Is It Okay To Move On?

Part 2/3

Amari: Age 23

Sighing to himself, Shinso moved towards the agency before giving a lazy yawn as he passed by. The man was supposed to have the day off but thanks to Amari's sick phone call it seemed that that day off was going to have to wait.

Well, it couldn't be helped, it wasn't like he wanted his crazed friend to try to come into the office while she was ill, cause she totally would have if that was an option. That's just how the girl was.

He passed by a set of shops to his right before turning towards the glass windows only to find trading cards and small plushies of all of his friends as heroes before seeing a group of three small kids looking over at the bins with wonder.

It was still crazy to him, to see merchandise of him and his friends, almost like he had owned as a kid. They really were starting to be the next generation of heroes, huh? He could hardly believe it.

But either way, the man was proud of them for reaching so high, especially Amari. She really deserved her spot after all that hell that poor girl had gone through.

Everything still felt so unreal to him. True, he knew that Amari and Katsuki were both in the top three right now but Shinso still just saw them as his friends, his partners and colleagues. It's not as if he looked at them and saw their numbers or their status.

And after graduation Shinso pushed himself on the idea of working up to the title of hero as well but he just didn't have the heart to leave the Bakugo agency. It was like his home, a home he didn't know he needed until Amari gave him the offer all those years ago.

Hell, even their other sidekick Kenji hadn't left the agency since completing his work study. They all expected him to leave after graduation but it seemed like even that man knew how special that place was, how he never wanted to leave. It was the same for Shinso as well.

That's why he stopped looking for other agencies to join years ago after all.

Yes he still wanted to be a hero but the purple haired boy was happy where he was, finally accepted into a group of friends that didn't look at his quirk with fear. No, they saw him for the person he was and not his villain potential like everyone else did for his entire life.

Perking up his ears, the door creaked open to his left before the three kids ran out happily, holding their new little plushies in their hands.

One boy in particular raised up his little Bakugo Katsuki doll before mimicking his explosions with his little tiny hands with excitement "Whoa, I can't believe we finally saved up enough money to get these! Which one did you get? I got the best hero in the world!"

Giggling softly, a little girl next to him raised her own doll, except this one represented Amari as she waved it around like it was flying. "Na ah brother! I got the bestest hero in the world. Ember is the coolest!"

The little boy only stuck his tongue out though, shaking his head before scoffing. "In your dreams! No one can beat his explosions. Especially when they go BOOM BOOM POW all over the place! Did you see the rescue he did last week when the whole building came down? He's obviously the coolest!"

Although just as he was mimicking the blasty man, the small boy seemed to trip on his own feet, falling over as Shinso widened his eyes, catching the kid in an instant. "Whoaaa.."

Feeling arms around him, the little boy then turned to thank his savior as he pushed himself off. "Thanks Mr…"

Yet the minute the little boy locked eyes with Shinso, his eyes widened, his finger pointing towards the purpled haired man with shock. "You're...You're…."

Giving his best "hero like" smile, the man shoved his hands into his pockets. "You better be careful kid. You may wanna be like Bakugo but you don't wanna inherit his lack of thinking also.."

Shinso began to chuckle at his own joke, knowing how clueless and stupid that Bakugo boy could be before he watched the little boy take a step back from the man, his eyes wide. "Uhh yeah. I'm sorry…"

Then the little boy quickly grabbed hold on his sisters hand before stepping away even further, almost like he was afraid. "Right, well we gotta go. Our mom is calling us…"

Putting his hand up in question, the two little kids quickly began to leave his sight as the small boy stuttered back, almost like he couldn't wait to get out of there. "T-Thanks for saving me.."

Not fully understanding, Shinso twisted his eyes in confusion before hearing the little girl speak to her brother as they were leaving. "Brother, what are you doing? Isn't he a hero just like Ember. Why are we leaving?"

Yet the small kid only shook his head before continuing his walk towards his mother. "Yeah but don't you think his quirk is kinda scary? I heard from our mom that his grandpa used to be a villain too. It's better to be safe than sorry, right?'

And Shinso wasn't overly surprised by their reaction but it still stung, watching those small kids disappear across the street a second later.

He couldn't blame them, that was the sad part. In fact, those stupid gossip magazines had always made a point of bringing his grandfather name up in conversations and interviews. Those kids were just mimicking what they had heard from their parents, that's all it was.

And it didn't matter if Amari tried to take down every terrible comment or fight any stranger that harassed him on the street. As much as he appreciated it, Shinso still heard it, the things that were said about him from time to time.

He tried to not let it bother him, but one look in the store window showed him everything. It showed the bins of plushies in the front, it showed his friends' shelves completely empty, and it showed the bin of his own trading cards and plushies filled to the top still..

Almost as if no one wanted them.

That's right, compared to Amari or Bakugo or Todoroki, Shinso was still a sidekick, a second rate hero that was always casted in the shadows of their own wonderful accomplishments. He couldn't blame them for succeeding but it was times like this when he hoped that someone would also see himself as someone worthy…

But he supposed that was just wishful thinking in the end.

It was the same throughout his entire life, as a kid, as U.A. student, and as a hero. It didn't matter if Aizawa was his adopted father, it didn't matter if he entered the hero course before graduation.

No, the only thing most people would ever see was his past, and that broke his heart.

Hell, even with Amari the man couldn't win, forcing his own feelings down for years because she knew that she loved someone else.

And that was okay, it was okay for him to suffer is it meant she was cherished by Todoroki. It was okay to never tell her his love because that would only burn her in the end.

It was okay to be in the shadows if it meant she was finally happy.

Although Shinso tried not to linger on the feeling too much, knowing it would just make him even more heartbroken so early in the morning. So what if he wasn't anyone's top hero, so what if people looked at him and saw his grandfather, so what if he was only living in his friends shadow?

He had no right to complain, the man had a group of people that respected him, a family that loved him and that was more then he had ever had before.

Yeah, that's right. He had no right to complain about things that never could be. The man just had to face the facts.

