The humid, gloomy rainy season was starting to hit its peak. As usual, I was currently being chauffeured to school by Kacchan's dad.
The view from the window was the same quiet commute as always. Now that things had calmed down, the microphones and cameras were nowhere to be seen. To my surprise, the media had actually backed off.
For better or worse, we live in a superhuman society. Every day brings some bizarre new incident, so there's never a shortage of news to keep people occupied. My fame, which had skyrocketed for a hot minute, had already been swallowed up by a scandal involving some idol-hero group. The paparazzi had completely vanished.
I was relieved, obviously, but a part of me felt a bit miffed—like I'd somehow lost a popularity contest. But whatever. It's better than having people buzzing around me like flies.
As I watched the scenery drift by, I noticed Kacchan's dad let out a yawn. Driving me such a long distance every morning must be exhausting. I reached over the seat and gave his shoulder a few sympathetic pats, which caused Kacchan—who was sitting next to me—to look like he'd just seen a ghost. What's with that face? Is it raining daggers today?
"You... you stupid woman, what the hell are you doing?"
"Why are you talking like a robot? I'm just giving him a massage. What's the big deal?"
"Who the hell are you, and what have you done with her?!"
"Seriously?!"
Seeing Kacchan's reaction, his dad gave a troubled laugh.
"Haha, it's not that strange, Katsuki. When Niko's in the mood, she actually gives great shoulder rubs."
"WHAT?! I've never seen that once!!"
"That's because she only does it when you're not around. Usually, she's too busy dealing with you. ...Actually, Niko, you've gotten even better. Have you been practicing on Inko?"
It wasn't that I was "dealing" with him, he was just the one who wouldn't leave me alone...
"Well, with Mom, it's less about 'practicing' and more about being 'forced.' She makes me do it. ...Oh, but I did give her an oil massage recently! Man, that was a blast. You should have seen her rolling around like a seal! Pfft! I went to town on that squishy belly of hers—just slapping and patting the pudge!"
"I feel like Mitsuki would actually enjoy hearing that story."
"Mitsuki was the one who provided the oil, actually."
"Ah, so you've already started on her too."
Mitsuki doesn't have nearly as much squish, so it wasn't as satisfying in that regard. Her skin was incredibly smooth, though—I was pretty impressed. Compared to her, our resident "Seal Mom" is a different story.
"Setting that aside, you don't have to drive me anymore. We had that after-party yesterday and not a single reporter showed up."
"I was surprised, honestly. I didn't think I'd be picking you up from somewhere other than school on such short notice. ...Still, the world hasn't forgotten that incident yet. It wouldn't be funny if something happened. Could you let me drive you for just one more week?"
The rides were easy and comfortable, so I didn't mind, but...
"Isn't it a huge hassle for you?"
Kacchan's dad gave me a warm smile.
"Not at all. ...I won't lie and say it isn't tiring, but if a little fatigue is the price for our kids to feel even a bit safer, it's no trouble at all. We might not be related by blood, but I think of you as my own daughter. As long as you're smiling, this is nothing."
"Is that really how it works?"
"I believe so. And of course, your mother feels the same way. In fact, she feels it much more than I do."
Mom...?
"She mostly just spends her time lying around like a sea creature, though?"
"Heh... I can only imagine the struggles Inko has to endure..."
Mom's struggles? While I was tilting my head at that bizarre phrase, the familiar U.A. campus came into view. I waved goodbye to Kacchan's dad and headed inside with Kacchan to enjoy another busy day of school life.
+++
The day went by pretty normally. I was sitting at my desk, quietly waiting for the final homeroom to begin. As I waited for the sweet moment of liberation from the shackles of school, I could hear my classmates buzzing about today's Hero Basic Training.
We'd done a dynamic rescue drill using helicopters, so everyone was still high on the excitement. It was the perfect mood to invite people out to play.
Yes, everything is going according to plan.
Just then, the door slid open, and the classroom went dead silent.
"...You're all suspiciously quiet."
