Disclaimer: I do not own MHA
Chapter 02: Convictions and Doubts
Sunday arrives the next day, and the students and teachers take the opportunity to have a relaxing day. No one knows what will happen next – except maybe Nezu – so they try to make the best of it. Some teachers make an early start so they could plan out lessons for the week and have the rest of the day, others have actually done it the night before and are now lounging in the common area of their respective dorms, whether it be a teacher's dorm or one of their assigned student dorms.
At 1A's dorm, Aizawa is sitting at a table, drinking a nice mug of coffee as he reads from a paper. Next to him is Eri, eating a bowl of cereal with a side of apple slices cut into shapes of bunnies. Right now, it's just Aizawa and Eri. The other residents are off doing whatever else on their day off, including Izuku, who's not-technically-fever went down after last night's rest.
Except for one.
A cough was heard as Toshinori came from the other side of the common area.
He notices Aizawa and Eri. "Oh, I thought I was the only one here."
"You thought wrong," replied Aizawa.
"Good morning, Mr. Yagi," Eri greeted.
Toshinori ruffles her hair, making her giggle. "And a good morning to you too, Young Eri. Any plans for today?"
Eri nodded. "I'm baking cupcakes with Riki later today. Koda and I are gonna play Disney Princesses and I'm playing Yu-Gi-Oh with Baku and Kiri after some arts and crafts with Toru and Yuga."
"Sounds like a busy day."
"Oh! And I'm drawing with Ocha and Tsu and Neji too."
"Are you now?" Toshinori asked. He looks over at the bulletin board on the wall next to the kitchen area.
It was originally used for random stuff, like dorm duty turns that were originally posted by Tenya Iida – which no one used in the end and just did their own thing – a calendar, and notes. Now, it contains drawings that were to be expected of a learning 6-year-old.
"You draw so well," Toshinori smiled. "I can't wait to see what you make today."
Eri smiles at the compliment and Aizawa smiles too, a bit of a rarity on the scruffy man's part. The students had once commented on it, saying that Eri had a positive impact on him.
Aizawa was quick to give them cleaning duty for the comments.
The man then noticed that Toshinori was wearing a navy trench coat, black leather gloves, and a white scarf wrapped around his neck for the chilled air outside. He was also carrying his messenger bag.
"Where are you heading?" Aizawa asked.
"Over at the hospital for my monthly check up," Toshinori responded.
"I see."
"Are you okay, Mr Yagi? Are you sick like Deku was last night?" Eri asked.
"Hm? Oh, no, I'm fine," Toshinori answered.
"Then why are you going to the hospital?"
Toshinori stares at her for a moment before looking at Aizawa. The underground hero only closed his eyes. Taking that as an answer to continue, Toshinori lowers himself to be at eye level with Eri at the table.
"I got into a biiig fight with a villain a long time ago and he hurt me a lot," he started, using the appropriate words for children of Eri's age. "Now, I have to go to the doctor so he can see how I'm doing."
Eri looks down, as if scanning his body to look for any injuries. Toshinori swore he saw her eyes linger on his left side before she moved out of her chair and headed to the kitchen area. Toshinori looks at Aizawa who shrugs. Eri finds a stool to drag over to the counter and reaches for an apple in the fruit basket before running back to Toshinori with the fruit in hand.
"Young Eri?" Toshinori voiced curiously. Eri holds out the apple to him.
"Le Million said an apple a day keeps the doctor away," Eri recalled. "If you eat it, then you won't have to go."
Toshinori smiled softly at her words. "If only it were that easy." He pets Eri's head. "Thank you, Young Eri. It's very sweet of you. But I'm afraid I still have to go to the doctor. It's been a month since my last one."
Eri tilts her head. "Does that mean that you haven't been eating enough apples? Is that why you have to go?"
"Y-Yes. I suppose." Technically, yes, Toshinori hasn't eaten many apples over the last several weeks, but that's due to it not being a major part of his diet. Sure, he had eaten slices here and there, but probably not the amount Eri was thinking.
Eri moves to give the apple to Toshinori. "Then, take this with you to eat later."
There was a determined look in her eyes that was not unlike one Izuku Midoriya and Toshinori took the apple. He can snack on it after his appointment. "I will, Young Eri. Thank you." He rises back up just as Aizawa handed him a baggie to put the apple in.
"Be careful on your way," he said. Toshinori nodded as he put the wrapped apple in his messenger bag.
"I will."
With Toshinori gone, Aizawa returns to his spot at the table.
"Come on, Eri. Let's finish breakfast."
Eri nods and climbs back in her chair. "Okay."
After a minute, Aizawa notices a worried look on Eri's face. "Eri?"
Eri glances up at him. "...Will Mr Yagi be okay?"
"...What do you think?" Aizawa finds himself asking.
Eri puts her spoon down to think. She had been living in the dorms, at UA, for about a month now. Because of her being placed under Aizawa's care, she was set live at 1A's dormitory in one of the spare rooms near Aizawa and Toshinori. As such, she witnessed some of Toshinori's coughing fits, thankfully not seeing any blood.
"I think…I think he will be okay, but not okay. Does that make any sense?" she asked quizzically. Eri…was a very observant child.
