Chapter 321 - 60

Chapter 60: Presents, Scars, and the Fourth Time

"I need help," Ochako groaned as she rubbed her brow while holding her phone against her ear. "Deku's birthday is only a few days away and I still haven't gotten him anything."

On the other end of the call, Himiko and Tsuyu both hummed in thought.

"What did you get him last year, kero?"

"It was the notebook he's using right now for his hero analysis stuff."

"Can't get him another one?" Himiko asked.

Ochako frowned. "I thought about it. But doing the same thing again feels… like a cop out."

"All Might stuff?"

"Ha ha ha, yeah, I don't think so. Same issue I had last year. Deku's collection is extensive. So if I wanted to find something he didn't have… it'd be really expensive."

Both girls on their lines nodded in sympathy on that front.

"We are all pitching in for a cake for him. Would that be enough?"

Ochako shook her head, while puffing out her cheeks in irritation. "I'm not going to have the first gift I give Deku as his girlfriend be a pitch-in on a cake."

"He did say we didn't have to do anything for him," Tsuyu reminded her. Though even she didn't sound convinced by that. The cake was the squad's little act of defiance against Izuku.

"Yeah well, he doesn't just get to drop a basket of goodies in my lap one day, then the next tell me not to get him something. That's not how this game is played," Ochako said with stern defiance. Then, with a more tempered voice asked, "So Toga, you were planning on getting Deku something, right?"

So she was fishing for ideas. She was desperate and would take anything at this point.

"Yeah, but ran into a snag. None of Midnight's sexy lingerie fit me." Himiko grumbled bitterly, "Looked like a kid playing dress up with the way it was all hanging off me."

…

"In what world did you think your scrawny frame was going to be able to wear anything made for a curvy woman like Midnight-sensei?" Ochako paused, then added the important question which should have been the first question, "What exactly were you getting Deku wearing that?"

The real question should have been 'you stole Midnight's lingerie?'

"Something to replace that magazine."

Tsuyu croaked, very obviously not opposed to the idea since she was most definitely imagining Himiko copying Pixie-Bob poses. A hot exhale from Ochako also made it clear she was thinking along the same lines.

Himiko smirked. "Okay. Maybe I'll make this a Christmas gift for you three instead."

Not a sound of objection was heard.

"Still, now I'm at square one along with Ochako."

Tsuyu tapped her chin. "Honestly, Midoriya seems like he'd be more excited if you took pictures of yourself dressed up as Pixie-Bob and not her in lingerie." 

Ochako chuckled. "No, Deku would want to be included in those if you're dressing up. He'd want to be Tiger to your Pixie-Bob cosplay."

"Aren't the Wild, Wild Pussycats a four man team?" Tsuyu asked. She had only just recently become aware as she was brought up to speed on some embarrassing details about Izuku during some of their girl talks. Hence her knowledge of the magazine, and the pair's distrust of older blondes.

…

Ochako's eyes snapped open and she sucked in a breath but Himiko hurried to cut her off. "DIBS! Pussycats cosplay gift dibs! That's mine and Tsu's!"

"Fuck!" Ochako snapped. "You can't call dibs on that! Not if I'm a part of it!"

"Did I agree to this?"

"You'll get to see me in a frilly skirt and top that shows off my tummy."

"… I agree to this."

"TSU!"

"It's ours. You need to be a responsible girlfriend and have your own gift."

Oh, the betrayal was real.

"Where would we even be able to find costumes and a place to take pictures for Midoriya's birthday though?" Tsuyu asked.

Himiko clicked her tongue. "Let's see… Oh, hold on. Hero Cafés. Those are a popular thing, right? They should have costumes!"

"Wait? Aren't those kinds of cafés the kind where the staff dress up?"

"Ehhhh, let's see. Ah, here's one. 'Our cafe lets patrons experience being their favorite hero and waited on by their adoring fans, ready to serve them food and drinks and take promotional photos."

"Ah, so the staff are fans."

"Aaaand they have the Wild Wild Pussycats as an option! Looks like we got Izuku his gift! And a meal too." 

"Can I have my name on it?"

Ochako could hear Himiko's smirk. "I thought you didn't want to do a pitch-in gift. Though don't worry, I'll make sure to pay for everything so you don't have to cheap out and stick to water."

"Grrrrr," Ochako felt her temple throb. "Well, I'm glad we fixed your problem. Still got mine to deal with though." She could hear Himiko snicker. "I know where you live."

Agitated, Ochako got up and started pacing around her apartment. She really was at her wits end. She wanted to do something special. She just couldn't afford much. Not unless she could cut her bills for this month.

Absently, while Himiko and Tsuyu offered a few ideas and reassured her that whatever she did, Izuku would love it, Ochako started combing through her coupon book, maybe hoping there was something she could use to free up some money. She got through a few pages—many were cut up and used already—when she slowed, and paused. "Coupon book…"

"Um, what?"

Ochako tapped the well-used booklet. "I… might have an idea… Ugh, but it might be too corny."

"Then it sounds perfect for Izuku."

"Okay sooo, what if I made Deku a girlfriend coupon book. I could fill it with things like… head pats. Holding hands. A lunch bento. M-maybe a lap pillow."

"God I don't think I can feed off you anymore. Gonna give me diabetes."

Tsuyu made a happy little kero. "It's a sweet idea."

"So you think it's okay?"

Ochako felt a little guilty since it wasn't like she was going to be spending much on this. Construction paper, and basic arts and craft stuff would be it. She explained she didn't want to seem cheap.

"But you are." Tsuyu made an angry croak at Himiko. "B-but it's a very personal gift. One that shows how much you love him. So it's great."

"Wow, Tsu has you housetrained already, huh? I guess she's got the tongue to whip you into shape."

"You know it, kero."

"Oi! Be nice or I won't get one of the support kids here to make the book."

Ochako blinked. "Make?"

"Those nut jobs are still on campus wrecking shit with their inventions. I bet someone has something to make this book be like the ones the stores hand out. With perforated paper, and binded up."

Ochako sucked in a breath.

"Thaaats right. So make nice."

Ochako thought about this, then decided to be dirty. "Tsu, Toga's being mean."

"Be nice Himiko."

"Oh that's dirty."

Ochako just grinned.

Soon after the three started coming up with ideas to be added to the book. Most were innocent ideas. Some were date ideas. Intimate ideas, such as massages, snuggles, feeding him snacks and making out were added. Though when discussing how many for each, Ochako felt her face flush. Something Himiko just seemed to know even though this wasn't a video call. But while a little embarrassing to add, Ochako did have a reason as she explained.

Many of these things were things Izuku actively did or would have no hesitation asking for, if they were back on the island. Ochako had noticed that now that they were home, Izuku was much closer to his normal, shy, self. Not completely of course, but there was a noticeable change.

So, while he might be too embarrassed to openly ask her for some necking time, if he had one of these coupons to hand her when he wanted some new bruises on his neck, he may not hesitate like he would if he actually had to say he wanted it.

"Ochako's trying to wake that hungry beast back up," Himiko snickered.

"Deku isn't a beast," Ochako defended. "He was just more… open with expressing himself… physically. I just want him to know it's still okay to be like that."

"Has Midoriya been physical with you since you got back from your vacation?" Not a question Tsu would normally ask, but given their unique situation with each other, it seemed like it was appropriate. Especially if there might already be some issues creeping up.

Ochako's flush got hotter. Not helped when Himiko didn't take a jab at her, or make a joke, meaning she was paying very close attention.

"We… he has, yes. Last night when I was over for dinner, and he was walking me out, he… ahem, had very hot lips that night. Though it's not like we did anything in his apartment hallway. His mom or Eri could have walked in and seen us." Ochako shuddered at that thought. "He was nervous trying even those kisses. And I want to make it pretty clear I'm okay with him wanting to do… this kind of stuff still. We've talked since we got home, and agreed to slow down. But I want him to know 'slow down' isn't 'stop.'"

The two had the talk they said they needed to have on their last day of vacation, after helping Himiko and agreeing with Tsuyu on what they all wanted.

The two agreed that what they had done during their time on the island, while not bad by any stretch of the imagination, wasn't going to fly so well back home. But Ochako now wondered if maybe she should have been more clear on some things. This gift could help remedy that.

"Well now that we got the sweet ideas out of the way… Let's pick out some spicy ones." Both Ochako and Tsu could hear Himiko's grin.

"No," Ochako said definitively.

"Awww, come on. You won't even give poor Izuku a little special present?"

"Do you want your name brought up in case Eri picks up this book and asks Deku's mom what one of your ideas means?"

There was a very audible gulp on the other end of the line. And a genuinely scared Himiko stuttered out, "Y-Yeah, know what. Let's not do that."

The three went through the list one last time, seeing if there was anything else that Izuku might really appreciate.

Himiko hummed to herself, "Get out of jail free cards?"

"Fuck no," was Ochako's instant reply. Which got all three of them to burst out into giggles.

All Might looked at the picture and laughed.

Katsuki looked like he was going to be sick, but Ochako hadn't offered to let him see it. He just looked, so he could go fuck himself for all she cared.

"Why the fuck is he wearing a skirt?"

"Because he's got the legs to pull it off," Ochako stated simply. When Katsuki looked like he might actually hurl, Ochako added, "We were at a hero café for his birthday, and he's cosplaying as Tiger while the rest of us are the other members."

Katsuki made a sound like he had been stabbed. "How much longer am I going to have to deal with this dating shit?"

