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- Yellow means happiness and optimism; it is believed to have an influence on the left side of our brain, where deep thinking and perception dwell.

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CHAPTER TWO :: MUSTARD

SECOND WEEK
OF SCHOOL

WEDNESDAY
10:30 AM

Let's face it, Keigo has been having the worst first week of his repeater life. Besides the fact that he is stressed out in his academics, he ended up having a big fight with Dabi because of not taking care of you. You didn't show up to school for 3 days and even if you didn't know it, Keigo worried a lot. Dabi had also been scolding him recently for leaving you alone.

Luckily, you weren't that alone. Dabi never knew you worked as a part time tutor. You taught the 2nd years whenever they were having a hard time with a subject. Your most favorite junior to tutor would be Midoriya Izuku. He was always positive and you envied that side of him. He took a History major and you thought it fit him a lot.

"Thanks for teaching me a lot about Geography today, (your name)." Deku, as people would refer to him as, beamed. His big eyes filled with wonder and awe. "I don't think I would survive the quiz later without you."

You smiled back. "You're always welcome, Deku. I'm glad to be of help."

When you were walking down the corridor with him, you couldn't help but wonder what happened to Keigo. Dabi told you about the fight and how he scolded Keigo but a part of you felt guilty that he might be carrying a bug burden in his life by being asked to take care of you.

"H-hey, senpai." Deku tugged on your uniform and you were back to the real world again.

"Hm? Sorry. What is it, Deku?"

"I think that senior has been staring at you for a few minutes now and it's starting to scare me." Deku pointed to an oddly familiar Keigo. Deku was right, he was staring and you stared back. You blinked and then he looked away. He was leaning on the wall next to the bulletin board. "Do you know him?"

"Well, yes, I do. Vaguely." you replied truthfully.

"He's my brother's best friend. He's supposed to be babysitting me but we got into an argument and..." you came to a realization. "... we stopped talking for a week."

"Oh, that must have been a big, bad argument." Deku covered his face with his books.

"He didn't really start it. I was just upset and I missed Dabi and I took it out on him." you took a deep breath. "And now he's upset because his bestfriend got mad at him because of my selfishness."

Deku tried to make sense with all of this but all he really got was tiny parts of the big thing that happened a week ago. You patted his head and told him you were going. When both of you finally parted ways, you decided to look at the same spot Keigo was standing on only to find nobody there.

"Strange..." you said rather aloud. "...I could have sworn..."

You looked around a few more times before hearing the bell signal the start of someone else's next class. You sighed and walked to the university's little park and sat on one of the benches there.

♡ Sweet Cakes

Hey, I realized something.
And I'm upset about it.
read

☆ DABroskI

what is it?
read

♡ Sweet Cakes

I was selfish...
And you shouldn't have
scolded Keigo.
read

☆DABroskI

i- why tf u telling
this now?
read

♡ Sweet Cakes

I was stupid.
Sorry :(
read

☆DABroskI

will u apologize?
read

♡ Sweet Cakes

HNNGGHH. I'll try.
delivered

You sighed at the lack of reply from Dabi. You knew he was busy but he always found a way to give you a bit of his time. You tried not to think much about the situation and just read your notes for your 1:30 pm class. You planned on retreating from your lunch again and would just eat once you got home.

Your phone beeped and you quickly opened it to see who messaged. But much to your surprise, it wasn't Dabi.

Unknown Number

Where are u?
read

Your eyes widened and your cheeks burned of shyness. Damn, you didn't even save his number. How inconsiderate of you. With a sigh, you responded.

Unknown Number

Park. Benches. Reading
read

Keigo was not the type to make amends with people but somehow, he didn't really want to lose Dabi as his closest friend. He really had not much people to talk to especially thoughts about what happened before. He wanted to make things better.

When he saw you at the corridor, he wanted to approach you but his fear of being rejected got the best of him so, he left. You were also with the 2nd year Deku which made him wonder why you were even talking with the child. He didn't want to wait that much longer so he just went to the cafeteria instead and got you an egg sandwich and a bottled water

The thing is, he's not going to do this for you. He's doing it to save his friendship with Dabi.

