In Her Name

by blueinanoceanofgray, uncrowned king (blueinanoceanofgray)

Summary:

[VARIOUS X M!CYBORG!READER] After a horrible incident takes away most of your body and your entire family, your best friend, Melissa Shield, works to bring you out of your comatose state.
She succeeds— however, things are not the same.

Cross-posted from Quotev.

Chapter 1: Departure

“Melissa. Why am I leaving?”

“It’s your dream to attend U.A., remember?”

 

You stared down at her with eyes that should have expressed confusion. They should have held some emotion in them.

And yet they did not.

 

Your eyes were only artificial tech, after all.

 

Melissa stared up at you with crinkled eyes and a sad smile curving her pink lips.

She recalled when she first discovered via a frantic phone call that you and your family had been caught up in a violent villain attack. After confirming the death count and your status, David Shield had your unconscious body flown from California to I-Island in an effort to bring you back.

Melissa was already devastated, but it worsened when the fact that your parents were unsalvageable was spoken to her by her own father.

The bodies were in horrendous shape and Melissa had demanded to at least see a picture, but David refused.

 

You’d been incubating within a glass tank filled with a strange liquid for a good year or two before Melissa and her team succeeded in making all the artificial body parts that would replace your damaged ones.

 

Your eyes.

Both your arms.

One foot and one leg.

 

A team of skilled surgeons removed your damaged body parts and attached new ones, making sure to connect all the transmitters to the proper nerve endings. Artificial skin wasn’t stretched over your new limbs, contrary to popular belief.

Fortunately, your brain was still intact.

However.. the parts of the brain that controlled your emotions and stored your memories were damaged beyond repair.

 

Although you looked like him.. you were not the [L/n] [Name] that Melissa once knew.

 

“Be careful, okay? As strong as it is, carbon fiber breaks in response to concentrated impact. You can’t get into fights just yet.” Her smile became a bright one as she gave your upper arm a firm pat, the bracelet on her wrist jingling.

Your arms were made of carbon fiber, stainless steel and other, less obvious materials.

 

You looked down at Melissa over your shoulder as she pushed you towards the airport doors. “According to the airport manual you have provided me, I will set off the metal detector at the clearance.”

Melissa laughed jovially as she kept moving you along. “Don’t worry! Papa is there to specify. He’s been waiting, y’know!”

Behind you, a butler was dragging along your luggage, which wasn’t much.

 

“Mr. Shield is loitering.”

“It’s okay!” Melissa did a roundabout to walk backwards in front of her friend. Winking, she said, “As much as I don’t like to brag, Papa has some power around here.”

“That is bias.”

“..Somehow, your personality hasn’t changed much.” She snickered to herself as she ran ahead, looking back to give you a grin of mischief. “C’mon! You can’t miss your flight!”

“The only prohibitor to me missing my flight is your direct orders.”

 

When you and Melissa encountered David, he’d already talked to the security.

“Papa!” Melissa ran up to her father right away, giving him a good hug.

“Hi, sweetie.” Smiling, the man pat his daughter’s head.

 

As Melissa released him, David turned his attention to you, who’d arrived at a calm walking pace. “[Name]. It’s hard seeing you go so soon, son.”

“It is Melissa’s wish.” You calmly replied, staring up at the man with your eerie black sclera and (e/c) irises. Melissa left your eyes that way because she thought it looked cool, much to David’s dismay.

“Have fun, alright? And make sure to switch out your eyes when you get back. They creep me out.” David laughed as Melissa slapped his arm, scolding him for being so rude.

 

Your head robotically shook side to side, your uneven, but generally jaw-length hair swaying. “Those were not Melissa’s orders. I must keep the eyes.”

David shortly exhaled through his nose. Amused, he glanced down at his daughter. “He only listens to you, huh?”

Melissa giggled, her fingers coming to her lips. “Mhm! Even though we never programmed him to do anything of the sort, he still does!”

“How odd.” Chuckling, David closed his eyes and smiled as he lightly ruffled your messy hair. “Stay safe, y’hear? And you remember how to use your boosters?”

 

“Yes.” You held your right hand out, revealing a circular opening whose covers slid opposite ways to reveal a glowing core. “Incine—“

“Not here!” Melissa squeaked with panic as she closed your fingers around your palm. Glaring softly, she yelped, “You could’ve hurt someone!”

“Yes, but I did not.”

 

“..Get going, okay? Make sure to text me lots!” Huffing, she shoved you through the metal detector, which beeped. “The timezone difference is gonna be tricky to deal with, but I’ll definitely make sure to respond!”

As you walked away, Melissa called with hands around her mouth, “You remember where the gate is, right!?”

You called back in monotone, “Yes. Goodbye, Melissa, Mr. Shield.”

 

They watched you disappear into the crowd, luggage now in hand.

“Papa..” Melissa’s blue eyes held a certain distantness to them as they searched the crowd for a mop of sloppy [h/c] hair. “Was it right.. making him pursue a dream he doesn’t remember?”

David’s eyes softened as he pat the girl’s head. “Only time will tell.”

Chapter 2: Melissa's Orders

   You made direct eye contact with whoever stared at your metallic hands as you boarded the plane. They quickly looked away, unnerved by your eyes.

   The white tee, thin grey men’s cardigan, beige shorts and spruce-colored sandals you wore didn’t do much to conceal your odd appearance. The inhabitants of I-Island were used to seeing crazy things, but that didn’t mean they didn’t have a habit of staring a little.

   Finding your seat, you sat down, staring out the window as you prepared for a long flight.

   

   Lifting off was a new experience, and so was seeing the late March sky from above the sparse clouds. The sky was a beautiful azure, and seeing everything from up here was so mesmerizing that your head didn’t move an inch till the fifth hour hit.

   Feeling drowsy, you turned forward, eyes shutting.

   

   It was eight hours later when you exited Tokyo International Airport.

   You scurried along within the hustle and bustle of the humans around you, your eyes flicking around at the towering city buildings and lovely cherry blossom trees. Despite it being six a.m., many people were up and walking.

   For awhile, you stood directly underneath a tree, gazing up at the petals being caught by the soft breeze. Early April was the heart of cherry blossom season, so not many had bloomed just yet. It was only late March.

 

   Although you didn’t feel any emotions in particular, you did experience some basic human instincts.

   Fascination. Curiosity. Hostility. Indifference.

   Devotion.

 

   From the airport, you headed to Musutafu by train.

   David had arranged a small apartment for you, and you moved right in. Much of you was fascinated by the unromanized signs and unfamiliar architecture, so you wanted to explore. However, that would be going against what Melissa wanted.

 

   “Move in first before exploring, ‘kay? Head back inside after eight. And stay in crowded areas. The crime rate in Japan’s a lot lower than the U.S., though, so you should be okay.”

 

   Her light, cheery voice played in your head as you moved around the little apartment. Its walls were a pale sea green while the floor was made of bamboo planks.

   There were five rooms— a kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms and a living room. You didn’t ask for much from David.

   Contrary to your statement that you were fine with sleeping on the floor, David had purchased a bed for you. It was a single.

   In the living room was a plain brown couch and a small T.V. David knew you didn’t enjoy watching T.V., but he bought you one to keep you updated on the news. 

   The kitchen held a stove, a sink, and a fridge. Baking was not in your skillset and you tended to wash the dishes rather than use the dishwasher anyway, so no oven nor dishwasher were bought.

 

   You pulled out your phone (it was four a.m. when you left and now five in the afternoon P.S.T.) and called Melissa.

   “Hey, [Name]! How was the flight?”

   “It was strange.”

   “Of course you’d think that, you big hermit.” She giggled as she held the phone to her ear. “It was early morning when you left and now it’s early morning in Japan. Funny, huh?”

   “I do not regard timezone differences as humorous. By definition, I am not a hermi—“

   “So? You excited for school? It starts in a couple days for you!” Melissa chirped eagerly to interrupt you, feeling more excited about attending U.A. than you were.

   “It will be unfamiliar. I am uncertain I am anticipating that positively.”

 

   “Oh, c’mon.. Life couldn’t be more unfamiliar to you. You’re a cyborg and you have a Quirk now—! well, the boosters are a built-in function, so they can’t really be considered a Quirk— anyways! 

   There’s nothing to be afraid of, [Name]. The only thing to watch out for are criminals and villains. I made sure you were capable of long-range combat and had someone teach you martial arts, so you should be A-okay!”

 

   You could hear the sweet, honey-like grin in her voice. Responding, you droned in your usual robotic tone, “I will always recall what is taught to me.”

   “And that’s part of why you’re so awesome!” Melissa laughed as she picked up her backpack. “I have to go to a friend’s to work on a report. You should go explore and familiarize yourself with the area before school starts. And remember to see Uncle Might and the principal!”

   “According to my recent retinal scans, you and Mr. Might are not genetically related.” You had scanned All Might when he came to visit you, giving you a big dad hug and apologizing for not being there.

 

   “I’m sorry for not being there, son.”

   Replying, you’d told him, “According to my retinal scan, you are not an omnipresent life form.”

 

   That frank sentence reassured All Might more than you’d ever know.

 

   “Might isn’t his last name, for the last time!” Melissa huffed. “Anyways.. only call me after school starts, ‘kay? We can’t have you be too dependent on me.”

   “You brought me back to life. I am already too dependent.” 

   Melissa sighed, brows furrowing as she smiled. “Don’t say that.. You are your own person, [Name]. Not every thing you do has to be in my name. Listen to your teachers and the authorities, ‘kay? Be nice to everyone.”

   “Affirmative. However, I do not know how to “be nice.””

   “That’s okay—! It’s—! Ah, oh no, I’m late! I’ll see you later, ‘kay!?”

   The line ended before you could respond.

 

   You slipped your No-IKEA phone into your pocket. David didn’t trust your slippery metal fingers despite the artificial finger pads Melissa gave you, so he bought you a near-indestructible phone. Your strength control also still needed some work, given you’d only regained consciousness two weeks ago.

   You turned to look at the door. “Melissa has deemed five p.m. to eight p.m. “exploration time.” I will gather information.”

 

   After leaving your luggage by the door, you exited your apartment.

   At the same time, a boy with freckles placed in a diamond formation on both cheeks and a shrub for hair exited the apartment next to you.

   As soon as your robotic hands caught the light of the sun and as soon as the boy caught sight of your leg and foot, he gasped loudly.

   Not used to such an exaggerated reaction, you gave him a blank look. Your eyes met his big, sparkling ones.

 

   “O-oh my gosh! That’s so cool!” Immediately, he jogged up to you, wide eyes glued to your artificial limbs.

   Immediately, his human eyes darted up to your fake ones. “You’re a cyborg, aren’t you!? I can’t believe how fast technology is advancing!!”

   And then he suddenly snapped out of it. Stumbling back, he stammered incoherently, his eyes darting to and fro. “S-s-sorry! I didn’t mean to invade your privacy like that!!”

 

   You stared at him, unblinking.

   He stared back, clearly nervous as his brows creased.

 

   You promptly turned and left, proceeding down the stairs that would lead to the first floor.

   “U-um..! I’m sorry!” His flowy green cardigan zipping through the air, he dashed after you in red sneakers. 

   You stopped on the fifth step. Looking behind you, you noted the hiragana for “shirt” on the white tee the boy wore. Like you, he wore beige shorts.  

 

   Standing there, the boy gripped the rail. “We.. we can go shopping for school supplies together!”

   Bashfully smiling, he scratched his cheek. “That’s why you’re outside, right? School’s starting soon, and you look just a bit younger than me.”

   Your body had been suspended in animation two years back, making you look about thirteen to fourteen. You were 5’8 in height, which was rather tall for your technical age.

 

   “Conducting retinal scan.” Your pupils emitted an (f/c) blanket of lasers as they ran up and down the stranger’s body.

   He gawked at you, eyes twinkling with fascination. “W—! WOAAAH! What else can you do!?”

   “You are Midoriya Izuku. Fifteen years of age.” You didn’t answer his question. “I am [L/n] [Name]. Fifteen years of age.”

 

   In the data file you received, there was something.. odd.

   But you didn’t mention it for now.

 

   Midoriya began to hunch over and scribble in an invisible notebook. “Wow!! P-please! Tell me more!”

   “I will not go against orders. Melissa will not be pleased.” Coldly turning, you left.

   “..Ah.” Midoriya watched you go, disappointed in himself for driving you away. He was also disappointed not to learn more about you.

 

   He thought, [L/n] takes orders from someone named “Melissa?” He has a boss..? Hm. 

   How amazing.. He used a retinal scan to find out my personal info! That’d be so useful for a hero!

   Speaking of heroes.. He’s my age. Is he going to U.A., too?

 

   If someone as angry and unforgiving as Bakugou Katsuki, or rather Kacchan, could attend U.A., then someone as cold and aloof as you wasn’t out of the question.

Chapter 3: Familiar

   It was six-thirty when you entered a stationary shop. The layout was not too different from the I-Island stores, thus you adjusted quickly. Grabbing a basket by the checkout, you delved into a random aisle.

   The boy from earlier, Midoriya, was not sighted. Perhaps he had checked in much earlier and left. That made sense, given you’d spent a little less than an hour roaming the suburbs.

   Besides the cherry blossoms and architecture, nothing fascinated you much. Like a child, you quickly turned to other things. Your slight baby-face didn’t help.

   However, you did notice the difference in fashion choices between U.S. and Japanese civilians. Looking down at yourself, you concluded you did not look out of place at all.

   If you excluded your artificial body parts, of course.

 

   “Wow, Mommy, look! A robot!”

   You completely ignored the excited cry of a grade schooler as he pointed a chubby finger at you. You continued to browse the marker aisle.

   “H-honey, don’t be so rude!” Bowing her head, the kid’s mother apologized to you before hurrying away with her child in hand.

   You didn’t respond.

 

   “You gonna pick or what?” 

   Your redirected your eyes from the yellow highlighter in your left hand to a blond male with hair not as nearly as vibrant.

   His eyes, red as candy, seemed to narrow in curiosity at your odd ones. “Well? Hurry the fuck up!”

   You gave his eyes a long stare before turning away. Setting down the yellow highlighter, you grabbed the red one for yourself and left the aisle.

   You ignored him as he lowly muttered, “The fuck..? Fuckin’ weirdo..”

 

   You soon finished shopping for school supplies. Notebooks and other necessities filled your basket.

   You left after paying for it. All your items were now in a reusable bag.                                      

 

 

   “”Mr. Might and the principal” time.” You announced the occasion as you walked towards the school gates. It was the day before school would officially start.

   Having been given an access card beforehand, you passed through the gates with no trouble. You walked past the arches, removed your shoes at the building entrance, and robotically made your way to the principal’s office.

 

   After a good two knocks, the door immediately swung open, revealing an emaciated All Might. “Hey, son!” 

   When he hugged you, you stiffly wrapped your arms around him as Melissa taught you. “I am not genetically-related to you according to my previous retinal scans.”

   Not offended in the slightest way, All Might bellowed with laughter despite being in his true form. “I can always count on you to say that!”

 

   “Ah, so this is [L/n] [Name]!”

   All Might released you to gently push you forward. You slowly lowered your head to make eye contact with a sentient mouse.

   “Hello! I am Principal Nedzu!” The odd mammal stuck out a friendly paw.

   “Hello. I am [L/n] [Name].” You mirrored his greeting as you shook his paw. Given you were a cyborg, seeing a sentient animal didn’t faze you much. You were rather fascinated, however.

 

   “Sit down right over here.” Nedzu led you and All Might to the couch opposite from him.

   Smiling, he poured everyone some tea and this began the chat regarding your attendance here.

   Nedzu discussed that you would not be treated with any bias despite your close connection to All Might, that you should be extra careful due to the nature of your body, and many other terms.

   The most important one was that it absolutely could not get out that All Might recommended you himself.

   You agreed to all of them.

 

   “I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, my bionic boy!” All Might grinned as he ruffled your hair. You two stood at the U.A. gates.

   Your first response was to conduct a retinal scan.

   “According to my retinal scan, you are at normal condition regarding your “true form.” It is in your best interest to stay at your current condition.” Telling All Might about his own health, you bowed your head and walked away.

 

   Watching you go, All Might smiled, releasing a fond sigh. “The boy is a worrywart.. Ha! Same as ever, I see!”

 

 

   You were the first to enter your homeroom.

   Having dutifully slept at nine p.m. the night before (as Melissa told you to), you were plenty awake.

   You’d noted how large the 1-A doors were. Unsurprisingly, the doors of other classrooms were just as large.

   Being one of the recommended kids, you were placed at the end of the class roster.

   Seat twenty-one was now yours to keep.

 

   Sitting there, you sat perfectly and eerily still. Hands sitting in your lap, you gazed straight ahead with dead eyes.

   It was five minutes later when the door opened.

   You glanced towards the movement to see a robust boy donning rectangular glasses and a serious expression viciously zoom toward you.

 

   Alarmed by this quick movement, you raised an open hand.

   The bespectacled male barely dodged the (f/c) beam of pure heat that headed his way.

   “Wha—! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING!?” Appalled, the boy screamed at you, wide eyes flicking from your apathetic face to the burn mark by the blackboard.

 

   “Speed of approach and facial recognition have been taken into account. You were perceived as hostile.” Your hand was still extended as you droned out your cold explanation.

   “I.. am a student!” He was clearly trying to keep his tone strong yet even as he slammed a hand against his puffed-out chest. He glared at you, angular brows forming a deep trench above his nose bridge.

   “It is ill-advised to trust anyone in the same school uniform,” you plainly replied before scanning him.

   Surprised, he watched with fascination as the light swept over him. 

 

   “Iida Tenya. Fifteen years old. First year student enrolled at U.A.” You ticked off the information you needed as you lowered your arm. “Clearance complete.”

   “You are..!” Iida trailed off, his eyes resembling Midoriya’s somewhat. 

   He thought, A cyborg with two Quirks..!? Or is that heat beam an artificial feature?

 

   Closing his eyes and clearing his throat, he stretched a hand out to you. “Let me introduce myself properly.. I am Iida Tenya, and I hail from Soumei Private High School!”

   As his eyes opened again, you met them with yours.

   After some hesitance, you shook his hand. “I am [L/n] [Name], and I hail from Oxford Academy.”

   Iida blinked. He’d noticed you’d taken his exact wording. Ignoring the fact your hand was chilly metal, he retracted his own.

   He smiled kindly. “Let us get along smoothly!” 

 

   For the rest of the time that ticked by, Iida enthusiastically introduced himself to every kid who came through the door.

   None of them really caught your attention till a girl with eyes just like yours bounced towards her desk. It appeared she hadn’t noticed you yet. That was a given considering you were at the very back of the class.

   As she sat down in her assigned seat, you stood up. Hearing footsteps behind her, she glanced over her shoulder.

   Her eyes, sclera dark as black ink and irises yellow as the sun, met eyes that looked just like hers.

   Letting out a delighted gasp, she stood up, turning around fully. “Woaaah! Your eyes are just like mine!!”

   

   “Mutual observation.” You internally noted that this girl was quite enthusiastic for a “cyborg.”

   You were under the impression that she was a cyborg like you and she thought you were her cousin or something. 

   “Ohoho! Do I have a cousin I don’t know about!?” The girl grinned as she stroked her imaginary beard, leaning up to your face with a grin.

   You weren’t affected by this close proximity. “Initiating retinal scan.”

 

   The girl blinked as gentle light washed over her from head to toe.

   “Ashido Mina. Fifteen years of age. First year enrolled at U.A.

   Species: human. Blood relation: none.”

 

   Ashido exaggeratedly withered like a dying plant. “Aww, really..?”

   And then she realized you’d found out some personal info with just a single scan.

   Seizing up, she narrowed her eyes at you, elevating herself into a mantis stance. “You could’ve just asked me for all the other info, y’know! Creep!”

   “I do not dally.” You completely disregarded her privacy, earning a stronger glare from her.

   “Creep! Creepy creep!”

 

   You looked to the right as Iida began shouting at some dude for sticking his feet up on his desk.

   You recognized that ashy blond hair and those cherry red eyes.

   The owner of those features paid you a quick, squinted glance. “Whatch’a lookin’ at, tin can!?”

 

   You didn’t realize he was being rhetorical. “My artificial limbs are constructed from carbon fiber, stainless steel—“

   Eyes going white, the blond barked, “Who gives a fuck!?”

   Ashido blinked twice. “..You— you’re an amputee? Or are you.. a cyborg?”

   You completely ignored Bakugou’s insult and turned to the pink girl in front of you. “I am both.”

   

   “Woahh! That’s super cool!” A male with both red hair and eyes walked over to you, shark teeth revealed by his friendly grin. “I’m Kirishima Eijirou! Nice to meet you guys!”

   Ashido smiled and chirped, “I’m Ashido Mina!”

   You joined the chorus of intros. Lacking any enthusiasm at all, you said, “I am [L/n] [Name].”

   “So.. that light thing...” An extremely tall boy with big lips walked up to you. “Is that your Quirk? Finding out information?”

 

   You surprised all three students with your nonchalant answer. “I do not have a Quirk.”

   “N.. no way.” A boy with grapes for hair had been listening in. “If you’re Quirkless, then how did you do that!?”

 

   You lifted a finger and directly tapped your eyeball, eliciting shocked gasps and screams from the four surrounding you.

   “W-what the heck!?”

   “Why did you do that!?”

 

   You tapped once more, and a hard clink could be heard. “My eyes are artificial.” 

   “Wow! You really are a cyborg!”

   “Coool!”

 

   As Midoriya entered the room, he immediately noticed three people.

   Bakugou, Iida, and you.

   As Bakugou glared at Midoriya and Iida introduced himself, Midoriya’s eyes kept flicking towards you with burning curiosity.

 

   Your eyes flew over to the door when you caught a shrub in your peripheral.

   The owner of that shrub jolted, eyes wide. He thought, Did he catch me staring..?

   Your attention moved to the round-faced girl who bounded inside, your focus on Midoriya no longer.

 

   “[L/n]? What’re you staring at?” Ashido was playing with your right hand when she asked that. Due to your lack of touch receptors, you hadn’t even realized Ashido was messing with your metallic fingers.

   “A shrub. Species unidentified.” You gently shrugged your fingers away from Ashido and she pouted.

   The boy with Kylie Jenner lips murmured, “That’s that kid’s hair, not a shrub..”

   Your gaze moved to the round-faced girl’s equally-round eyes. They had a sparkle in them that reminded you of Melissa.

   The girl blinked as she caught your gaze on her. Confused, she tilted her head, and was about to say something before a scruffy caterpillar-looking man entered the room.

 

   “If you’re gonna be hunting for buddies, do it elsewhere.” He took out an applesauce pouch and emptied it with a good suck. “This is the department.. of heroics!”

   Completely unable to read the stunned silence of your classmates, you boldly replied, “We are aware.”

   The man stared at you with hidden mirth as you approached him.

   “Conducting retinal scan.” Your eyes flashed, scanning horizontally due to the man’s laying position. “Aizawa Shouta. Thirty-one years of age.

  Occupation: teacher at U.A. High School.”

 

   Everyone besides you and Aizawa gasped, “He’s the teacher!?”

   The classmates who hadn’t seen your scanning ability till now were taken aback. They blinked, figuring that was your Quirk.

   They all thought, How did someone with a Quirk like that even get into the hero course..?

   To them, you had a pretty cool-looking and useful Quirk, but it was useless for combat.

 

   “Hmm, it took you all six seconds to quiet down.” As Aizawa shed his cocoon, he gave you a look that said “you’re not off the hook”.

   “Life is short, kids. You’re all lacking in common sense.” Aizawa seemed to look at you in particular.

   You didn’t feel the weight of the pointed look the man gave you at all. You were opening your mouth to respond when Kirishima set a hand over it, shaking his head. 

   Finally getting the message, you used two fingers to lightly loss his hand away from your face.

 

   “As said by Mr. “I can’t keep my mouth shut”..” Aizawa glanced over at you, eyes narrowing for a second. “I am your homeroom teacher, Aizawa Shouta. Pleasure meeting you.”

   Picking up his yellow sleeping bag, he extracted a P.E. uniform. “Wear these and then shove off to the P.E. grounds.”

   After you grabbed a P.E. uniform around your size, you said, “Conducting retinal scan.”

   Satou peered over your shoulder, his own uniform in one hand. “What’re you scanning it for..?”

   “Bacteria.” You then folded the fabric, holding it with two hands. “All bacteria species found have been deemed safe. Clearance complete.”

   Across the room, a few people chuckled at how unintentionally sassy you were.

 

   Now in the boys’ locker room, you took half a minute to explore.

   Kirishima called, “Whatcha doin’? We’re supposed to be out in two minutes!”

   You came back. “Exploration time. Duration: thirty-one seconds.”

   A blond male with a black lightning streak in his hair raised a brow. “The heck..? “Exploration time?””

   Ignoring his confusion, you took a look at all the kids around you. A lot of them already had muscles. Even the dorky Midoriya.

   Taking your uniform off, you stared down at yourself. You were rather skinny and lanky, but not to the point where your ribs showed.

 

   “Hey, don’t feel bad.”

   You felt someone pat your knee. Somewhat alarmed, you looked down to see a kid with grapes for hair.

   He continued, “I’m skinny, too! Let’s get buff together!”

   Continuing to change, you droned back, “I do not desire to obtain the color buff.”

 

   You were one of the first to walk outside, leaving the grape kid to stare at you with a raised brow. As you were changing earlier, each of the other kids gave you a curious look at least once. Prosthetic limbs of such high caliber were rare.

   Your right leg, left foot and both arms were fake.

   How did you lose them? The other boys wondered this.

 

   When both the girls and boys came out, Aizawa announced you’d all be doing a Quirk apprehension test.

   Some students cried, “A Quirk apprehension test!?”

   Fretting, the round-faced girl asked, “What about the ceremony..!? What about the guidance counselor meeting!?”

   You blinked before speaking up. “This is not proper protocol.”

   You paid the brunette a brief glance. The brightness in those brown eyes reminded you of dear blue ones.

   To his student’s confused words, Aizawa droned, “If you all want to be heroes, we don’t have time for frilly niceties.”

 

   You looked down at yourself.

   Melissa says I want to be a hero.

   That was my wish before my coma.

   ..Is it still “my” wish?

 

   “You all understand the school’s reputation for freedom on campus. That freedom goes for us teachers, too.” Aizawa didn’t face you all as he spoke.

   He listed all the activities. “Softball pitch. Standing long jump. Fifty meter dash. Endurance running. Grip strength test. Sustained sideways jumps. Upper body exercises. Seated toe-touch.”

   The man explained further. “Those are all activities you know from middle school— physical tests where you were barred from using your Quirks.”

   You lifted your hand to stare at it, gazing at the pink, cat-like pads of your fingers.

   I did not have a Quirk before I woke up, according to Melissa.

   I still do not. 

   Melissa is Quirkless like me.

 

   You hadn’t realized you’d zoned out till the teacher called you out.

   “Oi, loudmouth. Why don’t you demonstrate a baseball pitch for us?” Aizawa’s face was a deadpan with a hint of annoyance as he tossed the ball to you. You caught it with your right hand.

   The way your artificial arm moved to grab it.. It was oddly natural. The other kids were fascinated yet creeped out at the same time.

   “How far could you pitch in middle school?” Aizawa eyed your arms.

   “I do not have that information.” You moved the ball around, looking at it from all sides. “Melissa did not deem that information necessary.”

   From the crowd, you could hear bewildered murmurs.

   “He doesn’t remember, or..?”

   “What a weirdo..”

   “Who’s Melissa?”

 

   “That’s fine. Try using your Quirk this time around.” Besides raising a brow, Aizawa didn’t judge you much. “As long as you stay in the circle, anything goes.”

   Like with most things, you ignored the whispers. You moved to step into the circle.

   They all watched, curious as to how you would use your scanning ability. Midoriya was especially intrigued.

   Only Iida knew your offensive power. Speaking of Iida, he stood there, watching with anticipation. His brows were furrowed.

 

   Brows raised when you began to pick at your right elbow with your left hand. With a few twists and clicks, you managed to dismantle the locks between your fore and upper arm. Now, your forearm hung loose but not completely removed from your upper arm.

   Dismantling the locks wasn’t as easy as you made it look. It was a tricky sequence only you, Melissa and her father knew. 

   You gripped the ball tight. Then, you sent your upper arm into a circular motion, forcing your lower arm to spin and spin.

   “Speed it up. We don’t have all day.” Aizawa stood there, arms crossed and eyes filled with hidden interest. 

   You kept it spinning for twenty seconds before releasing the ball. For meters and meters, it flew, and then the device in your teacher’s hand beeped.

   “Five-hundred and fifty-four meters.” He showed the screen to you and the class.

   Turning to you, he said, “I told you to use your Quirk, didn’t I?”

 

   You simply answered, “I do not have one.”

   .

   .

   .

 

   Your classmates screeched, “WHAT!?”

   Their eyes were wide and their jaws slack in pure disbelief.

 

   “Calm down.” Aizawa briefly glanced at them with disdain before returning his attention to you. “Did you use that same method the last time you pitched?”

   “No. I did not have these parts prior.” 

   For a few seconds, Aizawa stared, noting your usage of “parts” and “prior.” 

   And then he sent you back into the crowd.

   The kids parted as you skirted to the back of the mob. You definitely didn’t miss the odd looks they gave you.

 

   This experience of being ostracized was oddly familiar.

 

Chapter 4: Try Your Hardest

   Now amongst the mob, you listened to your teacher.

   “Before anything else, one must know what they’re capable of.” Aizawa cleared the device, erasing your score. “This is a rational metric that will form the basis of your “hero foundation.””

 

   All around you, students began to cheer.

   “Wow! Five hundred meters is a lot!”

   “That looks so fun!”

   “We can really use our Quirks now!? That’s the department of heroics for ya!”

 

   Curiosity piqued, you looked around at everyone’s faces.

   Joy. Relief. Excitement. 

   Most of the kids were smiling.

   You wondered, Is that the joy.. that a Quirk gives?

 

   “”This looks fun”.. you say?” Aizawa’s voice was low and clearly unamused.

   His long fingers lightly brushed against his scarf as he looked down. “So you were planning.. to spend your three years here having a good ol’ time?

   What happened to becoming heroes?”

 

   In your head, you repeated, What happened to becoming heroes?

   Melissa said.. it was my wish to become one.

   I do not feel desire in regard to that occupation.

 

   What happened.. to becoming a hero?

 

   Aizawa then promptly threatened to expel the student who ranked last in the apprehension test. Immediately, fear, anxiety and regret were instilled into the crowd.

   As for you.. you weren’t sure what you felt.

   You did not feel fear. Not anxiety. Not regret.

 

   All you knew was that you did not want to disappoint Melissa.

 

   “Our freedom means we dispose of students as we please!” Grinning like Totoro but terrifying, Aizawa pushed up his hobo hair. “Welcome.. to the department of heroics!”

   Murmurs of disbelief regarding the spontaneous expulsion rippled through the crowd. You kept staring at Aizawa, the expression he made piquing your interest.

   That face did not resemble Mr. Might in any way.

   Mr. Aizawa and Mr. Might are both heroes..

   Heroes seem to have many faces.

 

   At the complaints of unfairness, Aizawa shut everyone up with a good comeback. He brought up incidents that regularly happen all over the world.

   To end his reply, he said, “And it’s our job as heroes.. to reverse it all.. and restore the balance.” 

   You wondered to yourself, What is a hero?

   And why was it my desire to become one?

 

   Of course, you knew what a hero was, but.. you wanted a deeper meaning.

   Besides saving people and fighting villains, what did a hero do?

   What exactly is a hero?

 

   “If you were counting on a friendly chat at the local DcMonald’s after school, that’s too bad.” Aizawa’s tone was ice cold. “From now on, for the next three years all you can expect from U.A. is one hardship after the next.”

   Giving you all a light, challenging grin, the man rhetorically beckoned to you with a finger. “This is “Plus Ultra.” I expect you all to overcome these challenges.. and rise to the top.”

   

    And then the actual trials began. Your pitch was just a demonstration.

   Iida, the boy you nearly barbecued, scored a quick time of 3.04 seconds in the fifty meter dash. You hadn’t noticed the engines in his calves till now.

   Perhaps.. he was a cyborg like you?

   If he was, why was he so alarmed to see your ability? Was it because you nearly burnt him with it?

    And then you remembered the info from the data file.

   Iida Tenya. Species:

  human.

 

   You felt a sinking feeling near your diaphragm, one that seemed to sap away at the energy you’d accumulated overnight. 

   This feeling.. What is it? You wondered this.

 

   Upon seeing the sparkly blond kid zip across the track using a laser beam, you straightened up.

   A cyborg, perhaps?

   You didn’t know it at the time, but.. you longed to at least know there was someone like you.

 

   When the sparkly blond kid finished his turn, he conveniently informed, “If I keep shooting for longer than one second, my tum will collapse, you know.”

   You moved closer to the front. Ashido had beaten him without even using her Quirk.

   You gave your loose hands a quick glance.

 

   The only handicap to your boosters was overheating your arms when used for too long. The heat would also spread to your trapezi area. 

   Meanwhile, this guy was out if he used his Quirk for longer than a mere second.

   Was he really a cyborg like you unknowingly hoped he was? The belt he wore went around the outside of his uniform, not inside.

   Then perhaps he had some sort of artificial structure in place of the flesh of his stomach?

 

   You didn’t catch yourself making pitiful excuses.

 

    Now, the angry, cherry-eyed guy was going against the shrub kid. How funny. You’d met the both of them on the same day.

   The blond one left the shrub in his dust. Powerful explosions sent him across the finish line. Meanwhile, the other one kept running, panting and panting when he finished.

   Midoriya, like Ashido, didn’t use his Quirk, but his record wasn’t as impressive as hers.

 

   For your turn, you didn’t go against anyone. You were the one kid making the class population an odd number.

   You eyed the running equipment before getting into position. Melissa had conducted some running tests the week you woke up, so you remembered the procedure.

   A robot a couple feet away from you announced, “Start!”   

   You went into a sprint. Your form was oddly.. stiff. It was weirdly similar to how Iida ran, although much less practiced and a lot less professional-looking.

   6.38 seconds. Not bad for a technical thirteen-year-old who’d been in a coma for two years.

 

    Next was the grip strength test. When you heard the octopus kid got a score of five hundred and forty kilograms, you glanced over. 

   You did not have any high expectations for yourself, but you hoped you would at least score decently. 

   “Hey, hey, creepy twin!” Referring to the resemblance in eyes, Ashido bounced over to you. “Try it already, won’t you? You’ve been staring at the grip for years!”

   “I do not understand why you would converse with someone you find repulsive.” You replied to her in complete monotone before squeezing the grip.

   One hundred and fifty-six kilograms.

 

   “Nice!” Ashido smiled. Addressing your cold words, she chirped, “I haven’t forgiven you completely, but I at least don’t want us to be on bad terms, y’know?”

   You stared down at her, her logic not registering. “I do not follow. Forgiveness is absolute.”

   Mina puffed out her cheeks. “Hmph. You’ll understand when you get older, baby-face.”

 

   You stood in between Iida and Ashido as you all observed the standing long jump.

   The sparkly laser boy sent himself across the sand with a beam while Midoriya simply landed in the sand. 

   When it was your turn, you began to adjust a slide-able setting on both arms. 

   Softly, you murmured, “N.A.S.A. Mode.”

 

   You turned towards the crowd, extending your open hands forward. “Incinerate.”

 

   Everyone squawked as you zipped right across the sand, landing in a ragdoll-like tumble that made Bakugou laugh.

   N.A.S.A. Mode turned your booster discharge into shorter, rocket-like blasts, which prevented you from hitting the other kids.

   Your classmates cried, 

   “Two Quirks!?”

   “Is he okay..!?”

   “What the heck was that!?”

 

   “Don’t you remember? He said he doesn’t even have a Quirk. I can only assume his eyes are artificial like his arms.” A tall girl with big black hair and an elegant air to her spoke up, disdain clear in her voice. She sounded disgusted with her classmates’ incompetence.

   “Yep, his eyes are fake.” From behind her, Kirishima confirmed her assumption.

 

   “[L/n]! Are you alright!?” From the mob, Iida called out to you with exasperation and concern. How clueless could you be?

   “I am fine.” You got up, dusting yourself off. Ashido cackled at the bird’s nest that was your hair.

 

   When you integrated yourself back into the crowd, the sparkly kid came to your side. Winking, he said with a sparkle, “Allow me to fix that offensive hair of yours, mon ami!”

   Nearby, an invisible girl snorted at the blond guy’s indirect insult.

   “That is unnecessary.” You turned to him, and having learned from Ashido’s disgust, you properly asked, “Are you a cyborg?”

   “Non!” Despite your lack of a distinct facial expression, the boy guessed that you felt at least some disappointment. “Sorry to disappoint!”

 

   Alarmed glances were sent your way when you rapidly shook your head back and forth to get rid of the dirt in your hair.

   Annoyed, the sparkly kid sassily huffed, “I’m Aoyama Yuuga, and I’m going to fix that ungodly hair of yours!”

   Stiff as a statue like always, you stood there as he styled your hair to his liking. Your refusal didn’t come through to him, but you honestly didn’t see any negatives in him doing your hair. You really didn’t care what it looked like.

 

   It was now a neater and nicer version of your original hair style.

   “Thank you.”

   Flipping his own hair, Aoyama smirked and replied, “You’re welcome!”

 

   It was now time for the sidesteps.

   The grape kid’s Quirk was pretty convenient for this specific test. Although you didn’t understand his desire for the color buff, you thought he was fairly friendly. He did reach out to you, after all.

   (Don’t get me wrong, I hate Mineta, but he does reach out to other characters. He’s also a fun character to write.)

 

   When it was your turn, you merely did them normally. No use injuring yourself with your boosters. You were lucky to get away with no cracks on your carbon fiber as you tumbled earlier. That was because the impact was spread out.

   You got a decent, average score. 

 

   For the pitch, you noted the round-faced girl’s score of infinity. 

   Melissa can reach infinity, too.

  If she can revive me and make me a cyborg, then Melissa can definitely reach infinity.

 

   Midoriya strolled up to the circle, looking absolutely terrified. It was a given, considering he hadn’t used his Quirk the entire time. 

   Iida murmured, “Midoriya isn’t doing too well, is he..?”

   Bakugou snapped in reply, “Of course! He’s a fucking Quirkless guppy!”  

   A little ways behind Bakugou, you stared at the back of his sea urchin-like hair.

   Midoriya is Quirkless..? How can that be?

   

   The boy’s right arm gained an odd pink pattern as he geared himself into position for a good throw.   

   Just as he lunged forward to release the ball, his arm stopped glowing, gaining him a sad score of forty-six meters.

   You blinked at his disbelieving form, back hunched and staring at his hands with wide eyes.

   Midoriya is not Quirkless. His file and that glow say otherwise.

   His Quirk..

 

   Why does he have the same Quirk as Mr. Might?

 

   Midoriya muttered with panic, “Huh..? I swear I used my Quirk just now...”

   Aizawa revealed himself as the culprit. “I erased your Quirk. It defies reason..”

  Glaring with much hostility, his hair and scarf began to float upward. “How did someone like you get into the academy?”

   One hand gripped the thin fiber while his eyes glowed red. 

 

   Both Midoriya and the rest of your classmates began to chatter quietly about your teacher’s Quirk.

   Meanwhile, you peered around Iida to get a better look at Aizawa’s eyes.

   He can erase Quirks.. That means I am immune to his power.

   Why do his eyes glow? Why are his hair and scarf floating? 

 

   You internally asked the same things most of the B.N.H.A. fandom wondered themselves.

 

   Strolling up to Midoriya with obvious hostility, Aizawa jabbed a finger at him. “From what I observed.. you can’t rein in on your Quirk’s full power, meaning you can’t use it efficiently at all.

   Did you believe someone would come save you after you crippled yourself again?”

 

   Mr. Might doesn’t cripple himself from what I have seen..

   Why Midoriya?

 

   After grilling Midoriya and referring to a certain hero (the one spying on you all), Aizawa told Midoriya to have another go.

   This time, the boy simply stayed put as he pondered up a plan.

 

   You thought about Aizawa’s little speech.

   Midoriya cannot handle his own Quirk.. I shall ask about that later.

   How can Midoriya become a hero with such a repercussion?

 

   Unsurprisingly, you had little faith in him. 

   Aoyama set a hand on the round-faced girl’s shoulder and chirped, “Are you worried for him? I, for one, don’t care.”

   The girl weakly replied, “Who’re you..?”

 

   Maybe you would’ve laughed if you knew how. Not even you were sure you were able to find things humorous anymore.

   

   With a strong lunge and a loose grip, Midoriya sent the ball flying with a tap of a glowing finger. After the release, his finger ended up a sickening purple.

   He received a score of somewhere in the seven hundreds. Aizawa blinked at the device, eyes wide. The sea urchin kid was just as stunned as the teacher.

   Shakily grinning, Midoriya gripped his right arm. “Mr. Aizawa..! I can still move!”

   That made you wonder what the heck happened the last time he used his Quirk.

 

   The Kirby-like girl’s excited cheer was unintentionally biting. “Yayyy! You finally got a score worthy of a hero!”

   You droned, “His score is extremely close to Bakugou’s, and I do not find Bakugou very hero-like.”

   Said blond would have wrung your neck if he wasn’t so intent on wringing Midoriya’s.

   Eyes bulging and mouth wide open, Bakugou gawked with pure animosity before lunging towards the 'Quirkless guppy.'

   

   Propelling himself with little explosions, Bakugou roared, “WHAT IS THIS, DEKU!? EXPLAIN YOURSELF, SHITRAG!”

   Midoriya, or rather Deku, screamed in terror. “UWAAAH—!”

   Bakugou was wrapped up in Aizawa’s cloth just as he stepped one foot into Midoriya’s circle.

   The blond snarled like a wild animal. “Ngh—! What the hell is this!?”

   

   “It’s my special “binding cloth,” a steel wire alloy woven with carbon nanofibers.” Aizawa tightened the scarf and clicked his teeth. “Don’t make me use my Quirk so much.”

   You were honestly much more interested in the material of the cloth rather than the situation at hand. Recalling that Bakugou called Midoriya “Quirkless” for some reason, you took your eyes off the binding cloth.

   Aizawa glared, his eyes red and dry. “I’ve got dry eye, damn it!” He then released Bakugou and his hair and eyes went back to normal. “We’re wasting time.. Prepare for the next trial.”

   Midoriya cowered as he walked back towards the crowd, Uraraka coming to ask if he was alright. You’d learned most of your classmates’ surnames just by paying attention when they were called up. 

   You stared at Bakugou. He was standing completely still and glaring holes into the dirty ground.

 

   Feeling an oddly intense gaze, he whirled towards you and barked, “The hell are you lookin’ at, tin can!?”

   “Prepare for the next exercise. You are wasting time.” You weren’t intimidated by Bakugou’s intense glare and bared teeth in the slightest.

   His eyes went completely white with rage. “FUCK YOU! You think you can—!?”

 

   “Bakugou.” Aizawa sternly ordered, “Stop it.”

   “...Tch!” Frustrated, Bakugou returned to his original place, but not before running his finger along his throat while making direct eye contact with you.

   You didn’t recognize that vile gesture.

 

   The next and last three activities were endurance running, seated toe-touch and the upper body exercises.

   You scored only slightly above the average for the endurance running. Your scores so far had been pretty average, but at least they were good enough not to place last.

   You found that you weren’t very flexible. You scored a nine and an eight on the seated toe touch.

   You did pretty well on the upper body exercises. You managed twenty chin-ups thanks to your artificial arms. However, long usage of them hurt your chest muscles, your trapezi, and your upper back. 

 

   “Time to present the results.” Aizawa had a remote in his hands as he faced the blob of students. “The total is simply the sum of each of your scores. If I recited all your scores, it’d take a million years, so I’ll disclose them all at once.”

   Everyone had different levels of nervousness.

   Besides you. You hadn’t felt nervousness in two years. You were confident Midoriya would be last, anyway. You figured you’d scored fairly average, just enough to not get expelled.

 

   As Aizawa pressed a button, he nonchalantly added, “Oh yeah. That whole expulsion thing was a lie.

   Grinning like a bastard, he continued, “It was a logical ruse to pull out your best efforts.”

 

   The class screeched, “WHAAA—!?”

   “Use your brains, everyone.” The same girl with big black hair from earlier piped up, arms crossed. “Of course it was just a ruse!”

   You turned in her direction. “Melissa told me it is important for peers to work together. I do not think withholding information is helpful.”

   The girl, Yaoyorozu, narrowed her dark eyes at you. “You heard Mr. Aizawa, did you not? The purpose was to get us to try our best.”

 

   You plainly fired back with no passion in your voice at all, “Why would you give a lackluster performance if you intend to become a hero in the first place?”

 

   Oh snap. The other kids blinked at you, not thinking you would deliver or even grasp such a point. 

  Grinning a little, Aizawa watched you. He found himself amused by your antics.

   Yaoyorozu cleared her throat, closed her eyes and sheepishly turned away. “You do have a point there.”

   

   As Aizawa told you all to look at the curriculum sheets back in class and left, you gazed up at the holographic score board.

   You placed tenth. Not bad. Not bad at all. 

   Ashido was ninth while Uraraka was eleventh. Paying them a fleeting glance, you figured the three of you were about the same in terms of overall prowess.

 

   With the conclusion of homeroom, it was now the end of the first day. You’d already changed and were currently making your way to the building entrance.

 

   “Dude.. With just a bit more muscle, you would’ve wrecked the scoreboard!”

   You swiveled your head to the right. Smiling at you was a blond with black lightning in his hair. “I’m Kaminari Denki! Nice to meet’cha!”

   “I am [L/n] [Name]. Nice to meet you.”

 

   Didn’t this guy give you a weird look while you were in the locker room? Not bothering to address that, you replied, “Perhaps. The age my body is at does not allow for much muscle development, however.”

   Kaminari tilted his head and batted his long lashes in confusion. “Wha..? What’re you talking about..?”

   

   ...Should you tell him? Melissa never gave specific orders not to, and it wasn’t classified as top secret info or anything, so objectively, there was no harm in it.

   But would you be breaking the vow you took before you left?

   The vow not to expose the research of I-Island?

 

   You decided to keep your lips sealed. “That is a technological endeavor I cannot reveal.”

   Kaminari had no problems with your funny way of speech. “Ohh, really? Alright..”

   Suddenly, he eagerly grinned. “You must come from one of those fancy laboratories, huh!? Cooool!”

   Not letting you talk, he jabbed finger guns at you. “Wait— lemme guess! You were in suspended animation, huh!? Just like the movies!”

 

   Kaminari was right about the suspended animation. Wondering why he even reached out to you and why he was so curious, you coldly replied, “What is it to you?”

   He looked up at you, face blank as his eyes analyzed your plain expression. You wore the same face as always, but now it seemed.. oddly suspicious.

 

   “Ah, nothing.. Am I bothering you? Sorry.” Kaminari chuckled sheepishly as he scratched the back of his neck. “I’m just really curious, y’know?”

   You stared at him for a few more seconds, and feeling your intense gaze, Kaminari began to sweat. You made him nervous with those stone-cold eyes of yours.

 

   “I.. I know this is basically pitying you, but I didn’t want anyone in our class to be lonely.” Kaminari smiled up at you as you two reached the shoe lockers. “Let’s be friends, yeah?”

 

   You stiffly continued to put on your shoes and Kaminari did so as well, his locker coincidentally right next to yours.

   Friends..?

   What is a friend? According to Melissa, I am her best friend.

 

   “Kaminari.”

   He straightened up to face you after the both of you finished switching out your footwear.

   Cheekily, he smirked. “Did’ja think about my request, Your Highness?”

   

   Your eyes, although unable to hold any emotion, seemed.. lost. “What is a friend?”

 

Chapter 5: Bionic Boy

   “What.. is a friend?” Kaminari raised a brow at you, clearly confused himself. “Don’t you know?”

   “I do not see the purpose in asking if I did not know prior.” Your obliviousness to such a common concept bewildered Kaminari.

   

   And then he burst out laughing.

   Clutching his stomach, he bent over, laughing his ass off.

 

   You stared down at him in wait. 

   “Whew!” Kaminari straightened up, wiping a tear from his eye. “That was a joke, right? Right?”

   The boy was in clear denial.

   

   “I do not joke.”

   “Ah.” All the amusement slipped away from Kaminari’s face. Looking apologetic, he said, “So.. you really don’t know? Have you ever had friends?”

   You answered, “Melissa says she is my best friend.”

   Kaminari scratched at his head in frustration. “How do you not know what a friend is if you have a—!? Never mind..”

   He sighed, closing his eyes. “Welp.. It’s better to show than tell, as they say.”

 

   Your eyes landed on the inviting hand the blond extended towards you.

   Kaminari's golden eyes seemed to twinkle. “Let me be your first friend!”

   You made no move to intercept his open palm. “You still have not answered my question.”

   “Well.. I don’t have to. I’ll show you what a friend is!” With a crooked grin, he jabbed his opposite thumb into his chest.

 

   Kaminari’s grin became full when you finally shook his hand.

 

 

                                         [    ]

 

 

   You sat on the couch of your living room as you texted Melissa. Given it was eight a.m. where she was, you couldn’t call her. She’d be in school right now.

 

Messages <     |         Melissa                   |

 

me:

Hello, Melissa. Given the assumption you are going to ask about my first day, it went fine. 

There was a Quirk apprehension test. Despite my lack of a Quirk, I scored tenth out of twenty-one students. My lack of a Quirk is allowed for unknown reason.

A classmate named Kaminari Denki offered to be my friend. However, he refused to explain what a “friend” is. He informed that he would “show rather than tell.” I do not find that helpful.

 

   You exited the app. Melissa would respond far later, given how busy the academy kept her. You estimated a response would be received at around eight p.m.

   Now.. what were you gonna do today? You had no homework.

   And then you remembered Kaminari’s advice.

 

   “With just a bit more muscle, you would’ve wrecked the scoreboard!”

 

   You concluded that you should work out. 

   But first, groceries. The fridge was empty, after all.

 

   You crouched down by your open suitcase. Last night, you’d unpacked only the hygiene products. 

   You changed into a black tee, dark red shorts and put on your sandals. 

 

   Now outside, you checked your wallet. It contained seventy dollars in yen.

   Inside your suitcase was an envelope of around a three hundred dollars. David would send you more in less than two months. He paid your rent, so you didn’t have to worry about that.

   You glanced at the to the left of yours.

   Midoriya’s residence.

 

   The boy had come home long before you did, so you didn’t see him. 

   Midoriya is muscular. Perhaps I can inquire about a sufficient workout regimen.

   However, I have Moogle for that. I can even ask All Might.

 

   And then the door opened.

   

   “[L/n]?” Midoriya blinked his bug eyes at the sight of you. He wore a turquoise jacket, a white tank top, black gym shorts and his classic red shoes. He had a wad of money clutched in his hand.

   “..How do you gain muscle?”

 

   “W-what?” The boy’s face flushed at your extremely direct question. “H-how do you gain muscle??”

   Not realizing he was just repeating your question, you asked, “What is the reason for repeating my inquiry?”

 

   “N.. no, I was just..” Midoriya sighed as he began to calm down, a sheepish, uncertain smile curving his lips. “Sorry. It just took me a bit to process.”

   Smiling fully now, he looked up at you with a raised brow. “I’ll help you for sure, but why me..?”

 

   You felt yourself not being able to wait for his confusion to pass. “You have muscle and you are the closest person nearby with that criteria.”

   This heat in your head and the tightness near your diaphragm.. What does it mean?

 

   “Let’s work out together!” Midoriya shyly grinned, his eyes beginning to twinkle. It was like dark green stars lived within his eye sockets.

   And then the sparkle was gone. “After I pick up an ingredient my mom forgot to buy..”

   Eyeing the black, mock snakeskin wallet in your left hand, he asked, “Are you going grocery-shopping, too?”

   “Yes.” Your eyes followed his before gazing at the parking lot below. “Let us go.”

 

   The ten minute walk to the grocery store was extremely.. silent. Silent and awkward.

   Of course, you weren’t able to feel the tension, but Midoriya definitely did.

 

   His stomach was doing somersaults.

   He was walking side-by-side with a real cyborg.. and he couldn’t believe it!

   Dark green eyes ran down your exposed left arm, admiring the intricate handiwork. He was willing to bet that your arm was nearly completely handmade.

   

   “..How much muscle can a thirteen-year-old body develop?” Staring straight ahead, you broke the silence.

   Midoriya’s eyes flashed as he connected the dots.

   Your skinny physique.

   Your surprisingly underwhelming apprehension test scores despite your height and your boosters.

   The extra chub on your face and the tiny pudge on your belly.

 

   “You’re.. thirteen?” Midoriya softly gasped, eyes growing wider.

   “Yes.” You decided to keep it at that. He didn’t need to know the whole truth.

   “Oh— oh wow!” Midoriya’s eyes began to glow once more, and you noted that he was very easy to excite.

 

   He smiled, eyes closing. “You must be super smart, huh?”

   You finally swiveled your head to face him. “I am classified as having higher intelligence than most American children.” 

   “You’re from the U.S.? All of All Might’s moves are named after the States!” The boy was getting more and more hyper.

   “I am from California.”

   “That’s where All Might went to college!”

 

   You ignored his fanboy chatter as you two entered the sliding doors of the grocery store. “I will now collect ingredients.”

   Midoriya blinked. Embarrassed, he scratched at his cheek and hunched over slightly. “O-okay!”

   

   Now alone, you browsed the dairy section.

   Midoriya is highly enthusiastic about All Might. 

   They have the same Quirk as well.

   The Quirk file for “One For All” describes it as being able to be passed down.

 

   Has All Might.. chosen Midoriya as his successor?

 

   It was fifteen minutes later when you both finished shopping. You were now walking back to your apartments.

   Holding a single shopping bag, Midoriya eyed the three big bags clutched in your hands. “What’d you buy, [L/n]?”

 

   “Eggs. All-purpose flour. Whipped cream. Butter. Baking soda. Salt. White sugar. Milk. Buttermilk.” You listed everything perfectly.

   Midoriya quirked a brow. “That.. doesn’t sound like something you’d use for dinner.”

   “These are for buttermilk pancakes and regular pancakes.” You looped all three bags onto your right elbow as you took your wallet out from your pocket.

   “Fifteen dollars left.” Whenever you counted your yen coins, you translated it into U.S. currency out of familiarity. 

 

   “P.. pancakes? You’re eating pancakes for dinner??” Gawking at you, Midoriya’s jaw dropped and his eyes went wide with disbelief.

   Midoriya thought he himself was an idiot, but you were a total blockhead. Was this kid really the prodigy he thought you were??

 

   You completely disregarded his surprise as you returned your wallet back to its place. “I must purchase cups and plates. And other utensils.”

   Worrying for your wellbeing, Midoriya shyly muttered, “Uh.. I’ll go with you.”

   “..Okay.”

   Midoriya smiled with worry. What were you, a child? Who eats pancakes for dinner? He was convinced you’d somehow harm yourself just trying to buy some kitchen utensils.

 

   And then he realized. “Wait.. If you don’t have cups or utensils, then how the heck did you eat this morning?”

   Staring forward once more, you replied offhandedly, “I did not eat.”

   Midoriya’s eyes bulged out of his sockets. “Uwah—!? What about the food in your fridge!?”

   “There is currently no sustenance within my refrigerator.”

 

   Midoriya swore he was going to faint on the spot.

   He suddenly felt like an exasperated mother going mad from raising her five kids.

   Except he wasn’t a mother and this was a single brat only two years younger than him.

 

   His soul leaving his body, he screamed, “HAAAA!?”

 

   Nearby pedestrians jolted, startled.

   Your eyes flitted to Midoriya’s pale face. “Do not go outside if you are ill.” 

   He hurriedly replied to you after bowing and squeaking apologies to the people nearby. “I-I’m not sick! I’m just—! just surprised that you’ve gone without breakfast for— how long?”

   “A day.” 

   “Oh, thank God..” Midoriya’s eyes shut as he sighed in relief. 

 

   As they snapped open, he said, “Wait—! Then what did you eat before school today?? You moved in during March!”

   “Small snacks and scrambled eggs.”

   “Did you have.. eggs for all three meals?”

   “Yes.”

   

   Midoriya was this close to using a 100% Smash on you.

   He let out a silent scream, only choked noises escaping his open mouth as his entire body went white.

 

   “You said you were not ill.”

   “I’m not!” Midoriya tried not to have an asthma attack.

   Were you okay?? Why did you live alone?? How were you alive after consuming only eggs and snacks for four days??

 

   “U-uh, [L/n], how about you eat dinner at my place after we work out..?” Midoriya let out another heavy sigh, nervous sweat running down his face.

   He’d never really invited anyone over in years. Heck, he didn’t even have any real friends. The best thing he had was “Kacchan.”

 

   You and him were obviously not friends, but.. would it hurt to invite you over? For just today? 

   He wasn’t too familiar with Iida and Uraraka just yet, but they still made him just a bit less nervous than you did. He didn’t have to flip a coin to bet whether or not they would survive the next day.

   Uraraka was also a girl. Midoriya got nervous around girls.

   You, on the other hand, were not a girl. That made things much easier.

 

   “You are making pancakes for dinner?”

   “No, no we’re not. It’s cheese pork cutlet today.” After giving you an exasperated look, Midoriya began to beam. “It’s to celebrate my first day! It’s my favorite food.”

 

   Trying to make conversation, he leaned forward, hands behind his back as he asked, “What’s yours?”

   He had a giant hunch, but he didn’t want the awkward silence to come back.

 

   “Pancakes.”

   Of course. What did he expect?

   He expected pancakes. Maybe there was a sliver of hope inside him that you liked something with more nutrition.

 

   You stopped in front of a dollar store. “I will now purchase the necessities.”

   Nodding, Midoriya followed you inside. As you picked out a pan, cooking and eating utensils and plates and cups, he pointed out the best ones. They weren’t too good given it was a dollar store, but it had to do.

   You were broke by the end of the twenty minutes you spent there.

 

   Another awkward silence ensued as you two continued on your way home.

   You were content with this, but not Midoriya. He kept looking back and forth between you and the afternoon sunshine hitting the ground.

   You suddenly began to stare directly at the Sun.

 

   Startled, Midoriya cried, “H-hey! Staring at the Sun directly is dangerous!”

   You calmly replied, “Ultraviolet rays do not affect my eyes. They are artificial.”

 

   How could he forget that? Shaking his head at himself, Midoriya softly sighed. “Right. I forgot, sorry..”

   You glanced at him, curious. How did he forget such a detail?

   You did not ask.

 

   When you two stopped at Midoriya’s door, he pressed the buzzer. “Mom, I’m home! And I’m with— with..!”

   Eyes panicked, he shot you a fleeting glance. You weren’t exactly a friend, but Inko wouldn’t let just anyone into the house.

   You stared right back at him and wondered why he suddenly trailed off.

   

   “..a friend!” Midoriya chuckled nervously, brows knotting together. He didn’t exactly want to make eye contact with you right now, so he kept his gaze low.

   After releasing his finger from the buzzer, he whispered to you, “Do you want to eat with us, or do you want us to just give you the food?”

 

   You thought about it for a moment. 

   What pros were there eating with the Midoriyas? Cons? You weighed these two.

   What if they were hostile? If All Might passed down his Quirk to Midoriya, then he definitely had to be trustworthy.

   What if Midoriya’s mom wasn’t a good person? What if Midoriya tricked All Might with a goody-two-shoes fanboy persona?

   What if? What if? What if?

 

   The question having been on the back burner for quite awhile, you turned to him and asked, “Why do you have Mr. Might’s Quirk?”

 

   Just as Midoriya’s jaw dropped as well as his groceries, the door opened.

   “Hi!” Midoriya’s mother smiled up at the two of you. She was endearingly short and chubby, her eyes as round and full of spirit as Midoriya’s. She wore a baby pink, long-sleeved shirt-style dress, birch-colored sandals and a white apron.

   “And who’s this?” She turned to you, tilting her head ever so slightly. 

 

   “I am [L/n] [Name].” You extended a hand to her, remembering how Iida introduced himself to you. 

   “I’m Midoriya Inko, Izuku’s mother!” With friendly, closed eyes, she shook your hand.

   She felt a chill run up her wrist as her warm human hand met your cold, mechanical one. She shivered for a moment as the handshake ended.

   Glancing down at your hand as it retracted, she quietly murmured with pity in her eyes, “Oh my..”

 

   Midoriya gulped. “Uh.. Mom, can [L/n] and I hang out?”

   “Of course.” Beaming, Inko happily clasped her hands together. “It’s only six, after all! Dinner won’t be till seven.”

   As she walked away, she chirped over her shoulder, “I’m so glad my dear Izuku is making friends! On the very first day, too!”

   Midoriya gulped again. “Y-yep! Hahaha!”

 

   He immediately swept you into his room, his fear of anyone besides his mom seeing all the All Might posters going away for just a second.

   Eyes wide and practically breathless, he weakly demanded, “How do you know that All Might gave me his Quirk..!?”

   There was no lying to you. Midoriya already figured that you would see right through him.

 

   “Your file says you have the same Quirk as All Might. Why.” Your last question was more of a demand as you stared down at him, the three-inch height difference suddenly becoming all the more intimidating to Midoriya.

   He deeply swallowed, sweatier than ever. His heart seemed like it would hop right out of his chest.

   Were you trustworthy? How tight were your lips? Midoriya had so many questions about you he couldn’t count.

 

   “I.. I-I was chosen as his successor. I-it was about t-ten months ago..” Midoriya breathed out a shaky answer, his back pressing up against the door as his shoulders scrunched. “So now.. I have One For All.”

   “Why do you cripple yourself? Does All Might still possess One For All?” You had your own questions.

   Midoriya blinked rapidly. This was the most urgently he’d ever heard you speak. He thought he even heard some feeling in there.

   

   Who were you to All Might? 

 

   “I-it’s just that I can’t control all the power yet.. and y-yes, he does. It’s split rather unevenly between us, b-but yeah.” He began to tremble, feeling so ashamed for fessing up so early. Nobody was supposed to find out.

   Not this early.

 

   You were silent. Contemplating his words, your eyes were suddenly caught by the reds, blues and yellows all around Midoriya’s room.

   Turning around, you scanned the walls. 

 

   All Might posters were everywhere. There were even All Might figurines from each Age.

   There were so many other All Might things you didn’t even have the knowledge to identify.

   “A-ah! Yeah, I’m a really big fan of All Might..” Nervously chuckling from behind you, Midoriya weakly inquired, “Did all that answer your questions?”

 

   “...Yes.” You continued to stare at all the merchandise. “..Mr. Might must stay at his current health. If you can improve his condition, then do.”

   Midoriya gasped inaudibly.

   Was this.. a caring side of you? He felt like he was in some weird fanfiction with him as the protagonist while you were the dark, broody love interest with a soft side.

   As bad as he felt for feeling it, Midoriya was surprised you even cared for anyone.

   “I’ll make sure of it.” Midoriya smiled, brows furrowing in determination. “Also, if.. if you don’t mind me asking, what’s your relationship to All Might?”

 

   “..I am his “bionic boy.”” You used what the man affectionately referred to you as, for lack of a better answer.

   “He.. he calls me his “boy.”” Brows furrowing with confusion, Midoriya didn’t realize he was getting jealous. “Are.. you his son?”  

 

   “My parents are dead.”

Chapter 6: Learning

Summary:

The main character's Hero costume: https://www.quotev.com/story/11973337/In-Her-Name-BNHA-x-Reader/6

  “My parents are dead.”

 

   That sentence replayed over and over in his head as Midoriya stared at you, eyes and face slowly losing their color.

   “Oh.” The boy was petrified.

   His surge of envy had gotten over his head.

 

   At your adamant silence and perfectly still face, he bowed his head and murmured with pity, “I’m so sorry..”

    Midoriya was lucky to have both parents, although one was always overseas.

 

   “Why must you apologize?”

   Midoriya looked up at you, his lips parting. “Huh..?”

   You stared down at him, awaiting a response.

 

   “It’s just.. a t.. typical thing for people to say— it’s like offering your condolences.” He couldn’t help but gaze at you with so much pity.

   Why did you not know so many basic human mannerisms? How were you coping with your dead parents? Do you even have siblings?

 

   “What are condolences?”

   Midoriya’s jaw tightened. He felt horrible. “They’re.. they’re something you offer when you feel sad that someone’s died.”

   “Okay. Must I thank you?”

   “Uhh.. you don’t have to.”

   

   You nodded. “I must place these within my refrigerator.” 

   You raised your right arm, which carried your groceries.

   “O-oh, right!” Midoriya was so glad you were the one to change the subject. “I almost forgot, haha!”

   While he went to give his mom what he bought for her, you went to your apartment to stuff your food into the fridge.

   

   When you came back, Midoriya’s front door was already open. He was peeking out, waiting for you to return. “H.. hey!”

   “Hello.”

 

   He let you inside and back to his room you went.

   You stood by the doorway as he crouched in front of the corner where he kept all his equipment. There were a few hand grips and dumbbells of various weights.

   He suddenly took a white sheet of paper off the wall. It was the regimen All Might gave him.

 

   “There’s no garbage to haul anymore..” Midoriya pinned it back on.

   Turning to you, he chirped, “Let’s focus on core exercises! And leg exercises, too.”

   That made sense. You still had your torso and one leg, after all.

   “Okay.”

   

   Midoriya smiled at you, albeit a little uneasily. You two just met only last week and now you were going to work out and have dinner with him.

 

   He grabbed a pencil and paper. “Why don’t I write down some exercises for you? You can practice here so that you’ll know what to do at home.”

   Upon seeing you nod, he began to scribble away.

 

   Midoriya jabbered away as he showed you the finished product, explaining each exercise on there. A lot of the leg ones involved dumbbells. He even demonstrated some. 

   Just as you were about to try a weighted frontal squat, Inko called, “Dinner’s ready, boys!”

 

   “Did an hour really go by..?” Midoriya checked the clock, one eye squinted.

   Turning to you, he apologetically said, “Uh.. Why don’t I lend you my dumbbells for tonight? That way, you can try everything at home and buy some later..?”

   “That seems to be an adequate plan.” You looked at the door knob.

   Seeing what you wanted,  Midoriya opened the door and you followed him to the dining room.

 

   Inko called once more, “Izuku, honey, can you bring the food out? And why don’t you set the table, [L/n]?”

   “Coming, Mom!” Midoriya cast you a nervous look over his shoulder as he walked to the kitchen. Did you even know how to set the table?

 

   You did not.

   Midoriya screamed at the sight of you carrying the entire fucking dinner table.

 

   “Where do I set this?”

   “Sh-she meant put all the chopsticks and napkins onto the table!!” Midoriya screeched out a rapid-fire explanation as he forcefully took the table from you and set it onto the floor with a bang. 

   

   “Eh?” From the kitchen, his mom asked, “Izuku, what’s going on?”

   “N-nothing! Haha! C-coming!” The boy was sweating bullets as he dashed to the kitchen. “L-let me set the table, Mom! [L/n]’s our guest, after all!”

 

   You sat down. Taking a gander, you noticed that the apartment was formatted exactly like yours.

   If Mrs. Midoriya wanted me to place chopsticks and napkins onto the table, then why did she not say so?

   I suppose “set” is a general term for that. I will keep this in mind.

 

   The Midoriyas came back with bowls of hot katsudon, utensils and napkins. Inko smiled kindly as she sat down to your right while Midoriya himself sat across from his mom. 

   Midoriya shakily pressed his hands together and chimed, “Thanks for the food..!”

   Inko’s smile never left as she mirrored her son’s actions. Turning to you, she tilted her head expectantly.

 

   You caught on.

   There was a robotic “whirr” sound as your arms moved and your hands met. “Thank you for the food.”

   Midoriya sighed in relief. You managed to not mess that up. 

 

   “So, [L/n]..” Inko spoke up right as you stuck a cutlet into your mouth. “How did you and Izuku meet? Was it school?”

   You politely chewed and swallowed before replying, “We were standing in the apartment hall when he invaded my privacy.”

 

   “..I’m sorry, what?” Inko was completely lost.

   Midoriya spat out some rice. Spluttering, he explained, “I-I got too curious about his arms and went overboard!”

   He hurriedly bowed his head to you. “Sorry!”

 

   Inko reached over and pinched her son’s cheek. “Well, I’m glad you apologized, Izuku.”

   Midoriya held his cheek and let out a soft whine as his mom pulled her hand away.

 

   He suddenly jolted, turning towards you. “Wait, [L/n] how did you cook all those scrambled eggs..?” Fear seeped into his expression.

 

   “I purchased them at a breakfast shop.”

   Midoriya thanked the heavens you didn’t cook them in your hand. “I see..”

 

   Dinner went relatively well after that. You all just ate in silence that was comfortable for you and Inko, but not Midoriya.

 

   Midoriya was handing you your regimen and some dumbbells when Inko peeked out the front door. “Come again, [L/n]! It was a pleasure having you.”

   Your gaze lingered on her crinkled eyes, crow’s feet and smiling lips.

   Mrs. Midoriya smiles often.

   Melissa does, too.

 

   “Thank you for having me.” You took the items and left, not catching the friendly wave Inko sent you off with and Midoriya’s weak one.

 

   You spent an hour trying out the exercises till you received a text. 

   Setting down a dumbbell, you grabbed your phone. It was Melissa.

 

   < Messages   |              Melissa                  |

 

   Melissa:

    That’s wonderful! I wish everyone was that nice, haha

   Your friend Kaminari is right. You should learn hands-on what “friendship” is. It’s something better experienced than taught 😉

   What have you been eating, by the way? I hope it’s not pancakes for all three meals. Or was it eggs? You like those, too.

   Have you had dinner yet? Remember to eat snacks. Your body is at a crucial growing stage!

 

    me:

    Hello, Melissa. I have Moogled the definition of “nice.” I do not find Kaminari satisfactory, but by definition, he is agreeable and pleasant. I do not have expectations for Kaminari, thus the lack of satisfaction.

   You told me to be nice to everyone. That is not possible. Two people have already expressed their distaste for me. I cannot be pleasant, agreeable and satisfactory to everyone. 

   Friendship involves mutual, platonic and non-family-related affection according to Moogle. Since arriving in Japan, I have not experienced nor have I given affection. I have been elbowed twice. I do not think handshakes nor being bumped harshly in the shoulder are affection. Kaminari has not shown me affection yet. I will keep you updated.

   I have eaten scrambled eggs for all three meals for the four days prior to the start of the school year. Regarding the pancakes you speak of, I have purchased ingredients to make the regular and the buttermilk varieties. A classmate of mine, Midoriya Izuku, has expressed mortification at my eating choices. I do not understand.

   Today, I ate nothing for breakfast, a veggie pancake for lunch and cheese pork cutlet for dinner. I have only consumed half a granola bar as a snack. Dinner has left me relatively full.

   

   You turned off your phone and prepared to head to bed early. You and Melissa had an agreement to only text each other in one session per day. That meant you’d reply one day and her the next. This was supposed to lessen your dependence and also not start a habit of staying on your phone.

 

 

                                        [   ]

   

 

   Midoriya made sure to wake up extra early as to not walk with you.

   You were still getting ready when he quickly passed by your front door.

 

   Today, you were all introduced to the morning classes, and they were.. extremely normal.

   Lunch was a lot better than you’d anticipated. You’d ate alone, eating okonomiyaki. It was the closest thing to a pancake you could get.

   As for your weird obsession with pancakes..

 

   they were the first thing you ate after you woke up.

 

   You remembered it all so vividly. David had made some buttermilk pancakes for everyone, given every single person involved in your case had worked till early morning to keep you alive.

   Melissa was still wiping at her eyes when David handed her her plate.

 

   As for the present, you’d expected some heroic aspect in each class, but that was saved for history and the one noon class— 

   Foundational hero studies.

   

   “I am here.. and coming through the door like a normal person!”

 

   Excited chatter erupted from your class as All Might burst through door, on his tip-toes and gripping the doorway. 

   “I can’t believe it! It’s All Might!”

   “That design is so Silver Age!”

   “That art style clashes so much it’s giving me goosebumps..!”

 

   Upon seeing that All Might was in his buff form, your shoulders tensed. However, you knew you couldn’t say anything.

   No one could know about his true form.

 

   “Foundational hero studies! For this class, we’ll be building up your hero foundation through various trials!” All Might dashed to the blackboard and reached out of your class’s view to grab something.

   He pulled out a card that read “BATTLE.” “Let’s jump right in with this! 

  The trial of battle!”

 

   Curious murmurs rippled across the classroom as All Might widely gestured to the left wall. “And to go with your first battle.. we’ve prepared the gear requests we had you send in to match your Quirks!”

 

   Shelves contained numbered cases behind glass slid out of the wall. 

   Intrigued by this feature, you were focused more on the sliding than what the shelves contained.

   Anything even remotely tech-y reminded you of Melissa and the rest of I-Island.

 

   All Might enthusiastically continued, “Get changed and we’ll head to Ground Beta! The garb you bring into the battle field are vital, boys and girls!

   And don’t forget..

   from now on, you are all officially

   heroes!”

 

   There was a hubbub as you all grabbed your cases and headed out. Kids were chatting about how excited they were about their costumes.

 

   “Hey, [L/n]!” Kaminari grinned as he lightly bumped you with his elbow. You were all on the way to the lockers.

   You turned to look down at him. “Hello.”

   “I bet your costume’s super futuristic.” His honey-colored eyes ran over the case in your arms. “Can’t wait to see it!”

   Kaminari kept his promise of showing you what a friend was. Although he didn’t sit with you at lunch, it was just because he couldn’t find you.

 

   In return, you echoed, “I cannot wait to see yours.”

   Were you really unable to wait?

   The last time you were unable to, you felt heat in your temple and tightness near your ribs.

   “Really?” Kaminari’s grin grew as his grip on his case tightened. “It’ll blow you away, just wait and see!”

   

   Now in the boy’s locker room, you set your case down and opened it.

   Melissa had designed everything for you and made sure you had no idea what it would look like.

   On top of all the black, grey and beige items within was a plain white paper note.

   You picked it up and read its contents in your head.

 

   “Dear best friend,

   Hi, [Name], it’s Melissa! I really really hope you enjoy this little surprise. :) Good luck, and here are the instructions as to how to put everything on!”

   

   You followed the paper as you slipped everything on.

   (Every brand/ material listed will not be a fucked up version of it [[i.e. DcMonald’s]].)

 

   A Twaron vest in the color light beige.

   Black Kevlar X.P. gloves with large holes for your boosters.

   A thin, black Spandex shirt with a turtleneck-style collar.

   Black Spandex leggings.

   Armor pieces built from hard plastic. The knee pads and elbow pads were painted a light grey while the rest was a dark, near-black gray.

   Underneath the armor was a thin layer of tungsten and less than half an inch of sorbothane.

   The armor had two holes designed to slide open at the click of a red button next to them. They were meant to reduce heat build-up. The holes were located on your left pectoral plate and the armor of your forearms.

   There was a rectangular opening on your right forearm armor, exposing the switches you had that corresponded with both arms. 

   The last item was extremely similar to a motorcycle helmet. It had an angular widow’s peak visor and mouse-like “ears.” It was (f/c) in color and had a tech-y motif inside the ears connected to a light green dot.

   

   When you were fully decked out, Kirishima gave you a whistle. 

   “Damn, man! And I thought you couldn’t get any funkier.” The redhead checked out your thick armor. It made you look significantly more bulky.

   “Woah! You got buff!” Kaminari began to laugh as he noticed your mouse helmet. “What are you, the principal?”

 

   “Melissa said the “ears” were for enhanced hearing.”

   Kaminari jokingly dismissed your reply. “Sure, sure..”

 

   Bakugou shoved past you, sneering, “You look fucking ridiculous.”

   Iida swiped a hand up and down and cried, “How rude! Apologize to [L/n] at once!”

   “Can it, Four Eyes!”

 

   “..I admire the mystery your garb emits.” In an effort to make up for Bakugou, Tokoyami quietly complimented you in his own way.

   Hearing the words “admire”, “your” and “garb” and concluding what the bird boy said was positive, you replied, “Thank you.”

   You made a mental note to study up on more obscure words.

 

   Now all of you were outside and waiting for All Might’s orders. Looking around, you found only Iida’s costume to be to your taste. It was nostalgic for some reason.

   Midoriya had that animal thing going on, it seemed. You were a mouse while he was a rabbit.

   Yaoyorozu’s was.. strange to say the least. You felt your cheeks warm up at the sight of her. Confused, you wondered if you were either sick or if the helmet was too stuffy.

 

   Ashido poked your shoulder plate. “You got chunky!”

   You brushed your hand against your shoulder. “This armor is lightweight in contrast to its appearance.”

 

   “All right! Let’s see what you’re made of, you embryos!” All Might boomed, hands on his hips, “It’s time for the trial of battle!”

   He added, “I like everyone’s styles! Very cool!”

   The man had to hold back a laugh at the sight of Midoriya’s “bunny ears.” They were a blatant homage to the man himself.

 

   His struggle to not laugh got worse as he spotted your mouse-like helmet in the crowd.

   The rest of your costume looked pretty solid and serious, so the cutesy-ness of the helmet balanced it out. 

  However.. All Might never expected you to be the type to wear something like that. Melissa must’ve ordered you to wear it or something.

 

   Iida raised a hand. “Teacher! Regarding the performance ground we’ll be using, is it the mock city from the entrance exam?”

   “You’ll see—! in fact, take two steps and you’ll be there!” All Might jovially answered, “This will be an indoor battle trial!”

 

   He pressed a thumb to his lip as he listed, “Imprisonment, house arrest, the black market.. in this hero-saturated society, why, any villain with intelligence lurks in the shadows!

   For this test, you’ll separate into “hero” and “villain” groups for a two-on-two team battle!”

 

   At once, questions erupted from the people around you.

   “How do we determine who wins or loses?”

   “Can we just blow them away?”

   “Is there a threat of expulsion like with Mr. Aizawa..?”

   “If we’re separating into different groups, what would be the best way to do so?”

   “Doesn’t this cape look killer on me?”

 

   “Hnggh!” All Might clenched a fist and weakly muttered, “I can’t hear if you all talk at once!”

   While he explained everything, you found yourself shifting foot to foot. But why?

   It was like feathers were in your stomach and the bottom of your lungs. You didn’t like this feeling.

   

   “Feeling nervous?” Kaminari whispered to you, keeping his eyes on All Might.

   “I will research the meaning of that word later.”

   “Hn.” The blond chuckled, “Fearless, I see.”

 

   And then lots were drawn. 

   The lot box never came to you. Grinning as always, All Might explained to you directly, “Since there are an odd number of students, your matchups will be by volunteer, young [L/n]!”

   “I see. Okay, Mr. Might.”

 

   Ashido snickered, elbowing you as All Might walled back to the front. “Mr. Might?”

   You swiveled your head to make eye contact. “What is humorous about how I address him?”

   “You really are an alien.” She playfully stuck her tongue out at you before going silent to listen to All Might.

 

   He stuck his hands into two boxes labeled “VILLAIN” and “HERO.” “And the first two pairs to battle will be the following..!”

 

   Midoriya and Uraraka were up against Iida and Bakugou. A battle between the main cast.

   As they prepared for the trial above ground, the rest of you headed underneath the building to a camera room. You all decided to chat in wait.

 

   “Sick helmet, man!” A boy with a tape dispenser for a helmet walked up to you, snickering away. “Glad to see at least one other person’s got a helmet. I don’t really count Iida’s as one.”

   “My helmet cannot be ill. It is not an organism.” You wondered if this dude was dumb or stupid.

 

   Kaminari hissed to you, “Sick means “cool!” Like if you saw something you liked!”

   You blinked.

   Ah. Melissa has used “cool” to describe my eyes. I remember. 

 

   You finally told Sero, “Thank you.”

   He sent you a thumb’s up before turning to the wall monitors. You followed his actions and looked at them as well.   

   The interior of the building was on each screen. Not too interesting. Given you’ve lived on I-Island for what was technically two years, you were hardly impressed by anything anymore.

 

   The trial started.

   You took interest in each member of this battle.

   Midoriya’s Quirk.

   Iida’s costume.

   Uraraka’s eyes.

   Bakugou’s pissy demeanor. You didn’t have any real like or dislike towards him, but you knew for sure that he would spit on you given the chance.

   You also seemed to “like” Bakugou’s eyes. You’d switched out a yellow highlighter for a red one when you met him at the stationary shop, after all. You weren’t sure he even remembered you from back then.

 

   Melissa often wore clothes similar in color to Bakugou’s eyes.

 

   You honestly weren’t sure what the hell was going on as the fight dragged on. It just seemed like one big catfight between Midoriya and Bakugou while Uraraka was trying her best to survive the crossfire. Iida, meanwhile, was scurrying around like a mouse upstairs.

   You couldn’t hear anything the participants were saying, but Bakugou and Iida were definitely pissed. Midoriya was shouting something while Uraraka watched him, stunned. 

   Blows had already been exchanged. Bakugou lead with an ambush and Midoriya countered with a judo flip. Kirishima called Bakugou a “cheater” for that “unmanly” ambush.

 

   It eventually escalated to the point where All Might and many others were yelling at Bakugou to stop.

   The boy had a finger against the clip of one of his gauntlets, grinning crazily as he aimed it right at Midoriya.

   You watched intently, more concerned as to how the freckled male would counter than for his wellbeing.

   What will Midoriya do?

 

   The blast knocked Midoriya back more than ten feet and destroyed a large part of the building. Midoriya had a horrified expression on his face that could be seen as the smoke cleared.

 

   You’d never seen anyone make a face like that.

   You’ve seen happiness. You’d seen happy tears.

   You’ve seen anger, excitement and other emotions you couldn’t recognize.

   

   But you’d never seen pure horror.

 

   Just as Bakugou pulled his arm back for another ago, All Might took the mic and threatened to end the exercise.

   He continued to berate the boy, listing valid point after valid point. “Using massive attacks like these indoors is just asking to have your own stronghold destroyed! Whether hero or villain, it’s a bad move and a good way to lose points!”

   You kept these things in mind.

 

   After listening to All Might for a second, Bakugou leapt at Midoriya once more. It was a one-sided fight, Midoriya blocking in vain while the other boy pummeled him.

   Bakugo then executed a feint combo. He began by flying directly towards his opponent, blasting himself right over him. Then, firing explosions from both hands, he hurt Midoriya’s back and kept himself steady in the air at the same time.

 

   Impressed murmuring ensued.

   “He used the first explosion to simultaneously feint and change his own position.. then he immediately followed up with another.”

   “He doesn’t seem like a thinker, but that strategy was fairly intricate.”

   “Damn, this guy’s good..!”

 

   Meanwhile, your feet began to discreetly shift.

   The gap between you and Bakugou seemed like the Golden Gate Bridge.

   Why was he so good? How? Where does his experience come from? All your questions were along these lines.

   You might as well have been born three weeks ago, and not once was tactical combat ever taught to you.

   Sure, you’d learned a few basic defense moves, and had the brains to expand on your own..

   but no one taught you how.

 

   This thought weighed you down. 

   You were truly too dependent on other people.

   Or were you..?

 

   If you could learn to read and write both English and Japanese within two weeks, recognize other’s emotions, pick up connotations and set goals for yourself,

   then who says you couldn’t teach yourself how to fight strategically?

 

   If only you knew your potential. 

   It was your dependence on the others around you holding you back.

   

   After a few more one-sided strikes, Bakugou and Midoriya ran at each other, arms geared back.

   Midoriya received an explosion that dried out his eyes right to the face.

   A One-For-All-powered punch seemed like it would hit Bakugou head on, but then Midoriya suddenly angled his fist upwards.

   Wind pressure tore through each floor till it hit the roof, giving Uraraka the opportunity to strike at Iida.

   Her “Comet Homerun” won the day, as she’d used it to distract Iida and claim the missile.

 

   Uraraka, Midoriya and Iida, too, were far out of your reach.

   They all had strategy. 

   Uraraka’s homerun, Iida hiding every moveable object in the room, Midoriya’s feint and Bakugou’s feint..

 

   You had much to learn from these newbies.

Chapter 7: Give Your All

Summary:

amazing fan art! by RaceToCuddle on quotev!

 

 

   “I’d say the V.I.P. of this battle was Iida!” 

 

   Iida jolted with surprise at All Might’s conclusion. “Whaa—!?”

   After Midoriya was rolled off by robots and All Might took the kids underground, it was time for review. Iida, Uraraka and Bakugou stood before the crowd, the girl of them looking drained and the gremlin staring down at the floor.

   

   “Not Uraraka or Midoriya? Even though they won?” Asui voiced everyone else’s confusion. You, meanwhile, were not particularly surprised.

   Sure, you didn’t have analytical skills anywhere near Yaoyorozu’s level, but you did at least notice that Iida was the most careful player of the trial. You weren’t exactly sure whether that was worthy of V.I.P., but him not being reckless like the others had to count for something.

 

   Replying to Asui, All Might boomed, “Hmm! I wonder why? Anyone know!?”

   “I do, Mr. All Might.” Yaoyorozu, of course, was the one to raise her hand. You noticed that she was always the first to speak up in the silence.

 

   (I am NOT typing out “-sensei” after every teacher’s hero/surnames just because I refuse to sound like a weeb. It’s also weird seeing romaji when the rest of the story is in English. Also, whenever one of the students says “sensei” by itself, I will use “teacher” in its place.)

 

   Closing her eyes and furrowing her brows, Momo critiqued, “It’s because Iida was the most able to adapt to the scenario.

   From what I saw, Bakugou’s every action was motivated by an obvious personal grudge. And as you mentioned before, teacher, using destructive attacks indoors is foolish. Midoriya’s performance suffered the same results.”

 

   Bakugou himself kept his head low, his spiky, straw-like hair covering up his eyes like some emo anime character. You noted that if Melissa were here, she’d chide both you and Bakugou into taking care of your hair more.

   Yaoyorozu moved on to Uraraka. “Uraraka lost focus halfway through. And her final attack was far too haphazard. Such an attack would be unthinkable if the nuclear weapon were real.”

   Uraraka’s lips tightened as she looked down, brows creased.

 

   As much as you thought Yaoyorozu’s points were probably valid, you did not catch many of the words she used. They weren’t even advanced. Three weeks was too little to have the same vocabulary as everyone else. 

   When you learned English all over again, it was meant for you to be able to read and write— not know every word everyone else did. That was the same for Japanese.

   You could understand both, but some words often missed you.

 

   “But Iida formed an actual counterstrategy.. and he envisioned what the actual struggle would be like. He was only too late in reacting at the very end. The hero team only won because this was a training exercise with exploitable constraints.”

   At Yaoyorozu’s words, Iida touched his heart, angled his head upwards and trembled. The boy was touched.

   You peeked around Kouda’s neck to get a better look.

   Why is Iida shaking like that? He is also touching his heart.

   A heart attack?

   No. Iida is smiling. No one seems to notice anything.

   There are many things I must get accustomed to, it seems..

 

   All Might broke the silence, he himself trembling slightly as he stuck a thumb up. “I-I’d also add that Iida was too stiff, but.. yes, you’re correct!”

   You narrowed your eyes, feeling something like water swirl around in your chest. 

   Mr. Might is shaking as well.

   But for what reason? Is it infectious? 

   Why is Mr. Might infected by Iida’s shaking but no one else is?

 

   Yaoyorozu huffed through her nose and put her hands on her hips. “We’ve got to start at the bottom and work up! And if we don’t earnestly cheer each other on, we’ll never be top heroes!”

   You clicked the green button in the left ear of your helmet to disable the enhanced hearing feature.

   ..Start at the bottom and work up. The meaning of those words I at least know.

   ..I believe Melissa told me the same thing. Given I have lost everything, it makes sense. 

 

   My starting line is far behind the lines of everyone else, but.. I have to catch up.

   I cannot disappoint Melissa.

 

   After moving to a new location, it was now Shouji and Todoroki versus Ojirou and Hagakure.

   Her invisibility intrigued you. You’d never encountered anyone with such an extreme mutation. 

   Ojirou and Shouji were also interesting to look at, but they didn’t fascinate you as much as Hagakure.

   

   It ended sadly and quickly. Shouji’s ability to morph his limbs into other body parts quickly caught your attention, but you couldn’t look for long due to him leaving the building and going offscreen. 

   Todoroki froze the entire building, the cold reaching everyone below. Iida and All Might had since stopped trembling, but now everyone was trembling. Your armor provided good insulation, but the places only covered by Spandex were feeling pretty chilly.

 

   Ojirou and Hagakure were frozen to the floor as Todoroki touched the missile. If they attempted to escape, they’d tear the soles of their feet off. Ouch.

   From what everyone could see, Todoroki was.. merciless. You all couldn’t hear it, but he gave his enemies a half-assed apology.

   Your lips thinned. The gap seemed ever so large now.

 

   When it was review time, Shouji got by smooth since he was resourceful, but Todoroki was criticized by both All Might and Yaoyorozu. 

 

   All Might crossed his arms. “You need to work together with your team, young Todoroki. Even if you alone can achieve success , you must work together.”

   Yaoyorozu raised her hand to speak. “When I said that we must cheer each other on.. I meant we have to support each other. Shouji clearly tried to work out a way of dealing with the enemy, but you only sent him outside and proceeded to freeze the whole building.”

   She seemed particularly irritated with Todoroki. “What if there was a touch-activated trap and your ice set it off? What if your ice accidentally pierces the missile and it explodes? Like I said with Midoriya and Bakugou’s teams, the only reason you won is because there were exploitable constraints.”

 

   Wow. Todoroki was practically boiled alive by the number one recommended student. 

   The boy stood there, his eyes slightly narrowed. Shouji, on the other hand, looked completely neutral.

   Coughing, All Might broke the silence. “I-I agree!”

 

   Work together and be careful. You kept that in mind.

   You were like a sponge— always absorbing everything around you.

 

   All the other battles went by, and you made sure to pay close attention to everyone’s Quirks, team play and how they were critiqued. 

   Work together.. I have to be able to work together.

 

   “Who would like to participate in [L/n]’s match?” All Might was smiling as always, giving your shoulder a firm pat as you stood next to him.

   You were just a bit taller than the average Japanese man, but that meant nothing when you were next to All Might.

 

   At first, there was silence. Everyone didn’t know each other too well yet, after all.

   Kaminari was just whey-ing, jabbing his thumbs up and down. Midoriya was down for the count.

   Besides those two, everyone was free game.

 

   Two hands shot up into the air at the same time.

   Shouji and Yaoyorozu’s.    

   They both look equally determined, one wanting to redeem themself and the other always striving to improve.

 

   “Thank you, young ones! Now we just need one more person.” All Might swept the crowd with his gaze.

 

   A slower, more timid hand raised.

   It was Kouda’s. His head was bowed as he looked up at All Might, sweat beading on his face.

 

   All Might’s grin widened. “Fantastic!”

 

   After being assigned as the villain team, you and Kouda left the underground to head inside the building.

   Both you and him were silent, Kouda clearly nervous while no one could read you behind that helmet of yours.

   Yaoyorozu is adept at using that metal staff. She can also generate items from her body. I do not know what items she can create and what she cannot.

   Shouji displayed extreme physical strength in all trials during the Quirk apprehension test. I am unaware of the rest of his abilities, although I do know he can turn his hands into other body parts.

   I will have to be very careful.

 

   You touched your helmet.

   Perhaps I should have told them to avoid hitting my head. Melissa has told me my brain is damaged. 

   If I inform them.. will they be mindful, or will they target my weak point?

   

   You were brought out of your thoughts by a tap on your left shoulder. 

 

   You and Kouda were now in the missile room as he began making shaky hand motions.

   First, he pointed at himself and then at the floor. Next, he pointed at you, then the doorway, used both hands to draw a vertical rectangle and began to run in place while making a circle motion with his index finger.

 

   You wondered what the hell he was trying to say.

   Remembering each movement, you repeated the sequence and Kouda’s nodding got faster.

   You told him your interpretation. “You will stay here. I will run around the building in a circle.”

 

   Rapid nodding became panicky shaking of the head.

   He repeated the same sequence, except without the circle part.

 

   “I will.. run within the building.”

   Smiling a little, Kouda held up a double thumb’s up. You mirrored the gesture before exiting the doorway, the bell dinging for the trial to start sounding as you did so.

   I can only put my trust into this helmet. 

 

   You switched the enhanced hearing on and you roamed the halls, looking to and fro. You were on the third floor now.

   

   You got smacked right in the head by a bo staff as you turned the corner, sending you stumbling back a few feet.

 

   “I suggest you learn to walk quietly!” Yaoyorozu revealed herself, the staff gripped in both hands. 

   Still dizzy, you steadied yourself and shot a beam at her with your right hand. “I will keep that in mind.”

   I could not hear Yaoyorozu coming even with enhanced hearing..

   Did she notice me adjust my helmet and act accordingly? 

 

   During one of the reviews, you’d carelessly turned off the hearing feature in plain sight. Yaoyorozu must’ve caught your movement and figured out what that green button was for.

 

   She dodged the beam and ran straight for you, swinging her staff once more. 

   You threw your left forearm up to block, the staff ringing as it made contact with hard plastic. 

   As soon as it made contact, Yaoyorozu angled it so that the opposite end would strike your right shoulder.

   The sorbothane padding underneath the tungsten layer of your armor helped tremendously with absorbing the shock from each hit.   

 

   You fired double beams at Yaoyorozu, but she ducked and only the ends of her hair were singed.

   She used your still-dizzy state to attempt to sweep you with her staff, but the weight of all your metal limbs kept you grounded.

   You managed to land a kick that did more damage than intended.

 

   You’d used your right, artificial leg, and it harshly sent Yaoyorozu to the left and she nearly hit the wall.

   Left eye squinted, she winced and held her left forearm.

   Watching Yaoyorozu straighten back up, you recalled what Melissa told you to be.

 

   “Be nice to everyone.”

 

   “Are you alright, Yaoyorozu?”

   “..Yes, but you need to focus!” She narrowed her eyes at you before charging once more. “Adapt to the exercise!”

   “Melissa ordered me to “be nice to everyone.”” You caught the staff with both hands, metal clashing against metal. 

   You didn’t have a hard time holding it in place, but Yaoyorozu made up for the strength imbalance with her quick thinking.

 

   Abandoning the staff, she began to dash the way you came.

   You merely stood there, watching her back as she went.

 

   Not hearing footsteps behind her, Yaoyorozu called over her shoulder, “If you give up here, how on Earth do you expect to become a hero!?”

 

   As she disappeared behind a corner, you remained silent.

   You ran after her, zeroing in on the soft taps of her shoes. She was always just out of your sight.   

   You finally caught her out in the open as she ran through a wide room.

 

   Anticipating an attack, she spun around, generating a shield of tungsten and intercepting the beams you shot at her.

   “Tungsten.. has a melting point of 3,442 Celsius!” Yaoyorozu let out a grunt as she stood her ground, her feet being pushed back only slightly as you held the beams there.

   You ominously replied, “How long will it take my heat to surpass your shield?”

 

   It was fifteen seconds in when the heat build-up began to take its toll. The temperature of your beams was just below the melting point of stainless steel. 

   Flinching from the heat, Yaoyorozu generated another shield and dropped her original one.

   You wondered to yourself, Where is Shouji?

 

   You closed your fists before abruptly sprinting towards the girl before you, making her furrow her brows. She was ready to intercept you as always.

   When she thrust up her shield, you straight up just pushed your palms against it as you lunged at her.

 

   The shield flying away, you and Yaoyorozu tumbled across the floor. You ended up on top of her stomach, blocking the bo staff she swung at your head with your left forearm.

   Now you had the weight advantage, given your artificial limbs and tungsten armor. You’d mentioned before that your armor was lightweight, but only because you were so used to handling heavy conditions.

   

   You grabbed the staff with both hands and began pushing it against Yaoyorozu’s neck, her eyes going wide in shock.

   The one thing she hadn’t anticipated was someone asking if she was okay one moment and suffocating her the next.

   The fact that she couldn’t see what expression you wore behind your helmet as you choked her made it all the more unsettling.

   Your weight on her stomach and the weight against her throat turned the tables.

 

   She moved her hips to get her legs by your ribs and crossed her ankles tight against your chest.

   With a quick movement, you were slammed backwards and into the floor. 

   You managed to prop your left elbow onto the floor in time, saving yourself from hitting your head.

   

   Coughing a little, Yaoyorozu scrambled to her feet and only sprinted for two seconds before stopping.

 

   She let out a gasp as she noticed you’d melted the soles of her boots, your beams leaving black trails across the cement floor.

   She fell, catching herself with her hands and laying on her side. 

   As she laid there, the girl cautious and glaring, you retrieved the bo staff you’d choked her with.

 

   Her eyes widened with surprise as you ran right past her.

   Pressing her earpiece, she hissed, “Shouji! [L/n] has figured out where you are!”

Chapter 8: Taking Responsibility

Summary:

funny meme! by Lavenberry on quotev!

 

 

   You ran as fast as you could. You couldn’t think of a way Shouji would get to the missile without passing by you, but you had a hunch that he was already there.

   You reached the missile room within a minute to see Shouji burst through a window.

 

   It was like an unpleasant wave of cold water quickly splashed over your chest and your eyes. 

   Shouji climbed up the building.

 

  Kouda screamed, thrusting his bloodied hands forward as he screwed his eyes shut. 

  Knuckles already bloody from punching through glass, Shouji used open palms to swat away the attacking doves as gently as he could.

  The birds had entered via a broken window directly opposite to the one Shouji entered through. It appeared Kouda had punched a window as well.

 

   You remained in the doorway, unsure of what to do. Shouji was already busy fending off fat little doves and Kouda was fearfully hiding his face.

   "Kouda." You ran towards the missile, skidding to a stop in front of it. "We need to work together.”

   Jolting out of what looked like a panic attack, Kouda nodded rapid-fire and joined your side. His teeth chattered as if he was cold.

   

   With minor scratches on his arms, Shouji decided to disregard the doves and head straight for the missile. The birds cooed as they flew after him, but he stretched his third pair of arms back to keep them at bay. 

   You thrust out your right arm, Kouda and Shouji's eyes following your movement. "Incinerate."

 

   Shouji leapt to his right to dodge and one of the doves on his tail were hit instead.

 

   Both he and Kouda froze with horror, eyes growing wide as they watched the poor bird fall to the floor. It was charred and on fire at the same time.

  The rest of the doves cooed in alarm before flying out Shouji’s window.

   

   You'd killed it instantly.

 

   Stiff, you lowered your arm back to your side. "Have you given up?"

   The two boys didn't know you were talking about how they froze-- previously, Yaoyorozu insinuated that you'd given up by your lack of action, so you only reflected her words.

 

   Slowly craning his neck towards you, Shouji cautiously murmured, “Is that a threat? ..You’ve sure adapted to the exercise well.”

   The boy gulped inaudibly, sweat trickling down his temple as he eyed your right arm. His narrow eyes were filled with suspicion, noticing your lack of reaction to killing an animal.

 

   If your heat could kill a bird that easily, then what were the effects on human flesh?

   And why did you lack any remorse?

   

   Kouda could only croak as he kept his terrified gaze on his poor bird friend.

   He rushed forward, kneeling down and taking the body into his gentle hold. Tears pricked his eyes as he quickly blew the flames out.

   He held the bird close to him, head bowed and back hunched.

 

   “Your lack of movement implies you have given up, according to Yaoyorozu.” You referenced her, completely unaware as to why the other boys stopped. “Why have you ceased movement?”

 

   “..Because you killed it. The bird— it’s dead.” Shouji’s eyes softened as he turned to Kouda, the boy still grieving. 

   You kept your eyes on Kouda, interested. 

   Is that bird of significance to Kouda? I did not react the same way when I was informed of my parents’ deaths. 

   I remember Melissa and Mr. Shield apologized to me.

   

   “I-I’m so sorry, [Name]..” It was Melissa’s heartbroken voice. “I wish I could’ve done something...”

 

   You did not understand why they apologized, but..

 

   “I’m sorry.”

   Shouji’s black eyes snapped to you, surprised you even apologized.

   Your apology, however.. like most of your speech, it lacked feeling.

   It lacked sincerity.

 

   “..Don’t say that if you don’t mean it.” He coldly answered for Kouda before tapping his earpiece. “Are you alright, Yaoyorozu?”

   Only Shouji could hear her response.

 

   You mulled over his answer.

   “..Don’t say that if you don’t mean it.”

 

   That was viable advice in your opinion. You never understood the need to apologize for things that weren’t your fault, anyway.

 

   “Okay.” You raised your left hand to reveal your open palm. “Incinerate.”

   The very tip of one of Shouji’s already-bruised knuckles was singed. Letting out a muffled grunt, he quickly closed the distance between you two.

 

   You hesitated.

   Fire at Shouji and he ends up like the bird?

   Or do you engage in physical combat? 

 

   Shouji gave you no time to decide.

   Using your hesitation to his advantage, he easily swiped you to your right with four of his arms.

   You were drawn to the floor like a magnet.

   That was when Shouji’s hands made contact with the missile.

 

   “The.. the hero team wins!” All Might sounded a little distraught as he boomed through the speakers.

   Shouji turned to you, clenching a fist before hesitantly offering you an open hand.

   Still getting up from the floor, you stopped to remain at level with his hand.

 

   Realizing that you weren’t very well-versed with everyday behavior based on your reference to Yaoyorozu, Shouji quietly explained, “Let me help you stand up.”

   As wary of you as he was, he was still nice to you. You finally accepted his hand and the both of you turned to look at Kouda.

 

   The boy was already up and on his feet, sullenly staring at the dead bird in his hands. 

   His whisper was like a gentle breeze. “I’ll give it a proper burial.”

 

   All of you walked past each floor, slowing down as Yaoyorozu came into sight.

   She was still on the floor, dark eyes concentrated on her exposed feet. Her boots were discarded next to her.

   The soles of her feet had suffered second degree burns, her flesh flaky and patchy with reds and pinks. There was even a part of her melted shoe stuck on her left foot.

   Kouda whimpered at the sight. 

 

   “A-ah, hello.” She greeted the three of you, wincing as she shifted a little too much. “If it’s not too much, could one if you perhaps.. carry me down?”

   Shouji’s step forward was just a second too slow.

 

   You were already by Yaoyorozu’s side, surprising everyone. “It is not too much.”

   You pressed the red buttons on your forearm and chest to free some built-up heat from underneath your armor. You then got into a kneel, holding your open palms out. “Please provide instructions. I offered without prior knowledge.”

   Letting out a laugh and smiling slightly, she raised a brow. “I see. How kind.”

   She appeared to hold no grudge against you for ruining her costume and injuring her that severely.

 

   You were up and off within a few seconds. The other boys walked behind you, you walking a bit more urgently. You at least knew that an open wound like that would be no good.

   Yaoyorozu noticed your quick pace, evident by the surprised look on her face. She didn’t think you’d prioritize her like this, given your behavior from the past two days.

   She knew you were human, but at the same time, she didn’t feel you were.

   Her black eyes fell to your hands, situated underneath her lower back and her knees.

   Your gloves just barely gave that fleshy human effect. 

   Meanwhile, you were feeling a little hot under your helmet. Melissa taught you that males and females that did not have a romantic relationship shouldn’t see each other bare, so having Yaoyorozu so close to you warmed up your face like a microwave.

 

   The robots on the ground floor took her. Sneering at you, they said, “Guess that settles it— robots are better than cyborgs!”

   You didn’t bother to respond to something so trivial.

 

   You returned the kind wave Yaoyorozu sent you and jolted ever so slightly as a large hand planted itself on your right shoulder. 

 

   “You should be mindful of others, young [L/n].” All Might patted your shoulder before moving on to speak to Kouda.

   “..Be mindful of others.” You repeated the man’s advice before walking towards the underground entrance.

 

   Shouji watched you go, not surprised in the slightest that you’d skipped out on the little funeral. All Might was still consoling Kouda. 

   The bird was now a few inches under dry dirt— the best burial site possible at the moment.

 

   Within a minute or two, the three of you were standing in front of the rest of the class. All Might stood with the crowd.

   Hushed murmurs of concern and caution were exchanged until Iida brought it to an end.

 

   “Gossip is disrespectful!” Being at the front, he turned around to sweep his stern gaze across his peers. With a huff, he turned to face forward again.

 

   “I’d say.. the V.I.P. of this battle was Yaoyorozu!” All Might cleared his throat, a bit of sweat beading on his cheek. 

   Everyone but you could feel the unsettled gazes directed at you. You merely took your helmet off, your head sweaty, hair crazy and eyes perfectly blank as usual.

   You were like a doll—

 

   or rather, a puppet.

 

   “Can anyone tell us why?”

   Iida’s hand immediately shot up. He seemed to play Yaoyorozu’s role while she was gone. “I believe it is because she proceeded the entire way with no hesitation! Not even when [L/n] fired at her! She only stopped when immobilized. 

   Meanwhile, the others paused when the bird.. died.”

 

   Iida had to cough. “I do understand why, but stopping like that gives the enemy an opportunity to take advantage! We are lucky this is merely a training exercise.”

   Ojirou hesitantly raised his hand. “[L/n] also seemed to.. um.. hesitate a lot. And like Iida said, everyone except Yaoyorozu got distracted.” 

   The crowd seemed to agree, All Might nodding along. “Well said, you two! That concludes the exercise.”

 

   You all proceeded to ground level.

   You were the first to move, no sign of hesitation that indicated you’d sensed the awkward air.

   Eyes just like yours stayed glued to you, their owner curious about your apathetic nature.

   Another pair of eyes, heterochromatic, followed you as well.

   A pair of cherry red glared at you.

   

   Uraraka felt chills run up her spine as she stuck close to Iida, brown eyes on your bird’s nest of a head. 

   The same boy who’d stared at her with what looked like childish wonder was the same heartless person who burnt an animal to a crisp.

   All without blinking an eye.

   

   All Might’s back basked in the April sun, hands on his hips as he addressed you all. “Well done, everyone! No serious injuries, apart from Yaoyorozu and Midoriya’s! Great teamwork, though! You all did splendidly, considering this was your first training exercise!”

   He whipped around, back now facing you. “Coming after Aizawa, such a straightforward class is.. almost a letdown. We teachers here are free to hold no-nonsense classes if we choose! Now, I’m off to give Yaoyorozu and Midoriya their evaluations! Change out of those costumes and head to the classroom!”

 

   “..Man, [L/n]. You sure are ruthless, huh?” Kaminari uneasily tried to make conversation with you as he changed into his uniform. 

   Were you emotionally-stunted or what? Everyone could tell, even through the cameras, that you held no remorse for the fallen bird.

   You were so amusing to talk to before, but now Kaminari found himself walking on eggshells.

 

   You recalled that word from when you overheard David talking about the incident that left you like this. “I do not pity anyone, but I believe I am capable of experiencing concern.”

   Many of the boys listened in as you talked. “I am concerned as to why Kouda was emotional over that bird.”

   Said boy nearly jumped out of his skin. 

 

   Spluttering, he made a series of shaky hand movements over his shoulder.

   He first pointed to himself. Then he made a beckoning motion and used both hands to imitate flapping wings. 

   He lowered both his hands and his head and went back to changing, signaling he was done.

 

   “You beckoned the bird.” You interpreted his movements correctly. “Do you feel responsible for its death? Did you apologize to it?”

   “Hey man, let’s not..” Kirishima trailed off as he got your attention with a hand on the shoulder. He looked at Kouda, frowning with concern.

   Shouji discreetly glanced at you. What were you trying to do, gauge Kouda’s reaction? The white-haired male could tell he himself was partially responsible for the apology bit. 

 

   Kouda reluctantly nodded twice, confirming your inquiry.

   As you fixed your tie, you replied, “I do not understand. I am the one who killed the bird.”

 

   Kouda stiffened at your words, as did everyone else.

   “Oi, oi.. What’re you, some kind’a sadist?” Bakugou turned his head over his shoulder to nail you with a judgmental glare. What made you think you had the right to speak so highly, as if you weren’t a human like everyone else? 

   Cyborgs are still human, after all. 

 

   “He feels responsible since he brought them in the first place.” Tokoyami explained for you, eyes coolly closed as he finished buckling his belt.

   “My heat was the cause of death, not entering via a broken window.” Your words were plain and unfeeling as you left the locker room.

 

   “Man.. What a cool guy.” Kaminari chuckled, his tone rich with sarcasm. 

   Satou sighed. “I hope he dials down that heat.. We’re all bound to end up like Yaoyorozu if he doesn’t.”

   Kouda shuddered, remembering the sight of her burns.

 

   “..Someone like that doesn’t belong here.”

   All eyes turned to Todoroki as he followed after you. His voice had a different kind of chill to it, a chill that was like biting wind. 

   Your voice was more like lukewarm water.

 

   Todoroki’s was pure ice.

 

   “Hahhh?” Replying to Satou, Bakugou sneered, “No one’s gonna fuckin’ dial down the heat for you when you become a Pro.”

   Midoriya murmured, “Kacchan’s right—“

   “DID I ASK FOR YOUR FUCKING OPINION, DEKU!?”

 

   Outside, Todoroki saw no one. All Might had already left and you’d walked out before Todoroki himself, so where could you be?

   Suspicious, the boy stalked towards the building your trial took place.

 

   He was surprised to see you crouched down in front of the building. You were staring at what seemed to be a pile of dirt surrounded by a ring of little pebbles.

   Todoroki furrowed his brows with shock when he heard you say,

 

   “I’m sorry.”

 

   There was still no sincerity to your words, but you at least you were taking responsibility for the bird’s death.

   

   You were learning something new everyday.

 

 

                                        [   ]

 

   

   You peeked into the infirmary and Recovery Girl immediately spotted your severe case of helmet hair.

   Swiveling her chair towards you, she asked, “Are you injured, dearie? And do fix your hair, it’s atrocious.”

   You simply grabbed a hair tie from your pant pocket and tied your hair into a pony. It wasn’t a high one, residing just in the middle. Uneven strands of hair hung unintentionally-fashionably over your forehead. 

   You replied to the old woman, “I am not injured. I am here to visit someone.”

   She nodded, turning back to whatever she’d been doing. 

 

   Midoriya was still sleeping and Yaoyorozu was half-awake. Her eyes lazily glided towards you, and they shined with curiosity as if she wasn’t tired. Having the material of her boot removed from her foot was the cherry on top of pain and stamina drain.

   She muttered, “[L/n]..?”

   “Yaoyorozu.” You simply stood by her bed, not noticing the stool directly next to you.

   Yaoyorozu had to hide a soft chuckle. Coupled with that baby face and your overall obliviousness, you had a cute quality similar to a young child’s.

   She didn’t seem to be creeped out like the others, but perhaps only because she never saw you kill the bird with zero remorse.

   It was an accident, but you still felt nothing when it happened.

 

   “I’m sorry.” Your eyes moved in their sockets to dart to the girl’s exposed feet. They were bandaged, but no blood seeped through.

   “It’s fine, [L/n]. I’m only grateful you didn’t hold back on me.” Her eyes sparkled as they grew wider, more awake. “Your arms are made of carbon fiber, aren’t they? I recognize the material.”

   You examined your right arm, pulling back the fabric of your uniform. “Yes.”

   “How wonderful! Carbon fiber can withstand bullets to an extent. Despite it’s cracking ability, it still doesn’t take away from how strong it is.” Yaoyorozu began to sit up, taking your hand and gazing at the mechanisms. “Is that steel..? Your beams took quite awhile to melt my tungsten. I suppose your beams are just below the melting point of steel..”

 

   You stared at her, nostalgia washing over you.

   Yaoyorozu carried the same interest and fascination with the world around her as Melissa did. Her eyes were just as bright as Melissa’s, and they both shared vast knowledge.

 

   “[L/n]?” Yaoyorozu raised a brow at you. You were staring at her in odd silence.

   You pulled your hand back. “..I cannot allow you to observe any longer. I cannot go against my contract.”

   Yaoyorozu blinked, surprised but not offended. “Your contract..? I see. I won’t pry.”

   Giving her a nod, you turned and left. Yaoyorozu could hear your right leg and your arms emit small whirring noises as they moved.

 

   Damn. Your fondness for Melissa made you subconsciously allow Yaoyorozu to pick apart your hand with her eyes.

 

   It couldn’t happen again.

   You couldn’t risk being sent back to I-Island— no, you had to stay here.

 

   You had to fulfill Melissa’s orders to the end.

Chapter 9: Speak Up!

   You looked up from your work as you heard Midoriya’s front door click shut.

 

   Getting up from your desk, you retrieved a fabric bag and began to collect the various dumbbells he gave you. You’d purchase your own sometime later today.

   Your feet carried you out the door and to Midoriya's. You proceeded to click the buzzer. “Hello. This is [L/n] speaking. I have brought Midoriya's dumbbells to return."

 

   "C-coming!" The boy's nervous, stuttery voice traveled through the door. He opened it, giving you a shaky smile. "H-hey, [L/n]!"

   For some reason, the boy was extremely jittery. You didn't know this, but coupled with hinting at his secret to Bakugou and hearing about your chilling trial from Uraraka, it made Midoriya's knees knock together. 

   Gulping, he hesitantly reached out for the bag. His teeth bit down on his lip to muffle the squeak that would've come out when you bridged the gap between his hand and the bag.

 

   His eyes steeled as he muttered with a weak smile, "Thank you."

   "You are welcome."

 

   When the door closed, Midoriya berated himself in his head.

   He had to remember that you cared about All Might-- that you weren't the heartless person everyone else saw.

   He had to remember that you'd insisted he not go outside when he was sick, that he stay inside if he was ill.

   

   Midoriya had to remember you cared.

 

   It was not long after returning the equipment to Midoriya that you visited the sports goods store.

   

   "Oh, [L/n]? Didn't expect to see you here!"

 

   In the dumbbell section, you turned around to see Kirishima walk towards you. He was smiling, still in his school uniform. Meanwhile, you were wearing a light grey long-sleeve, white khaki shorts and white sneakers.

   "Thought I'd see what this place has 'ta offer before taking the train." He easily made conversation with you, as if everything in sixth period hadn't happened. 

 

   "Hello, Kirishima. I am here to purchase dumbbells." You noticed he didn't carry the same uncertain, uneasy expression everyone else seemed to have.

   "Dumbbells?" Kirishima's brow perked up at this. "But your arms..?"

   His confusion ended when he read the regimen you handed to him. 

 

   Perking up entirely, he crowed, "Ohhh, I see! This is a pretty sweet regimen. Did you write this?"

   "I do not think the paper tastes sweet. And no I did not, Midoriya wrote it."

   Grinning, Kirishima guffawed. "I meant "sweet" as in like, y'know, nice! Cool!"

 

   You curiously stared at him. 

   It did take you a bit, but earlier, you'd noticed the cautious way almost everyone treated you.

   Kirishima was one of the only ones with the guts to tell you to stop dissecting Kouda. He even touched your shoulder.

 

   "Why are you treating me this way?"

   "Huh?" Kirishima's eyes darted up from the red dumbbell he was inspecting.

 

   Immediately understanding your question, he began to smile. "I'd rather get to know you myself than judge ya based on one thing, y'know?"

   He chuckled at your innocent, owlish eyes. Your eyes always seemed to be like that.

 

    "I wouldn't wanna get judged like that. If I was.." The redhead whistled softly, shaking his head. "..then I'd be labelled a coward for the rest of my life."

 

   His crimson eyes grew distant, as if stuck in a memory. 

   You didn't pry. "..Thank you."

   You honestly didn't care about how everyone else treated you seeing as you had a mission, but Kirishima being pleasant like this was a nice break from the antsy stares.

   Also, you should care more. Melissa wanted you to have friends, after all.

 

   Kirishima sent you a sincere smile, lips pushing against his cheeks. "My pleasure, dude!"

   It was ten minutes of browsing later did you settle on a $10 pack of weights varying in weight. It was surprisingly cheap.

 

   Now outside the store, Kirishima turned to you with curiosity in his eyes. "Y'don't have to answer, but I'm curious.. did killing that bird really not affect you at all?"

   You adjusted the bag on your right elbow. "I apologized to it."

   Another chuckle left his lips. "Man, you're like a little kid.. but that's good! Just speak up for yourself, alright? Everyone's just gonna keep their opinion of you if they don't."

 

   "I see."

   That is not an order from Melissa. I do not know whether or not to speak up for myself.

   What would I say?

   I cannot just confess that my brain is damaged. The other students will just try to damage my head further since it is my weak spot.

 

   "[L/n]? Hellooo? Anyone in there?" Kirishima snickered at his own little joke as he waved a hand in front of your face.

   "Yes. My consciousness continues to reside within my body." Not knowing he was joking, you answered his question quite literally.

 

   That was when Kirishima doubled over, laughing so hard tears bubbled up in his eyes.

   You blinked dubiously as he continued to hoot.

   His stomach hurts, but he is laughing.. Is this a case of delirium?

   Kirishima does not seem to be sleep-deprived, nor is he intoxicated. 

 

   "Whew! You sure are funny, [L/n]." Kirishima straightened up, his smile still on his face as he wiped an eye.

   "I do not see how I caused you to laugh. You are crying."

   "Just tearing up, not crying. Don't worry, man." Kirishima's smile grew. You acknowledging that he cried kind of felt like you cared for him, which touched him more than it should've. It felt special coming from someone so aloof and seemingly unfeeling.

 

   But the redhead knew better. He wasn't going to get ahead of himself.

   "Well.." He turned, looking over his shoulder with a bag of wraps in his right hand. "I'll see ya tomorrow! Gotta catch the train!"

   As he jogged off, you called, "See you tomorrow."

 

   The usual text arrived at eight p.m.

   You'd already settled into a routine-- do homework, work out, eat dinner, shower, text and get ready for bed.

 

   <   |                        Melissa                         |

 

Melissa:

Eggs for all three meals and pancakes now!? I'm getting Papa to send you money for actual food!!

Eating like that isn't healthy!! I'll send you some easy recipes for breakfast and dinner

You can't grow if you don't eat healthy! Eat more avocados and nuts, you need to gain weight to get to a healthy standard

Your tech doesn't count in your overall weight, but our estimate says you are severely underweight!! Not good

And where did you get pork cutlet? Did you cook that yourself? You may be a big baby, but you learn quick 8-D

 

   As usual, you'd respond the next day.

   Dinner was pancakes, indirectly going against Melissa's texts.

   I will purchase ingredients to make a healthy meal tomorrow.

 

 

                               

 

 

   You stopped in your tracks at the sight of a horrendous blob of reporters and cameras swarm the U.A. gates.

   There were so many.. How would you bypass such a mob?

 

   “Hey, man!” Kirishima walked to your side, his grin friendly as it was yesterday.

   He side-eyed the crowd. “Feelin’ scared?”

   “Hey, Kirishima. I have not experienced fear yet.”

   “Uh-huh. Now, let’s get a move-on.”

 

   Kirishima lead you through the crowd, a firm hand on your forearm. Although he gave the reporters friendly smiles, he was rough in clearing a path. You were more docile, so whenever someone closed in on you, Kirishima would have to give you a firm jerk and tug you out of there. You weren’t as keen on avoiding them as he was. 

   He was so friendly it confused you.

 

   Kirishima is pleasant. Agreeable. Although I do not have set expectations for him, I am content with his current treatment of me.

   I do not know if his hand on my arm counts as affection. It has to be mutual.

 

   Kirishima greeted Aizawa as the man stormed by, but he was too focused on getting rid of the reporters to respond. The redhead shrugged to himself, smiling a little as you two passed the barrier.

   “Whew! There we go!” He grinned with pride as he released your arm. “Feeling glad I’m here, aren’t ‘cha?”   

 

   You casted a tentative glance over your shoulder. “Yes, I am glad you are here. I do not desire to shove these people.”

   Despite your focus on your “mission”, you weren’t ruthless. Cold and robotic, but not ruthless.

 

   You were gentle at heart, and you didn’t know it, but you disliked violence. 

 

   Kirishima blinked twice. He’d only playfully asked you that to tease you.

   Bashfully grinning, he scratched his cheek. “Glad to hear it! Let’s go inside.”

 

   The last thing the others expected to see was Kirishima cheerfully conversing with you as the two of you walked through the door.

   Your peers went bug-eyed at Kirishima’s bravery. He was keeping up the flow of conversation like nothing, your literal answers only making him laugh with mirth.

   It gave the others hope that Kirishima would somehow magically turn you into a regular human like the rest of them.

 

   How naïve.

 

   As you bade Kirishima a temporary farewell and walked to your desk, Todoroki’s icy eyes followed. 

   He knew he was in a different league than most of his peers and had stated it himself, but something about you seemed to bother him in particular.

   He was obviously better off than you were, but the boy couldn’t shake off the air of superiority you subconsciously carried.

   Someone so inexperienced and unworthy being seemingly above him..

   Todoroki hated it.

 

   Yaoyorozu had the maturity to put the past behind her. She gave you a warm smile and a little wave.

   You returned the wave and attempted a smile, which looked like you were showing off your new braces or something. Your lips didn’t curve in the slightest, resulting in your mouth looking like a rectangle.

   The girl blinked and then laughed, settling a hand on her mouth and shaking her head. 

   The area by your diaphragm became warm, and it wasn’t a bad feeling.

 

   Soon enough, everyone was seated when Aizawa sat behind his desk. “Good work with yesterday’s battle training. I’ve looked over your grades and evaluations.”

   The man set down a stack of paper. “Bakugou. Grow up already. Stop wasting your talent.”

   His words were incredibly blunt. Bakugou could only sulk slightly, gritting his teeth as he grunted, “Got it.”

 

   “And it seems Midoriya ended yet another day with a broken arm.”

   Said boy could only jump in his seat and bow his head in shame.

   “Learn to control your Quirk.. because just trying isn’t going to cut it.” Aizawa looked up. “I hate repeating myself, but you do have potential, assuming you can overcome this. Work at it, Midoriya.”

   Sweating and determined, Midoriya yelped, “Yes, sir!”

 

   “And you— loudm— [L/n].” Aizawa seemed to glare at you particularly. Uraraka had to slap her hands over her mouth not to laugh at his little slip-up.

   “Yes?” You looked up from the wooden pencil you gripped in your right hand.

   “Quit hesitating. And although whoever gets burned by you has to deal with it themselves, this is still training. Focus on fine-tuning your combat skills and dial down the heat. Recovery Girl was livid when she saw what you did to Yaoyorozu, believe me.”

   Yaoyorozu seemed to shrink a little at that. Her lips were pursed, self-deprecating thoughts running through her head.

   She took her anger out on herself rather than you.

 

   Aizawa frankly continued, “Since scaring your classmates does nothing useful, it would be nice if you could tell them why you didn’t react to killing that bird.”

   Every one of your teachers received medical information on each student in case of emergency, so they all knew about your brain damage.

   Upon hearing you killed a bird, Yaoyorozu’s breath hitched.

   

   Like Yaoyorozu, you felt your breathing stop at your teacher’s blunt suggestion.

   Reveal your weakness and cater to your classmates, or protect yourself and leave them in the dark?

   Everyone was silent as they stared at you with anticipation, their breaths just as halted as yours.

 

   The harsh snap of a wooden pencil broke the silence.

 

   “See?” Aizawa wryly grinned as you stared at the broken pencil in your hand with eyes widened just the slightest. “He gets nervous like the rest of us.”

   Yaoyorozu released her breath and turned to you, smiling determinedly as she rested a hand on your desk. “You don’t have to say anything, [L/n]. The choice is yours.”

 

   “The choice is yours.”

 

   You stood up from your desk, the pencil pieces still in your grasp. “I will only reveal the reason if every one of you vow not to exploit it.”

 

   You taking charge like that was a huge surprise. Yaoyorozu smiled up at you, proud her encouragement could help you. 

   Meanwhile, Kirishima grinned. You were speaking up for yourself, just as he’d told you to.

 

   Shocked, the others all exchanged uncertain glances. Aizawa didn’t seem fazed in the slightest— he seemed pleased, actually.

   Those three saw something in you the others didn’t.

 

   “..I promise.” To everyone’s surprise, it was Todoroki who spoke up first.

   Next was Yaoyorozu, Kirishima, Kaminari and eventually, everyone made their vow.

 

   All except Bakugou.

   They now all watched you with bated breath.

 

   Your lips parted. “My brain suffers damage in numerous places. It cannot properly process emotions, and thus I do not react to certain situations in the same way as all of you. I do not recognize most social cues due to memory loss, but I have the ability to learn.”

 

   The reactions to your explanation varied.

   Many jaws were dropped, eyes were either wide or crinkled with guilt and regret and everyone seemed mortified overall.

 

   Kaminari in particular seemed pretty guilty. He’d made a sarcastic comment behind your back when you’d left the locker room yesterday, and now it was coming back to haunt him.

 

   “Man.. What a cool guy.”

   To think he told you he’d show you what a friend was and turn on you the moment you did one abnormal thing. 

   

   Yaoyorozu covered her mouth with horror, murmuring, “How horrible..!”

   Todoroki felt his dislike of you waver for only a second.

   Kirishima shot Kaminari a pointed look, who returned it with a sheepish glance.

   

   Midoriya gripped his knee under the desk. He’d judged you so easily and he paid the price with the bucket of guilt washing over him.

   Iida clenched a fist, feeling triumphant. Now the gossiping would come to an end and your reputation was clean. He would never remain idle if someone in his class was getting smeared without valid reason.

 

   Uraraka bit down on her lip. She’d so readily rambled about you to Midoriya and now she was regretting it.

   Shouji had no regrets, seeing as he remained decent to you even after witnessing you scorch that poor animal.

   Kouda sighed in relief, thankful you weren't some heartless killer.

 

   “Now, on to homeroom business..” Aizawa nonchalantly broke the solemn silence as you sat down. “Sorry for the sudden announcement, but today, you’ll pick a class president.”

   Everyone gawked at how normal that was.

   Immediately, all hands flew up except yours and Todoroki’s.

   You thought to yourself, What is a class president?

 

   “Quiet down, everyone!" Iida's commanding tone garnered everyone's attention. "Leading the many is a task of heavy responsibility, but ambition does not equate to ability!"

   His seriousness was unnecessary, although amusing. "This sacred office demands the trust of its constitutions..! If this is to be a democracy, then I put forward the motion.."

   His arm trembling as he raised it high, he grunted, "..that our true leader must be chosen by election!"

   Sero raised a brow, calling, "Chill out, dude! This is a classroom, not Congress!"

 

   You honestly kind of spaced out during the entire election, instead thinking about Melissa and I-Island.

   You were so devoted to her anyone would think you were her lover.

   You felt a sense of pulling within yourself, the urge to fly back to I-Island being all too strong.

 

   But Melissa's orders were all she needed to keep you put in Japan, where you would fulfill the dream you once had.

 

   "[L/n]?" Iida held out a small black box to you as he made his way to your desk. "I've come to collect your vote."

   He adjusted his glasses, peering at you with concern. You'd just been staring at the back of Yaoyorozu's head, both you and her blissfully unaware.

   "Iida." Remembering his little speech, you immediately knew what to do. He handed you a little slip of paper and you wrote on it with the leaded nub of your shattered pencil.

   There it was-- your habit of repeating the greetings said to you. It was a little endearing.

   Iida's lips twitched into the tiniest smile as he thanked you for your participation. You were like a parrot.

 

   The votes were tallied on the board, and you felt nothing upon not seeing your name up there.

   Midoriya having three votes surprised both you and him, however. You honestly didn't think someone as jittery as him would make an efficient "class president"-- whatever that meant, you at least knew that position held authority.

 

   Iida was hunched over his desk, horribly defeated. "Zero votes..! I thought as much! This is the harsh reality of this sacred office..!"

   Yaoyorozu's brows creased. "So you voted for someone else..?"

   Satou glanced at him with exasperation. "You're the one who proposed an election. What exactly do you want, Iida..?"

 

   Yaoyorozu received the vice president role. Biased or not, you thought she was more suited to the actual president position. She carried an air of intelligence even someone like you could sense, and her smart words always supported her elegant air. 

   She was also.. calm. Sweet.

   Understanding.

   She was everything Midoriya wasn't.

 

   All that was the reason why "Yaoyorozu" was what you'd written on that little slip of paper.

   

   You looked up at her as she stood by the blackboard, her brows furrowed as she gave the nervous Midoriya a judging look.

  

   "The choice is yours."

 

   You'd been feeling helpless to the ultimatum, but all it took for you to turn the tides were those encouraging words.

Chapter 10: Helping Hand

   The weird airhorn noise ripping through the whole cafeteria was what made you drop your chopsticks.

   A woman’s voice boomed from the intercom, instructing everyone to head to the exits.

 

   Before you could even stand up from your booth, students were already rushing past you like a herd of wildebeests. 

   You watched them go, all looking terrified and shoving past each other like animals. It was honestly a pathetic sight.

   This little booth was like a cage, your fellow students being the cage door. 

 

   That was until someone snatched you by the back of your collar and ran with you in their muscular arms. 

   You were held like a damsel in distress, your owl-like eyes becoming even wider.

   

   “M-Mirio! Put him down!!”

   The nervous voice was accompanied by feminine giggles, the girl’s voice not at all distressed by the current situation. The other person’s voice was quiet and clearly frantic.

   

   “Sorry, m’dude! Couldn’t just leave ya behind!”

   Your head snapped up to the face of the one carrying you.

 

   He was facing forward, his blond, cowlick-styled hair bouncing only slightly as he walked forward. A smile adorned his face, as well as a button nose and navy blue, Fleischer-era eyes.

   You scrutinized him, a hand coming up to touch his thick bicep with hostility. “Why are you carrying me?”

 

   The boy called “Mirio” laughed jovially at the caution in your tone. “Didn’t I say just now? You were practically trapped in there, and we just happened to be passing by!”

   The “we” he referred to were him and the two people behind him.

 

   One was a rather small girl with bright periwinkle eyes and hair that swirled peculiarly, her hands behind her back and a smile on her face.

   The other was a tall male with narrow eyes and elven ears, his hair a dark bluish-black and his eyes the same color.

 

   Mirio kept his smile on his face, ignoring the threatening heat of your hand. Upon feeling the temperature decrease, he internally sighed in relief. 

   Those metal hands had startled Mirio initially, but he didn’t mind in the end. As long as he could help what looked like a struggling first year (he’d be convinced you were a middle schooler if not for your U.A. uniform), he was content.

   The two of you received odd looks as you passed by, but most of the third years weren’t too surprised. Carrying a random stranger was a very Mirio thing to do.

 

   Besides that, the fact that this boy could carry a combination of lanky human and steel with no problem was sort of unsettling. Your carbon fiber was light enough, but the weight of your steel was what threw your overall weight off from what was normal for your build. Your steel was light enough, but taking into account that all four limbs were either metal or had metal on them, the weight accumulated.

 

   “I’m gonna lift you up a little higher, ‘kay?” Without waiting for your reply, Mirio shifted his hands and moved his arms so that your head was closer to his neck and no longer at his tricep. “This way, it’s harder for you to get elbowed or something!”

   Your eyes narrowed again, not used to being treated so kindly by a stranger upon first meet. 

 

   Although, you didn’t dislike this by any means. Your cheeks reddened just the slightest at this close proximity, but you didn’t know why.

   You knew very well the reason why Yaoyorozu made you flush, but it seemed your embarrassment wasn’t limited to just girls.

   How odd. This wasn’t what Melissa told you.

 

   This Mirio guy did have some nice cologne though. He smelled like fresh laundry and a hint of roses.

   You leaned closer and gave him a curious whiff, which the girl of the trio didn’t miss. She had to stifle a laugh, nearly breaking face when the boy beside her gave her a curious glance.

 

   It was when you heard the intercom lady confirm that it was just the reporters that everyone calmed down. 

   Students politely navigated around the four of you, their manners having returned now that the panic was over.

 

   You were promptly set down. 

   “You alright?”

   You turned to face Mirio, your cheeks no longer a soft scarlet. “Yes, I am alright. Thank you for your assistance.”

   Now that you got a good look at him, you noticed that he was huge. He was only three inches taller than you, but you could see the bulkiness of his arms and just how thick his upper body was. 

   The boy next to him was muscular as well, but not as much. The girl was curvy but definitely had definition in her strong legs. 

 

   “Hey, hey, what’s up with your arms? Can I see ‘em?” Before Mirio could respond to you, his lady friend pointed at your left hand. 

   “Hadou..!” The quietest one of the bunch was the first to scold her, setting a feather-light hand on her shoulder.

 

   “Sorry about my friend here. She’s quite the curious one!” Mirio laughed again, playfully tugging Hadou back by the back of her vest. She lightly glared at him, her cheeks puffy. 

   “Let’s go.. I’m still hungry.” It was no surprise that the most timid one of the trio was the first to withdraw. His back hunched, he slunk away.

   You couldn’t say you couldn’t relate. You, too, were still hungry.

   

   Hadou whipped towards the boy to huff at him as well. Ultimately, she gave up on her curiosity.

   The two happier ones of the bunch waved to you as they followed, and you waved back. Your wave was a funny thing— it was the “princess wave” royals and small children did.

   Mirio politely bit down on his lip to stifle a good-natured laugh at the way your hand moved.

 

   Your eyes lingered on this strange trio as you turned around, heading back to your booth via a different route.

   How peculiar.

 

   You had some food to get back to.

 

 

 

 

 

   The next day, everyone began discussing an event you were entirely unaware of.

   Apparently, Iida had took an exit sign’s place and screeched at everyone that it was nothing to panic about. You and Mirio’s friends had been at a different exit, so you weren’t there to see it.

   Midoriya finally stopped jittering when he proudly announced that Iida was better suited to being class president. Yaoyorozu smiled softly from her spot next to him, also proud of Iida.

   Many students, including Kaminari and Kirishima, chimed in with agreement.

 

   Iida rose from his seat, chin held high and one arm in the air. “I will accept this position, then!”

   Teasing words of encouragement left your classmates.

   “You can do it, Mr. Exit Sign!”

   “Exit Sign Iida!”

   “Do your best!”

 

   Feeling obligated to say something, you dully called to him, “Being class president is within your capability, Iida.”

   It was your weird praise that caught his attention. Turning around to face you, he smiled directly at you for the first time. “Thank you, [L/n]!”

   

   There it was again. That warm feeling.

   You’d felt it with Yaoyorozu and now Iida.

 

   It wasn’t a bad feeling, no— and it definitely wasn’t foreign. You’d felt it with Melissa, David, and All Might, too.

   You didn’t know what it was, but it wasn’t bad at all.

 

 

                                  

 

 

   “Er.. hey, [L/n].” Kaminari jogged to catch up with you, radiating awkwardness in waves.

   The whole class was decked out and heading to a bus for rescue training.

  

   “Hey, Kaminari.” You didn’t even pick up on the tension, being horrible at reading the mood.

   Icy eyes trailed the side of your helmet as their owner walked past you, clearly trying to board the bus first. 

   Kaminari blinked, noticing Todoroki’s competitive aura. However, he said nothing. He knew what the other male could do, so he kept his mouth shut.

 

   Returning his attention to you, Kaminari rubbed the back of his neck with shame. “Um.. I decided that I should just be honest with you and.. apologize.”

 

   The honey-blond male could feel Kirishima’s eyes on the back of his head. Although Kaminari did sincerely want to restore his own integrity, Kirishima was what really pushed him to suck it up and say it.

 

   Iida began to yell and instruct everyone to sit in number order, interrupting the question that was about to leave your mouth.

   To the class president’s dismay, the bus arrangement rendered his efforts at organizing everyone useless. You all just sat wherever you pleased. 

   The bespectacled male just sulked in his seat, and you watched with what could be considered amusement.

 

   Speaking up again, Kaminari grabbed your attention from beside you. You were seated between him and Aoyama.

   “After you left the lockers on the day of the battle trial, I.. uh...” Kaminari gulped, feeling Kirishima’s intense stare. It didn’t help that the redhead was right across from him.

 

   The blond sighed, his golden eyes averting from your [e/c] ones. “I made a pretty.. backhanded comment about you and I don’t wanna come off as fake, y’know? If you’re here at U.A., I’m sure you’re a good person, and judging you like that was just.. downright mean.”

   Your blink was slow and almost robotic. “What is the definition of “backhanded?” And how can a person be “fake?””

 

   Oh boy. Now he had to explain.

   “”Backhanded” is basically.. saying something you don’t actually mean to make fun of someone.” Kaminari’s brows furrowed. “And a person’s fake when.. they treat a person differently when that person is gone.”

 

   Language being Kaminari’s best subject, he was able to condense those words very well.

   “I see.” You turned your head forward, gloved hands set flat against your armored thighs. “I accept your apology.”

   Kirishima was grinning wider than Kaminari was. The blond of the two deflated with a sigh of immense relief. 

 

   You tucked quietly into your head.

   What did Kaminari say? I do not feel the need to ask, but I know it was unpleasant.

   He said he would show me what a friend was, but he broke one rule: being pleasant.

   Whether or not he is agreeable is now debatable.

 

   It wasn’t long till the bus became full of chatter. While Bakugou barked at Kaminari and Asui, the others watched with mirth. Midoriya was trembling, Todoroki was dozing off and Jirou was peacefully listening to music.

   Your eyes were hidden behind your visor as you gazed out the window past Kirishima. 

 

   “Moving on, I think [L/n] has potential to become popular.” Asui caught your attention. “He has an innocent charm while being sort of scary.”

   Kaminari hooted, shooting an angry Bakugou a teasing smirk. “Hear that, Bakugou? [L/n]’s cute and you’re not!”

   Bakugou angrily snarled, “Why the hell would I even care about being fucking cute!?”

   Meanwhile, Midoriya was just relieved that the attention was off him now. Asui had noticed how similar “his” Quirk was to All Might’s. You’d spaced out to the point of not even hearing Asui make that connection.

 

   You leaned forward to get a better look at her. “I do not consider myself threatening, Asui.”

   She leaned forward as well, since you two sat in the same column of chairs. “You are. And call me Tsu.”

   

   “I do not take orders from anyone besides Melissa, teachers and authorities.” You straightened back up, Tsuyu not taking your coldness to heart.

   Instead she inquired with no hint of annoyance in her voice, “Who’s Melissa? And why?”

 

   “Melissa restored my body.” That sentence was enough to answer both her questions.

 

   “Dang!” Sero let out an amused whistle. “Some love story you got there.”

   Ashidou swooned, hands clasped together by her jaw. “How romantic!!”

   With a whoop, Kirishima teasingly chanted, “What a man, what a man!”

 

   Bakugou groaned in unabashed disgust, whipping his face back to the window. “He’s a damn robot, for fuck’s sake. What kind of love would a tin can ever get?”

   You promptly corrected him. “I am a cyborg, not a robot. By definition—“

   “Did I fucking ask!?”

 

   Before you could pick up your sentence again, the bus came to a halt.

   After filing out, you were all met by a rather large dome. It didn’t look like much on the outside, but once Aizawa opened the gates, most of you had your jaws dropped.

 

   Your classmates were quick to cry out in glee, but you were still busy taking a gander.

   Your feet itched to run and explore every inch of this new place. 

   Kaminari’s face was glowing with excitement as he stood by your side, his eyes only dragging themselves from the scenery to eye your shifting feet. A small smirk of amusement curled his lips, mistakenly thinking your moving feet were a sign of nervousness.

   The interior of the dome was like a theme park full of disaster sites, and waiting behind the doors was the Space Hero: Thirteen.

 

   The hero began to speak. “There’s the flood zone, landslide zone, conflagration zone and many other disaster types. Every disaster and accident you can imagine!”

   You heard sharp inhales of anticipation from all around you, and you couldn’t help but feel your head and stomach briefly tingle in a way that got your blood running.

   

   “I built this facility myself. I call it.. the “Unforeseen Simulation Joint!”” Thirteen’s arm proudly swept towards his creation as he spoke. 

   “It’s the Space Hero, Thirteen!” Midoriya was quick to identify the man, while Uraraka chimed in, “He’s a gentlemen Hero who does his best work in rescue scenarios! Ooh, I love Thirteen!”

   You felt awfully lost. The only heroes you knew were your teachers, while those two were able to so easily identify someone you yourself had never seen before. 

  You thought about Uraraka’s last sentence. What is “love?” I will Moogle that later.

 

   You knew “love” must’ve been something delightful when Uraraka’s chestnut eyes glittered like stars as she said the word.

 

   Aizawa walked up to Thirteen, his head moving back and forth to scope the area. “Thirteen, where’s All Might? I thought he was meeting us here.”

   “About that..” Thirteen held up three fingers, and you picked up on the gesture immediately. “It seems he’s just about reached his limit during his morning commute.”

   Despite your distance from the teachers, you could hear them with the help of your enhanced hearing. The other kids chatted amongst themselves, all except Midoriya unaware of the cold truth about All Might.

   The three fingers were what prompted you to briefly glance at Kouda, who hovered at the back of the crowd.

   Why does Kouda use his hands to communicate? He has spoken, and there is no valid reason why he cannot continue as far as I am aware.

 

   Thirteen’s voice interrupted your thoughts. “Before we begin, I do have a one or two points— or three.. or four...” His fingers lifted in accordance to his counting. The class collectively broke into a comedic sweat at his rambling.

 

   “As I’m sure many of you are aware, my Quirk is called Black Hole. It can suck in and tear apart anything.” Thirteen’s hand clenched into a fist. 

   Midoriya grinned. “And you’ve used it to save people in all sorts of disasters!”

   Uraraka was bobbing her head at the speed of light and you wondered how that was possible.

 

   Replying to Midoriya, Thirteen confirmed, “Indeed! However, my power could easily kill.”

   

   There goes the cheery atmosphere. Every kid was silent now, backs straightening and eyes widening in attention.

   “I’ve no doubt that there are some among you with similar abilities.”

    Eyes either landed on you, Todoroki, Bakugou or Midoriya.

 

   It was safe to say that you were definitely the one with the most eyes on you. You’d already killed something, after all.

 

   “In our super-powered society, the use of Quirks is heavily restricted and monitored. It may seem that this system is a stable one, but we must never forget that it only takes one wrong move with an uncontrollable Quirk for people to die.”

   Eyes flicked to you, again. You didn’t even have a Quirk and your heat wasn’t haywire in any way, but that “wrong move” cost you your reputation on the second day of school.

   Despite your confession of your head trauma, there were of course others still wary of you.

 

   Meanwhile, very different thoughts ran through your head.

   I lack a Quirk.. That means I am above the law. That does not sound heroic, but it is the truth. The Quirk laws do not apply to me.

 

   “During Aizawa’s physical fitness test, you came to learn of your own hidden potential. Through All Might’s battle training, you experienced the danger that your respective Quirks can pose to others.”

   Thirteen’s speech kept nailing you in the head with a hammer over and over and it wasn’t even funny. Nearly every danger he mentioned applied to you.

 

  His voice picked up a more cheerful tone. “This class will show you a new perspective! You will learn how to utilize your Quirks to save lives.”

   You could practically hear his smile. “Your powers are not meant to inflict harm. I hope you leave here today with the understanding that you’re meant to help people.”

   

   You gazed down at your open palm, expression plain as always.

   I am meant to help people.

 

   The lot of you sure as hell were inclined to help each other now that a strange black mist appeared and a scraggly hand threateningly reached from it.

Chapter 11: Little Soldier Boy

   Leaves from the vine.. 

   falling so slow.

   Like fragile, tiny shells..

   drifting in the foam.

 

   Melissa hummed this nostalgic tune to herself as she worked on her latest project. Her fellow classmates bustled around her, gathering materials before settling themselves at their own stations.

   Her ocean eyes were downcast, and although she was quite focused on her work, her gaze still held a peculiar distance to it.

   I wonder how [Name]’s doing..

   He’s too impressionable. I can only hope everyone around him is good. 

   Does he have friends? I can’t say till he confirms it himself..

   He doesn’t even understand what it means to be my best friend. I worry he’ll push everyone away..

 

   That’s what he did before the coma, after all.

 

   “Melissa? Melissaaa.”

   The blonde’s eyes became crystal clear in response to her friend’s call.

   Turning her head over her shoulder with a smile, Melissa asked, “Yes?”

   “Can I borrow that?” A finger pointed to one of Melissa’s tools. “It’ll only be for a second.”

   “Sure!” With that, the blonde returned to refining her project. Her pink lips pressed themselves together in concentration.

 

   Little soldier boy..

   come marching home.   

   Brave soldier boy..

   comes marching home.

 

   A soft sigh left her lips.

   What’re you doing right now, [Name]..?

 

   

                                        

 

 

   “Huddle up and don’t move!” Aizawa urgently called over his shoulder as he faced the growing mist, villain upon villain emerging after the man with the hands.   

   It was needless to say that the hand man looked terrifying as he clawed his way out the warp gate, cherry eyes wide with intentions clear and pale hands plastered all over his lanky body.

 

   Aizawa protectively swiped an arm in front of his bewildered students. “Thirteen! Protect the students!”

   “Huh..?” was what most of you murmured at the sight of these strangers.

   Kirishima squinted, a hand over his brow. “The heck’s that!? More battle bots—? like during the training exam?”

 

   You defensively opened your palms as they hung by your sides.

   Your face completely blank, you replied, “Those are not robots.”

 

   “Don’t move!” Aizawa’s tone was so serious it would’ve scared you if you could feel fear. Slipping his goggles on, he barked, “Those are villains!!”

 

   Your jaw became stiff.

   Villains.

 

   This was your first time seeing any up close and personal, and boy did you not like it one bit. Not even on your morning commute did you see villains so close. They flooded out of the mist, ill intent clear.

 

   “Thirteen and Eraserhead, was it..?” Scaring the shit out of some of your peers, the mist began to speak. “According to the staff schedule I received the other day, All Might is supposed to be here..”

 

   There were two things that made your shoulders freeze.

   First, how did these villains even get their hands on the staff schedule?

   Second, what did these goons want to do with All Might?

   

   The hand-covered man fully emerged. He eerily rasped, “I wonder if some dead kids will bring him here..?”

 

   What was this dude even talking about? Your immediately response was to bluntly say, “Dead children cannot do anything, much less bring All Might to the U.S.J.”

   Your classmates blinked. You’d interpreted the man’s words completely wrong, and not only that, but your voice lacked any waver as you spoke to someone who intended to kill you.

 

   Did you really not feel fear?

 

   “Oh..?” The handy man chuckled with wry amusement. “..Then consider yourselves dead men walking.”

   Holding his head, Mineta screeched at you, “Oh, now look what you’ve done! He’s gonna kill us for sure!”

   Kaminari snarked back in your defense, “Like he already wasn’t gonna do that, Mineta!”

 

   Yaoyorozu turned to Thirteen. “Teacher, aren’t there intruder sensors..!?”

   Thirteen seemed frustrated. “Yes, of course there are..!” 

   “Are they only here, or are they also at the main building..? Either way, the sensors aren’t working. It has to be one of their Quirks.” Todoroki stated the obvious. “This place is far from campus.. and they picked a time when there’d be few people here..”

 

   You made direct eye contact with the hand man and his eyes seemed to glint like sharp rubies. 

   A malicious grin suddenly stretched the dry skin of his pale cheeks. 

   It seemed that somehow, even with your helmet on, he’d sensed your eyes met.

 

   It was like cold fingers trailed down your spine.

   

   “Thirteen! Begin evacuation and try calling the school! One of these villains must be jamming the sensors.” Aizawa sneered in the villains’ direction, his hair floating upward as if he was underwater.

   His eyes glowed a menacing red. “There’s a good chance one of their electric types is causing the interference.”

   Without taking his eyes off the villains, he ordered, “Kaminari! Try using your Quirk to signal for help.”

   The boy gulped. “Got it!”

 

   You briefly debated attempting to scan the hand man, but he was much too far. You had to be in a certain range to scan, and you couldn’t just casually approach him.

   Your eyes flicked over to Aizawa.

   Can Mr. Aizawa fight all these villains on his own? Surely he needs assistance.. 

 

   Midoriya worriedly voiced your thoughts, worriedly reminding that Aizawa’s skillset was better suited to taking on single opponents.

   To that, the man replied before leaping off the stairs, “No good hero is a one-trick pony.”

 

   And with that, he made quick work of the mob. Fascinated, you watched as he moved smooth as butter, cancelling out the villains’ Quirks as he outsmarted them with his scarf.

   That was how a true hero moved, and you had every intention to achieve such level of prowess.

 

   Iida put an end to Midoriya’s muttering. “This is no time for analysis! Hurry up and evacuate!”

   You were already moving, jogging towards the gates with a watchful eye over your shoulder.

   Such arrogance.. Planning an assault on All Might is futile. He is not Number One for no reason. 

 

   “I won’t allow that.”

   Everyone around you came to a complete stop at the black mist’s voice, which now came from in front of you. You’d nearly bumped into Uraraka.

   You pursed your lips, not feeling good about this.

   The mist is fast and expansive.. It can export other beings, so will my heat go through to hit nothing..? 

   The mist must have a physical body, but where?

 

   While you did not have the greatest battle sense, you were quite fast in deducing what was in front of you. However, anything that required looking beneath the surface was beyond your reach.

   It’s a shame.

   You used to be great at figuring out who was fake and who was not.

 

   Whatever the mist blabbed about was not of any concern to you until it uttered,

   “—to end the life of All Might, the Symbol of Peace.”

 

   Kaminari, who was standing beside you, could’ve sworn that your eyes flashed a bright cherry red for a second.

   When he did a double-take, he knew for sure it was your eyes that were glowing with boiling rage. The sharp glow pierced through the black of your visor, making you look more like a villain than a hero.

 

   “Who do think you are?” Despite your contempt-filled question and menacing spots from behind your visor, there were no contortions to your face nor fluctuations to your voice. The only indication of you being taken aback to the point of what looked like anger was the pulsing red underneath your helmet.

   Many of your classmates gasped or blinked in surprise and alarm at the sudden change in appearance.

   The void's eyes moved as if it shifted a brow in intrigue. 

 

   "Incinerate."

 

   Your boosters turned on as Bakugou and Kirishima leapt forward, fists pulled back.

   Thirteen cried, "No!"

   The two struck nonetheless, Bakugou releasing a powerful explosion and the redhead beside him throwing a hard punch. There was an almost deafening, high-pitched noise that erupted from your open palms as your heat pierced the void.

   Two portals appeared behind you and your own beams hit you in the back before anyone could push you out the way.

 

   Eyes widening, you stumbled forward, immediately closing your palms. Your beams weren't nearly hot enough to melt the tungsten frame of your armor, but you still felt the impact.

   Uraraka sucked in a breath as she reached out to stabilize you, her eyes just as wide as yours and everyone else's.

   The void's ability to redirect attacks was an unforeseen problem.

 

   "That was close.. Yes, students you may be, but you are the best of the best.." The person from within the void's center spoke once more, his mist beginning to shrink towards himself.

   Catching on, Thirteen frantically reached out a hand towards an unaware Kirishima and Bakugou. "No! Get back, both of you!"

 

   The mist's body was just as all-encompassing as his voice. "Begone."

   All you could see were shifting clouds of black and purple and the frantic faces of your peers.

   

   You could also see Uraraka's urgent, crinkled face as she wrapped her arms around you, tackling you to the floor just as Shouji used the webbing of his arms to shield Ashidou and Sero and just as Iida (somehow) picked up Satou with one arm.

   You hugged her back just as tight.

 

 

   Uraraka's efforts to keep you two near the U.S.J gates ended up being for naught.

   You fell out of a swirling portal, your back hitting the lumpy dirt harshly and the brunette falling on top of you.

   You let out a soft grunt of mild pain as she quickly apologized, but as you were about to look around and get your bearings, an invisible force slammed right into your face.

    

   "O-oh shoot! Sorry!" It was Hagakure's voice that squeaked with mortification as she scrambled off of you, her usual confident demeanor shattered by the fact it was her bare ass that landed on your helmet. 

   When you didn't respond, Uraraka nervously chuckled and moved to get off of you. "I-I think you knocked him out, Hagakure.."

   "Probably." Recovering from her shock, the invisible female yanked your helmet off to check.

 

   Your breathing was even and your face relaxed as if you were sleeping, but your eyes were open and the menacing red glow was replaced by pitch black. Not even the rings that were your irises were present.

   It was like you were a robot that got shut down.

 

   Hagakure placed a finger near your parted lips as Uraraka anxiously clenched her fists.

   "He's sleeping. Pretty freaky though."

   At Hagakure's frank conclusion, Uraraka sighed in relief. The way your eyes were still open and your eye sockets were black voids was admittedly unsettling. If you didn't close your eyes when you slept, why did you occasionally blink?

   The other girl snorted before Uraraka could finish her thoughts. "What, you think he's gonna die just from me landing on him?"

   "He.. he's got brain trauma, y'know..."

   "...Shit."

 

   "Ho ho, what do we have here?"

   The two girls froze at the new voice. It was gravelly and sounded filthy, and bad intentions were clear from that one sentence alone. 

   Their heads turned to see a crowd of scummy-looking men and a few women approach them, and around seven were counted in total. They had been hiding behind the hills and tilting buildings of the landslide zone.

   Hagakure glared, immediately tossing off her boots and gloves for max invisibility. Frozen with anxiety, Uraraka gulped and shakily got to her feet. She wasn't the best in terms of fighting power, and only knew the bare basics of martial arts. 

   Nonetheless, she put on a brave face and pressed her fingers together, the pads releasing a brief pink glow.

 

   "What's a girl like you doing all alone..?" The leader smirked, his eyes flicking from you to Hagakure's equipment. "Seems your guy friend's down for the count."

   When he gave the goons behind him a caution-filled glance, they knew he was telling them to watch out for the invisible kid.

 

   "YAHHH!" 

   A feminine warcry sounded as the leader suddenly flew to the right, a dark bruise already forming on his cheek. He choked on his breath, eyes wide with surprise.

   Uraraka gasped, eyebrows flying upward. Hagakure!

 

   A scowling woman swiped her scabbard at the place where the warcry came from, but nothing was there.

   She was punched in the gut, her weapon falling from her grip.

 

   One by one, Hagakure cleverly used her Quirk to her advantage as she dodged and struck the second-rate villains with all she had, letting out the occasional confident yell to throw off where her location could be.

   Uraraka could only watch, feeling useless and curling her fists. Hagakure's so brave.. So much braver than I am.

   

   When the last man fell, only panting could be heard from the center of the unconscious bodies. "We've gotta.. get outta here, and fast. There's no telling when they'll wake up."

   "Th-thank you, Hagakure! And nice job!" Uraraka stuttered back a flustered reply, amazed by the other girl's skill.

   Hagakure heartily chirped back, "I was badass, wasn't I!?"

   Uraraka let out a giggle. "Mhm!"

   

   The invisible one of the two girls gave you a harsh slap to get you up.

   Your body swung upward at once, your irises taking a second to appear. Upon seeing a concerned Uraraka and the sight of two floating gloves formed into peace signs, your hostility lowered. 

   You were silent as your eyes swept the area. Every villain near you was out, but you could see ice formations not too far from you.

 

   "Up-up, [L/n]!" Hagakure hooked her arms beneath your pits to help you stand up, but she didn't have to do much. You got up mostly by yourself.

   You briefly bent down to pick up your helmet and put it back on. "Is that Todoroki over there?"

   Uraraka turned around and squinted, letting out a soft hum. "I think so.. None of these low-level villains should be strong enough to spread their Quirk that much."

 

   You all ran there, you giving Hagakure a piggy-back ride to save her energy.

   Todoroki came into focus, and the large chunks of ice held shivering, terrified villains. He was standing in front of one and appeared to be speaking to them.

   "Todoroki!" Hagakure called his surname as she got down, her boots fortunately on. Otherwise, her feet would've stuck to the ice.

   

   As you three approached Todoroki, the girls clung to your arms for warmth. You'd offered your arms upon hearing your peers' teeth chatter. You and Todoroki were cold-resistant, him because of his Quirk and you because of your armor, but the girls were not.

   They very much appreciated your offer and took you up on it. Due to having used your power recently and your arms having an "idle" setting to generate warmth (Melissa input this function so that you wouldn't be cold in the winter), you were a good source of heat. Uraraka was more unsettled by you than Hagakure was, but their opinions of you got better once you let them leech off your body heat.

 

   Todoroki hardly acknowledged you three. He merely glanced over his shoulder before walking away, having already finished his little interrogation. He was about to scoff at what looked like you mingling with the girls during a crisis, but then he realized you must've been pretty warm.

   

   "Uraraka, Hagakure, you should follow Todoroki." You looked at the villains’ shuddering faces, going blue from the ice. Todoroki hadn't bothered to unfreeze them.

   "Nope! We're going together. Why stay here, anyway?" Hagakure did all the talking for her and Uraraka as she began to tug you along.

   "It is unsettling watching them die so slowly. Besides, this place feels inexplicably filthy. I thought I should stay back to clean up."

 

   Both girls froze.

   "C.. clean up?" Uraraka lowly whispered with horror as she craned her neck to look up at you, dread clear in her eyes. "W-what do you mean by that..?"

   Her breath hitched as she noticed your eyes were emitting that ominous glow again. Hagakure saw it, too.

 

   "..C'mon. We're going." Hagakure's voice became stern, only a slight waver to it giving away her sense of dread. Both girls had a massive hunch as to what you meant by that.

 

   You let them drag you away, telling yourself you'd come back later after getting them out of the ice zone. "They desire to kill All Might. That is unacceptable."

   "So you're gonna kill them? Have--! Have more faith in All Might!" Hagakure had to resist the urge to smack your across the face. She wasn't going to let any of her classmates get blood on their hands for no reason.

 

   "I have faith. I do." You felt burning blood rush through your body, and the light from your eyes slowly began to pulsate. "They cannot get away with such a threat."

   Uraraka screwed her eyes shut and cried out with frustration, "You can't! You can't kill them! Besides, we should be helping Mr. Aizawa right now!"

 

   You blinked. The bright red became mellow [e/c]. "Right. Let's go."

   They sighed in relief at your resignation. If they hadn't been there, surely every single one of those goons would've had a steaming hole in their skull. 

 

   What you saw in the square shocked all three of you. There was a pool of blood and flakes of decayed skin, All Might had just managed to escape the Nomu’s crushing grip, Todoroki had frozen part of the Nomu, Bakugou was on top of Kurogiri’s armor and Kirishima nearly landed a hit on Shigaraki.

 

   You whispered, “All Might..”

   The man was clutching his bloodied weak spot, but still wore his iconic grin nonetheless.

   You eyed the puddle of blood on the ground.

   Whose is that..?

 

   Todoroki hissed at the villains, “Scum like you.. can never kill the Symbol of Peace.”

   For a few moments, there was a staredown between your side and the villains. You, Uraraka and Hagakure weren’t nearly as close to the action as the others, but you could still see it clearly.

   “You’ve pinned our way out...” Shigaraki paid his Nomu a brief glance. “Well, this is a proble—“

 

   The man had to quickly dodge a stream that promised third-degree burns.

   More and more came at him, and your peers and All Might whipped their heads towards the source.

 

   There you stood, both your arms outstretched and the dial on the max heat setting. Uraraka and Hagakure were on either side of you, taking fighting positions of their own.

   All Might had to resist calling out to you. If Shigaraki knew you had even the slightest importance to him besides being his student, you were done for.

   Midoriya gasped. “U-Uraraka, [L/n]! And Hagakure’s here, too..!”

   The other kids merely blinked at your presence, Bakugou’s glare sharpening and Kirishima giving you a quick smile.

 

   “Who do you think you are, hmm..? Attacking while a villain is monologuing. It’s not fair.. You kids are all at full health, too.” Shigaraki was terrifyingly quick in his movements for someone who looked and sounded so sickly. He was completely calm, too.

   “Stop it, young [L/n]!” All Might sternly called out to you. “Do not engage!”

   He knew from the battle trial that close combat wasn’t your forté, and if he and the others couldn’t stop Shigaraki from getting too close to you..

   He didn’t want to think about it.

 

   You immediately obeyed, closing your palms and taking up a more defensive pose. You’d have to act as ranged defense for Uraraka and Hagakure.

   If I cannot engage, I will try to protect whoever I can..

 

   You glanced down at your feet.

   They couldn’t seem to move, and you let out a quiet, shaky breath. The feeling of cold fingers ghosting your back only got stronger as you caught the sick, growing grin on Shigaraki’s face. 

   Hagakure scowled, but her knees trembled ever so slightly. Uraraka wasn’t in a much better state. 

   

  Shigaraki chuckled at your obedience as he stopped moving. “Nomu, kill the explosion kid. We need our escape route back.”

   Everyone stepped back slightly in apprehension as the ice coating the Nomu’s right side cracked. When it got up to its feet, its arm fell right off.

   Your eye twitched and you resisted the urge to close both. All Might, taken aback, questioned Shigaraki as the muscle fibers of the Nomu sprung out of its wounds and became brand new again.

   Shigaraki’s smugness practically radiated it off of him as he explained that he never said Nomu only had Shock Absorption. The creature apparently had Regeneration as well, and was said to be a sandbag built to take whatever All Might threw at it.

 

   The Nomu charged at All Might as soon as Shigaraki finished his convenient explanation. It was all a blur, smoke following All Might as he slid away due to a powerful punch.

  Then the bird went for Bakugou. You felt your heart lurch.

   Is Bakugou going to die—?

 

   All Might ended up taking the hit. He was practically a blur, having bounced back so quick from the Nomu’s initial punch like it was nothing. 

   Bakugou’s hair flew back and he looked stunned.

 

   Midoriya dumbly gawked. “Y-you dodged that, Kacchan!?”

   The blond snapped back without looking at him, “I didn’t. Shut it, you!”

 

   You and Shigaraki, having the sharpest eyes out of everyone there, were the only ones to see that it wasn’t Bakugou that saved himself from the hit.

 

   The dust cleared to reveal All Might, his left forearm braced upward and a large bruise forming on it. Blood spurted out of his mouth as he muttered, “This guy doesn’t know how to hold back!”

   The moment you saw the blood, your fists curled and heated up. Hagakure had to put a hand on your shoulder to pacify you.

   She glanced up at your eyes. So he can feel. What is All Might to him?

 

   Melissa had installed the glowing function for you to more easily learn how to identify your own emotions, but it only worked when it was intense. The brain damage made it harder for the receptors in your artificial eyes to pick up the chemicals you were sending out, hence why only extreme emotion was visible.

   And yet your face didn’t crease once.

 

   You kept reminding yourself as All Might and the Nomu’s fists met,

   Do not engage. Do not engage.

   

   All Might was important to Melissa, and you’d be damned if someone she loved so much died in front of your eyes. 

Chapter 12: Final Order

The moment All Might yelled for the kids to get out of here, Hagakure assigned herself as your anchor.

 

   “C’mon, guys! There’s nothing we can do!” She dragged you along and you hardly resisted. You were obeying All Might just as much as she did, but you kept staring over your shoulder.

   All Might will win. No phony lab error can beat him. 

 

   Uraraka spat out some of her own hair. “The wind pressure’s so strong..!”

   The blows All Might and the Nomu exchanged were on a whole other level. The boys beside you, who were still near the fight, had to brace themselves and shield their faces. Why they didn’t fully retreat was beyond you.

 

   Uraraka lifted a pinky as she tentatively swiveled your head forward using the rest of her hand. She mustered a comforting smile. “He’ll be alright, [L/n]! This is All Might we’re talking about!”

   “..I know.” You then noticed that Uraraka was stumbling a bit from the wind. You could also hear Hagakure’s footsteps pick up an unusual stutter-like pattern.

   You wrapped your arms around them and picked up your pace. To yourself, you blatantly stated, “I am meant to help people.”

   I know how powerful All Might is. Surveying this battle is unnecessary.

 

   Your heavy weight would at least reduce the girls’ stutter steps. It worked, as it kept them grounded.

   “Uh.. thanks.” Uraraka flashed you a grateful look, although it was a bit strained. She really still wasn’t sure what to think of you. One moment you were completely set on mass murder and the next you were helping out your peers without being asked.

   Hagakure was sassy as usual, although her tone was more playful now. “Finally! Let’s hurry this up!”

   

   You three watched the fight from the stairs. You’d taken your helmet off, and your hair shifted in the breeze All Might constantly produced.

 

   “Tell me, villain..! Do you know the meaning of—“ All Might braced himself to throw the final punch and it landed, sending the Nomu through the air. “—PLUS! ULTRA!”

 

   The breeze became a strong wind as it ran its fingers through your hair, you having taken your helmet off when you and the girls reached the stairs. Your face was still and you appeared to not be impressed in the slightest.

 

   Startling everyone, you were the first to say, “Plus—“

   Everyone followed with bright grins and pumped fists, “ULTRA!”

 

   All Might coughed, looking pretty disheveled but grinning nonetheless. “Phew! That would’ve taken five hits in my heyday!”

 

   He chuckled and added, “But that was three hundred hits just now.”

   You and everyone else froze at this information.

   Sucking in a breath, you thought, Exactly how much has his health declined..!?

 

   Shigaraki and Kurogiri wasted no time in lunging at All Might.

   The former rasped, hands outstretched, “This is for Nomu..!”

 

   Your eyes widened significantly.

   The only thing keeping you rooted to the ground were All Might’s orders.

 

   It took only a second for the villains to get just a few feet from closing the gap..

   but Midoriya was faster.

 

   The boy had fear written all over him, his legs flailing, teeth bared and one fist pulled back as he zoomed through the air.

   Despite his fear, he came to All Might’s aid.

   Midoriya wasn’t the coward you thought he was.

 

   Shigaraki quickly shoved his hand through his accomplice and it warped towards Midoriya’s face, but a bullet stopped the older male from turning the younger into dust.

    You deeply and sharply inhaled before spinning around. You hadn’t even realized you’d stopped breathing.

 

   There Iida was, standing at the top of the stairs with many of U.A.’s teachers by his side.

   Iida furrowed his brows and took a huge breath before shouting, “President of Class 1-A, Iida Tenya! Reporting for duty!” 

   Your tense form relaxed only slightly. You knew these Heroes were obviously on your side, but being so new to the influence their kind had on the world, you weren’t as quick to put your trust in them.

   Shigaraki was pelted by bullets before he could continue his attempted assault. When he was engulfed by Kurogiri, Thirteen leaned over the steps to suck them up. 

 

   “I may have failed here, Symbol of Peace,” hissed Shigaraki, “but the next time we meet, you’re dead, All Might..!”

   With that, he and Kurogiri vanished.

 

   You took off from the ground before Hagakure, Uraraka or anyone else could stop you.

   The power shooting from your hands allowed you to fly towards All Might, landing ten feet from the ground with a slight stumble. “All Might!”

 

   Some of the smoke concealing All Might accidentally flowed away upon impact. He stepped back to hide before snapping his head to you, clearly surprised by both your presence and the fact you’d raised your voice.

   Midoriya turned to you as well, eyes wide. He’d momentarily forgotten that you’d already seen All Might’s true form. “[L-L/n]!”

 

   “May I check your vitals, Mr. Might?” You lowered your voice and ignored Midoriya completely. Your eyes were no longer wide. They were slightly narrowed in seriousness. 

   All Might blinked at the rare change in expression before worriedly countering, “Where’s your helmet, my boy!?”

   He released a few hefty coughs. 

 

   You stepped closer, steel fists clinking as they closed. “Please. Your health is important, Mr. Might.”

   The man’s eyes softened. He’s changed so much in mere days..

 

   It was true. Just by being around other people and especially kids your age, your manner of speech changed a bit, you learned to respect boundaries, and you’d adopted some of their expressions for yourself. The only sign of emotion on your face was the occasionally widening and narrowing of your eyes, but..

   it was a start.

 

   Kirishima unintentionally broke the moment. Walking towards you three, he called out, “Oi, All Might! Are you okay—!?”

   A cement wall rose directly in front of the approaching redhead. Cementoss covered up, “We need to make sure all you students are safe, so head over to the gate.”

   He added with an unreadable expression, “I’ll take care of the wounded.”

   Kirishima uneasily nodded before jogging away, raising a brow at the panicked looks of Uraraka and Hagakure.

 

   “Thanks for the save, Cementoss..” All Might smiled a little before sighing and slumping towards the floor. Before he could land, you quickly skidded into a squat and carried him bridal style.

   It was a heavy strain on your upper body considering this man was 7’2, but you could manage. Your knees bent slightly to support the sudden increase in weight.

 

   All Might blinked rapidly, blood shooting out his mouth. “Th-thank you, [L/n] my boy, but just put me down!!”

   Meanwhile, Cementoss was endearingly rambling about how much of a fan he was of All Might. Midoriya merely gawked at your unintentional show of strength. 

   “If that is what you desire, Mr. Might.” With reluctance, you carefully lowered him to the floor.

   You released a breath, not realizing just how much carrying him weighed on you.

   Your arms already had a pull of their own on you. Your upper body was currently not up to standard with your equipment, so you’d have to work out a lot more to get your body more in sync with your tech.

 

   All Might sighed and closed his eyes. “Thank you, [L/n], Midoriya, Cementoss.”

   “It’s my pleasure, but you should really stop overdoing it..” Cementoss smiled, eyes also closing as he pressed his hands together. 

 

   All Might glanced away before raising a hand to wipe his mouth. “..I’d have been dead if I hadn’t.”

 

   Both you and Midoriya felt the same sense of dread wash over you. 

 

   You were sent away, a flustered Midoriya in your arms as you walked around the wall.

   Uraraka and Hagakure, who’d been scurrying up the stairs, yelped at the sight of you when they turned their heads.

 

   The former cried with worry, “Deku!”

   “Heyyy!” Hagakure angrily waved your helmet around. “Don’t go running off like that!”

   Uraraka slumped and muttered, “It was more like blasting off..”

  

   “May I ask of you to carry my helmet for me, Hagakure? I am preoccupied.” You raised Midoriya slightly for emphasis and he could only turn his head away from the girls.

   His face was bright red with embarrassment. “U-Uraraka..”

   Hagakure merely raised a brow at your overly-complicated question before turning around and chirping, “Sure, but don’t forget it next time!”

   “I will try not to.”

 

   As you proceeded up the stairs, you could see Uraraka glance at an unaware Midoriya too many times to go unnoticed.

   “Do you wish to carry Midoriya, Uraraka?”

   She froze up before spluttering, “N-no! I’m just worried..!”

   The boy in your arms began to stutter incomprehensibly. 

   You merely faced forward again.

   ..I have decided not to question these two.

 

   You stuck by Hagakure, curiously watching as Midoriya was loaded into the ambulance. Uraraka was standing next to Iida, both of them watching with visible concern.

   “Eighteen, nineteen... twenty, twenty-one.” Tsukauchi nodded to himself before turning to the crowd that was your class. “All of you have been accounted for. We’re going to get you kids back to your classroom now. This is no time to be taking your statements.”

   Your eyes glinted with curiosity as to what a police statement was, but you kept your mouth shut and decided to Moogle it as always.

 

   When someone asked how Aizawa was doing, Tsukauchi gave you all the details:

   Both arms were smashed to splinters, his face had minor fractures, and his eye sockets had been pulverized. He somehow didn’t get any brain damage.

 

   You slowly reached up to your own eye socket, a few fingers grazing just beneath your lower lashes.

   Melissa says I was fortunate enough to have my eyes only blinded by a flash of intense light.

   I would have been much more difficult to save if my eye sockets were broken.

 

 

                                    

 

   

   Melissa dropped her phone to the floor, sea-colored eyes wide, shaking and brimming with hot tears.

   The text you’d sent her was mortifying.

  

   She thought it couldn’t get any worse when you said there’d been a villain attack, but when she got to the part where two of your classmates stopped you from committing mass murder..

   Her heart may as well have just stopped beating right there.

 

   In the days before, you’d told her about the bird, and it’d been fine. She’d understood, although concerned about your lack of remorse.

   But when she read you tried to kill people on purpose..

 

   Melissa just started crying.

   She was already worried enough about you and All Might, and the fact that you so easily decided to murder people made everything so much worse.

 

   Harshly running her teeth into her bottom lip, she dropped to her knees and swiped her phone up from the wooden floor. 

   The device was tightly clutched in her trembling hands as her fingers rapidly danced across the screen.

   

   In Japan, your eyes fluttered open on the second ring.

   You squinted your eyes with fatigue before instantly sitting up. You only had two contacts— David and Melissa. This call was either important or a telemarketer.

   Picking up your phone from the left of your pillow, you blinked your bleary eyes at the caller I.D.

   Melissa is calling me at five a.m., but for what reason..?

 

   You pressed “accept.” “Hello, Mel—“

   

   “I can’t believe you!!”  

 

   You swiftly brought the phone away from your ear upon the blast of Melissa’s hurt, angered voice.

   You could hear sniffling and David’s concerned queries in the background, but Melissa dismissed him with “I-I can handle this, Papa.”

 

   “..Melissa?” Cradling your phone by your ear once more, you spoke in a softer tone. You didn’t care if she burst your eardrums. 

   You would do anything for this girl.

 

   Melissa is crying.. but why? I have learned from Mr. Shield that a lower tone of voice is soothing..

   

   The last time she cried was from happiness upon seeing you wake for the first time in two years, but now her voice was laced with nothing but hurt.

 

   “How could you..?”   

   “Why are you crying, Melissa? Are you in danger?” Your grip on the phone tightened.

   

   “No, but everyone else will be if you don’t get your act together!!” Melissa’s tongue was coated in pure venom. She was beyond furious, a massive change from her usual kind, cheerful disposition.  

   It took a lot to anger Melissa Shield.

   She wasn’t even stuttering. Her voice trembled and occasional sniffles could be heard, but that was the extent of it.

 

   “..What do you mean?” Your brows furrowed just the slightest.

   How would I be a threat—?

 

   “You can’t kill anyone..! You can’t! That’s not.. the [Name] I know and love!” She was a needle’s width away from sobbing.

   Her breaths kept hitching as she tried keeping her voice even. “He’d never try to kill anybody! Ever! Even if it’s for me, o-or for Uncle All Might!

   Killing is never the answer, [Name]!”

 

   You remained silent. 

 

   “Th-there.. are so many other ways to protect people! Don’t protect just me, Uncle All Might, or Papa, either! 

   Protect those you know will protect you as well!”

 

   Her crying dulled down to light pants and choked hiccups, and all you could do was listen.

   Melissa is in so much distress..

     ..but all I can do is listen.

 

   You would’ve broken the phone if it wasn’t built to withstand such pressure.

   

   “[Name].. you’ll listen to me, right?”

   “Affirmative.” You answered right away. “I will not kill anyone and I will protect those I know will protect me as well.

   You protected me once, Melissa. I will always protect you.”

 

   David and All Might have protected you as well, but for you, Melissa always came first.

 

   Melissa could be heard letting out a small whimper. She smiled brightly, her phone held carefully by her ear. “I know, [Name]... I know. Thank you.”

 

   She quietly inhaled before moving on. “Never, ever kill anyone.. and—

   and don’t die. 

   ..Those are my final orders.”

 

   You froze. “...Final?”

   Melissa firmly nodded even though you couldn’t see it. “Yes. Final.”

 

   And then she frantically began to add, “Eat healthy, take care of that rat’s nest on your head—!”

   

   It was needless to say that she drowned you in “final orders.” You would be sure she would give you another one at any time if not for your unwavering trust in her.

 

   “Goodnight, [Name].” Melissa smiled gently, eyes closing. “I love you.”

   “..Would you like me to learn the meaning of “love” on my own?”

   She giggled, bringing a hand to her mouth. “Yes!” 

   You knew her too well.

 

   “..All I know aside from its definition is that it must be pleasant. 

  I love you, Melissa. Goodnight.”

   “Sleep well!”

 

   You did not sleep well that night.

Chapter 13: Meant to Help

   Your class didn’t expect you to show up with your hair in a dainty French braid. 

 

   “Ehh? I didn’t expect you to like girls’ hairstyles!” Ashido bounced up to you as you walked towards your desk, a hand reaching up to flick at the braid sitting at your nape.

   It was slightly messy due to how the length of your hair was mostly uneven. Parts of your fringe still curtained your face and brushed your nose, but it was definitely a good look on you.

 

   Kirishima made his way over to you, a bright beam on his lips. “Super manly, [L/n]! I like it!”

   Confused by Ashido’s comment, you reached up to brush some of your right fringe behind your ear. “A girls’ hairstyle..? And thank you, Kirishima.”

   You didn’t understand why he said “manly” so much. Nor did you understand gender-specific things. You genuinely didn’t notice all the pictures of hairdos that popped up on Moogle were all modeled by women.

 

   “Yeah! Braids are mostly worn by women. Rin from Class 1-B has his hair braided, too!” Ashido smiled encouragingly as she let go of your braid. “So don’t think it’s weird or anything.”

   Asui joined the little group. “You didn’t know that, [L/n]?”

   You shook your head. “I did not.”

   

   Satou blinked from his seat. “I thought everyone knew that..?”

   Midoriya was also at his seat. He apprehensively watched you peacefully converse with some other students.

   You not knowing something that basic was definitely fishy. It was small, but Midoriya had his guard up around you for too long to let even that get past him.

 

   “Get a girlfriend, dude! Then you’ll know for sure!” Kaminari came from behind to sling an arm over your shoulder, startling you a bit. “You’ve got the looks of a heartbreaker, man! I’d get rid of the cheeks, though..”

   You were definitely a looker, but the roundness of your face sort of “ruined” your potential charm. Your wide-awake eyes and stiff face made you look more like a child’s expensive doll than a human. Not to mention you were on the lanky side. 

   At least you had naturally broad shoulders (even before your surgery) and had your height going for you. Those two things were perhaps the most masculine appeal you had at the moment. While you by no means looked feminine, you lacked the same rugged appeal that Kirishima or Bakugou had.

 

   “Nooo!” Hagakure let out a whine of protest at Kaminari’s words. She jogged right up to you and squeezed your mochi-like right cheek. “He’s so cute!! Like a mochi!”

   Uraraka stayed in her seat as she observed your eyes widen briefly at the unexpected pinch.

   She gulped, chest tightening. She had no idea how Hagakure was so easily able to talk to you like nothing happened.

   Like you didn’t try to do exactly what the villains tried to do.

 

   Iida’s booming call interrupted her thoughts. “Everyone!!” 

   He stood behind the podium, arms stretched up in a V. “Morning homeroom’s about to begin! To your seats!!”

   It had actually been a minute since everyone sat down, including you. Sero muttered exasperatedly, “We’re sitting. You’re the only one up..”

 

   A mummy suddenly entered the classroom. “Morning.”

   Your class yelped (with the exception of you, Todoroki and the other more reserved members), “You’re back already, Mr. Aizawa!?”

 

   The man was covered head-to-toe in gauze. Not a peep of his pale skin could be seen through all the white strips. 

   You subconsciously leaned forward, eyes taking in his hunched form and wobbly gait. The attack had been the day before yesterday, yet Aizawa was already back.

   Melissa told you to protect the ones you knew would protect you in turn, didn’t she?

 

   Iida yelled after getting back to his seat, “Glad to see you doing well, teacher!”

   Uraraka murmured with a shudder, “If you can call that “doing well...””

 

   Aizawa took Iida’s place at the podium. “My welfare’s not important, because your fight is far from over.”

   Question marks immediately floated around everyone’s heads, but yours were about a different matter.

   Why is Mr. Aizawa not concerned about his own welfare? Being careless is harmful, is it not? I will have to ask to scan him.

   

   Speculating murmurs flooded the room and were cut off by Aizawa revealing, “U.A.’s sports festival is fast approaching.”

   “So ordinary!” yelled the class.

   You glanced around, completely lost. You knew what sports were, but not “festival.” Apparently, it was something normal enough to surprise your class. It wasn’t something you and your Japanese teacher covered on Japanese school operations. 

   How normal was this, anyway? You didn’t remember your time at Oxford Academy, thus not having anything to compare to.

 

   Kaminari uneasily spoke up. “Come on.. We just had a villain attack! You sure about this?”

   Aizawa refuted, “It’s necessary to demonstrate that U.A.’s crisis management protocols are sound.”

   He then added, “..That’s the thinking, apparently. Compared to past years, there’ll be five times the police presence. Anyhow, our sports festival is the greatest opportunity you’ll ever get.”

   You silently questioned, To what?

   “It’s not an event that can be canceled over a few villains.”

   While Aizawa was right about that, you were concerned, and rightfully so. Shigaraki and the Nomu injured both him and All Might. 

   Who knows when they would come back to settle the score?

 

   “Our sports festival is one of Japan’s biggest events.” Aizawa’s voice was extremely muffled. “The Olympics were once the world’s sports festival. The whole country would be whipped into a frenzy over them. But as you know, that tradition has shrunk in scale to a shell of its former glory..”

   You had literally no idea what this man was talking about. Thank goodness for Moogle. 

   “And as far as Japan’s concerned, what’s taken place of the Olympics is.. the U.A. sports festival.”

 

   Yaoyorozu briefly glanced at you before asking Aizawa, “The nation’s top Heroes will all be watching, right? They’ll be there as scouts!”

   Kaminari turned to Jirou. “They’ll be looking to hire us as sidekicks after we graduate. That’s how it’s done. And a lot of those sidekicks never manage to go solo. They’re sidekicks forever.”

   That definitely didn’t sound pleasant. Your eyes darted around the room as you kept your ears peeled for more information.

   

   “Naturally, you’ll gain valuable experience and popularity if you’re picked up by a big-name Hero.” Aizawa ended the chatter. “But your time is limited. Show the Pros what you’re made of here, and you’ll make futures for yourselves.”

   His voice became a tad more gruff. “This happens once a year, so you’ve got three chances. If you’re hoping to become a Hero, this is an event you can’t miss.”

 

   Your feet began to shuffle and make clinking noises, which were slightly muffled by your indoor shoes.

   Todoroki momentarily glanced at you, his usual hostility replaced with curiosity for the moment. He’d heard the noises, and so did Yaoyorozu.

   

   She smiled, turning her head to face you. “Are you feeling nervous, [L/n]?”

   “I do not know.” Your reply caught her off guard. “What exactly is a sports festival?”

   That caught her off guard, too. Regaining her faint smile, she explained, “It is a school-wide competition between students. There are multiple events, which can vary year to year. Given this is a Hero school, we will be using our Quirks this time around.”

   “..I have been wondering why everyone said it was normal. Thank you, Yaoyorozu.” You nodded to yourself before turning away.

   

   “I don’t mean to intrude, but are you not from here, [L/n]?” Satou was to Todoroki’s right, so naturally, he heard your conversation with Yaoyorozu. Uraraka was to Satou’s right, and she couldn’t help but tune in.

   “No, I am not. I am from the United States.”

   Tokoyami turned around in his seat, peering around Todoroki to see you. “Halloween is much more extreme there. Is it not, [L/n]?”

 

   You blinked. “What is Halloween?”

 

   Everyone in hearing vicinity paled. Even Todoroki was surprised.

 

   Seeing as they all fell into complete silence, you decided this was your opportunity to leave.

   “Mr. Aizawa.”

   The man groaned a little and his eyes opened just a smidge to acknowledge you. “What.” 

