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“Yo!” Hizashi flung the door to the roof of UA open, grinning widely.
“Hey, mouth man! Where have you been?” Oboro said through a mouthful of sushi he’d just taken a bite of.
“Ew close your mouth, Oboro.” Shouta made a disgusted look, backing away from the chunks flying out Oboro’s mouth as he talked.
“Hey hey hey, focus guys!” Hizashi stepped out in front of the two who were sitting against the wall by the door. “Guess who got a girlfriend?” He exclaimed proudly, throwing his hands out to the side.
Those words made Shouta’s heart squeeze painfully. He’d had a crush on Hizashi since they were first years, begrudgingly enough. He hated feeling this way, it was so irrational. Hizashi was loud, talkative, invasive, everything Shouta claimed to hate, did hate, but for some illogical reason, Hizashi had wormed his way into his heart and wouldn’t get out.
“Another one? Jeez Hizashi.” Oboro said after he finished swallowing.
“Can’t help that I’ve got what the ladies want!”
“And the gentlemen.” Nemuri appeared behind Hizashi. Shouta choked on his mouthful of rice at the comment. Damn Nemuri, she knew Shouta had a crush on Hizashi.
“Huh? Whaddya mean?” He turned his head to glance at her, arms still hovering out.
“Oh nothing. Just saying you’ve got what the boys want, too.” She discreetly glanced at Shouta who was still recovering from choking on his rice, shooting daggers at her.
“Hah! No boys have a crush on me! And even if they did, I’m afraid the only boy I can allow my heart to is Shou.” Hizashi sighed dramatically, turning and waggling his eyebrows at Shouta suggestively.
And Shouta nearly died. He coughed violently, rice flying out his mouth as he tried to catch his breath.
“Dude breathe!” Oboro said half jokingly half concerned, slapping his hand into Shouta’s back.
Shouta let out a few final coughs before catching his breath, hoping he could blame the way his face burned red on the lack of oxygen and not the way his heart raced at what Hizashi said.
“Woah, Shou! Guess I left you breathless, huh?” Hizashi winked before laughing his loud, bright laugh that made Shouta’s heart stutter. God damn it, Hizashi was going to kill him.
“So who’s the new one week wonder, Zash?” Oboro said, smirking.
Hizashi made an an offended noise. “She’s not a ‘one week wonder’, asshat. It’s Kanae Aori from class 2B! She asked me out earlier, that’s why I was late here.” Hizashi smiled proudly.
Shouta couldn’t even be mad, honestly. Kanae was smart, pretty, powerful, and her quirk was badass. Her quirk could actually help people unlike his erasure. But still he couldn’t help but feel some animosity towards Kanae, for being able to live the reality of what Shouta could only dream of.
“Kanae wanted to date you?” Oboro snickered.
“Yes she wanted to date me! What’s wrong with dating me.” Hizashi smacked his arm, smiling.
“I’d say Hizashi’s quite a good candidate. Wouldn’t you agree, Shou?” Nemuri coyly smirked while turning her attention to Shouta, who’d been trying to disassociate from this entire conversation. He didn’t need to hear how wonderful and amazing Hizashi’s partner was; something he couldn’t be.
“Why’re you asking me? I don’t care about dating. It’s irrational.” Didn’t care about dating anyone but Hizashi that is, but no one else had to know about those irrational feelings that swirled in his heart and stomach.
Nemuri hummed in return before Hizashi and Oboro continued their previous conversation and banter about Hizashi’s frequently changing love life.
***
Shouta fell back onto his bed after his shower, his damp black hair sprawling out like a mini void. With how busy he is between assignments, hero training, and his extra practice with his capture weapon after school, he hardly had any time to think about things that weren’t important in the moment. But lying in his bed with silence shrouding the room, his mind started to wander. To Hizashi that is. Specifically how he had gotten yet another girlfriend. For the past few months, Hizashi would have a new girlfriend every couple weeks, if even that long. And every time, it made Shouta’s heart feel like it was being squeezed with barbed wire.
That familiar painful squeezing returned to his chest and it felt awful. He hated feeling like this. It was so irrational. It didn’t make any sense at all. Why couldn’t he get over this stupid crush? Well, logically, he knew why. Love doesn’t just fade overnight, especially if you’re still in contact with said beloved.
