Echoes of Past Ties (Todobaku Fanfiction)

03.Lost in Memories

The next morning dawned bright and clear. Shoto felt a sense of unease thinking about the date Fuyumi had planned for him. While he wasn't particularly enthused about the idea of watching a romantic movie, his respect for Fuyumi pushed him to keep the commitment.

Upon reaching the theater, he noticed Naomi already waiting. She greeted him with a warm smile, her excitement palpable. They settled into their seats, and the movie began. The lights dimmed, but the emotional distance between them remained illuminated.

Throughout the movie, Shoto was distant, his mind elsewhere. Naomi, trying to establish a connection, made subtle attempts to bridge the gap. She'd occasionally lean towards him during heart-tugging scenes or glance at him, hoping for a shared moment during the romantic peaks of the movie. But Shoto remained reserved and distant, a wall she couldn't penetrate.

After the movie, hoping for a more relaxed atmosphere, they decided to take a walk in a nearby park. The serene environment, the soft chirping of birds, and the gentle rustle of leaves should have been calming. But the silence between them grew more pronounced.

Finally, Naomi gathered the courage to address the palpable tension. "Shoto," she began hesitantly, "Is there something bothering you?"

Shoto looked at her, a bit taken aback by her directness. Before he could answer, she continued, "I noticed during the movie... you didn't seem present. You didn't touch my hand or even share a moment during those romantic scenes. It felt like you were miles away."

Shoto sighed, running a hand through his hair. He was caught off guard, unsure of how to respond. Naomi, sensing his discomfort, quickly added, "I'm sorry if I'm overstepping. I just thought... maybe you'd like to come to my office sometime? We have some fantastic architectural designs that might interest you."

However, Shoto, while appreciating the gesture, wasn't ready. "I'd love to, but I have some commitments later today," he replied. The truth was, Shoto wasn't quite prepared to dive deep into Naomi's world while still wrestling with his own emotions.

Naomi nodded, masking her slight disappointment. "That's okay. Some other time, perhaps." They continued their walk in the park, both lost in their thoughts, hoping to find a bridge over the growing chasm between them.

The more Shoto spent time with Naomi, the more apparent it became that his heart was elsewhere. Each laugh, each touch, every look was a haunting reminder of his feelings for Bakugou. He found himself continuously drifting back to the memories they shared, making it impossible for him to be present with Naomi.

As Naomi enjoyed her ice cream, lost in the moment's simplicity, Shoto wrestled with the tempest of his emotions. With a hasty excuse, he left her at the park, not even waiting for her response. Naomi looked on, a mixture of confusion and sadness clouding her face. She was beginning to realize that Shoto's heart might be out of reach.

Shoto's steps were heavy, echoing his inner turmoil. Was it so wrong to want to be alone? He pondered over the societal expectations, thinking that maybe he didn't need to marry anyone, especially if it wasn't Bakugou. But surely, he thought, a man could live a content life alone?

Drawn by an irresistible urge, he found himself back at Café Lumière, the very place where he had encountered Bakugou. He took a corner seat, ordering a simple black coffee, hoping, perhaps irrationally, that Bakugou might show up. He yearned for one more glimpse of him, to see him happy, even from a distance. If Bakugou was content, that would bring Shoto some semblance of peace.

Hours seemed to tick by. The coffee grew cold, and the café began emptying out, but Bakugou never appeared. Shoto felt a pang of regret for not asking for Bakugou's contact details. Even if he had, he wondered if Bakugou would have shared them.

Suddenly, an idea formed in Shoto's mind. What if he could get in touch with Midoriya or Uraraka? They might know more about Bakugou's whereabouts.

With a racing heart, Shoto stared at his phone, regret and anxiety gnawing at him. His decision to start anew after Bakugou's presumed passing was now proving to be a grave mistake. The memories and the loss had been too overwhelming, pushing him to distance himself from everything related to that phase of his life.

The shrill ringtone of his phone interrupted his thoughts. He quickly checked the screen and saw Fuyumi's name flashing. Bracing himself for her usual protective nature, he answered the call.

"Shoto!" Fuyumi's voice was a mixture of frustration and concern. "How could you just leave Naomi alone like that? What were you thinking?"

Shoto's guilt about leaving Naomi was overshadowed by his desperation to find Bakugou. Without giving much thought, he blurted out, "Fuyumi, do you have Uraraka or Midoriya's contact details?"

There was a long pause on the other side. He could imagine Fuyumi, slightly taken aback by his abrupt question. "I... I do have Uraraka's number," she admitted hesitantly. "After you cut ties and changed everything, I saved her number just in case, but I never had the courage to call."

A mixture of relief and gratitude washed over Shoto. "Can you send it to me?" he asked, trying to keep the urgency from his voice.

A few moments later, a notification indicated a new message. Fuyumi had sent Uraraka's number. Without wasting a moment, Shoto dialed the number. Each ring heightened his anxiety, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. Thoughts raced through his mind: Would she answer? Would she be angry? Most importantly, would she tell him about Bakugou?

The ringing continued, and with each passing second, Shoto's anticipation grew. He desperately hoped that Uraraka would pick up and offer him the answers he had been searching for.