The walk to school Monday morning is quiet, but not quite as awkward as it usually is. I still try to match Sensei's stride, and like normal, he still ignores it. I spend most of the time thinking about what to do about my guardian's ultimatum. Why do you want to be a hero? You can tell me verbally or you can write a paper. I don't care which, but you will explain it to me by Saturday. We arrive at the classroom and I put my things down before chewing my lip.
"Sensei?" I ask.
He pauses on his way out the door.
"Do you know Shinsou's homeroom class?"
He raises an eyebrow.
"1H."
He says nothing as he leaves the room and I arrange my stuff on my desk before leaving too. 1H isn't hard to find and it's only a few classrooms down. It's empty, though, when I arrive. I linger for a few moments, wishing I'd thought this out better, before moving to leave.
Of course, that's when the door slides open.
A tall, dark-haired man dressed in slacks and a crisp white button-down pauses in the doorway. He stares. I flush in embarrassment.
"Um… hi?"
"Good morning," the man says, blinking. "My name is Mizuno Yusuke, the homeroom teacher for class 1H. May I ask what you're doing here?"
"Ah," I sweep into a quick bow and feel my entire face flush. "I-I-I'm sorry! I'm Hoki, Rin. I-I-I asked Aizawa-Sensei which room Shinsou-kun was in. B-B-But I forgot none of the students would be here yet. And I'm- that is- I didn't mean to- I'm sorry to bother you. I'll go-"
The man chuckles and I pause, looking up nervously.
"Hoki-san, it's fine. I was merely curious. You're Aizawa-senpai's adopted ward, are you not?"
I bite my lip and nod.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you then," the man says, walking around me with a disarming smile. He sets his things down on his podium and begins unpacking papers. "You're welcome to wait with me if you'd like. It's not often students make friends outside of their departments, especially not in general studies. I'm sure Shinsou-kun would be happy to greet you."
I hesitate before shaking my head.
"N-N-No thank you," I mumble.
He gives me a curious look.
"Would you like to leave him a note then, to let him know you came by?"
I shake my head and quickly back up.
"N-N-No, Th-Th-Thank you," I bow and quickly rush out. My face burns as I return to our classroom and I settle back into my seat. I fold my arms and press my face into them feeling like an idiot.
.
.
.
As the homeroom class files in, I watch, quietly as I always do, and consider Sensei's words. Why do you want to be a hero? They ring in my head. I look at each student and wonder what their answer would be. At explosive, at Midoriya, at Iida, and Bubbly. When Mineta finally walks in and takes his seat, I do something I hadn't before.
I reach forward and tap his shoulder.
He jumps in surprise, hand over his chest, and squeals.
The class quiets as they all look our way. I flush and shrink back into the desk, wishing the floor would just swallow me whole. This is even worse than that disastrous conversation with Mizuno-sensei.
"Hoki-chan! You scared me!"
The class titters and I scratch my neck nervously.
"Ah… Sorry Mineta-kun," I mumble. "I… uh, had a question…"
"Oh?" Mineta says, leaning forward and drooling a little. He leers and raises both eyebrows. "If you're interested, you only had to ask-"
"Hey man, don't be gross-" Red says a few seats over.
"Why do you want to be a hero?" I interrupt. Embarrassed and overwhelmed, I don't mean for it to come out so loudly. The few conversations that had started up, pause. My face burns, hotter than ever, and I sink further down in the seat.
"M-M-Me?" he asks, eyes wide as he points to himself.
I offer a timid smile and try to pretend we're not in the middle of a classroom.
"I… uh-" He gives a sheepish smile and scratches his neck. "Well, because… I want to be noticed. I want all the girls to love me! You know how they always throw themselves at the big heroes, like Hawks and Mount Lady and stuff? I want them to do that to me! People used to always pick on me because I'm small, but when I'm a hero, they'll be super jealous!"
I blink. And then I frown, eyebrows drawing together.
He looks around but the students have returned to their conversations, their eyes on each other. I watch as he deflates, his hands curling into fists. He shrugs and I can tell in the way he turns back that he'd wanted more.
