The Gem Hero: Deku
Chapter 11: Gala
Disclaimer: I don't have the rights to My Hero Academia, but I plan to challenge him to a Yu-Gi-Oh match in order to win the rights to the show.
(Izuku Pov)
A whole multiverse!
Infinite versions of me.
I wonder if having an absent father is a universal thing.
Or am I just the odd man out?
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I wonder why, Mom's in the middle of dealing with the dinner rush and I don't give out my contact info. I also run a special app to block every bill collector's phone call. So, who could be calling me this late at night?
Hesitantly, I pull out my phone to see who's trying to contact me.
I gaze at my screen in surprise, why does Momo have my phone number?
I contemplate ignoring the call.
Then Contrast starts speaking, "If you don't accept the call, I will. Our voices are similar enough for her to dismiss any differences as the result of phones being unable to perfectly transmit the sound of human speech."
I had almost forgotten that my other self was crashing on the floor of my room. Something about how a warp gate between universes and the void can only be opened once every 12 hours or else you risk doing permanent damage to the barrier between universes.
"How did you know it was a girl?" I ask.
"It's always a girl. It's been a constant in every other universe I've visited that during the first week of school, Izuku is contacted by a girl from his class outside of school. Most of the times, it's Uraraka." He lazily responds, I wonder who contacted him.
I slide my finger across the screen and I hold the phone up to my ear.
"Hello Izuku" Her angelic voice is easily heard over all the chatter in the background.
"Good afternoon M-Momo"
I silently curse, if I could still use my crystals, this wouldn't be a problem. But Contrast's electricity is scrambling the signals from my Crystal Quirk. I was quite shocked to find out that there's a section of the brain related to quirk usage. Quirk users who wield multiple quirks have that section divided into pieces to match the number of quirks. I still have 30 minutes left before my brain can send the signals my body needs to start producing crystals again.
"Are you busy right now?" she asks, and my heart stops momentarily. Is she about to ask me out?
"No." I lie as I look down at Mr. Aizawa's essay. I still need to finish the last paragraph, but I can't focus on it anymore. The events of today have given me a major case of writer's block.
I can hear a sigh of relief through the phone.
"My parents are forcing me to go to a gala with them. It's a charity event mixed with an award ceremony." She states.
"L-Let me guess. They want you to bring a date too." I respond.
"You're correct. This isn't the type of event you go to without one. At least, you wouldn't want to come alone unless you want to be flirted with at every opportunity. Walking down the red carpet in somebody else's arms is the only way to mitigate the number of young people trying to get to know you better." she answers.
Okay, I can deal with this. It's not an actual date, I'm just helping her enjoy the evening at a place she doesn't want to be.
"What do I need to wear?" I question, my closet is full of stuff I can wear to a fancy event. This isn't the first one I've been to; being rich comes with a lot of disadvantages sometimes. Now, I just need to know if I have the right colors.
"Something that looks nice, but won't stop you from dancing when needed. The colors we're wearing are royal blue and black." Momo replies immediately.
"Is Royal blue the main color?" I ask. I might have something if it is.
"Yes."
"I have a royal blue tuxedo sitting in the back of my closet, I never thought I'd get a chance to wear it though." I comment.
"The limo will be there to pick you up in an hour." Momo informs me.
"Thanks a lot Izuku, I owe you one." She says before hanging up.
An hour, that means I'll have time to shower, brush my teeth and get dressed. Then I'd still have 25 minutes to kill.
"Looks like somebody is already going on their first date. I'm so proud" Contrast comments from behind me.
"Not a date" I assert.
"Sure, you're just going to a fancy event in a suit because Momo asked you to come with her." He teases.
"Maybe there weren't any other options, as far as we know she only talks to 2 guys and our other female classmates." I speculate. It'd make sense, going with a girl would have the opposite effect, instead of telling guys to back off it'd make them even more interested in them.
"Why not choose Shoto? We both know that he has the intimidation factor that comes with being related to Endeavor."
The other me is really enjoying playing the role of 'Devil on the shoulder.'
"Not only would that spark a whole lot more celebrity gossip due to Endeavor being a famous hero, but we also know that Shoto has issues with social cues. Picking us was the safer option." I try to explain the logic to him, but that smirk never leaves his face.
I'm arguing with myself, isn't this what insane people do? Is this what insanity feels like?
I unlock my phone and send my mom a quick text.
"Don't wait up, I'm going out with friends."
I added the 's' so that she wouldn't automatically think I'm on a date.
I quickly take care of my personal hygiene. Once I finish brushing my teeth, I consider doing something with my hair.
Nah, my hair is perfect exactly how it is. There's nothing wrong with the bush.
