What's Worth Protecting.
After tossing and turning all night with no hope of sleep, it was about time to give up. Many things rushed around in your head. The events of last night, the school, and the most pressing matter – the media. So before even the sun and Shouta had risen for the day, you left to go see the principal.
It was eerily quiet on campus without the vibrant laughter normally occupying the halls. Still, you wanted to get this done as soon as possible, before your resolve gave out from the swirl of second thoughts. While you only saw the reporters once, the others had to be bothered by their constant presence for.. oh goodness, how long was it since the hero license exam? For far too long.
There was no reason for the students to get involved in your mess any longer.
Waiting outside Nedzu's office wasn't as long as you expected it to be. Crossing to the right building took some time, and the man-imal himself liked to be in his office early.
"Ah. Good morning." The principal greeted you kindly, not surprised at your impromptu visit. Bowing slightly, you gave your request.
"I'm sorry for the sudden intrusion. But I have a favor to ask." He invited you inside, gesturing to pick a chair and sit. "Because of me the press is bothering the school. I would like to do something about it. If possible, I would like to use your influence to set up an interview."
Crossing his paws in contemplation, he watched you for a good while before answering.
"I can indeed do this, but the staff and students do not think of this as an inconvenience. All of us at UA are behind you, so are you sure?" The sentiment was touching, but you already made up your mind. The school had become a second home, so protecting it was important.
"Yes. All I ask is for a reporter you trust to keep my words intact."
"I can set you up with someone once you are back at full health." Thanking Nedzu, you made the long trek back home.
xXx
Opening the door, the only thing that stood out was a note on the table. It was scrawled in small, deliberate writing.
Today's medication. Eat.
Shouta.
There was a small bento under the paper. It was nothing special, something you could buy from the convenience store, but it was still a kind gesture you appreciated. He would probably be in class about now. The medley of pills was growing smaller, and what was left didn't make you drowsy anymore.
It was lucky, too – you wanted to ask Mic for help making a speech, something that would be impossible to do when conked out for half the day. Grabbing the items on the table, you left to go find the loud English teacher.
When not at his radio show, he was usually bouncing around campus. It didn't take long to make out his excited voice from inside the staff room, even through the door. There were a few other teachers working on various things at their desks. Stepping inside, you gave a wave.
"There you are." His flipped his glasses up as if to make sure it was really you, letting them fall back down to the bridge of his nose with a smallthunk. Before you knew it, he was embracing you in a tight hug. You didn't hesitate to hug him back.
"Look at that! You're practically glowing compared to the last time I saw you. Shouta must be taking care of you properly after all!" He meant it so innocently, but you froze at his words. Last night was leaps and bounds beyond 'taking care of'. Mic was already moving on to the next topic, so he didn't notice the pink that rose to your cheeks. "Heard you found out about the media crazies outside."
"Ah... yeah. That's actually what I wanted to talk about." You cleared your throat (and head) nervously. "I'm going to give them the answers they want, but I have to figure out what I want to tell them. Could you, um.. help me with that?" Despite the dark lenses of his sunglasses, you could tell his smile reached all the way to his eyes.
"Of course I can! You'll have the most empathetic, convincing speech ever to be given. The Prime Minister won't be as eloquent as-"
"Okay, okay! That's a yes, then." Mic's enthusiasm was contagious, you were laughing as you cut him off. It was a relief to have his help. The door opened again, with Midnight greeting you in surprise.
"There's only a few die-hard reporters outside now. I may have had trouble reining in my quirk today." She gave you a flirty wink before picking an empty chair to sit in. "So you really are doing better. I saw Aizawa this morning, and he wasn't a huge grump for once."
A strangled noise left your throat.
"I-is that right?" You tried not to think about closeness the two of you shared while talking, the near tears, or any of the heated intimacy from last night. Kayama locked into the nervousness right away, her gaze heavy and suspicious.
"Did something happen between you and Aizawa?"
"Well... I mean..." It was painfully obvious something happened. There was no way to get away with a lie without her knowing. "...I told him." She knew what that meant, so maybe she wouldn't ask anymore questions and leave it at that.
"You guys are dating?!" It was Mic that jumped in now. A relationship wasn't something that came up in conversation. In fact, there wasn't much discussed at all. Did he even date? You were stuttering out a vague answer, not sure how to explain while keeping last night private.
"Not exactly?" You could feel yourself digging a deeper hole of confusion by trying to dance around the question. Their eyes shone with interest, making it hard to look at them without getting embarrassed. "Shouta and I-"
"Shouta is it?" Kayama wouldn't let a slip up like that go unnoticed. Hands covering your face, the heat rose all the way to your ears.
"Well, dating... we never... um.." With your eyes shut you didn't notice that Thirteen and Blood King had stopped their pen scribbling to listen in. Or the way your friend's gazes shifted to the figure that came through the door without a sound. You only felt a heavy weight leaning on your shoulder, the warmth familiar.
"Dating?" Shouta's low voice was surprisingly close, with the same collected ease he always had. Peeking out between your fingers, you saw the cheeky grins of your so-called friends, the expectant glint in their eyes as they watched him. "Hn. I don't mind, but would it really be that different from the usual routine?"
Mic was the first to huff in disbelief. "Of course it's different!"
You didn't think peer pressure would ever convince Shouta to say 'yes' to something, but it wouldn't feel too good if he agreed on a whim either. Tugging on his sleeve, you pulled him closer to your height and whispered into his ear.
"Date me?" His mouth curled into a faint smile for just a moment before disappearing. The way everyone strained to hear the conversation was amusing, so he whispered back in his own quiet manner.
"I said wouldn't mind."
Well, this week's chapter is much lighter than the last. Both in length and content, ahaha.
Some of the comments I've been getting are very amusing! I almost choked at one in particular... (Yugi's "can't wait for the cock-in-my-mouth scene")
