"Why are we here?" Sayako scowls furrowing her brow by the cats scurrying about the place feeling the tender teasing touch of fluffy tails rubbing against her ankles as she stares down at the cats going about their day while others happily enjoy the food on display or gawk over the animals about the place.
"Thought you would want to come out for some air." Shinso shrugs as he guides her over to a table, offering her a seat making her sigh complying as the waitress came over to the two.
"Oh my gosh aren't you the girl who got kidnapped!?" One of the waitresses' whispers shocked making Sayako flinch.
"I…Shinso we should go!" Staggering, Sayako abruptly arises from her seat Shinso however…
"Relax…it's fine." Firmly, he places his hand on hers.
"Oh my gosh you are! W-" The waitress takes out her phone petrifying Sayako flinching from it.
"We would like one hot chocolate, a coke and chicken wraps." Sternly, Shinso tells the waitress.
"…" The waitress flinches form his words, her hues going blank
"Brainwash this early? I'm surprised." Sayako remarks as she looks over the menu.
"I'm surprised someone recognised you so early." Shinso sighs slumping his shoulders making her grimace guilt swiftly slipping in. If she had stayed at home the spotlight wouldn't be on them, she knew how much Shinso hated people let alone attention…this was all her fault…again they should have stayed they should have…she needs to fix this, she needs to…
"My face was plastered everywhere. Heh surprised the monitors projecting my face didn't break!" Briskly, she tries to ease the guilt gnawing at her smiling strained as she scratches the back of her neck, smoothly slipping her hand out of his ignoring the heavy hue of ruby red upon her heated cheeks and the small internal screen from slipping said touch away from her.
"I don't see why they would." Shinso scowls.
"…Right. That was a jab at…" Unsure, Sayako attempts to correct but falters from Shinso's stern stare just as the waitress returns placing the drinks and food down before leaving no words needed as Shinso gives them the money.
"I know what it was and it was incorrect." Shinso states the fact firmly as the waitress leaves while he sips his tea stone faced while Sayako simply stares shocked.
"…Of course you take me to a cat café." Squirming, Sayako changes topic, a heavy hue of ruby red dusting her crimson cheeks that she so stubbornly tries to brush aside as she hides her face behind the menu, steam spewing out of her ears. Internally, she screams unaware of the stone faced Shinso simply staring at his menu.
"Aww are you pouting kitten?" Teasingly, Shinso smirks noting her furrowed frown when seeing some cat claw at his leg.
"I am not pouting nor am I the one being the scratch post." Proudly, Sayako smirks smugly.
"Don't lie I know you like it." Smugly, Shinso points out taking note of a car automatically lunging over to Shinso's side perched upon his shoulder as he cradles the cat hugging him while Sayako perks up at the low purr.
"Maybe those anti-depressants did me a favour." Flimsy, Sayako shrugs unaware of Shinso's furrowed frown.
"…How long has it made you feel like this?" Softly, Shinso asks her making her sigh slumping her shoulder.
"I don't know I just…when I was taken, I hadn't had my medicine for a few days and it just…it made me angsty only I feel bad for Katsuki." Ashamed, Sayako sighs hollowly heckling, a strained smile upon her lips as she combs her fingertips through her hair tugging at a few fading strands anxiously.
"…You mean that guy who called us extras." Shinso furrows his brow.
"…Yeah." Sayako confirms.
"The same one who had to be bound and gagged." Shinso continues.
"…Yeah." Sayako repeats.
"The same…?" Shinso begins but…
"The blonde bimbo who screamed die, die die." Drained, Sayako cuts him off.
"I'm surprised you dealt with him." Honestly, Hitoshi remarks.
"He isn't that bad." She shrugs earning a furrowed frown from Shinso.
"Oh?" Shinso says.
"I mean he managed to put up with me in that state." Sayako shrugs.
"You're not that unbearable." Gently, Shinso assures her.
"Oh please I'm a nightmare I'm surprised you even managed to put up with the shit I've sprout most would have left by now." Sayako smiles strained at the fact, even as a kid she didn't have many friends most would be put off with how intense she could be or she would just talk too much and they would give her that look…that look that would make her stomach squirm that would make her want to go back home and no longer look out at the world beyond. She knew she was annoying, she knew she was a loudmouth, she knew she's still that just waiting to be punched one day outside a bar or something she's waiting for it…
"Kitten I wouldn't even be talking to you if I found you unbearable you'd know that. You know how I am with people." Patiently, Hitoshi reminds her making her sigh.
