Chapter Text
Sako tried to not compress that child right then and there.
He was the same one from the camp raid because of course he is. Foiled his grand escape and if it weren't for Dabi, they wouldn’t have gotten anything done. He was certain this boy had an idea about who he was, if he knew fully he would have from him on the spot. Sako suspected that Fuyumi didn’t have a clue, which he was grateful for.
She was such wonderful company and he adored how flustered she got when she slipped up in some way. But her brother was not on his good side, and he was positive Shoto was dreaming of his head in a casket. Fuyumi, the kind soul, walked between the two, chatting away and engaging both of the men.
“I’ve met Burnin’ once or twice, but I didn’t think she’d be that brave! Can you believe it, Shoto?” She elbowed his side.
“Sounds crazy.” He answered, still fixing calculating looks at Sako, who pretended to not have a clue. Fuyumi tapped Sako’s arm as they turned a block and Shoto glanced at his phone.
“Sako, I forgot to ask, what do you do? You said you weren’t a hero, but you still saved the day back at the park.” She said, not even realizing that he had winced at the mention of his job. Shoto saw this and narrowed his eyes.
“I’m a designer,” he lied smoothly. He wasn’t about to say he did magic tricks because that would have blown his cover off immediately. And he wasn’t stupid enough to reveal his identity. He worked too hard to keep his face concealed no matter the cost, unlike his comrades who walked with their names and faces on their sleeves.
“Huh.” Shoto commented which only grew his desire to put that child in his place. (That place being his coat pocket.) Fuyumi brightened, however.
“So that explains the fancy clothes! It makes sense now.” She tiredly hummed to herself. “In case you couldn’t tell, I’m a teacher.” Sako pretended to be shocked for her amusement and put his robotic hand over his chest.
“I had no idea!”
“But you did, she told me.” Shoto interrupted, breaking Sako’s act and drawing the woman’s attention away. He did his very best to not make a face.
“You’re right, it was only a joke, young Todoroki.”
The two men glared at each other for a solid few seconds, the tension could be cut with a knife. Sako’s patience was wearing thin with this boy and it made him want to snatch him up and throw him into the gutters. Fuyumi cleared her throat awkwardly and piped up.
“Uh, look! We’re close, right Shoto?” She asked and pointed towards a small pale gray building. The wannabe brat nodded and stepped over a rock.
“It’s there. I have enough yen for all of you.” He told her and she waved him off.
“Please, I can pay! It’s only fair, and besides, I’m not making a teenager pay for two adults.” She smiled at him kindly. That smile soon dropped when Shoto spoke his next sentence.
“I never said I would pay for Sako.”
Atsuhiro was patient, he would say. Patient when the League took their time to avenge his arm and put that bird-faced yakuza in his place, or patient when his father kicked him out of his home. Yet something. Something about this situation, Sako attempting to get to know a gorgeous and kind woman while her younger brother mocked him made his blood boil. Fuyumi frowned at the two-toned boy and then apologetically grimaced at Sako.
“So sorry for him, I’ll pay.” His fingers ghosted over hers briefly and his lungs almost forgot to breathe. And just with one touch, his anger dissipated into mild annoyance.
“Why, you are too kind, starlet.” He searched for her hand to fully grasp and he put her knuckles up to his lips and kissed them. She blushed furiously while Shoto just looked furious. He dropped her hand and winked at the still flustered woman. She fixed her glasses' angle and touched her cheek.
“Aha, right, uh, look! We’re here,” she swiftly switched gears after noticing her brother’s shoulder was steaming. Sako wanted to laugh and bow for his performance, rub salt into the already stinging wound. Yet he stayed quiet and only offered a tiny smug grin.
“I’m getting cold soba.” The younger Todoroki walked past the two other party members and opened the glass door. Sako raised his eyebrow and Fuyumi sighed.
“Long story.”
The emporium was small, if it could even be called an emporium. It had white walls and sleek marble floors that made his boots click when he stepped. His mouth watered when the scent of shrimp hit his nostrils and he pictured the delectable noodles that would await the three.
“Nice, isn’t it? I’ve only been here once but I’ve heard good things!” Fuyumi said, closing her eyes and inhaling. “Mmm. I’m getting Udon,” she called to Shoto who had already begun to order.
This teeanger. He’d seen the boy in action, he knew what he was capable of; he could freeze Sako on the spot and then leave him to the palms of mother nature. But as always, the villain Mr. Compress was just a step ahead. It wouldn’t be very kind if he tried to murder an innocent civillian, much less the man his sister was (possibly?) interested in. Not very heroic.
“Want anything?” Shoto asked. Sako realized only then that he had been spacing off.
“I’ll have what she’s having,” he decided. Safe bet, perhaps, it only seemed to make Shoto trust him less and Fuyumi like him more.
“Shoto, you can start, I’ll find us a seat.” Fuyumi said and waved for Sako to follow her. He did so and zigzagged between tables. She found a nice spot in the corner where it was warm and bright. She sat down, blinking the sun out of her eyes.
