Why Would It Be Different

Mask

Today is the day that we try on our hero costumes. I put on my simple gym outfit with the addition of my capture scarf that Aizawa gave to me. I think I can finally manage it enough to use it. He tells us that we can go and make additions to our outfits as we see fit. This sparks an idea in my mind and after class is done I walk up to Denki. "Hey Denki will you come with me to make an adjustment to my costume?" He nods and we head to the shop.

When we enter there's a peppy pink haired girl and the pro hero Power Loader. "Hello what do you need help with?" I turn to answer the pro hero but before I know it the pink girl is basically on top of me. "I know a few of my babies that would be great for you!" I back away startled but she follows me. I walk behind Denki and she tries to chase me but I stop her. "Stop."

She stops moving and I turn back to Power Loader "Sorry but I would like a mask." He nods and we design the whole thing. Denki looks at me skeptically because he knows about my past with masks but I give him a small smile to reassure him.

After we finish designing it he says it will be done by the end of the day to my surprise and we thank him and leave. Before I leave I release the pink haired girl and she stumbles forward and looks around confused but I leave before she can see me.

The end of the day finally came and we headed back down to the shop. "Denki still seems skeptical and I just hope it won't affect me." I hope I can wear it without much trouble. Denki's right here with me and he'll help if I need it.

We get there and Denki opens the door. Thankfully the pink haired girl is gone and it's just Power Loader. He turns around holding a sleek black mask with a built in speaker. The speaker will act as an amplifier for my voice so I can control more people and increase my range.

"Why don't you try it on?" I nod and take it from him. I place it on and fasten the straps and I can't help but think about how similar it is to a muzzle. Once it's fully on it reminds me of the muzzle and the consequences.

"Okay it looks good you can take it off now." I stand there frozen knowing I can't take it off or speak of I'll be punished. "Shin take it off." I still stand there frozen and see Denki come up to me and I flinch away.

"Shin..." He comes up behind me and un-does the mask and takes it off. He places it on the table and gives me a hug. I stay still and stiff and then eventually melt into his hug and bury my head in his neck. "Hey it's okay we'll work through it together."

I headed home holding the mask in my hand after Denki went to his house. When I open the door Aizawa and Mic are already home. They immediately knew something was wrong and came up to me "Hey kid what's wrong?" I just hold up the mask and look at them with wide eyes.

They understand and wrap me in a hug. "I-I couldn't do it." I hear Eri run out from her room and join the hug "It's okay." Eventually I went to my room and I put the mask on the bedside table. I sit on my bed and Eri walks in and jumps on my lap. "It'll be okay Shinsy." I nod and we go downstairs to eat.

~time skip~

In training the next day we have to battle partners. My partner is Bakugou and luckily he can't keep his mouth shut so this should be easy. After we start he comes in with a right hook which I easily dodge and I wrap my scarf around his arm since I have more control. I use the scarf to fling him into a wall.

He comes out of the dust obviously angry when he charges at me I notice he has red earbuds to block out my voice. Smart but I don't think I can be loud enough without my mask. I lift the mask over my face while he's distracted. Come on I got this. I see Denki on the sidelines looking worried as I finish strapping the mask on.

Okay here we go. "Hey Bakugou is that all you got?" He seems surprised at how loud I was and honestly so was I. My voice was 5 times louder then before and everyone in the training area could clearly hear me. "Why you..." That all I needed before he was under my control. He goes silent and just like that the fight was over and I quickly took the mask off and released Bakugou.

Denki runs up and gives me a hug "You did it Shin!" The class looks at us confused because of the nickname and the fact we were hugging. I let go of Denki and rub the back of my neck nervously. "Uh yeah we're dating." Everyone goes silent for a second and I wait for them to be angry but then they all burst out with excitement. "Way to go you two!"

Class finally ends and Denki and I go to my house because Aizawa and Mic had to stay late for a teacher meeting. When we get to my house Denki flops on the couch. "So what do you want to do?" I sit next to him and snuggle into his chest "This."

He wraps his arms around me "Fine by me." I get comfy and I hear him turn on the Tv but I'm already mostly asleep. "I love you Denki." Right before I fall asleep I hear him say "I love you too Hitoshi."

(1020 words)