Chapter Text
“Aizawa, stay,” Mr. Shinso ordered. Shota clenched his fist as everyone started to head off to lunch. He took his time to shove his things into his bag. When the room was clear, Shota stood and shoved his backpack over his shoulder. He trudged toward Mr. Shinso's desk.
His teacher didn't say a word as he graded the papers in front of him. Shota shifted as he stood there. As a minute passed, Shota swallowed painfully and spoke, “What did you want from me, sir?”
“Why did you lie to me?” Mr. Shinso asked. He put his pen down and looked up.
“I didn't lie,” Shota muttered as he bristled.
“You told me that you were well enough to attend class today, yet you almost got into a fight with Todoroki,” Mr. Shinso lectured. Shota's hand tightened on his backpack, and he averted his gaze. “You want to be a hero, don't you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And, you do understand that the words Todoroki said to you in class is nothing compared to the heckling and insults you will get from the press and civilians. You will save people, and they will want to get as far away from you as possible because you are the son of a villain. You embrace this by incorporating your father's goggles into your costume, and you plan to add his iconic scarf. Red to hide the hole in his heart.”
“I won't-”
“I don't care,” Mr. Shinso interrupted. Shota snapped his mouth shut. “Not many people are going to care either. Some won't recognize it. Others won't know it but might care enough to look it up. Others will just know and hate you. You have to be ready for that.
“I looked into your school records,” Mr. Shinso continued. “Great grades in most subjects. A quiet kid from what most of your teachers said. Numerous fights in the beginning of middle school before it tempered off. Did the bullies find a new target, or did you stop fighting back?”
“Most of them waited until after school,” Shota muttered.
“I know how it feels to have a villainous quirk. Do you know how terrified my peers were of me? No one spoke to me because they thought I was going to control them. Teachers wouldn't even call on me in class. I was like a lepor. And when I did dare open my mouth, I was attacked for it. I got into my fair share of fights.
“It's okay to be angry, Aizawa. Don't stuff it down inside. It's just going to cause you to explode like you nearly did today. You can't let your anger control you; can't let it fuel you.”
“Yes sir,” Shota muttered. Mr. Shinso fixed him with a look. Shota took a deep breath and looked down. “I will, sir.”
“It won't be easy,” Mr. Shinso warned. “But, let your emotions out during training. Let all those comments and insults push you past your limit, so you can become stronger than you ever thought. So you can become the hero you want to be.”
Shota nodded and shifted his backpack. He hated the lecture, but at the same time, what Mr. Shinso said made sense. Shota swallowed painfully, “I am sorry, Mr. Shinso. I do not want to ruin this opportunity, and I will control my temper.”
“Good,” Mr. Shinso said. He opened his desk drawer and grabbed a pouch. It was handed off to Shota, who stared at it. He had seen this at the store. “That's a jelly packet. It's a good meal substitute.”
“I can get lunch,” Shota began.
“You need a nap,” Mr. Shinso said as he stood and grabbed his sleeping bag. He tossed it toward Shota. “One time offer. I'll wake you up before lunch ends.”
“Thank you,” Shota whispered. He carefully unfolded the sleeping bag and then opened the jelly packet. After sucking it down, the trash was tossed in the bin, and he laid in the sleeping bag. Despite his anger and unease, the sleeping bag seemed to wrap around him like a hug. He fell into a deep sleep.
“I don't know why I have to be here,” Enji Todoroki grumbled as he slumped down in his seat. His father sat next to him quietly. Enji glanced at his father before looking at his teacher. Mr. Shinso was leaning against the wall.
“Thank you for coming,” Mr. Shinso began.
“Of course,” Shoto said as he bowed his head. “What is the problem?”
“Your son has displayed aggressive behavior and bullying tactics toward another student,” Mr. Shinso answered. Enji rolled his eyes.
“He shouldn't even be in the hero course,” Enji muttered.
“Because he's the son of a villain?” Mr. Shinso asked.
“Yes,” Enji spat.
“Or is it because of his father?” Mr. Shinso asked. Enji tensed in his seat, and he felt his flames beginning to lick his body. “Truthfully, we would not have put you two in the same class if we knew, and it was an oversight on our part. Nevertheless, it is not fair to transfer you or Aizawa with a student from Class 1-B.”
As Mr. Shinso spoke, his eyes moved past Enji and toward Shoto. There was something about the look in his eyes, like an accusing look. Enji might have read further into it if he wasn’t so pissed.
“Then kick Aizawa out of the hero course!” Enji demanded. “He shouldn't even be a hero!”
“Why not?” Shoto asked. Enji growled as his flames grew. Cold air from his father washed over him, dousing the flames.
“You don't even care about what that bastard did!” Enji snapped.
“I do care,” Shoto stated, expression flat as always.
“Then you should agree with me,” Enji yelled as he jumped to his feet.
“A son should not suffer for his father's mistakes,” Shoto replied sagely.
“Yet I suffer from yours!” Enji spat as his flames roared to life once again. The air hit him again, much colder than the last time.
“As much as you and Aizawa hate each other, you will learn to work together,” Mr. Shinso said. “You two will not disrupt my class anymore nor any of your other classes. You two will not provoke each other anymore. If I catch you two fighting, provoking, or insulting each other, you will both be expelled.”
“You can't do that,” Enji hissed at his teacher.
“I can, and I will,” Mr. Shinso challenged.
“And I support your decision,” Shoto began. “Enji, heroes are never supposed to hurt the people we fight. Villains or misguided criminals, it doesn't matter. Accidents will happen, but we should never intentionally hurt those we hate.”
Enji remained silent as he threw himself back in the chair and crossed his arms.
“Aizawa's father was almost killed in front of him yesterday. And while you may think that fate is the one he deserves, you know how the loss of a parent feels. Does Aizawa himself deserve to feel that same loss?” Mr. Shinso asked. Enji remained silent, and his teacher nodded. “I'll be having this same conversation with Aizawa. I trust you to behave.”
“I won't touch your princess,” Enji muttered.
“Todoroki,” Mr. Shinso warned.
“I'll leave him alone,” Enji spat. That waste of space wasn't worth losing his spot in the hero course.
“Good,” Mr. Shinso said. He pushed himself off the wall. Then, he looked back at Enji. “When you two are paired for training or combat exercises, that is when you two can release your pent up rage. Try not to kill each other.”