Chapter Twenty-One:
I Have Faith In You

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YOU WERE NERVOUS TODAY. It felt like the nerves inside your brain were pushing themselves together as you walked with Hitoshi to school. Your uniform and your school things were left at home so you had to wear casual attire and you borrowed some of Hitoshi's things for the day. The thing is, you could easily catch up over all the missed works and assignments you did but what you weren't ready for was the idea that your father would be in the same building as you.

"You look a bit nervous," Hitoshi opened up as soon as both of you arrived and walked past the school gate. "Who wouldn't be? I disappeared for two weeks and said nothing. People thought I died, Hitoshi..." you retorted as you looked back at him, your voice lower than usual. Hitoshi glanced at you before he stopped walking, his hand placed on your shoulder to make you stop and look back at him as well. "What are you really afraid of?" It was like he can automatically see right through your doubts, making you purse your lips. "I'm afraid they'll ask me and I don't want my dad to look like the bad person here even though he is..." 

"Just tell them you don't want to talk about it," he suggested. "Tell them you had a lot in your mind and that you just needed space from everything." You smiled warmly at Hitoshi before grabbing his hand and holding it tightly making the lilac haired male hold his breath. "Promise me you'd be there when I need you, though? I don't think I can handle the pressure and any time I could break..."

"Always, (your name)." he grinned, finally dragging you to the front doors of the school. "Let's get inside before we're late, okay?"

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QUESTIONS DARTED FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE CLASSROOM TO THE CAFETERIA WHEN PEOPLE PASS YOU BY. A few students gave you a concerned look while others seemed like they just heard bad rumors about you once again. For a while, it didn't really matter to you but when lunch was about to end, your classmates especially your friends started asking all about what happened to you. Apparently, they had theorized (all thanks to Shoto) that your father was the cause of all this mayhem and that they think the two of you had a big argument that led to you having to disappear. You were stuttering and struggling to give a proper response, your heart rate quickening with every person speaking as they got closer. 

It was a good thing one person decided to step in and drag most of the circling vultures out of the way.

"Katsu?" your voice was merely a whisper and the rest of class 3A decided to hush their tone as Katsuki spoke. "You idiots better learn how to distance yourself or all of you are going to get it. She's been through enough and she's probably still scared as shit. Can't we just be happy that she's back?"

Katsuki knew all about the fight you and your father had, thanks to Hitoshi. Hitoshi denied everything he knew and decided to keep quiet about the whole ordeal but his calmness with you disappearing burned a fire inside Katsuki that urged him to drag him outside of the classroom--trying to get some answers out of him. The lilac haired male never intended for himself to break down in front of the blonde like that but just seeing your classmates trying to know where you are and trying to pinpoint your location, Hitoshi couldn't help but feel useless at the time--so, he cried and confided in front of Katsuki.

The blonde's loud voice echoed throughout the classroom and that seemed to have done the trick. Momo, Shoto, and Eijiro apologized since they were the ones who really pushed you to answer their questions; the rest just jumping in the conversation as they wanted to know the answer. Minutes passed and somehow, you were able to create small conversations with them again.

But all of the fun and games were abruptly stopped when Enji walked in the class. He directly noticed you and for a while, you were sure his eyes glinted a hint of relief that you were there. Enji doesn't know what happened fully but he was smart enough to know that there was probably an inside problem that only a few people know about. He tried to get some answers out of Keigo but despite their close friendship, Keigo had kept everything sealed and away from anybody else until your family was ready to talk about it.

Class started and you swore that your thoughts were starting to saunter off as Enji spoke. His deep, serious voice kind of reminded you of Shota and that didn't help you calm your own composure. And just when you thought things couldn't get any worse; your father walked in the classroom. Both your eyes met for a moment and the rising tension along with the awkward silence made it hard for everyone to try to process what was happening.

In all honesty, your father wanted to see you--the look on your face said the exact opposite. Shota cleared his throat, trying to find a way out of this situation, clearly stuck between calling you or just pretending to have something to say to Enji. A few whispers could be heard as you slowly clenched your fists, your glare at Shota getting stronger by the minute. "E-enji, I wish to speak with you outside."

