Chapter Eight: Support

Aoki Sonozaki had an empathy quirk. As a kid, she would have never thought of becoming a therapist. Emotions were loud and overbearing. It was fun for a while. It allowed her to read right through people. Most kids had pretty straightforward feelings. Sometimes they were openly displayed for the world to see and other times they either tried to hide it or didn't understand them themselves. There were some outliers, either people or circumstances, but for many that simplicity held true.

However, emotions could get messy. People would feel one way and act another way despite their feelings. She could tell when her parents no longer loved each other, long before their arguments started and the affair happened. There was a classmate who always smiled but mostly felt fear, anxiety, and despair while there was the 'moody' kid who was almost always happy.

The more complex people viewed themselves, their experiences, and the world the more complex their emotions became. Emotions intermingled creating a chaotic mess.

Still, becoming a therapist was her own way of helping people, or more like helping people help themselves. If she felt what others felt just by proximity, then the people living those lives must have it worse.

Working at U.A. was a mixed bag. She got along with her colleagues – Inui, Ryotoro, and Aoki - and was well compensated. People were generally happy and eager to become heroes meaning there was plenty of good emotions to feed off of. However, because of internships and work studies she often had to help students process their emotions as they navigated their career.

Today was a unique day, but at the heart of it she just needed to do what she always did. U.A. remained closed the day after the villain attack, but she still needed to work. Her colleagues and herself were tasked on checking in with the students of 1-A. According to their statements they gave the police they appeared fine, but trauma doesn't always manifest immediately. Honestly, even checking today wasn't going to guarantee they wouldn't feel different weeks, months, or even years later. Even so, she needed to do her job. Check-in and make sure they knew there were supports both at and outside the school if they ever needed it.

They split the class between the four of them. Aoki would be making calls to those who lived further away. Ryotoro was calling and offering in-person services if desired. Inui was probably already at some kid's house. Then she herself was making it her goal to their houses to meet them in-person. Her quirk could help her, but more than her quirk she just appreciated the value intimacy of in-person therapy can have.

She knocked on Aoyama's door only to receive no response. She frowned and called. Apparently, he was out enjoying the day since they didn't have classes. She was able to have a quick conversation to which she could write a few notes, but Aoyama was quick to say he was alright and that her help wouldn't be necessary. She couldn't tell if he was truly alright or if that was a diversion to get out of therapy. Either way, she couldn't force support on anyone.

Not how she wanted to start her morning, but it was a start nonetheless.

Sonozaki left for the next student's unit. This time when knocking the door was thrown open.

"Hello! Oh who are you?"

She could see the t-shirt and pants, but the person was completely invisible.

"Who is it Toru?"

"I'm trying to find out, Mom!"

"I'm Aoki Sonozaki. I'm from U.A. I wanted to chat with Toru Hagakure about yesterday's incident. Just to ensure her wellbeing."

"It's all over the news! Do you think I'll be famous? It's still so early though. I haven't even come up with a hero name yet… and I wonder if they'll see me."

Sonozaki could feel it. The excitement and wonder were dominant. Still, there were lingering traces of fear.

"But Jiro was totally right. The class group chat has been going off like crazy. Some seem totally determined to avoid you all though."

They offered her a seat at the table. "Are you alright discussing this with your parents? If you're comfortable we can get started, but if you want to chat alone we can do that too."

"It's totally fine, Sonozaki. They are taking the day off work to support me. Anything I say won't be anything they haven't heard." Love. Sonozaki could feel radiating love. At the very least Hagakure seemed well supported at home.

Sonozaki went through a list of statements in order to offer informed consent.

Hagakure spoke of many things. "Todoroki was amazing! He took down hordes of villains like they were nothing. Between him and Ojiro there wasn't much for me to do." "It was scary, but now I'm motivated to try even harder. That's what being a hero is about right." "I came home and mom and dad pulled me into a tight hug. I thought I was going to suffocate."