   He was laying down by the front of the classroom in his iconic caterpillar sleeping bag.

 

   “May I scan you to check your vitals, sir? I noticed you have been limping, and if my assumption is correct, that puddle of blood at the U.S.J. was yours.” You crouched down to speak properly, your arms wrapping around your knees. “Your health is important.”

   He closed his eyes again, grumbling, “The doctors and Recovery Girl have done all they can, kid.. Thanks anyway.”

   “May I at least scan you once a day, sir? I would like to monitor your condition day-to-day.”

   “Recovery Girl can do that.”

   “My eyes have the accuracy and speed a routinely check-up does not. Please, sir.”

   “Didn’t I tell you all not to worry..? Let me sleep.”

   “I only need your eyes to take your vitals. It will be over soon.”

   “What are you, my doctor?”

 

   A comical bead of sweat appeared on all the kids sitting in the front row as they watched you pester Aizawa.

   “Man.. I didn’t really expect [L/n] to care all that much.” Ojirou crookedly smiled as he sheepishly scratched his nape.

   Shouji used one of his hand-mouths to speak. “I thought he threatened me during the battle trial. Turns out he’s just a social hermit.”

   Hagakure chirped, “He’s super protective over All Might! Just like Midoriya!”

 

   Midoriya began to nervously sweat. This was when Aizawa finally let you scan his bloodshot eyes with the negotiation that you’d finally leave him alone. You scanning him grabbed the front row’s attention and created an accidental yet effective diversion from elaborating on your and Midoriya’s relations to All Might.

   The freckled male sighed in relief. Offput by you as he was, he was glad All Might had another person who would try to protect him at a moment’s notice.

   Maybe we can be friends, [L/n]... Maybe.

 

 

                                   

 

 

   “Mochi.. I am mochi?” You tried in vain to pry Hagakure’s fingers off your stinging cheeks. “I am not an edible snack, Hagakure. I advise that you do not commit cannibalism.”

 

   It was lunch time, but your class hadn’t been released just yet. At the moment, everyone was standing around and excitedly talking about the upcoming sports festival.

   “Pfft!” Satou had to cover his mouth as he burst into laughter. 

   Hagakure huffed, “I’m not gonna eat you, stupid! I bet you taste like scrap metal!!”

   Jirou eyed your hand and shrugged. “I mean, you’re not wrong. He wouldn’t taste very good.”

   “Why are you so casual about this..?” Sero sighed, not understanding. 

 

   “Hey!” Kirishima joined the conversation and promptly ignored your face being torn apart by Hagakure. “Who’s pumped for the sports festival!?”

   Tokoyami crossed his arms and replied, “I’m sure we all are.”

   Satou enthusiastically raised a fist to the ceiling. “I can’t wait! It’s going to be difficult for me, though.. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to bring sugar to activate my Quirk.”

   Ashido blinked, her hands behind her back. “Really? That sucks.”

 

   “Bros! Why don’t we all train together sometime? We can see each other’s weaknesses that way!” Kirishima grinned as he gave your shoulder a hefty pat. “I can tell you need some close-quarters training, [L/n]. Allow me to help you with that!”

   Jirou raised a brow. “I’m not sure if I want to show you all my weaknesses.. We’ll be going against each other, after all.”

   “On the other hand,” Tokoyami countered, “we can help each other improve.”

   The purple-haired girl twirled an earlobe as she looked off to the side in thought. “True..”

 

   “At the sports festival.. let’s do our best!” 

   Everyone turned to look at Uraraka, who wasn’t looking very Uraraka at the moment.

   Someone asked, “What happened to your face!?”

 

   Ashido blinked twice. “You’re not looking very Uraraka, Uraraka.”

   Said girl spread her feet, clenched her fists and tossed one up in the air. “Everyone!! I’m gonna crush this!!”

   Almost everybody raised their fists as well, albeit uneasily. Kirishima remarked, “Talk about inconsistent characterization!”

   Hagakure released one hand from your cheek to raise it and you used this opportunity to dart out the classroom.

   She squeaked, “Ahh, he’s getting away!”

 

 

                                    

   

 

   It was the day after that your class was blocked from leaving the room by a horde of people you didn’t know.

 

   Uraraka, who was the one who opened the door, yelped, “What’s going on!?”

   You stood by Kaminari’s desk. He was packing up, but he kept a wary eye on the crowd outside.  The blond muttered, “The heck..?”

   “There’s no way out!” Mineta was standing by the board. “What’re they here for..?”

   Bakugou walked past him, hands in his pockets as he scoffed, “Scoping out the competition, small fry. Duh.”

 

   You blinked dubiously at all these new faces as you adjusted the straps of your backpack. 

   You thought, “Scoping out the competition..?” What does “duh” mean? I seem to be Moogling something new everyday..

 

   Seeing your blank stare and assuming you were worried, Kaminari straightened up to grin at you. “Don’t worry, man! I’ll protect you from these guys!”

   “They are here to hurt us?”

   “W-well, no.. I was just joking! ...Please don’t attack them.”

   “I will not unless I deem it necessary.”

   “Alright, dude..”

 

   Meanwhile, Bakugou had chalked up this impromptu visit with the fact that this class was the one jumped by villains and maybe they wanted a look before the festival.

   Confidently, he sneered at them as he approached the door, “Move aside, cannon fodder.”

   Midoriya seemed to shrink into himself while Iida chopped an arm up and down and scolded, “Can we please not resort to calling those we don’t even know “cannon fodder!?””

 

   “Hm.. We came to get a look, but you sure are modest.” A deep, sarcastic voice got louder as its owner approached. 

   A tall male with fluffy indigo hair and obvious eyebags emerged from the crowd, one hand behind his neck. “Are all the kids in the hero course like this one?”

   

   Eyes going white, Bakugou made a challenging “Hahh!?” noise.

   Behind him, Iida and Midoriya vigorously shook their heads and hands in frantic denial.

 

   The purple raccoon-looking guy let out a mock sigh of dismay. “Gotta say, I’m a little disillusioned if this is what you’re offering.”

   Behind him, the other random kids uneasily marveled at his bravery for directly insulting a class full of Heroics kids.

 

   He continued, “Those of us who didn’t make it into the hero course are stuck in general studies and other tracks. There are quite a few of us, did you know that?”

   You spotted his eyebags, your check-on-Mr. Aizawa instincts accidentally kicking in. This kid and your teacher actually looked weirdly alike, down to how sleepy their eyes were and to how their teeth were drawn. 

 

   The Aizawa look-alike tilted his head. “Depending on the results of this sports festival.. they might consider transferring us to the hero course.”

   Making a few people gulp, he said, “I understand the reverse is also possible for you... Scouting out the competition? For a general studies kid like me..”

 

   His eyes glinted. “..this’ll be the perfect chance to knock you off your pedestals. Consider this a declaration of war.”

   And just as suddenly as he’d appeared, he vanished back into the sea of randos.

 

   Another bold kid jumped up into the air and yelled, “Hey, I’m from Class 1-B, next door!”

   He had thick, crazy eyelashes and teeth as sharp as Kirishima’s. “Heard you guys fought some villains, so I wanted to find out more, but.. all I’m seeing is this arrogant bastard!”

   Kaminari gasped, hands flying up to cover your ears. He hissed to no one in particular, “No cussing in front of the children..!”

   You pried his hands away and asked Kaminari, “What did you say?”

 

   Assuming you meant him, the eyelashes kid barked at you, “You’re another arrogant bastard, aren’t ya!? Ya couldn’t even bother listening to me!?”

   The crowd began to get riled up at your apparent arrogance.

   Bakugou only grinned widely at the increasing anger. “That’s right, extras! I don’t even know why I even bothered staying to listen! Outta the way, bottomfeeders!”

 

   Kaminari was banging his head on the desk. He moaned, “What have I done..!?”

   You curiously turned to Jirou and asked, “What is an arrogant bastard?”

   Before Jirou could open her mouth, Ashido aggressively planted her hands on her hips. “Those are bad words! Don’t say those!”

   She then scolded Kaminari. “Bakugou being a meanie was enough, but you just made it worse!!” 

   The blond only groaned and continued to mash his cheek into the wood.

 

   You unpeeled him from it by grabbing his shoulders. “You are spreading bacteria, Kaminari.”

   He snapped, “I shower everyday!!”

   Ignoring his protest, you replied, “Let’s go, Kaminari. I would like to speak to that boy with the purple hair.” 

   Jirou tilted her head. “Hm? Why?”

 

   “Thirteen said we are meant to help people, and it seems that boy wants to join our course.”

   Ojirou turned around to face you and shook his head. “I don’t think you should bother.. He’s just gonna think you’re looking down on him.”

   You knew what that meant, since Bakugou had said that to Midoriya at least once before.

 

   “I believe I can provide at least some assistance. Seeing as Mr. Aizawa agreed to let me scan him once per day, I am confident I can persuade that boy.” You eagerly walked towards the door, tugging an unwilling Kaminari along by the fabric of his backpack.

   He weakly wailed, “Save me..”

   Jirou smirked and mockingly waved as you two walked out the door (more like you were walking and Kaminari was being dragged).

 

   You decided to check 1-C first, since you weren’t exactly sure what grade that boy was in. 1-C was just two classes down from your own, and people were already filing out with their backpacks and bookbags on.

   They gave you wary looks, recognizing you as that “arrogant bastard” who seemed to not have listened to a word of what the eyelash kid said. Kaminari was just miserably attached to your unrelenting grip. 

 

   Luckily for you, the dude you were looking for exited just as you neared the door.

   “Excuse me.”

   His indigo eyes met yours as he moved aside to let the others leave. Mockingly raising a brow, he asked, “What? Come to make a declaration of your own?”

   He wasn’t there to see you be an “arrogant bastard,” but he did recognize you from when he peered into your classroom.

 

   Replying to the boy, Kaminari finally got out of his slump and brightly chirped, “Nope! My man [L/n] isn’t mean like you think he is!”

   The indigo-haired boy smirked slightly. “Oh?”

   The blond nodded rapidly. “Cough it up so we can go home, [L/n]!”

 

   “Cough what up? I am not sick.”

   “I meant hurry up and say what you wanna say..”

   The raccoon guy stretched an arm over his head and softly groaned. “Don’t waste my time, Heroics kid. Just spit it out.”

 

   You held out a hand to him. “I would like to help you enter the hero course. In this course, we are meant to help people, so that is what I intend to do.”

   “Hmm..?” He eyed your hand with a tilt of his head and a condescending twitch of his lips. “You’re one of those Good Samaritan types, huh?”

 

   He began to walk away, hands shoving themselves down his pockets. “Thanks, but no thanks.”

   “What is a Good Samaritan? And why do you refuse?” You immediately followed after him, Kaminari grabbing your backpack as he trailed directly behind you.

   He sighed, “Just leave the dude alone, man!”

 

   The guy didn’t stop walking. He didn’t turn to look at you, either. “Listen to your friend.”

   His sneer could be heard in his voice as he said, “What makes you think I need your help?”

 

   “I simply want to help—“ You stopped in your tracks, eyes going white.

   The kid’s eyes only widened slightly at your response before narrowing again. “Walk to the shoe lockers.”

 

   “H.. hey! Snap out of it!” Kaminari followed after you as you began to robotically march towards said location. 

   Turning to glare behind him, the blond demanded, “What’d you do to my friend!?”

   The boy only grinned. “Not much, actually. I’ll snap him out of it in six minutes.”

   “He just wanted to help!” Kaminari left you alone to get up in Shinsou’s face, his honey-colored eyes still glaring. “He’s not looking down on you, man! Ever since the U.S.J. attack, he’s been super intent on helping people!

   Just let him do his job!”

 

   The boy stared down at Kaminari, brows furrowing and lips twitching into a sneer. “And what if I don’t want his help?”

   His eyes didn’t seem to exactly share the same vibe the rest of his face was giving off. He was clearly frustrated and done with your and Kaminari’s shit, but his eyes told Kaminari his resolve had softened a little.

   Kaminari began to smirk. It was mentioning the U.S.J. that finally got his attention..!

 

   Kaminari sighed, scratching his head as he took a step back. “At least think about it, alright? Trust me when I say [L/n]’s gonna bother you till you say yes. He bugged our teacher into agreeing with him, and our teacher’s stubborn as an ox!”

   The boy watched as Kaminari ran off, frantically calling your surname as you nearly ran into someone. 

   Deciding to take a different route to the shoe lockers, Shinsou thought to himself, What a weird kid..

Chapter 14: Plus Ultra

True to Kaminari’s word, you borderline-harassed Shinsou.

  

   It was after the second time he brainwashed you that you realized it was his Quirk’s doing. You were persistent to the point where he gave up brainwashing you.

   “Why do you refuse?”

   “God, just go away!”

   “Who is God?”

 

   Shinsou groaned from the other side of the booth. It had been three days since you first offered your assistance. 

   Besides harassing Shinsou at lunch, you’d been working extra hard. A new addition to your daily schedule was thirty minutes of J.S.L. everyday. You’d picked it up after asking Melissa what Kouda had been doing with his hands.

 

   “I don’t need your help, [L/n]. Bug off.”

   Exchanging surnames was the most friendly exchange you two had. Shinsou’s excuse was that he needed something else besides “robot bastard” to mentally address you by.

 

   “You desire to enter the hero course, do you not?” You set down your chopsticks. “Since I myself entered via recommendation, I can only recommend someone else to assist you. As far as I have seen, Iida Tenya is of caliber high enough to be a recommended student.”

   “You? A recommended student? Anyways..” Shinsou scoffed as he poked at his yakisoba. “..as far as I’ve seen, that Iida kid’s got a stick up his ass.”

   You tilted your head, a habit you unintentionally inherited from sitting with Shinsou for the past three days. “What is ass?”

 

   A wicked grin spread across Shinsou’s face.

 

   During the period after lunch, Iida gasped extremely loudly. “W-what did you just say!?”

   Many pairs of eyes glanced to the front of the room, curious as to why Iida gaped down at you like he just watched you disable his older brother for life.

 

   “Do you have a stick up your ass, Iida? Shinsou says so.”

   Gripping his head, Iida cried, “Who is Shinsou and why is he teaching you such vulgar language!?”

   Yaoyorozu immediately stood up from her seat, a protective glint in her eye. “Did I hear “vulgar language?””

 

   “Damn right, Ponytail!” Seeing an opportunity to taint your innocence, Bakugou grinned and yelled, “Tell whoever he is that he’s a huge bitch!”

   “What is a bi—?”

   Kaminari cut you off. “[L/n], no!”

 

   Kaminari made sure you stayed away from Shinsou after that. He was a little harsh when he told you to back off of Shinsou, but it had to be done. 

 

   “Oi, [L/n].. I think you’ve just gotta take “no” for an answer. It can’t be helped. If he doesn’t want it, then he doesn’t want it.”

 

   All it took for you to stop was remembering Ashido’s disgust for scanning her without her consent.

   Now, you sat with your own classmates. It was a pleasant change from sitting all by yourself. To keep you away from Bakugou, Ashido and Yaoyorozu demanded you sit with them and the rest of the girls. You had no issue with this arrangement.

   However..

 

   Shinsou grumbled to himself, feeling two holes sear themselves into the back of his head. You’d finally left him alone, yet he still couldn’t find peace.

   He still couldn’t understand your motives even after you explained yourself to him more than ten times.

   Why the hell were you so persistent? What were you hoping to get out of this?

   Shinsou grew up knowing all too well almost everyone had two faces, and you weren’t exempt from the safeguard he’d put up.

 

   You wanted to help him for the sake of helping? 

   He scoffed. Like anyone was that kind without wanting something in return.

 

   “You should stop staring at him, [L/n].” Asui spun her chopsticks to poke your still wrist. “And call me Tsu.”

   She sat across from you, Hagakure to her left, Yaoyorozu by your left and Jirou left of her. Uraraka was sitting elsewhere with Iida and Midoriya while Ashido had joined Kirishima’s little ensemble.

 

   In response to the poke, you set your own chopsticks down onto the tiny wooden rest. “I only take orders fr—“

   Your lips moved silently before settling to a brief close.

   That’s right.. You took orders from no one. Not anymore.

   

   “I suggest you call her Tsu.” Yaoyorozu slyly cut in, her confidence clear in her content face. Asui sent her a look of quick understanding. 

   “If that is what you would like me to do, Yaoyorozu, Asu— Tsu.” You gave Tsuyu the -chan honorific, seeing as that was the one she gave everyone in class.

   Even Bakugou and Mineta had the privilege of being given that honorific. Everyone else besides Tsuyu was either -san or -sensei to you. 

 

   Hagakure burst into laughter upon realizing Yaoyorozu had successfully bypassed your rule. Jirou snickered as well, one eye peeking open to see your reaction.

   You stared at them. Clear as it was that you wanted to know why they were laughing, they wouldn’t say a word. Yaoyorozu shook her head as she went back to eating and Tsuyu was just smiling to herself as she ate.

 

   On the bus to the U.S.J., you’d heard from Tsuyu herself that she only let people she considered her friends call her “Tsu.” 

   She considered you a friend?

   Tsuyu was agreeable, except that one time she called you “threatening.” 

   She was pleasant in her temperament, never startling you and easily being one of your calmest classmates.

   Affection wasn’t there.

 

   In both cases of the two people who considered you their friends, mutual affection wasn’t there. Kaminari did sling his arm around you, but you weren’t quite sure whether that could be considered affection.

   Was.. affection not necessary for friendship? Did Moogle lie to you?

   Was it emotional or physical affection that the definition was talking about?

 

   Jirou quirked a brow at you having a staring contest with your barely-touched okonomiyaki. “Aren’t you gonna eat? It’s gonna get cold.”

   You blinked, straightening your already perfect posture. “Yes.”

 

 

                                    \

 

 

   One day till the sports festival.

 

   One day till you could show off the fruits of your labor.

   You lied in bed, eyes completely focused on the ceiling above. Your body still ached from the spars with Kirishima and Ojirou, whose Quirk happened to sync well with the redhead’s. 

   Kirishima’s encouraging words and Ojirou’s advice felt as fresh as when you’d first heard them. 

   “Never hesitate!” Kirishima.

   “Make sure every blow counts.” Ojirou.

 

   Both boys had noticed your main problem— your unwillingness to hurt others.

   It wasn’t hard to tell. You kept parrying their blows, going straight for a nape chop, attempting a chokehold, or even trying to strangle them. 

   You found yourself struggling, especially when you all went free-for-all. You’d sparred with them a total of 3 times throughout the past two weeks, and the free-for-alls were by far the hardest.

 

   Kirishima never hesitated, grinning as always as he put power behind every swing.

   Ojirou was agile and had a solid, smooth momentum that was hard to break. 

   Not to mention they were both very strong. Ojirou’s tail-whips were able to knock you back a good several feet and Kirishima’s punches never gave you a break.

   Besides that, you’d obtained their numbers after agreeing on meeting at a local training facility. Melissa had been elated to hear you were making more connections.

   

   All this, however, was far from the reason you were up at this ungodly hour.

   It was six in the morning when you had a videochat with your relatives. Currently, it was one a.m.

 

   Melissa had also been on the line to assist both you and your kin in adjusting to the other.

   She was on the verge of tears.

 

   Your relatives kept saying they didn’t recognize you, with your washed-out skin and hollow eyes. The signature, unamused deadpan you used to wear was nowhere to be seen. No longer were your arms stubbornly crossed. Your hands simply sat in your lap.

 

   You weren’t the old [L/n] [Name], and yet they refused to accept that. Even the adults, who were supposed to be the mature ones, lashed out at you and poor Melissa.

   

   “Who is this!?“ they’d cried. “You were supposed to bring him back to normal!”

 

   [L/n] [Name] and all the memories, experiences and feelings that shaped him were long gone. 

   Here you were, a fresh, blank slate ready to live another life. 

   A life, according to your mother’s sister, that you should’ve never been reborn into.

 

   “If I’d known this was how it would end up, I would’ve never let you and your father play God.”

 

   The entire time, you just sat there, silently soaking in their biting words and their tears of disbelief. Not even the kind Melissa could pacify them.

   Once they began directing what you recognized was unbridled rage at Melissa, your eyes burst into red flames and the fearful blonde was forced to end the call.

 

   She knew all too well if that she was willing to play God for you, then for her you would become the devil.

 

                                    

 

 

    You sat on a chair facing the lockers of the 1-A prep room as Aoyama wove your hair with nimble fingers.

 

   “What’s it gonna be for today, Aoyama?” Kirishima curiously peered over as he zipped up his P.E. shirt.

   “A full French braid with wispy edges,” the blond replied, tongue sticking out in focus. You seemed to be the only one to ever notice Aoyama outside from when he was doing your hair. 

 

   The past two weeks were good time to allow the rest of the class to warm up to you. It wasn’t like you were all chummy as Kaminari was with you, but it was a comfortable relationship. Even Midoriya and Uraraka seemed to be less on edge.

 

   Aoyama grasped all three sections of your fringe and pulled them into a French braid, continuing along the curve of your scalp till he reached your neck. He tied it with a thick hair tie and stuck heavy-duty bobby pins where your fringe was tucked away to make sure it stayed.

   The final touch was a few flicks of his fingers to dislodge some baby hairs. It looked more natural this way. 

 

   “Magnifique!” He smiled as he gave your head a light pat to signal he was done. “You look wonderful, mon ami!”

   Aoyama began to address you that way about five days ago. You found yourself not expecting so many people to consider you a friend.

   None of these people seemed to fill the criteria, however, but you’d realized only yesterday that was because you never seemed to return any physical affection. 

   You weren’t even sure how to return emotional affection.

   You were determined to learn, however.. no matter how long it took.

 

   “Thank you, Aoyama.” 

   “Mhm!”

 

   Kirishima gave the braid’s tail a flick. “Cool! Your hair’s changed a lot since the start of school, [L/n].”

   “Right?” Sero had to chuckle, not even hiding his grin. “Not even my helmet hair is bad as his was. If my hair gets any longer, I might have to look into hiring Aoyama as my stylist.”

   The aforementioned male sighed dramatically, a hand resting on his forehead as he closed his eyes. “I am not for hire, I’m afraid!”

 

   Kirishima and Sero didn’t seem to hear him. Rest in peace.

   “Maybe I should tie my hair, too.” Tsuyu pressed a finger to her lip in slight worry as you turned to look at her from across the table. “I’m worried the others will try to pull my hair to gain an advantage.”

   Jirou poked her shoulder with one of her jacks, a look of displeasure on her face. “I’ll make sure to hit them if they do. Besides, you’re too fast. Not even Bakugou tries to pull your hair, so I think you’ll be fine.”

   Tsuyu nodded and croaked, “You’re right. It’s also difficult to pull when my range of movement is mostly ground-level. I doubt anyone wants to risk getting kicked in the face.”

   

   They both looked up and somewhere past you with curiosity. So naturally, you turned, too.

   “H.. hey, [L/n]!” Midoriya smiled nervously, his brows scrunching up a little. His cheeks were a light pink, the boy bashful for some reason. 

   “Yes?” You swiveled your head nearly 180 degrees. Everyone learned you could do this about a week ago, and you had no idea why they all looked terrified. 

   Midoriya visibly shivered before continuing with shifty eyes, “Uh.. I was hoping to get this off my chest and.. 

   I really want to be friends, [L/n].”

 

   All signs of apprehension faded away as he smiled brightly. “It didn’t sit right me with how I treated you.. I’m sorry it took me this long to say anything. I think you’re really a good person.”

   His face become a cherry red as he muttered, “A-and my mom wants you to come back for dinner.. She says she’s also cheering you on today.”

  

   He began to hide his face with his arms as he caught Jirou’s shit-eating grin and the amusement in Tsuyu’s eyes.

 

   “Okay.” 

   Midoriya nearly jumped out of his skin. You actually said yes?

   You agreed after all that happened? It was undeniable that Midoriya had avoided you like the plague.

 

   “Y.. you forgive me?” He was absolutely floored. The issue had been eating away at him more than he was willing to admit, and he wanted to fix things before the sports festival. He already had enough shivers running through his body.

 

   “For what? I do not recall you committing any repercussions against me.” You stood up, and Midoriya watched you with surprise.

   You weren’t even offended in the slightest??

 

   A metal hand placed itself on the boy’s head in the form of a gentle pat, just like the one Aoyama gave you.

   Midoriya stood frozen, eyes spacing out in disbelief.

   Many eyes were on you and him now. You had never been seen giving anyone affection, and yet..

 

   “Hey! Why don’t you pat my head?” Kaminari huffed, his cheeks reddening as he heard Jirou burst into laughter at his jealousy. 

   “I have realized only recently that a friendship contains affection from both parties.” You lowered your hand from the frazzled Midoriya and turned to Kaminari. “Would you like me to pat you?”

   The whole room broke into a fit of giggles, relieving some pre-festival stress. Bakugou smirked at Kaminari’s embarrassed form and even Iida had a few chuckles.

 

   The blue-haired boy’s small smile disappeared as he eyed the clock. He nearly unhinged his jaw like a snake and yelled, “Is everyone good and ready!? The event’s about to begin!” 

   You all straightened up immediately, the chatter only increasing in excitement. 

   You turned to grab your helmet from the table. Costumes weren’t allowed, but your headgear was for medical reasons. Midnight gave you her seal of approval as long as you kept the hearing feature off at all times. When it wasn’t on, the green button was a dull red.

 

   “Midoriya.” 

   You paid no mind to Todoroki as you walked towards the door, Jirou and Tsuyu by your sides.

   Midoriya was about to follow you. “Todoroki.. What is it?”

   “Objectively, I’m stronger than you.”

 

   The coldest kid in class actually reaching out to someone made everyone take a peek, but what he said was what kept you all hooked. Unable to read the tension, you were just about to leave the room.

   “[L/n].” Todoroki’s tone suddenly became icier. “I’ll talk to you once I’m done with this one.”

   Midoriya gulped upon being referred to with such disdain.

   Kirishima frowned, already prepared to step in if the boy wanted to start something. He didn’t care if Todoroki was the strongest in class. He would do his best to pacify the situation regardless.

 

   “Anyways.. I’m far more capable.”

   Midoriya replied, wide-eyed and uneasy, “Uh.. s-sure.”

   Intently, Todoroki lowered his head, lips downturned. “All Might’s got his eye on you, doesn’t he.”

   The green-haired male across from him stiffened with alarm.

   “Now I’m not about to pry into what that is, but.. I will beat you.”

 

   You kept glancing at the door, and so did Iida. Both of you were itching to leave already.

   “Ooh! A declaration of war from the strongest in class?” Kaminari was eager to absorb the drama. Bakugou scoffed at “the strongest in class.”

 

   Concerned and confused, Kirishima approached Todoroki to put a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, man, why pick a fight now!? We’re about to go on..!”

   Todoroki coldly shrugged his hand off. His words were even colder. “I really don’t care. I’m not pretending to be anyone’s friend here.”

 

   You left. 

   Whatever Todoroki wanted to tell you, he could do it later. Half a minute later, the rest of the class jogged to catch up to you before slowing down to coolly enter the stadium.

 

   “First up.. you know who I’m talkin’ about! The miraculous rising stars who brushed off a villain attack with their steely willpower!” Present Mic boomed through the mic, “The first years of the hero course...” 

   Your classmates all wore determined faces, you the first to enter the light with Midoriya by your side.

 

   “..Class 1-A!”

   Roars from Heroes and civilians alike threatened to take your hearing.

   Your expression was hidden behind your helmet. Upon spotting the biggest camera, you gave it a cute little princess wave, knowing Melissa would watch the re-runs tomorrow.

 

   And little did you know, your relatives would also be watching.

 

   Ice practically formed on the back of your helmet. It was no secret who was staring at you with such malice.

   If there was something besides his father that Todoroki despised with a passion, it was not being listened to with equal respect. It reminded him of his childhood.

 

   Present Mic introduced the other first year classes with not nearly as much flare as yours, much to their chagrin. The general ed course in particular could be heard grumbling. 

   You glanced over at Shinsou who was scanning the once-roaring crowd, his eyes dead as usual.

 

   Gathering in blobs segregated by class, the students gave Midnight their attention.

   The stadium went silent as she cracked her whip and announced, “And now, time for the athlete’s oath!”

 

   You, surprisingly enough, didn’t blush at the sight of her. Your definition of unacceptable-to-look-at was when a lady was showing a lot of skin, but Midnight was technically all covered up. Her costume was just.. highly suggestive.

   Tokoyami, among many others, remarked, “R-rated? Should she really be in a high school?”

   Midnight snapped as she cracked her whip again, “Shut it! Your two student representatives have been chosen for their placement in the entrance exam and recommendation status respectively..”

 

   All eyes went to Bakugou. Some moved to linger on a tense Yaoyorozu and an apathetic Todoroki. 

 

   “From Class 1-A, Bakugou Katsuki!”

   No surprise there. 

   “You’re up first, kid. Come.”

 

   Bakugou’s calm expression never faltered as he moved through the crowd, hands in his pockets.

   Sero informed, “He did place first in the entrance exam, after all.”

   Some girl from the general course saltily butted in, “The hero course exam, you mean.”

 

   You turned your head to directly stare at her. What was she so mean to Sero for? This sports festival was meant for the hero course kids, so you didn’t see why she had to be mad. 

   “Hmph. What’re you looking at, helmet?”

   Sero opened his mouth, about to pull you out of a potential toxic exchange before Midnight used her whip to command silence. 

   Shinsou raised a brow at you in amusement as you faced forward again.

 

   Bakugou stared up at the crowd, hands still nonchalantly stuffed in his pockets. “The athlete’s oath.. make no mistake about it—  I’m gonna take first place!”

   There was an immediate uproar from every other class besides his own. 1-A mentally face-palmed all at the same time.

 

   “Dirty bastard!” yelled someone.

   Iida cried, “Why must you show contempt for the dignity of this event!?”

   “Don’t get cocky, Class A!”

 

   Bakugou dragged his thumb across his throat without a care in the world. “You’ll all make great stepping stones.”

   You could hear Tetsutetsu snarl, “Overconfident jerk! I’ll be the one to crush him!”

 

   “Silence! And without further ado, [L/n] [Name] of Class 1-A!”

 

   Everyone, even you, was surprised. You all knew you were the third ranked recommended kid in class, so it was unexpected that you were the one to represent and not Yaoyorozu.

   Was I chosen randomly?  you thought as you approached the stage.

   It wasn’t like you had self-esteem issues, it was just that you were self-aware. The only reason you’d beaten Yaoyorozu in a scuffle during the battle trial was because you had the range she didn’t.

 

   Now behind the mic, you awkwardly shuffled your feet.

   Midnight whispered to you, “Take the helmet off.”

   You turned to nod before removing it, revealing your face in all its chubby glory. 

 

   Everybody who’d never seen you before gawked. Your face certainly didn’t match your lanky body.

   You continued to stand there in awkward silence (not like you could tell). What were you supposed to say? You didn’t even know what an athlete’s oath was.

 

   Midnight hissed, “Hurry up.”

   You replied, your voice faintly reaching the mic as you turned to her, “What am I supposed to say?”

   

   At this point, 1-A wanted to collapse and die.

   Midnight tried not to smack you upside the head. “..Whatever you want, as long as it’s better than what Bakugou said.”

 

   Back to the cameras you turned, your helmet cradled in your arms and pressing into your ribs. “Let’s.. give our all, everyone.”

   You politely bowed. “Plus Ultra.”

 

   Audience members and peers alike either broke into a comedic sweat or cooed at how endearing you were compared to Bakugou. Nonetheless, the stadium exploded with a collective “PLUS ULTRA!”

Chapter 15: Fear

 The first event was revealed to be an obstacle course.

 

   You spread your fingers as you stood among the sea of nervous students, helmet back on your head.

 

   “Ready!? START!”

 

   You struggled to find space to lift off without burning others. Seeing as the total track was four kilometers, you’d need to clear as much as you could without running. It didn’t help that the swing of your arms exhausted your lungs and upper body in general. You had okay stamina otherwise.

   By the time you passed the gate, many of your classmates were already far ahead of you.

 

   “Don’t be afraid to hurt people.” Ojirou.

 

   Your lips pressed themselves together as you momentarily stopped running to survey the first obstacle.

   It was an expansive, rectangular body of water. Long sections of it rose into the air and whipped around, aiming to cut down the amount of students as soon as possible.

 

   “Every obstacle, of course, needs obstacles! Starting up is what we call watery hell!”

 

   Bakugou flew right through, maneuvering to dodge the whips.

   “Bakugou of 1-A blasts right through!”

   Todoroki stepped right in. He wasted no time in making a tunnel for himself to run through, the water slowly chipping away at his defense. 

   Yaoyorozu dove into the water and swam below the surface, where the “hands” of water wouldn’t reach her.

   Upon seeing her successfully emerge on the other side, many other kids followed suit. However, unlike her, they forgot to watch out for the vortex-like sources of the hands. They got swept up and spat out like gum.

 

   You spun in a circle with your arms stretched out, your beams set at 93 C.

   Cries of pain and the smell of burning skin permeated the air and you closed your eyes, feeling a pang in your chest.

 

   Running ahead, you switched your beams for rockets and said, “I’m sorry.”

   Through the air you soared, catching up to the leads. 

 

   “[L/n] wipes out the competition! Ruthless!”

   Everyone else in 1-A shared a collective moment of surprise, some looking back to see what exactly you did.

    Various students clutched their shoulders and arms, the material of their uniform charred and their skin flaky and red. 

   Your classmates’ eyes widened. 

 

   There was a reason why you were recommended.

 

   “Next up is a vicious battalion of robots!” Present Mic’s grin widened. “This is only the beginning, kids!”

 

   “It’s that damn tin can’s family!” Bakugou snarked as he threw an explosive punch, destroying one robot’s head. These ones were small and high in number, but much more aggressive than the bots you’d faced in the entrance exam.

   Tsuyu nailed one with a well-executed dropkick. “That’s not funny, Bakugou.”

   Todoroki simply froze every one he came across. Yaoyorozu destroyed them with her cannon. 

   Kaminari gulped as he weaved through, thanking his fast reflexes. Jirou stabbed the bots and tore them apart from the inside with tremors.

 

   You landed in a roll at the center of the chaos, deciding you were in a good enough place to stop flying. Flipping your switch and cranking up the temperature to 482 C, you blasted any robots who came to attack you. “I am not a robot, Bakugou—“

   He shoved past you. “Does it look like I give a fuck!?”

   You ran after him. “To care is a decision, not an item to gi—“

   You narrowly dodged an explosion he threw back at you.

 

    “Are you ready for this!? It’s a rock wall within a Quirk-nullifying barrier! You can’t just rely on your Quirk all the time, folks!”

   Bakugou instantly grinned like a madman. He was the first to pass through the barrier, leaving a blue, rippling glow. 

   Kirishima immediately followed, his grin just as wide. 

   Everyone who liked climbing, hiking or was just strong in general considered scaling the twenty feet wall a piece of cake.

 

   You fit none of these criteria and yet this was nothing for you.

 

   Right through the barrier and up the wall you went,  arms thrown downward to fly upward.

   Noises of confusion rose from just about everyone in the stadium.

   Mic spluttered, “W-what’s this!? Class A’s [L/n]’s Quirk still works!?”

 

   Eyes going white with fury, Bakugou screeched, “GET BACK HERE, YOU QUIRKLESS FUCK!”

   Everyone outside of 1-A’s jaws dropped. “QUIRKLESS!?”

 

   Aizawa gruffly cut in. “Yep, he’s Quirkless. Don’t know how you missed those prostheses.”

   As he pointed them out, the cameras zoomed in on your arms for a second or two.

   Some gen ed kid clicked their tongue. “Damn these Heroics brats!”

 

   You landed on your feet and from the top of the wall, you took a gander at the next obstacle.

   “G.. good luck getting past the minefield! Watch where you step! It’s an Afghan carpet!”

 

   You switched your boosters on and off as you lowered yourself to the ground, your eyes picking up the faint outlines of the mines.

   You stood still, feet shifting. You weren’t used to being in first. 

   Maybe you should wait for the others..? You didn’t even know what landmines were. What did they do? Present Mic didn’t explain.

 

   You set the temperature to 900 C and shot at a mine ten feet away. 

   It exploded.

   You nodded to yourself, hearing the others starting to climb back down.

 

   Now you began to toe your way through. 

   You couldn’t bring yourself to turn around and burn the others; not again.

   Were you really scared like Ojirou said you were? You weren’t sure you even felt fear.

 

   Bakugou started out on foot as well, as did Todoroki. By now, most kids shared the same idea to preserve themselves for later. 

   Despite you being there first, the less hesitant members of the student body began to surpass you. Bakugou and Todoroki were grappling with each other near the front.

   Someone shouldered you and you sharply inhaled.

 

   Everything seemed to slow down as you descended towards a mine, any potential footing too narrow to use. 

   You’d seen what they could do. They could blast you right off the course, and at this rate, you would be hitting two at the same time.

 

   Two sturdy arms hooked underneath your armpits. “[L/n]! Are you alright?”

   You were on your toes, your body stretched four feet over one mine and Iida’s feet spread to avoid the mine right beneath him.

 

   “Yes. Thank you, Iida.”   

   He moved in a circle to get you back up on your feet. As he opened his mouth to bid you farewell, an explosion cut him off.

   Out of the smoke and riding on a piece of sheet metal was Midoriya. Wide eyes watched as he zoomed over the field, losing momentum just as he passed Bakugou and Todoroki.

   “GET BACK HERE, DEKU!” The blond of the two gnashed his teeth and hurled his arms back to fly away. 

   Todoroki clicked his teeth and made a path of ice for himself. There wasn’t any more time to worry about whether or not it would help the others. 

   “Our former leaders have called a ceasefire to chase down Midoriya!”

 

   When the duo reached the freckled boy, he was upside down midair. 

   And then he flipped upright when they passed him. With a powerful slam, he detonated more mines and was in the air once more.

   “And Midoriya cuts off the competition with no time to lose! Your class is something else, Eraserhead! What’re you teaching them!?”

    

   “Thank you, Iida.” After thanking him again, you moved away to lift off without getting him caught in the flames. 

   He firmly nodded before continuing to sprint once more. 

   “And the first to return to the stadium is.. Midoriya!”

 

   You now ran a few feet behind and to the right of Todoroki and Bakugou, the two having a one-sided argument. 

   You glanced at Bakugou. He was the angriest you’d seen him since the battle trial.

   Facing forward again, you wondered why you didn’t have as much motivation as he did to cross the finish line.

 

   “After Todoroki and Bakugou, [L/n] comes in fourth! 1-A is crazy!”

 

   As the camera focused on the three of you, you took off your helmet and elegantly tossed your head a bit to get rid of some of the sweat.

   A kid from 1-B with visible teeth had a drop of sweat appear on his temple at the sight. “This isn’t a shampoo commercial..”   

 

   You didn’t seem to hear him as you sat down at the sidelines to wipe yourself off. Removing your shirt to reveal a thin white tank, you gently patted your face, neck and hair. You only did it gently after Aoyama smacked you once for ruining your own hair by scrubbing it.

 

   “Hey, you.”

   You removed the fabric from your face to peer up at someone who looked like the kazoo kid. “My name is [L/n] [Name].”

   The boy rolled his eyes. “Mhm. Anyways, why do you get to wear your costume? Isn’t that not allowed?”

   His eyes crinkled as he sneered. “1-A has some privileges, I see.”

   You were about to tell him exactly what was wrong, but then you remembered Midnight said not to. Instead, you curtly replied, “Medical reasons.”

 

   “Medical reasons, eh?” His smirk broadened, a hand reaching out towards your head. “Let’s see exactly what’s—“

   His eyes rolled back and his soul flew from his open mouth as he fell forward, leading you to catch him with surprise.

   The one who incapacitated the stranger was yet another stranger, a girl with carrot-colored hair tied up into a side pony. “Are you alright? Tch. He can stoop really low sometimes.”

   Did he.. wish to harm me?

  

   Feeling like you touched something you shouldn’t have, you quickly let him pitifully roll onto the grass. You stood up and and answered, “Yes, I am fine. Thank you for asking.”

   “This idiot..” She sighed as she crouched down to slap the blond awake. “Isn’t it clear he’s got a head issue? Be considerate, Monoma!”

   She was answered with a groan.    

 

   You walked away and immersed yourself within the 1-A blob, listening to Midnight as she explained the upcoming calvary battle.

   Every player’s point value depended on their placement out of forty-seven people, and poor Midoriya was worth a whopping ten million points.

   When Midnight gave you all fifteen minutes to form a four to five man team, everyone immediately scuttled away from Midoriya. Rest in peace.

 

   Clutching your helmet to your chest, you scanned the sea of faces with uncertainty. Many were swarming either Todoroki or Bakugou, knowing they would come through.

   In 1-A, it was no secret that you had a difficult time using your beams on others. And 1-B stuck to themselves.

   Almost everyone here was here to win, and they needed someone they could rely on to come through.

   You looked down, your lashes brushing your cheeks. 

   I need to.. rid myself of my “fear.”

 

   “Hey.”

Chapter 16: Burn

“Hey.”

 

   Rings of bright [e/c] met dull indigo ones.

   You stared at his scheming smile that didn’t reach his eyes; the one he seemed to wear half the time you knew him. 

 

   “Not greeting me back? It’s not like I’m gonna brainwash you.” As Shinsou said that, there were exactly three blank-eyed individuals spread out behind him— Aoyama, Ojirou and a student from 1-B. Given you’d never seen yourself in the mirror while you were brainwashed, you couldn’t tell they were under Shinsou’s spell.

   “Hey.” You blinked upon seeing that you were still in control of your body.

   “You wanna help me, don’t you?” Shinsou held out a hand and tilted his head. “You can help me by joining my team.”

   After your eyes looked around only to see everyone was already in a team, your feet began to fidget. “Kaminari says I shouldn’t talk to you..”

   What were you saying? It wasn’t like you had a choice—

 

   “What choice do you have?” Shinsou grinned as he caught sight of your feet. “Consider this allowing you to help me.”

   You slowly made eye contact again. “..Okay.”

   “Now, to form a strategy..” He hummed as he turned around to face the rest of your team.

 

   From afar, Kaminari gulped upon seeing you walk forward to stand next to Shinsou. “Are you kidding me..? I told him to stay away from that guy!”

   Iida narrowed his eyes and adjusted his glasses. “It can’t be helped. I suppose he’s been brainwashed, and I don’t think any of us know how to break it.”

 

   Yaoyorozu put a hand near her lips. “As concerned as I am, there’s something else we— no, everyone here has to worry about.”

   Todoroki moved his glaring eyes from you to Yaoyorozu. “What is it?”

   “His range and destructive power.” Yaoyorozu’s soft lips thinned into a line. “Remember when he incapacitated the rear by burning them all? Although we’re not allowed to break others’ formations, he can very well do just that while under Shinsou’s control.”

   Iida held a finger up. “It is also a very good tool to manipulate other teams to go where Shinsou wants them to.”

 

   “..How does he brainwash people?”

   Everyone turned to Todoroki and then Kaminari.

   The blond’s brows furrowed. “I actually don’t know.. I never actually bothered looking into it.”

   Todoroki clicked his teeth with dismay.

 

   It was admittedly awkward trying to form a horse with five people.

   After much trial and error, this was the final formation:

   You as the rider to ensure your arms had a free range of movement.

   Aoyama in the very front.

   Shinsou as the left flank.

   Shoda right flank.

   Ojirou in the very back, his hands on the flanks’ backs to pass as a formation.

 

   Shinsou grinned like the Cheshire cat. “If they want our headband, they’ll have to take off your helmet.”

   The headband, worth quite the amount seeing as you placed fourth, was around your neck. 

   “Even then, they’ll be reluctant to try and grab it.” His face relaxed as he chuckled to himself. “It’s either stay away or get burned. Right, [L/n]?”

   You remained silent.

   “Right?”

   “..Right.”

 

   Shinsou sighed, swiveling his head around to check out the other formations. “That helmet of yours also means it’ll be difficult to put headbands on without taking the time to untie them first..”

   “Excuse me. Please break formation.”

   Shinsou raised a brow. “What is it?”

   “I’m taking it off.” 

   He was at a loss for words. Would you really risk more brain damage just for this match..? He didn’t know what exactly was wrong with you, but he knew there was a reason why you wore your helmet.

 

   “..Everyone, lower [L/n] to the ground.”

   You stepped away and gently set your helmet on the grass, far away from the sandy ring.

   When you came back, Shinsou asked without looking, “Sure about this?”

   “Yes.”

 

   “Formed your teams!? Made your plans!? Too bad if you haven’t! Here we go!! The countdown to this brutal battle royale!”

   Shinsou eyed the side of your head with faint concern. It wasn’t like he cared about you, he just noticed that you were very docile and quiet compared to when you pestered him for three days straight. 

   

   “Three!”

   

   What did that chatty blond kid say about him? That Shinsou was a horrible, villainous manipulator? That was nothing new.

   Did you just not feel good? Feeling nervous?

 

   “Two!” The audience chanted along with Present Mic.

 

   Or did you choose not to interact with Shinsou on your own? 

 

   “One! START!”

 

   Shinsou began directing the team to run along the sidelines, scoping out the competition.

   It was obvious that the others were scrambling for the ten million. Shinsou wasn’t about to join the scrimmage, however. Watching Midoriya’s facial expressions change every second was also pretty entertaining.

   He had to admit.. their mid-range defense was pretty good.

 

   But..

   Shinsou grinned.

   Our defense is better.

 

   “Well, two minutes have barely passed, but the battlefield’s already chaotic! With everyone scrambling for headbands, it’s not just the ten million out there! The other high rankers are worth a shot as well!”

   Just as Mic said that, two kids from 1-B came directly from the front. The boy with braided hair, who you recognized as Rin Hiryu of 1-B, was riding another particularly hairy student like a horse.

 

   Shinsou muttered, “The hell..? Aoyama, fire!”

   The blue laser missed as the beast-like student dodged to the right. 

   “[L/n], fire!”

   You opened your right hand, lips tight.

   “I said fire!”

 

   When Rin got close enough to rip your headband straight off your neck, you released a horrific 900 C blast.

   I forgot to turn down the temperature.

 

   Despite coating his entire front and his right arm in thick scales, Rin let out a choked scream.

   “Sir Rin!” His teammate called out in worry. “Are you alright!?”

   He sprinted away, worriedly throwing glances back at his rider.

 

   “Agh— ah! Yes, I’m.. alright!” Rin grit his teeth as he examined his charred right forearm.

   It was completely black and blood oozed from the cracks. He hurriedly shrugged off his P.E. shirt from the rest of his body and while the right sleeve was still on, he wrapped the fabric around his arm. The entire time, he was holding back cries of agony.

 

   Your breathing became shallow as you turned the knob back to 93 C. This temperature was enough to give first to second degree burns, and you just hit Rin with 900 C.

 

   “W-woah! [L/n] burns Rin from 1-B like a failed kebab! Truly ruthless!”

   “Rin! Shishida!” Midnight’s eyes were wide as she called them over to her stand. “If you want Rin to keep his arm, you will have to withdraw!”

   “Yes!” They both painfully grunted at the same time. 

 

   “[L/n]!” She barked.

   The entire time, your fellow students watched both you and Rin with eyes the size of the moon.

   You hit Rin with enough power to disable him?

   

   “Try that again, and you will be disqualified! And where’s your helmet!?”

   Shinsou spoke up for you, seeing as you were still staring at your right hand with disbelief. “He forgot to change the temperature. And his helmet is gone for easier access for headbands.”

   While Shinsou talked it out with Midnight, Rin tossed his own headband to you, and you caught it with your left hand.

 

   “Aiyah.. it hurts, but you’re amazing, [L/n]. Keep it.” Rin stiffly nodded at you as a grim Shishida carried him off the field.

   You held it with both hands as you watched them go.

   I hurt you. I’m not amazing. No.. not in the slightest.

 

   “We’re not disqualified, [L/n]. Let’s go.”

   You swallowed. “Yes.”

 

   “[L.. L/n]?” Ashido managed to choke out. “Th-that’s not like him..”

   Kirishima furrowed his brows. “He doesn’t seem to be brainwashed or anything.. What’s the matter with him?”

   Bakugou grit his teeth and tugged at the boy’s hair. “Who fucking cares!?”

   At the same time, his red eyes followed you like a hawk. Just what were you planning, pulling a stunt like that?

 

   Shinsou thickly swallowed, sweat running down his temple. Ten minutes had passed, your team managed to snag two more headbands and yet you still hadn’t stopped trembling.

   “Oi. [L/n].”

   Gripping the headbands around your neck for extra security, you quietly replied, “Yes?”

   “Don’t.. don’t let what happened back there bother you.” Shinsou swallowed again. Damn, he was bad at this comforting thing, but if he wanted to win this, he had to give it all he had. “It wasn’t your fault.”

 

   You nodded, already knowing that. 

   The issue was hearing Rin scream, watching his face contort with pain and horror, hearing him call you amazing after you hurt him like that.

   You’d never heard someone scream with such agony. You’d never heard anyone bite back cries as they wrapped their wounds; never had someone praise you after you did something horrible.

 

   “[L/n], right!”

   You threw a punch with your right and it connected  with Kendo’s palm. She grinned, brows furrowing as she closed her hand around your entire forearm.

   She saw how despite your face not changing in the slightest, you were troubled by what you did to Rin; and as bad as she felt, she was going to take advantage of that.

 

   “Away from the main battle, Team Kendo has a tight grip on Team [L/n]!”

   

   Shinsou barked, “Shoda! Twin Impact!”

   Kendo’s hand was blown back by an impact several times stronger than your punch, which already left a bruise.

   Your team ran away as Kendo’s quickly tailed you.

   She yelled, “You’re not getting away that easily!”

   

   The formation skidded to turn back around and Aoyama fired off a laser, forcing Kendo’s team to veer off to their right.

   “[L/n]! Fire!”

   Your jaw tightening, you flung up your left hand in response to Kendo raising her own left. 

 

   It was only when she got too close that you fired off a beam at her. Slapping your entire arm so hard you flinched, she managed to snag one of your headbands with a large finger.

   Shinsou commanded, “Shoda, Twin Impact!”

 

   As her team ran away, Kendo grunted in pain and unwillingly opened her palm in response to the burn on it suddenly becoming several times more painful.   

   When your team ran by, Shoda was ordered to hold his right hand out and he caught the falling headband. 

 

   “Three minutes left!”

 

   “We’re good. This should be enough.” Shinsou directed the team away from Kendo’s, losing them in the crossfire.

   He panted, wiping his sweaty cheek on his shoulder. He had to admit that he wasn’t very athletic, but the heat you radiated was making everything worse.

 

   “Don’t you have a cooling system?”

   You untied your P.E. shirt from your waist and patted yourself down. “I do not.”

    Shinsou groaned. 

 

    “One minute and thirty seconds!”

 

   “Hey, hey, hey.. Standing still on a battle field?”  

   Shinsou whipped his head around to see a familiar gray-eyed blond simper as his team carried him towards you.

   As he moved the team along, Shinsou warned you, “That copycat bastard is following us. Watch the back.”

 

   You curiously peered behind you and then your head stayed stuck.

   It was instantaneous.

   Just as the boy got within seven feet of your team, you threw your right arm back and fired. 

   Fortunately for him, he managed to whip his head out of the way in time, the smug smile wiped off his face.

 

   Shinsou had a gut feeling that this wasn’t going to end well if they engaged. So he ran, chuckling and asking you, “What was that?”

   “Kirishima says.. if someone wants to hurt you, pay them back tenfold.”

 

   He squinted up at you. “..Where was that when the others attacked us?”

   You let go of Aoyama’s shoulder to touch your left temple. “..After the obstacle race, that boy figured out I had medical issues and reached for my head.”

   Said boy smiled ominously at you before turning his team around to go after Bakugou’s.

 

   Seeing as every team besides Bakugou’s, Midoriya’s, Monoma’s, Todoroki’s and some unknown kid’s was frozen in place and the five were battling in the center, your team was safe.

   Unless Bakugou ditched the ten million to go after you, of course. However, he was pissed off enough by Monoma and Midoriya to forget about you.

 

   “While the other top five duke it out in the center, Team [L/n] relaxes in third place!”

Chapter 17: Team

  “TIME’S UP!”

 

   Shinsou dissolved the formation and so did the other team leaders. Everyone was sweaty, tired and panting. 

 

   “Let’s see who the top five teams are!”

   The cameras panned on each team as they were called.

 

   “In first place, Team Todoroki! In second, Team Bakugou!”

   The spiky-haired male was criss-crossed on the floor, groaning in rage.

 

   “In third, Team Tetsu— huh!? Team [L/n]!?”

   Shinsou smirked, glancing over his shoulder at his bewildered team. “Thanks for the help.”

   At the last second, Shinsou finally used his Quirk to nab some headbands, increasing the gap between third and fourth place.

 

   “In fourth, Team Midoriya!”

   He started crying so hard he broke the floor.

   “In fifth is Team Wakatori! These five teams will proceed to the finals!”

 

   “[L/n].”

   You turned to see Ojirou’s hand stop just before touching your shoulder. He furrowed his short brows and pressed, “What happened? I didn’t realize what was happening until the end..”

   Shoda meekly nodded to show his curiosity, his hands holding each other. Aoyama wore a grim expression. 

   Shinsou was already gone.

 

   “What do you mean?” You moved to face them fully. 

   “Wait.. were you brainwashed, too? Damn!” Ojirou clicked his tongue and brushed past you. “Let’s go..”

   His tail waved indignantly, just like a frustrated cat’s. All you and Aoyama could do was follow him while Shoda walked away to the 1-B entrance.

   You were just as quiet and obedient as the others had been, so even though Ojirou had regained control near the end, he didn’t suspect you of anything. You didn’t come off as the scheming type, anyway.

 

   “This sucks.. but congratulations all the same, Mina, [L/n].” Tsuyu huffed, staring straight ahead as you all filed into the stadium. 

   Ashido sighed and scratched the back of her head. “Bakugou only picked me as a counterstrategy against Todoroki’s ice. This win doesn’t really say anything about my strength.”

   She then worriedly looked up at you from your right. “Uh.. you’re okay, right, [L/n]?”

   Your peers kept glancing at you every now and then, their expressions mainly of concern. You were a bigger threat than any of them had ever imagined, but you were still the same [L/n] who wouldn’t hurt a fly. Even if you knew the temperature was set that high, you wouldn’t have fired at Rin.

 

   Your hands tightened around your helmet. “..I wish to apologize. However, I am aware it was not my fault.”

   Tsuyu scrutinized you, picking up on how soft your voice was. “You’re right. It’s not your fault, but you still did that to him. Just because you didn’t mean to doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apologize.”

   Iida fell back from Uraraka and Midoriya to join the conversation. “Yes! Asui is exactly right! I do think his forgiveness will lift both your spirits!”

 

   Rin was out cold when you got to the infirmary.

 

   “You really did a number on him, you know..? Ah, it’ll be quite a while before he wakes up.”

   You gripped the doorway as you absorbed Recovery Girl’s words and the sight of Rin’s arm wrapped in bloody bandages.

   “He’s lucky he’s got that Quirk of his. I don’t think he would still have his skin otherwise.”

 

   “When..?”

   “Hm?” The old woman swiveled from her desk to face you.

   “When will he..” You nearly broke part of the doorway. “..wake up?”

   She was silent for a few moments before sighing in pity for both you and Rin. “I’m afraid it’ll be long enough for him to be transferred to a hospital, dearie. I did what I could, but it’ll scar.”

 

   She then tossed you a lollipop. “The only reason I’m not yelling at you is because I know it was a mistake. Now go eat lunch.”

   You fumbled with the lolly before finally clasping it securely in your left hand. “Yes, Ms. Recovery Girl.”

 

   Scar.

   You recalled asking Kirishima about the rose pink dash extending from his eye.

   “Oh, this? It’s just a scar from when I first got my Quirk.”

 

   You munched on a fried octopus snack that Shouji gave you as you sat next to him in the break room. Your peers were chatting it up, sitting in their individual groups with Todoroki and Midoriya nowhere to be seen.

   Shouji ate using one of his hand-mouths. He wasn’t exactly your friend, but he recalled Koda telling him that he saw you trying and failing to use a vending machine. Shouji figured he’d at least give you some lunch.

 

   “Hey, [L/n].” Kaminari came over and leaned an arm on your shoulder, a toothpick sticking out from his lips. “Is that Rin guy okay?”

   You swallowed your food. “Yes.”

   He sighed in relief. “Phew! You have no idea how scary you are. Your power’s still cool though. It’s sort of like Endeavor’s.”

   “Who is Endeavor?”

 

   The entire side of that room fell silent, leading to the other half quieting down and looking over in curiosity. 

   Clutching his head, Kaminari screeched, “You don’t know who Endeavor is!?”

   From another table, Tokoyami shook his head and chided, “The fool doesn’t even know what Halloween is.”

   The class was used to you being a literal alien (you once asked Hagakure what a cat was), but they never failed to be taken aback.

  

   The room immediately began to bustle with chatter again and you popped another piece of fried octopus into your mouth.

   Shouji murmured, “Do you know what you’re eating, [L/n]?”

   When you tried to take it back out of your mouth to inspect it, Shouji’s hand darted forward and slapped your hand away.

   Koda whispered, “I-it’s fried octopus..”

 

   “You shouldn’t eat what you don’t know.” Kaminari jokingly clucked as he shook his head. 

   “It smells and looks edible.” You pushed it into one cheek to talk. “I do not have to be wary of unknown foods if a comrade provides it.”

   “Sero!” He snapped, whipping around. “You taught him that word, didn’t you!? We don’t need any more communists in this household!”

   The blond was answered by smug cackles.

   

   “[L/n]!” Kirishima grinned as he tapped your other shoulder. “Let’s go get some food. Are you still hungry?”

   You nodded and he locked arms with you to drag you out the room.

 

   Ojirou’s tail wagged anxiously as he watched you leave. 

   You were, without a doubt, one of the easiest people here to take advantage of. Even though you generously offered to help Shinsou, he still brainwashed you.

   At least, that’s what Ojirou believed.

                      

                                        

 

 

 

   “Before we get to the final event, I’ve got good news for those all out of the running! This is still a sports festival, so we’ve prepared a recreational activity for all participants!”

    Present Mic spoke as first years filed into the ring. “We even shipped in cheerleaders from the U.S. to get you pumped up!”

 

   He then paused, holding a hand above his brows. “Hmm!? What’s this!?”

   Aizawa’s eye twitched. “What’re they doing..?”

  

   “Class A, why!?”

   The girls of 1-A all looked like they wanted to punch someone in the throat as they stood in a line, all wearing cheerleading outfits and carrying pom-poms.

   Yaoyorozu raised a pom-pom indignantly and yelled, “Mineta! Kaminari! You tricked us!”

   The two boys grinned and sent each other a thumb’s up. You were standing next to them and politely holding your hands over your eyes, your cheeks a flaming red.

   Melissa says not to look..

 

   “Once the recreational activity is over, we’re moving on to the final event!”

   Everyone participating in the event besides you had a glint of determination in their eyes. You kind of just stood there.

   “Between the members of the five winning teams, we’ll have a formal tournament! A series of one-on-one battles!”

 

   Just as Midnight was about to draw lots to decide the match-ups, Ojirou raised his hand.

   “Uh.. excuse me.”

   Midnight blinked. “Yes?”

   “I’d like.. to withdraw.”

 

   “What!?” was the collective cry of disbelief from your peers.

   “Ojirou, why!?”

   “This is your chance to get noticed by the Pros!”

 

   You gazed down at him. “What is the reason, Ojirou?”

   He gave you a pained glance before continuing, “The calvary battle.. I have no memories of anything that happened up to the tail end. It’s probably his Quirk that did it..”

   Shinsou looked away when Midoriya glared at him knowingly.

 

   It was now that you realized Ojirou had been brainwashed. You whipped your head over to Shinsou, eyes wide.

   Had the others been brainwashed, too? Why were you the only one conscious?

 

   Ojirou’s brows furrowed strongly enough to create a solid trench. “I know this is a great opportunity.. And I know how stupid it must seem to throw it away..”

   The hand he raised moved to curl into a fist before his chest. “..but this final tournament— everyone else here made it by their own strength. Yet I’m standing here, and I don’t even know how or why. I just can’t take it.”

   Hagakure worriedly chirped, “You’re thinking about it too hard! Just show them what you’re made of in the tournament!”

   Ashido added, “By that logic, I shouldn’t be here either!”

   “No..” Ojirou’s voice trembled, and so did he. He held his face with one hand. “I’m talking about my pride here.. I don’t think it’s right. And why are you girls dressed like that, anyway..?”

 

   “I can’t remember anything either..” Shoda piped up, a hand clenched like Ojirou’s, “I wanna withdraw, too! This is a contest of skill. Letting someone who didn’t do anything advance.. it defeats the whole point of the sports festival, doesn’t it? Isn’t it even against the rules?”

 

   Kirishima squinted and teared up. “These guys..! So manly!”

   A bead of sweat appeared on Mic’s temple. “This is a strange turn of events..”

   Aizawa glanced down at Midnight. “What will the coordinator decide..?”

 

   “How naïve and green..” Midnight suddenly boomed as she cracked her whip, “I like it!“

   She regained her composure. “Shoda and Ojirou have officially withdrawn!”

   Aoyama sparkled as he placed a hand on Ojirou’s shoulder. “We’ll win it for you.”

 

   He winked and tilted his head towards you, who was staring at him in what seemed like anticipation.

   Aoyama will not withdraw, it seems. He was not brainwashed like Ojirou and Shoda?

 

   “Replacing those two will be members of Team Kendo, which took sixth.”

   Kendo herself placed her hands on her hips. “If it’s gonna be like that.. shouldn’t it be them instead? I mean, we were immobilized practically the whole time. But they were giving it all to keep what they had until the very end..”

 

   Team Tetsutetsu jolted as she said, “..Team Tetsutetsu, I mean.”

   When she saw their shocked faces, she sighed and smiled. “Don’t worry, we’re not colluding or anything. This just feels right.”

   Tetsutetsu shook. “Y-you guys..!”

   It was now his turn (after Midoriya and Kirishima’s) to cry dramatically.

   “So be it. Tetsutetsu and Shiozaki bring us back up to twenty-one competitors. And here are the match-ups!”

 

   It took you a few seconds to figure out how to read the map. 

   First you would be fighting someone named Akajima. If you beat them, you would be fighting either Wakatori or Hamada.

   “Are you reading the map alright, comrade?” Sero crookedly grinned as he nudged your rib with an elbow.

   “Yes, comrade. Thank you for asking.”

   Kaminari huffed, “Communism is bad!”

 

   “Hey, Kaminari! Mineta! I challenge you to a duel in the recreational activity, you bastards!” Ashido gripped your arm. “And [L/n]’s on my team!”

   Sero perked up. “Oh! Can I join in?”

   He then shuddered. “I really should conserve my energy for the fight against Todoroki, though..”

   Ashido hummed. “Sure! I should, too, but I just really wanna pummel those two right now.”

   Kaminari and Mineta shivered simultaneously.

 

   Five minutes later, Kaminari and Mineta were running away from Ashido. They were all running around on top of gigantic balls and the only thing keeping the escaping perverts upright was fear.

   “Get back here!”

   Sero stood perfectly still on top of his ball, chuckling and shaking his head at the screaming boys. “They got what they asked for. But I’m not gonna lie, the girls did look good.”

   He swiveled his head to the right. “Don’t you agree?”

   You were splayed out on top of your ball belly-first like a starfish. “If they are not decent to look at, I can only conclude they do not look “good.””

 

   “[L/n]! Sero! Help us!” Kaminari and Mineta wailed as they came barreling towards your direction, a furious Ashido running after them.

   Sero guffawed and was able to roll himself out of the way, but not you.

 

   The boys flattened you like the pancakes you love so much and they fell to the ground.

   Mineta let out a feral screech and Shouji, who was also playing along with Koda, immediately rolled away.

   Ashido’s ball screeched to a stop and she panted, “You guys were supposed to die, not [L/n]!”

   

   Kaminari weakly croaked, “Boys.. W-what do we say when something doesn’t go the way it’s supposed to?”

   You, him, and Mineta choked out simultaneously, “Cha cha real smooth..”

Chapter 18: Even Still

"Hey guys! Are you ready!? You've been through hell to get here!"

 

   The flames on each corner of the stage roared to life.

   "But now it's time for the one-on-one tournament!" Present Mic grinned eagerly. "You've only got yourself to rely on! Even if you're not a Hero, this saying holds true! Spirit, technique, strength, wisdom and knowledge! Use 'em all and show us your best!"

 

   Your legs gently swung back and forth as you sat next to Sero, a Band-Aid on your left cheek from when you got flattened and a lollipop in your mouth. Your helmet sat snug in your lap.

   (E/c) eyes darted left and right, following the two figures that emerged from opposite sides of the stadium.

   "The first match! Making a weird face despite his excellent performance, it's Midoriya Izuku! Versus-- sorry, but this guy hasn't really done anything to stand out yet! It's Shinsou Hitoshi from General Studies!"

   Midoriya popped his knuckles, an anxious yet stubborn look on his face. Shinsou merely had a hand on his nape.

 

   As Mic explained the rules, Sero turned to you to ask, "That Shinsou guy isn't your friend, is he?"

   You shook your head. "No."

   You had no doubts about Shinsou. He wasn't pleasant, wasn't agreeable and never gave you affection.

   Or was he just not pleasant because you pestered him so much..?

   No. You shook your head again. I need to be firm like Yaoyorozu said.

   But.. I am meant to help people.

   Is there a way to help Shinsou?

 

   ""I give up," huh?" Shinsou lowered his hand and tilted his head forward, a dramatic shadow accentuating his glaring eyes. "Get it, Midoriya Izuku? This battle's going to test your strength of will."

   Midoriya jolted upon being addressed out of the blue. His first encounter with the boy before him nearly ended in him being brainwashed if not for Ojirou covering his mouth with his tail.

   Shinsou sneered, "Like that monkey, babbling about his stupid pride."

   Midoriya's eyes blew wide and twitched.

 

   "Readyyy!? START!"

   "What kind of dumbass throws away a chance like this?"

   Midoriya's jaw slammed open as he charged forward and demanded, "What did you just say!?"

 

   He then froze in his tracks. His eyes were completely blank.

   Shinsou rasped, "That's it. I win."

   Ojirou gripped his head and cried, "Damn it, Midoriya, I warned you!"

   Your head produced a left tilt. "I see now, since I am not the one being brainwashed. Shinsou requires a response to activate his Quirk."

   "It took you two weeks to figure that out..?" Sero gave you a weary look.

 

   "Hey, hey, what's wrong? This battle's just beginning. Show us some spirit! Mere seconds into the match, Midoriya's frozen in place!?"

   You leaned forward to get a better look at Midoriya.

   "Looking confounded, he's not even twitching! Could this be Shinsou's Quirk!?"

   Uraraka whimpered, "Deku..!?"

 

   The cameras panned from Midoriya to Shinsou.

    "We were barely aware this guy even existed, but now.. he sure is one to keep an eye on!"

 

   "Must be nice having everything handed to you, Midoriya Izuku. Now turn around and walk out of the ring."

   Midoriya did as told.

   "Whoa! Midoriya's following orders like a good little boy!"

   Kaminari snorted at Mic's commentary and Jirou shot him a disappointed (but what did she really expect?) look.

   

   Your head fell to the right this time. "Is the logical decision not to order Midoriya to run?"

   Sero crossed his arms, closing his eyes and shaking his head. "This is what we call "plot convenience.""

   "You wouldn't think so, but.." Shinsou watched with his typical dead expression as Midoriya kept walking. "..this Quirk of mine is like a dream. You lose."

 

   A gust of wind was suddenly expelled from Midoriya's now-broken index and middle fingers. The gust was so strong that even though Midoriya was at the ring's very edge, Shinsou had to shield his face.

   Midoriya breathed and gasped, eyes wide in terror as he registered that the toes of his shoes nearly touched the white border.

   "What's this..!?"

   He looked over his shoulder, still hunched over.

   "He stopped!?"

   Your lips silently parted.

 

   Ojirou gulped. "Wow.. to go that far."

   "How!? You shouldn't have control.. What'd you do!?" Shinsou growled as he gained a more cautious stance, ready to run if needed.

   Midoriya slapped a hand over his own mouth. After checking on his fingers, he rapidly waved his head before turning around.

   Shinsou bared his teeth upon realizing Ojirou more than likely told Midoriya about his Quirk. Uneasily smirking, he said, "Nothing to say for yourself?"

 

   He was getting desperate, eyes widening and lips forming a grin. "I'm jealous..! That finger move must mean you're the real deal."

   Sweat ran down his face. "Thanks to my Quirk's nature, I was never able to enter the golden gates! You wouldn't get that. You're naturally blessed."

   If only Shinsou knew.

   "You people.. born with your awesome Quirks.." Shinsou roared, "..getting to follow your dreams!"

   For the final touch, he added, "Even that [L/n] has an amazing power, and the fucker wasn't even born with it!"

 

   Midoriya closed the gap, one forearm against the other boy's ribs and the other hand on his right shoulder.

   Shinsou grabbed Midoriya's upper arm with his left and socked him with the right. "Say something already!"

   "AHHHHHH!" was Midoriya's only response, filled with too many feelings to count. He was blessed by the people in his life, he knew that, and that was why..

   he wasn't going to lose.

 

   Midoriya kept on pushing. Shinsou grunted, "Trying to push me out? Not gonna happen!"

   He strategically moved to the right, forcing Midoriya to fall forward.

   "I'll give you that honor instead!" A hand grabbed the freckled boy's face.

   Midoriya nearly unhinged his jaw in order to get away before grabbing Shinsou's extended arm and pulling him into the air and slamming him down on his back. He screamed as he did so.

 

   Upon seeing Shinsou's heels slam into the white border, Midnight sliced her hand through the air. "Shinsou is out of the ring!"

   Midoriya straightened up, panting wildly. Shinsou screwed his eye shut, teeth bared.

   "Midoriya moves on to the second round!"

 

   "[L/n]..? Don't tell me you're gonna talk to that guy."

   You turned to lock eyes with Ojirou as you were just one step away from fully exiting the aisle.

   He narrowed his gaze. "After what he did to us, [L/n]? More likely than not, he said something bad about me-- or you, to provoke Midoriya."

   Yaoyorozu's lips thinned before telling Ojirou, "Shinsou was trying just as hard as the rest of us, Ojirou. Given what his Quirk appears to be, he had no other choice."

   "I know.. I know." The boy slumped in his seat, utterly defeated. "I won't stop you, [L/n]."

   As you disappeared into the stadium, Sero called, "Be back in time to see my match!"

   He sighed and added, "Or maybe not.. Todoroki is scary."

 

   You peeked into the restroom, metal fingers holding the doorway.

   "..Are you seriously watching me pee? I have the sound of your fingers memorized by now."

   "I was not." You entered, looking away from Shinsou as you heard the sound of his zipper. You'd learned restroom etiquette the hard way after you used the urinal directly next to the one Bakugou was using.

   Shinsou gave you an eyeroll. "Sure." 

   As he washed his hands, he asked, "What do you want? You've already helped me."

   

   You blinked. That is true. What is it that I am supposed to help Shinsou with now?

   "Do you.. still require assistance in entering the hero course?"

   Shinsou scoffed. "Didn't you see me out there? I can do it just fine."

   He bumped your shoulder as he walked past you. "I'll become a better hero than all of you. Watch me."

 

   You didn't follow him. Walking up to the mirror, you stared at yourself.

   Yes.. I believe Shinsou is correct in his judgement. He almost succeeded in attaining victory over Midoriya, who is a Heroics student just like me.

   If I cannot help him anymore, why is it that I still wish to..?

 

   "If you're done peeing, get out. No loitering."

   That certainly wasn't Shinsou's voice.

   You looked at the doorway to see the flaming mess called Endeavor. He was always glaring, but it was particularly strong after trying to convince his son to use his left side.

   "I was not peeing."

   "You think I need to know that?" Endeavor began to walk away. "Do your things and leave."

   "Okay."

 

   Well, this is awkward. You two had to head the same way to go to different destinations, so you walked directly next to him.

   "..Stop following me, brat."

   "I am not. My destination happens to be along this route."

   "Don't walk next to me then. It's rude."

   "Walking is not rude."

   "I said next to me."

   "Why?"

 

   Endeavor growled, blue eyes burrowing into the top of your head. "Insolent little-- maybe if you interned with me, you would be a little less incompetent. I wouldn't be making this offer if not for that power of yours. Perhaps my stubborn son could learn a thing or two from you."

   Keep in mind you didn't even know you were talking to the Endeavor right now. "Who are you and who is your son?"

   Endeavor resisted smacking you into the wall like a fly.

 

   When you left his side to enter a different hallway, he sighed in immense relief. He really was interested in your power, however. He was able to shoot his flames in beam form, and your power was highly similar. He could turn you into a powerful Hero.

   More importantly, he had to fix his son. Perhaps you two could intern under him, side-by-side.

 

   Your lashes batted twice at the massive chunk of ice that froze poor Sero. He managed to croak, "I-isn't this overkill..?"

   Midnight shivered, her entire right side covered in ice. "Sero, c-can you move?"

   "You're kidding, right?" He winced. "Ow ow ow..!"

 

   "Sero is immobilized! Todoroki Shouto moves on to the second round!"

   People began to uneasily shout to Sero, "Don't mind! Don't mind!"

   "Sorry, I went overboard." Todoroki averted his eyes after placing his hand on Sero's chest to melt the ice. "..I was angry."

 

   You met up with Sero as he trudged into the tunnel. "Are you alright, Sero?"

   "Yeah.." He heaved a sigh. "I'm lucky I don't have frostbite."

   You held out your arms. "Would you like warmth?"

   He grinned as he wrapped his arms around you. "It's not like I'm sad or anything, but a warm hug does sound nice."

 

   You blinked. Usually people were just content with hugging one of your arms, but you did think it was reasonable Sero wanted a hug. He'd been covered head-to-toe in ice, after all.

   You hugged him back after adjusting the temperature and turning on the idle settling.

   "Ah.. you're a nice heater. Just like a kotatsu.."

   "Wha--"

   "I'll pull up a picture of a kotatsu on my phone to show you later."

   "Okay. And Yaoyorozu says it is rude to interrupt people."

   "That's true.. Sorry about that."  

 

   After a bit less than half a minute, he pulled back. "Your match is next, isn't it? We have some time before it starts. You hungry or anything?"

   You nodded. "I wish to eat pancakes."

   "I.. I don't think they sell pancakes here."

   "...Veggie pancakes?"

   "Oh! That they do. I also really want oranges right now."

   "Okay."

Chapter 19: Kindness and Warmth

   The sound of your footsteps bounced off the stone walls as you walked towards the ring.

 

   Your belly was full of veggie pancake, your hair was re-done by Aoyama and you'd received encouragement from your peers.

   You were in top condition.

   "With the arena all thawed out, it's time for the next match! On the right we have [L/n] [Name], the scorching sun of 1-A!"

   You adjusted your helmet for more security, the sunlight bouncing off of it to create a dazzling shine.

 

   "On the left is Akajima Tadashi of the support class! But he doesn't seem to be wearing any items..!?"

   Akajima sighed, eyes shutting and a gentle smile on his face as he walked forward. "That makes it sound like I'm planning something.."

   His voice was deep and teetering on the edge between firm and soft. When he opened his eyes again, they were revealed to be a brilliant vermillion. 

   He gave you a genuine closed-eyed smile paired with a tilt of the head. "I wish you luck, [L/n]."

 

   You tensed up. Is this.. a threat?

   Kirishima wished you good luck once before punching you in the gut. Was this the same thing?

 

   "START!"

   Despite Mic's call, neither of you moved. Other than that, many audience members were more focused on Akajima's looks rather than the actual match.

   There was no lying-- this dude was handsome. His face was older, much more mature than the other first years', and he had a broad-shouldered and muscular build. A healthy olive colored his skin and his light brick red hair was swept into a small ponytail while the rest of his fluffy fringe roamed free.

   But in spite of how looming his 5'10 stature was, you didn't feel any hostility from him in the slightest.

 

   "Uh.. are you guys gonna start, or..?"

   Akajima produced a dismissive chuckle and faced the commentator booth. He waved a hand and informed, "Even if I did want to fight, I'm not going to do it with someone that impaired."

   He cocked his head at your helmet. "The reason must be serious if he has to wear that."

   Midnight nodded before sending you a glare. "I let it slide during the calvary battle, but don't do it again unless you intend on keeping it off for all your matches."

   "Yes, Ms. Midnight."

 

   At this, Akajima's eyes widened and his shoulders raised. "Wha--? H.. hey, don't take it off even if it's not me you're fighting. There're people here who won't hesitate to hurt you."

   You adjusted the dial on your arm to 200 C. "Are you implying you do not wish to fight me?"

   "That's right." 

   Midnight snapped, "Then why didn't you withdraw!?"

 

   "Because.." Akajima softly chuckled, sweat running down his temple. "..I'm a support kid, not a Heroics kid. I want to show off my stuff, too, y'know?"

   The audience and Present Mic collectively muttered, "What stuff..?"

   

   "I can alter the body temperature of any part of my body, including the entire thing." The boy bashfully scratched his cheek. "I didn't bring any gear since I haven't made anything I'm proud of yet, but.. I'm confident that with my Quirk, I can endure severe conditions to collect rare materials."

   The shyness faded when he puffed his chest out and continued, "I can also work longer in extreme temperatures. I've always been naturally strong even without my Quirk, so I'll be alright."

   Everyone in the audience thought, This guy talks so cutely!

   He grinned a little, rosy cheeks gently pushing up against his eyes. "So if you'll give me a chance, I'll make sure you won't regret it."

   There's the shyness again, everyone thought.

 

   "I forfeit."

   Midnight asked again, "Are you sure?"

   "Yes." He gave her a firm nod before turning around and descending down the stone steps.

   "Well, that was the most uneventful match so far! [L/n] [Name] moves on to the second round!"

   "Good luck, [L/n]." Akajima smiled at you from over his shoulder.

   Your eyes widened when the warm feeling in your chest hit twice as hard as usual. "Thank you.."

   

   "Ahh, that guy was total boyfriend material!" Hagakure whined from her seat as you came down the aisle. "He's mature, unlike all these other brats."

   Bakugou whipped his head around and retorted, "What was that, Invisibitch!?"

   "See?" She huffed. "Totally immature."

   You took the seat to her left. "What is boyfriend material?"

   From a few rows ahead, Sero chuckled. "Not Kaminari, that's for sure."

 

   Speaking of Kaminari, he low-key threatened Shiozaki and immediately got his ass kicked.

   Midoriya was muttering about Shiozaki's Quirk as he scribbled in his little notebook, Uraraka giving him a look of immense concern.

   When indirectly told that he was a real piece of work, he cheerfully replied, "Oh, I've got everything you need to know about 1-A in here! Even your "Zero Gravity" Quirk, Uraraka."

   He grinned as he turned around to look up at you from the front row. "And your power, too! I'm not sure what to call it, though.."

 

   ""The Sun's Rays"," was Tokoyami's overly dolled-up contribution.

   Hagakure chirped, "What about "Sunshine?" It's cute!"

   ""Palm Laser!"" Aoyama was twinkling. "It's like mine, Navel Laser!"

   "Hm.." Yaoyorozu tapped her lips with a finger as she gazed skyward. "How about "Magma Palm..?""

   "Woah!" Uraraka gasped. "That sounds cool! Rin's arm did look like magma--"

   When she realized what she'd said, she was mortified. Screeching apologies at you nonstop, she repeatedly bowed her head.

 

   Your lips twitched before uttering, "I agree with your observation. Why must you apologize?"

   "Eh?" Uraraka blinked at you, and so did many of your peers. "You're not mad I brought that up..?"

   "..It was not a pleasant experience, but your observation was agreeable, so I do not see a reason to be angry."

   She sighed in relief and Ashido plainly added, "You're lucky he's nice, Uraraka."

 

   On the stage was Iida and Hatsume Mei from the support course. Both of them were decked out for some reason.

   "START!"

   Copying your peers' cheers, you held your hands by your lips and with no passion whatsoever, you encouraged, "Whoo, go Iida."

   Shouji murmured, "At least be a little more excited, [L/n].."

 

   Iida charged at Hatsume and she dodged using hydraulic equipment. All the while, Iida was highly confused and Hatsume was advertising the items both he and she wore via a wearable microphone. 

   This went on for ten minutes. Hagakure's irritation grew every time you produced a lifeless, "Whoo, go Iida."

   Hatsume finally stepped out of the ring, her advertising done. Iida hunched over, bent his arms, curled his fingers and cried in anguish, "You deceived meeeeee!"

   Iida was perhaps the second easiest person in 1-A to be taken advantage of after you.

   "Sorry for using you."

   "I strongly dislike you!"

 

   When you dozed off due to lack of sleep, nobody noticed. Your helmet was good for something else other than protection, it seemed.

   Ashido skillfully dodged Aoyama's lasers and managed to nab him, moving her on to the second round. Another match passed but the manga never mentioned who it was between. 

   You awoke when a cheerful Kirishima tapped your shoulder as he passed by your row. "Wish me good luck, [L/n]! I feel like I can really do it when it's coming from someone stubborn as you."

   Hagakure noted, "By that logic, you want Bakugou to wish you luck, too."

   "Like hell I will!"

   Kirishima could only pout. "I'd be completely floored if he wished me luck, but it's okay! With everyone believing in me, it's more than enough."

   Sparkles and sunshine seemed to surround him as everyone thought, He's too pure..

   "Good luck, Kirishima."

   "Thanks! I'll put my sparring with you and Ojirou to good use!"

 

   It was just a sockfest between Kirishima and Tetsutetsu, neither of them relenting. They appeared to match other perfectly in both strength and Quirk.

   Your eyes twitched. You didn't gain any joy from watching this fight, but you had to. Kirishima was one of your teachers, after all.

   His punches, his momentum-- everything was so much faster and packed so much more power from when he fought against you in a one-on-one.

   "There're people who won't hesitate to hurt you."

   Was Kirishima hesitating like he told you not to, or was it just because you wore a fragile label printed in bold letter?

 

   Both Kirishima and Tetsutetsu collapsed after throwing one last punch to the face. The winner would be settled with an arm-wrestling match.

   After that mess was over, you fell asleep once more.

   Only to wake up to the sight of a disheveled Uraraka, collapsed on the rubble-covered stage and a surprised Bakugou standing before her.

   Midnight went to check up on her, and upon confirming her condition, she yelled, "Uraraka is unable to continue. Bakugou moves on to the second round!"

   Bakugou stared down at his former opponent with opened lips and faint surprise. Not with malice. He wasn't looking down on her.

   Not at all.

 

   When he came back to the stands, your peers jeered at him.

   "Ohh, rough match, huh, villain-face?"

   "Awkward match-ups aside, you do great at playing the bad guy."

   "Shut the hell up, all of you!"

 

   "No, really. Nice job blowing up a frail little girl.” Kaminari jabbed a finger at him. "Not like me. I held back against mine."

   Tsuyu shot him down. "You were beaten fair and square, Kaminari."

   "Aw, c'mon, Tsu.."

   Bakugou plopped into the first row next to Jirou, who inched away.

   You tilted your head and asked, "What part of her--"

   "--is frail?"

 

   You and Bakugou turned your heads to look at each other.

   "You damn bastard!" His eyes went white as he snapped, "Don't copy me! You're just like that fucker from the calvary battle!"

   "I cannot copy other Quirks--"

   "Shut the hell up already!"

 

   "Ah.. never a moment of silence with you two." Sero closed his eyes and shook his head side to side.

   "Shut your mouth, soy sauce face!"

   "It’s Sero..! Sero!"

 

   You left to check up on Kirishima and Uraraka. Sleep had overtaken you so strongly that you initially weren't able to visit Kirishima.

   "You're such a worrywart, boy."

   "I have been called that often." You politely bowed your head to Recovery Girl before taking a seat in between your peers' beds.

   Both were fast asleep, covered in dust and bruises head to toe. Seeing as they had no stamina left, Recovery Girl couldn't do much besides bandage their wounds.

   Uraraka was subjected to high temperatures, you thought as you reached your open hands towards her neck. The cold metal of your palms settled on the sides of her neck and she shivered, but didn't wake.

   After pressing the back of your hands against her under-eyes and forehead, you turned to Kirishima.

   Is there anything I am able to do for Kirishima? 

   You gently pressed your hands close to his scalp, careful not to get his hair tangled in your joints.

 

   "You would make a good addition to the infirmary."

   You blinked and looked over your shoulder to see a smiling Recovery Girl. 

   "Why so silent? I'm serious, dearie." She chuckled. "I've seen how much you care for your classmates."

   Turning around completely, you dutifully informed, "That is my duty, Ms. Recovery Girl. I am meant to help."

   "Indeed you are." She smiled again before turning back to her work. "You're a kind boy, [L/n]. Put that kindness of yours to good use."

   

   There it was. That warmth that felt like sunshine hitting your face on a cold winter day.

   "I am kind? What is kindness..?"

   Recovery Girl huffed and replied, "Don't be ridiculous. Moogle it, why don't you?"

   "Okay."

Chapter 20: My Power

“[L/n].”

 

   You turned from Kirishima to see Todoroki, who stood at the infirmary’s doorway.

   “Hi, dearie.” Recovery Girl didn’t look up from her work. “Are you injured?”

   “No...” Cold, dual-colored eyes never moved from your own. “I’d like a word with [L/n].”

   Recovery Girl nodded and you got up from the stool you’d been sitting on. 

 

   “I’m gonna make this quick, so listen up.” Todoroki leaned against the wall opposite of you. You gave him a nod and his upper lip twitched in disdain.

   “You.. aren’t worthy of being here.”

   “Why is that?”

   God, he hated how unaffected you were by someone else’s anger. Not even Bakugou could faze you.

   His eyes narrowed as he said, “You won’t make it as a Hero if you’re so scared of hurting people. Other than that, all you do is defend. You’re going to die if that’s all you know how to do.”

   Todoroki pushed off the wall and began to walk towards the tunnel. “Good luck.”

   You realized just now that this match would be him versus Midoriya. “Good luck, Todoroki.”

 

   You peeked into the infirmary to see Uraraka missing. 

   “She woke up already, dearie.”

   “I will be leaving now.” You promptly left and headed towards the stands.

   “—all you do is defend. You’re going to die if that’s all you know how to do.”

 

   You shook your head.

   You are incorrect, Todoroki. I am capable of offense.

   I am not going to die, either. If Melissa says I cannot, then I absolutely will not.

 

   You paused by the prep room when you heard soft cries.

   Rapping a knuckle on the door, you waited for a response. 

   Who is crying inside..?

 

   You heard the sound of someone’s hip colliding into a table and then a weak sigh. The door swung open to reveal a puffy-eyed Uraraka.

   “Hey, [L/n]... Let’s go watch Deku’s match.” She walked past you, a weak smile on her face.

   You blinked. “Your eyes are akin to Melissa’s when is she is finished crying.”

   Uraraka squeaked and jumped into the air. Turning her head over her shoulder, she wheezed, “You got me..”

   “Why have you been crying?” You approached her and raised your hands. “The temperature and material of my hands will be able to reduce the puffiness of your eyes.”

   “Just like a metal spoon..” She managed to let out a small snort and your chest became warm. Closing her eyes, Uraraka sheepishly mumbled, “Thanks, [L/n].”

   You lightly pressed your thumbs to her eyes. “You are welcome.”

 

   “Has the match started yet..?” Uraraka entered the stands with you following after her. Iida shook his head in response. You sat down to Iida’s left and Uraraka took the right.

   “Ah! Your eyes are a little red, Uraraka!” Iida straightened up in alarm. “Hurry up and go see Recovery Girl!”

   “I already did. This is from.. something else.”

   You weren’t able to reduce the redness that much, but at least her eyes weren’t too puffy anymore.

   “Something else..? You’re not having the best of days..”

 

   From Uraraka’s right, Tokoyami comforted her. “Don’t regret your loss. Just learn from it and move on.”

   “Right.” Uraraka leaned forward intently. “But how’s Deku going to deal with the ice..?”

   Uraraka never told me why she was crying, you realized. However, you weren’t going to ask again. She obviously didn’t want to address the matter.

 

   Down on stage, Todoroki sent a wave of jagged ice towards Midoriya. Using his hand like a gun, he flicked one finger to destroy the oncoming ice with a gust of air.

   “Whoaaa! He smashed through!”

   When Todoroki tried the same thing again, the other boy followed up with another air bullet. It was powerful enough for Todoroki to have to shield his eyes from the wind.

   He huffed and stomped on the ground. The ice came faster this time, and the spikes were a mere foot from touching Midoriya before he shattered them.   

   Three of his fingers were a gruesome purple now.

 

   “Gahh, they’ve already started!” Kirishima looked on with dismay as he entered the stands.

   You turned your head and waved a hand. “Hello, Kirishima.”

   “Hey!”

   Kaminari leaned forward and held up a thumb. “Nice job getting to the second round, Kirishima!”

   “Thanks.” He grinned wider as he set his eyes on his next opponent. “I’m up against you next, Bakugou!”

   “I’ll kill you.”

   “Haha! I’d like to see you try!”

 

   You kept your eyes on the match as you half-listened to the two converse. When Bakugou countered Kirishima with the fact that Quirks were also physical attributes and implied he and Todoroki weren’t invincible, you had to agree.

   Use your power too much and you’ll burn. You couldn’t neutralize yourself like Todoroki could. 

 

   “Trying to stretch the match out? Not happening. I’ll end this quickly.” Todoroki sent the same attack and Midoriya retaliated with the same thing.

   “Todoroki, undaunted by Midoriya’s power, moves in to close the gap!

   His right hand was now out of the game. Todoroki ran forward, leapt off his ice and headed towards Midoriya.

   As they duked it out, you thought to yourself, I see now. 

   Midoriya will lose if he does not go on the offensive.

 

   He jumped away just as Todoroki slammed a palm into the floor, but his foot was caught by the ice anyway. Upon swiping his left arm, a massive wind demolished the ice and pushed back Todoroki.

   “Now that’s a lot stronger than your earlier attacks. Are you trying to tell me to stay back?”

   When the smoke cleared, Midoriya was revealed to have a purple left arm.

 

   “Midoriya must go on the offensive if he wishes to win.”

   Heads turned in surprise at your statement.

   Kirishima scratched his head and agreed, “Well, you’re not wrong, but that’s a surprise coming from you.”

   Uraraka jokingly asked, “Did you eat something funny today?”

   “I do not find food humorous, Uraraka.”

   “Taking us literally as usual..”

   Satou sighed. “[L/n]’s right. A hand and arm broken or not, Midoriya has no choice but to fight back..”

 

   “With both hands destroyed, you can’t fight anymore. Let’s end this.” Todoroki stomped with his right foot.

   “Todoroki continues his relentless assault! Could this next ice attack win it all!?”

   Midoriya raised his sweaty head to yell, “Who says I’m done!?”

   The crazy bastard shot at the other boy again, using his out-of-commission right hand. Recovery Girl was going to strangle him.

   The blast sent Todoroki so far back that he nearly skidded out the ring if not for the ice he saved himself with.

   “Why’d you go that far..?”

 

   “You’re shivering.. Todoroki.” The green-haired male breathed heavily, looking up at his opponent with wide eyes curtained by his curly hair. His middle finger was now twice as purple. 

   “Quirks are just physical abilities. You must have a limit to how much cold you can bear.” His voice was shaky and breathing haggard. “But then.. you can always use your left side to thaw yourself out.. Right?”

   Todoroki watched him carefully, body tensing up.

   

   “Everyone’s giving it their all.. to win, to achieve their goals.. to make it to the top!” The volume of Midoriya’s voice kept rising and falling. “And you’re gonna win using half your power..?”

   He grit his teeth. “I still haven’t put a scratch on you!”

 

   Clenching his broken fist and making everyone collectively wince, he straightened up to scream, “GIVE ME ALL YOU’VE GOT! Come at me!”

   Todoroki cautiously hissed, “What’re you planning?”

   Endeavor watched from another part of the stands with interest.

   “Everything I’ve got..? Did my bastard of a father pay you off or something?” Todoroki lowered his body into a sprint. “You’re pissing me off!”

   Midoriya dashed forward to close the gap, veins of glowing pink coursing through his right arm. His hand connected with Todoroki’s stomach and his other arm became coated in ice.

   As Todoroki flew back, Mic excitedly commented, “What a hit! Things are really heating up!”

 

   You subconsciously curled your fingers upon seeing Midoriya punch with his mangled ones.

   Midoriya is trying so hard..

 

   Todoroki skidded on the floor, laying on his side. He got up, coughing and holding his stomach. “So now you’re on the offensive?”

   “It’s not just you that’s slowing down.. Your ice is weaker, too.”

   In retaliation, Todoroki slammed his foot into the floor, to which Midoriya leapt to the side to avoid the crawling ice. More came his way and unable to make a fist, he resorted to using his inner cheek as a slingshot for his thumb.

   Todoroki slid back and Midoriya didn’t hesitate to charge forward once more. He began to talk to Todoroki again, nailing every nail on the head to the point that Todoroki told him to shut up.

   “A dependable, smiling, cool hero.. That’s what I want to be!”

   Memories of Todoroki’s childhood ran through his head.

   “That’s why I have to win! I have to surpass you!”

   More memories. He lost his footing from Midoriya’s relentless approach and fell on his side. “I’ll show my father..”

   

   His jaw slamming open, Midoriya screamed, “IT’S YOURS! Your Quirk, not his!”

   Todoroki sharply inhaled. His expression went from angry to muddled, brows furrowing.

 

   And when he remembered his mother’s words, his entire left side burst into brilliant flames.

   “What’s this!?”

   Iida gasped. “He used it..!”

   The smooth surface of your eyes glittered as they caught the light of the flames.

 

   “I thought you wanted to win..? Damn it.. So why’re you trying to inspire me? Which one of us isn’t taking this seriously now?”

   He then grinned, eyes wide. “But I.. wanna be a hero, too!”

   Midoriya grinned back and Endeavor bellowed, “SHOUTOOOO!”

   You asked no one in particular, “That man knows Todoroki? That man told me walking was disrespectful.”

   Uraraka blinked. “He did?”

   “Yes.”

 

   And then Todoroki’s flames got brighter. Midoriya lowered himself into a battle stance as wind surrounded him.

   Cementoss got up to intervene, but ice was already flying and so was Midoriya.

   When he got close enough, the freckled male drew a glowing arm back, and so did Todoroki.

   Walls of cement made it just barely in time as the two’s attacks collided.

   Rubble smacked your head to the side and you managed to shield Uraraka and Tokoyami’s faces with your arms. Mineta would’ve been blown away completely if not for Shouji grabbing his ankle. The wind pressure affected everyone in the stadium.

   “What a blast, and what heat! Can’t see a thing! Has the match been decided!?”

 

   When the billowing smoke cleared, Midoriya was revealed to be slumped against the wall. He slid down and fell on his side.

   Todoroki breathed heavily, eyes blown wide. He’d managed to cocoon himself in ice just in time.

   “Todoroki moves on to the third round!”

 

   You paid no mind as Recovery Girl scolded All Might for his bad influence on Midoriya. You were seated next to him, his bed right next to Rin’s.  

   Midoriya’s arms were in slings and bandages littered his body. Though awake, he was softly groaning in pain. The adrenaline rush was gone.

   “Midoriya. Would you like me to cool you down?”

   “Y-yes, please..”

   Metal fingers gently smoothed the sides of his head and held his face. Keeping your palms on his cheeks, you stretched your thumbs to press them into the inner corners of his eyes.

 

   At that moment, Iida, Uraraka, Tsuyu and Mineta burst into the room.

   “Deku!”

   “Midoriya!”

   All Might held his chest, sighing, “That scared the heck out of me..”

 

   As you pressed the back of your hand to his forehead, Midoriya weakly murmured, “Guys.. but the next match..”

   Iida jabbed a thumb behind him. “The arena was mostly destroyed, so there’s a break while it’s being repaired.”

 

   “That was scary as hell, Midoriya..” Mineta shivered. “No Pro is gonna want to hire you—“

   Tsuyu smacked him with her tongue. “Can’t say I like your rubbing-salt-in-the-wound style.”

   “You know I’m right though..”

 

   Recovery Girl got out of her seat to reassure them. “Pipe down! It’s fine to worry, but he’s about to have surgery.”

   Iida cried, “Surgery!?”

   “You too, [L/n]! Out!”

   You wiped some drool from Midoriya’s lip with a tissue before standing up. “Yes, Ms. Recovery Girl.”

   

   You were thinking to yourself as you rinsed your hands in the restroom.

   Midoriya gave that battle his all.. like Yaoyorozu told me to.

   Shinsou gave his all, too. Todoroki did when he used his fire.

   What about me..?

   Everyone is trying so hard to become a hero, but what about me?

 

   You shook your hands before wiping them down with a paper towel.

   I cannot hesitate. I will try not to.

   My power.. I will have to use it.

 

Chapter 21: Cowardice

   You were staring blankly at a vending machine when you heard footsteps come from behind you.

   “Hey, robo-boy! I forgot your name, but can I take a look at you!?”

   At first you thought it was just someone waiting in line, but once they spoke, you went on the alert.

   You turned and were greeted with bright yellow eyes all up in your face.

 

   You backed up and accidentally hit the vending machine. Now that you had a full look, it was the eccentric girl who made a fool out of Iida.

   “No, you cannot. I am private property.” You stubbornly glued your arms to your sides.

   Hatsume only grinned wider at this. “Private property!? Woah!”

   Her eyes zeroed in on your arms. “Those must be super high-end then! C’mon, just a look!”

   “No.” You shifted so that you could slip your arms behind your back.

 

   “Hm.. What about your legs?” Unaware that your eyes were fake, she moved her attention lower.

   Her eyes stretched wide with glee upon seeing that your ankles, which poked out from under your pants, were artificial. “Wow! You’re a piece of art! Art!”

   “What is—“ You then cut yourself off to address the matter at hand. “I will have no choice but to consider you a hostile being if you continue—“

 

   “If you don’t mind..” Someone slipped in between you and Hatsume. “...[L/n]) carries classified information. Both you and him will be punished by court if it gets out.”

   You didn’t mind the strands of thick black hair that tickled your nose. “Thank you, Yaoyorozu.”

   “Wahh, seriously!? That sounds so cool!” Hatsume was bouncing off the walls. “But alright!”

   She giggled as she scurried down the hallway, leaving Yaoyorozu to sigh in exasperation.

  

   “Are you alright?” She turned around and moved to put a polite amount of distance between you two.

   Her brows furrowed slightly as she said, “I’ve no doubt you could have handled that yourself, but with someone as stubborn as Hatsume, that could’ve ended badly.”

   You nodded as you two began to head towards the stands. “Yes, I am alright, Yaoyorozu.”

   “I’m glad I exited the restroom just in time..” She threw you a side glance. “Your match is after this one, isn’t it? So far, Bakugou and Kirishima seem to be on par with each other.”

   “Yes, it is. Kirishima does not give up easily, so I believe he will fight efficiently against Bakugou.”

   “Oh, you and Ojirou trained with Kirishima, yes? How was that coming along?”

 

   You two chatted along the way, but when you arrived at the stands, the chatter ceased.

   Bakugou was sending a horrific barrage of explosions at Kirishima. How Bakugou had that much energy and sweat, you had no idea. 

   “Now die!” 

   Kirishima fell to the floor, covered in bruises and light burns.

   “Bakugou’s carpet-bombing launches him into the third round! After the next match, we’ll have our final six!”

 

   “..Bakugou’s battle sense is admirable, but perhaps he could stop telling everyone to die.” Yaoyorozu’s look of exasperation turned to a small smile as she turned to you. “Don’t underestimate Wakatori, [L/n], even if she’s a general student. You saw how Shinsou almost won.”

   You gave her a solid nod. “I will give my all, Yaoyorozu.”

 

   From the stands, Ashido called out to you with a big grin, “Fight!” She wasn’t too saddened by her loss against Tokoyami.

   Midoriya was standing at the railing with Iida. They both smiled at you, their eyes glinting with pride. You were somewhat the baby of the class, so they couldn’t help but join in on cheering you on.

   “Let’s go, [L/n], let’s go!” was Kaminari’s enthusiastic chant.

   “Well, what’re you waiting for?” Yaoyorozu chuckled as she gave you a gentle push towards the hallway. “Go get ready.”

   You nodded and adjusting your helmet, you disappeared into the shadows.

 

   How peculiar, you thought as you ascended the stairs. 

   Wondering if you could really do something wasn’t something you did till now. Everything you’d done had been absolute; no questions asked. 

 

   “On the right, we have the lad who won the first round by doing absolutely nothing! It’s [L/n] from Class A! Versus..”

   Standing across from you was a small, rather thin female. Her light olive eyes glinted with mischief and her swirly, short dark brown hair bounced in anticipation. 

   Pale ivory skin stretched as she grinned widely.

 

   “..the speedracer of 1-C, Wakatori Yuna! Why aren’t you in the hero course, huh!?”

   She snickered and drawled, “That just isn’t my kind of thing.”

   Slit-like irises flitting back to you, she absentmindedly informed, “Blondie from 1-B wants to see you after this match. Boy’s restroom.”

   “Thank you for informing me.” Your gaze stilled in thought. 

   Who is named Blondie? 

   When Wakatori spread her legs in a fighting stance, the muscle of her thighs and calves could be seen flexing. She wasn't as fragile as she looked.

 

    “START!”

 

   You braced yourself into a low, open-legged crouch. According to the first round, Wakatori knew where to hit and how to.

   Wakatori's style? Streetfighting.

   Her eyes grew wide and she licked her lips with anticipation as she sprinted towards you-- no, actually, it wasn't a sprint--

   she was just that fast.

   

   "Everything you do.." Her eyes flashed, her body high in the air before you could even realize. "..I do faster."

   The bottom of her white tennis shoe connected with your larynx and from the inside of your helmet, saliva flew out your mouth.

 

   A girl from 1-C sighed, rubbing her temples. "Waka, you dummy..! You clear your record to get into U.A. and kick someone in the throat immediately after!?"

   Shinsou glanced over in brief interest. 

   "At least she has the decency not to go for his head," the same girl muttered in irritation.

 

   Your back slammed into the floor and you coughed furiously, fingers wrapping around your own throat to cool down the bruise. Wakatori didn't advance, merely chirping, "This was a bad match-up, so I had to end it as quickly as possible."

   She was right in her judgement. You had the weight advantage and were a long-range fighter, while Wakatori used close combat. And if she tried to hit your arms or your right leg, she would hurt herself more than she hurt you.

   "Wakatori puts her foot down!"

   Midnight called, "[L/n], are you able to continue?"

 

   You told her a "yes" at your normal volume before blasting up into the air. If Wakatori abided by her words by ending it as fast as possible, she'd beat you down before you even got up.

   "Ehhh?" She threw her head backward to watch you hover. Pouting, she complained, "That's not faaaair!"

   Her friend from her class leaned over the railing and snapped, "Quit complaining, Waka!"

   "Call me Yuna!" Wakatori briefly turned to wink.

   "I refuse!"

   

   Yaoyorozu watched as you began fly downward and attempt to grab Wakatori. The black-haired beauty murmured with worry, "This was a bad match-up on both sides.."

   "Yeah." Midoriya looked back at her with furrowed brows. 

   Uraraka's hair shifted as her head fell to one side. "Eh? Doesn't [L/n] have the advantage?"

   Midoriya replied, "Yeah, but Wakatori also has advantages against him."

   They turned their attention back to the match as Midoriya explained, "Based on round one, she has a fast reaction time and her speed rivals Iida's base speed. She's also got to have strong legs for a Quirk like that.. Luckily, she can't Recipro like Iida can."

   "She knows how to fight," Tokoyami noted with a nod. "She doesn't hesitate. [L/n], on the other hand.."

 

   "You guys're all making me nervous.." Kaminari scratched his head, sweat running down on cheek. "I believe in [L/n], but don't you guys all remember what that Shinsou guy said about replacing us? Wakatori could very well do that."

   Kirishima nodded. "Right?" Not having heard Wakatori's denial of joining the hero course, the redhead noted, "She could replace us if she really wanted to."

 

   When you raised a forearm to block Wakatori's incoming kick, she froze in place, holding her form perfectly. And then she dashed to get behind you, her hand going for your nape.

   You blasted away and she kissed her teeth.

   "Damn! That's one helpful move!"

   Present Mic muttered, "This match is going nowhere.."

 

   "Waah! You robo bastard! This is why Shinsou doesn't like you!" She got huffy as she ran at you. You just kept dodging and blocking against her attacks, switching sides of the ring every ten seconds.

   Pushing off your arm block, she slid backward and narrowed her eyes. "Ehhh, you must be real tired now, right?"

   Tired you were. Dodging and blocking left your lungs pumping for air. It was only the second round and a 1-C student managed to gain the upper hand.

   Midnight reminded, "Seven minutes remaining!"

   Eight minutes of nothing productive had passed.

 

   Wakatori huffed. "I should've asked Minmin for a good luck kiss to get a good match-up.."

   A girl with stark white, shoulder-length hair reprimanded her from the stands. "I'm giving you no such thing! And quit flirting with me, damn it!"

   The brunette slumped. "Minmin's so mean.. anyways--"

 

   Her eyes seemed to take on a new, calculating light as they landed on your motionless form. "--you could've attacked me in the time I was talking. Why didn't you, huh?"

   Her gums showed as she hissed, "You coward."

 

   You stiffened, and then your arms fell back to your sides.

   Whipping around, she stuffed her hands in her pockets and began to walk away. "If it's your power, why don't you use it? Minmin is Quirkless, damn it.. Be grateful you've got the money to buy a power."

   A pale hand pierced the air. "I forfeit. I'm not gonna waste my time fighting someone who can't."

   Can't.

   "Wakatori forfeits! [L/n] moves on to the third round!"

 

   As you walked back to the tunnel, the audience roared with murmurs.

   "Well, at least he got a wake-up call.."

   "Maybe it was for the best that she dropped out? Almost all of the finalists have crazy range."

   "This is the second time he won by forfeit. Think it'll happen again?"

   "Shame that girl's not in the hero course. She seems more promising than the kid she just let win."

 

   A coward? you pondered as you disappeared into the dark. Wakatori called me a coward for not attacking her.. but I felt no fear?

   What am I missing here?

Chapter 22: Request

   You lightly mussed your own hair as you headed towards the boy's restroom.

   White strips decorated your neck and fingers, one wrap meant to secure your healed larynx and the others to cover up your finger joints. You'd stuffed your helmet into a locker and took your braid out on your own.

   The day you first showed up to school with a braid, you'd worn gloves to not get your hair tangled in your fingers.

   This feels better, you decided with closed eyes and a nod. I feel relaxed.

 

   "About time."

   Thick lashes fluttered upward and you saw "Blondie," the boy who'd presumably tried to hurt you and who Shinsou called a "copycat bastard."

   U.A.'s resident bastard was leaning against a vending machine, one leg propped up and hands in his pockets. "Hey, robo."

   You blinked. You didn't even know this guy, and he just gave you the -chan honorific (mockingly).

 

   "I remember you," you started, hands dropping to your sides, "but you were not listed on the leaderboard, Blondie." Amusingly enough, you'd given him the same honorific in return.

   "Eh? Is that what that girl called me?" Monoma snorted, eyes dragging themselves away from yours to meet the wall. "Whatever, that's not important.."

   "Why have you summoned me?"

   "Because.." He smiled minimally, in a way that was if he was pitying you. "..I, the wonderful Monoma Neito, thought I would take it upon myself to give you a warning. Fair, am I not?"

   You stared blankly. "You are fair based on the factors of this circumstance, and I am not aware of all of them. What are you warning me about and why have you chosen to?"

 

   "Huhuhu.. I'm warning you in case you go against Kuchimoto Kouki, one of 1-B's top-tier students. He's the cream of the crop, y'know?" Monoma simpered wider as he turned his head to look at you. "As to why, it's because Rin is one of the only people he can tolerate."

   He then coughed. "I, surprisingly enough, am not on that list. Anyways.. you better watch yourself. Ku, as he prefers everyone call him, doesn't play around. And with him already being the no-nonsense type of guy, imagine how he'd feel going against someone who hurt his friend.."

   

   Monoma pushed off the machine and stood in the middle of the hallway, eyes crinkling as he grinned and stuck his tongue out. Tapping right next to his bottom lip with a finger, he said, "Kuchimoto will eat you alive."

 

   Your brows twitched before lightly drawing together and Monoma felt oddly unsettled by the foreign change in expression.

   What do I address first? you thought.

 

   "Ku practices cannibalism? And he is bold enough to eat me on live television?" Your brows tightened. "I personally believe those are horrible decisions. I cannot understand why he feels the need to eat me on live television.."

   Monoma watched you ramble, unimpressed and raising a brow. "It was a figurative threat. Never seen a T.V. show before?"

   "I indulge in television for the weather forecast. Are you attempting to save your comrade from me calling the police by changing the subject?"

   He spluttered, "Wha--! You're gonna call the police!?"

   "I do not wish to be consumed."

   "I told you it was a figurative threat!" Monoma busied his hands with running them through his hair in an effort to stop himself from throttling you. "Okay, Kuchimoto won't actually eat you. Happy?"

   Without missing a beat, you replied in monotone, "I have never felt happiness in my life."

 

   Monoma went silent. Then he dragged his hands down his face, keeping them there for a few seconds. "..I'm gonna leave now. Smell you later, you cretin."

   "Please wait."

   He paused in his steps to look over his shoulder. You were walking towards him.

   "What do you want?"

   "To fulfill what you have asked of me."

 

   Question marks circled the blond's head but he didn't have time to ask what you meant. Arms of steel (literally) circled his ribs and pulled him to the body of another.

   Melissa did it like this, you thought as you pressed your lips to the spot Monoma tapped by his lip.

 

   A screech of mortification ripped through the hall as the furiously blushing Monoma pushed you back by your chest. "W-what the heck, you pervert!?"

   Your arms were so solid he couldn't get away. Tilting your head, you answered, "Did you not request a kiss? And I am not a pervert."

   "Huh--!?"

   "Eh, Monoma? I didn't know you had a boyfriend."

 

   He screamed again upon seeing a surprised Awase exit the restroom.

Chapter 23: Out With a Bang

Notes:

For the next two or three chapters, the tense temporarily changes to present tense. It'll go back to past though. And here's a fan art! by Bangtanroki on quotev!

   

   

 

   Struggling against you, Monoma turned to glare at his peer and demanded, "What are you doing here!?"

 

   Awase lifted a brow. "..If you really want to know, I took a cra--"

   "Shut up!" The red wouldn't leave Monoma's face as he ducked down and slipped out from between your arms. Stomping up to his peer, he poked the other male in the chest and growled, "Don't speak of this to anyone."

   Awase blinked at Monoma before shooting you a concerned glance. "..Are-- are you cheating on someone, Monoma?"

   Monoma's eyes went white. "No! This robo bastard just kissed me out of nowhere!"

   You shook your head. "You requested it."

 

   As if mocking him, you tapped by your lip. "You do that when you wish for a kiss. Mr. Shield does that when he wants affection from Melissa."

   "Who--??" Monoma was on the verge of exploding. "Actually, y'know what? I don't care!"

   He whirled around and began to stomp in the opposite direction with his head held high. "Let's go, Awase!"

 

   Awase watched Monoma before briefly turning to you. "..Some balls you got there."

   You would've asked him what balls?, but you've learned that asking questions to anyone unaware of your nature ends badly. So you don't.

   The black-haired male leaves with a nervous chuckle and a wave, and you can only wave back.

 

   The next few battles fly by.

   Todoroki beats Iida.

   Bakugou beats Tokoyami.

   You're up next.

 

   "Be careful, [L/n]..." 

   You nod at Midoriya. "I will."

   Your familiars have granted you either luck or their concern. The rest of the class watches with curiosity.

   Will you fight this round?

   Or will you rely on a forfeit?

 

   "Hey." Awase grins as he whispers to Monoma, "Gonna cheer for your boyfriend?"

   Monoma is seen visibly restraining himself from strangling his classmate. 

 

   "The King of Forfeits! It's [L/n] [Name] from Heroics!"

   That was pretty funny. Everyone in the audience either laughs or winces. 

   Kaminari sucks in a breath. "Ooh, that's harsh!" 

 

   "Fighting against him is Kuchimoto Kouki, Lord of the Flies--! also from Heroics!"

 

   Ku(chimoto) squints, two pale fingers fiddling with the left strap of his pale yellow hospital mask. His other hand is in his pant pocket.

  "Lord of the Flies..? Heck's that? My stars aren't flies.."

   You reply, "Your Quirk isn't comprised of stars, either. What exactly are those small glowing objects?"

   Ku's expression goes from irritated to looking down at you with a high nose. "Huh? What's that? You wanna say that again?" 

 

   Ku started his first few matches with either a bored or scrutinizing expression, but now he just looks agitated. 

   He's got thin, straight brows of light grey and short, pointy, downward-slanting hair of the same shade. It's split down the middle and he has a slight undercut. Ku stands an inch and a half taller than you.

   His skin is a sickly pearl ivory and eyes of light olive green squint at you. They're hooded, tired and rimmed with a faint purple.

 

   "I don't understand how we're both recommended," is the last thing Ku says before Mic yells, "START!"

 

   In a flash, Ku tugs his mask down to reveal his mouth. It opens like a four-petaled flower.

   Green-ish yellow "stars" are expelled in the blink of an eye.

   The color bounces off your wide eyes, and suddenly the entire ring is covered in these strange objects.

   It's one thing to witness it from the stands, but seeing the day sky filled with stars for yourself is entirely different.

   "Kuchimoto makes the first move! There's a whole galaxy down there!"

 

   Ku coughs before pulling his mask back over his nose. "God.. I want this to end already.."

   His voice is scratchy for a reason.

 

   Forced to stay still, you do just that. There are stars so close that if you moved more than an inch, you'd pay for it.

   Ku watches you with scrutiny.

   Your brows furrow.

 

   From your observation of the previous matches, Ku used this same move first thing. It's just a lot bigger now since Ku knows you can fly.

 

   Everyone who versed him before this were incapacitated by the little glowing things before they could even reach Ku.

   "The match is at a standstill! Will [L/n] move!?"

 

   "Are you alright?" Your brain feels a little boggled from the circumstances, so you do what you do best.

   "You won't distract me." Ku takes your concern as a feeble attempt to turn the tables.

   "I won't."

 

   Next thing you know, you're flying across the ring to meet an intrigued Ku.

   The explosions littering your shoulders, torso and left leg hurt, but you bear it.

   "W-woah! Unlike his last few matches, [L/n] goes on the offensive!"

 

   "Hn. You'll have to try harder than that." Ku merely sidesteps and with a wide swing of his upper body, he dodges your outstretched left arm.

   He barely winces when he sets off  his own explosions.

   "Kuchimoto doesn't even seem surprised!"

   The boy scoffs. "Call me Ku, asshole!"

   "Why didn't you say something earlier..!?"

 

   You land only to turn around and fly forward to attempt to get near him. His eyes crinkle in distaste as he lowers his mask and sends you a barrage of stars.

   Stunned, you turn off your boosters and land unsteadily. 

   Your uniform is already torn in multiple places. Burnt, as well. Your neck and many other parts of your body aren't in much better condition.

   In order to defeat Ku, you'd have to put your body on the line.

   That was Ku's spider's web.

 

   "Not five minutes into the match and [L/n] is already in a tough spot! What will he do!?"

   Ku's eyes crinkle, but this time, it's 'cause he's smiling. "Let's see you go out with a bang."

   You don't like the feeling you get when you catch the amusement in his eyes.

 

   "Incinerate."

   Beams shoot out of your hands and directly towards Ku.

   He raises a brow and turns his body sideways to fit in the slim space between them.

   He puts up a smokescreen of stars and you clear it with your heat.

   But he's not there.

 

   You feel an earthquake rack your brain when Ku's foot comes down onto your head.

   "Ku comes down from above using his explosions! Looks like Bakugou isn't the only explosion user who can fly!"

   Midoriya blinks. "He hasn't fought close-range till now.. What could Kuchimoto be planning?"

 

   The entire time you're swinging at Ku and he's dodging, all you can hear is a voice at the back of your head.

 

   It's telling you to fight and all you can do is listen.

 

   Ku hisses when you graze his face. A thin cut forms on his right cheek, and in retaliation, he blows stars directly at your torso.

   You dodge to the side, but you're hit in the right lung anyway. Not to mention you ran into some stars when you dodged. Ku takes your momentary stall to kick you in the left rib.

   Your block is late and Ku has already leapt backwards out of range.

   "That's some thick skin you got there, Ku! He doesn't seem hurt at all!'

   The entire time, Ku's been running into a few of his own stars, and he hasn't flinched or shown signs of pain. He either really does have tough skin or he's just used to it.

   Or both.

 

   It takes him by surprise when you blast forward and tackle him with your legs.

   Your legs are shackled around his waist and he lets out a horrified yelp-- because this is an awful position or because you actually got him, we'll never know.

 

   When you push yourself up with your arms, Ku tightly presses his knees into your sides to keep you away.

   You gasp in pain before shaking your head.

   "Please forfeit. I don't want to hurt you." You begin to pry his legs off by pulling on his ankles. Ku visibly struggles. As expected of a long-range fighter, he doesn't have a high score in the strength department.

   "Forfeit..?" He finally winces when your fingers tighten. "Who do you.. think you are!?"

   A large explosion shoots from his mouth, tears through his mask and flies directly towards your face. 

   You tilt your head to the left, but it manages to graze your helmet.

   The alarming blast hurts both you and Ku.

   

   "I won't lose to you..!" Ku coughs, and the inside of his mouth is a patchy red. Now that you can get a clear view of his mouth, it looks somewhat like a cat's.

   Head swimming, you groan, "That's.. uncertain..."

   When did he charge that up..? How did I not see?

   

   "Weak points usually have a small hitbox, and that helmet only makes things worse for you."

   Your eyes widen when Ku untangles himself and stands up, his cheeks full of air.

   "Big Bang!"

   You feel the brunt of three migraines before passing out.

   Midnight asks if you can get up, but you don't hear her. Ku watches on with the same bored expression he wore at the beginning of the match. 

   

   "K-- Ku ends the match with a bang!"

Chapter 24: Rin

Notes:

character profile for kuchimoto :-)

   

 

   "You were amazing!"

   "Thank you."

 

   It's still the day of the sports festival. Eight p.m. You're in a call with Melissa.

 

   "Please don't feel sad or anything," she says sincerely, a big smile on her face. "You fought just as well as everyone else!"

   "Don't worry. I don't feel sad." You know the basic definition, but not what it actually feels. Luckily, you're not sad anyway.

   "Good! By the way leg lock move you used on the guy in the last round was pretty cool."

   You blink. "It has a name. I see."

 

   "I actually don't know if that's what it's called.. hehe. But how's your head?"

   "My head isn't hurting anymore. Your helmet is efficient."

   "Is it really..? He must've used some strong explosions if he managed to knock you out.."

   "His mouth was bleeding, so I assume--"

   "Wait, what? Oh my goodness!"

 

   It's forty minutes later when she says, "I'm so proud of you."

 

proud

/proud/

adjective

1.  

   feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated.

   

   You take a few seconds to Moogle what that means before replying, "I am proud of you and I."

   

   Melissa freezes. Her eyes are wide and her grip on the phone loosens slightly. "What?"

   You dutifully repeat, "I am proud of you and I--"

   "You're feeling again!" Melissa jumps up from her desk, cheering and squealing, "You can feel again!"

   "I will feel more in the future, Melissa--"  

 

   "What spurred you to fight was your pride, isn't it?" Melissa cuts you off, her breath heavy. She's never been the most athletic, so bouncing around wore her down easily. "The pride I'm talking about.. It's when you want to keep fighting no matter what. It's when you get knocked down, and if you stay down, you'd hate yourself so.. you get up."

 

   You recall the voice in your head earlier. It was chanting, Fight, fight, fight!

   So I get up. 

 

   "I think it was my pride."

 

   On the other end, Melissa prays to whoever's listening that you'll be able to feel as much as she can.

 

 

 

                                                                                           

 

 

   Bullets of pale olive green pierce your unassuming face.

   "Get out."

 

   It's the next day and you and Ku stand face-to-face in Rin's hospital room. You actually haven't even gone inside yet-- Ku is guarding the door.  

   "Ku! Don't be rude," scolds Kendo as she grabs his arm. She's not the only one here; the rest of the class is present. They haven't known each other long, but it would be rude not to visit.

   The other students all stare at you, watching, waiting.

   Ku makes no movement to shake Kendo off. Instead, his sharp eyes are glued to your innocent ones. You stare back.

 

   "Oi, Kouki." It's Rin's voice calling the grey-haired boy. "I'd like you to stop that."

   "Hiryu," he replies evenly. He doesn't look back at Rin. "Where's your pride?"

   Kendo drags him behind her and snaps, "Stop it!"

   The rest of 1-B watches on with uncertainty.

 

   "Some balls you've got to come marching in here," Monoma drawls snidely. Kendo glares meaningfully and he innocently shrugs before averting his eyes.

   That's similar to what Awase said to you the day before. So you reply, "I have no balls on my person, but I've come to deliver this."

   Before 1-B can gawk at you in confusion, you hold up a bouquet of buckwheat flowers and light pink camellias. It's wrapped in plastic all around to prevent pollen from escaping.

   

   Ku gruffly replies, "Hiryu's allergic to that."

   You immediately move the bouquet behind you. "I'm sorry for not asking prior."

   Ku yelps when an apple slice hits the back of his head. "Ow!"

   "I'm not allergic to anything!" hisses Rin, another apple slice ready and loaded.

   Ku gives him a betrayed look, a tear in his left eye. Rin steels himself against that pitiful, puppy-eyed stare.

 

   "That's enough," sighs Kendo. She gestures for you to stand aside and begins to shepherd everyone out. Ku takes a lot of effort, but one full-body slap with Kendo's enlarged right hand does the job.

   You ask, confused, "Why are you--?"

   "So you two can talk," she replies with a courteous smile over her right shoulder. She closes the door with a soft click.

   "Thank you," you reply.

 

   As you turn around, Rin says with a tiny, tired smile, "Thanks for the flowers."

   You set the bouquet on its side next to the fruit basket the other kids gave him. There are a few wrapped slices of melon-- a full melon is rather pricey and they haven't known Rin long, after all.

   "Do you find the bouquet satisfactory?"

   Rin raises a brow at your wording but replies nonetheless. "I do. Thank you."

 

   You sit next to his bed. "What is your arm's current condition? May I scan you?"

   "Sc-- 'scan?'" Rin warily replies, "I'll be discharged in six hours."

   It's five in the afternoon at the moment.

   "That is a satisfactory time," you say with a self-directed nod. "Ms. Recovery Girl is an efficient worker."

   He lets out a mix of a tired laugh and sigh. "Yeah, she is."

 

   Now there's awkward silence-- awkward for Rin, at least.

   "Scanning," you start suddenly. It startles him. "is the process of taking your basic information and your vitals via the scanning feature in my eyes."

   Rin sweats. "..I see."

 

   Your right iris spins a little and a minuscule whirrrr can be heard. "Your shoulders moved rapidly just now-- they 'jolted', yes? I see I startled you. I apologize."

   Rin sighs heavily. "It's fine."

   "Would you like me to scan you?"

   "N.. no, that's alright."

 

   More silence. Rin stares wearily at the curtains, glowing with the afternoon sun. You gaze at Rin's arm.

   

   "Don't take what Kouki-- Ku said seriously."

   When you glance up at his face, it's exasperated. He looks like an exhausted mom of three children.

   He adds with a sigh, "By the way, he just doesn't like his full last name.. Kouki is his actual first."

 

   "Is it alright if I ask why?"

   "He's going to kill me. I'd rather not die at age fifteen."

   "I won't let you die."

 

   Rin stiffens, but before he can ask you what that was about, you say, "You and Ku appear to be friends. Why would he kill you?"

   One of his delicate black brows rise. "..he won't actually kill me. It's just an exaggeration."

   You nod. "I see."

   It's at this point that Rin realizes you're not a normal human being. And it's not just because of the fake eyes or limbs. There's a glint of intrigue in his black irises, but he says nothing.

 

   He tries not to dwell on it. "Again, sorry about his behavior. He can be a brat..."

   "Meanie," rumbles Ku from the other side of the door. Rin shoots it an exasperated look.

   "Meanie..." You tilt your head a little. That sounded rather informal for someone as cold as Ku.

 

   Rin turns his gaze back to you. "You should go. You must have other things to worry about."

   You know what that means only because Melissa and your other close companions have expressed worry so strongly. "I think I do. Goodbye, Rin."

   Rin nods with a professional quickness in spite of his sluggish condition. "Good luck with internships."

   "I wish you good luck as well."

 

   You're not spared from Ku's wrathful gaze as you leave the room. Your bidding of farewell is returned with an eyeroll and he enters where you left.

   The rest of 1-B seem to have left already, aside from Kendo. From her seat down the hall, she nods to you and you wave at her. She stands up to go check on Rin once you pass by.

 

 

   You think about the internships as you walk.

   Once you're outside, you take in the sunshine. The sky is all blue today.

   

   How odd, you think. I don't seem to feel worried at all.

Chapter 25: Indoctrination

   You shuffle through two papers. You shuffle again.

 

   "That's just pitiful," wheezes Mineta as he presses his cheek to the lunch table. Kaminari is just as sullen about not getting many requests, but he at least doesn't bag on you. He sits next to Mineta and you sit across from the former.

   Aizawa said the fact that you even got two papers of agency names was a miracle. Your performance was pretty bad and based on your observations, you knew your teacher was right.

 

   "They're looking for potential." Kaminari puffs out his chest with sudden confidence. "I have lots of that if I do say so myself!"

   "What would you two rate my potential?" you ask in all earnestness. Mineta and Kaminari want to troll you, but the conflict in their expressions says that you're too innocent and unassuming to troll.

   "You're fine." Mineta dismisses you with a wave before shutting his eyes. "Just be grateful you even got requests."

   Kaminari gives Mineta a dissatisfied look. Then he says to you with a lopsided grin, "You've a lot to work with so you'll get along just great."

   "I hope so. Thank you for your opinions."

 

   "Internships, huh?" Ashido appears behind you, resting her arms on the back of your chair. She moves her head out of the way when your hair tickles her cheek. "Have you guys got any ideas on who you're gonna appeal to yet?"

   Mineta drools. "Mt. Lady...!"

   Ashido doesn't hide her disgust; her lip is curled and eyes scrunched. "Um, ew. Anyways, Kaminari?"

   "Honestly? Dunno." He shrugs with a carefreeness foreign to Iida Tenya. "And we're not really doing fieldwork, are we?"

   You reply dutifully. "It isn't expected that we will."

   Kaminari hums, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms behind his head. "Ah.." he breathes, closing his eyes.

   

   One golden eye cracks open to peer at you. "Anyone you got in mind, big boy?"

   "I'm not particularly large," is your first response. "Other than that, I do not have anyone in mind."

   Kaminari snorts and your other two companions sigh in exasperation at your initial reaction.

   Ashido begins to lightly stroke the grooves of your French braid with her right index finger. "I heard Uraraka's going with Gunhead," she muses. "She wants to get better at fighting. Maybe you could join her?"

 

   "Couldn't you like...program fighting moves into yourself? Like Baymax?"

   Everyone turns to look at Kaminari. He stares back. 

   Sitting down to your left and unfortunately across from Mineta with her lunch tray, Jirou drones, "Kaminari, I don't think you've had a single coherent thought in your entire life."

   Kaminari splutters and everyone else bursts into titters. You simply continue to stare. "Who is Baymax?"

   "Don't even question it," Jirou drones again.

 

   After a few minutes of discussion about internships, Kaminari changes the topic. "What's the situation with you and that Shinsou guy?"

   You've never heard that phrasing before. "We are not within each other's vicinity, so there is no current situation."

   Being a language geek, the blond explains it to you eagerly. Hanging out with you is fun partly because he gets to flex his vocabulary.

   "I see what you meant. Shinsou has expressed to me clearly he does not wished to be assisted," you reply before taking a sip of water. "He also insinuated that I observed as he urinated. I did not."

   Jirou slaps a hand over her mouth to muffle her laughter, Ashido guffaws shamelessly, and the rest of the table is in hysterics.

 

   "What's up?" Kirishima settles down along with Sero. Kirishima is to your right and Sero is to Kaminari's left.

   "Yeah, why's everyone laughing?" echoes Sero.

   Kaminari swallows before squeaking, "That Shinsou guy thought my man over here watched him pee!"

   Kirishima's face crinkles with confusion and disapproval while Sero just looks extremely confused.

   "I did not," you follow up. Sero takes one look at your neutral yet stubborn face and begins to howl. Kirishima nervously chuckles.

 

   Sero points a lanky finger at you. "Bet'cha did, piss boy. Little peepee man."

   Kirishima gasps. "Dude! You can't just call people that!"

   Mineta grips the table, laughing silently. Kaminari begins to howl with laughter like Sero did previously and Sero himself is biting his lip to keep it in. Ashido just sinks behind you, disappointed and hooting at the same time. Jirou looks like she wants to leave.

 

   "I believe not?" Your refusal is more of a question than anything. "I am not little nor am I a man, and I do not know what else you just called me.."

   Jirou actually leaves and Kaminari lightly jogs after her, calling, "No, Jirou, come back!"

   Sero bangs a fist on the table with a wheeze. "You're too fun to mess with!"

   Kirishima reaches over the table to place a hand on Sero's broad shoulder. His face is so serious that Sero and Mineta start snickering again.

   The redhead deadpans, "Stop that right now."

   "Aw, c'mon, Kirishima! Wasn't that funny?" whines Ashido. She begins to pet you with all five fingers and as it isn't uncomfortable, you do not protest.

   "Peepee? Pee twice?" you think aloud. Sero and Mineta nod at lightning speed, eager to corrupt you. Kirishima lets out a noise of frustration.

   "Yeah, peepee! It's just pee, but funnier!" Ashido bounces up and down. "We're gonna teach you so much!"

   "Please don't," says Kirishima, strained. He defends you loyally but he also looks like he wants to participate in your indoctrination. A smile threatens to tug at his lips.

 

   "Yo, isn't Bakugou's hair the color of diluted pee?"

   Kirishima stares at Mineta for five seconds before getting up to leave. He grabs your elbow and begins to tug you away.

   The rest of the table is left to howl with laughter and as you look behind you, a tragic scene unfolds. Bakugou himself had come to tell them to shut up for laughing so loud but then they just started laughing at him.

   "Poor you and Bakugou and Jirou," mutters Kirishima. He doesn't look back; not once.

 

   When you turn forward again, all you hear are explosions.

Chapter 26: Choosing

   From the corner of your eye, you stare at the camera in Aizawa's hands. "Why does Ms. Uwabami want pictures of my face?"

   He grunts faintly before snapping one last shot of your side profile. "She wants to know what you look like. Since Uwabami and her agency have a solid record, we don't need your guardian's permission to send her photos of you."

   "Has anyone else had their pictures taken, Mr. Aizawa?"

   He sits down at his desk and begins to load the pictures into his computer. "Yaoyorozu and Kendo from 1-B."

   You walk closer to see Mr. Aizawa begin typing up an email. Your irises whirl as you zoom in on his profile picture. "Their faces were visible at the sports festival. I remember. And I think I like cats, too, Mr. Aizawa. I saw a police officer who appears to be a bipedal cat, so all cats must uphold the law."

   Aizawa squints at you momentarily before deciding to keep his mouth shut. He didn't feel like explaining to you that not all cats are cops.  

   You add after a few seconds of silence, "Hagakure likes cats very much. She says I have cat paws because the sensor pads on my fingers are pink."

   This gets Aizawa's attention. "...Show me."

   You show him your hands palm up. "Uraraka also seems to have cat paws. Hagakure refers to the individual pads as 'beans' for a reason I'm not sure of. She did explain to me, but I could not find the correlation between cat paws and beans."

   Aizawa stares at your fingers and grunts, "This makes you look less intimidating. Good decision on your manufacturer's part." He turns back to the screen. "Now go to lunch."

  "Yes, sir."

 

   School ends a few hours later.

   "Who're you choosing for the internship, guys?" Kaminari walks beside you. Jirou is to his left and Yaoyorozu is to your right. 

   Jirou twirls her right ear lobe and replies cooly, "Death Arms."

   "Oh, sweet!"

   "I have decided to intern with Uwabami." Yaoyorozu clenches her fist and stares forward with determination. "I think I will learn quite valuable lessons with someone so influential in the media."

   Kaminari whistles. "Uwabami, huh? She's real pretty, but I dunno if she actually fights. Does she?"

   Yaoyorozu almost looks offended. She turns to him and says, "Of course!" And then she sweats. "Though she seems to prioritize her celebrity career..."

   Jirou leans forward to peer at you. "What about you? Undecided?"

   "Yes."

   She frowns and moves on to Kaminari. "You?"

   "...Same." As Kaminari begins to sulk, Jirou clicks her tongue and Yaoyorozu laughs lightly behind a fist.

   "Ugh, boys."

   "Don't be like that, Jirou. I'm sure they'll find one soon..."

 

   "Ah, so you need help choosing who to intern with?"

   You're walking the rest of the way home with Midoriya. "Yes."

   He takes the papers you hand him and begins to scan the list. Nearly lost in thought, he mutters, "We need to choose a hero that suits your interests...if you don't have any particular interest, then your Quirk."

   Midoriya stops at the D section to look up at you. "Is there anything you want to do in particular? Like air rescue or marine work? We can split it into either offensive or rescue work first."

   You glance at the list. "I am not sure."

   Midoriya smiles. "Then your Quirk." He looks back to the list. His eyes bulge out of his skull once he reaches the E section.

   "What is the matter, Midoriya? You are pale."

   "E-E-En...ENDEAVOR!?"

   "I have chosen not to consider Endeavor Agency. We have met and I do not think he likes me."

   "You've MET!?"

 

   The last of the walk to your building consists of Midoriya shouting at you in what is either anger or confusion. Or both. 

   Midoriya catches his breath. His face is red and sweaty. "S-so...how'd you guys meet?"

   "He told me to urinate faster."

   "Wh--?"

   Midoriya isn't shouting anymore, but perhaps his boggled mumbling is even worse. You've been told by others not to acknowledge it so you don't say anything.

 

   "See you tomorrow, Midoriya. Thank you for your help." You're within the safe confines of your room before Midoriya gets the chance to strap you down into a chair and interrogate you.

   "W-WAIT! I still have so much to ask--!"

 

   Friday comes.

   "Ah, same stop?" Yaoyorozu smiles at you before glancing behind you to see Kendo approach. The redhead grins and waves and Yaoyorozu waves back.

   "Hey!" Kendo comes to a stop next to you. Like every other student, she's got her costume case in hand. "I'm guessing everyone here is heading to Uwabami's?"

   With slightly raised brows, Yaoyorozu turns to you. "You've chosen Uwabami as well?"

   Kendo laughs as you reply nonchalantly, "Yes, I have. I will look forward to working with the both of you."

Chapter 27: Itsy Bitsy

   You grip an overhead handle while Kendo and Yaoyorozu sit down.

   "[L/n]." Yaoyorozu has a curious twinkle in her eye when she asks, "May I ask why you've decided to intern with Ms. Uwabami?"

   Kendo, who's sitting to the other girl's left, watches on with equal curiosity.

   You nod. "Yes. I have decided to intern with Ms. Uwabami because she displayed the most direct interest in me. After confiding with Melissa, we determined that I should intern with a Hero who wants me to intern under them genuinely."

   Yaoyorozu smiles. "Ah, I see." She turns to Kendo. "And you, Kendo?"

   Kendo smiles a bit bashfully. "Well, the same reason as [L/n], actually. I'm assuming you guys also got your pictures taken?"

   You and Yaoyorozu nod. 

 

   30 minutes pass and you've arrived in the target city.

   When the three of you enter Uwabami's agency, Yaoyorozu is instantly awestruck.

   Yaoyorozu begins to twinkle, her left hand coming to her parted lips. "Oh my...! What terrific architecture!"

   You and Kendo don't appreciate the interior as much. Kendo snorts and says, "Well, let's go get checked in, shall we?"

 

   The redhead leads your little trio towards the reception desk, but before Kendo can say anything, women donning red lips, black suits, and black shades surround your group. 

   Kendo's brows furrow, Yaoyorozu looks the slightest taken back, and you look at the new arrivals curiously.

   The leader of the women raises her sunglasses and asks with scrutinizing eyes, "You three are the brats Ms. Uwabami asked for?"

   You stand there, a little out of place among the women. The leader squints at you especially.

 

 "Yes," replies Yaoyorozu with grace. She handles the older woman's rudeness gracefully. "I am Yaoyorozu Momo," she holds up her school I.D., "this is Kendo Itsuka," she gestures to said girl, "and this is [L/n] [Name]. We all had our individual photos reviewed by Ms. Uwabami personally."

   Kendo smiles at Yaoyorozu, impressed with her grace, before holding up her school I.D. as well. You follow with a bit of sloppiness.

   "Alright." The lead woman turns to the receptionist, whispers something, and then starts to walk away, her black heels clicking on the tile. "This way." 

 

   After a trip up the elevator, you are lead to a waiting room. 

   "Wait here. All of you will have a group interview in five minutes." With that, the flock of intimidating women leave.

   "Wait, a group interview?" Kendo hurriedly asks the leaving women. Unfortunately they don't hear her.

   "Not to worry, Kendo." Yaoyorozu smiles and places a comforting hand on Kendo's shoulder. "I researched the procedure for being processed as an intern here. Although those women surprised me initially, everything is going to plan." She looks between you and Kendo. "Shall we sit?"

 

   You all sit down. You're to Yaoyorozu's right while Kendo is to her left.

   You turn to Yaoyorozu. "What is a group interview?"

   "We will be interviewed as a group, although the reason has been kept secret." Yaoyorozu glances at you briefly. "I'm assuming it's to evaluate our synergy as a group since we will all be operating under Ms. Uwabami."

   Kendo blinks. "Ah, that makes sense. I'd assumed we were doing individual interviews."

 

   Silence sets in after a few seconds. The girls easily fill it with discussions about the curriculum and their thoughts on the internship. Meanwhile, you stare at the wall in complete silence.

   They notice your silence.

   "What's up, [L/n]?" Kendo leans forward to talk to you. "Penny for your thoughts?"

   You blink. "There is a spider on the wall. You do not have to pay me for my thoughts."

   Yaoyorozu squints faintly at the wall. Then, she blinks. "Ah, there it is. Also, it is an expression used to ask for someone's thoughts, [L/n]. Kendo was not going to pay you."

 

   Kendo laughs. "Yep, exactly what Yaoyorozu said. I could take the spider out if you want."

   Yaoyorozu immediately cries, "No, don't kill it! We must have compassion for even the smallest animals..."

   "I meant leave it outside."

   "Ah. I apologize..."

   "None taken."

 

   Light streams from your pupils and washes over the startled spider, which starts moving up the wall.

   You follow it with the light mercilessly. "It is a yellow sac spider."

   Kendo tries not to laugh while Yaoyorozu watches on with worry.

   The latter murmurs, "[L/n], you are scaring it. Please stop scanning it."

   The light from your pupils disappears as your irises spin to a stop. "I was scaring it?"

   Kendo finally laughs out loud. "Yeah. I don't think it liked the sudden light."

   "I see." You nod at the spider. "I apologize."

   The spider says nothing.

  Kendo looks from you to Yaoyorozu for an explanation and Yaoyorozu shakes her head.

 

   Fifteen minutes pass and apparently you've nailed the interview, because as soon as you're all out the door, the same flock of women collects you and takes you to Uwabami's office.

   Kendo sighs. "This is gonna be a long day..."

Chapter 28: Polite

   "How lovely to finally meet you kids."

   The three of you sit across from Uwabami at her extravagant desk. The entire room, including her, is beautiful and highly embellished. 

   Uwabami sits with her hands interlocked on the table and her legs crossed underneath. She's intimidatingly attractive.

 

   "How wonderful to meet you as well." Yaoyorozu smiles brightly. She's been really looking forward to get some field experience. She leans forward, polite and attentive.

   Kendo nods and offers a small grin of her own. "Yeah, likewise. I'm looking forward to working with you, Mrs. Uwabami."

   Uwabami beams prettily at the two girls before looking at you expectantly.

   You try to smile without teeth but it comes out pretty awkward. Although you look very polite, it's not appealing. You drop it as soon as you start speaking. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Uwabami."

 

   "What was that."

   Yaoyorozu and Kendo visibly flinch back at Uwabami's tone.

   Her slit pupils grow smaller somehow. The smile has dropped from her face and the snakes in her hair hang forward passive-aggressively.

 

   "If...if I may speak," Yaoyorozu starts courageously, "[L/n] does not know how to smile."

   Uwabami blinks. "What?"

   Kendo is equally as confused as Uwabami. She leans over and whispers to you with a raised brow, "What the heck was that?"

   You turn your head to Kendo. "I was smiling. I am assuming it was not correct."

   Uwabami studies you from across the desk. She leans her elbows on the table, narrowing her eyes as she scans your face. You stare back with a blank expression.

   After a few seconds, she huffs. "Well, we'll have to work on that. We can't possibly have you in the commercial if you can't at least smile." Shockingly, she doesn't ask for an explanation. Yaoyorozu sighs in relief. You not being able to smile was one of the few things she didn't know enough about to explain.

   Kendo studies you from the corner of her eye. Uwabami wasn't the only one with unspoken questions.

   Then the three of you simultaneously realize the last part of her sentence. 

   You all blink. Commercial?

   You nod to yourself. I know what a commercial is.

 

   Uwabami rises. "The changing rooms are at the right end of the hall. Go change." She claps her hands twice. "Chop-chop."

   You all nod, and suitcases in tow, you bow and leave the room. The girls' changing room is to the left at the end of the hall and boys' to the right.

   Kendo comes out first, then Yaoyorozu. They idly chat as they wait for you.

   Inside the boys' changing room, you're struck with realization. Your armor fits a tad tighter than usual around your left leg now.

   You blink. I have gained muscle.

    [Achievement Get!] Big Mascle.

 

   You carefully shimmy into the rest of your armor before picking up your helmet. "No hats indoors." You exit the changing room with your helmet carefully held with both arms.

   "Ah." Kendo looks at it with mild interest. "You wore that at the Sports Festival, didn't you?"

   You nod. "Yes."

   As your trio starts to move, Yaoyorozu says kindly, "It's very cute."

   "It is cute?"

   "Yes indeed." She laughs at your vaguely confused expression. It was just the tiniest shift in the position of your eyebrows that gave it away, but Yaoyorozu was highly observant. 

   She smiles and turns forward. So he can make facial expressions after all.

 

   On the way to the back entrance of the agency, Uwabami briefs you on what you're going to do today. "Today is highly important, kids. Can you guess why?"

   Yaoyorozu's hand immediately shoots up to Kendo's amusement. "We will be helping people?"

   "Indeed! Indeed we will." Uwabami turns around to directly face you. "I have a fan event today."

   Oh, is the collective, dumb-founded thought between the two girls of your trio. You, meanwhile, shuffle your feet. You had no idea what a fan event was and you couldn't ask because Uwabami was here. Were you really going into this blind?

   You immediately think to Melissa. I am sorry...I have wasted this opportunity to become a Hero that you've given me by being blind--

   "A fan event is where a celebrity meets and talks to fans and signs their autographs."

   Your head quickly turns to Yaoyorozu. She smiles back at you warmly.

   "Thank you, Yaoyorozu. I have been wondering that. Do you know what I'm thinking?"

   "I figured you were confused."

   Uwabami and Kendo watch the weird exchange with cartoony beads of sweat on their heads.   

   "Well, no time to waste." Uwabami turns back forward and walks a bit faster. "I have a reputation to maintain! Full speed ahead!"

 

   After a ride in Uwabami's limo, you're all dropped off on a sidewalk in front of a park. The area has already been sectioned off by roadblocks, and Uwabami's adoring fans are everywhere. 

   As she talks to them, signs their stuff, and talks to the camera, you kids awkwardly stand off to the side.

   Kendo frowns. "This really wasn't what I had in mind when I decided I wanted to intern here..."

   "Based on the commercial she mentioned earlier and the photos she wanted, we're just here because of our faces." Yaoyorozu, standing tall and with crossed arms, tries her best to be optimistic. "However, a small portion of the internship might include actual field work. Let's remain hopeful."

   Meanwhile, you internally debate taking your helmet off. 

   I am not in combat, but I am still outside. Do I need to wear Melissa's helmet? 

   No, I shouldn't be so weak in my conviction. A disaster may arise at any time, just like at the U.S.J.

   Kendo looks at you with exasperation. She's only known you for a few hours, but she can already tell by your odd silence that the Mii channel music is all you've got going on inside your head.

   She tries not to laugh out loud as she looks forward again. No thoughts, head empty.

 

   Suddenly, a stray paparazzo jogs up to you. "Hey, you're Uwabami's new interns for this year, aren't you? Don't mind if I snap a few pics. You, with the helmet, take it off."

   Yaoyorozu is taken aback for the second or third time today. You watch the man carefully, subconsciously spreading your feet farther apart. Kendo moves in front of your group with an irked expression. "Listen, we don't want our photos taken--" She's rudely cut off by a flash to the face.

   She growls. "Ow! Watch where you're using that thing--"

   Yaoyorozu pulls her back. Her pretty face is contorted with worry. "Are you alright, Kendo?"

   Kendo sighs. "Yeah, thanks." She side-eyes the paparazzo, who's attracted a few more of his kind. "Uwabami told us this would happen. Guess there's nothing we can do."

   Meanwhile, you stand like a deer in the headlights. Your hackles are up. You've been told to take off your helmet, and the paparazzi keep chiding to you take it off. Your feet are spread and ready to hold your ground.

   Kendo lightly elbows you in the rib. "Relax. It's not like they'll attack us. These are just regular people with cameras."

   You eye her elbow curiously. Bakugou also elbowed me. Is this common? "They will not attack us? I see." You go back to standing like an idle Sim.

    "Hey, take your helmet off!" One of the paparazzi actually approach you and you hold your arms in a defensive X.

   "It is against protocol." You have the palm-side of your fists strategically facing away from you. Both Kendo and Yaoyorozu pick up on this.

   Kendo quickly lunges forward to pull your arms down. Your eyes widen subconsciously, and Kendo quietly hisses, "Keep your palms facing inward. Don't tell me you planned on using your power against a civilian?"

   Yaoyorozu watches, her hands over her mouth and eyebrows furrowed. 

   Your mouth opens silently. Then you lower your hands to your sides. "I would if it became necessary. Anything is liable to happen."

   Kendo watches you with slightly narrowed eyes before pulling back. "Be careful with that."

   You think back to when you burned Rin at the sports festival. Shifting to face Kendo, you bow. "I will."

   Her eyes soften when you bow, but she says nothing.

 

   An hour later, you're finally allowed to go back into the limo and drive back to the agency.

   "Sheesh." Kendo stretches her legs. "My feet hurt from standing so long."

   Yaoyorozu pumps a fist. "Perhaps it was part of our endurance training? What a wonderful way to incorporate training into a fan event!"

   Kendo tries not to face-palm.

   

   "Hey, kids." Uwabami talks to you from across the limo. "How do you feel working alongside so many cameras?" She points a manicured finger. "As a Hero, you'll always be facing countless cameras, fans, and rude paparazzi. As public figures, there's very little we can do to avoid the publicity. I hope you learned something today."

   Yaoyorozu's countless brain cells work hard to conjure a lesson she learned by standing in place for two hours. Kendo smiles uneasily and you play with your hands in your lap.

   As Yaoyorozu talks to Uwabami, Kendo takes notice of the pink sensor pads on the tips of your fingers. She blinks. "Woah. You have cat paws."

   You hold your hands up to her. "Some of my classmates call them 'toe beans.' But these are not my toes. And they are not beans."

   "...Interesting."

 

   "Take care of your skin, alright?" Back at the agency, Uwabami lectures you all on skincare. "Get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water. Don't forget to exfoliate and moisturize. Moisturize your lips too."

   After a few more words, you all bid her goodbye and walk towards the train station in your uniforms.

 

   "...What does it mean to 'exofoliate?' And to 'moisturize?'"

   Kendo visibly cringes at you. Crusty little man.

Chapter 29: Thinking for Yourself

   Now at home, you take out your phone and debate calling Melissa.

   I must moisturize and exfoliate...but I do not know what products to use for my 'skin type', as Yaoyorozu said. You pull on your chubby left cheek with your free hand. What is my skin type? 

   Setting the phone done on your desk, you head towards your bathroom. Once in front of the mirror, you stare closely.

   I have never paid attention to my skin since I have been awake. You poke your forehead a few times. How do I properly identify skin type?

 

   You Moogle it. You end up watching three different videos covering all the different types.

   As the woman in the video points out the T-area, you nod along. Surely I will be able to identify my skin type now.

   

   Standing in the bathroom quietly, you conclude that you have this certain type. You've been foolishly washing your face every morning without proper face wash or any other after-products.

   You blink. Perhaps I am a fool.

 

   At the local beauty supply store, the cashier watches you curiously. It's not everyday you see a young boy (not to mention cyborg) shopping for skincare products.

   I did not need to rely on Melissa, you think triumphantly as you hold up a 24K gold face mask. I have fulfilled her request for today. I did not need to rely on Midoriya, or anyone else either...

   You set ten different items on the register. The cashier appears mildly concerned.

   You sparkle. I will make up for my poor 'skincare routine' with these items.

 

   You wake up with a pimple on your chin the next day.

   "What is this?" You narrow your eyes at your reflection. "An infection? A colony of bacteria?"

   Your eyes dart to your phone. Is this matter worth disregarding Melissa's request? I may have to rely on her.

 

   You decide to go next door.

   Midoriya, the ever early riser, is fully awake when he opens the door. He blinks. "Oh, hey. What's up?"

   You tentatively point at your pimple since you'd learned that poking it hurts the hard way. "Will you help me identify this odd growth on my chin?"

   He deadpans. "That's a pimple."

   "Is it a health risk?"

   "Um, no? It doesn't look like a cyst or anything..."

   "What treatment do I need? What is a 'cyst'?"

   Midoriya begins to tremble. He's not looking forward to the barrage of questions to come.

 

   Inko ends up inviting you inside and treating your pimple herself. 

   You sit at the dining table while Inko stands by your side while Midoriya watches from across the room with an exasperated look.

   Inko smiles. "Let's ice it first."

   You flinch at the coldness against your face. Struggling to talk without displacing the ice, you ask, "How will the ice treat the 'pimple?'"

   "The redness and size will go down," she chirps cheerfully. "I got some pimples as a teen, but Izuku hasn't yet, so I might be a bit rusty at this."

   Midoriya scratches his cheek. "Mom, I think there's some liquid bandage in the medicine cabinet. I heard it's good for pimples."

   "Oh! Can you get it, Izuku?"

   "Yeah."

 

   Your face twitches uncomfortably as you walk to school with Midoriya. There's a spot of what looks and feels like clear, shiny glue on your face.

   Midoriya sweats. "Sorry. It does seem pretty effective from what I've read online though."

   You nod slowly in mild distrust. 

   I do not like this 'liquid bandage.' Why have I gained a pimple? I used a variety of skincare products for my skin last night, all ten of them...

* Don't use ten skincare products at once.

 

   "Woah! Is that a pimple?" Kaminari leans in to peer at it. "Someone's finally starting puberty! Baby cheeks begone!"

   You're now being bullied in class. 

   "I am at the age of puberty. That makes sense--"

   From across the room, Aoyama gasps dramatically. "Oh, [L/n], how unsightly! Why don't I recommend you my cheese skincare routine?"

   Kaminari stares at Aoyama with slight fear.

   

   To your left, Yaoyorozu comments worriedly, "What will Ms. Uwabami think? She did urge us to take extra good care of our skin..."

   "Well, it could also be genetic." Hagakure, weirdly enough, knows a lot about skincare. "It's not always external."

   Kaminari gasps. "Woah, how do you take care of your skin when you can't even see it?"

   Hagakure, Yaoyorozu, Aoyama, Ashido, and anyone in close radius stare down Kaminari. Even Tokoyami peeks an eye open to stare. Bakugou barks, "Dumbass!" What Kaminari said was so stupid even Bakugou had to comment.

   "I can see myself, y'know."

   "Oh."

 

   Uwabami freaks out when she sees your cursed pimple.

   As makeup gets pounded into your face and your hair pulled all directions in the makeup studio, Uwabami lectures you, the snakes in her hair hissing all the while. This may be the runner-up for the worst, most overwhelming experience you've ever had in your entire two months or so of being awake.

   You make eye contact with Yaoyorozu and Kendo across the room, who're getting their hair curled by lovely, calm stylists. Kendo poorly suppresses a laugh and Yaoyorozu closes her eyes in pity.

 

   Though you look like a handsome young man at the end of it all, you have the emotional state of a windblown rat. 

   "Alright, take one." You hear a clack, and then the camera starts rolling.

   Uwabami advertises the hair spray, Yaoyorozu and Kendo soon joining her. You stand off to the side and wait for your cue.

   Once the cameraman ends the girls' scene and waves his hand, you come in for a solo 'Guy Segment.'

   "We're rolling."

 

   "This hairspray will hold your hair so good," you start, staring into the camera like the ghost of a murdered Victorian era child. "Your hair will never move."

   "CUT!" Uwabami snaps, "More emotion, kid! Advertise this hairspray like it's the only hairspray you'll use for the rest of your life!"

   Nodding and reviewing Uwabami's performance in your head, you turn back to the camera.

   "Take two of Guys' Segment." 

   

   "This hairspray will hold your hair so good...!" You try to speak enthusiastically without shouting. You stretch your mouth in a pathetic attempt to grin. "Your hair will never move...!"

   "Oh my God." Uwabami deflates. "This kid is hopeless. Are looks all he has?"

   

   "...Take ten."

   Uwabami has given up ragging on you and instead moves her fingers in a circular motion encouragingly. She mouths, Improv.

 

   "I am confident that when I perform my Hero duties, this hairspray," you hold it up by your face, "will never fail to keep my hair in place."

   There's some awkward silence before the scene is ended with a, "Cut!"

   Uwabami frowns. "That's good enough for now." She beckons you over and you oblige. "Practice smiling. That was a good line, however."

   "Thank you, Ms. Uwabami." You bow. "I will try my best."

   She smiles in faint amusement before walking off to talk to the lighting crew.

 

   "That was a fantastic line, [L/n]." Yaoyorozu nods appreciatively. "I would definitely buy this hairspray."

   Kendo puts her hands on her hips and laughs. "You're hopeless, I think the commercial is fine as it is whether you're smiling or not."

   You absorb their criticism. "Thank you."

 

   As Kendo said, it was after taken twenty-five of the Guy Segment that it was confirmed the commercial would remain as it was.

   Uwabami paces anxiously, chewing her nail. "Will it fly? If he was less chubby, the dark and brooding trope would make this hairspray fly off the shelves..."

 

   The next day, the commercial is revealed to be a success.

   "Yo, [L/n]! My guy!" Kirishima greets you with a friendly clap on the back as you walk into class. "I was watching T.V. this morning and saw you, Yaoyorozu, and Kendo on T.V.! Nice job, man!" The redhead runs his hand through his spikes and laughs boisterously at your indifferent face. "Might just buy some of that hairspray for myself!"

   "Thank you, Kirishima." You bow your head. It's at this moment that your classmates that had been previously swarming Yaoyorozu (who'd arrived earlier) decided to come congratulate you.

   Midoriya is literally glowing with excitement. "Oh my gosh! I can't believe you and Yaoyorozu got to do a commercial with Uwabami! How was it? What's she like on set?"

   Slinging an arm over your shoulder, Kaminari brags, "[L/n]'s a darn natural! Isn't that right, [L/n]?"

   You stare at him. He stares back, smiling. 

   "Anyway..." Shoji cuts your staring contest. "I might actually buy some. I've been running low on hairspray."

   A few other students join the swarm and begin to chatter until Iida suddenly breaks up the crowd. "Give [L/n] and Yaoyorozu space, everyone! They must be tired after filming so many takes--" he turns to you and Yaoyorozu, "--not to say you two were so inept that you needed many takes."

   Yaoyorozu smiles. "None taken."

   

   "[L/n], could I get your number?" 

   It's after school that Midoriya suddenly asks for your digits. You turn around and nod your head.

   After taking it down, he explains somewhat anxiously, "Thanks. I might need it during the internship. There's a chance I might actually do some fighting, so..."

   You notice the furrow in his brows that usually appears when he gets like this. "I see. Do you recommend I obtain the phone numbers of our classmates as well?"

   Nodding rapidly, Midoriya approaches you to show you his contacts. He's almost leaning on you. "Here. You can just text them that I gave you their numbers."

   "Thank you." You think to yourself, Midoriya is in closer proximity than usual. As you input your peers' contacts into your phone, you nonchalantly ask him, "Are you feeling cold, Midoriya? Would you like warmth?"

   Midoriya blinks up at you. "Hm? No. Why'd you ask?"

   There's a short silence before you gesture to his closeness. "You are in especially close proximity compared to usual."

   "O-oh!" Hearing this, the flustered male backs up. "Sorry. I guess I'm just nervous."

   

   

   "Oh, God." Yaoyorozu stares up at the wall T.V. in Uwabami's office with horror.

   Hosu is on fire, and you and Yaoyorozu had just gotten a ping from Midoriya. 

   While you, Kendo, and Yaoyorozu stare, mortified, Uwabami hurriedly prepares to relocate to Hosu by jet and use her Quirk to find any victims trapped in the fire.   

   "You kids can hold down the fort," she says, glaring at the screen. "We're dealing with the Hero Killer, Stain." With those ominous words, she leaves the room, women in black suits by her sides.

 

   The three of you stand in silence.

   Yaoyorozu still has her hands over her mouth, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Suddenly, she spins around, face full of determination. "We must be able to do something. We can't just leave Midoriya, Todoroki, and Iida to fend for themselves against the likes of the Hero Killer!"

   Kendo looks down at her clenched fist. "I feel that way as well, but you heard Ms.Uwabami. I...we need to think of the people as well. If even mere interns like us are going to Hosu, what will the public think? They'll panic even more than they already are."

   "...You're right." Yaoyorozu stands squarely. Despite her initial tone, she continues, "We are interns as much as our peers are. Nothing we can do is worthless, even if it's saving just one person out of hundreds." She makes steady eye contact with you and Kendo. "If we can't try to save at least one person, whether they're Midoriya, Todoroki, Iida or a civilian, how can we expect to have the strength to save multiple?"

   You observe quietly.

   The girls face each other, on opposing sides but at the same time not. 

   The worst thing was--they were both right. 

 

   "Let us stay."

   They turn to you, lips tense and brows rigid.

   Your eyes flick between them. "Ms. Uwabami said we must stay."

   Kendo suddenly snaps, "Will you think for yourself for once?"

   Yaoyorozu's eyes widen. Kendo clenches her jaw and looks away upon realizing the weight of her outburst.

   You simply gaze at her, unsure of how to respond.

 

   Aside from the T.V. humming in the background, the room is silent.

Chapter 30: Hand Crusher

Notes:

fanart!!! by HalluvicSenpai on quotev!

 

   "[L/n]." Yaoyorozu reaches a hand out to firmly grip your shoulder. 

   You glance from her tense hand to her grim face. "Yes, Yaoyorozu?"

   "Go." She ignores Kendo's look of shock. "For us, for our classmates, for the civilians in need. You can get to Hosu without the trains."

   Kendo bites her lip. She says hesitantly, "Will he be able to hold himself?"

   The brunette blinks, surprised. It seems Kendo has given in to the idea. "He will." Turning her attention back to you, she urges, "Go. Please, [L/n]."

   

   You suddenly find yourself...how would you describe it...uncertain.

   Judging by their faces, your peers are concerned and anxious. 

   Do I go against Ms. Uwabami's orders?

 

   "Stay."

   Yaoyorozu whirls towards Kendo, aghast. "How could you say that?"

   The redhead frowns and crosses her arms. "If he can't risk his track record for civilians, much less his classmates, then who is he supposed to save?"

   As the three of you stare each other down in thick silence, your feet begin to shuffle.

 

   "I will save people," you decide finally.

   Kendo looks at you with a sigh and an exasperated smile. "Great. Get moving, buddy."

   As you take flight from the window, the girls watch on, hoping you and the others would be safe.

 

  The heat becomes almost overwhelming by the time Hosu comes into sight.

  You wince. The cooling factor in your suit helped immensely, but the heat still crept up your shoulders.

   You're graced with some rest once you land in a forward roll.

   All around you, buildings roar with flames and both heroes and civilians alike running around, in distress in the civilian's case. Immediately, you're confronted by a local hero.

 

   "Please assist with the evacuation!" he says urgently. "I don't know if you've noticed, but there's also these monsters roaming around--!"

   A creature which the likes you've only seen once before engulfs the hero in its shadow.

 

   "500 degrees."

   Where the Nomu's head once was is now a smoking, putrid, bloody mess. The headless body flops onto the unsuspecting hero and he grunts in surprise as it flattens him to the floor.

   You turn down the heat before shoving the body off the hero and helping him up. "I am sorry."

   He wrinkles his nose at the fallen Nomu. "Thanks, kid. Thing almost got me."

   The hero grins. "Follow me."

 

   You directly charge into the fiery buildings because of the protection your suit gives you. Shielding a child with your body, you rush out of the building and set him on the ground.

   "Th-thanks, Mr. Hero!"

   The hero from before, Haze, nods at you gratefully as he picks up the child. "Good work. What's your hero name, by the way?"

   You don't hear him as you move on to the next building.

 

   "Are you alright?" you call as you dig through rubble. From inside, you hear a "Yes!" and then some coughing.

   "Please stay where you are." Just as you say that, you get rid of the last piece of stone. 

   A scream leaves the woman inside as she sees you get slammed to the floor by a Nomu.

   You exhale sharply, eyes widened under your helmet.

   "Mr. Hero! Get away from him!" The woman rushes forward, fists flying, when you hold up a hand.

   "Stop--!"

   The large, gnarled hand of the Nomu slams your head down into the floor repeatedly. Every slam rattles your brain and leaves aching bruises on your forehead.

   The woman cries, "M--Mr. Hero!"

 

   Groaning lowly in pain, you quickly fumble around till you find the Nomu's wrist and grab it.

   You send a 500 degree blast through it. "500 degrees."

   It screeches and flinches away. You scramble to your feet and it swings a fist at you, sending you flying across the room. 

   Your eyes glow red as you watch it reach for the cowering woman.

 

   "900 degrees."

   Multiple blasts cut clean holes through the Nomu. Each sends it staggering back with a roar.

   You nudge the woman out of the way as gently as you can as you rush forward, the red of your irises showing through your black visor.  

    As you shove your open palm into its mouth, it bites down onto your wrist, and you say in eerie monotone, "Magma Palm."

   The body falls to the floor. 

   When you escort the woman out, she thanks you profusely, but you almost don't hear her. Your eyes dart around and your ears open only for Nomu's.

   I will not let them hurt the civilians.

   

   "How is your wrist?"

   You turn to the woman you'd saved, mildly startled. "My wrist is fine."

   You look down at it with mild concern. If it is damaged, I will have to go back to Melissa for repairs.

   She grips your other hand, clearly not believing you. "Please get it treated at soon as possible, Mr. Hero."

   Nodding, you pull away. "My hand is not real, but thank you."

   As you leave, she stares at your back, utterly confused.

 

   You help with ushering crowds of terrified civilians towards an evacuation center. "Please remain calm."

   "[L/n]!?"

   It's the alarmed cry of Uwabami. You quickly look around till you find her angrily marching towards you.

   "Ms. Uwabami--"

   She's hissing and fuming. "What did I say about holding down the fort, young man? You're not supposed to be here. You could get seriously hurt!"

   You think back to your wrist when she says that. "I did get hurt." As much as a fake hand could get hurt, anyway.

   Uwabami's gorgeous face bears a conflicted frown. After a few seconds, she says firmly, "Well, if you're here, make yourself useful. If the girls are here, make sure you keep each other safe."

   You blink. You hadn't expected that reaction. "They are not here."

   "Good." She crosses her arms. "Wherever you're hurt, get it treated as soon as possible once all this is over. Dismissed!"

   You bob your head. "Yes, Ms. Uwabami." You decide not to tell her that it was your hand that got hurt.

 

   As you help an old lady walk, your brain suddenly pulses.

   You hiss.

 

   "You can't! You can't kill them!"   

 

   The old woman croaks, "Are you alright, young man?"

   You fortify your secure grip on her shoulders. "Yes..."

 

   Uraraka's voice? you think, confused. Where is she?

   A long gander tells you that Uraraka was, in fact, not here.

   You don't feel yourself stop breathing. Did her voice perhaps...come from my own thoughts?

   "Are you comfortable going on by yourself, ma'am?" you ask the old woman. "There is...something I must check on."

   "Yes, yes. Thank you."

 

   You find yourself standing before the body of one of the Nomu's you'd decapitated. You stare at it, expression unreadable under your helmet.

   Flesh and bone had melted under your touch.

   I killed it.

   You gaze at it quietly. Memories of Uraraka's horrified expression flood your brain. Hagakure's tone joins it and so does memory of Rin's face, contorted in agony when you'd hit him with that horrid 900 degree blast.

   Can I kill the Nomu's? You look towards where the first Nomu had been. Am I allowed to kill them?

 

   "Thanks, kid. Thing almost got me."

   Yes. You can breath again. I have permission to kill.

   With that, you rush back onto the scene.

 

   Hours later, you check yourself into Hosu Hospital with complaint of minor head injury. The inside padding of the helmet saved you from further damage. Fortunately, you'd killed the Nomu before it could do any serious damage.

    By now, the fires were out and word of Stain's capture spread through the area.

 

   "[L--L/n]?" Midoriya gawks at you, wide-eyed as the nurse escorts you in. Todoroki, who's sitting on the edge of his own bed, watches you silently.

   "We found out that he's part of your intern group," kindly explains the petite nurse. "Sit here, Mr. [L/n]."

   You sit down on a vacant bed as instructed. You then greet, "Hello, Midoriya, Todoroki."

   While Todoroki only nods in response, Midoriya stutters, "What--what are you doing here? Did you come all the way from Uwabami's because of my distress signal?" His eyes follow the curve of the bandages around your head.

   "Yes." You can see that Midoriya himself is far worse off than you are. He's using a crutch to support himself on one leg. Todoroki, meanwhile, has a stickie on his face. 

   Midoriya's distressed expression dissolves into a grateful one. "Thanks for coming, [L/n], really. Even though you weren't there to assist us with Stain, I'm still glad you came."

   You blink. "You fought the Hero Killer, Stain?"

   Immediately the other boy pales. Todoroki gets a sour look and merely adverts his eyes.

    

   "...Yeah, but credit was given to Endeavor so that we wouldn't get in trouble." Midoriya chuckles, disheartened. "Did you get clearance from Uwabami? You might be in trouble as well."

   You recall Endeavor being that man you met during the sports festival. "I see. Yes, I have been given clearance." Then, you look around. "Where is Iida?"

   "Getting his diagnosis," mutters Todoroki. You glance at him, not expecting him to speak. Todoroki's eyes are still glued to the floor and they're filled with an emotion you're not sure how to describe.

   Midoriya stares at Todoroki with a sad expression until his phone starts ringing. Everyone watches as he pulls his phone out of his pocket.

   He jumps once he sees who's calling. Leaving the room a little too quickly, he calls, "I'll be stepping out for a bit to take this."

   The door closes softly.

 

   "Why should Endeavor take credit for your actions?"

   Todoroki stirs at your question. Only giving you a side-glance, he says lowly, "We don't have our hero licenses yet, so we legally weren't supposed to act against Stain."  He turns his attention back to the floor with a scoff.

   This is the most Todoroki has ever said to you so you try to approach him carefully. He didn't seem to be very fond of you, after all. The last time you two talked, he said you were going to die if you couldn't fight offensively.

   You glance away. I do not know very much about Todoroki...

 

   The door suddenly creaks open and at first you think Midoriya has returned, but it’s Iida with a grim look on his handsome face. Your gaze sweeps over his completely bandaged and slung arms. 

   "Iida," curtly greets Todoroki. 

   Your right iris whirls as you take in Iida's tight lips and clouded eyes. "Hello, Iida. Are you alright?"

   It's as if Iida is ripped from his daze upon hearing your voice. "[L/n]! You are here?"

   You nod and Iida musters a grateful smile that touches his eyes. "Thank you, [L/n]." He turns to Todoroki. "And thank you for making me realize what was truly important to me, Todoroki. I owe you."

   The bespectacled boy settles down on his assigned bed and the room goes quiet once more. You climb onto your bed fully and lay on your left side, facing Iida. Round, curious eyes stare at square, downcast ones.

   You don't catch his eye.

   Iida only stares at his left hand.

 

   The door slides open to reveal Midoriya. He blinks. "Ah, Iida. Just got off the phone with Uraraka and--"

   Iida doesn't look up. "Midoriya."

   "...Iida just got his diagnosis," quietly explains Todoroki.

 

   "My left hand...could have permanent damage."

   Midoriya freezes, shoulders rising and tensing and brows drawing together. You sit up and blankly gaze at Iida.

   He continues, "Both my arms were badly injured, but my left got the worst of it. He severed something called the brachial plexus nerve. But they said that I might regain most of the feeling...and use of my hand and fingers if I receive a transplant." Iida takes a breath. "When I found the Hero Killer, my mind went blank. I should have told Manual before doing anything else. I may hate him, but he wasn't wrong. So..."

   He raises his head, brows tight and eyes full of resolve. "Until I succeed in becoming a true Hero...my left hand will serve as a reminder."

   "Oh..." weakly manages Midoriya. He looks down, conflicted. 

      

   Your hands produce a metallic clicking sound as you play with your fingers. "Iida, what is your left hand to remind you of?"

   Iida hesitates. Then he briefly explains, "I attempted to hunt the Hero Killer in order to avenge my brother, Ingenium. Until I decide to receive the transplant, my left hand will always serve to remind me of my mistakes." He looks to you with a small smile. "Do you understand?"

   You don't. You can't understand why he'd leave his hand crippled when he could get surgery.

   "Yes, Iida. Thank you for explaining."

   Who taught you to lie?

 

   "Iida."

   Said boy looks to Midoriya, mildly startled. "Yes?"

   "I...feel the same way." He swallows as he comes to stand directly in front of Iida. Lifting a fist, he says, "Let's get stronger...together."

   "I'm...sorry..."

   All heads turn to Todoroki, Iida and Midoriya with visible surprise and you with nothing, as usual.

   The dual-haired boy stares down at his right hand with guilt. "Whenever I'm involved...it feels like...people's hands get messed up...or something?" He whispers to himself, "Is it a curse?"

   You perk up slightly. "I see. You are making a joke."

   You identified a joke for the first time! You can't wait to tell Melissa--

 

   As the others burst into laughter, Todoroki even more guiltily refutes, "No, I'm not joking. Just call me the "Hand Crusher"..."

   "Hahaha! What on earth are you talking about?"

   "Looks like even Todoroki knows how to make a joke."

   "The Hand Crusher!!"

   Your eyes grow round. Is it a joke or not?

   

   Trying not to laugh, Midoriya asks you, "I saw you look at your right wrist a few times. Is it damaged?"

   Before you can even answer, Todoroki sweats buckets. "I'm sincerely sorry..."

   While the other two howl again, you struggle to wrap your head around whatever the hell's going on. "You cannot damage other's hands just by being near, Todoroki."

   "You don't know that..."

   "I do--"

   "The evidence is right in front of you..."

   The nurse has to come in and tell you all to be quiet when Iida and Midoriya start yelling with laughter.

 

Chapter 31: H.I.R.O.

Notes:

past tense time

  Uwabami stood before the three of you, clawed hand on hip and a smirk curving her lips. "Be good, you brats. Take good care of your skin."

  Her gold, slit-pupiled eyes burrowed into you as she harshly tugged on your left ear. "And no using ten skincare products at once! How can you be so daft!?"

   You winced. "I am sorry, Ms. Uwabami."

   Yaoyorozu and Kendo giggled. The latter then bowed to Uwabami. "Thank you for this fulfilling work experience."

   Kendo followed suit and so did you.

   And with that, you were off to the train station.

 

   "By the way, [L/n]," asked Kendo, turning her head to you with curious eyes, "What's your Hero name? Uwabami said it was too stupid to call you by."

   Yaoyorozu placed a delicate hand over her mouth to conceal her laugh and Kendo side-glanced her with a raised brow.

   "My Hero name is..."

 

   The clock was ticking.

   Most of the class had already presented their hero names. Only five kids, including you, had yet to go, and you still had no idea what to name yourself.

   You thought to yourself, What does the name of a Hero sound like?

   "[L/n]-kun! Please come up to present." Midnight's voice broke through your brainstorm.

   You looked up, eyes round as an owl's. "...Yes, Ms. Midnight."

   

   As you settled behind the podium, your classmates looked up at you with intrigue. What sort of Hero name would the listless [L/n] choose? 

   Midnight's eyes softened as she noticed your board was completely blank.

   "We won't judge you!" Kirishima chirped supportively. He raised a fist and beamed.

   Sero snorted. "At least not too hard."

   

   Your mouth moved pointlessly for a moment. 

   You'd noticed that your classmates' Hero names were based on their Quirks or physical traits. Cellophane, Pinky, Earphone Jack...and then there were Deku, Iida, and Shouto.

   You began to write your last name when Midnight stopped you with a soft hand on your wrist. She shook her head and whispered,  "If you're gonna give yourself a Hero name, make it good."

   "He...ro..." you voiced it out as you wrote it in English. 

  Midnight, having enough of this dilly-dallying, snatched both the board and marker away from your unsuspecting hands. You blinked at your suddenly empty hands.

   She dashed out 'hero' and wrote 'H.I.R.O.' in big, bold, black letters.

   When she handed it back to you, you stared at her in wonder.

   "Well? You like it?" She smirked. "Each letter stands for..."

 

  "...heroism: integrity, responsibility, and outstanding."

   The redhead snorted once before laughing silently and gripped her stomach. She looked up to ask, "What, do civilians have to say all that when they need you?"

   Yaoyorozu came to your defense. "I think it's very cute. It sounds like a name I would see on cartoons and I think it would do well to teach children a few of the most important principles of heroism--"

   This only made Kendo laugh harder.

   "No. It is fine to say only 'Hiro'." You blinked at Kendo's reddening face. "Are you alright, Kendo?"

   She finally settled down with a few breathy laughs. "Well, at the very least, I think it suits you. Very child-like."

   

   

   Once you bade the girls farewell after dropping your costumes off at school, you saw Midoriya walking not too far ahead of you.

   "Midoriya." 

   He didn't seem to hear you. Speeding up your pace after a moment's thought, you called with slight strain, "Midoriya."

  

   "Oh! [L/n]." The boy turned a freckled cheek over his shoulder with a smile. "It's good to see you."

   "It is good to see you as well." Running your eyes down his body innocently, you inquired, "How are you faring?"

   It was safe to say that the unintentional once-over you gave him made him flush. "I--uh--I'm good! Yeah."

   Midoriya began to sweat, eyes darting to the floor and hands gripping the straps of his backpack. Boys aren't supposed to make me nervous. Am I just on edge from Stain?

   He decided to change the subject. "Is something wrong with your throat? You sounded sort of strained when you got my attention earlier."

   You shook your head, your fringe swaying as you did so. "No. My voice is fine. Ms. Uwabami says I must learn to manipulate my voice with vigor."

   "Is that so? You mean like shouting, right?"

   "Yes."

   Midoriya blinked. After gazing forward for a few seconds, he turned back toward you. "Well, I think it'll come naturally." He suddenly perked up. "Ah, when someone is in danger, you'll shout for sure!"

   You think for a moment. "In order to warn them, I must shout, yes?"

   The shorter male beamed. "Ding-ding! Right on the money."

 

   On the rest of the way home, you two talked about your respective internships.

   "I...I think I shouted, Midoriya." You didn't look at him as you continued, "A civilian attempted to attack a Nomu whilst it had me pinned down. I shouted for her to stop, I believe."

   Midoriya had to do a double-take when he saw the genuine fascination on your face. Your eyes were big, bright and glazed as if trapped in the memory.

   He smiled and laughed. "I'm glad to hear that, [L/n]."

   Perhaps, thought Midoriya, this was where the awkward friendship between you and him would start to look up.

 

   The next day, the classroom was in chaos.

   "BWA HA HA HA!"

   "Really, Bakugou!?"

   Kirishima and Sero couldn't contain their laughter as Bakugou trembled like a chihuahua, his hair slicked down in the saddest way. 

   "Stop laughing! It's just stuck like this, even with a good washing." Bakugou's eyes were white and rimmed with veins. "Keep it up and I'll murder the both of you!"

   "Look at that! It's a perfect 2:8 ratio! BWA HA HA HA!"

   Your stupid ass, who was in ass-kicking radius, proceeded to part your hair the same way as his. At this, Kirishima and Sero almost shat out their stomachs from laughing so hard.

   He screamed, "I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"

   "You cannot. That is against the law--"

   Bakugou leapt at you and the rest was history. 

 

   Meanwhile, the girls were having a civil conversation like normal people.

   "Wow! So you got to take out some villains? I'm jealous!" cried Ashido, leaning over Asui's desk. 

   Jiro twirled one of her earlobes. "It was just evacuation procedures and logistical support. No real fighting." 

   "That's still awesome!"

  

   "Just training and patrol for me," said Asui, ignoring the sounds of Bakugou yelling in the background, the sounds metallic clanking, and Aoyama screeching not to ruin your hair. "Though one time we did catch some foreign smugglers."

   "That sounds amazing!"

   Asui put a finger on her lip. "How'd the past week go for you, Ochako?"

   

   "It was very...instructive." Uraraka had assumed some sort of intimidation stance as intense aura waves poured from her. Her pupils and irises were nowhere to be seen.

   Asui blinked. "Ochako's had some kind of awakening."

   While Bakugou had one tight fist in your hair as he prepared to punch you in the face with the other, you called to Uraraka, "Are you alright--?"

   Ashido and Jiro winced as you received the slug of the century.

 

   From a few desks over, Kaminari commented, "Such a transformation in a single week...speaking of extreme transformations..." He turned around in his seat to face the Stain trio. "That'd be the one you three had!"

   At this point, you were lying on the ground unconscious. Aoyama was doing your hair and completely ignoring the fat red bruise on your cheek while Bakugou had his hands on Kirishima's collar and Sero's entire head.

   Sero enthusiastically raised a finger. "Yeah, yeah, the Hero Killer!"

   Yaoyorozu chimed in with a frown, "I was so worried."

   "I'm just glad you're still alive," said Kirishima, struggling to escape Bakugou. "But Endeavor came and saved you, right? That's our Number Two for you!"

   

   Todoroki stared at the other redhead for a moment. Turning away, he replied lowly, "Right, we were saved."

   Midoriya tried his best to smile. "Uh-huh..."

   "So I saw on the news that...they think the Hero Killer's connected to the League of Villains?" Ojirou shuddered as he continued, "I hate to think how things could've turned out if a scary guy like him had showed up at the U.S.J. that time."

 

   "Hold on. Sure, he's scary...but did you watch that video, Ojirou?" Kaminari propped an elbow on the back of his chair. "You can really see his tenacity, his one-track mind. Kind of cool, don't you think?"

   Immediately, everyone was mortified.

   Midoriya cried, "Kaminari..!"

   "Huh--?" The blond then slapped a hand over his mouth. "Ah, Iida..! Sorry...!"

 

   Iida lifted his left hand by his chest, gazing at it with half-lidded eyes. "No...it's fine. He's certainly a man of conviction, so if some people think he's cool...I get that. But his convictions have lead him to conclude that society requires a purge." Lowering his left arm in favor of raising the right over his head, he said, "And no matter what one's motives are, that's just wrong."

   He swung down his arm like a guillotine and shouted, "So that no one else suffers my fate...I will correct my course and walk the path of a true Hero!"

   Midoriya brightened. "Iida...!"

   Immediately after his profound speech, Iida went back to class president mode. "Class is about to start! Get to your seats! And why is [L/n] on the floor!?"

   Aoyama struggled to lug you back to your seat. "Mon dieu he's heavy!"

   "Oh, right!" Kirishima laughed. "He got punched out by my man Bakugou."

   "What kind of classmates are you to stand by!? And Bakugou! No punching out your classmates!"

   "DIE!"

 

   You were plenty awake, albeit sporting an impressive bruise, by the time Heroics rolled around.

   "I am here! and the reason for that is...for your basic Hero training!" All Might stood, hands on hips, in front of the huge double doors leading to Field Gamma. "It's been a while, boys and girls! How is everyone!?"

   You watched as he talked animatedly about the assignment for today. For some reason, there was a heaviness set on your chest.

   Of course, you knew that All Might would pretend not to know you personally while in the public eye, but there was this sense of wrongness you couldn't quite explain.

 

   "I'll send up a distress signal from somewhere inside, and you will start at the border! It's a race to see who can reach and rescue me first!" briefed All Might. "Naturally, keep the destruction of property to a minimum!" He pointed a thick finger at Bakugou.

   Bakugou turned cheek and grunted, "Stop pointing at me."

 

   "Okay, Group One, to your marks."

   Group One consisted of Midoriya, Ojirou, Ashido, Iida, and Sero. They situated themselves at the end of the platform while the rest of the class either sat down and stood towards the back of the platform.

   You went to sit and, unfortunately, ended up next to Bakugou. He cursed at you and you began to scoot forward towards Kaminari and Kirishima.

   "I say Sero's taking first."

   "Yeah, but don't count Ojiro out."

   "I'm rooting for Ashido!" chimed Mineta. "Her reflexes are crazy fast."

   You-know-who grunted, "Deku'll come in last."

 

   A few feet ahead of your group, Uraraka said to Asui, "Even with his injury, I have a good feeling about Iida."

   You blink at Iida. "He has not been wearing his costume."

   Asui turned her head and croaked, "It's out for repairs."

   "I see."

 

   "START!"

   All at once, Sero sent out some tape, Ashido leapt forward generated acid from her palms, Ojirou slammed his tail against the platform, Iida kicked off, and they were all gone.

   Kirishima watched with delight as Sero flew over the pipes. He grinned and chirped, "See! In a cramped place like this, overhead is the way to go!"

   Shoji, who stood next to your sitting form, added quietly, "That puts Sero at an advantage. He's great at staying airborne."

   You paid careful attention to all of their movements. It was now that you noticed Midoriya.

   Sero smirked. "Sorry. Looks like this test was made for..." He did a double-take. "me?"

 

   Cloaked in green lightning, Midoriya pulled ahead, bouncing from pipe to pipe. 

   He grinned, eyes wide with exhilaration. "The training I did...was made for this!"

