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Chapter 4
Late Night Stroll
As the day grew late, the night take over the sky. It's dark and eerie atmosphere gave the perfect setting for a rundown building. From the broken down structure of the building, to the shattered windows, and the little pests that crawl in through the cracks. A absolutely disgusting place to be in….yet the protege of the notorious villain All For One was force to make this his base of operation. Base of operations is putting their situation lightly, after their last two bases were raid or discovered by a unpleasant force this was basically their desperate hideout shelter.
Inside this building was most of the usual League of Villain group minus the presence of Dabi, he was away at the moment to met someone, and Kurogiri, who went off on his own for reasons he didn't tell the others. Everyone else though, they were left to take in their dreadful situation. After all the terror they manage to cause they were reduce to this? It was obvious in the air that everyone was sick of these condition.
Spinner was disappointed that his supposive crusade to take on Stain's legacy was being spent hiding in a place that some people from the slums will look down at them for. felt humiliated that most of the planning of their next villain act have come to a stop to just finding a way to get through the next day. Twice is saying the place is a 'shithole' but then goes back on it later saying 'home is where the heart lies' or some crap like that. Toga just all around found the place disgusting to look at and the gross smell really bothers her, she was very vocal about it.
But the man who was suppose to rally the group, the leader Shigaraki. He was just lazing around, despite how far he come he still wasn't a good enough leader to always set a example to keep the group's high spirits.
Yet despite this, he seemed calm as if he's waiting for something. He knows the one thing that is keeping them down is lack of funds. Even villains as dastardly as them can't keep up their planned antics without some form of income. It's just how the world goes around.
The inactivity did cease once the entire group sensed two people enter their hideout. The group were now alert as they hear the pair of footsteps. The first person to enter was a familiar face, Dabi the group arson specialist have arrived.
"You're finally back, took you long enough." Shigaraki states as he slightly sit up on his seat.
With a grunt the User of the Blue Flames he responds to his leader "I brought a guest, make yourself look presentable."
"Oooo-whooo! Who is it?" Twice energetically ask his returning teammates, before continuing to nag at him with his grimmer alter-ego "Oi! We don't need another lackey laying around, we're already overcrowded as it is!"
"Of course it's not a useless twat, I would've killed him long a go." Dabi told him as he walks off to the side of the room "He's someone who's willing to help us not live like rats."
At the sound of this Toga, the residential psychopath school girl spoke in excitement over the news "You mean we finally found some financial support! Oh Ya~y I can finally get a nice new coat and go to a spa!" as she goes up to the teammate she was most friendly toward Twice and grab his hands, hopping up and down.
"I'm going to get me a nice Trucker Hat!" Twice responded with the same energy Toga was expressing before almost instantly going back on it by saying "Get your hands off me you broad!"
"Let's not get too excited, while I do trust Dabi actually got someone who have the ability to help us, let's not gets our hopes up before we have another guy trying to play Yakuza protective service with us again." Mr. Compress commented on the situation, it was understandable about his concerns seeing as the situation they were put in last time someone wanted to 'help' them.
"Oi, oi, oi, oi, oi, don't you know it's rude to talk about someone like they're not in the room when they're clearly are." came a new voice from the doorway. The voice was vibrant and was bursting with tons of life that echoes against the wall. The small group of three people who went off on a tangent turns back to the doorway they were met with the same sight of the rest of the group. "For a group stuck in a shit-hole like this I was expecting you to be just a little more accepting." Continued the normal human looking business man that was standing at their doorway, seemed about as tall as Mr. Compress was. He wore a traditional red business suit properly button up, a black undershirt, and tipped off with a purple Trilby hat. "I can completely understand having your suspicion about a new person, the first impression of someone is everything nowadays-" He stepped forward a bit, letting the moon light reflect off his black sunglasses as he continue talking sporting a grin "But it's almost always better to just directly ask the person."
Shigaraki seemed unimpressive by their new guest as he nonchalantly points to the new person and look toward Dabi asking "So this boring looking fodder is suppose to help our situation?"
"Ouch." The new man responded holding his chest in a mostly fake offended way "That's a little harsh don't you think."
Shigaraki didn't even give the room to defend himself as he continues "I can literally imagine sending over a dozen of you at any Hero HQ and seeing you all be taken out in a minute with minimum effort. It'll be worse than our attack on the U.S.J."
