Chapter 10: Let It Go!
"No no no, kid! You're doing it all wrong!" Izuku didn't know where he was, who this random bald guy was, or generally what in the everloving fuck was happening. He did know that he couldn't ask any of those questions, though. Because he didn't currently have a mouth.
Joy.
The man in front of him in this weird twilit void towered over Izuku. He had broad imposing shoulders and wore a bandolier over his bare chest which seemed neither practical nor particularly comfortable. He looked stern, like a cross between Aizawa and an army general, but there was also a kindness lurking inside of him. Izuku wasn't sure how he knew, but he felt it on an instinctual level. This man cared deeply about Izuku but he didn't know why.
"What was the plan in just letting Blackwhip off the leash like that, huh?" The man placed his hands on his hips and snorted like a bull. What the hell's a Blackwhip? "It's like you wanted someone to get hurt or something." After a few moments without a response he looked toward Izuku and jumped in surprise.
"Hey, where's your mouth kid?! That's kinda freaky." Izuku wasn't sure how much of his deadpan expression was conveyed while he was missing a mouth, but he hoped the man got the picture. "Anyway, I'm here because you need to get a better handle on our quirk. What were you thinking out there?" He paused like he was waiting for a response before remembering Izuku's lack of a mouth. "Oh, right. I should probably explain a little bit, huh? Sorry it's been a while since any of us appeared to a new user." He cleared his throat and straightened, his face regaining a more serious expression.
"My name is Banjo Daigoro, you can just call me Five, if you want though. I was the fifth holder of One for All!" The fifth user? Does that mean we're inside of One for All? "Heh, I can see from your eyes you figured it out, right? This is a space between worlds. Everything you see around you is our collective experience of One for All." He pointed to himself with his thumb. "I'm a vestige, and I'm not the only one. Essentially, when our DNA was passed on with One for All a copy of us came along for the ride. So you hold inside of you all our combined power and our combined spirits! Pretty cool, yeah?" The void shook. The flashing colors in the distance seemed to grow brighter and more wild.
"Seems like someone is trying to wake you up. Listen, before you go, we need to talk about the power you just used out there. Those tendrils were the work of my quirk: Blackwhip." He opened his palm to let a tendril appear and wiggle in a loose wave towards Izuku. "Blackwhip's a great quirk, I tell ya. She was one of the strongest base quirks of any user before inheriting and now she's been soaked in the might of One for All, so she really packs a punch! But you've got to be careful." His eyes narrowed in on Izuku and he jabbed a finger into his chest.
"My quirk has always been tied to my emotions and now Blackwhip is tied to yours. If you use One for All in anger the quirk will react to it and wrest control from you like it did out there. You have to stay in control, got it?" He paused for a moment. "You know, you could nod or something, kid." Izuku started at the reminder before giving the larger man a firm nod.
"Great! I know you'll get the hang of it soon. Just remember, control your heart and steel your mind. Your greatest opponent is always going to be your own fear and self-doubt and anger. You conquer those and no enemy will ever stop you." A teal light burst from Daigoro's chest. The other lights swirling in the vortex seemed to glow brighter in response.
"Aw man, it looks like our time is up, kid. Don't worry, you'll be seeing me again real soon!" He shot him a thumbs up and a broad smile. "Oh, and by the way, you'll be getting a bunch of other quirks too, so look forward to that!"
Wait, what?! Izuku tried to reach out and stop him but the light grew so blindingly intense that he had to slap his arm over his eyes instead.
Control your heart, kid!
Keep a cool mind, ninth.
You'll do us proud, son.
You're going to be amazing, Izuku!
You are our legacy, Izuku Midoriya. Go be a hero.
"Uh, what the hell was that?" Kaminari's question sparked a flurry of noise and shouted speculation. For nearly ten minutes the observation room had been silent as the grave as the last moments of Izuku's final transpired. Now a cavalcade of questions and astonished expletives bounced around the room.
"He just yeeted Baku-bro!" Kirishima yelled out. "Or is it yote?"
"When the hell did Midoriya get a new move?" Sero asked.
"Didn't he, like, just get control of his quirk?" Hagakure replied.
"Maybe this was a hidden aspect of his quirk that needed to be controlled before it could explode out?" Yaoyorozu tapped a finger against her chin. "Though how those black tendrils relate to super strength is beyond me."
"We should all refrain from speculation!" Iida tried to yell above the noise but few were listening. "We should be courteous to our classmate and friend and wait for him to return before asking these questions!"
In the middle of the turmoil, Ochako stood quiet. She stared up at the monitors that now showed only the shattered remains of the city block Deku had demolished. The pain on his face as those things erupted from him haunted her. He looked terrified. It was clear to her that Izuku had no idea what was happening. This wasn't some new move or an aspect of his quirk that he suddenly let loose. It was like he hadn't known that was something that could have happened. It was more than just a quirk awakening. Most people who underwent quirk awakenings described them as a sleeping part of their mind waking up. They almost always had at least some level of control over them or some instincts guiding them on how to use it. It was almost like he had unlocked some brand new quirk entirely.
That seemed like the best descriptor. Yaomomo brought up a good point, massive black vines had little to do with super strength. Even if Izuku's quirk had always seemed just a little bit odd for a simple strength enhancer quirk, Ochako didn't even know how to start guessing at an explanation of the lightning that surrounded her friend, this was an entirely unrelated power. Dual aspect quirks could happen, sure, but the two quirks were almost always related in some way. Todoroki's quirk was half fire and half ice, but they functioned the same way. He could create the element associated with each side and the two sides only functioned at their peak when used together. It didn't look to Ochako as if Izuku had been suppressing half of his quirk, not like Shoto had been. This looked like Izuku had just suddenly sprouted a second quirk.
Most of the others were still talking, or in some cases shouting, but there was one other person besides her that was taking everything in in shocked silence. Aoyama stared up at the screen, one hand clasped over his mouth and the other over his stomach where his belt rested. The look on his face was shock and horror, which Ochako could understand, but underneath that was something else. It was fear . His body trembled as his eyes stayed locked on the screen. Uraraka narrowed her eyes on her classmate. Is he scared of Deku or his new quirk? She took a step toward Aoyama, but was distracted by the door opening to reveal a costumed and exhausted looking Midnight.
Several cries of 'Midnight-sensei!' rang through the room. Many of her classmates began to shout questions causing Midnight to hold her hand up for silence.
"Everyone, please settle down. Midoriya is going to be fine. He'll have to stay here for a few hours under observation by Recovery Girl, but he's going to be okay."
"What was that, though?" Ashido shouted from the back. "Was that a new move he was using?"
"We don't know." Midnight seemed heartbroken by the answer. Ochako felt her heart go out to her teacher. Deku was her best friend but she wasn't the only one who cared about him. Midnight obviously cared a lot about her personal student. "Midoriya hasn't woken up yet from the combined effects of my quirk and Recovery Girl's, but when he does wake up you can ask him all of your questions then. Just try to be respectful, okay? Don't all bombard him all at once." Most of the class nodded in agreement. Kirishima threw up his hand.
