To Be A Hero

by Pikaboo73

Izuku's only wish was to become a hero, and with the help of his idol, All Might, he's coming closer to that dream. But someone else is joining him on that adventure, someone by the name of Enso Ureshi. He's not joining Izuku to become a hero, instead, he wishes to help Izuku become strong enough to face a threat coming to his world. (Romance,Harem, better than the summary sounds.)

63. Recovery Progression

~{Author's Pre-Notes}~

Not gonna say too much this time... I've been shit lately because of a bunch of things. To be honest, the only thing that makes me feel happy anymore is working on these chapters. And hey, got over 20 reviews last chapter, thanks a lot for that. Hope you guys like this one too. Enjoy.

Answered Comments (Oldest to most recent):

Omnipotent X: Yeah, have clear plans for the situation with Ochako.

Extra: That's a bit of stretch. Horikoshi's canon MHA is good the way it is. I honestly believe that turning mha into a canon harem would do more harm than good. (Says the guys writing a harem fic, heh.)

QuickyQuickl: I get what you mean, but we won't really get really deep into Enso's story until around the training camp arc and past that. For now, there's gonna be more work involving Izuku and his lovely ladies. Hope you're excited to see everything coming up though.

Guest: No, no, I get it. I really do appreciate all the reviews this fic has gotten, and I honestly believe that I already get a lot of reviews for a fic, but I can't just help but feel jealous sometimes of other fics, you know how it is. I'm at least confident enough to say that my fic isn't bad and is at least pretty entertaining.

mtkrain26: You check every our? I'm pretty sure all you gotta do is follow the fic and it'll just notify you in an email or something when I finally do update. It can be a while, heh.

all514yer987: I mean, I really did wish they addressed Bakugo's bullying more in the anime, it would've given a lot of fans some sort of justice, and I think it really would've been great if Izuku had a secret quirk in cannon but it never came out because it related to over excess of anger, but I don't think Izuku would canonly need a brother figure with the support of the people he has around him. Overall, I'd say the canon mha story is as good as it is.

Farouk and Omnipotent X: Not gonna lie, you're conversation triggered me a bit about Izuku and other subjects, since I disagree with a few things you guys said, but I'm not gonna go on a whole argument about it. But I don't think you really had to delete your messages, Omnipotent X.

Jak and Idot: Soon, maybe one chapter soon. I know you've waited quite a while for it, huh? But remember that I said that I'm planning to get back into a rhythm for posting GSM after I catch up on TBAH and retypes.

Atomic11: Oof, I wouldn't call Shinso an edgelord. Enso, eeeeeeh, perhaps. Also, glad you like One Above All.

5AT05H1L1NK: I personally don't 'hate' Bakugo anymore, (although I was really pissed about how he got away with nearly everything without proper punishment) but I do believe that he could have some redemption. Although I guess I'm being nice giving him any sort of redemption at all. Glad you enjoyed the chapter.

TQ679: Yeah, I've listed all the moves I gave to Izuku and am even planning more moves for him, but some are gonna be just somewhat Ikari enhanced moves to Izuku's usual smashes

---

~{U.A Recovery Room}~

"What do you mean we can't see him!?"

The girls of class A, along with Iida, Todoroki, Shinso, and even Tokoyami, all stood outside Recovery Girl's makeshift infirmary.

The short but imposing Nezu stood in front of the door, hands behind his back while innocently smiling up at the students.

"I meant exactly what I said it. None of you are allowed to see Midoriya right now. Recovery Girl is checking on his condition, and it doesn't require a crowd to be there."

"B-But-!" Ochako started.

"We also have no clue when he'll wake up, so it's for the best for all of you to change and head home." The principal stated.

"But I wanna see Midori!" Mina whined, even comedically flailing her arms up and down.

Nezu evilly chuckled, a menacing glimmer forming in his eyes. "Now, now, Ashido. Do you need another lesson of intelligence from me?"

"EEP!" Mina flinched and instinctively hid behind Momo while shivering. "N-No! Not at all! I get it! M-Midori needs his beauty sleep!"

Nezu's innocent smile returned. "Thank you for understanding. Have a safe trip, everyone! And remember that you still have to attend school tomorrow before your summer officially starts!"

And so, the group was forced to reluctantly walk away while Nezu slipped inside the infirmary, closing the door behind him.

The students' looks varied from worry to disappointment, different discussions emerging among them.

"Nezu is probably going to ask Midoriya about that form..." Todoroki mumbled to two others.

"Indeed. To think that Midoriya was both able to control Ikari's true strength and collaborate with Bakugo... I didn't think I'd see both occur at the same time." Iida nodded. "Especially since I assumed Bakugo himself would give trouble for Ikari to control himself..."

"I honestly thought he was gonna kill him." Shinso chuckled, bringing his hands behind his head.

"Tokoyami! I wanna call Darkness Buddy later!" Dark Shadow whined with his hands on his host's shoulders.

"I will ensure we make contact with Midoriya and his ally of darkness... So please stop shaking me!" Tokoyami sighed.

Toru curiously poked Mina, getting worried to see the emotionless stare on her best friend.

"Er... Mina? You alright?"

"I can still hear it... I can still hear the explosions... I never met a scarier monster in my life..." The pink-skinned girl muttered.

"Oh boy..."

Momo turned to Kyoka with a serious expression. "We need to ask Izuku what occurred to him during his exam. I, for one, am curious as to how he managed to convince Bakugo to cooperate with him."

"And Greeny had that same look he had at the festival. But this time he didn't go... you know, batshit crazy?" Kyoka pointed out. "Otherwise, he probably would've tried killing Mr. Explosive Disorder."

"Hey Enso, you train with Midori, right? How did-?" Toru paused. She and the others realized that the one who should've been guaranteed to come wasn't actually here.

"Wait... Enso didn't come with us?

---

~{Meanwhile}~

"How are you feeling, All Might?" Nezu asked, stepping beside the skinny man who had bandages wrapped around his forehead. The number one hero was still in his hero costume, brought to the infirmary wearing it after having gotten launched, seated upward with a rather pensive stare.

"I'm doing fine... But that last attack from Young Bakugo really did pack a punch." Toshinori couldn't help but frown. "I haven't seen anything like that from him before... Was he always capable of that much power at once?"

"He shouldn't be. At least, not from what we've seen from him before." Nezu agreed.

"Did you ask Young Bakugo himself about it?" Toshinori asked.

"I did. But all he told me was to ask Midoriya about it. It appears that even he wasn't sure if he should even share anything. I wonder exactly what occurred between the two?" Nezu hummed with a curious smile.

He turned his attention to the mentioned green-haired student lying on the bed next to Toshinori's, currently unconscious.

Toshinori also focused his gaze on his successor, staring at him in worry.

"Do you believe that Midoriya contributed to Bakugo's display of power in some way?" Nezu rubbed his chin in interest.

Toshinori narrowed his eyes.

"That seems to be the most likely possibility... That explosion from Young Bakugo's gauntlet was nothing like the one he released during his first hero exercise... It was over twice as destructive and had an unnatural shade of pure black to it, like..."

"Ikari, right?" Nezu read his mind.

Toshinori nodded, staring down at his lap.

"Yes... And it was when Young Midoriya took... that form during the second half of the exam."

"Where his demeanor changed completely." Nezu muttered, smiling in interest as he continued to rub at his chin. "But seeing how Midoriya here is enjoying his rest, we'll have to ask our dear old friend for an opinion. Or perhaps he has a full explanation?"

Toshinori raised an eyebrow as Nezu pointed a paw to the window.

"All Might, open the window, please?"

"Er... Okay?" The number one hero gave Nezu a confused look but complied, seeing as he was already by it.

He scooted to the edge of his bed and slid the window up, staring out at the orange and yellow colors of the sun starting to set.

Nezu clapped his paws together.

"Thank you. Now let's just wait a few seconds, aaaaaaaaaand..."

A question mark formed over Toshinori as he turned from Nezu to the open window.

Only to let out a comedic shriek when he saw two hands grabbed the windowsill.

"OH SHIT!" He screamed in English, even spewing blood

"There he is!" Nezu laughed.

With a jerk, this person pulled himself into the room.

"Y-Young Enso!?" Toshinori stuttered, a hand over his heart as he caught his breath.

The stoic teen landed in the room and gave a polite nod. "Hello there."

"Why can't ya just used the door like a normal person!?" Recovery Girl fumed from her seat in the back.

Enso glanced over at her, tilting his head. "Because I'm not normal?"

"Don't make me come over there!" The nurse snapped with a raise of her cane.

"Oh, Enso-kun, you and your amusing habit of using windows never ceases to entertain me!" Nezu grinned. "And as much as I'd love to enjoy your company over a cup of tea, I'm sure you know that we have some questions?"

Enso was momentarily silent as he glanced at an unconscious Izuku on the bed, then searching for signs of another person.

"Bakugo isn't here?"

"I already healed that youngster and sent him off. His injuries weren't too serious besides his dislocated shoulder." Recovery Girl spoke up, still giving him the stank eye.

"So... it's just us then?" Enso asked, turning to Nezu.

"Of course. Some of your classmates came to check on Midoriya, but I made sure to send them off." Nezu then crossed his arms. "You've watched Midoriya's exam too, haven't you, Enso-kun?"

Enso nodded. "I arrived when Izuku and Bakugo started fighting at the beginning, so I watched all of it for the most part."

"Good, then I'll ask you, do you have any insight on Bakugo's newfound surge of power? And perhaps give us an update on Midoriya's new state of mind when he unleashes Ikari?" Nezu politely asked.

Enso sighed. "I do have an explanation for Bakugo's sudden demonstration of power. Though I didn't expect to explain it so soon..."

He sat on the edge of Izuku's bed.

"I'll start with this. Upon returning from our internships, I decided to test Ikari and his properties, ending up being able to contain his energy in a liquid-based form."

"Contain, you say?" Nezu asked, intrigued to hear this.

Enso nodded. "Yes. And since I was able to store his energy, I was able to use different amounts of it for recent experiments. And through these experiments, I've discovered that when Ikari's energy is introduced to certain sources of power, it enhances them to become even more powerful."

"What!?" Toshinori exclaimed, shocked to hear this new development of his successor's quirk.

"I believe this aspect of Ikari relates to One For All." Enso continued.

He raised his forearm in front of him and pressed his watch, showing two separate diagrams of Izuku and Toshinori's figures.

"As we know, a part of One For All's properties is the ability to pass itself to another person." A holographic arrow pointed from Toshinori to Izuku to represent this.

"And we can assume that Ikari is Izuku's original quirk, which only manifested, or I guess evolved, once it absorbed the stockpiled energy that One For All accumulated over the many years."

A black aura appeared over Izuku's model with black electricity forming, representing this power.