He would never be anyone's top hero.

Sighing to himself, Shinso then turned towards the direction of the agency before the door to his left dinged to life again, ramming himself into a complete stranger as they groaned, the items in their hands falling towards the ground in a single moment.

The man couldn't help but groan at that, muttering under his breath. "What the hell, watch where you're going…"

Although as soon as he looked down towards the dropped items, Shinso couldn't help but widen his eyes in unsaid surprise.

And that was because staring back at him was a small trading card and a small sized plushie of himself in his hero costume, in fact it was the very same plushie that he had seen in the window a couple seconds ago.

Wait, this person bought merchandise of him? How strange, no one really did that. His friends sure, but Shinso had rarely seen anyone carry around a sidekicks merch before. Was this person a fan of him or something?

Shinso automatically reached down towards the object, wrapping his fingers around the surface in curiosity when the stranger immediately gasped, ripping the items out of his hand without a single word before shoving them down in their bag.

Then without saying anything, the stranger bowed their head before turning around and rushing out of sight, causing the man to lift a hand in confusion. "Hey, wait..!"

But his words were no use and once the stranger was gone, Shinso let his hand fall a moment later. What the hell was that and why did they seem so secretive all of the sudden?

It was strange to say the least.

Pushing his way into the agency, Shinso quickly found the file on his friend's desk just like Amari had instructed before making his way to the training room, throwing open the door before lazily greeting the student on the other side.

"Sorry for the change in plans. Amari's sick so she asked me to fill in for her with the interview. I'm Shinso and I'll be..."

Although just as he looked up, Shinso felt the entire folder drop from his hands as the man blinked in surprise at the face of Izumi staring back at him, her eyes clearly nervous and equally surprised. "...hi…"

Staring at the pink haired girl with confusion and shock, the purple haired boy suddenly pieced together the puzzles pieces all at once. Amari never told him that the person he was interviewing was this girl. In fact, she didn't say anything about her at all…

Shinso then widened his eyes in realization before shoving his hands into his pockets and taking out his phone with a curse as Izumi turned her head to the side, fearing she had done something wrong.

She had punched him in the face after all. Maybe he didn't want to see her again, maybe she was burdening him by being here? That was the last thing she wanted. "Sorr...sorry..I...I can...leave...if you…."

Yet the purple haired boy only put his hand up, stopping her worries before groaning. "No No, it's not you. I just need to call someone and kick their ass really quick. I'll be back…"

Then before she could answer, Shinso slipped through the door next to him before aggressively pushing his phone towards his ear. That sneaky little woman, she didn't..

On the second ring Amari's voice picked up, playfulness in her tone, almost like she had known what kind of situation she had put him in already. "Oh? What's wrong Toshi…?"

Grumbling under his breath, Shinso shouted back a moment later. "Oh, you already know what's wrong. What are you trying to do here? You planned this short stuff, didn't you?"

Fake gasping, it was obviously the girl was trying to hold back her laugh. "Whaaa? No, of course not. I would never throw you into a situation that you never asked for and yet somehow you have to live through anyways cause someone else thought it would be a good idea.."

Somehow her words sounded oddly familiar and specifically, the boy thinking for a moment before shaking his head. "The sports festival, that's what this is about? Is this some kind of sick revenge for you then?"

Amari only answered plainly though. "Kinda yeah."

Closing his eyes in another groan, the girl quickly answered back. "Come on Toshi, it's not that bad. You just gotta have her fill out that questionnaire and then meet together once a day for the next week or two and then the probation period for recruitment will be over.."

Although this was news to the boy, his eyes widening at the new information that was placed in front of him. "Wait wait wait, you never said anything about meeting once a day for the next week. That wasn't in the test…"

He could practically feel her smile through her next words. "You're right. I just added it. Think of it as a probation period to see if she's a good fit for us."

Letting his mouth hang open, the boy shouted back. What, you can't do that!"

Yet Amari only giggled. "Actually I can. It's my agency after all, and Katsuki still doesn't like you so when I told him he was all for it too. Looks like you got yourself a new training partner for the time being Toshi."

Pushing a hand to his head, Shinso could only shake his head at what his idiot friend was suggesting. She wanted to mess with him this bad, so bad that she was making him spend a week with this random shy girl? Amari was absolutely ridiculous.

He never should have shown interest in the girl because now that just landed a target on his back, one that his friends saw as an opportunity to mess with him.

And as much as it disliked it, the man knew he couldn't disagree. Amari and Katsuki were his boss after all. They had just driven him into a wall. "You're unbelievable."

Giggling once more, the girl only replied playfully. "Aww I'll take that as a compliment. Oh and by the way, you can't leave until the questionnaire is filled out. I need it done by today. Okay have funnnn.."

Yet Shinso was far from done with this conversation, taking a step forward in frustration. "Hold on, you can't just leave me with…"

Although he was quickly cut off when Amari started making fake static noises through the phone, her voice purposely growing choppy in order to make him even more annoyed. "What was that? Sorry, I can't hear you. Oh well, Gotta go byeeee…."

The line went dead a moment later, causing Shinso to rest his head on the hallway wall with unsaid anxiety and frustration. He loved that girl but she was such a handful half of the time. What even was she trying to get out of this? The boy didn't know..

Although he was quickly taken out of his slight depression when someone tapped him on the shoulder, causing the boy to turn around sharply as Izumi took a step back in slight fear, her hands up in defense.

Because she seemed scared, the boy couldn't help but sigh before turning towards the girl as she pushed up her glasses. "What?"

Then he watched as Izumi held onto the ends of her belt loops before forcing herself to answer his question quietly, just barely loud enough to hear her. "Are...are..y-you..okay?"

That certainly wasn't what he expected though, Shinso gazing at his phone in his hand before shoving it into his pocket a moment later. There was no need to be upset with her when this wasn't her fault. It was all that demon Amari's doing after all.

