I walked down the small cobblestone path leading to the front door. She painted it red. It was for good luck, and she said it made the white, modern exterior seem more approachable.

We never did have the same style, but I got used to it. I liked a clean, sleek look while Y/n loved when spaces felt like home. Everything she touched became colorful and filled with life.

The house was surrounded by plush grass and ancient trees that held a steady bloom in the warmer months. She was right, I actually did love being out in the countryside. It was nice to get away.

Inside the home, the sweet scent of freshly baked treats drifted in the room as the evening sun shined through the windows. I smiled at the sight of the tv still on and toys left aimlessly around the floor.

I walked over to the small coffee table where a plate of cookies had been left and helped myself. She complained she could never get the kids to sleep, but still, she could never tell them no when they wanted dessert.

I made my way to the kitchen, laughing as I got there. It was even messier than the living room. The counters covered in chocolate chips and flour, cookware and dishes scattered about.

Looks like she let them help with the baking.

Like I said, everything she touched ended up filled with life, and she was too busy living to be worried about a mess.

Out in the backyard I heard the sounds of playful yelling and loud laughter. The sight took my breath away as I watched her blowing bubbles, the two little ones running around trying to catch them.

"Dad!!" they screamed as they finally saw me standing there and ran over.

"Hey kiddos," I smiled as I crouched down and gave them both a huge hug. My heart fluttered when she turned and smiled at me. Her eyes glistened and her nose was dusted pink from the cool evening breeze.

I let go of their embrace as she walked over and immediately threw my arms around her, lifting her up and spinning her around once before setting her down again.

"Hello my love," I huffed before laying a gentle kiss on her lips.

"I missed you," she smiled back.

"Mm, I missed you too," I kept my head in the crook of her neck as I held her tighter.

"If I knew you were coming back today, I would've at least pretended like I keep the house clean," she laughed. "I thought you weren't home until tomorrow."

"I thought I'd surprise you," I said as I kissed her forehead. I crouched down in front of her, rubbing her stomach gently, "And how's our little one?"

"Being a brat. Just like his father," she teased as she watched me kiss and cuddle her belly. She was adorable when she was pregnant. She hated it, but I loved it.

Even though we planned for our first kid, we were thrown into a whirlwind of shock when we found out we were having twins. And now, our third, he was a complete surprise.

"Daddy look! I wrote this all by myself!!" Hina yelled as she ran up to me again, holding up a piece of paper.

Katsuki quickly ran up to show off too, making me laugh. They were only 4, but he was already showing signs of his innate technique. I was proud. Y/n was annoyed.

"Ok, ok," Y/n walked over. "Stop picking on your sister. Go inside and get ready for bed."

They began to complain but I quickly took off my blindfold to scold them, making them practically sprint instead.

I laughed as Y/n approached me with her arms crossed. "They behave so much better when you're not home," she huffed.

"Eh, they're just trying to impress me," I winked at her, laughing louder as she rolled her eyes.

I grabbed her from behind and pulled her into me, resting my head on her shoulder as I shut my eyes and held her close.

"I'm glad you're home," she said softly as she melted back into my arms.

"Me too."

There was a loud, sudden blast that sent a shockwave through the earth and broke me out of my daydream. I felt it even as I sat here in this box.

It felt like a rush of thunder after a lightning storm. I wonder what she did to have caused such a widespread force.

"Looks like your girlfriend has come to join us," I heard Geto call from outside the prison I now found myself in.

"Fiancé," I mumbled, unsure if he could even hear me even though I could still hear everything from outside.

I looked down, fiddling with the black band on my left hand. How did things go south so quickly? Did she know I was sealed away?

I was stuck in this damn box, and it could barely even hold me. Yet I still couldn't get out.

I overheard them talking about it, my power was too much that now I was literally just stuck on the floor of the subway terminal, waiting until they could actually pick me up.

"She blasted her way through our curtains," he added in an annoyed voice. "How is that even possible?"

I let out a soft breath of relief. At least she was blowing up barriers and not buildings full of people. Not yet at least.

But I have faith in all of them. I know they can do this. Y/n just needs to keep a level head, but part of me is cynical... I don't think it's very likely.

I closed my eyes, trying to force back the tears that were threatening to fall once again.... I really messed up this time. Just when I was so close to having it all.

••••

I ran in the direction Nanami told me I would find Yuuji and Megumi. I guess they were working on breaking down this barrier. I'd be able to do that, I just needed to find them first so we could enter into the next phase together.

