A Man's Redemption - Tai Lung x MHA

Fuyumi sat still, her hands clenched in her lap, her eyes red-rimmed and watery. She was fighting back tears, but it was a losing battle.

Tai had told his story with an even, steady voice, but the weight of it hung thick in the air. Even he wasn't immune—his golden eyes shimmered, a few silent tears slipping down his face as he finished recounting the past.

He took a slow, measured breath, then exhaled.

"...And that's it," he murmured, his voice quiet. "After that, there isn't much to say. I went east, eventually snuck my way into Japan and just took up martial arts and began fighting.""

Fuyumi swallowed hard, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her dress. "Tai..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "I—" She paused, trying to steady herself, then shook her head. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that. I can't even imagine..."

Tai sat there, silent for a moment, before lifting his hand to his face, rubbing his fingers across his cheek where a faint tear had left a cool trail. He let out a slow breath, nodding.

"It is what it is," he said simply.

Fuyumi frowned. That was it?

"Tai..." she murmured, watching him carefully. "I know you're trying to be strong, but—"

He cut her off, shaking his head slightly. "No. That's not it," he said. His eyes met hers—calm, certain, resolved. "I mean it. I've accepted it. Do I wish things were different? Maybe. But if everything had been easy, I wouldn't be here. Right now. With you."

Fuyumi's heart skipped a beat.

Her lips parted slightly, but she couldn't find the words right away.

"If I hadn't struggled, if I hadn't suffered, I wouldn't have ended up in Japan. I wouldn't have... discovered martial arts. I wouldn't have found a purpose."

His gaze softened slightly, just enough that she could tell—he meant this.

"I wouldn't have met you," he said simply.

Fuyumi's face grew warm, and for a moment, she just stared at him.

Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest. How could someone so strong, so powerful, also be so gentle and honest?

She reached out before she could even think about it, her fingers brushing over the back of his hand.

Tai blinked, glancing down at her small, warm touch.

She smiled through her damp lashes, her fingers squeezing his hand slightly.

"Well," she murmured, "I'm really, really glad you're here."

Tai held her gaze for a moment before nodding. "Me too."

She gave his hand another squeeze before pulling back, rubbing her arms as she exhaled shakily. "Ugh," she muttered, sniffling. "That was so emotional. I feel like I just ran a marathon."

Tai let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "I don't want to talk about it anymore," he admitted. "I don't like being so... emotional."

Fuyumi tilted her head slightly, her eyes studying him.

"It's not a bad thing, you know," she said softly.

"I know," Tai muttered, exhaling through his nose. "But... it's the past. It's part of me, but it doesn't define me. I'm here. Now. I'm a young, powerful, intelligent man." He smirked slightly. "I'm fine."

Fuyumi's lips quirked up.

That was so... him.

A deep breath, an exhale, and then a switch back to confidence and certainty.