   Your classmates cried, "Woaah, Midoriya!? What's with those moves!?"

   You quickly got to your feet to watch, even going as far as to tip-toe for a better vantage point. And then both your irises began to spin rapidly.

   When did Midoriya develop that green electricity?

   Sero cried out in dismay, "You kidding me!?"

   "Wow!" murmured Uraraka. "Bouncing around...just like..."

   Bakugou. Speaking of Bakugou, he seethed from his spot at the very back of the platform.

 

   "Midoriya's jumping around!?" asked Ashido. She was clinging onto a wall with her acid.

   Ojirou, hanging from a pipe with his tail, added in disbelief, "And not breaking his bones?" 

   It was at this moment that Midoriya slipped and died.

 

   Sero ended up taking first place.

   With a review from All Might in their heads, Group One made their way back to the platform.

   "Group Two, to your marks!"

   You bent down in a crouch, gripping the edge of the platform. Grouped with you were Bakugou, Todoroki, Shoji, Kirishima, and Uraraka.

   Bakugou scoffed. "I'll leave all you extras eating my dust."

   "We'll see about that," murmured Todoroki.

   Bakugou tilted his head and snarled, "Ha!? What'd you say, you half-baked hot pocket!?"

 

   Meanwhile, Kirishima was trying to comfort Uraraka.

   "Oh gosh, everyone here is so fast..."

   The redhead patted her shoulder. "Don't worry too much, Uraraka. Just try your best!"

   As Uraraka put a hand over Kirishima's, she got a sly look in her eye. "Thanks."

   Kirishima mustered a grin before pulling away. What the heck was that?

   

   "Are you nervous, Shoji?"

   Shoji looked down at you from your left. "No, but are you?"

   "I am not."

   "Glad to hear."

 

   "START!"

   You, Bakugou, and Todoroki immediately blasted off.

   "Get away from me, you filthy nobodies!"

   You and Todoroki were forced to dodge a barrage of explosions from Bakugou, allowing him to get ahead.

   While Todoroki ran using his ice, you flew with your boosters.

   My boosters' fire rate is more consistent than the rate of Bakugou's explosions. you thought, eyeing Bakugou from behind. I will need to persevere. 

 

   Back at the platform, Kirishima was floating mid-air.

   "URARAKA! You traitor! I knew you were up to something!" he yelled, a tear in his eye. "What happened to camaraderie!?"

   "Heheh. Sorry!"

   The class, including All Might, who could see what was happening from afar, were in fits of laughter as Sero dragged Kirishima back down like a runaway ballon.

   

   Bakugou growled as you began to flank him, Todoroki not far behind. 

   Todoroki sliced an arm outward to try and spawn a jagged growth of ice in Bakugou's path. Unsurprisingly, the blond ended up just detonating it.

   The grin he sported was feral. "Try and stop me!"

   As Bakugou and Todoroki dealt with each other, you decided to be discreet and just keep swimming.

 

   You faintly remembered watching a kid's movie with Melissa. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming--

   A certain feral hedgehog leapt onto you and threw an explosion in your face. You flinched, eyes wide.

   "Bakugou, my boy, that's dirty!" yelled All Might, trying not to laugh.

 

   You and Bakugou struggled audibly as you tried to fend him off.

   "Release me, Bakugou..."

   "SURE!" He sent you rocketing away with a powerful explosion to the torso.

   The kids back at the platform winced. "Ouch."

 

   You received third place.

   "HA!" barked Bakugou. He stood with his hands on his hips, chest puffed out with pride. Todoroki leaned against the railing, arms crossed.

   "You alright, young [L/n]?"

   You sat criss-cross apple sauce on the floor. Uraraka and Shoji glanced at you with mild concern. "Yes, I am alright."

   

   All Might began to review.

   "Young Bakugou..." he started, clearly trying to find the proper words. "Your approach to a rescue mission designed to test your mobility was...not the most heroic. Although you did come 'rescue' me first, I'd like you to think about taking a more efficient approach rather than beating down others." 

   Bakugou just looked miffed. He grunted before averting his gaze.

 

   All Might talked to Todoroki before moving on to you. "Young [L/n]! Although you received third place, you did well to prioritize the objective rather than eliminate the competition. Good job. However, I'd like you to work on your defense. Young Bakugou totally ripped you apart!"

   Uraraka clamped her mouth shut to try not to laugh and Shoji turned his head to let out a snicker. Bakugou simpered and Todoroki merely watched on.

   "Yes, All Might. Thank you for the advice."

 

   "H...hey, guys!"

   You all turned to see a breathless Kirishima claw his away up onto the goal platform. "Uraraka, you little sneaky-sneak!"

   Giggling, Uraraka went to help him up, you joining her to support the rest of Kirishima's weight.

   "Are you alright, Kirishima?" you asked, picking a stray piece of Sero's tape off of him.

   He grinned. "Yep! Better than being carpet-bombed by Bakugou."

   Your group, including All Might, proceeded to laugh at your expense.

   After Shoji, Uraraka, and Kirishima's critiques and the rounds for the remaining groups, it was time to go change.

   

 

   Aoyama sighed as he dabbed at his face with a tissue. "After being away for so long, I've worked up a sweat."

   Kirishima sighed even deeper. "Man, I've really gotta work on my mobility."

   As he fixed his tie, Tokoyami murmured, "You'll just have to make up for it with reconnaissance."

   "We'll fall behind at this rate," lamented Kaminari, taking off his shirt. "I'm jealous of you and Sero." And then he side-eyed you, Bakugou, and Todoroki. "Not to mention those three."

   Kaminari went over to point at your cheek. "By the way, you okay? You've got some other bruises all over you too."

   Glancing down to give one bruise on your torso a tentative poke, you replied quietly, "I received these from my fall."

   The honey-blond whipped his head to Bakugou. "Be nicer to him, will you!?"

   "Like hell I will!"

 

   "Hey, Midoriya! I just made the discovery of the century! Get over here!"

   Midoriya looked over his shoulder and at an excited Mineta. "Hm?" 

   The midget grape bastard pointed at a hole in the wall. Immediately, everyone in the room became uncomfortable.

   When he peeked through it, he got his eye poked out.

   "Mineta," you started, walking over and sliding a hand over the hole. "You cannot look at people when they are indecent."

   He yelped, holding his eye. "Oh, what do you know!?"

   "[L/n] is absolutely right! No peeping allowed! I'm afraid I'll have to report you, Mineta." Iida shook his head with disgust.

   And Mineta was expelled. The end. (LOL)

 

  "Uh...summer vacation's close at hand."

   It was the next day when Aizawa announced that you'd all be doing a summer training camp in the woods.

   Almost everyone expressed delight at this.

   "Truth or dare!"

   "Bathhouses!"

   "Fireworks!"

   "Bathhouses!"

   Iida shouted passionately, "Curry!"

 

   There were a few more seconds of chatter before Aizawa silenced it with a stern look. "However...anyone who doesn't pass the upcoming final exams...is in for summer school hell, right here."

   Kirishima and Kaminari began to sweat intensely. They turned to the rest of the class and screamed, "Do your best, guys!"

   Bakugou rolled his eyes. "So freaking stupid..."

 

   As the class began to chatter again, you fidgeted in your seat.

   A summer training camp? I do not know what a camp is.

   You blinked as Yaoyorozu reached over and set a small, thick book down onto your desk. It read, Nippon Dictionary with Katakana.

   She smiled. "For you, since we're not allowed phones in here."

   "...I see." You took the book into your hands with care, distracted by the gloss of the cover. You turned to face Yaoyorozu and bowed your head. "Thank you, Yaoyorozu."

   She shook her head, briefly smiling at Todoroki as he turned to peer at what was going on. "It's my pleasure."

   For the rest of the period, you sat there quietly, nose buried in the dictionary.

Chapter 32: The Perfect Being

Notes:

another epic fanart!!! by RaceToCuddle on quotev!

 

 

   

   "Hey, hey, gimme a word!" Kaminari leaned over in his chair, jaw propped up with his hands.

   "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. It is an English word." You pulled out an American-English dictionary from thin air. "As I have also acquired an English dictionary from the library, I have learned many English words new to me."

   Kaminari cheered. "That freakin' slaps, dude! Gimme another one!"

   This week was the final week before exams, and you and Kaminari were dicking around as always.

 

   You flipped through the Japanese dictionary Yaoyorozu gave you before reading aloud, "Horizontal rice. It refers to Western food."

   "Amazing!"

   "What're you nerds reading about?" Ashido came over to lean over Kaminari's desk. You stood beside it while Kaminari himself was in his seat.

   "Me, a nerd?" The blond snorted. "[L/n]'s the one with the two dictionaries."

   Suddenly, Ashido turned to you and asked with mocking sweetness, "Oh, [L/n], is this rat bullying you?"

   "Hey--!" Kaminari cut himself off. He whispered, "Y-yo, speaking of nerds..."

   Ashido raised a brow and you replied, not reading the air, "Kaminari is not bullying me. And he is not a rat. I'm not sure why you keep calling him a r--"

   Said rat screeched, "Exams are a week away and I didn't study at all! Between the sports festival and the internship, it totally slipped my mind!"

   As Kaminari continued to scream, you stared at him in concern and Ashido just laughed as if she wasn't rank 19/21.

   Building up a sweat, Tokoyami agreed quietly. "Indeed..."

   "Midterms were, well..." Sato paused. "We haven't covered much since starting school, so they weren't all that tough. But now that we've had all these other events, I think these finals are gonna be much harder..."

    Koda, who sat in front of him, nodded worriedly.

 

    "Sucks that there's gonna be a practical exam too."

    Kaminari stood up from his seat and Ashido whirled around to face a smug Mineta. Your eyes darted between them curiously before going back to your dictionary.

   Ashido jabbed a finger at Mineta. "We thought you were one of us!"

   "Guys like you are only lovable when you're morons!" cried Kaminari, clenching his fists. "There's just no demand for what you actually are!"

   You blinked. "What is he?"

   Midoriya, unfortunately, cut in before the two dunces could go ham on Mineta. "Ashido, Kaminari!" He grinned, pumping a fist. "Let's try the best we can! It'd be great if we could all go to training camp, right?"

   Iida swung his arm up and down to Midoriya's right. "Yes!"

   Todoroki said with unintentional coldness, "Haven't you been attending class? How could you possibly fail?"

   In order, the Stain Trio were ranks 4/21, 2/21, and 5/21.

 

   Kaminari, who was rank 21/21, gripped his shirt and wheezed painfully. "Words hurt, y'know!"   

   You tilted your head. "Words can hurt you, Kaminari?"

   "You're rank 7/21, what would you know?"

 

   At lunch, you sat with Kaminari, Ashido, Bakugou, Kirishima, and Sero. Shouji and Tokoyami sat a few seats away.

   "Bakugou's tutoring me!" Kirishima beamed happily. "Can you believe it?"

   Bakugou threw one of his chopsticks at him like a dart and the redhead dodged. 

   The blond hissed, "What's this? Now you're going to make fun of me, bastard!?"

   "I'm really not!"

   "DIE!"

   Your left hand darted out to perfectly catch his other chopstick between your finger and thumb. "Bakugou, violence is not allowed in the cafeteria."

   "YOU CAN DIE TOO!"

 

   Ashido turned to Kaminari and Sero, ignoring Bakugou reaching over to grab your hair and Kirishima trying to pry his hand off. "Are you guys going to Yaoyorozu's too?"

   Sero nodded. "Yeah. Also, are we just gonna ignore that? I think [L/n] just lost some hair...."

   Ashido waved nonchalantly. "Pshhh. He'll be fine. What's a little hair gonna do?"

   You yelped in pain and immediately, Kaminari tried to zap Bakugou. "Let him go! You're gonna scalp him!"

   "WHAT DID YOU JUST TRY TO DO? I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"

 

   Kirishima rubbed your head soothingly, nervously looking from you to the catfighting that Kaminari and Bakugou were engaging in. "You alright?"

   "It hurts." You pressed your cold fingers to the area where Bakugou tugged the hardest. "Aoyama will be angry."

   Kirishima clicked his tongue like a mother hen before snapping at the culprit, "Look what you did, Bakugou! Now he's gonna go bald!" 

   You closed your eyes in response to Kirishima's pets.

   Sero, who was currently trying to split the two blonds, paused to say, "Uh, I don't think he's gonna go bald." Bakugou took this opportunity to punch him in the face. Ashido looked on, cheering as Kaminari flung a chunk of rice at him.

   Kirishima began to freak. "Uh, guys, we shouldn't be fighting in the cafeteria! What if we get kicked out?"

   "SHUT UP, DUMBFACE!"

   "He hurt my bro [L/n]!" Kaminari yelled, "He's goin' down!"

   Sero rubbed his bruised cheek, saying exasperatedly, "Kirishima's got a point, y'know." He glanced at Ashido. "Spray them with your acid, please."

   "Oh! Like you spray your cat with water when it's being bad, right?" Ashido snickered before thrusting a hand out. "Take this--!"

 

   All of you were promptly kicked out of the cafeteria.

   Currently, the six of you were milling around in one of the hallways.

   "Are you alright, Sero?" You pressed the back of your hand to his cheek. "It is bruising severely." You were standing next to him as he leaned against the wall.

   He sighed, closing his eyes at your cool touch. "Thanks, man. I'll just ice it when I get home..."

   One charcoal eye popped open to look at you. Sero's cheeks began to grow pink. "Sorry about using you all the time. Back at the sport's festival, too..."

   You shake your head. "I do not mind."

   Sniffling, Kaminari pointed at himself. "Hey, what about me?" A cut dashed across his left cheek. "I'm hurt too!"

   "And whose fault is that?" snarked Bakugou.

   Kirishima immediately inserted himself in front of him, warning sternly, "Hey, now, let's not repeat what happened in the cafeteria."

 

   "Anyway!"

   Everyone turned to Ashido (save for Bakugou, who just glared).

   She clasped her hands together. "So, who here's going to Yaoyorozu's to study this week?"

   Kirishima shook his head and jabbed a thumb at Bakugou. "I'm with Bakugou."

   Kaminari and Sero raised their hands, to which Ashido immediately cheered. "Whoopee!"

   "Oh boy," muttered Kirishima. Ashido, Kaminari, and Sero studying together did not sound like a good idea.

 

   The redhead turned to you. "Are you gonna study by yourself?"

   You peeled your hand off of Sero's face and turned to fully face Kirishima. "Yes. If I require assistance, I will ask Midoriya. His apartment is next to mine."

   Sero gawked. "You live alone?"

   Kaminari and Ashido parroted, "He lives alone?"

   "Yes, I live alone." You carefully observed each of their reactions. Those three were confused, Kirishima looked oddly sorry for you, and Bakugou just grimaced.

    You hesitated for a second. "...Is it odd to live alone?"

    Kirishima quickly walked forward, shooting the others a pointed look. "Heh, no. Some kids have to do that to attend Hero schools, since they might not live close."

 

   As he dispelled your worry, the other kids glanced at each other.

   "It's just..."

   Kirishima whipped his head towards Kaminari, making an X formation with his fingers. He mouthed, Stop talking.

   Kaminari just spared him a glance before making eye contact with your dull eyes. "You're pretty kid-like, my dude. We were just surprised that you're responsible enough to live alone. Nothing personal."

   Sighing in relief, Kirishima pouted. Kaminari grinned cheekily in response.

 

   Your gaze floated from Kirishima to Kaminari. Your face may have been stoic as usual, but there was a weird sense of uncertainty.

   Bakugou quirked a brow at this, red eyes narrowed.

   "Well--" Ashido spoke up to end the silence. "--let's all do our best!"

   Bakugou snorted. "Yeah, the best you dumbasses can do."

   "Rude!"

 

   Time flew, and now it was the end of today's classes.

   "Seriously, robots? No sweat!" Kaminari and Ashido chimed in unison. They practically glowed with relief.

   Hearing this, you instinctively looked down at your metallic hands.

   Robot. 

   Were you as weak and breakable as those robots you faced during the sports festival?   

   Cyborg.

   No, you weren't. You're stronger. You're a cyborg...you were reborn because of Melissa, after all...

   

   Shouji mentioned that Kaminari and Ashido usually had to dial back their Quirks against humans, and that got you thinking.

   How would you prepare for the practical? You were sure you were set for the written exam as long as you kept studying, but preparing to fight was a different story. 

   According to Midoriya, you'd be facing robots. Did U.A. have a range for fighting smaller dummy robots? You'd have to ask.

 

   "Pondering deeply, [L/n]? You seem lost in thought."   

   You looked up.

   Tokoyami leaned against a desk one desk away from you, arms crossed cooly. He had one eye cracked open.

   "Yes." You nodded, setting your hands on your knees. "I am pondering about the practical exam. I am assuming that your last sentence was a saying?"

   Tokoyami raised a brow. "Yes. Do you not know it? Your head is shrouded in so much darkness."

   "It is?"

   Nearby, Jirou chuckled. "That's sure a roundabout way of calling him stupid, Tokoyami."

   Tokoyami's open eye closed. "I don't know what you mean."

   You apologized with a bow of your head. "I am sorry for not understanding." Closing your eyes, you gripped the fabric of your pants.

 

   You were beginning to realize that you were very, very different from everyone else. You didn't understand so many of the things they said, and they always laughed and brushed it off, but for how much longer would you remain ignorant?

   You had to dedicate yourself to assimilating among them.

   "...[L/n]. I didn't mean it that way." Tokoyami fully swiveled his head to look at you, the flesh of his brow furrowed slightly. 

   Was this emotion you were showing?

   Jirou blinked, and so did others around you.

   "Hey, man, you alright?" Kirishima came over to pat your shoulder, face morphed with concern.

   You blinked up at him. "Yes. Why do you ask?"

   He scrutinized you for a second before breaking out into a smile. "Just happy to hear."

   

   "SHUT UP!" boomed Bakugou, drawing everyone's attention. "You're the moron who can't even figure out how to dial back his own Quirk!"

   Kaminari indignantly stuck a finger at him. "Who're you calling a moron, moron!?"

   Jirou shook her head.

   "Hey, Deku!" Bakugou switched targets, upper lip dragging upward. Midoriya turned to him with questioning eyes.

   "Seems like you're starting to manage...that Quirk of yours."

   Your irises began to spin at that. Though Midoriya did tell you the truth about it, it still piqued your curiosity. 

   Bakugou continued harshly, "Either way, quit pissing me off with all these stunts."

   "Oh!" Ochako perked up. "He means the other day, when Deku...was moving around like Bakugou."

   Learning to maneuver around like the both of them would be helpful to you. Subconsciously tuning out the rest of the conversation between the two, you pondered about asking one of them to help you improve your practical skills.   

 

   You weren't sure how much time had passed when Kaminari poked your shoulder.

   He pointed at the door. "Hey, man, school's over. Wanna walk together?"

 

   "...Kaminari."

   The blond was happily whistling to himself before you addressed him. He glanced at you curiously. "Yeah?"

   "What is your opinion on my combat performance without the use of my Quirk?" Your gaze settled onto your open palm. "And how would you react in a situation where you could not use your Quirk?"

   Kaminari's brows flew up. "Wow. Asking the big boy questions, are we?"

   "The questions are big boys?" You cocked your head in thought. "I suppose they were rather large sentences, but how did you identify their genders?"

   "It's just the vibe, dude."

   "Wh--?"

   Kaminari cheerfully cut you off. "Anyway! Personally, I think your combat skills could use a little work. You should work on your reaction time so that it's crazy fast like mine! And it might just be me, but..." Golden eyes bore into your own, glowing in the afternoon sun. "...you seem pretty reluctant to fight in the first place. Am I right?"

   You stared back in silence.

   Why was it that he knew the answer to that question and you didn't?

   "I don't know," you answered bluntly.

   Kaminari playfully raised a brow before turning his gaze forward once more. "Well...this sounds garbage coming from me of all people, but fighting is inevitable. You can't run away now that you're a Hero-in-training."

   He laughed, elbowing your side. "Gotta get used to it, y'know?"

   You rubbed your left rib when he pulled away. "Is hurting others with your elbow a form of communication? I have been elbowed numerous times since the school year started."

   "Heheh. I guess." Kaminari smiled. "Now, for your other question..." He suddenly blinked. "Wait, what was it again?"

   

   After Kaminari saw you off your stop, you walked home alone.

   Today felt...heavy. You weren't sure how to explain it, or how to explain your emotions, but you wouldn't ask Melissa. You were a big boy now.

   "Yes." You clenched your fist, imitating the determination you saw Midoriya display sometimes. "I am a big boy."

 

   As you passed an alleyway, the hairs on the back of your neck rose.

   You kept walking, genuine confusion on your face.

   What was that I was feeling? I felt the same emotion during the U.S.J. incident, but I have yet to identify it.

   And then you stopped and turned around.

   When you scurried back to peek into the alleyway, no one was there. There was a dumpster and some trash bags, but that was all.

   You blinked.

   There is no one here. Am I experiencing fever chills?

   You decided to walk further into the alley. Might as well make sure.

 

   "Hey, boyo." Someone spoke from behind you.

   Suddenly, adrenaline shot through your body, and you turned around with one arm thrust forward.

   Across from you was a plain civilian.

   You quickly returned your arm back to your side. "I apologize."

 

   The civilian who spoke was a pale, tall man with ovular glasses and light, neatly styled hair. He had a cold, detached expression and was dressed in business clothing.

   In his left hand was a plague doctor mask and a long black cape.

 

   In the other hand was a pistol.

 

   He pointed it at you.

   "What's your Quirk?"

 

   You spoke without thinking, "I do not have a Quirk."

   A sharp pang of pain shot through your frontal lobe and you groaned, holding your head.

   What is happening? Why did I answer--?

   "Hahahaha. HAHAHAHA!"

   You looked up at the man, irises whirring at max speed. 

   The man laughing maniacally at the moment wasn't a civilian. But you didn't have a license. What could you do? You had to think--

   

   "Perfect! You're the perfect being for the boss!" The man grinned, eyes wide. "Quirkless, and yet, so much power at your fingertips!"

   You raised your palm at him and he countered you with his pistol.

   He purred, "Shoot, boyo, and I'll shoot just the same.

Chapter 33: Lilac Eyes

   "Now..." The strange man didn't take his eyes or his gun off you for a second. "You'll keep quiet about us meeting unless you want that scrawny green-haired brat and his mom to die." 

   He grinned. "I know you like them a lot."

   Red irises stared back at him and he raised a brow. "Oh, what's this? Your eyes glow when you're angry."

   "Do not hurt them. Do not approach them." Your eyes were red with anger, but the rest of your face remained still and stoic as usual. "State your intention."

   The man remained silent. He only leered eerily at you and you unintentionally held your breath.

   

   What can I do? I must think. I must move fast enough for him to be unable to shoot me.

   "And by the way..."

   You watched him carefully as he talked.

   The man smirked. "The boss assigned me to watch you as soon as a Quirkless Heroics student popped up in the Quirk registry. I know you can find out people's personal information with just a look."

   He tipped his head to the side. "Go ahead. Scan me."

   "Why?" you asked carefully. "I will be able to report you to the police with that information."

 

   The man laughed, wiggling his pistol. "I meant it when I said I'd kill your friend and his mom."

   You inhaled sharply.

   Heat scorched your head. How dare he threaten Midoriya and his mom? How dare he?

   Red, angry light washed over the man.

 

   "Shin Nemoto. Age 32," you recited robotically. 

   And then there was silence.

   "...Quirk: Confession."

   "That's right." Shin's arm never tired from holding the pistol. "You can't hide anything from me. Emotions are so burdensome, you know? Although, emotions are what make conning so easy..."

   You subconsciously clenched your jaw before replying, "Do not hurt Mi--my friend or his mother."

 

   The man kept talking. "I like you. You don't seem to feel anything on the outside, but your eyes are the windows to your soul...you'll make a fine henchman for the boss."

   He hurled the pistol at you and all you saw in the next second was black.

 

   You woke up hours later. You were still on the cold ground of the alleyway. The sun was about to dip under the horizon, casting long shadows across your crumpled form.

   You felt like a screw drove through the front of your skull. Your head was throbbing, and a trail of dried blood stained your face.

   You looked around.

 

   You couldn't remember anything after leaving the train station.

   Why were you here? Who hit you?

   You crawled towards the alley wall and slowly got to your feet, leaning against the brick for support.

   Melissa had told you that you would have weak memory because of the damage to your hippocampus, so whoever hit you knew that one hard hit was all it took to reset your memory.

   You groaned softly.

   It hurts.

 

   You squeezed your eyes shut before blindly making your way to the front of the alley.

   When you opened your eyes, light from your eyes turned the ground a lilac purple.

   You exhaled shakily.

 

   Melissa said that purple means—...

   

   You made sure your backpack was secured to you before clumsily stumbling home. 

   Tentatively scraping off the dried blood on your face with a metal finger, you made sure to turn your face away from any passerby.

   What happened to you? If Midoriya saw your bloodied state...

   No, you thought to yourself. Midoriya can't see me.

   As you hurriedly shoved your house key into the doorknob, you racked your brain for any recollection of the events after you left the train station.

   

   "[L-L/n]?"

   You whipped your head to the right and immediately winced in pain.

   Midoriya stared back at you, eyes wide with horror. "B--blood! You're bleeding everywhere!" He had stepped out to get some extra notebooks, only to find you with blood running down your face and bright purple eyes.

   "Izuku?" called Inko from inside. "What's going on?"

   "N-nothing! I'll get going now!" 

 

   You were now inside your apartment, sitting on your bed and listening to the sound of water hitting your bathroom sink.

    Midoriya came into your room with a bowl of warm water and your bath towel. He frowned worriedly at you, his thin brows knit together. "[L/n], how are you feeling? Lay down."

   He gently pushed you down into the bed and you complied with no resistance. As Midoriya went to wet the towel, he said mindfully, "You don't have to talk if you don't have to. I know how sensitive your head is. You told the class awhile ago, and you wore your helmet during the sports festival."

   Fearfully, the boy added, "Do you remember that? G-give me a thumb's up if you do."

   You gave him a thumb's up when he sat down and began to gently dab at your face. He sighed in relief.

   Midoriya gingerly smoothed your hair away from your forehead, careful not to touch where the gun had nailed you. You closed your eyes at his soft touch. In spite of his calloused fingers, he was very gentle.

   

   Midoriya's eyes softened slightly. "Do you remember what happened? You can blink twice for yes, and once for no."

   You blinked once and Midoriya's jaw tensed.

   For a few minutes, he let you be as he cleaned up the rest of your face. When he grazed the spot you were hit in an attempt to clean it, your eyes flew open at once.

   "Crap, s-sorry!" Midoriya spluttered in distress at your reaction. His hands darted to your broad shoulders to hold you down in case you tried to sit up. "I hurt you, didn't I? I'm sorry."

   "...I accept your apology."

   Midoriya's brows knotted at your frail whisper. "Don't speak unless you really have to, alright? B-by the way...unless we have to take you to the hospital, I'm gonna be the one treating your wounds. And...I'm not the best." He smiled crookedly. "Try to bear the pain, okay?"

   "N--no hospital." Your eyes shot open again. "No hospital."

   Midoriya visibly flinched at your strong reaction. Why didn't you want to go so bad?

 

   You, on the other hand, simply went back to having your eyes closed.

   For some reason, you knew that nothing good would come out of going to the hospital.

   Something was telling you that if too many people knew about this, danger would ride in on a black horse.

   But why?

 

   Holding his bottom lip in thought, Midoriya used his other hand to lay a warm paper towel across your forehead.

   He wondered, What is [L/n] hiding? What happened to him? Did someone threaten him?

   [L/n] is rational. If anything, he would have gone to the hospital before returning home.

   Midoriya tensed, eyes wide with realization. 

   Someone definitely threatened him.

   

   "Midoriya."

   The boy jerked back to reality before stuttering, "Y-yes?" 

   You were looking up at him with tired eyes. "Please do not tell anyone about this."

   Midoriya swallowed deeply.

   "I do not know why," you continued quietly, "but it is best that only you know about my current state. My wound will take time to heal. I--" You flinched at the volume of your own voice.

   "Hey, hey," Midoriya whispered, uncertain and soothing. "Speaking will hurt. Let's talk later, okay?"

   You ignored him. "Two days. I will not return to school...for two days."

   Abruptly, Midoriya inhaled. He whispered, "Let's take care of you now and think of that later, alright?"

   You stared at him blankly. He stared back, determination in his eyes.

   When you blinked twice, he smiled victoriously.

 

 

   How did Midoriya's friendship with you lead to...this?

   He was sitting on the edge of your bathtub, slowly pouring warm water on top of your head with a cup as you yourself sat in the tub. You were bare save for a pair of boxers.

   "U-um..." Midoriya gulped. "D-do you feel any discomfort at all, [L/n]? Any pain?"

   "No." You were gazing down at the bathwater. It was tinted pink with your blood.

   

   Earlier, Midoriya had proposed this method of getting rid of the blood in your hair without directly touching the wound.

   And he immediately regretted it.

 

   You were a boy! Midoriya was a boy! 

   So why did his cheeks burn so brightly?

 

   You, meanwhile, didn't seem bothered at all.

   Midoriya cringed internally. Stop it, Izuku. Focus on cleaning the blood out.

 

   He poured another cup on you before setting the cup onto the bathroom sink. Nimble hands began to pick through your hair for any stubborn crumbs of dried blood.

   "Haha! Y-y'know," he started awkwardly, trying to kill the silence, "monkeys do this too."

   You blinked. "Monkeys rinse the blood from each other's heads routinely?"

   "...You know what a monkey is?"

   As Midoriya bit his tongue behind you, cringing into oblivion at his insensitive remark, you replied obliviously, "I Moogled what a monkey was after Shinsou called Ojirou a monkey. I see the resemblance."

   "[L-L/n], that's just mean..."

 

   Once Midoriya finished rinsing your hair, he made sure none of the runoff stuck to your upper body. 

   That meant putting his hands on you.

   His eyes began to swirl like crazy in their sockets.

   Eek!

   "U-um, I'm gonna rinse your body now, [L-L/n]..."

   "Okay."

 

   He poured a few cups of water on you before getting to work.

   Your traps muscles were...very squishy, unlike Midoriya's. After ten months straight of training, he had become a certified beefcake. 

   Midoriya blushed. Aww, that's cute. He's still scrawny.

   He shook his head furiously. No! [L/n]'s welfare is at stake here. Focus!

 

   "[L/n], I'm going to have to treat your wound with alcohol. It's gonna hurt." He stood up and opened the mirror, frowning when he didn't see any medical items. "...Do you not have anything?"

   "I keep my supplies under my bed, Midoriya."

   "Why--? Actually, never mind. I'll go get them..." 

 

   Now back in your bedroom, Midoriya got down on all fours to look under your bed. Sure enough, a black case sat on the bamboo floor.

   He pulled it out by the handle and undid the latches. 

   Green eyes darted to and fro.

   A pair of tweezers, a bag of cottonballs, some butterfly sutures, Band-Aids, rolls of gauze, adhesive tape, dissolvable sutures, a stitching needle, and...

  Midoriya blinked, holding up a small bottle. 

   Betadine?

   He squinted. He could read the English letters, but actually reading the rest of was what on the bottle was a different story. He did recognize a few words.

   Midoriya assumed this was a brand of antiseptic, but he would rather ask you to be safer than sorry.

 

   "Hey, [L/n]." 

   The door clicked shut behind Midoriya as he came in and set the black case on the edge of the sink.

   You turned your head towards him. “Hey, Midoriya."

   He shot you a smile. Then, holding up the Betadine, he asked, "What's this? I figured it was an antiseptic, but I want to make sure."

   "Yes, it is an antiseptic. David purchased it for me because it hurts less than other antiseptics." You glanced from the bottle to the rest of the medkit. 

   Deciding not to question who the hell David was, Midoriya set down the bottle and went over to part your hair away from the wound. 
 

   Midoriya squinted. “Uh...[L/n]?”

   “Yes, Midoriya?”

   He’d already dragged your wet hair outward from the roots, but was still paranoid that the hair would get into the wound. “Do you have any hair ties on you? I just wanna make sure none of the hair shifts around too much.”

   “Yes. My hair ties are under the pillow on my bed.”

   Midoriya quirked a brow. “Oh, okay. I’ll go get them.”

   As he lifted your pillow to find the said hair ties, he thought, What a strange place to put these.

   
   His phone began to ring.

   “Oh crap!” Midoriya clutched his phone with wide eyes. “It’s Mom! I must’ve taken too long...” 

   He glanced back at the bathroom before clicking the green button and saying hesitantly, “Hello?”

   “Izuku? Are you still in the store?”

   Midoriya heard the bathwater shuffle and he winced. “Hehe, yeah. I’ll be back soon.”

   “Okay, honey. Be careful. I heard the local police found a bloodstain on the ground not far from the apartment.”

   Wet footsteps began to approach. Hearing this, Midoriya said quickly, “O-oh, really? Okay, I’ll be careful. See you soon!”

   Beep.

 

   Midoriya whirled to face to you, taken aback. “[L-L/n]! You shouldn’t be out here! I get that I’m not supposed to say anything about what happened, but you’re gonna make yourself dizzy.”

   You blinked. “You may have been at risk.”

   Inky eyes glanced at the window by the door. Midoriya followed your gaze, a strange sense of dread crawling up his spine.

   He swallowed. “I see...thanks for having my back.”

   “You are welcome.” You promptly turned around and went right back inside.

   Midoriya bit his lip as he stared out the window.

   Who was messing with you? Did they know who Midoriya and his mom were?

   If he had to use One For All right here, right now...

   He glanced towards the left of the room and at his own apartment.

   His mom would be within the blast radius.

   Midoriya grit his teeth.

   That meant he’d have to leave the defense up to you.

   Was that why you came out to protect him despite being injured, half-naked, and soaking wet? Because you took into account the risk of Midoriya using One For All?

   Midoriya smiled wearily. You were more of a tactical thinker than he thought.

 

   Midoriya received a text as he was halfway done with patching you up. The wound ended up being a really deep scratch, even taking some skin off your scalp. 

   Midoriya decided to ignore the text. He frowned worriedly. “[L/n], I think you’ll need stitches for this. It’s pretty deep. Do you know what hit you?”

  “I am not able to remember.” You added, “However, I have the ability to stitch my wounds. David coded it into my arms.”

   At once, Midoriya’s eyes began to sparkle. “Woah! Did he? Is this David person the one who gave you your arms?”  
    
   “Yes. But I wish to stitch my wound, Midoriya. I do not think it is currently appropriate to idly chat.”

   “R-right! Sorry...”
    
  
   Midoriya watched, brows furrowed with sympathy every time you winced. He was holding a mirror for you as you stitched up the gash.

   Tears gathered in your left eye when the needle pierced your skin again. 

   “Y-you’re doing great, [L/n]!” Midoriya tried his best to comfort you. “You’re really brave for doing this yourself, and without any anesthesia.”

   You blinked and paused your movements. “Does it require bravery to do what is necessary?”

   “Woah, um, that sounds pretty deep. But you should get back to stitching. You don’t have to reply to my encouragement, although I’m glad you’re getting something out of it...”

   “Okay.”

 

   Once you finished, you washed the needle and put it and the thread back into the medkit without a word.

   Midoriya held your left shoulder in case you suddenly collapsed. “Good job, [L/n]. Are you feeling lightheaded? Any dizziness at all?”

   “...I think I am going to faint.”

   And then you did.

   Before you could topple into the bathtub and most likely get a concussion, Midoriya surged forward to catch you. 
   
   “[L—L/n]!”

 

   Midoriya had to drag you into bed in order to clean up the extra bleeding from when you did your stitches.

   He sighed.

   [L/n] has lost a lot of blood. Judging by how it was all crusty and dry when I first saw him, it’s been at least an hour since he was wounded.

   Midoriya was sitting on the side of your bed, dipping a cottonball into a tiny bowl of antiseptic with the tweezers. He leaned over you to lightly rub the stitches with the cotton.

   You’d gone out like a light.

   He pulled back to gaze at your resting face, lips pursed in worry.

   What if he hadn’t decided to go out shopping for notebooks? He wouldn’t have see you come home, bleeding and purple-eyed.

 

   Midoriya froze.

   Purple eyes?

   He’d seen your red eyes, but purple was new.

 

   “Okay, think.” Midoriya muttered to himself as he went to discard the cotton balls. “Red eyes means he’s angry. Does that only happen when he’s angry, or is it when he’s particularly angry...? What would purple mean then?”

   He kept muttering to himself even as he left your apartment. As soon as he said hi to Inko and went into his room, he hopped onto his computer.

 

   “What...do...colors mean...when associated with emotions?” Midoriya pressed enter.

   .....

   Midoriya inhaled and exhaled deeply.

   He clasped his hands together.

   “Purple means royalty? What?” Midoriya rested his chin on his joined hands, deep in thought. “Royalty, wealth...is there no discernible emotion for purple?”

    He looked from the screen and towards your apartment, where he hoped you were still sleeping soundly and not making pancakes or something. “Should I ask him tomorrow...? Ah, I should drop off some protein for him after school.”

 

   Midoriya opened up MooTube and clicked on his usual playlist before leaning to the side to grab his schoolwork from his backpack. He could go buy some new notebooks tomorrow. 
 
   He groaned when an ad began to play. “It’s that movie again...” He put his schoolwork on his desk and went to click ‘Skip Ad.’

   “Wait a second.” Midoriya blinked. “Isn’t this that movie with the weird emotion people?”

 

   His eyes widened.

   He clicked on the ad for the full trailer and watched intensely.

   Midoriya murmured, “So red is anger, yellow is joy, blue is sadness, green is envy and...”

 

   “...purple is fear.”

Chapter 34: Stay Gold

   Though you were a light sleeper, you never heard Midoriya leave your apartment.

   The sun filtered through your curtains and you stirred at the new warmth. When your eyes opened, you half-expected Melissa to be at your bedside.

   Not Midoriya. Melissa.

   Melissa... Your eyes opened fully. 

   She was your rock. You were like a lost child, with or without her, but Melissa was the one person you trusted unconditionally.

 

   With clunky, robot-like movements, you got up and went to go freshen up. Temptation to break schedule and immediately call Melissa did pull at you, but you never wavered. To be disciplined was to be consistent.

   The stitched gash on your head wasn't pretty in the slightest. You almost regretted taking off the old bandages. As you pulled some stray hairs away from the awful thing, you figured you had no choice but to go to the hospital. The cut sat along your hairline, crusty and an overall eyesore. 

   Will it scar? 

   As you brushed your teeth, you thought of Midoriya and Kirishima's scars. Midoriya had gotten his after his fight with Todoroki. Kirishima scratched himself as a child.

   Will I have a scar too?

   Having something in common with your friends was good, wasn't it? You knew this after researching friendship.

   You spat out the toothpaste foam and rinsed your mouth.

   I am one step closer to obtaining true friendship.

 

   You searched for your phone after leaving the bathroom. Round eyes and clumsy hands darted around before finding it on your desk. Next to the phone was a strange notebook.

   You picked it up. 

   Hero Analysis for the Future. Number 5.

   Did Midoriya forget this? I do not recall him having this in his possession yesterday.

   You checked the time on your phone. It was 11 a.m, so it was 7 p.m. at I-Island and Midoriya was already at school.

   Glancing back to the notebook, you wondered if he left you this just before he went.

 

   You took a seat at your desk. Just before you went to unlock your phone, your thumb froze.

   Should you really be contacting her? You said you'd be independent, right? You promised you wouldn't rely on her too much, right?

   Right?

   You put the phone face-down and turned away.

   Right.

 

   On your way to the kitchen, you grabbed Midoriya's notebook and set it on the dining table. 

   Standing before your stove, you realized that you ate like the filthy American you were. Pancakes, eggs, and a shit ton of rice wasn't going to help you heal. 

   You turned to look towards the Midoriya residence.

   Is Mrs. Midoriya home?

 

   "Oh my God!"

   You stared at Inko with childish innocence as the blood drained from her face. "May I have breakfast here, Mrs. Midoriya?"

   Her plump hand was lifting your bangs away from your forehead. After she peeled away the new bandages (with your permission), she saw the ugly gash. "Oh my goodness...are you sure a fight with your friend caused this? I know you kids have to fight each other for practice, but this is..."

   You nod and she quickly wrapped up your head, fingers moving with experience. You briefly wondered if she had to do this often.

   Inko worriedly grimaced as she guided you towards the dining table. "And you stayed home instead of going to the school nurse? I heard her Quirk can heal most things in an instant, so why?"

   You sit down. From under the desk, your feet began to shuffle. "She said it'd be better if I let it heal naturally first. She said she would heal me once I go back to school."

   Recovery Girl said none of that.

   "Did she? Alright then..." Inko's worried sighs were drowned out of the sound of pots and spoons. As you waited, you stared out the nearby window. The curtains were drawn, letting in the afternoon light. 

   The strange man from yesterday....was he watching you at this very moment? 

   You glanced over at Inko. Was coming here a good decision? You came because there was no point in pretending that the man didn't know the Midoriya's lived here, but there might've been factors you were unaware of due to your inexperience.

   Should I go to Mrs. Recovery Girl or go to the hospital? 

   You might be spotted by your teachers or classmates, but going to her would be much more efficient than the hospital. And she also wouldn't be obligated to report the injury to your guardian. 

   Also...that man likely wouldn't attack while you were at school. It'd be much more likely if he attacked when you were at the hospital. The hospital was full of weak civilians and you couldn't afford to use your power there.

   I will go to Mrs. Recovery Girl then.

   Inko arrived with the food. It was a steaming bowl of bamboo shoot soup with pork. She put it down on the table and warned, "Careful, it's hot. I hope you don't mind that I made this just this morning..."

   You blink up at her and shake your head. "I don't mind. The food should still be fresh if you made it just this morning, Mrs. Midoriya."

   She chuckled, bringing a hand to her mouth. "Oh, you're very sweet! I was just worried that you might not like it." Inko returned to the kitchen after giving you utensils. "Tell me if it's even just a little bit off."

   As you ate, you thought deeply about the events that would unfold in the next few days.

 

   "I'm going to visit Mrs. Recovery Girl today."

   "Eh!?" 

   Midoriya dropped the food he got you. He'd just got back from school and you were already up to no good. "Wh--!? I thought you were coming back to school in 2 days?"

   Slowly settling into a squat, you picked up the bag he dropped. "Yes, but it might be 1 day if I visit her today."

   Midoriya rambled as he helped you stand back up. "Are you sure you're fit to travel? What if you pass out on the way there?"

   "I will not." You shuffled away from him to put the bag onto your kitchen counter. The other boy followed you, worry wrinkling his face. 

   Midoriya watched as you pulled a box of tofu and a package of cooked beef out of the bag. When he noticed you were curiously squishing the tofu, he smiled slightly.

   "[L/n]..." 

   You looked down at him as he appeared to take the tofu away and put it in the fridge along with the beef. Smiling more brightly at you now, he said, "If that's what you wanna do, then let me go with you. I'll help you get there."

   Midoriya's smile made the freckles on his face look like stars in the sky. Helplessly trying to mirror his grin, you replied, "Thank you."

  

   After being interrogated by Inko about what happened to you, Midoriya grabbed you and called a taxi. 

   "To U.A. High School, please."

   "Sure." As the driver took Midoriya's payment, he eyed the two of you in the mirror to confirm. He could tell Midoriya was a student by the uniform, but you, not so much. "Are the both of you students?"

   "Ah, y-yes!" Midoriya got nervous as if he weren't a student. His eyes darted towards you and he was about to tell you to bring out your I.D., but you'd tensed up.

   "Why do you need to know?"

   "...Hey, kid--"

   "HE'S A STUDENT!"

   Both you and the driver flinched. Midoriya's hand flew into your pocket to grab your I.D. and he branded it like a shield. "He's a student..."

   "...Alright then."

   Midoriya cried internally the rest of the way there.

 

   "Y'know, maybe you should've worn your uniform. You stand out like this...." Midoriya glued himself to you as you walked the halls of U.A. Because it was after hours, it turned out that none of the staff really cared about your outfit. And there were few students to be seen. The ones that were present were support kids, who were cooped up in their room.

    "I do not stand out."

   "You...you do."

   "No."

   Midoriya just sighed. 

   

   When you reached Recovery Girl's room, the two of you peeked inside. There she was, putting assorted candies into a jar she had on her desk. 

   "Who is it?"

   "Eek! Um, it's Midoriya and [L/n], Mrs. Recovery Girl." Midoriya quickly ushered you inside before shutting the door. 

   You attempted a smile as the old woman looked at you in mild annoyance. It was after hours, after all. Midoriya explained, "He hit his head yesterday and was too out of it to come back to school, so I thought I'd take him today."

   Blinking, you realized that how he phrased it meant that it was his idea, not yours. You looked at him in confusion. "Mi--"

   Recovery Girl just smiled and gestured to one of the beds. "Don't think you've fooled me, dearie. Now, get him on there."

   Midoriya smiled nervously.. "Ahah, yes...." Crap. She knows.

   Obediently, you sat down. Midoriya stood nearby, fiddling with his hands. 

   Recovery Girl scooted over to you and began unwrapping the gauze. With a grimace, she took a look at the wound. "You should have come yesterday. Oh well, it can't be helped...Be a little smarter next time."

   You bobbed your head. "Yes." 

   

   Midoriya watched as Recovery Girl skillfully cleaned up the wound before giving you a kiss. Skin grew back instantly, and then it was as if nothing happened at all. Midoriya was in awe of her no matter how many times he saw her Quirk in action.

   Suddenly, Recovery Girl raised a finger. "Follow my finger with your head."

   "Okay." You did so a little sloppily. 

   "It's mild." Recovery Girl turned to grab her clipboard before flipping to a blank page. "Are you experiencing dizziness? Fatigue? Memory loss?" With the last one, she glanced at Midoriya and he quickly understood.

   In the end, she recommended you get an MRI at the hospital in case your brain was bleeding. Midoriya was a bundle of nerves at the risk of you getting an aneurysm.

 

   Two days passed.

   "Hey, it's [L/n]!"

   "[L/n]'s back?"

   "[L/n]!"

 

   Your eyes were like full moons as your classmates swarmed around you. Kaminari, Kirishima, Sero, and Ashido were at the forefront while Yaoyorozu, though visibly worried, made sure not to overwhelm you. Todoroki and Iida were making their way over, Iida already yelling. Midoriya smiled exasperatedly from his desk.

   "Are you okay? Where've you been, buddy?" Kirishima smiled as he held your shoulder. His brows were lightly creased.

   "I'm okay. I've been home." 

   "What even happened?" asked Kaminari. He added with a pout, "We missed you, you know."

   You blinked. "You missed me?"

   Yaoyorozu gasped, mortified. "Why, of course we did! Now, what happened?"

 

   The experience of being missed...According to Moogle, that meant that you were cherished.

   Your cheeks flushed a little. "I...got food poisoning." A lie, but a white one. Your classmates didn't need to fuss over you more than they already were.

   Sero guffawed and Ashido snorted. "Of course you did!"

   "You shouldn't eat things from untrustworthy grocers!" Iida lectured. Todoroki simply waved and you waved back, prompting Iida to tell you to pay attention.

   You didn't even mind the volume as Iida continued to chide you. Knowing that you were a cherished person among your class...

 

   For a second, your eyes flashed gold.

   I am...a cherished person.

 

   Midoriya's face lit up like a lightbulb when he saw your eyes. The others blinked before questioning you intensely, making you blink back at them. Uraraka recalled that time at the U.S.J. where she saw your eyes flash red and got up to go question you.

   "Your eyes turned yellow for a second. What was that about?"

   Looking down, you paused to think.  "In that moment...." You looked up at their curious faces. Kirishima, Kaminari, Sero, Ashido, Yaoyorozu, Iida, Todoroki...

   you looked at Midoriya.

   "...I experienced enough happiness for my eyes to turn yellow."

   "Ehhh!? That's so cool!" 

   "For real?"

   The hubbub caused even more of your classmates to wander over.

 

   "Well then!" Kirishima wrapped an arm around you, Kaminari following suit.

   Kaminari grinned and finished, "We'll make sure your eyes stay gold!"

Chapter 35: Let's!

   The final week of June came just like that.

   "I DIDN'T STUDY AT ALL!"

    Kaminari screamed in horror while Ashido smiled carefreely. You informed Kaminari, "There is a week until the exams."

    He ignored you in favor of clutching his head and yelling, "Between the sports festival and the internship, it completely slipped my mind!" You briefly considered violence. That was what Bakugou did whenever someone didn't listen. Actually, he resorted to violence no matter what. Maybe you shouldn't look to him as an example.

   Tokoyami had also forgotten. "Indeed..."

   Pumping a fist, Midoriya encouraged the two idiots. "Kaminari, Ashido! Let's try the best we can! It'd be great if we can all go to the training camp, right?"

   Iida chimed in, "Yes!"

   Todoroki chimed in meanly, "Haven't you been attending class? How could you possibly fail?"

   Kaminari clutched his shirt this time. "Words hurt, y'know!"

 

   "You two...if it's academics, I could lend you a hand," said class goddess Yaoyorozu.

   "Momo!!"

   "The practical exam," she continued in a small voice, "is a different story..." 

   Jiro, Sero, and Ojiro flocked to her. You watched, wondering whether you should take up the open offer as well.

   When Yaoyorozu found your blank stare, she smiled warmly. 

   Your eyes widened. For a second there, she looked just like Melissa...

   Wandering over, you asked for help and Ojiro raised a brow.

   "Eh? You need help, [L/n]?"

   Yaoyorozu said gently, "Just because he does well doesn't mean he doesn't need help."

   Ojiro sheepishly rubbed his neck. "Ah, right..." He looked up at you. "Sorry about that."

   "Besides," began Sero, "he's a bit stupid anyway. Heheh."

   "I--don't be mean!" cried Yaoyorozu.

   "I'm not stupid."

   "You are. Just a little." Sero poked your nose with a cheeky grin.

   "I am not--"

   Jokingly waving an arm between the two of you, Jiro chided, "Save this for later, boys."

   

   Today you sat with Midoriya, Iida, Todoroki, Asui, Uraraka, and Hagakure for lunch. They were discussing the final while you listened silently. 

   "The academic tests'll just draw from what we learned in class. That's manageable..." murmured Midoriya. "But the practical? That's scarier, since we have no idea how it'll go." 

   Iida hummed. "I can't imagine it will consist of anything particularly unusual."

   Paling, Uraraka muttered, "So, about the academic subjects being manageable..." She ranked 14th out of 21 students. You placed sixth. 

   As the others continued discussion, you suggested to her, "You should ask Yaoyorozu for help." 

   Uraraka jumped. She wasn't expecting you of all people to talk to her. "Yeah, I'll consider that." Though you two were on decent terms now, she couldn't quite forget that time you tried to kill actual people. 

   The brunette glanced over at Hagakure. She didn't think the other girl had forgotten either.

 

   "Ouch!"

   Everyone's heads whipped towards a wincing Midoriya. Behind him was Monoma, smug as ever.

   "Ah, sorry. My tray just couldn't get around that big head of yours." The haughty blond scanned the table and paled once he spotted you. He hadn't forgotten how you violated him in Chapter 22.

   Iida gasped in offense. "You're Monoma from class B, right? How dare you!" 

   Keeping an eye on Monoma, you reached to your right and put your hand on Midoriya's head. "Are you alright, Midoriya?"

   "Ah, yes..." Blushing, he enjoyed the coolness of your palm.

 

   Monoma said suddenly, "I heard you guys ran into the Hero Killer." This made the the Stain Trio freeze.

   "I guess the sports festival wasn't enough. You just keep getting attention with one stunt after another, huh class A? But now it's looking like that attention isn't all it's cracked up to be. It's starting to get dangerous, right?"

   Your irises began to spin and emit a small whirring noise. Monoma was smiling, but what he was saying didn't sound very nice. You had no clue how to identify his attitude. What was he trying to do?

   "Pretty scary! I'm just worried that, one of these days, we're all gonna get caught up in your antics! Scary...gah--!"

   Kendo had come up behind him to skillfully whack him in the neck and catch his tray with her other hand. "That's not funny. Didn't you hear what happened to Iida?" She nodded to you with a smile before turning to the rest of your table. "Sorry about that. This guy, his heart's just, well..."

   Iida jolted in surprise. "Kendo!"

   "I overheard you guys saying you're not sure about the practical exam." While Kendo informed you guys of the rumored robots, you got up to help her put Monoma somewhere. Taking him away, you let his unconscious body sit limply in your seat.

   "Kendo, you fool!" Monoma hissed. He'd woken up. "We finally had an intel advantage over them! This was our chance to show up the detestable class A--"

   Kendo smacked him again before dragging his dead (?) body off the chair. Pausing, Kendo turned to you with a smile. "Thanks for taking care of him for a bit, but he doesn't deserve that kindness."

   "I...I see." You watched, confused. Was it okay to hit your classmates? And wasn't Monoma afraid? He did say he was scared, after all....

   "I am unsure," you started as you sat back in your chair. "Was Monoma not afraid? But he was smiling as he expressed his fear..."

   Everyone looked at each other. Then they all looked at you.

   Asui croaked, "He was mocking us. He was mocking us, [L/n]."

   Iida explained in more detail, "By saying something he didn't really mean, he was using sarcasm, which was used to make fun of the tragedies class A has undergone. Very rude of him!"

   You nodded and pulled out your dictionary. "I see..."

 

   "Robots? Seriously? No sweat!"

   Ashido and Kaminari were all smiles now. You observed closely before attempting a smile yourself. 

   "You two really need to dial back your Quirks against human opponents, but this way..." Shoji trailed off before noticing you making weird faces off to the side. "Ah, you as well, [L/n]."

   At his acknowledgement you gazed down at your palms. 

   The day you burned Rin from 1-B...

   ...you never want to experience a day like that ever again.

   Your fingers curled into fists.

   I will not make that mistake again.

  

 

   "Humans or robots...I'll just blast 'em. What's the big deal, morons?"

   Everyone looked at Bakugou, who was making his way out the door. Kaminari pointed a finger. "Who're you calling a moron, moron!?"

   "Shut up! You're the moron who can't even figure out how to dial back his own Quirk!" After killing Kaminari in cold blood, he glared at Midoriya. "Hey, Deku!"

   Midoriya gulped.

   "Seems like you're managing to manage that Quirk of yours. Either way, quit pissing me off with all these stunts."

   Uraraka's eyes widened in realization. "He means the other day when Deku...was moving around like Bakugou."

   Ashido gasped. "Oh, you're right!"

   

   "I'm not looking for some hollow victory like at the sports festival!" spat Bakugou. "When it comes to our term grades, like it or not, I'm gonna crush you into dust!" He thrusted a finger at Midoriya. "I'll open the gulf between us so wide, it'll kill you dead!"

   You whipped out your notepad. Now that's a sentence you've never heard before.

   Bakugou added, "You too, Todoroki!" before slamming the door shut. 

   Scratching his head, Kirishima murmured, "Haven't seen Bakugou that serious in a while..."

   "Is it uneasiness?" wondered Tokoyami. "Or sheer hatred?"

   Determined to learn this for yourself, you slipped out and after Bakugou. Kirishima paled before running after you. "Wait for me!"

 

   "What does 'I'll kill you dead' mean?"

   "Hah?" Bakugou didn't even have to look to know it was your dumb ass. He had the misfortune of actually being able to remember your voice. It was hard to miss when you were constantly asking stupid questions.

   Kirishima was already between the two of you, ready to mediate. He whispered to you, "Don't do it!"

   "I can hear you, dipshit."

   "Oh..."

   You ripped out the paper and handed it to Kirishima so he could show it to Bakugou. Bakugou immediately blew it up.

   Kirishima looked at you in exasperation. "I told you!"

   Ignoring him, you leaned over to get a better look at Bakugou. "What do the words mean?"

   "Go away, fuckhead!"

   After dodging an explosion you asked again, "What did you mean by that?"

    "DIE!"

    "No."

  

   The week passed. You learned many things, including whatever Bakugou meant (Kirishima reluctantly explained).

   Everyone ended up doing better on the written than they thought. You quietly held your graded test, the 100 emblazoned at the top. 

 

   And now it was the day of the practical. 

   Aizawa yawned. "Let's begin." He stood lax with his hands in his pockets. "It is, of course, possible to fail this exam. If you want to attend the training camp, don't mess this up."

   Jiro counted the teachers present with a finger. "Sure are a lot of teachers here..." She was right. You weren't sure what was going on either.

   Aizawa continued, "Knowing you guys, you probably asked around and might think you have a vague idea of how this'll go..."

   Kaminari and Ashido cheered, "It's a robot rumble, like the entrance exam! Fireworks! Curry! Truth or dare!"

   "Not quite!"

   The class gawked as Nezu emerged from Aizawa's scarf. 

   "Various circumstances have demanded a revision to the exam format!" said the rat principal. He held the tail of Aizawa's scarf as he climbed down. "From now on, we'll focus on battles against flesh-and-blood opponents. It is critical that our teaching simulates practical experience as closely as possible!

   "As such, you students will be..." Nezu raised his head to face the students. "...pairing up and fighting one of the teachers you see here!"

   Confused and anxious whispers broke out all around you. When you turned to Jiro next to you for an explanation, all she could do was shrug.

   We are going to fight against the teachers? 

   From underneath you, your feet began to shuffle.

   Aizawa took over. "Your pairings and assigned teacher have already been decided. Your battle moves, your grades, your friendships with one another...all these factors and more were considered, so without further ado..."

   Todoroki and Yaoyorozu were to go up against Aizawa himself. A more shocking pair were Midoriya and Bakugou, who were pitted against All Might.

   Mr. Might... You glanced between him and the unfortunate pair.

   Will Midoriya and Bakugou be alright?

   Speaking of All Might, you did talk to him once or twice in the earlier weeks of June, but you found yourself wanting to talk to him more. He was an extension of Melissa, after all.

 

   "As there are an uneven number of students, there will be a group of three. In this group are Kaminari, Ashido, and [L/n]."

   At Aizawa's words, you glanced over at your partners. They were tense as they waited for the name of your opponent.

   "They will be up against the principal."

   "Eh?"

   "Huh?" 

   "The principal..." you said, irises whirring. All you knew about Nezu was that he was an extremely intelligent rat of some sort.    

   "Hey, guys!" hissed Kaminari. He came over to drag you to where Ashido was standing. He slung his arms over the two of you in a huddle. "Group meeting! What do we know about the principal?"

   Ashido tapped her lip in thought. "He's super smart, but that's all I know..."

   Kaminari nodded rapidly before turning to you. "And you, [L/n]? Can't you scan him?"

   "With the principal's consent."

   Ashido's eyes widened before softening and Kaminari groaned. "C'mon, man. We need to win. We need you to scan him whether he likes it or not."

   You looked at Ashido. Though your eyes held nothing, Ashido could tell what you were looking for.

   Grinning, she threw up a fist and cheered, "Let's scan him!"

 

   Two minutes later, everyone was organized into different buses and the trip to each location began. Nezu sat near the back of the bus, humming to himself as he drank some tea. Somehow he didn't spill it even with the moving bus.

   You and your group sat near the front. Kaminari whispered, "Hey, uh...isn't it weirdly quiet?"

   Ashido bobbed her head quickly. "It's way too quiet!"

   You sat on the left with Ashido to the right and Kaminari directly in front of her. With a head tilt, you asked them, "Why are you questioning the silence if you are not talking?"

   Ashido snorted. "You and your sentences."

   "Isn't it obvious!? We're all nervous as hell!" cried Kaminari. "We're almost there and we still haven't scanned him!"

   "He's a rat. How hard can it be?"

   The blond suddenly froze. And then he relaxed, shoulders slumping. "Ah, you're right, Ashido. He's just a rat."

   He threw up a fist and Ashido followed suit.

   "We got this!"

   "Heck yeah!"

 

   The both of them looked at you with expecting grins. Imitating their expressions, you raised a fist.

   "Let us try our best."

   "Yikes! You still can't smile?"

   "Haha! You look like you need to poop!"

Chapter 36: Coming Home

Notes:

fanart!!! by lrregular on quotev!!

 

   "The time limit is 30 minutes!" informed Nezu, holding up a pocket watch. 

   The three of you stood before him. The location you were going to fight in was extremely industrial, with steel warehouses, bridges, and piping everywhere.

   In the distance was an ominous yellow crane.

   "Your objective..." Nezu switched the watch for a pair of handcuffs. "...is to either get these handcuffs on me or have one of you escape from the stage!"

   Kaminari raised a brow. "Kinda like our battle training."

   In shock, Ashido asked, "We can really just run away!?"

   "Yes. Any questions?"

   Your teammates looked at each other dubiously before turning to you.

   On cue, you asked Nezu, "May I scan you?"

   Kaminari and Ashido held their breath as you all waited for his response. Nezu stared up at you with beady black eyes, a cordial smile on his face.

 

   Then he crossed his paws behind his back and asked in amusement, "What makes you think you can beat me even knowing my Quirk?" 

   Eyes widening just the slightest, you fell silent. 

   What makes me think I can beat the principal even if I know his Quirk?

 

   Nezu chuckled at your silence and Ashido and Kaminari's fearful faces. "You won't have this kind of luxury in the field, but since the objective here is to beat me, your principal, I'll allow it."

   "R-really!?" cried the other two. Shuffling your feet awkwardly, you looked to them for their opinion. Ashido nodded rapidly while Kaminari grinned.

   "I see," you said, squatting down to Nezu's level. "Thank you." Colored light washed over him, momentarily turning his white fur into the color of your irises.

   "Quirk: High Spec." You thanked Nezu once more before getting to your feet. Turning to your team, you informed them, "His Quirk gives him intelligence that surpasses that of a human's. It is as I thought."

   Kaminari gasped. "So it's just like going up against a human! Sweet!"

   Nezu watched the three of you convene with an ominous smile.

 

   You were released into the industrial site a few minutes later. You were running towards the exit.

   "So, guys," asked Ashido, "what do you want to do?" 

   Kaminari huffed in brief thought. "Basically, run. He's small, so I should be able to take care of him with my electricity." The blond squinted at both you and Ashido. "My Quirk is the least likely to seriously hurt him, so paws off, alright?"

   Ashido snorted. "Don't you fry yourself all the time?"

   "We don't talk about that..."

   At Kaminari's suggestion, you clenched your fists. You would avoid firing at Nezu at all costs. There was a way to win without hurting him, and you would make sure to find it.

   

   Suddenly, a creaking noise sounded from directly above. 

   As the three of you came to a stop, Ashido asked, "What's that sound?"

   You craned your head upward to see a pipe fall towards you.

   "RUN!" 

   Before you knew it, you were being dragged away by Kaminari. His hand was tight around your wrist. Ashido ran next to him, shrieking, "What's going on!?"

    "I dunno, but I'm sure the principal's behind it!" Kaminari let go of you once you caught up. Pipes, bridges, rebar, and other bits of metal were raining hell behind you. You were just a few feet away from being crushed.

   You strained to raise over your voice over the sound of metal. "What plan do you have in mind?"

   "Run like hell!"

   "That's not a plan." Not waiting to hear Kaminari's response, you quickly glanced over your shoulder. You'd noticed that the metal rain wasn't just random--it was purposefully leading you away from the escape. The twists and turns you were taking weren't a coincidence.

   "He's leading us away from the escape!" you shouted. Ashido and Kaminari's eyes grew wide. This was one of the few times you raised your voice. 

   You pointed a finger towards the left. "We're supposed to be over there."

   Ashido and Kaminari looked at you in horror. "WHAT!?"

   "Why didn't you say something before!?"

   "Aw, rats!"

   "I'm sorry."

   "Now you're just making us feel bad!"

 

   There was a moment of collective silence aside from huffing and puffing. And then the dim lightbulb in Ashido's head went off.

    "Hey! [L/n], you can fly over to the exit! Just one of us has to make it!"

    Time slowed.

    The thought of abandoning your team never even occurred to you.

    But it was the way to win, wasn't it?

 

    You hesitated.

    "Go!"

   Ashido yelped as Kaminari pushed her towards you. 

   "Take Ashido with you!"

   You and Ashido looked at Kaminari incredulously.

   "Are you sure!?" cried Ashido.

   Kaminari grit his teeth. "Yes, now go!"

   Without another word, Ashido hopped onto your back and then you were airborne.

 

   Ashido's hold tightened as she briefly glanced back to check on Kaminari. Turning back to you, she put on a grin and chirped, "He'll be alright!"

   You kept your reply brief. "Yes." You didn't mean to be curt, but you were focused on getting Ashido to the exit. As far as you were concerned, you were just the vehicle. 

   "WATCH OUT!"

   You flew to the right in response to Ashido hitting your left shoulder. The wind from Nezu's wrecking ball whirled past your neck, giving you the third shock of the day.

   You let out a shaky breath. "I'm sorry." You'd been staring at the gate so intently that you got tunnel vision.

   "No apologies!" Ashido grinned and jabbed a finger towards the escape. "We move forward!"

   Nodding, you echoed, "We move forward."

   The exit was less than 100 feet away. If your instincts were right, Nezu was going to pull something mean right about...

   now.

   

   "Run!" 

 

   The next thing Ashido knew, she was sailing through the air. "WH--!?" She registered the slight heat on her forearms and realized that you'd grabbed her and hurled her forward in a somersault. 

   She resisted the urge to look back. The exit was so close. You and Kaminari had risked so much to win. Ashido couldn't be the weak link. 

   Ashido shot acid out of her hands just before landing on the ground, softening her fall. She dashed away and began sliding on acid from her feet. Her brain had been scattered by the sudden metal rain, but with everyone's efforts, she was now in the right headspace.

   The athlete scoffed when she heard piping creak in front of her. "Watch this!"

   Closing her eyes, Ashido slid under the falling pipes and avoided getting hit by a hair. 

   And then a bell went off.

 

   "Team Ashido, pass!"

 

  "Let's go!" Ashido pumped her fists into the sky before realizing that you and Kaminari were still lost in the wreckage. "Oh, right! I sure hope they're okay."

   You two were okay, Ashido found out later. Kaminari escaped unscathed because Nezu began concentrating his efforts on you and Ashido. You got hit by a projectile but were saved from anything serious by your armor.

   "Man!" Kaminari wiped sweat off his brow. "Thank goodness for the both of you. I would've failed, straight up."

   Ashido was energetically pumping her fists again. "We're a great team! Summer camp, here we come!"

   Listening to them chatter excitedly, you thought to yourself,

   We're a great team.

 

   "[L/n]." Todoroki regarded you with a nod as you entered Recovery Girl's tent. You had come in to see if anyone was seriously injured. Todoroki and Yaoyorozu were sitting on their respective beds. They didn't appear to be injured, just fatigued.

   You bowed to Recovery Girl first and then returned Todoroki's greeting. "Todoroki, Yaoyorozu." Said girl smiled in response.

   "How are you doing?"

   "Well, thank you."

   "Fine. You?"

   You took off your helmet. "I am fine."

   "Woah." Todoroki couldn't help his audible reaction at the sight of your hair. It looked vaguely plaited--all Todoroki and Yaoyorozu could see were tangles and frizz.

   You blinked. "Woah?"

   Todoroki nodded slowly. "...Woah."

   Yaoyorozu regarded your hair with visible horror before popping out some hair products from her forearm. "Goodness! Let me fix your hair. You can watch the screens while you wait."

   Walking over to her bed, you sat on the edge with your hands politely crossed in your lap. It was now that you noticed the aforementioned screens. 

   On them were Team Kirishima, Team Uraraka, and Team Bakugou. 

   Whenever Bakugou or Midoriya got dunked on, your stomach coiled a little. You thought they were admirable for putting up a fight against the Number One Hero himself.

 

   Midoriya got flung into a bus.

   "Ouch," muttered Todoroki. Yaoyorozu shot him a look.

   At this, you immediately turned to Todoroki and messed up Yaoyorozu's work. "Are you hurt?"

   "...No." He explained awkwardly, "I said that because...Midoriya got badly hurt."

   "Midoriya was the one who got hurt, so why are you also hurt? I do not understand."

   Todoroki stared at you in silence, visibly struggling to think of an explanation. You stared back.

   "It's just that...Midoriya was so hurt that I suppose I almost felt it too." He looked to Yaoyorozu for confirmation. She sighed.

   "Yaoyorozu, help. Please."

   "Alright..."

 

   You went home that day with newfound knowledge and your hair in a neat bun. You kept squeezing it in mild curiosity.

   Kaminari had gone home earlier so he wasn't with you. Midoriya also wasn't with you, as he was resting up at school along with Bakugou. The former had urged you to go home first.

   I hope Midoriya and Bakugou will be alright.

   Turning the key, you opened the door to your apartment and stepped inside. As Midoriya already called home, you didn't think it necessary to tell Inko anything more.

   I am tired.

   You held your forehead as you set your backpack down by your bed. The somersault you did earlier today was biting you in the ass. You'd have to get used to similar maneuvers.

   Suddenly, your phone vibrated in your pocket. You quickly pulled it out and unlocked it.

   Melissa.

  

   She'd sent you a scheduled voice mail. Curious, you mentally noted to Moogle how that worked before opening the voice mail. 

   "[Name]!"

   "Melissa," you replied quietly.

   "How have you been--? well, I hope. I know I told you to text me less, but I think I'm regretting that now, haha. You should text me when you want. And don't be afraid to ask for help, okay? I know I told you to be independent, but it's never a bad thing to ask for help."

   You continued to reply even though it was a voice mail. "Okay, I will."

   "Anyway! I have something amazing to tell you. Can you guess?"

   "...Did you make something new?"

   "Well, I don't know if you're correct or not, but I'll tell you.

 

   "You're coming home!"

 

   You perked up instantly. "I am coming home?" Golden light bounced off the metal of your hands. "I am coming home?"

   "I-Island is holding an exhibition and people from all over the world are being invited, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity for you to visit. You'll get to see so many amazing things!"

   You didn't care about those amazing things. Not now. Something foreign, something that made your mouth twitch just slightly, ran through your veins.

   All you cared about was...

   "I'll see you soon, [Name]. Take care until then!"

   "I'll see you soon, Melissa. Take care until then."

 

   I'm coming home.

Chapter 37: ???

Notes:

another FANART!!! by Irregular on quotev!

 

 

   "All Might? All Might! All Might, wake up!"

   When the man finally heard Midoriya, he woke up with a snort. The giant snot bubble that came out his nose popped as he did so. You blinked. It'd been huge enough to be mistaken for a transparent balloon.

   You kept to yourself as Midoriya chattered about I-Island. After Melissa's voice mail, you learned from a later text that although All Might had chosen Midoriya as his guest, he'd offered to chaperone you. 

   You glanced out the window. Midoriya was frothing at the mouth at the sight of I-Island, but it was nothing new to you. Neither Midoriya frothing at the mouth or I-Island were new to you.

 

   "Young [L/n], is everything alright? You've been awfully quiet."

   "Mr. Might." You turned to forward to make eye contact with All Might. He and Midoriya sat directly in front of you. "Yes, I have been quiet."

   He pursed his lips. He didn't think he'd get used to your directness. Sure, you had quite the attitude before you lost your memories, but this was something different.

   All Might asked, "Are you excited? Young Midoriya here certainly is."

   "...Yes." You recalled that strange river in your veins. "I am excited."

   All Might's angular features softened. "I'm glad, Young [L/n]."

   Midoriya glanced between you and his mentor, a big smile on his face. 

 

   "O-oh, by the way..." All Might clamped a hand down on your shoulder. "Don't tell David or Melissa I gave away One for All, okay? I know you know."

   Midoriya began to squirm. He also knew you knew, but it was always awkward whenever brought up.

   "Yes, Mr. Might."

   A beep rang over the intercom. "The plane will soon begin its descent to I-Island."

   All Might got up from his seat with a sigh. "Now it's about to get pretty exhausting, because once I arrive..." His muscles strained under his suit as he grew bigger and bigger. Throwing off his suit, All Might posed in his Hero costume. "...I have to maintain my muscle form constantly!"

   Now he had to squat to even fit inside the jet. You blinked. How All Might grew muscle seemingly out of nothing was an enigma.

   "Now, Young Midoriya, Young [L/n], you two have to change as well. You asked the school if you can bring your Hero costumes with you, right?"

   "Yes!"

   "Yes."

 

   When you exited the jet, you thought about how you'd been here just months before.

   For some reason, I feel as if it has been a long time.

   Before you could get into the main part of the airport, you'd have to get through security. You stood still as a statue on the giant conveyor belt. With your helmet and armor on, you looked like a life-sized figurine.

   "Young Midoriya! I have a question for you."

   Midoriya looked up at All Might. "Yes?"

   Whatever All Might asked him, you didn't hear a word of it. You found yourself ignorant to your surroundings lately. 

   I am going to see Melissa and David.

   Tingles ran from your stomach to your neck. 

   I am going to see them soon.

 

   "Guest inspection complete."

   You glanced upward to see your face and identification displayed alongside Midoriya and All Might's. The door to the center of the airport opened and you walked past, taking in the amount of people gathered. With the I-Expo, the island's usually desolate airport was crowded. 

   "Currently on I-Island we are having the preopening of I-ExPo, an exposition showcasing the results of various research and developments," said the woman over the intercom. "If you receive an invitation, please come and take a look."

   Midoriya's jaw dropped the moment you all left the airport. Eyes sparkling, he beheld the amusement park-like structures of I-Island. 

   All Might was scanning the crowds below. "I can't believe so many people are here even before they officially open to the public."

   "Seeing it in person, you can really tell how amazing it is!"

   Streams of water formed the word welcome! and strange orbs transported passengers across the sky. You didn't find it very interesting as you were "reborn" knowing it, but Midoriya was on a high.

   You walked up next to him as he gushed over the attractions. "Are you excited, Midoriya?"

   "Am I excited?" The other boy turned to you with the biggest smile. "For sure!"

   From behind, All Might watched the two of you with hidden tenderness. 

 

   "Unlike Japan," he began, "people on I-Island are allowed to use their Quirks as they wish." All Might watched colorful music notes float upward from a giant harp. "Apparently there are a lot of attractions in the pavilion that use Quirks. You should go visit them later."

   Midoriya practically threw his head up and down. "Okay!"

   You observed his bright expression for a few seconds more before something else caught your attention.

 

   A mechanical butterfly. 

   Following it like a small child, you wandered away from Midoriya and All Might.

   A mechanical butterfly, you thought. A simple invention, but I have never seen one before. 

   You were oblivious to the stampede that trampled Midoriya when everyone in the pavillion realized All Might was here.

 

   As you followed it, you took in the details on the wings. They were modeled after the blue morpho butterfly, except the blue was a lighter shade. This particular shade seemed familiar.

   You knew why once you realized where the butterfly was leading you.

   

   "[Name]!"

   A flash of pale blonde hair and ice blue eyes.

   Melissa was jumping around on a pogo stick, smiling so broadly that her eyes became crescent moons. "Welcome home!" She'd been waiting near the lab her father owned. "Welcome home, [Name]!"

 

   You increased your walking pace. You started to jog. And then you began a full-on run.

   Melissa just barely got to step down from her pogo stick when you engulfed her in a gentle hug. She was stunned into silence.

   With the momentum from your run, you should've hurt her, but you were so conscious of your body and armor that you were able to cancel it out instantly.

   Melissa wrapped her arms around you. She beamed as she tightly squeezed your torso. "Was the flight here alright? Have you eaten well? Are you okay?"

   "Yes." You made your arms heat up as you held her. The blonde laughed in appreciation when she noticed. 

   "I'm not cold, but thank you anyway!"

   You had so many questions that you just stared at her quietly. Laughing, Melissa stepped back to poke your nose. "You don't have to say anything right now, you know."

   "I see."

   "And why don't you take off your helmet? You can leave it in the lab."

   "Okay."

  

   It wasn't I-Island that you were excited to visit. It wasn't the home you were so excited about.

   When you took off your helmet and looked at Melissa, the light from your eyes made her hair look like golden thread. 

 

   On the way to the lab, you asked Melissa about her daily life and she exchanged questions as well. You arrived a little too soon.

   "Where is David?" you asked, setting the helmet down onto a workshop table. Melissa took the helmet from you and carefully placed it onto an empty shelf. 

   "Papa's on the top floor. You can hang out with him while I pick up Uncle and his guest, if you want."

   You thought about it for a second. "Yes. I want to."

   That word, "want." You began using it in place of "desire" only recently. 

   Melissa smiled as she picked up the mechanical butterfly from another shelf. It had followed the two of you. "Take this with you. I made it knowing you would follow it." She giggled as she took your hand and put the butterfly on it. 

   You gazed at the butterfly and carefully curled your fingers around it. "Thank you. I will keep it safe."

   Melissa pat your fist with a smile. "I'll be off now. Sam's up there too. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you as well."

   Nodding, you watched her leave before walking towards the elevator.

 

   You rapped your knuckles against the door. "Hello, David, Sam. This is [Name]."

   You heard a pause in movement before the door swung open. Smiling down at you was David. "Well, look who it is."

   The man took you into a firm hug. "How have you been, [Name]? Eating much better than Melissa told me last time, I hope?" His eyes softened when he noticed the golden light streaming past.

   "Yes." You recalled Melissa stressing over your horrible pancake-egg diet. "I am eating carefully now."

   "Good, good." David stepped back to show to you his assistant. "Sam, why don't you take him to his room at the house. He won't be staying in a hotel."

   "Yes, David." Sam smiled at you with a bow of his head. You nodded back politely.

   "By the way, [Name]," added David, setting a hand on your shoulder, "We have big plans for you while you're here. Go get settled and I'll tell you later."

   "Okay, thank you."

   "Yep."

 

   Sam took your luggage and lead the way. The Shield residence was situated right next to the lab, though David sometimes wished it was attached with a corridor. 

   When Sam unlocked the door, you stood still.

   He turned to you. "Is something the matter?"

   "I...need to take off my footwear."

   "Your f--? Oh." Sam chuckled as his eyes found your armored boots. "You're not in Japan anymore. It's fine."

   You were strangely adamant. "I need to take them off."

   "Oh. Well, alright. You should take off the rest of your armor as well. It's summer and I can't imagine you're comfortable."

   "Okay."

 

   As you walked through the house with your boots in one hand and mechanical butterfly in the other, you took in the house's interior. It was pure white, tiled, and smelled of absolutely nothing, but it was still comforting to you.

   You sat on your bed as Sam made you tea. Your room, unlike the rest of the house, boasted a black carpet floor and light grey walls. Your mattress had been switched out for a softer one and you had a closet full of new clothes that you guessed Melissa picked out for you.  

   There was a digital clock on the oak bedside table. You set the mechanical butterfly down there.

   Covering the walls were old pictures of you, Melissa, David, and your parents.

   Your parents.

 

   You got up from the bed and went to look at a particular photo more closely. 

   Your father had bright round eyes, wore even rounder glasses, and a dimpled smile. He stood tall next to your mother. She had sleepy eyes, a tight smile, and a beauty mark under her left eye. 

   The setting was the kitchen of your childhood home. David had explained each photo to you, and in this one, they were baking a cake for your 10th birthday. Your father had traces of flour on his cheek while your mother was pristine.

 

   "Your mother..."

   You heard David's voice in your head. It was small, somber.

   "Your mother was never one for pictures. She had a beautiful smile, but one wouldn't see it unless she loved you." A deep breath. "I know for a fact you saw that smile every day. You are still the apple of her eye, you know. Do you remember?"

   "No." That was your voice. Cold, apathetic.

   "I...I see. Well..." The sound of David clasping his hands together. "You were made in your father's image. You look just like him. He was very...eccentric. He was a mad scientist in every sense. Your father, too, loved you very much."

   You recalled feeling nothing in response to any of these statements.

   "...Do you remember anything? Anything at all?"

   "No."

   "...Okay. That's alright. You have all the time in the world."

 

   Stepping out of your memories, you looked at your parents for a few seconds longer before moving on.

   This photo was of you and Melissa when you were 11 and she was 13. She was beaming brightly at the camera, a new invention in her hands. You wore a quiet smile, but rather than looking at the camera, you were looking at Melissa.

   "Like your mother, you never liked being photographed." David's voice again.

   You stared at your younger self before glancing back at the photo of your parents. David was right that you were your father's splitting image, but that quiet smile was your mom's. And like her, your eyes had been strangely sleepy. 

   Taking the photo off the wall, you went to the bathroom to look at your reflection.

   Round eyes and a boxy "smile" versus sleepy eyes and a quiet smile. The younger you had your father's face and your mother's mannerisms. 

 

   Who did you resemble now?

   You stared at your current self for a long time.

Chapter 38: Can You Die Today?

Notes:

fanart!!!by imstupidsir on quotev!

 

 

    A knock on the bathroom door snapped you out of your stupor.

   "[Name]? What would you like to eat?"

   You opened the door to face Sam. "I would like to eat pancakes."

   "Ah-ah-ah." As he walked back to the kitchen, he lectured you. "David asked if you were staying healthy, you know. I'll make you something else."

   You felt a vague sense of disappointment wash over you.

   

   What you ended up eating was an Italian salad with a chicken pesto sandwich.

   "David will be here soon," said Sam as he opened the front door. He looked back at you. "Eat up, alright? And no secret pancakes."

   You nodded. "Yes, Sam."

   Once he was gone, you stared wistfully at the stove from across the kitchen island. 

   No secret pancakes.

   As you continued to gaze at the stove, you pondered what David could have in store for you.

 

---

 

   An hour passed before the door opened with a jingle.

   "[Name]?" David peeked inside. You weren't at the kitchen island.

   He must be in his room. David came in, closed the door, and made his way there.

   To his surprise, you weren't in your room. However, he did notice that one of the carefully-placed photos was crooked as if you'd taken it off the wall and clumsily put it back.

   His eyes softened.

   David had to remember you were different now. The old [Name] loved being alone in his room. As for the current [Name]...

 

   He checked the backyard and there you were, sitting on one of the white lawn chairs. David laughed a little when you turned around in slight alarm.

   "Hi." The man sent you an awkward smile as he took the seat next to you. "Did you wait long?"

   You recalled that Sam said David would be here soon, but in actuality, it'd been an hour. "Yes."

   David rubbed his neck. "Ah, sorry." He sighed. "Have you eaten?"

   "Yes."

   He looked at you with unreadable eyes as you answered.

   You were so...different.

   But you were still you and your parents' beloved son.

 

   "Do you like what you're doing at school? Any hobbies I don't know about?" David adjusted the chair so that it faced you diagonally. Asking you these questions was difficult because he never had to ask Melissa them as she shared his interests. And also because you didn't have the same hobbies anymore.

   You thought about it for a second. "Yes, I approve of the school activities. And I have been learning Japanese sign language." Koda's indirect influence.

   "Japanese...sign language."

   Picking up on David's strangely quiet tone, you blinked. "Yes?"

   hiros parents: boyyoass why i had die over some macnuggets

   He smiled sadly and his eyes crinkled in response. "You used to teach yourself English sign language saying you wanted to be able to communicate with everyone."

   You paused.

   How do I respond to this?

   A few more seconds passed before you replied. "Yes, I used to. If I return to the United States to work as a Hero, I will learn English sign language as well."

   "But there are also English speakers in Japan."

   "I did not consider that."

   Your responses were so methodical.

   Trying not to drop his already loose smile, David briefly turned his cheek.

   How Melissa could still smile at you so brightly he didn't know. If anything, she was the one who missed you most.

   

   "[Name]."

   "Yes?"

   David pursed his lips. "Do...do you remember anything? Have you recalled anything new?"

   "No." Your response was instant. 

   It was the truth. Even after all the reminders, you remembered nothing of the years before your coma.

   "...I see."

   Inky eyes followed as David got up from his seat.

   Gripping the glass sliding door, he beckoned you without looking. “You know the big plan I mentioned earlier? You’ll need a health check-up first. Come.”

   "Yes."

 

   You were sitting in a check-up room at the hospital now. The hospital was amazing to people who'd never seen it--robots went around doing menial tasks and technology buzzed and whirred from every corner.

   But you weren't impressed, of course. If your classmates could see how unfazed you were, they'd yell at you.

   "Hello, Dr. Shield, [Name]." A kind-looking nurse came in with a clipboard in hand. 

   You'd have to get used to people referring to you by first name here. You bowed your head. "Hello."

   She smiled at you and then exchanged a few words with David, who was sitting in one of the chairs. You were sitting on a separate stool by the examination bed.

   The nurse gestured for you to move to the bed and you did so. Smiling again, she said, "I'm Nurse Imane. Will you remove your right prosthetic leg for me, [Name]?"

   "Yes." 

   With a couple clicks and twists, you removed it and set it aside. The end of the stub was visibly dark compared to the rest of your thigh. Nurse Imane didn't flinch at all but David had to look away.

   She looked at it carefully. "Do I have your permission to touch it?"

   "Yes."

   With gentle hands, Imane lifted your thigh to get a better look at the stub. "Have you experienced any low pain or persistent aching in your legs lately? Any pain at all?"

   You thought about it. "I have not experienced any leg pain outside of school activities."

   "I see." As she wrote that down on her clipboard, Imane informed you, "The reason why I asked is because you may experience growing pains. Males generally don't stop growing for some while, so you'll probably experience pain later."

   "Growing hurts?"

   "Yes. Females experience growing pains as well, but we stop growing much earlier."

   "Have you stopped growing?" you asked her. "Do you experience the pain?"

   Imane laughed as David pushed down a smile. "Yes, I've stopped growing. I stopped feeling growing pains about 20 years ago."

   You nodded attentively. "I see."

   The nurse turned to David with a chuckle. "He's a curious boy, isn't he?"

   David couldn't resist laughing this time. "Quite." He smiled warmly at you, but his smile was still a little sad.

   

   Imane took your leg again and zeroed in on the reddish ring around it. "Your legs may not hurt now because of the perfect fit, but if you keep growing, they'll strain you. Now, the hearing test."

   You scored a little lower than the average person. David flinched.

   Next, Imane examined your ear canal. "Both ears are permanently damaged."

   David nodded reluctantly.

   So that was why you never heard him coming until he opened the sliding door.

 

   Your height and weight were taken down. You were rather tall for your biological age, being 172.72 centimeters (5'8). 

   "You're good to go. Take care of yourself, alright?"

   After putting your leg back on, you bowed. "Yes. Take care of yourself...as well." You awkwardly tagged on the end, but Imane smiled nonetheless.

   "Yes." She looked from you to David. "Take care of yourself, too, Dr. Shield."

   David nodded. "Thank you. Do take care of yourself as well."

 

   10 minutes later, you were sitting on a stool in David's lab. He had disappeared in the vast back storage room to find what he had in store for you.

   What is it?

   It wasn't long before David came back, pushing a wheeled box in front of him. He smiled at you and you tilted your head curiously.

   David's brows raised. "You've gotten better at emoting."

   "I have?" Reaching a hand upward, you touched your cheek.

   "Yes. You tilted your head just now, no? That was you being curious." David talked as he opened up the box. "You've way a long way to go, but...this is definitely progress."

   "...I see."

   You went over to help David set the heavy lid aside. He then reached in to pull out another box. It was metal and had all sorts of complicated locks over it.

   David grunted as he put it down on a workbench. "Just a little longer."

   Eyes round, you nodded and waited patiently.

 

   "Here we go."

   Walking closer, you stared intently at the arm David held to you.

   "Take it."

   You nodded before accepting it. Moving it around to get a better look, you noticed that the inside of the arm wasn't molded to fit your shoulders. Rather, there was a latch-like mechanism that you assumed would adjust to the size of your shoulders.

   David sat down on a nearby stool with a grunt. "I designed this with your future growth in mind. As you grow and gain muscle, the grip will expand to accommodate you."

   Your response was to continue exploring every nook and cranny of the arm.

   David chuckled. "But this makes wearing them all the more dangerous. Your current arms and legs are molded to fit you alone, but these new limbs will fit whoever wears them. And there's no surefire way to assure that you are the only owner. It listens to the chip in your brain, but the chip could very well be removed if someone was determined enough."

   Clutching the arm to your chest, you replied, "I won't let that happen."

   The man's eyes widened.

   Your face--it had a quiet kind of conviction that wasn't very noticeable, but it was definitely there. 

 

   He smiled softly. "Good."

   David went on to explain in depth on how your new limbs would work. By simply thinking, you could adjust the heat dial, the concentration, beam width, and other settings. It wasn't like your old arms where you had to manually adjust. And the heat range and power were much higher now. Stronger coolant ran through your arms, making it less likely for you to overheat. And on the fingers and feet were thicker pink pads designed to combat slippery environments.

   The entire time he was talking, you sat there patiently, but David noticed that one of your feet kept shuffling back and forth.

   "...Would you like to try them on?"

   You immediately got to your feet. "Yes."

  

  After you took off your armor, David helped you take off and deactivate your current limbs. Gazing down at your bare upper arm, you felt strangely helpless for the first time.

   "Here." David matched one of the new arms to your right shoulder. A circular indicator on the wrist glowed green before the arm grip extended itself outward. Moving it towards your shoulder, David carefully clamped it down. He repeated this with each limb. Then, he gave you a pair of white pajamas to dress in.

   "There you go. Try standing up."

   You flexed your new hands carefully. They were built with lightweight, reinforced steel, carbon fiber, and diamond. Even sitting you could tell that your limbs were much heavier than before. You stretched out your arms before grabbing the table's edge to help yourself down. 

   As you took your first step, you noticed that the part of your limbs that the parts were attached to didn't feel as tight anymore. It was thanks to the flexibility of the grip. 

   David watched you make circles around the room with a little smile. "So? Do you like it?"

   You surprised him yet again when you turned to him with a quick nod. "Yes. Though these parts are heavier than my previous set, I see the weight training benefits. I will work hard to become used to these. Thank you."

    "You're..." The man's eyes softened at the corners. "...you're welcome." Clearing his throat, David gestured for you to follow him. "I have something else for you."

   You blinked. "Yes." Walking slowly out of consideration of your new limbs, you followed him out of the room.

 

   David had led you to the third basement. He had to punch three different codes to get in, each code being unique to each door. The last one opened with a soft hiss.

   It was pitch black. Adjusting to the dark, your artificial pupils dilated rapidly. You still couldn't see all that well. 

   "Hold the back of my coat and follow me carefully," said David. He didn't say anything more until he felt a soft grip on his coat. 

   With conciseness and precision, he began to take exact steps around the room. As he did so, he explained, "This room was designed specifically to guard what I'm about to show you. If you don't know exactly where to walk, one of the traps in here'll get you."

   Your fingers tightened in the fabric of David's coat. "I see."

   "The point is that you can't."

   Your walking slowed and you almost got caught by a tripwire. "That I can't what?"

   "...see." David began to laugh quietly. 

   "What?"

   "No, nothing." David mentally noted to himself to tell you about the joke later. 

   Your irises began to spin and David started sweating when he heard the tell-tale whirring. Intentionally changing the subject, he said, "We're here."

   Careful hands found the number keys next to the final door. David felt around for where he knew the numbers were located. This keypad's keys were arranged out of order and only those who knew beforehand would know how to input the password.

   "Quickly." David grabbed your hand once he got the door open and tugged you inside. The door slammed shut as soon as you crossed the sensor.

   David immediately explained. "How the door works is that after putting in the code, you need to enter how many people are coming in. This is to ensure that no more than 3 people can come in at a time."

   "I see."

   David let go of you to turn on a light switch. With a flicker, electric light flooded the new room.

 

   In the center of it were two giant plasma containers. One of them you recognized--

   the one that held you for two years.

   You stopped in your tracks and just stared at it with an unreadable face. 

   You remembered the day you were removed from the container. It was a happy day, but you wouldn't have known that unless Melissa said so herself. 

 

   Casting you a sad glance, David said nothing. He gave you some time to stay in your memories as he went around the room doing menial tasks.

   "[Name], come here."

   You blinked before doing so. "Yes?"

   David pointed at a glowing blue button, one of many buttons and switches on a large spread. "Look at the container on the left and press the button."

   With a nod, you did as told.

   The one on the left was one you didn't remember seeing before. Once you clicked the button, the container began to fill up with familiar clear plasma.

   "Now, look here."

   Following his finger with your eyes, you watched as he dragged it along a slider. In response, the lights in the container changed to the color that the slider rested at on the color spectrum.

   David smiled at your owlish eyes as you watched the container turn different colors. "When we kept you in the right container, Melissa chose the color for you--blue. This time, you can choose."

   You thought long and hard before choosing yellow.

   "...Don't do that. It looks like urine."

   "Okay." You chose green.

   "Ooh. Why green?"

   "One of my friends is very green. His mom is also green."

   "A-are they?"

   "His last name has the word for green in it. I thought his hair was a shrub when I first met him."

   "...Is that so?" David cleared his throat as he walked toward the container. You followed.

 

   "Do you know what this is?" David asked, gazing at the green plasma with his hands behind his back.

   You mimicked his pose. "I do not."

   "This is the culmination of two years." Tired blue eyes suddenly sparkled with youth. "This is the reason why it took two years to wake you up. I was able to have top biomedical scientists and engineers from all over the world work on this."

   He sighed and the energy in his eyes was gone as soon as it came. "I'm sorry we took so long."

   You shook your head. "It was not a long time to me because I was asleep."

   David stared at you before ruffling your hair. As he went back to staring at the plasma, you tried to fix your hair without getting it stuck between your joints.

   "The plasma we stuck you in during your coma preserved you. This one will speed up your growth while avoiding the creation of cancer cells." David set a hand on the glass. "This is a revolutionary invention, the first and only one of its kind. And once we've used it for you..."

   He sighed deeper this time. "...we have to destroy it. It's too dangerous."

   You were quick to ask, "In what way is it dangerous if it is able to avoid cancer?"

   "Identity fraud." David shook his head softly, hand leaving the glass. "Someone can viably use this to age themselves up and then escape with an entirely new face, age, body, the works. And even more dangerous is that the smallest sample of this plasma can be used to make a reverse-aging plasma." His tone was grim. "It would be the beginning of a new age of immortality. I'm sure you can think for yourself about how devastating the effects of that would be."

   You looked down in thought. 

   The dangers of immortality...

   You wanted to ask David what "immortality" was, but looking at his crestfallen face, you weren't sure you should.

 

   "Now--" David stepped back from the container to stare you in the eye. "Using this plasma, we can age you up two years in 20 hours to make up for lost time. This'll even the playing field for you with your peers, who are already 15 and older. You'll be able to build muscle more easily. You're still 13 biologically, after all."

   Your eyes widened in fascination. "In 20 hours?"

   "Yes." David chuckled at your expression. "And if you want, we can age you up 3 years. We're allowed up to 3 years and no more. It'll take another 10 hours though. You might be late to the party taking place tomorrow. You need extra rest, after all."

   You didn't even know about the reception party, and now that you did, you found yourself not caring. "I would like 3 years, please. I assume that it will come with even more advantages than 2 years."

   "Right." Pleased, David ruffled your hair again before going to grab something. You tried fixing your hair once more.

   "Here's the consent form that you and I need to sign." David handed it to you on a clipboard. It took you a few minutes to read all the terms and conditions as the whole form spanned about 3 pages. 

 

   David didn't speak until you were finished reading. "It's very long because this is a risky operation. We've used the plasma on rats and larger organisms, but you're our second human subject."

   You tilted your head. "Who was the first?"

   "A man in his 80s who always volunteered for these kinds of experiments." David glanced over at the plasma as he recalled, “That man was completely ready to die. He explained that it wasn't that he was unhappy, it was that he was so content with his life. The experiment was a success and he's now 85. This experiment took place 5 months ago."

   "He was so content that he was okay with dying?" You tilted your head to the other side.

   "Yes. Those kinds of people are perhaps the wisest." David smiled briefly.

   He then handed you a pen. "If you're still comfortable with this, sign the form. You can go over the conditions as many times as you like."

   Distracted by the thought of the wise old man, you absentmindedly took the pen. You looked up at David. "What about you? Can you die today?"

 

   Can you die today?

   David's eyes widened. 

   You were more concerned about the wise old man than David thought. 

   That made him happy.

   "No," David replied, smiling at you. "No, I cannot. There are too many things I still need and want to do." After saying that, he discreetly glanced in the direction of the place where his most dangerous invention was stored. It wasn't the aging plasma.

   

   You looked at him for a few seconds and then signed the form. "Here."

   David jolted. He took it from you and signed it himself. "The preparation will commence in an hour. You can drink water, but don't eat anything before then. Energy from food isn't necessary for the operation, if you remember what the form entailed."

   "Yes."

 

---

 

   You rested at the Shield residence for an hour before men and women in white coats and nursing scrubs showed up to whisk you away.

   You stripped out of your pajamas to put hospital scrubs on and removed each limb yourself except your left arm. David handled that.

   After being put into a wheelchair, you were delivered to the booby-trapped room. Except this time, there was a ramp just for you.

   Now you were sitting before the aging plasma container.

   "You're still sure about this?" asked David, standing in front of his team of only four people. They were the aforementioned top biomedical scientists and engineers.

   "Yes."

   "Okay. Well, see you soon." With that, David pressed a general anesthesia mask to your face and you fell asleep.

Chapter 39: New Face

   When you came to, you were greeted by blinding white lights and walls.

   You blinked. Feeling crust in your eyes, you sluggishly lifted a metal hand to wipe it away. 

   The 30 hours have passed.

   To think that it took a mere 30 hours to age you forward 3 years.

 

   With heavy limbs, you got into a sitting position and looked around for a clock. You found a digital one on your bedside table.

   20:05. I-Island went by military time, meaning it was 8:05 p.m. right now.

   You'd been put under at about 13:00, or 1 p.m. yesterday. That meant the 30 hours ended just an hour before you woke up. No wonder you felt so tired.

   When you went to rub your eyes again, you finally noticed something was off.

 

   There were...mittens on your hands. They were the kind with a string through the wrist for extra security.

   You squinted.

   My hands cannot get cold. I do not know why I have been given these.

   The mittens were white and had a pink paw print on the palm side. You managed to shimmy them off you. 

   Now that your hands were free, you were able to throw the blanket off and take a look at your body.

 

   Your left leg, which was missing a foot, had grown a bit longer. But in your tired state, you couldn't tell for sure. Your right thigh had gotten longer as well. 

   You took a look at your arms.

   Detach left arm. Confirm.

   Once the indicator on your left arm glowed green, the latch grip loosened and you removed your arm.

   What was left of your upper arm definitely grew. Now that you got visual confirmation of your growth, you reattached your arm and looked around for your prosthetic legs.

    A few looks around the room told you they weren't here. You couldn't exactly walk without them, so physically searching was out of the question.

   You took one last sweep. There was bottled water, a few packets of saltine crackers, and a folded paper note on your bedside table.

   You decided to take the water and crackers first.

   Now that your slight nausea and dry throat were soothed, you picked up the note.

 

 

   Hi, [Name].

   This is David. I wrote this note because the time we calculated you'd wake up at isn't totally certain. It's possible that the reception party has already passed, or that you've woken up hardly an hour after the 30 hours were up. The human body is strange, after all.

   I will be here to check up on you at 20:10. If you are awake by then, we'll get your measurements taken and get you fed and walking again. I also have some other gifts for you that Melissa helped make, so look forward to that.

   With love,

   David

 

 

   You blinked.

   "With love."

   You read that over and over again.

   David loves me. 

   You knew that already, of course. In fact, he'd told you that shortly after you awoke from your coma. But seeing it written out made you feel more assured.

   

   The door creaked open.

   David blinked, brows raised and a small smile on his face. "Ah, you're awake!"

   As he turned to close the door, he asked you, "How do you feel, son?"

   You set the note back onto the bedside table before swallowing to clear your throat. "I fee--"

   You froze.

   Was that your voice? Why did it sound so different??

   Your head jerked towards David, brows furrowed just the slightest.

   David burst into laughter. "Did you forget some of the aftereffects outlined in the consent form already? That's your voice, [Name]." He came closer to sit on the edge of your bed and set a comforting hand on your cold shoulder. "You'll sound a bit different from now on. You might find yourself experiencing voice cracks--don't worry about that. It's just as if your throat is breaking in your new voice."

   Nodding dumbly, you cleared your throat multiple times as if something was stuck in there. David was quick to hand you your water bottle.

   After taking another drink, you awkwardly sounded out your own name. David patted your back encouragingly as you tried to get used to your new voice.

   David was right in that it wasn't too different, but it was still strange to hear a new voice come out your mouth.  

   "Would you turn towards me, [Name]?"

   You did as asked. David took a small photo out of his coat pocket and held it up next to your face. Then he took out another one and repeated the process.

 

   After a minute or so, David's shoulders slumped and his eyes became soft with relief. Pale blue eyes shimmered like water kissed by sunshine. "You look just like them. I thought so the moment I entered the room."

   He handed you the photos. Carefully, you took them and flipped them so that they were upright.

   You looked at the photo in your right hand first. Your father was grinning back at you. A second in time preserved forever, in this delicate piece of paper. Knowing your hands were not soft like David's, you held the photo as gently as you could. 

   The grin your father wore pinched at his eyes and formed dimples on both sides of his face. One of his upper canines were crooked. In your mouth, your tongue flicked at your own teeth to see if yours were the same. His hair was rather messy and unkept--that part you knew you resembled, at least.

   Eyes with lashes like feathers and lace moved to look at your mother. Like your own, her eyes were bordered by long, thick lashes. The lashes guarded her doll-like eyes and kissed her soft cheeks. Seeing the mole under her left eye, you wondered if you had one too.

   

   You suddenly recalled Koda's bird, the one you killed during a training exercise. He'd given it a burial service outside of the training building.

   You lifted your head and asked David, "Have my parents been buried?"

   David flinched. "Yes, of course." His brows drew together. "Would you like to go see them? We'll have to get you dressed and walking again, but I'm sure we can get that done quickly if we try."

   "Yes." Suddenly, you grabbed the white mitts you set aside from earlier. "Why was I wearing these?"

   "Oh, those? Those are baby mitts. They were to make you less likely to hurt yourself in your sleep." The man laughed. "You can keep them if you want."

   "No. I'm not a baby. I do not need baby mitts."

   "Alright, if you say so."

   

   Tests were run to see if you retained your memory and to see if you'd grown into your projected height and weight. You were the projected 180 centimeters (5'11), 74.8 kilos (165 lb), and only forgot a few minor things.

   After eating a big meal of pancakes and beef stew, you were given light physical therapy. You'd done this when you got your first pair of legs, so you knew what to do. You were walking just fine in 20 minutes.

   And lastly, you got to see your face. 

   

   "Do you like it?" jokingly asked David.

   You stared at yourself with wide eyes. A new voice and a new face. You wouldn't have recognized yourself if not for your dark eyes, constant in their blankness.

   For a second they flashed red and David had to restrain you.

   "Hey, hey, calm down! It's just you!"

   "I do not trust it."

   "I don't know how to tell you that's your face."

   After David pacified you, you went back to looking at yourself. With suspicion, of course.

   You turned around in front of the mirror to check out your body. You'd grown 7.6 centimeters (3 in). You were now only 5.1 centimeters (2 in) shorter than David. From your face to your legs, every part of you had grown larger. Wide shoulders accompanied a narrow waist.

   David was right again. You did look like a perfect mix of your parents. Your eyes were beautiful like your mother's and alert like your father's. Overgrown brows mirrored your father's, elegant lips belonged to your mother. The mole you wondered about wasn't there.

   It was strange. 

   You got closer to the mirror. Squinting, you looked at yourself with suspicion.

   "Not again." David stood up from the bed.

   Your eyes narrowed. "...I will have to get used to my new face."

   David had to stop himself from laughing when he imagined you as a cat seeing its own reflection.

 

   After freshening up and getting a makeover, you somehow became even more handsome. Your face was as soft as a baby's after being exfoliated and moisturized. Your hair, which now reached your lower back, flowed behind you freely. You wore a pair of white pajamas.

   David took you to the Shield residence. He led the way to your room and opened your closet.

   You sat on your bed patiently as he took out two suits covered by plastic. He laid them out next to you.

   "Which one do you like?" He held them up in each hand. The one to your left was a fitted black three-piece with a double-breasted jacket and notch lapels. The one to your right was a fitted two-piece with a single-breasted jacket and notch lapels. They both came with a pair of black gloves.

   Tilting your head, you scanned each suit. You never chose your own clothing in the first place, so you had no preference. "Please choose for me, David."

   David chose the three-piece and helped you put it on. This was new to you as well. You typically wore loose clothing for sake of mobility.

   "Is it too tight?"

   "No." You stretched out your arms and legs. The suit wasn't too constricting, fortunately. 

   David handed you the black gloves. "This'll help cover up your hands. It's stylish as well...I think. Melissa picked them out personally."

   You slid them on, careful not to damage them.

 

   "Ah."

   You looked to see David staring at the clock in your room with dismay. "There's not enough time to visit your parents." He turned to you, his eyes now resembling the dark ocean surrounding I-Island. "I'm sorry."

   "It's okay. I will visit them after." 

   "Do..." David hesitated. "Do you miss them?"

   "No."

   The usual exchange.

   "Well..." David gazed at your now long hair, which was tied into a ponytail. "Why don't I braid your hair before I go? It's a shame to cut it all off."

   You nodded.

   

   David now sat criss-crossed behind you on your bed. Your legs were pretzeled as well. Deft fingers wove your hair into a basic braid.

   "...It's been a while since I did Melissa's hair." David's movements were sharp despite lack of practice. "She doesn't need her papa to do it anymore, haha."

   You didn't think it was possible to hear someone smile until now.

   David said nothing more until he was done.

 

   "Tada." David pulled his hands away after tying the braid with a black hair tie he had in his coat pocket. "Go take a look."

   You slid off the bed to stand in front of the mirror. The braid swung behind you like a cat's tail.

   "Do you like it?"

   You weren't sure you liked the braid itself--you didn't know if you liked anything other than pancakes if you were being honest. But because David braided it, you knew you liked it.

   "Yes."

   David smiled. "I'm glad."

 

   Ten minutes later, you sat alone in your room. David had gotten changed himself and then drove to the venue building to prepare. He was one of the top scientists on I-Island, after all. He was an important man.

   You checked the clock. There was 30 minutes before the party started.  You thought about visiting your parents only to realize that David never told you where they were buried.

   Why did you want to visit them?

   You were sure it was obligation. That was why you'd visited the grave of Koda's bird.

   But something else was tugging at you and you had no clue what.

 

   You averted your attention to the black bracelet on your right wrist. It had a button that could be pushed to expand the bracelet and reveal a new, resized helmet. In your closet was a resized and improved version of your armor. 

   Melissa worked hard on it, David had told you. She'll be home soon. Accompany her to the party for me.

   He'd worn a strange expression when he said that.

 

   The front door opened. Light footsteps went past your room and towards Melissa's.

   Your eyes followed the shadow that passed from under your door.

   Melissa is home.

   What should I do while she is preparing?

   You got up from your seat on the bed. As you passed by the mirror, you couldn't help but stop to squint at yourself.

   You did not trust your new face. When you turned to leave, your braid swung like the tail of an indignant cat. 

   

   Now in the kitchen, you rummaged through the fridge and the pantry for ingredients. 

   You set out a mixing bowl, a blender, and cups for measuring out the ingredients. 

   When Melissa heard the blender go off, she immediately knew it was your stupid ass.

   She giggled to herself. He's probably making pancakes.

 

   You worked quickly. The batter was mixed till perfectly smooth and then poured onto an electric griddle. The sweet smell of buttermilk pancakes filled the house.

   With a spatula, you took the fully cooked ones off the griddle to plate them. Two small white plates shaped like flowers sat next to the griddle.

   Your stomach growled.

   "Is someone hungry?"

   You looked up to see Melissa.

   By the time your eyes met, she'd already completely forgotten about the pancakes.

   

   Melissa's face morphed from amazement to immense relief.

   She didn't know if you would live to grow up. For two years, she worked alongside David relentlessly to bring you back.

   For two years, she cried, hoped, wished, and prayed. 

   She prayed for you to be able to grow up.

   And now her prayers were answered.

   The tears in Melissa's eyes turned them into blue diamonds. "Oh, [Name]." 

   

   You were about to ask if she was okay before she ran around the kitchen island and flung herself at you.

   Melissa's cheek melted into your shoulder. Pale arms contrasted with the black fabric of your suit. 

   Hugging her, you said softly, "Hi, Melissa."

   Raising your voice was difficult, but speaking softly was easy. You knew to talk like this whenever Melissa was emotional. It was not out of tenderness.

    Melissa knew that, but she didn't care. She said just as softly, "I'm so lucky to be able to hold you like this."

   She pulled away from you to wipe her eyes. Once she finished, she looked up at you with a laugh. "You've become very handsome. I don't think the ladies will be able to keep their eyes off you." She squeezed your cheek with small fingers. "But it is a shame that your baby fat's gone. You were so cute."

   You blinked. "I don't like my face."

   "What?" Melissa immediately grew concerned. "Why? Oh, [Name], don't tell me someone made fun of you..."

   When you shook your head, Melissa's attached hand followed. "It is merely strange. I have not been insulted. I do not find pleasure in seeing my reflection."

   "Ah." Melissa giggled at your antics. "I do understand how it can be strange. You had a different face just yesterday, after all." She released your face and grabbed your wrist this time. Gazing at the bracelet, she asked you, "Do you like your new helmet? And the armor?"

   "Yes."

   "...Why?" Melissa willed herself to stare you in the eye.

   She knew it was hard for you to genuinely like things. She knew that you probably said you liked them just to appease her.

   But she wanted to know for sure.

   Your head lolled to the side in thought, and with a cute blink, you told her, "Because Melissa made them."

   Melissa blinked once. And then twice.

   Hiding her face in her hands, she squeaked, "Gosh, you're so...!"

   You leaned down to get a better look at her. "Are you alright?"

   After a minute, Melissa calmed down enough to make eye contact again. She sighed and reached up to lovingly pat your head. "You're very sweet. I...just wasn't prepared to hear that."

   "I'm sweet?"

   "Yes! Very much so."

   "I taste sweet?"

   "Oh, [Name], no."

 

  She patiently explained to you what she meant before glancing away to check the clock.  "Ah, we were supposed to leave minutes ago. Iida said to meet up and attend as a group."

   You blinked twice. "Iida is here?"

   Melissa nodded. "Yes. And so are most of your class, actually. They didn't tell you?"

   "No." And it was just now that you realized you'd completely abandoned All Might and Midoriya to follow the butterfly.

   After scarfing down the pancakes, cleaning up the mess you made, and Melissa fixing her eye makeup, the two of you headed for the Central Tower where the party would be held. You were supposed to meet up at Lobby 7.

 

   Your head swiveled to and fro as you made your way inside. The Central Tower was huge from the outside--you could only imagine what was held on each floor.

   When you passed by a wall mirror, you couldn't help but stop and stare.

   Melissa blinked when she heard your footsteps come to a stop. She turned around. "What is it?"

   You squinted at your reflection. "...Can I have my old face back?"

   "Nope!" Melissa cheerfully latched onto your arm and dragged you away. "Now that you've aged forward, you can't go back."

   Recalling what David told you about the dangers of a reverse aging plasma, you didn't bring up the matter again.

   

   "Oh, you're all still here? The party's starting!"

   Everyone in the lobby turned towards the door.

   With her natural radiance, Melissa could've passed for an angel on Earth.

   But it was the devil behind her that took everyone's breath away.

   Midoriya's eyes widened. "I-is that...?"

 

   You were tall, dark, and handsome. You were donning all black save for your white dress shirt. When you lifted your hand to move some hair off your face, your silver wrist peeked out from between your black glove and suit sleeve. Large hands and long fingers brushed past your dark eyes on the way down. Your eyelashes may as well have been silk lace, for they lined your eyes like they were the precious gemstones on a brooch. 

   As you walked forward, it became obvious just how tall you were. Long limbs moved like clockwork and large hands swung at your sides. Your waist was remarkably small compared to your broad shoulders. You were like an antique doll: mysterious and hauntingly beautiful.

   

   Melissa giggled at the stunned faces of your classmates. "He's handsome, isn't he?"

   That was an understatement.

   Midoriya was hiding his tomato red face behind trembling arms. He couldn't even reply. 

   His heart was thumping so hard that he was afraid that if he opened his mouth, everyone would hear his thunderous heartbeat.

   Midoriya thought he was seeing things. Weren't you baby-faced just yesterday? When he gained the courage to rub his eyes, he found that you, in all your dark beauty, were indeed real.

 

   Meanwhile, Kaminari was questioning his sexuality.

   Never had he been so starstruck by another boy. His golden eyes scanned you from head to toe. He couldn't get enough of you.

   Your eyes were so captivating; [e/c] rings floating in a pool of black. Once Kaminari looked into them, he couldn't tear his gaze away. He felt himself sinking into them like black tar.

   Eyes wide, Kaminari whispered, "Holy shit."

 

   Todoroki's lips parted just a touch. It was barely noticeable, but his brows were raised.

   Many people told Todoroki that he was the most beautiful person they'd ever seen, but clearly they'd never seen you.

   Wait.

   Todoroki blinked. For a second, he experienced déjà vu.

   The you in front of him seemed so familiar, but he couldn't place why. Like he had met and forgotten you.

   Why didn't he feel this with the you from before?

   But with a bat of your lashes, Todoroki completely forgot his question.

 

   Uraraka had her hands plastered to her cheeks in disbelief. She recognized you as soon as you walked in, but how had you matured in such little time?

   But most importantly, your sheer beauty was enough to make her crush on Midoriya waver. She never went for looks in the first place (no shade, Deku), but you were very, very close to changing that.

 

   Yaoyorozu's hands covered her open mouth. Was that really the boy she had to constantly help in class? The boy she gave a dictionary to?

   Her eyes softened. You weren't a baby anymore.

   Well, appearance-wise, anyway. She let out a laugh when she saw that your tie was slightly crooked.

   Though Yaoyorozu wondered just how you managed to age so quickly, she wouldn't ask. I-Island had its secrets, after all.

 

   Squinting at you intensely was Jiro.

   Why does he look so much older? How?

   And why....

   Fire spread all over her face.

   Is he so freaking handsome!?

   All that came out her mouth were jabbered noises.

 

   Mineta had no reaction. Because he's the straightest person here and also because I hate him.

 

   Iida stopped functioning completely. "Wha--!?"

   He took off his glasses, rubbed them, and then put them back on.

   To his disbelief, you weren't the big baby from just days ago. You were big, alright. Just not a baby.

   Iida gasped when he noticed that you'd become taller than him.

   An affront!

   The biggest affront, however, was that just the sight of you managed to paint his cheeks red.

   The fire you sparked made him feel like he was in Hosu again.

   

   Iida loudly cleared his throat, dispelling the tense silence. "Y-you're late! And you're here, too, [L/n]?"

   You bowed politely and your long braid came into view. "Yes. I am here."

   Everyone started yelling the moment they heard your voice.

   "Holy shit, dude!" cried Kaminari. "Your voice, too!? What're your secrets!?"

   Iida yelled frantically, "Oh my God, did you get plastic surgery!? Why!? Did that Monoma guy call you ugly!? I'll avenge you!"

   Todoroki said to Iida, "Not again."

   Frothing at the mouth, Mineta screamed, "Why not me!?"

   Uraraka was passed out on the floor as Yaoyorozu tried to shake her awake. Jiro was too busy gawking at you to care.

   Midoriya was firing questions at 100 miles a minute and Melissa was just smiling through the chaos.

 

   "Everyone."

   The noise died down as Yaoyorozu made her way to the front. 

   Standing on your other side, she set a hand on your shoulder. She turned to face the rest of the lobby. 

   "[L/n] may look different, sound different, but that doesn't mean we can rudely bombard him with questions like this."

   You glanced at her from the corner of your eye. She'd defended you like this once before. That was when Hatsume tried to pick you apart during the sports festival.

   "Thank you."

   Yaoyorozu was about to continue, but hearing that you were satisfied, she stopped. "It's nothing."

   She blinked. "Ah, your tie..." She got in front of you to fix it. Once she finished, she tilted her head back to smile at you.

   Yaoyorozu found herself breathless.

   You were staring down at her, emotionless as usual.

   But your stare felt much more intense now.

   Clearing her throat, Yaoyorozu backed away and hid her hot face with one hand. "I...fixed your tie."

   "Thank you. Are you alright?"

   "Ah, y-yes, of course. It must be the weather."

 

   Melissa beamed thankfully at Yaoyorozu before taking the reins. "[Name] just aged rapidly because we stimulated his cells with a serum. The serum created an environment for his cells where they were able to multiply rapidly while avoiding the creation of cancer cells."

   It wasn't the whole truth, but she wasn't totally lying either. 

   "Is that so?" Iida nodded, one hand on his chin. "That makes sense. But why the need to accelerate [L/n]'s growth?"

   "[Name] was suspended in animation for two years."

   Iida's jaw dropped.

   Jiro and Kaminari exchanged flabbergasted looks. Yaoyorozu whipped her head towards you in alarm. Todoroki had even more questions about you now.

   Midoriya gazed at you, brows furrowed.

   There was more to you than everyone thought.

   Melissa wore a professional smile as she changed the subject. "Well, we're here for the party, right? Let's go!"

 

   Suddenly, a beeping siren went off.

   "This is an announcement by the I-Island security system."

   All of you looked up at the intercom in alarm.

   "We have received a report from the security system that an explosive device was placed in the I-Expo area. I-Island will now be in high alert mode. Residents and tourists should return to their homes or lodgings. Those that have come a long way should go and wait at the nearest evacuation center. Anyone still outside ten minutes from now may be arrested without warning. Please refrain from going outdoors. In addition, most of the main buildings will be sealed off by the security system."

   Gasps filled the room as metal sheets slid down to cover the windows. 

   You turned in place to check all the windows, and as you thought, every single one was sealed.

   "Melissa." You pressed the bracelet on your right wrist. With a glow, it expanded to form a black version of your helmet. You handed it to her. "Wear this."

   She frowned and pushed it back. "No, how could I? You have a condition, [Name]! This is serious. This is a bomb threat, [Name]. You could go into a coma again!"

   Melissa bit her lip. "I made this helmet so that it wouldn't happen again. Please. Wear it."

   Metal fingers tightened around the helmet.

   "...Okay." Finally, you put it on without another word.

 

   "My phone's getting no signal."

   During your exchange with Melissa, Todoroki and the others had been trying to find out what was going on.

   Jiro was spamming the elevator button. "The elevator's not working either."      

   Now that your helmet was on, Melissa calmed down. She put a hand on her chin and looked down in thought. "I don't believe the security system would switch to high alert mode just because they found something explosive."

   Midoriya had switched on his serious mode. He walked towards Iida, brows tight. "Iida, let's go to where the party's being held."

   "Why?"

   "Because All Might's at the party."

   Everyone aside from you and Melissa gasped at Midoriya's words.

   Uraraka asked in shock, "All Might is?"

   You immediately turned to where you thought the party room would be. 

   Is All Might safe?

   He may have been Japan's Number One Hero, but you knew things the rest of the world didn't.

 

   "Melissa," continued Midoriya, "can you get us to the party somehow?"

   The blonde gestured to a corner of the room. "If we use the emergency stairs, I think we can get close to the party."

   You all glanced at it. Midoriya turned back to Melissa and said firmly, "Please lead the way!"

   From underneath your helmet, you watched him with interest. Midoriya being this determined was always interesting. 

   Melissa nodded. Before she went, she looked back at you. "I'm trusting that I don't need to hold your hand."

   It was your turn to nod. 

   She flashed you a smile and ran off.

 

   As the rest of your classmates followed, Midoriya stayed to keep pace with you. He tried not to let the suddenly huge height difference faze him.

   Green eyes softened at the sight of your new helmet. "I won't let anything happen to you." 

   You didn't quite know what he meant by that, but now wasn't the time to ask. "Okay."

   Midoriya mustered a smile just for you.

   He'd gotten used to it, taking care of you. He'd spent late nights worrying about your health and about the mystery surrounding you.

   Midoriya wasn't going to stop caring now.

 

   You all reached the observatory above the party room.

   Midoriya made sure you were sitting away from the glass before putting a single finger on his lips. You mirrored the gesture.

   "Jiro." Midoriya made sure to be quiet. He didn't know how sound travelled in this building. "Do you know how we can communicate with All Might?"

   "Let me take a look first." Without waiting for him to reply, Jiro carefully scooted towards the glass to look down.

   All Might was laying on the stage, bound by glowing blue tape. Jiro's jaw tightened. She plugged an earlobe into the floor and scooted back to where she was sitting out of sight. "If I can just get the right pathway..."

   After a few seconds, Jiro sent Midoriya a thumb's up. 

   Midoriya nodded and brought out his phone. He used the flashlight to grab All Might's attention.

   When All Might saw the flashing, he turned his head to find the source.

   All Might whispered, "Y-Young Midoriya!"

   The boy stuck his phone back into his pocket. "All Might's noticed us." He looked to Jiro. "Jiro, can you do it?"

   "Yeah."

   Midoriya turned back to All Might. "Please talk!"

   All Might spoke quickly. "Can you hear me? Villains have taken over the tower. They took control of the security system and everyone on this island is a hostage. All the Heroes have been taken as well. It's dangerous. Get away from here as soon as possible."

   Jiro, the only one who heard that, was mortified. She unplugged her earlobe and whispered to Midoriya, "Th-this is bad."

    

   The lot of you moved to hide outside the door to the observatory. The only ones standing were Iida, Yaoyorozu, Todoroki, and Melissa.

   Todoroki, who stood next to your sitting form, eyed the black helmet on your head.

   He couldn't help but worry about you in particular.

   You may have grown a lot, but you were still the class baby.

 

   "We have received All Might's message," started Iida. "I suggest we follow the directions of U.A. teacher All Might and escape from this place."

   Yaoyorozu closed her eyes grimly. "I agree with Iida's opinion." She opened her eyes and put a hand on her chest. "We are still students. We cannot fight against villains without our Hero licenses."

   Kaminari gasped. "What if we escape and tell Heroes outside--?"

   Melissa shot him down. "I think it'll be hard to escape." She had her hand on her chin again. "This place is built with the same security level as Tartarus, where criminal villains are kept."

   Kaminari deflated. "Then I guess we'll just wait here..."

   Disgusted by his attitude, Jiro rose to her feet. "Really? Kaminari, are you okay with that?" She put one hand on her hip.

   The blond looked up at her. "What do you mean by that?"

   Judging by his defeated expression, he already knew the answer.

   Jiro was more sad than disgusted now. "You don't feel like you need to help all those people?"

   Mineta pathetically tried to defend Kaminari. "Hey, hey, the villains even caught All Might! There's no way we can go save them ourselves!"

   "Why?"

   Everyone turned to you.

   Standing up, you stared directly at Mineta and Kaminari. "Why do you want to become a Hero? I, who embarked on this path without knowing my own reason, know that I must save those in need. So why do you want to become a Hero if you refuse to do so?"

   There was a flash of red behind your visor.

   Mineta screeched in fear and Kaminari was visibly shocked by your conviction. The others looked at you in alarm.

   Midoriya, meanwhile, added another piece to your puzzle. 

   [L/n] doesn't even know why he wants to be a Hero.

  You knew so little, and yet you were thrust into this situation where All Might was restrained and villains littered the building.

   Midoriya wanted to hug you.

   

 

   "...We are trying to become Heroes." Todoroki gazed down at his open left hand.

   He cast you a glance of understanding. As he did so, he noticed that you'd become taller than him. You used to be the shorter one.

   Yaoyorozu whipped to face him. "Yes, but we are still not allowed to work as Heroes--!"

   "Does that mean it's alright for us to do nothing?" Todoroki balled his fist.

   Yaoyorozu faltered. "Th-thats...."

    A tense silence fell over the room.

 

   "I want to save them."

   It was Midoriya who broke it.

   Uraraka blinked. "Deku?"

   "You're thinking about fighting the villains!?" cried Mineta, like the bitch coward he is. "Haven't you learned anything from the U.S.J.!?"

   "It's not like that! I've thought about it." Midoriya was serious. He looked up to address all of you. "We need a way we can save All Might and the others without fighting the villains."

   Kaminari replied, "I understand how you feel, but is there anything that convenient...?"

   "Even if it's hard, I still want to try!" 

   Melissa perked up. And then her eyes sparkled.

   Midoriya's conviction reminded her of All Might.

   The boy continued, "I want to look for the best way possible and then save everyone!" 

 

   "I-Island's security system is on the top floor of this tower." Melissa stepped forward, determination written all over her face. "If the villains have taken over the system, then the authentication locks and passwords should have been disabled. We should be able to restart the system. We just need to get away from the eyes of the villains and get to the top floor." Hand on her chest, she finished, "Then, maybe we can save everyone."

   Midoriya's face lit up. "Melissa...."

   Fists clenched, Jiro asked Melissa, "What do you mean by 'get away from the eyes of the villains?' How?" Her eyes were full of hope.

   "Currently, none of us have been harmed. I think the villains aren't used to working with the security system."

   Todoroki looked down in thought. "Avoid fighting and get the system back to normal, huh? I see."

   Kaminari grinned. "I think we can do it!"

   "But the villains are waiting on the top floor." Yaoyorozu's hand held her chin.

   "There's no need to fight!"

   All eyes darted to Midoriya.

   "If we get the system back to normal, then All Might and the hostages will be released." He added passionately, "When that happens, the tables will be will be turned in an instant!"

   "Deku, let's do it!" Uraraka's only contribution to this entire conversation. "I don't want to sit around doing nothing if there's something we can do!" She shook her head. "I think that's more important than whether we're Heroes or not!"

   Midoriya stood up with a smile. "Yeah, let's help the people who need it. Let's do what our instincts are telling us to do!"

   Uraraka threw a fist into the air. "Yeah!"

   "Midoriya." Todoroki moved from his spot by the wall. "I'll go."

   Jiro pointed a thumb at herself. "Me too."

   Midoriya and Uraraka perked up.

   "Todoroki!"

   "Kyoka-chan!"

   "I'll turn us back if I decide we can no longer go forward." Iida played the voice of reason. He opened his eyes, and they were a burning red. "If you're okay with that, then I'll go too."

   *Iida's eyes are red in the manga. I write them as red because that's my preference.

   "Iida...!"

   Yaoyorozu smiled. "If that's the case, then I'll go too!"

   Kaminari got to his feet. "Alright, me too!"

   "Yaoyorozu!"

   "Kaminari!"

   You tilted your head. You weren't really sure what all this fuss was about. Wasn't it a given that they'd all go? Nevertheless, you said, "I will go as well."

   Midoriya grinned. "[L/n]!"

   Last was Mineta's bitchass. He was crying. "Okay, okay, I get it! I just have to go, too, right!?"

   "Thanks, Mineta!" Midoriya dropped his smile for a serious grimace when he walked up to Melissa. "You wait here, Melissa."

   She frowned. "I'll go too."

   "But you're Quirkless."

   What was this hypocrisy? Midoriya used to be Quirkless.

   And you were still Quirkless.

   Was Midoriya saying that because Melissa was Quirkless, she couldn't do anything?

   You swiftly joined Melissa's side. "If Melissa cannot go, I will not go either."

   Everyone was shocked at how quickly you turned on Midoriya. You were completely willing to go against the tide for Melissa.

   And you were usually rather listless. This was the most they'd seen you take charge over yourself since they'd known you.

   Midoriya felt a pang in his chest. He stuttered, "W-whatever you're thinking, I didn't mean it like that! I just--"

   "Do you have anyone who can change the security system?" challenged Melissa. She narrowed her eyes at Midoriya.

   She personally didn't agree with you abandoning both All Might and all those people just to protect her, but she didn't address that for now.

   "I'm a student at the Academy. I think I can be useful." A trench formed between Melissa's brows. "I might just get in the way until we get to the top floor..." She looked up. "But let me help protect everyone too!"

   Midoriya's eyes widened.

   "Please!"

   Midoriya looked down for a second. He tentatively glanced at you before making eye contact with Melissa again. "Alright! Let's go and save everyone!"

   A smile spread across Melissa's face. "Yes!" 

   Then she turned and pointed a stern finger at you. "You have to stop prioritizing one person over two, even if that one person is important to you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

   You turned away from her like a scolded cat. "...Yes."

   It was a minute action, but Melissa's watchful eyes caught it. Smiling widely, she grabbed your hand. "Don't get all sulky on me now. Let's go!"

   Melissa led the way, you running in tandem. Midoriya stayed behind to look at All Might one last time before catching up with the rest of you.

   

   There were stairs upon stairs upon stairs. At the 10th floor, Melissa began to slow down a little. She wasn't a trained athlete like the rest of you, after all.

   Your hand tightened on hers. "Are you alright, Melissa?"

   Melissa kept her panting light. "Yes!"

 

   Some minutes later, you all reached the 30th floor.

   Iida eyed the sign. "We're on the 30th floor now."

   Midoriya turned around to ask, "Melissa, what's the top floor?"

   Melissa was at the very back with you beside her. "The 200th floor."

   Kaminari paled. "Seriously!?"

   You took off a glove to put your cool hand on Melissa's cheek. She smiled gratefully. 

   "It's better than running into villains!" said Yaoyorozu.

   You looked at her and then at Melissa. There must've been a better way. Melissa was getting tired.

   "Melissa." You got on one knee. "I suggest you take your shoes off. Heeled shoes will damage the feet when running."

   "You're right." Melissa grabbed the stair railing to balance herself while you took her shoes off.

   Your classmates were stunned by you once again.

   So this was your relationship with Melissa. You'd mentioned her before, when you were asked about who was behind your body modifications. And when you'd been given commands, you'd replied, "I only take orders from Melissa."

   Now that they knew Melissa for themselves, your loyalty to her was much clearer.

   Kaminari felt himself turning green with envy. "Wow, Romeo. We're in a crisis."

   You set Melissa's heels aside and stood up. "My name is not Romeo."

   "It's a--"

   "As Kaminari said, we're in a crisis." Iida cut in to end the useless argument. "Let us keep going!"

   Midoriya clenched his jaw as he turned forward. He felt greener than usual.

    

   You were at the 50th floor now. Was there really no better way? If you could just blast through the metal coverings, then you could fly Melissa to the top floor. But she did say that the security levels here were equivalent to that of Tartarus.

   "Melissa." Your voice had become husky from fatigue. "What is the highest temperature the metal sheets can withstand?"

   "If you try to destroy them, you'll set off the security system." Melissa was panting heavily. "It's best not to touch them."

  You glanced down at her feet. They were growing red. "Would you like me to carry you?"

   "No, no. You'll just become tired for no reason."

   Uraraka, running in front of you, couldn't help but overhear the conversation.

   Her eyes widened. She had no idea you could be so caring.

   Now she felt even worse about assuming the worst about you.

 

   At the 70th floor, you ran into a problem.

   Iida gasped. "The shutter!"

   A large metal shutter blocked the way to the next floor.

   "What should we do?" asked Todoroki. "Break it?"

   Melissa shook her head. "If we do that, then the security system will react and the villains will notice us."

   "Why don't we go through here?"

   Midoriya was the first see Mineta reach for the door behind you. He flung a hand forward and cried, "No!"

   Mineta pulled on the door handle. A glowing indicator turned red.

   Melissa's face dropped in horror. 

   "We have to keep going!" yelled Iida. "Now that they know we're here, we have to keep going!"

   Everyone nodded and ran through the now open door.

   You briefly let go of Melissa, but only to take your remaining glove off in preparation to fight.

 

   You were all running through the curved outer hall of the tower now.

   Iida looked around. As the class president and fastest runner, he was at the front. "Is there any other way to go up?"

   Melissa replied, "There's another emergency staircase on the opposite side."

   Iida nodded and sped up. "Hurry!"

   Not a second later, a shutter 3 sections from where you were standing closed. The group came to a stop with startled gasps.

   Midoriya cried, "The shutters...!"

   Yaoyorozu turned around. "The ones behind us too!"

   "Todoroki!" yelled Iida.

   "Right!" With a stomp, Todoroki sent a huge wave of ice through the gap of the shutter in front of you. It forced the shutter to remain open. Iida jumped through the gap. Dashing forward, he swung a Recripro-powered leg at a door that led to the center of the tower.

   The legs of Iida's suit were torn below the knees now. He beckoned the rest of you with a hand. "Let's cross inside here!"

   Because of Iida's strong legs, he was able to jump over the high wall of the shutter, but the rest of you couldn't get across so easily (save for you, Midoriya, and Todoroki). Climbing Todoroki's ice was out of the question.

   You let go of Melissa again to squat against the wall. You held your hands out. "Climb over using my hands as a base."

   Melissa beamed proudly.

   Midoriya jumped up onto the edge of the shutter wall and extended his hands down. "And hang onto me once you step off of [L/n]!"

   With this system, the rest of the class was able to get over the wall.

   You were the last over. You blinked when you saw that Midoriya had stayed behind. With a smile, he reached down to you. "Grab me!"

   Instead, you used the boosters in your feet and hands to fly upward and land on the wall's edge. Before Midoriya could say anything, you grabbed him by the waist and lowered the both of you to the other side.

   He blushed profusely. "[L-L/n]! Y-you didn't need to--!"

   You slipped on a glove before grabbing Midoriya's hand. "Your feet could have been hurt by the drop. As mine are not real--"

   "AND W-W-WHY ARE YOU G-G-GRABBING MY HAND!?"

   "Because you said so." With that, you ran forward, a helpless, beet red Midoriya in tow.

Chapter 40: Per Ardua Ad Astra

Notes:

fanart!!! by baeirenee on quotev!

   

 

   Midoriya could barely run properly.

   Your warm hand clasped his smaller one, an oyster and its pearl.

   For a moment, he forgot your hand wasn't soft like his own.

   You were unable to feel it when Midoriya shyly wrapped his fingers around yours.

 

   "What's this?" asked Iida.

   You entered a ginormous room filled to the brim with plants. The only free space available were the walkways, which intersected in a crossroads. At the opposite end of the room was an elevator.

   Melissa replied,  "It's a plant factory. The influence of Quirks on plants is researched here."

   You were distracted by the sheer amount of green. Pine, nepeta, olive--

   you turned to look at Midoriya.

   forest.

   The boy furiously avoided eye contact with you, his face steaming.

 

   You opened your mouth only to bump into Todoroki's back. He was staring straight ahead.

   Jiro had abruptly stopped the group. "Wait! Look at that!" Her arm, which she used to halt the others, moved to point at the elevator. "The elevator's coming up."

   Sure enough, the numbers on the screen that displayed floor number were rapidly increasing. 

   Midoriya snapped out of his stupor. "Let's hide and let them pass us!" 

   Everyone nodded.

   After Midoriya nodded back, he led the way towards a clump of bushes to the left of the walkway. Neither you nor Midoriya let go of each other.

  While Midoriya was hurt by how you turned on him earlier, he wasn't going to let that make him forget his promise to protect you.

   

   You were now crouching behind the bushes. 

   Kaminari gulped. "I wonder if we can use that elevator to get to the top floor?"

   "No." Melissa's eyes were locked on the elevator doors. "Only authorized people can operate the elevators. And it's sturdy as a bomb shelter, so we can't destroy it."

   She glanced over to see how you were doing, and to her relief, you were right next to Midoriya.

   Crystal blue eyes darted back ahead when the elevator dinged. 

 

   The doors slid open to reveal two men dressed in black. One looked like a Diglett and the other seemed to be a rare species of hairy lizard.

   "Those clothes..." Midoriya's brows knit themselves together. "They're the villains that were at the party."

   You ducked your head to turn on your enhanced hearing.

   The two men walked out of the elevator and into the room. "They said the kids were in here," said the hairy lizard. "They came into an annoying place."

   Uraraka slapped her hands over her mouth. "They're coming...!"

   Iida hissed, "Quiet."

   Fear emanated from your classmates, including Midoriya. His free hand was curled into a tight fist. You warmed up your hand in a juvenile act of comfort before letting go to hook a thumb under your remaining glove.

   "I found you, you damn kids!"

   The glove came flying off.

 

   "Ha? What did you say, you bastard?"

   

    Everyone jolted and looked to the right.

   Standing with his hands in his pockets was Bakugou, Kirishima right by his side. Bakugou's head was downturned, red eyes fixed on the two villains. Sweat ran down Kirishima's face.

   The hairy lizard man asked, "What are you two doing here?"

   Beginning to walk forward, Bakugou answered haughtily, "That's what I want to know--"

   Kirishima jumped to put one hand on the blond's shoulder and the other in front of him.  "Leave this to me, okay!?" The redhead knew Bakugou's temper would dig them into a deeper hole, if that even mattered. These villains would probably try to hurt them regardless.

   Bakugou glared at him but said nothing more.

   Plastering on a clumsy smile, Kirishima released Bakugou to rub the back of his own head. "Um, we got lost..." He ambled forward. "Where should we go for the reception?"

   The two villains exchanged a look.

   Kaminari clutched his head and whispered, "Why did you go to the 80th floor if you got lost!?"

   

   "I can see through you! Don't lie to me!" The hairy lizard man's hand expanded. After reeling his fist back, he thrust a laser-like beam of wind at Bakugou and Kirishima. 

   The former stepped forward with an open palm. "His Quirk!"

   Midoriya yelled, "Kirishima!"   

   Just before the wind could hit Kirishima, a massive chunk of ice nullified it. Kirishima fell backwards and you dashed from your spot behind the bush to go check on him.

   "Are you alright?"

   Kirishima saw your extended hand first. Then he followed your arm up to your shielded face.

   He grinned happily. "[L/n]!" He took your hand and you pulled him up.

   You parroted, "Kirishima."  

   "How's it going, buddy? And is it just me, or do you sound different? And did you get taller--?"

   "Pay attention, dumbass!" Bakugou ran up to the two of you and smacked the back of Kirishima's head.

   Ignoring Kirishima's whine, Bakugou narrowed his eyes at you. You looked and sounded different, alright. He wouldn't say anything for now.

   

   Todoroki slid in front of your little trio on a carpet of ice. "Villains have taken over this tower," he explained. 

   Kirishima and Bakugou jolted.

   "Huh?"

   "What!?"

   "I'll tell you more later!" Todoroki slapped a palm onto the floor. Ice crawled across the concrete to form a pillar underneath the kids still behind the bush.

   Todoroki told them, "We'll stall for time here. Look for a way to the top!"

   Midoriya's eyes grew wide. "What about you!?"

   "I'm fine, just go!"

   With a nod, Midoriya hopped off the ice pillar and onto an overhanging walkway, but not without casting you a worried glance.

 

   What sounded like gunfire began to sound from the chunk of ice between you and the villains. As their silhouettes became darker and larger in size, the four of you tensed.

   They finally broke through the ice.   

   Kirishima yelled, "Don't let your guard down!"

   Bakugou snapped, "Shut up, I know!" 

   Kirishima's hands were curled in front of him. Bakugou got into his usual gremlin stance. Todoroki had his left side forward and his right side back. Your hands hovered by your sides, heating up by the second.

   The Diglett walked out first. "You kids..." As he transformed into the Hulk but purple, he yelled, "Don't take advantage of us!"

   You blinked. "He is purple."

   No one acknowledged your astute observation.

   Todoroki drew his right hand back before thrusting it forward. A wave of ice surged toward Thanos.

   He punched through it, making his way to your group as he did so. Once he cut through all the ice, the four of you jumped out of the way.

   Bakugou was quick. Mid-air, he swung his right arm back and used it to propel him towards the villain. Then he used the momentum to shift the left side of his body back and reach for the purple man with his right.

   "DIE!"

   An explosion filled the area with smoke.

   Bakugou landed outside the cloud. Not a second later, the purple man went for Bakugou with a fist ready.

   "Bakugou!" Kirishima shoved him out of the way. He crossed his hardened harms to take the punch.

   Kirishima flew. Todoroki made a wall of ice in an effort to catch him but his body bulldozed straight through it. The boy slammed into the wall of the room.

   Bakugou yelled, "Kirishima!"

   Red filled your eyes.  "Magma Palm.”

   The holes on your palms opened to blast the villain with 500 C beams. Thanos roared and turned around to go after you.

   You weren't the only one being marked, however.

   Todoroki told Bakugou, "Dodge!"

   Bakugou's threw an explosion under himself to propel himself upward. The beam of wind went right under him and towards you and Todoroki. You turned off your power as Todoroki set up another wall of ice.

   The hairy lizard kept throwing balls of air. For each ball of air, Todoroki threw up a wall. 

   You dashed to the right. You needed to check on Kirishima, but the purple man wouldn't let you.

   He charged and you escaped by blasting upward. You somersaulted, and the moment your legs were above you, you stretched your arms out and hit him with two 500 C beams.

   The smell of burnt flesh hit your nose.

   The villain roared, "Come back here! You damn fly!"

   Bakugou scrunched his nose at the odor. He shot into the air and landed in front of the purple man. "You're mine!"

   Todoroki slid away from the hairy lizard. He and Bakugou were now back to back. 

   

   You stiffened once you found Kirishima.

   His legs were trapped under large chunks of rubble. The boy weakly raised his head. "Hey."

   "Hey. Please close your eyes and harden your face, Kirishima."

   "Uh, okay."

   You promptly stomped onto the closest concrete chunk. It burst into little pieces. You repeated this with the other chunk weighing down on him.

   "Please open your eyes."

   Kirishima blinked and thanked you with a grin. "Thanks! But I can't move my arms..."

   You got closer to look at them. They were hardened, embedding them into the wall.

  "They are stuck because of your Quirk."

  "Oh, for real? Whoops." 

 

   Once Kirishima released himself and got to his feet, the two of you ran towards the action. Todoroki was sliding around on his ice and firing at the lizard man. Bakugou was busy outmaneuvering the purple man.

   Trying to assist Bakugou would be risking hitting him as well, so you turned to the lizard.

   You ended up not being needed. After Bakugou took out Thanos with his Howitzer Impact, the lizard man hurled a ball of air at him. Bakugou dodged and the man only managed to take the tattered fabric of his sleeve and Bakugou's sweat.

   The lizard demanded, "What's this?"

   "It's the sweat from my palms." Bakugou smirked as he rasped, "It's like nitroglycerin."

   Todoroki hurled a trail of fire at the man's hand and the sweat exploded.

   Stunned, the lizard man flew backwards. Todoroki took this opportunity to freeze his airborne body in a mound of ice.

  "Good job, guys!" Kirishima waved as he approached. Todoroki nodded in acknowledgement and Bakugou huffed. 

   "Are you alright?" asked Todoroki. 

   "Yep! And you?"

   "Yes." Heterochromatic eyes moved to land on your visor. "And you, [L/n]?"

   Bakugou sneered. "All Tin Can did was make the room smell like shit. It fucking stinks."

   "I'm alright," you told Todoroki. To Bakugou, you bowed slightly. "I'm sorry."

   The blond turned his head with a scoff.

   Ah. Bakugou remembered that he had something to say to a certain redhead.

   Not looking at Kirishima, he muttered, "Thanks."

   "What the hell?" Kirishima grinned. "That's not like you! Don't worry about it!"

   "I'M NOT WORRYING!"

   Todoroki cut in before Bakugou could verbally assault Kirishima. "Alright, let's go after Midoriya and the others."

   Your little group barely set into a jog before a mass of security robots sprang from their confines within the walls. They landed on the floor in a congregation.

   Todoroki blinked. "Looks like they've gotten serious."

    "I would like to test my new features."

   The other boys looked at you, intrigued.

   "Go ahead." Todoroki gave his blessing.

   "Go for it!" cheered Kirishima.

   Bakugou exhaled through his nose. "Whatever, but don't cry if you get your ass handed to you."

   "Thank you." You bowed and began to stride towards the security robots. 

   These are I-Island security robots, so they must be highly heat resistant.

   I will not hesitate.

   The whirring of the robots got louder as you neared them. Plan now in mind, you raised your right arm, bending it at the elbow in front of you.

   Five fingers. 1600 C.

   The new holes on the tips of your fingers opened up.

   "Red Fissure."

   Your right arm sliced through the air, melting a solid line through the first line of robots. However, they weren't halved like you'd intended.

   5000 C.

   A second swipe halved the entire crowd. With 5000 C, you'd melted through their metal bodies instantly.

   Satisfied, you deactivated your hand and let your arm fall back to your side.

   

   "Hot damn, [L/n]!" 

   You lurched forward a little when Kirishima gave your back a hefty pat. "That was awesome! You just cut them down no trouble!"

   "Tch!" Bakugou shoved his hands in his pockets. "Don't hog them all next time." 

   Calculative red eyes landed on your right hand. What else could you do?

   Bakugou wouldn't admit it, but he was just as curious as the other two.

   Before Todoroki could give his two cents, more robots spilled from the walls.

 

   "FUCK YEAH!" Bakugou sprang into action. He wore a feral grin as he hurled explosion after explosion at the second wave.

   "Leave some for me, too, will ya?" Kirishima laughed, charging into the herd. He hardened a fist and skewered a robot with it.

   Todoroki quickly cleaned up the rest with another one of his mounds of ice.

   It took as little as 6 seconds to take out all the robots. 

   Kirishima blinked, looking around. "Are there any more?"

   "I don't think so." Todoroki kneeled and pressed a palm to the ground. "We need to hurry."

   Four pillars of ice rose from underneath everyone's feet. Once they stopped rising, the four of you jumped off and onto the walkways that Midoriya's group had run across earlier.

   

   Kirishima casually made conversation as you all followed the path of destruction Iida's crazy legs left in their wake. "Hey, Bakugou, wasn't [L/n] super cool back there?"

   "No. He's fucking lame."

   "Well, at least you know his surname."

   Todoroki would've tried complimenting you as well, but those lasers of yours...

   they reminded him of his father.

   One of Endeavor's signature moves was dicing up buildings with trails of fire. Todoroki being able to use his left side comfortably now didn't mean he no longer resented his father.

 

   Your group ended up taking a different route to avoid getting stuck in case the others had been trapped.

   On the way there, you pointed a finger at every camera you could see, melting a hole in them.

   You all ended up at a two-pronged fork in the road. The hallway was now split in two.

   At least one of them led to the roof of the 199th floor.

   "I'll take the left." Todoroki dashed down the left corridor.

   Naturally, Bakugou went right to avoid associating with Todoroki.

   Kirishima ran after Todoroki, calling over his shoulder, "Go right, [L/n]! We don't know what's up there!"

   You nodded and followed after Bakugou's fading footsteps.

   Four became two.

 

   "Fuck off! Don't follow me! Don't think I can't hear you following me like a creep!"

   "It is a safety measure, Bakugou. What is a creep?"

   "Who's the one who needs to be babysat?" 

   "I'm not a b--"

   "So you agree? You need to be babysat?"

   Arguing with Bakugou would lead you nowhere so you shut up. You didn't know Bakugou very well, but you at least knew that. He guffawed in victory.

   Floor-to-ceiling windows lined the right side of the hallway. There were restrooms on the other side, but otherwise, it was a dead end.

   "What a waste of time." Bakugou scoffed for the nth time today. He blew up a window with his right palm. Looking mildly annoyed at best, he leapt through the frame and flew upwards using his explosions.

   "Baku--!" For a second, you'd forgotten he could fly. You jumped out to fly after him.

   

   You landed on the roof to see Bakugou save Uraraka in the nick of time. 

   When ice engulfed the robots Bakugou had blasted away, you knew Todoroki and Kirishima were here as well.

   Uraraka gasped. "Bakugou! Todoroki, Kirishima!" She hadn't seen you yet.

   "Red Fissure."

   A few robots were sliced in half.

   The brunette gasped once more. "[L/n]!"

   You nodded at her in acknowledgement before butchering several more. 

   "Are you alright, Uraraka?" asked Todoroki. He ran to stand with his back facing her.

   "Yeah, I'm fine." Uraraka looked from him to where Midoriya and Uraraka were floating upward. "Deku and Melissa are heading to the top floor right now."

   "Yeah, I saw."

   At this, you quickly turned away from watching Bakugou and Kirishima decimate the robots. "Where?"

   Uraraka pointed. There they were, slowly floating up.

   Todoroki knew what you intended to do. "Let's clean up here first." He sent a wave of ice towards the remaining robots.

   You nodded and cut down the ones to your left.

   "Don't tell me," Bakugou swung an explosive fist, "what to do!"

   Kirishima was swiping at a small group. "But you guys make a great team!"

   "As if!"

   

   As they continued to float upward, Midoriya and Melissa looked down at you all with appreciative smiles. Midoriya yelled, "Thanks everyone--! ACK!"

   A giant fan had turned on, sending the two of them tumbling through the air.

   Your blood ran cold. 

   "Bakugou!" Todoroki sprinted towards the fan and threw off his suit jacket. "Aim the fan beneath Midoriya!"

   "Don't order me around!" Nonetheless, Bakugou aimed an explosion at the fan that turned it downward.

   Todoroki's fire joined the wind. This lifted Midoriya and Melissa.

   Midoriya gasped. "Todoroki used his fire...!"

   When they reached the top floor, Midoriya punched a hole into the wall. "Detroit Smash!"

   "They're in!" said Uraraka, releasing her Quirk.

   Your eyes softened in relief.

   "[L/n]." 

   With a grateful bow, you moved to face Todoroki. "Thank you for--" 

   He shook his head. "Don't mention it. Now go. Something tells me they'll need the help."

   "Yes."

   As Todoroki watched you take off, he replayed the moment your eyes softened.

   He had no idea you could make that kind of face.

 

   Using the hole Midoriya made, you entered the 200th floor. 

   The sight of Midoriya blocking the sword arm of a man dressed in black greeted you. Melissa was on the floor behind the former.

   Midoriya glanced to you when he sensed your presence. "[L/n]! Take Melissa and--!"

   The villain grabbed Midoriya with his free arm and dragged the boy in front of him. His sword arm was at Midoriya's neck. 

   Your eyes turned red. "Don't hurt Midoriya."

   Midoriya grit his teeth. "Melissa, go! We'll be okay here!"

   Biting her lip, Melissa looked between the two of you. "But--"

   "Move and he dies." The villain's cruel words silenced the room.

 

   Melissa shuddered. Midoriya's brain was working a mile a minute. You stood still as a statue, hands stiff by your sides.

   As discreetly as you could, you pointed a finger at the villain's left foot.

   900 C.

   The heavy smell of burning leather and flesh came with the villains' cry of pain. "Fuck--!"

   Midoriya used the opening to elbow him in the face. The man stumbled back.

   Advancing, Midoriya socked him in the cheek with a One For All-powered punch. "Smash!"

   The villain crashed into the stairs. 

   Midoriya watched him for a moment to make sure he was out cold. Then he turned to you with a smile. "Thanks, [L/n]! That could've been bad."

   Melissa grinned as she got to her feet. "I see you're making good use of your new parts."

   You silently bobbed your head at the two of them, eyes still red.

   They regarded this with worry, but they wouldn't say anything. They understood.

   "Let's continue!" Midoriya headed up the stairs. Melissa was on his heels.

   She looked back at you. "Come on!"

   "Yes." You waited until she was out of sight before turning to the unconscious villain at the bottom of the stairs.

 

   He woke up screaming.

   His own clothes pressed against his mouth, no one could hear him.

   Using your other hand, you were leaving second degree burns on his hands and feet.

   "Mmph! Mmph!"

   Once you burned his ankles and wrists, you removed his vest from his face.

   He breathed heavily, eyes filled with fear. "How dare--!"

   Your voice didn't have a drop of emotion in it as you said, "If you follow us, I will burn your knees and elbows."

   The man began to shake.

   This was a child, wasn't it? A child from that pesky Hero school?

   The cold and unfeeling voice he was hearing didn't seem to belong to a child at all.

 

   And then you blinked. "Disregard what I said."

   You thrust your left hand over his mouth before burning his elbows with your right.

   "MMMMPH!"

   Unfortunately for him, you'd recalled that his sword transformation was up to his elbows.

 

   When you reached the second-to-last flight of stairs, you heard what you thought were firecrackers.

   It was gunfire.

   This was evident when you came upon two unconscious men with guns fallen beside them. Dark spots decorated the walls and bullet shells littered the floor. Midoriya and Melissa had moved on.

   You'd only ever seen a gun in real life once, and it was a pistol. You'd only been hit in the head.

   These men had used semi-automatic rifles to shoot real bullets at Midoriya and Melissa. They'd tried to kill them.

   It was as if your eyes were now permanently red.

   Muffling screams of agony with your foot, you left third degree burns on the men's hands.

   Now they couldn't so much as pick up the guns.

   You moved on without a speck on your conscience.

 

   Sprinting to catch up to your friends, you found yourself in a web of hallways.

   You switched on your enhanced hearing. They were just a hall and a half ahead of you.

   Left.

  Forward.

  Forward.

  Right.

  Now you were right behind them. Your eyes returned to their default color.

  Melissa heard your rapid footfall and turned to look over her shoulder. "[Name]! What were you doing?"

  "I made sure the villains wouldn't follow us."

  "Ah, that's helpful! Thanks!"

   Melissa truly thought the world of you.

   Midoriya, on the other hand, got the feeling that you weren't telling the whole truth.

   He ignored it. "Melissa, where's the control room?"

   "In front of the central elevator."

 

   At the end of the hall, the three of you crouched to peek around the corner.

   "Someone's here," whispered Midoriya.

   In the storage room were David and his assistant, Sam. 

   Melissa gasped. "Papa? Oh, it is! Why is he on the top floor..?"

   David was typing on a large keyboard that sat below a giant inventory screen. He gestured to something with a finger.

   Midoriya asked, "Did the villains bring him here to force him to do something?"

   Melissa looked down at Midoriya, brows furrowed deeply. "We have to save him!"

   "Yes!"

   Your trio quietly moved forward, Midoriya in a crawl, Melissa bending slightly, and you copying Melissa's form.

   

   David's face lit up. He turned to Sam. "I was able to unlock it. Go to Block 1147."

   This was I-Island's Storage Room, where all the most precious things on I-Island were held. A hundred or so blocks lined the walls from floor to ceiling.

   "O-okay!" Sam ran to said block. When the metal screen slid up, he grabbed the box containing David's most dangerous invention.

   Sam opened it, presenting it to David with a proud smile. "You did it, David! Everything is here."

   "Yes." David sighed. "I have finally retrieved it."

   Looking down and clenching his fists, he said lowly, "This device and research data are the only things I would never give to anyone. I'll never give it up."

   "Everything's going according to plan, isn't it?" Sam tried to cheer him up. "Looks like the villains are doing well."

   David smiled as he went to take the box. "Thank you. It was all because you arranged everything for me, Sam."

 

   "...Papa."

   The men jolted. Their heads snapped towards the entrance.

   There Melissa was, shoulders slumped and brows cinched. You and Midoriya flanked her sides.

   "Mel...Melissa." David swallowed. 

   Sam hurriedly inquired, "Miss, what are you doing here?"

   Melissa took a barefooted step forward. "What do you mean..." She took another one. "...'arranged?'"

   Walking slowly, she asked, "Papa, don't tell me...you're the one behind this incident?"

   David could only watch in horror.

   "In order to get that device...?" Melissa's voice trembled. "Is that true, Papa?"

   Silence.

   Two pairs of blue eyes shook as their owners gazed at one another.

 

   David's jaw tightened. Lowering his head, he confirmed, "It is."

   Melissa and Midoriya gasped, the boy running to join her side. You were rooted in place.

   So Midoriya almost got his neck slit because of David? So both Midoriya and Melissa nearly got filled with holes because of David?

   Instead of the expected red, your eyes turned blue.

   David flinched.

 

   "What...?" Melissa weakly whispered. Heartbroken, she demanded,  "Why!?"

   Sam was quick to defend David. "The professor was only trying to get back what was stolen from him." He raised the now closed box. "This groundbreaking invention that mechanically amplifies Quirks..."

   Midoriya's eyes widened. "It amplifies Quirks...?"

   "Yes," answered Sam. "It is still in testing, but with this device, unlike with drugs, Quirks can be amplified without affecting the body. However... the sponsors confiscated this invention and research data. The research itself was also frozen. If this was made known to the world, then the structure of superhuman society would change drastically. Fearing that, governments from different nations put pressure on him." Sam paused. "That's why the professor..."

   "No..." Wide blue eyes lost their sheen. "This is a lie, isn't it, Papa?" Melissa cried desperately, "Tell me it's a lie!"

   When she stepped forward, you raced to grab her tiny wrist. "It's dangerous."

   Your relationship with David would never be the same.

   He was now deemed a threat.

   David flinched again. He steeled his expression and coldly replied, "It's not a lie."

   "But it doesn't make sense. The Papa I know would never do something like that!"

   The man could only watch as his daughter's heart shattered.

   "So why!?" Melissa demanded. "Why!?"

 

   Shutting his eyes, David turned his head. "...It is for All Might. You three probably don't know this, but his Quirk is disappearing."

   The two beside you audibly gasped, the whites of their eyes bigger than ever before. The irises of your own began to spin at mach speed.

   Mr. Might's Quirk is...

   "However, if we use my device, it can go back to normal." David opened his eyes and faced you. "I can give him more abilities then he started with. The Number One Hero...the Symbol of Peace...can get his light back once again..." He raised his voice. "...and save many people once more!"

   The true consequence of All Might passing on his Quirk dawned on poor Midoriya. 

   David turned to go up the stairs. "Please." He took the box from Sam and faced you once more. "Please let me hand this device over to All Might." He shook his head rapidly. "There's no time to remake it! After he receives it, I don't care what kind of punishment I receive."

   Melissa's head hung low, one hand coming up to curl by her chest.

   David continued passionately, "I've prepared myself--!"

   "They risked their lives!"

   He froze at Melissa's outburst.

   The blonde yelled, "What do you think [Name] and his classmates went through to save the hostages!?" She jabbed a finger at Midoriya. "A man nearly slit Deku's throat not ten minutes ago!"

   David gasped. "What is the meaning of this...? The villains were fake..." He whirled towards Sam. "It should've all been an act--!"

   

   "Of course it was an act."

   A new, sinister voice echoed through the room. 

   Your trio whipped around to see a masked man with red hair and a white coat. A grunt dressed in black stood next to him.

   "An act pretending to be a fake villain."

   Your free hand rapidly heated up. Midoriya hunched down, arms spread and fists clenched. Green lightning surrounded him. "That guy's--!"

   The masked man swung his right arm to the side. His hand emitted a blue glow. A piece of metal railing flew at Midoriya, wrapping around him and slamming him into a wall.

   "Deku!" cried Melissa.

   Your grip on her wrist tightened. 

   Struggling under his binds, Midoriya grunted, "A Quirk that controls metal, huh?"   

   You knew you could easily melt the railing, but that meant taking the high risk of burning Midoriya too.

   

   "Stay there quietly for a bit." The masked man strode forward until he was at the bottom of the stairs David and Sam had ascended. He switched his attention from Midoriya to Sam. "Sam, where's the device?"

   Sam tore the box from David and hurried down the stairs. "H-here!"   

   David was left to look on in confusion. "Sam?" Then he froze. "Don't tell me that from the beginning...you were planning on giving the device to the villains all along!?"

   You, Melissa, and Midoriya were hit by yet another betrayal, one that included David himself this time. 

   The assistant tensed. He bitterly shot back, "You're the one who tricked me. I served you for so long, but you let your research be frozen so easily, and the honor and renown we were supposed to receive were stripped away!" Looking over one shoulder with tears in his eyes, he added, "If I didn't...get at least some money, then it was a waste of my time!"

   Breath hitching, David's head fell.   

   Sam looked back at the masked man only to see a gun in his face.

   "Here's the reward I promised."

   The masked man shot Sam and he fell to the floor.

   David choked.

   Horrified, Melissa slapped a hand to her mouth. "Sam!" 

   Immediately yanking her towards where Midoriya was, you moved to stand in front of them both. 

   Despite your show of bravery, your eyes flashed purple.

 

   "W-why!?" Holding his wounded shoulder, Sam cried, "This isn't what you promised!"

   "Promise? Ha!" The masked man stepped forward. His gun was still trained on Sam. "I don't remember. This is your reward."

   The gun went off again, but it wasn't Sam that was shot.

   David had taken the bullet for him. He collapsed, blood spraying from his back and painting the cursed box red.

   Blood draining from her face, Melissa screamed, "Papa!"

   Your jaw trembled as you whispered, "Da...vid...?"

   Midoriya could only gasp.

 

   Blood began to pool around David.

   "Professor, why...?" Sam watched him with wide eyes.

   David wheezed, "R-run away!"

   Melissa tore her hand from your iron grip and raced towards her father. "Papa!"

   "Don't come here!"

   With a single swing of his arm, the masked man pistol-whipped her. She flew back and hit the floor with a thud.

   "Melissa!" David yelled.

   Your eyes turned red.

    1000 C.

   Fast as lightning, you raised a hand to melt the pistol's muzzle. Midoriya grunted as he struggled against the metal railing, green lightning buzzing around him.

   The masked man looked from his now useless pistol to your outstretched hand.

   He dropped the gun. Hand now free, it glowed blue, and your entire left arm popped right off.

   You blinked. 

   Setting one foot on David, the villain casually inspected your arm. "Another one of your inventions, Shield? I'll be keeping this."

   The masked man pocketed it like it was a phone as he drove his foot into David's back. "Feeling like playing hero all this time? Ha! It's no use. No matter what reason you had, you've dirtied your hands with evil deeds. Whether we're fake or real, the crime you've committed won't disappear. You're the same as us."

   David trembled from beneath the other man’s foot.

   "You can no longer remain a scientist or continue your research."

   Tears fell from Melissa's eyes.

   The masked man grinned down at David. "You can only fall into the darkness of villainy." After a good cackle, he grabbed the other man by the collar. "All you can do right now is mass produce that device for me." 

   He knocked out David with a fist to his head before turning to his lackey, who was still standing by the entrance. "Hey. Take him away."

 

   "Give him back!"

   "Hm?" The masked man turned to look down at Melissa.

   Blue eyes full of tears, she reached for David. "G-give Papa back!" 

   "Oh, that's right." The man tore off a piece of railing with his Quirk. "I have to get rid of the professor's attachments."

 

   "Stop it!" Midoriya burst from his restraints and kicked off the wall, flying at the man with his right arm geared back. 

   The man kneeled to press one hand against the floor.

   Green lightning enveloped Midoriya. "Smash!"

   His fist met a metal wall.

   Midoriya grit his teeth and yelled, "Melissa! [L/n]! I'll save the professor and Sam! So save everyone else!"

  You both nodded. Quickly, you helped Melissa to her feet with your remaining arm before running off.

   "Follow them!" ordered the masked man. "Don't let them escape!"

   The lackey went after you. "Yes, sir!" 

   When Midoriya tried to stop him, the masked man raised a few walls to halt him in his tracks.

   Midoriya jumped off the floor and onto the storage room's right wall. Then he flew to the other side, diving downward. 

   He landed in front of the lackey just as you and Melissa made it past the entrance. "I won't let you past me!"

   "Thank you."

   Midoriya mustered a grin when he heard your voice. He hadn’t been lying when he said he wouldn't let anything happen to you.

   He was soon pelted by metal pillars.

      

   As you sprinted towards the control room, Melissa told you, "Don't do anything that'll make that man take your other arm."

   You shook your head. "I need to protect--"

   "Protect yourself!" Bowing her head, she yelled, "You need to be the one you care about most!"

   A few seconds passed in silence.

   Melissa looked at you and said softly, "Don't break my heart again."

   Blue eyes smiled when you reluctantly nodded.

 

   Once you reached the control room, Melissa immediately sat herself in front of the admin screen and typed away. The doors in every section of the tower opened, the shutters raised, and the security robots shut down. 

   "Damn it!" Back at the storage room, the masked man looked around. "Did she get the system back to normal?"

   The intercom lady was back. "I-Island's security system is now operating in normal mode."

   The blue tape that restrained All Might and the other Heroes retreated back into the floor. As All Might got to his feet, the other Heroes took out the armed men that'd been holding them hostage.

   "Where's the helicopter?" asked the masked man. David was cuffed and hanging over his shoulder. "We're getting out of here."

   Midoriya burst out from the plethora of metal pillars. He fell down. When he tried to get up, his chest hit the floor. "Ugh!"

   With great effort and shaky legs, he stood up and trudged toward where the villains had exited the room.

 

   "Melissa, what's wrong!?"

   She had pulled out her phone from God knows where to call All Might. She was looking at two cameras, one trained on the villains and the other on Midoriya. "Uncle Might! Papa's been taken by the villains and Deku's gone after them!"

   All Might, who'd been running along a corridor, turned back where he came. He declared in his Symbol of Peace voice, "It's fine! I'll go!"  

 

   The masked man was on top of the tower now. "We're leaving before the security system gets activated."

   "Yes, sir!" replied all his lackeys. 

   He approached a helicopter with David still limp over his shoulder.

 

   "Kill...me..."

 

   The masked man laughed. "I'll add just a few more sins...then, I'll make your wish come true."

   When he reached the helicopter, he cruelly dropped David inside like he was a piece of luggage.

 

   "Wait!"

   The masked man's head whipped around.

   Clutching his left shoulder and leaning against the doorway, Midoriya yelled, "Give him back!"

   David gasped.

   "I see." The masked man laughed again as he turned completely. "Did you come to take back this man who has committed wrongdoing?"

   "No!" seethed Midoriya. The buzz of electricity accompanied him as he dashed forward. "I've come to save the professor!" 

   Pressing a hand into the floor, the man asked mockingly, "To save a criminal?"

   "I'm going to save everyone!"

   A metal pillar raced to meet Midoriya.

   He dodged it, bouncing off the next and kicking through the third.  "I'm going to save the professor too!"

   "What are you saying?"

   Three more burst from where the villain kneeled.

   "Shut up!" Midoriya dodged again, running along the rest of the pillar. "That's what heroes do!" He rolled down a few more and flipped to fly directly at the man. "They save people who're in trouble!"

   The man mocked him once more. "How?" He aimed a hand back at David.

   Midoriya choked.

   "Don't worry about me...!" yelled David. "Run away!"

   Midoriya landed on the floor in a crouch, glaring silently.

   "Jeez, it's so inconvenient being a Hero." The masked man looked down on him. "I didn't even do much, and yet you already can't move."

   His hand glowed blue.

   A pillar slammed into Midoriya.

   "ACK--!" He rolled haphazardly before coming to a stop on his back. "Ugh!"

   He rolled to the side as another pillar pinned itself where he was a second ago. Then he used the next one to ricochet off of and launch himself into the air.

   When Midoriya glanced towards David, the boy was hit by a pillar that came from in front of him. A second pillar soared through the air and crushed him against the first one.

   Midoriya managed to punch his way out, blood flying from his mouth.

   

   "No matter what, it's not a smart way to live," said the masked man. 

   Midoriya's limp body bounced as it hit the floor. He groaned, laying on his side.

   The masked man stepped into the helicopter. "Let's go."

   "Roger!"

   The helicopter lifted into the air.

   Midoriya got up and raced on top of one of the pillars. With a war cry, he kicked off of the tip and grabbed the helicopter by the landing skids.

   "What the hell!? This damn kid!"

   The helicopter shook side to side as the sudden addition of Midoriya threw it off kilter. 

   David's eyes widened. "You're..."

 

   You and Melissa finally reached the very top of the tower.

   Seeing the tiny form that was Midoriya hanging off the helicopter, Melissa gasped. "Deku!"

   Taking down the helicopter meant taking down Midoriya and David too. You clenched your remaining fist.

   Why couldn't you put to use the power handed to you on a silver platter?

   And then you realized your left arm could still respond.

   1000 C.

   "Fuck!" The masked man yelped as the arm in his pocket melted his shoe into his foot. He crushed the arm with his Quirk before yanking it out his coat and throwing it overboard.

   Midoriya blinked when he saw the arm, its hand now crumpled into a ball. He caught it and stuck it in his pocket. "[L/n]!" 

   He tried scrambling into the helicopter. "Professor!" 

   "Stop it!" begged David. "Midoriya, get away!"

   "Melissa is...!" Midoriya managed to hoist himself inside. "Melissa is waiting for you!"

   

   "You certainly are a Hero."

   David was the first to see the masked man grab another pistol.

   He aimed it at Midoriya. "But, you're an idiot."

   Midoriya swiftly raised his gauntlet-clad arm to block the bullet. When it hit the gauntlet, Midoriya fell from the helicopter with wide eyes.

   Melissa screamed in horror. "Deku!"

   Time slowed as you watched him fall.

   Midoriya subsequently slammed into the landing pad.

   "Deku!" Melissa ran to him, you right behind her. 

   You found him cursing to himself in a massive crater. Blood ran down his freckled face.

   Midoriya raised his upper body and screamed, "Give him back! Give the professor back! Damn it!"

   Sliding into the crater, you swept his hair aside to check for where the wound on his head was. Midoriya couldn't look at you.

   He'd forgotten that David was precious to you too.   

 

   "This is the time to smile, Young Midoriya!"

   Midoriya and Melissa gasped.

   You looked around. "Mr. Might?"

   The man in question zoomed up from somewhere beneath the tower's roof. When he was well above the helicopter, he punched downward, creating a draft that sent the helicopter spiraling.

   "It's fine now! Why?" All Might jabbed a thumb at himself and posed. "Because I am here!"

   Melissa smiled, holding her hands by her chest.

   Midoriya gasped. "All Might!"

   You went to clap your hands until you remembered you were missing one. Instead, you patted Midoriya's open palm.

   "...What are you doing?"

   "I'm giving applause."

   "I-is that so?"

   

   "I'll have you give my friend back, you villain!" All Might curled inward before zipping towards the helicopter.

   It fucking exploded.

   All Might did not destroy the helicopter for shits and giggles. He landed on the landing pad with David in his arms. As All Might set his friend down, the helicopter crashed behind him in a massive explosion.

   "Papa!" Melissa fell to her knees next to him. You and Midoriya followed, standing behind her. Midoriya looked at David with concern.

   "Me...Melissa." David lifted his head and strained against the rope around his wrists. Having been weakened by the explosion, it fell off with no struggle.

   All Might reassured, "It's fine now."

   Smiling with relief, Melissa wiped her tears. Midoriya smiled as well. "I'm glad."

   As for you, your eyes glowed yellow.

   David sighed. He looked down before tilting his head back to say, "All Might...I--"

 

   The two were abruptly hit by a metal pillar.

   Your skeleton nearly jumped out your skin. Melissa and Midoriya gasped in abject horror.

   "All Might!"

   All Might managed to keep David safe in his arms as he rolled to a stop. A metal rope suddenly snaked around David and dragged him into the air.

   "Papa!"

   He was dragged into the core of a giant nest of metal rods. Piping smothered him before a metal sheet sealed him inside.

   "That Sam..." The masked man emerged from the nest. His voice was deep and distorted. "He said that All Might's Quirk was declining and that he no longer has the power he once did."

   Midoriya gasped. "He's using...the professor’s..."

   "Shit!"

   With your enhanced hearing, you were the only one to hear All Might cuss in English.

   You ran to him. "Mr. Might--"

   You cut yourself off when you saw the blood on his hand.

   All Might coughed. "My time is..." He stopped himself.  Steam rose from his body. Wiping his hand on his costume, All Might grinned. "There's no need to worry, Young [L/n]."

   Synthetic blue eyes told him otherwise.

   All Might paused. Then he got to his feet, setting a large hand on your helmet as he did so. "Don't be sad, my bionic boy."

   You silently watched him crouch down before jumping into the air.

 

   "You don't know when to give up, huh?" All Might geared an arm back. "Texas...SMASH!"

   His fist met a metal wall. Unexpectedly, he couldn't even break through it.

   "What!?"

   "What do you call that?" mocked the masked man.

   Two pillars emerged from the wall and knocked All Might back. Unable to block, he took it with a grunt of pain.

   

   Suddenly, blue veins ran from the metal nest to the entire top of the tower. The metal tiles, piping, rods, and rebar flew from the tower towards the nest in a dreadful swarm.

   "As expected of something made by David Shield..." The masked man beheld his new power. "I can tell my Quirk is getting revitalized. Ahaha!" He leaned back with a cackle. "This is good. This thing is great!"

   More and more metal parts joined the clusterfuck. 

   All Might got up from the rubble. "This is Dave's..."

   *All Might calls David, 'Dave.' I forgot until this part of the movie LOL.

   Leaning back to watch the metal fly, Melissa said, "It's the power of the device Papa made..."

 

   Her heart dropped to her stomach when she saw you float past her. "[Name]!"

   Midoriya and All Might paled.

   "[L/n]!"

   "Young [L/n]!"

   The masked man's Quirk was dragging in all that was metal. You were covered in a blue aura like the rest of the metal flying towards the nest.

   No matter how much you tried using your boosters to get back to ground, you just ended up spinning yourself in a circle. 

   "Don't you dare touch him!" All Might jumped to grab you. Just as he was about to reach you, you were yanked away by the masked man's Quirk. 

   You slammed into the nest, metal piping strapping you down. You twisted and turned to no avail.

   "Young [L/n]!" yelled All Might.

   Tears brimmed Melissa's eyes. "No!"

   The masked man chuckled. "Now, in order to raise the price of this device, why don't we have a demonstration of how it can blow All Might away?"

   All Might was forced to return to the landing pad when a pillar flew at him. He dodged again, leaping off the rubble and punching through another.

   The floor underneath Melissa suddenly lifted. She was thrown into the air.

   Midoriya caught her in a flash of light. He glanced at All Might over his shoulder.  It's as I thought. He's at his limit!

   As metal rained down on All Might, you wriggled under your binds.

   If All Might was going to punch the nest, you'd get caught in it too.

   

   Max firepower.

   The boosters on your feet melted your shoes and the metal piping beneath them.

   At last, you shot up into the air. Using the attraction applied to your metal limbs, you punched the masked man in the face.

  He stumbled. "You!"  

  You activated all your boosters. This sent you spinning in a chaotic circle that burned everything your beams touched.

   The man shielded himself with yet another wall. Deciding you were too much trouble, he released you from his Quirk and knocked you away with a pillar.

   You were sent flying.

   Only having one arm, you couldn't stay upright in the air, much less fly properly. Would All Might save you? Midoriya?

 

   "You damn infant!"

   A strong arm circled your waist and spiky hair tickled your nape.

   Your breath left you in a whisper. "Bakugou."

   The blond thrust his free hand forward. "Go to hell!"

   He pelted the masked man with one explosion after another.

   On the ground, Todoroki had frozen a wave of pillars before they could reach All Might.

   Bakugou's hand suddenly stopped firing. He flinched. One eye squeezed shut, he turned to berate All Might. "How can you get beat up by such a lame final boss!? Huh, All Might!?"

   His yelling was hurting your ears. You switched off your enhanced hearing before moving your arm behind Bakugou, towards his right.

   Minimum firepower.

   The boosters on your right hand and left foot turned on, stabilizing you and Bakugou midair.

   He acknowledged this with a blink. Bakugou didn't think you were capable of critical thought.

   

 

   The rest of your classmates present at the party ran through the elevator doors.

   Kirishima declared, "We'll take on the lumps of metal!"

   Iida got into position to use his Recipro. "Yaoyorozu, take care of things here!"

   "Right!"

   All Might had been pushing back against a metal pillar this entire time. "With my students so motivated, I can't be held back by some stupid limit!" 

   Iida and Kirishima kicked through another pillar. Bakugou was back in action, pelting the core of the nest with explosions from both hands. He'd managed to twist his arm at an angle that allowed him to use his hand and hold you at the same time.

   "I need to go past my limit, and go beyond!" continued All Might. He punched through pillar after pillar, taking on the wave that advanced once Todoroki's ice broke.

   All Might charged. "Carolina..." He crossed his arms in an X. "SMASH!"

   With a swipe of his arms, he cut an X into the nest. 

   Everyone had to block their eyes from the wind and light that followed.

   "Prepare yourself, villain!" 

   The masked man jolted when All Might got within thirty feet of him.

   Suddenly, a net of metal rope restrained All Might. 

   "Is this all you've got--!?"

 

   He choked.

   The masked man had grabbed him by the throat. The man's arm burst through his sleeve as he tightened his hold. "Prepare myself?" His arm turned red. "You should take your own advice, All Might."

   "What is this power...?" Blood burst forth from All Might's mouth.

   When the masked man sent a pulse of his power through All Might's abdomen, the latter let out an agonizing scream.

   Never had anyone here ever heard him scream like that. 

   "All Might!" cried Midoriya. He set into a run until a visceral pulse ran through his entire body. He fell to a kneel and hunched over.

   "Deku!" Melissa held his shoulder.

   "Damn it...!" Bakugou darted through the air to dodge an incoming pillar. His arm tightened on your narrow waist.

   Todoroki jumped away when a pillar crushed where he'd been standing.

   Now, All Might realized the masked man had not only a ferrokinesis Quirk, but a muscle enhancement Quirk. "Don't tell me...!"

   "Yes. When we were planning this extortion, I received a call from that man."

 

   One for All,

   All for One.

 

   "When I asked him why, this is what he said...'If All Might's friend has said he wants to have a hand in something evil, then I definitely want to help.'"

   All Might could practically hear the man himself.

   "'It is unfortunate that I will not be able to see All Might's face twist in pain when he finds out though.'"

   "All for One...!"

   "You've finally stopped smiling, huh?"

   "No!"

   Cackling, the masked man shoved All Might backward.

   Two blocks of compressed metal smashed him in between.

   As more and more descended upon him, your classmates cried out, "All Might!"

   "Uncle!"

   "Ahahaha! Farewell, All Might!"

   Metal pillars stabbed into the cluster.

   Melissa shrieked, "Uncle Might!"

   

   Green lightning split the sky.

   "Detroit...!" Midoriya punched the cluster. "SMASH!"

   It burst into little pieces, All Might now free.

   "That brat!" the villain hissed.

   All Might and Midoriya were now on the ground. The former stood up, lifting a piece of wall in the process. It slammed into the floor.

   "Young Midoriya!"

   The boy was limp.

   "With that body...It's too reckless!"

   "But..." Midoriya propped himself up with a crooked grin. "A Hero has to save those in trouble!"

   All Might leaned back and let out a laugh that came straight from his heart. "Thanks, my boy! It's true that I am in some trouble right now."

   He extended a hand to his student. "Lend me a hand, Young Midoriya."

   Midoriya firmly grasped it. "Yes!"

   All Might stood up first, helping Midoriya to his feet. They let go of each other to face the enemy.

   Lightning danced around Midoriya's raised arm.

   "Let's go!"

   With that, they took off.

 

   "Worthless brat!" The masked man scoffed. "You're no better than trash! You don't know when to give up!"

   Cubes of metal descended upon the duo.

   Bakugou raised his palms. "You're the one who doesn't!" They glowed orange before a massive explosion engulfed the cubes.

   Pillars surged toward All Might and Midoriya, who were running along the ground.

   "I won't let you!" Todoroki thrust his right hand forward. A wall of ice briefly stopped the pillars in their tracks, giving the duo time to run past. 

   "Out of my way!" The masked man sent pillars spiraling into the tower. Everyone standing there was flung into the air.

   All Might and Midoriya dodged the floating rubble before breaking up two cubes. They raced up a pillar that led right to the nest.

   With a roar, the masked man pulled all the debris into one giant cube.

   All Might and Midoriya kicked off of the pillar.

   They simultaneously pulled their fists back, wind whistling by their ears.

   "I'll crush you!" The villain hurled the giant cube directly at them.

   

   "Double Detroit..."

   A blinding light formed in between the mentor-student duo.

   "SMASH!"

   It was like a star had exploded right in front of you. Light was all you could see for a solid three seconds. 

   The masked man roared as he pushed back against them with his Quirk. 

   White veins ran through the cube and it exploded.

   All Might and Midoriya had seemingly combined to create a single shooting star. It dodged incoming ropes and headed for the nest's core.

   Your classmates yelled,

   "Go!"

   "All Might!"

   "Midoriya!"

   Bakugou, who'd long lowered the both of you to the ground, yelled at the same time as Todoroki, "Get him!"

   Your lips parted silently.

   Who knew it was possible to see a star up close?

   

   The star weaved through the air in a flurry of colors.

   Midoriya curled his fist. "Go..!"

   All Might put his hands on his hips. "...beyond!"

   They surged forward, fists next to each other.

   "Plus...ULTRA!"

   The black sky turned completely white. When the light faded, you could see the nest crumble into pieces. Metal fell from the sky.

 

   Iida's jaw fell open. "Did they do it...?"

   "They finished off the villain..." A grin spread across Uraraka's face. "They did it!"

   The class erupted with joy.

   "They did it!"

   "It's over!"

   "All Might!"

   Smiling, Todoroki turned to a smirking Bakugou. The blond of the two immediately frowned and whipped away.

   He ended up facing a pair of yellow eyes.

   "Thank you for saving me, Bakugou."

   Bakugou scoffed and whipped his head back to Todoroki. "Whatever."

   They watched as you took off towards the center of the metal heap.

 

   Midoriya emerged with a gasp.

   Melissa ran to him. "Deku!"

   You paid him a brief glance. Trusting Melissa to get him out, you continued beelining towards David.

   He and All Might had exchanged a few words before you reached them.

   David weakly turned his head. "[Name]..."

   He was shocked to see rings of gold.

   "David." You dropped to your knees, brows cinched ever so slightly. "Are you alright?"

   For a second, David saw your father.

   He closed his eyes. "Yes...I'm sorry."

   How could he...? He thoughtlessly put the child of his dead friends in mortal danger.

   You could've died.

   Oblivious to David's turmoil, you lingered a little longer before heading towards where Melissa and Midoriya stood atop the trash heap.

 

   He opened his eyes once you were gone. He sighed. "Thank you for saving me, Toshi."

   All Might grinned and gestured behind him. "It's [L/n], Melissa, and Midoriya you should be thanking."

   The future stood upon a mountain of rubble.

 

   Midoriya beamed at you and Melissa. He told the girl, "It was thanks to you that I was able to help save everyone." He held up his right arm. "Your Full Gauntlet saved me. Thank you very much."

   Melissa smiled back. 

   "Um, but sorry! I broke it!"

   "Haha, don't worry about it."

   "O-okay...Oh, and--!" Facing you, Midoriya extracted what was left of your arm from his pocket. "Sorry. There were times when I nearly lost your arm..."

   You blinked. "You have it?"

   "Yeah. I'm really not sure how it didn't fly out and rip my pants." Midoriya chuckled nervously as he handed you your arm. You took it and stuck it into your pocket.

   Melissa's brows furrowed. Men's pockets were cursed.

   

   "Hey! Are you guys okay!?"

   You all turned to face the rest of the kids. They shouted from below.

   "You did it, Midoriya!"

   "That was amazing!"

   "Are you hurt?"

   Midoriya grinned. "We're okay!"

   He and Melissa waved in wide arcs with their whole arms. Uncertain, you simply gave them your classic princess wave.

 

   And then dawn light began to stream past your waving forms.

   The three of you turned around to watch the sunrise.

   Eyes wide in wonder, you realized that there was more to life than just learning how to be normal again.

   "Isn't it beautiful, [Name]?" breathed Melissa. 

   "Yes." You removed your helmet. "It is."

Chapter 41: Thank Goodness

Notes:

fanart!!!! by RaceToCuddle on quotev!

   

 

   Despite the happy ending to the battle, not all was well.