"Yeah but that's only because I kept persisting…" Playfully, she reminds him.
"That you did…" Shinso smirks slightly.
"I remember when I'd sneak u[ on you…" Sayako begins.
"You call that sneaking? You were pretty obvious with the humming thing." Teasingly, Shinso jokes.
"Hey if I'm going to try to jumpscare someone I got to have a bop with it." Playfully, Sayako smirks.
"I doubt people would call jaws theme a bop." Hitoshi shakes his head at her.
"Then why is it so iconic Shinso!?" Seriously, Sayako leans over the desk intensely saying such words only making his smirk widen at the goofball.
"Maybe due to how thanks to that film a whole wave of fearing sharks was made." Monotone, Shinso deadpans.
"…I wonder how shark mutants felt about it, you think they would be offended by the film?" Frowning, Sayako ponders out loud.
"Depends on the person." Aloofly, Shinso shrugs.
"…Is it weird I'm craving fish now?" Sayako blurts out.
"This isnt going to be another weird lobster rant will it?" Shinso furrows his brow at her.
"You think they sell fish here?" Sayako ponders out loud.
"Why?" Shinso questions.
"It's a cat café, cat's like fish." Feebly, Sayako shrugs.
"I doubt a café would sell fish." Shinso states.
"…" Silently, she looks down at the source seeing said cat nuzzle into her ankle.
"See he likes you." Shinso gestures to the tabby cat.
"Guess with losing my arm gave me the benefit of a cat's affection." Sayako sighs leaning down to pet the kitten or at the least trying to, trying to brush aside the thought of falling and cursing said cat from the weight shift.
"Sounds like a good deal to me." Shinso smirks slightly.
"I'm sure." Snippily, she sighs slowly carefully cascading down, descending down to sit down on the floor alongside Shinso, feeling a pair of arms wrap around her as she turns to him.
"…You know some cats can swim." Shinso remarks his arms firmly around her as cats seemingly gravitate towards them earning a stink eye from Shinso briefly by one certain cat having caught Sayako's attention.
"I thought they hate the water." Confused, Sayako argues as she combs her fingertips through the tabby cat's coat.
"Only because it makes their fur heavier to carry." Casually, Shinso rebukes.
"Along with the iciness of the house pipe." Sayako considers quirking her head to the side.
"You think they would use a hosepipe on a cat?" Confused, Shinso furrows his brow befuddled.
"They do it on dogs." Dubiously, Sayako points out.
"Dogs and cats are very different." Shinso reminds her.
"Yeah, yeah I get it don't mess with the cat guru any other facts you grace us with your majesty." Mysteriously, a small smirk crosses Sayako's lips unaware of Shinso' soft smile.
"Very funny kitten." Amused, he leans in nuzzling into the crook of her neck, relief washing over him happy to see a small smile upon Sayako's lips making his day…
"What's that?" Sayako raises a brow as she leans against the sofa, brow furrowing sat slumped as Shinso approaches gently placing the popcorn down while she is wrapped in a cocoon of blankets nuzzling into the armchair. Shinso approaches the tv inserting the CD into the side of the TV while Sayako sets it up using her firestick Hikaru however remains silent, snatching a fair few pieces of popcorn, a handful. Hungrily, Hikaru munches on the food before bowing his head, grabbing hold of his pencil, coloured pencils on one side as he focuses on the sketchpad below.
"I got us a movie, scoot." Shinso tells her joining her side leaning back on the sofa as she shuffles over to his side, his legs either side of her as she adjusts the blanket draped over her.
"You did?" Surprised, Sayako raises a brow as he wraps his arm around the smooth silken cocoon of the bundled blanket that is Sayako.
"Thought you deserved a treat." Shinso smiles shyly as Sayako curls into him, leant against his chest.
"I'm not a cat you know?" Sayako sighs nuzzling her cheek further into his side.
"I'm sure." Softly, he whispers plopping his head on top of her head.
"I'm noooot." Sayako groans craning her neck back whining childishly.
"You sure about that?" Toshi smirks shyly down at her arching a brow bemused by her.
