Hello, I'm back at it again with another chapter. Hope that the long wait was worth it. Enjoy.
Chapter 42: The Test of a Lifetime! Tread Lightly, Kazume!
Afternoon…
The students of Class 1-A were at their seats for the final homeroom session with Mr. Aizawa. They awaited for his final instructions as the school bell rang, signalling that the school day had ended.
"Alright, students. There is only one week left before your final exams. I expect that you all should've been studying for days on end and not slacking off. The stuff we teach here in UA isn't something you should be cramming for, and I haven't even mentioned the practical exam… not like I'd share it with you anyway until the right time. That's all for me," Aizawa wrapped himself in his sleeping bag as usual when he isn't busy teaching.
The students chatted with one another, sharing to each other about their thoughts of their past midterm results.
"I'm so screwed, I didn't even bother to jot down notes throughout the semester, how am I supposed to learn it all in a week?!" Mina and Denki shouted simultaneously. They were ranked the bottom two of the class in midterm results.
"Man, I don't feel quite comfortable about the exam, I only did okay with the midterms but who knows what Mr. Aizawa will pull," commented Sato.
"Ehh, I don't have much to worry. Afterall, I am in the top 10," Mineta bragged.
"Huh? I assumed you were a dumb one like the two of us," replied Denki.
"No fair," commented Mina.
"Who's gonna like a little guy like you if people find out you're smart?" asked Denki.
"Everyone. Trust me," Mineta bragged once again as he rested his head on his right fist with his elbow leaning on top of the desk with a shit eating grin on his face.
"Perhaps I could help tutor, I'd be nice to have everyone succeed and head to cmp as a class, right?" Izuku suggested.
"Right, as class rep, I wish you all to do your best to study your hardest!" Iida replied.
"Don't worry you two, I'll be glad to have anyone over at my place to help ya out with your studies," said the vice class rep Momo, who had the top score in midterm exams.
"Hey Yaomomo, could you also help me out with quadratic functions? I have quite a bit trouble understanding it," asked the 8th ranked Jiro.
"Me as well? I can't understand a single thing about classical Japanese," Sero begged with hands clapping together over his head.
"Can you count me in on that offer?" asked Ojiro.
Momo looked absolutely pleased, seemingly glowing with excitement. "Oh my, I must tell mother that I'll be having guests over. Maybe we can study at the great hall, yeah that'll be perfect. Oh but which type of tea do they like? Usually my family only likes to drink Harrods or Wedgewood, but I'm sure I can purchase a stock load of any tea they'll suggest." Momo continues to ramble on with excitement until…
"Okay! We get it! You're rich as shit!" Kazume's shouting quickly silenced her, and suddenly a metal pencil sharpener nailed him in the back of his head, dumping shavings down his neck.
"WHO FUCKING DID THAT?!" Kazume pulled out a knife… well at least tried to, it seemed stuck in the sheath, he yanked harder, the sharpener reattaching to the wall and a note fluttered to his desk.
You lost knife privileges, little bro! Also, try not to be a huge dick to your classmates!- XOXO, Sosuke.
PS. Tenkara also rigged the sharpener to dump shavings on you and smack you in the back of the head. Also, we instated a Swear Jar because Kounna and Eri are with us and… Nemuri might have a kid soon, I dunno.
"Grrr!" Kazume inhaled and quickly calmed down his temper, he faced towards Momo, "Alright, I'm sorry to lash out. I just thought you were gonna keep on going and going. You'll do great as a tutor, also... Why are you feeling nervous? You're very talented, Momo. You'll be alright in both written and practical."
"It's just… well… I've never done it before," Momo reasoned, "I guess I must push myself to be the best tutor!"
"I haven't done it either, just like the rest of us. Heroes help people in need of saving, and it looks like some need you to save their high school careers." Kazume replied.
"Wait, are you offering, ribbit?" Tsuyu asked.
