(Third Person POV)
"Ah..."
Todoroki felt, somewhat refreshed after visiting his mother in the hospital, having the guts to see her after so many years made him feel nervous when he saw her face to face, but when he was told that she... forgave him for not visiting, made him feel happy. He talked to his mother about many things, how schools been, the sports festival... his relationship with his father & even... with Kyoshu
He looks up at the sky as he walked down a busy street, he felt tired after hours of conversing with his mother but he also felt very hungry, he was craving for soba. He goes towards a restaurant that sells it but a different scent caught his attention. He looked over & saw it was coming from a café, & so he made his way towards the it, he peered in through the window & raised an eyebrow when he saw a familiar face
"Takeyama?" he looked in & saw she had her signature smile on her face but he raised an eyebrow when he saw her hair tied up in a small low bun but still had her hair covering her eyes with her brown streaks hanging off the sides of her face, she wore a casual looking waitress outfit (the one without a skirt) & had two trays of food & coffee on each hand "That must be hard..." he muttered as she watched her surprisingly spin around on her foot as she served customers
"Sorry to keep you waiting~" she said as she set them down on a table for a couple, who smiled up at her
"Thank you, young lady." she saluted them with her index & middle finger
"No problem." she rose a bit when she heard the ding from a bell, indicating someone had just entered the café, so with a bright polite smile she turned towards the door "Welco--" she stopped when she saw who entered "Oh? Shouto?"
"Good evening, Takeyama." she tucked the trays under one arm & went over to Todoroki
"Welcome to Bakuyama (Bakugou + Takeyama) Café, please follow me." she said in an unusual calm tone as she lead him to a table "My name is Takeyama Kyoshu & I will be your waitress for today." he nods
"I know." she let out a breath
"I know you know, I just have to stay in character." he nodded at that just as she handed him a menu "What would you like, sir?" he looked at the menu
"Tea would be fine, but do you have cold soba?" her eyebrow raised
"Soba, yes, but why cold?" he set the menu down
"I like cold soba." she giggled
"Okay, it won't be long sir." with that she went off, he hummed as he watched from where he was sitting as she served others while waiting for his order, he found it quite impressive when he saw her balance one tray on her head while two others were placed one the palms of her hand
"... how unique." he murmured, he leaned in his chair as she spun over towards him with his food
"One cold soba & tea for you! Enjoy your meal~!" she goes to walk off but he just barely caught her wrist
"Sit with me, Takeyama." she looked over at the time
"You're lucky I'm now on break." she pulled out the seat across from him but sat on it so she was leaning on the back of it "So... what brings you here to this humble café?" he slurps on the noodles while looking her in the eyes "... stop staring, I beg." hearing that made him look down
"I apologize & I was hungry. I was going to go to a restaurant when I smelt the food coming from here, it smelt good." she grinned as she tilted her head to the side
"That's good! This joint belongs to my mama! I work here as well on weekends, or well, when my mama needs my help or if I just simply want to! I get paid as well!" he hums & continues to eat
"That's nice." he just senses that she closed her eyes
"You're staring." she then reopens them "You really want to know, don't you?" he looked away from her gaze
"... you won the wager though, its only fair if you get what you want..." she laughs
"Alright, um..." she rests her elbow on the table as she leans the side of her face on her knuckles "Why are you so interested in me?"
"?"
"A lot of people have questioned my appearance but they've all given up, knowing they wouldn't get their answer. But then there's you, you still haven't given up. So there's my question, why are you so interested on something so little?"
"... people smile because there's always a meaning behind it, I want to know that meaning, & I always question why you hide your eyes. Is there a reason to that?" she laughs
"I thought I won the bet."
"But if you want your answer, you're gonna have to answer mine." she hums & leans back in her chair, though she did hold onto the back of it so she wouldn't fall, she looks over to her mother before looking back over at Todoroki
"Hmm, I've told no one about this, not even Kou-chan or Ten-chan, & they're my closest friends. Kacchan is the only one that knows since, he's my cousin. What makes you think I'll tell you?" he merely shrugs
"You can't just keep it in, Takeyama." he noticed that her smile slowly turned into a small frown as she tapped her foot on the ground rather nervously, he sat there watching her until she reached her hand into her pocket & pulled out a locket
"This... this has one of the reasons." she gave it to him, he looked at her confused before opening it & saw a picture of two little girls, the smaller one smiling with their hair down while the other had a soft smile having her hair tied in a ponytail
(just imagine it)
"What's this?"
