Chapter 37: Midoriya Izuku XXXIII

A/N: Hrm. I know what I said. Guess I'll just stop making promises of posting times; it'll make things less disappointing for all of us.

Anyways…

We continue with the arc. Leaving his confrontation with Nezu behind him, Izuku and Hatsume are off to I-Island. Let's see what's in store for them, hmm?

"Soooooo. What did Mister Mouseman want with the boy who decided to drop out of his school in favor of chasing other noble pursuits? Must have been something eventful, hmm?"

Izuku sighs, leaning back in his seat. He and Hatsume are currently in a jet — a private jet, because what the heck is Yuuei's budget — and on their way to I-Island. Right now is the first moment since his talk with Nezu that he's had a moment of peace, and he's glad for that respite.

First, it was the speedy packing of Hatsume's things into the truck (all of which is now precariously packed away in the anterior compartment of the aircraft).

Then, it was Power Loader's disgruntled hasty drive to the airport, Hatsume complaining about his speed and the possibility of them being late the entire way.

And then there was the whole process of actually transferring everything of Hatsume's from the truck to the jet. That's a nightmare Izuku is sure he's going to be having for weeks.

A sum of events which lead him to where he is now; tired and out of breath and definitely not in the mood to deal with Hatsume's eccentricity.

But he plays along anyways. He still has a long way to go to make up for involving her in his less than legal activities, after all.

"It wasn't really anything all too exciting," Izuku blatantly lies. He hopes that the girl doesn't pick up on it with her uncanny observation skills. "Just some talk about what I've been doing since I left the school. You know… Umm. Volunteer work to make the city a better place. Taking up on assignments from my Sensei in order to… build up my repertoire. Uh, networking and making connections with people that share my interests. That sort of thing."

"Networking, eh?" Hatsume asks as she leans back in her seat. "You mean like that dry dude at the mall who was emulating your style?."

"...Yes. Like him."

"You know, he didn't look all too much like a business type. All dry and drawn in and everything. Kinda like you were acting the whole time, now that I think about it! And since you guys have the same mentor, I guess that it isn't all too weird in the first place! Do all of your mentor's pupils look like that?"

"I… no? "Izuku clears his throat. "Anyways… How long until we get there again?"

"Five whole hours! And we can spend all the time brainstorming some babies! Maybe even make some on the way there!"

"Yeah…" Izuku winces, recalling the tendency for Hatsume's inventions to blow up. And the fact that they're in the sky thousands of meters in the air. "I'd rather not."

"Too bad! You're trapped here with me, and you're going to like it!"

"There have got to be regulations for this type of thing."

–Usually there are, but I'll allow it this time!–

Izuku blinks, taking a bit to fully digest the message he's just heard. It's from the intercom obviously, which would normally originate from the pilot, but… He only realizes now that there actually isn't a pilot. Or a cockpit, might he add. And that the voice sounds exactly like Nezu's.

–It's a remote controlled jet! And yes, don't worry. I do have a pilot's license and certification, Michimoto. It'd be mighty irresponsible of me if I didn't, after all–

Izuku crashes his face into his hands, groaning in disbelief.

Yeah. I'm going to die.

Izuku stumbles out of the jet, tumbles down the airstair, and collapses onto the barren floor. He cherishes it's flat and solid nature, only barely able to refrain from committing himself to the cliche act of going so far as to kiss it. All because of a simple five hours of time.

To some, it may not sound like a lot. And normally it wouldn't either to Izuku. But in a cramped space with Hatsume, accompanied with the constant, ever-present threat of a single explosion ripping through the cabin hull? And with the addition of the ever-watchful eye of Nezu occupying their every waking moment? Not nice at all.

"Oh come on!" Hatsume suddenly comes up behind him, roughly patting him in the back. "It wasn't all that bad! I mean, I made sure to keep all the more volatile materials to a minimal! The chances of unintended spontaneous combustion that would lead to a sudden decrease in cabin pressure were slim to none!"

