Ultra Responsibility (My Hero Academia X Spider-Man Reader)

Issue 123 - The Sound After Silence

Mina's desk was still there on Monday.

Her chair had been pushed beneath it. A small vase stood near the corner, holding three pink flowers. Someone had cleaned the surface, but an old acid mark remained along the edge.

I stopped in the classroom doorway.

For one second, I expected her to appear behind me. I could almost hear her rushing down the corridor, already calling for someone to keep the door open.

Nothing came.

"Parker."

Aizawa stood behind his desk.

The rest of the class had already arrived. Several looked towards me. Midoriya and Uraraka watched carefully. Kirishima didn't turn around.

I entered and took my seat.

The walk from Heights Alliance had left my legs weak. Phantom strands moved beneath my right arm, tightening whenever I bent my fingers.

I gripped my sleeve until they stopped.

Aizawa waited for me to settle.

"There won't be normal lessons today," he said. "The faculty understands that some of you may require more time before returning to training."

No one answered.

"Counselling services are available. Attendance is voluntary, but I strongly recommend using them."

Kaminari stared at Mina's desk.

Aizawa's eyes moved over the room.

"Principal Nezu has also made a decision concerning the U.A. Cultural Festival."

Several students looked up.

"The festival will proceed."

Kirishima finally turned around.

"What?"

"Security will be increased," Aizawa continued. "Outside attendance will be restricted. Every visitor will require approval before entering the grounds."

Kaminari pushed his chair back.

"You're talking about security?"

"I'm explaining the conditions."

"How are we supposed to have a festival?"

His voice shook.

"Mina just—"

He stopped before finishing.

Aizawa remained quiet for several seconds.

"You aren't expected to pretend nothing happened," he said. "But the Hero Course isn't the only department at U.A. Support, General Studies, Business and Management have lived through every lockdown and evacuation caused by the attacks surrounding this class."

Iida lowered his head.

"The festival is for them," Aizawa said. "They deserve something that isn't built around fear."

"That doesn't mean we're ready," Jiro said.

"No. It doesn't."

Aizawa didn't try to turn it into a lesson.

"If the class decides not to contribute, that will be accepted. If you need to ask for more time, I'll take that request to the faculty."

Momo looked towards Mina's desk.

"She would have wanted us to participate."

Kirishima's chair scraped across the floor.

"Don't."