The last two days of the term passed in a blur for Shoko and Izuku. Suddenly, they were packing up on Friday, trying in vain to sort out how mingled their lives had become.
They were both sure that they were going home with plenty of the other's belongings, but that didn't matter when their destination was the same. After all, they'd finally figured out their summer plans.
"So," Izuku said as he helped Shoko do one last sweep of her room, "are you looking forward to staying with your mom?"
"Actually, we had a better idea," Shoko replied.
"Oh? What's that?" Izuku asked.
Shoko teasingly stroked Izuku's hair as she came up behind him. She answered, "Well, I think my mom's apartment is already pretty crowded since Touya and Fuyumi have also been staying there, and it is only a few minutes from your mom's place…"
Izuku put the pieces together. "So your mom agreed to let you stay with us?" he inquired.
Shoko made an affirmative noise as she hugged Izuku tightly. "Yep," she confirmed, "and your mom agreed to it, so we'll be spending the entire summer together."
Izuku hesitated for a second. "And...and they're okay with that?" he asked.
"They sure are. After all, what's the worst that could happen, me getting pregnant?" Shoko teased.
Izuku laughed, but another thought crossed his mind. He said, "Oh, yeah, you told your mom the other night, right? How did that go?"
Shoko smiled fondly, remembering the smug grin that she could hear on her mother's face during that entire conversation. "Well, she wasn't surprised by the news; she said she already suspected. She said basically the same thing about us being perfectly set up for it that Recovery Girl did, too," she said.
Izuku sighed, "Why does it feel like everyone knows more about our love life than we do?"
Shoko replied, "Because, as Mina put it, we were "stupid, oblivious idiots with no concept of self-worth." We figured it out in the end, though, didn't we?"
Izuku nodded as he said, "Yeah, I suppose we did. So, your dad didn't cause any issues, even though you aren't staying with him?"
Shoko nodded. "Yeah, he didn't make a peep. The tabloids finally found out that my mom left the hospital, but none of them know what to make of the fact that she isn't staying with him again. Between that and the constant talk about the two of us, the bastard's PR team is working overtime, and the cracks are starting to show in his facade of a perfect, happy family."
Savagely, Izuku replied, "Good."
Shoko nodded in agreement as Izuku kept helping her clean the rest of the room.
After a while, her fiancé asked, "Shoko...are you still worrying about your father trying something?"
Shoko hesitated. "Yeah, I am," she admitted, "it just...isn't like him to take stuff like this lying down. He's so convinced he has the right to rule over us, there's no way he wouldn't fight back when we're finally breaking free of him. And considering how adamant he's always been about making me into his perfect, obedient little heir, I'm honestly shocked I've been as free as I have been these last few months. He's planning something, I know it, and whatever it is, I still feel awful about letting you get caught in the crossfire. I don't like the idea of you trying to fight this battle for me."
Instantly, Izuku crossed over to Shoko, pulling her into a hug. "Shoko, that's not right," he told her, "I'm not getting caught in anything. I know that getting on Endeavor's radar might be risky, but I'll do it a million times over if it keeps you safe. I'm putting myself there, Shoko, and that's my choice alone, because you're worth the risk. I'm going to help you break free of him for good."
Shoko sniffed as she clutched her fiancé, replying, "Thank you, Izuku. It's just…ever since I found out I'm pregnant, I keep thinking about all the ways this could go wrong for us. It's stupid, I know...but I can't help it."
Izuku leaned down until he and Shoko were eye-to-eye. He replied, "I understand, Shoko, I really do. I'm scared, too. But we will be okay, I know it. We'll get married, have this kid, and become heroes, and there's not a damn thing your piece-of-shit sperm donor can do about it."
Shoko's lips twitched as Izuku finished, and she hugged him even tighter, a wordless thanks for pulling her from the darkness yet again.
They swayed in place for a while, as they did sometimes, using each other as anchors.
Finally, though, Shoko glanced up at the clock, and jolted.
"Izuku, we've taken long enough," she said, "we have to get downstairs, everyone is probably waiting to leave by now."
"Fine," Izuku grumbled, "here, let me grab our bags."
