Chapter Twenty Five:
The Talk

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ON THE LAST DAY OF THE RETREAT, SHOTA HAD ANNOUNCED TO THE WHOLE SCHOOL THAT HE HAD PROPOSED TO NAOMI. Not only that, he also told what most of the third years wanted to know about what happened those weeks you disappeared. Many people were surprised but a lot were also not. For a moment, it felt nice to hear your father apologizing to you in public but at the same time, you felt the secondhand embarrassment from it. Hitoshi, who had been listening beside you the whole time, held in his chuckles as he saw you cringe a few times here and there. The closing ceremony lasted for about an hour before they decided to finally give the students the chance to take one last glimpse of their one week paradise.

"It's sad we have to leave." You pouted as you wore the straps of your backpack. "This part of the city is amazing and I would do anything to be back here again..." Hitoshi hummed in approval, his eyes scanning the view one more time before he stretched his own arms. "Why don't we come back here? You know, the two of us on a vacation?"

"Are you suggesting something?"

"No, not really." Hitoshi smirked as a small chuckle echoed in your ears as you stared at him quite wide eyed from the suggestion. "No way..." You squinted your eyes at him before threatening to poke his sides. He stared for a while, your finger raised, his eyes scanning for any hint of sarcasm from the tickle threat. "You do know I'm not ticklish, right?"

"It won't hurt to try!" As you poked his side, Hitoshi had shown no visible response and only raised his brows, trying his hardest not to laugh at your failed attempt of a tickle. "Well, if you really want to know..." The pout that was once on your face disappeared as you looked up to him with a small smile of victory. The breeze blowing made a few of your hair strands cover your face as Hitoshi admired your features. At least, you had been happier than you were a few weeks ago. "Ms. Yshi wanted to give each member of the student council personalized gifts for doing a job well done on the previous events. And as motivation for the upcoming cultural festival."

"Ah, wait, I'm not a part of the student council yet or anymore. Why would you want-," you stopped talking once Hitoshi stared at you, squishing your cheeks with the palm of his hands. "That's where you're wrong. Ms. Yshi actually wants you to get something as well."

"You're bluffing!" You pushed Hitoshi slightly on his shoulder while he shook his head, the corners of his mouth placed into a smile. "No, I'm not!" He responded, sticking his tongue out. "And if you don't believe me, you can always ask the other members," he shrugged, whipping his head to one of his classmates calling him to get to the bus. "I'll see you later!" You gestured your head to the side to tell him to go. The violet haired male dashed while you turned around to see Naomi standing near you.

"Gee, mom. You scared me." You placed a hand on your chest, breathing out slowly in relief. The woman let out a small laugh as she walked closer to you. "Did you have fun this week?" She smiled as she tucked some of your black hair strands behind your ear. Nodding, you looked up at your mom, biting your lower lip. "So, you're alright with dad now?" Naomi's eyes widened, her hands resting on your shoulders, their grip on you was soft but you could feel their heaviness. "I am but I'm worried. How about you?"

You were staring at your mother, wondering if she knew what was running in your mind--or maybe she was hoping she did. The way the silence enveloped the two of you was not awkward but it wasn't comforting either; it was just silence. The two of you could only hear the waves crashing the shore in the distance and the chattering of some of the school faculty in the background. Your eyes wandered there for a moment and you saw your dad, smiling and talking, and you wondered if he really meant what he said about wanting to fix your relations.

"(Your name)?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, right. I-," you stopped yourself as you gulped, not finding the right words to say. "Mom, before we go home, can I talk to dad?" Naomi furrowed her eyebrows, a confused expression painted on her face as her hands slowly dropped to the side of her body. "Are you sure? Am I hearing this right?" Naomi let out a soft laugh, her eyes watering up. "I, I guess so? I just want it to be all okay now. I just want to make sure he's going to try his best now."

Naomi smiled and you smiled back at her. "I hope so too, darling."

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YOU WERE FACING THE BEACH, YOUR BACKPACK STILL ATTACHED TO YOU. Well, you could have placed it down but the feeling of something else weighing you down was the only thing keeping you from getting light headed from the nervousness. You took a deep breath, salty air hitting your nose as soon as you did. How would he react? As soon as Shota was told you wanted to talk, his palms started sweating. He had spent the last 2 minutes pacing around the lobby while Naomi and Eri watched him. "Are you sure she said that?" Shota faced the two and Naomi gave him a small nod. "She said she was sure and that she'd be waiting for you at the porch near the sea before we get home."

"And why shouldn't I be nervous again?"

"Because this is your chance, Shota." Naomi stood up, walking near him, fixing the corners of his worn shirt. "Didn't you want this?" Shota stayed silent, his eyes looking down as he sighed. "I didn't expect it to happen so soon. We just talked about it last night. Do you think they heard us?"

"Stop overthinking. Just talk to her."

But Shota was right, you were able to hear the conversation last night and the thought of having to finally face him and tell him it's alright is something you didn't also expect to happen right now. As he walked out, you opened your eyes and turned around to see him sliding the door shut. "Hey..." he greeted you as he stopped walking, the distance between both of you wide enough for you to chuckle at.

"Hi..."

"So, you wanted to talk?"

You scratched the back of your neck, smiling a little. "Well, it would be fair if you were near and kinda not far away from me?" Shota realized his mistake as he laughed, walking closer to you. Your father had read the note you made years ago after Yshi had given it to him when she visited. It had been one of the reasons why his guilt ate him up inside and one of the reasons why he wanted--he needed--to fix what he broke. "Listen, (your name), I-," you cut your father off by giving him a hug.

It felt warm.