"So I have a simple theory that Ikari not only received One For All's energy but perhaps also received the ability to pass down his own power to others."

Toshinori's model vanished, and Bakugo, wearing his hero costume, replaced it, where a black arrow representing Ikari's energy pointed at him.

"And since one of Ikari's own properties increases the power and hostility of the holder, as we've seen when he added his own energy to One For All, then of course, it would make sense that those who interact with his energy would go through a similar effect. Hence Bakugo's large-scale attack."

Toshinori and Nezu stared in awe, but there was also a serious glint in the principal's eyes, not to mention he was no longer cheerfully smiling.

"B-But Young Bakugo didn't seem any more hostile than he usually looked! Or can I just not tell anymore from him!? "Toshinori grimaced, clutching his head and looking down at the thought of an even more hostile hothead.

"No, you are indeed correct that Bakugo wasn't notably affected by Ikari mentally, so it's my belief that Izuku may have simply imported some of Ikari's energy into his grenade bracers." As Enso speculated this, the black arrows pointed at Bakugo's arm bracers.

"And when Bakugo pulled the pin that sparked a reaction, this stored energy added to the power of his released explosion." He finished, the hologram then vanishing.

"Enso-kun..."

Ens turned his head to Nezu, who had a rather dark aura around him. "What kind of 'experiments' did you conduct to find out that Ikari also influences other's mental states?" He asked bitterly.

It seemed experimentation was a sore subject for Nezu.

"I haven't tested any of Ikari's energy on any human beings or animals. I've simply used it on different sources of power that give off their own form of energy. My claim that Ikari would affect another person's mental state is, as I've said, simply speculation based on our experiences seeing Izuku get overwhelmed by rage. I haven't, nor will be testing Ikari's energy on any living beings anytime soon. It would be dangerous to do so. Not to mention... I'm sure you'll have my head if I did."

The darkness around Nezu faded, but he still kept a serious stare. "I hope you keep true to that."

"But... then what did these experiments of yours consist of?" Toshinori asked, a bit nervous after feeling the hostility from Nezu.

Enso listed them off. "I tested fire, electricity, batteries, and more that produce energy in some way. I would expose these matters to Ikari's energy, and once exposed, these substances would escalate in power, such as surging larger flames or explosion."

He crossed his arms.

"And then I tested Todoroki's blood, donated to me, by the way, where I alsogot an instantaneous reaction."

Nezu raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"His ice became blue ice, the strongest kind of ice. And his flames also turned blue, even hotter in temperature than his usual ones."

"So overall, Ikari's energy can enhance the power and potency of quirks by interacting with an individual's DNA?" Nezu recapped.

Enso nodded.

"And when were you planning to tell us about all of this?" Toshinori narrowed his eyes.

"..."

Enso tilted his head innocently. "When I actually remembered to tell you?"

The skeletal blonde deadpanned. "You..."

Enso clapped his hands together.

"So to wrap it up, Bakugo's last attack was no doubt from the energy Ikari stored in his gauntlet, which unleased that last concentrated attack."

Nezu stared downward at the ground while rubbing his chin, looking more concerned than people usually ever saw him.

"This has been some rather interesting information to learn... But it's also concerning. Not in the sense of what Ikari's energy is capable of, but of who would wish to get their hands on it."

Enso narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Nezu looked up at him. "Enso-kun. Quirk enhancers of any kind are one of the many desired aspects of the world. Devices or drugs with the purpose of enhancing quirks have either ended up becoming failures or were too dangerous to continue. Yet, this usually doesn't stop criminal organizations or even secret government executives from trying to produce or take a quirk enhancement."

Toshinori frowned, remembering previous cases in his career where he dealt with individuals losing their sense of reason from such drugs.

"And as for quirks that enhance other quirks, those are rare among individuals and are a big focus for organizations trying to produce quirk enhancers. They need individuals with such quirks to even produce any products in the first place. And for a quirk like Ikari, who can grant such large-scale power in our current era where there has rarely been any more quirk enhancing quirks..."

"Everyone would want to get their hands on him. To be able to receive a source of energy that can be easily repeatedly produced, shipped, and profited from..." Enso immediately understood.

Nezu once again nodded. "Indeed. If any of this knowledge were to spread, then it'd be the same as if the world learns of One For All. There'd be people after it. Everyone would see it as something to take. To either win over or steal for themselves."

"I understand." Enso focused his gaze on the unconscious student in the room. "I'll be sure to discuss this with Izuku. But... what if his classmates ask about it? And Bakugo must already know of this property of Ikari since it was his gauntlet filled, what of him?"

"Class 1A doesn't know exactly what occurred, so we'll play it off as simply Bakugo having more sweat than normally stored into his gauntlet. And as for Bakugo's knowledge of Ikari of itself, I'll make sure to speak to him to keep the matter quiet." Nezu reassured.

"Nnn..."

The three of them then turned their heads to see a slumbering Izuku slowly coming too.

"Ah, what timing." Nezu smiled.

Izuku's eyelids hesitantly opened up, the boy adjusting to the lighting of the room.

"Ugh..."

"Young Midoriya, do you feel alright?" Toshinori asked, stepping beside his bed.

"At least give him a moment to adjust." Nezu stated.

They did and backed up a bit, letting Izuku sit up and blinked a few times, still in his hero costume and processing where he was.

The first person that caught his eye was the one now standing beside his bed.

"All... Might?"

"Wakey wakey, Young Midoriya." The top hero smiled.

"How are you feeling?"

"Eh?" Izuku turned his head to the other side of him. "Enso? What... happened?" He groaned, clutching his head. "Where's Kacchan...?"

"Recovery Girl healed him earlier and sent him off. And don't worry, you passed your exam." Enso stated.

Hearing that, Izuku's eyes widened brightly.

"I... passed?"

A bright smile formed on his face.

"I passed!"

"But you almost died."

Izuku's face darkened immediately. "Oh."

"That was unnecessary to mention!" Toshinori abruptly snapped.

Enso shrugged. "What? He did. If it weren't for Bakugo, he would've been splattered all over the ground."

Izuku clung to a certain part of that information.

"Kacchan... saved me?"

"Indeed." Nezu smiled, attracting the boy's attention to look down towards the ground. "And might I say, I'm very pleased that you two managed to set aside your differences and properly fight together."

"That was still a stupid decision to pair them together. I doubt it even did anything to fix their relationship other than maybe have Bakugo grow some mild respect for Izuku..." Enso remarked to him.

He turned to his student and put his hands on his own hips.

"And speaking of 'fighting together,' we're curious about what happened to you alone with Bakugo. There was only so much we could see and hear."

"Eh?" Izuku blinked.

"Er, before that, I wish to ask something that concerns me." Toshinori spoke up, then addressing Izuku with a look of concern. "Young Midoriya... During our battle, did... did Ikari take control of you?"

Then silence came as the group waited for the boy to answer, causing Izuku to grow more nervous by the second.

"Er..." He looked down, organizing his thoughts and starting to sweat.

After nearly a minute, Izuku looked up with a somewhat embarrassed smile.

"Not... exactly?"

"..."

"Can you elaborate on that?" Toshinori asked.

"Er-! I mean-!" Izuku started fidgeting in place. "I-I don't really understand it too well myself..."

"Do you actually remember what happened? As in, do you recall fighting during that entire battle?" Enso asked.

Izuku nodded. "Yeah, I do... And-! Well... I think the best way to explain it is that Ikari and I became... one?"

The two men and one mouse tilted their heads with question marks above them.

Izuku looked down, getting deep in thought.

"I-Ikari wasn't exactly controlling me like the last time this happened. It's more like we were completely in sync... His thoughts were mine, my thoughts were his, my movements were his, and both of our goals were the same... We just wanted to pass."

"So it's similar to the sports festival when your minds ended up entwined with the desire to win... Except at that time, your anger towards Bakugo and the anger of the previous predecessors of One For All overwhelmed you, causing Ikari to grow in influence and take charge. But in your battle against All Might, the two of you were coordinated in getting through things together?" Enso questioned.

Izuku nodded, confirming it. "Yeah..."

"And speaking of Young Ikari... how is he currently?" Toshinori piped up.

"Oh. Well, I think he's... sleeping?" Izuku chuckled.

Enso deadpanned. "He sleeps?"

"H-He has to retreat in my conscious to recharge his energy!" Izuku clarified. "We burned through a lot of energy to produce enough force to keep All Might pinned down! Otherwise, we easily would've been sent flying back when our punches collided!"

"So, as of now, we cannot communicate with him?" Nezu asked.

Izuku shook his head in confirmation. "Not right now... It might be a while. I don't really know..."

There was a pause among the group.

"So... then continuing from before, you and Ikari were in 'sync' again, but in a more controlled manner? But that's what puzzles me... What sparked this development of emotion during your exam? Wouldn't you both had to have been connected through some form of anger to end up like... that?" Toshinori asked curiously.

That had Izuku looked down at his lap with a rather solemn gaze. "We weren't angry over the same things..."

He paused.

"I got angry because Kacchan was just gonna... give up. He was willing to lose just so that he wouldn't have to work with me... What I admired about him was how he would never give up. That no matter how broken his body was, no matter what anyone would say, he'd always kept fighting to the end... That was the one thing about him that never changed growing up."

Izuku became somewhat depressed.

"But... He was willing to shatter that image. He was willing to lose just because of how he felt towards me. Even though I was the one who suffered because of him..."

He furrowed his eyebrows.

"I... I actually looked down at him right at that moment... It seemed like he was no longer worth proving myself to."

He raised his head.

"Even when Enso came into my life, he didn't replace the admiration I had for Kacchan. It never changed that I wanted to surpass him. I... I only wanted to prove to him that I wasn't the Deku he always saw me as..."

"I don't believe it was worth it proving yourself to him in the first place."

"Quiet, Enso-kun, not now." Nezu sternly scolded. "Continue, Midoriya."

Izuku did so, "Ikari had already been angry at Kacchan even before the exam started. So when I became... infuriated at him for giving up, I guess that combination of anger was what was needed for Ikari and me to mentally... 'join' once again."

"And you went into that form..." Toshinori paused, eyes seeming uncomfortable. "One... Above All...?"

"Excuse me?" Enso raised an eyebrow, curious about that name.

Izuku embarrassingly scratched the back of his head, producing an awkward smile. "O-Oh...Yeah, I-I guess I did call it that, huh?"

Toshinori turned to Enso. "Ah, that's right. None of you in the monitoring room could hear any spoken words because of how loud our battle was, correct?"

"For the most part." Enso answered.

"Well, 'One Above All' appears to be what Young Midoriya has chosen to call his... developed form."

"I-I mean..." Izuku stammered, feeling embarrassed and wondering if it was cringy.