"And yet there were sparks!" Izuku exclaims. "And offshoots of fire!"

"But only temporary ones!"

Izuku lets out a sigh, lifting himself to his feet. "Forget it. I'm just going to pretend it never happened and let the experience fade from my memory."

"But why?" Hatsume grabs hold of him by the shoulders. "What happens if I need your help on the return trip?! I don't want to have to explain my airborne procedures all over again!"

Izuku huffs. "Why do I even try?"

"A good question! I mean, what is it that they say? That it is the insane individual who strives for the impossible goal?"

"Now you're just—"

"Wait, Hatsume! Is that you?!"

Izuku blinks at the interruption, mostly because apparently there's someone on the island who recognizes Hatsume. Secondly, because he realizes that the origin of the voice had just departed from a jet of the same model as theirs. And third, because right after his deduction he ends up recognizing the voice calling out.

Why…

But still. Once again, despite his discontent and initial panic, he's at least relieved to find that a certain vine-haired girl is nowhere in hearing range.

Doesn't change the fact that Kendou Itsuka and All Might of all people — Izuku doesn't need to look to confirm; the man's body shape gives away his identity, and it's not quite a form Izuku could easily forget — are coming his and Hatsume's way.

"Great. Just wonderful. Of course I end up butting into him not five minutes once we get here. "Izuku mutters unintelligibly under his breath. "I mean, I knew he was going to be here. But… Yeah. Nezu did it on purpose."

"What was that?" Hatsume asks, crooning her head closer to Izuku's.

"You are a distraction," Izuku abruptly whispers in response. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this was Nezu's goal all along! Just being around you is getting me off my game. Apparently I wasn't observant enough when I was checking the island's attendance records for this week. All because I was too worried about what to expect from you. Like right now—"

It's at this point that Izuku realizes his situation.

Nevermind the fact that some unwanted visitors are approaching; he's sure that his disguise will hold up. But Hatsume hasn't quite let go of her hold over him, and with their current proximity…

Oh not again.

The newly arrived intruders move even closer. Izuku tries his best to break free of Hatsume's hold without being too obvious with what he's doing… He fails, spectacularly.

"Why, Hatsume? Why?" Izuku cries.

Hatsume cocks her head to the side. "Hmm?"

He can only stand in resignation as he hears Kendou and All Might approaching closer… All Might, who he would rather avoid like the plague. And Kendou, who knows Ibara. And Ibara, who knows his quirk…

Shit.

Izuku jerks his head up, looking at the girl holding him hostage straight into the eyes. "Hatsume, I need you to listen to me very carefully."

"Oho? Now this is unlike you. Usually you're a bit mopey. Or unreasonably grouchy. But right now–"

Izuku cuts her off with his quirk, silencing the words coming from her mouth. "I'm serious. I… Don't talk about my quirk, alright? Just say that it's super intelligence or analysis or something."

Hatsume blinks. "An odd request," she says, Izuku allowing her voice back. "Mind me asking why?"

"It's…" Izuku huffs, averting his eyes. "It's personal."

"Oh." Hatsume blinks. A grin overtakes her face. "Well, all you had to do was ask! Righty-o, business boy! My lips are sealed!"

Izuku sighs in relief. "Thank you."

It's then that Kendou arrives before them, All Might at her heel. She takes one look at Hatsume and the mysterious boy she's never seen, and Izuku can tell all too well what's coming next.

"And who's this?" Kendou asks, a glint in her eye. "Based on how close you two are… I don't really believe it. Hatsume, do you actually have a bo—"

"Why does everybody keep thinking that?!" Izuku interrupts.

"O–oh," Kendou stammers, bowing her head. "You mean you and her aren't…?"

"No," Izuku deadpans.

"Aw man," Kendou whines. "And I thought that the illustrious inventor of my gear had actually ended up swooning for someone!"

"As if!" Hatsume rebuffs, finally backing away from Izuku. "No time for boys! They'd take time away from baby making!"

"See!" Izuku agrees. "She gets it!"

