Fireworks ~ TodoMomo

||Chapter 12||

Shouto's body jerked as his feet hit the pavement, and he stumbled slightly, catching his balance.

People looked over curiously, but Shouto ignored them as he studied his surroundings. Tall, modern buildings made of steel and glass rose up all around him; their windows full of luxurious brands Shouto had never heard of before. He hoped he was in the right place.

A sign on the street corner read 'Aoyama', and Shouto felt his heart stutter with relief. He had made it.

There was an abrupt prick along his shoulder blades. Shouto glanced back as the red feathers began to dissemble, darting away into the night, presumably back to Hawks.

Shouto felt his stomach drop in disappointment as he watched the feathers disappear. He couldn't deny a small part of him had imagined Yaoyorozu's expression when she saw the wings. It was a silly thought. Shouto shook his head, clearing the image from his mind. He sent another silent thanks up to Hawks and then pulled out his cellphone.

According to Jirou's text, Yaoyorozu's building was across the street. He felt his stomach clench slightly as he stared up at the glass skyscraper with gold detailing. The building was tall with at least thirty floors.

He knew Yaoyorozu was rich, but it was hard to wrap his head around the fact that her family had a penthouse in Aoyama, the richest area of Tokyo. He'd just have to do his best. He curled his hands into fists at his side and headed towards the door.

A security guard sat at the front desk, reading a newspaper. He looked up as Shouto entered.

"How can I help you?" he asked slowly, looking Shouto over.

"I'd like to go to the Yaoyorozu's."

"And you are?"

"I'm a friend of their daughter."

"Do you have an appointment?"

Shouto's shoulders stiffened, but he tried to keep his face impassive. "No, but it's important," he bit out.

The security guard frowned. "I can't let you up if they aren't expecting you," he said dismissively, turning back to his paper.

Hot anger curled in Shouto's chest. He was tempted to snap at the security guard but bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself. It wasn't the security guard's fault; he should have planned better. Shouto thought if he just showed up, everything would work out.

But... he was so close; he needed to think of something.

Ding.

The elevator doors slid open, and a tall, beautiful woman and man walked out. Shouto did a double-take. The woman almost looked like an exact replica of Yaoyorozu, except with blond hair instead of black. Could it be...?

"Yaoyorozu-san." The guard said, getting up and bowing formally.

"Yaoyorozu..." Shouto repeated, and then his eyes narrowed as he looked behind the couple. "Where's Momo?"

The woman blinked, clearly taken aback by his brisk attitude. "Momo-chan?"

"You're Yaoyorozu Momo's parents, right?"

The man — presumably Yaoyorozu's father — frowned. "Yes..."

"I'm Todoroki Shouto, her classmate," Shouto said hurriedly, then as an afterthought, bowed slightly. If they were anything like the Yaoyorozu he knew, it would be difficult to get them to help without trying to be at least a little polite.

"Oh," her mother stared at him, "I've heard of you. Endeavor-san's son?"

The security guard made a slight strangled noise behind him, but Shouto ignored him. "Yes," he forced himself to say as calmly as he could.

Something in the woman's expression flickered. She folded her hands in front of herself. "I'm sorry, Todoroki-kun. Thank you for your effort, but our daughter is not here."

"What?"

"You just missed her," the man said. "She went out. Was there something you needed from her?"

Shouto blinked then dropped his head and smiled softly to himself. He should have known Yaoyorozu would get away on her own. She was always stronger than she seemed.

"No. There's nothing."

"If you hurry, you should be able to get back in time and meet her." Shouto looked back up at Yaoyorozu's father. There was a softness in his expression that Shouto wasn't used to. And Shouto suddenly felt guilty for jumping to conclusions. He had been so worried for Yaoyorozu and assumed her father was like his, but it seemed her parents weren't anything like Todoroki Enji.

Thank goodness.

"I wish we could give you a car, but we only have two in Tokyo."

Shouto shook his head.

"It's okay, thank you." He bowed, before hurrying back into the street, his hand already pulling out his cellphone to text Jirou and Kaminari that he was on his way back.

He had to hurry.

Yaoyorozu was trying her best to reach everyone.

He couldn't keep her waiting.