four
CHAPTER 4: I LIKE YOU
"Everyone, I'll be going out to get some copies in the staffroom. I expect all of you to continue working while I'm gone," the science teacher says.
"Yes sir!"
And the door closes.
After a minute, a lot of the students started chatting with each other. They were obviously not going to listen.
You turn to your partner with a smirk. "Psst. Shinsou-san."
He looks your way without turning his head. "Hmm..?"
"Can you try it on me?"
His eyebrows scrunch in confusion. "Try what?"
"Your quirk."
He finally turns to you, glaring. "No."
Why would she ask me that..? She trusts people too easily...
You pout. "Come on..! Do it before the teacher comes back."
"Why do you want to be brainwashed?"
"I want to know what it's like—"
! ! !
You suddenly feel empty and couldn't sense control of your limbs.
Woah, I think... He did it..!
"Put a hand to your face," he commands.
You watch yourself obey him when you didn't even consider it.
"Now, slap yourself."
Wait wh—
! ! !
Your body jolts up at the pain on your cheek.
"Ow..!" You brought a hand to rub the spot.
"Welcome back." Shinsou casually says.
You hiss when it stings from your touch. "Thanks but can you adjust the power of the slap next time? Jeez..."
He smiles. "How was it?"
"It felt like someone took the wheel, tied me up, and made me watch from the backseat."
He chuckles. "That's an interesting way to put it."
━━━━━━
Time went by fast again.
And with your repetitive schedule, you didn't notice.
For schooldays: you wake up, go to school to see Hazaki, watch Hazaki walk home, then sleep. For weekends, it has a lot less of Hazaki, which depresses you until Monday.
School was nothing more than a place to find Hazaki. You only kept your grades high enough to pass and stop teachers from taking away any of your free time. Of course there were bullies to deal with too, but you let them do what they wanted to raise your chances of being saved, especially by Hazaki. You never once thought it was wrong, because you'd willingly take any hit for your crush, even when no one saves you...
It was an obsession you thought was okay (when it really wasn't).
You thought now that you were off the streets, you needed to find a reason to live. And you found a certain white-haired cloud boy, who's nice to everyone, no matter if they had a quirk or not. He was your reason, and your life.
No one else mattered.
━━━━━━
The end of your first year in junior high.
It was just like the first day, the soft rays that cover the city in a yellow filter, and the trees with leaves in autumn hues. But this time, the students have warmed up to each other. They could be silly with their friends and laugh loudly without a care for any neighbor.
And then there's you.
MEET ME AT THE LONE BENCH BEHIND THE SCHOOL
That was the note you wrote for Hazaki, and to your luck he received it on time.
You wait in the same spot that you always wait in, watching as he departs with his friend and then walk over to the spot.
He... came..! He actually came!
You clutched the ribbon of your uniform, your heart ached with happiness and anxiety. The fear of messing up your words made your body shake. You dreamt of this moment so many times, it felt so unreal. Immediately, your body went forward.
Eyes met and you couldn't stop your fiddling fingers.
"Hazaki-san..!" You took the initiative.
"Ah, Shuzenji-san right? It's been a while!"
His smile made the butterflies in your stomach wild. And with the beautiful clouds around his hair from his quirk, he looked so much better up close.
"Y-Yes... Um—!" You only stuttered around him.
"Wait, you're the one who gave the letter?"
You blush hard. "Y-Yes! That was me..!"
"I'm surprised but, go ahead... What do you want?""
Come on... I've practiced this so many times..!
"I..." You look to your feet.
No! No! Look at him!
You lift up your head a bit too quickly to meet his blue eyes.
"I..!" You gulp, almost choking from your nervousness.
"I-I like you! I like you, Hazaki-san!"
. . .
"...really?" He responded, looking a little shocked.
"Yes..! Since 1st grade I've always liked you! So please, let me be—"
"Well... I can't say the same." His hair and the clouds around it started to grey.
Your eyes widen in disbelief. "What..? But you were always so nice to me—"
He scowls bitterly. "That doesn't mean I like you. Man, you're so annoying." His hand goes through his hair in distaste.
You were frozen. This wasn't how you wanted it to go. "What..? Hazaki-san—"
He smirks, the cloud on him was dark. "I admit, you're pretty but... I would never date a quirkless loser like you."
━━━━━━
It was the weekend, right after that day.
The front door clicks softly when she opens it.
"Hm? Where are you going [f/n]?"
. . .
She was dressed up and had shoes on.
"...going... for a walk..." She whispers, her voice was lower than usual.
"Okay... Be back before the sun goes down."
She was already out the door when she finishes speaking, not even in the mood to give a quick response. Her steps were quick when leaving her neighborhood, she intended to go straight for the city.
People in suits, rushing across the street. So many colorful and large screens, promoting products or news reports. Honks and beeps, shoving and pushing. Everyone had somewhere to go.
[f/n] wasn't allowed in the city without permission, but today, she needed to go somewhere. Permission was just a waste of time.
Her hair was messy, wasn't brushed, and her clothes covered in wrinkles. She didn't shower and put on her bandages this morning, because she didn't feel the need to, or rather, she had no reason to.
But you didn't worry, because you'll soon get another one...
CHAPTER 4 END