Between Illusion and Erasure

Unfamiliar Ceiling

TW\\Blood, Violence, Hospital, Medical Talk, Angst
Beta reader and editor: slipsy (CallMeCase)

"There we go," Recovery Girl noted in a cheerful tone, turning towards the computer. You were finally free from your broken nose, no more bleeding randomly or not being able to properly breathe. "Now, don't get careless again, boy."

"I make no promises." You quickly learned that she didn't have a good sense of humor, slapping you not so lightly with her cane. "I'm joking, I'm joking... No need to get aggressive." She puffed, still not impressed.

"I'm serious." She reprimanded you, "Get going now, I have more places to be."

"Happy New Year!" You exclaimed, leaving before she could answer.

To be honest, she had the power to make your stomach turn on sight: she was so small and so strong. This time, however, you couldn't blame her for the grumpy mood — no one wants to spend their New Year's Eve working — much less when you are hitting seventy.

The school was dead silent, you could hear your own steps echoing in the halls. It was almost foreign, like a stress dream where you end up being teleported naked in front of everyone in the class. A part of you hoped that your stop at U.A. would be short, but you knew that was impossible. You see, the problem wasn't even the paperwork you had to run over, even though that would take a lot of time, it was the third stop in the day you dreaded more.

Surprised to find the teacher's lounge already unlocked, you made your way inside carefully. Even if the school was highly secured, there was still a chance of some danger lurking inside. Well, instead of danger, you found Aizawa — who seemed just as surprised to see you.

"What are you doing here?"

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that?" He countered, leaning back on his chair with a loud creak.

"I'm here to finish some last-minute paperwork," you leaned on the table in front of him, turning the computer on. "I also needed to take my equipment to the support department."

"What happened to it?"

"Ah, well..." You rummaged around in your bag until you could find your gloves, "My gloves were working just fine last week, and this one is still working alright." You showed the hook mechanism on the left glove, handing it to Aizawa. "But this one is jammed, it only works when it feels like it."

It was easier to show than to tell with your equipment. Wearing the glove in question, you pressed the palm button multiple times, taking a good minute until the blade came out.

"I also need to work on the wrist support, but..." You finally sat down, "The commission wasn't helping, so Principal Nezu asked me to talk with the support department here."

"Sounds like a pain," He answered nonchalantly, handing back the glove to you. "Want some coffee?" He made his way towards the small countertop by the window side, where the mugs and coffee pot sat undisturbed.

"Depends, did you make it?"

"No, it's week-old coffee that I re-heated." He snapped back with a dry tone that didn't match his extravagant pose, coffee pot in hand. "Do you want it or not?"

"I want the liquid poison, yes." You bickered, glancing back lazily as he poured the cup. "Anyways, what are you doing here? I expected Mic to have dragged you to his party already."

"I already don't like parties," He pulled back his sleeves, making his way back to you. "But, I also have to take care of Eri, and there's paperwork that isn't done yet — not to mention the kids are throwing another reunion, and... I really don't like parties. Here."