Chapter Text
Season 1 pt 1:
The school year was approaching first semester finals and with it a slew of anxious kids and frazzled teachers. Ayane was a psychotherapist and this is what made up most of her clientele. Summer had set in beautifully and Ayane found herself gazing out her office window, wishing she had a honey lavender tea in one hand, a lemon bar in another, and a soft breeze through her blazer. She righted her gaze back to her current client and a soft smile tugged at her cheeks. It was Koji Koda.
He was more of a meek spirit and she oftentimes found it difficult getting him to even talk about his day let alone his struggles, but the moment she learned about his quirk, her whole approach changed. Ayane had a big sheepdog companion that she would bring with her to work when she knew Koji was coming to visit. Having a warm, fuzzy companion that you’re not paying to listen to your problems really made all the difference for him. As long as Ushi was laying in his lap, Koji was less likely to let his anxiety hold him back from his progress.
The session ended with him mentioning possibly taking the entrance exam to UA highschool and it was the first time Ayane saw a true spark of passion and maybe even determination in him. Praises and encouragement were shown and with one last hug for Ushi, and a soft, “Thank you, Dr. Kyoko,” Koji went home.
After a few minutes, Ayane called in one of her employees to her office, “Mika, I’m going for a quick lunch walk, I have an hour or so until my next appointment, can you go ahead and flip this room while I’m gone? Something practical but make sure the client’s couch is unbearably comfortable and the curtains block out the light.” Mika’s quirk was interior design. Through a form of transmutation, she could make existing furniture, carpet, wallpaper, fixtures, etc. look like whatever she wanted. It was a particularly helpful quirk to have in Ayane’s business as she could customize her office to be something each of her clients would find comfortable and relaxing.
She grabbed her purse and left Mika to her art. About a block or so away was a cafe and convenience store. She could definitely satisfy her sweet tooth here while also getting something substantial. With honey lavender tea in hand, she perused the aisles looking at the premade sushi they had on hand. It wasn’t gourmet, but it was sufficient to get her through her day.
“Ryouta would lose his shit if he saw what I’m getting.” Ryouta was a chef and Ayane’s ex-husband. They had been together for 13 years and divorced for 4 and now being 38, Ayane was settling in to what life looked like as a single, nearly middle-aged woman. The transition was difficult for her. You get used to taking care of someone every day so when that person isn’t around anymore, you don’t know what to do with yourself. So she did what any reasonable lonely heart would do and got a dog.
Grabbing a bag of her favorite kind of chips, Ayane stood in line for the checkout. There was a man in front of her: middle-aged, tall, slender, and he had a wild mane of unruly blonde hair. Just as the man finished his purchase, he turned to leave and Ayane, having spaced out, was a tad closer than she probably should have been. It was like running into a pillar or getting hit back by the punching bag. He didn’t seem to move, but she did. Before she knew it, she was knocked to her backside and splashed with fragrant lavender and sticky honey. The man coughed into his sleeve before scrambling to help pick up her belongings.
“I am so sorry, ma’am! I should have watched where I was going. Oh this is such a mess. Here!” He throws a few yen on the counter and says, “I’ll pay for what she’s got.”
His voice took her by surprise as it didn’t exactly match the package it came in. It was a lower tone, calm but gave you the sense that he was still in control. He helped her to her feet and handed her back her things now in a convenient little plastic sack. There seemed to be a permanent scowl or just a look of perpetual tiredness and disappointment on his face. Mildly off putting to say the least, but his eyes did soften when she met them.
Ayane took her things and cursed under her breath while straightening out her clothes, “You don’t have to pay for my things. It was an accident. I’ll just have it dry cleaned tomorrow.”
“I know I don’t. It’s just the polite thing to do. At least let me pay for your dry cleaning.” He began fingering through some paper in his wallet before Ayane held a hand up to stop him.
“Really! You shouldn’t worry about it. It’s just some spilled tea.” As the tensions rose and fell, she noticed the man take a deep breath and let out a slow hum of comfort. Ayane panicked and leapt for the door, stepping outside and apologizing, “I am SO SORRY SIR!! It’s my quirk! I can typically control when it happens, but in situations like this, my body releases a serotonin type haze to calm everyone down and make them more agreeable.”
The man stepped out of the store and stood a respectful distance from her, “Hey, I’m not upset by it. To be honest, sounds like an incredibly useful and interesting quirk.”
“Y-yeah… Umm well. Thank you for paying for my lunch but I need to get back to work.” With a short bow, she turned and started back to her building.
As she reached the doors, a long, lanky arm reached out to open it for her. Ayane turned to see the same man, with an awkward smile say, “Looks like we were going to the same place anyway. I promise I’m not following you or anything. Just waiting on a friend.” She froze for a moment, staring at him when he continued, “I’m Toshinori Yagi by the way. Nice to meet you.”
Ayane released a muffled and unsure squeak before answering, “My clients call me Dr. Kyoko. Nice to meet you too, Mr. Yagi.”