He's disappointed.
"I notice you," I tell him quietly.
He stills, staring at me for a moment. Then he smiles. It's smaller than his other ones, but it's brighter than I've seen before. For once, his eyes don't drop down to my chest. Sensei comes in. Mineta says nothing as he turns around.
.
.
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By the time lunch arrives, I'm hungry, frustrated, and no closer to answering my question than Saturday when Sensei posed it. Why do you want to be a hero? Annoyed, I sit at my favorite table near the back and pick at my food. When Shinsou sits beside me, he offers me a dirty look.
I have no idea why.
"What?" I ask him quietly.
"Why are you talking to Mizuno-sensei?" he asks flatly. "What did you say to him? Why is he asking me all these weird questions?"
It takes a moment to remember what he's talking about.
As soon as I do, I flush scarlet. He scowls.
"What did you do?" he growls.
"I just said hi!" I mumble feeling my face burn all the hotter.
"You so did more than that. He asked me if I had a girlfriend! Then he ribbed me all morning about how I had a thing for shy girls. I don't even know what he's talking about. There wasn't anything shy about those damn kicks yesterday. My shins still hurt."
"I- He what?" I squeal.
Shinsou glowers and stares before finally crossing his arms and huffing.
"Alright, so what'd you want?"
I flush and look down at my plate. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see him lifting his food to his mouth.
"Aizawa-sensei threatened to pull me from the hero program."
He doesn't take a bite. He lowers it, face wrinkling in annoyance.
"Have you been waiting all morning to tell me that?" he asks.
"I… Yes. I mean, I was going to…"
I give up on words and deflate. He scowls.
"Why didn't you just text me? Or call?"
"I… I can?" I ask, blinking up. He bites his food and glowers at me. It's remarkably similar to Aizawa-sensei's stupid question look. He swallows and huffs.
"Did you delete my phone number?" he asks sourly.
"No."
"Then obviously you could have. So what did you do?"
"He… He thinks I'm being—I've been abused."
Shinsou frowns. Whatever annoyance was on his face disappears. He stands and moves. Circling the table, he sits beside me and bumps my shoulder with his own. I lean into it, taking a deep sigh. I can't categorize his smell, but it's distinctly him. I close my eyes and try to find my center.
"You better not get snot on me."
"Shut up," I mumble but with no real heat.
"So, what, do you not think… that?" he asks, voice low.
"I… no," I look at him strangely. He stares back, lips curling down. "I'm not, but he… he said I have to tell him why I want to be a hero. I have until Saturday. If… If he doesn't like my answer, he's going to pull me."
"That… that sounds like something he would do," Shinsou admits. His arm circles my back and squeezes. "So just tell him why you want to be a hero."
"It's not that easy," I whisper.
"Because you have too many reasons or because you don't have any?"
"The first," I answer. I don't know why talking to him is so much easier. I sigh. "I don't know how to say it all and I'm afraid I'll say it wrong. I… I don't want to leave." My shoulders sag. "I'm tired of leaving."
Shinsou squeezes my shoulder one more time before letting go. He returns to his food and seems to think for a moment as he chews.
"You should make a list," he says after swallowing. "Then you can either read it or just hand it to him. You could add to it all week, so you don't forget anything. I don't really get why Sensei's doing this, but I'm sure he has a good reason. And, well, no offense Hoki, but I think you're in denial about the abuse thing."
I sigh at him. He raises an eyebrow.
"Shinsou, nobody beats me," I tell him angrily.
"No, they just put a powder in your shirt that left permanent scars," he says back. His lips thin and his jaw clenches.
"It was a prank," I try to explain. It does nothing to help the situation. His nostrils flare. He stops eating and his face wrinkles in disgust.
"That's a shitty definition of a prank. Pranks are supposed to be funny. You know what's funny? Cat videos. Watching your stupid classmates make an ass out of themselves. That-" he cuts off and touches the scars on my neck. I flinch and he scowls. "is not funny. That is not a prank. That's assault. If someone did that to me, my father would press charges. They would be in jail. I would not be the one moving rooms."
I frown and look down.
