From Distant Lands - Juro's Return

Chapter Nine

After a few days of keeping myself distracted with hero work, I finally sit down to eat at my own table with a small bowl of rice, egg, and beef, wincing with surprise when my back aches. I guess I've been pushing myself too hard lately, but the pain goes away as soon as I've settled and I force a spoonful of food into my mouth. I've been so tired the last few weeks I haven't been hungry, so the food goes down hard, but I don't have a choice. I can't just skip meals and manage to keep up my strength.

"Hello?" Shoto answers the video call as soon as I make it, raising an eyebrow at me on screen. I groan, resting my head on my arm.

"Hey" I mumble flatly, missing Katsuki so much it hurts.

"What are you doing?" he demands, still wearing that same expression. I sigh heavily, holding up my spoon.

"Eating... sort of" I reply dully. He blinks at me.

"You look like hell" he tells me, making me laugh.

"Gee, thanks Shoto. So kind of you" I say, rolling my eyes and trying to sit up. I still manage to lean my head against my hand, but at least I'm not laying on the table top anymore.

"Seriously, are you alright? You've barely answered your phone all week" he asks, concern coloring his tone. I make a face, shrugging my shoulders.

"I'm exhausted. I helped out with the sink hole downtown today, grabbed a few petty thieves, fought the villain at the train station... it's been a very busy day" I answer, feeling the weight of it all finally starting to melt off of me.

"What are you just answering every call that comes in?" Shoto demands and I smirk, arching an eyebrow.

"Isn't that what heroes do?" I wonder, earning a stony stare.

"You're pushing yourself too hard again" he informs me. I just make another face.

"I'm trying to stay awake long enough to eat my dinner and you are not helping" I say and he sighs heavily, narrowing his eyes in the camera.

"Was that the sole purpose of your call?" he wonders, making me smile sheepishly.

"I mean, I also wanted to talk to you... but yeah, mostly" I admit. Shoto rolls his eyes, but there's a small smile on his face.

"Eat your food, Kaida. Why didn't you call Bakugo?" he asks and I feel that familiar knot in my stomach full of worry and fear. I swallow, dropping my spoon back into my bowl.

"He hasn't answered me all day..." I trail off, not wanting to inspire even more worry. Shoto just stares at me for a minute.

"He's supposed to be coming home in a few days, right?" he wonders and I let out a heavy exhale, leaning back onto the table again.

"Supposed to be... but it's not like him to go all radio silence on me" I mutter.

"This is his first hero conference as the owner of his own agency. It's possible he just hasn't had the chance to get to his phone today" Shoto offers and I glare at the phone, feeling pouty and anxious.

"I kinda feel like that's a shitty excuse" I say and Shoto chuckles a little.

"Noted" he replies. I sigh again, not wanting to talk about Katsuki anymore.

"Anyway, how's Suki? Does she still hate me?" I wonder absently, pushing my spoon through my food without eating it again. Shoto makes a face.

"She doesn't hate you..." he insists. I give the camera a flat stare.

"You don't have to lie to me, of course she does. Your dad basically pits us against each other every time we're all together. It's no wonder the poor girl thinks so little of me. She probably thinks I'm trying to steal you" I mumble, rolling my eyes. Shoto's cheeks grow a bit redder, but he still shakes his head.