Shaking his head, the man managed to shove down his anger before walking past the poor girl into the training room with a mutter. "Whatever. Let's just get this over with.."

Not fully understanding, Izumi took in an anxiety breath before silently nodding towards the man and following him inside. She didn't know why he was so angry but maybe it was because of something she did, maybe being her teacher really did bother him after all?

So much so that the girl quickly stepped forward before grabbing onto the back of his shirt with a silent plea, her fingers wrapping around the fabric with desperation.

Pausing at the movements, Shinso quickly turned around with unknown confusion and a heavy sigh, knowing that this was going to be one long day. "What are you doing?"

He watched her internally struggle with her words before pushing her lips together in a light mutter. "I..I. don't...want you….to be...upset be..because of me...if..if..I really bother you...I can…."

Yet once the man processed her words, he couldn't help but look at the girl with slight surprise. Wait, did she think he hated her for some reason? Well, he did suppose his words were kind of rude earlier, but that wasn't because of her. She knew that right?

But if Izumi didn't then what could he do in order to make her understand that he did? The last thing he wanted was for this girl to leave because of some stupid prank or revenge scheme.

That's when a familiar white haired little girl entered his mind as Shinso recalled what he used to do with Eri when she was upset about something as a small child. Maybe that could work? It was worth a shot..

Realizing his mistakes, Shinso only closed his eyes in response before sighing in order to fully face the girl and plop a hand on top of her pink head slowly before starting into her large rimmed glasses.

"It's not that, okay? I'm not mad because of you, just because of the situation. If you want to be here so bad then stop trying to leave so easily…"

Izumi couldn't help but widen her eyes at the touch but before she could even think about it, Shinso's removed his hand before fully stepping into the training room and waving towards her lazily. "Well, are you coming or what? I don't have all day and we can't leave till we get this done…"

Staring towards the purple haired boy, Izumi couldn't help but recall the warm hand that had occupied her head a moment prior, lightly raising her own hand to touch the surface with surprise.

Did he just support her again? Maybe she was wrong, maybe he didn't hate her after all. She hadn't had anyone to something like that in years, not after her parents had died anyways. It was kind of nice..

Yet she was quickly taken out of her thoughts when Shinso cleared his throat causing the girl to blink back to life and quickly follow him into the training room a moment later, a small nod as she did so…

"Oh, uhh..Y-Yes..!"

Moving back into the training area, Shinso placed her file down on the table next to them before stretching his arms up and yawning, still feeling the effects of getting up so early. "Alright, let's just start with some basic hand to hand combat. No quirks."

Izumi nodded at his response before gripping onto her tank top again, the boy learning that meant she was nervous for whatever reason. "You think you can handle that?"

The pink haired girl only dipped her head towards the ground though, her glasses falling onto her nose as she nodded her head again, Izumi's small voice managing out a reply. "I...I..can try…"

And if Shinso hadn't seen her fight before this then he would've thought that this girl was hopeless but he knew better than to underestimate her and her commission style training. Perhaps this whole shy thing was just an act to take his guard down? Well, she was going to have to try harder then that..

Although somewhere inside of him, the man couldn't help but feel slight pity for the girl, seeing her raise a shaky fist in order to get ready for his attacks. If she was that commission woman's granddaughter then why did she look so damn scared all the time?

He couldn't help but feel curious about it.

So much so that Shinso turned his head before getting ready as well, bringing his hands out in order to show that he was going to attack first. "If you're going to try then I recommend you stop shaking so much then. Just a tip…"

And just like that, the hero raced towards Izumi with his fist outstretched, wondering how long she was going to last at his full strength. Amari was probably holding back during the test, there was no way this girl was that good.

Throwing his hands down, he watched as the girl narrowed her eyes before gracefully dodging under his hit and turning around to face his back before aiming a fist of her own towards his weak spot.

Widening his eyes in surprise, Shinso quickly turned around before blocking her hit with his forearm before seeing Izumi about to ram her knee into his stomach as the man jumped back in order to protect himself.

Her actions, they were almost so incredibly smooth that it was unnatural and slightly robotic, like a soldier just carrying out some kind of order. Even her face was a void of emotion, only focusing on the task at hand and analyzing every move he was about to make.

Although since he was too busy examining her fighting style, Izumi took the opportunity before landing her fist into his side as Shinso doubled over in pain before using his lowered height to grab onto her ankle and forcibly lifting it up so that she would lose balance..

And she did indeed lose balance as the girl's eyes sparked to life with surprise before hitting the training room floor with a loud thud, groaning at the pain before seeing Shinso about to throw a blind fist while she was down.

Gasping in surprise, Izumi quickly rolled out of the way before using her leg to kick the hero in the stomach in order for him to cease his attack for just enough time.

Shinso seemed surprised and this also, moving his hands towards the newfound pain before Izumi stumbled to her feet, ignoring the slight dizzy spell before seeing the purpled haired boy reach his hand out to grab her.

Although that was the opening she needed to grab onto his forearm without a moment of hesitation, stepping behind the hero before twisting his arm around to his back with all the strength she could muster.

Immediately trying to pull away, the hero then quickly willed himself to turn around in order to detach himself when Izumi eyed the area of where the joints in his legs were before ramming her foot into the weak spot with a heavy stomp.

Widening his eyes, Shinso felt his legs loose all of their strength for some reason before his knees hit the training room floor a moment later as Izumi pushed his arm back even further.

Then she reached down and wrapped her hand around the back of his neck with an emotionless stare before slamming his throat into the floor, Shinso groaned as he tasted the ground more than he'd like to.

Still reeling from the fight, the hero blink closed his eyes in a slight flitch of pain before Izumi leaned over her trainer before muttering close to his ear. "W-Was...was..tha..that..good enough?"

Good enough?! This girl just single handedly pinned him into the floor and yet she was acting like that wasn't good enough? Shit, her power was insane. Amari wasn't kidding before.

Mumbling into the floor, Shinso groaned in clear plain. "Just get off of me already.."