With that, Shota had made his uneasy decision (thanks to your glaring) and stared up at Enji who was now squinting at the black-haired male in front of him. "Aizawa, if this isn't important and you just wasted minutes of my class time, I will--" He was cut off by Shota sighing and nodding, agreeing that this was only a diversion. "I'm sorry, Enji. I just needed to get out of there. My daughter was glaring at me weirdly."

"First time?"

Enji chuckled as he patted Shota's shoulder. "I wish I could teach you lessons on how not to get affected by your child's glare but I have other important things to teach." Enji went on about how Shota disrupted his workflow and allotted time stamps for teaching and giving out quizzes. When Enji had finished scolding Shota, the bigger male finally walked back in the classroom, leaving Shota blinking his eyes for a while. "That sounded like an epic mistake," he heard a voice speak behind him. Whipping his head and turning his whole body around, he saw Yshi standing there with her arms behind her back. "I didn't expect to see you around, Shota."

"I didn't expect you to finish your class early."

"Well, I wasn't but I let my students have an outdoor activity and Hitoshi's supervising them. I'm about to go to my office just to get my phone but I walked by and saw you having a conversation with Enji." Yshi smirked as she shrugged. "I just thought you told him." Shota glared at her but only looked down to sigh, explaining that he was going to just to get your trust again. "You really think that would easily win her back? Why don't you try to talk to her?" Yshi squinted her dark eyes at the male who only shook his head. "I wanted to but the glare she shot me earlier was enough to prove that she doesn't need to talk."

"Then maybe you aren't trying enough to fix it?"

"I'm tired, Yshi." He frowned. "I just want them back again. I just want my family home. I can't live without them." What the two adults don't realize is that Hitoshi had overheard their conversation and he felt his chest tightening of guilt. Sure, he had no right to tell you what to do but maybe just maybe it would help if all of you do not separate from one another. The conversation was then cut short by Yshi leaving and telling Shota she'll try talking to you while Hitoshi hid from hindsight.

Hitoshi looked at his own hands and clenched them into fists as he sighed. "I need to convince (your name) to at least try to give this a chance..."

———

NAOMI WAS AT THE PARK RIGHT NOW. She was found sitting on the bench with tears in her eyes. The woman had finished two bottles of wine and only went out to get some more from the bars nearby. She wasn't in the best condition and the guilt slowly consumed her. She was still pissed at Shota but more pissed at herself for not trying to fix things. Reluctantly, her fingers fumbled for her phone in her purse and she dialled Yshi's number to which the other female directly answered to as she heard her own phone ring as she entered the room.

"Naomi? Why do I hear you crying? And why do I hear ducks on the background? Are you outside?!" Yshi's voice was loud and clearly in panic as she gulped, frozen in the middle of her office. "Yshi, I can't stop thinking about Shota. And (your name). And Eri. But mostly, Shota. I went out to get some wine but I got scared so I went to the park." Hearing her sniffling, Yshi sighed as she trapped the phone in between her head and shoulder. "I'm coming to pick you up. Do you need anything?"

"A sippy cup filled with wine."

"Naomi. No more wine."

"Please~," the female on the other line pleaded and although Yshi can't see it, she used her best puppy dog eyes and Yshi can't help but roll her own. "Fine, fine... I'll get home and I'll grab your sippy cup with wine," she lied. Yshi would bring a sippy cup but she would fill it up with juice that tasted like wine just to trick her best friend. "Just stay where you are and don't do anything stupid!"

With that, Yshi went home.

You and Hitoshi on the other hand just finished your classes for the afternoon and you were waiting for him outside his classroom door. A few of his classmates waved at you while they passed by and you smiled, hoping that they wouldn't ask about your disappearance. On the bright side, you've heard a lot of good things about Hitoshi and how he handled the student council and school activities while you were gone.

"Hey babe..." a familiar voice called out to you which made you jump up a bit. "I could never get used to you calling me that--even if you mean it or in a teasing way," you pouted as you squinted your eyes, your black irises darting to Hitoshi's chuckling expression. "I'm sorry. I just think it's calling you that and seeing your shocked blushing expression, (your name)."

