Shoko found herself blinded by the lights the moment she stepped out of the limo.

The noise wasn't much better; it felt like every reporter in Japan was clamoring in her ear, asking her questions that didn't have a damn thing to do with how good of a hero she was.

"Miss Todoroki, what do you have to say about your father being number one?"

"Do you have anything to say about UA's schooling flaws?"

"Are the rumors you are currently dating Katsuki Bakugo true?"

"Have you decided to bring a date to the Gala for the first time, Miss Todoroki?"

Shoko wanted to stroll past them and never acknowledge their existence.

But she knew the drill; she had to impress these people, or else her hero career might never take off.

Once, she wouldn't have cared; but now, with her promise to Izuku to meet him at the top, it mattered.

That was why she had dressed to impress.

"God bless Yaoyorozu and Aoyama's fashion sense," Shoko thought.

Not only had they made the first Gala dress she'd actually had a say in, they'd made the favorite piece of clothing she'd ever worn, other than that lingerie she fully intended to use on Izuku again.

She smirked to herself; Izuku had certainly appreciated her dress when she'd first shown it to him. She was just glad it wasn't torn from how quickly it had come off her...

"No, Shoko, focus," she reminded herself. She had a plan to stick to.

Speaking of Izuku, Shoko could hear him getting out of the limo behind her.

A collective gasp seemed to come from the paparazzi as they realized the significance of the green-haired man trailing behind Shoko.

"Yes," Shoko thought, "look, the poor scarred girl nobody would want except for her quirk has the hottest man in Japan by her side."

Shoko turned briefly to help her boyfriend out, and she couldn't help but salivate a little.

Izuku cleaned up nicely . He'd shot up over this past year, and now he was far from the short, timid boy who'd walked into the classroom that first day. He was easily over six feet, with a strong jawline and soft eyes, and his muscles were clearly defined by the pressed suit he wore, crisp and smooth. When someone finally dealt with that hair of his, smoothing it and taming the tangle into an achingly soft cascade of curls, he looked not just like a hero, but an incredible man.

And he was all Shoko's .

Instantly, Shoko got bombarded with questions. Everyone wanted to know who this handsome man was, even as said man looked distinctly confused and a little worried by the attention, though he hid it well.

Shoko headed off all the questions by simply clutching him close to her and saying, "This is my boyfriend, Izuku Midoriya!"

Her grip seemed to ground him, and he flashed a winning smile, the kind that made Shoko want to kiss him silly.

That just created a thousand more questions for the press, but Shoko would deal with them later.

After all, one of those lucky parasites would be getting a stunning scoop later tonight.

She grabbed Izuku's hand and they practically ran into the Gala, ignoring the cameras that flashed constantly, taking pictures that Shoko knew would probably adorn the front pages of every hero tabloid the next day.

She didn't care; she was with Izuku, and that was all that mattered.

As soon as they got inside, Izuku was dazzled by the sheer number of heroes there.

When he'd vowed to become the greatest hero, he'd never realized that it would bring him to a place like this.

He was pretty sure he'd owned merchandise for most of these people he now had to make small talk with.

He felt nervous, at first, unwelcome.

Shoko seemed to sense it, and she turned to him.

"Izuku," she said in a low, urgent tone, "you are a better hero and a better person than any of these people. You belong here."

How was it that she could identify and chase away all his fears with a few words?

Izuku said, " Thank you, Shoko."

She simply smiled, making Izuku's heart beat faster with how gorgeous she looked. She gestured to the huge number of people and said, "Well, what are you waiting for? This must be your dream, a room full of heroes for you to talk to! Go on, have fun, Izuku!"

Surprised, Izuku responded, "What? But...I'm not going to leave you! What if you run into Endeavor alone?"

Shoko reassured him, "Don't worry, I don't think he's here yet. I don't like parties much, I'll just find a nice corner and get some food. I'll be nearby, so if either of us needs help, backup will be close, okay?"

Reluctantly, Izuku nodded, slowly letting go of Shoko's hands and taking a few tentative steps away.

He turned back, and Shoko smiled indulgently at her stupidly loyal boyfriend. She made a shooing motion with her hand, and Izuku finally turned, heading out into the group of people like he'd wanted to the whole time.

Soon, he was off.

He ran from place to place, nerding out and eagerly talking to every hero he could find.

At first, many of the heroes were a little nervous around this random boy who could name the date of their debut and more details about their quirks than they even thought were public knowledge, but they soon warmed up to him, and Izuku got pulled into countless conversations about heroics and quirks and everything in between.