"Ahem." All Might clears his throat, a move which garners the other threes' attention rather easily. Unfortunately, for Izuku that means that he actually has to acknowledge All Might's presence. Which he'd rather not do, for obvious reasons.

This is the closest he's been to the Symbol of Peace since that fateful day on the roof. Even considering the time he spent infiltrating Yuuei, Izuku made sure to keep a wide berth from the man. All just to keep negative emotions from spilling out, or for him to abruptly lash out.

Though, as things are now, he can't actually find it in himself to truly hate the man for his naivety and foolishness. Not when he knows part of the reason All Might's here is because he saw the gathering as a good time to promote his campaign. That is, his awareness campaign of the ostracized and shunned; quirkless and mutant-types alike.

Izuku may not have closely followed the movement since he learned about it in the first place — partially due to inherent bias and cynicism that fueled his belief that it would crash and burn, and partially because of his problems with All Might — but he was aware enough, albeit grudgingly, that the movement was slowly beginning to gain traction.

Who knew that all it took to get the word out there was a well-known and renowned face?

If only it was that easy.

And yet to think, none of what All Might's currently doing would have ever reached the light of day if Izuku had never grabbed onto All Might's leg, caused a scene with the man highlighting some of his faults, and later caused the man guilt by going missing.

A win in Izuku's book. But not quite enough to get the man into his good graces.

All Might continues. "While usually I wouldn't mind chatting to pass the time, Hatsume-san, Kendou-san." He then looks over at Izuku. "And, er…"

"Michimoto Jakku," Izuku offers with a nod. He can show some respect to the man. But none of it will truly be genuine — not unless All Might bites the bullet and truly gets onto Endeavor's case. Unlikely a thing to ever happen, Izuku begrudgingly acknowledges, but here's to hoping.

"Yes. Michimoto-kun," All Might says wistfully, likely in an attempt to cement the knowledge in his head for later. He pauses afterwards though, eyes narrowing. "You know, you look oddly familiar. Have I seen you somewhere before?"

Izuku takes a breath. Don't tell me he actually recognizes me despite my disguise. Let alone that he actually remembers me from that day on the roof.

"It might be because he went to Yuuei for a little bit at the start of the year!" Hatsume offers. "It's how we met!

"Oh?" Kendou asks. "You mean he was a classmate of ours? What happened?"

Izuku shrugs. "Found some different horizons to chase. You know, that sort of thing. Yuuei just wasn't… offering what I needed."

"What? No way!" Kendou exclaims. "Yuuei's one of the best schools around! No way they didn't have what you wanted! I mean, from all our courses—"

"Oh, but he's getting special teachings from some elite private instructor!" Hatsume interrupts. "And even the principal approves! And frankly, as long as Michi-kun will have the time to provide me feedback or give me even more ideas as a lab assistant, he can do whatever he wants!"

"That so?" All Might places a hand under his chin. "While I will say that it is unfortunate that Yuuei was unable to provide, I understand. That said, at least it explains my odd familiarity with you, young man! I probably saw you in the halls a few times."

He snaps his fingers. "Anyways, I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got a few plans already lined up! And I can't be late for them!"

Thank the heavens!

All Might turns to Kendou. "Remember to meet me up at the garden later! I should be there on time; if not just wait for Melissa!" He turns and readies to run off. "Until later, young Kendou. And to you two as well!"

He speeds off, leaving the three of them in the dust. Kendou is the first to recover from the spectacle, turning to the other two. "All right! What do you two have planned on doing? Because honestly I have no idea!"

"Oh! Oh!" Hatsume says. "You want to help with my luggage?"

Kendou nods. "Sure! It's the leas—"

"No," Izuku interjects, facing Kendou. "You are not helping her with her luggage. Trust me, you do not want to subject yourself to that. I'm sure that there are workers here who can sort it out."

At that very moment, a few of said workers end up opening the compartment holding Hatsume's luggage. The enormous mound of stuff ends up pouring out, flooding the floor.

