Acid Smash
Part 5: Clowns in Kansai
It is the weekend and the streets are alive with people enjoying their time off. But nowhere more than Esupa City Shopping Mall is this the case. Although it is still during the day, the neon lights of the buildings shine brightly, creating a colourful and vibrant atmosphere.
Several crowds move back and forth between the shops and gather around the several restaurants and bars serving food. Amongst the crowds are Izuku and Mina, holding each other's hand as they enthusiastically walk down the street and take their surroundings in.
Mina: This is so cool! I'm so glad you suggested we do this!
Izuku: I-I hoped you'd enjoy it.
Mina: I'm loving it!
The pink-skinned girl points at one of the nearby shops, a wide grin on her face.
Mina: Hey, let's go there first! I wanna do some shopping before we get something to eat!
Izuku: O-okay!
Mina then firmly grasps Izuku's hand and pulls him inside.
Mina: Come on then!
In a nearby alleyway however, two villains wait in the shadows as they prepare for their master-plan.
Mr Compress: Tell me my good friend; are you ready for the show?
Twice emerges from the alley, his regular costume substituted for a black and white mime's costume, with a similar white mask with black diamonds around the eyes covering his head.
Twice: This costume is great! I look ridiculous!
Twice then raises an eyebrow in confusion.
Twice: So what are we doing here again?
Mr Compress pulls a marble out of his pocket. The marble explodes in his hand, releasing a giant red cloak decorated with glitter.
Mr Compress: It's a simple con really.
He fastens the cloak round his neck.
Mr Compress: We dress up as street performers and grab the attention of the public.
He then places a white mask with black lines over his face. Though his actual expression is now hidden, the lines give the man a smiling appearance.
Mr Compress: And while they're distracted you and I will… take a performance fee from their pockets.
Twice raises his fists in excitement.
Twice: That's a terrible plan! Sounds great to me!
Mr Compress: It's a small event I know, I would've personally preferred it if we were playing for a larger audience. That said, the League needs money and we can't afford bringing too much unwanted attention.
He pulls a hood over his head, completing the look.
Mr Compress: So, on with the show!
Back with Izuku and Mina, the two are in a large bookstore. Izuku himself finds himself marvelling at the size of the shelves, stretching from floor to ceiling and packed full of books.
His curiosity peaks further when he sees the variety of quirks present in the shop's customers. He spots a man with stilt-like legs walking over and taking a book from the top shelf with ease whilst a girl with a levitation-type power takes a book from one of the lower shelves, sending it directly into her hand. Another customer uses the eye like features on his fingertips to read multiple books at once.
Izuku: Wow! There are so many different quirks I've never seen before! I'd need at least five notebooks to write it all down!
He heads over to a small table where there is a pile of blank notebooks for sale.
Izuku: It's a good think we're in a bookstore then.
He is snapped out of his thoughts when he hears Mina call his name.
Mina: Hey! Izuku!
He turns around to see Mina approaching him, her black and gold eyes brimming with joy. She holds up a packet of coloured pens out in front of him.
Mina: Look at these pens I found, aren't they cute?
Izuku nods albeit timidly.
Izuku: I guess they are? But I don't think I'm good at judging things like that.
She pouts slightly before smirking.
Mina: Come on Izuku, don't say things like that. You're the cutest thing I know!
Mina takes delight in Izuku subsequently becoming a blushing and stammering mess. His freckled skin flushes red which, when combined with his messy green hair, creates a resemblance to a giant strawberry.
Izuku: T-that's… Y-you're too kind Mina… I-I'm not that cute… N-not really…. N-not compared t-to you at least….
The pink-skinned girl also blushes slightly.
Mina: So, I've got everything I want. What about you?
He picks up one of the notebooks.
Izuku: Y-Yep! I'm good to go!
They approach the cashier, who scans their purchase. She then takes the moment to gesture at a small display on top of the desk.
Cashier: We're doing a special discount today, so all the books you see here are seventy-five percent off. Are you two interested by any chance?
Izuku looks at the selection of books and turns silent. Taking notice of the assortment before him a few items in particular stand out. 'Betrayal'- A new thriller from a well-renowned crime author; 'Love and Rejection'- a self-help book for hopeless romantics and 'Gravity'- A small pocket-book containing everything to know about the subject.
