Chapter 51: WHY?!
a day later just as the doctor had predicted Izumi was a lot better, thought Recovery Girl still showed up to check on her and was delighted to see her recovering on her own so fast. Recovery Girl then offered to take Izumi somewhere for a snack and tea but Izumi kindly refused because she had some unfinished business at the hospital and also because she was still scared of her. Izumi was now outside of the room where Togata was recovering, she was scared of this as well but took a deep breath and then opened the door.
"Togata sempai! I'm sorry for bothering you, I just wanted to see how-!"
"oh hey Izumi, why a long face!" Izumi was frozen with confusion seeing Togata doing a weird back stretch while on his bed.
"um shouldn't you be recovering?"
"I am recovering, but I'm also exercising to keep my body fit even after that fight." Mirio then sat up and looked at Izumi while still smiling but then stopped when he saw Izumi's face, she had a look of confusion but what really caught him off guard was the hits of sadness he saw in her eyes.
"*sigh* yeah I know, I should be grieving but I don't really feel like it, after all you hear what he asked me to do, keep smiling to inspire a brighter future. heh, he was such an awesome and funny guy always looking at the bright side of things and viewing life as so much more wonderful than most people did. I know he was mostly strict and kind of a jerk with you but trust me when I say he was an amazing hero who always knew how to make life much safer but also happier too. so if I wanna keep his memory alive I think he would want me to keep smiling and working to improve myself as a future hero rather than moping around." Mirio then smiled brightly at Izumi but this didn't make her smile at all instead she just felt overwhelming guilt. but then just like Miro she remembered what Sir Nighteye said to her before he passed what happens to All for One is your decision now. Whether it be you or Togata the future of justice and piece will be secure. Izumi should have felt guild from this but instead she decided to follow Mirio's advice and just like how Sir Nighteye told him she smiled with pride and stood tall. or at least she tried to but instead she just started tearing up while picturing how heart broken All Might would be in the aftermath as well as how furious Aizawa would be.
"wow hey Izumi. ok come on I know what I said but if you still need to grieve its ok. your a freshmen after all, your just not used to it."
"Togata sempai!" Mirio couldn't help but jump a little out of fear while Izumi forcefully brushed her tears away and tired her best too look Mirio in the eyes with determination.
"you faced Overhaul alone even without a quirk and was nearly killed trying to save Eri! all I did was take her and run away! I even got over confident multiple times and each and every time that happened Overhaul or one of his goons got the upper hand and managed to blindside me and further ruin the mission. Sir Nighteye was right about two things I did make a lot of mistakes and no matter what choice I make now the future of justice and piece will be secure and you know what I think he said that because he knew I was going to make the right choice."
"Izumi? what are you on about?" Izumi then managed to take a deep breath and continue with a more serious tone.
"what I'm about to tell you very few people actually know. this is quirk of mine isn't a normal quirk at all if anything its more like an embodiment of heroic legacy. being passed down from one user to the next gaining new power and limits by use of each new holder, this is One for All, the quirk of justice! I was entrusted with this quirk by the great All Might. but I feel that perhaps Sir Nighteye might be right when he said that you were a better choice. in the little time I have known you have proven to be responsible, devoted, and have great charisma. there's no doubt in my mind that you would make a great next Symbol of Peace, so I ask you now Mirio Togata will you take this torch of justice and declare yourself the next true symbol of peace?"
"no."
"before you decide I want you to know that I have already made peace with... wait what?!"
"no, I don't want it."
"wha- but- but- WHY?!"
"why? because its your quirk Izumi, I know what you just said but how can some one just take a quirk? I mean isn't that impossible?"
"well its actually not that simple but never mind that! this is your chance to be the symbol of peace everyone needs you to be! what Sir Nighteye was training you to be! don't you want that?"
"well if its really the same quirk that All Might had then yeah I guess but I already got a quirk and I don't need another one. I mean sure it got destroyed because of those gross bullets but I got a plan for that, so don't worry about me, besides if he really did entrust you with this all powerful quirk you say, then shouldn't you keep it."
"well I- Sir Nighteye wanted me to give it to you, well I mean his last words for me to decide by myself but I think that he made the right choice after all and that you really do deserve One for All and would make a better Symbol of Peace, I am not scared of the side effects of giving you One for All." Izumi was trying to stand tall and proud to show her resolve to Mirio but to her surprise he just raised an eyebrow at Izumi seeming suspicious about something.
"side effects huh? lets back up a sec ok? even if what your saying is true, that you can give me this One for All, what exactly happens to you Izumi?" now Izumi went silent and started sweating nervously.
"oh uh... nothing much I just uh... you know don't have a quirk anymore."
