My Hero Academia: The Legacy of Lost Numbers

As Shoya arrived home, his heart pounded with anticipation. He knew that facing Kaori was going to be tough, but it had to be done. He found her in the living room, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

"Kaori," Shoya began softly, "It's been a while, beautiful. I'm sorry… sorry for not remembering everything sooner."

Kaori's eyes narrowed, and she clenched her fists. "You *remember* now, do you? After all this time? You just show up and expect me to be happy because you *finally* remembered?" Her voice was filled with frustration and hurt.

Shoya took a deep breath. "I didn't forget on purpose. I was lost, trapped in something that wasn't me. But now… I remember everything. I remember how we first met, how much you mean to me. I'm sorry for everything I put you through."

Kaori's fury seemed to flare even more at his words. "Do you know how hard it was for me? Watching you change, not knowing what happened, thinking I lost you forever! And now, you just walk in and expect things to go back to how they were?"

Shoya winced, feeling the weight of her pain. "I know I don't deserve forgiveness just like that. I don't expect it to be easy. But I love you, Kaori. I always have, even if I didn't remember it."

Kaori's eyes shimmered with tears, her anger mixed with raw emotion. "You don't get to just say that and fix everything, Shoya! You broke my heart. You *forgot* me."

Shoya stepped closer, his voice gentle but firm. "I know I did, and I'll spend the rest of my life making it right. I promise I won't leave you again. I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere."

Kaori turned away, wiping her tears. She was furious, but underneath it all, she still cared deeply for him. Shoya knew it would take time to heal the damage that had been done, but he was determined to win her back, no matter how long it took.

"Fine," she finally said, her voice shaky. "But don't expect me to forgive you easily, Shoya. You have a lot to make up for."

Shoya nodded, his heart heavy but hopeful. "I'll prove it to you, Kaori. I swear."

Ken arrived at Shinwa's place, his heart racing as he knocked on the door. He knew he had a lot to make up for, especially after everything that had happened during his memory loss. When she opened the door, her expression was a mix of fury and disappointment.

"Ken," Shinwa snapped, her voice sharp. "You're back, huh? What a surprise. Did you think you could just waltz in here after everything and expect me to welcome you with open arms?"

Ken felt the weight of her words hit him like a punch to the gut. "I know I messed up big this time, Shinwa. I'm so sorry for that. I didn't mean for any of it to happen. I just—"

"You just what? Lost your memories and decided it was okay to start a new life with other women?" she interrupted, her voice trembling with anger. "Do you even understand how that makes me feel?"

Ken took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I didn't choose to forget you, or us. I was trapped in a nightmare, and when I finally regained my memories, it was like waking up from a dream I didn't want to be in. I know I hurt you, and I can't take that back."

Shinwa crossed her arms, her eyes glaring into his. "You think an apology is enough? You think it's that simple? You broke my heart, Ken. Do you know what that feels like?"

"I do," he replied, his voice sincere. "Every day without you was a reminder of what I lost. I can't change the past, but I want to make it right. I want to be with you, to show you how much you mean to me. Just give me a chance to prove it."

Shinwa looked at him, her anger slowly giving way to the hurt she had been holding onto for so long. "I don't know if I can just forgive you like that. It's not easy, Ken."

"I don't expect it to be easy," Ken said, his gaze steady. "But I'll fight for you, no matter what it takes. I promise I'll show you that you're worth it."

After a long moment of silence, Shinwa's expression softened, though her frustration lingered. "Fine. I'll give you a chance. But don't think for a second that this means everything is forgiven. You have a long way to go before I can fully trust you again."

A wave of relief washed over Ken, and he nodded earnestly. "Thank you, Shinwa. I won't let you down. I'll work hard to regain your trust."

She sighed, her walls still partially up. "Just remember, Ken, this isn't just about you. I need time to heal, too."

"I understand," he replied, a sense of hope blossoming in his chest. "I'm here for as long as you need me."

As the tension in the room began to ease, Ken felt a rush of relief at Shinwa's willingness to give him another chance. But before he could express his gratitude, she stepped closer, her eyes narrowing playfully.

In a swift motion, Shinwa leaned in and bit down on his neck, leaving a noticeable hickey. Ken's eyes widened in surprise.

"This is your reminder," she said with a smirk, her tone a mix of teasing and serious. "I'm way better than those women you slept with while you were lost. Don't you forget it."

Ken chuckled, rubbing the spot where she had marked him, feeling a mix of embarrassment and pride. "Wow, okay! I guess this is your way of claiming me back?"

"Damn right it is," she shot back, a smile breaking through her fierce exterior. "You may have messed up, but I won't let you forget who you belong to. You're mine, Ken, and don't let anyone else tell you differently."

He grinned, feeling the warmth of her possessiveness wrap around him like a blanket. "I wouldn't have it any other way. You have my heart, Shinwa. Always."

