The Story Of Forever (Todobaku)

Epilogue

~TWELVE YEARS LATER~

Shouto dropped his pencil as his hand cramped up. He was way ahead of schedule, so it wouldn't hurt to take a break, but he valued productivity. The more he accomplished during his designated work blocks, the more time he could dedicate to things he found more important.

Chapter sixty-four was turning out great. Comparing the current version of this story to the one he drafted as a teenager, it was fulfilling to have documented evidence of his progress. The art was crisper, the character arcs were clearer, and the romance was leaps and bounds better developed. Experience was truly the key to success in this industry. Shouto was just proud he stuck it out long enough to see the results.

"Papa, here!"

Shouto looked up from his table of notes and toward the entryway that connected the kitchen to the playroom. The sweetest little voice called out for him, one that brought a smile to his face even on his worst days.

He ditched the table without looking back. When it came to things Shouto prioritized more than his career as a mangaka, his son topped the list.

As he reached the entrance, the boy that captured Shouto's heart for the last twenty months sprung into view. Shouto could melt into the floor from how precious his son looked in his overalls and striped long sleeve set, a present from Grandpa Enji. The boy's mouth twisted into a dramatic pout while he grabbed Shouto's hand.

"Papa," he whined, "here."

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Shouto laughed. Toddlers didn't have the best patience, but he rolled with the punches. As a father, every day was a new adventure, and he looked forward to all of them.

He was escorted to the corner of the playroom where an assortment of blocks stood tall. Well, tall for a twenty month old at least. Had it been any other kid, aside from perhaps his niece, Shouto would offer polite words and move along with his day. But having the privilege of watching someone grow up before his very eyes, he memorized every milestone, big or small. And hands down, this was the tallest and best crafted block structure his son conjured to date.

"Oh wow," he said, sitting in front of it. He inspected it carefully, not leaning in too close so he didn't accidentally knock it down. "You did all this by yourself?"

"Yeah!" his son piped up next to him.

Shouto beamed and pulled him into his lap. "That's amazing, Touya. You should be proud."

Touya Bakugou, just like his namesake, had bright red hair that shot off in all directions. He inherited the color from his Aunt Fuyumi, who was kind enough to serve as a surrogate for Shouto and Katsuki. The rest of his features were all Katsuki. Red eyes, slight tan, and that signature cheeky smile. The only thing of Touya's that Shouto contributed was his name. Katsuki was fine with it as long as when the time came, Shouto agreed to name their second child Tsunagu after the lead singer of Dynamight.

Touya stood in Shouto's lap then threw his arms around him, nearly tackling him to the ground. He giggled his head off like it was a game, which it very well could've been in his eyes.

"Oh," Shouto gasped at impact. When he settled, ensuring Touya was still in his hold, he giggled as well. "I love you too, buddy."

Touya laughed some more and grabbed Shouto's face. He babbled a string of toddler nonsense, making Shouto's face hurt from smiling, then clapped five times. Then he was back to laughing.

"Somebody's feisty," Shouto said. His expression shifted to his best fake surprised face. "Is it snack time?"

"Yeah!"