With that, he lifted up all four suitcases of clothes and other smaller items with ease, letting Shoko get the door for him.
"Izuku, you don't have to do this. I'm pregnant, not an invalid," Shoko pointed out.
Izuku replied, "Shoko, I'd carry you downstairs if you'd let me. I'm going to take care of you, and there's nothing you can do about it."
Shoko pouted, but she wasn't going to argue about this with Izuku. She knew how much he hated it when she tried to leave him out of her fights, and that this was his way of channeling that frustration.
Also, watching him lift heavy things was really hot, and it made Shoko a little horny just watching him do it.
Sora Geretsuna stepped out of his car, grinning gleefully. Finally, it was time to get his future wife back.
Armed with the special pass UA sent out to parents at the end of term to let families help their kids move out, and that Endeavor had passed along to him, he passed easily through the security gates.
When he found that fucking loser who had tried to take Shoko from him, Geretsuna was going to show why he had been chosen by Endeavor to marry the spoiled princess, who couldn't even make the right choice when she only had one.
Geretsuna considered himself a forgiving guy, but he thought that he was justified in planning to teach Shoko some respect for that one.
But it would all be water under the bridge soon. Geretsuna couldn't wait until he finally had Shoko under him, where she belonged.
Sure, she almost certainly wasn't a virgin anymore, but that just meant he wouldn't have to take it slow, or gentle.
Geretsuna shook his head to clear the pleasant daydreams. He had to focus on one thing at a time.
First things first, deal with the beta loser who had tried to steal the woman that belonged to him, and make sure the little hero babies didn't try anything stupid.
Seriously, why the hell would a girl like Shoko ever pick someone like that? Midoriya was the wimpiest person Geretsuna could remember meeting in years. He wasn't even assertive or manly enough to make his own decisions, for fuck's sake! He let others tell him what to do!
Geretsuna was sure that the moment Shoko saw how much better he was than that pussy she'd chosen to screw over her daddy, she'd come running.
The heroics dorms came into sight, and Geretsuna walked casually towards them.
He was going to enjoy this.
When Shoko and Izuku reaches the common room, it was already full of students waiting for their parents to come and help them finish moving.
Their classmates turned to greet them as Izuku set down their luggage.
"Hey Midoriya, hey Todoroki! You guys looking forward to getting out of here?" Kaminari asked excitedly.
Izuku smiled and answered, "I suppose so, yeah."
Kirishima said, "Dang, Midoriya, carrying your girlfriend's luggage is pretty manly. Shoko doesn't seem like the type to appreciate it though, does she mind?"
Shoko smirked as she replied, "Not at all. I like watching him do it, it's pretty sexy."
"And on that note," Jirou declared, "this conversation is officially over! I don't need to learn more about your sex habits, you two. You can do plenty of that over break or something."
Shoko planned to respond, but Izuku, sensing somehow that she was going to embarrass him, jumped forward to clap a hand over her mouth. She glared at him humorously.
From across the room, Mina yelled, "That's my girl, Shoko!"
Then, Izuku and Shoko both glared at the pink girl, who just laughed.
"What are your plans, anyway?" Yaoyorozu asked, "are you planning to see each other much over break?"
Shoko nodded. "Our moms live really close to each other, so we'll actually spend most of the summer together. I can't wait."
"Well, at least we won't be able to hear you," Tsu observed.
Izuku turned bright red, but Shoko was unrepentant.
"You know, I think you're just jealous," she joked, "that I'm getting laid every night and you're not."
That set off another wave of choking laughter across the room.
Izuku sighed; he knew he wasn't going to win that fight.
Then, there was a knock at the front door.
Uraraka, standing nearby, went to get it.
"Hello, can I help you?" she asked, "I'm afraid pickup doesn't start for a while yet."
Shoko and Izuku heard the reply, "Get out of my way, honey. I'm here for Shoko."
Instantly, the couple's eyes went wide.
"It can't be," they thought.
Uraraka frowned, but before she could reply, she got pushed aside, and Geretsuna shouldered his way into the room."
Shoko hissed, "What the fuck are you doing here?"
Geretsuna put on a sleazy grin as he said, "I'm here to pick you up, babe. Your daddy's gotten us a nice spa retreat for next week down south."
Instantly, the class went silent with shock and disbelief.
Shoko yelled, "Do not call me that, and there's no way in hell I'm going anywhere with you, you creep!"
Geretsuna replied, "I gave you a chance before to be graceful about this, Shoko. If you keep insisting on being difficult, I'll stop being nice."
Izuku took a step forwards, placing himself between Shoko and Geretsuna. In a low, dangerous voice, he said, "Nice? You call what you're trying to do nice? You got one warning to stay away from Shoko, you scumbag. If you don't leave now, I'll get you arrested for trespassing."
Geretsuna waggled a finger at him as he displayed his visitor's pass. "Not so fast, kid," he warned, "after all, I've been sent specifically by Endeavor to help Shoko move out. Who better to help than her future husband, right?"
"That's it!" another voice shrieked. Mina came charging forwards as she yelled, "I went too easy on you last time, fucker! Let's see how you like this!"
She aimed a globe of acid at Geretsuna, who just grinned instead. As Mina reared back to throw, he taunted, "I wouldn't do that if I were you, you freaky alien bitch! If you use a quirk to attack Endeavor's son-in-law, he's gonna sue you for every cent you'll ever earn, and we wouldn't want that, would we?"
Mina froze; she knew she couldn't attack him, his threat was valid.
Shoko snapped, "You are nothing but a disgusting rapist, you piece of shit. Get out of my sight, now."
Geretsuna just answered, "I'm afraid that's not going to happen, Shoko. You're coming with me, one way or another."
Shoko replied, "I don't think so, you bastard. Or did my father forget what I told him I'm going to do?"
Geretsuna's smirk was unchanged. He said, "Oh yes, blackmailing your father, how heroic. He just wants the best for you, and guess what? I'm it. And if you want to play that game...well. How would you feel if his dear momma got hurt by your selfishness, or worse, if he did?"
Geretsuna pointed at Izuku, and Shoko stopped breathing.
She couldn't let them drag Inko into this, or let them hurt Izuku.
No matter what, she had to keep them safe.
What was her happiness next to theirs?
She was still damaged goods; she couldn't let Izuku get hurt because he tried to protect her from her problems.
Izuku roared, "Don't you dare say a thing about my mom, or act like Shoko is your property!"
And then Shoko's breath came roaring back. She couldn't give up; she had Izuku now, and he'd shown her how happy she could be.
She wasn't damaged goods; he had proved that to her, again and again, until she finally believed it.
But she still had to deal with Geretsuna and Endeavor somehow, to make sure they never threatened her new family ever again.
Shoko hoped Izuku trusted her enough for the plan she had just come up with.
"Aw, is the poor loser who couldn't get a girl except out of sympathy feeling sad about losing her?" Geretsuna taunted, "face it, kid, you can't cut it. Sooner or later, she would have left you for someone better. She doesn't love you, why would she? You don't have anything to offer her!"
"You're wrong," Shoko said quietly, "I do love him. And that's…that's why I'll go with you, if you agree to leave him and his family alone."
Izuku and Geretsuna whirled to face her. Geretsuna looked victorious, while Izuku looked horrified.
"Shoko, no. Don't do this for me!" he gasped.
Geretsuna crowed, "Finally, someone's being reasonable! Come on, Shoko, we're gonna leave these losers behind!"
Doing her best to act cowed, she said, "I...I'm sorry, but could we drop by my father's house on the way? I'd like to apologize for all the trouble I've caused him."
Just as she'd hoped, Izuku stiffened in confusion.
He knew her too well for that statement to ring true, and now he would be suspicious.
Geretsuna, though, looked thoughtful for a second before saying, "Sure, why not. Maybe you'll actually show some of those manners you've been lacking."
Shoko nodded, and turned to Izuku.
She didn't say a word; she couldn't, with Geretsuna already reaching for her arm to drag her out the door.
She reached for his hand, and squeezed desperately, hoping against hope that he'd understand what she was trying to say.
"I'm sorry, but I have to do this. I'm counting on you to come for me. Please, don't be mad," she tried to communicate.
A heartbeat passed, and Shoko thought she had failed.
