Akira POV
Everyone had slowly filed out that night, with me standing by the door. Hugs were exchanged, an awkward shoulder pat from Shouto and Kirishima tried to hang back to be the last one but Bakugo glared at him until he too said good night. He just stood there staring at the now-closed door for a few minutes, not saying anything, until finally he sighed and looked at me.
"You know, I know we've touched on it a couple of times, but I guess... I never really thought about what your life was like. I never really think about what anyone else's life is like, but I know you do. Cause sometimes when you think I'm not paying attention to you, you'll start talking about our classmates, assessing quirks and personality traits the same way Deku does. It's the one time you sound really happy and content, not serious or stressed or nervous. Frankly, I think you're better and less annoying than him when it comes to that shit because you seem to know when it is and is not appropriate to act on what you're thinking, unlike that dweeb. So, I guess... I don't fucking know what I'm trying to say, but you can talk to me whenever. I know shitty hair is probably a better option but-" Laughing, I throw my arms around Bakugo, he doesn't shove me away this time.
"Thinking of others... That's part of becoming a good hero, or even just a really good person. My dad... He always thought of others first, and himself last. My mother's a nurse, so she's the same way. It's just... The only thing I know. You should give it a try sometime." The tears come back again, but this time, I let them come. It's just Bakugo, and he wouldn't still be in my house if he didn't care.
"Well fuck, I'm shitty at feelings and I do pay attention to other people I just... Don't think about it. If that makes any fucking sense. And guess what? Maybe your dumb ass should start thinking about yourself for once. It's not just about other people, it's not your responsibility to take care of everyone. You need to take a serious look at how much time you spend doing things that are just draining the life out of you, and tone it back. It can't be fucking good for you. How much sleep do you get a night? How often do you take time to do something that's not for school or work? Not enough, I saw your god damn schedule on the fridge dipshit." A small sob wracks my shoulders, and Bakugo is rubbing very gentle circles between my shoulder blades.
"I know, my mom is supposed to call me tonight with some details about the financial stuff that goes with my dad's passing. Once that's settled... Maybe I'll be able to have time for myself, but who knows." Grunting Bakugo nods, and just lets me continue sobbing into his chest until I can't anymore.
As he leaves, I wave goodbye, "See you tomorrow, Katsuki."
By the time Bakugo left, it was nearly nine, but mom didn't call until a few minutes before eleven. She gave me the details on what Ingenium and his parents had ended up insisting on, what the construction company was required to pay from his life insurance and other things, and a few other semantics.
It was a substantial amount all things considered, but we technically support two households, Grandpa Toro gets some donations from parents in the neighborhood, but he just can't do heavy labor anymore, but nothing else will hire him despite his degree. Without having to pay for dad's medications, expenses will be a little more manageable, but not by much- because realistically we have to ration the settlement money for as long as we can. I'll have to keep working weekend shifts at the hotel, but I think I can afford to stop picking up so many night shifts there- maybe I can get a work-study or an internship a couple of days a week after school? I'm shaken out of my train of thought when the phone rings. I pick it up cautiously.
"Eubank-Toro residence, with whom am I speaking?" A chipper little voice comes over the speaker.
"Miss Akira! It's Principal Nezu, I know it's quite late, I wasn't entirely sure you would answer, but I'm simply calling to inquire as to whether or not you'll be returning to school this week? I know you've been through quite the ordeal, and I want to make sure you feel you've had enough time to recover. If you don't feel ready I can simply send someone to get the school work that you've finished."
"Oh- um...Yes. I had planned on returning to school tomorrow. Though I apologize in advance if I'm tardy, I'll be using my old brace and I have to stop by my grandfather's house in advance to remind him that his license renewal is coming up."
"License re- Oh yes! Your grandfather is licensed to teach and to train quirk users, the same degrees the teacher's here at the school are required to have if I'm recalling properly. It's a private tutoring agency he runs, correct?"
"Oh well... It's uh, mostly a non-profit for the area. Some parents make donations to help out, but that's it. Why?"
"Oh, no real reason, I've spoken to him a few times in regards to you and your friend that joined us during your absence. Perhaps I'll speak to him about offering a few classes after school, if he's done so well with those of you that just took the provisional exam, I'm sure he would have something beneficial for our students to learn. However, I will contact him personally about this. Anywho, get some rest dear! I'll inform Professor Aizawa to excuse your tardiness should the issue arise."