As if designed by a cruel twist of fate, Izuku can't help but think of Uraraka in that moment. His face reads of anxiety. He gulps nervously as he turns back to the cashier.
Izuku: W-we're fine, t-thank you.
Mina does not fail to take notice but holds her tongue.
Meanwhile, the cashier shrugs as she enters a figure into the cash register.
Cashier: Okay then. Will you be paying by cash or card?
Izuku and Mina both give the woman a handful of paper bills before collecting their purchase and heading out of the store.
After leaving, Mina turns to Izuku and looks at him with concern.
Mina: Is everything, alright Izuku?
He is hesitant for a moment, lowering his head slightly.
Izuku: I-I'm fine… I've just… had a lot on my mind recently.
She takes his arm, much to his surprise.
Mina: Well, you know you can tell me anything right?
She then gives him a reassuring smile, causing Izuku to relent.
Izuku: I-It's about what Asui said the other day… about telling Uraraka… about us.
Mina's smile fades for a moment.
Mina: Oh…
Izuku's own expression is full of unease as they continue to walk.
Izuku: I think she's right. I don't think we should hide it from her any longer.
Mina sighs.
Mina: I know. I feel the same.
He looks at her in surprise.
Izuku: Y-you do?
Mina: Yeah, I've been thinking about what Tsu said too. I've been thinking about it for a while now. And after how she was the other day, I know it's the right thing to do.
The two are quiet, both deep in contemplation. Finally, Izuku speaks as he winces slightly.
Izuku: So how do we tell her?
Mina smiles nervously.
Mina: Wouldn't it be best if we just told her straight? I think if we were upfront and honest, she'd be more understanding.
Izuku nods in agreement.
Izuku: I thought so too.
He then becomes doubtful for a minute, causing Mina to feel the same.
Are we sure that's right though? This all seems… unknown to me. I really don't know what to do.
Mina: I don't know either to be honest. But what else can we do?
Izuku then takes Mina's hand in his, turning her to face him. He irradiates confidence, even if it's just for a second.
Izuku: I think you're right. As long as we're straight-forward with her, I think it'll be for the best! And we'll tell her together.
Mina too becomes confident and gives a single nod of approval.
Mina: Together.
The moment is interrupted when the disguised Mr Compress inserts himself between the two.
Mr Compress: Hello good lady and gentleman! How are you this fine afternoon?
Mina stares at him in annoyance.
Mina: Uh, we're fine… Thanks.
Mr Compress: That's good to hear! May I interest you in a dazzling performance, I'll only take a moment of your time.
Izuku apprehensively tries to walk away, ushering Mina to follow him.
Izuku: W-we're fine, t-thank you.
Mr Compress steps out in front of them, stopping them in place.
Mr Compress: If you're concerned about price, it's no issue! The show is free of charge!
Izuku becomes increasingly anxious but the man is persistent.
Izuku: W-we're not really interested…
Mr Compress: Very well then good sir, I'll leave you two to your day. May good fortune smile upon you though it frowns upon me!
The two look at each other in perplexity as the man hams up his attempts to guilt-trip the couple.
Mina rolls her eyes sarcastically while Izuku smiles awkwardly.
Mina: Sigh. Fine...
Izuku: I guess we could spare a few minutes…
The man claps his hands together.
Mr Compress: Excellent! It'll be worth your time, I assure you! Now, prepare to be astounded!
Not far away, Twice attempts to solicit a performance from a mother and her young son, with little luck.
He does the trapped in the box routine, causing the boy to smile.
Boy: Hey Momma, look at the clown!
Angered, Twice leans forward and scowls at the boy.
Twice: I'm a mime you little-
Luckily, he catches himself and switches over to a more cheerful expression.
Twice: Boy! Hey, hey, hey! Wanna' see something amazing!
Twice proceeds to do the 'removing the thumb' gag, much to the child's delight.
In the meantime, Mr Compress performs for Izuku and Mina.
He brings the side of his cloak up to his head and swiftly brings it back down. Whilst doing so, his mask seems to instantly change from a smiling face to one of anger.
Izuku and Mina stare at him in awe, taken aback by the sudden change.