"Well… I don't mind helping a classmate out, but why do you ask?" Kazume questioned the frog student.
"Because maybe you'd like to help me and Ochako out, ribbit."
"Well… who am I to say no, we'll get started at the lobby at 4pm. I guess we can grab a quick bite at the cafeteria, whaddya say?"
Tsuyu nodded and smiled a little.
"Hey, Izuku, Ochako, wanna join in?" Kazume asked his best friends. They kind of balked at that.
"Oh well, I guess we'll just get started then Tsuy- I mean Tsu." Kazume responded. The two left the classroom and headed to the lobby. Kazume took off the book bag from his back and opened it, taking out books from each class. They first started with going over Pre-Calculus. It was challenging a bit for Asui, but with Kazume around, she was able to figure it out.
But they couldn't stop hearing cute little giggles and shuffling around, then a little head popped out from behind a wall, golden eyes staring out and looking around, giggling even more as little Kounna Sorikami scooched his way out.
He saw Kazume, "Aaaah!" He called, waving his little hands.
"Hey there, little one. What are you doing out here?" Kazume greeted.
Kounna checked behind him, looking around and squinting a little, babbling.
Footsteps came forth and scooped him up was Tenkara, "HA! Gotcha!" Kounna started to sob. Tenkara sighed, hugging him.
"Is he not happy with school? Why is he upset?" Kazume asked Tenkara.
"He's been trying to find Nejire all morning… little dude just wants his Mommy," he sighed, "Ever since he's started crawling, me and Nejire have to corral him,"
Tenkara played with Kounna a little.
"What's Nejire been up to then that she isn't seeing her son at the moment?" Kazume asked again.
"She's been running around asking for some girls named Uraraka and Asui, and begging her boss to let them on with her for a Work Study, leaving me as the house husband chasing after this little blobby boy," Tenkara sighed, "I just… don't know if I can keep u with these two,"
He turned around, "If ya see Nejire, I'm back at the apartment,"
Kazume shook his head, seeing the father and son walking away.
"Baaaah." Kounna cooed, waving a little.
"Goodbye little Kounna, don't give your daddy issues, okay?" Kazume warned the little one before facing Asui, "So… that was something. Guess you attracted the attention of a Big 3 member and wants you to intern with her,"
Tsuyu shrugged, "What are you going to do, ribbit? Because… I'm not gonna be doing much…"
"Well… I'm not sure, she asked the same thing to me. But… What do you mean by not doing much? Are you doubting yourself?"
Tsuyu looked away, "It's just that whole thing about the villains scares me a little, especially all those times you and our friends got hurt and all that,"
"Well… it's not an easy job being a hero and all. Not every hero comes out of the fight unscathed… as you can see with my eye bandaged up. It's okay to be scared but you know what, I think you and I should join Nejire and her boss in that internship. It's just..." Kazume placed his hand on her shoulder. "There's no other person I want on my side besides you, Tsu. You've been with me through it all, and… I'm scared of dying too." He gripped harder on her shoulder.
"What was it that my brother said once, something about… hm… "If you just focused instead of running your mouth, brother, you wouldn't be dead," Something about that maybe," Kazume sighed, "Maybe he was onto something,"
Tsuyu nodded a little, seeming to understand.
"So whaddya say? Let's work together to be heroes?" Kazume asked.
"Aww! Look at my little bro getting another girlfriend already! She's really cute!" Sosuke commented as he arrived at the lobby.
"G-girlfriend?! I-it's not l-like that, we're j-just studying for the e-exam that's all. Although, it's true that she's really cute. Wait, what am I saying? My mind's all puzzled," Kazume said as his face turned red.
*WHAM!* A wooden katana beaned him on the head, Sosuke grinned like a jackal and leaned forward.
"See, that's what I was getting at! But no more stammerin or stutterin! You gotta take some responsibility for yer choices! Grit your teeth and never back down! That's why Pain takes ya over, buddy… yer too soft!" Sosuke chided with Nemuri just shaking her head.
