Chapter 34: Last Day of Internships

------Author's Note------

Hey guys! Figured I should actually include a picture of Nyikang since I feel like I didn't describe him too in depth. Oh well. Anyways, he's pictured above, it's a screenshot from the first MHA movie.

Onto the story...

•°•°•°•

Step back. Parry. Strike. Twist. Pin.

With that, Shinso has disarmed me and put his sword to my throat. I sigh, this being the fifth time in a row he has beaten me. After coming back from the hospital, he has been more determined than ever in his training. It has definitely paid off if my defeat is any indication. 

"Reset," Nyikang calls out from the wall. He wanted to get a bit of last minute training in before we leave this afternoon. 

I pick up the sword and stand at the ready, facing Shinso. I will beat him this time. After a moment, I dive forward, feigning an attack to his right shoulder, only to swipe down to his side. I hit his ribs with the flat edge of the sword. As he locks his sword with mine, I finally get him to let go, pulling his sword in my direction. I grab its hilt in my off hand and hold it behind his neck as I place the tip of my own sword an inch away from his throat. 

"That's it for today," Nyikang says, walking forward. I lower both swords, returning Shinso's to him. "Put your weapons away and clean up for lunch."

The purple boy and I sigh, returning the swords to their scabbards and walking back to our rooms. 

"You can have the bathroom first," he says, entering his room. 

"Thank you!" I illuse back cheerily. The whole rest of this week, he has been nothing but determined and focused. I've been trying to get him to lighten up, but he's refused. I guess it paid off with how much progress he made, though. I take a fast shower and knock on his door on the way back. "The bathroom's free," I illuse. 

"Okay," his real voice says from the other side. Ah, I missed our little routine when he was gone. 

I tie my hair in tight braids, then head out back into the garden, taking my last walk around. The little dirt paths are dry today and the sun beats down on me. Little bugs fly around the plants, taking advantage of the lack of wind. I take a moment to walk over to the small pond, watching the light reflect in the water. I stand below a weeping cherry tree, taking in the peaceful compound one last time. 

"You ready?" Shinso calls out from the door after a while. I nod and jog back to him. Together, we walk over to the greenhouse and start harvesting vegetables for our lunch. 

We work in relative silence as we prepare the meal. Nyikang leaves us as usual when it is completed, saying he'll be back in 30 minutes. I sit at the table with Shinso, listening silently as he discusses potentially taking more sword fighting classes when he gets back. I find my eyes drifting up to his right eyebrow. A thin white scar cuts across it, left from the nomu attack. 

"You're looking at it again," he says, exasperated.

I snap my eyes back to his. "Only cause I think it looks cool!"

He scoffs, placing his cheek in his hand. "Yeah, right. It's just a reminder that I'm weak."

I reign in my desire to smack him, illusing firmly, "you're not weak! It's just a battle scar that happens to look really badass, so stop complaining!"

He sighs and we fall into silence, eating our fried veggies. When we're done, we both stand to wash our plates. 

"I'm not sure if I want to go back," he says absentmindedly, handing me a plate to dry. "It's been so eventful here and I've learned a lot."

"I know, but you'll never know if you get into the hero course or not if you just stay here," I justify. 

"I guess, but I'm still worried about my non-existent qualifications."

"Hey now, you ran into a burning building to save a mother and child, took on a nomu, and have been beating me in our fights all day. I think you're qualified."

"If you say so," he drawls, but there is a bit of hope in his usually bored tone. "Let's go get our stuff."

I nod, putting away the plates as we head back to our rooms. I fold up my hero costume, placing it back in its case. I grab my other personal items and return them to my duffle, going through a mental checklist to make sure I've got everything. 

I exit my room to see Shinso already there, leaning against the wall. "Let's go," he says once he sees me. I nod and walk to the dojo by his side. 

Nyikang walks in a moment later, two sheaths looped over his shoulder in addition to the two swords he usually wears on his back. "I'm not one for sappy goodbyes," he says, taking off the additional swords. He unceremoniously hands one to each of us. 

I carefully examine the sword he gave me. New leather has been wrapped around the grip. The silver metal of the hand guard has been carved to look like scales and in the similarly styled pommel, there is a single aquamarine gemstone. It glitters in the light as I shift the sword back and forth. I unsheath the blade, watching in awe as the smooth metal glides against its holder. I take a step back and twirl it in my hand, observing how cleanly it slices through the air, feeling perfectly balanced in my hand. I return the weapon to its sheath and bow to my mentor. "Thank you," I illuse. 

