Apologize for the late update. Stupid bankers took so fucking long, bloody bastards are a bunch of lazy stupid twat.
Hours have passed, and she's preparing to go home.
She was approached by her friends before class started, asking where she'd gone at lunch and what she was doing sitting on the same table as he was. She lied.
"I felt bad. He looked like he could use a friend."
She'd said those words with a smile, all the while the guilt inside her was gnawing at her. She couldn't shake off the image of Hirano's expression when he left. The way his eyes had turned cold and distant, the tightness in his voice as he called it a curse. It was much worse than his usual monotone look.
Misaka couldn't help but feel responsible for his change in mood. Her answer was a way for the others to at least feel pang of sympathy, enough that maybe they'll approach him just as she did. Just like Yoshikawa-sensei had wished.
The final hour of school had passed and everyone poured out like a torrent of water from a broken dam. The once quiet and empty hallways were now filled with the boisterous chatter and laughter of students as they made their way to their respective homes. Misaka found herself walking alongside her friends, who were still curious about her lunchtime encounter with Hirano.
"So, what did you guys talk about?" asked one of her friends, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Stuff..." Misaka replied vaguely, not wanting to reveal too much. She didn't want to betray Hirano's trust, even if he had been the one to initially push her away.
Her friends seemed to pick up on her reluctance and didn't press the matter any further. Instead, they started chattering about their own days, the upcoming sports festival, and other school-related topics. Misaka listened half-heartedly, her mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Hirano. She couldn't help but wonder how he was doing now, if he had managed to shake off the cold, distant aura that had surrounded him during lunch.
One thing to note though, Yoshikawa sensei wasn't done with her.
The older woman was standing on the gate, talking with a visibly irked Hirano. She and her friends stopped by and greeted her. The woman greets them back, turning towards them with a smile. The albino rolls his eyes as he leans over towards the school fence.
"Misaka-chan, good timing." Yoshikawa sensei called out, waving her over. "Hirano and I were just having a little chat. Why don't you join us?"
The girl hesitated for a moment, unsure if the boy would appreciate her presence. But then, she thought about Yoshikawa sensei's words and decided to give it a try once again. She walked peered over to the side of the older woman, her friends staring behind her curiously.
"Hi," Misaka greets, her voice a little softer than usual. She tries to catch Hirano's gaze, but he seems to be pretty adamant on looking at anything but her. Yoshikawa notices this and gives Hirano a gentle nudge, a small smile on her face.
"Hey now, don't be like that," she says, her voice gentle but firm.
Hirano's gaze shifts reluctantly towards Misaka, his expression still cold and distant. "What?" he asks, his voice devoid of any emotion.
Misaka takes a deep breath, trying to keep her nerves in check. "I just wanted to say sorry," she says, her voice soft. "For what I said during lunch. I didn't mean to upset you." Hirano's expression remains unchanged, but Misaka can see a flicker of something in his eyes - confusion, perhaps, or surprise. She can't quite tell.
"Sure," he says finally, his voice still flat.
Yoshikawa Sensei nods in approval, pleased to see that the two of them were starting to communicate. Misaka couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief wash over her. It wasn't much, but it was a start. She gave Hirano a small smile, trying to bridge the distance between them. Hirano's gaze lingers on Misaka for a moment before he turns away, looking towards the distance. Misaka couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to his cold demeanour than meets the eye. She couldn't understand why he was so guarded, so unwilling to let anyone in.
But she wasn't about to give up. Not after what Yoshikawa Sensei had said.
"Do you like Gekota?"
Hirano turns his head slightly, his eyes flickering towards the direction of Misaka's voice. "Hn?" he grunts, seemingly confused by the sudden weird question.
Yoshikawa watches as the two talk. Well... more like Misaka trying to initiate a conversation, and Hirano giving short, monosyllabic responses. She can't help but feel a pang of pity for the boy, who seems so closed off from the world. But she knows that it's not something that can be fixed overnight. It's going to take time, patience, and a lot of understanding.
Slowly this conversation turned into a sort of an argument. With the little girl trying to explain to the boy the beauty of a small, green, frog-like creature with a big, red "G" on its forehead; short for "Gangsta". It's a popular character from a children's show in Academy City. She speaks with an infectious enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she tries to convey her love for the character to Hirano.
But Hirano remains unimpressed, his expression unreadable as he listens to Misaka's words. Even outright disgust at some point when she mentioned the merchandise she had collected, which includes mostly a Gekota plushie and keychain. One of them was on the bag she was wearing right now. The bag itself was also a merchandise. He couldn't fathom why anyone her age would like something so childish, so trivial. It was beyond his understanding, and he made sure to show it.
