𝚆𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚗 𝙱𝚎 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚘𝚎𝚜 | 𝙼𝚢 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚘 𝙰𝚌𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚊 - 𝙾𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚜

- 𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 -

(SET IN SEASON 3)

Amid All Might's retirement party hosted by the Hero Commission, Aizawa surprisingly ends up meeting face-to-face with Ms. Joke barely a week after the licensing exams. When the topic of love comes up, the conversation takes an unexpected turn, leaving Aizawa to reflect on his feelings.
*****

Shota Aizawa shifted uncomfortably as he tugged at his collar.

Aizawa hated social events in general but this was just ridiculous.

It had been nearly a month since All Might announced his retirement and The Hero Commission thought to commemorate it with a big party.

Many Pros were invited, including all the teachers at U.A. but due to security reasons Nezu only allowed a certain number of their staff to attend.

Of course, Shota had been included on that list. He would've gladly stayed back in the dorms to watch over the students with Vlad rather than sit through another stuffy party.

I guess the most relieving part of it all was that he got to stalk in the corner and watch his fellow co-workers: Present Mic and Midnight, make absolute fools of themselves as they babbled to higher-ups with champagne in hand.

Aizawa grimaces and runs a hand through his hair which had been pulled back into a ponytail.

Beside him, Aizawa heard a chuckle, and his eyes turned to see the guest of honor himself standing a few meters away.

All Might, also known as Yagi Toshinori, stood awkwardly as he watched the party play out.

Aizawa thought that was strange, considering the amount of attention All Might got when he was still considered the number one hero.

Perhaps out of consideration, Aizawa asked his colleague, "Is there something wrong, Yagi?"

All Might looked up from his drink, which was just a glass of water, and chuckled sheepishly. "Oh, nothing is wrong, Aizawa. Just thought I'd hang back here with you, I'm honestly not used to all this fuss."

Shota tilted his head and raised his eyebrows to give Yagi an 'are you serious?' type of look, which left the old pro stammering.

"I-I mean, I am! Except not in this form. I can't exactly walk to the grocery store without anyone not recognizing me anymore."

Aizawa sucked in a breath but nodded, as he faced away from All Might.

"Must be difficult..." Aizawa trailed off, as Yagi awkwardly pulled at his red tie.

Shota was thinking of leaving by making a break for the door when he heard a bubbly feminine voice call out his name.

"Eraser!"

Aizawa froze and both he and All Might turned to the right to see Emi Fukukado making her way towards them.

It had barely been a week since the licensing exam ended and it seemed like the universe decided it liked torturing Shota.