Late update. Couldn't find a damn internet around here.
"How's things with them?" A certain black haired boy asked him. The white haired boy kept his gaze on the can on his hands, tapping it lightly with his fingers. The atmosphere was casual, with the faint sound of laughter and conversation filling the air.
"They're all well," Hirano replied, looking down at the ground. "Busy with their own things, but they're all doing fine." He paused for a second, trying to choose his words carefully. "It's... nice to see them again, but things are different now. It's like meeting old friends, but they've all grown so much."
He could recall the days when they were still as children, when the world seemed infinite and the sky was painted with colours of hope and dreams. Their eyes would often meet his, sharing secrets and laughter that seemed to last forever. But that was a long time ago, now, as he sat in this park, the memories of those times felt distant and almost foreign.
It was a wonder how he'd made it this far without them. The bond they had, the trust they shared—it was almost instinctual. But life had a way of tearing things apart, and now he found himself standing on the precipice of a new reality.
Touma's voice cut through his thoughts. "It's good to hear that you haven't lost touch with them. Even if things are different, that's something to be proud of."
Hirano nodded, his gaze drifting back to the present. Touma's words carried a weight that Hirano hadn't anticipated. "By the way, now that your old friends are back, try to spare some time for us as well, alright?"
Hirano let out a small chuckle, the laughter feeling a bit rusty as it emerged from his throat. It wasn't that Hirano had forgotten about his friends here; it was just that the years had brought their own set of challenges and changes. His casual friendship with Touma and Misaki had endured through the ups and downs. It's been... nearly a year now, since they started being friends.
"I'll try my best," Hirano said, his tone is sincere. "It's not easy balancing all the different parts of my life, but I'll make sure to stay in touch with everyone."
Not ever, not again, he'll never abandon them again. Not these two, not those four. All that's left to do is try to reconnect with the old friends and find a balance that allows him to cherish all the relationships in his life. He supposed that was one of the many things he had learned over the years—learning to appreciate every piece of life, even the fragments that seemed to fall apart.
Misaki's eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief as she leaned in, her voice playful but genuine. "By the way, one of those friends of yours, Misaka, does she go to Tokiwadai?" Hirano's eyes widened slightly as he considered Misaki's question. The mention of Misaka brought a whirlwind of memories—her fiery spirit, her determination, and the moments they shared.
"Yes, she did," he replied slowly, "Why do you ask?"
Misaki's eyes light up even more, sparkling with curiosity and mischief. "No reason, just curious." That was a lie, what she just said. "I was wondering if maybe we could try to arrange a meet-up." The blond girl was clearly holding in an excited breath, her shoulders barely containing her enthusiasm. She could see that he was unconvinced.
"Let's just say that I... have some history with Tokiwadai's Ace." Hirano's eyes flickered with a mixture of surprise and intrigue. Misaki's tone remained light, but there was something significant behind her words. Hirano could see the flicker of something deeper in her eyes, something that hinted at a complexity he hadn't quite grasped.
"History, huh?" Hirano's curiosity was piqued. He knows that Misaka was a brilliant kid, but to be referred to as Tokiwadai's Ace, a prestigious all-girl school said to be home to the most gifted and talented, it was a lot to take in.
"Well, it's been a while," Hirano said, his tone almost wistful. "It would be interesting to see how she's doing now. I'll see if she wants to hang out sometimes." Hirano nodded, his mind already spinning with possibilities. Misaki's suggestion sparked a renewed sense of connection, a thread in the intricate tapestry of their lives that he had almost forgotten. The idea of rekindling old bonds seemed both thrilling and daunting.
"It's weird seeing you without your scarf. What happened to it?" Touma asked, bringing Hirano back from his thoughts. It was almost strange that he wasn't going to be wearing that scarf anymore. It has been a constant thing for over a year now. Imagining himself without it is honestly, most definitely peculiar.
"I gave it to someone." Touma's curiosity increased, his eyes narrowing slightly as he raised an eyebrow.
"Gave it to someone, huh? Who might that be?"
"Was it someone special?" Misaki chirped in. Something about her tone ticked him, and he could sense the curiosity from both Touma and Misaki pressing down on him. Hirano's gaze drifted to the ground, his fingers tracing a small pattern in the grass.
"Yes." His answer was short and simple. The truth wasn't easy to express... but he might as well tell them all. His life had been one of secrets and sacrifices, each decision a fragment of a larger story that even he could hardly fully understand.
Though, his answer seemed to have elicited yet another surprising reaction from the two. There was a giggle, almost a laugh, from Misaki, and Touma just looked at him, a mixture of curiosity and something else in his eyes. The silence that followed was almost uncomfortable, filled with unspoken questions and emotions.
"So, who is this special person?"
Misaka shudders as the chilling breeze of summer rain ruffles her shoulder length, chestnut brown hair. Numb from the cold, wet from the rain, and a bit disillusioned with the abrupt change in weather, she kept her gaze at the open window as Ruiko tried to get the screws to loosen. It was a rainy evening, and the sky outside was as dark as the night that was descending.
Ruiko barely noticed the downpour. She was too focused on the task at hand, her slender fingers fumbling with the screws as she tried to get them out. "Come on..."
Even with the heater on, the chill was still biting. Misaka pulled the thick blanket tighter around her shoulders, her eyes flickering with frustration. The rain poured relentlessly, creating a rhythmic beat that sounded like the pounding of her heart. She let out a deep sigh, her breath clouding in the chilly air.
"Ruiko, this is pointless," Misaka said, her voice tinged with resignation.
"No it's not." Ruiko's voice was firm, unwavering. She finally managed to loosen the first screw with a small triumphant cry. "See? I can do it. I've been practicing."
"You might've shattered the glass, but you didn't really have to change the entire window," Misaka pointed out, her tone a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Why are we doing this at all?"
"Because it was deliberately done, I tell you." Ruiko reasons. Ruiko's eyes sparkled with determination, her small frame standing firm despite the cold. She was a petite girl, but she had a will of iron.
"You, Ruiko Saten, spending half of your monthly allowance by deliberately shattering a window?" Kuroko adjusts the edge of her uniform's sleeve, her expression a mixture of disbelief and amusement. She stands near the window, her gaze shifting between the two girls.
"Yes! It's not about the money, it was definitely about something... something... something so... umm..." Ruiko trails off, her face scrunching up in frustration. She couldn't come up with any excuse, and the longer the silence the more awkward it became. "Ah, screw it! Don't just stand there being all touchy with that scarf just because it's from your boyfriend and come help me God dang it!" Ruiko's sudden outburst got both of them giggling.
"Sure, sure, what'd you want me to do?" Misaka stepped closer to the window, her eyes narrowing as she examined Ruiko's fiddling. "Let me try. Maybe I can loosen the screws better."
Ruiko handed her the screwdriver, and Misaka took it, her fingers gripping it firmly as the beach haired girl stepped back, sitting beside the twin tailed girl. The two girls sat side by side, their breaths forming clouds in the cold, rainy air.
Misaka's fingers moved deftly, working to loosen the stubborn screws. While she was at that, Ruiko turned towards Kuroko, watching that pure white scarf wrapped around her neck.
It was a peculiar sight, the way the scarf swayed with her every movement, almost like a ghostly shroud. Kuroko's face was a mask of calm, but her eyes betrayed a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
"Kuroko," Ruiko began, her voice softer this time, no longer laced with frustration, "Aren't you touching that thing a little too much?" She asks, pointing at how the twin tailed girl was fiddling with the scarf. Kuroko's fingers danced with the fabric, as if it were an extension of her own body.
Kuroko froze for a second as she registered the words of her friends. Misaka paused, her eyes flicking up to Kuroko and then back to the screw in her hands. "You do like touching it a lot, don't you?" she chimed in, her voice playful. She looked at Kuroko, who was still holding the scarf, her face now slightly flushed.
Kuroko's fingers stopped their restless dance, and she looked down at the scarf wrapped around her neck. Her eyes, usually so calm, had an unusual intensity. She seemed to be caught between the desire to defend her actions. "I-i just like it," Kuroko said, her tone almost hesitant. "It's nothing special."
Ruiko's eyes sparkled, a smirk that screams that she was enjoying the situation. "Well if it isn't Ms. In-Love. Who knew that your childhood best friend turns out to be your knight in shining armor?" Her tone was dripping with sarcastic humor, and she couldn't hide a smirk.
"Shut it!" Kuroko's eyes grew wider, and she clamped a hand over her mouth, biting down on her thumb. "It's nothing like that." Kuroko's face glowed a deep pink as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes flickering between Ruiko's teasing grin and Misaka's amused gaze.
"Really?" Ruiko's voice was a blend of amusement and genuine curiosity. She leaned in slightly, her eyes fixed on the scarf around Kuroko's neck. "Then what is it really?"