The red suited man was soon found to be facing nearest wall looking slightly disappointed as he mumbles to himself "And after all the trouble I went through to look nice, no one likes it! Lucifer must've lied to me when he said I can pull off a fedora."
Toga spoke up toward the slightly depressed man "I mean I like the hat."
The man quickly turns toward the teenage high school psychopath, even though he was sunglasses she could tell his eyes were shining…..probably…..cause he sounded cheerful as he says "I'm glad someone finally gets it~!"
"Yeah it completely suits your look. There's a reason no one wear those anymore, you outdated fraud!" Twice says as well
"You've been giving a lot of mixed messages today so Imma just ignore the other thing you said and take the compliment." The red suit man told Twice which seemed to both tick him off and…...well it mostly just tick him off.
"Well I think it looks lovely and whoever picked it out have great taste." Toga added in
As the red suited man takes out a notepad to write a remainder to himself, the banter was quickly stopped by a more chilling voice.
"Can someone get this clown out of here?" These were the words of the League of Villain's leader, he have had enough of this guy who seem to just be dicking around. Usually he'll try to be a little bit more patience when dealing with stupid people, he had a lot of run-ins with idiotic villains when he planned that U.S.J assault. But considering their situation at hand he really wasn't in the mood to deal with another idiot. Twice is already enough of a annoyance at times.
Surprisingly Dabi was the one who stood up for the new guest "Well I fully agree that this guy act like a clown, you should hear him-"
"Nah don't worry about it." The red suited man quickly interrupted the Dabi, he takes off his purple fedora with his black glove covered hands and quickly toss his sunglasses in there as well. "It's my fault for wearing outside clothes for a interview. Let's start again but with a proper introduction."
With the hat the red suited man, brush back his crimson color hair back, getting it to his preferred hairstyle of a medium-short length hair that lean back in a spiky fashion. It had a messy look that almost seemed like he walked out on a windy day. He reopened his eyes to show his sclera were pitch black with violet eyes.
"Just call me The Crimson Dealer." He announced
Shigaraki only grunted at the name, he still wasn't at all entertained by Crimson.
"I'm proud of the name so I'm not changing it." The Crimson Dealer says as he sets a slim looking black suitcase he seemingly got from the hallway onto the floor, unlocking it as he continues "But I take it you're someone who just really want to get to it point, like that one Coworker who only pays attention to the first 5 minutes of staff meeting. So-" He then slides it over toward the slim but deadly leader of the villains "Let's cut out all the bullshit and I'll just show what I can offer." he claims confidently.
At first Shigaraki was slightly hesitant to open the suitcase, not out of fear but because he wonder if this goofball can actually provide something worthwhile. Everyone else in the room was curious to see what was in the vase as well. Seeing as there's no harm in opening, since if it was some kind of trap or prank that the others will instantly have the guy killed, he decide to open it.
What he was met with was a suitcase almost completely filled with Yen.
Toga eyes light up happily.
"Just a little under $90,000 in there." Crimson says "Ah~! I meant there's 10,000,000 Yen in there. I did a lot of research online on how much Yen you can fit in a suitcase but I could only find the america value so i had to do a lot of back and forth, remeasuring, and counting just for this cool effect. I know it probably doesn't even hold a candle to the kind of budget All For One could give but I guess if this is where you guys have to hideout in, a Technology Electrical Engineer's year worth of salary isn't bad eh?"
There were murmurs among the League members, most just being sighs of relief that it seem like they can now afford to live in a place that have a running water system.
Shigaraki didn't reply or look phase as he continue to look at the content of the case.
"One of my strong suits is knowing when and how to appeal to people." Crimson continued on, seemingly just talking to himself at this place.
"Can I ask you something?" Shigaraki questions, not looking away from the suitcase. The Crimson Dealer look toward him, but before he could truly respond Shigaraki dropped a odd question. "What's stopping us from just taking your money and killing you."
The room go silent
The Crimson Dealer just smiles "Absolutely nothing." he says with no fear.
This was a response the young leader was not expecting, he felt a slight amount of anger, was this guy not taking him seriously. He goes on to say "Oh so you do understand your position right now?"