"But softness is good sometimes, hon…" she sighed, "Sosuke's just saying it in his own way,"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Sosuke scoffed, "You gotta tell that cutie at I-Island ya found someone better! Or at least someone who understands what being a hero is like! That's why me and Nemuri here are together!"
"No, you almost took a dive off a bridge,"
"Shiiiiiiitttt…" Kazume mumbled.
"Nemuri! Private info should stay private! You just earned yourself something real special tonight!"
Nemuri cleared her throat and rubbed her swelling stomach.
"Oh. Oh right. Yeah. Okay. You win this round, Nemuri! Yer lucky yer gonna be a mama soon!"
"Wait, she's expecting a baby soon? And last night I… I'm so sorry brother. I thought I got rid of him, but I guess I'm not strong enough to contain him," Kazume bent his head down. Sosuke yanked him by the shoulder close to him.
"Hey! None of that downer talk! There's nothing you can't do, Kazume! You made it this far, and you got blades that can rend their way into the heavens! Chizome may have started it, but you and I gotta end it our way"! Sosuke rammed his head into Kazume's, "SO QUIT WHINING AND GET TO IT!"
"Ow, okay okay." Kazume sighed.
"Also! Never forget, don't believe in the me that believes in you! BELIEVE IN THE YOU THAT BELIEVES IN YOU, DUMBASS!"
"Alright, whatever the fuck that means, unless you mean like believe the good me that can help others?"
"YES! I DO! YOU GOTTA RIDE THAT WAVE, LITTLE BRO! TAKE IT ON WITH YOUR BARE HANDS AND CHOKE THE SHIT OUTTA IT!" Sosuke screamed, the manliness bursting at the seams, his eyes wide and sword aloft, Nemuri seemed to start gushing and grabbed him, running with him outside.
"HEY WAAAAAIIIIITTTTTT! NEMURIIIIIIIIIII!" Sosuke screeched, grabbing the floor, or trying to, "I'M NOT REAADDDYYYYY! He got yanked through the doorway.
"Hey Nemuri! Be sure to give him no mercy. Consider it payback for gluing my knife!" Kazume shouted.
"YOU FUCKING BASTAAAARRRD… Wait… wait, no, babe! Aaaah~!" The doors slammed shut, muffling his cries. Kazume turned back towards Asui.
"Well, what an interesting set of events that was. Him wanting me to break up with Melissa?"
Tsuyu nodded, "I agree with him, she's barely here and well… ribbit, I… I like you, and you should have someone who really understands what it's like,"
"But… I can't hurt her feelings, she's my sis. What would her dad think about this? Heck he's my dad as well." Tsuyu blinked.
"That's gross, Kazume-chan,"
"We're not blood related. I was adopted to their family. My last name isn't really Shield," Kazume blurted out, before covering up his mouth with his hands after saying that last part.
"So, your big scary brother is now dating Miss Midnight and most likely being pinned against a wall somewhere, ribbit."
"You don't get it, Asui! I'm no Shield, I'm an Akaguro! Sure Sosuke is nice and living well but my other brother… is the legendary Hero Killer Stain. I was so distant being friends with ya in the first place because he found me the moment I returned from I-island to go to UA. Asui, I mean Tsu… I… I used to be a villain three years ago. Pain was my villain name, not just a doppelganger inside of me. We were called the Bloodhounds who hunted down and terminated the careers of fifteen pro heroes. I was at one point the third most wanted villain in Japan at the youngest age of 12. And after the first day of school, he wanted me to backstab you all by giving him intel of your quirks, strengths, weaknesses, and how to take all of you down, and… I agreed, because…" Kazume started to drop tears in his only eye, "because I was scared to stand up to him and die a lonely gruesome death by decapitation or impalement."
"And your brother?" she asked.
"He had to maintain all the guilt of what happened to my parents and his siblings while living the expectations of a top five hero, hunting down and exterminating the dangerous villains." Kazume answered.
