Koda panted, covering his face as Jiro paused, panting herself. Why couldn't he be loud?! Even the training camp hadn't helped to improve his silence, and he was so tired of being the last one chosen, though Jiro often teamed with him so he wasn't left out. And that's how he ended up here: in the middle of the gym, with Jiro urging him on by attacks and encouragement that he could do it. He was trying to get better at melee combat and confidence, which was a long road. But he couldn't get louder. The pressure to do better was too much: he felt tears start forming. Jiro rubbed his shoulder, saying gently, "Hey, I'll get you some water and you take a breather, okay? You'll figure it out." He nodded, and she walked away. He sat down on the ground, rubbing his eyes dry. He heard the door open, and looked that way sharply, turning red. It was a stranger with neon blond-wait, it was Present Mic, out of his hero costume for the first time Koda had seen outside of that training exercise where he was acting as a civilian. Mic blinked at Koda, then smiled, giving him a thumbs up. Koda hesitated, signing in silence,
"I want to ask, but I don't want to be rude-" To his horror, Mic signed right back,
"You can ask anything you want: it's not rude." He stared at the man, signing,
"You know sign language?" Mic nodded, taking a seat in front of him with his green square glasses and hair messily put into a bun. "…Why are you in civilian clothes?"
"It's my day off, but I hate not doing things, so I hang out around here. You seem bothered." Koda looked away.
"I just don't know if I can be a hero." Mic laughed, speaking out loud.
"Yeah, you can! You faced your fear of those horrible little things. if you can do that, you can do anything."
"But I still can't talk in front of people." Mic's smile faded slightly, and he switched back to sign.
"That's not as bad as you think. it means when you say something, it matters."
"But I still can't be loud! People overlook me because I don't talk, and I want to help but I don't want to bother anyone, so I stand there awkwardly, and-" Mic put his hand on Koda's shoulder, speaking out loud again.
"I know. I've seen it. But that's okay. You have social anxiety. You know another hero with that?" Koda shook his head. "All of us. All Might especially because he feels like he failed to protect people. Aizawa because he couldn't keep you all safe during the USJ attack. Cementtoss and Power Loader because of their appearances. Midnight because of people's assumptions, and so on, so forth! Anxiety doesn't mean you can't be a hero. How you respond does. Have you given up?" Koda shook his head no. "Are you still pushing yourself?" He nodded again. "Did you beat a pro hero?" Koda nodded again. "Exactly. You are still a child, and you've done amazing things and improved so much. Focus on what you've done, not what you can't do."
"How can I save people if I can't talk?" Mic smiled softly. "How can I help if I don't know how to hold a reasonable conversation?" Mic laughed.
"Guess what you just did, Koda-kun?" Koda frowned, looking at his teacher in confusion. "You just spoke." Koda's eyes widened. "Talking is only part of the problem. You don't have confidence. Look at everything you've done: you got into UA, one of the most selective schools in Japan! You beat me, with only saying a few sentences! Your words are powerful. Think about what you've communicated thus far: determination, dependability, and drive. That's why Jiro is trying to help you: she wants you to improve because she sees how much potential you have. It's okay if you don't like talking out loud, since when you speak, it's powerful, and filled with meaning."
"…But wouldn't it be better if I was louder, like you?" Mic sighed, looking away.
"Being loud isn't as great as people think it is. People ignore me, because I ramble. I don't usually get quiet, so they get concerned when I do when I'm just trying to gather my thoughts. I sometimes say things that hurt people. On the bright side, people notice me, and they pay attention to me instead of other people who can't handle the strain. Look at Bakugo: people have gotten so used to him yelling, it takes him being quiet for them to notice what he's saying. They aren't threatened by him anymore: they ignore his antics. You notice him because you're the quiet one: you like knowing who people see first." Koda nodded: his teacher had a point, a very good one.
"So you think I could be a hero?"
"Without a doubt! You're focused on improving, and don't care for being in the spotlight: exactly what the world needs right now. And your quirk is nothing to sneeze at. Control over wildlife is pretty awesome, and it's powerful. It won't be easy for you, since you'll have public media to take 2nd and 3rd year, which means you'll have a lot of interviews and such." Koda paled. "Aizawa hated it, too, but you'll do well, I know it. If you ever need someone to talk to, or sign to as the case may be, I'll be here, okay?" Koda nodded, smiling firmly as Mic stood up and walked out, passing Jiro who looked at him in surprise. She asked,
"What was Mic-sensei doing here?" Koda said proudly, taking the offered water,
"He was giving me some advice." Jiro grinned.
"You ready to start up again, tiger?"
"If you are!" Koda looked at the doors with a smile, and turned back to Jiro, turning a slight red. "A-and a-afterwards, d-do you want to go out? As f-friends…t-to a c-cat café?" Jiro smiled warmly.
"Depends on if you can keep talking while we fight." Koda smiled, talking back and forth with Jiro about various things. He silently thanked the loudmouth teacher who somehow knew who he was.