Mr Aizawa's Determination

Estelle puffed for breath as she sliced down the hoards of creatures rushing through the trees at top speed. Growling in annoyance, Estelle quickly wiped the sweat off her brow before striking another down with a slice to the heart.

The screeching sound could still be heard through her earpiece as she tried to drown out the sound by the thumping of the music blaring. She was starting to get sick of hearing their squeals, she would typically have to just put up with it, but Estelle was glad she was allowed to ignore them in this world.

It was an upside to the shitty situation she was in.

As the hoards grew fewer and less frequent for the day, Estelle winced at the stab in her arm. Clenching her jaw tightly, Estelle put one hand on the bark of a tree as the other moved to the claw. Bracing herself, Estelle yanked out the nail with a grumble and frowned at the green vein-like lines sailing around the bloody red hole.

Her hand lit up in green as she healed herself, the green lines staying as the hole closed up. Estelle couldn't do much about the poison since it would have entered her bloodstream by now - she would just have to wait it out.

Estelle decided she was done for the day and unfurled her wings to take off. Her eyes widened when they caught on an engraving on the tree. Flying closer, Estelle attempted to comprehend what she was seeing.

It was an engraving of a bloodied bird that she assumed was a dove. Furrowing her brow at the blood on the tips of their wings, Estelle's eyes trail down to the bloody tears pouring out of its eyes. Keeping her gaze moving, Estelle finally landed on the three drops of blood on the dove's body.

Her blood ran cold at the implications of what she was seeing. Estelle was utterly dumbfounded and took a few moments to stare at the art so articulately carved into the bark. Estelle could smell the faint copper in the air, and her frown deepened. It was real blood.

Not wanting to think about it out in the open, Estelle flapped her wings to shoot herself into the sky and directly back to Heights Alliance.

Her mind rushed with theories as she made it back to the dorms. Walking through the entrance, Estelle ignored everyone as she walked through the door. She made her way to Mr Aizawa to give her report.

Her thoughts rumbled as she tried to figure out who was behind the symbol. Was it the man in red? But, Estelle didn't know any suspects from her old world. They all should be down for the count, at least for now.

Thankfully, Mr Aizawa was pretty relaxed with Estelle. She could only assume it was a nuisance having to deal with the constant pestering of the commission, but he never gave one word of complaint. She was thankful for that.

It made her appreciate him more. She had overheard his conversation by accident one day with the board, and he did not take an ounce of shit from them. It filled up some part of her that she had never experienced before, knowing that he held her interest at heart, at least somewhat.

Stepping into the room, Estelle nodded to her teacher in greeting before informing him about the warning she had received. Feeling his tired eyes gazing into her, Estelle waited for her dismissal before she could leave. Surprisingly, he didn't do the usual and instead turned back to the couch, his head gesturing her to follow.

Stepping behind him, Estelle sat on the couch across from Mr Aizawa. He was still in his sleeping bag as he took his seat, and Estelle had to hold back her smile from how strange he looked.

He looked like a broken worm.

She would never say that, though.

It seemed he picked up on her thoughts as his eyes narrowed at her. Turning her head away innocently, Estelle could hear the male's huff of irritation across from her.

"This warning, how does it make you feel?"

Startled, Estelle turned her head back to Mr Auzawa with contemplating eyes. She wasn't sure how her feelings mattered in this situation. It was the situation; Estelle was managing it, that was it.

"Well?"

"I'm not sure what you mean, Mr Aizawa."

Giving a disgruntled sigh, he elaborated. "You came to my room straight away. Normally, you like to take your time as soon as you come in. You didn't do that. Why?"

"Because the warning was serious."

"To you? Or the investigation?"

Stunned, Estelle gazed down at the floor in thought, "Technically, it's both."

"Right, and when you saw this warning. What emotions did you feel?"

"Mr Aizawa, I'm not sure what this has to do with-"

"Humour me, and be honest."

Silence rang out in the room. Estelle could feel the urge to run in her bones, but she knew that wasn't possible. Not even realising, Mr Aizawa watched as Estelle shrunk into herself slightly. But he knew he could help her. She just needed the push sometimes.

"Guilt," She eventually murmured.

"Why?"

Her fingers twitched as the skin on her back crawled. Heat bloomed on the back of her neck as her eyes averted to the door. The only thing running through her mind was the urge to escape, but the teacher detected her thoughts, and he rearranged his chair in the direction of the door.

"It won't leave this room. Think of it as a silent wall; nothing gets past me."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Why are you changing the subject?"

"I..."

"Go on, have a little faith."

Realising she had nowhere else to go once again, Estelle slumped on the couch's pillow. Staring at her fingers, Estelle refused to look up as she voiced her thoughts. "That warning means something is coming. Your students could be at risk once again. I shouldn't be here, and I feel guilty that I am."

"The class is always at risk. You are my student just as they are, and your safety matters just as much."

"I am not the same as them."

"You may not be exactly the same, but you are still a teenager just like they are. You deserve the support just like they do. And, you deserve a normal life just like anyone else. So, why feel guilt for something you so rightfully deserve."

"I don't deserve that."

"Pardon?"

"Mr Aizawa, you are familiar with the fact I was in a war, yes?"

