Furniture shopping with Midnight isn't nearly as exhausting as shopping with Yamada-sensei. She has me sit in her classroom as she changes into civilian clothes, spreading three different magazines in front of me full of furniture. She has me pick the three designs I like best. I have no idea of the price since she marked through them all with a black marker. She smirks when I notice, pulling her hair into a high ponytail.
"It's about what you want, Rin-chan, not the cost."
I look through each design and pick three. They're all fairly similar and she examines them when I'm done.
"Simple and bright," she says smiling. "Alright, you ready?"
I nod and she giggles, grabbing her things and heading for the door. She makes shopping super easy. Magazines in hand, she struts confidently in the stores and talks to the attendants that immediately lead us away. The displays look just like they do in the magazine.
The one I chose is similar. A white, wooden bed frame with simple paneling and white sheets. She chooses a nightstand, desk, dresser, and shelf from the area. She has me pick from a selection of several lamps, lampshades, sheets, and a quilt. She matches the curtains with the lampshade and some hanging wall art with the quilt. I protest that.
"Midnight-sensei, I don't need all of this," I tell her quietly.
"Aunt Nemuri," she corrects. I pout.
"Aunt Nemuri," I repeat dutifully, "I don't need all of this."
"Why?" she asks. She shuffles through a handful of tags before leaning forward and wrapping her arm around my shoulder. "Do you not think you deserve it?"
I flush, looking away.
"It-It's not that," I mumble.
"Really? Because it kind of looks that way. What are you worried about Rin-chan? Is it the money?"
I nod.
"He… Nobody's ever spent this much money on me," I whisper. "It's not right. He shouldn't… I don't want him… I-"
Midnight makes a little sound in her throat. She drags me forward and presses me into her chest. I flush when she holds me tightly there.
"Awe Rin-baby," she says, stroking my hair. "You don't think you deserve it!"
I squirm away and put a good foot gap between us, face burning in embarrassment. She has a really big chest.
"I… that's not-"
Midnight doesn't hesitate to close the space I just made. She stands in front of me, hand outstretched on my shoulder, eyes clear and focused behind her simple glasses.
"You do," she says softly. Her hand squeezes and I feel my chest tighten. "Sweetie, you're worth so much more than this stuff. Don't you know that? These… these are just things! They can be made, be broken, be replaced, but you're different! Shouta can afford everything we've collected. His house is bare because he doesn't want stuff, not because he can't buy it. And he wanted to get you things. It's a parent's job to provide for their kids."
My eyes water and I angrily wipe at them.
"But I'm not his kid," I snap.
"Of course you are," she replies without hesitation. "You've been his since the beginning. Just because you didn't grow under his heart, doesn't mean you didn't grow in it. You can't really think that after everything that's happened? And during that internship, gracious, those two wouldn't stop! Do you have any idea how upset him and 'Zashi were about that whole kidnapping fiasco?"
I shake and my lip trembles.
"But why?" I manage. She doesn't drag me into her chest. Instead, her own eyes water as she leans down to meet my eye. Then, she taps the bracelet.
"Because he chose to."
I sob.
There in the middle of the stupid furniture store. I break down and cry. Midnight pulls me in a hug, ignoring the customers staring and whisper, holding me tightly and smelling of vanilla and spice. When I finally manage to stop, she gives a little giggle, her own eyes red and leaking.
"I think that's enough, want to grab some dinner while they ship this to the apartment?"
I swallow and nod, rubbing at my eyes.
Midnight giggles.
"Good, let's go kid."
.
.
.
Dinner is delicious. After a week of Sensei's bland, healthy food or chicken stock, everything tastes better. Midnight watches me eat and laughs.
"You know, if you offer, Shouta would probably let you fix a few meals," she says knowingly with a particularly sly grin.
I flush.
"R-Really?"
"Oh yeah," she says laughing. "He might even appreciate it. He cooks because he knows, rationally, he needs to eat healthy, not because he likes the taste of it. Can you cook?"
I smile shyly and nod.
"See, if you enjoy it, I'm sure he'd allow it. Just talk to him. Shouta's super easy going, as long as he's not upset, he's usually down for just about anything."
Midnight finishes her food and lets out a sigh, lounging back in the booth.
"So, you ready to finish up our shopping?"
"Finish?" I ask, frowning. What more was left?
"We need to grab some clothes and give Shouta time to put your room together. He and Hizashi are supposed to set it all up while I have you out. You ready?"
"Set… I… um, yes?"
Midnight laughs, pays the bill, and drags me out.
She likes to lean on me when we walk, her high heels clicking behind her as she whispers in my ear and points to different people, things, and events. She runs a near-constant commentary of those around us, telling little jokes and making little comments until I can't help but giggle and try and shoo her away. She grins victoriously at that and steers me towards a clothing shop.
Once we enter her smile falters.
I frown.
"What's wrong?"