Ochako looked at him evenly. "You're more than welcome to leave and never come to another meeting ever again." Katsuki just glowered at her. "Fine, whatever. Not like you to do anything that'd make my life any happier."

"Fuck you."

"Go drink bleach."

"Ha ha ha, come now. We're all on the same side." The twin looks from Ochako and Katsuki made All Might clear his throat and glance away.

It had been a few days after Izuku had informed All Might that the circle of people that were aware of One for All had grown. So, now that everyone's schedule was cleared, it was decided to have a meeting with the group on campus in All Might's office. Just in case there were any lingering questions that needed answers. All Might had taken the news better than Izuku had thought. Granted, while All Might wasn't exactly jumping off the walls in excitement over the revelation, he also couldn't begrudge Izuku's decisions either. As a pointed question from the boy had put any potential arguments the hero could have in the grave.

'How were you able to keep One for All a secret from your friends when you attended U.A.?'

'Ah… in truth, I didn't really have friends. Back then, I was so focused on training, I didn't take the time to make any.'

All Might never had to deal with the issues Izuku had in keeping One for All a secret. No friends. No family. So, with that in mind, he accepted the decision Izuku had made, and simply moved forward in the best way possible to ensure everything went smoothly for him.

"Why the fuck am I even here for this shit?"

Ochako rubbed her brow. "Pick a lane. Either be mad that you aren't involved or be mad that you are. Going back and forth is driving me insane."

"It's best we make sure everyone is on the same page."All Might parroted when Izuku explained why he was inviting Katsuki to the meeting in the first place, when Ochako had been the one questioning if he really needed to be there. As they neared his office door, he said, "It is good to have a few more people keeping a close eye on Young Midoriya. Young Uraraka I'm sure must be at her wits end."

Ochako chose not to comment while Katsuki looked visibly annoyed he was getting grouped into the role of babysitter.

"How the fuck is this my life now?"

Ochako glared at him. "Aren't you the one that kept complaining about not being 'in the loop?'"

The growl that escaped Katsuki's throat was only overshadowed by the cracks and pops from his palms.

"Ha ha ha ha ha! With his girlfriend and his rival keeping tabs on him, I doubt Young Midoriya will get anymore of those brain scars. You two would probably give the poor boy some real ones if he did. Ha ha ha ha ha!"

All Might turned as he laughed, but noticed that neither Ochako or Katsuki were walking besides him now as he got ready to open the door to his office. Both were, in fact, stopped dead in their tracks a few paces back.

"His what?" Katsuki asked, looking like he had just bitten into a battery. Ochako looked like she was still processing, as all the color in her cheeks faded away.

All Might blinked. "The scars on his… I mean surely you both… From his injuries at Hosu…" When he saw no recognition from either student, it started to dawn on All Might that he'd just made a huge mistake. But surely Izuku had told Ochako and Katsuki. His rival and his girlfriend, Izuku must have told them. He wouldn't have kept this a secret. Not from them. But as he looked at the pair, it hit him dead in the soul, that he had just let something slip that he had no right telling. "Oh my god."

All Might quickly opened the door, deciding that this open hall was not the place to have this conversation, and was about to usher the two inside so he could get a handle on what they actually knew and try to figure out just how badly he had screwed up, but then things went from bad to worse.

Because inside the office, everyone in the squad was sitting, all of whom were looking over at a completely frozen—deer in the headlights looking—young man. All Might's voice had obviously carried into the room, and so now Himiko, Tenya, Hitoshi, Tsuyu, Shouto, Mei and Melissa all now knew the extent of Izuku's injuries from Hosu City. Injuries the obviously cornered young man clearly had no intention of ever disclosing.

Everyone had mixtures of shock and worry on their faces as they looked at Izuku, who must have been in the middle of fixing some tea, as he was standing away from everyone.

The room was dead quiet. It didn't seem like anyone was breathing.

All Might turned, his eyes gazing at everyone, until they fell on Izuku, who had turned to look at him. Then, the boy's eyes drifted down, and widened. Izuku saw Ochako.

"Nope."

Instantly, Izuku decided that being where he was wasn't going to work. The door was blocked, so with a flick of the wrist, the window inside the office opened.

"Young Mido—"

In a flash of green sparks, Izuku twisted on his heel and bolted, diving out the open window, landing on the grass outside and taking off, sprinting across the grounds. Putting as much distance as he could between himself and everyone else.

Katsuki slammed his hands on the windowsill, making little puffs of smoke as he leaned out and swore. "Did he really just fuck off?! Oi! Get back here you sh—-"

Ochako vaulted over Katsuki, using his shoulders as a springboard as she sailed through the open window. Landing with a tumble, she was up and sprinting after Izuku without hesitation.

"Fucking bitch don't yo—"

Himiko quickly followed suit, with Tsuyu kicking off Katsuki's shoulders, knocking him back a few paces. With a snarl, Katsuki looked back at the rest. "Next person that's not me goes through that window, I'm blowing you up along with the whole fucking wall."

Katsuki exploded out the opening right after, but everyone else was already hurrying out the room.

Mei leapt onto Tenya's back as the class rep did the unthinkable and started running down the hall.

Shouto pulled a flailing Hitoshi along as he took the now opened window and used his ice to quickly slide along the ground.

Melissa's holographic display went static-y as she grabbed the controls for her drone and gunned it out the window, engines screaming.

And All Might was left alone, hand covering his face. "Oh I've done a really bad thing."

Pressing his back against a tree, Izuku was desperately trying to figure out what the hell he was going to do. Leaving the country was currently top on his list. Japan was clearly a no go for him now. The same with America, since he wasn't stepping foot anywhere where Melissa had sovereignty.

"Europe? Maybe Spain? Tropical beaches in Spain. Or France? But would I look good in a barrette?"

Yes, these were the important things Izuku was thinking about. Otherwise he'd be thinking about how All Might had just ratted him out, and blasted his personal medical history to all his friends.

I mean who does that?! That's not something you just bring up. What, am I just supposed to tell everyone about all my doctor visits now?!

"Aaaaand I'm thinking about it. And right after Uno too… Yeah no, gotta leave the country." Yup, there was no other way to deal with this situation besides—

"Deku!" Ochako screamed as she burst through the brush.

—running.

Izuku immediately took off. He could hear her shout something but all he heard were angry sounds coming from his girlfriend. And that was terrifying on many levels.

"DEKU YOU BASTARD! SLOW THE FUCK DOWN!"

Suddenly the tree next to him exploded into splinters as Katsuki sailed by uncontrollably. Katsuki had to really propel himself to catch up, so he was a tad out of control.

Izuku however only thought, Oh, Ochako sic'd Kacchan on me. Ooooh she's pissed pissed.

Fortunately Izuku was able to pull the shattered tree—actually, trees now that he got a good look at his explosive rival's path—and moved them to block Ochako's path while he kept running.

Good, that'll slow her down and I'll be able to make my escaaaa is that one of the tree bits sailing off into the sky?

Izuku watched an exploded tree trunk streak across overhead. Risking a look, Izuku felt his blood go cold as he watched Ochako float and toss everything that was in her path.

"Ahhhh!" Oh, that was terrifying.

Bursting out of the trees, Izuku cut through the first building he saw. Which just so happened to be a gym currently being used by some third year students. Izuku got some weird looks as he leapt and scurried around them. Mirio paused his dead lift to watch Izuku scurry over several bench press benches while Ochako leapt through an open window, screaming, "Deku! Quit running away!"

"Nope! Sorry! Trust me! Everything's fine!" Izuku used a set of battle ropes to take a sudden turn, leapt over Nejire who was in the middle medicine ball sit-up toss with Yuyu and made a beeline for the open door.

"Don't lie to me!"

"AHHHH!"

The pixie haired girl paused, holding the weighted ball. "Wow, he's running almost as fast as Tamaki did that one time."

"Tamaki had rabbit feet that day," Nejire said with a sigh.

Mirio chuckled. "I remember the rabbit, just not the feet."

"Octopus too," Yuyu recalled.

Tamaki hid his face while the rest of the Big Four all had matching blushes.

"HADOU-SENPAI! Throw me please!"

Nejire, without missing a beat, had a swirl of energy twisting around her arm and fist. "Dodge ball special!"

Ochako launched herself, tucked into a cannonball, and floated. As she soared by the pair, Nejire let her Wave Motion envelop Ochako. Then, with a happy squeal from the spiral girl, Ochako was launched like a missile.

Yuyu watched the girl fly. "Why does it look like you've done that before?"

"Flying lessons." Nejire grinned happily.

"…You scare me."

Izuku was out the door and running, he wasn't sure where. He just knew it had to be far, far away. He could hear new sounds as he exited the gym. Engines roaring. Ice cracking. Explosions popping. Everyone else was getting closer. He needed to—

"DEKUUUUUOOOOH NO!"

Izuku ducked, just as Ochako blasted right over his head. When he looked up, he watched as she deflated herself, crashed, and skid off the ground until coming to a stop in her own dust cloud. She was lying on the ground face down, and not moving. Izuku gasped, and scrambled towards her. "Ochako! Ochako are you oka—"

As soon as he was close enough, a dusty and scrapped up Ochako bolted up, wrapped her arms and legs around Izuku, and with a tap, floated herself and him, so that they now were tumbling backwards in the air. "GOTCHA!"

"Hey! That was a dirty trick!" Izuku complained.

