You worked at a small cat cafe that was a popular spot for UA students. Since the cafe was only a 10 minute walk away from the campus, you found that a lot of students would come after their classes to destress and hang out with your cats. Your father was the one who founded the cafe, but after he got too old to do anything but train cats, you found yourself becoming the pseudo owner. The only awkward catch was that you couldn't speak, which was luckily remedied by an invention you made that would turn your thoughts into speech, but it meant that your tone was sometimes hard to understand since it only had one voice.
One day you were listening to the calming cafe music when customers walked in and came up to the register.
"Oh. Are you in the new UA class?" Your robotic voice asked as you stared at a green haired boy with an awkward smile, a bubbly brown haired girl wearing pink, and a smaller girl wearing green, who was sorta spacing.
"Yeah! I'm Midoriya, Izuku." The green haired boy introduced himself.
"Uraraka, Ochako." The pink girl introduced herself as well.
"Asui, Tsuyu." The spacy girl looked back at you.
"Welcome to the cat cafe." Your robotic voice spoke, and you smiled to show you were being friendly. The robotic speaker sat on your shoulder so anyone could tell it was not you speaking. "What would you like to order?"
"Uh- Uraraka, would you like to go first?" Izuku asked.
"How about a vanilla latte?" She asked and you nodded, entering it into the display.
"Same as her." Tsuyu spoke, and you changed it to 2 vanilla lattes, before you looked at Izuku, waiting for his order.
"Can I get a matcha latte?" Izuku finally spoke, and you nodded entering into the display before turning it towards them to confirm the order was correct.
"Take a seat at any table. I'll bring out the drinks when they're done." The robotic translator spoke, and they went off to go play with the cats, and you began to prepare drinks. In an attempt to keep the cafe affordable you and your sister were the only two people who worked at the cafe, and since your sister was in high school it meant you were the only person who was consistently at the cafe. Your father helped with the cats, but it was hard for him to do anything then train cats, which meant you took orders, made those orders, and served them out to customers.
You finished up the orders, and took them out to the three students. For the most part the day was slow, it was a Wednesday afternoon, your busiest days were definitely the weekends.
"So you guys are first years, yeah?" You asked, and Ochako nodded.
"Yeah! We just got started, our teacher has been super harsh." She laughed awkwardly, and you frowned for a moment. "Who's your teacher? The first year teachers normally aren't too bad."
"Ah. Eraserhead? You might have heard of him." Tsuyu spoke.
You had heard of Eraserhead, in fact he was your favorite pro hero, and you tried your best to hide the delight on your face. "I didn't know he taught at UA." Your robotic voice spoke, and for a second you were grateful that there was no tone to the translation, because you knew that if you were speaking you would've been so giddy. If anyone ever found your little fan posters, you might end your life right then and there.
"Yeah, he's pretty strict," Izuku added, rubbing the back of his neck. "But he's really cool. His quirk is amazing."
You nodded, trying to play it cool even though inside you were basically fangirling. Eraserhead teaching at UA? That was huge! You wanted to ask more, but you didn't want to come off as weird. Instead, you quickly redirected the conversation.
"Sounds intense. I'm sure you'll do great though," your robotic voice said, maintaining its neutral tone. You motioned toward a fluffy gray cat that had wandered over to their table. "That's Mochi. He likes attention, but only if you let him come to you first."
Ochako immediately brightened up, reaching out slowly as Mochi inspected her hand before nudging it with his head.
"Aww! He's so cute," Ochako squealed softly, giving the cat gentle pets. Tsuyu simply smiled as she watched, and Izuku looked slightly more relaxed now that Mochi had stolen the attention.
"Do you have a lot of cats here?" Tsuyu asked, her eyes scanning the room.
"Yeah. We rotate a few, but right now we have twelve," you explained through the robotic voice. "Most of them are rescues. My dad used to work with a shelter to find them homes, and we still do that sometimes."
"That's awesome," Izuku said, his eyes lighting up. "So they're adoptable?"
You nodded. "Some are. A few are permanent residents, like Mochi, but others, yeah. If they get along with the customers, we work with the shelter to set up adoptions."
As the conversation flowed, you felt more comfortable around the trio. They were good kids—polite, respectful of the cats, and genuinely curious about the cafe. It wasn't often that you had such easy-going customers, especially not ones from UA. Most of the time, the students were so stressed out or overwhelmed by their hero training that they barely said a word, or would have the driest responses.
"Do you have a favorite cat?" Ochako asked suddenly, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
You hesitated for a moment, your hand absentmindedly petting the calico curled up on the counter.
"Probably Princess," you answered, and the robotic voice carried your words. "She's mean to new people so we don't have her out much, she comes and goes as she pleases, but she's an absolute sweetheart to people she trusts."
"That sounds nice," Tsuyu said, watching as you gestured towards the pure white cat who was up on a cat tree.
The afternoon passed pleasantly, and before long, the trio finished their drinks and got up to leave. You saw them off, feeling oddly content. You hadn't expected to enjoy their company as much as you did, but they were kind and easy to talk to—even if it was through a robotic voice.
"Thanks for coming by," you said as they walked toward the door. "Good luck with your training, and come back soon."
"Thank you!" Ochako beamed, and Izuku gave a small wave before following her out. Tsuyu lingered for a second longer, her eyes locking with yours.
"Good luck with the cafe," she said, her tone sincere, before turning and catching up with her friends.
You smiled at them as they left.
It didn't take them long to become regulars, and soon the entire class (you learned was called 1-A) began to drop by entirely. Much to your surprise, the entire class seemed to know (and mostly) get along with each other. Except for Bakugou, but you were sure that would be remedied with time. You had begun to give them all small discounts just for the sheer frequency they were there, it went from once a week, to twice, to three-four times. Sometimes as a class, sometimes in small groups, but you saw almost all of them multiple times a week.
Apparently the only student who you had never met was a boy named Shouto Todoroki, but you didn't mind. If he wanted to come, you were sure his classmates would bring him along.
"Princess still isn't warming up to me." Ochako spoke disappointedly as the white cat walked behind the counter. Princess was the only cat you allowed to be behind the drink counter, because you knew Princess would behave.
"She takes time. It took me months before she finally warmed up to me."
Ochako sighed, watching Princess disappear behind the counter once again. "I guess I'll just have to keep trying. Maybe next time," she said, her determination clear despite the cat's aloofness.
You nodded, a soft smile tugging at your lips as your robotic voice replied, "Persistence is key with her. She's got a long memory, so once she trusts you, it's for life."
At this point, the 1-A students were practically part of the cafe's atmosphere. You'd gotten to know each of them well. Tokoyami always found a quiet corner to read, accompanied by one of the quieter cats, while Kaminari tried—and usually failed—to convince the more playful ones to do tricks for treats. Bakugou, to no one's surprise, sat in the corner grumbling about "not needing to hang out with stupid cats," even as one of the kittens curiously circled his feet.
It was strange, though, how quickly you'd adjusted to having them around. You never expected such a big, chaotic group to feel so… normal in the small, peaceful space your father had created. But they were respectful, and even Bakugou—though loud—never caused real trouble. In fact, despite his attitude, you'd caught him sneakily feeding bits of his sandwich to one of the cats when he thought no one was looking.
As you prepped more drinks for a couple of the students who had wandered in, Kirishima and Mina this time, you noticed how natural it felt to see them around. It was as if the cafe had become their unofficial hangout, a safe place for them to unwind from the pressures of hero training. You imagined that must be exhausting, day in and day out, and felt a little pride that your space offered them some kind of relief. Kirishima leaned against the counter as you handed him his drink.