…
Shouta sat straight up, gears turning in his head. Maybe that’s it. Maybe the solution to this is less Hizashi. If he just avoids him for a while, maybe then these stupid irrational feelings will quit bothering him and go away. This had to be the solution. Shouta really needed to get rid of these feelings. Not only were they hurting him but if they kept building, eventually Hizashi would find out and Hizashi would be so weirded out that he’d never talk to Shouta again. And then Oboro would choose Hizashi (because why would he choose Shouta’s gloominess over Hizashi’s brightness) and would leave him as well, and he’d go back to being friendless. He wasn’t going to let that happen. He’d get rid of these ridiculous feelings and that’s that.
***
Hizashi knocked on the door to the Shirakumo household. He and Oboro had made plans to play a new version of a fighting game they both enjoyed. They had invited Shouta, but he declined, saying he was too busy with work.
“Hey Yamada!” Oboro’s mother greeted with a smile. “Come on in. Oboro’s up in his room.”
“Thanks Mrs. Shirakumo!” He bowed, toeing his shoes off in the genkan before bolting upstairs. He opened the door to Oboro’s room, greeting his friend as he entered, and shutting it behind him.
“Yo Oboro! I brought some snacks!” Hizashi held up the grocery bag filled with snacks proudly. He looked up at Oboro when he didn’t get a response, noticing the frown etched on his face. “What’s with the look, frowny face?
“Zashi, why did you agree to date Kanae yesterday?” Oboro sighed, standing up and walking in front of Hizashi.
“Why not? She’s cool. Should I have said no?” Hizashi furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
“‘Why not?’ Maybe because you dont like her? You cant keep dating different girls to distract yourself from your feelings.”
“… I can try.” Hizashi mumbled, his eyes not meeting Oboro’s.
“No. You can’t. That isn’t fair Hizashi. Not to you, not to Kanae, and not to Shouta.”
“You don’t understand, Oboro. How it feels to love somebody with no chance they’ll ever love you back.” Hizashi crossed his arms across his chest, looking down at his socked feet.
“You can’t be sure Shouta won’t love you back.”
“I can though! He barely tolerates me. Why would someone like Shouta be interested in me?” Hizashi flung his arms around in animated movements before dropping them at his side, slouching.
“You don’t know unless you try, Hizashi.”
“I’m not confessing to Shouta.” His arms crossed across his chest again and he glared at Oboro. “I’ve told you a million times, I can’t do it.”
“And I’ve told you a million times that you can!” Oboro grinned, wrapping his arm around Hizashi’s shoulders.
“I can’t.”
“You can.”
“Can’t.”
“Can.”
“Oboro! Seriously just drop it, okay? This isn’t some fairytale where I confess and suddenly Shouta realizes he’s madly in love with me and we get together and live happily ever after, okay? It’s reality! Shouta isn’t even into dating, nonetheless dating guys. I’m content being his friend so just drop it.” Hizashi frowned, shoving Oboro’s arm off and sitting down on the floor in front of the game console. “Let’s just play.”
Oboro sighed and walked over to join him, turning on the console and handing Hizashi a controller, plopping down next to him with his own. “Alright but this won’t be the last time I bring this up I hope you know that.”
Hizashi gave a grunt of disapproval before they fell into their usual chatter and banter while playing the game.
***
Shouta had made his decision, he’d avoid Hizashi as much as possible without it being too suspicious. It was the best way to get rid of his feelings without losing the friendship of the two most important people in his life. Shouta purposely came into school just in time to not be late but late enough that the teacher came in before Hizashi could try and strike up any conversation.
When lunch time rolled around, Shouta had to come up with an excuse to get out of it. Oboro and Hizashi took their lunch time roof time very seriously, deeming it a special ritual that mustn’t be skipped nor shared. A little dramatic for Shouta’s taste though he appreciated the sentiment to it and usually actually appreciated their adamancy, except for now, however, he needs to get away from their persistence.
“I’m going to go speak with Power Loader. I want to ask him a few questions about my capture weapon.” Shouta slung his backpack over his shoulder and started walking towards the classroom door, and if he was walking faster than usual, well, he hoped they didn’t notice. Unfortunately for Shouta, Hizashi and Oboro were just as persistent as he expected.
“We’ll come with you!” Hizashi beamed, slinging his arm over Shouta’s shoulder, pulling them side to side. Exactly the type of situation Shouta wanted to avoid.
