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Third person pov

"No." Aizawa said bluntly. Takashi's smile didn't waver, and he adjusted his grip on the child sitting on his hip. Behind him was a line of rather hungry looking children. Most looked relatively chipper, thought the tallest of the bunch looked ready to kill someone if it came to it. His face was relatively blank, and his arms were crossed over his chest in a grumpy manner. Half of the kids were clinging to him, and the other half to the resident ball of sunshine beaming at Shota as though he hadn't just brought a small hoard of children onto school property. 

"Why not? It would just be for one night!" Takashi exclaimed chirpily. Aizawa sighed and reached up to massage his temples. Of course something like this would happen. Why wouldn't something like this happen? 

"No. How'd you even get them onto campus?" Aizawa asked, seeming too tired to deal with any of this. Takashi still remained undeterred. That wasn't much of a surprise. Aizawa wanted to say he hadn't seen this coming, but what was he really expecting? Takashi was too much of a softy. One sad looking kid was enough to get him to cave. A villain could apologize and Takashi would probably just outright forgive them, give them a pat on the back, and then proceed to make them dinner in his own home. The guy was too nice for his own good.

"We walked through the front gate, genius. The walking rock let us in." The teen jerked his thumb over his shoulder, looking tired. "Look, if you're not going to let us in, we'll just go. We don't have time for this shit."

"Oh, he'll be letting you in, dears. No need to worry." Takashi's eyes flashed red, and Aizawa resisted the urge to flash his own red back. "We both know that if the gate didn't come up to kill us all, that means it's fine with Nezu. Right?"

Aizawa stared at him for a long moment, taking a glance at the dirty faces of the several young kids around the man who was technically his teaching assistant. He let out a deep sigh through his nose, watching the way Takashi lit up with disdain. The brunette was, unfortunately, right. Nezu would've, and could've, stopped them in their tracks with ease. But he hadn't, which meant it was fine if the small army of kids Takashi had amassed entered the dorms.

"Fine." Aizawa said shortly, stepping aside in a brisk and tense manner. "But if they break anything, it's on you. Keep them under control."

"You bet! Besides, I have Isao here to help me." Takashi said brightly, and the tall teen behind him nodded in agreement. He seemed hostile, but accepting of at least Takashi. Aizawa couldn't blame the kid for being guarded. He seemed to be the primary caretaker of the eighteen children amassed around him. The one in Takashi's arms seemed no older than four, maybe even younger by his size. The rest of the children were all under twelve if he was looking at this right. It made him frown. Where'd they even come from? Why were they in this condition? 

"Right." Aizawa answered tautly, instead of asking any questions. With another smile, this one more thankful, Takashi swept past with the other children. They moved silently, their feet light. A girl around eight years old caught Aizawa's eye. She was pale and thin, with red-rimmed eyes. She looked sickly. Despite himself, Aizawa felt a pang of concern. It was irrational, but his eyes followed after her. He made a mental note to contact Recovery Girl. He didn't need any of his students getting sick.

Isao, the oldest of the kids, looking around guardedly as they entered the dorm. A thankfulness and warmth filled his chest as he glanced down at Takashi. He was a bouncy and bright man. A good person, from what Isao could tell. He'd tromped in with a few boxes of donuts and a smile. After learning their names and hearing some of their stories, his leaf-green eyes had turned to a fiery red rage that bled into his skin. But he was never violent, and he didn't raise his voice. Instead, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and asked if they'd like to come with him. Isao had been wary. A part of him had almost said no. But looking at all the kids he'd been taking care of for the past year or so and thinking of what future's they'd have if they didn't take his chance, he instead found himself silently nodding and holding back tears.

Something in this dorm made him tingle. There was the smell of something fresh cooking, and the air was warm. He kept his gaze forward as a few lingering students gave them curious looks. It felt like a home, in here. It tugged at his heart in a way nothing had before. He felt like something was stuck in his throat. Takashi led them all past the kitchen, where their stomachs rumbled, and instead down a secluded hall where they were free from prying eyes.

"I'll be getting you clothing, so no need to worry! The showers are pretty unlimited in their hot water supply, and body wash, shampoo, and conditioner are all in there. Towels, too, but let me know if there's not enough." Takashi said. Isao felt his heart pang, his eyes going slightly wide. The kids became excited. When was the last time they'd showered in water that wasn't cold? "I'll try to find you guys some clothes! Luckily for all of you, we have a student who can produce clothes without an issue! I'll try to get your sizes right."

"Thank you." Everyone chimed, some more tired than others. Isao glanced down at the oldest girl in the group. She was only eight, and pretty ill. She didn't talk much, but was strong and responsible. They didn't know her name because she'd never said it, but they all called her Ikki. She nodded up at him with a small smile, already leading the other girls towards the showers. Out of the nineteen of them, there were only four girls total. It was a gender thing. Quirkless males were more likely to be abandoned than females were. It was... sad, but made an odd amount of sense. Society was fucked up.

"Isao." Takashi stopped him before he could follow in after the rest of the boys, his eyes intent. The teen gave his supposed savior his full attention. "I know you're worried, but everything will be okay, alright? I'm going to take care of every last one of you even if it's the last thing I do."

Isao, though he tried to stop it, felt his eyes well with tears. He hadn't cried in a very, very long time, but felt like he couldn't hold them back as he was struck with the reality of the situation. A wave of fondness washed over him. "Are you sure?" He croaked out, feeling embarrassed. Takashi didn't judge. He just smiled brightly in a reassuring sort of way.