"Good," she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Now let's see if you can keep up with me from here on out."

"Challenge accepted," Ken said, feeling a renewed sense of determination. He knew he had a long road ahead of him, but with Shinwa by his side, he was ready to face whatever came next.

Toshinori stood outside Ellen's door, his heart racing with anxiety. He had replayed this moment in his mind countless times, but now that he was here, the reality of facing her struck him like a thunderbolt.

He took a deep breath, gathering his courage. The memories of their shared past flooded back, the laughter, the friendship, and the moment he had shattered everything with his cruel words.

*You are a monster...* The echo of his own voice rang in his ears, a painful reminder of the hurt he had caused.

He knocked softly, and the door creaked open to reveal Ellen. Her expression was guarded, a mix of anger and sorrow. Her fiery red hair framed her face, and her eyes—once so full of warmth for him—now held a steely resolve.

"Toshinori," she said, her tone cold. "What do you want?"

"I—" he stammered, feeling the weight of his regrets. "I came to talk."

"Talk?" Ellen crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering. "Is that all you can think of after everything that's happened? You pushed me away when I needed you the most."

"I know," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was a fool, and I hurt you. I've carried that weight with me, and it's been tearing me apart."

Ellen's expression hardened. "You think you can just come back after acting like a stranger? You don't get to waltz in here and expect me to forgive you so easily."

"I don't expect forgiveness," Toshinori said, desperation creeping into his voice. "I came to apologize for everything. For how I treated you, for pushing you away when you only wanted to help. I was told to do it by—"

"By my father," she interrupted, her voice rising. "He thought it would protect me and bloodline, but all it did was leave me heartbroken and alone. You should have fought for us, Toshinori! You should have trusted me!"

"I was young and scared," he admitted, anguish etched on his face. "I didn't know how to handle your power, and I listened to your father. I let him dictate my choices, and it was the worst mistake of my life."

"Did you ever think about how it made me feel?" Ellen's voice trembled, the anger giving way to deep-seated hurt. "You rejected me when all I wanted was to be by your side. You turned your back on me, and it nearly destroyed me."

"I know I can never change what happened," he said, tears brimming in his eyes. "But I'm here now, and I want to make things right. I want to tell you the truth about everything. I didn't know who I was when I lost my memories, and it broke me to know I had forgotten you, the person I cared about the most."

Ellen's gaze softened slightly, but she remained firm. "You can't just erase the pain you caused me with words, Toshinori. You have to show me that you mean it."

"I will," he vowed, taking a step closer. "I'll do whatever it takes to prove to you that I've changed. I'm willing to face my demons, including the pain I caused you."

Ellen hesitated, her heart battling between anger and the lingering affection she felt for him. "You need to understand that I won't allow you to hurt me again."

"I understand," he replied earnestly. "I promise I'll do everything in my power to earn your trust back. Please, just give me a chance."

A long silence hung between them, the weight of unspoken words and unresolved emotions lingering in the air. Finally, Ellen took a deep breath, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little. "I'll consider it, but you have a long way to go. Trust is not something I can easily give after what you did."

"Thank you," Toshinori said, relief washing over him. "I'll prove to you that I'm worth it, Ellen. I won't let you down again."

As Toshinori turned to leave, he felt a gentle touch on his arm. He looked down to see Ellen holding his left hand, her fingers wrapping around his like a lifeline.

"Ellen…" he started, surprised by her sudden closeness.

"From now on," she said softly, her gaze locked onto his, "don't worry about anything or about my royal bloodline. I love you for who you are, not for your past or your power. You're more than your mistakes, Toshinori."

Her words struck him deeply, filling the hollow space where doubt and regret had resided. He could hardly believe what he was hearing.

"But I hurt you," he murmured, his voice trembling. "I pushed you away when I should have been fighting for you. How can you still love me after everything?"

Ellen smiled, a bittersweet expression that mixed warmth with pain. "Love isn't about perfection. It's about accepting each other's flaws and choosing to stand by one another. You've faced so much, and I want to be there with you, to help you carry that burden. We can move forward together, if you'll let me."

Toshinori felt the weight of her words settle over him like a comforting blanket. For the first time in a long time, he felt hope blooming within him, dispelling the shadows that had clouded his heart.

"I don't deserve your kindness," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, you do," Ellen replied firmly, squeezing his hand. "We all make mistakes, but it's how we rise from them that defines us. I see the man you are beneath the fear and the pain. That's the person I fell in love with."

He could feel a tear slip down his cheek, a mixture of relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Ellen. I promise to fight for us. I won't let my past mistakes define our future."

Ellen stepped closer, her forehead resting against his. "And I won't let your past mistakes hold you back. We'll face everything together."

In that moment, Toshinori knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would confront them side by side. With Ellen by his side, he felt stronger, ready to take on the world—and finally reclaim the love he had almost lost forever.