Misaka, however, didn't let his indifference dampen her spirits. She continued to talk about Gekota, her words flowing out like a fast-moving stream. He took it all, although with an air of reluctance and skepticism. But as Misaka continued to speak, her passion for the character began to slowly chip away at Hirano's resistance. He couldn't help but be drawn in by her enthusiasm, her unwavering devotion to something so seemingly insignificant.
It reminded him of an old friend he once had. She would talk just like this; loud and animated, about things that seemed so trivial to him. He missed those times, missed the sound of her laughter, the way her eyes would light up when she talked about something she loved. It was a stark contrast to his own quiet and reserved nature.
His instinct to just listen and give off random grunts of acknowledgement kicked in, and before he knew it, he found himself responding to Misaka's rapid-fire questions about Gekota's backstory and the various merchandise available.
Misaka's face lit up as Hirano responded, her earlier disappointment at his initial indifference forgotten as they continued their conversation. Yoshikawa watches as the two of them continue their discussion, a small smile playing on her lips. She can see the walls around Hirano starting to crumble, albeit slowly.
As the two continue to talk, Misaka pulls out her flip-phone and shows Hirano pictures of her Gekota merchandise. Hirano can't help but be impressed by the sheer amount of Gekota merchandise that Misaka has accumulated. From plushies to keychains, to even Gekota-themed stationery, it's clear that the girl's love for the character knows no bounds.
"How in the world do you fit that in your room?"
"My room is big."
The girl replies nonchalantly, her eyes never leaving her phone as she scrolls through the pictures of her Gekota collection. He himself can't help but raise an eyebrow at her response, his mind conjuring up an image of a cluttered and cramped room filled to the brim with Gekota merchandise.
Her friends were temporarily forgotten, remaining silent, watching the interaction between Misaka and Hirano with interest. They had never seen Misaka so passionate about something before, and it was fascinating to watch. The albino boy, on the other hand, seemed to be slowly thawing under Misaka's infectious enthusiasm, his earlier cold demeanour giving way to a more relaxed and engaged expression yet still disinterested.
While she does go out of her way to talk about the froggy mascots around them, they never really listened, diverting the conversations back to their own topics. But now, they couldn't help but be drawn into the conversation as well. They exchanged curious glances with each other, wondering what had sparked such a change in Misaka's behaviour.
Yoshikawa, too, was pleasantly surprised by the turn of events. She had been worried about Hirano's closed-off nature, but it seemed that Misaka had found a way to break through to him. By being an absolute child about it.
He softened. Although the subject was boring and her energy irritating, Hirano couldn't deny the genuine joy and enthusiasm that Misaka exuded as she showed him her collection. It was infectious, and he found himself feeling a bit more relaxed and engaged in the conversation. He even let out a small chuckle at one of Misaka's anecdotes, a rare sight for those who knew him.
Yoshikawa watched as Hirano slowly opened up, his expressions becoming less guarded and more genuine. 'It might just be quicker than what i had expected', she thought to herself, a small smile playing on her lips. She had been worried that Hirano's closed-off nature would make it difficult for him to make friends, but Misaka's infectious enthusiasm and unwavering persistence seemed to be just what he needed.
Suddenly, she interrupts. "Now, now, it's getting late and I believe it is time for us all to go home." The sudden interruption from Yoshikawa brings the conversation to a halt, and everyone looks up, realizing that the sun has begun to set. The school gate is now quieter, with only a few people left scattered around. Misaka looks a little disappointed, but she knows that Yoshikawa is right.
"Okay," Misaka says, putting away her phone and standing up. She turns to Hirano with a hopeful expression. "Want to come over to my place tomorrow and see my Gekota collection in person? I promise it's worth it!"
Hirano raises an eyebrow, taken aback by the sudden invitation. "No. I'd rather not."
Misaka's face falls, but she quickly recovers and tries to hide her disappointment. "Oh, okay. No pressure, I'll see you tomorrow then." She turns to leave, but not before giving Hirano a small wave.
Hirano watches as the girl walks away with her friends, her shoulders slumped slightly. He shrugged it off, even if it did leave a bitter taste in his mouth. Yoshikawa observes the interchange, a hint of concern etched on her face. She had hoped that he would accept Misaka's invitation, but she understands his reluctance.
It was just the two of them now. "So... Aiho first, or the groceries?" The older woman asks. Hirano turns to Yoshikawa, his expression unreadable. He had forgotten about their original errand in the midst of Misaka's excitement, but now that she mentioned it, he realized that they still had to go to the grocery store. He also remembered that they had planned to visit Aiho in the hospital today. He sighed, feeling a little overwhelmed by the sudden influx of social interactions.
"Aiho first."
Uiharu had been trying to inform them for the last few minutes, but there were no answers.
They had to take public transport because the place they're heading for was on the western end of District 7. Throughout the bus ride, Kuroko gazes out the window, her thoughts consumed by the mysterious figure in the security footage. The cityscape blurs past her, a familiar yet distant scene. Her mind drifts back to her time with Hirano, the memories flooding back like a tidal wave. The girl visibly frowns; there's no way he would disappear without a trace for three years, only to randomly show up again. Something didn't add up.
Especially when they immediately cancelled his search at the climax of the investigation, claiming there were no further leads to pursue. Kuroko's gut had been telling her something was off, and now she was sure of it.
Anti-Skills are a separate entity of the City's Public Safety Committee, tasked with maintaining order and dealing with serious matters such as an out of control Esper. The Board of Directors have no control over the Anti-Skills, and yet, the case regarding Hirano's disappearance was abruptly closed without any apparent reason. It was as if someone with considerable influence wanted to cover something up.
As Uiharu struggles to access the city's surveillance cameras, Kuroko's mind continues to race. She remembers the strange phone call the office received prior to the case being closed. Tsuzuri, usually a rather composed woman, grew pale and feverishly took notes as the mysterious caller spoke about 'taking care of the situation.' The call was cut off before any more information could be gathered, leaving everyone in the office in a state of confusion. Tsuzuri never said anything.
With the case closed, the Anti-Skills were pulled off and the investigation came to a grinding halt. Kuroko could only watch as her chances of finding Hirano or uncovering the truth slowly slipped away.
But now... but now, Kuroko's hope has been reignited. The security footage has given them a new lead to follow, and she's determined to see it through. She can feel her heart pounding in her chest as she thinks about the possibilities.
The bus finally comes to a stop, jolting Kuroko out of her thoughts. She stands up, her body tensing as she prepares herself for what they might find. Uiharu follows suit, her expression grim. They walk off the bus and make their way down the empty street. Uiharu took the lead with a brisk walk, her fingers dancing over the screen of her **PDA** as she tries to access the city's surveillance cameras. Kuroko follows closely behind, her eyes scanning their surroundings with a practiced ease.
After a few minutes of walking, Uiharu finally manages to breach into the city's security system and pulls up the footage from the night Hirano left the apartment complex. The thing with CCTVs in this city, the majority of them are operated and maintained by the Anti-Skills, with a few owned by private businesses or the city's Public Safety Committee. The quality of the footage varies, some grainy and dark, while others are clear and vibrant.
The apartment complex itself was placed in a large residential area. The place he went into isn't part of the city's many high-rise buildings, but a mid-sized complex with three floors, separated into four buildings. As Uiharu and Kuroko approach the apartment complex, they can see that it is well-maintained, with neatly trimmed hedges and freshly painted walls. The entrance is guarded by a uniformed security guard, who nods at them as they approach.
There was no lobby to speak of, only a small hallway leading to a staircase. The air is still, the only sound being the distant hum of the air conditioning and the soft padding of their footsteps. The hallway is dimly lit, casting elongated shadows on the walls. They make their way up to the third floor, where the apartment they are looking for is located.
Uiharu stopped in front of a door on the left side of the hallway, her fingers hovering over the buzzer. She glances at Kuroko, who quietly nods in return. Uiharu presses the buzzer, the sound echoing through the quiet hallway.
Silence.
"Are you sure it's this one?" Uiharu nods at the question. The short haired girl stepped aside as Kuroko moved closer, looking up at the number on the door; 76. The awkward angle on the CCTV footage had made it difficult to make out the number, but Kuroko was now certain that this was the correct apartment. She reached out and gently knocked on the door. The sound echoed through the quiet hallway, but there was no answer.
Kuroko frowned, her heart sinking as she realized that Hirano might not be here. But she couldn't let herself give up just yet. She knocked again, this time louder and more insistent before pressing the buzzer once more.
Still, there was no response. Kuroko's frown deepened, her grip on the hem of her skirt tightening as she tried to think of their next move. She glanced over at Uiharu, who showed her something. The screen showed him coming out of the place with an older woman. He was wearing a bag. She recognized the bag immediately.
"Look at the date." Uiharu told her. She did just that. It's just this morning. "He went to school. But not ours anymore as it appears." The girl states. Had he re-enrolled back to that school, it would've caused a buzz in there due to his sudden reappearance.
Talk about his appearance, he looked different from the previous state he was in at the footage back in his old apartment. He looked cleaner here. His hair was cut from the moppy, messy state it was in before, styled neatly. His clothes were also clean and well-fitting, a stark contrast to the dishevelled and worn-out garments he was wearing at the old apartment. There was a spark in his eyes that was still missing.