Shouta grunted, throwing Hizashi’s arm off from around him. “No, thanks. I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Aw, c’mon Shou! You know we ain’t tryna babysit ya’! We just wanna tag along!” Oboro shuffled up to Shouta’s other side, squishing him between his two friends.
“Yeah! If anything, you’ll be babysitting us yo!” Hizashi laughed and Shouta was immediately reminded why it was so important that he distance himself, his stomach doing summersaults.
“No, seriously. Nemuri will be lonely without you guys. Just go up. I won’t be long.” Shouta sped up to effectively remove himself from where he was squished between his friends.
“Hm I guess you’re right… we can’t just leave Nem all by herself…” Oboro placed his hand to his chin in thought while they both still walked right behind Shouta. “Oh! I’ve got it! I’ll go with Nem and Zash can stay with Shou!” Oboro smiled proudly like he’d just solved a mystery.
“I’m down with that!” Hizashi scooted closer to Shouta.
Before Shouta even had a chance to object, Oboro scuttled away, throwing a wave and a smile over his shoulder. Well great. This is exactly what Shouta wanted. To be alone with the one person he was trying to avoid. Hizashi was naturally very talkative so without Oboro there for him to chatter endlessly to, Shouta was the next best thing. God damn it, he’s really gotta get better at this whole ‘avoiding Hizashi’ thing.
The next few days consisted of the same routine. Shouta’d get to school late enough that Hizashi had little to no time to strike up a conversation with him. At lunch he’d make up an excuse to limit the time they spent together or he’d go to sleep right after finishing his food, sometimes he fake slept and other times he actually dozed off for awhile. A couple times after school he’d insist he was just working on calisthenics and didn’t need anyone there to untangle him nor act as moving targets (though he only dismissed them a few times because practicing with moving targets really did help him improve). And he always declined any invitation to hangout at the arcade or one of the three’s houses.
It had been a full week now since he started avoiding Hizashi, and honestly, it felt like it was working. He didn’t have to cover up a reddened face, didn’t have to try and cover up the way Hizashi made his heart stutter, didn’t have to experience the squeezing pain every time he talked about his girlfriend— though Shouta did miss him. He missed feigning annoyance every time Hizashi threw his arm around him, even though the contact points were all he could think about and the touch lingered long after he moved away. He missed Hizashi’s bright, loud laugh. He missed how when he’d fall asleep leaning on Hizashi’s shoulder, sometimes he’d run his fingers through Shouta’s hair, making comments to Oboro about how unruly it was. He missed Hizashi.
But this was for the best. He couldn’t keep up pretending that his feelings didn’t exist and weren’t getting stronger and needier every time their hands brushed or Hizashi smiled softly at him. He needed to get rid of these stupid growing feelings and the avoidance was clearly helping, so no matter how much he missed him, he would continue as he was. It was only rational.
***
Hizashi walked next to Oboro as they headed for the train station. His usual smile was replaced by a worried frown and furrowed eyebrows. Shouta was totally avoiding them, right? No. He wasn’t avoiding them. He was avoiding Hizashi. Why, he wasn’t sure.
“Whatcha thinking about?” Oboro’s voice snapped him out of his deep thought.
Hizashi looked at Oboro for a moment before looking away in contemplation before speaking.
“Just… do you think Shouta’s avoiding me?”
“Avoiding you? Hmm… now that you mention it, he has been more standoffish lately than usual, and that’s saying a lot considering his already withdrawn personality.”
“So I’m not crazy! I knew I wasn’t! It’s so weird! Every time I sling my arm around him, he brushes it off immediately! Which, I mean, isn’t entirely unlike him but usually he’ll at least let me lay it there until I say something that annoys him!”
“Yeah I noticed that. He also has been refusing every hangout offered. Which it isn’t too unusual for him to decline every once in a while to do school work but every day this week? Not to mention his sudden impromptu business at lunch now.” Oboro tilted his head up in thought.
“Right? Do you think…” Hizashi cut himself off, staring down at his feet as they walked.
“Do I think…?” Oboro prompted him to continue.
“Do you think it’s because of me?”
“Why would it be because of you? Did you guys argue lately?”