"What about Bakugou?"
"Bakugou is also still sleeping off the effects of healing. Thankfully he avoided anything too serious and should walk out of here once his parents arrive to pick him up. If there are no more questions, you all are dismissed. Remember, Monday is only homeroom so you can pick up the results of your finals and your class rankings for the end of the semester." Many of her classmates began to make their way out of the room and toward the locker rooms to begin to change and leave, but Ochako picked her way through the crowd to Midnight.
"Uraraka, how can I-" "Can I see him?" She interrupted. "Please, sensei, I have to know that he's alright." Midnight laid a calming hand on her shoulder and offered her a small smile.
"Midoriya-kun is going to be just fine. Recovery Girl is the best for a reason. He should come out of this no worse for wear. Although," her smile turned teasing, "I'm sure it will also help his recovery to know that a cutie like you is worried about him." She felt her face flush.
"D-deku thinks I'm cute?" Ochako could hear the near whistle-like tone of her voice but for the life of her she could not lower it. Midnight laughed at her.
"Darling, that boy looks at you like you hung the moon." The mirth in her eyes dimmed slightly. Her hand clasped at her chest, where a small necklace hung. Ochako couldn't remember ever seeing the necklace before, even when Midnight had been in casual clothes before.
"Can I give you some advice, Uraraka?" Ochako tore her gaze from her teacher's hand to her face and nodded. Her voice sounded, somber, almost haunted. "Don't wait. This life is far too short to not go after everything you want from it. Don't wait for life to hand you something. Go out and take it." Her voice dropped to a whisper, and it occurred to Ochako that the heroine was likely saying it to herself just as much as to Ochako.
"Because sometimes, life will just steal it from you. And you'll never be able to get it back."
When Izuku opened his eyes, he was greeted by a furry white snout looking down at him with a near predatory curiosity.
"Well aren't you an interesting case, Midoriya-kun." Izuku yelped and jumped backwards on the hospital bed. Nezu sipped on a cup of tea that Izuku was almost certain he had not been holding seconds earlier. "It is quite a trick of fate that you could go from having no quirks to having not only one of the strongest quirks of the modern age but to also having the enhanced versions of the previous users of that quirk. Life truly does operate on a grand design, no?"
"Uh, Mr. Principal, sir, I think you're scaring him." Yagi spoke up from where he sat at Izuku's bedside. His mentor was in his skinnier form, a bandage wrapped around his forehead.
"Ah, so it would appear. My apologies, Midoriya-kun."
"It's- ah, it's alright, Principal Nezu, sir. Did you say that what happened was the result of a new quirk?"
"It would certainly seem that way. I will assist in doing some research with Yagi over the next few days though there are quite a few projects that require my attention."
"Do you think you can control it, my boy?" All Might leaned in, pressing his hands against the bedspread. "You wrecked shop a little as it were, young Midoriya."
"I spoke to one of the predecessors." Izuku looked down to his clenched hand. "He said it was called Blackwhip. And he was the fifth."
"Well, that is an intriguing wrinkle." Nezu's ears perked up in interest. "For now, it would likely be best to stick to the official cover story. Your super-strength quirk had a hidden aspect that was only unlocked as you were able to master it. It's a mutated form of telekinesis, the black tendrils are the physical manifestation of your subconscious interacting with the world."
Izuku blinked. "That's it? I guess I was expecting something more elaborate."
"The best cover-ups all contain a hint of the truth, Midoriya-kun. I'll be in touch if I find out anything else. For now, I believe you two need to talk for a while." Izuku felt a rush of guilt as the principal left the room. For a moment there was silence between the two of them until All Might spoke.
"I'm sorry, my boy." Izuku whipped his head up to stare at his mentor in shock. He had never heard him sound so downtrodden before. "I could see that you were getting frustrated and angry but I chose to continue pushing you and the exam forward. In doing so, I caused you no small amount of pain. I'm sorry, young Midoriya." Izuku frantically shook his head.
"No, All Might, it's okay! I'm okay! I'm the one who should be sorry. I let my emotions get the better of me and One for All spiraled out of control." Izuku dropped his gaze back to his hands. "The fifth said that I need to keep a tighter grip on my emotions and not let them control me. I was just starting to get this power under my control and now I have to learn how to use a whole new quirk? Am I even up for this? Maybe you should-"
"That's quite enough of that, young man!" Izuku started at the suddenly buffed up All Might. "Self-doubt will get you nowhere. I have the utmost faith in you, Midoriya!" He poofed down to his smaller form and let out a few wracking coughs. "As I was saying. You've come so far in these past few months. I have no doubt that you'll be able to get this new quirk under control. Just remember, you're not in this alone. You'll have me, Midnight, and all your classmates by your side." Yagi leaned forward to pin Izuku with an intense blue stare.
"Young Midoriya. You naturally have a great deal of self-doubt and fear. Looking back to see if you could have done things better is a valuable tool in your arsenal. However, you cannot harbor those feelings too long. If something is weighing you down, it can often be better to just let them go." Izuku felt tears well up in his eyes.
"Thank you, All Might." Izuku felt a large hand pass through his curls.
"Still such a crybaby, my boy." They sat together in silence while Izuku collected himself. Eventually, Yagi pushed himself to his feet.
"Your mother should be here soon to pick you up, Midoriya. I'll make some calls and see if I can find anything about the past users or their quirks. I'll let you know what I find." He put his hand on the door and Izuku called out.
"Wait, what about Kacchan? Is he okay? Can I see him?" All Might paused at the door.
"He should be awake by now, but I will advise you to go with caution, my boy. You and I both did quite a number on him and he might not be the most pleased to see you."
"What happened to him?"
"... fractured collarbone, torn labrum and rotator cuff from your dislocated shoulder, five broken ribs, and a major concussion. Frankly young man, you should be grateful that your teammate threw you from the arena when he did. Honestly, I cannot believe the idiocy of that man-child sometimes. Who decides it is a good idea to send not one but two teenagers hurtling through buildings!"
Katsuki ignored the old crone's rantings in favor of glaring a hole through the wall across from him. He barely registered when the bitch left. His whole body still felt like it had been run over by a train. Whatever the nurse's name was had healed him as best she could but apparently he was too tired or some shit. He was going to have to spend the next few days in the infirmary in order to get a few more rounds of healing in.
Fucking wonderful.
A knock at the door drew his attention. Curly green hair poked through the doorway, followed by the plain face that haunted Katsuki's every waking moment. Deku…
Katsuki felt that familiar well of anger rise inside of him. If he could do much more than glare he would have gotten up off the bed to beat his ass but that old lady's quirk took just about everything he had left. Still, he did his best to convey his intentions through his eyes. He figured he was mildly successful at least as Deku ducked his head to avert his gaze.
"Kacchan, I-" "Come to fucking gloat, you damn shitty cheater?" Deku looked back up and had the gall to act surprised. Katsuki rolled his eyes.
