A Mirage // Set #1

Chapter 8

Touya Todoroki/ Dabi

It's been almost two hours since Kiko went to the hospital. Dabi's been pacing in front of the door since she went in. One of the teachers drove Fuyumi home so they could tell Kiko's parents and the rest of his family what happened. Kiko's parents weren't here, surprise, surprise. They were on a business trip. So, the rest of the Todoroki family was.

"Stop that," Fuyumi said. "You're making me worried." Dabi rounded on her, glaring at her.

"You're the one to talk," Touya growled.

"Touya," Rei said. "Be nice to your sister."

"She's the one who didn't talk to Koko until she got thrown off a balcony!"

"Touya Todoroki!" Touya glared at his family before collapsing onto a seat by the door. Shoto padded over and climbed onto his brother's lap.

"What's going to happen to Koko?" Shoto asked.

"She's going to be fine," Touya replied, hugging his younger brother. A doctor stepped out of the hospital room Kiko was in.

"Kiko Suzuki?" the doctor asked. "Are you with Ms. Suzuki?"

"Yes," Rei said, standing up. "How is she?"

"She's sleeping right now." The doctor handed Mom a clipboard. "Can you sign this? You can take her home once you've finished."

"Thank you." While Rei and Enji read what was on the clipboard, Touya and Shoto slipped into Kiko's room.

"Touya?" Kiko mumbled. She rolled over. "Shoto?" Shoto started crying and ran over to Kiko, who had rolled onto her side. Dabi sat down on the chair while Shoto climbed onto the bed so he could curl up close to her. Kiko practically raised Shoto after Rei went to the mental hospital. So, Shoto was really attached to her. They stayed quiet until Mom came in and told them they had to go. Touya and Natsu helped Kiko into the car since the two boys were roughly Kiko's height. When they got home, Mom and Fuyumi helped Kiko into the spare bedroom.

"Is she asleep?" Touya asked when Mom walked back into the living room.

"She's asleep," Mom replied. "Go get some sleep, okay?" Touya could only nod numbly.

🍛 🍜 🍛

"We're going out on a date night," Mom said about a week later. "And Fuyumi is going on a date. So is Natsu." Mom looked over at Touya, who was reading to Shoto. "Can you watch Shoto and Koko while we're out? We should be back by midnight."

"Alright," Touya replied. He honestly could care less about Fuyumi because she ignored Kiko and avoided her like a plague. It was like she suddenly didn't care about her friend. He ignored all the missed phone calls and texts from Willow, Nora, James, Levi, Brooklyn, Elena, Eleanor, and Victoria. He even ignored the ones from Yue. Soon nighttime came and Rei, Enji, Fuyumi, and Natsu left.

"Touya?" Shoto asked, tugging on Dabi's shirt hem. Touya was making soba. "What's for dinner?"

"Soba. Where's Koko?"

"Sleeping on the couch." Touya nodded. "When is it going to be ready?"

"Twenty minutes maybe. So I want you to go get ready for bed, okay?"

"Okay!" Shoto said, running off to get ready. Twenty minutes later, they were all eating dinner and were all ready for bed.

"Thanks for making dinner," Kiko mumbled, sleepily. Her eyes were already closing. Dabi put a hand on her head.

"Sleep, I'm going to put Sho to bed, and then I'll come to help you to bed."

"Mkay..." Touya picked up Shoto and tucked him into bed. Just then there was a thud.

"Koko!" Shoto cried. Touya was already out of his brother's room and in the living room. The window was open. Kiko was laying on the ground, sobbing again.

"Koko?" Touya asked. "What happened?" She only shook her head and Touya guessed that the person who threw Kiko broke in. He hugged her tightly.

"I-I s-saw h-her," Kiko whimpered, hugging him tightly.

"Koko, who threw you off?" Kiko shook her head and cuddled closer, trembling. Touya looked over at Shoto. "Shoto, I want you to watch Koko for me, okay? Make sure no one hurts her." Shoto nodded and hugged Kiko, who was still holding onto Touya's shirt front. Gently, he pulled away. "I'll be right back, okay? Just stay here." He picked up Shoto and Kiko and sat them both on the couch again. "Stay. I'll be back in a couple of minutes." He went to his room, grabbed his pillow and blankets, then went to the guest bedroom and Shoto's and did the same. Touya brought them into the living room and laid the blankets on the ground.

"Touya?" Kiko mumbled. "What are you doing?"

"We're sleeping out here tonight." Shoto grabbed more blankets and Kiko just watched them. When they finished, Touya helped Kiko slide onto the blankets before he threw one over her. It was her favorite blanket aka the blanket Dabi usually slept with.

"Thank you." Shoto curled up against Kiko's chest and Kiko hugged him. Touya sat behind Kiko with his legs under the covers.

"Of course." Shoto fell asleep almost instantly and Kiko was almost asleep as well. "Go to sleep."

"Mkay..."

"Good night, Koko."

"Night..." Just like that, she was out like a light, making Touya laugh softly. He looked up when he heard a thud. Dabi stood, letting his hand light up with his blue flames.

"Who's there?" No answer. "I said...WHO'S THERE?!" The flames grew bigger.

Why do you care about her? An eerie voice asked.

"Are you the one that threw Koko off?"

Maybe...

"If I ever find you, I'll kill you myself." Then, the eerie presence was gone. Dabi growled and sat back down. Three hours later, the front door opened. Rei, Enji, Fuyumi, and Natsu walked into the living room. Touya told them what happened after that. Fuyumi and Natsu lay down behind Shoto while Rei lay down behind Touya. Enji sat on the couch.

"Go to sleep, Touya," Enji said when Rei, Fuyumi, and Natsu fell asleep. "I'll watch out for anyone." Touya nodded sleepily. He wrapped his arms around Kiko, hugging her tightly. Her back was pressed against his chest, not that he minded. That way if she was pulled away, he'd be awake. Dabi was a light sleeper. I'll keep you safe, Koko. I won't let anyone hurt you.