Hello everyone! I'm pleased to announce that I FINALLY have time to revive this dead fanfiction. First, I'm extremely sorry for the neglect and thank you so much for continuing to support me. The story is 100% complete, including the editing of the current chapters. I have already updated the current 3 chapters and I'll release one chapter each day. Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy!
...
Shinso took each step with caution, as he approached the rather large door in which he has been called towards. He clenched his fists and took a deep breath. Shinso usually kept his cool in anxious circumstances, but this was different. This situation was bigger than anything he has ever encountered. He looked briefly at the sign underneath the room number. It read, "Aizawa Shota, Eraserhead" which caused Shinso's heart to jump with worry. Why did the Class 1-A teacher requested him earlier today? He shivered at the thought that he did something wrong, something villainous, but he took another needed breath and reminded himself that he is going to be a hero. Real heroes aren't called by teachers for evil doings.
He approached the door and knocked confidently. There was shuffling inside, a small curse, and as the door creaked open, Shinso hesitated. Eraserhead was standing there, looking slightly down at him, with a black cat in his arms. He had pulled his hair back in a bun and was wearing black clothes that were baggier than usual.
"Ah, you. Come in."
His tone was neither warm nor cold. He turned around swiftly and walked into his office.
Shinso ran over many conversations in his head before saying, "Any reason why you called me in rather late? Isn't being here without the other pro heroes dangerous, considering the recent attack? That's rather irresponsible."
Eraserhead gave a stern look right as he was sitting down in his chair, "I'm not too injured to protect myself." His freshly healed scars stood out on his face, devoid of any sort of emotion.
"Being in school after hours just seems suspicious."
The pro-hero gave a smirk that showed he didn't care and ushered Shinso to sit. He laid The Cat on the desk, which rolled over on her back to request a belly rub.
"I'm not rubbing your belly again after you puked in my sleeping bag,"
The Cat whined, which prompted Shinso to lift his hand to pet, but he quickly closed his fist and laid it on the table. It was so damn adorable.
"Go ahead. The Cat needs some attention, but don't blame me if your uniform is ruined." Shinso immediately began to scratch her belly with no regrets, "That's not why I called you here. I called because of your performance at the sports festival."
Shinso felt a cold presence run over him and all the memories of the festival returned. Eraserhead stared straight through him. He wasn't activating his quirk, but his presence was strong, unmoving, and terrifying. He felt controlled, ironically.
Shinso broke eye contact, "It's about that or the situation before, I had to win. I don't care what the monkey thinks. If it's about Midoriya, he was just so lucky. I didn't do anything-"
"Stop it." His abrupt words caused Shinso to look up at him again, "You didn't kill or seriously maim anyone, so you aren't in trouble, but continue to disrespect my students like that and you will. On Midoriya, I don't think you should be jealous of him. Midoriya is always breaking himself and the rules, but the point is not there. The point is you have a talent and the system doesn't recognize that."
Shinso nodded in agreement, "I knew I wasn't going to be in the hero program. I still want to be a hero. However…" He trailed off.
"I get it. It's frustrating."
"You get it?"
Eraserhead frowned, "My quirk is not too unlike yours, Shinso Hitoshi. We both have the ability to pick off villains in a rather unique and invasive way. I'm not so sure why you believe that I wouldn't understand."
"Yes, you're right, that was a stupid question." Shinso adjusted his weight in the chair. This conversation was rather fast and straightforward. Not that it made him uncomfortable, but it rather did the opposite. So many times people would avoid the question, both figuratively and literally. "So what does it have to do with this meeting?"
"To be blunt, I think you deserve to be in my class."
Shinso gasped for a moment, "Really?"
Eraserhead responded, "Of course. We need someone like you to be in the top. Do you think I want all heroes to be overpowered like All Might?"
"'Every All Might needs someone to protect his shadow.'" Shinso quoted.
"Exactly" then Eraserhead realized what was said, and emotionlessly remarked, "I said that."
Shinso stopped scratching The Cat and stared back in awkwardness. He was getting a little pink in the cheeks.
Shinso quickly thought up of an excuse, "I-uh… I-I just really like the quote. I didn't realize it was from you."
"It was exactly 9 years and 3 months ago. You weren't that old." He squinted, "In fact, you would be old enough to have already discovered your quirk and become interested in heroes."
How did he know he said that so long ago? I mean, I remember it, but I was a kid! I'm not some fanboy. It's not like I worshipped him or anything. I just looked up to him! This is so awkward. Think of something smart, think of something smart, think of something smart.
"If I didn't know what heroes did or say, how can I become one?"
Eraserhead shrugged, "That is true," That was close, "Back to the point, the problem is you lack the experience of my class, and you lack the physical capabilities to be a hero. The only reason I'm here now is not that of my quirk, but my ability to fight and strategize. You have the strategizing part, but you are not able to fight."
"It's not necessary if my quirk would work," Shinso argued, furrowing his brow, "Not even you can fix that." It was a rather internal habit of his to blame everything on his quirk.
Aizawa knew this would happen, among many other parts of the conversation. He stood up and stared at the boy with wild purple hair.
"If I had to say, your attitude and disrespect is the most insufferable weakness you have. If I were to fight you right now, erasing your quirk, can you fight me and win without it, aspiring hero?" He said with concise intonation. His eyes began to water, but he resisted the urge to blink.
Shinso visibly gulped. He looked pale and his dark circles seemed darker than normal. He shook his head silently. Aizawa returned to his seat where he opened his desk drawer and pulled out a notepad that showed cat chew marks on the edges. He cursed himself as he forgot to pull out the eyedrops in the desk, and awkwardly proceeded to take them out and rehydrate his eyes. The damage done to them at the USJ really affected them.
He referenced his notes once he was done, "My little sh- brats are all going to their internships tomorrow, something that general studies does not do. During the week, while they are gone, I can help train you to become a much stronger hero. I already outlined what we need to do here." He laid the pad down before looking up again at the boy.
He leaned forward, "But don't think I'm doing this out of pity or fondness of you. You're a condescending ass. I would not give you this special treatment if you were currently in my class. You show potential and general studies is not helping you. You're going to have to work your ass off if you want to be noticed, even more than Class 1-A."
Shinso deflected the criticism and looked as if he was already becoming comfortable with the cold, straightforward Aizawa, "So are you giving me a chance or are you using me as a pawn as some sort of agenda?"
Aizawa gave his signature smile, "Nice observation. Well, originally the latter, but you're intelligent enough that I would allow this to be a chance at success, but don't give yourself that much credit. Also, don't pull your quirk on me outside of training or this deal is over."
"I didn't use my quirk. You're not brainwashed right now if you haven't already noticed."
"And I didn't use mine either. Looks like we have already gained each other's trust."
The Cat jumped on Aizawa's lap and curled up to a nap right before the two nodded in agreement.