Chapter 17

Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero Academia, or anything related to it. All properties belong to their respectful owners.

Chapter beta'd by: Kylekatarn77

Shout out: Chronicles of a Green Haired boy and his Rabbit, by Darth Erebus

The author was inspired by my story and wrote their own AU of my AU story, and it's a great read. Go check it out and show their story some love. I love hearing about stories that authors got inspiration from me on, it's really humbling. If you also read on AO3, check out this other delightful story that is Izuku x Rumi, they also were inspired by my story. Any story that is Izuku x Rumi is a fantastic addition to the fanbase and I love hearing about them.

Shout out: Crescent Moon Choco Sundae, by ProfoundCranium

A.N: There was quite a bit of disappointment with the last chapter, which I expected. I'll go into a deeper explanation of my, and thusly Izuku's thinking in the bottom A.N. for those interested. Just know that I always have a reason, and I hate relationship tension as much as you my readers.

What I will say though is that I have been writing for a long time, before I even started this story. In that time, I learned at least one important thing, writing isn't perfect, and you can't please everyone. That said I hope you continue to enjoy and follow my story, Izuku will be resolved shortly.

Itsuka felt as though the title she had been given was unnecessary. She didn't feel like a big sister or anything of the sort, but she always realized she did tend to hover and watch out for her fellow students. As a result of those tendencies, she tended to notice things that others didn't. Just like all the other girls, she found interest in the fairy-tale-like romance supposedly blooming between her favorite Hero, and her fellow student.

The situation didn't seem far-fetched to her either; from everything she had seen and heard, it seemed like a forgone conclusion. As such when she woke up this morning and caught Miruko with a wide smile from ear to ear exiting her room, she knew something had happened. From the beginning she had been able to tell there was sparks and tension between the two, and it seemed to have come to a head. What she couldn't understand was why it caused two very drastically different results.

Miruko had been, dare she say, nervous the previous night during the baths. Izuku from what she had watched the previous day was the opposite, strong and sure of himself in all his actions. When the morning passed however, it was as though they had traded places but to a drastic degree. In the brief time, Izuku had gone from confident and sure to his previous meek and withdrawn self. He still fought like she had witnessed from his change, he was strong, but his actions all lacked something she couldn't identify.

On the other hand, she had watched Miruko go from powerful badass warrior woman, to something more normal. Itsuka knew that Miruko was normal just like any other person, but meeting your personal Hero always shifts views. She had always seen Miruko as an unbeatable and unshakable pillar of what a Hero should be. That was still the case, but Itsuka had been humbled and reminded that Heroes were still just people.

"Get yourself together Kendo, I have high hopes for you. My kick wasn't even that strong, now stand up." With a quick shake to refocus herself, Itsuka looked up to Miruko and her wide grin. After the earnest smile she had seen though, her grin looked almost fake and forced. She rubbed her ribs on her left side and sharply inhaled when she touched a tender spot. Miruko might have claimed it was a weak kick, but Itsuka knew she had bruised her ribs, possibly even cracked one or two of them.

Itsuka looked around and noticed all of her fellow students were in similar conditions. All of them except Izuku- he had to be in just as much pain as her, if not more. From what she could see, he was heavily bruised and nursing a bad ankle, but he still fought. What she had seen of his earlier anguish was gone, or perhaps hidden was a better word, as she could still see something deep in his eyes.

Regardless of that, he seemed to put everything aside and was solely focused on the moment and fight in front of him. After the first bout against Miruko she had caught something on his face that read of a deep pain, but he had put it away and charged right back in. They were in their fourth or fifth fight against Miruko- she couldn't remember how many it was now- but she could tell they were improving.

Despite telling them to initially not work together with other teams, Mirko had said nothing when it eventually happened. At that point she had noticed the first real shift in Izuku, he realized Miruko was giving them false alternatives for a villain scenario. After that, they had all teamed up together in efforts to try and take down Miruko, but she was too strong.