 

   You slowly began to hunch over. [E/c] rings dimmed and sweat poured from your head.

   The adrenaline was fading.

   Having aged three years in thirty hours and fought real villains not long after waking up, you'd been running on fumes since the very start. The only thing holding you up at this point was your sturdy right leg.

 

   "We should get back," said Midoriya. He turned to smile at you and Melissa only to see your left knee buckle.

   He immediately caught you. "[L/n]!"

   "[Name]!" cried Melissa.

   You felt like you were underwater. Sand shifted beneath your skin. 

   Midoriya thought quickly. He lowered you to the ground and put one hand under your head to cushion it. "Melissa, please lift his legs! We need to get blood to his head!"

   "Right!" The girl dropped to her knees beside you. With great effort, she propped up your legs using heaps of scrap metal. 

   

   All Might and David heard the commotion.

   The latter stretched a weak hand in your direction. "[Name]...!"

   When All Might tried to go get you, he coughed up blood. "Damn it! Damn it all!"

 

   "What's wrong!?" Iida yelled from below.

   Midoriya took his eyes off you for only a moment. "[L/n] fainted!" 

   Kirishima gasped. "[L/n] fainted!?"

   "We need to get him to a hospital!" said Jiro. She pulled out her phone.

   Yaoyorozu intertwined her fingers by her chest. "I hope he'll be okay...!"

   Grumpy expression unchanging, Bakugou glanced from Midoriya to the faint outline of your body. He figured it had something to do with your rapid aging.

   Red eyes narrowed.

   Who exactly were you? To be able to receive such a treatment...

 

   Back at the heap, Melissa rolled up your right sleeve. She grabbed your hand to take a look at an indicator on the back of it. "It doesn't say he's overheating..."

   And then her heart dropped.

   "It's fatigue! I should've known!" Melissa's hand tightened on yours as tears filled her eyes. "He'd only just woken up from the treatment! He never should've come...!"

   Midoriya rapidly shook his head. "Don't blame yourself, Melissa! [L/n] wouldn't want that."

   Shedding a few tears, Melissa forced herself to smile. "You're right. I'm sorry."

 

   They looked up when Iida arrived in a cloud of dust. 

   "Jiro is currently contacting evacuation services." Iida kneeled down to get a better look at you. "Have you confirmed exactly what's wrong?"

   Melissa quickly wiped her eyes. "For now, it's just fatigue. He was fine just a minute ago..."

 

   "I may be of some help."

   Todoroki appeared on a trail of ice, stoic as ever. He stepped off of it, and like Iida, he got on one knee. 

   Midoriya perked up. "Right, your ice!"

   "Good thinking!" Iida nodded in approval. "Let's wrap the ice in cloth. It'll hurt him if we put it directly on his skin."

   Melissa was just about to tear her dress when Todoroki shrugged off the rest of his tattered top. He ripped a piece and wrapped it around a chunk of his ice. 

   "Thank you, Todoroki." Melissa received the makeshift ice pack with a grateful smile. 

   The boy blinked. "Ah, yeah..." 

   Gently, Melissa pressed it against your forehead. In the crook of your stiff right arm was your helmet, which you'd taken off to properly view the sunrise.

   Iida took your pulse with two thick fingers. It was slower than it should be. His eyes darted to your chest. "We should at least unbutton his shirt. Dress shirts aren't exactly the most comfortable."

   Midoriya's face burst into flames. "U-u-unbutton his shirt!?"

   "Yes," replied Iida. He raised an angular brow. "Is there a problem? If he's hiding a scar under there, then..."

   "No! It's just--it feels wrong to do it in his sleep."

   Iida quickly assessed the other two. Melissa was a girl. Todoroki had funny hands. He might wake you up if his warm and cold hands accidentally brushed against your skin.

   The bespectacled boy pushed up his glasses. "Alright, then, I'll do it." 

   As Iida worked on your suit jacket, the other kids present politely turned their heads away.

   

   Iida quickly realized that he should have assessed himself too.

   After loosening your tie, he started on your dress shirt. His hands, big and clumsy, hesitated the further he went down. With each button, more of your soft skin glowed in the dawn light.

   Iida straightened back up as soon as he finished. "I-I have loosened his clothes!" 

   The shallow groove splitting your chest, the gentle rise and fall of your bare stomach...

   He turned away with a hand over his burning face. 

 

   "Thank you, Iida." Melissa returned to carefully pressing the ice pack to different parts of your face. Unlike Iida, she didn't really care about your exposed skin. 

   Midoriya refused to turn back around. He'd already seen you bare once, and that was when you were still in the body of a thirteen-year-old. If he saw you now, he didn't know how he'd hide his reaction.

   As for Todoroki, he wasn't all that concerned. He simply paid you a brief glance before returning to watching the sunrise. As he did so, he recalled the déjà vu he'd felt earlier.

   He knew for a fact that he'd never seen your new face till just hours ago. Maybe you resembled a famous model?

   What he knew, however, was that you were beautiful even in sickness. He wasn't one to care about appearance, but even he could see that much.

     

   Five minutes later, three evacuation helicopters arrived to hover above the wreckage. One helicopter was for the incapacitated and the other two were for everyone else. The helicopters dropped down rope ladders along with a pair of stretchers.

   All Might used the last dregs of his time limit to send everyone off before disappearing down the tower.

   You and David were treated in the E.R.

   The rest of your class were assessed for minor injuries.

 

---

 

   All the I-Expo guests were sent home later that day, but you were to be monitored for a while longer.

   As Midoriya gazed out the jet window, he thought about his promise to you.

 

   Midoriya had left you with Bakugou's group.

   The villain had taken your arm.

   You'd been dragged into the nest.

   The villain had hit you with a pillar head-on.

 

   Some promise that was.

   Midoriya held his head in his hands, ignoring All Might's comforting hand on his shoulder.

     

---

 

   When you came to, the edges of your vision were filled with an array of colors.

   You glanced to your left.

   Flowers and fruit sat in a basket on your bedside table.

   You glanced to your right.

   More flowers and fruit blocked your vision of whoever laid in the bed next to you.

   

   Lifting your right hand, you stared blankly at the white mitten around it. 

   Baby mitts are for babies.

   You shimmied it off. 

   As you sat up, your long hair cascaded down your shoulders. You moved some out of your face.

 

   A sliver of beige peeked out of the fruit basket. You grabbed it.

   It was a card that said Get Well Soon! 

   You opened it, and inside were short little notes from your classmates.

 

   You were real manly back there! Rest up, buddy. - Kirishima

   I was out for most of the thing, but I heard you punched the big bad guy in the face. Nice! - Kaminari

   Make sure to eat all the fruit. In interest of your health, I forbade the others from gifting you any unhealthy snacks. - Iida

   I hope you like these flowers. When you return, I'll teach you their names. - Yaoyorozu

   Fidget spinner lmao - Jiro

   God struck you down because you were too freaking handsome! - Mineta

   I would've given you rice cakes, but Iida wouldn't let me... - Uraraka

   Please get well soon! - Midoriya

   Eat shit. - Bakugou

   That's not nice, Bakugou. - Todoroki   

   

   Your other classmates not present at the party had also left you messages. It wasn't until now that you found out they'd been on the island as well.

 

   Even Bakugou will be happy if you recover quickly. - Asui

   Take good care of yourself! Beauty is important. - Aoyama ☆

   I'll bake you something delicious when you come back! - Sato

   It is not bad to be consumed by the darkness every once in a while. - Tokoyami

   Hurry up and get better soon! I need someone besides Kaminari to make fun of! - Ashido

   I feel bad for not being there... Please get well soon. - Ojirou

   The birds told me you were very brave. - Koda

   Jiro told me you spun through the air like a fidget spinner. I wish I was there to see it. - Sero    

   I put some Vaseline in the basket! Your lips will need it. - Hagakure

   Eat well so that you can recover well. - Shoji

 

   You gazed down at the lead-covered paper.

   Every kind word etched itself into your memory.

   The card was just a piece of paper, but with the addition of your classmates' messages, the paper became something precious.

   Warmth filled your chest.

   How strange.

 

   After reading through the messages one more time, you folded the card and placed it back into the basket.

   This was when a doctor came in to check on how you were doing. She asked you a few routine questions before assessing your memory of the incident. When she was satisfied, she wished you a fast recovery and left.

   But the doctor wasn't your only visitor.

   

   "[Name]!”

   "Melissa."

   Best friends met in a delicate embrace.

   Melissa wore a red plaid overall dress over a cream short-sleeved sweater, thin black leggings, and brown boots. You wore a baby blue hospital gown.

   Releasing you to sit down on a stool, Melissa asked softly, "How are you feeling?"   

   You remembered water in your skull and sand beneath your skin. That was definitely unpleasant.

   "I feel better." You reached your right arm behind you to crack your back.

   Melissa beamed. "I'm glad."

   "How are you feeling?"

   "I'm fine, thank you."

   "How is David feeling?"

   Melissa's lips parted to reply, but nothing came out. They fluttered closed.

   You blinked. She must've not heard you. "How is--?"

   "Papa still...hasn't woken up." Melissa bore holes into her lap, small fists digging into her dress. Her eyes became dull. "He lost a lot of blood."

   You analyzed her expression.

   So this was sadness.

   Did she make that face while you were asleep for two years? David was asleep since just yesterday.

   How could you make her sadness go away?

   

   "David will be okay."

 

   Melissa looked up. Her eyes shimmered and her brows knit themselves together. 

   You tilted your head. Whenever Melissa was extremely sad, extremely happy, or extremely angry, she would cry.

   Forcing herself to smile, Melissa wiped her tears. She pretended not to notice the way you looked at her.

   Your gaze was not one of sympathy, but of curiosity. 

   "Yes, you're right. Papa will." Melissa straightened her posture with a deep sigh. "And Sam's being treated at a criminal hospital, as surreal as that is. I was told he'd be charged with conspiracy and banished from the island. As for Papa, the council will decide once he wakes up..."

   She reached over to hold your hand as she murmured, "You won't be able to talk to him before you go back. I'm sorry."

   "You are not at fault." You wrapped your fingers around hers and heated up your hand. 

   Melissa laughed quietly. "I know. It's just something people say to express sympathy."

   "I see."

   A comfortable silence settled in the room.

 

   Thank goodness.

   David hired those villains without knowing their true intentions. He'd never intended to hurt Melissa, you, or anyone else.

   David loved you.

   Thank goodness.

Chapter 42: Beautiful Too

Notes:

character profile for my OC Hiro!

 

 

   It was a long flight back to Japan.

   You went home with more things than you'd brought. You now had five new sets of clothes, a new and improved version of your Hero costume, and a few new pairs of shoes. Melissa also replaced your left arm.

   Cradled in your right hand was the mechanical butterfly she made you.

   You fell asleep.

 

   Hours later, you left the terminal with an unholy amount of luggage.

   Civilians stared at you in awe and confusion.

   You were dressed rather homely--in a long fuzzy cardigan, oversized t-shirt, sweatpants, socks, and sandals--yet you looked like a model for a luxury brand. Your hair, pushed to the side in a low bun, revealed your graceful swan's neck. Long eyelashes fluttered with each blink. Your eyes themselves carried an aura of mystery. When you walked past a group of schoolgirls, the height difference was staggering.

   "Excuse me, sir?"

   You paused as one of the aforementioned schoolgirls nervously darted in front of you. "Yes?"

   Her friends watched with bated breath from ten feet away, cheeks on fire.

   She gulped. "A-are you...a model by any chance?" 

   She and her friends appeared to not be the only ones wondering. From all around you, civilians began to gather. Some had their phones out and ready in case you were actually some low-key celebrity. Their eyes were shining, and the teen boys and girls among them seemed to have hearts in theirs. 

   You shook your head. "No. Why do you ask?"

   The girl's jaw fell open. "Eh?"

   Surprised, the girl's friends and other civilians chattered amongst themselves.

 

   "Seriously? I really thought..."

   "If this was Korea, he'd have been scouted right away."

   "But is he single? That's the more important question here."

   "We should get a selfie with him in case he becomes famous later on!"

 

   Tensing up, you helplessly watched as a bunch of random strangers descended upon you.

 

   "Excuse me, sir. May I take a picture with you?"

   "Hello, I'm a scouting agent for AO Entertainment! May I have a moment of your time?"

   "If it's not too personal, what shampoo do you use, sir?"

 

   More and more questions flew at you.

   You didn't even know where to begin. 

   Why am I being asked these questions? Who are these civilians?

   They all waited for you to respond with eager smiles. A rowdy Youtuber tried shoving his way to the front of the crowd, but he was side-eyed until he stopped.

 

   "...Melissa said not to talk to strangers."

 

   The crowd blinked simultaneously. You blinked back.

   "Is--is he serious?" a girl asked.

   Another replied, "He's...not wrong."

   "Who's Melissa?"

   When you silently bowed, everyone bowed back uneasily. They parted to let you and your unholy collection of luggage go to the lobby.

 

   According to Melissa, All Might had arranged for someone else to pick you up in his stead. All Might himself was busy recuperating. You wondered to yourself who'd be picking you up.

 

   Your arrival in the lobby was met with stunned and blushing faces.

   You quickly looked down at yourself. Your hands barely peeked out from under your cardigan sleeves and your ankles were covered by white socks.

   Was it the eyes catching everyone's attention?

   Or was it the lack of mask? Wearing a mask while traveling wasn't at all uncommon in East Asian countries. 

   You slipped on a black mask and that simple action seemed to confirm whatever conclusions the civilians made about you.

   Phones came out. The rush of footsteps. A dozen mouths asked you a dozen questions.

   What on Earth was going on?

 

   "What's all this about?"

   You immediately recognized the gruff voice. 

   Aizawa easily brushed through the crowd, wearing a black mask as well. "That you, big mouth brat?"

   Recalling that he'd referred to you as such before, you nodded. "Yes, Mr.--"

   "No names. Not yours, either." Muttering to himself, Aizawa cleared the way with his soulless eyes alone. He was wearing a black long sleeve and bright pink sweatpants. Like you, he had socks and sandals on.

   Aizawa squinted angrily when phones started flashing. "What did you even do?"

   "I don't know."

   The man sighed before tossing you a pair of black sunglasses he'd pulled from his pocket. "Put these on and don't ask or answer any questions."

   "Okay." You quickly slid them on.

   

   After calling a taxi, Aizawa helped you load the trunk. Normally he wouldn't have helped, but you needed to get out of there pronto.

   You entered the taxi and Aizawa slid in next to you. He handed the fee to the driver. "Musutafu, please."

   The driver took the cash with a nod.

   As soon as the wheels started rolling, Aizawa gruffly asked, "Now, what exactly happened back there? You better give me an answer that isn't 'I don't know.'" He eyed the driver in the rearview mirror. "And keep the mask on."

   "...I left the terminal and a stranger asked me if I was a model. When I said 'no,' she appeared to be in disbelief. A 'scouting agent', an occupation I am unaware of, asked me for a moment of his time. I was also asked for a picture and about the shampoo brand I use."

   Aizawa raised a brow. While he had no reason to doubt you, you certainly weren't model material last time he checked. And if you had a mask on, then it probably wasn't your face that was the problem.

   "Are you wearing any famous brand names?"

   You twisted your head a near 180 to check the labels. Aizawa squinted in disgust.

   After you listed all the brand names, Aizawa frowned.

   If it wasn't the clothes, what was it?

   "Did you make a scene? Say anything out of the ordinary?"

   "I said that I was not a model and inquired about the reason for that question. More civilians asked me several questions, so I told them Melissa said not to talk to strangers."

   "Who--?" Your teacher stopped himself with a sigh. Your existence alone demanded a higher salary. "None of that is worthy of a crowd. And next time, don't say your friend's name. Who knows if that might bring her some trouble."

   Blinking, you realized that you'd never considered why giving Melissa's name to strangers was a bad idea. "Yes."

 

   The rest of the ride was silent. 

   After getting off near a popular hotel, Aizawa called another taxi. 

   "Thousand Daisy Park, please."

   And another.

   "XXI Apartment Complex, please."

   

   At last, you and Aizawa reached your building. 

   "If you're wondering, Midoriya told me your address." Aizawa checked his phone as you unloaded the trunk. "I'll be off."

   You nodded. "I was not wondering. Thank you, Mr. Aizawa."

   The man's only reply was a short grunt before sliding back into the taxi.

   You took a moment to watch it drive off. Then, you dragged each piece of luggage up the stairs to your floor. 

 

   The brass key shined in the afternoon sun as you took it out your pocket. You unlocked your door and promptly moved all your luggage inside.

   Once you locked the door, you looked around your apartment.

   Not small, but rather barren. You just had the bare necessities. Unlike Midoriya's and Melissa's homes, your apartment was just a place to eat, wash, and rest. Nothing more.

   You tugged off your mask. Stale air hit your nose and you let out a cat-like sneeze.

   There was cleaning to be done. You'd unpack all your luggage later.

 

   You put on latex gloves, a traditional apron, a bandana, a disposable blue mask, and tied your hair up in a bun. 

   As you swept the house, you thought about today's events.

   Those civilians... Why had they swarmed you like that? Asked such strange questions?

   Maybe it was your face? You didn't like your face, so maybe they didn't either.

   And you knew what a model was. A model was one version of a device. Model 1, Model 2, etc.

   Did they think you were a robot?

   While you wiped the windows, you came to more horribly incorrect conclusions.

 

   After you finished cleaning, you changed your clothes and then unpacked your luggage.

   New clothes went in your bedroom closet. The case holding your new Hero costume went under your bed. 

   You put Melissa's mechanical butterfly on your nightstand.

   As for the photos of your parents that Melissa insisted you take along, you framed them and set them on either side of the butterfly. 

   You looked at your mother. Then your father.

   You'd ended up not being able to visit their graves.

   What was your life like before? You found yourself genuinely wondering for the first time.

 

---

 

   The next morning, Midoriya stood in front of your door, finger hovering over the buzzer.

   All Might had reassured him that you weren't angry or bitter over the broken promise, but Midoriya wasn't so certain.

   Would your eyes be red when this door opened?

   Screwing his eyes shut, Midoriya pressed the buzzer. "[L/n], it's me, Midoriya! Are you home?"

   You'd just stuffed a pancake into your mouth when you heard his disembodied voice.

   Midoriya.

   You chased the pancake down with a glass of apple juice before leaving the kitchen.

   

   When the door swung open, Midoriya's breath shot out of his body.

   Your eyes weren't red. You were healthy. Your face was full and bright.

   "Hello, Midoriya. Have you come to go to school with me?"

   "Ah, y-yes!" Midoriya nervously adjusted his tie. "How are you feeling...?"

   Goodness, you were handsome. You were even more stunning now that you'd gotten good rest. Stunning enough to be the first male that Midoriya had ever been physically attracted to. 

   "I feel better. I have to finish my pancakes."

   "I'm glad! Okay."

   While you did that, Midoriya awkwardly stood by the door. You didn't exactly invite him inside.

   He looked around. Your apartment was cold despite the summer heat and barren as a desert. It was clean, though, he'd give it that.

   Midoriya frowned in worry. 

   This place felt terribly lonely.

 

   A minute later, you appeared in front of Midoriya with your costume case in one hand and a black fabric mask in the other. Your backpack was undersized compared to your broad shoulders.

   You put on the mask as you slipped on your shoes. 

   Midoriya blinked. "A mask?"

   "Civilians seem to dislike my face," you replied, not noticing Midoriya's immediate look of horror.

   "No way!" Midoriya's face became one of anger. He balled his fists. "How could anyone...? What happened!?"

   You shut the door behind you. On the way to school, you told him what occurred at the airport and about Aizawa's own questions.

 

   The more you told Midoriya, the more he shook like an inbred chihuahua.

   "Midoriya?" 

   The shorter boy hid his face in his hands. You could hear tiny noises muffled by his palms.

   You leaned down to get a better look at him. "Midoriya, are you alright?"

   "Pfft!"

   You reeled back a little when Midoriya burst into laughter. Tears stuck to his dark green lashes and his freckled cheeks were a hot red. People walking by gave him looks, but strangely enough, he didn't care.

   Midoriya wheezed, rubbing his eyes with his wrists. "It's not 'cause they don't like your face!"

   "It is not?" 

   As Midoriya tried to calm down, your irises spun rapidly.

   Never had you seen Midoriya laugh this much. He wasn't sad, or angry, so these tears were of happiness.

   "It's 'cause you're--!"

   This was when Midoriya paled. He gulped, turning away from you. "I, uh--you know what, I'll explain later! Yeah!"

   "Why later?"

   "Well, uh... Oh, would you look at that!"

   You followed Midoriya's extended finger. The two of you were in front of the U.A. gates.

   "We're here! I'll tell you later, okay?"

   "...Okay."

  

   Midoriya peered at you from the corner of his eye. He genuinely couldn't remember the last time he laughed like this.

   The way you saw the world, the way you talked, the way you looked, and the way you interacted with the world around you...

   all of it was truly fascinating.

   You were truly fascinating.

 

   When you walked into class, greetings flooded your ears.

   "Welcome back, [L/n]!"

   "You're back!"

   "How are you feeling?"

   "How have you been?"

   "Did you get sick?"

   "Are you okay?"

   You blinked as your classmates stood up and came to you.

   Unlike at the airport, this kind of attention didn't make you feel overwhelmed.

 

   Chest warm, you bowed deeply. "Hello. I feel better."

   "We're glad!" Kirishima ran up to you and put an arm around your shoulders. He had to tip-toe a little. "Bakugou was worried, you know."

   Bakugou cringed from his seat. "The fuck? Why the hell would I--!?"

   Offended on your behalf, Iida chided, "Can't you afford to be nice for just one day?" He swung a hand from you to Bakugou. "[L/n] has just recovered after being very brave! You were there!"

   "I had to babysit the stupid fuck!"

   "Do not call him such vulgar names!"

   While those two argued in the background, the others talked to you like normal people.

   "My man!" Kaminari clapped you on the shoulder only to immediately regret it. "OW, FUCK!"

   Sero and Ashido lost their shit. 

   "AHAHA!"

   "You're so stupid!"

   Clutching his swollen hand, Kaminari cried, "Not like your grades are any better, Ashido!"

   Yaoyorozu sighed at them before turning to offer you a throat lozenge. "Are you alright? If you're sick, you should've stayed home."

   Midoriya perked up. He moved to face you. "Oh, right, your mask! You can take it off now."

   Nodding, you hooked a long metal finger behind the mask and yanked it off.

   

   Kirishima fell backwards, his arm leaving your shoulder. "Woah!" His face quickly became as red as his hair. 

   Who was he looking at? Sure, he thought you got taller, but he didn't expect a whole metamorphosis.

   Ashido's jaw dropped. Likewise, Sero's mouth fell open and his eyes bulged out of his skull.

   "[L-L/n]!?"

   "No way!"

   "Sacrebleu!" Aoyama instantly fainted. No one noticed.

   Hagakure was concerned about more important things. She cried in despair, "Where are your cheeks!? The mochi! The goods!"

   Ojirou used his tail to hide his face.  "W-what happened while you were gone?"

   "I...see your time in the darkness has served you well." Tokoyami tried to elegantly drink from his thermos only to spill it all over himself. He cursed.

   Wide-eyed, Asui could only let out a small croak.

   Sato clutched his head in disbelief.

   Koda had his hands over his eyes. 

   Shoji tugged his mask completely over his face and turned around.

 

   Wondering what the fuss was about, Bakugou stood up from his chair. "Ha? What's wrong with you f--?"

   The blond froze. His eyes grew to twice their size as he processed your new face.

   Thick lashes, soft lips, glowing skin, and a strong yet delicate neck. 

   You were fucking gorgeous.

   Bakugou sat back down in a huff, turning his face to the wall.

   He wouldn't let anyone see the cherry blossoms painting his cheeks.

 

   Sero started crying a little. "What happened, man!? You're so beautiful!"

   Kaminari pat his back understandingly. "I know, dude. I know."

   Blinking, you immediately took everyone's reactions the wrong way. "I'm sorry. I will put my mask back on--"

   "No!" Ashido swiped the mask from you and dissolved it with acid. "You're too handsome! What's your skin routine!?"

   Hagakure pinched your cheek. "You really think a skin routine did this? How many virgins did you sacrifice?"

   "What is a vir--?"

   As Kirishima smacked a hand over your pretty mouth, he hissed, "We are not going there!"

  When the redhead realized it was your face he was touching, his hand retracted as if he'd touched fire. "Sorry!"

   You didn't respond to his apology. Rather, you asked, "Where are we going, Kirishima?"

   Kirishima blinked. "Eh?" 

 

   "Everyone!"

 

   The room fell silent at Iida's shout.

   He continued, "We should not overwhelm [L/n] like this! He has just recently left the hospital! Now, let us start class!"

   There was a faint murmur as everyone went to their desks. Those who'd already seen your face were either quietly laughing or smiling to themselves at everyone else's reactions.

   Your face, voice, and body were all absolutely stunning.

 

   You sat down behind Yaoyorozu, one hand on your cheek.

   I...am beautiful?

   The only thing you'd ever been able to identify as beautiful was the sunrise after the I-Island incident.

   So you were beautiful too?

 

   Todoroki turned to his left and looked back to find you in a daze. He observed you briefly before turning back around.

   Ever since the battle, he'd been thinking what he said to you during the sports festival. Something about you dying if you couldn't learn to defend yourself.

   The boy smiled faintly.

   Now he knew those words no longer applied to you.

 

   

   The classroom door slammed open.

   "Morning." Aizawa walked inside, a thick folder of papers under his left arm. He set the folder down on his desk. "About your final exams..."

   You subconsciously leaned forward.

   Certain students clenched their fists with defeated expressions.

   A Totoro smile split Aizawa's face. "You're all going to summer camp."

   Those certain students cried tears of joy.

   You settled back into your seat, satisfied.

   Aizawa's weird grin faded. "Everyone cleared the written tests, but in the practical, Kirishima, Sato, and Sero all failed."

   Kirishima's hand urgently shot into the air. "Wait, we're really allowed to go!?"

   "I knew it." Deflating, Sero held his face. "Clearing the practical didn't necessarily mean I passed..."

   "As the villains in this test, we teachers came up with assignments perfectly suited to all of you. Ones that would give you chances to devise winning strategies. If we hadn't, none of you would've stood a chance."

   You blinked. That should've been obvious now that you thought about it. If it was a battle of sheer intellect, you, Kaminari, and Ashido would've painfully lost to Nezu.

   Ojirou looked up at Aizawa. "So when you said you were really going to crush us..."

   "That was to push you," replied Aizawa. "We are talking about training camp, after all. More than anyone else, those who failed are in dire need of this."

   The man grinned. "This was another rational deception."

   Your classmates' jaws dropped.

   "Rational deception!?" 

   As the kids who failed jumped up and down, Iida trembled in his seat. "We've been fooled, again! I'd expect no less from U.A.!" He rose. "But...! Now that you've lied to us twice, aren't you worried that our faith in you has been shaken?"

   Uraraka quipped, "Way to be a wet blanket, Iida."

   Ever curious, you pulled out your dictionary. Yaoyorozu chuckled when she heard you flipping the pages.

   "Perhaps," Aizawa said to Iida. "But consider the facts. It wasn't entirely a lie. Failure is failure." He looked to the failed students. "You three will receive special supplemental lessons."

   Kirishima, Sato, and Sero froze as Aizawa dropped the bomb on them.

   He added sadistically, "And to be honest, they'll be far worse than summer school. Anyway, I'll be handing out camp manuals. Take one and pass it back."

   As Aizawa turned to grab the camp manuals, he saw you in the corner of his eye. His eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

   Everyone looked around in confusion. Then you all pinpointed that it was you who Aizawa was talking to.

   Slamming his palms on his desk as he rose, Iida reported, "That is [L/n], Mr. Aizawa! He simply underwent a great change at I-Island!"

   Aizawa squinted harder. 

   And then he snorted in realization. "Oh, so that's why you got mobbed at the airport."

   He said nothing more, leaving your class with even more questions.

Chapter 43: Fruity

   When lunch rolled around, your more...talkative classmates gathered at your desk.

   

   Kaminari slammed his hands onto the wood. "You got mobbed at the airport!? How many girls were there!?"

   Ashido snickered. "There were probably boys too! Just look at that face!"

   An invisible hand poked your cheek. "Was it really worth sacrificing the mochi?"

   Scratching at his own cheek, Sero suggested, "I feel like we should be more concerned about him, y'know, getting mobbed?"

   Uraraka was punching the air. "Imagine all the money you could make as a model!"

   You tilted your head. "My artificial limbs are models, but I am not. How would I be able to become one?"

   "Eh?" The brunette lowered her fists. "What do you mean?"

   The kids surrounding you looked at each other, then back at you.

   "A model is defined as a particular design or version of a product," you recited robotically. "My limbs are the latest versions of the base product. I am not any version of any product."

   For a few seconds, all you heard was silence.

   Then fond laughter filled the room.

   "I meant a model as in someone who's paid to wear clothes, silly!" Uraraka's chubby cheeks pushed against her eyes as she giggled.

   Kaminari snickered, reaching out to lightly flick your forehead. "Of course you're not a product! [L/n] is [L/n]."

   Your hand paused in its search for your dictionary. Your eyes crossed to pinpoint his finger before uncrossing to look up at Kaminari himself. "Is this an act of affection? Or violence?"

    "Violence--!?" Sputtering, Kaminari did nothing to hold back his laughter. 

    Sero turned to flick Kirishima. "Violence!"

    Ashido also flicked Kirishima. "Violence!"

    A toothy grin split Kirishima's face as he took the flicks head-on. When he hardened his fingers threateningly, Sero and Ashido ran screaming.

   "It is violence?" Mimicking them, you pressed the upper side of your middle finger against the tip of your thumb. They clicked as they made contact.

   Kaminari's laughter cut off as he screeched at the sight of your hand. "If you flick anyone, you'll give them a concussion!"

   Seated at his desk, Tokoyami quoted, "Violence for violence is the rule of beasts."

   Shoji flicked him and he immediately brought out Dark Shadow. 

       

   Sato entered the classroom, a lidded plate in his hands. "What the heck is going on here?"

   You flexed your fingers. "Violence."

   Deciding to ignore the shitshow, Sato set the plate down onto your desk. A familiar smell wafted from underneath the lid.

   You blinked. "What is this?"

   "I baked something." Sato chuckled at your query before lifting the lid. "Tada!"

   Fat pancakes sat on the plate, dusted with powdered sugar and decorated with a dollop of whip cream, chocolate drizzle, assorted berries, and a mint leaf.

   Sato rested his hands on his hips, puffing his chest in pride. "Soufflé pancakes! Midoriya told me you like pancakes, so I thought it'd be fun for you to try a different kind."

   Midoriya sent you a bashful shrug from his desk. He'd been ignoring the violence in favor of staring at you. Totally not creepy at all. Yeah.

   Sato jolted. "Wait, before you start eating--can someone look out for Iida?" He turned to Midoriya. "I don't wanna get yelled at for feeding [L/n] sugar, so..."

   "Oh, yeah, sure."

   

   Lunch was spent well.

   You'd scarfed down the pancakes upon tasting your first bite. They were delicious, even more so because of all the toppings. The subtle roundness of your eyes and the sheer speed at which you devoured the pancakes were all the compliments Sato needed. 

   Soufflé pancakes only came to your attention today. You had no idea that really fat pancakes were a thing. 

   Near the end of lunch, Yaoyorozu came from the cafeteria with little pictures of each flower she'd given you during your stay at I-Island. She did say that she'd teach you their names when you came back.

   Hydrangeas, iris, lavender, cosmos, and buckwheat. 

   Flowers. You'd never looked at them for very long, only in passing as you made your way to school.

   You'd been so focused on imitating other humans that you never bothered to take a closer look at the world around you.

   "Thank you, Sato, Yaoyorozu."

   They smiled, laughing when you offered a strange 'smile' of your own.   

 

---

   

   Sixth period had come and now it was approaching its end.

   Already packed up for the day, your class was waiting for the bell to ring.

 

   Ojriou smiled. "Well, whatever the case, it's nice that everyone gets to go."

   You eyed his faintly wagging tail. You'd noticed Kaminari petting it during class sometimes.

   Kirishima was the one who taught you what dogs were. The redhead had told you their tails wagged and that humans liked petting them.

   Ignoring everyone else's excited chatter, you went to stand next to Ojirou. You were taller than him by almost thirteen centimeters (5 in).

   Ojirou blinked when he sensed your presence. "Oh, hello." He swallowed, scratching his cheek and averting his eyes.

   While Ojirou had gotten over what happened at the sports festival, your now otherwordly beauty troubled him.

   "Hello." You looked at his tail again. "Why does Kaminari pet your tail?"

   "Ah." Ojirou face-palmed. "That's just him being weird. I let him because it's too much trouble to tell him to stop..."

   "I see."

   "Ojirou, [L/n]!" Hagakure bounced up to the two of you. "The class is gonna go shopping in Kiyashi tomorrow! Are you coming?"

   Nodding, you skimmed the packing list in the camp manual. "I require a bathing suit."

   "And I need hiking boots," murmured Ojirou.

   Hagakure beamed. "Looking forward to it!"

 

---

 

   "This place has more shops than anywhere else in the prefecture. It's got the coolest and trendiest stuff!" cheered Midoriya. "The Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall!"

   Wary of the bustling crowds, you made sure your mask was secure.

   The entire class was here save for Bakugou and Todoroki. Bakugou had declined, saying it was a waste of time. Todoroki had mentioned visiting someone on his days off.

   Midoriya started muttering rapid fire to himself about the shops. Tokoyami chided him. "You're scaring the children. Stop that."

   Someone shouted, "Aren't they those U.A. first years!? Good going at the sports festival!"

   Uraraka jumped. "Woah, people still remember that...?"

   "The sports festival was not very long ago," you said to Uraraka. You bowed your head at the loud stranger. 

   "Right..." Scratching her neck, Uraraka shyly admired you. Talking to you would never be the same, not with that criminally handsome face.

   Around you, your classmates discussed what they needed to purchase. Everyone ended up needing vastly different things.

   Kirishima grinned. "Looks like we all need different stuff. Let's split up and meet back at a designated time!"

   You were whisked away by Kaminari, the blond joking about using you to pick up hot chicks. You really weren't sure why he wanted to grab hot baby chickens, but he was your friend, so you'd help him anyway.

   Everyone quickly went their separate ways. Midoriya found himself alone with Uraraka, who ran off in a tizzy.

 

   All of you came running right back when Uraraka called in a villain attack.

   "Midoriya!" shouted Iida.

   Kaminari yelled, "Midoriya, are you okay?"

   You hurriedly left Kaminari's side and stopped in front of Midoriya. "Are you alright?"

   The boy looked up at you, eyes wet. His hand was over his throat.

   At once, you moved closer to grab Midoriya's hand and pull it aside.

   Red finger-shaped prints burned his throat.

   Your eyes widened. They flashed red. "...Who hurt you?"

   Midoriya turned his head, biting down on his lip. Your red eyes mirrored that man's.

   "Who hurt you, Midoriya?"

   "Shigaraki..." He let out a shaky breath. "...Tomura."

   You knew that name.

   That bastard with the hands, back at the U.S.J.

   Gently, you brushed a cold thumb over the fingerprints.

   Goosebumps pricked Midoriya's skin and he shuddered. Blood crawled up his neck.

   The other boy pushed your hand away. "I-I'm okay!"

   You paused, your hand hovering in the air. Then it returned to your side. "That is good."

 

   The rest of your classmates joined you, crowding around Midoriya with worried questions of their own. Midoriya hid the marks on his throat with a shaking palm.

   He was eventually taken away for questioning. From behind the arms of the cops on the scene, you watched him go, your gaze never leaving his reddened neck.

   "C'mon, [L/n]." Kaminari solemnly nudged you. "Let's go home."

   The class dispersed, faces void of joy.

 

---

 

   Saturday and Sunday went by in a flash.

 

   "So...given what happened, we're on the lookout for these villains."

   There was an air of stifling anxiety as you all listened to Aizawa from your seats. As always, you couldn't sense the tension.

   "And we've had to cancel our usual accommodations at the last minute." Aizawa tore the accommodation papers in half. "We won't reveal our destination till the day we depart."

   There was a collective, "Huh!?"

   Tilting your head, you wondered where you'd be going.

   Sero frowned. "But I already told my parents." 

   "That's exactly the point," Yaoyorozu pointed out. "The school can't control who learns what or how."

 

   "You."

   Midoriya stiffened at Bakugou's tone.

   "Broken bones or not, you should've killed him."

   From your seat in the very back, you told Bakugou, "Melissa says killing is bad."

   An irk mark appeared on his head. "Who the hell is Melissa?"

   "Come on, Bakugou," chided Hagakure. "Didn't you hear how hard it was for Midoriya? Besides, using Quirks in public places is totally illegal."

   "Do I care? Just break those fucking bones."

   When Kaminari snickered, Ojirou lightly smacked him with his tail.

   

---

 

   The curtain closed on the first semester. And just like that, it was now the first day of summer camp.

   Classes 1-A and 1-B waited at the pickup site outside the school, luggage in hand. 

   Because you had your mask on, none of the 1-B students saw your full face.

   Monoma dramatically held his head. "What? Some Class A kids are getting extra lessons? Huh? How weird is that? Everyone knows Class A is totally superior to Class B, but now this? Wow!"

   Turning to Bakugou, you asked him, "We are superior?"

   Bakugou blinked. And then a devilish grin spread across his handsome face. "Fuck yeah."

   That was the first time Bakugou ever expressed joy in response to anything you did. Noting to yourself that you should try befriending Bakugou, you turned back forward.

   Kendo was dragging Monoma's body into the 1-B bus. "Sorry that you guys have to see this."

   One of the other 1-B girls, Tokage Setsuna, said to your class, "We don't resent you for all that stuff from the sports festival. We look forward to working with you in the future."

   You spotted two key people. Rin Hiryu, the one you burned during the sports festival, and Kuchimoto Kouki, Rin's childhood friend and the one who defeated you.

   Kuchimoto sent you a searing glare only to get elbowed by Rin. The latter smiled apologetically at you.

   You thought Rin would be the one to hold a grudge. You hurt him, after all. But it was Kuchimoto that disliked you. 

   How strange. You still had a lot to learn.

 

   “Class A’s bus is here!” called Iida. “Please queue in seating order!”

   Your placement on the class roster put you in the very back of the bus, on the long seat that spanned the entire back. You took off your mask and tucked it into your pocket.

   Once you were on the road, you couldn’t take your eyes off the world beyond the window. Gray buildings and colorful throngs of people gave way to the green countryside. 

   Being in the backmost seat by yourself, you were free to gaze at the passing mountains and rich blue sky.

 

   An hour later, the bus came to a rest stop.

   You all exited the bus.

   Looking around in confusion, Kirishima asked, “Wait, where’s Class B?”

   Jiro raised a brow. “This isn’t a rest stop.”

   There was no restroom, or any other building for that matter. It was just a bend in the road with fencing so that no cars could fall over the side.

   “To say there’s no ulterior motive would be a lie...” muttered Aizawa.

   “Hey, Eraser! It’s been a while!”

   The class whirled around.

 

   “With sparkling eyes, we rock on!”

   “Cute, cat, stinger!”

   The strange women struck dynamic poses, yelling in sync, “The Wild, Wild Pussycats!”

   You noticed their fake ears and tails.  But you, having never seen a cat in person, thought they were real. “They are humans and cats?”

   Asui croaked from behind you, “No, just human.”

   “They referred to themselves as cats.”

   “Remember that they’re not actually cats and you’ll be fine.”

   Near the cat women was a small grumpy child. 

   Aizawa vaguely gestured to the trio. “I’d like to introduce the professional Heroes, the Pussycats.”

   Sparkles surrounded Midoriya. “One of the four Hero teams that founded the Union Affairs office! They specialize in mountain rescue, and are veterans in their field! They’ve got twelve years of experience on them!”

   You pointed at the grumpy child. “That child is older than twelve?”

   Chuckling, Kirishima told you, “I don’t think he’s part of the Pussycats. And don’t point at people, it’s rude.”

   You lowered your finger. “Why?”

   Visibly confused, Kirishima drew a blank. He honestly didn’t know the answer himself.

   One of the Pussycats, Mandalay, pointed into the valley below. “The place you’ll be staying at is at the base of that mountain.”

   “So far away!” cried the class.

   “Huh? Then why did we stop when we’re only halfway there?”

   “Don’t tell me...”

   “Let’s hurry back to the bus. Please?”

   You were concerned about other things. “She pointed at the mountain. Is that considered rude?”

   “Eh?” Kirishima pursed his lips. “I mean, it’s a mountain, so no.” 

   The both of you directed your attention back to Mandalay.

   The woman smirked mischievously as she said, “It’s 9:30 a.m. right now. If you kick it into high gear, it’ll be about 12...”

   Kirishima paled. “Oh no.”

   “Let’s go back!” squeaked Ashido, already running to the bus.

   Kirishima grabbed your hand and tugged you after Ashido. “To the bus! Hurry!”

   With a smile, Mandalay added, “The kittens that don’t make it before 12:30 won’t be eating.” 

   “I’m sorry, everyone...” began Aizawa, “but your school trip...”

   Pixie-Bob slammed the ground with her fake paws. The dirt fell out from beneath you and picked you up in a tidal wave.

   “...has already started.”

   

   In the forest below, your classmates groaned, dusting themselves off. Kirishima and Kaminari laughed at your hand poking out of the dirt before pulling you out.   

   Aoyama’s butt was the only part of his body not buried. You pulled him up by the belt, easily carrying him with one hand. 

   “Thank you, mon ami! Now put me down, this belt is Gucci!”

   “What does Gucci mean?”

   Mandalay called from above, “Feel free to use your Quirks in the domain as you see fit! You have three hours! Use your own feet to get to the facility! Through this forest of Magic Beasts!”

   So you couldn’t fly. That was inconvenient.

   Midoriya spat out some dirt. “‘Forest of Magic Beasts’...?”

   Kaminari finger-combed his hair. “Sounds like something out of Dragon Quest.”

   Exasperatedly cleaning his glasses, Iida said, “U.A. is notorious for this...”

   “Well, no use complaining.” Sero cracked his back with a heavy sigh. “Let’s get this over with.”

   

   The first monster rounded a couple trees, scaring the shit out of Kirishima and Kaminari. 

   Your head lolled to the side. The monster was made of compacted dirt, but had stone teeth, overgrown wooden canines, and human-like hands for feet.

   “What animal is that?”

   “I don’t know, just kill it!” shrieked Kaminari.

   Koda nervously talked to it with his Quirk. “There, there, beast... Just calm down and fall back please.”

   His eyes widened when it reared to slam down on him.

   Midoriya charged forward. “I see! It’s made of dirt!”

   Alongside Bakugou, Todoroki, and Iida, Midoriya rendered the beast into little chunks.

 

   You jogged to keep up with the class as you looked around. There were trees everywhere your eyes touched. How could you use your power without committing arson?

   In flight mode, your boosters were like traditional rockets, not lasers. So...

   You jumped off the ground.

   Medium firepower.

   A gush of air fanned the grass below as your boosters turned on.

   You flew at the next monster, gearing your dominant arm back when you got in close proximity. 

   Your iron fist blew its face into pieces.

   The other students blinked. Sometimes they forgot that you weren't just a toaster. You were physically strong, too.

   The following monster's head exploded thanks to your shin. You'd flown at it and swung your leg, powered by fire, at its head. 

   You landed on the floor with one hand on the ground and the other raised to the side.

   Todoroki ran past you. "Good job."

   Kirishima pat your back as he went by. "Nice!"

   Iida stopped to lecture you for a second. "Make sure to mind your head!"

   Midoriya smiled proudly. "Good job, [L/n]!"

   Bakugou didn't even bother verbally acknowledging you. He just rolled his eyes before moving on. You did catch the eye-roll, though. Coming from Bakugou, an eye-roll was acknowledgement enough.

   You got to your feet.

   The encouragement. The lecture. The eye-roll.

   You were thankful for all of it.

   "Thank you."

 

   It wasn't till about seven hours later that you all reached the camp.

   "You've finally arrived!" Pixie-Bob stood before you, gaudy paws on her hips. "Looks like there wasn't a point in threatening to deprive you of lunch."

   The class was covered in dirt, bruises, and sweat. Bakugou massaged his twitching forearms, Sero scratched at his dry skin, Kaminari evolved backwards, and Aoyama clutched his gut. 

   You let your head fall forward as glowing blue coolant surged through your arms and legs. You felt the cooling effect on the immediate areas your limbs were attached to. You'd taken off your mask about thirty minutes into the trip.

   "'Little over two hours' my ass..." scoffed Sero.

   Kirishima threw his head back. "I'm going to starve to death..."

   Mandalay appeared next to Pixie-Bob, holding her chin with a smile. "My bad. I meant by our standards."

   Pixie-Bob giggled. "Honestly, I thought you'd take longer. To have figured out my Awakened Earth Beasts just like that. And so easily, too. You guys are good, especially you four." She pointed at Iida, Midoriya, Todoroki, and Bakugou. "Your lack of hesitation and indecisiveness...I take it that it comes from the experiences you have acquired?" 

   Then she pointed at you. "You don't come quite close to those four in terms of fighting instinct, but that face? I saw you on the cams. It's like Michelangelo carved you himself!"

   Pixie-Bob threw herself at the five of you. "I'm anxious to see what'll become of you guys in three years! I call dibs right now!"

   While you fended her off, Aizawa and Mandalay talked amongst themselves.

   "Was she always this hyper?" muttered Aizawa.

   Mandalay shook her head. "She's in a bit of a rush, being at the marrying age and all..."

   Midoriya looked from Pixie-Bob to Mandalay. "Speaking of marrying age...I've been wondering for awhile now." Green eyes landed on that grumpy child from earlier. "Are either of you that child's mother?"

   "Oh, no, that kid is my nephew," answered Mandalay. She beckoned him with a paw. "Kota, come say hi! You're going to be living with these students for the next week."

   Smiling politely, Midoriya walked up to Kota. "Uh, hi, my name's Midoriya. I'm studying Hero Studies at U.A."

   Kota stared back, not amused in the slightest.

   The older boy extended a hand. "Nice to meet you--GRK!"

   Instead of shaking Midoriya's hand, Kota had socked him right in the nuts.

   Midoriya fell to the floor, white as a sheet.

   "Midoriya!" shouted Iida. He checked on Midoriya's trembling form before turning to berate Kota, who was already walking away from the crime scene. "You! How dare you punch Midoriya in the scrotum!"

   The murder child shot back, "I'm not going to fuck around with a bunch of losers who want to grow up to be some corny ass Heroes."

   "What language! How old are you!?"

   Bakugou laughed. "Kid thinks he's an adult."

   Todoroki glanced at him. "Reminds me of someone I know..."

   "Hah!? He's nothing like me! At least I don't keep all my emotions pent up inside like a certain someone!"

   "I didn't even say it was you..."

   Meanwhile, you repeatedly imitated Kota's punch. "That is a strong child. I was under the impression that children are weak?"

   Ojirou shook his head at the pitiful sight of Midoriya. "No, the kid just got Midoriya where it hurts most. And shouldn't you be checking up on him? I don't like the way you're punching the air right now..."

   Sero squinted at you. "Have you ever met a child? The smaller the child, the angrier it is."

   "Yes, I have, but only briefly. Why?"

   "They're closer to Hell."

   Aizawa cut in before you could ask what Hell was. "Enough chit-chat. Go get our luggage from the bus. Once you've settled into your rooms, grab dinner in the dining hall." He jabbed a thumb at said dining hall. "After that, take a bath and relax. The real deal starts tomorrow. Get a move on it."

   Fortunately, Aizawa had taken the bus to reach the camp, so it wasn't parked where the class first fell off the cliff. After moving the luggage into the gender-divided luggage rooms, you all filed into the dining hall.

   You paused to look down at your hands. They were completely filthy, smeared with dirt. Tiny rocks clogged your joints.

   Unlike some of the others, you went to wash your hands before sitting down to eat.

   A handsome spread of fish, meat, and vegetables greeted you.

   You all dug in.

   "My tastebuds are crying tears of joy!" Kirishima cried, shoveling rice into his mouth. "The rice is pure gold!"

   Kaminari joined him. "I could chow down on this rice forever! The flavor just explodes in your mouth!"

   You politely picked up a chunk of rice from your bowl with your chopsticks and put it in your mouth. Jasmine flowers bloomed on your tongue. 

   It tastes good.

 

   Near the end of the meal, Todoroki got your attention from his spot to your left. "[L/n]."

   You turned. "Yes?"

   Todoroki tapped a finger by his lip. "You have a grain of rice on your face."

   Your eyes found his finger. You knew that gesture meant someone wanted a kiss, but the last time you kissed someone, they called you a pervert. Poor Monoma.

   "Where is the rice?"

   "Here." Todoroki tapped the same spot.

   "I see." Having realized that he was pointing out where the rice was, you proceeded to swipe at your mouth. You checked your hand but saw nothing.

   "It's still there." 

   You rubbed at the spot again. "Is it gone?"

   "No." Todoroki awkwardly raised his hand. "I can get it off for you, if you want..."

   "Okay."

   The other boy dragged his thumb across the corner of your lips, accidentally brushing your bottom lip in the process. The both of you being socially-awkward idiots, neither of you got the romantic implications of touching someone else's lips.

   From across the table, Sero's brows shot up his forehead. "Oh, wow. That was kinda gay."

   Kirishima looked up from his bowl. "What?"

   Todoroki blinked. "I got food off [L/n]'s face. I didn't know that was homosexual."

   You looked from Todoroki to Sero. "I know what homosexuality is. I do not think what Todoroki did falls under that label."

   Everyone's jaws dropped.

  "You know what homosexuality is!?"

Chapter 44: Seeing Red

Notes:

quick character profile for the dude you fought during the sports festival :-)

 

 

   "You've never gone to the hot springs before, [L/n]?"

   At Kaminari's question, you shook your head.

   Dinner had ended well. Now it was time to shower and then go for a soak in the hot springs.

 

   "Okay, so basically," Kaminari explained, handing you a towel from one of the cubbies, "we all scrub ourselves clean first before getting into the springs. We all shower and bathe in the same area. You okay with that?"

   You took the towel from him. "I am okay with that."

   "Cool." Kaminari glanced at the braid trailing down your back. "You need help washing that?"

   "I do not think so." You procured a pair of latex gloves from your pant pocket. "I will wear these to prevent my hair from tangling my joints."

   "Have you just been carrying those around this whole time...?"

 

   The water in the shower room ran a disgusting brown with the dirt collected from the forest trip. 

   You were the last to finish. Aoyama had so graciously helped unlodge the little rocks in your hair. He wrung it dry and tied it into a limp mass on top of your head.

   "Thank you."

   "De rien."

 

   Kaminari squinted at you from the doorway. "So you did need help."

   "Don't be jealous, Kaminari!" Aoyama ran a hand through his hair. "Hair luxurious as his simply requires an extra pair of hands to manage."

   "I'm not--! Why would I be jealous?"

   "Ask your heart what your eyes cannot answer."

   As you stood up from the stool, you grabbed the towel that'd been laying on your thighs and wrapped it around your hips. You turned to face Kaminari. "Did I wrap it correctly?"

   Kaminari raised a brow at Aoyama before looking at your towel. "Yeah, you got it. Let's go."

   Turning to walk outside, Kaminari tried not to think about your upper body. You weren't a beef cake by any means, rather you were more on the lean side, but the weight of your arms did wonders for your chest and shoulders. 

   

   You paused at the edge of the spring to check out your surroundings. Smooth gray rocks lined the springs, bonsai trees occupied one corner, and a high wall sectioned the boys' springs from the girls' springs. It was also very warm. You could feel even more moisture forming on your skin.

   "Don't be shy!" Kirishima cheerfully beckoned you, his head peeking over the water. "Get in! It feels real nice!"

   "I am being shy?" you asked. You lowered yourself into the water and set your towel on top of your head.

   "A little? It's just an expression." Kirishima swam over to you. He settled next to you, sinking back into the water.

   Copying him, you sank down as well. You held your breath as the warm water lapped at your nose bridge. You closed your eyes. 

   Tokoyami opened one eye to address you. "Don't forget to come up. The water just might swallow you whole."

   Your left eye opened, landing on Tokoyami. The other one opened when you lifted your head above the water. Tokoyami internally shuddered at how much control you had over your eyelids.

   "The water has a mouth?"

   Sometimes Tokoyami wished you had as much control over your mouth as you did over your eyelids. "No, it does not."

   "I see." You raised your hand to move some hair from your face, and as you did so, the water rippled. You immediately noticed this.

   You slapped the water. It rippled.

   This went on for two minutes.

   The other boys soon took note of your splashing.

   Bakugou scoffed at you from across the springs. “What, never seen water before?" 

   Midoriya chuckled warmly. You were like a kid. 

   Kaminari paused his splash-fight with Ojirou to playfully splash you. You blinked the water off your lashes.

   Ojirou uncertainly splashed you with his tail. When you blinked at him, he offered you a smile.

   You splashed them both and they laughed, swimming away. Your towel falling off your head, you went after them.

   Kirishima smiled as he grabbed the towel. He set it on one of the rocks before turning to watch you scoop water and throw it at Kaminari.

   The redhead remembered when you were just starting out. Even more awkward than now, and ostracized after unintentionally killing a bird.

   Now you were playing. Playing. You'd never done that till now.

   Midoriya also shared this revelation. His eyes widened.

   You'd connected Kaminari and Ojirou's splashing with their laughter. Splashing you made them happy, and they were happy when you splashed back.

   Linear as your thinking was, it made you quick when it came to the simple things.

   

   "What we seek is beyond this wall..."

   Midoriya turned to quirk a brow at Mineta, who was standing before the divider. "What're you going on about?" 

   Mineta said some bullshit about peeking on the girls. Midoriya and Kirishima blushed, while Kaminari turned with interest. 

   Not understanding what was happening, you splashed Kaminari. He ignored it. You exchanged a look with Ojirou.

   "Restrain yourself!" Iida left the water to scold Mineta. "This bridge you're about to cross is beneath everyone here! Not to mention it'd be frowned upon by the girls!"

   "Freaking prude." Mineta yanked off his hair, using it to climb up the wall. "Walls exist to be scaled! Plus Ultra!"

   Midoriya gawked. "So fast!"

   "Stop desecrating our school rules!" bellowed Iida.

   You splashed Ojirou, remarking to him, "Mineta looks like a spider."

   Ojirou shuddered. "What spiders have you seen?"

 

   When Mineta reached the top of the wall, a cute, angry face greeted him.

   Kota glared at Mineta like the piece of shit he was. "Learn how to be a decent human being before aiming to become a Hero."

   Kota shoved Mineta off the wall.

   "You self-righteous little--!" Mineta's bare ass landed right on Iida's face. Iida may or may not have gotten pink eye.

   Not concerned whatsoever, you asked Ojirou, "Why was Mineta climbing the wall?"

   Ojirou sighed. "To peek at the girls. He's gross."

   "Melissa says boys should not look at girls when they are undressed. Mineta is immoral and must be punished for this infringement."

   "I think Iida is rubbing off on you..."

   Your attention was diverted when Midoriya burst out of the water to catch a falling Kota, Midoriya's towel conveniently around his hips. Kota had fallen after accidentally looking at the girls when they thanked him.

   You all watched as Midoriya rushed back into the bathhouse, Kota in his arms. The kid was unconscious.

   Your body seemed to move on its own. Snatching your towel, you covered yourself as you left the water. 

   

   "Looks like he just passed out from fear of falling. Thank you, Midoriya." Mandalay sighed, watching over Kota from her chair next to the couch he was laying on.

   Midoriya stood by the couch and you were kneeling in front of it, a glowing blue hand on Kota's forehead.

   Mandalay continued, "Eraser mentioned something about there being an 'incarnation of human lust' among you boys, so I had Kota acting as a lookout for the girls..."

   Midoriya's shoulders relaxed. "He looks none the worse for wear."

   "Thankfully, you were there to help him." Mandalay glanced at you. Your face was tense as you paid acute attention to Kota's vitals, your concentration barely visible to the untrained eye.

   Mandalay smiled to herself. This crop of Heroes seemed promising. "Thank you, [L/n]. The steam from the hot springs was probably a factor as well." 

   "It is no problem."

   It was silent for a minute.

   "Kota..."

   You and Mandalay looked up at Midoriya.

   He was fiddling with his fingers. "He doesn't seem too keen on the concept of Heroes. I grew up around a lot of people who wanted to be Heroes, myself included. A kid this young being so jaded... It's a concept I've never really seen before."

   Mandalay nodded. "Yeah. It shouldn't come as a surprise, but there are many out there who aren't fans of Heroes... If he had a normal upbringing, he would have probably grown to idolize Heroes as well."

   "Normal...?" asked Midoriya.

   She didn't answer. Instead, she went to place a towel on Kota's forehead. You'd moved your hand out of the way for her.

   Pixie-Bob was the one to answer Midoriya. She walked into the lounge carrying a tray of tea. "Kota's parents used to be Heroes...but lost their lives on the job."

   Midoriya's brows drew together. "How awful..."

   Unlike Midoriya, you felt nothing from learning this. You simply looked from Pixie-Bob to Kota's sleeping face.

   I am not affected by my parents' deaths. How does Kota feel about his?

   Mandalay spoke. "Two years ago, when they were protecting civilians from villains. As Heroes, there couldn't have been a more honorable way for them to pass on. They died a truly heroic death." She paused. "But for Kota, a child just beginning to understand his surroundings, that didn't mean jack squat. His parents were his world...his everything. Even though they had left him, the world around him celebrated... His parents were celebrated for their actions." Mandalay adjusted the towel on Kota's forehead. "I'm pretty sure he's not very fond of us either, but with no other living relatives, he may feel obligated to follow us and our orders. From Kota's point of view, Heroes are...an incomprehensible, disgusting sort of creature."

  You processed this with a tilt of your head.

   Kota does not like his parents or the Pussycats?

   Midoriya's heart grew heavy. Casting you a glance, he reminded himself to explain everything to you after.

   "Anyway." Mandalay dismissed you. "You two, go put on some clothes."

 

   The sleeping arrangements were a little strange to you. 

   Futons, sixteen in total, were spread around the room. Apparently, you'd all be sleeping in the same room.

   You hung by the door as the other boys claimed their futons.

   "What is it, [L/n]?" Iida was kneeling on his own futon. 

   "I am not familiar with sleeping in a group."

   Iida nodded thoughtfully, then took a gander. There was a single futon in a far corner of the room.

   He directed you to it. "Why don't you sleep on that one? It's fairly isolated."

   "Okay." 

   Once everyone was settled, Iida got up to switch off the lights. "Remember that we wake up at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow! Sleep well, everyone."

   "Goodnight," said Kaminari.

   "Goodnight."

   "Goodnight."

   "Goodnight!"

   The lights went off.

   You said quietly, "Goodnight."

  

---

 

   The next morning, everyone was miserable. 

   Kaminari's eyes wouldn't open, Uraraka had half a bird's nest on her head, Aoyama's hair was out of whack, and Jiro couldn't stop yawning.

   As for you, your hair was in the messiest, ugliest braid everyone had ever seen. But no one had the energy to care.

   "Good morning, everyone." Aizawa was a goddamn liar. "Today, we begin reinforcement training. This trip's mission statement is to strengthen everyone's Quirks as whole, thereby allowing everyone to earn their temporary licenses. This is preparation to stand against and up to live-action hostility and aggression from your enemy. Prepare your hearts and minds. With that said..." Aizawa tossed Bakugou a baseball. "Bakugou, try throwing this."

   Bakugou caught it. "This is from the physical strength exam..."

   "Your records indicate you tossed 705.2 meters. From the time of your admittance, let's see how much you've improved."

   "Woah, a skill growth test!" cheered Ashido.

   Sero called, "You got this, Bakugou!"

   Bakugou wound his arm back and lifted his left leg in a pitcher's pose. He grinned. "DROP DEAD!"

   The ball disappeared, leaving rings of air in its wake. The explosion ruffled your hair.

   Aizawa glanced down at his calculator. Then he showed the class. "709.6 meters."

   There was collective confusion.

   "Huh? That's not even close to what we expected..."

   Bakugou himself was silently glaring at the glowing numbers on the calculator screen.

   "In three months, you all have gained lots of experience. And of course, you have certainly grown." Aizawa pocketed the device. "But that growth has been primarily emotional and technical. Now the time has come to concentrate on physical advancement as well. As you can see, your Quirks themselves have only improved by a marginal amount... So starting today, we will focus on upgrading your Quirks." The Totoro grin was back. "I will be pushing you beyond your limits, so try not to kick the bucket on me."

   Murmurs filled your ears. You looked around before turning to ask Aizawa, "What will I do? As I do not have a Quirk--"

   Aizawa sighed. "Work on your physique."

   "Okay."

 

   Things were happening.

   Todoroki was in a water barrel of some sort, Bakugou dipped his arms in water, Ojirou smacked Kirishima with his tail while Kirishima continuously hardened himself, Sato and Yaoyorozu were eating away, Kaminari electrocuted himself on top of a pillar, Sero shot tape from his elbows endlessly, and Mineta scalped himself.

   You were calmly jogging around the premises.

   "You Quirkless fuck!" screeched Bakugou. He set off another round of explosions.

   Ignoring Bakugou, you jogged out of sight just as 1-B entered the training grounds.

   They were immediately mortified.

   "What is this hellscape!?"

   "This is merely affection," said their teacher, Vlad King. "Those whose abilities have upper limits placed on them must raise those limits. Mutants must train their respective body parts. Normally, we adjust the training based on physical growth..."

   Aizawa picked it up from there. "But we don't have the time. Don't laze around, Class B."

   Kendo had some concerns. "With us included, we've got forty-one people. Can six people really handle that many Quirks at once?"

   "That is why they're here."

   The Pussycats, all four of them, did their flashy intro. The B kids were quickly assigned to different areas based on their Quirks.

   

   A few minutes later, you rounded a corner that led you back to the training area.

   Sero groaned when you came into sight. "Must be nice. You're just doing cardio."

   "I have to choose one person to benchpress. Are you willing to volunteer?"

   "You have to what?"

   Some of the B students noticed you.

   "Who--who is that!?"

   "His hair's shit, but he's still hot!?"

   "A transfer student!?"

   "Eh?" Sero scratched furiously at his skin as he informed them, "Nah, that's [L/n]. Handsome, right?"

   Rin paled. "Who did you just say...?"

   Kendo stopped slapping Monoma for a second. "I noticed he got taller, but this is a little much..."

   More heads turned. More people were bedazzled by your face alone. Your beauty surpassed gender.

   Monoma's jaw hit the floor. "Him!? That sick pervert from 1-A!?" Despite his words, his heart beat like a thousand drums. 

   "Excuse me, pervert?" Kendo kicked Monoma. "Don't go spreading rumors like that."

   "No, it's true! He--!" The blond's teeth clicked together as he shut his mouth.

   "He what, Monoma?"

   Monoma snapped back to normal, ruffling the collar of his gym suit. "Nothing of importance. Now, let's--"

   "No." Kendo grabbed him by the collar. "I want to hear exactly what [L/n] did."

   Everyone glanced from Monoma to you.

   You decided to speak up. "Monoma deemed me a pervert when I ki--"

   "Shut up!" Monoma yelled, jabbing a finger at you. "What happened stays between us!"

   Sero's brows furrowed. He leaned in to whisper, "Man, what did you do to him?"

   "Monoma wishes for that event to be kept between us. May I benchpress you?"

   "S-sure."

 

   Later, Monoma was lucky enough to encounter you in the men's restroom.

   You were carefully washing your hands. Monoma glared at you from the doorway, brows twitching furiously.

   "Hello, Monoma."

   "You."

   You blinked at him. 

   Is 'you' by itself considered a greeting?

   "You," you echoed. 

   Monoma gasped dramatically. "Why--! How dare you address me that way!"

   You analyzed his face and tone of voice carefully. He seemed to have been angered by what you said. 

   "You are angry? I assumed that 'you' by itself is a greeting. It is not?"

   "Are you mocking me?"

   "I am not." 

   "Oh, really? Don't think I've forgotten what you said and did," Monoma snapped, marching right up to you. He planted his hands on his hips and leaned forward. Bent over like this, his head only came up to your mouth. "Not only did you embrace me in your filthy inhuman arms, but you took advantage of our difference in strength to kiss me! You're scum! A criminal to the highest degree!"

   "I incorrectly assumed you had given me consent. I'm sorry." When you bowed, some of your hair brushed Monoma's cheek. 

   The shorter boy stumbled back. For a second, his eyes widened in surprise at your apology. "D-don't go acting all innocent on me! There's no way any normal person would kiss a stranger and not know how wrong it is!"

   Monoma's face slowly turned red. The realization that you, in all your shining beauty, were the one who kissed him, was both flattering and humiliating at the same time. He was lucky to have been kissed before your sudden transformation. If you'd kissed him after, he wouldn't know what to do.

   You paused. The gears in your head turned rapidly as you thought about how to reply. "I am not a normal person."

   Monoma blinked twice. "Eh?" 

   "I am trying to pick up and adapt to social cues," you began, straightening up from your bow. "I do not know many basic things." After a few beats, you added, "I am not a pervert who seeks sexual pleasure by violating others. From my experience, a kiss is a gesture of affection. I do not expect you to believe me. Or forgive me."

   You bowed once more. "I'm sorry."

   "Wh..." Monoma trailed off, confused gaze transfixed on the top of your head. 

   He wasn't expecting this. Not at all.

   Monoma almost felt...bad? No, no. No way he would feel sorry for anyone from 1-A.

   "How do I know you're really sorry?" he challenged. His last line of defense. "I'm willing to bet you only apologized because you were nearly exposed back in the courtyard!"

   "Then you have already lost that bet."

   Monoma now resembled a gaping fish. 

   "I apologized because I violated you." You lifted your head. "There is no other reason."

   "I-I recall that you told me you've never felt happiness! Then you must not know remorse either!"

   That made you pause.

   Smug, Monoma's lips curled into a smirk. "I must have hit the nail on the head."

   

   Remorse?

   You knew what remorse was: a deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.

   You looked at Monoma.

   Did you deeply regret kissing him? Were you guilty?

   You apologized because he was angry.

   But you couldn't tell whether or not you were truly sorry.

   

   "What color are my eyes?"

   Monoma scoffed. "What, you don't know that either?"

   You stared at him in silence. 

   He cleared his throat before begrudgingly replying, "A dull, ugly [e/c]. Why?"

   Remorse was associated with sadness. If your eyes weren't glowing synthetic blue, then...

   "I may feel remorse. That is possible. But at this moment, it is not a deep remorse." 

   "What? You little...! If you're not even sorry, don't waste your time apologizing. Now, get out."

   "This is a public restroom. I need to dry my hands."

   

   It was at this moment that the toilet flushed in the stall directly behind you.

   You and Monoma turned to see Kuchimoto exit with vague amusement in his olive green eyes. 

   Monoma instantly glowed red. "You were in here this whole time!?"

   "Yep." Kuchimoto nonchalantly washed his hands. "I was taking a shit. Thanks for the entertainment."

   "Tell anyone of this and I'll--!"

   "You'll what?" Kuchimoto brushed past Monoma, uncaring. Now that you got a better look at him, you noticed he'd grown taller. A bit taller than yourself, actually.

   Monoma was fuming. "I'll tell Rin that you were the one who blew up the vending machine!"

   Kuchimoto whirled around. "You wouldn't."

   You stood there, lost. 

   "Oh, yes, I would!" replied Monoma. "And I'll even add that you stole Mr. Kan's snacks from his drawer!"

   "I was hungry!"

   "You have no moral compass!"

   "I wasn't even going to tell anyone in the first place!" Kuchimoto fired back. "I'm not scared of gay people!"  

   This made Monoma stop. Anger dissipating, he started to cackle. "That's not even--! AHAHAH! No wonder you have terrible grades! You don't even know what homophobia means!"

   "I'm not afraid of you!"

   "And I'm not gay! Not that being gay is undesirable or anything!"

   "Whatever." Kuchimoto's eyes darted from Monoma to you, who was standing there obliviously. "And you--for the price of me not telling anyone, stay the fuck away from Rin. Don't talk to him, don't look at him, don't even breathe at him. Got it?"

   "Wow," Monoma drawled, "just who is the gay one here?"

   "What, are you afraid?"

   "I already told you that's not--"

   

   "Okay."

   The two turned to blink at you.

   You nodded. "I will not interact with Rin. Monoma wishes to keep this private, so it is my responsibility to do what he wishes."

   Monoma and Kuchimoto shared a surprised look.

   "...Alright then." Monoma was the one to speak first. He sighed heavily, readjusting the collar of his gym uniform. "I'll be going then. I'll see you amoebas later. Or not."

   Kuchimoto huffed at you before shoving his hands into his pockets and spinning on his heel to follow Monoma out the door. "What's an amoeba? And we're in the same class, stupid."

   "What'd you just call me!?"

 

   You remained in the restroom, listening to the fading echoes of their argument as they headed down the hall.

   That whole exchange had been extremely difficult to follow.

   Why had they been so angry? You understood the reasons behind their anger, but the sheer amount of it being expressed was so foreign to you. Understanding Bakugou's constant anger was difficult enough.

   Sure, you got mad, but you never expressed much beyond the changing color of your eyes.

   That level of emotion--

   you turned to look at yourself in one of the restroom mirrors.

   Would you ever be able to express it?

 

   You tried parroting what Monoma had said in anger. "If you're not even sorry, don't waste your time apologizing."

   No. That wasn't quite right. He was audibly cross.

   "If you're--you're--" 

   That wasn't right either. You spoke in constant monotone. And you couldn't morph your expression to match Monoma's, either. The forced furrow in your brow didn't match.

   

   "Are you seriously talking to yourself right now?"

   The sight of a mildly disgusted Bakugou greeted you. He was slouched in the doorway, lips sneering and brows cinched.

   You perked up. He was the perfect person to show you.

   "Bakugou, please teach me how to be angry."

   "What." 

   "Ba--"

   "I heard you the first time, moron." The blond shoved past you. "If you're done, get out."

   So that was a no. Bakugou's anger didn't faze you in the slightest, but after seeing how angry you'd made Monoma, anger had a new definition. Anger wasn't dormant, erupting at any appropriate time. It was coaxed out.

   "Okay."

   Bakugou didn't spare you a glance as you left.

   Before getting down to business, he thought about what just happened.

   You'd always asked weird questions. But this one in particular was different from the rest.

   How to be angry? Bakugou thought. Fucking weirdo.

   Being angry came naturally to him. It came naturally to most people, really.

   So the fact that you even asked was just downright pitiful.

   Normally, Bakugou would've just laughed in your face. Bakugou hadn't missed the slight perk of your head when you saw him, however. He also hadn't missed the obviously forced crease between your brows while you gazed into the mirror.

   It felt strange, but Bakugou had an inkling that he was privileged to be able to laugh. To ridicule you.

   You didn't know a damn thing. You didn't know a single thing about what was human nature for others.

   

   Well, what did Bakugou care?

   As he pushed you to the back of his mind, he failed to remember something crucial.

   Nothing could be buried forever.

Chapter 45: Sunflower

Notes:

fanart!!! by percyyzz on quotev!

 

 

   When the clock struck four, the two classes were herded back to their separate camps.

   "Yesterday, I told you it was the last day we'd be helping you out!" chirped Pixie-Bob, animatedly gesturing to a huge spread of curry ingredients. "If you want to eat, get off your asses and make it yourself! Curry!"

   "Yes, ma'am," the class replied wearily.

   To Pixie-Bob's left, Ragdoll laughed. "Everyone's looking pretty raw! But that's no excuse to do a sloppy job!"

   "You're right." Iida looked up, holding his chin in thought. "In the case of an emergency, feeding the hungry and providing sustenance to mind and body is an essential part of providing aid..." He turned to the class and shouted, "Those Pros are correct! Let's make the world's best curry!"

 

   "Todoroki, we need some fire over here!"

   "Okay."

 

   "Bakugou, can you light a fire with your explosions?"

   "Of course I can, you shit!"

 

   While your classmates worked on the curry, you were forced to sit on a bench off to the side. Absolutely no one in this class trusted you with a knife. 

   You slid off the bench to crouch on the ground, running a finger through the dirt. Might as well practice your animals.

   First, a cat. Cats had round faces and pointy ears.

   A dog next. Dogs had long faces and long ears.

   And then a mouse. If the principal was anything to go by, mice had pointy faces and round ears.

   "I am glad to see you're keeping yourself occupied. Are you drawing?"

   You craned your neck back. Iida smiled down at you, a basket of potatoes in his arms. He was kind enough to check on you periodically.

   "Yes." You wiped your finger on your pants. 

   Iida set the potatoes aside and leaned down, taking a closer look at your drawings.

   He adjusted his glasses. "...What exactly have you been drawing?"

   You pointed to each figure as you told Iida, "Cat, dog, mouse."

   "...I see." 

   That is a dog? Iida thought, mortified.

   It was more like a lumpy blob with more lumpy blobs attached to it. It didn't even have facial features. It was just the shape of the 'dog.' 

   Iida squatted down to address you, genuinely concerned. "Please answer me seriously. Have you ever seen a dog before?"

   "Yes, I have."

   "This...drawing is what you believe dogs look like?"

   "Yes. Did I draw it wrong?"

   "...Not necessarily." Like Aizawa, Iida was a goddamn liar. "It is just...an interesting way to interpret dogs."

   You stared at him innocently. Iida began to sweat.

   When you quietly returned to drawing in the dirt, Iida sighed in relief. He didn't know if he could pop out another lie. It was against his morals. 

   And it was hard to lie to you. Iida was well aware that you didn't know much. The only thing worse than knowing nothing was finding out everything was a lie.

   "Iida, did I draw this correctly?"

   He jerked to attention. Stern red eyes landed on your latest drawing.

   It was of a simple seven-petaled flower with the classic circle in the middle. Iida's thick lashes batted twice in surprise. He could actually tell what it was. "A flower! Very nice. A daisy, I assume?"

   "It is a cosmo. Yaoyorozu taught me what it is." You tilted your head. "What does a daisy look like?"

   "Very similar to this cosmo, actually." Iida held his chin. "If I recall correctly, its petals are white and much higher in number."

   "Can you draw it?"

   "Ah. I’m sorry, I can't. I wouldn't want to get my fingers dirty. I'm helping prepare the curry, after all."

   "Please wait here."

   Iida watched as you got up and walked towards the firewood pile. You grabbed a thin stick, offering it to Iida.

   Red eyes softened. Iida took your offering, turning it in his right hand. "Alright. Now that you've so kindly given me a stick, I will draw you a daisy."

   You watched with utmost attention as Iida dragged one end of the stick through the dirt. First, he drew a tiny circle. Then, about twenty little petals.

   "The inside is yellow and the petals are white," Iida informed you. He handed you the stick. "Do remember to wash your hands. You wouldn't want to eat dirt, right?"

   "What does dirt taste like?"

   "I--what?"

   Iida screeched when you grabbed a fistful of the ground. "Absolutely not!" He snatched your wrist and pried your fingers open, forcing you to drop the dirt. "What's gotten into you, [L/n]!?"

   "Why are you stopping me?" you asked. "Is dirt toxic to humans?"

   "J-just because you can eat something does not mean you should!"

   

   "Is everything okay?"

   You and Iida looked up. Midoriya and Yaoyorozu looked back at you, concern in their frowns. 

   "Yes."

   "No!" Iida bellowed. "He attempted to ingest dirt! Nothing is okay!"

   "I'm sorry, what?" squeaked Midoriya. Yaoyorozu held her face, horrified.

   Iida's outburst caught everyone else's attention. Work on the curry came to a halt.

   Yaoyorozu began to cry. "This is because I suggested he sit aside, isn't it? It's my fault he tried to eat dirt...!"

   Bakugou blinked. "The fuck?"

   "Okay, okay, hold on," Kirishima said, coming over to see what the problem was. "Who tried to eat dirt?"

   Midoriya hid his face in his hands. "[L/n]."

   Kirishima started trembling. His eyes were wide and cheeks full of air as he tried to contain his laughter. Some of your classmates howled behind him. Most of them, however, were incredibly concerned.

   Todoroki's brows came together. "He...tried to...eat dirt?"

   Kaminari, Sero, Ashido, and Jiro were dying on the ground. Shoji face-palmed with all six hands. 

 

   You shamelessly asked, "What is preventing me from eating the dirt?"

   Kirishima's dam broke. He fell over laughing his ass off.

   Iida, Yaoyorozu, and Midoriya erupted at once.

   "Everything! It's full of germs and animal dung and--"

   "I'm so sorry, [L/n]!" A sniffle. "Please don't eat dirt when you're bored!"

   "W-why don't we go tend to the fire with Todoroki!? Wouldn't that be fun, [L/n]!?"

   You blinked up at them before looking down at your dirty hand. "I understand now. There are things in the dirt that should not be ingested."

   They all sighed in relief.

   "Now..." With a clear of his throat, Iida got to his feet, dragging you up with him. "I am trusting you to go wash your hands, and do nothing that involves ingesting non-foodstuffs. Can I trust you?"

   You blinked. And then you nodded.

   The class watched as you made your way to the facility.

 

   Iida's shoulders sagged. "That's how he gets when he's bored, huh...?"  

   "Now that I think about it, that's the first time I've ever seen him bored." Midoriya tugged at his bottom lip, fascinated. "To think he'd immediately try to eat dirt..."

   Yaoyorozu wiped her eyes. "Let's never leave him unoccupied and alone ever again. Was he doing anything else, Iida?"

   "Yes, actually." Iida gestured to the drawings you made, his daisy next to your cosmo. "He was drawing."

   Yaoyorozu and Midoriya's eyes widened.

   "He was..."

   "...drawing?"

   The two of them bent down to take a look.

   A cat, some sort of miserable blob, a mouse, and two flowers.

   "What's that?" asked Midoriya. He pointed to the blob.

   Iida pushed up his glasses. "A dog, apparently."

   Yaoyorozu wasn't looking at the dog. She was looking at the cosmo. She knew you were the one who drew it because she taught you what cosmos were.

   The daisy was obviously Iida's--it was drawn rather smoothly. The cosmo, however, was drawn with unsteady lines.

   Yaoyorozu teared up.

   "Eh, Yaoyorozu!? Are you okay?"

   

   The trio made the entire class swear not to bring up the dirt in case you decided to give it another go. 

   Now you were eating curry like a normal person.

   "For restaurant standards, I'd say it's dog chow," Kirishima said around mouthfuls of curry, "but given this situation, this is some five-star gourmet grub!"

   Bakugou snapped, "Says the guy chewing without swallowing!"

   Kaminari, who sat across from Yaoyorozu, noticed how much she was eating. "Yaoyorozu, you're relentless!"

   "Yes. My Quirk allows me to convert fat at an atomic level to create many different things. The more I eat, the more I can create."

   Sero chewed and swallowed before remarking, "Kinda like poop."

   Yaoyorozu cried on the floor.

   Jiro socked Sero in the face. "Apologize!"

  

   The next afternoon, both classes continued Quirk training.

   Aizawa frowned at you as you did sit-ups. Last night, Iida and Yaoyorozu came to him requesting that he watch you. They also asked that Aizawa not mention the dirt incident. Aizawa had been confused as hell.

   He sighed. This kid... 

   After finishing a rep, you took a breather. You tucked some loose hair behind your ear and listened in as Aizawa criticized Aoyama and Uraraka for their barely passing score on the practical.

   You laid back down to start another rep.

   I must work hard.

   

   Ten minutes later, Pixie-Bob got everyone's attention.

   "Let's talk about tonight's plans! We're doing an inter-class test of courage! After training hard, you get to play! Carrot and stick!"

   You tilted your head.

   Courage can be assessed with a written test?

   "That's right, it totally slipped my mind..." murmured Kendo.

   Jiro was on the verge of death. "Great, more terrifying activities."

   Tokoyami muttered, "Revelry in the dark..."

   Rin and Monoma turned to look at Pixie-Bob. Both boys' arms were covered in Rin's scales.

   "I take it this is a one-time thing?" 

   "I'm rather interested in the inter-class aspect..."

   "With that said," chirped Pixie-Bob, "Train your hearts out!"

   

   Tonight's dinner was stew.

   Uraraka gasped. "Bakugou, your knife skills are amazing! So unexpected!"

   "What the hell do you mean 'unexpected!?' You telling me you expected me to suck balls at this!?"

   You were helping Midoriya load up firewood. And by 'helping,' that meant sitting there quietly. No one trusted you around anything after the whole dirt fiasco.

   Todoroki stopped by with a bucket of water. "Did you want to talk to All Might or something, Midoriya?"

   Midoriya peered over his shoulder. "Eh? Oh, um, yeah. I had a question about Kota."

   You blinked. You vaguely recalled Midoriya asking Aizawa about something related to All Might. You'd been too busy doing sit-ups to really listen.

   "Kota?" asked Todoroki. "Who's that?"

   "That boy, you know the one..."

   You jumped at the chance to be helpful. "The strong child that punched Midoriya in the--"

   Midoriya let out an inhuman squeal. He quickly pressed a finger to his own lips, prompting you to do the same with yours. He removed his finger to nervously smile and say, "L-let's not mention that ever again, okay?"

   You silently nodded. Todoroki turned his face to hide his amused smile in an effort to not embarrass Midoriya even further.

   Exhaling, Midoriya surveyed the area. He frowned. "Oh, he's gone again..." He turned back to the firewood. "He doesn't like Heroes--no, he doesn't like the idea of a superhero society with Quirks. I don't know what to say to him to help out. But All Might... He'd probably find the words." Midoriya looked up at Todoroki. "What would you say, Todoroki?"

   The boy blinked. Some long seconds later, he wisely imparted, "It depends."

   "Well, yeah, but..."

   "For complete strangers like us to just dump our reasoning on his head... He'd just find it pretentious. And if by chance he were the type to be moved by words alone, then we'd know his hatred only runs skin-deep." Todoroki talked a lot for the first time in a while. "I think the most important thing...is to tell him what we have done, and what we are doing now for humanity. I believe that words come with actions."

   Midoriya's eyes grew wide.

   You blinked.

   'What we have done, and what we are doing now for humanity.'

   "...Yeah, that's true," Midoriya said, picking up a piece of firewood. "There's little a stranger can do to convince him."

   "I don't know what you want with that kid, but sticking your nose into a delicate matter is, well, you know... And no one would expect it, but you're the type to just break down barriers without thinking twice."

   "Uh, my bad?"

   Iida's voice cut across the yard. "You guys, I don't see your hands moving! We have to make the world's finest meat and potato stew!"

   "Ah, yes!" replied Midoriya.

   Todoroki walked away. "Right..."

   You wiggled your fingers. "Can you see my hands moving, Iida?"

   "Y...yes! Very cool!"

 

   

---

 

 

   Your class, the Pussycats, and Aizawa were gathered in front of the forest. The sky was pitch black, stars scattered like sequins. You gazed up at them with round eyes.

   "Our stomachs are full and the dishes are clean!" declared Pixie-Bob, paws on hips. "Next up is..."

   Kaminari and Ashido pumped their fists. "The test of courage!"

   Aizawa glanced to three certain boys. "Before that, and though it pains me to say it, the remedial bunch...are going to have a review lesson with me starting right now."

   A dejected Kirishima, Sero, and Sato were dragged away by Aizawa's scarf.

   Kaminari and Ashido threw their arms around you.

   "It's thanks to you that we get to have fun!"

   "Bless you, [L/n]!"

   Because their arms were around your trunk, you were able to return the hug. "It is no problem."

   Pixie-Bob started explaining the test. "So there we have it. Class B will be the first to scare, and Class A will have pairs of two leave every three minutes. In the middle of the route, there'll be a card with your name written on it. Take it back with you as proof! Class B are already lying in wait!"

   Class B will be scaring us? you thought.

   "Revelry in the dark," said Tokoyami.

   Pixie-Bob continued, "The scaring group is not allowed to directly touch anyone, but scaring tactics using any and all available Quirks are permitted."

   Tora punched the air. "The winner will be the class that not only makes the most of their creativity, but also makes the most people piss their pants with fright!"

   Jiro said weakly, "Please stop, that's disgusting..."

   "I see!" shouted Iida. "By pitting us against each other, we can polish our skills, and as a result, reach new horizons with our Quirks! As expected of U.A.!"

   Midoriya counted the kids present. "Kirishima, Sero, and Sato were taken away, so that leaves eighteen of us. How are we pairing up?"

   Ragdoll pulled out a box and some scraps of paper. "Lots!"

   Each of you took one scrap. On yours was the number nine.

   "I have nine too!" 

   You looked down at Midoriya. The other boy was leaning over to read your scrap. His fluffy green hair brushed against your chin. 

   He backed up and smiled. "We're going in together then. Have you ever done a test of courage before?"

   "No, I have not."

   "It's just the other class scaring us while we try our best not to get scared." Midoriya raised his fist with a cheesy grin. "If you get scared, don't worry! I'm here!"

   "Okay."

   Bakugou sneered at Midoriya. "Cheesy fuck."

   Midoriya blushed and lowered his fist in embarrassment. 

 

   Fifteen minutes later, four pairs still had yet to enter the forest. Present were you and Midoriya, Iida and Koda, Ojiro and Mineta, and Kaminari and Ashido.

   You could hear screams from the forest. It concerned you, but apparently this was supposed to be a fun thing.

   And then there was the distinct sound of a body hitting the floor.

   "This little kitty sure is an eyesore, isn't she?"

   A woman with chin-length red hair stood over an unconscious Pixie-Bob. 

   *This is Magne. I wanted to describe her while also respecting her pronouns.

   She'd hit Pixie-Bob with a large pole wrapped in cloth. Another person, a lizard dressed like the dollar store version of Stain, crouched next to the first woman.

   Tora got in front of the kids. "Pixie-Bob!"

   "This is bad!" hissed Mandalay. She joined Tora's side in a defensive stance.

 

   Your eyes followed the trail of blood leading from Pixie-Bob's forehead. Then they darted to the villain's grinning faces.

   They hurt Miss Pixie-Bob.

   Your arms heated up.

   They are enemies.

 

   "Greetings, U.A. Academy!" crowed the lizard with a spread of his arms. "We are the League of Villains’ first strike team!"

   Ojiro tensed. "The League of Villains!? What are they doing here...!?"

   Midoriya's head jerked towards Kota's secret base. "Kota...!"

   The enemy woman smirked, twisting the pole into Pixie-Bob's bleeding forehead. "It'd be an awful shame if my hand slipped and accidentally crushed her pretty little head, wouldn't it?"

   Tora seethed, "Over my dead body, you piece of shit!"

   The lizard got up to sweep an arm in front his ally and the other towards Tora. "Whoa, whoa, Big Sis Mag, hold your horses! And you, too, tiger. Chill out." He grinned. "The right over life and death...is all decided by the word of Stain."

   "Stain!" Iida grit his teeth. "Is he the one behind these guys!?"

   The lizard pointed at Iida. "Oh, I just remembered... You there! The one with the glasses! You were the one who brought Stain's reign of terror to an end back in Hosu, yes?" He grabbed the handle of his sword. "I don't think I've formally introduced myself. The name's Spinner. The one who carries on Stain's dream!"

   When Spinner whipped out the sword, you saw that it was a clusterfuck of knives all strapped to each other and attached to a single handle. 

   Tora scoffed. "Tell someone who gives a shit!" His paws curled to form fists. "That woman, Pixie-Bob, laying there unconscious, has recently been all nuts about marriage... She's been putting her best foot forward." His face darkened as he glared at the villains. "Your boorish attitude and blatant disregard for injuring her in such a sensitive time is reprehensible!"

   *I changed Tora's lines here because he was being sexist (calling marriage a "woman's happiness").

   Spinner grinned, charging forward. "Heroes don't get the luxury of seeing the world through rose-colored glasses!"

   Mandalay raised her fists. "Tora, I've given out the instructions! Let's leave the safety of the rest of the students to Ragdoll! You and I will hold this position together!" She addressed the class. "Go, everyone! Combat is to be avoided at all costs! Do I make myself clear? Class president, take the lead!"

  Iida nodded and turned to usher everyone towards the facility. "Understood! Let's go!"

   Midoriya didn't move. "...Iida, go on ahead."

   "Midoriya, what are you talking about!?" 

   You tugged on Midoriya's wrist. "Midoriya, we need to go."

   He hesitated for a second before prying your hand off. Turning back to Mandalay, Midoriya shouted, "Miss Mandalay! I know where Kota is!"

   Mandalay's eyes widened. And then she nodded. 

   Midoriya disappeared in a flash of lightning.

   Your eyes shot from where he was previously to the surrounding trees. "Midoriya is gone--"

   Iida ran back to grab you. "We need to go! We just have to trust in Miss Mandalay and Midoriya's judgment!"

 

   As your group ran through the trees, you continued to try to look for Midoriya.

   The roar of the fire behind you, the smell of smoke, and the faint explosions going off in two different directions...

   It was so loud.

   You covered one ear in an effort to stifle the oncoming headache.

   "[L/n], are you okay?" asked Kaminari, peeking over his shoulder. Ashido and Ojiro had concerned looks on their faces.

   Iida gasped. "You need your helmet! Let's speed up, everyone!"

   You were now running too fast to properly muffle your ear. You lowered your hand and instead put all efforts into getting to the facility as soon as possible.

 

   A few minutes later, you arrived to the sight of Aizawa pinning a horribly toasted man to the ground.

   Iida threw a hand out to stop the group. "Mr. Aizawa!"

   The man looked up, giving raisin man the opportunity to knock him off. 

   Aizawa's scarf was still wound around him. The former simply tightened the scarf.

   "I guess you're not a Hero instructor for nothing..." the villain rasped. He lifted his head to meet eyes with Aizawa.  "Your students, are they precious to you?" 

   Aizawa narrowed his eyes as the other man's body broke into pieces.

   "I hope you can protect them all until we meet again..." The man was now reduced to a puddle of black goo.

   You were about to walk over and inspect the goo puddle until Ojiro stopped you with his tail. When you blinked at him, he shook his head.

   Ojiro turned to Aizawa. "Mr. Aizawa, what was that...?" 

   "...Get inside. I'll be back soon."

 

   So you were now inside the building with Vlad King and the failed students, which apparently included Monoma. 

   You put on your helmet. It'd been sitting in one of the back rooms. 

   The students were all standing at attention while Vlad King guarded the entrance. Iida had already explained to him what happened regarding Aizawa.

   Kirishima's fists tightened. Gazing down at his feet, he asked, "Shouldn't we be out there fighting?"

   Vlad King answered, "The order was to not engage. As long as that remains so, we must stay here." 

 

   Your head suddenly tingled.

   Everyone in Class A and B!

   Mandalay.

   In the name of the Pro Hero, Eraserhead, you are granted permission to engage in combat!

   I repeat!

   Everyone in Class A and B! You are granted permission to engage in combat!

 

   Vlad King blinked. "Ah." Continuing to face the entrance, he warned, "Students. Prepare to engage. We don't know if another enemy might come our way. However, we still have to remain here. Only run if necessary."

   Everyone nodded. Though it wasn't as liberating as being able to go out and actively fight, the order left some wiggle room.

   

   Seconds later, another one of Mandalay's messages came through.

   We've identified one of the villain's objectives!

   The student named 'Kacchan!' 

   Monoma dramatically shrugged. "Who's that!?"

   "Bakugou...!?" murmured Kirishima.

   Whoever Kacchan is, avoid combat as much as possible! Refrain from solo movements! 

   Got it, Kacchan!?

  "Bakugou is one of their objectives?" you asked aloud. "The villains are trying to hurt us all. What do they plan to do with Bakugou specifically?"

   Kirishima ran up to Vlad King. "They're after our friend! Please, let us go!"

   Iida urgently added, "If we don't know how many villains are out there, the more we have fighting, the better!"

   "Mr. Aizawa told us to fight, didn't he!?"

   Vlad King turned to face them. "He meant that in self-defense, in order for everyone to make it back here."

 

   A clunk sounded from the front door.

   "Mr. Aizawa's back!" announced Kirishima. "Let's just ask him directly!"

   Vlad King looked over his shoulder. "...No."

   There was the dark silhouette of a hand.

   "That's not him!"

 

   The door flung off in a cloud of blue fire. 

   Vlad King managed to push Kirishima out of the way just in time. 

   Blue plumes reflected in your eyes, turning your irises to pure azure.

   "Everyone, get down!" shouted Iida.

   Kaminari's finger shook as he pointed it at the intruder. "It's the guy from before!"

 

   The smoke cleared to reveal raisin man. He lifted his arm, hand enveloped in blue flames.

   Vlad King instantly punched him into the wall. "Too slow!" Vlad King's blood snaked from his arm to the villain's torso, keeping him in place. "Barging in here with such a brainless attack... You're really making light of us, huh?"

   Kirishima noted in awe, "It hasn't even been three seconds! Blood Manipulation... It's so strong!"

   Monoma pumped a fist. "That's Mr. Kan for you!"

   Your arms rapidly heated up, your eyes trained on the villain.

    He replied to Vlad King, "Of course I'm making light of you... You've acted exactly how I expected you would. You've already fallen behind... You're losing this battle. U.A., the pinnacle of Hero education, and All Might, the Symbol of Peace--"

   You fired at the villain's face. No monologue for you, bitch.

   His head jerked to the side, escaping your laser by a hair. He smirked. "Impatient, are we?"

   "Let's get him!" roared Kirishima. Skin hardening, he dashed forward.

   Before Kirishima could get him, however, Aizawa jumped through the doorway and kicked the villain in the head. "Don't bother!" 

   Once the villain was down, Aizawa wrapped his scarf around the other man and curb stomped him. "This guy's just trying to agitate you. You won't get any information from him."

   Kaminari acknowledged him. "Mr. Aizawa!"

   Said man stomped the goo puddle one last time. "Look, it's a fake. He was here just earlier."

   You wanted to get a better look at the goo puddle, but remembering that Ojiro stopped you earlier, you stayed still.

   "Eraser, where have you been?" asked Vlad King.

   "Sorry. I was going to go and issue a combat authorization, but I had to protect Kota first."

   Kota was standing in the doorway, sweating terribly. He'd been carried here by Aizawa. 

   "Could you take care of him for me? I'm going to the front lines. I'm counting on you to protect this place, Vlad."

   Vlad King nodded.

   You slowly lowered the hand you'd lifted to fire at raisin man. 

   But Kirishima wasn't satisfied. "Wait, Mr. Aizawa! Who knows how many times they'll come and attack this place again!?"

   "You'll be okay with just Vlad. Look at this fake," said Aizawa, gesturing to the goo puddle. "Both times, they sent just one. They want to keep the Pros occupied here. It's a tactic they're employing to make up for their lack of numbers."

   "If there are so few villains around, then let us fight!"

   Iida backed up Kirishima. "We'll have the advantage in numbers!"

   Aizawa shot them down. "Absolutely not. More than keeping us preoccupied, their true aim is the students. Bakugou is just one of many they could be after. In terms of information, we're at a complete disadvantage. In any case..." He sprinted out the door. "For us, ensuring everyone's safety is our path to victory!"

   "You heard Eraser." Vlad King gently guided Kota away from the door and resumed standing guard. "Your fellow students out there have already been told to run for this facility if possible. Our purpose is to act as a safe house for the others. It is our duty."

   Your classmates murmured amongst themselves, still conflicted.

   You approached a nervous Kota. "Are you hurt?"

   The boy pursed his lips before shaking his head. He asked weakly, "Midoriya... Will he be okay?"

   Midoriya could definitely protect himself. You were certain of it.

   "Yes."

 

---

 

   Midoriya was not okay.

   Two days had passed since the attack. In that time, the media swarmed to U.A. like flies to dog shit. 

   Bakugou was gone.

   As for Midoriya, he'd been sent to the hospital, fading in and out of consciousness.

 

   Kaminari opened the door to Midoriya's hospital room. "Ah, Midoriya, you're awake now!"

   "Huh?" croaked Midoriya. He was in bed, arms casted and eyes glassy.

   Kaminari led the class inside, you directly behind him.

   You were carrying a little potted shrub. "Hello, Midoriya."

   You'd learned from your own hospital stay that being injured meant getting plants and fruit, so you wanted to gift Midoriya too. 

   "Have you been watching T.V.?" Kaminari asked Midoriya. "The media's been all over U.A. It's pretty bad."

   Sato recalled, "That time back in spring doesn't even compare..."

   Mineta lifted a melon above his head. "We got you a melon! Everyone pitched in!"

   Guilty, Tokoyami said,  "We've caused you trouble, huh, Midoriya...?"

   "No... I should be saying that. Is everyone here?" 

   "No," Iida answered. "Jiro and Hagakure still haven't regain consciousness from the villain's gas. And Yaoyorozu suffered a serious head injury so she has also been hospitalized. She supposedly regained consciousness just yesterday."

   Uraraka's face fell. "That makes just seventeen of us."

   Todoroki muttered, "Well, Bakugou's gone, after all."

   Ashido gasped. "Hey, Todoroki...!"

   Unable to read the room, you casually set the potted shrub onto Midoriya's bedside table. "This is a boxwood shrub."

   Midoriya squinted at it. "...Thanks." Gazing up at the ceiling, he lamented, "But I... I was in reach that time. I had to save him...! My Quirk... The whole purpose of my Quirk... It turned out exactly as Mr. Aizawa said it would." He bared his gums as tears ran down his face. "My body couldn't move...!"

   You tore open a portable tissue packet and wiped Midoriya’s cheek. He cried even harder.

 

   "Then this time around, let's save him."

   The class gawked at Kirishima.

   "Huh!?"

   You turned to Kirishima, eyes growing with interest.

   The redhead continued, "Actually, Todoroki and I... We were here yesterday too. We chanced upon a conversation between All Might, the police, and Yaoyorozu. She and Awase of 1-B had stuck a tracking device of some sort onto a Nomu who was present at the camp."

   Iida reiterated, "In other words, the tracking device... You mean Yaoyorozu could make us one?"

   Kirishima didn't reply.

   "It's exactly as All Might said!" 

   Alarmed, you faced Iida. He was shouting.

   "This is a matter that should be left to the professionals! This is not a situation for students like us to be meddling in, you idiot!"

   Kirishima's patience snapped. "Damn it, man, I know that already! But still! I couldn't do anything!"

   Iida glared at him. Kirishima glared back.

 

   This was the first time you witnessed a genuine spat between your classmates.

   As both Iida and Kirishima bore red eyes, they resembled Bakugou in their anger.

   You looked out the window. Beyond the glass was a sea of dull gray.

   No pale yellow or vibrant red in sight.

   You recalled the first time you met Bakugou while shopping for school supplies. Upon seeing his eyes, you'd chosen a highlighter in that exact shade of red.

   Bakugou, where are you?

      

   Screwing his eyes shut and opening them again, Kirishima shouted, "I couldn't do anything about it! I didn't do anything about it! If I don't do anything about it here, then I won't be able to call myself a Hero or a man!" 

   Kaminari whispered urgently, "Please, Kirishima, calm down! Your determination is good and all, but this time we're in a hospital!"

   Asui tapped her lip. "Iida is right."

   "Iida's right! Everybody's right! But even still!" The redhead whirled back to Midoriya. "Listen, Midoriya!" Kirishima gestured to Midoriya, whose arms were completely casted. "Your hands can still reach him!"

   The room fell silent. The only thing audible was Kirishima's panting.

 

   "Let's buy plants and fruit for Bakugou too."

   Kirishima and Iida took their eyes off each other to look at you, anger fading.

   Your other peers seemed to relax a little. Their eyes softened.

   "Yeah," Midoriya whispered. "Let's."

 

   "I'm sorry to break the peace, but...do you mean to go rescue Bakugou yourselves?" Iida asked skeptically.

   Todoroki shared a look with Kirishima and replied, "Even though the villains marked us as murder targets, they snatched Bakugou away without killing him... They may let him live, but I honestly can't be sure they won't kill him. Kirishima and I will go."

   Your eyes blinked red.

   Kill?

   Iida snapped, "Stop messing around! You all are getting carried away!"

   "Hold on. Calm down." Shoji put his casted arms in front of Iida. "Kirishima's frustration of not being able to do anything... Todoroki's frustration of Bakugou getting snatched before his eyes..." He jabbed a free thumb into his own chest. "I know how it feels, but this is not a decision one should make based on how they feel."

   Kirishima and Todoroki regarded him silently.

   "Let's leave it to All Might," suggested Aoyama, traumatized. "They rescinded our combat authorizations too..."

   Tokoyami said, "I agree with Aoyama. I know I'm not in any position to be saying anything, having been saved over and over..."

   Asui was calm as ever. "I know we're all still in shock from Bakugou's kidnapping. However, let's be level-headed about this. No matter how justified your feelings may be, engaging in battle is... If you break the rules like that, then your actions are no different from those of the villains."

   That was the last word. For your classmates, the silence was deafening. 

 

   You mentally sorted out everyone's opinions.

   Kirishima and Todoroki wish to save Bakugou even if they are breaking the law.

   Iida, Asui, Tokoyami, Shoji, and Aoyama wish not to.

   Melissa ordered me to obey the law.

   However, I...

 

   "I'm very sorry to interrupt your conversation, but it's time for Midoriya's checkup."

   Dozens of eyes snapped to the door. The doctor assigned to Midoriya was here.

   Sero chuckled nervously. "L-let's go. I want to see Jiro and Hagakure too..."

   You procured lavender and buckwheat from God knows where. "Okay."

 

---

 

   That night, you returned to the hospital with a bouquet of sunflowers for Yaoyorozu. The first time you gifted her flowers, you'd forgotten to give them water, killing them. So now you were here with new ones.

   You spotted Yaoyorozu, Iida, Kirishima, and Midoriya gathered in front of the hospital. You couldn't hear what they were saying from this distance.

   Yaoyorozu has been discharged? That is good. The others must be here to visit her.

 

   Iida punched Midoriya in the face.

   The sunflowers fell from your arms and scattered across the floor.

Chapter 46: Gremlin Retrieval

Notes:

fanart!!! by TheOfficialBean on quotev!

 

 

   Yaoyorozu covered her mouth in horror. Kirishima and Todoroki inhaled sharply.

   Iida's rage had boiled and spilled over. 

      

   "I'm frustrated too!" he spat. "I'm worried too! Who wouldn't be!? I'm the class president! I worry about all my classmates, not just Bakugou! Seeing your injuries, lying on that bed, just like my brother! If you guys go through with this rashness, if something happens to you that can't be recovered from, like my brother... Are you saying my concerns don't mean anything!?"

   He gripped Midoriya's shoulders. "Do my feelings...not mean anything?"

 

   "Why did you do that?"

 

   Five heads whipped towards your monotone voice. 

   "[L/n]...!" Iida released an unresponsive Midoriya. Guilt seeped into his features.

   You stepped over the mangled sunflowers. "Why?"

   Iida couldn't answer.

   Kirishima uneasily shifted from foot to foot. Todoroki averted his gaze. Yaoyorozu's eyes widened as she noticed the sunflowers meant for her.

   Coming to a stop, your gaze flicked between Iida's conflicted grimace and Midoriya's bruised cheek.

   You lifted one hand and Iida braced himself.

   Were you going to hit him?

 

   Your cold palm gently caressed Midoriya's cheek.

   "Are you alright, Midoriya?"

   Instead of flying away from you, Midoriya relished the contact for once. "Y-yeah..."

   He leaned into your palm and closed his eyes. 

 

   Iida flinched.

   Seeing that somehow hurt more than a punch would.

 

   Iida finally answered you with a clear of his throat. "I was--no, am angry because Midoriya and the others might come out permanently injured in their mission to rescue Bakugou. I just..." His voice grew smaller. "I don't want them to end up like my brother did."

   "I'm sorry about your brother, Iida. If his health has improved, that is good." You continued holding Midoriya's face. "However, even if you are angry, you should not hit your friends."  

   Iida hesitated. "...Thank you for your well wishes. And I agree with that statement, but I do not believe that it applies in a life-or-death situation such as this." He sighed and pushed up his glasses. "Have you come to join them too?"

   "No. I came to gift Yaoyorozu sunflowers."

   Releasing Midoriya's face, you walked back to where you'd dropped the sunflowers.

   They were ruined. Brown seeds and golden petals littered the concrete.

   You gathered the sunflowers in your arms. "I'm sorry, Yaoyorozu. I will gift you new sunflowers."

   "No, no!" Yaoyorozu rushed to take them from you. "They're lovely, [L/n]."   

   She forced a smile just for you. In her mind, it was her fault that you saw Iida punch Midoriya. The guilt weighed over Yaoyorozu like a storm cloud.

 

   Todoroki spoke. "Iida. We're not trying to confront and attack them head-on. Not at all."

   "You're--you're not?" 

   Kirishima joined Todoroki. "We're going to rescue Bakugou without combat. This is a covert operation! A way for us to fight...without breaking the rules!"

   Iida raised a brow. "Without breaking the rules...?"

   "I believe in Todoroki," Yaoyorozu began, "but I came here with the intention of accompanying you all as a failsafe! Should the unthinkable occur, I will prevent combat!"

   Iida gawked. "Yaoyorozu!?" 

   Kirishima grinned. "Yaoyorozu!"

   Midoriya straightened his posture. He'd been sort of limp after getting punched. "I don't really understand it myself, but...after being told my hands can reach him, I just can't sit still... I can't help thinking that I want to save him!"

   "A parallel, huh?" Iida asked rhetorically. He sighed in defeat. "In that case...take me with you!"

   Midoriya's face lit up. "Iida...!" 

   The other three brightened at this. 

   "Iida..."

   "Thanks, Iida!"

   "Thank goodness...!"

 

   And now it was a question of what your decision would be.

   "What do you say, [L/n]?" proposed Kirishima. "Your eyes went blue when we found out Bakugou went missing, and I'm no genius, but even I figured out that meant you were sad."

   Midoriya's brows drew together in concern. "[L/n]..."

   The boy realized he'd never seen your immediate reaction to Bakugou's disappearance.

   You cared about Bakugou more than Bakugou knew.

    

   You looked to Iida. "From my understanding, you will be engaging in a non-combative rescue mission. Is my understanding correct?"

   Iida nodded. "Yes. Yaoyorozu and I will be acting as insurance. However, we don't have a concrete plan yet."

   "I see." You paused to collect your thoughts. "In order to rescue Bakugou, the law must be broken. But..." You flexed your hands, born of metal and carbon fiber. "The Quirk laws do not apply to me."

   Kirishima's teeth showed themselves in a pleased grin. "Aye, [L/n]!"

   Iida face-palmed. "We are a terrible influence on him, aren't we...?"

   Todoroki nodded in approval. "This way, you won't get in trouble."

   Smiling, Yaoyorozu clutched the sunflowers to her chest. "I'll hide these in a bush somewhere so that I can collect them later."

   Midoriya smiled. "I feel like there are other ways to get in trouble, but...thank you, [L/n], and everyone else too." He bowed gratefully.

   You all either nodded or smiled in return.

 

   The tension dissipated the moment your group walked past the hospital gates.

   Iida bowed to Midoriya. "I apologize for getting violent with you."

   Midoriya rapidly waved his hands. "It's okay! I've forgotten about it already."

   Yaoyorozu sighed. "Really, Iida, your argument for coming along isn't all that persuasive."

   Pushing up his glasses, Iida clarified, "It's precisely because I can't accept your behavior that I'm coming along. If I get so much as a whiff of the possibility of combat, I will bring you back immediately! I'll be your guardian so to speak..." He pointed at a mildly concerned Midoriya. "That's right, like Watchman!"

   Kirishima snickered. "Don't you mean Watchmen?" 

   "Watchman Iida..." murmured Todoroki.

   You asked Todoroki, "Iida will be a man who watches?"

   "Yes. He will watch."

   "I will watch!" Iida reaffirmed.

   Yaoyorozu nodded. "Me too. This is a job for the Pros. From the outset, there has been absolutely no need for you all to get involved. However, because I understand how you guys feel... You can call this a compromise plan." She dug into her dress pocket and pulled out a tracking device. "Don't you forget it."

   Midoriya dipped his head. "Yes! Thank you, Yaoyorozu, truly. We can't do this without your device."

   "It's nothing to thank me for." Yaoyorozu read the device as the group walked towards a nearby train station. "Alright. The coordinates of the tracking device point to Kamino Ward of Yokohama in Kanagawa Prefecture." 

   

   Once you caught the train to Yokohama, Todoroki and Kirishima ordered some food. You ordered a tuna rice ball with pickled plum.

   Yaoyorozu glanced out the window. "We'll be departing from Nagano, so it will take us about two hours...which should get us there around 10."

   After nodding at her, Midoriya searched everyone else's faces. "Hey, um... Did anyone tell the others the specifics about our plan?"

   "Yeah," answered Todoroki. "After we did, they just tried to stop us from going."

   Kirishima bit into his rice ball. "Uraraka had some pretty harsh words for us."

   Midoriya was surprised. "Uraraka did?"

   "Yep." Kirishima chewed and swallowed. "She said she was pretty sure that 'Bakugou will just feel disgraced to be rescued by everyone.'"

   "Ah..."

   You offered your two cents. "Even if Bakugou feels that way, he must be saved. Would Uraraka refrain from saving a civilian in danger if they did not want to be saved?"

   Kirishima took another bite. "When you put it that way..."

   "In any case, listen," said Todoroki, picking up fried okra with his chopsticks, "no matter how you look at it, what we're doing is driven by our own egos. If you want to turn back, it's not too late."       

   Kirishima retorted, "If I wasn't sure about this, I wouldn't have suggested it in the first place! Bakugou's not the kind of guy who will just let the villains have their way." 

   Gazing into his lap, Midoriya gripped his knees. "I..." He looked up. His eyes were dark with conviction. "There's no way I can turn back now."

   Midoriya spoke for all of you.

   There was no turning back.

 

   Two hours passed.

   "We're here!" declared Kirishima, his hands on his hips. "Kamino Ward!"

   You spun in a slow circle to take in the sights. Neon signs lit up the night and the city was bustling with people. Even though it was rather late, Kamino Ward was full of life.

   Yaoyorozu looked around. "The villains are hiding somewhere in this city..."

   "Lots of people here..." muttered Todoroki.

   Blood pumping, Kirishima began to march off. "Alright, tell me where to go, Yaoyorozu!"

   She grabbed his shirt in alarm. "Please hold on a second! If we don't proceed with caution here on out...! Don't forget the villains know our faces!"

   Kirishima slumped. "Oh, right."

   "That's right!" said Midoriya, crossing his arms before his face. "It's a covert mission!"

   You copied his pose. "Covert."

    Iida frowned. "But in that case, we can't even go on and scout."

   "On that note..." Yaoyorozu gestured to a nearby Don Quixote. "I have a proposition for you!"

 

   After ten minutes in Don Quijote, you all emerged in your disguises.

   Midoriya was a thug, Kirishima was a half-cooked greaser with horns, Iida was...something with a mustache, Yaoyorozu was a club girl, and Todoroki was a shitty-haired bartender.

   You were a girl.

   Donning an adorable lolita dress with white gloves, stockings, flat black Mary Janes, and a stuffed bra, you successfully passed as a tall girl. To hide your eyes, you wore a light lace veil. Your hair was let loose. Pieces framed your face and softened your jaw. On the top of your head was a white ribbon.

   Yaoyorozu had assisted you in your trap ventures. Aside from choosing your clothes, she'd applied a complimenting lip tint and cleaned up your brows a bit.

 

   You were fucking up everyone's sexuality. Again.

   Iida did a double-take, cheeks on fire. "Is that really [L/n]!?"

   Midoriya tried not to let his heart drop out his ass. "W-w-wow! Y-you did a great job with him, Yaoyorozu!"

   She puffed out her chest. "Thank you. I worked hard."

   Kirishima's face matched his hair. "Pr...pretty..."

   "Woah..." was all Todoroki could say.

   Even Yaoyorozu herself was blushing a little. She coughed.

   You looked down at your fake chest. Wearing a bra was pretty uncomfortable, but it was worth it if it was for Bakugou.

   

   "Oh? Isn't that U.A.?"

   The group froze.

   Swinging around, Midoriya put on his best thug voice. "Aww right--!"

   On a large building screen, Nezu, Aizawa, and Vlad King were shown bowing at a press conference.

   "And now, a scene from the events that have just transpired. Here's a clip of the public apology issued by the officials at U.A. Academy."

   Your group turned around fully to watch. While your peers' mouths fell open in horror, you simply lifted your veil for a better look.

   Aizawa was clean-shaven. "On this occasion, our incompetence resulted in the injuries of of twenty-seven of our first year Hero students. Despite being an institution for the cultivation of Heroes, we were negligent in our defense against evil interests and have caused great anxiety. With the utmost sincerity, we apologize for our shortcomings."

 

   You let your veil brush against your nose bridge.

   Hearing and seeing your teachers like this was strange to say the least.

   Aizawa was negligent? Vlad King was negligent? The principal, the Pussycats, and all your teachers were negligent?

   All Might was negligent?

   Compounding every one of U.A.'s villain encounters together, that might seem to be the case, but...

   None of these reporters were there when Aizawa earned the scar under his right eye. None of them were there when All Might exhausted himself against the Nomu. None of them were there when Vlad King guarded the camp facility for the entirety of the attack.

 

   Dyed lips parted to say, "That's not true."   

   You were lucky no one outside your group heard you.

 

   A reporter asked your teachers and principal, "This time, students were injured. How exactly did you explain this to their families? Please tell us specifically what measures have been taken to address this matter."

   Sweat trickled down Midoriya's cheek. "They're being treated like criminals..."

   Nezu was the one to answer the reporter. "We have strengthened the security around the school, and we have re-examined the campus's crime prevention system. We are taking strong measures to guarantee the safety of our students."

  The crowd around you jeered.

   "Bullshit!"

   "They're not protecting them at all..."

   "What are these guys saying?"

   Your group uneasily backed into each other before filing out of the crowd and into a nearby alleyway.

 

   Ten minutes in, Yaoyorozu halted the group.

   She checked the tracking device. "This is the location the tracking device is pointing to."

   It was a suspicious rundown warehouse.

   "So this is their hideout," remarked Kirishima. "Sure looks like it, huh?"

   You tilted your head to one side. Then the other. "The villains are hiding in there, so why is it called a hideout and not a hidein?"

   Todoroki grabbed his chin. "That's a good point."

   Ignoring you and Todoroki, Yaoyorozu replied to Kirishima, "I don't know, but as far as we have confirmed, the villains haven't moved from this location all day." She tucked the device into her dress pocket. "Just because there are villains here doesn't necessarily mean Bakugou is here as well. Right now, we have to calmly take into account all the information we have as of now."

   Iida reminded the group, "We don't have anyone here who excels at sneaky activities like Jiro or Hagakure. Just so you know, if I judge that things are even the slightest bit dangerous, I will stop you! Because you're my friends, I won't hesitate to tell the police, got it?"

   Midoriya nodded. "Thank you, Iida. Let's think about all of our other options."

   The freckled boy started mumbling away. 

   Kirishima blinked. "It's been a while since we've seen him mumbling like that, huh?"

   A bead of sweat formed on Yaoyorozu's forehead. "In true Midoriya fashion..."

   

   The group approached the metal fencing around the warehouse.

   Kirishima scanned the windows. "Not a single light on... From the outside, it looks like nobody's home."

   Iida raised a brow. "Are they trying to blend in with the crowd? Disguising their base as a huge abandoned warehouse right in the middle of the city."

   Midoriya mumbled up a storm. 

   You bent down to catch a cricket that'd been yelling for five minutes now. "What kind of dog is this?"

   Todoroki took a look at it. "That's not a dog."

   "[L/n], put that down!" hissed Iida.

 

   A drunken voice sounded from behind you. "Heeeey!"

   The group whirled around.

   Two drunk men were leering at you and Yaoyorozu.

   "What're these young babes doing all the way back here? Come on over and knock back a few with us! One of ya's real tall, but that's okay!"

   His friend playfully smacked him. "You're coming on too strong, idiot!"

   Iida and Midoriya moved in front of you and Yaoyorozu.

   "P-please come in, we have big-breasted girls!" *I have no fucking clue why Iida said this.

   "F-f-fuck you!"

   Todoroki was already walking off. "Let's distance ourselves."

 

   The group was now assembled near a vending machine not too far from the warehouse.

   "It's not dense, but people do walk by occasionally," Yaoyorozu noted. 

   Kirishima looked around before returning his gaze to Yaoyorozu. "Looks like we can't do anything that'll catch anyone's attention, so what're our options?"

   Todoroki suggested, "Let's go around the back and see what's there. At the end of the day, all we know about this place right now is its location..."

   So the group squeezed into the narrow gap between the concrete wall bordering one side of the warehouse and the wall of the warehouse itself.

   You tried your best to not touch either wall. Your metal hands would make too much noise.

   Midoriya grunted in discomfort. "We can't make a move till we're absolutely sure we're safe... At least no one knows we're here." He looked up with a jolt. "Ah, up there, that window! We should be able to see inside!"

   Todoroki adjusted his wig. "Won't it be too dark to see anything?"

   You lifted your veil. "My eyes have a night vision mode."

   Yaoyorozu reached for her thigh. "Then let me create night vision goggles for the rest of us."

   "Nah!" interjected Kirishima. He pulled out a night vision scope. "I actually brought a scope."

   Midoriya perked up. "Nice! Why do you have it in the first place?"

   "I got it off Amazon. I figured I would need it as a Hero, but sadly I only brought one."

   "Isn't that model expensive? When I was designing my Hero costume, I searched online and the prices were way up."

   "Yeah, but it's fine."

   Todoroki brought the conversation back to business. "Midoriya, Kirishima, stand on me and Iida. Yaoyorozu, [L/n], act as lookout."

 

   With some discomfort, everyone shifted into their positions.

   Iida told Midoriya and Kirishima, "Don't reach out too far. We need to be able to pull you back in case of danger."

   "Iida, can you kneel further down?" asked Kirishima.

   Iida did so, allowing Kirishima to properly get on his shoulders. Iida then straightened his legs. "Hurry, Kirishima. What do you see?"

   Kirishima peered through the window with his night vision scope. "Wow, it's so messy inside...especially over--"

   His stomach dropped.

   Kirishima nearly toppled off Iida's shoulders. "Crap!"

   Swiftly turning around, you raised your arms in case Kirishima fell.

   Midoriya cried, "Kirishima!"

   Todoroki looked up at the redhead. "What is it? What do you see, Kirishima?"

   Kirishima managed to choke out, "Left, left!" He shoved the scope towards Midoriya. "Midoriya, look on the back left side!"

   Midoriya hurriedly took it.

   After a few seconds, he shakily whispered, "How can this be...!? Are all those things over there...Nomus!?"

   You tensed. "Are they active?"

   "Fortunately, no... They're sitting in storage tanks of some sort."

   

   All of a sudden, a shadow engulfed the entire warehouse.

   You looked up.

   Eyes widening, you said, "That...is a huge wo--"

   Mt. Lady's foot split the front wall of the warehouse in half. The resulting wind streaked through your hair and snatched Todoroki's wig.

   Midoriya had fallen off Todoroki’s shoulders. He massaged his hip. "Ow, ow, ow!"

   Iida held his head. "What just happened...?"

   Brushing your hair from your face, you replied, "A huge woman stepped on the warehouse."

   Iida blinked. "A huge woman? Is it...?"

 

   Kirishima was now back on Iida's shoulders. "They've got Mt. Lady, Gang Orca, and even the Number Four Hero, Best Jeanist!

   Yaoyorozu added, "Mr. Tora of the Pussycats is there too!"

   She and Kirishima were let down.

   "See?" Gesturing to the warehouse, Iida said, "The Pro Heroes were able to take the necessary actions faster than we could!" He smiled. "We should leave now. There's nothing for left for us to do."

   Midoriya gazed into the distance, visibly worried. "They mentioned All Might's team... That must be where Kacchan is."

   Yaoyorozu pointed to the end of the concrete wall. "If All Might's there, then we have nothing to worry about! Let's hurry and go--"

 

   It happened in an instant.

   A shockwave leveled the warehouse and pinned you in place.

 

   You saw blood. Your friends' bodies.

   Your own body, eyes pitch black and blood pooling beneath you.

   Purple eyes stayed in front.

   You couldn't even move to check if your friends were alive.

   Were they alive? Were you alive?

   You were so afraid.

 

   "Tomura's only just learned to think for himself," began an unfamiliar voice. "To carve his own path forward... If possible, I'd like to keep anyone from interfering."

 

   Your eyes darted left to right.

   Yaoyorozu was to your left. Kirishima, Iida, Todoroki, and Midoriya were on your right.

   They were all frozen with fear. Paralyzed, but alive.

   Which one is the true reality?

   

   "Grk! This stuff stinks! The fuck was that!?"

 

   Six pairs of eyes snapped towards the voice.

   Purple turned to gold.

   Bakugou.

 

   There was the scuffing of sole against concrete.

   The moment Midoriya tried to go after Bakugou, Iida caught him by the shirt. He also had an iron grip on Todoroki.

   

   That man said, "I knew you'd come..."

 

   Everyone's hearts stopped.

 

   Did he know?

   Did he know?

   DID HE KNOW?

 

   "You're gonna give it all back! All For One!"

 

   Your hearts jumpstarted back up.

 

   All Might is here!

 

   That gave you the courage to move.

   You put one hand on Kirishima and one hand on Yaoyorozu. 

   You squeezed their limp hands. Fire surged through your fingers.

   "Are you alive?" 

   Kirishima and Yaoyorozu shakily whispered back,

   "Y-yeah."

   "Yes...!"

   You closed your eyes.

   This is the reality I choose.

 

   A gust of wind trimmed the top of the concrete wall.

   All for One had evenly intercepted All Might's punch. 

   Midoriya managed to peek through a gap. "He even stopped All Might!?"

   All Might and All For One exchanged a few words before the former was sent flying. He barreled straight through ten, fifteen--how many now--? buildings. You'd lost count of the sounds and didn't dare peek over the wall.

   All For One mockingly inspected the hand he'd flung All Might with. "That's Air Cannon plus Spring-like Limbs, kinetically boosted by four and the strength enhanced by three. It's a fun little combination, but I want to add in a few more power-up type Quirks..."

   You spat your hair out your mouth. 

   That person has multiple Quirks?

   "All Might!" screamed Bakugou.

   "Don't fret. That won't be enough to kill him." All for One then turned to Shigaraki. "It's time to for you to flee, Tomura. Take the boy with you. Kurogiri will help with your escape."

 

   Shigaraki Tomura.

   You glanced at Midoriya's neck.

   The one who hurt Midoriya.

   These people hurt Midoriya. These people hurt Bakugou. They hurt the Pros and All Might.

   Your eyes now matched Bakugou's.

   They must repent.

 

    A.F.O. forcibly activated Kurogiri's Quirk. "Now go."

   "And you, Master?" rasped Shigaraki.

   The ground shook as All Might returned and leapt at A.F.O. "You won't get away!"

   "Always think ahead, Tomura." Ugly pickled plum man started levitating. "You still have much room to grow."

   Another boom rippled through the area when A.F.O. parried All Might's right hook.

   As All Might tussled with A.F.O., the League surrounded Bakugou.

   Bakugou was on the ropes. It was six versus one. 

   "I'm coming for you!" yelled All Might.

   A.F.O. pinned him to the floor with black roots. "Not so fast. That's why I'm here." With a flick of his wrist, he dragged All Might's head through the concrete.

 

   You all wanted to help. You all wanted to help so bad.

   But you weren't allowed to fight.

   There had to be a way to get Bakugou out of there.

   

   "Iida! Everyone!" 

   You all looked at Midoriya.

   Iida doubled down on his grip. "Don't even think about it, Midoriya!"

   "No, there's a way! It won't technically count as fighting! And it'll help us get away from here!" Sweat ran down freckled cheeks. "Plus, we'll be saving Kacchan at the same time!"

   Todoroki got impatient. "Spit it out already."

   "But it requires Kacchan's cooperation..." Midoriya gazed down at his left fist. "If we try this plan...I probably...shouldn't be the one to...." He made eye contact with a certain redhead. "It has to be you, Kirishima. You're the key to our success here."

   Kirishima's lips parted questioningly.

   

   Midoriya's plan was soon set in motion.

   You took off your gloves and shoes. You were the base of the formation.

   Kirishima wrapped his legs around your waist.

   Iida and Midoriya flanked you, their arms stabilizing you and Kirishima.

 

   With Kirishima's Hardening, the four of you busted through the concrete wall.

   Todoroki made a steep ice ramp as tall as he could get it.

   Your boosters switched on, Iida's Recipro tore his pants, and Midoriya used his Full Cowling.

   

   You were now at a height that the villains below couldn't reach.

   Bakugou's eyes widened.

   Kirishima reached out and roared, "Come on!"

   

   Before Shigaraki could touch him, Bakugou blasted off.

   He grabbed Kirishima's extended hand with a grin. "You stupid or something!?"

   Your eyes glowed gold. 

   

   The formation was soaring through the air now. Below, Todoroki and Yaoyorozu made a stealthy exit.

   "Bakugou!" yelled Iida. "On my mark, use your Explosion in sync with my--"

   "How about you move on my mark!?"

   Kirishima snapped, "This is no time to be arguing!"   

 

   Magne used Spinner to fling Mr. Compress into the air to no avail.

   "Titan Cliff!"

   The magician was intercepted by Mt. Lady's nose.

   Midoriya gasped. "Mt. Lady!"

   Blood poured from her nostrils. "Prioritize...the rescue!" She began to topple over. "Go on...you dumb kids!"

   

   The formation landed inside a crumbling building.

   "Safe!" cheered Kirishima.

   With relieved smiles, Iida and Midoriya moved away from you so that you could let Kirishima down.

   Bakugou huffed, immediately releasing Kirishima's hand.

 

   Bakugou bristled like a cat when he saw you. "Who's that bitch?"

   You lifted your veil. "It's--"

   The blond reared his head back. "The fuck happened to you?"

   Your eyes wouldn't stop glowing gold as you spread your arms. "May I hug you, Bakugou? I know hugging is an expression of joy after someone has been gone for a significant length of time."

   "Fuck no!"

   "Please."

   "Get away from me, freak!"

 

   Iida, Midoriya, and Kirishima shared a good laugh.

   Bakugou was back.

 

Chapter 47: Dreamer

   You, Iida, Kirishima, Bakugou, and Midoriya trickled out the crumbling building and into a nearby city square.

   You’d already put your Mary Janes and lace gloves back on. Bakugou was visibly disgusted by this.

   As Midoriya phoned Todoroki, Bakugou ‘thanked’ the rest of you. “Listen up! It’s not like I got saved or anything! You idiots just happened to be the most convenient option at the moment!”

   Kirishima grinned happily. He gave the blond a thumbs up. “Good choice!”

   Bakugou scoffed. Turning his head, he muttered, “I just didn’t want to get in All Might’s way.”

   You watched Bakugou’s expression closely. He was frowning as usual, but it was different this time. You weren’t sure how to explain it. 

   Bakugou felt your gaze on him. He snapped, “What, Tin Can!?”

   “...I am happy that you are with us.”

   Red eyes widened before turning white with irritation. “Keep that sappy shit to yourself! Moron!”

   You? Happy?

   Bakugou narrowed his eyes. He’d seen your happiness before, albeit only a second of it. That was when you came back after your head injury. Your classmates had crowded around you in worry.

   It was strange. This time, your eyes had been gold for almost twenty seconds.

   “He was sad, y’know,” said Kirishima, jutting his chin at you. “When you left.”

   Bakugou cocked a brow. “And how do you know that?”

   Kirishima smiled and tapped the space beneath his left eye. “His eyes turned blue. He might not show it, but he really cares about you, man. His eyes only change if he's super emotional.”

   Bakugou shoved his hands into his pockets. 

   ...The tin can was sad?

   He glanced over at you. You were silently watching news helicopters fill the sky, head tipped backward.

   Kirishima wouldn’t lie. Your eyes hid nothing.

   But why? Bakugou had never been anything but mean to you. To be fair, he was pretty mean to Kirishima as well, but the other boy never took it personally.

   Bakugou exhaled through his nose.

   Only good thing about that damned tin can is his thick skin.

 

   The peace period didn't last long.

 

   The helicopters you'd been watching were now recording live footage of All Might as he fought All For One.

   All Might's right fringe was loose. His left one was still rigid.

   That meant half of his face was in its true form. Fortunately, the cameras only got his good side.

   Gran Torino was there to both physically and mentally ground All Might after he got baited by All For One. 

   A reporter began to speak. "We're here at this nightmarish scene! Half of Kamino Ward was destroyed in the blink of an eye! All Might is currently exchanging blows with the purported villain behind all this destruction!"

 

   Time slowed.

   Half?

   How many people was that? How many people were in that part of Kamino Ward?

   You spun around and sprinted back the way you came.

   The hallucination of death you experienced earlier was the reality for the victims of Kamino Ward.

   As the other kids were in a daze, your sudden exit went unnoticed.

 

   You ran and ran.

   Past evacuating civilians, past Heroes, past screens broadcasting the battle.

   You had faith in All Might. You didn't need to watch.

 

   Your pupils took on an orange hue.

   Heatseeking mode. 

   This allowed you to efficiently sweep each building for people. So far, you hadn't encountered anyone yet. These buildings that already been vacated.

   The passing buildings became increasingly more damaged the deeper you dove into Kamino Ward.

  

   Various heat signatures popped up among the concrete wasteland. A few were standing and pointing or running towards stationary heat signatures. The active ones were Heroes.

    You skidded to a stop.

   The amount of stationary heat signatures was devastating.

   You were picking up at least forty civilians and only three Heroes within your range.

   Assess the situation.

   You weren't supposed to be here. Right now, you were a civilian, not a Hero student. You should be evacuating.

   Melissa had ordered you to obey the Heroes. 

   Obeying meant evacuating yourself and leaving all these people behind.

   You were only one person. You couldn't save them all.

   However, adding the three aforementioned Heroes in the area made four able-bodied people. One person to ten civilians.

   But to disobey Melissa... 

   How could you? Wouldn't she disappointed?

   She'd also be disappointed if you stood by and did nothing while innocents suffered.

 

   An anguished scream destroyed any reservations you had left.

 

   You took off running.

   You would not apologize to Melissa for disobeying her.

   You would not regret saving people.

   You weren't sorry.

 

   The scream had come from a collapsed shop. Half of it had been reduced to glass shards, chunks of stone, and tattered clothing. There were two heat signatures just outside what used to be the entrance. 

   Deactivating your thermal vision, you grabbed your phone and turned on the flashlight.

   "Mom!"

   Your eyes darted left. Glass crinkled under your shoes as you approached the small voice.

   The person wailed. "Mom...!"

   On the ground was a little girl who couldn't be older than seven. She cradled her mother's head in her lap. The mother's right leg was stuck under part of the shop roof.

   The girl looked up when she noticed the light from your phone. Her eyes widened. 

   You dropped to your knees. "Are you alright?"

   She sobbed. "M-my mom!" The girl's shoulders trembled with each breath. Tears streamed down her round cheeks. "Help my mom!"

   Drawing from your civilian rescue etiquette classes, you made your voice softer. "I will help your mother. However, I have to remove you from the area first."

   The girl wouldn't stop crying. "O-okay...."

   You tried to be gentle as you picked her up from under her arms and set her away from all the debris. You looked down at her. "Please stay here. I will remove your mother from the danger zone."

   The girl rapidly nodded. As you turned back to get her mom, you could hear her distressed sobs.

   Part of rescue etiquette is to comfort the civilian, but I cannot afford to do that right now. Perhaps retrieving her mother will be adequate comfort?

   You kneeled next to the unconscious woman. Blood ran from the crown of her head and left a red patch on the concrete. Her right leg was stuck under a jagged chunk of stone. 

   You shined your phone's flashlight on your surroundings. There was another stone chunk leaning on the first. If you didn't remove that, it would slam down on the woman's leg.

   After setting down your phone, you got up, stepped to your left, and squatted next to the chunks. You snaked your left arm into the gap. Your right hand gripped the leaning chunk's topmost edge. 

   With a tug and a push, you got it to stand on its side. You then punched it. It burst into pieces.

   "Eh?"

   You peeked over your shoulder. The little girl had been so shocked by your sudden display of strength that she stopped crying.

   "I-is your hand okay, Miss? Mister? I dunno what you are, sorry..."

   "Yes, my hand is okay." You held up your gloved hand for extra reassurance. Now there was the issue of explaining what the fuck you were. You'd disguised yourself as a girl, but revealed otherwise the moment you spoke.

   The little girl blinked expectantly.

   "I...am a boy who dresses like a girl."

   "Oh, okay." 

   That went much smoother than you thought it would. Quickly, you returned to your task.

   You hoisted the main chunk off of the mother's leg.

   Her leg was a mess of purple and red. Fortunately, no bones were poking out and her knee wasn't shattered. It seemed to be the front of her calf that took the most damage.

  

   "Is my mom okay?"

   "Yes," you replied. It wasn't a lie. 

   "Thank God..."

   You raised your head. You needed bandages. Hopefully you'd find scraps of clothing thick enough. You picked up your phone, rose from your squat, and began to wade through the ocean of glass and stone.

   Though you wondered why no one but the mother and child were at the shop, you wouldn't ask. It was lucky enough that they were the only ones here.

   

  Making your way back to the woman, you accounted for the scraps of clothing you'd collected. You'd also picked up a piece of wood.

  You methodically set up a splint before bandaging the rest of the calf. Then you wrapped the woman's head from her chin to the crown.

   "Are you done yet, sir?" 

   "Yes." You easily carried the woman in your arms. "It's time to go."

   The little girl scrambled to her feet. "Is my mom okay?"

   "Yes." 

   "Thank you, sir!" The little girl beamed, snot running down her upper lip. She blew her nose into her shirt. Then she hugged your leg. 

   Children are nasty. You learned this firsthand.

   "It is no problem. We must go to a populated area with first responders."

   "Okay."

 

   Light suddenly washed over the three of you. 

   You looked to where All Might was fighting that man.

   You remembered this light. It was the same one from I-Island.

 

   And then a star exploded. It turned everything white.

   You drank it all in.

   All Might's victory.

   You knew he'd win. You knew it in your soul. That was why you were able to tear yourself from the screen just minutes before.

   

   All Might won.

 

   The little girl next to you rubbed her eyes, murmuring, "What the heck was that?"

   "All Might won."

   "A-All Might!? Who was he fighting!?"

   "A man who looks like a pickled plum."

   "Lame..."

 

   The sun peeked over the horizon, turning the sky a light pinkish-purple.

   You blinked away the gold in your eyes. "I did not expect morning to come so quickly."

   "Ehhh? No way!" The little girl yanked on your skirt. "We gotta hurry and get my mom help! Hurry!"

   "Okay."

   

   Readjusting the woman in your arms, you made your way to where a first-aid station had been set-up. You'd passed it on your way here. You were careful not too walk too fast lest you left the woman's child behind.

   You didn't have to worry, however. The little girl was running along enthusiastically. You weren't sure where that energy was coming from. Children were strange creatures.

   You arrived ten minutes later.

   One of the first responders saw you. 

   "Over here!"

   You nodded. Dark eyes swept the area. It was full of first responders, victims, worried civilians, and a few Heroes. Along with the people were tents, ambulances, mats, and specialized equipment for quick medical care.

   The man who'd called out to you set up a mat and helped you lower the woman onto it. He crouched to assess her head. The woman's child nervously hugged your leg for comfort. She didn't seem to notice how hard it was.

   "I see you have some medical expertise," the man said as he checked the splint. "Can I ask what your relationship to this woman is?"

   "I happened to be in the area and was uninjured. I saw her in the rubble and took her and her child here."

   The man did a double-take. Why did a dude's voice just come out of a... 

   He mentally shook his head. He shouldn't be judging a helpful civilian. "I see. That was very brave of you." Then he lifted his head to address the little girl with a smile. "Your mom's going to be okay. Are you hurting anywhere? Even if it just feels like an ant bite."

   The little girl timidly shook her head. "No..."

   "I'm glad. We're going to help your mom, okay? Hang tight."

   You were taking mental notes. This man was employing the civilian comfort tactics you'd learned in rescue etiquette.

   He looked up at you. "Are you willing to stay with her while we treat her mother, Miss? Er, Mister...? I'm sorry."

   "I'm a boy."

   "Ah, so Mister. I see." The man smiled and pointed to where other uninjured civilians were sitting in a bundle of anxiety. "You can sit over there. But if you need to leave, please tell me first so that I can watch over her."

   "Okay."

   

   After a brief walk, you and the little girl sat down.

   You gazed into the ruins. 

   You desired--no, wanted to go back and save more people. There were still so many people out there. Helicopters were flying in more Heroes, but even still. You wanted to help.

   However, you couldn't abandon your responsibility.

   You glanced at the child next to you. She was watching her unconscious mother.

   Now that you were in decent lighting, you could properly make out the child's features. Tan skin with peach-colored cheeks and straight charcoal silk hair tied into pigtails. Her eyes were a striking orange. She wore a dirtied pink empire dress and was missing a sandal.

   Her mother had the same hair and skin. She was in a white romper and sandals. You figured her eyes were also blaze orange.

   The little girl abruptly turned to you. "I'm bored. Let's play Janken."

*I'm using some romaji (romanized Japanese) in this chapter because some words have no direct English equivalents. Janken (じゃんけん) is basically Rock, Paper, Scissors, but Janken itself doesn't mean all of those. グー (guu), パー (paa), チョキ (choki) are rock, paper, and scissors respectively. Jankenpon (じゃんけんぽん) is a phrase said before showing one of the choices. I got this from an online source, so NATIVE speakers, feel free to correct me in the comments if I got anything wrong. 

   You cocked your head to the side. "What is that?"

   She squinted. "You dunno what Janken is? You're weird."

   When you continued to wait expectantly, she scoffed and explained, "Rock beats scissors, paper beats rock, and scissors beats paper." She made the hand signs for each. 

   You copied her attentively.

   She held out a tiny fist. "Before we show which one we chose, we have to put our hands out like this 'n say, 'Fists first!' This is so no one can cheat. I won't play with you again if you cheat!"

   You made a fist. "Okay, I will not cheat."   

   "Then we say, 'Jan--ken--pon!' We show what we chose on pon." She shook her fist up and down before revealing scissors. "If we show the same thing, it's a tie 'n we gotta do it again till one of us wins. We say draw when we show."

   You nodded. "I see."

 

   The little girl grinned and puffed out her chest. It felt good to teach someone older. "Okay, ready?"

   "Yes."

   "Fists first!"

   The two of you put out your fists.

   Your voices, hers fiery and yours monotone, synced up to say,

   "Jan--ken--pon!"

   She showed scissors. You showed paper.

   "Haha!" She playfully snipped your fingers. "I win!"

   You applauded her politely. "Good job."

   "Hehe." She stood up, hands on her hips. A child's power trip. "Let's play again!"

   "Yes--"

   That was when your phone rang. You pulled it out and checked the contact.

   The little girl pouted when you picked it up.

 

   "Hello, Mido--"

   "Where are you!? I was just so caught up in watching All Might, a-and I lost sight of you! Are you with Todoroki?"

   You flinched, holding the phone away from your ear. "No. I'm at a civilian medical camp."

   "Wh--did you get hurt?"

   "No. I carried an injured woman here."

   "Oh... Wait, you went into the blast zone?"

   "Yes. I went when I heard that half of the ward had been decimated."

   "Ah...I really...I really should have went too. I just let myself be swept up by the battle when I really should have been saving others too..."

   You weren't sure how to respond to that.

   Midoriya awkwardly cleared his throat. "Okay, just stay there. I'll tell everyone I found you and we can go meet them at the station."

   "Okay."

   Midoriya ended the call and you put your phone away.

 

   "Are you leaving?"

   You met eyes with the little girl. She had long stopped smiling. Her lips began to turn downward.

   You blinked.

   She is sad.

   "Yes," you told her. "Let's go tell the first respo--"

   "It's Yume! My name is Yume!" she yelled. She attached herself to your leg. "I won't let you go till I know your name!"

   She'd given you her first name.

   You looked down at Yume. Then you stiffly gave her your own first name.

   But Yume wasn't satisfied. "Okay, now take me over there! I won't let go!"

 

   Your left leg dragging behind you, you hobbled toward the first responder tending to Yume's mother.

   The man was in the middle of discussing something with another first responder. He perked up when he noticed you. He said something to the other man before walking over to you.

   You greeted him. "Hello. I am going to leave."

   "Alright. I'll take her from here." The man moved to show Yume her mother, wrapped in white. "Your mom's okay, see? I'll be staying with you until we can get you and your mom to a hospital."

   Yume blatantly ignored him. "I'm not letting go until I see your whole face, [Name]!"

   You and the first responder blinked. Then he laughed. "Take your time. It's never easy for a child to say goodbye, huh?"

   You tilted your head. "...It seems so."

 

   Yume huffed. "Your face! Show me!"

   As you lowered yourself into a crouch, Yume released you and backed up. You held a finger to your lips. "If you recognize me here or later on, you must keep it a secret."

   She mimicked you. "Okay."

   Slowly, your right hand raised to pinch your veil. And then you lifted it.

   Yume jumped in astonishment. "Wahhh! You're super pretty! Like a giant dolly!"

   You were thankful she didn't recognize you from the sports festival. "Thank you."

   The veil fell back over your eyes.

   

   You got to your feet. "I will be leaving now. My friend is coming to pick me up. I hope your mother recovers quickly, Yume."

   Yume stood there silently. Her hands dug into the skirt of her dress.

   She looked up at you, tears in her eyes and brows furrowed. 

   Yume knew 'goodbye' meant that she would not see you again. 

   She didn't want to say it. She wouldn't dare.

   You bowed. "Good--"

   "No! See you! It's not goodbye!" Yume stomped her foot. "It's not goodbye!"

   How strange. Yume had been so timid. But now she was boldly ordering you around.

   You didn't mind. From experience, this meant she was comfortable with you.

   As gently as you could manage, you pat her head. "See you. Please be well next time we meet."

   Yume sniffled. She wiped her nose and choked out, "See you!"

 

   Fiery orange eyes watched you leave.

   You had given Yume a dream. Her namesake.

   You were her hero, so she would become one for someone else.

   

    

   Midoriya met you in the middle.

   His face was red with exhaustion. "[L/n]!"

   You let him catch his breath. "Hello, Midoriya."

   One hand on his knee, he handed you a black bag with the other. "Yaoyorozu told me to give you this. I think it's a change of clothes."

   "I see." You took it from him. 

   Midoriya looked past you--at the injured civilians, the ambulances, the ruins of Kamino Ward.

   Guilt squeezed at his heart.

   While he was uselessly watching All Might, these people were suffering.

   "Let's go home."

   Midoriya snapped out of it with a jolt. He straightened up. "Yeah... Let's go home."

 

   On the way to the station, you stopped at a public restroom to change. You now wore a black tracksuit, white LIFA Destroyers, a black cap, and sunglasses. You tied your hair into a low bun with the ribbon from your lolita costume. The costume itself went into the black bag.

   When you reached the station, everyone chided you.

   "[L/n]!" yelled Iida. He chopped his hands at you furiously. "Don't go running off like that! What if you got caught!?"

   Yaoyorozu clutched her chest in relief. "Thank goodness you're alright! Please don't do that again."

   With a big grin, Kirishima gave you a thumbs up. "Looking cool! I'm glad you're back."

   Todoroki nodded at you. "Now that you're here, let's go."

   You looked around. The person you came to save was missing. 

   "Where is Bakugou?"

   "Kacchan's getting questioned by the police."

   You blinked. "Did he commit a crime?"

   Midoriya gasped. "Kacchan would never! They're just asking him about the kidnapping and whatnot."

   "I think Bakugou would commit a crime." Todoroki nodded to himself. "Probably..."

   Kirishima laughed. "Nah. He wouldn't, but only 'cause it'd get him in trouble."

   Iida tutted, shaking his head. He was still wearing his fake mustache. "That rascal... Well, let's get a move on, everyone."

 

   You were now at Musutafu Station.

   You all bid each other farewell.

   Iida waved stiffly. "Bye, then."

   Kirishima waved with splayed fingers. "Thanks a lot, you guys!"

   Yaoyorozu crossed her arms. "Be sure to go straight home!"

   Midoriya nodded. "Thanks for everything!"

   Todoroki turned away. "See you guys at school."

   You bowed your head. "Thank you. See you." 

 

   The walk home with Midoriya was silent.

   You were both beat. It was already five in the morning. It was hard to believe it'd been seven hours since that time in front of the hospital.

   You finally reached your building. The two of you hobbled up the stairs. Now you were standing in front of your individual doors.

   "All Might can't...he can't fight now. Not anymore."

   Your neck cracked at the speed your head whipped to him. "He cannot fight anymore? What do you mean?"

   Midoriya clenched his teeth. He took in a shaky breath. "His Quirk. It's run out... That fight exhausted whatever was left."

   Your eyes widened.

   And then you recalled All Might's ailing vitals. His health had been declining every time you scanned him. 

   You knew he would win, and he did.

   But at what cost?

   "...I see."

   "...I'm sorry." Midoriya lifted his head. "I just thought you should know, since you're close to All Might too..."

   You pocketed your sunglasses, revealing somber blue eyes. "Thank you for telling me, Midoriya."

   Midoriya teared up. "Y-yeah."

 

   You took out your key. "...Goodnight, Midoriya."

   "...Goodnight, [L/n]."

   

  As you entered your apartment, Midoriya remained outside his, holding back his tears.

Chapter 48: Penny Rain

Notes:

what Yume looks like!

 

 

  "[Name]! Did you see the news? Uncle has...!"

   You closed your eyes. "Yes. Mr. Might has retired."

 

   After getting home at five in the morning, you slept for twenty four hours.

   Upon awakening, you'd checked your phone to see fifteen missed calls and a plethora of texts from Melissa.

   Now you were calling.

   

   "I had no idea he was weakening all this time. Did you know...?"

   You hesitated. "I...was aware of his declining health. But I am not sure as to why he cannot use his Quirk anymore."

   "Why didn't you tell me?"

   "Mr. Might did not want you to know."

   "But why...? Did Papa know too?"

   "It is likely that he did."

   For a while, Melissa didn't say anything.

   "...Uncle was sick all this time, keeping it to himself all this time. Uncle is...an amazing person."

   Your heart grew heavy. "...Yes." 

 

   All Might had soldiered on despite his health. He'd defended the class from the Nomu and defeated All For One.

   You knew all this time, but all you did was remind him about his health.

   Was there anything you could have done? Anything?

   You felt regret for the first time.

   

   Melissa audibly took a deep breath. "Is your friend Bakugou okay? I didn't know he'd been kidnapped till now."

   "Yes, he is okay. He did not need medical treatment."

   "Thank goodness. How are your other classmates doing? I know they care about Uncle too..."

   You didn't know that. You hadn't contacted them. They hadn't contacted you either, unaware of both your relationship to All Might and that you'd participated in the rescue. The only person whose reaction you knew about was your green friend.

   "I am not sure about my other classmates, but Midoriya was sad."

   "Gosh... I hope Midoriya and your classmates all feel better quickly. That's what Uncle would want. You, too, okay? It's okay to cry and be sad, but it weighs down on you if you don't grieve properly."

   You put one hand on your chest. 

   Was your heart the weight that Melissa was talking about?

   "Okay."

   "And Papa... Papa's gotten better, but finding out about Uncle made him feel faint. He's worried about you too. Please stay safe, now more than ever..." Melissa hesitated. "Uncle...can't protect you anymore."

   "Okay. Please tell David not to worry. I will upgrade my training regimen with advice from my classmates. I will work to protect myself."

   Melissa didn't respond for a moment.

   She chuckled softly. It was so small you almost didn't catch it.

   "Yes, yes. I bet it'll be a piece of cake for you. You're super brave and strong."

   "I am?"

   "Yes! And you're surrounded by good people: your classmates. Treat them well, okay?"

   "Okay."

   "It's alright with you if we keep calling while you do your morning routine, right? I...don't want to say goodbye so soon."

   "Yes. However, I will brush my teeth, so I cannot talk."

   "That's fine, silly. I'm happy just knowing what you're doing. It's like I'm there with you, y'know?"

   "I see."

 

   It was evening on I-Island. 

   Melissa was lying flat on her bed. The fuzzy sound of running water emanated from her phone.

   Tears pricked her eyes.

   All Might's retirement was saddening in itself. Now you and the entire country of Japan were going to face projected high crime rates.

 

   Would you be okay? 

   Would Melissa lose you again?

   Melissa's lips trembled.

   If you fell into another coma, would you come back this time?

   Would you forget her all over again?

   

   Melissa sat up. She stepped off her bed and left her room.

   A few strides down the hall took her to yours.

   She stood in the doorway. Blonde hair and blue eyes were the only colors in your black and white room.

   Melissa crouched, hugged her knees, and dropped her head.

   Tiny sobs filled the quiet house.

   

 

   You and Melissa stopped calling once she had to go to bed.

   It was twelve p.m. at the moment. You were making yourself lunch.

   After whisking some eggs, you threw in sugar, salt, pepper, green onions, and soy sauce. The mixture went into the fried egg pan. You were intrigued the first time you saw the pan. It was square, not round like a regular pan.

   You waited for the mixture to cook before using your chopsticks to roll it up. You transferred the roll to a chopping board and grabbed a knife.

   Contrary to popular belief, you could actually use a knife. You just had to be extra careful. Your fingers, metal and not flesh, couldn't mold to the knife handle.

   You cut the roll into perfectly equal slices. You plated the omelettes and set them aside. They were overcooked and a little too thick, but you didn't care. Bakugou wasn't here to grill you.

   

   Next was preparing the inarizushi. You'd already cooked the tofu skins with miso paste. They were cooling on a small plate.

   You popped open your rice cooker, spooning the rice into a large bowl. In another bowl, you added salt and sugar to rice vinegar. You mixed the vinegar into the rice with a paddle. Then you sprinkled in black sesame and mixed that in as well.

   You stared intensely at the vinegar rice. It was time to roll it into balls.

   They came out ugly and oddly lumpy. You stuffed them into the tofu skins and sprinkled on some more black sesame. You cut some pickled radish, putting the slices in a small bowl. 

   

   Lastly, you defrosted a mackerel. You'd bought it from the grocery store just earlier.

   After the mackerel thawed, you took it out the packaging. Trying your best not to make a mess, you gutted the mackerel. Your clumsiness made it worse.

   You made sure not to miss a single entrail as you cleaned up.

   You seasoned the mackerel with salt before putting it on the tiny grill above your oven.

   You glanced at the kitchen trash bins. It would be good use of your time to dispose of your trash while you waited for the fish to cook.

   

   When you came back from the apartment dumpsters, you found two unexpected people at your door.

   All Might and Aizawa.

   Your mind blanked at the sight of All Might. He was so emaciated. His right arm was in a sling.

   His appearance alone was a cruel reminder of his retirement.

   "Mr. Might?" you said quietly. "And Mr. Aizawa. May I ask what you are doing here?"

   All Might smiled. It was terribly bittersweet. "Hello, my bionic boy. You didn't get the notice in the mail?"

   You blinked. "I did not check my mail."

   Aizawa exhaled through his nose. "Go get it. We'll wait here."

   You shook your head and went to get the door. "Please come in and sit. I will return with the notice."

 

   The two walked in after you. You washed your hands in the kitchen and disappeared down the hall in search of your mail key.

   All Might smiled genuinely. You seemed to know guest etiquette now. 

   All Might and Aizawa situated themselves onto your couch. 

   They took a gander. Your house was incredibly barren, too barren to be considered minimalist. It was also oddly cold for July.

   Aizawa sniffed the air. "Is that mackerel?"

   All Might blinked. "Eh?"

   Aizawa got up from the couch, making swift strides into the kitchen. He grabbed the chopsticks you'd used to roll the eggs and opened the grill.

   He flipped the mackerel. "Boy can cook, apparently."

   The mackerel was a little overcooked, but at least he saved it from burning.

   "H-he can?" Blinking dubiously, All Might rose from the couch.

   Aizawa gruffly replied, "Look for yourself."

   

   Doing as told, All Might ambled into the kitchen.

   Omelettes and inarizushi on the counter. Mackerel in the grill. 

   All Might scratched his head, stunned.

   He honestly wasn't sure what he expected. You lived alone, after all. Knowing how to cook was a must.

   The man took a closer look at your dishes.

   The omelettes were bit too thick. The inarizushi was lumpy as hell. The mackerel was overcooked on one side.

   All Might grinned.

   There's my bionic boy.

 

   "I have located my mail key."

   The two men turned to your voice. You were holding up the aforementioned mail key.

   "Please excuse me."

   All Might waved you off with his uninjured hand. You took this as the signal to leave. With a bow of your head, you turned on your foot and walked out the door.

   Aizawa snorted. "Didn't think he had it in him."

   "What, to cook?" All Might tried not to laugh. "He's a smart boy. He learns well."

   At the other man's words, Aizawa's amused expression faded. "...According to his medical history, he forgot everything. Yet he's the top scorer in math, science, and history. His only weakness is literature. He's almost tied with Bakugou for third in the class."

   All Might searched Aizawa's eyes. "I'm glad to hear he's doing exceptionally, but where exactly are you going with this...?"

    Black eyes bore into blue. "As the one who recommended him, I'm asking you to explain his learning ability. Is he truly Quirkless?"

   All Might's bangs swung as he reeled his head back. He blinked a few times. Then he looked down, shoulders falling. "Yes, he is. It'd always been something he could never accept."

   Now it was Aizawa's turn to search All Might's eyes. After a few seconds, Aizawa looked away. "I see."

   Aizawa turned to check on the mackerel. "...Sorry if I pried too much."

   "Oh, no, it's alright. Would you like to see a baby picture of him?" All Might fished out his wallet. "I have one in my wallet."

   "You have a baby picture of him?"

   

  "You have a baby picture of me?"

   The men froze like deer in the headlights.

   Aizawa wasn't sure why he froze. He wasn't even the one with the baby picture.

   You slipped off your sandals, mail key and notice envelope in your left hand. You cocked your head. "Why do you have a baby picture of me?"

   All Might grinned. "Because you were sooo cu--!"

   Aizawa hit All Might's head with the butt end of his chopsticks. "Don't get carried away. We still have that to talk about."

   All Might sighed in defeat. "Right..."

   Aizawa shooed you and All Might to the couch as he took the mackerel off the grill for you.

   You called, "Thank you, Mr. Aizawa."

   He grunted in response.

 

   "Seems we caught you in the middle of lunch," said All Might. "Would you like to eat first?"

   "No--"

    Your stomach's screams cut you off.

   Aizawa scoffed from the kitchen and All Might chuckled.

   They were now on the couch. You were at your dining table.

   All Might told you to eat slowly, but you ended up vacuuming it all. Aizawa was mildly disturbed. All Might didn't look surprised in the slightest.

   You'd eaten the eggs, inarizushi, pickled vegetables, and grilled mackerel in three minutes flat.

   Aizawa whispered, "Is this...normal for him?"

   "Yep. He was like this before too."

   "...Huh."

 

   You downed two glasses of water before joining All Might and Aizawa on the couch.

   The seating order from left to right was Aizawa, All Might, and then you. All three of you were facing the same direction. This was a little awkward.

   All Might cleared his throat. "Why don't you open up the notice, my bionic boy? Give it a read."

   "Yes." You nodded, pulling a little mail-opener out your pocket. You neatly sliced open the envelope and pulled out the notice.

   You read it, expression unchanging. That made All Might a little nervous. He still wasn't quite used to your aloofness.

   You put the notice back into the envelope.

   "Your legal guardian, David Shield, has been notified as well." Aizawa leaned forward to address you. "We're going to have a virtual conference with him in a few minutes." He held up a disc-shaped projector. "Think on it until then."

   You leaned forward and nodded.

   

   U.A. plans to move the students and teachers into on-campus dorms?

   You leaned back into the couch, mute with thought.

   Would a dome surrounding the campus be built? On-campus dorms alone cannot protect the people inside. Non-Heroics students and non-Hero teachers will also be dorming. If the campus is attacked, the number of potential victims multiplies.

   You thought of Shinsou. He was one of the few non-Heroics students you knew.

   Shinsou and many others are at increased risk with this arrangement, unless there will be safety measures implemented that I am unaware of.

   Damage control can be done if students continue to live separately. That way, villains have no reason to launch a mass attack like at the U.S.J. 

   The advantage of fighting alongside classmates only applies to Heroics students.

 

   All Might tapped your left cheek. "We're starting the conference now."

   You blinked. "Okay."

   Aizawa calibrated the projector before setting it onto the coffee table.

   A blue screen appeared. It focused and became clear, revealing David. He was sitting at his desk in his office.

   David smiled faintly. "Hello, [Name], Toshi. And [Name]'s teacher too. Mr. Aizawa, was it?"

   Aizawa nodded. "Yes, hello."

   All Might hesitantly waved and you said hello. David appeared to have recovered from getting shot. That was a relief.

   David had already called All Might about the news of his retirement. There was heavy air between them that you and Aizawa didn't pick up.

 

   "Have you made a decision yet?" Aizawa asked David. "Of course, I'm not expecting you to have made one already..."

   "No, I haven't." David's gaze left Aizawa to land on you. "I have some concerns, but I don't want to talk about them until [Name] has hashed it out for himself. I wouldn't want to influence his opinion..."

   All Might's eyes smiled. 

   Aizawa nodded. He turned to you. "What are your thoughts, [L/n]?"

   You paused to collect your thoughts. "...As far as I am aware, it is a flawed system."

   All Might blinked, Aizawa leaned forward in interest, and David smiled proudly.

   You continued, "By gathering U.A.'s teachers and students into one place, the school makes it much easier for villains to launch a mass-scale attack. There is no longer the anonymity that comes with living separately. This dorm arrangement renders the students and teachers of other departments potential victims as well. Unlike Heroics students, whether or not the other departments' students fight in numbers does not make much difference. They are not trained for combat. And the damage of a single attack would be far greater than if students were individually targeted at home. By living separately, less people will be hurt."

   Aizawa looked away in thought. Though he was in support of the dorms, your concerns were completely valid and made sense. It'd be helpful to relay them to the principal.

   All Might scratched his chin, brows furrowed. He actually hadn't thought about half of that.

   "I agree," said David, face grim. "If you were still in action, Toshi, it'd be different, but there's no one else who can protect--what? Half a thousand students? It's not ethical, Toshi."

   All Might's shoulders sank. "Dave..."

   "I'm sorry."

 

   Aizawa brought out a sheet of paper, a black pen in his right hand. "I'll relay your concerns to the principal. They're valid. Don't be sorry."

   "Oh, okay. Thank you, Mr. Aizawa. I'm happy you're the one teaching [Name]."

   Aizawa's hand stopped writing for a second. "...It's nothing. Do you have anything else to say, [L/n]?"

   Your feet shuffled idly. "Adversely, there is safety in numbers. The other departments can be evacuated as the Heroics department fends off intruders. Dorms eliminate the possibility of villains individually targeting non-Heroics students as retaliation. If an energy shield or dome of some sort is placed around the school, the dorms will be debatably safer than anywhere else. A collaboration with I-Island would make this possible."

   David nodded. "A collaboration... Whether or not I agree with the dorms, I'd be happy to set U.A. up with our island's defense specialists."

   Aizawa blinked. "Thank you. I'll relay that to the principal as well."

   Ruffling your hair, All Might thanked you. "Thank you for these pointers, my boy."

 

   "But there is an issue..."

   Everyone's attention jumped to Aizawa.

   He cleared his throat. "Everyone in 1-A so far has agreed to dorm. It's projected that the Heroics classes of other grades will fully agree to dorm as well. You are predicted to be an odd one out, [L/n]. As a 1-A student, you will be a definite target. No one else will be here to aid you if you're attacked."

   You blinked and pointed next door. "Midoriya lives next to me."

   Aizawa blinked back. Then he checked the list of addresses. "...It seems so. Well, what if his family agrees? Then you'll be alone."

   That was true.

   You recalled Midoriya taking care of you after you'd been assaulted. By who or how, you couldn't even remember.

   If Midoriya decided to dorm, you'd have no real trustworthy person to fall back on.

   And if you dormed, you could help protect the non-Heroics students and teachers.

   But your concerns from earlier still stood. 

   

   "If Midoriya and his mother agree, I will dorm."

   All Might grinned.

   Aizawa nodded before looking to David for his answer. "And you, Mr. Shield?"

   David nodded as well. "That sounds like a good condition." Smiling sincerely, he added, "I'm glad [Name] is surrounded by good people." 

   Ruffling your hair again, All Might happily told you, "You and Young Midoriya are like peas in a pod! My boys!"

 

   After saying farewell, Aizawa ended the conference. He left your apartment first. A few steps to the right took him to Midoriya's.

   All Might smiled down at you. "You're taking good advantage of your education, my bionic boy. Keep it up."

   "Okay."

   "And..." His smile morphed into a grin. "Thank you for your help that day. It was you in the dress, right?"

   Your eyes grew wide for just a millisecond.

   How does he...?

   "...Yes."

   Laughing, All Might messed with your hair for the third time.

   Then he waved and shuffled after Aizawa.

   You slowly waved back and closed the door.

 

   Going to the kitchen to wash the dishes, you wondered what Midoriya would choose.

 

---

   

   Three weeks passed.

   In that time, every U.A. student was approved to dorm and the dorms themselves were built.

   Midoriya had chosen to go.

   On the first day of August, you prepared to fully move into the dorms. Your room's few belongings were already there.

 

   And on the same day, the first day of August, you experienced rain for the first time.

   You stared at the ground with childish wonder. Each droplet left a rippling ring in its wake.

   You were perched on the hall in front of your apartment, hands on the railing as you leaned forward. A droplet landed on your nose and you reeled back.

   Blinking rapidly, your eyes crossed to look at your nose. You reinforced your grip on the railing before tipping yourself forward.

   Rain sweetly kissed your forehead, your nose, and your lips. 

   You released one hand to cup it in front of you. Rainwater gathered in your palm and you retracted your hand to look at it.

   Why is water falling from the sky?

   Carefully, you went back into your apartment, holding your cupped hand still. You tipped the rainwater into a small cup.

   Is it different from regular water?

   You gazed down at your wet arms. You were wearing a t-shirt, so there were no long sleeves to get wet.

   You brought the rainwater cup outside.

   Extending your arm past the railing, you collected more rainwater. You then peered at it closely.

   There is nothing visibly different about it. 

   You'd take a look at it in the school lab later today. You returned inside to place the rainwater cup on your nightstand.

 

   The morning sky was fluffy with soft white clouds.

   You were now standing in the street just in front of the apartment building.

   Rain pelted your head, your shoulders, and your face. It soaked into your clothes and gathered in the dips of your sandals.

   You tipped your head back. Damp lashes fell shut.

   Rain dotted your face like tiny diamonds.

   A pleasant chill hugged your body. Petrichor flooded your nose.

 

   Before coming back outside, you'd searched up what all this was.

   Rain, you thought, your eyes sealed shut, Rain is...pleasant.

   There it was. The first thing you knew you liked aside from pancakes.

   Rain.

 

   "What the heck are you doing!?"

   Your eyes fluttered open as you turned around.

   A panicked Midoriya was rushing down the stairs, opening up a cherry red umbrella on the way. 

   When Midoriya reached you, the umbrella bloomed. It shielded the both of you from the rain.

   Midoriya was worried and slightly soaked. "You're going to get sick! Why'd you come out in the rain without an umbrella!?"

   You lifted a finger to point at the thing above you. "That is an 'umbrella?'"

   "Yes! It covers you from the rain." One hand on the umbrella and the other on your wrist, Midoriya dragged you back up the stairs. "You're all wet...! You need to change before you get sick."

   You didn't protest. Instead, you stared at the rings on the ground, letting Midoriya guide you.

 

   "Dry yourself off. Now."

   You turned your cheek and Midoriya sighed.

   The shorter boy had forced you into your bathroom, where your towel and hairdryer were.

   "You'll get sick! I don't want you to get sick!"

   You turned even farther. "I will not get sick."

   "You will!"

   "I'm strong."

   "Well, even All Might gets sick!"

   "Mr. Might can get sick?"

   "...Y-yeah!" Midoriya snatched your towel off the rack and threw it on your head. "Hurry. We need to get to school."

   "Okay."

   Midoriya shook his head as he left the bathroom. While witnessing you express such affinity for something other than pancakes was amazing, he'd rather you not fall ill.

   But he had to admit...

   Midoriya slapped a palm over his mouth. Blood rushed to his cheeks. Butterflies tickled his stomach.

   Your defiance was really cute.

 

   When you came out the bathroom ten minutes later, your hair was still damp. Damp, but manageable. You'd braided it and tied it into a bun.

   Midoriya was waiting outside the door. He handed you a black raincoat. "Wear this over your uniform. It's so that you don't get wet."

   "Thank you." Wary of your grip, you took it from him. You'd wrinkled clothes in the past by accidentally grabbing them too hard.

   Midoriya picked at the fabric of his own raincoat. It was the same design, just cobalt blue and in a smaller size. "Sorry, it's just a raincoat I had collecting dust in my closet. I ordered a different coat but got that instead. If you don't like it, we can go shopping later."

   "There is no need." You left to change into your uniform. "I will make haste."

   "Oh, okay."

 

   Once your room door shut, Midoriya punched himself. 

   Of all people to get butterflies for, why you?

   Clumsy, silly, childish, sweet, kind you.  

   Midoriya hid himself in his arms.

   He was down bad, wasn't he?

 

  You came out your room three minutes later.

  "I was going to let you borrow my mom's umbrella," Midoriya began, twiddling his fingers, "but I broke it while trying to test if it still worked... Sorry. We'll just have to sh...sh...sh--"

   You blinked. "Sh?"

   Red as a rose, Midoriya blurted out, "Share! I-is that fine with you?"

   "Yes."

   Midoriya skittered out the door. "L-l-let's go!"

   "Okay."

   The shorter boy anxiously waited for you to put your shoes on.

 

   To tell the truth...

   His mom's umbrella never broke. In fact, it was hanging on the coatrack by his apartment door, completely fine.

   Shy green eyes peered at your oblivious face.

   Midoriya just wanted to share an umbrella with you. 

 

   You shut the door. Securing your mask behind your ears, you said, "Let's go."

   "Y-yes!"

Chapter 49: Aimer

Notes:

i drew Deku and Hiro in the rain :-)

 

   "Don't step down too hard. The water will get in your shoes."

   "Okay."

 

   Midoriya was just barely keeping his shit together.

   He wouldn't stop trembling as the two of you walked down the sidewalk. You were passing by a local park on the way to the station.

   His grip on the umbrella shaking, Midoriya dared to glance up at you.

   Your head oscillated like a fan as you absorbed the sight and sound of rain. One of your hands faced the pale sky to collect rainwater. 

   Your thick lashes batted once and Midoriya's heart stuttered.

   You were breathtaking.

   

   Midoriya's left arm, the one holding the umbrella, slacked and the umbrella suddenly bumped you on the head.

   You flinched in surprise and Midoriya felt his heart crack.

   "I'm sorry! My arm just--!" Midoriya thrust the umbrella higher than needed. "I'm sorry!"

   You untangled strands of your hair out of the umbrella spokes. "It is okay."

   Guilty, Midoriya glued his eyes to his red shoes.

   He thought your flinch was one of pain, not surprise. 

   In reality, you were absolutely unbothered. You just resumed staring at the wet grass next to the sidewalk.

   You and Midoriya were very different people.

 

   "What is that?"

   Midoriya raised his head. "Hm?"

   Two meters in front of you was a tiny earthworm.

   "That's a worm," answered Midoriya. His gaze flicked to you. "They like to come out when it's raining."

   You halted in front of the worm.

   A smile crept onto Midoriya's face. He knew where this was going.

   You bent down to look at it. "Where are worms when it is not raining?"

   "They live in the dirt. They eat dirt too." As he said this, Midoriya was unfortunately reminded of the dirt incident. He wasn't sure whether he wanted to laugh or cry.

   With utmost care, you scooped up the worm. "Dirt has nutritional value?"

   "Um..." Midoriya scratched his cheek. "I guess? Worms also eat plant matter. They're good for soil because their tunnels increase drainage and their excrement increases the amount of nutrients."

   You nodded thoughtfully. "You are knowledgable about worms."

   "Haha, not really. I just remember some stuff from elementary school." 

 

   You set the worm back onto the sidewalk. Standing up, you declared, "I am similar to a worm."

   Midoriya froze. Then he said cautiously, "Because you eat dirt...?"

   "No."

   Midoriya wanted to smack himself. "Oh."

   "I do not eat dirt. You, Yaoyorozu, and Iida have forbidden me."

   "Yes, I remember that..."

   "Similar to a worm, I came out when it started to rain earlier."

   Midoriya couldn't help but chuckle. "I can see that."

   The butterflies in his gut were having a blast.

   You were too cute.

   

   You resumed walking, Midoriya quick to follow. 

   You eyed his hair. "You are similar to a boxwood shrub."

   "Isn't that the plant you gave me while I was hospitalized?"

   "Yes."

   Midoriya sighed once more, eyes falling shut. "Let me guess. It's the hair, isn't it?" 

   "Yes. How did you know?"

   "I have eyes."

   "I see."

   Midoriya giggled to himself before saying, "That's what you normally do with eyes."

   You blinked at him.

   Sweat gathered on Midoriya's face. "Sorry, that was a bad joke..."

   "That was a joke?"

   Ouch.

   "Y-yeah..."

 

   Silence fell over you.

   While Midoriya simmered in shame, you were doing some serious thinking.

   "...I have a joke to tell you, Midoriya."

   You two stopped at an intersection.

   "Eh?" Midoriya had never once heard you tell a joke. This was exciting. "Go ahead!"

   Once the pedestrian light turned white, you crossed to the other side.

   "I walk." You pointed down at your legs. "That is what you normally do with legs."

   Midoriya went blank, body going rigid. Then he burst into wild laughter. 

   You'd just copied the format of the bad joke Midoriya made earlier. Your joke was even worse than his, so terrible that it was actually funny.

 

   You observed the crescents of Midoriya's eyes, the tears stuck to his lashes, and his reddened cheeks.

   Joy took many forms. Smiling, laughing, crying.

   Midoriya was doing all three.

   How fascinating.

 

   Midoriya wiped his eyes. His laughter died down and he exhaled happily. "I think you misunderstood my joke."

   You blinked. "How so?"

   "I wasn't exactly pointing out that you normally see with your eyes. You said that you see, which is a phrase meant to figuratively convey understanding. I took that and turned the phrase into the literal sense."

   "I see."

 

   You went back to staring at the rain. 

   Midoriya dragged you past a frog before you could notice it. If you stopped to look at it, you'd both be late.

   The umbrella bumped your head and you blinked.

   "Sorry!" Midoriya lifted the umbrella higher. "I keep forgetting you're a lot taller..."

   Your hand joined his on the umbrella handle. The size difference was staggering. "I can hold the umbrella. I am taller."

   "Ah, okay. Thanks." Midoriya smiled at you and let go.

   Blood shooting up his neck, he fought the strong urge to compare hands with you.

 

   You reached the train station. 

   A ten minute ride took you to the station directly across from the school. 

   Another twenty minutes later, you walked past the U.A. gate.

   "Look!" Midoriya's eyes lit up. "The dorms!"

   You followed his gaze and saw the dorms. Numerous buildings, much bigger than you'd imagined they'd be. They were going to house the entire student body. Off to the side was a separate cluster of dorms for the teachers.

   Though you still had your reservations, you could accept living here. If only to help protect others in case of an invasion.

   Midoriya chirped, "Let's go!"

   

   The dorms were a five minute walk away from the main building.

   Your classmates were congregated in front of 1-A's Heights Alliance. They were a colorful mosaic of umbrellas and raincoats. They chatted amongst themselves in excitement.

   "Good morning!"

   Your peers turned at the sound of Midoriya's voice.

   You bowed your head. "Good morning."

   "Good morning," they chorused. 

   Bakugou just scoffed at Midoriya and sent you a dirty look. You didn't react as usual. Normal Bakugou behavior is good behavior.

   Ashido beamed. "We're so lucky! Just look at the dorm!"

   "It's huge!" cheered Sato.

   You tilted your head back to take it all in.

   The dorm had five floors, arched windows, two double doors, and the building seemed to be split into two sections.

   Kaminari ran up to you. His yellow umbrella knocked into yours, spilling some rainwater between the two of you. "We're gonna be living here from now on! Isn't that exciting?"

   You shook your head. "It is not exciting to me."

   "You don't like it!?"

   "There are many cons to this arrangement, but the building itself is not displeasing."

   "Oh. What cons?"

   As you droned about the cons and pros of the dorms, Kaminari discreetly nudged his way under the umbrella. He'd noticed you were sharing with Midoriya and he wanted in.

   Midoriya began to sweat. "Uh, Kaminari? You have your own umbrella."

   Kaminari pouted. "Aw, c'mon, Midoriya. Sharing is caring."

   "But you have your own..."

   "Sharing. Is. Caring."

   Sero decided to join in, a cheeky grin on his face. "Got room for one more?"

   Four people were crowded underneath Midoriya's umbrella now. It was terribly cramped.

   Midoriya's shoulder was getting soaked. He frowned in dismay. He wanted to share his umbrella with you and you alone.

   You continued to talk about the dorms, apparently not bothered.

   Kirishima laughed. "What are you guys doing?"

   "Sharing!" Kaminari was standing in front of you. His hair tickled your nose and you sneezed.

   The blond yelped. He wiped furiously at his hair with his sleeve. "Aw, gross! Dude!"

   "I'm sorry."

   Sero's brows shot up. "Oh, wow, that was really cute. You sneeze like a cat."

   You tilted your head. "I sneeze like a cat?"

   "Yeah. They don't say 'chi' or anything. It's just straight air coming out."

   "Chi..." you said blankly.

   Kaminari nodded. "A normal sneeze is like 'hachi!'"

   A bead of sweat popped onto Sero's cheek. "I think he knows what a normal sneeze sounds like..."

 

   Todoroki lingered off to the side, heterochromatic eyes scanning the assembly under the umbrella. Was there room for him?

   Bakugou glared at Todoroki. "What? You're thinking of joining that clusterfuck of morons?"

   "Perhaps."

   And the bastard did. He moved to stand directly behind you.

   Bakugou's glare intensified with disgust.

   Jiro snickered next to him. "There's something about that umbrella..."

   "It's dumb as hell, that's what."

 

   You felt Todoroki's presence behind you. "Hello."

   "Hello," he replied. His hot breath hit your ear.

   A shiver ran up your spine.

   Figuring that shiver was the equivalent of hair tickling your nose, you disregarded it. "Are you excited to live in the dorms, Todoroki?"

   "Not particularly, but change is nice every once in a while." 

   Another chill. 

   You rubbed your ear. 

   Once you removed your hand, Todoroki asked, "Is something wrong with your ear?"

   Again.

   It was suddenly hot underneath your mask. "There are no internal issues. Your breath seems to irritate it."

   Todoroki blinked. Then, suppressing a smile, he leaned closer to whisper against your ear, "Sorry."

   You jolted. Head whirling around, you stared at Todoroki.

   Todoroki stepped back. The corners of his lips were lifted just slightly. He couldn't hold it back. Your reaction had been too funny. 

   Todoroki's smile was just barely there, but you could see it.

   You turned your entire body. "Why are you smiling?"

   "No reason."

   You stepped forward, right foot landing between Todoroki's feet. Todoroki didn't react in time.

   You tugged down your mask and murmured into his ear, "Does this please you?"

   Todoroki's ear turned red. He covered it with one hand. Averting his gaze, he muttered, "Not...necessarily."

   

   The rest of your classmates were either amused or confused by the gathering under Midoriya's umbrella.

   "Oh my," said Yaoyorozu. "I'm not sure how they managed to fit five people..."

   Ojirou chuckled. "I'm honestly sort of impressed."

   "Convening in the darkness of an umbrella..." Arms crossing, Tokoyami nodded in approval. "An unusual meeting place, but it works."

   Shoji looked at Tokoyami. "Works how?"

   "The rain mutes anything that is said."

   At that moment, the rain stopped.

   Shoji exhaled through his nose in amusement and Tokoyami sighed.

 

   The sudden lack of rain was jarring to you. 

   "Where is the rain?" you asked. You held out your hand. You couldn't hear the tell-tale patter of rain against metal.

   "It stopped raining." Kaminari tip-toed to rest his chin on your shoulder. He was standing behind you since you'd turned around. "Is this your first time seeing it?"

   "Yes." Tugging down your mask, you breathed in. You couldn't smell petrichor. There was no bare soil around here for the rain to land on.

   

   You lowered the umbrella. It snapped close with the press of a button.

   You handed it to Midoriya. "Thank you for sharing your umbrella with me."

   "Ah, yes!" Midoriya hurriedly took it from you, brushing hands in the process. He blushed and turned his head.

   Your hand wasn't even real, but touching it set him on fire anyway.

 

   The bell rang.

   One of the double doors to the dorm building swung open.

   Aizawa shuffled out and down the stairs. "Now then, class 1-A... I'm glad to see you all here."

   You turned around, prompting Kaminari to take his chin off your shoulder. 

   Asui spoke for the class. "And we're glad to see you here, Mr. Aizawa. I was sad 'cause I thought you might not be able to come back after that press conference."

   "I'm surprised too. But well, a lot's happened..." Aizawa clapped his hands. "Anyway, I'm going to give a quick overview of your dorms. But before that...the training camp. It was meant to earn you your provisional licenses. That remains the goal."

   "Oh yeah, that's right!" exclaimed Kirishima. "That's what we were doing."

   Sero rubbed his neck. "With everything that happened, I totally forgot."

 

   Aizawa cut through the chatter. "This is important, so listen up. Todoroki, Kirishima, Midoriya, Yaoyorozu, Iida, [L/n]."

   Your partners in crime tensed at their surnames being called. You didn't react.

   "On that night, you six headed out to rescue Bakugou."

   Fourteen wide pairs of eyes darted to you six. They were concentrated on you in particular.

   "They actually went through with it...!?"

   "[L/n] went too...?"

   "Seriously...?"

   Kaminari leaned back to hiss, "You idiot..! Did you get hurt?"

   "No," you whispered back.

   Kaminari bit his lip before elbowing you in the gut. You winced.

   Aizawa resumed speaking. "I think all of you here...understand the consequences of these actions. The issue's been swept under the rug for now, but let me say this much. If not for All Might's retirement..." His next words were like cold water to the face. "...except for Bakugou, Jiro, and Hagakure, I would have expelled every single one of you."

 

   Ice clung to your skin.

   We all...would have been expelled?

   You looked down blankly. Then your eyes landed on Bakugou.

   He was scowling, hands deep in his pockets. 

   The ice melted.

   I still do not regret saving Bakugou.

 

   "The chaos is sure to continue now that All Might's retired...and since we can't get a read on the League of Villain's next move, kicking anyone out of U.A. is ill-advised. The six who went, of course...but also the eleven who knew but did nothing to stop them. Your reasons aside, the fact that you betrayed our trust remains. From this point on, if you follow procedures and behave properly, you might be able to regain our trust." He turned back to the dorm building. "That's all. Now look lively and get a move on."

   Look lively? After that? thought your classmates. They all hung their heads in shame.

   You kept your head up if only to watch Aizawa go.

   That was the same man who'd stopped your mackerel from burning. The same man who risked his life for the entire class twice now. 

   The same man who did all those kind things was the one who threatened to expel you all twice.

   Your irises flickered blue.

   When was the next opportunity to be expelled? Once the uproar from All Might's retirement died down?

   You thought of your purpose. The reason why you'd come to U.A.

   I was sent here to become a Hero.

   If I am expelled for performing acts befitting of a Hero...I will simply attend another school.

   Your expression became unnaturally distant.

   It does not have to be this school.

   All it took were Aizawa's words to send you spiraling back into the apathetic person you were when you'd first woken up.

 

   "Come."

   "Eh? What? Stop it!"

   Bakugou and Kaminari's voices.

   You and the rest of your peers looked up.

   Bakugou was dragging a bewildered Kaminari by the collar. They disappeared behind a nearby bush.

   Lightning boomed and a fried Kaminari stumbled into view. "Yay...." His face and hands were doing the thing.

   Jiro smacked her mouth. "Pfft!"

   Sero chuckled uneasily behind his fist. "Eh? What'd you do to him, Bakugou?"

   Bakugou didn't answer. Scary.

   Your usual neutral countenance returning, you stilled Kaminari by grabbing his entire head. "I did not know Kaminari could be manually discharged by another person."

   Jiro and Sero were in tears.

   "Manually discharged!?"

   "W-why'd you have to say it like that!?"

   Asui walked up to you and croaked, "You probably shouldn't be holding his head like a basketball."

   Metal fingers dug into Kaminari's head. "What is a basketball?"

   "Oh wait!" Sero clutched his head in realization. "You're holding him like a toy in a claw machine!"

   This prompted Jiro and Ashido to die laughing on the floor. Sero quickly joined them.

   "What is a claw machine?"

   In the background, Bakugou was giving Kirishima money. Scary.

   "You guys!" shouted Kirishima, holding the blood money. "I'm sorry! I know I can't really make it up to you, but this money's gonna go into some barbecue for everyone tonight!"

   Cheers filled the air.

   Sero stopped dying. "Woah, for real?"

   "Think we could also do some shopping?" asked Uraraka. Wow, Uraraka, bitch. Give an inch and take a mile. 

   

   Eventually, Aizawa summoned the class and led you all into the dorm building. Everyone took off their shoes.

   "Girls on the right, boys on the left. The first floor is a common area. Your dining hall, baths, and laundry rooms are all here."

   You immediately tried to wander off by yourself to explore. Without looking, Midoriya grabbed the back of your collar as he gazed at the dorm’s interior in awe.

   "Wow, so spacious!" Ashido gushed, fists moving up and down.

   Sero gasped. "We've even got a courtyard!"

   Uraraka toppled over. "It's huge!"

   "Uraraka!" Iida yelped.

 

   Aizawa beckoned you all to the elevator. "Come. We're going to the second floor."

   The class followed after him.

   "Can the elevator really fit all of us?" murmured Jiro.

   Jiro's question was answered once you all turned the corner. The elevator was ginormous, even when its doors were closed.

   Ashido blinked twice. "Wow! That's a big elevator."

   Yaoyorozu rubbed her chin. "Not quite as big as at home..."

   Ashido gawked at her. "How big are your elevators, Yaomomo!?"

   You all filed in, packing together like a can of sardines. 

   You unintentionally squished Midoriya into a corner. 

   "[L/n], do you mind scooting forward...?"

   "I will bump into Todoroki if I do."

   "Oh...”

   Midoriya didn't have to suffer long. The elevator reached the second floor and the doors slid open.

