Chapter 35 – Sprained and Heartthrob
Recovery Girl, aka Chiyo Shuzenji, sat in the infirmary, sipping tea after lunch. She was pleased by the few injuries during the games this year. A sign that students are growing and acting cautiously, despite Nezu still introducing his "fun" obstacles.
*Knock knock!*
«Hm? Come in.» She watched the door open and saw something really unexpected «Ara! What happened?»
Though struggling, Izuku walked past the door holding Midnight. The latter had her head resting on Izuku's chest. She was red as a pepper, holding one of her boots, with a smile that was a mix of happiness and embarrassment. It was then that Chiyo noticed a bruise on the woman's left ankle.
«Forgive me, Recovery Girl-sensei. Midnight-sensei sprained her ankle.» Izuku said. «I brought her here for the proper treatment.»
«Sprained?» Chiyo smiled amusedly at Midnight. «What happened, Midnight-san?»
«It's my fault, Recovery Girl-sensei.» Izuku interjected «It seems something I said or did distracted her as we walked down the stairs to the audience.»
«I see.» Chiyo nodded understandingly «Place her on the cot. In the meantime, go and take her place. She'll probably be able to reach you in an hour.»
With a nod, Izuku carefully approached the cot indicated by Chiyo and, with gentle caution, placed the still-blushing, anxious Midnight on it, her eyes avoiding everyone in the room.
«Then I'll head to the audience. And Midnight-sensei...» Izuku attracted the gaze of the still slightly flushed woman «rest for as long as it takes. Okay?»
«Y-yes. Now it's better if you go.» Midnight tried to maintain some composure, despite her trembling voice.
Izuku didn't have it repeated twice and left the infirmary after saying goodbye to Chiyo.
As the door closed and Izuku left, a new energy settled in the room. Now, alone with a red-faced Midnight, Chiyo’s sly glance and smirk revealed she had just witnessed something very, veeery interesting. The shift in atmosphere was almost tangible as the room quieted.
Sensing it and despite the pain, Midnight sat down to hide her face from Chiyo's eyes, who approached to apply the necessary treatments.
«How about you tell me from the beginning?» The elderly nurse gave her a strangely gloomy smile.
«N-Nothing happened! Really!!!»
«Your body is no good at lying.» Chiyo laughed in amusement. «Come on, it's not coming out of this room.»
Midnight squeezed her knees even tighter, desperately trying to hide her burning cheeks, but her face betrayed her turmoil. Despite her efforts, nervous jitters shook her composure until, with a defeated sigh, she began to speak.
*****
«Maybe~ with a romantic date for a whole day?» Midnight licked her lips lasciviously.
«If you’re okay with someone like me, sensei, then I'll do my best.»
«…...Huh?»
Earlier, as they descended the stairs, Izuku had made that statement, steering the conversation that began after Midnight's flirtatious behaviour emerged. Midnight nearly told him it was a joke just to see his reaction, but his unexpected answer froze her in place.
«Hm? Is something wrong, Midnight-sensei?»
«No. I mean, are you serious?»
«Serious, about what exactly?»
«About what you just said! That you would really take me on a romantic date.»
«I noticed your playful note, sensei.» Izuku chuckled. «If that's what you want, I won't hesitate to please you.»
Izuku's green eyes were fixed on hers, motionless. Those deep emeralds, which express how that person endured and overcame experiences filled with violence and madness, were incredibly serious. Midnight noticed no trace of falsehood or ridicule.
Even though it was a joke and Izuku had noticed, he was ready to walk her on a date if she asked. Usually, when she behaves like this, Midnight sees the others embarrassed or agitated, convinced that it has gained an advantage over other aspirants. But Izuku's answer, without ulterior motives and incredibly sincere… was the first time it had happened to her.
Midnight felt a flush rise to her cheeks, and her heart thundered in her chest. Locking eyes with Izuku sent a jolt of embarrassment through her, yet happiness fluttered within. The urge to change the subject gripped her instantly.
«Ahem!» she cleared her throat «B-better if we move-aaah!!»
Because of that haste, she placed her left foot poorly, which caused an abnormal movement, caused her sudden and immediate pain, and caused her to lose her balance. Gravity was doing its job, dropping her towards the end of the stairs. At that precise moment, Midnight closed her eyes and prepared to absorb the shock she would suffer from hitting the stairs and the floor.
Midnight hit something… hard, but it had been a strange and momentary sensation, as she felt like she was experiencing a "repulsion", and immediately after, to feel under her skin a fresh sensation full of level planes.