Shoko was quite happy to sit back against the wall with a glass of water and watch Izuku's awkwardness vanish, replaced by his incredible charisma that always shone when he really got passionate about something.

She'd never tell him so, but she had already decided that she'd be comfortable being the number two hero behind him. Seeing how perfect he was for it made her sure that he'd exceed everyone else like the chosen successor he was.

Unfortunately, Shoko had made a miscalculation, and didn't realize it until it was too late.

She was so engrossed in watching her hero enthusiastically interacting with other heroes that she jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Turning, her face froze and her blood went cold.

It was Endeavor.

"Oh no, I thought he wasn't here yet!" she thought in panic.

She could only hope Izuku came to help her against her father.

The number one hero didn't smile as he said, "Ah, Shoko. I am glad you are here. Do you find your partner acceptable?"

Shoko had to tamp down her rage. " Acceptable? Really? That's the bar you're willing to set for marrying off your own daughter?" she screamed internally.

If there had been any reservations about what she was going to do to this man's precious fucking legacy, they were gone now.

Shoko wanted to blow up right there, and she almost did.

But she remembered Izuku, and all their promises she was determined to keep.

She calmed herself; Endeavor would get his, and soon.

With difficulty, she remained impassive, and said, "Father, I'm afraid you are under the wrong impression."

The flaming hero raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What do you mean?" he asked, clearly surprised that Shoko was even talking back to him.

Shoko took a deep breath, then said, "I did not bring your suggestion as a date. As a matter of fact, I never intend to see that disgusting worm ever again."

Now, Endeavor was angry; he tried to hide it, but Shoko had spent a lifetime spotting his tells. His eye was twitching; he didn't dare make a scene here, but if Shoko still lived at home, she would be bracing for a reckoning.

Instead, she noticed Izuku looking at her with concern from across the room. Quickly, she raised her head, indicating that she wanted him to come to her.

Instantly, he was headed for her side, dodging waiters and heroes alike to join her.

Shoko ignored her father, looking at Izuku as he came to her aid.

Endeavor's eyes widened as Izuku came to a stop in front of Shoko, and she immediately pulled him into a breathless kiss.

Izuku stiffened, but he knew that Shoko was using him as an anchor, giving her strength to go through with her plan.

Finally, Shoko released him; Endeavor was rigid with fury and disbelief by this point, and people were starting to notice the confrontation.

Good; Shoko could use that. Time to make her father's obsession with appearances bite him in the ass.

Meeting Endeavor's burning eyes, she said, "Father, this is my boyfriend , Izuku Midoriya."

Izuku grinned, the kind of grin Shoko knew he used on villains.

The kind that bared teeth and didn't reach his eyes.

With a voice so obviously fake that you could feel the disgust in it, he said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Shoko has told me a lot about you."

Shoko didn't know if Endeavor caught the threat hidden in there, but he certainly caught the implications of what Shoko was saying, or maybe it was how Izuku protectively wrapped his arm around Shoko's waist, letting her press herself against him.

He hissed, "Boy, you dare defile my perfect creation? She is not to be touched by the likes of you ."

Izuku's eyes flared in rage, but not at the insult to him.

Endeavor had called Shoko "My perfect creation," as though she were a piece of art, or, more likely, a weapon.

Shoko was angry, too, but she'd said her piece. Over and over again she'd said it, until her throat was sore and raw.

She knew how much it had hurt Izuku to sit back even when he knew what her father had done, how deep Mr. Aizawa's words had cut in that UA meeting; she wasn't going to stop him from defending her.

And she was so tired of fighting Endeavor.

Izuku cut off the number one hero with a single glare. With an icy tone, he said, "Shut up, you fucking disgrace of a hero. Shoko is not a thing, she is not some creation, and she is certainly not yours . You lost any right to associate yourself with her when you tried to sell her off like a brood mare for your pathetic legacy."

Endeavor stood there, stunned; Shoko could have laughed, and she almost did, except for the way that Izuku's hand was tensed over her own, revealing just how scared he actually was.

She'd used him as her anchor; now, she returned the favor, the squeezing of his hand reminding him that she was still here, still looking out for him.

Shoko took up the moment of reprieve from Endeavor's silence to hammer the point home. "I am not marrying anybody you suggest, father ," she said, venom dripping off her words, "I want Izuku, and nobody else. You will not control my fate anymore. I decide who I love."

That got the flaming man to finally respond, "Shoko, what sort of childish rebellion is this?"

Shoko bristled. She snapped, "Stop calling this a childish rebellion. I haven't been a child since the day my quirk appeared, thanks to you. I'm finally getting rid of you, like I should have done a long time ago. Oh, and here's my warning: if you try anything, if you so much as talk about Izuku to the press or anyone else, I will tell the world everything, and bring your life and career crashing down. Am I clear?"