"It's called being cunning you moron," Ochako grumbled into his chest.

For a short while, they both just tumbled gently in the air. Neither really noticing that around them, the rest of their group was a foot or so under them, waiting and listening. Gagged in Katsuki's case, courtesy of Mei.

"How bad is it?" Ochako asked softly.

"You're not mad?"

"I'm furious… How bad?"

Izuku sighed softly. "Recovery Girl said it's superficial." He stopped short of adding anything that sounded like, 'see, no big deal.'

Ochako's grip loosened some as she relaxed. Nowhere near enough that Izuku could get free without forcing it, which he was not going to do, but it was enough to show there was some relief from Ochako. "Who knows?"

"All Might," Izuku said the name with some noticeable annoyance. "Recovery Girl, Gran Torino, Aizawa-sensei… I'm going to guess Principal Nezu, and Mom." Ochako was a little surprised to hear that Inko knew. When she voiced that, Iuzku replied, "She's my mom. She's allowed to see my private medical records."

Izuku's mention of 'private' wasn't overlooked. Ochako frowned, feeling mad, but also begrudgingly understanding. It was a medical issue. Still, "Were you ever going to tell me?"

"I don't know." It was about as honest an answer he could give. "I thought about… a little. Mostly while we were still at the hospital but… with everything it just didn't seem right. After that… I think telling anyone would be the same as admitting I'd done something wrong. And despite what everyone keeps saying, I didn't do anything wrong. So I kept quiet."

Ochako held him close. She had vivid memories of what Izuku had done to get those scars. She knew what did it. One for All pumping his Psychokinies up to horrifying extremes. She should have known something had happened. The way he was bleeding out of his nose, eyes and ears for god's sake should have been a dead giveaway. "You're getting two things mixed up."

"Maybe. Probably. I can't help it."

"So, you kept it to yourself because you felt you'd have to defend yourself?"

"That. Also I just… I dunno, didn't want to talk about it. Defend it, acknowledge it. Have it be another thing I do that makes you worry." Izuku muttered out several reasons, all of which were true. He brought up it wasn't like he had gotten himself hurt in a while. Heck, he'd gone through his exam just perfectly and came out of the I-Island incident relatively unscathed. What was the point bringing it up now?

Ochako could hear the annoyance growing in Izuku's voice. Not directed at her. No, it was more the topic. Maybe some directed at himself. And some directed at, "Does this have anything to do with what I heard about Recovery Girl?" Ochako felt Izuku go stiff.

"Little bit," Izuku said with some bitterness. It wasn't full on anger. But he still had some negative feelings about the subject.

"Deku, I'm not mad at you for not saying anything," Ochako finally said. "Mad you decided running was the best solution you could come up with, but everything else… I can't blame you. There's a lot of stuff all twisted up with this."

Izuku nodded. "I'm sorry."

"I know. You don't do things to hurt people." Ochako sighed. "We share so much it's… weird hearing something so serious but… you had every right to keep it to yourself. No one is entitled to it. Not even me."

Izuku felt a lot of relief hearing that. Maybe he wasn't right keeping this hidden, maybe he wasn't wrong. Hell, he might never know, but hearing Ochako say it meant a lot. Still didn't solve the problem of her knowing of course. But after how understanding she'd been, she was more than deserving to give him a piece of her mind over the scars themselves.

Izuku swore he heard someone below ask if they would get a turn, but they were quickly hushed.

Ochako frowned at the offer, pulling herself up so she wasn't burying her face into Izuku's chest, and now looking him in the eye. "My turn… to say something about the scars?"

"Yeah. You know. It's not like I can tell you not to say anything. So, let me have it." He smiled. It was a nervous smile. He was waiting for the sting of the bandaid being ripped off.

"Izuku," Ochako began slowly, and using his name to let him know she was completely serious, "I am one hundred and ten percent on your side. And will stand in your corner against anyone that tells you that you're wrong."

…

"EH?!"

"Deku, every single time you've had to do something, you had to do something or people would get hurt. Every time," Ochako said definitively.

Izuku took a second, before clutching Ochako tightly. "I love you so much!"

"OI! Ain't done!" Ochako grumbled while giving him a look. "I don't like that it keeps happening and I've really appreciated the break. So, let's keep it up, hmm?"

In short, do better. It was the kind of compromise Izuku could get behind. "I'm so relieved. I was terrified my girlfriend was going to be mad at me and I'd have to flee the country and start a new life and—"

"Oh, I'm still pissed at you."

"Eh?"

Ochako's sweet face turned into an icy glare. "Do you not remember the running? Yeah, there's gonna be consequences for that."

Izuku gulped loudly. It was fair. Didn't mean it didn't get Izuku thinking maybe he should really consider starting a new life in Spain.

"Hey!" Himiko called out from below. "Before you orbit him, maybe give us a chance to say something!"

By the time the group made it back, everyone had expressed their opinions on the nature of Izuku's injury, his habit of getting hurt, and what side they fell on if he was being irresponsible or not. Not everyone was a hundred percent in agreement but, no one was willing or wanted it to lead to any arguments. People talked. People listened. And they agreed that Izuku's current path seemed to be bearing fruit. All in all, Izuku was happy.

"So you really are brain damaged." Katsuki of course had to get in a snide remark, and let Izuku know that this wasn't an acceptable reason to fall behind.

Ochako just about reached for one of Himiko's knives she knew the girl carried with her. But Izuku took the challenge with a confident smirk.

As the group returned to All Might's office, the question came up, if Izuku was going to be mad at him for spilling the secret like he had.

"I think I'm allowed to be mad for the rest of the day?" Izuku pondered.

No one bought that Izuku was capable of staying mad at his hero. And after a very profuse apology from All Might, they were proven right.

The rest of the day went as planned, with All Might helping make sure everyone was on the same page, and answering any questions they might have.

A few days later, at Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall.

"Why the fuck are you here?!"

"Oi brat! What the fuck did I say about talking to me like that!"

Many of 1-A looked back and forth between Katsuki and his mother, all with looks that showed various states of shock and understanding.

Ochako was a little flabbergasted. "So that's where he gets it from."

Ejirou laughed nervously. "Man, if I talked like that to my mom, she'd slap the red out of my hair."

Mina snickered at that.

A good chunk of 1-A had decided to meet up at the mall, so that they could get any supplies they were missing for their summer camp. Some had already wandered off, using the buddy system Tenya was enforcing.

"Oh look, here comes Midoriya now."

"Awww, he brought Eri!" Mina squealed.

Instantly, Himiko, Katsuki and Mitsuki all straightened up, and clamped their mouths shut.

When Inko came into view as well, she eyed the three with an amused expression. They knew she knew they knew what having Eri around meant.

"This is why I'm here… son." Mitsuki's face scrunched up and Katsuki looked like he was in pain hearing her say that. "Inko and I are going to have some lunch while you and your classmates go shopping."

Tenya was glad to have everyone. "Good, now let's get us all into our pairs."

Izuku blinked. "Pairs? Really?"

Ochako shook her head. "Don't. We already tried."

"WHY?!"

"NO!"

Himiko and Katsuki looked ready to die, or kill as they were paired up. Then things got even worse for them. Eri, knowing where the fun would be, looked up at Inko with her big eyes and asked, "Can I go shopping with Toga? Pwease!"

Oh, the horror on the pair's faces. And the grins that both Inko and Mitsuki had. Izuku and Ochako had to turn their heads and hurry away so no one heard them laughing.

"So, how long do you think it'll take before part of the mall has a hole in it?" Mitsuki snickered as she sat down and started looking through the coffeehouse drink list.

Inko likewise snickered as she sat down. "At least long enough that we'll get to have our little drink."

Mitsuki shook her head. "Why do you let that sweet child hang around Toga so much? I thought for sure you'd insist Izuku take her."

Inko hummed as she started looking over the menu as well. "Izuku and Ochako pretty much act like the girl's parents. Very responsible, loving and caring. She would be in the best possible hands with them… If," Inko paused as she raised a finger, "they could be on their absolute best behavior. And those two, still very much in their honeymoon phase, in a mall, without supervision? I wouldn't subject them or Eri to that."

Mitsuki snorted. "So you're literally giving them permission to fool around by keeping Eri away, and sparing the poor thing from seeing any gross kissy stuff, huh."

Inko shrugged with a smirk.

"God, you must be in a hurry for grandkids, huh."

"Not that much of a hurry!" Inko countered. "But I remember what it was like to be young. I'm not going to rain on their parade." Inko glanced down at the menu. "Especially since it sounds like one hell of a parade now."

"Huh?"

"Oh nothing. Nothing at all," Inko said with a hurried but sly smile. She really needed to remind her dear sweet child that unlike most, she could understand his mutterings. So when he had his nose buried in that new notebook, and it wasn't just Ochako's name leaving his lips, she noticed.

That was going to be a fun conversation when he was ready to have it.

Also, she needed to find a way to get this Tsuyu girl over along with Himiko for a nice family dinner. She must be a strong one if she had Himiko falling in line.

"Okay, but why in god's name is she with Toga and my brat?"

"Because she's the fun aunt, and every child needs a fun aunt. They do and say the stuff no parent in their right mind would ever. Plus, I think it's good for Toga too, to be around Eri. Teaches the girl responsibility."

"You know those two are going to say some really bad shit in front of her, right?" Inko sighed and nodded. "And probably take a swing too."

"Swearing? Certainly. Violence… ehhh, maybe."

