Chapter 6
As Daichi left the elevator, they found twenty or so little heads peeking out from the living room.
"What are you all doing? Midoriya-san's fine. So is Kirishima-san. Midoriya-san has calmed down and now they're just chilling, but I wouldn't go bother them quite yet. I have some stuff I want to talk to you all about because I'm sure you all have questions and I have answers," they explained.
A few little hands raised up and she chuckled lightly, moving out of the hallway and into the living room to move to one of the empty love seats. Pointing at each hand, she answered each question calmly and with such ease that was necessary for her profession.
"What the hell was that?" Kaminari-san blurted. They caught his fear readily and smiled before answering.
"It was a panic attack," she explained.
"What's that? Sounds like a bad thing," Sero-san asked. The glass of water he held indeed had ice cubes, but they were beating around and swimming, melting and clanking together with the tapping of his fingers against the cup. He was licking and popping his lips to the rhythm. Making a mental note of that for a rainy day, Daichi continued explaining.
"Panic attacks can happen as a fear response to something. A panic attack happens when your brain produces more adrenaline than necessary for the situation. You can feel like you're going to literally die because of a Walmart interaction or something similar," she tried to joke about it, but the class wasn't having any of it. She smiled. Good, they were ready to learn.
"Why do they happen?" Uraraka-san asked. She was putting on a brave face for her classmates, but Daichi saw the worry creasing her eyebrows.
"They can happen for all kinds of different reasons, but some of the most common are over stimulation, stress, and everything just building up at once,"
"Are they dangerous?" Todoroki-san toned. He looked both bored and confused, but also tired, like all his energy was being put into not showing any emotion. Daichi wondered why that might've been.
"They aren't usually dangerous, but they become that way when someone starts hurting themself,"
"How do we prevent them?" Iida-san inquired. He looked like he wanted this to be done and over with immediately. Daichi couldn't blame him, but all of this had to be explained so they could move past this.
"You can stop panic attacks almost instantly by getting the person having a panic attack to touch something extremely cold. That's why I told Aizawa-senpai to give you each a glass of iced water. But if nothing like that is available, just stay by their side and help them with breathing exercises and
other things like that," she explained calmly.
"Is there a way to help when it happens?"
"Everyone has different needs when it comes to helping with panic attacks, so I suggest you have that conversation with your friends privately," she said, but that started a sudden uproar in the previously intense room.
"What do you mean friends?"
"As in plural?"
"Does that mean anyone can have them?"
"Does that mean I can have them?" Those were the questions circling around the room and suddenly a flurry of sound and movement tore across the commons.
Tsu was holding their stomach, like she was going to hurl any second. Kouda was covering their ears and shaking violently in their seat, trying to both cradle themself and block the noise out at the same time. Iida was chopping incessantly like he had Gordan Ramsey butcher knives for hands and screaming about how they all needed to tone it down. Always one for performance and irony. It was basically purgatory for people with sensory issues.
Daichi could see Hagakure-san's clothes start to shake like fey was about to spontaneously combust. And Todoroki-san looked like he was about to turn the whole room to ice. Ojiro-san was twitching and playing with his tail to calm himself down. Sato-san looked as if they were going to explode with all the questions he had about panic attacks. Tokoyami-san seemed to be responding badly to all the noise especially. Dark Shadow was covering his ears in her inky blackness to block it all out. It was like she was their comfort item. Interesting.
But there was one face that didn't seem to do much of anything and that was Bakugou Katsuki. The look of absolute misery that washed over him was immense, but he wasn't doing much of anything at all.
Denki's eyes were trail-blazing around the room, looking at everyone freaking out in different ways. It was kind of terrifying that he could react to a situation like Midoriya did over something as simple as a fucking Walmart interaction. But everybody else's reactions were scaring him even more.
He looked over at Kacchan beside him. The guy looked about fifteen times worse off than anybody else in the room.
Denki started moving towards his friend to ask if he was ok, before high-pitched wails to his left caught everyone off guard faster than Dabi in a sailor suit.
"Who was that?!"
"I think it was Hagakure?"
Faer shirt scrunched up into a ball on the floor as gloves gripped invisible hair.
"I don't like it! No no no no no!" fae screamed incessantly.
Myōji moved quickly towards faer and sat on her knees in front of the child.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" she asked calmly.
"I-I can feel my clothes, and my skin, and my socks, and the light's burning my eyes, and there's noise coming from every direction, and it feels like my eardrums are about to burst! I swear, I took my meds this morning! This- this shouldn't be happening!" fae yelled.
