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“Why didn’t I get into books earlier? It’s like TV in your head.” Mina says to herself when she gets to a good part in her new Stephen King novel. Her English is steadily improving and realizes that she actually understands written English better than Japanese. So, she’s getting through her book rather quickly. Ever since she moved to UA, Mina has grown to love the quiet and time to herself. She doesn’t have to worry about whether her mother has paid the bill or what she has to do to keep the man that is paying the bills happy. Mina’s life has been far from the fairy tale life that she paints for the public. Her mother, bless her heart, she tried her best to be a good parent. But they’re some people that should be parents and they’re some people that are meant to just bring forth life, not to nurture it.
Mina’s mother was the type of woman that would do good for a short time. But when she was bored or needed her fix of liquor, she would go running to whomever or whatever would supply it for her. Leaving her to pick up the pieces, whatever they may be. Most of the time it would be regular chores and household work. Then when the money ran low it would be up to her to make it happen. Waitressing, hairstyling and when she got the opportunity, backup dancing would be her means. It would never be enough with her mom and her man of the week dipping into it, but it got her by. She worked hard but no child should live the way that Mina has lived.
But when she got to UA, it was like in an instant the world around her changed. She was the protected and not the protector. Mina was the child and the adults in her life were actual adults that had everything under control. Of course, that part was a little harder for Mina to accept but throughout time; they have more than earned it. “Ashido” a faint voice barely louder than a whisper calls out to her. Mina is so engrossed with her book she doesn’t see her teacher standing in front of her. Aizawa can’t help but be pleased to see her in a library versus detention like she had been for almost a year now. “Ashido” he announces, scaring Mina that she dropped her rather heavy book on the floor. “Aww! I was just getting to the part when one of the kids escapes the institute. I mean he was ripping his ear off!” Quickly picking up her book and bookmark, she puts them on the mini table connected to the chair arm. Whenever her teacher goes to look for her, she either overslept or she was in trouble for something. “It’s time to go.” Tilting her head, she thinks of everything that she had to do this week. Her internships have given her the gift of organization and thinking back to her day planner, she had not earned detention all this week. In addition, her schoolwork is all and all caught up with and cram school is tomorrow evening. So, Mina really has no idea what Aizawa is talking about. “Go where?” “Home. Remember, due to ongoing cases of homesickness; we approved for students to be able to go and visit their families for a day. It’s your turn, so let’s get a move on.”
Right…it was all coming back for Mina. She was chosen to go third, but she kept letting others go ahead of her. With everyone jumping at the chance to go home, they happily obliged. But it sparked the interest of her teachers. When Mina was directly asked about it, she painted on her usual Pollyanna smile and brushed it off. “I know that everyone else hadn’t seen their families in forever and some of them are a long way away. My mom is a train ride away and besides, she works weird hours anyway.” Mina stares at her teacher for a second because she doesn’t quite know what her answer is going to be. She doesn’t know whether to lie or tell the truth because she knows that not much gets past her teacher. He was the only one to notice when her smiles were fake which only one other person in her life was able to do. Her own mother can’t even tell the difference. Mina wants to tell him the truth but at what cost? She would either end up in some group home or foster home because surly she can’t stay on campus during the summertime when her mother is still living. Hell, the peace had to end at some point, right?
“Is what I’m supposed to say to you. But with the recent changes in your conduct and overall performance, I believe that it would be best for you to stay here so you can keep your focus. Any disruption is detrimental for you and I don’t want to derail your progress here.” Mina can’t believe her ears because this is the type of teacher that is so logical, it’s almost methodical. “But I thought that the dorm had to be clear when the teachers went on their break.” Sighing, the teacher takes a seat next to her. “I’m going to be here to watch over the school, so I have no problem taking responsibility for you.” Jumping for joy, Mina wraps her arms around Aizawa, “thank you!!! Now I can enjoy my book in peace!” Pulling away, Mina speed walks to one the aisles to her secret stash. Because the Stephen King books are so popular, when they come back on the shelves; Mina is notified right away. Hoisting her collection of reading material, she walks to the check out station.
“Did you know that books are like TV in your head? I mean Stephen King writes in so much detail, it feels like you are actually standing there with the characters…. Spooky”. Hiding his smile behind his scarf he replies, “Yes Ashido, I have been reading for quite a while now.” Mina shrugs and turns towards the door, she figures now that she can stay here, she can catch up on some reading and grab a quick cheat day waffle. “Have you read It yet?” he asked, piquing her interest. “I’m almost halfway through the audiobook! The book looked too big for me to just check out, but the narrator sounded so scary and again with the detail, it was simply frighting.” “Simply? I see your grammar is improving as well.” Proud of herself, she flashes her signature smile. “Between studying with Yaomomo, cram school and all these books I feel like I know so much. And I found this website through the school where you can check out all the for dummies and eBooks that you want. It almost feels like Christmas!” He can’t help but feel warmth at the scene unfolding in front of him. This was a girl that before couldn’t have cared less about the academic side of school. But now, to see Mina so happy and excited about learning and reading and just education in general couldn’t have made him prouder in that moment.
“Well since you are not going, you need to go back to your dorm for the night. It’s getting late.” Mina smiles and grabs her bookbag, almost dropping her books again until her teacher takes them from her. “Thank you” she smiles at him. “Can we please stop by lunch rush so I can get some coffee and waffles? I really want to get through The Institute” “No, you don’t need any more caffeine or sugar whatsoever. As a matter of fact, it would be in your best interest if you started weening off of it. You are almost becoming more and more dependent on it since you first came here.” Shrugging her shoulders, she just says ok and follows her teacher. Before she would either argue or just do what she wanted to do anyway. But this is the first time in her life where she felt that she can completely trust the people around her. Mina knows that he wouldn’t say or do anything to hurt her on purpose, so she would give it a shot. “Just one waffle and then home.” Skipping with glee, Mina can already taste the chocolate chips and ice cream. Shaking his head, he just carries her books back to her dorms. If he happens to be out a few dollars for some waffles and an audiobook membership, then that’s what he is supposed to do as a hero.
“Let’s go home.”