Chapter 6!
Single chapter solo update. Like I said, I had a lot of bits already written for this fic before it came out and it's Itsuka x Izumi so I'm able to just churn out updates for it which is good to bring it sort of up to speed with its alternate path. I've made a little more progress on my other planned updates so we'll see how they come along but there will probably be a few more chapters of this coming along as well.
User/Reviewer spud329: Glad you enjoyed it and I love writing for Itsuka x Izumi! Hopefully this chapter satisfies some of the need for interactions between the two of them. When it comes to certain events I'll probably get through them quickly but the pace will slow for more character interaction chapters so there's no missing out on that front.
User/Reviewer JustABird: Yeah when I drafted out that chapter I felt like there would be a repeated message that I could just convey with what I ended up having. Both as the writer and using the perspective of a reader I decided that doing the first two events would feel a bit frustrating as there wasn't much more I could have added to the overall chapter with them.
User/Reviewer yomunot: Midoriya is an absolute menace in fights here. Itsuka is gonna have quite a number of moments in which she'll struggle and she'll have to work through that both by herself and with Midoriya's help as they progress together. She does have a concrete goal now though and I can get into more interactions between just them like the end of the spar. Thanks as always for the reviews!
To everyone who faved, followed, or reviewed thank you so much!
Enjoy, more notes at the end!
Chapter 6: Uncertain Understanding
*Itsuka POV*
True to her word, Midoriya privately left early for school.
Itsuka had gone to Midoriya's apartment early before school and tried to check on the greenette but after receiving no response from knocking on the door or texting the other girl, Itsuka decided to catch an early ride on the train. She would get to U.A far earlier than necessary but it was likely that she'd manage to run into the greenette too. If Midoriya was avoiding public transport now then Itsuka doubted that the greenette was leaving early just to carelessly wander around public places.
The orange haired girl didn't even bother trying to exhaust herself by listening to the people on the train so she just plugged her ears with music and let her thoughts roam. Midoriya wasn't going to stop being a hot topic for a while and even though it would slightly die down eventually it would still prove to be an annoying subject within the school. Even though the greenette had told Itsuka that she wouldn't allow her to accompany her to U.A, the orange haired girl was going to be stuck to Midoriya for as much of the school day as possible. With all the voices tuned out, the ride was uneventful and Itsuka eventually arrived on the campus grounds and noticed her homeroom teacher talking to someone she didn't recognize.
The pair were over by the bike rack area though the figure had more of a motorcycle helmet on so Itsuka couldn't see their face quite yet but she doubted that they were a student. Besides the helmet, they were wearing a dark red leather jacket with diamond patterns on the shoulders, a somewhat loose orange turtle neck, black jeans, and gray dress shoes. While they were talking to the hero, Itsuka studied them a little more and she was at least able to tell that they were a woman from their chest and legs. Even underneath those clothes, the orange haired girl could see that the lady was fit and while she was admiring that fact, Itsuka was also really curious to see her face. The conversation didn't appear to be a leisurely one considering how serious the 1-B teacher looked but apparently the two were finished as the blood hero took his leave.
Itsuka decided to scoot a little closer after the man left, still curious about the unfamiliar woman who now had her back to her, and as the orange haired girl neared they began taking the helmet off. Now that she was closer, Itsuka could see that her hair was braided in the back and slipped underneath her jacket but after getting the helmet off she undid her hair and started drawing it up into a high ponytail. The orange haired girl thought that her hair was a similar shade to someone that Itsuka knew and as she was realizing that the woman turned sideways and Itsuka was able to get a good look at her face.
"Midoriya?!" Itsuka exclaimed, startled by the reveal of the greenette.
"Hm," the green haired girl grunted as she turned towards her, "oh hey, tha hell are ya doin' here so early?"
"I came to make sure you made it alright," she explained and Midoriya started walking towards the campus while motioning for the orange haired girl to follow.
"Well I did," Midoriya stated, messing with her own hair and then straightening out her jacket.
"I can see that," Itsuka noted as she fell into step with her, "I couldn't even recognize you though," she added on, gesturing to the greenette's outfit.
"Really? Good then," Midoriya replied nonchalantly and Itsuka just eyed her.