"I just... I haven't seen him in 2 years. For him to suddenly show up in our life, with the way he left back then, it was a surprise. This scarf... it reminds me of him," Kuroko finally said, her voice soft and contemplative. She tucked the scarf under her collar, a small, fleeting smile crossing her lips. "It's not that I'm obsessed with it. It's more... a reminder of old times."
The words hung in the air, creating a complex mixture of emotions between the three girls. Misaka's fingers continued their work with the screwdriver, but her mind was elsewhere.
Ruiko's teasing smile softened, and she nodded. "I get it, okay. So, you're just nostalgic."
Kuroko sighed, her shoulders relaxing. "It's not just nostalgic. It's... it's complicated."
"He said the same thing yesterday." Ruiko's reply sent Kuroko's eyes widening in surprise.
"He did? What did he say?"
Ruiko shrugged. "Not to be rude or anything, but I'd rather not say." The twin tailed girl's eyebrows canted up, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "His... exact words were... to say the least, personal. And I would rather not break the trust that he's put in me, given that he had just very recently reappeared after such a long time."
Kuroko's eyes narrowed, a mixture of frustration and curiosity. "I see. So, he tells you something personal, but you can't share it with me. That's really not fair."
Ruiko smirked, leaning back against the wall. "I didn't say it was fair. But he did have his reasons. Besides, it's not like I'm not curious. I want to know what he was thinking, especially after all this time. It made sense, why he chose to leave." The last part was sighed out, the truth heavy in Ruiko's tone.
The lack of any real answers left Kuroko in a somber The lack of any real answers left Kuroko in a somber
mood, her fingers clutching the scarf tighter as she struggled to keep her thoughts straight. The rain continued to fall, the rhythm of the droplets pattering on the roof creating a background melody to their conversation.
Kuroko's gaze shifted to the rain-soaked windowpane, where her reflection stared back, the water distorting her features into an almost ghostly image. Misaka finally managed to loosen the last of the screws, the screws falling to the floor with a clatter. She stood up, stretching her back, and looked at the girls with a satisfied smile. "Well, I guess that's one way to spend a rainy evening."
Ruiko stood up, brushing off her hands. "We should install the new glass. It's not like we can just leave it like this. Not to mention, it's awfully cold."
Kuroko nodded, her eyes still distant. "Yeah, let's get this over with. I need some rest."
Misaka, ever the practical one, lifted the replacement glass and examined it. "Alright, let's make sure we do this correctly. I don't want to make any more messes."
As they began the tedious process, the room was filled with the sound of scraping and the occasional clink of tools. Ruiko's hands moved with practised ease, her fingers deftly manoeuvring the glass into place.
Kuroko, now more focused on her task, seemed to relax a little. Her fingers moved with a renewed precision, her mind slowly shifting back to the present moment. The rain continued to fall, creating a soothing white noise that filled the room.
Misaka supervised, her eyes darting between the two as they worked. "You two make a good team," she said, her tone light and teasing.
Ruiko rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't tell anyone I was the one who busted the window in the first place."
The door opened. Uiharu walks in with a bandaged hand. "Hey guys, look who's here." The girl steps aside, allowing three people to come on. Expectedly, the white haired boy was the most recognizable.
The other two, however...
Misaka's eyes twitched. "Why is she h- wait a minute, why is he here too?!"
"Not even a hello, biri-biri?" Touma let out a quiet sigh as he rubs the back of his head when she just keeps on with her ramblings, flinching and hoping not to be struck again as Misaka points her finger at him.
"Oh wow, it really is her! I never thought that you two actually knew each other!" Misaki's eyes sparkled with excitement and a touch of curiosity.
Hirano just brushes off the blond's loud exclamation. "These two insisted on coming here, they want to meet you guys." The girls exchanged curious glances. Ruiko's lips curled into a half-smile, while Kuroko's eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing the newcomers.
She tugged at the hem of the white haired boy's shirt, leading him a bit further away from the group before she started talking.
"I don't understand. How did you even meet with her?" Kuroko gestures towards the blond, who inches towards Misaka as the two start talking animatedly. There appears to be a myriad of emotions swirling between the two. Intense ones. "And who is that ape supposed to be?"
"They're... my friends, I suppose. I've known them for a while now."
Kuroko's fingers paused in their work, her eyes narrowing as she took in the new arrivals. Her brows furrowed in confusion and a hint of wariness. "Friends, huh? I don't trust her, Misaki." When whispers.
Hirano raised an eyebrow, not because he was surprised by the wariness but because of the intensity of the moment. "She's a bit of an oddball, but she means well," he said, though his tone was casual and the eyes he darted Kuroko's were less so.