Fight after fight they were all knocked down, and kicked to the verge of unconsciousness. Izuku had taken charge once he realized what was happening, and all the others followed without real question. Itsuka could tell now what the other girls of 1-A had been talking about with his major change. She had always viewed him as meek and weak, but she never judged him based on that. After all, despite that he had still won the sports festival.

He was a mystery that Itsuka couldn't quiet place. She could understand why Miruko had landed her eye on him and initially sent out a work study invitation to him. Something about Izuku seemed to draw in those around him, almost like a silent magnetism. No matter how he tried to hide it or pretend he wasn't strong however, that all changed in a fight.

Regardless of whether his attitude was faked or true, Izuku was powerful. In every fight they had against Miruko so far, he was always the last one standing, and neither he nor Miruko pulled any of their punches. She had watched him reel from clearly painful attacks over and over, but he always got back up and charged in for more.

Even Bakugo, who she knew to be tough as nails and quite stubborn, had fallen to his knees and gasped for breath as he held his ribs at one point. The only person who didn't was Izuku. Something in his eyes was different, she didn't want to call it a madness, but it almost seemed that way. She had seen this burning fire in him that truthfully terrified her, for with no care of his own pain and injuries Izuku always got right back up and charged in.

Itsuka jumped up, ignoring the dull throb of her side and charged in followed by some of her fellow students. The attack proved for naught when they all had various attacks dodged, countered, or canceled out. Miruko had still yet to lose a match. Itsuka could tell she was getting tired just like the rest of them, but the odds were still in her favor.

Ten versus one and Miruko still handled them all, seemingly without care of effort. After nearly two hours of the continuous fights however, Itsuka could tell it was starting to put a strain on all of them, even Miruko. She blocked a kick with her enlarged hands, and they stung like nothing ever had before. With a quick thought to use Miruko's advice she shrunk her hands and used them for momentum to swing a kick for Miruko's jaw.

Itsuka was lifted up off the ground from her leg as Miruko had caught it. Being held by her ankle was a new experience, and not a pleasant one as she felt like a ragdoll. The grin she caught on her Heroes' face spelled pain for her as she did her best to brace for the attack. Despite her guard on the opposite side of her ribs that weren't hurting, a devastating kick landed, and she now throbbed with pain on both sides.

"Too shallow, your kick was weak, and your form needs work. The reaction time on your Quirk was half decent though, keep it up." Itsuka knew the advice was helpful and well meant, but she couldn't appreciate it in the moment over her pain. She drew in shaky and painful breaths as she continued to watch the fight from her spot on the ground. Much like all the others had played out, Itsuka watched until only Izuku remained.

He charged forth with speed that Itsuka knew she couldn't match, and just like had happened all previous times, both fighters seemed to go into a different gear. Miruko always seemed to be just at their level leaving an opening for them to capitalize on, but only if they had the skills to do so. When she fought Izuku however, she gave no such opening and beat him down without mercy.

With a quick glance she could tell he was black and blue nearly all over, but he still fought on with that fire in his eye. Itsuka didn't know whether to call it willpower or stupidity, but it did draw her in. She put aside her pain and attempted to fight alongside Izuku, but she could instantly tell it was fruitless. When Miruko fought Izuku she was a different person, as was he. Silent agreement or not, they both seemed to be expressing something through their fists.

Itsuka realized her folly when Miruko sent a fist straight for her gut, and she knew she couldn't dodge it. Unlike all the previous attacks however, this one surged at her without anything held back, and Miruko wasn't looking at her. She knew that if she blocked the attack something would break, before she could even try she felt a tug on her shirt and went sliding backwards.

Itsuka could see the small black tendril that extended from her to Izuku's arm, but he didn't even look at her. His fist flew and met Miruko's that had been aimed for her, and she definitely heard a crack or crunch as their fists met. It was clear who's, and then Izuku flinched, but he just slid back to gain some air.

"Damnit, I knew the gap was there, but I didn't think it was so far." She used her sharp ears to narrow in on Katsuki laying at her side. He held his ribs in deep pain with one hand while the other punched the ground. His eyes however were locked squarely on the fight in front of him. Itsuka returned her eyes as well, and they widened slightly.