"Me & my little sister." he pointed at the one smiling
"Is that you?" she chuckled & shook her head as she leaned back
"Would you believe me if I told you I never used to smile?" his eyes widened "The bigger one is me, I was 6 there & she was 2, though she was quite the chatter box."
"Was?" she runs a hand through her hair
"... when she was 4 she finally manifested her quirk, we didn't get to see it though... she accidentally activated it & witnesses said she was able to create a giant explosion, so powerful it killed her..." she shook her head as she started to recall memories of her childhood
(Flashback - 9 Years Ago)
"Come on nee-chan! Smile, smile!" a younger voice had whined as she weakly hit her older sister on the back "Smile! Smile!" the older one turned around & grabbed her wrists
"Kuyo, can't you see that I'm busy?"
"But I want to see you smile, nee-chan! You never smile!" she sighed
"Why should I smile for no reason? That's weird." she pouted, soon enough the two had their hair messed up when their father came by
"Now now Ku-chan, let your sister be. Even though she's 6, she's quite intelligent."
"Not really, the teacher is just teaching us easy things." he laughed, the youngest of the two then ran towards their mother
"Mama! Nee-chan won't smile!"
"Well I'm not like you to smile at the dumbest things." was all she said before turning back to her textbook, she turned her head a bit & moved her eyes when she saw their mother bend down & pushed the corner of her lips upwards into a smile at Kuyo, she then nudged her head over to Kyoshu just as she looked away, so she skipped over to her & did the same thing
"Come on Kyo-chan, just smile, & you know everything will be alright!" she narrowed her eyes at her little sister before throwing on a fake smile
"There, happy?" she stomped her foot on the ground
"No! I want a real smile!" she let out a groan as she slumped back in her chair
"Aaaargh! Kuyo, please!" she flinched when she raised her voice, she looked down before scurrying away
"... sorry, nee-chan." their parents look at each other worriedly
(Time Skip)
"Ma, pa! What's going on?!" Kyoshu asked worriedly as she tried to walk in her parents pace but ended up jogging "Why are we in a hospital?!" they look at each other before looking back down at Kyoshu, her father knelt down then scooped her up into his arms
"Your sister, Kuyo, got into an accident."
"A-Accident? How?!"
"She manifested her quirk but then activated it, creating a powerful & massive explosion. We're afraid that she..." he trailed off, she gulped & clung tightly onto her father. Their mother let out a gasp before sprinting over to a glass window, her father followed in pursuit & he gasped when he saw the sight, Kyoshu was hesitant to turn around but she forced herself to
"... K-Koyu...?" she looked so battered & broken with large burn marks on her arms & legs
"Doctor! What's her status?!" she looked over & saw her mother had the doctor by his collar
"W-We are still running diagnostics, ma'am! Please, calm your--"
"Don't you tell me to calm down! That's my little 4 year old daughter in there & she could be dying!! I can do anything, but calm down!!" as she grew more angrier she actually grew in size, scaring the poor doctor, so her father had to set her down to calm his wife
"Okizu! Please calm down! You need too!" Kyoshu looked back through the window & placed her hand on the glass
"Come on sis... nows the time for you to get up..."
(Days Later)
Kyoshu was surrounded by grieving family members as she stared down at the coffin that was being lowered into its grave, she swallowed thickly as she just... stared. She didn't know if she should cry or, or be angry. Not at Koyu, but at herself, for being so hard on her younger sister
"Why aren't you crying, Kyoshu?" she looked over & saw it was Bakugou
"I... I don't know. The tears... they're refusing to flow." she inhaled deeply "My little sister just died, & I'm not crying... that's weird, right? Katsuki, why aren't I crying?" he just stood there as he just sensed her mentally break down, internally
"I don't know, cous." he shook his head before pulling her into a hug "I don't know."
(The Next Day)
"K-Kyo-chan...?" her parents look in shock as they see Kyoshu with a smile on her face "Why are you... why are you smiling? What for?!"
"Kuyo wanted me to smile! She never got to see a real one, & I regret that! So I'll smile... for her! I know she would love that!"
