False Reality

Back to School

The first day back to UA wasn't as horrible as you expected. You'd actually had an argument with Keigo about having to go back to school in the morning because he knew what had happened and why you were scared of going back, but you actually hadn't seen Akio once, and when you turned your phone back on as per Keigo's request so you could get in contact with one another if you needed it, you hadn't actually received a message from Akio since the day it all happened.
Maybe now he'd got what he wanted, he'd leave you alone.

Everyone seemed happy to see you. Midoriya chewed your ear off about everything and anything as usual, Uraraka was her usual quiet but caring self, Tsu had candidly told you that she had really missed you, and even your deskmate, the overtly aggressive Bakugo had asked 'where the hell' you had been and expressed annoyance that your disappearance had lead to Kaminari being moved next to him whenever he got too loud with the others.
And that was as close as you were ever going to get to Bakugo telling you he misses you.

You were walking to the gates after all your classes had finished while catching up with the messages you had missed out on during your week of disappearing.
You pause momentarily when considering replying to Ama and Genji, who had sent a few texts worrying about where you'd gone.
You used to tell them everything, because they were kind of like your parents while your real parents worked. So, wanting that relationship back with them and wanting to be able to trust them again, you settle on a bench to write out everything that had happened with Akio.
Once you're done, you breathe as you hit send. At the top of the list of recent unread messages is Keigo, and you frown as you open the message thread.

Papa Bird: not gonna be able to get you after school. in trouble with the big r
Papa Bird: i can call rumi if you want?
Papa Bird: never mind just saw her in the halls
Papa Bird: maybe i should get us a dog
Papa Bird: would you like a dog?
Papa Bird: i'm nervous

You roll your eyes.

You: I'll be fine. I don't need Rumi or a dog.
You: Try not to die. Remember the twitching is a sign to stop. You got this.

"Feathers!"

Your head perks up, and you look towards Shinsou's voice, seeing him approaching with a small smile and his hands in his pockets.
You smile back softly. You still hadn't heard from him, but he was approaching you first for the first time in a while.

"Hey. Good holiday?" He asks, standing in front of you and following you with his eyes as you stand from the bench.

You nod. "You?"

"It was good, thanks. Broke my phone during training though." He explains, scratching the back of his neck. "Prof Aizawa got me a new one, but I didn't have your number, so can I grab that again?"

"Oh." You breathe. "Sure."

You wait for him to pull out his new phone before reciting your number to him, smiling a little when your phone starts ringing.

"You getting picked up by Hawks?" He asks. "I was trying to get to the gates before you left, I'm glad I caught you here. I got a gift for you..."

Dread floods your body at the words that should be nice to hear, and you freeze in place, your fear likely showing on your face when Shinsou's expression turns more sheepish, his violet eyes rolling away from your face awkwardly.

"It's only small, I just saw it and thought of you." He reassures, pulling out a small wrapped box from his pocket and outstretching it towards you.

"A...actual gift?" You ask quietly.