Play Nice (Tomura Shigaraki x Reader)

Chapter 5: Prodigies

Looking back, she realized that she'd actually known Tomura Shigaraki since middle school. That wasn't so unbelievable honestly. Middle school was when her Dad had gotten that big promotion into the corporate sector at the company. It was when he got a huge pay bump and her Mom was able to quit her job to be a stay at home Mom. It was when she'd started attending private school.

Even so, it's not like they ever had any kind of relationship or meaningful interaction. Shigaraki was a year above her, after all. They weren't in the same club and they were nowhere close to running in the same social circles. He was even more standoffish back in middle school, although in more of a gloomy way rather than the creepy pervert way he'd come to be associated with in high school.

No, there was only one interaction of note that she could honestly point to having with Shigaraki before entering their mandatory "friendship". And it was laughably forgettable.

She'd twisted her ankle in the class relay during the Sports Festival her Freshman year. Mirio and Tamaki had carried her to the Nurse's office with Nejire and Yuyu doting close behind. Shigaraki had already been in the office at the time, where the Nurse had been bandaging a spot on his neck.

Her friends had been their usual whirlwind of energy and positivity.

"It's just so sad!" Nejire cried, "Now you're gonna miss the Cheerleading competition."

"O-Oh yeah. Bummer..." she'd feigned disappointment.

Secretly being a bit glad she wasn't going to have to squeeze into that embarrassing little uniform and stumble through a dance routine with her two left feet.

"You guys will just have to cheer that much harder to make up for it!" Mirio had encouraged.

He was met with a loud round of cheers from the group that quickly caught the ire of the Nurse.

"Alright you all, I know you're excited, but if you're going to cause a ruckus, you need to take it outside." she shooed.

"Oh! Yes of course Ma'am, sorry about that!" Mirio quickly stood and bowed apologetically.

The rest of the group followed his lead and made their way to the door.

"Get lots of rest!" Mirio grinned at her, "We'll come check on you later."

She smiled back, probably a bit too wide to be genuine, "See you then!"

"Far too noisy." the Nurse tsked as they hurried out, before looking back to her new patient in the infirmary bed, "Dear, are you okay to wait another minute while I finish this up?"

"Yes ma'am."

She sank back against the pillows with a sigh. Even with her ankle throbbing and a film of dirt covering her skin from the tumble she took, she finally felt relaxed.

She'd remembered thinking to herself, that while her new high school friends were obviously wonderful, good people, hanging out with them took a lot out of her.

And then she felt it. Shigaraki was staring at her, dissecting her. She met his gaze, and yet he didn't look away. Just continued to bare into her soul.

So creepy.

"Okay, you're good to return dear." he finally looked away when the Nurse patted his knee.

"You can't just send me home?" he'd spat.

"Not without a call home."

He scowled, obviously unhappy with that response, but accepting it.