Chapter 9: Izuko and Yui
Imagine for as long as you can remember you only had one dream. That dream may be far and hard to reach, yet you've devoted your entire being in order to reach out for that sole dream. This dream of yours was not only for yourself, but also as a means to help others.
This dream is the one of becoming a hero.
Becoming a hero in this age is not that hard, honestly. There are even schools created that are focused on giving the best education regarding young aspiring heroes.
With such opportunities and possibilities, you're dream start to look clearer and nearer for you.
Yet one day, you've learned that you haven't one aspect most people require to be a decent hero. Though it may not really be a strict requirement to be had, but it is incredibly difficult to achieve that status of a hero if you don't have one.
That is the possession of a quirk.
You've waited patiently in your childhood the manifestation of your quirk, eagerly yet patiently. However, one day you've learned the fact that you've no chance to develop a quirk. You try to believe that is just a lie or there might've been a mistake.
But it was the inevitable truth.
Breaking down and alone, you hope that somehow even without a quirk you can be the hero you've always dreamt of. Holding on to a fleeting dream with zero chance of it happening. You convince yourself that if you try hard enough somehow you can make it.
However, no one would believe you.
Instead, they mock you for it.
You become a laughing stock of the people around you. Words of insults and belittlement were spat right in front of your face. You become horribly mistreated. You get bullied almost everyday. You get hurt both physically and mentally. The adults who you rely on left you alone to fend for yourself.
However, you don't fight back.
You cling onto that dream of yours and ignore all the pain you've receive.
All the wounds you've receive physically and mentally, you ignore each and every one of them.
The pain was something you can ignore.
But scars remain.
Each passing day you get bullied and no one tried to help you. Each day they would do everything they want with you as they all laughed out loud with each other. Each day your dream gets pissed on with such smug looks on their faces.
Imagine enduring all of that with a pasted smile on your face.
You ignored the pain.
But scars remain.
You've persevered your whole life the amount of ridicule you've recieved from other people without saying a single word against them. You've watched in silence because you were stupid enough to believe that you were powerless to do anything.
Soon, you're entire being becomes covered in scars that you've no longer have an easy time recognizing if you're still the same person inside.
Such blasphemy right?
To endure all of that without uttering a single word.
There's no way to forgive any of that.
Then one day in your most dire of circumstances you were given a certain chance.
The chance to obtain power to work on your dream that you've believe was too far to reach.
You accept that power and obtain the capability to turn your dream into a reality. You study how to use your power and slowly you learn. Your mind turns sharper and mature as your body becomes stronger and faster. You take several steps forward and start to chase your dream.
Your life changes and you start to view everything around you in a different shade of light. You work hard and eventually your dream seemed nearer.
Then one day you see one of your so-called 'friends' look at you with the same inextricably judgemental gaze they've looked at you before.
Suddenly your memories of torment that you've set aside in the corner of your mind came rushing out. Despite your implied lack of interest, those memories started to flood up your mind. You try to ignore everything, but you soon notice something within yourself.
You realize the amount of scars you were covered with. The scars covered your entire being to the point where you could no longer recognize yourself.
Just then something within you cracked.
You start to fantasize what sort of actions you can do the ones who mocked and laughed at you. How much embarrassment can you bring to the ones who insulted you in front of other people. Just how much pain you can inflict to the ones who've hurt you while you were unable to fight back.
Then the opportunity arises where you can act out all the things you've fantasized about. Without anything to hold you back, you take steps forward in a confident stride.
You walk.
You seek.
You enclose.
You fight.
If you get hit, you hit back.
With your fists you punch back.
With your legs you kick back.
With your power you fight back.
Until one is no longer standing, you continue to fight back.
You receive pain, but inflict pain right back. In your mind sprouts ideas on what action to do next. Once you've decided, you act it out. Seeing the results of your action, you grow satisfied. You scramble your mind on what action to do next.
The feeling of the pain and humiliation you inflict brings you a sensation akin glee and pleasure.
As you finish with one action after another, you start to search your mind automatically on what to do next.
Do this over and over again and eventually...
... you grow to enjoy it.
Was it wrong for her to seek out revenge?
Was it wrong for her to ask for payment?
If so, then is her being laughed at because of her believing her fleeting dream correct?
Does her dreaming of becoming a hero despite being powerless a mistake?
Were the words of insults spat unto her the correct way?
Was the verbal and physical bullying done to her justified?
Izuko stood there confused as she stared at Yui Kodai whom were standing right in front of her.
Yui Kodai rushed in between Izuko and Katsuki as soon as she grabbed the attention of Izuko. While her legs were standing firm, her body was slightly trembling.
