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“It’s not that bad, Sho.” Hizashi tried. Shota shot his husband a glare as he signed another paper.
“We are never calling something a date again.” He hissed, glaring down at the quirk information forms. “Every time.”
“It’s not every time.”
“ Every time we end up in a situation.”
Hizashi snorted as Shota threw down the pen and slid his papers into an envelope to deliver to the police the next day.
“At least it isn’t a transformation quirk or something.” Hizashi looked down at the papers describing the quirk they had been hit by. “Just mind reading. Though I wouldn’t mind having panther Shota again.”
“We work with teenagers.” Shota glared at the panther comment before grabbing his mug and going to refill the coffee. “I don’t need to know what they think.”
“At least they won’t be able to get anything past us for…” Hizashi looked for it on the paper. “One day.”
“Up to a week!”
Hizashi bit back a snort. “I’ll call Nedzu, maybe he’ll give us the time off.”
“And leave the Hell Class to someone else?”
Hizashi snickered softly, picked up Bastard, and plopped down on the couch with the cat. Shota joined him after a minute, mug still in hand.
“Maybe your problem child is rubbing off?” Hizashi suggested as he used one hand to scratch their cat behind the ear and the other to lightly scratch at Shota’s scalp. The man sighed, leaning into the head scratches. “Like a secondary quirk or something.”
“Like he needs one.”
Biting back a smile, Hizashi removed his hand from the cat to slip his phone out of his pocket. Nedzu would decide how to proceed with classes.
“At least we can’t read each other’s minds.” Shota muttered. Hizashi gasped.
“I’m hurt.” Shota’s dark eyes darted to his husband. He scowled when Hizashi laughed. “No, I understand. I’m just too brilliant for you.”
He didn’t think he deserved the shove he got for that one.
“It’ll be fine.”
~~~
This was not fine.
Shota had a headache before the first bell even rang. The thoughts were disjointed at best, random snippets that had nothing to do with their conversations. They weren’t even like whispers, just like the problem students were talking without moving their mouths and with no one else hearing it.
Homework, hero news, breakfast, lunch, exercise, manliness, things just floated into Shota’s mind. And why were at least three of the teens wondering if they remembered to put on deodorant? Weren’t they old enough to remember something they should be doing daily?
I’m just saying, a male voice declared. Shota’s eyes flew open at the unfamiliar- adult- voice. Mental voice. Whatever. If he was just a bit more vicious-
Like you were with assassinating Yoichi? A distinctly female, also adult, voice replied.
Shota carefully sat up, looking over his students. He didn’t see the adults that seemed to be talking.
Oh shove it. You know that was different.
Sensei is here early. Came Yaoyorozo’s mental voice.
“Everyone,” Iida called out. “Settle down. Class is starting soon.”
Usually he pretends to be asleep, right 2nd? Another new voice asked. What was going on? Shota carefully scanned the room again, not finding anything visibly wrong.
Hopefully nothing bad has happened. Midoriya’s thoughts came. Shota made eye contact with the concerned student. Midoriya immediately ducked his head and turned away. Normally he’s at least trying to nap right now.
Does that man ever actually sleep? The female voice asked.
He does have two jobs , Midoriya continued, unaware that Shota could hear him. He must be exhausted all the time. Especially since he has to keep people from posting videos and pictures of him, even though that’s the only way I was able to analyze him for years.
He’s teaching future heroes. The woman continued. The least he could do is to show heroes should take care of themselves! None of these children should copy habits like his. This one already does.
What the hell was going on?
Did someone turn on the air conditioning? Why is it always so cold in here? Shinso was scowling sleepily at his desk.
He pretends to sleep a lot, at least. Another new voice threw in.
That made four. Four people who he couldn’t see. Who were talking through thoughts. Four people who couldn’t be there but could see him.
Shota kept his blank expression as he stood.
I bet he has a good body under that jumpsuit.
Five voices he didn’t recognize. Shota tucked his chin down, using his capture weapon to cover his frown.
Pervert . The first voice groaned.
Please. Most of us didn’t get our boyfriends in the void. And it’s not like he can hear me talk about him .
Can you quiet down? Class is starting soon. Midoriya’s mind called a second before the bell rang. Shota walked to the podium for roll call.
This was going to be a weird day.
~~~
It was a bit of a learning curve, but Hizashi was getting used to mostly ignoring student thoughts while teaching. It helped, he thought, that the student’s actual voices were quiet compared to the mental ones. Maybe he needed to turn up his hearing aids? Probably, but for now it was helping.
He glanced at his phone when classes were switching, surprised Sho had texted him. He rarely texted during school.
There’s extra people in my class.
