemently denied Ren was hiding in his closet. She'd appear with a first aid kit moments after Ren had coaxed him into some misadventure, or with ice cream to soothe his aching sides after Ren had made him laugh until he cried. How did she know? She must be magic.
Of course, the truth was far simpler - Shoto had always been an open book to his mother, his emotions written plainly across his face, and no one brought those emotions to the surface quite like Ren Ishikawa. What the children failed to realise was that their attempts at stealth were comically transparent; Ren's puffy dresses and dark hair were always visible peeking out from behind Shoto, no matter how well they thought they'd hidden as he tried to sneak her into the house.
Now, fifteen years later, as Rei turned her head to see who had entered her hospital room, she was struck by a sense of déjà vu. There stood Shoto, wearing a practically-invisible nervous smile, with Ren partially hidden behind him - her presence just as obvious now as it had been all those years ago. The sight was so endearingly familiar, so utterly fitting, that Rei couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through her chest. Some things, it seemed, never truly changed.
"Hello, Ren," Rei said, her soft voice tinkling like wind chimes in the air, breaking the horrible hum of fluorescent lights filled the sterile hospital room. Ren stepped out from behind Shoto, blinking, momentarily turned by the greeting.
Rei looked exactly as she remembered; soft and gentle and pretty like a snowflake threatening to melt in the sunlight that streamed in through the large windows. She held out her arms to beckon Ren into an embrace, the older woman's silvery hair catching the light and shimmering a bright white as Ren walked up to hug her.
"It's so good to see you," Ren said sincerely, her voice a little muffled in Rei's shoulder. The young woman had been so unbearably nervous for this meeting, she had taken an hour to choose an outfit, had called Hana late last night to request her famous cookies to gift Rei, had spent far too long choosing flowers this morning. All the while Shoto had walked beside her, unable to understand exactly why she was so nervous and not the best at offering words of comfort, he had squeezed her hand reassuringly before the entered the room and it seemed to ease her a little. Rei released Ren and held her at arms length, examining her. "She is very pretty," Rei nodded affirmatively at her son who suddenly looked ready to leave.
Shoto cleared his throat, a faint blush colouring his cheeks. "Hi, mom," he said, his tone carrying a hint of embarrassment. Rei laughed at his response, the sound light and musical.
Ren smiled as a slight blush crept up her cheeks. "These are for you." She held out the flowers and cookies, which Rei accepted with a bright smile.
"Oh, how thoughtful! And are these Hana's famous cookies?" The woman's eyes twinkled with remembrance. "Come, let's sit and catch up," she said, gesturing to the small seating area by the window.
As Shoto and Ren removed their winter coats, scarves and hats, Ren noticed all the small signs of the creative, gentle woman that lived here- the intricate pencil drawings hanging above her desk, the small, well cared for potted plants on the windowsill. Rei was just as gentle, creative and sweet as Ren remembered her; she saw a lot of Rei in Shoto sometimes.
They settled into the comfortable chairs and Ren was glad as some of her nervousness begin to ebb away. Rei had a way about her that put others at ease, her gentle demeanour and kind eyes inviting openness. The conversation flowed surprisingly easily, touching on various aspects of their lives. Rei asked about Ren's studies, her eyes lighting up with interest as Ren spoke about her passion for journalism. Shoto, typically reserved, found himself drawn into the discussion every now and then.
As they talked, Ren couldn't help but notice the way Rei's gaze would often drift to where her son's hand rested near Ren's on the armrest of her chair. A soft smile would touch her lips each time, as if she were witnessing something precious.
"You really do look so much like your mother," Rei said suddenly, a mischievous glint in her eye, "I bet people are waiting for you to make your big screen debut too?" Ren blushed, it wasn't the first time she had been asked about this.
"Everyone seems to want me to follow in my mother's footsteps," she said, a note of frustration creeping into her voice. "I'm no movie star."
"Wait, yes you are," Rei said suddenly, causing the two teenagers to look at her in confusion. "You were on a children's show when you were little, weren't you?"
Ren's eyes widened, a look of horror crossing her face. "What? No, I was never on any show," she protested, her voice rising slightly in panic.
"Yes…you were," Shoto said slowly, memories flooding his brain suddenly with something he hadn't thought about in over a decade. He pulled out his phone and, with a few quick taps, he found what he was looking for. A small smile played on his lips as he turned the screen towards Ren, showing a video of a young girl dressed as a ladybug, singing and dancing on a brightly coloured set.
Ren groaned, hiding her face in her hands as Rei and Shoto watched the video with evident amusement. "I can't believe this still exists," she mumbled through her fingers.
"You were adorable," Rei said, her voice warm with affection as she Ren lowered her hands, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment.