"One Above All... Sounds kinda condescending, doesn't it? Being above everyone else?" Nezu chuckled. "Not to mention it hits a littletooclose to One For All, doesn't it?"

"I-I don't know why I called it that, alright!? I-It was at the surge of the moment!" Izuku stammered, covering his face with his hands in embarrassment.

"I personally like it." Nezu said, enjoying seeing Izuku squirm.

"What's the difference between... 'One Above All' and Onryō's Fury?" Enso asked.

Izuku immediately uncovered his face with a stoic expression forming, getting into an analytical state. "With Onryō's Fury, Ikari and I still act separately to a degree. I control One For All to enhance my body, while Ikari uses his energy himself to support me, whether allowing me to unleash projectiles or even fighting alongside me as another body. You could say that we're fighting like a tag-team duo. But in, um... One Above All, Ikari's energy seems to completely merge with One For All, and in turn, I unite with Ikari. So... I have the usual abilities of Ikari's negative energy-based attacks, but now my smashes pack an even bigger punch due to the boost of power Ikari gives me."

"How much power was in the final punch you threw at All Might?" Enso seemed invested in learning more, a hand on his cheek with a look of curiosity.

Izuku looked down and thought about it for a second, then raising his head. "In that last smash... I-I think I was using about 20% of One For All? But in addition to that 20% of power, Ikari added his own power, making it even more powerful..."

"My, my, how intriguing. To be able to further increase One For All's output of power with your own quirk? You'll become a walking deus ex machina in the future. Even more so than All Might in his prime." Nezu chuckled. "But as much as I would like to understand the scale of your power more, may I ask you to continue indulging information on your experience in that form? From what we've seen, the last time you were in such a powerful state, you broke every bone in your body. But this time, you managed to remain in control."

"I-I didn't break every bone in my body!" Izuku retorted.

"Not yet..." Enso added with a straight-faced expression.

Izuku resisted the urge to snap back at his mentor and took a deep breath, proceeding to continue.

"So... Ikari and I got angry and became one. But..."

He looked down, recalling the moment.

"Ikari and I had different ways of wanting to... I guess 'vent' out our anger? I didn't want to hurt Kacchan... yet Ikari did."

He raised his head again with a small smile.

"But... I guess we somehow came to an understanding. I... I spoke to Kacchan my honest thoughts to get through to him, while Ikari... 'expressed' how I felt as I spoke. Smashing Kacchan against the wall... actually felt pretty satisfying."

"Eh?" The other three males deadpanned. None of them have seen this due to it occurring in an obscure alleyway.

Izuku then turned slightly pale and started shivering.

"Th-Th-That's right... W-We even held a b-blade to his n-n-neck..."

"Eh!? Toshinori turned blue.

"I'm gonna have to bring that up with you later." Nezu stated with a blank gaze.

"But you're the reason it even happened..." Enso sighed, irritated at the rodent that chose to pair the students up in the first place.

"W-Well, in the end... I-I guess Kacchan realized how stupid he was being and finally cooperated with me. Heh, it's pretty funny... I-I had to look down at Kacchan for him to understand how low he was going..." Izuku chuckled.

"How ironic... The one time you look down at him is the one time you got him to cooperate with you. But I suppose he simply wished to prove you wrong." Enso sighed.

"I... I guess..."

The group then remained silent but noticed Izuku looking depressed yet again, appearing to be in his thoughts.

"Midoriya, you may not forgive me for choosing to pair you up with your childhood tormentor, but I don't regret it. You and Bakugo had your conflicts, but it was important for both of you to be able to set them aside for the greater good."

"*Cough* Bakugo's the problem." Enso abruptly added.

"But nonetheless, I'm glad you both managed to pass. And hopefully, this experience will broaden Bakugo's perspective." Nezu smiled.

"I'm actually really mad about you pairing us together..." Izuku pouted at the principal. "But... I'm also kinda glad..."

He formed another sad smile.

"I know Kacchan and I can't be friends again... But I still see him as a rival to prove myself against."

"But I'm pretty sure you're already better than him in terms of skill and power." Enso bluntly remarked.

Izuku just chuckled. "Maybe I am... But I'm going to continue proving it to him. If Kacchan pushes himself to become stronger than ever, then it'll mean the world will have a powerful hero... and I'm fine with that."

His emerald eyes seemed genuinely happy.

"I'm sure a lot of people would prefer that he's expelled, I'm sure many of them would want him to pay for everything he ever did to me before, but I'm fine with keeping things how they are right now. Kacchan is no longer bullying me, he views me as a threat to his career, and he pushes me to become stronger than ever."

Izuku grinned.

"Even though he really is the most frustrating rival to have, I'm still glad it's him."

---

~{Meanwhile-League Of Villains}~

"What the hell is wrong with her?"

Shigaraki was already getting annoyed at the crazy-looking blonde comedically squirming in place with excited giggles.

"Don't mind her. She's just a pervert." Dabi answered nonchalantly, clearly used to it.

"Izu-kun~ Izu-kun~" Toga giggled with her eyes closed and hands on her cheeks.

"Actually, I'm getting kinda annoyed too..." Dabi changed his mind.

He raised his hand and smacked the girl on the back of her head.

"Ow!" The blonde hunched over and gripped her head, then looking back at him with a pout.

"Dabi! You hit me! How could you!?"

"Well, you see, I just raise my hand like this... And then-"

*Smack!*

"There, that's how."

"Ow! You're mean, Dabi!" Toga whined, two comedic red bumps on her head.

"A man of true gender equality." Giran laughed behind them.

"Shut up... All of you shut up!"

"Hm?" Everyone's gazes then turned to the leader of the group, feeling anger emitting from him.

"Everything I hate came together in one set... A crazy kid, a rude guy, and that damn brat's name..."

Kurogiri felt Shigaraki's hostile aura. "Now, now, they came all this way, haven't they? We can at least hear them out."

He turned his head to Giran, who seemed amused at the tension of the room. "The rather famous underground broker recommended them himself, so they're bound to be valuable assets."

Giran just chuckled. "Hey, all I really care about is getting paid. But even I gotta say that it'd be a waste to toss these two out. Let me at least introduce them to you to help seal the deal."

He waved a hand and presented Toga.

"This cute high school girl has her name and face kept under wraps from the media, but she's on the run as the prime suspect in a series of deaths by blood loss!"

"I'm Toga Himiko! Call me Toga!" The murderous girl giggled with a wave.

"Just know that she's an insane little vampire." Dabi added.

"Hey, I'm not insane! Just passionate!" Toga whined.

Giran moved on to the other villain there.

"Anyway, this guy over here hasn't committed any flashy crimes, but he holds fast to the hero killer's ideology."

"Speaking of which..." Dabi cut in, narrowing his eyes at Shigaraki. "Does this organization even have a just cause? Or was there a reason why Stain hasn't come back?"

Shigaraki's hands balled together.

"Who cares, Dabi!? It'll be fun!" Toga responded with a jump.

"Quiet, Toga. The adults are talking. Or at least I think he's one." Dabi scolded.

"They're quite the pair..." Kurogiri sweatdropped.

"I came here to see if it'd be worth sticking with you guys. But whether you're even an organized group or not, I'll make sure to carry out the will of the Hero Killer."

Shigaraki's patience was getting thin, fists shaking the table.

"Yet another thing I don't like... Everyone's been obsessed with Stain. It's all about Stain, Stain, Stain... I hate it."

He stood up from his stool and uncaringly knocked it over.

"I didn't mention him, so you didn't have to bring him up... Not him or the other brat... I hate it..."

His palms opened up as his red eyes seemed to grow intense, "You're all no good!"

Both Dabi and Toga immediately got chills as this man suddenly gave off an intense murderous intent, so both reacted, with one bringing a palm of blue flames forward while the other pulled out a knife and jabbed ahead.

But multiple portals opened, sending each person's hand through another hole to ensure they missed each other.

"Now, now, children. Let's calm down, alright?" Kurogiri spoke sternly.

He directed his gaze to his current boss. "Tomura Shigaraki... If what you wish is to come to pass, then we must increase the organization's numbers. Oddly enough, we're in the spotlight, so we have the biggest chance at finding recruits! We should be accepting these assets, not rejecting them!"

Kurogiri extended his fog-like head to be close to Shigaraki's ear, whispering to him. "You must use all of it. Even the ideology he left behind."

"..."

"Tsk!" Shigaraki pulled his hands out of the portals and shoved them into his pockets. "Shut up…"

He then walked forward past Toga and Dabi, who both stood out of the way while keeping on guard.

"Where are you going?" Giran asked, blowing his smoke.

"Shut up!" Shigaraki just snapped back. He had enough of these people. He had enough of everything. He opened the bar's door and slammed it shut behind him, leaving the group in silence.

Toga had a blank smile on her as she stared at the door. "I kinda thought he was gonna kill us."

"He's a creepy bastard..." Dabi added.

A few seconds of silence later, Toga jumped to the counter and stared up at Kurogiri with a bright, toothy grin and stars in her eyes. "So when do you think I'll be able to meet Izu-kun!?"

"May god bless that child's soul if he interacts with this girl…" Kurogiri thought as he coughed awkwardly. "Well… You may need to wait for our response to accept you. I know that Tomura Shigaraki may seem… 'difficult' at times, but trust us when we say that we wish to change society as much as you both do."

Toga just kept her starry gaze staring up at Kurogiri, waiting for her previous question to be answered.

The portal-man sweatdropped, "Well, as for that boy... I'm not so sure about it, but it appears that one of our upcoming... 'objectives' involves him? So... perhaps you'll meet him in the case you do join?"

"Can I cover him with blood!?" Toga squealed, pulling out a knife that flashed.

"Er... I'm gonna have to go with no?"

---

~{Friday: U.A-8:34}~

"Izuku!/Deku!/Greeny!/Midoriya-chan/Midori/Midoriya!"

Izuku's eyes became swirls as his brain processed all these different voices and the people rushing at him the moment he slid open the classroom door.

"Are you feeling alright?" Momo asked. Even though she had texted him the previous night, a part of her still had to ask.

"You and Bakugo actually BEAT All Might!?" Kirishima exclaimed in awe.

"Holy shit, you almost bit the dust! You would've splat on the ground if it weren't for Bakugo!" Kaminari shivered.

"What the hell was with that whole fight?!" Kyoka shouted.

"Y-You turned dark and villain-like again!" Mineta stammered before then getting smacked by Tsu's tongue.

"Erm-! Uh-! I mean-! I don't-!" Izuku's mind was going haywire as he struggled to decide who to answer first out of his classmates. He didn't know what to say, so his mind ended up spouting the first random words that came to mind.

"I-I didn't break my arms, I swear!"

