The train ride home feels lonely.
I refuse to think why.
So, I distract myself with thoughts of other things.
My favorite cold soba noodles for dinner tonight, the weekend starts tomorrow afternoon, school project details given next Monday, history exam at end of the month. Oh! And intense training with Dad tomorrow. His work took him more than a night and a morning.
When I get home, I give a quick greeting to my sister and head into my room. I take out the cactus flowers from my blazer pocket. For a moment, I consider throwing them into the trash. After how Hanada just ended our friendship so quickly, it doesn't seem like a bad idea to do it. But I don't. Be it nostalgia or guilt, I put them with the other flowers in my nightstand. Then I shut it and don't look back.
I finish my homework two hours before dinner. During those two hours, I distract myself from the thoughts of Hanada and analyze Midoriya and All Might.
I should start by comparing and contrasting them.
As Asui pointed out, Midoriya and All Might have similar super-strength quirks. So powerful, it only takes a touch to generate a massive impact. But where All Might can land a series of smashes without breaking a sweat, Midoriya can only land a few and break his bones in the process.
Both are ambitious, determined, and hard-working. But Midoriya has a meek personality, whereas All Might's is charismatic. Midoriya mutters and overthinks a lot, while All Might speaks confidently and with certainty.
Both are reckless, but Midoriya strategizes before attacking or defending; All Might is the type to simply attack and wear out the enemy.
Midoriya idolizes All Might, but All Might idolizes ... I actually don't know who All Might idolizes. Does he idolize anyone?
Regardless, I should evaluate their relationship now.
The Trial of Battle: All Might was hesitant to stop Midoriya and Bakugou's match. He seemed genuinely concerned - anyone would - about the two. But any sane person that concerned would have stopped the match immediately. All Might, however, looked like he wanted to see how the match would turn out. He constantly denied our classmates' pleas and waited until the very end of the match to calm Bakugou and send Midoriya to the infirmary.
The U.S.J. attack: The way All Might charged at the noumu and then how Midoriya charged at Kurogiri ... The styles were similar: run, punch, pommel. That was the pattern I saw. But that's not all. The entire class was worried about All Might during the aftermath. But Midoriya more so. It was as though he knew something that the rest of us didn't. Something important. Something devastating. What was that he said when All Might ordered us to leave? Something about how All Might should be "out of time?"
During classes and lunch: I've noticed that from my vantage point, All Might seems to favor viewing the left side of the classroom. Midoriya sits on the left side. Not to mention how All Might's eyes seem to swell with pride whenever he looks at Midoriya working diligently on something, and he seems slightly more energetic talking to Midoriya than the rest of us. Then there was Lunch today - All Might asked Midoriya to join him for lunch.
Clearly, there is some relationship between them. But what kind of relationship? Seemingly identical quirks, somewhat matching personalities, most attention given to each other ... That can only mean one thing!
Midoriya is All Might's illegitimate son!
Just then, Fuyumi calls out that dinner is ready. But lo and behold! When I enter, Endeavor's already there. He's seated in his usual spot at the table as Fuyumi sets out bowls. Immediately, my frustration spikes.
He's the first to speak. "Good evening, Shouto." I nod and take my seat. I don't think I'll be able to talk to Endeavor peacefully after the utter failure today has been. For Fuyumi's sake, it's best I remain silent. "How was your day?"
There goes my plan of keeping quiet. I focus on keeping my voice low but firm. "The usual. Classes, lunch, hero training." I take a big slurp of my soba noodles to not so subtly tell him that I'm not interested in talking. Unfortunately, he doesn't get the hint.
"I got a call from the school. They informed me that you broke the building doors with ice while looking for help for some classmate of yours."
"That's right. My friend had a relapse. I couldn't waste time, so I broke through the doors." I don't think any elaboration is necessary.
"The school sent me the bill. I had to pay a few thousand yen. Learn to control your emotions, Shouto."
"Sure, Endeavor," I reply nonchalantly. This time I angle my body away from him.
Endeavor converses with Fuyumi about her day and Natsuo. Meanwhile, I seethe in bitterness. My plan was to confront Endeavor about Mom when his work finished. And now that he's here, I can't. Maybe for a long time, I won't. Everything is just too damn fresh. I stare at my bowl. For the first time in years, I am not enjoying my favorite dish in the whole wide world. The dish I would eat if I could only eat one dish for the rest of my life.
I force myself to finish it and quickly dismiss myself.
For the first time in months, I cannot sleep.
I am plagued by thoughts of a girl with liquid silver eyes cowering as I punish her.