"The fastest way to grow is to accept a situation for what it is and act on it. So I live life accepting how things are and can be." The Crimson Dealer states as he take a quick look around the room "I mean if we're being honestly I'm at a utter disadvantage here. Half a dozen people here, some with incredibly powerful quirks, you're all criminal who have shown to not blink an eye to doing some savage acts, your situation put you in a desperate state where you're willing to do heinous acts, I'm alone, and I just plop a suitcase filled with money at your feet. I'm lucky I wasn't robbed the second I entered. Course that's only if I focus solely on fighting" he mumbles the final part silently to himself as he goes on "But realistically you shouldn't"
"And why so?" Shigaraki asked, curious about what this man had to say, his anger was slowly dying away.
With a big grin that really showed of his teeth the Crimson Dealer spoke "It's as simple saying don't kill the golden goose."
With dried eyes the slim figure man stared down the man "You really think of yourself as a Golden Goose like you're shitting out golden eggs?" the anger started to pile on again.
"No no no" The Crimson Dealer state waving his hand casually "Just the meaning of the story of don't kill what's supporting you. I know most of you are young and don't know a lot about true business but think about your situation." He pace around in a small circle pointing a finger to the ceiling "I mean let's be honest, if you did just decide to kill me here and now you'll only be getting the money I've given you all now."
Shigaraki squints before asking "Why so?"
"Of course I have a high amount of security of my assets, structured like a well made Jenga tower. A thousand moves could make the entire thing fall apart and nobody gets anything, yet only I know the right move to make everything run smoothly. That's only if you can even find the source of where I get it from, or do you think I regularly look like this? Am I taller and I have a quirk that can make me appear shorter or maybe a quirk that allows me to make a identical dummy. Point is, like a few noteworthy people here I have a fairly normal second life that I obviously have to keep separate and secret." The man's violet eyes quickly flashes toward members like Dabi, , and Twice. He could easily tell that they're people who desperately want to keep what they secretly pretend to be during the day time of society.
As the man look at Shigaraki he could tell that while he hated how wordy he was being, he seemed slightly interested to where he was going with this.
"So taking me out won't get you anything but just more blood on your hand, so let's go with the idea that you all decided to have the mindset of a common crook thinking just the money in the case is enough. How long do you really think that money will last you? Cause it won't be long if it's you guys."
This draws in the attention of the rest of the group for their own various reasons.
The Crimson Dealer twirls his fingers around as he continue "Of course 10 Mil Yen is a lot of money especially to a normal person. But for young villains like you this money will become nothing more than a season budget. Just now when you saw that open suitcase what was the first things you thought of spending with it? Probably a nice place to actually call a decent base? New gear? Probably new members? And I certainly know one of you would just buy stuff you don't need? How much of that 10 mil will be left after the initial spending binge? Probably will be back here within 6 months. Cause you won't be able to use that money alone to properly start some kind of consistent income for a multitude of reasons. If you kids were actually skillful enough to do that, you would've never been here to begin with and would've taken advantage of the kind of support you were getting before."
The way the man spoke, despite the word choices at times it had 0 amount of condescending in his tone. It was completely calm and collective as if he was just informing the group of a possibility. His presentation seem only thematic, in fact it felt like he was purposely making it thematic.
Crimson then turns toward Shigaraki before finishing off his little speech with "So why just screw yourself over for a quick amount of cash by killing me when you can easily just secure at least some form of steady income."
Mr. Compress turns toward Dabi "I can now see what you saw in him, he certainly can give a nice performance in a good way."
The calm demeanor of the Crimson Dealer almost instantly broke down as he does multiple bows toward Mr. Compress truly flatter, almost blushing as he babbles "Oh you have no idea how many times I had to rehearse a speech for what you might say like it's a board meeting presentation."
The actual respect had for the man was quickly diminish with a sweat drop.
Shigaraki stayed silent for a while, before one of his signature smiles appeared on his face "Alright, I'll hear you out." he says "What do you want?"
"At the moment, nothing, just continuing to wreak havoc everywhere goes along nicely with my goals."Crimson told him "Just think of me as your cool childhood uncle, unlike a parent I don't loom over you or bite your ear off over everything little thing but I still provide support as often as I can and all I ask in return is just a few favors if something on my side of life ever comes up."
After dealing with a flash of PTSD Shigaraki wanted to get one thing clear "So you're just throwing money at us basically to just continue doing what we've been doing in return for small tasks you have no idea if you're ever gonna use."