They both smiled at this, a sense of relief washing over them. At least they now knew that Hirano was alive and well, and that he had been attending school. It wasn't the answer they were hoping for, but it was better than nothing.
"Let's go to his school then," Kuroko said, her voice filled with determination.
"No, I think we shouldn't rush things." Uiharu replies, showing her the time on her phone. "School hours ended 10 minutes ago. He should be here in a few minutes." As Uiharu finishes speaking, the two friends take a step back from the apartment door, their eyes scanning the hallway for any signs of movement. The corridor remains silent and still, the only sound is the distant hum of the air conditioning.
Kuroko nods in agreement with Uiharu's suggestion to wait, kneeling on the side of the door with her back rested against the wall. She keeps her eyes on the hallway, her mind racing as she considers their next move. There are so many questions still left unanswered. Why did Hirano leave without a trace? Why did the Anti-Skills suddenly cancel the search for him? Who was the mysterious caller that spoke to Tsuzuri?
While she was busy with those thoughts, Uiharu was on her phone, once more dialling the office. Just like back in the bus, Uiharu holds her phone to her ear, her brow furrowed in concentration as she waits for the call to connect. She glances at Kuroko, her eyes flicking to the other girl's knee where she can see her fidgeting nervously. Uiharu sighs quietly before turning her attention back to her phone.
"Come on, pick up..." Uiharu murmurs under her breath, her fingers tapping her leg in impatience.
After a few minutes, it was Kuroko's turn to sigh. "You look angry, Uiharu."
The girl huffed, a small puff of air escaping her lips as she pulled the phone away from her ear, her expression a mixture of frustration and disappointment. "They won't pick my calls up," she says, glancing at the screen of her phone before stuffing it back into her backpack. "I've called them about 20 times by now."
Kuroko merely smiled at her, giggling a little. "Didn't they say that they'll be visiting Captain at the hospital around this time?" Uiharu nods,
"Oh, yeah, I forgot..." she says, letting out a small sigh. "Oh well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens."
The two girls went silent for a few moments. Before the smile on their faces melts away, their eyes widening after registering everything. Suddenly, they both jolted up. Their Captain was Yomikawa Aiho, Hirano was her ward. There was a special guest coming over, Tsuzuri claims.
...
"That bastard of a senpai!" Kuroko exclaims, rushing from her spot. Uiharu was trailing right behind, her bag pressed tightly on her chest. "I'm so, SO, gonna give him a piece of my mind when I see him next! He's a stupid, stupid, absolutely stupid... impulsive, thoughtless, insensitive bastard!" Kuroko rants on, her words echoing through the quiet hallway as she stomps down the stairs, her hands balled into fists at her sides. She is clearly upset, her face flushed with anger and her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. Uiharu follows closely behind, her expression one of concern as she tries to keep up with her friend's fast pace.
Once outside, they both broke into a sprint. If only she's a Level 3, she could just teleport herself along with Uiharu all the way towards the hospital by now.
The walk to the hospital was quiet and filled with the sounds of the city: the occasional honk of a car horn, the far-off murmur of voices, the rustle of leaves as a gentle breeze swept through the streets. Yoshikawa walked at a leisurely pace, her arms swinging gently at her sides, while Hirano trailed slightly behind, his hand tugging at the woman's shirt sleeve every so often as he glanced around them, taking in their surroundings with mild interest.
Aiho's hospital room was in a building not far from the school, a quick eight minute walk, twelve minutes max. Riding a car is unnecessary. But Hirano couldn't help but feel as though time had slowed down, the buildings and cars around them seeming to blur as his mind raced.
"There you are!" A sudden loud voice broke through the quiet hum of the streets. It came from the back. The two of them turned around and he felt an arm sling itself around his shoulder; he was met with a bright grin. Black hair filled his vision. "I was looking for you! Remember your promise about yesterday?"
Hirano's eyes twitched. "You were serious about that...?"
Gunha blinked before breaking into another grin. "Of course! When else do I get to fight another Level 5?" Hirano doesn't respond, but his expression suggests that he's not thrilled about the idea of fighting another Level 5. He'd been hurt yesterday. Being wounded does not feel any bit pleasant. At all.
"Gunha, we're actually on our way to visit Aiho in the hospital right now." Yoshikawa says, looking at the two with interest as Hirano tries to push the boy's arm off of his shoulders. Gunha, not any bit noticing Hirano's discomfort, beamed at the older woman, not even releasing his hold on Hirano. "Oh, that's too bad. We can fight tomorrow then, you don't have to be sad about it! I can walk you both there if you want! Right, bracer buddy?"
