"Huh... So that's where it went." All Might knelt to pick up his student's fallen mask. It wasn't far from where he had been ambushed a few days back. Staring down at the terribly torn and dirtied mask..tears came to his eyes. "Some protector I was.." Sniffing, the retired hero wiped the small gathering tears out of his eyes.

     Toshinori took the mask along with him as he entered his car again and started driving.

     He drove in silence. No music. No humming. No thoughts to fill his head. Hollowly, his eyes watched the poorly kept road ahead of him. Even in what was once a central square, the destruction had taken a major toll. Couldn't even bring himself to look at the landscape. All the pain it brought him.

     And to think... If only he had held onto One For All just a little bit longer... If only he hadn't been so brutally wounded in that fight with All For One several years ago.

     Without even thinking about it, the man's eyes wandered to the left, taking a glance at the statue of himself in his prime as though muscle memory by this point. There it was. Though defaced by a sign and some paint, it still stood strong. All Might huffed out his nose, again wishing he could do the same things he could not even a full year ago.

     There was something terribly wrong about not being able to hold the world up on his shoulders anymore. Like it was more than his stomach that had to be surgically removed...but his heart as well. And now there was just an emptiness. Not even any real negative feelings..other than perhaps regret.

     Movement by the statue caught his eye. The retired hero slowed as he passed, watching with curiosity as a young woman climbed up in front of the statue using her bubble quirk and cut the degrading, teasing sign down from around his neck. The man nearly stopped, his vehicle barely crawling along as he watched the woman from a distance using a rag to clean off the paint and assorted mess left on the statue. She wasn't being paid to do this, yet...

     Something stunted the ache in his chest. Even as he sped up and eventually left the site, the image of that woman's kindness stuck.

     He didn't know people even cared about him anymore. He was of no real use to anyone, after all. Completely usele--

     Oddly enough, it was Reigen's old words to him that came back to his memory in this moment. " "Thing is, you're so used to having so much quirk power that you don't see the actual power you possess! Sure, your super strength and super speed was exciting to watch and helped out a lot!... But that's not what made you an inspiration; a hero." " Pointing at the tall man with a serious look on his face. " "No, that power is one that can never be taken away from you: your heart. ... You know, I bet that if you had any other quirk, you would turn out the same. Your passion, love for others, and assuring presence are all things you can carry with you even after losing your ability to fight!.. And you know what?.. In a world like this, I would say that those things are even more valuable than your quirk. ... Anyone can save people with super flashy powers, but only YOU can make them smile with your presence alone. Use that power to its fullest extent -- become the shoulder your student can lean on for support -- and I guarantee you'll save just as many lives." " It was gut-wrenching, then, for the retired hero to have failed at even that. 

     When Mob lost it...Reigen was able to save him.

     When Izuku lost it...he could do nothing.

     He was powerless through-and-through. Not even sure if a suit from Mr. Stark would change that.

     " "Haha, hey, you've saved so many at this point, you don't need to be sorry about stopping! ... Everyone gets old, after all! Retirement is a thing! And, hey, you're a teacher now, right?" " Sliding his suit jacket back on. " "You're already moving on to the next stage of being a hero and saving lives! By raising up the next generation to be as caring and awesome as you, you'll be reaching people you never could before!" " All Might slowed down again, his shoulders shaking too much to risk it. Reigen's words to him were nice and all, but he needed real advice. Real help and real support! Reigen always tended to dance around those questions, though he didn't have any real answers. But surely he did!

     Toshi rest his forehead on the steering wheel, sighing loudly. Why couldn't he take any of this advice to heart? Why, even now, did he always feel like he had to carry the world?

     Like he always had to wear a smile...even while he was dying both inside and out.

