You managed to get home before Father did and you texted Edo-san, letting him know that everything was alright.
You studied some of your notes in the dining room to keep Shina company as she finished some dishes.
Things were silent between the two of you as she cleaned and you annotated an article.
Your feelings were still mixed about this earlier evening, about the conversation you and your fiancé shared. About what followed after.
The feeling of his lips pressed against your cheek still lingered. You didn't know whether to be ashamed or excited–your husband actually cared about you, had affection for you.
Your hand rested on your cheek, holding your head awake as you stared at this article, at your annotations and notes.
The door slammed open and both you and Shina both jumped at the sound. Everyone else–including your mother–was already asleep.
You were instantly alert at the realization that Father was home.
Indeed, your Father's figure entered the dining room and kitchen, seeing the light.
He spotted you and Shina, and you stood up.
His gaze was hard and he stomped to you, grabbing you by the collar of your shirt.
"Why is the garage door open?" He demanded from you.
Oh, Gods, you realize with no small amount of horror. You didn't close the garage door.
You answer quickly. "I had an emergency to attend to–"
You were cut off by a sharp slap! to your face.
You fell silent, tightening your jaw as you held back tears. Shina let out a small scream.
"Don't get smart with me," he hissed. "You might be working for a Hero now, but don't think that means I don't have control over you."
You couldn't do anything but nod once, praying that's what he wanted you to do.
He let you go and stepped past you.
You watched as Shina almost physically cowered away from his frame. You had half a mind to go over and shove her out of the way and take whatever he was going to give her.
"Why isn't your mother doing this?" He snapped at her.
Shina almost froze and you were about to step in. Then, your sister spoke.
"She–She had bad sickness, she had to go to bed early," she answered.
"The laziest damned woman I ever–" You stopped listening to his grumblings about your mother, if not for your own sanity.
He brushed past you both and stormed away.
"He's going to–" Shina started, but you stood close to her, pulling her into an embrace.
"Shh," you hushed as she began to hyperventilate, her body tense against yours as tears streamed down her face. "Let's finish the dishes," you tried to redirect both her attention and yours to something else.
"No!" Shina refused, her voice low, but her swords firm as she pulled out of your hold. "Father is in there, doing Gods' knows what to our mother–and you're trying to make me do dishes?" she said through tears.
"Shina–" You tried to console her, tried to explain yourself.
She shook her head and let out a sob, looking at you with an expression you'd never seen come from her. One of grief, disgust, and disappointment.
She only scoffed. "I'm done pretending this isn't happening. It's like you don't even care anymore now that you're getting married."
Your jaw dropped. Your expression fell in turn. You were hurt, and confused. Of course, you still cared, of course, you still knew what was happening, of course, you wanted what was best for everyone–
She walked out of the kitchen.
You tried to convince her back, as you heard her run upstairs to her room.
And she left you there, in the kitchen, tears blurring your vision. You didn't know how to handle this. You didn't know that your engagement–which you had no control over–would affect your relationships so significantly.
Your hand touched your cheek–the one Shoto kissed and the one your father slapped. It was stinging. You needed to put Ice on it since you would be working tomorrow. You couldn't go in with a bruise, or swollen at all.
You got an ice pack from the freezer, still stunned by what Shina said, and put the clean dishes into the cabinet.
.o0o.
You didn't get a chance to see Shina before you had to be at the train station that morning. You managed to meet Edo-San there, so you were able to travel together on the same train to Kyushu.
It took about an hour and a half to get there, but when you did, someone was waiting there to pick you up and take you to the agency.
You'd never been to Kyushu before. You looked out the window as the driver took you downtown, looking at the new buildings and businesses you wanted to visit, tea and mochi stands you thought would be cool to try someday.
Your mind was reeling. This was a whole new city–a whole new opportunity, a whole new scene that you were unused to. You were so excited at the idea–regardless of the fact you were interning under Hawks.
Your eyes widened when you came up to the new Hawks Agency building. It wasn't the tallest building you'd ever seen, but it was easily one of the most unique–the most beautiful architecture, yet still practical.
You would be interning here. You'd be working here. You would be able to say that you work in one of the coolest buildings you've ever seen. What an honor.