Then, Izuku's eyes widened by a tiny fraction, and he gripped Shoko's hand as tight as a spectral one was gripping her throat.
"I know," he answered, "and I forgive you. I'll be right behind you, and I'll bring hell with me."
At least, that was what Shoko hoped he had said.
Then, Geretsuna tugged her out of Izuku's grip and marched her towards the door.
As he walked out, he gloated, "Hey, Midoriya, why so sad? Maybe you'll find someone more your speed one of these days! Oh, and don't worry, it's not like you'll never see her again, she'll be the lovely Ms. Geretsuna you see next to me on TV!"
Geretsuna turned again, only for Izuku to speak.
The green-haired hero spat, "Geretsuna."
The smaller man replied, "What?"
Izuku's eyes burned in rage as he vowed, "I will follow you, and I will follow Endeavor. And when I find you...there will be nothing left but dust."
Geretsuna tried to suppress a shudder at the sight of those eyes, but his smirk returned as he pulled Shoko through the door with him.
Shoko steeled herself to face her father one last time.
It was time to break her chains, once and for all.
As soon as the door swung shut, Izuku nearly collapsed to his knees.
He'd failed Shoko.
He'd promised her that she'd never be in her father's clutches ever again, and then he'd watched helplessly as she was dragged away from him.
The only thing that kept him standing was his wordless vow to Shoko, and his spoken one to Geretsuna.
He would follow them, and he wouldn't do it alone.
Izuku's mind raced as he decided what to do.
He almost didn't notice the fact that the stunned silence of his classmates had now shifted its focus to him as he started muttering, started planning.
Then, Mina grabbed him.
She yelled, "Izuku Midoriya, HOW COULD YOU LET HER GO? You know what their plan is!"
He nodded as he replied, "I know."
Mina said, "And...and the baby…you know it's in danger, too?"
Izuku's mouth got even drier as he repeated, "I know."
"Then why?" Mina demanded.
Izuku looked down at his trembling hands. He answered, "Because...because Shoko was faking it."
Mina was dead silent for an achingly long moment. Then, she whispered, "What? How do you know?"
Izuku responded, "I don't, not for sure. But...I know Shoko's eyes. Those weren't her eyes when she's hopeless, or defeated. Those were Shoko's eyes when she has a plan. All I can do is...trust her, and do what I think she wants me to do."
Mina snapped, "You're wrong, Midoriya."
Izuku looked at her in confusion and asked, "What do you mean?"
Mina Ashido was many things. Loud, obnoxious, and irreverent were certainly accurate descriptions of her.
But she was also the truest friend you could ever ask for.
Izuku was reminded of that as the pink girl put her hands on her hips and said, " We're going to do whatever she wants us to do. Now, Midoriya, I know you've got a plan in that big head of yours. What is it, and how can I help?"
Izuku thought for a second. What could he do?
Then, it came to him.
He turned back to Mina and said, "I need to make a call. Then, I'm going after them. Can you...hold down the fort here for a bit, until someone comes by?"
She nodded. "Got it," she said confidently.
Then, Izuku pulled out his phone and dialed a number. The person picked up after a single ring.
Nobody could hear what that person said, but Izuku quickly said, "Dad? Dad, they took Shoko. Yes, him. You know the plan we talked about, a few weeks ago? It's time."
Then, he hung up, and turned back to the class. A few of them recognized his assertive, confident behavior as his crisis mode, something he only used when the situation was truly dire.
"Sorry, I know it's weird," he said, "but I have to go. Someone will be here in a bit to get you guys together as backup in case it's needed. All I can say is that...Shoko's in trouble."
With that, he sprinted out the door. A split second later, the ground shook as he used his quirk, rattling the windows as he suddenly blasted off.
Then, the silence finally ended, as the entire class started shouting in horror and confusion about what they'd just seen.
Uraraka was the one to cut through it all as she shouted, "Ashido, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT? WHAT'S GOING ON?"
Everyone focused back on the pink girl. They noticed her typical infectious smile was a worried frown instead.
Mina sighed as she said, "It's a long story, and we haven't got much time. But I'll tell you what I can. Strap in, it's a doozy."