Aizawa's POV.
I shouldn't be in this room. Not after yesterday, yet I'm in the staff room, reviewing the same operational report for the fifth time without actually reading it. I huff and puff, stepping into my usual sleeping bag, when Recovery Girl enters with a strange smile on her face. This woman has always been a mystery to me.
After exchanging a few greetings, she stops in front of me, perhaps a little too close. She smells of peach, cigar smoke, and rum. My eyes widen.
"Shota, as always, you're… focused!"
She stares at me with that look I always struggle to decipher, those eyes that seem to tell me everything, when in reality they tell me nothing.
Hizashi is sitting right next to me. He's been texting Tess Midoriya for an hour, telling me she's angry because he's been avoiding her for days.
"Hey, Sho! Will you stop looking like a depressed vampire?" He says, turning up his jacket collar and mimicking my expression exactly.
"I'm not grieving."
"Oh, no. And I'm not loud."
I remain silent. He smiles, but something in his eyes becomes more attentive.
"Okay, come on...let's talk seriously."
He leans toward me. "How's the situation between you...and Togata?"
I stare at him just a second too long. Then I inhale slowly. It was inevitable that he'd ask me that. Present Mic is an incredible idiot...but an idiot who's known me all my life.
"It's...complicated."
His eyes widen as if I'd expressed an alien concept.
"You? Complicated? Come on!"
I turn away, ignoring him. Then I continue.
"We spent time together. More than I should have allowed. And then...things went beyond that."
Hizashi stops clowning and straightens his back. He looks at me from behind those glasses as if I'd sworn.
"And...then?"
"Then, I told her it was a mistake. That I didn't want to hinder her growth."
I say it in that flat, dry, almost nihilistic tone. Just the way you say the right thing. He stares at me, though. He studies me. He knows me...unfortunately, too well. Then he sighs, folds his arms over his chest, and nudges me, not too hard. Not the idiotic kind, but the friendly kind.
"Shouta... if you're walking away from her to protect her, that's not respect. It's fear masquerading as virtue."
I look at him, tilting my head slightly. But he continues, his voice suddenly calm, deep... almost philosophical. Crazy stuff.
"People like us...aren't good with relationships. They always feel like guns are pointed at us. But you know what's funny?"
He pauses just long enough to give me a moment to think about a possible response. Then he smiles faintly.
"Sometimes, the very person you fear you'll hurt...is the one who looks at you as if you're the one saving them."
I remain still. Hizashi lets his shoulders slump, as if he's said everything. As if a weight has been lifted. Then, returning to his usual tone:
"And anyway, if you keep acting like an emotional cactus, Hawks will steal her from you."
I glare at him. He laughs, too loud as usual.
"Hey! Hey! Just kidding!...I think."
His previous sentence, however, struck me. And I don't know...if I deserve something like that.
After a few seconds, I suddenly see Recovery Girl handing out emergency kits. I frown.
"The girl I called to work the night shift with Hawks-sensei is coming."
There she is... I hear her coming before I even see her: those soft footsteps, that same elegance as her mother, carried nonchalantly through the school hallways. I imagine it's her... Eri Togata.
She enters the room with a determined stride, her head held high and her chest out. Her face is strangely relaxed and rested, and I can't help but smile slightly. I don't look at her...or at least, I pretend not to.
I see her talking to Recovery Girl, in her usual calm and respectful voice. As if she hadn't cried yesterday. As if I hadn't been a coward.
I grip the pen tightly, almost breaking it.
"Okay, she's the only one who can take on the night mission with Hawks. Get ready."
I nod, seeming indifferent, even though the whole situation is burning inside me. I watch her approach the desk, perfectly formed even as she picks up the kit and puts it in her backpack. Her gaze is serious but focused, her body composed... and she doesn't look at me. Not even for a moment. She hasn't even said hello.
This girl... I can't help myself. I don't know what to do.
Here comes the other idiot, Hawks-sensei. He went from Pro Hero to studying to be a teacher. At first, I didn't want to believe it. But now, I'm happy for him.
His feathers rustle as he advances into the room, his trademark grin plastered across his face, that confident look, as if the world were a stage, and he approaches Eri as if she were his show.
"Yo! My special recruit! Ready for the night shift?"
Night shift...
His tone is provocative, irresistible if we think of a woman. I look up, he stands behind her and touches her shoulder lightly. Eri smiles, politely, but doesn't escape his charm. I feel something burning behind my left rib... I don't know why, but it bothers me. It's something I'll have a hard time recognizing.
I feel my jaw tighten, and I hide my face in my scarf, just for a little while. I breathe slowly...I can't...let myself get involved.
He shifts, now he's close to her, hugging her. Eri doesn't react, yet her eyes follow him. They follow the movement. And I...feel like an idiot because of how much it burns in my chest.
"Of course I do! I'm ready," she replies, smiling.
Hawks suddenly looks up at me. Just for a moment, and in that moment, he seems to understand.
"Don't worry, Shouta, I'll get her home in one piece."
I look him in the eye, and he winks at me. This is a calculated provocation. Eri keeps her gaze down, not looking up at me. For a moment, I decipher her expression: she's confused, hurt...but she seems determined. Again, she doesn't speak to me, doesn't greet me, doesn't look at me...and perhaps, I deserve it.
But everything inside me screams that I can't let her go. I don't want to.
And yet I have to. I have to let her go. For her own good. For her personal growth. Because I can't be what she deserves...not now.
And I ask myself, for the first time in years...am I doing the right thing? Does what Hizashi said earlier make sense?
I see her look up at Hawks, and she puts a hand over her mouth, giggling at a joke I don't know. I remain still, sitting in my seat, a few feet away from her, trying to hide any emotion that might be showing in my eyes. But my heart is trembling... and I don't know what to do.
Hawks leans toward her slightly, with that slightly provocative smile of his:
"I'll teach you to really fly... but no running away, okay? We're working tonight."
My back feels cold.
Eri finally looks up at me, just for a moment. Not even a smile, just a respectful nod. And I...can't take my eyes off her until she walks out the door with him.
The room remains silent. Hizashi tries every possible way to get me out for a drink. He asks me if I'm free tonight, but I'm not in good mental shape right now. One question, however, keeps nagging at me: am I really doing the right thing by letting her go with him?
***
You and Hawks leave the institute and head toward the designated destination for the mission. He, as usual, is dressed like a pop icon from a poster, with sunglasses, which he wears even at night, his beautiful red feathers glistening in the full moonlight, and that cocky smile that turns most women's heads. Except you, of course.
"Yo, baby!" he exclaims, amused. "Ready to fly? Or do you want me to pick you up like a little princess?"
"Like a…little princess?" You stare at him, puzzled. "Hawks-sensei, I'm fine."
He looks at you, his smile fading.
"I know, I know. But I had to experience it. You're too serious, Eri-chan. You need to breathe a little more."
Then he approaches you, lowering his glasses like someone about to reveal an uncomfortable secret. You feel the warmth of his body on your arm, so you stiffen, trying to distance yourself a little without being rude. Also because you're so good at recognizing the "nosy-minded" energy.
"Listen, listen..." he says nonchalantly. "Before we start the internship/mission, I have to ask you something."
There, you knew. "What?"
He nods. He clears his throat, and for a moment, a serious expression lingers in his gaze. You're fascinated.
"You and…Aizawa…"
Your breathing becomes shallow, the air feels like it's knocked out of your lungs. You're about to panic. He spreads his hands.
"Hey, hey, calm down! I'm not saying anything, it's just... well... he's looking at you as if he's witnessed a cataclysm and a miracle at the same time. And you... you seem to lose yourself every time he breathes near you. Or in the same room as you."
You cover your face with your hands, embarrassed and shy at the same time. "Hawks…sensei…"
"What's up?" He laughs heartily. "Sorry, I just love watching people. How they behave, how they react in certain circumstances…so I noticed that you two are…how should I put it…a bomb waiting to explode. Boom. That's all."
You stay silent. You can't say anything, nothing can come out of your mouth. On the other hand, you don't want to deny it. But you have to.
He smiles. "Okay, enough awkwardness for now. Sorry to ask, but you can talk to me about it anytime. Now, let's get back to the important stuff."
He looks around, seemingly checking to make sure the area is clear of unwanted eavesdroppers. He clears his throat again, leaning closer to you, and with a hand over his mouth, begins to whisper something unintelligible.
"What?" you ask, having heard nothing.
"You know…your stepbrother, Ryota…is dating Mirko?"
You start coughing, and you choke on your saliva. "W-WHAT?"
"Shhhhhh!" He opens one of his wings and puts it in front of your mouth. He presses. "Don't scream, don't say it too loud! I shouldn't have even told you! Rumi's going to kill me! Ryota too! I'm going to fly away and pretend nothing happened! Bye bye!"