You stepped out of the vehicle, and you and Edo-San exchanged expressions where your jaws hung to the ground.
There was no way this was real.
You were escorted inside by the secretary, and greeted by your interning manager. Before he could get a word in, a window opened, and in flew a breeze carrying the current Number Three Hero.
You tried to control your breath. You tried to keep your cool. You kept your emotions on your face under control, but your heart was pounding right out of your chest.
"Heya, Kiddos," Hawks introduced himself. "I hope your trip here was peaceful and entertaining."
You and Edo-San bowed to the Hero. "Thank you for this opportunity," you said at the same time.
"Ah, of course. There's always a demand for young talent. So!" Hawks clapped his gloved hands and rubbed them together. "Let's get the paperwork out of the way, then go on the grand tour of your new wonderful workspace, and then get you started! Sound good?" He asked.
You and Edo nodded politely. "Yes, Sir," you answered.
He nodded. "Good! Now, Miss Yuki shall get your paperwork all set up for you to sign. If you have any questions, ask her or me."
The paperwork was easy, and you scanned each contract carefully. You wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into–even if you didn't really have a say in it. After all, you weren't going to say no. This was being offered to you by a hero.
Haha. Just like everything else in your life, Hanae.
You looked down at the ring on your finger.
You finished the paperwork and bowed politely to the secretary, turning back to Hawks. Edo-San was ready when you were.
Hawks smiled at you two. "Right this way, my pleebs."
.o0o.
He toured you around almost every floor of his tower–all the places you needed to know well, as where as where you would be working individually. He said all his staff already knew that you would be joining their team, for at least four to six weeks–if not longer–and they were equipped to help you in any way you needed as far as directions. It was a big building, after all.
Once all that was done, Hawks turned a corner with the two of you following behind, and there were two people, dressed nicely, discussing among themselves.
"Ah! Aria, Koji, my favorite people," Hawks said. He turned to you and Edo-San, balancing on his heel, his winge stretched over his head. "These are your two management trainers. They will be working with and overseeing your work as you intern under the Hawks' Agency. Nazumi-San," he pointed to the woman, "This is Songjung Aria. She's a Hero costume and Support Item specalist and designer from South Korea, and she will be working with you these next few weeks."
You bowed to the woman–who was well dressed and professional, but seemed to have a playful edge to her. "Very nice to meet you," you said politely. She returned the gesture.
"And Edo-San, you will be working with Sir Kodomo Koji. He's our marketing specialist."
Edo bowed as well, and you were shocked for a moment. "Wait, we're working under different departments?" You spoke up and clarified.
"Why, yes!" Hawks laughed. "You two work fabulously as a team–but I have so many teams, and I need more individual workers. I spoke with your Teachers to try to find your strengths to place you into that field. I hope my deductions were correct?" he asks.
You blush, but you nod. "Of course. No disrespect intended," you said.
"None found! So. I'll hand you two off to your new advisors, uh…gimme a ring if you need any help, alright?" He winked at you before walking to a window in the office.
"Thank you so much!" Edo-San said suddenly, as Hawks opened the window, crouching in it. He turned and looked at you both. He gave a left-handed salute.
"Anytime. Catch ya later!"
And he was off, flying into the streets.
You turned around to face Edo-San, giving him a shallow bow. "It was an honor working with you," You say playfully, offering your hand for him to shake.
He laughed and bowed in return, shaking your hand.
You faced Songjung-San. You smiled pleasantly at her.
She spoke before you could. "Please, follow me."
.o0o.
Your day was the best day of your life.
Songjung-San was fun and light-hearted. She was really good at what she did–and you were too–and that's what made this day so fun. You just got to bond over your opinions on modern day fashion and trends, and how you both thought the boxy/high-collar style was not only outdated, but unstylish–full (private) offense to Endeavor, Hawks, and Best Jeanist.
You both resolved to create the next trend and offer it to the Top Heroes.
The day was filled with lighthearted chatter and a steadfast hand and watchful eye training you. It was wonderful. It was safe.
Then you had to go home.
You opened the door after walking down the block, sighing as you kicked off your heels.