"Sounds like a decent deal on your part, no?" Crimson replied back giving a closed eye smile
The twisted smile Shigaraki usually sports forms on his face "That sounds thrilling."
The Crimson Dealer clapped his hands together "So I take it we have a deal?"
"Yeah sure, it'll be a pleasure doing business with you." Shigaraki says in a very chilling tone/
"I appreciate your time, I have thank-you presents." The Crimson Dealer says pointing toward the 6 different shopping bags that was sitting on the corner of the room.
Everyone in the room looked at the bag in shock, they definitely weren't there when he first arrived, and by Dabi's expression he didn't have them on him as they walked over.
Spinner tried to get to the bottom of it by asking "When did you-"
Yet Crimson already interrupt him by putting a 'Shhh' motion with his finger and lips before saying "We all have our secrets, don't concern yourself with it." he picked up the bags and walked around the room handing one to each of the members, each bag had a marking initials that matches each villain's name "I did a little research on you guys and made a guess about what you might like."
Mr. Compress had gotten tiny smoke pellets, probably to improve his performances. Spinner seemed truly happy about getting a knife left behind by Stain that was used in a battle against a hero, there was still some blood on it. No one knows what Dabi got cause he burned the entirety of the bag after taking a look inside of it. Twice gotten seemingly a regular rubber duck toy that can do flips, he seems to mostly enjoy it.. Shigaraki was given one of the newest handheld consoles, even though it's been quite a while since he last played a game. Toga was the last one to get her gift, which she happily opened to find it out to be a nice silk scarf and some scented spray.
Toga pounces around happily about her gift ramble about how much she loved it and how with this it'll be easier to be someone.
Dabi sighs as he say "I'm just happy I didn't have to deal with his constant banter for nothing." as he remember how this man did a similar performance when they first encounter each other. It took well over a month of constant chats till he felt like this person was legitimate and wasn't a trap…..or a complete idiot he should burn to death.
"I'm glad at least most of you enjoy your gift, let this be the start of a nice relationship." said the red colored Man as he puts back on his sunglasses and purple hat "We can solidify our deal another time when you're ready. Dabi knows how to contact me, bye bye, Mr. Shigaraki."
With a few goodbyes The Crimson Dealer Dealer made his leave from the base, exiting through the alleyways. As he met with with one of his underling dressed in a regular with sunglasses as well.
"How did it go sir?" The underling ask as he walked by his boss
"Extremely well, I told you guys just be likeable, reasonable and spoil people they'll trust a lot quicker." The Crimson Dealer says, feeling especially pleased with himself "But I gotta hand it to my dear boy, while the hat choice was a mix reception, he did a near perfect job getting the gifts in without anyone noticing. An air of mystery is always good to establish we're not just a joke. I gave him the rest of the night off for his B-rate effort.."
While the boy continue to speak of the experience he just went through casually his underling had a bit of concern with how casual he was. He tried to speak up about it "Uh boss."
The Crimson Dealer seems to not hear him as he continue speaking "I should probably introduce him to that Toga girl, I like her style." before letting out a joyish chuckle.
"Boss!" The underling spoke up, this seem to have actually gotten his attention as he takes this chance to ask "We're dealing with a group whose crazily enough to attack the Top Hero school while the former number 1 hero was still active. Is it ok to be be so casual, they might take advantage of us if-"
WHAM
The underling was frozen stiff as his eyes slowly pans to the side to see his boss's gloveless hand planted firmly against the wall, seeing the veins of his hand pulsing rapidly.
"You know bud, I don't remember your job being to worry about my business." Crimson was tone shifted from a more mellow tone voice to something more rigged doused in aggravation. He slowly took off his sunglasses with his free hand, though his eyes was close he gave a smile that show he was obvious holding back what seemed like anger. "In fact I don't think I remember even bringing you along for a purpose anymore then to just drive me back."
A cold shiver went down the Underling's spine at the last few words as he hesitate to murmur "S-sorry sir, it was just a concern-"
"Concern about what!?" The Crimson Dealer voice echoed throughout the alley way as he black filled eyes stared down toward his subordinate, the violet color in the middle shined down dagger toward the man. The smile was gone. "It's common business ethics 10-fucking-1, good communicating relationship! Make other groups want to work with you through being likable not by having a flexing competition." As he continues to speak, his underling can hear crackles from behind him. The wall began having fractures spawning from the spot Crimson's hand was, a vein bulge on the side of her forehead "Overly professional bullshit never ends well, no one wants to work with or for someone they think literally have a giant ego stick up their ass to have a normal human conversation! This is real life not trying to act out a scene from God Father!"