Hearing several loud explosion and noises in the lower floor she became worried. After being ensured by both Tetsutetsu and Ochaco, she made her way down to the first floor with haste. What she saw was something made her feel afraid. She saw the sight of Izuko slowly approaching the student, Katsuki, whom was laying on the floor motionless. In her following movements, Izuko raised her leg and seemed to be preparing to swung it down towards Katuski's head.
She yelled Izuko's name and when she turned Yui felt chills all over her spine that made her body shiver cold. On Izuko's face, Yui saw an expression of pure malicious intent. An expression she never knew Izuko could show. It was an expression that frightened her greatly, not because of how scary it looked, but the possibility of what actions a person can do with such an expression.
Before she could even think about what to do, Yui found her boy moving on its own. She ran all the way in front of Izuko in order to come between and the motionless Katsuki.
"What do you think you're doing, Yui?" Izuko asked with firmness in her tone.
Yui flinched slightly at the unexpected grim tone of voice from Izuko, but she stood her ground nonetheless. "What do you mean what am I doing? Izuko, what were you about to do him?"
Izuko tilted her head to the side as if she was utterly confused by the question thrown to her by Yui. "I was just about to do defeat him."
"Defeat him?" Yui narrowed her eyes as she stared at Izuko. She found hard to believe. Looking back, she saw Katsuki all beaten up and weakened struggling in vain to get up. "Defeating him? Can't you see? He's already beaten." Turning her sights back at Izuko, she asked.
"No."
"What do you mean no?" Yui asked confused.
"It's not enough."
"What's not enough?"
"Just this won't cut it."
"I'm getting confused here Izuko!" Yui raised her voice. She could no longer bare seeing Izuko with such an expression on her face.
"This is not even remotely enough." Izuko replied with her brows furrowed deeply. "Not just yet! He's not down yet! Not just yet!"
Izuko took a step forward, but Yui took one as well albeit with a trembling leg.
"Not remotely enough?" Yui repeated. "What? Is your thrist for revenge still not quenched?"
Izuko's eyes grew wide as Yui's words reached her eyes. She found the words and action done by Yui severely baffling.
"What?"
"You said it before right? You two had a past together?" Yui stated as she recalled Izuko's words earlier just before the test begun. "You said that he hates your guts and it's quite obvious that you hate his guts as well. It's clear that what you did to him was not solely for the intent of rendering him out for the test but for something else entirely."
"What do you know about it?" Izuko asked with anger slowly mixing in her tone of voice. "What can you possibly know about it!?"
"I can tell that something bad has happened between the two of you!" Yui yelled right back at Izuko. "I don't know exactly what, I can't read minds. But it will be clear for anyone who sees the sight of you two!"
Izuko was slowly feeling her anger well up within her body. Not only was Katsuki still fine, she was being viewed by Yui with such eyes.
"You don't even know what happened!" Izuko yelled with such a volume that Yui flinched from it. She pointed her finger down to Katuski and began to explain. "That bastard is the one who gave me the most torment in my past!"
"What do you mean?"
"Was it wrong for a child to dream of being a hero despite her being quirkless!? Was it wrong for a someone to do her best to get close to her dream even just a little bit!? Was it wrong for me to continue on hoping that I can become a hero who can make everyone smile!?"
"...N-no."
"Then why are you standing between me and him!? He ridiculed me for being a quirkless kid who continued on believing she can be a hero! He insulted me! He humiliated me! He bullied in front of everyone while they laughed! When I was down, he kicked me further down! He trampled on any attempt I tried to work on my dream! He called me worthless! He called me useless! He harassed me as others stood there and watched!"
Hearing the words shouted out by Izuko, Yui felt lost. She couldn't believe that such a thing happened to Izuko who seemed so strong and confident. If such a thing to someone, surely somewhere deep inside them they would seek out revenge in any form. In Izuko's case it wouldn't be too far fetched for her to feel the need for payback.
Yui tried to deny it, but a part of her understood why Izuko was acting the way she was. If such a torment would befall on her, she won't act the same way Izuko does, but deep inside something convinced her otherwise.
The scene before her was of the tormentor laying helplessly on the ground while the tormented stood proud and strong. Was such a scene wrong? Sure it was not. But Yui just couldn't help but feel she mustn't let Izuko continue.
"Step aside Yui."
"...N-no Izuko."
"JUST WHY!?" Izuko shouted unable to understand Yui inherent decision to not let her pass through.
Truthfully, she didn't really know the reason why she was so adamant about standing in between Izuko and Katsuki. She understood why Izuko felt the way she did and why she decided to act out on her revenge. But something felt wrong about her. It didn't feel right. A part of understood Izuko, while another part of her wanted Izuko to stay away from her intended path of revenge.
