[8] Mending Fences
My first coherent thought was a panicked mantra: Please don't tell Noel, please don't tell Noel.
I tried to sit up, wincing at the protest from my muscles. A quick glance confirmed I was alone in the room, but through the partially open door, I caught sight of Recovery Girl at her desk. She hadn't noticed me yet.
"Uh, hey there," I called out, my voice raspier than expected. "Don't suppose I could sneak out of here without any paperwork?"
Recovery Girl's head snapped up, her eyes narrowing as she shuffled over to my bedside. "And where do you think you're going, young man?"
I flashed her my most charming smile. "Home? To school? Anywhere that isn't likely to give my sister a heart attack?"
She scoffed, checking my vitals. "Your sister is the least of your worries right now. Do you have any idea how close you came to—"
"Dying?" I finished for her. "Nah, I had it under control. Mostly."
Recovery Girl's exasperated sigh could have powered a small city. "You heroes-in-training, always so cavalier about your own safety. Well, let me be clear: you're not going anywhere until I say so."
I groaned, flopping back dramatically. "Come on, doc. I feel fine! Well, fine-ish. Nothing a good night's sleep won't fix."
"A good night's sleep?" She arched an eyebrow. "You've been out for a full day."
That got my attention. "Shit. Noel's gonna kill me."
"Language," Recovery Girl chided. "And your sister has been informed of your condition."
Guilt gnawed at me. I hated making Noel worry, even if it was an occupational hazard of being a hero-in-training. "How bad was it, really?"
Recovery Girl's expression softened slightly. "Bad enough. Multiple fractures, severe quirk exhaustion, internal bleeding..."
I whistled low. "Okay, yeah, that's not great. But hey, I'm still kicking! That's gotta count for something, right?"
"It counts for you being extraordinarily lucky," she retorted. "And extraordinarily reckless. What were you thinking, pushing your quirk that far?"
I shrugged, immediately regretting the movement as pain lanced through my shoulder. "I was thinking I needed to win. To prove I belonged here."
Recovery Girl shook her head. "You have nothing to prove, Akira. Your place at U.A. was earned fair and square."
"Tell that to my conscience," I muttered. "I've got a lot to make up for, you know."
Recovery Girl's expression softened further. "Akira, your past doesn't define you. It's what you do from here on out that matters."
I looked away. "I know. It's just... complicated."
Recovery Girl patted my hand. "Life often is. But nearly killing yourself isn't the answer."
"Noted," I said, managing a weak smile. "So, uh, when can I get out of here?"
"When I'm satisfied you won't immediately land yourself back in here," she replied firmly. "Which means at least another day of observation."
I opened my mouth to protest, but she cut me off with a raised hand. "No arguments."
"Alright, alright. You win, doc. I'll be a good patient."
Recovery Girl nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now, get some rest. I'll check on you again in a few hours."
As she shuffled out of the room, I glanced around, taking stock of my surroundings. The usual hospital accouterments cluttered the space – monitors, IV stands, and a sad-looking potted plant that had seen better days. My eyes landed on the bedside table, where my phone sat next to a folded piece of paper.
Curious, I reached for the note, wincing as my muscles protested the movement. Unfolding it revealed a hastily scrawled message:
"Aki-boy, That was some wild shit you pulled! Hope you're not dead or whatever. Hit me up when you're back in the land of the living. Stay lit!
Camie"
Below her name was a phone number. Camie was... something else.
My smile faded as I remembered Noel. She must be worried sick. I grabbed my phone, relieved to see it still had some charge left. Taking a deep breath, I dialed her number.
It barely rang once before Noel's voice came through. "Akira? Are you okay? Where are you?"
"Hey, sis," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "I'm fine. Well, mostly fine. I'm at U.A.'s infirmary."
"The infirmary?" Noel's voice rose an octave. "What happened? They told me you were injured during some kind of test, but they wouldn't give me details."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's... complicated. Remember how I said I was doing some extra studying?"
"Akira..." Noel's tone held a warning.
"Okay, okay. I may have... participated in U.A.'s entrance exam."
Silence. Then, "You did what?"
I winced. "Look, it's not as bad as it sounds. Principal Nezu invited me to take part, sort of as a trial run. I just... got a little carried away."
"A little carried away?" Noel's voice was dangerously calm. "Akira, you've been unconscious for a day. That's not 'a little carried away.'"
Guilt gnawed at me. "I know, I know. I messed up. I just... I wanted to prove I belonged there, you know? That I wasn't just some charity case they were taking on to keep me out of trouble."
Noel's sigh crackled through the phone. "Akira, you don't have to prove anything to anyone. You got into U.A. on your own merits."
"Did I, though?" I countered. "Or did I get in because they'd rather keep an eye on me than risk me going full villain?"
"Is that what you think?" Noel asked, her voice softening. "Akira, they offered you a spot because they saw potential in you. The same potential I've always seen."
I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat. "I just... I don't want to let you down. Not again."
"Oh, Akira," Noel said, her voice full of warmth. "You've never let me down. You've made mistakes, sure. But you're trying to do better. That's all I've ever wanted for you."
I blinked back the sudden moisture in my eyes. "Thanks, sis. I... I'm really sorry for worrying you."
