Well, it certainly has been a while, huh, buckaroos? How many years has it been? Two?
Yeah, it's been a while! Hi! Yes, I'm still alive, and yes, I still hate myself! Thank you for asking!
I think a lot of explaining is needed here, so let's start with two years ago and go chronologically from there.
Buckle your seatbelts and hold your kneecaps cause this is going to take a while!
So after the hellhole of Japan ended, I was in the hospital because my body got fucked up overtime due to Ragdoll's quirk. I knew that before I lost my memories, didn't know it during the memory loss (which I know is not a memory lost, it was a memory adjustment but fuck off why won't you?)and then I knew about it again once All for One decided to elegantly provide them back to me in the most painful way possible.
Off-topic.
Back on topic, I did heal a good bit. However, to fully heal from my traumatizing experience physically, Eri would have had to step in to reverse everything.
Obviously, I wasn't going to let that happen. I am not going to let a traumatized little girl deal with that shit. I know it doesn't hurt her, but I don't want to use her. It just doesn't feel right. That is why I am not completely healed and can never be healed at this point due to the time period. Sure, I could have gone on a search for a doctor.
The issue is I didn't give a fuck anymore.
During that time, I will be the last to admit that I was okay, but I admit I was not okay. Many may say I am still not, and I give those people a fuck you because I feel much better than I did two years ago. I'm not at my prime (and will never be again), mind you, but I'm better.
Back then, I simply did not care anymore. If the world was threatened yet again, I wasn't going to step in and fix it, though I deny Shouta would let me anyway- or anyone for that matter, now that I think about it.
The point I am trying to make here, while going off-track a million times, is that I did not care about my future anymore. I would have been able to die content. I didn't really try to help myself. Everything I did was because others made me. I had to go to physical and regular therapy. I had to hang out with my classmates. I had to go to class like a normal teenager (even if they were Nezu's bullshit lessons).
The only thing I willingly did was tell the HC to fuck off because I was done with hero shit.
So here I was trying to recover from the bologna I have been through while others were trying to get me used to being a normal (hahahahaha) teenager again. However, there was this barrier: Japan. When I say that, I don't mean in a discriminatory way. What I am referencing is the constant feeling that shit was going to go wrong again. That's how it always went, you know? I fix something, and something else breaks. You know, like politics.
To be frank, I couldn't handle it despite everyone telling me that it will be okay.
I graduated from UA two months after all that went down. Then, the night of graduation, I packed my shit and dipped on the next plane out of Japan.
I'm not going to say I did this right because I didn't as you will probably see those consequences soon. I only said goodbye to Mom and Eri. They were the only ones who knew that I was going to leave. I didn't even say anything to the squad or anyone else. I just left them a letter during the graduation party and ditched them.
There was one wrench in my plan that I had not considered: Yagi.
You see, Yagi caught me about to leave. I had my backpack on, and I was going through the teacher's dorm to leave when Yagi caught me.
Of course, Yagi tried to talk me out of it, and I said no and threatened him if he said anything about this.
That's when Yagi made his second play: he would go with me.
Which probably brings up the question of why did I never invite the squad to come with me. To simply put, I knew they would stop me. I was still healing at the time, and they didn't know how I would react to certain things now that I came out the hole thoroughly traumatized. Even if they did willingly go, they have students here to watch over. I don't need them with me. I need to figure this out without someone constantly watching over my shoulder.
Yagi technically counts as watching over my shoulder, but he's relatively easy to ditch if need be. If he comes with me, perhaps that will hold them off long enough for us to leave Japan since they will think Yagi is with me at a carnival or something.
I know I should be more considerate of him, but Yagi can take care of himself.
So Yagi and I left Japan to explore the world. I promise you aren't drinking. You are reading that right.
I regret leaving everyone behind, but I don't regret leaving. It felt freeing. I didn't feel trapped. It felt like leaving a loop, which maybe I should have talked to my therapist about but whoops.
That is not to say that leaving Japan fixed all my problems because it didn't. If anything, it added more because now I'm going to have to explain to everyone why I left. However, I felt better.
This is going to read like one of those ugly highschool essays at this point, so there's your warning.
I think the most important thing I got from leaving is stepping out of the hero bullcrap. I got an outside perspective, and I will admit I could not have predicted that. It wasn't just me: Yagi got that same deal, though I think his is more severe since it was his entire life.
Obviously, we couldn't completely avoid it, and that led us down a very interesting path. I specifically remember how this started because we went to Rhode Island in the U.S. as that's where the hero system originated. We were just curious. However, while we were going through a museum, we got into a rather deep discussion about the differences between the U.S. and Japan hero systems.