   Once everyone got out, Aizawa said, "The rooms start on the second floor. Four boys' rooms and four girls' rooms on each floor, five floors in total." He opened the closest room, stepping aside so as to not block the view. "One student per room. You've got air conditioners, toilets, refrigerators, and closets. Enjoy the luxuries."

   Midoriya excitedly ran inside, Kaminari ambling after him.

   You, on the other hand, merely glanced at the room once before asking Aoyama, "What is an air conditioner? Is air conditioner similar to hair conditioner?"

   Aoyama struck a pose. "Oui!"

   Bakugou cringed at you. "Did you just fucking ask what an air conditioner is?"

   You nodded. "Ye--"

   "Fuck you." After blindsiding you, Bakugou shuffled away.  

 

   This was the idiot who’d been so happy to see him safe? This fucker who didn’t even know what an air conditioner was?

   Bakugou scoffed.

   Dumbass.                        

                                                                                

   You blinked. Then you turned to Aoyama. "I do not think Bakugou likes air conditioners."

   Aoyama flipped his hair. "Apparrement non!"

   "...No apartment?"

   "Y-you speak English!? And it's apparrement, not appartement!"      

 

   Aizawa called everyone out of the room and back into the hall.

   He was holding a tiny projector. He switched it on. "These are your room assignments."

   Everyone searched for their individual surnames.

   You found yours on the fourth floor. Bakugou's room was next to yours.

   Aizawa continued, "The luggage you sent over earlier should already be in your rooms. Today's set aside for settling in. We'll talk about what comes next tomorrow. Dismissed."

   "Yes, sir!"

Notes:

aimer = to love (French)

Chapter 50: Butterfly Knot

Notes:

a model of your dorm room! by my editor Dorbzz on quotev!

 

 

   “Quit following me, Tin Can!”

   “I, too, will be residing on the fourth floor.”

   “WHAT!?”

 

   You, Bakugou, Kirishima, and Shoji were taking the stairs instead of the elevator. All four of you had been assigned to the fourth floor.

   Bakugou briefly considered shoving you down the stairs. “Go request a room re-assignment!”

   “Aw, c’mon now, Bakugou!” Kirishima grinned next to him. “[L/n] lived alone in an apartment before this, so it’s not like he’ll be a bad neighbor.”

   “Hah? Alone? That infant?”

   You spoke up. “I am not an infant.”

   “Shut up!”

   From behind the rest of you, Shoji was shaking his head. He may or may not have gotten unlucky with his neighbors.

   

   Shoji’s room was the one closest to the stairs. Nodding at you three politely, he entered and closed the door.

   Next was Kirishima. He whooped. “Let’s get decorating!”

   Then Bakugou. He flipped you the bird before disappearing inside.

   You were about to flip him one back when you remembered that Iida had designated it an offensive gesture. 

   

   You headed further down the hall. Your room was at the very end.

   In the three weeks between All Might's retirement and today, Melissa had appointed herself in charge of designing your room. You'd insisted that you didn't need the help but she wouldn't relent. 

   You opened the door.

   Melissa had told you to send in a remodeling request. 

   Instead of a bamboo floor, the room had dark red carpeting. The walls and ceiling were charcoal black. The walk-in closet was demolished, providing more overall space. 

   In front of you was a pile of large boxes. None of the items in there were things you had at your apartment. Melissa had picked them out and made some modifications before shipping them over.

   As you didn't have the slightest clue about interior design, Melissa also decided where everything would be placed.

   You closed the door before getting to work.

 

   A black hall tree sat to the left, closest to the door.

   A modern black bookshelf went to the hall tree's left. 

   Lining the shelves were books on Japanese kanji, Japanese grammar, dictionaries in both Japanese and English, handbooks on Japanese sign language ranging from beginner to competent, and a beginner’s handbook to English sign language. Learning English in general had been much, much easier than learning Japanese.

   You also had fictional books and poem collections. While you weren’t sure you enjoyed them, they helped you understand figurative language. Accompanying them were plenty of books on social cues, reading social cues, and social norms.

   Next was a white closet. You put your clothes inside while you were at it. You took off your borrowed raincoat and stored it in the closet for now. Then you changed out of your uniform. It was stiff and not the most convenient for wide movement. You now wore a white tank top and black gym shorts. You put on indoor slippers as well. Your outdoor shoes had been left in a class cubby by the building entrance. Everyone had their own cubby.

   Then your desk and chair. They went in the upper right corner. On the desk, you set down your laptop, L.E.D. lamp, and the framed picture of your parents. You stared at them for a bit before moving on.

   Melissa had gotten you a black loft bed. You pushed it into the lower right corner. It had empty space beneath it, so you slid your mini fridge and floor pantry underneath. Your medkit went on top of the fridge. You didn't have any food items with you so you left the fridge unplugged.

   All your workout equipment was stored in a lidded wooden box. You slid this under the bed as well. 

   And lastly, the curtains. You slid dark red curtains onto the curtain pole and stuck the pole onto the hooks.

 

   Moving in had taken a total of one hour.

   Lunch wouldn’t be for another three, so you decided to explore.

 

   Your first destination was your balcony.

   You slid the glass aside. Cool August air washed over your face.

   Standing on his own balcony across from you was Monoma. 

   The pretty blond had his arms crossed on the railing, pale grey eyes concentrated on nothing in particular. For once, there wasn't a crease in his brow or a smug grin on his face.

   This was the most relaxed you'd ever seen him.

   A gentle breeze went by, shifting his hair and yours.

   

   The odd tranquility was cut short as soon as he noticed you.

   "You! Were you watching me!?" he yelled, pushing away from the railing. "And here I was thinking you'd given me a half-decent apology!"

   Well, he wasn't exactly wrong.

   You mulled over how to respond. Monoma was huffing and puffing, stabbing an accusatory finger at you.   

   His composure seemed to crumble every time he ran into you. Monoma's dramatic ass chalked it up to trauma.

   You glanced up at the blue sky. "Today, I saw rain for the first time. It was pleasant. I wish to see it again."

   "And what does that have to do with me, hm?" Monoma cocked his head and put a hand on his hip. "Can't even scrape up another apology? You're truly pathetic."

   "Your face was like rain to me."

   Cloudy eyes widened.

   "I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable." You dipped your head in apology before going back inside.

   The sliding glass clicked shut. After a moment, you pulled the curtains closed. You figured that just the sight of you upset Monoma. 

   As you left your room, you thought, I will avoid using the balcony.

 

   Monoma, meanwhile, was frozen in place.

   "Today, I saw rain for the first time. It was pleasant. I wish to see it again. Your face was like rain to me."

   Monoma put the hand not on his hip onto his face. His face and ears were dyed bright red. "How dare...!"

   He shouted at your empty balcony, "How dare you attempt to woo me! You'll be on your knees begging for forgiveness the next time I see you! Scoundrel! Scum of the earth!"

   Monoma stood there for a minute. His gut tied itself in a hundred butterfly knots.

   Feathers effectively ruffled, Monoma whirled around and stomped back into his room.

   

   You were making your way down to the first floor.

   There you found Shoji and Ojiro chilling on the living room couches.

   Shoji waved. You gave him your signature princess wave and he tried not to laugh.

   Ojiro smiled slightly. "Hello. I'm guessing you don't have much in your room either?"

   "You are correct. How did you know?"

   "Well, both Shoji and I don't have much and we're the first ones down here. I just figured."

   You nodded. "I see. I will be exploring."

   Ojiro raised a brow. "Exploring?"

   Shoji answered for you. "The dorm."

   "You say exploring as if the dorm is a forest..."

   You nodded to them both. "See you."

   Shoji nodded back and Ojiro echoed, "See you."

 

   You picked up your outdoor shoes from the class cubby before heading towards the courtyard.

   Through the glass walls, the Ojiro and Shoji watched you change into your outdoor shoes and enter the courtyard.

   You appeared to be searching for something on the ground. 

   "What do you think he's looking for?" asked Shoji. "I say it's some sort of insect."

   "Um..." Ojirou scratched his chin. "Maybe a stick?"

   Upon finding a puddle, you kicked at it. 

   "Ah." Shoji shook his head. "We were both wrong."

   "Oh, wow. He's really going at it, huh?"

   You were kicking harder now. Muddy water flung haphazardly.

   Ojiro began to sweat. "Should we stop him...? He's going to get himself dirty."

   "Nah. Let him have his fun while Iida isn't around."

   "Ah, that's true..."

 

   You came back inside ten minutes later. You'd rolled up your pants before changing back into your indoor slippers. Ojiro gave you a black plastic bag to hide your muddy outdoor shoes in.

   Shoji laughed through his nose. "Have fun?"

   "Yes. Splashing water is an engaging activity."

   Ojiro took the bag from you and tied the handles into a knot. He handed it back. "Don't let Iida find out, okay? Shoji and I will get in trouble too..."

   Shoji jutted his chin towards the dorm elevator. "Take the elevator. Iida took the stairs earlier, so he'll probably take the same way down."

   You bowed your head. "Okay. Thank you for helping me, Ojiro, Shoji."

   They waved you off as you headed towards the elevator.

   Once you were gone, Ojiro sighed. "He's a handful."

   "It's fine. We have eight hands combined."

   "...Like the entire class? I don't--I don't think that's the right math."

   "I meant us two."

   "Oh."

 

   Lunch rolled around. 

   Everyone went down to the main floor. You'd all changed back into your school uniforms. You had your mask on.

   Iida was standing in the middle of the two double doors. "Line up in seating order for roll call!"

   Sero asked, “Do we have to...?”

   “Yes!"

   As usual, no one listened to Iida. He yelled a bit more before exhaling heavily and just manually counting everyone.

   Everyone changed their shoes and filed out the double doors. 

   The other classes in each grade were heading towards the cafeteria as well.

 

   You sought out Bakugou. He was at the front of the class with Kirishima. 

   Coming up to Bakugou's right, you asked him, "What is your opinion on this dorming arrangement, Bakugou?"

   Bakugou kept his eyes forward. "None of your business. And walk behind me!"

   Kirishima smiled from Bakugou's left. "Well, I think it's manly of the school to protect us like this."

   Your eyes lingered on the back of Bakugou's head. Then you looked at Kirishima. "I see."

   You switched back to Bakugou.

   For a long time, you never questioned his dislike of you. Bakugou was constantly angry from the start. You'd accepted this as normal. He didn't seem to like anyone at all.

   But then, on that day, Bakugou willingly took Kirishima's hand. Their friendship had never been apparent to you till then.

   You watched as Kirishima easily set one hand on Bakugou's shoulder. They were talking about something. Bakugou insulted him like normal, but didn't shake off his hand.

   You flexed your fingers.

   Should you try to be more friendly? 

   No. Midoriya was friendly enough and Bakugou hated every inch of his being.

   Your head lolled to the right.

   Kirishima was the first one to approach you after you killed one of Koda's birds. He'd smiled easily and was kind to you. You remembered that clearly. Even Kaminari, who'd been the first person to offer to be your friend, wasn't nearly as nice.

   You nodded to yourself.

   Kirishima is a kind person. 

   There is a difference between friendliness and kindness. I should work to be kind.

 

   "What're you thinking about so hard, buddy?"

   You zoned back in. Kirishima was smiling curiously at you over his shoulder.

   You said bluntly, "You are a kind person."

   "W-what?" The redhead blinked, cheeks growing pink. He rubbed his nape. Turning to face you and walking backwards, he bashfully replied, "Thanks... You are too!"

   You recalled that Recovery Girl had also said you were kind. But you weren't sure. The definition of kind was: having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature. 

   You evaluated yourself. 

   I am not naturally friendly. I have not displayed generosity. I...may be considerate. I do work to consider the feelings of others.

   "Hello? Anybody home?"

   You blinked.

   Kirishima had been waving his hand in your face. He lowered his hand and grinned. "Lots to think about today, huh?"

   "That may be so. And no one is home. I am not a house."

   Kirishima threw his head back with laughter. 

   Bakugou saw an opportunity and took it. "Yeah, no one's home alright."

   Kirishima started wheezing. "B-Bakugou! You can't just say that...!"

 

   You blinked twice.

   Was Bakugou agreeing with you for once? But Kirishima said he couldn't say that.

   Understanding others was difficult in general, but Bakugou was the most tangled knot of them all.

   You turned to go find Midoriya. He was easy to hang out with.

 

   "Eh?" Wiping one eye, Kirishima caught his breath. "[L/n]? Where are you going?"

   You didn't hear him over the class's chatter.

   "Oi, [L/n]!" Kirishima immediately went after you, fearing he'd hurt your feelings. He'd taken your silence as defiance. "I didn't mean anything when I laughed! I'm sorry!"

   Kirishima's voice faded the farther he got away from Bakugou. Bakugou glanced to his left, where Kirishima had been. 

   Red eyes returned front.

   Bakugou doubted you'd been offended in any way. He regularly told you things that you knew were meant to hurt, but everything bounced right off you. Your one redeeming trait. 

   Bakugou really had no clue why you cared about him. 

   Frowning, he brushed the thought of you aside and debated what to eat for lunch.

 

   "[L/n]!"

   A weight settled on your left shoulder.

   You finally turned your head. "Yes, Kirishima?"

   "I wasn't laughing at you!" Kirishima was strong enough to manually spin your entire body towards him. He planted his other hand on your right shoulder.

   You picked stray hair away from your eyes. "Yes? You were not laughing in my direction."

   "No, no, I mean like--laughing at your expense, y'know?" Kirishima dropped his head. "I'm sorry! Even if that wasn't my intention, I shouldn't have made it seem so."

   "I am not offended. You do not need to apologize."

   Kirishima's head shot up. "You--you aren't? You walked away without doing or saying anything so I thought..."

   You hadn't bid him and Bakugou farewell. You typically always departed with a nod.

   Kirishima knew you well.

   "I'm sorry," you said. "I did not think I needed to."

   Relieved, Kirishima released you. "Don't say sorry! I'm just happy that you weren't hurt or anything." He fell into step with you. "What are you getting for lunch?"

   "I will be eating black fungus pork soup."

   "That's yummy! I was thinking of getting something else but I'll get what you're getting."

   "Okay."

   Talking to Kirishima was easy.

 

   Lunch went by.

   On your way back to your dorm building, you spotted Shinsou. His class was walking about thirty meters ahead of yours. His hair easily separated him from the crowd. From the back, his hair looked like an indigo-colored flower.

   As a General Education student, what does Shinsou think of the dorming arrangement?

   You wished to know. However, you weren't in any position to ask.

   Your last interaction with Shinsou hadn't been very positive. It'd also been quite a while since then. 

   Regardless of your relationship to Shinsou, you would protect him if necessary. He was capable, you knew that, but his Quirk wasn't purely offensive or defensive. 

 

   Shinsou suddenly looked over his shoulder.

   The two of you made eye contact.

   Did he somehow sense your staring? Shinsou and Bakugou seemed to have a knack for that.

   You waved.

   Shinsou deadpanned before turning away.

 

   You slowly put your hand back down.

   That'd been a pretty Shinsou-esque reaction. You couldn't tell if he disliked you or was neutral. To play it safe, you assumed the former. 

   Imitating Midoriya, you resolutely curled a fist.

   I will work to be kind.

 

---

 

   You spent the next six hours plowing through homework and polishing your J.S.L.

   Dinner was at seven. The food was delivered to each dorm building. As Kirishima promised this morning, he paid for barbecue. This was your first time having it. No one was surprised at this point.

    After washing up, the class boys convened on the living room couches. 

   "Not saying anything good led us here, but still..." Kaminari perched on an armrest. "I'm excited about us all living together."

   Heaving a sigh, Kirishima sank into the couch. "I'm pooped."

   You blinked from his right. "You...are excrement? In the past tense?"

   "No!"

   While Kirishima struggled to explain himself, Iida read too deeply into things. "Communal living..." He raised a fist. "Yet another way to train our sense of law and order!"

   Sero quipped, "Don't hurt yourself there, Mr. President."

 

   "You boys all done with your rooms?"

   Everyone turned. 

   Smiling, Ashido led the girls out from their side of the building.

   Kaminari waved. "Yeah! We're just relaxing now."

   "Cool, cool." Ashido's smile grew into a grin as she exchanged a look with Uraraka. "We've been talking, and we have an idea! How about we have...a peek into each other's rooms!?"

   

   Midoriya fell victim first.

   As Ashido and Kaminari encroached on his room, Midoriya screeched, "WAAAAH! No, no, no, hold on--!"

   The two troublemakers bust the door open.

   The entire room was filled to the brim with All Might merchandise. Posters covered the walls, figurines lined up on any horizontal surface, and there was even an All Might rug.

   As you'd already seen Midoriya's shrine of a room back at the apartment, you weren't fazed.

   "All Might all around!" Uraraka clapped. "It's a fanboy room!"

   Withering, Midoriya planted his hands onto his All Might figurine-filled desk. "I look up to him... Kinda embarrassing...."

   Kaminari lifted an arm as if to shield himself from the cringe. "Uh oh. What did we get ourselves into...?"

   Sero held his chin. "Could be fun... I hope."

   You picked up one of Midoriya's figurines. "What is the appeal of a miniature All Might?"

   He snatched it from you. "I-it's just nice to have!"

   Kaminari snorted. "Yeah, one's nice, but twenty?"

   "Can we please move on already!?"

 

   The next victim was Tokoyami.

   Leaning onto his door with crossed arms, Tokoyami harrumphed. "Ridiculous!"

   Ashido and Hagakure teamed up to shove him aside.

   Beyond the door was an edgelord's paradise. Skulls, a Victiorian-style picture frame, long black coats, antique curtains, and even a sword were inside.

   You blinked. It was really dark in here.

   "Dark!" chirped Ashido.

   Hagakure chimed in, "And scary!"

   Tokoyami shriveled up. "Damn you all...!"

   Adjusting to the darkness, you spotted a poster that said DIE in bold English lettering. "Death is appealing to you, Tokoyami?"

   "Death has never appealed to me more than now!"

   

   Aoyama's room was the polar opposite.

   Everything was shiny. Everything.

   You squinted a little. "Your room is very bright."

   "Non, non, not bright!" Aoyama snapped his fingers. "Twinkly!"

   Ashido and Hagakure walked right out.

   "Nothing surprising, really."

   "Pretty much what we expected."

   You pointed at the disco ball on Aoyama's coffee table. "What is this orb?"

   Aoyama shed a tear. "You uncultured swine! All of you!"

 

   In the hallway, Uraraka asked, "Who's left on the second floor?"

   Mineta's stupid fucking grape head poked from his room. He wagged a finger. "Hey, girls... I've got something awesome to show you."

   Everyone immediately moved on to the third floor.

 

   The entire class seemed to be in agreement about Ojiro's room.

   "Wow, so plain!"

   "Whoa, it really is plain!"

   "Yup. Just about the plainest room you could have!"

   Ojiro sighed. "If you've got nothing nice to say..."

   You stared at the calendar above his desk. It had a picture of the sky.

   You lifted the page to see next month's picture. It was a lake.

   Kirishima comfortingly patted Ojiro's back. "Look! [L/n] likes your calendar!"

   "The calendar, of all things..."

 

   Iida's room was so full of books that there were even stacks on the ground.

   You blinked.

   Iida also had a shit ton of glasses for some reason.

   He sparkled as he gestured to his room with pride. "Nothing out of the ordinary here!"

   Hagakure looked around. "All these high-level books! That's our class president for you!"

   Uraraka did a spit-take at the sight of Iida's glasses collection. "He's obsessed with glasses!"

   "Is that so unreasonable!?" cried Iida, offended. "I expect to go through many pairs during our intense training!"

   You tried to be helpful. "Contacts are a good alternative to glasses."

   "You may be correct, but I refuse to use contacts!"

   "Why?"

   "My eyes are sensitive!"

   "I see." You glanced to the shelves upon shelves of glasses. "May I wear one pair of your glasses?"

   Behind you, Uraraka and Ashido were already trying them on. 

   Iida deflated. "Yes, you may..."

   You carefully put on a pair. 

   The others ooh-ed and ah-ed.

   "Wow! I thought you'd look off because the frame shape is awkward, but you look good!" complimented Kaminari.

   Ashido nodded rapidly. "[L/n]'s got the kind of face that suits everything!"

   Iida's eyes widened. Clearing his throat, he turned his reddening face. "Y-yes! Indeed!"

   You nodded politely. "Thank you."

 

   Kaminari's room was a mess.

   "It's just fun and games!"

   "He's got a little bit of everything!"

   Unlike everyone else's rooms, Kaminari's didn't have a single theme. His bedding was animal print, license plates hung above the balcony entrance, a basketball chilled on the ground, and skateboards leaned against his desk.

   Kaminari began to sweat. "What, you don't like it!?"

   You picked up his basketball. "Another orb. Unlike Aoyama's, it is not shiny."

   "Dude, that's a basketball."

   "This is what Asui referred to when she told me not to 'grab your head like a basketball?'"

   "W-when did she say that?"

   "When Bakugou discharged you."

   "Oh. Wait, why were you grabbing my head like a basketball in the first place!?"

   "I intended to prevent you from falling."

   "There are better ways to do that!"

 

   In Koda's room was a bunny.

   You tilted your head. "Is that a dog?"

   Todoroki was helpful as always. "It's not."

   "It has a long head and long ears."

   "It's not a dog."

   Hagakure huffed at the both of you. "It's a bunny! A cute little bunny!"

   She, Uraraka, and Ashido crowded around it, showering it with affection.

   You loomed over the girls to take a look at the bunny. It stared back at you. Two pairs of inky eyes locked in a staring match.

   You waved. "Hello, bunny."

   Todoroki joined your side. "It can't talk."

   "It is polite to greet it."

   "The bunny doesn't understand politeness."

   "You do not know that."

   "But I do..."

   "You do not."

 

   The other boys were starting to get competitive. 

   Pouting, Kaminari said to Koda, "No fair, using a pet like that! That's cheating."

   Koda could only sweat. He had no clue what Kaminari was talking about.

   Kaminari's face darkened. "This ain't right."

   "Yeah..." Ojiro looked down. "For once, we agree. I'm not satisfied either."

   Tokoyami nodded. "Indeed."

   Aoyama posed with his hands behind his head. "Me too!"

   

   While you and Todoroki went back and forth about whether animals could understand social customs, the other boys decided to turn this little game into a full-on competition. The girls' rooms would now be included in the judging.

   Ashido clapped her hands. "Great idea!"

   Jiro blushed. "Wait, no..."

   Kirishima, Shoji, Todoroki, and Sato could care less about whether or not the rooms belonged to girls. Bakugou was already snoozing in bed. He'd disappeared back upstairs the moment Ashido first proposed peeking into each other's rooms.

   You took off your borrowed glasses and rubbed one eye. Your bedtime was approaching. "It is not appropriate to enter personal areas of the opposite sex."

   Jiro quickly agreed. "Y-yeah! C'mon, please don't..."

   "Nah, it's fine!" chirped Ashido. "It's only fair."

   Mineta scorned you. "Go to bed! Don't ruin it for the rest of us!" 

   "No."

 

   You were all on the fourth floor now.

   Uraraka asked, "This floor's got Bakugou, Kirishima, [L/n], and Shoji, right?"

   Iida moved his arms up and down. "Where is Bakugou, by the way?"

   "He said, 'This is dumb. I'm going to bed.' I'm getting tired too..." replied Kirishima.

   Ashido pumped a fist. "Then your room's next, Kirishima! We can double back to [L/n]'s after."

   "Whatever you say." Kirishima opened the door. "You girls probably won't get it though..." Posing with balled fists, he exclaimed, "This manliness!"

   His room was masculine, alright. Not in a good way.

   Everything was either colored red, had flame patterns, or was a motivational poster. Dumbbells and folded cardboard boxes littered the floor.

   You spotted muscular arms extending from the wall clock. "Why does the clock have arms?"

   "It's a manly clock!"

   Hagakure remarked, "In 'The Room You Wouldn't Want Your Boyfriend To Have' rankings, you're second."

   A tear pricked Kirishima's eye. He grinned, thumbing his nose. "Aw, c'mon..."

   You flexed your arms. "Am I manly?"

   The tear was sucked right back into Kirishima's eye as he flexed with you. "Heck yeah!"

   Hagakure scolded him. "Don't teach [L/n] weird things!"

 

   Finally, your room.

   The prospect of what your room would look like caused a commotion.

   "I bet it's like Ojiro's."

   "Nah, he's probably got a ton of technology in there. Kinda like I-Island."

   "I'd like to think his room's cool, but realistically, no..."

   You twisted the doorknob. "You may come in if you like."

   The door swung open. 

 

   Everyone blinked simultaneously.

   "The layout's different..." murmured Todoroki.

   Instead of your bed being in the upper right corner like everyone else's, it was in the lower right, next to the door. And your desk was on the upper right instead of the left.

   Iida was pleased. "How space efficient!" He was looking at your fridge and pantry, which were under the bed.

   Kirishima raised a brow. "I honestly didn't know what to expect, but this isn't bad. Could use some manlier stuff though."

   Jiro glanced at the bookshelf. "Huh. Everything's pretty modern."

   "Eh?" Midoriya blinked again. He turned to you questioningly. "Where's your old stuff, [L/n]?"

   "It has been given away. Melissa obtained this new furniture for me."

   Kaminari snapped his fingers. "That explains it! I didn't think you had the skill to do all this by yourself."

   Jiro shaded him. "Says the one with the patchwork room."

   "Hey!"

   Ashido and Hagakure wandered further inside. 

   "No decorations at all?"

   "This is more like a display at IKEA. Does anyone even live here?"

   Yaoyorozu scanned the room. Then she smiled at you. "Even though you didn't customize anything yourself, it suits you. Melissa has quite the read on you."

   You took a gander. "It suits me?"

   "Very much so."

   Todoroki, Iida, and Sero were checking out what books you had.

   Sero ran his finger along the spines. "No manga in sight. Don't tell me he reads poems for fun..."

   Iida flipped through your physics guide. "Ah, I have this one as well!"

   Left hand holding your beginner's J.S.L. handbook, Todoroki signed the あア sound with his right. "I didn't know he was studying this kind of thing."

   

   "Guys!" yelled Ashido and Hagakure.

   Everyone turned towards them curiously. The girls were at your desk, jumping up and down in excitement.

   Hagakure held up the picture of your parents. "These are your parents, right, [L/n]!?" She gushed, "Your mom's beautiful!"

   Ashido's head bobbed at lightning speed. "And we can't see your dad's eyes behind his glasses, but from what we can see, he's hot too! What amazing genes!"

   You didn't respond.

   Kaminari and Mineta ran over the moment they heard about your mom.

   "Holy crap!" cried Kaminari, wide-eyed. "She's drop-dead gorgeous!"

   Mineta screeched, "It's not fair! Why is the entire family good-looking!?"

   This prompted some of your other peers to come look. 

   Covering her mouth, Yaoyorozu blushed. "Oh my. His mother really is beautiful."

   Uraraka's eyes popped out. "Life's so unfair!"

   

   Midoriya was standing in horrified silence.

   His parents are dead.

   I have to stop them. This is so disrespectful...!

   Wide green eyes darted to your still figure.

   But I can't do anything without [L/n]'s permission!

   Please, [L/n]! Say something!

 

   Anything!

Chapter 51: Sad Frog

   "...Thank you." 

 

   Midoriya's mouth fell open.

   He weakly murmured, "[L/n]...?"   

   Lacy eyes falling shut, you bowed your head. "My mother and father will appreciate your praise."

 

   "No!" Kaminari shook you by the shoulders. "Don't tell them, you idiot! Your dad's gonna kill us for getting the hots for your mom! Do you want us all to die!?"

   "My father will kill you?"

   "Of course! What kind of husband doesn't defend his wife!?"

   Kirishima furrowed his brows. "Kaminari, guys, don't be weird. Even if [L/n] doesn't mind, I don't think it's okay to say things like that about other people's parents."

   Swinging an arm up and down, Iida said, "Precisely! The majority of people's parents are sacred to them! Would you tolerate this kind of behavior towards your parents!?"

   The kids who’d fawned over your parents glanced at each other, conflicted. 

   Yaoyorozu held a fist by her lips. She averted her eyes guiltily. “I did not think about that...” Her eyes met yours. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

   “You did not make me uncomfortable,” you replied. “Do not apologize.”

   It was true.

   You hadn’t been uncomfortable or offended. You’d only been unsure of how to respond. You hadn’t anticipated the hype around your parents.

   If you remembered what your relationship with them was like, maybe you would’ve said something.

   “See?” Kaminari grinned as he pat your shoulder. “[L/n]’s not the sensitive type. You guys just need to loosen up a little.”

   Ashido twiddled her fingers. “That’s kinda mean, Kaminari... It’s okay if we think differently, isn’t it?”

   Kaminari blinked. Realizing how his words came off somewhat rude, he sheepishly apologized. “You’re right. Sorry, guys. I didn’t mean anything by that.”

   Kirishima gave Kaminari a thumbs up. “It’s cool.”

   Brows cinching, Iida pushed up his glasses. “I accept your apology, but in the future, do not make inappropriate comments about other’s parents.”

   Hagakure returned the picture of your parents to your desk. “Onto Shoji’s room!”       

   Your peers trickled out the room. 

 

   Todoroki was about to follow them down the hall when he heard Midoriya ask you,

   “Why did you lie...?”

 

   Todoroki stopped.

   Turning on his foot, he saw you and Midoriya facing the balcony curtains. Neither of you seemed to notice Todoroki. 

   “Every person who is aware of my parent’s status is saddened by it. Melissa. David. All Might. And you, Midoriya, on the day that I informed you.” You blinked faintly. “I did not want to make everyone sad.”

   “...Oh.” Forest green eyes softened.  “Even in that kind of situation, you were thinking about everyone’s feelings?” Midoriya lowered his head. “But isn’t the most important thing...how you feel?”

   Your reply was instantaneous. “I did not lie about being uncomfortable. I did not feel anything then.”

  Fists clenching, Midoriya almost shouted, “That’s good! I’m truly glad you weren’t offended, but...!” He whipped towards you. “I’m asking you to prioritize your feelings! If there’s ever a situation where you’re hurt, don’t just take it!” 

   You stared at him silently.

   Prioritize...my feelings?   

   Does that mean to consider my emotions before the emotions of any other person?

   Pursing his lips, Midoriya turned back to the curtains. “I couldn’t do anything to defend myself when I was getting bullied in junior high, so I guess seeing you accept what was going on brought back memories.” After a moment, he smiled truthfully. “I’m over it, though, so try not to pity me.”

 

   Your eyes traced the curve of Midoriya’s lips.

   Midoriya is happy? He was angry a minute ago.

  

   Midoriya is interesting.

 

   “I will not pity you," you told him. "I do not know the meaning of ‘getting bullied.’”

   The shorter boy chuckled. “I won’t tell you, then, because you might if you know.”

   “I will not.”

   “Hehe. Let’s join the others.”

 

   When you two turned to leave, you caught Todoroki casually standing in the doorway.

   Midoriya squeaked, “Eh!? Todoroki!?”

   You said calmly, “Hello, Todoroki.”

   Todoroki suddenly felt awkward. He looked away. “Hello.”

   He got cringe-inducing flashbacks of telling Midoriya very, very personal things during the sports festival. Why did he do that?

   “D-did you hear all that?” whimpered Midoriya. He bowed to you at a ninety-degree angle. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize anyone was still here and just stupidly ran my mouth!”

   Metal fingers raked through green curls. “You do not need to apologize in such an extreme way. I am not offended.”

   Midoriya went bright red.

   Is he...patting my head—?

   You tugged Midoriya up and out of his bow. 

   “Ow ow ow! Let go!"

   “I’m sorry.”

   “I thought you learned after treating Kaminari’s head like a basketball! Ouch, it hurts...”

   Todoroki murmured, “Claw machine.”

   Massaging his poor scalp, Midoriya squinted at Todoroki. “You are not helping.”

   Todoroki blinked at Midoriya in mock innocence.

   Todoroki then took on a more genuine expression when his eyes met yours. “I’m sorry for eavesdropping.”

   You knew eavesdropping was bad, but you didn’t particularly care. “It is okay.”

   Turquoise and gray eyes drifted to the picture. “I’m sorry about your parents. I can show you how to properly pay respect to them.”

   You didn’t know what ‘paying respect’ entailed, but you would if you took the offer. “Please show me.”

   Todoroki’s features softened a little. “Tomorrow morning then. We need to catch up with the others before they notice we’re gone.”

   “Okay.”   

   Midoriya was the last to leave. Hand on the doorknob, he peered at your parents from over his shoulder. 

   He bowed his head and gently shut the door.

 

   The others were in front of Sero’s room, having just come out after judging it.

   “Next, next!”

   “Todoroki, right?”

   Todoroki shuffled to his door. “I’m tired, so let’s just get this over with...”

   The thick air of anticipation fell over the class. The girls were especially tense. What did the room of the most capable student and second most handsome guy (you were the first) in class look like? 

   It was super traditional.

   Almost everyone’s jaws dropped. 

   “A traditional Japanese-style room!”

   “It’s even built differently than ours!”

   Rather than wondering how the heck Todoroki did all this, you beelined straight for the bonsai tree on top of his drawers. “What kind of shrub is this?”

   Todoroki was very helpful. “It’s not a shrub.”

   Sero yelled, “You even have a bonsai tree!? What was the reason for this entire room!?”

   “My home is traditionally Japanese, so I don’t like modern flooring.”

   “The flooring made you do this!?”

   Kaminari joined Sero. “Who cares why!? How’d you remodel everything in just one day!?”

   Todoroki blinked. Then he said as if it was obvious, “Hard work...”

   “What’s up with this guy!?”

   Todoroki switched his attention back to you. You were cocking your head like a puppy as you peered at the bonsai tree.

   Todoroki’s lips moved before he could think. “If you like it, I can give you one.” 

   You turned and blinked.

   Mismatched eyes avoided inky ones. “I have plenty at home, so...”

   Kaminari wailed, “Now you’re just bragging!”

   Hagakure’s clapping regrouped the class. “Okay, next! The last boy is...!”

   Sato answered dryly, “Me.”

 

   Sato’s room felt cozy. 

   He had a futon-style blanket that had the word ‘sugar’ printed on it in a pattern. 

   A glass door pantry of some sort sat next to his tiny oven. A mixing bowl, hand mixer, and recipe book were in front of the oven.

   “My room’s kind of boring, really,” said Sato.

   Kirishima blinked. “Every room’s pretty much the same aside from Todoroki’s.”

   Your nose led you to the oven. You gave it a sniff before fixing round eyes on Sato.

   Sato gasped. “Oh no! I was in such a rush that I must’ve forgotten to finish this!” Rushing to the oven, he picked you up and set you aside. “Coming through!”

   You blinked twice.

   Sero gawked. “D-did you just pick up [L/n]?”

   Sato switched off the oven and swiftly used baking mitts to take out what was inside. “I was baking a chiffon cake. I wanted to share it with everyone...” He expertly plated and sliced it. Turning to the class, Sato uncertainly presented the chiffon cake. “It’d be better with frosting, but...want some?”

   All the girls flocked to Sato.

   Kaminari cried, “This is so unexpected coming from you! No fair!”

   Sato served the slices by stabbing them with wooden sticks. 

   Staring at your own serving, you held the stick using both hands. “Thank you.” 

   Sato stabbed another slice. “It’s nothing.”

   The girls were absolutely delighted.

   “Tasty! So light and fluffy!” gushed Uraraka.

   Ashido twirled her finger into her cheek. “This blows Sero’s exotic room out of the water!”

   Yaoyorozu politely covered her mouth as she swallowed. “What a charming hobby you have, Sato! We’ll have to get together to combine your confections with my tea!”

   Sato became flushed. “I wasn’t ready for this reaction... I only make these things to help train my Quirk.”

   You spun your slice around slowly. You sniffed it and took a tiny bite.

   Then you basically absorbed it.

   Ashido screamed with laughter, cake tumbling out her mouth. “Did you guys see that!? He stuffed the whole thing in his mouth!”

   Iida shouted, “He what!? Quick, Sato, do you have water!?”

   Midoriya was visibly mortified. Todoroki mentally noted your concerning affinity for baked goods.

   Everyone else was plain shocked. Up till now, you'd eaten so politely during group meals to the point that they didn't see this coming at all.

   Sato quirked a brow. “What? I do that all the time. He’s fine.”

   You bore holes into the remaining chiffon cake. “I am fine.”

   Sato’s gaze flicked between you and Iida. You were staring intently at the cake and Iida’s blood red eyes burned into Sato’s.

   Sato reluctantly took your stick away. “Sorry. I feel like if I give you another slice, bad things will happen to me...”

   Iida smiled and crossed his arms in triumph. Behind him, Kirishima, Kaminari, Sero, Ashido, and Jiro laughed their asses off.

   Your hand felt empty. “What bad things will happen to you?”

   “I don’t know,” replied Sato, casting Iida an uneasy glance, “but if I let you have one more, I just might find out.”

   

   “Next up is...!” Hagakure paused to chew. “The girls!”

   Kaminari licked his lips. “That sugar woke me right up. I could go all night now!”

   Ojiro glanced past the door. “We have to go to the first floor to get to the girl’s wing.”

   Jiro bit into her cake with dread. “Do we have to...?”

 

   Everyone made their way to the first floor.

   “We’re actually going to see everyone’s rooms? Is that really okay...?”

   “Should be okay. Probably.”

 

   Jiro nervously slouched in front of her door. “This is embarrassing...”

   The door opened.

   Instruments. Instruments everywhere.

   There were multiple electric guitars, a piano, a keyboard, a drum set, and an acoustic guitar.

   “There’s even more instruments than we thought!” squawked Kaminari.

   You hung back by the door. Jiro was so uncomfortable that it was obvious even to you.

   What are those large sticks?

   Uraraka smiled at Jiro. “You’re one rockin’ girl, Jiro! Can you really play all these?”

   Shy, Jiro poked the ends of her ear jacks together. “Somewhat...”

   “Play?” you asked. “These are games?”

   Jiro shook her head. “Instruments. They’re used to make music... I prefer rock, but I’m hoping you’ve at least heard pop at the mall?”

   “What is pop? You like rocks?”

   “How do you live like this!?” Jiro dashed to her desk, swiping a post-it note and a pencil. She scribbled something onto the note before aggressively sticking it to your forehead. “Don’t talk to me till you’ve listened to every single one of the artists on this list!”

   You nodded down at Jiro, the note still stuck to your forehead. “Okay.” 

   You were a solid 25.5 centimeters (10 in) taller than Jiro. The sight of tiny Jiro bossing you around was hilariously cute.

   Yaoyorozu smiled from the doorway. “Jiro seems much more comfortable now.”

   Uraraka nodded. “[L/n]’s unexpectedly funny.”

   Next to the two girls, Kaminari surveyed the room. “Nothing girly about this room. Nope.”

   Aoyama chimed, “Non, mademoiselle!”

   On her way out, Jiro stabbed their heads with her ear jacks. “Next!”

   You peeled her note off your forehead and read it.

   - ONE OK ROCK

   - BURNOUT SYNDROMES

   - RADWIMPS

   - Aimer

   - ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

    - Survive Said the Prophet

   Interestingly enough, all of the band and artist names were stylized in English. You pocketed the note.

   I will listen to these artists as soon as is convenient. Jiro will not talk to me until I do.

 

   Hagakure had the cutest room by far.

   Fat stuffed animals sat on a high shelf and a giant teddy bear rested on her bed. Her blanket was covered in flowers and her curtains in cherries.

   Hagakure posed. “Well!?”

   Ojiro blushed a little. It was starting to dawn on him that he was actually in a girl’s room. “Oh, wow.” 

   You pointed at the giant teddy bear. “Is that a—“

   Hagakure stomped at you. “It’s a bear!”

   “I see. A ‘bear’ has a long face and round ears. I will remember that.”

   “So does a mouse! Have I taught you nothing!?”

   Ashido giggled. “You just showed him cute kitty and doggy videos.”

   “Don’t you turn on me, Mina!”

 

   Now Ashido’s turn.

   “Tada! Pretty cute, right?”

   Almost everything had a pattern on it, whether it was bubbles or hearts. Everything was pink, black, or both.

   “Ooh!” cooed Hagakure.

   You connected all the pink and black to Ashido’s skin and eyes. “Your room bears resemblance to you.”

   “Yep! Pink and black are my favorite colors.”

   “Black is not a color.”

   “I’m not playing your games!”

   “What ga—“

   “Nope!”

 

   Uraraka sheepishly presented her room. “Welcome to my boring room...”

   There were rice cakes on her coffee table and a fat piggy bank by her bed.

   You made another connection. “You, too, bear resemblance to your room.”

   Uraraka tilted her head. “Eh? How so?”

   “You are round.”

   “Ehhh, really!? I might need to cut back on the rice cakes...”

   Kirishima explained for you. “He wasn’t jabbing at your weight or anything, Uraraka. You’re just round. Like Vabo-chan!”

   Uraraka cupped her cheeks in dismay. “You guys are starting to sound like my parents...”

 

   Everyone filed into the hallway.

   “Next up is Asui...” murmured Midoriya.

   Sero looked around. “Hey, where’s Tsuyu anyway?”

   “Oh, I think Tsuyu wasn’t feeling well,” Uraraka answered.

   Kaminari said, “No reason to bother her then. We’ll check out her room another time.”

   It was only when the class was clear down the hall that Asui peeked out of her room.

 

   You all stopped at Yaoyorozu’s door.   

   “Last up is Yaoyorozu!” announced Sero.

   “Before we go in...” Yaoyorozu grabbed the door’s edge. “Let me say that I miscalculated. Compared to your rooms, which are all so unique and original...mine’s a bit cramped.”

   Cramped was an understatement.

   A king-sized canopy bed took up the majority of the room. A giant bookshelf, an antique vanity, and her desk were squished into whatever space was left.

   “Huge! But cramped!” Kaminari turned to Yaoyorozu. “What happened!?”

   Embarrassed, Yaoyorozu looked down and daintily pressed a finger to her lip. “This is the stuff I use back at home, but I never expected our rooms here would be quite so small.”

   Almost everyone had the same thought. What a princess!

   You were looking at the antique painting above Yaoyorozu’s desk. “Who is that person?”

   “Ah!” Her face lit up. “That is one of my favorite paintings, Lily of the Valley by U. King. The subject nor the artist are people I know personally. Both are long dead by now.”

   “Death is appealing to you?”

   “I-I’m sorry, what?”

   Tokoyami bobbed his head in approval. “Good taste.”

   “N-no!”

 

   After Yaoyorozu explained that she was, in fact, not appealed to death, you all gathered on the first floor living room couches.

   Everyone had a slip of paper and a pencil. A box was on the middle of the table.

   It was time to vote for the best room.

   You stared at your blank slip.

   What defines the best room?

   You couldn’t ask anyone right now. They were all totally silent as they thought about their choice.

   You thought about the rain this morning.

   Which room did I ‘like’ best? I did not like any in particular. I do not know if I liked any.

   Perhaps I should vote in a way that is most convenient for me. 

   You wrote down a name, folded the slip, and inserted it into the box.

 

   A few minutes later, Ashido, who stood at the end of the table, picked up the box. “Everyone’s done voting, right?”

   “Yes,” everyone else chorused.

   “Okay! With Bakugou and Tsuyu out of the running, the Room King is...!” Ashido quickly counted the votes.

   The kids on the couch leaned forward in anticipation. “Is...!?” 

    “With seven votes total, the student whose room crushed our expectations with its sweet originality is..." Dropping the box, Ashido happily tossed all the slips into the air. “Sato!"

   Sato was floored. “Eh!?”

   “By the way, you got every single girl’s vote! Why?” Ashido drooled. “That yummy cake!” 

   The other girls drooled as well.

   “What about the room!?” some of the boys shouted.

   Kaminari and Mineta pounced on poor Sato.

   “No decent would-be Hero bribes people!”

   Sato laughed as he playfully blocked their weak punches. “What’re you talking about? I’m just honored!”

   Kaminari craned his neck to scan the rest of the class. “This criminal got seven votes and all the girls present voted! Who are the two male traitors!?”

   You sat there innocently. All eyes darted to you in an instant.

   Kaminari’s face darkened. “You traitor.”      

   Midoriya attempted to defend you, standing up and spreading his arms out. “No—!”

   Kaminari barreled right past him.

   You hopped over the couch and ran towards the elevator.

   The blond raced after you. “Get back here!”

   Once you reached the elevator, you hit the button for the third floor.

   Kaminari skidded around the corner. “Oh, no, you don’t!”

   The doors began to slide together.

   Wearing a triumphant grin, Kaminari leapt through the gap. “Gotcha—!”

   You sidestepped him and squeezed out.

   You heard him land painfully. There was the scrambling of feet and hands and then Kaminari yelled, “Damn y—!”

   The doors shut.

   

   “Oh, damn!” Bellowing with laughter, Kirishima slapped you on the back. “That was cold!”

   He and some of your other classmates had trailed you to see the action.

   Sero, Jiro, and Ashido were dying.

   Midoriya noticed the glowing number three on the floor screen. “Oh, isn’t that Kaminari’s floor?”

   You nodded. “It is time to sleep.”

   “Oh!” Kirishima slapped his knee. “You just put him right to bed! Savage!”

   Todoroki rounded the corner and yawned. “We’re done, right? I want to go to bed.”

   Iida chided him. “No! You mustn’t forget to brush your teeth after eating that cake.”

 

   "Ah, wait, Todoroki, Iida!"

   They turned. 

   Uraraka was the one to call out to them. "Deku and [L/n] too. And Kirishima and Yaoyorozu... Can you guys come outside with me?"

   

   Standing in the glow of a streetlamp was Asui.

   Her head weighed heavy on her neck.

   Crickets sang in the nearby shrubbery. 

   When you reached the bottom of the front steps, you greeted Asui. "Hello, Asu--Tsuyu. Uraraka informed us that you have been unwell. Has your condition improved?"

   She didn't respond. 

   Or rather, she couldn't.

   Asui raised her head. Her brows pinched not in anger, but sadness.

   Uraraka jogged to her side. "You see, Tsuyu said she had something to tell you all."

   

   "...I can't help but say everything that comes to mind." Voice wavering, Asui continued, "But there are times when I don't know what to say. Do you remember what I said at the hospital?"

   "If you break the rules like that, then your actions are no different from those of the villains."

   You nodded. "Yes."

   Midoriya nodded as well. "Yeah, I remember."

   Asui looked down. "I hardened my heart and said some hurtful things."

   Uraraka put a comforting hand on her back. "Tsuyu..."

   "Even so, you still went." Asui's voice began to break. "When I heard about that this morning, I was shocked. I thought I'd stopped you, so I was filled with disappointment and bad feelings. I didn't know what to say..."

   The cracks in her voice. Her quiet tone.

   Your expression shifted in recognition.

   Asui is...sad.

   "I felt like there was no way I could go on chatting and having fun with you guys as if nothing had happened. I tried, but immediately after, I felt like such a bad person. I didn't think I deserved to talk to you." When Asui lifted her head, her big eyes were filled with tears. "And it broke my heart."

   The tears became too much. They rained down and stained the concrete below.

   You watched Asui cry.

   ...It is for certain.

   I  do not like this kind of rain.

   "...That's why I wanted to tell you even though I couldn't properly gather my thoughts. Because I wanted to be able to have fun and talk with everyone again." Sniffing, Asui wiped at her tears.

   Uraraka rubbed Asui's shoulder. "It's not just you, Tsuyu. We were all super uneasy about it. And we all want to start over again. Those of us who didn't go rescue Bakugou... We started that room game because we wanted this stifling feeling to go away. We're not mad at you guys for going or anything like that...ah, this is hard to explain, but..." Uraraka smiled hopefully. "We just wanna go back to when we could all smile together again."

   "Tsu!" cried Kirishima. Her rushed up to her, tears pricking his eyes. "I'm sorry! Thanks for opening up!"

   Yaoyorozu clutched her chest. "Tsuyu!"

   Iida flanked Kirishima. "Tsuyu-chan-kun!"

   Walking up to Asui, you told her softly, "I'm sorry... Please be happy once more."

   The others jolted. They politely dismissed their surprise from your softened voice to comfort Asui.

   Todoroki bowed his head. "Asui... Sorry."

   Midoriya joined the comfort circle. "Asu--Tsuyu!"

   Asui looked up with wide eyes.

   Kirishima's warm hand engulfed her shoulder. "I won't ever do it again!"

   Yaoyorozu patted Asui's head. "Neither will I!"

   Iida bowed. "I promise!

   Uncertainly, you patted Asui's head, warming up your hand for her sake. "I do not excel at comforting others. I hope that this will suffice."

   Asui cried even harder.

   "I see that my actions did not suffice. I'm sorry. Would you like to be hugged?"

   Asui blinked. Then she let out a happy ribbit. "I'd like that."

   You accidentally suffocated her in your chest. Poor Asui was a solid 30.5 centimeters (1 foot) shorter than you.

   "Can't...breathe..."

   Iida screamed. "Tsuyu-chan-kun!"

Chapter 52: Promise to Remember

Notes:

hiro's parents :-)

 

   Standing in front of your room, Todoroki checked his watch.

   It was last night that Todoroki had promised to show you how to properly pay respect to your parents. 

   The agreed meeting time was eight a.m. Only a minute left.

 

   7:59 turned to 8:00 and the door swung open.

   With a bow of your head, you bade Todoroki, "Good morning."

   Todoroki returned the nod. "Morning." Upon noticing dark circles beneath your eyes, he frowned slightly. "Did you not get enough sleep?"

   "I did not. I erred in eating Sato's chiffon cake so close to bedtime." 

   "Oh... I had to take sleep medication last night for the same reason. I can give you some if you want."

   "Thank you for the offer. However, I have been told to avoid sleep aids." Stepping aside, you gestured for Todoroki to enter. "Please come in."

   Todoroki did as asked.

   He came to a stop in the center of your room. "Why do you have to avoid them?"

   "There is a slight risk of memory interference," you replied from Todoroki's left. "Melissa wishes to avoid any and all risks to my memory." 

   "Oh." 

   Speaking of your memory, Todoroki had no idea how you were functioning while knowing so little. You couldn't identify a cat if it somehow learned human speech and then told you it was a cat.

   Todoroki moved the conversation along. "Now, for why I'm here..."

   His eyes found your parents' picture sitting on your desk. "It's no wonder no one knew the truth. Your parents aren't displayed properly."

   Todoroki spun in a slow circle, eyes darting to and fro. He stopped when he found what he was looking for.

   The box containing your workout equipment. It was tucked under your bed.

   Todoroki looked at you. "Are you okay with emptying out that box?"

   "Yes." You walked towards your bed and kneeled. After dragging out the box, you unloaded dumbbells of varying weights, stretch bands, and a yoga mat. You set those aside.

   Todoroki silently took the now empty box. 

   You observed as he put it down to pull open the balcony curtains.

   Rising from your kneel, you said, "Monoma does not like to see me. Please close the curtains."

   Todoroki calmly refuted, "Monoma can deal with it."

   You blinked.

   His back bent, Todoroki placed the box against the glass sliding door. He straightened up. "Bring the picture."

   "Okay." You made your way over to your desk. With careful hands so as to not damage anything, you brought the picture to Todoroki.

   "Set it down in the middle."

   You did as told. 

   Todoroki turned and went for the main door. "Wait here."

   "Where are you going?"

   "The kitchen."

   "Okay."  You turned your attention back to the picture and sat down on your calves to get a better look.

 

   During your visit to I-Island, David had told you were a perfect combination of your parents. 

   You tilted your head. Then, mimicking your father, you stretched your mouth in a boxy grimace.

   You dropped it. Your attempts at smiling and grinning never seemed to improve.

   Your mother was easier to imitate. She simply stared at the camera. You made no changes to your expression.

   In your mother's irises were the same spokes in your own. Black lines extended from her pupil to the ring of her irises. 

   Melissa had modeled your prosthetic eyes after your mother. And in your childhood photos, your eyes bore the same spokes. 

   You remembered Melissa saying that she made your sclera black because she thought it was cool. If your sclera were white, would you look more like your parents?

   Would that make David happy?

   

   "I'm back."

   You turned. "Hello."

   In Todoroki's hands were a glass of water and a tiny plate with a single orange on it.

   He handed them to you. "Put these on either side of the picture."

   You received them before doing as told. 

   "Move them a forward a little."

   "Okay."

   "There." Todoroki lowered himself next to you. He sat onto his calves. "Do what I do." He pressed his palms flat against one another, fingers pointing upward. Todoroki then bowed his head. 

  You copied him. Your hands clicked as they met in prayer.

  "Mentally wish your parents happiness. Or good morning. Whatever you like."

   You nodded. 

 

   ...Good morning, Mother, Father. 

  

   

   Todoroki greeted your parents.

   Nice to meet you.

   I'm your son's friend. He's doing well. 

   You can leave him to us.

 

   "What is the purpose of the water and the orange?"

   Todoroki lifted his head and lowered his hands. 

   You were staring at him for an answer.

   "Water to drink and a fruit to eat. Your parents can't do that literally, but it's custom." Todoroki's gaze returned forward. "Change the water every day. You can eat the orange yourself once it's ripe. Usually we light incense in a bowl of uncooked rice, but I'm not sure if burning incense is allowed here."

   "I see." You dipped your head. "Thank you for teaching me, Todoroki."

   Todoroki nodded back. "It's nothing."

    A peaceful silence fell over the two of you.

 

   Turning to you, Todoroki tentatively broke the silence. "...Can I ask who your parents were?"

   "Yes." Your face and voice betrayed nothing. You truly didn't mind. "I was told that my mother was a biomedical engineer and my father was a researcher who specialized in human biology. My mother's Quirk allowed her to spawn doorways in any location she had been once before. My father's Quirk enabled him to pinpoint the most vulnerable area on a person's body at any given moment. My parents attended the same college institution as David and Mr. Might."

   Todoroki's gaze fell. "...So you don't remember them."

   "I do not. David and Melissa have made multiple attempts to bring forth my memories. All attempts have been unsuccessful." Your eyes trailed the clouds drifting beyond the glass. "As of late, I have taken an interest in remembering. Remembering will make David, Melissa, and Mr. Might happy. My parents were precious to them."

 

   "I think it's okay...if you don't remember."

 

   You froze.

   When you turned to Todoroki, you saw something beautiful.

   Mismatched eyes reflected the soft whites and brilliant blues of the sky outside.

   As Todoroki glanced to you, his lashes, the color of fire and ice, batted idly. "You lost your memory, so everyone has to just accept it. It's not like you can remember... You have to accept that too."

 

   "You have to accept that too."

 

   You were like a statue as you took in those words.

   "But if the day comes...when you remember..." Todoroki's features softened. "...then I hope that the memories you've made with everyone here...become no less important."

 

   The past four months flashed through your head.

   Midoriya taking care of you when you were assaulted.

   Kaminari extending his friendship to you.

   Kirishima's kindness.

   Yaoyorozu's patient teaching.

   Drawing in the dirt with Iida.

   Trying to help Shinsou.

   Hugging Sero during the sports festival.

   Aoyama teaching you how to do your hair.

   Sato making soufflé pancakes for you.

   Arguing about animals with Todoroki.

   Finally making Bakugou grin, even if it was a malicious one in response to you accidentally insulting 1-B.

   Playing in the hot springs with Ojiro.

   Escaping Iida's wrath with Shoji's help.   

   Touring everyone's dorm rooms.

   

   

      

   All these memories, and so many more, played in your head like a movie.

   Your eyes drifted shut. 

   Upon opening, they resembled the Sun.

   Warmth budded in your chest. Sunlight kissed your face.

   Todoroki drank in the sight with wide eyes.

   You were ethereal.

   "There is no future where the time I have spent here will become insignificant," you told Todoroki. "I can say that with confidence. I do not know many things... I struggle often...but you all have been kind to me. I cannot allow myself to forget."

   A smile gently tugged at the corners of Todoroki's lips. His body, which had tensed unknowingly, relaxed once he heard your promise. 

   The two of you sat there for a while, glowing beneath the warm sun.

 

   You would later break that promise.

 

---

 

   During the five minute walk to the main campus, you approached Jiro.

   The note she'd given you the night before was in your pant pocket.

   “Don’t talk to me till you’ve listened to every single one of the artists on this list!”

   You came up to her left. "Good morning, Jiro."

   She nodded. "Morning."

   You extracted the note and showed it to her. "I have listened to one song from each of these artists. Do I now have permission to converse with you?"

   "Eh? I was joking when I told you not to talk to me." 

   "A joke. I see."

   Jiro snorted. "I'm not that mean."

   From behind Jiro, Kaminari kicked her ankle. "Yeah, right!"

   "Mind your business!"

   You blinked. "Violence."

   "Anyway," said Jiro, after stabbing Kaminari in the eye, "Did you like them? The artists and songs?"

   "...I felt, perhaps, an inkling of 'like' in response to one song."

   "Oh? Which one?"

   "LIKEY by TWICE."

   Jiro blinked.

   Then, smashing her mouth with one hand, she bent backwards with muffled laughter.

   "Ooh, I know that one!" chirped Kaminari. "설렌다 me likey! Me likey, likey, likey!"

   "Yes." You leaned down to ask Jiro, "Why are you laughing?"

   Jiro let out a wheeze. "That's not...! That's not even close to rock!"

   "It is not?"

   "N-no!"

   Meanwhile, Kaminari was mumbling the rest of the song. Kirishima looked at him funny and Kaminari started singing louder to assert dominance.

   Jiro calmed down. Grinning, she punched you in the rib. "Idiot. How'd you end up listening to TWICE?"

   "I'm sorry. MooTube forced me."

   "....You mean autoplay?"

   "Yes."

   "You can turn that off, you freaking boomer!"

   "What is a boomer?"

   "....I'm gonna strangle you."

   "No--"

 

---

      

   It was eight-thirty a.m. now.

   The bell rang and class began.

   "As I mentioned yesterday," said Aizawa, hands gripping the desk, "our primary goal now is to get you your provisional licenses."

   "Yes!" the class replied.

   You rubbed at your throat. Jiro had actually strangled you. Kaminari had to hold her back while Iida pried her jacks off you. Jiro didn't fuck around.

   Aizawa continued, "Hero licenses are inextricably tied to the saving of lives, so one must be properly qualified for such a heavy responsibility. Naturally, the test is incredibly difficult. Even for provisional licenses, we see only a fifty percent success rate on average." He wagged his finger at the door. "That's why starting today, each of you needs to come up with at least two..."

   Midnight, Ectoplasm, and Cementoss burst through the door. "Ultimate moves!"

   The class roared with excitement.

   "Ultimate moves!"

   "This is kinda like a school thing, but totally Hero-like at the same time!"

   You blinked.

   Ultimate?

 

   Ectoplasm started off the introduction. "Ultimate moves! These are your finishers, your most unique techniques!"

   Cementoss held up a finger. "Internalize these moves. Make them your own until they become unparalleled. Combat is all about finding and making use of your particular strengths!"

   "Your moves symbolize who you are!" added Midnight, striking a pose. "Nowadays, Heroes without ultimate moves are a dying breed!"

   Cementoss resumed speaking. "Let's move forward with a more detailed explanation and a practical demonstration."

   Aizawa headed for the door. "Change into your costumes and meet us at Gym Gamma."

   The class rose from their seats.

   "Yes, sir!"

 

   In the boys' locker room, you shed your blazer.

   Your chest strained against the white cotton of your undershirt.

   "Hey, [L/n]."

   You looked to your left. Then down.

   Mineta's ugly ass was staring directly at your chest. "What cup size are you?"

   "I drink from large cups in order to maximize water intake."

   "That's not what I meant!"

   Sero's brows furrowed. "Did you just ask for his cup size...?"

   Todoroki blinked. "Cup size?"

   "No!" Kaminari shook Mineta. "Iida's gonna kill us if you keep talking about cup size!"

   A shirtless Iida appeared behind them. Glasses flashing, he asked menacingly, "What is cup size?"

   Kaminari and Mineta shrieked in terror.

   "Wow!" said Kirishima, checking out Iida's upper body. He did the same to you. "You and Iida have sure gotten manly. Didn't notice before."

   It was a general rule for both sexes not to look at each other in the locker room, regardless of sexuality. But, on occasion, that rule could be broken.

   This was one of those times.

   As Iida crossed his arms, his back muscles rippled and thick biceps went taut. "Thank you!"

   Sero whistled. "Damn, Mr. Class President!" 

   You looked around. "What is cup si--?"

   Fearing for his life, Kaminari shushed you. "That's not important! Just get changed!"

   "...Okay."

   The discussion over cup size only got worse once you took your shirt off.

   Sero stared. Then he formed a C-shape with his right hand. "Can I just...hand-measure you? I want to see something."

   "What are you hand-measuring?"

   "Your chest."

   "Okay."

   Sero did so before beelining for a certain someone. "Hey, Bakugou! Can I hand-measure your--"

   "TOUCH ME AND I'LL KILL YOU!"

   While Sero got snagged by the collar and swung around like a ragdoll, the rest of you resumed changing.

   This would be your first time wearing the new costume Melissa made you.

   Simply put, it was the same thing, just completely black, able to withstand worse conditions, and aesthetically modified.

 

   At Gym Gamma, Cementoss explained how things would work.

   Using his Quirk, he would manipulate the cement flooring into environments suited for each student.

   Ectoplasm would be spawning clones to fight if any of you wished. 

   You had ten days to train your abilities. Polishing your ultimate moves would come after. 

   The due date was September. You had one month.

   Your hand curled into a fist.

   I will work hard.

 

   Ectoplasm talked to you personally.

   In the midst of the chaos, the two of you discussed a particular habit of yours.

   "Your aversion to violence. I noticed it during the sports festival."

   "...Yes."

   You never liked hurting others.

   Instead of punching Yaoyorozu during the very first battle trial, you'd choked her. Choking was exponentially worse, but you didn't know it at the time.

   During the sports festival, you had constantly hesitated to raise your hand against the opponent.

   Even after sparring with Kirishima and Ojiro in an effort to improve your close combat skills, you weren't able to fully put what you learned to use.

   It was only in anger that you were able to hurt others. You'd burned the men who attempted to kill Melissa and Midoriya without a second thought.

   Ectoplasm tapped your leg with his own prosthetic. "We need to fix that. A Hero needs to be able to not only protect, but to hurt. That's just how it is."

   "...I see."

 

   For the next half hour, you punched and kicked through every clone Ectoplasm sent at you.

   As Ectoplasm spawned another clone for Bakugou, he called to you, "How is it? Easier to hit because my clones aren't real people, right?"

  You stopped moving to reply. This resulted in a leftover clone charging at you. Instead of dodging it like you normally would, you swept your shin into its legs. You stomped its head into mush the moment it hit the floor.

   Catching your breath, you finally called back, "Yes."

   To keep your heart rate up, you jogged in place as you waited for Ectoplasm's response.

   "I see you're improving. Good. Now--"

 

   A gentle hand came down on your helmet. "I'll take over from here, Ectoplasm."

   Ectoplasm blinked. "All Might."

   Continuing to jog in place, you turned around. "Mr. Might?"

   He smiled. "Hello, my bionic boy. I've been going around giving advice to you kids. Mind if I hang out with you for a bit?"

   "I do not mind."

   All Might moved in front of you. His left arm was still in a sling. "Look at me carefully. How can I be incapacitated as efficiently as possible?"

   In eery monotone, you answered, "Your joints can be burnt in order to restrict movement."

   "W-well, yes, but think beyond the ability bestowed upon you. It's not that you have to change your attitude towards violence, but you must change how you approach it." Smiling, All Might pat your helmet once more. "You were born kind. No one in this world can change that."

   You blinked.

   I...was born kind?

  "I'll be going now. Good luck, my bionic boy."

  "...Okay. Thank you."

 

   "Ready?" asked Ectoplasm.

   A clone of him spawned in front of you.

   "Yes." Thinking about what All Might told you, you braced yourself.

   I must change my approach to violence.

   You purposefully remained still as the clone dashed towards you.

   Pivoting on one leg, it turned to deliver a harsh back kick to your sternum.

   You grunted. Back kicks were usually nasty, but your armor took the brunt of it.

   Wrapping both hands around the clone's leg, you yanked upward. The clone's face slammed into the floor.

   You fried a hole into the back of its head with one palm.

   After taking enough damage, the clone melted.

   Ectoplasm broke into a sweat. "You can't do that to a real person... Practice techniques you can apply to living people."

   "I see. Okay."

 

   The next clone got its head repeatedly bashed into the cement.

   Ectoplasm cringed a little. 

   But at least he gained deeper insight into your problem.

   Hurting people who never wronged you was what you struggled to do.

   You didn't seem to have any qualms about going ham on the clones.

 

   "[L/n]."

   Grabbing another clone's collar and socking it in the face over and over, you replied without looking, "Yes?"

   "What you're doing right now is packing damage. It's good that you've recognized what destroys my clones. However! You must think of them as real people. There's a difference between practicing techniques designed to hurt real people versus actually thinking of my clones as real people."

   "I see." You immediately quit punching the poor clone and Ectoplasm sighed.

   Ectoplasm thought to himself, This is going to be a long month.

Chapter 53: Confrontation

Notes:

your hero costume!

 

 

   Being dorm neighbors with Bakugou was...interesting to say the least.

   As you both had similar sleep schedules, you often encountered each other in the communal restroom.

 

   "You are brushing your teeth too harshly, Bakugou. You will damage your enamel."

   Bakugou spat into the sink. And maintaining eye contact, he swished water around his mouth.

   You waited patiently.

   Bakugou spat at you and you dodged.

   "Don't tell me what to do!"

   "Please do not spit at me."

   "What did I just say!?"

 

   Bakugou was usually in bed by eight-thirty. You put yourself to bed at exactly nine every day.

   While Bakugou liked washing up just before bed, you tended to prepare about forty-five minutes ahead of time.

   You always woke up at the exact same time. Because you two were the earliest risers in class, no one was there to curb Bakugou's malevolence.

 

   "Good morning, Bakugou."

   "I hope your morning is shit."

   "I do not understand how a time of day can be excrement."

   "Maybe you'll understand once I collapse your jaw!"

   "No--"

 

   Every single morning, Bakugou woke up and chose violence.

   Today was no different.

 

   "What are you looking at?"

   "I have concerns regarding your enamel."

   "You want me to punch you?"

   "I do not."

   "Sure fucking sounds like it."

   "N--"

 

   After nailing you in the gut, Bakugou sauntered out the restroom.

   You were hunching over the sink. Bakugou never pulled his punches.

   Amazingly enough, getting antagonized daily did nothing to change your positive opinion of Bakugou.

   You pressed a cool hand to your stomach.

   How can I befriend Bakugou?

   You were like a lost puppy.

   

---

 

   There was, undeniably, an odd and stifling air about some of the other U.A. students.

   This was most apparent during lunch. Lunch was the one time where every student in school gathered in one place.

 

   Chin held high as usual, Bakugou led the class into the cafeteria.

   Heads turned. Hands covered whispering mouths.

   All Might's retirement was still a fresh wound.

 

   Bakugou snorted. 

   He noticed the hushed chatter, of course. He just didn't give a shit.

   Cherry red eyes glanced to the right.

   Kirishima was talking to you animatedly. He was all happy smiles. You listened to him, attentive as always. Neither of you seemed to take note of anything.

   As Bakugou looked away, his jaw relaxed just the slightest.

   

   In the three weeks following the Kamino incident, every U.A. student had been ordered to stay at home. Spite, hostility, and sorrow had built up like a toxic fog. Though only a minority of students resented Bakugou and the rest of 1-A, their presence was still felt.

   Bakugou wasn't the only one who blamed himself for All Might's retirement.

   On Bakugou's shoulders sat an invisible weight that grew heavier by the day.

   "Hey, Bakugou!"

   A familiar hand touched his arm.

   Kirishima smiled. "What are you getting for lunch?"

   You leaned forward with round eyes. "I wish to have what Bakugou is having."

   The invisible weight lifted.

   "Mapo tofu, duh," Bakugou told Kirishima. Then he smirked at you. "I look forward to seeing you cry."

   Your gaze lingered on Bakugou as he turned forward.

   Bakugou expressed joy.

   I wish to see it again.

 

   You tilted your head at the bowl of mapo tofu smoldering before you.

   Bakugou had given you a curt rundown of what was in it.

   Mapo tofu, Bakugou's favorite, was a Chinese dish packed to the brim with spice. The spice row consisted of Sichuan peppercorns, Thai bird chili peppers, dried red chilies, and spicy bean paste. The other ingredients were oil, ginger, garlic, ground pork, chicken broth, silken tofu, cornstarch, sesame oil, sugar, and scallions.

   You lowered your mask and sniffed the air. The tofu was so fragrant that you didn't need to bend down to smell it.

   Bakugou and Kirishima watched you from across the table. Sero sat to Kirishima’s left while Ashido and Kaminari flanked your sides.

   Rubbing your nose, you informed them, "My sinuses are burning."

   Bakugou scoffed. “Weak.”

   Sero chose death. “Now, now, Bakugou, don’t be mad just ‘cause he’s cuter than you.”

   “You wanna die!?”

   Ashido peered at the tofu. Turning to you, she pulled the puppy-dog eyes. “Can I have some if you don’t finish?”

   “Okay. Why have your eyes enlarged?”

   “Yay!”

   Kaminari’s eyes were watering. “That tofu is dangerous. Sero, can we switch seats?”

   Sero was currently being held in a chokehold by Bakugou.

   “Are you gonna cry?” Sero wheezed to Kaminari. “Gonna piss your pants?”

   “I’ll piss your pants!”

   Kirishima grinned as he slid you a carton of milk. "You might need this."

   You took the milk carton and set it next to your bowl. "What is the purpose of the milk?" 

   "It'll help with the spice."

   "I see. Thank you." 

 

   Picking up your spoon, you scooped a chunk of the tofu into your mouth.

   A malicious grin split Bakugou's face. He anticipated tears.

   Kirishima held his breath.

   The other three clowns were ready to laugh at your misery.

   You slowly chewed and swallowed.

   Eyes growing round, you said innocently, "It tastes good."

   Bakugou huffed through his nose. “Duh.” 

   Sero, Ashido, and Kaminari sighed in disappointment.

   Kirishima asked you, "Are you feeling hot at all?"

   Tiny needles pricked your tongue. Your throat burned.

   You ran your tongue against your lips before replying, "My tongue is numb and my throat is burning."

   Bakugou aggressively tossed you a napkin. "Don't do that, idiot! That just spreads the numbness."

   "I see. Thank you." You wiped your mouth with the napkin. It helped a little, but you could still feel the tingles.

   Blinking, Kirishima turned to Bakugou. He hadn't expected the blond to help you.

   Kirishima snickered. 

   Looks like that scored him some points with Bakugou.

   Bakugou glared at Kirishima. "What?"

   "You're being an extra good friend today!"

   "Who says I'm friends with that piece of scrap metal!?"

 

   You finished the rest of your meal.

   Though you were blessed to be able to handle the spice, that didn’t stop the numbness and sweat plaguing your face.

   You downed the milk Kirishima gave you.

   "Done?" he asked. Kirishima chuckled when he saw the perspiration on your cheeks. "You should go freshen up. And don't touch your eyes. The spice'll get in there."

   "My eyes will become spicy. I see."

   Bakugou shoved a laughing Kirishima. "Nah. Stick your fingers right in there. Nothing will happen."

   Blinking, you glanced between the two. "...You are sure?"

   One hand over Kirishima's mouth, Bakugou said, straight-faced, "Yep."

   Kirishima began to wheeze. Bakugou held back a snort. Sero cried with laughter and Ashido and Kaminari were in hysterics.

  "I see. However, I will not touch my eyes." Grabbing another napkin, you patted your face dry. "Melissa discourages it as the germs on my hands from day-to-day activities will hurt my eyes."

   You put your mask back on, bowed, and left for the restroom.

   Bakugou released Kirishima. He clicked his tongue. "Damn it."

   Kirishima lightly punched Bakugou's shoulder. "Pfft! Not cool!"

   "Then why are you laughing?"

   "It's not like that!"

 

   To prevent students from seeing your face, you used the restroom on the other side of campus.

   You peeked inside.

   It seemed empty. You couldn't hear any movement or running water.

   You took off your mask. Using wet paper towels, you wiped your face. One towel for your lips and one towel for the rest of your face.

   You finished with a travel-sized moisturizer. You always carried it around in your pocket.

   As you slipped your mask on, someone entered the restroom.

   That was close. You'd masked just in time.

   When you turned to leave, you saw fluffy indigo hair.

 

   You almost stopped.

   Shinsou.

   A few sinks away from you, the other boy rinsed his mouth.

   You kept walking. That deadpan Shinsou had given you a few days ago could've been out of hostility for all you knew. You were playing it safe.

   And it made sense that he'd gone out of his way to use this specific restroom. Shinsou was the type to avoid people as much as possible.

   Your foot pressed down on the door opener.

   "So even you can change."

   You blinked. Did Shinsou just talk to you?

   You looked over your shoulder.

 

   Shinsou was nonchalantly drying his hands. "Cat got your tongue?"

   Was Shinsou going to brainwash you? He'd done that when you wouldn't quit pestering him. That was before the sports festival.

   ...No.

   Shinsou will not brainwash me.

   "Hello, Shinsou." Stepping off the door opener, you turned and bowed slightly. "My tongue remains in my mouth. No cat has custody of it."

   Shinsou smiled wryly.

   If you'd really changed, then you wouldn't have replied. You would've walked right out, knowing the nature of Shinsou's Quirk. You would've been like everyone else.

   You hadn't changed.

   You'd just learned to respect boundaries.

   Shinsou discarded his paper towel. As he met your eyes, he said sarcastically, "Careful. A cat just might gain custody of your tongue if you're not paying attention."

   The sarcasm flew clear over your head. "I will be careful then."

   "Yep. Don't let the bed bugs bite either."

   "My bed does not have bugs."

   "How do you know?"

   That made you pause. 

   Shinsou tried not to grin. He was having a bit too much fun.

   "...I do not know for certain. But I have not seen any bugs, so my bed must not have any."

   "No, no. Think Schrodinger's cat. The bugs may or may not be in your bed. The only way you’ll know is to check."

   "Who is Schrodinger?"

   "Some old man."

   "What relevance is Schrodinger's cat?"

   "Old fart stuck it in a box with some radiation."

   "...Why?"

   "Because he's a sick piece of shit."

   "I see." You nodded thoughtfully. "Then I will confirm the presence of bugs in my bed. Thank you for the advice."

   Shinsou wanted to face-palm at your innocence. "Yep."

   "See you." You bowed and left the restroom.

   Face-palming, Shinsou muttered, "Should I tell him...?"

 

   You strolled through the sunbeams shining in from the hallway windows.

   Shinsou has imparted me advice.

   Is that an indicator of a positive relationship?

 

   "...Hey."

   You turned.

   Sunshine painted streaks of amethyst onto indigo strands. In deep violet irises were bright lavender flecks, brought out by the Sun.

   Shinsou deadpanned. "I wasn’t being serious. Don’t go tearing up your mattress or anything. I’m not looking to pay for it.”

   “You were joking?”

   “What do you think?”

   “I have a joke to tell you.”

   “Please don’t.”

   “Okay.”

 

   You and Shinsou continued toward the cafeteria in silence.

   Shinsou glanced over.

   You were staring straight ahead. 

   It'd been a few months since Shinsou had a proper conversation with you.

   All it took were those few months for you to learn so much.

   You didn't talk Shinsou's ear off anymore. You even gave him space.

 

   Shinsou averted his eyes. "...What's the joke you wanted to tell me?"

   You blinked. "You wish to hear it?"

   "I guess."

   "I see." You gestured to your eyes. "That is what you normally do with eyes."

   A few seconds went by.

   Cringing so hard that his brows nearly met in the middle, Shinsou seethed, "Are you serious?"

   "A joke is not meant to be serious."

   "Why are you like this?"

   

   You gazed at the ceiling in thought.

   Shinsou didn't seem to like that joke. 

   Did you have any other ones to tell him?

   You recalled the first joke you ever identified. Todoroki's hand-crushing thing. It ended up not being a joke.

   The only joke format you knew was the one you'd used just now.

   You were going to have to make a new one.

 

   Next to you, Shinsou's frown deepened by the minute. He could sense you were going to regal him with another awful joke. Every bone in Shinsou's body was telling him to commit a crime.

   "I have acquired a new joke."

   "Oh no."

   Gazing at Shinsou's fluffy hair, you told him, "You are a camellia. A flower without fragrance." You tugged down your mask and gave Shinsou a whiff. "Disregard what I said previously. You are fragrant."

   Shinsou jerked away. "Did you just smell me--?"

   The sight of your unmasked face stopped Shinsou in his tracks.

   Downy skin glowed in the afternoon sun. Your brows, somewhat overgrown from lack of trim, only made you more endearing. Lightly chapped lips gave you charm. 

   "Yes," you answered. "I smelled you to check whether or not you have fragrance. I recognize the hair products you use."

   Red raced up Shinsou's neck. Turning his cheek, Shinsou grabbed his nape. "...Don't do it again."

   You re-masked yourself. "Have I made you uncomfortable? I'm sorry." 

   All Shinsou could do to respond was grunt.

   When did you become so handsome? You were a baby-faced brat not long ago. 

   There was no way such a drastic change in appearance was due to puberty alone.

   But that was the only answer Shinsou could think of.

   You didn't sense him give you a once-over.

   You'd grown taller, broader.

   Shinsou hadn't noticed till now. 

   You seemed full of surprises.

  

   Down the hall was the last corner you needed to round before reaching the cafeteria.

   The trip there was quiet.

   Shinsou was content to chill in the silence. You were content to do anything Shinsou wanted to do.

   You were about to round the corner when you heard someone say,

   

   "Bakugou deserved it."

 

   You stopped.

   Shinsou wasn't fazed. He'd already heard that kind of thing about both Bakugou and Shinsou himself.   

   Shinsou gauged your expression.

   It was blank as ever. If Shinsou saw your face without context, he would've never guessed what you were really feeling.

   Another voice chimed in, "It's time he got humbled. Cocky bastard."

   And then a third. "Kid makes the rest of us look bad. How hasn’t he been expelled yet?”

 

   Shinsou made no effort to stop you as you stepped forward.

   “Do not speak of Bakugou in this derogatory manner.”

   The three guys turned. 

   You didn’t recognize them. They were probably in a different year.

   Not that you cared about remembering their faces anyway.

   The guys shifted uneasily. You were tall, broad, and imposing with your intense stare. You had no clue how intimidating you could be.

   The one who’d spoken first squinted at you in confusion. Then he grinned. “Oh, it’s the helmet kid. Think you’re the shit just ‘cause your balls dropped?”

   The other two snickered.

   “What’re you gonna do? Burn us?”

   “'Hero' my ass!”   

   You ignored those remarks. “Bakugou was the victim. Why should the victim be punished? You were not there when he was taken against his will.” Eyes widening unsettingly, you leaned in to say, “You know nothing.”

   The other boy grit his teeth. He refused to back down. That’d essentially be admitting defeat. 

   He spat back, “Fuck do you know, first year? Get out of my face.”

   “I know Bakugou is a good person.” 

   “Then what the hell was that show he put on for the sports festival?”

   “Bakugou has grown as a person. Despite his dislike of me, he saved me when—“

   The boy suddenly shoved you.

   You didn’t even budge.

   He flinched. “You...!” He put on a shaky grin and spread his arms out. “You damn Hero-wannabe. Hit me. Go on. You can’t."

   The boy's two friends exchanged a fearful look.

   It was known that you were a cyborg. A human of carbon fiber, diamond, and steel. 

   A single hit from you would definitely break a few bones.

 

   Cocking your head, you robotically recited Ectoplasm's words. “A Hero needs to be able to not only protect, but to hurt.”

   Shining under the fluorescent lights was your raised fist. 

   "That's just how it is."

 

   You swung.

   The boy jumped out of the way.

   He shuddered. You would've got him in the stomach otherwise. 

   The boy barked, "Hold him!"

   His friends dashed toward you.

   They apparently had faith in numbers.

   You were going to shatter that faith.

   

   They tried to grab your arms. 

   Their hands closed around air.

   You had dropped into a sweep.

   Yelping, the guys toppled to the ground. 

 

   You weren't letting them rest.

   Snatching them up by the backs of their blazers, you stood up.  

   They flailed and cussed at you as they were displayed like hunting trophies.

   Their leader could only watch. His eyes shook with fear.

 

   "Apologize to Bakugou. I will set your friends free if you do so."

   "...L-let them go, you fucking freak!"

   "Apologize."

   The leader glared, sweat running down his face. His pride wouldn't allow him to do that.

   And then he realized something crucial.

   Both your hands were occupied.

 

   "Fuck you!"

   You tensed as the leader leapt toward you.

   One fist in the air, he aimed for your face.

   Your irises spun rapidly.

   What do I do?

   

   The leader got promptly clotheslined.

   Coughing, he collapsed into a pathetic heap.

   You blinked. 

   The outstretched arm that had done the clotheslining returned to its owner.

 

   Bakugou inspected his sleeve. "Tch. Use one of those cunts as a meat shield next time."

   The boys hanging from your hands shrieked.

   "Bakugou!"

   "Shit, he's here!"

   You nodded. "Thank you, Bakugou."

   "Whatever. Drop 'em, will you?"

   You released the boys.

   They joined their leader on the floor. All three gazed up at Bakugou as if he were their savior.

   "You're letting us go...?"

   "Even though we insulted you...?"

   "You're nicer than I thought!"

 

   "Are you fucking stupid?"

   Their hearts fell out their asses.

   Pearly whites displayed in a devilish grin, Bakugou rasped, "Grovel to me, extras."

 

   The next few minutes consisted of the extras crying and begging for mercy. Bakugou was on a whole other level of scary.

   Once Bakugou dismissed them, they fled, tails between their legs.

  "You’ve been here since the very beginning, Bakugou.” Shinsou stepped out from behind the wall corner. “Enjoy the show?"

   "Hah? Have you just been hiding there like a pussy?"

   "It was none of my business," Shinsou replied, simpering like he knew something Bakugou didn't. Shinsou always seemed to know something no one else did. "I enjoyed the show myself."

   Red eyes narrowed. Bakugou didn't trust Shinsou one bit.

   You looked between the two. "You have been present for the whole ordeal, Bakugou?"

   Bakugou rolled his eyes. "I was gonna give those clowns a piece of my mind myself when you decided to butt in."

   "I see." You bowed. "I'm sorry."

   Huffing, Bakugou tucked his hands back into his pockets before sauntering to the closest restroom.

 

   On the way there, Bakugou thought about what you said.

   "I know Bakugou is a good person."

   “Bakugou has grown as a person. Despite his dislike of me, he saved me when—“   

   That time on I-Island. When you'd lost an arm and helplessly fell through the sky.

   Bakugou wasn’t petty enough to just let you die. He hadn't dwelled on saving you. It was natural to him. 

   But it meant the world to you.

   The harsh lines in Bakugou's face loosened a little.

   So that was why you liked him so much.

   Your immunity to Bakugou's insults never had anything to do with it.

   You were so simple.

   "...Idiot."

 

   Back at the corner by the cafeteria, Shinsou applauded you. “Wow. Didn’t think you had it in you.”

   “What do I have inside me?”

   “Violence.”

   “There is violence within me?”

   “Sure. Taking hostages like that was pretty indicative of containing violence.”

   “I see. Then when a similar situation arises once again, I will take no hostages.”

   “...Do you even know what you’re saying right now?”

   “...Yes?”

   “That’s comforting.”

 

   You two continued to the cafeteria entrance.

   Shinsou gave you a casual back-handed wave as he left for his table. 

   You waved back. Shinsou didn’t see it, but you guessed he didn’t need to. Shinsou seemed to know a lot of things.

   You headed toward your table.

   Your confrontation with those clowns who insulted Bakugou would be vital in your development.

 

   

---

   

   

   Days passed.

   Today was August 11th, 20XX.

   It was the last day of ability training. You’d all be working on your ultimate moves starting tomorrow.

   

   One of Ectoplasm’s clones stood before you. 

   Ectoplasm himself observed you from afar.    

   Would you finally overcome your aversion to violence?

 

   You were the one to charge forward.

   The clone swerved to avoid your consecutive punches.

   You aimed four fingers at the clone’s prosthetic legs.

   2500 degrees.   

   “Red Fissure.”

   The clone’s legs were immediately melted in half. It flopped onto the ground back first.

   Leaping over the melted metal, you bent your arm and honed in on the clone’s chest.

   Your elbow connected.

   Air shot out of the clone in a painful wheeze. It melted into a puddle of goop.

   Flicking excess goop off your armor, you got to your feet.

 

   “How did you overcome your mental hurdle?”

   You turned.

   Ectoplasm had come to question you personally. 

   You blinked at him. 

 

   Every fight you ever participated in, you never started.

   From the sports festival to that personal confrontation, you never started anything. 

   Yet you were obligated to finish everything. 

   You couldn’t avoid hurting others.

 

   Finally, you came to a conclusion. 

   “I have accepted that violence is inevitable.”

   Ectoplasm squinted. “That’s...a little morbid, don’t you think?”

   “No.”

   Ectoplasm's head bowed. In exasperation or congratulations, you weren't sure. “Very well then. You may move on to the next phase of training. You pass.”

   You felt lighter. Bowing back, you thanked Ectoplasm. “I was able to pass only by your and Mr. Might’s guidance. Thank you, Mr. Ectoplasm.”

   “Yes, yes. Forge ahead with this enthusiasm.” Ectoplasm walked away. “I have faith you’ll go far.”

   “I will uphold that faith.” 

 

   You took off your helmet. 

   Is violence truly inevitable?

   I suppose I must accept it for the sake of others.

 

   In the sheen of your helmet, your reflection stared back at you.

   And perhaps, for my own sake.

 

---

   

   After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room.

   Kirishima became one with the couch. "I'm pooped..."

   Mimicking Kirishima, you sank into the cushy foam. "I am excrement in the past tense."

   "I don't like that."

   Midoriya was too tired to bother with your weird remark. "It's great that we get to take the license exam as first years, but...my legs are dying."

   Iida's brows furrowed. "That sentence did not lead where I thought it would. Are you struggling with grammar, Midoriya?"

   "No?"

   "Why did you answer me with another question?"

   Kaminari pat Midoriya's shoulder. Nodding like a wise sage, he said, "It's okay to be stupid."

   Jiro was quick as always. "You'd know a lot about that, Kaminari."

   "What did I ever do to you?"

   With one hand, you casually grabbed Midoriya's ankles and lifted his legs. "Your legs are not necrotic, Midoriya. From a visual inspection, I can conclude your legs are not dying."

   "Please let go."

   "You are misinformed."

   "I didn't mean it literally!"

   "I see." You let go of his ankles.

   A shockwave ran through Midoriya's legs as they hit the floor. He bit back a squeal of pain.

   He slowly turned to you and croaked, tears in his eyes, "Why?"

   "I'm sorry."

   From the couch across, Bakugou laughed at Midoriya's misery. Midoriya could only squint weakly.

 

   A Todoroki-shaped shadow shielded you from the living room light.

   You looked behind you.

   Lo and behold, Todoroki.

   "Hello."

   "Hello." Todoroki glanced at the formation on the couch.

   Kirishima was on the far left, you were in the middle, and Midoriya was to your right.

   Getting a fistful of Midoriya's white t-shirt, Todoroki dragged him to the far right end of the couch.

   Then Todoroki climbed over and plopped down next to you.

   Midoriya was going to kill someone. "That...was so unnecessary! You could've just asked me to move!"

   "I thought it was necessary."

   "Are you serious?"

   Todoroki didn't elaborate. He simply returned his attention to you. "Hello."

   "Hello," you echoed. 

   Midoriya face-palmed.

 

   A clap got everyone's attention. 

   Yaoyorozu was the only one standing, a smile on her face. "These past two weeks, you all have been working so hard... I believe a break is well-deserved." Her fingers intertwined. "My family owns a private beach. We can't have it completely to ourselves, since it's also open to our associates, but...would you all like to come?"

   There was an uproar.

   "P-private beach!?"

   "You own it!?"

   "I'd love to go!"

   "The beach!? Heck yeah!"

   Some of you were more reluctant.

   "I, um, lost my swimsuit."

   "Can we just...not bring Mineta?"

   "Hey!"

   

   Yaoyorozu beamed hopefully. "I'd love for everyone to be there." She narrowed her eyes at Mineta. "You are on thin ice."

   "Oh, come on!"

   You'd never been to the beach before. "I would like to go. I am curious as to what a beach entails."

   Kirishima asked you, "You've never gone, huh?"

   "No."

   Kirishima hooked an arm around your shoulder. "Then I'll teach you how to be a man on the sand!"

   Hagakure scolded Kirishima. "You're teaching him weird things again!"

   

   That night, you picked out your clothes ahead of time. It was unusual since you wore a uniform every day.

   The beach outing would be tomorrow.

   Your pick, or rather, your only piece of swimwear, was a pair of black trunks.

   You folded them and placed them back into your closet.

   

   White sand.

   The deep blue sea.

   The creatures that lived in the border between.

   You looked forward to it all.

Chapter 54: Bitch Episode (Part 1)

   Most of the class couldn't fully focus on training. 

   You'd all been cooped up indoors for more than a month now. Three weeks at home and almost two full weeks in the dorms.

   The prospect of going to the beach was more exciting than it would normally be.

 

   "Alright! First step to being a man on the sand!"

   You, Sero, Ashido, and Kaminari sat on the floor of Kirishima's room. Kirishima himself was standing before you like an elderly taekwondo master, his shoulders back, arms crossed, and feet apart.

   Kirishima whipped out a tube of sunscreen. "Protect your skin! Make sure the S.P.F. isn't too low or too high! And it has to be the kind that doesn't hurt the environment!"

   Grinning, Sero showed off his own tube. "Way ahead of ya! This brand doesn't make me look like a ghost."

   Ashido rubbed some sunscreen onto her arm. “I didn’t know the right stuff to use when I was younger, so I ended up looking like a clown.”

   “You don’t look any different though?”

   “Really, Sero?”

   You politely presented your own sunscreen, one hand on the bottle and the other flat underneath. "The smell is good."

   Kaminari pawed at it. "Lemme smell."

   "Okay."

   Kaminari took it from you. He popped the cap and gave it a whiff. He raised his head to frown at you. "This is just normal sunscreen. Not even motor oil?"

   "The smell is good."

   "Okay then, weirdo..."

 

   Kirishima held up two fingers. "Second step!" Reaching into his shorts, he produced a pair of sports sunglasses. "Eye protection!"

   All of you put on your own pairs of sunglasses. Ashido's were pink and heart-shaped, Sero's were circular, Kaminari's resembled 3D glasses, and yours were plain.

   Ashido squinted at you. "Aren't your eyes fake?"

   "Yes."

   Sero elaborated in your stead. "He probably needs 'em anyway, given he got mobbed in public not long ago..."

   "Oh, right! What do you do for your skin, [L/n]? Do you eat children?"

   As you tried explaining to Ashido the wrongness of eating children, Sero muttered, "Is no one else concerned about the mobbing part except me?"

   Kaminari scooted towards Ashido. "Eating children? Hell yeah!"

   You shook your head. "No, Kaminari. Do not eat children. It is cannibalism and cannibalism is illegal."

   The two high-fived each other. "Eating children!"

   Sero crawled over. "Can I have some?"

   You pushed Sero away. "No. Do not join them in committing cannibalism. It is a crime."

   "Why don't you join us?" Kaminari and Ashido grabbed you by the arms and dragged you closer.

   Kirishima felt his soul seep out of his pores. "What?"

   You all were going to be the end of Kirishima. He wished Bakugou was here. Bakugou was a lot better at getting you all in line. At this moment, Bakugou was enjoying peace and quiet in his room.

   Kaminari, Sero, and Ashido somehow managed to get you flat on your stomach. Sero planked on you perpendicularly, Kaminari planked on Sero parallel to you, and then Ashido planked perpendicular to Kaminari.

   Ashido cheered, "Human Jenga!"

   Your cheek was smushed into the floor. "How is this relevant to eating children?"

   Kaminari stared up at Kirishima. His face was devoid of emotion. "Join us."

   Creases formed between Kirishima's eyebrows and at the corners of his lips as he grimaced. "Normally I would, but...this somehow involves eating children, so no thanks. And I'm not a fan of the face you're making right now, Kaminari."

   "This is what [L/n] always looks like. Why are you being mean to me?"

   With one push, Kirishima toppled the stack. 

   You closed your eyes. At last, air.

   The other three monkeys whined and groaned on the floor.

 

   "Is he fucking dead?"

   Everyone but you glanced to the doorway.

   Bakugou was standing there, mildly disgusted by what he just witnessed. Then he grinned. "Nice."

   As the monkeys cheered, Kirishima scolded Bakugou. "Don't encourage them!"

   "I give praise where it's due."

   You rolled onto your back. "As you can see, I have just moved. I am not deceased, Bakugou."

   "Go back to being dead!"

   "No.”

 

   Kirishima squatted to lift you by the pits. "Up, up, up."

   You now sat upright. "Thank you, Kirishima."

   Rubbing his chin, Sero remarked, "Forklift."

   "Sometimes the sidechick isn't a chick." Kaminari lowered his sunglasses and bit his lip. "Sometimes...it's a forklift."

   Ashido smiled. "What?"

   

   Kirishima put his hands on his hips. He inhaled deeply and bellowed, "Now, for the third and final step to being a man on the sand!"   

   You, Ashido, Sero, and Kaminari immediately piped down.

   Kirishima sighed. Of course you four would listen when it came to nothing important. 

   He glanced over to the door, where Bakugou was.

   Bakugou was squinting at the wall clock with derision. It was the manly clock that had arms for some reason.

   Kirishima grinned. Bakugou clearly didn't give a shit about what was happening, but his presence alone was moral support. 

   "The third step is..." Kirishima's grin fell. Looking down in thought, he scratched his head. "I honestly didn't think I'd get this far. Uh..."

   Bakugou grimaced. Aside from his own set, there wasn't a single brain cell in this entire room.

   

   "Are you guys done getting ready? Yaoyorozu told me to ask."

   "Don't come up behind me, Deku!"

   "But I'm not supposed to walk in front of you either, Kacchan..."

   You wiggled out from under Sero. "Hello, Midoriya."

   "Hey--what are you guys doing?"

   In just seconds, another human Jenga stack had been assembled. Kirishima was included this time, between Sero and Kaminari. Kirishima had joined upon being promised this didn't involve eating children.

   Ashido chirped, "Jenga!"

   "B-but that's not even how Jenga works... You have to be in a square formation..."

   The number of brain cells in the room hadn't changed.

 

   Once everyone finished prepping, the class gathered on the first floor. 

   There were three conditions that needed to be fulfilled for this trip.

   One: Each student attending needed clearance from a legal guardian.

   Two: Aizawa, Midnight, and Present Mic would be accompanying.

   Three: As persons of interest, Bakugou and Tokoyami were not allowed to attend.

   They would be staying with 1-B for the day. Bakugou and Monoma being in the same general vicinity was bound to be entertaining.

 

   You all bade Bakugou and Tokoyami farewell.

   "See you, guys!"

   "Have fun with class B!"

   "Don't let Monoma bother you too much!"

   Tokoyami waved. "I will endeavor not to let Monoma's darkness consume me."

   Scowling, Bakugou shuffled towards the stairs. “Between going with you idiots and staying with the other idiots, I don’t know which is worse.”

   Round eyes were glued onto Bakugou’s retreating back. You blinked faintly. Then your gaze fell. “...See you, Bakugou.”

   Bakugou paused. He glanced over his shoulder.

   Your eyes weren’t blue. But the path your gaze took and your reluctance were all Bakugou needed to know you were sad.

   “...Whatever, Tin Can.” Becoming visibly grumpier than usual, Bakugou disappeared upstairs.

    Kirishima grinned as he pat your back. "It’s okay! I’m sure Bakugou can come the next time we go out.”

   “You are sure?”

   “Yeah!”

   “Okay.”

 

   Aizawa clapped. Everyone present turned to the double doors. Beside Aizawa were Midnight and Present Mic. All three of them wore casual clothes.

   Aizawa stuck his hands into his pockets. "Listen up. This isn't a school-mandated trip, meaning three things: you can sit anywhere on the bus, us teachers have less legal responsibility over you, and nothing educational will be taking place."

   Nearly the whole class whooped and hollered.

   You thought about where to sit on the bus. It had to be a window seat. You wanted to look outside.

   Sero muttered, "Is it just me, or is that second part mildly concerning?"

   Aizawa went on. "And remember that without Tokoyami and Bakugou, your class as a whole has less manpower in case of an emergency. Structure yourselves around the gap." His left hand gestured to Present Mic and his right gestured to Midnight. "We'll do our best to protect you, but don't rely on us too much. We also have to protect the civilians present. Keep that in mind. Got it?"

   The class's voices combined to say, "Got it!"

   Throwing up a fist, Present Mic led the way to the bus. "Let's go, listeners!"

   Once all the kids were gone, Aizawa and Midnight, who stayed behind briefly, exchanged a look.

   "The mole..." began Midnight, "shouldn't know about this trip. It's not an official trip. And I doubt anyone aware of this—you, Mic, Vlad, and the principal--are the mole."

   "I trust you as well. If the League targets us at the beach, then..." Aizawa's expression grew dark. "...the mole is among the students."

 

   Back at the bus, everyone filed inside.

   You took the coveted window seat. You were at the bus's midsection. 

   Present Mic was in the driver's seat. None of you were sure he even had a license, but no one dared to ask.

   Except you.

   "Excuse me, Mr. Mic." You raised your hand. "Do you have a driver's license?"

   "Heck yeah! And I'm bus-certified too! I'll take you all for a spin!"

   Jiro shuddered in the seat behind you. "That's not reassuring at all."

   "Mr. Mic, please do not spin the bus."

   Kirishima shot up from his seat next to Sero. "We're doing donuts!? Hell yeah!"

   "What is a donut?"

   "Oh, it's just when a car drifts in a circle while facing the inside of the circle."

   Sero held up a finger. "An actual donut is a circular piece of fried dough with a hole in the middle."

   You nodded. "I see. A donut has two meanings."

 

   From the front of the bus, Midoriya stared at the empty seat next to you.

   Should he take it? No one seemed to have claimed it yet. There were still people deciding where to sit or mingling outside the bus.

   Would Midoriya be bothering you? Was he too clingy?

   Midoriya shriveled up like a salted slug when Todoroki slid into the empty seat.

   "...Hello. Can I sit here?"

   Midoriya bit into a handkerchief. 

   You're already sitting, idiot!

   Midoriya hadn't forgotten what happened last night. Todoroki had dragged him just to sit next to you.

   You tilted your head. "You can. You have just now demonstrated your ability to sit here."

   "Oh."

   A tear trickled down Midoriya's cheek. They're both so dumb! How am I losing to Todoroki of all people!?

   Midoriya blinked.

   Wait...'lose?' Since when have I been competing against Todoroki...?

   Confused, Midoriya turned forward. 

   Does Todoroki...like him too?

 

   Once Aizawa and Midnight caught up and everyone was seated, the bus headed towards Yaoyorozu's estate.

   You silently stared past the window. Todoroki watched you in turn.

   He leaned over to see what you were looking at.

   Instead of watching the clouds, or reading the signs on passing buildings, you were observing the people walking about.

   Todoroki never found other people interesting. All his life, he'd been drowning in hatred. Hatred for his father and his own self-hatred. 

   That was until this year.

   Fighting Midoriya had been the catalyst. 

   That day, some of Todoroki's burdens fell from his shoulders.

   He accepted his fire as his own. He finally allowed others into his heart.

   Todoroki had friends now, the most special being you.

   Todoroki couldn't explain it. The feeling he got when he was around you was different from Midoriya and Iida. 

   At the thought of you, there was always a vague excitement that coursed through Todoroki's veins.

   And you were strangely familiar. He'd wondered if he'd seen your parents before, but their faces didn't ring a bell. 

   "Todoroki, are you in need of assistance?"

   Todoroki zoned back in. You were making direct eye contact, head tilting.

   Ah. So you caught Todoroki staring.

   But knowing you, you thought nothing romantic of it.

   That relieved Todoroki.

   "No." He turned away. "You can go back to...staring at people."

   Hypocrite.

   "Okay."

 

   Twenty minutes into the ride, a phone suddenly hovered before your face.

   Yaoyorozu peeked over the seat in front of you. "If you're ever bored, you can play games on my phone. Don't do strange things when you're bored, okay?"

   Todoroki realized what she was implying. "Dirt."

   Yaoyorozu pleaded quietly, "Please don't remind him!"

   "Oh. Sorry."

   Yaoyorozu placed her phone into your waiting palms. "I've already unlocked it for you, but if it turns off, you can ask me to unlock it again."

   "Okay. Thank you."

   Flashing you a smile, Yaoyorozu sat back down.

   She looked to Iida. He was sitting to her left.

   With triumphant grins, they each pumped a fist.

   Now you wouldn't try to eat glass or do anything equally awful. Or so they hoped.

   

   Yaoyorozu’s phone in your lap, you continued to gaze outside. 

   She said to play if you were bored. 

   But why would you be bored?

   The world and the people in it could never bore you.

 

   Ten minutes later, you reached Yaoyorozu’s estate. 

   After handing her phone back, you got off the bus with Todoroki.

   Those who hadn’t seen Yaoyorozu’s massive house before were completely floored. You’d seen it once when you went to Yaoyorozu for school help, so you didn’t care. And it didn’t impress you in the first place. I-Island blew almost anywhere else out the water.

   “Our beach property is just to the left of the house.” Yaoyorozu punched in a code. The fence gate slid open. “We’re going to cross through the garden.”

   The garden was also impressive. White roses spelled Yaoyorozu’s full name. Every bush was trimmed to perfection. There wasn’t a single weed or dry patch in sight.

   Beyond the garden was another house. Smaller this time, but no less extravagant. It was the aforementioned beach property. Past it was the actual beach.

   Yaoyorozu opened the door. “You all can change and leave your belongings in here if you wish.”

   Most of you didn’t need to change inside. Boys wore shirts and trunks while girls wore clothes over their swimsuits. Most simply stripped right there. The teachers just kept their current clothes on, save for Midnight. She took off her dress to reveal a black two-piece. Kaminari and Mineta were having a blast.

   You were wearing a plain white tee with black trunks. A band-style bracelet, the one Melissa made you, was on your right wrist. It could transform into your helmet at the press of a button. Aside from your main attire, you wore sunglasses and tied your hair into a low bun.

 

   Ashido and Kaminari ran ahead. Their feet kicked up sand as they went.

   “Woo!”

   “Let’s go!”   

   You took off your sandals to sink your feet in the sand. Sand crunched with each step.

   Your eyes tracked the grains as they slid off your feet. None of it got into your toe joints. You wore black thin elastics over every joint.  

   Sero was rubbing sand between his palms. He nudged your side. “Crunchy, eh?”

   “What is ‘crunchy?’”

   “The sound the sand makes. Crunching sound.”

   “I see.”

   “Doesn’t it make you wanna...” With a mischievous grin, Sero lifted a sand-filled palm to your face. “...try some?”

   Iida barreled into Sero. “The devil’s temptations!”

   “Ow, Iida!”

   Yaoyorozu pushed her phone into your hand. “Keep this in your bag! Please don’t eat sand!”

   You hadn’t even reached the water yet and you were already up to some bullshit.

   Kirishima ran up to you, taking hold of your wrist. “Hey, you said you’ve never been to the beach before, right? Let’s go to the water!”  

   You let Kirishima tug you along. “Okay.”

   Aizawa trudged past a withering Yaoyorozu. “I’m not babysitting him today. Watch him yourself.”

   On Yaoyorozu, Iida, and Midoriya’s request, Aizawa had kept an eye on you during training the day after the dirt incident.

   Yaoyorozu steeled herself. She would need the strength. “Yes, Mr. Aizawa!”

 

   The fresh scent of seawater came with the sound of waves. 

   In front of you was a beautiful blue expanse. Foam bounced along the waves like little white rabbits. The water glittered, kissed by sunshine.

   Kirishima tightened his grip on your wrist. “Don’t go too far, okay? I’m not good at physics or whatever, but you might sink into the sand.”

 

   You were too enamored by the sea to care. You had never once heard what waves sounded like or smelled something so pure. You were surrounded by beauty.

   It was like a hug from the whole world.

 

   Kirishima laughed at your entranced state. “That awesome, huh?”

   “...Yes.” You stepped forward. Cold water splashed your left calf. 

   Every step you took, Kirishima took as well. “Careful, buddy.”

   You slowly reached up to your face.

   You wanted to take your sunglasses off. These were tinted. You wanted to see the ocean in full.

   But what if you got mobbed?

   No. You’d be quick. 

   And even if you got mobbed, it’d be worth it.

 

   You removed your sunglasses.

   Blue water and white foam became brighter. You could even see dark shapes in the waves whenever one came in.

   A faint breeze brushed your hair back.

   Kirishima was watching the sea himself. He turned to you, and upon seeing your flowing hair, wide eyes, and gold irises, felt a cupid’s arrow strike his heart.

   He hastily released your wrist. “W-what...!?”

   You put your sunglasses back on. “Is something wrong, Kirishima?”

   “N-no! Nothing at all!”

   “Okay.” You resumed taking in the sea.

   Kirishima’s heart slammed against his ribs. Gluing shaky eyes to the water below, Kirishima swallowed.

   What the hell?

   He’d seen your entire face plenty of times, so what was this sudden feeling? 

   Kirishima was lucky you were wearing tinted sunglasses. Otherwise, you’d notice how red he was.

 

   “Hey, you guys! Look at this!”

   You and Kirishima turned around.

   Ashido was holding a crab with one hand. Kaminari cowered behind her. 

   You walked toward them. “Is that a spider?”

   Ashido’s mouth formed an O shape. “You know what a spider is?”

   Kaminari stopped being a coward enough to smack the crab from Ashido’s hand. 

   “Heyyy!” she whined. “Why’d you hit it!?”

   “What if it bites [L/n]!?”

   “Crabs can bite people?”

   “Ye—! wait.”

   “Gosh, you’re so dumb!”

 

   You chased after the runaway crab. 

   Kirishima was too busy figuring out his heart to follow. Ashido immediately went to harass another crab and Kaminari tried to stop her.

   This crab was fucking fast. And it walked sideways for some reason. You’d stop to try, but that meant losing the crab. You’d try crabwalking for yourself once you caught the damn thing.

   You pushed off your feet into a leap. Your arms reached for the crab.

   As you secured the crab, your stomach hit the ground. You groaned a bit.

   You brought the crab towards you. It pinched your thumb, but that didn’t work for obvious reasons. This pussy crab had nothing on you.

   “[L/n]?”

   You craned your neck back.

   Yaoyorozu stared down at you in mild concern, along with four other people you’d never seen before. You assumed they were the children of the Yaoyorozu Group’s associates. They appeared the same age as you. Three were girls and one a boy.

   “Hello.” You pocketed the crab and got to your feet. You bowed. “Nice to meet you.”

   Three of the four chorused uneasily, “Nice to meet you...”

   One of the girls gawked. “Did he just put a crab in his pocket?”

   Another girl smacked her and she hastily bowed. “N-nice to meet you!”

   Yaoyorozu gestured to you with a smile. “This is [L/n] [Name]. He’s one of my classmates.” She then gestured to the four kids. “From left to right, these are Miyamoto Minako, Chikami Kiyomi, Mori Aoi and Suzuki Shun. They are my good friends.”

   Miyamoto Minako was the one who’d been taken aback. She had a meek face, dark brown hair that reached her shoulders, dark brown eyes, and fair skin. She wore a black one-piece.

   Chikami Kiyomi was easily the most intimidating of everyone present. She had pitch black hair up in a bun, charcoal eyes, pale skin, naturally rosy lips, and a stern expression. She was also rather tall. She wore a black two-piece.

   Mori Aoi was rather aloof, but no less attractive than Chikami. She had cropped blueish black hair, brown skin, and tired silver eyes. She wore a black wetsuit and was slightly more toned than the other girls. 

   Suzuki Shun was staring at your pocket. He had comma-style silver hair and sharp eyes of the same color. His skin was tan. He wore a white long-sleeve and gray trunks. 

   You presented the crab. “I have a spider.”

   Miyamoto, you learned, was the most friendly of the four strangers. “It’s a crab, silly!”

   Chikami snorted. Mori didn’t seem to care whether it was a crab or a spider.

   Suzuki turned to Yaoyorozu. “He...doesn’t know what a crab is?”

   Yaoyorozu sighed. “I’m afraid not...” 

   Oddly enough, Yaoyorozu didn’t feel embarrassed by you. Not even after you belly-flopped to catch a crab and proceeded to call it a spider. 

   But maybe her friends didn’t approve.

   She peeked at their faces.

   Are they bothered...?

 

   A short distance away, you were crabwalking, a giggling Miyamoto trailing after you. Chikami followed, arms crossed and Mori by her side. Mori was holding the crab. Suzuki was the only one who stayed behind with Yaoyorozu.

   Yaoyorozu sighed, this time with relief. 

   “He seems amusing.” Suzuki watched you chase after another crab.

   Yaoyorozu chuckled. “Initially, he was more concerning than amusing. You might not believe what I’m about to tell you.”

   “Well, how can it get worse than not knowing what a crab is?”

   Yaoyorozu explained every single crime you’d ever committed.

   Suzuki felt faint. His thick gray brows almost touched. “This...can’t be real. Are you lying to me right now, Momo? Pure Miss Momo?”

   Yaoyorozu giggled behind one hand. “I’m really not.”

   Suzuki blinked. 

   Did Momo just giggle?

   Never in their three years of knowing each other had he ever heard Yaoyorozu giggle. She always chuckled softly, or simply smiled. Not a single giggle.

   Suzuki blushed. 

   Cute...

   And then the blood flushed right where it came from. 

   Yaoyorozu had giggled while talking to Suzuki about you. Did Yaoyorozu like you? Or did she like Suzuki?

   Frowning, Suzuki looked to you. You were getting buried by Miyamoto and Mori while Chikami observed.

   A boy wearing glasses, blue trunks, and a button-up came to fetch you. He exchanged bows with the three before digging you out of the sand and dragging you off, crab in tow. 

   Suzuki squinted a little. “I believe that’s Iida Tenya. Second son of the Iida family, yes?”

   “Right.” Yaoyorozu smiled fondly. “He’s our reliable class president.”

   The way Yaoyorozu talked about her classmates was different than she’d talked about anyone else. Suzuki picked up on this.    

   Attending a Hero school and surviving multiple villain attacks certainly brought people together. 

   Suzuki smiled wryly. “...There are times that I wish I could be a Hero.”

   “Oh, Shun...” Dark eyes searched Suzuki’s face. “I’m sorry.”

   “No, I should be apologizing for bringing it up.” Suzuki intertwined his hands behind his back as he gazed at the sea. “I need to accept my responsibility...I am the first son, after all.”

   “...Yes.”

 

   Back with Iida, you were building a sand castle with Midoriya and Uraraka while Iida himself stood nearby. He was monitoring the rest of the class.

   Uraraka formed a cylinder. “You gotta pat it nice and firm. Then you keep packing sand on top.”

   “Okay.” You accidentally smashed your tower into chunks.

   Uraraka laughed loudly.

   Midoriya was quick to scoop up the chunks. “It’s fine! We can fix it!”

   You carefully formed another lump. Then you put more wet sand on top. Midoriya helped you make it taller.

   You grabbed a fistful of sand. “The sand is crunchy.”

   Midoriya narrowed his eyes at you. “Don’t.”

   “Okay.”

   Uraraka looked between you two. “Don’t what?”

   Midoriya silently shook his head and Uraraka cocked a brow. Aside from wondering what Midoriya was talking about, she noticed how close he’d become to you. You, who was terrible at picking up on implications, understood what Midoriya was saying.

   Uraraka slapped her own sand cylinder thing. Sand flew everywhere. Cupping her face, Uraraka said a little too conspicuously, “Oops!”

   Midoriya suspected nothing. “Eh? You messed up yours too? I can help fix it.”

   “Hehe, thanks, Deku.”

   “It’s nothing.” 

   Uraraka blushed. She knew she promised herself to put her feelings aside, but just this once wouldn’t hurt, right?   

   She risked a peek at you.  

   Are you jealous?

   You were focused on making a ridiculously high tower of sand. 

   Uraraka deadpanned. 

   Midoriya recoiled when he noticed Uraraka’s face. “D-did I mess up?”

   “Eh!? No, no!” As Uraraka rapidly shook her head, her weird fringes swayed. “You’re fine. N-not appearance-wise!”

   Midoriya was on the verge of tears. “I know I’m plain, but don’t you think calling me ugly is going too far?”

   Uraraka foamed at the mouth. She was going to hurl herself into the sea. “AAAAAAH, I’M SO SORRY! That’s not what I meant!”

   Midoriya sniffled. “You don’t have to lie about it.”

   “I’m not lying!”

   Iida jogged over. “Is everything all right?”

   Midoriya and Uraraka both looked like they were about to cry. You were minding your own business building the Tower of Babel.

   After a few awkward seconds, Iida pushed up his glasses. “...I suppose not. What on Earth happened?”

   The two nutcases started rambling at the same time. Iida didn’t understand a lick of it.

 

   While those three sorted that out, you continued trying to reach God. 

   The sand tower was as tall as you now. 

   Jiro was passing by with Asui. They both blinked.

   “Oh, wow.”

   “You must be working hard.”

   You patted the sides of the tower to make them smooth. “I have not struggled as of yet.”

   Jiro raised a brow. “What’s it supposed to be?”

   “I do not know.”

   Asui nodded in understanding. “You’ll figure it out.”

   “By the way...” Jiro looked around. “Weren’t you chasing crabs earlier? Ever catch one?”

   You stuck your hands in your pockets. Upon removal, you revealed four crabs. 

   Jiro paled.

   Asui took them from you and released them. “Don’t do that, it’s cruel.”

   You watched the crabs flee. “I see. Okay.” 

   Asui seemed to be right. The crabs ran as soon as they were freed. They probably didn’t like the cold, dark depths of your pockets.

   Jiro hooked a finger in your pocket, peering inside. “I’ll never understand men’s pockets. You could probably fit a person in here.”

   Asui croaked, “I mean, if you consider crabs people.”

   “Crabs don’t deserve human rights any more than Kaminari does.”

   In the water, Kaminari paused slapping Ojiro with a seaweed to cry, “Hey!”  

   Ojiro’s tail wagged angrily. “I’ll smack you with more than just seaweed if you keep hitting me.”

   Kaminari wiggled his brows and Ojiro tail-slapped him across the face. Ouch.

 

   You wandered away from the tower to Kaminari and Ojiro. “I have never seen seaweed in its raw form.”

   Kaminari was marinating in the water like a dead fly, so Ojiro took the liberty of answering. “You wanna hold it?”

   “Yes.”

   Ojiro snatched the seaweed from Kaminari and handed it to you. “Don’t hit anyone with it, okay?”

   You nodded. Lifting the seaweed to your nose, you gave it a sniff. You then wrapped one end around your fist and used the seaweed to slap the water.

   Ojiro sighed. “I guess hitting nonliving things is fine... Oh, and don’t hit animals either. Except Kaminari. You can hit him.”

   Kaminari resurrected himself. “Okay, rude!”

   You glanced at the seaweed in your hand. Then at Kaminari. And then back to the seaweed.

   Kaminari went white. “Don't you dare.”   

   You took a step toward Kaminari and he screamed.

 

   “No! Get away from me!”        

   You calmly marched after Kaminari as he fled through the water. His feet kept getting caught by waves and sand.   

   A couple meters away, Ojiro muttered, “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.”

   “No, no.” Sero appeared behind Ojiro to pat his shoulder. In his other hand was his phone. “You did a good thing! I’m looking forward to this.”

   “Very reassuring...”

 

   Kaminari was running parallel to the coast instead of toward it, like an idiot. Running on sand wasn’t much better, but it was better than constantly tripping himself in the water.

   On the sand, Todoroki walked up to Shoji’s side. “What are they doing...?”

   Shoji replied, “Reenacting one of those really bad foreign horror movies.”

   “I’ve never seen one... What happens?”

   “The main character’s always tripping and crying. Well, Kaminari isn’t crying yet.”

   Todoroki blinked. And then, heading towards the water, he said, “I can fix that.”

 

   Todoroki picked up a seaweed and joined you. “Hello.”

   “Hello.”

   Kaminari looked over his shoulder. The moment he did, he whipped his head back and started sobbing.

   Shoji snorted. “There it is.”

   He and Todoroki exchanged a nod of approval.

   Jiro was dead on the ground. Ashido and Kirishima could hardly breathe. Sero was trying his best not to drop the phone from his laughter.

    

   Kaminari couldn’t run anymore. 

   The salt in the water was hurting his skin, tears blurred his vision, and he kept eating shit. You and Todoroki were gaining on him. 

   Kaminari dropped to his hands and knees. Eyes squeezing shut, he shouted, “Forget it! I won’t run away anymore! Hit me all you want! I’ll take it like a man!” 

   The shadows of you and Todoroki loomed over Kaminari.

   A tear rolled down his face. “Is this how it all ends?”

   Kaminari braced himself. You were a cyborg and Todoroki was highly physically fit for a long-range fighter. This would hurt like a bitch.

   

   "Why are you crying?"

   Kaminari's eyes flew open. Suddenly angry, he whirled around to snap at you, "Because you're going to hit--!"

   A metal hand came to rest on Kaminari's head. "I'm sorry. I am the reason why you are crying, yes?"

   Kaminari hiccuped, eyes wide.

   You were on your knees. The seaweed you were going to hit him with was nowhere to be seen. Todoroki lingered off to the side, his own seaweed gone.

   You stroked soft golden strands. "I no longer desire to hit you. I think receiving permission from Ojiro spurred my desire, as I have been forbidden from doing many things. I'm sorry."

   Kaminari sniffed. He banged his fists against your chest. "Then why'd you keep chasing me, idiot!? Jerk! Asshole!"

   You let Kaminari do what he wanted. "I had been under the impression that we were playing."

   Kaminari's fists fell. He grumpily wiped his nose with his arm. "Gosh, you don't know anything... I can't even be mad." He aggressively turned to Todoroki. "And you! What's your reason, huh!?"

   Todoroki averted his eyes. "I just wanted to make you cry... Sorry."

   "'Sorry' my ass! Get over here!"

 

   Eventually, Kaminari calmed down.

   You were now building a sand castle. Kaminari had ordered you to make him a nice sand castle if you wanted his forgiveness.

   You didn't actually know what a castle was. As far as you knew, it was just these wet sand structures.

   Kaminari leaned over. His face was red from crying earlier. "What's that?"

   Between your palms was a cube. "A sand castle."

   "That's not a castle."

   "It is."

   "I'm telling you it's not."

   

   "Can I help?"

   The two of you looked up.

   Todoroki stared back. "With...the sand castle."

   Kaminari immediately drew a line in the sand with his finger. "Password?"

   "Password...?"

   "The password isn't 'password.' Try again."

   You blinked. "There is a password?"

   Kaminari shushed you. "Shhh!"

   After several tries, Todoroki gave up. He wandered away, deep in his thoughts.

   Kaminari stuck his tongue out. "Blehhh! Take that, Stinkyroki!"

   

   Ten minutes went by.

   Todoroki walked up to you. "[L/n]."

   You paused work on Kaminari's sand castle. "Yes, Todoroki?"

   Todoroki pointed behind himself. "Do you like it?"

   Behind Todoroki was a life-size sand model of his house. 

   Kaminari's mouth fell open and you blinked twice.

 

   You stood up and headed for the entrance. Todoroki ambled after you, waiting for your reaction.

   Todoroki showed you inside. "Come in."

   "Okay."

   Kaminari leaned back to take in the house. "How'd you build all this!? Is this even physically possible!?"

   Todoroki answered as if it was obvious, "Hard work."

   "Don't give me that crap again! And, uh...can I come in?"

   "...Password?"

   "Damn you!"

Chapter 55: Bitch Episode (Final Part)

Notes:

drawings and descriptions of yaoyorozu's friends!

MIYAMOTO MINAKO

- black one piece swimsuit

- 145 cm (4’9)

 

CHIKAMI KIYOMI

- black two piece

- 180 cm (5’11)

 

MORI AOI

- black wetsuit

- 175 cm (5’9)

 

SUZUKI SHUN

- white long sleeve + gray trunks

- 173 cm (5’8)

 

 

 

   Your feet sank into damp sand as you explored Todoroki's "house."

   You saw the vague brown outlines of pillow mats, low tables, and sliding doors. You didn't bother entering any closed off rooms since you didn't want to ruin the doors.

   Todoroki had somehow managed to bend reality in order to build the second floor. You went upstairs and Todoroki followed.

   You looked around. Then you turned to Todoroki. "What is this building?"

   "My house."

   "You live here?"

   "No, I have an actual house... This is just a replica."

   "I see." You turned away, walking further into the second floor. You grabbed a good chunk of the wall. "Your house is crunchy."

   "How do you know that...?"

   "Your house is made of sand."

   "Oh. I thought you were talking about my actual house..."

   "Is your actual house crunchy?"

   "Not really."

   You glanced down when you realized something. "I am ruining the floor. I'm sorry."

   Your footprints, as well as Todoroki's, had imprinted into the sand.

   "I don't care. It's fine."

   Neither of you acknowledged nor seemed to notice that you were perfectly fine with fucking up the wall, but not the floor. 

 

   Todoroki pulled ahead to point at a closed room.  "This is my room."

   You followed, making sure to step in Todoroki's footprints so as to not make any new ones.

   Todoroki smiled the tiniest bit as he watched you. 

   When you reached Todoroki, you asked him, "Do you intend to enter your room?"

   "Yeah." Todoroki casually punched a hole into the door. 

   You assisted Todoroki in punching the sand till the door was obsolete.

   What you saw inside was essentially the same layout as Todoroki's dorm room. It was everything, but sand version.

   Todoroki headed in first. He picked up a sand model of his bonsai tree. Keeping his eyes on it, he said, "This is the bonsai tree you kept looking at. On the day we moved in."

   You blinked. "That is sand."

   "Yeah."

   "That is not a bonsai tree."

   "It's supposed to be one..."

   "I see."

   Todoroki misinterpreted your confusion for dissatisfaction. Concentrating deeply, he began to remodel the bonsai tree.

 

   In the meantime, you sat down. How you didn't fall straight through the floor, you didn't know.

   Your watchful eyes spotted something burrowing out of the sand. Irises spinning, you reached out to grab whatever was doing the burrowing.

   You grabbed it. When you opened your palm, you saw a tiny little mole crab.

   You showed it to Todoroki. "Is this a bed bug?"

   He stopped working on the bonsai tree to take a look. "...I don't know. I've never seen a bed bug before."

   "Shinsou knows what bed bugs are."

   Todoroki became alert. Was he inadequate in your eyes because he'd never seen a bed bug?

   He cleared his throat. "...Well, so do I. They're bugs...that...live in your bed."

   "I have not seen them in person yet, but Shinsou warned me against them. He clarified that he was joking."

   "Why was he joking about bed bugs...?"

   "He warned to not let them bite me. I have not been bitten by bed bugs as of yet."

   "Ah... Well, it's good that you haven't been bit."

   You returned to staring at the mole crab and Todoroki resumed working on the bonsai tree.

   

   "Damn, bitch, you live like this?"

   You two looked to the door.

   Grinning widely, Sero leaned on the doorway with his elbow. His elbow made a dent in the doorway.

   You shook your head. "You should not say bad words, Sero."

   "Nah, it's fine. Iida's not here." Sero turned his attention to Todoroki. "Kaminari's playing bouncer down there, saying there's a password. There's a whole crowd of people wanting to get in. I only managed to get inside 'cause I broke through the back wall. Sorry about that."

   Todoroki blinked. "It's fine... You said there's a crowd outside?"

   "Yep. They're going crazy over all this. How'd you even build the second floor?"

   "I worked hard."

   "The universe just loves handsome guys, doesn't it?" With a dramatic sigh, Sero turned to you. "Speaking of handsome guys... You don't like crowds, yeah? You should probably leave before they come inside." He glanced to Todoroki. "You, too, Todoroki. You're gonna get recognized for sure, if you already haven't."

   Todoroki nodded. "You're right. Let's go."

   You got to your feet. "Okay."

   Todoroki and Sero left the room first.

   You stayed behind for a second to wave at the mole crab. Or at least where you assumed it was. "See you."

   Todoroki looked at you over his shoulder. "It doesn't understand."

   You caught up to him. "You do not understand."

   "I do..."

   "No."

 

   A little ways ahead of you, Sero pointed to the back wall. "Yo, Todoroki, is it cool if I break through this?"

   "It's cool."

   Sero kicked through it. He used his hands to scrape out a bigger opening.

   You peeked over Sero's shoulder. The ground was unexpectedly pretty far down. How did Todoroki build this shit in ten minutes?

   Sero raised his elbow. With his other hand, he pulled out a short length of tape. He handed it to you. "Mind holding this for me? Tape can't exactly stick to sand, so..."

   "I do not mind." You took the tape with both hands.

   Sero grinned. As he leapt forward, he said, "Thanks!"

   Once Sero landed safely, he ripped the tape.

   You were next. You slowly lowered yourself to the ground using your boosters.

   Lastly, Todoroki. He slid down on his ice.

   When you were all assembled on the ground, Sero asked, "Wait, are we allowed to use our Quirks here?"

   "I...don't know."

   You retrieved Sero's used tape and incinerated it. "There is no more evidence."

   Sero's brows flew up. He guffawed. "Oh, no, is our boy a criminal now?"

   "No. I am not a criminal."

   "Relax, bud. I'm not turning you in."

   "What crime have I committed?"

   Following your lead, Todoroki melted his ice. "Good idea."

   Sero tutted. "Criminals, both of you."

 

   The three of you snuck around the perimeter. You managed to go by unnoticed.

   When you checked from a distance, Kaminari was no longer by the door. The crowd was now inside the house. Your little trio had gotten out in time.

   But where was Kaminari?

   Sero scratched his head. "Where'd Kaminari go? He's pretty easy to spot... His hair looks like dehydrated piss."

   Todoroki looked around. "Should we split up to find him?"

   "Nah. Now that I think about it, I bet he's in the house trying to seduce random girls." Sero waved as he left for the front door. "I'll get him."

   "We'll wait here."

   "Sure."

   

   Todoroki felt partly responsible for all this. He'd built the house with the intent to show it to you, but it ended up drawing a crowd and you had to kick yourselves out. 

   Ah, that's right. You still hadn't answered the question of whether or not you liked the house.

   Somewhat hesitant, Todoroki asked you again, "Do you like it?"

   You answered, "I am not certain. However, like Sero and Kaminari, I am curious as to how you built this house. A second floor, much less a roof, is not possible, given gravity and the mechanics of sand.”

   Todoroki swallowed.

   His ears grew a tad pink as he said, "I worked hard...because I wanted you to li--"

   

   "Oi, Sero! Let go of me! Don't cockblock me like this!"

   Todoroki shut his mouth.

   An exasperated Sero was dragging Kaminari through the sand by the back of his trunks.  

   You glanced from Sero and Kaminari to Todoroki. "Please finish your sentence."

   "...Never mind. It wasn't important."

   "If that is your judgment."

   When you turned away, Todoroki's shoulders sagged in relief.

   Thank goodness you weren't the type to pry. Todoroki didn't know if he could lie to you.

   

   Sero tossed Kaminari onto the ground. "These are rich people, dude! What if you get in trouble?"

   Kaminari stayed there, pouting into the sand. "Why'd you have to drag me like that? What if they saw my buttcrack?"

   Todoroki raised his hand. "I saw it, for about a second..."

   All of the blood in Kaminari's body shot to his head. Getting up, he chased after a laughing Sero. "Screw you! You embarrassed me! And those girls were so pretty too!"

   "That's what you get for being a manwhore!”

   You and Todoroki watched the two run around.

   Finally, you said, "What is a buttcrack?"

 

   You, Todoroki, Sero, and Kaminari were eventually rounded up by Iida.

   Iida crossed his arms. "I'm assuming you're the one behind that house, Todoroki."

   "Yeah... Sorry about that. I didn't think this would happen."

   "It's nothing to apologize for. You didn't know, after all. But please be mindful of your behavior from now on. As Yaoyorozu's guests, our actions reflect on her as a host."

   Kaminari squinted at Todoroki. "Yeah, Todoroki. Don't play Minecraft on Yaomomo's beach like that."

   "Minecraft...?"

   "Do you live under a rock?"

   Iida glared and Kaminari shut up at once. Todoroki's attention drifted elsewhere. Sero was just enjoying everyone getting scolded but him.

   You were so stupid. "Iida, what is a buttcrack?"

   Iida's glasses became crooked. "E-excuse me?"

   Kaminari and Sero choked with laughter.

   You continued, "Todoroki did not answer when I asked him."

   "But I did... It's the crack in your butt."

   "Where is the exact location of the crack?"

   "Your butt..."

   Iida was fuming. "I...am not answering that either!"  

   You proceeded to leave. "I will ask Yaoyorozu."

   "Do not!"

   

   You were put in time-out.

   As Iida monitored the general area the class was hanging out in, you sat near him. You were nonchalantly building a sand "castle." You didn't seem to grasp the weight of time-out.

   Shoji stopped by with Ojiro. "What's he in for, Iida?"

   Iida sighed. "Vulgarity."

   Brows furrowing, Ojiro said, "I can't imagine him being vulgar on purpose... You shouldn't punish him for mimicking people."

   "You do have a point. It's just that he repeatedly asked a question that involved that word, even though he had already received an answer."

   "But that just means he doesn't understand..."

   While Ojiro and Iida lightly argued, Shoji morphed two of his hands into a mouth and an ear. Shoji sneakily extended them towards you, and the mouth asked, "What did you say?"

   You whispered into the ear, "Buttcrack."

   Shoji physically recoiled. 

   He walked away, shoulders shaking in silent laughter.

   "Eh?" Ojiro looked at Shoji. "What happened?"

   Shoji just kept walking.

   "Is he laughing--? I'll go talk to him."

 

   You and Iida were alone again.

   Your spotted something tiny and white poking out of the sand. When you tried to pick it up, it cracked between your fingers. Your next few tries ended the same way. It didn't matter how gentle you were.

   “Is this what you want?”

   Your eyes grew round.

   In Iida’s calloused palm was another tiny shell. 

   You instantly held your own palms out. “Yes.”

   Seeing your cute expression, Iida couldn’t help but smile. He tipped the shell into your hands and you brought the shell close to your face. 

   Iida took a seat next to you. He didn’t think the shell was very interesting, but he understood your fascination. This was your first time at the beach, after all.

   Iida cleared his throat. “I...apologize for forcing you to sit out like this.” He looked down, frowning to himself. “I should have educated you rather than punish you. I cannot change the way I’ve been raised, but I can change myself for the sake of others.”

   You turned to Iida. “I do not want you to change.”

   Iida jolted. “What?”

   “Iida is the person who has helped me many times.” You extended your hand, the one holding the shell. “If you change, you will no longer be that person.”

   Red eyes widened. Then Iida chuckled, eyes closing. “You are quite eloquent. I should clarify... What I meant was that I can correct my own behavior. I won’t become a different person. There’s no reason to be concerned. I will not cease to help you when you need it.”

   “Thank you.”

   Iida was about to insist you didn’t need to thank him until you asked, “What is this?”

   “A coquina shell.” Iida decided not to say anything. He feared ruining your good manners. “Would you like another?”

   “Yes.”

   Iida dug into the sand with his fingers. He found a striped coquina and dropped it into your waiting hands.

   You stared at it. “Thank you.” 

   “It’s of no inconvenience to me.” Iida got to his feet. “Wait here, please. When I return, I’ll have something good to show you.”

   “Okay.” You wanted to follow Iida, but he did tell you to stay put. So instead, you periodically switched between staring at the shells Iida gave you and observing him from afar.

   Iida was digging around in the wet sand. He retreated whenever the occasional big wave came in.

   You guessed this would take a while. You started to sift the sand for more coquinas.

 

   Iida’s face lit up. He found what he was looking for and rinsed it in an oncoming wave. As he approached you, he hid the object behind his back.

   You saw Iida’s shadow on the sand and looked up. “Hello.”

   “Hi. Hold your hands out and close your eyes, please.”

   “Why?”

   “Please.”

   “Okay.” You pocketed the coquinas, opened your hands, and shut your eyes.

   There was a small clinking sound as Iida placed the object onto your palms. “You can open your eyes.”

   You did so. 

 

   "This is a conch shell. I'm honestly not certain as to how I was able to find one so easily."

   The conch was a coral pink on the inside, white and gold on the outside. 

   You stared at it intensely. After giving it a sniff, you looked inside.

   Iida nodded in approval. "I commend the thoroughness of your inspections! For all you know, I could have snuck a poison inside."

   You blinked. "My inspections are thorough?"

   "Yes! I recall you smelling that piece of seaweed just earlier."

   "The seaweed smelled salty."

   "Indeed." Iida offered you a hand. "Let's distance ourselves from the water a little. This step is essential for the auditory inspection."

   You accepted his hand and Iida pulled you up. He exhaled in relief. For a moment there, he thought you were going to give him a crab or something.

   Iida squinted at you. "You...don't have any live creatures or the like on your person, do you?"

   You stared. After a moment, you checked your pockets and Iida withered.

   "The fact that you have to check concerns me greatly."

   "Are shells considered live creatures?"

   "You are very concerning in general."

 

   You and Iida were now a little ways away from the water.

   "You can conduct an auditory inspection now. Allow me to demonstrate."

   Upon Iida's request, you handed him the conch.

   Iida held the conch up to his ear. He tilted his head a bit. "Do as I do."

   You received the conch. "The conch produces sound?" 

   "Not quite." As Iida said this, a smile wormed its way onto his ever stern face. "I will explain once you have a listen."

   You nodded. Metal fingers glinting in the sunlight, you brought the conch up to your ear.

   

   You heard the fuzzy sound of waves.

   Your eyes widened. You pulled the shell away from your ear to peer into it.

   Iida laughed wholeheartedly. "Are you checking for water inside?"

   You shook the conch. "There does not appear to be any water present within."

   "Because there isn't." Iida couldn't help smiling around you. "You see, the interior of the conch is shaped in a way that it amplifies ambient noise. It creates the illusion that there are waves inside."

   You nodded attentively, the conch pressed against your ear once more. 

   Iida watched you peek into the shell. Even after the explanation, you were filled with childish wonder.

   Iida smiled again. He turned away with an awkward cough when he realized.

   You abruptly took off.

   At the sound of shifting sand, Iida spun around. “I turn my back for one second—!”

 

   Kirishima blinked. You stood before him, hand outstretched. In your hand was the conch.

   Kirishima had been gazing at the waves. Getting the message, he grabbed the conch and put it to his ear. "Hello, 119?"

   "The conch is not a phone." You zipped open your bag and fished out Yaoyorozu's phone. "You can call the police with this."

   "What? Wait, no!" With a laugh, Kirishima gently pushed your hand back into your bag. "The joke is that the conch kinda looks like a phone. You wanted me to hear the ocean sound, right? I did! It was awesome."

   "I see." You retrieved the conch and moved on to the next person.

   Kirishima and Iida watched you give the conch to Aoyama. After Aoyama had a listen, you offered the conch to the nearest person.

   Iida walked up to Kirishima's side. "I gave him that conch. He seems to be highly fond of the sound."

   Kirishima laughed. "It's honestly really nice to see him so excited for once."

 

   This whole time, Kirishima had been pondering his reaction to your exposed face.

   You had extraordinary looks. Kirishima had known this for over two months now. And he always saw your face in the dorms.

   Kirishima, the intelligent boy he was, concluded that you were so handsome that you made people flinch twice. And that it was nothing special. Totally.

   

   You gave the conch to Midoriya. He listened to it before going on a five minute ramble about how shells can be used to make gunpowder.

   Everyone else humored you like a normal person. 

   They listened, asked how you got the conch, and talked about their own first time hearing the sound. Jiro gave you a short, but more in-depth explanation of sound amplification than Iida.

 

   The last person to listen was Yaoyorozu.

   You found her alone with Suzuki. Suzuki was the silver-haired and silver-eyed boy from earlier. The other three girls were nowhere to be seen. They were probably somewhere trying to bury the weakest of them alive.

   You silently handed Yaoyorozu the conch.

   She took it with a smile. "What a pretty conch! I believe the best time to find them is early morning. How did you find this?"

   "Iida gave me it."

   "Iida did? How kind of him." 

   Suzuki remained quiet as you and Yaoyorozu conversed.

   Cold silver eyes sized you up.

   From what Suzuki could tell, you were at least fairly good looking. He couldn't see your eyes, but the rest of your face was enough. 

   You had long, soft-looking hair. Unusual for a guy. Were you the rebellious type?

   Judging by your childish behavior, probably not. You'd run up to like twenty people for the sole purpose of making them listen to the conch.

   Your appearance didn't fit your personality in the slightest. Your white tee shirt clung to sturdy trapezius muscles, solid shoulders, and a strong chest. With wide shoulders and a tapered waist, you were like a diamond. 

   Suzuki gave you a shut-eyed smile. "You should not take things from private property."

   You calmly replied, "I--"

   "He's doing nothing of the sort." Yaoyorozu swiftly came to your defense.

   Suzuki and Yaoyorozu blinked simultaneously.

   Suzuki hadn't seen her sharpness coming. Neither did Yaoyorozu herself.

   Yaoyorozu cleared her throat. "I'm sorry... I was rude, wasn't I?"

   "Not at all, Momo." Suzuki smiled. Using first names was extremely intimate, whether platonic or romantic. Suzuki gauged your reaction.

   You didn't give a fuck. You were just staring intently at the conch. It was in Yaoyorozu's possession and she hadn't listened to it yet.

   Suzuki's eye twitched.

   It was as if Yaoyorozu instinctively knew what you wanted. Closing her eyes, she pressed the conch to her ear.

   Yaoyorozu's eyes opened. Black diamonds twinkled in the sunlight. A gentle smile on her face, she said, "What a wonderful sound!"

   You nodded a little harder than usual. "Yes."

   Yaoyorozu returned the conch with two hands. "You may keep it, if you wish."

   You hesitated. "...Suzuki said I should not take things from private property."

   "I don't mind. This shell does not belong to my family, anyway. It came from the sea." Yaoyorozu grabbed your hand and placed the conch onto your palm. "Keep it. I insist."

   "Okay."

 

   Yaoyorozu and Suzuki stiffened as you suddenly began kicking up the sand.

   Your eyes shined gold. Then you sprinted away.

   "Eh!?" squeaked Yaoyorozu. "Is everything alright!?"

   Suzuki raised a brow. "What a strange guy..."

 

   You ran past your classmates. They simultaneously blinked at the sheer speed you were moving at.

   Kaminari looked around in a panic. "Oh crap, should we be running too?"

   Jiro's jaw dropped. "We're on sand, right? How is he going so fast?"

   Sero swung his tape around like a lasso. "Do I need to get him?"

   Kirishima and Ashido eagerly ran after you. "It's a race!"

   Iida took off as well. "Careful! You may trip!"

 

   "Why's he running, anyway?" murmured Ojiro. 

   "Haha!" Hagakure's bracelet jingled as she made a paw with her hand. "You guys saw his eyes, right? I think he's got the zoomies!"

   "Zoomies...?"

   "Yeah! Y'know how dogs randomly sprint around the house sometimes?"

   "Are you comparing him to a dog...?"

   

   Midoriya debated going after you. You weren't that much of an irresponsible child. And you already knew you weren't supposed to eat sand. 

   Uraraka shuddered. "He's running like he's gonna kill someone."

   "K-kill? No way! He's not that kind of person."

   Todoroki, who had joined the two in making the ultimate sand castle, murmured, "I think it's okay...if he kills someone."

   Midoriya gasped loudly. "He would never!"

   Todoroki didn't even blink. "I didn't say he would."

   "Take it back! Just insinuating that he would is criminal!"

   Uraraka's brows furrowed. "Why are you more worried about that than the part where Todoroki thinks it's okay?"

 

   You jogged to a stop. 

   It was like a sweeter form of adrenaline had replaced your blood. You'd gotten the sudden urge to move. The energy surplus was now spent.

   Ashido skidded past you. "Whee!"

   Kirishima nearly fell over trying to stop. "You guys are fast!"

   You blinked. "Hello." You hadn't realized they tagged along.

   Iida arrived not a second later. "Greetings!"

   Despite the fact that you all weren't obligated to stay near each other, the rest of your classmates walked toward your group in a slow herd. They were chatting amongst themselves. Or looking at passing birds. Their movement was subconscious if anything.

   The bond your class shared was an invisible string connecting each one of you.

   

   Yaoyorozu was the only one not following. She turned to Suzuki. "I'd like to join my classmates. Is that fine with you?"

   Suzuki chuckled. "Are your classmates participating in some sort of exodus?"

   "Hm... You can say that." Yaoyorozu left first. "You can join us, if you wish."

   "...Are you angry?"

   Yaoyorozu paused. She looked over her shoulder. 

   Suzuki was frowning. "Is it because I scolded your classmate earlier? I'm sorry. I only did what I thought was right."

   Yaoyorozu sighed. "If that's the case, then I can't blame you. It's just...on this beach, at this moment, I am the person with the most authority."

   Yaoyorozu turned her head forward. "Please don't cross the line."

   Suzuki watched Yaoyorozu leave, eyes wide. 

   Suzuki's hands curled into tight fists. His skin was almost clear at the knuckles. "...What's so special about him?"

 

   You put the conch into your duffle. You set the bag on the dry part of the sand.

   You crouched on the damp part, where the waves lapped lightly. You were facing away from the sea for once.

   Kirishima walked up to you. "Whatcha doin'?"

   You dragged a finger through the sand. "I am drawing."

   Kirishima leaned over to take a look. "Ooh... A sea urchin and a Dorito? When'd you learn what those are?"

   "I am drawing Bakugou and Tokoyami. What are a sea urchin and a Dorito?"

   Kirishima's eyes bulged. He threw his head back, boisterous laughter spilling from chapped lips. "Bakugou and Tokoyami!? Are you for real!?"

   Midoriya came over, concerned. "What about them?"

   Wiping his tears with one hand, Kirishima pointed at your cursed drawings with the other.

   "Eh? Why is it funny? That's just Kacchan."

   Kirishima was crying real tears now. "AHAHA! Is this what happens when you've known someone for too long!? You recognized Bakugou right away!"

   “Of course I did! Kacchan stands out, unlike me...”

 

   You drew something else. 

   Kirishima and Midoriya squinted.

   “A flower?”

   “I think it’s a bush—wait.” Midoriya snapped, “What’s with you and comparing me to a bush!?”

   You replied frankly, “You resemble a bush.”

   Kirishima laughed. He used his pinky toe to draw four dots on each half of the bush. “There we go.”

   Midoriya sighed. “At least give me eyes... Why do none of the drawings have eyes?”

   “Now that you mention it...” Kirishima blinked. “They don’t have noses or mouths either.”

   “Hey, Kirishima, do you remember the animal drawings he did a while ago?”

   “Sort of. Why?”

   “None of the animals had eyes...or any facial features at all...”

   Kirishima and Midoriya shared a disturbed look. Slowly, their wide eyes found you.

   You were quietly staring at your coquina shell collection. 

   “Hey, buddy...” Kirishima squatted to address you. “Can you draw me?”

   “I can.” You put your collection away. You poked a finger into the sand and started drawing.

   A bit afraid of what they’d see, Kirishima and Midoriya watched.

   What did you think Kirishima looked like?

   Once you were done, you cleaned your finger in a passing wave. 

   Kirishima screwed his eyes shut. “I can’t look! Midoriya, tell me what it is!”

   “O-okay!” Midoriya bent over a little. “It’s...! A fire?”

   Kirishima tentatively cracked an eye open. Then he looked for himself. His face lit up. “Oh! Pretty cool!”

   Midoriya didn't think it was all that, but Kirishima was the one wearing tacky flame-patterned shorts, so...

   You tilted your head. “It’s Kirishima.”

   Kirishima grinned. "Yeah, I know. Thanks for drawing me. I like it!"

   "You like it?"

   "Yep!"

   You silently absorbed this information. Then you nodded, chest warm. "...That is good."

   Midoriya deadpanned at Kirishima. "So the fact that you don't even have a face isn't a problem anymore just because it looks cool?"

   "I dunno what you're talking about, man. I think it's neat." Kirishima gave you a robust thumbs up and walked away.

 

   Brows cinching in concentration, Midoriya tugged on his bottom lip. Kirishima was now a lost cause. Midoriya would have to continue solving the mystery on his own.

   You stared.

   Why is Midoriya pulling his mouth?

   You attempted to rinse your finger, but there was no wave. That was odd. What broke the rhythm?

   You put that behind you. You had Midoriya to worry about. 

   You simply wiped your finger onto your trunks and stood up.

   Midoriya, who was still deep in thought, didn't notice your shadow engulf him.

   "Are you hurt?"

   Midoriya snapped out of it. "Eh?"

   You gently guided Midoriya’s hand away from his face. His bottom lip was red and swollen.

   Before Midoriya could say anything more, you pressed a frigid thumb to his lip. 

   Midoriya let out an inhuman noise. His face matched his bottom lip. "W-w-why are you--!?"

 

   Midoriya's expression turned to ice.

   In a split second, Midoriya yanked you behind him, clenched his glowing right hand, and threw a punch.

   The resulting air pressure blew your hair in every direction. 

   You whirled around.

   A villain--?

 

   You saw nothing.

   Heatseeking mode.

   Your pupils glowed orange.

   Aside from a few fish, nothing was in the water either.

   You blinked and your pupils returned to black.

   You turned to Midoriya.

   When you did, you saw something unsettling.

   Green curls billowing in the breeze, Midoriya stared ahead with wide eyes. But they weren't wide as if he was afraid.

 

   They were wide as if he were a predator hunting his prey.

 

   The ice melted and Midoriya turned to you with a sheepish smile. "S-sorry about that! There was a massive wave and I didn't want you to get wet..." He suddenly jolted. "Oh, no, your hair! The air pressure from my punch must've ruined it!"

   Midoriya started to fret over you and you just stared.

   What was that face he made? Midoriya had shown you many of his faces--nervous, anxious, afraid, happy, frustrated, angry--but never that.

   Midoriya abruptly paused. "Oh!" He pivoted to turn towards the sand. "Are your drawings still intact...?"

   They were.

   Midoriya smiled. "Thank goodness."

   You watched Midoriya carefully.

   Midoriya makes many faces.

   

   "Are you two alright?"

   Your gaze flicked to the left.

   Yaoyorozu jogged over, worry wrinkling her face. "That was quite a large wave! It could have easily swept you out to sea."

   Midoriya became sheepish again. He scratched his head. "Yeah, we're okay... Sorry for using my Quirk like that. My body just moved on its own..."

   "It's fine just this once."

   Iida appeared next to Yaoyorozu. "Please be wary of the receding tide! I expected better of you, Midoriya, but..." Iida's eyes found yours. "...it is my fault for not properly educating you, [L/n]."

   Yaoyorozu looked down. "It's my fault as well."

   The two bowed their heads to you in apology.

   "I sincerely apologize!"

   "I'm so sorry!"

   "...Do not apologize. I am the one most responsible for my education." You bowed back. "Do not apologize for my own ignorance."

   Iida and Yaoyorozu retorted simultaneously, "But...!"

   You wouldn't relent. "It is okay." 

   Before the class president and vice president could strong-arm you into accepting their apology, the rest of the class gathered around.

   Kirishima ran up to Midoriya. "That was so manly, Midoriya!"

   Kaminari and Ashido joined Kirishima. "Yeah, yeah!"

   Uraraka blended in with the other idiots. "You looked super cool...!"

   Midoriya shrank from the attention. "N-no..."

   Asui herded Midoriya's fans away. "You might be encouraging violence, Midoriya."

   Midoriya sighed. "Sorry..."

   

   When Aoyama witnessed the crime scene that was your hair, he screamed, "Tes cheveux ont l'air dégoûtant!"

   You tilted your head. "What does that mean?"

   Aoyama pushed you toward the dry part of the sand. "We are not talking until I get rid of that bird's nest you call your hair!"

   Todoroki trailed after you. "You can talk to me, [L/n]."

   "Okay."

   Aoyama flipped his hair. "Give me peace, menthe poivrée! I must make his hair perfect again."

   "...Can I help?"

   "Absolutely not."

 

   Todoroki and Aoyama eventually struck a deal.

   If Todoroki sat quietly and didn't get his 'funny temperature hands' in your hair, he could stay.

   Aoyama was doing a tight braid. 

   You were observing the seagulls flying above.

   Todoroki was blatantly staring at you.

   

   "Excuse me."

   Aoyama clamped your head in place as he turned his own to the right.

   Suzuki smiled down at your trio. "I'd like to steal [L/n] for a quick chat. Is that alright?"

   Todoroki narrowed his eyes. He didn't like the vibes of this guy. Getting to his feet, he moved between you and Suzuki. "Steal? I won't let you."

   You wrenched your head toward Todoroki. "I will be stolen?"

   Aoyama pinched your neck and you obediently turned forward.

   Suzuki's eye twitched. He had been talking to Yaoyorozu's classmates for like two seconds and weird things were already happening. 

   Suzuki composed himself. Smiling, he told Todoroki, "Haha. Don't get so riled up now. I only meant that I wanted to talk to him one-on-one. Nothing more."

   Todoroki didn't trust this fucker one bit. "Was that supposed to change my mind?"

   "I want his opinion, not yours." Arms folded behind his back, Suzuki leaned to the side to get a better look at you. "What do you say? I'll make you tea. You are a friend of a friend, after all. That makes us friends, no?"

   You weren't even paying attention. You were engrossed in watching two seagulls fight over a fish mid-air.

   Todoroki also stopped minding Suzuki once he noticed the fight. "They must be really hungry..."

   Suzuki clenched his jaw. He straightened up. "...[L/n]."

   You blinked. "Yes?"

   "Let's have tea together."

   Todoroki turned to stare at Suzuki square in the eyes.

   Suzuki stared back, his eyes like silver bullets. He smiled. "What kind of tea do you like, [L/n]?"

   Suzuki wasn't even looking at you as he addressed you.

   You replied, "I do not have a tea I like."

   "...Is that so?"

   Aoyama tied off the braid. "Voilà! I don't care where you go. Just keep your hair neat for once!"

   "Okay. Thank you for helping me." You stood, nodded at Aoyama, and turned to Suzuki. "Water is good."

   Suzuki laughed. "Alright." He gestured to Yaoyorozu's beach property, which resided near the estate garden. "Shall we?"

   Todoroki frowned. He wanted to say more, but if you already decided you were going, it couldn't be helped. No one had the right to control you.

   As you passed by Todoroki, he muttered, "Be careful."

   You tilted your head questioningly. Todoroki only gave you a silent nod before turning away.

      

   At Yaoyorozu's beach property, there was a porch area where people could stand and talk.

   "You don't mind waiting a minute, right?" Suzuki punched in the door code. "I'll get our drinks."

   "I do not mind."

   "Haha. Glad to hear."

   The door slammed shut.

 

   You made your way across the polished wood floor to peer past the overhang.

   In the sky, there was a cloud that resembled Midoriya. Or maybe he resembled the cloud. Midoriya tended to bear resemblance to any vaguely round, fluffy object.

   You arched your neck in surprise when something ice cold pressed against it.

   You whirled around. 

   Eyes closed in a fake smile, Suzuki handed you your water. "Here. Did I scare you?"

   "No." You accepted the water. "Thank you."

   "I put ice in there. Do you mind?"

   "No."

   "Good, good." Suzuki himself was holding an iced jasmine tea. 

   You both took a sip.

   "Hm... The sun's in my face." Suzuki adjusted himself so that his back was facing the right of the house. The house faced the beach. 

   Attentive, you moved so that you were across from Suzuki.

 

   "So..." Suzuki lifted his chin. Calculating eyes bore into your own. "What is your relationship to Yaoyorozu?"

   "I am her classmate. And..." You thought carefully. "...friend."

   "Why did you hesitate?" Suzuki stepped closer. 

   "I hesitated because I was not certain I fulfilled the requirement."

   Another step. "And what requirement is that?" 

   "Sharing mutual affection. I have come to learn that affection is not only--"

 

   The sweet scent of jasmine flowers hit you head-on.

   It soaked into your hair and clothes. Dried remains slid down your face. Ice clattered on the floor.

   You stood there. "Why did you..."

   Suzuki had dumped his iced jasmine tea all over you.

   "...do that?"

   Suzuki's eyes looked and felt like your metal hands. Cold and unfeeling.

   He smiled. "You dare speak about Yaoyorozu that way? How can affection possibly exist between you? You may be in the same class, at the same institute, but you are not her equal." Suzuki's knuckles strained clear on his empty cup. "Know your place."

 

   You blinked. "I did not ask."

   A vein bulged from Suzuki's neck. "What did you just say?"

   "I did not ask for your opinion on my friendship with Yaoyorozu. I asked why you poured your beverage on me."

   Suzuki stared. He dropped his head with a wry smile. "Ha...haha." Looking back up, he said, "Then, will you ask why I hit you?"

   "Wh--"

 

   The back of Suzuki's hand came for your cheek.

   You quickly raised your own hand to block.

   There was a resounding slap.

   

   "M...Momo!"

   Yaoyorozu had gotten between you and Suzuki. Neither of you had sensed her coming.

   Yaoyorozu's head was jerked to the side. Her cheek burned red, black fringe hiding her eyes.

   You swiftly leaned down to hold Yaoyorozu's swelling cheek. Your right palm pressed into her cheek while your fingers moved her hair out her face.

   Both you and Suzuki were at a loss for words. 

 

   Yaoyorozu grit her teeth. "Shun... How could you?"

   Suzuki stammered, "I d-didn't see you! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"

   You moved in front of Yaoyorozu. Suzuki was forced to step back.

   "You should not hit your friends."

   Suzuki sneered and hissed something back, but you didn't bother listening.

 

   You murmured to Yaoyorozu, "Are you okay?"

   You knew she was. You'd burned her once. You would know.

   Yaoyorozu wouldn't be hurt by a mere slap.

   But when she inhaled sharply, a sound you knew heralded crying, your eyes turned red.

 

   You surged forward.

   The gentle hand that had comforted Yaoyorozu transformed into an iron fist.

   Suzuki didn't have time to blink.

   Your fist slammed into Suzuki's cheek and he flew clear across the sand.

 

   You were about to go after Suzuki until soft arms wrapped around your ribs.

   "I'm okay." 

   You froze. 

   "I'm okay, so please..." Yaoyorozu let her forehead fall against your nape. "...don't fight anymore." 

   Slowly, you lowered your fist. Metal fingers unfurled and returned to your side. The tension faded from the rest of your body.

   You said quietly, "If that is your wish."

   "Thank you for respecting it." Yaoyorozu reluctantly let go. Even with your soaked shirt on, you were so warm. 

   Yaoyorozu really wasn't sure why she'd chosen to hug you. Normally, she would've dashed in front of you, but her instincts told her otherwise.

   Yaoyorozu blushed.

   As she gazed at your strong back, she realized you were someone she could rely on.

 

   To collect herself, Yaoyorozu coughed behind a dainty fist. She squared her shoulders. "I'll deal with Suzuki. You go wash up. I can't believe he threw tea on you... What a waste."

   You knew Yaoyorozu loved tea. "I'm sorry."

   "Don't apologize. It's not your fault Suzuki chose to be a fool." Yaoyorozu went to punch in the door code to the beach house. "The first floor bath is just at the end of the left hall. There are towels and robes inside."

    "Okay."

    Yaoyorozu hadn't seen your face this whole time. Had Suzuki hurt you while Yaoyorozu wasn't paying attention?

   Yaoyorozu turned to look and her eyes widened.

 

   On your left cheek were specks of blood.

   "What did he do?" Tears welled in Yaoyorozu's eyes as she held your face and repeated, "What did he do?"

   You blinked. "Suzuki poured his beverage on me."

   "Is that really all? Don't hide anything from me. Even if Suzuki is--was my friend, I won't tolerate him hurting you."

   "I am not hiding anything from you."

   "Then, that blood on your face... Is it Suzuki's?"

   You blinked again. You hadn't even noticed. Lifting the collar of your shirt, you wiped your face. Red became pink on the canvas of your white tee.

   Yaoyorozu tip-toed to closely examine your cheek. "No wounds..." She relaxed her feet and released your face. "It must've been when you punched Suzuki."

   "Yes." You checked the rest of your shirt. There were tiny blood spatters located mainly on the left side. That was because you'd socked Suzuki with your right hand.

   Yaoyorozu sighed with relief. "Thank goodness you're not hurt. Take your time in the bath. I know how tedious washing long hair can be."

   "Okay."

   Yaoyorozu gestured for you to enter the house. You obeyed.

   Yaoyorozu smiled at you as she closed the door.

 

   When Yaoyorozu glanced in Suzuki's direction, her smile dropped.

   She crossed the wood patio and stepped onto sand.

   Suzuki was laying a good distance from the patio, barely conscious. Blood dribbled from his mouth. A severe bruise was already forming on his left cheek.

   Yaoyorozu stopped a few feet in front of Suzuki. Yaoyorozu's dark eyes were filled with utter disdain. "How unsightly."

   All Suzuki could do was grunt pitifully. 

   You must've shattered Suzuki's jaw. Maybe his cheekbone too.

   Yaoyorozu internally sighed. This would be a pain to explain to her parents and Suzuki's.

   But it wasn't like Yaoyorozu was ungrateful for what you did. She knew you disliked hurting others. In spite of that, you hurt another person for Yaoyorozu's sake.

   Yaoyorozu pushed down a smile.

   She glared at Suzuki. "When I asked you, 'How could you?' I did not mean how could you hit me. I couldn't care less about that. I was asking you how you could attempt to hit an innocent person. I know [L/n] can be frustrating to communicate with at times, but that's no grounds to hit him."

   Suzuki was on the edge of passing out. He let out a low groan.

   "Even if [L/n] never frustrated you, you should never have tried. Even if he's not my friend, [L/n] is a human being." Yaoyorozu felt a fire burning inside her. "You aren't a child, but what you did today challenges that notion. Use your words. I'm disappointed in you."

   

   "Momo! I got you something!"

   Yaoyorozu blinked. She turned her head over her shoulder. "Minako?"

   Miyamoto jogged over with an eager smile, a tote hanging from her hand. She pulled out a baggie of daifuku. "Tada!"

   Yaoyorozu sweat a little as she accepted the baggie. "Thank you."

   Miyamoto didn't seem to notice half-dead Suzuki lying just a few feet away.

   Chikami and Mori arrived not long after Miyamoto.

   "Hey," said Chikami. 

   Yaoyorozu smiled uneasily. "Hello."

   Mori silently offered Yaoyorozu a tea tin.

   Yaoyorozu took it. "Thank you." More sweat formed on her face. Did none of them notice Suzuki?

   Miyamoto looked around. "Where's Suzuki?"

   Of the friend group, Yaoyorozu was the only one who referred to Suzuki by his given name. The others weren't as comfortable with him.

   At Miyamoto's inquiry, Mori pointed a finger at Suzuki.

   Miyamoto dramatically gasped. "Waaaah!" She whirled to Yaoyorozu with innocent excitement. "Did you do that? He looks dead!"

   Chikami blinked. "Oh... Ew. What's wrong with him?"

   Yaoyorozu tried not to laugh. Of course her friends would react like this. They were known to be oblivious, but Yaoyorozu didn't anticipate that the obliviousness would extend to literally not seeing a half-dead body.

   Yaoyorozu replied to Miyamoto, "No, it wasn't me. Suzuki slapped me, so--"

 

   "He what?"

   Yaoyorozu froze.

   Miyamoto's kind brown eyes had lost their sheen. Her everlasting smile was gone. "That fucker did what?"

   Chikami uncrossed her arms. She shifted behind Yaoyorozu and hooked her arms under Yaoyorozu's.

   Yaoyorozu jolted. "Eh? Kiyomi, what are you--Minako!"

   Miyamoto sprinted forward to kick Suzuki in the nuts.

   Suzuki passed away.

   Now the embodiment of rage, Miyamoto roared, "You motherfucker! Kiyomi, Aoi, and I left you alone with Momo 'cause we thought you two would like the alone time, but then you turn around and hit her!? How fucking dareyou!"

   Struggling against Chikami's hold, Yaoyorozu watched Miyamoto beat the shit out of Suzuki. "You've done enough! Please stop! I'm okay!"

   Mori played a song on her phone and started doing the Orange Justice.

   

   Iida ran across the patio. "Yaoyorozu! Where is--?" 

   Iida stopped dead in his tracks.

   Mori and Miyamoto were dancing over Suzuki's dead body. Chikami was recording it with her phone and Yaoyorozu was curled on the floor.

   Iida's glasses cracked. "What on Earth is going on here!?"

 

   Meanwhile, you were fucking around in the bathroom.

   You'd dumped half a bottle of bubble bath soap into the water. You thought the 'bubble' part was just for decor.

   Nope.

   You were buried in suds now. Only your dark eyes were visible in the fluffy white mass.

   You scooped up some bubbles. You stared at them before piling them onto the mountain of foam on your head.

   After several minutes of this, you reached for the shower head. You couldn't stay here forever.

   You switched on the shower head and held it above you.

   You blankly watched the bubbles run down your skin. You thought about buying bubble bath soap for yourself once you got out of here. 

   Once you drained the tub, you climbed out and transferred to the shower.

   You made sure to rinse your hair properly. You'd already painstakingly taken out the braid. Washing such a large amount of hair was a daunting task.

   You thoroughly conditioned your hair. The bubble bath soap was bound to dry it out.

   You left the conditioner in for a while. Then you rinsed again.

   No shampoo this time. You shampoo'd just yesterday so doing it today would dry out your scalp.

   

   At last, you were done washing yourself.

   Drying your body was easy. Drying your hair was not.

   After grabbing a towel from the cabinet, you patted yourself down. You proceeded to squeeze the life out of your hair.

   You gazed into the wall mirror as you re-braided your hair. It was already turning out pretty wonky compared to how Aoyama did it, but it was better than nothing. The braid draped over the right side of your chest. 

   You opened another cabinet. Inside were the robes Yaoyorozu had mentioned. 

   You tilted your head. The robes were fluffy and white. Was there a point in wearing them? It was pretty hot today.

   You shrugged one on anyway. Maybe Yaoyorozu would be happy if you wore it like she suggested. The left side of the robe slipped off your shoulder but you didn't notice. And you didn't know you were supposed to tie it, so your robe was left open in the front.

   You spotted moisturizer by the sink. You weren't sure if it was good for your skin type, but it'd have to do for now. 

   Then you put your trunks back on. Your sunglasses, which had been sitting by the sink, went into your pocket.

   Your ruined shirt was folded and placed into the laundry basket by the door. The used towel followed. 

   You were finally done.

 

   You peeked into the hall.

   You could hear faint chatter from the living room. Yaoyorozu must've invited people in. Judging from the voices, they were your classmates.

   You entered the room and bowed. "Hello."

   Your class (minus Yaoyorozu, who was currently taking a phone call outside) had been talking on the couches before you came in. Your classmates turned to you with worried faces. 

   They couldn't even get a greeting out before blood spurted from their noses.

 

    In the gap of your robe were the ridges of your robust chest and abdominal muscles.  Your sharp collarbone peaked out from under the white cloth.  Your misshapen robe revealed your left shoulder. Soft skin glowed in the sunlight streaming in from the windows. In this perfect lighting, your features were defined in the best way. Your hair, which you thought was messy, screamed model! at anyone with a brain. The moisture stuck to your lashes made them sparkle.

 

   Iida flew from his seat. As he shakily pulled your robe shut and tied it with a yank, he cried, "W-wear your clothes properly!"

   Midoriya had passed out the second he saw you.

   Todoroki was figuring out how to stop his nosebleed.

   Kaminari ragged on Iida for fixing the robe. 

   Kirishima hid his face in his sweating hands. 

   Jiro's mouth was catching flies.

   Sero had taken a picture. He gave you a thumbs up, tissues shoved up his nostrils.

   Everyone else was trying to clean up the blood before Yaoyorozu came back.

   

   Iida had basically stuck a corset on you. He'd tied the robe so tightly that your waist was even smaller than it already was. 

   You squirmed. "Do I have to wear the robe in this manner?"

   "Yes!"

   Your breaths became husky. "Okay."

   Iida's ears turned red. "Wh--! why are you breathing like that?"

   

   "He can't breathe properly."

   Everyone jumped.

   Yaoyorozu pocketed her phone. Frowning, she walked up to you. She undid the knot. "Let him dress as he pleases, Iida."

   Iida hid the bottom half of his face with a large hand. "But...!"

   "It's not as if you've never seen him half-naked before." Desperately avoiding eye contact with your cleavage, Yaoyorozu re-tied the knot. 

   "R-right..."

 

   Once Yaoyorozu fixed your robe, she turned to the rest of the class. "The beach is being closed due to the incident involving Suzuki. I'm sorry to cut the outing short like this..."

   Everyone consoled her at once.

   "It's fine!" chirped Kirishima. "Do what you need to do! We can just come back another day."

   Kaminari chimed in, "Yeah! Don't sweat it!"

   Jiro was visibly concerned. "It doesn't matter as long as you're okay..." 

   Iida's hand swiped up and down. "Your wellbeing comes first!"

   Your other peers chorused with similar consolations.

   You patted Yaoyorozu's head. "It's okay."

   Yaoyorozu blushed, eyes wide. Then she smiled so brightly that her eyes crinkled. "Thank you all for your understanding!"

 

   Until all the other beach visitors left, your class would be chilling in Yaoyorozu's beach house.

   You sat on one of the living room couches.

   Kirishima punched the air. "I heard you punched the guy! Very manly of you!"

   Todoroki abandoned Midoriya's unconscious body to sit next to you. "I should've tailed you. I feel somewhat responsible..."

   You shook your head. "You are not responsible. You warned me to be careful. I failed to abide by your advice."

   Kirishima reached around you to pat Todoroki's shoulder. "What's done is done. Don't sweat it, man."

   After a moment, Todoroki reluctantly nodded. 

 

   There was only one thing Todoroki was glad about from your run-in with Suzuki.

   You had intentionally hurt someone. 

   Todoroki smiled to himself.

   You were cultivating your will to fight.

 

   Kaminari was standing behind the couch. He started playing with stray pieces of your hair. "Y'know, if you dressed less like my grandma, you'd get girls like crazy."

   You tipped your head back to look at Kaminari. "My preferred style of dress resembles your grandmother's?"

   "Yeah! The long sweater thingies you always wear, sweatpants, the socks and sandals, blah blah blah."

   Sero came over to poke Kaminari. "Don't listen to Pikachu. I think it's nice."

   "Of course you do. You dress like my grandpa."

   "What grandpa has this much drip?"

   

---

   

   On your way to grabbing your temporarily abandoned duffle, you ran into Yaoyorozu's friends.

   "Thanks for standing up for our Momo." Miyamoto smiled as she handed you a box of Pretz. "I know this isn't much, but I wanted to give you something nonetheless."

   You put the box in your pocket. "Thank you. It was no problem."

   "Watch over her for us, will you?" said Chikami. Her charcoal eyes grew soft. "We're no Heroes. We can only be there for her to an extent. Protect her in the ways we can't."

   You nodded. "I will."

   For the first time since you met her, Mori spoke. "Thanks."

   "You do not need to thank me."

 

   As you parted ways, Miyamoto smiled and waved. Chikami nodded stoically and Mori threw a peace sign.

   You waved, nodded, and mimicked the peace sign.

   The girls blinked. Then they laughed.

   Once their heads turned completely forward, you turned the opposite direction.

 

   Your duffle was alone on the sand.

   You checked if everything inside was safe.

   The conch and Yaoyorozu's phone were intact. Your towel and sunscreen looked fine.

   Lifting the strap over your shoulder, you headed for the estate garden.

 

---

 

   You all hopped onto the bus once everyone grabbed their things.

   Aizawa was extra grumpy. No villains even attacked and yet something bad still managed to happen.

   But at the same time, he was glad.

   No villains showing up meant that none of his kids were the mole.

   Aizawa, Present Mic, and Midnight met eyes in the rearview mirror.

   As they looked away, they shared quiet smiles.

   

---

   

   "Bakugou!"

   Bakugou practically hissed as Kirishima went in for a bro hug. "Piss off!"

   When Bakugou swatted Kirishima upside the head, he laughed. "Hello to you too!"

 

   Your class had arrived at the dorms.

   Everyone greeted Bakugou and Tokoyami as you changed out your shoes.

   Tokoyami was leaning against the wall, arms crossed. "So you've all returned. It was starting to get a little too quiet around here."

 

   "Hello." You opened up your bag to give Tokoyami the conch.

   Tokoyami blinked. Closing his eyes, he said, "My crow-like appearance has nothing to do with whether or not I like miscellaneous trinkets."

   You simply moved the conch closer. "Listen to--"

   You paused.

   In the entire time you knew Tokoyami, you'd never seen his ears. Obviously he could hear, but where were his ears?

   Tokoyami instantly knew what you were thinking. He dropped his head with a sigh. "Come hither."

   You stepped forward and leaned down curiously. You were roughly 23 centimeters (9 inches) taller than tiny Tokoyami.

   Tokoyami parted the feathers around his left ear. His ear was basically a hole. "There. Are you satisfied?"

   You peered inside. "It resembles a pocket."

   Tokoyami jerked away. "Defile my ear with your trinkets and your bloodline ends with you."

   Your eyes were round with pure innocence. "You do not want to listen to the conch?"

   Tokoyami squinted. Your eyes somehow got rounder.

   "Are...are you doing that on purpose?"

   "What am I doing on purpose?"

   Tokoyami stared. You stared back.

   Relenting, Tokoyami took the shell and put it up to his ear.

   The chatter in the room was enough ambient noise to recreate the wave sound.

   Tokoyami returned the shell. "I suppose this can substitute my revoked right to the beach trip. Although I'm not fond of so much sunlight."

   You nodded twice. "I look forward to your attendance on our next outing."

   "...Thanks."

 

   Bakugou was the last person to listen to the conch.

   However, you weren't sure you wanted to ask him.

   Knowing Bakugou, he would blow up the conch with no mercy.   

   "What are you looking at?"

   Uh oh. Bakugou had felt your gaze on him.

   Bakugou thought he could finally be alone after dealing with Midoriya, Kirishima, and the other three monkeys, but there was still one problem left.

   You.

 

   You hid the conch behind you. "Hello, Bakugou."

   Bakugou cocked a brow. He already knew about the conch. There was no point in hiding it. 

   Just earlier, Kirishima and the three monkeys had been talking about how you went up to every single person in class (except Mineta LOL) and insisted they listen to the conch. Those four were gone now, having left to wash up.

 

   Where did that puppy-like behavior go? Why weren't you offering Bakugou the conch? 

   Why did Bakugou care?

 

   Bakugou narrowed his eyes. "You think you're better than me?"

   You answered right away. "I do not."

   Bakugou twitched.

   Your honesty was both trustworthy and infuriating. 

   Lips curled in a sneer, Bakugou beckoned you with his hand. "Then give it." 

   You shuffled your feet idly. "What do you want me to give you?"

   "The shit you're hiding away like a goddamn squirrel! Don't make me take it from you!"

   You looked down.

 

   You liked the conch. You also liked Bakugou. And you liked Iida, the person who gave you the conch in the first place.

   Giving Bakugou the conch would make him happy. You could already see the feral grin he'd wear as he blew up the conch.

   The conch being destroyed would upset both you and Iida. 

   But if you didn't give Bakugou the conch, he'd be upset. You'd been working too hard to befriend him up till now just to ruin all that progress.

   Iida would understand.

 

   You reluctantly gave Bakugou the conch.

   Bakugou smirked. So even after all those mental calculations, you couldn't disobey him. 

   At this point, Bakugou knew exactly what you anticipated he'd do, and he was very, very tempted to make that reality.

   You didn't stick around. You weren't too keen on watching Bakugou destroy the conch.

   Bakugou stopped stroking his own ego for a second. "Hah? Where do you think you're going?"

   You stopped. You didn't look at Bakugou as you replied, "...I am going to my room."

   Bakugou hadn't seen this coming. The malice on his face morphed into slight confusion. "You're not gonna watch me listen to it or whatever the fuck?"

   You shook your head.

   Bakugou sensed something was off. It was strange how easily he could read you. "...Oi. Lemme see your stupid face."

   You hesitated. After a few seconds, you turned your head.

 

   Bakugou's eyes widened.

   Your irises had become a sad synthetic blue.

   "Oi, oi, oi!" Bakugou hastily looked around. Fortunately, everyone else had gone up to their own rooms. No one was here to harass Bakugou about making you sad.

   Bakugou twitched again.

   You looked so sorry for yourself. Like a dog that got its toy taken away.

   Bakugou's jaw muscles bulged as he clenched his teeth.

   Fuck it.

   Shoving the conch next to his ear, Bakugou shouted, "Happy!?"

   Your eyes grew round. They were like golden stars in the night. "Yes."

 

   Bakugou wanted to punch himself. Why the fuck did he appease you?

   He shoved the conch against your chest. "AAAAAAAH! I FUCKING HATE YOU!"

   You hurriedly steadied the conch in your hands. 

   You watched Bakugou stomp past you and up the stairs, cussing all the while.

 

   You were perfectly aware that Bakugou hadn't heard anything when he had the shell. There was no ambience. All Bakugou should've heard was silence.

   Even so, you were happy.

   Bakugou making the effort to "listen" was more than enough.

   You genuinely thought he'd break the shell the moment he got his hands on it. And you were likely correct. Bakugou wouldn't want anything to do with any item of yours unless he could somehow hurt you with it.

   Bakugou had changed his mind for you.

 

   Sunflowers bloomed in your chest.

   Bakugou is kind.

      

   

---

  

   

   You sat at your desk. You'd start on today's homework soon.

   Before that, you wanted to message Melissa.

   You flicked your desk lamp on. You placed the shell on your white desk. Then you took a really shitty picture of it.

  

   Hello, Melissa.

   Your pink finger pads slowly pressed each key.

   Today, I went to the beach with my classmates.

   You sent the blurry conch picture.

   This is called a conch shell. It produces a good sound.

   For a long time, you thought about what to say next. So much had happened today, but you were too tired to type out your usual essay. 

 

   I had fun.

Chapter 56: Defend the Crown

Summary:

fanart!!! by LilPazzy on quotev!

 

 

   A week passed.

   Like the previous days, your class spent half of sixth period in Gym Gamma.

 

   You were currently standing around with Kirishima and Kaminari. The three of you were taking a quick break.

   "Don't I look awesome?" said Kaminari. He smirked and flicked his sunglasses. "I managed to find something both cool and practical."

   Kirishima replied curiously, "Wow, I didn't notice your forehead was so big."

   Kaminari deflated. "Why would you say that...?"

   "It's not a bad thing! It just means you're smart. I think."

   "Oh, really? Thanks!"

   "Yeah!" Kirishima turned to you. "What about you? Are you getting anything modded?"

   "No."

   "No?" repeated Ketchup and Mustard.

   Kirishima gave you a once-over. "I think you could use some spikes here and there. Welded brass knuckles and spiky kneepads!"

   Kaminari rapidly shook his head. "No! Do you want him to kill people!?"

   "What!? Of course not! Why?"

   "What if someone bleeds out!?"

   "Oh crap! Yeah, that'd be bad. I didn't think about that."

   "What the hell is wrong with you?"

   "Anyway," said Kirishima, turning to you once more, "are you sure? We have a week left till the exam. I think that's enough time to send Melissa your costume and back."

   You nodded. "I am sure. I am content with the current model of my costume."

   There really wasn't anything that needed changing. Melissa had designed your costume with every safety precaution in mind. Your helmet even had an internal inducible gas filter. 

   Kirishima smiled. "That's good. If you ever change your mind, you can ask me and I'll take you to the Support studio."

   "Hey..." Crossing his arms, Kaminari narrowed an eye at you. "You're not obsessed with Melissa anymore, right?"

   You blinked. "I do not recall having an obsession with Melissa."

   "There's something wrong with you too!"

 

   The three of you became alert when Bakugou urgently shouted, "Oi, watch out!"

   A rock had fallen from the height where Bakugou was training.

   It shot straight for All Might.

   Scarf in hand, Aizawa rushed forward. "Fool!"

   Before Aizawa could do anything, your boosters roared to life and Midoriya leapt off the ground.

   You picked up All Might as Midoriya kicked the rock to pieces.

   Initial shock wearing off, All Might grinned proudly.

   Both his boys were growing by the day.

   You skidded to a stop, All Might in your arms princess-style.

   Midoriya landed on the ground with a slide. "If I'm worried about my arms, then I'll use my legs! One For All: Full Cowling... Shoot Style!"

   All Might nodded. "That's right!"

 

   Midoriya got up from his crouch. "Are you okay, All Might?"

   "Yeah!" All Might soon realized how ridiculous he looked getting carried like this. He pat your helmet and said weakly, "Thank you, my bionic boy. You can put me down now."

   "Okay." You lowered All Might to the floor.

   Despite All Might being well over 213 centimeters (7 feet) tall, you were able to carry him easily. All Might weighed practically nothing in this form.

 

   "Woah, Midoriya!" Kaminari ran over. "Where'd all that crazy firepower come from?"

   Kirishima eagerly followed. "You were like a rocket, [L/n]!"

   Midoriya started talking about his new iron soles. You glanced at them briefly before wandering off. You didn't think Midoriya discovering what legs were was a big deal. In your mind, it was only natural that Midoriya, a close-range fighter, would use all four limbs.

   All Might saw you leave in the corner of his eye. He frowned to himself.

   He wasn't there for you when you lost everything, and with All Might's retirement, you could no longer depend on him for anything.

 

   "That was close, All Might." Aizawa walked up to All Might. "You'd better stand back for now."

   All Might jolted. "Apologies!" He turned to look up at Bakugou. "I'm sorry, Young Bakugou!"

   Bakugou was glaring down at Midoriya, one foot propped onto the edge of the cliff. He bared his teeth. "Tch." 

   A massive explosion engulfed the top of the cliff. "You better watch yourself, All Might!"

   Watch myself... All Might thought. Right.

   All Might was the one who needed protecting now.

 

   "That's enough, Class A!"

   Everyone turned towards the booming voice.

   Vlad King led his students into the gym. "The T.K.L. is supposed to be ours this afternoon!"

   You peeked out from behind a rock pillar. You hadn't expected 1-B to arrive this early. You were usually able to avoid Monoma, but maybe not this time.

   "It's Class B," murmured Midoriya.

   Kaminari huffed. "What bad timing!"

   Vlad King nodded at Aizawa. "Eraser. Get going now."

   Aizawa wouldn't budge. "We've still got about ten minutes left. I aim to use our time efficiently."

 

   "Hey, have you all heard!? About how half those taking the license exam fail it!? I bet you're all gonna fail, Class A!"

   There Monoma was.

   You retreated behind the pillar. You'd have to ask Shoji or Sato for cover to sneak out of here.

   Monoma laughed villainously, stood with his arms spread and feet apart.

   Kaminari smiled in exasperation as he pointed at Monoma. "So, what's up with his costume?"

   Kendo answered, "He told us that because he copies other's Quirks, he doesn't need some flashy, eccentric costume."

   "Looks eccentric enough to me."

 

   Another 1-B student with a weird costume was Kuchimoto. He was wearing what was basically the male armor from the Lunastra Alpha set. 

   Kuchimoto tugged down his mask and began spreading his stars in one corner of the gym.

   Vlad King did nothing to stop him. He just nodded in approval. "Ku's using his time wisely."

   Rin dashed past Vlad King to stop Kuchimoto. "Don't spit! It's not our turn yet, idiot!"

   Frowning, Aizawa told Vlad King, "Control your kids."

   Vlad King pointed past Aizawa. "I could say the same to you."

   Aizawa immediately turned around. Knowing 1-A, literally anything could be happening right now.

 

   You were getting bench pressed by a sugar-high Sato.

   Aizawa relaxed. "Is that all?"

   Vlad King gave him a funny look. "...What is with your kids and bench pressing each other?"

 

   Monoma recoiled at the sight of you. "Heathen!"

   As you got lifted up and down, you asked Sato, "What is a heathen?"

   Sato grunted. "Dunno." He moved his arms to the side to set you down. "Wanna move somewhere else? That guy's not right in the head."

   "Okay." 

   Monoma grit his teeth. "Get back here! Surely you remember me telling you that you'd be on your knees begging for forgiveness the next time I see you!"

   Sato sighed as he led you away. "Ignore him."

   You nodded. "Okay."

   Monoma's jaw dropped. "What!?"

 

   Recently, you'd realized that Monoma's forgiveness didn't exist in the first place. Monoma grudged you for more than just your actions. 

   Monoma hated you.

   So you just avoided or ignored him when necessary.

 

   Monoma faltered, shock seizing him by the throat.

   Did you just ignore him on purpose?

   Monoma kicked up a fuss. "How dare you ignore me!? Who do you think you are!?"

   Kendo whacked him on the head. "Stop that."

   Monoma shut his mouth. But he still couldn't accept it.

 

   The same guy who had apologized to Monoma so sincerely not once, but twice, had given up on him?

   Monoma's brows furrowed.

   Then, his expression relaxed, to the point of eery calm.

   This isn't fun anymore.

 

   Tokoyami unequipped Dark Shadow. "What Monoma said earlier about the low pass rate... He's right. In this test, we will be as beasts thrown into the ring... It is our fate to crush each other."

   "Not quite." Aizawa said, "Classes A and B will be registered at different exam sites."

   You listened from where you were working out with Sato.

   Vlad King added, "In both June and September, standardized Hero license exam is held every year at three different locations around the country. In order to avoid direct competition between students from the same school, it's common practice at all schools to have different classes register separately, at a different time or different place."

   Monoma sighed in relief. "What a shame that I won't get to beat you all with my own two hands!"

 

   Kirishima and Kaminari blinked.

   "Didn't he just give a sigh of relief?"

   "They should come up with a name for whatever disorder he's got."

 

   Sero lifted his visor up for a breath of air. "At 'all schools'...? We usually don't pay them any mind, but...I guess we're gonna be competing against other schools."

   "Yeah," agreed Midoriya. "We're also ahead of the typical licensing schedule."

   Aizawa folded his hands behind his back. "It's a small number of students who gain their provisional licenses as first years. Which means...you'll be up against some students who've experienced highly advanced training. This exam will bring together students with polished Quirks you've never even seen."

 

   Though you couldn't see Aizawa from your location, you turned in his direction with interest.

   "...students with polished Quirks you've never even seen."

   You flexed your fingers.

   Which one will prevail?

   My artificial power, or the Quirks afforded to them by age four?

 

   Aizawa went on. "Though the exam contents are unknown, I assure you, this will be an uphill battle for everyone. Don't psyche yourselves out too much, but be aware of what you're facing."

   You gazed down at your open palm.

