Beta'd by kylekatarn77 and Poliamida
47. Gussied Up
"That proves you are unusual, and I am convinced that the only people worthy of consideration in this world are the unusual ones. For the common folks are like the leaves of a tree, and live and die unnoticed."
-Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz
"How certain are you?" Endeavor demanded, his flames flickering in the dim light of the conference room.
Everyone from Class 1A had been called in, even those who had been off duty for the day. They were once more all crowded into the conference room, along with Mei, Hari, Burnin, and Mr. Aizawa. Behind Endeavor, the information from the retrieved phone, along with the new data Shinso had collected and a picture of Feel Good Inc were projected onto the wall.
"As certain as we can be," Shinso answered from where he was standing beside the projector. "We retrieved images from security cameras in the area. The same man shows up again and again."
Shinso pointed to the picture of the dark haired man with the protruding brow and thick lips. "He's frequently seen around the offices of Feel Good Inc, often in the company of the CEO, Tomoyasu Chikazoku. His quirk is known as Anthropromorph, it lets him turn objects into a look alike of a person. This seems to be his base model, he often uses them as helpers. Two were helping Iceman move the drugs into the Laundromat drophouse. It's not a slam dunk, but…"
"But it might be enough to get us a warrant if I use my back channels," Endeavour said with a nod. "But we're only going to have one shot. Feel Good Inc is a large, successful company, and Chikazoku is a wealthy man. He has friends in the government. If this gets too widely known, someone will alert him and by the time we get there, he'll have hidden all evidence. We'll get nothing."
"Which is why we have to move now!" Shinso argued. "We can't delay; every moment we do, the MLA grows stronger, or has time to realize they're compromised!"
"I believe you, and I agree," Endeavor said, standing. "Everyone, get ready to move. I'll have the warrant, one way or another, and without police involvement. We can't risk this leaking."
"Is that going to be legal?" Aizawa demanded. "I refuse to allow you to involve my class in what would amount to a vigilante raid."
"It will be above board, and if anything goes wrong, I'll take full responsibility," Endeavor declared. "Remember, I'm the loose canon, the man people fear. But this is a chance for your students to truly become the Pillars of Peace, and remove one of the most dangerous criminal and political groups in the nation."
"We have to go after them!" Mei declared. "These are the people who hurt Hari and want to kill Izuku! We can't let them get away!"
Aizawa hesitated for only a fraction of a second, but then nodded. "Very well. I'll be accompanying you this time, however. This could turn bloody. I suggest we call in other agencies."
"No time for it, and besides, we don't know if there are other heroes who might belong to the MLA," Endeavor said with a shake of his head. "We'll have my sidekicks along as well. Or do you think that 50 of us won't be enough to take on this challenge?"
"Ah come on Mr. Aizawa," Kirishima said, grinning widely. "We can handle this! We've fought the MLA a couple of times now. Heck, Izuku and some of the others even fought Iceman and won!"
Aizawa nodded, leaning forward and resting his arm on the table. "True. But if this is to be the headquarters of the MLA, we're going to face heavy resistance. You're all aware of what the price of failure, and even success, can be. What do you all think?"
"I'm for wasting the bastards, but I suppose my vote doesn't count," Hari said with a sigh.
"Your vote totally counts," Ashido declared. "We're in, right guys?"
"We have to stop the Meta Liberation Army," Izuku agreed. "Those drugs are dangerous, and they've already proven they're willing to attack us. It's time for us to stop them before anyone else gets hurt!'
"Very well. I suppose I shouldn't have expected any other answer," Aizawa said, a ghost of a smile on his lips. "When do we strike?"
"At 10:00 hours when we'll know where Chikazawa is," Endeavour answered. "Everyone get a good night's rest tonight. I'll secure our warrant. Dismissed."
Izuku stood with the others, looking to Mei, who had a determined expression on her face as she grabbed his arm. "I'm going to make sure the Ultra Amor is prepped and ready! We'll take out those MLA jerks and make sure they never hurt anyone ever again!"
Izuku nodded, feeling both excited and nervous as he always did before these big missions. "Yeah. We've fought the MLA a few times now, but we can finally stop their boss. With him out of the way, this will all finally be over. Hey, let's get something to eat together before we start on our preparations."
"Ok, I like the coffee in the cafeteria," Mei agreed.
