Mystery from Another World

Part 28: The Students Compare Notes

Todoroki was troubled over the way the excursion to his family had ended. He wasn't sure why Shine's opinion was bothering him. She was just so serious about saying he wasn't ready... That wasn't easy to hear, but he wondered if he really was untrustworthy. He couldn't help being suspicious, but it wouldn't be the first time he'd gotten in trouble because of it, he reflected. 

The events of the past year had led to a lot of realizations about himself. He was not as calm about things as he thought. Well, wouldn't someone like Shine understand that? Why act like this...? This sounded pathetic even to him, and it made him wonder if he really didn't know himself all that well. 

Shine avoided him too. He assumed she was angry (the real reason was she thought he needed space).

Momo felt guilty for being the chosen one to bear all these confidences of the DJs, not because she didn't want to know, but because she didn't see why she was any better than the rest of the class. To her, her kindness and consideration of them was unremarkable.

Shinso was still bothered over what he'd heard from Shine about her abilities, and he actually went so far as to consult Aizawa over it. Aizawa had never heard the details of how Shine's portals worked before, and hearing it from Shinso made him feel sort of like he had a spy--that didn't bother him. If anything, it was kind of gratifying--but he was far more concerned that Shinso dwelt on the frightening aspect of it enough to tell him, and it made him think the other students would be nervous about it too. The other staff would be, for that matter.

"I just wondered how UA is going to make sure these people don't abuse their powers," Shinso said.

Aizawa couldn't exactly say, "Nothing of significance."

"We have an agreement. They won't break it, not if they want our continued support," he said.

"Likstar doesn't like UA," Shinso stated. "I doubt West is much different, since they're partners. Don't you think they would drop UA's patronage if they had the chance?"

Aizawa wished he had stupider students sometimes.

"They haven't yet. They clearly want something from us. Don't worry about it. Focus on training," he said.

Shinso made a fist. "That woman also says I shouldn't be a hero."

"She said what?!" Aizawa's eyes glowed red.

"My motivations, they're wrong," Shinso elaborated. "They're selfish. That's what she thinks."

Aizawa was silent. Then he said, "Come. We're going to find Lisktar and have a little talk."

"Sir, I'm not sure that's a good idea--" Shinso immediately regretted sharing this detail, but Aizawa was past reasoning with on this matter and dragged him.

Shine was with Eri at that time and was surprised to see them.

"Can we have a moment?" Aizawa's tone made it sound more like a threat than a request.

"Uh...sure..." Shine said. "Eri, sweetie, can you play by yourself for a few minutes? Then we'll go out, okay?"

"Okay," Eri agreed, waving at Aizawa cheerfully. Aizawa had to peel the scowl off his face to give her a more congenial smile, so she wouldn't be scared, but the scowl was back as soon as Shine shut the door behind her.

"Shinso?" Shine noticed him. "Oh..." She realized what was up.

"Likstar, need I even explain the inappropriateness of discouraging a student trying to get in the Hero Course from being a hero!?" Aizawa was ready to lay into her.

Shine had to be one of the only people in the world not afraid of Aizawa when he was angry... Actually, she was less afraid of him then than when he was calm. She thought he was off balance when he was angry.