Mr Compress waves his hand over the mask, changing the scowl to a frown. He waves another and the mask changes again, replacing the mask again to a blank one with two black dots for eyes.
As the performance continues, Izuku cannot help but wonder to himself. He furrows his brow slightly.
Izuku: These masks, they seem… familiar.
Mr Compress finishes his routine and raises his hands in the air.
Mr Compress: Ta-Da!
Izuku shakes off his thoughts as he and Mina begin to applaud.
The performer takes a bow and flourishes.
Mr Compress: Thank you! Thank you! You two have been wonderful!
Suddenly, the voice of a woman can be heard crying out for help.
Mother: Stop! Thief! Thief!
The three turn their attention to Twice who has snatched the mother's purse from her. The villain calls out to his partner in crime, holding the stolen bag above his head triumphantly.
Twice: Hey Compress! I got it! Now what?
Izuku swiftly turns his head back. He sees the masked man staring right back at him. He swiftly throws off his cloak, revealing his true identity.
Mina too turns back only to see Mr Compress lunge at her with an open hand.
Before Mina can react she feels Izuku push her out of the way, causing her to narrowly avoid the villain's grasp.
Mr Compress: Twice you fool! You've ruined our deception!
Twice: I don't care! Sorry!
Mr Compress snaps his fingers and a cane appears in his hand. He swipes at Mina but she uses a handful of acid to catch it and break it in half. Izuku then drives his fist forward for a counter-attack but the villain leaps out of range.
Izuku and Mina take up fighting stances as they glare at the two villains.
Mina: The League of Villains?!
Izuku: Those masks… You were the one who took Kaachan!
Mr Compress throws a marble at the ground.
Mr Compress: How perceptive.
It bounces into the air and explodes, the shockwave sending the two teens back.
Mr Compress: And here I thought I had you UA students on the ropes!
The explosion also sends the nearby crowds into panic and they begin to flee in the dozens.
As they pick themselves up the teens see Mr Compress and Twice running in opposite directions.
Mr Compress: Scatter!
Izuku: We can't let them get away, they could hurt someone else!
Mina turns to Izuku.
Mina: You go and get the magician, I'll take the clown.
Twice turns back in anger.
Twice: I'm a mime!
Izuku gives Mina a quick peck on the lips. Both smile briefly.
Izuku: Be careful.
Mina: You too.
Mina chases after Twice, acid pouring from her feet to boost her speed.
Twice turns around to see her slowly but surely catching up to him. He throws the handbag he stole at Mina, who dodges the projectile with ease.
Twice: Great shot! I missed!
Mina then lunges forward, barging into Twice and shoving him to the ground.
The villain quickly recovers and attempts to hit Mina with his fist but she dodges again.
Mina moves to strike but this time, Twice dodges. He counters with a round-house kick and Mina is barely able to bring her arms up to block the attack.
Mina: Ugh!
Twice then pulls a strand of his tape measure from the bracelet on his wrist.
He swipes at Mina with the tape, causing Mina to recoil. He then runs the tape along her arm and shoves her away.
She tries to kick him but Twice grabs onto her leg and throws her to the side. Mina flips forward, trying to kick Twice again but he side-steps out of the way.
Twice then wraps the tape around Mina's waist. Mina struggles against the restraint before using her acid to break from the restraints.
By doing so she stumbles back before Twice kicks her in the stomach, knocking her over.
Meanwhile, Izuku remains hot on Mr Compress' heels, dodging and weaving through the scared and confused crowd.
The masked villain passes by a bike rack and places his hand on a pair of bikes and compresses them into marbles.
He throws the marbles at Izuku. The small projectiles rapidly speed towards him before transforming back into bikes.
Izuku grabs the first bike and uses the frame to block the second attack.
He then throws the bike into Mr Compress who then falls to the floor.
CRASH.
Izuku moves in to finish the fight but someone's voice stops him.
Twice: Hey hero! Look what I've got!
Izuku turns around and his eyes widen in horror as he sees what stands before him: Mina kneeling on the floor as Twice uses one hand to hold up her head, the other holding a sharp knife at her throat.
Will Mina and Izuku be okay? Find out soon! I feel sorry about the cliff-hanger ending so the next chapter will be up within a couple of days.