False Reality

Clean Up Duty

You couldn't shake the memory of Star leaving with Spinner, and the unknown of what had happened to her after that point. No amount of floor time or sweet treats offered to you by Keigo was helping you forget the image of her walking away with the League's only heteromorph, a man that you knew she had a little crush on, whether it was just an innocent one or not.

Even the next day you still hadn't spoken, to the point that not even sounds were leaving you, and professor Aizawa had pulled you aside to check in on you, looking more concerned than stern like he usually seemed. He hadn't pestered when you'd lied and told him in your non-vocal way that you were fine, and that you just didn't feel like talking.

Everyone else was happy to work around it though, no-one seeming concerned or put-out by you not speaking. You were thankful that for the most part, your classmates were understanding, definitely more understanding than the students in your old school. But then you should probably expect as much from a class full of hero students.

It was only made worse by Akio texting you a bunch of question marks and reminding you that ignoring him wasn't a good idea, even if it was just a paranoid worry in your mind.

By day three of you not speaking, even Keigo's beginning to try to subtly pester you about why you're not talking, trying to be tactful in the way he brings it into conversation, only for you to act oblivious and not really give him any answers. You couldn't tell him about the stress of Akio's expectations now he'd met you, after all.

And by the weekend, Keigo quite literally corners you, although his wings are not spread, allowing you space to pass if you really wanted to, but there's an intensity in his gaze and his arms crossing over his chest tell you that you'd probably be better off staying right where you are.

"Spill it, kid. What's goin' on with you?" He asks, but his voice isn't too stern or warning.

You sigh, and motion for your writing pad.

In an instant, red feathers are feeling around to find it, Keigo's eyes still trained on you, and within no time at all, your writing pad and stylus are being handed to you by multiple feathers.

You can't tell him about Akio, so you decide to lay it on thick with the excuse of Star and Spinner.

'Just keep thinking about Star.' You write, turning the screen to face him.

His body language changes immediately, his wings sagging behind him. His shoulders drop too, and his golden eyes go from being stern to a little softer, almost sad.

"Yeah, it's sad." He nods, meeting your eyes again. "But we're trying our best. These things take time."

You can't help but feel like operations like this shouldn't take time if she's in as serious a predicament as Keigo and Rai had been telling you. Surely the second there was an opening she should be saved. That was the whole point of heroes, right?

"She really seems to like you though, kiddo." Keigo says, trying to be upbeat again as he punches your shoulder gently and playfully. "Maybe we'll get her safe even sooner than expected!"

You're unconvinced, but can't be bothered to argue the point with him, half because you had other stresses on your mind, and half because things had been relatively peaceful between you both, and you didn't want to go back to hating being at home as well as hating being at UA and not having anywhere you could feel safe and happy again.
A more cynical part of you almost doesn't see the point of saving her any sooner when the damage may already have been done. If what they were saying were true, then she was probably already irreparably traumatised. If the situation was so serious, you can't help but be a little spiteful about the fact they didn't just storm them when they had less power, and take her by force. With enough heroes, it must be possible.