The Crimson Dealer's slowly leans his face in closer to his subordinate's face, causing the underling to turn away slightly, he couldn't take those violet eye peering out of the shadows of the night was getting a bit too much to take.
"Oi~ mate. Do you treat your girlfriend like she's your annoying little brother?" Crimson questioned him.
The subordinate didn't want to speak so he just shook his head.
"It's the same here, you don't befriend your children and you don't parent your friends." Crimson continued talking as his voice seems to be getting a bit softer "I'm looking for partnership to a group that happen to be doing stuff that support my ideals, I specify being a uncle for a reason! I have better things to do then try to prove to a bunch of teenagers that I'm have a commanding dong. Like a uncle if they do the things I like I'll continue to support them, if not-"
CRACK!
"I'll cut them off till they get back on track…Like a good uncle" he says the last part more lightheartedly as he draw his hand back.
To the surprise of the subordinate his boss's hand had a chunk of the wall still attached to the hand, his fingers indented into it. "Gotta take this home, can't be leaving fingerprints laying around." Crimson chuckled as he puts back on his sunglasses and toward his waiting car. His subordinate quickly rush to caught up to get to the car, not wanting to anger his boss again this night or else that piece of wall he pulled out would be his head.
On the opposite side of the spectrum the nightly atmosphere that fill the streets can produce a lot of uplifting moment we never knew we appreciated so much.
Following the two young teenager walking out of the hardware store, both with two bags filled with bolt, screws, and other materials that you would usually question why two 16 year olds like them would be buying at this time. It didn't seem to bother the two teenagers as they chatted like two good friend as they walked alone in the streets.
"I still can't believe you brought so many screws just to maintenance your gear." Uraraka giggled as she points out the bag filled with multiple packs of metal bolts "The store stockers really didn't like going to back just to get you more carriage bolt. People looked at us as if you were trying to build a robot."
This comment cause the broccoli hair boy's face flash a tint of red, diverging his eyesight away from her as he defends himself "I-i like to experiment and try to be able to update my gear by myself! Can't be relying on Hatsume every time."
As Midoriya looks back to her he saw how she was off to the side mumbling something.
"-Her tools aren't even that good." Uraraka muttered completely under her breath.
"Uh Uraraka." Deku said to her, interrupting her mutters
She shook for a second before turning back to Deku scratching the back of her head "Oh it's nothing sorry about that."
Taking her word for Deku tried to turn the conversation against her "I'm not the only one who brought weird stuff, why did you need wooden planks?"
"Uhhh, you know how I was doing training early today…...this is for that." She states to him
Being utterly puzzled by what someone with her quirk would need wooden planks for he ask "What kind of Unorthodox training is that?"
"It's just me working on a weakness of my Quirk." Uraraka states almost feeling embarrass mentioning it "I just slightly overdid it today."
(So that's why she was so sick earlier today, must've really pushed her limits) Midoriya thought to himself "I'm happy to see you're working hard."
The young brunette's widen in delight of the compliment, unable to help growing a goofy smile on her face. Trying to play it off she response to him in a modest tone "Oh no really, I'm just doing the basics of being a hero. I'm not gonna fall behind you and Iida." ending it with a confidence filled fist pump to the air.
"Can I help?" Deku excitedly ask
In a quick panic Uraraka basically squealed in a crack voice "AH NO!" before quickly covering her mouth in embarrassment. Her outburst have gotten the attention of a few on looking but it quickly deteriorated as they continued to walk on.
Deku, being caught really off guard by her rejection instinctually put a little bit of distance between them. A little meaning a good 3 feet apart.
Seeing the distance she just created it was best she calmed herself down. Clapping her hands together for a apology.
Deku accepting it's safe to speak now continues "Can I atleast watch the next time you're training, I like to think I can possibly think of new ideas for my own-"
"You can't watch either!?" Uraraka spoke up again, this time it was a lot more self-contained.
"Why not?" Ask the boy as he wondered when was she secretive about her training.