Hizashi stared at the message.
Like…an audit? Nedzu wouldn’t do that right after the two had been hit by a quirk. Probably.
Who was he kidding? Nedzu would find the mayhem hilarious.
The message was quickly read. Hizashi stared at his phone as he waited for the response. Pity their free period didn’t match up in the morning.
No. Extra thoughts. Didn’t see anyone, but there’s four or five extra people.
Hizashi puzzled at the message.
How?
Just keep an ear out.
~~~
Hizashi didn’t know what to make of Shota's strange texts as he turned his attention to 2A’s students.
“Good morning, listeners!” He greeted in English.
Fuck he’s loud!
Not the first time he’s heard that. Not even the first time that day. But it was the first time he heard that voice. He looked around the room.
I hope there isn’t a quiz today . Kaminari’s eyes were glued to his desk.
Music! Remember to ask about music . Jiro thought.
He’s acting weird today too . Another unfamiliar voice commented.
Where is my- oh, there it is . Uraraka pulled her pencil box out of her bag.
It’s concerning . A woman’s voice came.
I hope there’s nothing wrong. Midoriya’s voice interrupted Hizashi’s listening. He met worried green eyes and grinned.
“We’re going to have a relaxed day.” He announced.
Movies?
Shit, do we get to watch something?
Study hall? I still need to finish literature homework.
Ooooh, I wonder what movie.
“It’s an English only day.” He told the teens. Even their thoughts went blank. “You can talk to each other as much as you want, or write notes, or whatever you choose. But…” He grinned again. “Everything will have to be in English. Points will be deducted anytime I see or hear another language.”
The mental chatter rose even as the students remained silent.
“Any questions?”
“What-”
“English.” Hizashi gently corrected.
“What if we do not know a word?” Iida asked.
Zashi considered it.
I hate English. A fourth unknown voice moaned. That was rude.
“You can ask me.” Hizashi told him. He glanced around the class before pointing at Midoriya.
“Will points get taken for grammar?”
“Nope,” Hizashi popped the p. “Not today at least.”
The questions petered out after a couple of minutes and Hizashi waved at the teenagers.
“Get chatting.”
Slowly the class did. Hizashi walked around the room, listening for the mysterious voices just as much as his students.
“I have a question.” Jiro asked as Hizashi started to walk past her. Hizashi turned his attention to her. “Is music a good way to learn English?”
“Yes and no. Good for vocabulary and comprehension with faster speech and words you don’t always hear. Not for grammar with the improper way things are phrased.”
Jiro smiled and turned to Kaminari.
“Told you!” She crowed.
A voice he didn’t recognize started singing, in a very upbeat tune.
My legs are dangling off the edge
The bottom of the bottle is my only friend
I think I’ll slit my wrist again, and I’m gone, gone, gone.
What the hell Yoichi? The woman snapped as another voice laughed.
Is that…about killing yourself? An unfamilar voice asked.
It’s a song. The second voice that had spoken commented. I never did like that band.
My legs are dangling off the edge
A stomach full of pills didn’t work again
I’ll put a bullet in my head, and I’m gone, gone, gone.
The singer laughed.
Really? Midoriya’s mental voice snapped. Hizashi looked at him. He was making a face at Bakugo’s back.
It’s just a song. The one repeated as the singer continued laughing.
Why do you know something like that? Midoriya shook his head and turned to Ururaka, a smile sliding into its normal place as they started chatting.
You try living with my brother . The singer snorted. Then started humming the jaunty tune that went with the horrible song.
That quirk is staring at me again . Another voice, a very quiet voice, stated.
Hizashi quickly turned to look at Tokoyami. Dark shadow was peaking out from under Tokoyami’s desk, staring at the front of the room.
Her name is Dark Shadow. The woman snorted. Be nice.
Zashi started walking around the room again.
“Dark Shadow is such a cool quirk.” Midoriya sighed. Ururaka giggled as Todoroki turned to look at the sentient quirk.
“Seems too hard to deal with for me.” The stone faced teen stated. Better than fire. Or my father. Maybe it wouldn’t be too hard then. “And he tends to be loud.”
“She,” Midoriya absentmindedly corrected. “And just think if she was taught spywork.” Midoriya explained. “Like remembering codes and slipping papers out of places. Tokoyami would be able to get information without either of them being in as much danger.”
“Dark shadow is…too immature for that.” Iida leveled.
Midoriya shrugged. “Doesn’t mean she won’t grow. Sentient quirks are like another person.”
Make it stop staring at me. The voice hissed.
Baby. The woman snorted. Would you like to learn hand signals, Dark Shadow?