Doing as she was instructed, Izumi let go of the hero before stepping back as the man coughed back weakly before turning to look at the crazy girl. "Damn, did the commission really teach you all of that?"

Pushing her head down towards the ground, Izumi pushed up her glasses before replying quietly. "I'm not..in...the..the..commission...grandmother said...it..it's..just...for self defense..."

Although Shinso couldn't help but widen his eyes at that. "Wait, you're the president's granddaughter and you're not in the commission? Why? You'd think she'd want someone like you in there.."

That's when Izumi's eyes turned cloudy before replying back quietly. "My quirk is…"

The girl seemed to stop herself at that, closing her eyes for a moment as Shinso could see pure shame and self hatred before the girl turned around. "It's nothing. I'm..I'm sorry for hurting you again.…."

Watching her go to her water bottle, the hero twisted his brow in concern as he saw how dejected the girl was about something in particular. There clearly was more about her, that was for sure.

And suddenly, it seemed like the boy couldn't stop himself from digging even further. Maybe it was because Amari was looking for information on the girl but even so, Shinso couldn't stop the words from tumbling out his mouth a moment later.

"If she only taught you self defense, what made you decide to be a hero?"

At his words, Izumi immediately froze, her eyes casted towards the ground. "I...I…"

Seeing that he wasn't getting an answer, the man took another step closer to the shy mysterious girl in front of him. It didn't make sense, when Amari asked her this question last time she didn't have an answer either.

Although that's when the girl sucked in a silent breath before muttering back something that made the hero widen his eyes in shock. "I...I..I lied before.."

Not fully understanding, Shinso felt his mouth drop in reply. "What, what does that mean? Do you want to be a hero or not?"

Looking away at his words, the man could clearly see the turmoil in her eyes, the type she was trying to hide from him. "I…I… don't think... I could do... something like that….."

Shinso was clearly interested now, moving closer towards the pink haired hair before searching for an explanation. If she lied about wanting to be a hero then why was she here, why did she even show up at the auditions? Was there some kind of alternative motive for her?

Maybe she was trying to take down their agency from the inside, maybe she was following that commission president's orders. He hated to think that but Amari did have a target on her back, it would have made sense.

Raising an eye, Shinso called back seriously. "Then why are you here? If it's not to be a hero than why? You attended the auditions, right? Why did you show up if it wasn't to be a hero.."

His words caused her to panic even more, her hands starting to shake as felt his distaste for the situation enter his tone. "Why are you just wasting my time like this? If you aren't serious why did you even show up today?"

Gulping in anxiety, a wave of shame washed over her before Izumi closed her eyes in order to block out his words. He was right, she knew he was right. Why was she even here? It was just stupid. "I...I...y-you're right...I'm..so..sorry...I didn't want...to..hurt...you…"

Opening her eyes, Izumi then twisted her brow in anguish before immediately reaching for her duffle bag and turning towards the door. "I..I can't...I...I can't do this...I'm sorry..I-I.. didn't...this...isn't...what..I wanted...I'm sorry...for wasting your time…."

Then Shinso watched as the obviously scared girl raced towards the exit before the man followed her a second later. He couldn't let her leave like this, not until he found out what was up with her. "W-Wait, hold on…!"

Grabbing onto the strap of her duffle bag, the hero pulled the object back towards him as Izumi gasped and forced her hands to make him give it back. "S-Stop it...what are...you doing..?!"

She managed to pull the bag closer to her before Shinso pulled it back, now engaging in a tug of war with the girl for some reason. "Not until you tell you why you're here! Are you spying on us?! Are you trying to shut us down?!"

Widening her eyes at the accusation, Izumi cried back. "W-What...o-of course not! I..I..could never…how could.. y-you even think..that..?!"

The hero couldn't help but roll his eyes at that though, pulling the bag in order to get her to stay. "I don't know, maybe because you won't give me a straight answer and now you're trying to run away! That's pretty damn suspicious to me…!"

Gritting her teeth in anxiety, a small rip appeared in the fabric as Izumi gasped in fear. "I just...I just….forget it okay?! L-Let go...you're going to break it…!"

Although that's when the duffle bag ripped into two, causing both Shinso and Izumi to fall backwards onto their backs with a heavy groan as all the contents fell onto the floor a moment later.

Blinking in surprise, the man opened his mouth to apologize when he noticed two very familiar items on the ground a couple feet away from him.

It was the very same trading card and plushie of himself that he saw this morning, even the number of the card was the same. Wait, did that mean…

Izumi quickly stumbled to her feet though, reaching forward to grab the items before shoving them behind her back, hoping he didn't see what she thought he did. "I-It's nothing...don't look…"

Although it was too late for that, Shinso staring up at the pink haired girl before noticing the light pink blush on her cheeks, almost like she was embarrassed. "The person I ran into this morning, was you?"

Shaking her head a little too fast, Izumi stuttered back. "N-No, of course not...I was...uhh...some-somewhere else…not there...definitely not there..."

It was obvious to tell she was lying though, Shinso looking at the girl in a newfound light. Why would she have a trading card and a plushie of him? Unless that meant..

"Wait, are you some kind of fan of something?"

At the word Izumi's face grew even more red before covering her face with the small plushie, turning around a moment later. "N-No…"

Once again her lies were easily read through, Shinso widening his eyes in surprise. Izumi was, a fan of his? But why, there wasn't anything that great about him, unlike his other friends that was…

And because of that, the man decided to voice his thoughts, pushing a leg to his chest in confusion. "Wait, why me? I'm not that great. Wouldn't make more sense to be a fan of Bakugo or Amari or something…?"

Although at his words, it seemed like something sparked inside of the girl, Izumi turned towards Shinso with a scowl, the red still showing on her cheeks. "What, of course not! Why would you say that!? I think you're….you're…"

She stopped herself at that though, Izumi feeling her entire body burn with embarrassment before turning around once again, her voice going back to the small and tiny state he was used to. "I...I..think..you're cool..."

