FTM! Reader X MHA! Story [Am I Man Enough?]

Chapter 5 - Met a Cat-Lady, Feelin' Great

TW: haha OOC-
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"Hmmm... what should I read about?" I ask myself aloud, dragging my fingers lightly along the spines sticking out of the bookshelf. Some of them were crisp, seemingly never taken off of the shelf. Others were worn in, creased. I kept walking for a while until I reached a book I thought I might like, one with the most experience considering how many times the spine was creased, the cover curling and ripping at the edges.

I flip it over and see words in a big print. I read over it once, twice, and three times. For some reason, the title just won't stick with me. Then I realize it's not exactly... in Japanese.

"Pax," someone says in a deep, soothing voice over my shoulder. I jump a little, thinking I was alone in the library. "Used to be one of my favorites when I was younger. Still is, to be honest. Probably the one who put all the creases in the bind." With their last words, the stranger chuckles. Their laugh sounds like relief, not like the Porcupine's arrogant snicker or the Charger's full out and aggressive laugh. It put me at ease, which didn't happen often with strangers.

I turn around slowly to look at a boy in front of me. He's a little (taller/shorter) than I. He has super puffy purple hair that seems like things would get lost in. His eyes were also a shade of purple, but it was more intense. The eye bags signifying lost sleep made them look even more powerful. His build was athletic, but not alarmingly so like some of the Class 1A boys'. He had on the same uniform as I, except he had two buttons on his shoulders, with one line each on his lapels and sleeves. And I'm sorry but I have to say it.

Why is everyone at this school so damn pretty-

"Huh? Oh this book?" I hold it up nonchalantly, slightly squinting at it. "Hm... I knew I sucked at English but I didn't know it was this bad. I hadn't even recognized the language-"

He laughs lightly again and I smile sweetly at him. "It's not too hard once you get the hang of it. However, I doubt any of Class 1A has worked to achieve anything in their lives."

My eyes widen a considerable amount, realizing that was a direct attack on my Class. "Look, I can agree with that for some people. But honestly, I don't appreciate you implying that I'm a kid who simply got lucky with a quirk. I had to work my ass off for it so buzz off."

He holds his hands up in a symbol of peace. "Hey, you don't back down, huh?" I roll my eyes at him, wanting to be done with the conversation. I go to walk past him, but he sticks his hand out at the last second. "Shinsou. Hitoshi. It's genuinely nice to meet you."

I stare at his hand for a second and think about what this could lead to. Oh eff it all. I grab his hand solidly and smile. "Y/n. Find the last name out yourself if you want to. And likewise." I pull out of the handshake and look at the maybe 300 page book in my hands. "Do you think you'd be willing to help me with my English? This book seems fairly interesting. Even if it is just a kid's book," I add on at the end, teasing him a little.

He ponders for a second, stroking an imaginary beard with one hand and sticking the other into his pocket. "How about you 'find it out yourself.' I've got better things to do then tutor a hero-course student."

I roll my eyes and flip him off. "Alrighty, if you're going to be so hostile I'll just take my leave. I mean, school starts pretty soon so-"

"Oh c'mon, I was just messing around. Here," he hands me his phone. It it a clear cased purple phone with cat stickers and multiple Polaroids of cats stuck inside. So he's a Cat Lady. Cool, cats are truly the superior pet.

I hold it firmly and just stare at it. "Thanks I guess, but I had my own phone?"

"No dumbass- your phone number," he takes his phone back and scrolls through it and then hands it back. "I was asking for your phone number."

"Oh. Why though?" I've gotta be the dumbest person in existence. Like what it's clearly for the tutoring-

"Well, the tutoring you were legit just talking about. And you seem like one of the few cool people in the Hero Course," he adds on with a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

I input my number into his contacts list. I hand it back to him and smile widely. "Nice to meet you, Shin-meow," after trying out the nickname I looked him in the eyes and wiggled my eyebrows.

He just rolled his eyes again and ruffled my (h/l) and (h/c) hair. Then he walked away, out of the library to whatever class he was in. I think the uniform was a general studies one?

I look back down at the book in my hands. On the cover is a little fox looking into a snowy, wooded area. I wonder what kind of story is told in these pages.

I take it to the checkout counter and check it out. Apparently, Recovery Girl also doubles as the Librarian. Who would have thought?

I walk out of the bookshelf'd utopia clutching the small book in my hands and head off to class to try to read English. Who knows how that'll go.
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The cat lady is Shinsouuuuu

Yes that was quite clear

Shushie, don't talk. Period. Just don't.

Of course I'm not talking to you, the actual reader because you're all really coolio. Just Bartholomew. Who's a mix of my apathy, gender dysphoria, fears, and self negativity.

sILENZIO BARTHOLOMEW

Paz is a really good book. I'd recommend it. The biggest reason I choose to introduce Shinsou using that book is because there are major themes of compassions and companionship in the story, which is something he often didn't have due to his quirk.

Anywhosies, hope you enjoyed this chapter. This one was pretty much just an introduction of Shinsou chapter because he deserves some screen time. I'll try to write another soon to make up for it. Sorry for the wait-

Go take off your binding shtuff. You are absolutely dashing, with or without it.

About 1000 words?