Chapter 9: Arson
Hisashi couldn't help the smile that twitched onto his face when he saw Izuku's reaction to his gift. The boy had clearly been hesitant to accept anything from his father, but his reaction to the gift itself was everything Hisashi could have wanted. Upon opening the box a variety of emotions had flashed over the boy's face: barely repressed anger, frustration, maybe even some hatred, but best of all was the sheer disgust.
It was the perfect reaction. Hisashi had been worried at first, because Izuku seemed to idolize every hero he came across. But now Hisashi saw that the boy was just a good actor. He had most likely built up a tolerance for the heroes at U.A. so he could infiltrate the school more easily. Hisashi saw now that it was all a carefully curated act so Izuku could be the perfect spy for All For One.
Hisashi couldn't be more proud.
Now it was up to him to find a way to make their efforts into a family business. He didn't pretend to have any particular loyalty to All For One, the man had simply been a means to an end. But if chaos was on the agenda, Hisashi was content.
Strolling down the street, Hisashi made his way back to the Midoriya household. If only Inko knew that both members of her family were living with stolen quirks. A part of him wanted to tell the woman, just to see how she would react. Hisashi was fairly sure the woman would have a heart attack.
The house wasn't too far from U.A. and before long Hisashi found himself at the front door. He toed up the welcome mat to find-
No spare key.
Crouching down, Hisashi searched a little more diligently, but there was still no key to be found. All Hisashi's search provided was that day's newspaper, open to a page containing ads for available apartments around Musutafu. This had clearly been Inko's work.
Hisashi clenched his teeth, although the faintest stirrings of approval flashed through his mind. At least she had a backbone.
Inko's message was clear: Hisashi was no longer welcome here. It was just as well. As soon as HIsashi started getting jobs, he needed to be in a place that he could come and go as he pleased. His hours would have doubtlessly raised Inko's suspicion.
Picking up the newspaper, Hisashi found a stack of printed sheets underneath. Oh, it was the paperwork for divorce. This probably should have evoked some emotion within him, but all the papers elicited was minor annoyance.
Glancing at the newspaper, Hisashi decided to walk to the first apartment that appealed to him in the slightest. It was a private place and already furnished. Upon entering the apartment, Hisashi slapped a year's worth of rent in cash into the landlord's hand before shooing the man away.
Throwing his bag onto the bed, Hisashi was wondering what to do with himself when his work phone rang.
A wide smile spread across his face as he pressed answer. "Yes?"
"I'm calling about a pest problem," A raspy voice on the other line said. "I hear you specialize in exterminating heroes."
"I do for the right price," Hisashi said languidly.
"You'll get all the money you wish. But first I need to see some kind of proof of your skill."
"Fine, I'll do a test run for you. It will still cost, though. I don't do anything for free," Hisashi growled. "This time I'll just wait for payment until afterward. If I don't get paid in cash then I'll take my price out on you."
"Don't worry, you'll get your money as soon as you deliver," the voice promised.
"So who's my trial target?" Hisashi asked, his smile impossibly growing.
"A fairly new hero. He's young and disgustingly promising, and he's getting too close to some… projects I've been working on."
"I don't care what the hero is involved in, or what you're involved in for that matter. Just give me the hero's name and consider it done."
"Very well, what's your price?"
"We'll negotiate once I know more about the hero. Now give me the details about your pest."
It was going to be a simple job, the hero a rookie with little to no self-preservation skills. The job would be nothing to brag about, but if nothing else it was a way to occupy Hisashi's time.
Mind filled with the prospect, Hisashi laid down to let his mental processes work their magic until Arson had a plan.
Before too long his eyes fluttered closed. Almost immediately Hisashi found himself back in the house, but it was the house as he remembered it, emanating warmth and familiarity. He felt like a ghost of his former self, the man who had lived to put his family before himself. Hisashi knew that if he looked in the mirror, he would look years younger, especially with his mop of black curls that looked remarkably like his son's.
Hisashi wandered aimlessly through the house, pausing to fondly run his fingers down the doorframe where Inko had marked Izuku's height as soon as the child began to stand. An idle part of his mind pondered over how tall Izuku would be as an adult.
Before the man could get too comfortable, though, Hisashi heard a sharp cry from Izuku's room. Heart pounding, Hisashi rushed to his son's room, wrenching open the door.
Every time he had this dream, Hisashi knew in the back of his mind that this was coming, yet every time it nearly stopped Hisashi's heart. Smoke filled the air as flames stood between the man and his terrified infant.
Through the smoke Hisashi could only catch glimpses of the child, a flash of green here, a grasping hand there. Staring. Hisashi peered through the hazy smoke, preparing to-
Hisashi lurched awake, his mind occupied with the image of green eyes staring at him through the smoke even as the flames licked higher and higher towards the ceiling. Ignoring how his hands shook, he shoved off the bed, stalking through his new apartment.
He hated that dream more than anything else in the world. It always messed with his head, dredging up emotions he had elected to bury instead.
Even now the image of Izuku's eyes haunted him. Those green eyes were meant to behold the wonders of the world; they had a way of reflecting and magnifying all that was good. But seeing those same eyes filled with panic and fear was enough to bother Hisashi at the very least. A part of him wanted to find his son and comfort the boy, let him know that everything would be okay.
Shaking his head, Hisashi pushed away any lingering sentimentality. He was no longer that man and would never be him again. Somehow he had to once more bury Midoriya Hisashi underneath Arson.
A hero hunt would be the perfect thing.
A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long, it was a harder one to write than I thought and I was getting some serious writer's block. It's a little shorter than usual as well thanks to my busy class and work schedule. Thank you all for being so patient though! I rewrote this several times, and I hope it paid off. As always, let me know what you think and/or what I can improve on! I love all the constructive criticism everyone gives me.
I think that last chapter has the most comments I've ever gotten, and to answer most (if not all) of your questions, yes, you will get to see Izuku and Todoroki burn the Endeavor merch! I actually can't wait to write that part in particular. I'm still writing the Extras that have the perspectives of other characters throughout this story, so check that out if you still haven't, and let me know who you'd like to hear from!
See you next time!
