Hibari hadn't shown up to school for a whole week. A whole week.
At first, no one dared to say anything, but as the days stretched on, even the bravest students started whispering. Dino, meanwhile, had been quietly losing his mind. It wasn't like Hibari Kyoya to just disappear. He was Namimori. Without him, the whole atmosphere felt wrong, tilted.
So when Hibari finally walked through the school gates one bright morning—bag slung lazily over his shoulder, expression unreadable but somehow lighter—Dino nearly collapsed from relief.
He didn't waste a second. Practically barreling toward him, Dino asked, "Where have you been?!"
Hibari just shrugged, as if he'd only missed a single class. "England," he said casually. "Holiday. With my parents."
Dino blinked. "Holiday?"
Parents???
It struck him then—right, Hibari was someone's child. It just… never came up. And a holiday? A proper family vacation?
He stared, mouth a little open. He'd imagined Hibari's parents as... maybe ghosts. Or statues. Definitely not the kind who took their son on vacations.
But Hibari seemed—good. His posture was relaxed, the usual sharpness in his gaze softened a little.
"I haven't seen them in a while," Hibari added, voice low but oddly fond. "They're always abroad. It was good."
Dino found himself smiling without meaning to.
"I'm glad," he said, and he meant it.