Chapter Text
The rain poured from overhead, drenching Hitoshi and freezing him to the bone. The Mori's had told him to pack his stuff after finding his binder in his laundry basket.
Hitoshi did his own laundry, but the Mori’s liked to poke around his things as most fosters did. He tried coming up with some lame excuse but they already knew what it was.
“The Tanaka’s daughter had one of these, claiming she wanted to be a boy. Do you want to be a boy Hana?" Mr. Mori had said angrily.
He tried to deny it. Tried to say it was a part of a theater costume. Hitoshi wasn't even in theatre, what a lame excuse.
Hitoshi tried to plead with them, but they weren't listening. They never listened. Mrs. Mori was already on the phone with the caseworker before he was excused to go pack his bags.
He wanted to fight, to scream, to beg but he trudged to his room. This was the first home in years to not hit him. They mainly screamed, muzzled him, or restricted food. He could deal with these things, Hell, he deserved them. Punishments were important, that had been drilled into his head since a young age.
Now he was being shipped to Kami knows where. Hitoshi’s social worker had mentioned she was running out of options for him, so he wouldn't be surprised if he was on his way to a group home. Maybe he could slip under the radar there. He was quiet and did as he told, he’d be okay.
Yano Yuko was a perpetually tired-looking, middle-aged woman. Hitoshi supposed he would also be constantly tired if he was tasked to work with "problem” children, ignoring the fact that he already is constantly tired.
"Hana, what happened this time" Yano asked as he climbed into the car.
Hitoshi simply shrugged and stared out the window
He actually liked his case worker, but considering what just happened, he wasn't too eager to come out again. She was friendly for the most part, and really thought she could find him a good home. Her enthusiasm was why he never admitted to the extent of the abuse he’s been through. He just had to be good and he would stop disappointing her.
"I found another family. Two pro-heroes, no other kids. They seem like really great people and they may be your last chance," Yano said, softly glancing at him through the rearview mirror. Hitoshi gave no response, "Just promise to try this time please.”
‘I am trying,’ he wanted to shout, but Instead, he continued to give no response. He watched trees and buildings pass in silence. Hitoshi tried so hard to be good, but it was never good enough. He’s convinced he’ll never be good enough.
********
Shouta stood back while Hizash flitted around the house. They had just agreed to take in an emergency foster placement, their first one, and Hizashi needed everything to be perfect.
While his husband was checking the spare room for the second time, Shota decided to take a glance at the kid's file
Shinsou Hana, 14, F, Diagnosed With insomnia.
There was also a notes section from previous homes but he decided to disregard it for now. He didn't want to form an opinion until he met the kid in person.
As Shouta was closing the file, the knock finally came.
"'Hizashi, they're here,” Shouta called out before opening the door.
His eyes moved past the woman to the purple-haired kid who looked like they were trying to disappear. They were soaked from the rain which made their hair hang loosely just beyond their shoulders. Shouta moved back so they could come in and observed how badly the kid was shivering.
“Oh my goodness, welcome in!” Hizashi half yelled as he came down the stairs. The lanky man was basically vibrating in excitement. “I’m Yamada Hizashi. This is my husband, Aizawa Shouta.”
“Good evening, I’m Yano. And this is Shinsou Hana,” she stepped aside so Shinsou was fully visible. The kid seemed to curl more in on themselves as all the attention shifted to her.
Hizashi gasped as he finally got a look at Shinsou. “Here, let me show you to your room and bathroom. You need out of those wet clothes ASAP.”
Shouta watched Hizashi herd the kid upstairs before turning back to Yano.
“Is she normally this quiet,” Shouta asked her.
“She seems to be around new people but previous Foster parents have reported her having some temperament and quirk issues. Especially around other kids. So I would just be cautious of that. Um, other than that, shes a smart kid with a bright future as long as we can work through the other stuff,” Yano replied with a fake smile.
Shouta noticed she wasn’t being very specific about anything. Maybe he would read more into her file, but he knew he should take it all with a grain of salt. Hizashi has told him countless stories about his time in foster case.
He bid her farewell as Hizashi descended the stairs once more. He had a frown etched into his usually cheerful face.
“The little listener is doing good, I think. She’s in the shower now. It's just… she seems so jumpy and I think,” Hizashi had to pause to take a steadying breath. “I think I saw scars around her nose.”
Shouta knew what that could mean but he desperately hoped he was wrong.
*********
Late at night. when everyone was asleep, Shouta took his laptop down to the living room. He had to know what the file said so he could know where to start helping the kid.
Name: Shinsou Hana
Age: 14
Gender: Female
Quirk: Brainwash - can control an individual if they give a response
Finally, he got down to where the notes section was.
‘Age 5: Took control over foster sibling when he took away Shinsou’s toy’
‘Age 7: Took control of foster father and refused to let go'
‘Age 10: Dropped expensive china in retaliation
‘Age 12: Talked back and threatened with quirk’
‘Age 14: Expressed interest in Unholy activities’
The last one came from his latest home and was beyond perplexing to Shouta. He couldn’t even comprehend what a child could’ve done that was “Unholy.” He was suddenly glad to not be religious.
Other than that, nothing was specific. They all left Shouta wondering what led up to them or if they were even real events that happened. He just sighed and closed the laptop. That was enough for tonight.