Hirano cringed even further at being called... whatever that name is. "Anyways, who's this Aiho if you don't mind me asking. And why are they in the hospital?"
Yoshikawa chuckles slightly at Gunha's enthusiasm, used to his energetic personality by now. "Aiho's... well, she's his mother. Adopted mother I mean." She gestures towards Hirano as she explains, her expression softening at the mention of Aiho. "She was hospitalised two years ago due to an unfortunate accident. Hirano has been living with me since then."
Gunha's cheerful demeanour shifts slightly as Yoshikawa explains the situation, his expression becoming more thoughtful. "Oh... I see. I'm sorry to hear that." He quickly adds, looking genuine in his concern.
"You can still accompany us if you want."
"Oh c'mon-" Hirano shut his mouth when the older woman gave him a stern look. Yoshikawa knew he was about to refuse, but she wanted to give Gunha the chance to join them if he wanted to. The albino boy sighed, knowing he would not win this argument, and grudgingly nodded his head in agreement.
"We'd be happy to have you accompany us." Yoshikawa replied, a small smile playing on her lips as she looked at Gunha. Hirano visibly rolled his eyes, but he did not voice his disappointment. Instead, he brushed the arm off his shoulder and began walking off by himself, leaving the two to scramble to keep up.
The expression on his face was sour. He had wanted to have some alone time with his former guardian. And now here's Yoshikawa, bringing another person. He doesn't want to be rude towards the guy, after what he'd done yesterday, but it felt like he was intruding on his private time. He'd only had less than a handful of people where he was completely comfortable with showing them any bits of vulnerability. What it meant by less than a handful, it meant less than 3 people.
Hirano walked ahead, his shoulders tense and his stride determined. His pace was quick, almost as if he was trying to distance himself from the situation. He barely spared glances at his surroundings, his gaze fixed firmly on the path ahead. The quiet rustle of leaves, the occasional honk of a car, and the far-off murmur of voices seemed to fade into nothingness as he marched forward, his thoughts a jumbled mess in his head.
"I... think I should leave..." Gunha muttered uneasily, glancing at Yoshikawa.
"It's alright, Sogiita-san. Hirano just needs some time to process things. I'm sure he'll come around," she said, her voice gentle and reassuring. As they continued to walk, the tension between the three of them grew heavier. Hirano's brisk walk turned into a near-run, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the quiet streets, punctuated only by the occasional scuff of Gunha's shoes as he tried to keep up.
Yoshikawa and Gunha exchanged a worried glance, both of them unsure of how to approach Hirano in his current state. They decided to give him some space, allowing him to walk ahead while they trailed behind.
As they approached the hospital, Hirano slowed down, his initial urgency giving way to a more subdued pace. His shoulders were still tense, and his expression remained unreadable, but at least he was not running away anymore. The hospital building loomed ahead, a towering structure of concrete and glass that housed countless stories of hope and heartache. Its pristine white walls and sterile scent are a stark contrast to the bustling city streets they had just come from.
The trio made their way to the reception desk, where a kind-faced nurse greeted them with a warm smile. "Can I help you?" she asked, her eyes flicking between the three of them.
Soon enough, they were rising up the stairs. Her room was directly in front of them before Hirano and Gunha noticed something peculiar. The albino boy's eyes twitched even further.
Aiho's room is filled with people.
Aiho was an Anti-Skill officer, a Captain to be exact. All the people present are her comrades, colleagues, and friends from the Anti-Skill force. They stand in small clusters, talking quietly amongst themselves, their expressions a mix of worry, sadness, and determination. As Hirano, Gunha, and Yoshikawa enter the room, the conversations falter, and all eyes turn towards them.
They all rushed towards them. Him in particular. This was his first time meeting them in years, and they're all making a beeline towards them. Aiho's adopted son, Hirano, felt a little overwhelmed by the sudden attention, but he steeled himself, trying to keep his emotions in check. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he was enveloped by the crowd, the air thick with the scent of antiseptic and clothing.
Some hugged him, some asked him questions, most just greeted him with a smile or a nod. Hirano returned the gestures, answering their questions as briefly and politely as he could. He felt a little awkward, unsure of how to act around these people he barely knew. But he knew that they were important to Aiho, and that was enough for him.
Gunha however, was absolutely in his element. The black haired boy had a certain fascination towards people with GUTS. And the Anti-Skills, people who put their lives on the line to protect others, certainly fit that description. He grinned broadly as he was introduced to each person, sparkling eyes taking in their uniforms, their weapons, and the determined expressions on their faces. He shook hands vigorously, exchanging banter and joking around as if he had known these people for years.