"I really don't want any more of a spotlight on me than there already is…" Ren said softly. As she and Rei continued to talk, discussing the pressures of public life and the expectations placed on them, Shoto's attention remained fixed on the video. His smile had faded, replaced by a furrowed brow as he noticed something that made his stomach clench. There, on young Ren's wrist, was a burn mark. A memory flashed through his mind - a heated argument, a loss of control, Ren's cry of pain. Had he done that to her?
The weight of this realization pressed down on him, threatening to overwhelm him. He was pulled from his thoughts by his mother's voice.
"Shoto," Rei said, her tone light but with an undercurrent of something Shoto couldn't quite place. "Would you mind going to the nurses' station on the third floor and asking for some of that lovely peach tea they keep there?" Shoto's mismatched eyes blinked, surprised by the sudden request. He glanced between his mother and Ren, sensing that there was more to this errand than just tea. But he nodded, rising from his chair.
"Sure," he said, his voice low. "I'll be back soon." As the door closed behind Shoto, Ren felt a flutter of nervousness in her stomach. She turned to Rei, unsure of what to expect. It was very clear Shoto's mother wanted to speak to her privately. Was this it? The moment Ren had even dreading, her comeuppance for breaking her unspoken promise to Rei all those years ago?
Please, don't let it be that. Please, don't ask me to leave him. Because I can't.
The afternoon sun filtered through the hospital room's large windows, casting a warm glow across the space. The soft hum of medical equipment provided a subtle backdrop to the charged atmosphere that had settled between Ren and Rei. The scent of the fresh flowers Ren had brought earlier mingled with the ever-present antiseptic smell, creating an odd aroma, something familiar but untrusted.
Rei sat in her chair, her silvery hair catching the sunlight, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. Her hands were folded neatly in her lap, but Ren could see the slight tremor in her fingers, betraying the older woman's nervousness. Ren herself perched on the edge of her seat, her back straight, her muscles tense with anticipation.
"Did you know I was very close to your mother, Ren?" Rei began, her voice soft but clear. Her grey eyes, so similar to Shoto's, held a mixture of fondness and sadness as she spoke.
Ren's eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting slightly. "I had no idea," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She was so young when her mother was taken from her, Ren had trouble even picturing her face, remembering the warmth of her hugs…she had a vague memory that her mother used to smell like honeysuckle.
A small, sad smile played on Ren's lips. "No one did, really. Enji didn't really like me focusing on anything other than the children." As she spoke, a shadow seemed to pass over her face, a remnant of darker times. Ren couldn't suppress a shudder, memories of Endeavor's controlling nature flooding back. The room suddenly felt colder, despite the warm sunlight streaming through the windows.
"I suppose it was a secret I kept, being close to your mother," Rei continued, her gaze drifting to the window. "All families have secrets…" The phrase escaped Rei's lips slowly, as though it were painful to acknowledge. "You and I have a secret too," the older woman said suddenly, "I doubt Shoto knows that I told you to stay away from him." Her eyes snapped back to Ren, sharp and questioning. "But you didn't. Why?"
Ren felt heat rise to her cheeks, her heart rate quickening. She fidgeted with a bracelet on her wrist, the cool metal soothing her a little as her gaze dropped to her lap. "I tried, really I did," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "In fact, I literally ran away from him... but he followed me and..." She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. The memory of that night, of finally giving in to her feelings for Shoto, sent a wave of warmth through her body. He was the only perfect thing in her life, she was desperate not to lose him. When she looked up, she found Rei watching her with a knowing smile.
"Your quirks must interact?" Rei's question hung in the air like a thunderclap. The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Ren felt the blood drain from her face, her fingers going numb. The glass of water she had reached for slipped from her grasp, crashing to the floor and shattering into a thousand glittering pieces. The sound echoed in the suddenly silent room. Ren stared at Rei, her mouth opening and closing wordlessly. Her mind raced, trying to process what she had just heard. How could Rei know? How could anyone know?
"It's okay, Ren," Rei said softly, reaching out to place a comforting hand on her knee. "Your mother told me. You have her quirk. In fact, you have a more powerful version of it." Ren could only nod, still too shocked to form words. The room seemed to spin around her, the familiar hospital scents suddenly overwhelming. "Shoto doesn't know?" Rei's voice was gentle, but there was an undercurrent of urgency to her words.
Ren shook her head, her dark hair falling forward to partially obscure her face. She felt exposed, vulnerable in a way she hadn't in years. She clasped her hands together to stop them from shaking.
"Please, don't tell him." It wasn't a request. Rei's voice had taken on a firm, almost commanding tone that Ren had never heard from her before. Ren's head snapped up, her eyes wide with surprise and a hint of defiance. But before she could speak, Rei continued, her voice softening once more. "Your mother's death was not a random act of violence, Ren," Rei's eyes filled with tears as she remembered her friend's earth. "She was killed for her quirk. She knew they were coming for her." The words hit Ren like a physical blow. She felt the air leave her lungs, her vision blurring as tears filled her eyes. The room seemed to close in around her, the walls pressing closer, suffocating her.