The twins came running into the foyer, bouncing from excitement. "Nee-San! Nee-San! Guess what!" they said.
You smiled. "What happened?" You indulge.
"Mother's tummy kicked!" Aiko said excitedly. "The baby in Mother's tummy kicked my hand! The baby much have been like—ho-wahhhhh!" He did a move he must have learned from his martial arts class from school. You laughed. "It was so cool, Hanae-San!" he said.
You looked at your sister. "Did the baby kick your hand, too, Akira?" she asked her sister.
"Yeah, it was so weird," she giggled. "Is it a baby sister or a baby brother, Nee-Chan?" she asked.
You knelt to their level, making a thoughtful face. "I don't know," you said. "We'll have to wait for when they're born."
"Hanae!"
Oh, of course.
"Yes, Father?" You answer instantly.
"Help clean the kitchen. Your mother is struggling." The way he said it didn't sound kind, nor accomodating.
You stood, groaning, your feet tired from standing all day. "Coming," you said, walking past your siblings. "Go get ready for bed, little ones," you instructed. "I'll be by to tuck you in."
Shina was handling the youngest two while Mother was struggling gathering the dishes from the dinner table. You and Shina still hadn't talked since your argument, and noting how she didn't even greet you as you entered the kitchen told you she didn't want to.
You took about half of the stack of plates your mother had on her belly, which was really starting to grow these past weeks, and she smiled. "How was your day, Hanae?"
"Very good, Mother, thank you," you replied, voice hushed as you started washing, not bothering to don an apron. You would wear your other uniform tomorrow–and wash this one tonight. It could get some dishwater on it.
Mother sat down on a chair in the kitchen. "You're such a good girl, Hanae," She said softly. "You just got back from your first day of working under Hawks–! And now you're washing the dishes for little old me." She sighs and shakes her head.
"There's duality to everything, Mother," you simply smile. "And you are not old."
"Oh," Mother sighs.
You wash the dishes, your tired legs shaking after standing in one place for so long. You can feel your father walking in and out of the kitchen for no reason in particular. He must be doing it just to torment you.
You blinked at yourself, at your own thoughts. You'd never thought something so…cynical before, especially not toward your father. It was odd.
You shook the thoughts, the feelings away. You did your job while mother rested her feet. Shina got all the chldren to bed, and Kenta was in his room, studying.
You wipe off your hands and turn to hang the towel, sighing.
Suddenly, your father's hand is grabbing your face. You gasp as he turns it to the side, inspecting your skin.
"Who saw the bruises?" He demanded.
You wince. "Ah–No-no one, Father," You answer, your breaths coming quickly. "I swear–I was careful."
He looked deeply into your face, his icy silver eyes boring into yours. He let your face go with a jerk and walked out of the house. You had no idea where he was off to.
You weren't sure that you wanted to know.
.o0o.
You lay in your bed that night elevating your feet on a pillow, talking to Shoto over text. You had a cooling and hydrating sheet face mask on and an ice pack over it, to stop any more swelling from where Father hit you and then grabbed you. You didn't need anyone to be worried about you being abused in your workplace–or at home–when you went back to U.A.
Todoroki (8:42 P.M.):
Did you enjoy your day?
Nazumi Hanae (8:42 P.M.):
Very much ^^ i'm very excited for these next few weeks. I was placed in the hero costume/support item design dept, and my supervisor is very nice
Todoroki (8:42 P.M.):
I'm glad.
Nazumi Hanae (8:43 P.M.):
When are you released from the hospital?
Todoroki (8:42 P.M.):
Just released today. Be back in school on Monday
How r u
You paused. You could say you were perfectly fine and be lying and he'd miraculously know. You could say awful and you could imagine the kind of shenanigans that would follow.
Nazumi Hanae (8:44 P.M.):
I've been better. Today was very good, though.
You hoped that would be suitable enough to get away with not explaining everything, but also positive enough that he wouldn't be too worried.
You scrolled through your monthly to-do list and fans' emails as you waited for his response if he was going to give one. You weren't sure.
Finally, your phone buzzed again.
Todoroki (8:47 P.M.):
Im glad.
.o0o.