----------

     Alright...now Reigen knew something was up. He spun around, a dark alley of all places sensing that same presence looming him from previous events. He'd just attended what would be his last guest appearance on TV, simply so that he could explain the whole Evelyn Deavor situation from his point of view. A lot of people were starting to blame him for her death, since he was the last one she called, so he had a lot of cleaning up to do. Thankfully, it seemed that he was successful. All it took was a little talking. The man glared down the alley while stopping his spin. "Hhh, mind showing yourself now??" He'd noticed someone following him at random the past few times he'd guest starred. Wasn't sure if it was just coincidence, or if he really did have a stalker.

     A figure in baggy gray clothes slid out of view once Reigen's eyes landed on it. The blond only got a brief glance, but.. oh no.

     Reigen's eyes bulged slightly. 'Ghh, thought I lost that creep a couple years ago. Now what??' This was actually pretty concerning. He hoped it was just a coincidence, but...

     Long, messy black hair with streaks of white in it, a fairly young face which was hard to determine whether its features were feminine or masculine, and clothing simple and worn, the kind for a homeless guy. A rather hard thing to convince yourself being only a coincidence. No...this had to be some kind of stalker.

     And that was a scary thought. To think someone would care to stalk him like this. Even before he was famous.

     Thankfully, that stranger didn't make another appearance. Reigen arrived home safely.

----------

     A couple days later, after announcing his sliding out of the public eye, his nerves settling at last after hearing the good news that Izuku had been brought back to UA as well, Reigen continued work like usual. He had quite a bit to catch up on. Many clients waited in line for help, especially in the counseling department. Pff, what was he now? The whole city's therapist?!

     The phone rang at Reigen's desk and he was quick to pick it up. "Yello! Spirits And Such!... You can't make it to the next appointment?.. Nah, it's fine! I'll just call Jin in!" He hung up and called someone else. While he swiveled to the side in his chair, eyes on the ceiling, his call with Jin starting, a stranger quietly opened the door to the office. "Um, yeah, Jin. Mind making another clone of Serizawa real quick and directing him to his next meeting spot? I'll throw in a bonus~" The stranger entered like a stray animal inflicted by the cold. Their trembling, solid black irises watched the blond from a distance. Scared to make a sound and disturb the man's work. "Pshh! Nohh! I pay you just fine!" Gojo blinked up from his phone the stranger's way, startled almost by their appearance. They were just so quiet!! "Alright, listen, well if you wanted a raise, you could've just asked!" Gojo tried with small "pss" noises to alert Reigen to the new arrival, but the blond was in another world. "..See, don't worry? I know it can be stressful sometimes. I'll update your pay by a couple hundred yen. Sound good?.. Well alright, and be sure to stay honest with me okay?"
   "Reigen.." Gojo wheezed.
     "Hhhh, what is it now-? AA-!"

     He wasn't expecting to see that face again so soon. Soft eyes matched with a more masculine jawline. Flat chest, so, likely male, but a smaller than average figure for a man. What spooked Reigen most was the familiar hair. Long black hair with a few white strands in it. No longer messy. Now pulled back into a high ponytail, some bangs and hair in the back hanging free. Again, it wasn't done in a way to make the person any more or less masculine. Just prettier overall. Their eyes darted around in all directions, unable to stick on anything for too long, especially a person. This condition was made even worse by Reigen's reaction.

     "Wait, you're that stalker!" Both Gojo and Reigen sat up at attention, facing this stranger. Instead of literal rags like usual, their visitor wore an unbuttoned, clearly cheap brown suit and a loose yellow tie. They stumbled back to the sound of Reigen's accusations, ready to flee should either man move another inch. Their whole body was trembling slightly.

     "I- I- I'm sorry, sir!.. I wasn't trying to stalk you maliciously; I just wanted to ask you for a f--favor!" The stranger dipped into a low bow, which hid their face entirely. There was an almost annoying softness to their voice. Even when speaking loudly, it was portrayed like a mere murmur.

     "Um, alright then. But first, who are you?"

     "Whoever you want me to be, sir."

     "Erm, no. I mean what's your name?" 