Izuku had assured everyone else that the green lighting energy was purely cosmetic and a byproduct of his Quirk, but it did help identify how much power he was using. She watched as the small surges that surrounded him seemed to speed up and arc more powerfully. By the twitches his muscles gave off, his even more labored breathing, and grimaced face it clearly caused him pain, but he increased his power.

He shot off towards Miruko at speeds she could just barely follow and watched as the two clashed over and over again. It was as beautiful as it was terrifying to watch them attack with such vigor. Itsuka tried to use the moment and gather her thoughts, but they suddenly trailed back to what Miruko had said, the difference between Izuku and Monoma.

She fought down the slightly sick feeling that bubbled up when she watched Miruko land a punch and Izuku's skin rippled under the powerful punch. He seemed to pay it no mind though as he charged in and went for a slight break in Miruko's attacks. Itsuka focused her thoughts again as she watched.

'Neito would never take that much punishment. He is a decent guy, despite how much of a jerk he always acts like. What's the real difference between them though? I get that they are totally different people but Miruko made a big point out of them. A sore loser and a poor one, what's the difference?' Itsuka thought hard as she once more watched Izuku be knocked down, but he couldn't get up as Miruko held him down with a foot to his chest.

"That's the end once more. None of you have managed to win yet, but for now that concludes part one of training. Should be right around lunch time now I believe, so we will stop and break for lunch, and then begin part two." Miruko had a grin on her face, and Itsuka watched all the students go into despair over the thought of more training under her. Everyone except Izuku who still had that fire in his eye, even under Miruko's foot.

All at once a multitude of thoughts entered her mind as she further compared Izuku and Monoma as she tried to stand on wobbly feet. She made it all the way up before she teetered and almost fell to her knee's, but before she could an arm was wrapped under her shoulders to help support her weight. Itsuka turned and noticed it was Izuku who had been released from under Miruko's foot. In that moment it clicked for her, Izuku was in far worse condition, but still put her first, she turned to Miruko and almost gave herself whiplash as she called out.

"Miruko, I think I have an answer for your question." The Hero turned to her intrigued, as did her other fellow training students. She was the center of focus as she straightened herself with Izuku's help. Miruko tilted her head with a seeming interest as she spoke.

"Do you or do you not have an answer? There should be no thinking about it, you need conviction and belief in yourself, otherwise it's wrong." Itsuka nodded her head at the words and stood straight without Izuku's support.

"I do have an answer. Its conviction, or maybe willpower is a better word? The difference between a poor loser and a sore one, it's their drive. A poor loser will suffer defeat, but only complain about it and not do anything to change it. A sore loser will accept their defeat, but still get right back up and do it again, and they keep trying until their defeat is turned into a victory." Itsuka smiled wide with what she had come up with.

Her smile faltered slightly as Miruko approached, and though she was taller than the Hero she felt short before her. Miruko stood silent and appraised her for several moments before she grinned wide. The number seven Hero then reached out and ruffled Itsuka's hair with a proud gleam.

"I knew I liked you. That's correct, it's all about desire and drive. A sore loser is graceful about their defeat and doesn't let it keep them down. On the other hand a poor loser is anything but graceful and won't accept that their defeat was from a lack of effort. Well done Kendo, you have a good head on your shoulders and a promising Hero future." Itsuka practically preened at the praise and had to fight down an ear-splitting smile.

Proud that she had been correct and the first one to have an answer, Itsuka kept up her beaming smile all through the day. Lunch was an interesting affair, she looked around and noticed that all her fellow students looked just as tired and exhausted from their training. A closer inspection however, told her that Miruko had worked her and the other students she was training a lot harder. While the other groups looked tired and physically exhausted, Itsuka and her group sported far more injuries and looked as though they would drop on the spot.

Deep in the back of her mind she was grateful, as to her it meant they were getting the more rigorous training. On the other hand, she hadn't truly ached or hurt like she currently was in a very long time. As was told to them by the Wild, Wild Pussycats, they had to cook all of their meals now. Some of the students seem to fit right in. Itsuka had no problem with it, and she noticed a few others doing really well either overall or with specific skills.

