Chapter Text
Chapter one
The keys clinked against the door of their shared apartment, making Kirishima whip his head towards the door like a cat, as he jumps up from the couch proceeding to the door to greet her. “Tadaima!” a tired Yoshino calls out as the soft thud of her bag hitting the ground can be heard. Her hair was all messed up, and her eyes were lined with dark circles. “Okaeri” Kirishima softly greets her as he reaches for her bag when he is interrupted by a tired pair of arms encircling him. “Why is college so hard? You are so lucky that your group project is over, but mine just keeps dragging on!” she complains as looks up at him with a pout on his face. Kirishima chuckles “I got ya strawberry mochi! I guess that’ll cheer you up!” “Really!? I can’t wait!” Yoshino beams as she runs towards her room to take a bath.
Over the last few months, certain acts of physical intimacy like hugging and holding hands had become normal for them. Maybe it was because of how alone they were in this atmosphere. They weren’t normal by any means, being raised in a Yakuza was far from normal. It was absurd and abnormal in all the ways possible. Both of them had no real friends during their teen years, they didn’t live like teens but rather more like adults. They thought they were prepared for the cultural shock that was to come, but it hit them harder than a man beating mochi.
Dinner was a pleasant affair with Yoshino complaining about how her teammates are so lazy and are dragging the project with Kirishima listening and nodding at her at every interval whilst inserting weird quips like "Maybe you should just threaten to burn their laptops if they aren't gonna help." Which made Yoshino' eyes twitch, as she murmured "that's too much" before continuing. They sat in silence for the next few minutes before Kirishima muttered out, "I'm seeing a therapist starting today." Yoshino paused for a few seconds before it hit her, "Huh!? You actually went!?" She shrieked eyes wide. "Yea" Kirishima whispered looking down at his plate. Yoshino's expression suddenly softened as she reached out for his hand, gently holding it, "I'm proud of you Kirishima-Kun." She whispered softly before flashing him a bright smile, To which Kirishima gave a small smile before hugging her.
Earlier that day
"Miyama-Kun can I have a word?" The criminal law professor called out to him as soon as the bell rang. Kirishima followed after him until they reached the staff room which was empty. "So Miyama-kun. I'm genuinely impressed at the originality and the content that you've included in this project and the hardwork that you've put in but I think you forgot the most important thing about this project." Kirishima looked up at his professor who had a worried expression plastered on his face. "It was a group project Miyama-kun and I required all the five members contribution in this not just one person." Kirishima looked at him dumbfounded. How was he supposed to trust four unknown people with his content? How could he trust them at all? What if they were thugs sent from another gang to target Yoshino? What if-? "Kirishima-kun" he snapped back to reality. "Yes sir." He whispered. The professor sighed and gripped his forehead before saying. "I know that your upbringing has never allowed you to trust strangers just like that and exercise was for you to familiarize as such. A lawyer can never be distrustful of his clients and assume their needs. I hope you understand that and next time if such a thing takes place, you won't be passing my class." "Yes sir I totally understand. But How am I supposed to do that?" He inquired. The professor handed him a card and said "Have a talk with the counselor,I don't want such a bright student like you to have any hindrance. Communication is the key to bring justice to the citizens. Go see Mrs. Hasegawa in room 7." Kirishima looked down at the card with a perplexed expression as he bowed and left.
Sitting before Mrs. Hasegawa felt like he was sitting with his Sumire Oba-san. An hour had passed by and he couldn't believe how much he ended up telling about is life, more than what Yoshino knows. He sat there awkwardly as if he was naked even though he was wearing a jacket with a coat on top of it. This lady is really something else. "It was hard getting you to open up but you have done exceptionally good by doing so. Thank you. Now let's get on with its analysis." He stood in front of the bathroom mirror at his shared apartment. It had been 3 hours since he sat with Mrs. Hasegawa. He didn't even realize that tears were streaming down his face until she gave him a tissue. Of Course he knew his upbringing was not normal, but the details she picked out turns out we're really messed up. Looking back on them the stuff he went through was trauma inducing. Most therapists he had been to were easy to fool, and he was able to get out of it easily, but Mrs. Hasegawa was another level, she hit the depths of his mind prompting him to open up. Truly speaking he was scared to open up to anyone, it's not like he was forced to but he really wanted to. He wants Yoshino to know him inside out, but he always had a rock in his throat stopping him. But after today's session it felt like the rock broke leaving a few chunks sitting there which will be removed through the upcoming sessions. It felt nice and warm. "Aah look at the time! Yoshino must be coming back anytime soon. Time to make the tastiest katsudon!" Kirishima giggled to himself as he skipped out of the bathroom feeling light as a feather.
The last two weeks were a blur for Yoshino, maybe it was because, 90% of her mind was stuck on Kirishima. She was worried. After his first counseling session he suddenly went mute, those fake smiles and sugar rush glee were replaced by blank stares and hesitant touches. He wasn't himself. What really shocked was the fact that he had blocked all of his sidechicks since the last one year. How did she find out? Tsubaki had requested Yoshino to meet up with an actress who was a year younger than her to discuss certain school related things. Somehow the topic landed on Kirishima, and she mentioned that she thought he was dead because all her friends who knew him hadn't talked to him since a year. He did mention it to her during one of their conversations but she didn't believe him but hearing it from her sent her into shock. "Earth to Yoshino-San. Are you listening?" A voice called out to her. "Yes sir!"She suddenly jumped up. "It seems Yoshino-san's mind has landed in a different country." The professor joked causing her neck to heat up in embarrassment. "Yoshino, Kirishima you both have been paired up for the next mock trial on the Nishimiya embezzlement case." With that the bell rung and Yoshino was left there frozen. A group project? This early? She looked across the table where Kirishima was packing his bags. Her chest suddenly tightened when he looked up at her. It was an empty stare yet it conveyed a certain guilt. She abruptly got up almost knocking over her bottle and aggressively stuffed her back. Why was she so worried about that bastard? Why was she sad for him? She wanted to hate him so much at that moment but couldn't. He was suffering. A small tap on her shoulder made her jolt as she looked back to see Kirishima awkwardly waiting for her, his hand slowly retracting back as if he almost broke the piece of glass.The whole classroom was empty except for them. She had an urge to hug him but she shrug those thoughts out."Tsk why is it so hot? Let's go get some ice cream!" She rambled as she grabbed his forearm and dragged him out of the campus. She certainly was warming up to this jerk now.