As she finished, Shoko thought, "Thank you, Touya, for suggesting blackmail."

Endeavor's eyes widened. He said, "Shoko, how dare you? Don't you know what will happen to your mother if I'm not around?"

Shoko replied, "Yeah, she'll finally divorce your ass and get out of the hospital she could have left years ago if not for you. And you don't have any hold over the rest of the family I actually care about anymore, Father. Now, I'm the one with all the cards."

Her father flared up a little, charring the edges of his black suit as he answered, "This isn't over, Shoko. You can't change anything. The agreement with Geretsuna is already made, even I couldn't go back on it if I wanted to. And now I'm wondering if I should have you two marry immediately, not in two years, to teach you some manners. You can't threaten me. Do you think anything you can do against me will be taken seriously? You will be shown to be a delusional child who couldn't handle the greatness I offered you."

Shoko couldn't believe it. He was still trying to threaten her?

"A monster to the end," she thought.

She simply bared her teeth in a savage grin. "Don't be so sure you have the advantage here, you bastard. After all, what happens if the man who has always been better than you was publicly on our side?"

Endeavor snorted. "Who, All Might? That washed-up, pathetic has-been? Why would he ever be interested in weaklings like you two?"

Shoko wanted to give the response, for the satisfaction of watching his bravado crumble.

But the words weren't hers to say. So she turned to Izuku, and nodded once.

Her boyfriend spoke up. "Because I'm his son," Izuku said, without wavering.

Once, he'd been too scared to admit how he saw his mentor. Even when he knew Yagi saw Izuku as his own, something had always made Izuku feel unworthy of claiming All Might as family.

But if it could help him protect Shoko, he would gladly embrace it.

The effect on Endeavor was instant. He gaped at Izuku and Shoko, trying to process what the green-haired boy had just said.

"Impossible," the flame hero began, "All Might never had a family!"

Izuku smirked, "How do you know? He didn't parade us around like we were trophies to make him look better, but that doesn't mean he didn't have people he loved. Unlike you, who has never loved anything except yourself and power."

Endeavor didn't even process the insult, as he turned to Shoko. "You...you fell in love with All Might's son?" he asked her.

She nodded as she replied, "Not just his son, his successor."

Endeavor simply looked at them, a betrayed expression on his face.

"What, does he think I owe him anything, especially loyalty?" Shoko wondered.

She was done here. "Let this be a reminder, father. You will always be inferior . Go to hell," she told him.

With that, Shoko turned, taking a few steps and not looking back.

Izuku intended to join her, but he had one last thing to say.

He told the shocked man in front of him, "This is nothing compared to what you deserve, you piece of shit. The only reason I'm not going to punch you right now is because Shoko is right; it will be even better to destroy everything you've worked for."

Endeavor's eyes focused back on him, burning in silent rage.

"You," Endeavor seethed, "you are the cause of this. I will destroy you."

He took a step forward as if he was actually going to attack, starting to raise his massive hand to point at Izuku.

Izuku's smile only got wider and more vicious. He replied, "I didn't do anything, Shoko is the one who is going to bring your actions to light. And I wouldn't try anything, my future father-in-law. After all, you wouldn't want to have your precious image tarnished by attacking your daughter's boyfriend at the Hero Gala, now, would you?"

Endeavor paused, hand still raised, and he seemed to remember where he was, and how many people were starting to turn and look at them, confused and a little wary of their intense exchange.

Endeavor started to calm down, but Izuku saw a perfect opportunity.

He formed his face into a beaming, innocent smile, then reached out and shook Endeavor's outstretched hand, making the Number One Hero freeze in shock.

"Thank you for your blessing, sir! I'll take good care of Shoko!" Izuku called, just loud enough for the nearest reporters to overhear, leaving them scrambling for cameras and notebooks.

Endeavor's face was a mask as he tried to tighten his grip, only for Izuku pour just a tiny bit of One For All into his hand and match the larger man easily, the same blissful grin still on his face.

Endeavor leaned close as the false handshake ended and hissed, "You have made an enemy today, boy. I will reclaim my perfect legacy, and you will pay for your insolence."

Izuku kept smiling. He retorted, "If you try, I'll happily help Shoko destroy your life and everything you've built. And then I'll give you a ten-second head start."

With that, Izuku turned and followed after Shoko, leaving behind a stunned number one hero and a ballroom full of equally stunned heroes and press, who hadn't heard most of the words, but had definitely seen the reactions.

