Chapter 04
Toru Hagakure

He still wonders why he agreed to this. He could've asked Nemuri to do it instead, but… she's his student. Keyword: his. So of course he would agree to this. And besides, they need a guardian to accompany them outside UA.

It's definitely not because Hagakure had specifically asked him to accompany her.

Other girls would've joined along, but they are a little busy. They were quite dismay that they couldn't join but he reasoned that it would be easier to keep an eye on a person instead of a group. Nonetheless, Hakagure still looks excited to go shopping for clothes.

Him? He's already complaining before they even enter the mall.

"Let's go, Mr. Aizawa!"

"Don't stray too far," he calls out aloud but she's already skipping her way to the first store. He grumbles under his breath and follows her far behind. He hunches down into his capture weapon and shoves his hands into his pocket, avoiding the large crowd as far as he possibly could.

Hagakure had grown out of her clothes; she needs to buy new ones. Thankfully, the dorm is also in need to restock the kitchen with groceries and whatnot. So here they are in the mall shopping for Hagakure's clothes and groceries.

Before he could enter the clothes store Hakagure already jogs out to him. He raises an eyebrow at her.

"I don't like the clothes they sell," she answers bluntly before skipping past him, already making a beeline for the next store. He didn't hold back his groan as he turns on his heels and follows her slowly. He doesn't like this even more but he won't voice it out; Hakagure doesn't need to know that.

She had been very looking forward to today. The past few days had not been quite her days, really doesn't like how her tight clothes had restricted her movements. So he voiced out his concern if she needs new clothes.

He couldn't see it but he knew she had a big smile on her face.

When she wanted him to accompany her, he couldn't help but be confused. Surely Midnight would've been the better choice. He has very little knowledge in female fashion. Then, her clothes folded and ruffled in a way that he thought she was giving him a confused look. Her answer surprised him.

"No, I want you to come, not anyone else."

There was so much confident and so much trust in her answer. He still wouldn't admit that his heart skipped a beat. He agreed, putting up a front of reluctance and told her that the reason he would ever come was because the dorm really does need to restock.

It's definitely that, not because he couldn't say no to his student.

"Come on, Mr. Aizawa!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming."

.

"How do I look?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Aizawa!"

He groans out loud at hearing her whine and feet stomp.

He finds himself in a fourth store (fourth!) and Hakagure had barely bought anything. Thankfully, the store they are currently seems to supply all the clothing that is to her liking. He relieved his feet by sitting on a bench. And then Hakagure called him from the changing room. Thankfully there is a cushioned bench right in front of it so he took resident on it.

So here they are. Hagakure is showing off her new attire, asking him if they look good or not. He doesn't know much about female fashion, he had already state this earlier, and it makes things harder to judge since Hagakure is literally invisible.

He's also too lazy to give his opinion on that matter.

Hagakure has none of it though.

"Mr. Aizawa please," Hagakure whines, stretching the last word longer. Her posture looks straight but her tone says she is pouting. "I want to know what you think about these! I can't just go with what I see."

"They're your clothes, just wear something you like and comfortable with," he replies, tone mixed with mild irritation. Her posture shifts, from the way her sleeves fold she is either wringing her hands or fidgeting with her fingers.

"But… I want your opinions on the matter. They're important too."

Damn it, why do these damn kids make his heart beat irregularly?

"Fine," he admits defeat in exasperation. Her posture shifts again.

"Really?!"

"Do it before I change my mind."

"Thank you!" Hagakure pulls the curtains again and he could hear her changing quite excitedly. In the meanwhile, he rubs his face with one hand and sighs into it.

He can't believe he admitted defeat so quickly.

He is getting too soft for his liking.

And he doesn't mind it far too much for his liking.

He starts to not make sense of himself.

"Ready?" he hears Hakagure calls out. He hums, hoping she would hear it. The curtains pull back, revealing Hagakure in a different set of clothes. She even poses and twirls for him to judge. He looks closely, looking up and down and takes in all the details.

"The pants don't fit the overall."

"Really?"

"Try putting on leggings."

"Okay!" The curtain draws over. He hears her shuffling inside before the curtain pulls back quickly. Hakagure steps forward confidently. He looks up at down before nodding his head in approval.

"Better." Hagakure jumps and cheers and then goes back into the changing room. He quietly snorts in amusement.

"It is not that often you would find a father in this place," he hears a woman speaks near him. He pays no mind.

It takes him a while to realize she is talking about him, and to him. He snaps his head to look at the woman who is smile kindly down at him.

"Is she your daughter?"

He doesn't answer. He feels very awkward. Is it common for a guy to be mistaken as a father to a girl who has absolute no relation with whatsoever? How should he answer?

The curtains pull back to reveal Hagakure in-

"No."

"Okay!"

The curtains draw over again.

The woman laughs behind her hand.

"That is just so adorable! I never thought someone like you could exist." He doesn't know if he feels complimented or insulted at that. Nonetheless, he stays quiet. The awkwardness nearly doubles. "It must be quite difficult to have an invisible daughter."