"B-because you'll be caught in the…..rainbow sprinkler." The last part was heavily said with hesitation as the girl retreated her face back into her coconut shaped hair.
"Rainbow…..Sprinkler?" Deku repeated in confusion to what it meant.
Uraraka fumbled explain it "It's…..when…..I….Waaaaah don't make me spell it out!" she yelled as she covered her dark red shaded face."
"Look who's going 'Waaaah' now." Midoriya teased her, referring back to her little teasing session she had with Ashido in the dorms.
"This situation is different and I don't do it nearly a often as you!" Uraraka whined back, putting up a pouting voice.
"I never go 'Waaaah'." Deku replied back instantly.
Uraraka turns toward him stating "Yes you do, you do it at least once a week!"
"Lies!" Deku told her
Then silence loomed over them before they both broke out in a friendly chuckle. It helped dial down the situation back to a friendlier tone.
"But seriously, will there ever be a time I can see your training?" Deku asked her, getting the conversation back on track
Ochaco twirls her head around a bit as she thought about it before saying "Possibly, right now it's in a 'non-audience friendly' state." That at least was her explanation, in her thought however (I can never let anyone, especially Izuku-chan to see the mess I always make during the training. I'll die of embarrassment!)
The conversation continue on to more casual things, eventually dying down back to them just walking down the streets, only making a few comments once every few minutes. Until someone in a white hoodie caught Uraraka's attention for having a variety of fruit flavored popsicle in his hands, he didn't speak much but was nice enough to point out the location of the seller. It took a lot of convincing from Uraraka to get Deku to agree to go get some with her, who wasn't sure if they should risk being out past curfew just for some Ice Cream. But Uraraka practically dragged Deku over there by the hand while talking of a rare chance in life he can't possibly miss.
Once they did find the popsicle seller they were lucky enough to find out that they had only 3 popsicle left for the night. Uraraka basically insisted that she pay for it since she was the one who asked, but Deku's chivalry clashed with her as he wanted to pay for it as thank you for coming out with him in the first place and knew that the girl didn't have a lot of wriggle room financially. The Popsicle Seller, just wanting to go home for this took quite a bit of time, just told them each to pay for one at half price and he'll just give the last one for free.
They tried to apology and pay for all three at full price but the Vendor stuck to his deal, mostly because he really just wanted to go home. Accepting, they took their new frozen treats and went on their way but again Uraraka made him stop at a park bench.
"We really should be heading to the dorms." Deku states again to her as he really did not want to get punished again by Aizawa.
Sitting them both down she took out two of the three popsicles and held them in her hand "I know I know, but you just got gotta try this." Taking the popsicle with the flavor named 'Strawberry' and began unwrapping it "This specific brand of popsicle isn't available in most stores. It's run by a very small business, sold mostly through traveling vendors."
"That doesn't really sound like a good business strategy." Deku commented, to him it seem smarter to have a more stationed vendor to a more consistent and loyal customer base.
"Apparently the owner just loves the idea of old style merchant moving. Which sucks because these are the best~." She says as after a small struggle, manages to open the first of the popsicle. The first thing she did was hold it toward her male friend with shining eyes saying "Taste."
Midoriya was a bit hesitant but agree, taking the reddish popsicle into his hand, and taking a lick. The taste sweet & berry sour invade his taste buds, it felt like the essence of spring sprinkled with sugar was on his tongue.
"Oh wow this is pretty good." He said as he looked pretty happy, though this frozen treat was good it didn't seem, risk getting in trouble to get good "Probably a top 15 frozen-"
"Shhhh, here." Uraraka interrupt him, holding the second pinkish popsicle unwrapped, this time labeled 'Cherry'.
Deku took it with his other hand and examine the popsicle, he couldn't help but compare the pinkish color to Uraraka's puffy cheeks. He stole a glance at her and saw how she was looking at him in anticipation for him to take another taste of the Cherry treat. He knew the girls of the dorms all enjoyed their sweets but this seemed like she was waiting for him to experience some holy occurrence. So he took a lick.
This time a more unique sour then sweet, tart taste wrapped around his tongue. While he preferred the Strawberry one more this one wasn't so bad. But again, it wasn't something that seem to live up to the excitement that Uraraka was expressing.
