Chiasa

ch12

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay... I was a bit shaken up but I'm okay now," Endeavor can see she doesn't have the strength to give him a smile to reassure him, it wouldn't have worked anyway. Her eyes are an open book.

"Was that the first time?"

"Yeah... I apologise that you had to come home to that," she says looking down. Endeavour gulped, feeling a little guilty. He knew his relationship with his children wouldn't be fixed overnight, but he couldn't help but hate that his only daughter felt still like she couldn't confide in him, she always remained so formal and respectful, as if she was scared that something bad would happen if she wasn't.

"There's no need to apologise. Go check on Chiasa."

"You can call her Chi-chi too y'know?" Fuyumi chuckles walking back into the living room. When she enters, Chi-chi is already sitting back on the couch, eyes glued to the screen.

"I'm sorry. I had too many enemies tonight," Howl says to Sophie. Fuyumi can't help but inwardly cringe at how the scene of the winged man on the screen reminded her of the one who had just been told to leave her family home. Memories of Keigo coming home late in the night and early in the morning take place on the screen instead of the movie. Tears shed from seeing him return with new scars and bruises and burns, ungloved hands wiping her tears as her own wrapped bandages and disinfected his wounds. Keigo knew it hurt Fuyumi to see him in such a state, but the attention and loved he received whenever he came home was too good to pass up. Teasing her by exaggerating the amount of pain he was in was always a bonus too.

"I'm through running away," Howls voice brings Fuyumi back to reality, "I've finally found someone I want to protect...you." Fuyumi gulps watching Howl fly away from Sophie. She couldn't help but feel like she was watching her and Hawks in a different dimension.

The front door swings open and Natsuo walks in out of breath, dumping all the grocery bags on the floor.

"Uncle Natsuo!" Chi-chi cheers excitedly. She's quick to ditch the movie and run over to him, hugging his calf. Fuyumi sees an opportunity to turn off the movie and takes it. She makes a mental note to make Chi-chi find a new favourite movie.

"Missed ya favourite Uncle, didn't ya?" Natsuo picks her up with one arm effortlessly, causing her to giggle."

"You're not the favourite!" Fuyumi turns her head in time to see the genuinely offended look on her brothers face.

"Wh-What? What do you mean I'm not the favourite?! What other uncle do you have?"

"Uncle Shoto! Duh!"

"Him?! He's your favourite, really?!"

"Nope, not him," Chi-chi says wriggling out of Natsuos arms and dropping onto her feet. He looks at Fuyumi and mouths "Who is it?" She shrugs her shoulders and plops down on the couch. "I don't even know, pack away the shopping," she gestures towards the bags he dropped earlier.

"I can do it if you like..." Natsuo looks up and sees Enji looking down towards the shopping at his feet, almost as if he was afraid of looking into his sons' eyes.

"S'alright, I got it... thanks though." He gives Natsuo a slight nod before going to sit back at the dining table.

"I'll help too!" Chi-chi sends five of her feathers to lift the loaf of bread in one of the shopping bags, causing everyone to stare at her in awe. Fuyumi didn't know whether to feel grateful that she managed to get rid of the awkward tension in the air or scold her daughter for using her quirk without permission.

"Her wings... they actually work?" Enji asks, reminding Fuyumi that this is the first time he's ever seen her use her quirk.

"Yeah, it's all still very new to us though."