"Yes, thank you sir," Shinso follows my lead. 

"You're welcome, now go on and catch your train. Don't forget what I've taught you. Put those to good use." He ushers us out of the compound and waves us off. 

He really isn't one for goodbyes, huh?

"I'm gonna miss the place," I illuse, slinging my new katana over my shoulder with my duffle bag. 

"I hope he invites us back next year," Shinso says, still examining his sword. I notice that there is a pale amethyst in the pommel of his. I look up at his eyes and smile. That man matched the color exactly.

"What?" He asks, looking down at me with a glare. 

I hold my hands up in surrender. "Nothing! I swear!"

"Yeah right," he slings his own sword over his shoulder, placing his hands in the pockets of his UA uniform. "What're you thinking?"

With a soft smile, I grab the hilt of my sword, tilting it so he can see the pommel. "That crazy dude put a gem in the bottom that matches our eyes."

"What?" He looks back and forth between the stone and my eyes, then unsheathes his own sword, looking at his reflection in the gleaming metal. 

"Hey, put that away, dude! We're just civilians right now. Ya know, not authorized to be carrying weapons." His eyes widen and he immediately sheaths the sword, looking around to see if anybody noticed. 

When we get to the station, I drag Shinso into the boba shop to get something sugary after our week as herbivores (of course with the exception of our hospital stay).

I get kiwi boba and a cheese pastry. Shinso gets the house milk tea and a package of beef jerky. We walk together to our platform while eating our snacks. I know I probably should've gotten something salty so I won't have a sugar crash later, but it's a Saturday. I'm allowed to sleep a little. 

We ride the train back together, arriving at the Musutafu station around 6 pm. I wave goodbye to the boy as I step off the train and make my way back home. 

"KOTO!!!" Mic screeches as I walk through the door. He jumps off the back of the couch and crushes me in a hug, picking me up. 

"Okay, alright," I illuse. "Calm down!"

He puts me down and looks back at me with a gleam in his eyes. "So you're illusing more, huh?"

"Yeah, Nyikang told me to use it to communicate for the whole week to improve my endurance. I guess I just fell into the habit of using it," I scratch the back of my neck sheepishly. 

His smile softens. "You're using your mother's voice," he observes quietly. I nod, looking away. "That's a very nice way to honor her."

Why do I feel like he's gotten quieter the longer I've stayed here? At least with me he has. 

"I got pizza!" He returns to his normal volume, as if he can read my mind, hopping over to the living room where a couple large pizzas are sitting on the coffee table. 

We plop down onto the couch. I eat a few slices before passing out to the sound of trashy reality TV. 

•°•°•°•

My dreams are plagued with the faces of the people I couldn't save. This time, I see Kati trapped under the monkey bars, but my quirk isn't working, so I can't pull them off of her. Her large chocolate brown eyes glisten with tears as she looks up at me. 

"Why do you hate me?" She cries. "Why did you do this?"

I shake awake in my own bed. I find my phone plugged in on my nightstand. Checking the time, I find I've slept in until 10:30. I stretch across my bed, cracking my back. When was the last time I've slept in this late?

I get up and take a nice long shower to clear my head, then put on some skinny jeans with rolled cuffs and a grey floral shirt. I clasp my choker around my neck and walk back into my room. I pick up my mother's ring and slip it on, letting it hang over my shirt. I breathe a sigh of relief at its comfortable weight, having missed it during my internship. I left it here just because I knew it would be safe. 

I put the ring on my finger, spinning it absentmindedly. "Hi mom," I illuse in my old voice. My own voice from fourth grade, back before I went mute. I haven't used it in so long, and yet, I instinctively remember how to make the sound. "I miss you."

My phone buzzes, breaking me out of my quiet reverie. I pick it up to see a text from Todoroki. My heart begins fluttering at the sight of his name. We have chatted a bit since that day, but I get anxious every time. 

❄️🔥Todoroki🔥❄️: The internships officially ended last night, but my father insists I continue our training today. Care to take a walk?

I don't even bother biting my tongue. I let out a squeal, knowing the soundproofing foam on my walls will absorb most if not all of it. 

Me: Yeah I'm down for that! Where do you wanna meet?

❄️🔥Todoroki🔥❄️: I can be outside my house in 15 minutes

I have never put my shoes on so fast.

------Author's Note------

Hey guys!

I tried my hand at making an aesthetic board. I included it at the beginning of the first chapter of you wanna check it out!

Hope you're enjoying the story! Be sure to vote and comment! I love to see it :)