The scratching

Chapter 6

He felt that something was off. Midoriya seemed stressed as soon as they met with All Might. He didn't want to overthink anything, but it was weird.

Aizawa wanted to talk to him as soon as possible about what happened in school that day, so he walked straight to the students dorms after he finished grading their newest test. It was pretty late so he was confused when Izuku told him he had to go train.

Because who in their right mind goes training at 9pm on a Thursday night? Exactly, no one.

His headache was getting worser by the second. Should he talk with Midoriya again? Or maybe he should seek All Might and have him explain what was going on. He didn't want to make his student feel uncomfortable though, ah being a teacher was hard.

For now, he would just observe the situation. If it got too bad, he'd talk with his colleague.

Satisfied with his plan, he went out to go on patrol. The red light Districts criminal rate had been going up the past few months. He couldn't slack off. He needed to protect the civilians. If that meant working an hour longer, then so it be.

_______

His lungs were screaming at him to stop running but he couldn't, not when he only had 10 minutes left to run around campus twice. He knows he won't be able to do it but maybe, just maybe, his teacher won't be too harsh on him if he has only one round left.

So, he tries giving it his all. He wants to run faster than before but his legs won't let him. His lungs are on fire and his body aches with every step he takes. His arms hurt and especially his stomach. Izuku feels like throwing up.

He knew he wouldn't make it but when All Might stopped him to let him know he really didn't make it, Izuku wanted to cry. He failed again. Let his mentor down again. God, why is he so useless?

"We have one more hour to train, drop and give me 50, now." All Might ordered.

His muscles were aching but he couldn't say no, could he? He wanted to scream at the symbol of peace and tell him how much he hated the man. But he couldn't. I'd make everything worse. He prayed to the gods above that someone, anyone, would come and rescue him.

Except, no one came.

His mentor was growing annoyed. If looks could kill, Izuku would be having a meeting with his mother right now.

"Did you not hear me boy? If you don't do what I say I'll make it worse." The man threatened.

"Sorry All Might" the boy mumbled and got to work.

His mentor starred at him the whole time like he expected Izuku to do something wrong and he could punish the poor boy.

If his arms and legs didn't hurt from running, they'd now. He looked at the clock and to his annoyance only 15 minutes had passed.

'You got this Izuku only 45 minutes left' the boy thought, trying to cheer himself up a little. However, his happiness was gone the second he spotted his mentor walking up to him again. When did the man leave?

"You're doing cardio for the rest of the time. I don't want to train someone that can't make me proud." The hero said.

Izukus world crushed. He always knew that he didn't make All Might proud but to actually hear the man say it hurt like hell.

And suddenly Izuku was 5 again, starring at him after he told Izuku no one except him could love someone like Izuku.

And suddenly he was 6, starring at the man that told him everyday how useless he was.

And suddenly he was 7, begging for forgiveness because he had failed again. Failed to do what he was told, failed to make him proud.

"I can't love you, if you continue to fail. And what would you to then, mhm? No one on this earth would love you, because you couldn't do what you were told. I'm disappointed, darling. How about a punishment so you can learn from your mistakes?" the man smirked at him.

The sting on his cheek brought him back to tears gym again. Now, he wasn't 6 or 7, he was 15. And now it wasn't him telling Izuku how useless he was, it was the man Izuku looked up to all these years. It was the man, the boy secretly prayed to, in hope he would rescue him from the person he lived with.

Just then did Izuku realise, that monster aren't always under your bed, waiting for you to get in just to grab you and drag you under. They aren't in your closet, watching you while you sleep, waiting for the perfect moment to jump out and eat you alive. No, sometimes monsters are the people you trusted and loved the most. Sometimes monsters are humans that you live with. Izuku hated that. He always hoped that the monsters would stay where they are so his mom could protect him from them. No one could protect him now.

"I'm sorry Sir" the boy mumbled yet again, stepping on the cardio. He looked at the clock, 37 minutes to go. He could do this.

He continued his training, his mind wandering over to his childhood. His mother, his dad, kacchan, auntie and uncle. People he loved. Where were they now? Couldn't they see that Izuku was dying? Where was his mother and his auntie running up to him after he fell, telling him it'd be okay. Where was his best friend, giving him an All Might Bandage?

Izuku truly was alone in this world, just like he said all those years ago. If Izuku just hadn't run away, he would have someone that loved him. But he had to be stupid. The man had told him not to run away, so why did he? Why couldn't he just follow orders?

"Get out, I'll see you on Saturday." His mentor said.

Izuku stopped and walked outside, breathing fresh air. He made his way over to the dorms, hoping the door wasn't looked yet. Much to his displeasure, it was. Izuku sighted, there was no way to get in. He sat down on the stairs, feeling like crying.

"What are you doing out here, little listener?" Izuku looked up.

"Mic sensei! Ah I got home from training a bit too late." Izuku fake smiled.

"I'll let you in, try not to be late the next time, yeah?" The man went to unlock the door.

"Thanks, good night" Izuku rushed in.