"Despite her age, she is wise beyond her years even if she doesn't fully understand it," Aizawa thought. "I think you're right. Mr Yagi has been through a lot on his own and while he knows how to handle it, it doesn't hurt to be there for him."
The determined look returns to Eri's face, very reminiscent of his more enthusiastic students. "Then, I'm gonna help make sure Mr Yagi eats his apples!"
A short chuckle escaped Aizawa. "You do that. But, finish your breakfast first." He picks up an apple slice to Eri. "To prove your point to him."
Eri eagerly takes the slice. "Okay!"
Aizawa returns to his newspaper. He mostly skimmed through the articles, not seeing anything noteworthy to his curiosity.
That is, until he turned the page.
Crime Rates Climbing!
Aizawa didn't need to read the whole article to know that it was about All Might's retirement and the consequences that followed.
To know that there are people who are, more or less, blaming the man – who sacrificed so much of himself for others for about 30 years – for everything that has happened. Not long after Toshinori's announced retirement, crime rates went from the low of 10% to a worrying 75% at a startlingly fast pace. Granted, most of it was petty crimes, but crimes are crimes.
And many went from said petty crimes to eventually felonies.
The article didn't even bother to bring up how said crime rates are starting to lower again – from nearing 80% to 50% – once Endeavor proved his mettle against that Nomu. Clearly, it was nowhere near as low as All Might's influence, but the statistics were there.
A statistic no one was taking account of.
Aizawa's grip on his mug tightens. "I hate the media."
Izuku didn't have much plans for the day. He could've used the time for more training or exercise, but Tenya was insistent that he shouldn't, even though Izuku's temperature was normal now. So, he opted to just walk around campus. That could still be exercising, but at a slower pace.
At some point during his wandering, he is accompanied by Tokoyami, Sero and Jiro. During a conversation he had with Jiro, he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He takes it out to see a message from Toshinori.
All Might: I'm on my way for my checkup. I'll be back before lunchtime.
All Might: I hope you kids don't mind an old man cooking for you all?
A meal…made by All Might himself? How can Izuku pass this up?!
Me: Not at all!
All Might: ^^
All Might: I'll be seeing you. Take care of yourself. Your classmates told me about last night.
Me: I'm better now. You focus on your own health. Okay?
All Might: I will. Thank you.
All Might: (Thumbs up)
Izuku smiles fondly at it. A smile not well hidden behind his scarf so that Sero and Jiro took notice of. They had been silently watching Izuku texting.
They smirk.
"It's All Might, isn't it?" Sero grinned. Izuku freaks out.
"WHAT? Whatareyoutalkingabout?!"
"Come on, Midoriya," Jiro insisted. "It's pretty obvious that you and All Might are close."
"I'm starting to side with Roki on you being All Might's secret love child," laughed Sero.
"THAT'S STILL GOING ON?!" Izuku exclaimed.
"You can't deny the obvious," Tokoyami said, finally speaking up. "We all can see how All Might treats you. Like a father to a son."
Izuku sighs. "Why is this happening to me?"
"So, what's up with your real dad?" asked Jiro.
"That's rather blunt, don't you think?" Tokoyami inquired.
"Yeah, ain't that a little personal?" Sero asked.
"No, it's fine," Izuku said. "To be honest, it's nothing impressive. My dad just works a lot overseas. In fact, he and my mom have been divorced for several years now."
Jiro grimaced. "Crap, I shouldn't've brought it up. Sorry, Midoriya."
Tokoyami bowed his head. "My condolences."
"No, no! It's okay. It was mutual!" Izuku hurriedly insisted.
Sero tilted his head. "Mutual?"
Izuku nodded. "Yeah. They just grew apart and decided it would be best to separate. They still care for each other, just not in that way anymore."
"What about you?" Jiro wondered.
"I guess I'm…neutral? Indifferent? I don't think I could find a good word for it."
"If your father was as absent as you say, then you may have grown accustomed to it by the time the divorce was finalized," Tokoyami surmised.
"You might be right…" Izuku said, becoming thoughtful. "Still, I sometimes wished that I had that connection like some kids do. I can even say I was a little jealous of Kaachan for having his dad around one time."
A lopsided grin came on Sero's face. "And All Might filled that role?"
Izuku couldn't help but smile. "...I guess."
It was Jiro's turn to smile. "Then we're definitely not telling Todoroki this, right?" This bit of information might make Todoroki's conspiracy tendencies go off the scales. She is currently texting Ochako, though.
"Please don't."
"You should be finding better role models, Midoriya."
The group of four turns around to see a student wearing glasses and wavy brown hair.
"And you are?" asked Sero with an arched brow.
"How rude!" the unknown student exclaimed, offended. "Typical of you hero course students. Never bothered to learn the name of your schoolmates."
"You can't honestly expect us to remember the names and faces of every student here," Jiro pointed out.
"More importantly!" The student points at Izuku. "I have something to say to you, Midoriya."
"Huh?" Izuku said.
"Shouldn't you tell us who you are?" Sero questioned. His question was ignored as the unknown student continued to eye Izuku.
