Oaths and promises [Principal Dad]

It was odd how despite the fact people might experience a horrible tragedy, the world continued to move on and society remained to walk forwards, relentlessly without looking back. In a way, some might even have considered it cruel. The recent events at the military demonstration camp had shaken up society, and that was putting it mildly. However, for some, the tragedies experienced were more personal. In the wake of the events during the Halloween period, Elise von Eisenberg had suffered severe injuries from her fight against the villainous man known as Nick Cross, the consequences of them having forced her into a comatose she had yet to be woken from. Things were looking unfavorable, to say the least, although it had been confirmed that she was aware and conscious, the reactions that showed this were few, in fact, the doctors had confirmed she only seemed to respond mostly to the presence of Tetsuko Shindou, as if the girl was the very reason Elise was struggling, that she was refusing to surrender to what might otherwise end her story.

Like usual a lone security guard was stationed at the door to the hospital, the reason behind it having been the missing whereabouts of the man responsible for this tragedy, alongside the awareness that Elise was still an important witness in this case. It could be that she possessed valuable knowledge about the motives of the villain, and as such the utmost precautions were taken to ensure her safety.

Still, once inside the room it seemed so serene, so tranquil in a way. Although it was, and still remained a hospital room it was clear that the girl had received a fair share of visitors, for her room was filled with all sorts of gifts. From traditional flowers to candy, fruit and even a specially assembled medical kit were signs of the various symbols of support that the students of U.A had left her. Even heroes like Red Horn had visited her, and yet it did little to wake the girl from her slumber.

Speaking of said girl, inside a simple hospital bed she was slumbering, almost like a casket that was meant to keep her in peace and undisturbed, a sight remniscent of the fairytale of a certain princess and a group of dwarves. But even as her expression looked calm and peaceful, none could have likely imagined the things the girl was experiencing currently.

To Elise it was akin to having her consciousness split into half. She was there, she was inside the hospital room yet her body refused to head any command, it was as if someone had taken the controller away and she was forced to simply watch, a captured spectator of a cruel game known as life.

Yet another part of her spend an intensive amount of time thinking. One such thing she was thinking about was about two people. Tetsuko Shindou had always been dear to her, dearest of all in fact and yet the selfish little princess had forced her beloved knight to carry such a painful burden. She wanted to wake up from her slumber, to apologize to Tetsuko, to voice the feelings buried deep inside her chest. Even after everything, she wouldn't be able to stop relying on her, because Tetsuko's support didn't only come through physical protection, she also safeguarded the girl's heart, their feelings for each other being a driving force for Elise to endure every trial and tribulation send her way.

Meanwhile, she found herself wondering a question recently: Why had she gone this far to protect Rin? Even after everything at the camp, when she tried to step away, to keep both of them from suffering further Elise couldn't help herself but to care. It was true, her actions had made her a 'shitty' friend to say the least, and even now the guilt of those memories still remained. But why did she stop Nick? It was as if her body had reacted on its own, a force much stronger than anything else, as if those feelings had been the strings to guide her body like a puppet, and she knew all too well why she had done so.

It was because she couldn't let go, Elise couldn't let go of the warmth she remembered, of the girl she had adored so much while working together at the infirmary. Even now she still wanted to help her, support her, protect her. She wanted to become worthy of being Rin's friend again.

But was it enough? Now that she knew what had happened that night Elise couldn't help but sometimes find herself wondering: Could I have prevented Rin's suffering? She didn't know for sure, but at the very least she could help prevent the nightmare from reaching Rin again.

Guilt at the past, and hope for the fact that Tetsuko and the police had dealt with Nick Cross blend together as Elise wondered if it would have been enough. Did her actions that night show her resolve? That no matter the pain, no matter the burden she still wanted to help. In the end, Elise was simply unable to let go of those she truly cared for.

Yet little did the girl know that she wasn't the only one struggling with doubts and guilt, for today she was about to have a visitor show up, who perhaps had become quite an important figure into Elise's life. And yet his presence alone would soon be the herald of that one thing that the Eisenberg needed to be made whole again: Hope, and even in those dark times there was no doubt that Elise von Eisenberg was surrounded by hope, an incredibly powerful force that might have been even more important in saving her, than any Quirk might have done.

In fact, neither her or the visitor could have possibly known that the hope they both sought, would take a form most unexpected, but for now? For now it was time for Kobayashi Touma to see the one he had sworn to protect.