Kendou stands speechless for a few seconds, eventually breaking the silence with a simple, "Oh."

"Mmhmm," Izuku hums.

"Uhh…" Kendou scratches at her head. "Right. Anything else you have in mind?"

Internally, Izuku lets out a sigh. Doesn't look like we're ditching her anytime soon. What to do, what to say…

Izuku clears his throat. "Didn't All Might say something earlier about you meeting up with him? Something about a Melissa? You're not going to be late if you do anything with us, are you?"

"Yeah! What was that about?" Hatsume exclaims, appearing by Izuku's shoulder. "I want all of the juicy details!"

Izuku bonks her on the head. "Hatsume!"

"No, no. It's alright," Kendou says. "It's not like it's a top secret, er, secret or anything. Actually, you can come with me if you want. I'm sure that All Might wouldn't mind."

"I'd… rather not?" Izuku says. "I mean, I'm sure that you and All Might are busy anyways. You shouldn't go through the trouble of babysitting Hatsume and I. Because trust me, you will, and at least one of us is a handful."

"You've got that right, Michi-kun," Hatsume says as she pulls Izuku into a side hug, much to the latter's annoyance. "Heck knows what you do when I'm not around! We'd have to be watching you to make sure you don't accidentally blow something up!"

Izuku huffs. "Uh huh."

"No, seriously," Kendou begins, "It's nothing really. All Might is just really excited to meet up with someone; her name's Melissa Shield and—"

Izuku blinks, easily recalling the name. "Wait. You mean—"

"MELISSA SHIELD?! DAUGHTER OF DAVID SHIELD?!"

Izuku nearly stumbles forward due to Hatsume's outburst, seeing as she still has a hold of him. Still, he's able to keep both his feet to the ground. Just barely.

Kendou holds back a giggle. "Yes, that one."

Hatsume turns, further grabbing hold of Izuku (by the shoulders again) and violently shaking him back and forth. "Michi-kun! We have to go! We have to! We have to! We have to!"

I'd rather not. But… Who knows what'll happen on this island? I… I'll let her have her fun… Can't say that I'm not interested in what the Shields are doing either, though. And besides. Maybe, just maybe, with David Shield's relationship with All Might, he might have just what Sensei is looking for. Worth looking into, at least, since I've been given the opportunity.

"Alright alright!" Izuku relents.

Hatsume suddenly stops her assault. "Really?'

"Yes," Izuku sighs. "Let's just go."

"Whoo!" Hatsume quickly jerks towards Kendou. "You heard the man, Handy! Lead the way!"

"Erm." Kendou rubs the back of her head. "Actually, we still have around an hour until we're supposed to meet. So…"

"That's fine!" Hatsume interjects. "There are a whole bunch of exposés and symposiums and forums and colloquiums we can go through to pass the time!"

"Don't those all mean the same thing?" Izuku asks.

"Who cares! Now, onwards! To the robotics division!"

Ah. Looks like I'm still going to die. Wonderful.

"Man, now this has been fun," Kendou cheers, a huge grin on his face. "Walking around with you and Hatsume… Heh. Makes me think how you two even came to be friends in the first place. You two just seem so… different from one another."

'Friends' is kind of a strong word. I mean, I'm just trying my best to make up for unintentionally getting Sensei's attention on the girl. I'm not actually getting anything out of this… right? Even if I am having some fun…

"You see?" Kendou says. "Not even saying anything back. I mean, sure, I can understand. You're a bit of an introvert, I can see that plain as day… I'm not making you uncomfortable, am I?"

Izuku shakes himself out of his thoughts. "No, no." He takes a few moments to mull over his thoughts. "It was more of a… circumstance sort of thing," Izuku slowly says. "I interacted with her on a supposedly one-time thing… and she took a massive liking to me, apparently. I was sort of dragged into things… and so here I am."

"Huh. Guess it just goes to show that opposites really do attract!"

Izuku looks at Kendou with a blank expression.

"Right, right. Sorry."