"The day I met her, the day she moved into the home next to mine, she told me she knew villains were looking for her," Rei continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "And then she fell pregnant and she knew they may come after you." Rei shifted in her seat, seemingly unsure if she wanted to share a burden that had been with her for fifteen years, with this young girl. "She made Hana and me swear to protect you, and I cannot do that if you tell Shoto, or anyone, that you have this quirk."
Ren's mind was reeling, struggling to process this flood of information. The revelation about her mother's death, the implications for her own safety, the weight of the secret she had carried for so long - it all swirled together in a dizzying maelstrom of emotions.
"I can't keep lying to him," Ren said, her voice cracking. She could feel the tears threatening to spill over, her chest tight with the effort of holding them back.
Rei leaned forward, her eyes intense and pleading. "You have to. I want my son to have as close to a normal life as possible, he deserves that much, don't you think? After everything he's been through?" Her voice was filled with a mother's love and concern, not just for Shoto, but for Ren as well. "If anyone finds out about your quirk and the world comes to know about your relationship... if Endeavor comes to know. The pressure on the both of you...don't you think Shoto deserves better than that future? Don't you think you do to?"
Ren felt torn, her feelings for Shoto warring with the fear and uncertainty Rei's words had stirred up. The room seemed to pulse around her, the sunlight that had seemed so warm earlier now feeling harsh and exposing. "I don't think I can-" Ren began, her voice small and uncertain.
"I am asking you to do this, as his mother," Rei interrupted, her voice gentle but firm. "And I am asking you to keep this secret in remembrance of your own mother's wishes. Please, Ren." The silence that followed was heavy, filled with the weight of unspoken fears and hopes. Ren could hear her own heartbeat thundering in her ears, feel the trembling of her hands as she clenched them in her lap.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ren spoke. "...okay," she said, her voice barely audible.
Rei's shoulders sagged with relief, but her eyes remained serious. "Promise me, Ren" she said, her voice soft but insistent.
Ren took a deep breath, feeling as though she were standing on the edge of a precipice. With these words, she knew, everything would change. "I promise," she said, her voice steadier than she felt.
As the words left her lips, Ren felt as though a door had closed somewhere deep inside her. The secret that had been a part of her for so long somehow completely disappeared and felt heavier, more significant. It was no longer just her burden to bear, but a promise made to protect those she cared for most.
The room seemed to exhale around them, the tension that had built up during their conversation slowly dissipating. The afternoon sun had begun to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the room. In the distance, they could hear the faint sound of footsteps approaching - Shoto, returning with the tea.
Rei reached out and squeezed Ren's hand, her touch warm and comforting. "Thank you," she said softly, her eyes shining with gratitude and a hint of sadness. "I know it's not easy, I know what I am asking of you is more than I deserve…having been out of your lives for so many years…but I truly believe this is what's best for both of you. I need you to trust me."
Ren nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. As the door began to open, she quickly wiped away a stray tear, plastering a smile on her face. The weight of her promise settled over her like a cloak, invisible but ever-present.
As Shoto entered the room, his arms laden with a tray of cups, Ren felt a pang in her heart. Did hiding this part of herself keep him safe? This boy that she was finding it harder and harder to live without? Was continuing to live as though she were quirkless the right thing to do by him? Perhaps Rei really did know best, perhaps life would just go on. Perhaps holding onto this secret was the greatest act of love she could show him.
Days had passed since Ren and Shoto's visit to the hospital, but the weight of that afternoon still pressed heavily on Ren's shoulders. She sat at her desk in the Musutafu University Newspaper office, staring blankly at her laptop screen. The cursor blinked mockingly at her, the only movement on an otherwise empty document. The title at the top of the page, "The Real Costs of Heroism," seemed to taunt her with its irony.
Ren's head fell into her hands, her fingers tangling in her dark hair. The ancient clock on the wall ticked away the seconds, each sound feeling like a tiny hammer against her skull. The office, nestled in the basement of the university, was sweltering due to its proximity to the building's boiler room. The heat seemed to amplify her inability to concentrate, making her thoughts sluggish and unfocused.
She had long since discarded her winter coat, which now hung haphazardly over the back of her chair. Her high heels lay abandoned beneath her desk, and she absently rolled one around with her stockinged foot. Despite the oppressive heat, Ren was dressed impeccably in her signature black dress with a crisp white shirt beneath it. Gold jewellery glittered at her wrists and throat, catching the warm glow of the old-fashioned desk lamps that dotted the room.
