Insomnia [Shota Aizawa x Reader] (Rewritten Version)

Chapter 30

As you watched as the two students got looked over for any major injuries, you realized what you did.

Not you winning against them, or teaching them, but rather the hair ruffling.

You sighed. You always did that with Tomura despite his obvious annoyance.

You dropped by Recovery Girl's station afterward, still pondering on the memories.

Aizawa's fight was on screen and you looked up excitedly, wondering how Yaoyorozu and Todoroki would take him on.

Recovery Girl glanced back at you, looked you over once, and returned her eyes to the screen with a small nod towards a table. "There's water over there if you need it."

"Thanks." You grabbed a bottle, thirsty. "How are the students doing?"

"Kaminari and Ashido are fine," she responded. "It's great that you went against them and they came out with minimal damage."

"It looks like Todoroki and Yaoyorozu will, too, hopefully." You observed the fight, seeing that Aizawa hadn't really been on the offensive. You could see that he was really giving them a chance, in a way, despite him giving it his all.

A few minutes later, the students succeeded, cuffing their teacher.

"All in all, the man's a softie," you heard the Recovery Girl say with a smile. You raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"And I thought I was the only one who could tell," you joked. "The students are terrified of him but he really does care."

"What they see on the outside doesn't always match the inside," she agreed. "He may be blunt, but that's only to help them."

You could tell, seeing Aizawa give his advice and feedback to the students. In his own way, he boosted Yaoyorozu's confidence and helped her succeed.

Knowing he wouldn't drop by Recovery Girl's to check up on his own injuries that may or may not exist, you went off to go find him yourself.

He was in the teacher's lounge, in the corner in his sleeping bag. One arm holding papers and the other a pen. And in his mouth, dangled an empty fruit juice pouch. His eyes looked even more bloodshot and tired, most likely because he just finished a fight.

"Hey," you greeted. "You're not going to watch the other tests?"

He shook his head, eyes still on the papers. You grabbed another bottle of water from the fridge, and waited. In a few moments, he set down the papers and empty pouch next to him and looked up at you. "They're recorded, so I'll look through them later. Plus, it's not just me deciding if they'll pass."

"Isn't it just if they win, they pass? Plus the written exams too, of course."

"Mainly that, but I have to prepare things for the ones that don't." He sighed, starting to go further into his yellow cocoon. "Extra lessons, homework, paperwork...."

His list turned to incomprehensible mumbles as he started to zip up the cocoon as well.

"Good night?" You giggled, seeing him snuggle in and disappear. This man was really dedicated to his job and students.

Your smile dropped slightly, however, as you remembered that you didn't get the chance to ask him about how you did. You weren't even sure why you were part of the exam for them, when you weren't even a hero.

You sigh, deciding to ask another time. You took a few sips of water, then turned to leave.

Before you left, however, Kayama came in, her glasses up and a cheerful smile on her face.

"[L/N]!" she exclaimed. "You did good out there despite not being a professional pro hero!"

You blinked, not knowing how to react. "Uh, thanks. I'm surprised I was paired up with the students in the first place."

Kayama nodded towards Aizawa. "He decided most of the pairings. Maybe to see how you would do against two students." She paused, giving you a side glance while grabbing a fruit juice pouch from the fridge. There seemed to be a big hoard in there from Aizawa. "Maybe it was also to see how you would teach the students despite your background."

Kayama's eyes looked at you sternly, serious. You stiffened, hearing those words. "What—?"

Kayama's face softened and she snorted, unable to suppress a laugh. "Don't worry, Aizawa told me about it. If he trusts you, I do too. You're not exactly—" She stopped suddenly. "Hey, you okay?"

You realized your shoulders and hands were shaking, and you blinked rapidly for a bit. "How can you act like this towards me?"

Kayama smiled gently at you. "You acting like an older sibling to someone who needs the support doesn't scream bad guy to me. You've been helping our children— I mean, students—" she laughed, not looking flustered at all, "—a whole lot, too. As if they're family. We've all got morals."

Your eyes made contact with hers, seeing sincerity in them. You pursed your lips. You never felt like you belonged anywhere. But....

"Thanks for the pep talk," you murmured, trying to be cheerful.

Kayama smiled, giving you a pat on your shoulder. You heard a small rustle from the yellow cocoon and turned just in time to see it fall sideways from the vertical sitting position it was in previously.

"I know you have insomnia, but at least try to get some rest, especially after that fight," Kayama suggested, giggling at the sleeping bag. "You look like you need it."