Mitsuki laughed. "So cussing and violence is fine, but god forbid she sees some smooching."

"More or less, yeah."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The two mothers snickered together before they went back to see what they were going to sip on while the kids were out and about. So neither were ready when a woman entered the coffeehouse and exclaimed, "I don't believe it. Mrs. Midoriya? Oh it is you!"

Both looked up, and Inko felt her eyes go wide.

"So, what does the list say we need?" Ochako asked while she did some window browsing. Not that she was planning on buying anything besides what she knew she needed, and had coupons for.

"Umm, bug spray was suggested," Izuku said as he glanced at the list. "Some worn in outdoor shoes too… Hey, Ochako. We can put our lists together since you don't really need all that much and I'll just…"

Ochako looked over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing. "Deku."

"I mean, you could think of it as a gift?"

"You want to give me bug spray as a gift?"

"…"

Izuku gulped, and then held up his hands. Lesson learned, boyfriend privileges didn't mean he had the right to just buy stuff for her. Or at least stuff like this. Clearly the intricacies of what he could buy and what he couldn't buy for her were going to be a minefield for a little while.

Seeing Izuku drop the subject, Ochako pivoted and went back to normal. "You were talking about getting some wrist weights or something right?"

"Oh, um, yeah."

"Then we'll need to swing by a gym store too."

Izuku nodded, as he looked around, deciding to see if there was something he could talk about and not put his foot in his mouth. He almost tripped on his feet when his wandering eye happened on the display of Amidala's Rendezvous that they were walking past.

Ochako blinked at his little yelp and turned to see him snapped to attention, going out of his way to look straight ahead. Which was super suspicious. When she started to turn, to see what he had been looking at, he shifted, scooching and shuffling his feet so he stayed in her line of sight, like a child trying to block something from view. She arched an eyebrow, which got him to stop and she finished turning to see what had caught his attention.

The mall's Amidala's Rendezvous store, with the window display full of mannequins wearing lingerie that Ochako was shocked they could show so openly. "Huh."

Izuku chirped.

Giving the mannequins another once over, she turned back to Izuku. "So, which one were you imagining I was wearing?"

"Wh-wh-what?! N-no I wasn't doing that! I swear!"

The smoke Izuku was puffing out, the red on his cheeks and just the general panic in his voice made it clear that was a bold face lie. Ochako found it adorable. "Oh? That's disappointing."

"EH?!"

Overdramaticly, Ochako turned around, looking downright defeated. "I must not be doing my job as your girlfriend."

The speed at which Izuku scrambled to rush in front of her, and grab her hand was startling. "NO! Ochako you're beautiful and gorgeous and incredible and… and… laughing?" Ochako, blushing at the sudden onslaught of compliments, couldn't hold back the gaggle of giggles that slipped out. Even using her free hand to cover her mouth did nothing. Izuku took a moment, and came to a very scary realization. "I don't think I'm going to survive if you're going to start teasing me too."

"Girlfriend privilege," Ochako replied with a cocky smirk. "Now let's get a move on. We gotta head to the other end of the mall to find some of this stuff on my list."

Ochako, head held high at her little victory, got a few steps before she heard, "The green one." She paused. Looked back at Izuku as he casually strolled on by without another word, leaving her to tilt her head, wondering what that meant. Then, she glanced back at the display, and saw that one of the mannequins was wearing some green lingerie that was little more than lace, garters and stockings.

Ochako's face lit up like a Christmas tree.

Chitose smiled brightly as she strolled into the small coffeehouse and right up to the table where Inko and Mitsuki were sitting. Instead of her normal business dress, she had a loose casual sundress. The black fabric hung loosely off her frame, with large cutouts along her side and back, leaving her arms, shoulders and back bare. The dress ended just past her knees, so with every strut it fluttered, showing off just the right amount of thigh to be tantalizing.

Capped off with some heels that made crisp clicks with every step, and Chitose looked more like she belonged on a model runway than casually strolling around some tables in a coffeehouse. Tucked under her arm was a small black purse that rounded off the look. A woman that just knew, that just knew she was going to be the center of attention in whatever room she was in.

Mitsuki's head leaned to the side as she watched this blue beauty strut, fucking strut, up to their table, black eyes shining like obsidian and a smile that would make the weaker sex go wobbly at the knees. And the stronger sex too while she was at it. Then there was the blush, and how her smile made her cheeks dimple. A dusting of purple to round out her look.

God, this woman looks… hungry. Mitsuki followed the woman's eyes, and saw they were locked on Inko. Girl what the hell?

Mitsuki was almost ready to think this was a case of mistaken identity, but then Inko sputtered out a surprised, "Ms. Kizuki?"

Holy shit she knows this woman? Why hasn't she told me this?!

Chitose laughed. "Oh, if this isn't the best coincidence."

Inko had to do a double take when she realized who was walking up to them. This was not someone she ever expected to see again. Also the fact this powerful woman remembered her was just about as shocking as seeing her. "I-it is. What brings you here?"

Reaching the table, Chitose gave a little hand wave as she answered, "Oh, just indulging in a little hobby is all. How have you been?"

"Oh, I'm doing alright," Inko said with a smile. Then she seemed to remember that she wasn't alone at the table and quickly moved to introduce Mitsuki.

"Oh, you wouldn't happen to be related to the boy at U.A. would you?"

"That is my bundle-of-joy, yes."

Inko almost fell out of her chair hearing Mitsuki describe Katsuki like that. God she was actually using some manners. It was weird.

"Oh um, this is Ms. Kizuki. I met her at that wonderful dinner I told you about."

Mitsuki blinked, and was about to comment when Chitose smiled, a very not pure smile and chimed in, "Oh please, you can call me Chitose."

It was probably good she hadn't gotten her cup of coffee yet, otherwise Mitsuki might've sprayed it with the double take she made. Inko was also visibly shocked, stuttering a bit before getting out, "O-oh! Um, that's very kind of you. You're um, welcome to call me Inko then."

Chitose's eyes lit up. "Oh, you really are just so adorable."

Inko flushed while Mitsuki was looking between the two wondering what in the actual hell was going on. Because if she had to guess…

"You know, ever since we had our little dinner with Mr. Yotsubashi, I have to admit you've been on my mind a lot." Chitose slides closer to Inko, smiling that dangerous smile. That hungry smile.

"I have? I mean… I don't think I did anything to deserve your attention," Inko gulped, trying to think back to that night. Rewinding it in her head and trying to think what she could have done.

Chitose reached up, and casually moved some stray hairs that had fallen in front of Inko's face. "A gorgeous woman like you, how couldn't I have noticed you?"

She smiled inwardly when she felt Inko move her head towards her touch. Most definitely it was a subconscious thing. But it let Chitose know something very important, this woman was definitely touch starved. Chitose's Quirk needed touch, so if there was one thing she was an expert in, and she was an expert in many things, it was touch and how it affects people.

This poor woman. Oh I can help you in so many ways. Hisashi is completely the wrong person for this job.

The moment was brief, however as it hit Inko just what Chitose had said, she jerked in shock. "Gorgeous?!"

Wait? Wait what?! Me?! Wait?! God her hand felt… WAIT?!

"Oh, most definitely. A woman like you," Chitose let the tip of her tongue wet her lips, "I couldn't keep my eyes off you."

Inko tried, desperately tried to think back. She felt that was something she would have noticed. Though being around Hisashi and him and his boss casually discussing things from the Meta Liberation Army book had been one hell of a distraction.

"I was kicking myself all night afterwards when I didn't get your number. But with your husband there, it made me hesitate. Of course, I come to find out later that things aren't… well between you two?"

For the first time since Chitose arrived, Inko's demeanor cooled a little. Her eyes narrowed a bit, it wasn't a scowl, but she was looking at Chitose with some suspicion. "How… would you know that?"

Chitose laughed nervously and had the great idea to look a little chided. "So… I was a journalist before I became the executive director of Shoowaysha Publishing. And I'm known for being… a tad overzealous with my curiosity." While Mitsuki damn near exploded hearing who exactly this woman was, Inko was still waiting for an answer. "I looked you up, and your husband. And well, I asked some questions. Since well, if you don't mind me saying this, it seemed like there was some friction."

Mitsuki coughed out, "There is."

Inko shot her a look.

"Of course, after finding this all out, well, it was already a few days and… I doubted you even would remember me. So… cold feet."

"You're definitely not someone I'd forget," Inko said, slowly. Much to Chitose's obvious delight. "I… um… why would you go through all the trouble to begin with?"

"Because, I really wanted to have another chance to eat with you. Though," Chitose put some husk into her voice, "maybe more privately." Mitsuki damn near fell out of her chair while Inko's blush was back. Chitose's tone made it pretty clear she wasn't just thinking about eating.

Inko swallows hard. "Oh."

"Well, I'm sure I've interrupted you and your friend's little drink, so I'll just be on my way." Chitose hummed to herself. "You know what, I'm not about to make the same mistake twice."

Inko blinked as Curious reached into her purse and pulled out a business card, and a pen. Flipping it over, she wrote down some numbers and then bent down to hand it to flabbergasted Inko. "Here, my personal number. If you ever find yourself without plans, give me a call?"

Inko, face flushed, nodded and took the card. And watched with rapt attention as Chitose strutted out, swaying her hips with each step.

"Tell me you're going to call." Inko waved Mitsuki off, but the other woman was not about to relent. "Inko, I need you to say you're not just going to sit on this."