     "Whatever is most convenient for you to say, or-or nothing at all!"

     "No, seriously. I need your real name." That way, if they ever stalk him again, Reigen will know who to go to the authorities about. The visitor's eyes lit up faintly as they stood straight, thin fingers fidgeting together as anxiety gripped them again.

     "My..my real name..?" Reigen nodded. The stranger's face flushed a bright red, staring down at their holey shoes. "Kigen, sir... I don't know my last name. Sorry."

     Reigen's narrowed eyes softened just a little. He examined the person before him a little more closely. "Well sir-eh-uh-mam..? Which is it?"

     Bowing again, "Whichever is easiest for you to address me as, sir!"

     "That's...not helpful." Well...they looked a bit more like a sir than a mam. "Um, anyways. Before I ask-"

     "-Sorry for the clutter by the way..sir... They never leave my side, even if I ask them to." The stranger gestured all around him. Reigen glanced around only to see nothing. So, the guest must be gesturing to spirits then. "Sorry sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt!"

     Waving casually. "No, it's fine. So, you're here about an exorcism then-"

     "-NO!.. Please no! The-they are no problem, I swear!"

     "O...h..." Then what the heck did this person want!? "Then...why are you here? And why have you been stalking me for so long!?"

     The young man tore at his own fingers until his skin turned red, fidgeting violently while he thought. "You, um.. You saved my life, sir... I have been trying for years to find a way to repay you, bu-but every time I try I-I-I- either get too nervous and chicken out or find out you already have what I was about to give you... An-and I know I can be a bit creepy sometimes! I've been working on that. I'm..s-s-sorry.." Staring down at their scratchy red hands, all of Kigen's anxieties, desires, fears, hates, and the like all came to the surface. Tears fogged the young one's eyes. He forced himself to look up, ahead at the man who allowed for all of this to happen in the first place.

     Reigen was beyond confused. He didn't even remember saving anyone's life, especially when he was younger!

     But that didn't matter to Kigen. It was still by far the most crucial day in his life.

---------------

     ""Arataka Reigen, would you like to perform the exorcism?""

     ""Uh-um, yes! Yes."

     "Come on... Come on, Reigen.." I sat up on my futon, legs crossed and body hunched over my lap as I stared with anticipation at my laptop, which provided the only light in my room. Snug in my lap, in a tight grip between my arms was a surprisingly well made Reigen plush created from nothing but a pillow and a few fabrics and thread. Up on my depressingly barren wall were self printed posters of the guy, and around my poorly furnished room were a few other trinkets of him I had hand crafted. I was perhaps the man's only true fan, and I was unbothered by that. I couldn't care less about what others thought about him...

     And even less about what others thought of me.

     As a child, my mother would tie me up, often outside, and leave me for days at a time. Then, one day she simply never returned. I was alone from then on, working odd jobs from the age of thirteen just to get by. Eventually, as the years passed, I developed some level of comfort around myself.

     I grew to become terrifyingly good at working. I was the dream employee. Easy-going. Easy to push around. Never put up a fuss or even considered complaining. I seemed to have natural skill at just about everything I attempted. I was especially good at working boring jobs. The kind that would make most go mad. I could sit in one place, doing the same small repetitive task over and over again.. infinitely if no one stopped me.

     I was also great at thinking outside of the box and turning the negatives in my life into sources of income. Such as selling stories of the nightmares that plagued my sleep to a weekly horror comic-strip studio overseas. Or using the time between jobs to sit out by the road and beg for money, which often doubled as my nap time.

     My problem was that once I had all my needs met, I hadn't the drive nor any goals to care about going any higher than that. So, I got used to living..just barely above abject poverty. Eating and sleeping just enough to say I was fine.

     I didn't think much of myself as a person, but instead more as one of the many spirits who silently haunted me. We were a band of wanderers, the spirits and I. Many of whom had been drawn to me at a very young age and continued to stalk after me into adulthood. I didn't really think much about it anymore. They were the closest thing I had to company. I could even consider them my friends sometimes.