That brought a pause among everyone, blank expressions processing his statement.

"That's the thing you address?" Enso deadpanned right beside him.

Izuku covered his face and embarrassingly whimpered, his face red with steam emitting from him.

"Ugh... I-I panicked..."

"Cute." The girls all thought with blank expressions.

"Hello, fellow students."

Everyone suddenly focused their attention on Izuku's shoulder, where an outline of a small, black hamster with red eyes resided.

"I'm here too."

Everyone stared silently at the small creature, blinking a few times.

"Er-"

"Darkness Buddy! Why are you so small!?" Dark Shadow emerged from Tokoyami and floated right beside Izuku's shoulder, opening his hand and comparing it to Ikari. The small thing looked like he could fit in anyone's palm.

"Awww! He's so cute!" Mina squealed, wiggling in place with comedic hearts floating off her.

"Are you choosing to maintain this size?" Shoji asked curiously.

"Hell no." The hamster-like Ikari deadpanned. "I'm burned out after yesterday... This is the best form I have until I recharge..."

"I-I don't really know how long it'll take for him to get back to full power." Izuku answered as Dark Shadow curiously poked his fellow dark friend on his small cheek.

"Izuku." Momo spoke up, looking somewhat concerned. "About your exam. Were you... alright?"

Everyone turned their heads back to Izuku, who immediately started sweating nervously from their gazes.

"Y-Yes! I was fine! I-I was in complete control!" Izuku stammered.

"Well, more like we were." Ikari added.

"So you were not corrupted by the darkness as you had previously experienced?" Tokoyami asked as Dark Shadow patted Ikari's head with sparkles emitting around him.

"I-I wasn't... It's kinda hard to explain." Izuku said, looking unsure of himself as he scratched the back of his head.

But before he could start explaining, the classroom door slid open once more.

Everyone's eyes were instantly drawn to the blonde who entered, his uncaring expression not focused on anything as he walked between everyone.

An immediate small growl came from Ikari, while Izuku just stared at his childhood friend as he passed.

Bakugo didn't care for any of the stares. He was used to them from not just his own classmates but also from nearly the entire school ever since the Sports Festival. Eventually, even he got tired of snapping at people for looking his way and just treated them like they didn't exist, just like the extras they were.

He got to his desk and rested his elbow on it with his head in his palm, staring outside to help ignore these gazes.

"K-Kacchan!"

Hearing that voice immediately turned his uncaring look into an irritated glare.

Bakugo slightly turned his head right to see that Izuku had stepped forward with a rather serious expression. There was no nervousness or caution he had always shown when even looking at the boy, making it clear that he was no longer even close to being afraid of him.

Everyone else behind Izuku looked nervous or unsure why he called out to the blonde.

Then surprise filled the room when they saw Izuku bow with his arms to his sides.

"Thank you!"

Ikari grumbled but visibly as he appeared on top of Izuku's head, visibly lowering his head to bow too.

"You saved us from splitting our head at the end there..."

Bakugo narrowed his eyes and scowled.

"Next time, don't be a fucking idiot and get yourself killed."

"Permission to throw hands?"

"No, Ikari, you're not even in the condition to fight..." Izuku sweatdropped.

Bakugo then turned his head away from Izuku and stared outside the window again, seemingly done with him.

Despite the cold and rather rude response, Izuku couldn't help but smile.

"Oh, Kacchan... You're a god damn asshole."

He rarely cursed or even thought about swear words, but right now seemed too appropriate and amusing for it.

Izuku turned around to his classmates, showing them his bright smile.

It was enough to get a room full of them back.

The classroom door slid open, revealing the usual tired-looking Aizawa.

"Once the bell rings, you should all be in your seats."

Somehow, someway, all the students standing moments ago were now in their seats with blank expressions.

"Good." He walked to the podium in front of the class and placed down his binder on it. "Good morning. The first thing I'll say is this; good work to all of you for giving your best effort in your exams. However, there are a considerable number of you who didn't pass."

Blue auras immediately formed around the four students that knew they failed, the life leaving their bodies as dead gazes replaced them.

"And so, for the Training Camp that will occur..."

A large grin formed on the teacher.

"Everyone's going!"

...

"EHHHHHHHH!?" The whole school seemed to shake from the combined screams of Class 1-A.

"We can go!?" Kirishima asked, a joyful puppy-like expression forming.

"Really!? Really!?" Mina repeated twice, crying in joy.

"Yeah." Aizawa confirmed, his stoic expression returning.

"Yes!" Sato cheered with his fists up.

"But that doesn't mean you're scot-free. No one failed the written exam, but Ashido, Kaminari, Sato, Kirishima, and Sero failed."

"Damn it! I knew I couldn't have passed just because Mineta got us through!" Sero groaned.

"Ow, my back~ Carrying you really put a strain on it~" Mineta smugly grinned.

"And so, those who failed will receive supplementary lessons while we're at the Training Camp. Don't expect a good time."

Once again, the failed students formed depressed auras; Sero now included this time.

---

~{Lunchtime}~

"Enso-kun, Midoriya-kun! Congratulations on getting through your exams!

Lunch Rush stood right beside the table where they and their friends were seated, hands proudly on his hips with sparkles emitting from him.

"Thank you, Lunch Rush!" Izuku smiled.

"But now our time cooking together will come to an end... *sniff* It brings a tear to my eye! We didn't spend as much time as I wanted to show you both the path of producing exquisite cuisine, but we'll have plenty of time to make up for it once your break is over! I'm truly proud to have had you two cooking by my side!" The chef exclaimed in dramatic sadness.

"I-I enjoyed it too, Lunch Rush." Izuku answered, having heavily enjoyed cooking alongside a hero he really admired.

"It was alright." Enso uncaringly responded as he took a bit of some rice.

"Oh, Enso-kun, you tsundere~" Lunch Rush nudged him with an elbow. "You know you'll miss me~."

"Gross." Enso didn't miss a beat.

The several other students of Class A seated deadpanned.

"Eh? When did Izuku and Enso start cooking with Lunch Rush?" Momo stared.

"I wanna see Midori wearing just an apron." Mina stared.

"No way. Is Enso actually Lunch Rush's secret love child?" Todoroki stared more intensely out of everyone.

---

~{Afterschool}~

This was it...

This was gonna be her last day of being together will all of her friends. This would be her final day before the days counting her departure would begin...

Ochako had struggled to keep herself composed for the entire school day, not wanting anyone to notice her depressed mood.

That phone call... It still lingered in her mind. The call that sent her world crashing down.

The school bell ringing was the reminder of the last precious moments she'd have in this academy, the last moments she could spend around her favorite and most treasured person.

She turned her head and stared afar at Izuku as everyone started getting up, their final classes for the day ending. She didn't tell him... She didn't tell anyone about her situation. She didn't tell them that her family company was going bankrupt, she didn't tell them that she'd have to move...

Was... Was she really just gonna leave without saying goodbye? Without telling him how she felt and regret it forever?

How would she even tell him? When would she even find a chance to ask?

"We'll have to bring a lot with us…"

Ochako snapped out of her thoughts and turned her head to Iida, who was examining the training camp booklet provided to the class.

"I don't have a bathing suit or anything… wanna pick one out for me, Midori?" Mina asked with a mischievous smile.

Ochako felt a pain in her chest as she saw Izuku immediately turn red and start sputtering nonsense. She could feel the jealousy eating at her from inside, mixing with her grief. She still had time to do something for herself... She had time to make one day for just the two of them... She just needed to ask him.

Yet when the thought of asking him on a date comes up, she could feel her body and mind freezing, her ears and cheeks turning a deep red.

"Wh-When could I even ask him?"

"Hey, guys!" Toru got the attention of the whole classroom. "Since a lot of us need things for camp, how about we all go shopping together?"

Ochako's eyes widened. It seemed she got her answer.

"Oh, good idea!" Kaminari grinned. "It'll be fun!"

"Hey Bakugo, wanna come too?" Kirishima turned to the blonde, who was already walking out of the classroom.

"Like hell, I will." Were his last words before disappearing.

"And here I thought he was starting to warm up to me..." Kirishima sighed.

Izuku sympathetically patted his back. At least Bakugo didn't straight-up hate the hardening user. He probably even considered Kirishima a friend for bothering to talk to him despite hearing his previous... antics.

He then turned to Iida and Todoroki with a smile. "You guys gonna come too?"

"Of course! I would enjoy nothing more!" Iida proudly declared.

"Sorry, but I visit my mom on my days off." Todoroki answered.

Other people began wondering what they needed, with Kyoka seeming to have something hit her in realization.

She formed a grin and turned her head to the most stoic boy of the class. "Yo, Enso! Let's get that guitar you owe me!"

"Understood." Enso simply nodded immediately.

"What the hell!? Why do you owe her a guitar!?" Sero asked in shock.

"I've assigned Jiro to teach Izuku how to play different instruments, with her payment coming in the form of a new guitar."

"Really? When has this been happening?" Sato asked in surprise.

Of course, Enso answered as bluntly as he could.

"It started a bit before exams. Izuku spent his first lesson at Jiro's residence just the previous weekend."

And just like that, a record scratch silenced the room.

"Hold up." Kaminari stared with a blank gaze. "Midoriya-"

"-WENT TO A GIRL'S HOUSE!? Mineta screamed with enlarged eyes.

"Aaaaaand I'm out." The small Ikari vanished from Izuku's head.

And everyone went into a frenzy.

"Ah! It slipped my mind to ask about it!" Momo exclaimed with completely open eyes.

"Were you trying to get a lead, kero?" Tsu asked Kyoka, not sounding angry, simply curious.

"She's trying to cut ahead!" Toru declared with an invisible pout.

"When the hell did this happen!?" Mina suddenly grabbed Kyoka by her collar and shook her back and forth with comedically bulging eyes. "Out with it, you traitor! What the hell did you two do!?"

"Wha-!? NOTHING!" Kyoka shouted back, her face turning red as she was shaken.

Ochako just stared from the back of the class, trembling with a look of despair.

She knew she had to make a move, even if it'd be her last, even if she wouldn't be with him in the end.

Meanwhile, the males of the class crowded around Izuku with either proud or jealous looks.

"Midoriya! How was it, man!?" Sero asked, wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulder with a grin.

"U-U-Um-!"

"I thought you would be too spine-less to ever make a move yourself, and here you are graduating over all of us!" Mineta shouted with red veins in his eyes.

"G-Graduating!?" Izuku repeated in confusion.

"So she was your choice?" Todoroki stoically asked in just a small curiosity rather than any excitement.

"My what!?"

Izuku turned his head and saw that Enso had picked up his stuff and was already leaving the room.

"Don't leave after causing this!" He shouted.

"No responsibility from me." The boy coldly responded, closing the door behind him.

