Groaning in her sleep, Amari groggily opened her eyes to the sound of her phone going off on the bedside table. What time even was it? She hardly remembered going to bed at all.
She rolled over to the side and slammed her hand on the table, picking up the object in slight irritation. Who the hell calls this early? It was obviously someone that didn't know Amari wasn't really a morning person half the time.
Flipping open the surface, she answered into the phone, a slight roughness in her voice. "Hello, who is this?"
The line was silent for a couple moments before a small chuckle was heard on the other end, and a voice that made her heart drop in her chest. "It sounds like I interrupted your beauty sleep."
Widening her eyes in confusion and fear, Amari sprang out of bed, now realizing who it was. "Purple skinned zombie man? What the hell..how did you even get my number?!"
The villain seemed to frown at that. "The name's Dabi. Would it kill you to use it once in awhile?"
Amari shook her head in response. "Whatever, leave me alone. I don't want to have a sharing circle with you again."
Dabi raised an eyebrow at that. "Well, that's not very nice. After I took the time to call you and everything.."
Yet the girl wasn't amused. "Yeah, sorry but I don't take kindly to people who tortured me. Now give me one good reason why I shouldn't go give this phone to All Might right now?"
Standing up from the bed, Amari began to do just that, putting on her shoes when Dabi replied. "Alright, it would be a shame his something happened to your dearest brother."
Amari froze at that. "Oh, so you're black mailing me, is that it?"
He couldn't help but laugh at her choice of words though. "I'm a villain sweetheart, it's kind of what I do."
She felt her skin crawl at her pet name, shivering a tiny bit. "I'd like to see you try to get to Katsuki, I'll kill you before that happens.."
Once again though, Dabi was only amused. "With what quirk? I'm pretty sure we both know you are as useless as a pomeranian right now, so let's not start with the threats. I just called to see if you thought about the things I told you before?"
Amari felt her heart drop in her chest, knowing that he was right, With no quirk, she couldn't really do much. But it's not like she would let him know that. "Do you really think I spend all day thinking about you? Cause if so then you will be sorely disappointed. I've already forgotten every useless thing you said back then.."
This seemed to make Dabi frown, his voice dropping an octave lower to show he was serious. "I wonder about that. I bet you can't help but think about it, knowing that I'm right. I mean look at you, shunned from society, painted as a villain, rejected by your loved ones just like I was. It's like looking in a mirror."
Scoffing back, Amari replied. "Oh please, I already said I don't want to hear about your depressing childhood. We are nothing alike so don't even start with that. Also you don't know anything, Katsuki hasn't rejected me. I just haven't proved myself yet."
Her heard a loud sigh through the line then, Dabi obviously not impressed by her words. "I've heard that one before. You try again and again to win the approval of your family but time and time again you are only left with disappointment, right? What will you do when you finally figure out that it doesn't matter what you try, or how hard you push yourself, you will always be seen as a villain and rejected by them."
She really hated to admit it, but his words did hit kind of close to her, recounting all the times that Katsuki rejected her. "Shut up. You don't know anything. I am not a villain you asshole, so don't assume you know everything about me. I literally just met you creep."
Although Dabi wasn't done coaxing her, speaking lower and smooth. "And what about Todoroki Shoto? All he wants to be is the number one hero, right? What will you do when you realize that you are only an obstacle in his way. That in order for him to achieve his goal, he can't be in a relationship with a villain. What will you do then? How strong is your love Bakugo? Would you let him go for the sake of his goal?"
Amari eyes widened at this, already having enough of his man. What was he even saying? That was impossible, she wasn't a villain. "You know what, screw you! Why are you so obsessed with Shoto and me anyways?"
She was surprised when the villain was silent then, taking a couple moments before replying. "No reason. I just want to make you realize where your place is in all this. You remind me of myself so I want to help you, teach you the things I wish I knew back then."
Listening to his insane words, Amari couldn't help but be curious about what he meant by that. "And what would that be? What is my place then, since you seem to know everything.."
Amari leaned against her wall only for his voice to cut through her like a knife. "It's with me. Come with me and I can show you just how freeing it is to not be tied down by expectations and rejection. The world already thinks of you as a villain, might as well give them what they want and raise some hell."
Taking in his words, Amari blinked a few times in utter shock before shaking her head in disbelief. "Are you actually kidding me right now? You think I would just screw being a hero and join you as a villain? Yeah I don't think so buddy. I already told you, I'm not a villain!"
Although Dabi replied back smoothly. "You say that now, but just wait until the world throws you away because you have no quirk and no use. Once they label you as a villain, it's over. There's no going back from that. All you'll ever do now is bring down the people around you. Do you really want to do that?"
Narrowing her eyes in anger, Amari hissed back angrily. "You know what, this conversation is over. Don't ever call me again unless you want me to kick your ass. I know I don't have a quirk right now but I will damn well find a way if I ever see you. Mark my words you purple skinned zombie man, I will be a hero, regardless of whatever you think you know."
Then, she pulled her phone away from her ear before reaching her finger towards the end call button, but not before hearing his voice one final time. "We'll see."
Pushing the button aggressively, Amari then threw her phone onto her bed before letting out a frustrated growl. What was that guy even saying?! He didn't know anything about her, that jerk. She hoped she never had to talk to him again.
Suddenly, a loud sound pounded on her door as Katsuki's voice rang out. "Come on Amari, it's time to go. Get your ass up already! You have five seconds before I come in and drag you out over my shoulder."
She frowned at his words, quickly grabbing her bag and trying to forget about that guy's words as fast as possible.
There was no way he was telling the truth. None of those things were going to happen to her, right?
Walking down the hallways, Amari heard the vague whispers around her in a clear echo. They seemed to be constant now that her name had been leaked to the press. She supposed it did seem weird for a supposed villain to be at a hero school.
She tried to block them out though. After being at school for a couple weeks, they just started to become normal to her, as sad as that may have seemed.
Amari was then suddenly bumped into by a random student from another class, causing her to lose her footing slightly, the boys voice echoing through her chest. "Villain."
She frowned at that, trying to fix herself when Katsuki walked past her, grabbing the poor boy by the collar and shouting. "Hold on a minute, what the hell did you just say?! You better fucking apologize for bumping into her, bastard."
The boy shook in fear as Amari's eyes widened, already reaching forward to her brother to stop his rage. "Katsuki, stop it's okay."
Although Bakugo didn't take those words kindly at all. "Of course it's not okay. This extra pushed you over on purpose. Obviously he has a death wish."
The student wiggled under his grasp, gasping for words all at once, now trying to quell the boy. "I'm sorry I'm sorry okay? Please don't hurt me!"
Amari's brother stared at the boy for a couple more seconds before letting go and having him fall to the ground in a heavy thud. "Damn right you're sorry. If I ever catch you doing that again then you are dealing with me, understand?"
Nodding his head, the boy bowed once before hurrying away, Bakugo now satisfied with his work. That was, until he saw Amari's face. "You really didn't have to do that."
Matching her frown, Katsuki scoffed. "Of course I did. All these damn bastards that think they can mess with you have another thing coming!"
She sighed heavily at that, never really liking his violent nature from the beginning but putting up with it. She just wished he could be nicer sometimes.
Just then, a voice from their right stopped him, now hearing Denki in the corner snickering. "Since when did you get a sister complex Bakugo?"
Feeling his palms rise in heat, Katsuki sharply turned to the boy in anger. "What did you just say?! I don't have a sister complex you bastard! Say that again and see what happens.."
Although Denki was feeling brave today for some reason, choosing to egg him on a little more. "Come on, everyone's talking about it. You never used to care about anything and now you punch anyone that even looks at Amari wrong. Sounds like a sister complex to me."
Twitching his eye in rage, Katsuki's palms began to spark, already racing forward to fight Denki. "That's it, come here you bastard!"
The boy flinched at that, pulling his hands back in defense. A couple months back he knew Bakugo would've just blown off the comment but now, he looked like he was going to kill him. "Hey, take it easy. It was only a joke.."
Raising his arm up to let off an explosion, he suddenly felt a soft weight to them, turning slightly to see Amari holding him back. "Katsuki, seriously. Cut it out! It's not that big of a deal.."
Yet Bakugo wasn't done, trying to pull his arm away from her roughly. "Anyone that thinks they can insult me has another thing coming to them. Let me go!"
Denki took another step back, only for Bakugo to pull his arm back harder, focusing on his explosions when his elbow connected with something, now hearing a muffled groan behind him.
Turning back in confusion, Katsuki gasped when he saw Amari clutched over in pain, holding her cheek as she seethed. Oh crap, had he accidentally hit her in his own careless rage? "Amari! Shit, I'm sorry. Let me see.."
He reached forward to touch her cheek when the girl just slapped it away, staring at him angrily. "What the hell is your problem Katsuki?! You need to calm the hell down and stop trying to punch everyone that looks at me wrong! I get you're trying to help but it's only making everything worse damn it! I swear, you're so frustrating sometimes…"
Staring at her absolute shock, the room became quiet as Amari brushed off her uniform before sighing and immediately feeling bad. She knew that Bakugo was trying his best but she couldn't help but hate his high strung nature. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. I know you mean well, it's just, can you maybe try not to kill everyone you see?"
Katsuki still remained silent at her words, knowing she wasn't gonna get a response. "Sorry again. I'm just gonna head to class early. I'll see around Katsuki."
Then, she turned on her heels and walked away from the scene, causing her brother to frown. He meant well but maybe his actions were a bit too high strung. He just wanted to show his sister that he was serious about sticking next to her.
Perhaps he was still going about this wrong.
When Amari walked into class, the first thing she did was drop her bag on the table before slamming her face head first into the surface of her desk, like she usually did when she was depressed.
She then let out a loud groan before feeling a hand plop onto her hand. "Rough morning?"
Turning to the side, she found Shinso staring at her in question. "Don't ask. My stupid Bakugo side came out again when I didn't want it to.."
He nodded his head at that, seemingly understanding. "Ah that. So, what happened this time? Did you snap at your dear brother or your loving boyfriend?"
Frowning back, Amari hated how much he knew her. "Brother. He's just so freakin frustrating sometimes! I mean, all I've wanted was for him to look at me but now he won't let me do anything for myself! He's treating me like I'm a baby, like I'm gonna drop dead at any second."
Shinso listened back, waiting a moment before replying. "Honestly I don't understand how you can deal with him on a daily basis. I was only with him for a couple days and I couldn't take it so I admire you for that. At least he's trying to be nice?"
Groaning back, Amari sighed. "Yeah, and I love that he's finally paying attention to me. I just wish it was for the right reasons…"
This made the boy slightly confused. "Right reasons?"
Nodding back, she began to play with a couple strands of her hair. "Remember what I told you back when you found out about my health? I told you that I never wanted Katsuki to know because I already knew how he would react, and it seems I was right all along. He cares for me now just because I'm sick, not because I'm his sister. I never wanted that."
Shinso took in her words and felt his eyes sadden all at once. She never wanted her brother to know because she didn't want to use her illness as an excuse for love. It was rather heartbreaking to know she couldn't tell him for so long because of that.
Placing his hand on top of her head, the boy replied, smooth and understanding, all while ignoring the heat rise in his face.. "How do you know that though? Maybe Bakugo doesn't think about you that way and you're just building this idea up in your head, thinking he doesn't recognize you for your strengths. I mean, it's hard to ignore how fearless you are, even I can't deny that. I'm sure he's seen it too."
At his words, Amari lifted her head up, a slight smirk now on her face. "Oh really, you think I'm fearless? Well, I recall something a bit different when a certain someone told me they were going to crush me at the sports festival.."
Knowing exactly what she meant, Shinso smirked back before pushing her down playfully. "Shut up. It's different now. Even I realized how amazing you are Amari."
Widening her eyes in surprise, Amari somehow felt slightly embarrassed at her first name through his lips. "Whoa, look at you laying on the moves. I'm impressed. Just wait until you can use them on that lucky girl, or guy. Whatever you're into is cool, I'm not judging."
She patted him on the shoulder and Shinso didn't have the heart to tell her that the one he had feelings for was her. Yes he liked her, but he was also smarter than that, knowing that she loved Todoroki and that Amari was already dealing with so much. She didn't need another thing to worry about right now. "Yeah, wouldn't that be nice."
Smirking back, Amari stretched out her arms before thinking for a moment. "You know what, maybe you're right. Katsuki is brash but I should be happy he's noticing me. I just wish we could get along with each other better and not just see me as a charity case anymore."
Shinso nodded his head in response and replying. "You'll get there. You can do anything you set your mind to after all. That's one of the things I admire about you I guess."
Amari turned her head in confusion then before leaning forward and touching the boy's forehead. "Are you feeling okay? You aren't usually this nice. I already have Katsuki acting creepy, I don't need you too."
At the contact of her hand on his skin, Shinso pulled away, hoping that she couldn't see the light blush on his cheeks. "Would you stop it?! It wouldn't kill you to take a compliment once and awhile. You know what, fine, I won't ever say anything nice about you ever again if that's what you want.."
She stared at him for a couple more seconds before slumping back in her seat, smiling to herself while teasing. "Well, I suppose it's not that bad. I guess I should take a picture then, this is such a rare moment after all."
Frowning back, Shinso pushed the girl playfully in response, a smirk hidden beneath the fake annoyance. "Shut up short stuff."
Winking back just as playful, Amari replied. "Never, Shih Tzu."
Just then, the bell rang next to them, signifying the start of class. Amari still wasn't overly thrilled about being dropped from the hero course but with people like Shinso here, maybe this wasn't all that bad after all.
After the bell rang, Shinso and Amari were on their way to lunch when she caught Todoroki a couple feet away talking to some Class B students about something in particular. He didn't really look all that interested to be honest.
Raising her hand up to greet him, she paused when a couple voices to her left caught her attention. They seemed to be focused on Todoroki as well. "Isn't that Todoroki from the hero course?"
Her friend nodded her head in agreement before pointing in his direction. "Yeah. Hey, did you hear the rumor? Apparently he's dating a villain."
Gasping in response, the other girl replied. "Whoa, no way? That's him? I can't believe he would do something like that. Doesn't he want to be number one? It's gotta be hard with a villain following him."
At the girls words, Amari lowered the hand down slowly, now taking in their thoughtless words all at once. Were all these terrible rumors affecting Todoroki also? She really hoped not. That's not what she wanted for him.
Shinso noticed her sullen stance at leaned down, whispering to her. "Are you going to call out to him or just stand there? You better hurry or those Class B girls are gonna think they have a chance."
Looking down at her hand, Amari sighed. "It's okay, he seems busy. I don't want to disturb."
The boy raised an eye at that. "I think you and I both know that's not it at all so stop lying and tell me the real reason. Usually you are all giddy to go over there."
Closing her eyes for a minute, she answered. "I don't know, you heard those girls. The last thing I want is for him to have to deal with these rumors also."
Shinso turned back to Todoroki then, who still hadn't noticed them and sighed. He already knew that her boyfriend wouldn't care about that kind of thing but he could also see her worry. "You don't think he can take it?"
Shaking her head, Amari replied. "No, I know he probably can, I just don't want him to. It's okay, I'll talk to him later, when there aren't so many people around. I don't want to hinder his progress of being number one with these stupid rumors."
Then, she turned on her heel and lifted her hand out. "Come on, let's go."
As she turned around though, Todoroki noticed her presence and the two locked eyes, staring at each other for a moment.
He started to walk towards her and the whispers started immediately, causing Amari to slowly take one step back, concern and slight fear in her eyes.
Todoroki stopped, noticing her withdrawn nature and opened his mouth, only to have Amari turn her back on him. She couldn't talk to him with so many people, they might assume terrible things about him, just like they did with her.
Closing her eyes in pain, Amari then walked away from the boy she loved with Shinso trailing behind, the whispers now dissipating as she left.
It worked, they stopped talking about him. That was supposed to be a good thing.
Yet, why did her heart feel so broken because of it?
After lunch, Amari was walking back to class when a voice spoke over the hallways, calling out into the large space. Bakugo Amari, please make your way to the principal's office immediately.
Turning her brow in confusion, she turned on her heels towards the location, not really sure why she got called over in the first place. She thought everything was settled between the heros' and herself.
She found the door soon enough, knocking on the surface before entering slowly. "Hello, you wanted to see me?"
Although when she turned that corner, Amari never expected to see Endeavor seated to her left hand side. Just seeing his face made her frown. "Oh, it's you. I thought you were done with me."
He only stared though, pointed to the seat across from him. "Sit Bakugo, we have much to discuss."
Scoffing back, Amari replied. "I don't have anything to discuss with you so if you would excuse me.."
She then tried to turn to the door only for him to speak again. "Your manners are just as tasteless as always."
This caused her to pause, turning back around to answer sarcastically. "Yeah, and your attitude is just as disgusting as always, your point?"
Frowning back, he pointed to the seat once more. "Sit down Bakugo. It's about Shoto."
She really wanted nothing more than to walk out of that room right now but hearing that he wanted to talk about Todoroki made her pause. What could that bastard possibly want to say to her? She was honestly curious.
Amari rolled her eyes once before flopping down on the sofa, crossing her arms in annoyance. "Fine, I'll bite. What is it that's so important you had to call me here from class?"
Once he knew she wasn't going to move, Endeavor took out a small envelope from his back pocket and placed it on the table. "I'm sure you're aware of the mess you are causing the hero agencies right now with your unruly behavior. Many of the citizens aren't pleased with you roaming free."
Nodding her head, Amari replied. "Yeah, tell me something I don't know. But like I already said, I'm not a villain. I never wanted to hurt anyone."
Endeavor seemed to understand that though. "Even if that was the case, the citizens have only ever seen the after effects, which means they see you as a villain."
Choosing not the answer that statement, Todoroki's father then pulled out five magazines from his back pocket and placed them on the table as well. "I'm also sure you're aware of Shoto's dream to become the number one hero?"
Raising her brow, Amari answered back sharply. "Was that his dream or your dream?"
Frowning back, the man ignored her jab. "Regardless, that is the sole reason he decided to attend U.A. Whether it was to spite me or not, his goal has still remained the same."
Amari knew very well what Todoroki's goal was, recalling him being harsh with her when they first met. Heck, the only reason they became friends was when Amari proved she wasn't an enemy. "Okay, so why are you telling me this?"
Endeavor seemed to be waiting for that question though, sliding the magazines towards her side of the table. "Read them."
Raising her eyes in question, Amari carefully picked up one of the magazines before flipping open the tabbed page and reading. It seemed to be an article about Todoroki and his family.
Although as she read further, the girl couldn't help but widen her eyes. The things they were saying about him were absolutely terrible, and all of them were because they were dating. Apparently because Amari was suspected to be a villain, it also brought up suspicion with Todoroki, calling him not worthy to be a hero. What even was this?
Feeling her hands shake, she picked up the other magazines before reading similar articles, now hearing Endeavor in her ear. "As you can see, because of your little stunt, the public have decided to condemn anyone associated to you, and that includes Shoto."
Amari slammed the pages shut then, not fully understanding everything. "Wait, that doesn't make any sense. Why are they criticizing him? He tried to stop me from hurting everyone."
Nodding his head, Endeavor replied. "Yes but with your close relations, the media can't help but think you corrupted him in some way."
A sharp feeling of anger appeared in her stomach then as she rose out of her seat. "That's bullshit! I didn't do anything like that! Shoto is completely innocent!"
The man didn't seem bothered by her anger though, just reacting calmly. "You and I both know that but the media have no other choice but to believe their own story."
Shaking her head in utter anxiety, Amari felt her breathing pick up slightly. What was even happening? She never wanted him to face this much pain because of her. All of this was her fault. "No, no it can't be. There's gotta be something I can do to fix this…"
Endeavor was silent for a moment before speaking back. "There is actually.."
Hope appeared in her eyes then, ready to do whatever it took to clear his name. "Really?! What is it?"
Looking down at the table, the man then placed his hand on the white letter before handing it to her.
Seeming confused, Amari carefully touched the letter before opening the seal and reading contents that were very familiar to her. That girl's stomach dropped into her chest when she realized what it was. It was the marriage interview request.
Gripping onto the paper for dear life, she whispered out. "No.."
Endeavors voice cut through her then, pointing to the letter in question. "The only way to change the reporters minds is to detach yourself from the situation. Right now, the reason Shoto is being criticized is because of you."
Feeling her mind jump around in a hundred different directions, Amari threw the paper down, shouting back angrily. "Screw you! You're telling me to go along with something he's against?! Fuck that, you know how much he hates quirk marriages, and besides that, there has to be another way."
Sighing in frustration, the man stopped her. "The only way Shoto can regain his status and approval of the crowds is to show the world that he is considering other options, besides a possible villain. I'm not insinuating he gets married now, the boy is still in high school after all. This is all just for public relations, to quell the people's worries. If Shoto wants to become the new symbol of peace that desperately, then he can't have a villain attached to him, the people will reject it..
Amari shook her head in disbelief at that as Endeavor continued. "Bakugo, I understand you have feelings for my son but you need to realize that you are getting in the way of his goal, of the sole reason he came to U.A. Do you really want to hinder him anymore than you already have?"
Hinder? The word felt funny on her tongue. Was that really what she was doing this entire time? Had Todoroki read these terrible articles that she caused? She couldn't even begin to think of the unknown hardships she might have been reasonable for.
Lowering her head down to the floor, Amari muttered back. "What do you want me to do?"
The man pointed to the letter in response. "I can't fix this problem unless Shoto agrees to go to the interview, and there's only one person who is holding him back from saying yes."
Amari understood what he meant right away, he meant her. She was the reason he kept turning down those interviews. He wanted her to convince him to go, although that wasn't something she could do.
She couldn't even imagine a life without Todoroki, never mind letting him go. The idea seemed almost heart breaking. But, she had to if she wanted to maintain his dream.
Not giving a response, Amari just stood up from her chair before moving back to the door and slamming it behind her, now utterly numb from what she had heard.
Later that night Katsuki was walking down to get a drink from the venting machine when a light from the back of the dorms caused him to stop. Who could possibly be out this late?
After getting his drink, Bakugo popped the top open and walked outside only to find his sister, training by herself.
She looked to be running around the track a couple feet away, pools of sweat building up onto her body at a rapid rate. He told her to stop pushing herself. What was she even doing?
He thought about calling out to her when Amari stopped running, collapsing onto the ground and breathing heavily. She was now clutching her chest, as in physical pain, gasping out short breaths. "Fuck...it's not good enough...god damn it...why...why can't I…!?"
Katsuki's eyes widened at that, putting his foot out to run to her when she started slamming her fists into the ground in utter anger and devastation. His sister, she was breaking apart right before him.
Balling her fists on the track, Amari closed her eyes in pain as a loud and heartbreaking sob echoed from her throat. All of those weeks of keeping in her anguish came pouring out in waves as she cried into the ground.
Her brother could only watch in horror at the girl who thought no one was watching, now cradling herself on the floor as she grew herself horse.
So this was the Amari she never wanted him to see.
I may have stayed up until 4am writing this oops. I was just really into it. So *breathes* Endeavor. I know he sucks but in the eyes of the public he has a point, he's just the worst though.
Poor Amari has to decide to either let go of Shoto so he can continue his dream of beating his dad, or staying and being responsible for him not becoming a hero.
Also Dabi is really Mr. Steal Your Girl. Oop
Next Chapter: Amari's decision and Bakugo finally tells Amari "His Reasons" for ignoring me all those years ago…