"Hey, thanks! Man, I swear, if it wasn't for this place, I'd be so stressed out. Bakugou's been extra intense lately."
You raised an eyebrow, your robotic voice responding, "Even more than usual?"
Kirishima laughed. "Yeah! You wouldn't believe it. The sports festivals coming up, and he's pushing himself and the rest of us pretty hard."
You nodded, recalling the event. You had heard it was a big deal at UA, but you never thought much about how stressful it must be for the students. "Good luck with that. Just don't forget to take breaks."
"Believe me, I won't!" Mina chimed in from behind him. "This place is gonna be our sanctuary during the whole thing."
You smiled again, feeling that quiet contentment settle in. "Did you make the robot voice yourself?" Kirishima asked you, and you nodded. "Yeah. All my time is dedicated to the cafe, or building gadgets for heroes. If I wasn't dedicated to this cafe I might've pursued a life in hero gadgetry."
As you said Bakugou walked in, and you waved at him. He grunted, acknowledging he heard you, but didn't wave back,
"What even is your quirk?" Mina asked, and you froze for a second. Mina, Kirishima, and Bakugou were all staring at you now. "Ah- uhm. I'm quirkless." You spoke, telling the usual lie you told everyone.
"Explains why you're a barista." Bakugou snorted, but even you could tell it didn't have the normal edge to it.
"Yeah. I never considered being a hero, I just never thought it was for me anyways, even though I'm good with gadgets." You shrugged as you considered making drinks, although your hands had begun to shake. Nobody would suspect you were anything but quirkless, they had no reason to.
"So wait, were you just born mute?" Mina asked curiously, and your shoulders began to shake, imitating a laughing motion, but your robot could not translate anything but words, so they had to sit there confused.
"No, I was born able to talk, but a villain attack took my mothers life- and my voice." Your robotic voice told the truth for the most part, only omitting a small (albeit important) bit.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Kirishima spoke, his voice soft. You were once again glad your robot voice could not translate emotion, because you were sure your voice would have started cracking.
"No it's alright. I'm glad people like you guys are training to become heroes. I sincerely hope you protect children from having similar fates to me." You smiled at them as you spoke, and Mina gave you a hug over the counter. "I'm sorry."
You held back tears as you returned the hug. "It's alright. Work hard for me okay?" Your robot spoke, and Mina nodded. As Mina pulled away, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye, the atmosphere in the cafe shifted to something heavier, but also warmer. Kirishima, always the optimist, smiled at you with a new kind of respect. Even Bakugou, despite his usual gruff demeanor, didn't have a snarky comment to throw out. He just stared at you for a moment, something unreadable in his eyes, before looking away with a grunt.
"We'll work hard," Kirishima said, clenching his fist with determination. "We'll make sure to become heroes that can protect everyone, just like you said."
You nodded, the weight of the conversation still sitting heavily in your chest, but you were grateful for their empathy. These kids weren't just aspiring heroes; they were good people. You could see it in how they treated each other, in how they treated the cats, and in moments like this—when they didn't just brush past difficult subjects but acknowledged them with care.
After a moment of silence, Bakugou finally spoke up, his voice a little quieter than usual. "Tch. If you're good with gadgets, you should be working on hero gear. More useful than slinging lattes."
It was his way of showing interest, though rough around the edges, and you could tell he didn't mean it harshly. You grinned slightly, and your robotic voice responded, "Maybe one day. For now, I like it here."
Bakugou huffed, but there was no bite to it. He just walked over to his usual corner, a tabby cat immediately jumping up onto the chair next to him as if sensing his arrival. Kirishima and Mina exchanged a glance, then smiled at you.
"Thanks for talking with us," Mina said softly. "It must be hard to share that kind of stuff."
You nodded, not trusting yourself to say more. Your hands were still a little shaky, but you focused on cleaning up the counter and preparing another round of drinks. Mina and Kirishima headed over to join Bakugou, but not before flashing you encouraging smiles.
As you worked, you couldn't help but think about what you'd just told them. You rarely talked about your past, not even with regular customers. The truth was hard to face sometimes. Your mother's death, your quirk developing, it had shaped you in ways you hadn't fully realized until now. And yet, as much as you tried to blend into the background and let the cafe be your entire world, you could see how being around these future heroes was changing you.
Maybe, just maybe, you could make a difference here too.
You glanced toward the back of the cafe, where Princess was curled up on her favorite perch. She glanced over at you, her golden eyes blinking slowly in your direction, and you felt a sense of calm return. This was your place, your sanctuary. And for now, that was enough.
You were humming along to the metal music you had blasting in your headphones. Although you kept the music in the cafe mostly relaxing, you liked a different type of music. The little bell signaling the door opening went off about 30 minutes before closing, and you were in the back restocking.
"Be out in a second." Your robotic voice hollered loudly. Unfortunately there were only 3 volumes your robot voice could have, whisper, regular talk, or loud yell. You were sure it was unnecessarily loud, but that was the only way the customer could hear you.
You quickly finished the task you were on and rushed to the front.
"Hi! How can I help-"
It was him. Eraserhead, and he was staring at your cats who were all getting ready to retire for the night. "So this is where they've all been going."
"Hi- uh- Can I get a name?" Your robot voice was cutting in and out, having trouble translating your garbled thoughts.
"Shouta Aizawa." He spoke as you shakily entered his name into the register.
"What would you like, Aizawa?" You asked politely. "Whatever you recommend. I'm not picky."
You began to internally panic. If you were going to pick your favorite it would be a caramel macchiato, but what if he didn't like sweets? You didn't know what he liked, but he just said he wasn't picky.
"Uh. I don't know if you realize, but your robot is saying a lot." You forcefully shut your thoughts up. How much of your panic did he hear? "A caramel macchiato is fine. Sorry for dropping by right before closing, I assume you're stressed."
"No no it's okay. Sorry, I uh. I'm a big fan of yours." Your robotic voice luckily did not stutter as you touched the back of your neck awkwardly. He looked mildly surprised when you said that. "I see. Well, thank you. I'm glad to hear that."
"Take a seat anywhere. A lot of the cats might not be too responsive, they normally begin getting ready to sleep soon." You spoke as you began to make his drink.
As you started preparing Aizawa's drink, your hands moved on autopilot, but your mind was racing. Of all people, he shows up now? You couldn't believe that Eraserhead himself, the pro hero you admire most, was sitting in your cafe. Even with your robotic voice's awkward limitations, you were thankful it hadn't blurted out too much of your internal panic. Aizawa settled into a corner booth, his eyes half-lidded as he watched a few of the cats slowly amble about. Most of them were already curling up in their favorite spots, preparing to sleep for the night. Princess, of course, had claimed her perch behind the counter, far from the customers' reach.
You finished making his caramel macchiato, carefully pouring it into the cup, trying not to spill in your nervousness. Taking a deep breath to steady yourself, you carried it over to him.
"Here you go. Caramel macchiato," you said, setting it down in front of him.
He gave you a nod of thanks and took a sip, his expression neutral as always. "It's good," he said simply, which sent a wave of relief through you. You hadn't known what to expect, but his calm approval was better than anything your mind had conjured up.
You lingered awkwardly for a moment, unsure if you should say something else or retreat to the counter. Aizawa, ever observant, seemed to pick up on your hesitation.
"Sit down, if you want," he said, his tone as casual as if he'd been a regular here for years.
You blinked in surprise, your robotic voice catching up with your thoughts a second too late. "Oh, uh… sure. Just let me finish cleaning up."
You quickly tidied up behind the counter, making sure everything was in order for closing. Then, with a mix of nerves and excitement, you sat down across from him. He took another sip of his drink, not in any rush to speak, which helped calm you down a little.
