Number 7

Thirty-Five: BitterSweet

Akiyasu

Living in the dorms had taken away my sense of privacy. Any time anything happened, it felt like students were listening in. It really was anxiety-inducing for me always thinking everyone knew of our conversations or fights. So now I hoped that word hadn't spread among the students about that night's spiel.

Early this morning, days after our fight, I asked Aizawa to meet me at the park nearby where I knew students wouldn't be. I just wanted to talk about things without feeling like other people were eavesdropping. Now, I was sitting on the bench, waiting patiently for him to show up. My bandaged abdomen made it difficult to move, so I relaxed against the back of the bench, looking out at the grass covered in dew that reflected in the morning sun. My hands rested over my wounds, cradling them since they were the weakest part of my body now. In my absent mindedness, I hadn't noticed Shota approaching me until he was only a few feet away.

"Are you okay?" His deep voice carried over to my ears.

"Yes. Still healing, I guess."

"What did you want to talk about?" He found the space beside me on the bench and took a seat.

"A few things. I wanted to do it in private. This is extra private."

"The dorms aren't private?"

"Those students can hear whatever they want to hear."

He huffed a weird chuckle. "I suppose so."

I sighed and scratched my scars. "It's about that fight we had a few days ago."

"...okay..." he sounded hesitant.

"I just want to lay all the cards on the table, okay? It really upset me that you would keep someone from seeing me because of your own feelings, especially in a near-death scenario."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"I know you are. But I want you to understand that it can't ever happen again."

"It won't."

I relaxed a bit and brushed my hair from my face. "Thank you." That seemed simple and easy enough, though Aizawa has never been one to enjoy arguing. He would make the peace if it called for it in order to avoid the unnecessary stress.

"How are you healing?"

With a shrug, I pulled my shirt up to expose my still bandaged stomach. "Besides my stitches opening up the other day, it's all fine."

"Are you lying?" His eyes stared at me intensely, waiting for a truthful answer.

"I don't know what else to say. There's no other way to describe it."

Shota opened his mouth to respond, but a short chirp from his phone interrupted, making him stop and check the screen. He hummed and put his phone away. "We should probably get back to the school before first bell."

I nodded and moved to get up, but Shota was already on his feet, offering me his hand. Taking it, he pulled me to my feet and lead me down the path back toward UA.

The walk back was short and the first classes felt even shorter. In no time, I was heading out to the training field on campus, ready to do some light work outs now that my stitches were completely closed. In the distance, I could see two people already on the field and I considered turning around to find somewhere more private when curiosity got the better of me. Deciding to scope on the two training, it only took a few more feet of walking to realize who was out there. His pale skin and raven black hair was all too familiar, especially in that baggy black hero suit he wore. But the woman with him was even more recognizable with her turquoise and orange attire. Ms. Joke.