NOVEL NEXT Chapter 21: The Lost Memories
The interrogation room was filled with heavy air as Toshinori sat calmly.
Toshinori: So, Deku, tell me what you wanna know?
Izuku, looking at his son, struggled to control his emotions but regained his composure.
Izuku: 01, first I want to know what the meaning of the numbers is.
Toshinori chuckled.
Toshinori: Well, how about putting 'Monster' in front of the numbers? Like Monster 01, Monster 02, and Monster 03. We are a species designed to destroy the world.
Everyone was shocked by Toshinori's words.
Toshinori: We three have restrictions on our powers because All for One was afraid of us. We are his greatest creation and his greatest demise.
Izuku took a deep breath and continued.
Izuku: 01, we want to offer you a place at UA as a student. You could train and develop your abilities further with us.
Toshinori shook his head.
Toshinori: I don't see any benefit in that. I don't need a school to tell me how to use my powers.
Izuku: But what if you regain your memories? Have you thought about who your parents might be?
Toshinori's expression hardened.
Toshinori: I don't care. There's no way any parents would love to see their child turned into a monster.
There was a heavy silence in the room. Izuku struggled with his emotions but spoke gently.
Izuku: 01, we're not forcing you. We just want to help you in any way we can.
Toshinori: Help? You can call me 01, but it doesn't change what I am. I appreciate the offer, but my path is my own.
Izuku nodded, trying to hold back his tears.
Izuku: Alright, 01. But remember, our doors are always open if you ever change your mind.
Toshinori stood up, looking at Izuku with a mix of curiosity and detachment.
Toshinori: I'll keep that in mind. For now, I have my own battles to fight.
With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving his father and the others to ponder the weight of his words.Toshinori walked down the hallway when he saw a woman standing there, her eyes filled with hope and sorrow. Ochaco, known to the world as Uravity, stepped forward, trying to compose herself.
Ochaco: Hello, 01. It's... good to see you.
Toshinori gave a polite nod.
Toshinori: Uravity, one of the top 20 heroes. It's an honor to meet you.
Ochaco's heart ached at his formal tone. She glanced at the scar on his right eye and the empty sleeve where his left arm used to be.
Ochaco: I... I thought that maybe seeing me might help you remember something.
Toshinori's expression remained unchanged.
Toshinori: I'm afraid it doesn't. But I appreciate your concern.
Ochaco's voice wavered as she spoke.
Ochaco: You've been through so much. That scar, your arm... how do you keep going?
Toshinori looked at her, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
Toshinori: Pain is part of the journey. It's what makes us stronger.
Ochaco tried to hold back her tears, seeing the son she once knew standing before her, now a stranger.
Ochaco: If you ever need anything, 01, please know that you're not alone.
Toshinori nodded again, politely.
Toshinori: Thank you, Uravity. I will keep that in mind.
As Toshinori walked away, Ochaco stood frozen, tears welling up in her eyes. Izuku approached her, his face etched with pain and regret. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to offer some comfort.
Izuku: Ochaco...
She turned to face him, her emotions spilling over as she spoke.
Ochaco: Izuku, he didn't even recognize me. Our own son... he doesn't remember anything.
Izuku pulled her into a tight embrace, his own tears threatening to fall.
Izuku: I know... I know. It breaks my heart too. But we can't give up. We have to believe that, somehow, we'll reach him.
Ochaco buried her face in his chest, sobbing softly.
Ochaco: I just want our Toshinori back. I want him to remember the love we have for him.
Izuku held her closer, his voice firm despite the pain.
Izuku: We will, Ochaco. We'll keep fighting for him, just like we always have. We'll find a way to bring our son back.
Toshinori walked through the halls of UA, his mind racing with thoughts from the interrogation. As he neared the classroom where Ken and Shoya were, he paused, taking a deep breath.
Toshinori (thinking): What are those people trying to tell me? Well, it doesn't matter. Since I'm at UA, maybe I should go and see 02 and 03 in their class.
He approached the classroom door, but seeing it was still in session, he decided to wait outside. Leaning against the wall, he crossed his arms, his gaze distant.
Toshinori: Well, looks like it's the class. But it looks like I have to wait till the class ends.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of the class, Shinso glanced out the door and his eyes widened in shock at the sight of Toshinori waiting outside. He hesitated for a moment before approaching him.
Shinso: "01? What are you doing here?"
Toshinori looked at him with a polite, formal nod.
Toshinori: "Mr. Shinso, I was just waiting for 02 and 03. I hope that's alright."
Shinso's heart sank a bit. He was hurt by the formality, missing the familiarity of being called "Uncle," but he understood that Toshinori's lost memories were the cause. He masked his feelings with a nod.
Shinso: "Yes, of course. The class has ended, so you can join them. They should be coming out soon."
Toshinori: "Thank you."