"What, you didn't think I'd figure it out? Not only were you hiding your quirk from me for fucking years, looking down on all of us, but you figured you'd save those fucking hentai tentacles for our finals just to fuck with me? Had a good fucking chuckle with All Might over it after the fact huh? Well you're always going to be a loser you damn fucking nerd. You're nothing but a stone to crush beneath my feet."
Deku's face fell and Katsuki felt a rush of satisfaction. Serves him fucking right. You hid this shitty quirk just to surprise me with it and embarrass me during my big fight with All Might. You're worse than useless, you fucking Deku, you might as well be a villain. Katsuki barrelled on in the other boy's silence.
"Nothing to say, huh Deku? Guess you didn't need to take any swan dives to get a fucking quirk did you? Bet you and your pals had a real good laugh at that one." Katsuki huffed as he felt a sharp twinge of pain from his ribs. "Fuck off, you damn useless bastard. I'm trying to sleep here."
"Kacchan, please I just-" Katsuki exploded.
"Didn't I tell you to fuck off and die! Get the fuck out of here you lying useless shitheel!"
"What in the world is going on in here?" The damn grandma pushed in the door and fixed Katsuki with a glare. "Get back in that bed, young man! You need rest!"
"Fuck off, hag!" Katsuki looked to continue cursing out Deku but the little weasel had snuck out. He let the, surprisingly strong, crone muscle him back into his bed. I don't know what the fuck is going on with you Deku, but it doesn't matter. Your lying ass will always be beneath me. I'm the best and I'll fucking prove it to each and every one of you. This won't stop me. Nothing will.
But you weren't the best, were you? A voice whispered in the back of his mind. He beat you. Despite everything you've done he still beat you. How can you be a hero if you don't win?
"Fuck you! I will be a hero! I will!"
"Young man lay your butt back down or I will sedate you!"
Izuku limped into the apartment, trailed by his mother who had not stopped fretting over him since she had picked him up.
"Why don't you go lie down, sweetie. I'll bring you something to eat in a few minutes." She turned to go to the kitchen but turned at Izuku's call.
"Mom?" Her smile was bright though her eyes betrayed her worry. Izuku felt something like grief settle into his stomach. "Have you ever realized that someone wasn't actually your friend? Like, maybe you thought that they were but one day you realized that they aren't?" Inko's smile turned sad and she cupped his cheek in her palm.
"Oh, darling. Sometimes I forget you're still only fifteen. Some people aren't meant to stay in our lives. Even if they were once really important, and maybe they still are, but they leave all the same. It's not a bad thing, sweetheart. That's just how life works. Sometimes the best thing we can do, for both us and them, is to just let them go. If they're meant to come back into your life they will. If someone wants to be your friend they'll find a way to. I know that you would."
His mom patted his cheek and pulled him into a tight hug. Moms really are the best, he thought as he squeezed his mother tightly. Eventually they parted and Izuku went to his room to try to sleep off more of the healing Recovery Girl had done to him. A buzzing from his phone broke through the exhausted fog. Izuku pulled it out to find the group chat for his friends rapidly firing away into the ether, trying to find out if he was okay.
The Mouse Has Eyes (Ochako what does that even mean?)
Rapunzel
Hey guys, I'm okay!
I made it back home and everything, I'm just exhausted
Buzz Lightyear
Deku!!!!!!
Lightning McQueen
It is excellent to hear from you Izuku-kun!
I am glad to hear you are alright!
Tatiana
^ kero
Buzz Lightyear
Deku!!!!
Elsa
I am also quite glad you are okay as well
Ah one moment
There's something I need to do
Elsa has added I Missed Brooklyn!
Elsa
There we go.
I Missed Brooklyn
What the hell is this
Buzz Lightyear
Oh one sec
Buzz Lightyear has changed I Missed Brooklyn to Aurora!
Tatiana
Oh that's perfect lol
Buzz Lightyear
Thank you :)
Aurora
I will repeat
What the hell is this
Rapunzel
Hi Shinsou! This is our gc!
I guess you're a member now lol
Aurora
what
Buzz Lightyear
ONE OF US
Elsa
One of us
Tatiana
One of Us
Aurora
Oh good I always wanted to join a cult
This changes nothing by the way
I'm still going to destroy you
Izuku saw a new notification pop up in his direct messages from Ochako.
Direct Message
Asteroid Belt
Deku!!!!
Seriously though are you okay?
Midnight wouldnt tell us anything
Cumulonimbus
I'm fine I promise!
I didn't even break any bones!!
It was just overwhelming and a little more painful of an activation I guess
Asteroid Belt
Well that's a relief lol
No more broken bones til at least second year!
Cumulonimbus
Yes ma'am o7
Asteroid Belt
If you're feeling well enough
Do you want to go to the mall with me Monday after class?
Together?
Cumulonimbus
That sounds like fun!
I think a bunch of the class were planning on going Tuesday
If you would rather do that?
Asteroid Belt
No, I'd rather it be just us
If that's okay with you?
Cumulonimbus
Oh, okay yeah! Sounds like fun!
I'll bring some casual clothes to school and we can leave right after
Asteroid Belt
Sounds good!!!!!
Izuku plugged in his phone and dropped it to his nightstand, ignoring the gentle buzz of yet more shenanigans in the group chat. His mind wandered unbidden to Katsuki. He had seemed so vulnerable and scared in that hospital bed, but he still lashed out like an animal when Izuku showed up. He rolled over to clutch at his pillow. Whatever was going on in Katsuki's head, it didn't seem like the sort of thing Izuku could help with. He could admit to himself, here in the dark of his room with the comforting sounds of his mother cooking seeping from under the door, that Katsuki wasn't his friend. Probably hadn't been for a long time. Friends didn't suicide bait one another, or bully them, or do any of the things Katsuki had done over the years.
But he could see shades of the boy he used to be too. The vulnerable and scared version of Katsuki that had laid on the hospital bed looked a lot like the Kacchan that he had looked up to as a kid. All prickly edges to hide the heart inside. He had so many walls up. Would Izuku ever be able to reach him? Did he even want to? Maybe his mom was right. If he couldn't get Bakugou to hear him out, then maybe it was time to let him go.
Izuku rolled over again, wrapping himself tightly in his blankets. There was no reason for him to obsess over this tonight, he reasoned. Katsuki wasn't going anywhere. As sleep claimed him, Izuku resolved to keep his distance for now. He could decide what to do after the summer camp.
"I told you so."
"I know, Nemuri."
"I told you shit would go down. But did you listen? Nooo because I'm Shouta and I'm Mr. Always Right."
"You were right, Nemuri."
"I told you so."
"Yes, you did."
…
"I told you so."
Inko gently closed the room to her son's room. He had fallen asleep shortly before she had finished his dinner so she stored the soup in the fridge and finished tidying up everything else. She made her way to her own bedroom, keeping her footsteps soft to avoid waking Izuku up. She closed and locked her door before bending down to grab something beneath the bed. She pulled out a small locked wooden box. It was a dark brown, almost black in the low light, with a silver clasp in the front.
