A Messy Conundrum ~ ​hitoshi shinso

-•- Chapter 3 -•-

It's lunch time and I walk to my normal spot. A big branching blossom tree tucked into the corners of the courtyard. Far enough away from everyone that I don't have to worry about being perceived. But close enough that I can still pretend to not be a total outsider.

I pull out my lunch that my dad packed for me. (little known fact to the world: Hizashi Yamada is an amazing cook). I'm just about to take a bite when I notice a commotion at the picnic tables a couple yards ahead of me.

A group of older kids are standing around a student who has fallen back into the picnic table. My head quirks up, but I can't make out who it is. I go to return to my lunch until I hear something.

"You'll never be anything, villain."

That's when I can make out a floof of purple hair. And suddenly, anger clouds my vision. I've seen villains. My mother lost her life due to a villain. Hell, I've even been called a villain once or twice. That kid, is far from it.

And yet, as I inch closer, I can read it on his face. He almost believes it.

Shinso looks up at me bewildered, but I'm not looking at him. I'm looking at Shigure Tanaka, a boy I know all too well. In middle school, he would tease and taunt me. With that same word, villain.

Without a second thought, I grab Tanaka's arm. I send him a vision. In my mind, I picture handcuffs wrapped around his wrists. And suddenly, his arms are bound together. He begins to speak. I can see it in his expression, it's going to be vile, and he's looking right at Shinso.

"Oh, you-" he begins.
I picture a handkerchief, tied around his mouth. And suddenly he stops. His eyes widen. He lifts his bound hands to claw at the cloth that is only visible to him and me. I look at him, square in the eyes.

"Leave Tanaka," I say. "And don't come back."
Wordlessly (well I guess he can't speak anyway but that's besides the point) he turns. As my hand leaves his arm, my vision vanishes, he is no longer bound. But he knows better than to turn back around.

I take a deep breath.

"Um-"

I turn around. Right, Shinso.

"Are you alright?" I ask.

"I could've handled myself," he says.

What an ass. I save his behind and this is the thanks he has to offer. I raise my eyebrows at him.

"A thank you would've sufficed. But don't worry, I did it for myself. He's an asshat."

A soft, low chuckle. "Yeah, he is."

I extend my hand to him. He looks up at me, his arms are resting across his knees. His hair is messy. He shakes his head and ignores my extended hand. He uses his arms to push himself onto his feet.

"Alright", I mutter.

I sit down on the bench, putting my head in my hands. I look up at Shinso, blocking the sun with my hand.

"In middle school, Tanaka would taunt me every day. Pull on my hair or my shirt," I say. "I guess my dad put his dad in jail. And he thought he would take it out on me."

I sense Shinso sit down next to me on the bench. I feel his eyes watching me. But I don't meet his gaze. I stare at the pink petals coating the ground.

"But one day, he had me pinned to the ground. And he said something about my dad. And I just lost it. I punched him. And I guess that was all he needed."

I sit in my silence for a moment. I finally meet his gaze. He stays quiet, but his eyes are kind.

"I'll never forget what he told me," I say. "He said, 'Isn't it ironic, that a pro-hero would have a villain for a daughter.'"

I hear him muster a soft "oh".

I flatten my lips into a straight line. "I'm sorry," I say. "I've been rambling, you didn't need my whole life's story. I just, I didn't want you to think that I thought you needed saving. Not that I think that you think I think you-" He cuts me off by grabbing my arms which are waving frantically through the air. He lets go. I look at him, and he has a soft smile. Almost unnoticeable.

"It's okay, Aizawa." I smile at him.

"Uh- please you can just call me Reverie," I say. I never really liked being called Aizawa. It just reminded me of the impossible shoes I had to fill. "Well, uh- I should probably get going." I stand up and with nothing better to say go back to my spot beneath the blossom tree. Shit Reverie, you did not need to absolutely trauma dump on this guy. You have known him one whole day. Ughh. I ruin all my chances of making new friends. But maybe it was worth it, if nothing else I got to scare Shigure Tanaka. And that felt pretty damn good.

I pack up my bag and sling it over my shoulder. As I go to exit the courtyard, I hear my name.

"Reverie!" I turn my head. It's Shinso. I pause and wait for him to walk over to me. His eyes are awkward, and he doesn't meet my gaze.

"Uh- thanks. You know for-"

I practically beam.

"Anytime. I love making fools out of asshats."