#ketsubetsu

At school, Emi dismissed her students at the end of the day. All of them seemed to be doing well, considering the fact that most of them had not enrolled in the internship. Still promoting to them that they could talk to her anytime that they wanted to, she had her eyes locked on Tatami. 

Not wanting to call her out in front of everyone, she concluded it would be best to pull her aside as the girl was about to walk out. 

“Tatami. Come here, please.” Emi asked without any emotion, hoping that the students, who were left wouldn’t assume anything.

I’m sorry I left all of you waiting, but I decided to take a small break from Tumblr to focus on my students. 

Now that I am back, I am more than willing to hear any of your questions, ideas, or thoughts! I am open to listening to any of my fans or viewers. So, don’t be afraid to poke at me, literally. 

Arriving at Tatami's house, Emi knocked on the door, waiting for someone to respond. She waited for a good ten minutes before walking in. Concluding that her parents were away at work, she walked in. "Tatami? I came to visit you. I haven't heard from you in a while. Tatami?"

Unable to hear the girl, she wandered through the house, searching for her. "Tatami? Where are you?" Opening a few doors, it wasn't long until she found the girl lying in bed. "Tatami, please tell me you've been taking care of yourself?"

Walking over toward the girl's bed, she sets down her bag of items and sits on the bed. Adjusting both her and Tatami, Emi wraps her arms around her, stroking her hair to soothe her. "Tatami, please talk. Even if you aren't okay, we can get you the help you need. It breaks my heart to see you in such a condition."

 After finishing her last meeting, Emi gets up onto her feet. Walking over to her kettle, she turns it on as she leans against the counter. Brushing aside what had happened with her last meeting, she had to find a way to cope with it for the sake of her next student. Taking large steady breaths, she releases all the stress and tension out.

 Once the kettle beeped, letting know the temperature was perfected for her tea, Emi poured it into a large mug and pulled a tea bag out of its packet. Bobbing the bag up and down, she returned to her desk. Sitting down, she adjusted herself, making it more comfortable for her. Placing the mug down, Emi scanned her list, seeing who was next. "The Nakagame family, please!" She called out from her chair as she waited in anticipation to meet Tatami's family. 

Tatami immediately bursts into the room, shining with wholesome energy to see her favorite Sensei. She was wearing a green Skater dress that was accompanied with a cozy beige jacket and wore stylish wedges.  She was excited for her mother to see the teacher that laughs at villains while also knocking their teeth out!

“MS. JOKE”  Tatami yells like an excited puppy. “Oh....uhh let me compose myself. This is my mother, Hitode Nakagame!! “

Getting up from her desk, Emi respectfully bows to Hitode. Part of her wanted to shake the woman's hand since she spent a few years growing up in America, but it wouldn't be insensible of her to do so. Greeting both women with a bright, dazzling smile, she gestured for them to sit. "Take a seat, please." 

 Sitting down herself, Emi perused through her notes. Instead of addressing what type of student Tatami was, she asked, "Before we get started are there any questions or comments you have for me? I would appreciate your input greatly, Mrs. Nakagame." 

 Reaching for her tea, Emi brought the drink to her lips as she listened. It was soothing to have a warm cup of tea to go along with her meeting compared to her previous one.

Hitode playfully patted her daughter to calm her crazy self. “ Easy Kiddo, you’re gonna scare the pro hero now.” Hitode then turns to Ms. Joke and smiles with confidence. “ Well, of course, I got questions. I need to know how you’re able to keep her so upbeat all the time.”

Tatami blushes, a little embarrassed but understands what her mother is trying to say.

Hitode pinches her daughter’s cheek. “ Well, is Tatami making great connections with her classmates? “ Tatami beams at that question, knowing all the times she’s had fun throwing Snickers at Shindou. 

Shaking her head, Emi found it entertaining to imagine Tatami scaring her away. Before answering any of Mrs. Nakagame's questions, Emi interjected, "Don't worry about your daughter, Mrs. Nakagame. If anything, I'm the one who's too much to handle a great portion of the time." 

 Placing her mug down, Emi assured Tatami's mother, "All the relationships Tatami creates, she has initiated on her own. She's such an extrovert! Tatami is a natural at making friends, especially with peers her age." Glancing at Tatami, she advises her, "Even though you're great at making new connections, I would suggest allowing people to have enough space to breathe. You're a smart, talented, and very outgoing lady, Tatami, but I think that is something you could improve on. If it makes you feel better, it's probably something I could improve on myself."

