My Hero Academia Imagines/One-Shot Compilation

Terms & Conditions [Deku] (Angst)

Ichijiku (Tigress)

"Aoki-san, a word in my office, please." Mr. Aizawa says.

"Am I in trouble, sir?" I whisper, looking up at him with a slump in my shoulders.

"No, nothing like that. Just a check in." He reassures me, remaining quiet until we're both in the classroom and he's at the door, gesturing for me to leave.

As I step through the threshold and walk towards his office, I go over the possible reasons he might need to speak to me. Unlike America, homeroom teachers aren't just there to be an extra teacher. Homeroom teachers in Japan act as your second father, and I'm sure by now Dad is grateful Aizawa is mine.

Even I can say for myself that I'm an emotional burden for anyone to carry.

We step in and I set my bag down beside the chair opposite his desk as he shuts the door. I wait until he's standing by his seat before I seat myself. My eyes can't seem to meet his, though, and I use my hair as a curtain between us. Authority has always terrified me.

"You're not in any trouble," He begins by reassuring me again. "But I want to know if there's anything going on that's contributed to your unusual behavior lately."

Anything else he says dies in my ears. My body stiffens, rigid as a board. I grip my uniform skirt over my knees and instantly combat the traitorous tears blurring my vision. That's why he called me in here? No one's noticed anything, not even Dad. How would Mr. Aizawa notice?! He's trained to notice these things, Little One. You're not in trouble. We can tell him the truth. No. No one ever listens to me, anyway. Why would he? In my ongoing mental combat, I remain stiff and unspeaking.

"Normally, my students often struggle because of their grades in my class. But yours are on par with some of your higher scoring peers. Even in math, your struggle subject, you keep stable and ask for help. So I take it that your trials are not academic in nature, right?" He goes on. I can feel his eyes trained on me.

"I don't know what kind of unusual behavior you're talking about." I force my muscles to loosen as I speak, never looking up. "Can you explain that?"

"Whether or not you realize it, you're normally a bright and optimistic personality in the classroom. You may be much quieter, but you are typically passionate about things you enjoy and kind to your peers. You often wait for your friends and make sure everyone's cared for on and off the training fields." All of the compliments make my sad little heart shudder with hope, even if delivered in my teacher's monotonous drone. "For the past few months, however, you've grown more detached. You don't make eye contact in class. You keep your head down. You're often the first to leave even if your friends stay behind."

Because no one listens to me, so why say anything at all? I think, but I know that in part that's a lie. I just stare at my feet, loosen the tension in the rest of my muscles, and clear my throat to keep my voice steady.

"You have nothing to worry about, Sensei. I'm perfectly fine."

"Look up at me, Aoki-san." He orders, and I can't stop myself from complying. He may be tired and try to play the apathetic authority figure, but we all know that our teacher is compassionate. "I know that's a lie."

My jaw clenches and my lip quivers, and he sees it.

Maybe he can offer some advice. It's okay to ask for help. Asking for help just proves that I'm weak. Asking for help just proves that you're human, Little One.

"No one listens to me." I whisper, barely aware I've said it until the rest comes tumbling out. "I'm the quiet kid. Everyone listens to me when it's convenient for them. Even my closest friends interrupt or only like talking to me whenever I agree with them." Tears escape and I snap my head down, afraid of the scolding I'll get for crying. You can talk to him. He is safe. "I'm only wanted when I'm useful or have something to offer. I know Bakugo's normally aggressive, but he gets even more defensive and asserts more dominance when I have an opinion that's opposed to his. I know that's not surprising, but it still hurts. We've been good friends for a long time but it feels like when we spend more time hanging out, he expects me to share his thoughts and agree with him about everything. And if I don't then my voice suddenly doesn't matter anymore."