"Man, what a bastard." Shinso chuckled from his desk.

"Spill it, Midoriya! What did you guys do!?" Kaminari was the one to shake Izuku back and forth.

"Wh-What do you mean!? I just helped her study, and she started teaching me how to play the g-guitar!" His voice warbled from being shaken.

"Did she teach you how to play with anything else!?" Mineta panted heavily with a nosebleed.

"Midori!" The females suddenly joined the crowd around Izuku, with Mina comedically flinging Kaminari and Mineta out of the way before replacing Kaminari's place holding Izuku's shoulders. "Jiro didn't do anything to you, did she!?"

"Hold the fuck up. What makes you think I would do something to him!?" Kyoka snapped with a heavy blush.

Everyone deadpanned at Kyoka as Mina pointed her hands straight at Izuku as if presenting a point.

"Eh? What? Huh!?" Izuku head glanced around at all over his classmates, question marks appearing all over his head.

"Th-That doesn't mean shit!" Kyoka snapped, feeling cornered for some reason. "He was the one that touched-!"

And she stopped herself right there, her face burning as the familiar tingling of her earlobes suddenly came back, bringing a twitch to her legs.

A combined black aura formed around the class.

"Izuku..." Momo started, eyes darkening.

"Touched you?" Mina finished.

"Well damn, he actually made a move himself?" Shinso whistled, honestly a bit impressed.

The class slowly turned their heads to where they expected the boy to be, the atmosphere appearing grim.

Only to see him gone and the classroom door open.

Enso casually walked down the hall as if he did nothing wrong, his thoughts exploring what he should cook for dinner later. He didn't care about the situation he got his student into by mentioning his visit to the opposite sex's house. If anything, this would be just another lesson for the boy to handle a situation of this kind. To handle these... 'cliches' of jealously and unreasonable excitement and danger over visiting an acquaintance. There just always had to be assumptions.

"ENSO!"

"Hm?"

The male paused and glanced back to see Izuku sprinting towards him, skidding to a halt as he got close.

"Would you STOP saying things that create huge misunderstandings!?" Izuku snapped, looking as if he wanted to strangle him.

"Actually, I didn't create any misunderstanding. I simply told the truth that you visited Jiro's house. That was it. All that drama is the class's own over-exaggeration."

"But you say things knowing that those types of reactions will happen!"

"That indeed is true. So did you explain to them that nothing occurred and that they should stop their perverse thoughts?" Enso asked.

"No! K-Kyoka suddenly said something that created an even bigger misunderstanding, so I had to run!" Izuku started shivering. "I-I felt everyone become really scary!"

"Then I guess you failed." Enso sighed.

"Failed? Failed!?" Izuku snapped. "Now listen here, you little-!"

"MIDORIYA!"

Whatever words Izuku was gonna say immediately died down as a look of horror replaced his anger.

He looked behind him and, of course, saw the overreactive portion of his classmates barraging down the hallway.

"Midoriya!? How the hell did you do it, man!?" Kaminari shouted.

"Midori! You better tell me exactly how you touched Jiro!" Mina shouted with a darkened aura.

"You god damn annoying bastard!" Mineta screamed.

"Wait, slow down, guys!" Toru shouted from behind.

"No running down the halls!" Iida shouted as he chased them from the back.

"Gyah! We'll talk later!" Izuku promised Enso before blasting off into a professional sprinter's run, leaving behind a trail of dust.

His classmates passed Enso and continued running down the halls, leaving the older male staring as they disappeared.

"..." Enso proceeded to walk forward without a care, turning left through an empty portion of the halls as to enjoy a longer walk by himself. Sure, he might've caused all this by spouting some unnecessary information to an entire class. A class that already had either romantic or jealous tensions to the boy, for sure. But it wasn't his problem now. He could get away with it as he pleased.

"Ara Ara, Enso-kun~."

And suddenly, he believed in the entire concept of karma.

Immediate chills went down in his spine to hear that familiar, disgustingly sweet voice. He had forgotten just how dangerous his life would be once the exams were over. Before, at least some form of a mental barricade kept this teacher away from him to let him prepare for his exams. But now that it was done, she was making her move.

Enso didn't even bother looking back. He immediately sped forward right towards an open window just ahead of the hall.

But a whip whistled through the air and suddenly wrapped around his arms and torso, surprising him himself by how fast it came. He should've known this by now, but women are really dangerous when they wanted something.

He ended up yanked off his feet, his back falling to the ground with his stoic expression staring straight up at the ceiling, although with a twitching eye.

"Oh, now where did you think you're going?" The sweet voice giggled.

He heard the dangerous sounds of heels approach him, and soon enough, the R-rated hero was present right over his head, looking right down at him with a cruel grin.

Midnight stared down at Enso and licked her lips, tightly gripping her whip. "You know, trying to run away really throbs at my sadistic side~."

Enso narrowed his eyes. It seemed that the best solution for him right now was one that would actually hurt his pride...

But desperate times call for desperate measures.

"If you so much as even breath on me, then I won't hesitate to tattle to Nezu about inappropriate conduct with a student. And that'd be putting it lightly."

That was enough to break Midnight's excited composure and have her start sweating bullets, her grin becoming a strained and nervous smile.

"N-Now, now, why bring Nezu into this when we can solve our problem like respectable adults?"

"So then I'm justified to tear off these whips, dropkick you through the window, and call it a day?"

Midnight stomped the floor in frustration.

"Oh, come on! It's like not I was gonna do anything! I only came here to talk!"

"Bullshit. You clearly thought about doing something." Enso didn't hesitate to retort.

Midnight opened her mouth but paused in her rebuttal, then looking away with a small pout.

"I mean, when you tried to run... maybe I had a thought..."

This woman really was dangerous.

"Care to release me?"

Midnight looked down at him with a frown. "Only if you promise not to run. I actually did wanna talk."

Enso seemed to contemplate it for a few seconds, then releasing a reluctant sigh.

"Fine..."

Midnight smiled as she helped Enso to his feet and proceeded to unravel the whip around him. He was lucky he took a route where most students wouldn't go to. Otherwise, it would've been likely that they would have been seen in this misunderstanding position.

Once free of the hero's weapon, Enso turned to her.

"Alright, Midnight... What do you-?"

"Nemuri."

Enso paused, staring at the smirk of the hero.

"What?"

"Call me Nemuri. There's no need for formalities." The teacher cooed.

She immediately tried to wrap her arms around his, but the male moved instantaneously six feet away from her.

"No touchy." He coldly stated. "You try that again, and I'm leaving."

Midnight pouted. "You're no fun... You could be grateful that a beautiful woman is trying to show some affection to you, you know?"

"Uh-huh... What do you want?" Enso rushed, not wanting to be around the woman longer than he had to be.

He stared intensely at her, unconsciously analyzing her body and guessing that she was two inches taller than him, which honestly annoyed him to a degree.

Midnight grinned excitedly, pointing right at him with a hand on her hip.

"I've come to officially invite you out on a date!"

"..."

The deadpanned look Enso had expressed exactly how he felt.

"I must humbly decline your offer."

A comedic punch nailed Midnight's pride, and she nearly fell over. "D-Don't immediately refuse!"

"But I have no interest in going on a date. Especially with the likes of you."

"I promise it won't be me just trying to get in your pants!" The older woman pleaded.

"I should report you for that statement alone..." Enso sweatdropped.

Midnight groaned, then putting on a serious face. "Look, I'm honestly just trying to take you out somewhere we can legitimately enjoy ourselves! And not in a sexual way!"

"It doesn't really change what your main intentions are, though..."

The teacher ignored his comment and continued on. "You should be living your youth the happiest that you can! That means making friends, enjoying your school life, and find a romance to blossom the best you can!"

Enso tilted his head. "Doesn't that mean that you've basically wasted all of your youth then? I mean, look how you ended up."

Midnight looked as if all the life left her body, staring at Enso with rather dead eyes.

"You never hold back at all... do you?"

"Do you even know who you're talking to?" He didn't hesitate.

"Just go on a date with me!" Midnight wailed with her arms up.

"I really believe you should reconsider. I'd most likely just be annoying and insensitive anyway." Enso logically stated this time. Perhaps dismaying her from the idea would work?

"You just don't want to go!" Midnight grabbed his shoulders and stared right into his eyes in desperation. "Come on, are you not even a bit curious about me!?"

Enso was going to once again refuse any sort of interest in the older woman, but his words were suddenly caught in the back of his throat. For a second, he thought that he had gone insane, the only explanation he had for not immediately denying Midnight's claim once again.

But then he recalled the first time he had breathed in her quirk. The sudden burning of his mind, the faint silhouettes of two females and a male he saw... He still didn't have a proper explanation of why he had that particular reaction or just what it meant between him and the woman.

He frowned. He was a curious man. But he doubts it'd be worth going on an... 'outing' with this troublesome woman just to see if something new would trigger in his mind.

Well... he could make it worth it.

He sighed and closed his eyes, rubbing his temples with his index finger and thumb, knowing that he'll most likely regret this.

"I expect a favor in the future and would like a sample of your blood..."

The teacher paused, blinking a few times in confusion while still keeping her hold on his shoulders. "Eh?"

"Those are my conditions..." Enso reluctantly clarified.

For a moment, Midnight didn't seem to know what to do. That, or she didn't understand what he meant. The issue appeared to be the latter as she titled her head to the side with narrowed eyes, clearly suspicious.

"What kind of favor?"

"I thought you'd question the blood part rather than the favor."

Midnight removed her hands from his shoulders and shrugged.

"Hey, I just gotta accept whatever kinks you have."

Several irritated cross-veins emerged on Enso's head.

"I don't know what kind of sick idea you have, but I'm gonna have to ask you to drop it."

"Now, now, don't be shy. I don't mind if you take a bite, you little vampire~" Midnight winked, even pulling down the collar of her neck to expose it.

"Aaaaaaand I'm out..." Enso turned around and started marching off.

Only to feel the lady grip his arm with both of hers, panic in her eyes.

"Wait, wait, wait! I'm sorry! I got carried away!"

Enso turned back to her with a frown.

"Don't test my patience, woman."

"Alright, alright! Sheesh!" Midnight let go of his arm and released a sigh. "Okay... Ignoring the blood, what kind of favor did you have in mind, exactly?"

"As of now, I don't have a specific thing in mind, but one could come up in the future. So if the chance ever comes up where I need your assistance, I expect you to make it your top priority and-"

"Deal!" Midnight blurted, a satisfied grin on her face.

"..."

"Aren't you... a bit too desperate to be agreeing to this so quickly?" Enso deadpanned. "What if I was planning on getting your help with something illegal?"

"Psh, I'm not worried about that!" Midnight smiled. "Nezu is really fond of you! And he completely trusts you to do the right thing! So I do too!"

