Broken Pieces - Bnha OC x Shoto Todoroki (Multiple Personality Disorder/DID)

12 New Ground

Aizawa knocked gently on Aki's door early in the morning, holding a neatly folded school uniform over his arm. "You're ready?" he asked as she peered out from behind the door. She hesitated, eyes landing on the uniform.

"I... I don't know," she admitted, feeling a strange guilt settle over her. Getting special attention felt wrong. She was used to hiding, to blending in with the shadows.

Aizawa, sensing her hesitation, didn't push. "We can take this slowly," he assured her. "If you're not ready, I can wait, or we can try another day."

Don't go.

Are you stupid?

It's a trap!

The voices in her mind echoed with warnings. But she fought them back, remembering the kindness she'd found here so far, and she nodded, accepting the uniform with a quiet thank you. Guilt gnawed at her for needing extra care, but she forced herself to move forward, grabbing the uniform.

Aki unfolded the school uniform being a neat ensemble that looked both new and strangely formal. She ran her fingers over the soft fabric, feeling the slight stiffness from the unworn fibers. The uniform consisted of a gray blazer with red and blue trim, a pleated green skirt, and a simple white button-down shirt. Next to it lay a neatly tied red ribbon, meant to be fastened at the collar.

Taking a breath, she slipped into the shirt, feeling the crisp cotton against her skin. It felt strange, the fit more structured than anything she was used to, the collar snug around her neck as she buttoned it.

When she pulled on the skirt, its pleats brushed softly against her legs. She smoothed it down, her hands lingering over the fabric, as if checking that everything was in place.

The blazer felt heavier, adding a warmth and weight over her shoulders that was both comforting and confining. She fidgeted with the cuffs, adjusting them until they sat neatly at her wrists. Looking down, she noticed how polished everything seemed, how composed and ready in a way she didn't quite feel. She touched the red ribbon, fastening it with a quiet, uncertain gesture, then took one last glance in the mirror.

In the reflection, she barely recognized herself. The bags under her eyes she had some days prior are lighter. The pale skin looks unfitting for the uniform. The blondish hair looks too wild. It was as though she'd stepped into someone else's skin, into the identity of a student who fit in, who belonged here in a place for heroes but kept the ugly parts of herself. A part of her felt unworthy, the voices stirring up doubts, whispering that she was an outsider, unfit for such clothing. But she bites her lip, squared her shoulders, steeling herself with a quiet resolve, and turned to leave.

Crossing the room silently, she glanced over to where Eri lay nestled under the covers, still deep in sleep. For a moment, she hesitated, watching the steady rise and fall of Eri's breathing. A soft smile crossed her face, her earlier tension easing slightly at the sight.

Carefully, she opened the door, slipping through without a sound and closing it gently behind her. She met Aizawa at the entrance and they left.

When they reached the school grounds, it was still deserted, with only faint morning light filtering in through the windows. Aizawa took her through the corridors, explaining the layout as he went, leaving her to absorb the details at her own pace. The emptiness of the school building made everything seem larger and quieter, and her shoes echoed faintly on the polished floors.

"This is where you'll have your core classes," Aizawa said, gesturing to a hallway filled with classrooms. He spoke in a low, steady voice, careful not to overwhelm her with too much information at once. When they reached the library, he opened the door, letting her peek in. "This is the library, and you're welcome here anytime," he told her, aware of her uneasy glances around each corner.