That sparked our curiosity to research hero systems all around the world to see the pros and cons of each of them. We clearly weren't in a rush to go back to Japan, so we headed off for the rest of the world.
In other words, Yagi and I became hero society researchers accidentally.
It taught me many things. For example, most post-industrial societies don't train kids in highschool to be heroes because that's kind of fucked up. You become a hero after training in some sort of college program for a lot of them. In other words, when you're an adult. There are other differences as well, such as rankings and training and just the overall view of heroes, but we would be here all day if I got to argue everything wrong with Japan.
The reason why I mention all this is because it gave me a purpose to move forward with during that time period. Understanding the differences made me realize that I did not want to be the kind of hero Japan wanted me to be. There are so many issues in the world, and those issues are why we need heroes. However, I believe that a true hero's role (not meaning to bash Akaguro) isn't about defeating evil, but rather it should be about preventing evil to produce an overall better world.
AKA, don't be a hero!
Alter ego me figured this out actually. That's why he built the Motel. It just took me traveling the world to figure it out.
I promise we're almost there.
Over a year, Yagi and I traveled and learned what we could. We were actually becoming close friends, which I never thought I would be able to say, but here we are.
Then Yagi started getting sick. Severely sick.
We were originally going to take the next plane back to Japan to have Recovery Girl look at him, but it was bad enough to where an emergency plane was needed for transport. Watching him reminded me of how I felt when I first got Ragdoll's quirk.
The difference is that Yagi died.
It was amazing to them that Yagi was able to go to all the places he did because his health was deteriorating for a while. He kept going because he enjoyed traveling and learning the differences and flaws of our own system and just seeing the world. He knew he was going to die. He didn't want to die with any regrets. That's why there were points where he did go to Japan without me to tie any loose ends or to make sure my classmates weren't causing any trouble.
If that's what Yagi wanted to do, I wouldn't stop him. I understand. Perhaps we were fucking with death a bit, but he died with a smile on his face. I was right there with Nighteye, Recovery Girl, and Nezu.
It's ironic to think a year ago that I probably would not have cared too much, but then it was one of the most painful moments of my life.
That was also the same time I saw everyone again after leaving them without a word practically. Shouta practically stuck to my side nonstop since I had to stay for the funeral, but at least he didn't ask any questions at that time. Hizashi was practically the same except with slightly more space. Nemuri would try to distract us with failure.
It still didn't feel right to be there.
After the funeral, I left again. Unlike before, it was far more painful because Shouta knew I would try this and practically begged me to stay so that they could protect and help me.
Another memory I state as one of the most painful.
You see why I didn't write this shit live?
Anyway, we're finally back in today's time. Congratulations if you made it this far!
Where does that lead us?
Currently, I am on a plane back to Japan. It has been a few months since then, and I will admit that I did not plan on returning there so soon, if at all.
What changed my mind was a call from a week ago. Typically, only the locals in the area can call the phone that I have been using. It keeps people such as Shouta from virtually stalking me. However, it isn't perfect because Nezu still calls me once in a while to make sure that I am alive. Everytime I block him, he finds another loop. It's annoying, especially when I answer, thinking it is someone nearby when it is him ready to rattle my ear off. I've been half-tempted to destroy the thing, but I haven't.
About a week ago, Nezu did his usual terrible antics and went around the new limitation I had made. It kept him away for most of the time since I left my second time, so I guess I can't complain. The difference this time was that it wasn't Nezu that was on the phone.
Instead, it was Uraraka. Uraraka managed to get the rat to go through so much bullshit just to get to me. I can't help but wonder what she offered. Anyway, she called to let me know that their graduation was coming up and that they wanted me there. This was a command, not an ask.
I did say no at first. However, I swear Uraraka has gotten more stubborn over the two years, and she wouldn't let me go until I agreed.
Thus, why I am here. I could have lied, but I ain't that much of an ass. I held off the flight as long as possible to avoid it, but I clearly had to get there eventually. By the time I get there, their graduation will be in a few hours if nothing fucks up.
Dread is the best term to describe how I feel. UA graduations are always huge and broadcasted live on television. That's enough of a headache. However, then I will have to deal with all the drama that I left behind. Trust me when I say I considered booking another flight immediately after graduation to leave, but I couldn't find it in myself to do it.