"Of course."

"I'm sure you are aware that war isn't pretty. It's ruthless, cold and unforgiving. I had to lead that war. Do you think that makes me an innocent child like the rest of them?"

"Yes, because you had no choice."

"Sometimes I didn't. Sometimes, I had to choose between the lesser of two evils. Sometimes I had to decide who lived or died. Sometimes I had spirits sacrifice themselves for me in the name of the greater good. So, tell me, Mr Aizawa. What do I deserve?"

"You deserved a life without war. You managed with the cards dealt with you, and you survived whilst helping out those you could. You aren't god, Estelle. In all honesty, it's an unrealistic expectation to have; there will always be casualties of war. People's blood has been soaked in the name. But that doesn't mean you don't deserve a good life. You shouldn't have to be guilty for that because you fought for it."

"That's...easier said than done."

"True, but that's what we are here for."

"I struggle to understand you all."

"What do you mean?"

"Wouldn't it be easier to just put up with me until I find a way home? Thank the gods that the otherworldly stuff is gone and continue with your lives like I never existed? You have nothing to gain from this."

Mr Aizawa sighed as he watched Estelle question the workings of himself and his class. He could only guess she was asking because she was familiar with people having an agenda. She was there when needed, and she was gone when not. So, having people actively trying to get to know her, hoping to break down her barriers and make her life happier in the process, just seemed foreign to her.

God, he hated that.

She always questioned why they did things. It was always the main question on the tip of Estelle's tongue, like a child trying to understand the world around them. Maybe she hoped for a safe answer. His stomach would turn at the thought of what she had been answered with in the past.

Standing up and shuffling into his kitchen, Estelle watched in confusion as he returned, holding two juice boxes. Handing one over to her, Mr Aizawa stabbed his pack with a straw as he flopped back onto his seat. As he watched her, he held his smile within as Estelle violently stabbed her juice box with a hint of a victorious grin.

It was the small things he noticed in Estelle. They always started some form of internal conflict. It was hard to imagine someone who watched wildlife shows every night in the middle of a warzone. The two images were hard to compute in his head, and it was small moments like these where Estelle acted more childlike that she knew where his conflict would rest for a moment.

She was someone who never got to just be a child. He hated psychoanalysing her so much, but he felt it was needed to truly help her. She had so much potential; he could see it. But, it was buried under the mountains of burden thrown onto her, her whole life. So, when he sees those tiny glimpses, he feels a little hope.

Realising the silence was lingering too long, Mr Aizawa cleared his throat as Estelle sipped on her juice patiently. "Yes, that would be easier. But, that is not who we are. The class are a good group of kids, and I'm sorry to say, but you ruined any chance of an easy ride as soon as you joined them. They don't like giving up, and by leaving you be like that, they would be doing just that. They care for you; it's as plain as day. They just want to be a support to you like you have been to them."

"Like I have been to them?"

"You offered Shinsou training before fully knowing him. You train students in this class and provide them aid without asking for a single thing. You take charge when you feel the need to keep them in line, and they appreciate that. So, why is it fair that you can help them, but they have to fight to help you?"

"I'm just trying to do what's best for them."

"You don't get to decide that."

"Maybe not, but I can try my hardest."

"Good luck; They're a stubborn bunch."

Slumping, Estelle nodded in agreement. They totally were, and Estelle knew she wasn't getting rid of them anytime soon. She was conflicted herself; this was the first time Estelle had talked so much about her internal musings. It felt innately wrong for her to do that, but Mr Aizawa always seemed to have such a guiding presence, like she could topple out her words and feel okay doing so.

It scared her a little. She had managed to tumble everything out to Nona when she arrived because she felt safe that nothing would come out of it. And, it was true. Nona had simply accepted her words as truth and moved on, hoping that they would be able to keep each other firm in the process.

But with Mr Aizawa, Estelle knew he was pushier. He would take in everything she said and analyse it for the sole purpose of pushing her in places she did not want to go. He would try to help her process it and dig deeper. That intimidated Estelle more than anything because she wanted them to stay buried forever.

Mr Aizawa had forgotten to mention that he was just as stubborn. He had made it a point to come into Estelle's life as soon as she joined UA and keep reminding her that he was there. He never let it go, even when he was frustrated with the answers she would give.

He was always so damn patient with her, and Estelle knew she greatly appreciated him. The aura he gave off was like nothing else she had ever experienced before. But, like before, she could only guess that it was more parental. It was still a safe feeling, and Estelle did revel in the presence slightly (as much as she hated to admit it).

Feeling a hand grab her shoulder slowly, she looked up to Mr Aizawa, leaning over with a straw in his mouth. "You don't need to harbour guilt, you understand? Because at the end of the day, the school happily accepted taking you onboard after Kamino Ward. We decided to let you stay after you made the offer to the commission. If we wanted you gone, we would have declined. We wouldn't have snuck the phone into the hospital. And, I wouldn't be standing here across from you today."

"Thank you, Mr Aizawa," Estelle murmured, a hint of relief in her heart.

"It's nothing." The man grumbled as he ruffled her hair. "Now, off you get. The class will start to wonder why you haven't arrived for dinner."