Hagakure spent half an hour talking about various events. The events evidently have had impact on her, but she was taking it relatively well and had an available support system to turn to if things changed down the road.

Sonozaki gave a slip of paper that outlined the details on how to make an appointment if she ever wanted to talk about anything – it didn't have to be related to the incident.

…..

Bakugo was hoping he would just get the call so he could tell counselor off. He didn't need someone babying him. He took down those pathetic villains like they were nothing. However, as time passed he felt more on edge. He thought back to the chat. Most had gotten phone calls but a few mentioned getting house visits.

…maybe he could just go for a walk.

He shoved his phone and wallet in his pocket and walked faster than necessary to the door.

"Where do you think you're going? I don't care how many you beat the crap out of yesterday you're supposed to use today to rest!" Mitsuki caught sight of his son trying to leave the apartment.

"I can rest outside! I'm going for a walk not a marathon." Though now that he said it he considered using this time to train. Who needed rest anyway? Certainly not him.

He opened the door to dash out before his mom could stop him only to run into some massive muscled dog man with a muzzle with his fist outstretched.

Dammit!

He had been so close in escaping.

A meeting between Inui, Bakugo, and Mitsuki could only start and end in chaos.

…..

Shota's dry eyes hurt to open. More than his eyes everything hurt. He was disoriented, and his exhaustion was so much he couldn't even will himself to move.

"You're awake!"

He would recognize that voice anywhere. His vision cleared to see white and he was displeased. It was almost certain he was in Recovery Girl's office or in a hospital. He was even more displeased when he realized it wasn't only his exhaustion stopping him from moving. Almost every inch of his body was bandaged – restricting his movements.

"Tell me the kids are alive."

"They're all alive. Midoriya was in here when I stopped by yesterday, but he was gone this morning so he must be healed. Thirteen is still recovering too though," said Hizashi knowing to cut to the chase to not worry him more.

That wasn't great, but at least they got the students out safe.

Shota couldn't turn his head to look but he could hear Hizashi sniffle. "You did well but you should take care of yourself too! You nearly gave me a heart attack when I saw Hanajima taking you here."

He would do it again too. He wasn't being cocky when he went to fight off a the group of villains on his own. He had the skills to fight them. In the end, he was only able to stall them but he didn't neglect his duty as a hero or teacher so he would stand by his decision.

Shota could still wish he wasn't as battered though.

"What happened to Thirteen?"

"According to what I heard there was someone who got Thirteen to use her quirk on herself. It looks pretty bad but she'll be able to recover."

"What about class?"

"Class?! Shota, the school is closed for today. There's no need to rush. We'll find a substitute. I could even cover homeroom if you want."

Shota wanted out of the bed. He would rather be at the front of the class than laying here.

"I have until tomorrow. I'll make it work."

Hizashi fumed. His arms waved in a fury flurry. "You know, despite always complaining about being a teacher you're still here several years later – eager to get back to class when you should be resting. You even made a student cry yesterday. I totally caught her crying."

"Hizashi, they were fighting for their life. She was probably just scared." Hizashi didn't need to say who it was. He probably thought he was being discreet but he always talked about one student in a slightly different tone.

"She seemed pretty eager to go back and beat up the villains some more." Shota didn't know how much to believe. It sounded more like his friend imprinting his own thoughts on a student.

The important questions were out of the way, but he still had a question for Hizashi. "Are you ever going to tell me how you know Hanajima?"

"Too obvious?"

"Too obvious," he agreed.

"Well, if you would come visit me more there would be a chance you would have met her." Uh? There better be a good reason for that phrasing, Hizashi. "Instead, it's me almost always going over to your place."

"Get to the point."

"We live in the same building. They moved in – maybe about two years now? I see Hanajima and her sister a fair bit even if only momentarily." Shouta couldn't relate. He was rarely home, and when he was it was usually at odd hours when others were working or when they were asleep. He didn't know any of his neighbours nor understood why anyone would want to.