Izuku hesitated, then shook his head. "I was thinking...maybe we could go somewhere else? Somewhere you know, nice?" He blushed, feeling nervous. "You know, like a date. It's...well, it's been a little while since we did anything special."
"We do special things all the time!" Mei protested. "Like make super cute babies!" She paused though, considering. "Normally I do not like restaurants. But going to one with you sounds like it would be fun. Yes, we should go on a date."
"If you're doing that sis, make sure you wear something nice, and not just those dirty overalls," Hari said, apparently having been eavesdropping on their conversation. That made Izuku blush, but he didn't mind too much. He was a bit proud of himself for thinking of taking Mei somewhere nice.
"Well I'm not wearing a dress," Mei declared. "Dresses are dumb. But maybe I should put on makeup. Would you like that, Izuku?"
That comment made Izuku go bright red, which made Hari laugh. "I think he would! Come on sis, I'll help you out. You're about my size anyway. We'll get you all dolled up."
"I am not a doll! Wait, was that a metaphor? Does that mean make me pretty? Hmph. Izuku! I expect you to look nice too! I will make sure to ask Hari if you do!"
With that, Mei followed Hari out of the conference room, leaving Izuku standing there feeling a bit confused. He wasn't certain what to do in a situation like this, having never really taken a girl out before. He knew normally boys were supposed to talk to their fathers in times like this, but he really didn't feel comfortable calling his father. Besides, with the time differential he was likely to be asleep anyway.
An idea struck Izuku, and he took out his phone. Nervously, he selected a number from his contacts and dialed it.
"Hatsume," a gruff voice said from the otherside.
"H-h-hi, um, dad," Izuku managed.
"Izuku? What's going on? You don't normally call like this," Mr. Hatsume said.
"I, um, I need some advice. And, well, this is kinda awkward, but I don't know who else to ask," Izuku admitted.
"Oh? Well, I've told you to come to me if you needed anything, son. So ask away."
"I, er, I want to take Mei out on a date, but, um, I don't know how to get ready for one," Izuku admitted.
There was a pause from the other end, then a bark of laughter. "Never thought I'd see the day someone asked me for advice on taking out my own daughter! No, don't be embarrassed, I understand, son. Hell, I remember my first date back in highschool. I was so nervous I thought I'd puke. Where are you at?"
"Endeavor's Agency. We've got the night off. There's um, well, you'll see tomorrow," Izuku told him. "But it's important, and I wanted to do something special for Mei."
"Got it. I'll be over in a flash. I take it Hari's helping out Mei?"
"Yeah, um, she said I needed to look nice too."
"No worries. I'll just let Nori know we're closing up early, family event. Hang tight, I'll be there in 20 minutes or so."
Izuku changed into some street clothes, going to sit on the curb and waiting nervously. Mr. Hatsume pulled up in his car, and Izuku hopped in.
"Well, I take it you don't exactly have any fancy clothes?" Mr. Hatsume asked as they pulled away.
"Um, no sir," Izuku admitted. "Most of my old clothes don't fit anymore anyway. N-not because of my arm! I'm just, well, I've gotten a lot bigger in the past couple of months."
"Happens at your age," Mr. Hatsume observed. "Right. Well, I'll be the first to admit I don't know the first thing about fashion. But I think I can help you out a bit anyway. We'll at least make you presentable. Besides, Hari and Mei ain't exactly the most fashion conscious ladies anyway."
"That is true," Izuku agreed, smiling to himself. "Mei said she wasn't wearing a dress."
"Heh. Nori was never a big fan of those either, and her girls inherited her tastes it seems. But I'm sure they'll fix up something special anyway."
Together, Izuku and Mr. Hatsume went to the mall to one of the more trendy stores, where they fumbled around for an outfit for an hour or so. They ended up going with slacks, a button down shirt and tie, leather belt, and glossy black shoes. Mr. Hatsume also helped Izuku pick out some cologne, and they stopped at a hairdresser for a quick trim. By the time they were done with all that, it was nearly 7:00, and Izuku sent Mei a text asking if she was ready.
"Yes, Hari says I am ready. Where shall we meet?"
Izuku sent Mei the address of a nice restaurant that served traditional japanese food near Endeavor's headquarters. Mr. Hatsume took Izuku to a store to pick up some flowers.