Hizashi turned to look at Dark Shadow again. The quirk tilted its - her- head, catching Tokoyami’s attention. Hizashi redirected himself towards the side of the room Tokoyami and Dark Shadow were sitting, purposefully eavesdropping on the teen and his quirk.
“~doing?” Tokoyami whispered, his hand lightly touching the top of the shadowy quirk’s head.
“Ghosts.” The quirk replied in Japanese.
“Ghosts?” Shoji turned to look at the quirk, who just nodded at Shoji’s look. Shoji glanced around the room, his eyes pausing on Hizashi.
I’ll be happy to teach you field signs. The female voice continued. Then you can surprise Tokoyami-kun with how smart you are.
Dark Shadow grinned and nodded again as Hizashi approached the group.
“Everything alright?” Hizashi grinned at the two.
“Yes, Sensei,” Tokoyami immediately replied.
“Dark Shadow is just being…interesting.” Shoji stated. He returned to his prior conversation with Tokoyami about translating poetry.
Hizashi snuck out his phone after class.
There’s 7 dark shadow says GHOSTS???????????
~~~
That’s not true. That’s not true at all! One voice protested during Shota’s lecture.
Shota paused at the comment. He stared down at the podium for a moment before continuing. “The laws that came about after the quirk wars were designed to protect as many people as possible, amendments had to be added as quirks became more common.”
Until the quirked majority controlled things.
He’s completely ignoring the predecessors to those laws. You know, where they made it legal to hunt us?
Shota paused and glanced over the class. The students stared back.
“Anyone tell me how the laws might need to be adjusted again?”
“More protections for mutant quirks.” Ashido called.
And the quirkless . Midoriya sounded bitter.
“Anyone else?” Shota asked as he looked at Midoriya. The boy kept his eyes to his notes.
The same laws developed to protect people with quirks are now used to harm those without. It’s pathetic. We literally had a war to stop people from being harmed for how they are born . The complaining voice grumbled.
There were multiple wars, multiple genocides because of the same thing.
“I’ll give you the rest of the period to research it.” Shota decided, grabbing his sleeping bag. “Give me at least three potential reforms by the end of class. You can work together but keep quiet.”
The whispering started immediately. Shota ignored his students for the most part, focusing on the voices.
It’s like they just ignore how many people were slaughtered for being born. Literal infants with mutations.
Because who wants to admit how many of us died? Who wants to admit they killed parents who tried to protect kids like us.
Things are better, Midoriya mentally complained. Unless you’re quirkless. Then you can be ignored when you need help. Then a hero can kill you and just say you were in the way. Like they do.
I’ll teach you real history sometime. We actually lived the stuff they are pretending didn’t happen .
Like the hunts.
Oh, god the quirk hunts. The voice sounded distressed. It was so bad and they went after children .
Because adults could fight back. They didn’t want to get harmed while trying to exterminate us.
After they finish this in school. We don’t need him failing a class because we told him things. And I don't want to relive any of that right now. We’d give him nightmares for months.
Maybe he’d be willing to write a book. I never got around to it. The loudest one stated
You can read? Snickers went up from around the room.
Fuck you.
Eww .
Ghosts, Shota thought.
~~~
Shota and Hizashi watched All Might’s Heroics class from the viewing room. Shota’s arms were crossed, Hizashi was leaning on the window, but both were staring at the screen showing them the students.
“Ghosts aren’t real.”
Hizashi snorted. “Maybe, but that’s what Dark Shadow said. She, Dark Shadow apparently identifies as a girl and who would have even thought to ask that? She was staring at something .” He paused. “And one of the voices complained about being stared at.”
The students were paired off for quirked fights.
“Maybe Dark Shadow can see them. Maybe if someone had the right quirk they could actually see them.” Hizashi stared at the students. “I wonder if they are haunting someone in our class. Or maybe they are just ghosts of the school. Maybe they’re down there now.” Hizashi mused. Shota frowned. “Wait, where are you going?”
“We’re going to have to report this to Nedzu anyway.” He stated as he walked away. “Let’s see what else these ‘ghosts’ have to say.”
Hizashi scrambled after the man with a grin.
The students looked at their teachers with concern but Shota wasn’t going to explain himself. Eventually All Might called the next fighters up and Shota paused to look at the man. He leaned over to Hizashi.
“Figures the man is as empty headed as I thought.” He murmured. Hizashi frowned and looked towards All Might as well.
“Huh.” Hizashi considered it, lowering his voice as much as he could. “Have you happened to hear Bakugou’s or Iida’s mental voices today?” With both being as loud as they typically were, intentionally or not, it would be expected for them to be just as loud in their heads. Shota considered it.
“No. Strange.”