I ended up blanking out most of the flight. I didn't even realize I was in Japan until the pilot let us know so we could get our asses off. I grab my backpack and follow the slowpokes off the flight. Thankfully, I didn't bring anything else, so I leave without worrying about that at least.
Being in Japan again is an interesting feeling. This is my home, but it feels so distant to me now. Then, I remember the trauma and it's just a mishmash of emotions. I don't like it. It's uncomfortable.
I hope to the beyond that this doesn't go to hell. For now though, I need to sneak into UA to my mom's place, snatch one of my suits there, fix my hair, and hide from everyone else.
---
Given that everyone is focused on getting the graduation ceremony together, it was relatively easy to get into UA without anyone noticing until I got to the location I needed to be.
As soon as I entered my mom's cabin, there were some tears from Mom and Eri as they tackled me. I'll admit that it's nice to see those two again. Given I hardly saw them when I came back the first time, it was nice to catch up on them. Mom is being a good mom, and Eri is growing like a weed, which I admit makes me a little sad. I missed seeing her grow, and that will be one of my biggest regrets. However, there isn't much I can do about that now.
As we catch up while I fix my hair, I almost ignore the intensity that the rest of the place lingers. Neither of them really care what I do as long as I come back (with gifts on Eri's end). The issue is that the same can not be said for everyone.
And I had to face that music eventually.
Mom and Eri went ahead, but I stayed until the last minute. I don't think anything will happen, but I don't like this feeling that something bad will happen. Usually, I am all for drama. That is past me though. Nowadays, I prefer to stick back, watch, and indirectly cause drama that won't get me caught. Simple.
Eventually, I enter the audience, and I make sure to stay in the far back...not that I really had much of a choice because there are no chairs left.
As soon as I take my spot, it's as if that was the trigger to start the ceremony because Nezu steps right up on his bigass podium and begins his ramble. It's quite amazing because this is when I start to regret coming here. I should have guessed that, to be honest.
I apologize if I seem distant and not providing a lot, but I have more important things to worry about such as not falling asleep or visibly panicking. You're going to have to get used to it for a bit. If it's important enough, then I'll talk about it.
Then each of the homeroom teachers go up to give their portion of the speech and pass out the rewards to their class. It isn't a surprise that Shouta is the first on the stage given 3-A is the first class on the list. That whole portion is a surreal experience. As I watch each of my classmates step up to accept their award from him, I can hardly believe how different some of them are since they are adults now. Even if they remained the same physically, they are wearing their hero costumes, which does change over their time in UA. Hell, even Shouta looks different as he has to wear glasses and look proper now.
It's an eye-opener really, but I don't really have the time to delve into it right now!
I don't even want to talk about the rest of the ceremony, so I'll spare you guys. It's the same for every class, but it takes FOREVER! Genuinely, why do these things need to be so proper? They're annoying. To make things worse, graduating students are required to go! You aren't allowed to skip graduation, which I think is stupid. I know it's for looks but damn.
Finally, the ceremony ends. Praise whoever the fuck is up there.
After the ceremony, there's a banquet that all the graduating students plus a few others can go to. While it's supposed to be fancy, it's not. It is more of a party with fancy lights.
Actually, a better comparison: if you have ever been to a highschool prom, it's like that. You're dressed fancy in a fancy place, but everyone is twerking. Of course, nobody is twerking there, but it's still chaotic.
I wish I could skip it, but Uraraka will have my head if I don't at least say hi. And then if I say hi to her, I have to say hi to all of 3-A.
After that...I don't know, to be honest. One step at a time, everyone.
I don't go there immediately because I know it's going to be a mess getting in there. Not only does it have the graduating students, but it also contains some heroes and some parents as well. Additionally, there's the bullshit press that keeps trying to shove their way in, but they aren't allowed. I really really REALLY hope I don't have to deal with the press. I have been avoiding them for two years, and I plan on making that as long as possible.
Thankfully, when you have a personality flip, look nice, and don't look exactly the same as you did two years ago, it's pretty damn easy to get in without the press annoying you.
However, as soon as I entered, my will to live went out the window.
"Izuku!"
I barely get a chance to react when I am tackled into a hug by Uraraka. I barely get to stay hello when she starts going on about how much she misses me and drags more over to the 3-A table where alot of them are, and then they start talking and going on and on about the same thing while talking about their developments, and then Shouta is there as well since he is the homeroom teacher, and I can feel him staring at me-
It's an absolute nightmare!