"She might not admit it, but even Mei has a soft spot for pretty things," Mr. Hatsume told Izuku. "Even her mother likes a nice bouquet every now and then."
Izuku picked out a small one, half wondering if Mei would try to eat them or use them as fuel for one of their babies.
At the restaurant, Mr. Hatsume got out of the car to straighten Izuku's tie. He'd had to look up an internet tutorial to manage it, having rarely put one on himself, but they'd figured it out together. He smiled, then hugged Izuku. "You're a good man, son. And I know you care about Mei. Have fun tonight. But not too much fun, you hear? Or something like that."
"Um, yes sir," Izuku agreed. Then he squeezed a little harder. "And thank you. I...I never had someone to help me with things like this before."
"You do now. No matter what happens, you're family, you hear? Now I'd best be gone before the ladies arrived."
Izuku waved as Mr. Hatsume drove off, feeling as though he'd swallowed a pill full of live bugs that were now crawling around in his stomach. Thankfully, he didn't have to wait too long, as Hari drove up with Mei only a minute later.
"Your princess has arrived, o gallant knight," Hari said, giving Izuku a sweeping bow and opening the rear door. Mei never liked riding in the front of the car, even when it was an option.
When Mei stepped out, Izuku's breath caught. She had her hair done up in a french braid, and was wearing light makeup for her eyes, cheeks, and lips. She was also wearing a formal blouse and skirt, though she did have on shorts underneath. She was even carrying a large fashionable purse, the first time Izuku had ever seen her do so. She walked over to Izuku, taking his tie in her hands and carefully inspecting it.
"Hmm. Yes, you do look nice." Then she kissed Izuku, her lips pressing against his as she molded herself to him.
When Izuku finally caught his breath, he managed to smile. "You look great too, Mei. You're beautiful."
Hari sniffed, then smiled at them. "You two have fun. Don't stay out too late, text when you need a ride back." With that, she left, leaving Izuku and Mei alone.
They walked into the restaurant, where a waitress in a traditional kimono bowed and showed them to a small private room. Izuku hadn't had to do more than mention who he was to secure a private dining area; apparently that was one of the perks of being a famous hero.
Menus were brought, and Izuku nervously studied them, wondering what to order. Mei stared at hers as well, frowning and humming to herself.
"Is there anything you want to try?" Izuku asked, the page seeming to swim before him. He shouldn't be nervous, he was with Mei, but he really wanted to make this day special for her. She'd clearly taken the time to dress up, even though he knew she didn't like to.
"I do not know. I do not know what most of this is!" Mei complained. "What is kobe beef? How is it different from regular beef?!"
"Um, it's supposed to be really good. Maybe we should just order that?" Izuku said, desperately clinging to something to order. "You like beef, don't you?"
"Yes. We can get beef, and rice. I like that," Mei agreed.
They placed their orders, and Izuku shifted nervously wondering what to do or say. This was a real date, shouldn't they talk about something special?"
"Do you think you will need your flamethrower tomorrow?" Mei asked. "I am still not happy with how much space the fuel takes up."
"Um, no, that was because we were fighting Iceman last time," Izuku said, his mind being pulled out of its panic by the familiar subject. "I think we'll need extra capture foam though. We'll be indoors, so we can't use anything that could cause a lot of collateral damage. No missiles, I think."
"Hmm. What if I modified Denki's old device to make a taser for you?" Mei said, tapping her finger on the table. "It wouldn't cause much damage but you could use it to incapacitate the bad guys."
"Yes! I bet if we modified the grapple launcher that would work really well! Is the capture foam conductive?" Izuku wondered, getting caught up in the conversation at last.
They talked animatedly about their ideas for new gear, which was a fairly normal topic of conversation for them. Their food arrived, and Izuku and Mei continued to chat and eat.
"How's the kobe beef?" Izuku asked, trying to remember to make normal polite conversation.
"It is good. But what if we could make a sonic grenade for you? That wouldn't cause too much collateral damage right?" Mei demanded.
Izuku was soon lost in the conversation again, until he noticed a strange clicking sound. "Do you hear that?" he asked, looking around.
Mei frowned, tilting her head to one side. "Hear what? The person taking pictures of us?"
Izuku went beat red. "What?"
"There is a person taking pictures of us, I saw them when the waitress opened the door," Mei explained. "They must have a special camera that can see through these thin walls."