Tatami gets a little flushed at that suggestion. .........” give people their space” she would repeat in her head. She wasn’t expecting that answer and was a little taken back by it. Tatami just nods, but slumps a bit, looking a little down but quickly tries to fix it with a quick smile.

Hitode sighed with relief. “ That’s my girl. Already making friends without breaking a sweat!” Hitode then crosses her arms and says with a more serious tone............” Is Tatami comfortable on the battlefield during training? She would get embarrassed by her quirk because others would make fun of her because of how freaky it looked. All I’m saying is that I hope she’s improved and more confident..........” Hitode just trails off, remembering how her own quirk is quite the freak show.

Observing that Tatami was stung by her advice, Emi affirmed her, "Tatami, just take it gradually. You do not have to make any serious changes. You're still unquestionably welcomed to be yourself. It's simply something you should be informed of. Honestly, it's up to you on whether or not you choose to take my advice or not. My only thought it could assist you in making more friends at the beginning rather than pushing them away. Enabling them to grow used to your larger than life personality." 

 Taking a large gulp from her drink after she specified more on what she was applying to Tatami, Emi turned her attention to Mrs. Nakagame. Setting her mug down, she swept her hair away. "Learning how to cope with people observing you as you use your quirk in public is always something to get used to. Regarding the fact that Tatami passed her Provisional Licensure examination in and of itself should say enough! She's a gifted young lady, that's for sure!"

Tatami’s spiky hair “fins” perk up as Ms.Joke’s calming reassurance catches on to her. Tatami knew not to take it to heart, but she knew she had to improve if she wanted to succeed. She gives Ms.Joke a warm smile gives her a thumbs up, “ Okay, Sensei. I trust you completely. I won’t let you down!”

Hitode just laughs at how quickly her daughter changes her attitude, completely forgetting how she worried for Tatami. “ Oh yes, I remember her getting her license! We were thrilled and threw a party. She desperately wanted to invite you, but I kept on telling it wouldn’t be professional, and she was busy fighting evildoers.”

Tatami puffs her cheeks like a Jigglypuff “ Mommmm. That was supposed to be a secret.

Giving them a bright, loving smile, Emi assured them, "I'm not offended either way. It depends ultimately on the family. I would say I'm proud of my students even if they didn't get their Provisional Licenses!" 

 Seizing her pen, she tapped her pen against her desk, thinking of anything else to discuss. "It's a huge deal though, so why not celebrate! I'm all about celebrations! Who wouldn't be!" Chuckling to herself, she recalled how many times, she had people meet at an amusement park, waterpark, and all of the sorts for celebrations. 

 Writing a few notes about the interaction between Mrs. Nakagame and Tatami, she concluded, "Do you have any other questions for me? Or even some suggestions you would like to share with me before the start of the break?"

Hitode chuckles softly as well while Tatami is still puffing her cheeks. “Well, I suppose I do have one more.” This time looking far more serious yet concerned than the previous question. “ We heard about the horrible incident about UA. With the lockdowns, etc. I just need to know that even in a hero school, will my daughter be safe? I know Tatami is a determined and spunky young lady, but she’s still training, even with her new license and all. I just need to trust the pros for the love of my only daughter. It’s not that I don’t believe in your skills, but anything could happen.....”

Closing her eyes to consider her words before she said anything, Emi inhaled and exhaled. Glancing up at Hitode, she retorted, "I can assure you that I will make sure to protect your daughter and the rest of our students here at Ketsubutsu Academy, making sure nothing touches them if we have something of the sort happen here."

 Tracing her finger around the rim of her mug, Emi sighed heavily before drinking her tea. Placing her cup down, she continued, "The incident that occurred at UA was catastrophic, and nothing can make that situation better for anyone. I'm not entirely sure why UA was targeted out of the hero schools. Perhaps, it has to do with them being one of the top hero schools, but it could be something, the public doesn't even know about, yet."

