Took me a bit to be alone again......

The forest is quiet again, save for the occasional rustle of leaves underfoot. The cool evening air smells faintly of pine and earth, a perfect backdrop for me to do my rounds, making sure all my traps are still in place. I've earned myself a few moments of solitude, and there's something almost therapeutic about knowing every hidden wire, every pressure plate, and every subtle misdirection is right where I left it.

It's like art, really.

I smirk as I check a tripwire hidden beneath some fallen leaves. Perfect. One misstep, and whoever's unlucky enough will be sent flying into the canopy above.

Can't wait to see who'll be my next volunteer.

Just as I move to adjust a nearby net, a shadow falls over me.

Aizawa: You're out here pretty late, Midoriya.

My body stiffens.

Great.

I turn around slowly, trying to keep my expression neutral, but the moment I meet Aizawa's gaze, it's like he's already seeing right through me. His eyes, though half-lidded with that eternal tiredness of his, are sharper than ever. They scan the area, lingering on the exact spots where I've set my traps. My heart skips a beat.

Does he know?

Aizawa doesn't say anything at first, just watches me with that unreadable face of his. My fingers twitch, itching to do something—anything—while his silence stretches between us like a taut string, threatening to snap at any moment. The air feels heavy, charged with tension.

Me: Just doing some recon. I, uh, thought I might be able to catch a glimpse of the villain team's movements.....aka yours....

Aizawa's gaze sharpens. I can feel it. He's not buying it.

Aizawa: Is that so?

His tone is calm, casual even, but there's an edge underneath it. Like a lion pretending to be uninterested in the mouse it's about to pounce on.

This isn't good.

I can't help but feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I was expecting Bakugo, maybe even Todoroki—someone I could manipulate, lead into a trap, and get away scot-free. But Aizawa? He's a different beast altogether.

Yeah. I figured I'd cover the perimeter, you know? Just in case Vlad's up to something.

Aizawa doesn't respond right away. He steps closer instead, his black scarf fluttering slightly in the breeze, the way it always does before he's about to wrap it around someone's neck.

Oh, come on. It's just a game.

He crouches down beside one of my traps, fingers brushing the carefully placed trigger wire. His eyes don't leave mine, though, like he's daring me to explain it. To dig my own grave.

Aizawa: You've set these up pretty well.

Crap.

Me: I-I didn't—

Aizawa: Don't lie, Midoriya. 

My throat tightens. He stands up slowly, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he moves closer, practically towering over me.

Aizawa: You've been running things behind the scenes, haven't you? This whole time. It wasn't just me and Vlad out here. You've been pulling the strings, setting traps, eliminating students. And doing a damn good job of it.

The way he says it—it's not a question. He knows. Somehow, despite all my careful planning, Aizawa's managed to piece it together. Maybe not everything, but enough to put the pressure on me now.

Great. Fantastic.

I try to stay calm, throwing on my best innocent face.

Me: Sensei, I'm just trying to help the team—

Aizawa: Cut the crap, Midoriya.

The words hit like a punch to the gut. There's no escape from this now. I can feel my pulse quicken, but I force myself to stay composed. He's watching for any sign of guilt, any crack in my facade.

Okay, time to act.

I let out a nervous laugh, scratching the back of my neck, the way I always do when I'm caught off guard. The key is to let him see what he expects to see—a stressed-out student, overthinking things, trying too hard to impress.

Me: "Look, maybe I went a little overboard. I just wanted to give the team an edge, you know? Make sure we had a fighting chance. But... I didn't think it would get this serious."

Aizawa raises an eyebrow. He's not fully convinced, but I can tell I've thrown him off, if only for a second. He tilts his head, thinking.

Aizawa: "ou've been awfully quiet for someone who likes to take charge in these situations.

Is that what he thinks?

I shrug, keeping my voice as even as possible.

Me: I figured it'd be better to lay low this time. Everyone expects me to lead, but I thought it might be better to stay back and let the others shine.

Aizawa studies me for a long moment, and I can feel the sweat prickling at the back of my neck. He's smart, too smart for this. But I can't let him know that. I can't let him see the cracks.

Aizawa: So, you're telling me all of these traps, the confusion, the chaos... it's all just coincidence?

Okay, ......, breathe. 

You've got this.

I smile weakly, playing up the uncertainty.

Me: Well, it's a game, right? Maybe everyone's just more prepared than we thought. It is the final round.

Aizawa's eyes narrow again, and I know I'm walking on a razor's edge. He's testing me. He knows more than he's letting on, but he's waiting to see if I'll slip.

Not today, Sensei.

There's a long, tense silence between us. My heart pounds in my chest as I meet his gaze, refusing to break eye contact.

Finally, Aizawa sighs.

Aizawa: I don't know what you're up to, Midoriya, but this... all of this... it doesn't feel like something a student would come up with.

Me: I'm just trying to do my best, Sensei.

Aizawa: Hm.

He doesn't say anything else, but the look in his eyes tells me this isn't over. Not by a long shot. He turns, walking away slowly, leaving me alone in the clearing.

As soon as he's out of sight, I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

That was close.

 Way too close.