The Meaning of Midnight

The Meaning of Midnight

" Top story today happy birthday to the top hero known as Midnight!" The smiling young reporter said unaware that she was looking into the eyes of the top hero herself. Nemuri smiled at the TV and took a swig of her coffee. She sighed "Happy birthday to me!". She said unenthusiastically. Now at the age of 31 as of today, she wondered what the day would entail. She was alone with her family on the other side of Japan and he left alone to her own devices. She thought she could spoil herself for today and made herself her favorite breakfast. Some doughnuts from the mom and pop bakery down the street. She had already eaten one leaving the other one untouched. She took another swig of her coffee watching as the news girl babbled on about a small robbery happening down the street from her apartment. "Well," She started to get up and head towards her bedroom where her hero suit lay on the bed. "I never do get a rest do I?"

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"Aw damn ya beat me to it didn't ya?" Yamada said approaching her as she tied up the assailants, using her whip. "Maybe your just getting slow in your old age." She quipped back at him.

"Says the one whose actually growing a year older as we speak!".

"Mic, we're all constantly getting older. Like all the time." She said, walking towards him the criminals finally properly tied up for the authorities.

"Hey c'mon just let me have this one would ya? Happy birthday by the way!" She chuckled at his response. "Thank you." and she knew it was gonna be a long day.

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She was right it was a long day, and she hadn't even gotten through half of it. Everyone, every teacher, student, and other members of the faculty knew it was her birthday. With every congratulations, she only felt older and older. And so she felt more and more depressed. Even the internet was blowing it up in her face. As soon as she opened her computer she was hit with articles about her and her best moments throughout the years. What was wrong with the way she was now? She clicked on the article and looked back on her "golden years" as they called it. The article was just retellings of her most special moments, as she could recall each one of them within her memories. Nemuri found herself clicking on more and more articles staring to slump over in her seat. She started scrolling through articles describing how much hotter the newest hero girls were using her as a comparison for the older heroes. Article after article describing how she was starting to turn into old news. She leaned more and more into her computer screen, unaware of the approaching figure behind her.

"Nemuri,-AHHHH"

She jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Immediately grabbing the person's arm, and pinning them to the ground. Only to find her dear friend Aizawa.

"Shota! What the hell, you scared me to death!" She said getting up off the ground and helping him up. "Well, for one thing, its time for you to teach your class." Oh crap! I completely forgot about the class! "U-um yeah I'll get right to that!" Nemuri said nervously. Aizawa headed towards the door.

"Yeah whatever, just make sure you get to class on time okay?" Nemuri nodded.

"Oh, and happy birthday."

Damn it

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As soon as she entered the classroom she could see the writing written up on the board. "Happy-Birthday Ms. Midnight!" A sweet gesture, and she was sure it was in good spirits. However, she just couldn't help but let her smile falter for just a moment. "Oh my, what's this! You all shouldn't have."

You really shouldn't have.

"Such a shame however I do have to erase it and get on with today's lesson!" Nemuri erased the board and started the lesson of the day, her mind still running rapid with thoughts. She could hardly focus on the lesson and opted to let the class have a free period instead.

She sat in her desk and watched as her students interacted with each other. Some of them doing late homework, others talking, some reading or drawing. But she couldn't help but feel like some eyes were on her. She turned to see a student clearly eyeing her. A young girl student, a shy one too. Nemrui recalled her not talking a lot in class, but when she did she knew what she was talking about. Nemuri smiled at the girl. She only blushed, embarrassed that she had gotten caught staring, and looked back down to her desk. Nemuri wondered what could be happening in the young girl's life.

Look at her, her entire life ahead of her! She could be a great hero or a brilliant teacher. Anything she wants! So young and beautiful for her age. I remember back when I was her age. Stealing boy's hearts, going shopping with the gals, helping Yamada annoy Shota. Even at a young age, we knew we'd be friends for a long time.

Before she knew it the class had ended, she stayed in her desk and watched as her students filed out into the hallway. Her smile soon faltered as she went up and closed the door. She went back to one of the closets in her classroom and grabbed her secret flask of alcohol. She new alcohol wasn't allowed on the premise but she couldn't help but sneak in a small amount. She hoped she would be able to sober up within the time lunch was over.

"Nemuri what the hell are you doing?"

"AH! God Aizawa you really need to start wearing a bell!"

Nemuri turned around to find Shota staring at her from the doorway. "And I'll ask again, just what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Nemuri smiled and held her drink up "What does it look like I'm doing?"

" You know what I mean Nemuri."

Nemuri's smile faltered and she fell back against the closet sliding down to the floor and curling into a fetus position. "I don't know anymore Shota." She felt him sit down next to her on the ground. "What's really going on her Nemuri. I saw you earlier this morning on those websites. And then Yamada said you looked upset even this morning. We're just worried for you."

Nemuri look over to her friend and sighed. "I don't know Shota it's just... I feel so old! I feel like I don't mean anything to anyone anymore! And to the people that still do like me, I feel like I'm not enough! They see me as this sexy confident goddess, but how can I do that while growing gray hairs? I know I'll grow old, that's inevitable, but can't I do it and still mean something to someone?" Shota looked at her and sighed. "Look Nemuri you'll never really stop meaning something. Look at me, you mean something to me! You mean something to Yamada! And to your fans, you say they may not support you but that's ok! If they really did like you and you really did inspire them then they will still care about you when your old and gray! Just remember Nemuri, you really do matter okay? Don't ever doubt that." Shota patted her back, and Nemuri looked at him. Her frown turned back into a smile, and she put her flask away. Aizawa opened the door for her and she walked out only to be greeted by someone else. The young girl from her class before.

"O-oh! Ms.Midnight m-my n-name is Sakura a-and I'm in o-one of y-yo-your classes and, well I w-was just w-wondering..." Nemuri tilted her head in confusion. "W-WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO SIGN THIS FOR ME?" Sakura yelled as she bowed to the teacher holding a small paper in her direction. Nemuri inspected the piece of paper seeing there was a drawing on it. A drawing of her. "I-i-it's just," the girl stuttered. "your such a big inspiration of mine." Nemuri only smiled "Why of course!" She took the paper and grabbed a pen from her desk. Looking in Aizawa's direction she saw him smiling at her. As she began to sign the paper she though. I'm glad I do mean something, at least to one person.