The Music in Us

Chapter Twenty-Four

Todoroki's POV

"Shoto, do something with your hair, baby. You know your father doesn't like it when it looks bad for church."

I sigh as a remember that day. Too much happened... I wish everyone would come back to talk to me, but visiting hours ended long ago; the hospital only let them in, since I came in less than an hour ago.

I think the pain medication is doing something to me... I'm all sleepy, and I can't stop being nostalgic... And not in a good way.

My eyes get droopy, so I lay down on the bed more. The beeping of machines are weirdly peaceful.

I sigh and turn my face to the side, bending my legs slightly. I wiggle a bit to get comfy, and I'm able to successfully go to sleep easily. Go me!

~~~

I hastily try to fix my messy hair, then I look up at my mom for approval. She smiles at me and nods.

"My handsome boy." She caresses my cheek, then kisses my forehead. "Let's go downstairs now. Everyone is waiting."

I nod and grab her hand, walking down the stairs with her. I look down and see my three siblings sitting on the couch, backs perfectly straight. Dad's in front of them, his scowl permanently carved into his face.

"Rei, you need to stop babying him. He's second eldest. Stop going up to help get changed."

Dad turns to us, since we're still on the stairs, and glares. I see Toya stick his tongue out at him behind his back, and I can't help but laugh a little.

Dad glares harder and walks over to me. "Do you think this is funny, boy?"

I shrink back in fear and grab onto my mom's legs. She puts her hand on my head for comfort. It helps a little bit.

"Enji, he didn't mean anything by it, I'm sure. Right Shoto?"

I nod my head and look at him in the eyes. He sees it as a sign of respect. "I'm sorry, dad."

He huffs and turns away. "Let's go. I don't want to to be late."

The drive to church was quiet. That's not surprising though. It's always quiet when dad's in the car. He doesn't like much noise right before church, since that's "our time to reflect on our sins".

I look out the window and sigh lightly, so dad doesn't hear. He sees it as disrespectful when we do it during our "reflection time".

I look at my older brother, who sits in the back with me and smile. He looks back and winks.

He grabs a notebook and pencil and writes in it. We keep this notebook back here for times like these.

Sorry I got ya in trouble

I smile at him and reply back.

It's fine. I know you were just trying to make me feel better

He winks at me yet again, then goes back to looking out the window as well.

I don't know why we even have to go to church. Dad doesn't even follow any of the rules in that stupid book. I don't either. No one in my family does. I think dad just likes to think that he has some place to go to if he ever gets caught.

He sings for the church. That's actually how he got discovered. Someone put a video of him singing during church years ago before everything started. He was a good man then, but not anymore.