"...Y-you can't, Izuko." Yui said in a voice so low it could considered as a whisper. "It's not right."
It was here that Izuko snapped.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN IT'S NOT RIGHT!?" Izuko yelled at the top of her lungs unable to comprehend just why Yui wouldn't let her do as she please. The sight of Yui protecting Katsuki rubbed her in the most wrong way. "IS THERE SOMETHING AWFULLY WRONG WITH YOUR HEAD!? YOU WANT ME TO GO ABOUT AND IGNORE THAT PIECE OF FILTH RIGHT THERE THAT HARASSED ME JUST BECAUSE HE FELT LIKE DOING IT!? THAT FILTH RIGHT THERE THAT BULLIED ME JUST BECAUSE IT MADE HIM FELT STRONG!? YOU WANT ME TO FORGET EVERYTHING HE DID AND JUST LEAVE HIM RIGHT HERE AND THEN!? THAT'S FUCKING BULLSHIT!"
Yui trembled hearing Izuko. Every words Izuko spouted stabbed Yui in her chest. She felt hurt and pained. She felt so sorry that she was unable to process the amount of suffering Izuko went through. She felt so sorry that even though she heard Izuko's story here she was still standing right in front of her just because she felt wrong to just let Izuko have her way.
"IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU!? HOW CAN YOU EVEN TELL ME TO STOP MYSELF AFTER EVERYTHING THAT FILTH HAD DO-"
Before Izuko could even finish with her sentence, Yui spoke cutting Izuko mid-sentence.
"You want to be a hero right?" Yui looked at Izuko's face and saw the bewildered expression she wore. "A hero that can make everyone smile right?" Yui continued as she clutched together her trembling hands. "Would you be able to make others smile with such an expression on your face?"
"J-JUST WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU KNOW!?"
"I DON'T!" Yui yelled. "I don't really know what being a hero exactly means. The reason for being a hero varies from one person to another, I can't tell their reason without them telling me. But I do know your reason."
"You think you know me?"
"No. I don't know you well enough yet. But I've learned now why you want to be a hero. You want to be a hero who can help everyone and to make them smile. It's such a beautiful reason."
It made her feel envious. She did want to become a hero herself, but if she were to be asked the reason why she wanted to, she would surely just give out a common answer. However Izuko had such a clear definition on what a hero is and why she wanted to become one. It made her happy to hear about Izuko more, but because of this she had more reason not let Izuko continue on her revenge.
"I don't know what your trying to imply Yui. But right now, I couldn't care any less." Izuko said as she took a step forward. "Step aside Yui."
Yui glared back at Izuko with a firm expression on her face. "I decline."
Izuko gritted her teeth unable to hold back the anger that was once again rising up within her. "STEP THE HELL ASIDE YUI! IF YOU DON'T I'LL FORCE YOU ASIDE!"
"Then do it!" Yui yelled back. "Force me aside! Do it! Do it and prove to yourself that you're no hero!"
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU SAY!?"
"Just look at yourself Izuko!" Yui pointed at Izuko as she continued. "Is that expression on your face the face of a hero that can make everyone smile!? Is that the face of the hero you want to become!?"
"DON'T SPEAK AS IF YOU KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT ME!"
"I'm not! I don't know everything about you, even if I want to pretend to be!" Yui took a step closer to Izuko as she responded. "But I know that if you continue on with your revenge, you'll no longer be able to turn back."
"J-just why?... Just why are you helping Kacchan!?"
"I'm not helping him! He's not the one I'm doing this for. I'm doing this for you, Izuko! You're the one I want to help. You can't be a hero if you're out for solely for revenge!"
Multiple emotions traced over Izuko's expression. From anger to confusion to sadness to complete bewilderment. She found herself taking a couple of steps back from Yui who stood her ground. Her anger was still there and it was ready to be unleashed towards Katsuki, but the sight of Yui Kodai standing her ground despite the trembling in her body rendered Izuko unable to find a target and release all of her pent up frustration.
As she fell on her knees Izuko slammed the concrete floor with her shaking fist with such force that it made the floor crack. She became confused. She found her anger rightfully justified, but Yui's words shook her core.
A hero that can make other's smile.
That was her dream.
Was her dream different now?
Is it now?
Izuko bumped her head to the floor as she found the fact that she was unable to go all out with her anger inextricably frustrating. Truthfully, it would've been easy for Izuko to sweep Yui aside, but she found it impossible to do so. To see Yui stood so firm depsite the sign of fear in her eyes made Izuko unable to continue with her actions.
"...T-then... what am I... supposed to do?" Izuko asked in a low voice akin to a whisper.
