The Ridewatch Hero (Kamen Rider Zi-o x My Hero Academia)

Ch.35 - The Past of Mr. Soutou

Ryou was finally at the entrance to U.A. High, waiting for Endeavor to arrive. It was finally midnight, and everyone was asleep. He didn't want anyone to worry about him, or ask questions. This was a personal matter.

What would Endeavor tell him about his dad? Come to think of it, Ryou didn't know a whole lot about his father, other than the fact he was a scientist that developed the Kamen Ride Quirk. He remembered being little and having memories of his father being around, but he was too young to understand the majority of what was really going on with him.

Ryou clenched his hands together, trying to prevent tears from coming down his face again. Obviously, it hurt to have him gone. What he wouldn't give to talk to him again, normally.

And right on cue, a flaming man appeared behind Ryou, looking down at him.

"Hey Endeavor."

Endeavor chuckled. "Your reflexes are quick. Very good."

Ryou turned to face him. "Of course. Being a hero, I think that has to be asset."

Endeavor stood up straight, looking out at the city. "Let's get right to the point, boy. Obviously, I called you here to talk about your father.  Let's go for walk."

Ryou kept close to his side, but cautiously. Those flames looked like they could hurt. "Yeah. I kinda figured. You mentioned him at the sports festival, but never spoke to me after that."

"Well, I believe now is as good as a time as any. You've proved yourself a valuable hero-in-training, and that's good enough for me. So, I'll tell you what I know."

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"Endeavor! So nice to see you again, my old friend."

Mr. Soutou shook Endeavor's hand happily, Endeavor merely looking serious as always.

"Right. I just came to see how you were doing. You're our scientist on this case, you know, against the current Villian we're working on tracking."

"Right." Mr. Soutou pushed up his glasses and fixed his coat. "Have a seat."

Endeavor sat in a small plastic chair, as he sized up the small break room from the lab.

"I can't believe you tolerate working in this confined mouse's hole."

Mr. Soutou simply just beamed as he poured a cup of coffee for himself. "Well, to each their own. I like it here."

"And what about Ms. Soutou? And that child of yours?"

"Our son is still a baby, he should be around Todoroki's age, if I'm not mistaken. He's going to grow up to do amazing things, that boy of yours."

"Cut the crap, Soutou. Where's the information?"

Mr.Soutou slid a document with a small stack of papers to Endeavor. "Everything you need to know is in this file. All the details we worked out to the last brim."

"Hmph. I still don't agree with you being a lab rat. You have the potential to be a hero with your funded project."

Mr.Soutou tapped his head thoughtfully. "I mean, yes, I could. But I have other plans right now. And I mean...being a hero isn't really my thing at the moment. I'm just fine helping heroes rather than being one."

"Oh, please. You, just as much as anybody else, wanted to be a hero when we were in school. Then all of a sudden you bail out of the hero course and start studying books."

"Endeavor, I know this is hard for you to understand, but I just don't feel the need to become a hero. Where I am is just fine."

"Hmph." Endeavor turned his back to Mr. Soutou. "Do whatever you please."