The whiplash of her declaration was certainly something, Shinso realizing that was the first time that the girl hadn't stuttered, and it was when she was talking about him. Was she really that passionate about the topic, was she really that angry about putting himself down like that?

It was strange, like something he had never experienced before. Out of every single hero on the charts right now, why had this girl chosen him to support like that? It didn't make sense to him.

Yet that's when a new topic entered his mind, a new sense of clarity in his tone. No, it couldn't be. What he was thinking, that couldn't be true. She surely didn't go to the auditions just for him right? That would be stupid.

"Why did you go to the auditions?"

The question made Izumi close her eyes in shame before sucking in a breath and turning around, forcing herself to answer even though her hands were shaking. "I...I just wanted to see you...to meet you...but then I ended up punching…a-and burdening...you instead…."

Letting her gaze fall to the floor, the girl added. "So..sorr...sorry…"

She let her head dip into a bow as Shinso let his mouth hang open in shock. This girl attended sidekick auditions just to see him? That's why she didn't want to tell him before.

He had always wondered why she would disregard the president's wishes in order to come to their agency and now it seemed like he understood. She did it for him, because she was a fan. The idea was crazy and the man could hardly believe it..

Shinso frowned at the idea before his phone began to ring in his pocket a moment later, the man pulling out the object and looking at the caller ID before turning towards Izumi who was already trying to sneak out through the exit.

Lifting a hand out, the hero called back, causing her to freeze. "Don't move. We aren't done talking about this…"

Izumi did in fact freeze in fear before Shinso answered the phone as his adoptive father spoke. "Hitoshi, where are you?"

Glancing at the time, the boy couldn't help but sigh. "I'm at the agency training a possible sidekick. Why, is something wrong?"

Aizawa replied back a moment later, his voice plain and formal. "I need you to pick Eri up from school today. Things are backed up here and I won't be there in time."

Not expecting that, Shinso glanced towards Izumi who was still frozen before shaking his head. "Dad, I can't. Amari said I can't leave till this interview is done so I.."

Although his father was quick to answer back, his voice had a sense of authority with it. "Alright, but that means your sister is going to be waiting at the gates all alone until I can find the time to come out there…"

Shinso couldn't help but picture a sad version of Eri in his vision then, looking longingly through the gates as the man couldn't help but sigh in exasperation. The last thing he wanted was for her to be sad.

But then again, he needed to get to the bottom of this "Izumi" situation as well. He couldn't just let her leave because then she'd probably never come back. "I'll figure something out."

Then he hung up the surface before turning towards Izumi with his hands in his pockets. "Something just came up with my family so it looks like we are going to have to cut the training short."

Nodding almost too quickly, Izumi pushed up her glasses before immediately turning towards the door in order to get away from her embarrassment. "A-Alright...I'll just…."

Yet luck was not on her side as Shinso stepped in front of the exit, his arms crossed with a paper in her face. "Nice try but you can't go anywhere yet. Amari needs you to fill out this questionnaire before the end of the day. Like it or not, we aren't done…"

Grabbing the blank paper, the girl turned her head in confusion. "B-But what about the call just now...don't you have to go…?"

Shinso couldn't help but sigh in exasperation before gathering up her ripped duffle bag before heading towards the door. "Yeah, which means until we get this done, you're stuck with me…"

Not fully understanding, Izumi stood still though, wondering why he would still want to continue on with the interview after she revealed such a crazy thing about herself like that? Wasn't he creeped out or something? Everyone else seemed to be…

Although that's when Shinso turned around, realizing that the girl wasn't following him before reaching forward and grabbing onto her wrist, practically pulling her out of the door. "Come on, we don't have all day…"

Stumbling with each step, Izumi gasped before feeling her cheeks turn red once more, trying to cover her face with her large glasses as she pleaded quietly. "What W-Wait, hold on…"

Was he really not bothered by her?

It couldn't be, she must have been imagining it.

Walking down the street, Izumi followed behind Shinso slowly, still wondering why he wasn't bothered by her crazy fan behavior. Any normal person would have rejected her application by now, so why hadn't he?

It was like a dream come true for her, being next to the hero that she had admired for years but the girl couldn't help but be nervous about it, looking down and the hand that still held her arm. "W-When...are..are...you going to let go..?"

Shinso couldn't help but look down at that, realizing that his hand was still holding her before immediately detaching himself a moment later. "Sorry, I guess I forgot. Let's get this questionnaire over with…"

Rubbing the place where his hand was, she watched as the hero pulled out the paper before reading the first question. "Well, I guess we can skip the first question of why you want to be here. I think I understand that much now at least…"

Izumi knew he meant her fangirl tendencies before lowering her head. "S-Sorry…"

He only shook his head at that though. "I didn't ask you to apologize. You do that a lot don't you? What, is that some kind of habit for you?"

Picking out her mannerisms caused the girl to reply back slowly. "S-Sorry, I guess...I'm just used to it by now…"

Izumi then shoved her hands into her pockets as Shinso read the next question. "Alright, next question. What do you usually do for fun, like a hobby. Any friends..?"

The girl wasn't expecting this, causing the hero to immediately turn away. Why did these sound like dating questions? Stupid Amari, she must have changed them around to mess with him.

Although Izumi seemed equally uncomfortable. "I..I don't really…"

That's when a group of kids caught her eye before Izumi immediately froze, staring blankly at the faces before Shinso waved a hand in front of her face. "Uhh hello?"

Before he could even think though, Izumi grabbed onto his arm before pulling him into the nearest alleyway, shielding herself from the group as they passed by as Shinso looked towards them in confusion. "What are you…"

Yet Izumi only clamped a hand over his mouth as one of the girl's called to her friends. "Did you see that? I thought I saw Izumi over here…"

The other girl shook her head at that though, giggling at the idea. "Come on, you're probably just going crazy. That girl hasn't shown up to class in weeks. Maybe she finally left for good, am I right?"