"Oh… so why is he all manly and 'believe in the me that believes in you'?" she asked.
Kazume shrugged, "He changes on a dime. He's having a rough life, and Nemuri's trying all she can to help him. He also wants me to be the next Stendhal for him, which I don't believe I'm ready for yet until I can control myself and be the best hero for him and everyone else."
Tsuyu sighed, "I think you're ready, ribbit. You just need to figure out how he got in control,"
"Yeah, I'll do my best," Kazume then looked on his phone to check the time, "Damn, I lost track of time, our study time ended twenty minutes ago. You should probably get back home," Kazume instructed.
"Only if you walk me back, ribbit, my parents wanted me to watch my little siblings for a little bit."
"Sure, I guess that's fair after the times you helped me out," Kazume agreed.
The walk back was a little awkward, not only was Kazume out to dry by both his best friend and his brother, but now he was gonna meet the other members of Tsuyu's family! The two boarded the train headed to Salty banks. The place was about four kilometers away from Crime City (Hosu) past the woods where Kazume used to hide alongside Stain in the small house. Once the train made its screeching halt at their station, the two got off together and moved towards the residences across the street.
"Sometimes when I was little, I'd hear things out there, ribbit."
"Things like what, Tsu?" Kazume asked, "It could probably be either your imagination, the wind, or whatever insects that make noises both night and day."
Tsuyu shook her head, "It kinda scared me sometimes because branches would fall, and the neighborhood bully would say it was because of Demon Samurai that lost their lord and couldn't bear to be Ronin, so they ride through the woods on their way to kill the man who killed their lord, ribbit"
'So did she probably heard me and Stain fighting in those woods?' Kazume thought, before he spoke out "Yep, it was probably just the winds,"
"Okay…"
"Well, here we are, at your place. Guess this is where we part ways." Kazume was about to head out but a hand gripped on his left forearm.
"Don't you wanna come on in for dinner,"
"Ahhh… maybe not…" he mumbled, but then, his stomach started rumbling.
"… Fine." Kazume growled. Guard up because he was already expecting the worst. It was something he'd usually do whenever he was closer to anyone than usual. So he just wandered on into the house, the odd normalcy of it kind of nostalgic to Kazume. The normal, albeit green living room with a lotta matching tones of green. He noticed that Tsuyu was already putting on an apron and tying her hair back, looking at him with a smile.
The kitchen was spacious, more than spacious, it was almost a whole room unto itself. There was a small nook with three doors marked with three names and a fourth room off to a deer part of the house.
"Make yourself at home, ribbit, my Dad and Mom are on a business trip, she usually manages his sleep schedule," Tsuyu explained.
"Oh. I see." Kazume said, a door opening behind him and revealing a little girl with pigtails and a small tadpole tail darted out, her big dark green eyes looking at the air.
"Satsuki-chan, this is Kazume, he's a friend from school and he's going to help me study,"
"Awww! But I wanted you to have a boyfriend!" The little froggie whined a little. Kazume shuttered and hid his face behind his scarf.
"Daddy doesn't like when Tsu-chan brings a boy!" The little froggie wiggled her little tail and clambered onto the barstool, swinging her legs with little green galoshes on. Satsuki Asui loved to imagine her big sis as the Frog Princess from their mother's bedtime story.
Kazume looked at the frog girl and was reminded of Eri.
"So… what's your school life like, little one? Made some good friends with others? Are you liked by your peers?" Kazume asked.
Satsuki hummed a little, her hands tapping on the bar a little, "Yeah! We got a new girl! She's really really shy but her Dad is so cool!"
"Really, what's she look like?"
"She's got red eyes like her Dad and a little horn! She's got white hair too! We colored together and everything!"
"So you met Eri-chan? That's wonderful. And you probably also met my long lost bestie, Tenkara. Did you meet the mother?"