Hitode remains concerned, as she has heard many rumors and outrage from many news stations and radio shows as well as parents from across the country on social media. The students suffered debilitating injuries and possible trauma. How can such a prestigious school like UA falter? She continues to coil her finger around her hair, in an anxious manner. She takes a deep breath and collects her thoughts, “Ms.  Fukukado, I place all my trust onto you to protect my daughter with your life and to promise me she won’t come back home with a single scratch. I know it’s a stretch considering you are associated with a hero school, but I beg of you to make sure she makes amazing friendships strive for good grades,  to continue her training without any delays and most importantly, fight to protect my daughter?“

Hitode then goes back to coiling her hair, looking distressed. Ms. Joke is the definition of laughter, and she may not seem like a serious type, but this is her only daughter. She couldn’t even fathom imagining her daughter not returning home as usual. Jumping up and down to see her hair fins wiggle as well and to see her spiky sunshine smile. It gave her chills. Suddenly, Tatami places her hand on her mother’s shoulder. A warm and comforting touch that made Hitode even sadder yet at peace. 

Pressing her lips together, Emi sat there quietly, deliberating how to approach Hitode on this situation. Reaching for her pen, she used it as a way to put her anxiousness into fidgeting with it. Snapping her brows together, Emi enlightened her, "I can assure you, Mrs. Nakagame. I will do everything in my power to protect your daughter. However, I need you to understand that I can't protect her after she's finished at Ketsubutsu or anything out there when she's not here. This is the hero business that we're talking about after all. If you're that concerned, I would suggest re-evaluating why you allowed her to pursue the hero track."

Softening her expression, Emi paused, letting Hitode soak everything in. Glancing at Tatami, she asked, wondering if hearing it from her daughter would change how she felt about the whole ordeal. "Tatami, why was it that you decided to attend Ketsubutsu? Why did you want to become a pro when you could serve your community any other way?"

Tatami looks a little flustered. Of course, this was a question that will always be inevitable, but just hearing it from her teacher, was almost soothing. Tatami straightens up,” Well, I want to become to pro because it’s my choice. I choose out of a free will, to help others for the sake of just seeing a smile on their face. And it’s not only the people we save a smile, but it’s also the Pros as well. It’s like everywhere I go, people will suffer, but people always smile. Everyone has a purpose, and I want to serve my purpose to cherish the smiles on people’s faces! I know it’s a dangerous career, but I can’t sit back and not do anything! I want to use my gifted flexibility to help people in need. I wanna be a useful asset to my teammates. I want to help even in the littlest way possible! I want to come home and see you safe and smiling, Mom! So please, trust Ms.Joke, and she handled teaching us.”

Grinning from ear to ear from hearing Tatami's response, Emi nodded along as her student explained her dreams of the future with her mother. It was heart-warming to listen to her student's answer for why she wanted to become a pro-hero. It was anything like she wished to have recognition, fame, money, or anything self-serving. In many ways, it was fascinating to reflex on the fact Tatami's desire for Japan was similar to her's. 

Tilting her head, Emi beamed, "What a beautiful answer! You're so humble, Tatami!" Assuming that Tatami's mother may respond, Emi spoke before anything else could be said. "I hope Tatami's answer helped you be more at peace with the whole situation. Your daughter has such a big heart; you ought to be proud! It has always been the thing, I've dreamt of my kids having if I ever have some!" Drifting away from the main subject at hand, but she shot her attention back to the two in front of her, she happily chirped. "Anyway, I hope this whole conversation has made you more at ease. If you ever need anything, you're more than welcomed to come and visit, call, or email me. You know, I don't bite...or take everything as a joke."

Hitode exhales with relief yet heaviness. She loves her daughter and has faith in the school, but knowing that such tragedies can happen still worries her, however. Ms.Joke may be seen as comic relief, but seeing as how hard her daughter has trained, gotten her license and made great progress, Hitode will just have to let her daughter be put in the protection of the schools if anything ever did happen. Hitode and Tatami stand up, and politely give their respects to Ms.Joke for taking the time to talk to them. Tatami waves gleefully at her teacher while helping her mother get her things ready and pushes in her chair. She gives a spiky sunshine smile before leaving with her mother

Even though Emi didn't know how to feel about the meeting she just had, she chose to put those emotions away for now. With the Nakagames leaving, she stood up and bowed, giving them her respects. 

Title: 決別 Artist: Boris Album: Pink Year: 2005 Country: Japan