[It's such an achingly familiar gesture - both because of when it happened last time, and because she's again reminded of her father and missing him like burning - that she almost breaks down then and there. The struggle in her expression is obvious, the way she drops her gaze, the way she bites her lip. There's a sheen of wet beneath her eyes.
She doesn't pull away, though. It hurts, but it's a good feeling, too.]
[Proud... it probably shouldn't be as difficult for her to feel as it is, but it's been a struggle for a long time now. She knows she's doing okay, that she's accomplished plenty, but her goal - ignoble as it is - has always been to get rich for her family. You don't get a lot of money for being lackluster at your job. She should be striving to be the best, but with people like Bakugou and Todoroki at the top, and people like Deku in front of her and working with all their heart towards it, it's hard to be proud of just... doing okay.
Aizawa is right though- they have their own problems too, like that Breakpoint Dash hero he mentioned. They've gone through a lot, they've hurt themselves or been noticed by the wrong people. They could burn out. She's not so sure if she wants to be like that, either.
Lots of thinking to be done. Maybe she should take it easy for a bit- not necessarily six weeks, but. Something.
Tentatively she reaches up to grip his wrist, not wanting to push it by holding his hand or clinging like a child, but needing- something. A solid grip on someone who cares about her, even as just a student.
there's a lot he could say, maybe more he should say; jayden had made that clear enough, that sometimes it's not enough for things to just be known or assumed without words. it's how he operates and generally how his students understand him, but maybe- maybe, due to their circumstances-
no. they don't need to use that excuse. it's about time he faced it; this is not and never will be a classroom situation.
so aizawa instead leans forward, slowly sinks to kneel up instead of crouch, and with an arm around her, pulls her from her cubby and against his shoulder. it's probably what she wants to do, probably what she needs, and he can't keep telling himself that he couldn't possibly help her because that's not their roles, not who he is.
she's a child, a teenager, a blossoming hero in his care. if he can't change himself, his habits, if he's not willing to push himself to accommodate her, then that makes him a pretty piss-poor teacher and hero himself.]
[There's a moment of resistance, like she can't believe he's doing this, but it's brief and a scant second later her arms are around him, clinging very gently. It's a kindness that's rare for him to offer, not because he isn't kind but because it isn't his way, but hers. He's meeting her in the middle, giving her this.
Even for just a minute, she'll take it, gladly and thankfully. One day maybe she won't need it, but... not for a long, long time, at least.]
[SCREEEEEEE birds!!!! Ochako gasps and hurries right over, eyes wide, bouncing on her heels.]
Ahh! Look at them! They're so pretty!
[She's seen them around, of course, but that doesn't make them any less cool each time. After a moment what he said clicks, though, and she glances down at herself.]
Do I really look taller? I hadn't noticed... oh, but I've been using my Quirk a lot more when I move, so maybe it's making a difference?
[They are very cool and they love to try and nibble on Sorey's earrings, which one of them is attempting now. Sorey has to gently nudge them away each time.] Maybe that's it...I know we don't actually grow here, unless we get that augment thing. This is human growth spurt period, right? When you're a teenager?
Wah-! [Okay but this is literally always fun. Not a punishment.] I could be taller! I should be taller. [Crosses arms as he slowly rotates in the air.] Don't you wanna get taller?
[She ponders for a moment, idly reaching up to push his shoulder so he spins upright.]
I guess I don't think about it too much. I used to want it a lot, when I was really little and my Quirk made me too sick to float up to whatever I couldn't reach. These days it's a lot easier. ...I'd have a better chance at fighting guys who're bigger than me if I was bigger, though! So yeah, it would be cool if I was taller.
You'd think that, but the public would disagree! The most popular female heroes are slim and beautiful, but have deceptively small muscles. Only the dudes get to be all big and bulky! So if you wanna rise to the top and make the most money, you have to play into the public expectations.
Some people, sure. But a lot of the time people care about appearances just as much. And girls have it extra rough! They have to be strong and charismatic but also beautiful all the time! You have to care as much as the public does.
Page 8 of 9