Unspoken Burdens

Around the dining table, laughter and clinking cutlery filled the air as the combined families enjoyed a hearty meal together. It was a rare moment of unity and joy amidst the chaos that had come to define their lives. Izuku, the once-quirkless hero who had risen to greatness, broke the pleasant chatter with a solemn question.

**Izuku:** (Curious) Banari, among all your missions, which one do you consider the most terrifying?

Banari's gaze grew distant as he recalled memories that haunted him, moments of darkness etched into his soul.

**Banari:** (Quietly) There was a mission, alongside Toshinori, where we found ourselves surrounded by villains. It became a kill-or-be-killed situation. We did what was necessary, but we lost so many comrades.

(Mission Flashback)

The mission that Banari had spoken of weighed heavily on his mind, a haunting memory from his time as a hunter. As he recounted the details, the room fell into an eerie silence.

---

The mission had begun like many others, with a call for aid from a remote village nestled deep within a dense forest. Reports had indicated that a group of dangerous villains had taken refuge there, terrorizing the villagers and causing mayhem.

Toshinori, in his role as Raven, and Banari, then known as the White Demon of the Military, had been assigned to this perilous task. Their combined skills and experience made them the perfect duo to confront the threat head-on.

Upon arrival at the village, the situation escalated rapidly. What was supposed to be a covert mission to root out the villains turned into a full-fledged battle. The villains, emboldened by their growing

resistance, launched a fierce counterattack. Toshinori and Banari found themselves outnumbered and cornered, but their determination burned brighter than ever.

The battle raged on for hours, with explosions and energy blasts lighting up the night sky. Toshinori's precision strikes and Banari's devastating powers created a formidable force. However, the villains they faced were no ordinary criminals; they were hardened, ruthless, and fueled by a sinister purpose.

As the battle continued, the casualties began to mount. Fellow hunters who had joined the mission were falling one by one, unable to withstand the relentless assault. Toshinori and Banari, their bodies pushed to the limit, fought with all their might to protect the innocent villagers.

Amid the chaos, Toshinori noticed a group of children huddled in fear. Their eyes reflected the terror that had gripped the entire village. With unwavering resolve, Toshinori shielded them from harm, using his own body as a barrier.

Banari, too, was pushing the limits of his abilities. His powers, had evolved into a force to be reckoned with. He unleashed waves of destruction, creating an impenetrable wall of energy to keep the villains at bay.

But the villains had a trump card, a powerful leader who possessed a quirk of catastrophic proportions. This leader, known only as "The Eclipse," unleashed a devastating attack that threatened to obliterate everything in its path. Toshinori and Banari, standing together, faced this cataclysmic threat head-on.

The ensuing explosion was like nothing they had ever witnessed. It tore through the forest, leveling trees and sending shockwaves for miles. In that moment of sheer chaos, Toshinori and Banari were enveloped by a blinding light, and the world around them dissolved into a blur of pain and darkness.

When they awoke, the battle had ended, but at a tremendous cost. The village lay in ruins, and the once-vibrant forest had turned into a charred wasteland. Many of their fellow hunters had perished, and the villagers they had sworn to protect had suffered immeasurable losses.

Toshinori and Banari, battered and scarred, carried the weight of that mission with them. It had been a victory in the sense that they had thwarted The Eclipse's plans, but the price they had paid haunted them to this day.

As Banari concluded his account, the room remained silent, the gravity of their sacrifices sinking in. The scars of that mission ran deep, serving as a reminder of the unspoken burdens they carried as heroes and hunters.

At his side, Kouko Todoroki, Shoto and Momo's daughter, instinctively reached for his hand, her eyes filled with compassion. The table fell into a heavy silence as everyone contemplated the horrors that heroes and hunters faced.

Akane, Bakugo's daughter, fixed her gaze on Toshinori, a mixture of concern and curiosity in her eyes. The silence hung in the air, broken only by Izumi, Toshinori's sister, who had always held resentment in her heart.

**Izumi:** (Sarcastic) Well, soldiers are supposed to die, right? Maybe that's why my quirkless brother joined the military.

Toshinori's demeanor shifted, an aura of danger emanating from him as he responded with a question that sent shivers through everyone present.

**Toshinori:** (Intense) What is the value of life? What's so good about it?

His words weighed heavy on the hearts of those seated at the table. The unspoken burdens they carried, the sacrifices they made, and the choices they had to live with, all laid bare in that moment.