In the corridor outside, Izuku found Shoko waiting for him. They clung to each other, trying to recover from the heart-pounding adrenaline of standing up to Endeavor.

"Did we just-" Izuku panted, trying to catch his breath.

"Tell my father to go to hell? Yes, we did," agreed Shoko, bursting out into disbelieving laughter, which Izuku soon began to echo. When they finally recovered, Shoko sobered again and said, "You know, that isn't going to be enough to stop him."

Izuku nodded, and asked, "So, phase two then?"

Shoko grinned. "Phase two, then," she affirmed, "and I already know who I want to talk to."

Izuku raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" he said, "who is it?"

Shoko grinned. "My father's least favorite reporter. The bastard hated him for being "responsible" and "ethical," she replied.

That was good enough for Izuku.

They found each other's hands again, and together, they went in search of the reporter who was about to have the juiciest story of their career dropped into their lap.

Taneo Tokuda wasn't exactly a fan of writing for the tabloids, but at least it paid the bills. He much preferred freelancing for the proper news outlets, but that wasn't always possible, hence why he was stuck in a scratchy suit watching heroes walking past him into the main hall while he idly took notes.

He had to admit, though, that he was enjoying the Hero Gala, if for no other reason than because all of his less ethical tabloid colleagues were in a tizzy over the daughter of Endeavor showing up with a boy toy.

He was happy for them; by all accounts they were adorable. And maybe he could even write a nice story about them, too.

And here they came now!

They certainly were a perfect couple; the boy, who Taneo thought he recognized from his stories on UA and their sports festival last year, was a decent bit taller than the Todoroki girl, but they seemed to be moving in perfect sync, hands intertwined as they scanned the hall, apparently looking for something or someone.

Then the dual-colored girl spotted him and started marching towards him.

Taneo watched in surprise as they cut right towards him, avoiding heroes and other members of the press.

Finally, they pulled to a stop at last, and the girl-Shoko, he remembered-said, "Are you Mr. Tokuda?"

Taneo nodded and bowed. "At your service, Miss Todoroki. What can I do for you and your lovely date?" he asked.

Smiling, she replied, "You have a reputation for ethics and responsible journalism, right? My father has...spoken highly of you."

Taneo snorted at that; he doubted that Endeavor approved of journalism with his standards, but still, he answered, "I like to think I do, young lady. No offense, but I was not aware that your father supported such independence from the media."

The Todoroki girl grinned back at her date, who gave the cutest reassuring smile in return. Then, she turned back to him. She told him, "You're right about that, Mr. Tokuda. But I certainly do value such things. I don't know if you've noticed, but Izuku and I have caused a bit of a stir."

Taneo nodded and said, "Yes, I've noticed that. It warms my freelance heart to watch these tabloid parasites have to admit they didn't know something."

The young couple nodded sagely. Then, the girl blew him away by asking, "Would you like an interview? Izuku and I want to talk about our relationship to someone we can trust to report it truthfully."

Taneo's eyes widened as he experienced a journalist's most impossible dream: a colossal scoop, dropped into your lap based on a hard-won reputation.

"You lovebirds just made my day," he chuckled, "here, let's find a spot that's quieter than this hallway. I'd love to ask both of you a few questions."

Once they'd found a side room with a few comfortable chairs and a table for Taneo to set his recorder on, he started the interview off simply.

"So, Todoroki, I'm sure everyone is wondering; up until recently you were notorious for shunning romantic relationships. What makes Midoriya different?" he asked.

Across from him, the girl looked fondly at her boyfriend, sitting next to her, and said, "Well, I suppose he's the first person that I've ever really trusted enough to open up to. Growing up like I have in the public eye, you become awfully suspicious of people. Izuku blew through all of the walls I'd put up; he's saved me from myself multiple times because of that. Ever since we first met, there's been something about him that just...makes him special to me."

Taneo nodded, and continued, "Thank you, Todoroki. Now, Izuku Midoriya, I'm really curious about you. Obviously, your girlfriend has been known since childhood thanks to her famous father, but I have to admit, I don't think anybody knows much about you. What's your story? How did you end up with Shoko?"

Taneo had pegged Midoriya as the type to stammer nervously during interviews, but the green-haired man seemed at ease, leaning back and smiling as he began, "Well, there isn't much to tell, I'm afraid. I was born and raised in Musutafu, I've wanted to be a hero for as long as I can remember, and got into UA thanks to the support of everyone around me. The next thing I know, I'm fighting villains, trying not to break my bones, and the most beautiful girl in the world is saying that she loves me."

His girlfriend seemed touched by that, and Midoriya gave her a look with so much love that anyone who saw it would have cooed.