"I don't think taking that rodent's perspective is a good idea... " Enso honestly answered, picturing a maniacally laughing Nezu with explosions behind him.

"Hey, I've also asked Lunch Rush about you, too, seeing as how you guys have some weird bromance going on. He told me that you have your issues, but you're doing better to being more social! And would love to have your own 'rose!'" The teacher beamed.

"That damn chef..." Enso couldn't help but feel irritated as he pictured his cooking companion giving a big thumbs up with sparkles.

"And I even got hold of Kamui! He told me that even you're rough around the edges, he'd trust you to save him in a jiffy! And I've even watched you a bit between classes!"

"Okay, now she's practically stalking me..."

Enso sighed, deciding that this at least plays a bit in his favor. "O...kay... If you agree blindly, I suppose that works for me. But for the record, don't expect anything to 'happen' on this outing we have."

"How long can you keep that claim, I wonder?" Midnight seductively grinned. "How long can you reject the warm and loving grace of a woman? To ignore the loving gazes and soft-touch we can offer!? To keep the secret beast of yours tamed before the passion ignites it!?"

By now, the teacher was breathing heavily and squirming in place with a goofy grin and flushed face, even drooling a bit.

Enso stared with a partially open mouth with a blue shade to him, absolutely disturbed.

"I'm just gonna..." He started shuffling away from the woman and looked away as if he didn't know her.

Midnight snapped out of her trance and remembered an important thing.

"Ah, wait!"

"For the love of god..."

Enso really wanted to just go, but he let out a groan and turned back to her.

"What?"

"Give me your number!" Midnight smiled, her composure returning as she wiped the drool from her mouth. "I'll let you know exactly when I have our little date planned~."

"...I don't exactly have a number to give."

Midnight blinked. "Eh? Don't you have a phone?"

"Nope."

The female raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced.

Enso sighed and pulled up his sleeve, revealing his watch.

Midnight's eyes brightened in interest.

"Oo! Is it like one of those smartwatches!?"

"Deja vu..."

---

~{?}~

He knew he was in for something horrible.

The moment he woke in darkness, the moment he picked up on the scent of blood, the moment he heard terrified whimpers, Tsukauchi knew that he was in hell.

Yet he couldn't even see this hell. He didn't know if he wanted to see it. Whatever that... thing had planned for him now, Tsukauchi was dreading to face it.

At least he wasn't kept in the dark for too long, as after a few minutes of silence, a single spotlight flashed down upon him.

He was momentarily blinded by the intense beam of light. He rubbed his eyes with his hands, the upper part of his body free to move for some odd reason. Yet, it wasn't like he could move anywhere, as his legs and waist were chained down to a metal chair.

"Ah, finally awake." A raspy voice chuckled.

When Tsukauchi regained his vision, he immediately glared forward at the two glowing red eyes in the darkness in front of him. Lynch walked forward, allowing the rest of his large figure to be illuminated by the single light source.

"And here I thought I'd have to 'encourage' you to wake up."

"Where did you bring me?" Tsukauchi wasted no time trying to gain information.

There was a gruff scoff. "Not even a hello?"

Lynch moved a bony hand to the top rail of the chair, crouching down, so his head was near Tsukauchi's, much to the detective's discomfort.

"How rude."

He then pushed him back, letting the chair fall backward and bringing a yelp from the officer as he crashed to the floor.

"Ugh..." Tsukauchi brought a hand over his eyes and turned his head to avoid the bright light shining down at him, as falling over now had his gaze straight upward towards the brightness.

Lynch's towering figure momentarily eclipsed the light above him, the monstrous being crouching down to him.

"Now then, we only have SO much time before my little haven will most likely be stormed, so let's move on schedule, alright?"

Hearing that had Tsukauchi's eyes widen. He had been in this... hellhole for days now, from what he could remember. His mouth was dry, he felt exhausted, and he could feel his stomach trying to eat him from the inside. Just how long had he been here? Where the hell even was he? He still didn't know the answer to either question.

He could barely think anymore with how cold and dizzy he's been feeling, yet he mustered his remaining energy to at least appear strong.

"What..." His throat felt harsh. "What do you want from me?"

There was a ghostly cackle.

"Don't you remember?" Lynch crouched even closer to the ground, his face a few inches above Tsukauchi's. "I wish to test your spirit, to see just how strong your willpower is."

His large hand made its way down and grabbed the top of Tsukauchi's head, forcing it slightly upward, so he stared directly to his eyes.

"And what better way to test it than with a game?"

As if on cue, the loud clicking of lights echoed as the room flashed on, once again blinding Tsukauchi in a world of white. He felt his chair suddenly shifted as it was picked up and slammed to a new place.

He squinted and adjusted to the brightness of the room in mere seconds.

But the moment he saw the contents of it, he wished that he could've just remained unconscious.

Tsukauchi was seated on a white stone cube pedestal with a small table right in front of him, where a holographic projection of a chessboard was asking to be played.

But when he looked past it, his breathing chocked and his eyes enlarged.

Just ahead, the illuminating lights exposed a large white room that had the center tiles of the floor colored black and white to resemble a chessboard of its own. And on this chessboard, he recognized all sixteen pieces as remaining members of his search party that had been assembled days ago.

He saw the fearful expressions of innocent men, women, and officers covered with white or black medievals-styled armor, with only their faces exposed. In addition to their armor, each person held weapons that matched what piece each of them represented. A small medieval spear and shield for each pawn, men on stone horses with a sword in hand, small towers with people holding swords, and so on.

Tsukauchi noticed that everyone on the board was stiff with their eyes full of fear and their mouths taped shut. Their armor seemed to be wearing them rather than the other around, forcibly keeping them all locked in place and gripping their weapons.

And past this unsettling setup was the large corpse-man himself, on top of his own stone pedestal colored black and seated in a thrown made of old bones. In front of him was his own table that held a holographic projection of the same chessboard on Tsukauchi's side.

"You like it?" Lynch's voice sounded as if it was right in front of Tsukauchi despite the cruel entity being all the way on the other side of the enormous room. "I worked hard on it juuuuust for you."

"What the hell is this!?" Tsukauchi shouted, eyes frantically looking at each 'piece' on the board, taking note of the desperate struggling from some innocents and seeing others sobbing hopelessly.

"Isn't it obvious? 'This,' you see, is YOUR chance to save the people that utterly failed at even TRYING to save themselves. This is a test of morals, intelligence, and willpower!"

Lynch stood up from his seat and opened his arms proudly.

"I'm giving you an opportunity to save a few of your companions while earning your own freedom!"

This didn't reassure Tsukauchi one bit, eyes of hatred glaring across to Lynch as the villain tapped his chair.

"Naomasa Tsukauchi, a police detective for the force. Grew up in a rather boring middle-class family with a little sister. Lived a boring life as a model student. But besides being a smartass and playing baseball in your junior high, you were also 'quite' the chess player."

Tsukauchi felt his personal space invaded even more than he did, unnerved that Lynch had apparently looked into his life.

"And I just so happen to have my own fair share of victories for such a game."

Lynch leaned forward on his chest and expectantly put his hands together.

"So here's the deal, detective. If you beat me in this extravagant game I've set up, then I'll release you and all these... 'extras' together. Or at least, whatever is left of them by the end."

Tsukauchi narrowed his eyes, "What do you mean by that!?" He shouted across before coughing due to his dry throat.

Lynch seemed ecstatic to answer. "I'm glad you asked!"

He raised a finger upward. "You see, I decided that just starring at some pieces and lifting them around wouldn't be exciting, so..."

Suddenly, panicked cries came from the captives as their armor forcibly moved their arms down and had them hold their weapons in fighting stances.

"So I've made the game much more... 'graphic' for an even better experience!"

Tsukauchi's eyes widened in horror. "You can't mean-!?"

"Yes!" Lynch excitedly clapped his hands. "Each piece 'taken' by either side will be gone for good!"

Tsukauchi looked down with a look devoid of hope. He knew that it's basically impossible to win a chess game without having a single piece taken from either side. And the fact that Lynch appeared to be a knowledgeable player of the game just guaranteed that it wouldn't happen.

"But that's only where the stakes begin~" Lynch's raspy cackle echoed.

He raised a bony hand and closed his palm, then opening it to reveal a large black pawn standing in it.

"Do you know how much each piece is worth, detective?"

Tsukauchi took a deep breath and tried to keep himself composed, but he found himself choking on his own breathing.

"And for the record, you don't gotta shout. I can hear you just fine, even from all the way over here." Lynch noted.

Tsukauchi gripped his throat and gulped down air, breathing calmly.

"Pawns... *cough!* are worth one point... Knights and bishops are three points, rooks are *cough!* *cough!* worth five, and the queen is worth nine... while the king *cough!* is priceless..."

"Indeed." Lynch held the pawn between his index finger and thumb. "And these points will be an additional feature in this game."

Lynch's gaze focused on the detective all the way across the room, his open eyes and mouth brightly radiating an intense blood red.

"For each piece that you lose..."

The pawn in between his fingers suddenly split in half, both pieces falling down onto his pedestal.

"A PIECE of you equal to its value will be 'taken' as well."

Tsukauchi felt his blood grow cold and his entire body freeze by the implication. His eyes locked on the split pawn that toppled off Lynch's pedestal and fell to the ground, suddenly seeing them as his own fingers for a split second.

Lynch sat back down in his chair and entwined his fingers in a calm gesture.

"You have eight pawns. You have eight fingers. Thumbs, of course, aren't a part of that. Two bishops and knights, two hands and feet. Two rooks, two arms. And if you lose the queen..."

He let out a hoarse laugh.

"Then I hope you weren't planning on having kids."

Tsukauchi hated it. He hated everything he was hearing. He hated everything he was seeing. He had already felt nauseous and tired from the lack of nutrients his body was suffering, but just the thought of the experience he'd be going through turned him blue in pure terror while sending his stomach churning.

"I can tell your reluctant to play, aren't you?" Lynch scoffed.

He unraveled his fingers and leaned forward in his seat.

"Well, you 'can' leave without playing, if you wish."

Tsukauchi didn't calm down in the slightest, knowing that this next option would most likely be as cruel as the first.

Yet opened his mouth, forcing himself to ask the unnerving question in a rough voice.

"What's... the... catch?"

Lynch didn't miss a beat.

"Simple."

Whimpers of fear came out as the people on the large board started forcibly moving due to their armor. They kept their feet in place, but their arms and hands moved so that their own weapons were uncomfortably close to themselves.

"Then they all die. All 32 of these worthless individuals will die with their blood on your hands. They'll die knowing you could've saved at least SOME of them."

Each of Lynch's fingers touched the tips of their opposites.