"But... wouldn't you consider it, freakish?" she hummed
"I do, but you know everything will be alright if I just smile, neh?" her parents just choke back tears before pulling their now, only daughter into a tight hug
(End Flashback)
"I only smile for her now, because I couldn't back then." he just stared at her with a shocked & saddened look "I still haven't even shed a single tear for her, its weird but... they just won't, flow."
"I'm... I'm sorry for your, loss." she shook her head
"Don't be! It wasn't your fault!"
"... but, it still doesn't explain..." he pointed at her fringe
"Oh! That's a bit of an easy one! We looked the same, despite not being twins, we were still a bit identical." she sighed "Every time I looked in the mirror, all I saw was... her. Every time. So, if I covered up the parts that showed her & kept it down until I... stopped, seeing her." she went silent as she looked away "... so there's your reason, are you satisfied now?" he swallowed thickly before nodding his head
"I am."
"Kyoshu!" she turned her head & saw her mother waving to get her attention "I need your help please!" she slapped on a smile & nodded her head
"Okay!" she turned back to Todoroki "I hope you enjoy your meal, Shouto." she goes to leave but he called her name again, she turned to him again
"When do you finish?"
"Huh?"
"When do you finish?" she raised an eyebrow before looking at the time again
"Why?"
"I want you to meet my sister." she narrowed her eyes at him
"That's just being mean, Shouto."
"I'd like you to meet her. She'd surely like it if I brought a friend over as well." she placed a hand on the place where her heart would be
"... f-friend...?" he sighed & rolled his eyes
"Are you gonna answer my question or no?" she hummed
(Time Skip)
Todoroki sighed as Kyoshu followed behind him with an extra skip in her step, she had changed out of her waitress outfit & was wearing a more comfortable outfit as Todoroki lead her to his home. He looked back at her & shook his head when he saw that smile... learning the reason to why she smiles 24/7 is quite saddening, never would've thought that the reason was because of her deceased sister
"How long till we get to your home, Shouto?" she asked, he looked around
"I believe a few minutes now." she nodded her head
"Ah." there was silence between the two, she swallowed thickly "... will your father be there, as well?" he narrowed his eyes at her
"Why do you ask?"
"... I don't like him."
"Whoa, really? & here I thought you liked everybody." she shrugged her shoulders
"I just don't like him..."
"Okay." it didn't take long for them to arrive at the Todoroki residence & as soon as Kyoshu saw his house she couldn't help bug marvel at it
"Wow! A Japanese style house, so cool! I haven't seen a house like this in ages!"
"That means you know that you have to take your shoes off." she nodded her head & proceeded to take off her signature boots, though they really looked like combat boots
"Why do you wear those boots, Kyoshu? Were you in the military or something?" she gave him a look
"Seriously? My aunt gave them to me & I really liked them so I plan on wearing them, okay?" he nodded "& will you stop asking me such ridiculous questions?" he sighed
"Maybe." she groaned this time
"Unbelievable." he knocked on the door with Kyoshu standing behind him, it soon opened to his elder sister Todoroki Fuyumi
"Shouto! You're finally back!" she then noticed the taller figure standing behind him "& you brought home a friend! A girl to be exact... the girl from the sports festival! Uh... Takeyama Kyoshu, right?" she nodded
"That is correct! Its a pleasure to meet you, ma'am!" she waved her hand
"Do I look like a ma'am to you? My name is Todoroki Fuyumi, Shouto's older sister."
"& you already know my name, but please, just call me Kyoshu!" Fuyumi smiled
"Then you can call me Fuyumi!" the two girls smile at each other while Shouto watched as they had a friendly conversation
'I'm glad they're getting along, but I'm getting restless just standing out here.' his attention then went back to his sister when she clapped her hands
"Come inside! I'll make some tea while you two can relax in the living room!" Kyoshu waved her hands in denial
"No, I shouldn't get you to do that!"
