Hey guys, just for a heads up. I won;t be able to post more frequently as I am busy doing things I have to do and other things i want to do.

Chapter Text

—Next morning, Last day of school shut down, apartment, Kitchen—

To Izumi, Grey looked like he was back to his old self given the way he was behaving during the meeting last night, but she wasn't too sure. Sometimes he lied right to her face.

"Here is my world famous pancakes you love so much," He said with a prideful smile, serving 3 pancakes atop each other on her plate. "I put extra syrup to increase the sugar in your blood."

Izumi smiled as she pulled a chair to sit. "Good morning, Grey. Thanks. " She sliced the pancakes with her knife and took a bite. Her eyes widened when she tasted a lot of sweetness, not just from the syrup, but something inside of the pancakes that made it chewy. "Did you," she swallowed. "Are there marshmallows inside these?"

"It's called s'mores pancakes." He said, hanging the pink flowery apron, leaving it on a vacant seat. "Found the recipe from the net. I was craving marshmallows, and hot chocolate was not something I wanted in it."

"Huh," she mused. "I have something to tell you." She took another bite. Izumi knew that if Katsuki had something this ridiculously sweet, he'd barf in their trash can. But then again, if he had any meal made by Grey, he'd still barf it since he disliked Grey a lot.

"Tonight, is Mr and Mrs Sasayami's marriage anniversary." She said. "We've been invited to their place for a dinner party."

Grey raised his brow. "A dinner at your rich fiancé's house?"

She cringed when he said 'fiancé'. Mr and Mrs Sasayami were, on paper, were her future inlaws as she was engaged to their son, Kai Sasayami. The only reason she had this engagement was because her uncle arranged it for her protection.

Over the years while growing up under her uncle's care, more and more people started approaching her and her uncle as they wanted to introduce their sons or daughters to Izumi. It became more and more frequent during her second year of middle school, to the point where it was getting annoying.

One reason was because they wanted to be acquainted with her uncle through her. Because of Ookami Daiki having the position as captain, they believed that it wouldn't be long for him to get a promotion—likely to become general commissioner. And when that happened, and if they ran into some sort of problem, they believed they could avoid getting caught as long as they were 'close friends' with the wolf man. Of course, her uncle was not blind, nor stupid to see through their scheming plan.

Additionally, it wouldn't work anyway as her uncle had no intention of getting promoted. The only reason her uncle and aunt moved to this prefecture from Kyoto, and got a job as the police captain was to keep watch over Izumi and her mother. After being informed that the family power within her blood had awakened, protection had to be sent straight away.

The second reason was because she was a Midoriya. It's not well known to the public as her family tried to keep it a secret for generations, but the kind of quirk almost every Midoriya family member inherited was… different from the masses. It was unique. It was wild. The handful who knew about the family power had approached her uncle with the intention of a marriage proposal.

They wanted a quirk marriage.

That was the sole reason why Izumi's father approached her mother in the first place. Back then, her grandparents didn't have any suspicions because Midoriya Inko didn't inherit the unique blood. They thought that he wanted to marry her because he was head over heels for her, just like her mother was with her father. But even if her mother failed to inherit that power, that didn't mean that the offspring also failed. The gene was pretty strong that way.

For generations, the Midoriyas were cautious and careful whenever it came to marriage. Whenever there's news that their sons or daughters have a boyfriend or a girlfriend, they do a thorough background check on that person to see if he or she had an ulterior motive. They do their best to make sure their children marry out of love and not be tied to a scumbag. Her family had been successful… until her father managed to get away with it with her mother.

Although her parent's marriage was a mistake her grandparents granted, that was one mistake that wouldn't be repeated again. Her uncle was sent to Izumi's hometown to protect her in case her father appeared again, and protect her from people like her father.

The marriage her uncle arranged was a cover. A shield to stop the increased marriage proposals with shady people. The Sasayami family were trustworthy people as the couple were old friends with her uncle for a long time. It seemed that they, too, had people approaching them with marriage intentions. But rather than a quirk marriage, it was really for business purposes.

The Sasayamis were successful and owned many diverse businesses, the hospital which her mother was currently recovering in was owned by them. Izumi and her uncle, as well as the rest of the Midoriya family members (sans her father as he was on the run) were entirely grateful for them.

"Grey, we are only engaged because we need cover. You know that. The engagement can't get annulled until Kai finds the girl he truly wants to marry. Don't make it sound like it's a bad thing we're going to his place. He's been our friend since we met him."

Grey rolled his eyes. "Let me rephrase that. Is it a good idea to have dinner with your ex-boyfriend you haven't seen in a long while. Not to mention, who also officially became your fiancé last year?"

She choked while drinking her tea. Ah. Right. The boyfriend part.

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "Kai and I didnt have a big fight, nor do we have any resentment towards each other after we broke up. It'll be fine." He gave her a look. "It... might be awkward meeting his parents—given the fact that Kai and I got engaged right after we broke up," she admitted, "but other than that, we're just friends, and his parents are still my inlaws, in paper."