When you responded, he automatically made himself walk to wherever you were located. He saw you sitting on the benches considering that there were only a few people in the school park and your evident (hair color). He walked closer.

"You hungry?" Keigo asked casually which made you jump lightly from the bench. You stared at him for a while and in return, because of how awkward both of you are, Keigo scratched the back of his neck.

"I'm-" you tried to deny. "...not...hungry...?"

He handed you the egg sandwich and water in silence. He knew you were hungry and Dabi was right about one thing, you were a terrible liar. You accepted it though and he sat right next to you. You ate the egg sandwich for a while but the silence that engulfed both of you made you uneasy.

"You don't have class?" you asked out of the blue. He shook his head.

"And you?"

"I don't until 1:30 pm, that is." you replied. "And then, that's about it."

"Ah, I have one at 11:30. But I end at 3:30."

This fact made you nod. You only had classes until 2:30 in the afternoon which means you had time to go have your tutor session with a few juniors. Both of you stayed quiet again. And you had a sense of relief that he hasn't brought up anything.

"I was really pissed off the other week." He started. And there goes your sense of relief too. Keigo noticed your uneasiness and he kept his mouth shut right after.

"S-sorry, I didn-"

"No." you cut him off. "I just didn't think you'd bring it up."

"..."

"Besides, I should be the one apologizing to you." you continued. "I was being selfish and was missing Dabi already. I didn't know what to do."

Keigo nodded and smiled lightly. "I had a rough start with you, kid. I didn't really know how to deal with it."

"I know. Everybody does." you looked down and stared at the book that's on your lap.

"Everybody? You sure seem popular to most people though."

You shrugged not denying the fact. You were introverted but you also found people fascinating. However, too much attention from people made you feel nauseous while little to no attention made you feel the same way. You needed to find balance between the two which was considerably hard.

"Or maybe not." He added which made you face him with a shocked expression.

"What do you mean by that?"

Keigo's eyes slowly made their way to the side to watch you. "I just remembered something about you. I don't know if I should even remember it."

"I don't know w-what you're talking about?" you tilted your head.

"Hm, wrong person probably. Sorry, kid. I just-everything in my head is jumbled." He gave out a small chuckle. "I'll be going now. I'll see you later."

"Y-yeah. See you."

Watching him leave, you were still having such a confused look on your face. Both of you did meet once but you never really shared a conversation. Or did you? You felt your heart beat faster and it wasn't in a good way.

WEDNESDAY
11:30 AM

Keigo was still in a daze when he left. His brain has been making lots of noises recently and it's making his head pound a lot. He wrote down every single detail on his notebook and continued to wait for the professor-not that he'd really pay attention anyways. It just helped him take his mind off things even for a little while.

The conversation with you earlier seemed like it happened before but he doesn't really recall or pinpoint how the fuck he could remember it. Maybe he did have that conversation with another person and not you.

bird brain ✈

is it weird if i recalled
something that doesn't
exist?
read

hot pots 🔥

we're not friends rn.
read

hot pots 🔥

and yes, it would
be weird to remember
something that did not
exist.
read

bird brain ✈

ik but hear me out.
i apologized and
i went near (your name)
already.
read

bird brain ✈

the thing is, we had a
small conversation
that made me remember
having the same conversation
but i'm sure it wasn't her
but maybe it was?
read

hot pots 🔥

what the fuck are you
on about?
read

bird brain ✈

before i lost my memories-,
well, some of it.. i know i went
to a bar.
read

bird brain ✈

i could've sworn
it was her
read

bird brain ✈

am i crazy?
read

hot pots 🔥

yes. (your name) has
never even had my
permission to go to a bar.
read

bird brain ✈

can i take her to one
this friday? just to make
sure.
read

hot pots 🔥

no, u fucking dumbass.
i'll burn u to the ground.
read

hot pots 🔥

hawks, i swear to god,
i will make sure ur life is
a living hell if u do anything.
read

bird brain ✈

hm, i'll think about
that threat. i'm gonna prove
something to you.
read

bird brain ✈

it's not like my life isn't
hell anyways. HaH!
delivered

Keigo wasn't really sure what he was doing and he sure was going to get in trouble for it. But whatever this is that is running in his hippocampus, sure is urging him to do it. He, himself, doesn't really remember the unspoken incident but a lot of people tend to remember and not tell him.