They looked back towards the blond and the chestnut haired girls. Misaki, with her charm and exuberance, was already making herself at home. She bounced over to the girls, her presence radiating an energy that was impossible to ignore. Ruiko and Uiharu was already fallen to the girl's charming demeanor, their faces breaking into wide smiles as they shook hands with her. Misaka though, was not impressed. Her eyes remained fixed on Misaki, the tension between them palpable.
Kuroko's eyes were critical, almost disapproving. "I don't trust her," she repeated, her voice low and steady. "She yelled at Misaka-san last year when they first met for no apparent reason. That alone says a lot about who she is."
Hirano seemed surprised, his curiosity piqued. "Did she really?"
"Yeah. It was a pretty intense situation from what I hear," Kuroko continued, clearly uneasy. "I can't believe you're letting her in here."
The two went quiet at that. They just stood there at the corner of the room, watching as the rest of their friends began to get to know Misaki and the others. The rain continued to fall outside, creating a soothing backdrop to the scene.
"You're wearing it." Hirano's sudden comment broke the tense silence. Kuroko's fingers paused in the work, flinching a little as her face started burning.
She looked opposite of his direction, keeping her gaze fixed on the floor, her fingers still clutching the scarf. "You gave it to me, now," she muttered, her voice barely audible. "And today's cold."
He nodded, understanding. "I remember. I wasn't sure if you'd still have it."
Kuroko seemed to relax a bit, though the wariness in her eyes didn't dissipate. "I didn't expect to see you again." There was a tinge of sadness in her voice, the unresolved emotions of the past still simmering beneath the surface.
Hirano shrugged, though his eyes remained thoughtful. "Life's full of surprises," he said quietly. "I figured it was time I made things right."
Kuroko's gaze softened, her expression flickering between relief and uncertainty. "Is that so? Because you left without saying goodbye..." Kuroko's voice trailed off, the words hanging in the air like a heavy mist. Hirano's eyes turned somber, his emotions laid bare in the silence. He had expected this moment, but that didn't make it any easier.
His exhale was audible, less of a sigh and but not quite of a huff, before placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I didn't know how to say goodbye. I was torn, and I didn't want to risk making things worse." The words seemed to stretch between them like a fragile thread, the past and present converging in the small, confined space of the room. The rain intensified, the rhythmic beat of the droplets against the roof creating a backdrop of melancholic serenity.
Kuroko seemed to sink into herself, her eyes wavering as she processed his words. "It's... complicated," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the sound of the rain. "But... I guess it's good you came."
Hirano's fingers tightened slightly around her shoulder, offering a silent promise of reassurance. "I know it's not the same, but I've always thought about what could have been if I'd stayed." Kuroko's eyes seemed to search his face for any hint of insincerity, but all she saw was sincerity. She nodded slowly, her breath catching in a small sob. "I've thought about it too," she admitted, her voice breaking as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. "A lot."
Ruiko, watching the two, began with her teasing jab. "You two are such a pair, just make out already!" Her voice, though light and playful, contained a tinge of warmth.
Kuroko's face turned into a rosy hue, and she glared at Ruiko. "I told you already, I don't have any feelings for him." Her tone became a bit harsher, but there was an undeniable vulnerability in her eyes.
Ruiko's grin faltered for a moment, but she quickly masked it with her usual cockiness. "Oh, come on! If you two didn't have any feelings, you wouldn't be standing there like that." She made a wry face and shook her head, folding her arms across her chest. "You two definitely have some chemistry. It's like you two are stuck in some kind of never-ending cycle of past, present, and unresolved emotio-"
Ruiko's ramblings were cut off when she felt a hard knock at the back of her head. Uiharu looked at her, her expression serious. "Stop it, Ruiko. That's enough."
Ruiko rubbed the back of her head, her ears burning. "Don't be like that, I'm just trying to get these two to open up." She glanced at Kuroko and Hirano, whose fingers still lingered on the scarf. "You can't deny that there's something between you two."
"You don't just force people into dating each other just because they have some history, okay?" Uiharu's voice was calm but firm. "It's about respecting their feelings and boundaries."
Ruiko huffed but said nothing more, knowing she'd already pushed her luck. So the black haired girl decides to change the subject. "So, Shokuhou-san, how do you like our office?"
Misaki, who had been observing the interaction with interest, flashed a bright smile. "It's lovely! Quite cozy, even if it is a bit cramped."
Kuroko's eyes flicked to Misaki. "So, what brings you here?"
