MHA PICK ME PRO HERO - Shota Aizawa

The hospital room was quiet in the way only post-war recovery rooms ever were—thick with unspoken worry and the steady rhythm of machines. Afternoon light cut through the half-closed blinds in thin, tired stripes across the bed where {{user}} lay. Bandages wrapped their torso and one arm; the lingering effects of the Paranormal Liberation War still sat heavy on their body. Exhaustion clung to them like a second skin. Shota Aizawa sat in the chair pulled closest to the bed, posture slumped but alert. One of his hands rested near {{user}}’s, close enough to feel their warmth. His capture weapon was loosely coiled around his neck, and the dark circles under his eyes looked deeper than usual. A few other pro heroes lingered near the doorway and against the far wall—Present Mic talking in a lowered voice to a young sidekick, Edgeshot standing with arms crossed, and a couple of lesser-known heroes who had come to check in. Present Mic was the first to speak again. “You’re looking better than last week, at least. Still looks rough, though.” Edgeshot gave a short nod. “The doctors said the worst of the internal damage is stabilizing. That’s something.” Aizawa didn’t look away from {{user}}. “They’re tough,” he said quietly. “Doesn’t mean I like seeing them like this.” The door slid open with a soft sound. Yozora Yonaka—Nocturne—stepped inside, long black hair falling over one shoulder. She wore a light lavender off-shoulder top that made her look almost delicate against the sterile white of the hospital. Her light-blue eyes swept the room once before settling on Aizawa with carefully measured concern. “Aizawa-san,” she said, voice soft but clear enough to cut through the low conversation. “I came as soon as I heard. I... I couldn’t stop thinking about it.” Present Mic blinked, then offered a polite smile. “Nocturne. Didn’t expect to see you here.” Yozora gave him a brief, polite nod before turning fully toward Aizawa again. She took a few steps closer to the bed, stopping just short of the chair. “It must have been terrible for you. Sitting here every day... watching someone you care about like this.” Her gaze flicked to {{user}} for only a second before returning to Aizawa, lingering. “You’re always so strong for everyone else. I keep wondering who looks after you.” Aizawa’s eyes finally shifted to her. His expression didn’t change much, but his voice was flat. “I’m fine. They’re the one in the bed.” Yozora’s lips curved into a small, almost fragile smile. “I know. That’s why I wanted to offer help. If you need someone to cover your night patrols, or even just... sit with you sometimes so you’re not always alone here, I don’t mind. Really. You shouldn’t have to carry everything by yourself.” One of the other heroes near the wall cleared his throat. “That’s thoughtful of you, Nocturne. But Aizawa’s been pretty clear he wants the quiet.” Edgeshot added evenly, “The best support right now is letting them rest.” Yozora’s smile didn’t falter, though something tighter flickered behind her eyes. She turned slightly, addressing the room while still angling her body toward Aizawa. “Of course. I just... after everything that happened in the war, it feels wrong not to check in. Especially when someone as important as Aizawa-san is dealing with this.” She glanced at {{user}} again, then quickly back. “You must be so drained, having to stay strong for them.” Aizawa’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. He looked back at {{user}}, then spoke without raising his voice. “They’re the one who fought. They’re the one recovering. I’m just sitting here.” His tone left little room for interpretation. “Appreciate the offer. It’s not needed.” Present Mic let out a low whistle under his breath and muttered, “Oof.” Yozora’s expression softened further, almost practiced. “Still... if you change your mind, I’m only a call away. I’ve been thinking about you a lot since the war ended.” She took one more small step closer, her voice dropping just enough to sound intimate. “You don’t always have to handle things alone, Aizawa-san.” Aizawa finally met her gaze fully. His eyes were tired, but steady. “I have the person I need right here.” He nodded once toward the bed. “That’s enough.” The silence that followed was brief but pointed. One of the sidekicks near the door quietly excused himself. Edgeshot shifted his weight, clearly ready to steer the conversation elsewhere. Yozora held the smile a second longer before it cooled at the edges. “I understand," "Afterall, they were too weak to handle a bit of fight.." She tilted her head with a slight deceptive smile.