"I've noticed a lot of my students come here," Aizawa finally said, breaking the silence. "They seem to like it."
You nodded, grateful that the conversation had an easy start. "Yeah, they've become regulars. I didn't realize they were your students at first."
"They're good kids. Rowdy sometimes, but they mean well."
You smiled, remembering all the times Class 1-A had filled the cafe with their energy and enthusiasm. "They're a nice group. It's been fun having them here, though I wasn't expecting a whole class of aspiring heroes to make this their hangout spot."
Aizawa chuckled softly, a rare sound that caught you off guard. "You've got a good space here. I can see why they'd want to come by. It's quiet, and the cats probably help them unwind."
You nodded, feeling a little proud of the place you'd helped build. "That's what we aim for. A peaceful spot for people to relax." You hesitated before adding, "I'm glad you think so too."
Aizawa set his cup down, his gaze briefly sweeping over the cafe again before landing back on you. "You handle everything here on your own?"
"Mostly," you admitted. "My dad started the cafe, but he's too old to do much now. I run it with my sister, but she's still in high school, so I'm here most of the time. And the cats, of course."
Aizawa nodded, looking thoughtful. "That's a lot of responsibility. And with your voice situation… I'm impressed you manage it so well."
You felt your cheeks heat up, embarrassed but also touched by his words. "I make do. The voice thing has its quirks, but I've learned to work around it."
Aizawa leaned back in his chair, his expression softening just a bit. "It's not easy, but you're doing a good job. Keep it up."
His words hit you harder than you expected. Coming from someone you admired so much, they felt… significant. You gave him a small, grateful smile, even though your robotic voice couldn't convey the warmth you felt. "Thank you. That means a lot."
You continued to talk to him, and you learned a lot more about him then you thought you would. It seemed he liked to chat, although he wasn't very enthusiastic or loud, he was clearly paying attention to your conversations. You learned he was 28 (probably something you could have looked up) and he was approximately a year older then you. You learned he had started teaching at UA a couple years ago, but kept it under wraps as much as possible.
You told him about your past. Your father and his love for the cafe, the loss of your mother. He was an easy person to talk to, maybe that's why he was such a good teacher.
It was long past closing time, and most of the cats had gone to their room to go to sleep now. The only cat awake was Princess, still perched on the counter. Eventually, she hopped off the counter to go nudge your leg.
"Oh. Sorry Princess, I lost track of time." You apologized to her as you rubbed your hand on her head. She nuzzled into your hand, before staring at Aizawa, as if to say "how dare you make my owner stay late."
"Oh I apologize. I overstayed." He spoke. "No no it's fine. I had a lot of fun."
"Are you going to attend the sports festival?" He asked curiously, and you shook your head. "I don't have a ticket. They're too expensive for a little barista worker like myself to get a hold of."
"Here. You can come sit up with the teachers, assuming you can leave the cafe alone for a day." He handed you a piece of paper. You were pretty sure he was breaking rules because that ticket clearly said "UA teachers only" on it, but if he was giving it to you, you assumed it was fine.
"Oh I can ask my sister to take over for the day. It's a weekend so she won't be in school."
He cracked a smile at you, and although it wasn't a gigantic one, somehow you knew it was genuine. "I'll see you then."
"See you." You replied, and with a jingle he left the cafe. You began to put away his drink cup when it hit you, you just spent hours with the eraserhead. The one you had been fangirling over since he became a pro hero.
"Princess. Today was a good day." you spoke to the cat, as you scratched the top of her head.
When the day finally arrived, you asked your sister to cover the cafe while you head to UA. The atmosphere outside the stadium is electric. People from all over are gathering to witness the next generation of heroes show off their quirks and skills. As you enter the stadium with your special ticket, you feel a bit out of place among the teachers, but a familiar voice calls out to you.
"Glad you could make it," Aizawa said, his tone as calm as ever, though there's a faint smile in his eyes. You smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over you. Despite being in a sea of pro heroes and UA staff, Aizawa's presence helped ground you in the moment.
"Thanks for inviting me," your robotic voice responded as you fell into step beside him. The stadium was enormous, the roar of the crowd reverberating in the air, and the energy was infectious. You could already feel your nerves calming a bit as you walked with Aizawa to the designated teacher's section.
As you took your seat, surrounded by some of UA's most respected instructors, you couldn't help but notice the curious glances a few teachers shot your way. Present Mic, in particular, seemed intrigued, waving enthusiastically as he greeted you.
"Hey, Eraserhead, who's this?" Present Mic asked, leaning over the railing to get a better look.
"A friend," Aizawa replied simply, his tone leaving no room for further questions.
Present Mic gave a nod of understanding, though his wide grin showed that he was still interested. "Well, glad to have ya! This is gonna be one heck of a festival!"
You smiled and nodded, feeling slightly more at ease with the warmth from Aizawa's colleagues. As the event was about to begin, you turned your attention to the stadium below, the ground where all of Class 1-A—and many others—would soon be competing.
As the opening ceremony kicked off, the announcer's voice boomed over the loudspeakers, and you watched the excitement build among the students. The flashy introductions of each class filled the stadium, with vibrant displays of quirks and talents that left the crowd roaring. It was a spectacle that made your heart race; you could feel the passion and determination radiating from each of the aspiring heroes.
When Class 1-A was introduced, you spotted familiar faces among the students. Izuku Midoriya, with his determined expression; Ochako Uraraka, bubbling with enthusiasm; and Bakugou Katsuki, glaring at the crowd, ready to prove himself. Your heart swelled with pride as you thought of the countless times they had come to the café, now they were stepping into the spotlight.
"I don't want any of them to lose." Your robotic voice said. Eraserhead chuckled. "Some of them are going to have to."
"Well I'll be proud of them regardless." Your robotic voice spoke, and you could tell he had begun to struggle to hear you over the roaring crowds.
"Sorry. It's hard to hear you."
You let out a sigh, you hadn't really planned on this. If you turned the volume to the highest setting, it would be far too loud, but at your regular volume he wouldn't be able to hear you. You pulled out your phone, and began to type out a message, before you realized- oh fuck you hadn't charged your phone. So you quickly typed a message that said "volume is weird on robot, and my phones going to die, so I won't be able to communicate much during the festival."
He stared at the message, before holding out arm, rolling up his sleeve. "Just trace what you want to say on my arm. Slowly if you can."
So that's exactly what you did. You found you would abbreviate things similar to texting, and sometimes it would take a couple of times for him to understand what you wanted to convey, but you could at least communicate with the roaring crowd.
As you traced out your thoughts on Aizawa's arm, a new rhythm of communication formed between you. The rough texture of his sleeve contrasted with your fingertips as you carefully spelled out messages, feeling a blend of nervousness and excitement.
"I'm so proud of them," you wrote, emphasizing your admiration for the students. Aizawa nodded, understanding the sentiment.
"They're going to do great," he replied, his expression serious but his eyes showing a glint of appreciation. The connection you felt deepened; it was like a silent partnership amid the chaos of the festival.
As the first matches began, your attention turned to the field below. Each student brought their unique flair to the arena, and your excitement grew with each clash of quirks. Aizawa occasionally glanced over to you, sharing small, brief comments that you translated into quick messages on his arm.
"Midoriya's going to be a standout," you wrote as you watched him demonstrate his skill and tenacity in his first match. Aizawa smiled, his pride evident even in his reserved demeanor.
"He has a long way to go," He replied. You could tell he cared deeply about his students, and it felt rewarding to see that side of him.
As the day progressed, the atmosphere remained electric.