The promise she had made to Rei echoed in her mind, a constant refrain that both simplified and complicated her life. On one hand, it meant she could continue as she always had, living as though she were quirkless. It was almost a relief, a divine intervention that absolved her of the need to share this part of herself with Shoto for the sake of saving him from something worse. But on the other hand, the weight of the secret felt bigger now.
Shoto had noticed something was off. As they had left the hospital that day, he had asked if she was okay. In fact, he had asked her almost every day since. But they had both been so busy, barely seeing each other. Ren was swamped with work for the paper and the media appearances her father insisted upon as she announced her internship at the family's news agency. Shoto was equally occupied with his studies at U.A. and his internship at Endeavor's hero agency.
Ren lifted her head up and held her hand in front of her face. She gazed at her skin, wondering where inside of her the quirk resided. She tried to remember what her mother's quirk had even been called. Elemental…something. Did it have something to do with water? No, it was more generic… The details were fuzzy, lost in the haze of early childhood memories and years of deliberate forgetting.
She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear her name being called. It wasn't until a warm hand grasped a hold of hers hovering in the air, that she snapped back to reality.
"Looks pretty normal to me," a deep voice said. "You okay, kid?"
Ren looked up, startled, to find Kaito leaning against her desk. His tanned skin seemed to glow in the warm light of the office, and his wavy brown hair fell across his forehead in a way that made him look younger than his years. Ren's heart skipped a beat as she took in his kind smile and the concern in his dark eyes.
For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what it might be like to be with someone normal. Someone who wasn't carrying the weight of the hero world on his shoulders. Someone who didn't have a tragic past and a complicated future. Someone who wasn't affected by her quirk, who would never need to know her secret. Why did she have to fall for a fucking hero?
"Am I interrupting something?" Bubbles' voice cut through Ren's reverie. Kaito released Ren's hand smoothly, but not quickly enough to escape Bubbles' notice. The pink-haired girl stood in the doorway, her curls bouncing as she tilted her head questioningly. She was dressed in her usual eclectic style - wide-legged bell bottoms and a flowing blouse that seemed more suited to a 1970s music festival than a university newspaper office.
Kaito cleared his throat, nodding towards Ren's blank laptop screen. "Doesn't look like it," he said, his tone light but tinged with concern. "Everything okay, Ren?"
Ren nodded, trying to gather her scattered thoughts. "Yeah, just... I'm thinking maybe I should stay away from hero topics for a while-"
"Wait, what?" Bubbles interjected, her blue eyes widening in disbelief. She glanced at Kaito before focusing back on Ren. "You can't be serious. Do you have any idea how much traction your articles get? Like, half our site traffic is because of you!" She twirled a pink curl around her finger, her pixie voice taking on an excited tone despite her concern. "Ryu and I have been killing it with ad sales. We've got beauty brands fighting to place their ads next to your byline. Oh, and get this - we're even partnering with some non-quirk advocacy groups because of the impact your work is having." Bubbles leaned in, her expression a mix of awe and worry. "Your voice is making waves, Ren. Are you sure you're feeling okay? Because giving that up... it's kind of like a massive fucking deal."
Ren blinked, taken aback by Bubbles' uncharacteristically articulate outburst. She had never heard the usually scatterbrained girl speak so succinctly. It shocked her back to reality, reminding her of the impact her work was having. "Yeah, I'm fine," Ren said, her voice steadier than she felt. "I just... thought I could branch out-"
"What do you want to work on?" Kaito asked kindly, while behind him, Bubbles rolled her eyes dramatically. Ren couldn't help but notice the way Kaito's voice softened when he spoke to her, the extra care he took with her feelings. The way he was far nicer to her than anyone else in the offie. It was clear his kindness stemmed not just from her youth, but from an attraction he was trying hard, but failing, to conceal.
Before Ren could answer, the office door burst open. Ryu, his mess of dark hair even more disheveled than usual, rushed in. His bright green eyes were wide with excitement, and he was slightly out of breath as if he had run all the way to the basement.
"Have you guys seen the news?!" he exclaimed, making a beeline for the small TV tucked in the corner of the room. He flicked it on, and the room was suddenly filled with the urgent tones of a news anchor.
"Breaking news," the reporter announced, her voice crisp and professional. "The notorious Hero Killer, Stain, has been apprehended. Sources say the capture was largely due to the efforts of the pro hero Endeavor and his agency."
The room fell silent as they all absorbed this information. Ren felt her heart rate quicken, her mind immediately filling with he image of red and white hair and mismatched eyes.
Kaito turned to Ren, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'd say you've got some work to do, kid," he said, gesturing towards her laptop.
But to everyone's surprise, Ren was already gone. Her chair spun empty, her coat missing from its perch. The only sign of her hasty departure was the gentle swinging of the office door.
Didn't get much love last chapter- let me know if you're enjoying it!