Flamebound: Embrace the Heat ||BNHA||

.Chapter 10.

Chapter 10. Ocean Eyes.

The tall, reflective glass doors of the Hero Public Safety Commission building gleamed under the morning sun. As the Todoroki family gathered outside, the atmosphere was tense and strained. They were called for an 'emergency' meeting. Enji Todoroki, the former Number One Hero Endeavor, stood stiffly beside his wife, Rei, their shoulders almost touching but worlds apart. To his right, Fuyumi, his daughter, clutched her purse tightly, her gaze flickering nervously from one family member to another. Shoto, the youngest, his two-toned hair a stark contrast to the grim look in his eyes, stood slightly apart, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He didn't want to be here but his mother insisted, saying it was urgent.

And then, there was Natsuo.

He stood on the other side of the entrance, arms crossed over his chest, staring blankly at the pavement. The last time they'd seen him, he'd stormed out on them, cutting all ties with the family. Enji had thought he wouldn't show up today when they received the call and had convinced himself that Natsuo wouldn't want to be anywhere near him, not after everything. Not after Toya.

Yet, here he was.

For a moment, Enji's heart clenched. He wanted to say something—to acknowledge his son's presence, to thank him for coming despite the circumstances—but the words tangled in his throat. So, he stayed silent, a slight nod the only greeting he offered.

The five of them entered the building in heavy silence, the click of their shoes echoing down the pristine corridors. As they made their way through the maze of hallways, they were flanked by several stern-faced Commission agents. Enji noticed the way his wife's hands trembled, how Shoto's gaze stayed locked on the floor. Even Fuyumi, always the peacemaker, looked pale and drawn.

They reached the large, elaborately decorated doors of the Commission president's office. One of the agents stepped forward and knocked once, twice, before pushing the doors open.

Inside, the room was spacious, lined with bookshelves and dominated by a grand desk at its center. Sitting behind that desk, his expression carefully composed, was a man who had once soared through the skies, his vibrant red wings a symbol of hope and freedom.

But now... now there were no wings. Only the hollow absence where they used to be.

Hawks.

Keigo Takami looked up as they entered, his sharp eyes softening slightly as he took in the sight of the family. His hair, once tousled and carefree, was now neatly combed back, his uniform pristine. However, the change in his appearance was nothing compared to the emptiness in his gaze. The loss of his quirk, his wings—it had taken more from him than just his ability to fly. Yet everyday, he was trying, trying to make a difference. To be a hero in a new way.

"Thank you for coming," Hawks said, his voice quiet but steady. He gestured to the seats in front of the desk, and after a moment's hesitation, the Todoroki family sat down except for Natsuo who chose to stand at a comfortable distance from the family.

Rei was the first to speak. "Why are we here, Hawks?" Her voice trembled slightly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "What...what is this about?" She feared the answer. There really was only one reason he could possibly summon them for.

Hawks took a deep breath, eyes darting to the side for a moment before leaning forward slightly. "There's been...an incident."

Shoto's gaze snapped up, his eyes narrowing. "What kind of incident?"

Hawks hesitated, his jaw tightening. He glanced briefly at Enji, there gazes locking, before turning his attention back to the family as a whole. "There's no easy way to say this, so I'll just come out with it. We...we believe that Toya Todoroki—Dabi—has passed away."