Yet the first girl only sighed in frustration at the idea. "You know that will never happen. Her grandmothers got some ties to the principal or something. How else would they continue to let a witch like her stay?"

Nodding, her friend replied. "You're right. You'd think she'd get the hint that we don't want her by now. I'm just waiting for her to turn dark and try and control all of us. Especially after the incident a couple years ago, that was some scary stuff.."

The girl shivered in response. "I don't even want to think about that. Come on, let's go already. Talking about her seems like some kind of bad omen."

The two then left their eyesight as Izumi visibly exhaled a breath before Shinso stared down at her with confusion. "Uhh Isn't this supposed to be the other way around?"

Blinking in surprise, Izumi then turned back to Shinso only to realize that in her panic, the girl had fully pinned the man against the wall, and now she was holding him hostage with her body.

She didn't even know how they had gotten there, the girl was just too frazzled to realize it. What the hell was wrong with her?! "Ah..s-sorry...I didn't mean to.…."

Letting go without hesitation, Izumi stepped back as the hero moved away from his prison, staring back to where those horrible girls were. "Who the hell were those girls? Don't tell me you go to school with them…"

Although Izumi only remained quiet, letting her hair fall in front of her eyes with some kind of shame, already moving away from the hero.

That's when something seemed to click in Shinso's mind, turning to look at the shy girl before calling out something that made her freeze. "Are you being bullied?"

Stopping at his words, Izumi looked down at the floor before muttering back. "C-Can..we just go…?"

Her response was clearly concerning, the man getting a sense of deja vu from her actions and those kids words. He hoped he was wrong but it seemed he already knew what the target of their teasing was.

"It's because of your quirk, isn't it?"

Balling her hands into fists, Izumi remained silent but her face told Shinso all he needed to know. Their quirks, they were similar enough as it was but it seemed like the two shared even more similarities than before.

He hated the idea of anyone else having to go through what he had to go through, without the support, without the friends that he had. It sounded awful and the boy hoped he was wrong about that at least.

Staring at the man in front of her, Izumi's eyes couldn't help but crumble. She knew he must have connected the pieces by now.

"I-If..yo...you know..already... then why...are..you..asking?"

And that broke Shinso's heart, the boy taking a step forward before trying to search his mind for something that could help her. They really were similar after all, weren't they?

"Is that why you are so quiet all the time?"

Pushing her lips together, Izumi recalled the same horrible memories she always tried to erase time and time again before locking eyes with her idol. "I-It's just better this way. I..I ..found out years...ago.. that... p-people...aren't..as..as...scared...like this…"

The girl then covered her arms over her stomach in an attempt at comfort before continuing brokenly. "I..I..didn't want..you to..know…I d-didn't want you to stay away too..."

Watching the shaking and clearly scared girl, Shinso turned his head in pity. That must be why she was so bad at speaking all the time. Where Shinso responded to his hatred with anger and spite, it seemed that Izumi did the opposite, shutting down as her way to cope with the horrible words.

Did she really think he would run away from her because of a quirk? If anything, it made him want to get even closer, to help her through whatever hell she was it was the same as him then he knew it couldn't have been easy.

That's why he stepped closer, his brows knitted with concern. "Do you think I'd do that? If anyone knows about being casted out because of their quirk, it's me..."

Pressing her lips together, Shinso realized he wasn't getting anywhere with her, shaking his head in exasperation before noticing a familiar coffee shop on the corner.

Eri didn't get out of school for another twenty minutes, and he didn't know why but the boy wanted her to get her mind off of those terrible ideas. Maybe that could help?

Reaching forward to grab her hand, the boy couldn't help but groan, not wanting to believe he was doing this.. "Ugh Come on, let's go…"

Not understanding, Izumi let him drag her out of the alleyway before speaking in confusion. "Wait, where are we going?"

Although Shinso didn't listen, pushing the girl into the coffee shop down the street before letting go once they were at the counter, his head turned so she couldn't see his expression. "Order whatever you want. It's on me since I ripped your bag.."

Not fully understanding, the girl pointed to a piece of cinnamon bread on the counter before the two found each other sitting across at a table, Shinso staring at his coffee with newfound interest.

Picking up her fork in slight anxiety, Izumi finally spoke. "S-Shinso, I don't understand…"

Yet the hero only groaned before picking up his drink. "I'm just repaying a favor that's all. I broke your bag so it's the least I can do."

Nodding at the quick answer, the girl took a bite of her bread before the man spoke up again, almost annoyed with his own words. "Your Grandmother, does she know about what's going on, have you talked to her about it?"

Not understanding why he was suddenly so interested in her life, Izumi shook her head quietly. "S-She knows but i-isn't really around most of the time. I'm a..a..disappointment to her...it..seems…"

Sighing to herself Izumi continued against her own will, the words falling out of her mouth before she could even question them. "I..I'm scared to...go back...to class…I don't want to go back..."

Although she quickly realized what she was saying, shutting her lips a moment later before shaking her head. "S-Sorry...you probably don't care about this…"

Yet Shinso only stared and shy girl before shrugging his shoulders, knowing that it was in fact the opposite of what she claimed. "I can understand what you're going through. I was the same, believe it or not. My quirk, not many people liked it. I got shut out too…"

Nodding her head back Izumi replied once again without thinking. "I know."

This caused the man to lock eyes with the girl before turning his head in question. "Wait, what do you mean you know?"

Widening her eyes at the statement, the pink haired girl quickly lowered her head towards the table before stuttering back, obviously trying to backtrack. "O-Oh..I..uh...I didn't mean...I…."

Although it seemed the girl gave up before reaching into her jacket pocket and pulling out the tiny Shinso plushie before placing it on the table.

"Y-You...asked...why..I'm..a..fan. Why..it's you..."

Taking a deep breath, Izumi continued lightly as Shinso watched her every move, curiosity on his features. "I-I..never liked my quirk...I was..always..p-picked on..for it. P-People would run away...call me..a witch for it...they told me...that I could never..be anything.."