Shota's stomach growled which halted the conversation. Hizashi yelled that he would be right back with food. His feet stomped as he ran out and the door slammed as he left. The sound worsened his headache. He could be loud, and at times annoying but more than that the blond brought him peace and comfort.

…..

Sonozaki finished her respective meetings with Tokoyami and Uraraka. Both were able to 'pass' the mental check though there was a chance Uraraka might seek out additional support in the future. Perhaps not for the USJ incident specifically but for the emotional whiplash she had for stressful situations. Just thinking back on it made her feel exhausted. She experienced each mood change with the girl after all. Though, it seemed like she had support of family and friends though, so she may not seek additional help in the end. It was the girl's choice to make.

She approached the last building of the day. She buzzed the unit from the ground floor.

"Hello?"

"This is Aoki Sonozaki I'm from U.A. I wanted to chat with Minami Hanajima about yesterday's incident. Just to ensure her wellbeing. Could I be allowed in?" The words had a precision to them from repeating them all day.

"…sure." Sonozaki waited for the second set of doors to unlock. "Now how do I do this again."

The door unlocked and she made her way further inside. She took the elevator up to the 10th floor and knocked on Hanajima's door with her I.D. in hand to prove her affiliation with U.A.

"Hi! Sonozaki was it?" She watched the girl's eyes slide over to the I.D. before continuing. "Sorry for the mess. I hadn't been expecting anyone."

Sonozaki looks into the unit. Sure, there were some dirty dishes on the kitchen counter, but she could also smell the familiar scent of baked goods. A laptop was opened on the small dining table. In the other direction was a couch, a chair, a coffee table, and a series of bookshelves filled to the brim. Otherwise, the unit was quite empty. In comparison to her own home, this one felt so bare.

"I was a little surprised at the news. I thought U.A. only had guidance counselors."

"Our job description is officially guidance counselor, but I can assure you my colleagues and I have additional qualifications. It's just that people are more willing to visit us under the framing of 'life advice'." She removed her shoes before walking in further.

"You can take a seat where you want. Did you want something to drink? I have tea and water."

"You don't have to worry about me."

"Are you sure?" Hanajima poured water into two glasses anyway. "In case you change your mind." She sat in the chair perpendicular from herself.

"I don't mean to put you on edge."

Hanajima looked surprised. "You aren't. I'm just…not used to having others over."

Sonozaki gave the list of disclosures. "Do you consent?"

"Yeah."

"Then if you could, could you tell me how you are today after everything you went through yesterday?"

Hanajima took a sip of her water. Whether she was thirsty or drawing out time to give answer she didn't know.

Sonozaki could feel it. The mingling tiredness, frustration, joy, inadequacy, and indifference.

"What do you need to know? I don't know why it happened but it did." Sonozaki noticed Hanajima picked at the fingers on one hand as she spoke. "It was annoying and overwhelming, but it happened so what can you do. My teacher offered to fight the intruders while we escaped. One cut us off though but Thirteen took control. It's wrong to think about, but it was nice to have such capable teachers. That didn't stop them from being gravely injured, though." Sonozaki let Hanajima speak uninterrupted. Some people were more forward while others needed prying or silence. It seemed like she fell into the first category.

"But that's not what you want to know. It's fresh. Of course, I still think about it. These are the kind of situations I'm happy I can't visually remember things because they were injured pretty badly." No visual memory? Wasn't her quirk imagine? She had her student file with her, but it would be rude to double check at this moment. "Doesn't mean I can't describe what happened. My point is I'm not having flashbacks – at least not in the traditional sense. I didn't lose sleep over it. I'm capable of focusing and I haven't skipped my meals or hygiene. I'm fine to return to class tomorrow."

Hanajima clearly knew what to expect. She wondered if the girl had therapy before. Some of her words stuck out though. "But you are having flashbacks in your own way?"

Hanajima shrugged but offered no vocal response. Her fingers moving onto the slider of her sweater's zipper and twisting it back and forth. It might be a soothing gesture, but she didn't have a base to compare to.