"What?!" Izuku stood, throwing open the door. He was just in time to see the door to the room across from their slide shut. Angry, Izuku shoved the door open, exposing a woman with a large camera and a recorder.
"You can't come in here!" she gasped, shrinking back. "I paid for this room!"
"You're spying on us!" Izuku accused, feeling as though someone had seen him and Mei naked, and being both embarrassed and enraged. "Who do you work for? The MLA, or the League?"
"What?!" Mei gaspsed. She reached into her purse and pulled out a bulbous device that resembled a super soaker. With a start, Izuku realized it was a handheld flamethrower. "Bad guys?! I am ready! You won't take me or Izuku again!"
"I'm a reporter!" the woman half shrieked, going pale. "I'm a reporter for the Hero Digest Daily! I'm not a villain!" She pulled out an ID card and thrust it at Izuku, her hand trembling.
There was the sound of pounding feet, and the waitress and a woman in a formal suit Izuku assumed to be the manager ran up, looking worried themselves.
"Stay back!" Mei ordered, pointing her flamethrower at them. "I won't let you hurt Izuku!"
"Mei, I don't think they're villains," Izuku sighed, stepping back and putting his hand on her shoulder. "I, um, I think this woman is just paparazzi. Hero Digest Daily is a tabloid."
"Why do I care if she likes pizza or makes tables, or whatever that is?" Mei demanded, but she lowered her weapon.
"I am so sorry Mr. Midoriya, Ms. Hatsume. I did not realize this woman was a reporter," the manager said. "Forgive us, our establishment usually takes better care of our patrons, especially those famous heroes who visit us."
After a hasty apology, the reporter left, and the manager gave Izuku and Mei a complimentary dessert of mochi, which satisfied Mei at least. After some more apologies on both sides, Izuku and Mei left, but no sooner did they exit the restaurant than bright lights flashed in their faces. Apparently, only one reporter had been bold or clever enough to sneak into the restaurant, but a pack of them was waiting outside.
Izuku panicked, grabbing Mei and shoving her behind him as he raised his right arm, activating the laser. There was a cry of panic from the reporters, and Izuku realized what he was doing, sheepishly lowering his arm. Even as they backed away, some of the reporters shouted questions at Izuku and Mei. Mei tried to berate them, but she was shouted down, microphones and cameras shoved in their face.
"Come on Izuku!" Mei cried, grabbing him and hurrying away from the reporters, who pursued them for a short distance before they managed to escape them down a back alley. Mei led Izuku down several twisting alleys, dodging between narrow dimly lit streets cluttered with refuse and seedy buildings. Izuku was almost immediately lost, but he'd long ago learned that Mei had a nearly uncanny sense of direction, and followed after her. A part of him thought what they were doing was dangerous, going through unlit backstreets in what was rapidly becoming the less nice part of town, and the other part of him pitied the idiot who tried to cause trouble for two teens with lasers, flamethrowers, and only God knew what else Mei was carrying in her purse.
After nearly 20 minutes of running, Izuku suddenly realized he knew where they were: back in Mustafu. As if by magic, Mei turned another bend and there was Coruscant Comics, the sign a beacon of familiarity in the confusing world. Without a word, Mei led Izuku to the door and pushed it open.
"Hello! I am Mei Hatsume, and I require more bad movies," Mei stated as she strode inside.
With a start, Mr. Azara looked up from the counter. "Hatsume? Midoriya? What are you doing here? Good lord, you're both a mess, what happened?"
Izuku took a moment to study himself and Mei. His clothes were grimy and sweat stained after having to wiggle through fences and splashing through muddy puddles, and his tie was draped over one shoulder. Mei's makeup was smudged and running, and her hair was rapidly escaping from her braid, and her skirt was torn from when they'd climbed over a chain link fence. Neither of them looked like they had dressed up for a date, but more like they were escaped lunatics from an asylum.
Grinning awkwardly and trying to straighten his tie, Izuku managed, "Um we're on a date. There were, um, reporters. I...I got kind of nervous, and Mei got us away from them after I sort of threatened them with my laser."
"The paparazzi out to get you huh? They've sniffed around here a few times, but I don't think there's any about. That's what Thunderfury is for." Mr. Azara pulled out a giant foam sword with two blades like a tuning fork, setting it before Mei and Izuku.