An argument that no one else could hear distracted the pair from the oddities.
We could just cut off boom boy’s hands.
Second! The woman gasped.
I’m not saying do it. Second replied. Just that it would disable him.
Sounds good to me. The gruffest voice declared. Little bit of violence never hurt anyone .
I’m not cutting off Kacchan’s hands . Midoriya’s voice sounded tired.
Shota stared at the problem child.
Take the arms completely then. The gruff one retorted. Can’t aim if he–
I’m not cutting off his arms either, Banjo. Midoriya cut the voice off. We’ve discussed this. No maiming my classmates. Besides, I figured out all I’d need to do was cut his palms when I was like, five. Or snip that extra muscle in his wrist that prevents the blowback from hurting him so much. Anything beyond that is just excessive.
Why cut his palms? The soft spoken one asked. Shota glanced at Hizashi when the man nudged him just for him to mouth the word ‘singer.’
Harder for him to control the explosions. Happened when we were younger. Also, the more nitroglycerin in his system, the slower his heart goes. Adrenaline only goes so far. Midoriya mused. Worse comes to worse, I’d break his wrists or dislocate his arms. But that’s just cause his hands are nearly one big callus from using explosions all the time. Now, hush. I’m trying to focus.
Your teachers are acting strange again .
Midoriya’s eyes darted to All Might, then connected with Shota’s. The boy blinked twice before returning to Yaoyorozu and Todoroki’s fight.
They’ve been acting strange all day . Midoriya commented. Momo should have aimed for Todoroki’s left eye. He can’t see well out of it. Least she got the time to make shoes with spikes. Makes the ice so much easier to stand on.
Your friend still hesitates with fire. Especially aiming it towards people. The singer commented.
He’s working on it. Midoriya commented as Yaoyorozu was thrown from the ring. I’ll have to plan counter strategies with her tonight.
“He can talk with them.” Hizashi breathed. Shota nodded once, keeping half an eye on the problem child.
It’s staring at me again! A voice Shota hadn’t heard yet mumbled.
Chill, fourth . The singer sighed.
The two teachers watched as Midoriya glanced at Dark Shadow, smothered a chuckle, and returned his attention to the new pair fighting.
Maybe you should just say hi to her . Midoriya told the voice.
I agree with Fourth here. The gruff one muttered.
Hey, Dark Shadow, did you want to start learning field signs? The female voice asked.
Thanks, Nana . The comment could barely be heard.
He did not just try to put his hands on Hagakure! Ojiro mentally snarled. Shota watched the tailed student step between Hagakure and Mineta with a dark glare. I’m going to kill him.
Bet the grape’s gonna die today, one of the strange adults commented.
No bet, Midoriya mentally mumbled. That kid mumbled even in his head. Maybe that’s why they couldn't seem to curb the habit. Not since Hagakure confessed.
Ah, young love. The gruff one laughed. Almost always the most dangerous one. And this one might lead to a good show.
Oh, shit. Midoriya’s nose scrunched.
Everything ok? The woman called.
Just realizing I’m going to have to be celibate
Or you could become an exhibitionist.
Not going to happen. Midoriya snapped. And fuck you, fifth.
Never underestimate the power of horny. One voice laughed.
Fuck you too, sixth. Midoriya’s expression didn’t change despite the vicious mental tone.
Hizashi laughed, drawing the attention from the closer students. Shota shot him a glare, glancing at the two fighting. Thankfully they didn’t seem to notice.
Did…did I just say that out loud? Midoriya’s cheeks reddened even as his eyes widened. No, I didn’t. Right?
You’re good, Ninth. The singer hummed. He probably just had a stupid thought.
He does look the type.
Shota snorted, almost missing Midoriya’s It’s by design. He used his capture weapon to cover his mouth, turning to leave. Hizashi followed him, complaining as Shota tried not to laugh.
~~~
“Your student is haunted.” Hizashi stated as they entered their apartment.
Shota shrugged. “Even if they are ghosts. They don’t seem to be harming him.”
“Ghosts, Sho!” Zashi squeaked. “We need to do an exorcism or something!”
“No.”
“No?”
“He’s fine.”
“But ghosts.”
Shota looked at his husband. “He’s fine. I was more worried about someone projecting their thoughts at a student. But, I think he’s fine. They don’t seem malicious.”
“That one sang about killing himself!”
“So it might be schizophrenia. We could recommend Midoriya to have a chat with Hound Dog.” Shota shrugged. “But I don’t think it’s schizophrenia.”
“It’s ghosts , Sho. They are haunting your student.”
“We can try talking with him. But it’s not going to change anything. Once this quirk wears off, we won’t be able to hear them anymore.”