"You take medicine, darling?"
Faer gloves moved up and down with faer head, rocking back and forth as fat tears rolled down faer unseen cheeks.
"You need to c-call my parents! They always know how to deal with my tantrums," fae told nobody in particular.
Aizawa-sensei fished out his phone quickly and dialed the contact for Hagakure's parents. He had a contact for each of his students' parents in case of emergencies.
Hagakure's mother picked up on the fifth ring.
"Hello? Mr. Aizawa, do you understand what time it is? What could have happened to Tooru at this hour?"
Myōji stole the phone from Aizawa-sensei's hand and put the call on speaker before answering.
"Hello, this is Myōji Daichi, Hagakure-san's therapist. Fae seems to be having a meltdown right now and fae said fae took faer medicine this morning. Do you know what could help?" Denki watched her take on a professional-sounding tone before motioning for Aizawa-sensei to see the rest of the class out of the room.
As Hagakure screamed for a blanket or something, Denki ended up having to push Kacchan out of the room.
Momo was being shooed out of the room as her friend yelled and cried helplessly. They felt absolutely awful for faer. She wished she could help-
"I NEED MY BLANKIE!" Tooru shouted.
A blanket? If fae didn't have one, Momo could just create one for faer! Problem solved!
She pushed her way to Tooru's side and politely tried to calm faer down.
"I could make a replacement blanket for you, Tooru! If you can't find your own!" she supplied, before getting absolutely blasted by her friend.
"YOU CAN'T REPLACE IT!"
...What? What did fae mean "You can't replace it?" Was her quirk not suitable for this job? Her quirk made exact copies of things. So it'd be like nothing ever changed if she were to make her blanket. So what was the problem? Was she not good enough? That couldn't be it- Tooru didn't think that... Did fae?
"What do you mean I can't replace it? I'm just trying to help, Tooru," She was only trying to help...
"YOU CAN'T HELP WITH THIS! YOU CAN'T, YOU CAN'T, YOU CAN'T!" Tooru screamed.
Momo felt like she wanted to cry.
Over on the phone, Daichi was trying to get any information out of Hagakure-san's parents she could.
"Does fae have any sort of medical conditions?" If fae took medicine, fae must need it for something.
"Since you're her 'therapist' at school, you should know, I suppose. She has Aspergurs and ADHD. She got diagnosed when she was eight. And, yes, she takes medication for it. And you think it's a meltdown, but she doesn't have meltdowns anymore; she has panic attacks. She hasn't had a meltdown since she was nine. We'll bring the blanket over there next weekend. She should have taken it with her when she came back from break. It's her own fault," the mother informed. Wasn't Hagakure-san from California? Ah, home of the Karens™. Poor child.
"Ma'am, I don't wanna tell you how to parent-"
"Then don't." the father chimed in. God, these parents were insufferable.
"We know what's best for our child, and she's done good in life under that guidance. So who are you to try and police our methods?"
"I want what's best for Hagakure-san as well, sir," Daichi said to the basic equivalent of a brick wall. A noisey one at that.
"Whatever. If she needs the blanket all that much, she'll have to come and get it herself. She's making a scene and it's embarrassing-"
"To you, or to your child?" Daichi interrupted; she'd had enough of their bullshit.
"Excuse me? Who do you think you are?" The mother seethed.
"Someone who graduated Harvard when she was seventeen with a pHD in Psychology and a Specialty Degree in Child Behavior. A grown ass woman who has worked alongside Hero Course students specifically for ten fucking years. A person who's helped make massive strides in making laws to protect children like your own in their own mental and physical health. Does that sound like someone you'd listen to?" Daichi found herself spitting into the phone. She'd dealt with parents like this before, but she was just so done with the entire situation. There was silence on the other end.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to aid your child in destimulating from faer autistic meltdown," and with that, she clicked off the phone and handed it to Aizawa-senpai.
They strode over to Hagakure-san, taking care to make their presence very clear so she didn't startle faer.
"Hagakure-san, what is it that you need? We can get it for you, ok?" She held her hands above their head and knelt down at the side of the crumple heap of sticky, damp clothes. She held back a grimace at the clear discomfort the state of faer clothes brought faer.
Hagakure-san sobbed loudly as fae fumbled for words of what would help.
"I-I need my blankie! I know I took it with me when I came back from break! I swear I did! I vividly remember putting it in my bag!" fae cried harder at the predicament they'd all found themselves in.
