Leave Your Mark | Various!BNHA x Reader

14: Home Letter

"Are you stuck? I can help you figure out that problem if you don't understand."

Shouto frowns, then grips his pencil more tightly. Even now, he's still struggling to wrap his head around the fact that you're apparently the smartest kid in the class. By all accounts, it doesn't add up, and he hates to admit it, but he is kind of stuck on this problem.

"I'm fine," he says, trying to play it off. "I know how to do this."

You smile and nod encouragingly, but the fact that you're still standing here and watching his every move makes him him feel remarkably self-conscious. School's never really given him much trouble before, so why is it that he's suddenly struggling to figure this question out? In front of you, no less?

He steals a glance at you out of the corner of his eye, and sure enough, you're still standing there with a smile, waiting to be called on in case he needs your help.

Shouto scribbles something onto his page, then sets his pencil down.

"I solved it," he says.

Now it's your turn to frown.

"All you did was write your name at the top of the worksheet," you point out.

"Because I have the solution memorized in my head. I'm just going to finish the rest at home, since I don't feel like it right now."

Even if Shouto doesn't realize it himself, he's a terrible liar, and you're tempted to giggle at his unusual display of stubbornness. You suppose he doesn't want to admit that he's having a bit of trouble with his homework. Well, he is still a kid, after all.

The whole class was allotted a free period to get ahead on their homework, and soon enough, the bell chimes, signaling the end of the day.

You collect your things, then rush over to Shouto's side as quickly as possible. "Leaving now?" you ask.

He nods. "Yeah. I'm gonna walk home."

"Alone?"

"Yeah."

Perhaps it shouldn't really surprise you. After all, you know the specifics of his family life in excruciating detail. His mother is already in the hospital at this point, and you're certain Shouto would much rather not get picked up by Endeavor. His siblings definitely care about him, but from what you know, they aren't especially close, thanks to Endeavor's best efforts to keep them separated.

Every day, he walks home after school by himself. On paper, it doesn't sound like such a big deal, and you're sure there are other kids who do the same.

But Shouto's situation is different from everyone else's, and for that reason, you feel the need to keep him company, even if it's only for a little while.

You hesitantly glance out the front door, making sure the coast is clear. The teenagers that usually pick you up and walk you to the orphanage aren't here yet, but soon enough, they will be.

Which is why you grab Shouto by the hand, an act that makes his eyes widen, and it makes his heart start beating faster too-even though you don't realize it.

"Let's go!" you cry out. "Quickly! Before my posse shows up and drags me away!"

Shouto is pulled along before he can offer up any protests. As is very often the case, he finds himself swept up in your pace. Your energy is something he can't quite grapple with, and it's rather infectious too, because he swears he's ten times more alert than he was just a few seconds ago.

For a while, the two of you just run, hand-in-hand, the wind whipping through your hair. Shouto trails behind you, with a clear view of your needlessly bright backpack, which is decked-out in too many stickers to even count. But strangely enough, he doesn't mind this. For just a few moments... it's nice to let loose and forget about all the things that weigh him down.