"Nothing. Just curious about who Hirano's friends are," Misaki replied, her tone casual. She shifted her gaze to Kuroko, who still looked wary but slightly less suspicious now. "Everywhere I go, I meet interesting people. And you two are quite an intriguing pair."
Kuroko's lips twitched slightly, but she said nothing, her eyes remaining narrowed.
Misaka sighed a deep, near exhausted sound, her eyes closed in quiet resignation. "I can't believe I just rode the entire bus ride with her." She sighed again, her eyes fluttering open to watch the bathroom door sway gently in the breeze.
Misaka's thoughts drifted back to the moments on the bus. The way Misaki's eyes sparkled with relentless energy, the way her voice commanded attention, and the way she seemed to effortlessly weave the two groups of friends into her orbit.
She has no qualms against the blond, but the two have always been rivals within Tokiwadai. She sat on her bed, a soft rustle as she adjusted the sheets. L
The door creaked open, and Kuroko slipped out of the bathroom, her hair still slightly damp. "Aren't you gonna shower?"
"I'm not really up for it right now," she replied, her voice soft and contemplative. "I've had too much drama today already."
Kuroko raised an eyebrow, moving closer to her own bed. "You're not taking a shower because you had too much drama?"
Misaka flinched. "I-if you put it that way... It... umm..." Misaka's voice trailed off as she searched for the right words. She settled for a simple, sheepish shrug. "I guess I just don't feel like it right now."
They were quiet after that, with Kuroko busy with her hair, her fingers deftly weaving a pattern through her tangled locks. Misaka sat cross-legged on her bed, leaning against the wall with her pillow tucked under her chin.
Eventually, the chestnut haired girl started yawning. Kuroko yawned too, her eyes half-closed as she finished her hair. "I guess it's been a long day," she said, stretching her arms above her head. "I'm not even sure why I'm still awake."
Misaka nodded, her eyes drifting closed for a moment before fluttering open. "I guess we're all just hanging on by a thread," she said, her voice soft and almost melancholic. "It's always like this when we're with him, isn't it? Too much drama, too much tension."
Kuroko chuckled, a wry and tired sound. "I wouldn't say that, but... it's true that things tend to get complicated whenever he's around." She lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. "But maybe that's just the way it is with him."
Misaka sighed, her eyes gazing at the delicate patterns on the wallpaper. "I don't know how he manages to do that. One minute, calm and collected, and the next, that chaos."
They both lay there, wrapped in the silence of the room, the soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional drip of the faucet the only sound breaking the stillness. The rain had let up, but the remnants of the storm still cast an eerie gloom over the building.
Kuroko's eyes flickered open, catching the faint light from the streetlamps filtering through the blinds. "Do you remember when you first met him?"
Misaka nods. "I was... 11? It was far from pleasant." The girl paused at that, turning to meet Kuroko's curious gaze. "He ran onto me. Well, more like I ran onto him, actually. But still, he didn't even apologize!"
Kuroko's lips curled into a faint smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "He must've been different back then. That doesn't sound like him. I think?"
Misaka's eyes softened with nostalgia and a touch of irritation. "Yeah, it was like he was the only person in the world at that moment. I was so angry too." She continued, "Things have changed a lot since then, of course. He's become a lot more considerate. But sometimes, old habits die hard."
Kuroko nodded thoughtfully, her fingers still playing with the ends of her hair. "It's funny... I remember the first time I met him too." She paused, her eyes distant as she replayed the memory.
Kuroko's lips curled into a faint, almost wistful smile as she recalled the day she first met Hirano. "He was so calm and collected. It seemed like he had everything under control. I genuinely thought he was a God-Prince."
"God-Prince?" Misaka's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"I was 7, okay? We were in primary school." Kuroko chuckled, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "He was so mysterious back then, with his calm demeanor and those piercing eyes. Even granted me a wish. I admired him, even back then."
Misaka's lips curled into a smile. " "That's a pretty vivid memory for a 7-year-old." Her tone was teasing yet fond.
Kuroko's eyes softened, a faraway look in her gaze. "I guess I just wanted to believe in someone who seemed so perfect. I guess it's the same with him, always holding our hopes in his hands. Even if it's complicated, he's always been someone I just want to rely on."
Misaka giggled. "What Ruiko said was true then, you do have a lot of chemistry with him. Maybe more than you realize."
Kuroko froze at that. She looked away from her roommate. She was quiet all of a sudden, as if anything that she was gonna say was subsequently nullified by Misaka's words.