Daichi looked at Yaoyorozu-san, who looked to be in a trance of sorts, and shook her shoulder slightly to wake her up.
The girl startled, eye blaring for a second before settling on Daichi and Hagakure-san's distressed form.
"I need you to go to Hagakure-san's room and look everywhere you can for faer blankie. It's vitally important that you find it," she explained and sent her on her way.
Then she took out the same pair of headphones they gave to Midoriya-san and handed them to the child. She couldn't really discern where faer ears were.
"Put these on; they'll block out most of the noise, sweetheart," she told the child.
Soon, headphones were taken up in the air and placed on undetectable ears. Instantly, Daichi saw the shaking start to lessen with the headphones on.
"I promise you're going to be okay, hun," they soothed. Gloved hands tenderly wrapped around her knuckles and squeezed. Daichi upturned her hands and grasped the child's fingers softly.
"I'm going to get up and turn off the lights. Will you be ok for fifteen seconds?" she asked calmly.
"All you have to do is count and time me. I promise it might even take a shorter amount of time." The headphones bounced forward and back just a little and that was all it took for Hagakure-san to start mumbling a countdown.
Getting up quickly but calmly, Daichi walked over to the light switch and, with a flick of the wrist, darkness filled the air. It would make it harder to see Hagakure-san, but faer comfort was Daichi's priority right now.
She walked back over to where they thought Hagakure-san last was before plopping down next to the student. Hands immediately flung over to her hands and gripped like a lifeline.
"Can I ask you a question, Hagakure-san?" she questioned with a slight lilt in her tone.
"Mm.. mmhmm..." a voice hummed into the space between them.
"What kind of a hero do you want to be?" she questioned. Maybe it would get faer mind off of everything around them.
No sound came from the child for a few minutes, bar the sniffles and whimpers being flown into the air. Then faer voice came to fill the silence.
"I.. I want to be seen. N-noticed. I want people to watch from the sidelines and think, 'W-wow Invisible Girl's so cool! I wanna be just like faer when I grow up!' I want to in-inspire others to go out there and shine. I know it's probably s-selfish and conceited to want to be a hero just for fame, but being famous while hel-helping people seems like the best o-option. I'm using my abilities to keep people safe. I don't want to just be a scared, invisible little kid. I want to be great. Al-also, c-can I hug you? You're v-very warm..." And.. wow. The invisible kid wants to be seen. It was gravely comedic. She huffed at the irony and wrapped her arms around the child, pulling faer into her lap to be cuddled.
Hagakure-san just huddled up to Daichi's body and tried to still faer shaking form. Daichi began to rub up and down faer back and rock back and forth gently with the child in her arms. There was a calm silence before Hagakure-san cut through it with a mumbled something that Daichi couldn't decipher.
"What is it sweetie?" she asked kindly.
"I don't know why my meds didn't work today... Momma and Daddy said that my meds were supposed to help me not have a breakdown.. So why?" Daichi frowned deeply, regretting not tearing those parents a new one before responding.
"Honey, medication is not an end all, cure all for disabilities. They help the symptoms lessen, but they can't cure you of everything. You're gonna have bad days. It's part of life. But think of it like this: meds can help your bad days go from six days a week, to maybe two or three days a week. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Slowly, she felt a small nod against her shoulder and they smiled. That was good. This kid was a good one.
"You'll be alright, sugarplum, I promise,"
Just then, Yaoyorozu-san came rushing in holding a small, pink, Minnie Mouse themed baby blanket in her fist.
"I found it! It was underneath faer bed behind the window curtains!" she exclaimed, careful not to startle Hagakure-san more than she already had.
"Bring it over here, sweetie. Thank you for that,"
The blankie was passed swiftly before Daichi wrapped the fabric around Hagakure-san's shoulders and all shaking in that moment ceased instantly.
"There we go, how does that feel, hon?" she asked.
"Nice. Thank you Yao-Momo-chan," the child mumbled before snuggling back into Daichi's shoulder.
Daichi smiled sweetly at both of the children in her care. It wasn't until Hagakure-san yawned softly before settling a little heavily onto Daichi that the woman checked the clock. 19:06 at night.
"Time for an early night," she decided.
"Ok, kids, it's time to go to bed. I know it's still early, but I think we've all been tuckered out for tonight, yeah?" she chuckled slightly.
Mumbles of agreement and yawning greeted her as she hoisted Hagakure-san up as best she could before leading Yaoyorozu-san out of the common room and up the stairs.
In Denki's room, he sat in bed on his laptop typing furiously in Hanta's DMs.
