We Can't Be Friends: Chapter Ten
Over the course of the next day, Aoi made calls to several different places. Between the income she made as an idol and the tourism of the tulip farm, money was essentially no object. She didn't brag about being well-off; she sometimes had to humble herself and remind herself where they were before the farm existed, and why she became an idol in the first place.
As a young child, her quirk had manifested so powerfully it took away her ability to walk. It was quite the mysterious phenomenon, and she had to go through a bunch of physical therapy and hospitalizations in order to cure it. Actually, it was at a park located outside a park she'd met Shiya and Shiyu; she couldn't believe that was over twelve years ago.
At any rate, they racked up so much in hospital bills that in order to cheer up Satsuki, Tekko bought the farm and started planting loads of tulips on the land. It was a literal rainbow of colors surrounding their farmhouse, and as the garden grew, so did their popularity. Tekko decided to exploit this and sell tickets to enter the property to take pictures and even host events sometimes.
As Aoi grew older and closer to the Okamatsu family, she inquired of Shiyu about doing idol work while also training still to become a hero, since that truly was her ultimate goal. Shiyu was hesitant at first, considering she knew of Aoi's medical history, but once the young girl insisted on showing the progress of her powers, and even her singing ability, and that she was willing to work on both of those things if it meant earning some type of living – even if it was miniscule at first – her friend's older sister decided to take her under her wing.
Not all of her hospital bills from childhood were paid off; actually around her birthday they would get reminders of due dates and different amounts they owed to different facilities. But they were better off than they were before, which was probably why her parents were open to renewing their vows in the first place.
Aoi made appointments to discuss wedding details with different people over the next week – as well as meeting with her teacher tomorrow, and continuing her training with Shiyu throughout the week. She would inevitably be busy, so much so she could hardly sleep. She was mostly nervous about meeting Mr. Aizawa the next day, to have him in her home, and for him to see her odd family dynamic.
It wasn't entirely a secret, but nothing she talked about either. Not that she was ashamed, she just hated discussing it as it led to unnecessary questions. She didn't think Mr. Aizawa would ask anything inappropriate, or in general, to be honest – but still, she felt a pit in her stomach all the same.
As noon approached the following day, she prepared tea and small sandwiches for the adults to consume while they talked. She was expected to be in the room as well, but she imagined she was expected to remain silent as they discussed… whatever.
The doorbell rang, and Aoi called out that she would answer it. She wore a simple blue sundress to meet her teacher; this was supposed to be rather informal, she knew, but she wanted to appear polite anyway. Opening the door, Mr. Aizawa instantly hit her with a hard gaze, and she almost froze in her spot. Blinking, she opened the door all the way and allowed her teacher inside her farmhouse.
"Welcome in, Mr. Aizawa," she said sheepishly. "Let me… go get my parents. The living room is right over here." She led him to a large, open room with two red couches and a red love seat, a T.V. hanging on the wall, and a coffee table in the center.
Once she was out of his eyesight she felt she could breathe again; but only for a moment. Her moms came in, Tekko wearing a checked button down and khaki capris while her biological mother, Satsuki, wore her long pink hair up in a ponytail, donning a long, flowery dress. They couldn't look more informal or opposites. But they do say, opposites attract.
Her mothers entered the living room first, Aoi following suit. "Mr. Aizawa, these are my moms, Satsuki and Tekko." His eyes didn't widen, he didn't stare at them as if they were ancient artifacts, but he did stand to shake their hands.
"Well, I should just get straight to the point," he began. "Your daughter has improved quite a bit since starting at U.A. And we'd like to continue that progress."
This was shocking to hear; didn't he say just a couple weeks ago that they hadn't improved enough since the start of the year?
"We want to start an initiative to keep the students at the school fulltime. This way, we can hone in on their training as future heroes and really work on their abilities."
"You know she does a lot of training as it is," Satsuki spoke up, crossing her arms. "She trains with Pro-Hero Mist."
"I'm aware." Then he added, "But we want to her to also focus on her school life. We think the best way she could do that is if she moves into the new dorms at U.A."
"And you'll also keep her from being a target?" Tekko asked, mimicking her wife's actions, brown eyes hard as she stared at Aoi's teacher.
Aoi took this as a time to get the tea and sandwiches she'd made earlier. Standing up from the loveseat she'd been sitting at by herself, she made her way to the kitchen, taking a few deep breaths while alone before making her way back to the adults in the other room.
"—just worried about her pushing herself too hard as it is." That was Satsuki.
"As a Pro-Hero, that's going to be apart of the game," Aizawa told her. "But this will undoubtedly prep her."
Aoi set the teaset on coffee between them; no one reached for anything. As to be expected. They were too engrossed in their very serious conversation to eat, surely.
Both moms looked at one another, then at Aoi. Tekko was the one to speak to her: "What do you want to do?"
"Me?" She was being given a choice? "I…. I want to become a hero. And, if in order to do that, I'm supposed to live with the rest of my classmates at the dorms, then… then that's what I want to do." She said this last part with a lot of conviction. "You're right, I've been a target, and as long as Shiya is out there, mom, I'm going to remain one. But what safer place to be than on campus with a bunch of teachers who are also Pro-Heroes?"
The moms gazed at each other again, their hands now relaxed instead of crossed over their chests like before, and they seemed to be having a silent conversation. Aoi dared to look at Mr. Aizawa, but he was focused on her parents, probably anticipating their answer.
Finally, Satsuki stood up and approached Aoi, kneeling next to her and taking her hands. "I want you to be the best hero you could possibly be. I just don't want you to wear yourself down."
"I went into this with the intention of doing just that, mom," Aoi said, feeling brave, her back straight. "I can't get strong if I don't break myself a little. That's what Shiyu says about my idol work, but I know she also means that for my hero training too."
Satsuki sucked in her lips as if she cut herself off from saying something she shouldn't, then she finally said, "Fine. But, on one condition." She held a finger for emphasis. "You call us every single day."
Aoi couldn't contain her smile; she was practically beaming. "I will! I have to anyway, remember? I'm planning your wedding!"