? Benevolence ?

As it turns out, I don't have to make any arrangements. Everything is prepared. Mom set aside money and made plans for her passing. I guess she always figured it could happen and didn't want me to have to deal with it. All I have to do is sign off on some things and show up to the ceremonies.

Somehow that doesn't make it easier.

She's to be cremated and her urn put with my father's. We never really visited his gravesite that often in the recent years, too busy to spare the time. I've already decided I'll start visiting more often, whenever I can.

I take the week off school. Aizawa plans to give me supplementary lesson when I go back to stay on track. He, for some reason, doesn't really mind staying with me during throughout the whole process and All Might substitutes the class in his place.

The wake is held at the apartment but few people attend. A couple of her friends from work show up and offer their condolences. I didn't invite anyone personally though Aizawa accompanies me as he has been. He just stands off to the side for the most part, probably to give me space.

Everything passes in a blur and soon I'm standing in front of the family grave alone with Aizawa. Her ashes are placed in the chamber with my father's urn and the red ink is removed from her name on the stone. Somehow, that makes it suddenly real. Permanent.

As if holding her urn wasn't enough,

attending her funeral wasn't enough,

holding vigil overnight wasn't enough,

removing the red ink was.

But surprisingly, the pain isn't so sharp anymore. It's still there- and I'm almost certain it always will be -but I'm sort of at peace with it. As I stand in silence at the grave, I finally think of something to say. I just hope they can hear me.

I need them to hear me.

"Hey guys... Um- dad. I'm sorry I never visited all that much but I'm gonna try to come by more often. I know I never really knew you but I... I like to think you've always been around, watching over me and mom."

There's a quiet breath from behind me. It reminds me that I'm not alone but I continue nonetheless.

"Mom... I'm really sorry. I'm not too sure why but I am. I couldn't talk to you before. I guess I just didn't know what to say but I think I know now. Are you listening? I need you to hear this..."

I take a steadying breath when my vision grows blurry with tears. My voice is shaky but I push through.

"I'm gonna be just as strong as you guys were. I'm gonna work hard everyday until I can save people like the both of you did. I'm sorry you guys won't get to see it all in person but I really hope you're watching from wherever you are."

I reach a hand up to hold their wedding rings. I never took them off and I'm not sure I ever will.

"Thank you for always supporting me... supporting all my dreams. I'm really happy to have you guys, no matter how little time we spent together. I promise... I promise I'll be a great hero just like you guys, okay?

Keep watching me... please."

My voice cracks on the last word and the tears finally spill over. A hand rests on my shoulder and I take a moment to gather myself before turning around. Aizawa regards me carefully before pulling me into a soft hug. His voice is quiet when he breaks our silence.

"It's alright... They're watching."

I spend a little while longer at the site, lingering near what I have left of them. Part of me wonders if they'll somehow respond to what I said but the rest of me knows better. We end up walking back to the school and I'm left wondering what'll happen next.

"...sensei?"

He glances down to me with a short hum of acknowledgement and I work up the courage to ask my question.

"...what happens n-now? Do I get put in the fos-foster system or...?"

He slows to a stop, turning to face me. There's a moment where he seems to hesitate before he responds.

"Well, you're a little too young for emancipation so independence isn't an option yet. The foster system is possible but, frankly, its a roll of the dice. If you'd like- I could apply for guardianship."

It takes a moment to make sense of what he's proposing and I think it over. He already kind of acts as a guardian so it wouldn't be much different but I'm left wondering if he really wants to. My voice is faint when I manage to reply.

"...re-really?"

"It's only logical. You need someone to be there and, as your teacher, I want the best for you. I've already mentored you so I imagine it'd be fine. I don't have an apartment away from the school since teachers stay on campus as well. You would just stay in your dorm over holidays or there's a spare room in mine if you'd prefer."

I drop my gaze, wringing my hands nervously. "I wouldn't w-want to be a bother or- or anything..."

He rests a hand on my head in a comforting manner to regain my attention and I notice his eyes soften.

"You're a good kid so I don't expect you to cause that much trouble. Though this is all up to you. If you'd prefer, we could go through the process of getting you in the system but-"

I cut him off, shaking my head before becoming embarrassed. "N-no! I mean... it'd be gr-great but do you really w-want to...?"

One of his soft, rare smiles makes an appearance and I'm immediately put at ease. He ruffles my hair gently.

"I'm not sure if you've noticed but I don't exactly offer to do things I don't want to do. Besides, I told your mother I'd keep you safe and I intend do just that, alright?"

"...alright."

---
I cried a lot writing this chapter.

I also did a little research on traditional Japanese funerals because this still takes place in Japan but I ultimately decided not to write most of what they do as to not steal away from the culture or anything.

Thank you for reading.