During Izuku vs Shinso, you were on the tip of your toes. The match was intense, with Shinso's mind-control quirk proving challenging for Izuku, who initially struggled to focus and. Aizawa watched intently, and you felt the tension radiating from him.
"That was clever," you traced out after the match ended, feeling impressed by Izuku. Aizawa nodded, clearly proud of his student's ingenuity.
Uraraka vs. Bakugou. This match was a fan favorite, with Ochako using her zero-gravity quirk to fight back against Bakugous attacks. You found yourself cheering internally as she showcased her agility and resourcefulness. After her loss, you quickly jotted down, "Aww, I'm proud of Bakugou, but I'm sorry for Uraraka."
Aizawa glanced at you with a hint of a smile. "They've both grown a lot," he replied, impressed by her development.
Time passed and the match kept going, each of them blowing you out of the water.
Then finally, it was time for the last match. The anticipation for the finals was palpable. When Bakugou faced Todoroki, the stadium felt electric, and you could sense the tension between the two rivals. Their battle showcased incredible power and strategy, and you leaned forward, tracing your excitement onto Aizawa's arm as the crowd roared in approval.
"This is intense!" you wrote, feeling your heart race with every explosion and icy blast.
Aizawa nodded, a rare glimmer of enthusiasm in his eyes. "They're pushing each other to their limits," he replied, acknowledging the strength of their rivalry.
When the climax hit, Todoroki just- gave up. He was about to activate his fire powers, and he just didn't.
"Seems like they need a lot of mental work too, not just physical." You traced the words onto Aizawa's arm.
Aizawa's brow furrowed slightly as he watched Todoroki's decision to give up in that moment. You could sense a mix of disappointment and understanding from him, his focus shifting to the deeper implications of Todoroki's choice.
"Exactly," he replied, his tone thoughtful. "It's not just about physical strength; the mental aspect is crucial in hero work."
You nodded, recognizing the weight of his words. You felt a deep appreciation for the way he cared for his students—not just as heroes but as individuals navigating their own struggles. It made you admire him even more.
As the match concluded, the announcer's voice boomed over the loudspeakers, congratulating Bakugou on his victory while also acknowledging Todoroki's commendable performance. The crowd erupted into applause, and you found yourself cheering along, even as your heart ached a bit for Todoroki.
"I hope he's okay," you wrote, glancing at Aizawa.
"He'll need some time to process," Aizawa replied, his gaze still fixed on the field. "But he'll be fine. He has a strong support system."
With the finals wrapping up, the awards ceremony began. Bakugou stood on the podium, well standing is a relative term, he was fighting to escape as the medal was placed around his neck. Screaming about a rematch, which you could understand. Bakugou always strived to be the best, and winning against Todoroki not at full power- that had to sting his pride a little.
"He's come a long way, even though his temper has remained," you traced out to Aizawa, feeling proud of all the students and their progress throughout the festival.
"All of them have," Aizawa agreed, his expression softening. "This is just the beginning."
After the sports festival, things returned back to normal at the cat cafe. Princess was giving you the cold shoulder for leaving for a day, and you had to give her several treats as reparation. Aizawa began to drop by a lot more, but always when his students weren't around. You began to talk to him more and more, opening up about pretty much everything in your life, except your quirk, and what had happened the night your mother died. Apparently he had heard from his students that you were quirkless, but he never judged you for it, treating you just like he would any other person.
"Yeah, today Denki and Jiro really saved my ass. There was this rude customer who I was struggling to speak to, and Jiro stood up and gave them her dead stare." You laughed, although the sound didn't come out, Aizawa had come to recognize your movement as laughter even without the sound.
"You're surrounded by aspiring heroes, I'm sure you will never have to worry about being in danger." You nodded to yourself.
Today you had chosen more electronic music- your favorite type. Since Aizawa often came after closing hours, he didn't care what type of music you played. It seemed he was deliberately avoiding his students outside of hours, which was something you didn't blame him for.
"You should come in with them. Todoroki finally started coming around, they've been studying hard." You said, and Aizawa made a grunting noise that was definitely an "i'll think about it."
As you continued cleaning up the café for the night, you noticed Aizawa glancing around, his usual relaxed demeanor not shifting much, but you could tell he was thinking about something. He leaned back in his chair, watching the cats curl up in their favorite spots for the evening. Princess, still mildly annoyed at you, had settled nearby but was keeping a cautious eye on you, as if deciding whether or not she'd forgive you.
"You're really dedicated to this place," Aizawa remarked, his tone as low and steady as ever. "Running a café, especially with so many regulars, can't be easy."
You paused, wiping the counter as you considered his words. It was a lot of work, but it had become your life, a sanctuary for you, and for your customers—especially the students of UA.
"Yeah, it's a lot, but I love it," your robotic voice responded. "My dad put his heart into this place, and I want to keep it going. And the students, they keep things interesting. Plus, the cats always help."
Aizawa nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "They're lucky to have a place like this. A break from the chaos of training."
You smiled back, appreciating the quiet acknowledgment. You didn't have to speak to know Aizawa was someone who understood the weight of responsibility—his job as a teacher was just as demanding, if not more. You admired that about him.
After a brief moment of silence, you decided to broach a subject that had been lingering in the back of your mind for a while.
"If someone you knew was hiding something from you, would you be upset?" You asked, and Aizawa raised an eyebrow. "Is this about you?"
"Perhaps. I mean there's a subject we've never talked about even though I've talked about basically everything about myself." You said, and you could tell he knew what you were talking about. One time he had tried to ask about your mother, and outside of mentioning she died in a villain attack you refused to go into detail avoiding all his questions.
"It's up to you what you trust to tell me and what you want to keep to yourself. You're not hiding anything by not telling me details about yourself." He spoke, taking a sip of the drink you had prepared for him- a caramel macchiato, which you made him everytime he came to the cafe.
"My dad was actually a hero before he opened this cafe. If you know Charm, the Charisma hero." You spoke, and Aizawa nodded. "He retired while I was in UA."
You chuckled to yourself, still making no sound. "I was in UA at the time- in the general studies course. My dad decided to go after a gigantic group of villains, and us as a family paid the price. The reason I only have one sibling is that my younger brother and mom died in the villain attack. It's why Hana is a decade younger then me, we're supposed to have a brother in between us. It also permanently crippled my dad, causing him to retire, and I lost my voice to a quirk. If me and Hana weren't out that night and came back late, I'm sure we would've died too. That's why she's completely fine, and I only lost my voice."
Tears began to prick at your eyes, and you rubbed them away with your sleeve.
"He spent the next year wallowing in self pity, I was forced to drop out and worked 3 jobs to support him and my sister. When I finally threatened to leave with my sister, he started getting his shit together. He got a job in construction, and worked as a bartender at night. I was able to quit one of my jobs, and we fostered cats we found on the streets, and my dad loved to train them. Princess was actually our first cat. We were saving money for my sister's college, but my dad actually ended up opening up this cafe because he knew how much I loved cats and coffee."
Tears began to stream down your face. "This was only 3 years ago when we opened this cafe. These past few months have genuinely been the best months of my life. You guys keep my business open, and make my life so fulfilling"
You rubbed at the tears that were streaming down your face. Aizawa stood up, and gently wrapped his arms around you, embracing you in a hug.
"It's okay. You made it. You're strong." He whispered to you, and for some reason you couldn't stop the tears from falling down your face. You sniffled, and sobbed, the tears endlessly falling.
Aizawa held you gently, his quiet presence grounding you as the flood of emotions poured out. For so long, you had carried the weight of your past in silence, avoiding the pain of revisiting those memories. But now, as the tears fell, it felt like a release—a weight slowly lifting off your shoulders.