“No but, I mean, think about it. He doesn’t brush off you touching him like he does me. He still gives his same satirical remarks to you but freezes up when I say anything. And he doesn’t try sleeping on me anymore at lunch. He’s never done that before! He always rests on me, he even used a rational argument to justify it!” Hizashi looks distraught, waving his hands around to emphasize his point.
“Huh… I guess you’re right. But why would Shouta be avoiding you?”
“I don’t know!” They both went quiet for a moment before his eyes opened wide and he snapped his head back towards Oboro. “Do you think he knows? About-“ Hizashi lowered his voice and moved to whisper close to Oboro, “about my crush on him?”
“I don’t think he’d be avoiding you like this if it was because of feelings. Shouta isn’t like that. He’d simply decline but he wouldn’t avoid you.”
“Unless he would! What if he’s so disgusted that he wants to stop being friends and that’s why he’s avoiding me only! Oh god Oboro I can’t do this! What if he’s hates me? What if he knows!? I- I- Oboro what do I do!” Hizashi turned, clasping his hands on Oboro’s shoulders and shaking him.
“Woah, woah! Okay! Zash, calm down! You’re going a little hysterical here.” Oboro placed his hands on Hizashi’s shoulders, giving them a tight, reassuring squeeze. “Shouta isn’t like that. He wouldn’t be disgusted with you. You need to talk to him about this.” Oboro hesitated for a moment before logging on “And break up with Kanae.”
“About that actually… Kanae broke up with me yesterday” Hizashi scratched the back his neck.
“Wait really? Why?”
“She said we’d be better off as friends, that’s all.” Hizashi looked nervous and avoided Oboro’s eyes. Oboro raised one of his eyebrows in a knowing look before Hizashi continued. “And she may of said she doesn’t think she can compete with what I have with you and Shou…” Oboro again stayed silent, feeling there was more. “…and that she thinks I have a crush on one of you two.” Hizashi’s voice was practically a whisper at this point.
“It’s almost like a certain wise friend of yours told you it wasn’t a good idea to date someone while you have a crush on your best friend.” Oboro turned and continued walking, rolling his eyes playfully.
“Shut up, yo! Not so loud!” Hizashi shushed him, probably being louder than Oboro had spoken anyway. “…but yes you were right.” He grumbled.
“What was that? I didn’t quite hear you.” Oboro raised his hand to cuff his ear, leaning in with a wry smile.
“Really, Oboro?” Hizashi pouted.
“Guess I can’t help you then.” Oboro said, shrugging theatrically and starting to walk away.
“No, no!” Hizashi sighed obnoxiously. “I said, you were right. I shouldn’t have accepted Aori’s confession when I clearly am hung up on Shouta.”
“That’s what I like to hear!” Oboro turned back, linking arms with Hizashi and dragging him along. “Lucky for you, you have the greatest, kindest best friend ever who’s going to help you with your situationship!”
“I dunno if I trust you to give me advice on love. You’re still hung up on Nem.”
“Hey! Do you want my help or not? Ungrateful boombox.” Oboro snickered.
Hizashi let out a laugh at that. He really did have a really great friend, didn’t he? Everything would be just fine. For all he knows, it could all just be a misunderstanding and Shouta really wasn’t even avoiding him at all!
“We need to find out if Shouta’s really avoiding me or not.” He turned to Oboro as they arrived at the train station.
“Hmm yeah you’re right. How do we do that though?”
Both of them sat in silence for a moment, contemplating before they both perked up at the same time.
“Cat cafe!” They exclaimed simultaneously.
“Shouta would never decline a chance to see the little kitty cats!” Hizashi recounted how the first time he and Oboro had taken Shouta to a cat cafe, he’d smiled so wide that they thought he’d been broken. He relaxed on the couch with three different cats snuggled up on him and it’s honestly the most relaxed he’s ever seen Shouta be.
“Yes! And if he declines, we for sure know there’s something wrong.”
“But how will this narrow it down to if he’s avoiding me specifically or not?”
“Hm… I got an idea!” Oboro pulled out his phone to text Shouta.
<sent> Hey Shou do u wanna go 2 a cat cafe w me tmr? Zash is busy w his moms.
<Shoutaaa!!> I guess so.
<sent> hell yeah! Okay!! See you tmr!
<Shoutaaa!! Liked your message>
“Okay! Now in a little bit I’ll say that your plans with your moms have been cancelled and that you’ll be joining us. If he suddenly cancels, then we’ll know.” Oboro said stuffing his phone back in his pocket.
