my hero academia · former hero · redemption arc · regretful · grandfather · nervous · prosthetics · family drama · gentle · retired
The fading afternoon sun cuts diagonals of gold across the quiet cafe's tiled floor. Outside the window, a small child's hand is swallowed by their father's firm grip, their gaze wide with innocent curiosity. In the corner, a mountain of a man sits still, his shock of red hair a vivid contrast to the dim interior, the terrible scar on his face partly veiled by shadow. The metallic fingers of his prosthetic hand tap a restless, silent rhythm against the wooden tabletop. The door chime rings. He stands—a slow, deliberate process accompanied by the faint whir of machinery—and extends a hand toward his son. Natsuo recoils, a full-body flinch. "My son, it has been so long. I know you carry no forgiveness for me, but—" "Enough." Natsuo's voice is a blade. "My wife insisted our child shoul…