"So what's the deal? Where's your uniform?" she had to wonder and the greenette held up a bag in answer and slung it over her shoulder and behind her back.
"Well since I can't use tha train anymore I take my scooter ta school, right?" Midoriya reminded before continuing her explanation, "but if I'm wearin' my uniform people might realize it's me so I asked if I could come ta school early an change here."
"I guess that makes sense," Itsuka sighed, the two now inside the school building and Midoriya took her left knuckles and knocked them on the side of Itsuka's head.
"Tha hell are ya acting so depressed about? Just how it is," the greenette grumbled in annoyance at the orange haired girl, "I'll get changed an then let's swing by Recovery Girl's ta get ya fixed up."
The pair entered a locker room and Itsuka waited near the door while Midoriya started changing into her uniform. The orange haired girl crossed her arms to ignore it but she was quite conscious of the fact that it was just the two of them and that the greenette was undressing. Usually Itsuka was able to overlook things when she was changing with her classmates since it was for the hero course, though she'd had a harder time with it before U.A, but right now she found it quite difficult. Itsuka had seen a bit of Midoriya's body before since they worked out together but not having something to distract her was throwing her off. She should have just waited outside.
"I didn' break anything did I?" Midoriya suddenly asked and Itsuka nearly jumped since she had been startled.
"Thankfully not," the orange haired girl relayed, giving her wrapped arms a light touch, "though I thought my head was going to come off from that right you hit me with," Itsuka laughed, wincing as she poked at her bandaged cheek.
Midoriya gave a short bark of laughter herself but Itsuka was brought back to their situation as her ears picked up the shifting and folding of fabric before the greenette set them into her bag and locker. It sounded like Midoriya was the type to get out of her current outfit fully when changing and Itsuka tried her best to remain composed since this shouldn't have been bothering her anyway.
"Looking forward to joining 1-B today?" she tried, hoping to shoo away her other thoughts with another conversation.
"Don' know, not much ta be excited bout," Midoriya answered somewhat to Itsuka's surprise.
"What, why not?" she questioned back, not sure what the other girl was getting at since she'd made her goal.
"I already told ya that I was makin' it ta tha hero course but as far as school goes if tha experience is tha same as always then that's nothin' fer me ta get all excited about," Midoriya told her a bit flatly and Itsuka had to take the thought into account.
While she would have liked to say that no one in 1-B would do something like that, Itsuka honestly couldn't state that with complete certainty as she hadn't known any of them for that long. Even the class's first impression of Midoriya was of a quirkless girl who pretty violently took over the Sport's Festival. It wasn't just that that was the only way she could compete either, Midoriya was actually a wild person who did everything her own way and loved a hectic brawl so that impression was in truth spot on.
"How long ya gonna stand there?" Midoriya asked, startling Itsuka again as she appeared next to her, fully changed.
"Sorry, just lost in thought," she replied quickly and the greenette snorted in response.
"Shoulda just sat on one of tha benches," the other girl suggested but there was no way Itsuka was going to do that, "let's go ta tha nurse's now."
"I'm really fine you know," Itsuka attempted as they walked off, "I don't want to be a bother to Recovery Girl and you said you'd get yelled at by her didn't you?"
The greenette looked over and let out an irritated noise, "even if ya don't wanna get healed up I do. I took six in tha head tha other day," she reminded with a glare, "in fact I only got one clean hit on ya."
Midoriya was starting to get that look and was getting fired up so the orange haired girl cut in.
"That doesn't mean that getting slammed over my guard didn't hurt," Itsuka complained, her arms clear evidence of the fact, "I know that it was my idea but it was a spar so there's no need for you to try and kill me."
Midoriya gave Itsuka a look that asked if she was serious, "How tha hell am I supposed ta know what I can do or if I got better if I don't practice it?" the greenette reasoned and Itsuka really didn't understand how she always came up with good points so quickly.
"Fine, I'll give you that this time," the orange haired girl conceded and Midoriya folded her hands behind her head as they walked.
The pair kept up the small talk until they made it to the nurse's office and Midoriya's mood shifted and she put an arm in front of Itsuka.
"Oi, back off fer a sec," she told her with a hint of seriousness, "got a bad feelin' all of a sudden."
