Toshinowa

9

"There." Shokya pushed her suitcase next to her door. "All ready to go. Just two more hours until I leave for the airport. Now, do you want your present first?"

"No. I want to give you yours. Here." Her eyes lit up when she saw it.

"I love it! What does it mean?"

"The dove, a symbol of grace and peace. She's dancing beautifully with many different birds, like how you use your quirk to fight enemies through other people."

"Oh, that makes mine seem a little lame. Here." She handed me a latch box with a calligraphy S on the top cover.

"What's this?"

"Open it." Inside was a few packages of tape and multiple pictures. I flipped through them. They were all pictures of me and Shokya.

"Oh, I love it!"

"I figured you should have something to decorate your walls with and make your room feel more like home. You can hang the pictures, sketches, whatever."

"That'll look so cool. I'll wait until I get back to my room, though. That way I don't damage them in the move back." I set it on the dresser with my sketchbook, accidentally knocking it off.

"Oh, here." Shokya picked it up for me. My body froze as the picture slipped out onto the floor. I rushed to pick it up. "I'm sorry, I was just trying to help. I know sketchbooks are like diaries, I wasn't trying to look-"

"It's ok. Thank you for picking it up for me." She handed it back to me.

"But.. I have to ask. Who's the couple in the picture?" I sighed before looking her in the eyes.

"Do you really mean what you said about being good at keeping secrets?"

(-)

I waved her off as her taxi left toward the airport. I wouldn't see her until after the New Year break, so class was going to be extremely boring for the next few days.

Someone put me in a headlock from behind.

"So, you ready to fight?"

"Did I really agree to that?"

"Not technically, but we're doing it anyway." He release me. "Open gym tomorrow after class. Be there."

"And what if I'm not?"

"Then I'll have to fight you out here. Then we'll both get in trouble." I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever. I gotta go. See ya."

"Preparing to lose?"

"Nope. Choreographing a victory dance for when I beat you."

"Sure thing." He rolled his eyes and walked away. I really didn't want to fight him. Not because I was afraid to lose, but because I spent so much time sparring in my childhood.

Mr. Aizawa stopped me on the way into the dorm.

"The police haven't found any evidence of more 'blue dragons' anywhere near here."

"Awesome!" I said sarcastically. "That means they're taking the time to plan something big in a safe environment where they're less likely to get caught!"

"Itzuki, listen to what I'm saying. Not only do we have the teachers and staff here, but we have pros helping us watch the grounds. Not to mention students with incredible abilities that won't hesitate to step in."

"Great. I feel so safe around a bunch of people I barely know." I sighed. "Sorry. I'm just... scared. And without Shokya here I feel a bit lonely."

"I get it. But you have to trust that we'll do our job and protect you." I nodded.

"I understand. Is sparring with other students allowed?"

"We have specific sparring days." I smacked my forehead.

"Tomorrow wouldn't happen to be one of those days, would it?"

"Um, yeah. Why?" I sighed.

"Bakugo challenged me and said we were doing it tomorrow." He chuckled.

"I don't think he'll take it too hard on you. He won't let you win, but I don't think he'll give it his all." I nodded.

"Yeah. Anyway, I'm turning in."

"This early?"

"Solitude is good for the mind."

"Whatever you say."