(Later that day: Midoriya Apartment)
"Tell us everything," Bakugo ordered from the recliner he currently sat in; arms crossed against his chest as he leaned back against the fabric. Across from him sat Izuku and Mei on the couch, with the pinkette insisting they sit next to one another; the successor to All Might didn't argue.
It really was hard to believe that it took 11 years to be in this same room together once again. They had shared some amazing memories in this room, from scary movie nights to the weekends where they vowed to stay up all night long, even though they could never get past one in the morning. It almost felt like one of the cruel dreams they've all experienced, teasing and taunting them with something they wanted so badly, but feared they may never experience again.
Mei fiddled with her hands: the poor girl had an aura of nervousness surrounding her ever since she first stepped foot inside. A look of fear flashed for a split second before she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, spherical device. Pressing the red button on top, it started flashing red as the bottom of the device popped out to form two tiny legs, kind of like a bakugan. She placed it on the table, and after a few seconds, the flashing red light changed to a solid blue.
"The hell is that?" Bakugo questioned.
"It-It's a device that nullifies every piece of recording technology in a 50-foot radius. It's better to play it safe then to be sorry, they…they could be trying to listen in," Mei informed the duo, confusing them.
"Who would want to listen to us, Mei?" Izuku asked, causing the pinkette to sigh.
"A-As you two know, the reason why we moved is because my parents were offered jobs in America by some government agency." She gulped before continuing her story. "What you don't know is that they were tasked with creating weapons that could temporarily erase different types of quirks. The U.S government feared war was coming and wanted these weapons to give them an advantage."
This bit of information surprised the two boys. Hana and Lee were forced to make weapons that erase people's quirks, like Aizawa? And, they feared war was coming? Who did they fear was readying for war, and what was so important as to start another world war?
"Who did the U.S fear was getting ready to fight? And why? What bastards hired Auntie Hana and Uncle Lee to make those weapons? And, why did you think they might want to listen in on us?" Bakugo questioned in rapid succession.
"One at a time Kacchan, you're going to overwhelm her," Izuku snapped at his friend, who tched in response and leaned back into his seat. "Please, continue Mei."
"I-I won't be able to answer most of those questions," she answered shyly, confusing them.
"Why not?"
"T-The past 11 years are one big blur. I can remember certain things, like that our handler was a nice Caucasian guy with short brown hair, or how a tanned woman with long brown hair would watch me while my parents worked. Everything else like who the U.S was getting ready to fight, why they were preparing for a fight, and the agency that hired my parents I can't remember."
"The past 11 years are a blur?" the blond mumbled to himself. "Those fucking bastards!" he shouted, causing the two to jump in their seats.
"What are you talking about Katsuki?" Mei questioned
"Isn't it obvious?! Those bastards erased her memory to keep her from telling us the shit she and her parents went through! Of all the fucking rotten, evil-gah!" Bakugo roared, trying to find something to take his anger out on. Upon seeing an old phone book under the table, he snatched it up and slammed his palms against it, charring and crisping the book until the whole thing was blackened and falling to pieces.
"Kacchan, calm down! We don't know if that's what happened. Although if it did, someone is going to pay," Izuku whispered the last bit to himself. "She could've gotten hurt and developed amnesia or got hit by something that messed with her memory. We lack information here; we can't just go around accusing the U.S government of doing shady stuff."
"And why not? You were a nerd and paid attention in history class, you know the shit they've done!"
"You paid attention too, you nerd! We had the highest grades in that class!"
"Fuck you!" Bakugo shouted, causing the pinkette to giggle.
Oh, how she missed this.
"Moving on." Izuku growled. "Is there anything else you can remember? Anything at all?"
"Um...n-not really. I remember the letter S showing up a lot? M-Maybe the agency's name started with an S?"
"Hmm, it's possible. But I'm not familiar with many U.S agencies that start with the letter S. We'll be sure to look into it," Izuku said, with Bkaugo nodding in agreement. "Now, why do you think people are trying to spy on us?"
"Ever since I got back to Japan, I've had the sense that someone has been watching me. Everywhere I go different people watch and follow me and talk into phones whenever I do something like change sidewalks or walk down a different street. I-I might just be paranoid here, but it's really starting to freak me out."