Inko slipped the business card into her purse. "What is with you? Calm down."

"You do not get to tell me to calm down when you look like a god damned strawberry right now," Mitsuki countered, pointing at Inko accusingly. "You're going to call that woman by the end of the day, and you're going to jump on this." That last bit sounded more like an order than a plea.

"What has gotten into you? You're acting like this was a big deal."

"Oh my fucking god, please tell me your son didn't get his obviousness from you." Inko did not like the actual fear in her friend's voice.

Inko loved her son very much. She would die for him. But there was no force on the planet that would let her accept being compared to her son in that fashion. "He did not get that from me."

"Then you know what just happened?"

"Ms. Kizuki was flirting with me, obviously," Inko stated simply.

"…" Mitsuki took a deep breath. "So I repeat, you're going to jump on this."

Inko hurried her pace, cursing her short stature since Mitsuki kept up without issue. "Why are you so adamant about this?"

"Because I'm trying to get you laid, you idiot," Mitsuki hissed in a whisper-scream.

Inko whirled, and whisper-screamed back, "I don't need to get laid!"

"Only people not getting laid say that."

Inko openly gawked at the idea. "T-That's not true at all!"

Inko hated the certainty that Mitsuki replied with, since she seemed to already know the answer to her question. "When's the last time something's touched you that didn't run on batteries?" Inko flinched and Mitsuki continued, though not as harsh, "Fuck, how about the last time something with batteries?"

You'd be hard pressed to decide if the red in Inko's cheeks was from embarrassment or anger from that. But Mitsuki didn't care much, only noting that Inko was not making any huge denials. "Yeah, you need this."

"I-I do not!"

Inko was back to walking away but Mitsuki was hot on her tail, practically in her ear. "For god's sake there's nothing wrong with wanting some attention. A hook up like this will get you the attention you need. Fuck, the attention you deserve!"

"I. Am. Married!" Oh god Inko was using her marriage to Hisashi as a defense. There was no ground less stable than that.

Mitsuki clearly agreed. "You're separated. Plus he's a massive dick."

Not a word of disagreement came from Inko's lips. She got a few steps more before she pointed out, "Why are you making such a big deal about this? With Toshinori you were respectful."

Mitsuki crossed her arms. "I thought the two of you would have fucked already." Inko made a sound like she'd swallowed a cup full of lemon juice. "Clearly you need a push if you're going to strike while the iron is hot. And that blue bombshell was fucking hot."

Inko flailed. "I don't—! I don't even know if I like— I mean, she's a— I'm straight!"

Mitsuki looked at Inko like she'd just said the sky was green and the earth was flat. "You? Really?! You?!"

Inko blinked. "Huh?"

Mitsuki pointed a finger at Inko, clearly showing she was not taking this stupidity at all. "Then what would you call all the times I caught you checkin' my tits out?"

Inko's eyes looked like saucer plates. She sputtered and tripped over herself, with only Mitsuki taking pity on her to prevent her from falling flat on her face. But even after making sure the poor mess was stable, Mitsuki just stood in front of her, hands on her hips, with a raised eyebrow. She had Inko cornered and Inko knew it.

"Boob envy?" It was the first thing to pop into Inko's head, and even she knew it was a dumb, unbelievable answer.

Mitsuki shook her head. "For fuck's sakes, with all the 'boob envy' you have, you're not that straight."

"I! You!" Oh, Inko was in trouble. Also apparently Mitsuki just decided to go right for her throat next.

"And you sure had plenty of 'boob envy' when that woman bent down to give you her number."

"I did not!" Inko tried to deny.

Mitsuki wasn't even going to pretend to buy that bullshit. "Your face was so far down that woman's blouse I'm surprised you weren't motorboating her."

Inko covered her face with her hands and damn near shrieked. She hadn't done that. She hadn't! If she had then she'd know that Chitose was wearing a frilly lavender colored bra, which she didn't.

Oh wait, I do know what color it was… Oh fuck me.

"So let's recap. We got The Douche acting all remorseful and trying to be one big happy family. Which none of us are buying." Inko glanced away. "Which none of us are buying, right?!"

Inko's hand made a so-so gesture.

"INKO!" Mitsuki didn't bother to whisper that scream.

"Easy. I'm like 99% sure he's full of crap."

"And the other 1%?"

"…I miss the man I married, okay?"

Mitsuki sighed. "Alright, fine. We'll just… move on. Next, we got that Toshinori. Any progress on that front?"

"I wasn't trying to make progress at all!"

"Bullshit."

"I'm serious."

"So inviting him over for lunch when your kids are out was what?"

"…" Inko turned. "Oh look, they have a sale."

"Oi!"

"He's a very nice, very kind man, Mitsuki. And I got to spend a lot of time with him thanks to Izuku and Ochako. I… like spending time with him. It's just…"

"Just?"

"Once school started, it's been hard to see him. A phone call here or there, but it seems like he's very busy now. Last call was just him asking if I was okay after the whole island incident."

Mitsuki sighed. "Couple fucking responsible grownups here. So you threw out a line and are just getting nibbles still. Fine, not a dead end, but neither of you have done enough, so that's on you two."

"I didn't throw out a line!"

"And now there's madame blueberry, and she definitely seems the type that'll have you calling her madame."

Inko covered her face. "Please don't."

"Clearly you made an impact on this woman because she was after you. Like, holy shit, she wanted some of your pillsbury dough honey."

Inko almost screamed.

"Tell me to my face that having someone want you didn't feel good."

Inko squeaked but didn't deny a damned thing.

"I rest my case."

"Can we go look at the candy store?"

Himiko smiled brightly and patted Eri's head. "Sure we can."

"Oi, Bun Bi…" Katsuki had to visibly swallow that nickname down. "When are we going to actually get things we need?" Himiko didn't acknowledge that. "Oi, this sucking up to the kid to get in good with mommy is getting real old."

Himiko just had to make it through the next hour or so. Then she would be free. After she strangled Tenya for his damned buddy system.

"Oi, Butterknife, I'm talking to you."

Himiko's patience shattered like glass. There was something about that name, that was the final straw. "Listen here you fu—"

"Oh, look at all the different apple candies!" Eri bounced around happily.

Himiko could feel her fangs getting ground down flat as she clenched her jaw. This holding it in shit was not going to work. She needed a new plan. Turning, she kneeled down beside Eri. "Okay. Kid. You understand the concept of money, right?"

Katsuki arched an eyebrow. "Butterknife? What are you—"

Himiko pointed aggressively at him, letting him know she'd be back for him in a second.

"Con…shep?"

Keeping her attention on Eri, as she pulled out some cash. "Concept. Um. You know what you do with money, right?"

Eri's eyes went from Himiko, to the handful of cash in her hand. "Oh! Yes! Money buys candy!"

"That's right! Money buys candy. Would you like some candy?" Eri nodded vigorously. "Okay. So here's what we'll do. I'll give you," Himiko fished out a few bills from her fist, "all this, if you do something for me."

"Ooh, I can get one of the big bags with that! It costs…" Eri held up her fingers. "This much." Eri started bouncing. "What do I have to do?"

"I'll give you this, if you promise to never tell anyone what I'm about to say to… our shopping buddy."

Katsuki tsk'd in annoyance while Eri gasped in wonder. "Funny words. I promise!"

Putting the money in Eri's little fist, Himiko watched as she scurried over to the apple candy aisle. Then she stood back up, grinning like she was back on the streets and about to gut some poor bastard.

Inko sighed in relief as Mitsuki walked off into one of the stores, noticing some nice shirts she might want to get her husband. Taking her chance, Inko drifted along, using the time to collect her thoughts and try to get her head back on straight. Running into Chitose had been an event. The woman had come on strong, and Inko needed to process. So now that Mitsuki wasn't in her ear, she took a moment and breathed.

What had happened wasn't normal. There was no way that was normal. Unless modern flirting was way more direct and like how she'd acted as a teen.

Inko paused and chuckled. In all fairness she'd never been on the receiving end of such direct flirting. No, back in the day, if she wanted something, she was letting the other person know. Which would have been Hisashi once upon a time.

…

Okay, Inko had to admit, after not getting any carnal attention in a long long time, to have an admittedly beautiful woman express some very direct and heated intentions was, well, it was one hell of a boost to her self-esteem and got her a little fluttery and flushed. She looked like a woman that knew what she was doing.

Inko gulped, and gently fanned herself, while also chiding herself too. She was not actually considering this. Nope. No way. Not a chance. She was married. She had responsibilities.

…

Inko wasn't thinking of those vibrant blue lips at all.

"Oh my god what is even going on?" Inko sighed. How did she suddenly find herself with options. Because fuck it if she didn't have some now. She was married to Hisashi, and despite their very deep-running issues, she was almost certain infidelity was not one of them. At least to another person. His work was another thing altogether.

Toshinori, was a strange one. He was a good man. Of that she had no doubt. He believed in her son, and treated her with respect and gentleness. But, there was the real issue that after school started, he just wasn't around much like he used to. He hadn't just abandoned her, but clearly the man was dedicated to his work. Which meant distance. And distance hurt.