You'd think silence would be a good thing, but "Bandage-sensei"—Mr. Aizawa—just scowled. Then, for some reason, he turned a gaze of 200% pure suspicion directly on me.
"If you're planning something, stop."
"DISCRIMINATION! This is discrimination! Why do you immediately suspect me the moment I'm being well-behaved?! This is cruel! You animal-loving Bandage-man! You cat-obsessed jerk!"
I protested with everything I had, but he just gave a flat "...My bad" and walked to the podium. It was a very unsatisfying apology, but if I kept making a scene, he'd probably make me stay late, so I sat back down.
"...Anyway, good work on the rescue drills today. Moving on... I have an announcement to make."
Iida's hand shot up like a rocket.
"An announcement, sir?! What could it possibly be?!"
"I'm about to tell you. Be quiet for a second, Iida."
"Yes, sir! I apologize for the interruption!!"
"Then be qui—...Sigh. Whatever. Back to the point. In two weeks... we will be holding a Parent-Teacher Observation Day."
A chorus of "Observation Day?!" erupted in the room. I genuinely questioned Aizawa's sanity. Kirishima let out a confused "U.A. does those too, huh?" but I ignored him.
"I'll be handing out prints regarding the schedule. Make sure you give these to your parents—"
"MR. AIZAWAAAAA!!"
I thrust my hand into the air. Aizawa shot me a look of pure exhaustion, but I didn't care. He could yell at me all he wanted, but this was a matter of life and death. If I didn't get this canceled, I was a dead woman.
"What is it, Midoriya...?"
"I have an objection to this Observation Day! A very important! Serious! Objection!"
"...Let's hear it."
He seemed willing to listen, so I poured my entire soul into my argument.
"Is this really the time for an Open House?! The U.S.J. incident! There has been zero progress in catching the perpetrators! We don't even know the route the information leak took! At a time like this, to invite outsiders—even if they are parents—into the school... if the worst were to happen, the public's trust in U.A. would be utterly destroyed! The fall of U.A. would lead to a total lack of faith in hero society as a whole! You cannot underestimate the influence this school has! This isn't just about the school; it's a matter of national security! We must assume the worst-case scenario and cancel the Observation Day immediately!!"
"Midoriya... you..."
Aizawa's gaze turned cold. I knew I was in for it, but I couldn't back down. Because if Mom came to school, my life would effectively be over.
Why? Because if she comes, she'll see everyone. And everyone will tell her what I'm like at school. The teachers will too. Knowing my usual behavior, I can't even begin to imagine what she'd do to me.
Eek! Just thinking about it is terrifying! I have to stop this!
While I was staring at Aizawa with a look of desperate sincerity, Sero whispered from the next seat over. "Man, she's going all out..."
"How much do you hate the idea of your parents seeing you at school?"
"Shut up, Sero! Don't you 'don't-mind' me!"
"Ow! Harsh! How long are you gonna keep calling me that?!"
I brushed Sero aside and looked back at Aizawa.
"...Sigh. No. The decision is final."
"NOOOOOOOO!"
Ignoring my despair, Aizawa continued. Apparently, the lesson was going to involve writing a letter of gratitude to our parents and reading it aloud in front of everyone. A literal hell of embarrassment and cringeworthy sentimentality.
He rambled on about how being a hero means being thanked a lot, so we need to understand the feelings behind that gratitude and prepare ourselves to receive it... but ugh, just thinking about it made me shiver. I hate it! I don't want to do it!
I already wanted to skip, but there was no escaping it. If Mom was coming, and I wasn't there, she'd kill me regardless of whether the lesson was good or bad.
I'm finished...!!
"So, that's the deal. Everyone have your letters ready by the week after next. Make sure you're prepared to show your parents proper gratitude. That is all."
Having received my death sentence from Bandage-sensei, I slumped against Kacchan's back and prepared to enter a peaceful, eternal slumber. I prayed that when I woke up, it would all be a dream.
"Like hell it's a dream, you idiot."
"NOOOO! YOU'RE SO MEAN, KACCHAN!!"
***
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