A few she noticed, however, looked as lost as could be. Almost as though they had never even set foot in a kitchen, so they had been designated simple tasks. Itsuka shot a glance over to Izuku and caught him looking at Miruko with a far off look in his eyes before he looked away and down. Only a few seconds later she watched Miruko look at Izuku and then turn away with a confused and hurt glint in her eye.

She knew something had definitely happened between the two, and she desperately wanted to know what. The logical side of her brain, however, told her it wasn't her business and she should only observe from the side. It wasn't hard to notice though- everything about the two and their dynamic had shifted overnight. They interacted completely differently from how they had even just the previous day.

Something big had happened, and it killed her not to know. Despite how she always acted as the big sister and took responsibility, Itsuka was still a young teenage girl of only sixteen. Deep inside her young fairy-tale heart wanted to fix whatever had clearly happened to pull the two apart. With a nod of her head, she decided to gather information subtly and try to help fix whatever had happened. She wanted the situation to fix itself first and naturally if possible, but she had also decided to step in and act if she could.


Miruko watched all the students running about and making food for each other with a fond smile. It brought a small warmth to her, knowing that she was actually helping to grow and develop the students into better Heroes. She finally felt like she had managed to find a place she fit in without question. Once the food had been cooked, she realized it was a hearty stew to help keep everyone energized and restore lost energy.

Rumi was about to grab a bowl for herself, but she then watched Izuku silently sit next to her and place a bowl down. She was still greatly confused about what had caused the great and rapid change in Izuku, but it was also a private matter. If she wanted answers, and she would get them, then it would have to wait until she could get him alone again.

"I added extra carrots for you." It wasn't the same as his earlier coldness to her, but it also wasn't his fit to burst joy either. Miruko promised herself she would find out what had changed him and get Izuku back to his normal self. If she couldn't than she would keep pushing and trying until she couldn't anymore. Deep in her chest it truly hurt to see Izuku in so much pain. Whether he thought he was hiding it or not, she could clearly see the pain deep in his eyes.

Miruko finished her lunch quickly and with small idle chatter with Itsuka, for the girl had grown on her. Izuku had remained silent, but he was still sitting beside her, and in her mind that was progress of its own. He wasn't avoiding her completely, which meant she would find the root of the problem that had caused his behavior. Once everything was cleaned and put away properly she noticed that her group of students had managed to get some life back into them.

"Are you ready for part two of your training? It might just be worse than what I've already put you through." Miruko grinned wide as she starred them down and judged their expressions. She expected a few grunts or looks of despair, but Itsuka's earlier correct guess of Miruko's view on losers seemed to have sparked them. Despite knowing they would soon be faced with difficult challenges they were all ready to face it, come what may.

"Very good, then know that this will be far less physically taxing, in terms of pain at least. We will now move to what this training is really about, extending your Quirks usage. By now you are just about at your physical limit from fighting me, now use your Quirk to push its limits.

"Let me or one of the other teachers know what you are struggling with and we will provide a way to stretch your limits. From fighting you I have a good feel on what you should improve, so I can give suggestions and recommended answers. Otherwise, you are on your own and I will supervise your training from this point on." They all nodded at her before they approached and asked her suggestions on how to best improve on what they were lacking. Thirty minutes later found each of them in a hell of their own as they pushed their abilities while already on the brink of physical exhaustion.

Miruko watched over her training students with pride as they each pushed and pushed at their limits. It brought back a sense of nostalgia to her, for she always kept pushing herself to be and do better. A small voice at the back of her head questioned her though; when had she given up on being the best? Miruko always wanted to be the best version of herself that she could be, but she had also realized she was content where she was. Her career in comparison to other Heroes had been quite short and fast.

At the tender age of 26 she was already the highest ranked female Hero and within the top ten greatest across all of Japan. Even across the world she was already well known and respected. Somewhere along the line, she had realized that she no longer strived for the top. It wasn't unreachable, but she didn't desire it either.

She tossed the thoughts aside and watched her students. When she caught one struggling or they stopped for a moment, she gave either advice or encouragement. As much as she claimed to despise Hero teams and working with others, she realized she was quite good at it. The thought brought her some warm joy, and she knew that Himari would be proud to hear she was getting along with others so well.