"But I insist." Shouto placed his hands on her shoulder
"Once she wants to do something, you can't get her to stop." Kyoshu looked at Fuyumi before sighing & nodding her head, Fuyumi smiled & rushed inside as the other two walked inside, Kyoshu couldn't help but awe at the sight of the Todoroki household
"Nice place you got, Shouto." he nodded
"Thanks." he then gestured to the couch "Please, sit." her smile softened as she took a seat
"Quite a gentlemen you are, Shouto." he scratched the back of his neck
"Its always right to be polite." she laughed when she heard that
"Did you just rhyme unintentionally?!" he thought for a bit before chuckling while closing his eyes
"I guess I did." he opened them & saw that Kyoshu was staring at him with widened eyes, he just sensed they were widened before she was just staring at him with her mouth agape "W-What...?"
"You... you just smiled." he placed a hand on his mouth
"I did...?" she nodded
"It was pretty cute~" he couldn't help but blush at that comment "You should smile more! It'll bring out the happy within you!" immediately the blush went away when she said that
"Uh huh." a few minutes later Fuyumi came into the living room with a tray full of cups that was filled with tea, she sat on a couch that was across from the one they were sitting on & smiled at them, Kyoshu couldn't help but sweat a bit, she leaned into Shouto's ear
"Why is she staring at us like that?" Shouto shrugged, Fuyumi just continued to smile as she took a sip from her cup
'I'm glad Shouto's socializing & making friends.' she smiled when she saw Shouto crack a tiny smile when Kyoshu started to laugh 'Mum would be so happy.'
(Takeyama Kyoshu POV)
I've been in here for a couple hours since I noticed that the sun began to go down, though I've really enjoyed conversing with Fuyumi-chan & Shouto, its been a real joy! Though what really killed the stress was telling Shouto about my late sister, it definitely lifted the weights off of my shoulders... I feel relieved, I take a deep breath before standing up
"I believe I've stayed here long enough, I should really get going." I announce, hearing that made Fuyumi-chan stand up as well
"If that's the case, let me drop you off home! The sun is going down & it wouldn't be right for you to walk home in the dark, that wouldn't be right." I raise my hand to deny her request
"Its awful polite to offer, but I already have a ride home so, polite pass." she gave me a look
"Are you sure?" I nod my head & gave her a polite smile
"Of cour--" I was cut off when a new voice spoke over my own as loud footsteps came into the room
"Fuyumi! Do we have a quest over? Because there is a pair of shoes outside that I do not recognize!" my smile slowly faltered when the owner of the voice walked in, a scowl crossed my face as I stare up at the flamed headed asshole "Oh, its you." I scoff
"I could say the same, Endeavor." I believe Fuyumi-chan & Shouto could feel the tension in the air as we both glared at each other, as he took a step forward I clench my hand into a fist & as I go to snap at him Fuyumi-chan stood in front of him to prevent him from touching me while Shouto grabbed my arm & pulled me back
"No no, dad! You cannot hurt her! She is a guest & a child!" he glared at me
"I don't care! I want her out of the house & if I have to use violence on this child then so be it!" I laughed in a mocking way when his fire flared up
"Oh look at that! The No.2 hero is getting riled up all because of a child! Pathetic." the floorboards beneath his feet broke & that made me laugh even harder, before you know it I was being pushed outside by Shouto as I watch Fuyumi-chan shoved Endeavor away from me so he wouldn't hurt me "I hate you! You know that right!"
"Right back at you!" the door was slammed closed & the laughed loudly when I could hear Endeavor's curses from where I was "Sorry Fuyumi-chan for having to have left you with him like that!" I apologize, I look at Shouto & bow my head "Though thank you for having me." he shook his head
"Its no big deal, but it really did make my sister happy seeing me with a friend." I giggle when I see him scratch the back of his neck
"Aw~ you called me your friend again." I then pick him up & hug him "I enjoyed our little hang out, Shouto! I hope we can do it again!" I cheer before setting him down when I heard the honk of a car, I wave him goodbye "See you at school!" I chuckle when he weakly waved back
"Bye..." I turn back to where I saw a car, I jump in surprise when I see who was in it
"Kamui Woods? What are you doing here? I thought my aunt was suppose to pick me up." I say as I open the car door & hop
"She is... its just that she doesn't have a car." he then used his thumb to point at her, she was in the back seat lying on her back unconscious "By the time you called her she was doing hero work & since she's out of commission, she thought about asking me to pick up her niece & drive her home. She also doesn't have a car so she asked me to do it anyways." I laugh
"That sounds like aunt Yu!"