And then other heroes notice that I am here, and they drag me to their conversations and then they go on and on, and I'm pretending that I exist in the same dimension as them, and then other other heroes notice and I get passed to them-
I think you get what I mean. I know this is a socialization event, but I haven't done anything like this in a while. My brain is dead. My brain is dedicated to understanding why Japan's hero system sucks: not communicating with other heroes that I worked with during my time as a barely put-together teenager.
Eventually, I force myself away. I just need to tell the rest of my classmates congrats, and I can leave. It's not that easy given everyone wants to talk to me. However, I get there eventually.
It's time to get out!
It genuinely feels like a spy movie as I try to slip out without trying to get caught into another conversation. I'm doing everything I can to avoid them. I am avoiding eye-contact, ignoring my name being called, and slipping through these bitches like a disgusting eel.
For some reason, one hero is quite insistent on talking to me. This is especially true given they are in my fucking way.
However, while their job title may be hero, only few are actual heroes.
Right before I get trapped, I feel an arm loop through my left arm and a familiar voice rings in my ear if a little louder, "Izuku! Long time, no see! How have you been?"
God bless Nemuri. Now that she's here, nobody will want to talk to me now! My point is proven as the hero steps out of the way with a grumpy look on their face. Tough luck, buckaroo.
"Well, I am alive, so I assume that is a good sign," I respond as we continue the way I was going before, "Thank you, by the way. You didn't have to do that."
"My, someone has become humble! It's not a problem, though, so don't worry about that," I can't help but roll my eyes at her over that.
"It's called being polite."
"I didn't think this day would come."
"I swear-"
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I know it only lasts so long anyway."
"Yeah," I mumble, and I realize now may be the best time to ask, even if it ruins the mood a bit, "How have they been?"
Nemuri sighs, and I see her looking over at me from the corner of my eye, "Hizashi sort of knew it was going to happen, so he was prepared. He understands. Shouta...you know he cares about you, right? He didn't go after you that day to try and hold you down. He wants to help."
I slowly nod, "I know. I'm taking that as not great."
"Obviously. Look, I don't care if you travel. If that's what makes you happy, go ahead. However, go talk to him. Genuinely talk to him," That's when Nemuri lets go of my arm because we just reached the exit.
I get where she's coming from. I just don't want to do it because that's going to dig up so much trauma. However, I am also aware that I can't keep this up.
I finally fully face Nemuri for a moment, "We'll see."
Nemuri huffs, "Both of you are so damn stubborn."
"I got it from him."
"I'll let you believe that. For now, you might want to escape before they try to get in your good graces again."
"Yeah yeah. Thank you again."
"And again, it's not a problem. Night, Izuku!"
With that, Nemuri struts off, and I take it as my chance to leave. Of course, when I step out, there are still reporters. My previous plan still holds though as I make my way through them with ease.
However, after that, I'm unsure of what to do. That's become the norm since Yagi's passing, but it seems more prominent here. At least when I was out, I would just go to the nearest thing and check it out before leaving on the next flight. The same can't be said here. Sure, I could just leave, but that doesn't seem right. While I have done it at the wrong times anyway, there is a difference here. Just don't ask me what it is.
I didn't even realize I zoned out. Apparently, I did because I am in front of my apartment's porch. I'm a little shocked it's still here, but I guess there isn't much of a reason to remove it anyway. At least, not yet. I do expect Nezu to force me to pay rent soon because I know he secretly charges rent for the rest of the teachers.
Well, it's not like I have many other places to go. I step onto the welcome mat, and I see the cameras I built pop out and scan me. Without hesitation, the door unlocks as the camera goes back in its hidey hole. I don't know if I should be impressed that those still work, but I did build them. I guess I expected someone to try and break them.
Again, Nezu probably wouldn't allow that though.
I enter the apartment and close the door behind me. From a glance, it's cleaner than I expected. In fact, if I look at places where there should be dust, there's none. It's genuinely clean.
As I step more into the living turned office room, my second thought is empty. This is primarily because I never kept stuff in here, but there was at least a computer and files on the desk before. There's nothing there now. I didn't really notice how much it didn't feel like my own before because I was focused on so much shit then. Now that I have a life again, I more than notice it. It's nuts.
For clarification, I haven't been here for over two years. I haven't stayed since my ass got kidnapped.
As I wander through the rest of the rooms, I get my third word: depressing. I have not thought about this before, but I realize that I don't have that many great memories here. Most of them are shit. Shouta and I always argued here. I worked in my apartment. When my health went to shit, I was here until Hizashi moved me.
