Chapter Text
In an industry where all I saw was the worst side of humanity, fans are an impressive occurrence.
Before the event known to the world as Dawnfall, fan meetings were mostly a respite from seeing so many daily crimes to stop, a relief and a glimpse into why heroes did what they did.
Some heroes saw it as a nuisance, of course, and others as a respite from their stressful job of being a hero, which was actually a nightmare.
However, for E-Soul, it was a demonstration of why he abandoned his civilian life to become a hero.
Every elderly person thanking him, every adult laughing with him, and every child cheering for his appearance meant everything. Not because it fueled pride, not at all. It was because it was a warm feeling in the heart, encouraging one to continue.
There were also those traumatized by those he couldn't save, perhaps sobbing but thanking for their lives, or perhaps screaming and blaming him.
And E-Soul couldn't judge them, because he blamed himself.
(For him, every loss was like losing a part of himself.)
He still remembers the cries of those children losing their parents or siblings, the desperate cries of parents pleading for their children, and more.
How could he blame them?
Still, there were always those grateful people he had been able to save, thanking him, shaking his hand, and smiling.
E-Soul loved those smiles more than anything.
(Especially Rishí's.)
I never knew it could happen, because each fan is a different world, a different smile, different bright eyes, each one is a box full of surprises.
One he could never tire of, because they encouraged him to keep going again and again despite everything.
They made him feel alive, without a doubt.
And in return for their smiles, E-Soul would be his hero, his savior, and his benefactor.
Every time he fell, there were his fans, his beloved protégés, praying with their hands clasped, making him get up, smile, and fight for them.
(He didn't change much after Dawnfall.
Every loss was a part less of him. Every save was a part more of him.)
He apologized and was happy.
Because that's what being the savior of those he loves is all about.
Being a part of them.
──Kagayaki--Hikari-Nyx