"... really? because you said that All Might gave you this quirk and he's now a shriveled old man granted he's still alive, mostly healthy, and has got great hair. but I feel like his shriveled body might have been an after effect of giving you this One for All and he was only lucky enough to be in that state because before he was so buff and powerful while he had it. but your stature isn't exactly close to his given how young and inexperienced you are. also I heard that you used to hurt your body a lot using your quirk. so if that's what happens when you don't use your quirk properly I can't help but feel that you end up falling apart if it gets removed from your body." Izumi was just standing there in silence but not long after she fell to her knees in defeat. he figured it out so fast, he really is better than me in every way... Izumi thought.
"hm, and that confirmed it. Izumi Midoriya I appreciate you going to unrealistic heights to help me but its fine really I don't need to have a replacing quirk I just need to keep training because I have a backup plan. you see I asked Eraser head about Eri and apparently he's going to be there to help the doctors keep her quirk under control and he's going to try to help her control it once she gets better. so once she has better control over it I'm gonna ask her to use it on me to take my body back to a state when I had my quirk. but until then I gotta keep training even if I won't be in most of the U.A. classes anymore because you know, no quirk I gotta keep it up if I'm gonna become a great hero like Sir Nighteye said and hey when he said to keep smiling I think he meant for both of us. so try and keep it up ok?" Mirio then smiled brightly at Izumi, she had a surprised look on her face but then she couldn't help but smile a little feeling inspired by Togata's devotion to his hero work despite loosing his quirk. she then smiled even brighter out of growing joy in her heart thanks to the optimist energy Mirio was giving off.
"thank you Togata sempai, your the best!"
"anytime Izumi! your face looks more fresh now by the way." Izumi was confused by Togata's words but knew at this point he wasn't really normal and that was actually his best quality so she just continued to smile brightly as she bowed to him in respect and then finally left the room.
since Izumi was discharged she was finally free to leave the hospital but since Mirio talked about Eri she decided to see the her at least once before she left. unfortunately she didn't know where the room was and there wasn't any staff around to ask but as she searched hopelessly, she eventually passed by the waiting room and saw the news on one of the TV's.
"yes we have finally confirmed that the attack on the prisoner transport for the Shie Hassaikai Yakuza group leader Overhaul, was indeed committed by the League of Villains. they managed to kill four of the five police officers escorting the transport as well as the Sand hero: Snatch leaving only a single police officer and Overhaul severely injured. it seems that this was a petty crime driving by revenge as the League of Villains and Shie Hassaikai had a rivalry with one another. regardless this is a massive failure on the part of the local police force whose chief and other representatives had to apologize for this failure. in other news-" Izumi didn't pay attention to the TV anymore but instead kept walking, she couldn't help but feel frustrated. it seems that ever since the raid on the summer camp the Leauge of Villains have been getting stronger and smarter than ever. during the Shie Hassaikai raid they showed up to seemingly help them but started killing or Shie Hassaikai whenever they got the chance. it was aggravating to know that the League of Villain's that have been attacking U.A. since the USJ incident are still out there and not only getting what they want but getting stronger with each passing day.
"please tell me you don't need anther hug." Izumi then looked up to her right to see Aizawa standing there.
"ahem, sorry kidding if you really need emotional support then... I will help." Aizawa then opened his arms for a hug while shivering and having clear disgust on his face, Izumi just looked at him in disappointment.
"... Eraser head, please up your arms down people are staring."
"ugh, thank god. anyways why are you still here you got discharged didn't you?"
"oh yes but uh, I was just wondering if I could see Eri just once before I leave."
"*sigh* follow me." Aizawa then escorted Izumi to the room where Eri was kept, it was a regular room but the door had a biohazard sign on it and in side the room Eri's bed was the only one in the room and she was connected to several machines and a clear plastic curtain was surrounding her to keep Eri isolated from everything.
"unfortunately a doctor got careless earlier and now he's suddenly forty years younger than he was before, he was originally a sixty year old man so he seemed quite happy about the circumstances but if he had been any younger he probably been aged back into a toddler or maybe even out of existence. so now their being extra careful and making sure to even wear hazmat suits to keep themselves from being affected by Eri's quirk. its almost dangerous as Tomura Shigaraki's quirk." Izumi then looked at Aizawa in shock wondering how he could compare a little innocent girl to such a monster.
"which is all the more reason to take care of her form now on and help her however we can. which is why I'm going to be spending most of my time here from now on so I can help the her keep her quirk under control." Izumi then calmed down a little but still looked back to Eri in her current condition in sadness.
"thank you Eraser head, but her current situation looks scary she might get frightened when she wakes up."