     But...I didn't have a life.. I didn't have a purpose. I didn't even have an identity... So then why was I here?

     I had decided one day while at work that I was going to kill myself when I got home. No real reason. Just that my life wasn't really going anywhere. And death was an easy out from the numbness that was my existence. So...it was simple then.

     Age eighteen I think. I was headed home after another uneventful day, eyes on the ground as I headed back home. Absently, my head lifted a little to the sound of someone loudly arguing on the sidewalk across the road. As my eyes landed on a blond man in a gray suit, he turned around to dramatically point out a building. His eyes briefly landed on me -- just staring at him -- and he offered me a kind smile and wave.

     I froze in my tracks and turned around, sure he must have been waving at someone behind...but no.. it was directed at me. Me and only me. He...he SAW me? He saw me and cared enough about my existence to acknowledge it?? By the time I turned back, the blond man had already spun around and was arguing again. That jump in my chest faded away in time, but a strange warmth lingered as I made my way back home.

     ...At the apartment...I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I wasn't entirely sure what had changed nor why, but that simple yet kind smile stuck in my head, keeping the knife away from my throat.

     It was nothing big. But it saved my life.

     A few weeks later, I saw that same guy again and started to follow him at a distance. I would see him, follow for a little bit, and then he'd vanish. He was like a phantom with the magical knack of mysteriously disappearing at random. (Reigen frantically ducking behind a hotdog stand. Kigen, ":0") Eventually, though, I learned of his name and business...which eventually led me into becoming his first and only fanboy.

     I was probably the only person who cared to defend Reigen when it was just him against the world. Even if he was a fraud, I never cared about that.

     For his birthday, I wrote an entire five page essay about how he saved my life and inspired me to put a little more effort into myself as a person. I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, but at least now I was dressing a little better, actually taking care of my hair, and watching the things I ate. But, I... At the last second, chickened out and deleted the entire essay I'd written. ... Only after printing it out just in case I ever needed it for later.

     I was being creepy at this point. There was no way a guy like him would ever want to hear my pathetic little sob story anyway.

     After he moved out of Seasoning City, I followed and lived in the same apartment building he lived in for a little bit. Just felt so lonely suddenly being in a city without him is all. I minded my business, avoided running into him at all costs, and lived as I usually did. But then his roommate set fire to their kitchen. I didn't follow that time as they had to move out. Instead, I just...stayed put.

     And as his fame grew, and he appeared more online, I listened to his every word. I took everything he said to heart, slowly, one day after another, living my life to implement his wisdom best I could.

---------------

     "Huh..." Reigen squinted. "I don't remember saving you."

     "O-o-o-of course! It was just a simple smile and wave, after all! I- I wouldn't expect you to remember every person you smiled at!" Kigen dropped into another bow, this time holding in one hand the piece of paper he'd just wrestled out of his pocket. "I'm sorry... I- I- I wanted to give myself a birthday present to celebrate making it to twenty-one..bu-bu-but I- I chickened out every time. I-it's a few weeks late now, but I was wondering if you could sign this.. That is all I came here to ask for! I promise to never bother you again!"

     Reigen stared, not knowing what to think! He had a hard time believing this young man's story. Found it difficult to think someone would care so much about him simply smiling at them. And questioned the mental stability of this clearly troubled individual!

     The fact that he had somehow turned this person's whole life around with simple kindness... Sounded awfully fake to him.

     Yet... Wasn't it a much younger Reigen who dreamed of one day saving people with a smile?... Heh, he never meant it to be this literal, but...

     "..Kigen, was it?"

     Blushing, face still aimed down, "Y-yes sir!"

     "Can you actually come close enough for me to reach the paper?"

     Kigen gasped, head jerking up. "You mean you'll sign it!?"

