Chapter Text
Aizawa had been a teacher for a while now. He knew how kids were. Always stubborn, emotional, and generally irrational. Its not like he hated kids, he wouldn't be a teacher otherwise. Of course they get on his nerves sometimes, but they're still his students and its his job to make sure they're not running into fires or whatever the hell Bakugou and Midoriya do in their spare time. The bottom line is that kids are dumb. They're still kids so they are allowed to be dumb, but again, its his job to make them less stupid. And for Aizawa there's nothing stupider than being irrational. Which is why one of his students in particular had been getting on his nerves all day.
Todoroki.
He didn't know much about the kid, other than his double quirks and generally calm demeanor. He was certainly one of the quietest in the class, usually giving a stoic expression on his face. As for his quirk, well, lets just say that the kid could pack a lot of punch. Todoroki struck him as a rational individual, but I guess it was too quick to judge.
The kid has been limping all day. He has what is presumably a twisted ankle at best. He obviously can't train with a bad foot, he would become a liability. This is so obvious to him, but he wonders whether or not it is to Todoroki. Doesn't he know it would be less inconvenient to ask for help than go about your day with an injury that can only get worse without treatment? Its inconvenient for both him, and everyone, yet there he shifts uncomfortable at his desk trying to find a comfortable position as to not irritate what seems to be yet another injury. Which brings Aizawa to his next quandary.
Where did Todoroki get these injuries from? Well, he had a pretty good idea how, though he wasn't quite sure whether it is the case. He assumes he got them while doing extra training with Midoriya, because of course Midoriya had to be involved some how as the honorary problem child of class 1-A. Why don't his students listen to him? He's tried explaining that UA's combat training is the safest and most efficient way to go about training as there is a teacher on stand by not only pointing out what you need to improve on, but also making sure both participants will be safe. Training outside of classes are dangerous. Not only that, but if you end up getting injured you perform worse in your actual classes, leading you to fall behind. So in the end extra training is in no way beneficial, but in fact the opposite.
Aizawa is suddenly pulled out of his train of thought once the bell rings. He gets up to address the class.
"Alright everyone, that's a wrap. Head to your next classes."
he spots Todoroki who doesn't seem to be getting up yet.
"oh and Todoroki."
He flinches upon hearing his name called.
"I'd like to speak to you for a minute"
Todoroki uncomfortably nods, and stiffs a bit. Midoriya passes by Todoroki and gives him a worried smile. So Midoriya is definitely in on whatever this is.
Aizawa sighs and sits back down on his chair awaiting the arrival of his two-toned student.
"You wanted to see me."
This felt like more of a statement and less of a question to Aizawa. Almost as if he had been anticipating this. He seemed calm, but had a twinge of nervousness to him. Aw, Aizawa thought, he doesn't want to get his friend in trouble.
Aizawa breathed, "How'd you hurt your leg kid?"
Without missing a beat Todoroki shoots back an answer.
"My leg isn't injured"
"Don't lie, I know you're lying"
Todoroki doesn't say anything, instead he looks anywhere but Aizawa's gaze.
Aizawa signs, "grab a seat and sit down, you'll exacerbate your injury."
Todoroki finally meets his eyes, nods, and goes to find a chair. Aizawa watches as Todoroki carefully gets a chair, trying his best not to show signs of injury. Then the thought struck Aizawa. Could Midoriya really inflict that much damage on Todoroki? Midoriya had an incredibly strong quirk, so he doesn't doubt he could inflict serious damage on someone but... It doesn't seem like Midoriya to batter his opponent. Perhaps it was an accident? This is why UA asks their students not to engage in combat training outside of school. To prevent these accidents from happening.
Todoroki shuffles back with a chair and finally sits down facing Aizawa.
"I have a vague idea of what might have caused your injuries so I just need you to fill in the blanks for me, okay?"
Todoroki seems disturbed by this, but he still has composure.
"It seems that you and Midoriya engaged in extra training outside of classes, i'm right, yes?"
Todoroki stares at him with slightly wide eyes, as well as slightly parted lips, almost as if he hadn't expected Aizawa's question.
"So i'm right?"
Todoroki snaps out of it for a second, and his previously calm demeanor slightly cracks a little.
"No! that isn't it... well, I mean.. um.. uh"
His voice starts to fade out near the end. This is weird, Aizawa thought. Why is he acting so nervous? He wasn't going to expel Todoroki or Midoriya over some extra training. Maybe give them a stern talking to at worst, but that wasn't something he thought the two couldn't handle... so why was Todoroki being so cautious?
Aizawa pried a little more.
"Well what is it then Todoroki?"
Todoroki once again doesn't say anything,
"Todoroki." Aizawa said sternly, "Where did you get those injuries from?"
"I didn't get them from anyone, i'm fine."
Irrational. so incredibly irrational. Anyone with 2 eyes could see that Todoroki was injured. Why is he dragging this out longer than it needs to be? All he needs to say is that he won't train outside of school again with Midoriya, and boom, this conversation can be over, and they both can go about their days.
"Look." Aizawa starts, "I get that you don't want to get Midoriya in trouble bu-"
"Midoriya didn't do anything!" Todoroki raises his voice a little, but he doesn't yell. He doesn't make eye contact either, he has his eyes fixed on his lap where his hands are held stiffly.
Aizawa watches as Todoroki struggles with what he's about to say.
"I'm sorry Aizawa-sensei, Its.. just that... I.. uh have to go now so I would appreciate it if you let me leave." With that Todoroki stood up off his chair to face Aizawa.
Is it possible that Aizawa had read the situation entirely wrong? When he called Todoroki over to his desk 10 minutes ago he hadn't been expecting Todoroki to react this way at all.
It made Aizawa uneasy.
Where did Todoroki get these injuries from? If not Midoriya... then who? Aizawa didn't even know the extent of his injuries, or why he can't and won't explain them. Everything about the situation screamed fishy.
But for now Aizawa could tell that Todoroki was seconds away from bolting, so all he could say was "fine, you may leave. But I haven't forgotten about this."
Todoroki gives a look that feels all too familiar to Aizawa, but for some reason he feels as though he had been interpreting this look wrong this whole time. Its the same stoic expression Todoroki always has on his face, a look that never really looks at you, but passed you instead. This time however, Aizawa could sense the sadness in his usual expression somehow. It was a lonely gaze, one that Aizawa had over looked in the past.
Todoroki nods, gives a meek sounding "Thank you", but before Todoroki fully makes his way out the door, he is stopped by Aizawa's words.
"Please make sure to follow up with Recovery Girl. I won't ask any questions for now, but your injuries look painful, its not healthy to let them linger."
Todoroki bows and carefully makes his way out of the classroom, and off Todoroki went to God knows where.
Kids are dumb. Aizawa knows this. They're stubborn, and don't know when to ask for help. Thats why its his job to teach them that it's okay to ask for help, no matter the situation. So whatever it is that Todoroki is hiding, Aizawa will get to the bottom of it. Though, he hopes one day these kids will feel comfortable enough to come to him, instead of waiting until things got bad.