Post dinner Tsuyu decided that the hat, dress, and cardigan combination wasn't sufficient given the temperature drop. She opted for keeping the Cardigan but replacing the dress with a White blouse and Black Jeans. She wasn't sure how much walking she was going to do so she went with a black and white set of converses that she didn't have a ton of opportunities to wear. She looked herself over deciding that she looked presentable. She said farewell to her parents and started her descent into the familiar train station, while many people were leaving the area, not many were entering. A clear indication that the jobs of the day were winding down. The few people left looking to enter the city were either for businesses that stayed open twenty-four seven or workers going to the late shift. The noise pollution quickly subsided as the platform cleared out. The train was still in the station luckily and meant she wouldn't have to wait long. She quickly boarded the train and was on her way to meet her friend. The trip was surprisingly calm given her last few expeditions by train had given her a few memorable moments.
The train pulled into the station and she identified the boy she had promised to meet. He wore jeans, his classic shoes, and a blue t-shirt that the neckline and sleeves matched the red in his shoes. The shirt was obviously a relic of a former self that was significantly smaller, the shirt tightly fit over the muscular exterior. Not the best fashion sense but it could be worse. He wrung his hands nervously, the concrete background of the station further highlighting the contrast of his personality and the urban environment. Tsuyu decided that she should probably lead the way.
"Hey, Midoriya-chan. Ribbit." She croaked almost unconsciously. Trying to identify the reason why she would now. He jumped seemingly several feet in the air.
"Asu- I mean Tsuyu you scared me. You know I understand the uh… honoring your friends… but if I'm going to call you T-T-Tsuyu, You should call me Midoriya or Deku." He smiled nervously raising his hand to rest on his neck.
"Alright." She tried to signal her approval but, it didn't seem to work.
"Don't worry, I get it. I understand." He smiled. She breathed a sigh of relief it was hard to convey smaller, less intense emotion given her quirk. Glad she found someone who could catch the subtle hints of her quirk. "So, where were you thinking for dessert?" Deku let his hand fall back to its original position. She placed his finger to her chin and pondered for a moment.
"Well, the closest thing to us is an ice cream parlor. Sound good to you?" She cocked her head to peer at him.
"Yeah, but I thought you liked Jelly more? You sure you don't want that?" He went back to having his hand rest on his neck. She couldn't help but think it was cute that he had thought of that.
"No, I had my fill earlier with Ochako, when we were hanging out." She skewed the truth a bit. She was always more than willing to eat her favorite treat but also didn't want to limit his options. They set off in the direction of the ice cream shop. They had light conversation as they walked which seemed to bring their both their nerves to ease and get into a more synced rhythm. She noticed that he had a very distinct smell and sound that made her at ease. The smell was soothing and was easier to focus on and shut out the city. They quickly arrived at the shop. The exterior had a sign lit with blue and reds saying Classic Ice Cream boldly. They walked in and the building had been obviously modelled after an American diner. The counter had small stools that were white with the counter and seat cushions being red. The floor was a black and white tile pattern. The tables all seated two people unless you pushed the tables together. There was only four other people in the shop. The sign just past the door said "Seat yourself and someone will be with you shortly." They obeyed the message and picked one table away from the windows but close to a wall so the cold of the outside wouldn't affect them. After sitting for a few minutes, a man approached the table.
"The names Cid, I run this place, what can I get you two?" He took the pen from behind his ear and tapped the pen to a notepad he seemingly made appear out of thin air. Cid had blonde hair placed back with a black headband. White shirt, not form fitting. He had rigid features that made him look rough. His arms had seen some other work considering the number of scars and a black apron covered the blue jeans he wore. Tsuyu was the first to speak.
"Can I have a three scoop sundae with Mint chocolate chip? No fruit, but extra Whipped cream." Tsuyu asked politely
"So Sundae, extra whip, Extra chocolate syrup? No fruit. You want pieces of mint candy on the top?" He asked with a salesmen's eyebrow raise.
"Yes, Thank you." Tsuyu turned to Deku to signal it was time to make his selection.
"Uh… Double scoop Mint chocolate waffle cone, please." He sputtered only slightly.
"Cool cool, Should only be a few minutes." Cid wandered off to the back to get the Ice cream. Deku turned his attention back to the girl across from him.
"I didn't realize you liked Mint Chocolate Chip." He smiled nervously his face beginning to turn a slight pink. Tsuyu simply replied with her usual montone.
"Never needed to know. And no one asked." She tapped her long fingers against the table. She was unsure how to direct the conversation. Before she could think of something Midoriya spoke up.
"So, I have a personal question, I've wanted to ask. I-I-If that's uh.. Okay." He seemed intent but not harsh.
"Sure." Tsuyu couldn't see the harm in answering something more personal although the timing was interesting, early in the evening. He was a strange and awkward person after all.
"How do you you view relationships?" He seemed genuine in the question and wanted to understand.