     "Uhh, yeah. Why not?" Reigen chuckled. The sparkle in the young man's eyes. Something so joyous and innocent. Reminded Reigen a lot of Mob. As Kigen shuffled closer and passed the miniaturized version of Reigen's poster across the desk to him, the blond chuckled while pulling the cap off of his pen off with his teeth. "I just don't get why my smile would be such a big deal. I mean, anyone can do that."

     Kigen spoke up, sternly enough to grab the blond's attention, pen lid still hanging in his mouth. "You're right. It could have been anyone... But it was you." They stared each other in the eyes. Reigen began to wonder if the real reason Kigen never made eye contact with anyone was not for his own sake..but for theirs. His dark eyes easily bore into the receiver's very soul. Terrifyingly intense, yet intriguing as well. For those eyes shared plenty of their own secrets as well. Reigen was a little shaky as he looked down to sign the paper, genuinely worrying if this guy had some kind of mind reading abilities. He could see spirits, after all...

     "Are you an Esper by any chance?" Finishing up his signature, Reigen slid the paper back to the younger man.

     "H-hardly, sir! I can only see and hear them! I don't possess the strength to exorcise them!"

     "I see.." Reigen hummed. He really wanted to find a way to help this poor soul out some more. Encouraging him to open up his own psychic related business might be good, but then again that did come with a crap ton of paperwork, and this young man didn't exactly have the people skills to pull it off. Not to mention Reigen's own business was so big now it would likely only end up drawing customers away from this guy. "Hmm..." Rubbing his chin. Reigen glanced over at Gojo, who was just sitting back listening to the whole thing while pretending to sleep. "Well, my secretary over there is only working here momentarily... You know enough about working a job like that?"

     Kigen stood up stiff as a board, eyes wide. "Y-y-you're offering me a job?!"

     "Well, I mean, it isn't often that we Espers cross paths~"

     "I-I-I-ve been working all kinds of jobs ever since I was thirteen!" Bowing again. "And I have been told I am a fast learner! It would be an honor to work for you! One I am not even sure I should accept!"

     "Pff, you still have a couple months to think about it before this guy leaves."

     "You are too kind!!"

     "Yeah yeah, sure."

     "I am not lying!" Standing up again suddenly, stern brows now. "You really are amazing! I especially love learning from your guest appearances on TV! I've watched every one and learned all I can from them to know how to be a better person! You've taught me so much from those alone! While I am on the subject, ca-can you please don't end it there?! I am not the only one who likes to learn from your wisdom! But I don't know where else to go if you stop! So maybe please reconsider making that your last show!" This really put Reigen on the spot. The lad really poured out his soul with that request.

     Though he had already made a clear decision not to fall into the same trap as Ms. Deavor had with her career...at the same time, he never hated doing more casual stuff on television. And..now that he knew who his words were actually impacting. "Sure. Guess I can do a few more." Why....did he agree to that?

     The smile he got in return was his answer.

     After Kigen slipped away and closed the door behind him, Reigen sighed loudly, sliding back into the base of his chair until his head was barely visible above the desk. "Whewww!... That was...unexpected."

     "No kidding." Gojo leaned his elbows against the desk, mouth hiding behind his weaved fingers. "You really going to hire him?"

     "Well, you've proved to be pretty useful simply doing the paperwork and such. I can at least give 'em a shot."

     "Hm, yeah." Too bad he was kind of in the way of that. But, eh, what could happen to a rando like him in only a few months anyways?

----------

     Kigen was jittery as he left the office. He slipped away from public eye on the sidewalk into the nearest alley. Embraced by darkness, the young man sighed happily, an uncontrollable smile spread across his face as he stared down, shuffling deeper into the dark.

     "I'm guessing by that rare smile of yours that it went well~?" The calm, deeper voice of an older man spoke from the darkness. Standing in the alley waiting, arms crossed across his chest, the man also sporting long dark hair tied up smiled softly at the younger one. Kigen hurried still to reach him. The man with stitches across his forehead pushed his back off of the wall, sliding each hand into the other baggy sleeve of his big robes.