He sighs, loudly.
"Sorry," he says after a moment. I look up. His purple hair waves in all directions, his lips are still thin, but he looks more tired than anything, his half-lidded eyes staring off in the distance. I wrap my arms around him and give him a hug, pressing my face into his jacket.
"You like cats?"
"Yeah."
"We have a kitten," I tell him, pulling away. He gives me a half-smile. "Her name's Miska. I… I could ask Sensei to let you come meet her?"
"Heh, I dunno. It was weird seeing Present Mic's house. I dunno if I could look Aizawa-Sensei in the eye if I went to his and found his walls all pink or something."
I giggle.
"His walls are all white," I admit quietly. "I've never seen his room, but I don't think he has anything in it except a bed and dresser. He doesn't believe in unnecessary stuff."
"Heh, that does sound like him," he says snorting.
"I… I could ask?"
"Maybe not this week," Shinsou says, but I don't miss the fondness in his smirk. "My parents are making a big deal about my birthday. So they're-"
"It's your birthday?" I interrupt.
He sighs through his nose.
"Tomorrow, Hoki."
"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask, pouting.
"I just did," he snorts, raising an eyebrow. "It's not a big deal. You better not make a big deal of it."
I pout. He ignores me. When lunch ends, I reluctantly say goodbye.
.
.
.
I finish my homework in record time. I even have time to start my list. I write the first three bullets quickly—I don't want to be a villain. I don't want to watch someone get hurt again. I promised to get stronger. I'm fairly sure Sensei would not approve of any of those reasons, but I write them regardless and stuff them in my folder.
"Fifteen more minutes," Sensei says when I glance his way.
I sigh and stare at my desk. After a moment, I pull out a sheet of paper, a pencil, and pinch my arms. Shadows swirl to life, pouring out my pores and wrapping tightly around my arm. I concentrate and make the shadows pick up the pencil.
I'm out of practice.
It takes more concentration than normal to get it to write. I practice my hiragana. They're all shaky and overly large. I fill the sheet when a shadow falls over me. I look up in surprise and the pencil clatters to the desk. Sensei frowns down at me.
"What are you doing?"
I cringe.
"Training?"
"This is how you train your quirk?" he asks, and I can hear the amusement in his voice. I can't see his mouth with his capture weapon in the way, but I'm sure he's smirking. I blush and the shadows take on a red hue. I quickly suck them in through my mouth.
"It doesn't really come with a book," I grumble as soon as I can speak.
He shakes his head and stuffs his hands in his pockets.
"Logic would dictate that practicing things you intend to actually do would be the most beneficial. Though it does explain why some of your homework has such horrible penmanship. Please refrain using that particular skill to turn in work."
I flush and look away.
"Are you finished?" I ask. It sounds more like a whine, even to my ears.
"Yes," he chuckles. I ball up the paper and pack away the rest of my things. As we pass the classroom door, I toss it in the trash.
"Can we go to the store?" I ask.
"Why?"
I frown. I hate that word.
"You said if I finished my homework I could cook tonight. I know you have chicken, but can we have fish instead? And tomorrow's Shinsou-kun's birthday. Can I make cupcakes?"
He glances down at me and raises an eyebrow.
"Three requests in one day? I believe that's a record."
I flush and look away.
Is… Is he teasing me?
Something bright bubbles up again and I peak back up at him. He's still looking in my direction, I look away, face red.
"Do… Do you want me to ask for more?"
"I want you to feel comfortable. Clearly, we're not quite there. Yes, we can go to the store. Though if you choose to make cupcakes, you should make enough for the entire class. Shinsou won't appreciate being singled out."
It's not a big deal. You better not make a big deal of it.
I nod.
"When's your birthday?" I ask.
"November 8th."
"Do you like cupcakes?"
"No," he says, and I can't help but giggle at the blandness of it. As we leave the school, he allows me to pepper him with questions. He's in an odd mood, more open. Do you like sweets? No. What about spicy food? It's okay. Do you prefer a specific vegetable? No. Do you dislike any vegetables? Beans.