I scrunched up my face as I saw both the boys sitting on the ground.

"Oi! Feeling tired or somethin?" I yelled.

They both whipped their heads around, quickly getting to their feet.

"Y/n-sensei!!" Yuuji yelled. "W-what are you doing here!?"

I crossed my arms as I narrowed my eyes towards them, "Saving your ass. You're welcome."

He laughed nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck while Megumi looked like he'd seen a ghost or something. He almost looked like he was about to pass out or be sick.

"You good, Megumi?" I asked as I tilted my head.

"Are you good?" he asked and Yuuji pushed him, giving his friend a warning look.

These two. They never made any sense to me. Whatever. Don't have time to think about it.

I shrugged my shoulders as I turned to the curtain, "Eh, I've been better. Now, you two, stand behind me."

They quickly followed my instructions as I held my hand out in front of me the same way I had earlier in my bedroom.

"Y/n-sensei!" Yuuji panicked. "What are you doing!?"

I ignored him as I focused all my attention on my next technique. This barrier was a lot bigger than the last one and would take considerably more effort.

Cursed Technique: Dark Current

As the energy began to gather around me, I slammed my hand forward, contacting my palm to the barrier.

I watched as the black electrical current from my cursed technique spread across the curtain, creating a lightning-like pattern.

The force caused a deafening bang, and Yuuji and Megumi both covered their ears. A tremble that felt like a high grade earthquake surged through the ground, and my students watched in amazement. The curtain shattered as if it were glass and then dispersed.

"Well," I dusted my hands as I faced my two stunned students. "You ready?"

A man began rushing towards us, yelling, "How the hell did you do that!? The cursed objects are still in tact!"

"Who's that?" I looked at Yuuji and Megumi.

"One of the cursed users," Megumi got ready to attack. "He uses Inversion."

"Inversion huh?" I smirked. "Could be impressive. But I'm guessing its weakness is a little too obvious."

"We have to finish him with a powerful attack and a weak attack at the same time. That's how we blow past it," Megumi explained.

"Mm, yes, that's one way if you're using cursed energy. But his technique doesn't cover attacks that are void of cursed energy."

"What do you mean?" he looked over at me.

"Hey baldie," I called out as I looked at the cursed user. "What's your plan? Why are you here?"

He shot me a devious smirk, "Look around you. Our plan is already complete."

"So you're not going to be useful?" I huffed out, annoyed with this conversation.

The barrier was down. Satoru was in there somewhere and I needed to find him. So as he continued to ramble about who knows what, I pulled out the gun from my waistband.

In one shot, the man dropped to the ground.

I turned back to my students, "We need to go find Satoru."

Megumi's face was as normal as ever, but Yuuji looked down at the cursed user's bleeding, lifeless body with a look of shock and sadness.

"You were going to kill him anyway, Yuuji. This was just faster."

"But you shot him..." he trailed off. I sighed as I dropped the gun to the ground. I knew I wouldn't be able to use it again after getting a look like that.

"The attack didn't use any cursed energy, which is why it worked," Megumi added. "Good thinking. Sorcerers don't usually use weapons other than cursed tools."

"Not usually, but Mai is actually the one that taught me how to use a gun."

"Y/n-sensei," Yuuji looked over at me. "I thought you didn't kill. What happened?"

"At some point, Yuuji, we just have to accept who we are," I forced myself to keep my eyes locked to his.

"And who you are?"

I sighed softly, because the truth was, I didn't really know. I used to be so sure, and now I had no idea.

For the most part, I no longer cared who lived or who died... and the same thing went for myself.

Sure I wanted a future with Satoru. He was really the only stable part of my life left, but that would never pass as an identity.

So, as for me, I was still figuring it all out. And if I died before I got the chance to do that, then so be it.

"I don't know, Yuuji," I answered honestly. "I'm still working on that. For now, I'm just doing what I need to do to protect the ones I love. I don't have time to think about anything else."

He nodded along at my words, seeming to soak in everything I said. There was a small shift in his eyes, as if maybe he understood a bit of what I meant.

"We need to get to Satoru now," I spoke up again, breaking the silence. "Let's split up."

"Y/n-sensei!" Megumi yelled as I was about to take off. "You shouldn't go in there alone."

I couldn't help but to smile softly. They both seemed so concerned about me regardless of how strong they knew I was. They must really care.

"Don't worry about me, kid. I'll be fine."