Training ended quickly and dinner was served in the same fashion as lunch had been. It still surprised her how well the students all worked together with little to no practice or actual team-ups. Across from her during the meal, Itsuka had gathered quite the courage and conversed with Miruko without hesitation. On her side Izuku was still mostly silent, but he did contribute words and input occasionally.

Dinner was wrapped up quickly, and Miruko watched as all the students cleaned up and then went their separate ways. Izuku, ever helpful, was one of the last remaining students after all the others had left. Once Miruko noticed he was alone and no one else was watching them, she grabbed the back of his shirt and dragged him off. He protested slightly, but she pulled him until they were in a quiet and secluded part of the forest away from the camp's main building.

"Talk. You have been strange all day." Miruko flinched internally. She may have been too direct or blunt, but Izuku was being strange around her and it hurt to see him like that. For a moment he was silent and unmoving as he stared at her with worry. The next it was like a dam had broken loose and he rambled without end.

"I didn't know what to say to you. Or how I should act. Should I have pretended nothing happened? Would it have been better to not talk to you at all? How should I have apologized for my actions? Was what I did wrong, but then you were the one who acted first.

"Why did you run off? All night it was all I could think about. Was that wrong? There are so many questions I have, but I don't know how to ask anything. Is it weird that I have an attraction to you? I… I… I'm so confused Rumi." She watched him rambled on further for several moments as he looked down and hunched into himself, she caught everything with her sharp ears. What stuck out the most was that he felt just as she did and was attracted to her, but what hurt her was that he somehow believed he had done anything wrong the previous night.

"Izuku, breath." Miruko pleaded for him to listen to her and stop his rambling, but it continued without end. She needed some way to make him focus, but she also knew she couldn't use any of her normal violent methods. Based on what she was hearing, he would take it wrong and the situation would only spiral. Rumi took a deep breath and did the only thing she could-

Leave him breathless.

She grabbed his shoulders and titled his head up before she crashed her lips to his. Instantly the same pleasure and joy of the night previous returned to her, and she felt as Izuku stiffened under her. A moment later all the tension released, and he felt like jelly beneath her as she gently clung to him, but tight enough he couldn't run away. When her breath grew short, Rumi pulled back and placed her forehead to his. She noticed his eyes were almost clear of their previous fog, and back to a calm green.

"Now talk, and slowly. I got most of what you said, but I don't understand why you feel that way." Rumi spoke softly and with a gentle voice as she caressed Izuku's cheeks. Slowly he opened his mouth and went to speak, but words failed to come out. He took a few moments and gathered his breath again before he gently lowered his head and rested it against her breast.

She fought down any emotion it may have caused and watched Izuku- he had his eyes closed and his ear pressed to her chest. Miruko realized he was using her breast like a pillow and listening to the heavy but steady beat of her heart. He opened his mouth again and words came out slow but measured.

Rumi listened to everything and said nothing, giving Izuku all the time he needed. She had known something had happened to him since last night, but she hadn't realized just how far off his thoughts had gone. When he finally said that he felt as though he had done something wrong and driven her off, she put her foot down. Miruko was quick to break that delusion and told her own side of the story.

Their talk was slow and heavy, but after nearly thirty minutes, they had both managed to say everything they needed and resolve their issue. Miruko gently caressed Izuku's back as a few tears escaped him, she leaned down and softly locked against his lips again and felt warmth spread through her as he gently grabbed her waist. It hurt her to know Izuku was insecure about anything he did, but she would help him to know she appreciated it all.

"What exactly does this make us now?" Izuku silently questioned. Rumi toyed with his words for a moment and thought on how to answer him. After a few moments she gently kissed him again and let her actions express her words.

"I don't think we need any sort of label; we are just us. What we have learned though, is that we need to talk to each other. Promise me you will, no matter how silly you think it may seem, or how much it scares you. We should be able to tell each other anything, no matter what it is- the same goes for me. Just like when we texted, I want to tell you anything and everything, and I want to hear everything you have to say." Miruko was deeply hurt throughout the day from how Izuku had acted, but she also understood.