The café was quiet, the soft hum of the music in the background and the occasional purring of the cats filling the space. Princess even moved closer, her usual aloof demeanor forgotten as she nudged her head against your leg in an unusual show of comfort.
"You don't have to carry this alone," Aizawa said softly, his voice steady and calm. "It's okay to let people in."
You nodded into his shoulder, appreciating the words more than you could express. After a few moments, you finally pulled back, wiping at your tear-streaked face. Aizawa gave you a small, reassuring smile, his hand resting lightly on your shoulder as if to say he wasn't going anywhere.
"Sorry," you said, your robotic voice breaking the silence. "I didn't mean to dump all that on you."
"Don't apologize," Aizawa replied without hesitation. "Everyone needs someone to talk to."
You offered a small smile, still feeling a bit raw but also relieved that you had finally told someone about the full extent of your past. Aizawa's reaction had been exactly what you needed—understanding, without any pity or judgment. He wasn't a very expressive person, but that didn't matter. He listened.
"I'm glad you told me," he added, his voice quiet but sincere. "It explains a lot about who you are."
You nodded, taking a deep breath to steady yourself. "It's been hard, but the café, the cats, the students—they've all helped me heal. I'm not sure I'd be where I am now without this place."
Aizawa glanced around the cozy café, the cats lounging in their favorite spots, and nodded. "You've built something special here. A safe place for people. And you should be proud of that."
His words brought a warmth to your chest, and for the first time in a long time, you felt truly seen—not just as someone running a café, but as someone who had fought hard to rebuild their life.
"Thanks," you murmured, your voice low but grateful. "It means a lot."
The two of you sat in comfortable silence for a while, Aizawa sipping his caramel macchiato while you finished cleaning up. The quiet hum of the café, paired with his steady presence, made you feel more at peace than you had in years.
Finally, Aizawa stood up, gathering his things as the evening drew to a close. "I'll see you around," he said, his tone calm but with a hint of warmth that had become familiar over time.
You nodded, smiling softly as you watched him head toward the door. "Yeah. Thanks for listening."
He gave you a small nod before stepping outside, the bell above the door jingling softly as he left. The café felt quiet again, but in a comforting way. You wiped at your eyes one last time, feeling lighter than you had in a long while.
As you turned off the lights and got ready to close up for the night, Princess jumped onto the counter, finally deciding to give you a little attention. You smiled, scratching behind her ears.
"Looks like we're both getting through it, huh?" you said softly, your robotic voice low but content.
Princess purred in response, and for the first time in a long while, you felt like everything was going to be okay.
The two figures stood in the shadows, their faces illuminated only by the faint glow of a nearby streetlamp. One of them, a hulking man with a jagged scar running across his cheek, clenched his fists tightly as he spoke, his voice dripping with hatred.
"We finally found the last two survivors. The two kids." A gruff voice spoke, and their partner nodded. "They fought us off last time, but this time there will be no survivors."
"Did you see that all those UA brats are always around that cafe?"
"Perfect. Heroes in training are nothing. We can easily use one as a hostage, and finish the goddamn job finally."
A crazed grin crossed his face. "I can finally get revenge on that bitch who cut my eye out. This time, we end it for good," he growled, his one good eye flashing with fury as he recalled the last encounter.
His partner, a slimmer but equally dangerous-looking figure, nodded with a twisted smirk. "I've been watching that café. It's crawling with those UA kids. Always hanging around, thinking they're so tough. We'll take one of them, use them as bait. The others will come running, and when they do…" His grin widened as he traced his fingers over a long, wicked blade strapped to his belt.
The larger man snarled. "They'll regret ever crossing us. Especially her. That café owner—she's the one who got away. She's the one who took my eye. I've been waiting for this moment."
His partner chuckled darkly, eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Let's see how brave those heroes-in-training are when we have one of their own. We'll lure her out, make her watch as we finish what we started all those years ago."
The hulking man's grin grew even wider, his fingers twitching at the thought of finally getting his revenge. "No survivors this time. Not her. Not the kids. We'll wipe them all out."
The pair began to move, their footsteps disappearing into the night, their twisted plans for vengeance already in motion.
It was the morning of your 28th birthday, and yet again you were getting ready to open the cafe. You had been changing in the back, getting your uniform ready. Your sister said she would help out with the cafe so that you could get off early, which you greatly appreciated, but she still had classes so you still had to work the first 8 hours.
Listening to the soft music of the cafe you finished changing, and walked out of the back to begin to get ready for opening. You pushed open the door to the cafe when-
"SURPRISE!" You jumped back startled to see that the cafe was fully decked out with birthday decorations, and the entire class of 1-A (Aizawa included) and your sister and dad were smiling at you.
"Holy shit. Wait- how did you know today was my birthday?" You asked confused, and your sister grinned mischievously. "Hana…"
"Whattt, you never celebrate your birthday sis. I had to tell someone that wasn't Dad."
"Happy birthday darling." Your dad was sitting in a chair, presumably too weak to stand at the moment.
"Thank you, I appreciate it, but don't all of you need to be in school? UA students? And you, you can't let your grades drop." You scolded your sister, who laughed.
"One day isn't going to kill me." Hana said with a grin.
"If a teacher is out for the day, and there's no substitute, I guess the students don't have to come." Aizawa said with a cheeky grin.
"Besides, half of us are going to do homework here anyways." Mina laughed, and the class groaned in unison.
"You didn't finish it already?" Yaoyozaru asked, confused.
"Have you guys been procrastinating?" Iida asked to which half the class sheepishly looked away.
"Okay okay. I appreciate the surprise, I mean it. But don't put your studies aside for me- seriously."
"We're not. We're gonna have cake, celebrate, and then get some coffee and do homework. Like responsible students." Jiro said, shrugging her shoulders.
You stood there, absorbing the scene before you, your heart swelling with a warmth you hadn't expected. The café, usually a cozy refuge for your regulars, was now filled with balloons, streamers, and a banner that read "Happy Birthday!" hanging across the counter. Class 1-A, your sister, and your dad were all beaming at you, proud of their successful surprise.
"Seriously, I wasn't expecting this," you said, your robotic voice not conveying the joy you felt in that moment. You walked over to your dad, who smiled up at you from his seat.
"We wouldn't miss it for the world," he said, his voice filled with love. He reached out to hold your hand for a moment, his grip weak but warm.
As you looked around, you caught Aizawa's eye. He gave a small, approving nod, his usual stoic expression softening just a bit. You knew he wasn't one for big celebrations, so seeing him here made it all the more meaningful.
"Alright," you said with a grin, "if you're going to be responsible and do homework after cake, I guess I can allow it."
Mina practically bounced over, handing you a slice of cake before you could say anything else. "Cake first, then responsibility!" she chimed.
You took the plate, laughing internally at her enthusiasm. As the celebration continued, the students scattered around the café, some grabbing cake, others already pulling out their notebooks to work on assignments. The café was buzzing with a comforting, happy energy.
Your sister Hana gave you a hug, whispering, "I know you never celebrate, but you deserve it, sis."
You hugged her back tightly. "Thanks, Hana."
As you released her, you noticed Aizawa standing off to the side, sipping coffee. You walked over to him and nudged his arm gently.
"Thanks for coming," you traced on his arm, smiling up at him.
He shrugged, though his eyes were softer than usual. "Wouldn't miss it," he replied. Then, with a small smirk, he added, "Plus, you make decent coffee."
You laughed silently, giving him a playful push.