"So then, detective, what will you do? White does make the first move.~"

Tsukauchi looked down at his holographic white pieces and gritted his teeth. Lynch had all of this set up just because he wanted to push him down. He wanted him to play just for the enjoyment of breaking him. Would he even let everyone go if he did win? And if he started 'playing' in this sick game, wouldn't that mean the actions he takes will count as killing these people by his own hand?

He was logical and didn't tend to be optimistic. He knows that there are going to be pieces lost in this match. And that meant lives being taken, most likely the front line of pawns in the middle. Their lives were literally in his hands now, and that made him feel sick. The burden of who lives and dies would be on him. These people have families, and there would undoubtedly be many of them that would simply blame him without knowing the circumstances.

And then there's the threat of losing limbs... He honestly didn't know how much he could handle. He doesn't know how high his pain tolerance, and losing his limbs would mean that his whole career is done.

But Tsukauchi was still an official officer.

For a selfish person, leaving on his own and allowing these people to die would be the 'best' option. But for him, someone who fights for the people, it was obvious what he should do. Even if the burden would haunt him later.

He hesitantly raised a hand forward and was surprised that he could touch the holographic white pawn.

"There we go. Remember, once you touch a piece, you HAVE to move it." Lynch taunted.

Tsukauchi paused as his fingers tightly held a pawn in place, shooting another hateful glare at Lynch.

"Villains like you, who use their power just for their own selfishness, for nothing more than cruel entertainment... You're sick."

At this, Lynch let out a chuckle, "Villains like me? There are no villains like me."

Tsukauchi raised a holographic pawn two spaces forward, clear conviction in his eyes. "There are always villains like you."

The corresponding man trapped in his suit of armor forcefully had his legs march forward, matching the space Tsukauchi had moved.

"So you say?" Lynch scoffed. He didn't even have to physically move his own pawn. Both the holographic and captive human pawn both moved by themselves. "Why don't we see how long you can keep up that strong defiance?"

From there, piece after piece was moved. Neither player made any aggressive moves and simply developed their board. Moving another pawn forward, putting bishops in position, moving knights, and even castling.

But of course, there came the point where he couldn't avoid the wall of pieces in front of him.

His hand trembled as he held onto a front pawn, his judgment telling him to take his opponent's, but his body refusing to move it. His eyes stared ahead at the man in armor, representing the mere pawn he was holding in his fingers. And then his gaze focused on the other black armored pawn diagonally from his, catching the pure fear in his eyes and the tears running down them. It seemed that he knew exactly what was going to happen and was visibly struggling to move in his armor that didn't budge.

"Mmmmmm! Mmmmph!" His muffled screams were loud enough for the weeping room to hear, and hearing him was what was causing Tsukauchi to hesitate in his choice.

Lynch just stared silently with a smug aura around him, seated patiently with his hands rubbing together in anticipation. It was clear everyone knew what was going to happen, and there was no way to avoid it.

Tsukauchi could only close his eyes and press his teeth together.

"I'm... I'm sorry!"

He moved his white pawn over the other, taking the piece.

Lynch's eyes shined a brighter red in glee.

Immediately afterward, the human pawn on the board turned its body towards the adjacent black pawn.

The man trapped in the white armor took a robotic step forward, its grip on his spear tightening as he brought it back with apologetic eyes streaming with tears.

"MMMMMM!" The other man could only helplessly watch as the spear was pointed at him with everyone watching.

It happened in an instant. The spear was thrust forward straight through the opposing pawn with an explosion of red ejecting from his back. Blood splattered to all of the pieces behind the pawn, turning several black pieces partly red and bringing muffled shrieks to everyone in the area.

Tsukauchi wouldn't forget this image. His mouth hung open, and his pupils dilated to see the man's death first hand. He watched as the white pawn somehow lifted up the black one attached to his spear, then swinging it to fling the now dead pawn right off the board, taking his place.

"So it begins." Lynch cackled in a low tone.

He didn't give any time for Tsukauchi to fully push down his guilt. Another of Lynch's black pawns was diagonal of the space Tsukauchi's own had just taken. It already pulled its own spear back despite the rebellious struggling of the one trapped in the armor.

It thrust forward and impaled Tsukauchi's pawn through the head, instantly ending the life of the one trapped in it.

And at the same time, a flash of white came with the sound of an echoing slice.

Tsukauchi didn't even register what happened, having simply been staring with a twisted stomach at the scene ahead. But it only took him a few seconds to look down and saw that his pinky finger had been cut clean off, already spilling blood.

"AAAARGH!" He screamed and instinctively grabbed his wound with his other hand, eyes shut tight in pain as he gripped his injury hard.

There came a light chuckle from Lynch, and from there, it slowly built up until he had stood up and was maniacally laughing.

"And now comes the real test! Just how long can you last!? How long can you keep up that face before you crumble down in pieces!?"

He raised a tight fist up.

"A human can only take so much pain, after all.~"

He was right. Tsukauchi didn't know how long he'd last as the game progressed. He mustered through the burning discomfort and reached into his pocket, pulling out a handkerchief and wrapping it around the wound, already soaking it in blood.

He took deep breaths and tried to ignore the painful feeling, yet finding it difficult to do so. He had already lost a finger and knew that he'd be losing more. The more pieces he lost, the more wounds he'd get and the more blood he'd lose.

Lynch hadn't set up timers for either of them like in official tournament chess games, but it was clear Tsukauchi's timer was his own body.

It was clear he had to play fast.

And that proved difficult with the entire situation, needing to think to make smart moves and try to save as many people as possible.

This whole situation would break so many people down here, but Tsukauchi knew that he had to keep going no matter what. No matter how painful it is, no matter how much he'll feel like he'd die, he had to keep fighting.

He kept his teeth pressed down to fight through the pain and used the fingers of his intact hand to reach forward to another piece, knowing the next move would be to take the other pawn.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Tears started to form in his eyes as he raised the piece and looked ahead at the rest of the hostages, who had seemed to have accepted their fate and were sobbing hopelessly.

Lynch savored every reaction he saw.

"Where are your heroes now, detective?"

---

~{Saturday-1:32PM}~

"And here we are! With the most stores in the prefecture, the newest and coolest, most advanced Kiyashi Ward Shopping Mall!" Mina shouted excitedly with a fist up.

Her words appeared to be completely accurate. This mall wasn't like anywhere Izuku had been before. Four floors filled to the brim with shops, several hundred people walking alone or with friends, it seemed that you'd be able to find anything in here. Not to mention probably get easily lost.

He felt that coming here definitely symbolized the start of his summer. Surrounded by so many of his friends, smiling together with them in excitement, he honestly felt giddier than he thought he should be. Then again, he never really had this type of experience growing up, so he was savoring each moment he had of it. He proudly held onto the straps of his yellow backpack with a goofy smile on his face, already enjoying himself by just being present.

Although, he was glad his classmates weren't trying to interrogate him anymore about Kyoka... It took a while to clear that mess up over texts.

"Midoriya..."

"Eh?" Izuku was snapped out of his trance and turned to Kaminari right beside him. The electric user had a rather straight-faced expression as he stared directly at his friend's chest.

"Are you wearing a t-shirt that literally says t-shirt?" He sounded dead inside.

Izuku started sweating nervously at his judgmental gaze. "Uh... yes? Wh-What's wrong with it?"

"What's wrong with it!? Do you not have any fashion sense, dude!?" The golden-haired teen exclaimed.

"What do you mean!?" Izuku retorted.

"Wait, you're not wearing that ironically!?" Toru asked, completely baffled.

"I-I don't see the problem!" Izuku claimed as he looked down at his white shirt.

He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Mina shaking her head in disappointment. "Midori, Smallmight, cinnamon roll... We're getting you some new clothes."

"Eh?"

"I'll make sure to pay for them." Momo added, her eyes flashing as she stared at Izuku.

"What!? I-I don't need them! What I'm wearing is fine!" Izuku asserted.

"Partner..."

The group turned their eyes to the small black bird that had formed on Izuku's shoulder.

"Your clothes are shit!"

Izuku had never looked so betrayed.

And while he kept insisting that he didn't need new clothes, Shoji curiously gazed down at Enso, who had his arms crossed right next to him. What caught the octopus man's eye was his attire, comparing Enso's full set of his black suit to the T-shirts and shorts everyone else was wearing in the summer heat.

"Aren't you hot in that?" The multi-limbed man asked, noticing just how calm the stoic teen was for wearing dark colors in this temperature.

Yet Enso simply glanced up at him, unfazed at all.

"Not particularly."

Kyoka had also been eyeing his suit weirdly when she heard him.

"Dude, how are you not sweating in that?"

Enso turned to her. "I don't sweat."

"Wha-!? Everyone sweats!" The rockstar pointed out.

"Not Enso." Shinso chuckled.

"Enso never sweats." Todoroki added with a confident nod.

"What do you mean he never sweats!?" Kyoka shouted louder than intended, completely baffled.

"Sweating is gross, so I don't do it." Enso replied as if it was a basic fact.

Kyoka turned comedically black and white at the claim, staring at him with a blank expression.

She then pointed right at him in outrage. "That is NOT how that works!"

Before Enso could reply, his and Izuku's conversations were interrupted by new voices shouting just afar.

"Wait, aren't those U.A students!?"

The group all turned their heads to see somewhat older high schoolers excitedly gazing at them.

"They're the first years!"

"Oh shit, there's even the crazy two that blew up the arena!"

"Yeah, the one that broke his arms!"

"That was metal as hell!"

"Sports Festival, yeaaaaaaaaah!"

The high schoolers excitedly had their fists in their air as they cheered.

"Heh, you're famous." Ikari smugly chuckled.

The U.A students turned their heads to Enso and Izuku, the former not seeming to care for the attention while the latter's face was beet red and embarrassed.

"I-Is this how I'll always be known? "

"For now, at least." Enso said.

Kyoka approached Izuku with a smile, "Hey, Greeny, I need a big carry-on bag, so I'm gonna head to the upper areas with Momo to find it. Wanna come with us?"

"Eh? We're not sticking together?" Izuku turned to her, the distraction stopping his growing embarrassment.

"Well, I don't have any outdoor shoes, so I'm gonna need to split up from you guys and head to the second floor to find it." Kaminari added.

"Oh, me too! Midori, wanna come with us?" Toru instinctively asked, only to suddenly choke up a bit when she saw Mina pout. "Whoops."

"Er... I want to get heavier wrist weights. I think that'll be more on the western part of the mall." Izuku answered.

"Aw, then I won't get to hang out with Darkness Buddy!" Dark Shadow whined, even flailing his arms up and down next to Tokoyami.

"Dark Shadow, I must ask you not to make a scene!" The birdman grabbed his quirk, pulling him back.