An uneasy silence falls between the two. That is, until Izuku suddenly blurts out:

"So… Have any friends that you wanted to bring along but couldn't?"

It might seem to be a bit jarring, Izuku asking such a question out of the blue. But he panicked a little. Partially because Kendou is picking up on his discomfort (though not for the reasons she's presented), and that Hatsume's off to the side dissecting the brains of an inventor responsible for the mecha in front of them. As in, away and unable to draw Kendou's attention away from himself

And… he might — just a smidge — have a bit of anxiety over how Ibara has been doing at Yuuei. Enough so that his irrational worry is currently overruling his more justifiable fear of Kendou discovering who he is and ratting him out.

And nobody ever said that his social skills were something to admire, either.

So, there he is out of his element, in a position where he has to build something up from scrap if he wants to learn anything about Ibara. After all, it's not like he can keep steady tabs on Ibara. Not with the rat being involved.

Worse, from the silence that follows his question, Izuku is certain that he's already messed up. He's just about to continue with an equally as hasty apology when Kendou beats him to the point.

"Well, I do have one, if I'm to be honest."

Izuku's a bit surprised, but doesn't speak, afraid that he'll scare Kendou off the topic.

"She…" Kendou pauses for a moment, humming in thought. "Well, it would've been nice if she had come along, yeah. Mostly because… Well, to put it short, she sulks a lot. She's stuck on something that happened to her in the past; and I'm sure that her visit here would have at least taken her mind off things for a little. Would've been nice."

Another pause. Kendou then turns to Izuku. "And how about you?"

"Oh." Izuku hums. Didn't really expect that turnaround… Fair though.

Izuku sighs. "Yeah. I… have a friend that I would've liked to come with. It's… not really—" Izuku clicks his tongue. "It wouldn't have been a possibility though. Not really."

"Why is that?"

"We've had a… falling out of sorts. Nothing that she did, of course. It's entirely on me. And I just… I can't go and confront her. Not after… Not with who I am now."

"Hmm," Kendou hums. "You know. You're sounding a lot like my friend right now. Looking like her too, when she gets into one of her moods."

Izuku slumps his shoulders, looking down.

Kendou clears her throat. "And if I'm going to guess, it sounds like you care about her a whole lot."

Izuku smiles a bit. "Yeah… I do."

"Then I say you go and talk to her!"

"Wha— I can't!"

"Look dude," Kendou says, turning entirely to face Izuku. "I might not know every little detail, but I've had my fair share of recent experiences dealing with people being caught up with 'what-ifs' of past friendships. And frankly, and I apologize if I'm being insensitive, but I'm getting sick of all of this dancing around the topic. Nothing is going to be solved if you never confront the problem in the face!"

Kendou sighs. "Besides, if you truly care for this person, and you're really as close as you think you are… I'm sure that they're feeling the same way. They must be as torn up and heartbroken as you're feeling."

"I… I guess." Izuku sighs. "But… still. It's not like I can do anything about it."

Kendou scoffs. "You sound just like her." She shakes her head, stretching her arms into the air for a bit. "Sorry, again. If I made you uncomfortable, that is. I just carried away sometimes and—"

"You're good," Izuku interrupts. "Though, a bit of a deep problem of mine you're exploring, with us knowing each other for just under an hour, don't you think?"

"Yeah," Kendou says, rubbing the back of her head. "My friends do say that I can get a little too carried away at times. Apparently I 'Mother Hen' them too much; gets on their nerves.

"I can see that… Can't be all too bad though. Some people need just that." I'm sure that Ibara's all the better for it, after all.

"I… Wait. Did you say just under an hour?" Kendou pulls out her phone. "Oh shoot! We're going to be late!"

Izuku smirks, relief filling his bones that the conversation is finally ending. "You get ready. I'll go get Hatsume."

Now. Too see just what kinds of things the Shields are getting up to…

A/N: A bit of a transitional chapter this time around. Not much happens, though what little does is fairly important stuff. Till next time…