Tenya had first been irritated when their resident prodigy Yugasa had asked him to talk after class, but he reminded himself that just because he was angry at the bastard Stain, he shouldn't take it out on a convenient target.
That resolution was thrown out of the window as soon as Yugasa opened his mouth. "You want to avenge your brother." It was not even formulated as a question. Tenya flinched violently and denied everything. "I don't!"
Yugasa just stared back unbelieving with his dark and emotionless eyes. How was this relatively small and delicate looking boy so much more intimidating than the Villains they fought in the USJ?
"Do you think you are stronger than your brother?" What was that even for a question?
"Of course not! He is a Pro-Hero!" He was a Pro-Hero, a traitorous voice in his mind whispered.
"So how do think, you can kill Stain, when your brother couldn't even scratch him?"
"It isn't like that! I just ... " He just needed to kill Stain, to hurt him, to have him pay, for what he did to his brother.
Tenya had the distinct feeling Yugasa thought him foolish even though his face didn't move at all.
"If you die, your brother would not only be crippled but also alone." There was no emotion whatsoever in his voice.
"Whatever you decide, I won't stop you." With that Yugasa started to leave the classroom.
Tenya was confused. "Yugasa-san, wait!" His classmate halted in his tracks and turned back to look him in the eyes.
"Why are you telling me that? Why do you even care?"
For once Yugasa looked like he really did have to think about something. He cocked his head to the side.
"Please call me Itachi, Iida-san. You are a comrade and I don't want to loose a comrade. But I also won't make decisions for you. So, please stay alive."
The last statement was accompanied by a small smile, which was still in Tenya's mind when the boy had turned around and left.
Tenya only regained his bearings long after Itachi's footsteps had faded. What a confusing encounter.