บท 98: Eri's Resolve
As soon as I entered the room all I could think of was 'She's awake!' I genuinely hoped she would be awake, but it was unlikely. It seems I underestimated how strong she truly is.
I decided to completely ignore the fact that her eyes were a bit watery. I really dislike seeing her like this. It makes me feel strange...
"Mom! Did you sleep well? We really missed you..." Eri ran up to Rumi instantly. There was not a trace of hesitation in her as she jumped on the bed and hugged Rumi tightly.
I felt the need to intervene, as she probably doesn't know much about what happened. Wouldn't want her to think she was in a coma for too long.
"It's been about a day. But it honestly felt much longer. It felt odd, not hearing you nag me to sleep." I said with a shitty grin. I won't come in here and act all tragic. She doesn't need that right now.
After all, she just lost her legs, I don't want her to lose her spirit too. Although, she might be able to recover at the end of the day.
She just looked at me. Her smile seemed a bit strained. "What happened?" I felt a weird pang in my heart when seeing it.
It was painful, Rumi has always been a strong person. I've seen her bedridden before, I thought she wouldn't be uncomfortable showing me her weak side.
I guess I shouldn't expect her to do so when I always seem like the perfect example of absolute strength. I detest this feeling, seeing her feel inferior to me.
I think she realises just how strange this makes me feel, as she looks at me and gives me a hint of a genuine smile. Just a hint. Her situation is still very real.
"Remember the villain that could steal quirks? He apparently came back for revenge. I think you weren't part of his plan though. You were mostly a bonus, I think." I said, simplifying the whole situation and trying hard not to say that they used her as a hostage without lying.
But my attempt seemed to be a bit shoddy, "So I was a hostage, huh?" She said, looking down at the blanket that covered her legs. Eri was still hugging her, trying to make up for an entire night of absence.
The little angel probably felt the strained atmosphere. I did say she is perceptive. But she chose to stay silent and let us talk to each other for a while.
" Yes... But, the situation wouldn't have changed, whether he captured you or not." Rumi looked up at me, confused. After all, she still didn't know that the target of the whole situation was UA, and Hero Society itself.
So I started explaining, letting Eri hear the situation as well. She needed to know what was happening fully before she decided whether to help or not.
I don't think I will be able to ask her after all. I am still too weak for that. She needs to do this out of her own volition for me to feel at peace.
Rumi's reactions seemed to be quite drastic. She seemed enraged at how this attack was carried by the villains.
But she was even madder at the fact that they had used her to get to me. I just hope she doesn't start feeling like a burden, or any other stupid thought like that.
I could see one of her hands clutching the sheets of her hospital bed. Whilst the other hugged Eri tightly.
"S-sorry..." She was blaming herself. Something I was hoping not to hear or see ever in my life.
I did what is expected of me, as a good partner. I reached her side, and put my palm over her hand. It seemed to work quite well, comforting her was not really the point. It was more reassuring her that I still cared about her.
Eri, on the other hand. Was trembling, she was sad beyond belief. But, by the end of it. Her eyes seemed to shine a bit.
She looked up at Rumi, her horn growing a few inches. As a yellow glow enveloped her and Rumi's entire bodies. I took a step back, not wanting to be caught in Eri's quirk.
As the light subsided, I could see Rumi the same as she was the day she last left our home. Even her ears were present.
I looked on, I could feel a strange sense of Glee. This was the outcome I was hoping for, but Eri's quirk gets stronger based on her feelings. That's the only thing that made me unsure.
Not knowing exactly how her quirk works isn't something that can be helped. No one knows how exactly it works.
But, I could see Eri looking at me, her horn was already bigger than before. "Dad... Take me to the others..." I just looked at her. It honestly felt surreal, I wasn't expecting her decision to be so quick. I guess Eri is a lot stronger than I expected.
Rumi just got up, grabbed Eri and almost strangled her in a hug. I also joined in, hugging both of them with only one arm was easy. Rumi's ears hit me in the face, so I just started stroking them.
Something she actually liked a lot. I could feel her leaning onto me. Just a day of absence from her part was enough to make me feel dread.
I guess I felt more dread about her situation, but her absence further exacerbated problems.
I didn't respond to Eri yet. But her choice is already made. After hugging Rumi a bit more, I will take Eri to the rest of the wards and let her heal the students and teachers affected by the attack.
Rumi was already tearing up, but these weren't tears of sadness. I think she will want to train a lot more from now on. And I will help her at every step of the way.
Even if there won't ever be a threat bigger than All for One, it's better for her to be prepared for anything.
As for me, there isn't much to prepare for. Fighting isn't something I need to worry about. But I have things I need to work on.
I always joked that Rumi was a possessive person. But I am much worse than her. From hesitating to let Eri help in this dire situation to my outburst that killed thousands and counting. It is just another problem I have to work on.
For now, I will just enjoy this hug. A bit of warmth before going and letting Eri do what she always wanted. Being a hero that is.
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Okk, Hope the paragraphs aren't fucked
I'm postimg from my phone, so it might look bad(it usually does on patreon)
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