Voiceless [BNHA]

Chapter Six

~Shota's POV~

Miki was in tears by the time we finally reached the teacher's lounge. Hizashi panicked thinking someone had bullied her. I kicked him until he was bloody for putting her through a hellish first day of school and making her a social pariah. As I was about to inform him his stunt had thrown her into a complete panic attack, Miki gently tugged on the back of my shirt and shook her head. She didn't want Hizashi to feel even guiltier. I spared him the details of how severely he'd upset Miki and left it at that, not wanting to upset her any further.

The next two weeks went by smoothly, as Hizashi learned his lesson. Miki appeared to have made friends with the girls from my homeroom class as I noticed her sitting with them every day at lunch. I felt relieved to see her interacting with kids her own age and seeming comfortable enough in their presence. She seemed to get along well with Yaoyorozu and Jiro. I was glad to have run into them when Hizashi had sent Miki into a panic attack.

The Saturday before the Sports Festival was Miki's 16th birthday. I was finally able to move around without pain. I was still heavily bandaged but could now move my arms and hold things between my casts, at least enough to manage feeding myself and carrying small things.

As was his tradition, Hizashi woke the entire apartment building at the crack of dawn as he burst into Miki's bedroom singing a loud rock and roll version of happy birthday. I peered through the doorway and winced sympathetically as Miki awoke in a panic and fell out of her bed. She landed in a heap on the floor taking several blankets with her in the process.

"Happy Birthday, Miki-chan!" Hizashi yelled so loud Miki and I both winced.

Miki sat up off the floor still wrapped in a fleece Hello Kitty blanket. She rubbed her back with a grimace of pain before looking to her ridiculous brother with a smile.

Hizashi picked her up off the floor as she let out a cute yawn and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She beamed and threw her arms around him. "Ready for the best birthday ever?" Hizashi squeezed her tightly.

Miki looked at the clock on her nightstand in confusion it was six in the morning. She noticed me in the doorway and an adorably shy smile spread across her lips.

"Happy Birthday." I smiled at her while stifling a yawn. Hizashi really needed to find a better time for his noisy birthday tradition.

A faint blush spread across her pale cheeks and she hurriedly hid behind her auburn tinged honey golden hair. Thinking she was just trying to be cute, Hizashi squeezed her again and rocked her in his arms. "Miki-chan is the cutest." He swooned. "Right, Shota?"

I felt a strange fluttering in my chest and awkwardly coughed in an attempt to make it go away, "right." I answered before he could continue pestering me until I agreed with him.

Hizashi looked over at me curiously, normally I'd put up much more of a fight. He shrugged it off and returned his attention to Miki as she desperately tried to break out of his strong hold. Miki wasn't very strong and had never had an interest in being a hero. As a result, she'd never really had to train for anything and was—for the most part—defenseless.

Hizashi affectionately kissed the top of her head, "you get ready for the big day and we'll get going."

Miki once again looked at the clock in confusion before looking to me in hopes I'd be able to reason with her crazy brother. I sighed and looked to Hizashi, "where are we going at six in the morning?"