Taneo smiled; these two were adorable. "On that note," he asked, "how did you two end up together? If I remember correctly, you battled at the sports festival your first year. Did that have anything to do with it? Oh, and how long have you been together? I have to say, you seem very close for a couple your age."

They glanced at each other, then Todoroki began, "Well, we've only been together officially for...about two months, now. We were definitely pretty close even before that, though. We were just super awkward about how much we liked each other, it took our friends getting involved to get us together in the end. They weren't gentle about it, either."

Midoriya's grimace suggested that there was more to the story, but Taneo focused on Todoroki as she continued, "and about that battle at the sports festival...I can't say for sure if I fell for him then, but it was the first time he saved me. I think...I think it was the first time we really saw each other. It was the start of something, and I never want it to end."

Taneo nodded, writing notes as quickly as he could.

This was going to be a great story.

Taneo said, "Alright, I don't want to keep you two too much longer, so I've only got three more questions. First, how have your families reacted? Have they been supportive?"

Taneo thought he'd struck a nerve there; he saw a glance pass between the couple, before Midoriya replied, "My...parents both love her. My mom basically adopted Shoko the moment she came into our home, which makes Shoko happy because my mom makes her favorite soba in the world."

Todoroki glared affectionately at her boyfriend, but didn't disagree.
Then, it was her turn. She began, "Well...my family has always been a little out there. My mom took one look at him and told me that I better marry him, my siblings all like him a lot. My father...was trickier, but I think Midoriya and I have dealt with him. He trusts us to do our own thing, I think. He'll be behind us for the rest of our lives."

Midoriya smiled serenely as he nodded in agreement.

That was good to hear, Taneo couldn't imagine these two having any family drama. They were just too perfect for each other.

But his job wasn't done. He asked, "Next, you two seem pretty serious to me. With how dangerous and stressful heroics is, how are you two planning to maintain a relationship while you're both heroes? Have you thought about the future at all, if you want to get married or have a family?"

Midoriya shot something that could have been a warning glare to his girlfriend, who looked back innocently.

Todoroki responded, "Yeah, we are both definitely aware that things won't be easy for us. But the short answer I can give is that whatever comes, we'll face it together. Early in our relationship, we made a promise; we're going to be at the top of the hero charts, both of us. And even though we certainly haven't been together for long, I can't stress enough how serious we are about this. I've told him this before, and I'll gladly say it again: I am going to marry this boy someday. I know that for sure. And as for a family...again, I can't say anything for certain, but I do know I want to have that with him. My family has...always been a struggle, for a lot of reasons, and I've always wondered if I'd follow in my father's footsteps in that, too. But I want to try to have the family I should have had, with Izuku. That's something I am certain about."

Midoriya said, "That's about it, she got everything we wanted to say. The only thing I can add is...it's always been my goal to reach the top. The only thing that's changed thanks to Shoko is that now, I know I won't be there alone."

Taneo hadn't thought it was possible to be this precious, but the lovebirds were proving him wrong.

It was time to ask his final question, and then write a story about how perfect these two were.

Taneo said, "Alright, here is my final question: can you tell me what the other person means to you?"

Todoroki went first. She said, "When I met him, I was isolated and angry. He saved me from myself by putting his own body at risk to help me, and that's something I'll never be able to thank him enough for. Every time I've thought I would fall apart from despair, he's been here to lift me up. I know we're both training to be heroes, but for me, Izuku will always be my hero."

Taneo turned to Midoriya, who had to pull himself away from looking at his girlfriend lovingly.

The green-haired young man began, "Shoko...means so much to me, I don't think I could put it into words that really do it justice. She's my rock, the person I know I can always depend on. She's the person who always drives me to be better, because I know she'll always be doing the same herself, and I want to keep the promise I made to her. And, I hate to steal her words, but I don't think there's any better way to put it. Her strength and resilience leave me in awe whenever I see them. She's my hero."

Taneo nodded in satisfaction, turning off the recorder as he took his last notes.

This would be the best story he'd ever written, and he was looking forward to it.

Shaking both of their hands, Taneo said, "Well, that's that! Thank you so much, both of you."

Todoroki replied, "Thank you, we really appreciate this."

Taneo grinned at her. "Really," he told her, "I can't thank you enough. I swear, you guys are a reporter's dream! I'll be seeing you around, I expect."

They smiled, and Taneo took his leave, heading for the back exit.

As he did, he ignored the loud sounds of frantic kissing from the room he'd just exited with a smile.

He hadn't lied to them; he was certain that he would see Shoko and Izuku Midoriya as Japan's top heroes one day.

They were going to be great.