The girl then lightly touched the small plushie with a nostalgic expression. "B-But then I found you. I..I..learned that...heroes could..also be...people like you...You were also p-picked on..and yet y-you were still a pro…"

Izumi then looked into Shinso's eyes before finishing warmly. "I g-guess that's why I-I admire you, you're everything I wish I could be. E-Even after everything...you still proved them wrong...and I find that...really amazing.."

Although just as she stopped speaking, Izumi's face entirely turned red from staring so much before pushing her gaze back to the floor and using her plushie to block her embarrassed expression once more. "O-Or something like that…"

Shinso though, couldn't help but stare in utter disbelief at her words, his own cheeks turned slightly pink from the declaration. He really meant that much to her? But why, he hadn't done anything special.

The man always looked at his own experiences as something he just had to do, something that was only for him and his life but could it be that he unknowing inspired other people along the way? He didn't really think he was capable of that.

Amari sure, she inspired a ton of people but him? He never did anything that was groundbreaking or remarkable. He was just in the background the entire time, he was just a sidekick.

Even so, why did her words make him feel his heart beat erratically, why did it make him strangely happy inside? "What.."

Feeling his face start to turn even more red, the man pushed his hands up to block the surface before muttering back. "W-What are you talking about? I'm not that special…"

Yet his words only caused Izumi to whip her head up before slamming her hands on the table, her expression knitted into a frown at the distaste of himself. "W-What, of course you are! Y-You are so special...the most special..You're…!"

Letting her expression fall and realizing she was getting too passionate again, the girl slumped into her seat before muttering extremely quiet. "Y-You're special to me..."

This caused Shinso to widen his eyes before opening his mouth to reply. No one had ever said to him before, the man didn't know how to take it. "I…"

Although that's when he noticed the time in the corner, internally cursing to himself before raising to his seat. "Shit, we are going to be late...Eri's probably waiting for us…"

Following his lead, Izumi got up from her seat before following Shinso out of the cafe, bowing towards the server before the purple haired boy couldn't help but stare at the woman that thought so highly of him.

Out of every hero in the world, why did she choose him?

He couldn't understand it.

Moving towards the junior high school, Shinso shoved his hands in his pockets before a girl's voice echoed through the space, her arms opened wide as the purple haired boy hugged her happily. "Shin-Shin, you took forever! I thought you got lost!'

Laughing to himself, the man shook his head before replying. "Hey, I wasn't that late. You're lucky I was here to pick you up today. Dad said he got caught up in a hero meeting again."

Eri couldn't help but pout her lips though, turning to find a strange new girl next to the man. "Oooh who's she? Did you finally get a girlfriend..?"

Almost immediately, Shinso widened his eyes before pushing Eri to his chest in order to stop her questioning as he shook his head. "Don't mind her. She's been trying to get me to get a girlfriend for years. It's just a joke.."

Izumi watched as the middle school girl only shook her head though, trying to break free from her brother's grasp. "Shin-Shin, that's not nice! Let me gooo! I wanna meet your girlfriend."

Yet the boy didn't seem to care, already turning in the direction of his house, much to Izumi's surprise. "Come on, let's go.."

It took about ten minutes but soon enough Izumi found herself standing in Aizawa's living room as Eri threw her backpack on the sofa with a slight skip as Shinso called back. "Hey, what did Dad tell you about leaving your backpack on the sofa?"

Although the small white haired girl only stuck her tongue out before Shinso shook his head, knowing she was getting into her rebellious phrase. God help them all. "I gotta go call Dad and tell him that we made it home. Eri, don't harass Izumi.."

Fake gasping, Eri shook her head before the purple haired boy left their sights a moment later before Izumi sighed. Why was she even here? It seemed like she didn't belong here, it didn't even have anything to do with training.

She was quickly taken out of her thoughts though when Eri grabbed onto her arm, dragging the poor girl through the house. "Finally he's gone. Come on, I wanna show you my room..!"

Not giving her much of a choice, Eri quickly opened the door next to her before pulling Izumi into her room as the pink haired girl immediately noticed a large wall of hero posters, figures and plushies on her bed. "Tadaaaa! What do you think?"

Widening her eyes in surprise, Izumi forced herself to answer. "It..It's..very nice…"

Eri nodded back before reaching towards the large plushie collection on her bed and pulling out a female blonde haired Ember doll with a gold and black suit before cuddling it in her arms. "Thanks! I wanna be a hero just like my family! Shin Shin, Dad and Sissy are all heroes so I'm gonna be one too! Do you like heroes too Izu-chan?"

Looking over at her impressive display, Izumi couldn't help but smile back slightly. "Y-Yes...I do…"

Eri couldn't help but jump with excitement then, leaning forward as she pushed herself closer to the edge of the bed. "Oooh tell me, who's your favorite hero then! I wanna know.."

At the question, the girl felt herself turn away in embarrassment before flipping the equation so she didn't have to answer. "W-Who's..your favorite..?"

Putting her finger to her lips in question, the white haired girl hummed before answering back happily. "I don't know. I like them all! They are all really cool in their own ways!"

Eri then pointed her finger towards the girl before shouting back. "Now it's your turn!"

Realizing she hadn't in fact dodged the question Izumi let her eyes fall towards her pocket before pulling out the Shinso doll she bought earlier today before replying. "I...ummm...we..I guess my favorite is…"

Although once the girl saw the tip of the doll's purple hair, Eri immediately jumped off the bed in order to join Izumi on the floor, excitement in her eyes. "No way! It's Shin Shin, isn't it?!"

Giving a weak nod, the girl reached forward and grabbed the doll before giggling back. "I knew it! Shin Shin really is cool. I got really lucky having him as a big brother. I haven't seen this one before, is it new?"

Izumi couldn't help but slightly gush at the topic, not really knowing anyone else that liked these kinds of things. "O-Oh, yeah it just came out today. I..went to...get it...before..training.."

Lifting the doll up in the hair, Eri gazed at it in wonder. "That's so cool. I wish I had one. Shin Shin is the only one I don't have yet.."