She slipped the chain off from around her neck, and used the key pendant that hung from it to unlock the box. Opening the lid, she pushed papers to the side, maneuvered around birth certificates and passports. She rarely had cause to open this safe but today she was drawn to the comfort its contents offered. Her fingers traced over a letter, hastily written in familiar sloping handwriting, but she moved that to the side too. Spotting her prize, she plucked a small photograph from where it was tucked against the furthest wall of the safe.
A younger Inko laughed back at her. None of the worry lines or stress marks that she had gained over years of being a single mother. This younger Inko had her arms wrapped around a taller man, his head ducked in to place a kiss at her temple. Messy wavy black hair, not too wild nor too tamed brushed against her. Even years later she could feel the immense heat the man radiated from his chest. He had confessed to her, one night when the world had reduced itself to just their tiny single bedroom apartment, that he had never paid for heating when he lived alone. She could hear the slightly raspy tones of his voice whispering in her ears. I never understood the point. I'm my own private space heater, my love. Why should I give them a dime when my quirk is free?
She sighed, bringing the photo close to her heart. I wish you were here, Hisashi. Your son needs you. She didn't bother to stop the tears that tracked down her cheeks.
I need you.
Chapter 11: Put Your Heart On The Line!
Izuku was lying to them. Ochako could buy the idea that what he was calling Blackwhip had come from Inko, but she also knew Izuku Midoriya. Izuku loved quirks. He had spent over an hour info-dumping to her about how Gang Orca's quirk was potentially mislabeled and his mutations were really secondary aspects to his primary quirk of Sonic Paralyzer less than a week ago. Izuku lived and breathed to analyze quirks and his ideas were on a whole different level than anyone she had ever heard of before.
So how did he not know what happened to his own quirk?
He had had over a day to think about it, plenty of time for him to come up with ideas, but he only had a vague theory that the principal gave him? And why was it the principal who was giving him updates on his quirk instead of Recovery Girl or a quirk counselor? Izuku was evasive in most of his answers, which wasn't in itself surprising for her anxious friend/crush, but he didn't drop into a single mutterstorm the whole time he gave his explanation to the class. Not once did he rub his hand through the back of his hair, his signature nervous tell. No one got excited over quirks like Izuku but he just seemed uncomfortable talking about it. Not nervous like he normally was talking to the whole class but uncomfortable with the topic even being mentioned. If he didn't want to talk about it she would understand, but why would he lie?
As the bell rang Ochako couldn't help but dwell on those thoughts. She knew Deku. She knew the kind of person he was and if he wasn't telling them something he probably had a good reason for it. Still though, she narrowed her eyes at her friend. I bet there's someone else who knows what's going on with Deku.
Izuku loved his classmates, he did, but he was low on energy and most of Class 1-A only had two settings: loud and louder. He was still feeling the after effects of the healing Recovery Girl had done to him and he was a bad liar in the best of circumstances so when the bell finally rang he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. Most of the class seemed to accept his explanation without much fanfare, though he did catch some of them giving him curious looks throughout the day. Thankfully they only had a half-day to come in and get the results of their finals and the packing lists for the summer training camp so he could focus on his upcoming trip to the mall with Ochako.
"Midoriya-kun!" Or not. Izuku turned to see Midnight hurrying towards him and he felt the nerves that had perked up at hearing his name shouted settle back in his stomach. When she got close enough she put a hand on his shoulder. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm still a little tired and sore, Kayama-sensei, but I'm okay. What's up?" Izuku couldn't quite tell what emotion danced in Midnight's eyes as she looked him over.
"Would you come with me for a minute?" Midnight led him out of the hallway and into an empty classroom. She sat on the top of the teacher's desk and crossed her arms. "I'm a little worried about you, Midoriya."
"It was just a quirk accident, sensei. I know that I need better control and-"
"Not about that." Kayama cut him off. "You do know that all of that wasn't your fault right?" Izuku was quiet for a moment before she continued. "Bakugou attacked you. I will be urging the faculty to punish him appropriately for it."
"I- you-, but…" Midnight's professional demeanor melted away into a more sympathetic expression.
"Izuku, he attacked you out of the blue and with no provocation. I didn't want the two of you to be together on this exam in the first place. I was overruled, but I won't let it happen again."
"Kayama-sensei, it's okay. I understand why we were paired together."
"You do?"
"Yeah. We're both strong fighters but Kacchan needs to be able to work with others. I don't mind being the one to try and work with him."
"Your safety shouldn't be put at risk for someone else's growth." Izuku shrugged. This was just how it always was for Izuku. The quirkless kid was usually the one sacrificed for the betterment of others and even if he wasn't quirkless anymore wasn't the job of a hero to put his safety on the line to help people? His teacher sighed at his nonchalance. "Can I give you a hug?"
At Izuku's nod she rose from the desk and brought him into a hug that threatened to refracture his ribs. He had never quite realized it before, but his teacher gave off an enormous amount of body heat. There was a subtle strength in her grasp too. He often forgot because of her disarming personality but his teacher was a hero with years of experience. Between the warmth and tightness of her hug, he'd say it was one of the best he'd ever gotten. If he were forced to rank the best hugs he had received, Midnight's would be in the top three right next to his mom and All Might.
"If there was something more between you and Bakugou, more than just a childhood rivalry, you can tell me. You know that right?" Izuku looked up into her eyes. They were filled with sincerity and a fondness that he hadn't been expecting. He wasn't sure any teacher, with the exception of All Might who didn't count for obvious reasons, had ever looked at him with as much care as she did in that moment. Maybe he should tell her. Of all the teachers at U.A. Midnight was probably the best one to tell if he wanted something done about it.
But Izuku needed to figure things out for himself first before letting anyone else influence his decision. He didn't know what he wanted to do about Katsuki but he needed time to figure that out. So for now, he'd stick with what he knew.
"I know, Kayama. Thank you."
"Bakugou, I need you to explain to me your thought process at the beginning of the exam." Shouta eyed his student from across the table.
"Beat All Might. Secure a complete and total victory." Evidently, even after cooling off for a full day, Bakugou's arrogance was unbroken.
"And before that? When Midoriya was trying to strategize with you and you struck him in retaliation? We may not have the audio but the recording is fairly damning."
"I didn't need Deku's help." Bakugou snarled. "He just got in the way."
"Don't you dare call him that!" Midnight's fist slammed into the glass. "He has a fucking name you little shitstain!"
"Maybe you should calm down, Nem." Hizashi gently ghosted a calming hand over her shoulder. "Sho's got this. Going postal on the little listener won't get us any answers."
Nemuri glared at Bakugou from through the observation glass that separated her from the "hearing room" that Shouta, Inui and Bakugou sat in. She didn't understand why they were even bothering to try and understand whatever twisted reasoning Bakugou was using in the exam. They had their facts. Bakugou lashed out unprovoked. Izuku's quirk awakened because of the anger and frustration he felt. One was a matter of lack of control and the other was an accident. It seemed pretty cut and dry to her.
Maybe this is why they aren't letting me on that side with them, Nemuri thought. But then again so what if she was being biased? Someone needed to step up for Midoriya's side. The world owed that kid a break and heaven help her she was going to fight for him.
