My Hero Academia: The Legacy of Lost Numbers

Chapter 28: The Decision and the Truth



The morning sun filtered through the trees as Toshinori finished preparing the bear he had hunted. The aroma of cooking meat filled the air, a stark contrast to the harsh, rugged environment he called home.

Toshinori: "You both can come out, you know."

From the shadows, Izuku and Ochaco stepped into view. Their expressions were a mixture of concern and determination as they approached the modest clearing where Toshinori was working.

Izuku: "01, we want to help you. Living like this—it's not right. You deserve better."

Toshinori looked at them, his face a mix of surprise and skepticism. He hadn't expected anyone to come looking for him, let alone offer help.

Toshinori: "But it has nothing to do with you. I mean, I don't think the world's number one hero has any connection with a devil like me, other than work."

Izuku's gaze softened. He understood Toshinori's reluctance but knew they needed to find a way to connect without overwhelming him.

Izuku: "We understand that you might feel like a burden, but that's not what we mean. We just want to help because it's the right thing to do."

Ochaco stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm.

Ochaco: "We're here because we care. We know this isn't the life you should be leading. And if you're struggling, we want to offer our support."

Toshinori shook his head, trying to maintain his composure.

Toshinori: "I appreciate the offer, but I don't want to impose on you. I've made do with what I have. It's not easy, but it's my choice."

He gestured toward the cooking meat.

Toshinori: "But you're welcome to join me for a meal. It's the least I can offer for your kindness."

Izuku and Ochaco exchanged glances. They knew they couldn't reveal the full truth yet, but this was a step toward reconnecting with him.

Izuku: "Thank you, 01. We'd be glad to join you."

As they ate, Izuku and Ochaco were struck by how well Toshinori had managed to cook the bear meat. The flavors were rich and satisfying, a testament to his resourcefulness.

Izuku: "This is really good, 01. You've clearly adapted well to living out here."

Toshinori smiled, his face softening at the compliment.

Toshinori: "Thank you. It's all about making the best with what you have."

Izuku hesitated for a moment, then decided to broach a delicate topic.

Izuku: "I was wondering, do you know who the heroes were that caused you to lose your arm?"

Toshinori's expression grew serious, and he took a deep breath before responding.

Toshinori: "It's not something that matters much to me now. What's done is done, and dwelling on the past doesn't help."

Ochaco looked at Toshinori with a mixture of empathy and sadness.

Ochaco: "It must have been really difficult."

Toshinori nodded, his gaze drifting to the surrounding forest.

Toshinori: "It was, but I've come to accept it. The important thing is to move forward and focus on the present."

Izuku and Ochaco exchanged glances, understanding that this was a painful topic for Toshinori. They respected his wish not to delve further into the past and decided to shift the conversation.

Izuku: "Well, we're really glad we could share this meal with you. If there's anything we can do to help, please let us know."

Toshinori nodded appreciatively.

Toshinori: "Thank you. I appreciate your kindness. For now, just your company is more than enough."

As they continued their meal, the conversation flowed more easily, and Toshinori seemed to relax, enjoying the rare companionship and the simple pleasure of a shared meal.

As Izuku and Ochaco arrived back at their mansion, the contrast between their luxurious home and Toshinori's simple existence in the forest weighed heavily on them.

The opulence of their surroundings felt almost out of place, given the stark reality of Toshinori's situation.

Ochaco sat down on a plush sofa, looking around the grand room with a mixture of guilt and reflection.

Ochaco: "Izuku, I can't believe how comfortable we are while Toshinori is living like that. It just doesn't feel right."

Izuku sighed, his expression troubled as he looked at the vast space.

Izuku: "I know, Ochaco. Seeing him like that really puts things into perspective. We have all this luxury, but it feels empty when I think about what Toshinori has been through."

Ochaco: "We need to find a way to help him, to make things right."

Izuku nodded, determination in his eyes.

Izuku: "We will. I think we should talk to him again, maybe try to understand what he truly needs and see if we can make a difference."

Ochaco: "Yes, and we need to be honest with him about who we are. He deserves to know the truth, even if it's difficult."

Izuku took a deep breath, resolving to take action.

Izuku: "We'll find a way to support him and make amends. He's our son, and he deserves better than this."

They both looked around their opulent mansion, a stark reminder of the disparities between their current life and Toshinori's hardship. The resolve to bridge that gap and offer genuine support guided their next steps.

In the UA dorms, Ellen and her friends gathered in their common area. The conversation had turned serious as they discussed the recent events involving Izana and the emotional revelations that had surfaced.

Ellen, looking determined, finally spoke up.

Ellen: "I need to talk to Izana. There's something I need to understand about what happened in the past."

Shinwa, still visibly upset from the confrontation with Katsu, nodded in agreement.

Shinwa: "Yes, I need to hear this from him directly. It's been eating at me."

Kaori: "Let's go find him."

The group made their way to Izana's room. When they arrived, they found him sitting alone, looking troubled.

Ellen: "Izana, we need to talk. We've heard some troubling things, and I think it's time we got the full story."

Izana looked up, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination.

Izana: "I was waiting for this. I need to tell you everything."

Ellen and the others took their seats around him, listening intently.

Izana: "Toshinori, Ken, and Shoya were all bullied. They were targeted by the same people who now call themselves heroes. I kept it hidden for a long time, but the truth is, they were mistreated in ways that no one should have to endure."

Shinwa's eyes widened, tears forming as she processed the revelation.

Shinwa: "Wait, you're saying... Katsu and the others were responsible for that? How could they?"

Izana nodded, his expression grim.

Izana: "Yes, and what's worse is that they never faced any consequences. Toshinori, Ken, and Shoya had to endure all that pain in silence."

Ellen's eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling.

Ellen: "I can't believe it. How could they hide this from everyone? How could they get away with this?"

Izana: "I wanted to expose them, but I don't have concrete proof. It's all buried beneath lies and false reputations."

Kaori's face hardened with rage.

Kaori: "We need to do something. This isn't right. They can't get away with this."

Shinwa, her anger and frustration bubbling over, spoke with determination.

Shinwa: "We have to find a way to bring this to light. If there's no proof, we need to gather it. This can't just be swept under the rug."

Ellen, struggling to control her emotions, added.

Ellen: "We have to stand up for Toshinori, Ken, and Shoya. They've suffered so much, and we owe it to them to make things right."

Izana looked at them, grateful for their support but also weary from the emotional toll.

Izana: "Thank you. I've been struggling with this on my own for so long. I just want justice for them. I want the truth to come out."

Kaori, determined, stood up.

Kaori: "Let's start by gathering any evidence we can find. We need to be meticulous and make sure we have everything before we confront them."

Shinwa nodded, her eyes set with resolve.

Shinwa: "Agreed. We'll get to the bottom of this and make sure those responsible are held accountable."

Ellen wiped her tears, her face set with a determined expression.

Ellen: "We'll do this together. For Toshinori, Ken, and Shoya. They deserve the truth, and we will fight for it."

The group, now united in their mission, set their minds on uncovering the truth and seeking justice for those who had been wronged. The atmosphere in the room was charged with a mix of sadness and resolve, as they prepared to take on the challenge ahead.


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