Solstice and Eclipse: Part II

Chapter XVIII: The Yaoyorozu Estate

There was only one more day of classes before summer vacation finally began, though 'classes' wasn't really the right word. It was mostly to go over the results of the final exams and provide feedback on the areas they all needed to improve upon. It was because of this that the day was kept mercifully short. They should be dismissed by noon.

Sure enough, when the 11:45 bell rang and Mr. Aizawa entered the room, he only provided a few brief words concerning the upcoming summer camp before taking his leave. It was commonplace that the class would break into excited chatter as soon as their teacher left and knowing this (L/N) took no hesitation in clearing away his things and making a quick beeline for the door. He had plans to relax beneath the cherry blossom on his hill outside the city and he was quite looking forward to it. But as was also commonplace, someone stopped him. And he had been so close too. Through the hallways, down the stairs, and out the doors without any interruption. But just as he was stepping off campus, she came running up from behind.

"(L/N)!" She called in a chipper voice. "The rest of the class and I are going to meet at the mall later this afternoon to shop for the training camp and I was just wondering if you'd like to join us."

He didn't bother to slow down for her this time, rather, her kept on with his pace responding shortly with a quick 'no' as he walked by. He hoped that would put an end to the interaction, but instead she ran up to him again, this time standing in front of him to block his path.

"Well then how about you and I do something together?" She suggested. "Just the two of us. That way the others don't give you a headache."

"No." He said more forcefully than before.

"You know what?" Yaoyorozu said impatiently, sidestepping so she continued to block him. "I've had quite enough of that. Since the beginning of the year all I've done is try to be friendly towards you. The least you could do is return the favor."

"I never asked you to..."

"It's called common courtesy." She said in a dangerously polite tone. "So, I'm giving you two options. Either you come shopping with the rest of the class this afternoon, or you promise to come over to my place tomorrow for a friendly visit."

He was quite taken aback by this sudden change in personality. Yaoyorozu was never one to be quite so... confrontational. He wasn't sure whether he should laugh or if he should be scared. A little of both seemed the most reasonable option. Then again, there wasn't anything stopping him from just refusing both options. What was the worst she could do?

The answer: follow him. She was resolute in her determination to make him choose between the two options before him. And thought this new side of Yaoyorozu was mildly amusing at first, she was quickly wearing his patience. Clearly, she had been spending too much time with Ashido.

"Fine!" He shouted abruptly. "Fine, you win."

"Really?" Yaoyorozu's voice was thick of surprise, but she was quick to recover. "I mean, yes, excellent. So will you be accompanying me to the mall, or will I see you tomorrow?"

He sighed. "You'll see me tomorrow." He said, choosing the lesser of the two evils. At least she alone was manageable. Or so he hoped. Please God, let this random outburst be a one-time thing.

"Alright." She said, telling him her address. "I'll see you tomorrow at noon."

Smiling, she ran off and towards the black car in which her driver had been following them. She dropped into the back seat and released a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding. Being so forward and pushy was exhausting, and it certainly wasn't her, but it had worked. Of course, that was assuming he hadn't just been lying to get her to leave him be. Either way, she supposed, it was progress. At the very least he had pretended to give in. Which meant he would likely cave in the future if she pressed that hard again. She really hoped she wouldn't have to, though. It was a hard act to maintain.