A/N: I like the contents of this chapter but I'm not entirely sure if I like the way I wrote it... oh well, no going back now. Also, yes, I know there's no photo. I'm lazy and it's a lot of work so I probably won't be putting them in from now on.
Have fun reading!
Shinso POV
I woke up when the lunch bell rang, groaning. The teachers lounge was still empty. After laying there for a few minutes longer I made the decision that it was time to get up and groggily folded the sleeping bag.
I decided to make myself another coffee and then head to the lunch room, but as I was pressing the start button on the coffee machine Aizawa walked in.
"Oh good, you're awake. Make me a cup too." He says as he walks by me, falling back into the couch and tipping his head back. "I brought you lunch." He points towards a plastic bag on the table that definitely wasn't there before.
"Oh, thank you." I really shouldn't be surprised at this point.
"How would you feel about going to therapy?" I stare at him in shock.
"Uhhh-"
"Hound dog is the school counselor and no one from your class goes to him." For a moment I'm confused, wondering if he's talking about my previous gen Ed class. "I mean, class 1-A has gone through more shit than any other class in the entirety of the time I've worked here. You'd think a few of them would take advantage of free therapy." He goes on. Ah, so not my old class.
I think through that information for a moment. It's not actually all that surprising.
"Maybe they feel like they can't show weakness because they're heroes in training?" I offer, carrying the two cups of coffee over to the couch.
"Maybe. Should I mention it in class?"
Why are you asking me this?
"Not to be rude but aren't you the teacher here?"
"Yeah, well I've never been good at this sort of thing and I figured you would know since you're the one going through it." Good point.
"Then just remind them that hound dog's a therapist and that heroes in training should have a place to vent or something so they don't blow someone's face off."
"I'm not going to comment on how that statement is a direct attack on one of my students because we both know what you said is true."
I shrug a little, just glad that this conversation didn't turn out dark like I thought it would be.
"Any news on Midoriya?" It doesn't hurt to ask.
"Not yet."
I brace myself for the disappointment as it crashes down on me, making me regret even asking. I had already known what the answer would be because he would have let me know if there was any new information.
No other teachers come in for the rest of the period and I only find out why when Aizawa tears down a paper outside the door on our way out, with some particularly threatening words on it.
We did quirkless sparring for two periods after lunch, which was definetely a new experience for me. It helped keep my mind off of Midoriya for the moment, at least. The only other time I had done something remotely similar was at the sports festival, and I'm not sure you could call what happened with Midoriya a fight. Well, unless you count my training with Aizawa but that's mostly me working out and him beating me down in the first five seconds of every match. Although recently I have been getting a few hits in every now and then.
I got paired up with Uraraka first, and let me tell you, her punches feel like she's hurling bricks at you. Needless to say, I lost to her, and she tried to console me by explaining that she had done a work study with Gunhead, so she'd 'picked up a few things.' I really should have expected it, but I didn't peg her as the type to know hand to hand combat.
My next match was with Sato, and I was beginning to think Aizawa was doing this on purpose. Our match was actually a lot closer than my last one, but even without eating any sugar, Sato was like a literal boulder. No offense. I think the only reason I got any hits in was because his slower punches were easier to dodge and he looked like he was worried about hitting me too hard.
I thought I was finally getting cut some slack when I was paired up with Iida, but boy was I wrong. I quickly realized this when he sent a kick at my ribs and I'm pretty sure I heard a crack. Long story short, I lost yet again.
I got a long water break before being paired with Sero. I was able to throw him off at one point and he stumbled out of bounds. Right. I don't have to be stronger than my opponent, just smarter.
I was paired with Bakugo next. Okay, maybe sometimes you have to be smarter and stronger. He was beating me pretty good, stronger punches, faster blocks, and he had the intimidation down. But maybe...
"Hey Bakugo..." I grunted as my forearm took the brunt of a punch. "I'm better than you."
"Hah?! The hell did you fuckin' say to me extra?!" He threw a punch that landed on my cheekbone and the pain caused my eyes to well up with tears in response, messing up my vision.
Maybe this was going to backfire. Maybe he would only get more aggressive and beat me up worse. But Aizawa would stop the match before it got too far, right? I'd better hope so, or I'm screwed.
"I said, I'm better than you. You suck." I panted, sidestepping away from a right hook. It barely clipped my shoulder, but still sent me back a step or two.
I threw a punch at his nose but he hit my arm out of the way, giving me barely any time to protect my chest.
"YOU PIECE OF SHIT! You're gonna regret opening your damn mouth!"
"Yeah... I'll regret opening my mouth when you stop being such a shitty sparing partner." I groan, even after he nearly knocks the wind out of me.
At this point he's seething, and I didn't know it was possible for a person to be this angry. I smile in spite of it, and that's what does it.
He lunges at me, a strangled cry leaving his throat as sparks light up in his palms.
"Shinso wins!" Aizawa's capture weapon shoots out to restrain bakugo and his quirk is shut off right before he reaches me.
I let myself lie on the ground, arms and legs spread out, chest heaving. The sounds of other groups sparing in the background fades behind the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears.
"Hah?! The hell do you mean?! I was beating his ass!"
"You used your quirk in quirkless sparing. That disqualifies you. Shinso wins." Aizawa deadpans.
Bakugo continues yelling.
Later though, when we're in the locker rooms, Bakugo comes up to me and he's not yelling.
"Hey, new kid." I look at him warily.
Is it wrong to assume that he wants to beat the shit out of me?
I give him my attention but don't say anything.
"That was a decent match. Or whatever. But you're wrong. You're not better than me. Got it?" He narrows his eyes.
I raise my hands in defense.
"Whatever. I don't actually care." I notice as his eye twitches when I say that, but he doesn't say anything.
Instead he nods and turns around.
I'm not sure how I should feel about him. I've seen how he talks to Midoriya and I don't really like it, but there's something that almost makes me want to pity him. I guess I'll just keep an eye on him.
We leave the locker room to get to our last class, which happens to be study period today. Aizawa had a 'special announcement' though, whatever that means.
"You all have been through a lot this year, and I don't just mean what happened with Midoriya. I'm also talking about what happened at the training camp and the USJ, along with your internships, and everything else that's gone on recently." He starts off. I already know where this is going based on our conversation at lunch.
"The school year is almost over, but the schools facilities will remain open over the summer for those of you who wish to train there. You will all be given recovery girl's phone number in case of any emergencies, as well as hound dog's number. As most of you probably know, hound dog is our school counselor and a licensed therapist. His office is located between the teachers lounge and the nurses office." So far so good.
I don't miss as he glances at me for a moment, seemingly trying really hard to find the right words.
"Even if you don't think you need a therapist, they can be very beneficial, especially as heroes in training. Many pros have therapists because you need a clear and focused mind in an occupation such as this one, so it's good to get in the habit early on. You don't have to go every day or even every week either, but hound dog wanted me to tell you that if you ever feel the need to talk or get your emotions out, he is always available." That was... actually pretty good.
1558 words.