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When Tomura gets back into his room, the boy collapses onto his bed and worms under the covers. It was another day of pain training. The boy shivers.
Before he can completely wrap himself under his blankets and pass out he notices Kurogiri has not left yet. After walking Tomura back to his room usually the man leaves wordlessly.
Shigaraki stares at him from under his cloak of blankets. The mist man holds his gaze before stepping forward and sitting on the edge of the bed next to the child.
“Young man.” He calls and reaches his hand out to the boy before continuing, “Do you know what today is?”
He tenses up. No, he doesn’t know what today is. Is he supposed to? Will he be in trouble is he doesn’t know?
Kurogiri has never been a tester to quiz Tomura though and he’s never been quizzed in his own room. It’s usually Master himself and in one of the testing room. Feeling safe enough to believe this isn’t a quiz and he won’t be punished, Tomura shakes his head ‘no’.
“I thought as much.” The misted hand pats down softly on Tomura’s head. The boy smiles widely and leans up into the touch. He is usually pat by Master when approves of Tomura’s work or to console him slightly.
Kurogiri’s pats are always feels cold, light and almost empty. Like there is nothing there at all. A pat from Kurogiri is rare so Tomura naturally warms up and likes them. He trusts Kurogiri.
“What is today then?” Shigaraki speaks under the arm of his...his caretaker? What is Kurogiri to Tomura?
“Your birthday, Tomura Shigaraki.” Kurogiri interrupts his thoughts.
His...birthday? Birthday...Birthday! He remembers what that is! Tomura has been doing well so Master gave him a movie! He usually always watched it alone but when Kurogiri started to watch over him the boy had asked the mist man about a scene that always eluded him,
“What’s a birthday?” He asks over the characters in the movie singing. This causes the adult to look at him slowly.
Tomura shrinks under the gaze. He’s only known Kurogiri for a few days and he’s unsure of the man. Master had brought him in and said that Kurogiri would take care of him from now on. The man was eerily quiet and always seemed to be thinking. It really threw Tomura off.
“What?” Shigaraki asks nervously as he starts to scratch at his neck.
“How old are you, Tomura Shigaraki?” The man asks simply. He blinks before counting on his hand, Tomura has been with Master for six years.The earliest he can remember is telling Master he was four. How did Tomura even know that? Never mind that, four plus the six years.
“Ten.” He says putting his hand down from counting. Kurogiri observes him.
“That took a while. Did you just count the actual years?” Kurogiri asks shifting closer to the boy.
“Yes. Is there another way to do it?” Tomura asks with a tilt of his head, fringe moving out of the way of his piercing crimson eyes.
“Usually people count their age by using the day they were born and changing their age then.” Kurogiri explains.
Two things click in Tomura’s head.
Day they were born.
Birthday.
“So, someone’s ‘birthday’ is the day they were born?” He asks with wide curious eyes.
A deep chuckle resounds between them. “Yes. Very good.” The man praises.
Tomura remembers smiling so wide his cheeks hurt. He liked Kurogiri’s laugh and he liked being praised even more.
“So, today is a birthday...” Tomura guesses from where the conversation was headed.
“Indeed. Congratulations. Today is your 10th birthday, Tomura Shigaraki.” The words soft and warm contrasted the void of Kurogiri’s face but Shigaraki liked both.
“Can I have cake?” He asks probably just a bit too loud and excited. The movie said cake was really good! He wants to try!
“No, not this year but I do have something else instead.” The man says as moves he reaches into his nice pants. “I will talk to the Master about a cake next year.”
Tomura pouts disappointed but leans into Kurogiri’s space curious to what could be as satisfactory as a cake.
The man pulls out three brightly wrapped oval shaped...things. The wrappers are decorated with bright red with dots of gold and a solid green top. He gently takes Tomura’s hand and places them in the boy’s palm.
“These are candy. Now, there are many types of candy but these ones were the easiest to acquire that I thought you would like.” The man continues.
Tomura’s smile widens and looks back up at the man. Not only is Kurogiri giving him something new but he wanted Shigaraki to like it. It’s really nice! “Thank you!” He chirps and looks down, “Um, So, what are they? I know. Candy but...what’s candy?”
Kurogiri seems to take a second, Shigaraki has learned this means that the mist man is surprised because the man usually is very quick to assure and teach Tomura.
“Food. A sweet food. You take the wrapper off and put in in your mouth. It should dissolve slowly on your tongue and there’s a jelly like filling in the middle. Do not swallow it whole.” The mist man answers slowly.
Tomura places two of the candies down keeping one in his grasp. He does as Kurogiri said and takes off the wrapper. He drops the candy into his mouth and is immediately assaulted with flavor.
He looks up to Kurogiri with wide eyes. It tastes good! It’s so sweet and it tastes like a strawberry! The boy giggles around the treat.
“Happy birthday, Tomura Shigaraki.” Tomura can’t see it but he knows Kurogiri is smiling as well.