And now Chitose. Putting aside that she was scratching an itch Inko hadn't thought she still had, and the fact she was very hot—Inko still could recall how nice that dress flowed over her body back at that dinner—their only interaction had been that one meeting. And Inko just couldn't fathom what she had done to grab the woman's attention. At least, nothing that didn't put her on edge. A lot of Meta Liberation Army rhetoric had been thrown around. In fact, most of it came from Inko doing the bonehead move of just straight up quoting the damned book. And Chitose was in a circle of influence where those ideas were getting floated around. Possibly by her dumb fuck of a husband.

With a groan, Inko stopped walking while she also got herself to stop going down that rabbit hole. She had no proof of anything. There was no reason to cast undo suspicions on someone just because they were friends with a CEO that her husband was trying to cozy up to.

"Doesn't really matter. It's not like I'm going to call or anything…" Inko felt her gaze getting drawn to where she had put the card away. "…Oh my god, I might be considering this."

Inko shook her head, there was no way. It wasn't like she was that desperate for some physical attention.

…

"Oh god."

The problem with finding out you had an itch you forgot about. Suddenly it became all but impossible to avoid scratching it.

Some kids jostled around her, giving Inko the reprieve she needed to pull herself away from her thoughts. She had inadvertently walked into a small crowd watching some TVs from an electronics store. The large and small screens were replaying some sporting events. Some of which were the sports festival. Footage from the second and third year students was playing, and the first years. A replay of the final match between Shouto and Izuku.

Inko gulped, she still felt faint just thinking of those final matches. "Who's bright idea was it to have fist fights as an option?" she muttered. "Sure makes my life hard having to watch my son get all beat up like it's a good thing."

She still went out of her way to rewatch any clips after the second round of games. The dodgeball and capture the flag events were fun. The last one, not so much.

Inko was about to turn away when, "Wait, your son?" Inko turned, and saw someone pointing at the screen Izuku was on. "You're the mother of the kid that got all beat up at the sports festival?"

Inko laughed softly, not sure she liked that description but really couldn't deny it either. "That's me." She really hoped no one overheard this. She didn't want to suddenly become the center of attention. "That's my—"

A hand of death is at your throat, blood will spill so the knife you must note.

For the first time in a long long while, a voice rang out in Inko's ears. A voice that belonged to another life Inko had left to die in the past. Pemphredo's voice, old, insane, knowing, was calling out to her. Years had not diminished it. Hadn't changed the power it carried. That old seer was calling out to her from beyond death itself, and for the first time, in a long long time, instincts Inko didn't know she still had, beat and tore at the casket they were buried in, to drive Inko to move. "—son."

But after so long, Inko was slow to react, her instincts dulled, and taken too off guard by the returning voice to act. So when this stranger, this man covered in a black sweat shirt and pants slung his arm around her shoulder, acting familiar and friendly, she wasn't prepared to do anything.

"Man, U.A.'s really amazing and your son goes there, huh? So cool!"

Sytsevich, the Abegawa Tenchu Kai, Lady Nagant. Inko had been around death more times than she'd ever care to admit. She knew what it felt like. This man gave off that same feeling.

"And wasn't he involved in the Hosu incident? The one with Stain? Man how lucky. Seriously, I can't believe how lucky I am."

The man's arm began to go stiff. Inko wished her instincts weren't so dulled. Wished her body could move like it once could. Because in these moments, with that old woman's voice ringing in her ears, Inko was lead-footed, left to dumbly wonder, "How do you know that?" After all, she was pretty sure Izuku's name wasn't mentioned directly in any press statement. Only that some U.A. students had been caught up in the attack.

The man chuckled. "Oh man, it's definitely fate. I was hoping to see him again, but he sorta just slipped through my fingers. Your kid, man I wish I knew how nuts he was when I first met him. If I had, no chance would I have let him go. That way he wouldn't have gotten in my way at the USJ."

Inko felt fingers press into her neck, at the same time she looked up and saw the face of the man holding her. Cracked pale skin, pale gray hair and eyes the color of blood. She knew who this man was. She knew what this man was. This was the man that had caused her poor child so much pain and suffering. This man was the monster that hung over her son's life like a sword of Damocles made manifest.

"You know, I'd love to get to know the woman that raised a kid like that. Why don't you join me for a bit, hmm?"

Beyond death's pale hand I see no life, only the child that lives in strife.

"Shigaraki… Tomura."

Tomura could feel Inko's body stiffening. Hear her suck in a breath. Saw her eyes change as recognition set in. Hearing her say his name, made him press his fingers harder into her neck, while keeping his middle finger extended out.

"Easy now. You don't want to make a fuss. Just act natural. We're just a couple of buddies, that's all. Calm down, catch your breath. I just want to talk. That's all. Right now, you're not in any danger, but," his finger twitched, "I'm sure your brat has mentioned my Quirk, right? I mean, you know my name, so he's talked about me, hmm?"

It was almost impressive, he thought, the way Inko seemed to recognize the situation she was in. People generally weren't able to act rationally in dangerous situations. But he saw the way Inko's eyes twitched downward. She couldn't actually see his hand, but she was acknowledging it.

"Yeah, that's right. My Quirk is pretty simple for something so destructive. The moment all five of my fingers touch you, I'll make your neck decay away into chunks of gore."

Inko had to dig deep, to find something, anything, to bring her some stability. She recalled a time, when she was tied up and brought into a deep pit to die, when she was able to remain calm. To keep her head long enough to get out of that death trap.

It wasn't much, but it kept her from panicking. She couldn't afford to panic. "I'd have to imagine that… making a scene by killing me wouldn't do you much good, right? You've evaded the authorities up till now. But acting out in a crowded place like this?"

Tomura scoffed, while his eyes drifted out to the crowd of people walking around the mall. "Oh, it'd be bad for me, that's for sure. I'd have the heroes on my ass but… if that's the case. Do you think I'd be content going down without taking anyone with me? Before I was caught, how many people do you think I'd be able to crumble to dust?"

Inko glanced out towards the busy crowd. The image of a fleeing Tomura, hands stretched out to grab and touch any unfortunate person that was in his path. A trail of decaying corpses in his wake. It didn't help that all the death Inko had seen in her past, made the picture in her head all the more real. All the more possible. A visceral scene that twisted her stomach. "You wanted… to talk?"

"That's right. Come on, let's talk."

Chitose hummed to herself as she strolled out of the shopping center. All things considered, she'd say that today had been a total success. It had been a while since she had pulled out a charm offensive like that. Not since her early journalist days, when a little leg here, some fluttering lashes there, topped off with some wandering hands, was the key to getting the juicy details she wanted, had she acted so forward.

Inko was clearly starved for some attention. She hadn't seen another woman so flustered since she pushed her last intern under her desk.

Another sign that Hisashi was absolutely not the right person for this job.

Reaching her car, the door already being held open for her of course, she delivered some instructions to the assistant waiting inside. "I want a list of nearby five star hotels that are close to where the Midoriya's live. For the foreseeable future I need to make sure I'm…" She trailed off when she noticed that neither her driver or assistant were paying attention to her, but had their hands over their ears, listening to their ear pieces. Listening intently by the looks of things. "What?"

Yu turned to look at her, and Chitose noticed she was very pale. "We're getting reports from our people still inside the mall. Shigaraki has been sighted." Chitose felt her eyes go wide. "And… he's made contact with Midoriya Inko."

Chitose bolted out of the car and sprinted down the parking lot. Her loyal followers scrambled to follow after her while they frantically started making calls.

The pair of Inko and Tomura walked at a leisurely pace. "So I gotta ask, what kind of mother lets their kid get into the hero business?"

Inko could hear the agitation in Tomura's voice. The contempt, and mockery. But what scared her was there seemed to be genuine curiosity. Her son had this man's attention, which was terrifying. "I suppose…" Inko began slowly, "I'm the kind of mother that would hope encouraging her son to pursue his dream would help him be happy. That he wants to help people, makes me proud."

Tomura scoffed. "Help people? Right." Tomura looked out to the people walking around them. At kids running around, teens gossiping and the general controlled chaos. "You think this world gives a damn about helping? No one gives a crap about anyone other than themselves. As long as nothing happens to them, they'll just keep smiling thoughtlessly and carry on their merry way."

Inko's mouth made a hard line, but she didn't immediately come out and defend the crowd. Instead, "The world might not, but my son does. You don't think I should be encouraging that? In whatever form he uses it?"

"You're so sure he wants that?"

Inko almost bit back her comment, but it leaked out all the same. "He wouldn't have put himself between you and All Might if he wasn't genuine." Not the smartest thing to say given her circumstance, but she still felt the need to defend her son.

"Or he's an idiot. Or has a death wish."

"Why do you care?" Inko's fear and worry made her voice sound brittle. "Why are you so focused on my son?"

"He pisses me off," Tomura answered simply. "Walked in on me when I snuck into U.A. and then got in my way at the USJ. He even went and got himself a power boost at Hosu City. Your little shit of a kid keeps sticking his nose in my business."

Tomura's free hand reached up and scratched at his neck. "I guess to be fair to you, I hate everything and everyone. Heck, right now it's the Hero Killer I hate the most."

Inko blinked, not exactly sure how to take that. "The Hero Killer? You mean Stain? But isn't he part of your group?" Tomua's nails dug a little deeper as he scratched. "Was it because he got caught?"

"How that ended up in the news I have no idea. Sure, we'd talked but I never acknowledged him. But the news… Oh, they'll write just about anything." His raspy voice became harsher. "I attacked U.A. I released the Nomus on the city, and yet that bastard gets all the attention. What the hell? He's a killer just like me, but he's got sympathizers. And it's not even other gutter trash. Look." Tomua swung his hand out and pointed. There was a small shop selling hero merch and hanging on a wall were masks, a sign proudly saying they were replicas of the Hero Killer: Stain's. "He gets merch made of him. Well, where's my shit?"

