"honesty and grace" (Mezo Shoji X Reader)

Chapter 49

*peep the new cover
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The sound of Shoji closing the taxi door and thanking the driver was all you could hear as you looked up at the house before you. It wasn’t anything special, just a tan house that you would see at the corner of your average street. A red minivan parked in the driveway stood out against the pale concrete, and a black lifted truck seems to have barely fit itself into his nearly empty garage. The outside lights were on despite the sun hanging just above the horizon.

“(Y/n),” Shoji whispered into your ear, his voice being slightly deeper than normal. “They’re not going to bite. Just answer anything my mom asks you, and you’ll be fine.” The tone he speaks in is lighthearted and calm.

Your body relaxes as he presses a warm hand to your shoulder. You were wearing a pastel (f/c) sweater and a pair of plain black leggings, along with the boots you bought with Mina as a first year. They had hardly ever been worn and fit you perfectly, so there was no sense in throwing them out. The boy beside you wears a pale blue button-up shirt with dark brown dress pants. His shoes were plain and black, as were his socks that could be seen where his pants could barely reach to cover his ankles.

“Are you ready?” He asks while leading you up the small path to his front door.

A small smile comes to your face as you wave your hand. “Nothing you say or do could have ever made me ready for this moment.”

He only laughs and looks at the doorknob. “Oh, and before I forget; I’m not going to be able to wear my mask in the house.” The once calm flow of his words becomes rigid as he looks over at you. “Also, take your shoes off at the door.”

“Of course.” You nod your head as he turns and opens the door.

For a moment, Shoji’s silent as he removes his shoes, allowing you to do the same. “Mom? Dad? We’re here.”

You look around the space you were greeted by. The inside of the house is painted in a cool gray type of aesthetic. To your immediate left was a large entryway into an open living room. On the right was a staircase that led up into darkness, and one that led down into the same thing. Straight ahead was a well-lit space-- presumably a kitchen-- and another door leading into a dining room.

An excited gasp came from the lit up kitchen. “Teashi, they’re here!” Cries a deep, feminine voice. Soon, a pale woman comes into view, her brown hair tied up in a messy bun. Something you noticed, however, was how the left side of her head was shaved close to her scalp. Her shoulders were wrung with a black cut-off, exposing most of her muscular bosom. She had bright blue eyes and a smile that could kill. In no way was she a fragile-looking woman. “Hello, you must be (Y/n)! It’s a pleasure to meet you!” Her voice was loud, not necessarily welcoming. She also made no move to shake your hand, nor did she try to embrace you. All she did was bow her torso and smile, her movements borderline robotic. “I’m Mezo’s mom. Please call me Obake.” With that, she turns to her son and raises an eyebrow before pointing to her own face.

Shoji smiles behind his mask. “I know, Mom. I’ll take it off.” He puts up his hands as if he were to pray while bowing his head.

From the same room the woman had come from, a tall man soon emerges. “Welcome, you two.” His voice was much more welcoming, almost shy. “Obake, dear, I finished setting the table with the plates. Could you please bring the food in?”

Silently, her killer smile lights up her face as she nods and disappears into the kitchen. “Thanks, Dad.” Shoji rubs the back of his neck with his first set of hands while looking up to his father. From where you stand, you feel as though you were shrinking. You knew your partner was about 6’4, but he looked almost short compared to his father. The man had a darker complexion, along with piercing black eyes. He wore a maroon button-up with a black tie hanging down his thin torso. His build was much like Sero’s, you noticed. He didn’t look muscular with his body covered up like it was, and he had such a slim figure. The man’s hair was a near paper white, and it fell along his face in loose curls. Needless to say, he was a very handsome man.