An Eye for an Eye (Eraserdust)

Chapter 9: Another Day, Another Interesting Situation

   Shota anticipated going home not only to see his family, but to see Shigaraki. He bounced his leg in his chair underneath his desk as he continued his lecture to his last class of the day, Class 1-B. He kept looking to the clock, watching the minutes slowly creep by. Finally, after time seemed to take forever, the bell rang. The students of Class 1-B began packing their bags and cleaning off their desks. They had helped each other clean the classroom, as traditional Japanese classes do, then headed for the door.
   "Remember to attend after school clubs and programs for training. I'll see you Monday", Shota announced. That's right. It was Friday, meaning he could spend the whole weekend away from school and focus more on his situation. More time to talk with Shigaraki. Shota left the classroom. He had no after school lessons for today. He held his folder with papers he needed to grade under his arm, briskly walking down the hall and descending the stairs. He didn't need to stop by the Administration Office, and he didn't want to anyways. Then he'd have to deal with more questions from Toshinori and Hizashi. He was glad his afternoon was free. However, his weekend was full. He had lunch with Shino and dinner with Ryuko Saturday, and breakfast with Tomoko Sunday. Shota had to figure out what he was going to do with Shigaraki during that time. And what if Emi or the kids find out while he's gone? Then again, Emi doesn't really go into the basement but he still had to form a plan just in case.
    Shota picked up Eri from her class, holding her in his arms as he carried her out, Shinso following. Komari Ikoma, her primary school teacher, smiled and waved at Shota.
   "Thanks for taking good care of her", Shota thanked. Ms. Ikoma blushed, giggling.
   "Of course! She's very sweet and such a doll. She does take a while to warn up to people. I guess she gets that from her daddy", she flirted, winking at him. Eri looked to Ms. Ikoma then to her father, confused. Shinso scoffed and rolled his eyes. He started walking away, not wanting to listen to more of this commotion. Shota stayed stolid faced. He gently bounced Eri on his arms. She clutched onto his shoulder, resting her head in the fluff of his binding cloth that wrapped around his neck. Eri had been tired from a long day and was definitely ready for a nap.
   "Mhm", Shota hummed, "She sure does", he barely acknowledged Ms. Ikoma's comment in a monotone voice then caught up to Shinso who had already left the front entrance. Ms. Ikoma started at Shota as he walked away, gazing at him longingly.
   "She's ridiculous", Shinso commented with a curled lip as soon as Shota caught up to him, "Making it so obvious she likes you. Doesn't she know the fucking policy? It's annoying", he grimaced. Shota whipped his head around and glared at his son.
    "Language", he demanded. Shinso looked down, just remembering Eri was in his presence.
   "Sorry", he mumbled. Shota looked to their car he was approaching, face back to normal as though he never changed it.
   "She is annoying, though. She won't get the hint I don't like her. Plus she's a coworker, that'd be very inappropriate", he said. Shota unlocked the vehicle, opening the side door to fasten Eri and her cute little bag in her car seat. "Ready to go home?", he asked her. Eri nodded with a yawn, rubbing her eye. Shota smirked. "Aww, someone's tired", he chuckled, rubbing her head and escorting himself to the driver's seat. Shinso decided to sit in the passenger's seat this time. It was a peaceful ride home with classic rock playing on the radio and Shota and Shinso talking about their day while Eri fell asleep. When they got home, Emi's car wasn't parked in the garage.
  That's right, he thought, She has after school training with her students on Fridays
   That worked out perfectly.
   Shota unlocked the door to their home, opening it so Shinso could let himself inside. Shota carried a very tired Eri to the couch.
   "Any homework today, kiddo?", he asked. Eri shook her head. "Good deal. You can play in your room or take a nap, hun. Do whatever you want, it's the weekend", he reassured her. Eri smiled, eyes twinkling. She seemed to burst with more energy at that, running up the stairs to her bedroom. Shinso followed suit, strolling to his room to do even more studying and homework. At least it wasn't as heavy of a workload this time. Now Shota was alone and left with his own thoughts. Sometimes that proved to be his greatest downfall. He set his keys on the nightstand in his room, his lucky spot so he knew never to lose it, and as quietly as possible, made his way to the basement. When he came down, he found Tomura still sitting on the floor with his legs tied, sifting through his old books, one being rather mature and interesting. Tomura jumped, the book flying in the air as he did.
    "I was just...bored and...looking through some stuff I found", he admitted. Shota dismissed it and approached him with his hands in his pockets. He crossed his arms, looking down at Shigaraki.
   "You're an interesting case, aren't you?", he asked, eyebrows furrowed. Tomura looked up at him, slightly intimidated but didn't want to show it.
    "What do you mean?"
    "You're the only villain I've actually been interested in questioning. Everyone else was just the same to me. I find myself needing to keep you down here and interrogated a secret"
   "You haven't really interrogated me, haven't you?", Tomura prodded with a smirk.
   "Shut up, brat. Before I make you", he demanded. Tomura's face immediately felt hot. Good thing his father's hand was covering his face.
   Shota went on. "I want you to stay with me for a while. Give you a chance to redeem yourself. For once I actually don't want to turn a villain in. Now, why are you so captivating to me?", Shota leaned down slightly, staring Tomura in the eyes, or what he could see of him. Tomura backed away, face flushing as he got too close.
   Stay? What would the League think? Did he really want to do this? Was he interesting because Eraserhead actually had a change of heart and liked him as a person? Or did he want more than what meets the eye? Shota stood up straight, putting a hand on Tomura's head.
   "Be good. Don't be a liability and I'll give you a chance", Shota said sternly, staring him down. Tomura nodded.
   "Yes, sir"
   Shota smiled.