Mind Boggled

Chapter 22

Third person pov

So, some progress with Iida had been made. Not the progress Harper was hoping for, but at least she didn't have to lie awake at night for a week straight wondering if he was trying to kill himself while she sat there doing nothing. His grief took the form of rage, which wasn't uncommon when it came to a loss like this. No, Tensei hadn't died, but it had been a close thing. Tenya was pissed. His brother's dream had been ripped away, and thus he was out for blood. So yeah, he wasn't trying to die, but he was going to if he kept this up.

"Oi, Iida." Harper called to him before he could trudge off to the platform his train would be at. He was interning in Hosu for the sole purpose of trying to go after the hero killer himself. She would have also let Aizawa know, but hew as going to be busy all week and she didn't want to disrupt his plans when he really couldn't do anything about what Iida was attempting. There was a high chance he wouldn't even run into the serial killer who'd attacked his brother. Harper knew she'd find herself trying to be as close to him as possible, just to make sure.

Harper had also talked with Nezu, who said he'd contact the agency Iida would be with. Apparently they were all pretty sure the Hero Killer had cleared out already, but Harper had her doubts. He stayed in a city until he killed three heroes. Only Tensei wasn't dead. Tensei was a victim--a statement-- but he didn't follow Stain's M.O. The guy was a straight up perfectionist from what she could tell, very rarely diverging from his usual. Tensei surviving... she had a feeling that wasn't meant to happen.

"Ah, Harper! I was just about to head to my platform." Tenya said, though it was without the usual chopping motions he'd usually include. They hadn't talked at all about the fact that he'd cried, and they weren't going to. Iida was relieved by that. Harper could obviously tell he didn't want to, even without the mind reading. "I hope she does well on her internship. I'll try to text her some. I know she requested that I do, and I really wouldn't want her to worry with how concerned she's seemed. I just... have to do this. By myself. That's... That's all."

"Yeah, I think my ride is actually here. I just wanted to let you know that I'm here. If you need to talk." Harper cut straight to the point. Iida immediately tensed. Harper usually danced around the actual issue, providing support in the places it was most needed and shaving the edge off of whatever Iida was feeling. This time she'd essentially barreled right through and into the heart. Yeah, maybe not the best technique, but she was on a time crunch here. "Seriously. Talk to someone, Iida. It doesn't have to be me, but get it off your chest. You can't do everything alone."

Tenya opened and closed his mouth a few times before he actually found words. "I'm fine." Was all he managed. Harper raised her brows at him. His thoughts really begged to differ on that statement. "My friends don't deserve such a thing from me. Why would I burden them with my issues when they have so much on their plates themselves? I'm not worth it. My family is in distraught enough over Tensei, and I refuse to add onto that. This isn't about me."

"Alright, if you insist. But I'm here, Iida. And it won't be a bother or burden if you need someone to vent to. I'm serious." Harper looked him dead in the eyes, hoping to get the message across. She really just needed to grab the teen and throw in him Hound Dog's general direction. He was supposed to have an appointment with the canine guidance counselor, but apparently he made a shoddy excuse as to why he couldn't show up and totally ducked out. Iida remained silent as his shorter friend assessed him, her arms crossed over her chest and eyes narrowed. Even he had to admit to being mildly intimidated. 

"Yes... thank you, Harper. I'll see you in a week. I'll text if I need anything." Iida finally said after a moment, prying his gaze from her. "No... No, I'm fine. I already cried on her and worried her enough. But maybe I should talk to her some... Just a bit. She did say she didn't mind, and it would be rude of me to assume she was lying. Why would she?"