Yet he didn't want to upset her, especially before they got back to the dorm so he tried to move the conversation along "I can see why you like them so much but we-"
He never got to finish his sentence, in a split sentence he realized that fact that people interrupting him was a common occurrence and thought maybe one day to fix that. But that day wasn't today.
His fluffy friend had softly grab the boy's wrist causing to stop speaking due to the sudden touch, as she used them to push both of the popsicles toward his mouth.
"This is the best paaart~" Uraraka says all giggly, her face was only 6 inches apart, and had a red tint that grew on his face. She shined with youthful energy, almost as if she was a child for she was practically bouncing around in her seat from all her excess energy.
Having her so close to him, technically holding hands was a bit much for a boy with slight social inexperience. His face broke in out in a full blushes and even tried to thought about breaking away from her but her grip was pretty firm.
"Taste them both at the same!" She exclaims happily tilting the popsicles toward them, pressing the tip of them against his lips.
Deku was more focus on their contact then the actual conversation.
"Just a bite!" Uraraka pressed on, shifting even closer to him.
5 inches apart.
She continue to encourage him to do his request "Just take a small chunk of both!"
4 inches apart.
Finally coinciding to her request, he slowly opens his mouth just enough to let Uraraka put in just a tiny chunk of each into the mouth before breaking them off to sit on his tongue.
His mind instantly stopped worrying about meaningless things like girls or getting back in time for curfew as he taken into another by the flavors that infiltrated his mouth. He didn't even know how but the sweet taste of the strawberry mixed in the mostly tart of cherry to create this mysterious but mythical flavor. It was so appealing to Deku that, without a word, he went for another piece. Biting off a much larger piece with no fear then his initial one. The vary of flavor was so great that he needed to lean against the bench as his mind seem to be taken to the astral zone.
The coconut hair girl nodded to herself in approval, knowing now that he knew the full potential of these treats.
Quickly snapping out of his daze, Deku looked toward Uraraka with shining eyes as well "That…..was….PLUS ULTRA!" he exclaim, accidentally shifting his face to look like All Might.
Usually Uraraka would call him out for weird faces but in the excitement from the treat made her let it slide "Mhm, mhm, I tried doing this mixing tactic with other brands but they never worked! That's why I say these are the best!" she tells him, before putting up his popsicle filled hand so she could take a bite as well.
If her eyes were shining before, they were now sparkling brighter than the stars that hang above them. Clapping her hands against her cheek as she savor the flavor in her mouth, squirm around in pure joy. Midoriya even thought he heard her humming a tune.
It was adorable to look at, too bad Deku was more focus on taking another bite, which he did. He was right there with her as they both bath in the joy of the treat. They kept trading off turns taking bite more and more that neither of them noticed how their face were now only two inches apart or how they were basically sharing not one but two popsicles. The amount of indirect kisses made that night were staggering.
Eventually they ran out and in desperate they each took the sticks to suck off of in attempt to get some resemblance of what they were previously getting. Uraraka was the first to finish her stick and was still wanting for more. So much so that without thinking she actually took out the one Deku was still sucking on and was about to put in her own, before the look of surprise Deku gave her made her stop. He practically jumped away from him before regaining her composure of herself.
Clearing their throats they both agreed that they should probably get going home. Making haste the two red face Hero-In-Training continued and their now speed walk home. They didn't speak much leaving a silence that befall the streets they were on but they still walked together at the same distance they were beforehand. Luckily the occurrence didn't put a distance between them.
Using this silence Midoriya reflected off of what Ashido have told him. The words echoed in his mind.
Uraraka liked him.
Strange thing is, he didn't know exactly how to respond to it. Should he bring it up now and see where it leads or will that just lead to awkward discussion that'll lead nowhere and possibly even reveal who inform him of it? If it does get reveal who told him, it might cause a fracture in their relationship, worst then what occurred earlier that day. Them doing some naughty deeds would shake things up but at least it was just a compulsive attention of human desires. Telling the secret of someone who isn't prepared to let it out is less about the actual action but more of the betrayal of trust.
If only Ashido had said that Uraraka was pursuing a relationship or at least that she was comfortable about it, he would've felt more comfortable bringing it up at this moment. With the fact that he knows he's terrible in these situation, the chance of things going wrong seem to greatly out weight the chance of nothing bad happening at all. He decided on letting it sit for a bit, he can wait for developments of the situation later. At least till she start showing signs toward him, then he can bring it up natural.
