Disclaimer: I don't own BnHA! If I did, as I always say, Izuku and Ochako would already be two dating cuties.
Note: This story takes place during the Exam Arc, and is (haha) an AU. This totally strays from canon. Also, this chapter (and this story, in general) has a lot of Dad Might. :,) Also, it will have some hints of Izuku x Ochako (which are non-existent for this chapter, though). Please let me know of any errors, and enjoy reading.
The exams came to a close, students were sent away to freshen up and relax, some sulking over the results of the Practical, while others were celebrating their triumph. All the while, Toshinori and Chiyo were in the nurse's office, the latter tending to the injuries that Katsuki and Izuku sustained during their own assessment, in which they fought the ever-powerful Number One Hero. The aged woman was frantically scampering about the room, gathering materials, pain medications, bandages, and many other objects of the sort. Toshinori simply stood off to the distance, feeling helpless in the situation - he was still waiting on an injury analysis from Chiyo. He watched, frantically looking with extreme worry between the two boys occupying the beds as the nurse checked over each one. She provided minimal healing for both, and then slowly stepped towards Toshinori, eyes cast down and gloved hands behind her back.
She looked up, and Toshinori sprung back quickly, a sound of surprise escaping his lips. She was shooting daggers at him through her icy glare, and every second that passed had Toshinori shuffling closer to the door. He made to say something on the lines of, "Now, Chiyo, I was just doing what all the other teachers were doing; testing the students' abilities." but the small doctor began to chew him out before he could start speaking. She called him out for his recklessness, and scolded him for the amount of damage he did.
Chiyo was about to continue her stern lecture, but stopped herself short. Toshinori looked on in confusion and concern - dread coiling deep within the pit of his stomach. The U.A. nurse looked up towards Toshinori, a sullen expression plastered on her small face. She spoke not another word and handed a clipboard that she had been holding to the taller man. He took it, his hands shaking slightly with nervousness, and saw the two sheets of paper. Each slip had one of the resting students' names on it, Katsuki's on top. Under the teenager's name was a report of the injuries sustained. Toshinori flipped the paper over in order to glance at Izuku's, which had the same format as the other. He switched back to the front page and examined the explosive boy's first:
Bakugou, Katsuki (16)
3 broken ribs, true ribs
Bruised sternum
Hairline fractures on both radiuses, ulinas unharmed
Mild (grade 1) concussion
Various bruises and scrapes (minor)
Toshinori sucked in a breath quickly, breaking out into a cold sweat. This is my fault… I broke his ribs, I punched him with too much of my power, I forced him to go past his limit… I was too violent… too careless. It became difficult to breathe for a moment, and guilt engulfed him as Toshinori watched Chiyo briskly walk over to the bed occupied by Katsuki.
She began to speak, telling the only other conscious person in the room all that she had been able to heal on the boy. "His ribs are mostly alright… they'll definitely be sore for several days, though. And the sternum healed up fine." She hummed in thought before continuing, "Bakugou should just mind how he uses his quirk for the next week - I fixed up his arms the best I could, but if he's not careful he could cause himself a month of recovery time. Also, he may want to take tomorrow off for that concussion." She sighed deeply and Toshinori swallowed thickly. She turned and pushed the curtain that separated the two beds in the room to the side, the links that attached it to the ceiling emitting a metallic ring. As she walked to Izuku's side of the office, Toshinori took the chance to flip to his inheritor's own analysis page. His eyes grew wide, and his heart seemed to momentarily stop as he skimmed the report.