His therapist told him that it was for the best.

But what was the best really? This burden only makes it seem worse.

His thoughts were interrupted when the door opened and the professor walked in, signaling that he needed to concentrate and pass this class.

WEDNESDAY
2:30 PM

You were at the library with Deku and another junior named Katsuki Bakugou. Though, the latter seems to bully the former a lot; impressively, both of them can set aside some differences and work together to listen to you-sometimes.

Most of the time, it's just you trying not to let Katsuki bite Deku's head off.

"Oi, nerd-senpai!"

You whipped your head upward from the book you were staring at. You were waiting for the duo to finish a small quiz you had made for the subject they were having a hard time on. Deku and Katsuki may have different majors but they had at least 3 similar subjects, and both of them really sucked with one.

"Hm? Sorry, Katsuki. Is something wrong?"

"We should be the one asking you that, smartass." Katsuki's eyes bore onto you like he was threatening you to tell something. Deku just gave a small worried smile, nodding along with whatever Katsuki was saying.

You gave a small chuckle and answered truthfully. "I'm not really sure."

"O-oh? What's bothering you, senpai?" Deku tilted his head slightly, evidently also trying to move away from a lightly pissed Katsuki. "Is it the g-guy from earlier?"

"If he's the reason I'm taking this damned mini quiz, I'll punch his face!" Katsuki said through gritted teeth. His grip on his pen tightening with each word.

You waved your hands in front of you. "N-no, it's not like that. If I were upset with him, I would not take it out on you guys."

"You better not!" Katsuki continued to answer his quiz while Deku stared at you. This made you feel a bit uncomfortable so you stared at him and smiled.

"Deku, is there something else you want to say?"

"A-ah, w-well... I was just wondering if you were dating him...?" Deku asked with shining eyes.

You blushed at this assumption and you covered your mouth, trying hard not to laugh out loud considering you were at a library. You shook your head but still covering your mouth to stop yourself from bursting.

"N-no, I'm not. You asked that question earlier, Deku." you confirmed.

"I know but... I saw you two earlier sitting at the park benches...and I thought-"

"Just because two people are talking to each other doesn't mean they're dating, idiot." Katsuki frowned, cutting Deku off and looking up from his paper. "I think I'm finished."

You laughed lightly and waited for Deku to finish before checking the papers. As expected, Katsuki would get a point or two higher than Deku but he always saw this as a victory and rubbed it in Deku's face. You would comfort the green haired male and it would make him feel better about his score.

WEDNESDAY
3:30 PM

After an hour more of teaching, the 3 of you decided that it was time to go home. And it was a bit of a timing for Keigo's class to finish at this moment too.

"You guys go ahead. I'm waiting for someone." you called out to the pair as you exited the building. The two males just glanced at each other and waved at you, not pushing who ever it was that you might be waiting for.

🌻 (your name)

Hi! :) I'll be waiting at
the library building.
read

🦅 Hawkeigo

a'ight. be there in 5
read

Keigo didn't expect you would text first. You, yourself, didn't even know why you'd text him first. You just wanted him to know you were waiting. It's not like he would keep you waiting, right?

Keigo made his way to the library, a few juniors staring at him. He wasn't exactly popular but everyone knew about him repeating a year. Being one of the most intelligent students, he worked his way up for a good reputation, only to have it crash right in front of him.

He could hear a few whispers from here and there causing him to scowl and look down on his feet. He hated those types of people but they weren't his to impress. The only thing that mattered to him is to be able to make it through 5 months with you, and a year without academic self torment.

"H-hey, Keigo!" you called out from a distance, making him realize that he had almost passed by the library building consumed by his own thoughts.

"You do realize you can call me Hawks, right?" He said while approaching you.

"I'd like to keep my approach to you formal for now, since we don't really know each other that much." you confessed.

