EZ: After Story

Valkyrie & Homura

Notes:

Author's Note: I hate the choice to redeem Kurenai in universe 0 so much.

Mashima was afraid of the toxic yuri between her and Valkyrie in the original Sun Jewel.
In addition to all the complexity of Homura seeing Valkyrie as her real mother but somehow "respecting" an impossible-to-redeem mother like Kurenai.

In any case, good for Homura who has two mothers. That is a slay, but it could have been done and managed MUCH better.👍

In this Fanfiction, however, I will keep Kurenai in mind just enough because it is a series of One Shots that tries to respect the Canon as much as possible, but I think it is right to let you know this aspect in case you feel my hatred for this choice of Mashima while reading.

Happy reading (see you at the end of the Fanfiction for the rest of the Note)

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In a quiet corner of Oedo, a small dojo sits in the middle of a valley of tall, imposing trees. The rolling hills surrounding the place are punctuated by the sounds of birds and the murmur of the wind in the branches. It is here that Homura, along with her adoptive mother Valkyrie and her birth mother, Madame Kurenai, live a peaceful life dedicated to training the younger generations.

The dojo is humble, but it is filled with warmth and respect. Its solid wooden doors, carved with symbols of strength and resilience, are an attraction to anyone who passes by. Children and teenagers come from all over Oedo to learn martial arts, but they find much more than fighting techniques: they learn discipline, patience, and respect for themselves and others.

The young girl, just 18 years old, wakes up early every morning, slipping into her traditional training kimono, while the first rays of sun caress the dojo. Valkyrie is already awake and busy preparing the main room for the exercises, arranged with impeccable order and cleanliness. Kurenai, despite her firm character, has a calm and authoritative presence, calling the boys to discipline with a look.

The lessons begin with a short speech by Valkyrie, who speaks of the path of the warrior as an internal journey, not a fight. Her voice is low but firm, and the children listen to her enraptured. The girl looks at her adoptive mother with eyes full of admiration, feeling lucky to be able to learn from her every day, like when she was a child too.

The other dark-haired woman, for her part, brings a different kind of teaching. She believes that strength lies in the ability to adapt, and her exercises challenge the boys to think outside the box, to face obstacles with a clear and open mind. Homura and Kurenai have put aside the differences that separated them in other universes; here, their bond is pure and free of rancor.

Despite the shadow of the greedy Kurenai, ready to sell her daughter in the middle of the street full of thugs, she occasionally shadowed them, even if the girl had tried to accept it, being the Kurenai of another world, different and kinder.

Because yes, Homura does not limit herself to admiring Kurenai as a mother, but also sees her as an expert teacher, capable of transmitting to the boys that mental flexibility that she herself has learned with so much effort.

The day passes between laughter, sweat and discipline. Homura takes the youngest under her wing, teaching them patience and dedication. The children look at her with wide eyes, fascinated by her strength and determination, but above all by the sincere affection she shows towards them.

During the breaks, the three sit on an outdoor platform and watch the boys train. Valkyrie, with a proud and calm look, comments on the improvements of each, while Kurenai observes in silence, nodding slightly. Homura smiles, feeling complete at last. In this universe, she is surrounded by the love and respect of the people who matter most to her.