"I think I'd know if I were a cat." Pouting, Sayako sighs puffing her cheeks out.
"How?" Hitoshi challenges amused almost.
"Do you see fur on me?" Sayako queries.
"Well…" Smirking, Shinso quirks his head to the side smirking amused as he combs his fingertips through her hair, a stray strand of blonde being tugged gently as she leans into his tender touch, his hues softening slightly.
"So you going to be okay with it?" Curious, Sayako asks concern clear on her tone as she leans back, reaching up to combs her own fingertips through his hair. He smirks down at her, a small soft smirk upon his lips from her tentative touch, feeling her fingertips twirl around the stray strand of lilac as he leans into her touch. He smirks down at her with that crooked grin that only makes her own smirk grow at the endearing smile, feeling her chest lighten up amused at it. She didn't know what it was about that smile, she really didn't. But whenever he gave that smile, she could feel the butterflies flutter in her chest, she could feel the heat in her cheeks only deepen.
"What do you mean?" Shinso furrows his brow at her. Hitoshi and her had spent a long time watching movies like this when they were younger so what was with the worry?
"Well so long as you don't flop on me I'm fine." Flimsily, she waves Shinso off earning a furrowed frown from the lilac-haired boy.
"What are you on about?" Bluntly, Shinso questions lost.
"Oh right funny story so Sero and I were together to do this scare house thing through the forest, Sero was boasting about being a horror addict." Fondly, Sayako smirks slightly as she begins her tale unaware of his lilacs narrowing.
"Let me guess the first scare got him." Shinso swiftly catches on.
"He screamed and fell on top of me." Sayako answers recalling the heavyweight practically pinning her down on the ground.
"You serious?" Surprised, Shinso smirks slightly amused almost at the news, a smug smirk upon his lips at the thought.
"Yeah I thought he shat himself! Hahahah oh but don't tell anyone." Quickly, she tells Shinso seriously only making him smirk slightly at her childish demand.
"You're shit with secrets." Smirking, Shino quirks his head to the side softly smiling down at her amused almost at her childlike glee.
"I'm shit with info that I deem to not be secrets." Smirking, she smoothly brushes him off.
"How many more secrets are you hiding from me then?" Teasingly, Shinso's arms around her only tighten nuzzling, nestling into her side earning a small snicker from her lips when feeling his nose nuzzle into the crook of her neck.
"Who knows? Apparently, what I think isn't need to know info is to other people." Sayako shrugs.
"People are different Sayako." Sighing, Shino softly reminds her.
"I guess I mean I bet your face would have terrified them." Sayako smirks slightly.
"You saying my face is scary?" Shinso arches a brow.
"I wouldn't say scary." Sayako hums, her thumb drawing patterns into the side of his cheek.
"Then what would you call it?" Shino quirks his head to the side.
"Well personally I think your face is cute." Sayako smiles softly up at him.
"Cute…?" Shinso furrows his brow, a heavy hue of ruby red upon his crimson cheeks.
"Well yeah like a cat you could say." Smiling, Sayako smirks.
"A cat?" Confused, Shinso furrows his brow befuddled.
"Yeah it's like…you know how cats are usually seen as grumpy." Sayako says.
"…I guess?" Shinso furrows his brow.
"Well think of it like this what people may see as a tired done looking teen I see a grumpy cat." Sayako tells him.
"…I don't know if that's a compliment or not." Shinso says looking down at him.
"Take it as you will." Sayako shrugs smirking slightly, a glint gleaming in her hue.
"Hmmm…" Humming, Shinso leans his cheek against her head.
"Oh come on don't pout." Sayako smirks amused almost as she slides her hand over to his cheek.
"Who says I was pouting?" Shinso furrows his brow down at her.
"Oh don't lie besides it's not like your face isn't appealing to look at it's just sometimes you give a glare." Gently, Sayako points out.
"A glare?" Shinso furrows his brow.
"Yeah you know the, I'm done with you face ." Smiling, Sayako says.
"Hmmm…" Humming, Shinso turns to glare to the side.
"Aw come on don't pout." Sayako sighs at him.
"I ain't pouting." Pointedly, Shinso sighs at her.
