Ashes And Hair Dye

Chapter Twelve

As they all grabbed their bowls, Dabi realized why Fumi had bean bag chairs in the living room. The younger kids sat in the the bean bag chairs so they could put their bowl on the coffee table. The older kids took whatever bean bags were left and Yuichiro took a seat on the couch. Dabi and Fumi also took their places on the couch before starting the new Pinocchio.

"I hope it's as good as the original." Whispered Fumi to Dabi.

"I've never seen it."

"You haven't seen it?!" She gawked. She was quickly shushed by all the kids, spaghetti sauce already stuck on their faces. Dabi chuckled before shushing her too, enjoying these kids knocking her down a few pegs. She grumbled to herself as she dug into her food. She eyed Dabi, knowing how much he was enjoying the kids mess with her. Such a mischievous group she ended up in. While the kids were glued to the screen she had Dabi hold her bowl of food as she went back to the kitchen to pass around juices to everyone. Now plopped back in her seat with her very own juice bottle, she grabbed her bowl from Dabi as she placed a bottle of juice in his lap too.

"Save it for the kids, I'm fine with water."

"If you say so." She shrugged as she was placing it on the coffee table only for Maki to grab it. After the movie Fumi gathered up the bowls and dumped them in the sink before cleaning up the coffee table of any spaghetti sauce or stray noodles. "Alright everybody! Homework time! Kiddos to the coffee table, big kids to the dining room table!" The gang groaned, including Dabi, as they gathered their homework binders or folders. Fumi helped Hana read her short book so she could answer the comprehensive questions at the end. Meanwhile Dabi decided to take a look at the big kids table.

"Hey Mr. Dabi?" Asked Yuichiro. Dabi took a moment to process a child was actually asking him for academic support. He shrugged before making his way over.

"What's up?"

"I don't get this question." Dabi took a look at the paper, not knowing when was the last time he was in a math class. These equations had letters in them. There was an ABC question and an XY question. Who put letters in math? Why would anyone put letters in math??? Dabi furrowed his brows as he at least tried to remember a formula related to this.

"Fuck kid I don't get this whole page." He finally answered, his brain feeling fried from all that mental digging only to find nothing.

"Stop cussing and my name's not kid. It's Yuichiro damn it."

"None of you should be cussing." Fumi reminded them. The two culprits eyed her as Dabi pointed his finger at Yuichiro.

"He started it."

"How did I start it?!"

"You're the one using letters in math. I don't know any math questions that needs letters." Fumi couldn't help but laugh, finding Dabi's antics nothing short of adorable.

"It has been a few years since we've done algebra. Here's my phone Yuichiro. Look it up but also find where it explains the equation. Don't just look for an answer."

"That's algebra?" Questioned Dabi, now wondering if he really forgot so much about school or if he was just stupid.

"Yeah, it looks familiar but I haven't needed that formula in a while. Ooh! Since the kids seem to have their homework under control for today, come with me." She led him to the kitchen to sit on the stools she had there.

"What's with the hiding?"

"If Maki finds us together not talking about the kids she's gonna be playing matchmaker again."

"Fair."

"Yeah, and since you're gonna be here a while you're gonna need some clothes. And a shower. And stuff for showers."