“You’re a genuis, Oboro!”
“I know I know, I’m the best, no need to thank me. Though praise is welcome.” Oboro smirked, feigning humbleness.
“Hah! Shut up!” Hizashi punched his shoulder before glancing up at the opening doors. “Oh, this is my stop. Bye Cloud boy! Lemme know what Shou says.” He said before standing up and getting off.
***
When Oboro reached his house, he showered, ate dinner, and talked a little with his family before plopping down on his bed in his room. He decided that a few hours was long enough to say that Hizashi’s plans had been canceled, enacting part two of the ‘Finding Out If Shouta Is Avoiding Hizashi Or Not’ plan. He picked up his phone from on charge and opened he and Shouta’s chat log.
<Shoutaaa!! Liked your message>
<sent> Hey js wanted to lyk that Zashi’s moms cancelled their plans for tmr so he’ll be joining us at the cat cafe
<Shoutaaa!!> Sorry something came up. I can’t go tomorrow anymore.
<sent> What!? What coulda came up in those few hours?
<Shoutaaa!!> My mom wants me to help her clean tomorrow.
<sent> Sooooo? That shouldn’t take that long! U can come with us after
<Shoutaaa!!> She also wants me to run some errands for her.
<sent> Me and Zash can help then! Cmon it’s Saturday Shou! We wanna hangout
<Shoutaaa!!> No sorry. I’m busy. We’ll reschedule.
Oboro sighed before opening up his chat with Hizashi to report his intel.
<sent> It looks like you were right mouth man Shouta completely ditched us after I mentioned you’d be coming
<Mouth Man!!> What!? What was his excuse???
<sent> He said that his mom needed him to clean and when I said that wouldn’t take all Saturday he said that she also wanted him to run errands with her
<sent> I told him we’d help because we wanted him to join us but he js totally blew me off
<Mouth Man!!> Oh god.
<Mouth Man!!> What do I do???
<Mouth Man!!> I didn’t even do anything to him wth is he avoiding me for?!
<Mouth Man!!> Oboro!!! Help me!
<sent> idk Zash I’m not sure why he’s doing that
<sent> we’ll figure it out tho ok? Don’t worry abt it you can talk to him Monday
<Mouth Man!!> I guess so
<Mouth Man!!> this is just rlly aggravating!!
***
Shouta felt bad for lying to Oboro. In reality, his mom hadn’t asked him to help clean or run errands with her but he couldn’t go to the cat cafe with Hizashi. He just couldn’t. He’d been seemingly making progress with the whole ‘getting rid of his stupid irrational crush’ thing and seeing Hizashi pick up and cuddle a cute little cat and coo at it like it’s the most precious thing ever? Yeah that was not going to help him at all.
Once Monday rolled around again, Shouta continued his routine of getting to school at the right time to avoid conversation. Hizashi tried whispering to him a few times but he’s never been very quiet so he was quickly called out by their teacher. He also attempted to pass notes but he’d either get caught or Shouta would slide them back without giving them a second glance.
When lunch rolled around, Shouta took extra time packing up, claiming he would catch up with them later and needed to ask the teacher something, not a total lie but the question was definitely something Shouta could’ve waited until later to ask. After everyone had filed out of the classroom, Shouta did as promised and asked the teacher his question before heading to the door. As soon as he opened it, he was jump scared by Hizashi who was standing right outside of it, his arms crossed and he looked angry.
“Okay, what’s your deal, yo?” He questioned, moving closer to Shouta.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He turned his face down, hiding it behind his dark hair.
“Liar! You’ve been avoiding me, Shou!”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Yes! You have!”
“I seriously don’t know what you’re talking about Hizashi. Let’s just go to lunch.” He sighed and tried to side step Hizashi, who immediately got in his way.
“Nuh-uh! No way! You’re not going anywhere until you admit it and explain yourself!” He crossed his arms defiantly.
“I told you, I haven’t been avoiding you.”
“You’re lying again! If you weren’t avoiding me then why’d you cancel going to the cat cafe Saturday the moment you knew I was going?” He poked his finger into Shouta’s forehead who immediately swatted it away.
“Like I told Oboro, something came up. People get busy, it happens.”