Inko's face scrunched up in distaste at the display.

"We're doing the same thing, him and me. In the end we're just destroying the things we don't like. But he's treated as something special while I'm left to rot on the back pages of the paper. Why is that?"

"What… do you want?"

Inko had listened as this man ranted. His words tumbled out almost incoherently. He was insane, but there was something else mixed in that Inko felt she recognized. She could hear the hate burning with his every breath. Despite everything, there was no mistaking that a stoked and burning hate blazed inside this man.

"Stain's whole thing was killing fake heroes, right? What are you trying to destroy? What's your goal? What do you stand for, that someone could sympathize with you?" Tomura paused his scratching, and looked down at Inko. "Stain worked towards a future. What about you?"

Tomura didn't say anything at first, before he shrugged. "I want to destroy this world. This fake fantasy land where everyone thinks everything is okay."

When he didn't say anything else, Inko waited for him to go off on another tangent. But, he didn't. He was looking at her. Maybe waiting for a reaction. Maybe he wanted to see her afraid at the idea, her world coming to an end. Whatever made him wait, whatever response he expected, it wasn't for Inko to look bored. "Get in line."

Something was stirring inside Inko. Something from the dark of her soul was stirring. That this man had such a childlike desire, and was currently considered a threat by the heroes. That this immature person was the one hounding her son, was the cause of her son's pain, had such a dumb as fuck answer to her question, had Nenshouki screaming from the black void Inko had burried her.

"You think you're the only person in modern history that looked at the world and hated it? You think you're the only person that has wanted to take a hammer to this society? That's you and every other person coming home from work on a Monday evening stuck in traffic."

"…Oi, you know I can kill you, right?"

"So could probably half the people in this mall with their Quirks, that doesn't make you special." Nenshouki was taking the wheel, and Inko wasn't really sure if letting her was a horrible idea, or just a dumb-as-fuck idea. "You're just like every other person that stomps his feet because he had a bad day, or has to pay some taxes, or he got a ticket. You throw a fit."

"I attacked U.A. I set Hosu City on fire with my Nomu. Would some prick whining about his shitty life do that?"

"Where was your follow-through?" Inko countered harshly. "Your conviction?"

'You lot are only interested in destruction aren't you. What's the point in that if you don't have a cause to back your actions?' Stain's words echoed in Tomura's ears, giving him a headache. "Eh?"

"All Might isn't dead and Hosu City is still standing." Inko sounded like either a superior officer dressing down a subordinate or a mother chidding a child for not finishing their homework. "You're just doing this because you want to. And if things don't go your way you get up and leave. Uraraka told me once, how she found it so weird how you just decided to give up when you didn't think All Might was going to show up."

Tomura listened, his grip on Inko's neck tightening but she didn't even notice, or care. The flood gate had been opened and she was not stopping.

"You wonder how All Might is able to hold everything up? Commitment. He's the symbol of peace and as long as he's standing, this world isn't going to fall. He's the rock, and people like you, without purpose or a creed, are just waves crashing on that rock. Loud, sometimes you'll drown a person or two, but ultimately you splatter and break."

…

"He he he."

Inko felt her breath catch in her throat. That was a laugh of chalk being harshly drug across an old blackboard. Scratchy and ear piercing. Tomura was laughing and Inko's mind was trying to catch up with what her mouth had been saying. But as she glanced up at Tomura, he was looking down at her, with the most terrifying smile she had ever seen.

"That's it, he he he, I was so caught up worrying about the Hero Killer and why people like him, I lost sight of what I really wanted, but I've got all the dots connected now. Why he pisses me off. Why your brat pisses me off. Why this fucking world pisses me off. It's all because of All Might. These guys are able to smile thoughtlessly because All Might is smiling thoughtlessly. It's because that trash is smiling thoughtlessly, as if there was no one he couldn't save! Because of him, no one actually cares about anyone else. The fragile world we live in, that puts value on such stupid things like justice. That holds trash like All Might on a pedestal, I want to destroy it all and leave nothing but rubble! He has to die, so everything else can be destroyed!" Tomura's grip was now making it hard for Inko to breathe. "What was I worrying about? I'm doing exactly what I should be. I don't need to worry about doing anything different."

Inko started to reach up, but he caught her immediately. "Oops, careful there. I guess I'm holding you too tight. I really don't think I want to kill you. You seem like a good mom… Good moms shouldn't die… Plus, you helped me find my 'conviction.' Though, a dead parent is something all great heroes have, right? Or is that just a comic book cliché?" Inko felt her breath hitch but then Tomura smiled, laughing with an almost comical chuckle. "But then I'd be drawing attention to myself and we both don't want that. So why don't we—"

"Mrs. Midoriya?"

The soft, curious, nervous voice cut through the noise of the crowd. Inko's eyes darted to the side while Tomura frowned at the sudden intrusion. They both found Eri, hands clenched together as she looked up at the pair, eyes looking between the two with confusion. "Is this a friend?"

No, no no no no no! Inko was starting to panic. Eri couldn't be here. Eri shouldn't be here. "E-Eri honey… you you n-need t-to to—" She couldn't find her voice to tell Eri to run. Not helping things was that Tomura was tightening his grip again.

"The hell? Is that—"

"Eri! Hey you little gremlin, you're not supposed to run… off…?" Walking through the busy people of the mall, Himiko came into view as she hurried to catch up to the little girl. But as she neared, her eye raised up from Eri, and she saw Inko. With Tomura holding her neck. Instantly, the friendly happy girl vanished, and the cold hearted killer replaced her.

Behind her, a harsh growl heralded the arrival of Katsuki, as he dropped the bags he was carrying and took up a spot besides Himiko, hands smoking. "You."

Mitsuki grumbled as she walked through a gradually thicker crowd of people. She was a little peeved that Inko had ducked out while she did some window shopping. And all because she was trying to do was get the poor woman some action. Inko deserved some damned happiness in her life.

Thud

She growled as someone pushed past her, while she kept trying to get across the walkway. "Oi, can you people just move? What the hell is wrong with you all?" Mitsuki could just barely see the crowd that was forming a circle around some people, pushed back decently far to give them some room. "I swear to god, if it's some dickhead influencers I'm taking their camera and shoving it up thei—"

"Hag, stay back!"

Mitsuki was just about to push through when someone screamed at her.

"Katsuki? The fuck did I tell you about calling me that you little shit! What the hell—"

"For fucks sake Mom, stay back!"

That made Mitsuki stop in her tracks. Katsuki never, ever, calls her mom. It's just not how their relationship works. So why in the hell was he doing it now? And, why did he sound so fucking stressed out?

Mitsuki took the moment to finally get a look at the scene. Katsuki was there, smoke actually rising from his upturned palms. She was about to scream at him for apparently using his Quirk in public, but then she saw Himiko. And the girl terrified her. Whatever spin U.A. put on her to make her story more palatable was gone. Right now, she was looking at a killer. Then there was Eri, looking lost and confused. Scared even. She was standing between the two, and, "Inko?"

There was Inko, but she wasn't alone. There was a man in a black hoodie next to her. And as she looked closer, she saw the man's hand at Inko's throat.

"Shigaraki, let Inko go. Now," Himiko growled out like a feral animal.

Mutsuki's eyes went wide. Oh god no.

"Should we intervene, ma'am?"

Chitose ground her teeth. "No. we can't afford to have anyone suddenly throwing their Quirks around in public. No drawing attention."

Another soldier had their phone out, video calling the situation.

"Kizuki is correct," the voice of Rikiya came through the speaker. "No one is to do anything."

Chitose waited, before glancing at the screen, where Rikiya was watching, more than half his face covered in black. And so was Hisashi. Though his expression was damned near unreadable. He didn't push for some action. But he wasn't agreeing that there shouldn't be. He was just a statue, watching.

"Eri, honey. You need to come this way, okay?" Himiko was trying, trying, not to let the stress and murderous intent slip out as she carefully tried to coax the little girl away from a quickly spiraling situation. People had noticed the confrontation. Not so much realizing who was involved, just that there was friction, and maybe a fight was about to happen. So of course they all stopped to watch.

Fuckers.

Eri though, was a deer caught in the headlights. She looked every which way, unsure of what to do. The little girl could feel the violence brewing. Feel everything wrong with the situation, even if she wasn't sure what was going on. People were mad, and getting madder.

Himiko so wanted to just rush and grab Eri, but she knew a move like that would trigger disaster.

This could not be happening, she thought. But it was. Tomura Shigaraki was right in front of her, and he had Inko by the neck. And Himiko had seen what happened to a person when Tomura got his hands on them.

Himiko hated having to look away from Eri. For the first time, she cursed that her vision was impaired. She focused on Inko, just to make sure she was still okay. She was pale, clearly freaked out, but doing an incredible job at not panicking. Himiko wanted to offer some words, but they all felt like ash on her tongue. Then she looked up, and growled, "Keep your eyes off Eri."

Tomura was looking down at her, and Himiko didn't like that one bit.

Cracks and pops came from Katsuki's palms as he scooted closer. "We're the ones you need to be worrying about, fucker."