I leave the bathroom and see Contrast digging through my closet. He pulls out a royal blue outfit and holds it up next to me.
He hums, "This is going to be a tighter fit than we thought. It'll be impossible for you to hide your muscles from the other guests. Dancing should still be possible though."
"That's fine," I nod to myself. This will work.
With the help of my alternate self, I'm in my suit with 30 minutes to spare. Tying the black tie is much simpler, over and under. Then over, under and through the loop. Pull tight and make sure it lines up perfectly.
"We make this suit look good, but it feels like you're missing something." Contrast speaks after a moment of silence.
"My shoes still need to be put on" I deadpan. Is this guy sure that he's me? There's no way I'd miss a big detail like that.
"Oh yeah"
I sit there talking to him for the rest of the allotted time, staying quiet would just make me over think things. I might even browbeat myself into staying home.
I hear the sound of a car horn outside.
Time for me to go.
"Go get her man, show her that Midoriya charm. " Contrasts calls out as I make my way to the door.
You got this Izuku, this isn't your first gala. Just walk in, smile for the cameras and act as courteous as possible.
A little voice in the back of my head chimes in, "What are you going to do when you meet her parents. What if they don't like you?"
Shut up, are you trying to make me more nervous.
"Will Momo hate you if you mess up?"
Stop talking, you'll drive me crazy.
"This entire conversation is damning evidence that you already are. The men in the white coats should be here any minute."
Am I off my meds? I don't remember having to take meds, but I feel like I take meds and I didn't.
Let's recap. I was kidnapped by an alternate version of me not even 6 hours ago. Forced to watch a girl die, forced to use the forbidden power (explaining that to mom will be nearly impossible), came home with my kidnapper in tow. Then I got bullied by him into accepting a phone call from Momo. I still have no idea why she has my number! After accepting the call, Momo invited me to a gala with her and her parents. Now I'm in the middle of a limo ride with her and her parents, her dad has been silently staring at me while Momo's mom has successfully dragged me into 2 situations that led me to accidentally compliment the mother-daughter duo. They do look beautiful, but I did not plan to say it out loud.
Moral of the story: This is all Contrast's fault and I will shove a crystal spike where the sun doesn't shine.
"So, what exactly is your quirk?" Momo's mom asks me. I think her name was Momoka.
"My first one is similar to your family's creation quirk, but It's limited to only making crystals constructs." Now is as good a time as any for my full power to become known.
"The first one. So you have multiple quirks?" Momoka questions, a strange gleam in her onyx eyes.
"Yes, my second quirk allows me to swallow elements and spit them back out with more power than they started with." I inform her before asking a question of my own. "Can you create crystals as well?"
"No, unfortunately the Yaoyorozu family hasn't had a chance to bring a Crystal Creation quirk into our family DNA. The Creation quirk you see today is the result of intentionally, and sometimes unintentionally, reproducing with creation quirk users." She answers, giving more details than I expected.
Quirk science still boggles my mind with how it can be manipulated to create specific things. It's speculated that if you mix enough fire quirks together over multiple generations, you could hypothetically recreate the source quirk; allowing you to use flame and heat manipulation to its fullest extent.
"You never told me you had another quirk" Momo whispers into my ear.
"N-Not even my own mother knows I have 2 quirks. You and Shoto are the only people in class I've trusted with this secret. Everyone else will find out soon, I just figured you'd like to hear it separately." I shrug.
"That is true. How does that second quirk work in conjunction with the crystal quirk?" she asks, curiosity on full display.
"I'm… I'm not sure. Certain elements can probably be used as a substitute for calories, but I've never tested it." I decide to keep the entire truth secret. Now isn't the time for a depressing flashback.
Our conversation is cut short by the sound of her dad clearing his throat, "We've arrived. Remember how we're supposed to enter."
I can tell that the last part is directed towards me.
The chauffeur opens up the door on Momoka's side and helps her out. Making sure that the thigh high slit in her dress doesn't cause a wardrobe malfunction.
They proceed to walk down the red carpet.
During this time alone with Momo, I decide to create the necklace me and Contrast decided on while I was showering earlier.
A few moments later a necklace made of sapphire with a lapis lazuli gem attached appears in his hands, "H-H-Here you go Momo."
Momo's cheeks start to turn pink and I get a tiny ego boost, "T-T-Thank you Izuku." She shifts her body so that I can put it on her. Her body brushes against mine as she turns.
I put the necklace around her neck, doing my best to avoid messing up her hair which is straightened out and stretches down to her back.
I finish just in time for the door to open.
Show time Izuku, put on your best mask and smile for the cameras.
