ʜᴇʀᴏᴇs | ʙɴʜᴀ

↳ chapter 36

"You're next, " All Might pointed at the camera.

I could hear whoops and cheers. All Might had beaten One for All. I sagged my shoulders and let out a sigh of relief. Everything was fuzzy, I didn't even know if it was real. For all I know, I could be fast asleep in the bar hideout, while chained up because of Shigiraki's weird kink. I shook my head. Now wasn't the time. I... I didn't realize it when I was there, but I dreaded the place. I wanted nothing more but to get out of it. Yet I hid myself behind my facade, hiding the real me deep down into the depths of my soul.

After the run-in with Shoto, everything just spilled out. Like a glass of water tipping. It went slowly, my emotions tearing me apart, and when I ran into Shoto, I had reached my tipping point. No one could stop the tears streaming down my cheeks. Nothing could stop the water, all of its contents flowing out like a river. In those moments, Shoto held me, he comforted me, he assured me that I would be safe.

Tears streaming down my cheeks, I choked on my own words that stumbled out of my mouth.

"I... Shoto- I..." I sputtered.

"Everything is fine now. Do you know why?" his hand stroking my hair.

"Because I am here, " "Because you are here, "

Because he was here.

I stared at the screen. All Might's finger pointing towards us. He was panting, his clothes ripped and tattered. My mind raced. What would happen now? Who would be the next All Might? It dawned on me.

Who would be the next All Might?

In the sea of cheers, I heard a sniffle. I looked to my right, shocked to see Izuku crying. Not knowing what to do, I asked if he was okay. He responded with a teary 'yeah' smiling at me with the pain in his smile, as though he was carrying a burden that no 16 year old was supposed to hold.

Who would be the next All Might?

I looked at Izuku and looked back at the screen. My mouth agape. But I knew. I knew. The burden that this child of my age had to carry. It was no wonder he was always so teary. This was nothing that should be dumped on a 16-year-old. Yet it was. Sympathy flashed across my face.

"We're all counting on you, Izuku, " I gave a small knowing smile.

At that moment, the boy latched onto me, crying his poor eyes out. I wasn't sure how to react, so I awkwardly patted his back. Poor Izuku. And to think that no one knew what he was going through.

"I'll be right here if you need me, " I assured him.

•

"What is this nonsense? First, my daughter gets kidnapped, then you're telling me you're taking her away from me to stay in school?" my mother screeched.

I winced at the volume. Although my mother cheated on my dad, it didn't mean that she didn't love me. After all, I was her own blood. Aizawa-sensei looked like he couldn't be more done with life. I tugged on my mother's sleeve, her glare now on me, causing me to flinch.

"I want to stay in U.A., Ma, "

My mother threw her hands up in exasperation, muttering under her breath. She let out a sound of irritation, before unwillingly agreeing.

"Fine! You can stay. If you die, at least I don't have to pay for you anymore,"

I take back everything I said about how my mother loves me. She hates me. I could probably jump off a cliff and she'll be worried about paying for my funeral. However, I mentally cheered at her consent. After Aizawa-sensei left, I immediately started packing my bags. Throwing in random clothes and toiletries, I sat in my suitcase, forcing it shut.

I would be staying in the U.A. dorms.

•

The second we reached, Aizawa-sensei threatened to expel the everyone. Wow, I just loved being greeted by Aizawa-sensei's threats. I hauled my luggage and my guitar case up to my room, unpacking immediately. Yes, guitar case, because I actually knew how to play it. I opened the closet, folding my clothes and packing them inside. I took out my own blanket and pillowcase, chucking them on the bed for later. After emptying out the entire luggage by flipping it over, I put it in the closet, as there was a small space that barely fit it.

How the hell did U.A. Have this much money to build these dorms? Nevertheless, while thinking about it, I put all my other stuff into the drawers, chucking all my toiletries and other random stuff inside. I looked back at my boring room, and shrugged it off, walking downstairs to the living room. I plopped myself down on the sofa for the next few hours, until my classmates streamed into the living room area.

"Let's do a room showcasing competition!" Ashido suggested to the other girls, excluding myself, who was reading a book on the sofa.

I eyed them from my book. This would just give the boys an excuse to look in our rooms. I returned to my book, barely listening to the conversation between the girls. Before I knew it, Hagakure and Ashido were begging me to join in the room competition thing. I rolled my eyes. I wanted to sleep.

"Please, Yumé-san?" Ashido asked.

"Please?" Hagakure chipped in.

I groaned. I absolutely hated the idea, but I was practically powerless in this situation. Full of dread, I dragged myself off the sofa and went with the group. While we made a pit stop by Izuku's room, I yawned and leaned against the doorframe. Shoto was also dragged along with the crowd for some reason. I just wanted to go to sleep. Shoto looked at my tired expression.

"You want to go back to sleep too?"

"Yep, " I replied mid-yawn.

Suddenly, I felt myself being lifted up from the floor, my eyes immediately snapping open. What in god's green earth was going on? I nearly fainted, when I realized that I was being carried.

I was literally having a heart attack in Shoto's arms.