"Thank you, have a good night Principal Nezu."
Professor Aizawa POV
By the time Akira walked in, homeroom was nearly over. The girl looked like she hadn't slept properly in weeks- even more so than usual. Her old brace was strapped on, though it looked like it had been haphazardly thrown on. Before she could even sit, I was dismissing the class.
"Akira, stay back." Everyone else filed out, and I motioned for her to come to my desk.
"Uhm... Here's all of my missing work for your classes." I take the stack from her and set it to the side.
"Listen, I know you're going through a hard time now- and I won't pretend to understand how you feel. However, if you need to talk you can approach me or any of the teachers at any time. Your classmates also seem to suddenly all be aware of what happened, it's good that you feel comfortable enough to share with them- so just remember that they too are a resource. On another note, you should know that we'll be doing internships- you will do an internship as well if you feel you're up to it. However, you will have the privileges of a work-study student since you already have your provisional. If it goes well, you may be offered a permanent work-study with that hero, or you can apply to other hero agencies for a work-study so long as you run them by me or Principal Nezu first. Everyone else has already chosen, they were technically due this past Friday, and they do begin next Monday. All things considered, you're in no way expected to participate in this since you could simply wait a few weeks until you feel ready and then begin a work-study instead. Here's a list of the offices still accepting students, contact information is on there if you'd like to contact them personally." The only reason she can even still choose is because of the extenuating circumstances.
"Thank you, um... If I need to choose by tomorrow, how would I contact them today?" I sigh.
"Well, if you'd like during lunch or free hour you can come to the teacher's lounge and use the phone there. I'll let the other teacher's know. Now, go get your other brace from the support class, and remember, you don't have to do this if you don't feel ready."
Akira POV
When I staggered into the support classroom, Mei Hatsume immediately enveloped me in a hug.
"AKIRA! You've finally come to pick up our little baby! Come, I've made lots of adjustments. Just sit on the table here!" I give Mei a look.
"Mei, I'm not trying to get up on that table." Mei rolls her eyes and leads me over to the table where the brace is sitting and then literally gives me a small heart attack when she grabs my hips and lifts me onto the table.
"There! Easy as pie, now let's get this old thing off." Mei easily unclasps and removes my brace, which is awkward for me considering the places some of the clasps are, but after the last time I was in here- I know better than to try and argue. The other brace slips on easily, mechanisms clicking to place, and Mei begins rambling about the new features.
"The old version was really just a more comfortable version of the old one, which also relieved pressure off your hip. This new one is made from a special ink fiber and metal compound I designed. It might be harder to move in at first, but you should be able to take it off and on with your quirk with practice. As well as walk and move quite normally! That also means that it doubles as emergency weaponry! I also took the liberty of borrowing the rest of you hero costume and making some updates to it as well. It's totally more awesome now, I double the ink well capacities, and remade everything out of the special ink fiber I made and the metal compound too! It's my best baby yet, so, what do you think?" I smile at her softly, laughing just a little.
"I'm sure it'll be amazing then. I can already sense this brace a little bit, but it is different. Somewhere between being ink or dye, and not being either of them. It will definitely take practice like you said, but once I figure it out- it'll be a whole new perspective!" Mei claps her hands excitedly and then looks around the empty room with a conspiratorial look on her face.
"Did you watch the sports festival? Some of my other babies really got a chance to shine!"
"I didn't... I'm sorry, I'm sure they were amazing, but I had... other things to attend to." Mei nods slowly, switching gears.
"That's fine, you can always watch later. I overheard some of your classmates updating each other this morning. I'm sorry to hear what happened."
"Thank you Mei." She nudges my shoulder with a grin.
"Yeah! I just hope you know we're all here for you! You've been great telling the support class students how they can use their quirks to help with their work, and you're always happy to listen to project ideas so it's no problem to look out for you and help you out if you need it!" I nudge her back and giggle a little.
"Well, could you walk me to my next class? Then you can see how this new brace works, and make sure I'm ready to try and use it."
It turns out, that this new brace is a whole lot harder to walk in than I thought it'd be. I end up getting Mei to help me to Nezu's office and getting permission to spend the morning learning how to walk in it. He graciously offers to let Mei come with since she designed the brace. With Mei's intense nature, I know that I'm in for an incredibly interesting morning.