My Hero Academia: The Next Generation Book 3

Chapter 20

     Soon enough, I would see a car pull up out on the street. The door soon opening as Zota stepped out from the driver's seat, looking at me with mild disbelief in his eyes. His hair was a little longer now, being shaggier in style. Overall, he was a bit taller now too, and more built all around. It felt sort of like a standoff as our eyes met, he was clearly trying to process the fact that he was even seeing me again. And I was somewhat doing the same. Eventually, he would close the car door and start to walk up, Yuri getting out and waiting by the car for now. As he started to get closer, I stood up and smiled faintly.

     "So, long time no s--" I felt a swift right hook across my face, making me slightly dizzy as I fell back on my ass on the step, not only that. But the right hook sort of triggered a panic attack for me, my heart racing as I clutched my face and tried to take deep breaths and relax.

     "That's what you have to say?! Not sorry for terrifying us before you went into your coma! Not sorry for what you did to Sakura?!" 

      "--I... I forgot..." I managed to get some words out of my mouth, still holding my face as I kept my gaze down at the steps beneath me, feeling some tears forming in my eyes, but I was quick to shut them tight and push the emotions down for now. Letting out a slow sigh before looking back up at him. "I-I'm sorry... I really am... And I'll be sure to let everyone know when I can..." Zota would stare at me for a few moments before letting out a soft sigh, holding his hand out which would briefly make me flinch. But seeing that he was just offering to help me up now, I would relax a bit and grip his forearm so he could pull me up. Then pull me into a tight hug.

     "It's alright... I'm glad to see you back, really... Just... You..."

     "I'm a monster, I know." I would pull back from the friendly hug to glance at him, putting on a fake smile and flicking his forehead. "Quick to act rather than think like always, heh. Never change Zota, I missed ya." He would smile faintly and rub his forehead after I flicked it, giving him a pat on the shoulder before I walked past him to the car. Yuri was looking at me with a frown, which I didn't even acknowledge. The smile dropping from my face as I got in the back while Zota got back in the driver's seat, Yuri in the passenger.

      I was silent for the car ride, staring out the window as I lightly rubbed the left side of my face where Zota's punch had connected. My hand was shaking slightly, and I could feel the tears building slightly in my eyes again. Glancing over to make sure Yuri couldn't quite see from the passenger seat me as I shifted a bit so I was more tucked into the corner right against the door with my back somewhat towards him. Tucking my arms, a bit close to myself as I closed my eyes and took some shaky breaths. Letting some tears run down my face for a moment before rubbing them away, just trying to keep as quiet as possible so I wouldn't bother them.

      I could feel someone's gaze on me. Slowly glancing over my shoulder to see Yuri staring at me, clearly wanting to check that I was okay, though seeing me like this definitely started to tick him off. I could always tell, so before he started anything I swiftly shook my head. His expression changing to a faintly guilty one before nodding lightly and looking back ahead. I would stare at him for a moment or two before looking back out the window, getting somewhat lost in thought.

     Should've just stayed isolated... Everyone hates me... But I can't blame them, after all I did... I really did just play into Shigaraki's hand most of the way, tried to do something too late with that fight... And it barely even worked the way we all planned... Should've stayed dead...

     My eyes would dilate a bit as they shifted focus from the scenery outside to my own reflection... Or rather, the visage of Shigaraki's face in place of my own. Blinking faintly as I stared at it for a few moments before rubbing my eyes a bit aggressively, by the time I opened them again I was back to seeing my own reflection, letting out a soft sigh.