Addicted Love

Chapter 8

As Deku's presence faded, Shinso felt a weight lift from the atmosphere, allowing him to release Arisa from the grip of his mind control. He knew that while she was under, her thoughts were isolated from the chaos around them. As she crumpled to the ground, gasping for air, tears streamed down her face, a torrent of emotions spilling forth.
Shinso knelt beside her, meeting her gaze with genuine concern. "Are you going to be alright?" he asked softly, placing a reassuring hand on her trembling shoulder.
"I just... I hate my brother..." Arisa sobbed, her eyes transfixed on the rigid concrete beneath her. "He's always breathing down my neck. I just want to escape, to be free from my parents... be free to just be myself...I wish I could just get out of here..." Her voice broke as she released all the pent-up frustration and despair she had been holding inside.
Shinso contemplated her words, feeling a surge of empathy. An idea sparked in his mind, illuminating a path forward. "Then come with me," he proposed, extending his hand toward her.
Arisa looked up, her eyes red and swollen from crying. "What?" she asked, disbelief etched on her features.
"I have an apartment. You could stay with me," he offered, knowing full well it was his grandmother's place, but it was a temporary refuge nonetheless.
"Why would you do that?" she inquired, skepticism lacing her tone.
"Because I understand you. I think you'd be happier with someone who gets it," Shinso replied, a warm smile breaking through his seriousness.
Arisa felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. The prospect of a fresh start, a chance to escape her turmoil, was almost too good to be true.
"Does that mean you want to be with me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Why would I want to be with anyone else?" Shinso countered, his gaze steady and sincere.
"But I'm difficult... weird and unstable and-," she stammered, but before she could continue, he gently pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her doubts.
"Normal is boring," he stated simply, his words hanging in the air like a promise.
Overwhelmed with joy, Arisa leapt up, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips against his in a fervent kiss. Shinso was taken aback but found himself reciprocating despite his initial hesitation. Was this crossing a line? Doubts flickered through his mind, but he pushed them aside.
After settling her into his apartment, his phone buzzed with an incoming call from Bakugo. "Hey, I'll be right back," he said, stepping outside to answer.
"Where's Arisa?" Bakugo's voice was sharp, laced with concern.
"Don't worry, she's safe," Shinso reassured, though he sensed Bakugo's skepticism.
"That's not what I asked," Bakugo shot back, frustration evident.
"I took her to my grandmother's apartment. She's staying with me for a bit," Shinso admitted, feeling the weight of Bakugo's impending judgment.
"Do you have a death wish?!" Bakugo roared, disbelief ringing in his words not liking the thought of his sister being alone with a boy.
"Relax. I've got it all under control," Shinso replied, cutting the call and turning off his phone before Bakugo could protest further.
Returning inside, he found Arisa exploring the apartment, her playful demeanor emerging as she meowed at the cat she discovered. Shinso couldn't help but smile; she reminded him of a child, full of innocent curiosity.
"So, do you really live here?" she asked, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Well, I stay here sometimes. This is my grandmother's place, and she's away for the week," he explained, watching her blush deepen.
"So... we're completely alone?" Arisa stammered, her cheeks flushing more.
Noticing her reaction, Shinso leaned in closer, a teasing smirk on his face. "Would it be so bad if we weren't?" he challenged playfully.
Arisa spun around, fanning her face in embarrassment. "Calm down! Get it under control! Wait, can boys smell pheromones?" she muttered to herself, flustered.
"You know, one of my favorite pastimes is firing my dad's shotgun at targets," Shinso said, attempting to steer the conversation towards a fun activity.
"Really? But guns are really loud," she replied, a hint of apprehension in her voice.
"Don't worry, they have earplugs... want to give it a shot?" he suggested, his enthusiasm infectious.
Arisa's smile returned, eager to try anything that would bring her closer to him. Once they arrived at the shooting range, Shinso helped her gear up, handing her a gun.
"I didn't realize they were out of earplugs...are you sure you still want to shoot?" He asks her lying. There was a method to his madness.
"No.. it's ok. I can do it." She said trying to be brave.
"Just aim as best as you can and pull the trigger," he instructed, his voice steady as he guided her through the process, ready to support her every step of the way.