Any good memories are outside of this place practically. We had Christmas at Hizashi's place. Nemuri and I would always cause trouble at her place. Shouta and I chilled at his place. I would play fight with the teachers all the time in the teacher's lounge. Hell, I really only fixed my inventions here. I always made the prototype in the support department labs.
It's odd and kind of disturbing. That's not to say there aren't any good memories because there are. However, those good memories are tainted by the bad ones.
Just as I am about to head back to the office area, I hear a door burst open. Obviously, I move faster to step out and check to see what is going on.
When I enter the hallway, I check the entry that comes from the teacher's dorm, and that's where I find Shouta scanning the area with heavy breathing and panic in his eyes. However, the moment he sees me, he straightens up and calms down, but neither of us move. Neither of us know how to react. How can we when I've been ditching Japan for more than a minute? It's not like I have consistently talked to him the whole time. At most, I've sent letters to let him know that I was alive. That's it. I know that's wrong, but I wasn't sure what else to do.
I still don't. I get that I should be following Nemuri's advice, but she did not provide a guide.
Shouta interrupts my thoughts, "Are you okay?" Out of all the things he could have started with, I could not have predicted that.
"Do I not look okay? Like, I can go clean up or something," I tell Shouta with a confused look, and I can't help but feel better when he gives me that unamused look. He then sighs.
"Hizashi said that you looked like you were struggling." I am not surprised. He's really good at recognizing that kind of stuff, though I don't remember when I saw him. Maybe I didn't, but I feel like I would remember if I saw him.
I huff a laugh, "I guess I lost my social touch. That was not fun."
"Don't worry about it, nobody noticed. If anything, I heard a couple talking about how you matured."
"Well, no fucking shit, sherlock. I'm an adult now."
Shouta rolls his eyes as he closes the door behind him. However, I can feel the mood changing, especially when we realize that we haven't really had a real discussion in two years. A serious one, I mean. Before I left the first time, we dodged around the topic since I wasn't doing great. I left before anything could happen the second time.
There is so much that has been neglected, and it's been so long that neither of us know how to approach it. I'm pretty sure we stand there for a minute before one of us says anything, and it's not me shockingly.
"Do you plan on leaving again?" Shouta questions. I mean, valid, but damn.
I run a hand through my hair with a sigh, "Man, I don't know. I didn't even plan the second time, Shouta. I just grabbed the nearest bag and left. It's not like I have a ticket, if that's what you're asking," Shouta slowly nods, and that's when I decide to pull my head out of my ass and add, "I'm willing to talk."
That garners a response, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
Another awkward moment of silence. Woo boy, I hate it! Who knew ignoring people for a bit creates this kind of drama when you get home? I probably could have guessed that.
I'm unwilling to stand in the hallway anymore, so I move into my office and sit on my desk. Shouta takes the message and joins me, though he leaves some space between us.
I take the leap this time, and I start at what I feel to be a reasonable point, "I don't want to be a hero anymore. I almost want nothing to do with it." Shouta watches me for a moment as if waiting for a punchline. When he realizes that I am serious, it takes a moment for him to respond.
"Izuku, I don't care what you do as long as you're happy. That's all I want for you. However, you can't shove your past behind either. That is something you have to cope with and accept."
"I like to think that I am accepting of what has happened to me."
"...so you're telling me that leaving Japan twice and cutting us off has nothing to do with what happened?" Drats.
"I mean I am doing better than I could be."
"I disagree. There is nothing wrong with wanting to leave Japan for a while, but two years is pushing it. Further, the worst thing you could have done in that situation is cut us off. At least Yagi was there the first time, but when nobody was there to make sure you were okay, especially after what happened? That's a very different story. We both know your mental health isn't good," Shouta takes a deep breath and looks me in the eye with concern, "Your reasoning behind leaving Japan is an indicator of that enough, Izuku."
"I was at UA two months before leaving. I tried to get over it, but I couldn't do it. I needed to get out," I point out.
"I can't help you if I don't understand what is going on. You have to stop keeping this stuff to yourself. What's the other reason?"
"Other reason?"
"There's another reason why you didn't tell us you were leaving because you told your mom and Eri." Oh, I forgot that one.
"You would have wanted to go with me, and I disagree with that notion because you need to get my classmates in top gear."
Shouta looks forward and shakes his head, "I knew it. Did you not trust us to help you or to come up with an alternative?"
"No...perhaps?"
"Kid-"
"I am an adult."
"That's not the point. Just...Izuku, I want to understand. I want to understand what is going through your head and how you feel so that I can actually be there because I don't feel close to you anymore. I feel like when we first met when you wouldn't tell me a thing. Please."
