Mute

Chapter 1

Obnoxious.

That's what most people thought when meeting Hizashi, and they weren't necessarily wrong. He'd always been like that, far too loud and energetic. There was no changing it regardless of how often he was called out on it. Shouta couldn't help but wonder how he managed to keep this overly outgoing version of himself up. Hell, he could barely stay awake as it was now. Shouta and Hizashi were two examples of paths one could take after accepting the future of being a hero. Saving energy, or masking until you make it. Seeing Hizashi's little act on the daily compared to his own, Shouta wasn't sure what to think. The UA staff hadn't caught onto this, they likely never would. Hizashi was good at things like that.

"HEYYYYY!"

Hizashi strutted up to where Shouta was, walking to the same classroom that he had just left as the teachers switched rooms.

"What's my favourite listener doin' tonight?!"

Shouta spared him a quick glance before moving along down the hallway.

"Take a wild guess, I'm going to sleep the second I get to the lounge."

He gave a bored look before perking up again, giving his signature finger guns.

"You say the same thing each time, yo! Doesn't ya routine ever change?"

"And you ask that same question every day, what makes you think the answer will be different this time."

"Hey! Hey! Ya never know, man!"

He put an arm around Shouta's shoulder, grinning.

"Just in case ya 'plans' change, y'know? Come out with me sometime!"

Shouta pulled his arm off, slinging his beautiful bright yellow sleeping bag over his shoulder.

"No, for the last time. I have better things to do than go out to who knows where with you."

Hizashi snapped his fingers in disappointment before continuing to head off to the classroom.

"Aww man! My offer still stands, yo! Hit me up if ya wanna, I'm always open to chill!"

Shouta walked away, not giving a reply, leaving to the teacher's lounge for his break from the classes. With the hopes of getting some sleep, he slid into the sleeping bag and plopped on the floor, closing his eyes.

"Awww! Shouta!"

A feminine voice snapped him out of his near-nap.

"You look so cute!"

Nemuri.

She never left him alone, between her and Hizashi, he could never catch a break.

"What is it, make it quick."

Not answering the question, she patted Shouta on where his head likely was in the sleeping bag.

"You know they have actual beds in Recovery Girl's office, Aizawa-Kun!"

"That won't be necessary."

She gave a good-willed giggle. "You're so boring! If you need help being more fun in bed, I can help you~"

Nemuri winked at him, sauntering to her desk, humming.

Shoutas eyes narrowed as he flopped the sleeping bag over, facing the opposite direction. He had about an hour to sleep, that is, if he wasn't interrupted again. The universe was in his favour today, as nobody else bothered him until he was awoken by the bell. There was a cup of coffee next to him on the floor, likely left by Nemuri. As much as she annoyed him, he had to admit her little gestures were something he appreciated.

Shouta packed up his sleeping bag yet again, chugging the cup before leaving the lounge. His next class had heroics training for the final period. There wasn't much planned, simply working on advancing their quirks and continuing to come up with Ultimate Moves. Ectoplasm had created clones for the students to spar against and All Might walked around offering the students advice with the help of a Teaching For Dummies book. Shouta watched as the kids trained, prepared to assist them if they needed it, but it wasn't necessary. Not counting Ectoplasm and All Might, this was almost entirely an independent class.

Around 3/4 of the way through the period, Shouta's phone buzzed.

Who the hell..? I guess I forgot to shut it off.

The message was from Hizashi, whom Shouta was regretting giving his phone number to.

"Yo, ya sure you don't wanna come out tonight? I miss ya man!"

He gave a silent groan, excusing himself from the room to reply.

"Aren't you teaching? Get back to work, Hizashi."

"The lil' listeners are testin' right now, I'm bored!"

He contemplated ignoring Hizashi's original question. He had work tonight, there was no room in his schedule for whatever impulse decisions Hizashi felt like doing tonight. He'd just get asked tomorrow anyway. And the next day. And the next.

Although, now that Shouta thought about it, he had been awfully clingy lately, for whatever reason. For the past few weeks, he hadn't left Shouta alone. More than normal, at least. Hizashi was always around him recently, touching him in some way and inviting him places on a daily basis.

Shoutas heart sank a little, trying to think of reasons for his sudden latching. He knew Hizashi had issues in the past after losing Oboro. Shouta did too.

Could he be having another rebound?

I'm probably thinking too much into this.

Shouta turned back to the open messages.

"Fine. One time, if you agree to stop asking me every single day."

"Wait seriously!? You're the best, yo! Didn't think you'd actually come! HAHAHA!"

"I still have the option to back out, don't get so full of yourself."

"Hey Hey!! I'm just excited is all!"

Shouta silenced his phone after that, entering the training room and waiting out the rest of the class. He really didn't feel like doing this, but his friend was likely hurting again. He felt the same pain Hizashi did.

Goddamnit, Zashi.