For a while, you forgotten about all the nervousness you felt. You forgotten about the anger you had dwelling inside you. For once, it was just a moment between you and the man you look up to. Shota had the faintest hint of memory on how your hugs felt. Ever since both of you drifted apart, it had been only a series of stares and growls from both ends. He smiled, wondering how long it would be until you decide to hug him again. Slowly wrapping his arms around you, the breeze blew gently as your father caresses your hair. "Are you alright now?" your father's voice rang through your ears, your eyes opening to face him, still not letting go.

"Can we just stay like this for a few more minutes, dad? I just want to know how it feels to hug you again..."

"Do you miss hugging me?"

"Ever since we stopped being alright with one another, yes..." you admitted, slowly breaking away from the hug. Shota nodded, his gaze now glued to the ocean. "I really do apologize for my shortcomings as your father, (your name). I should have been more sensitive to how you felt and how it would have been easier if I didn't let myself be blinded by those promotions. I only wanted to give our family a better life--something that had been deprived from me ever since I got disowned. I didn't want things to end up the same for you."

"I understand, dad. Maybe I have just been too pressured by your expectations that I let my anger get the best of me whenever you try to tell me what to do." You chuckled as you looked down. Shota tilted his head, his forefinger and thumb trapping your chin, making you face him. "I am always proud of what you have become, (your name). All your efforts never go unnoticed. I just thought I was showing that enough by asking for a bit more but I was wrong--truly wrong."

You smiled lightly.

"I was wrong because I should have been contented with what you've achieved. I should have been contented with my job. I should have been contented with everything and everyone around me because they've always been contented with me. I'm sorry because I broke your hearts like that."

Shota watched as tears built up in your eyes as you pouted. You wondered if he knew that you were regretting why it did took you long enough to have this talk with him. Sniffling and wiping away your own tears, you felt him pat your head. "Why is my little girl crying? Why don't you tell me where it hurts, hm?" After he asked, he pulled you in, without warning, for a hug. Shota let out a big sigh as felt his own tears escape his eyes. "I'm sorry for everything wrong I've done, (your name)."

Quickly wrapping your arms around him and burying your face on his chest, you let out an ugly sob, apologizing for all the things that had happened. The two of you stayed like that for a while, the tearful conversation turning into laughter as both of you made fun of each other's crying appearance. "Will you forgive me for being such a stupid father, (your name)?"

You smiled and for a moment, Shota had seen the spark in your eyes like the first time he saw you in Naomi's arms. For the longest time, he knew you were always fragile but you were also incredibly strong. It was like looking at himself in a mirror and lately, he wondered if he ever was worthy to even be considered your father. However, your answer to his lingering guilt and thoughts made it clear that despite everything that has happened--and despite everything that will happen from now on, you are not like him.

You will always be better than he was.

"I really couldn't ask for anybody else to be my father. I love you, dad..."

"I love you too, sweetie."

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NAOMI WATCHED FROM THE INSIDE WITH ERI, THE LITTLE GIRL HOLDING ON TO YOUR MOTHER. The sight of seeing you and Shota laughing and crying made her heart swell. She slowly felt her mouth twitch into a smile as she turned around to see Hitoshi about to approach her. "Oh, honey, you're here? Is the bus leaving soon?"

"Well, sort of, we're actually just waiting for you guys." Hitoshi chuckled as he saw what your mother was looking at before he had walked in. "I see that they've finally talked. I'm glad." Naomi giggled as she stood beside him. "Do tell me the truth, did you ever overhear our conversation last night?" Naomi curiously asked as she looked at the blush that settled on his cheeks. "No? We didn't. Actually, we were just walking down the beach while the others were enjoying the campfire..." he lied through his teeth, his heart racing.

"Well, we did see you guys walking down the beach. And maybe even more than just walking."

Hitoshi, with his red face, was about to say something but you and Shota had already walked in with big smiles on both your faces. "Hi, honey!" he greeted Naomi and looked over to Hitoshi whose face was still red. "And, oh, hello, Shinso. What can I do for you?"

"Oh, well, I-uh," The violet haired male stammered as he struggled to find the explanation. But before he could embarrass himself further, Naomi had then told Shota that the bus was waiting for them. When your parents left to get their stuff, you looked over to Hitoshi who was still red from the contact. "What happened to you?" You tilted your head as you pressed the back of your head to his forehead. "Are you sick? Are you running a fever?"

"I think your parents saw us kiss last night..." he whispered as he looked into your eyes, his purple ones hinting shyness as he smiled a bit. Well, at least your presence made him feel calm. "...and I don't know, I just felt shy about it."

"Says the person who openly kisses me at school." You retorted as you rolled your eyes. "And I have no regrets!" Hitoshi smirked as he placed an arm around your waist, pulling you close. "You know, I'm still glad you decided to want to date me and the travel offer on our upcoming Christmas break still stands." You slowly pushed him back and shook your head, your heart jumping up and down as his expression softened, his hands finding their way to hold yours. "It'll be like our first fancy date!"

"So, you're not taking me on a date prior to that?" You exclaimed.

"I never said anything like that," he smiled. "But our dates prior to that won't be as fancy. I mean, I could cook you something at my apartment and we could watch movies together. How does that sound for a date?" Hitoshi hummed as he scrunched his nose, finally pulling you to finally walk with him to your bus before he went to his.

"Well, as long as its with you, I'm fine with it!"

Little did the two of you know that Naomi, Eri, and Shota had been watching the two of you from behind, a smile etched on their faces. "Well, Shinso seems like a nice guy." Shota said as Naomi lightly hit the back of his head. "Shota..."

"Okay, fine. I'm glad he's making her happy."

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A/N: I know I said I'll update in bulk but I'll release this chapter first because lmao, my college applications are killing me. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this shitty chapter and I'm going to go to sleep because I have to do stuff tomorrow ;-; ugh pls kill me.

Anyway, stay safe and I love you all!