As the day went on, more and more students left, whether to go home, or to do whatever plans they had before. Eventually it was just your sister, dad, Aizawa, Izuku, Bakugou, Ochako, and Kirishima.
"Wow. Today was exciting." You smiled as you stepped up getting ready to clean, but Aizawa gestured for you to sit down. "Can't have the birthday girl doing work now can we?"
"Wait- I completely forgot, we didn't open the cafe today." You panicked, but your dad laughed. "Me and Hana put up a sign that today was a special occasion and sent out an announcement to our regulars."
You breathed a sigh of relief. You had just begun to feel the warmth of the celebration when a knock at the door disrupted everything.
Aizawa had just made a cheeky remark about the students doing their homework, and your sister Hana rolled her eyes dramatically. "Man. Can't people fucking read?" she groaned, obviously annoyed at the interruption.
"Hana. Language," you scolded gently, to which she rolled her eyes again in defiance. "Whatever. I'll get the door," she muttered and walked briskly toward the entrance.
But the moment the door swung open, everything changed in an instant. Before anyone could react, a figure lunged forward, grabbing Hana with a swift, practiced movement. A knife glinted in the dim café light, pressed to her stomach, and an arm wrapped tight around her neck. The mood shifted from celebration to sheer panic.
"Careful little heroes," the attacker sneered, his voice cold and mocking. "One wrong step, and the girl dies."
Your heart seized in your chest. The café, once filled with the relaxed hum of conversation, was now deathly silent except for the rapid breathing of the students, their bodies tense and ready to spring into action. Bakugou's palms crackled with the faint sound of explosions, and Kirishima's skin started hardening, but they hesitated, unable to make a move without risking Hana's life. The tension was unbearable.
You quickly assessed the situation, adrenaline rushing through your veins. Bakugou was too far to make a move without giving the attacker time to slice into Hana. Izuku, Ochako, and Kirishima—each had powerful quirks, but none of them could stop a blade from cutting too quickly. Hana's breathing was becoming labored; her eyes fluttered, and you could tell she was slowly losing consciousness from the pressure around her neck.
Your dad sat helplessly nearby, his frail form unable to do anything. Fear surged through you, seeing your sister's life hanging in the balance, and you desperately tried to keep calm. "What do you want?" you managed, but your usual robotic voice came out shakier than intended, betraying your fear.
The man holding Hana chuckled darkly. "What happened to your voice? Someone too scared to use their actual voice?" He taunted you, and the words cut deeper than they should have. You flinched, looking at Aizawa. He was preparing to fight, but without his hero costume or gear, and without the ability to use his quirk effectively without harming Hana, he was as stuck as the rest of them.
Your dad whispered your name, his eyes wide and pleading. He didn't say it aloud, but you knew exactly what he was asking of you. Use your quirk. Save your sister.
The words of the second man echoed in your ears, his face twisted into a crazed grin. "I finally get to get my revenge… especially on you for my fucking eye."
That man. The one who had taken everything from you and your family. There was no mistaking it—this was the villain who had been involved in the attack that had killed your mother and brother, leaving you scarred in more ways than one.
A distant memory surfaced. Hana, younger and full of hope.
"Hey Sis. Can I really become a hero?"
"Of course you can, Hana. I'll protect you until you're strong enough to protect me."
Your breath caught in your throat, and in that moment, you made a decision. You couldn't let her die. You wouldn't.
You took a deep breath and spoke, your voice no longer synthetic and robotic, but real—deep, commanding, and terrifying in its calmness.
"Do you want to know what madness is?"
The man holding Hana blinked in confusion, and you took a step forward, locking your gaze onto his. "Madness is a beautiful thing, but I know you understand that." His grip on Hana faltered slightly, and you pressed forward, feeling your quirk begin to slip into his consciousness. He tried to resist, but you pushed harder, your voice lowering to a soothing murmur. "Release yourself to me. It's easier that way. Life is difficult, isn't it? Let me take over. Let go."
His eyes glossed over as you tightened your mental grip on him. His resistance melted away, and you felt yourself sliding into control of his body. His arm loosened, and Hana stumbled forward as you mentally pushed her toward Aizawa. She collapsed into his arms, and he quickly moved her to safety.
But the pain of splitting your consciousness between your body and his was excruciating. Your vision blurred, and your head throbbed, but you weren't finished.
"What about you?" you turned to the second man—the one who had taken your mother from you. His face, which had once been twisted with malice, was now pale with fear. He backed away, his bravado fading.
"You took everything from me," you said, your voice like venom. "My family. My livelihood. Do you remember what you did? How it felt? When your own body carved out your eye?"
You could feel the terror radiating off of him as you pushed your quirk further, forcing your way into his mind. He struggled, fighting you with all the strength he had, but fear made him weak. His body trembled under the weight of your influence, and you felt his will crumbling.
"I should make you feel what I felt," you hissed, your mind pushing deeper into his, recalling the agonizing memory of the night you lost everything. "But I won't. You've taken enough from me. You won't take my humanity, too."
Aizawa, having called the police, kept his distance, but you saw the urgency in his eyes. Your body was reaching its limit. The strain of controlling two minds at once, splitting your consciousness, was unbearable.
You felt the pain of the villain who had been born into nothing, and had been working as a villain to support their family. You felt the rage of a villain who felt nothing but raw unfiltered rage.
"It hurts… it hurts…" you whispered, your voice wavering as the pain in your head grew worse. You could barely keep them under control, the weight of their minds pressing against yours like a tidal wave.
"Police! Hands up!" The sudden shout from outside snapped you out of your trance, and with the last of your strength, you forced their bodies to comply, raising their hands into the air just as your knees buckled beneath you.
Darkness engulfed you, and the last thing you felt was the cool touch of the floor as you lost consciousness.
Beep beep beep.
The rhythmic sound of a heart monitor pulled you from the darkness. Your eyelids felt impossibly heavy as you struggled to wake up, your mind groggy and slow to catch up with your body.
"She's awake!" Hana's voice cut through the fog first, filled with relief. You blinked, your vision still blurry as you tried to focus. Slowly, the shapes above you became clearer—your dad and Hana, both sitting anxiously by your bedside, their eyes red and puffy from worry.
"Ow," you murmured, your real voice cracking slightly. The unfamiliar sound of your own voice startled you, and instinctively, you tried to sit up. But the moment you did, a sharp pain shot through your head, and your vision blurred with stars.
"Careful," came a calm, familiar voice from the other side of the room. "It's only been a couple hours."
Your eyes flicked toward the source of the voice, recognizing it immediately. "Aizawa?" you asked, your voice hoarse.
"Yeah. It's me," he confirmed, standing near the foot of your hospital bed, arms crossed, his usual tired expression softened with concern. "Are you okay?"
You took a moment to process his question, the events of the café slowly flooding back to you. The attack, your quirk, the excruciating pain… You instinctively raised a hand to your head, feeling the dull throb still lingering behind your eyes. It hurt just to think about it.
"I… I think so," you said, wincing as your throat felt raw. "What happened? Where-"
"You're in the hospital," Aizawa interrupted gently, stepping closer. "After you collapsed, the police arrived and took the attackers into custody. You've been out for a few hours."
Your dad leaned forward, placing a gentle hand on your arm. "You scared us," he said, his voice soft but shaky. "It's been so long since you used it- I'm sorry."
You swallowed hard, the memory of controlling both attackers at once flashing in your mind. The strain had been unbearable, like your brain was splitting apart. But you didn't regret it. You'd saved Hana. You'd done what you had to do.
Hana, still sitting beside you, grabbed your hand and squeezed it tightly. "You saved me," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "Thank you. I'm sorry I… I shouldn't have—"
"Don't apologize," you interrupted her, your voice still shaky but firm. "You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just glad you're okay."