As if the world senses his awkwardness, a girl nearby is calling out a name. The woman turns before smiling at him, offering her goodbye and then walks over, leaving him behind. He keeps staring at her back, his mind still reeling at what had transpired.

The curtains pull back.

"Mr. Aizawa, how do I look?"

"Pick a different shirt under that jacket."

"You're right."

She disappears behind the changing room again. He silently wonders to himself how long will he has to stay here. There are still groceries he needs to get to but they are very easy to pick. It won't take long for that. Hagakure's next change takes longer than he expects so he takes out his phone to-

"Oh my! I never expect to see a caring father in here out of all places." He stiffens in his seat. He looks up at another woman, older than the previous one this time, also smiling down at him. Is it really that rare to see a man in this store?

He admits he never checks the store he is currently in. Should he be embarrassed by it?

The curtain pulls back. Hagakure steps out in different attire.

"Good. No change." Getting right the first try, she cheers and throws her hands to the air. And then she steps back into the changing room. The woman laughs out loud before she drops onto the bench, a respectful distance away from him.

"My own daughter would never let me give my opinion on her sense of fashion. To see your daughter takes yours makes me very jealous I'm almost envious," she comments offhandedly, smiling kindly at him. Once again, he didn't reply and the woman either doesn't mind it or doesn't notice it.

"Blue or green?" he hears Hagakure asks from behind the curtain. It is quite vague but thinks that helps his case.

"Blue," he answers. He prefers green but he thinks blue suits her better. The woman beside him chuckles warmly.

"It's beautiful to see the amount of trust she has in you."

'It's not just her,' he adds silently in his thought as his mind wanders to the other damn kids in his class. He suppresses a sigh of fondness at the thought of them.

"She's not the only one, huh?" He turns towards her, frowning in confusion at her words. She has a knowing smirk on her lips. "I know that look in those eyes; you have other girls too."

He hears Hakagure giggles behind the curtain. He gives the curtain a half-hearted glare as he fights down the blush rising up to his face.

Is his affection really that obvious?

"Don't feel so embarrassed," the woman chuckles as she waves a hand dismissively. "I'm a mother of three daughters myself; I have a fair share of that look. So I know one when I see one." She suddenly stands up, brushes away on her lap before straightens up. "It is nice meeting you. Goodbye." She gives him a kind smile before walking away. He gazes at her before he turns his attention back to his phone.

He had not unlocked it since she arrived. He stares at his reflection on the screen, trying to see this "look" in his eyes. He couldn't see any difference, no matter how much he squints, but somehow someone else can. He sighs and closes his eyes.

That's twice now that people had mistaken his relation with Hagakure. And these are not just ordinary people they are mothers who have experience growing up their children. Somehow, they had mistaken him as a genuine parental figure even though he doesn't have any children himself.

He meant biological. Those damn kids in his class don't count.

The curtain draws back, gentler this time. Hagakure steps out with her arms full of bundle of clothes. Seeing as she had finally done, he stands up from the bench. He ignores the creaking and popping of his bones.

"You done?" he asks gruffly. Her clothes shift, signaling she is nodding her head. He hums as he looks at the clothes in her arms. "You got home wear as well?" Her clothes shift again. "Alright, put them on the counter. We're going grocery shopping next."

"Okay!"

He follows her as she goes to the counter up front. As he pays for the clothes, he finds out she is taking the clothes he approves. It seems she takes his opinion quite closely. He hunches into his capture weapon to hide the tiny curl of his lips.

He notices Hagakure is standing much closer to him as they exit the store, one hand loosely wraps around his forearm. He lets her be.

He doesn't mind it at all.

.

"Mr. Aizawa, look!" Hagakure suddenly yells in exclamation. He looks up at her frowning in confusion. She's jumping up at down on her spot, one sleeve holding out vertically at a direction. He thinks she is pointing at something that she wants his attention on it. He follows the direction to where he thinks she is pointing at. He eye twitches at what he sees.

He hopes it is not the photo bo-

"It's a photo booth!" Hagakure exclaims in excitement. His eye twitches even more as she drags him to it by the arm. He carefully not lets the content of the bag he is holding spills and glares at her. "Let's have some photos together!"

"Hakagure," he lets out a warning growl. "Now is not the time for silly thing."

"Now is the best time for silly thing!" she retorts back, still dragging him closer to the booth. "We're not safe to go out since the villains and stuff." Her mood dampers down as her movements get less excited and stops tugging his arm. "Right now, I don't have to worry at all since you are here with me. I know I am safe with you."

His chest tightens tightly yet not painful. He takes in a deep breath to expand his tight chest.

Why do these damn kids have to say such things?

"Fine," he hisses through his teeth reluctantly. Hakagure perks up and drags him once more, this time he makes half-attempt to walk to the booth. Once inside, they place their bags on the floor, clear enough to not be seen in the photos.

