𝙎𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙡_ 𝓢𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓚𝓪𝓶𝓲

ℙ𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝟝

I didn't say anything. I moved my arms from that position and hugged him back. The cuts hurt a bit, but it was worth it. I buried my head in his shirt. He smelled so good. His scent was sweet. It smelled like flowers and coffee.

"Kaminari?" he called.

I slightly raised my chin. He wasn't looking at me, but outside. I made my eyes slide on his neck, jaw and cheeks. He was even more handsome from that angle.

"Can I tell you a thing?" he asked in a sigh.

I nodded, frowning slightly.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "I knew you were about to commit suicide. That's why I was on the roof that day."

My frown turned to a plain expression. "Oh," I managed to say.

"I... I'm sorry... i-it's my quirk," he explained, not letting go of me. "It's just that when I brainwash someone, I immediately know everything about their life."

"Oh," I repeated. "So, you know... everything?"

He nodded, eyes staring outside, sadness in his expression.

I hugged him tighter, tearing up. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing now?"

"You had to see all my memories... I'm sorry you have to be part of such a hell..." I murmured, blinking many times to hold back the tears.

We stayed like that for a while, in total silence.

"Hitoshi?" I called, breaking the atmosphere.

"Hm? What is it?"

"M-mind if we stay like this forever?" I closed my eyes, nuzzling my nose in his shirt more.

He chuckled slowly. His laugh was so warm, so gentle. "Only if you want to, kitten."

I blushed like mad, my head snapping up. "W-w-what did you just call me?!"

"Kitten," he repeated, as if it were normal, not even moving a bit.

"F-for what reason, of grace?!" I asked, embarrassed as never.

He smiled. "'Of grace'? What book did you swallow, Kaminari?" he asked in a laugh.

"Hitoshi!" I complained, hitting him on his back with my fists.

Hearing him say my name was nice. I loved how my last name flowed out of his lips.

He laughed. "C'mon. I was just teasing you."

"Well, it worked! Now I look like a damn tomato!" I whisper-yelled, blushing even more.

"Kaminari," he called, after some silence. He seemed a little embarrassed. "D-do you have a crush on anyone?"

I shook my head, frowning. "Why's that?"

"Good to know."

"Wait, what do you mean?" I asked. He let go of the hug and headed out of the empty classroom within a second. "Hitoshi!" I ran towards him. "Hitoshi, what the hell did you mean with that?!"

He didn't turn around to look at me. "I... we're going to make sensei worry if we don't go back to class. It's already been half an hour."

I pouted, but realized he was right.

******

When lessons finished, I started packing my things up and went out of the classroom.

Out of there, I saw what I never wanted to see.

Mom was in my school.

My breathing increased its speed, chest rising and going down at a fast pace.

"Kaminari, are you ok?" Hitoshi asked, putting a hand on my shoulder. I didn't even have the right focus to wince at his touch. My gaze was stuck on her walking towards the classroom. When he noticed who I was looking at, he understood. "Oh."

"Why is she here? What is she doing here?" I asked frenetically.

Hitoshi looked around. She wasn't the only adult in the corridor. "Seems like... it's the day of interviews. You know, parents-teachers stuff..."

I gulped down. I forgot it was today. Mom almost arrived near my classroom and saw us. She approached us faster. Hitoshi took his hand off my shoulder and I felt alone.

"Hi, boys!" she greeted us with a gentle wave. "What are you doing here? Don't you have to go home?" she asked with a smile.

Hitoshi faked a smile. I just looked down, breathing shakily. "No. In fact, I was thinking of treating Kaminari to ice cream, since summer is almost over. Can I?" he asked.

Mom looked at him and nodded. "Of course. Mind if I talk to him a bit before you go?"

Hitoshi looked at me asking for an allowance. I nodded, my eyes showing pure fear. "I-I'm coming, w-wait for me a-at the school gates, a-alright?" I said, doing my best not to stutter.

He nodded back and started walking away. When he surpassed the nearest corner, mom's usual self came out. "This better not be a date. I'm kicking you out if it is. I will burn your room up if it is," she threatened.

I winced, thinking about the box under my bed. It's too important to be burnt... "I-it's not a date, mom. I know you don't want me to have a boyfriend... h-he's just a friend," I said.

She grabbed my shoulder right where she knew I had a bruise. "A "friend"? You? Who in the world would even want to be your friend?" she asked. 

"Seems like he wants to," I answered, wincing at the pain. I had never answered like that to her. She'll be angry when I get home...

I can see her pushing down her anger. "Then have fun, my beloved son. Be home before dinner, I will need to talk to you about the interviews with your teachers," she ordered, increasing the pressure of her grip on my shoulder.

I shivered at the word 'talk'. I knew what she meant with that.

Not words. That was for sure.