From Distant Lands - Juro's Return

Chapter Twenty

A few days later, Shiori and I find ourselves at Dad's again, sitting on the couch and leafing through decoration pamphlets for the wedding. Occasionally, my eyes are drawn up to the new addition on top of a small table beneath one of grandpa's bookcases. We had him cremated a few weeks ago and had a small memorial service after, comprised mostly of the three of us and a few of grandpa's friends from the neighborhood... now, he just sits here with us, a plain urn in the corner of the living room dressed up with photos, trinkets, and his favorite incense.

"I really like the fairy lights idea... I think that'd be really pretty" Shiori says and I nod, returning my attention to the task at hand.

"I actually really like that too. If I were ever getting married, I'd probably do the same thing" I agree and Shiori opens her mouth, a sort of smug look on her face before she freezes up. I sigh, not missing a beat and waving her off.

"Yeah, yeah, I know already. If I gave Katsuki the time of day, he'd ask me" I joke, then immediately fall silent, realizing what I've said. Katsuki? What the hell am I talking about? I look back at Shiori whose eyes are wide with surprise too.

"Did you...?" she begins and I shake my head immediately, confused by my outburst.

"No, I didn't remember anything... I... it must've been a reflex or something" I reply, blinking away the sudden rift in my reality. I haven't called Bakugo, Katsuki in... well... ever.

"It must've been hard... for him to erase everything" Shiori says and I frown, really hating my stupid brain for even making this a topic to begin with.

"Can we maybe focus on something that isn't my tragic life starring myself and the immortal blonde douche bag?" I ask, half sarcastically. Shiori smiles guiltily, holding up one hand in surrender.

"Right, sorry" she tells me, going back to dog earing her favorite pages. I sigh, trying to do the same.

"Besides! A reflex doesn't even mean anything. I still don't have feelings for the guy" I insist, still irritated by it even though I know I should let it go. Shiori blinks at me, an inquisitive look on her face.

"You sure about that?" she wonders and I clench my fist.

"Guilt and love aren't the same thing!" I all but actually shout. Shiori raises both eyebrows and a purple head of hair pops out from the kitchen.

"Everything okay out here?" Shinsou asks and I glare at him immediately.

"Butt out, Barney!" I snap, earning a look before Shiori turns around and shakes her head at him, trying not to laugh at my pain.

"We're fine. Please, carry on and ignore her" she replies and he smiles at her lovingly.

"No problem" he winks, disappearing back into the kitchen to help our father with dinner. I grit my teeth, pissed off and intensely irritable all of a sudden. Stupid memories... making me think and do stupid things... even after... I clench my fists at the thought of kissing Shoto outside of my apartment building. In the moment, I wanted so much more and felt so complete, but... for the last three nights I've been having these dreams. Dreams of another set of lips, another pair of hands, and a face that I can never quite see.

"Kaida... are you really alright?" Shiori asks me, catching the expression on my face and I sigh, looking at her again.

"I might've kissed Shoto" I blurt finally and she gapes at me, a look somewhere between surprise and anger on her face.

"Kaida!" she scolds, swatting me with the magazine. I glare at her.

"Hey! What's the deal? I'm a single woman!" I argue, but her look only intensifies.