"Well, we'll be sure to walk with you to and from school to be on the safe side. Going to the police might also be a good idea. Right Kacchan?"
"We will literally be like the secret service for you. Anyone within a one-mile radius is dying, especially the Grape Midget. The offer is extended to uncle and auntie as well," Bakugo informed, serious as ever.
"Y-Yeah…about my dad…" Mei trailed off, her voice growing quiet and soft as she clenched her hands.
"What about Uncle Lee, Mei?" Izuku asked. Her silence did nothing to put him at ease.
"H-He died…eight years ago." She informed solemnly, voice cracking from the pain. Even after all these years, it was still painful to talk about. 'Dammit! I told myself I wouldn't break down!' She thought as the dam finally broke, causing tears to start cascading down her cheeks.
"Oh Mei," Izuku whispered, wrapping his arms around the girl before bringing her close to him. She returned the hug full force and squeezed tight as she sobbed into his chest; now he understood why she wanted to sit next to him.
After a few seconds, his eyes widened in realization. Is that why she made him promise her the thing?
Bakugo was left shocked and saddened at the news. He and Izuku held numerous fond memories of the man, from letting the kids test out his new inventions, to him sneaking the children extra snacks, even when their mothers had said no more. Bakugo could still remember when Lee built adult sized robots and let the three fight one another like Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots.
It took 20 minutes for the pinkette to calm down from her crying episode. After that Izuku and Bakugo let her be for another 20 minutes, giving her a break from the questions and letting her get herself back together.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Izuku questioned for what felt like the 20th time.
"Y-Yeah, I think I will be," she answered truthfully, grateful for having such amazing friends. "Let's talk about something else, shall we? How have you two been? Anything new I should know about?" She asked, causing the two friends to eye each other.
"Well…"
(Two hours later)
"So, you two made friends with these two other girls, you each got attacked by a sludge villain, you each met All Might, and Izuku was handed the world's most powerful quirk by the number one hero himself? And, you and the two other girls have known about this for months now? Is that right?" Mei asked as she and Bakugo made their way back to the pinkette's home. As promised, the explosive blond was walking her home, just in case people were really spying on and following her.
After telling Mei everything, from Itsuka and Ibara, to Izuku being trained by different pros, to Izuku receiving One For All, the green haired teen had assured her it was okay for her to be in on the secret. All Might did say Izuku could tell those he deemed trustworthy enough.
"Yup. Things have gotten fucking weird ever since you left. But hey, we've stopped questioning shit and just started going with the flow."
"It's just so weird, seeing how much you two have changed. I mean, I'm the shortest one now! Now I can't tease you!"
"We haven't changed that much, we're the same idiots you befriended all those years ago. You haven't changed that much either, especially since you still have that shitty crush on Deku still," Bakugo replied, causing Mei to splutter, her cheeks turning a fiery red. "Don't even try to deny it! It's fucking obvious, has been since we were kids when you'd call him your 'hero' and other shit. Made me wanna puke," he cut her off before she could deny, causing the inventor to sigh.
"You're right, but over the years I think the crush has gotten worse. I…I think I love him."
"Then fucking tell him and stop pussy-footing around it! With everything you've been through, you deserve some happiness for once."
"It doesn't matter, he doesn't feel the same way," Mei sighed, sadly, causing Bakugo to roll his eyes.
"Oh come on. If you've seen the way he's been eyeing you all day when you haven't been watching, you'd fucking blush. Deku is crazy about you, has been since we were young and thought cooties were an actual thing."
"I don't know…"
"Mei, listen to me. You're one of the smartest people I know, so the fact that you can't tell he loves you back is blowing my mind. When you get home, study up on the signs someone likes you or whatever, and you'll see what I'm talking about. And, you better do so sooner rather than later. You're not the only one crushing on the nerd."
"I-I'm not?"
"Nope. And, we both know Deku. He fucking grows on you, like a weed or some shit. Sooner or later more girls will start liking him, for whatever reason, and that means you'll have more competition for his shitty heart. Don't wait Mei, tell him soon," Bakugo advised, just wanting his shitty friends to see they liked each other.
Mei nodded at his words, and started thinking them over. Maybe he was right? Maybe she should read up on the signs people give when they like someone. And, maybe she should confess? She still needed and wanted to think this situation through, but one thing was for sure. This wasn't going to be easy.