Midoriya, Izuku (16)
Mildly broken nose
Laceration along right hip bone
Severe (grade 3) concussion
Dislocated shoulder
Several severely broken vertebrae (Vertebrae Compression Fractures/VCF)
Despair. Guilt. Anger. Regret. A whirlwind of emotions smothered Toshinori, and he was overwhelmed by everything. His body went numb and his eyes hazy. I was the one… I was the one who did this to Midoriya. Sweet, selfless Midoriya. I… I was the one who trapped him under that gate, and was the one who was too careless to notice that I sliced him with it. I can't believe that I freaking rammed myself into his back and actually sent him flying into a bus. I could have killed him… I failed him, I failed Midoriya… He must hate me, I've done all of thi-
"Toshinori," His self-loathing thoughts were cut off when Chiyo called his name and beckoned him to her side. He hesitantly took shaky steps over to where she was; right next to Midoriya. He was unconscious (of course), and hooked up to an IV drip. He was sweating and panting and his eyebrows were scrunched together in pain… or maybe concentration. Toshinori didn't know. "Toshinori," The small nurse next to him called again.
He sighed, closing his eyes. "Yeah." Chiyo looked up at him with concern. And understanding.
She exhaled and just said it flat out. With the utmost bluntness. Everything that had been weighing on her chest and pulling at her heart and making her fear the worst. "I can't heal him, Toshinori." She turned away.
It took a few moments for her words to sink in, but when they did the panicking immediately came after. "What…" He sounded confused, then frantic, "What do you mean? You're the famous Recovery Girl, you can heal anyone! Right….?" His eyes looked distant and wide, and Chiyo looked up at him with pity, seeing his internal struggle.
He really is attached to this boy, she thought with melancholy. "I know it doesn't make sense much… but I was able to heal the injuries on his face and the dislocated shoulder was fixed with no struggle." Toshinori looked at her, waiting for her to continue. She sighed deeply. "And Bakugou healed almost effortlessly. But, Midoriya's back, the concussion, and the cut on his side haven't shown any reaction to my quirk."
Toshinori put his head into his hands, and Chiyo could tell that he was crying silently. "What are we going to do?" His voice cracked in a million places and was muffled by his hands, but she understood him well enough.
"All that's left is to get him normal treatment." She closed her eyes in frustration. "At least for now. I don't know what's going on, but we have to still get through this. I already called the ambulance and it's on its way." She blinked open her eyes and looked up at the man, seeing the tears escape through the cracks of his fingers. "I'm going to call the boy's mother outside." She decided before walking out of the room, quietly shutting the thick door behind her. I should give them some time alone…
Once Chiyo left the room, Toshinori dropped to his knees, and latched onto the cover of the bed in front of him. His crying escalated and he spoke in a shaky, wet voice, "I'm so, so sorry, young Midoriya… This, all of this, is my fault. I'm…" he hiccuped, "I'm not a worthy mentor..." He couldn't bring himself to say anymore, and he sobbed openly, regardless of the fact that there were two unconscious students in the same room (one not even knowing the extent of Midoriya and Toshinori's relationship). He just… the guilt was simply devouring him.
(A/N) So this is mostly a message to the readers of my story "The Sorrow Behind the Smile". If you are, don't worry, that story is not discontinued! I've just been extremely busy with school and haven't had time to sit down and write for that particular piece. Now, you may be asking, "Persona, why did you write this monstrosity instead of update?!" Well, actually I've had this story planned out, all the way through to the end, for a while now... since before I posted TSBS(?), and I haven't planned out jack for that. TSBS was mostly one of those spur of the moment vent (?) writings, so not much thought was put into it before writing... This story has just been calling out to me to be written for months, and I couldn't deny... and even better: IT'S NOW SUMMER VACATION. WHICH MEANS MORE UPDATES! This will probably have chapters out quicker than TSBS, but I have started working on the second chapter of that (and guys, it has big bro Kirishima~). Sorry about this irrelevant part of the Author's Note.
About this story: I feel like this wasn't written all too great... I haven't even read through it... so yeah. I'll go through it tomorrow, though. I just wanted to get this out to celebrate my first day of summer vacation! Also, if you are confused about anything, the medical stuff or why poor Izuku can't be healed, don't worry (btw, I'm willing to answer medical questions and google always has answers, and you'll see what the fuss is in the next chapter). All that aside, I'm sorry this is so short, but look forward to updates soon! Have a lovely day~
Also: Let me know if you have any other title suggestions... I'm not quite set on this... but I do know how I would tie it into the story...
