"honesty and grace" (Mezo Shoji X Reader)

Chapter 38

#ShojiIsClassDad
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“Good morning, Ectoplasm, Sir.” You greet him, bowing your head slightly. He stands with his hero costume in the center of the lobby of your apartment building. Shoji stands next to you and bows his head as well. “Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to help me this week.” Expressing your gratitude was one of the main priorities on your list.

It was hard to tell of any expressions on his face, but he seemed to be in a good mood. “It’s no problem. I believe that every child deserves opportunities to become a hero, and you are no different.” He states happily. The tone he speaks in is almost odd for a man of his looks. A smile comes to your face as you look from your mentor to Shoji. He only nods his head before looking up at the pro hero. “I’m sure you both know that the school is closed to the general public and to most students and teachers right now. I have been given access to the gymnasium and training field. We will start at Gym Gamma before anything else. For now, though,” Ectoplasm turns while walking towards the exit doors of the lobby, “I want you two to jog to the school. When you both get there, your training will begin.” The tall man pushes past the glass doors, waving for you two to follow behind him.

Shoji looks at you, resting a hand on your shoulder. “I’m sure you can do this, right?” He asks as the both of you exit the lobby. You nod before turning attention to your mentor.

“I’ll be timing you. When I say go, the clock will start.” From beyond his trenchcoat, he pulls out a stopwatch. Shoji gets ready, as do you, standing with your hands at your sides and one foot in front of the other. “Go.”

With that simple word, the two of you took off. You knew better than to go full throttle in the very beginning, so pacing was important. The lighter you took it right now the easier the rest of the day would be. Shoji seemed to be doing the same. His true set of hands swayed in balled fists, his elbows bent to form a ninety degree angle. The tentacles behind his arms were flexed behind his back to make him as aerodynamic as possible. He knew what he was doing from the start, so you were very thankful he was here to help you.

You knew the way to the school only because you had to pass it every day on your way to work. From where you are now, you only had about a quarter mile left to go before your body started to turn on you. Your knees became slightly weak and your throat began to sting. The early morning sun was warm against your skin, causing a few beads of sweat to drip down your cheek. A very distinct thumping sound played faster and faster in your ears, the sound of your heartbeat being the only thing you could think about. Through it all, though, you kept your breathing steady, and your mind on the idea of what was to come of the day. Thinking about how much your body didn’t want to be doing the current task would make it take much longer than it needed to. With that thought process cranking your mind, you arrived at UA much faster than you had anticipated.

Standing near the entrance gates was Ectoplasm, a timer in his hands. On the ground in front of him was a thin white line of chalk there with the intention of acting like a finish line. “Almost there.” He announces as Shoji pulls ahead of you just slightly. The timer clicks once as he passes over the white line, then once again when you do. “Amazing time, you two. I’m impressed. Neither of you stopped or slowed down during that whole jog.” Your hands rest just above your knees as you catch your breath, barely able to continue standing.

Shoji comes over to you, seeming almost just as tired. “Good job, I’m proud of you.” A smile is clear behind his mask.

Leaning up and straightening your back, it allows your lungs to fill with much needed oxygen. “Why are you proud? I can barely jog from my apartment to the school.” You huff, walking in slow circles to try and get your heart rate down.