"Look, Midoriya. It doesn't take a genius to know that All Might inspired you to become a hero. Most of UA's students were inspired by him. Here's the thing." His eyes turn cold. "All Might is no one special."
Izuku gaped at his words, unable to speak. The others though…
Jiro glowered. "What the hell, dude?"
Even Sero glared at him. "Who do you think you are waltzing up to someone and practically spitting in their face?"
The unknown student then revealed, "It's because of All Might that my father lost his job."
Izuku gasped. "W-What?"
"...It happened not long after the incident in Kamino and All Might's retirement. A group of villains attacked my father's firm in Hosu. After they stole everything of value, they burned the building to the ground." He narrowed his eyes at the group's stunned looks. "Judging from your shocked expressions, you didn't know. That's hardly a surprise. Who cares about some small company when there are much bigger trailblazers."
The student shoves his hands in his coat pockets. "Everyone still thinks All Might is amazing, like he's some demigod or something. But he's just as mortal as we." His eyes become heated with anger. "If All Might hadn't shown how weak he is and retired, then my father's company wouldn't have been attacked. Then a lot of people didn't have to lose their jobs. If he had just remained our Symbol of Peace, it would've made our lives a whole lot easier!"
A new voice comes in. "What's going on here?"
The student practically snarled from his pent up rage. "None of your business!" His eyes suddenly turned blank.
Sero, Tokoyami, Jiro and Izuku were surprised to see the person responsible.
"Shinso!" Izuku exclaimed. The tired looking young man lifts a hand in greeting.
"Hey." His greeting was slightly muffled from the long scarf wrapped around his shoulders, looking similar to a certain underground hero. "Was this guy bothering you?"
"Uh…"
"Yes," Sero, Tokoyami, and Jiro said.
"I see," Shinso said. He walks to the Brainwashed student and flicks his forehead, freeing him. The student gaps at Shinso.
"What are you doing, Shinso?"
"I should be asking you that," Shinso countered. "Have you forgotten what Ms. Hirota told you?"
"Don't tell me you're siding with these guys!"
"And if I am?"
"Shinso, you could do better than these guys. They still think All Might is a hero!"
At this, Shinso narrowed his eyes. "And what's wrong with that?" His words render the nameless student speechless. "Leave."
After a moment, the student let out a frustrated scoff. "…Fine" before taking his leave.
"What an asshole," frowned Jiro.
Tokoyami agreed. "I concur."
Shinso looks over at Izuku, who has his eyes gazing at the ground.
"Midoriya?"
But, Izuku remained silent, the student's words echoing in his head.
He's not an idiot. He knows full well that Toshinori was not responsible for all the things the kid had said. Impossible even. From the way it sounded, the criminals were yet to be caught, so the kid wanted to blame someone.
And…he chose to blame All Might – Toshinori Yagi. He chose to blame someone who sacrificed everything to become the Symbol of Peace.
It left a bitter taste in Izuku's mouth.
In his hand, his phone buzzed and revealed another message from Toshinori.
All Might: I'm at the hospital. I'll text again when I get out.
Several minutes ago, riding in a cab on route to the hospital, Toshinori was smiling at the three recent texts between him and Izuku.
Young Midoriya: I'm better now. You focus on your own health. Okay?
Me: I will. Thank you.
Me: (Thumbs up)
The cab driver looks from the rearview mirror. "Texting your kid?"
"Hm?" Kid? …Oh! "Oh, no, no. It was one of my students," Toshinori said, bashingfully. Geez…First, Gran Torino, then his colleagues, and now a complete stranger? Who's next? The Prime Minister?
The driver chuckles. "I'm just striking up a mood. How is the teaching gig, Mr. All Might? I've heard of people wantin' ya out because of what happened. But, if you ask me, it wouldn't have solved anythin'. The camping thing proved it, since those villains were targeting that kid because of the sports festival."
…Toshinori figured it was meant to be reassuring of sorts, but…
"I'm more Toshinori Yagi rather than All Might now. You don't have to call me that anymore," he said.
"Ha-ha. You make it seem like you forced me to call you that," the cab driver grinned. He slowed to a stop at a light. "...I remember watching the news when the battle at Kamino took place. I remember seeing your thin body and thinking 'This man…is a true hero.' You fought as hard as you could, despite everything."
The light turned blue/green and the cab driver resumed the ride. "I know I am nothing more than a stranger but hear this." Through the rearview mirror, he shows Toshinori the look of loyalty and honesty in his eyes. "No matter what you look like or whether you are retired. You will always be All Might."
"...Thank you."
After a few more minutes, they arrive at the hospital. "And here we are."
Toshinori starts to take his bag and put it around his shoulders. "I want to thank you again." The cab driver waves a dismissive hand.
"Don't worry about it." He gives Toshinori a thumbs up. "I'm just doing my job."
Toshinori nods and opens the cab door. "Be careful."
"I will. Take it easy!"
Toshinori closes the door and waves the driver goodbye before heading to the hospital building. Before entering, he texts Izuku.
Me: I'm at the hospital. I'll text again when I get out.
Once the message was sent, Toshinori walked into the hospital.
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