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There were voices all around him, surrounding him like a vice grip. The sound of his own heartbeat felt foreign and loud.
Someone was clutching his arm, telling him to move. Maybe he was concussed. Maybe he was hit with a quirk. Maybe just maybe, it was all just a bad dream.
Maybe if he tried hard enough, he would wake up surrounded by warmth instead. He could imagine the stitches of sunlight across the room. If he opened his eyes he would see freckle like stars, soft and gentle smiles, green forest of thick curls.
He tried to move his weary limbs but someone was shouting. His eyes blurred with blood dripping down his lashes. He was moments away from passing out but desperation filled his mind.
He had to move to move, he had to reach out, he needed to touch him-
The last thing he remembered before losing consciousness was Izuku's unmoving body and his own sobs.
'Hey Hitoshi?'
Hitoshi hummed and cracked one eye open to look curiously at the boy lying beside him. Izuku cuddled closer and flicked his nose resulting a small yelp.
Giggles filled the quiet room like wind chimes through a summer breeze.
'What was that for?' he glared while rubbing his nose.
'Hmmm I was bored'
'Glad to see that my pain amuses you shortstack'
He yelped again as Izuku pinched his shoulder resulting in a small pinch fight. Hitoshi caught his wrists to prevent the onslaught of pinches. Both of them were giggling and slightly out of breath.
'You're a little terror you know that?' he playfully glared at the giggling boy.
Izuku stuck his tongue out as he tried to free his wrists from the strong grip. Finally admitting defeat he let out a small huff.
'But you love me anyways you stretched out taffy.'
Hitoshi gasped in mock offense and pinched him in retaliation.
'Unfortunately, I do sunshine'
The funeral took place in a quiet afternoon. Hitoshi didn't remember much about the funeral itself. There were alot of sobs of disbelief and quiet murmurs of reassurance.
'Can't believe he's gone-'
'C'mon let it all out and smile. Midoriya wouldn't want us to cry.'
'He didn't deserve this'
'Poor Shinsou-'
'-about to get married'
He didn't want to be a part of any of this. He wanted someone to tell him to go away. After years of yearning the acceptance of everyone around him he felt sick to his stomach to be one of them.
One of the people who couldn't save Midoriya Izuku.
His fists clenched as he bit his tongue, preventing himself from shouting out. From wailing out loud in front of the mourning crowd. He wanted them to shut up and leave. It didn't matter what they did or say. He was gone, he was gone.
But he couldn't do that.
So he stood there as Todoroki Shouto kept on talking about his first friend. He gritted his teeth and kept on listening as one by one, everyone paid there respect towards the green haired gentle soul whose smile gave everyone the hope of a better future. A new and better tomorrow.
As Bakugou finished his short speech about his childhood friend and rival through blood shot eyes and a hollow angry voice, Hitoshi realized that it was his turn to say something.
He didn't cry. He didn't shout like he wanted to.
Everything felt like a blurr as he simply stood there staring at the smiling picture of the missing key person in his life. He gently layed down the sunflowers.
'What's your favorite flower?' he asked Izuku in the soft solitude of night.
Izuku stopped writing in his notebook and tapped the wooden table in a gentle rhythm.
'Sunflowers' he said. 'They are bright and beautiful. They're the symbol of eternal happiness and optimism you know? We used to have a neighbor who planted sunflowers in her yard. She and her family moved away after her husband died, but the sunflowers stayed. Tall and bright.'
'That's not a very happy memory' Hitoshi frowned. Izuku gave him a that small gentle smile that made his heart flutter.
'No but I liked them. The flowers that kept standing and growing tall through it all. It reminded me of myself I guess. It reminded me of strength and hope. Anyways, I'm probably not making any sense.'
Hitoshi took in the sight of the shy and fidgeting boy before him. So optimistic through every situation. He gave out so much happiness and love all around him.
Like his favourite flower.
'I think I understand you better now, sunshine'
The flowers felt out of place amidst the lilies and chrysanthemums.
In the end he couldn't say anything except a hollow goodbye.
The funeral ended as the sun started disappearing. Tomorrow would come and go. The world would keep moving forward.
Just before the sky turned dark Hitoshi bid farewell to his Sunshine.