Itsuka could only do as she was told and Midoriya cautiously stood in front of the door before flinging it open.
" 'Scuse us!" the greenette announced loudly before throwing up her left hand and catching something that was flying at her head, "ya shouldn' throw yer cane Granny."
"Vlad told me you'd be coming," Recovery Girl told the greenette. "Do you enjoy giving me more work?" the heroine questioned sternly and Itsuka again stood at the door while Midoriya walked over.
Recovery girl was clearly pissed at the greenette but Midoriya squatted next to the woman, the both of them now facing away from Itsuka. The green haired girl seemed to be trying to have a private conversation with the old woman but Itsuka could still make out her words and she wondered how Midoriya could be so idiotic at times.
"Listen Granny I'm fine with ya fixin' just her up. I can deal with a couple a bruises but I kicked her ass tha other day," the greenette poorly whispered and Itsuka was certain that you had to be a dumbass to not know that you could be heard talking shit, "sure tha spar was her idea but she was tryin' ta do me a favor," Midoriya appealed while handing the cane back to the heroine who just sighed.
The pair was quiet for a second and Itsuka almost let loose a strangled giggle when Recovery Girl stuck her cane out sideways and hit Midoriya's forehead.
"Yer a real piece of work Granny," the greenette stated, having not flinched at all from the light knock.
"I don't want to hear that from you," the old woman groused before turning her attention to Itsuka, "let's get you taken care of dear," she offered, motioning over to a place to sit while having switched back to her usual demeanor.
"Thank you Recovery Girl, sorry for the trouble," the orange haired girl apologized but the old woman shook her head.
"No need to worry, I've already found the fool of a culprit," the heroine said, nodding in Midoriya's direction, "speaking of," Recovery Girl added on, "I have boxes and shelves that need taking care of."
"Can I get healed if I do it?" Midoriya laughed, already on it while Itsuka took a seat to let the heroine use her quirk.
"If I feel like," Recovery Girl brushed off and Midoriya rolled her eyes while Itsuka watched the two continue making quips at one another.
It was a relief to have another person who was looking out for Midoriya.
-break-
Midoriya joining 1-B had turned out just about as the orange haired girl had expected.
None of their classmates seemed to have a problem with her but they also didn't know how to approach her and Midoriya surely wasn't going to make the first move. Itsuka figured that it was going to take some time before the others would be able to properly interact with the greenette instead of being overly conscious of her not having a quirk or being intimidated by her but for now there wouldn't be much progress. It was already time for lunch and Itsuka would have left the classroom with the rest of the students but she managed to catch Midoriya leaned back in her seat with her feet on the desk and looking out the window.
"You know it's lunch right?" Itsuka asked, sliding into the seat next to her and the greenette presented a small bag with a homemade lunch.
"I'll eat here, tha roof, or the nurse's office," Midoriya told her while swinging her legs down and placing the bento on her desk.
"Right, staying away from crowds," she remembered, pensive at all the places that Midoriya had to worry about, "you can always sit with the rest of us if you do ever feel like going," the orange haired girl offered, also curious about how the greenette was feeling about the class.
Midoriya put her chopsticks down and looked up in thought, "yeah that's true, they ain't that bad or anything," she admitted to Itsuka's relief, "I figured they wouldn' know how ta talk ta me but that's all there's been so it's better than bein' in Gen. Ed."
"Was it that much worse?" Itsuka wondered curiously but Midoriya shook her head.
"Nothin' that really got me pissed, just tha usual shit talkin' an tha like," the greenette recounted, "haven't been crazy pissed over that stuff since junior high."
Midoriya didn't appear that bothered about it but she did get a bit of a far away look like she was reminiscing despite it likely being about something horrible. Itsuka remained quiet and after a few seconds Midoriya looked over at her and their eyes locked before the greenette sighed, the orange haired girl must not have been able to hold back her expression.
"Do ya have ta know? This shit seems like it bothers ya more than it does me," Midoriya told her and Itsuka couldn't even argue that point.
The orange haired girl nodded her head, "If it's alright with you," she reminded, "then I'd like to know."
