A Silent Kind of Strength

Chapter 48

The boy's changing room was noisey. The small greenette slipped to the stalls in the back, glad he only had to switch out of his gym uniform instead of an elaborate costume. He made quick work of getting back into his uniform, cringing a bit at how sweaty he was but unwilling to use the showers while the other boys were in the room.

He might trust Hitoshi not to make fun of the scars, but he didn't know the others well enough to guess their reactions. That and changing rooms in general just made him nervous. Only one exit and filled with potential bullies. Sure he could theoretically fight back now, but old instincts and all.

Once he was dressed he left the room and waited in the hall, not really feeling comfortable standing amongst the hubbub and bustle. Slowly the other boys passed him by on ones and twos, heading off for dismissal in their homeroom. Todoroki stepped out, looking freshly showered, his hair perfectly parted even though it was damp. And instead of wandering off he stepped up to the waiting greenette. "Midoriya."

"Todoroki-san! G-good job today!"

The stoic teen nodded his acceptance to the praise eyes glancing around. "Waiting on Shinso?"

"A-ah yes! P-probably Kaminari-kun too. He s-seems to like ha-hanging out with Hitoshi." Green eyes sparkled a bit with the comment, the small boy glad two of his friends got along well.

But all he got in return was a non-committal hum. "Todoroki?" Dual toned eyes flickered to the door as they two they were waiting for stepped into the hall. "I'll head back first then." With that the elemental wandered off, not really letting his new classmate stop him.

Hitoshi sighed as he sidled up, drooping a bit more than usual. "That's my fault isn't it? He accepted my apology, but I guess it'll take awhile to rebuild his trust. If I ever get it back at all." He frowned sadly, normal smirk nowhere to be seen as he sank into gloom. The walk back to the classroom was spent with the two shorter boys doing their best to cheer him up.

___

Shinso draped an arm around Izuku as they walked, following Aizawa to meet up with their other foster dad in the teachers lounge so they could go home. The shorter teen groaned at the added weight dramatically but allowed the comforting contact. The man in front of them grumbled to himself as he scribbled down a note in a file as he walked, apparently pissed that Midnight had let All Might teach alone. Hitoshi had immediately walked up to the underground hero as soon as dismissal was over and let his foster parent know what had happened during class, with both All Might and Mineta. A few of the other students who were still packing up chiming in with their own viewpoints.

All of them ignored the blushing and placations of Midoriya as he tried to run damage control.

After he had gotten the whole story out of the lot of them the teacher had pulled a file folder out from the back of his podium and started filling out some sort of form cursing quietly to himself as most of the kids rushed off to catch their trains or meet up with friends.

He was still cursing and scribbling by the time they made it to the lounge. Skillfully, and violently, sliding the door open with a kick. He walked straight for his desk without breaking stride. Shinso snorted at the display and headed for the coffee bar, figuring that whatever complaint Aizawa was filing would take long enough for him to get in at least one cup before they could leave.