"Boo!" You gestured a thumbs down at him, unamused. "It doesn't matter though because I have a little something to say." The grin plastered on your face made Hitoshi tilt his head in confusion. "Whatever it is, it's scaring me especially with that wide smile on your face..."

"I just heard a lot of good things you did while I was away, Hitoshi. I am so proud of you for doing so!" You smiled lovingly at him and he felt his heart drop to the floor and launch itself somewhere to the sky. "Wait, what? Are you sure you heard it right? Me doing good things?" Hitoshi made a 'pfft-' sound as he glanced at you nervously, violet eyes darting back and forth as you held his hand in yours. "You can't lie now. A lot of students have given feedback and I overheard at the cafeteria at lunch time."

Hitoshi stayed silent, a blush now covering his face due to his shyness.

"What's wrong, 'Toshi? Can't handle being complimented for being good by the ex-president?" You giggled as you watched him shake his hand in front of himself as both of you walked. "No, I'm just happy that my work as vice president paid off."

"What do you mean vice president? You're the president now, aren't you?" Hitoshi stopped walking only to pull you into a big hug, his strong arms wrapping around your figure as you huffed out some air from the sudden tug. Slowly, he lowered his head so he was near your ear, whispering. "Nobody can replace you as president, (your name). And surely, nobody else can replace you..."

He stopped for a while only to chuckle deeply in your ear, continuing once he found his composure again.

"...in my heart."

The heat fuming off of your cheeks felt too real for you to shrug it off like the last. Slowly pushing him off of you, you held in a tiny scream as you kept whispering 'i-hate-you's again and again as Hitoshi stood properly, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, your plans of teasing me didn't work, did it?"

"Shut up! You're just lucky I'm easily flustered!" You retorted as you shot daggers at the lilac haired male who had a wide smile on his face. "Oh, so you admit you're easily flustered?" Hitoshi teased even more as he now pulled you to start walking again. "By the way, I heard that your father walked into your class with Sir Enji..." You scoffed as you walked beside him, linking your arms together. "He did and I glared at him like no tomorrow. But I did feel bad... he looked restless..."

"Why don't you try discussing with your mom and Ms. Yshi about going back to your old home again, (your name)? I know it sounds hard right now but I know your mom and your sister misses your dad and they're conflicted over choosing who over who..." he sighed as he looked at his feet while walking. "You don't have to try to fix it with him but at least when you're in the same place, you could try to act a bit more civil. He's still your father and they are still your family..."

"... I hate you, Hitoshi..."

That was your only response as both of you walked to the direction of your old home. The whole trip was just Hitoshi humming your favorite songs to help calm you down as your grip on his arm tightened with every step. Your father wasn't home yet and you used your bedroom window to get inside the house quickly. "Well, this place is uh--," you took a look around at the mess the place had become and blinked maybe once or twice. Hitoshi, who was right behind you, whistle bombed at the sight.

"This place is a wreckage..." he commented.

"And so is my whole family but we don't really talk about that, do we?" you added as you glanced at his now worried tinted orbs. "What?"

"I have faith in you, (your name)." Hitoshi leaned in to give your forehead a kiss. "Why don't we just clean this place up before trying to clean up the mess your family has become?"

"Since when have you become good at advices?" you laughed as you grabbed his bag and placing it on your bed. "Let's just say I always had it in me. I just didn't show it until it's needed. And I guess you need it right now. Shall we start cleaning?" Before the male could exit your bedroom, you grabbed his hand, making him stop walking. Hitoshi's head whipped back as he cocked his eyebrows. "Is there something wrong, babe?"

"I hate you a lot."

Hitoshi chuckled, rolling his eyes and pulling you close to him, dragging you outside of your bedroom. And despite your advances of trying to break free from his grasp, he only tightened it the more you resisted.

"I love you more, (your name)."

———

A/N: Short update :') My brain is short circuiting. I am becoming Denki and I am going to go on derp mode again. Anyway, I wasn't in the best position and state a few days ago that's why it was hard for me to conjure something up and it really hurts. I feel like I'm letting myself and you guys down. I apologize so much, I am  s t ru g g ling at the moment and gosh, I just feel bad about it.

So, I hope you enjoyed this shitty filler chapter and uh- ;D stay safe! stay hydrated! take care everyone!

love u all! ♡