   You were about to face people who'd honed their Quirks their entire lives.

   It was only five months ago that you'd woken up. Not even half a year.

   Could you pass this exam with the little experience you had?

   While the sheer firepower of your ability made up for your inexperience, you were reluctant to use it.

   The smell of burnt skin and hair. You didn't particularly like or dislike it.

   It was the faces of the people you burnt that you disliked.

   Creased brows. Bared teeth. Crying eyes.

   

   But if you wanted to pass, you had to burn everyone.

   Burn everything.

   Like a fire raging through a forest, you had to cut down every single tree, trees whose roots had plenty of time to burrow deep into the ground.

   You would destroy it all.

 

---

 

   Another week went by.

   September arrived.

   Today was the day of the exam.

   As you waited for everyone to assemble in the living room, you reread the text messages between you and Melissa.

   In the days prior, you'd informed her about the license exam.

   Discussion about remodeling aside, you two engaged in conversation about bunnies and how the Sun would explode in some bajillion years. 

   Her latest text to you was, Good luck!

   You put your phone away.

   Whether or not luck was a thing, if it was from Melissa, you would cherish it.

 

   Aizawa hung out by the front double doors. He clapped once. "Go to the restroom even if you don't feel like it. It takes three hours to get to the exam site and I'm not making any stops."

   Everyone chorused, "Yes."

   Not all of you went though. Some had already gone prior to Aizawa's warning.

   Once everyone gathered, you all filed out the double doors.   

 

   You were on your way to the bus now.

   Midoriya led the pack, eyes pointing downward in thought.

   He wasn't nervous as he had anticipated. He had prepared well, and other than the other examinees' unknown Quirks, he had no reason to be worried. He had faith in his own performance.

   But what about you?

   You being nervous was entirely possible. Midoriya had seen it in the way your feet occasionally shuffled. After all, your emotions didn't show only through your eyes.

   Midoriya was thinking about sitting next to you on the bus. He could talk to you and possibly calm your nervousness. However, sitting next to you would make him nervous.

   At the same time...

   Midoriya didn't want to lose the spot to Todoroki. Not again.

   Midoriya and Todoroki were good friends. As neither went easy on each other in battle, neither would back down when it came to romance. Assuming Todoroki was even aware of his own lovestruck behavior, of course.

 

   Oh shit. Midoriya was actually making himself nervous just thinking about asking you to sit with him.

   Midoriya trembled. He knew he wouldn't be able to get the words out.

   So he took out his notebook, wrote in it with pen, and tore the page out. He folded the page into a paper plane.

   With a squint of his eye, Midoriya tipped his wrist back, and then threw the paper plane forward.

   Asui looked at Midoriya. "I didn't take you for the type to play with paper planes."

   Kirishima watched the plane fly backwards. "Isn't the wind blowing towards us right now? Maybe turn around and throw it."

   Midoriya chuckled feebly. "Uh, no, it's fine."

 

   The nose of the paper plane smacked you right in the forehead.

   You reared your head back a bit. Your reflexes quick as ever, you caught the plane before it could blow somewhere else.      

   Your hand rotated as you looked at the plane from all angles. You'd never seen a paper plane before, but as you were familiar with real planes, you saw the resemblance.

   Your gaze swept through the kids near the front of the group. Which one of them had thrown it?

 

   Midoriya jumped when you caught his eye. He turned away with an almost fearful look.

   You blinked. Did Midoriya not like paper planes or something?

   Should you throw this away?

 

   Midoriya seemed to predict your exact thought process. He peeked at you, and with a hopeful smile, he did an 'opening book' motion with his hands.

   You ripped the paper plane in half.

   Midoriya's soul floated out his mouth and up to the clouds.

   The other kids jolted in alarm.

   "Midoriya, are you okay!?"

   "Deku!"

 

   You tilted your head. Midoriya wasn't smiling anymore. 

   You must've done something wrong.

   You tried putting the two halves of the paper plane back together, but you didn't have glue on you. No tape either.

   You stared down at the halves.

   What method was used to make this model plane?

   At last, you began to undo the folds, and Midoriya's soul returned to him.

   You were tracking the fold lines when you noticed neat writing split down the middle. You held the halves next to each other.

 

   Is it okay if I sit next to you?

 

   You looked up.

   Midoriya hung his head, shoulders bunched up with electrified nerves. The back of his neck was red.

   Midoriya glanced at you over his shoulder. His eyes were almost fully white with anxiety.

 

   You nodded.

   Midoriya's eyes somehow got wider.

   Then, full moons waning into crescents, he shot you a bashful grin.

 

   You all boarded the bus.

   Midoriya took the aisle seat while you took the window seat.

   Aizawa started the bus and the three hour drive began.

 

   Midoriya fiddled with his hands. "S-so, how are you feeling about the exam today?"

   "...I may take significant time to form a response. Is that alright with you?"

   "Yeah! Take your time."

   More or less, you already figured out your feelings about the exam.

   It was a necessary evil of sorts.

   In order to ultimately save people, you needed to step on others.   

   You weren't sure how to communicate this, however. And you couldn't without looking strange.

   Everyone else here was on board with hurting others to win, so why weren't you?

 

   You lied. "I look forward to the exam."

   "Eh?" Midoriya's brows shot upward in surprise. "Oh... Then that's good."

   Midoriya burned holes into his lap. He was ashamed of himself for feeling disappointed. He had looked forward to comforting you.

   Midoriya quickly shook his head. He shouldn't hope for your discomfort. And there were other ways to spend time with you.

 

   Grabbing a piece of paper from his notebook, Midoriya folded it into four squares and ripped two out. He handed you one. "Uh... Wanna do origami with me? It's a long ride..."

   You accepted the paper square. "What is origami?"

   Midoriya promptly broke into a ramble about the history of origami. Why did he know so much random shit?

   You listened attentively. You were probably the only person aside from Midoriya's mom that could decipher his babbling.

   Near the end of his speech, Midoriya smoothed his thumb across the paper in his hand. "I'm actually not really into origami... I never had many friends growing up, so I entertained myself in other ways." He suddenly flinched. "S-sorry! You don't need to know something so lame."

 

   "You have me."   

   

   Midoriya was shocked into silence. He just stared at you like a deer in the headlights.

   You stared back. "Midoriya has many friends now. Origami is no longer necessary."

 

   Geysers of Midoriya's tears hit the bus ceiling and your peers shouted in alarm.

   "Oh, come on! Who made Midoriya cry!?"

   "The bus is gonna flood!"

   "Quick, Todoroki, evaporate the water!"

   "No! If he does that, this bus is gonna turn into a sauna!"

   Aizawa groaned. 

 

   To Aizawa's chagrin, you all ended up making a stop anyway.

   Aizawa had to contact an on-call flood cleaner. When the cleaner asked how the hell the bus flooded, Aizawa couldn't answer.

   The class was fooling around in the gas station. Aizawa had told you all to stay in there and not bother anyone.

 

   You were hanging out in a random corner with Midoriya.

   Midoriya wiped his eyes. The last teardrops among his dark lashes shined like stars under the fluorescent lighting. Combined with his freckles, it was as if Midoriya's face was a galaxy.

   Midoriya looked up. "What you said earlier... You're right. I can't change the past, so I have to value the present."

   You nodded. You didn't say anything more in case the floodgates opened again.

   "...Thank you for being my friend." Midoriya bowed slightly. "I'm truly grateful."

   "Do not thank me. I did not choose to be your friend."

   Midoriya blinked. "Eh?"

   You thought carefully. "...The definition of 'friend' was not clear to me at the time of our friendship's beginning. I came to consider you my friend without realization." You bowed in return. "Thank you for teaching me the meaning of a friend."

   Midoriya blinked twice.

   Then he started bawling again.

 

   Your classmates were pissed.

   "Goddamn it, Midoriya!"

   "My shoes are wet!"

   "Not again!"

 

   The lot of you evacuated the gas station. The poor cashier was forced to mop up the flood.

   Aizawa scolded you all. "I told you brats not to bother anyone. If you can't follow basic directions, how do you expect to pass the exam, much less get to the exam site? We're behind schedule."

   Everyone pointed at a single person. "It was Midoriya!"

   Midoriya was curled up in fetal position. "I'm sorry... Do you forgive me...?"

   Kaminari cringed down at Midoriya. "You can get up now, dude. You're beginning to freak me out."

   "You've apologized enough." Kirishima squatted to pat Midoriya. "Up."

   Uraraka cheered him on. "Stand up, Deku!"

   Bakugou kicked Midoriya's butt. "Now we're late because of you! Stupid crybaby Deku!"

   "Ow!" Teeth grit, Midoriya scrambled to his feet. "That freaking hurt, Kacchan!"

   "Good!"

 

   Sero whispered to you, "What the heck did you do?"

   "I have upset Midoriya."

   "Did you insult his mom or something?"

   You shook your head. "I did not."

   Sero did a double take. "You did something even worse? Shit, dude."

   "I have not committed intentional wrongdoing."

   "Intentional?"

 

   Todoroki walked up to you.

   In his hand was a tuna rice ball with pickled plum.

   Todoroki extended his hand a little. "Do you...want this?"

   "Yes. Thank you." You accepted the rice ball and immediately tore into it.

   Sero raised both brows. "Todoroki, you were able to get something before Midoriya flooded the store?"

   "Yeah."

   "Your competence knows no bounds..."

 

   Before long, you were back on the road.

   You and Midoriya simmered in awkward silence. Well, at least it was awkward to Midoriya. To you, it wasn't any different from the usual silence.

   Midoriya glanced to you. What were you doing right now?

   You were staring blankly at the back of the seat in front of you. 

   Midoriya swallowed. 

   Normally, it was easy to talk to you. You were friends before anything else, after all.

   But now that Midoriya was hyperaware of his feelings, he found his throat closing up.

   

   The bus suddenly jolted.

   Everyone bounced towards the right.

   Your head beelined straight for the window. 

   Time slowed for Midoriya.

   He lunged toward you, left hand outstretched.

   His palm slammed against the window. 

   Instead of hard glass, your head knocked against the back of Midoriya's hand.

 

   Aizawa said casually, "Sorry about that. I'll be going over the speed limit for a bit."

   Iida was going to have an aneurysm. "NO!"

 

   You blinked. Midoriya had gone into Hero mode all just to prevent your head from bonking the window.

   Eyes closing, Midoriya let out a long sigh of relief. You weren't hurt.

   Your head swiveled to your left, towards Midoriya. "Thank you, Midoriya."

   Midoriya opened his eyes. "It's noth--"

 

   His voice failed him.

   By lunging forward to stick his palm on the window, he had ended up pulling a kabedon on you.

 

   Midoriya flew back. "Ka--kabedon!"

   His eyes swirled around in their sockets. His face felt hotter than the Sun.

   Midoriya conked out.

   You repeated, "Kabedon? What is kabedon?"

   As Midoriya had just died, he couldn't answer.

   You looked over the back of your seat. "Todoroki, what is kabedon?"

   Todoroki was sitting behind you. "Uh... Sounds like a food. Do you want it?"

   

   

   Two hours passed.

   Thanks to luck and Aizawa committing crimes, your class was able to get to the exam site on time.

   Aizawa opened the bus door. "Everyone out. We're here."

   The class did as told.

 

   The exam site was the National Takoba Arena.

   You tipped your head back a little. The arena was huge.

   Midoriya looked around. "We're doing this in Takoba, huh...?"

   Jiro gripped the straps of her backpack. "Ah, I'm getting nervous..."

   Mineta was fretting. "I wonder what we'll have to do... Can I even get my license?"

   Aizawa folded himself to talk to Mineta. "It's not about whether you can or can't. Go get it."

   "R-right, of course!"

 

   Aizawa straightened up to talk to the whole class. "Earn your provisional licenses by passing this test, and you won't be mere eggs anymore...but full-fledged hatchlings reborn as semi-Pros." He dipped his head. "Show them your best."

   Your peers shouted in agreement.

   "Alright!" chirped Kaminari. "I'll become a hatchling!"

   Kirishima pumped a fist. "Alright! Time for our cheer! Ready, set--!"

   Everyone's voices synced to say, "PLUS ULTRA!"

   But the loudest voice wasn't Kirishima or Iida.

 

   It was some beefy bald dude. His fist was lifted to the sky and a big grin split his face.

   1-A looked at him funny.

   You had never seen a bald person before. You couldn't stop staring. You'd always had a full head of hair so you couldn't imagine being bald.

   The bald guy's purple-haired schoolmate showed up behind him. "It's bad manners to intrude on another school's group huddle, Inasa."

   The purple-haired one was accompanied by a girl with pouty lips, a really hairy dude, and a guy with a brown paper bag over his face.

   Inasa stiffened. "Oh, shoot!"

   He leaned back, chin pointing skyward. "I am..!" He leaned down with his arms glued to his sides. "So very...!" His head slammed into the ground. "SORRY!"

   Almost everyone in 1-A was terrified to some degree.

   You were fixated on Inasa's cueball head. "Where is your hair?"

   Mineta tugged on your pant leg. "Don't be rude!" he whispered loudly. "What if he has cancer!?"

   Kaminari kicked Mineta. "Why the hell would you say that so freaking loud!?"

   "You're loud!"

   This whole time, Inasa remained stuck to the floor, grinning into the void. 

 

   Jiro noticed something. "Wait, that uniform!"

   Kirishima said, "It's from that one famous school! What is it called again...?"

   "U.A. in the east," rasped Bakugou, "Shiketsu in the west."

   Inasa swung his torso upward to stand properly. Blood trickled down his forehead as he boomed, "I wanted to try saying it just once! Plus Ultra! I love U.A.! It is truly an honor to compete alongside the fine students of U.A.! I'm looking forward to it!"

   1-A stared at Inasa in fear and confusion.

   You offered Inasa a tissue. "You are bleeding."

   "Worry not, kind student!" Inasa took the tissue and smashed it flat against his forehead. "I love blood!"

   You stared. Then you pulled out another tissue. "That is not the proper method to use a tissue."

   Sero and Kaminari dragged you away by the arms.

   "Back away..." hissed Kaminari. "...slowly!"

   Inasa's purple-haired schoolmate called to him. "Let's go."

   "Yes!" Inasa turned and left with his mates.

 

   "...Inasa Yoarashi."

   Everyone turned to Aizawa.

   Hagakure asked, "Do you know him, Mr. Aizawa?"

   "He's...very strong."

   Your peers gasped. You didn't particularly care.

   "Last year, the same year as you guys, Inasa got the top scores of those admitted through recommendation, but for some reason, he turned down his acceptance."

   Midoriya jerked forward. "Eh? Then, he's a first year!?" 

   Midoriya didn't finish his thoughts aloud.

   And if Inasa was at the top of those with recommendations...his abilities are above Todoroki's!?

   You still had your opened tissue packet out. "Inasa does not know how to use tissues. He is flawed. Flaws can be exploited."

   Sero snorted. "What are you gonna do, stick tissues up his nose?"

   You shook your head. "If necessary, I will find the rest of his flaws. He is human. He is exploitable."

   "Holy shit, who taught you about capitalism?"

 

   Kirishima cocked a brow. "This guy said he's a big fan of U.A., but he turned down the offer? I don't get it."

   Ashido agreed. "Weird..."

   "Weird or not," replied Aizawa, side-eyeing Inasa's fading back, "he's the real deal. Keep an eye on him."

 

   "Eraser!? Is that really you, Eraser?"

   Aizawa tensed. He slowly craned his head to the right, dread seeping from his pores.

   A female Hero dressed like a pirate approached. "I saw you on T.V. and at the sports festival. It's been too long since we last met face-to-face!"

   Aizawa grimaced.

   The lady pointed between herself and Aizawa. "Let's get married!"

   "No thanks."

   You turned to Sero. "What is married?"

   Sero cringed. "Not them, that's for sure."

 

   The lady did a spit-take at Aizawa's cold response. "No thanks!? Just do it!"

   Aizawa squinted. "You're a pain in the neck as always, Joke."

   Midoriya conveniently gave a character introduction. "The Smile Hero, Miss Joke! Her Quirk is Outburst! She can force those around her to start laughing uncontrollably, effectively slowing their thoughts and movements! The methods she takes down villains with are insane!"

   Miss Joke put her hands on her hips and proposed to Aizawa again. "Marry me, and we could build a happy home where the laughter never stops!"

   Aizawa shot her down. "Nothing about that sounds happy to me."

   "Again!?"

 

   Asui glanced between the two Heroes, a finger on her lip. "Mr. Aizawa, Miss Joke, are you friends?"

   Miss Joke cheerfully answered, "Our agencies were close by, way back when! I'd save him a few times and he'd save me. We fell in love, and you know how it goes!"

   Aizawa curled his upper lip in disgust. "It went nowhere."

   You tilted your head. They didn't seem like friends. Aizawa had made several faces in reaction to Miss Joke existing.

   Aizawa muttered, "So your school's here too, Joke?"

   Miss Joke guffawed. "Teasing you is always good for a laugh, Eraser! And yeah!" She looked over her shoulder. "Come on over, kiddos! Say hi to U.A.!"

 

   At the front of Miss Joke's students were one member of the Blue Man Group, Midoriya's hot older brother, diet Toga, and some ugly dude.

   The hot guy grinned. "Wow, it's really them!"

   Diet Toga tapped the hot guy's shoulder. "It's all those kids from T.V.!"

   The ugly guy murmured, "They're taking the exam as first years, huh...? Well, with everything that's happened...no wonder they're so capable."

   Miss Joke turned back to your class. "This is class 2-2 of Ketsubetsu Academy! Say hello to my students."

   

   Midoriya's hot older brother grabbed Midoriya's hands and shook them rapidly. "My name's Shindo! U.A.'s had it rough this year, right? The hits just keep coming."

   Midoriya didn't know how to respond to that. "Uh...yeah."

   Shindo grabbed Kaminari. "But you guys still have your hearts set on becoming Heroes." He moved on to Jiro. "That's awesome!"

   Your eyes tracked Shindo. This guy was shaking hands at lightspeed.

   Shindo curled a fist and winked at your class. "I believe the Heroes of tomorrow need to have that kind of fortitude!" 

   Shindo seemed to be shining. 

   Kaminari was impressed for some reason. "What an eloquent and cool dude!"

 

   Shindo's grin widened when he spotted you. "Oh, I know you! You're the guy that burned dozens of people during the sports festival!" His hands reached for yours. "I think you're pretty strong--"

   Bakugou smacked Shindo's hands away from you. "Cut the bullshit."

   You blinked.

   Sneering, Bakugou continued, "Unlike these morons, I know what you're playing at. Goddamn two-faced snake."

   Shindo just smiled.

   Kirishima scolded Bakugou. "Knock it off, man!" He turned to Shindo. "Sorry about his rudeness."

   "Not a problem! Just more proof of that iron will!"

 

   Why did Bakugou defend you?

   You stared at him with that question in mind.

   Bakugou felt you staring. "Wanna die?"

   "I do not."

   "Then stop fucking doing that."      

   "Okay." You turned your attention to your shoes.

 

   Bakugou clicked his tongue.

   Brows drawing together, he gazed down at the calloused hand he'd smacked Shindo with.

   Why the hell did I do that?

   Bakugou's reaction had been automatic. He didn't like Shindo the moment he saw that shitty mug. It got even worse once Shindo opened his mouth.

   Unlike Bakugou, the rest of 1-A didn't seem to notice anything off.

   Especially you.

   With 5 months of life experience, you were innocent.

   Was it the urge to protect that innocence?

   Bakugou’s scowl scratched harsh lines into his face. Thinking about this was a waste of his time. He had an exam to worry about. He wasn’t actually worried, of course. Bakugou was confident he could handle anything coming his way.   

   

   After the tension settled, Ketsubetsu's kids began mingling with U.A.'s.

   You subconsciously moved behind Bakugou. You weren't good with crowds.

   Aizawa frowned at all the chatter. "Oi. Change into your costumes. The info session's about the start, so quit wasting time."

   The two classes chorused, "Yes!"

 

   Once everyone got changed, you entered a huge room. There was a giant screen at the front wall. Beneath the screen and on an elevated platform was a podium.

   The room was filled to the brim with other examinees.

   You shifted closer to Bakugou.

   Bakugou scoffed. "Baby."

   "I am not a baby."

   "Keep telling yourself that.”

 

   Mic feedback silenced the room.

   The one behind the mic was a man on the verge of using his free trial of death. "Right...the provisional license exam. That's what you're here for... Yeah... I'm Mera of the Heroes Public Safety Commission. My favorite type of sleep is non-REM sleep. Nice to meet you all."

   Mera slumped over the podium. He muttered deliriously, "Work is so busy that I barely get any sleep! We're terribly short-staffed! Just wanna sleep!" He took a moment to collect himself. "With that information out of the way, let me explain the exam."

   Everyone in the room was either concerned or disturbed.

   "Getting right to it... All 1,543 examinees present will be competing...in one massive free-for-all exercise."

   You knew what a free-for-all was. Luckily, this phase of the exam wouldn't be a true free-for-all. A true F.F.A. would mean that every single examinee, regardless of school affiliation, would be up against one another. That would be cruel.

   "Today's society is saturated with Heroes. And ever since Stain's capture, plenty of people out there have raised doubts about the role Heroes should play. The title of Hero should not be given to those seeking reward and recompense...but should be earned through tireless self-sacrifice."

   You didn't understand, nor care for, the semantics of the word 'Hero'. 

   Motivation didn't matter. As long as people were being saved, a Hero was a Hero.

   "That said...as far as individuals go...motivations aside, telling those who risk their lives in order to save lives for nothing in return...would be rather harsh, especially in today's society... So...whether it's done for compensation or out of dedication to the cause, we have no shortage of Heroes working to save people and put villains away. Nowadays, the amount of time it takes to resolve any given incident...is incredibly short. Those of you who earn your provisional license will be confronting such situations at breakneck pace. Those who can't keep up are doomed to fail. That is why we're testing you on speed." 

   What Mera said next caused an uproar. "Only the first hundred examinees to meet the requirements will pass."

   The other examinees shouted,

   "Hold on! With 1,543 of us total, that's not even close to half!"

   "For real!?"

   Mera dismissed the outrage. "Society is rarely so kind... There's no relying on luck."

 

   You shuffled in place. 

   100 out of 1,543.

   An F.F.A. was brutal enough. Now that only 100 people could pass, people would be going for each other's throats.

   Your best bet would be to stick with at least one other person from your class. There was safety in numbers.

 

    "Now, the passing requirements..." Mera pulled an orange ball and a target from his pockets. "...involve these."

   The screen behind Mera lit up.

   "Each examinee will get three targets. Place them wherever you like on your body, as long as they are exposed. That means no soles of the feet and no armpits. Each of you will also carry six balls. The targets are rigged to light up only when struck by a ball. You're disqualified the instant all three of your targets are lit. Those with three illuminated targets are considered 'defeated.' To pass, you must 'defeat' two other examinees. That's it for the rules.”

   So you only needed to beat two people. That made things easier.

 

   Several men in black suits showed up on either side of Mera. Each of the men were carrying boxes.

   One of them explained. "We'll be handing out balls and targets once this place opens up. The exam will begin one minute after all examinees are fully equipped."

   You cocked your head.

   This building will "open up?"

   

   There was a rumbling sound.

   Everyone's eyes darted every which way. Then you all looked up.

   The building walls were coming apart.

   "With every type of landscape available," said Mera, "you should all be able to find areas suited to you."

   The walls hit the ground with a thunderous slam.

   Surrounding the walls wear a mountain area, an industrial area, a city, a town, a forested hill, and other terrain types.

   You took a gander.

   You would probably do well in the industrial area. There was lots of room to fly around and you could manipulate the environment with your heat. 

   Mera continued, "Make the best use of your talents. We've carefully thought about all factors as we came up with these environments." He devolved again. "What a drag... So much sleep lost..."

   The suited men from earlier began to pass out targets and balls.

   It took a while, but every examinee eventually received their three targets and six balls.

   You thought about where to put your targets.

   What areas of your body could you easily protect?

 

   Or rather...what areas were you most inclined to protect?

   You put the first target on your stomach, the second over your heart, and the third,

   right on the crown of your helmet.

Chapter 57: Princess Bitch

Notes:

drawing of an enemy who will appear this chapter :-)

 

 

  "Oi, oi!"

   You watched blankly as Kaminari tried tearing your targets off. 

   When the targets wouldn't budge, Kaminari resorted to throttling you by the shoulders. "What's wrong with you!? On your head?! Really!?"

   With a sigh, Kirishima lightly nudged Kaminari away. "Give it a rest. These don't come off once you put them down." 

   "That's even worse!"

 

   Kirishima kept a fussy Kaminari at bay as he turned to you. "But really... Why? If you're not paying attention, someone might knock you out."

   Having noticed the commotion, Midoriya went white. "Those placements! [L/n], no!"

   You didn't understand the fuss. "To defend vital points is human instinct. I will protect myself instinctively."

   Midoriya and Kaminari relaxed a bit.

   "I see..." said Midoriya. His brows furrowed in thought. "You actually have a point."

   Kaminari thought real hard before managing to rile himself up again. "Think about the stress! You're going to be fighting for your life for hours! The exam hasn't even started yet and I feel like I'm going to die!"

   Kirishima laughed. "That's just you."

   "Damn it, Kirishima!"

 

   Midoriya was figuring out where to put his targets.

   You opened your hand and Midoriya, deep in thought, mindlessly handed you one.

   You carefully placed the target on top of Midoriya's head.

   Midoriya jumped. He snatched the target off. "What the heck are you doing!?"

   "I am helping."

   "Helping?"

 

   Everyone eventually got their targets down.

   Sweat running down freckled cheeks, Midoriya told the class, "Early bird gets the worm here... People won't be fighting their own schoolmates... Teaming up with friends whose Quirks you know seems like the way to win! We should try to stick together as a group!"

   Bakugou ran off. "As if! This ain't some class picnic."

   Kirishima went after him. "Get back here, you dummy!"

   "I'm out too," chimed Todoroki, jogging away. "I can't make good use of my power if we're packed together." He peered at you over his shoulder. "But [L/n] can come..."

   You shook your head. "I do not want to inconvenience you."

   "...You won't." Todoroki turned his head forward as he got further away. "If you need me, just fire your beams skyward."

   "Okay."

   Mineta gagged. "What is this, a romance drama?"

   Anxious, Midoriya called out after Todoroki. "Todoroki! But--!"

   "No time, Midoriya! Let's go!"

 

   Your remaining classmates ran forward in a herd. You were currently in the mountainous region.

   "I just don't think they're better off on their own..." muttered Midoriya.

   Over the arena speakers, a countdown began. "5!"

   Mineta asked Midoriya, "Why not?"

   "Because our moves are already well-known..."

   "4!"

   Midoriya continued, "The way to win that I mentioned... I bet other schools are thinking that too. This is gonna turn into a battle between schools, I'm sure of it. Which means the next step is picking a school to target."

   "3!"

   You tensed.

   That suffocating feeling you got whenever you were in a crowd of people.

   "2!"

   That feeling grew tenfold.

   "1!"  

   

   Enemy students surrounded you on all sides.

   They were airborne, balls in hand (LOL).

   Midoriya came to a stop. "I knew it!"

   The rest of you stopped with him.

   

   "I saw it on T.V.! The power that destroys yourself!"

   You looked up.

   Shindo was talking to Midoriya. He grinned, arm gearing back. "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down first!"

   With that statement, an onslaught of balls rained down upon your class.

   Your peers sprang into action.

   It was time to unleash your ultimate moves.

 

   You shot into the sky.

   Mid somersault, you crossed your arms into an X formation, palms facing the ground.

   500 degrees.

   "Guardian Lily."

   Strings of fire flowed from your fingers. The beams curved into a flower-shaped cage as they descended below.

   The cage bloomed into a deadly spider lily. 

   The petals melted everything they touched. The vast majority of the balls were wiped out by you alone.

   Your classmates, who were within the cage, looked up at you with big grins. "Thank you!"

   You flipped yourself upright. "It is no problem."

 

   On the ground, your classmates were pulling off their own moves.

   Midoriya used air pressure from his kick to repel the balls.

   Tokoyami's Dark Shadow caught the balls.

   Uraraka floated up and out of the way.

   Sero blocked the balls with his tape.

   Ashido melted them with her acid.

   You kept providing air support.

   Teamwork was the key.

   Turning to the rest of the class, Midoriya yelled, "Everyone! Let's keep going like this!"

   You dropped down to join everyone else. You didn't want to accidentally get separated from them.

  

   The blue guy from Ketsubetsu noted, "They're repelling most of them."

   "Yup," replied Shindo. He grinned. "This alone won't be enough to take down the U.A. kids."

   "But now that we've seen what they're made of..." The blue guy rolled his balls in his hands, making them rock hard. He tossed them to the ugly guy. "Your turn."

   "My turn, indeed." The ugly guy posed. "Apologies in advance for possibly being the first to pass the exam, everyone. But given that I'll be reducing their numbers, perhaps you can forgive me." He hurled the balls into the ground. They burrowed underneath and headed for your class.

   Everyone's eyes darted to and fro. Where were the balls? You couldn't track their trajectory like this.

   Your brain churned for a solution. What could you do?

   

   "Everyone, get back! I'll handle this!"

   You blinked.

   Jiro stood before the class, the amplifiers on the backs of her hands turning on. "Sound Amplification: Amplifier Jack..." She plugged her amps into the ground. "Heartbeat Fuzz!"

   The resulting sound wave broke the ground into pieces. Jiro's move was powerful enough to lift even you off the floor.

   The balls burst from underground and into the air.

   They boomeranged towards Mineta. He screeched. "They're coming for me!"

   "Maximum viscosity and solubility!" Ashido lunged, swiping her arm in front of Mineta. "Acid Veil!"

   Ashido's acid finished off the balls.

   "Th-thanks! That's a great move!"

   Ashido smirked. "It's a defensive move that melts everything away!"

      

   "You've left yourselves open!" Tokoyami cloaked himself with Dark Shadow. "Black Ankh!"

   Dark Shadow's hand, carrying a ball, headed for diet Toga. 

   "Piercing Twilight Claws!"

   Diet Toga tucked into herself like a turtle. "Close one!"

   Shindo's grin grew. "This isn't the same 1-A from the sports festival. They've come a long way already."

 

   You caught a ball that was headed for your heart. You tossed it up before melting it.

   Sero chuckled. "You know you could've used that yourself, right?"

   "I see." You intercepted another ball. Rotating your arm and lifting your leg, you threw it back where it came from.

   You nailed the person right in the forehead.

   Sero whistled. "Oh, nice! Think you could actually hit the targets next time?"

 

   The arena speakers squeaked. Then Mera spoke. "Uh... The event's at a stalemate. Not a single examinee has passed yet... Oh, right. Just letting you know that I'll be doing play-by-play announcements from the broadcast booth."

   You spun around to find the booth. When you spotted Mera, you waved.

   Mera squinted warily. "Ahem... Please don't get distracted."

   Iida bowed despite the distance. "Greetings, Mr. Mera!"

   "...What did I just say?"

 

   Shindo cracked his knuckles before pressing his palms to the floor. "Everyone, get back! Their defense is too solid. We gotta split 'em up!"

   You felt the beginnings of an earthquake.

   "Maximum force! Tremoring Earth!"

   You couldn't fly away in time.

   Shindo's attack coned in front of him, shattering the earth like a hammer to glass.

   He crowed, "You're not the only ones who've been working on ultimate moves!"

   You fell backwards. You couldn't right yourself without the risk of burning someone else. Dust and rubble obscured your vision.

   A small white mass pierced through the screen.

   It was Midoriya's gloved hand.

   "[L/n]!"

   You reached for his hand. "Midori--"

   A rock slammed into you.

   "[L/n]!"

 

   Meanwhile, Inasa was fucking shit up in the city area.

   The examinees in the streets were clawing at each other like rats.

   "I believe Heroes should be passionate!" Inasa bellowed from a rooftop. "Good job with this hot-blooded battle, guys! I freaking love it!" He swept up all the balls using his wind. "If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to join this white-hot battle! Please and...!" Then he sent the balls back down in a brutal whirlwind. "...thank you!"

 

   Mera smacked his lips. "Finally. Looks like somebody's passed this thing..."

   His eyes bulged out of his skull. "Whoa!"

   He switched his mic on. "120 examinees are out! All taken down by a single fighter!"

   Inasa pumped a fist. "Alright, I win!"

   "Nothing beats a surprise like that to wake a guy up. Keep up the pace, ladies and gentlemen!"

 

   You were alone.

   Being in a crowd was one thing. This was another.

   You stood up, dusting yourself off. Getting hit by that rock blew the wind out of you, but your armor took most of the damage.

   Your head swiveled around.

   You were in the center of several large rocks. Unless someone were to climb over them or peer through the cracks in between each rock, no one could see you.

 

   Tap.

   You blinked.

   Something tiny and hard had bounced off your helmet.

   You glanced around your feet.

   When you spotted the offending object, you picked it up and looked at it closely.

   It was a rock.

   To be precise, a bullet-shaped diamond.

   

   Tap.

   Another one.

   You located it in the dirt by its sparkle. 

   Aoyama likes shiny things. Jiro likes rocks. Tokoyami may like miscellaneous objects.

   You cleaned it on the fabric of your glove before putting it in your pocket.

   Then you turned to stare in the direction of the shots.

 

   The forested hill.

   A sparkle appeared among the leaves and another diamond zipped toward you.

   You caught it effortlessly. 

   The next diamond came from a different place.

   You caught this one as well.

   The sniper had swiftly changed positions.

   After putting the diamonds in your pocket, you flew up out of the rock enclosure and towards the forested hill.

   It was easy to hurt people when they tried to hurt you first.

 

   You circled above the forest, thinking of a way to land.

   You couldn't lower yourself into the trees.

   If you did, you'd accidentally set them on fire.

   Dropping down without using your boosters wouldn't work either. From your estimate, the trees were deceivingly tall. You could hurt yourself.

   The safest choice seemed to be landing in front of the forest and entering that way.

   You landed in a crouch.

   Quick on your feet, you headed into the woods.

 

   It was awfully dark.

   Very little light was able to pierce the leaves above. The towering trees formed a thick barrier.

   You kept running, but slowed down slightly with thought.

   Chasing after that sniper probably wasn't worth it. While you could use your heat vision, you couldn't exactly use your boosters. Again, you'd risk burning down the trees.

   But you didn't feel comfortable hunting innocent contenders for sport. Not when they hadn't gone after you first.

   Heatseeking mode.

   Your pupils lit up amber.

   You would find that sniper if it meant uprooting every single tree in this forest.

   

   Throughout the forest, groups of two or more people were engaging in combat.

   You had to hurry this up. Only 100 people could pass this round.

   You spotted a single body laying down belly-first. They were stationary and their arms were positioned as if holding a gun. Though you didn't know what a sniper was, or even a sniper rifle, you were smart enough to draw your own conclusions.

   You turned off your heat vision.

   A star sliced through the dark.

   You quickly tipped your head to the side to dodge it.

   It buried itself in the ground behind you.

   After picking up the diamond, you took off in the direction it came from.

 

   In this darkness, it was hard to discern one tree from another. You often grazed or bumped into them. You tripped over a couple tree roots before learning to hop over them.

   Out of every terrain type in this arena, the forested hill was the worst matchup for you.

   You knew this. Yet you persisted.

   Like All Might said, you didn't need to change your attitude towards violence.

   You needed to change how you approached it.

   If this approach was what worked for you, then so be it.

   

   You slowed when you encountered a wall.

   Your eyes followed it upward.

   It led to a plateau.

   You stood right up against the wall and a sliver of sunlight drew a line onto your helmet.

   This was one of the only places where the trees didn't grow.

   

   Heatseeking mode.

   You looked around.

   There was a single body--hopefully the same one--trying to position themself diagonal to you. They were on the very top of the hill. From this position, they couldn't see you much less shoot you.

   Your irises whirred.

   This person was faster than you on foot. You had taken two minutes to get here. In that time, that person managed to get to the top of the hill.

   A game of cat and mouse.

 

   You flew upward. You managed to squeeze through the sliver between the trees and the plateau.

   You headed for where you assumed the sniper was.

   You checked with your heat vision.

   The sniper was sliding down the other side of the hill and onto the plateau. It was pretty steep. 

   You zoomed toward the sniper. If you dropped down, you could catch them.

   Once you were right above them, you turned your boosters off.

   You were going to have to trust your armor.

 

   You landed on the incline in a forward roll.

   Curling into a ball, you let gravity do its job.

   The sniper looked behind her.

   You were hurtling toward the sniper at mach speed.

   Pink lips opened to let out a terrified raptor screech.

   You caught blurry glimpses of the sniper. She was wearing the most extra outfit you'd ever seen. Her long hair was impractically down and flowing behind her. Though she appeared the definition of frivolous, she gripped her sniper rifle with experience. A glock was strapped to her thigh.

   Digging her left heel into the dirt, the sniper swung her body counterclockwise.

   You rolled past her.

   You jumped out of the roll and into the air.

   By the time you turned around to confront the sniper, she had disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

 

   You hovered in the air as you did a heat check.

   A single body darted away from you, following the curve of the plateau.

   You flew after her.

   There was no time to wait for her to settle down and take a shot. For the past few minutes, Mera had been announcing the passing students.

   23 people had already passed.

   Only 77 spots left.

 

   You hit the ground in a crouch.

   The sniper wasn't terribly far ahead. The tails of her costume streaked behind her as she maneuvered through the trees.

   She was faster than you. With sharp eyesight befitting of her class, she easily avoided low branches and dense trunks. 

   Opposed to this forest being the worst match for you, it was the best for her.

   You veered left.

   If you couldn't use your beams here, you had to use physical force.

 

   You sprinted as quietly as you could.

   The sniper narrowed her eyes. She could no longer hear movement.

   Plastering on a cocky grin, she called, "Running away, U.A. brat? Like you ran away with my rightful place?!"

   You had no idea what she was talking about.

   "Because of you, I couldn't get into U.A.! I bet you got in with money! Your abysmal performance at the U.A. sports festival says it all!"

   How could she yap like a small dog while running? That was an impressive feat on its own.

   "Too scared to say anything, coward?"

 

   Silence.

   The sniper skidded to a stop.

   Crystal eyes swept the surroundings.

   She thought you were too heavy to conceal yourself given your armor, but apparently she thought wrong.

   She hadn't heard the rustling of leaves. That meant you hadn't flown upward.

   So you were behind one of these trees.

   The sniper swapped her sniper rifle for her glock. Switching off the safety and cocking it, she yelled, "I'm the Diamond Princess: Paragon! And I'm going to humiliate you!"

 

   More silence.

   Did you actually leave? 

   Paragon swept the trees in a careful circle, finger hovering over the trigger. Then she slowly lowered her glock. She couldn't waste time waiting for you to come out. She was on a time crunch too.

 

   There was a crackling sound.

   Paragon whipped around.

   Nothing was there.

   Raising her glock, she quickly turned the other way. That sound might've been a diversion.

   Nope. Nothing here either.

   And then she smelled it.

 

   The scent of burning hair.

 

   Paragon snatched up her hair.

   The ends of it were on fire.

   She screamed. “My hair!”

   She began to flail akin to a roach sprayed with Raid™.

   As she desperately patted the fire out with gloved hands, she didn't notice you.

   

   You came flying at Paragon knee-first.

   It was time to eat the fruit of your physical training.

   Paragon's eyes widened.

   She bent over backwards, just barely managing to save her chin.

 

   But you were never aiming for her chin.

   With a twist of your hip, you shinned Paragon in the left shoulder.

   It snapped.

   Paragon shrieked bloody murder.

   As soon as you landed behind her, you turned to have another go.

   Paragon was aiming at you through tears.

   Shooting one-handed wouldn't bode well for her, but she didn't care.

   The gun went off.

   You tipped your head to the left to dodge. 

   Why was this bitch always aiming for your head?

   Before Paragon could fire again, you grabbed her right wrist and yanked it upward.

   Another gunshot rang out.

   The bullet shot into the sky.

 

   You put one hand on Paragon's left shoulder and spun her around. You then pinned her right arm to her back.

   You slammed Paragon into the grass.

   Diamond eyes glared up at you. Paragon hissed, "Get your hands off me!"

   Replacing your hand on her arm with your knee, you pried the glock from her fingers. You flipped the safety on. After staring at the glock for a bit, you put it in your pocket.

   Paragon started squirming. "Are you stealing from me right now!?"

   You ignored her. You put your other knee on top of Paragon to keep her down while you removed her sniper rifle. 

   All it took was a neat swipe of your fingers to destroy the muzzle.

   Paragon began to cry again. "You--! My guns! Give them back!"

 

   Paragon sucked in with a hiss. Her glare became malicious and her trembling lips tugged back into a sneer. "You Quirkless trash can only use tricks to get by! You couldn't have beat me otherwise! Isn't it embarrassing!? To be so useless!?" 

   Normally, you would have ignored such a shitty insult, but not when it included the people you cared about.

   Melissa was Quirkless. Midoriya had been Quirkless.

   "I do not see how I tricked you. If I did," you said, heating up the hand on Paragon's wrist, "does the fault not lie in you for falling for it?"

   Paragon felt the rising heat. "W-what are you doing?"

   "I have been refraining from the use of my beams. However, now that you are no longer a moving target, I do not have to rely on 'tricks.'"

   A bloodcurdling scream ripped through the leaves.

   "Stop it!" Tears streaked down Paragon's face. "Oh God, please!"

   "You are happy now, yes? I am not tricking you."

   Paragon sobbed. "It hurts! Stop, stop!"

 

   You watched her crying face with mild interest. 

   This was one of the few times you enjoyed burning people.

   

   Finally, you dialed back the heat. 

   Paragon shuddered and sobbed.

   You'd left a scalding hand mark on her wrist. It was raw with blood and flaking skin.

   "M-monster...!"

 

   "How old are you?" you asked out of the blue.

   Paragon frowned, confused. She was still crying. "What...?"

   "How old are you?"

   Were you interested in her or something?

   Paragon blushed. Any attention was good. She batted her lashes and answered with forced shyness, "Fifteen... Why?"

   "Quirks manifest at age four at the latest. You have had a minimum of eleven years to train your Quirk, but you could not beat me." You leaned down.

   Your voice was chilling as you asked,

 

   "What have you been doing for the past eleven years?"

    

   Paragon's heart dropped. 

   She spluttered shamefully, "I--! That's--!"  

   You flipped Paragon over and pinned her arms above her head. 

   In your other hand was a ball.

   You quickly tapped every one of her targets. 

 

   Paragon trembled. "You....you heartless monster!"

   "I am not the heartless one."

   "What's that supposed to mean?"

   You took a diamond bullet out of your pocket. "You have repeatedly shot me in the head. If I did not have this helmet, I would be dead after a single shot."

   "W-well, you're alive, aren't you? What's the big deal?"

   You stared at Paragon.

   She stared back, a shaky smirk curling her lips.

   You exchanged the bullet for the stolen glock.

   Paragon rapidly shook her head as she watched you turn off the safety and pump the glock. "No, no, no--!"

 

   You shot her in the thigh.

   Paragon gaped silently.

   Then a scream pierced your ears.

   "What is the big deal?" you parroted. 

   Paragon could only cry.

   Seeing that she wouldn't answer, you turned your attention to the glock. 

   You'd learned how to use it just by looking at how Paragon handled it.

   You released Paragon to snap the muzzle in half. You didn't want Paragon shooting up your classmates for fun.

   

   "Help!"

 

   You looked around rapidly.

   Someone in this forest was yelling for help.

   You got to your feet, Paragon long forgotten.

   Even though this forest was terrible for you, even though this was a free-for-all, you couldn't ignore someone in distress.

   You wouldn't let yourself.

 

   You switched on your enhanced hearing. 

   "Someone help me! Please!"

   To the left.

   You headed in that direction.

   On the way, you used your heat vision to pinpoint the person's exact location.

 

   When you got there, you saw something disturbing.

   A boy was stuck to a giant spider web. 

   His head hung, blood dripping from dry lips. 

 

   You blinked.

   No, that wasn't right.

   The boy wasn't stuck.

   Eight spider legs protruded from his back, securing him to the web.

   The web was his own.

 

   And all three of his targets glowed green. He was already out.

   Why had he been calling for help?

   Were you too late?

 

   You approached him carefully.

   He had cropped black hair, thick lashes, and pale skin. 

   The stomach area of his costume was torn slightly. You could see purple bruises forming.

   So he'd been struck in the gut on his own web?

   

   "...It wasn't me."

   You looked up.

   The boy had regained consciousness. Black lashes hung heavy over dark blue eyes. His irises held white web patterns extending outward from his pupils. 

   You clarified, "You were not the one who asked for help?"

   Dark blue eyes grew cloudy. His consciousness was slipping away.

   You reached upward. "Please remain awake. I will try to provide medical assistance--"

 

   "Run."

   You paused. "Why--?"

   The boy glared past you. His eyes were concentrated on something.

 

   Or someone.

 

   "Run!"

 

   You heard something large swinging straight for you.

   You dived to the floor.

   Whatever the object was passed over you. You felt the wind on your armor.

   Scrambling to your feet, you spun to face the attacker.

   

   Standing across from you was a boy with a brown paper bag over his head.

   You'd seen this guy before. He was one of Inasa's schoolmates. He hadn't said anything or acknowledged anyone.

   Now, dressed in military garb and carrying a bludgeon, he faced you.

   "I'm sorry," he murmured quietly. "I didn't want to have to trick you..."

   Something unfurled from his back.

 

   Butterfly wings.

 

   The butterfly had beaten the spider.

Chapter 58: Butterfly Net

Notes:

fanart!!!! by Yukuyume on quotev!

 

 

 

   You blinked. “You are a butterfly?”

   The boy’s confusion manifested as a slight twitch of his wings. His voice, soft and low, was muffled by the paper bag. “...No. I just have wings. That’s all.”

   “Why do you have wings? How did your lineage evolve to have wings?” Your eyes grew bigger beneath your visor. “What environmental event caused wings to be evolutionarily advantageous for you?”

   There were more important things to be worrying about, such as not letting this guy bludgeon you over the head, but you just had to know.

   He could only stare. “Huh?”

   Numerous other students were fighting in this forest. Here you two were, having a casual conversation. As casual as it got with you, anyway.

   You pointed at him. “You were a fish once.” Then you lowered your finger. “I’m sorry. Iida says pointing is rude.”

   “Who’s–?”

   “Melissa gave me a mechanical butterfly. It is at home. You do not resemble it very much.”

   “Who?” 

   Your finger stood straight against the mouth of your helmet. “I’m not allowed to tell you.”

   The poor guy’s body went slack.

   You were trolling this bozo so fucking hard.

   With a roll of his shoulders, he adjusted his grip on his bludgeon.

 

   And then he was right in front of you.

   You braced your forearms against the hit and took it head-on. 

   The grass underneath your boots almost caught fire as you slid backwards across the clearing. Your armor took most of the blow, but you felt the shockwave ripple across your shoulders.

   The boy lunged after you. 

   “I’m not–!” he raised the bludgeon over his head– “some insect!”

   It came down with a whistle.

   You swung your arms backward before doing a well-timed back flip. The bludgeon passed right between your legs and released a shockwave when it hit the ground.

   You landed effortlessly. “I see. What is your Hero name?”

   A small cloud of dirt had been generated by the bludgeon. The boy’s wings twitched again. Each individual scale shimmered where sunlight could reach.

   “...Dust.” He lifted the bludgeon to rest against his shoulder. “And you?”

   Dust didn’t know why he was going along with you. You did piss him off, after all.

   But now that he was thinking about it, he couldn’t sense any malice from you. Not one bit.

 

   That was the exact moment you chose to lift your hand. “I am HIRO.”

   Pure heat shot straight for Dust’s torso.

   Unsurprised, he smoothly twisted his abdomen to dodge. His bludgeon was lobbed into the air. More lasers chased after him as he dashed toward his descending weapon, towards you.

   You closed your palms and retreated backwards. Some distance would be good.

   Dust wrapped his hands around the handle.

   You had moved from your previous position.

   No matter.

   All Dust needed was a powerful flap of his wings and suddenly, he was directly above you.

   You dodged to the left this time.

   You could feel the shockwave of metal against earth. Every move Dust made seemed to move mountains.

   The only time he remained stationary was when he was picking up his weapon.

   That opening didn’t escape you.

   Dust turned and met you nose-to-nose.

   “Magma Palm.”

   He saw your right hand close in on his side.

   But seeing was not enough.

   You dug your fingers into his side.

   150 C°.

   Hissing, Dust managed to tear himself away from you. He retreated with large leaps backward. There was a big gaping hole in his military jacket. Past the burnt threads, a second degree burn pulsed painfully.

   You tried not to look at it. 

   Dust was hunched over with one hand carefully hovering over the wound. He stared you down, panting.

   A single successful hit from you and Dust was on the defensive.

   That was the nature of your power.

   “Surrender.” You picked up the forgotten bludgeon, inspecting it as you spoke. “I do not wish to hurt you further.”

   The bludgeon was the length of your foot to your shoulder and much heavier than Dust made it look. Surely it wasn’t easy to swing it around. Dust was incredibly strong for a regular human being.

   His mistake, though, was writing you off as a long-range fighter.

   He finally replied, “Surrender?”

   The world around you faded to black.

   “Never.”

   Your mistake was assuming he was all brawn.

 

   It was so dark. Your eyes might as well have been closed.

   “Headlight mode.” Light spilled from your pupils and you looked around. 

   The light reached nothing. Touched nothing.

   To make absolutely sure of what you were seeing, you spun in a steady circle.

   There was only darkness.

   However, you did hear the faint rustle of grass. So you were still in the forest.

   You held your hand in front of your face. You could see it and the rest of your body perfectly.

   You hadn’t been blinded.

   Rather, a veil had been drawn over everything but you.

 

   Something began to glow.

   It wasn’t your eyes.

   With a start, you jerked your head downward.

   The target on your stomach had become bright green.

   When–?

   You felt a light tap on the crown of your head.

   You crossed your arms over your heart with inhuman speed. You hunched slightly and turned your palms outward.

   That little tap on the crown of your head? That was your second target.

   The only one left was directly above your heart.

   In less than a minute, Dust pulled the wool over your eyes and then some.

   Your plan had been to guard your vital points with your life. However, you hadn’t foreseen the likes of this.

 

   Standing still wouldn’t do you any favors. Your right hand flew to the ear of your helmet to switch on your advanced hearing.

   And then you were on the move.

   Could you have remained still and listened to pinpoint Dust’s movements? Sure.

   If you wanted to lose, that is.

   Standing still was how Dust took out two of three targets in the first place.

   You felt your pulse bulge out of your neck. Your blood was pumping rapidly beneath your skin. From running or the fear of disappointing everyone, you didn’t know.

   You heard rustling behind you.

   Your foot pivoted heavily as you spun around and fired.

   No scent of burning flesh.

   Were Dust’s wings powerful enough to follow you into the air? You were about to find out.

   You lifted off. Branches smacked against you on your ascent.

 

   The darkness did not go away.

   How high up were you now? You floated in what felt like limbo.

   Without proper sight, you had no measure of where you were.

   You inhaled deeply. You weren’t terribly high up judging from the air quality.

   A cough tore past your lips.

   The darkness weakened a bit.

   You beheld this change with a blink. You took your helmet off and coughed again, again, and again.

   Until the sky was blue, the clouds were white, and the Sun was yellow.

 

   “Dust,” you murmured, staring at the crook of your elbow. It was covered in a shimmery purple film.

   The exact shade of Dust’s wings.

   “Dust,” you said again, “is flammable.”

   You put your helmet back on and activated the gas filter. With that, you burned the dust off of your elbow, aimed both hands at the clearing you had come from, and spread your fingers.

 

   500 C ° .

 

   You descended with a gentle, unfitting grace as you surveyed the damage.

   Patches of fire lit up the grass. The trees had taken most of your assault. Molten flames licked up the bark and seared through the leaves. Already, the thinner branches were charred black.

   You took a peaceful stroll amidst the destruction. Your gas filter was switched on and armor inflammable. You were untouchable.

   Did you need to do all this? No, not really. 

   Though it never hurt to be too careful.

   There was no room for error in the real world. One mistake, one slip-up, and it would all end.

   This was just practice.

 

   “If you surrender, I will extinguish the fire.”

   Your heat-seeking meant nothing here. Not when everything was up in flames.

   All the dust seemed to be gone, but Dust himself was nowhere to be seen.

   He may have simply left. That was very much possible. You hadn’t considered it. You were too stubborn for your own good and therefore expected the same of everyone else.

 

   You wandered aimlessly. He was really gone, wasn’t he?

 

   Your eyes flicked back to the flames.

   I can control how far he goes.

 

   So you launched yourself back into the air. 

   Meticulously, you carved a perfect, round, fiery ring into the green below.

 

   The speakers placed around the stadium let out a shrill screech. Mera also screeched. “Huh!? The forest has been set on fire!”

 

   From across the map, your classmates took notice.

 

   Todoroki looked up. He had just finished beating up several ninjas.

 

   Midoriya paused for a split second, almost letting “Camie” get him.

 

   Bakugou raised a brow. Beside him, Kirishima chattered worriedly.

 

   The rest of your classmates had similar reactions.

 

   As they knew it, only two people were capable of laying that kind of waste.

   Todoroki and you.

   Everyone had seen where Todoroki went, though. He’d branched off towards the industrial part of the map.

   That only left you.

 

   Save for Bakugou, your class shared a collective thought:

 

   Are you okay?

 

   Dust panted.

   His knees were weak, arms spaghetti.

   Sweat rolled down his reddening forehead. He’d thrown his paper bag off his head as soon as he smelled fire. Unhelmed, his fluffy blond hair moved with the rising air. A scar ran across his left eye. His other eye was an ice blue color. He covered his nose and mouth with his tattered shirt. 

   Dust, the boy with the strength of the Earth’s tectonic plates, was dragging himself. 

 

   Rather than his bludgeon, there was another boy in his arms.

   It was the spider. Dust’s direct opposite that he’d beaten not long ago. 

   The eight legs protruding from the other boy’s back made it somewhat complicated to carry him, but Dust made it work. He had to.

   He had been plunged directly into Hell and it would freeze over before he’d allow an innocent person to die.

 

   Dust stopped.

   There was a wall of fire in front of him.

   When did…?

 

   When he heard a second pair of footsteps, he felt cold despite the heat. “...Please,” he breathed, haggard. He didn’t turn around. “Just let me save him.”

 

   It was your turn to pause.

   The urgency, the pleading in his voice. You had it heard before. Not from him, you just met him. From many others you encountered before. You recalled the girl with the diamond bullets and the sensation of pulling the trigger.

 

   Desperation. Dust was desperate to save this person.

   From what? There were no villains here.

   From you, something whispered soundlessly. 

 

   You faltered. Your brow shifted just the slightest. Then you chose to ignore that thought for now. This was no time to stand and think. 

   “I will help.” Without giving Dust a chance to respond, you took the boy from him and flew over the wall.

   After setting him a good distance away from the fire, you returned. 

   Dust was stretching his limbs. When you two made eye contact, Dust’s right eye, brilliantly blue, twinkled with something that shined the brightest in Bakugou.

   You studied him. “...You will not surrender?”

   That little something was fighting spirit.

   “No.” His gaze fell to your heart. “I thought I said I ‘never.’”

   “You did.” You blinked faintly. “I’m sorry. I did not intend to endanger other students. In spite of my intentions, I have done so nonetheless. I will extinguish the fire regardless of whether you surrender.”

   Dust merely laughed. “Then after this, help me save them.”

   “Okay.”

   Dust raised his fists and you mirrored him.

 

   It was a battle of attrition.

   Every blow you landed on each other was a meaningful one. Your fists, forged from carbon steel, burst the vessels beneath Dust’s pale skin. Whenever he managed to touch you, you slid back. Vibrations rocked your cranium. Your armor took the brunt of it, yet the force of Dust’s strikes did their own number on you.

 

   Dust collapsed after a few minutes. If it wasn’t you, it was the smoke.

   His chest rapidly rose and fell. His words came out in short breaths. “Save… them…”

   “I will.” You crouched down and made quick work of his targets. As he fell unconscious, you curled your pinky around his limp one. “I promise.”

 

   Mera announced your victory over the speaker. You’d taken 62nd place. 

 

   You hovered over the forest. You’d placed Dust safely far away from the fire, right next to the spider boy.

   The forest was still on fire. In fact, it’d spread a fair amount during your right. A good quarter of the area had been taken.

 

   You won.

   You won, but at what cost?

 

   You flew about, releasing fire extinguishing mist from your forearms. It wasn’t nearly enough.

   Your lips made some kind of unidentifiable motion. The muscles in your face felt oddly taut.

 

   You did this. You set the whole forest on fire.

   You were so set on winning that you’d momentarily forgotten the whole point of this exam. This was where you were supposed to earn your Hero license.

   While you didn’t understand right or wrong very well, what you did understand was you ended up putting other people in danger. 

 

   “Hey.”

   You glanced left.

   Todoroki was holding his hand out to you. Underneath him, he’d formed a slope of ice to reach you. He had one leg propped up to better extend his hand.

   Poised like this, Todoroki really did resemble a prince.

   “Are you alright?” 

   His eyes were a touch more alert than usual. His cheeks were slightly warm. 

   Yet it wasn’t because of the raging flames directly below.

   It was you. It was always you.

   “Hello, Todoroki. I am alright.”

   You completely misunderstood Todoroki’s outstretched hand and took out an extra gas mask from your pocket. 

   Todoroki blushed harder from embarrassment. He accepted the gas mask anyway. “...Thanks.”

   Suddenly whirling away, he stole your hand from your side. Somehow, your hand, designed to handle the highest temperatures and deal the heaviest blows, looked so delicate in the clasp of Todoroki’s.

   Todoroki tentatively turned back to gaze at you. 

   His view was what appeared to be Hell itself. If something wasn’t on fire, it was a dark remnant of what it once was. You floated high above. You were the ominous figure who started it all.

   And yet Todoroki’s eyes held nothing but affection.

 

   You stared.

   There was no fear. Not a single muscle in Todoroki’s face contorted with disgust or condemnation.

   You knew what those looked like–you’d seen it in the shaking gazes of your opponents. You’d seen it in your own classmates, during the several times in the past where you demonstrated your broken moral compass.

 

   “You… do not fear me, Todoroki?”

 

   Todoroki stared back. His eyes had momentarily widened. 

   Then he chuckled. It was soft, the shifting of flower petals in the spring breeze. 

   Todoroki showed you his left hand. The palm and underside of his fingers were rough. His skin was calloused from years of training. 

   Todoroki smiled and became cheeky in the quiet, discreet way only he could be. “I think I can handle a little heat.”

   Tension rushed outward from your chest and shoulders. 

   “I see.”

   Relief was a beautiful feeling.

 

   Todoroki turned back around in time to hide his rapidly flushing face. “...I'll help you take care of this."

   “Okay.” You squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”

 

Chapter 59: Class 1-A, Together

   Todoroki followed you into the reception room.

   The two of you had put out the wildfires by containing the area in a dome of ice and melting it. The people below had gotten soggy, but it was at least better than getting fried like an egg.

 

   You looked around. 

   In the middle of the reception room, there were several long dining tables. Already, other students were refreshing themselves with food and water. Single chairs hugged the walls.

 

   Todoroki beelined for the left wall. “Let’s sit over here.”

   You weren’t a fan of crowded places either. “Okay.”

   Todoroki glanced back to make sure you were following before continuing on.

 

   When you took a seat, you removed your helmet, leaned your head back, and activated the heat release mechanism in your armor. Your face disappeared in the oncoming steam.

 

   Todoroki watched you.

   To see you relaxed like this was incredibly rare. You had perfect posture and eyes that seemed perpetually awake.

   At the moment, your hair was everywhere. Your shoulders sagged, your legs were spread apart, you leaned back into your seat with ease.

   Todoroki’s gaze softened.

   You were just as perfect.

 

   You abruptly stood up and Todoroki went stiff. 

   “Oh.”

   You declared, “We must hydrate.” You turned to Todoroki. “What is your preferred beverage?”

   Todoroki was still processing your sudden change in demeanor. “I, uh… I’m fine.”

   “Melissa says hydration is important. What is your preferred beverage?”

   “I’m fine.”

   “It is vital to maintain your body’s moisture, especially after intensive exercise. You are not fine.”

   “But I am…”

   You hadn’t blinked for a solid fifteen seconds. “I will make a selection on your behalf.”

   You walked off. Todoroki just huffed through his nose in fond exasperation.

 

   Your next opponent– the beverage corner.

   Your task now was to deduce what Todoroki would like.

   Water was a safe choice. Everyone liked water. Except Mineta. He’d probably drink girl pee given the chance.

   Orange juice, a tasty beverage. The sugar would help with keeping Todoroki awake and energized.

   Hot tea would also be nice. The pleasant bitterness always soothed the heart and muscles.

   You poured some orange juice. Then you poured tea into the same cup. Everyone else at the beverage corner gaped at you like you were a monster.

 

   You presented your abomination of a drink to Todoroki. If Todoroki didn’t know you, he would’ve missed how you seemed almost proud.

   “What… is this?”

   “It is orange juice and tea.” You held it closer to him and he had no choice but to take it. “The sugar from the orange juice and the anti-inflammatory quality of the tea will regulate your energy and overall health.”

   “Ah.” Todoroki was mildly afraid.

   You sat down and took a sip of your orange juice.

   Todoroki frowned. Why couldn’t you have just grabbed a normal drink for him too?

   Realization struck Todoroki over the head.

   You’d concocted this witch’s brew out of concern for him.

   Gazing down at the drink in his hands, Todoroki smiled quietly. “Thanks.”

   “It is no problem.” You downed the rest of your juice and left to grab more.

 

   As soon as your back was turned, Todoroki stuck a finger into the drink, isolated the orange juice by its density, and froze it. He then grabbed the chunk of orange ice and yeeted it across the room.

   Someone yelped. “Who the fuck threw that!?”

   Todoroki kept his head down and loudly sipped his tea.

 

   You came back with no cup. “Hello.”

   “Hey.” Todoroki noticed your empty hands. “Your drink…”

   Sitting down, you explained, “I was utilizing the free refills. I was able to drink five more cups of orange juice before I was notified that I was ‘hogging’ it.”

   Todoroki thought about it for a bit. Nodding, he replied, “The refills are free.”

   “What does hogging mean?”

   “It’s when you’re acting like a pig.”

   “What is a pig?”

   You were hopeless.

 

   Someone called for you and Todoroki. You both looked up.

   Yaoyorozu made her way over with a sweet smile. Her movements were weighed down with fatigue. “I see you two finished first. Brilliant as always.”

   You took it literally. “I finished second.”

   Todoroki gave her a nod. “Yaoyorozu.”

   Jirou, Shouji, and Asui followed after Yaoyorozu. They waved. You returned it with your signature princess wave.

   “Good job,” said Asui. “I’m surprised Bakugou-chan isn’t here.”

   Jirou snickered. “I don’t know how you get away with calling him that.”

   You mimicked Asui. “Bakugou-chan.”

   Jirou rapidly waved her hands. “D-don’t copy her! One person calling him that is enough.”

   “Okay. I will not copy Tsuyu.”

   “Thank you…”

   Shouji shrugged. “It’s better than what Midoriya calls him. Kacchan, right?”

   “If he catches you saying that, you’re so dead…”

   Shouji didn’t seem to care a whole lot. “I’m going to grab something to drink. Anyone want anything?”

   Everyone gave Shouji their preferences. You asked for more orange juice, Todoroki and Jirou wanted tea, and Asui preferred plain water.

   “Someone’s missing,” said Shouji. “Where’s Yaoyorozu?”

   You blinked.

   You didn’t notice when, but Yaoyorozu had disappeared. Yaoyorozu had a great presence. She was dangerously intelligent, had a near boundless Quirk, and was an excellent speaker. Yet she could still slip away when she wanted to.

 

   The girl in question returned just in time. “I’d like tea, Shouji.” She smiled. “Thank you.”

   Shouji nodded and left.

   In the background, Todoroki was attempting to explain a pig to you and failing miserably.

   Jirou desperately tried not to laugh. “Where were you, Yaomomo?”

   Yaoyorozu lifted her hand. Between her fingers, she held a small silver key. “This key is for unlocking the targets we were given for the exam. We’re to return both the targets and the ball bags we have to those shelves over there.”

   “Oh. Thanks for bringing it over.”

   “Of course.” Yaoyorozu passed it over to Jirou. 

   Then Yaoyorozu turned to you. “A pig,” she began, stealing your attention from Todoroki, “is a four-legged mammal with a long nose and triangular ears.”

   Everyone blinked except you. 

   Normally, Yaoyorozu would have gone into more depth. However, she kept her description to just the face shape and ears.

   Your identification of animals was based almost purely on those two factors, after all.

   Yaoyorozu knew you well.

  “I see.” Your irises spun as you committed this obviously important information to memory. “Thank you.”

   Yaoyorozu’s eyes crinkled upward. “It’s nothing.” 

   Todoroki’s quiet glare went unnoticed. He was a little miffed at your attention being taken away like that. 

   This was war.

   

   Jirou passed the key over to Asui. Asui finished using it and handed it over to Yaoyorozu.

   “Thank you.” After nodding to Asui, Yaoyorozu took your helmet from the chair next to you.

   You tilted your head questioningly.

   Yaoyorozu unlocked the target on your helmet. Yaoyorozu set the target onto the chair and handed your helmet back.

   “Thank you.” You held it in your lap. “That was unnecessary.”

   Yaoyorozu faltered and Jirou scrambled to console her.

   “I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that.”

   Yaoyorozu looked down with a tight press of her lips. “No, it’s alright. I overstepped my boundaries–”

   Asui bluntly cut in, “What he meant to say is that you didn’t have to. Don’t be so quick to take things personally, Yaomomo.”

   Yaoyorozu perked up. She looked to you for confirmation. Her dark eyes, twinkling hopefully, resembled the night sky.

   “That is what I meant to say. You did not overstep any boundaries.” Your irises began to spin faster. “Have I offended you?”

   “No, you could never.”

   Asui gave Yaoyorozu a hard stare that she ignored.

  “Are you certain of that? I believe I am able to offend you.”

   Yaoyorozu’s laugh was a playful challenge. “Really now? I don’t believe I remember when you ever have.”

   You took a gander. No Iida in sight.

   You straightened your back, took a deep breath, and said confidently, 

 

   “Poop.”

 

   Everyone froze.

   Then they all sighed in relief. 

   Yaoyorozu put a hand over her heart. “I thought you were going to say a bad word. Thank goodness.”

   Pressing a finger to her lip, Asui asked you, “Who told you that ‘poop’ is a bad word?”

   “Iida told me.”

   “Thought so.”

   Todoroki chose violence. “I remember Sero compared Yaoyorozu’s Quirk to poop once.”

   Yaoyorozu immediately curled into a ball.

   “Take it back!” Jirou shook Todoroki. “Take it back right now!”

    Asui glanced over to you with vague amusement. “Looks like you managed to offend her anyway.”

   “I did not offend Yaoyorozu. Todoroki did.”

   It was at this exact moment that Shouji came back with drinks. “What the heck happened while I was gone…?”

 

   After explaining the series of unfortunate events to Shouji, you all thanked him for the drinks.

   Yaoyorozu coughed. Her face was still a bit red from earlier. Clapping her hands together, she put on her vice president voice. “Has everyone finished removing their targets?”

   “Yes,” you all chorused. The targets were in a pile next to you. Everyone was holding their individual ball bags.

   “Wonderful.” Yaoyorozu gathered the pile into her arms. “I’ll go ahead and return these then.”

   Yaoyorozu was clearly struggling to hold them all. 

   Ignoring her protests, you took more than half the pile from her. “I am helping.”

   Yaoyorozu didn’t have the energy to argue any further. She shot you a grateful smile instead. “You’re always so helpful.”

   “I am?”

   “Yes!”

   “I am full of help?”

   “Haha. Not quite. What I mean is–”

   With that, you two walked away.

 

   Todoroki followed you with his eyes.

   “Is something bothering you, Todoroki?”

   Todoroki felt Asui’s blank stare. Before taking another sip of his tea, he murmured, “It’s nothing.”

 

   You and Yaoyorozu were stacking the targets onto the shelves.

   “Were you the one behind the fire?”

   You paused your movements.

   A few seconds passed.

   “Yes,” you confirmed. “I set the forest on fire in order to contain my opponent.” You said more than you needed to in an effort to take accountability. “I have been irresponsible–”

   Yaoyorozu stopped you by raising her hand. “That’s enough.”

   You went quiet.

   Though Yaoyorozu was softer than Iida, she wasn’t beyond reprimanding you.

   Was she going to lecture you?

 

   There was a feather light touch on your hairline.

   “I’m so glad you’re unhurt.”

   If you were to describe surprise, it would be the sound of wind chimes on a windless day.

   You observed Yaoyorozu for a few seconds.

   There was kindness in every part of her, from the gentle curve of her mouth to the tips of her fingers.

   Tenderly, Yaoyorozu tucked some hair behind your ear. “Thank goodness…”

   You blinked. “I almost hurt many people.”

   “I know.” Yaoyorozu quickly tangled her hands together, shocked by her own boldness. “A-ahem. But it was you who solved the problem in the end, wasn’t it? No emergency services were called and no one was hurt. If that was the case, you wouldn’t be here right now.”

   You gave yourself a moment to process this. Moments later, you said, “Yes.”

   You weren’t being scolded. You weren’t being treated like a villain, or on the other hand, like a child who could do no wrong.

   You were being treated like a regular person.

   Yaoyorozu furrowed her brows and lifted her chin. Her voice took on a firmer tone when she said, “So hold your head high and have pride.”

   That meant a lot coming from Yaoyorozu. The girl who had everything but faith in herself. 

   To you, her words were like water to a sponge.

   “...I see.” You mirrored Yaoyorozu, raising your chin as well. “I will. Thank you.”

   “Of course.”

   A peaceful silence settled over you.

 

   Your stomach growled. Spotting the snack table, you wandered off. 

   Midoriya burst through the door.

   He whipped his body side to side like a madman.

   When he found his favorite person, he ran over at the speed of light.

   Your cheeks were full of food when Midoriya reached you. Round eyes blinked twice.

   In front of you, Midoriya had a vice grip on his knees as he panted violently.

   He raised his head and cried, “You’re okay!”

   To Midoriya’s immense relief, you weren’t burned, cut, or otherwise touched. In fact, you were stuffing yourself like a hamster. Midoriya wished he had his phone so he could take a picture.

   With much effort, you swallowed your food. “Hello, Midoriya. I’m okay. Are you okay?”

   “Yes!” Midoriya straightened up. Just to make sure, he grabbed your upper arms and physically turned you side to side, looking you over as he did so. 

   Your eyes got rounder. “I am being inspected. I do not have any forbidden items on my person, such as crabs or dirt.”

    Midoriya’s relieved sigh was so intense that he deflated. He didn’t seem to hear you as he started rambling. “I’m so sorry! I wanted to check on you, but I was stuck in the middle of fighting the weirdest person! She was naked and it was horrible!”

   “Examinees are allowed to be naked?”

   “Apparently? I– I don’t even know anymore. Hagakure’s allowed to participate, so I guess. But the girl I was fighting, she shed her targets and everything. I’m pretty sure that’s not allowed.” Midoriya tugged at his bottom lip in thought. “What a strange person…”

   You surveyed the room. “Who is the person who infringed upon the rules? They must be punished.”

   Midoriya waved his hands around. “W-we don’t have to report her or anything! It’s okay. I’d rather not get involved with her any further, honestly…”

   You didn’t really understand Midoriya’s line of thought, but if he didn’t want to, that was his choice. “Okay.” 

   “Anyway, what happened?” Midoriya’s big eyes flicked between yours. “Your laser beams are normally very thin and concentrated. I find it hard to believe that you misfired to the point of starting a wildfire.”

   “I did not misfire. I set the forest on fire in order to capture my opponent.” 

   Midoriya’s jaw dropped. “Huh?”

   You analyzed Midoriya’s facial expression. Then, without any sort of emotion at all, you let your own jaw hang open.

   Inhaling deeply, Midoriya pressed his hands together. “You’re– you’re serious.”

   “I am serious.”

   Midoriya face-palmed.

   As flabbergasted as he was right now, he couldn’t find it in him to be mad.

   You were Midoriya’s favorite little arsonist.

 

   “Yo!”

   You peered over Midoriya’s head. He turned around as well.

   Kirishima, Kaminari, and Bakugou were heading over. Kirishima was waving and grinning widely. Kaminari was also smiling. Bakugou was definitely not smiling.

   Midoriya smiled. “Guys! And Kacchan!”

   You waved back. “Yo.”

   “Haha! It’s weird hearing you say that.” Kirishima gave you a hefty pat on the back. “Glad to see you’re okay, man.”

   Hands in his pockets, Bakugou stopped a good distance away from you. “Duh, idiot. You’d think that with his power, his armor would make him immune to fire.”

   “Oh, you’re right!”

   In spite of what Bakugou said, he still gave you a quick look. He locked eyes with Midoriya and scoffed. “Stupid Deku, getting worked up over nothing.”

   Midoriya laughed sheepishly. “Haha, force of habit...”

   Chewing on a cookie, Kaminari said, “Damn, Bakugou, who pissed in your cereal this morning?”

   “I’ll piss on your life!”

   Kirishima was the only one who noticed Bakugou checking on you. He grinned to himself. He chose not to say anything. Better not to ruin a good thing.

   You watched Bakugou swing Kaminari around like a ragdoll. Kirishima and Midoriya, who were both desensitized to Bakugou’s malice, paid no mind to this and kept conversing.

   You clenched a fist. It was your job to save Kaminari.

   “Bakugou.”

   Bakugou whipped his head to you. “Hah?” 

   For at least a few seconds, Kaminari was free from the Bakugou-Swings-You-Against-Your Will ride. He slumped to the floor.

   You offered Bakugou a singular chili pepper. “I would like to make a trade offer.”

   Kaminari cried, “Is that all I’m worth to you!?”

   Bakugou actually did end up taking the chili pepper. He started munching on it. The beast had been tamed for now.

   Kneeling by your side, Kaminari threw his hands up in despair. “I’m only worth a freaking vegetable!?”

   Kaminari sobbed dramatically as he gathered some cookies, grabbed a confused Midoriya, and stomped away.

   Bakugou walked past you. He narrowed his eyes and grunted, “Don’t go thinking this means we’re friends.”

   Something in your chest grew heavy.

 

   Suddenly, Kirishima reappeared to give you an encouraging elbow nudge. “That’s Bakugou language for, “You did something I like!””

   The weight lifted. 

   “Bakugou approves of me? And he has his own language?”

   “Yes to that first one! No to the second. I didn’t mean it literally. Would be pretty funny if he did though.”

   You nodded. “I see.”

 

   Golden light flashed Kirishima right in the eyes.

   “Ow!”

   Your irises had taken on a brilliant gold color. 

   You felt lighter all of a sudden. Rather than warm sunshine, you felt stars peppering your skin.

   Bakugou, the guy who always had something mean to say to you, actually approved of you for once.

   You bowed. “I apologize for hurting your eyes, Kirishima.”

   Kirishima rubbed his face. “Nah, you’re good!” 

   To Kirishima’s dismay, your light disappeared as soon as it showed up. No matter. He was glad to have seen it in the first place. 

   Smiling, he said, “You look better when you’re happy.”

   “I am happy,” you repeated back. The light may not have been there anymore, but a single second was all you needed to know how you were feeling.

   “Wow. You really like Bakugou, huh?”

   You thought about it for a moment. “...Yes. I like Bakugou.” You added, “I like Kirishima too.”

   Kirishima’s eyes flew wide open. His face became an adorable bright pink. “Y-yeah!?”

   “Yeah.”

   Kirishima coughed loudly and people gave him weird looks. Unable to look you in the eye, he bashfully scratched his head. “Aw, shucks. You sure a way with words have! W-wait, what did I just say?”

   You were about to answer only for Kirishima to stop you.

   “Actually, don’t mind me. I– I’m going to get a drink now. Yeah.” Kirishima hurried off in the same direction Bakugou left.

   “Okay.” You were alone now. Back to stuffing your face you went.   

   

   Blueberry muffins. A fine delicacy typically found in the nearest Kostko.

   Your teeth chomped down on thin air.

   Someone had snatched your muffin the moment you went for the killing blow.

   Iida placed it back onto the table. “I’m pleased to see you have an appetite, but please eat slowly. It would be awful if you choked!”

   “Hello, Iida. Okay.”

   “Thank you!” Iida swung his arms up and down as he nearly shouted, “Are you hurt at all!? I had an inkling that you were the one behind the forest fire! However, I was unable to come assist you because I was assisting our classmates in the open field!” 

   Iida’s face was flushed from exhaustion. His chest was rising up and down in shallow breaths. Even his normally pristine hair was out of place. And yet here he was, worrying about you first.

   “I am not hurt.” Recalling Yaoyorozu’s hair tuck from earlier, you patted down some of Iida’s beansprouts. 

   His face became just as red as his eyes. “W-what are you doing?”

   “You appear to be exhausted. Are you okay?”

   “Ah, y-yes, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.” Fixing his hair, Iida cleared his throat. “More importantly, are you hurt, ahem, emotionally…?”

   You physically couldn’t comprehend why Iida would ask that. “I am not hurt emotionally. What would be the cause of my emotional hurt?”

   Iida clenched his jaw slightly. Pressing his hands to his sides, he bowed deeply. “I did not come to your aid. I could have, but I made the conscious choice to remain out in the open to support the others. I wasn’t even doing an acceptable job until Aoyama brought everyone together with his Navel Laser.”

   You tilted your head. “That is not true.”

   Iida looked up. Confused, he asked you, “How do you know that? You don’t have to reassure me.”

   You pointed behind Iida.

   

   Aoyama was leading the rest of the class. All the kids who finished right before the cutoff followed directly behind Aoyama, while the other kids trailed after them. They were all smiling to varying degrees. Except Bakugou. He was being dragged along by Kirishima. Kirishima let go of Bakugou to pull you to his side.

   Iida blinked. “Why are all of you–?”

   Striking a pose, Aoyama chirped, “We could not have passed as an entire class without you, mon ami! ☆ It was you, Iida, who gave me the courage to act as a beacon!”

   Iida quickly refuted this. “No, no, not at all–”

   Aoyama cut him off with a clap of his hands. “Together now, everyone!”

   Everyone bowed simultaneously and shouted,

 

   “Thank you, Class President!”

 

   Even Bakugou, who had to be strong-armed into doing this by Kirishima, begrudgingly grunted, “You're not totally useless, I guess.”

   You straightened up from your bow. “Iida is a kind person who is always helping others. Do not forget that, Iida."

   Iida’s eyes widened.

   Then, wiping at them, Iida dipped into a deep bow. He slapped his hands to his sides again and shouted back, “It is my honor to lead this class! Thank you very much!”

   1-A whooped and hollered. Everyone gathered around Iida, engaging in happy chatter.

 

   This was a nice break. You all had been so tense, constantly fighting to win and staying on your toes.

   Now, you were all going to tackle the rest of the exam.

   Together.

Chapter 60: A Beautiful Star

Summary:

really stupid art i made LOL

 

 

 

  “Examinees! Please turn your attention to the screen.”

   The chatter died down as everyone obeyed. 

   The screen showed the entire arena. It was completely intact until every terrain, from the industrial area to the water area, literally exploded.

 

   You blinked. Then you turned to Bakugou. “You have trained your Quirk to such an extent?”

   Bakugou scrunched his nose at you. “What the–? Look me in my fucking eyes and tell me you actually believe what you just said.”

   You looked Bakugou in the eyes. “I believe what I just said.”

   “I can’t believe how stupid you are!”

   “I believe in you.”

   Bakugou’s face lost all its angles.

   You’d actually managed to catch him off guard. Bakugou Katsuki, the best fighter in 1-A with the reaction time to match, was caught off guard by a mere sentence.

  “Bakugou can do many things.” You didn’t take your gaze off of Bakugou for a second. “I am not stupid for thinking so.”

   Consciously relaxing his posture, Bakugou turned back to the screen. He jutted out his chin and seethed, “I can do anything. Get it right. Now shut up so I can hear!”

   “Okay.”

   Bakugou’s frown was growing by the minute. He was doing well to focus on the proctor explaining the other half of the exam, but what you said kept poking around his brain.

   I believe in you. 

   Four simple words. 

   Bakugou had always been revered for his strength, but when had anyone ever had faith in him because it was him?

   Bakugou’s scowl deepened. He had to completely focus.

   A passing tide washed those other thoughts away, and then the waters of his mind were calm again.

   

   The proctor, Mera, finished explaining the final portion. You were to rescue injured civilians from the disaster sites. The civilians were hired professionals who faked their injuries. You’d misunderstood that they were fake people and Iida had to explain that they were indeed real. 

 

   You were all now in a ten minute interlude.

  

   Once Aoyama finished fixing your hair, he dismissed you with his own specific brand of French flamboyance. “Au revoir!”

   “Aw revwah.” Your French accent was terrible. Aoyama sighed.

   Free to move around as you pleased, you headed for the restroom. Those six cups of orange juice were kicking in.

   When you finished, you returned to the main lobby.

 

   Midoriya was being beaten up by Kaminari and Mineta.

   You lifted Midoriya by the scruff of his costume. “Why are you fighting?”

   Midoriya hung in the air with his arms and legs tucked like a soggy kitten. “Is it really a fight if it’s one-sided…?”

   Kaminari lunged at Midoriya and you grabbed him too. Kicking and clawing, he cried, “Midoriya was having fun with a girl while the rest of us were fighting for our lives!”

   “For the last time, I wasn’t doing anything like that!”

   You nodded. “Midoriya was not having fun. I quote, “She was naked and it was horrible.””

   Kaminari thrashed harder. “Horrible!? You’re ungrateful, Midoriya! Ungrateful!”

   Midoriya only sighed. 

   You didn’t really understand the fuss. “It is forbidden to voluntarily lay eyes upon a naked person unless done so with permission. Midoriya had permission due to the other party shedding her garments by choice.”

   Midoriya let out a shriek as Kaminari scratched at his face. “You’re not helping!”

   “Now, now.” Kirishima took a rabid Kaminari from you. “Quit harassing Midoriya.”

   As Kaminari made all sorts of body contortions in an attempt to escape Kirishima's death grip, he cried, “Where were you when Bakugou was using me as a dog toy, asshole!?”

   Kirishima was not paying Kaminari any attention whatsoever. “Oh, here comes Shiketsu.”

   

   “Excuse me, Bakugou?” said the hairy one. Following behind him were the remaining Shiketsu students.

   Bakugou replied flatly, “What.”

   “One of our students, Shishikura, the purple-haired one. He came after you, right?”

   It took Bakugou a second to recall. “Yeah. I crushed him. What about it?”

   “I thought so!” The hairy one put a hand on his chest. “He was probably terribly rude to you. You must have been offended.”

   “I couldn’t care less.”

    “Ah, that’s good to hear. Nonetheless, Shishikura has a bad habit of forcing his values onto others. He couldn’t contain himself after seeing someone as notorious as yourself.”

   You set Midoriya down. “Shishikura must apologize.”

   The hairy one waved a hand. “I agree, a proper apology is in order. However, Shishikura is much too prideful, so please accept this apology from the rest of us in his stead.” He bowed slightly. “We’d really like to build a good relationship with U.A. going forward.”

   Bakugou didn’t react. He wasn't exaggerating when he said he couldn’t care less.

   You weren’t satisfied since the actual perpetrator didn’t apologize. Alas, there was no way to summon Shishikura.

   The other 1-A kids exchanged glances. No one was particularly convinced by the apology.

   Seeing as Bakugou didn’t have anything to say, the hairy one turned to leave. “Then, if you’ll excuse us…” 

   The other Shiketsu students trailed after him.

 

   Todoroki stepped forward. “Hey, you, with the crew cut.”

   Inasa stopped.

   “Did I do something to offend you?”

   When Inasa turned around, his glare was so strong that his brows nearly met the tops of his eyelids. 

   The spokes of your irises began to spin.

   This kind of anger was different from Bakugou’s or Monoma’s.

   This was personal.

   “...Nah,” said Inasa. “You’ll have to forgive me, but… it’s because you’re Endeavor’s son.”

   Quick to defend your friends as always, you joined Todoroki’s side. “Todoroki’s lineage has nothing to do with his character.”

   Though Todoroki and Inasa had been speaking mostly out of earshot from the rest of the class, you’d heard them by virtue of being closer.

   Inasa’s glare dissipated for the moment. “Ah, the kind student who gave me tissues! Thank you again for such a compassionate gesture!”

   Todoroki gently nudged you back. He didn’t take his eyes off Inasa, who was grinning as if nothing happened. “I’m fine. Go to Midoriya.”

   You analyzed Todoroki’s expression with a tilt of your head.

   He was tense. His eyes were evenly trained on Inasa and his lips were stiff. He didn’t seem terribly surprised by the comparison to Endeavor, but you knew about his infamous dislike for his father. Something had to be going on under the surface.

   You would leave it alone for now. “Okay.”

 

   Once you were gone, Inasa immediately curled his lip. “You and your old man– I hate you both. You’ve changed a lot since then, but those eyes… They look just like Endeavor’s.”

   The perpetual calm on Todoroki’s face finally morphed into something else. His brows furrowed, his mouth fell open slightly, and his eyes took on a dangerous glint. 

   Todoroki was genuinely angry.

   “Something wrong, Inasa?”

   Inasa whirled. His hairy classmate had called out to him.

   “Nothing at all!” he yelled back, and then he was gone with the wind.

 

   Midoriya jogged up behind Todoroki with you in tow. “Todoroki…?”

   Before Midoriya could get a proper look at Todoroki, he was distracted by Camie’s farewell. He was promptly attacked by Kaminari once more.

   You were left to peer silently at Todoroki.

   Todoroki was equally silent, seemingly stunned.

   “I do not think you resemble Endeavor.”

   And then Todoroki was back in motion.  His face returned to its usual tranquility as he pivoted on one foot to face you. “...Thanks. I can’t do much about looking like that bastard, so when people like this crawl out of the woodwork to insult me–” Todoroki caught himself. “No. I can’t allow something so pathetic to bother me."

   Todoroki lowered his head slightly. Aside from Midoriya, no one knew the extent of how much he hated Endeavor. He wasn't going to dump it all on you like that. "Sorry. It's my problem, not yours."

   “It’s okay.”

   You were about to say more until the entire building started shaking.

 

   “Terrorists have launched a massive attack!”

   You instinctively spread your feet apart to steady yourself.

   The final half of the exam was about to begin.

   “There’s wide-scale destruction throughout the city. Buildings are collapsing and people are hurt!”

   The lobby walls detached from each other. 

   “With most roads out of commission, rescue and relief squads are having a hard time reaching the scene!”

   As the walls slowly unfolded, your metal limbs began to heat up. You put your helmet back on.

   “Until they arrive, it’s up to you Heroes to take charge and rescue civilians.”

   The moment the walls hit the ground, students poured outward.

   The ones leading the charge were you, Bakugou, Todoroki, and Inasa.

   “Save every life you can!”

   

   You hovered high above the wreckage. Below you, more experienced second and third year students were already taking charge.

 

   “Let’s designate this area as a danger zone for now!”

   “I’m going to try opening up the roads and create a landing space for rescue choppers.”

   “I’ll take care of triage!”

 

   You remembered the little girl you rescued during the Kamino incident.

   You curled a fist.

   Exam exercise or not, you would do your best to rescue these people.

   Heat vision.

   Your pupils became orange.

   Any bodies within 200 meters of you showed up the same color.

   It was a bit difficult to sort through so many people, especially given you were in the dead-center of the map, but you managed to separate students and civilians by their movements.

   Students tended to move around quickly. Civilians remained in one spot.

   Whenever you spotted a civilian who was otherwise hidden behind debris, you touched down and notified other students of their location.

   “Oh, there’s one over there?”

   “Thank you!”

   “I got it.”

   You helped out wherever you could. You were particularly a hit in the industrial area. By carefully melting and bending metal structures, you opened up the way for students and civilians alike. You avoided the forest area like the plague. No way you were risking another fire.

   You were content playing support, but there was the odd sense that you were… missing out.

   You flew to the mountainous area. It was the one place (other than the forest) that you hadn’t checked out yet.

   “Hey, you!”  

   You looked down.

   A “child,” who you’d missed because he was directly below you, was talking to you.

   “My Hero name is HIRO.”

   The child scoffed. “Alright, then, Mr. HIRO. Locating victims is important, but you ought to do more than that! Get your hands dirty! I’ve been watching you and you’ve just been flying around willy-nilly!”

   It appeared that strange feeling you had was right.

   “Okay.”

   “Minus points!”

   “I’m sorry.”

   As soon as the child finished his criticism, he went back to acting like a regular kid. “I-it hurts…!”

   You blinked. Then, taking the child’s words to heart, you landed to take a kneel. “Excuse me. May I evaluate you for injuries?”

   “Speak more softly!” he barked. “Keep in mind that I’m a traumatized kid! Minus points!”

   “I’m sorry.”

   The child got into character again. “Sir, what’s going on right now? Where’s my grandma and grandpa?”

   “Do not worry. I will search for your grandparents once I eval– make sure that you are alright.” 

   “Oh, okay…”

   You checked him carefully. Blood was running down from his nose and ears. Not good. It wasn’t obvious because of his dark hair, but he had a pretty bad head injury.

   You took a thick gauze pad from your belt and pressed it to his head.

   The child watched you with big, teary eyes. “Is something wrong with me?”

   “...No.” Being honest would stress out the victim. “You need to rest. That is all.”

   “‘Kay…”

   After bandaging his head, you picked him up. You stabilized his head by gently grabbing it with one hand.

   Lack of proper first responders meant no stretchers, no tools, no nothing. You had to do everything, from first-aid to damage control, with whatever you had on hand.

   One of the older students saw you. He jogged over, holding both arms out. You passed him over slowly. It was important not to irritate his head any further.

   “I’ll be taking care of you now, okay?” said the other student. “Say bye bye to the nice Hero!”

   The child wiped his running nose. Locking eyes with you, he seemed to ignore his new guardian. “You’ll find my grandparents, right?”

   “Yes. I will.”

   “You promise?”

   You held out your pinky. “I promise.”

   The child pursed his lips at you, unsure.

   He reached out to wrap his own pinky around yours and finally smiled. “‘Kay.”

   A bright smile in the face of adversity.

   With all the confusion you faced in this world, where seemingly everyone but you could feel properly, you’d put a smile on someone else’s face.

   Your chest grew warm.

   And then you ran back into the fray.

   

   “Shut the fuck up! Save your own damn selves!”

   You’d recognize that crude way of speaking anywhere.

   You rushed over to find Bakugou glaring down at two injured civilians. The man and woman were stuck in a ditch.

   Kaminari and Kirishima gaped at Bakugou. The civilians were also gaping at him. You didn’t feel shocked in the slightest, but started gaping too.

   “C’mon!” hissed Kaminari. “You can’t just say that!”

   “Yeah, they might really be hurt, man!”

   You joined in. “You must speak softly, Bakugou.”

   Except Bakugou, everyone jumped. They hadn’t noticed you while attempting to curb Bakugou’s malice.

   Kirishima grinned. “Oh, hey bud!”

   Kaminari was much less calm. “Help us! Bakugou’s being a dick!”

   “Don’t tell me what to do, Tin Can! And shut the fuck up, Dunce Face!”

   “There you go again!”

   Meanwhile, the two civilians were chattering to each other.

   “In this scenario, we’re supposed to be low-priority rescues with light injuries…”

   “I can’t believe it! This kid was able to perceive that in an instant! Telling us to save ourselves!”

   Kaminari’s jaw dropped. “They… they misunderstood the situation so hard…”

   “Oh, well.” Kirishima shook his head and lowered himself down the slope. “Let’s at least guide these two to a safer spot.”

   You turned to Bakugou. “How were you able to assess the situation in such little time?”

   Bakugou just stomped off. “Tch!”

   One of the civilians continued, “But taking that tone with us is no good! Minus points!”

   “Whatever, old hag!”

   “Minus points!”

   You remained at the top of the slope to help up the man and woman. Kirishima and Kaminari were supporting them from below.

   Now that you were getting a better look at them, they seemed to be on the older side.

   “Excuse me,” you said, setting the man’s arm into a sling, “do you two have a grandson?”

   The man rapidly bobbed his head up and down. “Yes, yes!”

   “Where is he?” the woman cut in worriedly. She was having her arm taken care of by Kaminari.

   You answered, “I have entrusted him to a fellow Hero. They are on their way to the first-aid station located at the Anteroom.”

   “Oh, thank goodness!”

   “Our boy’s okay!”

   The couple thanked you profusely.

   “It is no problem.”

   Kirishima slung an arm around you. “Don’t you worry about a thing! My friend HIRO here is real good at making sure people are a hundred percent A-okay.”

   “Unlike someone,” muttered Kaminari.

   In the distance, Bakugou shouted back, “I heard that, shithead!”

   Unfortunately, since you were in the mountains, Bakugou’s wonderful choice of words echoed everywhere.

   Kirishima whistled. “Oh, I’m sure everyone heard that.”

   “Minus points!”

 

   The ground cracked.

   And then large chunks flew everywhere.

   Instantly, you and Kirishima dived to shield the civilians. With your armor and Kirishima’s Hardening, you were able to protect them from any flying debris. 

   Kaminari had also hit the ground. He was covering his head and neck.

   He tried his best to shout over all of the noise, “Crap! Where’s Bakugou!?”

   For all the shit Kaminari had to say about Bakugou’s heinous behavior, he was the first to voice his worry.

   “Focus!” Kirishima remained steadfast. He knew Bakugou would be fine. “What’s going on right here, right now!?”

   Once the rumbling stopped, you peeked out from under your arm.

   Large clouds of dust plagued every area of the map.

   There was an especially large one that was suspiciously close to the first-aid station, where all the victims were being gathered. There was a gaping hole in the arena wall.

   A bunch of gun-wielding men emerged from the fog.

   At the head of the crowd was a large, orca-like man.

   You replied to Kirishima, 

   

   “We are under attack.”

 

   The arena speakers screeched to life. “The villains have shown up, and they’re on the move! You Hero candidates on the scene will suppress the villain incursion, all while continuing rescue operations!”

   You lifted yourself up. “Are you alright?” you asked the woman.

   “Y-yes… Thank you for saving my life…”

   “It is no problem.”

   Kirishima took the hands of both civilians and helped them to their feet. “Chargebolt and I will carve a way for you to get down the mountain.”

   Kaminari nodded. “Leave it to us!”

  “Thank you.” The man of the couple bowed. “By the way, what is your Hero name, young man?”

   Kirishima grinned. “Call me Red Riot!”

   During that whole exchange, you’d been scanning the area with your heat vision. In your search for the resident gremlin, you hadn’t realized that Kirishima didn’t give you a role. “Where is–?”

   A sudden impact struck the ground to your left.

   The shadowy figure inside the resulting dust cloud stood up, revealing a dusty, extra pissed-off Bakugou.

   “Bakugou!” the other boys chorused.

   You reached out to dust off Bakugou’s hair. “Are you okay, Bakugou?”

   Bakugou smacked your hand away. “Worry about your goddamn self!”

   He gave all of you a quick glance before turning to look at the giant hole in the arena wall. His signature feral grin dragged up the corners of his lips and widened the whites of his eyes. 

 

   “May we rely on you to protect us, Bakugou?”

   Bakugou blinked.

   Grin fading, he turned to you.

   Even through the pitch black visor of your helmet, Bakugou could feel your burning stare.

   It wasn’t burning in the sense of anger, but as if you could see right into Bakugou’s very soul.

   “Bakugou is strong.” You dipped your head. “Please.”

   With a whip of his arms, Bakugou blasted off. “Don't have to tell me twice!”

  

   Protect, huh?

   Bakugou fought to win. Protecting was that asshole Deku’s job.

   But it seemed you saw Bakugou’s strength as his own version of kindness. Strength everyone could rely on.

   To be looked upon with such a pure gaze... Bakugou wasn't used to it. Not at all.

   It was almost revolting.

   Bakugou grit his teeth. Something was warm and it wasn't his palms.

   Damn you and your habit of saying heartfelt things out of the blue.

 

   Kirishima turned to you and remarked, “Wow, he actually didn’t argue. Seems Bakugou likes you too!”

   “Bakugou likes me?”

   “Yep!”

 

   Despite the hard, mountainous terrain you were standing on, you felt as if flowers were blooming all around you.

   Bakugou likes me.

   Two golden circles appeared on your visor.

   You held Bakugou in high regard because of that time on I-Island. Setting aside his initial dislike of you, he’d saved you.

   As angry, irrational, and borderline evil Bakugou was, he had a good heart.

 

   You watched Bakugou’s form become smaller and smaller.

   He normally didn’t save people directly. Fighting was more his style.

   Bakugou was a star and the battlefield was where he shined the brightest.

   

   “Y’know,” Kirishima said as you all made your way down the mountain, “I actually meant to ask you to go fight.”

   You blinked. “Why?”

   “Ah, sorry, I don’t mean to tell you what to do. I thought both you and Bakugou needed the practice.” Kirishima laughed. “Bakugou with rescue, and you with combat.”

   That was a fair point. You still had trouble striking first. “I see. I will go fight then.”

   “Wait, wait, wait–!”

   You were gone the next moment.

   “...Welp! Looks like it’s just us two, Chargebolt! Let’s do our best!”

   “I miss HIRO already.”

Chapter 61: One Day

Notes:

fanart!!! by orangeyouglad on quotev!

   

 

 

   It was chaos.

   Examinees were desperately trying to continue rescue operations. In the near distance, Gang Orca’s henchmen approached.

   The three most destructive examinees– Todoroki, Inasa, and Bakugou– were facing off against Gang Orca.

   Judging from the nasty looks on Todoroki and Inasa’s faces, they were arguing. 

   Bakugou did not give a flying fuck. He lunged at Gang Orca as soon as he saw an opening.

   Meanwhile, the other two bozos kept arguing.

   You tilted your head.

   Why are they ignoring the enemy?

   No matter. You had your own job to worry about.

 

   Your current location was the roof of a half-destroyed building. You had looked around for a fairly safe and secluded perch.

   You laid flat on your stomach.

   Your instincts were telling you to go help with evacuation, but Kirishima wanted you to fight.

   You would trust Midoriya, Ojiro, Ashido, and your other classmates to ward off the henchmen.

   From here, you thought, pointing at Gang Orca with your finger.

   Fighting alongside Bakugou meant recoiling from his explosions. Even with your armor, the sheer force of Bakugou’s explosions were no joke.

   And so you would fight from here.

 

   The tip of your pointer finger opened up. Your right pupil dilated to zoom in on your target.

   Gang Orca was in your sights.

   Right now, your pose– belly down and breathing minimal– mimicked the sniper girl to a T. The one you’d shot in the thigh.

   You were capable of terrifyingly accurate mimicry. Except when it came to facial expressions. Poor thing.

 

   Gang Orca moved incredibly fast. 

   He was dodging and deflecting Bakugou’s attacks. Bakugou’s attacks.

   At the same time, Gang Orca kept a watchful eye on Todoroki and Inasa. Those two were fussing over their conflicting Quirks.

   In turn, you never took your attention off Gang Orca for even a moment.

   He wasn’t one to be messed with.

 

   You were waiting for the right time. Your finger pulsed with heat waiting to shoot out.

   Your opportunity came.

   Bakugou threw a right hook. Gang Orca dodged backwards with an ironically delicate tap of his foot.

   There it was: the split second that Gang Orca had his attention entirely on Bakugou.

   You fired.

   Gang Orca made eye contact with you.

   You’d missed.

   It wasn’t a matter of aim. Your artificial eyesight, the steadiness of your hand, the lack of blood coursing through your arm all contributed to your perfect sniping.

   Gang Orca was just a little faster.

   Beady eyes narrowed with interest. “Oh?” 

   You froze.

   Down below, the other boys followed Gang Orca’s gaze.

   Bakugou’s sinister grin grew wider.

   Todoroki breathed out your surname.

   Inasa blinked.

   And then all three boys attacked.

   Bakugou launched himself, Todoroki unleashed his flames, and Inasa sent a gust of wind hurtling towards Gang Orca.

   Bakugou was thrown off by the wind. “Oi! You fuckheads!”

   The wind threw off the flames.

   “Again!?” snapped Inasa. He glared at Todoroki. “You’re really something, you know that!?”

   Todoroki opened his mouth to bite back.

   Then he saw what was happening.

   The flames were headed straight for an incapicitated Shindo.

   You jumped to your feet with a harsh inhale. You were so far away. You wouldn’t, couldn’t make it in time–

 

   Green lightning danced across the battlefield.

   Midoriya had grabbed Shindo just in time. 

   His eyes glowed a brilliant shade of green as his skin pulsed with electricity.

   With enough ferocity to make the likes of Todoroki and Inasa freeze, Midoriya bellowed, “What the hell are you doing!?”

   Your breath left your lips in a whisper. “Midoriya is here.”

   Bakugou drew his own lips back in disgust. “Fucking Deku! The fish is mine, got it!?”

   Midoriya nodded. He ran off to take Shindo to a safer place. “I’m leaving this to you, Kacchan!”

   “Don’t act like you’re giving me an opportunity! Bastard!”

 

   You climbed over the jagged edge of the roof. 

   Sniping wasn’t your specialty. Maybe you’d initially chosen to play sniper because of your reluctance to fight.

   But you couldn’t do that. You had to take responsibility for Kirishima’s hope.

 

   In the blink of an eye, you appeared high above Gang Orca.

   You stretched out your arms and splayed your fingers.  “Guardian Lily.”

   Red-hot beams descended from your fingertips. 

   This was a move you normally reserved for protecting allies, but not right now.

   You’d caged Gang Orca.

   If he was too fast for you to hit, then you would limit his movements.

   He looked up at you. “Hmph. Is that all you can do?”

   In the time it took you to think of a response, he turned his head to fire a long-range supersonic wave at Inasa.

   You stiffened.

   He can use long-range attacks?

   Inasa flew to the left.

   He was interrupted by a ball of wet cement.

   In the immediate next second, Gang Orca’s wave hit him head-on.

   Inasa fluttered to the ground like a piece of paper.

   “Direct hit!” cheered one of Gang Orca’s henchmen. He was carrying a cement gun. “It’s our one-two combo with the Orcapo!”

   Another one said, “Let’s make statues outta the rest of these kids!”

   You aimed at the henchmen. “No.”

   Laser beams cut through their guns.

   “Crap!”

   “How’re we gonna cement them now!?”

   An explosion shut them up. 

   Bakugou had casually fired an explosion at them. They were twitching on the ground.

   Bakugou’s sharp canines poked out from under his lip in a mean sneer. “Shut up. Your voices are annoying as hell.”

   For once, Bakugou had actually paid attention to someone who wasn’t the main enemy.

   Was it for your sake? Like Inasa, you were airborne. You easily could’ve ended up the same way. 

  

   You all turned your attention back to Gang Orca. 

   You hovered in the air, tense but ready to move at a moment’s notice. You’d seen how Inasa got turned into a crinkled tissue and you weren’t too eager to join him.

   Bakugou was poised low to the ground. His blood red eyes, partially concealed by his glare, were alert for any movements.

   Todoroki’s sides glowed with fire and ice. 

   From where Inasa was on the ground, he fixed Gang Orca with a vengeful stare. “It’s not over!”

   Gang Orca chuckled. “We’ll see about that.”

   

   He looked up at you and you spread your palm.

   All at once, you opened fire, Bakugou flew at Gang Orca, Inasa hurled a gust of wind, and Todoroki sent a wall of ice to shield you.

   Gang Orca never fired back.

   Instead, he turned around to cut the distance between him and Todoroki.

   Todoroki couldn’t react in time.

   Gang Orca hit Todoroki with a big wave straight to the forehead. “You reap what you sow!”

   Todoroki gasped silently. He fell to his knees, his eyes void of any color.

   You could only watch. “Todo…roki…”

   With Bakugou’s target out of place, he skidded to a stop. He turned his head to observe Gang Orca more cautiously than ever.

   By simply looking in your direction, Gang Orca had tricked all of you.

 

   “Seems I’ve clipped the rotten branches,” he mused. He turned to face you and Bakugou. He had such a heavy presence that you, who could never read the atmosphere, could feel it.

   Gang Orca scratched his chin. “Will you two impress me? I wonder.”

   Bakugou grinned. “Watch me.”

   He had balls of steel. This whole time, he’d been taking on Gang Orca at close range. The sight of Inasa and Todoroki falling victim to the wave didn’t scare him one bit.

   Bakugou unleashed explosion after explosion. Threw punch after punch.

   Overwhelm him!

   Whenever Gang Orca dodged, you used one hand to aim at the space he was heading towards. The other hand, which was locked onto his head at all times, prevented him from catching Bakugou off guard with another one of his waves.

   Overwhelm him.

   It was like the stars had aligned for this singular fight.

   You and Bakugou were in total sync.

 

   A particularly strong explosion made Gang Orca stumble. 

   When you and Bakugou lifted one hand each, it appeared as if you were reaching for each other.

   Fire.

   The dark surface of your eyes lit up with the color orange. 

   Fire, indeed.

   With great effort, you raised your voice to shout at Bakugou, “From behind!”

   Bakugou’s reaction time was truly a thing of beauty.

   His outstretched arm swung to the right in a strong arc and he propelled himself out of the way.

   A heartbeat later, a hellish phantom of wind and fire flew past.

   Todoroki and Inasa had finally gotten their shit together. They’d combined their Quirks to trap Gang Orca in a fiery tornado. 

   Your chest lightened. “Todoroki is okay?”

   Todoroki was still paralyzed, so he couldn’t quite talk, but for you, he managed a small smile. 

   Bakugou wasn’t so happy. “Oi! Are you fucking blind!?”

   Todoroki intentionally dropped his smile and Bakugou let out a yell. 

 

   Gang Orca stood there. He calmly gauged the current situation.

   Todoroki and Inasa had managed to push past both their paralysis and personal spat to unite against Gang Orca.

   And now, he was more or less trapped.

   “Hehe.”

   

   You landed onto the ground. The rapidly expanding tornado would only drag you in if you stayed in the air.

   Bakugou winded his shoulders back. Melee attacks were now out of the question.

 

   “A red-hot prison of fiery wind…” said Gang Orca. 

   He laughed. “It’s not a bad idea. If I was an ordinary villain, I might surrender. Beg for mercy, even.”

   Water trickled down his forehead. He’d uncapped a water bottle and dunked it over himself. “However, that’s just not the case here. From the second you hit me with this, I was already planning my next move.”

   He pocketed the empty bottle. Gang Orca didn’t litter. He wasn’t a monster.

   Then, throwing his head back and clenching his fists, he released a shockwave. It dispelled the tornado in an instant.

   Todoroki and Inasa grit their teeth.

   “Well?” Gang Orca grinned. “What now, boys?”

   

   “Oi,” Bakugou said suddenly. He wasn’t looking at you, but you knew he was talking to you all the same.

   You didn’t look at him either. “Yes, Bakugou?”

   “Stay out of my way.”

   “Okay.”

   In an instant, Bakugou appeared before Gang Orca. His right hand was reaching straight for Gang Orca’s face.

   At that exact moment, Midoriya showed up. He geared his leg back. “Please…!”

 

   The duo shouted simultaneously,

   “Die!”

   “...get away from them!”

 

   Bakugou’s swipe and Midoriya’s kick were intercepted by Gang Orca. He’d blocked them with his iron-clad forearms.

   The horrid, ear-grating sound of a buzzer going off raked through the arena.

   You flinched.

   Midoriya and Bakugou paused their movements in confusion.

   Todoroki and Inasa looked around.

 

   “Ahem!” It was the proctor. “Every last member of the H.U.C. has been rescued. Therefore, I declare that this test is over!”

   Midoriya fell into a crouch. “It’s over?”

   Bakugou was frothing at the mouth. “It’s over!?” 

   You repeated, “It’s over.”

   “The results will be announced once all scores are tallied. Those with injuries, please proceed to the medical area. All other students, change back into your uniforms and standby for further instructions.”

   Bakugou stomped off. “Lame ass exam! Lame ass old people!”

   He raised his middle finger. “Fuck this!”

   “K-Kacchan, you can’t just insult the elderly like that!”

   “Don’t fucking tell me what to do, shit-ass!”

   “Kacchan, please…”

 

   You bowed to Gang Orca. “Thank you for the experience.”

   Gang Orca nonchalantly waved. “No, it was my pleasure. It was quite interesting to see how the next generation of Heroes were doing… Hehe.”

   “I see.” You hadn’t expected him to say that much. “...Are we doing well?”

   Gang Orca’s cheeky grin told you nothing. “That’s for you to find out.”

   “Okay.” You bowed one last time. “Goodbye, Mister.”

   “Gang Orca.” He was a little shocked that you’d never heard of him before. He was the Top 10 Hero.

   “I see. Goodbye, Mr. Gang Orca.” 

   “Alright.”

   As you left, Gang Orca called, “You were holding back, weren’t you?”

   You stopped in your tracks. 

   Stepping on one foot and swiveling to face Gang Orca, you asked, “How have you come to that conclusion?”

   It seemed Gang Orca had a habit of never directly answering questions. As he walked away, he told you, “You’re squandering your talent, boy. And so are your little friends. Letting your insecurities get in the way, pulling your punches…”

   In a rare surge of emotional intelligence, you realized that last thing definitely applied to you. 

   A pinprick struck your heart.

   Gang Orca glanced at you over his shoulder. “You were lucky. In a real fight, you won’t always have people you know by your side.”

   His voice faded into the distance. “How long will you last, I wonder…?”

   

   You stared at nothing.

   Gang Orca was right.

   The entire time, you’d been in the backdrop.

   Sniping from a distance, attempting to cordon the area, supporting Bakugou as he engaged in a violent dance with Gang Orca… 

   You had contained yourself to the background.

   You gazed down at your open palm.

   How long… how long will I need to surpass my aversion to violence?

   …No.

   How much time do I have?

   

   A gentle hand touched your shoulder and you flinched.

   Midoriya went to stand in front of you. When he said your surname, it was with unique concern afforded only to you.

   You replied just as softly, “Hello, Midoriya.”

   Red colored Midoriya from head to toe. “H-hello!”

   You’d mirrored his tone. 

   Knowing your little habit, he should’ve seen it coming. His next move was to deflect from his own frazzled state. “Are you– are you alright?”

   A short way from Midoriya, Todoroki staggered to his feet. “Something’s wrong with him…?”

   “Yes.” It was you who answered.

   Midoriya and Todoroki’s brows scrunched.

   They moved to console you, but before they could say or do anything, you continued, “I… am unable to raise my hand when it is necessary. Todoroki, Bakugou, and Inasa needed help. Yet, I–”

   “You did help!”

   You nearly jumped.

   Inasa had recovered. He grinned at you, teeth shining in the afternoon sun. “You helped plenty! You’re no less passionate for taking a more, uh, backseat kind of role! You had Gang Orca on the ropes, you know? I bet that’s why he talked to you personally.”

   “...Yeah.” Todoroki was reluctant to agree with this guy. Though he would, for your sake. “You and Bakugou kept him constantly on his toes. Inasa and I had a chance to collect ourselves because of your efforts.”

   Midoriya agreed much more enthusiastically, “They’re right! I’m not sure whether or not you want to become a Support Hero, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Different kinds of Heroes exist for a reason. Your power has nothing to do with the path you take!”

 

   There was a very minuscule movement from you.

   Your head perked up, your shoulders lifted, and your feet began to shuffle.

   Your irises alight with the brightest gold, you said, “You are serious?”

   Todoroki’s smile kissed the edge of his eyes.

   Midoriya’s eyes began to water.

   “Yes,” they replied fondly.

   Your happiness was worth its weight in gold.

 

   Then Midoriya actually started crying.

   At once, you dug a rustled pack of tissues out of your pocket. “Why are you crying?”

   Midoriya wordlessly snatched a tissue and blew his nose. 

   “Huh.” Todoroki said to you, “You have a penchant for making Midoriya cry. Is this another curse of some sort…?”

   Midoriya crushed the tissue and seethed, “I’m crying because I’m emotional, Todoroki! Where do you get your weird ideas from!?”

   “My brain. And they’re not weird.”

   

   On the way to the boy’s locker rooms, Inasa asked you, “What was that about? The thing you did with your eyes.”

   “When I experience strong emotions, my eyes reflect them.”

   “How cool! Your passion shows in your eyes!”

   “Thank you.” Your gaze flicked down to Inasa’s near-constant grin.

   Were you capable of smiling like that?

   A genuine smile, one that didn’t require force.

   

   You breathed in.

   You couldn’t be having these kinds of thoughts.

   Not when your friends had so many good wishes for you.

   

   One day.

   You chose to put faith in yourself too.

 

   One day, I will smile just like them.

Chapter 62: Unconditionally

   “Where is he?”

   By now, your classmates had learned that whenever Iida asked that deceptively vague question, he precisely meant you.

   You were supposed to be in the locker room. It was an unwritten rule that you were not to be left alone under any circumstances, given your criminal record of attempting to eat inedible substances. 

   Iida and Midoriya usually did a spotless job at keeping you in their sights.

   You had gotten away nonetheless.

 

   Midoriya squinted.

   The 1-A boys weren’t the only ones in here. The rest of the male examinees were bustling around as well.

   Midoriya frowned. “There’s so many people in here… He’s pretty tall, so he should be easy to spot, so why…?”

   Buttoning his shirt, Kirishima said, “Doesn’t he usually stick by Bakugou?”

   “Eh?”

   The Bakugou in question had already left the locker room. He refused to wear his uniform properly and that gave him a massive head-start.

   “Yeah.” Kirishima started on his tie. “I’ve noticed that he tends to hang around Bakugou whenever there’s a big crowd.”

   Midoriya paused.

   He… tends to hang around Kacchan?

   Sero scratched his head. “Wow. You’re more observant than I thought, Kirishima.”

   “Thanks! Wait– hey, what’s that supposed to mean?”

   Iida ran a comb through his hair. “Even if you think he’s with Bakugou right now, you can’t be completely certain unless you check. What if he’s–” Iida shuddered– “eating concrete right now?”

   Sero snorted. “You guys remember when I tried giving him sand as a joke?”

   “Sero!”

   “Okay, but,” Kaminari cut in, “he already knows not to do that. And I’m pretty sure Bakugou would scold him. That’d discourage him, right?”

   “No.”

   Everyone looked at Midoriya. 

   He was deadpanning. In total monotone, he informed the other boys, “Kacchan would laugh.”

   Kirishima added, “And the dude likes whatever Bakugou likes.”

   This news was enough to make Todoroki actually pay attention to the conversation. “He likes… what Bakugou likes?”

   Midoriya bit his lip.

   He didn’t know that.

   He’d always admired Bakugou and never hated him, so why did this information make him feel so–?

 

   “So cute!” Kaminari held his face and made a high-pitched cooing sound. “He’s like a big puppy!”

   Kirishima laughed. “A puppy? Not a kid?”

   Iida put his fingers on his chin, looking way too serious for this conversation topic. After a moment of thought, he nodded firmly. “I agree! If I am not wrong, juvenile canines follow around their litter mates, mother, and their owner if they have one. They go through a teething stage where they chew on anything that interests them.”

   “Oh, really? You sure know a lot about dogs, Iida.”

   “Yes! In my youth, I desired to have a dog of my own, but alas, my mother wouldn’t allow it.”

   Sero whispered to Kaminari, “How old is Iida again…?”

 

   “He’s not a dog.”

   The chatter died off.

   The killer was Todoroki. “Don’t compare him to an animal,” he muttered, and then he left.

   Midoriya hastily apologized in his place. “S-sorry! I’m sure Todoroki’s just frustrated from how the exam went, with how he and that Inasa guy kept feuding and all.”

   There was a bit of an awkward silence.

   Kaminari pouted. “It was just a joke.”

   “I have to agree.”

   Many eyes landed on Shoji.

   It was his turn to take the spotlight. “Comparing someone to an animal… I get the joke, but it’s insensitive nonetheless.”

   When Ojiro awkwardly grimaced, everyone figured out what was wrong.

   Midoriya was absolutely mortified. “I’m so sorry!”

   The whole time everyone was comparing you to a puppy, he was thinking about whatever relationship you had with Bakugou.

   Ojiro shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. Unlike Shinsou, it’s not like you guys meant anything bad by it.”

   “Ah, if you say so…”

   Iida frowned. “Thank you for forgiving us. However, regardless of our intentions, what we said remains to be in bad taste, seeing as the world we live in has so many mutant-type Quirks.”

   He bowed. “I sincerely apologize!”

   Ojiro’s head shook faster. “Seriously, it’s fine.”

   Teary-eyed, Kaminari dramatically flung himself onto Ojiro. “Ojiro! I’m sorry for saying it was just a joke!”

   “Hey–!?”

   Everyone else offered their apologies and Ojirou had an aneurysm.

   

   In one of the many hallways winding inside the arena walls, you were engaged in a staring match.

   With a vending machine.

   “There is cake in there,” you said aloud.

   This vending machine sold strawberry shortcakes in a can. How wonderful. And because literally everyone else had followed instructions to re-enter the center of the arena, there was no line for the vending machine. 

   You pressed your hands against the glass. “Japan has acquired the technology to dispense cake from a vending machine. I must inform Melissa of this development.”

   Then you had the most amazing thought. “Pancake vending machine.”

   “Fuck are you doing?”

   Your head swiveled like a battery-powered toy. 

   Bakugou was glaring at you from a Bakugou-approved distance. As always, his tie was undone, his shirt open, blazer unbuttoned, and pants saggy.

   Kirishima had been right. You did indeed follow Bakugou out of the locker room, but as soon as something shiny caught your attention, you vanished.

   And Bakugou would rather wrangle you than deal with Iida nagging him. It was annoying as hell.

   “I am taking note of this cake vending machine.”

   Bakugou could hear the distinct whirring sound of your pupils shrinking and dilating. “What’s so special about that?”

   You removed your hands from the glass. “It is cake from a vending machine. I have never seen this before.”

   “You haven’t seen a lot of things, idiot.” Bakugou spun on his heel. “Don’t start crying if you miss the results.”

   You blinked. 

   Right, of course, the results. Those were very important.

   Your gaze flitted back to the vending machine.

   But this was also important.

 

   “For fuck’s sake!”

   There was the distinct sound of jingling coins.

   It was quickly followed by a violent slam against metal.

   Bakugou had shoved some yen into the vending machine.

   His eyes going fully white, he shouted at you, “If you want something, just hurry the fuck up and buy it!”

   You searched your pockets. “You did not need to purchase cake for me, Bakugou. I will reimburse you–”

   You didn’t bring your wallet.

   Bakugou scoffed. “You don’t even have any money on you? Broke ass.”

   “I have forgotten my wallet. I am sorry.”

   “Tch.”

   The can rolled down into the receiver. 

   Taking an aggressive step towards you, Bakugou leaned down, snatched the can, and threw it at you.

   You quickly caught it. “Thank–”

   “Save it. Now hurry up. Fucking finally…”

   “Okay.” 

   As you trailed after Bakugou, you gazed down at the can nestled between your fingers.

   Bakugou has purchased an item for me.

 

   “There you are!”

   Upon seeing Iida approach, Bakugou let out the most bloodcurdling, frustrated scream. 

   Iida pat Bakugou on the shoulder. “Thank you, Bakugou! He’s safe and sound thanks to you.”

   Bakugou swatted Iida’s hand away. “Oh, fuck off!”

   He stomped away, muttering under his breath all the while.

 

   Iida tutted. “Always so rude, that one.” His disapproving frown became a smile when he turned to you. “Hello!”

   “Hello, Iida.”

   Iida gave you a once-over. 

   You were in perfect condition, save for your pockets being inside out. 

   Iida stepped closer to poke them back inside. “If you’ll excuse me…”

   “Okay.” You sniffed. Iida smelled of something. It was a little heavy, some sort of cologne.

   Your nose instinctively scrunched and Iida noticed.

   He took a step back. “Is something the matter?”

   “Iida has a smell.”

   “A– a smell?” Iida blushed out of pure shame as he gave himself a whiff. “Did I not perform proper hygiene!?”

   Iida was now sulking against the wall. “I… I smell…?”

   You pat Iida on the head. “Iida smells.”

   Iida slammed his forehead into the wall. “How shameful! I’m truly letting down the name of Ingenium–!”

   “But it is not necessarily a bad smell.”

   Iida froze. He slowly craned his neck to look at you, his wide red eyes full of hope. His forehead was equally red. “It’s not?”

   You explained, “I prefer hygiene products that have little to no fragrance.”

  “Oh. Well.”

   Crickets.

   Iida started bowing at light speed. “I sincerely apologize for misconstruing your words!”

   You blinked. “It is okay. Your forehead is–”

   Blurring the lines of space and time, Iida dashed over to the vending machine, put in some yen, and grabbed the can as soon as it fell out.

   He offered it to you with both hands. “Please accept this as a token of apology!”

   “Okay.” You put your first can into your pocket so that you could accept the second one using both hands. “Thank you.”

 

   You looked down at the two cans in your possession. Mindful of your strength, you gently pressed the second one to Iida’s ruddy forehead. “The low temperature will assist with healing.”

   Slowly, Iida reached up to hold the can himself and you let go.

   He shakily adjusted his glasses. The back of his hand was sweaty and flushed. “Thank you! I will return this as soon as possible!”

   “It is no problem.” 

   As you and Iida headed towards the arena, Iida thought to himself, I should wear unscented deodorant from now on.

 

   You finally joined the other students outside.

   Ever the gentleman, Iida kept a light hand on your back. “Stay close.”

   “Okay.”

   All one hundred examinees were congregated in front of a stage. The proctor, Mera, stood behind a podium. He was next to a giant digital screen.

   Near the front of the crowd, Midoriya was peering between the gaps of everyone’s heads and shoulders.

   He’d been a little worried when he didn’t see you next to Bakugou. With a little suffering on Midoriya’s part, Bakugou had told him that you were with Iida. Bakugou had initially lied and told Midoriya that he had no idea where you were. Midoriya had just about cried till he saw the shit-eating grin on Bakugou’s face. Bakugou despised dishonesty, but wasn’t above lying for shits and giggles.

   You made eye contact with Midoriya. He perked up and shot you a nervous smile. You “smiled” back to the best of your ability. Midoriya laughed and his stiff posture relaxed slightly.

   Uraraka was standing next to Midoriya. She gave him a curious glance. Uraraka tracked Midoriya’s line of sight, and when she realized who he was smiling at, she turned away with an unreadable face.

   You tilted your head. That was odd. 

   You lost interest. Right now, you had something much more important to worry about.

   

   “Ahem.” Mera gave the mic a tap. “It’s been a long battle, boys and girls, but now, it’s time for the results.”

 

   There were so many reasons for you to fail.

   Starting a fire, speaking too stiffly, holding back…

   Your feet shuffled.

   Then you kept them still.

   Whatever the result, you would accept it. You knew what you did wrong. You would take this chance to improve further.

 

   The giant screen turned on.

   Every student's surname was listed in alphabetical order.

   

   Your pupils dilated.

   There you were.

   In spite of all your faults, of all your failures, there you were.

 

   Your pupils shrunk and then your irises took the spotlight.

   They turned yellow. That seemed to be happening somewhat often nowadays.

   Around you, other students displayed happiness in their own ways. Iida was bent at the waist, eyes scrunched shut and fists clenched as he relished his victory. Midoriya was, unsurprisingly, on the verge of tears. You couldn’t see any of your other classmates with this crowd, but you were sure they’d passed too.

 

   “I passed,” you said aloud. You were still glued to the screen. “I must inform Melissa.”

   This was what you’d always wanted.

   You could feel it. Feel. The very thing you had the hardest time with.

   Saving someone, even in a mock exam, was rewarding.

   Although, there was this constant itching near the back of your brain.

   Being aware that you were feeling particular emotions without the use of your eyes was difficult.

   Knowing why you were feeling something was typically easier.

   Why couldn’t you tell?

   Was it rewarding because you liked it, or because Melissa liked it?

  

   You refused to scratch that itch. 

   Melissa had told you to never take orders from her ever again. Whatever you wanted to do, that would always be your choice to make.

   You rarely ever questioned Melissa. Her word was absolute.

   Melissa told you to be free and free you became.

   Without even realizing, you were scratching that itch, and it was turning out to be more than just a simple itch.

   It was an infection.

   

   Iida snapped you out of your spiral. Bless him.

   Iida had taken your hands. He began shaking them up and down as if he’d just secured the most lucrative business deal of his life. “Congratulations! Let’s continue doing our best moving forward!”

   Your face left no indication of your previous thoughts. “Congratulations. Let’s.”

   Iida handed you back your cake can. “Here. It has served me well. And don’t fret! I’ve already wiped it clean with a cotton handkerchief and spritzed it with .99% accuracy sanitizer!”

   “Thank you.”

 

   It took some effort, but the rest of 1-A managed to find each other.

   “Congrats, everyone!”

   “We made it!”

   “I can’t believe it…! I really passed!”

   Everyone exchanged good wishes and the occasional side hug. 

   You looked around you.

   Your dear classmates were dancing, cheering, and smiling to the point that their eyes almost shut.

   Their hard efforts, and yours, had all come to fruition.

   You wanted to smile too.

  

   Midoriya found you.

   His hands tightly gripped his pants as he shyly squeaked, “Congratulations!”

   “Congratulations.”

   “I can’t believe I got my Hero license…” Midoriya’s entire body shivered with excitement. “All my life, I–! I’m sending this straight to my mom and All Might! Remember to send All Might yours too! Oh, and my mom would want to see yours as well! You have her number, right?”

   “Okay. Right.” Your lips lingered on the fading coattails of conversation. 

   You wished to say more. “You must be… very happy, Midoriya. You did not always have this Quir– this quality opportunity. Therefore, this achievement must hold much meaning for you. I am aware that I have already congratulated you. However… I wish to say it again.”

   You took a breath.

 

   “Congratulations, Midoriya.”

 

   Midoriya raised his head higher, his eyes growing into full circles. His mouth hung open.

   You were trying to encourage him. You were trying.

   And what you said meant so much to Midoriya because it was you.

   Like him, you were Quirkless. You were born powerless to the odds. Even if you didn’t remember the past thirteen years of your life, you’d still experienced the same thing Midoriya had. Living the life he’d dreamed of wasn’t enough to make him forget his harsh past. Nothing could make him forget. 

   He’d chased after Bakugou, grew up wishing for what others were blessed with, and cried almost every goddamn day.

   It had been so painful. Midoriya felt the lasting effects every waking minute. Midoriya wouldn’t wish it on his worst enemy.

   He’d do it all again.

   He’d already made up his mind about this when he met All Might.

   Your presence just sealed the deal.

   You were Midoriya’s newest, yet no less precious addition to his life.

   If repeating every single thing that led Midoriya here meant getting to meet you, he would do it without hesitation.

   Midoriya pressed his lips together firmly. He screwed his eyes shut. It was a desperate effort to keep himself from crying. All he could let out was a small and grateful, “Yeah!”

   You watched Midoriya quietly.

   You had always been fascinated by Midoriya’s range of expression.

   One day, you reminded yourself. For now, this was enough. Seeing your friends happy was all you could ask for.

   

   You were attacked from behind.

   It was Kaminari. Smiling coquettishly, he batted his lashes and asked, “Can I get a victory kiss?”

   You blinked.

   Midoriya went bright red. “Huh!?”

   The heartwarming moment had come and gone. Disintegrated. Reduced to atoms.

   Your knight in copious amounts of hair gel, Kirishima, arrived to yank Kaminari away from you. “Absolutely not.”

   “Aw, Kirishima!”

   Kirishima ignored Kaminari to pat you on the shoulder. “Congrats, bud!”

   You pat Kirishima and lightly slung an arm around Kaminari so as not to hurt him. “Congratulations, Kaminari, Kirishima.”

   They smiled and thanked you.

   You let them go. “Kaminari, there are kisses specifically reserved for victories?”

   Kaminari grinned. “Y–”

   This was Kirishima’s cue to drag him away.

   “Kirishima, quit ruining my fun!”

   “More like ruining his innocence. Quit that.”

 

   You turned in a slow circle.

   Bakugou and Todoroki weren’t here.

   That was odd.

   You’d gotten used to Todoroki’s presence, so you more or less expected him to make a beeline for you. And Bakugou didn’t care much for large celebrations, but he’d never pass up on the chance to brag. 

   You spotted Todoroki first. His hair was literally half red and white. Plus, he didn’t slouch, unlike Bakugou.

   “Excuse me.” You slid your way through the crowd. You were a big guy, so it wasn’t as arduous as you thought. People naturally parted the way for you by virtue of your intimidating height. And your beauty. You didn’t notice, but everyone who caught sight of your face went pink. You were lucky to have remembered your mask. If your entire face was showing, you would have gotten mobbed.

 

   You found Todoroki.

   He wasn’t staring at the board. Rather, he was staring past it, at something far, far away.

   You checked the board.

   There was no Todoroki Shouto.

   You looked back at Todoroki.

   No wonder he didn’t come find you.

 

   “It is okay.”

 

   With just the sound of your voice, Todoroki seemed to come back to the present. He slowly turned his head towards you. 

   His eyes were a little bigger than usual with what looked like… shock. “What?”

   You were always patient. “It is okay, Todoroki.”

   You spotted a slight furrow between Todoroki’s brows.

   You tilted your head.

   How interesting.

   It was expected that he’d make that kind of expression because of the results, since he was one of 1-A’s star students. However, that wasn’t the case.

   The normally-aloof Todoroki made such a face because you told him something as simple as, It is okay.

   Todoroki held your gaze for a long time.

   Other than his mom, no one had ever told him that. 

   Todoroki could never hate her. In fact, despite what Endeavor and the law said about her, Rei had been the only one to remind Todoroki that he was deserving of love.

   Until you came along.

   Todoroki was severely socially awkward. But he wasn’t blind.

   He knew what disgust, hatred, and fear looked like.

   You weren't incapable of it. Todoroki was well aware of what you could do. He was well aware that you could dislike things and people. You would either say it directly or your nose would scrunch almost imperceptibly.

   You never looked at Todoroki that way. Not at all.

   Not when he shoved past you in the beginning of the year, not when he told you that you would die on the field if you didn’t learn to fight, and not whenever he accidentally said or did something rude.

   You didn’t hold Todoroki’s past behavior against him. You weren’t afraid to call him out, however. He’d seen you fearlessly try to correct the likes of Bakugou.

   You accepted Todoroki and the improvements he’d been making.

   And when he failed, like just now, you didn’t scold him.

   Your companionship was genuinely unconditional.

 

   “Are you okay?

 

   Todoroki snapped out of it. “Ah.”

   You tipped your head to the side. “I cannot identify if Todoroki is sad. If you are, please tell me what I can do to comfort you.”

   Todoroki softly shook his head. “It’s okay. I’m not sad.”

   “You are not?”

   “No.” Todoroki turned back to the screen. “I had this coming. I wasn’t exactly… doing my best. Getting into that stupid fight with Inasa… I’m better than that.”

   Closing his eyes, he smiled. “I’ll do better next time.”

   He opened his eyes. His cheeks were very slightly pink now. For the first time in his life, he felt shy. “...Watch me.”

   “Okay. Even without my surveillance, you will succeed. I am certain.”

   Todoroki’s laugh was a rare and pleasant occurrence. It was beautiful and fleeting. If you were to compare it to something, it would be cherry blossoms. 

   You weren’t sure why Todoroki laughed. As concerned as you were with the reasons behind everything, this was one of the few things that didn’t need reason.

   What really mattered was that Todoroki was happy.

   “Thank you,” he said quietly. 

   “It is no problem.”  

 

   A large shadow fell over the two of you.

   You both looked left.

   It was Inasa. By Jove, this guy was huge.

   “Todoroki!” he bellowed. 

   This was your cue to leave. The events of the exam were between Todoroki and Inasa. It’d do good to give them privacy. Also, Inasa was hurting your ears. 

 

   “I’m sorry!”

   You stopped walking.

   Then you peered over your shoulder.

   Inasa was so loud that privacy meant nothing in the face of his sheer power.

   Inasa had bowed to Todoroki.

   No– he’d slammed his head into the floor.

   You reached for your tissues.

   “It was entirely my fault that you didn’t pass! My pettiness is to blame! I’m sorry!”

   Todoroki stared. He hadn’t been expecting this at all. If anything, he’d been planning to be the one to apologize first.

   He was now trying his best to think of a reply.

 

   In the meantime, you walked up to Inasa. 

   His arms were plastered to his sides, which left his hands stiff in the air. 

   You pulled out a tissue from the packet and tucked it into Inasa’s palm. Then you closed his fingers around it. “Tissue.”

   At full volume, Inasa boomed, “Thank you!”

   You unhinged your jaw and inhaled deeply in preparation to return the same sentiment.

 

   Someone slapped a hand over your mouth. Just in time.

   Kirishima let out a sigh of relief. “Let’s not do that, yeah?”

   Your reply was a muffled, “Okay.”

   Kirishima dragged you away. “Now, where’s Bakugou?”

   When you heard Todoroki’s own apology in the fading distance, you knew you had nothing to worry about.

 

   Kirishima successfully located Bakugou.

   Kaminari was taking the piss out of him. “Time to clean your potty mouth, huh?”

   “Shut up if you don’t wanna die right now!”

   Kirishima firmly slapped Bakugou on the back. “C’mon now, Bakugou! You know why you didn’t pass. I don’t think I need to tell you what to do next, yeah? You can do it!”

   “It’s not my fault the judges are all sensitive pussies!”

   Kirishima and Kaminari exchanged an exasperated look.

 

   “Bakugou is always improving.”

 

   All eyes snapped to you.

   You held up the cake can that Bakugou bought you and his face burst into flames. The forest wasn’t the only thing you set on fire today.

   “What the hell are you–!?”

   “Bakugou bought–”

   Bakugou snatched the can and stuffed it back into your pocket. “Not. A fucking. Word.”

   You stared. After a second or two, you silently nodded.

   Bakugou’s left eye twitched.

   You weren’t afraid of him at all. You were only obeying so that he’d be happy. Bakugou both appreciated your lack of fear and despised it.

   From behind him, Bakugou could hear stifled giggles.

   He whirled around. “Shut the fuck up! You think I can’t hear you fucking laughing!?”

   Kirishima was covering his mouth with the desperation of a seagull trying to steal a French fry. Kaminari was hunched over on the floor.

   Bakugou ran at them with his fists crackling. “Die!”

   Kaminari screeched and Kirishima laughed harder. 

   You took the cake can out of your pocket to examine it. You weren’t sure what was so funny about it. Your only observation was that it kind of resembled Todoroki. The cream was the white half of his hair and the strawberries were the red half. If it grew mold, maybe the mold would reflect his gray and blue eyes. That would be an awful waste of cake though.

 

   “What are you thinking about?”

   Deep black eyes met yours.

   Yaoyorozu smiled. “I hope I didn’t interrupt your train of thought.”

   “No. You did not interrupt me. I am finished thinking about cake.”

   Yaoyorozu chuckled behind her hand. "You were thinking about cake? I don't know why I wasn't expecting that. What a lovely thing to think about."

    You dug the cans out of your pockets and showed them to Yaoyorozu. "It is cake in a can. Today, I learned of its existence.”

   “How wonderful! They’d pair well with tea.” 

   Yaoyorozu cleared her throat. Averting her eyes, she said, “What I've been meaning to say is… congratulations. You’ve truly earned this.”

   You put the cake cans back into your pockets. “Thank you. You have earned this too.”

   Yaoyorozu perked up. “I… I did?”

   You nodded. “Often, Yaoyorozu is highly fatigued. The more complex the item, the more fat and energy you must expend. The nature of your Quirk renders you this way. You have fought against nature to be here.”

   Yaoyorozu had no words. 

   It was easy for you to indirectly encourage people just by stating facts. Putting in genuine effort now, you added,

 

   “You worked hard.”

 

   Yaoyorozu was no stranger to praise. All her life, she had heard just about everything: you’re perfect, Yaoyorozu! You’re so talented, Yaoyorozu!

   You were born lucky, Yaoyorozu!

   Yaoyorozu despised it.

   She knew she was beyond fortunate to have her specific Quirk. She knew she was privileged to be born into a rich family. And for these things, she would forever be grateful.

   But it meant that every single thing she did, whether it was studying extensively to be able to create her items or pushing herself past her limits every single day, all of that was attributed to luck. 

   Yaoyorozu often felt like she wasn’t as deserving to be here as the others. That she had just been lucky to be born perfect.

   Yaoyorozu went above and beyond to chase belonging. 

   If she was perfect, everyone would love her. 

   Then she’d love herself, too, right?

 

   Yaoyorozu wasn’t perfect. The thought alone scared her to death.

   So why were your words making her cry?

 

   Yaoyorozu ducked her head and hurriedly concealed her face. 

   You blinked. “Yaoyorozu is–?”

   “I’m sorry!” She backed away. “I’m really sorry!”

   “Do not–”

   Yaoyorozu fled.

   She didn’t get very far before you grabbed the back of her blazer.

   The recoil led Yaoyorozu right back into your arms.

   Sniffling, Yaoyorozu weakly pounded her small fists against your chest. “You…!”

   You let her. “I’m sorry for–”

   “...made me so happy!”

   Your hands hovered around Yaoyorozu's shoulders.

   She was hitting you. You thought she was angry.

   She was crying. You thought she was sad.

   She was smiling.

   You were coming to learn that human beings were much more complex than you thought.

 

   Yaoyorozu’s arms fell to her sides. She couldn’t bear to make eye contact. She didn’t have the bravery. “No one’s ever said that to me before. That I worked hard… It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?”

   You gently gripped her shoulders. “No.” 

   Yaoyorozu finally looked up.

   You gazed back, unwavering.

   You softened your voice to tell Yaoyorozu, “It is not ridiculous. From now on, please anticipate similar sentiments from me.”

   Yaoyorozu’s eyes glistened. She sniffled again, wiping delicately at her eyes. 

   "Tissue."

   Yaoyorozu blinked.

   You were holding out said tissue expectantly. 

   Yaoyorozu laughed. It was warm and calming, like hot tea on a winter day.

   She smiled. "Thank you."

    

---

   

   The contents of your performance report came as a surprise to you.

   You'd scored a decent 78 points. You had expected to be docked much more harshly for causing a fire. Apparently, since the main rule of the free-for-all was to use any means necessary, it meant endangering others was within bounds. 

   The other points were taken off for hesitation, speaking too stiffly, and not making proper use of your abilities. That was to be expected.

   You tucked the paper back into your pocket.

 

   You and your classmates were standing in front of the parking lot. You were all waiting for Aizawa.

   You took out your newly printed Hero license. 

   Fortunately, the photographer had been merciful enough to let you retake your photo. You'd been "smiling" for the first take.

   I am going to be a Hero.

   You snapped a picture. Then you forwarded it to Melissa, All Might, David, and Midoriya's mother.

 

 

                                                                                YOU

 

(You included an attachment.)

This is my Hero license. I will do my best.

   

   

   You checked the time. It was five in the afternoon. Melissa was eleven hours ahead of you. She was asleep right now.

   Trying to talk to each other in real time was extremely difficult. You and Melissa scraped by via exchanging large paragraphs of text and voice mails.

   Speaking of voice mails, you were going to send one right now.

   "Hey, there! This is Melissa Shield, the leading student researcher at I-Island! Wanna leave me a message? Press one."

   "Hey, there, Melissa." Your thumb automatically went to press one. 

   "If you're my best friend, I have a special message for you! Press two."

   You paused. That was different. 

   You pressed two.

   "Hehe, hello!"

   "Hello."

   "I wonder whether you made it... I believe you have! But I'm most probably asleep right now. Rats. But! Whether you fail or succeed, in the end, you always gain a special something from it. Knowledge! And you can use that knowledge to do better the next time, or however many tries it takes. There's no shame in not doing well the first time. That's what science is all about."

   A warm sensation bubbled deep within your chest. Leave it to Melissa to bring up anything science-related every chance she got.

   "And if you did do well the first time--?  Why, you're amazing!"

   You went completely still.

   I... am amazing? 

   "Figure out why you're amazing and do it again, again, and again. Oh, and don't forget to keep learning, even if you've already reached what seems to be the summit. I don't believe there's a summit. Especially not with you."

   The sound of Melissa's giggle resembled the warm bubbling sensation in your chest. 

   "Essentially, what I want to say is... whether you passed, whether you failed, I'm proud of you."

   You removed the phone from your ear to stare at it. "Melissa is--?"

   "If I know you, you're probably surprised right now. Please don't be. How could I, Papa, and Uncle not be proud of you? You've been trying so hard ever since you woke up."

   Your brows furrowed.

   Holding your phone close to your heart, you shut your eyes. You could feel the familiar glowing warmth beneath your eyelids.

   "I have been trying hard," you quietly admitted. 

   "Ah, speaking of Uncle, he's waiting with a surprise back at your dormitory! I wish I could surprise you myself, but this'll have to do for now. Come home soon, okay?"

   "Okay."

   There was a long beep. And then silence.

 

   Melissa loved you.

   She had the magical ability to put the feelings you couldn't express into words. The way she spoke was fairy-like, with a whimsy found only in children's tales. 

   You couldn't remember the other thirteen years of your life. Melissa had been deeply saddened beyond words. Yet, she never held it against you. Not once.

   To Melissa, you were still her most precious friend.

   You didn't fully understand love yet. That didn't matter though. At least, not to you.

 

   In this world, Melissa was the one who understood you most, and that was that.

 

   "Kids."

   The moment 1-A heard Aizawa's voice, you all flocked around him.

   "Mr. Aizawa, Mr. Aizawa!"

   "You saw us, right!?"

   "We passed!"

   Aizawa grimaced. 

   From a distance, Miss Joke laughed. "A black cat getting surrounded by baby chicks! How cute!"

   Aizawa groaned. "Shut it, Joke. Go home already. Anyway..."

   You all fell silent.

   Dozens of big, expectant eyes peered at Aizawa. 

   He sweat.

   Letting out a sigh, he said, "Firstly, for those of you who've passed, congratulations. This is another stepping stone you've overcome in the rocky path to becoming full-fledged Heroes. You've put in the effort to hatch from your eggs."

   There was a rise of cheerful chatter. You guys really were baby chicks.

   "Secondly..."

   Everyone quieted down again.

   "...those of you who failed. I'm sure you're already aware of the supplemental lessons available for you to take."

   Bakugou scowled and Todoroki did nothing. He only blinked faintly.

   "This failure-- take it as your own stepping stone. And when you get your next chance to prove yourself... come back stronger."

   This time, the other kids started crowding around Bakugou and Todoroki.

   "Oi! Get the fuck away from me!" Bakugou attempted to keep everyone away with his fists, only for Kirishima to stifle the explosions with his Quirk.

   Todoroki backed away like a cornered animal. "What are you...?"

   The others pumped their fists into the air and cheered, 

   "You can do it!"

   "Hurry up, okay?"

   "Plus Ultra!"

   Bakugou was wriggling to and fro. "Disgusting! You dumb extras!" 

   Todoroki smiled.

   "I'll catch up soon," he promised, and his words were carried off by a passing breeze.

   You and Aizawa stood next to each other, watching this all unfold.

   Aizawa raised a brow. He was admittedly a bit less concerned than he should've been. "You kids are strange."

   "I believe we are normal teenagers."

   "Keyword: believe." Aizawa shuffled past you. "Alright, time to go home."

   1-A excitedly chased after him, akin to tiny baby ducklings.

   Miss Joke laughed again and Aizawa shot her a look.

 

   As you stepped onto the bus, you took one last look at the afternoon clouds.

   I wonder if there will be rain.

   "Come on!"

   Someone pulled you inside.

   "Okay."

Chapter 63: The Meaning of Fate

Notes:

fanart!!! by Bruhwhotookmyname on quotev!

 

 

 

   Mr. Might has a surprise for me.

   That was the thought repeating in your head when you step off the bus. 

   You hear it when you get to the dorm, when you change your shoes for slippers, and when you arrive in front of your door.

   “Mr. Might has a surprise for me,” you said.

   Curiously, you hadn’t seen All Might this whole time. You chalked it up to the surprise. After all, it wouldn’t be a surprise if you were expecting it.

   Long metal fingers reached out to punch in your passcode. Then you opened the door.

   

   In the center of the room sat a box.

   Brightly-colored balloons floated about above the box, attached by thin string.

   You had never seen a balloon before.

   This must be the surprise.

   You walked forward and closed the door without looking back once. 

   

   Carefully, cautiously, you approached the foreign objects.

   You poked the red one and it bounced away haphazardly. 

   Backing off for the moment, you observed the balloon. It rotated on a constantly tipping axis. A second later, it made a slow return to its brethren.

   Your gaze tracked downwards.

   The string kept the balloon attached to the box. In order to separate the red balloon from the others, you’d have to get rid of the string. When observing a new entity, using a single subject was best.

   You saw a note.

   You crouched, swiftly retrieved the paper, and retreated to a safe corner of the room to read it.

   How do you do, my bionic boy?

   At the time you’re reading this, I expect it to be some time in the evening.

   I apologize for not giving this to you myself. I had something come up today and won’t be returning till very late.

 

   So that was why you hadn’t seen him.

   You kept reading.

 

   Anyway, enough of that! 

   Let this old man give you some wisdom.

   When I was your age, I felt the fate of the world was on my shoulders. You must be feeling the same way. 

   

   You tilted your head.

   What is fate?

   The new word rolled around in your mind.

   You took a second to search it up.

   Fate: the course of someone's life, or the outcome of a particular situation for someone or something, seen as beyond their control.

   

   The rest of the note was a brief telling of All Might’s youth. He had long trusted you with the secret of One For All, so now he was going into a bit more detail about his past.

   At one point, he’d been in Midoriya’s place. He’d strived to meet the expectations of his master and of the world waiting for its new savior.

   All Might went on to tell you about the feelings he experienced. The near-overwhelming responsibility, the pressure to be flawless. And even now, he was having trouble letting go of his former identity as the Symbol of Peace.

   

   Don’t live as I have, my boy.

   You cannot control the fate of the world. That is something I learned the hard way.

   However, you can help move it slightly to the left.

   Know your limitations. But do not fear them!

   Surpass them!

   To the best of your ability, do what you believe is right.

   That is all I ask of you.

 

   Go beyond,

                         Mr. Might!

 

   

   For a while, you just stared down at the paper. 

   Not once had you ever believed that you had any control over the flow of time and space.

   But you believed you had some power here, in the bustling city of Tokyo.

   You were going to be a Hero. You were going to save lives. You would not let people die unjust deaths.

   Rather than being fate’s shepherd, you were its direct adversary.

   You were going to fight fate.

  

   Someone knocked on the door. “Hey, hey!”

   Simultaneously, you turned around and tucked the letter into your pocket.

   You cleared the distance to the door in a few strides.

   When you opened it, you saw a smiling Kaminari. 

   He was holding a small tub of bath items on top of his head. One of the items was a small rubber ducky.

   “Bath time!” chirped Kaminari. Sunflower yellow eyes drifted upward with intent. “Lemme do your hair.”

   You’d genuinely forgotten to wash up. “I see. It is bath time. You are certain that you wish to wash my hair, Kaminari?”

   That was a task normally performed by either you or Aoyama. He was fond of your hair and put it on himself to maintain it.

   Kaminari used one hand to balance his tub on his hip. His other hand reached around you to gently take hold of your braid. Pouting, he rubbed the tail end with his thumb. “Aoyama never lets me do it.”

   Kaminari’s face abruptly went from forlorn to smug. “So that’s why I got here first! Ha!”

   “I see. Thank you, Kaminari.”

   Kaminari released your hair. “Heh. No need to thank me. I’ll wait here while you get your stuff.”

   “Okay.” In spite of what Kaminari said, you set out a small pillow for Kaminari to sit on anyway.

   As you gathered your supplies, Kaminari plopped down onto the pillow and said, “Thanks!”

   “It is no problem.”

   Kaminari leaned back on his hands. Now that your broad figure wasn’t blocking the inside of your room anymore, he noticed the box. 

   Kaminari crawled over to it. “What’s this?”

   You put your cake cans into your mini fridge and peered over your shoulder. “I do not know the identification of those round objects.”

   “Eh? Round objects?” Kaminari snickered. “Boxes are square, silly.” 

   There was not a single brain cell inside Kaminari’s loading screen of a brain. It took him a second, but when he figured out you were referring to the fucking balloons, he died a little inside. Why did it take him so long to notice them?

   “Those…” began Kaminari, “are balloons.” Desperate to redeem himself, he didn’t give you time to reply before standing up to grab one.

   “I see.” You tested the word for yourself. “Balloon.”

   Kaminari’s hair was standing up. The balloon was stuck to his head. Moving his hands away from his head, Kaminari repeated, “Balloon!”

   Your eyes rounded into circles. You blinked owlishly, tilting your head to and fro. “Kaminari’s hair is…?”

   Kaminari pointed finger guns at you and said, “That’s static electricity for you, baby!”

   “I am not a baby.” 

   “How about “babygirl?””

   “No.” 

   “Aw, okay…”

   You pawed at the balloon. “I am aware of the concept of static electricity. However, I have been unaware of this phenomenon.”

   “Isn’t electricity cool?” gushed Kaminari. “Try unsticking it from my head.”

   You did as told.

   Blond strands reached for the balloon as you pulled it away. 

   Your eyes grew even bigger.

   You moved the balloon to the left.

   The hair followed.

   You moved the balloon to the right.

   The hair followed again.

   You rotated the balloon in a circle around Kaminari’s head and all Kaminari could do was stare at you.

   None of this stuff was new to Kaminari. To most people, really.

   The innocent wonder in your eyes was, to describe it with a single word, adorable.

   Smiling widely, Kaminari offered another balloon to you. “Wanna try?”

   “Yes.”

 

   “Yo, guys– oh?”

   You and Kaminari looked over to the door, frozen like deer in the headlights.

   Your hair was flying in all sorts of directions. You were both clutching balloons to your head.

   Sero laughed so hard that he had to hold his stomach. “You–! You guys freaking look like cavemen! Holy shit!”

   Lowering himself into a crouch, Kaminari made caveman noises and Sero laughed even harder.

   You rubbed your balloon into your hair. “I do not think cavemen were aware of static electricity.”

   Sero just barely managed to get his shit together. Wheezing, he said, “Yeah, no.” 

   He strode over, snagged two balloons, and shoved them under his shirt. “Check this out though.”

   It was Kaminari’s turn to die of laughter. 

   He shouted, “Damn, Sero!”

   You put your hands onto Sero’s fake boobs. “What is the meaning of this?”

   Sero made a sound that was definitely not described in the Bible, and this was the exact moment Kirishima walked in.

   Kirishima’s facial expression was that of a disappointed father. “What… what are you all doing?”

   Kaminari dramatically pressed the back of one hand to his forehead. He pointed at you with the other. “He’s cheating on me with another woman!”

   “Wh–?”

   Playing along, Sero draped himself over you. His literal balloon tits squeaked against your chest. “It’s not my fault I have giant honkers!”

   To prove his point, he reached under his shirt to squeeze one of them and it honked.

   Spit came flying out of Kaminari’s mouth. “Ahahaha!”

   You scrubbed a balloon against Sero’s hair. “Bear witness to the power of static electricity, Sero.”

   “Aw, yeah!”

   Inhaling, Kirishima clasped his hands together. 

   He had no clue what the fuck was going on and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to know.

 

   Eventually, Kirishima managed to round up the lot of you. He herded you all to the shower room.

   Now, Kaminari was taking care of your hair. He sat behind you. You were silently pinching at the towel covering your lap. 

   All you could hear was the sound of running water.

   Kaminari was nearly finished undoing your braid. “Sheesh. How do you do this every day?”

   “I have become accustomed to it. Aoyama assists me often.”

   Kaminari felt a piercing stare on his back. No doubt that was Aoyama. His hands began to move faster out of slight fear. Aoyama wasn’t intimidating by any means, but he didn’t play around when it came to looking twinkly.

   Kaminari finished and murmured to himself, “There we go.”

   Then he reached for the shampoo. “But don’t your arms start aching after a while?”

   “My arms are not real, Kaminari.”

   “...Right. Yeah.” Kaminari wanted to bang his head against the wall.

 

   Kaminari squeezed the shampoo bottle and it made a horrible squelching sound.

   From across the room, Kirishima yelled, “Who just pooped himself!?”

   Sero hollered back, “I think it was Kaminari!”

   They cackled and Kaminari watched, mouth agape. 

   “Sero, you traitor! And Kirishima, you’re seriously laughing!?”

   You turned around. “Kaminari pooped?”

   “No!”

   Iida stood up in the middle of the room, butt-ass naked. “Men! We are far too old to be telling jokes about human feces! And don’t say that word!”

   Sato scratched his head. “You know, Iida, no one’s gonna take you seriously when your butt’s out like that.”

   “My what!?”

   Shoji was always helpful. “Butt.”

   With a light smack of his tail, Ojiro shushed Shoji. “You’re not helping…”

   “He did ask.”

   Blushing brighter than a flaming stop sign, Iida covered himself with a towel. “Ahem! Furthermore–”

 

   “Shut–! the fuck–! up!”

   Everyone turned to look at Bakugou. 

   He was aggressively scrubbing his arm raw. “Can I get some goddamn peace and quiet for once? Fuck!”

   “Uh oh,” Sero cooed, “looks like someone pooped his diaper.”

   “What did you just fucking say?”

   Kirishima and Midoriya had to restrain Bakugou from murdering Sero right there.

   “Deku! Get your hands off me!”

   “Kacchan, no!”

   Tokoyami shook his head. “With each passing night, my yearning for the comforting taste of normalcy grows ever stronger...”

   You wondered aloud, “Bakugou wears a diaper?”

   Todoroki cast Bakugou a glance. “No. At least, not right now.”

   Bakugou tore himself free and everyone screamed.

 

   Five minutes later, almost every boy in the accursed shower room was covered in bruises.

   Sero’s face was in the process of developing a black eye. Todoroki held his hand over his stomach. Midoriya had two black eyes. The other boys had some nicks here and there from trying to contain the force of nature that was Bakugou.

   By some miracle of God, you were relatively untouched. Iida had the bright idea of picking you up and carting you around the room in an attempt to save you from Bakugou. 

   The soapy ass floor was what got Iida. When he slipped, he ran in place like Scooby Doo before falling flat on his face. You’d ended up sliding across the floor penguin-style, and Bakugou quickly forgot about you in favor of the easier target.

   And Kaminari had nearly electrocuted everyone. Luckily, Shoji grabbed him just in time to yeet him out the door at full force. 

   On Bakugou’s way out, he very graciously bade everyone farewell via flipping the bird. He stepped on Kaminari and the poor guy squeaked like a dog toy.

   Kirishima chased after Bakugou. “Hey! I get you’re mad about the exam, but that’s no excuse to–!”

   His chiding grew quieter as he got further away.

 

   You looked around, your irises spinning rapidly. There were so many people to inspect. 

   This wasn’t the worst Bakugou could do. He'd done much worse before.

   But it wasn't what he did that was the problem. 

   Something was wrong and you didn’t have the words to describe it.

   

   A squinting Midoriya stumbled his way over to check on you. “Are you okay? Crap, I can hardly see…”

   You got to your feet. Your gaze flicked between Midoriya’s dual black eyes. “I am okay. However, Midoriya is not.”

   Shoji put a hand on Midoriya’s shoulder. “I think you should worry about yourself first.”

   Another hand, this time clawed and wing-like, offered Midoriya a first-aid kit. The hand belonged to Tokoyami’s Dark Shadow.

   It took Midoriya a second to realize the kit was even there. Smiling gratefully, he accepted it. “Thanks, Dark Shadow, Tokoyami.”

   Dark Shadow replied, “Aye!” and Tokoyami simply nodded.

   You took the first aid-kit from Midoriya. “I will help.”

   “Oh, no, it’s okay, I got it.”

   “No.” You pointed at a nearby stool. “Midoriya, sit.”

   “I’m not a dog, you know…”

   “I know.” You pressed a towel-covered ice pack to Midoriya’s eyes. “Midoriya is a bush.”

   “Really?”

   Nonetheless, Midoriya gave in and allowed you to treat him.

   Todoroki shuffled over. He was holding a massive block of ice. “Midoriya.”

   “Put that down!”

 

   In the meantime, the other guys checked on Iida and Kaminari. 

   Sato dragged Kaminari back inside before one of the girls could see him.

   “Hello, Earth to Kaminari?” called Sero. He squatted down to poke at Kaminari. “Uh oh. Guys, I think he’s dead.”

   Iida, who was being supported on one side by Shoji, shakily adjusted his glasses. “I will resign from my position as class president before I let one of our own die!”

   Shoji set Iida down on a stool. “Calm down a little there.”

   Hurrying over, Ojiro set down another first aid kit. As he pulled out some disinfectant, he said worriedly, “Gosh, Bakugou really did a number on you, Iida.”

   Iida didn’t seem all that fazed. He merely raised a hand to stop Ojiro. “I’m quite alright. I’ll keep these cuts as battle scars to remember my failures!”

   “Iida, please.”

   

   Eventually, all the injured were treated and you all finally finished bathing.

   There were no casualties. Kaminari did not, in fact, die.

   That had been the longest shower of your life.

 

   And now, you and a few of the other guys were chilling in the living room.

   "Sacrebleu!" cried Aoyama. He was leaning over the back of the couch to inspect your face. “Look what you did, Kaminari! I let you do his hair for one day and this is what happens!”

   Your hair itself was fine.

   What Aoyama meant was the tiny, minuscule blotch on your cheek from when you slid across the bathroom floor.

   Kaminari aggressively threw his hands up in the air. “What the hell!? How is any of this my fault!?”

   Several seconds passed where no one said anything. 

   Then Sero blew a raspberry and Kaminari lunged for his throat.

   They proceeded to roll around on the carpet, clawing and yowling at each other like wild animals. Shoji started narrating David Attenborough-style and Tokoyami nearly choked on his own spit.

   “Hey.”

   You looked to the right.

   It was Todoroki. When you made eye contact, Todoroki blinked slowly.

   “Hey, Todoroki.”

   Using his right index finger, Todoroki poked your face. His cold finger tip was softly pressing into your bruise.

   “Thank you, Todoroki.”

   “Yeah.”

   From your left side, Midoriya squinted at Todoroki. “I really wish you’d treat my injuries the same way you treat his, Todoroki.”

   Todoroki kept his eyes on his work. “What do you mean?”

   “You nearly dropped a block of ice onto my head!”

   “...Ungrateful.”

   Midoriya was going to lose his mind.

 

   “Woah, woah, woah!”

   Sero and Kaminari were separated.

   Between them was Kirishima. He held them up by the scruffs of their shirts.

   Kirishima asked sternly, “What’s going on here?”

   At first, neither Sero nor Kaminari made a peep. 

   Sero let out a snicker and Kaminari instantly began to cry.

   “He’s being mean! Everyone’s being mean to me today!” Snot ran down from Kaminari’s nose. “I’m so freaking tired!”

   Sero’s brows flew up his forehead. “Oh, crap. Hey, man, I didn’t mean to–”

   “Save it!”

   Kirishima pursed his lips. He set both boys onto the floor and forced Kaminari to turn his head to face Sero. “Okay, I don’t know what happened, so I’m going to trust you guys to talk it out like men.”

   You raised your hand. “I know what happened.”

   Red eyes brightening hopefully, Kirishima turned towards you, his hands on his hips. “You do? Lay it on me.”

   Your tongue peeked out from between your lips.

   Kirishima melted a little, his smile wobbling and eyes sparkling. You were so cute.

   Until you let it rip.

   Upon hearing the sound that heralded the beginning of the end, Kaminari started sobbing so hard that he nearly threw up. 

   “Holy fuck!” wheezed Sero. He was banging his fists on the carpet. “Nice raspberry!”

   You blinked. “What is a raspberry?”

   The opportunity did not go unnoticed by Sero. His mouth stretched into a shit-eating grin as he said, “This is a raspberry!”

  

   Bless Kirishima.

   Somehow, he calmed down Kaminari, talked some sense into Sero, and convinced you to never make that noise ever again.

   “Sorry,” Sero told Kaminari. Looking at his lap, he sheepishly scratched his head. “It was shitty of me to take the joke that far, especially after the whole thing with Bakugou.”

   Kaminari blew into a tissue. “Dude, it’s fine. I don’t even know why I cried so much over a stupid fart noise. Sorry…”

   Kirishima grinned proudly and put his hands on his hips again. “All’s well, ends well.”

 

   “Uh, Kirishima,” began Midoriya. 

   “Hm?”

   Gazing downward, Midoriya picked at the fabric of his pants. He lifted his head to ask, “Um… How’s Kacchan?”

   A couple heartbeats passed. 

   With a hesitant smile, Kirishima averted his gaze. “I tried talking to Bakugou about his issue with taking his anger out on other people, but he kind of just… slammed the door on me.”

   That was a surprise to all of you.

   It was no secret that the person Bakugou tolerated the most was Kirishima. For Bakugou to shut him out so easily, he had to be pissed.

   Sensing the change in mood, Kirishima quickly waved his hands around. “He needs some time, that’s all! Don’t worry about it.”

   There was the sound of friction against carpet. 

   Your feet were shuffling slightly.

   Sero and Kaminari exchanged a look.

   Midoriya forced a smile and replied, “Ah, alright. Thanks for telling me, Kirishima.”

   “No problemo!”

   The moment Kirishima turned away, Midoriya began to tug on his lower lip in thought. 

   

   “Midoriya is worrying.”

   Midoriya jumped. 

   His head whipped to the right.

   You gazed down at Midoriya. Your head was tipping to one side. Your thick lashes concealed the tops of your eyes, which were trained on Midoriya’s red bottom lip. 

   Slowly, your gaze dragged upward to meet Midoriya’s. 

   You blinked and your lashes fluttered. “Kirishima said not to worry.”

   Midoriya almost squeaked. 

   You were way too handsome for your own good. The simplest of your actions came out so infuriatingly attractive.

   With a swallow, Midoriya nodded. “Right. But…” He cheekily jutted his chin towards your moving feet. “You’re worried, too, aren’t you?”

   You planted your feet firmly in place. “No. Bakugou is strong. And Bakugou does not like to be offered concern from others.”

   “Just because Kacchan is strong doesn’t mean–” Midoriya sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. Let’s not talk about this anymore, okay? I don’t want Kacchan to get mad at you.”

   “Okay.”

 

   Turning away, Midoriya pressed his mouth into a thin line.

   Something was very, very wrong.

Chapter 64: Summertime Shenanigans

   You heard approaching footsteps and turned to look over the couch.

   It was a few of the girls. 

   They were led by a smiling Ashido. “What’s up?”

 

   Among the boys, an unspoken vow was made:

   Don’t tell the girls about what Bakugou did, and especially not what Kaminari did.

   

   “Eh, nothing much.” Kaminari was lying out of his ass. “What’ve you ladies been up to?”

   Ashido’s answer was to make grabby hands at Yaoyorozu. 

   Yaoyorozu chuckled. She handed over her unlocked phone.

   “Thanks!” Ashido swiftly navigated to the LINE app. 

   Then, practically bouncing in excitement, she presented the screen to the rest of you. “The last festival of the summer break is on Sunday, and 1-B is inviting us on their trip!”

   The text was from Kendo. Apparently, Vlad King would be chaperoning. 

   Excited chatter filled the room.

   You turned to Midoriya. “What is a festival?”

   “It’s a big celebration. It’s outdoors, and there’s all sorts of activities.” As Midoriya listed each one, he put up a finger. “There are food stalls, game booths, clothing vendors, and lots more!”

   You were focused solely on the food part. “What kinds of food are sold at festivals?”

   Midoriya smiled. He knew you’d ask that. With a tap on his knee, he looked up and said, “Let’s see… Okonomiyaki, yakisoba, takoyaki, yakitori…”

   You blinked. “Yaki.”

   “Haha, yeah, there’s a lot of fried things. Other than those, there’s also sweet things, like, um… taiyaki, shaved ice, and sweet potatoes.”

   “Fried fish is sweet?”

   “Oh, no, it’s not an actual fish! It’s fried batter with a sweet filling inside.”

   You perked up. “What kind of batter?”

   The movement didn’t go unnoticed. Eager to please you, Midoriya whipped out his phone. “I’ll look it up!” 

   “Okay.” Briefly, you began idly kicking your feet.

   “I found it!” Midoriya showed you his screen. “It’s made of pancake batter!”

   Your eyes grew round. “Pancake.”

   A human vacuum, you had eaten many baked goods by this point, but pancakes were still your favorite.

   Midoriya giggled.

   You were endearingly simple.

   

   “What do you all think?”

   The chatter died down as everyone’s eyes fell on Yaoyorozu.

   She frowned a bit. “Personally, I find this too last minute. The next semester is starting soon, after all…”

   There were some faint murmurs of agreement. Today was Friday, meaning there was only one full day till the festival.

   “But Yaomomo!” whined Ashido. She bust out her best doggy eyes and threw herself around Yaoyorozu’s leg. “We haven’t had any fun all summer!”

   Hagakure joined in on Yaoyorozu’s other leg. “Yeah! It’s either been training or fighting for our lives, no in between!”

   Good point. 

   Nonetheless, Yaoyorozu remained stalwart. “I apologize. As much as I would like to–”

   “Aw, come on, Yaomomo!” Kaminari was begging on his knees. 

   He wailed, “We deserve this after going through the license exam!”

   Asui took Yaoyorozu’s side. “It’s not nice to pressure Momo like this.”

   Ashido blew air into her cheeks. “Not you, too, Tsuyu!”

 

   Readjusting her posture, Yaoyorozu crossed her arms. She had to stay strong. 

   No matter what you guys threw at her–

 

   “Please.”

   Yaoyorozu froze.

   She made the horrible mistake of looking at you.

   You were fixing her with the roundest, most darling eyes. 

   Midoriya was freaking out next to you. “I’m sorry! I told him about taiyaki and now he really wants to go!”

   Internally freaking out, Yaoyorozu only swallowed. “I… I see… Well…”

   Don’t give in! No matter what, don’t give in!

 

   All it took was a single bat of your pretty lashes to make Yaoyorozu cave.

   Her arms fell to her sides. “I’ll… I’ll see if I can convince Iida and Mr. Aizawa…”

   Instantly, cheers erupted from all around you.

   Kaminari, Ashido, and Hagakure dogpiled you into the cushions.

   “Thanks, man!”

   “You’re amazing!”

   “We owe you one!”
   You kind of just went limp. “It is no problem.”

   Yaoyorozu, meanwhile, was sulking off to the side. “My resolve is so weak. I need to do better…!”

   Jiro bent down to pat her back. “There, there.”

 

   “Why are you guys pancaking him?”

   You were able to breathe again. 

   Sato gently placed Ashido and Hagakure onto the carpet.

   He reached for Kaminari, but the other boy just crawled into your lap like a squirrel. Kaminari stuck his tongue out at Sato before fiddling with your hair.

   You didn’t mind much. One person wasn’t very heavy. “Thank you, Sato.”

   Sato sighed at Kaminari. “Yeah. Anyway, what’s going on? I came down ‘cause of all the noise.”

   As your other peers answered Sato, you had a revelation.

   “Pancaking,” you said suddenly. You nodded to yourself. “I see. I was compressed under the weight of three people, and therefore flattened. Pancakes are flat.”

   Kaminari hummed idly, keeping his eyes on your braid. “You’re so smart.”

   “I am?”

   “Yep!”

   From your side, Midoriya clapped. “You caught on to a joke! Congratulations!”

   “It is a joke?”

   “Yeah!”

   “Jokes are of a non-serious, subjective nature.” You nodded again. “I am learning.”

   “You are!”

   “Wow, Midoriya.” Sero leaned his elbows into the back of the couch. He said teasingly, “That congratulations sounded awfully sarcastic.”

   “Huh?”

   Kirishima appeared next to Sero and jokingly pushed him aside. “Come on, now. He didn’t mean it that way.”

   Smiling playfully, Sero shrugged. ”Whatever you say, man.”

   Midoriya decided not to question it. While he was fond of his fellow men, questioning them never led to anything good. These were the same guys who directly caused The Great Shower Room Incident.

   Sero ran a hand through his hair. “This whole festival thing sounds great and all, but I kinda… forgot to finish my summer homework.”

   Kirishima grabbed his head. “Crap! I forgot too! With everything that’s been happening, it totally slipped my mind!”

   Midoriya was already getting to his feet. “Do you guys want the answers? I did mine.”

   Kirishima and Sero collapsed before Midoriya. They clasped their hands together, reverent.

   “Really!? Thanks a ton!”

   “You’re a lifesaver!”

   Midoriya just shook his head. “Haha, it’s nothing. I’m used to it.”

 

   You looked around.

   Todoroki had vanished. 

   In the midst of all the chaos, you hadn’t noticed. You had a bad habit of wandering off, but at least people noticed quickly enough to drag you back. Like Yaoyorozu, Todoroki could also slip away whenever he wanted.

   “Where is Todoroki?”

   “I’m here.”

   You heard him before you saw him.

   You could feel Todoroki’s body heat emanating behind you as he reached over the seat. He seemed to like appearing behind you for some reason.

   What he was dangling in front of you was a coin pouch. It was shaped like a mandarin.

   You blinked. Then you swiveled your head to properly look at Todoroki. “You are giving me a fake orange?”

   “It’s not an orange. It’s a mandarin.”

   “I see.” You held out your hands and Todoroki dropped the pouch.

   You could hear the jingling of coins.

   Kaminari was holding the tail end of your braid between his upper lip and nose to form a mustache. “Ooh, what’s that?”

   You shook the pouch to confirm. “It is money.”

   Turning to Todoroki again, you told him, “I cannot accept Todoroki’s money. Why have you offered it to me?”

   Todoroki hesitated.

   A few seconds passed before he replied, “I can’t go to the festival, so I want to make sure you enjoy yourself…”

   This immediately caught your attention.

   “Todoroki can’t go?”

   “Yeah…” Todoroki’s gaze drifted downward. “It’s not my place to. I failed the exam, after all.”

   You winced as Kaminari scrambled higher up your body to tell Todoroki, “That doesn’t mean anything!”

   Todoroki only stared. “What…”

   “Kaminari is correct.”

   Todoroki’s gaze was on you now. His expression went from blank to genuinely confused, a tiny crinkle between his brows. 

   You continued, “Todoroki does not need to repent. You are aware of your mistakes. The remedial lessons will allow you to make up for them.”

   “Yeah!” chimed Kaminari. “So don’t worry about it and just come with us!”

   Todoroki glanced between you and Kaminari, unsure.

 

   The confusion melted away, replaced by a quiet stubbornness. 

   “I’m sorry, but… that wouldn’t feel right to me.” 

   Before you could say anything, Todoroki shuffled away.

   He gave you one last look over his shoulder. “Have fun.”

   

   Unfortunately for Todoroki, you were the king of being stubborn.

   You wouldn’t let him get away that easily.

   You hopped over the couch with a wild Kaminari clinging onto your shoulders for dear life. Why he didn’t just let go of you, you didn’t know. He was so light that it felt no different from wearing your armor.

   “Todoroki.”

   Todoroki didn’t dare stop walking. The grip you had on him was downright foul, and if he was hit by your owl eyes, he didn’t know if he could remain strong.

   You dashed in front of him.

   In your outstretched hands was the coin pouch.

   “I will not use this.”

   Todoroki’s lips curved down just the slightest. “Why? I want you to.”

   “If Todoroki will not go, I will not use this.”

   That caught Todoroki off guard.

   He actually froze, just like that time he got jumpscared during summer camp.

   “That’s right!” Kaminari clung to your back like a koala. “It’s not cool if everyone else goes except you. Like the time we went to the beach, when Bakugou and Tokoyami couldn’t go…”

   Again, Todoroki didn’t budge. “That was different.” 

   “Come on, dude! Work with me here!”

 

   Some of the others realized what was happening.

   Midoriya was the first to arrive. “Todoroki!”

   “...Midoriya.”

   Midoriya’s arrival was bad news. If anyone could move mountains with just words, it was him.

   “You already know what you did wrong, don’t you? Don’t beat yourself up anymore.”

   “I’m doing no such thing. This is my rightful punishment for my behavior during the exam.”

   “You’re doing it right now!”

   Kirishima was the cavalry. He slotted himself between Todoroki and Midoriya, one hand on each of their shoulders. “I agree with Midoriya. It’s your choice whether or not to come, but you shouldn’t choose not to because of a mistake you made.”

   He squeezed Todoroki’s shoulder. “You’re already making up for it right now. Like Midoriya said, beating yourself up does nothing for you. I know that all too well.”

   Before Todoroki knew it, Yaoyorozu and Sero showed up, concern on their faces.

   This was getting bad. 

   These were all people Todoroki respected. Todoroki had faith in his resolve, but he didn’t want any more of his friends wasting their time on him.

   “...Sorry, but my answer is still no.” He turned to walk away. 

 

   You were spreading your arms out to block the elevator. “My answer, too, is no.”

   Todoroki stopped before you. “But I want you to–”

 

   “I shut off the elevator!”

   Everyone gawked at Kaminari. He’d just climbed out of a nearby vent. He was covered in dust and probably countless bacteria. 

   At that exact moment, Iida finished his descent down the stairs. “You what!?”

  

   You and Kaminari were forced to kneel facing the wall. Your arms were raised up in the air.

   Standing nearby, Iida pinched the spot between his brows. “I can’t believe you two dismantled the elevator.”

   Yaoyorozu tried to calm down Iida. “I’m sure we can get it fixed in a timely manner, Iida.”

   “Yes, but that would require Mr. Aizawa’s knowledge.” Iida sighed. “What are we going to tell him?”

   Kaminari pouted. “It was for a good reason, I swear!”

   “No talking!”

   Kaminari huffed and went silent.

 

   You glanced up at your arms.

   Detach.

   Your arms tumbled to the floor and Iida screamed.

   “P-put them back!”

   You wordlessly turned your cheek.

   Iida’s jaw went slack. “Are you… are you serious?”

   Kneeling by your side, Yaoyorozu collected your arms. “Iida, you’re making him sulk. I think this much punishment is enough.”

   “...I suppose.” Iida walked over to help you up. “I apologize.”

   You ignored him in favor of beelining for Todoroki, who was looking as guilty as Todoroki could get.

   Iida froze in place. His extended hand was stuck midair. “I’ve… I’ve been ignored…”

   Yaoyorozu ran after you. “Wait, your arms!”

 

   “I’m sorry,” Todoroki was saying. His face was full of sorrow. He resembled a guilty little cat. “I made you lose your arms…”

   “No–”

   Yaoyorozu showed up just in time. “You forgot your arms.”

   “I see. Thank you, Yaoyorozu.”

   Todoroki’s mind got stuck on the loading circle when he saw you easily pop your arms back on.

   Yaoyorozu noticed. “What’s wrong?”

   “I thought he… lost his arms…”

   You corrected, “I detached them voluntarily.”

   “Oh.”

   The three of you went silent.

   Yaoyorozu said slowly, “Were you under the impression that he was so upset that his arms fell off?”

   “...Yeah.” Todoroki’s cheeks blushed red.

   Yaoyorozu had to excuse herself to go laugh elsewhere. She didn’t want to embarrass Todoroki any further.

   You were staring blankly at Todoroki. He stared back.

   Trying his hardest to explain himself, Todoroki asked you, “You know lizards?”

   “No. What is a lizard?”

   “They’re these small things with, uh… green skin.”

   “That is a grape.”

   “No? Grapes are purple.”

   “No.”

   “You’ve never seen a grape?”

   “It is Todoroki who has never seen a grape.”

   “But I have…”

   “No.”

 

   In the end, Iida and Yaoyorozu managed to clean up the mess.

   They were brave enough to tell Aizawa about the festival and the elevator. 

   The rest of you were shocked to see them come back alive.

   The presidential duo were welcomed back with confetti (where did that come from?) and plenty of cheering.

 

   After the celebrations, Iida summoned the entire class to the ground floor. Only Bakugou didn’t listen.

   Kirishima grinned sheepishly. “Don’t mind him. I’ll just tell him later.”

   Iida wasn’t too surprised. He was surprisingly lax about it. “Alright, I’ll leave you to that.”

   Kirishima and Kaminari exchanged a look of shock.

   “Moving on!”

   All of you were congregated on either the seats or the floor. Sato had moved the coffee table to make space for Iida. He was standing in the middle, his hands behind his back.

   Iida cleared his throat. “It has come to my attention that we received an invitation from 1-B’s class president, Kendo, to attend an upcoming festival. I apologize for being slow on the uptake. I was studying and had my phone turned off.”

   Sero whistled. “You’re studying when we just got back? Real studious, Mr. President!”

   “Speaking of studying…”

   Sero, Kirishima, Ashido, and Kaminari began to sweat.

   Iida eyed each of them pointedly as he went on, “I am aware that some of you haven’t finished your summer homework.”

   Kaminari hid behind Ashido. “Please! Don’t make me kneel again! My knees hurt!”

   “Please relax. I’m not making you do that again.” Iida’s face was, for a brief moment, apologetic.

   He made sure both you and Kaminari were paying attention. Then he said, “I realize that I never apologized in full. While choosing to rig the elevator is a… questionable decision, the two of you never had any ill intentions. I apologize for treating you as such.”

   This time, you didn’t give Iida the cheek.

   You were never one to hold a grudge. “It’s okay. I forgive you.”

   Iida’s shoulders sank. He smiled gratefully. “Thank you!”

   This was the first time you were visibly upset with Iida. There was that time where Iida socked Midoriya in the face, yet even then, you only stated that friends shouldn’t hit each other. Iida wouldn’t know what to do if you ever became truly angry with him.

   “I forgive you too!” chirped Kaminari. “I had fun overloading it anyway.”

   “Kaminari.”

   “Forget I said anything, hehe…”

   Iida was definitely going to think twice about having kids in the future. “Now, as for the festival… My personal stance is that we should focus on preparing for the start of next semester.”

   There was a collective groan.

   “However!” Iida nodded to Yaoyorozu and she joined his side.

    Yaoyorozu picked up where Iida left off. “Mr. Aizawa’s opinion is in line with ours, but he had a little more to say. He said that if this was taking place prior to obtaining our licenses, he would’ve never given our request any thought.”

    She lifted her chin. “But things are different now. With our licenses, we can take the proper measures to protect the people around us. This festival is an opportunity to demonstrate our new level of responsibility.”

   Those in favor of going jumped to their feet, fists pumping.

   “Thank you, Yaoyorozu, Iida!”

   “We gotta thank Mr. Aizawa the next time we see him!”

   “I’m so excited!”

   Yaoyorozu smiled. “Let’s do our best, everyone.”

 

   “Does this mean…”

   All eyes were on you.

   “...Todoroki and Bakugou cannot go?”

   Your gaze was on your lap, where you were holding the little coin pouch. 

   Todoroki reassured you, “It’s fine. I don’t need to go.”

   “I want you to.” 

   Todoroki’s eyes widened.

   “Todoroki is always taking care of me,” you said objectively, tracing a finger along the pouch’s silver clasp.

   You raised your head. “Bakugou takes care of me too. They are both capable people. Since they cannot act on their own without a license, Mr. Vlad King can give them permission to.”

   Todoroki couldn’t seem to stop staring at you today.

   Beautiful blue and gray irises, shining under the fluorescent lights, softened as if watching the Moon.

   When Todoroki murmured your surname, it was with a dear fondness for you alone. 

   

   Yaoyorozu’s smile touched her eyes. “Yes, they can come.”

   With that, you got up and did laps around the room.

   Laughter filled the air.

   Looks like everyone would be getting a perfect end to the summer.

Chapter 65: A Challenger Approaches

Notes:

a drawing of fem!hiro :-D

   

 

 

   After dinner, you made a strategic retreat to your room. 

   The real prize was hidden inside your mini fridge.

   You opened it.

   Behold: the two cake cans from the exam. One from Bakugou, the other from Iida.

   You took a picture of the cans and sent it to Melissa. 

   Then, reaching into your pocket, you pulled out a spoon. “It is dessert time.”

   

   And so you dug in.

   While you were stuffing your cheeks, you weren’t thinking about anything in particular. You were simply crouching on the floor like a small animal.

   Your wandering eyes landed on one of the balloons All Might gave you.

   The indigo skin of the balloon brought someone else to mind.

   

   Shinsou.

 

   It’d been quite some time since you two last spoke.

   The last time, you remembered clearly, was when you encountered him in the school restroom. That was shortly before confronting some nobodies who had shit to say about Bakugou. 

   You popped open the second can.

   I wonder what Shinsou is doing.

   You hadn’t given up on your mission to befriend him just yet. Lately, you’d been too busy to give Shinsou much thought, but now that you were relatively free…

   You scraped the rest of the cake into your mouth and stood up.

   You had a side quest to tackle.

 

   But first, you had to properly put away everything you used.

   You headed down to the kitchen. Of course, you had to use the stairs. The elevator wouldn’t be fixed till Monday. You harbored absolutely zero guilt.

   On the ground floor, you scurried past the living room. Some of your classmates were lounging around, chatting as they digested dinner.

   You reached the kitchen.

   Uraraka turned her head. She shot you an unsure smile. “Oh, hi.”

   She and Koda were on dish duty today.

   To Uraraka’s left, Koda waved.

   You waved back at Koda and replied to Uraraka, “Hi.”

 

   Switching on one of the faucet heads, you held your empty can underneath.

   Koda skirted around Uraraka. He tapped you to get your attention before signing, I can do it.

   “It’s okay.” As you spoke, your hands moved at the same time. “Koda does not need to.”

   Koda adamantly shook his head. 

   Uraraka blinked at you. “Huh? You know sign language?”

   You rarely ever used it outside of communicating with Koda, so you understood Uraraka’s confusion. “Yes. I have been studying Japanese and American English sign language. I intend to utilize both for Hero work.”

   This time, Uraraka smiled genuinely. “Wow… That’s really admirable. So you’ve been practicing with Koda?”

   “Yes.” Your gaze flitted to Koda. “Koda is the reason I began my sign language studies.”

   Koda shyly twisted in place.

   Uraraka laughed at Koda’s reaction. “Oh, really?”

   “Yes.” While Koda was distracted, you rinsed the can and tossed it into the recycling bin.

    Koda jumped. Then he started signing angrily. Whatever you signed back must’ve been cheeky, because it made Koda stomp his foot.

   Uraraka watched. She couldn’t understand what either of you were saying, but she giggled merrily anyway.

 

   Uraraka turned back to the dishes.

   She really didn’t know much about you, did she?

   You were the apple of Midoriya’s eye. Uraraka knew that much. 

   She was beginning to realize that in the midst of her envy, she hadn’t bothered to really get to know you.

   Uraraka looked down.

   I promised to avoid any sort of romance with Deku, so why have I been so–...?

