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Guren Ichinose | Red | #A5211F

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[Guren doesn't answer at first, and when he does, he's trying to hide the exhaustion from his face. What that creates is an almost empty stare as he looks down at Izuku, leaning against the door.]

What do you want?

[For a moment, Izuku's gaze sharpens as he studies Guren's face, taking in the expression with some concern. Then, he inhales and straightens his shoulders.]

Just thought I'd share some food with you. You haven't eaten yet, right? [Aaand he's slipping right past Guren, into the house. At least his height's working in his favor this time.]

[Guren is going to protest, but Izuku slips by already, and so he frowns before shutting the door.]

It hasn't been that long since I last ate. I'm working, so I don't have time for something like that.

[Izuku just turns toward Guren, clutching at the little bag he's brought with him.]

Someone told me recently...when you care about someone, it's important to see them taking care of themselves.

[He's...not really there yet, either, but he remembers those words. And he's actually thinking about them now, even if the actual bad habits are harder to kick.]

You should follow that advice yourself.

[He bounces it right back, tired, that exhaustion seeping through in his face even when it's barely been a day. He's already scheduling so much for himself, and he's about to go all out in ignoring his own needs, so... Izuku is right to be over here like this.]

[If both of them are going to be stubborn about this, there's one solution that Izuku can think of.]

I'd rather look out for other people. [That much is easy to admit.] If neither of us are planning to follow it for ourselves... then maybe...we can look out for each other.

That's. That's what family does, right? [It's a bit of a gamble, bringing that word up. Izuku doesn't want him to change his mind. But if that's what it takes to make Guren listen, then Izuku doesn't even have to think about it.]

[People keep using this line back against him!! It works, and he stares for a long, silent moment before he sighs again, tired but relenting.]

Yeah, it is. Look out for me all you want, but I'm the adult here. I can handle it.

[Victory! Kind of.]

You look exhausted, sensei. Can you really blame me for worrying?

[It takes all of his courage to say that. He wants Guren to like him, of course he does, but looking out for his health is more important than simply going along.]

[Does he look exhausted? Guren has to think about that, quietly, dazed eyes staring off in some other direction. He must, if people are expressing concern left and right, wherever he looks.

But he's busy. He's busy, and he can't stop here, even if he worries people.

He's silent, and that probably doesn't help at all, but he doesn't know what to say. Izuku is already here, worrying for him, isn't he? He can't stop that, and he guesses he can't blame him for it, either.]

[Guren's silence is both encouraging and worrying. At the least, he isn't protesting anymore, so Izuku takes one step closer, and then another, until he's standing before Guren, still holding onto that little bag of fruit nervously.]

Is this because of what happened in the forest?

[Even if Guren doesn't want Izuku poking into his business, Izuku was never good at following people's wishes in this respect anyway.]

...It's not your fault.

[Looking at Izuku this close, worried, fruit in the bag in his hand, Guren worries even that he's upsetting him. The forest is definitely part of what's making him so tired, and he can't share the rest of it anyway. But he doesn't want Izuku thinking that means it's all on him, so he chose his words purposefully.

Still, he's not really moving, not sure where he could go in the first place. He has things to do, people to worry about, but Izuku is here and interrupting and he can't just brush him aside, either, or it'll make him feel worse.]

[Izuku cocks his head to the side, gaze surprisingly piercing considering how nervous he seemed to be just a moment ago.]

Shouldn't I be saying that to you?

No.

[It comes out clear, calm and distant, but he looks Izuku in the eyes, and then brings his hand to his own chest, simply.] I'm your teacher.

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