"Wait!" you exclaim, smiling under your breath. "Mirko?!" you repeat, even more shocked.
"Yes, the number one bunny. Muscles of steel, incredible physique, no filters… I'll smash your face in just saying hello. Yes, that's her."
You remain silent. But this is absurd! Who would have thought Ryota would make someone fall in love with him? With that obnoxious personality of his, you'd lost all hope. Your brain briefly short-circuited. But just for a moment.
"Please…" Hawks-sensei continues, sweating visibly. "Don't tell anyone, okay? No one, no one, you understand? Just you. And…well, maybe someone you trust."
You slowly pull out your phone, grinning menacingly.
"Hey…? Who are you calling?"
You look at him. "Tess."
"NOOOO!" He yells, clutching his head. "But it's THE SAME AS TELLING THE WHOLE SCHOOL!"
You keep looking at him. "Sensei, you're shouting and making everyone hear you."
He puts a hand over his mouth, his eyes wide. Then you continue:
"She needs to know. She won't tell anyone…maybe."
Hawks-sensei falls to his knees. "Okay, I'm dead. Rumi disintegrates me. Ryota incinerates me. Aizawa strangles me. And you…you're going to laugh over my dead body, I can feel it."
For the first time in days, you burst out laughing. Really, a real, bright laugh. Hawks pauses for a moment. Then he looks at you and smiles.
"See?" He says softly. "That's why I wanted to tell you. You need to laugh every now and then, Eri-chan. That doesn't mean I won't die anyway."
You continue to smile, when suddenly you notice Mufutasu's night wind ruffling your hair. You slowly climb onto the roof, Hawks-sensei leaning on the edge, and you glimpse his red feathers dancing in the air, free and soft.
"Are you ready to fly, little one? Or are you afraid of normal heights?" he says with a sarcastic smile.
You can't seem to regain your composure.
"I…I'm not afraid!" You reply, even though inside you, you feel a slight shiver of emotion. Hawks laughs, free and happy, twirling a feather between his fingers.
"Okay, okay…let's see if you're good," he says, but then he reaches out a hand toward you and waves it as if conducting an invisible orchestra.
"First thing: stop looking down. If you keep staring at the ground, you'll never truly fly. You have to let go and look straight ahead…at most, you can look up. But never down."
You open your enormous, white, light wings. You lunge forward as you always do to take flight, feeling the strong wind lift you slightly. Your wings open even wider, the quirk is ready… you feel it warm and pulsating inside your body. Hawks also takes flight and circles beside you, giggling at every little mistake you make.
"Hey, no need to act like a statue!" he says, looping above your head. "It looks like you're controlling gravity with fear! Leave that to Tess."
You burst out laughing again.
"It's not easy with you acting like an idiot all the time!"
"Hey, life's too short to be serious!" he replies, laughing, and you can't help but smile.
A moment later, he stops smiling, suddenly becoming too serious.
"Do you know why I'm flying you like this?" he asks, and his voice loses its provocative, flirtatious tone. You stop and look at him, intrigued. Then you shake your head.
"To learn to control your quirk, sure… but not to fight." He continues, his feathers fluttering lightly.
"Your power isn't for destruction. It's for saving people. You're a doctor. So, you give people hope. So, it's for making someone get back up even when all seems lost."
You feel your heart begin to pound, but it's not a fearful tension. It's awareness, it's responsibility... and a shiver of pride that runs down your spine. That shiver that makes you say: Did you hear that, you idiot brother? I'll prove it to you!
"I understand..." You whisper, lowering your gaze.
"It's not just healing others. It's making them feel like everything can be okay."
Hawks-sensei smiles at you, and for a moment his idiotic look disappears.
"Anyway…you did really well at the specialization festival. I was shocked," he says. Then, blushing slightly. "And don't worry: I'll never see you as a romantic interest…maybe."
You look up, and he looks away, his ears red. "Is that...is that clear?" he asks, shrugging.
You nod, chuckling.
"Good," he continues, extending a large, smooth hand toward you. "Now, night mission: Mufutasu awaits us!"
You leap forward with him, feeling the strong wind in your feathers, as your heart opens. Every little spark of your quirk pulses, and for the first time you truly understand that... yours isn't just a power. It's a series of things brought together, such as: responsibility, hope,... growth. And Hawks laughs again, light as the wind. And you laugh with him.
Friendship, challenge and for the first time, wings, make you feel… ready to fly.