"Let's be clear here, Bakugou. This is a rather serious matter." Hound Dog's growling voice was rough and gravelly. Their guidance counselor/head of security/vice principal wore many different hats and was often the primary handler for these disciplinary hearings. How he ever managed to leave the grounds was beyond Nemuri. The rat often worked him, well, like a dog she supposed. "It is only in your best interests to give us as much insight into your thought process as possible."
Katsuki narrowed his eyes toward the pair of teachers across from him. What the hell was their game here? Did they think they were fooling him with this shit?
"Clearly you've already decided what you're doing with me and you just want me to hang myself. If you're going to get rid of me just grow a pair and fucking do it." The hobo sighed and Katsuki felt his blood pressure spike. You sigh at me one more time and I'm going to give your tired ass an eternal nap fuckhead.
"Bakugou, we haven't decided yet what we're going to do with you. That's part of why we're here discussing it with you in the first place."
"So you can trap me in one of your little logical ruses? I'm not falling for that shit."
"I'm sorry that you feel that you can't trust me, but I really am doing this for your own good. It is our responsibility to train you to be the best hero you can be but we can't do that if you're going to go around attacking your classmates."
"Deku fucking started it, alright?!"
"Really? What did he say?" Katsuki clamped his mouth shut and glared a hole into the table. Despite what the hag thought he knew when to shut his fucking mouth. Talking now would only give them more ammunition to use against him. The underground hero sighed again and got up from the table.
"You've got too much potential to be this damn stubborn, Bakugou. You need to learn to work with others or you'll never make it in this world." He was halfway to the door when Katsuki spoke again.
"Why do you even care?"
"I told you, it's our job to make you the best hero you can-"
"Not that!" Katsuki settled back into his chair from the outburst and returned to glare at the table. "Why do you even care about what I did to Deku? No one's ever given a shit before."
"Because the way you treat him is wrong." Aizawa straightened and for the first time Katsuki truly understood his hobo-looking teacher was also a pro hero. " It's wrong and cruel and it was unfair of the rest of the world to overlook your behavior. But it's the job of a hero to fight the cruelty and unfairness and the wrongs of the world. That's why I care so much, Bakugou."
"All Might-sensei!" Toshinori wasn't sure he would ever get used to people saying that. He slid his phone back into his pocket and turned to the voice of his student.
"Ah, young Uraraka! How can I help you?" Toshinori could admit that he didn't give as much attention to the other students of 1-A as he did to Izuku but even he acknowledged that the expression on Uraraka's face was far more serious than usual.
"All Might, do you know about Deku's quirk?" If Toshinori hadn't been straining One for All to maintain his muscular form, blood would have been spraying from his lips in surprise. As it was he had to take a few moments to process before he answered.
"Ah, I'm not sure what you mean? What about Midoriya-kun's quirk?" Uraraka narrowed her eyes at him. He had the distinct impression that she could smell the unease in his answer. His years of smiling in the face of danger came through once more though and the fire in her eyes dimmed into concern and dropped from her face.
"He's hiding something, All Might. I just want to make sure he's okay." Her response was mumbled toward the floor and Toshinori felt his heart soften. He was a solitary creature by nature. Even in his youth he had never felt the draw or urge toward relationships, both physical and emotional, that his peers had and as he grew older he learned that it was something he neither wanted nor needed to feel fulfilled. He had his work as a hero and his circle of friends and confidants and that was more than enough for him.
But young Midoriya was different and Toshinori supposed it was yet another area he had been neglecting his successor. He knew how Nana had struggled balancing bearing One for All and her life with her husband. He couldn't just stand by and allow the same thing to happen again. Maybe it was time Izuku started to put his trust in others.
"Young Uraraka, do you trust Midoriya?" She looked up sharply.
"Of course!"
"Do you think he would ever do anything to hurt you?"
"No, never."
"Then let him come to you in his own time, if he is keeping something to himself. I know this whole quirk awakening situation has been hard on him. He needs you at his side right now." Uraraka nodded.
"Yeah, you're right. Thank you All Might!" She wrapped her arms as best around his middle as she could before turning and tearing off down the hallway. Toshinori watched her amused at the energy that only the young could possess. He slid his phone out of his pocket again. He knew what he was going to say but that didn't mean he dreaded hearing it any less. He pressed one of less than ten saved contacts and brought the speaker to his ear as the ringing began.
"If you're calling about my car insurance I'm going to use your face as the new treads for my boot!"
"Sorahiko, it's me, Toshinori."
"Who?"
"It's me, Gran, Toshinori."
"Todoroki? Why the hell are you calling me?"
Toshinori let out a sigh. At least Gran kept his sense of humor in his old age.
"I want him expelled!"
"I'm afraid we cannot do that, Kayama."
"Oh don't bullshit me, Nezu! I don't care about any of your fucking circumstances anymore. Bakugou hit Midoriya in the middle of the exam. There was no provocation or accident; he just hit him! You've dropped kids from the hero course for less."
"And if I were to expel Bakugou, would I not have to expel Midoriya as well? Bakugou struck him, yes, but Midoriya used a quirk to launch him over a hundred meters. Midoriya walked away with a bruise on his chin and Bakugou had his clavicle and several ribs broken. I'm afraid both of them would have to be punished."
"But Bakugou started it!"
"And Midoriya escalated." Nezu steepled his fingers under his jaw. His normally jovial eyes hardened into the gaze of an apex predator. "Do not mistake my caution on this matter for apathy, Kayama. I do not believe that Midoriya is at fault for his actions but if we were to expel Bakugou for this incident and not Midoriya there would be an uproar among the parents, the donors, and the media. With the recent actions of the League of Villains, I'm afraid we just cannot risk the public's faith in us being shaken."
"What about Mineta? We expelled him!"
"Mineta Minoru received several written and verbal warnings before his expulsion. And any third party would question why in both situations Midoriya caused potential harm to another student and was not punished for it. Bakugou Katsuki is the Sports Festival winner. If we were to expel him all confidence in U.A. as an institution would be shaken."
"So you're keeping Bakugou because you're afraid?"
"No, I am not expelling Bakugou because it would be unfair. Bakugou could rightfully claim that he lashed out on accident and in the heat of the moment resorted to violence. Would the same thing not be true for Midoriya who caused much more severe injuries and has already used that defense in his actions toward Mineta? How could we punish one but not the other?" Midnight turned on Shouta.
"Well? You're his homeroom teacher. What do you think?" Aizawa rubbed at his temple. His coffee cup had long since been emptied and it seemed he was regretting not bringing another. Tough shit, buddy, you brought this on yourself.
"We can't just cut him loose, Nemuri. But," he interrupted the tirade that was about to explode from Kayama, "that doesn't mean there won't be consequences." Midnight huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
"What consequences?"
"Officially, both Midoriya and Bakugou will be given formal warnings. Because Midoriya's actions were the result of a hidden aspect to his quirk we had no prior knowledge of, he will not be punished. Bakugou will be asked to attend some counseling sessions with Hound Dog to determine if he needs anything more serious in terms of therapeutic intervention." Nemuri narrowed her eyes at the principal who just smiled back.