Yui found herself holding back her tears as she looked at Izuko whom was kneeling to the ground sobbing.
"Just why... am I so... helpless...?" Izuko continued as she sobbed.
"You're not helpless, Izuko."
Yui approached Izuko. She held out her hand and offered it to Izuko. Izuko looked at Yui's hand in silence for several second before casting it aside.
"I'm fine."
With her own hands, Izuko stood up. Turning her back to Yui, Izuko started to walk to the hallway with the staircase towards the upper floor.
"It such a nice feeling, isn't it? How I envy you, Yui."
"Izuko?"
"To be unable to experience what I've endured in the past."
Hearing Izuko's words, Yui's tears finally began to roll down from her eyes to her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry, Izuko." Yui said, but whether her voice reached Izuko or not was unknown to her.
Why was she sorry? Honestly, she didn't know.
"Are you alright Uraraka-san!?" Tetsutetsu yelled.
With his own fists, Tetsutetsu countered punches thrown towards him Eijiro. As their fists made into contact with one another, a discernable loud thud echoed throughout the room. With Ochaco's support, Tetsutetsu was able to hold off both Tenya and Eijiro into a stalemate.
However, the stalemate didn't last that long.
While Tetsutetsu still had decent stamina remaining in him, the opposite was true for Ochaco. Ochaco moved around the room as much as she can avoiding the attacks unleashed to her by Tenya while she supported to Tetsutetsu in any way she can. Soon she felt fatigue and thus her movements became sluggish. Seeing the opportunity arised, Tenya rushed towards Ochaco with full speed with the help of his quirk and apprehended the girl.
With her arms grabbed by Tenya's and her back was under his knee, Ochaco was completely pinned down to the floor by Tenya.
"I-iida!"
"I'm sorry Uraraka-san, but this must be done for I am your foe right now!"
Tetsutetsu couldn't bear the sight of his teammate being rendered in such a situation and wanted to help, but Eijiro was keeping him busy and unable to give aid. He thought that maybe allowing Yui to go downstairs was a bad decision, but the damage has already been done.
Seeing his opponent's focus falter, Eijiro lowered his fist as he arched his back. As he gain good momentum, he swung his lowered fist upwards and hit Tetsutetsu's chin with full force. Tetsutetsu's body flew up as he felt the impact of Eijiro's fist. He fell down to the floor with a thud.
"Well. That was a really manly fight right there!" Eijiro exclaimed.
He approached Tetsutetsu and pulled something out of his pocket that resembled a tape.
However, when he was about to pin Tetsutetsu and capture him, something caught his and Tenya's attention.
The sound of footsteps echoing throughout the hallway just adjacent to the room they were in. The footsteps were loud and distinct as if the one making them was wearing metallic boots.
After a few seconds of listening to the footsteps in silence, the sound stopped.
Looking towards the doorway, Eijiro narrowed his eyes trying his best to catch a glimpse of whoever was making the sound. But before he could make out anything something happened.
With the sound of the concrete floor breaking mixed with the sound of what was like rushing wind, Eijiro felt intense pain radiating from the back of his head. Before he could even make sense of what was happening his head crashed right down to the ground making it crack.
All present in the room were dumbfounded by the scene unfolding right in front of them. Especially Tenya.
He saw the scene where Izuko in tattered clothes and disheveled look entered the room with such speed as if she entered the room in just one big leap. With swift succession, Izuko twirled her body as she raised her left leg upwards and swung it right down Eijiro's head.
Both Ochaco and Tetsutetsu looked at their teammate, Izuko, in complete silence and awe.
Izuko looked down at Eijiro and nodded satisfied. As she brushed a loose portion of her hair back, she turned her head towards Tenya with dull look in her glowing red eyes yet a scowl on her face.
"I'm sorry but I'm in a foul mood right now... Try not to struggle too much."
To be Continued.
Afterword
Hey there!
How's it going? I hope everyone is having a good day. So here is the new chapter!
I'm having such a great amount of ideas for stories and such. However, right them out in a clean format is the hardest part. I want to write stories for other series as well. Another BNHA story, a Goblin Slayer story, another Overlord story, an original comic strip. There's really a lot of things I want to do, but having so many of them in mind is really confusing haha!
Anyways I hope all of you like the chapter! Thanks for the support for this story! Thanks for the favorites and follows! Thanks also for the reviews! If you notice any mistakes in grammar and spelling, please feel free to send me a message and I'll fix them as soon as possible. Have any recommendation for this story or for another story? Feel free to send a message as well!
Once again, hope all of you like the chapter and please leave a review as they are always a huge help!
See ya in the next chapter~
Laters~
