Teachers pet (COMPLETE)

Chapter 50: Worrying News

I sit in my room of Heights Alliance, my eyes glued to the TV. The news channel flashes scenes of destruction, broken buildings, and police tape surrounding the Shie Hassaikai compound. My fingers tighten around the cup of tea in my hands, the warmth doing little to soothe the cold pit growing in my stomach.

The cup is lukewarm now, but I don’t move to take a sip. My mind is too focused on the images on the screen. How long have I been sitting here, waiting for an update? Every second stretches out, feeling like hours as my heart races in my chest. The news anchors go on and on about the raid, but they haven’t mentioned the names of the injured heroes yet. I know Aizawa-Sensei was part of the operation—he told me before he left. And even though he told me not to worry, the dread has been sitting in my stomach ever since.

"...an intense raid led by several pro heroes and students from U.A. High School," the anchor says, her voice cutting through the silence of the dorm. "Casualties were minimized, but a number of heroes were injured during the operation."

My breath catches in my throat. They still haven't said who.

The camera cuts to a reporter outside the hospital, talking to pro heroes, but they don’t say who’s inside. I swallow hard, my mouth dry, as unease grips my chest tighter. The world around me feels distant and dull, every sound muted except for the rapid beat of my heart.

A knock at the door snaps me out of my trance. Momo pokes her head inside, her voice concerned. “Mailin? Are you okay?”

I nod, though it feels more like a reflex than an actual answer. “Just... keeping up with the news.”

She steps inside, walking over to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. Her eyes are soft, her presence a quiet reassurance. “I’m sure Aizawa-Sensei is fine. He’s tough.”

I force a smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. The fear gnaws at me, sinking its claws deeper into my chest. What if something happened to him? What if I never get to see him—

The news anchor cuts back in, and my heart lurches as she finally mentions the injured. “Among the heroes injured during the raid, Eraser Head, known for his Erasure Quirk, was reportedly captured but has since been rescued. His condition is stable.”

I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding, my chest loosening slightly. Aizawa-Sensei is okay. But... he’s hurt. He was captured. The relief that he’s alive is quickly overshadowed by a flood of guilt. He’s in the hospital because of the raid. And I wasn’t there.

Without thinking, I push myself up from the couch, leaving my tea behind as I grab my jacket. Momo looks startled. “Where are you going?”

“The hospital,” I say, my voice firm, even though inside I feel anything but calm. “I need to see him.”

"Mailin, wait!"

I stop just as I’m about to leave my room, turning back to face her. Her expression is hesitant, as if she’s wrestling with something inside.

"Can I... can I ask you something?" Momo asks, her voice quieter now.

I nod, the weight of the news still pressing down on me.

"Are you in love with Aizawa-Sensei?"

The question hits me like a punch to the gut, stopping me dead in my tracks. My hand tightens around the doorframe, my heart hammering in my chest. Love? Am I… in love with Aizawa-Sensei?

I turn slowly, meeting Momo’s eyes. She isn’t teasing, isn’t smirking—just looking at me with genuine concern. The question lingers between us, hanging in the air like something fragile and uncomfortable.