Discharged, dinner, a family of four

After two more days in a private intensive care room, Uraraka Shige was transferred to an ordinary ward and kept in the hospital for observation.

After several more days of observation, the hospital confirmed that Uraraka Shige had essentially recovered and discharged him.

This time, Uraraka Shige's parents and Ochaco all came to take him home, unlike the last time, when his mother alone had brought him home. On the way back, the family of four even stopped to eat out in celebration of his discharge.

"But if we're just celebrating my discharge, why do we have to eat out? Couldn't we do it at home? Or did the family company suddenly get a project and start making money?"

After eating for a while, Uraraka Shige, seated in his chair, suddenly took the fish tail out of his mouth and licked the slightly fishy oil from around his lips. Then, wearing an expression that said, "This baby is very curious, and this baby is eager to know," he looked at his father and mother, who were eating quietly beside him, nearly making them choke on their food.

In fact, just as Uraraka Shige had said, although his family owned a construction company, it often failed to land projects. As a result, their finances were not very good, and they could even be described as rather hard up.

Because of their poor finances, they rarely ate out instead of at home. Even the last time Uraraka Shige had been discharged, his mother had simply made some good food at home to celebrate.

And because of Uraraka Shige's hospitalization that time, his father and mother had often been busy away from home for a long stretch afterward, with no time to stay home and spend with him and Ochaco.

Beside him, Ochaco had been delighted and felt very happy because the family's meals had improved over the past few days, and she had even received some new toys and clothes she especially liked. After hearing Uraraka Shige's question, she too showed a rather mature side, thinking of her family.

"Shige's right! Things at home have felt much better lately, and you even bought me new clothes and toys... Father, Mother, what's going on? Is it really like Shige said? Is our family's company finally making money?"

Ochaco wiped her mouth, then stared with a serious expression and wide, round eyes at her father and mother. She blinked, her gaze full of concern and questions, as they each took a sip of water to help the food in their mouths go down and quickly swallowed it.

Faced with Uraraka Shige and Ochaco's questions, their father and mother swallowed their food, exchanged a knowing smile, and nodded together.

Their father then began to speak. Rather than an explanation, what he said was more like an admission.

"That's right. Since you've already guessed, your mother and I won't keep it from you."

As soon as their father spoke, a solemn atmosphere seemed to settle over the little dining table in Ochaco's mind.

"The family's construction company landed several sizable projects in a row over the past few days and made a considerable profit. It's enough to pay all of Shige's hospital bills, with plenty left over. We can use some of it to improve our family's living conditions."

Their mother nodded in agreement, confirming that what their father said was true.

"Really? That's wonderful!"

Hearing that answer, Ochaco smiled happily, her cute little face looking bright and sunny. She also took the opportunity to bring up an idea she had long held.

"Then when I grow up, I'll work at the family company. That way I can help you and Mother too!"

And, as always, her father turned her down.

"No!"

Ochaco's expression stiffened slightly, but she was no longer the girl she had been four years ago, when her Quirk had first been identified. Her expression merely stiffened a little; she didn't look aggrieved and on the verge of tears as she would have when she was younger.

Seeing Ochaco's expression and the slightly stiffened atmosphere, their father changed his tone, growing gentle once more as he began to explain.

"Ochaco, your mother and I both know you want to do your part for this family, but you have your own path to walk, and you should have your own goals and dreams. As your parents, we would never want this family to hold you back and keep you from pursuing your dreams."

Their father's explanation was just as it always was. Ochaco had expected it and had long since grown used to being turned down whenever she brought it up, so after listening to him, she smiled gently and understandingly, nodded to her father and mother, and murmured in agreement.

"Okay, I understand, Father."

Then she lowered her head and resumed eating. Seeing this, their father and mother exchanged another glance and both sighed silently. They knew what Ochaco had said was true, but the reason they had given was also true. And as parents, their determination not to hold their children back, no matter what, was truer still.

The family of four quietly resumed their meal as they had at the start, but the atmosphere had grown somewhat stiff, no longer as warm and cheerful as before. Watching them, Uraraka Shige felt stifled, and after he shoveled down a few more mouthfuls, the feeling made him increasingly irritated.

So he suddenly stopped eating and spoke again, trying to break the stifling atmosphere.

"Um... Father?"

Uraraka Shige took a deep breath, then put on a smile that told anyone who saw it, "This kid is definitely up to no good," and asked a question.

"Improving things for the family is good and all, but... you didn't embezzle company funds, did you?"

The sudden question made his father and mother, who had nearly choked on their food because of his words earlier, choke for real this time. Naturally, they gave him displeased looks.

Their father took a sip of water to clear his throat and felt a little better before saying:

"What nonsense are you spouting, kid?"

Seeing his father like this, Uraraka Shige suddenly felt much better. He nodded and, deliberately teasing him a little, voiced his agreement. His father's eyes immediately widened and he looked very angry, but the atmosphere at the table successfully returned to its earlier warmth and cheer.

"I'm sorry, Father. I shouldn't have gone around saying something so true!"