Tears began to spill down. "I'm sorry sis. I'm so sorry. If I was a better hero-"
"Hana. I would do anything for you, and you know that. It's just been a really, really long time since I used my quirk. 8 years in fact."
You looked over at Aizawa, who clearly had questions but were keeping it to himself.
"Alright Hana, she woke up. Let's go home now, you still have school tomorrow." Your dad spoke, picking up on the awkwardness between you and Aizawa.
"But- sis-"
"You already missed one day of school. Don't try to use my health to get out of another." You scolded her, and Hana looked down defeated. "Fine. I'll see you tomorrow sis. Be careful."
Hana and your dad left, leaving just you and Aizawa.
"I'm sorry about lying to you" It still felt awkward to hear your own voice, but your robot was nowhere to be found so you couldn't just bail.
"I figured out while you were unconscious that the reasoning was the villain attack."
You nodded, your hand still resting on your head as the ache behind your eyes refused to subside. The weight of what you were about to share pressed on your chest, making it difficult to breathe for a moment. This wasn't just a secret; it was a burden you had carried alone for so long.
"Is this the big secret you asked me about?" He asked.
"Yes," you finally admitted. "I've been keeping it to myself because... because I was afraid of what might happen if I lost control again. After the attack that killed my mom and brother, my quirk... it became unpredictable. Sometimes I'd use it without even realizing it. I could hear people's thoughts, and sometimes—when it was bad—I could control them. It was too much, so I shut it all down. I stopped speaking."
Aizawa watched you carefully, his expression unreadable. He didn't say anything, giving you the space to continue.
"Everyone thought I was just quirkless, and that was easier. I thought if I didn't use my quirk, I wouldn't hurt anyone. I wasn't lying when I said that a quirk took away my ability to speak, I just omitted that it was my own quirk. I'm afraid to lose control."
The room was silent for a moment. You glanced at Aizawa, expecting judgment, but his expression remained steady, calm.
"You didn't lose control," he said softly. "You saved your sister, and you didn't let your emotions push you into doing something you'd regret. That's the sign of a hero."
You shook your head, frustrated. "But I nearly did lose it, Aizawa. Controlling one person is painful, but two? It was like my mind was splitting apart. If the police hadn't arrived when they did, I don't know how much longer I could've held on."
Aizawa took a seat in the chair beside your hospital bed, folding his arms across his chest. "You're not the only one who has struggled with control. It's something we all deal with, especially those of us with quirks that can affect other people. But running from it doesn't help. Hiding from it doesn't make it go away."
You looked at him, his words sinking in, and a deep sense of shame welled up inside you. You had spent so many years avoiding your quirk, pretending it didn't exist, because you were scared. Scared of what it could do, scared of hurting others. But the truth was, that fear had kept you from growing, from healing.
"I don't know if I can control it anymore," you confessed, your voice trembling. "What if I lose it next time? What if... I hurt someone?"
Aizawa leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "That's why you train. You've spent so long avoiding your quirk that you've forgotten how to use it properly. But I can help you with that—if you're willing to face it."
His offer caught you off guard. "You're... you're willing to help me? After everything?"
Aizawa's lips curved into the smallest of smiles. "I wouldn't offer it if I wasn't. You've already proven you're strong enough to use your quirk without giving in to fear. You just need the right guidance."
The tension in your chest loosened just a bit at his words, though the weight of the past still lingered heavily. You weren't sure if you were ready to face everything your quirk represented, but you couldn't deny that you wanted to protect the people you loved—even if it meant confronting the thing that scared you most.
"Thank you," you said quietly, the sincerity in your voice surprising even you. "I... I think I want to try."
Aizawa nodded, his expression returning to its usual calm. "Good. We can start another day, I think they were talking about discharging you tonight."
"Yeah. I feel a lot better already, maybe a little exhausted, but I think that just comes with the territory."
Just then the nurse came in, and took all your vitals confirming that you were healthy and good to be discharged. Apparently the main reason you had passed out was sheer exhaustion.
Together, you and Aizawa walked out of the hospital. "I can drive you home. Just tell me the address-"
"Can I stay the night at your place?" You blurted out, without thinking. Your robot would take a few moments to translate, so you could think about your words more, but without a translator, you had no filter. "Sorry. Uhm. I just- uh." Your face flushed bright red. "I just don't want to be alone- and I really trust you a lot- you don't have to say yes!"
Aizawa chuckled to himself. "Relax. Yes you can stay the night. Don't get so flustered."
You felt your face burning as Aizawa chuckled, but a sense of relief washed over you when he agreed. You hadn't even realized how much you needed that reassurance, how much the idea of being alone tonight filled you with dread. After everything that had happened, the thought of silence and solitude was unbearable.
"Thank you," you mumbled, still embarrassed, but grateful. "I really appreciate it."
Aizawa led the way to his car, a simple, nondescript vehicle that suited his no-nonsense personality. You followed in silence, your mind racing with thoughts—about your quirk, about Hana, about everything you'd been trying to suppress for so many years. Now that the dam had broken, it all seemed overwhelming, but knowing that you didn't have to face it alone helped. Aizawa had offered to guide you, to help you learn to control your quirk again. That alone was something you never thought you'd have—someone who understood, someone who didn't look at you like you were dangerous. The drive to his place was quiet but comfortable. You glanced at him a few times, wondering how someone like him could remain so calm and collected in every situation. His presence alone seemed to make you feel safer, like things might actually be okay.
When you arrived at his apartment, Aizawa unlocked the door and stepped aside to let you in first. It was a modest, tidy place—minimalistic, just like you imagined. There was a sense of order and calm here, a stark contrast to the chaos that had been swirling in your life lately.
"You can take the bed. I'll take the couch-"
"No no. You can take the bed I don't want to impose."
He spoke your name, and you grinned at him. "What's wrong Aizawa?"
"Take the damn bed."
"Make me."
Much to your surprise, he did exactly that. With a yelp from you, he picked you up princess style in his arms. "H-Hey!"
"What, that wasn't a challenge?" The smile on his face was small, but it was enough to tell you he was enjoying this.
"Aizawa..!"
"Shouta. You can call me Shouta." He said smoothly, which only deepened the blush on your face.
"Okay well, Shouta. You can put me down-"
"I can or you want me to?"
"..."
"C'mon I know you can speak now. Use your words."
"Y-You can… Y-You don't have to."
He looked so pleased with himself that you couldn't help but stare at him. "You're really handsome." You blurted out again, before covering your mouth. Having an actual filter was going to take time again- and it was going to be embarrassing up until then.
"Thank you. You're pretty gorgeous yourself."
Was he always this much of a smooth talker? He wasn't even flinching while you were dying from embarrassment. Why were you so affected by this? You normally weren't one to get easily flustered, but with Shouta it came so damn easy. You buried your face in your hands, and let out a muffled noise of flusteredness.
"I'm sorry. If I'm doing too much you can tell me-"
"No- it's not- I just don't know why you're flustering me so much, I'm not normally affected by stuff like this." You exclaimed, once again your mouth just speaking the thoughts that came without filtering it. "Everytime you say something like that it flusters me- but it shouldn't, I'm not easily flustered, like yeah I'm a fan of yours but even then I just don't know- we're friends your words shouldn't- ugh I don't understand." You rambled.
"Did I mention you're also really cute?" He spoke, and a noise of embarrassment escaped you again.
"Like- why does it just work for you?" You demanded, still unable to find the answer.
He tilted his head sideways. "I'll ask you this just once, and you don't have to answer. Do you like me?"
