Behind Closed Doors |BNHA|

\\Stronger Than Most|7//

Trigger Warning: Eating habits and mentions of self-harm

A few days had passed since Aizawa's chat with his student, she was reluctant to speak out after her weeks at counseling had failed her and she didn't want to be seen any different by her teacher. Shota was pleased to learn she hadn't hurt herself, her wrist was red raw from scratching but none of which caused any injury so he was relieved to not have to call in the medic team.

She shared a little but was scared and hesitant but her teacher took it as a win when she agreed to go downstairs and try to eat something, but anxiety welled in the back of her mind about her classmates' reaction to her reemergence. They will pity her, hate her, be scared for her and she wanted none of that.

She left her room, Aizawa close behind her so she couldn't back down from this decision. once reaching the common area Kiyoko was the first to notice her, leaping out of Izuku's arms and running to her sisters. "ZuZu!! I missed you" She cheered, Etzumi picked her up, and Aizawa didn't miss the wince that shot through her body as she did so glancing at her concerningly.

All eyes were now on her, and she had never wanted to disappear more, but no one said anything to pity her or belittle her, there were a few agreements of being happy she was okay and Iida explaining how he will help her catch up on missed work. She tried to look at Izuku, but he avoided her gaze. She was pissed at him, furious for giving her secret away but on the other hand, she understood - it was only fair, she broke the promise first after all.

Hyriko came and hugged her sister and explained that if she is ever overwhelmed like that again she will come and help, even if it is just to watching Kiko for her for a few hours.

The day came to an end quite quickly, she sat and picked at her food, eating little bits here and there struggling to eat the full meal but no one mentioned it, a few worried glances were directed her way but not a word was said, and for that she was grateful. With Kiko staying with Hyriko for a few days while she recuperated her nights felt quite empty and lonely.

Izuku had yet to speak with her even when the weekend came to a close, she understood with one hand, she wasn't worthy of his friendship, after all, she broke her promise after only 6 weeks of counseling she refused to go, but on the other hand, she was upset, he broke the promise too, the least he could do was apologize rather than ignoring her.

Then it crossed her mind - trust is a two-way street, if she wants an apology then she should apologize too.

It was Monday, she had caught up on the written aspect of work but was told to hold off on training until her eating habits evened out as to not cause harm to her body. It was 6:30 Am and she was up and wide away, she hadn't felt this good it weeks Kiko was back with her and she was eating again, it all balanced her mindset out a little better so she went about her morning, rising her sister, getter herself and Kiyoko ready before making her trip to the hospital at 7 and dropping Kiko off at school for 8 to be in class by half-past.

Everything was seeming okay again.

That was until about 10:30 AM when Aizawa asked her to stay behind after the first half of class and everyone else went on break. "Konishi, Nezu has instructed I devise this with you" he handed her a slip of paper, on which was a timetable for meeting with an in-school counselor.

"I don't want it" her reply was simple and straight to the point. Aizawa sighed in frustration and held his face alittle. "Konishi, it is clear toy need- " He was cut off, "I'm not being ungrateful or anything - just I've already tried it and it didn't help" She shrugged.

"Etzumi, I understand but...Nezu had made some pretty strict terms about this, your mental health is of utmost importance to us...he has threatened that if you do not attend then your sister will have to be transferred to the support dorms, he claims if you cannot look after yourself then you are unfit to look after a child." His words were hesitant as he knew the reaction they would get from the eldest Konishi sibling.

Etzumi was fuming, her tail swished behind her and her eyes started to glow, the mug on her teacher's desk imploding under the pressure of her gaze. Aizawa didn't even bother using his quirk to calm her as he knew the situation would turn sour. "That's not fair" she hissed on as her eyes slowly returned to their natural grey, " You'd be taking away the only thing that makes me whole..." She huffed, her voice lowering as she sighed in defeat.

"I refuse to talk to the counselor.....but I guess if it were you...I could manage to attend...I ain't baffling about my life to a stranger again, it doesn't help" She huffed again. "It didn't even get me a diagnosis of whatever is wrong with me" she muttered under her breath, knowing full well that her teacher heard.

"That can be arranged, talking to someone is better than no one Etzumi, you shouldn't have to go through this thinking you are alone.

Etzumi felt defeated as she leaned back against the desk behind her staring at the sheet. "I guess-" she began as she studied the words "I'll see you at 2" Aizawa offered a small smile, "Or All might if that isn't an issue, as it's a very last-minute change to the plan he may have to step in as well" He was nervous, which was unlike him but he was worried he was pushing his student too far with that one.

"That is a term I can agree with I guess" she just simply shrugged.

It will take time for her to get used to opening up again but this time it'll be to someone she knows and trusts so maybe it'll go smoother than the last.

By the time the clock struck two, it was lunch, she waved goodbye to her friends saying she had to get some additional work to catch up, and then headed to the teacher lounge to find Aizawa or All Might, she was shaking, the neck sweating up with nerves and anxieties as she overthought the situation as per usual.

The door was opened but she knocked on the frame as to not be rude and All Might and Aizawa together looked up, the latter's greeting not as wild as the formers.

It was at the end of the one hour slot when she finally made eye contact, today she ended up with both of them which she didn't mind, they made her aware that they had to document it and she had no qualms with it.

She hadn't opened up much but enough for them to understand her latest breakdown, there were no sympathetic smiles or pitiful tones, nothing but support and understanding as they offered ways to help, All might being the more talkative of the two.

AllMight spoke up as the clock hit 3 and classes were about to start up again, "Konishi, you are so strong to open up to us like that, it is not an easy feat, especially for a hero, Heros aren't perfect, they have their times of need, and this is yours there is no reason to feel bad or beat yourself up over this, no wonder you've been so overwhelmed and exhausted, but know you are not alone, we are only a knock away from helping you.

You've been trying to deal with this yourself, but not anymore."

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Initial Idea

-it takes some time but they are finally able to get through to Zumi, but only by threatening to have the little sister - her only grip on reality - be moved to the supports dorm with Hyriko.
-slowly she starts to open up about her experiences with depression but refuses a counselor because she's tried that and it didn't work out, she will only talk with All Might or Aizawa.
- the teachers accept this term because it's clear she needs help.
- All Might ends the chapter with the line above claiming how she is stronger than most for holding out for so long

Initial Inspiration

"You've been trying to deal with this yourself?"

Word Count: 1338