I consider what Shouta says as I look forward. To be fair, I never really told him my feelings on anything that happened. Or anything for a while, but that's kind of expected. On the bright side, he's on even grounds with the therapist because I didn't tell Hound Dog anything either.
I take a deep breath as I try to dig up the buried trauma. I don't know how long we sit there before I break the silence.
"I felt like everything could be snatched from me again at any moment, but I didn't have the energy to care. If everything burnt, I don't think I would have fought it. I didn't want to deal with that feeling though, so I just left. If you don't see it happen, then maybe it won't. You know, like the cat in the box deal?"
"You did realize that you have to deal with it eventually, right? You knew that you were going to have to come back."
"I wasn't sure at that point."
"What do you mean?"
"I genuinely wanted nothing to do with Japan or anyone there. I didn't want attachments anymore. I know that's selfish, but-"
"Izuku, if anyone deserves to be selfish, it's you. The amount of bullshit you went through more than warrants that. You long completed your job as a hero. That isn't the problem. The problem is that you allowed yourself to suffer," I feel Shouta reach over and grab my hand, and I look up at him, "You didn't give yourself a chance to heal. Actually heal. You shoved it down instead when you deserve that chance. It probably would have been more painful short term, but you would have been better long term."
I take a moment to consider what Shouta said, and he isn't wrong. I am well-aware I did the wrong thing. That's what impulsiveness does for you.
I eventually let out a laugh, "You're not wrong."
Shouta gives me a small smile in return, "I think that's one of the few times you genuinely agreed with me on something that matters."
"Bitch, don't get comfy."
The smile disappears and is replaced with an eyeroll, but he does continue on the serious path soon after, "Look, I don't know what your plans are, but I think you should stay in Japan for a bit. I think it would help, and I promise I will be here the whole time. If you want to leave, you can, but you have to let me know."
"...I don't have any plans, so I might as well," I respond, but that does bring up another point, "I'm sorry for leaving you at the airport like that."
"You're fine. Just don't do that again."
"I don't plan on it."
"Good," Shouta lets go of my hand and gets down from my desk.
"You have somewhere to go?"
"No, but droning on about it isn't going to do either of us any good. This is going to take time. Given you had to deal with the heroes' nonsense out there, I just needed confirmation that you will stay and try to help yourself."
"I won't complain then."
"Didn't think you would," Shouta turns to face me, "You've certainly changed."
"In a good way or a bad way?"
"Both, but better than I thought."
"You know, I'm not sure if I should be offended by that or not."
"Take the compliment, problem child."
"Again, I am an adult. I can legally drink now."
"Do you really want to?"
"Not in particular. I passed my drinking age in life, you know? I have more important things to worry about like burning the HC down."
"I thought as much."
"If I get caught, you're getting arrested too now."
"Like you would get caught."
"I suppose you're right, but I am a bit out of my game. I need practice first."
"Whatever makes you happy, brat."
Before I can respond, I get interrupted by a knock on the door, "Come in!"As expected, the door opens to reveal Hizashi and Nemuri.
"I told you they would be here," Hizashi teases Nemuri as he comes in, approaches me, and immediately wraps me in a hug, "Izukuuuuuuuu, it's been a whileeeee." I don't hesitate to return the hug.
Nemuri huffs, "You can't blame me!"
Of course, I choose to ignore Nemuri, "Only a little bit."
Hizashi lets go and pats my head, "I don't know what you count as a little bit, but I think we have different standards, tiny listener."
I swat Hizashi's hand away, "Leave me aloneeeee."
"Alright, alright!" Hizashi laughs as he takes his hand away. In the background, I can see Nemuri asking Shouta something and him nodding, but I don't know what it was about. I assume it has something to do with what happened between us. I won't question it though.
I don't dwell on it too long as I fix my hair, "So aggressive. I know I haven't been here a while, but there's no need to mess up my hair."
"Sure there is! Oh, Sho, did you tell him?" Hizashi asks as he looks over his shoulder at Shouta. Shouta, of course, shakes his head no. I give a confused look.
"Tell me what?"
That is when Hizashi pulls a necklace from underneath his shirt and shows it to me, and on that necklace would be a ring.
I shit y'all not, my jaw dropped.
"Married?"
Hizashi smiles, "Engaged."
That's when Shouta adds, "I need you to be my best man."
I have never smiled so wide in my entire life, I swear on whoever the fuck is looking down upon me.
"YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!"