     Bowing halfway while approaching the elder, "Yes! Th-thank you for the advice and motivation. I got him to sign his autograph!" Kigen smiled big, quickly unfolding the mini poster and pointing to the written name in the corner.

     Kenjaku faked a small gasp. "How nice of him.."

     "Yeah! And he even offered me a job! I-I-I- I don't really know which to choose! You have been so nice to me, taking me in and everything, so I really don't want to disappoint you, but-but working for him would be a dream come true!"

     The tall man, pulling up beside Kigen, draped an arm over his shoulders, encompassing the young one in a warm half embrace as the two walked together deeper into the darkness. The elder hummed happily. "Oh, I don't find any fault in that. You are your own person, after all."

     "Yeah but you-"

     "-Even as your current boss, I don't mind that you move on to other things. It will be hard to find another spirit whisperer quite as naturally talented as you are, but at the end of the day it is your happiness that I am most concerned about.."

     Kigen stared down bashfully, blushing a little. "...You are too kind, sir."

     "Just curious... Was there perhaps a man in there who went by the name, Satoru Gojo?"

     "I...don't know.. Reigen's secretary has white hair and blue eyes if that helps... Apparently, I will be able to take his place in a few months after he leaves?"

     Another faint gasp. "Why would any man want to leave a job like that so soon?" Kigen shrugged. He felt the elder's eyes bearing down on him for more specifics. Made him shrivel a little. He had no reason to fear Kenjaku. Yet doing so came instinctually... Probably just because he was raised such a terrible stranger to kindness. Yeah...that was definitely it.

     Kigen focused on the warmth of the elder's touch rather than the strange spiritual presence he sensed every time he was around. He preferred this smothering kindness to the thought of living on his own again. "...Do you need anything, Kenjaku sir?"

     "Mmm, no. Not now at least... I would, however, like to one day meet this Reigen Arataka... Think you could introduce him to me some time?"

     "Wh-why of course!" Both his current boss and favorite psychic meeting one day?! Sounded too good to believe!

----------

     "I am on my way now. On my way to ambush Young Midoriya on his way to the dorms!" Toshinori always loved to narrate himself when he was in a good mood. Gift basket in hand, he was a little surprised to hear himself speak as he shuffled along, smiling big even in these dark hours.

     He ran into no green haired boy on the way to the dorms, however. Not even inside, as a few fellow students greeted him while getting ready for bed, Midoriya was not one of them. The blond assumed the ninth wielder must already be in his room, so he hurried to the young one's room and knocked on it. "Young Midoriya..?" Knocking a second time. "You there?"

     "No." Aizawa answered flatly, presently patrolling the hallway to ensure everyone was accounted for. "He and a few other students are spending the night in the hospital with Bakugo."

     "Oh-... I see." The tall one sighed, now rubbing the back of his neck bashfully. "I was hoping to check how he was doing and give him this.." Holding up the basket of flowers and goodies up.

     "He's doing fine." Moseying past, hands in his pockets. "If you want, I can unlock his door for you to place the gifts in."

     "Yes please!.. Um, do you have a vase by any chance? Would hate for these to wilt."

     "I'll go get one for you." After unlocking the boy's door, Aizawa turned the other way down the hall toward the stairs. From the looks of it, he was doing pretty well on that new leg of his. Only a slight limp in his every other step. Toshi watched until the other teacher was gone, then sighed again while opening the door.

     Yep... The decor..hadn't really changed much. All Might figurines and posters everywhere! So many on-brand trinkets, you'd think his room was a store!

     Toshinori set the basket on Izuku's bed and sat down beside it. Crazy to think the bed hadn't been used in over a week. The man was relieved to know his successor would have some proper sleep at last. He really did a lot. He deserved to rest.

     ...Hhhh... Wish he could say the same for himself. No matter how many people told him it was okay to take a step back; the amount of times he told himself he didn't need to be the symbol of peace anymore.. it never stuck.