"I'm sure." Smiling, Sayako smirks up at him as she brings him close which he happily returns as the two nuzzle into each other's side as the two turn to the screen watching the movie begin unaware of Hikaru's happily smile joyous to see a small smile upon his sister's face as he too turns to the TV, eager to see what the movie has to unpack for the two…
Stunned Sayako stares at the battered, bloodied, beaten corpse of her father standing right before her proudly presented before her, on a slick silver platter almost as she too is overwhelmed with fear, feeling her throat clamp up as she dry heaves, trying to get the ruined remains of slick silver out of her throat only to find chunks of orange and acid being thrown out instead. Sweat slithers down her tense temple the stench of air hanging heavily in the air as she tries to deal with the situation at hand.
"A father's love there truly is nothing like it. They may talk of a mother's love but a father's love, a good father is one of the most unsung unpraised unnoticed assets in society that people take for granted…." Tutting, the masked male sighs shaking his head disappointed almost at the slick silver platter of heroes presented proudly before him, staring at the main course being Best Jeanist's bloodied corpse.
"Daddy…" Whimpering, Sayako whispers, her voice cracking, breaking before she slams her hand over her mouth trying to muffle the tears threatening to fall, feeling her shaking hand over her mouth, trying to process it all, her father being beaten, her father being…but before she could, she gasps when the railing her arm had once coiled around falters briefly breaking as she gasps when she is thrown flat to the ground groaning when landing on a familiar heavyweight feeling nothing…
Startled, Sayako gasps jolting up sweat slides down her tense temple as she stands upright in her bed brow furrowing. She heaves, feeling her tight throat as she winces a small meek whimper escaping her lips. She slams her hand over her mouth muffling the sob trying to break through, her glassy green shaking, quivering, quaking as she tries to blink back the tears threatening to fall from the shy shudder coursing crawling down her trembling form. She hated this, she hated this, she hated it all! Angry, she seethes slamming her fist down on the ground, gritting grinding her teeth tighter trying to fight back the sob from breaking through the barriers she kept up, she tried to keep up, she tried only to watch on helplessly as it comes crashing down.
She could feel her blood boil, bubble, burn just like the memories burnt into her memory making her other arm slide over her torso grimacing at the stinging sore sensation in her stomach, she curls in on herself hating every single second of it, feeling her leg tap anxiously against the floor as before she knew it she was out of her room, hearing the soft sound of snoring from Hikaru's room. She brushes it off as she taps her foot as next she knew, she leaned against the kitchen counter, her foot fidgeting tapping impatiently on the floor fidgeting, her nails dig deep into the kitchen counter scraping against it as she watches the kettle boil before pouring the warm water within the tea, taking a small sip after a moment of blowing on it.
Surprised, she raises a brow by the sigh streak of smoke spewing into the open air as she turns towards the source shyly approaching the figure in the back. Slowly, she peers in, her hues widening when seeing Kiyoko leaning against the porch, a cigarette stick in hand, brow furrowed fatigue clearly on her furrowed features.
"Bad dream again?" Kiyoko greets her, a small smile upon her lips smiling sadly at the tired Sayako.
"…Did I wake you up again?" Ashamed, Sayako sighs slowly shyly making her way towards Kiyoko, joining her side.
"Nah had a night shift you're lucky the tyke is a deep sleeper." Smirking, Kiyoko gestures towards the two, seeing Hikaru happily curled clutching his sketchpad to his side.
"…Yeah." Sayako's features falter feeling exhaustion etched into her fatigued features.
"…You missing Shinso?" Smirking, Kiyoko wiggles a brow bemused.
"Shove off…" Sayako slaps her hand away annoyed.
"He had to go back to see his folks eventually…besides he'll be back tomorrow." Teasingly, she reminds him.
"I'm not missing him." Sayako snaps sharply scowling huffing at the strange constricting clutching sensation in her chest.
"You still not wanting to talk about it?" Kiyoko asks her.
"…" Silently, Sayako glares to the side.
"I'm bringing you back down to the hospital tomorrow. Doctor Watts wants to see how balancing is going." Kiyoko tells her.
"How do you think?" Tiredly, Sayako scowls.
"You'll get there. It just takes time." Attentively, Kiyoko sighs solemnly.
"Time that I don't have." Huffing, Sayako snaps scowling.
"Sayako." Kiyoko sighs at the girl.