"Not even a suspension?"
"I think it would be best to keep him close at hand," Inui countered distractedly. "Detention is a better alternative."
"He'll serve it with me for the next month then. Additionally," Nemuri switched her attention to Aizawa. "Bakugou and Midoriya will no longer be paired in any exercises in heroics or in any of their classes. I'll be switching the seating chart as well to decrease any issues on that front. Bakugou can go on the training camp but I will be letting the Pussycats know to keep an eye out for any behavioral issues. He'll fail the final and he'll have to attend the extra lessons."
"I still say we're being too lenient on this kid. His attitude has been a problem all year long. Seeing his victim get even more powerful and start to surpass him? It will be a miracle if this is the only incident for the rest of the year."
"She's right." Inui mentioned from where he was pouring over the medical history of Bakugou as well as his own notes from the hearing. "We have to treat this delicately. We push him too hard and he could snap."
"Thank you! So let's just expel him and save ourselves the trouble!"
"I actually don't think that's a good idea either." Inui noted. "With his mix of inferiority and superiority complexes, if we kick him to the curb there's a good chance he becomes a vigilante at best. It's probably best if we keep him here so we can monitor his progress with regular sessions with me and a stricter eye from his teachers on his behavior."
"Oh so now we're keeping him because he might end up becoming a villain?! Come on!"
"We can't punish him based on what he might do," Nezu said, collecting a stack of papers. "For now we are doing all we can. If he steps out of line again then we will take action. Unfortunately that will have to be all for now. There are other matters I must attend to." She threw her hands up into the air in disgust and stalked toward the door. Before she walked out, Nemuri turned to the rest of them.
"I warned you. I told you shit would hit the fan if you put them together in the exam. Well here we are. I hope you're happy." She slammed the door before opening it again. "And for the record, Shouta, I told you so." The door slammed behind her as she made her final exit from the office.
Midnight stalked down the hallways of U.A. both annoyed at the outcome of the meeting and annoyed that she was annoyed. Inui and the Rat made some decent points but she didn't have to like it. She just hated seeing her students get hurt. It was her job to protect Midoriya and she was doing a fucking bang up job so far. Why should the needs of one student trump the needs of another? Didn't Izuku deserve to have a safe and healthy school life? She wanted that walking mortar bomb away from her student. Bakugou had 'potential' according to Shouta but she was going to make him walk a razor's edge to get to stay at this school.
And if she was annoyed that she had explicitly told Shouta not to do this and then it blew up in their faces anyway, well that was no one's business but hers. A phone call interrupted her thoughts. She raised an eyebrow at the number she didn't recognize but picked it up anyway.
"Hello?"
"Hi, is this Kayama Nemuri?"
"This is she, can I ask how you got this number?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry. This is Midoriya Inko. I got your number from my son, Midoriya Izuku?" Nemuri brightened considerably.
"Ah, Midoriya-san! How lovely to hear from you. How can I help you?"
"Well, I was hoping that I could invite you to join myself and Izuku for dinner tonight to thank you. You have done so much good for my son recently and it really is the least that I could do."
"I would be delighted! What time tonight?"
"Would 17:30 work for you?"
"That sounds perfect . I'll see you then!" Nemuri hung up and felt a tendril of excitement worm its way into her stomach. Midoriya felt like family and his mother seemed just as lovely. Dinner would be the perfect opportunity for her to learn more about her student's mysterious past.
As she walked down the hallway with a renewed sense of vigor, she remembered the emergency glitter she kept in her desk and the vulnerable sleeping bag of her senpai and friend that was stashed in the teacher's lounge while he met with Nezu. Have fun being a disco burrito, Shouta. Maybe next time you'll listen to me.
After both Hound Dog and Midnight left, Aizawa found himself standing in front of Nezu's desk as the principal continued to prepare for his next appointment.
"Sir?"
"I really do have another meeting to be getting to, Aizawa-kun."
"What's the real reason you haven't dug deeper into Midoriya and Bakugou? Why haven't you shut down Aldera Middle School?" Nezu stopped gathering his papers. "Midnight might buy your story but you and I both know you've never hesitated to step on the toes of the commission before. What's changed?" In the long silence that followed Shouta stared into the beady eyes of his boss. Eventually the chimera placed the files in his hands gently on his desk. Shouta eyed the considerable amount of effort the principal used in restraining himself from slamming something. This couldn't be good.
"I trust that you'll be discreet with this information, Eraserhead." Aizawa stiffened at the use of his hero name. That only ever meant trouble with Nezu. "Our lovely Kayama has a tendency to act first without considering the far reaching consequences and given your own experience with the darker parts of our business I can assume you'll keep a cooler head?"
"Of course, sir."
"There is a great deal of danger in attracting too much of the commission's attention to Midoriya Izuku. For his and his family's sake as well as for the fate of this country as a whole. And no, I won't be disclosing why that is." He headed off Aizawa's question before continuing. "In the specific case of Aldera Middle School, however, there were several irregularities in their finances that require a more delicate touch in the investigation. Their government funding is entirely from a single party in the Diet. The school itself was a pet project of a party leader who spearheaded the foundation of it some sixteen years ago. And for such a small school, it has received an inordinate amount of private donations to keep the building afloat. But it seems that the money just disappears once it reaches the school. No receipts for textbooks or new desks or any item in the school's expenses proves that the money reached them. Now, a public middle school that has received millions of dollars in donations from donors who have never attended nor had any relatives attend? It's quite the mystery. And most curiously of all, they all share one thing in common."
"And what is that?"
"Why, every single one of the donors are employed by the Detnerat Corporation of course!"
"The support company?" Aizawa furrowed his eyebrows. What the hell did they have to do with any of this?
"The very same. Now why do you think a company who develops support gear and weapons would finance a small school in a random city in Japan? It's all very curious, Aizawa-kun. I'm beginning to suspect there are much larger forces at work here than we are seeing."
"What do you want me to do sir?"
"Just keep an eye on Midoriya for now. Things are about to get very interesting around here and Midoriya Izuku is the key to it all."
"I'll do some looking into it on my end, but you should really call him. You know that he's the one who did the most research into this, Toshinori."
"I know, sir. I- I will."
"You can't let this fester anymore, boy. You and that successor of yours can't wait. If what you're saying is true then we need to bury the past and move forward to the future."
"Yes, sir. I'll take care of it."
As Toshinori hung up with Gran Torino, his phone buzzed with a new text message.
Mamadoriya
Yagi, I would like to invite you to have dinner with myself and Izuku tonight.
It's a celebration dinner for Izuku passing finals.
You helped Izuku so much it is truly the least I could do.
All Right All Right
I would be delighted, thank you Midoriya-san!
Please let me know if I can bring anything to the dinner!
Toshinori put his phone away. He could call Mirai in the morning. He couldn't very well ignore a dinner party invitation after all!
Nezu's tail swished gently in the air behind him as he walked the now barren halls. Overall this was quite the successful day. His heart went out to Izuku Midoriya but pain was an opportunity to grow and the young holder of One for All needed a little bit of toughening up. It was a common problem among young humans. They all let their emotions run wild without considering the bigger picture.
