Chapter 16 – Shota Aizawa
After Aizawa's homeroom class, he had a couple of hours to work on other things before he had to run a villain simulation for his first years. He went to his office and started working on the temporary protocol for the Pain study. After only typing a few lines, his phone rang. He sighed as he pulled the phone out of one of the compartments of his utility belt. He glanced at the contact information that flashed on the screen. It was Naomasa Tsukauchi, a detective he had worked with quite a bit during his underground hero days.
"Hello."
"Hey Eraser, it's Tsukauchi. You have a few minutes?"
"Yeah,"
"Got a cold case I'd like another set of eyes on if you have the time."
"I'm listening." Aizawa was tempted to turn him down, but Tsukauchi was a no-nonsense, efficient man, so if he was coming to Aizawa, it was because he believed he could shed some light on the issue. Aizawa had so much work piling up, but he thought all he would do with any free time was just nap anyhow, so why not? He didn't have a life so here he was.
Tsukauchi filled him in on several cases of arson all over Japan that involved abandoned warehouses that had all been razed to the ground presumably trying to hide whatever purpose the arsonists were using them for. He wanted Aizawa to take a look at the most recent one and then any future ones that popped up. Aizawa agreed to drive to Yamanashi prefecture the next day and take a look at one of the sites.
"Thanks, Eraser. I owe you one."
"I'll hold you to that," Aizawa said plainly. He hung up the phone and returned to the temporary protocol document on his computer. 10 seconds later…
"Knock, knock Shota." Mic was standing in his doorway. Aizawa sighed. Would he EVER get this done?
"What do ya want Mic?" Aizawa looked up from his monitor, his face visibly annoyed.
"Good morning to you, too, buddy. Just thought I'd drop by and check on you. What 'cha working on?" Mic leaned against the door jamb, a big smile on his face.
"School stuff. Like always." Aizawa lowered his hands in his lap and reluctantly gave Mic his full attention.
"Heard you're doing some sort of study with Ren Kimura and Watabe before school. Don't ya hate being up here early?"
"Most mornings I have to meet with Nezu before class starts anyway so it's not that big of a deal. Any more questions? I have a deadline."
"Actually, yes, now that you mention it. You remember a couple of Saturdays ago? When you, Kayama, and I went to the bar?"
"Well, no. I don't remember because I got drunk. You know what happens when I get drunk." Aizawa stared at Mic and waited.
"Yeah. Well you had… mentioned…" Mic's usual smile had disappeared. He now looked serious which always unsettled Aizawa. It made him look older and tired.
"Kaniko. Yes, I DO remember you and Kayama embellishing about that night the following Monday in the teacher's lounge with a rather large audience. I think my kissing skill was rated if I remember correctly." Aizawa's face was almost expressionless except the corner of his mouth twitched. If he had been in a better mood, he may have smirked, and then this conversation could have gone in a different direction, but he wasn't feeling very hospitable at the moment.
"Yeah," Mic gave a reluctant smile. "Well, you made a comment later in the night back at your apartment that got me thinking about… well had me wondering if you…"
"Mic, please spit it out. I really have to get this done in the next hour." Aizawa looked up into Mic's chartreuse eyes. They were searching for something in Aizawa's face. He really didn't have the time to help him along. If Mic couldn't articulate it, was it really that important?
"Never mind, man. I'll catch you later," Mic replied, his usual smarmy smile back on his face. Aizawa nodded.
As kids filed out of Ren's third-period class, Aizawa made his way against the crowd and approached her desk. He laid a several-page document before her. "New study protocol until the sensors get approved for replacement. Go over it before tomorrow afternoon. Let me know if you have any questions," Aizawa said and then he turned away when he was done talking to make his exit.
"Wait! Aizawa, I have reservations about this," Ren said quickly hoping he would stop and return to her desk. She started to skim the document hastily so if she saw anything blatantly worrisome she could throw it his way right then.
Aizawa stood still, his back to her for several moments before sighing and turning to face her. He had forty-five minutes before he had to teach his class. He had hopes he could make it to the library for a nap beforehand.
"This says it will just be the two of us. Watabe won't be there?"
"We aren't using any equipment and I'm the one who has to rate Pain since I will be the one experiencing it. No reason for Watabe to be present to just sit around and watch." Aizawa answered in his usual monotone. He couldn't help but smirk now at Ren's apparent uncomfortableness with the idea of being alone with him. Watabe was a very amiable and enthusiastic character. He probably made her feel quite comfortable and canceled out Aizawa's dismal attitude.
"Yes. I guess your right." She said with very little enthusiasm. She somehow managed a slight smile. She was too nice thought Aizawa. He began to have serious concerns about how she could teach at UA and not get eaten alive by the students with that flaw. Or by the faculty for that matter.
"Of course I'm right. See you tomorrow, Kimura." He turned away from her, the smirk still on his pale face.