"Don't worry, Dark Shadow! I'll make sure we hang out later, even if I have to drag my partner!" Ikari cheered as his bird wing formed into a thumbs up.

"You're not dragging me anywhere!" Izuku retorted.

Kirishima clapped his hands and got everyone's attention, grinning happily.

"I think everyone has different things they want to get, so why don't we split up and decide on a time to meet back up?"

"I agree!" Mina cheered, suddenly wrapping her arms around Izuku with a large grin. "Midori, come with me to pick a swimsuit!"

"A swimsuit? We're not even going to a beach…" Enso thought, immediately realizing Mina's true intentions.

Izuku instantly turned red and averted her gaze. "U-Um... Sorry, but I-I'm gonna have to decline..."

Mina pouted. "Awwww... Come on, Midori." She then mischievously grinned and used two fingers to start walking along his chest, making the boy flinch with each tap. "You can choose anything for me to wear~."

Izuku started sweating nervously at how insistent Mina was being.

He was still gonna refuse, but two others acted before he did.

In one of the rare instances, Kyoka glared as she jammed an earphone jack in the side of Mina's head. A yelp came from the girl, and she went comedically limp, to which Momo appeared and held her with a glare. It was as if it was a synchronized takedown by how fast it was.

"Ashido-san... We can pick out a swimsuit for you." Momo declared. "They should be along the way of the bags."

Momo and Kyoka then proceeded to drag Mina away, with the pink girl panicking and flailing her arms.

"H-Hey! Let go! Midori, save me!"

Surprisingly, Izuku didn't feel bad to see her dragged away, feeling instead relieved that he had his space. He turned his head and noticed that the others were also splitting off in separate directions, aiming to get their desired items.

"Tsk, tsk. You didn't get her off you by yourself? For shame..." Ikari sighed, dissolving his bird form and retracting back into Izuku's consciousness.

"I was GOING to, alright!?" Izuku mentally pouted.

Tsu passed by Izuku and smiled at him. "Want to get some ice cream later, Midoriya-chan?"

Izuku turned to her and smiled at the offer. "Sure, I'd be up for it! Let's get some when we all come back."

Tsu nodded and happily made her way off.

"But Darkness Buddy!" Ikari whined.

"We'll invite Tokoyami too..." Izuku sweatdropped.

He then turned left to Enso, who had also started walking off.

"What do you actually need from here?" Izuku called before he could get too far.

"More equipment that may help with our training regimens." The mentor answered.

"You're TAKING the stairs, right? Or the escalators at least?" Izuku asked with a suspicious stare.

Enso stopped walking.

"..."

He turned around with a completely blank expression on his face.

"Do I have to?"

"What the hell do you think?" Izuku deadpanned.

"..."

"Tsk..."

And so Enso reluctantly made his way to the escalators, leaving Izuku behind.

"I don't get what's so bad about just a few seconds of travel..." Izuku sighed.

"Deku?"

"GYAH!" Izuku jumped and turned around to see Ochako right beside him, the girl also jumping a bit by his reaction.

"Holy crap, she was so quiet that I almost forgot she was here!" Izuku thought, feeling a bit bad to think that.

He wondered why the gravity girl hadn't said a word since arriving?

For Ochako, ever since arriving at this large mall, all she had been doing was staring at Izuku from the back of the group. The entire time it was as if shadows of her anxiety were creeping up on her. They were pressuring her to ask for something so simple to say, yet it was hard because of her own stress.

"E-Everyone left pretty fast..." She started off, hoping to build up to what she wanted to say.

"Y-Yeah... I thought a lot of us would need the same things and go exploring together." Izuku chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. "So what do you need to buy, Ochako?"

Ochako looked down, her cheeks slightly red as she tried to keep herself calm. "U-Um... Bug... s-spray."

Of course, Izuku noticed something off about her.

"Are you alright?"

When Ochako looked up, she saw that Izuku had gotten closer to her with a look of concern. She instantly felt something grip around her heart, but she didn't even know if it was from getting flustered or from the pain of knowing that this face in front of hers would be one she had to leave.

She looked down, growing red and shivering in place.

She knew what she had to ask.

"D-Deku…"

"Eh? What is it?" Izuku could hear her struggling to even talk, growing worried.

"Can... C-Can I ask you something?"

Izuku didn't know what was wrong with the girl, but it seemed that she had something on her mind. So he did what he should obviously do, just be here and listen to whatever was bothering her.

"Of course." He nodded with a comforting smile.

That just seemed to make the girl even more nervous as she peeked up at him.

That smile... That damn smile. It made her heart rate skyrocket and filled her with the same comfortable warmth that always went through her body by just talking to him. It was a smile that pushed her to try her hardest every day.

And it continued to push her, even allowing her to finally muster out her last request.

"W-Would you... u-u-um... wanna g-go..." She fiddled with her fingers as she kept her gaze to the ground.

"Go?" Izuku repeated, blinking in some confusion.

Ochako took a deep breath and clamped her eyes shut, clearing her thoughts of anything before yelling;

"W-Would you go on a date with me!?"

...

"Eh?"

Izuku's mind seemed to crash.

His black and white blank expression processed her question as the world seem to freeze. There was even a buffer symbol above his head as he loaded the words he just heard.

"EHHHHHHHHHH!?"

The black and white colors then changed into a burning red as he instinctively took a step back, mouth completely agape like his eyes.

"Did she just-!? A d-date!? With me!? Wait, is it just an outing like with Mina!? How-!? Why-!?"

"*GASP!* I didn't expect her to get so bold! Things are moving faster than I thought! I thought it'd be until your third year or something before you end up wrestling with one of them until there's five of you in the room!"

"What the hell are you talking about, Ikari!?"

Izuku didn't have time to interrogate his quirk, his mind in scrambles as he tried to piece himself together to answer the question. A date with Ochako? This completely came out of nowhere. He didn't know what to even think about it. Was she asking him out on a date just for some personal time together? Actually, that seemed pretty obvious; that was the whole reason to ask someone out in the first place! But Enso said that dates were usually just so a boy and a girl could get to know each other better. Didn't he and Ochako already know each other pretty well!? Or did she want to know him even better!? Why would she want to-!?

"Partner, you're thinking WAAAAAAAY too much into this. I think you'd just better say something before the poor girl breaks down."

Izuku then realized that Ochako seemed to be doing much worse than him at keeping herself calm. Her face was steaming so hard that a person could get burned by being just near her. Her eyes were replaced with rapid swirls, and her mouth was completely open, no breathing coming out of her. She was sweating so much that she could rival the amount of water produced when Izuku cried, and her legs were shaking so much that it looked like she'd fall at any moment.

He instinctively reached out to her.

"O-Ochako-?"

"I NEED TO FIND BUG SPRAY!"

He was caught off guard as the girl suddenly turned away and blasted into a sudden sprint, creating an explosion of dust and creating gusts of wind that blew at people's clothing.

"SO FAST!"/"SHE RAN AWAY!?" The two's collective thoughts yelled.

"Ochako!? Wait-!" Izuku ran after her, but the girl was absurdly fast when she was embarrassed. She had already disappeared behind crowds of people filling the path she just took. He ran past many people in hopes of catching sight of her, but she had completely vanished.

He stopped running and caught his breath after a few minutes of running around, then releasing a sigh. His face was still red, though, at this point, he couldn't tell if it was from running or if he was still embarrassed.

"Sh-She asked me out on a d-date..."

Ah, it was the latter.

"Boy, you make it sound like it's the first time."

"You think I'd be used to it getting asked after one time!?"

Izuku sighed and rubbed his temples with his thumb and index finger, lowering his gaze at the ground. He needed to think right now... But he had to go buy his wrist weights too. He'd let Ochako calm down and then clarify exactly what she had in mind when she asked him to go on a...

"D-Date..."

It still made him flushed to even think about going on a date with a girl. Especially with one he considered himself really close to.

"Shouldn't you go look for Gravity Girl?"

Izuku shook his head. "No... I think it's better to just let her calm down and-"

"Well, how about that? If it isn't the crazy arm breaker himself?" A somewhat cheery voice called.

Izuku couldn't help but let out a groan and let his head hang. Should he accept that this is how he'll be known until making his debut as a pro?

He didn't dwell on it too much, as an arm suddenly wrapped around his shoulders, causing Izuku to flinched by the contact. This was a bit too close, even if this person was a fan of his. He tried to gently tug away, but the arm around him firmly pressed down, making him uneasy.

"Um, can you please let go-?"

"And you're even one of the guys that beat the Hero Killer in Hosu? That's so cool!"

"Er... Y-You're well informed-"

Izuku suddenly stopped talking with his eyes widening in confusion.

"Hold on... 'Beat?' How would he know-?"

"To think I found you exactly when I needed to, lucky me."

Izuku felt all the hairs stand from the back of his neck. The awe-inspired voice that had called him had immediately changed into one of hatred and malice towards everything around him, a tone he instantly recognized.

"PARTNER-!"

Too late. Tomura Shigaraki already had four rough fingers clamped around his neck. Izuku's breathing stopped, and his eyes dilated in fear. Pain and discomfort came from the uncut nails partly digging into his skin. Darkness surrounded him and his assailant until the two were the only ones left in an endless void.

Izuku trembled, sweat accumulated on his body, and an image of his neck disintegrating flashed in his mind, reminding him just what would happen if the last finger would press against his skin. If he had realized just who he was a second sooner, then he could've activated One For All.

Why was Shigaraki even here? How did he find him? Was this really just a coincidence?

He let out a small choke as the grip around his neck tightened, his hands instinctively moving up to pry them off.

But Shigarki gave a hard squeeze to make him freeze.

"Now, now, I suggest you don't try anything. Unless you don't mind losing your head?"

Izuku's breathing halting entirely, partly unable to breathe by the hold on him and yet also terrified to even do so.

Feeling him stop moving, Shigaraki slightly loosened the grip on Izuku's neck, causing the boy to release a few coughs to take in the air as the hooded man moved his head close to his ear.

"Now then..."

Izuku shivered as the villain's breath blew against him. Every hair on his body was up by the life or death situation he was in. He pressed his teeth together and managed to turn his head back, staring directly at those engrossed red eyes and cruel grin between those dry lips.

"Why don't we chat, Izuku Midoriya?"

---

~{Author's Post-Notes}~

So in case if any of you haven't noticed, these chapters are actually becoming pretty long, which could explain why it takes a while to bring them out. This one actually has about 16,000 words, yikes. Welp, hope you enjoyed it. Leave a review on what was your favorite moment in this chapter, because I feel like I put a bunch of funny moments in this one. Or maybe just remark on something you found interesting. Either way, until next time.

And yes, Lynch is meant to be unlikeable and gruesome with no sense of an actual goal... for now.