"I understand." He shrugged. "Suit yourself, kid."

Keigo took your bag and slung it over his shoulder. You were rather surprised by this but you guessed that it was only necessary since he was supposed to take care of you-make things a bit easier for you.

"Let's go."

He walked rather slow for your pace and you ended up always having to wait for him for a minute or a few seconds. The walk was quiet just like last time but there wasn't any tensed reaction to anything the other does. Maybe both of you needed that week off from each other.

However, the closer you approach your apartment building, the more he grew tired. You noticed this at first and tried to bring it up, but you were scared it might offend him and you two might end up fighting again. You honestly don't have much energy to waste on fighting someone anymore.

"You look-" you started.

"...tired?"

"Mhm."

"Truthfully, I am." he sighed, clutching the strap of your bag. "I haven't had enough sleep lately and classes bore me to death. However, I need to endure it to pass."

Before you could respond, both of you had finally made it to the apartment building. You wanted to take the bag from him but he denied it and told you to just go to your floor and room. When you finally got there, that's when he handed you your bag.

"Thank you for taking me home..." you smiled.

"No problem, kid." He smiled back. "B-but I-"

The male had started to topple and-if it weren't for your quick thinking and reaction time-fell right on to the floor. Except, he was now in your arms, towering over you.

The dude had passed out.

You carried him inside, his arm slung over your shoulder and your small frame supporting his, and closed the door with your leg. He wasn't that heavy considering that you and Dabi work out on the weekends, most of the time.

You placed him on the couch and automatically grabbed your phone.

♡ Sweet Cakes

How to take care of
passed out person?
read

☆DABroskI

what?
read

☆DABroskI

who passed out??
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♡ Sweet Cakes

🦅. He did.
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☆DABroskI

damn, the idiot is pushing
himself again.
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☆DABroskI

just let him rest for a while.
he'll be fine. i hope.
delivered

You didn't bother responding anymore. You went into your bedroom and changed into some comfortable home clothing and went back outside. Keigo was practically still passed out on the couch, his chest rising and falling, indicating that he had fallen fast asleep. You chuckled at the sight.

His messy blonde hair became messier once he moves to find a comfortable position. Keigo was not yet aware that he had passed out but damn was he having a good sleep to bother waking up right now.

You went closer and unbuttoned 3 buttons of his shirt. You touched his forehead which seemed to be burning up a bit. Was he sick?

Keigo gave a low hum which slightly startled you, making yourself back away for a while. You went to your bedroom, grabbing a cloth and to your kitchen where you grabbed a basin of cold water. You dipped the cloth in the basin, wiping his face and neck, before placing the cloth on top of his forehead. He gave a small sigh of relief.

You went back to the kitchen to prepare (your favorite meal). In the process of making the said meal, you realized something. Why does it seem like you are the one taking care of Keigo.

That's his job.

But then again, he is tired and is most likely sick.

You smiled to yourself and shrugged. After making the meal, you put some of it in a container and placed it on the kitchen counter for when he wakes up later in the evening. After eating, you made your way into your bedroom and checked your phone.

☆DABroskI

how's bird brain?
read

♡ Sweet Cakes

Aww~ someone's worried.
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☆DABroskI

shut up. >:(
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♡ Sweet Cakes

He's fine, bro.
A little sick probably.
Took care of it.
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☆DABroskI

what if you get sick?
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♡ Sweet Cakes

I won't. I'm sure he'll
be awake sooner or
later.
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☆DABroskI

you don't have class
tomorrow, right?
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♡ Sweet Cakes

Nope.
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♡ Sweet Cakes

And oh, before I forget.
I'm kinda sleepy rn.
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♡ Sweet Cakes

He brought me lunch
and took me home.
I was really happy.
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☆DABroskI

even if u had to take
care of him?
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♡ Sweet Cakes

Yep! At least he began
being thoughtful. :)
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♡ Sweet Cakes

I'll take a nap before
checking on him again.
read

♡ Sweet Cakes

Night night, bro. 💜
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♡ Sweet Cakes

Today: 💛
read