"What's even the point in going back? How can I bounce back from this and return to class without being a burden? There are plenty of other people who deserve that slot, those that actually have the right motive…" Miserably, Sayako sighs bowing her head.
"And you don't?" Kiyoko furrows her brow befuddled.
"I went to that school on my own terms to screw my father that isn't exactly heroic." Huffing, Sayako sneers.
"At least it wasn't for the money." Merrily, Kiyoko offers optimistically.
"I can't deny the pay for being a hero wasn't a factor." Honestly, Sayako sighs.
"…You know, I remember a little girl who once told me she wanted to become a hero." Fondly, Kiyoko smiles shyly.
"Yes well that little girl was just that, a little girl who had no clue of the real world." Miserably, Sayako sneers scowling to the side.
"…Sayako." Sighing, Kiyoko furrows her brow clearly concerned for the girl.
"Why did you do it?" Sayako asks her.
"Do what?" Kiyoko questions.
"You knew it was illegal you knew the commission would hammer down on you for doing what you did." Sayako sighs.
"…And I still don't regret it despite the threats sent my way by them." Truthfully, Kiyoko confesses.
"…Auntie." Sayako's hues soften sadly.
"They say a quirk represents yourself Sayako…you know how my quirk manifested?" Kiyoko smiles shyly.
"How?" Sayako asks.
"Your father and I…we weren't exactly well off. We lived on the streets our folks had died caught in the crossfire of some hero thing, we knew if we were taken into care they'd separate us so we lived on the streets, we did what we could, we met many people on the street you know? We were taken in by this kind inn keeper, she wanted some workers, she was kind but fair, it was her way or no way if you got the gist of it. She was a Oiran, she didn't have any kids of her own she was quirkless but still made her way in the world. She was kind to your father and me sure we had to do some dodgy dealings on her behalf for her but nevertheless…" Kiyoko explains to Sayako her hues widening when hearing her words.
"So…my old man wasn't a hero…" Sayako gathers.
"…You could call him a villain if you wish." Kiyoko shrugs unsure, she was no saint nor was he.
"Seems you're either a villain or a hero nowadays there seems to be no in between." Irritated, Sayako sighs scowling.
"Sadly so. Still…this oiran she was kind she let us work to earn our keep one day I got asked to be a geisha. I was trained and all, Madam Vivienne thought I had what it takes to be one but one day a man got frisky and next thing I knew madam V intervenes and boop." Kiyoko gestures in the air.
"Boop?" Befuddled, Sayako scowls at the strange sound emitting from her lips.
"A baby came out." Kiyoko shrugs.
"…What?" Sayako says stunned.
"I had no idea it was my first try all I knew was that I felt faint and fainted then next I knew I was in hospital having all sorts of vitamins and minerals pumped into me." Kiyoko concludes her story.
"So that's how…" Sayako trails off.
"Yeah. Sayako listen to me your fathers did consider adopting but I wanted to surprise them I knew it was illegal but I wanted to give back to my brother. Kazz had done so much to look out for me so I wanted to do something for him. I didn't regret making you even if you did turn out to be a little shit." Kiyoko remarks smirking slightly at Sayako.
"…Oi." Sayako glances to the side.
"Just saying it. You know…a part of me was tempted to take you." Kiyoko confesses.
"Take me?" Mystified, Sayako blinks baffled.
"Always wanted a little girl myself someone to spoil you know." Kiyoko winks cheekily.
"So…why didn't you? I know single mothers may be looked down upon but…" Befuddled, Sayako exclaims.
"Because I knew I couldn't give them the life they need babies need constant attention, constant care, they need a lot and as much as I wish I could. I couldn't provide that…not alone. Call me old fashioned if you want but I just…I suppose you could say I was envious of my brother for quite sometime to find someone who understands them, who you can trust who you know has your back…I wanted that so much…maybe a part of me was so envious at it that I made you to get back at them, to remind them what they couldn't do." Kiyoko elaborates her story.
"Auntie." Sayako's hues soften sadly at her.
"Eh that's just a theory though…now come on you got a big day tomorrow." Kiyoko smiles shyly at her gently patting the railing.
"…Right." Sayako sighs nodding her head yawning slightly before slowly heading back to bed hoping to fall into the dark depths of her subconscious…