He was a creature of the bigger picture.
Kayama was upset with him, but that was fine. Midnight was a good hero but a lousy tactician. While she helped individuals and picked up charity cases he would help millions of people now and for future generations by shaping the next wave of heroes. U.A. was his brush and he, the artist that would paint a better future.
Whether or not she liked it, Bakugou Katsuki was a part of that future. Nezu held no particular fondness for the boy. He was feral, which he could appreciate, but he was yet another human consumed by their own insecurities. Keeping the boy would mean tempering his rage and breaking his pride, which he would leave to his former pupil. Aizawa had a talent for sculpting young heroes like few others Nezu had known. He could sympathize with Kayama's position, of course. His days under the torturous thumb of the Commission did not leave him incapable of feeling for a young man who had more than likely faced years of continuous abuse. But Midoriya was fine now, was he not? He had a quirk, he had peers and mentors.
Besides, expelling the boy meant headaches that Nezu wasn't quite prepared to deal with. The Commission would be easy enough to deal with, though they would no doubt plague the ninth holder of One for All for the rest of his days if they found out about his quirk, but they held no real power and he was already planning to take them down a few pegs in the next ten years. The public's faith in U.A. would be shaken, which would delay his plans, but it would likely recover with time. Even the oddities with the Deternat Corporation and its mysterious CEO was more than likely a minor distraction.
No, the problem was laid with the Symbol of Evil. He had no doubt that All for One had his own agents at the HPSC and likely within Nezu's own halls (and oh, did that thought make his fangs descend). If he were to expel Bakugou the boy might become a pawn in his plans or worse, cause All for One to approach with more caution than he had shown thus far. Frankly, the League of Villains was the best thing that could have happened for Nezu. Now he knew their enemy was alive and plotting. If All for One had simply stayed in his cave and waited it would have been much harder to track him. He couldn't afford to let All for One work from the shadows any more. It was time to draw the monster out from its lair.
But for that he needed bait and he needed to know exactly who was feeding information to his enemies. The first year's training camp was a logical point of attack for Shigaraki Tomura and his league. By limiting knowledge of the location to just Eraserhead and Vlad King he could cross off a sizable chunk of suspects from his list.
His private elevator dinged cheerily as it arrived. Nezu held his ID to the scanner and pressed the buttons for the third, first and second floor. After twenty-one seconds, he pushed the button for the basement. The elevator shuddered and began its descent to his private level. All he could do was wait for the pieces to fall in his chess match with All for One. For now, he had to see a contractor about her work. It wasn't easy to find hackers willing to break into the Hearts and Mind Party's private donor lists. He hoped she could deliver.
The Kiyashi Ward shopping mall wasn't exactly Izuku's favorite place in the world. Crowds and quirkless people didn't mix all that well. It was safer to stick to the places that Izuku knew well with multiple escape routes that Izuku could use to run from bullies. Crowds meant more people to try and hide from, less room to maneuver, and fewer avenues of escape if he needed to bolt.
He wasn't even wearing clothes that he could comfortably run in. He had his red sneakers, but the red jacket he and his mom had bought was unzipped and could be grabbed and used to drag him back. He wore jeans that Izuku thought were entirely too tight but his mom and Midnight had both said were 'in style' whatever that meant. The shirt he was wearing was an older white v-neck that was also a little tighter than he remembered it being. He picked at the fabric but it snapped back to his stomach.
Ochako had forgotten something at U.A., so Izuku was waiting by himself in the outdoor plaza near the entrance and the butterflies in his stomach were steadily working themselves into a tizzy. It was stupid of him to be nervous, though, wasn't it? He and Ochako had hung out dozens of times outside of classes. Even if most of them were around other friends, the two of them normally found themselves alone, abandoned by the others over time until only they were left.
So why was he feeling this nervous? His jacket was light and it was early enough in summer that he shouldn't be sweating this badly. Was he getting sick? He hoped whatever it was wouldn't affect him too much during the training camp.
When he saw her, those butterflies transformed into buzzing wasps. He had thought he had seen every variation of Ochako, from sweaty and puking during the entrance exam to the made-up, poofy ball gown wearing version of her from the party at I-Island. For some reason though, it felt like he was seeing a completely different side to his best friend. Her hair was half up and half down, gathered in the back enough to poke over the back of her head though her bangs still hung over her forehead. She wore a loose flowy sundress, a soft blue with yellow flowers toward the bottom of the skirt. As she got closer Izuku smelled… lavender? Was she wearing perfume? When she finally came to a stop a step in front of Izuku he was able to see the slightly darker brushes of her eyelashes. The natural pink blush on her cheeks looked brighter, almost exaggerated.
Beautiful.
Izuku punched himself in the leg to snap through the haze she had him in. The pain let him focus in on the look of confusion growing on Ochako's face.
"Uhh, Deku? Are you okay?"
"Fine!" Izuku winced at the volume he used. "Ah, I'm fine, thanks. How are you? You seem good. You, ah look good. I mean, you- you always look good but you look better like this. Ah, well you see, I um-"
"Deku, it's okay." Ochako interrupted what Izuku was sure was about to spiral into a cycle of digging himself deeper into trouble. She looked almost as embarrassed as he felt. "Thank you for saying I look good. You look really cute in that jacket."
"Oh, thanks. It was my mom's suggestion." The two paused in the middle of the mall. The silence stretched for a few beats too long until Izuku broke it. "Ah, should we go? I figured we could grab some drinks or something and then wander around and see if there were any shops we wanted to stop in. I actually did want to pick up some more resistance weights for the trip. Maybe we can stop for mochi afterwards?" Damn it Izuku, just act normal! It's just Ochako!
"Sounds good! I could use some bug spray too. Gotta keep those pests away, you know?" There, see? She doesn't hate you. It's just the crowds messing with you. Get a grip. The tension that had been building in his shoulders loosened and Izuku stood up straighter with a posture that made his mental sensei proud.
"Well, hopefully you can keep me close." Izuku winked at Ochako, finally beginning to feel more normal around his suddenly-far-too-attractive best friend. "Let's do it."
Ochako hid her face in her boba to take a steadying breath. Izuku had shed his jacket when they moved inside, the garment now residing in the backpack at his shoulder. The shirt he wore underneath it was practically painted onto him and it was distracting . The way it highlighted his shoulders and his narrow waist made her want to-
Pure thoughts, Ochako. Sister Magdalene. Recovery Girl in a swimsuit. That time Izuku tripped and fell down a flight of stairs. No, that was adorable. Sister Magdalene falling down stairs. Well, now I just feel mean.
"Ochako?" She jumped at Izuku's voice next to her ear. She blinked at the boy who pointed at the store behind him. "Do you mind if we look around for a bit? I won't take too long, I promise." She smiled when she saw the hero merch lining the windows.
"Sure, of course!"