Sonozaki put down her pen and notepad on the table. "Hanajima, this is your time. If there's anything you want to talk about or discuss you can. My primary goal is to ensure your well-being. Not what you think you should say or what you think the school needs to know. They don't need to know anything aside whether students need additional support – and even then it's a personal decision."

"I guess I don't know what to say. It's the worse thing to happen this year so far but doesn't quite crack my top 3 for upsetting incidences in the past three years. It can stay in the top 5 though – probably."

That didn't sound good. Though what people considered a threat or upsetting could be deeply personal. "Did you want to talk about that instead?"

"I'm not opposed, but not today." Overwhelming grief took over. It made the other emotions Hanajima felt seem non-existent with how all-consuming it was.

"Though if you're going to listen anyway, then I guess I feel guilty." The grief remained but the guilt was strong enough to be felt through the storm of grief. Sonozaki waited patiently to see if Hanajima would offer more.

"I told someone that I wish I would have kicked one of the intruders harder."

Sonozaki stalled as she tried to understand why Hanajima would feel guilt over that sentiment. She was attacked and they were villains. After some silent she prodded, "What about that makes you feel guilty?"

"Why? I guess because I could feel all my efforts to be kinder and empathetic leave me at that moment. I decided I wanted to be someone who can understand others. I even thought I was making a fair bit of progress but in an instant it's like I learnt nothing and I wanted to inflict enough pain so they couldn't hurt anyone else. I…I don't think… It's not that I don't think they should be able to avoid the consequences of their actions, but looking back I can't help but wonder if my sentiments were any better." Disgust. Frustration. Insecure. Fear.

Sonozaki had read the public statements the students had given to the police. Hanajima had retaliated in self-defense multiple times, but nothing that warranted excessive force. "Did you act out on those feelings?"

"I could have." Hanajima frowned. Her eyebrows scrunched.

"Yet you didn't."

"That's—" Sonozaki waited as Hanajima clearly thought.

"Would you like to share what you're thinking?"

"That I'm a hypocrite like always. I still don't feel great, but I get it." Acceptance. Annoyance. "Actually, could I ask something? Unrelated?"

"What would you like to know?"

"Why do people find talking about these things personal? I've read and I've been told that sharing 'personal' details about oneself is an indication of closeness and trust but what I think is personal and what others think is personal seem to be very different." Anxiety and stress. "Big events, life circumstances, things beyond one's control. I don't mind talking about it but I've been told I overshare, and on forums people say that oversharing is a way to scare people off. The things I find personal are the little things. The things you like and dislike, hobbies and interests, dreams, and goals. People talk about all the time but those are the things I consider intimate and scary. Not yesterday's attack. Not discussing my mom's death. Not bankruptcy."

Sonozaki wondered in the plainness of the home came from the bankruptcy – no don't speculate! Pay attention to what's in front of you.

"I can talk about those no problem yet I can't even talk about what books or movies I like. I just – I think it's causing trouble when I try to connect with others."

Sonozaki thought. It sounded like the same problem many had in a roundabout way. Many would hide their circumstances as to not be judged, yet wanted to be seen for the things that made them uniquely them. From a first glance, the same things manifested in the opposite way for Hanajima. If she understood correctly then Hanajima didn't care about sharing circumstantial matters because they didn't define her, but rather than fear the judgement of circumstances she feared being openly herself.

Sonozaki tried to convey those thoughts, but Hanajima replied noncommittedly. Even empathizing her emotions, she couldn't quite tell whether the point stuck with the girl. That was fine. They weren't talking in absolutes anyhow, and most lessons and navigations didn't happen within a single conversation.

Sonozaki offered the information to access counseling in case she wanted further access to the school's resources. The first kid all day who eagerly took it, so she suspected she'd be around their offices at some point.

No use for speculation.

Sonozaki left and went inside a café. Grabbed a coffee and typed up her broad statement for the school before she sent it off in an email. Then she went home to her partner who she hugged and basked in all the love. Each day was more manageable with them around.