Taste of Poison Paradise

Chapter 11

As the months pass, Shinobu begins to re-integrate herself into the school environment, to her friends' delight, even if she only shows up for practical sessions. She sometimes pauses in her training to check up on their class' progress in Total Concentration Breathing, nods approvingly, maybe corrects someone's form, and immediately returns to her own training.

No one, except perhaps Tamaki, notices that her trademark smile ebbs off her face as soon as she is alone again.

She stamps down the guilt that rises up at his furrowed brows and anxious eyes. Her cousin has enough anxiety already, so her mask becomes a permanent fixture until she retreats to her dorm.

The only time Shinobu is present for something other than training is when she, Nejire, Mirio, and Tamaki are due to introduce work studies to the first year hero course. Class A first, then Class B, all across the span of two days.

So here they are, standing outside the door of 1-A, patiently waiting for Eraserhead—ah, Mr. Aizawa—to introduce them to his students.

These students, who Shinobu has already trained once. Then, because of her failure, received imperceptible traumas.

They must hate her. Especially Midoriya and Bakugou.

Her unease and guilt must have leaked through cracks in her mask, because Nejire bounces closer in concern. "Hey, hey, what's wrong, Shinobu-chan?" she asks, a frown on her usually joyful face. "I thought you were looking forward to this? Do you not like these kids or something?"

Shinobu's mouth twists. "I'm okay, Nejire. And no, it's nothing like that. These kids are sweet and hardworking. They've been through a lot, more than children ever should. If anything, they shouldn't like me." The last remark tumbles off her tongue before she can stop herself, and she curses at the increasingly concerned looks her three friends direct towards her.

Dammit. Now they're curious.

Tamaki sets a hand on her shoulder, momentarily setting aside his anxiety for his cousin. "They don't hate you, Shinobu. You did all you could."

But it wasn't enough, she thinks with a bitter chuckle. Bakugou still got captured, even with me and Tengen there. Who knows what the League could have done to him if we weren't able to find him?

Her cousin frowns. "Shinobu—"

"You may come in now," Mr. Aizawa's voice rings out, and the subject is promptly dropped. Her body relaxes minutely at the interruption.

"Well, that's our cue, guys!" Mirio grins, his cheerful persona rising easily to the surface. At his words, Tamaki grimaces. His wish to be literally anywhere else may as well be scribbled all over his face in bold, black ink.

Mirio pats him on the head in a quick, comforting gesture before leading the way. Nejire and Shinobu follow, with Tamaki trailing behind her, one shaking hand clutching her jacket like a lifeline. He attempts to use her as cover, but as he is more than a head taller than her, his efforts are futile.

"I'll have people who've experienced them first hand explain it to you. I suggest that you listen carefully as they point out why work studies are different from internships," Aizawa is announcing, looking out at his amazed students while gesturing to the four older students. "These four are third years here at U.A, and they rank at the very top of our student body. You may know them as the Elite 4."

They gaze around, and Shinobu covers her wince with the smile that Kanae loved so much. Class 1-A gazes at them in wonder, except for that little one who Shinobu wants to punt to the next universe, who is gazing at her and Nejire with lust.