Although that's when Izumi looked over towards her collection of plushies before lowering her eyes and speaking towards the little girl. "Y-You can have it...if you want.."

Widening her eyes, the white haired girl spoke her head. "What, I can't do that. You got up super early for it, right? That must mean it's really important to you.."

And although it was, Izumi knew that the small doll would fit into the little girl's collection perfectly, the woman turning towards Eri before carefully picking up the plushie and looking at it fondly. "I-It's okay...I think he wants to stay here…"

Then Izumi moved towards the girl's bed before placing the doll in the empty spot right in the center, filling in the space as the pink haired girl couldn't help but smile at the display. "S-See? He fits in perfectly…"

Widening her eyes at the girl's generosity, Eri turned her head. "Are you sure Izu-chan?"

Although the girl only shook her head before sitting back on the floor with a content plop. "Yes, I'm sure. N-Now your collection is complete, right?"

Giggling with happiness, the white haired girl then raced forward before tackling Izumi into a hug, almost knocking the poor woman over as she gushed. "Ahh thank you Izu-chan! You're the best! I'll take care of it forever, I promise!"

And her happiness seemed contagious because Izumi found her chuckle quietly as well, placing one hand on Eri's back before smiling softly. "I know you will."

Unknown to the two girl's though, once Shinso found himself finished with his call, he couldn't help but follow the sounds of their voices only to find Eri and Izumi playing together, each with warm and happy smiles on their faces.

This was the first time he had ever seen Izumi smile and the man couldn't help but become entranced with it, staring at her happiness with newfound interest. So she could also make this kind of expression?

He had to say, it kind of liked it better than her constant frown.

At first he thought of this girl as some crazed fan that snuck into try-outs just to see him but it seemed like there was more to her then that. She wasn't just some shy and obsessed fan, no it seemed like his story really touched her heart, in a way he could never understand.

And after hearing about her life in that cafe Shinso still didn't know what to fully make of her. She seemed to think so highly of him, so proud of his accomplishments but the only way he was able to do anything was because of the support he received through the years.

He wasn't that great, but yet she seemed to think so anyways. It was strange, having someone fully support him like that. He kind of felt like he didn't deserve it.

And then there was the topic of her bullies. When he was in high school sure it was rough but he had people to stand by him, to support him in his success. But what about Izumi, where was her support, where were her friends?

She didn't have any and from the sound of it her grandmother didn't seem to care what she did either. No wonder why she was so closed off all the time.

She was alone, in every sense of the word, wasn't she?

He couldn't help but feel bad for her in a way because of that.

Watching the two girls laughing joyfully, Shinso couldn't help but find himself smiling back as well, realizing that maybe there was more to Izumi than he originally thought.

Bowing towards Eri, Izumi turned towards the door to leave before a voice suddenly stopped, his tone giving out a slight stutter. "H-Hey, where are you going..?"

The woman couldn't help but turn around at the voice only to find Shinso stared back at her. "H-Home...I..I'm..not supposed to be...out..this late…"

Already turning towards the door again, she paused when the purple haired boy called back to her once again, a head to his neck, almost like he was nervous.. "Eri she said she really likes you. She wants to see you again.."

Twisting her head in visible confusion, the girl replied plainly. "O-Oh. W-Well, I..I..like..her too..but Is...is..that okay?"

She watched as the man casted his eyes away before nodding back. "Yeah, but I mean it's not really up to me anyways. That girl will nag me until I bring you back.."

Although that's when the pink haired girl glanced towards the floor before muttering. "Y-You don't..think..I'm..a..a..freak?"

Shinso knew immediately what she meant, recalling her fangirl tendencies and declarations before taking a step closer. "Not really. Although, I gotta be honest I still don't understand why it's me you love so much…"

Opening her mouth to speak, the man did so before her. "But besides that, I…"

Shinso then pushed his lips together before forcing out his next words, purposely looking away from the girl as he said them, his own cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I-I think you're cool too."

Recalling the embarrassing words that she had uttered during their training, Izumi felt her cheeks heat up before Shinso continued with a slight stutter. "And I don't think you should sell yourself short like that. I may not know a lot about you but I saw your training. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or says. You can be a hero if you really wanted to…I know you can…"

Widening her eyes at his words, Izumi couldn't believe what she was hearing. She never really thought she was the hero type. Her grandmother didn't want her so why would anyone else? He had to be lying, there was no way he was serious.

She felt herself shift around at the idea, her self conscious brain taking over as she muttered back. "N-No one's ever said t-that to me before.."

Although that was when Shinso took a step forward before placing a warm hand onto her head, just like he had done during their training this morning, his voice gentle and kind. "Well, now you have someone that believes in you."

Feeling her own heart stop, Izumi looked up at the boy in disbelief. Did he say just what she thought he did? No, there was no way.. "W-What?"

Smiling softly, the man looked down at the girl before speaking words that she never thought she would hear, from the man she looked up to more than anything.

"I said I believe in you Izumi."

AHHHH okay okay I know this took forever. But I'm not lying when I say this was so dang hard to write. Why did I make such a complicated character ugh! Listen, I like to do slow burn romances so the fact that this can only be up to three chapters has killed me. I don't want to make their love rushed but I also don't want it to seem like nothing.

Also let's not even talk about Izumi's character cause she's so hard to write cause she's shy but outspoken sometimes, weak in terms of communication but strong during training. Is a fangirl but also not creepy about it. It's so hard. I hope it's good enough.

Oh, also just so people know, Izumi is in her last year of high school but she was held back a year because she stopped attending classes for bullying. She's 19 years old right now. We don't do underage relationships here. It's all good and legal.

Also this is going to be a three parter cause there is too much information to add in order to make it a two parter.

But hey, we got cute things, am I right? *cries* I hope it's good enough.

Next Chapter: Last part of this story. Shinso and Izumi grow closer, Amari pops in and the commission president finds out about her granddaughter's whereabouts.