My whole body was humming with leftover adrenaline, and the lack of sleep wasn't helping my mood.

Me: How much?

Nezu's paw was halfway to a stack of papers when he froze, eyes widening slightly. He hadn't expected that. Good.

Nezu: Excuse me?

Me: How much to make this go away? I don't have time for more lecture, and frankly, I don't care. Just give me the number, and we can both move on.

Nezu's whiskers twitched, but before he could say another word, I pulled out my checkbook and started writing. 

Let's skip the negotiation, Nezu. 

We both know how this works.

Me: Here. It's blank. Fill it out for whatever you need to forget about the little scuffle. Just take it, and we're done.

I shoved the check across the desk, and Nezu looked down at it. For a moment, he didn't say anything, just stared at the piece of paper like it was some ancient artifact. Finally, he sighed, a slow, deliberate sound, and picked up the check with one delicate paw.

Nezu: Midoriya, you do realize that bribery is illegal, don't you?

Me: Save it, Nezu. We both know money makes the world go 'round, and you're no fool. That check could fund anything you want—new buildings, better equipment, more staff. You name it. Hero sponsors are nice, but they've got limits. I don't.

His eyes flicked back up to me, calculating. I could practically see the gears turning in his head. He wasn't just thinking about the money; he was considering the possibilities. Nezu might be a genius, but he also knew when to recognize an opportunity.

Nezu: And why exactly are you so eager to pay me off, Midoriya?

Seriously? 

We're doing this? 

I rolled my eyes, leaning back in the chair.

Me: Because I don't have time for this crap, Nezu. I've got bigger things to worry about than some stupid fight with Bakugo. You want the truth? I'm tired. I've had a rough night, and I'm not in the mood to deal with whatever this is about plus consequences that I can just make disappear with a signature.

Nezu considered that, his gaze never leaving mine. Then, he nodded, a small, almost imperceptible gesture.

Nezu: Very well. The check will cover the... incident. However, I believe it would be in your best interest to take the rest of the day off.

Me: What?

Nezu: Rest, Midoriya. You need it. You're excused from the rest of your classes today. Go to the Recovery Girl, get some rest, and come back when you're in a better state of mind. Everything that happened today will be... forgotten.

For a moment, I just stared at him, trying to process what he'd just said. Then, slowly, I nodded. It was a good deal—a really good deal. I got out of trouble, and all I had to do was take a nap.

Me: Fine. But don't think for a second this means you can lecture me about 'proper behavior' or whatever.

Nezu: Of course not. I understand perfectly. Consider the matter closed.

With that, I stood up, gave Nezu a curt nod, and left the office. As I walked down the hallway, heading towards Recovery Girl's office, I couldn't help but smirk. 

Money really does solve everything.

And as for Nezu, he was probably already planning what he'd do with all that cash. But that was his problem. I had more important things to think about—like getting some sleep and figuring out how to deal with Bakugo when I inevitably had to face him again.

But that's a problem for Future Izuku. 

Right now, it's nap time.