𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚 | 𝐓𝐨𝐣𝐢 𝐅𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐨

- Chapter 39 -

Helia sits in Naobito's office, having successfully completed her report. The weight of the lies she has spun lingers in the air, and she can't shake off the sensation of guilt that clings to her conscience.

And now all that's left is to await Naobito's response to the information she provided, or rather, the lack of information she actually provided.

Naobito lets out a sigh and fixates his gaze on her, his expression stoic yet astute. He then asks, a hint of irritation in his voice. "Is that all?"

"Yes sir..."

He leans back in his chair, his expression hardening with irritation. He speaks, his tone laced with frustration and disappointment.

"I ordered you to keep an eye on Toji, thinking you'd find something significant. Yet, time after time, you come back with nothing."

She tries to defend herself on a polite tone. "With all due respect sir, Toji is a very distant and discreet person, which makes it hard to find something on him."

His gaze intensifies, his irritation evident in his eyes. He responds, his voice laced with a hint of arrogance and annoyance.

"I don't care if Toji is discreet. I ordered you to find out everything I want to know about him. If you can't accomplish this simple task, then what use are you?"

She grits her teeth and looks down. "I'm sorry sir."

"Your apologies mean nothing. Results are what I value, and so far, I am not pleased with your lack of them."

She doesn't speak a word, afraid that it might worsen her situation. He regards her with a cold, disapproving gaze, then makes a dismissive gesture.

"Get out." He says, his tone laced with annoyance. "You're dismissed."

She rises from her seat, perform a hasty bow, and swiftly exits the office. As the door closes behind her, the weight of the encounter with Naobito hangs in the air, the disappointment and irritation etched on his face still fresh in her mind.

[...]

As she hastily walks through the estate, the words of Naobito echo in her mind, a dagger to her pride. His harsh statement, "What use are you?", pierces her heart, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.

She finally arrives at the training grounds, and she spots Toji waiting there, ready to start their training session. Her mind is still preoccupied with the words of Naobito, their sting still lingering in her thoughts.

However, she makes a conscious effort to push those feelings aside, determined not to let them interfere with her training. She approaches Toji, masking the internal turmoil within, putting on a neutral expression.

He notices the change in her attitude, a subtle shift in her expression that doesn't go unnoticed by his discerning eye.

"Something is bothering you." He observes, his voice steady but tinged with curiosity.

"No, it's nothing, I'm just in a bad mood."

He's not entirely convinced by her dismissive response. He can see that there's more to her mood than she's letting on, but he doesn't push the matter further at this moment.

"In that case, we better make this a good training session to help you blow off some steam." He says, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

He notices the bracelet he gave her today, securely wrapped around her wrist. His watchful eyes observe the delicate accessory, a small hint of satisfaction flickering across his gaze.

"It would probably be better if you removed that before we start training." He points at the bracelet. "It might get in the way or even break if we spar."