G H O S T [Shota Aizawa x OC]

T W E L V E

With a quick glance at the bound Shie Hassaikai villain - who had been completely wrapped like a mummy to keep him from using his odd hair - Shota was able to erase his quirk, returning him to his normal speed. He couldn't take his eyes off of the woman in front of him.

"Sumire..." He breathed in, his lips parted in expressing his surprise.

She smiled at him, though her charcoal eyes showed the true pain she was in. There was a dried scab on her lip and bruises along her jawline. "Looks like I'm not the one needing a hero." She chuckled, her voice horse.

He sat up, taking in her entire disheveled appearance. She was in her hero costume, but it was torn in various places. There were a variety of fresh and scabbing wounds lining her pale skin, and her thick silver hair had been cut from it's ties and looked like it hadn't been brushed in a while. Her legs were trembling as she kneeled down. He could tell she was using every ounce of strength she had left to keep herself upright and facing him with a smile. How she even managed to knock down the yakuza in her state was beyond him.

Shota couldn't help himself as he reached out and cupped the woman's cheek. As soon as she touched her, silent tears began streaming down face, but like any confident, assuring heroine, she forced a smile.

"It's okay now." He said. Even though his voice was low and characteristically tired, it was warm. With his free hand, he removed his yellow goggles. His eyes were as tired and red as ever, but they were filled with compassion. "Thank you. You did well."

He moved his hand to her shoulder and gave it a gentle tug, pulling her to his shoulder. As she fell, she completely faded from consciousness as her entire body weight collapsed, allowing the man to support her entirely.

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Sumire woke up in the hospital. It took a few moments for her blurry eyes to adjust to the fluorescent lights above her. As her consciousness returned, she noticed the mask over her mouth, pumping oxygen into her lungs. Other than that, she wasn't attached to anything.

Her body ached as she pulled the plastic from her face and pushed herself to sit upright, giving her a clear view through the window, outside onto the city street. She didn't quite comprehend how much time had passed since the Shie Hassaikai Raid or how long she had been asleep for, though it felt like it had been a very long time.

A few of her belongings were on the table beside her, so she reached for her cell phone. She had a few worried messages from Hibiki, so she quickly notified her that she was okay. She then found herself typing 'Shota Aizawa' in the "Send to" box. She had never texted him before after his strange offer in the case that she needed him. She figured there was no harm in it; after all, she did save him.

"Hey." was all she could say.

About five quiet minutes passed before the door to her hospital room flew open. Shota stood there with tense shoulders as he consumed a few deep breaths, giving the slightest hint that he had run to her. When he composed himself, he slumped his back and walked up to Sumire, tying his messy layers behind his head.

She smiled at him, the bruises and scabs on her skin almost entirely healed, if not barely visible. "Are you okay?" She asked in a soft voice.

"The hell? What are you going on about? I'm fine!" He seemed annoyed, which wasn't unusual for him. "You're the one who disappeared for two days, then barely held it together, then collapsed, and was out for five days!"

"Huh, you're pretty angry." She commented, blinking as she took in his intense emotions.

He dropped his head and shoulders disappointedly. "Sorry. I'm not. I'm just... worried."