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Prerequisite: Music helps set the mood, so as much as possible, I guess you should listen to the songs I put before the chapter starts. I mean, that is if you want to.

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- Yellow means a need for order in life.

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CHAPTER EIGHT :: HONEY

SATURDAY
8:45 AM

You were still in some kind of a daze when you read Keigo's messages. The shock that washed over your face made you sit up straight, and call him directly. As the phone kept ringing, your anxiousness level raised to the roofs as he wasn't picking up. Was he okay? Was he hurt? What did he do? What the fuck was happening?

You got up from bed and went to grab a glass of water. You thought for a moment what could have driven him to send you those messages and in the middle of the night. You let out a puff of air while placing the glass down. Yesterday had just been a great time-was he thinking about something?

Only one way to find out.

♡ Sweet Cakes

Hey, we need to talk.
delivered

♡ Sweet Cakes

Call me when you can.
delivered

It had taken over a few hours before Dabi had the time to call you. You were reviewing the notes of your lessons for the finals. Even though you were prepared, there wasn't a little pain in rereading just in case you forgotten something.

"Hey, sweet cakes. Big brother misses you." Dabi greeted with a warm tone and that made you smile a bit. Even though you were sure he was the reason Keigo was acting weird last night, he was still your older cousin-brother.

"I missed you too but... that's not what I was aiming for really."

The line went quiet for a minute, both of you waiting for each other to speak. And it had been almost like your brains linked, you both simultaneously said;

"It's about Keigo."

Again, another minute of silence and it was making your stomach churn. You waited for Dabi to say something but it would just waste so much time. So, you spoke up first.

"What did you say to him?"

"Huh, he didn't tell you yet...?"

"Tell me what, exactly?" You were starting to get nervous. Dabi's warm tone suddenly sounded so cold and harsh.

"... About her."

That's when you recalled. Dabi had a first love and he told you that when he was about to confess, the girl had rejected him. He explained to you what truly happened-starting from Keigo being distant up to Keigo stealing the love of his life.

"But that was years ago, Dabi..." you said, clearly disappointed about the grudge he held against Keigo about it. You understood but it didn't make any sense anymore. "People can change..."

"It broke my heart, (your name). I don't want him to break yours too." Dabi sounded pissed. "What part of that don't you understand?"

"I understand all of it, Dabi. I know you only want to protect me but fuck it, all my life, I've been wanting to fill the void inside of me that formed when my parents died!" You shouted.

"I understand that you don't want my heart broken but this... preventing me from loving someone that makes me feel whole, is a whole different heartbreak."

"Loving him made me feel like the void isn't there, Dabi."

Dabi stayed quiet.

"You're hurting me, Dabi..."

You wanted to cry but you took in a sharp breath to keep the tears from falling. Dabi on the other line fell silent. He knew that you had fallen deep into the rabbit hole but his decision was final.

"No, (your name). You may fall in love with him with the remaining time left before I return from my internship." He sternly said. "But upon my return, you are never seeing him again."

"That's not fair!"

"Nothing in this world is..." Dabi said quietly. "... And I'll make Keigo realize that."

At that moment, you don't know if you hated Dabi for feeling that way. But still, your mind wanders back to you owing him and his family a big favor for taking you in. If it weren't for him, you wouldn't even be where you are now.

"I have to go now, (your name)." Dabi ended the call before you could respond. You carefully placed the phone on your table and tried not to scream out of anger. You closed your eyes and you tried thinking of something.

Your phone buzzed.

💛 Keigo

good morning, sunflower 🌻
read

'That's it' you thought and quickly changed into some casual clothing, grabbing a sling bag and putting in your phone and wallet. You were always taught by your parents that the only way you were going to survive in life was to always think ahead. You closed the door to your apartment and started making your way to Keigo's.

SATURDAY
10:25 AM

Keigo had just woken up from his uneasy sleep last night and read Dabi's messages and saw your missed calls. He didn't really have the energy to do anything at the moment and studying for finals seemed like a big problem with his mind all over the place. He texted you a good morning before doing his usual morning routine.

As he was preparing his breakfast, he heard a knock on the door-surprised that he even got a visitor early in the morning. What he wasn't expecting to see when he opened the door was you-

And the slap that met his right cheek.

