Chapter 12: Guess Who's Back?
Shouta didn't see hide or tail of Midoriya in the past month, during which he managed his annoying emotions properly, shutting them within a box where he didn't have to constantly think about the Villain throughout the day.
He'd been cleared by Recovery Girl to go back to his main profession, which was teaching at UA.
Luckily, he made it back in time for the batch of new students that were incoming. His little stint as a cat had been over the holidays and the cooling down period where the students waited for their results, so he hadn't missed anything.
His time with Mido- no. Shouta immediately halted his train of thought, annoyed at himself for still thinking about the Villain even when he'd already decided not to.
Since he'd already decided to stop, then why did his brain still continue to send him thoughts about the Villain?
That was a Villain for goodness' sake. His nemesis. The Hero's nemesis.
Not to mention, no matter how loose-tongued Midoriya had been around him, he'd never let anything significant slip, so Shouta was quite convinced that the other was a Villain because he enjoyed being one.
He should not be thinking of him.
At all.
There was nothing good that came out from their acquaintance, and the other had even stolen a – no, Shouta the Hero scolded himself again.
Since he couldn't stop his feelings, fine. But the other had already clearly given him up, with the way that he disappeared without a trace for the month.
Shouta was over him.
Mostly.
Clearly, whatever feelings he had for the Villain, he was the one who had the deeper feelings, which was why he was still hung up on him.
Shouta had confided in Hizashi, who for once, just listened to him without shouting and using his Quirk.
The man's advice had been sound. There was no point in pining over someone who had already thrown you away, so the only thing he could do at this point was to move on with his life.
It was at this moment of time when Hizashi came in, strangely unreadable and quiet. So quiet that Shouta didn't notice he was even there until he spoke.
"Shouta."
Shouta flinched slightly. Yet another thing to berate himself about.
Hizashi continued on, graciously not mentioning his lack of awareness. "Nezu's calling for you."
Shouta frowned but got up anyway. He supposed it was about time for him to report about his teaching plans for the year.
Shouta gathered the materials that he'd produced in the last few days, taking it with him.
He reported to the principal's office, knocking on it twice.
"Come in."
The heavy wooden door opened without a sound, admitting Shouta into the room.
Shouta first saw Nezu's familiar face, sipping on some tea. He entered, shutting the door behind him.
For some reason, it seemed to shut particularly loudly today, as if a sound of his fate being sealed.
It wasn't until he looked properly that he saw a sight that caused him to freeze.
Midoriya's face that had been haunting his sleeping moments was standing in front of him, behind Nezu.
Sheets of paper fluttered to the ground, but no one in the room cared about it at the moment.
Shouta was silent in his shock, where Midoriya's intense emerald eyes bore into his skull, a dark, glittering promise hidden within them.
The smile that spread on his face from Shouta's reaction was what snapped him out of his stupor, regaining his normal indifferent look.
"Nezu. What is the meaning of this?" Suddenly, Hizashi's uncharacteristic quietness made more sense in the wake of this revelation.
Nezu threaded his fingers together, leaning back in his chair. "It is as it appears, Eraserhead. Our friend here, Midoriya, has decided to turn over a new leaf. But we are unable to trust that he will do so, so we've decided to give him a bit of a probation."
Shouta steadily ignored the Villain's presence, focusing on the words that he was hearing. He suppressed the sudden surge of emotions that rushed through him all at once, not wanting to deal with it now.
Not when the principal could potentially use it against him in the future.
"We've decided to put you in charge of him," Nezu continued as if he hadn't noticed anything out of place.
"This is a school," Shouta said slowly. Unspoken were the words that they were putting all the students in danger at the end of the day, if they wanted to keep around a Villain.
A Villain that was so notorious, too.
Nezu's black eyes bore into his. "I am well aware. Which is why you are in charge of him. Midoriya here has made a little… admission about his feelings."
What?!
Shouta's eyes met green ones which were practically sparkling. Just what was going on here?
"Besides, Midoriya has confessed to all of his crimes, but he refuses to admit that he is behind any of the murders or more serious crimes. Since we are unable to tell whether or not he is telling the truth, that is your job."
Shouta valiantly tried to school his face back into its usual emotionless state, but it was failing miserably.
All the revelations and things today were hitting him all at once, and so abruptly.
"What do you say?" Nezu asked.
Shouta was silent. "Do I even have a choice?"
Nezu raised an eyebrow. "You always have a choice. If you don't want to, then we'll just have to place Midoriya here in the maximum security for the rest of his days since we are unable to ascertain whether or not he is telling the truth."
Shouta once again met Midoriya's eyes, but the Villain looked completely unconcerned, just running his eyes up and over the expanse of Shouta's body.
The teacher felt a series of goosebumps form on his flesh from the Villain's – ex-Villain's? – gaze.
… he just needed a bit of time for him to solve his emotions, rather than have it shoved in his face like this right now.
Yet, he couldn't bring himself to decline this proposal. He wanted Midoriya, even when he had been a Villain.
Shouta was conflicted, but he really couldn't bring himself to send the ex-Villain into the maximum-security prison. The other was practically placing his life in his hands, which gave him mixed feelings.
"I accept," he said in the end, because when it was all said and done, he still wasn't over the man with the beautiful green eyes, who laughed so happily when teasing a little cat.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone