Mirio swore.
He didn't swear much, as proven by his friends looking at him as if he was crazy. Granted, they were sitting in class, but the teacher was out, and the rest of the class was busy in their own endeavors. Plus, he had the right to do so.
Sort of.
"They're still wrecking him!" He burst out.
Nejire's eyes sharpened. "The comments section, you mean?"
Mirio nodded and let his phone fall on the table. "What the heck? I'm pretty sure Ingenium only posted that message so Quirky could get more exposure, not be bullied online."
Tamaki shrugged. "Technically, he did get around 10k followers over the week."
"And so many hate comments."
Daisuke exhaled. "Ugh. I hate people who bully little kids." He scowled. "He's just thirteen years old! It's not like he had the time to perfect graphic design, or hell, even learn it."
Nejire hummed. "Daisuke."
The boy looked up instantly. "Yeah, Hado?"
"You took classes for graphic design over the summers, right?"
"Yeah, why?" He stopped and raised his eyebrows in contemplation. "You know, that's actually a good idea."
Nejire grinned. "He's my treasure. Of course I'll get good ideas."
Mirio frowned. "What good idea?"
Tamaki grinned at Daisuke. "You're going to up Quirky's video graphics."
Daisuke nodded. "I'll make those cyber-trolls eat their words." He snorted. "Damn it, Hado, you've fired me up!"
Nejire laughed. "No need to thank me. All part of my job."
Mirio's eyes widened, and before anyone could realize what he was doing, he was hugging Daisuke.
"To-Togata!" Daisuke whined, but the edges of his cheeks were burning a brazen red.
Mirio released him and stepped back, grinning widely. "Thanks, Dai." He said warmly, because Daisuke was helping out Quirky, and Quirky had somehow wormed his way into his heart.
Tamaki snorted and Nejire burst out laughing.
"Shut up!" Daisuke growled.
The door slid open and the teacher entered, clearing his throat.
Mirio and his friends shuffled back to their seats, Daisuke pushing his head into the crook of his elbows, because the red really showed on his cheeks.
Mirio, on a table to the right, smiled, because man, he had good friends.
He just hoped Quirky wasn't too down about the comments.
Later that day, Daisuke shut the door to his room and fired up his computer, ready to make Quirky haters eat their own words.
First, he went back to the comments to check out the exact complaints of all the commenters.
'Bad quality… The sound is pretty shitty… graphics…Overall-'
He ignored the last few.
So. Quirky needed a graphic designer and an audio editor. He could do the designing parts, but what to do with the audio elements? Maybe he could shoot off a few messages in online chatrooms asking for people willing to help?
He shrugged. He'd have to ask Quirky.
'Hey, Quirky. This is Daisuke. I'm one of Mirio's friends. Or do you know him as Lemillion? Anyway, I attached the file with the information you need for my quirk analysis, but I also wanted to ask if you wanted help? I saw those comments – those idiots have no conscience, I swear – and you seem to struggle with graphic design and audio. I can help with the sound edits, but visually, I'm your guy! And if you need an audio editor, I can try to find one for you, if you want.'
He minimized the window and waited, pulling up an RPG while he did so.
Quirky replied only ten minutes later, and the tiny ping startled Daisuke out of his game-induced concentration.
'… You really want to help me?'
'Of course. I was with Mirio the last time you talked, and you seem like a cool dude.' Daisuke hesitated. The kid seemed almost… scared. Why would he be so hesitant in accepting help? His mind flew back to Quirky's charges and he frowned again. 'Don't worry kid. I really mean it.'
'I- I didn't mean to imply that you were lying!'
Daisuke snorted. 'I know. So, what do you think?'
There was a five-minute gap before Quirky began to type again. 'That would be amazing, Daisuke-san! Thank you!'
'No problem, kid. And what about the audio editing thing?'
'If you can find someone, I would be really grateful.'
'Consider it done.' Daisuke cracked his knuckles. Well. That was easy. Time to relay the news to-
'Daisuke-san?'
'Yeah, Quirky?'
'How much are you going to charge for this?'
Daisuke spluttered. 'I can't charge you anything!'
'But I'm going to be taking up so much of your time, and graphic designers are originally pretty expensive; I couldn't not pay you – that would be taking advantage of you even after you contributed to my channel and paid my for your quirk analysis! And you're Mirio-san's friend!'
'Er.'
'Look, Quirky. You're a kid.'
'But I'm still earning from the analysis thing you all helped me out with!'
'Ahhhhhh.' Daisuke sighed. Why wasn't the kid defaulting to his shy whatever-you-say persona right now? '… My friends'll kill me if I do that.'
'I won't tell them.'
Seriously? 'Fine. You can waive my consultation fee.'
'For one video?'
'For all of them.'
'Two.'
'Ten.'
'Five.'
'Okay, fine. Done.' He scowled. 'You know, if you use this negotiation technique at supermarkets, you'd get outrageous discounts.'
'😊'
Daisuke shook his head.
'Can you send me your account details? Mirio-san already transferred the yen for you and your friends, and I want to transfer your amount back.'
'Okay. But be warned – if Hado asks, I am showing her this conversation.' And with that statement, he closed the window.
Outmaneuvered by someone three years his junior. And to something that benefitted him!
This was definitely a story he wasn't sharing with the squad. If Hado didn't kill him, Mirio and Tamaki's incessant laughter would.
Shaking his head, he turned back and opened up some chatrooms that he had gotten into when learning computer informatics and graphic design. They were a den of computer geeks – be they amateurs or experts, and these online rooms were the best way to get to the biggest audience.
He posted a simple ad stating [Looking for a young audio editor for a small-time herotube account. Timings are flexible, and the person hired will be paid by the hour.]
And now, for the wait.
Remeber to vote!
[The question is regarding Izuku's future, and the two options to choose from are:
1. Izuku receives One-for-All and goes to UA.
2. Izuku does not receive One-for-All, but still goes to UA.]