“Not a fan of heat, are we?” He teased, slipping next to her. She turned her body to face him and held up her hand to block the sun.
“No, not really, I just chose this area because I wasn’t sure what you liked,” she said.
Sako was so blown away by her honesty, her kindness. How could a human be so considerate? He was a scoundrel and she was a synonym for ‘good’. He wanted to know if she would act the same if she knew who he was. The heaviness that arrived with how the scenario would play out weighed on his consciousness. Surely not. He wanted her to know him as Atsuhiro, not Mr. Compress. Was that so bad? In hindsight, most likely.
“You’re a generous soul, darling.” He had an idea pop in his head. Risky, but worth it in the long run. He locked eyes with her, grey irises blinking back with anticipation. He slowly, carefully, dragged his gloved hand over hers. Even with the extra layer of cloth, he felt her frosty touch through the fabric. Fascinating, he thought. His heart was beating much too fast for his liking from a simple gesture like this.
A moment passed and she slid her fingers in the space between his. He was holding hands with Fuyumi Todoroki. My, what a day this was. They didn’t break contact, she bit the inside of her cheek and he fought off all the butterflies in his stomach. How easy it would be to kiss her. Sako’s cheeks heated. Where had that thought come from? He didn’t know if they were even considered friends, he only thought she was beautiful and kind.
…So maybe he liked her. Just a little bit, nothing huge enough to make him walk around like a mindless moron thirsting after a girl. He was a gentleman, living proof chivalry wasn’t dead. His top suddenly felt much too hot for him as soon as Shoto returned with three bowls of soba.
“I’m back, here,” he set the bowls down in front of them. Sako’s hunger grew as he saw the steaming pot of noodles before him, he was about to pick up his chopsticks before remembering he had his hand in Fuyumi’s. It had been so natural he forgot.
She appeared to be having the same conundrum and she gave him a pleading look. He understood, be quiet. Shoto may seem like a robot but he was deadly. He very reluctantly drew his hand away and took his chopsticks as he dug in, satisfied with his meal.
His glove was still cold when he touched the hot bowl.
---
The sky had grown darker since they arrived, the three finished a half an hour before they left. Surprisingly, Sako and Shoto had a few not awful conversations. Shoto asked questions, Sako answered. Most were about his job and hobbies, which he deflected with lies again. Fuyumi was almost brought to tears at the sight of them getting along.
When they paid (that was why they left so late, the argument of generosity) and left, Sako found himself enjoying the rest of the evening. He opened the door for Fuyumi and she snort-laughed, followed by a curtsey. He also left the door open for Shoto who breezed past him wordlessly. Once he was next to Fuyumi, his stress lowered.
“Cold soba, eh?” Sako murmured. Fuyumi clicked her tongue as confirmation.
“Like I said, long, complicated story. Anyways!” She touched his forearm sweetly, jostling him in excitement. “Thank you so much for joining us,” she beamed and stood up on her toes to reach his height. She struggled to meet his cheek but did, and pecked it lightly. Sako’s entire body skidded to a halt, his nerves short circuited and his face flushed heavily. Oh. This was...new. He swallowed thickly and tried for a smile.
“It was all my pleasure, my dearest.” He bent down to her and kissed her cheek back, positive his knees were wobbling. Blood rushed and his pulse beat in his ears as he pulled away. She bit her lip, just as flustered as he. She was something else, something great.
“I’d love to hang out with you again, Sako.” She fumbled for words, and frankly he almost did too, yet he kept his suave composure.
“Call me Atsuhiro,” he insisted. She blinked once and then grinned.
“Atsuhiro.” She whispered his name like a prayer and it sent shivers down his spine. “I’m still Fuyumi, but you can call me whatever you want.” He mischievously covered his mouth, taking his chance once more.
“Starlet, dearest, darling?” He purred, earning a squeak from her. She swatted him away and put her fingers on her cheek.
“Oh, stop it!”
“Yeah, please stop it.” Shoto agreed.
The two jumped away from each other as soon as he spoke up. Shoto’s face was the perfect example of a boy who’d just walked in on Santa kissing his mom. Or in his case, a villain kissing his sister. Sako cleared his throat and bowed to the boy.
“Apologies. I do hope I can meet you again soon, Shoto.” He lied. Shoto pressed his lips into a thin line.
“Likewise.” He said back. A challenge. Sako turned back to Fuyumi and rustled through his pocket to take out a slip of paper.
“Here, it’s my number.” He explained. She took it, looking it over and typing it in her contacts, then she handed it back.
“I’ll text you to show it’s me when I get back home, okay?” She promised and Sako nodded.
“I await your reply.” And with that, he gave one last final act and vanished.
Was it a first date? He pondered as he slipped into an alleyway. Not really because her brother was there, and he sort of barged in. How crude of him. Maybe they could go to a library or go for coffee. He was alright with anything they did, as long as her smile remained and her hand was in his. Sako slunk back into the shadows.