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Shinsou sat in class. Aizawa said he needed to talk to him after classes. He was just let into the hero course. He even had a hero costume. Nothing in Shinsou’s mental checklist was missing, which just made his worry worse. What could Sensei want with me after classes? The day was passing slowly. Ectoplasm was at the front of the classroom explaining the quadratic equations. Shinsou had the stupid song stuck in his head. No need to worry, Ectoplasm Sensei, I won’t be able to forget that damn equation now. Finally, the bell rang signifying the end of class.
Shinsou jumped out of his seat, nearly running into Bakugo, but ignored his swearing to make it to the door. Kaminari grabbed Shinsou’s arm, “You good man?” Concern was in his voice matching the look he was giving Shinsou.
Shinsou looked into Kaminari’s eyes, nodding, “Yea, Aizawa sensei just said he needed to talk to me.”
Kaminari’s hand slid down to Shinsou’s and gave it a quick squeeze, “Ok I’ll see ya around.” Shinsou felt his face grow red as Kaminari let go.
Shinsou changed into his hero costume and ran to ground beta where he and Aizawa would normally meet up for training. His nerves were alight, and Kaminari squeezing his hand certainly wasn’t helping.
After what felt like an eternity, he saw a familiar mop of black hair. And to his surprise, the gravity-defying hair of his English teacher. He jogged up to the two teachers before bowing. “Mic Sensei, Aizawa Sensei, what did you need me for?”
The two shared a look, Present Mic grabbing Aizawa’s hand before Aizawa began to speak, “We need your Quirk Shinsou. It may help an old friend of ours.”
Shinsou nodded, “Of course Senseis! I’d love to help you two!” The two nodded before Present Mic finally spoke up.
“Thank you Shinsou, but it does involve you coming to Tartarus with us. Are you comfortable with that?” His voice was quiet and despite his strangely somber face, his tone was one of concern.
Shinsou nodded once more, “Yes sensei mic, I’ll do whatever I can to help you and your friend.”
***
Shinsou was in the back of Present Mic’s car. Aizawa was in the passenger seat with Mic driving. The city sped by as they drove down the road. The car itself was strangely quiet.
Shinsou saw CD cases all over the car. Some popular Japanese bands and a few American ones he’s never heard of before. Clearly, Present Mic doesn't normally drive in silence. Yet for some reason, the car was radio silent.
Shinsou studied the two teachers in front of him. His English teacher was gripping the steering wheel till his knuckles were white. A slight tremble in his arms that Shinsou didn’t notice until now. Aizawa stared straight ahead. For the most part, his face didn’t give anything away. Shinsou noticed Aizawa’s mouth in a slightly deeper frown than normal.
What could have the sensei’s reacting like this? They’ve been pro heroes since they graduated. Surely this shouldn’t shake them up this much . Shinsou kept his thoughts to himself. Traffic thinned out as the road narrowed to a two-way road with a cement prison looming before them.
Shinsou gazed up at the building. The second they drove into its shadow the tension in the car increased. He noticed his homeroom teacher resting his hand on the driver's knee in a comforting manner. Aizawa tapped Present Mic’s knee three times.
They pulled up to the gate and Present Mic rolled his window down, “It’s me pro hero Present Mic, Pro hero Eraserhead, and one of our students Shinsou Hitoshi. Tsukauchi said he informed you we would be coming in to see Kurogiri?” The name sent a chill up Shinsou’s spine. I thought we were going to see one of their friends!? Why are we seeing a member of the League of villains?
The guard nodded, “I just need to see your Pro Hero Licenses. Does Shinsou Hitoshi have his provisional?” Aizawa gave a nod and Present Mic spoke again, “Yes.” He turned back to Shinsou, “Just need your Provisional just to confirm.” Shinsou dug through his backpack pulling his License out and handing it to his teacher. Present Mic handed all three to the guard who examined them before returning them.
The gate raised and they drove into the institute's parking lot.
On their way in, they passed more guards that paid no attention to the two pro heroes and the high schooler following them.
Shinsou tried keeping track of where they were, but all the halls looked the same. Until they reached a big metal door with a detective standing outside of it. “Ah Eraserhead, Present Mic, I’m glad you could make it.” The detective bowed to the two adults before letting his gaze rest on Shinsou. He reached his hand out, “My name is detective Tsukauchi. Thank you Shinsou for agreeing to help.”
Shinsou took the man's hand and shook it. Tsukauchi turned to the two adults dropping his hand, “Have you told him anything?” Aizawa shook his head.
“Not specifics just that we needed help,” Aizawa responded glancing at Shinsou. Present Mic turned with Aizawa before crouching down to be closer to Shinsou’s level.
“Hey listener sorry about keeping you in the dark.” Present mic glanced up at Aizawa, “You ok with me telling him?” Aizawa gave a quick nod. Mic looked into Shinsou’s eyes, “Listener when me and Aizawa were attending UA, a hundred and ten years ago,” he weakly smiled, “, we had a friend die during their hero internship. Sho- er Aizawa couldn’t save them. I wasn’t interning at the same agency and couldn’t help either. Their name was Oboro Shirakumo.” Shinsou saw tears begin pooling in Present Mic’s eyes, “When Kurogiri was arrested we learned the league of villans had taken his body to use his quirk and created Kurogiri. A Nomu. Both me and Aizawa came here a few months earlier to try to get information from him. We almost got to our friend. But..” Present mic took in a shuddering breath, “...in the end failed.” Mic took a deep breath trying to continue.
Aizawa rested his hand on his shoulder, “It’s ok Hizashi. I can take it from here.” His voice was quiet and strained before he made eye contact with Shinsou, “Shinsou Hitoshi we want you to use your quirk on Kurogiri and try to get Oboro Shirakumo back.”