Hizashi grimaced. “I don’t like this.”
“Let’s just talk to him.” Shota said, running his hand down Hizashi’s back. “Then bring it up with Nedzu.”
~~~
Shota and Hizashi were loitering near where the group that followed Midoriya were studying. Shota flipped the pages in his book without reading. Hizashi laid in the grass, enjoying the sun while it was still present.
So I wonder if Sato could prolong the time the his quirk works by eating more starches. He bakes a lot, maybe doing something like carrot cake. Midoriya was writing in one of his notebooks as he considered things.
His quirk works with sugar, why would he eat starches?
Bodies convert starch into sugar. Midoriya commented. So it would add to reason that the sugar would have some effect. And there’s the possibility he could add pure sugar on top of that and it would slow the burn of it, making it so his quirk didn’t process so quickly. He would have to be careful with his glucose levels though. If they went too high, it could be like diabetes and cause health issues.
No, Dark Shadow, this means to back up. The female voice stated. Shota carefully looked at the quirk. After a moment, the quirk backed closer to Tokoyami, the bird headed boy glancing down before returning to his homework. Perfect! You’re doing so well!
Still weird a quirk can see us.
No weirder than me being able to see you. Midoriya mentally grumbled. Yet here we are. Can you quit touching Iida?
I’m bored. The man whined. You and First spend all this time theorizing about things instead of just hitting them. It’s boring.
Not everything can be punching things. Midoriya sighed as he set his pen down. He was rubbing his hand when he noticed Shota watching him and bobbed his head slightly.
You can punch people, that's more fun anyway . Hizashi snickered at the antics of that voice.
I’m gonna check on something. The singer stated.
To the void ?
No, something within range. Give a shout if you need me, Ninth .
Have fun. Midoriya responded, going back to his notebook. A few moments later, Shota flinched as a cold wave flitted over him. Hizashi sat up, looking around for the same reasons.
You can hear us, can’t you? The voice whispered. Hizashi sent wide eyes to Shota. Shota turned, so his back was to the students.
“Yes.”
Holy shit! The voice gasped. Since when?
“Since probably last night.” Shota stated.
“But we only started hearing you today.” Hizashi added, laying back down after glancing at the students. “Can Midoriya hear you from over here?”
Not if we are quiet . The singer told the teachers. We can leave him for short distances. Like a hundred meters or so but it does tire him out.
“Why?”
Because we are part of his quirk. The man stated.
"How does super strength come with ghosts?" Hizashi frowned. "Mostly super strength at least."
We had his quirk first. Now he has it. He gets bits of us, our thoughts and our quirks. The voice sounded unconcerned. He's a good kid.
"He's a problem child." Shota muttered. One of the voices laughed.
So what is this quirk you were hit with? I doubt it was ghost whisper. The only user of that probably died some fifty years ago.
"Mind reading." Hizashi softly told the ghost. They could hear a soft hum.
And you didn't tell your students you could hear their thoughts? The ghost asked.
"It was decided to be unnecessary. The quirk should fade tomorrow." Shota bluntly stated.
So violating children's inner most thoughts is fine because it was only for a day?
Shota glanced at Hizashi.
"Nedzu decided it would be fine." Hizashi slowly stated. "We signed NDA's that make it so, unless one of the listeners was in danger, we would not act upon anything we hear."
So you will be telling no one about us. That's good.
Hizashi glanced at Shota, who just blankly stared at the book in his hands.
I take the safety of Ninth very seriously, do you understand?
First . The second voice interrupted.
No, no. Let me speak. The deadman commented. Mr Aizawa and Mr Yamada already signed NDA's after all. They shouldn't be saying anything about this conversation to anyone.
"Is a ghost trying to threaten us?" Shota asked Hizashi.
Not threaten just telling you not bring this up with the kid. He gets anxious. And, after all, teachers’ dorms are only thirty or so meters from the student dorms.
"What does that have to do-"
Five is a pervert. I saw you laugh at the kid talking about being celibate. Five would get his entertainment from you two if you spread the kid's private thoughts or told people about us. And you will never know when he’s there.
"Now wait a-" Hizashi started to squawk.
Why are you like this?
I am related to my brother. The man Snickered. It's like you all forget that. Looks like Ninth has a question. Til next time, senseis.
Was it really necessary to do that?
Necessary? No. But we all get entertainment where we can. Besides, do you want the kid to know?
No. Not really
There we go. It’s for the greater good.
And your amusement.
Yes. The voice chuckled as they settled back near Midoriya’s group.
"What the fuck?" Hizashi muttered.
"We are never going on another date." Shota told him. The blond stared at him. "Never."