Before he knew it they just manage to get back to the entrance of the dorm before the curfew.
Taking the bag she helped carry Deku told Uraraka "Again, thanks for the help and the uh….treat."
"Don't worry about it, by the way you can keep the third popsicle." she said nodding before quickly walking off into the building with wave "Talk to you later~" before she was gone.
Smiling Midoriya went inside as well, greeting a few of his friends before getting chased off to his room when a conversation with Bakugou about his gear was somehow taken as a insult that the feisty teenager was incompetence to think of new innovative ways to upgrade his gear.
Catching his breath he packed up the screw he just brought as he'll deal with them later and put the remaining popsicle into the mini-fridge he had in his room. Thank goodness he manage to find room to fit one in with all his All Might merchandise. It was real useful keeping personal food and items in his room instead of having to put it in the common kitchen, so in case he's hiding from Kacchan again he wouldn't be force to go out for food.
It wasn't till he layed back on his bed did he really realize how tired he was. It wasn't as tired as he was when he was cleaning the beach but it was obvious that his body needed some rest. But like other times he manage to fight off the urge to sleep, he remembered how he didn't do he nightly practice using Shoot Style. Changing to his gym uniform he took his phone, a towel, and a water bottle outside.
Unknown to him as he was out back training, he was being watch by the Brunette friend he was just recently with. She watched him with care before pulling herself away to walk happily to her room. As she entered she pounced around her room like she just won the lottery, she just came across another hurler in her life.
"We were so close back there and he didn't pull away!" She cheered to herself "I even last over a full minute that close with running away, I'm getting better everyday!"
When she finally settled down she went to her desk that had plans for her training schedule. It had a lot of scratch out, rewrites, and wasn't even the first draft of the plan. It was a grueling training program for her as she was always left feeling sick at the end of t, but it was worth.
"Little by little, I'm getting closer to my goal." she said to herself as she starts recording her progress for the day, once she was finish she looked back at her past entries for her new plan.
Day 1 - 3.4 seconds - Mostly Stationary
Day 2 - 3.5 seconds - Mostly Stationary
Day 3 - 4 seconds - Mostly Stationary
….
Day 13 - 5 seconds - Very Slight Movement
She smiled for how far she have come "Just wait Izuku when I'm satisfied with my training, I'll be able to keep up with you as a hero. Maybe then" she stated to herself, holding a hand to her chest "I'll be brave enough to tell you how I wanna stand by you."
She stayed like that for a while before going back to work. About a hour passed before she got a idea and got up.
Outside the dorms, Izuku had just finish his nightly training. Returning to his phone he saw that he had gotten a text message not too long ago.
Uraraka: Hey, you're still doing your own training right? -11:12
Deku: Yes, I just finished a quick night session. Sorry for not replying sooner -11:30
Uraraka: It's fine, I don't expect anyone 2 be glued to a phone. -11:35
Deku: So what you need to know about my training? -11:37
Uraraka: Nothing nothing -11:37
Uraraka: Just wanted you know it was a personal reason why I couldn't let you see me train -11:38
Deku: Oh don't worry I understand -11:38
Uraraka: But you know, I wouldn't mind watching you train next time -11:38
Uraraka: Do you know who just scream? -11:39
Uraraka: You there? -11:45
Deku: Oh no must've been Bakugou or something -11:48
Deku: Anyways I wouldn't mind, I'll let you know the next time I'm doing a training session. -11:48
Uraraka: Alright that's great, I'm heading to bed. Text you later? -11:48
Deku: Talk to you tomorrow -11:49
Putting down his phone Deku sighed before turning to someone "Thank Todoroki for the coaching."
"You kinda just barge in here but I'm always happy to help." Todoroki plainly told him as he was finishing up his homework.
On the girl's side of the room Uraraka rested her phone against herself smiling. She just gotten over another hurdle. This accomplishment helped her drift off to a wonder slumber. She gotta be sure to thank her friend Ashido for the advice that help her make this change in her life.
***END OF CHAPTER 4***
TO BE CONTINUE
(((TO BE CONTINUED. Tell me what you think, also check out the youtube version of this series to help support the series, channel name is the same here 'Hero DarkyDark'. Also I got a Discord chat, so if you wanna chat or hang out with the community consider joining, code for it is /XunT8bu . Leave a review and tell me what you think.)))