   It’d been hard for Uraraka, coming to terms with her feelings. It was even harder accepting Midoriya’s.

   With how often Uraraka liked to steal glances at him, she’d be blind to miss the way Midoriya stared at you.

 

   Uraraka abruptly popped herself on the head and Koda blinked rapidly in alarm.

   Right now! thought Uraraka. Let’s start a conversation!

   She whipped to her right, lips upturned in a bright grin.

   Her expression fell.

   You were already gone.

   

   At the dorm’s front doors, you switched out your slippers for your sneakers.   

   Kirishima peeked around the hallway corner. “Whatcha up to?”

   “I am going to ask Mr. Aizawa a question.” 

   “Oh! Can I ask if it’s a private thing?”

   “It is not private. Why does Kirishima wish to know?”

   Kirishima came into full view. “I just thought I might ask if I could tag along.” 

   Tucking his hands into his pockets, Kirishima gave you a half-smile. “Some fresh air would be nice, y’know?”

   “Okay.” 

   Half-smiles were a rare sight from Kirishima. Something was up.

   Keeping that thought in mind, you spun in a small circle. You found Kirishima’s bright red shoes and nudged them toward him. 

   Kirishima’s eyes lit up. “Thanks!”

   “It is no problem.”

   Once Kirishima put his shoes on, he held open the door for you, and then you two were off.

   

   The fresh air did feel pretty nice. 

   The sky was almost fully pitch black, though you couldn’t see more than a few stars. Light pollution and all that.

   The sound of crickets chirping was fainter than a month earlier. The only sound you could really hear was the shuffling of shoes on concrete.

   Summer was coming to an end.

 

   “I remember when you thought crickets were dogs,” said Kirishima. He chuckled fondly.

   Tipping his head backward, he added, “Feels like such a long time ago. Time sure flies, huh?”

   Your gaze swung to your right, towards Kirishima.

   Another odd sign.

   Kirishima didn’t usually spark conversations so late. Either he started talking immediately or didn’t say anything at all. He wasn’t the kind of person to say things for the sake of making noise.

   You tracked Kirishima’s line of sight.

   He was staring up at Polaris, the brightest star in the night sky.

   

   “What is Kirishima thinking about?”

   “Huh?” With a start, Kirishima returned his attention to you. 

   He schooled his expression into friendly confusion. “Was just reminiscing, that’s all! It really hasn’t been a long time since we started high school, but… things are starting to feel nostalgic already.”

   “Kirishima was looking at Polaris.”

   Kirishima nodded. “Yep! Sometimes, I like to think that I’m a sailor, and the North Star is guiding me home.”

   Cheeks warming up, he rubbed his nape.  “Oops. That’s kind of embarrassing. Please don’t laugh.”

 

   “If you need the North Star to guide you home, then you must be lost.”

 

   Kirishima’s face froze.

   You stopped walking, and so did he.

   Now, you two were staring at each other under the glow of a streetlight.

   

   Kirishima’s smile slowly melted off his jaw. His eyes were wide, surprised and on guard.

   You didn’t blink once as you told Kirishima, “You have been concerned about Bakugou. Am I correct?”

   “Of course! He hasn’t been himself today–” Kirishima slapped his hands over his mouth.

   You got him.

   Instead of grilling Kirishima, you imitated him by lightly patting his shoulder. “Kirishima takes care of me, and Bakugou, and everyone else.”

   Kirishima lowered his hands. 

   But his shoulders were still stiff. “Yeah, no sweat! You guys are my friends!”

   You pat Kirishima’s other shoulder. Unlike Kirishima’s pats, yours were flat-handed and rather robotic.

   Kirishima laughed. “Thanks, bud. But what is this about–?”

 

   "You should tell us if you are sad.”

   It was as if Kirishima was frozen in time. “Huh?”

   “We are your friends, Kirishima."

   Kirishima’s mouth drifted shut.

   That was the final tap on the glass.

   

   Tears ran down Kirishima’s cheeks.

   His eyes were just as red as Bakugou’s, yet Kirishima’s held a kindness rivaled by no other.

   Kirishima quickly wiped at his face. “Ugh, sorry! I don’t mean to burden you or anything. Gosh, what am I doing…”

   You handed something to Kirishima.

   It was a tissue. 

   When Kirishima saw it, he had to laugh. “Never thought I’d be on the receiving end of these. Thanks, bud.”

   You observed Kirishima carefully. “Kirishima… is not a burden.”

   Kirishima practically shoved the tissue into his eye socket. “You sure are on fire today! Haha!”

   “I am on fire?”

   “Heh. Nah, I mean like–”

 

   In true guy fashion, you and Kirishima didn’t talk much about the crying part as you continued the trek to the teacher’s housing.

   “...Thanks.”

   “It is no problem.”

   “No, really!”

   You paused when Kirishima took hold of your forearm.

   He rounded in front of you with a small, yet no less sincere smile. “I didn’t realize till you said anything, but… I really needed that. I just wanna thank you for having my back. It’s not like the others don’t, but besides you and Bakugou, sometimes it’s like… no one really knows what I’m feeling, I guess.”

   Lowering his head, Kirishima took a breath. 

   He made eye contact with you once more. “You must feel like that all the time, huh? I’m sorry. You’ve been having a hard time, and I’m over here whining.”

   “No.” 

   Kirishima’s mouth fell open. “No?”

   For a few seconds, you didn’t say anything. “...Do you remember when, in the beginning of the school year, I killed a bird?”

   “Yeah. And it still isn’t your fault, okay?” Kirishima’s eyebrows scrunched as he searched your face. “Are you worried about that? Did someone bring it up again?”

   “No.” You shook your head. “I do not think about it anymore, thanks to Kirishima.”

   “Huh? What did I do? That was all you, bud.”

 

   “You befriended me.” 

   Kirishima inhaled sharply. 

   You took Kirishima’s silence as an opening to continue. “Kirishima was kind to me, even when everyone else was afraid of me. I did not feel remorse for killing the bird. You knew that, Kirishima, but you still chose to become my friend.”

   You dipped your head. “Thank you, Kirishima.”

   “...Damn it!” Kirishima ducked his face into his forearm.

   “Is Kirishima crying?”

   “N– no!”

   As gently as you could, you pried Kirishima’s arm away from his face. “It’s okay to cry.”

   “You gotta stop hitting me with these heartfelt things, man!”

   You gave Kirishima another tissue.

   He took it and shot you a nasally thank-you.

   

 

   Again, once Kirishima recovered, you two continued on.

   Kirishima prayed to the universe that he wouldn’t cry anymore today. 

   “It’s okay to cry.”

   Whenever Kirishima had to seriously cry, he never felt manly. A tear or two was okay in his book. But the consecutive streams just now… they didn’t feel right.

 

   Oddly, though…

 

   Kirishima looked in your direction.

   You were gazing straight forward.

   Closing his eyes, Kirishima grinned.

 

   …hearing you say that was very comforting.

   

   At last, you reached the teacher’s dorm.

   Pushing in the door, Kirishima called, “Sorry for the intrusion!”

   He let you inside first before shutting the door behind him.

 

   You put on some slippers.

   When you rounded the corner, you saw All Might sipping tea on a couch.

   “Oh?” All Might set down his cup. Grinning, he asked playfully, “If it isn’t my bionic boy?”

   You immediately ran over and All Might grinned wider.

   “Did Mr. Might see my message?”

   “Yes, yes.” He reached up to softly pet your head. “Congratulations, son. You’ve worked hard to be here.”

   Your chest felt warm. “Yes.”

   Your lashes fluttered shut, the rest of your body relaxing under All Might’s fatherly touch.

   There were very few people you allowed to get near your head. All Might was one of them.

 

   All Might’s eyes softened.

   He didn’t feel like he deserved his special spot in your heart. Every time he saw your dark eyes and metallic limbs, he was reminded of his failure.

   He had failed to be there for you. For your parents.

   All Might frowned deeply.

   I’m such a disgraceful–

  

   “Hi, All Might!”

   All Might’s face did a 180° as he released you to talk to Kirishima. “Why, it’s Young Kirishima!”

   You opened your eyes.

   Kirishima came to a stop next to you. “How are you, sir?”

   “I’m well. Thank you for asking!” All Might smiled. “How did the exam go?”

   “We all passed–! except for Bakugou and Todoroki.” Kirishima chuckled hesitantly. “They’re both trying to process it in their own way.”

   “Is that so? I may have to deliver one of my speeches!”

   “I think Bakugou would love that! Please don’t tell him I said anything, though, hehe.”

   All Might made a zipping motion across his mouth. “My lips are sealed! Anyway, why have you two come here?”

   You answered, “I wish to inquire something of Mr. Aizawa."

   “Oh? He’s usually in his office.”

   You and Kirishima watched All Might point down the hall. 

   “He’s the fourth door down.”

   “Alright, thanks, All Might!” Kirishima took off. 

   “Thank you, Mr. Might.”

   Before you could leave, All Might said, “Just a minute, my boy.”

   You rotated on one foot to face All Might. “Yes?”

   The blue of his irises turned into an ∩ shape. “Did you open the surprise Melissa got you? I apologize again for not being able to hand you it personally.”

   “It’s okay.” You pat All Might’s head.

   All Might blinked. “Huh?”

   Before All Might could fully process the fact that he received a head pat from a child, you put your hand down. 

   “Kaminari taught me that the round objects are balloons. They conduct static electricity.”  You lifted some pieces of your hair. “Static electricity makes your hair stand up.”

   Tilting his head back, All Might let out a loud laugh. “Silly goose!”

   “I am not silly, nor am I a goose. What is a goose?”

   Like a true parent, All Might casually glossed over your question. “The balloons aren’t the surprise! The surprise is in the box!”

   You blinked twice. 

   All Might slapped his knee. He was practically hooting with laughter. 

   Your round eyes were full of questions.

   Calming down, All Might ruffled your hair. “I don’t mean to make fun of you, son. It’s just, normally, people assume the gift is inside the box. I apologize for not specifying.”

   “I see.” That was useful information. “I will remember this.”

   “...You’re not going to hold this against me, right?”

   “Why?”

   “Phew.” All Might held his heart. 

   You used to regularly mess with him for shits and giggles. Your attitude especially kicked up whenever you felt slighted.

   It was harmless stuff. But for All Might, finding bits of Play-Do on his bed whenever he visited I-Island got old pretty quickly. For a reason only God knew, you would try to argue that All Might was shedding in preparation for “Small Might” (?) season. If there was one thing he didn’t miss about the old you, it was definitely the ominous foreshadowing.

   Although, All Might was discovering that you'd retained your mischievous streak. Midoriya did complain that you enjoyed comparing the poor boy to a bush. It wasn’t even a one-off thing. 

   All Might shuddered. He could only hope that you wouldn’t choose Play-Do as a vessel for your chaos again. He could still smell it even to this day.

 

   “Mr. Aizawa’s not here!”

   All Might swiveled his head to the right.

   Kirishima was running this way. “Do you know where else he might be?”

   “Careful, Young Kirishima. You might trip if you run like that.”

   You spread your arms in case Kirishima really did trip. “Kirishima might get hurt.”

   “Nah, I’m fine! Don’t sweat it.”

   “To answer your question, Kirishima,” said All Might, “Aizawa could be at Gym Gamma. He’s been disappearing there for the past, say… two months or so.”

   “Oh, wow.” Kirishima glanced at you. “Looks like we’ll find out what Mr. Aizawa’s been up to!”

   “Yes.”

   You two bid All Might farewell, and then you were off.

   

   Gym Gamma was another five minute walk away. 

   This time, you were the one to open the door. 

   “Thanks!”

   “It is no problem.”

 

   You could hear faint scuffling.

   You and Kirishima stacked on top of each other to peer inside.

   There Aizawa was. He was wielding his scarf, the pliable cloth floating in the air.

   “There he is!” 

   Aizawa craned his neck over his shoulder. “Kirishima.”

   Now that his head was slightly off kilter, you could see someone else in front of him.

   

   “Hello, Shinsou.” 

   Said boy raised a brow. “Oh. It’s you.”

   Shinsou, too, gripped a scarf in his hands. The rest of it was laying around his neck. The bags under his eyes had grown darker. Simultaneously, he’d become a bit bulkier. You could tell Shinsou had put on some muscle.

   Your pupils dilated with interest.

   Shinsou is training to become a Hero?

   

   Aizawa’s dull gaze flicked between you and Kirishima. “What is it?”

   Kirishima motioned for you to speak. 

   You stepped forward. “I have a question, Mr. Aizawa.” 

   Aizawa’s stare appeared to be one of annoyance, but he was just afflicted with constant R.B.F. “Well?”

   “May I invite a person outside of the Hero course to attend the festival trip?”

   Aizawa honestly didn’t realize you knew anyone outside the Hero course. He was a huge introvert himself, after all.

   He replied, “Depends. Are they also a first year?”

 

   You looked directly at Shinsou. “Yes.”

   That was when Shinsou realized what you came here for. 

   He frowned. “I’m busy.” 

   You took a few more steps forward. “Shinsou is busy? I can do your homework.”

   Like a cat, Shinsou bristled. “What? I don’t need your help. Besides, I’m already done with my homework. I hope you realize that you’re setting yourself up to be bullied.”

   You weren’t one to be thwarted so easily. “I can help you with other things, such as training.”

   Since you were wearing a short-sleeved shirt, everyone could see your arms heat up. 

   Aizawa snatched you up with his scarf. “Quit that.”

   “I'm sorry.”

   Aizawa set you down on the floor. 

   You were wrapped in a cocoon of fabric. “I am similar to a worm.”

   Kirishima guffawed and Shinsou scrunched his brows.

   “Haha!”

   “You’re weird.”

   You wiggled around. “I am normal, Shinsou.”

   “Right, keep telling yourself that.”

   

   

   Aizawa should’ve known that Shinsou was the potential guest. You had a habit of trying to befriend the most questionable people. 

   Aizawa was normally just as blunt as Shinsou, if not more. However, he actually gave your question a moment of thought. 

   He turned to Shinsou. “Go.” 

   “What.” Shinsou’s brows nearly met in the middle. 

   Aizawa’s expression didn’t change.

   “You’re… you’re serious.” 

   Aizawa squatted to unwrap you from your fabric prison. “Shinsou. You won’t be permitted to participate in combat. However, you’ll gain second hand experience from watching how my kids operate.” 

   With a grunt, Aizawa undid the final loop and you spun. 

   Kirishima caught you. “I gotcha!”

   “Thank you, Kirishima.”

   

   Shinsou’s dark eyes squinted at Aizawa. Then at you. 

   He couldn’t help but be reminded of the unfortunate period of time where you just wouldn’t leave him alone.

   He thought you moved past that. 

   Why were you annoying him again? 

   Did you see him as inferior, even as he was training to become a Hero right in front of you?

 

   “...Hey.”

   You blinked.

   Shinsou had slinked past Aizawa to stand before you. 

   You were almost nose to nose. 

   There was a deep shadow in the space between Shinsou’s brows. 

   “I don’t feel like taking orders from someone who made it past two rounds of the sports festival by standing there like an idiot,” Shinsou hissed.

   Aizawa narrowed his eyes. “Shinsou.”

   Kirishima tried to push the two of you apart. “Hey, now! No need to argue!”

   Neither of you budged.

   Silently, you held Shinsou’s stormy gaze.

   How should... I reply to this?

 

   Shinsou knew displaying this kind of behavior in front of his mentor was disrespectful.

   However…

   He said loudly, “I’m sorry, Mr. Aizawa. But I need to know what makes this kid better than me.” 

   “I am not b–”

   “Then show me.”

   Shinsou's lips parted for his signature Cheshire grin. “Justify your place. Prove to me that I can’t replace you.”

   You hesitated.

   You couldn’t ask Kirishima or Aizawa for help on your decision.

   This, you realized, was between you and Shinsou. 

 

   

   “Shinsou,” you began slowly. “Are you certain of your declaration?”

   You didn’t want to fight Shinsou. You didn’t want to fight anyone.

 

   Shinsou’s grin stretched wider. “What do you think?"

   You backed up a few paces.

 

   And then, sliding one foot back and putting up your fists, you replied in absolute monotone,

   

   “I accept your challenge.”

Chapter 66: The Difference Between You and I

Notes:

a challenger screen i made :-)

 

 

   Your iron fists glinted under the fluorescent lights.

   Somehow, Shinsou’s grin tugged even harder at his face.

   You were willing to fight.

   

   There was the sound of rustling fabric as Shinsou tugged at his scarf.

   His gaze narrowing, he rasped, “I hope you show me something interesting, cyborg.”

 

   “Wait.”

   You and Shinsou glanced to the right.

   Aizawa didn’t look happy in the slightest. 

   He pointed two fingers at Shinsou, and then you. “Stand down.”

   Shinsou released his scarf and you lowered your fists.

 

   Aizawa shot Shinsou a look. “What do you think you’re doing?”

   At this, Shinsou faltered a little. 

   He was well aware that he fucked up the moment he decided to act out in front of his own mentor. 

   Shinsou grimaced. “...I know what I’m doing is irrational.” 

   “Thanks for saving me the breath,” Aizawa said dryly. “Is that all?”

   “And I’m sorry for stepping out of line. Right now, I’m under your jurisdiction, and I don’t have the authority to initiate a spar.” 

   “Right.” Keeping his eyes on Shinsou, Aizawa gestured to you. “Tell me. What did you just do, Shinsou?”

   Shinsou sheepishly broke eye contact. “...Initiate a spar without permission.”

   “Eyes on me.”

   Shinsou immediately jumped back to attention.

   Aizawa’s hair was on the cusp of floating upward.

   Shinsou internally cursed himself. He was really trying his luck today.

   Normally, he wasn’t this rebellious with Aizawa.

   But he really wanted to know what made you such a big deal.

   

   It was Aizawa’s turn to sigh. “I told you not to worry about what other people are doing. Is this truly something you feel strongly about?”

   “Yes, sir.” Shinsou’s answer was instantaneous. “This guy…”

   Shinsou threw you a glance.

   You were idly staring at Kirishima. 

   The redhead was cupping his hands around his mouth and whisper-screaming, “Don’t do it!”

   At regular speaking volume, you replied, “Do what?”

   Kirishima lowered his hands. Then, pressing them together, he began to pray. “Oh, God! Please let my friend leave this place alive!”

   “Who is God?”

   Shinsou tried not to laugh and Aizawa face-palmed.

   Forcing his mouth to stop twitching, Shinsou returned his attention to Aizawa. “...I want to know the difference between him and I.”

   “Well, one of you knows who God is.”

   Shinsou clenched his jaw. He wasn’t supposed to laugh. Not right now. “Yep.”

   Aizawa beckoned you. “Oi.”

   You turned away from Kirishima’s shark impression. “Yes, Mr. Aizawa?”

   Aizawa flicked a brow at Kirishima and he froze.

   “Nothing to see here, sir!” With a totally-not-conspicuous smile, Kirishima gave Aizawa a thumbs up. 

   “...Right.” Aizawa chose not to question it. His kids were strange creatures.

 

   Dark eyes flitted back to you. “Never agree to a fight without knowing its conditions. Just because this is a spar between students doesn’t mean you can act reckless.”

   “I see. Okay.”

   To Shinsou, Aizawa said, “And you– don’t do this again. You should know better than to start a fight you can’t win. With where you are now, you don’t stand a chance.”

   “...I know.”

   You watched Shinsou attentively.

   He was staring down at his closed fist. “I know that… What I don’t know is just how much distance I have to cover before I can stand on equal ground with everyone else.”

   “Okay.”

   Shinsou looked up.

   You were gazing at him without any sort of hostility at all. “Do you remember my offer, Shinsou?”

   Wryly, Shinsou huffed through his nose. “Yeah. That you’d help me. And I shot you down over, and over, and over, remember?”

   “Oi." In a rare show of anger, Kirishima glared. "Is that really how you should be talking to someone who wants to help you?”

   Aizawa gestured for Kirishima to stay put. Kirishima frowned, but obediently held his tongue.

   You replied to Shinsou, “Yes. I remember. However…”

 

   In one smooth motion, you held out your hand towards Shinsou. “I would like to extend my offer once more. I am aware that my performance during the sports festival does not give my offer much weight. That is why I will show you the proof of my experience. I will prove to you that I have changed.”

 

   The gym fell completely silent.

 

   “...Seems I’ll be taking that offer.” Shinsou shook your hand and the deal was sealed.

   

   Now, you and Kirishima were inside the gym’s equipment room.

   “I’m seriously not feeling this Shinsou guy,” huffed Kirishima. He handed you a vest. “Who does he think he is, talking to you like that?”

   You slid the vest over your head. “I do not mind.”

   The veins on Kirishima’s hands bulged angrily as he helped you with the straps. “Well, I think you should mind! The way this guy talks, it’s– it’s underhanded. It’s not manly at all!”

   “I think Shinsou is a man. I saw him in the men’s restroom.”

   “Being manly’s got nothing to do with your bits!” Kirishima bent down to attach a weight to your leg. “It’s the attitude, you get me?”

   You flexed your arms. “Am I manly?”

   Kirishima flexed too. “Heck yeah!”

   He grabbed a thick piece of rope and tied your hands behind your back. “You’re one of the manliest people I know! You've gotta be manly to take on a fight in this condition.”

   "Thank you."

   Kirishima stepped back to survey his work. “I trust Mr. Aizawa, but… is this really okay? You don’t even have your helmet.”

   “It’s okay.” 

   “Are you sure…?”

   “I am sure.” Cracking your neck, you said calmly, “I won’t need it.”

 

   Kirishima held open the door for you and you stepped into the light.

   Shinsou couldn’t believe his eyes.

   When Aizawa told him that there would be some constraints placed on you, Shinsou didn’t think Aizawa meant this.

   Your arms were tied firmly behind you, you wore a weighted vest, and your dominant leg was strapped with a sleeve of weights.

   You tilted your head. “What is wrong, Shinsou?”

   “This– this isn’t fair.” Shinsou looked to Aizawa, who was quietly standing off to the side with Kirishima. 

   Aizawa sniffed. “You wanted a fight, didn’t you?”

   Shinsou’s brows came together in confusion. “You’re telling me that he’s supposed to fight me while carrying–” Shinsou checked– “an extra forty-five kilos?”

   You didn’t seem bothered at all. If anything, you just stared blankly at the lights overhead.

   “This is as fair as I can make it.”

   “Wh–?”

 

   “Now listen up. Here are the general rules.”

   Shinsou stiffened and you leveled your head with Aizawa’s. 

   What Aizawa said was still bouncing around Shinsou’s mind.

   This is as fair as he can make it? 

   There's no way--

   Shinsou shook his head.

   Focus.

 

   Aizawa held up a finger. “One: the winning condition is to pin the other person for a total of 10 seconds.”

   He raised a second one. “Two: there are two ways you can fail. Either you get pinned, or the timer runs out.”

   Lastly, Aizawa lifted a third. “Three: the head is off limits. That’s all for general rules.”

   Shinsou said sarcastically, “I know I’m not the most Heroic-looking guy, but I wouldn’t go for a headshot on someone with a brain injury.”

   You blinked.

   Shinsou remembers.

   Aizawa evenly replied, “That rule isn’t for you, Shinsou.”

   Shinsou went still.

   That rule…

   Slowly, he dragged his gaze toward your unreadable figure.

   …isn't for me?

   Shinsou swallowed.

   Although Aizawa occasionally enjoyed spooking people, at the moment, he had no reason to.

   This wasn’t an intimidation tactic to make Shinsou back out of the fight.

   This was Aizawa doing his best to facilitate it.

 

   “Each of you have your own unique rules that you must abide by.” Aizawa looked to his right. “Shinsou.”

   “Sir.”

   “Do what you must.”

   Shinsou nodded. 

   You straightened your back when Aizawa locked eyes with you.

   “As for you, you may only use your non-dominant leg to land a hit.”

   “Okay.”

   Shinsou did a mental double-take. He was so confused. 

   How on Earth was this fair?

   He’d run out of chances to ask Aizawa. The man was already at the end of his rope with Shinsou.

   Shinsou was on his own for this one.

 

   “Take your places.”

 

   You and Shinsou backed up till you were on opposite sides of the gym.

   This was it.

   Shinsou was going to find out exactly what your deal was and you finally got your chance to help Shinsou.

   Win-win. 

  

   “On three.”

 

   You inhaled.

 

   “One.”

 

   Shinsou exhaled.

 

   “Two.”

 

   You exhaled.

 

   “Three!”

 

   Shinsou inhaled.

   And then he vanished.

  

   The gym’s terrain consisted of towering rock structures, tall slabs of concrete, and metal piping overhead.

   It was the perfect maze for Shinsou. From just about any angle, he could get the drop on you.

 

   You walked right in.

   Heatseeking mode.

   Your pupils, now bright orange, darted left to right.

   You weren’t picking up any heat signatures.

   That could only mean one thing.

   

   Your head tilted backward.

   From above.

 

   When Shinsou saw that you’d caught on, he smirked.

   He’d looped part of his scarf onto the metal piping and used it to swing himself down from one of the rock towers.

   His knee was aiming straight for your gut.

   You ducked into a forward roll and Shinsou flew past.

   He wasn’t done.

   Letting the fabric feed through his fingers, Shinsou landed on the ground.

   He turned to make his next move.

   But you were faster.

   Still on the floor, you leaned into your dominant shoulder. That entire side of your body became a counterweight for you to sweep your opposite leg underneath Shinsou.

   He leapt backwards in the nick of time. 

   Shinsou took note of the impressive control you had even in this state. “Not bad.”

   You weren’t falling for that. You may have been forbidden from using your power, but Shinsou wasn’t. 

   You laid on your back. Then, rocking your legs above you and swinging your hips, you jumped to your feet. 

 

   In the second you took to right yourself, Shinsou disappeared again.

   You realized now that Shinsou wasn’t aware of your heat vision.

   You chose not to use it.

 

   This would be too easy otherwise.

 

   You peered upward. Shinsou’s scarf was no longer attached to the ceiling.

   So he wasn’t going for an overhead kill this time around.

   Instead, there was a loud rumbling from your right.

   One of the rock towers was crashing down.

   A huge chunk hurtled towards you, engulfing you in its shadow.

 

   In a split second, you deduced,

   Shinsou wants me to dodge to the left.

 

   You stomped your foot. Striding into a powerful run-up, you met the boulder face to face.

   With a clean roundhouse kick, you shattered the boulder into pieces.

 

   You cushioned your landing with another roll.

   There was a flash of white in your peripheral.

   When you unfurled, you stopped just before a strip of white fabric stretched taut in front of you.

   Shinsou had tried to lure you into his web.

 

   You looked left. Then right.

   Shinsou was crouching behind a rock. Sweat ran down his face.

   Shinsou thought he could get you while you were off-kilter, but he knew now that it didn’t matter.

   You had the skill to control your movements with perfect precision.

 

   You raised one leg high.

   You brought it down on the fabric in a brutal axe kick and Shinsou got pulled to the ground.

   “Shit!” he hissed.

   You wasted no time.

   You cleared the distance in two strides.

   Lifting your foot, you aimed for Shinsou’s knee.

   He jerked to the side and you shattered the ground below.

 

   Shinsou should’ve been terrified.

   That was close.

   His heart was beating, lungs pumping, vision tunneling.

   Shinsou laughed.

   This was exhilarating. 

 

   Currently, the two of you were steadily circling each other. Sizing each other up.

   Shinsou’s bait strategy had failed three times now. He hadn’t managed to surprise you yet, not even once. On the other hand, you almost pinned him successfully.

   The extra weight… While it made you difficult to pin, it also made you much slower. Despite that, you were still incredibly quick on your feet.

   Just how fast were you without it?

 

   You didn’t blink once.

   Every single thing Shinsou did was being processed at a mile a minute.

   He was the kind of person who liked to manipulate the opponent. You already knew this based on Shinsou’s performance at the sports festival.

   You remembered what All Might said.

   “Aizawa could be at Gym Gamma. He’s been disappearing there for the past, say… two months or so.”

   Two months. For two months, Aizawa had been training Shinsou here.

   Shinsou knew this place like the back of his hand.

   Using that knowledge, Shinsou could manipulate you like a chess piece.

 

   All of a sudden, Shinsou said, “You know…”

   You listened silently.

   “Don’t you ever get tired of playing so defensively?” Shinsou seemingly had the balls to tuck his hands behind him. “I’ve noticed that you’ve never tried striking me first. I thought you were going to give me a fight?”

   Out of sight, Shinsou was clutching his scarf.

   You paused in place. Shinsou mirrored you, grinning as if he knew something you didn’t.

   

   Then you nodded.

 

   Searing pain bloomed through Shinsou’s stomach.  

   As he folded, spit flew out his mouth and his eyes went white.

   It had been instantaneous.

   You’d dashed forward and kicked Shinsou right in the gut.

 

   Shinsou’s head was ringing. It was as if time had slowed.

   When…?

   He flung his arms outward in a desperate attempt to catch himself.

   He grunted as he hit the floor.

 

   You stood over Shinsou. Your face hadn't shifted from its usual neutral countenance this whole time.

   Shinsou was curling into himself. He coughed and blood came out.

   At this, you blinked. Did you really hit him that hard?

  “I’m sorry.”

   Shinsou’s reply was another cough.

   

   He grit his teeth, and snatching up his scarf, he hooked it around your knee.

   You didn’t even budge.

   You merely slammed your heel into Shinsou’s solar plexus.

   His jaw flew open in a silent scream.

   

   “Ten.” 

 

   Shinsou laid there, his blood hot and freezing cold at the same time.

   Aizawa had begun the countdown.

 

   “Nine.”

 

   You kept your foot on Shinsou.

 

   “Eight.”

 

   Shinsou was gulping in frantic, shallow breaths. His arms were numb. He couldn’t feel his legs.

 

   “Seven.”

 

   He’d been foolish.

   Aizawa had taught him to guard his vital points. Instead, he left himself open in favor of baiting you.

 

   “Six.”

 

   You did technically take the bait.

   But Shinsou hadn’t been prepared for your response. Not at all.

   Somehow, you’d moved even faster than before.

 

   “Five.”

 

   In a delirious last ditch effort, Shinsou shakily clawed at your ankle. “Get… off me!”

 

   “Four.”

  

   You just stared. Your gaze was empty and unreadable.

 

   “Three.”

 

   “Let go!” Shinsou roared.

   With his free hand, he threw a loop behind your neck. 

   Then, grabbing both ends of his scarf, Shinsou tugged. Hard.

   You stumbled, taking your foot off Shinsou's chest.

   Now that Shinsou was free, he utilized your heavier weight to pull himself up. 

   A chant echoed in his mind.

   I just have to knock him over. 

   If you were to hit the ground, that meant an instant win for Shinsou. There was no way you could get up from the floor in time, given you were carrying the weight of another person. 

   Shinsou shoved you against a nearby wall and pinned his hands on either side of you. One leg went in between your knees to lock you in place.

   Shinsou leaned into you. His voice dipping low, he said, "Tell me. What's your next move?"

   You kept your mouth shut. By angling your chin upward, you unintentionally bore your throat to Shinsou. 

   You could feel Shinsou's breath on your jugular. Your chest heaved up and down.

   Shinsou grinned.

   

   Just how much can you handle?

 

   Your knee buckled.

   Shinsou was an extra seventy kilos. You were starting to feel the effects of being under so much extra weight.

   You couldn’t kick Shinsou off of you. He was way too close for you to do anything, and the sudden imbalance would send you crashing down.

   Looks like you'd been too gentle. That dig to the chest was supposed to take Shinsou down for the count.

 

   This time...

   You breathed in.

   ...I will use more force.

 

   You let yourself drop.

   Because Shinsou wasn't one to go for the family jewels, he retracted his leg and paced backward.

   It was like a spark went off in your head.

   There was now space for you to move.

   The artificial muscles in your legs bunched as you put all your strength into springing forward.

   Shinsou couldn't react fast enough. 

   You jabbed your knee into his liver.

 

   His eyes unfocused. His mouth hung open. His hands twitched uselessly.

   Shinsou was done.

   That didn’t mean you were.

 

   As soon as Shinsou collapsed to his knees, you forced him onto his back.

   You dug your heel into his throat.

   He gagged.

 

   “Ten.”

 

   The count was starting again.

   

   “Nine.”

 

   Shinsou frantically scratched at his neck.

 

   “Eight.”

 

   You pressed harder.

 

   “Seven.”

 

   Shinsou's legs thrashed wildly.

 

   “Six.”

 

   Your black pupils, perfectly calm, met Shinsou’s. His had shrunken to pinpricks.

   

   “Five.”

 

   Shinsou stabbed an arm out to the side.

   He tapped his fingers over, and over, and over.

 

   “Out!"

 

   You took a step back. 

   “Do you understand now?” you asked Shinsou. 

   Shinsou was hyperventilating, eyes blown wide. 

 

   “This is the difference between you and I.”

Chapter 67: Lovely Cyborg

Summary:

victory screen!

 

 

 

   You breathed heavily.

   It was over. 

   You knew you would win, but it was nice to know that you could take these weights off now.

 

   “Bro!”

   You turned your head.

   Kirishima came running. 

   He skidded to a stop in front of you, and excitedly gesturing with his hands, he raved, “That was so manly! You were like, boom! Pow! And with just one leg!”

   “Boom,” you echoed.

   “How did you do it!?” Kirishima hardened his hands to tear the rope binding yours. “I didn’t know you were that comfortable with melee! You’re always going pew pew.”

   “I go pew pew?”

   “Yeah, you know, your lasers!” said Kirishima. “Well, maybe not pew pew. You don’t really shoot in short bursts. Maybe shwoom? Anyway, I could learn a thing or two from you. Train with me some time?”

   You blinked. You didn’t think you were all that amazing. “Okay.”

   “Thanks!” Kirishima undid your vest and it fell to the floor with a concerningly-loud thud. 

   Letting out a long breath, you relaxed your shoulders. “Thank you.”

   Kirishima bent down to get the weights on your leg. “Yeah, I gotcha.”

 

   “Shinsou.”

   Shinsou’s vision was fading.

   Above him, he could faintly make out a black blob. Aizawa.

   “Oi.”

   You’d struck Shinsou in the stomach, solar plexus, and liver. All sweet spots to target if you really, really wanted to down someone.

   Shinsou passed out.

   

   When he next opened his eyes, he was in the infirmary.
  Shinsou clenched his jaw. The pain had gone away for the most part, thanks to Recovery Girl no doubt. But by God was he sore.

   Shinsou chuckled to himself.

   You got him good.

   

   “Oh, you’re awake.”

   Shinsou’s tired gaze dragged to his right.

   He raised a brow. “...Why are you here?”

   Kirishima was sitting next to Shinsou’s bed. To Kirishima’s left, there was an empty chair.

   He answered curtly, “I’m not here because of you.” 

   Kirishima tipped his head to the empty chair. “He insisted. He’s in the restroom right now.”

   “...I see.” Shinsou clenched his jaw again. However, this time, it wasn’t because of any physical pain.

   He was confused.

   Why were you so insistent on helping him? And why were you checking on him even after the match?

 

   “Hey. Shinsou, right?”

   Shinsou turned to Kirishima. 

   Being observant as he was, Shinsou could tell from the very beginning that Kirishima didn’t like him.

   But he wasn’t expecting such a cold, frigid expression on Kirishima’s normally-sunny face.

   Shinsou smiled mockingly. “You look a little bothered. Have I done something to piss you off?”

   Kirishima leaned closer, putting his elbows on his spread knees. “Yeah. You have.”

   “I don’t particularly care.”

   “That’s fine.” Slowly, the skin around Kirishima’s jaw began to harden. “Look. I don’t know what your deal is, Shinsou, but… whatever your past is, don’t make it everyone else’s problem. Were you bullied?”

   Suddenly, Shinsou was baring his teeth. “What the hell? How is that any of your business? Are all you goody-two-shoes types like this?”

   Kirishima wasn’t fazed one bit. “If my assumption’s wrong, my bad. I defended kids like you a lot, back in middle school. I can tell you’ve been mistreated one way or another.”

   Shinsou laughed. “What is this, a therapy session?”

   “Dude, can you shut up for a second?”

   Shinsou rolled his eyes. “Alright, go on. Entertain me more.”

   “Whatever you say,” Kirishima said sarcastically. “As I was saying, your past, no matter what happened, is no excuse to treat the people you meet later like shit. Especially not people like him. Hasn’t he been trying to reach out to you ever since before the sports festival? And even after the festival, he’s been trying!”

   “What about it?”

   “What do you mean, what about it? You’re trying to become a Hero, too, aren’t you?”

   Kirishima gripped the bed. “When you see someone in need, do you ignore them? Can you ignore them?”

   And that was when Shinsou understood.

   He was already grateful that you showed him how far he needed to go to match pace with the Heroics kids. But he never got where your offer was coming from.

   It came from kindness.

   Shinsou never looked down on weaker people.

   So why would you?

   

   Kirishima saw the understanding on Shinsou’s shocked face.

   He smiled. “See?”

   Shinsou stared into space.

   He’d been so focused on protecting himself that it never occurred to him, not once, that another person could have good intentions for him.

   “...I’m an idiot.”

   “Glad you realized that.” Kirishima patted Shinsou’s shoulder. “Oh, yeah, by the way, stop talking to him like that.”

   His innocent pat turned into a firm grip. “I won’t sit still if you keep doing that. Get what I’m saying?”

   “Are you planning to beat my ass too?”

   “I dunno. Do you want me to?”

   “You’re threatening me.”

   Kirishima leaned back to shrug carefreely. “I don’t do threats. My other friend Bakugou does though. And you’re gonna meet him during our festival trip, so you better clean up your act before he catches you. ”

   Shinsou chuckled. “Am I supposed to thank you?”

   “Whatever floats your boat.” Peering over his shoulder, Kirishima checked the door. “...He’s not back yet, so let me say another thing.”

   Shinsou remained silent and Kirishima took that as his green light.

 

   Kirishima, a boy made of sharp angles and hard edges, visibly softened.

   His gaze shifted downward.  “He’s… probably the kindest, most accepting person I know.”

   Shinsou listened quietly.

   Kind and accepting, huh?

 

   You never faltered in your willingness to help Shinsou. 

   Not even after he brainwashed you, used you, and insulted you.

   Not once.

 

   Something heavy settled over Shinsou’s head.

   Guilt.

 

   Kirishima continued, “I’ve never seen the guy get angry. At least, not at one of our own. The one time he did get angry, he shattered some other dude’s jaw.”

   “He what.”

   “Yeah, it was pretty wild. Anyway…”

   Shinsou’s brows furrowed. He was just as bewildered by the lot of you as Aizawa was.

   “...We’ve given him plenty reason to be mad. Especially Bakugou, that guy. I would be lying if I said he wasn’t an asshole sometimes.”

   “I can tell.”

   Kirishima laughed. “I’m pretty much immune to whatever Bakugou says. It’s never bothered me. The thing is… I can tell Bakugou is being mean. But our friend… he can’t.”

   Shinsou frowned. “I’d like to think it’s pretty obvious.”

   “To you. And to me. He just thinks it’s the way Bakugou is.” 

   Then, Kirishima pointed at Shinsou. “Do you get what I’m saying?”

   

   Shinsou’s lips parted.

   He’d been awful to you. He knew that, of course. He had intentionally tried to hurt you in order to make you go away.

   In spite of everything Shinsou said and did, you still ran after him.

   You didn’t know Shinsou was insulting you, he was beginning to realize.

   No wonder you didn’t resent him.

   You couldn’t even tell he was trying to hurt you.

   Shinsou buried his head in his hands. “...I really am an idiot.”

 

   The door creaked.

   Both boys glanced over.

   In the narrow gap between the door and the wall, there were four metal fingers.

   And then an owlish eye appeared.

   

   Kirishima turned fully. “Oh, hey, buddy!”

   “Hey.” Your singular eye blinked. “Is Shinsou… okay?”

   Shinsou was still covering his face with his hands. He sighed. “Yeah. I’m fine. Come in.”

   “Is Shinsou… mad?”

   Shinsou needed a moment.

   This was the boy he’d been running away from all this time?

   Shinsou removed his hands from his face.

   Lifting his head, he finally smiled at you. “No. I’m not mad.”

   You immediately pushed your way in. “I see. That is good.”

 

   You took a seat next to Kirishima.

   Now that you were seated, you could clearly see the bandages around Shinsou’s throat and the ones peeking from under his shirt.

   You bowed your head. “I’m sorry. I used too much force.”

   “Why are you apologizing?”

   You looked up.

   Shinsou rubbed his nape. His lips twitched upward. “You got me pretty damn good. I get it now… how far I have to go.”

   He nodded to you. “Thanks.”

   You stared.

   For a heartbeat, your irises flashed gold, and once more, Shinsou wondered why he’d ever been mean to you.

   He owed you an apology, didn’t he?

   Although, he meant everything he said. The apology would be insincere.

   Instead…

 

   “...Hey.”

   You perked up. “Yes?”

   Shinsou raised one hand. It curled into a fist.

   “I’ll catch up to you soon,” he promised. “Until then… could we do this again?”

   Your fingers tucked into your palm and you tapped your fist against Shinsou’s. “Yes.”

   You’d managed to help Shinsou.

   You felt the blooming of camellia flowers, soft and scentless, within your ribcage.

 

   Kirishima grinned proudly.

   You and Shinsou had taken a step forward. 

   Shinsou’s eyes met Kirishima’s in a silent thank you.

   He shrugged humbly, his grin shrinking to a cheeky smile.

   All in a day’s work.

 

   Shortly after Aizawa arrived to talk to Shinsou, you and Kirishima departed for your dormitory. 

   Kirishima grabbed the door and you stepped inside.

   “Thank you.”

   “Yep!” Kirishima was checking the clock as he changed out his shoes. “Oh, wow. It’s almost your bedtime.”

   It was currently eight. Usually, you put yourself to bed around nine.

   You tucked your shoes into your cubby. “I see. I will prepare to sleep.”

   “How do you and Bakugou go to bed so early? I always need a go at the punching bag before I sleep.”

   Bakugou liked to be in bed by eight-thirty.

   You answered, “First, I brush my teeth. Second–”

   Kirishima just let you drone on about your nightly routine. He sighed in fond exasperation. 

 

   You two walked by the living room.

   The girls had taken over. They were perched on the couch, and for some reason, on the coffee table. In your short time living here, you’d learned that girls liked to sit on surfaces generally not meant for sitting on.

   “Hello,” Yaoyorozu greeted softly.

   The other girls chimed in with their greetings.

   Uraraka sent you a nervous smile. She hadn’t forgotten her missed shot to talk to you an hour ago.

   “Hello,” you echoed.

   Kirishima waved. “Hey! What are you guys up to?”

   Ashido stuck a glitter-covered brush dangerously close to her eye and Kirishima shuddered.

   “Okay, never mind.” Kirishima quickly dragged you away. “Have fun, ladies.”

   Yaoyorozu called, “We’re going yukata shopping tomorrow! Don’t forget!”

   “Alright, thanks!”

   “Okay.”

 

   As the two of you headed for the stairs, Kirishima said idly, “Speaking of Bakugou’s sleep schedule… I wonder what he’s doing right now.”

   “Do not worry. Bakugou is strong.”

   “You really like that about him, huh?”

   “It is true.”

   “Well, let’s put it this way.” With each step, Kirishima’s hand hovered behind you gentlemanly. “Do you think I’m strong?”

   “Yes. Kirishima is stronger than Bakugou. You can bench fifty-five kilograms. Bakugou can bench fifty.”

   Throwing his head back, Kirishima laughed loudly. “Thanks! But that’s not what I meant, silly.”

   “I am not silly. Why do you and Mr. Might think I am silly?”

   “You’re a bit silly. Just a little.”

   “No.”

   “Alright, alright. You’re not silly.”

   “Yes. And what is a goose? Mr. Might did not answer me.”

   Kirishima took a minute to explain what a goose was. Fortunately, he had a much better grasp on animals (and things in general) than poor Todoroki.

   Then Kirishima said, “So, to get us back on track, you think I’m strong.”

   “Yes.”

   Kirishima got to the top of the staircase and held out a hand. “Even so, you helped me earlier when I was feeling down, yeah?” 

   You took Kirishima’s hand. “Yeah.”

   He guided you up. “See, as strong as you think I am, I still needed help. Don’t you think Bakugou’s the same way?”

   You thought about it. 

   Something that immediately came to mind was the Kamino incident. Back then, Bakugou quite literally needed help.

   This time, though, it was different. 

   You recalled the strange feeling you got when Bakugou ravaged the shower room. 

 

   “Bakugou is… sad.”

 

   Kirishima smiled bittersweetly. “Yeah.”

   “Do you know how to comfort Bakugou, Kirishima?”

   “Ah. He’s not a big fan of talking about it. Most of the time, he just blows off steam by himself. He’s probably doing that right now.”

   “I see.”

   “Best to leave him alone, buddy. Sorry.”

   “It is okay.” You looked down the hallway.

   Bakugou’s door was closed.

   You blinked faintly. “I… wish to help Bakugou. However, Bakugou does not want help. I will respect his choice.”

   “Mhm. Let’s see how he feels in the morning.”

 

   A few rooms to the right, Shoji’s door opened.

   He stepped out and nodded to the both of you.

   You nodded back.

   Kirishima jutted out his chin. “Yo! What’s up?”

   “Nothing much,” answered Shoji. He held up a small garbage bag. “Taking this out.”

   “Oh, smart! I should do that too.”

   Shoji’s gaze landed between you and Kirishima. “Oh. Congratulations.”

   “Hm? About what?”

   You tracked Shoji’s line of sight.

 

   Your hand was clasped in Kirishima’s. Earlier, when Kirishima helped you up the last step, both of you forgot to let go.

   You’d just been casually holding hands this entire time.

 

   Shoji walked past. “See ya.”

   “Wait, wait, wait!” Kirishima threw his hands up into the air, face blazing red. “It’s not what it looks like!”

   “I don’t judge.”

   “I’m telling you, it’s not like that!”

   You tilted your head. “What do you mean, Shoji, Kirishima?”

   When Shoji realized you genuinely didn’t know what was going on, he stopped walking. 

   He turned to explain, “Ah. Sorry for assuming. Most of the time, when two people hold hands, it means they’re dating.”

   “What is dating?”

   Kirishima was going to explode. “Nothing important!”

   He hurriedly pushed you towards your room. “Let’s go to bed, hm?”

   “Why? It is not my bedtime yet.”

   Kirishima yelled over his shoulder, “Catch ya later, Shoji!”

   Shoji waved slowly. “Uh, alright then.”

 

   “Kirishima, it is not my bedtime.”

   “Never hurts to sleep early! Haha!”

   “You said you do not understand how Bakugou and I go to sleep early.”

   “Did I say that?”

   “Yes.”

   “Well, scratch that then! I’ll go to bed early too!”

   “Okay.”

   

   Kirishima dropped you off, bade you goodnight, and slammed the door.

   You stood there.

   That was weird. Kirishima didn’t typically experience Kaminari-level mood swings. You’d have to ask about that later.

   

   You spotted the box from Melissa. It’d been sitting in the middle of your room for hours, abandoned and unopened. 

   You walked up to it. You crouched.

   Then you punched a hole into the cardboard. You stuck your hands inside to tear it wider.

   Inside the box was some sort of disc-like object. Its surface had a sleek black finish. 

   You peered closer. The top side of the object had a large rectangular screen.

   Within the screen, two pixelated eyes and a mouth appeared.

 

   ( ◕‿◕ )

 

   The Thing beeped at you.

   You fell on your ass.

   You froze. Then you reminded yourself, “A surprise is meant to be surprising.”

   A mechanical whirring sound, reminiscent of your spinning irises, began to rise from the box.

   The Thing was standing up. It had sprouted wiry little arms and legs.

   It began to beep, and you found that you could somehow understand.

   “Hello,” you said cautiously. “What are you? Why has Melissa gifted you to me?”

   In a series of short and long beeps, the Thing told you exactly what it was.

   “You are a Roomba. I see. You will clean my room?”

   The Roomba beeped happily. 

   “My room does not need further maintenance. I have a vacuum.”

   It beeped angrily. The Roomba was not fond of regular vacuums, you learned.

   “Okay.”

   It crawled out of the box. Maybe if you’d watched a few horror movies, you’d be afraid of this thing.

   When it touched the floor, its arms and legs retracted back inside. It beeped again.

   “You wish to be named?”

   The Roomba smiled.

 

   ( ◕▿◕ )

 

   “Okay.” You took a long look at the dubious little creature.

   It was round and flat.

   That was all you needed to know.

 

   “Pancake.”

 

   On top of Pancake, a latch slid open and confetti came flying out. 

   Its awful legs sprouted again. Then it started sprinting around the room.

   

   ٩( ◕‿◕ )۶

   

   You politely clapped. “I see. You approve of your name. That is good.”

   Pancake lowered itself into its regular form to eat the spilled confetti. 

   “You… you are eating your own excrement.”

   Pancake let out a long beep. 

   “It is not excrement? I see. I am sorry.”

   It beeped twice.

   “You wish to clean my room. Okay.”

 

   And so, you followed Pancake around as it memorized the layout of your room.

   It finished rather quickly. It bragged that it was faster than the vast majority of Roombas. You nodded along to this.

   Pancake reached your door.

   One of its arms emerged from its side. Pancake’s metal claws scratched ominously at the door. 

   “You wish to explore?”

   

   ( ◕‿◕ ) ♡

   

   “Okay.” You unleashed a man-made horror upon the rest of the dorm.

   Pancake memorized the hallway in no time flat. The hallway was just a long rectangle with zero obstacles other than a single houseplant.

   Pancake didn’t seem to like the houseplant very much. Pancake extended one hand to scratch at the pot.

   “That is a decoration, Pancake. I do not think I am allowed to remove it.”

   Pancake’s reply was a drawn-out tone. 

   Pancake tucked its hand away and turned to head for the elevator.

   

   You trailed after Pancake. “Kaminari and I have disabled use of the elevator. I am sorry.”

   Pancake paused.

 

   ( ◕‿◕ ) ?

 

   “Kaminari is my friend. Perhaps you can meet him tomorrow. It is my bedtime soon.”

   Pancake trilled. 

   “You wish for me to prepare for bed? Okay.”

   Another beep.

   “I see. Pancake will play here. See you, Pancake.”

   Pancake waved.

   You waved back before heading for the restroom.

 

   Once you finished your nightly routine, you returned to find Pancake staring down the potted plant.

   You squatted to talk to Pancake. “I can ask Mr. Aizawa if I can remove it.”

   Pancake’s beep was particularly high-pitched.

   “Mr. Aizawa is my teacher. He does not frequent this building. If I bring you outside, you can meet him.”

   Disinterested, Pancake just pulled out a tiny broom and started poking around the potted plant. It had very little interest in anyone other than you, you found.

   You spotted a tiny string. Probably a stray from someone’s clothes.

   You picked up the string and dangled it in front of Pancake.

   At once, Pancake dropped the broom.

   Its hands reached up to make grabby motions.

 

   (づ ◕‿◕ )づ

 

   You released the string. Pancake caught it and stuck it into its filter.

   Pancake beeped twice. The first beep was flatter, whilst the second was higher.

   You nodded. “It is no problem.”

   

   For a while, you watched Pancake do its thing.

   Your eyes flicked to Bakugou’s door.

   It wasn’t eight-thirty yet.

   That meant Bakugou was awake.

 

   You rose to your feet.

   You strode up to Bakugou’s door.

   Lifting a fist, you tapped your knuckles against the door. “Hello, Bakugou.”

   No response.

   “Do you want to play? I have acquired a Roomba.”

   More silence.

   You took a step back. Asking him about how he felt directly was no use, and neither was luring him out.

   You plopped down against the wall. 

   Now, you sat directly across from Bakugou’s door.

   If he emerged from his lair, you’d be the first to know.

 

   Pancake rolled past. It was dragging a shredded leaf behind it.

   You turned towards the houseplant.

   Pancake had torn off one of the leaves.

   “Pancake,” you called, “you cannot alter the decorations.”

   Pancake ate the leaf.

   “...You cannot eat the decorations.”

   It threw its arms up in the air in a show of defiance.

   You tilted your hand.

   Pancake is angry? 

 

   You eyed the houseplant.

   Maybe putting it elsewhere wouldn’t do any harm. Aizawa probably didn’t care about a single plant anyway.

   You got up and headed to the far corner where the houseplant sat.

   Picking it up, you left for the restroom.

   

   “Oh, hi!”

   “Hi, Midoriya.”

   Midoriya was washing his hands. “I didn’t know you liked plants.”

   He abruptly pointed a finger at you and squinted. “No more bush jokes. Not tonight.”

   “Okay. I do not have any particular fondness for plant life.”

   “Huh? Oh. What’s this then?”

   You kicked open a stall. 

   Then you placed the plant inside and shut the door. “Pancake does not like it.” 

   “What are you doing!?” cried Midoriya. He ran past you to retrieve the houseplant. “You can’t just get rid of things like that!”

   “It was a temporary location. I am planning to relocate it in the morning. My bedtime is approaching.”

   “But still–! Wait.” Midoriya swallowed. “Pancake? You… you didn’t sneak an animal in here, did you? I know pets can be tempting, but we’re not allowed to have them here. Don’t worry! I’ll help you sort it out!”

   You shook your head. “It is okay. Midoriya does not need to help. Pancake is not an animal.”

   “Ah, okay! Phew. But then… what is Pancake?”

   “Pancake is a Roomba.”

   Midoriya’s face lit up. “Oh!”

   He freed one hand by moving the houseplant into the crook of his other arm. 

   He snapped his fingers. “Pancake must not like the houseplant because of the shape of the pot! This pot is round. Since houseplants are generally put into corners, Roombas and other housekeeping A.I. have a hard time cleaning the entire area.”

   Your eyes grew round. “Midoriya knows a lot about Roombas.”

   Midoriya tucked his chin slightly as he laughed. “I wouldn’t say that. I’ve just had a Roomba before, that’s all.”

   “What was the name of your Roomba?”

   “Huh? We didn’t name it.”

   “It did not ask you to name it?”

   “What?”

 

   You took Midoriya to see Pancake.

   It was scratching at Bakugou’s door.

   “Hello, Pancake.” You bent at the waist to pick it up. “You should not disturb Bakugou. It is almost his bedtime.”

   Pancake whined. 

   Midoriya shakily pointed at it. “Why… why does it have hands?”

   Pancake’s digital eyes landed on Midoriya.

   

   (⁘ ◕‿◕ ⁘)

 

   “...Are those my freckles?” 

   You casually glossed over that. “Pancake. This is my friend Midoriya. Tonight, do not refer to him as a bush. He is not fond of that term.”

   Pancake beeped.

   “No. Midoriya does not have plant matter on his head.”

   Midoriya nearly dropped the houseplant. “Really? Even the Roomba thinks I look like a bush!?”

   “Do not become angry with Pancake for asking a question.”

   “...It’s a Roomba.”

   You stared.

   Midoriya sighed. He always gave in to the most ridiculous shit when it came to you. “Okay, fine. But how do you understand what it’s saying?”

   “You do not?”

   “I have so many questions.”

 

   You listened patiently as Midoriya paced back and forth, either firing off questions or rambling about whatever he knew about artificial intelligence, which was a surprising amount. The dude was an encyclopedia.

   Pancake escaped into your room. It wasn’t too fond of Midoriya. 

  “So Melissa rigged the Roomba?” asked Midoriya. He didn’t seem to notice Pancake’s disappearance. “That’s so cool…! I wish I could visit I-Island again. I didn’t get to look at any of the tech for very long because of that villain attack.”

   You observed Midoriya.

   His gaze was downcast, lips smiling quietly.

   His expression was a mix between sad and happy. 

   You wanted to get rid of his sadness. “I will ask David if you can come during my future visit.”

   Midoriya’s jaw went slack. “...You’d do that? For me?”

   “Yes.” You tilted your head. “Why are you surprised?” 

   You added frankly, “Midoriya is my friend.” 

   Dark green eyes began to water. Holding back his tears, Midoriya managed to squeeze, “Thank you!”

   

   Eventually, Midoriya made off with the houseplant. He vowed to hide it in his room for you until one of you could put it elsewhere. Before he left, he wished you goodnight. You’d returned the sentiment.

   You settled back into your spot across from Bakugou’s door.

   No matter what, you were going to catch him.

    

   So why were you so sleepy?

   You yawned.

   Slowly, your lashes settled onto your cheeks.

   Head hanging and shoulders slumping, you fell asleep. 

   

   The door opened at last. What brilliant timing. Thanks, Bakugou. Motherfucker. 

   His brows scrunched. 

   He fully exited the room, shutting the door behind him. 

   His burning gaze was trained on your sleeping form. 

   You were so defenseless. Even awake, you had trouble raising your fists.

   Bakugou scoffed. 

   He gave you a small nudge with his foot. “Oi. Wake up. Can’t sleep here, dumbass.”

   You didn’t respond.

   Bakugou took a knee to flick your forehead. 

   You winced, but otherwise, you were out like a light.

  

   Next, Bakugou poked your cheek. 

   Your skin bounced when Bakugou retracted his finger.

   For a few seconds, Bakugou made no movements.

   Then he squished your nose. “Honk, honk, motherfucker. The clown car’s here to pick you up.”

   No response. Damn. That was a good one too.

 

   A diabolical grin tore Bakugou’s face in half.

   What if he slapped you? 

 

   He geared his arm back.

   That was when he heard the tiniest, softest little snores. 

 

   Bakugou’s face lost its edges. 

   He dipped his head. His shoulders shook slightly.

   Bakugou was laughing. 

   He lifted his head and muttered to himself, “So even this idiot snores.”

 

   Bakugou straightened up. He pocketed his hands.

   He proceeded to tip his head backward to burn holes into the ceiling.

   Bakugou spent a solid ten seconds just staring upward. 

   Was he seriously going to do what he was thinking of doing?

   “...Fuck it.”

   Bakugou was doing it. 

   He bent down, grabbed you by the waist, and hoisted you over his shoulder. 

   While Bakugou couldn’t bench as much as Kirishima, that didn’t mean he couldn’t carry you like a sack of potatoes.

   Luckily for him, you’d left your door unlocked. He kicked it wide open.

   

   With a grunt, Bakugou deposited you into your bed. “There. Happy?”

   You plunged your face into the pillow.

   Bakugou tore it away from you. “Do you want to suffocate and die?”

   There was the smallest pinch between your brows. Immediately seeking the next softest thing, you rubbed your cheek into the bedsheets.

   Bakugou clenched his jaw.

   You were not cute. Not in the goddamn slightest. If anything, you were almost as repulsive as Deku. Nothing was as repulsive as that guy. Yeah. 

   Bakugou lightly popped you on the head with the pillow. “Sleep properly next time, idiot.”

   He turned on his heel, tucking his hands back into his pockets. 

 

   Bakugou heard a beep.

   He glanced downward.

   Below, Pancake waved a knife around. 

 

   ( ◕‿◕ ╬)

 

   “The fuck?” sneered Bakugou. “What even is that?”

   Pancake angled the knife directly at Bakugou.

   “You can sure as hell try.” Bakugou easily plucked the knife out of Pancake’s clutches and Pancake shook its fists at him.

   Bakugou snorted. “Some guard dog you are.” 

   He went to place the knife on your desk. God knows how your strange pet got its hands on the knife.

   Making his way to the door, Bakugou took one last look at your sleeping form.

   His gaze turned forward. “Night.”

   With that, Bakugou left your room.

 

   Bakugou suddenly stopped.

   What did he come out here for again?

   He narrowed his eyes.

   Right. He was about to beat up that piece of shit Deku.

   All day, ever since the exam, Bakugou had been festering in a sea of his own rage.

   His anger had been building, and building, and building.

   When he'd set foot outside his room, he had every intention of fulfilling what he set out to do. 

   But now...

   Bakugou was calm.

   The moment had passed. 

   It wasn't that he changed his mind. He still intended to confront Midoriya. 

   It was the essential moment, the period where his rage was roaring its strongest, that Bakugou needed to act on his thoughts.

   His murderous intent had simmered down.

   At least, for now.

 

   Bakugou rubbed at his face.

   He was getting tired. 

   Maybe the beatdown could wait for another day.

Chapter 68: In The Name of Love

Notes:

FANART!!! by ding0dong0 on quotev!

 

 

 

   You woke up to muffled yelling and indignant beeping.

   “Hey, hey! Wake up!”

  

   Generally, your mornings were very simple.

   You’d rise at six-thirty, go wash up, and stretch before setting out on a jog.

   It was the exact same thing every day. Quiet, neat, orderly. You preferred it this way.

 

   That was why the second your eyes pried themselves opened, they flashed a dangerous shade of red. 

 

   “Silence.”

 

   The yelling outside your door faded and so did the beeping.

   “Crap, sorry!” whispered the voice. It was Kaminari. 

   Pancake let out a long, guilty whine.

 

   You blinked.

   Did you just… get angry?

   Your anger was far and rare. Normally, you were very reasonable in the mornings. If anything, you experienced little to no thought till after breakfast.

   But there was no better time to poke the bear than during slumber. 

 

   You sat up. “It is okay. I am sorry for becoming angry with you, Kaminari, Pancake.” 

   Kaminari smiled, and you could tell because you could hear it. “S’okay! I didn’t even know you were angry till you said anything! Wait, now I’m a little afraid. Y– you’re not super mad, are you?”

   On your side of the door, Pancake was chirping. It started making a cut-throat motion with its hands. 

   You shook your head. “Outside of a battle exercise, I cannot harm Kaminari.”

   Pancake’s arms hit the ground in sorrow.

   Kaminari yelped, “You can’t what!? Who are you talking to!? Do you hear the voices too!?”

   A new person audibly smacked Kaminari. “That’s just Elbows and the Pink One fucking with you in your sleep.”

   “Ow! Can you stop hitting me all the time, Bakugou? And what’s that mean?”

   “What do you think, dumbass? They’ve been whispering in your ears. By the way, quit yelling. You’re so goddamn loud!”

   “They have? And hey! Says you!”

   Another smack.

   “Okay, okay, I’m sorry!”

   

   You listened to all this, bleary-eyed.

   Bakugou being up this early wasn’t a surprise. Since the two of you got up around the same time, you regularly ended up brushing your teeth next to each other. Bakugou attacking you was a core part of your morning routine.

   But what about Kaminari?

   On weekends, that sucker never got up till the afternoon.

   Why was he yowling outside your–

 

   You flung your blanket off. “I am behind schedule.”

   You stepped off the bed.

   Then you immediately crumpled to the floor.

 

   If the universe had a consciousness, it was probably staring at you very hard right now.

   You laid there like a crinkled tissue.

   Your traps, lats, and just about every muscle on your torso were aching so bad. And so was the remaining part of your nondominant leg. 

   You could carry an extra seventy kilos with no lasting problems. Actually wearing it during combat was a different story.

   You’d dunked on Shinsou, but at what cost?

   

   Pancake began to beep rapidly. It rushed over. 

   Its little metal claws tugged at the sleeve of your shirt.

   The bickering outside abruptly came to a stop.

   They’d heard a loud thud. Your fall had been a heavy one. 

   “What happened!?” cried Kaminari. He banged on the door. “Are you good?”

   Bakugou threw his head back and cackled. “Finally! I’m gonna throw him into the recycling bin!”

   “What is wrong with you, Bakugou?” 

   You raised your voice a little to reply, “I was not able to successfully dismount from my bed. However, I am good. Please do not recycle me.” 

   Bakugou clicked his teeth. “Damn it.”

   Shooting him a look, Kaminari said to you, “Oh, okay, then! Do you need any help?”

   “No, thank you.” You activated your boosters and promptly crashed into the ceiling.

   

   Kaminari ended up overloading the passcode lock to get inside.

   At the sight of you, Kaminari thought that maybe Bakugou was right to recycle you. You looked like a crushed tin can.

   “Dude!” Kaminari got on his knees to nudge at you. “What the heck happened to you!?”

   “My attempt to get up was unsuccessful.”

   “That literally explains nothing.”

   “I am sorry.”

   Bakugou was standing by the door. Grinning evilly, he took a picture of you. “I’m going to laugh at this later.”

   Kaminari huffed. “Can you stop being mean to him for once?”

   “Nah.”

   You forced your cheek up from the carpet. “What time is it?”

   Bakugou’s phone practically teleported back into his pocket. “Not telling you.”

   Kaminari kicked Bakugou in the shin and the other blond started swinging him around like a ragdoll. 

 

   The door slammed open.

   Iida burst into the room.

   Before him, Bakugou was using Kaminari as a chew toy, you were a shapeless pile on the ground, and Pancake was cheering on the fight.

   Iida’s jaw hit the floor. 

   He shouted, “What is going on here!?”

 

   As it turned out, Iida was the only useful person in the guys’ side of the dorm. The girls were probably having tea and cookies right about now, lucky bastards. Or sacrificing Mineta to an Eldritch god. Normal girl activities.

   

   Anyway.

   Iida loaded you onto his back. “Goodness! I’ll run you a hot bath. Just what on Earth did you do?”

   You two were now heading for the shower room.

   “Yesterday, I engaged in a match with Shinsou.”

   “With Shinsou?” Even while carrying you, Iida made the effort to smartly push up his glasses by brushing his cheek against his shoulder. “If I remember correctly, he’s a General Studies student, is he not?”

   “Iida is correct. I have not made a direct inquiry, but I presume Shinsou is currently under Mr. Aizawa’s tutelage.”

   “Ah, so that’s how it is!” Iida nodded to himself. “It is a wonderful sight to see people striving for their dreams. I am truly happy for that Shinsou boy. Nonetheless, I doubt he’s quite strong enough to render you into this state.”

   “That is true. Mr. Aizawa ruled that I must wear weights on my person.”

   Iida shed his slippers at the restroom doorway. “Weights? For what reason?”

   “The rules were made on the basis of fairness.”

   Iida frowned, offended. “Fairness? A fight between someone of your caliber and someone of Shinsou’s can never be fair. Just what was Mr. Aizawa thinking?”

 

   “Please do not be angry with Mr. Aizawa.”

   Iida stopped in his tracks.

   You were leaning your cheek into his shoulder, your eyes softened by fading sleep. 

   Iida could see you in the restroom mirror.

   “I had been the catalyst for the fight.” Your chin, poking into Iida as you spoke, was a firm reminder of your closeness. 

   Iida swallowed. “I… I see!”

   He hadn’t paid any mind to it before. His mind had been full of concern.

   But now his brain was empty.

 

   Blissfully unaware of Iida’s plight, you continued, “Shinsou proposed the fight, which I accepted out of my other desire to help him.”

   “T– to help him?” 

   “Yes. Shinsou’s wish is to join the Hero course. He desired to know how much experience he requires. Prior to the sports festival, Shinsou greeted our class. I have been offering my assistance ever since.”

   That snapped Iida out of it. “Wasn’t Shinsou rather rude back then? He didn’t seem like he needed help at the time, but I suppose I was wrong. I will use this as an opportunity to reflect on my judgment of others!”

   “Okay.” Suddenly, you sniffed.

   Unlike yesterday, Iida didn’t smell of heavy cologne.

   “Iida no longer has a smell. That is good.”

   And Iida’s brain was sent right back to space.

   He stammered incoherently. Then he managed, “I’m glad you’ve noticed! I opted for unscented deodorant in place of my usual cologne!”

   “I see. Thank you.”

   “Of course!” A wobbling grin curved Iida’s lips. He felt so jittery right now. 

   Whether you were doing something you weren’t supposed to or being plain cute, you were going to be the death of him.

 

   Iida coughed. 

   Then he swiftly made his way to the back of the shower room. The back was where all the built-in baths were. 

   You kept your hands on Iida’s arms as he lowered you onto the edge. 

   Once you felt the ground, you let go.

   Iida smiled down at you. His eyes crinkled. “I’ll start the water. Please wait here.”

   “Okay. Thank you.” 

    Iida left. You turned to sway your feet in the empty air below.

   “What temperature would you like?”

   You looked over your shoulder. “Forty degrees Celsius, please.”

   “Alright.”

 

   After Iida pressed a few buttons, water began to fill the tub.

   You stuck your foot out to kick at the rising surface. “I wish for rain.”

   Iida chuckled. You heard the sound of his feet against the cold tile as he approached.

   Taking a seat to your right, he asked, “Is rain something you’re fond of?”

   “Yes.” Your answer was instantaneous. “I like rain.”

   Iida’s eyes widened.

   He was used to you showing, not telling. To see you say so resolutely that you liked something…

   Iida took off his glasses to wipe a tear.

   A tiny crease appeared above your nose. “Iida is crying?”

   You leaned closer to him. This time, you remembered to soften your voice and asked, “Why?”

   Iida turned his nose skyward. He curled a fist by his heart. “Your fondness for rain…! It’s…! It’s quite moving! Please pardon me!”

   You reached out to turn Iida’s face back to you. 

   He went stiff.

   Your thumb, cold and smooth, ran across his cheek. Iida shut his left eye when your thumb passed over it. 

   “You are crying because of me. I am sorry.”

   Iida’s fingers wrapped around your wrist. 

   Clasping your hand between both of his, he said sincerely, “That’s not true!”

   You blinked. “It is not?”

   Iida nodded. “Rather, it’s because… I’m starting to realize that you aren’t quite so maladroit anymore.”

   “What is maladroit?”

   “I rescind my statement.”

   “Why? I have never heard of that word, Iida.”

   “Is that so? Hm. Perhaps I am the one who’s maladroit...”

   “Please explain.”

 

   Once the tub was full, you shed your clothes and slid right in.

   You basically melted. The water was perfect for your sore muscles.

   “Would you like a massage?” asked Iida. He was kneeling outside the tub.

   Glasses glinting, he lifted his flat hands into the air. “I happen to be quite good at those!”

   “Okay. Thank you.”

   The sheer force of the ensuing massage made you vibrate like an alarm clock. You opened your mouth to make noise, as if shouting into a fan, and Iida burst into laughter.

 

   Meanwhile, Pancake wasn’t having such a good time.

   “You’re so cute!” gushed Kaminari. 

   He was chasing the poor thing in circles around your room. “What are you?”

   Pancake was so distressed that it began playing a phone alarm sound.

 

   Bakugou was just chilling. He’d settled into your desk chair. 

   On the desk itself, there was the knife from last night.

   He picked up the knife and flipped it between his fingers.

   Wonder where this came from.

 

   There was no way you kept knives on your own accord. You weren’t even allowed to hold one.

   The only explanation was that Pancake already had the knife.

   Gaze low, Bakugou spun the knife around his thumb.

   He grinned.

   He was starting to like your little murder pet.

 

   Kaminari squealed, “Such a cute doggy!”

   Pancake narrowly escaped his outstretched hands. Its little arms were flailing behind it.

   Bakugou sniffed. “Pretty fucked up-looking dog.”

   “C’mere, c’mere!”

   A vein popped on Bakugou’s forehead. He was getting tired of hearing Kaminari’s incessant cooing.

   So he tossed Pancake the knife.

   Pancake’s arm shot upward to catch it. 

   Kaminari froze.

   Turning menacingly, Pancake released a loud victory screech.

   Now Kaminari was the one being chased. 

   He screamed, “Why does it have a knife!?”

   Bakugou banged his fist against the arm of your chair. He was absolutely howling with laughter. “Run, bitch, run!”

 

   “Why are you two causing havoc in his room again!?”

   Bakugou’s sharp glare flicked to the doorway. 

   Iida stood there, hands on his hips. 

   Kaminari hurled himself onto your bed. He was panting way too much for someone who only had to outrun a slightly-faster-than-normal Roomba.

   In an effort to look cool, he flipped himself onto his side. “Why, if it isn’t Iida?”

   Iida sighed. 

   He dipped his head, and pinching the space between his brows, he grit out, “Remove yourselves. Please.”

   Kaminari jabbed a finger at Pancake. “Doesn’t that mean I have to get past that thing? Do you want me to die!?”

   At the foot of your bed, Pancake was waving the knife around. It beeped. 

   Kaminari’s choice to flee onto your bed was a good one. Pancake hadn’t figured out how to climb.

 

   Yet.

 

   Iida gasped. “Is that a knife!?”

   “Yep.” Bakugou was spinning one of your pens around his fingers. “Little bugger’s real fond of those.”

   Kaminari squinted directly at Bakugou. “Sounds like a certain someone.”

   The pen came flying at Kaminari.

   He tipped his head to the side, unfazed. 

   The pen bounced against the wall and fell onto the carpet. Pancake dropped the knife in favor of investigating the pen.

   Kaminari was completely calm. He didn’t look the part, but he had amazing reflexes. 

   He deadpanned. “You know better than to try that with me.”

   “Wow, get a load of this guy. You think you’re so fucking cool, don’t you?”

   “Can you just let me have this?”

   Iida took a deep breath.

   He pressed his hands together and touched them to his lips. 

   As he swung his hands downward, Iida bellowed, “Get out!”

   

   You sank into the warm water, eyes half-lidded.

   Iida wasn’t back yet. That was odd, considering how timely he liked to be.

   But you’d wait. You were always patient.

   

   It wasn’t more than a few minutes later when Iida returned with a few of your items. He looked remarkably frazzled. When asked, he refused to say why.

   You dried off. Then you changed into fresh clothes and brushed your teeth. 

 

   Iida was waiting for you in the hall.

   You exited the restroom, towel around your shoulders and dirty clothes in your hands. 

   Iida smiled at you. “Hello!”

   “Hello, Iida.” You stretched your mouth into an awkward grimace.

   “You… you don’t have to do that.”

   “Okay.” Your lips immediately relaxed. “What time is it?”

   Iida checked his watch. “Approximately eight-twenty.”

   So it was much earlier in the day than you thought. That, too, was strange. While you could accept sleeping in after an event as tiring as the license exam, Kaminari waking up this early was unnatural.

   Iida lowered his wrist. “You didn’t see the text I sent to the group chat, I presume?”

   “No. I am sorry. What is it?”

 

   Iida gave you a rundown.

   Last night, he had laid out an itinerary of sorts. Since there were a few select students in the class who hadn’t finished their summer homework yet, he would be hosting a study session. Only after everyone finished their homework would you all set out for your yukata shopping trip.

   No wonder Kaminari was awake. He must’ve been required to participate in the session.

   Why were you awake then?

   “Yaoyorozu and I were hoping you could assist us as a tutor,” said Iida. “As of recently, I was made aware that you’ve risen past Bakugou and I in academic rank. You’re more than capable of teaching the others.”

   He politely bowed. “If you would, please.”

   

   Your head lolled to the left. Then right. 

   You blinked owlishly.

   You? Teaching others? And you’d gone up the class rankings?

   That would put you at rank two, just below Yaoyorozu.

   And the idea of teaching others…

   For you, who was always learning from your friends, teaching was something you couldn’t imagine yourself doing.

 

   Iida sensed your confusion. 

   He straightened up. “Allow me to explain. Your literature score was the only thing holding you back. I take it you’ve furthered your understanding of subjective concepts?”

   You thought about it. “...Yesterday, I successfully identified a joke.”

   Blinking, Iida adjusted his glasses. “That’s… not what I expected.”

   He clapped his hands. “But nonetheless, that is proof of your improvement! Congratulations!”

 

   Staring blankly at Iida, you didn’t react.

   I… have improved.

   Your head came down first.

   Your hands pressed themselves to your sides.

   Finally, you bowed. “Thank you.”

 

   When you got to your room, you noticed that it was… a little more spick and span than you remembered leaving it.

   The bed had been made, the desk chair was perfectly perpendicular to the desk, and the box Pancake came in was gone.

   Iida cleared his throat. “I took the liberty of cleaning your room. I hope you don’t mind.”

   “I do not mind. Thank you.” 

   You looked around for Pancake.

   Below your bed, Pancake was sleeping in its charging station. 

   “I thought I’d set that up for you,” Iida added. “Your Roomba was… tired.”

   “I see. Thank you, Iida.”

   “Of course. It was no trouble on my part!”

   “I see. That is good.”

 

   Iida headed for the door.

   Looking over his shoulder, he said to you, “I’ll be waiting on the first floor. Take your time.”

   “Okay.”

   The door clicked shut.

 

   You started putting your stuff away. Dirty clothes in the basket, towel on the hanger.

   You passed by your desk.

   Your phone was sitting there, untouched since the day before.

   You picked it up.

   The screen turned on and you saw a slew of notifications.

   They consisted of Iida’s text, some whining from the class troublemakers, and a video from Melissa.

   Your pupils dilated.

   Melissa has sent me a message.

   You unlocked your phone and clicked on the video.

 

   There Melissa was. 

   She sat at her desk, hands folded neatly. 

   Next to her, David sat up straight in his chair.

   Crystal blue eyes curved upward, lined by lovely crows’ feet.

   David opened his mouth and Melissa pinched his lips shut.

   He spluttered. “Melissa!”

   She grinned impishly. “Sorry, Papa, but I’d like to go first!”

   She directed her attention to the camera.

   When Melissa said your name, she said it so tenderly that all the world’s other sounds seemed to come to a halt. 

   You held the phone closer to you. “Melissa.”

   The bracelet on her wrist scraped against the wood of her desk as she settled her hands on her lap.

   She breathed in. “Papa and I received the picture of your license.” 

   Melissa’s lashes united with her cheeks in a tearful hug. “I knew it. I knew you could do it!”

   David preemptively offered her a tissue.

   Maintaining her smile, Melissa pushed it away. “I know I already told you this, but… you’ve worked so hard to be where you are. You had to learn two languages, learn self-defense, and learn how to walk again, all in the span of a single month. But you’ve never complained. Not at all.”

   It was true. 

   In the six months you’d been awake, you hadn’t complained even once.

   Melissa’s smile fell. Her gaze softened. “Sometimes, I wish you would. You deserve to.”

   “That’s right.” David kept his eyes on you as he put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Son. I’d like you to remember these two things.”

 

   You leaned forward.

   Son.

   Ever since your parents died, David had stepped up as not only your legal guardian, but as someone you could depend on. 

   This was why he’d been especially disappointed in himself for the I-Island incident. 

   He felt like he failed you. He put you directly in the face of danger. You could have died.

   And yet, all you did back then was ask David if he was alright. 

   David had nearly cried in All Might’s arms. 

   It was like you didn’t know how to hate anyone.

 

   You were so kind. So bright. So loving.

   If compassion had a shape, it would be yours.

   

 

   David inhaled. His face took on a more serious expression. “The first thing I want you to remember… is that Melissa and I will always, always be proud of you.”

   Melissa nodded strongly. She was trying her best not to cry.

   “Okay,” you replied. “I will remember. Thank you.” 

   You wanted to say it to David in person. 

   Soon, you told yourself. 

   You remembered your promise to Midoriya. You’d take him back home too. And All Might, if he wished it.

   

   “Now, the second thing…”

   Your grip on the phone tightened.

   David grinned, and you found the place where Melissa’s light came from. 

   “...you don’t need to remember.” 

   You blinked. “I do not need to remember?”

   David laughed. “I think I can see your face right now. Your mother did that, too, you know, the blinking. Speaking of your mother… What I’m saying is that you don’t have to remember her. You don’t have to remember your father either. Your memories… They are not the reason you are important to Melissa and I, or to your parents.”

   “...I see.” 

   You never thought about it very much, the events of your past. You were always looking right in front of you. 

  But there were small, fleeting moments where you had the thought that remembering would make the people around you happy. 

   

  David went on, “What we care about is you. Whether you remember, whether you don’t…”

  Melissa grinned. Along her pale lashes, tears shined like stars.

   

   “We will love you either way."

 

   Your eyes widened. 

   Sunlight spilled from them in a heavenly typhoon. 

   You hunched over. 

   Your chest was so full.

   You could feel– feel happiness come to roost in the nest of your heart. 

   Shoulders sinking, you stayed that way for a minute.

 

   You were loved. And you would be loved. 

   You didn’t know if you were capable of something so precious. 

   You raised your head.

   You took one look at Melissa and David, and that was when you learned the name of love. 

   “Thank… you.”

   “I love you,” they said in unison.

 

   “I love you.”

Chapter 69: Heroes' Beloved

Notes:

fanart!!! by ding0dong0 on quotev!

 

   

   The video ended.

   You stood there, lost in thought.

 

   Love.

 

   You remembered the last time you told someone you loved them.

   It was five months ago. You’d parroted Melissa. It’d been an insincere imitation, almost a mockery of the phrase’s weight. You had only said it because Melissa had done so first.

   But you knew it now, the meaning of love. 

   You’d wondered what it meant. If you really did mean it when you said, “I love you.”

   Once you started your education here, you’d stopped thinking about it. You didn’t know just how important it was.

   You'd been too busy carving your future with the hands Melissa gave you.

   These same hands were protecting all they could reach– your newfound friends, your mentors, and most importantly, civilians who couldn’t protect themselves.

 

   This life spent saving others… 

   Perhaps it was its own form of love.   

   

   The peaceful silence was broken by the voicemail tone.

 

   “Thank you, Melissa, David. I will remember those two things– that you love me and that I do not need to remember. I… have learned how to– no– that I can experience love. I was not certain of it before, but I am certain now. Thank you for helping me. See you.”

 

   You put your phone into your pocket.

   Before you could head downstairs to eat breakfast, there was one last thing you had to do.

 

   You looked to the balcony sliding doors.

   In front of the left door, the picture of your parents’ smiling faces glowed in the morning sun.

   Their picture was set up on a small box. You’d have to replace it with a proper shrine later.

   You’d offered your parents some water the day before. You changed out the cup of water for a fresh one. 

   Next, you had to replace the food offering.

   It was always an orange. Todoroki had taught you to honor your parents using an orange. You’d been doing the same ever since.

   Todoroki seemed to be fond of oranges. Specifically, mandarins. The coin pouch he gave you was modeled in the shape of one.

   You walked over to the makeshift shrine to grab the orange.

   It is ripe.

   I will share this with Todoroki.

   You took another orange from your mini-fridge. This would be the latest offering for another few days or so.

   Kneeling down, you placed it onto the box.

   You pocketed the orange and pressed your hands together.

 

   Good morning, Mother, Father.

 

   You gazed at their still faces.

   They didn’t need you to remember.

   They were smiling, even as you lost the ability to smile back.

   You weren’t sure if you loved your parents. They loved you, yes, but you couldn’t remember them.

   How cruel. 

   The universe always found a way to curse the most beautiful souls.

   Yet, in turn, those beautiful souls always found a way to win against the stars themselves.

   The strongest were not those who cursed the stars back, but those who used the light to find their way.

   The universe was cold and unloving.

   That didn’t mean you had to be.

 

   You closed your eyes.

 

   Thank you for loving me.

   

   You got up.

   It was time to eat.

   

   When you reached the first floor, you found a gathering in the kitchen.

   Kaminari, Sero, and Ashido were squabbling over something. They crowded around the kitchen island like a murder of rowdy crows. Over by the rice cooker, Ojirou was just trying to get his food.

   He saw you approaching. Brows cinched and hair rumpled, he looked terribly tired. “Good morning.”

   “Good morning. Are you okay?”

   Ojirou laughed weakly. “Don’t worry about me.”

   He cast the troublemaker trio a dry look. “It’s a little… loud this morning, that’s all.”

   You stared. “Okay.”

   Then you turned to the other three idiots. “Please be quiet.”

   Ojirou nearly dropped his bowl. “You can’t just say that!”

   Kaminari, Sero, and Ashido whipped around.

   Their faces lit up with big, goofy grins.

   In some sort of cruel act of God upon Ojirou, they all shouted at full volume, “Good morning!”

   You blinked. “Good morning.”

   Ojirou sighed. “Good morning...”

 

   Kaminari latched onto you and Ojirou took this opportunity to slip away before he could be dragged into any shenanigans.

   “Hey, hey!” said Kaminari. 

   He tugged your arm with one hand while pointing at Sero and Ashido. “They’ve been whispering in my ears while I’m sleeping, right? I know you were there when Bakugou said it!”

   Looking awfully confused, Ashido twiddled her thumbs. “What are you talking about?”

   Sero closed his eyes and shrugged. “Yeah, I don't know what you’re talking about either, man. How does Bakugou know? Was he there?”

   “Yeah, duh! How else would he know, stupid?”

   “Now, now, Kaminari, let’s not get all worked up.” 

 

   Your stomach growled. You came here to get food, only to bear witness to Sero and Ashido gaslighting Kaminari. Were you allowed to leave the conversation now?

 

   Sero got up from his chair to sling an arm around you. “My man.”

 

   Nope. You were going to be stuck here for a bit, it seemed.

 

   “Did you personally witness Ashido and I trick Kaminari into thinking he’s hearing voices?”

   Kaminari flung his hands into the air. “You literally admitted it just now!”

   Ashido put a finger to her lips. “Shush.”

   “You shut up!”

   “You’re being mean to me! I’m telling Yaomomo!”

   “Are you five!?”

   “You’re doing it again!”

 

   You answered Sero’s question. “No.”

   He switched his attention from you to Kaminari, looking smug as all hell. “See that? You’ve got no one to act as a witness.”

   You said frankly, “Bakugou knows.”

   The three went silent. 

   Not a few seconds later, the kitchen exploded with noise.

   Your singular statement caused the initial argument to ramp up again.

   Using the noise as cover, you escaped towards the pantry.

 

   Speaking of Bakugou, you were curious as to how he was doing.

   He seemed to be doing better this morning. Unlike yesterday, when he massacred half the boys, he’d been laughing and having a good time. At your expense, of course.

   You’d have to try talking to him about his minor problem with using people as chew toys. You didn’t care whenever he fulfilled his daily ritual of attacking you at the ass crack of dawn. However, you didn’t stand for him bulldozing Midoriya, Iida, Todoroki, and the other victims of the Great Shower Room Incident.

   You looked around.

   Iida said he’d be waiting for you downstairs. He must’ve eaten already.

 

   You spotted a houseplant by the front door.

   It wasn’t just any houseplant. One of its leaves was torn in half.

   Midoriya had fulfilled his promise of sneaking Pancake’s most hated houseplant out of the living quarters. The placement was a little questionable though. The point had been to hide the plant. 

   Oh, well. You were set on thanking Midoriya either way.

 

   Putting on a pink apron, you decided to make your specialty– pancakes.

   The kitchen began to smell of butter.

   Kaminari and Ashido peered around you.

   “Ooh, smells good!”

   “Can I have some?”

   You flipped a pancake. “Okay. You have not eaten yet?”

   The two glanced at each other.

   Their gazes slowly drifted in opposite directions.

   “No…”

   “Oops.”

   You flipped another. “I see. Why?”

   Kaminari shot Ashido a glare. “Well, someone has been lying to me about the voices!”

   She giggled as if she hadn’t played a hand in making Kaminari question his own sanity. “By ‘someone,’ do you mean the voices?”

   “I swear to God–!”

 

   Suddenly, pancakes.

   You’d silenced Kaminari and Ashido by holding a fresh plate between them. 

   They stared, entranced.

   Ashido snatched the plate. “Thank you!”

   “Hey!” cried Kaminari.

   On her way out, Ashido grabbed some jam and a few packets of sugar. “Better luck next time!”

   Kaminari was just not having a good past couple of days. It was as if some higher being was pulling pranks on him for their own amusement.

   His shoulders slumped.

   You picked up on this. “I will make pancakes for Kaminari too.”

   “Thanks…” 

   “It is no problem.” You turned back to the stove and Kaminari wrapped his arms around your waist.

   “You’re the only one who’s nice to me,” he whined dramatically. “Never change, okay?”

   “Kaminari, I must change. My clothes will accumulate a high amount of filth if I do not change.”

   Smiling into your back, Kaminari said, “Yeah.”

   You were such a harmless creature. Kaminari could always depend on you to be just that. He never took the others’ jokes seriously (except for the raspberry joke– he cried). Nonetheless, he appreciated your near lack of malevolence. You never made fun of him– at least, not on purpose. And just now, you didn’t offer to make him pancakes.

   You said you would. 

   You’d realized he was a bit down and tried to make him feel better.

   He hugged you tighter.

   Please don’t change.

 

   “It is done.”

   Kaminari peered over your shoulder. 

   You were plating another batch onto a white dish. 

   To give you room to swivel around, Kaminari stepped back, still keeping his arms loose around your waist.

   You were such a dream.

   Pretty braid cascading down your shoulder and pink apron softening your intimidating exterior, you were the image of Kaminari’s perfect spouse.

   You offered him the plate. “This is for Kaminari.”

   All of a sudden, his face went from dreamy to dead serious. “Will you marry me?”

   “What–?”

   

   “The fuck?”

   From over Kaminari’s head, you could see Bakugou heading for the front door. He was decked out in athletic clothes and dangling his gym bag over his shoulder.

   His distinct glare was one of genuine confusion.

   Kaminari smiled without a care in the world. “Oh, hey, Bakugou!”

   He wordlessly marched to the door.

   His mood seemed to have taken another turn.

   Following Bakugou with your eyes, you were reminded of last night, when he vanished into his room.

 

   Bakugou was avoiding everyone again.

 

   “Good morning,” you tried.

   He ignored you in favor of sticking his shoes on.

   That was definitely abnormal. He typically never passed up on the chance to prove it was, in fact, not a good morning by punching you. Joke’s on Bakugou, his acts of malice had become part of your good morning.

   Kaminari pouted. “You’re not gonna say it back?”

   His reply was to grab the door handle.

 

   “Have you eaten yet?”

   

   Bakugou went still.

   The distinct crease on his jaw, the one that told you he was clenching his teeth, loosened just the slightest.

   “...None of your damn business.”

   And then he was gone.

   

   You blinked.

   Bakugou… answered me.

 

   “Weird.” Kaminari scratched his head. “Wasn’t he fine earlier?”

   “Perhaps something has occurred to upset Bakugou.”

   “Everything pisses him off. It’s just… I’ve never seen him like this. I don’t like it.”

   You offered him the plate again. “I do not like it either. However, Kirishima says it is best to allow Bakugou to deal with his emotions on his own.”

   Kaminari took it. “Thanks. And yeah, I agree, but… shouldn’t we show we care anyway? I don’t know… Sure, it’ll piss him off even more, but something doesn’t feel right about just leaving him alone.”

   Hands empty, you let them settle by your sides.

   Kaminari is correct.

   Now that someone else had put it into words, you were distinctly aware of what you’d been thinking for the past day.

 

   You did say you would respect Bakugou’s wishes, but...

 

   Kaminari stuffed a pancake into his mouth. “I thought Kirishima would’ve… Mm, this is good!”

   “Thank you.”

   “Would’ve… said something earlier–” Kaminari paused to swallow– “but I guess not.”

   Good point. 

   While Kirishima wasn’t a fan of talking about his own feelings, he was always there for others. 

   You recalled he’d already tried talking to Bakugou once. Bakugou had slammed the door on him. 

   And then Kirishima–

 

   Your eyes widened almost imperceptibly.

   The night you fought Shinsou, Kirishima cried.

   You thought it was just because he was worried about Bakugou.

   You were realizing that wasn’t the only reason he cried.

   It was also because Bakugou had never shut him out like this before.

   

   Your grip on the spatula went taut.

   Things were different now.

   Bakugou’s wounds were leaking onto other people.

 

   You were going to help Bakugou whether he liked it or not.

   It was your turn to save him.

   

   You couldn’t do it alone. You weren’t quite so good at navigating the emotional battlefield.

   You needed information.

   Your best bet? 

   Midoriya.

   You made another batch of pancakes, sprinkled some sugar, and went off in search of your favorite bush.

 

   He ended up coming right to you.

   “Good morning!”

   “Good morning.”

   Midoriya bent down to change into his indoor slippers. Like Bakugou, he was wearing athletic clothing.

   Midoriya looked up with a smile. His freckled cheeks were flushed a faint red from exertion. He'd returned from a morning jog.

   You were about to ask him about Bakugou when he suddenly gasped.

   Midoriya flew back against the door. “W– what are you wearing!?”

   You glanced down at yourself.

   You made eye contact. “I am wearing a shirt, sweatpants, socks, and box–”

   “No!” Midoriya gestured wildly at your torso. “A– apr–...!"

   His cheeks were getting redder by the second. 

   You delicately pressed one hand to Midoriya's forehead. “Are you okay?”

   That was what did him in.

 

   Midoriya collapsed to his knees.

   You’d been waiting for him, armed with hot food and a silly pink apron. Your sleeves were rolled up your forearms at the perfect ratio. Your hair, braided as always, gave you a touch of elegance to top off your sweetness.

   Midoriya banged a fist against the floor. 

   He was this close to asking for your hand in marriage.

   

   You peered down at him, head tilting. “Midoriya is… not okay.”

   “No, no, no!” he jabbered. 

   He didn’t dare raise his head in fear of you seeing how red he was. “I’m fine! Don’t worry about it!”

   You shifted the plate to one hand.

   Then you hoisted Midoriya upward with the other. 

   He hung in the air, figurative tail between his legs. He hid his face.

   His small voice was muffled as he said, “Please don’t look.”

   “Why?”

   “I’m… embarrassed.”

   You blinked. “I see. May I know why?”

   “Uh, can we not talk about it? I’m really sorry!”

   “Okay. That is fine.” You released Midoriya and he landed on his feet.

   He bowed profusely. “Thanks, for, um, not prying. And I’m sorry again!”

   “Do not apologize.” You extended the plate to him. “Thank you for relocating the houseplant.”

   At your words, Midoriya glanced to his left. The aforementioned houseplant was sitting there.

   “It’s nothing.” His gaze fell upon the pancakes. “Is this… a thank you gift?”

   You nodded. “Yes.”

   Midoriya clutched his chest.

   He couldn’t believe it.

   A cyborg, one with a long track record of intimidation and environmental destruction, was somehow the cutest thing in Midoriya’s eyes.

 

   The dining room was filled with the sounds of utensils against dishware.

   You and Midoriya sat next to each other at the dining table. You’d cast off your apron after making a batch of pancakes for yourself.

   Midoriya pressed his hands together. You followed suit.

   Simultaneously, the two of you chimed, “Thank you for the food.”

   Then you dug in.

   Further down the table, Kaminari, Ashido, and Sero were chatting over their food. Ojirou had scampered off somewhere. He was probably eating outside with Shoji.

   You didn’t see Iida. Where exactly did he mean when he said he’d be waiting downstairs?

   Midoriya noticed your wandering eyes. “What’s up?”

   “I do not know where Iida is.”

   “He should be in the library right now. He and Yaoyorozu are getting materials for the study session.”

   “How do you know?”

   Midoriya puffed out his chest. “I’m participating too. As a tutor!”

   “I see.”

   “But… I might not be the best tutor.” He looked down, chuckling softly. “I’ve never taught anyone before.”

 

   “That is not true.”

   Midoriya looked up.

   You were staring back, all your attention focused on him. “Midoriya has taught me many things.”

   “I have? Like what…?”

   “When I first arrived in Japan, I knew its language, but not its culture.” You clapped your hands together again. “Midoriya taught me to say ‘thank you’ before every meal.”

   He laughed, shaking his head. “I don't think that's something you should be grateful to me for. You were bound to learn eventually.”

   You went on. “Midoriya taught me… how to exercise. You created my first workout regimen for me. You allowed me to borrow your dumbbells.”

   “You– you remember?”

   “Yes. And Midoriya taught me how to eat properly. My diet previously consisted almost entirely of pancakes and eggs. You expressed mortification at my eating habits.”

   To end your speech, you nodded your head. “Thank you.”

   Midoriya stiffened.

   Straightening up in his chair, Midoriya’s grip on his fork went tight. 

 

   You didn’t know.

 

   You didn’t know that not a day after he taught you those things, he woke up extra early in order to avoid walking to school with you.

   You’d seemed so cold back then, unfeeling and blunt with your words.

   You had come off as callous. Calculating. You were constantly analyzing people. Your spinning irises were a dead giveaway.

   Midoriya found out later that you weren’t trying to gain some sort of advantage over others.

   In reality, you were trying your best to learn.

   The staring, mimicking… You did those things in order to acclimate to others. To assimilate, to make them more comfortable.

   Midoriya remembered vividly the day, upon Aizawa’s prompting, you told the entire class about your head injury.

   

   And now, Midoriya was horrified to remember he never apologized for how he treated you.

   You’d never picked up on it. To this day, you were blissfully unaware of Midoriya’s initial attitude towards you. As he warmed up to you, he forgot the whole thing ever happened.

   He’d known you had feelings. That you cared about All Might. That you wanted to be a Hero too.

   He’d thought of you so horribly anyway.

 

   Midoriya slammed the fork against the table. 

   He whipped towards you. “I’m–!”

   

   You were drinking some juice.

   Hearing Midoriya, you set down your cup and turned. “Yes?”

   Now that Midoriya knew you, he could see the tiny changes in your mood.

   The corners of your eyes, your lips, the level of tension in your brows. All these things told Midoriya how you were feeling.

 

   At this moment, you were looking at him with a unique softness only dedicated to your friends.

   Midoriya could’ve cried.

   I don’t deserve it.

 

   Whatever your reaction was going to be, Midoriya would take it.

   “I’m sorry!”

   “Why?” you asked gently.

   He tried not to duck his head. He had to look you in the eyes.

   “I’m sorry because… because–…!”

   You watched Midoriya with a small tilt of your head, ever patient.

   He swallowed. 

   Midoriya wasn’t ready. He didn’t think he could bear to see your irises turn red. Even worse, blue.

 

   “...I have something to tell you.”

 

   “Okay.” You shifted in your seat to fully face Midoriya. 

   “But I don’t think I can tell you yet.” He forced a laugh, mouth dry. “I’m still not strong enough.”

   “That is okay. I will wait.”

   “No. I can’t make you wait. At least, not for very long.”

   You angled your head downward to watch Midoriya give you his pinky. 

   When you glanced back up at his face, his jaw was set firm and brows knit together in determination.

   “The day after tomorrow, after the festival… I’ll tell you. Can you hold me to that?”

   You gave Midoriya your pinky.

   Wrapping it around Midoriya’s, you replied, “Okay.”

 

   Midoriya’s bittersweet smile tugged at his cheeks and pulled down the outer edges of his brow.

   Can you look at me like this for just a little longer?

   

   You let go first.

   With a cough, Midoriya shoved his hands into his lap. “Um, in the meantime… is there anything I can help you with?”

   “...I have a question about Bakugou.”

   

   Midoriya told you all he was willing to divulge. He kept secret the part about Bakugou being his middle school bully. Midoriya knew you thought the world of Bakugou. He didn’t have the heart to potentially ruin that.

   

   “Bakugou…” you started, “believes he is being underestimated when he is given concern. He does not like advice either. I see.”

   “Yeah.” Midoriya chuckled. “Kacchan’s always been like this. It’s kind of funny that he’s still mad at me for offering him my hand once.”

   “Is that why he is especially mean to you?”

   “Yep.” 

   It wasn’t the whole truth, but Midoriya wasn’t about to spill the beans about being bullied for nearly his entire life. 

   “What I did framed me as, in Kacchan’s eyes, someone above him.” He joked, “He definitely didn’t like that, seeing how the past ten years have gone.”

   You stared.

   “...Ignore that. I should never try to be funny ever again.”

   “Okay.”

   “Anyway! Do you want to know anything else?”

   “I asked Bakugou if he had eaten. Is that not an expression of concern?”

   “No, it is. Did he answer you?”

   You nodded. “Yes. He said it was none of my business.”

   “Kacchan…” Midoriya blinked. “...actually answered you?”

   His hand flew up to tug at his bottom lip.

 

   There were two possibilities.

   One: Bakugou considered you so far below him that it was virtually impossible for you to put yourself above him. 

   Midoriya grimaced.

   Two: Your question was innocent enough. What you’d asked had nothing to do with Bakugou’s attitude from the day before. 

 

   Midoriya nodded to himself.

   The second option was much more likely. To Midoriya, who had known Bakugou for their whole lives, it was easy to tell.

   Did Bakugou consider you his equal? Not necessarily.

   The key was Bakugou having enough respect to not pull his punches. Even Midoriya was afforded basic respect. 

   Weirdly enough, Bakugou’s morning ritual of punching you at least once was a sign he didn’t consider you totally useless.

   Bakugou’s greatest insult wasn’t whatever curse word-filled sentence he could think of.

   It was refusing to take his opponent seriously.

   

   However, there was another thing.

   If Midoriya asked Bakugou the same question, he would be swiftly reduced to atoms.

   You had somehow gotten away unscathed.

 

   Maybe…

 

   Midoriya took in your image.

   You had just finished your juice. You leaned into your chair, oblivious to the world outside your head as you stared up at the ceiling lights.

 

   …he has such a benign presence that Kacchan's stopped questioning his intentions.

 

   This time, Midoriya’s laughter was genuine.

   How silly.

   He couldn’t say he was surprised.

   Kacchan would always be Kacchan.

 

   The sound of books against wood snapped you out of your thoughts.

   You glanced over.

   Iida had meaningfully set a large stack of books down in front of the troublemaker trio. 

   His glasses glinted. “Let’s begin, shall we?”

   Behind him, Yaoyorozu smiled apologetically.

   Kaminari, Sero, and Ashido groaned.

   

   You stood up. “Hello, Iida. Good morning, Yaoyorozu.” 

   “Hello!”

   Yaoyorozu smiled. “Good morning to you as well.”

   After cleaning up your used dishes, you and Midoriya followed the others into the living room.

   They’d set up the books, their notes, and their devices on one of the coffee tables.

   Iida raised his head when he heard your faint footsteps. “Ah, there you are. Do you happen to know where Kirishima is? He’s supposed to be participating.”

   

   “Here!”

   Everyone’s heads swiveled towards the stairs.

   There Kirishima was.

   His hair was wet from his shower and his shark teeth, freshly brushed, were twinkling. “Morning!”

   “Good morning,” you all chorused.

 

   Kirishima sat down next to you on the carpet. 

   He grinned. He was bright as ever. “Sorry for the hold-up! I was trying out this new five-in-one I found at the student store.”

   Yaoyorozu covered her mouth in what could be described as pure horror. “Did– did you just say five-in-one?”

   “Yeah!” Kirishima scratched his head. “Feels okay so far. My hair doesn’t feel super different from the usual.”

   She held her face. “Oh, dear.”

   “Huh? What’s wrong, Yaomomo?”

   Kaminari made a face. “Dude, five-in-one? Really?”

   “What? It works.”

   You pinched a chunk of Kirishima’s hair. Rubbing it between your fingers, you heard crunching. 

   “Kirishima’s hair is crunchy.”

   Sero cringed. “Oh, boy. That’s the five-in-one talking.”

   Ashido was clutching her hair for dear life. “Keep that stuff away from me!”

   “Aw, c’mon, guys.” Kirishima smiled, rubbing his nose. “It’s not that bad.”

   “Maybe for you. You use so much hair gel that the crunch is normal!”

   Midoriya whipped out his little notebook. He readied his pencil, brows furrowing way too seriously for this conversation topic. “What exactly are the five in five-in-one?”

   

   Iida clapped.

   The room fell silent.

   “Thank you,” he said pointedly. “Now, let’s begin.”

   

   

   You were paired up with Kirishima.

   Throughout the lesson, you paid attention to his expressions.

   He did well to focus. He actively asked questions, and was patient while you explained.

   There were a few gaps in that focus where he would space out. 

 

   “Kirishima?”

   He jumped. “Oh! Sorry, bud. I’m not trying to ignore you.”

   “It is okay. I know.” You set down your pencil. “Is Kirishima… worried again?”

   Kirishima opened his mouth. Then he closed it.

   He chuckled. “You’re getting better.”

   “I am? In what area am I improving?”

   “You can tell how I’m feeling.” Kirishima scratched at his paper. He was resuming work on a particularly tricky math problem. “It’s… not obvious, is it?”

   “No.” You reached over to add a missing negative sign and Kirishima thanked you.

   “It is not easy for me to discern how others are feeling. I require many context clues. Often, I do not realize things until after others do.”

   Kirishima placed his hand over yours. “And that’s perfectly fine. Just keep on going. Only way out of a hole is up, right?”

   You paused.

   Even while Kirishima himself was feeling down, he still found a way to be there for others.

   “...Kirishima is correct.” You stacked your other hand on top of Kirishima’s. His palm was sandwiched between both of yours.

   He burst into laughter. “It’s a knuckle sandwich!”

   “It is not a sandwich. A sandwich contains bread and filling.”

   “It’s a sandwich in my book.”

   “Kirishima should not eat sandwiches containing human flesh.” 

   “Alright, alright, I won’t.”

   Since you were satisfied by Kirishima’s decision to renounce eating human flesh, you continued with what you were about to say earlier. 

   “Do not worry. I will try my best to help Bakugou.”

   “Are you… are you sure? You know how he is. I don’t want him getting mad at you.”

   “Yes. I am sure.” You held your gaze firm against Kirishima’s as you said,

 

    “I do not want you to cry anymore.”

 

   Kirishima’s eyes went wide.

   He pressed his lips together. They wobbled, his shoulders sinking and brows slanting outward.

   He flung his upper half over the table to hug you. “Aw, buddy! You don’t have to worry about me!”

   Your hands hovered uselessly around Kirishima. “I… see…”

   He pulled back to rest his hands on your shoulders. 

   His signature grin formed dimples in his skin. “The fact that you care about me… That’s enough for me. Don’t pressure yourself to do anything, alright?”

 

   Care.

   You rolled the word around your head.

   There was a time where you saw the people around you as nothing but the other.

   They had been as different from you as you were to them.

   The way you used to think about other people made them sound like mere test subjects.

   But things were different now.

 

   “Okay. I am not pressuring myself to do anything.”

   You had friends you cared for.

   “Glad to hear! Wait, crap, what’s this symbol again?”

   “It is a–”

   

   Three hours passed.

 

   Ashido cried, “It’s finally over!”

   She was splayed on the floor with a deceased Kaminari next to her. 

   On the couches, you and the other kids chatted idly.

   

   Iida was sitting next to you. “You know, I’d say you were doing a fine job at teaching.”

   You perked up. “Iida thinks so?”

   “I do!” He leaned towards the table to grab your notes. 

   Flipping through them, he continued, “You took the time to guide Kirishima through the problems he was struggling with. It can be easy for new tutors to get frustrated with a student. I used to tutor in junior high. As shameful as it is for me to admit, I know I wasn’t always understanding."

   Iida set the notebook onto his lap. He turned to smile at you. “You did well. Please give yourself some credit.”

   “...I see. Okay.”

 

   Finally.

   You weren’t just learning– you were teaching.

   It felt strange, as most new experiences did.

   But it wasn’t a bad kind of strange.

   You could get used to this.

   “Thank you, Iida.”

   He nodded. “Of course. I’m only telling it how I see it.”

 

   With that, Iida got up. 

   He checked his watch. “Hm… lunch is in about an hour.”

   Pushing up his glasses, he asked Yaoyorozu, “Should we eat lunch here or at our destination?”

   Kaminari gasped. “Oh, right! The whole point of finishing our homework was to go yukata shopping!”

   “No, no. The point was to get your work done before the next semester. And please don’t lay on the floor.”

   “Nope.”

   Sensing an impending argument, Yaoyorozu cut in before anything could happen. “It depends… How hungry is everyone?”

   Midoriya slumped. “I think I could eat a horse.”

   That made Sero snort. “Uh oh. No one tell Tsunotori.”

   “Sero!”

 

   Ashido piped up, “Where are we going, anyway?”

   Iida and Yaoyorozu were looking awfully mischievous. They had small, secretive smiles. 

   Yaoyorozu put a dainty hand over her lips. “You’ll find out soon.”

   Tears threatened to spill down Ashido’s cheeks. “You guys aren’t taking us to the human sandwich factory, are you?”

   Yaoyorozu went pale. “The what?”

   Iida shouted, “Human sandwich factory!? Such a thing exists!?”

   “Ashido, who’s been telling you about this… human sandwich factory?”

   You immediately glanced at Kirishima and he shook his head rapidly.

   “I told you I wouldn’t eat human flesh, didn’t I!?”

   Midoriya withered. “Why can I never understand what’s going on…?”

   In a far corner of the couch, Kaminari elbowed Sero and hissed quietly, “Dude, you really need to stop screwing with people.”

   “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

   “You are the only person in this goddamn room who’d lie about a human sandwich factory! Tell Ashido it’s not real!”

   “And she’s the only person who’d believe it. Get what I’m saying?”

   “I– no? Well– okay, fair point, but you have got to stop gaslighting people.”

   “Kaminari, when a man realizes he has free will, he has to do something with it.”

   “You don’t deserve free will.”

   “Okay, wow–”

 

   Your stomach growled.

   Loudly.

   Everyone went silent.

   “...I am sorry.”

   Kirishima pat you. “It’s okay, bud. It happens.”

   Yaoyorozu took your intestinal backflip as her cue to get everyone back on track. “How about eating lunch on the train? We can pick up bentos at the station.”

   Iida rested one elbow on his opposite arm and grabbed his chin. “Hm… If we grab lunch at the station, we can avoid the lunch rush in the cafeteria…”

   He put his hands on his hips. “I think that’s a great idea! Thank you, Yaoyorozu.”

   “It’s nothing.” Yaoyorozu pulled out her phone. “We should gather the others. It’s due time we announced our destination.”

   

 

   Soon enough, your classmates congregated in the living room. The class presidents stood where the coffee table used to be and everyone else sat on the couches. 

   The only person missing was Bakugou.

   Kirishima was always the one to relay things to him. “I got it.”

   Yaoyorozu nodded. “Thank you.”

   Her gaze flicked to her right, to Iida, and he cleared his throat.

 

   “Everyone. As you all know, the condition for this shopping expedition was for every student to have completed their summer homework.”

   His face lit up. “And we succeeded! Please congratulate yourselves, everyone!”

   The room exploded in cheers of excitement.

   Iida waited for everyone to settle down before moving on. “As for where this shopping expedition will take place…”

   He gestured to his left.

   Yaoyorozu produced a banner from her arm. She suspended it in front of her and let it roll open.

   In big, bold characters, the banner said,  

 

                                    HARAJUKU .

 

   Your peers began to freak out.

   “Ha–!?”

   “Ra–!?”

   “Ju–!?”

   “Ku–!?”

 

   Yaoyorozu giggled. “Yes! We’re going to Harajuku!”

   She and Iida were promptly surrounded by a circle of hyper children. 

   “Thank you!”

   “Our dear class presidents!”

   “All hail Harajuku!”

 

   “What is Harajuku?” you asked.

   Kaminari ran away from the circle to answer, “It’s the capital of young fashion! All the cool kids go there!”

   He was practically glowing. Any more excitement and he’d short-circuit.

   “Oh, I know! You can dress like an actual teenager for once!”

   “I do dress like an actual teenager. I am a teenager.”

   “Nice try, Gramps. Who wears a sweater in the summer?”

   “My name is not Gramps. And I do.”

   “Exactly.”

   

   Iida raised a finger. “We will be purchasing yukata only.”

   Everyone groaned.

   “Aw, c’mon, Iida!” Kaminari whined. He gestured widely to you. “Don’t you wanna see him in a maid dress?”

   “Excuse me?”

   There was no explaining that one. Seeing you in an apron had officially thrown Kaminari off the deep end.

   

   You felt a familiar presence behind you.

   You didn’t need visual confirmation to know who it was.

   “Hello, Todoroki.”

   “Hey.” 

   You tipped your head back.

   Todoroki was peering down at you. His face, though aloof, betrayed his fondness for you through his dilated pupils.

   “Todoroki likes to approach me from behind. Why?”

   He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

   “That is okay. Do you want to share this with me?”

   Todoroki’s object of focus was no longer your face.

   You were presenting an orange to him.

   He touched it. It was a little warm.

   His amusement came in the form of a short huff through his nose. “Have you been carrying it in your pocket?”

   “Yes. How do you know?”

   Todoroki grabbed the orange. “It’s warm.”

   In an attempt to impress you, he tossed the orange up into the air with the intention to catch it.

   It bonked him on the head and rolled away.

   He froze. “Oh.”

   You volleyed over the couch to go after the orange. “Do not play with your food, Todoroki.”

   “Ah, I wasn’t–... Never mind, sorry.” He trailed after you like a lost kitten.

   This time, Todoroki wasn’t going to argue. As far as he was concerned, you were free to think whatever you wanted.

   He wanted to make you just as happy as you made him.

 

   Iida called, “We’re leaving in thirty, you two! Please remember to get ready!”

   Your voice came from somewhere in the distance. “Okay.”

   Todoroki glanced over his shoulder to reply to Iida, “Sure.”

   Then he left the living room. 

 

   Wherever you went, Todoroki would follow.

Chapter 70: The Thing about Harajuku (Part 1)

Notes:

drip for this arc!

 

 

   The oddly warm orange had rolled into the dining room.

   You crouched down to pick it up. “I have acquired the orange.”

   From behind you, Todoroki gave you an approving nod as if you’d retrieved an important briefcase. “Nice.”

   You turned around to talk to Todoroki. “I will wash this. Please wait.”

   “Alright.”

   You went to the kitchen, but as you did so, you heard faint footsteps coming from your rear.

   You stopped. Then you looked over your shoulder.

   Todoroki was looking back at you, his eyes calm and unassuming.

   “Todoroki agreed to wait.”

   “Yeah.”

   “Todoroki is not waiting.”

   “But I am...” 

   “Todoroki agreed to wait for me to open the orange.”

   Todoroki’s mismatched eyes landed on the warm, now slightly dirty orange. “Peel.”

   “Yes.” You nodded. “It has skin.”

   Adversely, Todoroki shook his head. “No, I mean… you don’t open an orange. You peel it.”

   “I do not understand. The orange must be opened prior to consumption.”

 

   Todoroki needed a few seconds to figure out how to explain this without looking like an idiot. Unfortunately, his brain chose this exact moment to show him a compilation of all the times he'd tried to explain an animal to you only to fail miserably. The most recent addition to the fail compilation was Yaoyorozu stealing the spotlight from Todoroki when he was trying to explain a pig to you.

 

   “Uh,” Todoroki began intelligently, “it’s like skinning someone.”

   You blinked. “I do not think oranges feel pain.”

   “No–”

   

   “What on Earth are you two talking about?”

   You glanced from Todoroki to somewhere past him. He pivoted on one foot to track your gaze.

   Standing a little ways from the two of you was Yaoyorozu.

   She was smiling in honest confusion. “What’s this about oranges feeling pain?”

   You pointed at Todoroki. “Todoroki thinks so.”

   Then you lowered your finger. “Pointing is rude. I am sorry, Todoroki.”

   “It’s fine.” 

 

   Yaoyorozu’s brows furrowed.

   Is Todoroki not going to address the subject of oranges feeling pain? Surely he doesn’t actually believe that…

   She cleared her throat. “Todoroki.”

   He silently faced Yaoyorozu again.

   “Do you… do you hold the belief that oranges feel pain?”

   “What…? No, I don’t. They’re not animals.”

   Yaoyorozu sighed in relief. “Well, I’m glad to hear that.”

   You piped up, “Yaoyorozu did not know that oranges are not animals?”

   Upon hearing this new, supposed information about Yaoyorozu, Todoroki put a hand on his chin. “Hm… It seems that I have the advantage this time…”

   Yaoyorozu stammered, “I– no–”

 

   Somehow, she managed to untangle the situation.

   You and Todoroki were waiting at the kitchen island while Yaoyorozu stood by the sink. She was washing the orange. She’d taken it from your clutches just moments before you could ‘open’ the orange via stabbing the poor thing with your thumb.

   You moved the rotating seat of your chair to face Todoroki. “Do you know of the game rock-paper-scissors?”

   Yume. The girl you’d saved back in Kamino.

   In exchange for giving Yume a dream, her namesake, she had taught you how to play.

 

   Todoroki blinked faintly. Then his gaze dropped. “Yeah, but I've never played…”

   In his childhood, whenever he went to school, he saw his classmates play it with their friends. 

   Friends.

   There had been no time for them. And unless they could’ve somehow improved his abilities, they were useless.

   He had spent years sitting alone at recess. Eventually, he stopped coming outside altogether.

   The disgust he’d felt at the sight of those people, the quiet glares he’d given them from afar…

   Now that Todoroki had friends for himself, he realized he’d never been disgusted.

   He had been envious.

  

   A pair of metal hands appeared before him. One of them was splayed open, palm-side up, and the other was locked into a fist.

 

   “Do you want to play?”

 

   Todoroki smiled.

   He wasn’t lonely anymore.

 

   “Yeah.”

   

   Without fail, Todoroki would always scrutinize your fist, searching for the slightest hint of your next move, and then immediately make himself lose by playing a bad hand.

   You hadn’t caught on yet. You just thought Todoroki was really fucking bad at rock-paper-scissors.

 

   The two of you paused the game when you heard the sound of a dish being set down.

   Yaoyorozu had finished preparing the orange. The slices were arranged in a neat circle. She had even added some cute little bunny apple slices on the side.

   “Here you go.”

   Your eyes grew round. Before you did anything else, you said, “Thank you, Yaoyorozu,” and only after that did you pick up one of the apple slices to examine it.

   “Thanks.” Todoroki nodded at Yaoyorozu. “You should eat some too.”

   Yaoyorozu was smiling with content as she watched you inspect the bunny apple.

   Not taking her eyes off you, she replied to Todoroki, “I’m fine, thank you. Go ahead and eat.”

   “Oh. Alright.” He reached for an orange slice, but not without glancing between you and Yaoyorozu.

 

   Todoroki wasn’t stupid (press X to doubt). He was pretty oblivious to his own feelings, and often drew incorrect conclusions about others, but shockingly, he could pick up on things like this.

   He clenched a fist.

   His respect for Yaoyorozu grew. She was a worthy rival and friend. 

 

   All the more reason he couldn’t lose.

 

   You held up the bunny apple. “It resembles a bunny.”

   Yaoyorozu chuckled. She was leaning her elbows onto the table, arms crossed. “That was my intention. Is it to your liking?”

   You stared at it with the intensity of a thousand suns. “I do not know. Melissa likes bunnies.”

   “Oh, does she? If she ever comes by, I’ll make these for her.”

   “Okay. Thank you.” 

   “It’s nothing compared to what Melissa did during that incident. I’ll thank her properly when I get the chance. Does she have plans to visit?”

   “Yes. However, she currently cannot leave the island. I will notify you when she is able to.”

   “Thank you. I look forward to hearing it.” Yaoyorozu decided not to pry.

 

    From experience, she knew you weren’t allowed to say much about anything regarding I-Island. Your habit of mentioning Melissa never included any information about the island itself. And about your habit– it had dwindled down considerably since your first few months here.

   Slowly, you were becoming more and more independent.

 

   Yaoyorozu smiled. Her cheeks dimpled and her shoulders rose, the morning Sun over the horizon. 

   How far you’ve come.

 

   You stuffed some apples into your mouth. You bore an uncanny resemblance to a hamster.

   This time, Yaoyorozu’s shoulders turned inward as she laughed.

   Even after all the hard work you put in to get here, you were still just you.

 

   Yaoyorozu took her elbows off the table. “...Take your time, you two, but remember to get ready once you’re finished eating. I’ll be heading to my room.”

   “Okay. See you.”

   Todoroki’s reply was a muffled, “Alright.”

 

   Todoroki swallowed. Turning back to you, he offered you an orange slice. “You said you’d share this with me. You’ve only been eating apples…”

   “I see.” You accepted the slice with both hands. “I am sorry.”

   “It’s fine.”

   When you ate it, Todoroki smiled.

   “...As long as you’re with me.”

   “What did Todoroki say? I did not hear.”

   Todoroki froze. His cheeks warmed up. 

   He’d spoken his thoughts aloud.

   “Nothing…” he muttered.

   He gave you another orange slice. "Eat this."

   “Okay.”

   

   Once you two were done, you cleaned up and went to your rooms.

   Your wardrobe made decision-making very easy for you. You had five of the same shirt, like some sort of cartoon character.

   You got dressed, put on some sunscreen, grabbed a mask, and were in and out within a few minutes.

   

   In the hallway, you found Bakugou and Kirishima.

   Bakugou had one hand on the door while Kirishima stood outside. The former scowled, hunching over like an old crone.

   “You should come with us! It’ll be fun, I promise.”

   “You should die.”

   “Aw, man. That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?”

   Rather than answer Kirishima, Bakugou flicked his glare to the right. “What are you looking at?”

   Kirishima instantly knew who Bakugou was talking to.

   He somehow lit up even brighter as he jumped to face you. “Buddy!”

   Four of your metal fingers were wrapped around your door. Through the narrow gap, a single bionic eye peeked at Bakugou and Kirishima.

   “Hello.”

   “Hey! You ready to go?”

   “Yes.” 

   Bakugou drew his lips back in a mean sneer. “Why are you hiding? What are you wearing, Deku’s skin?”

   Kirishima’s big grin was reduced to atoms. “Midoriya’s skin? Bakugou.”

   “It would be funny.”

   “No. No, it wouldn’t.” With a sigh, Kirishima turned to you.

   He waved nonchalantly. “Ignore Bakugou. Let’s see your outfit, yeah?”

   Your grip tightened. “I… am not wearing Midoriya’s skin.”

   “Aw, buddy, we know!” Kirishima grinned brightly as he, without looking, punched Bakugou in the shoulder. Bakugou’s open palm teleported to Kirishima’s face, but the latter just countered the oncoming explosion by hardening his skin. 

   “I’ll destroy your entire family!”

   Kirishima ignored him. “Anyway, I wanna see your outfit–”

   “I’m gonna dump all your stupid hair gel down the drain!”

   That was what got Kirishima.

   He whipped towards Bakugou. “You wouldn’t.”

   Two pairs of fiery red eyes locked in a glaring match.

   “Watch me.”

 

   You stared blankly. 

   Then you shut the door.

 

   Kirishima snapped out of it.

   He tore his attention away from Bakugou to race over. “Crap!”

   Bakugou watched Kirishima squish his cheek and palms into your door.

   “Come out and show us what you’re wearing, hm? Bakugou’s gonna be nice!” 

   “Like hell I will!”

   

   On the other side, you were typing up a text to Midoriya.

   

   Hello, Midoriya.

   Bakugou wishes for me to wear your skin.

 

   His reply came quickly.

 

   Don’t worry! 

   He’s said worse. 

   

   A tiny crinkle formed between your brows.

   

   I believe that is a reason to worry.

    

   Midoriya typed back,

 

   If it makes you feel better, I’ll talk to Kacchan, okay?

 

   You replied,

 

   Okay.

   Thank you.

   

   

   Not even a full minute later, you heard Midoriya shout, “Kacchan!”

   Bakugou nearly retched. “The fuck are you doing here? This is my floor, Deku!”

   “You don’t own it! And you don’t own my skin either!”

   There was the audible sound of Kirishima face-palming.

 

   While those two yowled at each other like feuding cats at four in the morning, Kirishima managed to coax you out. For such a big guy, you really were just a small animal.

   “Look at you!” Kirishima spun you around, head bobbing up and down as he checked out your outfit. “If that isn’t the manliest outfit I’ve ever seen, I dunno what is. I could really use a tip or two!”

   You were quite literally wearing the same outfit you always did. “Thank you. As requested, I will give you a tip. I select the first item I see.”

   “Oh, really? Same!”

   Bakugou paused his catfight with Midoriya to yell, “Explains a lot! You both look fucking atrocious!”

   A shockwave ruffled everyone’s hair as Midoriya began to glow. “Take that back! Take that back right now!”

   “Did you just touch me? Using the goddamn air?” Bakugou’s fists lit up. “You’re gonna pay for that!”

   You turned to claw at your door. “Goodbye.”

   Both Kirishima’s hands held onto your sweater. “Wait, wait, wait–!”

 

   Kirishima was amazing.

   He had miraculously separated Bakugou and Midoriya, banished the former to the shadow realm (a.k.a. Bakugou’s room), and convinced the latter to go back downstairs.

   Only one thing left to do.

   “Hello?” he called, sticking a finger beneath your door.

   He poked something.

   It was soft. Your sweater.

   “Oh? Who’s this?” he asked teasingly.

   “It is me. I am the only person who resides in this room, Kirishima.”

   “Really? I’m still not sure… I might need some more proof.”

   Carpet rustled. You were scooting around.

 

   Your finger touched Kirishima’s, and he knew it was your finger because he could feel the squish of your synthetic pink finger pad.

   “Is this… enough proof for Kirishima?”

 

   Kirishima could’ve melted right there. 

   His grin was reduced to a wobbly, sappy line. 

   He wanted to fawn over you, hug you, and spin you around all at once.

   Kirishima coughed. He had to get it together.

   He gathered whatever wits he had left (which wasn’t much in the first place) to say, “I dunno… Can I see you?”

 

   At last, you opened the door.

   Kirishima spread his arms wide open. “There you are!”

   Your irises spun.

   Kirishima wants–...

   You gave him a hug. “Here I am.”

 

   The two of you decided to camp out in front of Bakugou’s room.

   Now that you weren’t fleeing for your life, you had the chance to think. You recalled something.

   This spot you were sitting in was the exact same spot you’d fallen asleep in.

   You picked at the carpet. “Kirishima?”

   “Yeah?” From your right, he handed you his eyesore of a headband. “How about playing with this instead? Wouldn’t wanna ruin the carpet.”

   “Okay.” You ran your thumb over the fabric. “I slept here.”

   Kirishima raised a brow. “You did? But I remember you going to your room.”

 

   His other brow flew up his forehead.

   He’d realized something.

   Last night, he’d gone to bed early because he made you go to bed early.

   For what reason?

   You two accidentally held hands and Kirishima was way too flustered to actually think of a proper solution.

   Kirishima had seen the questions in your eyes. He could only pray that you wouldn’t ask.

 

   “Yes. I remember too. Kirishima wanted me to go to bed early.”

   Kirishima let out a sigh of relief. So you weren’t going to mention it.

   You tilted your head. “Has Kirishima been… experiencing mood swings?” 

   Apparently, the universe’s next victim was Kirishima.

   He spluttered, “Nope! No clue what you’re talking about!”

   “I believe you are currently experiencing a mood swing.”

   “Don’t sweat it! What was that about you sleeping here?”

   “...Okay.”

 

   Once you told Kirishima everything up until you’d fallen asleep, he hummed in thought.

   “A pet Roomba, huh? You gotta show me once the little guy wakes up.”

   “Okay.”

   “But about the sleeping thing…” Kirishima popped his bottom lip out. “Either you’re a sleepwalker or someone put you to bed.”

   You thought about it. “I do not believe that I walked in my sleep. My artificial limbs cannot receive commands from my brain unless I am fully conscious.”

   “Huh. Maybe you left your door open?”

   “That is a possibility.”

   “I’m thinking Shoji put you to bed. Let’s thank him!”

   “Okay.”

   You and Kirishima were so close, yet so far.

   

   After giving Kirishima his headband back, you went to Shoji’s.

   He was just a room down from Kirishima. From the hallway entrance to the end, the room order went: Shoji, Kirishima, Bakugou, and you.

   Kirishima knocked. “Hey, Shoji! You all finished up in there?”

   Shoji emerged. You and Kirishima backed up to let Shoji out.

   “Hey. And yep, I’m done.” He glanced down at himself. “I don’t really wear a whole lot of layers.”

   He eyed your and Kirishima’s clothes. “I like your outfits. They look nice.”

   “Heck yeah!” Throwing up his arms, Kirishima flexed with pride. “Thanks!”

   You dipped your head. “Thank you."

   Kirishima’s arms fell and he returned Shoji’s compliment. “Looking big, Shoji! I can tell you’ve been putting in extra hours.”

   “Yeah, I have. Thanks for noticing. Have you been hitting legs?”

   “...For sure.”

   “I can hear you lying.”

   “Aw, c’mon… Of all people to ask me that…”

   “Just because I have six arms doesn’t mean I skip legs.”

   While they talked gym, you reached out to pinch a corner of Shoji’s shirt. 

   You rubbed the fabric between your fingers. Whereas you couldn’t actually feel the texture yourself, your finger pads collected data from whatever you were touching and sent it upstream.

   Shoji looked down. “Hm? What is it?”

   “It is soft,” you informed him. “That is good.”

   “Ah. Do you like soft things?”

 

   “He does.”

   It wasn’t Kirishima who said that.

   All of you looked down the hall.

   Bakugou was busy adjusting the collar of his vest. “Dumb baby.”

   You countered, “I am not dumb, nor am I a baby.”

   “You have the equivalent to a soft spot on your head. Don’t try me.”

   With a low hum, Kirishima deemed this exchange benign enough to not scold Bakugou. “Hey! You’re coming with us after all!”

   You instantly forgot about your little argument with Bakugou. “Bakugou is… coming with us?”

 

   You didn’t know what made Bakugou want to join the trip. Neither did Kirishima.

   Whatever it was, though, both of you were grateful for it.

   Bakugou had been isolating himself for the past twenty-four hours.

   He clearly wasn’t ready to talk about the issue, given he was acting like nothing was wrong, but this was a step.

 

   Bakugou scoffed. “What do you fucking think? Why else would I change my clothes? What am I, a psychopath?”

   Shoji said dryly, “It feels like that sometimes, yeah.”

   “What was that, Arms?”

   Shoji did not care. “I heard you and Midoriya fighting over, what, his skin? I don’t think a normal person would want to wear someone else’s skin.”

   “You can make another three sets of ears and yet you can’t hear shit. I’m not the one who’s gonna be wearing the Deku fursuit.”

   “The what?”

   Blood red eyes landed on you. “He is.”

   You hid behind Shoji. “No.”

   Kirishima went to grab Bakugou by the shoulders. “You have got to stop spooking him.”

   “Nah.”

   Using a few hands to gesture questioningly at Bakugou and another one to reach around his back, Shoji pat your shoulder. “Bakugou’s only joking. No one is taking Midoriya’s skin and making you wear it.”

   “...I see.” You peeked out from behind Shoji. “Bakugou… is not going to force me to wear Midoriya’s skin?”

   Bakugou smacked a hand over his mouth. He was trying so hard to contain his raspy giggles. Fucking with you might’ve been one of his favorite hobbies. He didn’t directly lie to you about anything, but he did enjoy scaring you. For someone who couldn’t emote much at all, your reactions were way too funny.

   “No, he’s not,” Kirishima answered for Bakugou. “Why don’t you head down first, bud? Midoriya’s waiting downstairs.”

   At the mention of Midoriya, your eyes rounded slightly. “Midoriya is waiting.”

   Bakugou’s glare sharpened. “Deku.”

   “There he goes again.” Another sigh from Kirishima. 

   Poor guy.

   He told you, “Go ahead. I’ll be right there.”

   “Okay.” You quickly headed for the stairs.

   You had to make sure Midoriya didn’t get peeled like a banana. Or ‘opened’ like an orange.

 

   Shoji gave Kirishima a nod before going to follow you, but Kirishima stopped him with a tap on his shoulder.

   “I forgot to tell you something. Thanks for putting him to bed last night.”

   “Putting him to bed…? That wasn’t me.”

   “Oh. Huh. I wonder who it was?”

   Bakugou looked none the wiser.

   It had been him. But he wasn’t going to tell anyone that, of course. He’d sooner try some of Kirishima’s cursed five-in-one.

   “Let’s ask the others,” said Kirishima. 

   Shoji nodded. “Sure.”

   No one seemed to suspect Bakugou.

   He smirked.

   Idiots.

 

   Shoji’s dark eyes found him. “Right, Bakugou. I have a question.”

 

   Bakugou put his hands into his pockets. “What.”

   Out of sight, sweat was gathering on his palms.

   “How do you know he likes soft things?”

   The sweat got worse.

   Bakugou knew because he saved you from suffocating yourself in your pillow.

   When he didn’t say anything, Shoji supplied, “He must’ve told you. I’m glad you guys are getting along better.”

   Kirishima clasped his hands by his cheek, sparkling with joy. “Aw, Bakugou! You’ve actually been being nice to him?”

   “No!” he spat. “Never!”

   Shoji kept his gaze on Bakugou. “Then how do you know?”

   Bakugou’s hackles raised. He couldn’t forget that Shoji was pretty perceptive. A little too perceptive.

   But Bakugou was smarter.

   He turned up his nose and replied, “We’ve all been living in the same damn building for months and you still haven’t noticed that all he wears are soft things? Pathetic.”

   Kirishima’s mouth formed an O shape. “Oh, you’re right! His sweater.”

 

   Bakugou was lucky that his best friend was a literal rock.

   He wasn’t going to address the tension between them though.

   Like all of Bakugou’s internal problems, if he ignored it, then it didn’t exist.

 

   Shoji relented. “Ah, right. He kind of just… walks around in pajamas all the time.”

   Walking past Shoji and Kirishima, Bakugou muttered, “What is he so sleepy for? Dumbass goes to bed at fucking nine.”

   Kirishima shot him a look. “And you go to bed at eight.”

   “Eight-thirty. Get it right.”

   “That’s still earlier than him.”

   “Whatever, Five-In-One.”

   “Hey! What’s up with everyone today?”

   Shoji was visibly shocked. He squinted at Kirishima’s hair. “Your poor follicles…”

   “My what?”

   Shoji sighed.

 

   Downstairs, you found Midoriya in the living room. He was talking to Iida and Uraraka.

   Iida saw you first. He waved. “Hello!”

   Uraraka was second. “Hi!”

   Lastly, Midoriya turned around. “You’re here!”

   “Hello, Iida. Hi, Uraraka.” You stopped in front of Midoriya. “I am here.”

   He was about to fill you in about whatever he’d been chatting to the others about until you started pinching him in random places.

   “Ow!” he yelped. “What are you doing!?”

   You unfolded from your squat. “I have finished conducting an external inspection of you. Your skin is completely intact. Congratulations.”

   All Midoriya could do was let out a sound that was between a squeak and a wheeze. “Thanks.”

   Iida's glasses cracked. “Why– why would his skin not be intact?”

   Uraraka’s pink cheeks puffed out as she held back laughter. “Congratulations, Deku!”

   Midoriya wanted to pass away. “Haha… Thanks, Uraraka…”

   Iida gripped Midoriya’s arms. “What’s this about your skin? Do you have some sort of unchecked disease? In that case, we need to get you help!”

   “Oh! Um, Iida, it’s not that!"

   You helpfully explained, “I am ensuring that Bakugou has not taken Midoriya’s skin.”

   Your explanation absolutely did not help. At all.

   Iida and Uraraka screamed.

   When Bakugou came down, they were guarding Midoriya like hired bodyguards.

   Iida crossed his arms. “Thinking about stealing Midoriya’s skin, Bakugou? Well, we won’t let you!”

   Uraraka put up her fists. “That’s right!”

   Yawning, Bakugou didn’t even lay eyes on them as he sauntered towards the foyer. 

   Iida’s shoulders slumped. “He really doesn’t care, does he?”

   Behind him, Midoriya shook his head. “Nope. That’s Kacchan for you.”

   You pinched Midoriya again and he jumped.

   “Ow!”

   “I am sorry. I am conducting a re-inspection.”

   Midoriya couldn’t be truly mad at you. He just smiled wearily. “It’s okay. It’s not like Kacchan can telekinetically peel me open or anything.”

   “Peel… Open…”

   Iida shuddered. “What a horrible mental image!”

   Uraraka ran away. She had one hand on her stomach and the other over her mouth. “Gonna barf!”

    “Uraraka!”

   

   One by one, more of your classmates filtered through the stairway and down to the first floor.

   Once everyone was here, Iida clapped once.

   You all went silent to listen.

   “We’ll be heading out now, everyone. But first, there are a few things Mr. Aizawa would like you to know.”

   Iida looked at Bakugou and Todoroki. “You two. Due to your lack of licenses–”

   Bakugou cut him off. “Yeah, yeah. We can’t do jackshit.”

   Iida had to physically hold himself back from launching into a ten minute-long lecture. “I’m glad you realize that, Bakugou, but I would appreciate it if you refrained from such unnecessary language.”

   “I don’t care.”

   Iida twitched. “...That’s quite alright. We’ll keep working on that.”

   “Wow,” Sero whispered to Kaminari, “I wasn’t expecting Iida to be so… calm.”

   Kaminari leaned over to whisper back, “Right? I’m kinda scared.”

  “On the next issue,” said Iida. “We are severely lacking in manpower. In the case of a villain attack, Bakugou and Todoroki cannot interfere without being charged for obstruction of justice.”

   Worried murmurs rippled through the class.

   Bakugou grit his teeth. Todoroki looked down.

   Stepping to the front, Midoriya extended one fist. “You can rely on us!”

   Your other classmates began to chime in with their own encouragement. 

   Bakugou curled in on himself like a salted slug. “Shut up! I don’t need your help!”

   Todoroki nodded. He was a reasonable person. “Thanks.”

   

   “What about self-defense?”

   Everyone looked at you.

   You had remained silent throughout the encouraging cheer.

   Instead, you held your gaze steady with Iida’s, one hand raised in the air.

   You continued, “Interference based on self-defense is legal.”

   “Yes, of course. Thank you for bringing that up.” Iida dipped his head to you before turning back around.

    “Bakugou. Todoroki. What Aizawa is asking… it’s not that he wants you to do nothing. He wants you to act wisely. You should absolutely defend yourself, and the lives of others, but you mustn't do what isn’t necessary.”

   Bakugou was barely listening. He only rolled his eyes.

   Todoroki murmured, “Right. Thanks, Iida.”

  

   With that, you all left campus.

   To get to the train station, you all took the bus.

   Everyone went on their phones to buy their tickets.

   But Yaoyorozu stopped you all with a hand.

   “Don’t waste your time, everyone. I’ve already bought all of our tickets.”

   Everyone’s jaw dropped. You mimicked the others and let your mouth fall open.

   Jiro was whipping cash out of her wallet. “I’m going to pay you back right now!”

   "Yaomomo!” cried Kirishima. “You didn’t have to!”

   "It’s nothing. It was actually rather inexpensive. My father is friends with the man who owns the rail line.”

   Sero’s brows flew up his forehead. “Flex!”

   You and the others all gathered around Yaoyorozu to attempt to give her money back. She only waved her hands again, nonchalantly checking her watch.

   Jiro shook her. “For the love of God, just take the money!”

   You glanced at Yaoyorozu’s outfit. No pockets. How did women function without pockets big enough to hold a small child?

   You zipped open her backpack and dropped the coins in. 

   She whirled around. “Please! You don’t have to pay me back.”

   The others got the same idea and began piling their cash into her backpack.

   She flung her hands over her face, head tipping down and shoulders scrunched. “I just want to do nice things for you all…! And reserving the seats all at once is more convenient than buying them one by one!”

   Wide-eyed, Kaminari lifted his sunglasses. “Did you just say… reserve?”

   “Yes. We’re going to be taking the bullet train.”

   The class shouted, “The bullet train!?”

 

   The backpack Yaoyorozu was carrying became full to the brim with coins and banknotes.

   The time had come to step off the bus, and Yaoyorozu was visibly struggling.

   You had gotten off first. You held out your hand. “I will help.”

   “No, no.” Yaoyorozu adjusted the straps. “I’m fine.”

   She warily eyed the ground. It was just one step away.

   Another step and she might fall.

   You easily took the bag from her, slinging it over one shoulder, and offered Yaoyorozu your forearm. 

   Her heart stuttered. Her mouth went dry. Her irises, black as night, started to twinkle with tiny stars.

   When had you become such a gentleman?

   From a distance, Kirishima wiped away a manly tear. You were learning.

   Yaoyorozu delicately pressed one small hand to your strong forearm. Then she departed from the bus and intertwined her hands before her stomach.

   She peered up at you through long lashes.

   Yaoyorozu felt shy. “Thank you.”

   “It is no problem.”

   “Ahem. And… thank you for holding my bag. May I have it back now?”

   “No.”

   "I insist!"

   You walked away. "No."

   She jogged after you. "That can't be good for your back! Please think of your lumbar health!"

   "Yaoyorozu should think about lumbar health too."

   "You–...!"

 

   The class made a quick stop at the bank to deposit all the extra cash.

   Only then did you return Yaoyorozu’s bag.

   “Was it not heavy?” she asked you. 

   “No.”

   Yaoyorozu’s lips curved down in worry. “Does your back hurt at all?”

   “No.” You rolled your left shoulder to show her. “I am fine.”

   “Alright, but please… if it starts hurting at all, don’t hesitate to tell me."

   “Okay.”

 

   The station was huge.

   Your classmates ooh-ed and ah-ed. They ran around, innocent and childish in their excitement.

   You had already taken a bullet train before. That was back when you and the rest of the Gremlin Retrieval squad went to get Bakugou, so you weren’t impressed by the station itself.

   Other than going to Harajuku, you had come here for one thing and one thing only.

   You beelined for the food shop. 

 

   And naturally, Todoroki followed after you.

   You were staring at a few different bento boxes when Todoroki appeared to your right.

   “Do you… want this?”

   You faced him. 

   He was holding a rice ball. 

   Todoroki liked to do this thing where, whenever he would offer you something, he would tilt his head down a little and peer at you with eyes full of quiet anticipation.

   He wasn’t trying to make you accept anything.

   Todoroki was just happy to potentially give you something you might like.

   Since you weren't a fussy eater, you didn’t even bother checking the label to see what was in the rice ball. “Yes. Thank you.”

   At first, Todoroki didn’t reply.

   He tipped his head downward, the faintest red dusting his cheeks. “...I’m glad.”

   You plucked it from his hand. “I will purchase this.”

   He tried taking the rice ball back from you. “Wait, I’ll buy it.”

   “No–”

   Todoroki ended up freezing your arm. In the split second it took you to defrost yourself, Todoroki had managed to get the attention of an employee and hand over the total.

   He gave you the rice ball. “...Here.”

   You stared.

   Todoroki stared back. He had this tiny smile on his face, the smile that appeared whenever he was feeling smug.

   “Todoroki is always purchasing items for me. Please allow me to pay.”

   “But I don’t want you to...”

   “Please.”

 

   It was time to board the train.

   As you all milled around the boarding area, Yaoyorozu held up her phone screen. She was explaining that while she’d booked twenty-one seats, she never specifically assigned anyone any particular seats.

   Basically, it was completely random.

   You were standing between Todoroki and Midoriya.

   Todoroki was blatantly staring at you. Midoriya squinted at Todoroki.

   Midoriya hadn’t forgotten their one-sided rivalry regarding who got to sit next to you on public transport. Honestly, it wasn’t even limited to public transit. One time, Todoroki had literally dragged Midoriya to one end of the couch in order to take his spot next to you.

   This rivalry, despite being spurred by Todoroki’s seemingly malicious behavior, was still considered one-sided because Todoroki didn’t even seem to be aware of what he was doing. Midoriya genuinely had no clue if Todoroki was aware of his own feelings. 

   It was as if all the awareness had been transferred to Midoriya. This made talking to you both exciting and incredibly painful.

 

   Midoriya gulped.

   Todoroki kept staring.

   Who would be the one to get the seat next to you?

 

   No one.

   You sat alone.

   There were twenty-one students, so someone had to sit by themself.

   In an ironic twist of fate, Midoriya and Todoroki ended up next to each other.

 

   “...Midoriya.”

   “Todoroki, if you’re disappointed, you can just say that.”

   

   You spent the one hour ride talking to Kaminari, Ashido, and some of the other more fashion-forward kids. They seemed enamored with Harajuku. They told you all about it, from all the clothes you could browse and the food you could eat.

   You hoped you’d at least tolerate the place. Liking things was hard in itself.

   

   You did not like Harajuku.

   The moment you got there, it was, to describe it in one word, crowded.

   The station, the crosswalk outside, and Takeshita Street.

   They were all unbearably full of people.

 

   So you went to the first person you thought of.

   Bakugou scoffed. “Baby.”

   You were hovering near him, big eyes sweeping across colorful buildings and swaths of people. You didn’t seem to hear him.

   “Oi.”

   That got your attention.

   You were silent. There was no, “Yes, Bakugou?” like you normally would have said.

   Bakugou gauged you for a bit.

   Often, Bakugou could almost see through people. Even you, the boy who couldn’t smile.

   You felt uncomfortable. Therefore, you would go where you could relax the most.

 

   To Bakugou.

   Of all people, you felt safest with Bakugou.

 

   He couldn’t understand it. His job was to win, not to protect.

   That time on I-Island, when he saved you… 

   Bakugou knew that was the reason why you trusted him.

   But why were you so grateful to him for the bare minimum?

   As if I’d just let you die. Stupid.

   

   Bakugou turned forward with a huff.

   He heard you shuffle closer, and for the first time, he let you bump into him.

   He made a show of hissing at you. “Watch it, dumbass!”

   “I am sorry.”

   Bakugou’s glare lost some of its edge.

   You were talking again.

   Bakugou cracked his neck. Then his shoulders.

 

   Finally, he muttered, “All you have to do is stay behind me.”

   “Okay.”

Chapter 71: The Thing about Harajuku (Part 2)

Notes:

for you!

 

 

   The pressure from all around you began to fall.

   You kept your eyes ahead, upon chaotic sparks of ash blond hair.

   Bakugou was an immovable stone in a raging river. With his deep scowl and wide stance, the people passing by naturally parted around him.

   You passed your fingers over your left wrist. The black bracelet Melissa made you, the one that could transform into your helmet, was a reminder that no matter where you were, you could keep yourself safe.

   But you didn’t need the bracelet.

   Not when Bakugou was right in front of you.

   From your spot behind him, you thought,

   The world is quiet here.

   

   You heard your surname.

   To your left, Midoriya jogged to a stop.

   He was frowning. His big green eyes flicked back and forth between your own. “Are you okay?”

   Earlier, upon seeing you approach Bakugou, Midoriya had recalled what Kirishima said:

   “I’ve noticed that he tends to hang around Bakugou whenever there’s a big crowd.”

   Bakugou wrenched his head over his shoulder and practically hissed, “Deku! Fuck off before I actually take your skin.”

   Midoriya squeaked back, “C-can you stop saying that? You’re gonna scare someone! We’re in public, you know!”

 

   “I am okay.”

 

   Midoriya blinked. Bakugou just turned away with a huff.

   You had cut in before the argument could escalate.

   Sheepish, Midoriya chuckled. “Sorry about that...” 

   He glanced downward at your feet.

   They were planted firmly to the ground. 

   There was no shuffling. Your nervous tic.

   Midoriya looked back up. 

   He smiled, and the stars living in the apples of his cheeks smiled with him. “Thank goodness.”

   Next, he offered you his fist. A binding vow.

   “I’ll be right next to you, okay?”

   Something wasn’t quite right with that statement.

   Why was Midoriya stating the obvious?

   From the moment you arrived in Japan, Midoriya had been next to you every step of the way.

   “Midoriya is silly.”

   Your iron fist met Midoriya’s bruised knuckles in a delicate exchange. Your touch was feather-light compared to what your hands were made of.

   “Thank you, Midoriya.”

   “Yeah! But why am I silly…?”

   “You are silly. That is all.”

 

   Another person showed up behind you.

   You knew who that was.

   But when you turned around, no one was there.

   “Over here.”

   Todoroki was suddenly on your right. He wasn’t smiling, but you could see the stiffness in his jaw. He was holding back a laugh.

   Midoriya perked up. “Todoroki!”

   Todoroki nodded in greeting. “Midoriya.”

   “Hello, Todoroki.” Your irises spun as you zoomed in on his face. “Why?”

   Todoroki was the image of all things innocent. “Why what?”

 

   “Salonpas tricked you, dumbass.”

   All three of you looked at Bakugou.

   Your head fell to the right. “Todoroki tricked me?”

   Bakugou rolled his eyes. “Why do you think he wasn’t there when you looked?”

   That was when it clicked.

   Pivoting back to Todoroki, you pointed at him. “Todoroki should not play tricks on his friends.”

   He couldn’t hold it in anymore. He tucked his chin into his shoulder and puffed out a tiny chuckle. 

   Midoriya had to try not to laugh as he playfully scrunched his brows. “Yeah, Todoroki! That’s not nice!”

   Todoroki reached toward you to gently lower your finger.

   “I am sorry,” you said. “Pointing is rude.”

   “It’s fine. I won’t trick you anymore. And I want to apologize, so… is there anything you want?”

   Cheeky bastard.

   “Another trick. Todoroki is trying to pay for my items again.”

   “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

   

   As you and Todoroki started up another one of your little arguments, Midoriya glanced over at Bakugou.

   Midoriya had been in your place once. Up until this year, he had trailed after Bakugou for their whole lives. 

   Bakugou liked to tell those he considered inferior to not walk next to nor in front of him. However, that wasn’t necessarily an invitation to walk behind him.

   You always sought him out and he always let you stay.

   You were allowed to be there. 

   In comparison, Midoriya had been a thorn in Bakugou’s side ever since they both hit four. Bakugou hated Midoriya and made that abundantly clear.

   Midoriya never truly minded. Kacchan would always be Kacchan.

 

   To Deku, Kacchan was victory.

   To you, Bakugou was… Bakugou.

 

   Midoriya couldn’t help but laugh. It was wry, quiet. It softly shook his shoulders and forced his head down.

   Maybe that was the difference between you and Midoriya.

   That wasn’t to say Midoriya didn’t care about Bakugou as a person. Of course he did, he’d thrown himself into the face of danger for the asshole several times now. And he’d do it again.

   It was just…

 

   “What is wrong, Midoriya?”

   “Huh?”

   You were peering at him. Your resemblance to an owl strong as ever, your head lolled to the left.

   Todoroki was also looking. His curiosity was less obvious, but it could be found in the deep focus of his gaze. “Midoriya. If there’s something you’re worried about–…”

   “No, no, no!” 

   Lying ass. 

   Midoriya rapidly shook his head and hands. “I’m fine. Just… thinking. That’s all.”

   “Okay,” you said simply. You would never pry.

   Instead, you told Midoriya, “I will be right next to you.”

   He immediately straightened up. Tears bubbled along his waterline. His bottom lip was wobbling, all these being bright red warning signs that he was about to flood the whole of Harajuku.

   Todoroki took a step forward. “Me… me too.”

   He unfurled his palm in front of Midoriya. “You helped me back then, during the sports festival, so… if there’s any way I can repay you… I want to do it.”

   A loud sniffle reverberated from the back of Midoriya’s hand. His other hand was working on wiping his tears.

   When he raised his head, he was grinning brightly. “I’m already… really thankful to have friends. Friends like you guys… I don’t need anything in return. Let’s just keep doing our best!”

   Todoroki smiled. “Yeah.”

   You took in Midoriya’s expression. 

   The shining of his lashes in the afternoon sun. The red of his cheeks. The curve of his lips.

   You would never get tired of seeing the faces he could make.

   “Okay,” you replied. “Let’s.”

   

   Right now, Midoriya was to your left, Todoroki was to your right, and Bakugou was in front of you.

   Rather than a sense of hands closing in on from all sides, you could feel… a warmth that spread from your chest to your stomach.

   You thought you’d already come to understand the meaning of a friend. But it seemed you still had some more to learn.

   Your peers were also your teachers.

   Thank you.

 

   Your class was currently standing just to the left of the mouth of Takeshita Street. Kaminari, Ashido, and Hagakure were already wandering around in awe.

 

   Someone cleared their throat. Loudly.

   You turned. “Hello, Iida.”

   He was standing in the center of the group. “Hello! I’m glad to see that you’re reasonable as always. Though I expected a bit more of the others…”

   Yaoyorozu showed up to touch Iida’s shoulder. “Let’s proceed with the plan. We can’t loiter around here for long.”

   Judging by the sparkles surrounding Yaoyorozu, she was just as excited as the others. She was simply better at hiding it. She coughed.

   Iida dropped his frown. “Right.”

 

   It took some shouting and clapping, but he managed to summon the whole class back together.

   “Everyone. Here’s the plan.”

   You were all looking at a physical paper map now. Iida had taken it out of his pocket. The map encompassed the entirety of Harajuku.

   Uraraka gasped. “Wow! Old-fashioned!”

   Iida flicked his glasses up his nose bridge. “I personally find this easier to use. Anyway…”

   He jabbed a finger at a small icon on the map. 

   “We’ll be visiting this yukata shop first. It’s called–”

   “Tsukikageya!?”

   The one who interrupted was Hagakure.

   Iida nodded. “Yes, Tsukikageya. Is there an issue?”

   As Hagakure waved her hands, the bangles on her wrists jingled. “Oh, no! It’s just… I didn’t realize the pop-up shop was gonna be in Harajuku!”

   “Pop-up shop?”

   “Yup! A pop-up shop is kind of like a mini version of the main brand. They pop up in different locations for a short time.”

    Yaoyorozu added, “Tsukikageya isn’t the only yukata shop we’re visiting.”

   She tapped another spot on the map. “Here. This is a department store just across the other end of Harajuku. I did some research and they sell more traditional yukata.”

   This caught Todoroki’s attention. 

   He murmured, “Traditional…”

   Sero cast him a knowing look. “I remember the first time we saw your room. I still can’t get over the flooring, man.”

   “What about my floor?”

   “You laid down tatami within, like, an hour.”

   “Oh. It only took thirty minutes.”

   “You’re insane.”

   Asui put her finger on her lip and asked Yaoyorozu, “Are we doing anything else?”

   “Yes. After Tsukikageya, we can explore some of the other shops.”

   Your classmates cheered. 

   As per usual, you were silent.

   It had only just occurred to you that Shinsou would need a yukata as well.

   You did have a preference for soft, loose clothing, but as far as the contents of your wardrobe went, you never chose your own clothing. Melissa was the one who bought all of your clothes. 

   Choosing for another person was going to be a challenge.

   You clenched a fist.

   I will make a selection on Shinsou’s behalf.

   

   1-A set off on the trek down Takeshita Street.

   Overhead, the big sign that read, Takeshita Street, was decorated by autumn leaves in preparation for the oncoming fall season. The end of summer was only a day away.

   The beginning of your journey had been marked by pink flower petals. You remembered walking under the trees. Your neck had begun to ache from constantly hanging your head backward to take in the sight of spring’s greeting.

   Spring was when you met your friends.

   Summer was when you got closer to them.

   You wondered what autumn had in store.

 

   Iida rolled up the map. “We’re here.”

   You were all standing in front of Tsukikageya. For such a popular brand, it actually wasn’t so crowded. A brief glance through the windows told you that there were, at most, ten people inside.

   Hagakure ran right in. “Let’s go!”

   Ashido followed after her. “Yay!”

   The rest of you went inside at a normal walking pace. Except Bakugou. He liked to take broad, bow-legged strides. Strange creature.

   Kirishima snorted at him. “Let’s see if we can find you a yukata that’ll go with your… uniqueness!”

   “I have a challenge for you. Wear something that doesn’t have fucking flame patterns on it.”

   “Aw, c’mon, Bakugou, you know I like those…”

 

   You parted from Bakugou to go browse the fabrics. He just sat down on a bench against the wall and glared into nothingness. Kirishima went to find yukata for both of them. 

   You pinched a fabric. It was cotton.

   That was good. Cotton was loose and breathable. 

   Visually, they were all… white. Well, most of them. Their patterns were printed in black ink. Strawberries, music notes, and all sorts of things were turned into patterns. 

   What does Shinsou like?

   You hadn’t thought to ask. You’d also forgotten to get his contact information.

   And to top it all off, he had never explicitly told you about himself. Shit.

   You ran a comb through your memories to try finding whatever scraps Shinsou could’ve left behind.

   "Cat got your tongue?"

   Your encounter in the school restroom.

   You’d replied to Shinsou, "My tongue remains in my mouth. No cat has custody of it."

   Your reply had wrung a smile from him. It’d been a small, ironic one, but a smile nonetheless.

   A lightbulb went off over your head.

 

   “Shinsou likes… cats.”

 

   So you went off in search of cat-themed fabric.

   Cats have circular faces and triangular ears.

   You found several yukata. One of them had a pattern of a poor, mouthless kitten, and another was in the theme of a lasagna-eating cat. You didn’t know cats could eat lasagna. Actually, you didn’t know what lasagna was either. It seemed you were learning a lot today.

   “Oh?” Iida was leaning forward to peer over your shoulder, inquisitive.

   His arms were folded behind him. “I wasn’t aware you like cats. Are they your favorite animal?”

   “No.” You made sure the fabrics were loosely draped over your forearms before you swiveled to face Iida. “I do not know if I have a favorite animal.”

   “Ah, I see.” Iida nodded firmly. “That’s perfectly alright. You’ll find one. No rush.”

   “What is Iida’s favorite animal?”

   At your question, Iida grinned. 

   The lenses of his glasses twinkled. “Most definitely dogs. Thank you for asking.”

   His joy faltered a bit when he recalled your dirt drawing of a dog. It’d been a miserable-looking faceless blob. 

   You shifted your fabrics to one arm. “Does Iida wish to wear dog-patterned yukata? I will help.”

   The way you were giving Iida your full attention– you always did that whenever someone was speaking to you, though something was different this time. 

   The difference laid in your eyes. They had become a bit rounder.

   Iida, who was composed of rigid squares and a perfect posture, softened at the sight of you.

   He preferred traditional yukata, but how could he refuse your help when you were so eager to give it?

   “Thank you!”

   “It is no problem.”

   When you went to leave, though, Iida asked, “May I ask you a question?”

   “Yes. What does Iida wish to know?”

   He gestured to your selection. “If cats aren’t your favorite animal… why are you going to wear these?”

   You blinked. “I do not intend to wear these.”

   “Oh? Then, who is?”

   Your answer was the equivalent of a piano over Iida’s head.

   “Shinsou.”

   Iida’s jaw dropped.

   He hurriedly grabbed one side of his glasses to adjust them. “Shinsou? But weren’t you two fighting just the other day? Why does he need–?”

   And realization was a brick to the face.

   Iida grabbed you. His eyes were wide and lips drawn into a tight line.

   With a disbelieving slowness, he asked you, “Did you invite him?”

   Your own eyes went round. “Iida knows. How?”

   He kept his grip on your upper arms as he chided, “You need to choose your friends more carefully. Shinsou?And Bakugou, and Monoma… Do you enjoy being at odds with people?”

   You shook your head. “Shinsou and Monoma are not my friends. I am trying to befriend Shinsou. And Monoma does not like me. I do not enjoy being at odds with people, therefore I am avoiding Monoma in order to not anger him.”

   Iida faltered.

   So you weren’t blindly selecting people.

   Whether it was fighting Shinsou or doing your best to not bother Monoma, all you wanted to do was help.

   Iida let go of you.

   He couldn’t be mad at you for long. You were much too sweet. He didn’t have the heart to scold you anymore.

   So he merely sighed and said, “Alright. I don’t understand what you want with those two, but I can respect it. They do seem somewhat… lonely. Anyway, is Mr. Aizawa aware that Shinsou will be joining us?”

   “Yes. Mr. Aizawa ordered Shinsou to go.”

   “He– he did?”

   You reiterated, “Yes.”

   “Why is that? What sort of relationship do they have?”

   You then explained the whole thing about Aizawa being Shinsou’s mentor.

   Iida’s hand went up to hold his chin. “I see! I haven’t quite forgiven Shinsou for what he did during the sports festival, but–”

 

   “Please.”

   Iida’s hand fell.

   You were bowing deeply. 

   Your long hair obscured your face as you pleaded– pleaded, “Please forgive Shinsou. He… he wishes to be a Hero too.”

   “...Raise your head.”

   You did as told.

   In front of you, Iida had lost all rigidity in his posture. 

   He began quietly, “You were one of the people he took advantage of, and yet…”

   Iida was gazing at you not with his eyes, but his heart. “You’re a very kind person. Much kinder than I.”

   With a light touch from Iida, you completely rose from your bow.

   Iida thinks… I am a kind person.

   First, Melissa had told you that. Then Recovery Girl, All Might, and now Iida.

   He smiled. “You’re right. I will try to treat him no differently than I do our classmates. Shinsou is doing his best with what he has. We can’t help what we are born with… Thank you for reminding me.”

   “It is no problem.”

 

   Iida proceeded to make a mad dash across the whole store in search of every cat print yukata he could find.

   You were sitting on a bench. Whenever Iida found something, he set it on your lap, and you started calmly drowning in cat things.

   The others watched, perplexed.

   Kaminari scratched his cheek. “Wow, Iida. I like animal print, too, but this is a little much.”

   From Kaminari’s right, Jiro shot him a pointed look. “At least Iida’s stuff is kinda cute. Yours is just–...”

   Kaminari was carrying a tacky-looking tiger cheetah print yukata.  

   Jiro made a face and Kaminari pouted at her.

   Yaoyorozu came over to you to remove a folded yukata from the top of your head. “Oh, dear.”

   She took some from your lap and set it aside.

   Now your face was visible again.

   “Hello there.”

   “Hello, Yaoyorozu.”

   From a different corner of the shop, Kirishima cupped his hands around his mouth to call, “Yo, Iida! I thought you said you like dogs?”

   That got Iida’s attention.

   He whipped around. Fabric hung from all over his arms and shoulders. He had an uncanny resemblance to a caveman wearing too many pelts.

   “No yelling!”

   “Oh, whoops. Sorry ‘bout that.” Kirishima set his own yukata down to go over and help Iida carry some.

   “Thank you, Kirishima!”

   “Yep. So, what’s with all this?"

   Iida snapped out of his craze. “Ah, yes! I’m glad you asked.”

   After Iida explained, Kirishima laughed knowingly.

   Iida gave him a questioning look and Kirishima obliged.

   “I was there.”

   “You were there? And you let him fight Shinsou?”

   “Heck yeah!”

   “Kirishima.”

   “What? He’s pretty damn good, y’know. You should’ve seen it. He beat Shinsou with one leg!”

   Iida was going to have an aneurysm. “He what!?”

 

   Your finger traced the outline of a black cat.

   Yaoyorozu and Midoriya were sitting on either side of you. They were sorting out the best patterns. They’d decided to help you, no questions asked.

   Midoriya leaned over. “Do you like that one?”

   “I do not know,” you replied, running your finger along the cat’s tail.

   Yaoyorozu was holding another yukata in front of her. She scrutinized it. “Hm… This one is a tad gaudy…”

 

   A long shadow engulfed you.

   Todoroki. This time, he was in front of you.

   He offered you another cat-themed yukata.

   “Do you… want this?”

   Your hands reached out to inspect the cloth only to suddenly retract. 

   You stared directly at Todoroki. “If I say yes, will Todoroki purchase it?”

   He glanced elsewhere. “...Maybe.”

   And so you turned your cheek. “No. I do not want it.”

   This put Todoroki on the ropes. 

   He fretted a little. 

   In Todoroki, panicking manifested as an unnatural stillness of his body. “Are you sure? It has cats on it…”

   Yaoyorozu chuckled. “Todoroki, perhaps let’s allow him to buy his own things. It’s a gift, after all.”

   “A gift?”

   Yaoyorozu had figured out five minutes ago that you weren’t choosing for yourself. It was obvious. At least, to her. 

   From her time spent with you, Yaoyorozu had learned to identify the minute changes in your body language.

   Surprise came in the form of a blink. Curiosity was the adorable widening of your eyes. Interest was an intense stare.

   You were displaying none of these reactions towards the cat patterns.

 

   There was only one thing Yaoyorozu wasn’t sure of.

   Who are these gifts for?

 

   It was like you read Yaoyorozu’s mind.

   “Shinsou likes cats.”

 

   Yaoyorozu gasped. “Shinsou?”

   Midoriya cried, “Shinsou!?”

   Todoroki dug his nails into his palm. “Shinsou…”

   A dark shadow outlined the planes of his face. His brows settled over the tops of his eyes in a deep glare.

   So he had another rival to worry about. 

   Shinsou definitely had Todoroki beat in the cat knowledge department.

   No matter.

   Todoroki could, without a doubt, beat Shinsou’s ass. He normally wouldn't do that to a civilian– that would be heinous– but Todoroki would do a lot of things for you. He’d already defied the laws of physics to build a life-sized sand model of his house in order to impress you.

   He muttered, “Don’t spend any money on that guy.”

   You stared up at him. “Why?” 

   Todoroki bent down to gather all your fabric into his arms. When he straightened up, he said, 

 

   “Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”

 

   You grabbed Todoroki by the wrists. “No.”

   Midoriya stood up to get between you and Todoroki. “Wait! 

   He pried your hands off Todoroki and took the pile of clothes from him. “What if we just get a few different things and see what Shinsou likes?”

   Yaoyorozu put a hand on her chest. “I agree. And if you don’t want Todoroki to pay, I can!”

   “What is with you two and paying for other people…?”

   

   Todoroki and Yaoyorozu took the debate to the cash register. A battle between the rich kids.

   People were falling left and right to buy you things. It went without saying that you were quite the catch. With your hamster-like eating mannerisms and charming ability to turn your head a near one-eighty, you were irresistible.

   By your side, Midoriya tugged on his bottom lip.

   He’d briefly left to put back most of the yukata and come back. “I wasn’t expecting Shinsou to come with us…”

   Earlier, before Todoroki and Yaoyorozu left, you’d explained the situation.

   Midoriya released his lip. He set his hand onto his knee. 

   His line of sight was focused on the floor. “I… owe Shinsou a lot.”

   “Midoriya does?”

   “Yeah.” He picked at the seam of his own choice of fabric. It was folded in his lap. To no one’s surprise, it was All Might-themed. 

   “When he brainwashed me during our match, I saw something– the vestiges of One For All.”

   You pinched Midoriya’s lips shut.

   “Ow!”

   “We are in public, Midoriya.”

   He managed to worm his way out of your grip. “Crap. You’re right, sorry.”

   Bad habit. This was the same thing that had landed him on Bakugou’s radar. Silly Midoriya.

   

   Todoroki and Yaoyorozu returned. They stopped in front of you.

   They’d paid half-and-half. Yaoyorozu had selected the least tacky yukata. It was the one with the black cats, the one you’d been tracing your finger across.

   You used both hands to accept the yukata. “Thank you, Todoroki, Yaoyorozu.”

   Todoroki’s outward expression didn’t change much. His happiness lied in the faint upturn of his eyes and lips, a sprinkle of sweet sugar on his otherwise monotone face.

   All he said was, “Yeah.”

   Yaoyorozu nodded at you. A small smile of her own dashed across her jaw. “Of course.”

   You checked their arms. Neither of them were holding anything of their own.

   “What do Todoroki and Yaoyorozu wish to buy? I will pay.”

   Todoroki frowned. “I won’t let you.”

   Shaking her head, Yaoyorozu replied to you, “Oh, no, you don’t need to. Todoroki and I prefer traditional clothing anyway.”

   “I see.”

   She gazed down at you. You weren’t holding any clothing of your own either.

   “You haven’t picked out a yukata. Shall I assist you?”

   “...I do not know if I like any.”

   

   “What about this?”

   Your gaze flitted left, past Yaoyorozu.

   Midoriya had disappeared for a moment. He was holding up another yukata. When he grinned, he tipped his head a little to the left, his fluffy hair bouncing.

   The yukata had little raindrops on it.

   You stood up. The sudden roundness of your eyes told Midoriya all he needed to know.

   Your expression mirrored the one from that day. The day you first saw rain.

 

   “I like this one.”

   

   Flowers bloomed. Leaves turned red. The Sun shined brighter.

   You were a beautiful force of nature.

   Midoriya blushed madly. “I’m–! I’m glad!”

   Todoroki’s left side nearly burst into flames. “I can’t let you beat me, Midoriya.”

   “Todoroki, what–?”

   He immediately vanished to find an obi for you.

 

   Yaoyorozu had been stunned into silence.

   You had so clearly stated that you liked something. Rain.

   Yaoyorozu’s brows knitted together. Her smile formed a handsome dimple in her cheek.

   “How wonderful,” she murmured.

 

   Before long, Todoroki came back. He’d picked out an obi to go with your yukata. The obi was a shiny gold, the color of your happiness.

   Yaoyorozu went to find an employee.

   Now, it was time to try it all on. Technically, you were supposed to try it on and then buy it, but Todoroki was insane and so was Yaoyorozu.

   

   You and the employee exchanged polite greetings. Then she had you take off your outerwear, stand up, and spread your arms.

   The masculine style of wearing yukata was much looser than the feminine style. The cloth was secured near the hips rather than the waist and the sleeves were slightly shorter.

   The first thing you did when you finished dressing up was wind your arms back. Then forward. It was to make sure you had enough room to move.

   You walked over to a tall mirror.

   The obi placement highlighted the length of your torso. Your forearms, which were usually hidden by a sweater or compression sleeves, could be seen peeking out from under the cropped sleeves of your yukata. The sleeves themselves accentuated your strong shoulders.

   Midoriya was dead on the floor. 

   Todoroki couldn’t stop staring. 

   Yaoyorozu had her hands over her mouth.

   They were all pink in the cheeks.

   You were too adorable in your raindrop yukata and golden obi. 

 

   The employee offered you a pair of sandals. “We also sell festival footwear! Would you like to purchase these?”

   “Y–”

   Todoroki grabbed the sandals and ran for the cash register.

   You sprinted after him. “No.”

   Yaoyorozu was left to watch the two of you go. She raised a loose fist to her lips and chuckled merrily.

   Midoriya was still dead on the floor.

   The employee fidgeted nervously. “Is… is he okay?”

   “He’ll be fine.”

Chapter 72: The Thing about Harajuku (Part 3)

Notes:

fanart!! by bbqsquirrl on quotev!

 

 

 

   One by one, you and your classmates stepped out of the shop. 

   Some of you were still browsing inside, so the rest of you just waited.

 

   You were standing next to Todoroki.

   Between you and him, Todoroki was usually the one with a staring problem. It was a wonder that only Midoriya was aware of Todoroki’s crush on you.

   But right now, you were searing holes into the side of Todoroki’s head.

   “Todoroki?”

   He was trying his best not to look at you. “What is it?”

 

   Your tone was no different than normal. You spoke in constant monotone.

   Todoroki knew better.

   As of this moment, you were done with his bullshit.

 

   You meaningfully raised your right hand. In your grasp, you held a bag containing your yukata and other accessories. One of those accessories were the sandals that Todoroki had literally outrun you for.

 

   “Todoroki cannot continue purchasing items for me.”

   At this, he turned. “What…? Why not?”

   “Please allow me to return the favor.” You knew Todoroki wouldn’t let you buy anything.

   So, instead, you asked him, “What does Todoroki want to do?”

   “What do I… want to do?”

   “Yes.”

 

   Todoroki went still. His eyes unfocused and he frowned a bit. He looked… confused.

   You tilted your head. “Is something wrong?”

   “Ah, sorry.” Turning away, he said, “It’s just… no one’s asked me that before.”

   “Why?”

   Todoroki’s jaw tightened.

   Endeavor.

   “I don’t know.”

   

   “That is okay.”

   

   When Todoroki got the courage to meet your eyes, his own wide with shock, he felt all his worries slip away.

   You understood him. Without questions or reservations, you understood him.

   Todoroki wasn’t ready to talk about his past.

   But like you always said, that was okay.

 

   “Let’s do whatever Todoroki wants to do.”

   From the bottom of his stomach, butterflies flew up his throat and past his lips. The butterflies tugged at the corners of his mouth and touched the edges of his eyes.

   “Sure,” Todoroki began softly, “I just… need to think about what to do.”

   “Okay. I will wait.”

   “...Thanks.”

 

   “Hey!”

   You and Todoroki broke eye contact to face forward.

   Kaminari came bounding up to the two of you, all smiles. “What’d you guys buy?”

   You opened your bag and showed it to Kaminari. 

   He peered inside. “Huh? Iida’s cat stuff is in here.”

   “It is not Iida’s cat stuff. It is Shinsou’s.”

   Kaminari’s smile was frozen on his face. “What?”

 

   Kaminari remembered the first time he officially met Shinsou. The guy was just as handsome as he was rude. Unfortunate.

   It had also been the first time you extended your help to Shinsou. You’d literally dragged Kaminari along with you.

   He had been the one to get you out of Shinsou’s hair. Temporarily, anyway.

    “I think you’ve just gotta take ‘no’ for an answer. It can’t be helped. If he doesn’t want it, then he doesn’t want it.”

   The way Kaminari broke it to you had been a little harsh, but it was only in your best interest.

   Maybe Kaminari hadn’t been harsh enough.

 

   He screeched, “Shinsou!?”

   You nodded. “Shinsou.”

   Todoroki’s mood soured again. “Shinsou…”

 

   Kaminari started shaking you by the shoulders.

   “You can’t keep doing this!”

   “What have I been doing?”

   “Don’t give me that!”

   “What am I giving you?”

   “Stop that!”

   “Stop wh–?”

 

   Kaminari went to sit in a corner. Mushrooms began to grow around him.

   He sobbed, “No one listens to me!”

   From a distance, Tokoyami turned up his beak and solemnly recited, “I’m just a poor boy, nobody loves me…”

   Kirishima ran to hug him. “Aw, Tokoyami, that’s not true!”

   Tokoyami’s feathers fluffed up in alarm. 

   He backed away. “Wait, wait, wait–!”

   

   In Kaminari’s corner, Bakugou shuffled over to kick him in the butt. 

   “Quit growing shrooms in front of someone else’s store!”

   Kaminari clung onto Bakugou’s leg. “You don’t understand! I told him so many times, and– and then he goes and–!”

   “Get off me, shithead!”

   Kirishima audibly gasped. He was trapping poor Tokoyami in a bear hug.

   “Bakugou, be nice!”

   “Fuck off!”

   Tokoyami wheezed, “The darkness! It closes in!”

   Kirishima let go. “Oh, whoops!”

   The other boy fell to the floor. He was a small heap of black feathers.

   “Sorry ‘bout that, Tokoyami!”

   “I was… making a Queen reference…”

   “Huh? The Queen of England isn’t real, silly goose!”

   Tokoyami didn’t even know what to say to that.

   You appeared next to Kirishima. “Tokoyami is not a silly goose.”

   Thank goodness. At least someone was defending Tokoyami.

   “He is a silly crow.”

   Tokoyami felt your betrayal in the depths of his deep, dark soul. “None of you are seeing Heaven!”

   “What is Heaven?”

   

   A few more of your classmates left the shop and you wandered over to them. Thank fuck. Now Tokoyami could catch a break. 

   Asui looked up at you. “Ribbit. You’re done early.”

    "What did Tsuyu get?”

   A long time ago, Asui had insisted on everyone calling her by her first name. It'd taken you some time, but you had eventually gotten used to it.

   You hunched over a little.

   “...You don’t have to do that.”

   “Do what?”

   “I can just speak louder.”

   “Why?”

   Jiro walked up to the two of you. “She’s not that short.”

   Asui gave her a look.

   A short distance away, Kaminari snickered. “Jiro, you’re not much taller.”

   Her earlobes immediately went for his throat and he screamed.

   Meanwhile, Asui showed you what she bought.

   Tiny green frogs were scattered around on the fabric.

   You poked at the soft cotton of the yukata. “There are many Tsuyu's. Tsuyu pattern.”

   “Yep. Ribbit. What about you?”

   A moment of clarity told you to conceal the cat yukata. It seemed to cause havoc whenever someone saw it.

   So you buried the cat yukata under all the other stuff in the bag and just pulled out your rain yukata.   

   Asui put the tip of her finger onto her lip. “I think you’re sort of like a frog too.”

   You tilted your head. “I am?”

   “Frogs like rain. They come out during rainy weather.”

   “I see.” You straightened your back.

   Then, with all the poise and grace you could muster (which wasn’t much), you said, “Ribbit.” 

   All at once, Hagakure sprinted over and Ashido looped her elbow with yours.

   “So cute!” cooed Hagakure. “Say it again, say it again!”

   Ashido pouted. “You should talk about yourself more. I didn’t know you like rain!”

   You blinked. 

   I should talk about myself more?

   You tended to show, not tell. 

   To talk about yourself was something that had never occurred to you.

 

   “Here.”

   You craned your chin over your shoulder.

   Yaoyorozu was showing you her empty palm. In a flash of light, a little paper doll manifested from her skin.

   You turned to take a closer look at it. “What is this?”

   “A teru teru bozu doll.” Yaoyorozu explained, “These are usually hung by the window to pray for sunny weather.”

   With her other hand, she plucked the doll by the skirt and suspended the doll in the air. “But when you hang them upside-down, they become a wish for rain.”

   Asui held up her satchel as an example. Another one of the dolls was hanging from her satchel. Like Yaoyorozu said, it was upside-down.

   Your pupils, now blown wide, switched back and forth between the two dolls. “A wish for rain?”

   Yaoyorozu giggled softly. “Yes.”

   She took your wrist and placed the doll down into your palm. “Please take it.”

   “Okay. Thank you.” Staring at it intensely, you let the doll sway in the fading summer breeze. 

   I wish for rain.

 

   Asui nudged you to get your attention.

   You faced forward again and glanced down.

   Asui was offering you her keychain. 

   In her distinct blunt manner, Asui told you, “Mina's right. You really should talk about yourself more. I have a lot of these in my room, so take this one.”

   You shook your head. “I cannot accept Tsuyu's personal belongings.”

   “Well, if it’s mine, then I have the right to give it away.”

   Ashido and Hagakure started pumping their fists and chanting, “Take it, take it, take it!”

   You looked around you.

   Yaoyorozu was smiling kindly, Asui was fixing you with her usual no-bullshit stare, and the other two were happily cheering you on.

   You were surrounded by their grace.

   “...Okay. Thank you.”

   Asui smiled. “Good. Ribbit.”

   Ashido and Hagakure whooped and hollered.

   As you pocketed the keychain and the other doll Yaoyorozu made you, the girls burst into chatter about where to go next.

 

   In the beginning of the school year, the girls had taken you under their wing. Yaoyorozu and Ashido had invited you to sit with them at lunch. Before then, aside from following Shinsou around, you’d sat all alone. 

   Ashido had been quick to forgive you for scanning her for information without her consent. In fact, she was one of the main reasons why you stopped bothering Shinsou. The lesson you learned from Ashido had helped you understand why you had to back off of Shinsou.

   Though you didn’t sit exclusively with the girls anymore, they were still fond of you in all your innocence.

   You were their favorite boy.

   

   Someone slung an arm around your shoulder. “Hey, guys!”

   The girls whirled towards the new person.

   “Kirishima!”

   Gentlemanly and kind, Kirishima was the girls’ second favorite boy.

   You slightly tipped your head to the side. Kirishima’s hair was poking your ear.

   “Hey, Kirishima.”

   Grinning, Kirishima passed his bright eyes over you and the girls. “What did you all buy?”

   Ashido eagerly raised her folded yukata. “This!”

   The main color was the same blue-ish green as her Hero costume. It was decorated with pink flowers.

   Hagakure’s yukata was covered in cutesy bear patterns. 

   Asui held up her frog yukata.

   Kirishima doled out plenty of praise for each one of them. 

   Then he turned back to you and asked, “What about you?”

   “I did not buy anything. Todoroki and Yaoyorozu bought it.”

   She averted her eyes. Blushing a little, she tucked some hair behind her ear. “Ahem.”

   Kirishima laughed. “That’s Yaomomo for you. By the way, Yaomomo, you gotta let us buy you something.”

   Yaoyorozu let out a soft chuckle through her nose. “How about a drink? I could do with some tea right about now.”

   The moment she finally admitted to wanting something, the other girls whisked her away.

   You blinked. “Yaoyorozu has disappeared.”

   With that, Kirishima returned his attention to you. “What did she buy you then?”

   You showed him.   

   As soon as he saw your yukata, his face lit up. “I love drinking rain!”

 

   His head flew forward.

   Bakugou had shown up to smack Kirishima on the back of the head. “Explains why you have no brain. The amoebas fucking ate it.”   

   Kirishima wasn’t fazed whatsoever. “Bakugou, my man! What’s an amoeba?”

   “God, you’re hopeless.”

   You explained, “Although naegleria fowleri is known widely as a ‘brain-eating amoeba,’ it is technically not an amoeba. It is a shapeshifting amoeboflagellate excavate.”

   Kirishima smiled. “What?”

   Bakugou rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, whatever, smartass. It’s just easier to call ‘em by the colloquial name.”

   “Wait, Bakugou, you actually knew that?”

   “Duh.”

   Your eyes went round. “Bakugou thinks… I am smart?”

   His expression froze. His brows were cinched and his lips slightly open.

   Then he roared, “No!”

   Kirishima wrapped his arms around the both of you. “Aw, Bakugou! You guys are finally getting along!”

   “Shut the hell up!”

   While those two argued, you basked in your glory.

   Bakugou thinks I am smart.

  

   When you remembered something, you snapped back to reality. 

   Kirishima never told you what he got.

   You took this chance to ask, “What did Kirishima and Bakugou buy?”

   Bakugou never passed up a chance to insult. “Nothing. Everything in that goddamn store fucking su–”

   Kirishima clapped his hand over Bakugou’s mouth. “We’re right in front of the store!”

   Bakugou’s eyes went fully white. He tore his head away, and throwing it forward, he sunk his teeth into the thick skin of Kirishima’s palm.

   Kirishima did not react as much as he should’ve.

   He just chuckled. "That tickles!"

 

   You didn’t know how to tug Bakugou off Kirishima without taking some of Kirishima’s skin.

   So you said simply, “No biting.”

   That made Bakugou stop.

   He barked, “Fuck am I, a dog!? Get your ass over here!”

 

   The chase didn’t last very long.

   Bakugou tossed your limp body into the same corner Kaminari had been rotting in.

   You weren’t able to catch a break here either.

   Kaminari grabbed you and shook you like an Etch-a-Sketch. “You! What’s going on with you and Shinsou, huh!?”

   “I am… trying to… befriend him.”

   “Dude, seriously! I told you before! If he doesn’t want help, then–” 

 

   “Shinsou accepted my offer.”

   Kaminari’s head jerked forward, eyes wide. 

   He raised his sunglasses. “He– he did?”

   “Yes.”

 

   This caught Bakugou’s attention.

   He had been shuffling away to go who-knows-where, but he decided to tuck himself behind a wall to listen in.

   Bakugou did not like Shinsou. Not one bit. The last time Bakugou saw him was when you were caught in a physical altercation with some assholes who had been talking shit about Bakugou. Shinsou had been lurking behind a corner, watching everything unfold. He'd come out to taunt Bakugou once the fight was over.

   Bakugou narrowed his eyes.

   What could you possibly want with Shinsou?

   

   Kaminari’s scream was so loud that it made everyone look to see what was happening.

   “You fought Shinsou!?”

   There was an uproar.

   Most of your classmates weren’t huge fans of him, but they understood Shinsou was doing what he could to win.

   Though they were no less shocked to hear that you fought him.

   You, who froze up on the sports festival stage because you couldn’t bear to fight.

   Your classmates gathered around you, peppering you with questions.

 

   Yaoyorozu was at the forefront of the group. She and the other girls had just come back from getting drinks.

   Yaoyorozu’s brows pinched together. Her mouth fell open.

   She was mortified.

   Earlier, you did tell her, Todoroki, and Midoriya about inviting Shinsou, but you never told them how you managed to win him over.

   Todoroki was already by your side.

   He stood there, gazing down at you. His fists were trembling with how hard he was curling them.

 

   “He hit you?”

 

   Your blank eyes quickly flicked between Todoroki and Yaoyorozu.

   They had spoken at the same time.

 

  “Nope.”

