[ENG]Shoto Todoroki : Modern-day Terrorist

Chapter 124

As soon as we closed the door behind us, my father snapped :

- What's wrong with you both ?

I sank into one of the two armchairs facing my father's desk, who was standing behind his chair.

Teka, hands clasped behind her back, paced the room, looking at the knick-knacks, books and paintings that littered the room and made it the sanctuary it was.

- Was cordiality too much to ask of you ?

- I didn't do anything, I said in a low voice.

The demon's eyes locked on me.

- Don't lie to me, Shoto.

Well, maybe I'm lying a tiny bit.

- You knew very well what would happen when you invited your grandmother.

That's exactly why I invited her.

- Don't lecture your son, Enji. I am responsible for my own behaviour.

She was looking at an oil painting.

- And I've been absolutely irreproachable.

She walked away slowly, as if strolling through the galleries of a museum.

At least that had the effect of making my father focus on her and leave me alone.

If I sink a little bit more, I might be able to become one with the chai-

- Shoto, straighten up

I stood up straight at once.

- Teka, come here, we need to talk.

- I'll come when I feel like it, she said evenly.

My father's eyes darkened and his fingers dug into the leather of the chair.

Shit, is she trying to get us both killed ?

- This meal was supposed to be a way of putting Touya at ease, of making him feel at home.

- Oh yeah, that's a really clever way to make people feel at ease when we don't even feel at ease with each other, I muttered.

- What did you just say ?

- Nothing

Dad's eyes narrowed.

- Whether you like it or not, Touya is here. You'll have to get used to it, even if you don't like it.

- I know

- You obviously don't, judging by the way you behaved tonight.

- It wasn't me, it was granny

He frowned.

- How old are you ? Twelve ?

My skin got hot and I suddenly felt like a child.

- Yeah, yeah, I get it

- I don't recognise you anymore, he went on, and I felt like sinking into the ground. You've never been-

- -petty ?

- Surly

I crossed my arms over my chest and looked away.

- Yeah, well, I guess you don't know me that well.

Silence.

I immediately regretted my words.

Whatever he was going to say died in his throat.

He closed his mouth whereas I stubbornly refused to look away from his desk.