Keigo let out a small grunt before looking back at you. "What the-?"

You slapped his left cheek this time.

"Okay, sunfl-ow! What was that for?"

"The slap in the right was for making me worry about you, stupid! And the one on the left is for you breaking my brother's heart that made him decide that I shouldn't love you!"

Keigo went silent with his eyes wide. That's when you noticed his puffy red eyes and the sadness it holds. You bit your lower lip and looked down to the ground.

"I'm sorry, Keigo. I was carried away. I was just-"

He stopped you by pulling you into a hug. His embrace on your sides was so tight, it made you warm and fuzzy. You tried to resist but the longer he hugged you, you just melted right into his arms. Keigo chuckled at your response to his hug.

Still hugging you, he carried you to the living room and placed you on the couch. He then lets go and stands in front of you.

"You have one strong hit there-well, make it two." He then massaged both his cheeks with his hands. "I guess being hit by a woman wasn't as fun as I thought it would be."

You puckered your lips and rolled your eyes, crossing your arms across your chest.

"There she is..." he smiled, kneeling in front of you. "Why don't you give me a smile there, cutie~"

That statement alone made your mouth curve upwards. You wanted to be angry at the guy but you loved him too much to even stay mad. You knew that when you came marching to his apartment at this hour of the morning. You sighed and slumped on the couch. You were really just upset about not having to love him after a few months from now.

"Hey, what's bothering you?" He asked, still knelt in front of you, placing his arms around your waist, and his chin resting on your shoulder.

"Everything."

"You need to be more specific there, darling. I'm not a mind reader."

You groaned, pushing him lightly so he was facing you. You placed your hands on his shoulder and gave his forehead a kiss.

"I don't want to stop loving you, Keigo."

Keigo's cheeks were dusted with a blush though you weren't sure if it was just the after effects of the slaps you gave him. He showed a toothy, cheeky grin.

"Who told you to stop? I love being loved by you."

You looked at him worriedly. You know for a fact that he tried to convince Dabi and failed. You placed a hand on his cheek. "I know you talked to Dabi last night when you couldn't sleep."

"Hmm." Keigo nodded, not denying anything. "That is correct."

"What did he say?"

"You'd be disappointed." He chuckled bitterly. "It's my fault anyways. I understand why he won't allow it in the slightest."

"But it happened years ago..."

"So, you know?" Keigo looked at you. "He told you?"

"Yes. You weren't planning on telling me?"

"I planned to." He looked down and frowned. "I was afraid you'd respond negatively towards it."

"But I didn't." You smiled. "I know you won't break my heart."

"What if I do end up breaking your heart though? What if I end up fucking it up and ruining everything...for you...and for Dabi...?"

"Would you really let it happen?"

There was silence in the room and it felt like the only things you could hear were the winds gushing in and out of the room and the clock ticking every minute of life away. Both of you were staring at each other now and you had waited for him to respond.

"No." He finally said. "I won't."

"As I told Dabi, people can change. Your therapist said you can find somebody to help you find yourself again. And you did, didn't you?"

"I-I did." Keigo remembered what his therapist had told him before he started the school year. He was skeptical about it but now that he's got you, it was as if he had reached something that had always been a dream. He licked his lips and smiled.

"And you helped me become a better person, Keigo." You said, holding his hands and intertwining your fingers together. "You filled the void inside me that I thought would never disappear."

He stayed quiet, staring at your intertwined fingers. You continued.

"You are everything I have ever wished for."

He chuckled and stared back up at you.

"You know, sunflower. I read somewhere that when you give someone yellow hearts, it means they're just your friend-that you only have platonic feelings for them."

You tilted your head to the side and he spoke before you could say anything.

"However, with you, I never felt like you're just treating me like a friend. You're not playing with me are you?"

The cheeky smile was back on his face and you punched his arm playfully.

"I'm not playing with you."

"Well, in that case, I have a plan."

"What is it?" You leaned in closer to him and he smiled, closing the distance between the both of you for a while. The kiss was short but sweet, enough for the both of you to smile.

"Why don't you take me to your parents after finals?" He said while tugging your fingertips lightly. "I'll have to make a promise to them. I don't care what Dabi says."