"You know he still wants to get back with you, right?" Grey pointed out, and Izumi avoided his gaze. Grey didn't know why they broke up, and Izumi wasn't gonna give her reasons. It wasn't like Kai was a bad person, they had a serious relationship for two and a half years (katsuki didn't know, of course), but Izumi broke things off with him at the start of last year … because…

Her face darkened for a heartbeat.

Kai was never at fault.

She was at fault. There was something wrong with her, and she didn't want to drag Kai down with her. He didn't know her reasons why she wanted the break up, but nonetheless he knew she needed space. Kai told her he'd understand, and didn't push any further for her reasons. He was caring and was the best boyfriend she'd ever had…

"Ever since you guys ended, he'd stayed single for almost a year now."

Izumi snapped her eyes at him, stunned. "Wha? How do you—?"

"We talk over the phone once in a while. Speaking of Kai, I hear he returned to Japan a couple of days back. His internship in America just finished."

Izumi gaped, speechless. His internship in America was a good break for them not to see each other, and figure things out. But now that he's back…

Grey's face broke into a big smile. "Also, it seems that my adorable little puppy is moving back with us!"

"Aoi?" Izumi smiled.

Grey's little sister, who was a second year middle schooler, had been living with her father only last year. Otherwise, it had been always the three of them living together in this apartment.

The tanned boy cleared the table, placing the empty plates in the sink after they'd finished breakfast. "Yeah, she's moving back in another week. After a long conversation over the phone last night, it seems like she got herself a boyfriend."

The smile on Izumi's face dropped. Uh oh.

Whenever it came to his sister or Izumi with boys, he goes into overprotective brotherly mode. But in his sister's case, he gets more paranoid. "Grey—"

"Don't worry," he turned to her, and she could tell he was really forcing a smile. "I promised my sister I wouldn't go crazy, or stalk/protect her this time. I admit i get a little paranoid when it comes to my sister's safety, but—"

Izumi raised a brow, unconvinced about his act of 'being fine' with this. "Like the time you thought her P.E teacher was a serial killer?" She pointed out.

"Oh, come on!" He waved his hands in the air. "He looked like one of the men from Japan's most wanted!" Grey cleared his throat when she gave him an incredulous look, "Anyway, i really promised her I wouldn't stalk her during their dates, nor would i bully or do a background check on her boyfriend. I'll do nothing of that sort."

"...wow… Grey… That's some improvement,"

"I know, right?"

She hummed, getting up and away from the table so she could go to her room. "Changing the subject, considering the short notice of the Sasayami's anniversary, I'm going to go to a cafe and buy some things as a gift. Wanna come with?"

"Sure." She nodded, and was about to leave until he spoke again. "Uh, changing the subject again to Aoi's boyfriend" she froze. "Although i promised i wouldn't do anything… Could you maybe..."

She whirled back to look at him incredulously. She shook her head with disbelief when she realized what he wanted her to do.

"...You can't be serious."

Grey's overprotective behavior hadn't toned down one bit.

—wayyy later, night, at a big mansion of a rich family's anniversary party—

(Shouto's perspective)

This time, his father brought his whole family to attend a banquet for someone's marriage anniversary. Why? He didn't know yet again.

" Todoroki-San?"

Shouto turned, finding his classmate, Momo Yaoyorozu, before him. He couldn't recognize her immediately as her hair was let down. She wore a stunning red cold shoulder dress styled with ruffles, with white heels at the bottom.

"Yaoyorozu," he turned to face her fully. "You've been invited as well?"

"Yes. My father is acquainted with the host for a long while now,"

"What a coincidence, my old man is, too." He looked over shoulder to his old man. "Though i don't know how..."

She tilted her head. "How have you been after the villain attack?" She asked, starting a conversation. "My family were a little wary letting me out of the house after that incident"

"My siblings were worried after they heard, but my father couldn't care less as he knows I'm not that weak to be taken down."

She blinked at his response. Yaoyorozu nervously glanced at the number 2 hero for a heartbeat before looking back at him. "I see." She said softly.

"Enji," The number 2 hero, Endeavor, went completely stiff. He turned to look over his shoulder as he gritted his teeth. "Daiki. What are the odds?"

The two teen's attention went to the adults.

"Ha ha ha, Endeavor, it's been a while." All Might suddenly appeared next to the wolf man. "How have you been?" He looked behind his father, " Oh, and i see young Todoroki as well, and the rest of your children are with you, too." He waved at them. "Ah, even young Yaoyorozu!"

"A-All might!" His brother and sister's eyes glowed with amazement seeing that the number one hero was here in person. His classmate bowed at him to return the greeting.

"All might…" His father said in a dark tone.

"Good for you, Enji." The wolf man chuckled, clapping All Might's back. "You finally can cool your head and put an end to your wild goose chase on the number one hero, hmm?"

Endeavor growled. His siblings went stiff, holding their breath given that someone had thrown an insult to their father's face. The black haired girl's jaw dropped in shock. Shouto, however, suppressed his laugh. This man really knew how to get away with things.

