"Again, I have to ask if you're certain, Kaminari. I promise you, you won't be falling behind in class - it only takes up two hours a week - and we might be able to find out why this is happening."
                          
Right... Aizawa didn't know about Kaminari's feelings to Kirishima. He couldn't know. The humiliation that would bore down on Kaminari would be a living nightmare. 
                          
"So, will you do it?"
                          
Kaminari fell deep into thought.
                          
He needed help. He had to get help or his goal wouldn't be achievable. The goal that he had desired ever since he was that little boy watching pro heroes fight on TV.
                          
But, did he even want to achieve his goal anymore? There was no point in becoming a hero - not if there were so many out there with better potential. There was no point in him being here - not if there are plenty more stronger and braver out there.
                          
Still, he needed help, and maybe this would be the beginning of his road to recovery. Maybe the beginning to leaving these strong feelings for Kirishima behind?
                          
With that thought in mind, he responds.
                          
"Yes."
                          
He said his answer. He said his answer in a voice that was so drained of life. So weak and without energy and so exhausted. Soaked with the idea of him giving up; losing hope; stuck in a ditch that he accepts he cannot climb out of.
                          
The energy that kept him going felt like false hope, but he let himself be lead by it, despite the other voices reminding him of what he is.
                          
Worthless - Useless - Stupid - Cowardly
                          
Words and voices that drip with self-hatred. Weights he had to drag with him everywhere. He wanted to fight them but he had no energy, and was at a point of not knowing what he wanted or needed coherently. He didn't know how to get the voices out of his head, and so he just followed the one that would lead him down the path of false hope. At that exact point, he had nothing left to lose.
                          
Aizawa felt tears threaten to fall at the sound of the broken boy's voice, prickling like pins onto the surface of his cornea. Yet he forced himself to leave it. Kaminari would be fine. He was going to get help, and that was all that mattered. He was sure to become better, and Aizawa will do anything he could to make sure that happened.
                          
He breathes out, potentially disguised as a sigh of relief, and speaks up again, swallowing the emotions that threatened to close up his throat. His voice was in a slight falsetto, and if Kaminari had noticed a difference, he didn't point it out.
                          
"It will take up your hero-training slot just before lunch on Thursday. It will take a few days to make arrangements but, if you get dismissed from the infirmary by next week, you might be able to begin the week to follow. I'll talk about it more later."
                          
He pauses, the ticking of the clock echoing between them, and Kaminari flexes his hands, his fingers interlocking together. There was a cog turning, a foreign feeling slithering up his spine, pumping like adrenaline through his blood. Whatever it was, it was something close to anticipation - as if he'd stepped on a tile that could or could not set off a trap. Before his face could morph into one besides that weary expression, Aizawa cuts him off, and he couldn't help the rush of gratefulness wash through him when the feeling had vanished.
                          
"The class have been wanting to see you, Kaminari. They care about you. They want to know if your ok."
                          
Kaminari refrains from releasing a bitter laugh. It was pity, for sure. Maybe it was the same for Kirishima. He felt sorry for his hurt, which is why he wanted to help him. Not because he cares... he cares about Bakugo.
                          
And Kaminari made the stupid, stupid decision to tether with some of the strings that tied Kirishima to Bakugo.
                          
"They'll visit tomorrow, if that's ok with you."
                          
Aizawa waits expectantly for an answer, or a sign of recognition. Worry spikes, however, when he sees a face void of... anything.
                          
"Kaminari?" The concern was evident.
                          
Kaminari snaps out of whatever trance he was in, focusing back onto Aizawa.
                          
"Yeah, it's fine," he monotonously responds.
                          
Aizawa never thought Kaminari could feel so far away.
                          
[To be continued...]
                          























                          
The brother doesn't involve a major part of the story - UA is a responsible school and Kaminari is under 18... I am implying, however, that his parents aren't his guardian!
                          
This is roughly the time where I was about halfway through The Song of Achilles... I don't mind the spoilers because I would've finished it by the time I upload this (I hope) so you might see me crying about it in a future one-shot or chapter...
                          
Boi, don't you have it when you misspell one-shot as one-shi-
                          
Be potates!
                          
                         ~Spud🥔