"One-hundred percent." He promised. "Now go get cleaned up. I'll tell Touya we're going to need more food."

~~~~~~~~~~

Fuyumi fidgeted uncomfortably as she sat on the couch. Her father had texted her, asking her to come down to the living room so they could have a chat. She'd been apprehensive at first, but had done so anyway. She'd be moving out in just a few weeks. The young woman would be relocating to her soulmate's apartment. They'd gone out on several dates, trying to get to know each other as much as possible. She felt good about it. Her love for him was overwhelming, and the warmth in his eyes every time he looked at her was so genuine, she couldn't find it in herself to have any doubts. This was real. This was happening.

Endeavor was just down the hall, pacing in his office. His phone sat on his desk, put on speaker. Hoshi was on the other end, trying to talk him out of his small bout of panic. What if Fuyumi rejected him completely. He'd totally ruined their relationship. He'd been ruining it, but this had been the breaking point, he was sure. There was so much to apologize before. Where did he begin? Words weren't enough, but he wasn't sure what else to give other than that and his complete effort.

"Just take some deep breaths. Seriously, you'll be fine. I apologize for dumb shit I do all the time." Hoshi's voice came from over the line. The background noise in the call told him his soulmate was probably on the way to class, walking through the busy streets in a rather dangerous part of town. The route he took was a bit shady, as was the area he lived in. Endeavor wished he was there to escort him. Hoshi was short, cute, and easy prey.

"What if she doesn't accept my apology? What if she hates me?" Enji fretted, running a hand through his hair with a scowl. This was it. The absolute end of his relationship with his only daughter. He'd ruined it, like an idiot, and was paying for it. Fuyumi would surely divorce him as her parent. That was a thing she could do! Legally remove herself from him, so that they were in no way related aside from blood! The notion made his heart drop into the very pits of his stomach.

"First of all, chill. And second of all, chill." Hoshi weaved around a street performer, frowning a bit. Enji was freaking out, and it was making Hoshi want to scream into a pillow. He needed to, as he'd said, chill. It was just an apology was all. He needed to simply roll with it. Let the river flow. All that zen ass shit. "It's your daughter, man. She loves you. If she doesn't accept your apology, then at least you tried. You can just keep working to be better. Maybe she'll see your effort and reconnect, you know what I mean?"

Enji sighed a bit, grumbling to himself. He knew Hoshi was speaking the truth. His little soulmate wasn't done with the pep talk. "Just get out there and be genuine as fuck, my homeslice. She's waiting, and probably things you're gonna kill her or some shit because of how long you're taking. Must be nerve wracking. Go lay it down and give it to her solid. I've got some dance class bullshit to get to, which may be a good thing if it'll get you off the phone and out there doing the do."

"Yeah... yeah, you're right. It'll be fine. It's just an apology." Enji took a deep breath, smiling a small smile. "Have a good class, Hoshi. I'll pick you up later."

"Duces, my sizzlin' beef patty. Get it. Because you're hella thick?" Hoshi asked. There was a light bang. Enji tried to stiffle a snort, raising his brows. "Fuck, I just walked into a glass door. I'll catch you later. Good luck."

"Bye, Hoshi." Enji said in an amused tone, feeling lighter and more relaxed already. The line beeped, signalling the end of the call. The Flame Hero took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He could do this. He had to do this. This was his family he was talking about, and they'd been his second priority for far too long. His relationships with those he cared about needed to take front and center. Especially now.

Fuyumi's gaze snapped up when her father entered the room, her nerves skyrocketing. She was about to open her mouth to fumble out some apology, but had to stop herself when she took in his appearance. His face wasn't flaming with the power from his quirk, and he wasn't wearing his costume or anything of that sort. In fact, he was wearing a... a shirt with a... raccoon riding a waffle on a rainbow in space on it? She blinked a few times at it, her eyes never straying from the image plastered across her father's front as he approached. He was also wearing fuzzy socks. Sure, they were black, but fuzzy socks? Was she hallucinating? Was this all a dream?

"Fuyumi." Enji spoke, and her wide eyes snapped from his shirt to his face. He'd sat down on the couch across from her, shoulders tense and expression one full of awkwardness and uncertainty. Fuyumi gulped, trying to offer a small smile as she fidgeted in her place. Right. This was happening. Cool. He didn't look mad, so she supposed that had to count for something. 

"A-Ah, yes?" Fuyumi's throat felt dry. She nervously tucked a piece of hair behind one ear, lowering her gaze. Her shoulders hunched unintentionally. Maybe it was a defense mechanism. A way to make herself look smaller. Enji shifted slightly, trying to figure out what to say. The speech he'd rehearsed earlier with Hoshi left him.

"I... I wanted to apologize." Enji said, his voice quiet. Fuyumi's gaze snapped up, her eyes wide. Enji continued, gazing down at his hands. "I've been... I've been a horrible father. I have no excuse. I have anger issues. I'm abrasive and too ambitious, and I let jealousy get in the way of my goals. It ended up hurting you, your mother, and your siblings, and I will never be able to apologize for that. Not really."

Fuyumi couldn't speak. Maybe she really was dreaming. Her father looked up, his eyes meeting hers.

"If you want to know who you are, you have to look at your real self and acknowledge what you see. And I have. I'm a monster. I can see now that it's not a face that makes a monster, but the choices they make in their life instead. I... am not a good person. I'm not sure I ever was. But I want to try and be one now, for you and for myself. Society is looking to me to be the pillar they need. But I'm not, and that has to change." Enji glanced away again. "I... I am so sorry, Fuyumi. For all I've put you through."

Fuyumi was too stunned to really form words. Her eyes felt wet with tears, and her chest was so tight she could barely breathe. Of all the things she'd been expecting coming in here, it certainly hadn't been this. What could she even say? What could she even do? Everything was spinning, and there was only one question she could bring herself to ask---

"Did... Did you just quote Naruto?"