"Get ready, Mr. Aizawa!" Hakagure says as she puts the coins into the machine. He merely shoves his hands into his pockets and slouches and makes sure he's within the frame. That's good enough. Hakagure quickly walks backward and stands right in front of his right arm, almost touching it. "Say, cheese!"

The camera flashes a few times. It's not really helping his case of dry eyes. Once the photoshoot is finished he quickly takes out his eye drop and squeeze one drop to each eye.

"Mr. Aizawa!" He snaps his head to his student, hearing her tone of displeasure. She's clutching a pair of photo strips, judging how they are floating in the air. He raises a questioning eyebrow as he caps his eye drop and puts it away. "Look at these!" The strips thrust to his direction. Confused, he squints at them, thinking for the umpteenth time where he needs his glasses.

Hakagure is taking different pose with each shoot, a bit wilder the next. He just slouches there, like he always does. He sees nothing wrong with them. He gives the invisible girl another confused look.

"You look like sh- uh… crap." He doesn't know if he should be insulted by that. "You could at least look more decent and presentable or something."

"There is no need for me to do such thing," he retorts, glaring at the invisible girl.

"Please?" her voice sweetens up, arms pull to her chest. He might've guessed she is trying to bend him with her puppy look. Sadly for her, she's invisible. So he didn't budge. But when he sees her sags very physically, he discreetly sucks in his breath.

This, right here, right now, she is probably at her least worry outside UA. She's enjoying it while it last. Her words run through his mind once more. He could feel his eye twitches before he lets out an audible sighs.

He grabs his capture weapon and gently sets it down alongside with the shopping bags, making sure it is also out of the frame. Then, he takes out his usual hair tie from his pocket. Putting it between his teeth, he combs his hair with his hands before pulling and bundling it up into his usual bun. Finally, he grabs his hair tie and secures his bun. He tucks loose locks behind his ears before sighing in approval.

Then he turns his attention to Hakagure, who seems frozen in her place. He could not see her reaction. He raises an eyebrow at her and glares lightly.

"Well? Get to it before I change my mind," he commands gruffly. That seems to break the spell as Hakagure twitches but quickly inserts more coins into the machine. She couldn't put them in cleanly, seemingly vibrating in excitement.

"Don't forget to say cheese, Mr. Aizawa!" Her voice is even more excited than before. He hums in reply. This time, he makes an attempt to not slouch and straightens up for once. He even poses once, if hand gesturing the "devil horns" consider a pose.

Before the final snap, she surprises him by suddenly throws her arms around him. He quickly recovers by encasing her in his own arms. He could feel her twist a bit in his arms against his body and he looks up just in time as the final photo snaps.

Hakagure squeals and releases him before impatiently and excitedly waiting for the machine to print out the strips. He sighs, releasing his hair from its bun and combs them around his shoulders. Then he bends down to grab his capture weapon.

"Mr. Aizawa! Look, look!" Hakagure squeals excitedly as he straightens up. She's holding out the newest photo strips towards him for him to see, but she is shaking and jumping in her spot so much he couldn't get a better look. He plucks one from her hand and squints down at it.

It looks just as he expects. He looks decent in them, and Hakagure is standing closer and closer to him with each shot. He could imagine the wide smile on her face. He could feel his heart settling down, knowing that his student is happy.

His eyes glue to the last photo, where they are holding each other in their arms. He couldn't see what expression Hakagure has on the photo, but for some reason she seems to radiate an aura of… comfort, content, safe, protected.

Hakagure surprises him once more for another embrace, this time less sudden and less exciting. He returns the hug and carefully encases her in his arms.

"Thank you, Mr. Aizawa." Her voice sounds muffled as her arms tightens around him. "You have no idea how so very happy I am right now." He grunts dismissively as he lifts one hand and pets her hair carefully.

He hopes she doesn't feel his chest swelling.

"Come on now. We need to back to the dorms," he finally speaks when he finds out she's not going to release him anytime soon. He wouldn't mind their current position, but it's already getting late. He feels her squeezing him once more before finally letting go.

"Alright," she agrees as she grabs two of the bags on the floor while he takes the rest. They exit the photo booth and make their way to the exit. They're not in a rush despite already knowing that it is getting late.

Hakagure also has an arm loosely loop around his, closing any distance between them but far enough to not kick the shopping bags they are holding in their hands. He doesn't call her out on it.

"You should keep your photo strip, Mr. Aizawa," she tells him cheekily. He groans and rolls his eyes.

"I have no use of them," he answers. Hakagure giggles.

He won't tell her that he will keep the strip in his apartment, safely put in a drawer with all other photos his other students had given him. No one can find the photos; he had put a lock on it.

No one will find out. And he will never admit that he had kept them all close to him.

"Whatever you say." He can't put a finger on the tone she is using. It's either she does not care that he'll throw it away, or she doesn't believe that he'll throw it away.

He'll keep hers closer.