«You had a nice flight. Midnight-sensei, are you okay?»
Izuku's voice was so close. When Midnight opened her eyes again, the ancient boy's face hovered just a hand's breadth away, etched with. On her back, she felt Izuku's firm but gentle grip. His deep green eyes shone as they searched hers, worried and relieved. Midnight could feel the warmth of his breath, a steady calm that wrapped around her like safety.
«Y-yes. I’m fine.» She looked down to hide her face, which felt hot again. Aaaaah! Too close! Too close! Too close!!! «C-could you please lay me on the floor?»
«Certainly. Just a moment.»
After that statement, Izuku made a small leap down the stairs, reaching the floor without, strangely, making too much noise, despite the clear heaviness of the armour.
When Izuku put her down, Midnight suddenly felt pain in her left foot, faltered, and lost her balance again. Izuku promptly intervened, grabbing her and allowing her to lean on him.
«Let me check your ankle, sensei.»
«I-it's nothing, really.»
«I beg to reject your statement, sensei.» Izuku said firmly but worriedly «Sit down and let me check your ankle to make sure it's okay.»
That tone prevented Midnight from countering and, as requested, she sat down on the ground, allowing Izuku to untie the laces of her left boot. His touch was delicate and very fluid, despite his armoured hands, large and certainly calloused from the centuries Izuku spent training. Izuku's gaze was fixed on her physical state with such intensity that Midnight turned her head, clasped her arms, and began caressing them to ease her embarrassment and calm her heart. Let's stay calm. Calm down, Nemuri Kayama. Your student is just checking that your foot is okay. This is simple first aid.
When he took off her boot, Izuku lifted Midnight's foot slightly and examined it.
«A bruise is starting to form on your ankle.» Izuku noted «It looks like you sprained your ankle.»
«Of all moments that could happen...» Midnight began to curse
«It's better if I take you to the infirmary. I'm sure Recovery Girl-sensei can get you back on track in no time.» Izuku offered.
"There’s no time," she said. "The festival restarts soon. If the referee doesn’t show—"
«I’m enough, sensei.» Izuku interrupted her «After all, I'm the support referee. Besides, I already know what needs to be done. I read the program.»
«But...»
«Do you prefer me to carry you inside the audience?»
«…...Please, let's go to the infirmary.» Midnight chased that image out of her head.
Chuckling, Izuku handed her the boot he had taken from her and lifted Midnight with his left arm, then walked to the infirmary.
Though embarrassed, Midnight rested her head on Izuku's armoured chest, her cheeks warm and her heart fluttering as she felt a strange, deep sense of safety in his arms.
«I-I'm not heavy, am I?»
«Of course not, sensei.» Izuku chuckled «Compared to you, a feather is heavier.»
«Oh my. This pick-up line is outdated.» she said with a laugh.
«If you say so, sensei.»
As they continued toward the infirmary, Midnight’s embarrassment eased as she recalled Mt. Lady clinging to Izuku. It wasn’t envy. She knew Mt. Lady was an excellent seductress—young, attractive, and bold—and in this, they were a little alike. But the fact that Mt. Lady’s sex appeal didn’t move Izuku at all, instead provoking clear annoyance and even murderous intent, gave Midnight pause.
«Midoriya-san.» Midnight called him «I'm curious: how did you resist Mt. Lady 's advances?»
«Her eyes were clearly wrong.» Izuku answered, annoyed «There was only vanity and greed. Even though Mt. Lady is a beautiful woman, those eyes of hers remind me of disgusting and perverse adversaries whom I hate deep down in my soul.»
Midnight could not have known that Izuku was referring to the demons of the Dark Prince, Slaanesh. Izuku faced them many times, as did its followers, and they all had in their eyes feelings of greed, vanity, desire, and an increasingly desperate search for new sources of sick pleasure, violence, and blood.
«You're pretty harsh.» Midnight said unsuspectingly «Sometimes, compromises are necessary if you want to start a romantic relationship one day. Anyway, what kind of eyes would you prefer?»
«Honestly, yours sensei.»
«Huh? Mine?» she asked in surprise.
«True, sometimes they show your sadistic side, but they also show your kindness, compassion and, under that perverse mask of yours, there is a deep maternal and caring feeling towards your students and-.»
«Okay! Okay! I get it! That's enough!» Midnight claimed, covering his mouth with her hand as her face blushed again.
«Okay. I'll stop, sensei.» Izuku said, laughing amusedly.
Good heavens. This guy is too sincere and observant. She thought, not realising that a loving, kind smile had appeared on her face that she had never had before.