Their entire situation was just as new to her, but she jumped all in without a second guess. She always dealt with everything as it came and tackled it head on, but Izuku had doubted himself and reverted to how he was before she had helped him. It hurt to know that she had caused confusion for him when she took off, but it was just a misunderstanding. Deep down she knew it would only make them stronger as they worked through it.

Rumi looked deep into Izuku's eyes and saw his normal vigor and light returned to his eyes. His actions were nowhere near as forward, and his movements slow, but second by second he was rebuilding himself. Miruko leaned down and put everything she had into her kiss to express all that she could with that one movement.

Izuku's lips parted, and she pressed as tight as she could to ingrain it all into her mind. Her hands snaked to his neck and hair, just as they had before. Once more the world bled away, and all that existed was that one single moment between the two. She pulled back and panted briefly before she dived right back to savor every moment that allowed her to express her feelings to Izuku.

They had talked over the situation that caused the misunderstanding, and why it had happened. But Miruko couldn't care less, only glad that it had been resolved and her Izuku was back. She was hurt, and had begun to believe she had done something wrong herself. All she wanted was to express her love through her kiss and wash away any doubt that she didn't care.

Rumi felt like she was dying of thirst in a desert, and Izuku was the oasis in the distance. She drank deep and as much as she could, as she pressed him against a tree gently and raked her hands across his shoulders. Once she pulled back, her hands trailed down Izuku's chest and across his abs before they landed on his waist and he was left panting.

"Rumi." Her name sounded just as heavenly coming from him as it always did. She beat down the moan that threated to escape from her joy when Izuku latched onto her neck again. Instead she gently pushed him back and recaptured his lips again as her left leg curled around his. Miruko was panting and breathless as she looked deep into his eyes and said all she could.

"Izuku."

A.N: And there we have it, conflict resolved. Many of you were upset by the tension I created, but despite your anger you also made good points. Let me start with this, yes my Izuku is a lot more confident and surer of himself, but he is still just a sixteen-year-old boy.

In the manga he can barely talk to a girl without freaking out, so already that's a huge improvement. As was pointed out, I did also subtlety in the background "resolve" his bulling and abuse from his childhood. The realistic truth of the matter is though, those things aren't easily resolved and normally come back and rear their heads at the worst possible time.

As much as I want my story to be fluff and rainbows as much as I can because I love that stuff, I also want to capture the realism and truth of who the characters are based on how I built them up. Many people said my Izuku was better than how he acted, but I don't believe he is.

Izuku is a young man who has been through a lot in life already, but he is still learning. His confidence is quiet high, but mainly focused on combat, when placed in a romantic situation, he is completely out of his element. He had such sure and swift actions initially because he moved on instinct. The moment the situation was broken however, and his brain kicked on Rumi "ran away".

As smart as Izuku is, he is also quiet dumb, he is known to be an overthinker. Look how long it took him in the manga to stop comparing himself to All Might, he still sometimes does. Another example is how he thinks about his quirk and powers, it was only recently he really started accepting them as his own.

Despite his logical brain knowing why Rumi left, with his previous experiences and self-doubt Izuku wouldn't see it. I find it very logical that he would instantly doubt himself, because his confidence was just blown to smithereens. The more important and further reaching reasons I had this moment, was because Izuku and Rumi are just starting out, but with all they will face they need to have an unbreakable bond.

To do that they have to first struggle and overcome things together, some may say well you can do that other ways. And that's true, I also will, but its un-realistic to think they won't have some kind of argument, disagreement, or misunderstanding. All relationships have them, there is no way to avoid that, but by having an issue early and then agreeing to always talk about everything, it sets a base for them to have conflict resolution.

If you had any other doubts or questions about my characterization, let me know, shoot me a pm, I love having discussions, fuels my creative ideas and juices. Otherwise I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and know there is even more hardships to come for our budding couple, but they will face it together. Also, if you enjoy my work and feel like supporting me please check out my Ko-fi under the same name holliswriting, all lowercase no spaces.