"No! But Mr. Metallica was so cool! He vanished!" Satsuki exclaimed, almost wiggling her little tail off.
"Well, he refracted to be exact. He used to have a different quirk before evolving to his current one. So, where's the other sibling of yours? I'm pretty sure Tsu mentioned more than one sibling on our time together."
"Sami is acting like he's too cool for us, ribbit." Tsuyu sighed, shaking her head.
"Is that so… so what are you making for dinner?" Kazume slowly formed a smirk.
"Nothing too fancy, just food." Tsuyu said.
"Food huh, I'd be a shame if your little bro doesn't get his piece and starve."
"He won't, but ever since he found out about Sosuke-san, he's been absolutely hooked, ribbit," Tsuyu answered bluntly, she loved her brother, but she'd had enough with him trying to wall jump or run like a samurai, he'd get hurt and blubber to their mother.
"So what does he adore about my older bro?" Kazume rubbed his chin out of curiosity.
"He likes the whole awesome samurai vibe he gives off, even though I keep correcting him that frogs were a ninja thing, ribbit. He's been trying to get into Kendo classes for months now," Tsuyu sighed, "but he also loves those interviews. Your brother is almost an older brother figure to him."
"Interviews?" Kazume asked.
"Yeah, stuff about his rise to heroism inspired a lot of others." Tsuyu sighed, "I guess he kinda wanted brothers rather than sisters, also… something bugs me about Sosuke-san a little, how is he with Miss Midnight of all people? He's so… straight-laced and serious, ribbit."
"Do you really want to know that answer?" Kazume asked in a slightly dark tone.
Satsuki gasped, "Because he's in love with her! Right, robbit?"
"Well, yes that's one way to put it. But it was because she saved him… from death… and not just any death… suicide." he muttered.
Tsuyu sighed, "Harsh… he must've been a sad man, right?"
"Yeah… after losing our parents in the fire, the rise of Bloodhounds, the feeling that no matter what he did our actions would overshadow what he does, so he decided to go out the only way he knew was honorable, luckily for him Miss Midnight stopped him," Kazume explained, "then he hit the hero scene and redefined the meaning of being one,"
"Wow, that's… Oh no!" Tsuyu gasped, "Not the… not the whatever I was making!"
Kazume chuckled and Satsuki sighed, pouting a little. That smell was burnt but it was like a casserole or something like that. Actually it was baked spaghetti. It didn't matter as Kazume took a quick bite of it and savored the delicious spaghetti.
"Oh my, this tastes really good, Asu- I mean Tsu," Kazume complimented.
"Thanks, you don't seem to be a foodie like my mom is, ribbit,"
"Believe me, Tenkara would most likely almost yell your ears off in Italian about how you're doing it wrong, he yelled at me for a straight hour about how ramen isn't used for this, then my other friend said that blood would make good sauce and he almost broke the sound barrier,"
Tsuyu laughed and Satsuki too, "Really! That's funny!"
"No really, I ain't bull- I mean I'm not kidding. I just hope Nejire won't anger him with whatever she makes in the kitchen, now that they got kids of their own to feed,"
That's when his phone rang, showing that it was the man of the hour.
"Speak of the devil, what's up Tenkara," Kazume greeted.
Tenkara sounded nervous, "Ahhh… you got a warranty or your microwave or something?"
"No? I'm rich as shi- I mean I'm wealthy, I just usually buy a new one."
"Oh, really, good, because SOMEONE with PERIWINKLE HAIR accidentally put a hot dog into the microwave and let our son mash the buttons!"
"And?"
"Now it's on fire,"
"Ahh… I see. So… can you hand the phone over to Nejire for a minute?" He then faced toward Tsuyu, "Tsu, you might want to cover your sis's ears." Tsuyu just calmly reached over and covered her sister's ears.
"Babe, it's for you," Tenkara muttered, "Yes, yes, I'm sure he's not mad… no, I didn't tell him you threw it out the window, here, just take it! I'll bury this thing in the backyard with full honors!"