Hirano merely listened to their conversations, loud but hushed. He sat on the stoll right next to Aiho's, her eyes closed shut. Her breathing was steady, but the tubes and monitors surrounding her provided a stark reminder of her precarious state. Hirano couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as he looked at her, a sharp contrast to the vibrant and lively woman he had come to know.
As Hirano sat there, lost in his thoughts, Yoshikawa and Tsuzuri, Aiho's right hand woman, watched with grief. The two women had been friends for many years, and Tsuzuri had always looked up to Aiho as a mentor and a role model. She had taken over Aiho's position as Captain of the Anti-Skill force after her accident, and had been struggling to fill her shoes ever since. Seeing Hirano, her adopted son, only amplified the sense of loss she felt.
After a while, Hirano sighed, his lips pursed as if he was holding back his emotions. He stood up from his seat and walked towards her. He didn't meet her gaze, merely speaking. "I'll be back later. I need to... cool off." Yoshikawa nods, understanding the pain and turmoil that Hirano must be feeling. "Of course. Take all the time you need. She would want you to take care of yourself, too."
Tsuzuri also gives a nod, her expression sympathetic. She knows all too well the burden of losing someone close to you. She reaches out to place a comforting hand on Hirano's shoulder, offering a warm smile. But her attempt was ignored as he went straight for the door.
As he steps outside, Hirano finds himself in a long, sterile hallway with pale blue walls and bright fluorescent lighting. He walked down the hall, onto the stairway, his subconscious mind navigating him on autopilot towards the entrance of the hospital.
Soon enough, his eyes met with a green grass, a shadow of a lone tree swaying in the wind, and the warm sunlight filtering through the leaves. It was like a balm to his weary soul, the practicality of the hospital replaced by the natural beauty of the outdoors.
He recalled the weeks he'd spent laying on this tree, everyday consistently, ever since he was first brought out of that dark world he'd known since his early adolescence.
Hirano walked towards the tree, its gnarled branches reaching out to the sky like welcoming arms. Its shade provided a sense of security and comfort, a familiarity that he desperately needed in that moment. He settles down under the tree, the rough bark cool against his fingertips as he leans against it. The wind rustles the leaves above him, creating a soothing melody that helps to quiet his racing thoughts. He closes his eyes, taking deep, steadying breaths as he tries to centre himself.
He didn't notice two people rushing over the streets, nearly getting hit by a passing car, being yelled at whilst apologizing, rushing into the front entrance of the hospital. He kept his eyes shut, wishing to doze off, forget all of this pressure he's receiving. Fuck the world. Fuck it all.
Their laboured breaths filled the air as they came to a halt just right on the front entrance of the hospital, their chests heaving with the exertion of their rapid sprint. Their faces were flushed, their eyes shining with a fierce determination. Kuroko's hands were still tightly clenched into fists at her sides, her knuckles white with the force of her grip. Uiharu, on the other hand, held her backpack tightly against her chest, her fingers clenched around the fabric as if seeking comfort in the familiar object.
The hospital was a hive of activity, with people coming and going in a steady stream. The smell of antiseptic hung heavy in the air, mingling with the hum of conversation and the distant beeping of machines. Kuroko, still seething with anger, pushed through the doors of the hospital, her eyes scanning the crowds for any sign of her wayward upperclassmen.
She approached the reception desk, her fingers tapping an impatient rhythm as she waited for the receptionist to finish with the patient in front of her. "Yomikawa... Aiho..." Kuroko said, her voice clipped and hurried as she tried to get the receptionist's attention. The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with a stern expression, looked up from her computer screen and regarded Kuroko with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance.
"5th floor, room number-" the receptionist said, her voice flat and unyielding. They were just about to rush when the older woman suddenly spoke once more. "And no running, please." Putting an emphasis on the last word, the receptionist raised an eyebrow at Kuroko, daring her to challenge her authority. But Kuroko was not in the mood for a power struggle. She simply nodded curtly, her expression still tense with anger and worry.
Uiharu, who had been standing quietly behind her, gave the receptionist a small, polite smile and a bow before following Kuroko towards the stairs. As Kuroko and Uiharu hurry up the stairs, their footsteps echo through the already lively stairwell. They can feel their hearts pounding in their chests, both from the exertion of their sprint and from the adrenaline of the situation. Kuroko's mind is racing, thoughts of her white haired upperclassman intermingling with images of Hirano's smile and the questions that still remain unanswered. She can feel the anger and frustration building up inside of her, threatening to spill over as she reaches the landing of the fourth floor.
Just one more and they would reach their destination.