"Make sure you don't make a fool out of yourself, who knows how many pro heroes will appear here or watch this? Now is the time to make a good impression for the public."
That voice is back… great.
"Nice to see you again."
Yeah, I need to get back on those meds that don't exist.
As we step out of the limo, I take the time to notice that there are a lot of news stations covering this event. JBC, Kitsune 4 News and dozens of freelance journalists.
Stick to the script.
I wrap my left arm around Momo's waist and pull her close. She starts to blush and I get the feeling that my face is redder than hers.
I flash a smile towards the cameras as several journalists rush over to interview us.
"who's your guest?"
Momo answers immediately, "This is Izuku Midoriya a fellow student at U.A."
"Are you two on a date?"
"Yes"
This answer makes my heart skip a beat and my chest starts to feel funny. It's a good thing that I don't have to speak.
"Who are you wearing?"
I can't help but be amazed by Momo. She manages to answer every question shot her way without losing her cool.
Before I know it we're sitting at a table with her parents.
"That was fun" Momoka comments. I'm willing to bet that she's enjoying this more than her husband.
He looks like he's exhausted.
"I hate these events so much, I swear. If I wasn't nominated for an award I would drop off a donation and drive off immediately afterwards." He groans.
"Mr. Yaoyorozu we'd like to interview you" A newswoman from the JBC says.
I see him whisper something before his mask returns in the form of a small smile.
"I'd feel bad for him if he didn't insist on bringing me along to this one." Momo comments after he walks away.
"I need to go make sure the stage is set up for our guest performer." Momoka says before sauntering away.
It's just me and Momo now.
"So, who's the guest performer?" I ask.
"Some Canadian guy. I forgot his first name, but his last name is Mendes." She replies.
"It's been eating at me for the past hour. Why did you choose me?" I blurt out.
"I barely know anything about you, so I decided to fix that" Momo answers with a small smile.
Okay, I can deal with innocent curiosity.
Now I can focus on other things.
Things like….
"How do you have my phone number and how did you know where I lived?"
She starts giggling, "Your password was 'ALLMIGHT' and I had our butler trace the phone call."
"I thought his job was to butle, not play hacker" I respond.
Note to self: change every password to 'A11M1GHT"
Music starts to play and I look at the stage to see the singer.
I wonder what his quirk is.
Research for later, now it's time to dance
I see other guys escorting their dates to the dance floor.
"May I have this dance, Lady Yaoyorozu? I ask.
"You may, but don't call me Lady Yaoyorozu again. It makes me feel weird" she agrees, her blush reappearing.
I gently grab her outstretched hand and lead her to the floor.
We danced until the awards ceremony portion of this event started.
Momo's dad ended up losing the "Inventor's Award" to the CEO of Hatsume Industries.
But on the bright side, Momoka won the "Rescue Hero" Award. An award given to the most popular rescue hero, this is determined by a panel of randomly selected judges.
"I had fun tonight Momo, I needed this" I tell her this on the way to the limo.
"Me too, you're a good dancer. Not a bad conversationalist either." She replies.
When we get in the limo, Momo immediately falls asleep. I decide to let her use my shoulder as a pillow.
"What are your intentions with my daughter?" Momo's father asks calmly. He saw the way they seemed to instantly sync their movements together during the dance.
"I don't have any intentions with your daughter. I'm not looking for a girlfriend if that's what you're worried about. Anyways, I'll be a nonissue soon enough, I doubt she'll want anything to do with me once she learns who my father is." I reply.
The rest of the ride to my house is quiet.
"Who is your father?" Momoka asks as we pull up in front of the house.
"Are you familiar with 'The Guzzler?" I question. This will determine how much exposition I need to give.
"Yeah, he's a Villain that plagued Japan and America for 6 years before being put behind bars by the combined efforts of All Might, Endeavor and Black Tornado. Why?" Momoka asks.
"He escaped 3 weeks ago, and he's my... father." I reveal before opening the door and climbing out in a hurry.
"Momo won't care!" Momoka shouts as I close the door behind me.
Even if she doesn't cut me off, I can't afford to let her in until I know she's safe, until I know he's behind bars for good.
I walk into the house and I notice that nobody else is home. I guess Contrast left while I was gone.
Stepping into my room, I cut the light on to see my essay in a neat stack with a note attached to the front page.
"Hey Izuku, I figured that you deserved a break after the trials I put you through. So, I finished the essay for you. Our handwriting is identical ,so Eraserhead won't know you had help from anyone. Even then, I'm you, you didn't get someone else's help. Loopholes for the win.
Sincerely, Izuku Midoriya
P.S. You really need to lighten up, stress and angst are bad for your health.
P.P.S. You need more cookies."
All I can do is smile.