“Kyoko? Dr. Kyoko. Oh. OH! Well good luck with your next client, Doctor.” Yagi let himself in and walked over to a designated waiting area, leaving Ayane to piece together what that whole interaction was all about. She ate and changed into some spare clothes she had stashed, however they were more lounge wear than work attire, but it was either that or have a stain and sticky dog hair on her for the rest of the day.
Just as she sat herself behind her desk, her office phone blinked at her, and she gave the ok to send in her next client. A man wearing all black save for a gray scarf, a low bun to pull his long hair out of his face, stubble, and sleepy, bloodshot eyes trudged in as he said, “What, no fancy office today, Doctor?”
Ayane fired back with a grin, “Makes no sense to go out of my way to make a space comfortable for someone who obviously doesn’t wish to be.” She pulled the curtains closed and explained, “Plus, I thought you would appreciate something more practical anyway.”
Ushi let out a low, “Bwoof!” and the man said, “Practical, huh?.”
Ayane rolled her eyes and let Ushi out to Mika as she called out, “Please hold onto him out here for me. If he gets restless, just walk him around the lobby for pets.”
As she found her seat, the man continued, “And by the way. It’s not that I don’t like being comfortable. You cheat. I’ll talk about certain things when I’m ready to talk about them. I don’t want to be manipulated into opening up.”
She sighed, “It’s not my intention to manipulate anyone, Aizawa. It’s not what I’m here for. I’m not one of your villains.” She let that last statement sting a bit before finishing, “All I want to do is make you feel safe and comfortable enough to talk. And maybe something will be said that we can work with.”
Ayane’s quirk had made her one of the best and most effective psychotherapists in Japan. She received a permit to use it so long as the client agreed and there was no breach of conduct. The serotonin high helps her clients feel at ease and causes them to open up more, making breakthroughs more attainable. Every person processed her quirk differently, in that she would smell like one of their fondest memories, something entirely unique to them. Maybe their grandmother’s baking, their father’s cologne, a salty sea breeze, a fresh garden, old books, clean laundry. She had heard many strange claims as to what others smelled when being around her.
Aizawa hadn’t ever mentioned a scent so she figured he never allowed her quirk to take effect or he just chose not to say. He was gearing up for his class’s final exams and it showed. The sleepless nights and overuse of his quirk made his eyes heavy. The principal at UA required all teachers to seek regular psychological help and evaluations for the integrity of the school, safety of the children, and sanity of said individuals. Aizawa knew it wasn’t a waste of time but Ayane could still tell he didn’t want to be there so she tried not to pry too much but let him take things at his own pace. Sometimes with some well timed conversation she could get him chatting about deeper things than the weather.
Their session came to a close and Ayane walked her client out to the lobby where she found Ushi smothering a large chuckling man with sloppy kisses.
She heard Aizawa groan under his breath, “Oh dear god… We have to share a car and now he’s going to reek.”
Ayane crossed her arms, “Excuse you, sir. I’ll have you know Ushi gets regular baths and his teeth brushed nearly every day!”
“Nearly…” He approached the man, “All Might, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t stink of dog on the drive back. I still don’t entirely understand why it’s necessary for you to be here in the first place.”
The large man turned toward his companion with a look of gusto and enthusiastically gave him a thumbs up, “For moral support!! I always support my friends in their pursuit of self improvement and as I recall, a mention of the buddy system.”
Ayane was already halfway to her furry companion before she processed the name Aizawa had just said. Finally she looked up and felt foolish for not noticing more quickly, albeit in street clothes, the face of the number one hero, All Might was there clear as day. She froze momentarily, struggling to find words before he began walking in her direction, leash in hand.
His voice rumbled in his chest as his tone calmed, “Miss, is this your furry hero?” He looked over her person, noticing the odd choice of clothing, but chose not to say anything.
She began to scan the room for Mika. Why the hell was her dog unchaperoned and bothering the guests? She saw Mika a few feet away, watching, and with a shrug, she mouthed, “Sorry.” Her hands shook as she took the leash from him. She was never one to be star struck and she didn’t idolize the heroes as most others did. They were just necessary members of the community like anyone else, but being confronted with the most well known hero possibly in the world, it still managed to give her pause.
Finally she found her words, “Y-yes sir! I’m so sorry if he’s bothered you! I brought him because he puts some of my clients at ease. Emphasis on some .” She turned to look at Aizawa who just responded with a groan and looked away.
All Might laughed heartily, “Oh he was no trouble at all! He certainly lifted my spirits! Quite the cheery little hero!”
Ayane smiled warmly and let out a hum of satisfaction, “He’s definitely my hero.”
All Might looked as if he was forming another grandiose response before his head leaned to one side and he took a slow breath.
Aizawa’s impatient eyes changed color for a moment as he interjected, “Dr. Kyoko…”
She shook her head, “I’m terribly sorry! Twice in the same day. I guess even I’m not immune to how intimidating a pro hero can be.” She held out a hand to her client and continued, “Regardless. Thank you for coming in today, Mr. Aizawa. I look forward to our next session.”
As the duo left for the door, Ayane watched as All Might leaned over and barely caught him whispering, “Didn’t she smell like a warm apple pie to you?”
“No.”
Art of OC