{NULL & VOID} Kaminari x Fem!Reader

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟺: 𝙵𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚝

PRESENT

While you and Kendo close up the shop for the night, you try to figure out how you want to phrase the question that's been on your mind since Camie dropped by.

"What should we have tonight?" Kendo asks as she locks the register. "I was thinking maybe some tomato soup from those tomatoes Mrs. Akaguro gave us."

"Sure, that sounds good," you shrug as you place the last item on the shelf where it belongs.

"What's up, Y/N?" she asks, not one to let a question go unanswered. "You seem a little off. Anything you want to talk about?"

You know she's been curious about everything since you've returned. You still haven't fully explained everything to her, but you're not quite sure what would happen if you did, anyway. But you do have to do something to ease the awkward tension between the two of you.

"I, uh," you begin before trailing off. How do you phrase that you want to see the house you supposedly burnt down to kill your family? "Can we go somewhere?"

"Um, sure," she nods, "I mean, where do you want to go?"

"I..." you hesitate, knowing this may come across the wrong way, but you can't help it. "I want to see where the old house was."

"Oh," she nods, biting her lip and avoiding your gaze. "Sure. We can do that."

After locking the doors, the two of you make your way down the sidewalk, taking in the fresh night air. Your home wasn't too far from Kendo's shop. The walk there is peaceful, and the night is calm. When you finally reach the spot where the home had once stood, the sight makes your heart sink.

You haven't been there in a year. To see the house in even worse shape than you remember, it makes everything so much more real.

"Y/N," Kendo gulps, looking away to avoid your gaze. "Why did you get out after only a year?"

You sigh. If you want to keep living with Kendo- and keep being her friend- you can't avoid these things forever. "There was a plea deal," you admit, turning to face her. Her eyes lift up, intrigued as you continue. "I took it."

"What? So you were let out after a year for no reason?" she tilts her head to the side as she tries to comprehend what you're telling her. "That doesn't make much sense. The Secretaries don't usually change their minds so easily like that..."

"I'm sorry, but that's all I can say right now-"

Before you can finish, Kendo takes your hands and places them in hers. You notice the look in her eyes turn hopeful as she says, "I know you didn't do it, Y/N. Despite the things you say, you would never kill them. I know that."

"Thank you," you whisper, not trusting yourself to speak. You had wanted to hear those words for so long, but to have someone actually believe you is more than you could've asked for. "But there wasn't ever any use in fighting it. It's like you said, the Secretaries are stubborn as hell."

Kendo gives you a small smile before squeezing your hands and telling you, "I want to show you something."

Together, you walk around the side of the house where the corpses of your family had been found, and spot a small stone sticking out of the ground. You then kneel beside the stone and read the message carved into it:

"Here lies the Sakamoto family, killed in an arson attack. Rest in peace."

You let out a shuddery breath. It's the only thing anyone could ever say, but the thought of them resting in peace after everything that's happened seems nearly impossible. They're probably shouting down at you from above.

"Some of the townsfolk put this together," she explains as she kneels beside you and pulls out a matchbox from her pocket. You watch quietly as she lights it and presses the flame against the wick of a candle, creating a small glow that flickers in the darkness.

"Thank you, Kendo," you whisper. "This means a lot."

Kendo chuckles softly as she wraps her arm around you and pulls you into a side hug. You look down at the small stone as you let your head rest on her shoulder.

"I'm always going to be here for you, Y/N. No matter what, you're not alone. Okay?"

"Okay?" you whisper, thinking back to all the times your mom used to say something similar. She'd always tell you ~

I'm always here for you, through thick and thin, making sure you never feel alone. No matter what challenges life may have thrown, you are never truly alone.

It brings tears to your eyes, thinking of the way she'd climb into your bed, read you your favorite stories no matter how tired she was, and kiss you goodnight. You had the best life.

"Y/N?" Kendo whispers, concern evident in her voice. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," you nod, wiping the water from your eyes. "I'm fine."

The two of you stand up and brush off the dust from your clothes. "Ready to go?" she then asks.

"Mhm. I've got to do what's right for them. This is what's right," you answer, mostly to yourself before turning to walk away.

"I really hope you're not planning on doing something stupid," your friend shakes her head, causing a small grin to grow across your lips.

"No, of course not."

"Yeah, well that wasn't convincing at all, Y/N," she rolls her eyes.

"Let's just go back home, okay?" you suggest, not wanting to argue about something like this. Not right now.

"Alright, let's go," she sighs as she starts walking. "I'm starving."

The walk back to the shop isn't long. When you get back, Kendo begins boiling a pot of water. Together, you make the tomato soup, pairing it together with some fresh bread. The aroma is delicious and fills the whole room.

After a quiet meal, the two of you wash the dishes and sit down to play a game. Kendo sets up the game board and you begin playing, the silence stretching between the two of you as the sun sinks low in the sky.

"Thank you, Kendo," you hum.

"For what?" she asks, peering through the directions to the game.

"Just... thanks," you shrug. You can't find the right words, and Kendo seems to understand.

"Of course, Y/N," she replies. "Anything for you. You're my best friend."

You're grateful for her. Kendo has been with you since forever. The two of you have always been by each other's sides and there's no one else who understands you quite like Kendo does. Hopefully, one day you'll be able to explain everything.