Shinsou felt the weight of the situation on his chest. He sat for a second before slowly nodding, “Yes. I can- Yea I can do that.” Present Mic stood bringing his eyes up facing Tsukauchi. Aizawa grabbed Present Mic’s hand before nodding at the detective.
“Same as last time I’ll use erasure on Kurogiri. This time Shinsou will ask his name and when he responds Shinsou will use his quirk and hopefully get Oboro to come back.” Tsukauchi’s face softened
“Look I know how much he means to you two. If this doesn’t work promise you won’t let that bring you two too far down? The world can’t lose heroes as great as you two.” The detective's tone was no longer professional and more like a concerned friend. Aizawa gave a stiff nod Present Mic was just starring at the door.
“It’ll work. Open the door, let us in.”
***
The room was just a metal square with an acrylic window into a cell where the gaseous villain was in a straight jacket tied to a dolly. Shinsou felt his anxiety rise as Tsukauchi’s voice crackled over the PA system, “Ok he should be waking up.”
Kurogiri’s eyes cracked open. Looking like yellow lightning in a purple storm. Aizawa immediately activated his quirk. His eyes stared unblinkingly, black hair floating around his head. “Ah, you two are back.” Kurogiri purred, “See you’ve brought someone new. Child tell me what’s your name?”
“Don’t answer him Shinsou just follow the plan,” Mic said his voice stern, his eyes never leaving the villain.
Shinsou nodded and cleared his throat, “What’s your name? Tell me and I’ll answer you.”
Kurogiri let out a small chuckle, “My name is Kurogiri I was made to serve and protect Tomura Shigaraki.”
Shinsou took a deep breath, “Oboro Shirakumo, wake up. Come back your friends need you.”
The silence seemed to never end. Kurogiri didn’t move, Aizawa didn’t blink, and both Present Mic and Shinsou didn’t breathe. Then all hell broke loose.
Kurogiri let out an inhuman yell as he looked like he was being torn apart. His gaseous form barely holding together. A spot of cotton candy blue seemed to be pushing itself to the surface. The villain’s yells were like static. It sounded like there was yelling in the observation room.
Present Mic bolted to his feet, “COME BACK OBORO OR I SWEAR I’LL KICK YOUR ASS! YOU CAN’T JUST FUCKING DIE ON US LIKE THAT!” his voice shook the walls and acrylic window in front of them.
A purple cloud exploded filling the entire cell obscuring anyone’s view. “ERASER HEAD DON’T LET HIS QUIRK GO!” A voice of the PA shouted.
Aizawa stood slamming his fist against the window, “I NEVER FUCKING DID!”
A crack started to form in the center of the window before everything stilled. The inhuman screaming stopped. The ringing in Shinsou’s ears from when Present Mic yelled faded and Aizawa’s face had tears streaming down it. Still, he didn’t blink.
The purple cloud faded leaving a form in a straight jacket tied to a dolly. They had floating cotton candy blue hair with tan skin. Aizawa’s hair fell to his shoulders as he sunk to the floor.
Present Mic let out a sob, “SHIRAKUMO!” Aizawa was taking deep breaths face hidden by his hair before he spoke.
“Let us in the cell.” His voice was quiet yet full of command.
“We can’t do that eraser head we don’t know what could happen.”
Aizawa’s head shot up. His eyes red tears pouring down his face, “LET ME IN THE DA-”
Shinsou tapped Aizawa’s shoulder, “Sensei…” Shinsou’s voice was quiet and hard to be heard over Mic’s sobs.
Aizawa looked up and Shinsou gestured to the window. Oboro had opened his eyes. He was staring at Shinsou, “Shouta?” His voice was quiet and unsure. Present Mic took several gasps of air before looking up at Oboro, “Sh-Shirakumo it’s really you?”
Oboro snapped his head to make eye contact with Present Mic, “Hizashi… But…” He looked back at Shinsou then looked at Aizawa, “Who- Shouta…” Oboro took a deep breath before exhaling and making eye contact, “Aizawa Shouta you have a son!?” Shinsou felt his face flush. Present Mic barked a tear-filled laugh. Aizawa did not look impressed. Oboro let out a light laugh, “Hizashi I think your man is the baby daddy of some poor girl.”
Shinsou hid his face into his capture weapon hiding his flush. Present Mic was howling with laughter on the floor. Aizawa spoke up, “Shinsou Hitoshi is my student, not my son Shirakumo.” His tone was flat and exasperated. But Shinsou noticed a fond look in his eyes.
Oboro looked around, “This is a bit uncomfortable you think I can get let out?”
***
Oboro was sitting in the back of Present Mic’s car. Aizawa and Present mic were upfront like before. Present Mic was gripping Aizawa’s hand on his knee while Oboro clearly not one for personal space was leaning between the two looking through Present Mic’s music.
“Glad one of you finally got the balls to confess. How long did that take?” Oboro asked examining a case before putting it to the side.
Aizawa let out a huff, “How do you manage to be worse to Nemuri?”
Present Mic laughed, “Not gonna answer that because then it’ll make Sho feel dumb again.”
“Right would make me feel dumb. Mister didn’t think we were really dating til I proposed. Right.” Aizawa mumbled under his breath. This earned him a slug in the arm from Mic.
Oboro laughed examining another cast, “So I know I may be 16 years late but,” He took the disc out and put it into the player before sitting back down, “You guys still want to start that agency?”
Shinsou sat up straighter, “YOU MEAN TO TELL ME TODOROKI WAS RIGHT?! YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY I JUST LOST!?”