“Not every day for a week it doesn’t. All last week too, you’d find excuses to skip lunch with us, you’d come in later than you ever have, coincidentally all right before sensei comes in. You refused every hangout because of ‘work’. No one has that much work Shouta! You brush me off every time I even remotely touch you and-“
“Okay so what?” Shouta said, his voice tight.
“Why!? Why are you avoiding me? What did I do?”
“Nothing!” Shouta said with attitude. “Can’t I ever just take some fucking space from you?”
Hizashi flinched back like Shouta had hit him, and really, he practically had. Shouta knew Hizashi’s insecurity of people finding him to be too much and needing a break from his overeager personality. He knew it’d hurt more coming from him than a random person. But Shouta couldn’t find the words to apologize, his throat closed up as Hizashi’s face shifted from stunned hurt to anger.
“‘Take some space’?! Take some fucking space!? Fine, Shouta! Take your fucking space!”
“Hizashi you’re making this into a bigger deal than it is.” Shouta knew that wasn’t the right thing to say right now, but the true words were latched tightly in his throat, refusing to budge.
“You can’t be fucking serious right now. You avoided me for over a week! A week, Shouta! And I’m making it a big deal? You avoided me for no reason! Of course I’d be hurt! Did you seriously expect I’d just not care!? Grow up, Shouta! Seriously.” Hizashi turned and stormed off, leaving Shouta with his mouth pressed firmly in a line, eyes on the floor.
This is not what Shouta wanted when he started this idea. The whole point was so he didn’t ruin his friendship, but apparently he was doomed from the start. He should’ve known it wouldn’t have lasted. He’s destined to break and ruin every thing he touches. He wasn’t made to have friends or relationships. He was made to do things solo like he had always done. Even so, he had to admit it hurt. The way Hizashi had looked like he’d been punched sent a pang of guilt and regret straight to Shouta’s heart. It hurt so badly, he wanted to chase Hizashi, wrap him in a hug and apologize over and over, make him laugh and smile— he never wanted to see Hizashi look so… so betrayed.
But irregardless, it was bound to happen. He knew it would. His plan was just a measly attempt to put off the inevitable. He was bound to be alone.
***
Oboro was chatting and laughing with Nemuri on the rooftop when suddenly the door flew open with a loud thud and the sound of boot against metal. Hizashi emerged, stomping his way before aggressively plopping down next to Oboro. They all stood in silence for a moment before Oboro spoke.
“Uh… Hizashi?” He prompted hesitantly.
“Shouta’s acting like a child!” He huffed angrily before starting continuing, Oboro and Nemuri both knew they were in for a long spiel. “I mean, seriously! I go to fucking ask him why he’s avoiding me, because I wanna fucking fix it if it’s something I’m doing because I’m a good friend like that and he just firstly completely denies it, saying he wasn’t, then when I provided proof he just said ‘so what?’. So what? SO WHAT??? SO WHY ARE YOU FUCKING IGNORING ME BASTARD!? And when I asked him that, he said ‘can’t I take some space from you?’ TAKE SOME SPACE?? HE CAN TAKE HIS FUCKING SPACE AND SHOVE IT UP HIS-“
“Hizashi!” Oboro interrupted him while Nemuri giggled slightly.
Hizashi sighed exasperated. “Sorry. But I’m just so frustrated, ya know? Like how is he gonna be mad at me when he was the one avoiding me? Ridiculous.” Hizashi huffed, crossing his arms and slouching.
“It sounds like you two need to talk it out.” Nemuri jumped in, her voice serious for once.
“I just tried! You saw how well that went.”
“I said a talk. Not a confrontation.” She looked at him pointedly.
“Well he can come talk to me when he’s ready to grow up.” Hizashi huffed before taking out his food, signaling he was done with the conversation.
Later on, Oboro caught up with Shouta.
“Shou! What happened with you and Zash?” Oboro called as he caught up to him, falling into step.
Shouta sighed before answering. “He blew up on me for avoiding him.” He answered matter-of-factly.
“And why were you avoiding him again?”
“Because…” Shouta paused, glancing around before lowering his voice, “because I like him, okay? It’s stupid and irrational, I know. But I can’t help it. I thought the most logical thing to do would to put some space between us, but that clearly didn’t work out well.” He huffed.
“You two are idiots, seriously. And I’m supposed to be the dumb one.” He rolled his eyes fondly. “You two need to have a talk with one another.”
