Mute

30 | Forgiveness

I quietly wrote on my computer, sending my reply to my friends. They immediately began typing, and I smiled fondly. Shouto and I had argued over a week ago, and neither of us had attempted to contact the other since.

I sighed and adjusted my position, singing softly under my breath. I missed Shouto, but that didn't mean I still wasn't upset. Yeah, I'd taken the time to think about his actions and why he'd used them, but I was still upset. Just because I understood didn't mean I was going to just forgive him like that.

"Emiko!" Akito raced downstairs with a grin. "Can I go to the park? Pretty please?"

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, be home before 5 okay?"

"Okay! Thank you!"

I glanced up about a half an hour later when I heard the front door open. "Akito? I thought you were going to the park?"

He didn't reply, so I stood and set my computer aside, walking towards the front room. I froze when I opened the door, staring in shock at Shouto. He smiled slightly and held up a bouquet of flowers, my favorite kinds.

"Hi."

I narrowed my eyes. "Akito put you up to this didn't he."

"I would have done it anyway."

I turned and closed the door behind me, striding back into the living room as he followed. I sat back in my spot and put the computer on my lap.

"Emiko." He murmured, setting the flowers on the table and sitting beside me. I ignored him.

"I'm sorry I reacted the way I did. I should have just told him to leave you alone. And I shouldn't have blamed you like I did."

I kept my gaze fixed on my computer, but my typing slowed.

"I shouldn't have yelled either. I promise that from now on I'll try not to explode on you or blame you."

I shook my head. "I thought you were angry. Why don't you go tell all my coworkers not to talk to me? It might make you feel better." I added.

He rubbed my arm. "I understand you're angry, and it's my fault. I just wanted to say sorry." He rubbed my hair between his fingers for a second before he sighed, straightening a moment later. "Bye Emiko."

My fingers froze as he began walking away. I was conflicted. Before he could reach the door to the front room I had grabbed his sleeve, surprising him.

I quickly released him, looking away. "You cant ...you can't do that again. Especially not when Akito is with me." My voice trailed off towards the end, and I crossed my arms uncomfortably. A second later it didn't matter, because Shouto was hugging me tightly.

"I promise. I won't ever explode like that again, I'll explain how I feel to you without yelling."

I nodded, bringing my hands up to hug him back. "I'll try not to be unreasonable next time. But, if we do fight again," I laughed lightly, "Don't let Akito be the reason you come back."

He laughed, it was a nice sound. "Promise."

I smiled as he released me, pulling back slightly. Shouto changed his mind though, and pulled me back to him, placing his lips over mine. My stomach lurched and I suddenly felt full of butterflies.

His lips were warm as they moved mine though, and I melted into his touch, the warmth washing over me. I closed my eyes, sliding my arms around his neck.

He broke the kiss though, and nuzzled my hair, making me giggle.

"I love you Emiko."

I froze, blinking in shock. He...loved me? "What?"

I felt him smile into my hair. "You heard me. Come on."

I squeaked when he suddenly picked me up bridal style and began walking. "Wait no! Put me down!"

"As you wish." He dropped onto the couch, dragging me with him. "Better?"

I shook my head, laughing now. "No, I can't get to my computer."

"Is it important?"

I nodded as I laughed, struggling to sit up, but he held me tightly. "Yes, I'm ordering stuff and talking to my friends."

"They'll understand." He decided. I wriggled around, trying in vain to set myself free.

"Nooo! You're being mean!" I complained.

He laughed again. "You're just being sensitive." He replied, rolling so I was on my side. I huffed, looking up at him to find a wide smile on his face.

"You're not good at being nice." I mumbled.

He blinked. "Nice? I'm the nicest person you know."

"You've met Angel though." I pointed out.

He shrugged. "Angel doesn't know how to make you smile like I do."

I grinned teasingly. "Yeah? How do you know that?"

"Because she can't do this." He tilted his head down and pressed his lips against mine. It took me a second to respond, mainly because his arms were still holding me hostage, but partly from shock. When he moved his hand to my face I pressed mine against his chest, shifting so I was in a better position. His lips were really contrasting, being warm and cold, and they sent shivers up my spine.

I ended up not protesting as he rolled us over, pinning me to the couch as we kissed. We jumped apart almost instantly when we heard the front door open.

"Hey! Emiko! Akito! Are you little guys home? The front door was unlocked!"

I quickly straightened my hair, smiling as he entered the room. "Akito went to the park."

"Cool! Whatsup Todoroki my boy! Come to see Emiko again?"

"Yes sir." How he wasn't having a single reaction I didn't know.

"Great! I love that you two are such good friends! I was afraid Emiko would never bring anyone home to hang out with! Ah! I brought you this!"

I took the box from him, my eyes widening when I opened it.

"You mentioned wanting it last week, it took me some time to find it."

Shouto peeked over my shoulder, edging closer. "You wanted sound Karaoke?" He asked as he pulled out a paper of songs.

I nodded happily. "Yes! My dad was going to buy me one before ...I was going to get one but then I moved up here." I smiled cheerfully up at a grinning Present Mic. "Thank you so much!" I hugged the console to my chest and he gave me a thumbs up.

"Great! I'm going to go find Akito, I got him a skateboard!"

I beamed as he left, closing the front door behind him.

"You like stuff like this?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I have a lot of electronic stuff. A playstation 4, just dance, and a wireless VR."

"And now you have this."

I nodded again, leaning near him to scan my list of songs. My smile brightened when I recognised my favorite song on the list.

"I didn't know you liked this." He murmured.

I kissed his cheek with a slight laugh. "I don't know a lot about you." I reasoned. "We learn as we go." I turned my attention back to the game in my hands. "I can't believe he actually thought enough about it to find one of these for me. I wouldn't even know where to look."

Shouto was quiet, but I didn't mind, I was too busy looking at my songs.