Toshinori, feeling his own intensity, quickly apologized and left the dinner table. As he stepped outside, he lit a cigarette, allowing the smoke to temporarily obscure the sadness that clung to him.

Kouko had noticed Banari's distant expression after he finished recounting the harrowing mission. She understood that reliving such memories must have been difficult for him, and she felt a deep sense of empathy. Quietly, she approached him, her steps soft against the floor.

As she reached his side, Kouko gently placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch warm and reassuring. Banari turned to look at her, his eyes reflecting a mix of pain and vulnerability. Kouko's heart ached for him, and she knew that words alone might not be enough to ease his burden.

Without a word, Kouko wrapped her arms around Banari in a tender embrace. She held him close, offering comfort through the simple act of being there for him. Banari hesitated for a moment, taken aback by the warmth of her embrace, but soon he found solace in her presence.

Kouko rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was as if she wanted to remind him that he was here, in the present, and that he was not alone. Banari's arms slowly encircled her, drawing her closer, as if he was seeking refuge in her embrace.

As Kouko and Banari held each other, their closeness allowed for a deeper conversation. Kouko broke the silence with words of understanding and encouragement.

**Kouko:** (Whispering) Banari, I want you to know that I don't care about the scars of your past. They're a part of what makes you who you are, and I love every aspect of you.

**Banari:** (His voice trembling slightly) Kouko, you have a way of making me feel like I can face anything. But you need to understand that some of the things I've done... they haunt me.

**Kouko:** (Tenderly) We all have our demons, Banari. And we all make choices we're not proud of. But it's how we move forward that truly matters. You've become a remarkable person, and I believe in the strength within you.

Banari's grip tightened on Kouko, as if he was holding onto her for dear life. He leaned down to kiss her forehead, expressing his gratitude and affection.

**Banari:** (Softly) Kouko, you're the light in my life, the reason I strive to be a better person. I'll try my best to let go of the past, for us.

**Kouko:** (Smiling through her own emotions) That's all I ask, Banari. We'll face the future together, no matter what challenges come our way.

Their hearts were entwined not only in love but in a shared commitment to supporting each other through life's trials. With a newfound sense of peace, they stayed in each other's arms, ready to embrace the uncertain path ahead.

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a gentle glow over the quiet courtyard. Toshinori leaned against a wall, taking a drag from his cigarette, his thoughts heavy with the weight of his mission. He had just confronted his family about his secret life as Raven, and the emotions from that encounter still clung to him.

As he exhaled a cloud of smoke, the soft sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears. Toshinori turned, his sharp green eyes meeting Akane's. She looked both concerned and determined, her gaze unwavering.

**Akane:** (Softly) Toshinori, we need to talk.

**Toshinori:** (Nodding) Yeah, I guess we do.

She stepped closer, and Toshinori stubbed out his cigarette, his attention fully on her.

**Akane:** (Concerned) I've known you for a long time, Toshinori, and something has been bothering you lately. You're carrying a burden, and I want to know what it is.

**Toshinori:** (Taking a deep breath) Akane, I can't tell you everything. There are things I've done, things I've seen, that I can't burden you with.

**Akane:** (Gently) You don't have to face it all alone. We're in this together, Toshinori. I love you, and I want to share your pain.

Toshinori's expression softened, and he reached out to cup Akane's cheek.

**Toshinori:** (Voice filled with emotion) I love you too, Akane, more than anything in this world. But some things... they're too dark, too dangerous.

Akane placed her hand over his, her touch warm and reassuring.

**Akane:** (Resolute) Whatever it is, Toshinori, we can find a way to overcome it. You've always been my strength, and I want to be yours now.

Toshinori felt his heart swell with love for this incredible woman. She had been with him through thick and thin, and now she was offering him her unwavering support.

**Toshinori:** (Voice wavering) Akane, I promise I'll do my best to protect you. But please, don't push me to reveal everything just yet. There are things I need to resolve first.

**Akane:** (Nodding) I understand, Toshinori. Just remember that I'm here for you, always.

Their lips met in a tender kiss, sealing their unspoken promises. In that moment, under the watchful gaze of the moon, they found solace in each other's arms, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead as lovers united in both love and understanding.