Chapter Text
*First year, before the Sports Festival*
“Shirakumo!”
Me, Hizashi, and Oboro look up at our teacher.
“Yes, Sensei?”
“You have a phone call in the principal’s office!”
Oboro gives our teacher a salute before racing out the door.
“What do you think that’s about? You think his mom’s okay?” Hizashi attempts to whisper.
“I don’t know, but it’s none of our business.”
“Come on, Shota! He’s our friend! Of course it’s our business!”
“No it’s not! Now shut up and finish your paper or I won’t help you with the homework after class.” I hiss at Hizashi before returning my focus to my own math work.
“Fine.” Hizashi pouts but does what I told him to. It does pay to be the brains of the group sometimes.
It’s half an hour later when Oboro finally gets back. He’s oddly quiet as he sits back down in his seat next to Hizashi.
“Hey man, are you good?” Hizashi’s failed attempt at a whisper can be heard by most of our classmates.
“What? Oh yeah! I’m fine!” Oboro smiles, but it doesn’t really reach his eyes as he rubs the back of his neck. “Just some family stuff. It’s no big deal.”
“Okay. If you’re sure…” I manage to keep my voice down, but fail to keep the disbelief out of my tone.
“Don’t worry about it, guys! What did you guys get for number 17?”
We continue with class, but I can’t help but notice the way Oboro’s eyes find the clock every few minutes. Or how he doesn’t seem to hear a single word the teacher says. Or how my normally talkative friend doesn’t say a word before leaving the moment the bell rings.
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*First Year, at the Sports Festival*
As our first Sports Festival comes to a close, everyone is wandering around chatting or finding their families. Everywhere you look there are parents congratulating their students or encouraging them to do better next year. It’s an overall positive atmosphere. Lots of people all crowded together talking and laughing. I hate it.
I start making my way towards the exit, intending to just meet my parents outside, when Hizashi comes out of nowhere and leaps onto my back.
“SHOTA! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! OUR FIRST SPORTS FESTIVAL IS ALREADY OVER!!”
“Hizashi! Shut up! You’re going to burst my eardrums! And get off me!” I try to shake him off, but it’s hopeless. I’m stuck.
“Ha ha, whatever, Shota! Where’s Oboro? I can’t find him anywhere!”
“He’s probably with his mom.” I start trying to walk, Hizashi’s feet dragging behind us as he uses me for transportation. “Would you get off me now? I’m trying to get out of here and I don’t feel like carrying you around like an oversized backpack.”
“Promise to help me find Oboro and I will! I want us to get a picture together to celebrate!”
“Whatever, just get off.” Hizashi loosens his grip just enough for me to rip his hands from my neck and drop him to the ground. It doesn’t phase him for too long before he just pops right back up with a laugh.
We finally make it outside where there are arguably more people, but there’s also more space, so it doesn’t feel as crowded. Hizashi and I scan the crowd for our friend. I’m looking over towards the food stations when Hizashi nudges my side with his elbow.
“Look, over there! I found him!” I look where Hizashi is pointing to see a distinctive fluff of light blue hair. Oboro is standing with his mom on the far side of the grounds, in an area with the least amount of people. She has one hand on his shoulder as she smiles at him, I assume she is congratulating him on making it to the finals. What’s more interesting is what’s in her other arm. It looks like she’s holding…
“Is his mom holding a baby? I didn’t know Oboro had a sibling.” Even from this distance, it’s easy to see the small child asleep on her shoulder. “Let’s go meET THEM!”
I grab Hizashi before he can sprint off. “If we do, you have to keep your voice down!” I sternly warn him. I don’t know much about little kids or babies, but I do know they aren’t big fans of loud noises. And my best friend is about the loudest thing around for miles.
He nods eagerly at me and I let him go. We start making our way over, bumping into people and losing sight of Oboro and his mom several times. As we get closer to Oboro and his mother, I can tell they are having a serious discussion. But, before I can grab Hizashi and warn him that maybe we shouldn’t interrupt them, there’s a break in the crowd and he sprints the rest of the way with me on his heels.
“Oboro! Ms. Shirakumo! Hey!” The poor woman startles at the greeting, but still smiles at Hizashi as if he hadn’t just rudely interrupted her.
“Why hello there! You must be Yamada. Oboro has told me so much about you! And you must be Aizawa.” She turns to greet me as I finally catch up to them. “I’m so glad I finally get to meet you both. I hear you are both such good friends to my boy, keeping him out of trouble and focused on his studies.”
“Nah, that’s just Shota. He keeps us both in line. Right, Shota? He’s the responsible one. Always sweating the small stuff for us.” Hizashi just laughs and chats with Ms. Shirakumo. I hang back and study my other friend’s face. He doesn’t look upset, so much as he looks kind of awkward and uncomfortable. He notices me watching him and grins at me.
“Hey Oboro! I didn’t know you had a baby sister!” Hizashi turns to our mutual friend. Oboro’s grin drops slightly, becoming more of a half-smile, as he brings his hand up to rub the back of his neck.
“Well, um, heh, about that…”
The little girl in his mother’s arms chooses this moment to wake up. The pale blue tufts of hair are wild from sleep, a small pink clip on bow hanging on by a few strands. She rubs her wide blue eyes with her tiny fists as she looks around her. She begins babbling and reaching for Oboro, who effortlessly takes her in his arms like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Then he turns back to me and Hizashi.
“Guys, meet Aomi. My daughter.”