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It was storming.
There was no surprise in that. The springtime blues had fallen upon UA just in time, ushering the lollygaggers into their living quarters with it's dark and gloomy clouds. The unsteady thunders frightening the light hearted into their rooms, as if the world was in no mood to meet the faces which shone like a million suns. The harsh pitter patter of raindrops corroding the pavement under their feet as they called off their practise to hurry inside.
It was ironic. Seeing the children who’d taken down mighty villains with the flick of their fingers, being warded off with the slightest bit of rain.
Mezou Shouji didn’t mind. However. Tilting his head to stare at the clouds which had formed above him. The specs of rain missing his eyes as he stared into the dark abyss, the culprit behind the sour weather he’d learn to endure. A deep sigh escaping in a hot, visible breath from his mask.
The rain felt nice.
It wasn’t everyday he got to watch nature at it's finest. It made him wonder if there really was a deity beyond what was fathomable, that could change it at will.. Or, if All Might was somehow back in action, changing the weather with a single punch- just like how a few of his classmates were learning to do so.
Be as it may, he wasn’t having the best of times. Although to anyone passing by, it would seem like he enjoyed the rain's presence. But turmoil remained imminent within his mind.
The rain also reminded him of the day he almost died.
Of course, his training was dedicated to being a hero. And more times just like before were to come. But the thought of being so close to the death itself shook him to his core. As his breathing began to pick up, he remembered being held by the face from a monster that surely would have killed him if it wasn’t for his classmate.
He recalled the exact words he muttered to him..
“Don’t you resent your parents for having you?”
The thought made him angry.
He was too weak.
He found out afterwards that his classmates were the ones to finally take Chimera down. His joyous relief and gratefulness overshadowed the pain he’d felt in his chest. Which only grew as he saw their condition.
If only he were stronger.
Just then, a booming bolt of thunder sounded in the distance. Waking him up from his stagnant absence. Looking around to see that the lights to the dorms, which he sat across from, were lively. He could barely hear the music which was playing from within. For some reason, it felt unbearable.
If he were to be expelled from the class. Would they care?
He knew it was foul to think of his friends that way. But the moments of insecurities had piled on to one another. And it’d lead to his brain making dishonourable assumptions.
Shouji was always one to keep to himself. But with how he could feel the weight of his head upon his shoulders, he knew his breaking point was undoubtedly approaching. His vision blurring once more, causing him to shut his eyes to escape into the dreamscape yet again. Whether it was for the best or not.
Another crack of thunder.
He remembered the fire. The explosions. The man dressed in white. Walking towards them. Walking towards him. The children they were fighting to protect frozen in fear as he was shot down by Nine.
He remembered his classmates. Midoriya. Bakugou. Elapsed in a blinding light, the arms of the children cradling his limp body. The struggle. The victory. Their pain.
Maybe if he were replaced with the student with the Brainwashing power. It would’ve been different. Maybe if he was given holy powers to summon tornadoes. It would’ve been fine. He knew it was selfish. For him to disregard his classmates efforts. His clashing ideals only worsened his state. All he wanted was to be a better hero .
Despite how much of a side character he was.
He didn’t plan on crying today. But he was glad that it was raining.
“Shouji-shounen?”
The rain had stopped. As Shouji opened his strained eyes only to be met with the bright yellow of the sun. The sun which was plastered onto the plastic sheet of an umbrella. His weakened mind held nothing but confusion for a while, as he followed the pattern of suns towards the umbrellas holder. The face of his inspiration coming into view, the one and only All Might stood before him.
“Ah. Sensei.. Hello.”
All Might’s kind smile brought comfort to him. He made sure not to breathe in too hard. As the wet sniff would give away his less than ideal state.
The two remained unwavering for a moment, as Toshinori continued to hold his umbrella above his student. Drenching himself in the process. Despite it all, he remained smiling.
“Ah- I’m sorry. I should be heading ins-”
His excuse being interrupted by the man, who moved to sit down beside the dupli-armed teen. Moving to hold the umbrella above both of them, as they sat. Watching the rain pound itself against the pavement beneath them.
After a moment of silence, one finally spoke.
“I hope you understand that you can talk to me.. You’re my student after all. And with classes as careful sewn together as this one, it's almost as if we were family.”
His voice was low and comforting. Like a lullaby. If it weren’t for his current state of mind, Shouji would’ve fallen asleep to his voice just there.
But instead, he coughed out a shallow reply;
“Of course.”
He failed to notice Toshinori’s raised brow. But he did pick up on the faintest hums from his mouth, before he finally spoke again.
“I don’t know what you’re dealing with, at least not at the moment,” His crystalline eyes turned to look at him, despite his skeletal stature, he looked the fullest of pride, as if he already knew of his discomfort, as if he was already telling him that ‘It would all be okay.’
“But I think having a friend to lean on is what you could use.”
So the two sat.
Listening to the pitter patter of the rain, bouncing itself off of the sunny umbrella above them. Watching the class have fun from beyond the windows of their home.
It was Shouji’s home as well.
He wouldn’t have it any other way.