Tomura finally looked up at the two, and made a show of flexing his extended middle finger on the hand at Inko's neck. "Easy now. Mama and me were just talking. Nothing to get all upset about. She and I were just talking about the world, All Might, and her little brat."

"Let her go." Himiko's hands twitched, but Shigaraki held up his other hand, wagging a finger at her.

"Uh uh, no, you keep your hands away from yourself. A crazy bitch like you, I bet you got something sharp on you." Himiko's fingers clenched and she bared her fangs. "Damn, I can see why Saito was so fucked up by you. You sure you're really cut out to be a hero?"

"You keep his name out of your fucking mouth."

Tomura just smiled.

Katsuki snarled, "You want to leave this mall without a breathing tube down your throat, you let her go now."

Tomura rolled his eyes. "Right. Like you're just going to let me go if I let her go?"

"You're either going to leave here breathing, or in pieces in a body bag. Your choice," Himiko hissed, while she moved just a little towards Eri, trying to coax her just the few steps back Himiko needed to pull her away. She bent forward, making small gestures to encourage Eri. And when she did, her shirt shifted and Inko saw it. A flash of yellow. From the handle of a box cutter held by her waistband.

A hand of death is at your throat, blood will spill so the knife you must note.

Tomura smirked. "Damn. Everyone is worried about what I'm going to do to your brat when I get my hands on him," Inko sucked in a breath, "but maybe you all should be more worried about this crazy bitch. I'm just going to kill him, but her? I've heard she cuts people up while they're still alive. More blood that way. You really want this freak around your sweet innocent little boy?"

But Inko wasn't really listening. Her thoughts were latched onto something else. Before Tomura disparaged Himiko, when he spoke about Izuku. That was what she was focused on. Her voice was off, it didn't tremble, it didn't stutter. There was an air of stability, as Inko asked a simple but important question. "You'll keep going after my son. Won't you?"

Tomura just shrugged. "He's got All Might training him. Maybe he's getting trained to take up his spot. Don't really know or care. He's part of the world that's gonna crumble. Plus, I really hate your kid's guts."

And just like that, Inko came to a decision.

Inko reached down into the dark abyss of her soul. Reached deep into the black and muck, searching for that part of her that bubbled to the surface only a few minutes ago. That part of herself she had thought dead and buried. Now, she reached out to her, reached out to Nenshouki, because in this moment, she needed her old self to help her save her son.

Beyond death's pale hand I see no life, only the child that lives in strife.

It didn't matter what those prophecies said as they echoed in her head. She was focused on bringing back the one person she knew could stop this monster. And in the black, dark, mud of a sinking island, Inko felt a hand grab hers. And she pulled, yanking Nenshouki out and letting this woman do what needed to be done.

Inko Midoriya would die for her son.

Inko Nenshouki would kill for her son.

Himiko narrowed her eye. "You're not making a good case for yourself keeping all your blood in your body, you know." She was so close to Eri now. She just needed to—

"If it's a choice between me and Izuku," Inko spoke, and only one person, watching this all play out on a video call, recognized the voice. "Then it's not a choice at all." Heads turned, even Tomura looked down at Inko with a confused look.

"Ummm, the hell?" Why did it suddenly feel like he wasn't holding the same woman anymore? It was like when she had answered his question, but the nob got cranked up to eleven. He got a good look at her eyes, and he saw something he was not prepared for. He saw the cold eyes of a killer. Suddenly, Stabby Bitch and That Cursing Fuck didn't seem like the biggest threat.

Looking up at Tomura, Inko didn't flinch, didn't cower. She looked into his red eyes and said with cold, almost callus certainty, "You want to hurt my son. So that means stopping you is more important than saving me."

"The fuck?"

Himiko was so thrown by that, for an instant, her murderous aura fizzled as she was just within reach of Eri. "What? No, we're going to get you out of this."

Katsuki mirrored Himiko's shock, as he froze in place. Is she seriously saying she wants us to attack?!

Inko glanced over at the pair, and with a small motherly voice reassured them, "I'd never ask you two to do that."

Tomura frowned. "What do you think you're—"

Inko twisted her hand around, so her palm was facing Himiko, and pumped all the will she had into her Quirk. Years, decades even. It had been so, so, long since she had tried to pull something so far away. And to pull it fast. Himiko gave a startled shout as the box cutter was yanked from her waistband and zipped towards the pair.

Tomura's eyes went wide as Inko snatched the blade out of the air.

He put pressure on his heels, moving back.

Inko then twisted hard. Her arm a blur, a red streak of death.

A glint of steel as the razor was extended and swiped at Tomura's neck.

Blood splattered, a visceral spray into the air.

Tomura went up and over the railing of the second story walkway, falling down to the first floor as people screamed and shouted in shock.

The moment Tomura went over the edge, Katsuki pounced. Rushing for the railing, his hands went off like fire crackers when he slammed them down, preparing to leap down to make sure the bastard wasn't going to start crawling away after he went splat on the ground.

When he looked over, his surprise was obvious. Tomura twisted and landed. Not a perfectly clean landing, but he stayed on his feet and hands before he scrambled and took off.

The fuck?! How's he still able to do that after Deku's mom gutted him?!

Katsuki had a foot on the railing, ready to go after him, when suddenly the air in front of Tomura turned black, engulfing the man after only a few steps.

"It's the fucking portal bastard! You're not getting away!"

As Tomura was vanishing from view, Katsuki was about to launch himself after him, intent on pulling Tomura out of that black void. At the same time, a green hooded woman suddenly came out, her hand raised with a bow, no, her hand was a bow, with several arrows knocked.

"Who's this Robin Hood bitch?"

Katsuki got his answer when Beros fired those arrows right at him. Green streaks of light shot across the small gap. Katsuki only just got his hands up in time to blast them into splinters. Several burning specks still hit him, a testament of just how close those arrows had come.

The explosions sent people diving for cover, a mad rush to get clear. But Katsuki was focused. These villains weren't getting away. Even if he had to go down there and—

"INKO!"

The scream came from Himiko, but Katsuki almost didn't recognize it at first. Never, since meeting her, had he ever heard her voice filled with so much agony and horror.

It chilled him to the bone and got him to turn away from the villains as the black portal vanished. He turned, and saw Inko, one of the only few people not running for cover, overcome with panic. Inko stood, motionless.

Soaked in blood.

The box cutter fell from her hand. Then her head listed over, twisting in an unnatural way. Katsuki's stomach retched and he almost threw up. What remained of Inko's neck wasn't strong enough to keep her head held up. A great chunk was missing.

Decayed away.

As Inko crumpled to the floor, Himiko dove to catch her, one hand desperately cradling the back of Inko's head as she lowered the woman to the floor, which was already a pool of blood.

No, nonononononono!

Himiko knew there was nothing she could do. That anyone could do. Arteries and veins were opened. Flesh was just missing and she could see bone. A great decayed scoop had taken away near half of Inko's neck and throat. Himiko had seen enough people die to know there was nothing to be done. The only comfort was that Inko wasn't going to suffer from this much longer. The rate of blood loss, she'd be gone in seconds.

Not that this brought Himiko even a shred of comfort.

She could feel Inko's hands grasping, so she quickly grabbed them. "I'm sorry, oh god, I'm so sorry."

God, she felt so useless. How could this have happened? How—

"Mrs. Midoriya?"

Himiko's head snapped up, and she turned to look over her shoulder. Eri, confused and unsure as to what was going on, was slowly advancing towards them. Her eyes wide, terror filling them.

NO!

Himiko snapped her attention towards a stunned Katsuki, and screeched, "Get her out of here! Don't let her see this!"

Katsuki didn't say a damned thing about being told what to do. He scrambled for Eri, to grab her and make damned sure she didn't see anything else by getting her far away.

"Hi—ko"

Inko's voice was wet, foam and blood spilled from her mouth as she tried to talk. Himiko quickly turned back around, clutching Inko's hands. "I'm here. Hey, I'm here." She tried to make herself sound calm. But she had no practice at giving comfort to someone like this. But she tried. "I'm here."

She wanted to tell her to save her strength, not to try to talk. But god, what would telling her that accomplish? At the very least, she should hear this woman's last words.

"Iz—ku… Er—…O—ko… Pl—se." More blood kept coming, foaming with every excruciating painful breath. "Pr—t—t….L—k —fter…"

Inko's hands squeezed down hard, the last of her strength, as she tried desperately to speak.

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Himiko nodded. "I'll look after them. I promise, I'll keep them safe."

The light in Inko's eyes was starting to dull. It was so hard for her to see anything now. It was dark and cold. "Hi—ko… y—u… ar— … go—d… per—n Go—od."

Himiko couldn't stop the tears now. Nothing could.

"Iz—ku… T–ll… Izu—… lov—… h—m…"

The hands gripping Himiko's loosened, then let go. The pained, frothing breaths ceased and eyes once filled with light, were now dull. Himiko's head fell as she hunched over Inko's body, and screamed. Rage and sorrow ripped through its way out of her as it was the only thing she could do.

Midoriya blood called to death,

The Reaper heard it from the depths.

The fourth time tried she's taken away,

To reunite with friends she lost that day.

Her smile and warmth we'll never forget,

Without her, our lives are now filled with regret.

But beware those that did her harm,

For they now face the son alarmed.

For gentle souls, so serene and bright,

Can harbor fury, rage, and fright.

For anger and hate can darken a heart,

Easily changed, a man ripped apart.

So tread with care those that brought this end,

For the Wrath of a Gentle Soul can rend.