Requiem of the Broken

Chapter 28: Nightcap

Ochako had been having trouble sleeping recently. She could feel IT trying to weaken its bonds while she slept and it had been affecting her ability to get sound sleep. Granted it was better than none at all, but lately, even with 9-10 hours of sleep, she was still feeling tired and lethargic throughout the day. Coffee was helping, but she didn't want to develop a dependence on the stuff so she had been limiting her intake best she could. The only thing stopping her from crashing back into her bed or passing out on her sofa was the fact that she and the girls would be having a night out.

She hoped getting sufficiently drunk would help her sleep because IT also got drunk along with her, so enough alcohol should let her get some restful sleep. Granted she would probably have a bad hangover afterward, but she'd prefer that and while it wouldn't be ideal sleep, she could at least go a night without feeling like she was at war with her own brain at night. Before she got around to any that however, she needed to make sure of a few things before Mina invariably convinced her to take everyone to The Invisible Glass.

She didn't have either Sasakura's or Izuku's number, which to her own mild surprise she was rather disappointed about. She shook her head clear of the errant disappointment with herself and knocked on Nezu's office door.

After a few seconds, she heard a "Come in" and so let herself into his office.

Nezu was, as usual, poised behind his desk. A smile on his face, a thermos of tea to one side, and an overstuffed box of papers. Frankly, it was as if she had just stepped back in time to when she had been a student. She took a moment to reminisce about a chapter of her life now long past, before dispelling those memories and stepping into the office.

"Ah, Miss Uraraka, to what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked brightly.

"Uhhh... well, I had a question I need to ask actually," she said awkwardly.

"I'm always willing to help a former student," he said.

"Well... I was wondering if you might know whether or not I'm allowed to bring friends with me to Mr. Sasakura's bar. Mina wants to have a night out, and I don't have either Mr. Sasakura's or Izuku's phone numbers." she said, shifting her weight nervously from one foot to the other. It was a distinctly awkward feeling asking her principal.

"If I recall his stance on the subject, you are allowed to bring friends with you, but they will not be able to find the bar themselves unless he or Izuku gives them a card." Said Nezu, frowning as he tried to recall his friend's regulations surrounding the bar.

Ochako perked up a bit at the news. As much as she was dreading having Mina meet Izuku and the embarrassing questions and remarks that would follow such a meeting, she would have been sad to have to tell Mina she couldn't take her to the bar.

"Thanks, Mr. Nezu!" she said smiling brightly.

"Any time Miss Uraraka, I'm always willing to help a student, no matter how mundane the subject. Speaking of Mr. Sasakura though, I wonder if you might be able to do me a favor in turn." He said.

"Of course sir," she said.

"Well, Mr. Sasakura agreed to tutor some students struggling with their quirks, I wanted to get a copy of his tutoring plan for each student before he got started this weekend. While you are there, if you could ask him to forward me an email copy, or else bring me a physical copy, it would be greatly appreciated." He said.

Ochako nodded, "I'll let him know sir, thank you for your help again." She said turning and heading out of his office.

Nezu watched her leave and after taking another sip of his tea, sent a quick message to Sasakura to let him know what to expect. Then he heaved a sigh and went back to working through his never-ending piles of paperwork. Sometimes he imagined this would be how he died, drowning under a sea of paperwork.