ONE YEAR AGO

The dark mist coiled around Shouto, restricting his movements. After his left side bursted aflame, the mist dissipated. When his left side cool down to normal, Aoi ran to his side and asked if he's okay.

"Yes, I--" before Shouto could finish his sentence. He lost his balance and his body started to fall forward. Aoi caught him but she couldn't properly support his weight so she just help him sat on his knees. She looked around his body and when she some cuts on his body. They look purple and swollen.

While Aoi's heart was beating erratically, Shouto remained calm and took a small vial in his utility belt. He drank it but it barely helped.

His fell on his back then his hands grabbed his own neck, desperate for air. His coughs sounded like he was being choked to death.

"Shou-kun! Shou-kun!" Aoi started screaming. She pulled his hands away from his neck.

Her heart sank as she saw the deep red hand marks Shouto did to himself.

"Shou-kun hang in there, Shou-kun please!"

Her mind was a chaotic mess.

'What should I do? He's poisoned. Should I take him to the police immediately? Call the ambulance? Yes I should call the ambulance.'

Then she saw Shouto closed his eyes.

"No, no, no! Shou-kun!"

She held his cheeks. They're cold. His skin is turning paler and paler.

"No don't leave me!"

'I should get him to the police right now. Right. Now.'

Her irises glowed as she ordered the wind around her to lift Shouto up. His body floated.

Then she saw a metal blade flying towards their direction.

"Stay away!"

A shockwave pulsated from Aoi, breaking the trees circling around them from less than a meter. At the same time, a shield formed around Shouto, defending him. Aoi looked around and saw a number of people wearing dark green suit.

Shouto's unconscious body was floating near her. He looked sickly pale. She cannot waste a second.

Aoi was a type of person who rarely shows emotions. She always keep them in check to keep control of her Quirk. She succeeded for twelve years of her life to keep her emotions in check. And with the help of Shin, she had better control over her feelings.

However, in this situation where she needs to race against time; where the life of the one who showed her happiness is at stake, Aoi couldn't control it anymore.

"I suggest you retreat." Her voice was icy cold but her eyes are boiling with rage. "Or else you'll regret it."

The enemies started firing hundreds of rods towards her from all direction, but Aoi didn't lift a finger. All of the rods stopped midair and contorted in different angles. Then the wind around them started blowing in a circular manner, creating a tornado, along with the floating broken tree trunks.

"This is all you fault." The tornado grew massive as a 6-storey building, rooting up more trees. When her eyes saw one of the enemies, the tornado flew towards the person and he got sucked inside. The rest happened to the other enemies.

When all of the enemy got sucked. The tornado stopped and all the branches, tree parts, and enemies fell down to the ground. Then the wind blowed harshly, sending them flying away.

Then she recalled Shouto's state. She looked at him. He is paler than before.

"No... Shou-kun please..."

She fell down on her knees. His body remained floating horizontally in front of her with a golden shield around him.

"No..no..."

The moments when Shouto's face got burned flashed in her mind once again.

"No...not this again..."

Her trembling hands reached out to him, passing through the shield. She held out his cheeks.

'Is this how it's gonna be? After everything all these years?'

The dread feeling of uselessness came rushing into her once again. All those years of training only led to this. What's the purpose of her powerful Quirk if she couldn't even protect him? What's the purpose of becoming a hero in the first place? In the end, she can't do anything.

She placed her palm ontop of his chest. Her eyes widen.

Aoi cancelled her shield then placed leaned her ear against of his chest.

"No! I can't let this happen!" She screamed, tears falling down.

The faint sound of Shouto's weak heartbeat is unbearable. She'll go insane if they stop. Aoi would rather die. She doesn't care if she dies.

Aoi embraced Shouto's unconscious body.

Her eyes glowed once again. "Heal!Heal him! I don't care about the cost!"

Her body started glowing.

"Please heal him!!" She screamed out, ordering her Quirk. Her body glowed brighter. Her head started pounding.

However, The cuts in Shouto's body are still there.

"Heal Shou-kun, useless Quirk! I don't care if I reach my Upper Limit! I don't care if I die!" Her hair stood up as the glowing light started beaming up the sky.

'I don't care because I love him..' Her mind said.

"So please! I beg you!!" She looked above the sky. "If there is a God... Lend me enough power to heal him."

Her head feels like it's tearing itself apart piece by piece, but she didn't stop. She released more of her power uncontrollably.

"Take me instead."

Aoi released more and more despite the warning her throbbing head is giving.

Then she noticed something.

Shouto's body started glowing. His wounds started closing. His pale skin returned to it's natural color. And his breathing became stable.

Aoi couldn't feel any happier than this.

"Thank you... Thank you thank you..!" She cried, happily.

The light disappeared. The glow on Shouto's body lingered for a while before disappearing. Her head didn't stop from pounding but she didn't care.

Shouto is fine. That's what truly matters.

"Aoi!" She heard a familiar voice through her ringing ears. Her blurry eyes looked up and saw his father.

"Endeavor...Shouto's alright... I..." She didn't have energy to speak.

'I finally succeeded.'

Then her body fell unconscious while still embracing her beloved in her arms.