"I know," Noel said. "Just... no more secret entrance exams, okay? My heart can't take it."
I chuckled weakly. "Deal. Though to be fair, I don't think U.A. holds them very often."
"Smart ass," Noel muttered, but I could hear the smile in her voice. "So, when are they letting you out of there?"
"Recovery Girl wants to keep me for another day," I said, unable to keep the whine out of my voice. "For 'observation.'"
"Good," Noel said firmly. "Listen to her. She knows what she's doing."
I groaned. "Et tu, Noel?"
"Don't you 'et tu' me, mister," Noel shot back. "You're lucky I'm not marching down there to ground you myself."
"I'm seventeen," I protested. "You can't ground me anymore."
"Watch me," Noel retorted. "Now, get some rest. I'll come pick you up tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay," I agreed, suddenly feeling the weight of exhaustion. "Love you, sis."
"Love you too, you reckless idiot," Noel said fondly. "Sleep well."
Setting my phone aside, I leaned back against the pillows. My body ached, but my mind felt... lighter somehow. Maybe it was the painkillers, or maybe it was the conversation with Noel. Either way, I felt like I could finally relax.
As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held. U.A., new friends, a chance at being a real hero...
Tomorrow was another day. Another chance to prove – to myself, if no one else – that I could be more than my past.
As sleep claimed me, I made a silent promise. I'd make the most of this opportunity, no matter what it took.
Even if it killed me.
(Though hopefully not literally. Recovery Girl would probably bring me back just to lecture me again.)
The next morning, I woke to the sound of hushed voices outside my room. Blinking away the fog of sleep, I strained to make out the words.
"...pushing himself too hard," Recovery Girl's voice drifted through the partially open door. "His quirk is powerful, but the strain on his body..."
"I understand your concerns," Principal Nezu's voice replied, calm and measured. "But we knew the risks when we extended the offer. Akira's potential is undeniable."
"Potential won't matter if he burns himself out before he even starts," Recovery Girl countered. "The boy needs guidance, structure."
"And he'll have it," Nezu assured her. "We'll keep a close eye on him."
The conversation outside continued, but I tuned it out, lost in thought. They were worried about me, that much was clear. Part of me bristled at the idea of being watched, controlled. But another part... well, maybe having someone look out for me wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
A knock at the door jolted me from my reverie. Recovery Girl entered, followed by Principal Nezu.
"Ah, young Sakamoto," Nezu chirped, his beady eyes gleaming. "How are you feeling this morning?"
I plastered on my best 'model student' smile. "Much better, sir. Ready to take on the world."
Recovery Girl huffed, checking my vitals. "Don't get ahead of yourself, young man. You're still on bed rest for the rest of the day."
I groaned dramatically. "Come on, doc. I'm fine! Look, I can even do jumping jacks." I made to get up, but Recovery Girl's stern glare pinned me in place.
"You'll do no such thing," she said firmly. "Unless you'd like to spend another night here?"
"Alright, alright. I'll be good."
Nezu chuckled, hopping onto the chair beside my bed. "Your enthusiasm is admirable, Akira. But perhaps we should channel it into less... destructive pursuits?"
I had the decency to look sheepish. "Yeah, about that... I may have gotten a little carried away during the exam."
"A little?" Recovery Girl muttered. "You nearly flattened half the testing ground."
"But I didn't die," I pointed out. "That's gotta count for something, right?"
Nezu's whiskers twitched in what might have been amusement. "Indeed. Your performance was... impressive, to say the least. Though perhaps a bit more restraint would be advisable in the future."
I nodded, trying to look appropriately chastised. "Noted. So, uh... did I pass?"
Nezu and Recovery Girl exchanged a look. "Technically," Nezu said slowly, "you weren't being graded. Your place at U.A. was already secured."
"Oh." I tried to hide my disappointment. "Right. Of course."
Nezu's expression softened. "However, if we were grading you... well, let's just say you would have ranked quite highly among the examinees."
"Really?"
"Really," Nezu confirmed. "Your quirk control, your strategic thinking, your willingness to help others at great personal risk... these are all qualities we look for in our students."
I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. "So I guess you're stuck with me, huh?"
"Indeed," Nezu said. "Though I do hope you'll refrain from destroying anymore of our facilities. The budget only stretches so far, you know."
I laughed, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at sore muscles. "I'll do my best. No promises, though."
Recovery Girl shook her head. "Alright, that's enough excitement for now. Akira needs rest, and I'm sure you have other matters to attend to, Principal."
Nezu nodded, hopping down from the chair. "Of course. Rest well, young Sakamoto. We'll see you at the start of term."
As they left, I settled back against the pillows, my mind whirling. For the first time in a long time, I felt... hopeful. Like maybe, just maybe, I could do this whole 'hero' thing after all.
Of course, that hope was immediately tempered by the realization that I'd have to face Noel soon. And probably endure a lecture about responsible quirk use.
I groaned, burying my face in my pillow. One step forward, two steps back.
But hey, that's life, right? Messy, complicated, full of ups and downs. At least now I had a chance to make those ups and downs mean something.
And who knows? Maybe by the time I graduated, I'd actually be worthy of the title 'hero.'
Stranger things have happened.
Like me getting into U.A. in the first place.