The Story of Bakugou Katsuki (Book 2)

11 : 2

Todoroki helps Izuku pack his suitcase, stuffing his many All Might figures into the tightest crevasses. "Are tyou going to miss us?" he asks, his voice devoid of emotion.

"No, Shouto," Izuku smiles. "Because you'll be coming to visit me all the time!"

"I know, but it won't be the same as living together,"

"No, it won't. It'll be better," he giggles and folds his All Might onesie into a plastic bag. "Because now, we can be friends because we want to be. Not just because we're stuck living together,"

"Yeah, but-" Todoroki begins, but it interrupted when Eri bounds in.

"Hiya Eri," Izuku smiles.

"Hiya!" The white-haired girl begins sifting through the various bags containing Izuku's things. He finds Izuku's old All Might costume, the one he wore when he was her age.

"Can I have this?" she tries to put it on, modelling in front of the mirror.

"Yeah, no problem," he agrees with a giggle. "It suits you,"

*

Outside, a couple arrives in a freshly-waxed, expensive car. They're prospective foster parents. One of them is a very short man with sleek, blue hair wearing a suit. Nevertheless, there's a certain elegance to him, like a cunning businessman or White Collar criminal. The other, presumably his husband, is a very tall man with silver hair, styled in a fringe covering his eyes, dressed in loose black clothes.

Nezu arrives along with the couple and Aizawa leads the small creature into his office, leaving them outside to await their appointment.

*

Outside Aizawa's office door, Nezu and him discuss the meeting in hushed whispers.

"So, this is about Stain. We're throwing him out?" Nezu asks. Aizawa scowls above his steaming coffee cup.

"No, Nezu. It's a meeting to review Stain's position here. Don't make this into a problem,"

They open the door to Aizawa's office to find Stain sitting proudly in Aizawa's chair, gliding his nails across his full backpack like a Bond villain stroking a cat. "Ah, Aizawa," he acknowledges, his smugness sounding forced. "I've been expecting you,"

"Chizume," Aizawa's eyes darken, making the teen regret his stunt. "Get out of my seat,"

Once everyone is in their rightful seats, the meeting begins.

"Look, Stain," Aizawa sighs. "I'm fully prepared to admit that your maladjustment to this home is partly my fault. I thought we'd be able to make a difference and give you a home here. Maybe I was wrong,"

"Duh," Stain glares out the window, refusing to meet his eyes.

"I thought we'd be able to help you," he looks down, the shame washing over him. Feeling like a failure. He failed this child, something he hasn't done in a long time. "But maybe I was wrong,"

"You thought you could do your job - maybe you were wrong!" Stain crosses his arms indignantly, regarding the care worker without a shred of mercy. "I should have left when I had the chance,"

Nezu chimes in at the worst possible time, saying the worst possible thing. "It's just... we don't feel like you've been trying hard enough to fit in here,"

"That's not true," Aizawa contradicts, looking at the child once again. Because he knows Stain has been trying. "We just think that... maybe you'd be happier elsewhere,"