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As he walked the wood creaked the waves softly splashing against the pier. The seagulls humming their good morning tune. The hazy sunrise just ahead of him. But his mind was elsewhere.
“Do not embarrass me at the parade tomorrow. Do you understand Shoto!
“Yes father.”
“What have I told you about calling me that on the job!!
“Sorry Captain," he says bitterly.
A long sigh escapes him; he really was not looking forward to the parade later that morning. He stares out at the ocean as he had reached the end of the pier. Had he made a mistake joining the navy to be with his dad after his mum died? After all he had never met his dad before. He had always been away at sea with the navy, But he wanted to know what was his dad really like?
“Toya, what's dad like?
“He’s a power thirsty jerk that's what he’s like”!
“What you guys talking about,” Natsuo appearing in the doorway with a mischievous look on his face.
“Shoto wanted to know what dad is like.”
“Dad doesn't care about us so neither should you care about him.” Natsuo snapped!
“Hey don’t say that to him,” Fuyumi says, coming up behind Natsuo carrying laundry.
“But why not, it’s the truth?” Toya states Natsuo nodding in agreement.
“Because you should let him make up his own opinion on dad.”
“But I want to know what he's like?” He blares out.
“Shoto, you're nine years old and you’ve never even met him. That should tell you everything you need to know about him!” Nasuo declared.
“Fuyumi, you must have a opinion on dad?” Toya questioned.
“ Oh umm I don't rea-
“FUYUMI”, Toya growled, cutting her off.
“Ok fine Fuyumi says, looking very annoyed.”Well I think it’s because he doesn’t need us that’s why he left.” The only reason that he married mum was because she's the admiral's daughter.”
“Told you, he’s a power thirsty jerk!”
For the few months since joining his father ship he had discovered that Toya was indeed right. Hack all of his siblings were right about the old man. And now he was stuck in the navy for four years,He let out another long sigh. Oh well it wouldn’t be so bad since he had made some friends, one was a boy his age with green messy curly hair his name was Izku Midoriya.
“Hey Todoroki, you excited about the parade tomorrow?” Midoriya practically bouncing towards him in the corridor.
“Not really.”
“Oh well I can't wait, I've never been in a parade before”. My mum and some friends from back home are coming”. Are any of your family and friends coming?”
“Just my siblings.”
“You have two older brothers and an older sister as well right?” Wow, You’re so lucky I always wanted siblings.”
“Yep, I guess I am.”
“HEY MIDORIYA!!” Iida practically screamed running down the hallway. “How are we supposed to get anything done if you're just standing around talking, He says as he runs past grabbing Midoriya and pulling him away.
Midoriya just shrugs and says, “See you at lunch Todoroki.”
He chuckles at the memory of yesterday morning. Midoriya had a tendency to ramble but that why admired him; he seemed to be able to speak his mind freely. He wished he could be like that too. He should probably head back for breakfast before Midoriya started to worry.
“Who are you going to be under Todoroki,” One of the other recruits asked who had bright red spiky hair.
“My dad Enji Todorki,” he said plainly.
“Is it true that even though his official title is just Captain he’s practically vice Admiral.
“ I don’t know, I've never even met him, that's why I joined the navy so I can finally meet him!
“WHAT!!! Really that crazy dude! Like how old are you sixteen?”
“Seventeen actually.”
“Wow I'm so sorry dude, he sure doesn’t sound very manly!
When he was nearing the top of the pier there was a tin bucket upside down and on top was a frog.
“What’s this one mama?" He said, pointing at a picture of a green frog with a big red spot on it’s chest.
“Oh that one’s a sea frog, they're really rare, they reckon there are only a handful left.
They were looking at a book called, The Oceans Weird And Wonderful Sea Creatures.
“Have you ever seen one mama?”
“No I haven’t but maybe your father or grandfather has.
“When is he coming home? I want to meet him.” He said looking up at her.
“I don’t know sweetie soon I hope, a sad look came into her eyes.
“Why did he leave, is it because he doesn't love us?”
“It’s complicated, but he does care in his own why.
He stared down at the frog and it stared back up at him it tilted it’s head and ribbit at him and giving him a final ribbit, leaping into the sea, He kept staring in shock at the space which the frog had last occupied.
“Look sharp recruits, the Captain will be here at any moment!”
Beads of sweat trickling down his face and neck, He was about to find out what his dad was really like. But maybe he all really knew the answer. But he hopes not. Suddenly the door was opening and in walked his dad. For The first time in his life he was seeing his dad. He was a lot bigger than he expected him to be, he also had a scowl on his face.
“And who's this he asked grumpily suddenly, He was standing right in front of him, staring him up and down
“Sir this is Todoroki Shoto, your son,” the chief officer answered. A look of astonishment filled his father's face a few seconds later the scowl returned.
“I hope you don’t expect special treatment just because your my son!” I expect every single person on my ship to pull their weight.” Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes sir, " he said while trying to hold back the tears as best as he could. And with that his father, No the Captain left the room.
“DISMISSED” the chief officer announced. He left the room as quickly as possible he couldn’t control the tears anymore. He didn’t expect him to fall on his knees crying and begging for forgiveness, but he had at least hoped he would give him an explanation as to why he had abandoned them his entire life. He owes them that much at least doesn't he? He didn’t even attend mum's funeral!
He was still staring at the spot where the sea frog had been.
“Oh mum, were you right about him caring in his own way?” I really miss you he says as he looks up at the sky as tears well in his eyes.
“Ribbit”
He looks down at the sea frog. “Yeah I know, he says as he wipes his eyes. “I’m going to be late if I don't get back soon.”
“Ribbit”
“Ok ok I’m going, he chuckles and with that the sea frog jumped back into the sea. He smiles to himself as he walks quickly, maybe just maybe today wouldn’t be so bad after all.