As they pushed open the door to the fifth floor, the smell of antiseptic grew stronger, and the distant beeping of machines became more pronounced. The hallway was bustling with hospital staff and visitors, all seemingly in a rush to get to their respective destinations. Kuroko and Uiharu maneuvered their way through the crowd, following the signs pointing them towards Yomikawa Aiho's room.
They didn't have to look as the outside of their captain's room was crowded with familiar faces. All of them were Anti-Skills from their office branch, chatting amongst themselves and occasionally glancing at the door leading to their captain's room. As Kuroko and Uiharu approached, the group turned to look at them, their expressions varying from surprise to annoyance. Kuroko ignored their reactions and strode towards the group, her eyes locked on the door, her determination unwavering.
"Where is he? Where's this special guest of ours? I'm assuming he's a Level 5?" Kuroko asked, her voice tight with anger and impatience. The group of Anti-Skills exchanged glances before one of them, a tall man with a no-nonsense expression, spoke up.
"He's in there with the Captain," he said, gesturing towards the door.
Oh, boy, she thought, her anger spiking at the knowledge that her quarry was so close. Before anyone could stop her, she pushed past the group and threw open the door to the hospital room.
The room was small and sterile, with white walls and a single window that looked out onto the bustling streets below. In the centre of the room was a hospital bed, surrounded by beeping machines and attended to by many of her Anti-Skill comrades. She could see her temporary lieutenant, Tsuzuri, chatting with a short haired woman wearing a pristine white coat. Her face she recognized as the person coming in and out of the apartment complex with him for these past few days. The rest of them circled around a certain someone, joyously talking and sharing stories.
Their sudden appearance was noticed by their superior. "Kuroko, Uiharu, glad to have yo-"
The twin tailed girl couldn't be bothered with listening to the rest of her sentence. Her eyes were fixated on the figure she hasn't seen in years, concealed behind the crowd of people she'd come to respect.
Accusations and insults were already forming on her lips as she charged towards them, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
She pushed past the people; she choked a little as emotions threatened to overwhelm her. The figure she had been searching for was finally within her sight, but the anger and frustration that had been building up inside her for years made it difficult for her to breathe. As she approached, she could make out the details of her target, a man with spiky black hair and an impudent grin on his face.
"Senpa-!" she paused. She blinked. "Huh...?"
'Black hair...?' Kuroko comes to a sudden halt, her accusations and insults dying on her lips as she takes in the figure before her. The man she had been so certain was her white-haired upperclassman, the cause of all her anger and frustration, was in fact a complete stranger. His hair is black, not white, and his features are unfamiliar, and Hirano has never smiled before, let alone grin. The confusion is clear on Kuroko's face, her brows furrowing as she tries to make sense of what she is seeing. The anger and frustration that had been boiling inside of her begins to dissipate, replaced by a sense of embarrassment and shame. She can feel her face growing hot, her ears turning red as she realises the mistake she has made.
"You okay, Shirai-san?" She felt a hand placed on her shoulder. She turned around to see Tsuzuri looking at her with concern, a small wrinkle forming between her brows. Kuroko's eyes flick to the hand on her shoulder, then up to Tsuzuri's face, and she nods mutely. She can feel Uiharu's gaze on her as well, and she knows that her friend is probably just as confused as she is.
Kuroko takes a deep, shaky breath, trying to collect herself. She can feel the weight of all the eyes in the room on her, and she wants nothing more than to disappear into thin air. But her limitations as a Level 2 meant that her teleportation abilities would not only be able to take her away by a few metres, not enough to escape the awkward situation she had found herself in, but also the inability to teleport herself just yet. She cursed her own foolishness and the impulsive actions that had led her here.
Kuroko looks back at the man with black hair, her mind racing to come up with an explanation for her behaviour. She opens her mouth to speak, but no words come out. What can she say?
The overwhelming emotions she had been so ready to pour out all over her white-haired upperclassman had vanished, leaving her feeling even more frustrated. The imposter, for his part, seemed unfazed by her outburst. He continued to grin at her, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement.
"I... I-I'm sorry," Kuroko stammers out, her eyes still fixed on the floor.
The bottled up frustrations suddenly get the best of her; she choked back a sob, feeling the sting of tears at the corners of her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time she had cried in front of anyone. Kuroko had always held herself together, never letting her emotions get the best of her. But now, in this small, sterile hospital room, she felt herself breaking down.
Feeling flustered and overwhelmed, Kuroko turns away from the group and takes a few steps towards the window. She takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself as she gazes out at the small green patch of grass and a lone tree that made up the hospital's courtyard, the view a stark contrast to the sterile environment of the room.