"We need to get you some clothes for the funeral," she says. My stomach clenches and I look down. I'd almost forgotten. How could I forget that? Guilt, shame, and hurt well dangerously in my chest. Midnight's hand slides through my hair. "They're holding it for the ones that passed Saturday morning. Shouta's already agreed to take you."
I swallow.
"Oh."
"Come on."
.
.
.
When we arrive back, my stomach churns with nervousness.
What if Midnight's wrong? What if he didn't want all that stuff? What if he doesn't want me.
They never do for long.
I swallow as we arrive at the familiar apartment door. Sensei's home. I can hear him inside, the drawl of his voice and the louder, more enthusiastic laughter of Yamada-sensei. Midnight ruffles my hair and unlocks the door.
"Shouta! Hizashi! We're back!"
I barely have time to breathe as a tall, mass of leather and hair products is in front of me, grabbing me up and dancing into the hallway. I splutter and try to push away as the familiar smell of cologne fills my nose.
"S-S-Sensei!"
Present Mic laughs, his voice loud and carrying. He spins and my feet come off the ground.
"I've missed my little intern! It's so quiet at home without having someone to boss around! And you're not the same in class, all work-a-holic, Miss oh-so-studious. Oh, I can't wait for you to see your room! We finished an hour ago, it's so cute!"
I wiggle out of his grasp and blush, scowling as he looms over me, his hair blocking out the light. I cross my arms and glower.
"Sensei," I whine. He laughs, dropping his elbow on my head.
"Did you have fun?"
"Yes," I mumble, pushing at the arm. It doesn't budge.
"Good!" he laughs in English. "Oh, and I saw that video of you in the race! Girl, you looked so COOL! The way you jumped and caught Midoriya? Amazing! Though, seriously, did you have to emulate him? Couldn't you have at least given me a shout out? Next time scream yeah! Alright? Ooh, you gotta do it in English too!"
He pulls us inside and Aizawa-sensei doesn't even look up from his place on the couch, Miska crawling on his chest and pawing at his scarf.
"You guys did so good!" Midnight squeals. I catch sight of her in the doorway to the spare room. She turns and gives Yamada-sensei a wink. "You rearranged it all, didn't you?"
"Of course!" he laughs. "Why do you think I came over? It'd all be piled haphazardly in a corner otherwise."
"Hopeless," Midnight calls, and I blush when I hear Sensei grumble something rude from the other room. "Come on Rin-chan! Come look!"
Yamada-sensei pushes me forward and I stumble into my room. Only, it isn't anything like it was yesterday. Light blue curtains hang from the window, the same wooden bed from the store pressed against the wall and decorated in the blue bedding. The same white nightstand beside it holding the familiar silver lamp. My breath hitches, but none of that draws my eye.
Above the desk, someone's hung three pictures. I step closer, fingers stretching out to trace the glass.
It's Yamada-sensei sticking out his tongue as I blush behind him, from that day at the park. Next to it, a picture of me in the blue dress, smiling prettily with my hair pulled and curled—happier than I can ever remember being. And last, a picture of Aizawa-sensei from the party, his arm outstretched on my shoulder, his brows drawn in a worried frown as he squats next to me. I'm covering my face, a black box open in my lap.
"Do you like it?" Midnight asks.
I try to swallow past the lump in my throat and nod.
"Hizashi wanted to surprise you with them," she says smiling. "It's cute that those are what drew you in. He said they would. I'm a little jealous he knows you so well. We're going to have to spend more time together so I can get to know you as well!"
I don't dare open my mouth.
She seems to understand.
"It was nice spending the day with you, Rin-chan. Why don't you hang out in here for a while and come join us when you're ready?"
I nod and she leaves.
I collect the bunny from my bed and hold it close to my chest. I sit in the middle of the floor and try to take it all in. The carpet parts around my legs, the curtains flutter, and the room seems bright with whites and blues.
But I'm not his kid.
Why?
Because he chose to.
.
.
.
"Did you finish your homework?" Aizawa-sensei asks that evening. I can hear the other two in the other room, giggling quietly through the wall.
"Yes, sir."
"Did you study?"
"A little."
"What subject?"
"Math," I answer, knowing he had asked me to focus on that subject. He nods, waits for me to turn on my flashlight, and turns off my lamp. Unlike normal, he doesn't leave immediately.
"Nemuri said you were interested in cooking," he says slowly. I sink into the sheets, blushing, he raises an eyebrow. "Is that true?"
"Y-Yes," I mumble. He frowns.
"Hoki, this will only work if you tell me these things. I cannot read your mind. If you want something, you have to ask for it."
I sink further.
"Yes, sir."
He sighs and scratches his neck.
"Very well, good night."
I struggle with myself for a moment, and when he gets to the door, I can't hold it in.
"Sensei!"
He pauses, looking back.
Please call me Rin.
"I… thank you, for- for everything," I say instead. "Goodnight."
He stares, head tilting as if trying to discern some unspoken words before giving up with a shrug. He gives a little huff and closes my door. I fall asleep to the quiet hum of them talking in the other room.