Still, he managed to control that fiery temper of his, ignoring him, as he spoke to All Might. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you, All Might. Shall me take a step outside ?"

Rather than a request, his tone made it seem like it was a demand. 'Of course, the blonde hero agreed." He looked at Shouto, smiling. "I'll see you tomorrow at school, young Todoroki."

They left the mansion.

"Shouto," his older sister, Fuyumi, said to him. "Your brother and I will be at the buffet table. Come eat with us once you're done catching up with your friend."

He wanted to say she wasn't his friend, but nodded, keeping quiet.

Once his siblings were gone, Ookami Daiki looked at him. "Ah, Shouto was your name, was it? It's a pleasure to meet you. Even you, Momo-San. My name is Ookami Daiki. Thank you for taking care of my niece."

They frowned, confused. "Niece?"

The black wolf man frowned. "Isn't Izumi your classmate?"

"Midoriya-San!?"

The man nodded. "It's not well known, but technically 'Midoriya' is my surname, while 'Ookami' is my middle.."

Shouto stared hard, his mind blank. Izumi… was his niece? The one he praised so much? But wasn't his niece supposed to be quirkless?

But then again, he did see her in the new year party last year, and Ookami Daiki had also attended that party. It couldn't be a coincidence she was here when this wolf man was here.

"Wha!" They turned to find Grey standing there wearing formal black clothes, gaping them as they did with him. "Oi oi, is this for real? What are you guys doing here?"

"Naka…" Yaoyorozu blinked, speechless, "mura-San…?"

"Why is he here?" Shouto questioned.

"He's with me. " The wolf man said. "Leaving him alone at home was not an option given how unpredictable this devil hound can become sometimes."

Shouto frowned. Wait… then, did that mean that this man was Grey's guardian or something? If that was the case, then it would explain a lot about Izumi's and Grey's relationship.

"Hey!" Grey protested. " well, anyway. Sir, I'm pretty sure Izumi told you to put out that wolf transformation earlier. It still scares some people."

Ookami Daiki silently growled. But nonetheless, closed his eyes, and clapped both his hands once. A black mist shrouded around his entire body for a heartbeat before disappearing, revealing a man with red hair with a tall broad shouldered built. His sea green eyes still remained sharp. There was a scar at the side of his neck, and under his left eye—a mark he received from old fights, Shouto supposed. Despite having an intimidating wolf face, his real face looked handsome even with those scars.

The two teens gaped.

The sudden transformation had now just grabbed people's attention, a lot of single ladies seemed charmed, and began giggling. Ookami Daiki started to look uncomfortable being at the center of attention, it's as if he knew this would happen. "Grey, where's Izumi?" The man(?) asked, ignoring the blushing ladies and quiet talks from strangers.

"With Kai. They're probably catching up, and having those talks about their engagement."

"Engagement?" Yaoyorozu questioned, her eyes wide. "She's engaged to the son of the Sasayami family?!"

Grey's body went stiff, panicking from the slip of his tongue. The older man (?) clapped a hand over his face. "Shit, she's gonna kill me. I wasn't supposed to—-Can you please not question her and forget about it?"

Shouto stiffened when he said 'fiancé'. Izumi wasn't even an adult yet, why was she… was she getting into an arranged marriage?! At the back of the boy's head, unpleasant memories stirred—relating to his mother and father's marriage… his life with his family… the way his mother was treated...

An arranged marriage…

Even if she lacked control, Izumi had a considerable powerful quirk. Similar to All Might…

...

Was she… getting into a quirk marriage, like his mother…?

A marriage decided… and she's only 15…

...

His hands started to shake.

Why?

"Todoroki-san."

His thoughts were interrupted, he turned.

Izumi appeared behind him wearing a white high-low strapless dress.

Her long green hair let loose just like the last time he saw her. If it wasn't for her voice, he probably wouldn't have recognized her because her freckles were gone, hidden underneath the makeup she wore.

The classmate he thought he knew, Izumi Midoriya—shy, easily embarrassed, clumsy, and anyone can easily see what she was thinking. That girl now had a completely different air around her now. She didn't have that slyness or confidence presence like she did when they first met.

The difference was that she wasn't running away, or looking away. She approached him . She was smiling at him, not brightly like she usually does, but it… he didn't know how to explain it. Her emerald eyes didn't waver, but they were more difficult to read than before.

She tilted her head a bit as she spoke . "Good evening, Todoroki-San, Yaoyorozu-San. It certainly has been a while. How are you?"

They stared.

She didn't waver, nor did she stutter. The tone, the way she talked to them was completely different than before. She even used "San", not "kun" when she addressed Shouto—keeping the respect (too) high, but distance between them seemed even further—like they were acquaintances.

Grey groaned from behind. "Kitty, these are your classmates, not your superiors. I think you can relax a bit from your poker face."

Immediately, her expression softened, returning to that familiar air and face he knew. "Shoot, you're right. Sorry. Too many people kept approaching me, I must have gone stiff." She smiled weakly at them. "Hey, guys. How've you been?"