Chapter Text
She stared down at the tiny baby in her arms and could only wonder how his life would unfold, this was a child who was born simply because Enji wanted to be better than All Might. It was almost certain that no happy life could come of such a situation.
Looking down she could admire the child in her arms, the chubbiness of his face and the calm smile that seemed as if it would always be there, she knew this happiness couldn't last but it should still be treasured. Crowning his head were tiny thin wisps of red and white hair, his skin was the same pale color as her own, and she couldn't wait to see what color his eyes would be. Rei's heart melted when her son reached his tiny hand towards her, he took a firm grasp of her finger and all she could do is love this child more.
Soon Enji entered the room and the atmosphere became tense, his glare was condescending as he inspected the baby, as if he thought that he would already be able to tell how strong his quirk would be despite that being impossible.
"Once your quirk shows itself we'll know whether you're strong enough to fulfill your purpose," Enji's tone was stern, as if he was telling a teenager to take their schooling more seriously. Not as if he was telling a newborn that if he was unlucky enough to have a powerful quirk his whole life was already decided.
Later that night Rei found herself once again wondering what would happen to her tiny son, who was now named Saigiku, would spend his life. Would he become the hero his father wanted him to be? A hero stronger than All Might, or would he not make the cut and be tossed to the side in favor of any other children Enji and her might have. Maybe the latter option would be better for him, with his sweet smile she couldn't imagine him being anything other than the most peaceful human being.
But maybe she would be wrong and growing up, trained to be the strongest from the moment he had his quirk, would cause him to be harsh, destructive with no care for others.
That thought scared her, so she decided instead to focus on happier things. Like the way the light to the moon from the window perfectly illuminated Saigiku's face as he slept soundly, having not a clue how hard his life would be.
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It has been a few weeks since Saigiku was born and something wasn't right, his behavior was strange and eventually they went to a doctor for help. That was the fateful day that they found out that their previous son had a problem, a problem that had sent all Enji's plans for his future to hell.
On that day, in a private room at the specialists' office they were given the disastrous news that Saigiku, their perfect son, was completely blind. There were no treatment options, this would forever affect his life and there was no longer a chance he would achieve Enji's dream of making him the number one hero. With such a shortcoming he would probably be forgiven for whatever inevitable younger sibling he would have.
Saigiku was homeschooled by his mom, Enji saw no reason to bother with professional tutors for his disgrace of a blind son so Rei took it upon herself to teach him the basics. She taught him everything from math and history to braille (which she had been very passionate about learning since his diagnosis).
It took him till 5 and a half for his quirk to show itself, by that point his younger brother Touya had already shown signs of a powerful fire quirk.
Enji was spending every spare moment training the poor child. Therefore, he had no time to care for Saigiku when it was discovered he could dematerialize and rematerialize his body with no restraints or disadvantages.
Eventually they would take him to the doctor again and discover that not only was their son blind but also his quirk wasn't quirk, Saigiku Todoroki was an Ability user.
Abilities are frowned upon and the users face as much discrimination or more than the quirkless population. Abilities are rare and powerful, both for his own safety and to maintain the families pristine image they never told Touya, Saigiku was taught to act as if he was quirkless, if someone where to ask he was told to act confused and come get a parent.
"We'll explain your... unique situation" his father would tell him.
By the time Saigiku was 10 it was clear to him he didn't belong in this home, his mother had always cared deeply for him, but she was now a busy mother of 5.
His father's attitude towards him did make things any better either, Saigiku's father considered him a stain on the hero's reputation.
"What would they say if they knew our son was both blind and one of those ability abominations!?''
That same phrase to a certain extent was what Saigiku would overhear from his parents nightly arguments, they would never know just how aware he was of the happenings in this dysfunctional family.
As time passed he could tell Enji's brutal treatment of Toya and lack of care for the rest of the family was greatly affecting his mom, he was acutely aware of every time she broke down in private, and every time she was hurt for having tried to stop his father.
It has been a hard year for the Todorioki family, Toya died, and after the Shoto incident Rei had to leave.
Then it was just Enji taking care of the four surviving children, once Shoto was fit to start training again Fuyumi took up the place as family caretaker. Saigiku slowly felt like his existence was a burden on the family more and more, he could and wanted to help but his father only wanted him to stay home and do nothing.
"What if something happens? You're blind Saigiku, you should just let Fuyumi take care of it!"
Time seemed to move slowly and Saigiku decided he was sick of this life, so he started sneaking out.
At first, it was simple escapes to a nearby park so he could get used to navigating the outside world, but soon he became bolder.
Eventually he decided to try and go to a sweets stand and spend some money he had stolen from his father.
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Saigiku wasn't expecting anything in his plan to go wrong but unfortunately fate had other plans.
He didn't even make it to the nearby sweets shop before an older sounding man stopped him,
"Young man, you seem a little lost. Should I help you reconnect with your parents?"
Saigiku turned to face him, he could sense the man seemed surprised to see that the young boy was blind.
"No sir, I'm ok by myself," he responded calmly.
The man all of a sudden grabbed Saigiku's arm and said harshly.
"You're coming with me now," Saigiku was unsure why he didn't struggle or use his ability to escape the kidnapper that day.
Maybe it was because his parents had brainwashed him into thinking people knowing what he really was would be the end of everything.
Later he would wonder what could have been if he hadn't been taken, but no one will ever know how that alternative future could have been.
Saigiku Todoroki would go on to join an organized crime circle, rising to a high rank through years of service.
His name would change to Saigiku Jouno to show respect to his mentor in the circle, and the supportive father figure he had been missing all his life. The change was also to protect his identity.
After his mentor's passing he would be scouted for Yokohama's "hero agency" The hunting dogs.
Saigiku soon became a distinguished member of the Hunting dogs because of his versatile ability and heightened senses.
Post Ochi Fukuchi's removal from command due to his work with Decay of Angles Okra Teruko would take over, he was made her second in command.
Soon after the promotion Tecchou and Saigiku got engaged and then married (the ceremony was anything but orderly).
The couple still work as Hunting dogs and have an apartment based in Yokohama (it's actually their second apartment, we don't talk about what happened to the first).
Tecchou would enter the apartment, same as always and wanting a bowl of brussel sprouts with wasabi after his long shift on duty, only to almost step on a singular letter.
It must have been slid under the door instead of put in the mailbox, how weird?
Tecchou didn't really care, he just picked up the letter and left in in the counter for later.
Continuing on his mission to consume brussel sprouts and wasabi.
Later when Saigiku got home him and Tecchou would open the letter, inside would an interesting request form people they never thought would obtain their address.
All that is left to know is will they comply, and what will that mean for the future?