The clinking of silverware against plates constantly broke the silence in the house. Mei ate mechanically, more out of necessity for energy than enjoyment.
Sharing the table, her adoptive parents looked at each other, uncomfortable with the situation and unsure how to approach their obviously angry and confused daughter, whose maturity never allowed the couple to gain experience in these kinds of cases.
Sakura had requested time off work to spend the day with Mei, using as an excuse the storm the media was unleashing on UA and everyone involved with the camp incident.
As the mother of one of the affected students, she was able to get a couple of weeks off. For Sasuke, it was a little different.
The man was harassed by reporters, who somehow found out he was the stepfather of Mei, the Sports Festival champion. His own boss told him it would be best if he took off for a while, as they didn't want interruptions at the company.
—Uh, this is incredible, honey. Your cooking seems to have improved even more— the pink-haired woman commented with a shaky smile.
—Hm, thanks Mom— the girl replied in a low tone.
—Isn't it really, true, love?— Sakura continued, stepping on the foot of her husband who looked as dead inside as Mei.
—Ack! I-I mean Yes, it's delicious!
—... Thanks Dad— Mei replied again with boredom and a hint of discomfort. After a few seconds, she sighed and stood up from the table, leaving her plate half-eaten.
—Look, I'm sorry for being an idiot, but I'm not in the mood right now. I'm just going to my room and please don't push it for today, okay? I love you— she said before heading up the stairs.
—Yes! Good talk, honey, I hope you feel better so...— Sasuke's voice trailed off towards the end, without finishing his sentence.
—You're an idiot— Sakura muttered in distress.
—I did what I could. Besides, you didn't help much there either— the man retorted with a grimace, but quickly shut his mouth when he noticed his wife's frown.
The couple finished their lunch and proceeded to wash the dishes, with the sound of the news in the background.
More criticism of UA, the Hero System, reminders of the losses from that attack in which their children were involved. The thought that the deceased boy and girl could have been Tetsumaru and Mei sent a chill down their spines.
—Turn it off, please— Sakura said with a sigh. Sasuke obeyed, losing the light in his eyes as he saw the images of their children's friends again.
Although his relationship with his children was never normal, the man had taken his role as a father figure very seriously. He himself would claim that the role was more or less unnecessary, but that didn't change the fact that he felt that way.
And now they had to deal with the fact that their other son was voluntarily putting himself at risk to save his classmate. And that was the reason for Mei's bad mood.
—Did he reply to you yet?— he asked his wife, returning to her side to help her rinse the dishes.
Sakura shook her head, concentrating on her task with a bitter smile. "You know how Tetsumaru is. He'll probably call tonight, right before he's about to go to sleep."
—Hm, I know. The boy hates phones— Sasuke nodded in contemplation, recalling the quirks of his less expressive son. —But you shouldn't worry so much. He's strong and can defend himself.
—He's still my little boy— Sakura replied with a frown, startling her husband a little.
—And no one is saying otherwise, love, but if the Director himself came to ask for our permission, it's because they trust Tetsumaru's abilities. Your son is working hard to save a life, Sakura, not to face monsters. Trust him a little more— Sasuke soothed in a gentle tone.
Sakura was silent for a while, her worried face reflecting a sea of emotions.
The same day the attack happened, by nightfall, the couple had discovered that Tetsumaru had escaped the police station and hadn't accompanied Mei home.
Before they could alert the police, a car with the UA symbol parked in front of their house, and both Tetsumaru and Principal Nezu stepped out of it.
The mouse, or bear, or dog, requested special permission for Tetsumaru to cooperate with the Heroes and the police in the search for Hanta Sero and Pixie-Bob. Obviously, both immediately refused, but their son insisted on the matter.
—It's my responsibility, Mom, Dad. I was supposed to protect them and I failed my task. Please, let me do the right thing— he had told them with a pleading tone he had never used in all their life living together. They couldn't say no.
Since then, their son had left with the Heroes and barely kept in contact with them. Sasuke understood that it was better not to be distracted while working, and it wasn't as if he had left for months or years.
Only a few days had passed, and Sakura was already talking about him as if he were an old memory.
But the one who didn't take this matter well was Mei.
They didn't understand the reasons. Jealousy, frustration, fear. Maybe a combination of all of them or none of those emotions. They had no idea, and now they were dealing with her bad mood as best they could.
****************************
Midoriya: Can we talk, please?
Midoriya: I need you. We need your help.
Midoriya: I'm sorry, I know it's rude, but we're heading to your house right now.
Midoriya: Could you at least hear what we have to say, Mei-san?
Mei's phone vibrated with every new message, interrupting the music she was trying to relax with. She never expected albums by Neon Nox to exist in this fictional, futuristic world.
But she couldn't relax because of the cursed, closet-passive virgin who insisted on disturbing her moment.
—But aren't I more passive than him? Dammit...— Mei thought with an internal sigh, getting out of bed and climbing out the window.
The kunoichi walked down the street with a frown, her mind evaluating the sudden shift in her other half's perspective.
Was seeing a body so shocking that Tetsumaru would suddenly embark on a heroic mission of redemption? It made no damn sense to her.
They had never taken this 'Hero' business seriously; they never bothered to seriously consider the consequences of their actions, nor did they actively seek to intrude on the main plot events of this stupid world.
It's not that they knew many of those events, or more than four for that matter. Regardless, Mei didn't like the seriousness with which Tetsumaru was treating this matter.
They didn't belong in this world, damn it. They were foreigners, outsiders. Why worry too much and needlessly grieve? They had already lived once, and they died. That, that is what truly changes people.
Mei experienced it, and although she doesn't remember it exactly, there is no longer so much uncertainty about what lies on the other side. It is much simpler than it seems: You are a good person, you get paradise. You are a bad person, you suffer forever.
And Mei was sure she wasn't a bad person. Indifference is not evil, and her indifference did not cause anyone's death.
What would she have accomplished anyway? She didn't know where Ojiro or the horse girl were. Even if she had defeated the oily fat man much sooner, those two could have died anyway.
No, Mei did nothing wrong, she did not act wrongly, nor is it wrong for her not to shed tears for the dead whom she barely interacted with in life. Heck, she doesn't even know the horse girl's name.
—Mei-san!— a pesky voice shrieked, interrupting Mei's thoughts.
The kunoichi turned with boredom, seeing the gathered gang and quickly guessing where this nonsense was going.