April 8th, 2036
P40N3 C4ARG3R
sooooo what's up homieee?
Sent 19:13
CellophaneIgnorance
The fooking sky broski why?
Sent 19:14
P40N3 C4ARG3R
ru gud after what happened? U didn't seem so gucci my guy
CellophaneIgnorance
Im good now fam dw i got everythn under control
P40N3 C4ARG3R
if you say so dude i just worry about you man
Seen 19:17
Hanta probably went to bed. There was nothing to be worried about. He said he had it handled.
That didn't stop the anxiety from bubbling up to his heart. After a beat, he pushed his body up and out of bed, carrying an extra pair of pajamas as well as his laptop out the door.
Getting out of the elevator to the fifth floor, he marched straight to Hanta's door, not bothering to knock before he entered.
Hanta's head shot up with his eyes nearly bugging out of their sockets at Denki's unexpected arrival.
"Dude, what are you doing here?" he asked, clearly confused.
"Eh, you seemed like you needed some support. I came here to provide!" he smiled goofily before flopping on the bed.
"Now am I sleeping in the bed, hammock, or the floor?"
"Fucking floor for scaring me like that!" Hanta joked off.
Denki faked a gasp and dramatically laid on the crumpled sheets with a hand to his forehead.
"You wound me sire! What have I done to deserve such an insult?" He spoke with a posh british accent before stopping and rushing out: "Wait, don't answer that you already said it, I'm just stupid,"
Hanta laughed a little before scooting next to Denki, knocking their shoulders together playfully.
"I don't think you're stupid. I don't think you're particularly book smart, but that doesn't always matter. You've got swagger and you're streetwise. You know how to talk to people and I swear it's like watching a magician work his magic whenever you make a friend. Dude, I've seen you walk up to a complete stranger on the street, and start up a conversation about their shirt. You literally got the guy's number- which I guess isn't the smartest thing, but that's not my point!"
Denki looked at his friend warily. He hadn't been expecting this conversation.
"What is your point?"
Hanta sat there and waved his hands around Denki's figure vaguely, looking for the right words.
"My point is. You don't have to ace every test to be a good hero. You shine bright, my man, you really do. And I'm all here for it. You're my best friend, Denki. And I hope you see yourself how I see you one day," Denki watched Hanta scratch the back of his cheek nervously before a big smile ripped through his face.
"Are you flirting with me, bro? That's kinda gay, man," he said cheekily.
Hanta's face absolutely fucking bloomed. He sputtered and shoved Denki as he laughed hysterically.
"Shuddup, man, you have no right to say anything you bi disaster!" he yelled giddily.
"You shut up, Spiderboy! You're omnipan! I bet you have the fattest crush on Todobroki!"
"Who I have a crush on is none of your business!" Hanta screeched.
"Au contraire, my man, as your best friend- your words, not mine- I reserve the right to pick on you mercilessly about your big, gay crush on Todoroki!" Denki giggled as they started playfully shoving and tickling each other.
"I don't have a crush on Shouto!" Hanta pleaded innocent.
"I don't believe yOU, AH FUCK!" And before either of them knew it, Hanta was on top of Denki, straddling his waist, and tickling him mercilessly.
"Take it back~ Say I don't have a crush on Shouto!" Hanta pressed, grinning maliciously.
"N-no! C-c-c'mon, you're on- HAHAHA- f-first name ba-basiiiiis with the g-gAHHAHAHA STOP PLEASE HAVE MERCY!"
"MERCY IS FOR PEOPLE WHO AREN'T FRIENDS WITH BAKUGOU KATSUKI!"
"WHY, GOD, WHY?" They both laughed, though one was far louder than the other.
"GOD IS DEAD AND JESUS CHRIST LIVES IN JERSEY," Hanta screamed.
They played until tears poured from Denki's eyes and he got the mercy he deserved.
They sat up laughing and Denki leaned on Hanta's shoulder heaving to catch his breath.
"Bro I love you, but you need to never do that again," Denki wheezed.
Hanta laughed, "Deal, bro. And I love you, too. No homo, of course,"
Denki punched him in the shoulder, playfully, "All the homo in this platonic relationship,"
Something changed in Hanta's expression, but his playful grin came back lickity split before Denki could catch it.
"Ok so what do you wanna do now, dude? We got all night," Denki asked.
"I got some new manga we could read?" Hanta suggested.
"Sounds like a plan,"
And there they sat until Denki found Hanta sound asleep on his shoulder at two in the morning
