Chapter 27 - Unseen Currents

The atmosphere around the arena is calm now, the frantic energy of the previous battles slowly fading as everyone takes a much-needed break. You sit in a quieter corner, your body still buzzing with the aftershocks of the intense match you just witnessed. Katsuki and Ochaco's fight lingers in your mind, and you find yourself drifting in and out of thought, barely staying awake as you absentmindedly eat from your bowl.

It's strange, how your body is so exhausted but your mind refuses to shut off. Your gaze drifts toward the ring, now empty but still holding the echoes of the battle that transpired there.

And then, out of the corner of your eye, you see a figure approach. The person's distinct appearance catches your attention—a purple-haired boy with a calm yet mischievous air about him. You instantly recognize him: Shinsou. You remember his first match with Izuku, how he used his Quirk to dominate the conversation and catch everyone off guard. Even back then, his presence was hard to ignore.

"Hey there," Shinsou greets you casually, his voice smooth, though his eyes carry that sharp, calculating look. You nod in acknowledgment, too tired to say much but appreciating the unexpected company.

Without waiting for much of a reply, he slides into the seat next to you, setting down his own bowl of food. He starts digging in, looking as if he's done this a thousand times—casual, relaxed, with no hint of the tension that had gripped the arena just moments before. The contrast between the intensity of the fights and this quiet moment is almost surreal.

The two of you sit in silence for a moment, the noise of the arena faint in the background. Shinsou doesn't seem to mind it. He's focused on his food, but you can sense that he's not entirely lost in the moment. It's as if he's analyzing everything in the arena, yet here, now, he's letting the calm wash over him.

After a few moments, you glance at him, still not quite sure what to say. He catches your eye and gives a small, knowing smile. "You look like you could use a break," he says. It's a simple observation, but it feels oddly fitting.

"Yeah, I'm just... tired," you mutter, still half-dazed from the events unfolding around you. "A lot to process, you know?"

He chuckles softly, the sound almost comforting in its calmness. "I get it. It's a lot of energy, all at once. But hey, that was a hell of a fight, wasn't it?"

You nod, a little more awake now as you think about the brutal showdown between Katsuki and Ochaco. "It was. They both gave it everything they had. I don't think I've ever seen a match like that."

Shinsou's eyes flicker with something—whether it's a glimmer of respect or something else, you can't quite tell. "They're both strong. Not everyone can take a beating like that and still keep going." He pauses, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Makes you think about what it takes to keep pushing forward, doesn't it?"

You glance at him, feeling a sense of camaraderie. "Yeah, it does. But I think that's what makes them heroes, in a way. Even when they're on the edge, they just don't stop."

Shinsou smirks, almost like he's pleased by your response, then leans back in his seat. "Sounds like you've been thinking about it too, huh?"

You let out a tired laugh, finishing off the last of your food. "I guess so. Maybe I'll get some sleep soon. But... this whole thing is just starting, isn't it?"

"Yeah," he replies with a small grin, "just the beginning."

The two of you sit in silence for a while longer, each of you lost in your own thoughts, the quiet hum of the arena a backdrop to your moment of peace. It's an odd feeling, but one you're grateful for after everything that's happened today. You might not know what the future holds, but for now, it feels good to simply breathe.

-

You and Shinsou continue to chat in a relaxed atmosphere, the quiet of the moment contrasting with the chaos of the arena just a short while ago. Shinsou seems surprisingly easy to talk to, his laid-back demeanor making it easy for you to let your guard down. You talk about the match, about how both Katsuki and Ochaco pushed each other to the limit, and even a little about your own experiences in the tournament.

"I think I'll be watching closely for the next rounds," you say, leaning back slightly, your energy beginning to drain from the non-stop activity of the day. "It's pretty clear that everyone here is getting stronger. Even if you're in the same class, it feels like there's so much more to learn from each of them."

Shinsou nods thoughtfully, but there's something about his eyes—a flicker of something harder that you can't quite place. He doesn't speak for a moment, and just when you think he's lost in thought, a voice cuts through the air.

"L/N, come with me."

You turn to see Ojirou standing there, looking serious. His usual easygoing smile is gone, replaced by a more determined expression. You nod, feeling a slight shift in the air as you push yourself up from your seat. "Sure," you say, not entirely sure what's going on, but deciding to follow him anyway. You give Shinsou a brief nod, and he responds with a quiet acknowledgment as you stand.

As you begin walking towards Ojirou, you catch a glimpse of Shinsou's face out of the corner of your eye. His spoon is held tightly in his hand, and his eyes narrow, his lips curling in a small, almost imperceptible frown. His posture shifts slightly as he watches you walk away, the silent frustration obvious. Those Class 1-A students... all up in their little clouds... only you—L/N—are actually good, he thinks bitterly to himself.

There's a flash of tension in his gaze, something that suggests that maybe, just maybe, he resents the attention or admiration that others in your class seem to attract so easily. It's not exactly jealousy, but more a sharp reminder of how he perceives the divide between his class and the one you belong to. And while it doesn't seem like the kind of resentment he'd openly show, it's clear that he's not as at ease with the situation as he lets on.

You, however, are too focused on Ojirou to notice his glare, walking ahead with no idea of what awaits you in the next steps. He leads you down the corridors, his usual upbeat tone replaced by something more serious. The further you go, the more you wonder what this sudden request is about.

But as Ojirou turns a corner, you feel a little uneasy, a strange feeling gnawing at you. Something about the way Shinsou had looked at you, the undertone in his actions, makes you pause for a brief moment. You shake it off, deciding to follow Ojirou for now, unsure of where this moment will lead, but trusting that it will all make sense soon.

Ojirou stops abruptly and turns to face you, his expression serious for the first time since you've known him. The lighthearted nature he usually carries seems to fade, replaced by something more guarded. "Don't trust that guy," he says, his voice low. "You know his Quirk is brainwashing, right?"

You pause, slightly taken aback by the sudden shift in tone. It seems Ojirou is trying to warn you about Shinsou, but you aren't particularly alarmed. You cross your arms and give him a confident look, shrugging nonchalantly.

"So what?" you respond, your voice firm and steady. "It won't work on me."

Ojirou seems to hesitate for a moment, as if gauging your reaction. His expression softens, though a trace of concern still lingers in his eyes. "I just don't want you getting caught up in something you can't handle," he says, his tone more protective than before. "Shinsou's been known to use his Quirk to manipulate people, and sometimes, it's hard to tell if he's being genuine or not."

You tilt your head slightly, considering his words. It's not that you don't trust Ojirou—he's always been someone you could count on—but you also know what you're capable of. You've dealt with worse challenges before.

"Look," you say with a reassuring smile, "I've got my own ways of dealing with things. If Shinsou tries anything, I'll handle it. I don't let anyone control me that easily."

Ojirou looks at you for a moment, and for a brief second, you think he might argue further, but instead, he lets out a quiet sigh. "Alright. Just be careful, okay? I'm not saying Shinsou's a bad guy, but sometimes he plays things close to the chest. You never really know with him."

You nod, appreciating his concern, though you're not particularly worried. "I'll be fine. Thanks for the heads-up, though."

Ojirou gives a small, relieved smile before turning back toward the hallway. "Alright, let's get going then. We've got to keep moving."

With that, the two of you continue on, the moment of tension quickly passing. Yet, in the back of your mind, the warning lingers. Even if you're confident Shinsou's Quirk won't work on you, something tells you there's more to him than meets the eye. And as you walk, you can't help but wonder what he's really after.