Koji stuck his head in from the game room. "Did someone say-"
"It's not funny Koji, go back to your draft," Mr. Azara ordered.
With a huff, Koji disappeared again, muttering under his breath.
"I do not think that would make a very good weapon," Mei said, taking the toy sword and inspecting it. "Even if it were made out of metal, the structural integrity would be compromised by the twin bladed structure, and it is too large to be useful to a person. Maybe if the handle is longer it could be a polearm but as it is I do not think you should use this in combat. I could make you a much better weapon, or you could borrow one of mine! I brought extra."
Before either Mr. Azara or Izuku could protest, Mei dumped her purse out on the counter. As Izuku had suspected, she did not have the typical female accoutrements, but several small tools, a radio, the flamethrower, what looked like a taser, several grenades, and a smoke bomb.
"I, er, I think I'll be alright," Mr. Azara managed faintly. "That's just a joke. I'm more reliant on heroes like the two of you. You ah, should keep those for yourself and Izuku. I don't have a license for actual weapons."
"Ok, but if you change your mind let me know," Mei said, and scooped all of her gear back into the purse. Izuku half wondered how heavy it was and how it all fit, but decided it would best not to pry.
Clearing his throat, Mr. Azara put away Thunderfury and managed to smile. "I believe you said you needed more bad movies?"
"Yes. Preferably in Japanese, but I am currently trying new things so if they are in English I am willing to take them," Mei answered.
"Well, I've already given you two some Batman movies," Mr. Azara mused. "One moment."
He disappeared into the back, and Mei took Izuku's hand in hers, happily humming to herself.
"Um, Mei, thanks for helping me back there," Izuku said quietly. "I sort of panicked when I saw all the reporters there. I guess...I guess I didn't think that us going on a date together would be such a big deal."
"They were very rude," Mei huffed. "We did not invite them on our date. Do not worry, Izuku. I will deal with the reporters. I know you do not like it when you have to talk to them."
"Sorry our date was ruined," Izuku said, cringing slightly. He had so wanted tonight to be special…
"It is not ruined!" Mei declared, smiling at Izuku. "We will do what we did on our first date: we will get a bad movie and go to your house and watch it together. That was fun, and I like remembering it."
Izuku blinked. "I guess...I guess I should call my mom?"
"Maybe, I do not know. Does she like surprises?" Mei asked.
"No. Definitely not." Izuku quickly sent his mother a text message, and she quickly replied that she would be thrilled to have them over again, and that she wanted to see how cute Mei looked.
Izuku winced. While he thought Mei always looked cute, there was no denying that they were both currently a bit bedraggled.
"Here you go!" Mr. Azara said, coming in from the backroom with an old DVD case. "Iron Man: Rise of Technovor! It's not the worst movie ever made, but I personally think it's pretty bad. And best of all, it's in Japanese, just for you Hatsume."
"Yes!" Mei cheered. "I do not like English!" She took the case then bowed. "Thank you very much! How much is it?"
"Considering all the business you two bring in? Sign these two figures for me and we'll call it a deal. I can charge a mint for them!" Mr. Azara exclaimed, offering Izuku and Mei each a figurine of themselves and a sharpie.
Mei quickly checked the eyes of her figurine, removing the small goggles. They were plain and brown, and the sight of them made Izuku feel melancholy. For a moment, he thought Mei would cry, her expression was so pained. But then she nodded, replacing the goggles and scrawling her signature on the toy. "That is good: it is who I am now."
Mr. Azara eagerly took the signed figurines, placing them in special displays. "You kids have fun! And come back any time!"
It was only a short train ride back to Izuku's old apartment. Thankfully, no one on the nearly empty train recognized them, which wasn't surprising given their current state. Inko was delighted to see both of them, making a fuss over Izuku and Mei and taking several photos before she allowed them to sit and start up the movie.
While once Izuku might have found Rise of Technovor entertaining, with his new found knowledge of just how hero work went and Mei's more intimate understanding of the supposed technology showcased in the film, they had plenty to mock. Inko popped popcorn and served up energy drinks and coffee, smiling and dabbing at her tears of joy.
Even though he was certain his and Mei's clothes were ruined and they hadn't done anything to endear themselves to the press, Izuku smiled as he sat with Mei, their arms wrapped around one another. It had been a special date, and it had been so in their own way. Tomorrow was another day, but for now, Izuku treasured the moment.