Redemption From a Father

[ REVISE ] Dadzawa and Concern Teachers on Strikes

Aizawa dragged his feet back to the staff dorm, brain still stuck on the sight of his problem child breaking down. He didn't even notice he'd made it back until the noise hit him with loud voices, movie soundtrack, and the sound of teachers arguing like teenagers.

UA's finest. Absolutely terrifying on the battlefield. Complete clowns on weekends.

The whole staff was piled together on the couch and floor, limbs everywhere like a pack of tired cats. Movie night. A new UA tradition born after the increase in villain attacks and one friday's because someone passed out mid-"Maji de koi suru 5 byō mae." 

After that, Nemuri finally decided that was the last straw and pushed for movie nights instead. Everyone agreed. Even Nezu, which made it sound official, terrifying, and legally binding.

So, movie night it was. Cheap snacks, mismatched blankets, one terrible projector they keep promising to replace but never do, and a rotation system that always ended with Snipe sneaking in romance picks even when it wasn't his turn.

Right now, they were in the middle of some cheesy high school rom com. The kind with sparkles, dramatic hallway confessions, and a boy who falls for a girl because she dropped her pencil once. And, the moment Aizawa entered, a loud whisper exploded from the couch.

"Oh! Shota's back!" Hizashi waved with both hands like a golden retriever. "You missed so much drama! But hey, at least you skipped the most cringe parts. I almost dead."

"I hate when the main character just randomly kisses someone out of nowhere," Thirteen muttered, shaking their helmet like this was a moral issue.

"Right?? That was not earned. Like, sir, she just said 'thank you' not 'please eat my face.'" Lunch Rush added

Snipe shot them both a glare. "It wasn't that bad. It shows he's serious about her. Passion, y'all. Ever heard of it?"

Nemuri snorted. "Passion my butt. The girl is too naives to notice his motives. That boy is faker than Aizawa's 'I'm totally awake' face."

Ectoplasm held his hands up. "Alright, Nemuri, let's not make Snipe cry again. We all remember last time."

"IT WAS ONE TIME!" Snipe yelled, offended on behalf of his feelings. "And it was BEAUTIFUL, thank you!"

Aizawa stared. How... how was this group responsible for shaping the next generation of heroes? And how were they still alive? Honestly, miracles exist.

Aizawa stared at all of them. Heroes. Educators. People trusted with children. Wild. How they hadn't collectively walked into traffic by accident was a true mystery. Still... seeing them bicker like this eased something tight in his chest. Normal chaos. Good chaos.

Then he noticed Hizashi wasn't laughing. His best friend was too quiet. Too serious while looking at him, the moment he sit next to him.

"You good, Sho?" Hizashi asked, voice soft, and the whole room stilled and every eye turned to him.

Nemuri leaned forward, eyes sharp. "What happened? All good there?"

Aizawa exhaled. "...It's the problem child."

"Bakugou?" Inui asked immediately.

"I wish," he muttered. "It's Midoriya."

Every teacher there went still. Even Nezu, who had been eating cheese cubes with suspicious glee, lowered his plate.

Midoriya was... beloved. A mixed of muttering, freckles, and insane dedication. The only student who could literally died emotionally and physically at the same time. They pretended not to have favorites, but yeah...he was on the list. Even Nezu had a soft spot for him, which was rare and honestly a little terrifying.

Yagi sat up straighter, concern tightening his face. "Young Midoriya? What happened? He didn't mention any trouble last time we spoke..."

"He got a call. Looked like it was with his father," Aizawa said slowly. "The kid cried so hard he passed out in Bakugo's arms."

Silence. Serious, heavy silence between them.

"...his father?" Higari repeated.

Aizawa nodded. "Yeah. His father."

Nezu tapped his tiny paw to his chin. "His file said his father works in America. Long term with high position there last time I checked."

Aizawa rubbed the back of his neck. "Now that I think about it... we only ever met his mom when we visited. And Midoriya never talks about him."

Yagi's brows pulled tight. "He never mentioned anything to me either..."

A heavy pause settled over the room. Concern wrapped around the room like a weighted blanket. Not the good kind. The uh oh this is emotional damage kind.

Nemuri finally stood, clapping her hands once. "Okay. Work mode. Nezu?"

Nezu straightened. "I will review Midoriya's records first thing tomorrow. Shota, talk to him."

"Already planned to," Aizawa muttered.

Sekijiro leaned forward, worry knitting into his face. "Poor kid..."

Yagi looked at the paused screen but clearly wasn't seeing it anymore. His heart sank, a thought echoing heavy in his chest.

"Young Midoriya... what are you carrying alone?