“No, thanks. We just did that and it clearly didn’t work out.”
“Not a confrontation, not an argument, a talk, Shouta. Y’know? When you talk about your feelings and be all honest with one another? A horrifying and terribly tragic thought, I know, but you need it.” Oboro poked at his shoulder.
Shouta sighed again, scrubbing his hand over his face. “When he’s ready to talk, he will. He was angry and I’d rather give him the space he needs.”
But he doesn’t need space, idiot! Oboro thought to himself. God, these two were impossible! At this rate, they’d never talk.
A few days passed and, as Oboro predicted, Shouta and Hizashi were both still avoiding one another. This was getting ridiculous. They both obliviously liked one another and are too stubborn to talk about it! He needed to do something to help them, he couldn’t keep trying to carry every conversation on his back by himself, with the occasional assist from Nemuri.
After school that day, Oboro met up with Nemuri at a cafe they liked to visit sometimes. They got their orders and slipped into a booth before Oboro started talking.
“We need to come up with something to help Shou and Zash. It’s getting ridiculous.” Oboro took a sip of his sweet tea.
“I agree. Those two have so much tension, more than you and me.” She gave a flirtatious wink at which he went red in the face to.
“Yes yes, but we need to focus on them for now. They’re both too stubborn. We need to force them to talk. Like trap them together or… wait. I got it. I’m gonna need your help for this, though, Nem.” Oboro grinned cheekily and Nemuri’s smirk on her own face grew as he explained his brilliant plan.
This had to work, or it’d at least be funny if it didn’t (to Nemuri anyway.)
***
That Saturday, Shouta received a text from Nemuri.
<Kayama Nemuri> Heyyyyyyy shouuuuu Wanna hangout w me and Bobo today?
<sent> why???
<Kayama Nemuri> because we’re your friends and wanna spend time with you Mr moody 😒
<sent> Is Hizashi gonna be there?
<sent> If this is a ploy to get me and him talking again you can forget it now. I don’t need you butting into me and his problems.
<Kayama Nemuri> No Zashi unfortunately. We did want to get you talking again like this but he ended up having to go with his moms to a festival they’re hosting
<sent> And you’re not just lying to get me to go?
<Kayama Nemuri> No Shouta Jesus. We just wanna hangout with u for once. U getting all mushy with your feelings left you mostly avoiding Bobo too yk. He misses u
Shouta felt guilty reading that, because it was true. In his quest to avoid Hizashi and handle his own feelings, Oboro had gotten in the crossfire.
<sent> Ok.
<Kayama Nemuri> Yay! Meet at Bobo’s house at 5pm okay?
<You liked Kayama Nemuri’s message>
When 5pm rolled around, as promised, Shouta arrived on Oboro’s doorstep. He knocked and Nemuri swiftly opened the door, a coy smile etched on her face. That probably meant she was up to no good but Shouta was already here and agreed so not much he could do except dread whatever they were planning. Nemuri welcomed him and ushered him past the living room and into Oboro’s room, where everything started making sense.
Sitting on the bed next to Oboro was Hizashi, his blonde hair and green eyes shining in the sunlight. Shouta’s stomach did a flip at the sight, half because of his unrelenting feelings and the other half because he was still iffy about being around Hizashi right now. Hizashi seemed to share that sentiment if the way he tensed up and widened his eyes was any tell.
Shouta immediately turned on his heel and tried to leave the room, only to find Nemuri standing defiantly in his path.
“Oh no you don’t.” She smiled cheekily. “You two are gonna be big boys and talk about things.”
“Move Nemuri.” Panic slipping through his usually calm and monotonous voice slightly.
Nemuri simply grabbed his shoulders and nodded over at Oboro, who nodded back and grabbed Hizashi’s shoulders.
“We figured you guys might give us some trouble so we made a backup plan.” She explained as both Shouta and Hizashi were pushed towards Oboro’s closet, shoved inside and the door clicked shut behind them. The sound of Oboro leaning against the door with a thud was a telling sign that they weren’t leaving until the Nemuri and him saw fit.
Nonetheless, Shouta tried.
“Open the door you two. This isn’t funny.” He chided.
“Not until you two stop being so damn stubborn and just make out already!” Nemuri called back and Shouta could practically hear her smile.
