Chapter Text
U.A. high school. You didn’t think you would find yourself back here again. The outer wall seemed a lot shorter now than you remembered. Of course, you were student here over a decade ago and you were not the same young woman anymore.
‘This place,’ you sighed wearily. So much happened behind this wall. Mostly good, save for the one classmate. Your fellow night time hero and nightmare of a classmate, Shouta Aizawa.
Secretly hoping that the metal gate would keep you out, you stepped forward.
‘Unlucky.’ No issues crossing.
Students wandered around the front courtyard chatting about the recent USJ attack, the sports festival, and other such trivial things. You paid them barely any mind, noticing only the few faces you vaguely remembered from watching clips on the news of the annual event. As if you had time to watch some high school sports festival when you were required to work from the time the sun went down until it rose again. As you started up the steps, a small creature in a tailored suit smiled brightly at you, waving his outstretched paw.
“L/N! Oh how good it is to see one of our illustrious alumni.”
You rolled your eyes before bowing. “You know I am only here because you said you had something important to discuss with me.”
Nezu shook his head. “Oh L/N, you never were much of a morning person. How about we get you a cup of coffee before settling into our meeting?”
“No amount of coffee is going to make up for the fact that I should be sleeping. I am a night time hero. Not some bright eyed blonde haired roof hopping rabbit-man who functions at all hours of the day.”
You heard familiar, booming laughter come from behind you followed by an arm around your neck. “Rabbit-man? That is a good one Y/N. I am gonna use that next time I see All Might himself.”
“Get off of me, Speakers.” You turned to glare at Present Mic. He simply smiled back at you. Awake and bright eyed as he was all those years ago when you were classmates.
“I love it when you give me cute little pet names like that.” He winked at you and, despite your best efforts, a small smile formed on the corners of you mouth. Hizashi always managed to weasel his way back into your good graces, though you were never fully sure why. Maybe he had a second quirk which charmed even the wildest people.
“Yamada. I hate to break up your little class reunion, but I have a very important meeting with L/N. If you would please excuse us.”
Hizashi gave you one more quick neck squeeze before waving you off. “It is good to see you again. Let's catch up sometime! Maybe you could come on my radio show.”
“You have as much a chance of getting me on the air as a bird trying to live in the ocean.”
“You and Aizawa are exactly the same!” He shouted back. You slyly flipped him off causing him to burst out laughing. A few students looked your way and you quickly hid your hands.
You made your way to Nezu’s office, but refused the chair offered to you knowing full well that if you sat in it than you were sure to fall asleep.
Nezu popped into his giant chair, shuffled some papers on the desk in front of him, then folded his paws. “I don't wish to take up too much of your time this morning, L/N, so I will cut right to the chase. I am sure you heard of the attack on class 1-A, correct?”
You nod. Who hadn't heard about it?
“Well, it is my fear that our students are woefully underprepared in certain kinds of combat scenarios. Our students are in desperate need of extra training when it comes to combat in the dark. They do not know how to navigate in dark spaces and this is something which I fear they may encounter sooner than later. A dark alley, a building without power, a forest. They cannot use their quirks legally yet, but it does not mean that they should be unprepared.”
“So you want me to train them? Is that why you called me in here?”
“Bingo! You are one of our top graduates and, due to you quirk, you work exclusively at night which means you have the exact qualifications I am looking for in a part-time faculty member.”
You took in a deep, heavy breath and started tapping your foot. “Don't you already have full-time faculty who are experts at limited light and night fighting?”
“You mean like Aizawa?”
You felt a cold chill rush down your spine at the mention of his name. “Yes, like Aizawa, ” you said through clenched teeth.
Nezu gave you a knowing look, after all, who wasn’t aware of the rivalry between you and Aizawa during your time here at U.A. The sports festival battles, the courtyard challenges, and then there was the senior year dance incident. No way the faculty here were unaware.
“Unfortunately, he is rather busy and I cannot burden him further. And the rest of the faculty are also doing two full workloads as heroes and teachers. Now I know I would also be asking you to do a secondary job and to work in proximity to Aizawa whom you do not care for, but consider the extensive training you can give these future heroes. You could be the person who saves their lives one day. Securing the future of these young heroes and others for many generations to come is a vital part of being a hero. ”
‘Dammit. When he puts it that way it is like I have no choice.’
Before your answer can escape your lips a knock comes at the door.
“Come in.” Nezu exclaims. The door swiftly slides open and you turn to see the one person you had hoped to avoid seeing. Wearing his standard black jumpsuit and gray scarf with bedhead hair pointing out in all directions, stood Shouta Aizawa. His eyes were bloodshot and it had to have been three or four days since he last shaved.
You locked eyes with him and frowned. It was unclear from his controlled expression whether he was as upset to see you as you are to see him.
“Ah, Mr. Aizawa. A pleasure to see you this morning. I am sure you remember L/N. You were classmates afterall.” Nezu mischievously chuckled.
“Shifter.” He half bowed to you.
“Sleeping Bag. I see you still haven't learned what a hairbrush is.”
Aizawa’s right eye twitched. “And you still haven't bothered to actually respect me enough to call me by my real name. “
“Tch,” you scoffed.
“Now, now you two. Please put your petty childhood feud aside for one moment. L/N, have you decided?”
You let your eyes wander as you debated the pros and cons of this situation. There really wasn't a lot for you to lose here. You could use the extra cash and you would be still doing hero work.
‘Plus, Aizawa teaches 1-A. I would be working with his students and teach them things he can't. I can show him up. I can finally prove to him that I am just as worthy as any to be a called a hero.’
“Wait, you are offering her a position he-"
“I accept your offer. When do I start?”
Nezu jumped out of his chair and onto his desk. “Next Monday!”
Aizawa groaned, but said nothing. ‘Yep...he definitely dislikes me as much as I remember.’
“Wonderful! Welcome to the team, L/N. Please stop by Sunday afternoon for our faculty meeting where you can introduce yourself to our other teachers and we can give you a grand tour. A few things have changed since you were last here. Infact, I am sure Aizawa and Yamada would love to show you the differences while you reminisce about your adolescence.”