Atrocious

- Chapter 1 -

The door was pulled open with a jerk and the cold December wind flowed swiftly into the entrance area of the small but beautiful apartment in Shinjuku City. Cold air soon reached the living room and a small, elderly woman, who was neatly cleaning the lavishly filled bookshelf in front of her with an old feather duster, was overcome by a shiver and deep goose bumps.
"Anna? What are you doing? Close the door, it feels like it's -20 degrees outside!" No answer.
She heard the door being closed slowly and carefully. Click.
Silence reigned again. The door was closed and the cold wind stayed outside, but why was there no answer?
"Anna?"
"HE GOT IT, SARJA! HE GOT IT!"
She let out a silent scream and held on to the bookshelf while glaring at her daughter.
"I'm not the youngest anymore, Anna. And I'm your mother, not just any classmate."
"But I think we have such a much better bond...Zarya!" said Anna cheekily, taking off her shoes at the entrance and putting on her red, yellow and blue striped slippers. These were the All Might Cozy slippers - an exclusive range from last year. Sold out within a day.
Sarja watched as she stumbled into the living area with her large, slightly yellowed leather bag, her old denim jeans with deep pockets and the messy bun on her head. Then she registered a letter. There were several of them.
"What kind of letters are these?"
"Oh, yes, that's why I didn't reply straight away. Sorry!". She handed her the letters, only to withdraw them again immediately.
"Did you realize he got the place?" she asked quietly.
Oh yes.
She shrugged.
"Jinji? Our Jinji?". Sarja only now remembered Anna's words. "That's great! I know how long he's wanted to go to the Yuei, he couldn't even speak yet and he was already trotting after the students in the city. He saw every parade and always wanted a letter from Yuei High School for his birthday." Anna pulled her cell phone out of her pocket, opened her messenger and showed Sarja the photo.
It showed a young man, small but strongly built, with blond, slightly curly hair and a piece of paper in his hand that said "Admitted". His eyes were tired but wide open with a broad grin. The small scar on the bridge of his nose, which he had sustained while riding his bike as a child, was more visible than usual and Sarja noticed abrasions on his tracksuit.
Her facial features tightened and her head became heavy.
"I am happy for him, but I will be afraid for him every day. I will pray and hope that he stays healthy and whole. And if he really is to become a superhero, I hope to be in my grave by then. I don't want to die after my children."
These words weighed heavily. The room filled with oppressive air and both were silent. She understood her mother's worries, but she was on Jinji's side in this. Life must be lived, of course at one's own discretion, but if you want something, you should fulfill it. Anna swallowed, smiled faintly and went into the kitchen. Wordlessly, she pulled a wrapped chocolate cake out of the cupboard, opened it and cut off a few pieces. She placed them on her mother's beautiful, marbled plate and handed it to her along with the letters.
Lost in thought, she took a big bite and read the text on the decorated stationery.
Anna grinned to herself and watched her mother's eyes jump from left to right and back again. Like a typewriter. Her fingers glided gently over the paper. When she had finished, she almost choked on the piece of cake:
"How can I understand that? ... Anna?"
There was silence for a moment as their eyes met and Anna watched her mother in silence. Finally, everything came pouring out of her. "I'm his big sister and I'll look after him. That's proof, Mother," she tapped the letters with her finger, "I'm finishing my studies next year and I've applied to teach at the U.A. I'm going to be a teacher. What you're holding in your hand is confirmation. I'll be practicing there next year!".
She gave a little leap into the air.
Sarja looked dreamily at the letter, ate another piece of the cake and chewed it carefully as she placed the letters on the table, swallowed and smiled at her older daughter. A smile of relief and yet the eyes said something else.
"And who will look after you now?"