She could see people walking to and fro, some were visitors to the patients, others were hospital staff on their break. Kuroko watched as a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, the sight calming her a little. And the lone figure laying beneath the shade of the tree, a boy. With white hair pure as snow.
Her breath hitched. As Kuroko watches the white-haired boy from afar, she feels a mix of emotions surfacing once again. She had been so sure that the person she had been searching for all this time was in this very hospital room, but now she's not so sure. The sight of the white-haired boy only serves to confuse her even further.
"Kuroko-san, is everything alr-!" Uiharu's words was cut when the girl suddenly burst into another sprint. "Oh come on!" She heard the girl mumble as she watched her friend, leaving the hospital room behind. Kuroko ignored her girl's complaints, her mind focused on the figure in the courtyard. She knew she shouldn't get her hopes up, but she couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.
The elevator be damned, Kuroko made her way down the stairways and towards the back entrance, she could feel her heart racing in her chest once more. Her feelings have been all over the place since she first stepped into that hospital room, and now, as she pushes open the back door and steps out into the crisp air, she feels a surge of adrenaline course through her veins.
The courtyard is small, as she had already observed from the window, but it is well-maintained, with trimmed grass and a few flower beds scattered around.
This time, she could see him over there beneath the shade of the tree. He didn't disappear or be replaced by another person, nor was he another one of her displaced hopes. He is real, and he is here, just in front of her.
Kuroko feels a lump form in her throat as she takes in the sight of her upperclassman, who is lazily sprawled out on the grass. His pure white hair is illuminated by the sun, and his pale skin is a stark contrast against the green grass. He looked so serene, so at peace, a stark contrast to the turmoil that was currently warring inside of Kuroko.
His eyes were closed, unaware of her presence. He wore a simple greenish white t-shirt and blue shorts. A red backpack used as a makeshift pillow beneath his head, while his arms were folded across his chest.
Kuroko hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether to approach him or not. But her heavy breathing from all the running around, coupled with her unattended emotions. She had thought of many scenarios in her mind of how their reunion might go, but in none of them did she imagine herself bursting into tears. And yet, here she was, on the verge of tears, as she stood mere feet away from her upperclassman.
His eyes fluttered open from the sound of her heavy breathing, and Kuroko watched as his gaze shifted towards her, a confused expression crossing his face. She saw him sit up, his arms unfolding from his chest.
He looked just as she remembered, his pure white hair still as striking as it was years ago, and his pale skin still unblemished. Those red orbs still held the same sharp intelligence they always had. She could see the gears turning in his head as he tried to place her, his brows furrowed in concentration.
"It's you." he said, his voice a soft rasp. There were surprises in them.
Kuroko felt a thrill of recognition at the sound of her name on his lips. She watches as he pushes himself up into a sitting position, his red eyes never leaving her face. She can see the confusion slowly starting to fade, replaced by a cautious curiosity.
"What're you doing here?" He asks, his brows furrowing as he tries to make sense of the situation. Kuroko takes a deep, shaky breath, trying to steady her nerves as she prepares to speak. She opens her mouth to answer, then hesitates. What can she say? How can she explain the chaos of emotions that has been swirling inside of her since she first saw him?
She looks down at her feet, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. When she speaks, her voice is quiet and trembling. "Where were you...?" The question hangs in the air between them, heavy with unspoken emotions.
The white haired boy's eyes twitched. He looked annoyed. "Yo-" Once more, for the umpteenth time that day, she cut off yet another person before they could finish their sentence.
"You bastard!" She shouts. The tears no longer held back, streaming down her cheeks in earnest now. "Where were you?! Why did you leave me alone?! Why didn't you tell me you were going to leave?! Why-" she breaks off, unable to continue as the emotions overwhelm her.
The white-haired boy watches her in silence for a moment, his expression unreadable as the girl lunges forward and tackles him, her arms wrapping around his shoulders as she sobs against his chest. He stiffens in surprise for a moment before slowly wrapping his arms around her, his touch gentle as he holds her.
"Y-you owe me three birthday gifts you stupid, stupid, STUPID dork," she manages to say through her sobs, her words muffled against his chest.
Hirano can only stare as the girl tightens her grip on him, her body shaking with the force of her sobs. He looks down at her, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. He had no idea what she was talking about, but it was clear that she was deeply hurt, and that he was somehow at the centre of her pain.
He looked up to the window and saw Yoshikawa with several others, staring down at the scene below with wide, surprised eyes. He could only imagine what they must be thinking, seeing their usually mature yet energetic colleague in such a vulnerable state.
But Hirano couldn't focus on them right now. His attention was solely on the girl in his arms, her tears soaking through his shirt as she continued to sob.
He sighed. 'What do I do?'
New shit next week maybe? Who knows!
