Leave Your Mark | Various!BNHA x Reader

11: Mutual Understanding

If there's any silver lining in all of this, it's the fact that you've ended up in a decent orphanage this time around.

No more spoiled sandwiches that give you massive tummy aches and borderline food poisoning. No more negligent caregivers that don't pay attention while the kids get caught in crazy situations-like when Chisaki tied you to all those trees and it took forever for someone to come help you.

Granted, it can't compare to the Shie Hassaikai, where you had your own spacious room, all the good food and fancy clothes you could ever want, and a massive courtyard where you could run around to your heart's content.

But at least here, you're safe from Chisaki. And that alone is worthy of praise.

This orphanage is a pretty big one, but it's mainly because they have to accommodate so many kids. You share a room with three girls, all of whom are older than you and try to whisper their conversations so that you don't overhear something inappropriate. Which is funny, because your real mental age puts you at about sixteen years old, but whatever. They're free to talk about their crushes in hushed voices as much as they want.

Still, you have to admit, it's a big change from what you're used to. You lived with Chisaki and Pops for roughly eight years, and even though you made this decision to prioritize your safety, it's impossible not to feel a little homesick.

But while you're here, you're determined to make the most of the situation. Plus, now that you're no longer part of the yakuza, you finally have the chance to make some actual friends.

"Ugh," one of your roommates whines. "This homework is so hard. I'll never finish it in time for tomorrow."

She is fourteen years old, so four years older than you-physically speaking, at least. However, she's still younger than you were when you died in your previous life, and that means that the content she's covering in school is something you're already familiar with.

You lean closer to the desk and tilt your head. "You made a mistake when you calculated this step earlier, so that's why you're not getting the right answer. If you want, I can show you how to do it."

Unsurprisingly, she responds by gaping at you.

"[Name], you're ten," she sighs. "Don't joke around. I seriously need to concentrate right now."

Of course, you could leave her to figure things out on her own, and perhaps she would come to the right solution eventually, but she looks so stressed out about not finishing in time that you would feel pretty guilty if you didn't help her out.

So, you pick up a pencil and smile. "Don't worry," you reassure her. "I'm not joking around. Everyone always says I'm super smart for my age."

Before she can protest again, you start scribbling down calculations and going into an in-depth explanation as to how you solved each step. At first, she just frowns at you, visibly unconvinced, but the longer you talk, the more her doubt fades away.

Until finally, she grips her notebook in disbelief.

"I... I get it now," she mumbles. "Wow. You... actually solved it. What the hell? I mean, uh, what the heck?"

"Don't mention it," you brush off, but as always, you secretly feel a bit proud.

From across the room, you see the two other girls staring at you with equally sheepish expressions.

"Um... [Name]? Would you mind helping us with our homework too?"

A grin splits across your lips.

"Sure!"

*****

You've given up on pretending like you're not a prodigy. Well, technically speaking, you're not, but everyone at the orphanage seems to think you are, and it's admittedly a pretty sweet feeling. Plus, helping kids with their homework has really done wonders for your social life. You've gotten acquainted with a bunch of them as a result, and even though your life with Chisaki and Pops was great, friendship was the one thing you were lacking.