You felt your heart beat rise and tears start forming in your eyes, but you weren't sad. In fact, you were so happy. It has been a while since you last visited your parents grave. And this time, you didn't have much bad news to tell them.

"That would be lovely, Keigo!"

THIRD MONTH
SEMESTRIAL BREAK

MONDAY
10:45 AM

The route to your hometown in the peaceful side of Japan takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to get there by train. You were excited to see that place again and it had been a while since you visited. The last time you were there was your parents death anniversary and the pain still lingers despite the number of times you have happy memories with other people.

Now, you were on the way there, with the person you fell in love with. Keigo was sitting right beside you, holding your hand and looking right out the window, probably counting trees as the train passes them by. Sceneries such as farmlands, grasslands, and flower fields were always seen when you went home. It made you feel like a little kid again.

When you arrived, you first stopped at a noodle shop you always went to when you were younger. Both of you enjoyed a good meal and talked a bit before deciding that it was time to go the cemetery.

"Hey, sunflower."

You looked at him fixing his jacket. He looked a bit nervous.

"Are you okay, Keigo?"

"J-just a but nervous. I am meeting your parents after all..."

You chuckled and brushed a bit of dust away from his shoulders. You smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"You'll be fine. I'm sure they'll like you. They would have, honestly."

"You think so?"

"Mhm!" You nodded and giggled.

When you were younger, your parents always told you that if you were to fall in love with somebody, they do not have to have everything in their lives. Your parents believed that a partner should always be there through your thick and thin. They should always keep you happy and they should be contented with who you are.

However, there are times where there is a need for growth-we are all living and learning. Along with this growth, is change. Love should always welcome room for change.

But there is also a need for order-constant changes could mean that there is no order in your life. That's one thing that's important, stability.

"What're you thinking about?" Keigo looked at your rather serious expression and you just shrugged.

"I was thinking about them. They always wanted the best for me-even in love."

"And?"

You held onto his arm tightly and smiled. "I think that you are the best for me."

"And I will continue to be better for you, sunflower." He smiled back at you.

When you finally arrived, both of you had brought out the candles and incense and lit it up with a match. The names of your mother and father engraved in gold. You prayed for a while, still holding Keigo's hand. When you finished, you smiled lightly before speaking up.

"Hey Ma, Pa. I finally found the somebody who'd help me, take care of me, worry for me, and love me the way you guys did." You stated, pretending that they were there, just like old times. "He said he wanted to meet you guys and I know, wherever you are, you're happy about it."

Keigo looked at your soft expression and it made his heart pump loudly. Only hearing her voice and the silence that wrap the cemetery didn't help him cover up the nervousness he had. If your parents were still alive, he would have freaked out the same way too.

"Talk to them, Keigo." You pinched the bridge of his nose when you noticed he was just staring at you.

"O-oh, r-right." He stuttered. It was cute. "Gosh, w-why am I nervous?"

You stared as he cleared his throat, swallowing his saliva before continuing to speak.

"I am so in love with your daughter." He spat out loud, which made you laugh. "I don't know how you could have made her so... perfect... but you did."

"..."

"I'm really glad I met her." He held your hand tighter, not looking at you. "Even if I did have to lose my memories for a while, I really still am glad to have watched over her."

"And even if your nephew, Dabi, says otherwise. I will make most of these remaining months to keep loving your daughter." He continued.

"And I will wait for her, I will wait for Dabi to accept me, I will wait for as long as they want me to." He then turned to look at you. "If it means I'll have your daughter for the rest of my life."

You blushed and felt yourself wanting to cry. You gulped and gave him a big hug. He wrapped his arms around you and buried his chin on the crook of your neck.

"I love you so much, (your name). I'll make this count, I promise."

"I am so glad to have you, Keigo. We should make this count."

Little did both of you know that your parents had been watching the two of you and if you could only know, they are so proud of you for finding the one for you. But they cannot stop Dabi's decision and they could only hope for the best for the two of you.

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A/N: Everyone please take care. And there's only 7 chapters left for this book. How do you think this would end? Haha!

Also, thank you for 1000 plus reads! I am so grateful for it hehe