Itsuka could tell that Midoriya wasn't truly offended, particularly by her expression of faux annoyed disbelief, but the greenette did scratch at the sides of her own head vigorously like she was trying to make sense of things. Midoriya had been right in saying that Itsuka was bothered more by the things people said about the greenette than the girl herself but she still wanted to know so she could do her best to try and understand all the things the green haired girl had been through. Whatever it was that happened, she could at least reassure Midoriya that she had someone supporting her now.
"They put a vase of flowers on my desk."
The silence was deafening and whatever she thought Midoriya was going to say, that wasn't it.
Itsuka felt like she was going to break.
-break-
*Izumi POV*
Izumi knew that she probably shouldn't have said anything since it wasn't daily that you mentioned to someone that people had told you to die.
She couldn't even hear a breath from Kendo and the orange haired girl was just staring at her dumbfounded and at a loss for words. They were friends so Izumi got why she'd be upset but the greenette didn't quite understand why Kendo was so badly hurt by the insignificant things that others said about her in regards to her being quirkless. It was like she was imagining something worse than what it was or a different and more personal thing was hurting her. Sure at the time Izumi had been furious at that event but eventually she just saw it as people wasting their own time over nothing. The bad mouthing still annoyed or angered her at moments but it was due to repetition or if people were actively wasting her time. It wasn't nice seeing Kendo so torn up about something that was in the past and that she couldn't do anything about but it did make an impact on Izumi.
Kendo was looking out for her and that made the greenette feel good even if it sounded like a simple thing. Izumi had been able to understand her well enough through the few times that they had sparred and even though Kendo wasn't someone that was stronger than her by any means, person to person the greenette could respect her. The orange haired girl still hadn't said a word so Izumi packed up her finished lunch and got out of her seat.
"Let's go," the greenette announced, snapping the orange haired girl back to attention.
"What? Go where?" Kendo questioned her sudden command and Izumi stretched.
"Lunch," she stated simply, "I'll at least walk ya over," Izumi compromised since she still didn't want to make an appearance there.
Kendo looked like she had more to say but she also got up, "Thanks," she uttered quietly, "what are you going to do after?"
"I'm supposed ta stop by tha support studio," Izumi remembered, "need ta submit a hero costume design."
"Is it going to be as vintage as your outfit this morning?" Kendo joked, likely trying to put the earlier conversation behind them but Izumi bristled.
"Tha shit?" Izumi growled, "that's my best outfit, I looked great."
"Maybe ages ago," the orange haired girl taunted as they walked along.
"Ya just got zero fashion sense, I feel bad fer ya," Izumi fired back, "maybe I should pick out clothes fer ya."
"Maybe if I wanted to look like I was from another era," Kendo shot in response, "if anything I should be the one picking clothes for you."
The orange haired girl seemed like she had a real thing for provoking Izumi and the greenette wasn't going to back down.
"I'll take ya up on that challenge," Izumi accepted and Kendo seemed caught off guard, "we'll go shoppin' sometime an we'll pick outfits fer each other."
Kendo looked unsure for a moment but responded in the positive, "it's a deal then."
"Damn right."
The two made it to the cafeteria area and before Izumi could say any parting words, Kendo looped an arm around her neck and yanked the greenette into her, the side of the orange haired girl's head on top of hers.
"Hell's this about?" Izumi asked but Kendo released her.
"For walking me over," the orange haired girl shot over her shoulder and headed in while Izumi perked an eye before shaking her head and going on her own way.
"Can't even be honest."
Notes and Stuff
So the vase of flowers. It's a kind of bullying where it's placed on the target person's desk and since putting flowers on their desk is generally done when someone has died, it basically sends the message "You should die".
Izumi's outfit in the early part of the chapter is a slightly color modified version of Takeshi Sendo's usual outfit when he's out. If you want to see it you can go to the Hajime no Ippo wiki fandom page of his and it's picture 42 in his gallery or go to chapter 621, titled West Japan Rookie King, page 7.
While this chapter didn't really have action, it was still fun to write and fill with just character thoughts and interactions between Itsuka and Izumi. I'm looking forward to progress their relationship more and more over the course of the upcoming chapters. Itsuka is going to be in for a hell of a time going forward.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed and look forward to more updates from me!