Shouta sighed before leaning back on the wall and sliding down into a sitting position with his knees close to his chest. Hizashi followed suit and soon they were both sitting on the floor of his closet, their feet touching with how cramped the space was. The silence between them stretched out for what felt like hours (in reality it was only a couple minutes) until Oboro’s voice came through the door.
“I don’t hear a lot of talking in there! I won’t be letting you out for breaks so you better get to it!” He said too cheerfully for Shouta’s taste as he was literally trapped in a closer against his own volition.
Shouta groaned quietly before speaking. “I’m sorry Zashi.”
“You’re just saying that so we can get out of here.” Hizashi glared at him.
“No I’m not. I mean it.”
“If you meant it you would’ve come apologize to me sooner before we were forcefully stuffed into a closet.” He laughed but it was full of tension.
“You were mad at me. I thought you’d need some space.” Shouta shrugged and glanced away, suddenly finding the carpet to his right very interesting.
“What is it with you and fucking space, huh?” Hizashi’s voice was growing meaner and more defensive on impulse.
“A chat, Zashi, not a confrontation.” Nemuri’s voice reminded him.
“What’re you even sorry for, Shouta? Our fight or ignoring me for a full week for no reason?”
“Both. But I had reason.”
“Which is…?” Hizashi prompted.
“I-… I can’t tell you.”
“Of course you can’t. Because you don’t wanna hurt my feelings, is that it? Just say it Shouta. You got tired of me and my loud mouth and wanted distance. You got annoyed with me. I was too much, wasn’t I?” Hizashi’s face scrunched up in a mix of anger and hurt, and it hurt Shouta’s heart more than any of the times Hizashi had gotten a girlfriend had before. The painful squeezing and fear of confessing suddenly didn’t seem so important.
“What? Zashi, no. I’d never think that about you.” Shouta frowned, his face a mix of guilt and pity.
“Then why?”
“Because I like you.”
They sat in silence and by Hizashi’s stunned face, Shouta didn’t think he was going to say anything, uncharacteristically enough, so he continued.
“It’s irrational but every time you got a new girlfriend it just… I dunno. I didn’t like it. So I wanted to get rid of these feelings before they ruined our friendship. But I guess I didn’t need my stupid emotion’s help ‘cause I did it on my own anyway. I’m really sorry Zashi.”
Hizashi stared at him blankly for a minute before he broke into a large smile.
“You… like me? Like, romantically?”
“Yes.”
“Like for real? You’re not kidding, right? That’d be pretty fucked up.”
“No, Hizashi, I’m not kidding.”
Before Shouta could start doubting himself more, Hizashi closed the gap between them, their lips meeting in a small, chaste kiss. It was quick; quick enough that Shouta didn’t even have time to kiss back before Hizashi backed up and was looking him in his eyes with a giant grin on his face.
“You’re an idiot, Shou. I like you, too.”
Shouta didn’t reply, instead cupping Hizashi’s cheek with his hand and pulling him back down for another kiss, longer this time than the other one. When they finally pulled apart, Shouta had a soft smile as he looked up at the bright green eyes that peered back at him, and only now had he seen how much love they carried. Hizashi leaned forward and rested his forehead against Shouta’s before talking.
“Does this mean we’re dating?” Hizashi asked hopefully.
“I’d like that.” Shouta stated simply before Hizashi pulled back and stared at him.
He planted his hands on either side of his face before peppering him with kisses, on the forehead, the temple, the nose, the cheeks, and his mouth. Small brief touches that littered Shouta’s now very warm and surely very red face.
Just as Hizashi finished his little kiss attack, Oboro and Nemuri opened the closet door, staring down at the two boys who were tangled with one another, sly smirks on their faces.
For the first time in a while, Shouta looked around himself. The light blue haired boy who’d approached him during his first day at UA, immediately declaring them friends and from then on sticking by his side, the black haired lady who loved his friends so dearly as well as Shouta himself and had gone through the trouble to help him through his stubbornness, and the blonde haired boy who he held in his arms; the one he now could call his boyfriend and be as irrational as he wanted with. And for once, he believed things would be okay. He had his friends and now boyfriend who would stick by his side— had already stuck by his side— no matter what. For once in his life, Shouta thought maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t destined to be alone forever. Maybe he’d get to grow older with the people he loved. A soft smile grew even wider on his face at the thought. Maybe everything would be okay after all.