She wandered the rows of the store while Deku stopped to inspect each and every item, muttering to himself all the while. It was endearing to watch him so deeply in his element. She idly wondered if he would be like this when they were heroes, gushing over their friends' new releases and buying out entire store's worths of Uravity and Deku merch to display proudly in their house. She could easily picture him with a toddler sitting on his shoulders, another tugging at his hand asking him to get a specific toy for them. He would laugh and spout off trivia about the hero on the cover, or tell them about times they had worked together or… She blinked at that added wrinkle. She could admit now that she liked Deku, but marriage? Having kids? It sounded far-fetched and fantastical and… really really nice. Izuku was her best friend, the most amazing person that she had ever met. Why wouldn't she want to start a family with him many many years down the line?
One step at a time, Ochako, you haven't even asked him out yet! She spotted a lego set that boasted Midnight and Uwabami defeating Briar Rose. The mini-figure of her teacher seemed to dare her from her packaging, challenging her to make a move. She could practically hear Midnight in her head. Don't wait. Go out and take what you want!
She thought back to her daydream. There was no way she'd ever get that future if they just kept circling each other in this dance they were doing. Well, I guess we'll have to start with that and figure everything else out later.
"Hey, check it out!" Deku waved at her, a small bag hanging from his fingertips. "So I know in that manual Tenya was showing us it said we should label our luggage so…" He pulled two plastic rectangles from the bag and handed one to her. "I got us matching luggage tags!" Ochako's was a navy blue with swirling teal galaxies and dotted with white stars. A chibi version of Thirteen pointed at the clear laminated plastic covering the card. Izuku proudly held up one that was a bright purple with his own chibi Midnight on the tag. His grin was wide and infectious, and Ochako couldn't resist smiling back at him.
"They had a couple of All Might ones but I figured I have enough of his merch and it wouldn't have matched as well as with the Thirteen one. What do you think?" Ochako laughed.
"I love it! I didn't think you could ever have enough All Might merch though?" Izuku shrugged back at her.
"I guess I just wanted to honor some of the other heroes I admire, you know? Besides, once they start making Uravity merch I'll have to transition to collecting that instead." Ochako thought back to her daydream and the nerves in her stomach decided to make themselves known. She felt the stare of lego Midnight at her back. Ah, fuck it. Two can play at this game, Izuku.
"Oh? Are you going to be my number one fanboy?" Ochako took a step closer to him, close enough to brush her chest against his. "Here I was hoping you'd be my number one good boy instead." She watched his throat bob as he swallowed thickly. Thank you, Midnight! Her heart felt like it was going to burst from her chest, but she pushed it down in favor of snatching Izuku's free hand in her own.
"Come on, you wanted to get some training weights, right? Let's go!" She sprinted down the mall, using her elation and leftover nerves as fuel to drag a slightly dazed and reddened Deku in her wake. She felt a vicious little giggle bubble up out of her. This is for the train station, you adorable green tease!
Eventually, Izuku felt his brain reset. Ochako had finished dragging him most of the way through the mall and slowed down to the point where he could now walk beside her instead of being pulled like a sled. Her hand, however, was still tightly wrapped around his. What did all this mean? He had sworn for a moment it had looked like she was about to…
Don't be ridiculous, you quirkless bastard. Why would she want to kiss you? No one wants a worthless Deku as a boyfriend.
Izuku shuddered as the whispers invaded his mind. He felt Ochako bump into his arm and look up at him with a questioning glance.
"Are you okay?" She held up their entwined hands. "Is this okay with you?"
"Yeah, yes. I mean of course it is! It's just-"
"Ah, could I interest the lovely couple in a sample?" Couple? Izuku blinked at the salesman who had suddenly appeared in front of him. He had a strange looking mutation quirk that made his skin a bright sky blue and horns grow from his head. His pure white eyes lacked an iris or pupil, but they shone with energy nonetheless. Maybe he's related to Ashido-san?
"Oh, I'm sorry we-"
"Oh no need to be shy, young lady. Here, try this scent on." He flicked open a bottle in his hand and sprayed a fine mist into the air. Izuku coughed into his shoulder and his eyes burned. "This is a brand new quirk enhanced perfume. It's been modified to smell exactly like your partner's favorite things. So? What does it smell like, young man?"
Izuku blinked the residual tears from his eyes and focused in on Ochako. She looked between him and the salesman, a little annoyed at the interruption but a steady stream curiosity beginning to overtake her annoyance. Eh, I'll try it. He took a breath in.
"Sorry, I think it might be defective. I don't really smell anything. It still smells like that lavender perfume you were wearing when we came in." Ochako flushed a deep scarlet. The salesman laughed and put a hand on Izuku's free shoulder.
"Well, it seems like you got yourself a good one, little lady. Here, take this sample on the house for being such good sports about it, yeah? Please, I insist." The two of them managed to extract themselves from the man, Izuku absently tucking the bottle into his bag of merch from the store.
He thought we were a couple. Izuku snuck a look toward their hands which were once again swinging between them as they continued to walk. Are we… is this… what?
"Izuku? Izu-kun?" No, there has to be some sort of other explanation, right? I mean, Uraraka wouldn't want to be in a relationship with someone like me. I'm so weird and plain and she's so… everything I'm not. "Deku-kun? Hey, Deku!" I never should have listened to Midnight-sensei. I can't do this. I'm not confident or cool or anything. I should probably just - "Deku!"
"Huh?" He blinked dumbly at Ochako who had gripped him by the shoulders and was still shaking him. "Ochako, what-" "No! You are going to listen to me here and now, got it mister?" Her face was red from anger. He had only seen this look in her eyes once, when she had declared her intent to win the sports festival in front of the class, so Izuku did the smartest thing he could and nodded mutely.
"Good. You are smart, amazing and wonderful, Izuku Midoriya. You are incredible and cute and brave and you are going to be the most amazing hero one day damn it, so don't say those things about yourself! Any girl would be lucky to have you but they'll have to wait in the back of the fucking line!"
"Ochako, what-" She cut him off by pressing her body against his. She was close enough that Izuku's world was dominated by the smell of lavender and warm brown eyes.
"I love you, Izuku Midoriya."
Izuku's breath was stolen from him as Ochako slammed her lips against his. She tasted like green tea and mint, a combination that immediately became Izuku's new favorite. Distantly, he felt like it was probably a little awkward that they were kissing in the middle of a mall but that part of him was quickly bludgeoned into submission by the rush of joy and warmth from having Ochako in his arms. Eventually she pulled back. Izuku felt like he had run a marathon and like he could run a hundred more. The energy in him buzzed like One for All had gotten shaken up in a soda can and was ready to burst. Ochako smiled, nervous and hopeful with a dash of mischievous glee hidden in it. Izuku was pretty sure he was smiling as well but he couldn't feel anything but the ghost of her lips on his.
"Well, boyfriend, we should get going. I think I was promised some mochi." She leaned in to whisper in his ear. "And I think I know what I want for dessert after."
Izuku shuddered. His hand was grabbed and Ochako pulled him after her, laughs spilling from both of them. There were a few wolf-whistles and cat-calls that made the two of them blush as they ran off deeper into the mall but Izuku couldn't care less. He just hoped that she wouldn't let go of his hand.
Oh, I'm so screwed.