   Your savior was Kirishima.

   He moved to stand in front of you. His hands were raised palm-side outward in a calming manner.

   “Don’t worry! Nothing bad happened. If anything, Shinsou was the one who got hit!”

   Everyone else was visibly surprised.

   The loud chatter got even louder.

   No matter how tall you got, or how much experience you accumulated, you would always be the class baby. Naturally, everyone was worried about you.

   

   Iida and Midoriya rushed out of the store. They’d stayed behind to help clean up the mess Iida had unintentionally caused with all the cat yukata.

   Iida raised his voice. “What is going on here?”

   Everyone was huddling around a corner of the building. Save for Bakugou, who listened in from his spot against the wall. His hands were in his pockets and his lips in a contemplative frown.

   Midoriya went on his toes to look over everyone’s heads. "What's happening...?"

   You were sitting in the corner. Kaminari sat next to you whilst Todoroki was stood on your other side.

   In front of you, Kirishima was trying his best to pacify everyone.

 

   Kirishima stepped aside.

   Smiling down at you, he gave you a hand. “Wanna tell everyone what happened?”

   You stared.

   Kirishima is always helping me.

   Your cold hand met his, warm as his smile, and he pulled you to your feet.

   “Yes.”

 

   And so you did.

   “My wish was to invite Shinsou to our festival outing. He did not accept my invitation. However, Mr. Aizawa issued him an order to attend. Shinsou’s wish was to understand my position as a Heroics student. Therefore, I engaged in a match with him. We were supervised by Mr. Aizawa."

   Curious murmurs filled your ears.

   Your classmates were glancing from you to one another. 

   Sato said slowly, “Shinsou… wants to be a Hero?”

   “Seems like it,” replied Sero. 

   Midoriya was panicking from his place in the back of the crowd. “Seriously? You fought Shinsou right after the exam!?”

   Before Midoriya could ramble any further, Bakugou cut in, “Did you beat his ass?”

   Iida gasped. “Bakugou!”

 

   You saw Bakugou in the back, a few feet away from Midoriya.

   Bakugou held your stare. In contrast to everyone else, he was perfectly calm. 

   You thought about Bakugou’s question.

   By definition…

   “Yes. I beat his a–”

   Your jaw was forced shut. Iida had stuck his fingers beneath your chin and closed your mouth before you could finish that sentence.

   A delightfully evil grin tore Bakugou’s face in half. 

   Every blue moon, he had something good (?) to say.

   This was one of those times. 

   He rasped, "Nice.”

   Iida started swinging his free hand up and down. “Stop encouraging him to be vulgar! And violent!”

   “Only if you take that stick out your ass. It’s been there since the first day of school. Fuck’s sake.”

   “Stop!”

   You paid no mind to the argument.

   Rather, you were staring into space.

   Bakugou has given me approval.

   You began to pace around.

   Iida inhaled sharply.

   His neck cracked with the speed at which he whipped his head towards Bakugou. “What have you done!? Now he enjoys being vulgar! And violent!”

   Bakugou threw his head back and cackled. “Good, good! It’s all coming together!”

   “What are you planning, you criminal!?”

   Kirishima gave Iida an exasperated grin. “He’s just messing with you. Don’t think about it too much.”

   “But what if he’s serious? What if he has this awful– no, diabolical plan to take over the world and–”

   “You sound a lot like Todoroki right now. Haha!”

   “I'm being serious!”

 

   After a few words from your peers, the crowd dispersed. 

   Not all of them left though.

   Midoriya and Yaoyorozu were either inspecting you or lightly scolding you. Todoroki stood by, silently nodding along. 

   You stared blankly.

   Then you turned your cheek.

   The other three kids nearly backed off. Your cuteness let you get away with a lot of things. A ridiculous amount of things.

   Not this time.

   At this point, Midoriya was basically on his knees, begging you to have some more self-preservation. Hypocrite.

   He banged his fists against the floor. “Please…! You can’t keep getting away with this!”

   Todoroki remained silent. He was using the back of his hand to cover the faint blush on his face. He could only nod.

   Yaoyorozu angled her chin upward and crossed her arms. She had to be strong for the three of them. 

   “Regardless of whether or not you fought Shinsou,” she began critically, “he would have gone on Mr. Aizawa’s orders. Why did you fight him?”

 

   You blinked.

   Actually, that was a good question.

   Why did you fight Shinsou?

   The only answer you could think of was, “I wished to prove that… I have changed.”

   The trio fell quiet.

   Their expressions became curious, searching.

   You understood their silence as yet another question.

   Your gaze fell downward. “...My performance during the sports festival was inadequate. I–”

 

   “That’s quite enough.”

   You looked up.

   On Yaoyorozu’s gentle face, there were no traces of a frown or a crease between her brows at all.

   She took your limp hands into her own.

   Your hands weren’t soft, they didn’t bleed, but what did Yaoyorozu care?

   These hands were yours.

   That was all that mattered.

 

   “Don’t you dare think that you’re inadequate. Don’t you dare.”

 

   Your eyes widened.

   You never said that you felt that way.

   But Yaoyorozu knew anyway.

 

   Todoroki stepped closer. “Right. It’s not like I did well either... I almost killed Midoriya.”

   Midoriya got to his feet. He was chuckling. His intense battle against Todoroki had become a pleasant inside joke. 

   His laughter faded as he took on a more serious expression. “Our past, our circumstances, our inexperience… those things don’t define us. Our decisions do.”

   He breathed in. “You chose to keep going. Even though you don’t like fighting… even though so many people kept doubting you… you chose to keep going.”

   Midoriya grinned. “To me, that means a lot more than anything else.”

   

   And then there was a solar eclipse.

   Your eyes were telling your friends what your lips could not. Gold surrounded your dark pupils, like the ring around the Moon.

   

   Yaoyorozu squeezed your hands.

   Midoriya’s breath left him.

   Todoroki smiled.

 

   Blinking away the sunshine, you replied quietly, “Midoriya is correct. And Yaoyorozu, and Todoroki. My previous performance… It has no bearing on my character.”

 

   You raised your voice and declared,

   "I am not my failures.”

 

   Midoriya sniffled. “Yeah!”

   You were quick to give him a tissue. “Tissue.”

   Yaoyorozu and Todoroki looked at each other. Then they exchanged a fond laugh.

   

   If you were the Sun, your friends were sunflowers.

   No matter where you were, they would be smiling at you.

 

   "Hey, you guys!"

   You glanced past the three of them and they turned around to see.

   Kirishima was waving. "We're gonna hit up a few more shops now!"

   The rest of your peers were milling around Iida. They were bustling with excited chatter while Iida pored over his paper map.

   "You coming?"

   You walked towards Kirishima. 

   Behind you, Midoriya, Yaoyorozu, and Todoroki followed.

   Their swinging hands, balled into fists, held tightly the bits of happiness you'd given them.

   "Yes."

Chapter 73: The Thing about Harajuku (Part 4)

Notes:

fanart!! by Daydreamer on quotev!

   

 

 

   Back into the river you went.

   The water wasn’t blue. There were no fish.

   Colorful streaks of skin and clothing painted your peripheral vision.

   It was almost overwhelming.

  

   Luckily, you had a boat.

 

   At the bow was Bakugou. 

   As he walked, his broad shoulders rocked side to side, like the calming lull of ocean waves.

 

   On the port side, Midoriya was keeping his promise.

   His big eyes curiously darted to and fro, but he stayed right next to you.

   

   And Todoroki occupied the starboard.

   His left hand was so close to touching your right. Whenever Todoroki felt the tiniest brush of your cold fingers, the temperature of his left side would spike up.

 

   Someone jumped on your back and you blinked.

   Nonetheless, you slipped your hands beneath their legs. 

   “You made me cry again.”

   Sunflower yellow hair tickled your cheek.

   “I am sorry, Kaminari.” 

   Second only to Midoriya, Kaminari was a total crybaby.

   That was okay. You didn’t mind.

   He pouted. “You gotta make it up to me.”

   “Does Kaminari wish for me to construct another sand castle?”

   That got a laugh out of him. 

   “You’re funny.” 

   “Kaminari thinks so?”

   “When you’re not making me cry, yeah.”

   You paused.

   Then you shut your mouth and Kaminari buried his smile into the softness of your sweater.

 

   Todoroki, who was side-eying Kaminari, was just inches away from setting him on fire.

   Midoriya swallowed. He almost wanted to make himself cry just to get your attention.

   

   The only one with the balls to say anything was Bakugou.

   “You’re so fucking gross!” Red veins popped around the edges of his eyes. “You make me wanna stick a fork in your mouth!”

   Kaminari raised a brow. “What, why? We’re just talking.”

   From behind Kaminari, Jiro poked him with her earphone jacks. “Are you flirting with guys now ‘cause you can’t get a girlfriend?”

   Kaminari’s jaw fell open. “What the hell, Jiro!?”

   She clapped her hand over her mouth. She was shaking with muffled laughter.

   Bakugou smugly turned up his chin.

   One corner of Todoroki’s lips twitched.

   Midoriya laced his fingers in front of his face, mortified.

   Kaminari wailed, “You guys suck!”

 

   He hopped off your back, and taking you by the wrist, he dragged you into a nearby cosplay store.

   All sorts of frilly and bright-colored things flew past you.

   The whole time, Kaminari was mumbling and pouting. Again.

   “Is Kaminari… okay?”

   “Gimme a sec, babygirl. There’s something I’m trying to find…”

   “I am not a baby, nor am I a girl.”

   “Uh-huh, gotcha.”

   “Kaminari is not listening.”

 

   Some of the others followed you two inside. 

   Todoroki looked around. He’d never been to even a basic Halloween costume shop. This was unfamiliar territory. He did recognize some cosplay sets from the manga Sero lent him though.

   Midoriya, meanwhile, was frothing at the mouth. He’d located the All Might section and was currently terrorizing an innocent employee with his rambling.

   Bakugou didn’t come along. He wouldn’t be caught dead around ‘nerd shit’, as he liked to call it. He just waited for you– waited for you outside with Kirishima. The redhead had to resist calling Bakugou out on that.

   

   “Found it!”

   You watched Kaminari take a costume from one of the shelves.

   It was… a maid dress.

   When Kaminari turned to face you, he had this awful, deathly serious look on his face.

   He dropped to his knees and you blinked. 

   “Please…” Kaminari lifted the vile object over his head. “Will you make me the happiest man on Earth?”

 

   “Absolutely not.”

 

   You were saved again.

   This time by Iida.

   With a disapproving grimace, he plucked the dress from Kaminari’s hands. “Is this what you were talking about?”

   Kaminari scrambled to his feet. “Aw, Iida! Give it back!”

   Iida ignored Kaminari in favor of examining the dress. He rotated it in one hand while the other held his chin. “This bears zero resemblance to the uniforms my family’s employees wear.”

   “You guys have servants?”

   “What? No, of course not. They’re employees.”

   “Same thing!”

   You shuffled behind Iida. “Itchy.”

   Iida’s entire being immediately softened as he looked at you over his shoulder. “Do you need me to scratch your back?”

   Kaminari was so done. “Why are you so nice to him and so mean to me!?”

   You answered Iida. “No, thank you.”

   Then you pointed at the dress. “I believe it is itchy.”

   “Ah.” Iida took a look at the printed label. “You’re right. This is cheap synthetic fabric.”

   

   “I’ll wear it.”

   You all turned. 

   Sero stood there, his hands on his hips. His v-shaped grin sparkled under the fluorescent lighting. 

   He stuck a thumb into his chest. “I dunno about you guys, but I’m not afraid to get a little zesty.”

   Iida’s brows furrowed. He flicked up his glasses. “Zesty…?”

   Kaminari was humming in thought. “Now that I'm thinking about it… Kirishima would probably be down to wear a maid outfit.”

   “Right?” agreed Sero. “We should get him in here. Make a little party out of it.”

   “I mean, yeah, that sounds fun,” said Kaminari, glancing over at you, “but I want him to wear it.”

   You shook your head. “Itchy.”

   Sero shrugged at Kaminari. “You heard ‘im. He doesn’t like it.”

   “Aw, man…”

   Iida looked between them. “What does it mean to ‘get zesty?’”

   They exchanged a glance.

   Sero decided to do what he did best– lie. “Getting zesty means eating oranges, lemons, stuff like that. I really, really like oranges.”

   Kaminari tried not to laugh. “Yep!”

   “I see…” Iida murmured thoughtfully. He gestured to you. “He and Todoroki were getting zesty this morning.”

   Kaminari choked. Sero’s eyeballs nearly fell out of their sockets.

   They both collapsed to the floor in a fit of giggles.

   Iida could only watch, confused. “What’s so funny?”

   He was going to ask you, but you were no longer there.

   

   You had begun wandering around the store. 

   There was all sorts of random shit in here. It smelled of plastic and summer heat.

   You found yourself in the anime section.

   You didn’t really watch anime or read manga, so you didn’t recognize much.

   One item caught your eye though.

 

   You grabbed a banana-looking thing. “He is bald.”

   A voice came from behind you. “It’s Inasa…”

   As you stepped to face Todoroki, you accidentally whacked him with the pillow.

   “Oh.”

   “I am sorry, Todoroki.”

   “It’s fine.” He glanced at the Inasa pillow. “It really does look like Inasa…”

   He jokingly punched it in the face.

   You held it high above the both of you. “No, Todoroki. No hitting Inasa.”

   Todoroki ducked his head to puff out a small chuckle. “Sorry.”

   

   Another fist came flying out of nowhere. 

   The Inasa pillow was sent clear across the store.

   Bakugou landed on the ground with a deranged smirk.

   A short distance behind him, Kirishima was clutching his stomach and cry-laughing.

   You and Todoroki were just standing there in dead silence. Your arms were still above your head, posed to hold the pillow.

   You lowered your arms and stared down at your empty palms. 

   So did Todoroki.

   He said quietly, “Inasa…”

   Kirishima laughed even harder. He suddenly snapped out of it, saying, “Oh, crap!” and running to retrieve the pillow before an employee could kick the lot of you out of the store.

 

   Bakugou shoved his hands back into his pockets. His narrowed eyes met yours, his polar opposite in shape. “You like this shit?”

   “I do not.”

   Instead, Todoroki replied to Bakugou, “I do.”

   He sneered. “Explains a lot. Dweeb.”

   Todoroki didn’t even blink. He simply returned his attention to you. “Sero lets me borrow his manga sometimes.”

   “Don’t ignore me, you half-melted popsicle!”

   You told Todoroki, “I see. Todoroki and Sero like manga.” 

   Then, wanting to include Bakugou, you asked him, “What does Bakugou like?”

   The question made Bakugou stop. Some of his aggression washed off of his face.

   He glanced off to the side. “...Not whatever all this is.”

   You blinked.

   That was right. Earlier, Bakugou did say he wasn’t going to join you inside.

   Why is Bakugou here?

   Todoroki had the same thought. “Then why did you come in?”

   And the aggression came right back.

   “Die!”

   “I was just asking you a question…”

   “Don’t ask me shit! Asshole! Dumbass!”

   

   “Guys, don’t fight!”

   You, Todoroki, and Bakugou swiveled your heads to look towards the voice.

   Sporting a maid dress, Kirishima crossed his arms and shot you a dazzling grin. “Don’t we look great?”   

   Kaminari and Sero appeared on either side of Kirishima. Those two were, unfortunately, also wearing maid dresses.

   Kaminari winked. Sero blew a kiss.

 

   You were staring, alright. Not in the ooh-la-la kind of way.

   There was the distinct sound of a cat coughing up a hairball.

   It was Bakugou. He hunched over. The poor thing was genuinely retching. 

   You chose to console Bakugou by lightly hitting his back. “Is Bakugou okay?”

   He whipped upright to yell at the top of his lungs, “What the actual fuck!?”

   Todoroki’s reaction wasn’t nearly as bad. “You look… nice.”

   Kirishima did a side chest pose. “Thanks!”

   

   You heard revving engines approach rapidly.

   Iida rounded the corner and skidded to a stop. “I sincerely apologize! I tried to stop them!”

   Sero leaned back to seductively tickle (?) Iida’s chin. “Why, hello there, Mr. Iida.”

   Iida went completely still.

   He broke into a cold sweat.

   Kaminari turned to Iida with a huff. “You’re acting like we’re traumatizing people or something.”

   “Yeah,” someone else replied, “you are.”

 

   At the other end of the aisle, Midoriya was standing there, his hollow eyes void of anything human.

   He withered into a dead bush. “What are you doing? What’s happening? I wanna go home.”

   For once, Bakugou agreed with Midoriya. 

   The blond sauntered past him to leave the store. “I’m gonna throw up.”

   You took that literally. Trailing after Bakugou, you tried suggesting to him several medical solutions, but they all fell on deaf ears.

   Todoroki left the moment you did.

 

   Midoriya and Iida stayed behind, but not of their own will. A primal fear rooted them to their spots.

   They were trying their best to not make eye contact with the Three.

   The only word Iida could manage was, “Change.”

   Kaminari sulked. “Okay…”

   “Wait, Kaminari,” said Sero, “you actually like wearing it?”

   “Huh? Well, it’s not like it’s terrible.”

   Kirishima nodded. “Yeah! It’s kinda nice!”

   Midoriya hit the floor. “For the love of All Might! Please change!”

   “...For the love of All Might? I know you like him a lot, but–”

   “Just go change!”

 

   Outside, you followed Bakugou like a little duckling. Todoroki was right behind you.

   Bakugou had made it clear to you that he wasn’t actually going to vomit. Thank goodness. It did require some yelling though. Other than Bakugou’s usual attitude, he’d shouted because it was loud as hell in the street.

   Another boy joined the three of you.

   Midoriya had to raise his voice over the noise. “Kacchan! Where are you going!? Iida told us to stay within this area!”

   “Fuck this area! And fuck you, too, Deku!”

   You and Todoroki greeted Midoriya like normal people. 

   “Hello, Midoriya.”

   “Midoriya.”

   He sighed. “Hi.”

   

   Something grabbed your attention.

   Whenever that happened, your lovely habit of wandering off would activate.

   But nothing could escape Bakugou.

   Somehow, without looking, he sensed your attempt and snagged the collar of your sweater. “Where do you think you’re going?”

   You kept your eyes on the prize.

   All you said was, “Pancake.”

   The object of your focus was a quaint little crêpe shop.

   Bakugou scoffed. “Those aren’t pancakes, idiot.”

   He pulled you by the scruff for a closer look.

 

   In the display case, all sorts of crêpes were lined up row by row. 

   The flavors included strawberries and cream, matcha and chocolate, even flavors you’d never seen before.

   You pressed your hands to the glass. “I see. The dough is thinner than that of pancakes. I believe these do not contain baking powder. Bakugou is correct.”

   To your left, Bakugou let out a small grunt. “Told you.”

 

   Bakugou had his back to the display case, arms crossed. He was facing the passing crowds. It looked as if he was spacing out.

   That couldn’t be further from the truth.

   Since you were no longer covering Bakugou’s blindspots, he decided it was his turn to watch yours.

 

   On your right, Todoroki was glancing at all the options. 

   His calm gaze landed on you. “Which one do you want?”

   “I am not telling Todoroki.”

   “What…? Why not?”

   A few meters away, Midoriya was on the phone with Iida. “You– you want us to stay here? Uh… I’ll see if I can get Kacchan to stay–”

   Bakugou was already marching off. “Eat my dust!”

   “Kacchan!”

   

   A tug on Bakugou’s vest stopped him in his tracks.

   “Where is Bakugou going?”

   He had to dare himself to turn around.

   The moment he did, he regretted it.

 

   Damn you and your puppy eyes.

   You looked the exact same as back when you’d returned from the beach trip, when Bakugou had nearly blown up your precious conch shell.

 

   Bakugou’s teeth nearly crushed each other with how hard he was clenching them.

   Veins popped in the whites of his eyes and bulged on the surface of his skin.

   

   You couldn’t see Bakugou’s face as he stomped away.

   Your shoulders fell.

 

   What you saw next made you blink not once, but twice.

 

   Bakugou was approaching the giant line for the crêpes.

   He trembled with an ungodly amount of rage as he shouted, “If you goddamn extras don’t get out of my way, I’m blowing this place to smithereens!”

 

   People screamed. Babies cried.

   The extras did, indeed, get out of Bakugou’s way though.

   From inside the shop, the employees stared at Bakugou in terrified silence.

   He was a war god and they were mere mortals.

 

   Midoriya’s soul left his body.

   Todoroki had no words.

   You didn’t know how to react.

   Bakugou had traumatized at least thirty people, but he did reduce the wait time for a crėpe. By a lot.

   

   Bakugou pivoted on one foot to glare at you. “Fuck do you want? Better choose fast.”

   Todoroki said dryly, “Or what? You’ll blow up one of the employees?”

   “Yeah.”

   You made a mad dash for the front counter and Midoriya screamed.

   He and Todoroki were now darting about, attempting to tell everyone present that Bakugou was, in fact, not a terrorist. Midoriya was internally praying that no one had called the cops. 

 

   “Bakugou?”

   “What.”

   The two of you were standing with your backs to the counter. You’d already given the shaking cashier your order and some cash. 

   “Bakugou is… not going to explode an employee. Am I correct?”

   He grinned. “You scared?”

   You normally would’ve joined Midoriya and Todoroki in reassuring civilians. However, you were on Make-Sure-Bakugou-Doesn’t-Explode-Anyone duty.

   “I am not afraid.”

   “What if I exploded one right now? What would you do?”

   Your reply was instant. “I will not allow that to happen.”

   “Oh, yeah?” Bakugou lifted his right palm. A few explosions went off. “Fucking try me.”

   

   Thankfully, the cashier handed you your food before Bakugou could do anything else.

   The cashier was trying his best. “H-h-have a nice day!”

   Touching the cashier’s trembling hand, you told him, “Do not worry. You will not explode.”

   He stared.

   Then he shrieked and ran off at the speed of light.

   Bakugou’s gremlin laughter erupted from him in evil little bursts. He was doing a piss-poor job of hiding his joy from the employees, who’d been shaking like chihuahuas for the past five minutes.

   You, on the other hand, were watching Bakugou as if he were an innocent flower. 

   Bakugou is… happy.

   You decided to keep that thought to yourself. If you voiced it aloud, Bakugou might’ve actually blown up an employee.

 

   Midoriya went up to you. He was red in the cheeks from having to repeat the same explanation to the civilians over and over.

   Casting Bakugou a pointed look, he said, “I think other people are scared to buy something from this place now. Let’s go somewhere else…”

   “Don’t tell me what to do, shit-ass!”

   Todoroki was with Shit-Ass. “Right.”

   Todoroki eyed your crêpe. He’d failed to pay for you. Next time, he wasn’t going to miss.

   You replied to Midoriya, “Okay.”

 

   Your little quartet played another game of Follow The Leader.

   Bakugou was able to sniff out a quieter part of Harajuku.

   There weren’t nearly as many passersby, the buildings weren’t as colorful, and there was much more open space.

   You breathed in. Even the air was nicer here.

 

   The four of you took refuge under the canopy of a botanical cafe.

   Going clockwise, the seating order went: you, Bakugou, Todoroki, and Midoriya.

   Bakugou had refused to be next to Midoriya. Unsurprising.

 

   Now that you were sitting down, you could eat.

   You pulled down your mask and gave the crêpe a sniff. Then you dug in.

   As for the other three, Todoroki was craning his head back to gaze up at the tree overhead, Bakugou was checking his nails, and Midoriya was texting Iida about the new location.

   

   Todoroki straightened his neck. He asked you, “Is it good?”

   Bakugou scowled. “It better be.”

   “You’re gonna end up on a watchlist…”

   “Not if there’s no witnesses.”

   Midoriya put down his phone. “Stop trying to kill people!”

   “Sure.”

   You, Midoriya, and Todoroki blinked.

   Bakugou was completely calm.

   Midoriya gripped the table, leaning forward to ask, “Wait, really?”

   Bakugou turned to you and jabbed a finger at Midoriya. “Kill him!”

   “Ugh, I should’ve known!”

   You ate the last of your crêpe. “No. Killing innocent people is bad, Bakugou.”

   He clicked his teeth. He was about to face forward again until he realized you ate the last of your crêpe.

   All but two minutes had passed since you all sat down.

   Bakugou’s brows met in the middle. “What the fuck?”

   Todoroki had to rephrase his question. “Was it good?”

   Midoriya’s flabbergasted stare burned holes into the empty wrapper. He looked up at you. “Did you– did you enjoy that?”

   You nodded. “It was good.”

   Everyone had known for a while now that you were a black hole. Witnessing you in action was no less shocking though.

   Midoriya remembered the first time you had dinner at his place. You’d been so proper then. 

   Revealing your hamster-like eating habits was a sign you’d gotten comfortable.

   As much as Midoriya wanted to smile at that, he was more worried about you dying a hamster’s death.

   His hand nearly pierced through his backpack due to how quickly he was trying to dig out a water bottle. “Eat slower! What if you choke!?”

   You nonchalantly pocketed the wrapper. “I will not choke.”

   Midoriya shoved a bottle in front of you. “Drink. Now.”

   So you ended up drinking water anyway. Midoriya could be scary. Sometimes.

 

   The real horror began when your phone, Midoriya’s, and Bakugou’s all went off at the same time.

   Everyone checked their pockets, including Todoroki.

   He put his phone away. “I didn’t get anything…”

   When he looked back up, he saw several things.

   Your thumbs were hovering over the screen.

   Bakugou had this deep, somber frown on his face.

   Midoriya’s eyes were about to pop out from his skull.

   Todoroki swiveled his head around. “What is it…?”

 

   Midoriya shot up to his feet, and slamming his hands into the table, he yelled, “Kacchan, why the hell do you have my mom’s number!?”

   Bakugou hissed back, “She gave me it! Stop acting like I’m hitting on your mom or something!”

   “Oh, God, gross! What did you just–!? Ugh, whatever!” He sat back down. “When…?”

   “How the fuck should I know?”

 

   Todoroki leaned towards you to get a glimpse of your screen.

   It turned out that Inko, Midoriya’s mom, had tried sending individual texts to you, Midoriya, and Bakugou. She accidentally created a group chat instead.

 

   All the text said was,

  

 

 

   Congratulations, honey!

  

   You replied, 

   

 

 

   Thank you, Mrs. Midoriya.

  

   Inko was sending something else now.

   It was a cute sticker.

   In return, you sent one back.

 

   Midoriya’s phone buzzed.

   He went to check the notification. It must’ve been the sticker you just sent.

 

   Oh, how he wished that was the case.

   

   Bakugou saw the horrified look on Midoriya’s face. 

   With a flick of his brow, he asked flatly, “What.”

   “I… I can’t tell you.”

   “Gimme that.” Bakugou snatched Midoriya’s phone and read the notification.

 

 

 

Good job! Glad to see you’re doing well at your new school. I hate to ask, but can you tell Katsuki to check his phone? The little shit still hasn’t texted me back.
Love, Mitsuki

 

   All hell broke loose.

   “Why the fuck do you have my old hag’s number!?”

   “She– she made me save it! When we were twelve! And stop calling your mom that!”

   “Delete it!” Bakugou punctuated his shout by throwing the phone back to Midoriya. “Delete it right fucking now!”

   Midoriya’s clammy hands scrambled to catch it. “But what if she gets sad?”

   Bakugou hurled himself over the table and Midoriya leapt clear into the air.

 

   Somewhere, Mitsuki and Inko were probably laughing over tea and sandwiches. 

   Well, at least Mitsuki was.

   Inko, meanwhile, was definitely confused about why Mitsuki was wearing the same devil’s smile as her son.

 

   Todoroki nudged you. 

   You tucked your phone into your pocket. “Yes?”

   “I thought about it, and… I know what I want to do.”

   You perked up. “Todoroki does?”

   “Yeah.” He rose, pushing his chair in. “Let’s go.”

 

   Todoroki gave you his hand. Another offering. Another tiny confession.

   He swallowed down the warmth in his cheeks. He was glad you couldn’t pick up on these things. You were lovingly simple.

  

   You studied Todoroki’s hand.

   You’d been told to stay behind Bakugou.

   At the moment, he was busy tearing Midoriya a new one.

   This part of Harajuku was quieter. 

   You couldn't sense it here, the overwhelming pressure.

   And Bakugou probably didn’t want to accompany Todoroki anyway.

   It would be fine.  

 

   Your frigid fingers found their place in the burning heart of Todoroki’s left palm.

Chapter 74: The Thing about Harajuku (Part 5)

   “What does Todoroki want to do?”

   “I’ll show you.”

 

   The further you got from Bakugou and Midoriya, the quieter it became.

   All you could hear were the sounds of crickets chirping, the occasional chatter from passing strangers, and your sandals shuffling against the concrete.

   Todoroki was leading you towards a residential area. His denim jacket would occasionally flutter just the slightest. 

   The warm breeze was a kiss farewell. August was saying goodbye. 

 

   You walked next to Todoroki. Shoulder-to-shoulder, nose-to-nose.

   Unlike Bakugou, Todoroki saw you as nothing less than his equal.

   No– not his equal– you were something greater. 

   You, who accepted Todoroki from the start.

   It was funny how differently things turned out. He’d been so cold to you, so uncaring. 

   Once he stopped thinking of himself as a doll, a monster of his father’s creation, he began to see not only himself, but other people for who they were.

   To Todoroki, you were light.

   All Todoroki’s little offerings were his own innocent, juvenile ways of expressing that to you.

 

   He shyly glanced at you. 

   Your braid was bouncing against your strong back in a gentle rhythm. It’d slipped off your shoulder.

   Along the curve of your cheek, sunlight brushed the back of its fingers against your skin. 

   Todoroki wished that it was his hand.

   He could buy you things. He could pull you from your seat. But he couldn’t hold you. He didn’t have the bravery, not yet.

 

   When you looked around, you saw the colors of the surrounding houses become progressively more muted. Japanese architecture wasn’t exactly known for looking lively.

   This neighborhood held life nonetheless.

   Two children ran past you and Todoroki. Their high-pitched laughter rang out in the relative silence. Back-and-forth, they passed an orange ball between them.

   You watched the children go, head tilting. Then you turned to ask Todoroki, “Is it fun?”

 

   He didn’t answer. 

   How would he know?

   Todoroki had never gotten to play with his siblings. Not even once.

   What he did remember was the feeling of longing as he watched them play in the courtyard.

   “Yeah,” he said finally, “it’s fun.”

 

   “Do you want to play?”

   Todoroki looked up.

   You were staring back at him. Above you, the afternoon sun formed a halo around the crown of your head.

   After a heartbeat, you added, “After we do what Todoroki wants.”

   He smiled.

   You really were an angel.

   “Yeah.”

   

   When you walked past an old lady watering her flowers, she looked up. Her lips pruning from age, they turned upward in a kind smile. Her face was etched with gentle crow’s feet. Deep lines ran down from either side of her nose.

   She must’ve had many reasons to smile.

   You reached up and traced a line from the outer corner of your nose to the side of your lip.

   Can I… have those too?

   Putting your hand down, you gave the sweet old lady a respectful nod and she returned to her flowers.

   

 

   You reached a fork in the road. It was marked by a small wooden shrine. Judging from the wear on the wood, it had to be decades old.

   Todoroki took a right and you followed.

   He suddenly stopped. You had to back up a bit to align yourself with him.

 

   “We’re here.”

   You tracked Todoroki’s line of sight.

   Your destination was right at the bend in the road. The building was very unassuming-looking. It was pure white. Uniquely, though, it was clean and seemingly unaged in comparison to the buildings next to it. 

   Yellow lighting illuminated a bamboo staircase.

 

   “Tamawarai.”

   You looked at Todoroki.

   “It’s a soba restaurant. I’ve always wanted to come here, but I’ve never had the chance.”

   “Todoroki likes soba.”

   That was a fact you knew beforehand. Todoroki liked eating both cold and hot soba, even on the hottest summer days. He was a tiny bit insane.

   “Yeah.” Todoroki’s eyes curved up a little.

   You’d remembered.

   Glancing back to the staircase, Todoroki said, “The soba here… It’s processed differently. The texture is unique. It’s… more grainy. I think.”

   Todoroki wasn’t very good at describing things. But neither were you.

   “I see. Okay.” You started walking towards the stairs. 

   But you halted when you felt Todoroki’s hand on your shoulder.

   You peered at him questioningly.

   He let go of you and dipped his head in apology. “Sorry. I should’ve specified earlier. I don’t think we can do this right now… We’re supposed to be with the others.”

   “I can eat fast,” you countered. “And if Todoroki cannot finish in time, I can eat it.”

   That made Todoroki laugh. 

   He shook his head fondly. “It’s fine. We can do this another time.”

   He went still.

 

   Did he just ask you out–?

 

   “Okay.”

   Todoroki didn’t even have time to fully process what either of you just said. He couldn’t meet your eyes.

   ‘Another time’ meant a later date, when Todoroki would be alone.

   With you.

   All of a sudden, Todoroki was glad he never specified that.

   He might’ve set himself on fire.

   Tipping his head downward, he willed frost to crawl from his right side to cool down his cheeks. “...Thanks.”

   You blinked. “Todoroki thanks me for strange things.”

   “Strange…?”

 

   “Todoroki is my friend.” 

   Todoroki couldn’t move. 

   When he didn’t say anything, you added, “Therefore, I choose to spend my time with you. You do not have to thank me.” 

 

   What Todoroki could do, though, was feel his heart drumming in his chest.

   Damn it.

   You were the sweetest thing.

   To make things worse, you didn’t even have the capacity to sugarcoat your words.

   Everything you said, you believed wholeheartedly.

 

   With a swallow, Todoroki gathered the courage to raise his head. “But… I want to.”

   “No.”

   “What do you mean…?”

 

   “If Todoroki wants to thank me…” You held up your wallet. “Let me pay for your yukata.”

   “Oh. That’s right… That’s what we came here for.”

   “Todoroki forgot?”

   “Yeah, sorry… And no. I won’t let you.”

   “Please.”

 

   Both your phones rang.

   Looks like you’d have to concede your battle with Todoroki for now.

   The two of you checked your phones.

   For you, the person calling was Midoriya. 

   He must’ve escaped Bakugou’s clutches and realized you were gone.

 

   Todoroki showed you his screen. His lips were pulled into a grim line.

   The caller was Iida.

   A much greater fight awaited you, it seemed.

   

   In order to answer Midoriya and Iida without disturbing each other’s calls, you and Todoroki scurried in opposite directions.

   Your thumb hovered over the green button.

   …I made Midoriya worry again. 

   You hadn’t been thinking when you decided to follow Todoroki out here. He didn’t have a license. As for you, you had only just begun coming to terms with the inevitability of fighting others.

   You pressed down.

   If Midoriya was mad, you would understand.

 

   “Thank goodness.”

 

   His voice was like a clear summer’s day.

   Above you, there were no clouds.

   The sky was the most beautiful shade of blue.

   “You answered!”

   Your eyes widened.

   You could hear Midoriya smiling.

   It was in his tone, the inflection of his voice.

   You thought he’d be questioning you rapid-fire, out of breath and wrought with pure concern.

   “Hello?”

   “Hello,” you replied quickly. “Hello, Midoriya.”

   He let out a short exhale through his nose. “Hi.”

 

   It didn’t take long for Midoriya and Iida to find you. Todoroki had sent them the location.

   Their arrival was heralded by crackling electricity and roaring engines.

   Iida went about his usual business, scolding you and whatnot.

   This time, though, you didn’t give him the cheek.

   You stood there and listened properly.

   Next to Iida, Midoriya silently watched you. A proud smile pushed at his freckles.

   

   Iida looked between you and Todoroki. “I don’t want to see any more of this behavior– not today. For everyone’s safety, please stick together with the rest of us.”

   You nodded. So did Todoroki.

   “Okay.”

   “Got it.” 

   Iida’s arms had been crossed for a few minutes now. The moment he was done with the lecture, he dropped them.

   Then he suddenly ran quick circles around you and Todoroki.

   You spun to watch Iida go. “There are many Iida’s.”

   Todoroki murmured, “Watchman…”

   Midoriya was getting dizzy just trying to follow Iida with his eyes. “W– what are you doing?”

   Iida struck his Exit Sign Iida pose. “I’ve concluded that you two have perfect bills of health!”

   You stepped out of your spin and started clapping. “I see. Thank you.”

   Todoroki’s nod was too serious for how silly all of you were being. “Thanks, Iida.”

   You stumbled a little and Midoriya went to support you by the arm.

   “Are you okay?”

   “Dizzy.”   

 

 

   The four of you set off on the walk back.

   On the way, Iida gave you all a debriefing.

   Apparently, Yaoyorozu was already leading the others towards the department store that hosted the traditional yukata shop. You’d be meeting them there. 

   Todoroki and Iida were chatting about something whereas you and Midoriya remained quiet.

   He could feel your stare on him.

   Nervously fiddling with his jacket collar, he threw you a shallow glance. “Is there something on my face…?”

   “No.” You took a brief pause. “Midoriya is… not mad?”

   “Huh?” He let go of his jacket and turned his head to frown questioningly at you. “No, of course not. Why would I be?”

   You hesitated again.

   Your gaze falling to the floor, you said, “I was alone.”

   “I thought you were with Todoroki…?”

   “...Todoroki is a civilian.”

   Midoriya’s response was a concerned knot between his brows. He had gotten accustomed to your speech patterns a long time ago, but at the moment, he couldn’t understand what you were trying to say.

   While Midoriya pieced your words together, you carefully studied his expression. 

   Midoriya is… worried.

   You dipped your head. “I am sorry.”

   “No, no, I should be sorry. I’m– I’m not getting it.”

   “Midoriya does not need to be sorry. I will clarify.” You thought about it for a few seconds, how you were supposed to phrase it.

   You didn’t need to say anything, because Midoriya was able to figure it out for himself.

   And the realization broke his heart.

   

   You didn’t think anyone trusted you to defend Todoroki.

 

   Midoriya whirled to fully face you.

   Clenching his fists by his sides, he shouted, “I trust you!” 

   His fluffy hair bounced in the breeze. His lips were pressed together just as tightly as his fists. 

   You’d stopped walking when he did, eyes wide.

    “I’m sure Iida and Todoroki trust you too. You flew all the way to Hosu for us! And you said it yourself earlier, didn’t you? You’ve changed.”

   You could feel it, the brilliant light that radiated from within Midoriya.

    Under the afternoon Sun, his forest green features turned the same shade as his lightning. His skin was like the sweetest honey.

   If you were heaven-sent, Midoriya was crafted by the Earth herself. 

   A diamond in the rough, he was being put under the highest pressure– he was to be the next Symbol of Peace.

   But that wasn’t why he was special.

   What made him special was not his newfound power, but the heart of gold he had been born with.

   He was becoming someone who could shine on his own.

   There was nothing plain about Midoriya Izuku.

   He grinned, the same way he always did. “You wouldn’t let anything happen to Todoroki. I know that much.”

 

   You couldn’t seem to stop staring at Midoriya.

   How were you supposed to thank him for all the kindness he’d given you?

   Midoriya is always–...

 

   “Midoriya too.”

   “Yes…?”

 

   “I… will take care of Midoriya too.”

 

   Instantly, he turned red, and now he was more watermelon than bush. 

   He shielded his burning face with his forearms, looking anywhere but at you.

   He couldn’t handle it when you cutely tipped your head to the side and said, “Okay?”

   Midoriya’s stammering was incomprehensible. His hands flew every which way. 

   You waited patiently.

   At last, Midoriya squeaked, his eyes shut tight, “Okay!”

   You were going to be the death of him.

   

   When you two caught up to Iida and Todoroki, Iida said teasingly, “Another motivational speech, I see.”

   Midoriya blushed, shrinking into himself. “It wasn’t a motivational speech…”

   Todoroki turned to Iida with a knowing look. “He does that a lot, huh?”

   “I’m telling you, that’s not it!”

 

   You saw the café, the one from earlier.

   Everyone was supposed to have left for the department store, but for some reason, Bakugou and Kirishima were sitting under the canopy. They were across from each other. Kirishima had his back to you. He was animatedly talking with his hands while Bakugou listened quietly.

   Bakugou spotted you first. At the sight of you, he squinted with derision. “Took you long enough, asshole.”

   “I am sorry, Bakugou.”

   Todoroki was quick with the comeback. “We never asked you to wait.”

   “Who said I was waiting!?”

   As you approached, Kirishima turned in his chair.

   He immediately grinned. “Hey!”

   You parroted him. “Hey, Kirishima.”

   Iida pushed up his glasses. “What are you two still doing here?”

   Kirishima idly replied, “Just wanted to chill for a bit. Yaomomo said it was fine.”

   Bakugou got up from his seat and Kirishima followed suit.

 

   Bakugou led the way. He was taking those big, bow-legged steps again. 

   And, of course, you were right on his tail.

   You hadn’t forgotten your mission to find out exactly what was worrying Bakugou.

   Again, this didn’t involve just him anymore.

   He had hurt other people. Particularly Midoriya– he’d been given two black eyes just yesterday. You were going to uphold your promise to take care of Midoriya.

   You were going to talk to Bakugou.

   How, when, you weren’t sure.

   All you knew was that you had to.

   

   Kirishima was next to Bakugou. When he heard your steady shuffling, he had to hold back a chuckle.

   You didn’t seem to realize Bakugou had been waiting for you. This was the second time now. The first time had been when you were inside that cursed cosplay store.

   Bakugou never held back, much less for other people’s sake.

   He set his own pace. He marched to the beat of his own drum.

   At the same time, he was a man of his word.

   Telling you to stay behind him hadn’t been just an order.

   It was a promise.

   Wherever you were, Bakugou would be right in front of you.

 

   Spoiled thing.

 

   But it wasn’t as if Kirishima didn’t spoil you either. 

   He pulled back a bit to take your bag from you. “Lemme get that for you.”

   “Thank you, Kirishima. However, it is okay. You do not need to hold it.” You tried retrieving it only for Kirishima to dodge you by switching the bag to his opposite hand.

   A cheeky smile teased at his lips. “Nah, I got it.”

   “That is true. You have it in your possession."

   Tossing his head back, Kirishima laughed merrily.

   He was already extremely friendly to most people. Though when it came to you, he had a massive soft spot. His voice would lilt, his eyes would shine brighter, and he would melt like putty.

   You were a spoiled thing indeed.

   Kirishima let out a long, guilty whistle.

 

   At the entrance to the department store, Yaoyorozu and Kaminari were sitting on a bench just off to the side. They were chatting between sips of milk tea.

   A piece of Kaminari’s hair stood up like an antenna. 

   He whirled in his seat to face you, fast as lightning. “You’re here!”

   Yaoyorozu had to hide her giggle behind her palm. She rose from the bench to join your party, Kaminari hot on her heels.

   Neither of them felt the need to ask you, or Todoroki, about what you guys had been doing. 

   It didn’t matter as long as everyone was unhurt and accounted for.

   They trusted you just as much as you did them.

   

   You all headed inside.

   On the way to the yukata shop, you all took in the sights.

   Midoriya was fawning over a Hero merch shop. Iida and Kaminari were talking about different kinds of athletic shoes, whilst Yaoyorozu and Kirishima discussed whether flame-patterned clothing was actually horrendous or not. Far ahead of the group, Todoroki and Bakugou were butting heads about who-knows-what.

   You were in the very center of this circle of friends.

   Your friends.

   You had gone from asking Kaminari the meaning of a friend, to making ones of your own.

   Swiveling your head around, you took in their image. Their smiles. Their laughter.

   Your pupils dilated and irises spun, like a camera shutter.

   This second in time was but a grain of sand, but it was no less precious to you.

 

   Your friends were no less precious to you.

   

   “Wanna take a picture?”

   Without you realizing, Kaminari had snuck up on you.   

   He grinned, head tilting, as he unfolded a selfie stick.

   He paused to hurriedly ask, “Wait, are you okay with pictures?”

 

   You thought back to when David told you about the stories behind your family photos.

   You had never been a smiler. According to David, you didn’t even like getting your picture taken. Every time, without fail, you would either deadpan or glance somewhere off camera.

 

   There was one picture, though, where you’d been smiling.

   The one with Melissa next to you. You’d been eleven or so, Melissa thirteen. 

   You were looking right at her. 

 

   That was in the past.

   Here, in the present, you had so many more reasons to smile.

 

   Seven of them.

   

   “Yes,” you told Kaminari, “I am okay with pictures.”

   His face lit up. “Yay!”

   The rest of you weren’t aware of what was about to happen.

   Raising the selfie stick skyward, Kaminari shouted, “Say cheese!”

   The flash went off and everyone yelped.

 

   Absolutely none of you had been ready.

   A review of the photo caused several groans.

   Midoriya had the wonderful expression of a cat about to sneeze.

   Bakugou had been snarling– not in the intimidating way. He just looked like he really needed to take a shit. 

   Kirishima had been laughing his ass off at Bakugou’s face. He’d been holding his stomach and pointing.

   Todoroki had blinked and Yaoyorozu straight-up looked afraid, the poor creatures.

   Iida’s glasses had caught the flash. It was as if he was going to laserbeam someone with his eyes. He would never, but he did try to kill a grown man once.

   Kaminari turned out perfectly fine. He’d even winked and thrown up a peace sign. Bastard.

 

   As for you, you were peering up at the camera with a doe-eyed expression. 

   You didn’t know how to smile, but what did that matter?

   This singular photo was enough proof of your happiness.

 

   Bakugou tried to blow up Kaminari’s phone. “Delete that shit!”

   Luckily for Kaminari, his good reflexes came in handy for the most arbitrary things.

   He twisted his body left and right to get away from Bakugou. “Nope! Not gonna!” 

 

   The others were almost tempted to join Bakugou.

   In the end, they only exchanged giggles, eyes and lips upturned.

   None of them particularly liked how they themselves turned out.

   However, you were in the picture.

   You never took any of yourself, and had a near-instinctual avoidance of getting your picture taken. You happened to never be around for group photos. It must’ve been a habit from before. 

   This photo was more precious than any of you knew.

   One by one, you all asked Kaminari to send the photo. Except Bakugou. He was planning on skinning Kaminari alive.

   

   Between your hands, you cradled your phone.

   Your irises had turned to gold.

   Maybe this was why Kaminari liked taking photos so much.

   Here, your friends were immortalized, forever yours to cherish.

 

   You held the picture to your chest. 

   …Forever.

   You didn't know the full meaning of that word. It wasn’t something you thought about very much. You lived in the present, after all. Your past was set in stone and your present decided your future. 

 

   All you needed to understand was already in your heart, where it would stay and never leave.

 

   Please stay with me forever.

Chapter 75: The Thing about Harajuku (Final Part)

Notes:

fanart!!! by LeonMyBeloved

 

 

   

 

   Something’s not right.

 

   Midoriya kept throwing nervous glances between you and Bakugou.

   Nothing was out of the ordinary.

   At least, on the outside.

 

   Bakugou led the rest of you through the mall, towards the second yukata store.

   Behind Bakugou, you kept close. Your owlish eyes were trained completely on him. 

 

   The weird thing was, compared to the outdoor walkways of Harajuku, this mall wasn’t crowded at all. You had no reason to follow Bakugou to such an extent. And whenever you did, you liked to observe your surroundings while simultaneously keeping him within your peripheral vision.

   

   Something was making you stick to Bakugou like glue.

 

   Midoriya couldn’t put his finger on it.

   Instead, he put his finger on his bottom lip and sandwiched it with his thumb. Then he tugged.

 

   This morning, you’d asked him for information about Bakugou. You’d also told Midoriya that one way or another, you were going to help Bakugou. You’d been planning to do so ever since that little stunt he pulled– the one where he turned the dorm shower room into a slaughterhouse.

   

   Midoriya let go of his lip.

   Anxiety turned into fear.

 

   His big eyes flicked right to bore holes into the side of your face.

 

   Is he going to–…

 

   Slowly, he switched to looking at Bakugou.

 

   …ask Kacchan about it?

 

   Right here, right now?

   

   Your mouth didn’t move.

 

   Everything else did.

   Your back curved outward, your hands hid inside your pockets, and your legs slid far apart.

   You took a long step forward.

    You were doing the same hunchback, hands-in-pockets, shit-in-pants walk that Bakugou liked to do.

 

   The most relieved sigh flew out of Midoriya. He practically deflated. “Oh, thank God.”

   Kirishima and Kaminari nearly shat themselves laughing. You looked like a cross between a baby penguin and a skinwalker.

   “You’re doing so good, buddy!”

   “Why is it so accurate!?”

   Bakugou yanked his chin over his shoulder to yell, “The fuck are you idiots laughing at!?” 

 

   He saw you. 

   When he did, he completely stopped walking.

   You bumped into him.

   With an innocent blink, you said, “I am sorry, Baku–”

   “I’ll kill you!”

 

   And so, you were now running for your life. Bakugou was throwing his arms backward and using his explosions to propel himself after you.

   Iida’s engines fired as he broke into a sprint. He had to catch Bakugou before someone actually died. “Control yourself, Bakugou! We are in a public space!”

   “I control whether you live or die!”

   “Please stop saying such heinous things!”

   “Die!”

   “Stop!”

 

   Midoriya muttered, “That was pretty accurate though…”

   Bakugou instantly switched targets and Midoriya screamed.

 

   The two who’d remained silent thus far were Yaoyorozu and Todoroki. They were staring at you, oddly fascinated.

   “He’s… he’s learning.”

   “Does he study Bakugou in his free time or something…?”

 

   Thanks to poor Midoriya, you were free from Bakugou’s malice. For now.

   You sipped on Kaminari’s drink while watching Kirishima restrain Bakugou by the pits. 

   “Let go, you hemorrhoids-looking piece of shit!”

   “Oh, hemorrhoids? That’s a new one. You’re so creative, Bakugou!”

   “Shut the hell up!”

   Midoriya was on the floor. He had to support himself with his palms as he caught his breath. “Thanks, Kirishima…! I really thought he was gonna get me this time.”

   “Yeah, I gotcha.”

   Bakugou strained every which way in an attempt to escape Kirishima’s death grip. “I’m going to kill all of you!”

 

   The drink disappeared from your hand.

   Kaminari had snatched it back. Holding it away from you, he squinted and said, “I didn’t say you could have all of it!”

   Your shoulders fell. “Okay.”

   “...Fine, just a bit more.”

   You instantly perked up again. “Okay.”

   Kaminari was completely motionless as he watched you pluck the drink from his hand.

   Then he turned his head.

 

   Out of sight, he was pulling his pink sunglasses down in a half-assed effort to hide his equally pink cheeks.

   He’d only just realized that you two had shared an indirect kiss.

   In spite of all the pretty girls he’d ever flirted with, it was a pretty boy who was making him blush like this.

   He clutched his head.

   Pretty boys are ruining my life!

 

   An empty cup appeared in front of Kaminari.

   You’d returned his drink. Well, whatever was left of it– which was nothing, because you were a gremlin.

   Kaminari deadpanned. 

   If ruining his life meant stealing his food, you were ruining Kaminari’s life, alright.

   “I said you could have a bit.”

   “...By definition, a ‘bit’ is a small portion of a whole. Only a small quantity of liquid was left in the–”

   “Really?”

 

   In the end, you got away with it.

   Kaminari dragged his hand down his cheek and groaned.

   He could never say no to you.

   

   At last, your group reached the store.

   In comparison to the first shop, Tsukikageya, this one was incredibly spacious. Double the size in both floor space and number of fabric to select from, it looked like the perfect spot to run around willy-nilly.

 

   You did exactly that.

   Scurrying ahead of Bakugou, you vanished into the women’s section.

   “Don’t walk in front of me, damn it!”

   Kirishima sighed at Bakugou. “Let him be. He’s curious, that’s all.”

   “Still walked in front of me.” Bakugou scoffed. “Brat. He’s getting cocky.”

   “Huh. I wonder why, Mr. I-Wasn’t-Waiting.”

   “What did you just call me!?”

 

   The others laughed. 

   No one could ever stop you from wandering off.

   “There he goes,” said Yaoyorozu. She turned to Iida. “You should focus on buying an outfit yourself. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

   Iida went red. The memory of him ransacking Tsukikageya for any cat yukata he could find was replaying over and over in his poor brain.

   He chopped his arms through the air. “Thank you, Yaoyorozu! I will.”

   “It’s nothing. It’s the least I can do after you went so far to get him.” 

 

   Todoroki had a dilemma.

   He kept looking between the women’s section and the men’s section.

   On one hand, there was a chance you would see something you liked.

   On the other hand, Todoroki hadn’t bought himself a yukata yet.

 

   “You, too, Todoroki.”

   He stiffened.

   A knowing smile teased at Yaoyorozu’s lips. “You fought well back there, when we were both trying to pay.”

   “...Next time, I won’t accept paying just half.”

   She giggled. “Right, of course.”

 

   In the women’s section, you found a few of your nice, not-Bakugou classmates.

   Aoyama, Asui, Jiro, and Uraraka were huddled around a bunch of wig-wearing mannequin heads. The heads were mounted on ascending sets of shelves. All sorts of flowery hair ornaments, from lush wisteria to tiny plum blossoms, were on display.

   Aoyama twirled with a French flamboyance to face you. He’d sensed your presence. “Ah, te voilà!”

   He performed a few chaine turns to reach you. “I’ve been looking for you and your hair!”

   That wasn’t creepy at all. 

   Unlike Aoyama, Asui and Jiro greeted you like normal people. 

   “Hello. Ribbit.”

   “Hey, you’re back.”

   Uraraka took a second. It was a stretch to say she was totally comfortable around you. 

   But she’d try her best.

   Whether or not Midoriya had feelings for you, Uraraka would try her best to get along with you. 

   She spun, and putting on her best grin, she chirped, “Hi!”

 

   You didn’t respond. Not to Uraraka or to anyone else.

   The targets of your blank stare were the chalk-white, faceless mannequin heads looming behind Aoyama and the girls.

   You pointed at the disembodied heads. “What are their sins?”

   Jiro choked on her spit. “Excuse me?”

   Asui and Uraraka exchanged flabbergasted glances.

   Even Aoyama stopped twinkling.

   You made direct eye contact with him, head tilting, and that was when he understood.

   “Just because I’m French doesn’t mean–! ugh!”

   Question marks circled around Uraraka’s head. “What are you guys talking about…?”

   

   “I think I understand.”

   Aoyama and the girls looked to the left of you.

   It was Yaoyorozu.

   She’d come up next to you, hands folded neatly in front of her.

   With a light chuckle, she explained, “During the French Revolution, nobles were executed by guillotine. I believe he’s implying that these mannequins were decapitated for their crimes.” 

   You nodded. “Yaoyorozu is correct.”

   At that, she seemed to sparkle a little. She lifted her chin and closed her eyes, preening herself.

   Then she coughed. “Ahem.”

 

   She’d almost lost herself in your praise.

   In response to most people’s approval, she’d only remain silent or thank them. She was always humble and polite. 

   Except when it came to you, apparently.

   Of all things to take pride in, Yaoyorozu’s favorite was being able to transcribe your bizarre train of thought.

 

   “So that’s what you meant,” said Jiro. She snickered. “Y’think the mannequins started moving when they weren’t supposed to?”

   In a matter of seconds, shit flew off the rails.

   Yaoyorozu put her palms over her mouth. “I’m sorry, what?”

   “Don’t say things like that!” screeched Uraraka. She crouched in Asui’s shadow and Asui deadpanned. 

   Aoyama let out a French scream.

   Things couldn’t possibly get any worse, but somehow, you managed to do it.

   Your face mere inches away from Jiro’s, you asked her, “Mannequins can move?”

   She nearly broke her spine trying to lean back. “Jesus!”

   A fish eye view of anyone was… not pleasant, to say the least. 

 

   Out of nowhere, Todoroki showed up behind you. “Jesus can make mannequins move…?”

   You turned around to reply, “That may be true. Jesus is a demigod who has a wide range of supernatural abilities, which may include the ability to move mannequins.”

   “So it’s like a Quirk…”

   “Yes.”

 

   Yaoyorozu buried her head in her hands. Her taste in men had something to be desired. Maybe something like brain cells.

 

   A menacing aura radiated from the shortest person here.

   Asui was staring directly at Todoroki. Her big, blank eyes were void of any feeling. “You’re infecting him with your conspiracy theories.”

   “I don’t make conspiracy theories. And I’m not sick.”

   “Are you sure?”

 

   Jiro was this close to biting down on her own arm. She was trying so hard not to laugh as she asked you, “Who the hell told you about Jesus? You talk about him like he’s an anime character or something.”

   Todoroki was the one to answer. “Sero.”

   “Wait… Todoroki, you don’t– you don’t know who Jesus is either, do you?”

   “I do. He was born on Christmas, so his mom named him Jesus Christ.”

   Asui asked him again, “Are you sure?”

 

   Yaoyorozu cut in, “You’re already done shopping, Todoroki?”

   He averted his gaze and tucked his empty hands into his pockets. “...Soon.”

   He definitely did not come here just to check if you fancied anything. Nope.

   Yaoyorozu sighed.

 

   Banished.

   You and Todoroki had been banished from the women’s section by none other than the only other guy there, Aoyama. He didn’t even bother touching your hair. He’d dismissed you in the most dramatic fashion, the back of his hand against his forehead. It wasn’t like you executed anyone by guillotine or anything. Maybe Todoroki implying that Jesus was named after Christmas had been the final straw.

   Fortunately for you dumbasses, Yaoyorozu chose to accompany you. She had more than enough brain cells for the three of you.

   “Yaomomo, wait.”

   She peered over her shoulder. Then she pivoted to completely face Jiro. “Yes?”

   She was glancing from Yaoyorozu to the baby pinks and bright whites of the feminine yukata. “Aren’t you going to buy something for yourself?”

   She’d paid for half of your yukata, yet she still hadn’t bought one of her own.

   She looked towards you.

   A short distance away, you were waiting for Yaoyorozu alongside Todoroki. He was eyeing the men’s section.

   And so was Yaoyorozu.

  “...There’s something I’d like to try.”

   

   Once she joined you and Todoroki, your trio headed over.    

   Here, the fabric selection was much more muted in color. And the patterns weren’t very interesting to look at. Rather than flowers and fireworks, the men’s fabric had either stripes or no patterns at all.

   You pat one of the rolled-up yukata. Then you unfurled it and put it on top of your head.

   “Are you bored?”

   You stepped to face Yaoyorozu. Her dainty fingers were hovering before her lips in an attempt to hide her laughter.

   “I do not know.”

   She had to act fast. Leave you alone for too long and you might eat dirt.

   Yaoyorozu took the yukata off of your head. She rolled it back up, returning it to the shelf.

   Lastly, she smiled up at you. “Why don’t you keep Bakugou company? I’ll stay with Todoroki. I’d like to consult him for fashion advice.”

   This way, Yaoyorozu could keep both you and Todoroki in check. With Bakugou around, you wouldn’t be bored. And Todoroki would actually focus on buying his own clothes.

   “Okay.”

 

   Bakugou was slinking about the store. For once, he wasn’t leaving the shopping to Kirishima. He’d decided that Kirishima had the intelligence of a single-celled organism.

   So Bakugou set out to find a yukata himself.

 

   A hand tugged on Bakugou’s vest.

   The tug came from below, not above.

   It wasn’t you, the only person allowed to do that.

   Bakugou swatted the hand away. He looked down with a drawn-out, “Hah!?”

 

   It was Bakugou’s favorite animal.

   A child.

   “Excuse me, sir?”

   “Fuck do you want, you runt?” 

   “Um…” 

   For a moment, the boy glanced elsewhere.

   He had a friend hiding behind one of the displays.

   She hissed, “Ask him!”

 

   “O– okay…” Turning back to Bakugou, the boy asked him, “Why do you walk like your peepee exploded?”

 

   Bakugou’s pupils shrunk to pinpricks. His mouth fell open.

   No way.

   No fucking way a child just said that to Bakugou.

 

   He stuck his hands on his hips. Bending at the waist, he tilted his head and seethed, “Why do you talk like your brain exploded!? You were dropped on your head as a baby, weren’t you?”

   The boy burst into tears.

   He wailed and ran off, taking his friend with him.

   Bakugou straightened up. As he watched them go, he smirked to himself. “Serves ‘em right.”

   

   “Bakugou?”

 

   Bakugou went still.

   Slowly, he craned his head to the right.

   You stood there, your eyes the roundest they’d ever been. “Bakugou’s peepee… exploded?”

 

   And you weren’t alone.

   Behind you, Kirishima, Ashido, Sero, and Kaminari were screaming with laughter. 

   Kirishima wheezed, “His–! His peepee!”

   Sero was hammering his fists into the floor. “It exploded!”

   Somehow, Ashido’s skin became even more pink than it already was. She and Kaminari had to hold onto each other for dear life as they cried real tears.

   Your gaze drifted downward. “I see. The incident must have occurred at the time of Quirk manifestation. That is the reason why Bakugou has a… unique walking pattern.”

   

   His eyes went white. Veins bulged from his neck to his forehead.

   He was terrifyingly calm when he said, “If you don’t wanna die, run.”

 

   You were now running for your life. Again.

   In front of you, Kirishima led you by the hand. The flesh of his fingers molded to the unforgiving steel of your wrist.

   Kaminari, Ashido, and Sero flanked you and Kirishima. They were giggling as if all of you weren’t moments away from death.

   Death came in the form of Bakugou Katsuki.

   Not far behind, he fired off explosion after explosion. “Get back here!”

   Your band of psychotic little animals sprinted through the mall. Passing shoppers gawked at the sight.

   Not that any of you cared.

 

   A shit-eating grin spread across Sero’s face. He lifted his chin over his shoulder to yell, “Sorry about Bakugou Junior!”

   “You’re dying first!”

   Snickering, Kaminari whispered to Sero, “Nice!” and they high-fived.

   Ashido twirled to cheekily stick her tongue out at Bakugou. “You gotta try harder than that!”

   It was Bakugou’s turn to grin. “You sure ‘bout that?”

   The explosions got faster and Ashido let out a tiny squeak of terror.

   Kaminari screeched at her, “What have you done!?”

   They were lassoed by a piece of tape. 

   Sero began to pull them along with him. “Run faster, you midgets!”

   “Hey!”

   “You’re not even that tall!”

 

   “Guys! This isn’t the time to be arguing!”

   All eyes landed on Kirishima.

   Brows pinched and jaw clenched, he was looking grim. “I think it’s time for Plan B.”

   Kaminari, Sero, and Ashido exchanged nods.

   The fact that they all knew what that meant was highly indicative of just how often this exact situation occurred. ‘B’ stood for Bakugou, the homicidal maniac who somehow got into a high school institution.

   You, meanwhile, were boring holes into Kirishima’s skull. “Kirishima is… pregnant?”

   He nearly tripped.

   The other three bozos started laughing again. Sero almost lost his grip on Ashido and Kaminari.

   Turning red, Kirishima spluttered, “How the heck would I–!? Y’know what, let’s talk about this later!”

   “Okay.”

   Kirishima took a deep breath.

   He threw his head back to shout, “Scatter!”

   

   Everyone split off in different directions. The plan was that at least one of you had to survive. There had to be someone to live to tell the tale of Bakugou murdering several teenagers due to the explosion of his p-word.

   Iida did tell everyone to stick together, but right now, staying alive was slightly more important.

   At least you weren’t alone.

   Kirishima never let go of your wrist.

   When he swiveled his head to check up on you, you saw his silly shark-toothed grin.

   “I gotcha!”

   “Thank you, Kirishima.”

   What he saw was the wind in your hair. Some of it had escaped your braid. The stray pieces bounced with each step you took. 

 

   All your attention was on Kirishima and Kirishima alone.

   He turned forward, pressing his lips into a flustered line.

   So this is what it felt like to be the one in front of you.

   It was like seeing the ocean for the first time, as you had a few months ago. Kirishima had been right next to you. Back then, your hair had been doing the same, flowing with each push and pull of the deep blue waves.

   And Kirishima had been so smitten– beyond smitten by your wide golden eyes and sunkissed skin.

  

   Kirishima smiled to himself.

   You should really look back every now and then, Bakugou.

 

   “Wanna rest for a sec?”

   “Okay.”

   With a tug, Kirishima took you into the cover of a nearby pillar. He guided you to sit against the pillar whilst he remained standing. He tipped his head back and put his hands on his hips. 

   For a few moments, it was quiet. Only Kirishima’s light panting could be heard. Though your own breathing was inaudible, it didn’t mean you weren’t tired either.

   Of the group, you and Kirishima were the tanks, capable of taking high amounts of damage without flinching. 

   That also meant you two were the slowest. Bakugou should have caught up by now.

 

   But then it’d be too easy for him.

   This was a game to Bakugou just as much as it was to you and everyone else.

   Going after the slow ones first was no fun.

   You and Kirishima were last on Bakugou’s list.

 

   “Kirishima?”

   He tipped his head back down to look at you. “Yeah?”

   Sweat ran down his cheeks. The droplets mirrored his tears from that day–

   the day he cried.

   It was only yesterday.

 

   You got to your feet, lifting one hand to smooth your hair away from your face. Then you used the same hand to pat Kirishima’s stiff, spiky hair.

   As he chuckled, his dark lashes kissed the wet skin of his cheeks. “What is it, buddy?”

   You hesitated.

   If you told Kirishima what you were planning to do, would he let you?

   Or would he try to handle everything by himself all over again?

 

   “...Kirishima’s hair is black.”

   “Oh, crap, are my roots coming out already? Thanks for telling me!”

   “It is no problem.”

   Liar.

 

   In the distance, explosions rang out.

   There were shrill screams followed by maniacal laughter. 

   Kirishima grimaced. “Aw, man. Must be Kaminari and Ashido.”

   Those two did split off in different directions. But knowing them, they probably ran into each other by accident and probably got their asses handed to them.

   You pressed your hands together. “Rest in peace.”

   “They’re not dead, silly!”

   “I see.” Your hands separated. “Do not rest in peace.”

   “How is that any better…?” Still, Kirishima couldn’t help but laugh. His hand darted forward to scoot you in the opposite direction of where the screaming came from. “Anyway, we should get going. That sounded pretty close, yeah?”

   “Yeah.” Keeping your back tight to the pillar, you peeked out slightly. “Let us go.”

 

   As you ran, you picked up on even more screaming.

   It was Sero. You heard him make one last quip about Bakugou’s detonated wang moments before an explosion ended it all.

   “That dumbass!” sighed Kirishima. “Not gonna lie, he had it coming.”

   “Kirishima thinks Bakugou deserves to have his peepee exploded?”

   “That’s not what I meant, but honestly? Yeah.”

   

   “What was that, Shitty Hair?”

 

   All you’d done was turn a corner.

   Bakugou was tilting his head downward. Apparently, none of the teasing was enough to make him stop slouching. Sharp blond fringes concealed the tops of his blood red irises. His pupils, the size of a needle tip, peered straight through his eyebrows. His scary ass was hitting you with the Kubrick stare.

   Kirishima skidded to a stop. He flung an arm out to stop you as well.

   Looks like Bakugou had circled around.

   “I got you now, you fuckers.”

 

   In order to catch your balance, you gripped Kirishima’s head. “Hello, Bakugou.”

   Kirishima didn’t even flinch. Easygoing as ever, he threw up a wave. “If it isn’t my man, Bakugou!”

   Bakugou’s eyelid twitched. 

   Neither of you were afraid of Bakugou in the slightest.

   Tiny sparks began to dance between his fingers. The sparks grew bigger and bigger by the millisecond, until he was holding fireworks in the palms of his hands.

   Then he returned Kirishima’s greeting with the most devilish, downright evil simper he could muster. “Prepare to die!”

   Kirishima got into a fighting stance. The skin around the edges of his face and the knuckles of his fists hardened. “You’re on!”

 

   “This one does not sell cake.”

   Kirishima and Bakugou paused to look at you.

   You were checking out a vending machine. Disinterested, you dropped your hands from the glass.

    Bakugou snapped, “Pay attention, dumbass!”

   “Yesterday, Bakugou bought me cake in a can.”

   He had to have some sort of disease with how often he was twitching today. “...You really do wanna die, don’t you?”

   “No.”

   “I don’t believe you. Why the hell have you been running?”

   “Because Bakugou told me to.”

   He could only stare at you. His Quirk wasn’t even active anymore.

   In the background, Kirishima made zero effort to stifle his giggles.

   Something inside Bakugou cracked.

   That was it. That was the final straw.

   Bakugou lunged.

   Before he could maul you, Kirishima tackled him to the ground.

  Your brows crinkled the tiniest bit. You took a few steps forward. “What is Kirishima doing...?”

  He shouted, “Don’t come here!”

  You stopped in your tracks.

  “At least one of us has to live! Go!”

  The sound of windchimes struck your ears. A breeze picked up your hair, making it float past you.

   Kirishima’s sacrifice… will not be in vain.

   “...Thank you, Kirishima.”

   He watched you turn and flee, a manly tear rolling down his cheek. “I gotcha.”

 

   Bakugou whacked him upside the head. “Stop being so fucking dramatic.”

   “It’s kinda fun! Maybe I should try out the drama club sometime.”

   “I’m gonna throw up.”

   “Well, that’s not very nice.”

 

   Nowhere was truly safe from the likes of Bakugou, but this would have to do for now.

   You ducked into the restroom.

   Inside, you found your favorite little shrub.

 

   “Hello, Midoriya.” 

   He was facing the mirror. He didn’t seem to hear you.

   Reflected in the mirror was an odd expression, one you never saw him make very often.

   For Midoriya, being spaced out was normal. When he wasn’t thinking aloud, he was keeping his thoughts to himself.

 

   But the dead look in his eyes wasn’t normal at all.

 

   “Midoriya?”

   It was as if he’d been stabbed.

   With a start, he pivoted on one foot to turn towards you. His hand flew to tug up the collar of his jacket.

   

   This was an expression you’d committed to memory.

   Midoriya was smiling at you. He was happy.

   “Oh, hi! Going to the bathroom, too, huh?”

   So why didn’t his voice match his face?

   It shook as if the seasons had skipped from summer to winter.

 

   You were already moving to fix whatever was wrong.

   Question marks floated above Midoriya’s head. His mouth opened, about to ask you what you were doing, until it happened.

 

   You gave him your sweater.

 

   That was all it took for Midoriya to melt into a feverish, blubbering mess.

   You tilted your head. “What is wrong?” 

   “N-nothing!” he squeaked. “It’s just… why? Why are you–...!?”

 

   “Midoriya is cold.”

 

   The adjusting of his jacket, the shakiness of his speech–

   You, in all your innocence, thought Midoriya was cold.

 

   In any other circumstance, Midoriya would have completely melted. After all, what else was he supposed to do? What was anyone supposed to do? You were such a sweetheart. 

 

   “I’m… okay,” Midoriya began. “I’m just tired. We’ve been walking around a lot.”

   “I see.” You folded your sweater, tucking it beneath your elbow. Your free arm extended towards Midoriya. “I can carry you.”

   Midoriya’s smile froze permanently to his jaw. 

   Oh my God.

   He was going to die early because of you.

   He tried his best to hide behind his forearms. But that was useless, since his exposed palms were blushing too.

   “I’m okay! Really!”

 

   In any other circumstance, you would have replied with what you always said: “Okay.”

   After all, you never liked to pry.

   But it kept replaying in your head, the sight of Midoriya’s empty eyes.

   

   You leaned down.

   Nose-to-nose with Midoriya, you told him, “I will ask you once more, Midoriya.”

   He visibly gulped. “What is it…?”

 

   “What is wrong?”

 

   How many times had Midoriya heard that question?

   Twice from you.

   Countless from his mother.

   She’d ask him every time he returned from school with burnt notebooks and a ruined uniform.

   And every time, he’d reply with, “Nothing.”

 

   “Liar.”

 

   Midoriya froze.

   You were pointing at him as you reiterated, “Midoriya is lying.”

 

   He bit his lip.

   Damn it.

   Midoriya had never been a good liar.

   There was no point in trying again, was there?

   Once you were onto someone, there was no shaking you off.

   And he hated lying. Especially to you.

   If you hadn’t seen the signs for yourself, you would have believed anything he told you.

   You, who put all the trust in the world into Midoriya.

   Midoriya, who tried to lie to you.

   

   “...I’ll tell you, okay? Just– just promise you won’t get mad.”

   “Why would I be angry with Midoriya?”

   Midoriya’s small chuckle was void of any joy. 

   “I didn’t mean me.”

 

   You found out who he meant when he pulled down the collar of his jacket.

   Below his pulse, in the dip of his clavicle, were four fingerprints.

   Your irises became the same shade as the bruises– bloody red.

   As your gaze dragged upward to meet Midoriya’s, you didn’t blink once.

   “Midoriya.”

   He flinched. 

   Whenever you said his surname alone, it was always with a questioning intonation.

   You weren’t asking.

   You were demanding.

   Midoriya’s instinct was to pacify your anger. His hands hovering before him, he stammered, “It’s–! It’s okay! Please don’t get mad at–”

 

   “Shigaraki Tomura.”

   Midoriya was yanked towards you.

   You held him in front of you, one of your arms glowing blue. Coolant surged through your mechanical veins. 

   When it reached your fingers, your thumb gently pressed into his bruises. He winced.

   “Please explain to me, Midoriya–...”

   In the mirror, he could see the red hadn’t left your irises.

   “...the reason why I should not be angry with Shigaraki Tomura.”

   

   “It wasn’t Shigaraki!”

   You finally blinked. The red was gone.

   Now that you’d calmed down, Midoriya took the chance to back up. You let go without a fight.

   Midoriya’s heart was beating a mile a minute. He leaned his lower back against the sink, winded.

   Too close!

   Closing his eyes, he breathed in.

   Calm down. 

   Calm down, and think of how to find the best outcome for this situation!

 

   Midoriya craned his head back to look up at you. Likewise, you tucked your chin to lock eyes with Midoriya.

   “It was not Shigaraki?”

   “...No. It wasn’t.”

   “If it is not Shigaraki–...” You brushed your thumb along Midoriya’s collarbone and he shuddered. “...who?”

   

   Why did Midoriya ever ask you to not get angry?

   You would never get angry, not at him.

 

   “Kacchan.”

 

   You turned to the doorway. “Hello, Baku–”

   No one was there.

 

   When you turned back to Midoriya, he was giving you a disgustingly bittersweet smile.

 

   “It was Kacchan.”

 

   Your eyes widened.

   When? When did Bakugou–

   When you left Midoriya behind to go somewhere with Todoroki. 

   Brows furrowing the slightest, you asked Midoriya, “Bakugou hurt you to this extent?”

   “Don’t worry! It’s not that bad.” 

   You stared.

   Not that bad?

 

   This horrible bruising was the result of a clavicle grab, a brutal move used to force the opponent into submission. Done correctly, it sent even the strongest person down on their knees.

   You knew this because direct submission was your fighting style.

   Whether it was lighting up an entire forest or shooting someone in the leg, you used either fear tactics or physical force to push someone into submission. 

   Those were ways to wear the opponent down and have them surrender before you had to drag on the fight any longer.

   You hated fighting.

   

   “Friends should not fight each other.”

   “Don’t… don’t get mad at Kacchan, okay?”

   You didn’t say anything.

   Was that even possible–? you being angry with Bakugou. For him, you had all the patience in the world. 

 

   You got your answer when Midoriya said quietly, “This is normal.”

 

   “...No.”

 

   None of this was normal. 

 

   Why does Bakugou hate Midoriya?

 

   That was a question you had asked once, and only once.

   The answer you received was that he just did.

   And you’d accepted it.

   You’d accepted the insults, the beatings, everything.

   Your definition of normal had been skewed from the very beginning. 

 

   All this time, while Midoriya did his best to protect you, you’d turned your cheek to his suffering.

 

   A memory flashed by.

   The day Midoriya and the others visited your room for the first time.

   He’d mentioned getting bullied when he was younger. You’d asked him what that meant and he never told you. 

   The only thing he said was that you’d pity him if you knew. So, out of respect, you never looked up what the word meant.

   You knew its meaning now.

   It was whatever the hell Bakugou had been doing to Midoriya.

 

   Your fingers dug into your sweater.

   For how long…?

   For how long… has Bakugou been hurting Midoriya? 

 

   Something soft and warm fell around Midoriya’s shoulders.

   You were wrapping him in your sweater.

   It was so big that it reached Midoriya’s knees. He was normally the one doing the protecting, but right now, he felt so small.

   Midoriya got a whiff of your scent.

   You smelled like a warm bed. A thick blanket. A soft pillow.

   Midoriya had to stop himself from snuggling into your sweater. 

   “I’m fine!” he said, scrambling to take it off. “I’m not cold!”

   Your hands swallowed his and he froze.

 

   “I promised.” 

   “Promised what..?”

 

   “I promised to take care of you, not Bakugou.”

 

   Midoriya’s vision blurred.

   He bowed his head, teeth gritting together.

   His whole life, he’d been nobody’s first choice. Until All Might came along, he had no one. Even his own mother didn’t believe in him. He could still hear her sobs as she apologized over and over.

   And when Midoriya first saw you follow Bakugou like a lost puppy, he thought that was it. You’d chosen Bakugou.

 

   Now he knew that wasn’t true.

   He grinned. Breathy laughter spilled out of him, along with his tears. They splashed onto the tiles below.

 

   This was the one kind of rain you didn’t like.

   “Why is Midoriya crying?”

   He hiccuped.

   Your voice was so soft.

 

   Back at the store, Todoroki swiveled his head about. 

   Where is he…?

   He felt a touch on his shoulder.

   It wasn’t you.

   Sero had stuck his elbow onto Todoroki. With a knowing grin, he wiggled his brows. “Looking for someone?”

   “I wasn’t looking for you.”

   “Ouch. You wound me, Mr. Todoroki.”

   “Oh. I did…? How?”

   Sero sighed. 

   How were they friends?

   A lightbulb went off over Sero’s head and he perked up again. “Oh, yeah, by the way, what the heck were you guys doing all the way over at Shibuya Station?”

   Todoroki began the process of rolling up one of the yukata he’d been mulling over. “We didn’t go that far. We were just on the border.”

   “Aw, shame.”

   “Is there something special about Shibuya Station?”

   “I guess you could say that. For one, nothing weird happens there.”

   Todoroki paused his movements. 

   He took his attention off of the yukata to face Sero. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Oops. Am I scaring you?” Sero clapped his palms together as he chuckled. “Sorry, sorry. What I’m trying to imply isn’t real or anything.”

   He answered Todoroki’s questioning look by pulling a manga volume out of his bag. On the way back after Bakugou’s game of Hide and Kill, Sero, Kaminari, and Ashido had hit up a few stores.

   “This is Harajuku Goldfish. Basically, giant goldfish start spawning all over Harajuku. They eat people ‘n stuff. Pretty funny, right?”

   Todoroki looked genuinely concerned. His brows furrowed. “In Harajuku… there are giant goldfish… that eat people?”

   “It’s not real!”

   “Oh, yeah. Sorry…”

   “There, there.” Sero gave Todoroki a playful pat on the head. He lowered his hand to flip through the pages. “It’s just… the thing about Harajuku is that something bad always happens here.”

   

   “Sero!”

   He turned to the left.

   Kirishima had called out to him. 

   Kirishima was panting heavily. Sweat had soaked into the fabric of his headband. He took a painful breath of air.

   Frowning, Todoroki stepped forward. “What happened?”

   “Woah,” said Sero, “What’s going on? Where are Bakugou and–?”

 

   “I can’t find them!”   

   

   Midoriya sniffled.

   Once he was sure that he could speak without making a fool of himself, he raised his head.

 

   All of the color in his face drained in an instant.

   Midoriya felt it, the fear he’d felt all those years ago. 

 

   “Midoriya? What is wrong?”

   Third time’s the charm.

   

   “How long have you been here…?”

   He wasn’t talking to you.

   You spun on your heel to follow Midoriya’s trembling gaze.

 

   The light from outside the entrance to the restroom cast an eerie shadow over Bakugou.

   The entirety of his face was shrouded in black.

   Except for his eyes.

   For once, they weren’t narrowing into a glare.

   They were wide, wider than yours, burning straight through you to reach Midoriya.

 

   “How long have you been here, Kacchan?”

     

   He didn’t answer.

 

   “Bakugou.”

 

   His red eyes flicked to yours, the same color as his own.

 

   “We need to talk.”

Chapter 76: The Culmination of Days on End

   “We need to talk.”

 

   That was what you’d said, but where were you even supposed to begin?

 

   It should’ve been obvious.

   This whole time, Bakugou had been hurting Midoriya without so much as blinking.

   And what had you been doing?

 

   Nothing.

   Absolutely nothing.

 

   What you did do was follow Bakugou like a sailor lost at sea. 

   He was a beautiful star, your guiding star, Polaris in the shape of a boy.

   His brightness had left you blind. 

 

   Midoriya, who had been chasing after Bakugou ever since they were little, had only ever come close enough to get burned.

 

   For ten years, Midoriya had been crying all alone.

 

   And in the six months you’d known him, you hadn’t been able to change a thing.

 

   You couldn’t even save someone who had always been right by your side.

 

   Some hero you were.

 

   You stared past Bakugou, past the confines of the cold restroom walls, past cities and fields of green, past roaring oceans, until your eyes pierced into the back of your own head.

 

   Those red eyes of yours were not meant for–

 

   “Bakugou.”

 

   He didn’t make a sound. Neither did he move a muscle.

   But it wasn’t because he was afraid or because he felt as if he had been caught red-handed.

   He was waiting for your next movements.

   Your next words.

 

   “Why did you do that?”

 

   And then all Bakugou could see was red.

   Why did he do that? Why did he do that?

   How could you ever understand?

   What would you know?

   Anger sank its fingers between the gaps of his ribcage until he wished he couldn’t feel anything at all.

 

   “Kacchan!”

 

   Bakugou could’ve killed Midoriya right then and there.

 

   Midoriya must have known Bakugou’s anger by the back of his hand, because he immediately threw himself in front of you.

   Your eyes widened. “What are you–...?” 

 

   Even after ten years of this, Midoriya was willing to stand.

   As long as he had someone to protect, he was willing to stand.

 

   “Kacchan, he’s got nothing to do with this, okay? So please don’t get mad at–”

 

   “Shut the fuck up!”

 

   Midoriya took a sharp breath. Across from him, Bakugou took his own breaths, heavy and ragged.

 

   You rapidly looked between Midoriya and Bakugou.

   All you wanted to do was help, but somehow, it seemed like you had just made everything worse.

 

   At least Bakugou was breathing now.

   In that moment, you knew you couldn’t hurt him.

 

   Back when he saved you from falling to your death– 

   in that moment, you knew you could never hurt him.

 

   But you couldn’t let him hurt Midoriya, not anymore.

 

   “Bakugou is strong,” you said quietly, “so why…?”

 

   How many times had you told Bakugou that he was strong?

   It must’ve been countless.

   This time, though, this time was different.

 

   You had always seen Bakugou’s strength as his own kindness.

   By winning, he could protect everyone else.

   And yet he used that same strength to hurt Midoriya.

 

   Bakugou had always been clever. He immediately understood what you meant.

   But he didn’t even want to think about the truth of your question.

 

   “Stay out of this! Mind your goddamn business!”

 

   Instead, he kept thinking about what you said earlier. 

 

   “I promised to protect you, not Bakugou.”

 

   Why did it hurt so much?

   In the place he was least expecting, by the person he was least expecting, Bakugou had been hurt.

   Maybe it was because he had foolishly let you into his blindspot.

 

   “All you have to do is stay behind me.”

 

   So much for that.

 

   He didn’t need protection. That wasn’t why he wanted to vomit until his heart came out his throat.

   It was the thought of you protecting Midoriya from Bakugou.

   Like he was some sort of villain.

 

   “Just go!”

 

   A thin line appeared between your brows. 

   Bakugou is–...

 

   “Kacchan’s right.”

 

   Then Midoriya turned to look at you.

   Lightning was dancing around his pupils.

 

   “I think this is something I have to do alone.”

 

   Midoriya was right. So was Bakugou.

   Objectively, you had no right to interfere. This delicate situation could be handled only by Midoriya, who had dealt with it for a decade now.

   So why was the thought of leaving him alone so painful?   

   But if it would make him happy… if you could see him smile…

 

   “Okay.”   

 

   When Midoriya smiled, you felt nothing at all.

 

   “Thank you!” He bowed deeply. “Thank you!”

 

   Why on Earth was he thanking you?

   You were only doing what you had done countless times over.

 

   I am leaving him alone again.

 

   With that thought in mind, you walked away from Midoriya and brushed past Bakugou.

   He didn’t say anything about you touching him. He didn’t even look at you.

 

   One arm pushing the door open, you thought,

 

   Is fighting truly inevitable?

 

   Then you were gone.

   The only proof you had ever been in that room was the sweater around Midoriya’s shoulders. 

   Taking it into his fist, he squeezed tightly.

   He didn’t feel so afraid anymore.

 

   Thank you.

 

   Swallowing down the rest of his fear, he began, “Kacchan, can we talk?”   

 

   “Talk?” Bakugou scoffed. “Talk about what? You already got what you wanted!”

 

   Confused, Midoriya scrunched his brows at Bakugou. “What do you mean?”

    “...Are you fucking serious? Is that so hard to understand, you useless piece of shit?”

   A haughty laugh escaped Midoriya. “Useless?”

   He caught himself, sealing his mouth shut, but the damage had already been done.

 

   Bakugou’s grin had always been terrifying.

   He had found an opening.

 

   “Fight me! Prove you’re not useless!”

 

   “Of course I wanna fight you! I think about it every day! I want revenge for every time you called me ‘useless!’ But even more than that–…!”

 

   His fingers curled into your sweater.

   He knew well that if he really did end up fighting Bakugou, he’d break your heart in two.

 

   Many people thought you were weak for your aversion to violence. It couldn’t be further from the truth.

   You were so much stronger than anyone knew.

 

   What would violence solve anyway? 

   Hurting Bakugou out of anger would just start the cycle anew.

   Midoriya had to be even stronger than him, so strong that Midoriya would never be tempted to give in to his rage.

   The road to victory was one he had to pave on his own.

   No longer would he run after Bakugou’s fading back.

 

   Midoriya unfurled his hands. He held them before himself and stared down into his empty palms.

   He could almost feel your hands overlap over his.

   Yours were made out of metal and yet they were the most gentle hands Midoriya had ever felt.

 

   With gentle hands, I… will change the future.

 

   “That power…”

 

   Midoriya’s gaze flashed upward.

   No longer did a grin split Bakugou’s face.

 

   “Didn’t you say you were gonna make it your own?”

 

   Realization struck Midoriya.

 

   Is that what this is about?

 

   These past few days of escalated behavior were all because of what he said to Bakugou in the first week of school.

   His own words were coming back to haunt him.

   There was no going back now.

 

   “...Yeah. I did.”

 

   “Then use it.”

 

   In an instant, Bakugou cut the distance between them.

   Time seemed to slow for Midoriya.

 

   That right hook is a feint–

 

   Sparks lit up Bakugou’s palm.

   The blast shattered half the sink mirrors and blew a few stall doors off the hinges.

   Midoriya’s back slammed into the wall. He just barely managed to save the back of his head by cushioning it with his hand.

   What he saw next made him gasp.

   “Kacchan! You’re bleeding!”

   Blood ran down from a cut on his cheek. An airborne shard of glass had ended up slicing his skin.

   He only scoffed. “Worry about your damn self!”

   His sentence was punctuated by another explosion.

   This time, Midoriya narrowly managed to escape by ducking into a nearby stall.

   “We shouldn’t be doing this!”

   “Shut up!”

   A maelstrom of pure explosive energy headed straight for Midoriya.

   Like fireworks in the night sky, the light reflected against his dilated pupils.

   Just milliseconds before the explosion hit, Midoriya blocked it with a door he’d snatched off the ground. 

   He staggered backward. The sheer force of the blast nearly knocked him off his feet.

   The resulting smoke plumed everywhere, obscuring Bakugou’s vision.

   The door sliced through the smoke and he was forced to dodge.

   His ears picked up the sound of crushed glass.

   Bakugou spun around.

   Behind him, Midoriya steadied himself on the balls of his feet.

   His real intent had never been to use the door as a shield.

   Instead, he’d used both the door and the smoke as diversions in order to volley himself over Bakugou’s head.

 

   Midoriya didn’t need a power of his own to counter Bakugou.

   He never did.

 

   The realization that Midoriya truly didn’t plan on using his power made Bakugou want to scream.

   “...You’re still not using it.” Taking a menacing step towards Midoriya, he hissed, “You’re looking down on me, aren’t you?”

   Something sharp and ugly and serrated surged through Midoriya’s chest.

   He hissed back, “You don’t get to say that.”

 

   He wasn’t going to fight Bakugou. In fact, he had no intention of laying a single finger on him.

   But, oh, did he have every single intention of saying everything he had wanted to say for the past ten years.

   “You’re the one who’s been looking down on me! Don’t act like you’re some sort of– some sort of victim, ‘cause you’re not!”

   Before Bakugou could fire back, Midoriya kept going.

   “You always hit me for no reason! I’m sick of it!”

   Angry tears ran down Midoriya’s face. He didn’t even know what he was saying anymore.

   “What did I do wrong!?”

 

   Through the blur, he could see Bakugou stare at him with what looked like pure malice.

   His pupils had been reduced to pinpricks. The veins on his neck surged outward and upward, crawling onto the edge of his jaw.

   If there were two people who could bring out the worst in each other, it was Bakugou and Midoriya.

   Bakugou raised his voice and Midoriya was given a horrible reminder of the reason why he had spent so much time being afraid.

   “You’re so weak! All you do is cry and complain! Before you got that power, you didn’t even try!”  

   Midoriya took a deep breath. 

   Your sweater was a reminder that he didn’t have to be afraid anymore.

   He bit back, “I didn’t try ‘cause you told me I didn’t have a chance in the first place!”

 

   The both of them glared at each other, chests panting.

   And then Bakugou lunged.

   Midoriya brought his leg up in preparation for an axe kick.

   Bakugou dashed to the side, bringing his hands in front of him to fire off a blast, but Midoriya was no longer there.

   He’d launched himself into the air. 

   Rather than slamming his heel into the ground, he’d used the flat of his foot. He’d achieved this by bending his leg at the knee before impact. He had become strong enough to jump higher than his own height without the use of One For All.

 

   He touched down onto the floor for less than a second before Bakugou went in for another hit.

   Midoriya dodged again and again.  He’d get hit here and there, but no matter how much it hurt or how much he wanted to fight back, he didn’t do a damn thing.

   It frustrated Bakugou to no end.

   “Why won’t you use it!?”

   The entire room shook with Bakugou’s next explosion.

   Midoriya went flying towards the other end of the room. He hit the wall and nearly gagged on his own spit.

   “Fucking use it already!”

   “No!”

   “Then what’s the point?”

   “The point of wh–?”

 

   “Why did All Might choose you?”

 

   Midoriya’s blood ran cold.

   Other than his own heartbeat, all he could hear was,

   How does he know?

 

   “...Wait,” said Midoriya, nervously showing Bakugou his palms, “why are you bringing up All Might?”

 

   Bakugou didn’t seem to hear him.

   Voice oddly weak, he went on, “We were both there when All Might beat that sludge villain, weren’t we…? Is it because I’m the one who got caught?”

   “Kacchan, I– I don’t know what you’re–”

   “Then I got caught at summer camp and Kamino happened. Why me…?”

 

   As Bakugou said this, he failed to meet Midoriya’s gaze.

   His head was tilting downward. Shadows overtook his eyes and fatigue dragged him down by the shoulders.

   It was with visceral horror that Midoriya realized Bakugou was breaking down.

   Never had Midoriya been more afraid. The fear he’d felt watching All Might stand for the last time didn’t come close to what he was feeling in this moment.

 

   Bakugou, the strongest person Midoriya knew, was crumbling right in front of him.

 

   Bakugou’s fingers sank into his shirt. His hand was directly above the place his heart would be, as if he was trying to rip it straight out of his own rib cage.

   Maybe if he really did, he wouldn’t be feeling this way.

   All Might had chosen Midoriya and so had you.

   Was he not strong enough? Was that it?

   That was why everything had happened the way it did, wasn’t it?

 

   Everyone who had ever told him he was strong was a goddamn liar, including you.

   If he was strong, none of this would have ever happened.

   Midoriya had been right about him. Bakugou wasn’t a victim. This was no one’s fault but his.

 

   It was all because Bakugou was weak.

 

   But he’d tried so hard– his entire life he had tried so hard!

   He found himself asking the same question Midoriya had asked him.

 

   What did I do wrong?

 

   Finally, Bakugou raised his head.

   The look on his face was one Midoriya would remember for the rest of his days.

 

   “Why was I the reason… for All Might’s end?”

 

   Bakugou blamed himself.

   For everything from the sludge villain incident to Kamino, he blamed himself.

   Hundreds of people had gotten injured. Some even died.

   And without All Might, countless more people were going to die.

 

   It’s all my fault.

 

   “It’s not your fault!”

 

   Across from Bakugou, Midoriya was shaking in anger.

   This whole time, Bakugou had been suffering all alone.

   He never said anything to anyone, not even to Kirishima.

   It was only when Bakugou began to crack did Midoriya notice.

   He wanted to punch himself.

   Why didn’t I notice?

 

   Midoriya dug his nails into his palms and shouted, “How is anything your fault? Who said that!?”

   Who was Bakugou supposed to say?

   Himself?

   “The League kidnapped you because they were wrong! They were wrong about you, Kacchan! You’re not a villain at all! ‘Cause if they were right, you wouldn’t be–!”

   And then Midoriya was sobbing.

 

   “You wouldn’t be crying right now, Kacchan…!”

 

   Bakugou’s eyes went wide.

   When he touched his fingers to his cheek, he found out he really was crying.

   He furiously wiped at his face, but the tears just kept coming.

   Midoriya had lost the man who gave him everything and yet he did not blame Bakugou at all. Midoriya had every reason to. Bakugou had done so many terrible things to him. 

   Yet, he still chose to run after Bakugou, just like when they were kids. 

   He was still every bit Midoriya’s hero.

   A sob of pure relief ripped through his chest.

 

   I’m not a villain.

 

   Something small and green barreled into him.

   Midoriya was hugging Bakugou after an argument, just like when they were kids.   

   He kept crying and crying and crying. “Kacchan, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it!”

   His own words kept echoing in his head.

 

  “Don’t act like you’re some sort of– some sort of victim, ‘cause you’re not!”

 

   Knowing what he did now, Midoriya felt horrible.

   Bakugou was a victim. He may not have been a victim in the grand scope of his relationship to Midoriya, though, in the case of every terrible thing that had happened to Bakugou, he was a victim.

   Those two things could simultaneously be true.

   Whether Midoriya meant it or not, he’d said something awful to Bakugou– to Kacchan.

 

   Kacchan, thought Midoriya, even someone like me wants to be your hero.

 

   As Bakugou stood there, the front of his shirt becoming soaked with Midoriya’s tears, he tried to wrap his head around the boy before him.

   Even after everything, Midoriya still wanted to save him.

   That was why All Might chose him. 

   It had nothing to do with strength.

   The reason why All Might chose Midoriya was because of the heart of gold he had been born with.

   The sludge incident, summer camp, Kamino…

   Every single time, Midoriya had tried to save Bakugou.

   Without letting the past cloud his judgment, he tried to save Bakugou.

 

   Bakugou almost laughed at himself.

   He never stood a chance in the first place.

   The thought usually would’ve sent him into a blind rage.

   Somehow, though, it was comforting.

   It never mattered how strong he was.

   That was solace to a boy who had been strong his whole life.

 

   “Stop crying, idiot.”

   It was with a loud sniff that Midoriya realized Bakugou hadn’t shoved him away yet.

   Midoriya started crying even harder. “Kacchan…!”

   “Ew, you’re getting snot all over me! Get off!”

   “But Kacchan– ow!”

   Bakugou’s hand had teleported to Midoriya’s forehead. His palm was the last bastion between him and Midoriya’s soggy face. 

   “Crybaby!”

   “You’re crying too!”

   “No, I’m not!”

   “Your eyes are red!”

   “They’re always red, stupid!”

 

   Eventually, Bakugou managed to peel Midoriya off of him.

   They were now washing their faces at the nearby sinks.

   Midoriya patted his cheeks. Then he cast a nervous glance over at Bakugou.

   He was busy wiping his face with the bottom of his own shirt. 

   “Um, Kacchan?”

   “What.”

   Midoriya turned away to gaze into the cracked mirror in front of him.

   Bakugou remained silent and Midoriya realized he was listening in earnest.

   Midoriya steeled himself.

   Turning back to Bakugou, he said, “I’m gonna fight you for real one day and… I still wanna make this power my own. But for now, can we–...?”

   To ‘start over’ wasn’t quite what Midoriya was looking for. 

   He could never truly forget what had happened over the past ten years. He didn’t want an apology either. If anything, it would just piss him off. There was no way Bakugou could legitimately say sorry after doing all that. 

   So instead…

 

   “Let’s move on, Kacchan.”

 

   Bakugou said nothing. He only silently turned the proposal over and over in his head.

 

   Anxiety ate away at Midoriya’s patience.

   He nervously played with his hands.

   What would resonate more with Kacchan…?

 

   “...Ground zero.”

 

   Bakugou’s gaze flicked to Midoriya with genuine interest.

 

   Seeing his response, Midoriya went on more confidently, “It’s the point on the Earth’s surface that’s closest to an explosion, right? And it’s also the word for a disaster site, or a starting point. Uh, you definitely already know that. Sorry."

 

   Bakugou just grunted.

   He stepped back from the sink to take in the world around him and Midoriya followed.

 

   Shards of glass littered the floor. Doors were strewn everywhere. The walls had gained large, webbed cracks and the lights threatened to turn off.

 

   In destruction lay a source of new life.

 

   This was not a clean slate. It was proof they were here, that they existed.

 

   From here, they could begin again.

 

   “...Yeah,” Bakugou said at last. “Whatever.”

 

   At his agreement, Midoriya smiled brightly. “Thank you, Kacchan…!”

   “Fucking gross. Don’t say shit to me in that tone of voice.”

   “Wh– what tone of voice?”

   “I dunno, just– that!”

   “I can’t even be happy?”

   “No!”

 

   Then Midoriya realized something. 

   He whirled towards Bakugou. “Wait, Kacchan, how do you know All Might gave me his Quirk?”

   Immediately, Bakugou rolled his eyes. “Anyone could’ve figured it out with how fucking obvious you were. You told me someone gave you your Quirk, then I found out people can actually do that because of that piece of shit All For One, then I found out All Might and All For One know each other, and then All Might said that shit about someone being next.”

   “...Wow. You’re really smart, Kacchan!”

   “Duh.”

   Midoriya was dying inside.

   Was I really that obvious…?

   For the nth time today, Bakugou scoffed. “What’s your Quirk called? One For All?”

   “How did you–!?”

   “It’s actually called One For All? Oh my fucking God…”

   “I know, it’s kinda– it’s a little on the nose–”

   “Fuck, that’s goofy as shit. All for one, one for all my ass!”

   “You can stop making fun of it now…”

   “Nah. It suits you.”

   “Kacchan, please…”

 

   Either Bakugou lost interest in the joke or he decided to have mercy. Probably the former.

   He turned back to the mirror. 

 

   Upon seeing his own red eyes, he was reminded of yours.

 

   You hadn’t chosen Midoriya because of the spiteful reasons Bakugou had conjured up in his head.

   Bakugou had hurt Midoriya, plain and simple.

   Earlier, you had become angry to the point of your eyes turning just as red as Bakugou’s.

   Yet you only asked Bakugou why he did it.

   You did not hit him. You did not raise your voice at him.

   A horrid stinging feeling hit Bakugou in the sinuses.

   He was remembering now that you cared about him deeply. In his rage, he had forgotten.

   He yelled at you when you never would have even thought about doing the same to him.

   He tried to fight Midoriya when he knew the thought of them fighting would make you sick.

 

   Bakugou wanted to do better. 

   For you and Midoriya, the two people who saw the best in him, he wanted to do better.

   You would not have to choose between him or Midoriya. Midoriya would not have to choose between safety and risking everything to save Bakugou.

   Neither of you would have to make those hard decisions ever again.

 

   Never again.

 

   This was Bakugou’s starting line. 

   He was starting late– ten years late– but it was better late than never.

 

   He suddenly dashed out of the room.

   He would not wait for anyone, including himself.

   So what if he felt like shit?

   Time waited for no one.

 

   Change began today.

 

   Midoriya jumped. “Kacchan, where–?”

   Then he realized that they had left you by yourself.

   You. By yourself.

   In English, Midoriya shouted, “Shit!”

 

   Outside, he found something strange.

   The nearby security cameras had sizzling holes in them.

   You had done the exact same thing back on I-Island, when your class was trying to escape the eyes of the villains.

   This time, you had killed the cameras knowing Midoriya and Bakugou were going to fight.

   You knew.

   The thought broke Midoriya’s heart.

   You didn’t want them to fight and you still tried to help them get away with it anyway.

 

   He ran after Bakugou.

   When they found you, they were going to take responsibility for everything.

   The fact that you would care about them either way was a blessing and a curse.

   For them, you had changed yourself. You’d convinced yourself you were okay with fighting.

   You didn’t have to be.

   For you, they would be better. 

   They would take your expectations and shatter them.

 

   Midoriya kept trying to ping your location. Ever since the Hosu incident, the two of you, Todoroki, and Iida shared your locations with each other.

   Yours wasn’t showing up. Neither did you answer the phone. Every call sent Midoriya to voicemail.

   He sped up to catch up to Bakugou. “Kacchan, can you call him?”

   Bakugou huffed. “You think I have his number?”

   “Oh, right…”

 

   No longer was Midoriya running after Bakugou.

   They ran side-by-side.

   As they raced each other, they thought,

 

   Where are you…?

 

   You were in a place you would never be found.

 

   Around you were countless people. Every brush of an arm or leg caused your throat to close up. Their voices were so loud that you couldn’t hear yourself think.

   You were in the heart of Harajuku.

   If you were going to be a Hero, you had to be able to handle this much.

   What kind of Hero couldn’t even handle a crowd?

 

   You couldn’t rely on Bakugou anymore. 

   You had to become stronger for his sake and everyone else’s.

 

   Please stay with me forever.

 

   That was the thought driving you mad.

   Forever had become nothing but a faraway hope.

   Bakugou and Midoriya would never be friends.

   Bakugou would never be friends with you either.

 

   Even Kirishima was never told what was wrong.

   The sight of him crying had haunted you for the past night and day.

 

   If you were stronger, Kirishima would never have to cry ever again.

   If you were stronger, Bakugou would have felt he could rely on you.

   If you were stronger, Midoriya would have let you stay.

 

   These past six months–

   What were they even for?

   You had nothing to show for it.

 

   You did not deserve forever.

 

   Forever was for those who were loved.

   There was no reason to love you.

   You were nothing but love unrequited.

 

   This was what you deserved for leaving Midoriya alone.

   Bakugou, too, had needed someone by his side.

   You left them anyway.

 

   You did nothing.

 

   I did nothing.

 

   You crouched low to the ground, buried your head in your arms, and wished you would disappear.

   Around you were countless people and yet not one of them stopped to help you.

   You did not resent them.

   They were right not to help you.

   You did nothing and so you deserved nothing.

 

   You could still remember the looks on your classmates’ faces when they saw your reaction to killing that innocent little dove.

   You hadn’t reacted at all.

   Everyone was right about you.

   How could someone who couldn’t even feel remorse be loved?

   You were a monster in human form.

 

   How could you ever be deserving of love–

 

   And then there was light.

   It came in the form of a warm hand on your head.

   You froze. Then, slowly you unearthed yourself from your arms and peered upward.

 

   Wherever you went, Todoroki would follow.

 

   He had spent what felt like hours looking for you. You wouldn’t pick up the phone and your location was off.

   Though Todoroki could never be mad at you.

   Especially not now, when you were the smallest you had ever been.

 

   He took a knee. Then he shuffled his calves underneath his thighs and settled on the ground in front of you.

   As he did so, he never took his hand off your head for a second.

   He held you just like his mother did for him when he was younger.

 

   “Why are you here?” he asked gently. “You don’t even like crowded places.”

 

   Todoroki knows, you realized.

   He knew and he managed to find you here anyway.

   How many places did he search before this?

   There were countless places you could’ve been, countless people Todoroki had to sort though.

   He knew the odds and yet…

 

   “You found me.”

 

   “Yeah.” Todoroki smiled. “I worked hard.”

 

   Todoroki had gone looking for you despite the odds.

   Bakugou had held back until you were out of the room.

   Midoriya had tried shielding you from Bakugou’s anger.

 

   Everyone else too…

   Kirishima was comfortable enough around you to the point of letting himself cry.

   Yaoyorozu had made you your own little teru-teru-bozu doll, the same one you were carrying in your pocket.

   Kaminari had run to greet you the moment you arrived at the mall.

   And Iida had told you,

 

   “You’re a very kind person. Much kinder than I.”

 

   In the first place, you were only able to have experienced these things because Melissa brought you back to life.

 

   Your existence was made of love.

 

   “Thank you, Todoroki.” Reaching up, you took Todoroki’s hand into yours. “And… I am sorry.”

   He burst into flames. Thank goodness your hand wasn’t real. It would have burned otherwise. 

   Though Todoroki tried his best to stay calm, he couldn’t stop his eyes from rapidly flicking back and forth from your hand to your face.

   “Uh… What’re you–...?”

   “I broke the promise we made,” you answered. You closed your other hand around his. “I am sorry, Todoroki.”

   Instantly, Todoroki was taken back to that day.

   The two of you had just finished setting up the altar for your parents. Side by side, you and Todoroki had been glowing in the morning sun.

 

   "There is no future where the time I have spent here will become insignificant. I can say that with confidence. I do not know many things... I struggle often… but you all have been kind to me. I cannot allow myself to forget."

 

   You had forgotten every bit of love your friends had ever given you.

 

   “It’s okay.”

 

   Your eyes went round. 

 

   Your own words, the same ones you told Todoroki yesterday, when he found out he didn’t pass the license exam–

   You were now hearing them from Todoroki.

 

   “It’s okay, so…” Todoroki dipped his head. “Don’t apologize anymore.”

   There was more he wanted to say. Todoroki had never been good with his words.

   He thought about it carefully, what he was going to say to you next.

   Can you–...

 

   “Can you forgive yourself?”

 

   You stared at Todoroki for a long, long time.

 

   Then, leaning down to place your head in the palm of his hand, you promised him, “I will try.”

 

   Todoroki put every ounce of his focus into not accidentally setting you on fire.

   “Uh… that’s good,” he said intelligently. To change the subject, he slowly added, “By the way… why didn’t you pick up your phone?”

   You blinked.

   Then, fishing your phone out of your sweats, you tried turning it on.

   A zero battery symbol flashed on the black screen.

   “...I am sorry.”

   “It’s fine.”

 

   Todoroki’s phone rang.

   You sat back up, letting go of his hand so he could answer the phone.

   Todoroki was now focusing on not setting his phone on fire. “H–”

   Whoever was on the other end, they were loud to the point of forcing Todoroki to hold his phone away from him.

   “Kirishima.”

   Your eyes went round again. Politely lowering your voice, you asked, “It is Kirishima?”

   Ignoring you caused Todoroki physical pain, but he had to answer the Kirishima in question.

   “Yeah, I found him. His phone died. Oh. You want us to stay here? Uh… We’re not in a good spot right now, so… we’ll go to you. Yeah.”

    He handed the phone to you and you immediately turned on the speaker.

   Todoroki panicked a little. “Wait–”

 

   “HEY, BUDDY!”

 

   Hearing problems be damned. You had a wild Kirishima to talk to. 

 

   “Hey, Kirishima.”

 

   “Where’ve you been? Me n’ Sero have been looking everywhere! We kinda… lost Todoroki somewhere down the line, but he found you, so it’s all good!”

   “I see. Sero was looking too.”

   “Yeah! He’s on the roof of the mall right now. It’s glass so I can see him whenever I look up, haha. Oh, he’s waving! Hey, Se–! Oh crap. He just got crapped on by a pigeon. Aw, man.”

   “Poop.”

   Kirishima laughed loudly. “That’s what he gets for teasing Bakugou so much. By the way, have you seen ‘im?”

   “...I will take you to him. Where is Kirishima?”

 

   He told you his location and the two of you ended the call.

   Once you handed Todoroki’s phone back, you slapped your own wrist.

   Your bracelet transformed into your helmet.

   The moment Todoroki put his phone back into his pocket, you slapped your helmet onto him, grabbed him, and shot up into the air.

   His heart damn near fell out his ass. This was far from Todoroki’s first time in the air. Unlike you, though, he couldn’t literally rocket through the sky.

   He tried to shout over the wind. “Shouldn’t you be wearing your helmet!?”

   “It is fine. Look.”

   Todoroki glanced down.

   Below, the sea of people had become nothing but a network of rivers that ran through Harajuku.

   He craned his head back to see you.

   It was like you knew what Todoroki was going to ask.

 

   “I want to see Kirishima.”   

 

   He had been the first to talk to you after you killed the dove.

   Though you knew he wasn’t the only one to be kind to you– Yaoyorozu had told you to speak up, Iida had reprimanded the others for whispering about you, and Shoji had remained civil to you even after you accidentally threatened him– what Kirishima did was the most special to you.

   It’d been just after school. You’d visited a sports goods store in order to buy some dumbbells.

 

   “Didn’t expect to see you here!”

 

   In the dumbbell section, you turned around to see Kirishima walk towards you. 

 

   "Thought I'd see what this place has 'ta offer before taking the train." 

 

   He easily made conversation with you, as if everything in sixth period hadn't happened. You noticed he didn't carry the same uncertain, uneasy expression everyone else seemed to have.

 

   "Hello, Kirishima. I am here to purchase dumbbells." 

 

   "Dumbbells? But your arms–...?"

 

   His confusion ended when he read the regimen you handed to him. 

 

   Perking up entirely, he crowed, "Ohhh, I see! This is a pretty sweet regimen. Did you write this?"

 

   "I do not think the paper tastes sweet. And no I did not, Midoriya wrote it."

 

   Grinning, Kirishima guffawed. "I meant ‘sweet’ as in like, y'know, nice! Cool!"

 

   You curiously stared at him. It did take you a bit, but earlier, you'd noticed the cautious way everyone treated you.

   Except Kirishima.

 

   "Why are you treating me this way?"

 

   "Huh?" Kirishima's eyes darted up from the red dumbbell he was inspecting.

 

   Immediately understanding your question, he began to smile. " I'd rather get to know you myself than judge ya based on one thing, y'know?"

 

   He chuckled at your innocent, owlish eyes. You seemed to exist in a perpetual state of curiosity.

 

   "I wouldn't wanna get judged like that. If I was… then I'd be labeled a coward for the rest of my life."

 

   How on Earth was Kirishima a coward?

 

   Your beauty never ever scared him.

 

   “I really… want to see Kirishima.”

 

   There was just one thing you had to do beforehand. 

   Slowly, you touched down onto the roof of the mall. Then you let go of Todoroki. He wobbled after you like a newborn kitten as you headed toward the skylight.

   Sero was currently trying to somehow use tape to get rid of the bird doodoo on his shirt.

   “Hello, Sero.”

   He nearly jumped out of his skin. 

   Once he realized it was just you, he relaxed. “Oh, yo!”

   “Thank you for looking for me.”

   “Yeah, of course.”

 

   Suddenly, Sero started laughing.

   He pointed behind you. “It’s Nekoroki!”

   Todoroki really did look like a newborn kitten.

   The wobbling combined with the cat-eared helmet was a match made in hell. He would never be able to beat the little meow meow allegations.

   “I’m not a cat…”

   “My poor little meow meow.” 

   “What…”

   Sero went over to yank the helmet off Todoroki’s head and he immediately threw up all over Sero’s shoes.

   “Seriously!?”

   “Oh.”

   “What do you mean, ‘oh!?’”

 

   You blinked. 

   Todoroki had the strength to survive being pummeled by both Midoriya and Bakugou during the sports festival, but G-forces were what finally did him in.

   You went over to offer him a tissue. “Tissue.”

   “Thanks.” He gratefully took it.

   Sero, meanwhile, was despairing over the drip. He clutched his head. “My slides…!”

   Helpful as always, you offered, “Would you like to wear m–”

   Sero stared down at your feet. You stared as well.

   Earlier, when you took off, you had incinerated any traces of your socks and sandals.

   “I…” Sero met your gaze. “I think I’m just gonna buy new shoes.”

   “I am sorry.”

   “...And a new shirt.”

   “I deeply apologize.”

 

   Now that you had successfully added Sero to your party, you led him and Todoroki down to the entrance of the mall.

 

   Kirishima was waiting for you. 

   Around his wrist was your shopping bag. He had been holding onto it for you.

   When he saw you, he grinned so brightly that his eyes closed.

 

   “Buddy!”

 

   His arms spread open and you knew he had carved a space just for you.

   Your arms going over his shoulders and his under yours, the two of you fit each other like puzzle pieces. 

   Oh, how wonderful it felt to have a place where you belonged.

 

   “Kirishima.”   

 

   He grinned as he tightened his arms around your waist and lifted you off your feet. 

   Unsure of what to do, you kind of just… went limp. 

   “Oh? It’s like holding a cat!”

   As Todoroki ambled over, he tried thinking of a cat pun. He glanced down at the helmet in his hands. 

   Sero gave him a hint by pointing at the bold lettering that ran along the side of the helmet. “It says, ‘HIRO,’ so what do you say?”

   “...Meow?”

   “I– huh?”

 

   Kirishima set you back onto the floor. 

   Then he tilted his head back to grin up at you. 

   “So that’s where you were. What were you doing out there, bud?”

   You would not tell him the truth. Kirishima already had enough to worry about.

   Kirishima only deserves good things.

   “I was exploring.”

   “Exploring, huh?” He didn’t doubt you for a second. “Take me with you next time!”

   Maybe one day you would tell him the truth.

   “Okay.”

 

   You had captured a wild Kirishima.

   It was now time to lead everyone to The Bad Place.

   On the way there, you got a new set of the exact same pair of socks and sandals from a passing store. Sero also got a clean shirt and replaced his sparkly rainbow liquid-covered slides.

 

   You found yourself walking slower than you should have.

   What would you see when you got there?

   How were you supposed to face Midoriya and Bakugou after leaving them all alone?

 

   You almost wished you hadn’t come back at all.

 

   “Oh, God…” Horror scored harsh lines into Kirishima’s face. “Was this… all Bakugou?”

 

   Carnage left its mark on every inch of the room.

   Doors lay strewn on the floor and half of the mirrors were busted. The floor itself was covered in glass.

   The only things that had escaped unscathed were the sinks and urinals. It was a miracle they survived at all.

 

   Kirishima whirled to face you. “I tried calling him earlier, but he always has his phone off. Is this– is this what he was doing?”

   Todoroki and Sero exchanged a look of shock. Of course, they knew Bakugou was destructive. However, no one thought Bakugou would go this far.

   Their gazes switched to you, more than concerned.

 

   “...Yes.”

 

   The other boys remained silent. You were silent, too, as you tried to swallow down the lump in your throat.

   Your hands clicked as they formed tight fists.

   You had to remember the reason why you walked away in the first place.

   Midoriya and Bakugou had trusted you to let them handle it themselves.

 

   Guilty as you were, you would not let those feelings triumph over the love of those who cared about you.

   You owed them that much.

 

   More confident now, you told the others, “This was the judgment of Bakugou and Midoriya. Please have faith in them.”

   Kirishima balked at you. 

   All of a sudden, he began to laugh to the point of tears.

   “Of course it was those two…!”

   His reaction made you go full owl mode. Round eyes fixating on Kirishima, you tilted your head to and fro.

   “Kirishima… is laughing?”

   You thought you might’ve had to ask him not to be angry. Kirishima had never been afraid to scold Bakugou.

   Todoroki and Sero also seemed to be a little taken aback.

   Todoroki, though, wasn’t terribly surprised. “It makes sense. Those two are always fighting…”

   “Right, yeah!” wheezed Kirishima. He held onto your shoulder for support while he recovered from his laughing fit.

 

   Soon, he managed to recover with a few stray giggles here and there.

   “Y’know, I got really worried at first ‘cause I thought maybe Bakugou did this for no reason. It’s ‘cause he and Midoriya fought, right?”

   You had no idea what was so reassuring about that. “Yes.”

   Kirishima smiled. It lacked the sharp angles of his usual grin.

 

   “I’m just glad it was Midoriya,” he said softly. “If anyone’s got each other’s backs, it’s them.”

 

   That was when you understood.

 

   “...I see.”

 

   No matter what happened, if it was those two, they would be okay.

   Their paths had been intertwined from the moment Midoriya offered Bakugou his hand.

 

   “Do you need help, Kacchan?”

 

   The fight hadn’t happened because they wanted it to.

   It had happened because they needed it to.

 

   Midoriya had ended up being able to help Bakugou after all.

 

   The tight knot in your chest undid itself.

   For the first time since you left Bakugou and Midoriya, you were able to truly breathe.

 

   Thank goodness.

 

   About to thank Kirishima for helping you, you turned to the sight of him staring at Bakugou’s contact on his phone.

   He sighed. “It’s gotta be about, what, twenty times now? That guy always has his phone off.”

   You tried to return the reassurance he had given you. “It is okay. Bakugou is strong. He will be fine.”

   “Thanks, bud.” Kirishima knew what you were trying to do. Nonetheless, that wasn’t necessarily what he was worried about.

 

    “It’s just… it’d be nice to know where he is right now.”

 

   Realization was a single raindrop making contact with a puddle.

   Kirishima and Bakugou were best friends, a bonded pair never to be separated.

   In this world, those two understood each other the most.

 

   To be understood was the most wonderful thing in the world.

 

   “...Thank you, Kirishima.”

 

   “Huh?” He turned away from Todoroki, who was currently dialing Midoriya. “What for, bud?”

   You bowed your head. “You are very important to Bakugou.”

   The comment caught Kirishima completely off guard.

   He chuckled a little as he replied, “How is that something to thank me for…?”

 

   “If not for you, we would not have been able to rescue Bakugou.”

 

   Kirishima was instantly reminded of what Midoriya said to him.

 

   “You’re the only one who can reach Kacchan!”

 

   His deep red eyes began to sparkle, the blood on a pearl necklace.

   He was laughing again. “I guess you’re right, huh?”

 

   You took his hand, the same one he had used to reach Bakugou that day. 

   He turned a violent shade of red. “Uh? Huh?”

 

   “I hope–...”

 

   Hope was not evil.

   It was the driving force of evil, good, and everything in between.

 

   Folding both hands around Kirishima’s, you told him, “I hope that you and Bakugou can talk to each other… and understand each other again.”

 

   That was when Kirishima found out what you meant.

   It’d only been a day since the license exam. Yet, the distance between him and Bakugou felt as if it would go on for days on end.

   Keeping secrets, avoiding the subject, slamming the door on him…

   Kirishima knew Bakugou never meant to hurt him. He never resented Bakugou for any of that.

   All Kirishima wanted was for them to be just as close as before.

 

   “Yeah,” he whispered, “I hope so too.”

 

   “Oi!”

 

   Kirishima jumped to face the direction of the voice. You turned along with him, and so did Todoroki and Sero.

 

   There Bakugou was. 

   He wasn’t doing his peepee explosion walk, oh no, he was running towards you at full speed.

   Midoriya, who was also there, hung onto Bakugou by the vest in an attempt to hold him back. “Kacchan, don’t!”

   The both of them were covered in all sorts of cuts and bruises. Dried blood clung to Bakugou’s cheek whereas dust littered Midoriya’s clothes.

   Before Bakugou could turn you into a bowling pin, Kirishima leapt in front of you and caught him.

   “Gotcha!”

   “What the–!?” He wiggled to and fro, screaming vengeance. “Let go of me! That idiot went and got lost! Like an idiot!”

   Kirishima pinched him by the elbow skin and he immediately bit Kirishima’s finger.

   “Let go!”

   “Nuh-uh. We’re gonna go talk. Right now.”

   As Bakugou was dragged away, he let out the most blood curdling screech.

 

   Kirishima turned over his shoulder to shoot you a grateful smile.

   Thanks, bud.

 

   Your hope was also his.

   Together, he and Bakugou would make things right again.

 

   You did not believe in making wishes.

   But Bakugou was a star, wasn’t he?

   If anyone could make your wish come true, it was him.

   Pressing your hands together in prayer, you made a wish upon a star.

 

   Please let everything be okay.

 

   Done with your prayer, you lowered your hands.

 

   You also had your own person to talk to.

 

   In the name of giving you privacy, Todoroki was dragged away by Sero.

   “I wanna check out that manga café!”

   “No… No more manga. You put a curse on everyone, Sero. Something bad happened…”

   “Uh… Whoops?”

 

   The second everyone else left, you rushed to the one you had been thinking about the most.

 

   “Is Midoriya okay?”

 

   He was huffing and puffing, hands on his knees. He craned his head back to look up at you.

   You took in his image.

   Up close, he was much worse off than you’d initially thought. There was literally glass in his hair. You could see it sparkle with each movement he made.

   Taking his head in your grasp, you picked out each and every shard.

   He stayed deathly quiet. No hello, nothing.

 

   An unidentifiable feeling flooded your chest. 

   It was cold, turbulent. It felt like the ocean had taken over your lungs and left you to drown.

 

   Midoriya is… angry with me.

 

   Only when you took another look at Midoriya, using not your eyes, but your heart, were you able to give this feeling a name.

 

   So this is remorse.

 

   “I am sorry, Midoriya.”

 

   His breathing went still. 

 

   “I keep leaving you alone.” 

 

   Midoriya’s next breath made his entire body shudder.

 

   “You must have been very lonely. I am sorry.”

 

   A stinging pressure pushed against the back of Midoriya’s eyes and struck his nose.

   Finally, finally, someone was acknowledging his loneliness. 

   He’d spent his whole life by himself: no friends, nothing.

   His only companion had been hope.

 

   You’re right, he thought, it was really lonely.

   But now…

 

   “It’s okay! I’m not lonely anymore!” 

 

   Something soft and warm fell around your shoulders.

   Midoriya was wrapping you in your sweater.

 

   “I told you before, didn’t I? Now I have friends like you and Todoroki, so…”

 

   This was far from the last time Midoriya would smile at you.

   He wasn’t angry. He never had been.

 

   “Thank you!”

 

   The weight lifted off your shoulders.

   Atlas was free at last.

 

   “...Please do not thank me, Midoriya.” You brushed the last stardust from his hair. “To be your friend… is a privilege I will cherish forever.”

 

   Your words were a sledgehammer to his heart.

   Midoriya nearly bit his tongue, stumbling over himself to say a single word to you.

   He felt he would rather die than never speak to you again. 

   “Really!?” he managed. “M– me too, okay!?”

   “Okay.”

 

   Love did not have a single shape.

   Sometimes, it came in the form of a boy with the sweetest freckles and hair of the deepest green.

 

   Midoriya let himself sink into your arms. 

   Here, he was hidden from the rest of the world.

   He could cry all he needed.

 

   “Me too…” he sobbed. 

   “Okay.” You would say it as long as he needed to hear it. “Okay.”

   Time marched past you.

   You didn’t care.

   Midoriya was your friend.

   You would stay as long as he needed.

 

   In your mind, you saw the faces of all your friends.

   For every precious memory they had given you, gave you, and would give you–

   you would stay.

   I will stay with you forever.

 

 

 

Chapter 77: One More Time

   Once Midoriya stopped crying, he pulled away from you.

 

   He immediately let out a shrill scream.

   A soggy, dark gray stain ran from the front of your shirt down to the crotch of your pants. It looked like you’d somehow vomited and pissed yourself at the same time.

   Midoriya teleported to his feet. Backflipping away from you, he dropped onto all fours and repeatedly bashed his head against the floor. “I’m so sorry!”

   You blinked. This was the most Japanese apology you’d ever seen.

   “You will get brain damage, Midoriya. Please stop.”

   “Please forgive me!”

 

   He didn’t dare lift his head. Underneath his dark curls, he blushed with shame. After all you’d done for him– giving him the courage to face Bakugou, helping him finally move on– this was how he repaid you.

   His laugh tasted of bittersweet chocolate.

   In the end, I’m still–...

 

   “Midoriya, look.”

 

   His head jerked upward.

   Glowing heat surged through the veins in your arms. It was with widening eyes that Midoriya noticed the air was getting hotter, hotter, and hotter, until it became dead dry.

   The wet patches on your clothing began to grow lighter until it was as if they were never there at all.

   A lightbulb went off over Midoriya’s head. He sat back on his haunches to snap his fingers. “It’s because the water molecules are moving to where there’s less of them! That way, the concentration of water in the air and in your shirt is even. It’s osmosis!”

   There was the slightest softening of your eyes. “Yes.”

   So all it took was a little science to cheer him up.

 

    Nerd.

 

   The thought of Bakugou made every muscle fiber in your chest twist in on itself.

   You had to trust Kirishima.

   The two of them must’ve been talking right now, somewhere only they knew.

   A sailor was guiding home a lost star.

   One more time, if Bakugou made the effort to meet Kirishima in the middle, if he took Kirishima’s outstretched hand just one more time…

 

   “Um…”

 

   Artificial pupils constricted to zero in on Midoriya.

   He was looking up at you, nervously playing with his hands. Sweat beaded on his cheek, a water droplet on a fresh strawberry.

   “Yes, Midoriya?”

   He swallowed.

   For a moment, he had been able to read you just as well as Bakugou could.

   He did not need your words to be able to tell how you were feeling.

   The stiffness in your jaw, the slow up-down of your chest–

 

   you were worried.

 

   “If it… if it makes you feel better…”

   Another swallow.

   How could Midoriya admit that you were the reason why he’d gained the courage to move on? 

   Ground zero, he’d called it, a disaster site, a starting point, the point on the Earth closest to an explosion.

   Everything had only been possible because of you.

   After all, you were a star in your own right.

   The Sun may not have been as big as Polaris, but it was so, so much warmer.

   The Earth could not survive without the Sun and Midoriya could not survive without you.

 

   You were loved by life itself.

 

   Blood raced up Midoriya’s neck and filled his head until he thought he might explode.

   The urge to cover his face was overwhelming. He had to force his arms down by his sides.

   No more hiding.

   To make up for trying to lie to you, for trying to convince you that nothing was wrong in the first place, he would give you all the honesty in the world.

 

   “It’s kind of cheesy, but… before you left, it felt like–” his thumb and index finger went to tug at his lip– “I heard you ask me a question.”

 

   Is fighting truly inevitable?

 

   “We didn’t fight.”

 

   The rise and fall of your chest came to a complete stop.

 

   “Me and Kacchan,” he reiterated, keeping his eyes on you, only you, “didn’t fight.”

 

   He could see the cogs shift in your head. The cogs took the physical form of your irises, spinning, spinning, spinning.

 

   “How?” 

 

   Before Midoriya could respond, you blew past him.

   The tail end of your sweater disappeared into the restroom.

   He chased after you, Alice and the white rabbit.

 

   The stars were crushed below your feet. Bits of glass sparkled in the dim light.

   The stalls were missing their doors and the walls their mirrors.

 

    You partially turned towards Midoriya. A clockwork eye stopped Midoriya in place.

 

   “Is that true?”

 

   Midoriya held his breath.

 

   You didn’t believe him.

 

   Who could blame you? 

 

   He had already tried lying to you.

   No wonder you didn’t believe him.

 

   “It’s true.”

 

   Midoriya would prove it to you.

 

   “When I use my Quirk,” he began, approaching a nearby stall, “I can produce lightning. I can’t control it, or do it on purpose, but it still acts like regular electricity.”

   One of his fingers hovered near the exposed metal hinges.

   There was no audible zap or physical spark.

   No static.

   With the same finger, he directed your attention to the ceiling lights.

   They were dim, yes, but they were still on.

 

   There was the sensation of rain hitting the ground.

   You spun towards Midoriya, pupils dilating, and he quickly fed your curiosity.

   “I didn’t use my Quirk! Only Kacchan did. And I didn’t hit him normally, either.” Midoriya was rambling now. “I dodged all by myself! I thought I couldn’t handle Kacchan without One For All, but somehow–...”

 

   He laughed sweetly, all strawberries and sugar. “I did it!”

 

   Every tight muscle in your chest unraveled into the softest silk.

 

   Fighting is not inevitable.

 

   This time, when Midoriya smiled, you felt something.

   It was something you could now identify without seeing.

 

   At once, you rushed to Midoriya and scooped him up into your arms. His laughter was cut off by a tiny squeak. 

 

   Gazing up at Midoriya, you told him, “I am happy.”

 

   Green was Midoriya’s favorite color, but he found himself debating if he should change it to yellow.

   He would worry about that later. Right now, he was too busy trying not to evaporate.

   His hands dug into the space between your neck and shoulders while your hands held him by the waist and thighs.

   “I’m– I’m glad you’re happy! But can you please put me down!?”

   “Okay.”

 

   The moment you did so, poor Midoriya fluttered to the ground like a leaf.

   You were about to pull him up by the hair until you remembered he wasn’t too fond of the claw machine. “Is Midoriya… okay?”

   “Yep!” Midoriya was, in fact, not okay. “All good, haha…”

 

   Rather than grabbing his hair, you grabbed the scruff of his jacket and hoisted him out of the restroom. The poor thing was covered in cuts and scrapes. 

 

   “I will go acquire medical supplies from the pharmacy.” You set him down and pointed at a nearby bench. “Midoriya, sit.” 

   “I’m not a dog…”

   “I know. You are a–”

   “I am not a bush!”

   “You are.”

   Midoriya sighed.

 

   He could never be mad at you. The most important thing to him was the fact you were feeling better now. You’d made one of your silly jokes– at Midoriya’s expense, of course.

 

   The both of you had come a long way, huh?

 

   You had learned to make jokes and Midoriya had begun to heal from his past.

 

   He couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his cheeks as he watched you waddle away. 

 

   I hope Kacchan feels better too.

 

   It was quiet.

 

   That was exactly how Bakugou liked it.

 

   He was in a secluded balcony area overlooking the glass front entrance of the mall.

   Up here, hidden behind caution tape and upside-down chairs, no one could bother him.

   Except for Kirishima. 

   The two of them stood side by side. Bakugou’s arms crossed together while Kirishima’s elbows propped themselves up against the railing.

 

   The past day or so, pressure had been mounting and mounting and mounting on Kirishima to do something as simple as talk to his best friend. He’d saved the guy’s life once, and yet, just talking to him was the most difficult thing in the world.

   If Kirishima knew getting Bakugou alone was this easy, he would’ve done it sooner.

 

   “So...”

   Bakugou immediately snorted and Kirishima shot him an exasperated look.

   “Man, I’m not even done yet.”

   “You fucking suck at this.”

   Kirishima simply threw his head back to laugh. “This is so dumb! Just tell me what’s wrong already.”

   The moment Bakugou saw a chance to poke fun at Kirishima, he took it. “The hell? No buddy for me?”

   Kirishima’s face blushed in response to the mocking lilt in Bakugou’s voice. It was the exact same tone Kirishima took on whenever he was talking to you. 

   “Hey!”

   Bakugou huffed through his nose.

   If Kirishima ever spoke to him that way, Bakugou would send him to Brazil. He didn’t care for the sweet and gentle way Kirishima talked to you.

 

   You were such a baby. What were you thinking, trying to intervene  when you couldn’t even handle play-fighting? If you really did end up intervening, he would’ve sent you to Brazil too. 

   Another more sobering thought poked at Bakugou’s conscience.

 

   You only acted that way because of the way he did.

 

   And because of you, Bakugou became free of the guilt that had been killing him since before he met you.

   But what did you gain in return?

   He wanted to run to you like he did earlier. He wanted to yell at you for going off by yourself. 

 

   But he had to talk to his best friend first. 

 

   Finally, Bakugou answered, “Nothing happened.”

 

   Kirishima gave him the most incredulous look. 

   That was until Bakugou generously added, “Fixed it.”

   I don’t need your help, he normally would’ve said. The only reason he didn’t was because he’d recently learned the hard way that sometimes he did need help.

 

   Dumbass shithead Deku.

 

   Kirishima had already known for a long time that Bakugou was the kind of guy who preferred to fix things on his own instead of venting about it– that much was obvious. Kirishima was also beginning to learn that Bakugou valued fixing his problems by himself to the point of never saying a word about them to anyone else.

 

   Kirishima whirled to face Bakugou.

   When Bakugou made eye contact with Kirishima, he could see the desperation to save, the same one he’d seen the day he was rescued.

   “I still wish you would’ve said something! Even if I can’t do anything about it, I wanna know what’s bothering you!”

   Bakugou’s lips fell open, about to yell back on reflex, but Kirishima kept going.

   “What’s the point of being friends if I can’t help you!? Seriously, man…!”

   Tears were beginning to gather. Kirishima didn’t even bother hiding them.

   In his head, he told himself, it’s okay to cry, just as you’d told him the other day.

   “Rely on me a little more!”

   Nowadays, whenever he saw Bakugou, all Kirishima could think was,

 

   Where are you going with such a heavy burden on your back?     

 

   “...Kirishima.”

 

   He inhaled sharply.

   This wasn’t the first time Bakugou addressed Kirishima by y’know, Kirishima, but this time held so much more weight.

   Across from him, Bakugou was no longer glaring. Neither was he poised to bite back.

   He was fighting his instincts.

 

   For the first person to ever truly understand him, Bakugou would try his best to understand Kirishima too.

 

   Before they became friends, before Bakugou had begun to let Kirishima walk next to him, he had seen Kirishima as nothing more than a tool.

   That was the reason why he’d chosen him for the cavalry battle.

   Their friendship had sprouted from a bad seed.

   Was Kirishima under the impression Bakugou still thought of him like that? Did he think Bakugou only kept him around because he was useful?

 

   Or did Kirishima base his self-worth on how useful he was to everyone else, long before the two of them had ever met?

 

   “Stop that.” 

 

   When Bakugou punched Kirishima in the shoulder, the impact carried nothing but the words he couldn’t bring himself to say.

 

   I don’t care how useful you are.

 

   Just keep walking next to me.

 

   Though Bakugou said nothing, Kirishima seemed to understand him anyway.

 

   Tears ran down his face.

 

   Bakugou, who was emotionally constipated as hell, could not fathom why Kirishima was crying.

   “The f–” he stopped himself. “What’s… what’s wrong with you? Spit it out!”

 

   And Kirishima did.

   He told Bakugou about the suffocating pressure, the slamming of the door.

 

   Kirishima felt so stupid. Why had he been hurt by something so simple?

   He couldn’t look Bakugou in the eye. 

   If Kirishima wasn’t strong, what good was he even for–?

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

   Kirishima’s head jerked upward.

   The question had come out in a strained hiss.

   Now that Kirishima was actually looking at Bakugou, he could see the knotting of Bakugou’s brows and the heavy rise and fall of his chest.

 

   Bakugou was realizing that in keeping things to himself, he had ended up hurting Kirishima, who would never even think of doing the same.

 

   “If I do something wrong, tell me!”

 

   “Exactly!”

 

   Bakugou faltered. His glare had rounded out a little.

 

   “I’m here for you, man! We can talk it out like we’re doing right now, y’know?” As Kirishima spoke, he exaggeratedly gestured with his hands for emphasis. 

   When Bakugou said nothing, Kirishima quickly added, “I just don’t want stuff like you and Midoriya fighting to happen again.” 

 

   Still nothing.

 

   Sighing, Kirishima dropped his hands. “Man. I really do suck at this, huh? Just forget what I said before.”

 

   “Don’t tell me what to do.”

 

   Kirishima had never been fazed by Bakugou’s rudeness. He was about to take another stab at explaining what he meant until Bakugou said,

 

   “You’ll listen to me… and I’ll listen to you. Got it?”

 

   So Bakugou finally understood.

 

   The biggest, silliest grin split Kirishima’s face.

 

   “Got it!”

 

   The moment was completely ruined (in Bakugou’s opinion) when Kirishima offered him a fist bump. Bakugou rolled his eyes.

   He returned the fist bump anyway.

   “Aw, yeah! That’s what I’m talkin’ about!”

   “Dumbass.”

   A white handkerchief appeared in front of Kirishima.

   Kirishima’s grin froze on his jaw. He rapidly glanced from the hanky to Bakugou, who raised a brow in response.

   “What?”

   “You… you carry one of those fancy napkins around?”

   “S’called a handkerchief. I have it ‘cause my hands get sweaty. How do you think I use my Quirk? Idiot.”

   “Yeah, yeah, be mean to me all you want.” Even so, Kirishima took the peace offering. “I’m not defending you when Iida finds out about all this.”

   “Why the hell would I need you to do that? I’ll just kill him.”

   “You can’t keep saying that. You’re gonna get in trouble one day.”

   “Whatever. I’m gonna tell the cops you’re gonna bomb the school.”

   “Wh– hey!”

   Another snort left Bakugou and Kirishima couldn’t help but smile.

 

   A comfortable silence settled over them.

   Once Kirishima finished wiping his eyes, he pocketed the handkerchief and turned to look at Bakugou. 

   He was staring elsewhere.

   “So…” Kirishima lightly nudged him. “You still not gonna tell me why you and Midoriya had a fight, or…?”

   Bakugou’s silence told Kirishima he was thinking.

 

   If he told Kirishima, it meant telling him everything.

   The day Midoriya offered Bakugou his hand, the bullying, the guilt Bakugou had only just become free of.

 

   His calm gaze focused on the blue sky outside.

   From here, he couldn’t see the Sun.

   But he could still feel its warmth.

 

   It gave Bakugou the strength to say,

 

   “I will. Later.”

 

   Kirishima smiled.

   He knew Bakugou would make due on his promise no matter how much time passed.

 

   “Alright. Later then.”

 

   After a few more moments, they began to head downstairs.

   A stop by the pharmacy had Bakugou looking good as new. Kind of. If you just ignored the giant plaster on his face…

 

   Anyway, Bakugou was deep in thought.

   Other than scolding you for wandering around by yourself, what was he supposed to say to you?

   He wouldn’t be surprised if you never wanted to speak to him ever again.

 

   “Hey.”

   Bakugou glanced to his right.

   Kirishima shot him a confident smile. “It’s gonna be fine. I’m still not defending you, but…”

   “Oh, fuck off.”

   When Kirishima tossed his head back and laughed one more time, Bakugou felt it was really going to be fine.

 

   It would be fine as long as he tried.

   One more time.

Chapter 78: Everything Stays

Chapter by uncrowned king (blueinanoceanofgray)

Notes:

FANART by John on quotev!!! this is John's version of the MC <3
btw, please check out Quotev for a quicker release!

 

 

 

   “Where is he?”

 

   Whenever anyone in 1-A heard that deceptively vague question, they knew Iida meant you.

   But Iida was not the one asking.

 

   It was Bakugou. 

 

   He and Kirishima had come looking for you at whatever remained of the restroom Bakugou had so graciously blown up.

   To his massive fucking dismay, he found Midoriya and Iida– the two people he hated the most. 

   Midoriya had been bowing to Iida at about mach ten whilst apologizing for… technically nothing. Iida was trying to get him to stop.

   They suddenly went silent. Then they stared at Bakugou and exchanged bug-eyed glances. 

 

   “Well? Don’t make me repeat myself.”

 

   Poor, poor Iida. His face was red and steam damn near shot out of his ears.

   He’d been trying his absolute hardest to not raise his voice. He didn’t want to shout at Midoriya. This whole thing wasn’t even remotely Midoriya’s fault.

   Based on what he told Iida, the one at fault was…

 

   “Bakugou!”

 

   The Bakugou in question heaved out a groan. 

   Midoriya sheepishly pressed his hands together. “Sorry, Kacchan! Telling Iida is the right thing, so…”

   Iida ran at Bakugou like a freight train. His arms swung up and down as he ranted, “I don’t know why you did this–” he skidded to a stop and gestured widely towards the restroom– “and I’ve no need to. That is between you and Midoriya. But you simply cannot hurt your classmates! And you damaged public property! What on Earth were you thinking!?”

 

   “Are you done?” 

 

   “What?”

 

   Kirishima cut in to properly ask, “Iida, d’you know where he is? Is he exploring again?”

 

   The last part made Bakugou flick a brow.

 

   Exploring?

 

   That wasn’t what he’d heard back when Todoroki dialed Midoriya.

 

   “Um… to be honest…”

   All eyes landed on Midoriya.

   He fidgeted a little. He still wasn’t used to getting any attention at all.

   Midoriya continued, “He had nothing to do with what happened, so… I told him to wait at the store–”

 

   Bakugou was already blasting away.

 

   Not without first throwing an explosion in Midoriya’s face though.

   “Wh– hey!”

   Lightning pricked the air.

   Midoriya would rather use his Quirk to chase Bakugou than to fight him. One For All had clearly fallen into the right hands.

   Iida broke into a sprint. He, too, was using his power for the right reasons. He’d tried to kill a grown man once. But Iida had changed since then. He was now going to kill someone around his own age.

 

 

   Kirishima, the one with a Quirk which literally required him to stand still, was left in the dust.

   He sighed. 

 

   The yukata store employees received the jumpscare of a lifetime.

   The enemy of all retail and food service workers, Bakugou, had arrived.

 

   “Come out!” 

 

   You first, Bakugou.

 

   The miserable employees wrung their hands and frowned at each other. They were looking for a sacrifice.

   The one who had to deal with Bakugou was none other than Yaoyorozu, who definitely did not work there. The hero of all retail and food service workers was here.

 

   “Bakugou. Iida has informed me that there’s been a… situation involving you and Midoriya. Care to explain why you’re here instead of with–?”

 

   Midoriya and Iida appeared on either side of Bakugou.

   “I won’t let you kill him, Kacchan!”

   “Bakugou, I simply cannot allow you to repeat my mistakes!”

 

   Yaoyorozu felt faint.

   Not only was she finding out some morbid implications about Iida, she had long lost track of Todoroki, whom she had made a point of keeping an eye on precisely so that she could get him to buy his own yukata instead of buying another for you.

 

   Yaoyorozu would never give up your location even if it meant life or death.

 

   “I, too, will not allow you past me!”

 

   Bakugou did not care.

 

   Before she could do anything, he deleted the space between himself and the middle of the store.

   An employee cried out, “He’s teleporting!”

   “Should– should we get the manager?”

 

   Bakugou stalked through the aisles like a horrible velociraptor. His fellow classmates gave him boggled looks as he went by. 

   “The fuck are you extras looking at?”

   “Uh, Bakugou?” asked Ojirou. “Is everything okay?”

   “Eat my balls.”

   “I was just trying to be nice…”

 

   There was a rustling of fabric.

   Then, the sound of obnoxious flirting.

   Bakugou was already sneering as he turned to the source of the noise.

   Apparently, Kaminari had given up on human beings. He was flirting with a clothing rack.

 

   “Aw, don’t be scared, babygirl.”

 

   Only one guy had the misfortune of being called ‘babygirl’ by Kaminari.

 

   Bakugou stormed over and shouldered Kaminari out of the way.

   “Hey–! uh oh.”

 

   What Bakugou saw made the curl of his upper lip melt down into a calm line.

 

   Buried under the hanging yukata, there was a suspiciously you-shaped lump.    

 

   Kaminari threw himself onto Bakugou. “I got him! Run, babygirl!”

   The other blond merely sent Kaminari to the opposite side of the store via an explosion to the face.

 

   More rustling started up again.

   You peeked out, a baby owl in its hidey-hole.

 

   “Kaminari?”

 

   Wrong blond.

 

   You spun to retreat back into your hiding place.

   Like that’d change anything. Bakugou had already seen you.

 

   Stupid.

 

   Bakugou hated you and your stupidly cute face and your stupidly cute everything. 

   And since you’d turned around, your rump was poking out. He had to resist the urge to literally kick your ass. Cuteness aggression was one hell of a vice.

   His usual rationality came back full force once he realized why you were hiding.

   You knew– had known– that he would be here to yell at you.

   He caught himself justifying it. You’d put yourself in a bad situation, after all, wandering around like that. Your aversion to crowds aside, being alone was a bad idea in itself. Who knows what could’ve happened?

 

   “Is he exploring again?”

 

   Bakugou had clocked it earlier. It was a strange discrepancy. What Kirishima said was the opposite of Todoroki.

 

   “I think he got lost…”

 

   Bakugou hadn’t bothered to think much about the uncertainty in Todoroki’s voice. He’d noticed, but brushed the logistics aside. 

   He’d been more concerned about whether you were okay or not. Only two months had passed since he’d brushed the thought of you aside in favor of what he would have for lunch.

   Bakugou had begun to change before he’d ever chosen to.

 

   Curse you.

 

   He’d take the spark you’d struck in him and make it his own.

   The spark grew brighter and brighter until fireworks were going off in his chest.

   He took a deep breath.   

 

   In the cover of the dark, you braced yourself.

   He was going to yell at you, wasn’t he?

   Just like always.   

 

   “...Let’s talk.”

 

   Until he wasn’t.

   Your eyes widened.

 

   “We need to talk.”

 

   So Bakugou was willing to talk.

 

   Is that true?

 

   You could hear a quiet inhale. Then the sound of shoes against carpet.

   Was Bakugou leaving? Was it too difficult a task for him to just talk to you?

   Was his pride more important than you?

 

   Okay.

 

   The darkness around you was washed away by the saddest shade of blue.

 

   “Can you hear me?”

 

   And then all the blue disappeared.

 

   Bakugou is… still here?

 

   His voice had become louder. He was closer to the ground now. The shoes-against-carpet sound from earlier must’ve been Bakugou shuffling into a crouch.

 

   “...Yes,” you said after a long silence, “I can hear you.”

 

   This time, you heard a low exhale.

   Exasperation? Relief?

   Which was it?

 

   “I’m not saying this shit again, so… listen up.”

 

   Your own breath came to a stop. 

 

   Anticipation.

 

   “...It’s my fault. You and Deku didn’t do shit.”

 

   Never had you ever heard Bakugou admit fault to anything. The realization had you staring blankly, all focus going to your ears. You couldn’t believe what you were hearing.

 

   “I hit him first.”

 

   There was no pride in that sentence.

 

   “But Deku… didn’t try to hit me back. Didn’t use his Quirk either. Pisses me off.”

 

   This had to be a dream. No way Bakugou was actually admitting to being humbled by Midoriya of all people. You’d never had a dream you could recall, but this one you’d remember for your entire life.

 

   “Fuck! He fucking sucks! Dumbass piece of shit Deku!”

 

   Now that was more like Bakugou.

   A loud thump hit the floor. He must’ve plopped himself down. You could practically hear him sulk like a child. Though you weren’t much different. You’d hidden yourself away and made Bakugou do his damn best to coax you out. He was no Kirishima, but…

   for you, he would try.

 

   One more time.

 

   “...I’m not gonna hit Deku for no reason anymore. And I won’t yell, so come here. Or else.”

 

   Bakugou’s threats were never something you took seriously.

   Nonetheless, the floral yukata split apart. In the dark gap was someone who was lovelier than any flower.

   There you were.

 

   “Hello, Bakugou.”

 

   Act cool as he might, he couldn’t hide his relief.

   You were finally looking at him.

 

   “Took you long enough.”

 

   He let you stare at him without asking you the usual, “What are you looking at?”

   You must’ve been sizing him up. Or checking if you weren’t hallucinating him. Either way, it made him twitch a little. 

   That was odd. He was no stranger to having eyes on him. He’d been the center of his attention his whole life. From the moment he’d turned four, he had been placed on a pedestal.

 

   You were different.

   In your eyes, he wasn’t victory incarnate. Nor was he some holy savior.

 

   “Bakugou is kind.”

 

   Something red flared underneath his skin and it wasn’t anger.

   His hands flew outward to grab the yukata on either side of your face. Then he shut you back inside your fabric prison.

 

   “Shut up!”

 

   “Okay.”

 

   Of all people, the one who put a C4 in Bakugou’s thoracic lunchbox was you, a giant baby who would rather hide than use the laser beams at your literal fingertips. 

 

   Kind? Him?

 

   Constantly looking for a fight, using other people as stepping stones, pursuing heroism in the name of winning…

 

   he who sought victory above all else, was kind?

 

   You must’ve been the biggest idiot he’d ever met. The day he saved you, you lost all common sense. 

 

   What else was he supposed to do? 

 

   It wouldn’t have been an indisputable victory if he’d allowed you to die right in front of him.

 

   Idiot.

 

   Bakugou had to change the subject. Linger on this any longer and his heart would explode. 

 

   Artificial light smacked you in the face.

   Bakugou had yanked the yukata apart. Now, he was standing upright and glaring down at you from the tip of his nose.

   “What the fuck were you doing in the middle of Take-a-shit Street?”

   “...Did you mean, ‘Takeshita Street?”

   “What else, Autocorrect?”

   You stared. Your gaze shifted left to right. Then it landed on Bakugou again.

 

   “I see. Is Bakugou… angry with me?”

 

   Pop! pop! pop! pop!

   It was the sound of Bakugou’s veins bursting. 

   He trembled like an inbred chihuahua.

   He had to stop to take another deep breath.

   Bakugou didn’t want to yell at you anymore.

 

   “I’m… mad at you…” he began slowly, “‘cause what you did was stupid. What were you even trying to accomplish?”

 

   I see.

 

   But what was the point of being angry? You ended up fine. Nothing happened.

   You gave Bakugou the answer you’d given Kirishima. “I was explori–”

 

   “Bullshit.”

 

   His instant catch of your lie made you go completely still. You didn’t even blink in surprise as you thought,

   Bakugou knows.

   He knew, and had known, since the very beginning.

   You? Explore? What for? 

   You didn’t even like the damn place. 

   His blood nearly boiled over.

   You’d just tried to lie to him.

   Bracing yourself, you dropped your gaze.

   You were in for it now.

 

   “Don’t do it again.”

 

   Shock was an acorn hitting the forest floor.

 

   Quickly, you looked back up, as if startled by something so natural.

   Bakugou had settled into a delinquent-style crouch. He was still very, very angry judging by the steam puffing out his nostrils.

   Yet he said nothing more.

 

   That is all?

 

   He seemed to know exactly what you were thinking. With a roll of his eyes, he reached out to flick your forehead. 

   You blinked. 

   For a guy who didn’t like being touched, Bakugou sure enjoyed bullying your forehead and stomach specifically.

   “You think I’m weird or something? Want me to flick you again?”

   You immediately stopped staring. “No.”

   The hand that had gone to flick your forehead shrunk itself into a fist. He had to resist the violent urge to crush your skull.

   While he was staring at his trembling fist, he could feel you give him a few owl-eyed glances. 

   “...For an owl, you’re dumb as shit.”

   “What is an owl?”

   “Jesus Christ.” He moved on without realizing he’d accidentally implied Jesus was an owl. “Why’d you do that? And don’t even think of lying to me again.” 

   There it was– the one similarity you and Bakugou shared.

   When either of you were onto something, or someone, there was no shaking you off.

   No point in lying anymore. 

 

   But how were you supposed to answer him?

 

   There were so many reasons as to why you did what you did. 

   Kirishima had cried. Bakugou and Midoriya had been suffering all alone.

   You had to repent for your sins.

 

   “I wanted to– I want–”

 

   The hands of time wrung your neck.

   Thoughts from before and now flew every which way.

   What had you wanted to do? What did you want to do now?

 

   Past and present combined to create the future.

 

   “I will become stronger.”

 

   That was when Bakugou understood.

 

   You thought you were weak. 

 

   You had put yourself through loneliness and isolation because you wouldn’t allow yourself to rely on anyone else.

    He, too, had thought himself weak. He, too, had ignored the rest of the world.

   Just this morning, you’d asked him,

 

   “Have you eaten yet?”

 

   and he couldn’t even give you a proper answer.

 

   Realization, frustration, guilt, you could identify all of it in the bleeding red of his eyes.

 

   The main difference between the two of you was that you thought you didn’t deserve to rely on anyone, whereas Bakugou felt he didn’t need to rely on anyone.

   That loneliness, that isolation, he never wanted either of you to experience it ever again.

   So he reminded you,

 

   “Aren’t you the one who said I’m strong?”

 

   “Bakugou is strong, so why…?”

 

   He tore his fingers into his heart, as if preparing to give it to you.

   Then he made the vow of a lifetime.

 

   “I’m gonna be the strongest. Watch me.”

 

   “All you have to do is stay behind me.”

 

   Whenever you flocked to him for comfort, he would taunt you, call you a dumb baby or some other name, but he would always let you stay behind him.

 

   Otherwise, what was his strength even for?

 

   Dumb baby.

 

   A single raindrop melted into the warmth of your heart.

 

   Bakugou didn’t think you were weak.

   He didn’t blame you for anything.

   No matter what, you could follow him all you wanted.

 

   Today, everything changed, but somehow–

 

   “Okay.”

 

   it all stayed the same.

 

   Bakugou couldn’t stop himself from huffing in exasperation. It’d only cost him breakdancing all over his own pride for you to finally understand.

   You were a goddamn idiot, but Bakugou was an even bigger idiot for handing his heart to you.

 

   Whatever.

 

   In the end, he'd made a good choice.

   No– you were the best.

   With gentle hands, you had helped him change his future.

 

   He wouldn’t have anyone else.

 

   The second he felt you stare into his soul (again), however, he almost evaporated you.

 

   “What now?”

 

   There was just one last thing you had to know.

   You’d seen Bakugou get spirited away by Kirishima and you hadn’t seen Bakugou come back with Kirishima.

   Your wish upon a star…

 

   Please let everything be okay.

 

   “Is everything okay?”

 

   Bakugou went still. 

   The anger in his eyes gave way to understanding.

   You were worried about him and Kirishima.

   Even though this was Bakugou’s fault, you’d been worrying about his friendship with Kirishima anyway.

   It was time Bakugou put a stop to that.

 

   “...Yeah.”

 

   All your worries disappeared in an instant.

   Your wish had come true.

 

   Bakugou had made it come true.

 

   A star was shining just for you.

 

   “Thank goodness.”

   “Who do you think you’re thanking?”

   “...Thank you, Bakugou.”

   “That’s what I thought.”

 

   As the seconds went by, the tension in your posture melted away. You stopped hugging your knees to settle your hands in your lap. 

   Joining you on the floor, Bakugou sat down fully and shut his eyes.

   Here with you, he could allow himself to relax.

   What was there to guard against?

 

   You would never hurt him. 

 

   “Uh…”

 

   Bakugou’s eyes flew open. He’d recognize that annoying manner of speech anywhere.

   “Deku!”

   Midoriya was tip-toeing to peek over one of the displays. He squeaked. “Oh, are you guys not done talking yet? I can come ba–”

   “No!”

   “You– you don’t want me to leave?” He began to tear up. “Kacchan…!”

   “Ew, fuck no! Don’t come back, shithead!”

   You gave Bakugou a hard stare.

   He began to twitch.

   Then he whipped his head away from Midoriya and spat out, “What do you want?”

   Midoriya’s gaze rapidly flicked between you and Bakugou.

   Was he… actually listening to someone else for once? You hadn’t even said anything.

   He’s tamed Kacchan!

   At that moment, Midoriya thought about adding a note to his journal entry of you.

 

   Warning: dangerous! 

 

   “Well?”

    Right, Bakugou had asked him a question. The mental image of your crudely drawn Hero costume (and the little doodle heart next to it) flew away. 

   “Well… We kinda have to talk to Iida and Yaoyorozu about the property damage fees and repair costs… for the restroom… and think about how to tell Mr. Aizawa…”

   Bakugou stared.

   Then he massaged his brow bone with his index finger and thumb. “Fuck! I’ll just call my old hag or something.”

   “No! We can’t tell your mom about this! And can you please stop calling her that?”

   “You want your single mom to pay for it?”  

   “...I have a dad, Kacchan.”

   “The fuck? Since when?”

 

   Another head popped up next to Midoriya’s.

   Lo and behold, Todoroki.

   “Is your dad All Might…?”

   “For the last time–!”

 

   Todoroki lost all interest in his conspiracy theories the second he saw you.

   Rather than make a beeline for you, however, he stayed where he was.

   You blinked. “Todoroki?”

   From his eyes to his hair, every part of him began to droop downward. He looked like the guiltiest little creature in the world.

 

   “Sorry. Because of me, you, Midoriya, and Bakugou went through something horrible. If I didn’t ask Sero what he meant, none of this would’ve happened. I cursed everyone again…”

 

   Midoriya immediately burst into giggles. “It’s the Hand Crusher!”

   “I’m being serious…”

   Meanwhile, Bakugou was beyond confused. “What.”

   Your helpful explanation was, “Due to the events of the Hosu Incident, several nerve endings in Iida’s hand are damaged. He has received surgery for his injuries. However, he has not healed completely and refuses to undergo further surgical repair. I do not understand.”

   That did not explain anything whatsoever. You weren’t the only one who didn’t understand.

   The only effect your explanation had was to make Todoroki feel even worse. 

   He sadly turned away. “That’s right… It’s my fault Iida drops his curry sometimes…”

 

   Suddenly, Bakugou shot up to his feet and you blinked at the wind pressure.

   He marched over to Todoroki. Bakugou wouldn’t stand for someone else taking his credit.

   “It’s my fault! I didn’t sit here with that stupid owl for twenty goddamn minutes for you to act like you did jackshit!”

   “Stupid? Don’t call him that.”

   “I do what I want!”

   In the background of their bickering, you piped up, “Todoroki, did you know Jesus Christ is an owl?”

   Your fun fact seemed to snap Todoroki out of it.

   He ignored Bakugou to ask you with genuine fascination, “He is?”

   “He is.”

   “So he’s an owl demigod who can move mannequins…”

   “Yes. It is true.”

   When Todoroki held his chin in thought, Bakugou threw an explosion in his face.

   “Don’t ignore me, you fucker!”

   Midoriya was about to cry real tears. He hunched over, laughter ripping his insides.

 

   Everything was okay.

 

---

 

   What a day.

 

   You were in bed now, hands politely folded over your stomach as you gazed into the darkness.

   Things had been settled in an unsettlingly peaceful way.

   Once Bakugou had enough of Todoroki’s bullshit, he’d gone to speak to Iida and Yaoyorozu.

   They were not happy to say the least.

   However, they were more than happy to see Bakugou take responsibility for what he’d done.

   The two of them knew only the essential details– you’d been in the restroom with Midoriya prior, Bakugou nearly fought him, and the public restroom had become a total wasteland.

   None of you had to pay for anything.

   Todoroki had casually recited Endeavor’s credit card information, including the three funny little numbers on the back. The bank was going to have a field day with this one.

   Just kidding.

   While Todoroki actually did try to commit credit card fraud, the property damage fees ended up being waived. Incidents like this were actually pretty common given how children liked to use their Quirks willy-nilly. And because Bakugou wasn’t a legal adult, he was void of any charges. The most he had to suffer was a Tako Bell bathroom joke from Kaminari.

   As for your other classmates’ reactions…

   They’d been a bit taken aback, yes, but honestly? They hadn’t been surprised in the least. If any of you were to blow up a public restroom, it’d be Bakugou. And that didn’t even take his violent tendencies into account. The guy ate way too much spicy food in the first place.

   For his final punishment, he was forced to be normal for the rest of the trip and go buy a yukata like everyone else.

   It wasn’t so bad though.

   Kirishima, Kaminari, Sero, and Ashido had helped him pick something out. They'd swarmed him, concerned, especially the last two. They’d realized too late that something was wrong and spent at least five minutes apologizing to him. 

 

   Speaking of yukata, tomorrow was the summer’s end festival. 

   Tomorrow…

   Two metal hands reached past the ceiling and towards the stars.

 

   With gentle hands, you would create a brighter future.

 

 

Notes:

and with that, we are finally fucking done with Harajuku!!! i am so sorry it took so long TT i am now an adult with adult problems and it is a Major Inconvenience. don't be afraid of aging tho! i can legally use an industrial meat slicer! anyway, i have big plans for the next arc hohohoho... see you next time!

Chapter 79: Good Morning, World!

Chapter by uncrowned king (blueinanoceanofgray)

Notes:

SOOOO SOOOOOO CUTE comic by Achoo !!! he's so cute i'm gonna explode into a million pieces  :'-(((( and here's an AMAZINGLY FITTING playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5meIfh0K7DZpDvfAoLgCnM?si=f973134ddb714d03&nd=1 for the book by FriendlyNeighborhoodFaery !!! i am genuinely so amazed by how accurate it is <333 

 

   Good morning, Melissa.

   Today, I am going to attend a festival.

 

   You were sitting on the floor of your room as you laid out your yukata. 

   The fabric was pelted with tiny rain drops, the ones you liked so much.

   Taking your phone from your pocket, you took a picture.

   The keyboard clicked and clacked as you slowly typed out another message.

 

   Midoriya selected this yukata for me. A yukata is a form of traditional wear. Todoroki and Yaoyorozu purchased it for me. 

 

   You set the golden obi and sandals next to the yukata.

 

   Todoroki likes purchasing things for me. He dislikes it when I attempt to make my own purchases. I do not understand. Please help.

 

   Then there were the two surprise gifts from Yaoyorozu and Asui. 

 

   These are teru teru bozu dolls. They are made of tissue paper and string. If they are hung upside down, they become a wish for rain. Yaoyorozu and Asui gave them to me.

 

   Both dolls fit in the cold palm of your hand. Asui’s was teeny-tiny, a keychain made of silicone. As for Yaoyorozu, she had actually used her Quirk to make one for you. The girls had spoiled you the moment they found out you liked rain. 

 

   The last photo you sent was the group picture of you, Kaminari, Bakugou, Kirishima, Midoriya, Iida, Yaoyorozu, and Todoroki. Kaminari himself had turned out fine (bastard), but everyone else was a little scuffed, to say the least. No one else had been ready. Bakugou literally looked like he was about to shit himself.

   But you didn’t care.

 

   Everyone is very nice to me.

 

   Then, just like in the photo, your eyes turned gold.

 

   I am happy.

 

   As if trying to provide evidence, you fumbled around with the camera app until you got the view to face you. Then you took a horribly zoomed-in photo of your face. Your first ever selfie!

 

   Look. 

 

   You were looking, alright– looking way too close into the camera. Baby steps.

 

   Let’s take a picture too. 

 

   “Wait, are you okay with pictures?”

 

   That was what Kaminari had asked you beforehand.

   So you mimicked him.

 

   Is Melissa okay with pictures? 

 

   For your last message, you crawled over to your loft bed. Next to your mini fridge and pantry was a Roomba charging station. The lovingly man-made abomination Melissa had given you, Pancake, was still sleeping in its station. 

 

   ( ु⁎ᴗ_ᴗ⁎)ु.｡oO

 

   You snapped a pic.

 

   I will take good care of Pancake.

 

   See you later.

 

   Your phone went back into your pocket. The yukata and the accessories that came with it were returned to the shopping bag. Pancake kept on sleeping.

   The teru teru bozu dolls, though, were going elsewhere.

   You eyed the balcony.

   This whole time, you’d been avoiding it because you didn’t want to bother a certain someone. 

   Monoma.

   He would always froth at the mouth at the sight of your classmates. It was so much worse with you. After all, you did kiss him that one time. The smooch in question wasn’t quite on the lips, but… apparently traumatizing nonetheless.

   It’d be fine. Probably.

   You got up from the floor to head outside and hang the dolls in front of the glass doors. 

   Pressing your hands together, you prayed,

 

   I wish for rain.

 

   A metal hand reached skyward.

   Childish in your curiosity, you stared up at the pale sky, round-eyed.

 

   “Everyone! Please gather on the first floor!”

 

   You perked up. That was Iida. He must’ve been going from floor to floor in order to summon everyone. 

   There was a festival to get ready for.

   Your balcony was now empty.

 

   But the one across from yours wasn’t.

   Storm gray eyes watched the dolls dance in the wind.

 

   “Your face was like rain to me.”

 

   Monoma let out a sardonic sigh. “What a shame.”

 

   If you’d stayed a little longer, you’d have realized that your wish had come true.

 

   He had long noticed that you tended to avoid the balcony. It’d been this way ever since the very first day everyone moved into the dorms. That had been the last time the two of you had spoken face to face.

   From then on, whenever you saw him, you’d skitter away like a soot sprite.

   It amused him a little. The guy with military grade weapons for arms was seemingly afraid of the guy whose Quirk barely qualified as one. 

   At the same time, it pissed him off.

   Whenever he would act up, everyone would pay attention to him–

   except for you.

 

   Later today, during the summer’s end festival…

 

   Monoma was going to make you look at him no matter what.

 

   Meanwhile, the rest of 1-A were practically bursting with chatter as they made their way down to the first floor. It didn’t matter that it was eight a.m. on a Sunday. 

   Today was a special day.

   You fell into step with two of your floormates– Kirishima and Shoji.

   “Good morning,” you said politely.

   “Mornin’!”

   “Good morning.”

   As you went down the stairs, you briefly glanced over your shoulder.

   One of your floormates was missing.

   Kirishima immediately grabbed your arm in case you fell. “Woah, buddy. Eyes up front, yeah?”

   “Okay. I am sorry.” You went back to looking forward. “Bakugou is not here.”

   “He’s probably at the gym right now.”

   Shoji shook his head. “At this rate, his grip strength is gonna be stronger than mine…”

   Unfortunately, Bakugou was notorious for many things. That included being a gym rat. He went whenever he needed to brood or whenever he was pissed off, which was… most of the time. There was no doubt that Bakugou was currently reflecting over what had happened yesterday. 

   Never had anyone expected “Bakugou” and “reflecting” to be in the same sentence.

   When Kirishima laughed, his smile no longer carried a hint of sadness.

 

   On the ground floor, the others were already setting the tables. Having over twenty students in the class meant needing to use at least two dining tables.

   A few kids were in charge of distributing food. Ojirou was in charge of the rice cooker. He opened it and scalding hot steam shot him point-blank. 

   The poor thing didn’t even get a second to flinch in pain before he was pushed aside by Hagakure, who literally stuck her face into the steam on purpose.

   “Free sauna!”

   He could only watch on in horror as she was joined by Ashido.

   “Yay, free sauna!”

   Ojirou’s jaw dropped. “Wh– what do you guys think you’re doing!?”

   Behind him, two hands busied themselves with the fluff on the end of his tail.

   Kaminari helpfully (?) explained, “Girls like this kinda stuff, y’know? Skincare and all that.”

   “How is that skincare…?”

   All of a sudden, a piece of Kaminari’s hair stuck up like an antenna.

   His face lit up. Then, abandoning Ojirou to run over to the stairs, he called, “Babe!”

   You blinked down at him. He was hugging your waist as he buried his face into your chest. 

   “‘Babe?’” 

   Kaminari took his nose out of your cleavage to give you a sly grin. “Yeah?”

   A flying earphone jack came out of nowhere and poked him in the ass cheek.

   He flew away from you. “Ow! Jirou, why!?”

   “Pervert.” 

   “I’m not a pervert!”

   “...You’re saying that–? of all people? Really?”

   “What’s that supposed to mean?”

   While they argued as usual, you stood there, lost. 

   “What is ‘babe?’”

   Kirishima was too busy laughing his ass off to answer your question. “She got you good, Kaminari!”

   “Ugh, shut up!”

 

   In the kitchen, the other kids were lining up to get rice. Shoji had taken over Ojirou’s job and was scooping rice into bowls three at a time.

   Sero threw his hands into the air. “Shoji the rice god!”

   Soon enough, half the class was chanting, “Shoji the rice god!”

   Ojirou went up to Shoji with an exasperated look. “I’m so sorry. I can do it.”

   “It’s fine. Did you wash your face? It looked really red earlier.”

   “Ah, yeah, I’m okay. Thanks.”

   Hagakure huffed, “Oh, don’t be so dramatic. It’s not that bad!”

   “My face still hurts…”

   “It’s supposed to!”

   Ashido glanced between them. Then she glanced at Shoji.

   And then she got the most devious look on her face.

   “It’s a love triangle!”

   Asui frowned at her. “Don’t be nosy.”

   Next to Asui, Uraraka laughed nervously. She hadn’t forgotten the time Ashido had almost figured out her crush on Midoriya.

 

   Speaking of Midoriya...

   At the moment, he was spacing out in front of the sink. He tugged at his bottom lip in thought.

   “Deku?”

   He spun around. “Huh?”

   “G’morning!”

   “Uh, yeah.” He turned to the sink and went back to thinking. “Good morning.” 

   Wow. He was really, really out of it.

   She didn’t blame him. Uraraka knew the gist of what had happened yesterday– apparently, failing the license exam had upset Bakugou to the point of him taking it out on Midoriya. 

   At least they seemed to be on somewhat decent terms now. The rest of the shopping trip had no issues.

   Iida appeared next to Uraraka, hands chopping up and down. “Midoriya, please don’t hog the sink!”

   “Ah, sorry!” He quickly skittered off. If he were an animal, he would be a rabbit.

   “Poor Deku.” Uraraka pouted at Iida. “You didn’t have to shoo him away like that.”

   “I did no such thing!”

   “Uh-huh.” Her gaze found Midoriya only to see him smiling brightly at you.

   Not her.

 

   You.

 

   “G– good morning!”

   “Good morning, Midoriya.” You had run into him while grabbing utensils. Sliding open the drawer, you offered him a pair of chopsticks.

   He took them, smiling as if you’d given him the world itself. “Thanks.”

   Uraraka didn’t stay to see anymore. She put on a smile of her own as she made her way to the dining room.

   I promised to focus on my career, remember?

 

   Each of the two dining tables had a giant pot of soup. It was something nice and light, not too heavy. Every bowl of rice came with a side of omelets and pickled vegetables. 

   On days like these, when the class had places to be, cooking individual meals was out of the question. Today was not a pancake day. Cursed.

   It wasn’t until you sat down that you sensed a very familiar presence standing just behind you.

   “Hey.”

   When you tilted your head back, it brushed against the front of Todoroki’s shirt. “Hey, Todoroki.”

   From this angle, you couldn’t tell that the shadows under his eyes were actually eyebags. 

   He hadn’t slept much. The thought of what you’d said the day before wouldn’t let him.

 

   “I broke the promise we made.”

 

   He knew what you’d meant by that– you’d briefly forgotten your most precious memories with your friends, including him. 

   But why?

   What made you forget? What made you run outside on your own?

   He couldn’t bring himself to ask you those things.

   Not when you were looking up at him so innocently.

   “Good morning.”

   As he sat down next to you, he said softly, “Good morning.”

   Midoriya gave Todoroki a weary look. He would break all his fingers for the guy (again), but… he was just glad that he didn’t get dragged out of his seat (again). And that was only because the seat on your other side had fortunately been empty.

   Nonetheless, he leaned over to get into view and said, “Todoroki, good morning!”

   “Midoriya. Good morning.”

   At the head of the table was Iida. He frowned as he checked his watch. Then he looked around, searching for a certain someone. 

   “We agreed on a meeting time!” he huffed. “Where on Earth is Bakugou?”

 

   “Right here, chucklenuts.”

 

   Iida whipped around at the speed of light. “What did you just call me!?”

   With wild laughter from Kaminari, Kirishima, and Sero as his fanfare, Bakugou made his way into the dining room. He’d already washed up and changed out of his gym clothes. How did none of you notice him come in? He was shockingly quiet when he wanted to be.

   “Hey, man!” Kirishima patted the empty chair next to him, the one directly across from you. “Saved your spot.”

   “Why? I’m gonna go eat by myself.”

   “Aw, c’mon! Eat with us. It’ll be fun!”

   “Like hell it will.” He was about to snatch up his food and leave until he noticed an owl staring at him. 

   You and your dumb owl eyes. The image of a baby owl peeking out of its hidey-hole was still fresh in his brain. Even now, you were staring at him in the exact same way. He couldn’t be bothered to remember names or faces, but he would always remember yours. How could he forget? The one who had redefined his strength, made him step down from his pedestal, and given him a safe place to keep his heart was you. God, you were so–

   “So annoying!”

   Sneering as if he hadn’t changed his mind because of you, he plopped down into his seat.

   “Good morning, Bakugou.”

   “Whatever!”

   Kirishima grinned at him, pleased, and Bakugou made a grumpy face in response.

   Grumpy ass gremlin. Oh, well. At least he wasn’t trying to peel Midoriya like an orange or something.

   The Midoriya in question threw nervous glances at him.

   No use trying to be discreet. Bakugou always noticed.

   “What.”

   “Um… just– good morning! That’s all.”

   “Eat shit and die.”

   “...Thanks, Kacchan.”

   Iida put his chopsticks down with a loud slam. ”Can you please be normal for once, Bakugou?”

   “You’re not normal!”

   “Excuse me!?”

   Not a day went by without these two at each other’s throats.

   Sweating a little, Sero said, “I don’t think either of you are normal...”

   Someone clapped and the room fell silent.

   Yaoyorozu put her hands down. “Now, shall we eat?”

   Your classmates chorused, “Thank you for the food!”

 

   Breakfast didn’t take long. Once the dishes were washed and put away, everyone filed into the living room and sat down on the couches or the floor. The only ones standing were Iida and Yaoyorozu. 

   It was time for the debriefing.

   “As you all know,” began Yaoyorozu, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, “we will be attending a summer festival.”

    Excited chatter seemed to replace the oxygen in the room. The only reason breakfast didn’t take forever was because many of your classmates had been so excited that they just… inhaled their food. Feral children. You were no better. Going hamster mode was a daily thing for you.

   Yaoyorozu clapped again. “I know we’ve all been looking forward to this. So am I. But please keep in mind that we are attending not as civilians, but as provisional Heroes.” 

   She held up her license. “This is the responsibility we bear.”

   As she said that, some kids either took out their own licenses with proud faces or cast apologetic glances at Bakugou and Todoroki.

   “Don’t look down on me!”

   “I won’t mess up next time.”

   She gave them a nod of acknowledgement. “Of course. For now, we’ll have to treat you no differently than regular civilians. I apologize.”

   Bakugou scowled but said nothing. Todoroki nodded back.

   She put a hand on her chest. “I believe Mr. Aizawa said this when I invited you all to my family’s beach property: ‘structure yourselves around the gap.’ Todoroki, Bakugou– without your strength, we’re missing quite the manpower. However… we are still class 1-A.”

   She didn’t even finish her point before cheering spread like wildfire.

   “Hell yeah!”

   “We’ve been through– like– twenty villain attacks now!”

   “Go beyond! Plus Ultra!”

   “Since when did you get so good at motivational speeches, Yaomomo!?”

   She hid her smile behind one hand, feeling shy. “You’re exaggerating…”

   With a tilt of your head, you took another look at her.

   She had changed from the overly insecure person she used to be. Now, she had enough faith in herself to deliver such a moving speech.

   A flower was blooming right in front of you.

 

   For the more informational part of the presentation, Iida took over.

   He cleared his throat. “Aside from Bakugou and Todoroki, Shinsou will be accompanying us.”

   There were more than just a few whispers.

   “Oh, yeah, right...”

   “He’s the guy that did the whole ‘declaration of war’ thing.”

   “Didn’t he say something mean about Ojirou?”

   “Yeah, and he had a fight with our baby too!”

   “I am not a baby.”

   Iida held back a sigh. He still couldn’t fathom that you had actually fought Shinsou. Neither did he expect Shinsou to have the balls to challenge you, the guy with– y’know– military grade weapons for arms. You didn’t even need to use your heat beams. Just a punch from you was enough to knock the lights out of someone. And you hadn’t even used your arms for that fight! Iida was already dreading the shenanigans that would happen during the festival.

   Anyway, he moved on with the presentation. “His actions during the sports festival were… not the kindest, but he was simply trying his best. He is no different from us. Additionally, what he said is true– if we cannot perform up to par, we will be replaced. That is the nature of the Hero course. Please do your best not only to maintain your place, but to treat him well. I myself do not know if I can forgive him for how he treated–” his eyes met yours– “many of us. However, I do know that we must let bygones be bygones. That, too, is the nature of this course. We must always be better than we were yesterday.”

   This part was supposed to be informational, but even more cheering started up again.

   “Iida, Iida!”

   “Iida for president!”

   “But he’s already class president…”

   “Shinsou likes cats.”

   “How– how do you know that?”

   “Let’s be nice to Shinsou, everyone!”

   Iida couldn’t help but blush a little. Sparkles floated around him as he bashfully grinned and adjusted his glasses.

   He, too, had changed. It was only yesterday that he had been so harsh on Shinsou. 

   Iida was a total square and yet he was filing down his sharp edges just for you.

 

   Yaoyorozu took back the reins to add, “As a reminder, we will be attending alongside class 1-B.”

   “Oh, God, Monoma.”

   “Can’t they just leave him at home?”

   “Kendo’s the one who invited us, right? What if she– like– knocks him out or something?”

   “I hope she does.”

   Kirishima nudged Bakugou. “You ‘n Tokoyami stayed with ‘em for the beach trip, right? How’d that go?”

   “What do you think?”

   “Aw, man.”

 

   As Yaoyorozu stood there, listening to her friends innocently chat amongst themselves, she had this oddly serious look on her face.

   The one who had first received the invite from Kendo was her. It’d been sent shortly after the license exam. 

   This timing…

   There had only been a day between the exam and the festival.

   To send such a last minute invite wasn’t like Kendo. Not one bit.

   That wasn’t the only thing Yaoyorozu had noticed. These past few days, she hadn’t heard anything about 1-B’s own preparations for the festival– no shopping trips, nothing. 

   It meant they had been prepared since a long, long time ago.

 

   Why haven’t they said anything till now…?

 

   “Yaomomo!”

   Her brows flew up in surprise.

   Ashido had flung her arms around her. “Let’s go get ready! Can you help me put my yukata on? Hagakure’s useless!”

   The other kids were heading upstairs to get ready.

   Yaoyorozu glanced from Ashido to the door.

   Should she go, too, or talk to Kendo?

   “...Of course I’ll help you, but please don’t call Hagakure that. And…” She gently took Ashido’s arms off of her waist. “There’s something I need to do. I’ll be back soon.”

   “Aw, okay…”

 

   On her way out the door, she stopped to ask Iida, “Have they told Mr. Aizawa yet? Bakugou and Midoriya, I mean.”

   Ah, yes, the Harajuku incident. 

   They both sighed. They could only imagine how Aizawa would react.

   “...I’ll remind them.”

   “Thank you, Iida.”

   Before she could leave, he returned a question of his own. “Do you have to talk to Mr. Aizawa as well?”

   She shook her head. “I’m actually going to talk to Kendo.”

   “I see.” He sent her off with a nod. “Please let me know what else she has to say about the trip.”

   “Alright.”

   Iida wasn’t wrong. Yaoyorozu was indeed going to discuss the trip with Kendo.

   What he didn’t know, though, was that there was potentially something deeper going on under the surface.

 

   Cat.

   Sat on the floor of your room, you dug into the bag holding your yukata. Below yours was Shinsou’s, the obnoxious-looking one with black cats on it. 

   Shinsou likes cats. Therefore, he will like it.

   Your line of thinking made perfect sense and was not flawed whatsoever.

   You had a yukata to deliver.

 

   The way to the 1-C building was only a five minute walk. The General Studies department had its own facilities separate from the Hero course. No wonder you never saw Shinsou at the gym. Until now, it had never really occurred to you that you’d never ventured beyond your part of the dorms.

   Exploration time.

   You were about to waddle off in a completely different direction than the 1-C building until you heard an unfamiliar sound.

   Steel striking brass, the high-pitched ribbit of a frog– what was it? Tilting your head to and fro, you tried to pinpoint where it was coming from.

   “Are you a dog?”

   The sound had come from some guy on a bicycle. His black helmet cast a shadow over his dark eyes. He slowed to a stop next to you, putting one foot on the ground. Who was this guy? For some reason, he was giving you this exasperated look, as if you’d pestered him for a month straight. Although, his voice did seem familiar.

   “I am not a dog. I am a human.”

   “Yeah, okay.”

   When he took off his helmet and shook out his fluffy purple hair, you blinked.

   “Shinsou?”

   And the exasperated look was back.

   “...Did you not recognize me?”

   “No. Good morning, Shinsou.”

   He deadpanned. 

   How could you follow him around for a solid month and not recognize him? Really? You’d recently beat the shit out of him too. This whole time, had you just… been identifying him by his hair?

   You’d once sniffed him (?????) and compared him to a camellia, a flower without fragrance. The sniffing part aside, that had been the first time anyone had ever seen him as something so… innocent. To you, the power he held was nothing more than a single petal of the flower that was Shinsou.

    His gaze flitted off to the side.  At the same time, his hand went up to hold the back of his neck– a habit.

   “Hi,” he said stiffly. This awkwardness felt foreign. Now that you’d beaten the shit out of him and gained his respect, the dynamic between the two of you had changed. 

   Shinsou, who could strike up a conversation with anyone, suddenly didn’t know what to say.

   You easily replied, “Hi.”

   Great. The socially awkward idiot who could barely tell a cat from a dog was doing a better job at being a normal human being than he was.

   For his effort to make eye contact with you, he was generously rewarded.

   “This is for Shinsou.”

   It was a bag of some sort.

   He looked at it. Then at you. Genuine confusion made his tired eyes seem a little bit brighter. “Thanks, but… why? You don’t owe me anything.” 

   ”A yukata is a form of festival wear.”

   He’d been dreading the festival ever since he lost the fight. But that wasn’t why he was staring at you like you’d placed a C4 in the bag.

   “A yukata?” he reiterated. “How much was it?”

   “I do not know.”

   “Really?”

   “I am sorry.”

   He dug one hand into the bag to find the price tag.

   When he pulled out the whole yukata, he went still.

   Cats. Cats everywhere.

   It was your time to shine.

   “Shinsou likes cats.”

   His eyes narrowed.

   How the hell does he know that?

   In order to not let on too much about himself, he brought back his usual guarded persona. “Oh? What makes you think so?”

   “Shinsou has made several references to cats, such as Schrodinger’s cat.”

   Welp. So much for trying to act mysterious. He was staring at you in the same way a cat would stare at a dog.

   You tilted your head. “Cat got your tongue?”

   “You–”

 

   In the end, he had no choice but to accept the gift. What else was he going to do? Burn it to ash right in front of you?

   Honestly, he was a little tempted to– not in front of you, of course, he’d do it somewhere you couldn’t see it.

   Shinsou always took care to maintain a persona. Other than his knack for riling people up and his monster of a power, no one knew anything about him.

   Except for you.

   “Shinsou likes cats.”

   You had made the effort to pay attention to him.

   So he wouldn’t– couldn’t burn the yukata.

   As he watched you head back to your dorm, he held the back of his neck.

   Blood surged up his neck like water through a flower stem.

   He thought you only had the upper hand in terms of battle prowess.

   Now you had him under your heel emotionally too.

   How far he’d fallen. 

 

   If he wanted to survive the festival, he would have to step it up.

Notes:

the festival officially starts next chapter! what's going on with yaomomo and kendo? how's aizawa gonna react? will bakugou and midoriya survive? what is monoma gonna do? will shinsou be okay? how will our favorite little meow meow todoroki deal with so much competition? find out next cha (gets shot)