"Hello! How's it going?! Are you on a date? Oooh! With who? What're you eating? I bet it's something good! Also, hi!"
"Hello Nejire, I'm doing fine. Just ate some baked spaghetti made by Tsuyu. Don't let Tenkara know. So now that we set that bullshit aside… WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO TO MY MICROWAVE?!"
Nejire seemed to flinch a little, "I just… put a hotdog in there and… and well… one minute I'm picking up Kounna's favorite toy and then I hear so much beeping and he already started it and it was like there was like a lock mode on the thing for some reason! Weird, right?"
"Cause that microwave isn't just some regular microwave you buy in appliance stores. It's a special microwave made by David Shield… MY DAD, an inventor, once you close it and start it, it stays locked and won't close until it's finished."
"Ohhh… Oops…"
"And your little rascal decided to fuck around and almost BLOW IT UP?! AND YOU THREW IT OUT THE FUCKING WINDOW! I get that my family's a wealthy one and I can just simply get you a new one… but after what you just did… I hope Ryukyu somehow pays you well CAUSE IT'S GONNA COME OUT OF YOUR FUCKING POCKET! AND IF TENKARA DECIDES TO PAY IT BACK BY ROBBING, I'LL KNOW, AND YOU READ MY CRIMINAL RECORD OF HOW DEADLY I CAN BE! AND LASTLY!"
Kazume caught a quick breath before continuing.
"IF THAT LITTLE RASCAL MAKES A MESS IN MY DORM AGAIN… I WILL SHOW HIM WHO HIS REAL MOM REALLY IS! UNDERSTAND?!"
Sniffling was heard on the other end, "K-Kazume… that was mean! W-Waahhhhhhh! Tenkaaaarrrraaaa!" Nejire sobbed, hanging up.
"Serves them right. I leave the dorm for like an hour and a half and they threw away my microwave. Well… thanks for the meal, but I gotta get back home."
Kazume was about to exit out the door, but once he opened, he saw a rapid downpour of heavy raindrops.
"Well… I guess I have to make myself comfortable until the rain goes away," he walked towards a nearby couch and closed his eye, quickly taking a nap.
"Oh! Uhm… it might be better to sleep in a room, you can take the floor or the bed, I don't care, ribbit?" Tsuyu suggested but he was already asleep. "That reminds me, Satsuki-chan, you should be heading off to bed too."
"Awwwww! Tsu-chaaaaannnn~! I wanna stay up! I wanna I wanna I wanna! Robbbbittttt!" she whined, until she yawned.
"Well, unfortunately your body says otherwise, so off to bed you go, ribbit" Tsuyu stretched out her tongue, gently pushing her sister from her back towards the direction of her room, gesturing for her to go.
"Tsu-chan, aren't you gonna kiss your boyfriend goodnight?" Satsuki asked.
"Uhh… ribbit," she croaked, crimson faced and trying not to freak out too badly. "G-goodnight, Satsuki."
As her sister closed the door and did what she was told, Tsuyu went to check on Kazume. Seeing him sleep so peacefully on the couch made her smile. She gently roped her tongue around him, smiling and wanting to feel his body heat on her. She carried him to her room, pulling the layers of blankets off her bed before gently placing him down on it. Then she quickly took off her apron and clothes and slid on a long shirt over her underwear and flopped on the bed, too lazy and too tired to get out her pajamas. She slid right next to Kazume, pulling the sheets over each other. Her face blushed pink as she closed her eyes, leaning forward and kissing his cheek.
"I love you, Kazume-kun," she whispered. All of a sudden, while he was still asleep, he pulled Asui closer to him, bodies in contact with one another. Tsuyu Asui smiled.
Today was a good day.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Thank you all for reading this chapter. Leave a comment and let me know your thougths. If you wanna stay up to date, please follow/favorite the story to support it. Other than that, I'll see you till next time.