     He always ended up right back in the spiral of self blame and being unable to help. The man rubbed his scalp, hunched over his own lap at the moment.

     Accepting his retirement was a lot harder than he imagined. He'd sacrificed himself year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year. Guess he was too used to it to really give it up. 

...

     ""A PHONE CALL IS HERE! A PHONE CALL IS HERE!"" The startled man nearly dropped his hopping phone five times. ""A PHONE CALL IS-""

     "H-hello!? This is All Mi- I mean Toshinori!. Who is this?"

     ""Hello? This is Midoriya Inko. I was wondering if you were anywhere near my son. He hasn't been responding to any texts or phone calls in a while."" The concerned woman spoke. Toshi's eyes widened slightly.

     "Ohh, yeah, sorry. His phone was destroyed a few days ago. We're getting him a new one as we speak, mam!.. He's also safe on UA ground again, in case you didn't know!"

     ""That's good to hear!"" Relieved sigh. ""There's no need to be so formal, Toshinori.. You have been so kind to my son, I can't help but thank you!""

     The man's face paled a little. "...I did nothing, really."

     ""Knowing you, I know you did at least something to help. So...thank you for that."" You could hear the woman's smile through the phone. Toshi's heart warmed, though he was still in the mood to argue.

     "Thanks, but seriously. I don't deserve any praise."

     ""Not even for what you did before? I was never a huge fan of yours, but being Izuku's mother, I know you saved a lot of people in your lifetime. And I know, simply because you're human, that it wasn't always easy. You can think you're useless all you want!.. I'll never believe it. Izuku will never believe it... The people you saved will never believe it either. You were their hero, and you'll always be that."" Toshi stared around the room at all the posters on the wall while the woman spoke. All those empty smiles that once brought so many people hope.

     The retired hero blushed a little, glancing at his phone as his lips curled into a thin smile. "That's... Yeah, I guess that makes sense." Why were his eyes stinging??

     ""And most of all, you were able to promise Izuku that he could be a hero when no one else would..."" Her voice was choking up already. ""My baby boy.. who I somehow wasn't able to give a quirk and couldn't ever promise him he would one day fulfil his dreams..."" The anguish in her voice brought pain to the man's heart.

     He scowled. "Now hold on a second. It isn't very fair that you should tell me why I shouldn't be so down on myself when you're doing the same thing!. You raised the kid after all! Working a job and everything on top of it to make ends meet! My mother was the same way, so trust me; I know how hard that can be." Hand placed on his own chest for sincerity. "I've never met his father, but I can bet you're more than half the reason that boy is the person he is today!.. And it was never his quirk that made him a hero..." Both on the phone were tearing up a little by now. "Your son has saved so many lives already, all because of you. You had no instruction manuel, yet somehow you did it. You made that boy strong young man possessing the heart of a hero... I merely took it from there.."

     Sniffling, rubbing tears away. "Thank you... I have always been so worried I did something wrong.. that I somehow made a terrible mistake."

     Toshi sniffed, wiping a small tear aside. "Trust me, you didn't... I like to think that the person who saved someone, who then goes on to save a hundred more..indirectly saved all of thoss lives as well... So then.. Maybe try looking at all that your boy is doing and take some pride in that. They wouldn't have a hero if it weren't for you. I can guarantee that."

     "Mhm... Same goes for you then, All Might. .. You're still saving people, just differently I suppose."

     Toshinori chuckled as he took another then to glance around at all the merchandise of his past self, this time smiling a little.

     "Yeah... I guess you're right.
                                 I guess you're right."

     Inko hung up, fresh tears still in her eyes. She sat on her bed, alone in her plain room. A device cuffed to her leg bound her to this house. She was still allowed to call and text to deter suspicion...but nothing else.

     But she smiled through the tears, knowing her boy at least was safe and alright. And he was a hero now.

     So maybe he'd be able to save her too...