My Hero Academia: Romanticise Like A Raven

SHOELACES - Part 1

The car screeched to a halt outside of U-A High School, where it was supposed to. Not that I wanted it to stop there or anything, but I was doomed to watch the car sail away from this spot.

"It's time to go, Fumi." Mother grinned weakly at my shrunken frame in the seat beside her.

I didn't say anything, rather I brooded in my seat, trying not to let further discomfort set in. I hated how I was acting like this. This was an opportunity. This wasn't a deficit, but a strength.

Mother patted my quivering leg, "You can come see me any time, remember that. I'm also just a phone call away."

I nodded, but I didn't say anything, my sharp eyes looking at the leg and trying to get it to stop bouncing subconsciously. I opened the door slowly, and used all of my acquired strength to heave two cases and a rucksack from the car boot. They were heavy, but it was nothing that I'd not experienced before.

But there was something heavier I was trying to ignore; the chip on my shoulder. I looked at Mother one more time and it only grew in size as I watched the beads of water swell up on her dark eyes. I could tell that she was trying to be strong. Alas, she was failing.

As was I.

I couldn't hold it in any longer, dropping the cases and pulling her in close, giving her the biggest hug I possibly could. I felt her warmth, and felt her soft head on mine. She used her beak to peck my cheek affectionately and then pulled away.

I held her hands as I was on the verge of blubbering, "I-I'm going to miss you s-so much."

Dark Shadow revealed themself, and then Mother's own familiar materialised, its great purple haze hanging over us both like a storm cloud. Then the two shadows enveloped, and I felt my heart squeeze itself dry.

"You promise me that you'll make lots more friends, and then invite them all over for dinner! I'd love to meet them." Mother laughed softly.

"I'll do my best..." I breathed.

And then I lifted up my two cases, and started to walk away. With each step her warmth escaped from me more and more, and the world became cold and uninviting. The cold sunk its talons into me, and I could feel the tremors as Dark Shadow waved behind. We were both hurting so much.

But I couldn't cry. I couldn't worry Mother like that; it was the last thing she needed. And it wasn't like I was never going to see her again! It was going to be ok. It was going to be ok. It was going to be ok.

On the other hand, as I reached the dorm building - the Heights Alliance - I suddenly felt a surge of feelings telling me that I was not going to be ok.

But that wasn't the vibe I got from either Mina Ashido or Toru Hagakure, who were both stood there, chatting excitedly amongst themselves. Ashido had pastel pink skin, white hair that appeared like a fluffy cloud and a smile that practically begged you to ask her to go to a party. Meanwhile, Hagakure was invisible but ever-cheerful as she chatted with her bestie in popping-coloured clothing.

Aizawa was stood behind them. He stared me down as I headed towards the double doors.

"When you've dropped off your belongings, meet me back here. And make haste." Aizawa Sensei murmured. I knew I hadn't done something wrong before, but someone had undoubtedly done something wrong now.

But that was a problem for a in a minute.

I nodded at him, and then I turned to Ashido and Hagakure where I spoke a meagre, "Hi."

"Hey, Tokoyami! Hey, Dark Shadow!" Ashido waved frantically.

"Love your jumper, Tokoyami!" Hagakure added, pointing out my black jumper, the same one I'd been wearing when Aizawa had visited my house.