You froze. It hadn't crossed your mind, you had never dated- never bothered to, it was a waste of time when you were studying to get into UA, and when you got into adulthood you were too busy.
Did you like him?
"I-I don't know? I like being around you. You're kind, sweet, you're a great listener, you care, you put in effort, you've been supportive non stop. Everything you say flusters me, everything you do makes me embarrassed- but I weirdly like it. I want to be around you, I… I like being around you.'
When you spoke the final sentence, you realized that he was right. "I- I do like you." you murmured, and you looked up to meet his eyes. "Good. Because I like you too, a lot actually. I was trying to be considerate of everything that happened, and ask you out on a proper date, but it is what it is."
You opened your mouth to speak, but before you could react his lips were on yours. Your eyes widened as you were caught completely off guard. For a moment, you were too shocked to move, but as the realization settled in, you found yourself melting into the kiss. His hold on you remained steady, secure, and warm, and your heart raced as the initial surprise faded into something much softer—something real.
When he finally pulled away, his gaze met yours, and the warmth in his eyes made your stomach flutter. You couldn't find the words to speak, your thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. Everything felt so surreal, like you were still catching up to what had just happened.
Shouta raised an eyebrow at your speechlessness, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Still flustered?"
You blinked, your hand unconsciously reaching up to touch your lips where his had just been. "Y-Yeah… I… wow."
He chuckled, setting you down gently on the bed. "I didn't mean to surprise you that much."
"No, I'm not… I mean… It's a good surprise," you managed to stammer, your cheeks burning hotter than ever. "I just didn't expect… this."
"I wasn't sure if you felt the same way," he admitted, sitting down on the edge of the bed beside you. "But I've been thinking about it for a while now. I just didn't want to push you, especially after everything you've been through."
You sat up, still a little dizzy from everything that had just happened, but feeling more grounded than you had in a long time. "I didn't realize it either until you asked. I've been so focused on everything else, I didn't stop to think about my own feelings."
Shouta's hand gently found yours, his touch both reassuring and grounding. "Well, now you know. And if you want to take things slow, that's fine with me. We've got time."
You smiled, your heart feeling lighter than it had in years. "I think I'd like that."
He gently placed you into his bed, and was getting ready to walk away. "We can… share if you want. The bed I mean." You offered, and he turned towards you, clearly weighing his options.
"It's fine-"
"I feel bad taking your bed in your house okay." You admitted, and awkwardly looked away. Shouta laughed at you as he crawled into bed behind you (since you were laying on your side), wrapping his arm around your waist. Butterflies flew in your stomach as he pulled you in close, taking a deep breath, and letting out a sigh.
"Your voice is really pretty." He softly spoke, his breath hot on your neck.
"Do you think so?" You answered softly, all of a sudden conscious about your tone. You were still not used to the sound of your own voice, and it was something you were awkwardly adjusting to.
"It's beautiful. Now let's get some rest."
You felt him snuggle you closer, and for a moment you couldn't help but think 'how the fuck am I supposed to sleep like this.' You were snuggled up with the- Eraserhead, but not just that, you were snuggled against Shouta Aizawa, the man you had fallen for.
"Your heart is pounding." He observed, and you felt your cheeks warming up again.
"Thanks Shouta. For everything." You softly spoke, and closed your eyes. Trying to force yourself to go to sleep was not easy. Time passed, and you could tell that Aizawa had fallen asleep far faster then you by his loud snores.
But it was comfortable and warm in his arms, and you found yourself slowly falling asleep too.
The next morning you slowly opened your eyes, groggy. You tried to roll over to see Shouta, only to see that he was missing. You then looked at the bedside clock to check the time- 12:48, the latest you had slept in for a long time. You dragged yourself out of his bed, realizing you were still in a hospital gown. You couldn't fucking believe you admitted your feelings to him while you were disheveled, exhausted, and in a hospital gown.
The door opened, and Shouta entered carrying a tray with something that smelled delicious on it. He spied you awake, and his gaze softened ever so slightly. "Good morning. I made breakfast, and I also stopped by the cafe to get you a change of clothes. Sorry I took your keys."
He helped you sit up and then put the tray on your lap, a simple eggs and bacon with a smoothie, but the fact he took the time to make it and serve it to you in bed, and get you a change of clothes was enough to make you smile.
"Good morning," you mumbled, still half-asleep but deeply touched by the gesture. The smell of the food made your stomach rumble, and you couldn't help but smile wider as you looked at the simple, yet thoughtful meal in front of you. "You didn't have to go through all this trouble."
Shouta sat down at the edge of the bed, shrugging as if it was no big deal. "I figured you'd need something to eat after everything yesterday. And I didn't think you'd want to go anywhere in a hospital gown."
Your cheeks flushed at the reminder. "Yeah, thanks for that," you said, glancing down at the tray before looking up at him. "You really didn't have to do all of this."
He gave you a small smirk. "I wanted to. Besides, you deserve a break."
You dug into the food, savoring the simple flavors as Shouta watched you, his usual calm demeanor making the moment feel oddly intimate. It wasn't grand or overly romantic, but it was real—and that made it mean so much more. As you ate, you caught Shouta glancing at the folded clothes he'd brought from the cafe. "It wasn't easy finding something," he admitted with a dry chuckle. "The back room is well… chaotic."
You laughed, a genuine one, feeling a bit of the tension from yesterday lift. "Yeah, organization isn't really my strong suit. Thanks for grabbing it."
"Anytime," he said, a little more softly this time.
There was a quiet pause as you finished your breakfast, the comfortable silence lingering between you. After everything you'd been through, this moment of peace felt like something you didn't even realize you needed.
"I'm guessing you don't usually sleep in this late," Shouta observed, his gaze resting on you with a knowing look.
You shook your head. "Not even close. I can't remember the last time I slept past 8 a.m. Honestly, I think my body just gave out from the stress."
Shouta leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms. "Good. You needed the rest. No point in pushing yourself too hard now that you've got more to think about."
You sighed, setting the tray aside. "Yeah, I know. I guess I'm just not used to slowing down. Everything has been so… intense."
"Well I just want to be here for you. I also uh, brought a guest." He said, and you expected Hana to be at the door, but much to your surprise, your favorite spoiled white cat walked in. "Princess?"
She meowed at you, before hopping on the bed and bumping her head into you as if to say 'how dare you leave me.'
"When I went to pick up your clothes, she hopped on top of my car, and refused to move, so I just let her in the car so she would be safe on the drive. Maybe she knew you were here."
You chuckled softly as Princess nudged you, her soft fur brushing against your arm. "Of course she did," you said, gently scratching behind her ears. "She always knows where I am, especially when she feels like she's been neglected."
Shouta smiled at the scene, watching as Princess made herself comfortable by curling up beside you. "She's got good instincts."
"Yeah, she's a little diva, though. Probably mad at me for not being home," you said, laughing as Princess gave a dramatic yawn, almost as if to confirm your statement.
Shouta leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Well, I couldn't say no to her. She made it clear who was in charge."
You smiled, feeling a warmth settle over you. The combination of a peaceful morning, your cat curled up next to you, and Shouta's presence made you realize how much calmer you felt. After everything, you had people—and pets—who cared about you.
"Thank you," you said again, meeting his gaze. "For all of this."
Shouta gave you a small nod. "You don't have to keep thanking me. I told you, I want to be here for you."
"Well I'm just not used to it. That's all."
He approached you, and took your hand into his, before gently kissing the back of your hand.
"Get used to it then. I'm not leaving you alone anytime soon." His voice was gentle, and you couldn't stop the smile crossing your face.
"I love you, Shouta."
"I love you too."