Echoes of Past Ties (Todobaku Fanfiction)

02.Moving Forward, Looking Back

Bakugou's initial surprise upon seeing Todoroki quickly shifted to his trademark smirk. He paused, glancing at Naomi, before letting out a chuckle. "Never thought I'd see you back in Japan, Todoroki," Bakugou remarked casually.

Naomi, sensing a past between them, curiously asked, "Do you two know each other?"

Bakugou casually waved a hand, "We were just friends, nothing more." The words, although said casually, pierced Todoroki's heart. The pain was evident in his eyes; he felt as if the ground beneath him had shattered. The myriad of emotions - love, loss, and regret - welled up within him.

Then, diverting the attention, Bakugou gestured towards the young girl. "Meet my daughter, Hina," he introduced with evident pride.

Todoroki's mind raced, trying to fit together the pieces of Bakugou's life. "You're married?" Todoroki asked, his voice wavering slightly.

Bakugou simply shrugged, "Does it matter to you?"

The response was like pouring fuel on an already raging fire within Todoroki. Without thinking, he lunged at Bakugou, grabbing him by the collar and landing a punch. The café erupted into chaos. Naomi tried to intervene, attempting to separate the two.

However, what stopped Todoroki wasn't Naomi's pleas, but the sight of little Hina, clinging to Bakugou's leg, her tears streaming down her face. She was terrified, seeing these two grown men, especially her father, in such a confrontational situation.

Todoroki released Bakugou, taking a step back. The realization of the scene they had created in the middle of the café, and the impact on the innocent child, weighed heavily on him. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart and struggling to find words to express his jumble of emotions.

Upon returning home, Shoto slammed the door behind him, consumed by a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, sadness, confusion, and a deep sense of betrayal intermingled, creating a storm inside him. His room, which once provided solace, now seemed suffocating.

He sat on his bed, gripping the sheets tightly, desperately seeking answers. How could Bakugou be alive? Why did Uraraka, of all people, tell him that Bakugou hadn't survived the surgery? Shoto had mourned Bakugou, genuinely believing he had lost the love of his life forever. He had spent countless nights wishing on every star, praying to every deity, just for one more chance to see Bakugou, to hold him, to tell him he loved him. But now, the reality presented a Bakugou who had moved on, who had a family, and seemingly a life without Shoto.

Tears began streaming down Shoto's face as memories of their time together played like a film reel in his mind. They had shared countless moments – some filled with laughter, some with love, and some with the pure joy of youth.

Lost in his thoughts, Shoto barely noticed Fuyumi entering his room until she sat down next to him on the bed, breaking his reverie. Her eyes, filled with concern and a hint of hope, met his.

"So, what did you think of Naomi?" she asked gently, cautiously broaching the subject. She was hopeful that the introduction to Naomi would help Shoto find some solace, perhaps even a new beginning.

Shoto, battling with his emotions - the rage at Bakugou's concealment, the sorrow from their shared memories, and the deep sense of loss - was taken aback by Fuyumi's question. In that moment, he made a decision. If Bakugou could move on, if he could find happiness, perhaps it was time for Shoto to try and do the same.

"She's wonderful," Shoto replied, his voice betraying a hint of sadness but determined. "I think I'd like to marry her."

Fuyumi's eyes widened in surprise. While she had hoped for Shoto to connect with Naomi, she hadn't expected such a swift decision. "Are you sure, Shoto? This is a big decision. I just want you to be happy," she said, her voice filled with the warmth of a sister's love.

Shoto looked at Fuyumi, his eyes reflecting determination and a hint of pain. "Yes, I'm sure. If he can move on, why can't I?" He didn't specify who 'he' was, but in his heart, Shoto was directly referring to Bakugou. He didn't tell Fuyumi about his chance encounter with Bakugou. He wanted to shield her from the complexity and pain of his emotions.

Fuyumi, sensing the finality in his decision, simply nodded. She gave Shoto's hand a reassuring squeeze, hoping that he was making the right choice for his future. She wished for her brother to find happiness and peace, but deep down, she hoped he was not burying his feelings only to have them resurface later.