"we have to be cautious Izumi, like I said her quirk is dangerous so for now the best we can do is guide her form a distance." Izumi still couldn't help but feel a hole of sadness in her heart because of this but then Aizawa got her attention by putting his hand on her shoulder.
"don't you think you've done enough brat? Mirio and you nearly died as twice trying to save her. there's no need to risk your life anymore ok? knock if off with that recklessness will you? your supposed to be the unstoppable hero, not the reckless hero."
"well to be fair that was my original choice to for a hero title." Izumi then smiled to show that she was joking but Aizawa just slapped her with his scarf, to which she just rubbed her sore cheek and pouted at him while he glared at her in disappointment.
"not funny Midoriya, now get out of here your classmates are probably waiting for you."
after that Izumi did as Aizawa asked and left the hospital where surprisingly she ended up bumping into Kirishima who was just leaving as well after getting healed by Recovery Girl. he tried to do a pose to show that he was ok but he then nearly tripped out of exhaustion due to Recovery Girl's quirk. Izumi then caught him and accidently healed him with her quirk, giving him a sudden boost in energy. they both then stood up and laughed awkwardly mainly because Kirishima was still trying to comprehend that Izumi not only had more than one quirk but was also the successor of All Might. however before he could ask one of the hundreds of questions he wanted to ask the police showed up to take them to the station for a final debriefing. they only asked them simple questions but there were quite a lot and by the time they were done the moon had already risen for the night but thankfully the officers were willing to drive them outside of U.A. so they only had to walk to the dorms. halfway there they encountered Uraraka and Asui. Izumi waved at them joyfully but and Asui waved back but Uraraka looked at her almost shocked as if something was wrong or abnormal, Asui then whispered something into Uraraka's ear and then just like that she just smiled awkwardly. Izumi was greatly confused but Asui just smiled as if everything was fine.
"ahem, anyways it seems like we haven't been back here in like a month or two."
"yeah, that raid wasn't even that long but it felt like it went on for ages."
"I nearly died three time!" Izumi then laughed but when she was done she looked at the three of them and Kirishima and Uraraka looked at her in horror while Asui just looked at her in disappointment.
"uh... anyways! lets get inside and get some sleep because you know we kinda earned it... haha." Izumi then awkwardly went forward and opened the doors and to their surprise everyone in class 1-A was there in the living room waiting for them. when all four of them entered the room the rest of Class 1-A started bombarding them all with questions.
"are you guys ok?!"
"we saw everything on the news! you guys had to fight a Yakuza clan and the League of Villains?!"
"oh my gosh you guys had to go threw so much!"
"is there something you guys need?! I can make cake right now if you need it!"
"... what happened to Izumi's face?" everyone then went silent and looked at Izumi in confusion but all their expressions quickly turned into shock.
"wha- what? why is everybody looking at me like that?"
"Izumi... your scar is gone!" Izumi was surprised to hear this, she quickly pulled out her mirror and looked at sure enough the makeup she used for a pretend scar is gone. oh... Izumi thought as she started sweating nervously that's probably why Kirishima and Uraraka were looking at me weirdly... it would also explain how Asui caught on the healing quirk so quickly. Izumi then couldn't help but continue to sweat and tremble nervously as she was trying to think of a good excuse for her scar just suddenly disappearing. of course Kirishima and Asui would believe it was her healing quirk since they were in on the secret but what about Uraraka and the others.
"its the effects of the little girl Eri." then everyone turned to the doors where Aizawa had just entered the Class 1-A dorms.
"now that the raid is over this doesn't need to be a secret anymore but please reframed form bragging about it to your school mates. anyways, the raid on the base of the Shie Hassaikai was for the purpose of not only stopping their illegal drug production but to save their sole hostage, a little girl named Eri who had the power to revert organisms to their previous state. Izumi saved the girl but was unfortunately hit with the effects of the girls quirk. the was obviously reverted to a state before she got her scar. this will take some getting used to but remember that these brats just got through a warzone to save a little girl from nearly a hundred different criminals so I would suggest you all let them rest. but if you'd rather be stupid teenagers instead just keep it down at least and don't go partying or destroying anything." Aizawa then yawned and left the dorms, all of Class 1-A then looked at Izumi and she finally managed to sigh in relief, she then nodded to confirm that what Aizawa said was true. then suddenly Iida stepped forward to get everyone's attention.
