Chapter Text
Fuyumi was still dazed about the experience she’d had three weeks ago. It was like her life was being pulled out of a fairytale she would read to her students. A handsome, charming, kind young man flirts with her and he’s good with the children? What’s next, she wins the lottery?
The interaction lingered in her brain for days on end, heart skipping whenever she thought of his eyes. It was one time, yes, but he had hoped to see her again, right? She wished she had exchanged numbers with him, or at least gotten more time to talk to him.
Something about him made her want to know more, she was drawn to the mystery shrouding him. And he’d called her a lovely lady! She’s only been called lovely by adults who knew her father and wanted to get on his good side, they never meant it. This stranger, Sako, did.
She laid daydreaming on her couch with her hand on her mouth. She wanted to see him again and wanted him to hold her hand like before. Was that creepy? Was she delusional, or did she see him blush a few times?
Her phone buzzed beside her, rudely cutting though her thoughts and she begrudgingly picked it up to see who was calling. She answered and put the speaker up to her ear.
“Hey.” Shoto’s voice said on the other end. Fuyumi jumped up and her sisterly instincts kicked in.
“Shoto? How are you? Is everything okay? Are you in trouble?” She asked, her questions and worries bundled into one.
“No, I wanted to say hello,” her little brother said blankly. Oh. She sat back down and melted back into her cushions even though her fear still stirred.
“I have school off now, I can meet up somewhere if you want.” He offered.
“But what about dad?” She asked quietly, hesitant to bring up him over the phone while Shoto was most definitely in the house with him. She heard rustling on the other end.
“The old man is busy with the divorce papers.” He deadpanned. Faintly, she heard Shoto’s name being roared. Yes, he was in the room with their dad. Fuyumi repressed a laugh and she sighed.
“Alright, then, I can meet at a noodle place near by my apartment in an hour, how does that sound?” She suggested. “You can get soba,” she added.
“I’ll see you.” Shoto said and hung up. Fuyumi laughed softly and slipped her device back into her pocket. She wished she could’ve been there to see him, he’s grown so much since he went to U.A.
She searched her apartment for a wad of yen and ended up finding some in her dresser, slinging a purse over her back and stuffing her belongings in. She really hoped she had enough for both her and Shoto, how embarrassing it would be if she had to make her little brother pay.
After some time of walking, she spotted the shop and broke into a light jog. Happiness buzzed inside her as she ran, she missed spending time with her brothers. Natsuo had college and Shoto had hero work so they were both constantly busy. It wasn’t like she wasn’t occupied, too, she was a teacher. She had a job to keep, yet she still managed to find some time here and there. Like now, she was going to see Shoto-
Amidst her thoughts, she hadn’t even noticed she ran into someone. She gasped as the stranger fell to the ground. Panic made her crouch down and link her arms around theirs.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t pay attention, here, let me…” Fuyumi saw the face of the poor person who’d fallen victim to her spaciness and her chest tightened.
“Sako?” She asked in shock. He got up fully, blinked and smiled.
“Ms. Fuyumi, what a pleasure to see you again!” He said warmly. She let go of his arms.
“I’m so sorry I bumped into you.” She apologized, Sako laughed, elegant and boisterous. Like a prince, she noted. He dusted himself off and looked down at her kindly.
“Please, there’s no need. Though I have to ask, what were you doing that made you run so fast?” He questioned, curiosity twinkling in her gaze. She cleared her throat and rubbed the back of her neck.
“Uh, I was meeting someone I hadn’t seen in a long time, what about you?” She replied. Sako closed his eyes briefly and hummed.
“I was just coming back from an errand, my dear.” He explained, she tried not to turn as red as his suspenders at the name.
“I kinda thought I wouldn’t see you again.” She said bashfully. Sako waved his fingers in the air and gracefully extended his arm.
“Fate must’ve played it’s tricks again, it wanted us to meet once more.” He paused. “In a less crowded area, of course, those children tried to eat a bird, if I recall.” Fuyumi snorted good naturedly, remembering how one of her students unhinged his jaw and tried to devour the poor dizzy bird.
“No birds, this time,” she nodded.
“Fuyumi.” A calm voice spoke behind her. She turned around, seeing her brother. She smiled at the dual-colored boy and wrapped him in a hug. He patted her back to reciprocate.
“I’m so happy to see you!” She squished him one last time before and finally let go. He looked over at Sako, who fidgeted uncomfortably. Nerves? She wondered.
“Who’s that,” Shoto pointed at Sako. Fuyumi stepped aside and gestured to the taller man.
“Sako, meet my brother, Shoto. Shoto, this is-”
“Your boyfriend?” Her brother commented. Sako’s ears flushed a deep pink and he coughed whilst Fuyumi shook her head frantically and held her hands up.
“Nonono, he- he’s not my boyfriend, he’s my friend!” She cried out, a little too loudly. Shoto was unfazed and he only gave a little ‘my bad’. Sako tried to change the subject, and took the teenager’s hand and shook it firmly.
“Honored to meet you.” His eyes didn’t match his smile, instead some sort of fear flashed across his face very briefly. He’s intimated, Fuyumi thought. Shoto caught it too because he roved over Sako’s face.
“Have we met?” He asked. Sako laughed again, not as light as it was when he was just with her.
“I highly doubt we have young Todoroki. I’ve seen you on TV, but you have never seen me. I’m merely a background character.” He insisted. Fuyumi felt tension in the air so she smiled and looked between the two men.
“Shoto and I were going to get lunch, wanna come?” She offered. Sako’s shoulders relaxed and he pondered it.
“Mmm, I wouldn’t want to invade a family matter, it’s none of my business.” He held a hand to his chest.
“No, join us. I don’t know a lot of Fuyumi’s friends so I’d like to get to know you better.” He stated with a hint of suspicion in his tone. The woman beamed and gave her brother another hug.
“Oh Shoto, you’ve come so far! We’d love to have you here, Sako, if you’ll join us?” The magician seemed to be thinking hard about this, he furrowed his brow and then gave in and set his hand on Fuyumi’s shoulder.
“If it’s no trouble.” He said at last, Fuyumi adjusted her glasses and hugged him too. This caught all of them by surprise, especially Sako. He was warm and lanky in contrast to her curvy and cold. He smelled of the stage, of lights and roses. Some part of her wanted to stay like that. He stood speechless for a moment as she let go.
“Sorry, I should’ve asked. I’ve only known you for a little while, please forgive me.” She muttered as Sako exhaled quietly.
“It’s quite alright, I don’t mind at all.” He reassured her. Shoto stared quietly at the two and pulled his phone out. He typed something in and slid it back into his bag.
“Anyways. I know a place. Do you like soba?” He asked Sako, who made a ‘sort of’ gesture. Shoto made a hum of affirmation and hoisted his bag up.
“That’ll do, follow me.”