Nothing left was said after that, Kuroko just wants to sleep. She closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh, a wave of exhaustion washing over her. Sleep, however, proved elusive. Her mind kept drifting back to her conversation with Misaka, the words replaying in her head like a broken record.
Dinner at home with his guardian, as per usual,was a time to unwind and forget the complexities of the day. The table was set with care, each dish carefully prepared to create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort.
Aiho and Kikyou, Hirano's guardian, sat across from him, their faces serene despite the evening's quiet. The setting sun cast a gentle glow through the window, creating a soft, golden light that seemed to envelop the room in tranquility.
Hirano's thoughts lingered in the conversation from several hours back, but he had to push them aside as he sat at the dinner table. The meal was a traditional Japanese spread, with delicate rice, steaming vegetables, and a variety of small dishes that promised flavor and warmth. The familiar sounds of clinking utensils and the aroma of cooked food filled the room.
"Did you have a good day?" Aiho asked, breaking the silence first. Her voice was gentle, carrying a note of genuine interest.
Hirano nodded, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "It was nice," he said, his tone casual. "Met with people, some of whom I haven't seen in a long time." He paused, savoring the food in his mouth before continuing, "It's funny, seeing them again makes me realize how much things have changed."
Kikyou, with her usual composed demeanor, leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. "Is that so?" she replied. "It's always interesting to see how people grow over time. How have they changed?"
The white haired boy thought for a second. "Kuroko's a bit... quiet. Everyone else is just the same, I suppose."
Aiho's eyes were filled with interest as she leaned forward slightly, her fork hovering over her plate. "Quiet, huh? That's quite the change. What's behind that?"
Hirano's gaze shifted to the window, where the twilight sky was gradually darkening. "I don't know yet. We haven't talked much."
Aiho's eyes softened, and she gently set her fork down. "It's always a bit difficult when people change. I suppose it's natural, but it can be hard to adapt."
Kikyou nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Sometimes, people change because circumstances force them to, or sometimes they find themselves through experiences. It's intriguing that you're still meeting them and trying to reconnect."
"Circumstances, huh..." Hirano's voice trailed off as he considered Kikyou's words. The table fell silent, the clinking of silverware and the occasional hum of a distant car breaking the quiet.
Aiho's gentle smile was comforting, but he could see a flicker of concern in her eyes. Then his expression suddenly darkened.
"She was wearing Tokiwadai's uniform," That sentence alone should be enough to cause a celebration of some sort, knowing that the school is one of the most prestigious in the city. "I could vividly recall her saying that her parents would leave again once she was old enough to take care of herself."
The ambiance in the room shifted, and a quiet tension filled the space. Hirano's guardian, Aiho, leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "That's quite a revelation." Her voice was even, but there was a note of curiosity and concern.
Kikyou, always the voice of reason, nodded slowly. "It sounds like you've been kept in the dark about her life. Has she mentioned her parents or the circumstances surrounding their absence?"
"It's work, I suppose."
"Hmmm, rich kids," Aiho's voice was calm, but the mention of wealth and privilege brought a flicker of understanding to her eyes. "Well, it's not uncommon for people from that background to have complex relationships with their parents. It doesn't necessarily mean she holds any resentment; perhaps she's just more aware of the world's expectations."
Hirano's eyes reflected the dim glow of the table lamp, the flickering light casting shadows across his face. "I never really thought about the specifics of her situation."
Kikyou's eyes softened as she watched Hirano. "It's understandable," she said gently. "You haven't even seen the girl for 2 years. You can't know everything about her out of the blue. The only thing you can do now is to reconnect and see how things have changed for her."
Hirano nodded slowly, absorbing her words. The tension in the room began to dissipate, replaced by a calming sense of understanding.
Just as he was about to reply, a soft knock on the door abruptly interrupted the moment, ending the comforting atmosphere of the dinner table. Hirano's eyes flickered towards the door.
No words spoken, he just got up and went straight for it. He peeked through the peephole and was surprised to see that nothing was visible through the lens.
"Nobody. Pranksters, maybe." He was just about to leave the door when another knock was heard. This time, he huffed.
He opened it and peeked through. What he saw was, to say the least, unexpected to the fullest. Standing on the other side of the door was Misaka. But younger.
He could recall this version of her 2 years back. Misaka's eyes, full of curiosity and mischief, sparkled as she looked up at Hirano. Her chestnut brown hair fell loose, framing her delicate features. She was dressed in nothing but a blanket.
"Ah, It's you! Says Misaka as Misaka hops around in delight!"
New shit next week, I suppose!