Zero - A Vigilante Deku Story

Chapter 11 - When strings pulled in the background want to determine your future

POV Aizawa

The teenager in the hospital bed looked younger than he probably was. Aizawa hadn't paid much attention to it at the café, but now he studied the sleeping boy's features. His face wasn't angular yet, but had some baby fat left, even if Zero looked a little too thin apart from that. The freckles and short curls made him look innocent and even younger. He looked peaceful. However, appearances were deceptive. This problem child was ruled by his flight instinct. It would probably be better to tie him to the bed, but Aizawa was reluctant to do that. Then Zero would never trust them.

About ten minutes ago, the underground hero had put him there. With the high dose of Nem's quirk, it would be hours before he regained consciousness. It had now been an hour since they had arrested the vigilante.

"How is an old woman supposed to do her job if you're all in my way?" Chiyo came out of the back of the infirmary and gave out blows with her walking stick. "Shoo, shoo, don't you have anything better to do?"

Zashi and Nem let the heroine with a healing quirk chase them out. His husband called over his shoulder: "See you at home, Shou, keep me updated."

Aizawa grumbled in reply. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and waited. Ready to immediately activate his quirk should Zero awaken prematurely.

Now, besides Chiyo and himself, only Hawks was left in the infirmary. The winged hero kept to the background as he busily typed away on his smartphone. He was probably telling Dabi all about their success in finally catching Zero - or rather Null. Aizawa didn't know what to make of it. Would it put the boy in danger or offer him further protection if the double agent knew not only of his survival but also of his whereabouts?

Chiyo followed his gaze. She stood in front of Hawks and waved her walking stick threateningly in front of his face. "Private party. Anyone who isn't part of UA waits outside."

Hawks swallowed audibly. "But-"

The old heroine didn't let him continue and punched him in the shin.

The man hit yelped and backed away. "Okay, okay! Just stay calm. I'm going!" Hawks limped towards the door. "I can stay in the hallway, yes?"

"I don't care," Chiyo replied indifferently. As soon as he had disappeared, she turned to the boy. "What do we know?"

"Vigilante Zero, age and identity unknown. His quirk makes him invisible to the human eye. Nevertheless, he is recorded by cameras. He was probably experimented on as a child by the League of Villains, the extent of which we cannot yet estimate. He suffers from a form of mutism. I don't know whether he doesn't speak at all or only in certain situations. The few sentences I got out of him were all in sign language. There is a high risk of escape, even when he is injured he still tries to run away. If you restrain or hold him to tight, he panics."

The heroine growled. "And it took you how many panic attacks to realize that?"

Aizawa buried his face in his scarf in shame. Yes, he felt bad about it. Something furry rubbed against his cheek and crawled out of the fabric. Nezu! How did he get into his scarf again? As so often, the chimera was unpredictable.

"He's also highly intelligent, has an amazing knowledge of heroes and quirks and is my top student," the principal added with a broad grin.

Before the rat could make any further plans concerning the boy, Aizawa spoke up again. "We'll take him in and he'll join my class. I've already spoken to Zashi and our guest room is free."

Chiyo looked at him curiously. "What does Hitoshi-kun say?"

"He doesn't know yet, but I'm sure Toshi and Zero will get along well."