Mind Boggled

Chapter 20

Third person pov

In the end, Harper went with the hero name "Manx" rather than just her first name. If this hero thing every actually panned out, she didn't want her name attached directly to her at all times. Even if people could easily just pull up the old Sports Festival footage and get her identity from there. The name was greatly derived from the "Isle of Man", an island chock full of people with psychic-related quirks. Clairvoyants were common there. It was one of the many places she researched during her time looking into her own quirk, and held three of the few people she'd found with powers somewhat similar to hers. Plus, Manx cats were pretty damn cute.

"What kind of run ins has Harper had with villains before? Was she hurt?" Kirishima wondered as he left for lunch. Harper was only half glad Aizawa asked to see her. It put of the inevitable bullshitting she'd have to do to her classmates, but it also meant she had to... well, deal with Aizawa. If she couldn't read minds, she'd probably adore the guy. Unfortunately, she'd been cursed with a hellish quirk that radiated TMI energy. She knew a bit too much about who Aizawa really was.

"Harper." Aizawa said shortly when he saw how some of 1-A lingered, clearly hoping to ask her questions. "I'm swooping in for the save, sweetie! You're going to love my muffins. I have some things to tell you about internships and stuffsies! Come on, come on! The teacher's lounge will be empty right now anyway. These babies are trying to pry into my little slip-up. Sorry about that, by the way." 

"Alright." Harper sighed quietly to herself, standing and cracking her back. She made it a point not to look at anyone as she walked towards the front of the room. Aizawa gave her a brief nod, his expression strict as he briskly walked towards the door. Harper followed dutifully, a small amount of pain beginning to form behind her eyes. A sure sign of a migraine, which was just what she needed on this lovely day.

The halls were fairly empty, and thus quiet. Thoughts bled through from the direction of the cafeteria, but Harper was able to block those out fairly easily. She'd gotten a lot better and pushing thoughts away and putting up a mental barrier since coming here. The girl supposed being around so many people all the time had forced her to adapt. Not ideal, but at least she was improving to combat the many horrors this school had to offer.

The teacher's lounge was a place Harper honestly hadn't entered very many times. It was a fairly cozy room, with couches, a coffee machine, a fridge. Things of that sort. There was a table off to the side, and some photos from previous years hung up. Aizawa was in very few, looking grumpy as ever in every single one they'd wrangled him into. Harper's eyes went to the many plates of muffins on the counter. A lot were gone. Aizawa was right, apparently. His muffins were popular.

"Eat." Aizawa said in a blunt tone. Inwardly, he was beaming. "This is the teacher's lounge! Isn't it like, so cute? I love it sooo much. Sometimes I nap in here, and Mic will come in and lay my sleeping bag over me like a blanket if I'm not already in it. It's like, literally so sweet. Anyway, anyway, internships! Close that door. We'll get down to business and it'll be so fun! Do you like having fun? You look like you like having fun."

"Fine. But I have questions of my own." Harper said around a mouthful of muffin as she closed the door. They were now alone, and she watched with a small amount of relief as Aizawa's mask melted off his face to reveal a lax smile. He looked less strained this way, the skin around his eyes crinkling and his head cocking a little in a way that was almost fond. She held up the piece of food she'd been given. "Good muffin, by the way."

"Thanks!" It was weird, hearing him so happy out loud. He clapped his hands together, beaming at her. It looked oddly natural on his face Somehow, she couldn't help but smile back just a little. Seeing Aizawa be himself was soothing in a way she couldn't describe. It made her wonder even more why he always hid himself behind such a brooding persona. His outer mask was... disconcerting. "So, first order of business! I love the hero name you picked. Super adorable, definitely suits you. It sound so cool, too! I'm really proud of you!"