He lets me hold the shopping bag at the store and tells me to get what I want. I collect fresh vegetables, spices, fish, and eggs before I see a familiar mop of red and white hair.
"Hoki?"
I blush as Dual-hair walks over. I don't know what to do, I just kind of stand there. It's not like I've never seen a classmate at the store. It's more so that they've never greeted me.
"Uh… h-h-hi?" I mumble.
The boy smiles and it's a distant odd thing. I stare for a moment before realizing what I'm doing and stop. He gives me an odd look.
"Is that Aizawa-sensei?"
I look behind me and flush when the man in question shuffles lazily over to the contacts aisle only a few feet away. His hands in his pockets, hair falling in messy waves across his shoulders with the capture weapon still wound loosely around his neck. The people give him odd looks, but no one approaches.
"Uh… yeah?"
He gives me another curious stare.
"Are you… dating him?"
I choke.
"Wh-wh-what!?" My face burns as I try to process what he just asked. What kind of question is that? No! "No! No!"
He gives me an odd look.
"No," I repeat as if repeating it will make this entire conversation disappear. "I… he's my guardian."
Dual-hair blushes.
"Oh."
What is wrong with today?
I cover my face in embarrassment. A moment later, a firm hand presses against my shoulder. I don't need to look up to know who's here.
"Todoroki," Sensei's voice is bland.
"Hello, Sensei."
"Did you need something?" he asks.
"No, sir," he hesitates and moves away. "Have a good day."
I don't look as he walks away and the hand on my shoulder doesn't disappear. After a moment it tightens. I feel him turn me and I peek out from behind a finger. Sensei raises an eyebrow, his face a few inches from my own. He looks annoyed.
Are you dating him?
I flush and close my eyes.
"Do I want to know?" Sensei drawls.
"No," I tell him resolutely. He huffs and I can hear his clothes rustle as he straightens.
"We'll talk about it at home. If you have anything left, you should get it now. Otherwise we need to check out."
"Yes, sir."
.
.
.
Dinner is delicious.
It takes me nearly an hour to prepare all the food, including a pan of twenty-four homemade cupcakes. But when I watch Sensei take a bite and smile, it's all worth it. He doesn't offer praise, but he also returns for a second helping of vegetables.
I feel so light and happy I can almost imagine myself floating off the chair.
It makes my chest ache.
I don't want it to end.
They always leave. Why do they always leave?
I bury the thought.
"Why did you get all flustered at the store?" Sensei asks after a moment.
And I can feel all of my good feelings wither and die. I slump in the chair. He raises an eyebrow.
"Oh… um… nothing?"
"I would prefer you not lie to me," Sensei says sternly.
I sigh.
"He... um... asked if we were dating."
Sensei chokes. I look up in alarm. He glowers, reaches for his water, and swallows several long gulps. When he puts it down, it clatters against the table from the force.
"Excuse me? He asked you what?"
Sensei looks incensed. I cringe and he grits his teeth.
"S-S-Sir?"
"Eat your food."
I do so, glancing nervously towards him as his facial expressions change. I hadn't expected Aizawa-sensei to be so expressive. But as he glowers, glares, and finally settles on irritated, I realize the foolishness of that thought. He gives me a particularly short look when I stare a moment too long, and I quickly return to my food.
"Is… Is um… Dual-hair in trouble?"
His expression of annoyance slips to me, and I almost regret asking.
"Todoroki," he corrects.
"Todoroki," I repeat quietly.
"No. I'll speak to him about it tomorrow. Those are questions best left in your head."
I grimace.
"Am… Am I in trouble?"
"For what?"
"I… I told him you were my guardian."
He frowns before his expression clears.
"Why would you be in trouble for that?"
"Y-Y-You told Toshinori-san not to… that is, not to, um, tell… the, uh, students…"
Sensei watches me struggle for a moment before releasing an annoyed sigh.
"You can tell who you want," he says. He gives me a flat stare. "I would prefer not to share my private life with others. I only ask that you don't give out our address and leave me out of these discussions. Other than that, do as you wish."
Our address…
Hesitantly, I smile.
"Yes, sir."