"Mr. Aizawa is correct, our classmates have been through a honorable and amazing experience but that does not deny that the experience was equally stressful and most likely traumatic so we should respect their boundaries and only give them something if they ask for it first rather than smothering them! after all like I said what they did was amazing but more importantly honorable and it deserves respect." Iida then looked back at the four and smiled proudly at them all, Izumi then couldn't help but blush while her eyes sparkled, she couldn't help but always feel happy when she received praise from Iida. Iida saw her face and couldn't help but blush, he had seen her like this several times but never without her scar, suddenly her face seemed more bright and beautiful because of it, which he thought was impossible but was now proven wrong. Uraraka saw this and was about to get jealous but instead took a deep breath and started praising Izumi on her now clear face. then it wasn't long before all the girls started praising her as well leaving Izumi turning red out of now overwhelming embarrassment. all while Kirishima and Asui were left in the back both with looks of disappointment on their faces.
"*sigh* I mean I kinda get it since Izumi is so cute but it kinda get annoying when the girls in our class get out of control and start spoiling her like crazy. ah, no offence Tsu."
"no its ok, I try not to go overboard like the others but sometimes I end up going with the flow and just do as they do. I suppose I just enjoy seeing Izumi smile a lot."
"hm, by the way does it make you jealous that she gets a lot of attention so often?"
"not really, I never have been one to focus on looks, I do consider it when thinking about a future husband but I would prefer a lover who is for sure kind but might be ugly over a for sure handsome lover that has no devotion or respect. thought are you sure your not the one jealous?"
"hm? what do you mean by that?"
"hey shitty hair." Kirishima then turned to his right to see Bakugo glaring at him like usual.
"uh hey, what's up Bakugo?"
"I heard you got your ass handed to you by a Yakuza thug."
"uh... yeah."
"and you survived despite getting all your bones broken like a ragdoll, not bad... Kirishima." Kirishima then looked at Bakugo in shock while Bakugo then smiled a little and then walking to his room to sleep early because of his special course.
"oh hey wait Bakugo!"
"what's up frog face?" Asui just ignored Bakugo's insulting nickname since it was clear at this point that Bakugo never stopped calling anyone a nickname until he respected them.
"... we know about Izumi's secret." Bakugo then looked at them in shock but then quickly calmed down to show a look of disappointment.
"the idiot told you both on accident."
"no, Asui figured it out and I heard them talking about it."
"... huh, well whatever just keep the idiot's secret or else Eraser head will strangle all of us." Bakugo then left and Kirishima couldn't help but blush knowing that Bakugo had most likely acknowledged him as a badass and will probably be calling him by his name from now on. Kirishima then smiled proudly but then noticed Asui smirking at him.
"ha, what?"
"good for you, being acknowledged by your crush."
"wha-? you know!"
"everybody knowns Kirishima, except for Bakugo. thank goodness by the way, it would be better if you told him yourself."
"wait, so everyone knows... your all ok with it?"
"well I would be lying if I said I don't find it abnormal. but at the end of the day your just in love right? there shouldn't be anything wrong with that. everyone else agrees as well, Kaminari was actually the most accepting out of us all." Kirishima then looked at back at the rest of Class 1-A and saw Sero and Kaminari both of which were arguing with the girls about hogging Izumi all to themselves. Kaminari then noticed Kirishima's gaze and smiled at him, Kirishima then smiled back heh, that guys a bigger idiot than me but he's always got my back, he's like the brother I never had. Then suddenly Kirishima and Asui heard a loud chomping noise and everyone looked to Izumi in concern who had chocolate bits around her mouth. the one who looked most shocked was Sato who was not only in front of her but was holding a now empty plate.
"I... thought you didn't like sweets."
"ah, sorry I don't like normal sweets but I really love chocolate. probably too much actually."
"... you know as weird as it is your cute even when you get crazy Izumi!" Ashido then started petting Izumi's head like she was an adorable cat while Izumi continued chewing on the chocolate cake.
after a while of worrying and laughing all of Class 1-A eventually calmed down and felt tired due to the late hour and all of them went back to their rooms to sleep. Izumi was now in her room but couldn't sleep she was still thinking about everything in the raid, Overhauls terrifying power, the League of Villains getting away with another crime, and the fact that she and Togata nearly died twice. it filled her with lots of stress that she just couldn't sleep her mind was just filled with all the bad things that happened in the past few days that it overwhelmed her. but then while thinking about Overhaul she then remembered saving Eri, how brave and heroic Togata was even without his quirk, and how in the end that Sir Nighteye acknowledged her as a worthy successor of One for All and said that she was free to keep it or give it to Togata. she then started to slowly calm down. finally she felt much better than she did before and was finally able to relax, but before she went to sleep she thought to herself I saved you Eri but I won't stop there, I'll make sure that you get a good life and you won't ever have to suffer a horrible life again, I promise you that.