Catching Feelings? (TodoDeku x Reader)

Chapter Eleven

—First Person POV.—

Flames devoured Kyushu, panic is racking through my mind and filling my body with adrenaline as I sprinted through the chaos.

The village, the castle—all of it was ablaze.

Honshu's onslaught had engulfed everything, leaving screams to pierce the air and mingle with the ear-ringing clash of swords.

Names tore from my throat, churned with desperation as I searched for my family, but when I turned down that familiar street—the Sato's bakery had been reduced to flames and they were nowhere to be found.

Turning around, I was tossed to the floor and presented with a new sight—faces I once knew had now twisted with fury, their eyes blazing with blame.

"My family—" I started, my voice cracking in tune with the alit wood and nearly choking on smoke-filled air "I'm sorry, help me find Rikido and my father!" My surroundings shifted as they pointed fingers, spat in disgust, and I was left staring at my home, alone—to witness it all burn.

Jolting awake, I let out a yelp—body tumbling ungracefully over the bedside and meeting the floor with an audible thud.

The sheets came with me and I scrambled out of them just as fast, eyes snapping around the room in a panic.

Sunlight streamed in through the open curtains, casting its warm touch onto my features and I blinked to adjust to the sudden brightness as realization washed over my mind—Oyashima Castle, I was still in the clear for pretending to be a Lady.

I drew in a heavy breath and flopped back.

My hand rose to hold onto my beating heart as I splayed out across the floor—I let my eyes flutter shut, internally fighting to shake off the remnants of the dream.

"Good morning.?"

I glance up at the voice—Kinoko was standing a few feet away, her visible eye blinking down at me in both concern and confusion as she slowly set the breakfast tray down on a nearby table.

I could only offer her a sheepish smile in response.

"Bad dream." My voice murmurs out the alert and she nods in understanding.

"I guessed," The maidservant replies before turning to pluck something up from the tray "Here, eat something and we'll get you ready for the day." She states, holding out a pastry for me.

With a short 'thank you,' I accepted and bit into the food—sighing gently to myself while using my free hand to rub at my tired eye.

Relax.

Kyushu isn't burning, the village wasn't being attacked, my brother and father weren't in danger and no one blamed me for Honshu's disciplinary slaughter.

But it could happen.

Suddenly, the pastry didn't taste as good as usual.

—Time Skip.—

Bathed in the warmth of a summer's day, I joined Itsuka and the other ladies near the stables, all dressed in vibrant attire—greetings came easy and anticipation danced across my new friends expression.

The horses were already saddled up to go when we drew near. Our destination? The walled town of Oyashima—just a leisurely ride to the west.

My eyes casted over to meet teal ones, quirking a brow when she sighed gently "What's up? Feeling blue?" I speak up with the tilt of my head and a pause falls between us.

"Or should I say, orange?"

I let out a snicker, causing her eyes to roll as a smile presented itself on her features "That was a horrible pun," She shook her head.