"Can you clarify what you mean?" Tsuyu began to formulate what she would respond with, as the boy thought the best way to phrase exactly what he wanted to know. Both had their hand pressed to their chin in deep thought. Midoriya was the one to break the silence. As he set his hands on the table.
"How do you believe a relationship between two people should act?" He said confidently. She shifted to look at him directly. She came up with the best analogy she could that would relate to Deku.
"My views are like that of a hero and a Sidekick." She said with no further explanation. Cid arrived with their ice cream and dropped it off at the table.
"Mind giving some more context." Izuku pressed for more information while taking a bite from his cone.
"Sure. I see it as two people forming a way that they connect together but one person obviously has more power. Whether that is physical, financial, or other power. It would be hard to find a relationship that the two individuals are equal. Just like heroes and sidekicks they are there and assist but, heroes are the ones who have the real power." Tsuyu grabs a bite of the sundae which is covered in chocolate syrup and whipped cream, which even if she asked for extra, might be excessive. Deku takes a minute to think he seems to be trying to burn a hole in the table the way that he is in deep thought. The whole time taking small bites from the Ice Cream. The silence lingers for at least five minutes. Finally, Midoriya speaks.
"I must disagree." He politely smiles at her.
"Why's that?" She tilts her head with the spoon replacing her tongues normal position at the corner of her mouth.
"Well, You compared it to heroes and sidekicks and I see it more as hero partners. Partners are on equal footing for the most part and remain pretty much on the same level. They think on the same wavelength, they bring out something the other one doesn't have. Whether that is financial, skill, or other such abilities. Partners tackle problems together but not Sidekicks they provide support. Partners are fighting together and providing support." Deku takes another bite, taking his first piece of the waffle cone with him. Tsuyu and he have traded spots being locked in deep thought. Tsuyu comes to her conclusion much faster.
"I think yours is the best way of doing things rather than what I said." She took her long finger and pointed at him. "Although, I think some exist like how I said." She claimed her minor victory as she ate. Her hand slide back to her lap. Deku shifted seemingly uncomfortable from the discussion.
"Have you thought about dating?" He blurts out nervously. He swiftly covers his mouth with his free hand as if he didn't mean to say it out loud.
"Honestly, not recently.' her hand instinctively began tapping the corner of her mouth as she thought. "It would be difficult given what we are going through." Her reference to the training and schooling that they both had been subjected to. "But, It wouldn't be impossible." She finally concluded, the corners of her mouth turning up in approval of her statement. He obviously had more questions but didn't seem to want to ask them at the moment. Their conversation turned to more everyday chit chat. After they finished, They went to pay. They both handed their money to Cid and he gladly took it as he began to make change, he took Tsuyu's money and gave it back to her.
"I don't need to eat for free." She said blankly. Cid laughed a little.
"You aren't. Where I come from the boyfriend pays for his lady." Before either of them could protest the claim. Cid had closed the drawer and Deku had turned Crimson. They decided to walk back to the Train Station and head home.
"So, I guess this is the end of the night?" Deku laughed seemingly sad.
"Yeah, but we can do it again soon." Tsuyu said optimistically. Smiling slightly.
"You free tomorrow?" He said eagerly smiling with a sudden passion in his eyes.
"Sure, I'm free at noon. Wanna meet at the mall?" She nodded while speaking.
"Sounds great." He smiled widely and proudly. "I'll see you tomorrow then." He turned and started to make his way to the other platform to get on the Train heading the opposite direction.
"Hey, Deku." He turned around to face her. She shot her tongue out and landed on his cheek. She quickly retreated her tongue to her mouth as the boy nearly fainted. "I'll see you soon." He simply nodded unable to speak becoming an incoherent mess. Then she realized the severity of the action she just committed. She cursed herself for acting when she had no motives to do so. She dwelled on it as she waited for the train. When the train arrived she had come no further to her answer. She sat in a seat on the night train and the vibrations created a perfect way to put anyone to a dream state.
There was yelling, But it wasn't her being yelled at, she had snapped at someone. He was trying to apologize for something. His figure was the same as earlier but the figure was blacked out.
"I'm sorry, Tsu. I didn't mean for this to happen." He seemed panicked and was unsure.
"It's alright." She said blandly.
"I know what being a hero is to you and I just made it one hundred times harder, its my fault." He stuttered and cracked.
"Hey, We are partners, Remember?" She felt compelled to say it. But not sure why.
"Yeah, Forever." He smiled through his tears, face still black.
" and Always." She felt tears stream down her face.
In reality, that was exactly what was happening, The vividness of the dream had left her with wet eyes. She wiped her eyes and began to exit the train. The narrative the story was trying to tell was obviously her in love, but what did that have to do with her as a hero. It wasn't making sense and getting pieces at different times didn't help, if they were even related. Of course, they were just dreams anyway. Her heart felt heavy as the she faded out under the obscured light of the street lamps.