My mind was full of thoughts and unanswered questions from the evening before.
Shoto had left so suddenly. I mean, I suppose I did just bring him up to fix his wounds, but we were mid conversation.
Not to mention, if he had somewhere to be, why didn't he go there to begin with?
The thing that was running through my head the most as I laid in bed last night though, were his last words to me.
I'm glad we aren't strangers anymore.
It shouldn't have bothered me as much as it did, but I didn't understand what he meant by that. Did that mean I would see him again? Or was he just being polite?
No he doesn't seem like that type to say something meaninglessly.
I shook away the thoughts, exhausted over this intriguing man constantly taking up space in my head for the past twelve hours.
Slipping on my tennis shoes, I crouched down to say a quick goodbye to my pets. Both of them knowing the routine of me leaving in the morning.
I felt my phone buzz in my pocket.
Seiko: Out front. Chop chop bitch.
After grabbing all my things I left my apartment and made my way downstairs.
I knew I shouldn't tell my friend about what happened last night, they would tell me I was stupid for bringing a stranger into my place all alone. Especially after how weak I was yesterday. But, sometimes I wish they'd acknowledge I could handle myself.
I stopped a few feet away from the car and exhaled, stretching out my limbs. The warm sun rays were peeking through the clouds today and it was an immediate rush of relief.
My skin became glowier than it was moments before and for a brief second I could feel the blood coursing through every vein in my body.
This is what I needed.
"Okay you human sunflower, get in the car." Seiko beckoned with their hand, hanging out of their jeep window.
I giggled and snapped out of my trance, running around to the other side of the vehicle. Soft alternative music played loudly through the speakers, shaking lanyard covered in pride pins on the rear view mirror back and forth. I turned down the knob so I could think properly.
"Good morning." I greeted, pulling one of their horns down playfully.
"____ if you don't...", they smacked my arm in response, then reached into the cup holder next to them, "Here I brought you this. Your favorite."
"Did you know I'm in love with you." I exclaimed, taking the coffee with utmost excitement.
Seiko began driving, leaving my apartment complex and heading to work. I took a sip of my coffee and sighed, the morning was off to a decent start.
"You'll have to get in line," They teased, putting on a pair of sunglasses.
"Did you rest well last night?" They continued, "I know the storm came through even harder when you left, so you didn't have any time to recharge outside."
I hated how weird this situation felt.
"Yeah. Went home, ate dinner, cuddled up with my babies, went to sleep." I replied.
And somewhere in between brought a really hot wet guy inside and he got half naked in my living room.
I thought to myself.
My eyes widened.
Did I think he was hot? I mean, he wasn't bad looking... I was just so hyper focused on being safe in the moment that I didn't even think about the fact that maybe I was attract—
"____?!" Seiko exclaimed loudly.
I swung my head towards them shocked, "Huh?"
"Dude you were totally zoned out. You didn't hear me at all."
"Oh, my bad. Just a little tired still I guess. What did you say?" I replied, drinking more of my coffee.
"I said that sounds boring but I'm glad you did boring things. That's what you needed."
I rolled my eyes and reached for the stereo when my phone began vibrating in my pocket. I pulled it out and frowned at the contact.
Mother
"You wanna get that? I don't mind. We still have another ten minutes with traffic before we get to the hospital?" Seiko offered, seeing my phone was still ringing.
No not really, but she will just call me later and be in a bad mood if I don't answer now.
"Yeah okay, thanks."
I took a deep breath and answered the phone.
"Hey, mom."
"_____, how are you doing?" She greeted.
"I'm well, thank you. You?"
I listened carefully and tried to sense for any trace of upset tone or negative energy. Even the smallest things I could pick up with her.
"I'm doing okay. How is work? Working in the operating room yet?" She questioned with a cheerful but fake laugh.
I exhaled quietly through my nose. Every time we talk, she brings up work. I don't remember the last time we genuinely had a conversation about something I actually like.
"No, mom. I'm not working in the O.R. yet. That's actually not something I really wan—"
"—Well don't worry dear! Your quirk is similar to mine and I got there in no time. Just keep pushing and you'll be saving lives like your mother did at your age."
I could hear her beam through the phone.
"Right."
Seiko reached over and patted my thigh.
"Well," I continued, "I actually am on my way to work now. So I better get going."
"Bye Ms.____!" Seiko called.
"Oh is Seiko there? Why didn't you tell me you were driving with them." My mother questioned, almost chastising me for no reason, "Have a lovely day Seiko! Take care of my daughter!"
"Always do!"
"Bye mom."
Before I could be stressed out anymore, I hung up the phone. Seiko glanced over at me and gave a sympathetic smile.
"I don't want to talk about it." I mumbled, slouching in my seat.
They stretched their fingers out on the steering wheel defensively, "I wasn't going to talk about that."
I looked back at them while taking a sip of my coffee, "Okay, then what?"
"I think you need to get laid."
Before I could respond I began choking on the drink out of shock. While I was coughing up a fit, Seiko began laughing.
"How long has it been? A year? Two? I think you'd be less stressed if you got railed." They said nonchalantly.
Once I could catch my breath, I spoke up in protest, "First of all, it has not been that long. Second, I'm fine! I have my trusty pink vibrator who has made me finish way better than any person has."
We pulled to a stop light and Seiko paused, hanging their head low.
"Alright. I'll do it."
"Huh?" I asked confused.
They turned to me and put their hand on my shoulder reassuringly, "I'll take one for the team. I'll sleep with you."
"Motherfucker," I scoffed, smacking their hand off my shoulder.
My hand went up to my mouth as we both went into a fit of laughter. They always knew how to cheer me up.
We were only a couple minutes away from the hospital by the time we calmed down, when I remembered something.
"Hey Seiko."
"Hmm?"
I thought for a moment, unsure how to explain but just asked anyways, "Do you know how staples work, like medically? Do you know how to apply them?"
They nodded, "Sure. I've done it a handful of times with the doc. Scary at first but once you do it it's simple."
"Can you maybe show me how?"
"Yeah definitely. Why do you want to learn how to use staples?" They asked as we pulled into the hospital parking lot.
"It's just a skill that I wish I had known before."
———
Author's Note:
The photo in the beginning of the chapter is what Seiko looks like. They have a mullet bc I said so.